CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
CITY
OF SCRANTON
340
NORTH WASHINGTON AVENUE
E.J. Nalavanko, Chief
Examiner
Chairman Bubser opened the meeting with roll call at 5:30 P.M. All were present.
Mr. Nalavanko, the Chief Examiner, moved to accept the Minutes of the January 8, 2003 meeting. Reverend Stringfellow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Public Participation was opened whereby the following speakers and their comments were:
Patrick DeSarno, Scranton Fire Department. Mr. DeSarno asked how the
Civil Service Commission determined ranking order on the 2002 Firefighter Entry Level
Certified List. Human Resources Director, Lisa Moran, advised that the Human
Resources computer rounded raw scores out four (4) decimal places and rounded upward
or downward. Mr. DeSarno asked the Commission how candidates were selected from
the Eligibility List. Solicitor Kelly advised that the “rule of three” (as permitted in the
Home Rule Charter, Civil Service Rules, Past Practice and Civil Service Commission
Resolution of 8/21/02) was followed by the Administration.
Ann Marie Stulgis, Scranton Police Department Representative questioned
how a candidate knows if he or she is “skipped over” when the Administration selects
eligibles. Solicitor Kelly advised that the Eligibility List is posted. Mrs. Moran advised
that eligibles begin telephoning her office immediately after selections are made.
Police Chief Elliott next addressed the Commission. Chief Elliott gave the
Commission executed Civil Service Requirements for Promotional Exams, signed by the
Chief of Police, Union President and Civil Service Commission Solicitor. The
Commission moved to adopt these requirements and same are an official part of the
instant Minutes and are attached hereto. Motion passed.
Chief Elliott advised that he was unable to stay for the remainder of the meeting,
but has asked Officer Duffy of the Police Department to address the Commission
regarding the Strength and Agility Test given to Patrolman candidates on 12/16/02.
Finally, Chief Elliott asked the Commission to re-consider the request for certification
of Sergeant Steve Marino stating:
1. The Mayor made Mr. Marino an acting Sergeant in January, 2002.
2. In October, 2002, before the Commission de-certified the Promotional
Lists, the Mayor swore Mr. Marino in as permanent Sergeant; and
3. At the time Mayor Doherty swore him in as a permanent Sergeant, Mr.
Marino was number one (1) on the Promotional List.
Ann Marie Stulgis opined that through the Commission Solicitor’s error, Chief
Elliott’s October, 2002 request for certification of Mr. Marino’s promotion was not put
on the November Agenda when the Commission de-certified the Promotional Lists.
Chief Elliott closed his remarks by prioritizing the order of promotional tests
based on the Department’s needs as follows:
1. Detective;
2. Sergeant (Patrol);
3. Lieutenant (Patrol);
4. Corporal; and
5. Detective Sergeant.
Fire Bureau Chief Davis spoke next. Chief Davis also presented promotional
requirements for Firefighters to take Promotional Tests. The Chief asked to revise
paragraph 4 of his requirements to permit Privates with eight (8) years of actual service
to be eligible for a Captain Test. Larry Mulrine, Union Liaison to the
Civil Service
Commission, agreed to the revision, as did Mrs. Moran. The Commission moved to
adopt the proposed requirements and the same are an official part of the instant Minutes
and are attached hereto. Motion passed.
Chief Davis prioritized the order for Promotional testing based on needs of the
Bureau as follows:
1. Chauffer;
2. Assistant Chief;
3. Captain; and
4. Lieutenant.
Larry Mulrine, Scranton Fire Department, asked if his request for copies of
the Commission’s Meetings were completed. Solicitor Kelly asked Mrs. Moran to ask
her staff to look into this. Solicitor Kelly advised that Minutes were posted on the
Albright Website.
Ann Marie Stulgis asked when a new Police Patrolman Entry Level Test would
be given because the test given in November, 2002 has no eligibles, as the same has been
exhausted. Ms. Stulgis opined that only “civil service time” counts for promotional
eligibility, not “Comm-D time”.
Chairman Bubser moved on to COMMUNICATIONS.
Brad Bendowski wrote a letter to the Commission asking why he was not
selected from the Police Eligibility List. Mr. Bendowski advised as to how many
people he asked in City Hall about this and Solicitor Kelly advised that the
Administration selects candidates under the Rule of Three. Mr. Bendowski insisted on
receiving an answer to his question “Who will explain the selection process to me?”.
Chairman Bubser advised that that the Commission does not make appointments.
Robert McKeon wrote to the Commission and was present at the Meeting,
asking for an opinion as to whether time served in the Police Department as a Reserve
Provisional Officer would count towards his eligibility for promotional requirements.
The Solicitor and Human Resources Director advised that they will research this and get
back to Mr. McKeon. Ann Marie Stulgis opined that as far as the F.O.P. is concerned,
and based on past practice, this time does not count.
The Commission received letters from Patrolman
Carroll (and Lieutenant
Mackie, on behalf of Patrolman Carroll), and Patrolman Lukasewicz regarding their
potential inability to take Promotional Tests if they are serving in the Armed Forces when
the tests are given. Solicitor Kelly opined that the fairest way to address this issue would
be to allow Civil Service members an opportunity to take the test upon their return to
active Civil Service duty and to be listed on a revised Promotional List after their
completion of that test. The Commission directed the Solicitor to forward a letter to
Messrs. Carroll and Lukasewicz advising them of this position.
OLD BUSINESS.
Commission Chairman Bubser advised that he would contact Terri Smith at The University of Scranton to begin promotional testing as per the respective Chief’s recommendations.
Also, the Commission voted to certify the Revised Firefighter Entry Level Test. Motion passed. The Commission signed the List and directed Solicitor Kelly to post it on the Civil Service Bulletin Board.
NEW BUSINESS.
The Commission conducted three (3) Hearings pertaining to the Patrolman Strength and Agility Test for Robert deGonzague, Larry Greenfield and Joseph Dominick. At the conclusion of each Hearing, the Commission directed the Solicitor to draft Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for each candidate and to present the same to the Commission before the March 12, 2003 Meeting.
Prior to adjournment, Amy Martin, Police Union Liaison to the Commission, and Ann Marie Stulgis, advised that, in their opinion, it would be unfair to certify Steve Marino’s promotion and not promote Dina Hammer.
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted:
By__________________________
Reverend Howard Stringfellow
Secretary, Civil Service Commission