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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-17 Salary Commission Minutes (Draft)REGULAR SESSION Salary Commission Hilo Council Chambers Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room 1401 Hilo, Hawaii January 17, 2024 (Wednesday) Call to Order (Item 1) The regular meeting of the Salary Commission, County of Hawaii, was called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Chair Steven Pavao, at the Hilo Council Chambers, Hawaii County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room 1401, Hilo, Hawaii, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. Roll Call — Present Mr. Steven Pavao, Chair Mr. Dawood Y. Farahi, Vice -Chair Mr. Jules Dudoit, Member (via ZOOM) Ms. Judy Greenbaum, Member (via ZOOM) Ms. Donala Kawa`auhau, Member Ms. Teresa T. Nakama, Member (via ZOOM) Ms. Luahiwa Namahoe, Member Mr. Sam Nelson, Member Mr. Dennis Riordan Member Mr. Sommer J. Tokihiro, Ex -Officio Member Also Present Ms. Dakota "Cody" Frenz, Deputy Corporation Counsel, Office of the Corporation Counsel Mr. Danny B. Patel, Deputy Director, Human Resources Department Ms. Deanna Sako, Managing Director, Office of the Mayor Ms. Frecia Cevallos, Deputy Director, Research and Development Department Ms. Jamie Martines, Human Resources Manager II, Human Resources Department Ms. Michele Lamkin, Human Resources Specialist II, Human Resources Department Ms. Kim Kailipaka, Human Resources Assistant, Human Resources Department Mr. Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Council Member, Hawaii County Council Ms. Glynis Yamada, Secretary -Reporter, Human Resources Department Commission members will participate in-person, via ZOOM, or by teleconference. Members of the public may attend this meeting either in-person at the meeting location or via ZOOM. Salary Commission Call to Order (Item 1) January 17, 2024 CHR. PAVAO: Good morning, we'll go ahead and call the meeting to order. And we'll take a rollcall, Board members, your name. MR. RIORDAN: Commissioner Riordan. MS. KAWA`AUHAU: Commissioner Kawa`auhau. CHR. PAVAO: Chair Pavao, present. MR. FARAHL I'm Dawood Farahi, present. MS. NAMAHOE: Commissioner Namahoe. MR. NELSON: Nelson. MS. TOKIHIRO: Sommer Tokihiro. MS. FRENZ: And MS. GREENBAUM: Commissioner Greenbaum— MS. FRENZ: Sorry, go ahead. MS. GREENBAUM: I apologize, I can't really see where you're at. CHR. PAVAO: Okay, on ZOOM—we have Commission members on ZOOM. Can you just identify yourself? MS. NAKAMA: Commissioner Teresa Nakama. MS. GREENBAUM: Commissioner Judy Greenbaum. MR. DUDOIT: Commissioner Jules Dudoit. MS. FRENZ: And good morning, Chair—Deputy Corporation Counsel Cody Frenz. Also, present is our Secretary Glynis Yamada. It's 10:02, Chair. Page 2 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 Statements from the Public (Item 2) CHR. PAVAO: Okay, we'll go on to "Statements from the Public" on agenda items—any public statements here in the Hilo Councilroom? Otherwise, any members on ZOOM have comments from the public? Approval of Minutes (Item 3) CHR. PAVAO: Hearing none, we'll move on to the approval of our minutes. Minutes have been circulated—Chair would entertain a motion to accept the minutes asI'm sorry, we didn't have minutes from the last meeting. The previous meetings were already approved. Yeah, thank you. Moving on to—any comments from the public on ZOOM as to the approval of the minutes? Communication(s) (Item 4) CHR. PAVAO: Hearing none, we'll move on to "Communications" we didn't have any communications. Any comments from the public on ZOOM in regards to communications? New Business (Item 5) Discussion Concerning Setting The Salary For The New County Of Hawaii Agency, Office Of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, And Resilience (OSCER) CHR. PAVAO: Hearing none, we'll move on to "New Business" for discussion and appropriate action. So, discussion concerning setting the salary for the new County of Hawaii Agency, Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and ResilienceOSCER. We'll open it up for discussion—any members of the Commission have discussion? MR. FARAHL Is the director here? CHR. PAVAO: No. MS. GREENBAUM: According to the Director from Human Resources, the current salary is at 105,600oh, I apologize CHR. PAVAO: Yes. We were provided information about the current salary and then also, probably, the most valuable information, I think, is the most comparable position Page 3 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 MS. GREENBAUM: Correct. CHR. PAVAO: —and what that salary is. MR. NELSON: So, if I could just add something here. So, basically, I did—'cause this is a positionI did some internet research and there is a governmentsalaries.com. I looked up a Director of Sustainability salary and they had a salary range of 69,000 to 108. I mean, basically, they had an hourly wage. They had a glass door—when I tried to negotiate—glass door had a salary range of 84 to 141, all right. I mean, so there's, basically, there is information out there for different salaries on the internet. It's whether—how much do you trust that or not, okay. On the government salaries, they do have—when I looked at that for that position, it's not a apples to apples position. It was the Director of Sustainability but they do haveI mean, I think that's the most analogous. They do have names that are listed for salary `cause it's publicly available information. So, they're polling it that, and they've got names for different people to put in. So, I don't I mean, I think for my—what I was looking that seemed to be the most relevant for this job maybe—other than the point I mean, I think you guys looked up Honolulu's paying somebody for 150. So, I mean, that's the other thing to point—but Honolulu's a much bigger organization, so it would necessarily be higher. I think that that information is valuable. CHR. PAVAO: That's good information, yeah. Thank you. MR. NELSON: And just as a follow-up note, I think, when we first started this—looking at the other salariesI think the Honolulu Salary Commission ordered a salary survey for all the different positions—and I think we asked for that some time ago, but that was probably four months ago. I mean, I wonder, can we follow-up and ask if the County of Honolulu would share that with us because that might have that position in here, too, that'd be valuable data. MS. GREENBAUM: There's some research I did as well. And in Los Angeles there is a Climate Resiliency Senior Analyst, which is somewhat similar, I guess the salary range there was from 71 to 104 and it looks the required job description, kind of, appeared to be somewhat similar. And then, even is San Mateo, too—and the salary range was pretty comparable to the 80's to 120, I think, in that State that county, I guess. MS. FRENZ: Chair, if I may. Just to provide this is Deputy Corporation Counsel Cody Frenz to clarify as to agenda item Number 4 and more specifically relevant to agenda Item number 5, which you are currently talking about is Communication number's 24-01 and 24- 01.01—and that's in your green folders, everyone—if you haven't already seen it and/or Commissioners via email (SEE ATT. A/COMM. NO. 24-01, AND ATT. B/COMM. NO 24-01.01). Page 4 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 It answers to Vice -Chair Farahi's questions about the position that Director Tokihiro has provided. Also present is our Managing Director, Deanna Sako. She may be able to provideI don't knowI don't want to put her on the spot, but she may be able to provide some additional information and/or whether or not the Director was present or able to be present or if there was a scheduled conflict for her—and any other questions that may or may not be relevant to this body for consideration. If we don't have them today, we can get them for you between now and our next hearing as an FYI. Thank you. CHR. PAVAO: Any further discussion? MR. FARAHL Based on the questions that I asked, Mr. Chairman, this is a new