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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJFMC May 16, 2024 Special Meeting FIRE MERIT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA Special Meeting City Council Chambers May 16, 2024 CALL TO ORDER: The Special Meeting with Public Hearing for May 6, 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, Troy McCormick, Brooke Valentine, Sam Smith and Thomas Spalding. James Dyson was absent. COMMISSION STAFF: Fire Merit Commission Counsel Zach Stewart, President Union 558 Brad Tetley, Fire Chief Shawn Grant and Stenographer Cindy Seifert GUESTS: Anne Langley, Brandon Bowyer, Donald Johnson and Chad Ogden APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Spalding made the motion to approve the Agenda, noting the mistake of Rescheduled Meeting rather than Special Meeting, seconded by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 4-0. BUSINESS: AMENDMENT 2024-02 Attorney Stewart advised that Administration presented a request to waive the requirement to obtain a certain certification for the period of one year(or the probationary period of promotion) in the rank of Captain. Chief Grant advised that this class has been offered. Three Lieutenants have passed the class recently.The City is preparing to add 1 or 2 new fire houses,thereby increasing the need for additional Captains. Chief expressed that he foresees a similar issue as the 2023 lack of Lieutenants to fill vacancies. He expressed that he must have drivers in the trucks. Captain Chad Ogden,spoke in regards to the Certification that is holding up the ability of all parties to be promoted to Captain. Incident Safety Officer Class is a one-time certification, offered only every two years by the State of Indiana. It is also offered nationally. However,the classes fill up almost as soon as they are announced. Captain Ogden has requested the state allow the class to be held in Jeffersonville next year, to insure staff in Southern Indiana has an opportunity to get enrolled. He is confident that the state will permit this request. Attorney Stewart advised that the current rule states that the promotion seeker will obtain the certification before the application deadline. All promotions are probationary for a period of one year. Chief Grant advised that he feels there is a dire need for additional Captains to the promotion list. Most likely, there will be a need for other waivers in the future. Union President Tetley advised that the Union is divided on this issue. Although they see the need for more Captains on the promotion list, they do not all feel this is the correct action. Six individuals are affected by the decision, three are for the action and three are against. The approval of this action will result in 4 rather than 3 individuals testing for promotion. Page 1 of 3 Commission President McCormick asked if lack of interest in promotion was the reason for the low numbers. Tetley advised that lack of interest was a factor, but also the lack of Lieutenants in the department following the current promotion list being exhausted. Tetley asked if there was any option to give credit to those who already have all requirements. Attorney Stewart advised that the only credits the Commission has offered, are to applicants who are Veterans or children of Police/Fire that died in the line of duty. At this time, Commissioner McCormick made a motion to open a public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 4-0. PUBLIC HEARING Lieutenant Brandon Bowyer spoke against the proposal. He advised that the rules were set in place and all parties knew the requirements and deadlines. The deadlines had passed. He explained that two years ago, he was unable to proceed with an intent to promote due to not having passed the required classes. He states that approval of the proposed waiver undermines his work to comply with the requirements. Chief Grant responded to Lieutenant Bowyer's statement, advising that the proposed waiver was not an effort to provide special treatment. He understands the issues that Bowyer has with the waiver. But he has to look out for the department and the citizens of Jeffersonville. Union President Tetley advised that the two other parties that have not passed the Incident Safety Class were aware of the purpose of this special meeting, however they did not complete the intent paperwork. Attorney Stewart advised that expansion of the department,which would require the increase of needs of ranked parties in the department, would be an acceptable reason to allow new promotion testing ahead of the 2-year cycle,following the exhaustion of the next promotion list. Commissioner Spalding questioned whether the department would be permitted to pay deferential. Chief Grant advised that pay is set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, so that is not an option. Union President Tetley asked if the promotion list is exhausted due to expansion, a new testing period can be requested. Attorney Stewart confirmed. Tetley added that currently there are two openings in the Rank of Lieutenant and one opening in the Rank of Sergeant. With no one else to speak, Commission President McCormick closed the public hearing. Commissioner McCormick made the motion to waive the requirement, for the 2024 Promotion period only, to obtain the certification of Incident Safety Officer in the rank of Captain, until the probationary period, , seconded by Commissioner Smith, passes on a vote of 4-0. ATTORNEY REPORT: No Report REPORT FROM LOCAL 558 UNION: No Report REPORT ADMINISTRATION: No Report Page 2 of 3 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 6:47 P.M. APPROVED BY: Respectfully Submitted by: 2Z Troy McCormick, President Cin Seifert, Stenographer Page 3 of 3