01/09/1962
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Proceedings of the Civil Service Board meeting, Tuesday, January 9, 1962.
The Clearwater Civil Service Board met in regular session at 7:30, Tuesday evening,
January 9, 1962, in the Civil Service office.
Members present: George H. Dalby, Chairman; Mary Fay Bissell and Donald 0. McFarland,
Absent: Harold Wallace and new member, R. M. Thompson, Sr,
Observers: City Manager, James R. Stewart; City Attorney, Herbert Brown;
Mrs. Helen Leonard and Mrs. Mary Howell, League of Women Voters; Herbert McLendon,
Clearwater Employees' Association.; E. C. Hedler, William Birchall, Harold Wilson;
Reporters Al Hutchison, Don Pride, Joe Devlin and Earl Emmons.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Dalby.
Reading of minutes, meeting December 5, 1961.
Motion made by Mrs. Bissell, seconded by Mr. McFarland, that minutes be accepted as
read.
Appointment of Chairman for year 1962 tabled until full Board is present.
Director read copy of letter of resignation to Mayor Weatherly from Mr. George
Butcher, Civil Service Board member. Also read copy of letter from the City Manager
to the Civil Service Board advising appointment of Mr. R. M. Thompson, Sr. to fill
unexpired term of Mr. Butcher.
Mrs. Bissell moved that resignation of Mr. Butcher be accepted with regret and that
Resolution from Board be sent to him. Seconded by Mr. McFarland and carried.
Members discussed subject of Sergeants, Police Department, eligible to take Uniform
Captain's examination. Mrs. Bissell moved that the Uniform Captain's examination
be open to the Sergeants in all Divisions, namely, Detective, Traffic and Uniform,
providing officers meet requirements, eight years Police officer;, three years as
Sergeant. Seconded by Mr. McFarland. Carried,
Reported on letter sent the City Commission, the Appointing Authority for Fire
Chief, advising results of the Civil Service examination held December 19, 1961.
Mr's. Bissell seconded by Mr. McFarland, moved that resignations of John Sharp,
James Dennis Neal and Edward Connolly be accepted with regret. Motion carried.
Reported death of Harold Pick, Communications Clerk, Police Department. Chairman
requested the Director write letter of condolence to the family of Mr. Pick.
Reported on appointments and certifications.
Director outlined progress made in filling positions established to implement
the forty hour work week. Reported on additional employment requests and examina-
tions scheduled for Parkette'a, January 11, 1962; Utilities Serviceman 1, January 12,
1962 and Electrician-Lineman II, January 18, 1962.
Reported City Commission's approval, sixteen days additional sick leave for
Recreation Department employee, recommended by Board at previous meeting.
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Discussed subject of the City Manager's letter concerning change in pay scale
for laborers, due to the forty hour work week. Mr. McFarland moved that the
proposed increase in salary rates as outlined, be accepted. Seconded by Mrs. Bissell.
Motion carried.
Request by Walter Manning, Asst. Fire Chief, for appearance before the Board to
protest ma.'ting in Fire Chief's examination, tabled until next Board meeting,
January 16, 1962, with full Board present.
No action by Board necessary on subject of reprimand, Electrical department employee.
Copy of letter of reprimand previously furnished Board members held confidential.
Read request from Ruth Wise, Clerk 1, Utilities Department, for additional sick
leave. Mr's. Bissell, seconded by Mr. McFarland, moved that the Civil Service Board
recommend to the City Commission that nineteen additional days sick leave be
granted. Motion carried.
Reported letter received from Asst. Fire Chief G. D. Beck requesting an appearance
before the Civil Service Board. This matter also tabled until later.
Mrs. Bissell furnished other members of Board and Press copy of her letter on
subject of Fire Chief's examination, to be read prior to the next Board meeting.
Chairman Dalby asked for a report from City Attorney Herbert Brown and Attorney
Harold Wilson on matter under disciission by the Civil Service Board and the City
Commission and Attorney General. Mr. Wilson stated that the reply from the Attorney
General suggested that the proper manner in which this matter should be handled
and all questions ironed out, is by a court decision.
Mr. Wilson pointed out that the Board is now faced with the decision of either
going forward with a Civil suit or dropping the matter. He felt, however, that
the matter needs to be settled but that resolving action by previous Boards would
not accomplish this, neither would inaction by this Board resolve the questions.
Mr. Wilson said that a controversy between the Civil Service Board and the City
Commission would have to be alleged if the matter is brought to court.
He further stated that it was his understanding he was engaged to represent the
civil service Board during the investigation to prepare a complaint to file in
Circuit Court seeking a declaratory decree.
Board members present felt that no action could be taken until all members are
present. Mr. Wilson asked if a special meeting was desired and it was decided
that the Board meet with the City Commission. A tentative date set for evening
during week of.January 23, preferably a dinner meeting. Arrangements will be
verified-by..the City Manager and City Attorney Brown.
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, meeting
adjourned at 9:30 until next Board meeting, Tuesday, January 16, 1962.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved: Ruth E. Brown, Secretary
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George It. Dalby, Chai n