position and it's comparable but it's not asI didn't understand how equity would fit into this `cause I didn't see it in the internet search. And the answers that HR Director provided was sufficient for me to be able to propose (inaudible) dollar a month salary for this individual with four employees and potentially 10 in two years or more—or that's 13,000 a month, which is what the number they gave us is (inaudible). So, to set it—you don't want to make it too high and you don't want to make it too low. And, hopefully, that department would be successful and next year if adjustments are made—well, we will make those adjustments. MS. NAMAHOE: Commissioner Namahoe here. So, first of all, thank you so much, Mr. Farahi, for the questions that you asked and for the information that we were presented. I think the struggle for me in looking at the documents will always be what are the responsibilities and how does that person—and how does that department respond to those concerns. Now, for example, Oahu that's a million -man island but this island, if we look at the last 10 years, if—in order to underwrite the next 10 years, we look at the immediate last 10 years. When it comes to climate change, just those two wordsLahaina is something new for Maui but how many times have we dealt with lava, and hurricanes, and earthquakes, and so forth. I mean, we're the island—we're the geologic island that I would assume right away, this job would be, kind of, pseudo Civil Defense or a close agency that would be working with CD because we're dealing with the impacts of a community that has just faced loss. And I think some of the drivers on that are the understanding Native Hawaiian culture and the unique environmental and social justice issues of Hawaii. I see that as—okay, so how do we step in with lava flow and it's coming for a neighborhood—how do you deal with that community? But then, also, when the weather is bright and nice, we're going to throw all the GMO issues at that office, too. It's going to be, kind of, a clearing house and I—and while that might make this particular future department unique, I don't know what that department's going to do. That's a concern for me. As much as I appreciI'm somebody who likes to read the fine print—and I couldn't figure out from it, enough to come up with a number or an agency to line it up against with what we currently have in the County. Thank you. Page 5 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 CHR. PAVAO: Maybe we can ask Managing Director Sako for some input. (At this time, Ms. Deanna Sako, Managing Director, Office of the Mayor, came forward.) MS. SAKO: So, I initially walked up because we did the director or the administrator that's being appointed to the temporary position is—does not start till February I", so I'm here representing that administration. And so, it is a work -in -progress, exactly as Commissioner just said. And so, we're starting as a brand new agency for our County. We've never had one before. It is the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience. So, in the County we have agencies and offices and we have departments. They're not clearly defined anywhere in the Charter or our Code that we could find. But, historically, an agency or an office has been headed by an EM, right—someone excluded from collective bargaining. But they are hired individuals that, just like our Controller, or another position is actually a permanent employee of the County. So, this is very unique for us to have an agency with an appointed department head. So, in my mind, just with my experience at the County, normally the agencies are much smaller and do very more limited scope work than what—for a department would do. That may be a factor you want to look at. So, most of the agency heads are EM's and they're EM3's or 5's and so several of our agencies have EM3's—and that was, actually, how the initial salary was determined was the mid-level of a EM3. And so, what we do know that this agency will kind of grow and morph into whatever is needed by our community. You're right, I mean, we have more challenges than ever on our island. We've gone through more disasters than any other island in our State. And so, they may or may not be working with Civil Defense. We do have a Climate Action Plan—Research and Development has been working on that. We've worked with the departments, we have maps, we know where sea level rise is expected. This department is probably not going to be the one to do the construction projects to maybe have to move roads or make buildings—and they're going to advise other departments. They will work closely with Department of Public Works, for example. I'm sure they'll to continue to work closely with Research and Development. But, so, if anything, we would prefer probably to start out on a lower end of a spectrum and work its way up as we determine more what is going to be on the plate of this individual. Page 6 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 MS. NAMAHOE: So, understanding or listening to what you just said, it sounds to me almost that this will be the new risk management office, that they won't necessarily be an extrovert member—public-facing office—as much as they will be the clearinghouse that will be in charge of sea level rises or information provided to and from, as well as fighting against property and casualty insurance policies. And the idea of re -writing the water tables so that I mean, is that what I'm understanding it to be? MS. SAKO: I think there're going to be a lot of information gatherers for sure—gathering more data from the community, applying for grants. There's a lot of grants out there. So, definitely, applying for grants but whether they carry out the grants or a department carries out a grant, is yet to be seen. And so, we're still developingso, definitely, a work -in -progress. And so, the interim administrator was hired to really get the department up and going to get it started. We believe in her qualifications. I think she'll do a great job but, at the same time, we don't know what all is going to evolve into, yet. And so, I guess, my request anyway, is to set a salary. But then, if you could agendize it for maybe a year from now even, to re-evaluate to determine, "Oh, my gosh, this has grown into something more than we ever thought it would be" or it's remained that their work either inter- relating with the other departments. And it's a little different to just being appointed, yet working as an officer and agency. So, we've yet to determine if it's this department that's going to grow or if some of the other departments are going to have to grow to carry out the projects. MR. NELSON: So, I hear what you're saying. Are you okay with just status quo what you've offered—make that good for a year and then, kind of, re-evaluate it a year from now. `Cause I think that is Farahi said—he was okay with a salary that you guys proposed. It sounds likeI mean, that's within the market range, kind of—and then— MS. SAKO: And then, perhaps, with the 5% increase on July I't, like the other department heads were offered but we'll leave that for you guys to discuss. We're just saying, unfortunately, this is a work -in -progress and we don't have—it's not as defined as we would like it to be, yet. MR. FARAHL Mr. Chairman, it's a new department. This is very common to create a catch-all kind of thing with a whole bunch of things fall into it but really nothing falls, clearly, into it. And it's a combination of a whole bunch of things. Page 7 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 The most common comparison is a Environmental and Sustainability Services—in here, they included—and, again, (inaudible) could be a specialist to see what other departments do and how this one tells what everybody else doesn't do. And the Civil Defense part of it, it's already well-defined and it's located someplace else. According to HR, the most common—in terms of salaries and budget, is a department with five