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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/07/2002 BFPC minutes Village of Mount Prospect 112 E. Northwest Highway Mouht Prospect, Illinois 60056 BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS Phone 847/870-5656 Ext. 303 MINUTES May 7, 2002 Present: Christopher Lenz, Chairperson Marie Cotten, Secretary Claude Bjork, Commissioner Clyde Brooks, Commissioner Robert McKillop, Commissioner (arrived 5:45 p.m.) Richard Eddington, Chief of Police Ron Richardson, Deputy Police Chief Michael Figolah, Fire Chief Everette Hill, Jr. BOFPC Attorney Chairman Christopher Lenz called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Bjork and seconded by Commissioner Cotten to accept the minutes of the open meeting of April 2, 2002.. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork Nays: None Abstain: Brooks Motion carried. Fire Department Update Chief Figolah reported on the progress the Fire Department was making with validating the test. Women from Franklin Park and Maywood have volunteer to validate the test. The Chief hopes to complete this process soon. After it is completed, they will be able to establish the pass/fail time for the physical ability and move on with a schedule for the new hire test. Public Comments Officer Robert Smith introduced his wife. All Board members introduced themselves. Officer Smith read a statement to the Board asking them to reconsider the decision not to accept his application for tb.e sergeants.test. He outlined his view on the events that led to his application beingrejêcted. OfficetSfuith went on to say that Deputy Chief Condon, acting as an agent for the Board, accepted his application, and he also spoke to Chief Eddington, who also accepted the application. After the April 2nd BOFPC Meeting, he was notified that the BOFPC had rejected his application. Officer Smith made the statement that Officer Floyd had been allowed to turn in his application late to the shift commander. He also stated that notice of the ~ last board meeting was not published according to the Illinois Open Meetings Act and that the Village Clerk does not maintain a schedule of the board's regularly scheduled meetings. The Chairman thanked Officer Smith. Mr. Hill asked Officer Smith the time of his conversation with Deputy Chief Condon._Officer Smith knew it was sometime after his 2:00 p.m. doctor's appointment, but before 5:00 p.m. Chairman Lenz asked the Chief the date and time the applications were due. Officer Smith answered that they were due on March 2ih at 9:00a.m. Chairman Lenz again confirmed that Officer Smith spoke to Deputy Chief Condon sometime before 5 o'clock on March 27th. Chairman Lenz asked if the meeting notice was properly posted. Diane Rhode stated that it had been sent to the Village Clerk. Buzz Hill agreed to check with the clerk to determine how it had been posted. Officer Smith left the meeting. Lel!al Review for the Hirinl! Process Attorney Hill was asked to clarify questions the BOFPC had regarding candidates and the latitude the Commission has regarding the oral interview process. Do they have the latitude to stop an interview if they find credibility an issue? Discussion was held on many situations and how to handle them. Mr. Hill said these issues should not be ignored. Chairman Lenz asked if the situation should occur again, should there be some ability to score on the credibility issue. Mr. Hill agreed that there should be. A major concern Was that if there is noticeable contradiction and the individual is passed on to the next phase, would the Board be waving the right to say the person was not truthful; therefore, they would not be hired. Mr. Hì1l stated that was the case. Advice from the previous Acting Chief at that time was if you don't think that person is going to do well, lower your scores on the questions. The Board at the time did not agree with this advice. Chairman Lenz stated that he does not agree with lowering the scores and the way the Board is handling the process currently is fine. Issues related to credibility would come out in the background phase of the process. Chairman Lenz said that his concerns had been addressed, but this certainly can be put on the agenda so that it can be addressed before the pending Fire Department testing. Police Other Business A new officer was sworn in Tuesday, April 30th. Chairman Lenz requested that the letters submitted by department recruiters concerning the job fairs go to all commissioners. Other Business Illinois Fire and Police Commission Conference Commissioners Bjork and Cotten attended the conference. They felt it was a worthwhile event. Chief Eddington, Deputy Chief Richardson and Attorney Hill were asked to remain for the Executive Session. ~" A motion was made by Commissioners Bjork and seconded by Commissioner Brooks to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. Upon roll call: Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, Bjork, Broòks, McKillop Nays: None The board reconvened at 7:20 pm Chairman asked for a motion to reconsider the board's decision not to accept Officer Smith's application for sergeant. Commissioner Brooks moved. There was no second. Motion Jailed due to lack of a second Chairman Lenz formally requested that Attorney Buzz Hill complete a report documenting the requirements of the Open Meetings Act of the State of Illinois and whether the BOFPC has been in compliance in the past with this Act. Chairman Lenz also requested that Mr. Hill respond to Attorney Joe Mazzone on a letter dated April 17, 2002, to Chairman Chris Lenz of the Mount Prospect Board of Fire and Police Commission requesting a hearing be commenced on the matter of Officer Smith's right to participate in the upcoming police sergeants test and that letter should reflect our feeling that this commission does not have the jurisdiction to call an evidentiary hearing in this matter. Chairman Lenz formally requested Chief Richard Eddington to give a full report on the circumstances surrounding Officer Floyd's application for the sergeants exam. The above requested items should be submitted at the next BOFPC meeting on June 4, 2002. There was no further business. Chairman Lenz thanked the Board for a frank and open discussion of issues. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. by Commissioner McKillop and seconded by Commissioner Bjork. Ayes: Lenz, Cotten, McKillop, Bjork, Brooks Nays: None Motion carried. Minutes transcribed by Police Executive Secretary Diane Rhode. Minutes approved by: ~ -(;, / Œ?a¿z¡.J M 'e CQtte) Secretary to J l' tJ '2... Date: I /