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Minutes-071024 MINUTES Call to Order Attendance/Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Chair Tanick at 4:08 PM. Present at the meeting were Commissioners Marshall Tanick, Gloria Kumagai, Bruce Peterson; staff members Stacy Altonen and Deputy Chief Roger Johnson. Approval of Minutes The minutes from the October 2, 2007 meeting were approved by consensus. Marshall Tanick thanked Amanda Johnson and Gloria Kumagai for doing an outstanding job keeping the minutes. Approval of Police Officer Eligibility Register A police officer eligibility register listing four candidates was presented to commissioners for approval. The register expires October 23, 2009. Altonen requested commission approval of the eligibility register so candidates can proceed to background investigations. Peterson inquired if the physical fitness component was part of the testing process, and Altonen stated it was. Altonen advised the first time the fitness test was administered only one candidate passed. After considering the short notification period for the upcoming fitness test, candidates were given additional time to prepare for the fitness test and were allowed to take it a second time. Almost all of the participants passed the fitness test the second time it was given. Altonen stated in the future the officer hiring process and standards will be posted on the city website and candidates will have at least a few months to prepare for the fitness test. She advised she did not believe the fitness standards were compromised by allowing candidates to test a second time. Adequate notice of the fitness standards was not given to applicants; thus the reason for the re-test. Peterson asked if the scores on the eligibility register include veteran’s preference and community service officer points, if applicable. Johnson advised there are no veterans or community service officers on the list. Kumagai inquired if all of the candidates are majority group members and Altonen stated they are, but one candidate is a female. Kumagai asked if the final pool of candidates consisted of more than the four people listed on the register and Johnson advised there were eight potential candidates and two of those received job offers from other agencies. Kumagai asked if the final pool of candidates consisted of all majority group members and Altonen advised it did. Kumagai inquired how many females were in the final pool of candidates and Altonen advised there was only one female that was interviewed, but one other female received a job offer from another agency and dropped out of the process just before her interview. Peterson stated the prior police officer eligibility register dated January 29th lists candidates whose eligibility has not yet expired. Johnson advised that register is no longer valid as two of the candidates were hired by Golden Valley as officers and the rest are employed as officers in other agencies. It was explained and accepted by the commission that the police officer eligibility register dated January 29, 2007 is deemed exhausted. Tanick asked what efforts are being made and have been made by the police department to reach out to minority and female applicants. Altonen advised the webpage will be revised to include a recruitment page that lists all of the requirements for the hiring process. A recruitment brochure will be designed and a couple officers are researching best practices for recruitment strategies. Altonen advised in April 2008 a job fair will be held and she intends to have a Golden Valley booth there. Altonen stated the best way to diversify the police department would be to recruit minority and women candidates as lateral transfers from other agencies. Peterson advised it appears the applicant pool has remained pretty consistent over the years, but the process zeroes in on only a selected group of legitimate candidates who are also considered potential candidates for other agencies. As a result, an eligibility register has been presented almost every year for approval as candidates have received job offers from other departments. Johnson stated vacancies have occurred due to retirements, necessitating the initiation of frequent hiring processes. Altonen stated there are many other law enforcement opportunities for applicants to choose from, including federal and forensic jobs, resulting in a smaller pool of candidates interested in municipal openings. Peterson asked if the police officer recruitment and selection process was managed consistent with the approved process of the Civil Service Commission. Altonen stated it was. Peterson asked if there are any reservations in recommending for approval the presented police officer eligibility register to the commission. Altonen stated there are not. Kumagai moved that the officer eligibility register dated 10/24/07 be approved as presented; seconded by Peterson. The register was unanimously approved. Other Business Public Safety Summit Tanick advised the public safety summit is coming up November 10th. All commissioners have registered to be in attendance. Kumagai inquired how the registration is going and Altonen stated it is slow, but she is recruiting at Neighborhood Watch meetings. She advised there is a profile article that should be in Sunday’s newspaper as well. Tanick stated more people may be interested if they know they are not committed to attending the summit for the entire day. Altonen agreed and will continue to advise interested registrants they may come for an hour or two if that is all the time they have available. Police Officer Recruitment/Selection and Sergeant Promotion Document Peterson inquired about the status of a one-page document outlining the officer recruitment/selection process and the sergeant promotional process. Altonen stated there are two officers who are working together on drafting these forms to hand out to applicants and to post on the website. Hixon Briefing The Hixon case briefing is scheduled for November 13th. The city’s attorney, Susan Tindal, will present the facts of the case to commissioners under an attorney/client privilege. Tanick advised commissioners will not be permitted to discuss information gathered from the briefing with others. Altonen stated that is the understanding of the city’s attorney as well and minutes and audio recording will not be conducted. Tanick stated it is his understanding that notice of the meeting would have to comply with the “open meeting” requirements. Altonen advised she will check into the notification requirements for this meeting. Tanick clarified that the meeting will be a closed meeting, but he believes notice must be posted to advise a meeting is being held. Sergeant Promotion Process Altonen advised interviews for the sergeant position(s) are being conducted this week. Patrol Commander Appointment A job description and announcement for applications will be distributed in the next day or two to current police sergeants for the position of patrol commander. All current sergeants meet the minimum eligibility requirements to apply for this position. Applications will be accepted until November 9th and interviews will be conducted later in November with the city manager, Chief Altonen, and others who are yet to be determined. The announcement will be contingent on approval of the budget by the council on December 4th. Closing Comment Peterson thanked Deputy Chief Johnson and Chief Altonen for their due diligence in this process. He especially thanked Roger Johnson for his good efforts in conducting the extensive police officer recruitment and selection process. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4:33 PM. Respectfully submitted, Gloria Kumagai, Secretary