Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Board of Fire and Police Commissioners met June 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

ROLL CALL AND ATTENDANCE

Roll was called and each Commissioner was present. Attorney/Secretary Charles Kostantacos was also present.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the May 10, 2022 regular monthly meeting had been previously distributed and they were reviewed at the meeting. No modifications or corrections were suggested. Commissioner Winters moved to approve the Minutes as prepared, Chairman Stewart seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous roll call vote.

COMMUNICATIONS

Commissioner Gardner reported that no mail had been received for the Commission. Commissioner Winters reported that no email had been received for the Commission.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The Commissioners conducted the promotional oral interview of Patrol Officer Michael Johnson. Candidate Johnson was asked the same questions as had been submitted to the other Promotional Candidates. The Commissioners alternated presenting the questions. At the conclusion of the interview, Officer Johnson was excused from the meeting, the Commissioners discussed and tabulated their respective scores, and gave them to the Secretary.

Chief Matt Hollinger and Sergeant Kiza Davies joined the meeting at the conclusion of the interview activity. Chief Hollinger informed the Commissioners that he needs to fill vacant Patrol Officer positions. Attention turned to the existing Patrol Officer Eligibility Register. Sergeant Davies reported upon the results of recent communication with Candidates as well as the results of several background investigations.

Sergeant Davies informed the Commissioners that Dwayne Milton was in Europe and that he had submitted a written request to strike his name from the Register. Commissioner Gardner moved to strike his name from the Eligibility List, Commissioner Winters seconded the motion, and it carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Sergeant Davies circulated the written background information prepared on Ethan Hodzic. The Commissioners reviewed and discussed the findings. On the basis of the report, Chairman Stewart moved to disqualify Candidate Hodzic from further consideration and strike his name from the Eligibility List. Commissioner Winters seconded the motion and it was adopted by unanimous roll call vote. The Secretary was directed to notify the Candidate.

The written background report on Justin McCauley was circulated, reviewed and discussed by the Commissioners. At the conclusion of discussion, Commissioner Winters moved to approve the background investigation results, Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous roll call vote. The Candidate would be scheduled to submit to his polygraph examination on June 25,2022.

Patrick Leszczynski advised Sergeant Davies that he was no longer interested in pursuing a Patrol Officer position with our Department. Commissioner Winters moved to strike his name from the Eligibility List on the basis of the Candidate's request. Chairman Stewart seconded the motion and it carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Sergeant Davies had completed the background investigation on Terry Huynh and she distributed her written findings to the Commissioners. The Commissioners reviewed and discussed the report. Commissioner Gardner moved to disqualify Candidate Huynh from further consideration and to strike his name from the Eligibility List. Commissioner Winters seconded the motion and it was adopted by unanimous roll call vote.

A background investigation had been completed on Deryk Bryja and the findings were provided to the Commissioners by Sergeant Davies. They were discussed by the Commissioners and thereafter Chairman Stewart moved to disqualify Candidate Bryja from further consideration and to strike his name from the Eligibility List. Commissioner Winters seconded the motion and it was adopted by unanimous roll call vote.

Candidate Kyle Schaefer sent an email to Sergeant Davies on June 14, 2022 indicating that he declined further participation in our hiring process. On the basis of the Candidate's written communication, Commissioner Winters moved to strike his name from the Eligibility List, Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous roll call vote.

Candidate Luis Gomez submitted an email to Sergeant Davies on June 14, 2022 indicating that he was no longer interested in pursuing a position with our Department. Commissioner Winters moved to strike Candidate Gomez' name from the Eligibility List on the basis of the Candidate's submission. Chairman Stewart seconded the motion and it carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Candidate Carrasquillo had expressed a continued interest in a Patrol Officer position. The Commissioners asked Sergeant Davies to begin a background investigation.

Chief Hollinger and Sergeant Davies departed the meeting and the Commissioners discussed the Sergeant Promotional Eligibility Register. Attorney Kostantacos reported that based upon information received from each Candidate, the Commission would be receiving no claims for Military Preference Points. There would therefore be no need to allow a ten (10) day claim period as set forth in the Commission Rules. Commissioner Winters moved to suspend Ch. lV, Section 1(c) of the Commission Rules pertaining to the claim period allowed for preference points. Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous roll call vote.

The Commissioners discussed the final promotional test scores for all of the Candidates that had been distributed by Attorney Kostantacos. After brief discussion, Commissioner Winters moved to adopt the Sergeanl Promotional Eligibility Register as tabulated with the effective date of June 14, 2022. Chairman Stewart seconded the motion and it carried by unanimous roll call vote.

The Commissioners asked Chief Hollinger to return to the meeting, at which time he indicated that he needed to fill two (2) Patrol Sergeant positions. He mentioned that Sergeant Cotter had retired. The Chief indicated that he would be confirming his request for appointments by email directed to the Commission Secretary. He requested Commission action on the promotions at the July 12, 2022 regular monthly Commission meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ATTORNEY REPORT

None.

PAYMENT OF BILLs

An invoice had been submitted by l/O Solutions for services and promotional test materials totaling $2,070.00. Commissioner Winters moved to approve the payment of the invoice. Chairman Stewart seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous roll call vote.

Attorney Kostantacos submitted an invoice for legal services rendered in May 2022 in the sum of $975.00. Commissioner Winters moved to approve payment of the invoice. Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous roll call vote.

CLOSED SESSION

None.

OTHER COMMISSION BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business before the Commission, Commissioner Winters moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Gardner seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 7:58 p.m.

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