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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1682:, . .~.~ ~~0111t1011 Adopted Resolution No. IN SUPPORT OF THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CRAPTER 143 WHEREAS, Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143, hereinafter referred to as the Municipal Civil Service Act, was originally enacted forty-three years ago to prevent mismanagement of police and fire departments, and was a needed and well-intended statute; and WHEREAS, numerous amendments to the original law by the Texas Legislature since 1947 have eroded the ability of local governments to effectively and responsibly manage their police and fire departments under the Municipal Civil Service Act; and WHEREAS, since 1947, politics have been reinstated into police and fire operations through the large campaign contributions of police and fire union organizations made to encourage various amendments limiting the management ability of local government; and WHEREAS, the Municipal Civil Service Act should be amended to provide for hiring and promotion using means other than strictly written exams, thereby allowing municipalities to incorporate affirmative actions plans in their police and fire departments; and WHEREAS, the Municipal Civil Service that a municipality may remove itself using the same method that is used to cities to remove themselves from dramatically since it was originally and Act should be amended to provide from the requirements of the Act adopt the Act, therefore allowing a provision which has changed created by the Texas Legislature; WHEREAS, the experience of numerous cities across the State with the use of hearing examiners under the Municipal Civil Service Act has proven the hearing examiner system a failure, in that police chiefs and fire chiefs have lost management authority over their own employees, with a resulting loss in the efficiency and effectiveness of public safety departments in those cities subject to the Municipal Civil Service Act; and WHEREAS, ten proposed amendments to the Municipal Civil Service .Act have been developed by the Texas Municipal League Policy Committee on Personnel and the Texas Municipal League's Labor Relations Task Force that will assist the City of Fort Worth and other cities in Texas in maintaining efficient, effective, well-managed police and fire departments, resulting in better public safety for Fort Worth citizens, which is the goal of both the City and the employees of the police and fire departments; and O CITY OF FORT WORTH WHEREAS, the TML Labor Relations Task Force, which is composed of elected and administrative officials from cities across the State of Texas including representatives from the City of Fort Worth, has determined that the attached ten amendments to the Municipal Civil Service Act should be adopted by the Texas Legislature to address the needed changes in the Act including changes to the hearing examiner) process, to the hiring process to allow affirmative action, and to the~~ repeal procedures of the Muncipal Civil Service Act; NOW, THEREFORE, SE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COONCIL OF THE CITX OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: that the Fort Worth City Council hereby requests and encourages the Texas Municipal League, on behalf of the City of Fort Worth and other cities subject to the Municipal Civil Service Act, to coordinate the preparation and submission to the Texas Legislature of the amendments to the Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143 as described in the attached Exhibit "A". HE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: that the Fort Worth City Council hereby urges the Legislators representing the Tarrant County area in the Texas Legislature to support and pass the proposed amendments so that their constituents living in Fort Worth will be served by the most effective and efficient public safety departments possible. Approved this day of Mayor Bob Bolen ATTEST: City Secretary 1990, A.D. AFPROV~D BY G! Y ~~lli~Cl3~ ocr ~~ tsso City G( Fort `Aorh, Y9xci cam of pour wosre T EXHIBIT "A" PROPOSED AMENDMENTS •. TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 143 M~INICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE ACT 1. AN AMENDMENT SPECIFYING CERTAIN . QUALIFICATIONS FOR HEARING EXAMINERS UNDER CHAPTER 143 Current Law Chapter 143.057 allows a police officer or fire fighter to appeal a disciplinary action to a third party hearing examiner. The only qualification necessary under state law is that the hearing examiner be a member of either the American Arbitration Association or the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Proposed Chance This amendment would require that a third party hearing examiner.receive special training regarding Chapter 143 or that the hearing examiner be a retired or former judge who is a member of the State Bar. Reasons