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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-17 Minutes Salary Commission Salary Commission Department of Human Resources 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 102 Hilo, Hawai'i April 17, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Salary Commission, County of Hawai'i, was called (Item 1): to order at 10:32 a.m. by Chair Pudding Lassiter on Thursday, April 17, 2014, at the Department of Human Resources Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 102 Hilo, Hawai'i. ROLL CALL Present: Ms. Pudding Lassiter, Chair Ms. Marcella L. Stroh, Vice-Chair Mr. Michael B. Sumja, Second Vice-Chair Mr. Brian J. De Lima, Member Mr. Melvin S. Morimoto, Member Absent: Mr. George J. Handgis, Member Also Present: Mr. Nicholas Hermes, Deputy Director, HR Department Ms. Molly Stebbins, Deputy Corporation Counsel, Ofc. of the Corp. Counsel Ms. Jennifer Sakamoto, HR Manager II, HR Department Ms. Glynis Yamada, Secretary-Reporter, HR Department ADDENDUM TO The Chair directed the Commission to proceed to the next order of business, AGENDA Addendum to Agenda. (Item 2): (There was none.) STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Commission to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE PUBLIC Statements from the Public. (Item 3): JOSEPH K. The Chair call on Mr.Joseph K. Kamelamela who made the following statement: KAMELAMELA: Mr. Kamelamela stated that there are a lot of deputies from both Offices of the Prosecuting Attorney and Corporation Counsel who are impacted by the potential salary increases. For six years many of them have not received any raises while other County employees have received 4% increases. Basically, a lot of the deputies won't be receiving raises because their salaries are tied Salary Commission April 17, 2014 to the Prosecuting Attorney's and Corporation Counsel's salaries. He calculated what would be a 4% increase for the deputies and what level he'd like the Commission to consider, and came out with an amount between $114,000 and $118,000. He mentioned that a former prosecutor always testified that the work of the Prosecutor and Corporation Counsel is unequal and, therefore,the Prosecutor should get paid more. Other jurisdictions such as Maui and Kaua'i counties recognize that the work is different and it's okay that they both receive the same pay. Again, we don't do the same type of work as the responsibilities are different. We do have the top civil attorney as well as the top prosecutor. Mr. Kamelamela mentioned that they're on call 24/7—they start work early, work late, and receive calls on weekends and at night. They have rules, regulations, statues to follow, such as the Hawaii Revised Statutes, Hawaii County Code, the U.S. Code;they also attend court and do jury trials. For example,they go to Federal court to defend their policies and they win because they have experienced people. We want to keep the experienced people. Their clients rely on them 24/7 to give them the best legal advice that they can give them. He's not here to slam the Prosecutor's office because they work just as hard and are good at it. We do different work and he isn't sure how this "unequal work" started. Mr. Kamelamela stated that he's not sure how much longer Lincoln Ashida will be here, but would like to make sure that they have a comparable salary so that they can attract others. Mr. Ashida's salary is way lower than what other jurisdictions have. Mr. De Lima stated that in October 2013 the Corporation Counsel received an increase of about$11,000, so the deputies would be eligible for an increase. It's up to the department head and the submission of their budget for the deputies to receive any increase and it's not up to the Salary Commission to set their salaries. Mr. Kamelamela commented that there are other deputies who haven't received any pay increase because they were, basically, maxed out. With the old salary plan he made almost the same salary as the Corporation Counsel. He did receive an increase in October 2013 because he is one of the supervisors, but some of the other deputies did not receive an increase because they were capped at the maximum. Page 2 Salary Commission April 17, 2014 Mr. Hermes clarified that he believes that the deputies pay is a function of 95%of either the Corporation Counsel or the Prosecuting Attorney salaries—whichever is the highest. Mr. De Lima commented that there was an increase in the Prosecutor's salary in October 2013 and that everyone was eligible for a pay increase. Mr. Hermes agreed, but in Mr. Kamelamela's case, his current salary is, basically, 95%of the Prosecuting Attorney's salary. Mr. De Lima stated that it's not really accurate to say that nobody's received a pay increase for an x-number of years because they increased the Prosecuting Attorney's salary and everyone was eligible for an increase. Mr. Hermes replied that prior to the November 2013 increase of the Corporation Counsel many of his deputies were at that maximum threshold of the$113,000. Mr. De Lima stated that was because they had increased the Prosecuting Attorney's salary a year prior to the October meeting—either in 2012 or early 2013. Ms. Stebbins clarified that former Prosecutor Jay Kimura was at$113,000 level under the old step system. When Charlene Iboshi stepped into his position,the Salary Commission took action and stated that Ms. Iboshi should maintain that salary level of$113,000. And so, for quite some time, the deputies have all been paid at about 90%. Mr. De Lima commented that, in other words,they never increased the Prosecuting Attorney's salary and had capped Ms. Iboshi at$113,000. Mr. Hermes replied that when the Commission increased the Corporation Counsel's salary, there really wasn't any effect on the deputy's salaries. Mr. De Lima stated that, based on Mr. Kamelamela's testimony, if anyone is going to see a pay increase, we would need to increase the Prosecuting Attorney's salary. There'd be room for an increase for anyone