HomeMy WebLinkAbout120211 Meeting Packet Charles King i E C E I E C Members:
Chair Trinette Kaui
William Kahle
Robert Crowell NOV 23 012 :08 Sheri Kunioka-Volt
Vice- Chair Randall Machado
Randy Finlay
T HE
COUI_ITY IL
COUNTY OF KAUAI SALARY COMMISSION
NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
Friday, December 2, 2011
9:00 a.m. or shortly thereafter
Mo'ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2Al2B
4444 Rice Street, L-1hu'e, HI 96766
CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Open Session Minutes of August 5, 2011
ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2012
COMMUNICATIONS
SC 2011- 10 Communication dated 10/24111 from Council Chair Jay Furfaro, requesting time at
the next meeting to provide testimony regarding several concerns relating to
Salary Resolution No. 2011-1
SC 2011-11 Communication dated 11/3/11 from Horace Stoessel requesting time at the next
meeting to discuss what may/should be included in salary resolutions.
BUSINESS
SC 2011-12 Discussion and possible decision-making on whether the County Council, as the
appointing authority, should be the body to evaluate the performance of the
County Auditor as provided for in Section 32.02 D of the Charter
SC 2011-13 Discussion and possible decision-making on the possible hiring of a consultant to
conduct a review of salaries including, but not limited to, fringe benefits of
council members and all officers and employees included in Section 3-2.1 of the
Kaua'i County Code
SC 2011-14 Discussion and possible decision-making on establishing salaries for the fiscal
year 201212013 for council members and all officers and employees included in
Section 3-2.1 of the Kaua'i County Code
An Equal Opportunity Employer
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, §§92-4, 92-5 (a) (4) and (8), the purpose of this Executive
Session is to consult with the Commission's legal counsel on issues pertaining to the
Commission's and the County's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and/or liabilities as they
may relate to this item and to deliberate or make a decision upon a matter that requires the
consideration of information that must be kept confidential pursuant to a state or federal law, or a
court order.
ES- I Complaint filed in Fifth Circuit Court by Councilmember's Mel Rapozo and
Kipukai Kuali'i naming the County of Kaua'i, several members of the County
Council, and the Salary Commission as defendants which seeks a declaratory
judgment concerning the interpretation of Section 29.03 of the Charter,
specifically that the word"shall" contained in Section 29.03 of the Charter is
mandatory rather than directory and that Resolution 2011-1 is void as it was
submitted after March 15, 2011.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92-7 (a). The Commission may, when deemed necessary,
hold an executive session on any agenda item without written public notice if the executive
session was not anticipated in advance. Any such executive session shall be held pursuant to
HRS §92-4 and shall be limited to those items described n HRS §92-5(a).
cc: Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark
PUBLIC COMMENTS and TESTIMONY
Persons wishing to offer comments are encouraged to submit written testimony at least 24-hours
prior to the meeting indicating.
1) Your name and if applicable, your position/title and organization you are representing.
2) The agenda item that you are providing comments on; and
3) Whether you are testifying in person or submitting written comments only.
4) If you are unable to summit your testimony at least 24 hours prior to the meeting, please
provide 10 copies of your written testimony at the meeting.
The length of time allocated to persons wishing to present verbal testimony may be limited at the
discretion of the chairperson or presiding member.
cc: Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark
Salary Commission— December 2, 2011 2
Send written testimony_12�
Salary Commission
Attn: Mercedes Youn
Office of Boards and Commissions
4444 Rice Street, Suite 150
Uhu'e, HI 96766
E-mail: myoun(a-1kauai.,go
Phone: (808) 241-4920 Business Fax: (808) 241-5127
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
If you need an alternate format or an auxiliary aid to participate, please contact the Boards
and Commissions Support Clerk at (808) 241-4920 at least five(5) working days prior to
the meeting.
Salary Commission- December 2, 2011 2
Kaua'i County Salary Commission
Minutes of Meeting
OPEN SESSION
9:00 a.m.
August 5,2011
DRAFT
With a quorum being present,the regular meeting of the Salary Commission of the County of
Kaua'i was called to order by Chair Charles King at 9:05 a.m. at the Mo'ikeha Building, Liquor
Conference Room No.3.