for Proaose Chan Several cities have experienced problems with third Party hearing examiners not understanding the nature of police or fire work. Police officers and fire fighters, because of the very nature of their work, interact with citizens everyday. Therefore, when a police chief decides to indefinitely suspend a police officer because the officer has shown a history of unnecessary violence in arrest situations, violation of criminal laws, or for other reasons, the examiner often fails to understand the liability the city faces by keeping that officer on the force. In an attempt to reach a compromise between the city and an officer who has been disciplined, hearing examiners have reduced the punishment even though there is no dispute as to what the officer did. Since there is no appeal from a decision except in very limited situations, the city is often forced to return an obviously bad officer or fire fighter to the force. • 2. ANA EE~INERS TO BASIE THEIR LNG DECISIONS ON SPECIFIC CRITERIA Current Law Section 143.057(f) states that the hearing examiner has the same duties and powers as the Civil Service Commission as they relate to conducting disciplinary appeals, including the right to issue subpoenas. Section 143.057(j) provides for an appeal to district court of a hearing examiner's decision only on the grounds that the examiner's decision was without junsdiction or exceeded its jurisdiction or if the order was procured by fraud, collusion, or other unlawful means. Proposed Change This amendment would clearly define the phrase: "the same duties and powers of the commission." The proposed amendment would state that a comrrussion or a third parry hearing examiner may uphold a suspension or dismissal of a fire fighter or po tce officer for a violation ol` a ctvil service rule by determining that the speciftc charges against the fire fighter or police officer are true. This amendment would clarify that the same "findings' standard currently required of the commission is also rec~utred of the hearing examtner. In the event the hearing examiner does not make a ftndtng concerning the truth of the charges, that decision maybe appealed. Reasons for Proposed Change The commission is required to find the truth of the specific charges against the fire fighter or police officer, and the hearing examiner has the same duties and powers as the commission. However, if a heartng examiner does not make a finding as to the truth of the charges, there is no recourse. This change would specifically state this duty of the hearing examiner and provide for an appeal if the hearing examiner fails to comply. 3. HEA~RINGEMXAMINER~UBASE ~E R DECISIONS ON A PREPONDERANCE OF AND C DNVINC'ING EVOIDENCE Current Law Section 143.057(j) provides for an appeal to district court of a hearing e.eaminer's decision only if the decision was without jurisdiction, exceeded jurisdiction or if the order was procured by fraud, collusion, or other unlawful means. Current law does not provide a standard of proof that must be met by the city in an appeal of a disciplinary decision to a hearing examiner. Proposed Change This amendment would specifically state that the decision of a hearing examiner must be based upon a preponderance of the evidence and that failure to do so would be grounds for appeal of that decision to district court. Reasons fir Proposed Chan • Although the standard of proof in civil cases in Texas is a preponderance of the evidence, some hearing examiners have required the city to produce "clear and convincing" evidence to justify the disciplinary decision. This amendment would clarify the burden which is required and would aIlow an appeal in the event that this standard is not utilized by the hearing examiner. • 4. AN AMEHEARING EXAMINER IS L MITED TTOAL TO A CASES OF DEMOTION, INDEFINITE SUSPENSION, OR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS OFTEN DAYS OR MORE Current Law Section 143.057(a) requires that the city's letter of disciplinary action issued to a fire fighter or police officer state that in an appeal of an indefinite suspension, a suspension, promotional passover or a recommended demotion, the appealing fire fighter or Police officer may elect to appeal to an independent third parry hearing examiner Instead of the civil service commission. Therefore, the fire Eighter or police officer is given the choice of going before the commission or before the hearing examiner stnce both have the same jurisdiction in appeals. ProRosed Chance This amendment would allow the fire fighter or police officer the choice of appealing to a hearing examiner only in the case of an indefinite suspension, a recommended demotion, or a.suspension of ten days or more. • Reasons for ProQosed Change The cities under civil service have had five years of experience with appeals to hearing examiners. A two-day hearing often costs $1,500 or more, not includtng the hearing examiner's travel expenses. This seems particularly expensive when the appeal involves cone-day suspension. An appeal of a one-day suspension to the ctvtl service commission costs vtrtually nothing. This amendment would allow an appeal to a hearing examiner in the most serious of disciplinary actions -- an indefinite suspension, a recommended demotion, or a suspension of ten days or more. This amendment does not dilute an officer's rtght to a due process proceeding, since the promotional passover or suspension of less than 10 days is always appealable to the civil service commission. 