2021-02-03 Civil Service Commission MinutesEDMONDS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
MINUTES
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING
Regularly Called Meeting
February 3, 2021
Commissioners present: Mike Fields
Norm Davis
Chris Flek
Others present; Acting Police Chief, Jim Lawless
Secretary and Chief Examiner, Jessica Neill Hoyson
HR Analyst, Emily Wagener
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Mike Fields called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
2. Correspondence
The commission confirmed there was no correspondence to review/discuss.
4. Approval of meeting minutes—1/6/2021
Commissioner Norm Davis moved approval of the minutes. Chair Fields seconded the motion. The
motion carried.
POLICE BUSINESS
a-L Review/Approval of the Academy Certified Eligibility List
Acting Chief Jim Lawless explained that there are currently four (4) candidates on the list and that one (1)
additional was removed due to being disqualified, one (1) is currently in background. Acting Chief Lawless
continued that once the list is certified the department will be able to move forward with that candidate.
Chair Fields asked for an update on how many candidates the City was looking to hire in the short-term. Acting
Chief Lawless answered that there are currently seven (7) openings with two (2) more expected later in the
year. Acting Chief Lawless continued to explain that two (2) positions are frozen so the City will be looking to fill
seven (7) openings. Commissioner Chris Flek asked what "frozen" meant. Acting Chief Lawless explained that
it was due to the budgetary process and that those positions would not be filled in the 2021 budget year for
cost -savings. Acting Chief Lawless further clarified that the two (2) frozen positions are commissioned and that
there is another non-commissioned position that is also frozen at this time.
Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve/certify the Academy Certified Eligibility list dated
02/02/2021. Chair Fields seconded the motion. The motion carried.
b-i. Discussion only of the Assistant Chief of Police Process
Acting Chief Lawless explained the last time an Assistant Chief process was conducted was in 2014. Acting
Chief Lawless further explained that the current Assistant Chiefs retirement will cause a trickle down of
openings and that Public Safety Testing will be assisting the City with a modified promotional process for
Assistant Chief. Acting Chief Lawless explained that this process is different than that for other promotional
positions and that there would be an individual project and a modified assessment center more tailored to
management. Acting Chief Lawless indicated that applications are due by the 24'h of February and candidates
will need to complete their written test after which the rest of the assessment portion would be scheduled.
Commissioner Davis asked what the requirements are for the Assistant Chief position. Acting Chief Lawless
answered that the general requirements are three years as a Sergeant in good standing and off probation and
completing the application and written test. [At this time, there was some interference with Acting Chief
Lawless' video and audio feed] Commissioner Flek asked if this process was internal to current City of
Edmonds officers. Acting Chief Lawless confirmed that it was internal as it is a Civil Service position and
subject to those rules. Acting Chief Lawless further explained that the City has not needed to go outside to
recruit a leadership position in the past other than for the Police Chief. Commissioner Flek asked how many
Sergeants the City has. Acting Chief Lawless answered that the City has nine (9) Sergeants and while some
are interested some do not meet the experience requirements and will not be able to apply.
Chair Fields asked when the process might be concluded, if known at this point. Acting Chief Lawless
answered that the testing process should be completed by mid -March and selection would likely be sometime
in June or July. Commissioner Davis asked if there would be an acting appointment in the meantime. Acting
Chief Lawless answered that there is currently someone acting for his Assistant Chief spot who will be moving
to a new position internally and that they are also approaching the six-month maximum for serving in an acting
capacity but that there is someone else waiting to take over.
Commissioner Flek asked about the confidence in the pool of prospective Sergeants and if we expect to get a
good Assistant Chief from the process. Acting Chief Lawless answered that he was very confident in that
regard.
5. New Business
Chair Fields confirmed that there was no new business to discuss.
6. Other
Secretary and Chief Examiner Jessica Neill Hoyson said she would check about a March meeting and get
back to the commission via email as needed.
Chair Fields adjourned the meeting at 6:10 PM.
Chair Mike Fields Date
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Edmonds Secretary and Chief Examiner Date
2