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HomeMy WebLinkAbout063010_REGULAR_SALARY_APPROVEDCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: I Salary Commission Meeting Date: June 30, 2010 Location Mo'ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2 A &B Start of meeting: 9:04 a.m. 717E—nd of meeting: 10:15 a.m. Present Commissioner's: Charles King, 1" Vice- Chair, Trinette Kaui, 2 Vice - Chair, Robert Crowell, William Dahle, Sheri - Kunioka -Volz Also present: Gary Heu, Administrative Assistant, Malcolm Fernandez, Director of Personnel Services, Marc Guyot, Deputy County Attorney, Mona Clark, Deputy County Attorney, Cyndi Ayonon, Administrative Aide, Mercedes Youn, Staff Excused Chair Randall Hee Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Acting Chair Charles King called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. Approval of Commissioner Kaui moved Agenda to approve the agenda; seconded by Commissioner Volz and unanimous) carried 5:0. Approval of Commissioner Kaui moved Minutes Regular meeting minutes of April 1, 2010. to approve the minutes; seconded by Commissioner Crowell and unanimously carried 5:0. Business SC 2010 -1 Communication dated 04/07/10, from the Salary Commission to Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., and Malcolm Fernandez, Director of Personnel Services requesting clarification from the Administration relating to the furlough reductions for Department Heads. • (a) Communication dated 06/18/10, from Gary Heu, Administrative Assistant responding to a request for clarification on the furlough reductions for the Department Heads. Administrative Assistant Gary Heu based his presentation on his written response dated 06/18/10, to the Salary Commission requesting clarification on the furlough reductions for the County Department Heads. Mr. Heu was accompanied by Finance Director Wallace Rezentes, Director of Personnel Services Malcolm Fernandez and Deputy County Attorney Marc Guyot. The response provided clarification on the Mayor's intentions to effectuate a 9.23% reduction in the current Cont'd from page 1 - salary levels for the department heads for which he is the appointing authority, and requests that those department heads effectuate the same reduction for any deputies for which they are the appointing authority. Salary Commission Open Session June 30, 2010 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Business Also provided was an outline of the County's furlough plan, the master schedule and a list of frequently asked questions for both HGEA and UPW employees. To implement the proposed reductions in compensation for the appointed officials listed in Resolution 2009 -2, an amendment to Resolution 2009 -2 would be required. To be consistent with the other counties, the Mayor has requested the Fire Commission and Police Commission freeze the salaries of the Fire and Police Chief at its current levels as they are exempt from the 9.23% reduction. Salary adjustments for deputies reporting to the Commission appointed department heads will be at the discretion of the appointing department head. Also included in the request is the Board of Water. Mr. Heu stating that the furlough development process has been a moving target and the County is set to begin its first furlough day on July 2, 2010. He then stated that the furlough process still has some outstanding issues concerning certain County UPW Workers and right now the County is still in negotiations with the union. Mr. Heu also reminded the members that the Salary Commission is responsible for managing the salaries for the appointees. Chair King thanked Mr. Heu for his comprehensive response. Commissioner Dahle asked what role does the Union play in and do they have to approve everything before it goes into effect. Mr. Heu referred the question to Deputy County Attorney Marc Guyot. Referring to the communication dated April 7, 2010, from the Salary Commission regarding the furlough reductions for department heads and the response dated June 18, 2010, from Administrative Assistant Gary Heu. Deputy County Attorney Guyot stated that the Unions have approved the furloughs and has given the Counties and the State a range from zero to twenty -four days per year that the Counties were allowed to furlough both the UPW and HGEA employees. Each of the collective bargaining agreements for the two unions had some minor nuances, which need consideration. Mr. Guyot stated that the negotiations are ongoing for what's been deemed the salary waiver or an alternative compensation plan, which means to reduce the salaries and provide some type of compensation for these positions. Commissioner Crowell stated that he read somewhere that the Planning Commission took some action on their department heads pay reduction, and then asked if the Civil Service Commission and the Liquor Commission also took action. SC 2010 -2 Communication dated 04/22/10, from the Salary Commission to Gary Heu, Administrative Assistant and Malcolm Fernandez, Director of Personnel Services requesting status of the NASH EAP Salary Survey dated 02/23/07. Cont'd from Salary Commission Open Session June 30, 2010 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION page 2 - Business Mr. Heu stated that Dr. Nash has completed his work and the results of the study have been with the Administration for the last couple years. It is his belief that all the information that was relevant to this Commission in terms of deliberations and the development of a salary plan for the appointees and any type of information that was part of the study was previously provided to the Salary Commission. In addition it is his understanding that Dr. Nash actually came before the Commission and has spent two (2) sessions with the Commission reviewing parts of the study that were relevant to the work of the Salary Commission. Mr. Heu indicated that the Administration has not formally adopted the Nash Study because they have concerns that they don't feel comfortable with releasing the information in the study because a significant amount of the findings were based on interviews with some employees from the (Excluded Managerial class) however; it may have not been complete because the information may be skewed. Mr. Heu also indicated that the Mayor is questioning the recommendations. Mr. Heu noted that there may be former, members who are familiar with the process who might be asked to come back to refresh the Commissions memory. Commissioner Dahle questioned if it was a possibility that should the economy improves before the projected furlough ends in June 2011, "Do we still need the approval of the unions to take action "? Mr. Heu stated that as we came to the budget process and with its approval by the County Council, the