employees, correct? FEMALE SPEAKER: Yeah, I agree. MR. FARAHL And so, if you assume that they will have 10 employees in a year or so and, hopefully, who will define after the departmental fighting is over that is not me that's you that's not me—that's—and that will take a couple of years to do that. So, I'm assuming that, if you set the salary about 12 to 13,000 a month, it would be a fair and comparable salary and I'm (inaudible) make that into a motion, if that's needed. MS. FRENZ: This is DCC Cody Frenz, I just wanted to touch on and clarify a few things and then maybe we can hear a little bit more from Director—or excuse me—Managing Director Sako, if she's prepared to do so and, if not, we could do it next time. But, first, I wanted to say that as far as this new agency—and thank you for the clarification "agency" versus "department" that is significantly important for this Commission to understand. We do, actually, have a whole Risk Management Division within the Finance Department that already does exactly that—slightly different way, but more in mind I think was what you were thinking—as opposed to what I think the intent of this agency was. It may actually be beneficial for this body to watch the hearings that Council went through where they were attempting—where they articulated what the intent of this agency was because it's a very broad. When you think of "equity," I don't know how that relates to climate change, right. And there are—it's a very broad"resilience," right. I mean, it's very broad as far as what was intended to be covered. So, I think maybe, if you have the time, it would be beneficial to watch and listen to what they talked about—what their intent and idea was behind creating this agency, so you understand what it was intended to encompass. Because I don't know that the resolution and the information here necessarily addresses exactly what was intended in a way that will help you determine what salary might be appropriate. As far as how—and I agree with Managing Director Sako's comments regarding Civil Defense, since I also represent them. I don't know—I think they have a seat at the table for emergencies, but beyond that, I guess, is yet to be seen. Page 8 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 How the interim salary was determined might be some—maybe not extensive conversation, I don't know what—if you're prepared, Director Sako, to address any of that, but I think that might be helpful and beneficial for you to understand. And two final points. I don't know—and maybe this is something legally I'll need to look into — I don't know that our 5% raise covers this position. It wasn't published, so I don't believe the 5% would, theoretically, kick in for this particular position on July 1st because we didn't publish it for the public to have notice on. So, whatever we do—if we do something the same process, we would have to partake in. That means the drafting of proposed findings of fact, like we did this last go around, and we would publish that in the newspaper. We would come back and receive public testimony and then we would vote 30 days thereafter. We have to do that all over again for this position. So, that begs the question, how long, Director Sako—also in line with kind of how you guys came up with this salary—could the interim salary continue for? For example, is there a timeframe within which there has to be a formal salary set or, alternatively, I'm just thinking of ideas for this Commission to not have to repeatedly do the same job over and over again, while we still vet out exactly the nature of what this agency will be. Could the interim salary continue for, say, the year until we have a better understanding of what it actually entails for this Commission to, maybe, be in a better place to determine an appropriate amount. `Cause I guess I wonder thinking out loud, what findings of fact you would have when we don't know exactly what this agency will be doing. So, I just throw that out as an idea so I can ensure that my Commission is able to best articulate how it wants to proceed, if it's ready to do so. MS. SAKO: Great questions, if I can answer. Also, just in case I didn't say it, I've only been in this job since January lst, so it started out with Lee Lord, our previous Managing Director to, kind of, establish some of this without the advertising for the job, obviously, with the help of the Department of Human Resources. So, at the time, it was determined this position would be something like an EM3 that is how we, kind of, determined that salary amount and this was the middle of that range. We are hiring the person on contract, partly because the salary wasn't set, partly because it's new and we need to, kind of, establish the department. So, I believe that contract could go for some time—looking at the Director of Human Resources—such as a year. It's not uncommon for us to have contracts for a year. And so, but we did, at the time, make it to an EM3-type salary at the middle of the range, just as a place to start, because a lot of—most of our other agency heads are also EM3's—Civil Defense is an EMS. Page 9 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 So, that's basically, kind of, where we were going with that thought process. And (inaudible) it is—it's challenging to know everything that this position's going to do. I don't want to undersell it but I don't want to oversell it. We just—we haven't—we—it just hasn't had enough time to get going. Research and Development is doing some of the duties, like, they helped to get that Climate Action Plan and everything up and going and established. And so, we're even are still continuing to determine what things might go to the OSCER department and what might stay with Research Development. And our Deputy Director of Research and Development is also in the audience should you have any questions. So, we're just—it is a work -in -progress and I actuallyI don't think a one-year contract is a bad idea. I'm not sure how often on this Commission's planning on meeting, but we—it is a work- in -progress and it's challenging for us to give you a lot of details right now. MR. FARAHL What's your role in the department? MS. SAKO: So, as the Managing Director, I help the Mayor oversee all 21 departments of the County has and OSCER is one of them. Yes. And we do tend to work a little more closely with our agency heads, such as Transient Animal Control things like that. Like I said, this is the first agency or office where we actually having an appointed department head. So, we're not sure yet the amount of oversight that will be required for the position as well. MS. FRENZ: I presume everyone this is DCC Cody Frenz—recognizes the name, if you haven't met her—but we're Lucky in the sense that our Managing Director—our new Managing Director's also our former Finance Director for many years, right. So, I think we're lucky in the sense that she has many caps and will probably continue to always wear many caps in that sense, but she also has the County's financial best interest in mind and is very familiar with that situation as well. So, I think that's a benefit—if you didn't know that—FYI. MR. NELSON: Do you know when you negotiated a salary with this person. I mean, what was their expectations, I guess. Are they expectingoh, okay, I took as a bare minimum or I expect the 20% raise if I do a good jobI mean, was there those discussions? MS. SAKO: Is actually yes, we negotiated but we advertised a range and it was from the minimum of the EM3 schedule to the middle of the EM3—and we awarded that upper end, the middle of the EM3. Yes. And so, when the—when everyone applied for the position, that was the salary expectations at the time. MR. FARAHL (Inaudible) run for whatever reason, the Mayor's Office and the Council approved this, there are elements as I said of everything in it. You could even say it's affirmative action. You could say it's just management. You could say it's environmental. We Page 10 