HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-2012 CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE
FIRE DEPARTMENT MERIT COMMISSION
Thursday, April 5, 2012
707 PM
The Jeffersonville Fire Department Merit Commission held a Regular Meeting on
Thursday, April 5, 2012 in the Second Floor Conference Room, 500 Quartermaster
Court, Jeffersonville, IN The following were present:
David Martin — President
Bobby Ervin- Vice President
Jeff Frey — Secretary
Lyn Akerman — Board Member
Patricia Barrow — Board Member
Drew Adams - Attorney
Connie Conen — Recording Secretary
GUESTS:
Amy Emerson
CALL TO ORDER:
Mr. Martin called the meeting to order at 7:07PM. All Members were in attendance.
MINUTES:
Mr. Frey made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2012 meeting; Mr.
Akerman seconded. Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Emerson continued a discussion regarding the promotion process and incorporating
new types of technical information, background checks and the usual items. She
suggested adding technical proficient people to assist in administering the test; i.e. a
higher rank would administer to a subordinate rank. Ms. Emerson handed out examples
of an assessment exercise and outlined a possible procedure. Also discussed was the
possibility of convening two different boards.
Mr. Irvin brought up the "Incident of Command" and suggested that this be added as a
question — what their role is and what their supervisor's role would be.
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A discussion continued regarding having two boards — Board A would be made up of
non - technical personnel, perhaps Merit Board members, and Board B would be more
technical made up of Battalion Chiefs or higher. It was recommended that Board
member be part of the interviews but would step back and only observe when the
technical questions were scored.
Ms. Emerson asked if the Board wanted anything else to be included in the interviews —
discipline, performance, eligibility, tests, past performance ratings, total review score,
years of service and tactical assessment. An employee can always appeal their score.
Mr. Adam asked for a motion to extend probationary hires to Mr. Glinke, Mr. Hurt and
Mr. Dickey. Mr. Frey made a motion to do so and Mr. Irvin seconded. Motion passed.
Mr. Adams asked for a motion to extend a probationary hire to Mr. Emerson who is
already CPAT qualified. Mr. Akerman made the motion to do and Mr. Irvin seconded —
pending his results from PERF. Motion passed
OLD BUSINESS:
Jason Sharp — 5/10/2012 is the date for the hearing. The Commission could ask for an
"InterPleader" — if the Judge rules in favor of Mr. Sharp the Commission could appeal.
Background: Prior to the Fire Merit Commission, Mr. Sharp was a Sergeant; he was
assigned to Fire Prevention which carried the rank of Major. He was subsequently'
removed from that rank and dropped back to Sergeant but kept the pay of Major. Mr.
Wilder withdrew from the case.
Mr. Akerman made the motion to ask for an InterPleader; Ms. Barrow seconded. Motion
passed.
Shawn Grant — Mr. Grant is suing the Fire Merit Commission. Mr. Adams will file a
response this week. Background: On 8/6/2008 he was promoted to Captain. In 2012 he
was still receiving Captain's pay but did not have the rank. Subsequently, at the
December 2008 Board of Public Works meeting, due to a clerical error, Mr. Grant's rank
was corrected to Lt. Issues in this matter include: Mr. Grant could have appealed in a
timely manner; all information was submitted from the Board of Public Works;
Promotion /demotion in rank does not require due process. Mr. Grant was placed in merit
rank by statute.
Evaluations for Firefighters were completed in March; all others should be completed by
May.
Promotions — The list expires every 2 years — the list has to be established even if there
are no ranks to be filled.
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The next Fire Commission meeting will be May 3, 2012.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Akerman made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Frey seconded. Motion passed. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.
APPROVED:
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David Martin, President