2024-11-26 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

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Merit Appeals Board November 26, 2024 cancelled as we'll expound more in evidentiary —as the evidence that will come in the Director's actions were not only appropriate, they were required under the Human Resources Rules as well as the merit appeals principle. Thank you. CHR. CABANAS: Thank you, Mr. Lee. At this time, the witnesses will be sworn in. And so, Mr. Hong, do you want to call your first witness, please? MR. HONG: Yes, thank you. Our first witness is Stephen Pause. (At this time, Mr. Stephen Pause, P.E., Director, Public Works Department, came forward.) CHR. CABANAS: Mr. Pause, you can sit up here. So, Mr. Pause, you need to turn your mic. on, yeah, on the right button. Okay, I'm going to swear you in, so if you can raise your right hand. Mr. Steve Pause, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? MR. PAUSE: I do. CHR. CABANAS: Thank you. Mr. Hong, you have the floor. MR. HONG: Thank you. Sir, where are you presently employed? MR. PAUSE: I am employed by the County of Hawaii as the Director of Public Works. MR. HONG: And what are the duties and responsibilities of the Director of Public Works include? MR. PAUSE: How long of an answer do you want? So, briefly, it's a department of about 450 people. There are six divisions within the Department of Public Works the Automotive Division maintains vehicles for the islands' fleet; the Highways Division maintains roadways; the Engineering Division does projects; the Building Division maintains County buildings/issues building permits; the Administrative Division keeps track of our budget and does payroll; and who did I forget —Traffic takes care of all signs, markings, and traffic signals. MR. HONG: Are human resources a part of your duties or responsibilities? MR. PAUSE: We have human resources within our Administrative Division that manages our workers and then deals directly with main HR for the County. MR. HONG: You're familiar with my client, Lyndon Turner? Page 23