CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

CITY OF SCRANTON

340 NORTH WASHINGTON AVENUE

SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA  18503

 

 

Drew Bubser, Chairman

E.J. Nalevanko, Chief Examiner

Rev. Howard Stringfellow, Secretary

Paul A. Kelly, Jr., Solicitor

 

 

 

MINUTES OF SCRANTON CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

DECEMBER 8, 2004 MEETING

 

 

 

ROLL CALL

 

            All members were present.

 

APPROVAL OF LAST MONTH’S MINUTES

 

            A motion to accept the Minutes of the November 10, 2004 meeting was made by Rev. Stringfellow and seconded by Mr. Nalevanko.  The motion passed 3 – 0. 

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

 

            Robert Martin, Scranton Police Department, spoke on the letter he wrote to Chief Elliott regarding the upcoming promotion test for Captain.  Mr. Martin reiterated his opinion that current Detectives should be eligible for the test.  Mr. Bubser stated that the F.O.P. Union President, Chief Elliott and the Civil Service Commission have a written agreement on eligibility for promotional tests and that the Commission will abide by that agreement’s eligibility requirements.  Chief Elliott stated that by REACHING the agreement, more candidates became available for all promotional tests.  He further opined that, currently, twenty-one department members are eligible to take the Captain’s test; however, not al of these members signed up for the test.

 

            Dennis Lukasewicz, Scranton Police Department, requested that he be allowed to review the oral tests given to him in the Sergeant and Detective tests.  Chairman Bubser asked him to make a written request and that Mr. Bubser would follow up on said written request.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

            Chairman Bubser advised that he received two (2) letters from Councilman Courtright regarding the termination of the Police Promotional tests and scheduling of new tests in the promotional ranks.  Mr. Bubser advised that he would respond to said letters

 

            Solicitor Kelly read a letter forwarded to the Commission by Deputy Fire Chief Terry Osborne.  Mr. Osborne had been working on providing the Commission with recommendations for a Strength and Agility test for the January 15, 2005 Firefighter’s Entry Exam.  Mr. Osborne advised that due to a potential conflict of interest, he was forced to withdraw from any further involvement.  Mr. Bubser indicated that he would contact Dr. Dietrick at the University of Scranton and Mr. Perich at Harrisburg Community College to make sure that the Strength and Agility Tests would be given and scored properly.

 

            Next, Mr. Kelly read into the record the letter from Rev. Stringfellow, whereby he resigned his position on the Commission.

 

            Mr. Kelly then read the letter/request for hearing from Atty. Kim Borland whereby he represents Mr. Robert McAndrew, Scranton Police Department, regarding the recent Lieutenant promotions.  The Commission voted 3 – 0 on a motion made by Mr. Nalevanko and seconded by Rev. Stringfellow, to direct Solicitor Kelly to respond to Atty. Borland’s letter.  The motion passed 3 – 0. 

 

            Solicitor Kelly then read a letter addressed to the Civil Service Commission from Philip Potter, Veteran’s Administration, Department of Labor, regarding Dennis Lukasewicz’s eligibility to take the Captain’s test.  A motion was made by Rev. Stringfellow and seconded by Mr. Nalevanko, to direct Mr. Kelly to respond to Mr. Potter’s letter.  The motion passed 3 – 0. 

 

            Finally, Mr. Kelly presented his budget-approved fee.  A motion was made by Rev. Stringfellow and seconded by Mr. Nalevanko, to pay said fee.  The motion passed 3 – 0. 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

            The Firefighters Entry Level Test was discussed on a motion by Mr. Nalevanko and seconded by Rev. Stringfellow.  The Commission approved a newspaper ad to be published on December 11 and 12 announcing a written test for January 15, 2005 at either Scranton High School or the University of Scranton.  The motion passed by a vote of 3 – 0.   Chairman Bubser announced that Police Testing Services and the University of Scranton were on board to create, monitor and grade the written tests.

 

            Roger Rogalewicz asked if photo identification was needed at the time the application was picked up or when it was filled out and delivered.  Chairman Bubser advised that the Photo ID is needed when the application and deposit were delivered. 

 

            Discussion was held by the Commission as to when the entire process would be completed for the Firefighter Entry Test, and it was the consensus of the Commission that a Certified List would not be compiled and approved until the March, 2005 meeting.

 

            The Commission entertained motions to incorporate the final scores of Dennis Lukasewicz onto the Sergeant and Detective Promotion Lists.  Mr. Nalevanko made a motion to approve the revised Sergeants List and Rev. Stringfellow seconded the same.  The motion passed 3 – 0.  Chairman Bubser directed Solicitor Kelly to post the revised lists.

 

            Rev. Stringfellow made a motion to approve bibliography for the Lieutenant’s test in the Police Department and to approve the announcement and sign-up period for that test to be held on January 28, 2005.  Mr. Nalevanko seconded the motion and the same passed 3 – 0.  Sign-ups were scheduled for December 13th through December 23, 2004.

 

            Mr. Nalevanko made a motion to approve the bibliography for the Police Corporal’s test and to approve the announcement and sign-up period for that test to be held on January 21, 2005.  Rev. Stringfellow seconded the motion and the same passed 3 – 0.  Sign-ups were scheduled for December 13th through December 23, 2004.

 

            Chief Elliott went through the sign-up sheets for the upcoming Juvenile Officer and Captain’s tests.  The Chief advised that all candidates who signed for Juvenile Officer were eligible; however, the Chief identified several candidates who did not meet the agreed upon eligibility requirements.  Mr. Bubser advised that he would contact the University of Scranton to advise who will be mailed test announcements for the Juvenile and Captain’s test.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

            Regrettably, the Commission acknowledged the resignation of Rev. Stringfellow and thanked him for his dedication and professionalism through his service on the Commission.

 

            Mr. Bubser then read a letter from Mayor Doherty that he was nominating Rev. Reginald McClain to serve on the Commission.  Mr. Bubser indicated that the Commission looks forward to serving with Rev. McClain. 

 

            A motion was made by Mr. Nalevanko and seconded by Rev. Stringfellow to approve the 2005 Schedule of Monthly Meetings and to direct the Solicitor to post and advertise the same.  The motion passed 3 – 0.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

            A motion to adjourn was made and seconded.  The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                               _________________________________

                                                                                E.J. Nalevanko, Acting Secretary