Members present:
Charles King, Chair
Robert Crowell, Vice-Chair
Trinette Kaui
Sheri Kunioka-Volz
William Dahle
Randy Finlay
Absent/excused: Member Michael Machado.
Others in attendance included: Karen Matsumoto, Personnel Program Analyst.-
Mona Clark,Deputy County Attorney; John Isobe,Administrator; Paula Morikami.
Administrative Aide: and Mercedes Youn, Support Clerk.
Approval of Minutes
Meeting Minutes of July 26, 2011
Mr. Dahle moved to approve the minutes as circulated. Ms. Kaui seconded the motion.
Motion carried 6:0
Chair King: We need to add to the agenda and receive the following three (3) communications:
1. Communication dated 07/27'11 from the Salary Commission to Chair Sherman Shiraishi and
Members of the Charter Review Commission, supporting the proposed language changes to the
Kaua'i County Charter,Article XXIX, Salary Commission; Article XXIX General Provisions;
and Article V11 Mayor.
2. Communication dated 07/27/11 from Malcolm Fernandez, Director of Personnel Services,
regarding a recommendation for setting the salary for the Boards and Commissions
Administrator.
3. Communication dated 08/05/11 from Council Vice-Chair JoArm A. Yukimura to Chair
Charles King and Members of the Salary Commission,regarding Proposed Resolution 2011-1
relating to the Salaries of Certain Officers and Employees of the County of Kaua'i.
SC Minutes of August 5, 20111
Ms. Kaui moved to add to the agenda and receive all three(3) communications for the
record. Mr. Crowell seconded the motion.
Motion carried 6:0.
Business•
SC 2010-09 Discussion and decision-making on a draft Resolution No. 2011-1 Relating to the
Salaries of Certain Officers and Employees of the County,of Kaua'i.
Chair king: Our only piece of business today is the draft Resolution 2011-1 that was discussed
at the last meeting. Let's first discuss the letter from Council Vice-Chair JoAnn Yukimura. In
her first comment it seems to be just a statement pertaining to the performance evaluations. The
second is a suggestion that the subject resolution includes salary levels for present and future and
excludes any pay schedules from the past: this is something that we can consider in the future.
As for her third point.. I'm not sure what it relates to because she talks about giving the Mayor
the authority to postpone the salary increases? Isn't that what our draft is doing...postponing the
salary increases. I think that she may be suggesting that we add a provision to Resolution 2011-
1.
Mr. Crowell: I have a question relating to that. On July 1, 2011, and maybe John can answer the
question, in our last resolution it states that the appointees would receive their salary increases
effective Julyl, 2011. Did they receive the increase? Or was it postponed?
Mr. Isobe: It is my understanding at this point and time that all of the proposed salary increases
effective July 1, 2011 are in limbo because it is based on the Mayor's desire to maintain the
existing salaries and take into consideration the actions of the Salary Commission relating to
draft Resolution 2011-1. If the Commission decides that the salaries should be increased, the
County Administration would then begin to receive the increase, but at this point the salaries are
in limbo.
Mr. Crowell: So what you're saying is that the salaries didn't automatically go up?
Mr. Isobe: Not yet.
Mr.Dahle: Does that mean that the Mayor has issued an order to freeze the salaries, and does he
have the authority to do that?
Mr. Isobe: No,not at this time.
Mr. Dahle: Okay.
Mr. Isobe: I think that was the overriding question that was discussed at the Commission's last
meeting in that the Resolution that was passed previously by this body which states that the
Council and the Mayor could freeze the wages based on the budget and in fact this current
budget does not provide for any salary increases. Another question that arose was whether or not
2 i P a ja e
the Commission's Resolution which states that the Council and Mayor could freeze the salaries
based on the budget was au improper statement or not because only the appointing authorities
can freeze the salaries. The Mayor has the authority to freeze the salaries of all ofthe
Department Heads who are under his jurisdiction. For on example, the Mayor has the authority
to freeze the salary ofthe County Engineer but bcdoes not have the authority to unilaterally
freeze the ou|mry of the yluooio� Director. But rather than go through the steps usvve did during
the fodoogbs, vvbiob was to seek each appointing authority's approval to freeze the salaries,the
Administration decided to wait for the Salary Commission's decision on the draft Resolution
2O|l-l'
King:Chair So in other words,the salaries that we are setting are simply maximums and that it
doesn't have to go up, but it's a matter of ease so that you don*t have to approach each
Commission.