making below$102,000. Mr. Hermes agreed. Ms. Stroh was surprised that this wasn't brought to the attention of the Commission. Ms. Stebbins said that the Salary Commission doesn't have any authority over the deputy's salaries. Indirectly, it was affected because the deputy's salaries are paid based on the salary of the Corporation Counsel or Prosecuting Attorney. The deputy's salaries is set per the Hawai'i County Code at 50%to 90%of either the Corporation Counsel or the Prosecuting Attorney salaries, whichever is higher. Ms. Stroh commented that this should have been noted and it would have possibly made a difference in their methodology. Page 3 Salary Commission April 17, 2014 Mr. Sumja asked Ms. Stebbins when was the last time that she received a raise. Ms. Stebbins replied that she doesn't think any of the deputy salaries have changed, for the most part, prior to the furloughs—about six years ago. Mr. De Lima commented it's because the Prosecuting Attorney's salary has always been the same for the past six years, although they did increase the Corporation Counsel's pay, it wouldn't have any impact for the deputies because they were already at the maximum. The Commission Members thanked Mr. Kamelamela for bringing this to their attention. APPROVAL OF The Chair directed the Commission to proceed to the next order of MINUTES (Item 4): business, Approval of Minutes. (There were none.) COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Commission to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS Communications. (Item 5): (There were none.) NEW BUSINESS The Chair directed the Commission to proceed to the next order of business, (Item 6): New Business. (There was none.) UNFINISHED The Chair directed the Commission to proceed to the next order of business, BUSINESS Unfinished Business. (Item 7): A) REVIEW OF EXISTING COMPENSATION PLAN TO INCLUDE CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE DECISION-MAKING ON PROPOSALS FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO CURRENT SALARIES OF EXECUTIVES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS; AND INVESTIGATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE'S PRESENTATION ON FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE CURRENT COMPENSATION PLAN AND PROPOSALS FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SALARIES OF EXECUTIVES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS MS. STROH: The Sub-Committee met on March 19 and the attendees were Mr. De Lima, Mr. Sumja, and her. They did a very comprehensive analysis of the Page 4 Salary Commission April 17, 2014 positions, which included evaluating the budget, manpower, the area, as well as the comparison of other counties and proceeded to report the following: Effective on December 5, 2016—after the election, the salary of the Mayor, $130,818; Managing Director, $110,244; and the Deputy Managing Director, $104,736. Effective on July 1, 2014—the salary of the Information Technology Director, $99,000; Parks and Recreation Director, $99,000, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, $94,284; Liquor Control Director, $99,000; Research and Development Director, $99,000; Deputy Director of Research and Development, $94,284; County Clerk, $99,000; Deputy County Clerk, $94,284; and the Legislative Auditor, $99,000. Effective on December 1, 2014—after the election, the salary of the County Council Chair, $58,000 and Council Members, $52,000. The total adjustment for this year would be $54,476. Ms. Stebbins stated that with the three meeting requirement concerning the Sub- Committee, discussion and deliberation and possible decision-making will occur at the next Salary Commission meeting. Today was just a presentation of the Subcommittee's findings. Mr. De Lima asked Ms. Stebbins if they're able to put forth amendments at the next meeting. Ms. Stebbins replied in the affirmative. SCHEDULE NEXT The Chair directed the Commission to proceed to the next order of business, MEETING DATE Schedule Next Meeting Date. (Item 8): The Salary Commission will convene on Monday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m., in the County Council Room. ANNOUNCE- The Chair directed the Commission to proceed to the next order of business, MENT Announcements. (Item 9): (There was none.) Page 5 Salary Commission April 17, 2014 ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, at 10:52 a.m., Chair Lassiter declared the meeting (Item 10): adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Glynis amada Secretary-Reporter APPROVED: ?u4 a v-t-, Pudding Lassiter Chair Page 6 PUBLIC STATEMENT REGISTRATION FORM SALARY COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII HILO, HAWAII Date: '( 1 7 / '4 (Please print clearly) Support Oppose Comment Please list the item(s)you will be speaking on: Communication No. OR � /J Subject/Topic: M i‘44-km e, ',JL d b"-K . C-f/ .J A Name: 0 5 1-\ l� Representing: (Please indicate whether Self or Organization) ***For official use only: Speaker No. SALARY COMMISSION Sub-Committee Meeting March 19, 2014/Time: 9:00 AM Attendees: Brian DeLima, Marcella Stroh, & Michael Sumja Salaries Adjustments being proposed: Mayor: $130,818 *Effective 12/5/2016 with the new incoming Mayor. Managing Director: $110,244* Deputy Managing Director: $104,736* *Effective 12/5/2016 *Adjustments as time progresses with the new Mayor. **Effective date for the positions below should be: July 1, 2014 Information Technology Director $99,000 Parks &Recreation Director $99,000 Deputy Parks & Recreation Director $ 94,284 Liquor Control Director $ 99,000 Research & Development Director $99,000 Deputy Research & Development Director $94,284 County Clerk $99,000 Deputy County Clerk $94,284 Legislative Auditor $99,000 **Effective date for the positions below should be: Dec.1,2014, after the new election. Council Chair $58,000 ** Council Member $52,000 ** Total Adjustments: $56,476 Including the Mayor, Managing Director& Dep. Managing Director as of 12/5/2016: $90,178 Prepared by: Marcella Stroh ATT. A