HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-26 meeting minutes FINALFEBRUARY 4, 2026
I.REGULAR MEETING
The Fire Merit Commission met at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026,
with Commission Members Dan Jones, John Pinter, and Kenneth Marks present.
Also, Assistant City Attorneys Kylie Connell and Adam Taylor, and Commission
Clerk Melissa Brown were present. The meeting was held at Central Fire Station,
1222 S. Michigan Street, Classroom #1, South Bend, Indiana, and virtually via
Microsoft Teams at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/5n8c3xxy.
Commission Attorney Connell read the agenda and asked if any changes were
needed. She then turned it over to the Commission President, Dan Jones.
A.ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
President Jones called roll and confirmed the presence of the Commissioners.
B.APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
John Pinter pointed out a spelling correction. John Pinter then made a motion
to approve the minutes with the necessary corrections. Seconded by Kenneth
Marks, the Commission approved the minutes of the January 14, 2026 regular
meeting.
C.APPROVAL OF AMENDED MERIT COMMISSION RULES FOR
CAPTAIN’S PROMOTIONAL PROCESS
Assistant City Attorney Adam Taylor introduced the Captain’s Promotional
Process document and explained the changes that were made. He then turned it
over to Assistant Chief Brandon Roark to further explain.
Assistant Chief Roark explained that, based on a comparative analysis with peer
organizations, they would like to adjust the required number of years from 8 to
7.
Dan Jones asked about the City of Gary’s promotional process that’s based off
seniority. Chief Roark explained that Gary is heavily internal based and that
they just use a different promotional process.
John Pinter then asked if there were any concerns expressed from the union.
Chief Roark said nobody has expressed concerns to him, though he has briefly
talked about it with some union members.
FEBRUARY 4, 2026
Adam Taylor then explained the language further, and pointed out some
differences with the new policy.
Dan Jones asked if there were any further questions. Kenneth Marks made a
motion to accept the promotional process. John Pinter seconded the motion.
With a unanimous vote, the Amended Merit Commission Rules for Captain’s
Promotional Process passed.
D.PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Dan Jones called for privilege of the floor, and nobody spoke.
E. ADJOURNEMNT
With there being no further business to come before the Commission, upon a
motion by Kenneth Marks, seconded by John Pinter, and carried out by a roll
call, the meeting was adjourned at 2:12 p.m.
FIRE MERIT COMMISSION
Daniel Jones, President
John Pinter, Secretary
Kenneth Marks, Vice President
ATTEST:
Melissa Brown, Commission Clerk