Committee Minutes
MINUTES
Grand Forks Civil Service Commission
April 8, 2010
Chairman Macgregor called the Grand Forks Civil Service Commission meeting to order at approximately 3:35 PM in the City Hall, Council Chambers. Commissioners, Bredemeier, Nies and Vanyo were present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner Bredemeier and seconded by Commissioner Vanyo to approve the March 11, 2010 regular meeting minutes.
All approved, motion carried.
HR Director Hovland stated that the Mayor has appointed a new Civil Service Commissioner and he will be starting at the May meeting.
Eligibility of Non-Classified Employee to apply for Classified Position per 6-0513(1)
Mr. Hovland stated that there are two individuals that work for the City part time that have requested to be considered as internal applicants. The first one is Tim Peterka, with the Public Health department approved by Mr. Shields in a timely fashion. Mr. Shields was available to answer any questions. Commissioner MacGregor asked if there was anything in City Code about a minimum time that the part timers need to work for the City, before they can be considered for internal status. Mr. Hovland stated that there was not anything in the City Code about a time limit, but the Commission can establish on a case by case basis. Commissioner MacGregor asked a question about what has been the length of time in a temporary position. Mr. Hovland discussed the length as anywhere from two weeks to three years. It was moved by Commissioner Bredemeier and seconded by Commissioner Nies to approve Mr. Peterka internal candidate status.
All approved, motion carried.
The next one is Katrina Osborn, Community Betterment Specialist, she would like to be considered for the permanent position. Mr. Hovland stated that Mr. Hoover, Urban Development Director, is present to answer any questions. Commissioner MacGregor asked, how long she has been in the department. Mr. Hoover stated that she has been with the department for about three years in a grant funded position and before that she was an intern with our staff. It was moved by Commissioner Nies and seconded by Commissioner Vanyo to approve Ms. Osborn’s internal candidate status.
All approved, motion carried.
REASSIGNMENT REGISTERS
Water Plant Operator, Lead
HR Director Hovland stated that there were three internal candidates Public Works Director Mr. Feland is here today to answer any questions. Mr. Feland stated that he was the Water Department interviewer and all three were very fine candidates. I would recommended that the cutoff be at 94.5%, since there is not a large break between the candidates. It was moved by Commissioner Bredemeier and seconded by Commissioner Nies to approve the cutoff at 94.500%.
All approved, motion carried.
Timothy Midboe
Ira Hill
John Goetz
Community Betterment Specialist
HR Director Hovland stated that there was one internal candidate for the position and Urban Development Director Hoover is here today to answer any questions like what is a Community Betterment Specialist. Mr. Hoover stated that Ms. Osborn has been very instrumental in running the Mayor’s Urban Neighborhood Initiative. She came to the City from the Geography department at the university and has received her Masters. She has been working in the near North Neighborhood in helping organize those folks to make improvements in that neighborhood, which is bounded by the river, Washington, Gateway and Demers. She is also responsible for a million dollar grant from the Knight Foundation that is being used in the neighborhood. It was moved by Commissioner Vanyo and seconded by Commissioner Bredemeier to approve the cutoff at 90.000%.
All approved, motion carried.
Katrina Osborn
Administrative Specialist –(Health)
HR Director Hovland stated that there were four internal candidate for the position. There is currently one open position and potentially one more position to be filled. It is Mr. Shields recommendation that because of the spread of the scores, we establish a Reassignment Register of only one. As a past practice of the Commission, HR will contact the others, if that is the choice of the Commission, to integrate their scores with the external candidates or they can reapply to improve their score. Mr. Shields stated that the large spread between the candidates is really due to two important areas. One is the emphasis on customer service and the other was on the ability to multi-task. Clearly one candidate could do very well, the others I think more experience, skills probably would be beneficial for them. This is why we are recommending, that if you concur, to establish a Reassignment Register of one. Commissioner MacGregor asked about another potential position available and Mr. Hovland stated that there could be a retirement, but we do not have anything firm on that. It was moved by Commissioner Nies and seconded by Commissioner Bredemeier to approve the cutoff at 99.000%.
All approved, motion carried.
Kristie Hegg
ELIGIBILITY REGISTER
Water Plant Operator (Exam cutoff)
Mr. Hovland stated that we have Hazel Sletten here to address any questions. It appears there isn’t a clear break, but historically we look at 70 to 72 percent. Ms. Sletten stated that we set the internal candidates score at 70% and would recommend we do the same for this cutoff. Commissioner Vanyo questioned whether the internal candidate was above 70%. Ms. Sletten stated that originally there were two internal candidates and one scored above 70% and the other did not. Because this is a position that requires certification by the State Health Department and to advance, the employees needs to take the State tests, which builds into our lead position. Commissioner Bredemeier questioned whether the internal candidate would be included in this Eligibility register. Mr. Hovland stated that we would be establishing a Reassignment register of one and would build an Eligibility register from these candidates. It was moved by Commissioner Bredemeier and seconded by Commissioner Vanyo to approve the Water Plant Operator exam cutoff at 72.000%.
All approved, motion carried.
Police Officer
Mr. Hovland stated that this is the first register we are bringing forward after your approval of the pilot program to look at candidates twice a year. There are currently two names left on the current Eligibility Register, which will run out on May 13. It is our request we let them will drop off after the year and we would establish this new register based on the new pilot program. Lt. Ferguson stated that he agrees and would like to cut after number seven. That would be at 76%. Commissioner MacGregor asked Lt. Ferguson how many he thinks might be hired. Lt. Ferguson stated that there might be two going by June. Mr. Hovland stated that we will supplement the register in six months when we run the process again so that will be the supplement to this register based on integrated scores. It was moved by Commissioner Nies and seconded by Commissioner Vanyo to approve the Police Officer Eligibility Register at 76.000%.
All approved, motion carried.
Darrin Roberts
Nicholas Foley
Robert Starr
Adam Barkley
Mari Negaard
Brent Larson
Ryan Haskell
REEMPLOYMENT REGISTER
Mr. Hovland stated that we have an employee departing us, Heather Gagnon. She is requesting that she be placed on the Reemployment Register and has been approved by the Interim 911 Director, myself and Mayor Brown in a timely manner. It was moved by Commissioner Bredemeier and seconded by Commissioner Vanyo to approve the placing of Heath Gagnon on the Reemployment Register.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner Bredemeier and seconded by Commissioner Vanyo to adjourn the April 8, 2010 regular meeting. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 3:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Daryl Hovland Human Resources Director