: l'ca. None of the Cornnnioaioum have made any decisions on whether to raise the
salaries or freeze the salaries.
King:Chair Okay.
: So what are they getting paid now?
: They are currently being paid olthe 20O8 salary level and less nf what isbeing
proposed for July i
: SV what they're getting is what the Resolution provides?
Mr._isobe: Correct.
=======, _'_�.
: So that we are clear, what the Administrative Department Heads are getting paid are
the salaries that are listed under the date |70l08 in the Resolution.
: Okay,thank you.
Chair � Moving on to number 4. 1 am not sure... it seems like she is suggesting different
Uutsm.
Crowell: She seems to be referring to duioy that don't mmc.
: xca.
Finlay: i think what she is referring to are the dates in the draft Resolution 2011-1 under
Article 2 Salaries of the Prosecuting Attorney and Deputies. If you took, there is 12/0 1/09
date.
Ms. Kaui: Right. and that is alreadv in effect and that is where the disparity is.
Finlay: So what think that Councilwoman Yukimnre is suggesting is to change the
12/01/09 date to 12/01/12 to bc consistent but l believe that it is too late.
Ms. Kaui: Yes, }no`r� dobtn/coanno rcUnb.
King:Chair John, the six (h) positions that are highlighted io the draft Resolution 2011-1, the
ones with the disparities, are not iou}ndcd in Article
and Employees (b) of the draft Resolution.
Mr. Isobe: There are three (3) groups ofpositions. The Administration, Prosecuting Attorney,
and the County Council.
King:Chair Okay. So we are not suggesting any increases for those positions.. we are just
considering where they are right now and that is the only reason v/hv they are in the Rcmo|ubuo.
: l think since they have already been granted the raises, it`s too late to change the
benchmark date and we have to let it stay the way itiswritten in the Resolution.
King:Chair Right.
Crowell: And the assumption is that the raises are already budgeted ms part of the current
budget.
: Yes, l believe that isatrue uta1ecuco1.
Finlay: It sounds like this Resolution really addresses u lot oFCouncilwoman l/ukirnnoo"s
monoccom. Because with the adoption of draft Resolution 2Uli-1, it pushes the pay raises back
which solidifies what the Mavor has decided to do without having to issue an executive order
because the Resolution will bc already iuplace.
King:Chair Thanks for catching that Randy.
King:Chair Moving oo the numbers five (5)and six (M) it seems iobc just statements relating to
the performance reviews.
King:Chair l un) not quite mno: about number seven/7). Who is the appointing authority for the
Coun�Auditor7
: I must admit that Councilmember Yukimura does raise an interesting point. 8cconmc
usl understand k'..} will just read Section 32.01 of the County Code that pertains to the County
Auditor. (A.) There im established within the lc9iolo1ipo branch anoffice of the County Auditor,
1ohcheaded by a County Auditor who shall be appointed by the County Council and shall serve
for a period of six (6)years, and thereafter, unti I a successor is appointed. The Salary
Commission shall fix the salary Vf the county auditor. The County Council. bn two-thirds vote
of its membership, may remove the County�\uditor from office at any time for cause.
: That io what she referring 10 when she says '\jimcouuCut"?
Mr. Isobe: The way that the salary ordinance is currently set up, it shows that the County
Auditor io appointed 6v the County Council. However, the interesting thing lm that the Office nf
the County Auditor philosophically has been set uptobe independent mfany entity. lbelitve
what Councilwoman Yukirnuoa is trying to say when she uses the teon '^dioc000cut" io that the
Auditor's office is suppose tmhc independent nf any entity, but then who should determine
whether or not that individual gets uoaims? Whoever provides the raise for that person would
then hebeholding tn that entity mcindividual.
