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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJFMC April 4, 2024 FIRE MERIT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA Regular Meeting City Council Chambers April 4, 2024 CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting for April 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 and Thomas Spalding. Brooke Valentine was absent. COMMISSION STAFF: Fire Merit Commission Counsel Zach Stewart, President Union 558 Brad Tetley, Fire Chief Shawn Grant, Fire Administrative Assistant Anne Langley and Stenographer Cindy Seifert GUESTS: None MINUTES: Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve the minutes from March 7, 2024, seconded by Commissioner Spalding, passes on a vote of 4-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner McCormick made the motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by Commissioner Dyson, passes on a vote of 4-0. CLAIMS: Attorney Stewart presented of a claim for his legal services.Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve the claim for Zachary F. Stewart, in the amount of $2,500.00, to be paid out of legal services, seconded by Commissioner Spalding, passes on a vote of 4-0. Attorney Stewart presented of a claim for Ascension St Vincent for the Medical Opinion of potential hires Cole Kraft and Travis Foster.Commissioner McCormick made the motion to approve the claim for Ascension St Vincent, in the amount of$3,202.38, seconded by Commissioner Spalding, passes on a vote of 4-0. BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF APPLICATION DEADLINES AND CUTOFFS Fire Administrative Assistant Anne Langley advised the Commission that she has met with Human Resources and they suggested opening the application process on April 8, 2024 and closing on August 2, 2024. The application process will occur on the City of Jeffersonville website and there is a computer set up in the Human Resources Offices to aid in the process. The testing date of August 17, 2024 has already been set by the Commission. Commissioner Spalding made the motion to approve the Application Period of April 8, 2024, through August 2, 2024, seconded by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 4-0. Attorney Stewart advised that with the approval of the application period, a decision needs to be made regarding advertising. There will be social media posts regarding the hiring process weekly. Ms. Langley advised that the cost of print advertising in the News-Tribune will be at a cost of$266.94. If one ad ran per week of the application period the cost would be $2,669.40. Attorney Stewart advised that the Commission needs to approve the frequency of the advertising. Commissioner McCormick made a motion to approve advertising twice per month from April through July, seconded by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 4-0 Page 1 of 2 AMENDMENT 2024-01 REGARDING AGE LIMITATIONS FOR APPLICANTS Attorney Stewart advised that the internal rules state that the age requirements to become a firefighter are from 21 to 36. Indiana Code 36-8.3.5-12 allows for the age requirement to be 21 to 40. Attorney Stewart suggests the internal rules be changed to mirror the Indiana Code. Chief Grant and Union President Tetley are both in full support of the change. Attorney Stewart advised that the Notice of Proposed Merit Change to Applicant Qualifications:Age Limitations,was posted at Fire Headquarters, City Clerk's Office and Human Resources 10 days prior to this meeting. Commissioner Smith made the motion approve Amendment 2024-01, to amend the Applicant Qualifications, seconded by Commissioner McCormick. At this time, Commissioner McCormick made a motion to open a Public Hearing on the Amendment and Rule Change, Commissioner Spalding seconded the motion, passes on a vote of 4-0. Attorney Stewart asked if there was anyone present to speak on the matter, hearing none, Commissioner McCormick closed the public hearing. The Commissioner's voted and the motion to approve Amendment 2024- 01, passes on a vote of 4-0. Attorney Stewart advised that Ms. Langley is working on consolidating all the amendments to the rules. Once finalized, the new City of Jeffersonville Fire Merit Commission Rules & Procedures will be sent to all department members. BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR APPLICANTS(FIRE MERIT COMMISSION RULES) Attorney Stewart advised there was a workshop to discuss detailed background checks.They are in the process of writing a proposal to bring to the Commission. He also took a moment to thank both Anne Langley and Cindy Seifert for their work in aiding Commission. ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney Stewart thanked the Commission for continuing to allow him to work for this Board. REPORT FROM LOCAL 558 UNION: Union President Brad Tetley thanked the Commission for all the work toward the busy year. REPORT ADMINISTRATION: Chief Grant also thanked the Commission and is looking forward to a successful application period. FIRE MERIT COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commissioner McCormick thanked Cindy Seifert to the calendar of events for the Commission over the 2024 year. It was noted that there is a meeting scheduled for July 4th, Cindy Seifert will request dates from Clerk for the Council Chambers availability surrounding the holiday. Those dates will be brought to next month's meeting. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Smith made the motion to ADJOURN, seconded by Commissioner Dyson, passes on a vote of 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:29 P.M. APPROVED BY: Respectfully Submitted by: Troy McCormick, President Cin eifert, tenograph Page 2 of 2