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 could say it's sustainability. So, it's one of those things that are probably politically the right thing to do at this point in time and it has to define itself to what would become. So, I don't think there's not much we can do about that until a year or two when it becomes clearer. The information that was provided didn't have any of the data that the Council may have heard. It's just mostly legalistic stuff. What I was telling (inaudible) when I had a job that require these kind of things, I had a requirement that any resolution that came from the law department that was more than one page is automatically rejected. It has to have three parts one, you cannot cite more than two to four state, federal, and municipal Taws; Number 2, "whereases", must be limited to four; and "therefore, be it resolved" must be limited to three. In this particular case, I couldn't even do this. So, I hope we just set the salary and look at it two years from now and see what it has become. CHR. PAVAO: Yeah, I think that—this is Chair PavaoI think what Deputy Corporation Counsel pointed out is that the position and the agency is evolving and we don't have enough facts to even create a finding of facts at this point in time. So, probably the best thing to do is—well, my personal opinion, is to allow the salary to remain as it is and revisit in a year when the agency probably has evolved to a more semi-permanent status and this body could make a better informed decision. MS. GREENBAUM: I agree. MS. FRENZ: Director Sako, is this something you'd like to vet out as far as the applicability of postponing for that period of time before just out of curiosity. MS. SAKO: Yeah, I think we haven't really thought about that but that might be the best thing. I mean, it may be that we might be ready in six months to come back to the Commission and say, "Okay, now we really have more defined roles"—it probably still would be changing at that point, but we may have a much better idea of specifically what the roles are and what's coming out. This department may have already garnered millions of dollars of grants by that time. It's hard to say what might happen. But I think if we could—for sure, say, we come back in a year, but leave it open that Administration would have the opportunity to come back, let's say, in six or nine months if we felt that was the appropriate time where we had the duties better defined, the director can speak more intelligently about everything that they're doing versus us saying, "Well, we think they're going do A, B, and C." We'd also see how—as these grants come in, if they were really—if they remained with OSCER or if they were going out to departmentsI think we'd have a lot more information later. Page 11 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 CHR. PAVAO: Thank you. MS. NAKAMA: Excuse me, Commissioner Nakama here, can I speak? MR. FARAHL (Inaudible) from the HR Director. How much is the Auditor getting paid on a monthly basis. I think it's somewhere in here. CHR. PAVAO: It's in the email. MR. FARAHL It'll take me a week to find it. MS. GREENBAUM: I think it says, 12,900. MR. FARAHL Okay, that's before or after the adjustment that we just voted on? CHR. PAVAO: It's the January Ist salary. MR. FARAHL Huh? CHR. PAVAO: January Ist, 2024, salary. It's the current salary. MR. FARAHL Okay, so it's adjusted, right? So, it has to be in the general neighborhood and also it could be a question of gender equity and different kind of things that are associated, if those two people watching—five people—and have a similar budget and one is getting paid less than the other one despite the confusion. So, I would suggest, Mr. Chairman, that make it an even number. And I don't know what the Counselor has in mind that if we made a different kind of an adjustment, there is three more months of this involved. And if we make no adjustment and say okay (inaudible) MS. NAKAMA: Hello, we cannot hear you. MR. FARAHL (Inaudible) there is no more three meetings involved, right? MS. FRENZ: So—this is DCC Frenzso, to answer your question, let me repeat it— Commissioner tCommissioner Nakama and Commissioner Dudoit, let me repeat Vice -Chair Farahi's comments. I believe your question was in comparing what the Director of Human Resources indicated as the most comparable, which is the County Auditor's, your thought was either we do—we remain status quo and then we don't need to come back and continue our process, which would be a minimum of about three months just like we did recently for overall revamping of salary schedules for excluded managerial positions. Or we do something more in line with what the County Auditor is. Is that correct, sir? Page 12 Salary Commission MR. FARAHL Yes. January 17, 2024 MS. FRENZ: So, I guess, this is that's a question that only you guys can answer. Do you have enough information to determine that the new OSCER position—director for the agency is equivalent? This is the Department of Human Resources saying the most equivalent in size, in their opinion based on the number of employees is "x"—does that mean their job duties will be similar to that of the County Auditor's? I personally couldn't tell you if you're thinking—if the thought is that this is an EM3 and, frankly, Civil Defense is an EM5—the duties are far, far different. So, it'sit might be a little too soon, but that's an opinion you guys have to come up with, right—my opinion doesn't matter in that regard. So, I think if we want to allow Managing Director Sako to determine that it would be fair and appropriate and legal to extend the contract for the current interim administrator, we could come back next month and see what position the Mayor's Administration has because they have their own attorneys that would advise in that regard—and we could re -assess then. But Imy only concern as your Counsel isdo you have enough information now on such a new department that it—what seems apparent to me is you guys talk and ask questions you're not really sure based on the information you have, exactly what this position will be doing. So, how would you come up with those proposed findings for what a salary deserves based on the findings submitted. And I also want to—I see another microphone onI want to make sure that we give Commissioner Nakama an opportunity to speak. I know she was trying to jump in. Can you hear us okay, Commissioner Nakama? MS. NAKAMA: I can hear you, but I'm not sure that you can hear me. MS. FRENZ: We can. I think it's just a little tricky when we have ZOOM because it—we start to talk over each other without realizing it. So, I'm going to turn to my counterpart here on the right who wants to speak, and then maybe we could turn it over to Commissioner Nakama, if that's okay? One second. MS. NAKAMA: Okay, that's fine. MS. KAWA`AUHAU: Commissioner Kawa`auhau, I just wanted to say the same thing. I just want to say maybe I can—we can slow down a little bit because I know there's comment coming from ZOOM and we also had comments coming from other people here that have something to say before we decide and make motions and all that. So, I just wanted to request that we slow down a tad. Page 13 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 MS. FRENZ: Go ahead, Commissioner Nakama and Commissioner Dudoit and/or Commissioner Greenbaum. MS. NAKAMA: Okay, who wants to speak? I mean—it's okay for me to speak, then? MS. FRENZ: Yes, ma'am. MS. NAKAMA: Okay. All right. I've been reading (inaudible) and it says this is a temporary (inaudible) position not to exceed one year. Can someone explain to me why is it a temporary position that we're (inaudible) on? MS. TOKIHIRO: This is Sommer Tokihiro, Director of Human Resources. It's temporary as a contract. Once the salary is determined then we can fill the position on a permanent basis. So, it'sit has to be filled temporarily while the salary is determined that's the purpose of the contract. MS. FRENZ: And if I could follow-up on that, Director Tokihiro, is it fair