Minutes_Civil Service Commission 10 16 09Government Body:
Date:
Time:
Place of Meeting:
Civil Service Commission
Friday, October 16, 2009
8:00 a.m.
City Hall -Conference Room A
Present: Chairperson Dan White, Commission Members Jim Schilling and Betty Takes
Others Present: Personnel Manager Randy Peck, Finance Director Ken TeKippe,
Utility Billing Supervisor Rose Hoerner, Account Clerk Lisa Barton, Fire Chief Dan
Brown, Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association President Bob Rehfeldt
1. Approve Minutes of September 8 and October 6, 2009
Motion by Schilling to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2009 meeting.
Seconded by Takes. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion by Schilling to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2009 meeting.
Seconded by White. Motion carried 2-0.
2. Communication from Lisa Demmer Regarding the Passing Point for the
Position of Accountant
Account Clerk Lisa Demmer stated that she was requesting the Civil Service
Commission to lower the passing point for the position of Accountant as she felt
she was not given reasonable accommodation to take the test at an alternate
time. She stated the test was scheduled to be administered at 6:30 p.m. and she
had requested to take the test earlier that day as she became fatigued later in
the day due to her pregnancy. She also stated that she suffered from heartburn
due to the pregnancy.
Personnel Manager Randy Peck stated that the request he received was due to
the issue of fatigue. He discussed the request with Human Rights Director Kelly
Larson and they recommended that Ms. Demmer take time off during the
afternoon of the day of the test to rest. He reported that she did not do this. He
said that typically tests are given at alternate times when an individual, current
employee or citizen, are unable to be in attendance at the scheduled time or for
those with disabilities.
In response to questions from the Commission, Finance Director Ken TeKippe
stated that Demmer had been doing part of the Accountant duties since July and
was being compensated for it. He felt that the request to take the test at an
alternate time was fair. He stated he and Utility Billing Supervisor Rose Hoerner
were also requesting that the passing point be lowered as Demmer was the best
candidate.
Peck stated that the integrity of the testing process needed to be maintained and
that by lowering the passing point after the results were known was
compromising that integrity.
The Commission discussed the various aspects of the request. Schilling
commented that it bothered him that it appeared they were being requested to
lower the passing point in order for Demmer to be added to the eligibility list and
ultimately being given the job.
After discussion, Takes moved to maintain the passing point as it was and deny
the request. She stated her reason for the motion was because the integrity of
the process would be harmed if the passing point was lowered. Seconded by
Schilling. Motion carried 3-0.
3. Communication from Robert C. Rehfeldt, Dubuque Professional
Firefighters Association, and Fire Chief Dan Brown Regarding the Eligibility
Requirements for the Medical Officer Test
Fire Chief Dan Brown stated that when the original eligibility requirements to take
the Civil Service examination for the position of Medical Officer were that the
individual had to be a Paramedic Specialist. He said he is now recommending
that this be changed to Paramedic in order to allow more employees to take the
test. The Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association concurred with the
change.
Motion by Takes to approve the request Seconded by Schilling. Motion carried 3-
0.
4. Establish Passing Point and Certify List for the Position of Equipment
Operator I
Motion by Schilling to approve the recommendation establishing the passing
score at 54 and above correct answers (70.1) and to certify the list as read.
Seconded by Takes. Motion carried 3-0.
5. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Decision in the Case of Kyle
Cross vs. the City of Dubuque
Motion by Take to receive and file the material. Seconded by Schilling. Motion
carried 3-0.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:02 a.m.
Approved at meeting of /~ ~ ~~