HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-061
MAPLEWOOD CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
MINUTES
February 6, 2006
The February 6, 2006 meeting was called to order at 8 a.m.
Members Present: Marlene Palkovich, Chair
Debra Birkholz, Secretary
Steve Gunn
Others Present: Chief David Thomalla
Commission Liaison Sherrie Le
Recording Secretary Terrie Rameaux
Elect Secretary and Rotate Chair
This meeting is the mandatory statutory meeting required for civil service commissions on the
first Monday of February each year. By Statute the Chair rotates to the member serving the last
year of their appointment which would be Debra Birkholz. However, Commissioner Birkholz
requested that the rotation be postponed at this time due to the demands of her new job. Chair
Palkovich made a motion to nominate Steve Gunn as Chair for this rotation. Commissioner
Birkholz seconded the motion. Ayes: 2, Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Chair Palkovich made a motion to nominate Debra Birkholz as Secretary. Commissioner Gunn
seconded the motion. Ayes: 2, Nays: 0. Motion carried. Chair Palkovich passed the Chair to
Steve Gunn.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Birkholz made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2005 meeting.
Commissioner Palkovich seconded the motion. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Review Background of Police Officer Candidate and Certify Name
Chief Thomalla stated that there was not a background for review. He had hoped to have a
background done by this meeting. But the last two candidates withdrew and the third one is not
yet complete. He also stated that the candidate currently being backgrounded looks good at this
time.
Sherrie Le stated that candidate #11 was certified but failed the psychological exam. She asked
the Commission if there should be a letter from the Commission formally removing her name
from the list. After some discussion it was decided that a formal notice of removal from the list
is not necessary as the job offer was contingent upon passing the psychological exam and the
candidate was aware of this.
Other
Chief Thomalla stated that the City Council had approved a new lieutenant and two new sergeant
positions. At the first City Council meeting in January 2006, Michael Shortreed was promoted
to Lieutenant and Kerry Crotty was promoted to Sergeant, which filled the vacancy created by
Mike Shortreed’s promotion. There are still the two new sergeant positions to fill.
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However, Chief Thomalla stated that he wants to wait until newly hired police officers have
completed FTO before making any additional promotions to sergeant. Sherrie Le inquired if there
was a need to certify an addition name from the Sergeants eligibility list. There was discussion about
how many names were certified at the last meeting. (Note: Based on the meeting minutes, five were
certified for the three vacancies so additional certifications are not needed.)
Chief Thomalla also stated that Joe Steiner, a former CSO, was recently promoted to police
officer. The Chief also indicated he had been contacted by Joe Tran, a former Maplewood police
officer, who asked if he could get his job back as a Maplewood police officer. Chair Gunn
inquired about the reinstating of Joe Tran and the Civil Service Rules and Regs. Chief Thomalla
stated that reinstatement is allowed under the Rules and Regs and does not require action by the
Commission. Joe Tran was reinstated.
Chief Thomalla stated that the department currently has 51 officers. He’s hoping to be fully staffed
at 52 officers with the successful completion of a background very soon. Commissioner Palkovich
inquired as to the reason for a ‘withdraw’ as indicated on the list. He stated that many candidates are
encouraged to withdraw. Others have taken jobs elsewhere.
Chair Gunn inquired if another eligibility list might be required. Chief Thomalla stated he’s
expecting one retirement and hopes to fill that position from the current list with the remaining
candidates. Packets will be mailed out to the remaining candidates on the list.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 a.m. by a motion made by
Commissioner Palkovich and seconded by Commissioner Birkholz.
Respectfully submitted,
Terrie Rameaux
Recording Secretary