One thing that this Commission may want to consider is to have the County Auditor evaluated
similar tVthat of the County Attorney. If you took at how the County Attorney is being
evaluated,the County Attorney's position is the only position in the County that requires
confirmation 6v the County Council. The previous Commissions have said that the County
Attorney should be evaluated bv both the County Council and the Mayor. So you may want bu
take the County Auditor and insert that position under the same evaluation criteria pvbcrcboth
branches of government can evaluate the performance.
King:Chair |e the County Attorney's salary set by the County Council?
: The salary is set by the Mayor and the perfon-nance evaluation of that position would
then trigger whether or not u salary increase should beproposed. ~
King:Chair l would think the Mayor should be the one approving the salary.
Ms. Clark: } don't think that there is uovd/bmg in the Charter that gives the Administrative branch
any control over the County Auditor.
: Tho1`s1rue.
Clark: You would have to change the Charter toallow that authority.
: 'John,you were reading from the Charter?
Mr.lsobe.- Yes.
King:Chair lguggest that we refer the matter to the Charter Review Commission to look at.
Mr. Isobe: l can bring the matter to the Charter Review Commission.
Chair King: Okay.
5 | ��
/ g e
Mr. Finlay: iwould certainly think that for today's discussion we need to get draft Resolution
2Ol1-| adopted kzauypocttbcactiuumthature happening right now. The pay raise for the
County Auditor is going to be mz far down in the future that maybe this Commission can discuss
that mt our next meeting. We need to get this Resolution going.
Chair i : l think that we 4o have the time to address that in the future.
Finlay: I would like to move that pve put the issue ofthe County Auditor's
performance review and salary forward to the next meeting and not include itimdraft
Resolution 20X1-1'
King:Chair Would you like to add 1n that motion to refer the issue to the Charter Review
Commission as to whether u Charter amendment should be considered to revise or clarify who is
the appointing authority that determines the salary for the CnuotyAodi1or?
: \/cy.
: D+vouUd like to second that motion. Motion carried 6:0^
King:Chair The next thing we need to do is to fill in the salary amounts for the Boards and
Commissions Administrator under )2/0l/08 and 07/01/)3. l believe that the last time }
suggested that the current salary amount should be set at $96,000 with a 796raise bringing it to
$102,720. The cozor000ica1ino from Mc Fernandez indicates that 9eoyooue| Services felt that the
position is comparable to that of the Director of Economic Development, Director of Housing
and Director of Liquor Control and that the salary amount should fall in the $103,041 range.
With the 07/0|/13 iocncuee it should amount tn $)10`254. However, l don't think that it's the
Salary Commission*s position to be re-classifying any positions within the Administration. It
should be unAdministrative decision.
Finlay: I think that it would be prudent to adopt the recommendation made by Mr.
Fernandez because everything ia pretty much in line with what p/c have discussed: the numbers
are very similar to the numbers that were discussed before. The cVnunnuoicudno puts in u little
bit of science and background and ties itto other departments. So, to follow the recommendation
would bo appropriate to add dto draft Resolution 20ll-l.
: l agree with Commissioner Finlay.
Chair : Okay.
Crowell: l also ugccc. But my only concern is that itv/ou1dn`t automatically go up to
$103,041 only because of what was said early that the raises in the Resolution were not budgeted
[or. I was more concerned with keeping it in line with what we already have and I think that Mr.
Feruaodez`m explanation was u good one.
: Sodovvc need omuotiun?
: | um kind mfbm agreement with Chair King about the reobsamifiuntkou.
: How did that position become effective?
Mr. Isobe: By Charter.
: | don't think that xe are re-classifying; we are only setting the salary rate.
Ms. Kunioka-Volz: Is the position currently a1noEM-5 level?
