HomeMy WebLinkAboutJFMC January 4, 2024 FIRE MERIT COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers
January 4, 2024
CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting for January 4, 2024, Fire Merit Commission was called to order by
Commissioner MCCORMICK at 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted and those present were Commissioners James Dyson, Troy McCormick,
Sam Smith (via Zoom),Thomas Spalding and Brooke Valentine. Due to issues with sound on Zoom, Commissioner
Smith will not be voting during this meeting.
COMMISSION STAFF:
Fire Merit Commission Counsel Zach Stewart, President Union 558 Brad Tetley, Fire Chief Shawn Grant, Deputy
Fire Chief Jason Sharp and Stenographer Cindy Seifert
GUESTS: Lance Beard, Dalton Collins, Mark Daugherty,Joseph Donahue, Rolandan Finch, Rusty Hall,James Haven,
TJ Kiesler, Alexander Knerr, Matt McDowell, Kevin Michalak, Kyle Patterson, Gary Popp, Antonio Veals, Jason
Wiesenauer and Attorney Peter Jannace
MINUTES: Commissioner Spalding made the motion to approve the minutes from December 7, 2023, seconded
by Commissioner Dyson, passes on a vote of 4-0.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner McCormick made the motion to approve the Agenda with the addition
of approving the Executive Session Memorandum, seconded by Commissioner Dyson, passes on a vote of 4-0.
CLAIMS: No claims were presented.
BUSINESS:
ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2023 (PRESIDENT;VICE-PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY)
Commissioner McCormick made the motion to appoint officers for 2024 with, Troy McCormick as President,
Thomas Spalding as Vice-President, and Sam Smith as Secretary, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, roll-call
vote DYSON-Yes, MCCORMICK-Yes, VALENTINE-Yes and SPALDING-Yes, passes on a vote of 4-0.
2023-D-002 -MEMBER DISCIPLINARY HEARING & 2023-D-001 - MEMBER DISCIPLINARY HEARING
Attorney Stewart advised that 2023-D-001 had been vacated during the hearing in December. Stewart presented
the Commissioners with options regarding 2023-D-002. Commissioner McCormick made the motion to APPROVE
the proposed FINDINGS OF FACTS AND CONCLUSIONS, which determines that Matthew McDowell's summary
discipline be VACATED, based upon the following:
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A. The Chief failed to demonstrate by preponderance of the evidence that Matthew McDowell violated
departmental policies and failed to demonstrate that the discipline imposed was supported by the
evidence.
B. That Matthew McDowell's conduct described did not constitute:
a. Neglect of Duty, Indiana Code 36-8-3.5-17(b)(2)(A);
b. Absence without leave, Indiana Code 36-8-3.5-17(b)(2)(E);
c. Conduct unbecoming, Indiana Code 36-8-3.5-17(b)(2)(H)
d. Any of the other statutory disciplinary grounds
C. The Chief instituted the summary discipline for the above related violations and suspended Matthew
McDowell without pay for a period of 24 hours. The summary discipline is hereby vacated
Motion was seconded by Commissioner Valentine, roll-call vote DYSON-Yes, MCCORMICK-Yes, VALENTINE-Yes
and SPALDING-Yes, passes on a vote of 4-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MEMORANDUM
Commissioner McCormick made the motion to approve the Executive Session Memorandum for Executive Session
held January 4, 2024, seconded by Commissioner Spalding, passes on a vote of 4-0.
ATTORNEY REPORT: No Report
REPORT FROM LOCAL 558 UNION: New Union President Brad Tetley introduced himself to the
Commissioner's and advised he would reach out to meet them personally.
REPORT ADMINISTRATION: Chief Grant advised he is looking forward to 2024 and expressed gratitude that
the new City Council has renewed the commission of Sam Smith to the Commission.
FIRE MERIT COMMISSION COMMENTS: No Comments
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Spalding made the motion to ADJOURN,
seconded by Commissioner Valentine, passes on a vote of 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:17 P.M.
APPROVED BY:
Troy McCormick, President
Respectfully Submitted by:
/ /
C. dy Seifert, Stenographer
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