05/02/1961
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Proceedings of the Civil Service Board meeting held Tucouay evoning, ~~y 2, 1961.
The Civil Service Board met in regular session Tuesday evening, May 2, 1961,
at 7:30 p.m., Civil Servicc office.
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Members present: George Dalby, Chairman; Mary Fay BioscH, George Butcher,
R. B. ~~uney and Harold Wallace.
Guests: Helen Leonard, Mrs. C. F. nowell, Mrs. RURsell Hart, Lula M. Povcnz,
Mrs. E. C. Marquardt, representing Leugue of Women Votcrs; Hornor P. Keith;
Russell Bollen; William Birchall; James Shaffer; Paul Kane, Allee nush, Employees'
Executive Committee members; Pat Neal, reporter, Clearwater Sun and Art Beauchamp,
reporter, St. Petersburg Times.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Dalby who introduced members to visitors.
Reading of minutes, meeting of April 18, 1961.
Mr. Dalby requested minutes be corrected to show that he and Mrs. Bissell had
planned on attending a work session of the City Commission April 19, 1961, but
found the meeting not a work session. Mayor Weatherly, Mr. Weimer, Chief Booth
only, were present.
Mrs. Bissell asked that the minutes be corrected to read that Mayor Weatherly
told her that he would have the City Manager furnish the Civil Service Board an
up-to-date organizational chart. Mr. Butcher, seconded by Mrs. Bissell, moved
that the minutes be accepted as corrected. Carried.
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Letter read from the City Manager requesting establishment a new position, that
of Jailer. Four to be appointed. Mr. Butcher seconded by Mrs. Bissell, moved
that the Board approve request. Carried.
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Read letter from the City Manager requesting establishment of position of Cook,
Police Department. Mr. Wallace, seconded by Mr. Butcher, moved that this approval
be granted. Carried.
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Read letter from the City Manager explaining requirements for Clerk I positions
within Police Department. Mrs. Bissell, seconded by Mr. Butcher, moved that the
Board approve the request for three additional Clerks I in Police Department.
l-lotion carried.
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Request read from the City Mapager to establish three additional detectives,
Police Department. Mrs. Bissell, seconded by Mr. Wallace, moved that request be
granted and honor the employment request. Carried.
Reported certifications and appointments.
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Reported resignations. James Mason, Fire Department, Edward Rioux, Police
Department and Dorothy McFadyen, Utilities Department. Mrs. Bissell, seconded
by Mr. Butcher, moved that these resignations be accepted with regret. Motion
carried.
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Letter from the City Manager read regarding demotion of Riley Knight, Refuse
Driver. Following discussion, Mrs. Bissell, seconded by Mr. Butcher, moved that
a letter be written the City Manager asking whether the proposed demotion is to
be a temporary or permanent. Carried.
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Civil Service Board Minutes, ~~y 2, 1961 - Page 2
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Director stated she would have copies prepared of Chief Doboon's letter to the
Board regarding rusidence of Fire Department employeQs. Mr. Butcher BUBsc[)ted
this matter be deferred until next Board meeting. Members agreed.
Reported on application of parolee, Lonnie Jones. After discussion by Board
members, and statement of Paul Kane, Public Works Superintendent, timt he wanted
to follow the Board's decision concerning the matter, Mrs. Blssell, seconded by ;:>'1 ."p, v
Mr. Butcher, moved that thia applicant not be hired due to his criminal record ,.....
and because he previously falsified ot1tements on his application. Motion carried.
Board had not been contacted prior to attempt to put Jones on payroll.
Mrs. Bissell also moved that Mr. Eklund, Parole Officer be advised to get in
touch with the Civil Service Board prior to sonding parolees for jobs. Seconded
by Mr. Butcher. Carried.
Reported statements on application Life Guard applicant, Charlie Green re crime
convictions. Members agreed investigation necessary. Mrs. Bissell, seconded
by Mr. Wallace, moved that investigation be made of this applicant's criminal
record. Motion carried. Members agreed that certain application for Recreation
Assistant showing four criminal charges, be rejected. Reported circumstances in
connection with application for Softball Umpire by John Turnbull. No action
necessary.
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Director reported that City Manager phoned to ask if the Gas Inspector examination
was considered a promotional one for Homer Keith or if the Board considered him
a new applicant. Since Mayor Weatherly had publicly criticized his qualifications
for the Gas Inspector's job, Mr. Keith was present to state that the examination
he took in St. Petersburg for Master Gas Fitter's certificate had nothing to do
with his job in Clearwater and it was not necessary even that he take it. He
explained that he took it merely because he wanted a Master's certificate. He was
loaned a Gas Code by St. Petersburg but later found that a new code had been put
into effect. He decided fO take the examination anyway but failed" it. Only one
out of nine passed. () ~ )
Mr. Keith stated that he passed the Journeyman Gas Fitter's examination in
Clearwater as required for his position, around the latter part of August, 1960,
and held this certificete prior to his appointment. Examining BORrd consisted of
J. D. Nelson, Jack Burnison. Al Flandreau and Joe Turner. Mr. Keith was appointed
Gas Inspector as of October 24, 1960.