Mr. Isobe: Correct. The only way to get oo1othe salary Resolution isfor the Council to adopt
an ordinance listing those positions that they believe need to be part ofthe auimry schedule that is
adopted and approved by the So|ooy Commission. At the time the Bnocdm and Commissions
Administrator position was created in the [burtcr` the Council did not amend the Resolution to
include that position in the Salary Resolution. The last time that the Cnnmoniaoioo sent the
Resolution tothe County Council, the Council took action by adopting an ordinance to include
the Boards and Commissions Administrator iothe list o[positions, and aaa result, the Salary
Commission must include it. Prior to it not being included on the Resolution, as Mu|coinu has
pointed out,the Administrator's position was classified by 9ecauooe1 as an EM-5. But now that
it has been included in the Resolution,the Civil Service portion is no longer relevant and it is
now considered a Cabinet level position that is appointed and the appointing authority is the
Mayor.
Chair : |think that Mr. Foruandoz`a explanation does give backing regarding the salary
amount. Aa for the diupucbiem, can or cannot this be addressed bv this body u1 this meeting?
Because l was looking at the disparity as an issue mainly because the Mayor is receiving a lower
ou|ory than the subordinates. The larger piece is with the County Attorney who, as
Commissioner Finlay pointed out,the Prosecuting Attorney has different jobs and skill levels. in
thinking about it,vvereally did not receive any testimony fororagainst d. The previous
Commissions who ao1 in0u this consideration decided ho go this way. A|dhmuub it's taking
}oogectbautheydboughtitvvoogViogtotube, itvviUcveohuaDy000ectdaelfoo07/0l/|].
Finlay: The real urgency imto get the draft Resolution ZUll-1 adopted hemuuoc it would
uucompliootcthe salaries that are in limbo.
King:Chair I'd like 10 see the historical salaries stay on the Resolution so that we have
something tognby. i agree with the Commission to place the amount of$l03,O4l under the
l2/Ol/O8 date and place the $l/O°254 under the O7/Ol/)3date. With these numbers iuplace
nothing else changes. )n/ould accept u motion to adopt draft Resolution 2011-| as amended.
: Chair King, before you make the motion to adopt the Resolution, l would like 10
orcocnuzeod some technical changes and take into consideration Councilwoman yukiruuus`a
written testimony because it does have some merit. The technical changes will not change the
intent, but to consider her point that there is no mention in the draft 2011-1 Resolution to indicate
that it amends the previous Resolution. I would also like to consider Chair King's comment to
retain the 6istmrynfthe salaries. With that said, what our office will do before we finalize the
Resolution is make reference that is does ooxeud the previous Resolution. Another thing that l
would like to recommend is that where it shows the deletion of Section 2 on the Resolution,
which isthe provision of the Mayor and Council and the budget, that vvc insert into the
Resolution o statement to clarify the intent of the Salary Commission that the salaries of the
Prosecuting Attorney and Deputies as well as the County Clerk and the County Auditor be
frozen until such time that the new salaries beyond July 2Ol3is adopted. This would correct the
disparity. l think that clarification and biutmziva/ perspective would be helpful for future Salary
Commissions mo that they may understand exactly what took place. 8oif you are in agreement
with my recommendations, |will draft the Resolution prior to your signing.
King:Chair im�mre and thank you.
Mr. Finlay moved te adopt the draft Resolution 208k-1umamended. Ms. 0Cmminku-Vo}z
seconded the motion.
Motion carried 6:9.
Chair : May 7 have o motion to adjourn the meeting?
Mr. Dahle: Just for clarification, are we all going to sign the Resolution when vve can?
: We will draft the fiou) Resolution and email ittothe Commissioners for review;
however, at some point the Commissioners will need to stop by the Office of Boards and
Commissions to sign the document and transmit ittothe County Council.
Finlay: l ux\ leaving for vacation today for mmonth.
: To the intent to get the Resolution 2011-1 to Council as soon as possible?
: Yes, because the Council would still have the opportunity to amend the Resolution if
they choose to.
King:Chair lf they amend the Resolution,does the Commission have 10 schedule another
meeting?
: It would come back,but only to infonn the Commission of its amendments if there
are any. Other than Uze1, no further action will be required of the Commission.
Ms. Clark: They actually would not be amending it but may reject ibc n/bolc Resolution or part
of it.
: Soifthey reject the Resolution, does the Commission have&n come back with a
modified version?
Clark: What was in effect before (Inmudib{e)
8 | �u
. a e
Mr. Dahle: Does this Commission have further business to conduct for the remainder of the
year?
