(A) The Commission shall, as a body, have the following powers and duties:
(1) After public hearing, approve such rules and regulations for the proper conduct of its business as it shall find necessary and expedient;
(2) After public hearing, adopt, modify or reject such classification and compensation plans for firefighters and police officers, together with rules for their administration, as may be recommended by the Director after a thorough survey of the personnel and departmental organization of the Fire Department and Police Department. No such plans or any amendments thereof shall be effective until adopted by ordinance of the City Commission;
(3) Formulate minimum standards and qualifications for each class of position in the classified service;
(4) Make provisions for open, competitive and free examinations for persons making proper application and meeting the requirements as prescribed in the Civil Service Law, this subchapter and the rules and regulations of the Commission;
(5) Authorize temporary appointments to the classified service if no eligible list has been prepared for the position, and limit temporary appointments to a maximum period of three continuous months;
(6) Make rules and regulations governing promotions, allowing credit for efficiency and credit for seniority, and providing for promotion examinations;
(7) Require compliance by department heads with the provisions of the Civil Service Law governing suspensions, both disciplinary and indefinite;
(8) Investigate disciplinary suspensions to see whether there is just cause for suspension;
(9) Render a decision, within 30 days from the date of any indefinite suspension, as to the status of the suspended employee;
(10) Make rules and regulations providing for a system of service or efficiency ratings for all employees in the classified service, which ratings shall be used for purposes of promotion, demotion, layoff and reinstatement;
(11) Make rules and regulations regarding leaves of absence, regular and sick, with and without pay. These rules shall conform to state laws and city ordinances on the subject;
(12) Make investigations either on petition of a citizen or of its own motion concerning the enforcement and effect of this subchapter, and require observance of the rules and regulations made under the provisions of this subchapter. In these investigations, the Commission shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and papers relevant to the investigation;
(13) Hear and determine appeal of complaints respecting the administrative work of the Director, the rejection of an applicant for admission to an examination, and such other matters as may be referred to the Commission by the Director;
(14) Make such investigations as may be requested by the Mayor and the City Commission and report thereon; and
(15) Contract or arrange, within its budget allowance, for such technical services in connection with personnel selection and administration as may be necessary, including the preparation and conduct of examinations.
(B) No rule or regulation shall ever be adopted by the Commission which will permit the appointment or employment of any person without good moral character, or any person unfit mentally or physically, or any person incompetent to discharge the duties of the appointment or employment.
(1998 Code, § 90-64)