Authority tables hire of part-time grounds supervisor pending payroll classification

The Tokyo Municipal Golf Authority tabled action on hiring Sean Harvonek as a part-time grounds supervisor after trustees and staff raised questions about salary structure and payroll classification. The superintendent reported a proposed seasonal pay schedule—$1,000 per month for October through February and $2,000 per month for March through September—and said he understood Mark had recommended the arrangement. A trustee summarized the payroll concern: "After speaking with Johnny, we can't set a salary like that because he wouldn't be considered an exempt employee." A trustee later explained the legal/payroll threshold discussed, saying the authority would need to pay roughly $36,000 a year for an exempt classification and that the proposed seasonal pay would equate to about $18,000 annually; as a result, the individual would need to fill out time sheets and keep hours under limits set by HR. Trustees agreed it would be best to delay the vote until all members could be present and until staff obtained clarification. "We can have a special meeting if we need to," one trustee said. No hiring motion was approved; the item was tabled and trustees asked staff to send an email to schedule follow-up and to provide clarifying payroll information before returning the item to the agenda.