csc-minutes-aug-26-2020
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:34 pm by Commissioner Kumagai.
2. Attendance/Roll Call
Commissioners present: Gloria Kumagai, Secretary
Andrew Wold
Commissioners absent: None
Council Member Present: Gillian Rosenquist
Staff present: Jason Sturgis, Chief of Police
Steve Johnson, Commander
Dave Kuhnly, Commander
Kirsten Santelices, Human Resources Director
Maria Cisneros, City Attorney
3. Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Wold requested to change item A under Old Business to “Review and Rescind Votes
from the Last Civil Service Commission Meeting.”
Motion by Commissioner Wold to approve the revised agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Kumagai.
Motion carried 2-0.
4. Approval of Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Wold to approve the July 9, 2020 meeting minutes. Seconded by
Commissioner Kumagai. Motion carried 2-0.
5. Old Business
A. Review and Rescind Votes from the Last Civil Service Commission Meeting
Commissioner Wold stated commissioners voted on July 9, 2020 to draft a position statement
from the commission regarding current events, and to reach out to the city attorney to clarify the
commission’s role in union negotiations and discuss equity language in the promotion process.
Motion by Commissioner Wold to rescind these votes and take no further action. Seconded by
Commissioner Kumagai. Motion carried 2-0.
August 26, 2020 – 12:30 pm
Public Safety Conference Room
Golden Valley Police Department
7700 Golden Valley Road
City of Golden Valley Civil Service Special Meeting Minutes
August 26– 12:30 pm
2
B. Demographic Survey Results
Human Resources Director Santelices stated historically, city employee demographic information
was added to the payroll system in order to complete EEO reporting. The data was not self-
reported and does not accurately reflect how an employee may identify. The city began
collecting demographic data from new employees during orientation on a voluntary basis
beginning three years ago. The city has not reached out to all employees to collect demographic
data from individual employees. Commissioner Wold requested the EEO data be provided to
commissioners. Human Resources Director Santelices stated the most current data in the EEO
report will be emailed to commissioners.
C. Commission Records in GVPD Window
Commissioner Wold reiterated the desire for commission records listed in Article III (A) of the
commission bylaws to be added to the new GVPD Window posted on the city website so they are
transparent and more readily available to the public. Chief Sturgis stated the commission records
will be added to the GVPD Window.
6. New Business
A. Approval to Initiate Police Officer Hiring Process
Chief Sturgis stated the department is currently down one officer, with at least a couple
retirements expected in the next several months. The current eligibility register still has three
viable candidates on it and department staff has reached out to those candidates to begin
background investigations. Chief Sturgis requested approval to initiate a hiring process to prepare
for future vacancies.
Chief Sturgis advised the testing procedures will be adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
depending on the number of applications received. Commander Kuhnly reported he researched
several alternative written exams to find a replacement for the LEAP test, which has been
administered by the department for decades. Commander Kuhnly spoke with the psychologist
the department uses for applicant psychological exams, two consulting firms, and several other
police departments for recommendations. The NGLE test was recommended by the Blaine,
Plymouth and St. Louis Park Police Departments and its components appear to measure
competencies the department is looking for, particularly in its diversity goals.
Chief Sturgis advised a PT test will not be administered during this hiring process due to the
COVID-19 restrictions. Commissioner Wold recommended the PT test could be introduced later
on in the hiring process when the candidate pool is narrowed and proper safety precautions can
be taken, at the chief’s discretion.
Motion by Commissioner Wold to approve the examination process as amended. Seconded by
Commissioner Kumagai. Motion carried 2-0.
City of Golden Valley Civil Service Special Meeting Minutes
August 26– 12:30 pm
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Motion by Commissioner Wold to approve the initiation of a police officer hiring process.
Seconded by Commissioner Kumagai. Motion carried 2-0.
B. Police Commission Task Force Proposal
City Attorney Cisneros presented a draft resolution for establishing a police commission task
force for review and discussion prior to submission to the city council in September.
Commissioner Wold stated he appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback in the task force
creation process. Commissioner Wold inquired whether a task force meeting would need to be
noticed as a joint meeting with the Civil Service Commission since a quorum of commissioners
would be present. Attorney Cisneros stated the meeting notices would be posted as a new task
force meeting as well as a Civil Service Commission meeting.
Commissioner Kumagai asked for clarification on the intended task force member defined as
“One resident of Golden Valley with knowledge or experience of the defense side of the
criminal justice system selected by the City Council.” Attorney Cisneros stated the intended
member would be someone familiar with the other side of law enforcement, possibly one
who has been arrested or been involved in criminal defense. Commissioner Kumagai
recommended making the language more clear in the membership make-up. Attorney
Cisneros stated the membership language for this specific member could be revised to
include non-residents as well, with council selecting the member with the closest ties to
Golden Valley.
7. Commission Communications
8. Adjournment
Motion by Commission Wold to adjourn the meeting at 1:25 pm. Seconded by Commissioner
Kumagai. Motion carried 2-0.
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Gloria Kumagai, Secretary
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Amanda Johnson, Police Operations Supervisor