Metro East Sun

City of Edwardsville Board of Fire & Police Commissioners met Aug. 5

Here are the minutes provided by the commissioners:

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners was called to order at 5:00 pm in the Governor Ford Conference Room at Edwardsville City Hall with Chairman John W. McCracken presiding.

Commissioners Attending: John W. McCracken; John Cunningham; Mary Ann Harris, Jean Hughes and Roger L. Huber. Also Attending: Police Chief Mike Fillback; Fire Chief Brenden McKee; City Attorney Jeff Berkbigler and HR Director Amanda Tucker

Public Comment: No comments from the public were either submitted by email or telephonically

Approval of Prior Minutes: Commissioner Harris moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held July 1 and the Special Meetings of July 15 and 16, 2025. The Motion was seconded by Commissioner Cunningham. Motion carried.

Fire Department:

At 5:05 pm, Commissioner Cunningham moved to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss the results of a conflicting report of a Polygraph conducted for Firefighter-EMT Candidate Brandon Hoguet. The results were deemed to be inconclusive, and it was decided to order a second polygraph to be conducted by the Vendor the Board regularly uses. Commissioner Hughes made a Motion to authorize that procedure that was seconded by Commissioner Harris. Motion carried.

At 5:20 pm, Commissioner Harris arose from Closed Session to move to reopen the Meeting in Regular Session. Commissioner Hughes seconded the Motion which carried unanimously.

Commissioner Hughes made a Motion to strike the name of Firefighter-EMT Applicant, Jacob Opel from the list of considered applicants because he exceeds the age requirement in accordance with Chapter 65 5/ of the ILCS. Commissioner Harris seconded the Motion, which carried without dissent.

Commissioner Hughes made a Motion to approve the following List of Applicants for Hiring Eligibility, as amended, to the Rank of Probationary Firefighter-EMT: Jacob Hildenbrand, Carson Chenault (from the Old List) and Quinn Phillips and Alex Thompson, who were recently tested on either July 15 and July 16, 2025. The Motion was seconded by Commissioner Cunningham which carried unanimously.

Commissioner Harris made a Motion to issue Conditional Letters of Employment to the foregoing list of Applicants, namely Hildenbrand, Chenault. Phiilips and Thompson, with the Motion seconded by Commissioner Cunningham and carried without dissent.

Police Department:

At 5:40 o'clock pm, Commissioner Hughes made a Motion to adjourn from the Regular Meeting and reconvene in Closed Session to conduct an Oral Interview with Lateral Hire Police Officer Applicant Zachary Hines, currently employed by the Mount Vernon (IL) Police Department. Commissioner Harris seconded the Motion, which carried unanimously by voice vote.

At 6:40 pm, Commissioner Hughes arose from Closed Session and moved to return to Open Session during this Regular Meeting. Commissioner Harris seconded the Motion which carried without dissent.

Commissioner Harris made a Motion to authorize a Conditional Offer of Employment to be made to Applicant Hines. Commissioner Cunningham seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously.

With no further business to be conducted, the Meeting was adjourned at 6:45 pm.

https://www.cityofedwardsville.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08052025-3797