Human Relations

CITY OF NORWALK HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JULY 15, 2010 ATTENDANCE: Carol Frank, Chair; Rahoul Dupervil, Vice Chair; Daisy Franklin; Rev. Thomas Mahoney; Andrew Mattiello, Secretary; Rev. Julius Gamble STAFF: Adam Bovilsky, Fair Rent/Human Relations Director CALL TO ORDER Ms. Frank called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular meeting, June 17, 2010 ** MR. DUPERVIL MOVED TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING ** MS. FRANKLIN SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT Ms. Frank reported that two commissioners submitted their resignations. She read Ms. Paladino’s letter stating that she was resigning from the Human Relations Commission due to her appointment to the Library Board. Ms. Frank said that Ms. Su also resigned and she read her letter of resignation. Ms. Frank thanked both Ms. Paladino and Ms. Su for their all of their service on the Commission and said that they will be missed. Ms. Frank said that there was a lovely article in The Daily Norwalk about Mr. Dupervil’s work on behalf of the residents of Haiti. Ms. Frank said that on June 28th she attended a seminar for landlords. Ms. Suib and Mr. Bovilsky did an excellent job and held the group’s attention. The Fair Housing program has been postponed to the fall. Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting July 15, 2010 Page 1 Ms. Frank said that the Fair Housing Commission has asked the Redevelopment Agency for a copy of the budget. She said that she believes that Ms. Suib may have gotten some feedback to that request. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Bovilsky distributed and reviewed his written report. He said that they have had a steady increase in the number of intakes. That indicates that people are aware of the services that are provided by the office. A number of people have come in regarding bullying in the workplace; however, he noted that is not in his jurisdiction. Mr. Bovilsky reported that they had a complaint from an employee because their union disclosed medical information. That complaint has been forward to that union. Mr. Bovilsky thanked Ms. Paladino for her two years of service on the Commission and for Ms. Su’s five years of distinguished service. Mr. Bovilsky said that he is working on the City’s Affirmative Action program and will be reporting that data to the Common Council and to this Commission. He said that the City’s ADA plan is being updated and that Mr. Patterson is going out to inspect properties. In an effort to try to reduce the amount of paper this Commission uses, Mr. Bovilsky said that he is going to start sending newspaper articles out by e-mail. Ms. Frank said that she met a perspective Commissioner last night. She said that if this candidate is approved, the Commission will get a fabulous Commissioner. EXECUTIVE SESSION ** REV. MAHONEY MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:50 P.M. TO HEAR THE FOLLOWING CASES: (a) Appeal of Case #228-08E (b) Case # 233-10E ** MR. DUPERVIL SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Present in Executive Session: Ms. Frank; Mr. Dupervil; Ms. Franklin; Rev. Gamble; Rev. Mahoney; Mr. Mattiello and Mr. Bovilsky. Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting July 15, 2010 Page 2 ** MR. MATTIELLO MOVED TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:04 P.M. ** Rev. GAMBLE SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY MOTIONS ON CASES There were no motions made. BILLS AND COMMUNICATIONS (a) Letter to Wendy Hilliard and Carolyn Banks at NEON’s Ely Site Ms. Frank said that she would take care of the letters. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (a) IHR Day Committee 1. Future Program(s) Mr. Bovilsky said that Ms. Franklin has expressed an interest in doing this program with the high schools. Ms. Franklin said that Brien McMahon High School has been doing a lot of good things. She said that she feels she could create a program with them and asked the Commissioners how they felt about that. Mr. Bovilsky asked if anyone would want to join Ms. Franklin on the Committee. Mr. Dupervil and Mr. Mattiello said that they would join her. Mr. Dupervil said that because of the earthquake that took place in Haiti a group of children from Norwalk High School raised almost $8,000. He said that he would like to recognize them at the Human Rights Day celebration. Mr. Bovilsky said that he reviewed the Human Rights file for historical purposes. Mr. Dupervil said that to his recollection, they only worked with middle schools; not high schools. Mr. Bovilsky said that the students at West Rocks Middle School wrote amazing poetry. Mr. Bovilsky described the International Human Rights Day and said that there is a history of engaging students by going out to the schools. Ms. Franklin suggested planting flowers and placing a plaque at Norwalk High School. Ms. Frank said that the more youth that can get involved, the better. Ms. Franklin said that this touches her heart. She said that it plants a seed in the children about respecting each other. It makes them more aware of each other and gives them a better understanding of each other. Ms. Franklin said that she was glad to serve as chair and as a member of the committee. Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting July 15, 2010 Page 3  NEW BUSINESS (a) Review of Freedom of Information Act Mr. Bovilsky distributed two handouts and discussed the Freedom of Information Act. He said that the Freedom of Information Act is very complicated and there are a lot of grey areas. ADJOURNMENT ** MS. FRANKLIN MOVED TO ADJOURN ** REV. MAHONEY SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rosemarie Lombardi Telesco Secretarial Services Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting July 15, 2010 Page 4