Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva Board of Fire & Police Commission met April 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

1. Call to Order

Chair Northrup called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Present: Chair Arnold Northrup, Commissioner Brian Jones, and Commissioner Jennifer McMahon

Absent: None

2. Items of Business

a. Approval of February 23, 2017, Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Jones moved to approve the February 23, 2017, minutes. Seconded by Commissioner McMahon and unanimously passed by those present.

b. Public Commentary

None.

c. Correspondences

Chair Northrup had correspondence with City Administrator Dawkins regarding the passage of the Board’s revised Rules & Regulations and budget. He had correspondence verifying that the City will provide recording device for the Board to record executive sessions. However, City Administrator Dawkins is verifying if the Board has to record interviews. Chair Northrup corresponded with Police Chief Passarelli regarding commander promotions and the suspension order of a police officer. Chair Northrup corresponded with the administrative assistant at the Fire Department regarding the location of the firefighter applications from the current list. His second correspondence with her was regarding the Board’s procedures manual and updated Rules & Regulations. He instructed her that the procedures manual is no longer used. Chair Northrup corresponded with Fire Chief Antenore regarding upcoming retirements and promotions to fill openings. Chief Antenore requested a meeting with Chair Northrup to discuss these issues and they met on March 8th. There was further correspondence between the two regarding the Battalion Chief promotional list, which will be depleted with one opening; there are two retirements pending. Chair Northrup contacted vendors for assessment, scheduled on June 7 and the written exam, schedule for August 15. Chair Northrup corresponded with Chief Antenore regarding dates and posting of the Battalion Chief list and the required waiver, which was posted. Chair Northrup sent Chief Antenore the assessment center announcement and a reminder to post the reading materials. Chair Northrup also received seminar information from the Illinois Fire and Police Commission Association.

3. Unfinished Business

a. Review Police Commander task sheet and finalize dates

Chair Northrup said that the written exam for Police Commander is scheduled for May 10, 2017. The Board approved an interview date of May 23 at 7 p.m., at Police Station Conference Room.

4. New Business

a. Battalion Chief task sheet and dates

Chair Northrup passed out the testing schedule for Battalion Chief with the goal of posting list by September 1. He said that is the assessment center was scheduled for June 7. Interviews were scheduled by the Board for June 14 and 15 at 6:30 p.m. and Fire Department.

b. Assessment Center – Chief Antenore

Chief Antenore said that he met with ISPS to help develop scenarios for the assessment. He said that he would need to schedule a follow-up conference call to finalize scenarios. He noted that the ranking was changed by ISPS from a three to a four-category point system. He indicated that certified assessors were not used last time. ISPS indicated to the Chief that in order to use assessors that are not certified, the union would have to agree. Chief Antenore sais that he will talk with union president and let the Board know if there is agreement to use non-certified assessors. Chief Antenore said that these decisions needed to be made by end of April. He said that he has the reading list and several few questions. He said that his Officers have suggested adding questions about the strategic plan and the standard of cover (accreditation documents). Chief Antenore preferred not take up questions on these internal documents, since the new promotions will learn these through their assessments. The Board supported his decision.

Chief Antenore made a recommendation to hire the next candidate. Chair Northrup said that the Board would post this item on next month’s agenda.

c. Task sheet for Firefighter applicant process

Chair Northrup noted that the current firefighter list expires on November 15. He said that he would send Chief Antenore fact sheets to make available to firefighter candidates. Chair Northrup asked that Chief Antenore update the fact sheets and send it back to him.

Chief Antenore said that the Board had only ten candidates on the current list. He said that they would begin calling candidates to see if they are still available and interested. He is hopeful the list will last through June. He said that the Department would have two retirements in June, creating two new openings. He asked if the Board would be using a new exam.

Chair Northrup said yes, the service provider would be IOS. He said that the Board is considering using their SBSA for the interviews.

d. Next meeting date and invite IOS regarding SBSA

May meeting is May 10th at 7 p.m. at PD. June 14 meeting at FD at 6:30 p.m.

5. Adjournment