Human Relations

Human Relations Commission 03/18/10 Minutes (Final) CITY OF NORWALK HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MARCH 18, 2010 ATTENDANCE: Carol Frank, Chairperson; Daisy Franklin; Rev. Julius Gamble; Andrew Mattiello, Secretary; Thomas Mahoney; Elizabeth Merced Surapine; Vicky Su; James Brian Smith STAFF: Adam Bovilsky, Director, Human Relations and Fair Rent CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:37 p.m. by Ms. Frank APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NOVEMBER 17, 2009 REGULAR MEETING ** REV. GAMBLE MOTIONED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 17. 2009 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. ** MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT Ms. Frank welcomed everyone, thanked all for coming out during this difficult week of power outages and downed trees, and stated that she hoped everyone had faired well with the storm. Ms. Frank mentioned that the only issue she had to report on was the consent decree between the NAACP and the City and that the City is to have a Fair Housing Officer to deal with discrimination issues and should come under the jurisdiction of the Redevelopment Agency. She stated that this position should be a City not Redevelopment Agency issue and fears that this could result in a potential lawsuit if it is not clarified. Ms. Franklin stated that she is a member of the NAACP and this issue has been discussed in great detail, and Ms. Frank replied that she was glad to hear that the NAACP is addressing this. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Bovilsky provided his written report on statistics and highlighted that intakes are up compared to previous years, and noted that office intakes and follow-up contacts is up by 10%. He stated that the Department is pleased to announce that effective January 15, Jazmine Principe started working as the Administrative Support Secretary, after a six month vacancy. Human Relations Committee Meeting Minutes – March 18, 2010 Page 1 of 4 Mr. Bovilsky discussed the upcoming budget process and stated that he will provide an outline of the Departmental budget request later in the meeting, and added that the final proposal from the City is not significantly different from the request made on December 11, 2009. In addition, the office is working on the following projects in behalf of the Commission: International Human Rights Day; preparing the statistical analysis required to set goals under the Affirmative Action Program, and planning the completion of the City’s Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan. He added that the Commission may want to consider some training of the commissioners to assist Larry with field work. Mr. Bovilsky distributed the Annual Report listing highlights for 2009-10, goals for 2010-11 for Human Relations and Fair Rent Commissions including the description of services, mission statement and performance indicators, personnel roster and operating budget with actual expenditures compared to prior years. He concluded with a comment that he was happy to answer any questions from the Commission regarding the report on the budget, priorities and goals. There were no questions. Mr. Bovilsky also included in the handout packet copies of several articles featured in the local and area newspapers relating to human rights topics. EXECUTIVE SESSION ** MS. FRANKLIN MOTIONED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE TO DISCUSS APPEAL OF CASE #228-08E AND CASE #231-09N, AND CASE 232-09E. ** MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The Committee went into Executive Session at 7:48 p.m. and reconvened into Public Session at 8:15 p.m. ** MR. MAHONEY MOTIONED TO END THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RETURN INTO PUBLIC SESSION. ** MS. MERCED-SUPAPINE SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Human Relations Committee Meeting Minutes – March 18, 2010 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Franklin stated that no actions were taken during the Executive Session on Cases #228-08E or 231-09N, and stated that a statement related to the statute of limitations should be added to letters to the parties to #232-09E. MOTIONS ON CASES ** MS. FRANKLIN MOTIONED TO NOT HEAR CASE 232-09E ** MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. BILLS AND COMMUNICATION UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. IHR Day Committee 1. Review of International Human Rights Day Event at City Hall. Ms. Franklin stated that the International Human Rights Day Program was well attended with approximately 75 people, a much better attendance than prior years. She added that the sign made by Reggie and the rolling wall made by Mr. Mattiello were very nice and gave the audience a chance to write on the cheesecloth comments about Human Rights. Ms. Frank thanked Ms. Franklin for all her hard work and Ms. Franklin thanked the Commissioners for their support and attendance. 2. Ely School Declaration of the Right of the Child Program. Mr. Bovilsky stated that work has been started based upon the Ben Franklin program. He added that he was working with Wendy Hilliard and the Ely School has built in planters for the garden, and the teachers are excited about the program and are engaging parent involvement with the project. Ms. Franklin stated that it is a collaborative work of social involvement with the community and she encourages the Commissioners to plan to attend. Ms. Frank asked about the date and Mr. Bovilsky stated that it was planned for June, and Ms. Frank encouraged him to work on getting a firm date very soon so that plaques could be ordered in time. b. Budget Budget Request for 2010-11 Human Relations Committee Meeting Minutes – March 18, 2010 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Bovilsky distributed the department budget summary and documentation and stated that there were no real surprises, and he asked the Commissioners for input and questions. Mr. Bovilsky stated that in three areas the variance was not an actual increase or decrease, but reflected carry-overs from the previous year budget changes that were reinstated for Wages & Salaries-Regular, Training and Education, and Other Contracted Services. He added that it is not incremental to the budget but represented transferring monies left over from other accounts, which are outlined as variance items on the report. Mr. Bovilsky stated that he has met with the BET and has not heard of further cuts, and it goes without saying that the budget was done staying as requested by the City with a zero increase. He added that this budget reflects approval from NASA and assumes union approval from the NMEA, Union 2405, then Police and Fire. He concluded with a comment that he was happy to answer any further questions from the Commission regarding the budget, and he always welcomes input from the Commissioners. Ms. Franklin asked if there would be ADA training, and Mr. Bovilsky responded that Carol Conner is creating a manual to address proper etiquette in dealing with individuals with handicaps. Ms. Franklin added that she welcomes this type of training as it benefits all people to learn to treat others in a respectful way, and to use the appropriate behavior, and Mr. Bovilsky replied Larry is doing measurements of city buildings on what is required relative to elevations of sidewalks, inclines of ramps, door sizes, etc. and once that is done anyone who wants to assist him is welcome to. He added that he will invite all the Commissioners to attend the City Hall training once it is scheduled. Ms. Frank stated that since April is a five week month, the next meeting will be April 15. Ms. Franklin stated that she had additional comments, and Ms. Frank asked her if they could wait and be discussed after the meeting was adjourned, and she replied yes. NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT ** MS. FRANKLIN MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Knox Telesco Secretarial Services Human Relations Committee Meeting Minutes – March 18, 2010 Page 4 of 4