Mr. Keith stated that St. Petersburg scheduled the examination for journeyman
ahead of schedule which accounted for his not having one prior to written Civil
Service examination. Mr~ Keith mentioned that he had never received criticism
of his work, In answer to a question, he stated that gas permits are issued
through his office and all installations have to be inspected. He also stated
that he had never been given instructions on his duties.
~tt. Butcher, after questioning Mr. Keith if he had been asked to appear at the
meeting, moved, seconded by Mrs. Bissell, that all record of this matter he
stricken from the record, and'that it be brought before the Board in the proper
manner. Mr. Keith said he had not been requested to come to the meeting. He said
someone is using him as a "whipping boy" and is taking sptte out on him for the
Civil Service difficulties. Stated he knew he had done a'good job. Board
members felt some action should be brought. Mr. Butcher then withdrew his motion.
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Mrs. Bissell, seconded by Mr. Mauney, moved that at the time of the Gas Inspector's
examination~ Mr. Keith took the examination as a promotional test rather than
being a new applicant. Motion died for lack of second.
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Civil Service Board Minutes, May 2, 1961
Page 3
Mr. Dalby requested that letter be written to the City Manager (quote from
minutes) and ask him to put his question in writing no to whether or not Mr. Keith
was considered a new applicant for the examination or whether it was promotional.
Mrs. Bissell challenged tha Board's action on this matter and re~madc her motion
that Mr. Keith took the Gas Inspector examination on the busta of a promotion
rather than as an outside applicant as he was already in the classified employ
of the City and received an increase in salary. Seconded by Mr. Mauney.
Vote: Mr. Butcher said he did not understand enough about the matter to vote,
so abstained. Said he felt Mr. Keith should remain in his job until Borne
further action was takcn by the City Manager. Mr. Wallace abstained. Questioned
why the matter could not be taken care of by the City Manacer. Mr. Dalby,
Mrs. Bissell and Mr. Hauney voted "yon".
Mr. RUBsell Bollen. guest, criticized Mr. Butcher and Mr.. Wallace for abstaining.
He also criticized Mr. Dalby's visit alone to City lIall the day following the
Board's previous meeting.
Director reported no reply received from Attorney General concerning matter of
Assistant to pUblic Works Director. Opinion requested from Attorney Lloyd
Phillips not received. Mr. Mauney suggested that Attorney Phillips be released
from representing Board and moved that his services be dispensed with. No second.
Chairman reported that Chief Booth l~d been instructed to appoint the three
patrolmen certified by the Civil Service Board. Director said n~ report of
appointments received.
Mrs. Bissell referred to the Civil Service Act concerning the investigation that
morning in the Civil Service office by Mayor Weatherly, Attorney Robert Freeze
and Commissioner Herbert Fields. Said that she did not understand how the Mayor
could be on a committee. She asked Mrs. Alice Bush, member of Executive Committee,
if the Employees' Association had voted for the investigation or had they merely
made a recommendation. Mrs. Bush said it was a recommendation.
Director related details of the investigation conducted tl~t morning. Mrs. Bissell
felt that it was illegal for the Mayor to come in to look at the Civil Service
records in such a manner. Following discussion concerning the investigation of
the Gas Inspector's examination papers by Mayor Robert Weatherly, Attorney Robert
Freeze and Commissioner Herbert Fields in the Civil Service office, May 2, 1961,
it was the consensus of the Board members that this committee had no authority to
make the investigation. Mrs. Bissell, seconded by Mr. Mauney, moved that the
Civil Service Board pe~it no other investigation by such a committee but that a
qualified outside group be hired to make an impartial investigation based on the
Civil Service Board's powers under the law, to make investigation. Motion
carried unanimously.
Mr. Bollen aaked if a License Inspector had been appointed. Mr. Dalby said "no".
Mr. Bollen also asked if the advertised position of Assistant City Manager lMd
been withdrawn. Was told it had not.
Mrs. Marquardt, member of League of Women Voters, asked if the Civil Service Board
was an autonomous unit. Director replied that it was an autonomous body.
There being no fu~ther business to come before the Board at this time, motion made
and seconded to adjourn 9:20 p.m., until next meeting night, May 16, 1961.
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Rut E. Brown. Secretary
Re~p~ptfully submit% /.?Lf?
, 'A:=-I-TZ,.r"--7..f' V./~7
. Ge~~ge HVDalby, Chairman