Council had expressed some concerns leading up to the 2 day furlough. The Mayor determined that we would move forward with the recommendation of the 2 day furlough that was included and approved in the budget. However, the Mayor did say that we would continue to monitor the situation for both our fiscal situation as well as the impact of the furloughs. Mr. Heu stated that it is his belief that the Mayor will continue to monitor the situation on a quarterly basis and if the conditions warrant make the adjustments as necessary. Chair King stated that it doesn't sound like the County has set financial benchmarks to indicate any improvements in revenue because of a possible increase in the property taxes. Mr. Heu stated that there is no way to identify targets, but what we are looking for is trends. Commissioner Dahle questioned the life of the furlough. Mr. Fernandez indicated that the contract was approved for 2 years, and right now we are currently in its second year, noting that the County did not participate in the 1St year of the furloughs. Commissioner Dahle questioned if the pay freeze or a cut in pay has to stay imposed during the period of the Resolution. Mr. Heu indicated that the life of the Resolution and there is no subsequent Resolution that he is aware of that would indicated the pay freeze and or pay cut of the appointed officials. Commissioner Dahle stated that he is concerned with the changes and what happens to the appointed official salaries after the pay Cont'd from freeze; does the salary amount goes back to its original amount? page 3 - Salary Commission Open Session June 30, 2010 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Business For the sake of discussion Mr. Heu stated that let's say that the economy got better and the Mayor says that we are going to pull back a furlough day, at that point and time relevant to what the concern is that the Salary Commission make the necessary adjustments to reflect an increase in the salary for the appointees commencing with the removal of (1) furlough day per our bargaining unit. Acting Chair King stated that the way he reads Resolution 2009 -2, it looks like the appointees are due for a salary increase commencing on 12/01/2010. Deputy County Attorney Marc Guyot stated that the salary changes that were approved for 12/01/2010, with the exception of the Mayor, Council Chair, Councilmember's, Prosecuting Attorney and the County Clerk and County Auditor the rest of the positions salaries would remain the same. Therefore the current amounts that are in place could still continue on and still follow along with the Commission's recommendations and as Mr. Heu indicated earlier this is a dynamic and fluent situation and as things do change this is something that the Commission should look at for consideration. In order to keep everything as uniform as possible between all the branches of the government and the different levels of employees. As a follow up- staff will contact via email former Commissioner Crowell questioned if the Mayor is asking for a reduction for the present salaries, then come Chair Virginia Kapali to December 2010, is the Mayor then looking at reducing the increased salary level, or continuing with the present invite her to the frozen salary level. Mr. Heu stated that the intent is to keep salary level at today's frozen rate and that the Commissions next budget that was submitted would reflect that. meeting. SC 2010 -3 Discussion and deliberation on establishing the framework and guidelines for future salary Commissioner Kaui moved increases commencing on 12/01/10. (Deferred on 04/01/10) to receive all of the items listed under business; seconded by Commissioner Dahle and unanimously carried 5:0. Executive Session At 9:43 a.m. Acting Chair King cites the Hawai'i Revised Statues bringing the meeting into Executive Session. Pursuant to the Hawai'i Revised Statues §92 -4 and 92 -5,(a) (2) (4), the purpose of this Executive Session is for the Commission to consult with its Attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Commissions powers, duties, privileges, immunities and liabilities as they may relate to these items: ES -1 Communication dated 04/07/10, from the Salary Commission to Mr. Alfred Castillo Jr., County Attorney, requesting clarification on the authority and methodology for implementing furlough reductions for elected officials. Salary Commission Open Session June 30, 2010 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Cont'd from page 4 — ES -1 a. Communication dated 05/10/10, from the Office of the County Attorney responding to a request for Commissioner Kaui moved clarification on the affect of furlough reductions for elected officials of the County of Kaua'i. Executive to enter into Executive Session Session; seconded by Commissioner Dahle and unanimously carried 5:0. Meeting entered into Executive Session at 9:44 a.m. Return to Open Commissioner Kaui moved Session to to return back into open Ratify the session at 10:00 a.m., actions taken in seconded by Commissioner Executive Dahle and unanimously Session for carried 5:0. items ES -1 & ES -1 a. Commissioner Kaui moved to receive the actions taken in Executive Session for item ES -1 & ES-1a.; seconded by Commissioner Dahle and unanimously carried 5:0. Next Meeting Acting Chair King suggested that the members read through the materials that were provided by staff. The Commissions next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 25, 2010, in the Mo'ikeha Building Meeting Room 2 A &B. Meeting to start at 9:00 a.m. Suggested topics of discussion are as follows: • Commissioner Kaui suggested that the Commission have further discussion on Resolution 2009 -2, on whether or not the Commission needs make to amendments to Resolution 2009 -02. • Commissioner Dahle suggested having ongoing discussions regarding the issue of the Council's possible salary reduction. • Cyndi Ayonon, suggested to the Commission that they should review the past criteria of the three 3 different levels of the salaries; and how the Commission determined it. Salary Commission Open Session June 30, 2010 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION • Provide the current salary amounts for the department heads that are taking a furlough. • Provide an updated chart of all the County of Kaua'i department heads, deputies salaries with the furlough amount reflected. Adjournment Commissioner Dahle With no other business to discuss Acting Chair King called for the motion to adjourn. moved to adjourn at 10:15 am. I seconded by Commissioner Crowell and unanimous) carried 5:0. Submitted by: Mercedes Youn, Staff (x) Approved as is. Approved on 08125/10 () Approved with amendments. See minutes of meeting. Reviewed and Approved by: Charles King, Acting Chair