Chair King: We should�ctto�m�bcr in z � on u �oin�{�n���� basis.
: Is it required that we prepare something for the upcoming March 15 th date, even
though wc don't have any recommendations oriocrcancs.- dovve have tu send Council
mmnuedziug?
Clark: No, if you put itin the Resolution it would carry over until the expired date.
: Okay.
: l don't have much history with the Salary Cmolo«isaiun, but| do understand that in
year past that the Salary Commission was endeavoring to bring up the mm|orics to at least be
commensurate with the government employee unions who negotiate the salaries. And it seems
that the benchmark for what the management team should be compensated at was set by the
Union negotiator benchmarks.
/\couple of years ago, l know that it was hard to attract the proper talent to come to the County,
so I appreciate the efforts that were bzkco. In this current day and ago, we occd to look utthings
differently and also look at what the private side job market is and nhu1 salaries were out there
and blend that benchmark with the benchmarks with the union negotiated salaries.
I am concerned that there is o shifting ground and that with the private side,the salaries were
starting to drop and we may have a situation where the County positions are compensated at a far
greater rate than the private side. And the other is | o/n not sure ifhisn positive thing tohave
the management team"s salaries benchmarked off of the union negotiated salaries. bv/nuld1cnd
to make the management team's negotiations with the unions to the point where they would
encourage the unions to get as much as they possibly can because the Salary Commission is just
going to come along later and raise their salaries. luo)just saying that there ioacompletely
fundamental SbUft in the economy and that`ve have to address that in the future.
King:Chair The Nash Study that wc have imoutdated.
Finlay: Another thing that we need to took at is the value of the benefits package that goes
along with the salaries.
King:Chair Good point. Thank you.
: What would like to suggest im that since Commissioner Finlay will he back no
island ot the begionin�ofScptozber, rnaybe the (�omozuimmioucan /oerteither ioSepterobeoor
early October. Our offioccan coordinate your schedules to see when everyone is available.
King:Chair Thank you. Can l entertain aznotino to adjourn?
Mr. Dahle moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 a.m. Ms. Kunioka-Volz seconded the
motion.
Motion carried 6:0
Submitted by:
Mercedes Youn, Staff Support Clerk
Reviewed and Approved by:
Charles King, Chair
Approved as circulated on:
101 P a g e
OFFICE of THE COUNTY CLERIC
COUNTY COUNCIL
Jai Furfaro.Chair
JoAnn A. Yukirnura,price Chair t-d� . "` � •� Rick,Watanabe. Interim Count}Clerk
r
, rdo eo .,Tim Bvnurt 1 Fc Depute County Clerk
Dickie Chan.- (� 7 �,� ,
KiFut�ai Kuali'i ,. :.
Telephone{SUS) 11 4I
aline K. Nakainura c>F Fax (SOS) 4I-63=19
=1eI Ral,ozo Enait ct>k r,cil'z;k<lfai.go
�
Council Services Division
43 96 Rice Street, Suite 209
Lilau'e,Kauai.Haw ai'i 96766 { ro '•
October 21, 2011
01az 2 ai
i
jk
John Isdbe RD 1 i IO��
Administrator
Office of Boards and Commissions
4444 Rice Street, Suite 150
Lihu'e, Hawaii 96766
Dear Mr. lsobe.
RE: Testimony For The Next Scheduled Salary Commission
Meeting
I would like to request agenda time on the next scheduled meeting of the
Salary Commission to provide testimony on Resolution No. 2011-1. A copy of my
testimony has been attached for your use and circulation.
Should you have any questions, I can be reached me at 241-4188. Please
contact me in advance of the meeting so that I am able to adjust my schedule
accordingly. Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
ro
au,
V Council
Attachment.
cc: Alfred Castillo Jr., County attorney
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
I am submitting this testimony regarding Salary Commission Resolution No.
011-1, as a member of the Ka:ua'i County Council.
