Chapter 4.08
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Sections:
4.08.010 Civil service commission – Created.
4.08.020 Civil service commission – Membership.
4.08.030 Civil service commission – Meeting.
4.08.040 Powers and duties of the commission.
4.08.050 Records open to the public.
4.08.060 Retention of records.
4.08.010 Civil service commission – Created.
There is created a civil service commission to exercise the powers and to perform the duties set forth in this chapter and Chapter 2.52 FMC in connection with the selection, appointment and employment of police in the city. (Ord. 1938 § 7, 2016).
4.08.020 Civil service commission – Membership.
The city manager shall appoint three members to the commission. The term of office of each member shall be three years. If at any time a commission member is disqualified from acting, by reason of conflict of interest or appearance of fairness or any other similar cause, then the appointing authority may appoint a temporary replacement for said position on the commission to act only with respect to the particular matter for which the commission member was disqualified. Said disqualification shall in no way affect the disqualified commission member’s status as to any matters other than that for which he was disqualified. (Ord. 1952 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1938 § 7, 2016).
4.08.030 Civil service commission – Meeting.
The commission shall hold meetings as may be required for the proper discharge of its duties. All commission meetings or hearings shall be open and public; provided, however, that the commission may meet in executive session as authorized by the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 42.30 RCW). (Ord. 2016 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1938 § 7, 2016).
4.08.040 Powers and duties of the commission.
The civil service commission shall have authority to:
A. Make suitable rules governing the following matters:
1. The date, time and location of any examination authorized by this chapter;
2. The date, time and location of any hearing or investigation which the commission is authorized by this chapter to conduct;
3. Adjournment of any commission meeting authorized by this chapter;
4. The procedure for scheduling a special or emergency meeting of the commission;
5. The rules of order to be used by the commission in the transaction of its official business;
6. The election of a commission chair and vice chair;
7. The date, time and location of all civil service commission meetings;
8. The approval of the minutes of any civil service commission meeting;
9. Notification of examination results to each applicant;
10. The time for filing an application for any examination authorized by this chapter;
11. The procedure for amending the commissioners’ rules;
12. Service of process of any notices, documents or papers required by this chapter to be served;
13. The procedure for announcing an examination;
14. The procedure for issuing and/or quashing subpoenas in connection with a hearing or investigation authorized by Chapter 2.52 FMC;
15. Discovery to be conducted in any hearing or investigation authorized by Chapter 2.52 FMC;
16. Except as otherwise stated in Chapter 2.52 FMC the procedure by which the commission will conduct any hearing or investigation authorized by this chapter; and
17. Any other matter, not in conflict with Chapter 2.52 FMC, that the commission deems desirable to implement the provisions and carry out the purposes of this chapter.
B. Arrange for the administration of competitive examinations to determine the relative qualifications of persons for initial employment and for promotion in the classified service.
C. Conduct investigations concerning and report upon all matters relating to the enforcement and effect of this chapter and the rules and regulations prescribed hereunder.
D. Hear and determine appeals arising from the administration of this chapter and the commission’s rules.
E. Establish and maintain a roster of employees.
F. When a vacant position is to be filled, certify to the appointing authority the names of the three persons highest on the eligibility list for said vacancy, in accordance with the procedures set forth in FMC 2.52.030.
G. Prepare an eligibility list of all persons eligible to fulfill any given position within the classified service, ranked in accordance with their total scores on any examination.
H. Begin and conduct all civil suits which may be necessary for the proper enforcement of this chapter and the commission’s rules. In such suits, the commission shall be represented by the city attorney, unless such representation would conflict with his responsibilities as city attorney, in which case, the city attorney shall obtain independent legal counsel to advise the commission upon such terms and conditions as are set by the city council; provided, the commission may appoint its own counsel in any case of discipline or enforcement of civil service rules that is appealed to the commission.
I. Certify payrolls or appoint some person to do so.
J. Develop and submit a proposed annual budget to the executive and the council for their consideration consistent with budget procedures for other city departments. (Ord. 1938 § 7, 2016).
4.08.050 Records open to the public.
The minutes of all civil service commission meetings shall be open to the public during office hours of the City Hall and may be inspected upon application to the secretary/chief examiner. (Ord. 1938 § 7, 2016).
4.08.060 Retention of records.
The records of the civil service commission shall be retained in accordance with the city’s document retention policy. (Ord. 1938 § 7, 2016).
4.08.070 Legal advisor.
The city attorney shall serve as the legal advisor to the commission. If the city attorney has a conflict of interest relating to a specific case to be heard by the commission, then the city attorney shall obtain qualified independent counsel to advise the commission. If the recommended attorney is not acceptable to the commission then the city attorney shall obtain alternate qualified legal counsel to advise the commission. The independent legal counsel shall be retained upon such terms of compensation as are set by the city council. (Ord. 1938 § 7, 2016).