to say that it is not a guarantee that the current interim director would necessarily be the appointed director of this position once the contract was completed or would that—is that expected to be the actual director? MS. TOKIHIRO: Since it's an appointed position, I couldn't say that the person that is (inaudible) the contract would continue in the appointment thereafter. MS. FRENZ: They would apply, right? MS. TOKIHIRO: Yes. MS. FRENZ: Okay. So, it's not a given, right. So, this is aan interim salary for someone who has been selected for a contract position, Commissioner Nakama—and at the end of that one year, either there would be a new contract—possibly, with the same interim director, possibly with somebody else but once the salary has been finalized, as I understand the process theoretically, at that point, the Mayor's Office, who appoints directors, could select and appoint or nominate a director for this agency—and that process would go through Council as all appointments do at that time. It may or may not be the exact same person just to clarify that. MS. NAKAMA: I have another question. What goals does this position have that will determine the amount of work they do in the examples of duties—who determines how far they've gone with this position? MS. FRENZ: This is DCC Frenz, so I think part of the your question and the lack of an answer, I think, sort of, touches on how new this agency actually is. What you have, Commissioner Nakama, and this body has, is all that there isas far as exactly what this position entails. Page 14 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 So, it would be, I presume—and maybe Director Sako can clarify—it would be the Mayor's Administration with—or whomever controls the contract to ensure that the contractee, the person that is fulfilling the contract is, in fact, completing the task required of the contract. MS. NAKAMA: So, who sets the task and what goals and MR. FARAHL There is no contract, right? MS. FRENZ: There is a contract— CHR. ontract CHR. PAVAO: There is a contract. MS. FRENZ: because it's interim. CHR. PAVAO: Until this body sets the salary, it's a contracted hire position. Once this body sets the salary, then the Mayor appoints somebody, then it becomes (inaudible). MR. FARAHL And that's a management employee served at the pleasure of the Mayor? MS. FRENZ: That's correct. CHR. PAVAO: Yes. MR. FARAHL But, at this time, there's a contract. CHR. PAVAO: It's a contract—so, sort of, a temporary solution. MR. FARAHL So, the contract would disappear once the salary is set. CHR. PAVAO: Once we set a salary. MS. FRENZ: Yes. MR. FARAHI: Is there a search that would follow? MS. FRENZ: Yes. MR. FARAHL (Inaudible) it's just like, from my perspective, we're just shooting in the dark. It's a very ill-defined position and, if I could be impolite, and it's neither here nor there, it's like shooting in the dark—shoot in the direction of noise. MR. RIORDAN: Well, this is Commissioner Riordan, and I think that's what the Managing Director has said. And I'd like to follow-up with her recommendations of that we just table this, let the contract play out, they can come back to us at any time during the year and, if not, we'll take it up again in January of 2025—and set the salary at that point in time because then we Page 15 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 won't be shooting in the dark—and the person doesn't have any employees at this point in time. So, comparing it to the Auditor who has five employees is apples and oranges. So, I'm ready to make a motion, if there to that extent. MS. TOKIHIRO: Sorry, could I just add a comment? So—Sommer Tokihiro, Director of Human Resources. I just wanted to note that a year—maybe it would be better to come back maybe in six months to re-evaluate because you cannot make an appointment to the permanent position till the salary is set. So, hopefully, within a period of a few months, if we could re -assess, Ishouldn't be postponed for a year. MR. FARAHL Wait a minute, Director (inaudible) MS. NAKAMA: Commissioner Nakama, I'd like to disagree with that. MR. FARAHL (Inaudible) opportunity to do this three-month thing about this, right, if you did that? MS. NAKAMA: Commissioner Nakama, can I speak? CHR. PAVAO: Yes, you can speak, please. MS. NAKAMA: With all the duties set before her or him that is in the position temporary position there is no way in six months we can evaluate what they've done. No one in the (inaudible) position to do the examples of duties can give us good results in six months. I disagree with six months. Who in their right mind can (inaudible) all of this and give us a concrete table and goals met when some of these duties are part of Research and Development and how do we know that they're not duplicating efforts? CHR. PAVAO: So, for clarification, I think we had a motion on the floor and I don't know if the maker of the motion wanted to MS. FRENZ: No motion. It was conversational. CHR. PAVAO: Did you make a motion? MR. RIORDAN: No, I didn't. CHR. PAVAO: Oh, I thought you made a motion. Okay. MR. NELSON: Commissioner Nakama, I just want to addressI think, is what I heard from this position, is part of this position's job is to bring in grant money. So, I think in six months, you'll be able to get a good handle on whether there's going to be grant money enough coming Page 16 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 in—'cause I think part of the grant money is going to fund this position. Okay. And if there is no grant money, then this position just may need to go away, right. I mean, if I'm thinking I'm understanding the logic behind it. So, I do think we'll need to table it for six months, and then come back in six months, and then make a decision or try to decide—set a salary then. And, at that time, we'll know—hey, we'd be able to get a report, is there money coming in, what is the person the person's been on the job, are they doing—what are they doing, rather—are they doing okay. I do think that sounds like the best plan. CHR. PAVAO: Are you making a motion? MR. NELSON: So, I'm making a motion that we table this for six months. MS. FRENZ: If we could hold that motion so, we could let the rest of our ZOOM Commissioners chime in first. I think a couple of them have been trying to speak. Commissioner Dudoit, do you have something—we can finish that same ZOOM picture. MR. DUDOIT: Commissioner Dudoit. I agree with Commissioner Riordan. And the six months maybe—I'd second that motion. But in at least the six months or a year would make it better. I'd like to see a more positive outcome that position and, like Commissioner Nakama said, six months is a little weak. I'd go for a year and I'd second Mr. Riordan's motion. MS. FRENZ: Commissioner Greenbaum. MS. GREENBAUM: I agree with that. I think a year is required, but I know that (inaudible)—1 didn't get clarity on the six mo—why is six months? And I apologize, I don't know which Commissioner had made that statement only because I'm in ZOOM so I can't clearly say. But you had alluded to a six month—for what reason? I apologize. Would you mind restating your comment? MS. FRENZ: Sure, absolutely. That was Commissioner Nelson and this is why it's so important, everyone, to state your name before you start speaking. So, Commissioner Greenbaum—Commissioner Nelson, I believe, and please correct me, sir, if I get this incorrectly—and I think Director Sako wants to speak as well. That his the rationale was there should be—six months is plenty of time for the interim director to bring in some contract money or to get momentum in that regard and see the vitality of the work in that sense. Was that—is that correct, Commissioner Nelson? MR. NELSON: That is correct. Yes. MS. SAKO: I was going to add that I believe our Director of Human Resources had concerns about setting a salary by the end of the one-year contract. Page 17 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 So, Deputy Corporation Counsel, could you remind me how long the process