The meeting was called to order at 7:51 p.m. In attendance were Chairman Gene Ege, Commissioner Robert Johnston, Commissioner George Beasley, Police Chief Don Thomas, Fire Chief Bill Riddle, and City Attorney Peter Smith.

A motion to approve the minutes as presented from the October 21, 2002 meeting was made by Commissioner Johnston and was seconded by Commissioner Beasley. No discussion.

Ayes – 3

Nays – 0

Abstain –0

As a point of order, Chairman Ege explained that the Commission will now begin to approve the minutes from any closed sessions in a closed session, in accordance with parliamentary procedures for public entities.

• Chairman Ege said that the Commission received a letter from City Administrator Bill Nicklas about reinstating Police Sergeant Tom Scott to the rank of Lieutenant, in accordance with Judge Klein’s ruling. Mr. Nicklas asked that the Board officially acknowledge Sergeant Scott’s promotion. Mr. Nicklas also asked that the Commission take the necessary steps to promote a patrolman from the authorized promotion list to the rank of Sergeant and to hire a new police officer to fill the vacancy that will be left by that promotion.

A motion to recognize Tom Scott’s reinstatement to the position of Lieutenant in the Sycamore Police Department per Judge Klein’s ruling was made by Commissioner Beasley and seconded by Commissioner Johnston.

Ayes – 3

Nays – 0

Abstain –0

OLD BUSINESS

William Reynolds was hired and has started his employment with the Sycamore Fire Department.

• Police Sergeant and Fire Lieutenant Promotional List

Since the last meeting, military points were added to the scores of eligible candidates. For the Police Sergeant candidates, this resulted in Rod Swartzendruber moving into third place on the list. Since no Fire Lieutenant candidates applied for military service points, there was no change to that list.

• Marv Fogel Research

Chief Thomas explained that he met with the intern who is working with Mr. Fogel. The intern is pursuing his degree from DePaul University and is involved in an independent study program in which he will perform a cultural assessment of the Sycamore Police Department and, possibly, the Fire Department. This assessment will assist the department in determining the type of person that they would like to hire. He will then compare the department’s recruiting, hiring, and selection process with the best practice being used today. He will be doing this research over the course of the next two months, under Marv Fogel’s direction. Chief Thomas said that the intern will be distributing a questionnaire to all personnel in the department, probably sometime during the second week of December. The purpose of this questionnaire will be to assess how the department is currently functioning – what is being done right or wrong. Commissioner Johnston asked if the results of this survey would be made public. Chief Thomas said that they would be. Commissioner Johnston asked if the intern would want to spend any time with the Commissioners. Chief Thomas said that he thought that he would, so that he can see what ideas and wants the Commission has in the areas of hiring and selection processes.

NEW BUSINESS

 

No report. Since we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, Chief Riddle wanted to thank the Commissioners for all of the work that they have done on behalf of the Fire and Police Departments this past year.

• Police Chief

Promotion to Sergeant – the Commission had sent a letter out, contingent on Council approval (which was given at the November 18, 2002 meeting) to Officer Steven Cook informing him of his promotion to Sergeant. Officer Cook’s interview with the Commissioners will be taking place after tonight’s meeting adjourns. Pending the outcome of the interview, the effective promotion date will be tomorrow, November 27, 2002.

New Hire Police Officer – the Commission had sent an intent-to-hire letter out, contingent on Council approval (which was given at the November 18, 2002 meeting) to Patrick Lozeau, the next candidate on the eligibility list. Chairman Ege said that he had already received the results of the psychological examination from Marv Fogel and the medical examination is scheduled to take place on December 5, 2002. As soon as the results of the medical exam are received, the final interview with the Commission will be scheduled, with a targeted appointment date of December 17, 2002. Chief Thomas said that they have tentatively schedule Mr. Lozeau to begin his training the second week of January at the Illinois State Police Academy.

 

CLOSED SESSION

A motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel matters was made by Commissioner Johnston and was seconded by Commissioner Beasley.

Ayes – 3

Nays – 0

Abstain –0

The closed session began at 8:01 p.m.

A motion to reconvene the open session was made by Commissioner Beasley and was seconded by Commissioner Johnston.

Ayes – 3

Nays – 0

Abstain –0

The open session reconvened at 8:22 p.m.

A motion to send Jameson Russie a letter notifying him that he is no longer being considered for employment by the Sycamore Fire Department was made by Commissioner Johnston and seconded by Commissioner Beasley.

Ayes – 3

Nays – 0

Abstain –0

Chairman Ege asked Attorney Smith if the letter needed to detail the information from the candidate’s background check that led to this decision. Attorney Smith answered that it was not necessary to go into reasons or details. Commissioner Johnston said that he would draft the letter to send to Mr. Russie. Also, a conditional letter of employment will be sent to the next candidate on the Entry-level Firefighter list and his application given to the Police Department so that they can begin their background investigation.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Commissioner Johnston and was seconded by Commissioner Beasley.

Ayes – 3

Nays – 0

Abstain –0

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Minutes accepted by:

_______________________________

Gene Ege, Chairman Date

Attest:

______________________________

Jean Tritle, Recording Secretary Date