5. AMENDMENT PROVIDING THAT A ING EXAMINER SHALL UPHOLD THE PLINARY DECISION OF THE CHIEF IF RING EXAMINER MAKES A FINDING OF FIRE FIGHTER OR OLICE OFFICER NST Current Law The hearing examiner has the ability to alter the disciplinary action imposed by the chief even if the hearing examiner has made a deterrmnation that the ctty's charges against an officer are true. Proposed Change This amendment would clarify any confusion regarding the determination that must be made by a hearing examiner. The hearing examiner must make a finding of the truth of the specific charges. This amendment would also provide that once the hearing examiner has made a finding of the truth of the specific charges against the fire fighter or police officer, the disctpltnary action recommended by the chtef shall be imposed. Reasons for Proposed Change In the past, hearing examiners have been confused as to the finding that must be made at an appeal hearing and the level of proof that is required of the city in defending its disciplinary recommendation. The amendment would clarify the findings that must be made by the examiner. Additionally, hearing examiners, in an attempt to reach a compromise between the chief and the disciplined uniformed officer, wtll: (I) find that the charges are true, but (2) determine that the disciplinary recommendation is too harsh and reduce it. f ,• AN AMENDMENT REQUIRING THAT A HEARING EXAMINER FOLLOW THE PROCEDURAL RULES USED BY THE • CML SERVICE COMMISSION AND ALLOWING THE CITY TOUR FAILURE TO FOLLOXW THE RU ESCISION Current Law Section 143.008 requires that the commission adopt rules necessary for the proper conduct of commission business. There is no appeal of a heanng examiner's decision to district court by the city except in very limtted situations. Proposed Chance This amendment would require that a third parry hearing examiner follow the procedural rules set by the ctty's civil service coauntssion. It would also allow for an appeal of the hearing examtner's decision if the examiner failed to follow the commission's procedural rules. Reasons for Proposed Change Civil service commissions often adopt detailed rules regazding procedures that must sI. be followed during an appeal bearing. In the absence of a specific -rule, coaunissions often require to their rules that the rules of civil procedure shall be followed. Hearing examiners have often held hearings in which neither the commission rules nor the rules of civic procedure were followed. Under current law, the city cannot appeal the hearing examiner's decision for failure to follow the commission's rules of procedure. This amendment would clarify the procedural rules that the hearing examiner must follow and would allow the city to appeal a hearing examiner's dectston to district court for failure to follow those rules. ~• ~. AN AMENDMENT PROVIDING THAT A DEMOTIOUBJE T TO AN APPEA DIATELY, ® ('urrent Law Under Sec. 143.054, the chief of the fire or police department may recommend in writing to the civil service commission that an officer be tnvoluntarily demoted. The chief must include reasons for the recommended demotion and request that the commission order the demotion. If the commission believes that good cause exists for ordering the demotion, the commission shall give the fire fighter or police officer notice to appear before the commission for a publtc hearing. The comtmssion must give the poltce officer or fire fighter ten days nottce before the hearing. Proposed Changg This amendment would provide that when the chief recommends a demotion for a police officer or fire fighter, the demotion would take effect immediately, subject to the appeal. Reasons for Proposed Changg Currently, if the chief recommends a demotion, the decision must await a review and possible appeal to the commission or a third party hearing examiner. The only time requirement in the statute is one which reqqutres that the commission give notice to the affected police officer or fire figktter. If the officer has been suspended, the commission must hold a hearing and render a decision in writing within 30 days after the date it received nottce of appeal. Often, attorneys representing the employee in a demotion appeal will delay any hearing on the matter, effectively blocktng the attempted demotton of the officer. There seems to be no logic for the difference between a