takes with all the public hearings and advertising? MS. FRENZ: So—and I think, oneI agree, that we need to come back and resolve this at a bare minimum, so that the contract can be extended, if need be, right. So, something has to be done or some guidance has to be provided the Mayor's Office so that if they need to renew a contract, they can renew a contract. That can be done—we could provide that guidance now, right, `cause ultimately you set the salary, right. So, if this Commission is not interested in setting a salary for the next, at least six months, then the Mayor's Administration has that guidance and notice. So, if you recall here, it's going to require—for timeframe purposes that you do the homework, that you know what you want to do and why you want to do it. I then draft proposed findings of fact that this body then reviews, modifies, amends, and approves—and run it in the newspaper. It has to run in the newspaper—we run it in two—Hilo and Kona. After that we come back and we provide, 30 days later—or excuse me—after it runs in the paper, we provide a date and time for notice to the public. They come in and testify. Thirty days after that public hearing for testimony purposes, is the soonest in which this body can take any action. So, if you take that and work backwards, it's a bare minimum of three months. A bare minimum. Probably a little longer. So, however, I would also add that this body has already indicated its desire to come back in maybe the middle of the year sometime this year, to set— continued etcontinued potentialI say, "potential" `cause it really is up to you guys—additional salary increases for the affected parties for the years to come, so that you don't have to, kind of, redo this every single year, like we did over the last six months. So, maybe it would be beneficial to table this until July, right, we come back in five or six months and see where things are at. We get an update, the interim director can come in and speak. We can also find out where the CBA is in negotiating those contracts for the next x -number of potentially five years, and decide are you guys ready to, kind of, revisit all, revisit just the OSCER salary, visit none that's an idea. MS. NAMAHOE: Commissioner Namahoe. So, synthesizing the conversation where it's gone—and I'm a deadline working backwards type of girl. So, I have a particular fondness to do this right, if it's a whole new thing for the Countya whole new agencydepartment, excuse me. So, I'm seeing July I't, 2025, it's a go. Between now and July I't, 2025, we need calendar year 2024 to get all of the proper information to do it right. The idea of six months, that's just at the beginning of hurricane season. Not to say that this is going to map over to what Civil Defense has to do, but that's a climate change kind of thing when we're dealing with hurricane sizes and whatnot. I would hope that the interim employees, interim staff would be able to do a great j ob in 2024 encompassing both the headwinds of planning and the tailwinds of dealing with climate Page 18 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 change crisis. We should see some of that in 2024 if the last couple of years have been any indication. So, I don't know if there's any motion we should be putting on the table right now. But I do see it—I'm walking away from this thinking that it needs to be getting ready by July 1st, 2025. And so, what calendar do you want to see, HR Tokihiro? MS. TOKIHIRO: So, I would encourage the Commission to address the salaries sooner rather than later. The issue of not being able to have someone permanently in the position, we cannot run contracts continuously especially when the agency has been created by Council, there's four positions—four staff positions to be filled. So, I would encourage the CommissionI understand all of the points regarding the findings of fact and we do need additional clarification as far as roles and what this all looks like. But I would encourage you to take it up not less thanI mean, not—yeah, within six months with an opening to possibly come back and discuss it soonerso, at the three-month mark. Once the interim administrator begins her role on February I", if you were able to come back in three months and get some kind of interim update, then at least we could, kind of, begin to see what that framework is they're going to working to create the position descriptions for those permanent positions. Those positions are supposed to be transferred from R&D, so we may have some additional information for you to consider at that point. MS. NAMAHOE: Okay. So, the question that I asked was for July lst, 2025, working backwards from that. So, everything needs to be set. Are you saying three months from now so, Q to 2024I'm thinking so—quarters for me are calendar year. I mean, that would be Q4, right, for the County year, right? So, in Q4, is that what you want to see is by April 1st you want us to be voting on what the salary would be? MS. TOKIHIRO: I just would encourage, though, Commission, to be reviewing it regularly because we would like the salary to be determined before the end of this first contract, which is 12 months. MS. NAMAHOE: So, by October, which would be the whole run through of—pretty much the whole run through of the hurricane season? MS. FRENZ: I think legally by close of business Jan—end of January 2025 would allow them enough time to renew a new contract, come February, if you have not already set a salary. I think she'sI think the point she's just making, she wants you guys to keep tabs on it a little closer than pushing it too far off. One concern I do have is hearing that the interim director is going to need to write the position description for the employees working within. So, that's quite a task that has not been done yet—assuming that the interim director even knows what that—those positions are and expected to do—let alone, then fill them, right. Page 19 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 So, if you are still looking at coming back in July to (inaudible) everything that we've all just done and see where the CBA negotiations are that would be a great opportunity to get an update on the OSCER position and what she, I believe, it's a female, right—what the interim director has done so far, what she intends she do, where she's at in writing or fulfilling those position descriptions, getting them approved—'cause that's an entire process, too. So, that would be a great opportunity to come back and see where things are at—and maybe then, you will feel more comfortable in setting a salary and my drafting proposed findings based on where you're at then but we won't know until we come back for an update. MS. NAKAMA: Chairman—Steve Pavao, (inaudible) here in Kona. Is there a person already picked for this temporary position? CHR. PAVAO: Yes, they've already been selected. They already selected somebody to manage the contract. MS. NAKAMA: So, somebody's already on contract. Do you know when they started? CHR. PAVAO: February I" start, right. Yes (inaudible). MS. NAKAMA: February I"? CHR. PAVAO: (Inaudible) interview and recruitment starting February lst MS. NAMAHOE: So, basically—this is Namahoeso, basically, the contract duties will be for calendar year 2024 that person is going to be building the plane as she flies it. She's going to have to write the job descriptions and start getting to grant writing ASAP in order to underfund those positions. I think, the concern that I'm having just a moment ago with HRD Tokihiro isI mean, technically, all of us looking at what the salary has been set right now for the interim, it's fair, it's the middle of the road—it's not unreasonable to think we could be walking out of here today saying, take a motion, second that, and just keep it going so that HR can get it moving quickly. And from what I understand, in our exchange, Ms. Tokihiro, I think that's kind of what would work best for you, too, right, because you're ready to just—it's time to get