2025-01-16 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

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Merit Appeals Board January 16, 2025 And I just don't understand that. They have payroll specialists. The department has payroll specialists in terms of Public Works and also the Department of Human Resources, so they have all the expertise, they have all the knowledge, they have all the data —and still they're coming to you today knowing this is going to be on the agenda, knowing this is going to be the issue —and saying that, "They're not sure"so, at this stage of the game, my client's been waiting a long time for this. That we submit that the Board should grant his $1,700.00 and direct him to be reappointed. Thank you. CHR. CABANAS: Thank you, Mr. Hong. Ms. Tavares? MS. TAVARES: While I'm not going to speak for Mr. Lee this Order did come out last Friday. And so, I understand Mr. Hong's suggestion that we should have filed a motion to amend the Order. We're simply asking for clarification because I am hopeful that the explanation that Ms. Tokihiro provided, actually, expand what is written in the Order in Mr. Turner's benefit. We're not asking for or suggesting a new term of probation, if the Board is willing to consider just reversing Ms. Tokihiro's decision. It would effectively eliminate any further probation because it would —and I don't want to say the word "reinstate" but make him whole from March 16'', rather than December I". So, it's increasing the time than what is currently written in the Order. But, if Mr. Hong has an objection to it, we'll just defer to the Board's decision. But it was not our intent to drag anything out or to, somehow, penalize Mr. Turner. I would hope that the explanation that Ms. Tokihiro provided actually improves his position, if that is what the Board intended to do with reversing the decision that Ms. Tokihiro made and making him whole from March rather than December. But we'll defer to the Board for your decision. CHR. CABANAS: Okay, thank you, Ms. Tavares. I'd like to call upon our Legal Counsel, Mr. Halvorson. MR. HALVORSON: I had to make sure I was unmuted. CHR. CABANAS: Okay. MR. HALVORSON: Yes, do you have a question? CHR. CABANAS: Yes. Well, Ias the Chair, I wish we had this information prior to our deliberating at the last meeting because it, pretty much, kind of, changes the scenario. The Board's intent was not to penalize Mr. Turner for what had transpired with Public Works. So, now Ms. Tokihiro is indicating that in accordance with the Administrative Rules and the Page 12