First, Section 19.02 of the Kaua'i County Charter requires the Mayor to
submit the annual budget ordinance to the Council on or before March 15. Section
29.03 of the Charter states that, "The commission's salary findings shall be
adopted by resolution of the commission and forwarded to the mayor and the
council on or before March 15." It is clear that the Chat-ter intended for the Salary
Commission's findings to be a significant part of the budget discussions and
process. This is made even clearer when you consider that the Council has sixty
days to act on the Salary Commission's resolution and must pass the budget
ordinance by June 7. This time frame gives the Council adequate time to process
the salary resolution and factor in the maximum potential salaries of appointees
when determining the annual budget, Unfortunately. Resolution No. 2011-1 was
Z�
not adopted by the Salary Commission until August 5. 2011, two months after the
budget process was completed.
Second, the Salary Commission is meant to be an independent body. It
appears from the language in Resolution -Nlo. 2011-1 that the Salary Commission,
however well intended, was heavily influenced by a letter from the Mayor in
preparing the resolution.
Third, the Salar-y Commission has two tasks. First, under Section 29.01, it
establishes the salaries of all Councilmembers and all officers and employees
included in Section 3-2.1 of the Kauai County Code. Second, it adopts its salary
findings in a resolution and forwards the resolution to the Mayor and the Council
by March 15. The Charter leaves to the appointing authority the discretion to set
the salary of an appointee lower than the figure set by the resolution. The Charter
does not authorize the Salary Commission to direct the Council or the Mayor to
take any action before determining the salaries of their appointees. Given this
limitation, it appears that Article 1, paragraph (d) of the resolution, which requires
the Council to evaluate its appointees before setting its salary, is invalid.
Furthermore, Article 1, paragraph (e) of the resolution orders the Director of
Personnel and the Mayor to establish the procedure that the Council uses to
evaluate its appointees. This appears to contradict Section 29.03 of the Charter,
which authorizes the Council, as the appointing authority, to set the salaries of its
appointees.
Mercedes Youn
From: Barbara Davis
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 11:32 AM
To: Mercedes Youn
Cc: John Isobe; Paula Morikami
Subject: FW: SALARY RESOLUTIONS
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
I will let Mr. Stoessel no that I forwarded his communication to the appropriate people.
'8a4-bcL+-a,,
The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the redpient(s)named above, If
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the sender(s)immediately by e-mail and delete the original message.
From: Horace/PhyllisStoesset
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 11:28 AM
To: Barbara Davis
Subject: SALARY RESOLUTIONS
To: Chairman Charles King and Members of Kauai County Salary Commission
From: Horace Stoessel
Subject: Salary Resolutions
Date: November 3, 2011
Aloha, Chairman King and Commission Members:
I request that the Salary Commission provide time on its next agenda to discuss what may/should
properly be included in salary resolutions.
Charter Section 29.03 requires the commission to submit its salary findings by resolution but does not
further specify an answer to the above question.
The question has not been definitively answered or reviewed during the past five years and the
contents of the several resolutions have varied considerably. I believe the question is important
enough to justify the commission's devoting an entire meeting to the subject or engaging in a
protracted inquiry if necessary.
I offer the following background information that I believe is useful whether or not the commission
chooses to tackle the question.
Having been involved during 2004-2006 in the process that led to the voters' adoption of the current
Article 29, 1 can tell you that the revised article was modeled loosely on the Honolulu charter (Section
3-122), the relevant paragraph of which I quote here:
"2. The commission shall convene annually no later than the first day of February, and shall, after
public hearing, establish salaries and salary schedules no later than the first day of May subsequent
thereto, said salaries and salary schedules to be effective prospectively from the first day of the fiscal
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year subsequent to their adoption by the commission. The commission may meet at other times
during the year pursuant to its own rules, but may after salaries and salary schedules no more than
once annually. Any action of the commission altering salaries shall be by resolution accompanied by
findings of fact. Said resolution shall be forwarded to the mayor and the council but shall take effect
without their concurrence sixty calendar days after its adoption unless rejected by a three-quarters
vote of the council's entire membership. The council may reject either the entire resolution or any
portion of it."
A copy of the Honolulu commission's current resolution is available on its website. I was not able to
include it as an attachment but I'm sure the B&C office can provide a copy for you.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Horace Stoessel
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