Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Board of Fire and Police Commissioners met Dec. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

A meeting of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BOFPC) of the Village of La Grange was held on December 18, 2019 in the lower level conference room of the Village Hall and was called to order at 6:05 p.m.

PRESENT: (and constituting a quorum): Chairman Hoffenberg, Commissioner Boersma and Commissioner Levato.

ABSENT: None

ALSO PRESENT: Andrianna Peterson, Village Manager, Terrence Vavra, Fire Chief, Kurt Bluder, Police Chief, and Kevin Noreikis, Intern.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- NOVEMBER 20, 2019

The minutes of the November 20, 2019 meeting were presented for approval. After consideration, it was moved by Commissioner Levato and seconded by Chairman Hoffenberg that the minutes be approved. Motion carried.

3. BUSINESS AT HAND

A. Request of Waiver – Firefighter/Paramedic Final Eligibility list – Chief Vavra provided an update to the commission regarding one candidate on the Final Firefighter/Paramedic Eligibility List, Kenneth Whisler, who has requested a waiver of further testing. Mr. Whisler does not currently process an IDPH license, and would be ineligible to continue in the testing process. However, Mr. Whisler is currently attending a Paramedic program in order to obtain an IDPH license. Mr. Whisler requested a waiver in writing to Chief Vavra on December 3, 2019, which included proof of his current enrollment.

After consideration, a motion was made by Commissioner Boersma and seconded by Commissioner Levato to approve Candidate Whislers request for a single waiver. Motion Carried.

B. Appointment – Probationary Police Officer – Chief Bluder provided an update to the Commission regarding a recommendation to appoint Laura Ramirez to the position of Probationary Police Officer. In preparation to fill one of the vacant four Police Officer positions, and in anticipation of the start of the Police Academy in January 2020, the Police Department conducted a background investigation on Candidate Laura Ramirez beginning in September. Based on the results of that background investigation, a conditional offer of employment was extended to Candidate Laura Ramirez by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners on Monday, November 25, 2019. The remaining steps of the conditional offer were completed, and candidate Ramirez meets the requirements of those conditions. Based upon the findings of the background investigation and results of other required pre- employment tests, Chief Bluder recommends the appointment of Laura Ramirez to the position of probationary Police Officer.

After consideration, a motion was made by Commissioner Boersma and seconded by Commissioner Levato to appoint Laura Ramirez to the position of Probationary Police Officer. Motion Carried.

C. Approval – Police Officer Final Eligibility Register – Chief Bluder updated the commission on the Police Officer Hiring Process. At the November 20, 2019 Board of Fire and Police Commissioner meeting, the Commission approved the Police Officer Initial Eligibility Register. After this initial approval, IO Solutions sent out a notification to all candidates requesting the submittal of preference points. These points were added to the scores listed on the initial eligibility register.

After consideration, a motion to approve the Police Officer Final Eligibility Register was made by Commissioner Levato and seconded by Commissioner Boersma. Motion Carried.

4. OLD BUSINESS

A. Police Sergeant Promotional Process Update – Chief Bluder updated the Commission on the Police Sergeant Promotional Process. One Police Officer passed the written examination for the Sergeant Promotional List. Unfortunately, this officer has decided not to pursue the remainder of the process as a result of family concerns. Chief Bluder will be evaluating the overall testing process and the preparation of candidates for promotional opportunities as well as the timing of a subsequent testing process in the context of Departmental needs.

5. NEW BUSINESS

A. Discussion – Next Meeting Date – The commission discussed the next available date for a meeting. The next BOFPC meeting will be held January 8, 2020.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

7. CLOSED SESSION

None

8. ADJOURNMENT

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