suspension (which has immediate effect) and a demotion (which has effect only after an appeal). ~~ 8. AN AMENDMENT ALLOWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLANS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS Current Law Under Section 143.026, when a vacancy occurs in a beginning position in a fire or police department, the civil service director certifies to the ctty s chief executive officer the names of the three persoru having the highest grades on the eligibility list. The chief executive officer then appoints the person with the highest grade unless there is a valid reason that the person having the second or third htghest grade should be appointed. Proposed Change Under this amendment, an additional name from the eligibility list may be added to the list submitted to 'the chief executive officer to fill a vacancy in a beginning position. This additional name is allowed if the city council has adopted an affirmative action plan that has been approved by the civtl service commission. The additional candidate from the eligibility list must meet all the other qualifications and criteria necessary to fill a beginning position. Currently, the chief executive officer can appoint the person with the htghest grade unless there is a good and sufficient reason that one of the other persons named should be appointed. Under the proposed amendment, the implementation of an affirmative action plan would be a "good and sufficient" reason to appoint someone other than the first person on the list. Reasons for Proposed Change City councils are currently being sued for implementation of affirmative action plans in their police and fire departmenu. Local city councils should be able to cgnstder implementation of affirmative action plans in hiring of police and fire personnel to avoid court-ordered sanctions or compply with appropnate consent decrees. This provision would also allow local authonttes to constder what is best for their community in balancing the make-up of police/fire departmenu in lieu of having the courts make those determinations. The unions contend this is a violation of the Civil Service Act because there is no provision that allows for these appointments. City councils should be allowed to hire minorities and women when they have adopted an affirmative action plan. • 9. AN AMENDMENT CONFORMING REPEAL PROCEDURES WITH ADOPTION PROCEDURES ('urrent Law Law To Adoot Civil Service A city may adopt civil service under Section 143.004(b} if the city council receives a petttron requesting an election signed by 10 percent of the number of voters who voted in the most recent municipal election. The resulting election is decided by a majority of those voting. Law To Repeal Civil Service If the voters wish to repeal civil service, the petition must be signed by IO percent of aJl the qualified voters in the city. In order for the repeal effort to succeed, a majority of all oualified voters in the city must vote for the repeal. Proposed Change This amendment would allow voters to petition for repeal of civil service with the • same number of signatures with which the voters can petition to adopt civil service. The amendment would also provide that the election for repeal shall be decided by a majority of those voting. Reasons for Proposed Change Since the Civil Service Act was enacted by the Legislature in 1947, nearly 70 cities have adopted the civil service statute by election. Since that time, the civil service statute has been amended numerous limes to include many more provisions than had been originally approved by the voters. What was initially adopted by cities as the Civil Service Act is not what cities are living with today. Therefore, voters should be able to petition and vote to repeal the city's adoption of civil service if the system no longer meets the needs or the expectations of the citizens in the community. _F` )<[]. AN AMENDMENT PROVIDING FOR ALTERNATIVE TESTING PROCEDURES FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS current Law Under Section 143.035, upon the recommendation of the chief of the police department, and after a malor~ty vote of the sworn police officers in the department, the commission may adopt an alternate promotional system to select persons to occupy non-entry level positions other than positions that are filled by appointment by the department head. Proposed Change Allow the same alternative testing procedures for fire departments. Reason for Proposed Change Currently, only police departments 'may choose alternative testing procedures. if the same safeguards (a recommendation by the chief and a majority vote of the fire department) are adopted for fire departments, the commission should be allowed to • adopt an alternative promotional system to promote persons to non-entry level ,~ postttons. There is no good reason that a police department is allowed to exercise this option and a fire department is not. •