Pursuant to the Third-Class City Code, as amended, § 14401 et seq. (Civil Service) and Sections 604 and 611 of the Charter of the City of Chester, the Mayor and Council of the City of Chester to hereby establish the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission shall provide for and oversee the examination of applicants for appointment to any position in the Police or Fire Department.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City of Council of the City of Chester 9-25-2024 by Ord. No. 7-2024. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Commission shall consist of three residents of the City of Chester who shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council for a term of four years or until their successors are appointed. No City officer, official or employee shall be eligible for appointment to the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. Two members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of business of the Commission.
A.
Upon the establishment of the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission, the terms of members of the Commission shall be staggered. The Mayor and Council shall initially appoint to the Commission one person to serve for two years, one person to serve for three years, and one person to serve for four years. Upon the expiration of the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council to serve upon the Commission for a term of four years. If any vacancies occur, they shall be filled by the Mayor and Council for the unexpired term.
B.
Each of the members, before entering upon the duties of the office, shall take and subscribe to the oath of office prescribed by 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 1141 and file the same, duly certified by the officer administering it, with the City Clerk. No salary or other compensation shall be paid to any member of the Commission. After organizing, the Commission shall elect one of its members as Chairperson and one member as Vice Chairperson. The Commission shall also elect one member or appoint one alternate member to act as secretary to the Commission.
The Mayor and City Council may appoint no more than three residents of the City of Chester to serve as alternate members of the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. No City officer, official or employee shall be eligible for appointment as an Alternate Member to the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. The term of office of the alternate members shall be four years. If, by reason of absence or disqualification of a member, a quorum is not reached, the Chairperson shall designate as many alternate members of the Commission to sit on the Commission as may be needed to provide a quorum.
When seated pursuant to this section, an alternate shall be entitled to participate in all proceedings and discussions of the Commission to the extent it is provided by law for Commission members, including the right to cast a vote as a voting member during the proceedings, and shall have all the powers and duties as set forth in this article and as otherwise provided by law. Any alternate member of the Commission shall continue to serve on the Commission in all proceedings involving the matter or case for which the alternate was initially designated, until the Commission has made a final determination of the matter or cause (11 Pa.C.S.A. § 14403.1).
Designation of an alternate pursuant to this section shall be made on a case-by-case basis in rotation according to the declining seniority among all alternates. Any alternate may participate in any proceeding or discussion of the Commission but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the Commission unless designated as voting alternate member pursuant to this section.
The Commission shall have the power and its duty shall be to prepare and adopt rules and regulations, subject to approval by Council, which, in the Board's discretion, are best adapted to securing and maintaining the best service for the public for the selection, appointment and promotion of persons who are qualified to perform the work which is the subject of the civil service examination as provided in this article, and who are to be appointed and employed by the City of Chester.
The present members of the Civil Service Commission will continue in their current appointed positions, provided they are not re-appointed, until the end of their term, subject only to revisions by the commonwealth state statutes and consolidation of the Third-Class City Code, 11 Pa.C.S.A. § 14401 et seq., pursuant to 2015, Nov. 24, P.L. 242, No. 67, Section 1, effective January 25, 2016.
The fee for the testing of civil service positions shall be set forth in the City's adopted fee schedule.