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The Clearwater Civil Service Board met in its initial session on Wednesday evening
May 11, 1977 in the City Commission Chambers at Clearwater City Hall.
Members present; Tom Chenoweth, Helen Herman, Alex Finch, Jack Turnbull
Visitors; Paul Rettig, Gardner Smith, Natalie Garretson
Interim Personnel Director H. Michael Laursen called the meeting to order. He stated
that the purpose of the meeting related to organizational matters including the
selection of a temporary Chairman; discussion of Board procedure to appoint a fifth
member; when and where the Board desires to meet; and discussion of other general
concerns.
Mr. Finch moved that Mr. Chenoweth be appointed temporary Chairman. Seconded by
Mrs. Herman. Mr. Chenoweth agreed to serve as temporary Chairman for the meeting of
May Ilth. Motion passed unanimously.
Members discussed the manner of appointment of a fifth Board Member. It was the
consensus of opinion that any interested candidates should be given the opportunity
to apply. Newspaper coverage of the availability of the position, with notification
to the City Manager and Employee Organizations is to be handled by the Interim
Personnel Director. Additionally, various members proposed names for the Interim
Personnel. Director to contact regarding their possible interest. Persons suggested
were:
Mrs. Lois Martin
Mr. Glen Vantrease
Mr. Harold Wallace
Mr. Glenn Finkenbinder
Candidates are requested to submit a brief resume to the Interim Director and to
appear before the Board at a meeting on May 23, 1977.
Members discussed Ordinance No. 1643 and its provision for appointment of a Hearing
Officer. Concern was expressed as to an apparent contradiction existing within
Section 2-38 wherein it provides in the first sentence that the Board shall appoint
a Hearing•Officer from among five names submitted to it by the City Commission and
the third sentence which provides that the City Commission shall have authority where
permitted by statute to contract with the State to provide a Hearing Officer.
Chief Assistant City Attorney Frank Kowalski advised the members that the City has
entered into an open-ended contract with the State to provide a Hearing Officer and
a Hearing Officer has been assigned for a current employee appeal. In cases where
the State cannot provide a Hearing Officer on a timely basis, the second mechanism
for appointment would be implemented, i.e., pursuant to a test and certification
of five names by the City Commission, the Civil Service Board would have unbridled
discretion to choose a Hearing Officer from among those names for that particular
hearing.
After discussion as to the interpretation of Section 2-38 of Ordinance 1643, members
decided that written legal opinion should be obtained as to the manner of appointment
of tihe Hearing Officer. Members further requested a copy of the City's contract
with the State as well as State standards for a Hearing Officer.
Mr. Kowalski suggested that the Interim Director would be responsible for proposing
a'test for the Hearing Officer and that such test should first be presented to the
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Civil Service Board Meeting May 119 1977
Civil Service Board for comment and be proposed to the City Commission.
5 Mr. Turnbull indicated that he would not object to the Hearing Officer provided
for the current employee appeal through the City-State Contract because he felt
s the employee was en.titled'to a speedy hearing. However, he stated he would reserve
? "'his right to question the appointment of Hearing Officers.
.'-Mei6ers discussed the intent of Ordinance 1643 with respect to the appointment of
' the. Personnel Director. Mr. Kowalski advised the members that the Ordinance gives
neither the City Manager nor the Board veto power or unilateral authority relative
to appointment o£ a Director. The Board also discussed future meeting dates. It
was the consensus'of the members that no action should be taken on these items
until-after the appointment of a fifth member.
r There being no further busiueas, the meeting was adjourned.
' Respectfully submi ,
H. M. Laursen
.... Aoorova'd: Interim Personnel Director
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