it moving. I'm thinking that because it's such aI mean, I don't know when the last time the County built a new department or agency. Anybody have the answer here? Somebody knows. MS. SAKO: In the year 2000. MS. NAMAHOE: The year 2—okay, so it's been a bit. I'm going to back off. Whatever you guys want to do, we do. Page 20 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 MS. KAWA`AUHAU: This is Commissioner Kawa`auhau. If we table it and revisit in three months, the burden isn't on us, right? I mean, if they're the ones wanting that deadline, then why not give them the chance to meet that deadline to come back to us and report and seeing that they have something valuable so we get a clearer picture. And, if not, we can come back in three more months, which is six months—and, again, the burden's on them and they're the ones asking for that timeline. So, I don't have a problemI assumed that they would know what will go into it. And I don't have a problem granting them that timeline and not telling themI don't think you canI don't know what they—and that's up to them. So, I don't have a problem coming in and listening to what happens in three months. CHR. PAVAO: This is Chair Pavao. I agree that I think the best thing to do, at this point, is to just table the issue until the next meeting in July—invite them, we could have better information—maybe at that point we'll have enough information to make a decision on a salary. But we definitely, don't have all the facts and information to make an informed decision today. So, I think tabling it is fine. It's not saying that we're going to set a salary in July but we can revisit the issue and make a decision then. FEMALE SPEAKER: I agree. MS. NAKAMA: Commissioner Nakama, I agree. MR. FARAHL It has to be the same time as we're making the decision for the 25—for the salary setting of everybody else. I'm just thinking that has no job description, it has no history the name doesn't indicate what the heck it is going to be. The testimony before the Council is not available and it is, like, a (inaudible) bus that heats up in the summer and cools off in the winter by adding things to it that naturally doesn't make sense and go back (inaudible). And then, there's COVID. Okay. The County is going to create three meetings in July and the mayor hasn't set up the budget for 25 where we have to give the annual adjustment for that. We're making a career out of this one, undescribed, unclear, and the individual is not evenI don't know whether she has or he has a desk or a room or a secretary already. I mean, six months would do what? CHR. PAVAO: We'll have more information that'll help. MR. FARAHL Absolutely nothing. So, my hope is that we table it until the proposals for the adjustment for the calendar year 2025 begins, so we could just do the advertising for all of these things at the same time, rather than spend it—'cause I just can't come three months in a row for something that I don't even know what I'm going to do. CHR. PAVAO: Yeah. Well, my suggestion was not that we're going to absolutely make a decision in July, but would revisit the issue and just look at it. We'll have, definitely, we'll have more information at that point in time. We could very well decide then in July that we would Page 21 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 wait till January, that's fine but I'm just saying that we would table it today and revisit in July when we meet. MS. GREENBAUM: Commissioner Greenbaum. I agree with Commissioner (inaudible). I think it should be revisited in six months, just so that we can see where the progress is, `cause right now, the position is not really clearly defined. Not defined enough for us to place any dollar value to it, so by revisiting it in July makes sense to me. MS. FRENZ: This is DCC Cody Frenz. Just wanted to clarify two points. I think, Vice -Chair Farahi, I wanted to correct that the Council minutes are, in fact, available. In fact, video is available, which is what I would suggest you guys watch. So, what we can do, Vice -Chair Farahi, it appears you're departing—is send links to those videos for you all to watch that was—first introduced on June 7�h, it was postponed. (Note: Mr. Farahi departed the meeting at 10:58 a.m.) And then it was—the second reading was on July 61', they're all publicly available to everyone, which is why I suggested you all watch because you will hear the Council members, the public testimony, you will hear anybody and everybody that came in and testified about what the intent of this agency was—the concerns, the pros, the cons you'll hear all of it, which is why being able to go and watch those videos back is so critical—and I think you all should. I think it should be a part of your due diligence in reading and understanding exactly what the intent of this agency was. I also think that the—I've heard—well, right—Commissioner Kawa`auhau is saying that if the request was for three months, then let's give them the three months. So, that's going to be up to you guys. We don't have a formal motion on the table yet. But the other thing was to address some of the other concerns was we're supposed to come back in mid-yearJuly-ish, right, to revisit everything for the work that you just did. And I think Vice -Chair Farahi is saying let's do it all at once. It may be that that works out great and maybe that it doesn't. We won't really know until we get a little further in with this position and see if you guys are comfortable doing both at the same time. And maybe you won't be ready to do either, right. So, which is what, kind of, that July placeholder was for to see where the CBA bargaining is at. So, I think, right now, what you need you guys need to decide—it sounds like everyone's prepared and prefers to table it for what period of time, is what you guys need to decide. MS. GREENBAUM: Commissioner Greenbaum here. I propose that we table it for six months and revisit at that time. CHR. PAVAO: Are you making a motion? MS. GREENBAUM: Making a motion. CHR. PAVAO: Is there a second? Page 22 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 MR. RIORDAN: Commissioner Riordan, I second that. CHR. PAVAO: It's been moved and second that we table this issue and bring back to the agenda in six months. Any discussion? MS. NAMAHOE: Just a request that we hear from Ms. Sako, again, at that time. Thank you. MS. SAKO: Yes, we're happy to come back and include our director—our administrator. MS. KAWA`AUHAU: Commissioner Kawa`auhau. Is it okay to hear really quick from either one of you folks as to the difference between three months and six months—which you prefer why? MS. SAKO: Because this is a brand new agency, I would encourage the six months just to giveI think we would all feel a little bit more comfortable. Three months, I'm sure we'll have accomplished some things. We just may not be quite as far along. So, I think the six months would give us a little bit more time to evaluate and it sounds like you guys are planning on meeting about that timeframe anyway. So, I think that would work out well. MR. DUDOIT: Commissioner Dudoit. I'd like to commend the HR Director, `cause she just took over that position and I can see how she's motivated to move on. But three to six months, I need to see some grants that were applied for and then the year, how many of them were approved—and that will give me get a better idea of the salary position. MS. NAMAHOE: I have to second Mr. Dudoit's mana`o thank you so much, Ms. Tokihiro. MS. TOKIHIRO: Thank you. Thank you for your patience with me. CHR. PAVAO: Thank you. Any more discussion? If not, we'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor of the motion to table this issue and come back and revisit it in six month, signify by saying aye. Any opposed? The voice vote was as follows: AYES: Commissioners Dudoit, Greenbaum, Kawa`auhau, Nakama, Namahoe, Nelson, Riordan, and Chair Pavao — 8. OPPOSED: None. ABSENT & EXCUSED: Commissioner Farahi —1. CHR. PAVAO: The motion passed. Thank you