Changes to civil service testing, updates on Planning Commission work on City Council agenda

May 7—Meadville City Council will confront a light agenda this evening that includes proposed changes to the civil service process for some city employees and an update on efforts to address blight.

City Manager Maryann Menanno's updates will also include news of a city employee's recognition.

Meadville Central Fire Department Deputy Chief Evan Kardosh received a scholarship to fund his participation in the 2024 annual conference of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Eastern Division.

"He was selected because 'he has made a significant contribution to emergency services,'" Menanno said, reading from the scholarship notice.

The event takes place Friday and Saturday in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. The scholarship covers the cost of the conference itself as well as meals and lodging during the event.

Among items council is expected to take action on, the proposed change to civil service testing rules would affect fire department employees. If approved, Menanno said, the proposal would expand the scope of testing for promotions to lieutenant and captain. Current testing consists of written and oral exams as well as a performance review. The proposal would add a section involving real-life scenarios for candidates to respond to.

The proposal would also implement testing similar to that used for entry-level firefighters for the department's paramedics. The written exam and agility testing would enable score-based ranking of the paramedics.

The rankings would determine which employees are called upon in the event of a staffing shortage due to sickness or something else, according to Menanno. Currently, the least senior employee is called upon first. If the proposal is approved, the employee with the lowest test scores would be called.

Council will also hear an update from City Planner Peter Grella on the Planning Commission's work on two redevelopment areas designated last year. Menanno said the focus will primarily be on a stretch of upper Water Street from the Downtown Mall to Baldwin Street. The area includes the former location of two abandoned buildings that were demolished earlier this year at 778 and 780 Water St., between North and Randolph streets. The other redevelopment area is adjacent to Huidekoper Park along Poplar and South Main streets and several adjoining blocks.

Council will also vote on a purchase of road salt for next winter and vote to approve a lease agreement with the district court for Meadville and West Mead Township, which occupies offices on the basement level of the City Building. Menanno said the current lease expired at the end of 2023. The proposed agreement would keep the court in the building through 2025.

City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the first three Tuesdays of each month in the City Building, 894 Diamond Park.

Mike Crowley can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at mcrowley@meadvilletribune.com.