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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJFMC October 12, 2023 FIRE MERIT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA Regular Meeting City Council Chambers October 12, 2023 CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting for October 12, 2023, Fire Merit Commission was called to order by Commissioner SPALDING at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted and those present were Commissioners Thomas Spalding,Troy McCormick Sam Smith, James Dyson and Brooke Valentine. COMMISSION STAFF: Fire Merit Commission Counsel Zach Stewart, Fire Chief Shawn Grant, Fire Assistant Chief Jason Sharp and Stenographer Cindy Seifert GUESTS: Brandon Bowyer, Sam Veals and Kyle Patterson MINUTES: Commissioner Spalding made the motion to approve the minutes from September 7, 2023, seconded by Commissioner McCormick, passes on a vote of 5-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner McCormick made the motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 5-0. CLAIMS: Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve a claim to Ascension St Vincent in the amount of $1,566.67,for the medical testing of new hire Brandon Reardon, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, passes on a vote of 5-0. BUSINESS: EXECUTIVE SESSION MEMORANDUM Attorney Stewart presented a memorandum stating that an Executive Session was held on October 12, 2023, at 5:30pm for the purpose of receiving information concerning an individual's alleged misconduct in accordance with I.C.5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(6)(A). Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve the Executive Session Memorandum, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, passes on a vote of 5-0. REQUEST FOR HEARING ON SUMMARY DISCIPLINE Attorney Stewart advised that Chief Grant issued a Disciplinary action against a Department Member, resulting in a 5-day suspension. Since the action was 5 days, the action does not require the involvement of the Merit Commission, however the member has requested a hearing. Attorney Stewart recommends granting the hearing. Once a hearing is granted, the hearing must occur within 14-30 days. Commissioner McCormick made the motion to accept the request for a hearing, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, passes on a vote of 5-0. Page 1 of 3 NOTICE OF PREFERRED CHARGES Attorney Stewart advised he has been provided Notice of Preferred Charges from Chief Grant against a Department member, the same member involved in the above action. Stewart suggests scheduling a hearing as well as consolidating the two actions into the same hearing for timeliness due to the holidays within the 14-30 day scheduling period. Commissioner McCormick made the motion to schedule hearing on preferred charges,seconded by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 5-0. Commissioner Spalding made the motion to consolidate hearings for Summary Discipline and Preferred Charges, seconded by Commissioner Dyson, passes on a vote of 5-0. Upon coordinating schedules of Administration and Merit Commissioners, October 30th at 5:00pm was selected. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR TESTING Attorney Stewart advised that James Haven is expected to be deployed to active military at the beginning of August 2024. The administration has made it clear they support making accommodations for Mr. Haven to participate in the promotion process. Commissioner's agreed that they would be in favor of allowing some accommodations, but would like to consider options. Options discussed were (1) interview via zoom at the same time as normally scheduled; (2) move all testing schedule up for all ranks; and (3) move up testing for the rank Mr. Haven will be testing for. Issues noted in relation to moving up testing is that the study period for the testing would be shortened for all parties. Stewart advised that on October 23, 2023, there is a scheduled call with IPSP, where he will discuss options for accommodations. Commissioner Spalding made the motion to approve allowing for accommodations for the promotion testing and interviews in a manner to be determined later, seconded by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 5-0. ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney Stewart advised during the call with IPSP on October 23, 2023, there will be a discussion regarding the study materials for the promotion process. This should allow for the materials to be approved at an upcoming Merit Commission Meeting so that Department Members can begin studying. REPORT FROM LOCAL 558 UNION: No Report REPORT ADMINISTRATION: Chief Grant advised that in addition to the current vacancy in the rank of Lieutenant, he has recently received a letter of intent to retire. This retirement will result in a second vacancy in the rank of Lieutenant on January 1, 2024. Attorney Stewart advised that Indiana Code allows for the promotion list to be certified for a period of two years. The issue with the vacancies within the department are a conflict with the CBA. Since the Fire Merit Commission does not negotiate the CBA, Stewart suggests changes to the CBA. Stewart also advised that due to the promotion lists having a two-year certification, if the Commission decides to have a new list certified early, the schedule for Lieutenant promotion testing would permanently be on an opposite schedule that the rest of the ranks. Chief Grant advised that he will continue to notify the Commission of the vacancy and the conflict with the CBA. Page 2 of 3 FIRE MERIT COMMISSION COMMENTS: No Report ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Spalding made the motion to ADJOURN, seconded by Commissioner McCormick passes on a vote of 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 P.M. APPROVkD BY: 77e • C 74 Se die-t// resident Respectfully Submitted by: Cindy eifert, Stenographer Page 3 of 3