very much. Page 23 Salary Commission Unfinished Business (Item 6) January 17, 2024 CHR. PAVAO: We'll move on to our next agenda item. So, we are at "Unfinished Business" for discussion and appropriate action—we don't have any unfinished business. Any comments from the public and on ZOOM about unfinished business? Announcements (Item 7) CHR. PAVAO: If not, we'll move on to "Announcements." We don't have any announcements. Any comments from the public on ZOOM about announcements. Schedule Next Meeting Date (Item 8) CHR. PAVAO: Hearing none, we'll move on to the next—schedule a meeting date. MS. FRENZ: And we're going to—if I could have everyone—this is DCC Cody Frenz—our wonderful secretary went to go get a Council calendar. If everyone could pull out their calendars, if they happen to have them available. I would note that Vice -Chair Farahi has departed. We're looking at for July—in order to have this particular location, we're looking at either July 3rd or July 3I't otherwise there's either Board of Appeals or Council in these chambers. What works for everyone? MS. NAMAHOE: I'm a fan of July 31st MS. FRENZ: Anybody not available on July 31`9 MS. NAKAMA: What day of the week is that? MS. FRENZ: Wednesday. MS. NAKAMA: Wednesday. MR. DUDOIT: Wednesday in chambers? MS. FRENZ: Yes. MS. NAKAMA: No objection. MS. GREENBAUM: No objection. MS. FRENZ: Director Tokihiro, are you okay with that day as well, ma'am? MS. TOKIHIRO: Yeah, that's fine. Thank you. Page 24 Salary Commission CHR. PAVAO: July 31st is okay for me. January 17, 2024 MS. FRENZ: So, we'll set—it appears everyone that is present—hopefully, Vice -Chair Farahi is also available. July 31st, 10 a.m., Hilo Council Chambers—we'll have a remote ZOOM link available for those appearing by ZOOM—and I'm sure our wonderful secretary will send out any additional information that we may receive between now and then, which means we would not have a meeting just to clarify for everyone there would be no meetings for the Salary Commission between now and July 31st at 10 a.m. MS. GREENBAUM: Wonderful. CHR. PAVAO: Thank you. MS. GREENBAUM: Thank you. CHR. PAVAO: Okay, comments? MR. NELSON: No, that's fine on that schedule. I just I would like to request, though, if we could ask the Honolulu County, if we could get that salary survey that they commissioned the last time. CHR. PAVAO: From City and County of Honolulu? MR. NELSON: Yeah. `Cause the last time, they contracted for a salary survey for all employees, I think, sometime late last year. It wasn't available when we did our review but I do—if we could ask for that, I think it'd be helpful for our meeting in July for sure. MS. TOKIHIRO: Yes, we'll do that. MS. FRENZ: Is there anything else this is DCC Frenzis there anything else that this Commission would like to ask Director Tokihiro to have available between now and our July 31st hearing—anything that you can think of that might be beneficial that we could request, maybe, even of the interim director so they have time to prepare for such. MS. NAMAHOE: Yeah, actually, we didn't talk through the points that were laid out in the six key items of the job description for the director. But just in my own experience, one area that I saw was the Native Hawaiian component. So, I'm sure that probably in the videos that we should all be watching, we'll get some of that (inaudible) commentary. And we didn't talk about the aspects of what that person would do. If you have something in yourI don't know what's in your arsenal, but if there isif you see anything in HR that—in your files that would be relevant for us to read, I'd like to see it. I don't know if that's intra - agency with us and Hawaiian Homes, I don't know—and the only reason why I'm saying Hawaiian Homes is because the rubbish dump is on Homestead, the sewer is on Homestead, the majority of Hawaiian Homesteads—taking out Makuu and the majority of them are near the Page 25 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 ocean, so they face the biggest impacts. There might be something in the files that would probably have inspired that to include that line item just besides GMO's and the mauna and Hawaiians being front and first when it comes to fighting for parity and community safety. Thank you. MS. TOKIHIRO: Yeah, if there's anything available like that, we could provide it. MS. FRENZ: And would this Commission also like to have any position descriptions that have been created and approved to serve underneath the interim director—would that be something you'd like to see as well? MS. NAMAHOE: Absolutely, please. CHR. PAVAO: Yeah, it'd be helpful. MS. FRENZ: Great. So, kind of anything and everything OSCER that may be created and approved between now and then—is that possible? MS. TOKIHIRO: Yes. MS. FRENZ: Great. Thank you. CHR. PAVAO: Between now and then, also, I think I would agree with DCC Frenz that all of us should watch the videos of the County Council and the deliberations and public input to get a better understanding and perspective as to why this position and agency was created and what they expected goal and vision is for this agency. I mean, that would be very helpful. MS. FRENZ: Does this Commission want this is DCC Frenz, sorrythat those links be emailed or is everyone able—yes— CHR. bleyes CHR. PAVAO: Yeah, please, you can email the links, it would be very helpful. MS. FRENZ: I'll work with our secretary to make sure those are emailed out to everyone. CHR. PAVAO: Thank you. MS. FRENZ: So, you can watch those before between now and July. CHR. PAVAO: Yeah, that would be very helpful. MS. FRENZ: Great. CHR. PAVAO: Thank you. Page 26 Salary Commission January 17, 2024 MS. NAKAMA: Commissioner Nakama. Could we also request that between R&D Department and this new department that they'd be no duplication because as I understand, some of the work that this new position will be taking up, used to be part of R&D. MS. FRENZ: Could you repeat that, Commissioner Nakama, that there be no what I couldn't quite make out what you said. MS. NAKAMA: There's no duplication of efforts between Research and Development because as I understand it, some of the responsibility that is now on this interim person, used to be part of R&D. MS. FRENZ: I'm not exactly sure how we vet that out to be frank. I think that's going to be something between the interim director, R&D Director Admas, to ensure that—and I'm sure, initially, that crossover as those duties are transferred and making sure that those duties are fulfilled, there may be someI would hope not total duplication but teamwork in ensuring that those are productively accomplished. So, I'm not exactly sure how we can ensure your request, but it's noted for the record—it'll be in our minutes and, I guess, maybe we could ask that of our interim director at the next hearing in July and maybe even Director Adams, if you feel compelled to ask—invite him to join us. Maybe we can ask those questions then. CHR. PAVAO: (Inaudible) Managing Director Sako as well, I'm sure she would know as well. MS. NAKAMA: Thank you. CHR. PAVAO: Good question. Thank you, Commissioner Nakama. MS. GREENBAUM: Thank you. Adiournment (Item 9) CHR. PAVAO: Okay, if that's it, then we'll go ahead and adjourn. Thank you all—have a good afternoon. MS. NAMAHOE: I make a motion that we adjourn. CHR. PAVAO: Okay. MR. DUDOIT: I second that. MS. FRENZ: Commissioner Dudoit second. CHR. PAVAO: Any discussion about adjournment? If not, we'll go ahead and take a vote. All those in favor of adjourning, signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Page 27 Salary Commission January 17,2024 The voice vote was as follows: AYES: Commissioners Dudoit, Greenbaum, Kawa'auhau,Nakama,Namahoe,Nelson, Riordan, and Chair Pavao– 8. OPPOSED: None. ABSENT & EXCUSED: Commissioner Farahi– 1. CHR. PAVAO: Motion carried. We're adjourned. Thank you. MS. FRENZ: Eleven 09—thank you, Chair. Respectfully submitted, 4im & Glynis amada, ecretary-Reporter APPROVED: ''1 ....- -7I Steven r c 'ao, Chair Salary 4c fission Page 28