04-11-13 Meet and Confer Committee Meeting

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THE CITY OF LA PORTE MEET & CONFER COMMITTEE MET THE 11th DAY OF APRIL, 2013 AT 3:00 P.M. AT CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 604 WEST FAIRMONT PARKWAY, LA PORTE, TEXAS, 1, CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m. Attendees: Corby Alexander, Kenith Adcox, Matt Novosad, Marcus Upchurch, David Huckabee and Chris Paige. Other attendees included: Brian Larkey (audience). 2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM September 5, 2012 MEETING. Minutes were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Ken Adcox to approve 2"d by Matt Novosad, all attendees were in favor. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION RELATING TO ITEMS INTRODUCED BY THE POLICE ASSOCIATION AND/OR THE CITY OF LA PORTE, REGARDING COMPENSATION, LEAVE PROVISIONS, WORKING CONDITIONS, AND CIVIL SERVICE PREEMPTIONS. Alternative testing procedures were discussed and the proposal, which was based on the recommendations from the committee made up of both Association and City representatives, was distributed by Chief Adcox. The Committee recommendations included changing time in grade requirements needed to take the sergeant's test from 2 to 4 years; changing the way seniority points are awarded from time on department to time In grade; awarding an additional 2.5 points to those persons who pass the written exam (70 or above) and are actively participating in the department's leadership mentor program; providing for a 6 month probationary period for persons promoted to sergeant or lieutenant; and agreeing on an assessment center process that would be used only If voted on ahead of time by the effected officers as already provided for in existing Civil Service law. Additional discussion took place in regard to what body would be approving the Assessment Center, and it was agreed that only those that would be actually taking the promotional exam in question would be allowed to vote on whether or not an assessment center would be used, not the entire LPPOA membership. The process would be for the Chief to propose an assessment center each year sometime before each test is scheduled. Those eligible and interested in taking the promotional test would include their preference (for or against an assessment center) when they submit their letter of intent to HR. If a majority of the effected officers voted in favor of an Assessment Center, one would be arranged for following the specific procedure included in the contract. Chief Adcox advised that it is his hope that by giving officers an opportunity to voluntarily select and experience an assessment center, officers may, over time, become more comfortable with the process. This may eventually lead to the standardized use of assessment centers as part of the promotional process in the future. LPPOA would like to see a change in the current policy regarding 60 hours of college for promotional testing, to allow for four (4) years of active military duty in lieu of college for Sergeant testing. Proof of duty would be made by the discharge papers. Officers would still