Carbondale Reporter

At a recent meeting, the Carbondale Fire and Police Commissioners Board discussed changes in the new firefighters contract.

The Carbondale Fire and Police Commissioners Board is responsible for administering all entry-level and promotion-level police and firefighter examinations. The board also has the authority to uphold, reverse or modify actions taken by the city manager. The board serves as an appeals board for any disciplinary action proposed by the city manager.

Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the board.

BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS

May 26, 2016 at 2:30 pm.

Carbondale Civic Center Room 103

Meeting Minutes

1. Call to Order / Roll Call

The City of Carbondale Board of Fire and Police Commissioners held a meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Carbondale Civic Center, Room 103, 200 South Illinois Avenue. Chairman Harvey Welch called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.

Roll Call

Present: Commissioner Don Barrett, Commissioner Kerry Braswell, Commissioner Gerald Edwards, Commissioner Nathan Stephens (arrived at 2:50p.m.), and Chairman Harvey Welch

Absent: Associate Member Jack Whitlock

Acknowledgement of Guests

Also present were Deputy City Clerk Clair Hayes, Police Chief Jeff Grubbs, Fire Chief Ted Lomax, Administrative Services Director Deb McCoy, City Attorney Jamie Snyder, Firefighter Brad Lam, and Firefighter Robert Miller.

2. Approval of Minutes from December 10, 2015

MOTION: K. Braswell moved, D. Barrett seconded, to approve the meeting minutes from December 10, 2015. VOTE: All voted Aye. No Nays. Motion declared carried.

3. Review and Approval of 2015 Annual Report

MOTION: K. Braswell moved, D. Barrett seconded, to approve the 2015 Annual Report. VOTE: All voted Aye. No Nays. Motion declared carried.

4. Review and Approval of the revised Governing Rules

MOTION: K. Braswell moved, D. Barrett seconded, to approve the revisions of the Governing Rules of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. VOTE: All voted Aye. No Nays. Motion declared carried.

5. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

For personal reasons, Chairman Welch has opted to step down from his position as Chairman and has asked the Board not to nominate him.

MOTION: H. Welch moved, D. Barrett seconded for Commissioner Kerry Braswell to serve as Chairman of the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners. VOTE: Ayes: D. Barrett, G. Edwards, and H. Welch. Nays: None. Motion declared carried.

MOTION: G. Edwards moved, H. Welch seconded for Commissioner Don Barrett to serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners. VOTE: All voted Aye. No nays. Motion declared carried.

Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Meeting Minutes – May 26, 2016

6. Update from Fire Chief Lomax on changes in the new Firefighters’ contract Fire Chief Lomax presented the changes in the new Firefighters’ contract as it pertains to the process of promotions. There are now 6 categories to receive promotional points that were previously 3. All changes are consistent with the Fire Department Promotion Act.

The Board asked for a little time to go through the changes that was presented before taking any action to approve. It was noted that the changes in the Firefighters’ contract will need to coincide with the Board’s Governing Rules. City Attorney Jamie Snyder offered to draft amendments in the Governing Rules so that it reflects the revisions of the Firefighters’ contract.

Chief Lomax also noted that the Assistant Fire Chief eligibility listing is exhausted. There will need to be promotional examinations as soon as possible to replenish the list.

Police Chief Jeff Grubbs has some process changes in promotions with the new police contract. He would like to present those revisions to the Board at the next meeting.

7. Discussion on Section 1-14G-15 of the City Code regarding the BFPC’s authority in matters of disciplinary action

The Board discussed the approach that should be taken in order for them to participate in the appeals process of disciplinary action for all sworn-in police officers and firefighters of any rank. Currently the Governing Rules only require that the Board hear the disciplinary appeal of sworn-in police officers and firefighters only. In order for this to take effect, a change in the City Code is in order.

Moving forward the Board would like to present this item to the Council for amendment. City Attorney Jamie Snyder offered to draft the necessary changes in the City Code to reflect the changes discussed. The draft will be presented to the Board before taking it to Council.

8. Citizens’ Comments

Police Chief Grubbs announced a golf scramble put on by the Fraternal Order of Police to benefit Police Officer Ashley Noto’s twin daughters. The golf scramble will be held at noon on Sunday, June

5, 2016 at Hickory Ridge Golf Course.

Commissioner Harvey Welch announced the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the splash park on Memorial Day weekend. He commended the Carbondale community and their efforts for working together to make the splash park a success.

9. Adjournment

MOTION: H. Welch moved, D. Barrett seconded to adjourn. VOTE: All voted Aye. No nays.

Motion declared carried. Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.