2025-10-30 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

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Merit Appeals Board October 30, 2025 CHR. CABANAS: Okay. MR. THOMAS: I’m not as troubled by the word “political” as some might be or would be possible to be. It seems like national politics do filter down to how things happen at the local level, and we’re certainly seeing shifts in national priorities that affect the public employee workforce. That’s not to say that any of this is good or bad—that’s a matter of one’s individual political view of the forces influencing how things are done locally. CHR. CABANAS: Okay, let’s— MS. BOND: I think the word “politics” in general these days is a word to avoid. CHR. CABANAS: Yeah, I would agree with that. MS. BOND: It’s just—it’s like—what do you call that—igniter of issues. CHR. CABANAS: Well, can we take about a five or 10-minute recess and think it over. And then, we will continue this conversation in 10-minutes. Is that okay with everyone? Okay, so it’s 9:45—so 9:55 we will resume. Okay, let’s take a little recess. Thank you. RECESS: The Chair called for a recess at 9:45 a.m. RECONVENE: The meeting reconvened at 9:57 a.m. in open session. CHR. CABANAS: Okay, we are now back in open session from our recess, and looking at the memo that Sommer drafted, there are nine pages. So— MS. BOND: “Page 7 of 9.” CHR. CABANAS: Yes. So, we are now “Page 7 of 9” pages. Okay, so, going back to that sentence, “at the same time, economic conditions and political priorities shift frequently”—could we re-word it, Sommer, to say, “At the same time, changing economic conditions and priorities shift”—no—“changing economic conditions and priorities further affect workforce stability and labor availability”—would be okay? MS. TOKIHIRO: Yeah, that sounds good. CHR. CABANAS: Okay. “At the same time, changing”—add “changing”—“economic conditions and priorities further affect workforce stability and labor availability”—Glynis, you can have my copy. Okay. Page 22