Human Affairs Committee

HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OCTOBER 3, 2013 A meeting of the Human Affairs Committee was held Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire, Chairman, presided. Members of the Committee present: Alderman Diane Sheehan, Vice Chair Alderman June M. Caron Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman Daniel T. Moriarty Also in Attendance: Officer Adamson, NPD PUBLIC COMMENT – None COMMUNICATIONS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS- None NEW BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS R-13-141 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Richard A. Dowd Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman June M. Caron Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF $50,193 FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INTO POLICE GRANT ACTIVITY “2013 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL)” MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE TO RECOMMEND FINAL PASSAGE ON THE QUESTION Officer Adamson We call this the JAG grant, Justice Assistance Grant. We apply for it every year. It’s good for a three-year period so this overlaps with other JAG funding. This year the money is being used for similar projects: community policing events such as the block party that we just had to man officers there. We do crime prevention and that basically pays for me to go to the crime watch meetings that we have throughout the city. It pays for the citizens academy, rape aggression defense class, our RAD class. It also pays for equipment funding. This year that equipment funding is going to be allocated for our mountain bike unit. We have three or four new bikes; “new” being two years old. Then the others are at least ten to 12 years old. We have one of the members that is basically putting band aids on it so it’s going to outfit the mountain bike unit. With our staffing, we’re able to get the bikes out more than we’ve ever have been in the past so we figured that was a good place to put the money. There’s no matching funds so the money doesn’t have to kick any money into that. Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 2 MOTION CARRIED R-13-144 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Richard A. Dowd Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman June M. Caron Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF $102,928 FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY INTO POLICE GRANT ACTIVITY “2012 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM” MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN TO RECOMMEND FINAL PASSAGE ON THE QUESTION Officer Adamson This came about through the State Department of Homeland Security. They had some funds left over from 2012. They decided with what happened down in Boston to allocate it to the two bomb units, us and the state police. This is what we got. We’re using it to upgrade our EOD robot as well as purchase two bomb technician suits, a ballistic helmet and a ballistic shield. This also has no matching funds involved. Alderman Moriarty Who decides what the money is spent on within your department? Is it just the department or are you instructed? Officer Adamson As far as this goes, I’m not head of this device unit. The state came to me as the grant manager and said we’re allocating this money to the bomb unit. I met with Lt. Paulson, the commander, and he came up with what they were going to do. We’ve had this robot, I believe, since we got our bearcat and that was in ’05. It’s definitely in need of some software upgrades as well as some modifications to the structure itself. He was the one that came up with the items that they needed. There are more technicians on the team and the suits were getting outdated as well. MOTION CARRIED NEW BUSINESS – ORDINANCES - None TABLED IN COMMITTEE MOTION BY ALDERMAN MELIZZI-GOLJA TO TAKE FROM THE TABLE O-12-21 MOTION CARRIED Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 3 O-12-21 Endorsers: Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman June Caron Alderman Michael Tabacsko Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Richard A. Dowd AMENDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE REVIEW AND COMMENT COMMISSION  Also assigned to Personnel; Final Passage Recommended – 8/20/12  Tabled 9/6/12 MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN TO RECOMMEND FINAL PASSAGE OF O-12-21 ON THE QUESTION Chairman Wilshire This was brought in to change the composition of the Review & Comment Commission essentially removing the alderman from being a voting member of the commission. I’m okay with that, however, I feel personally that this body, the legislative body, shouldn’t’ remove themselves completely. I think we still should have a voice in how this is set up. I would like to see us amend this even further. What I would like to see is on the second page under section A(2), Five Commissioners shall be Nashua citizens representing a cross section of the community. They shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen.” My recommendation would be that the Mayor appoint three and that the Board of Aldermen appoint two. That kind of keeps us with a voice at the table even though we don’t have a vote. We can at least appoint two of the commissioners while the mayor gets three appointments. I think this was set up initially so that both branches of government had some input so that there was no favoritism from one side or the other. To me it feels like if we move all the appointments to one branch that the other kind of doesn’t have quite as much stake at the table so that would be my recommendation. The Board of Aldermen does make other appointments, the board of health and things like that, so it’s not unprecedented. I’d like some feedback if anybody has any. Alderman Caron If the Board of Aldermen is appointing two members of this committee, they are still citizen members? Chairman Wilshire Right. It wouldn’t’ be an alderman. In fact what this does is this keeps a liaison position which would be an alderman but not a voting member of the Review & Comment Commission. Alderman Caron I don’t have a problem with that. Alderman Sheehan The Board of Aldermen is currently confirming the Mayor’s appointments to this on the other four that aren’t an alderman liaison with voting privileges. I’m wondering for a check and balance would the mayor be confirming the Board of Aldermen’s two? Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 4 Chairman Wilshire No, the Mayor doesn’t confirm our appointments. Alderman Sheehan I’m just trying to talk through the process, that’s all. Chairman Wilshire My point would be to give the administration three seats at the table and the board of aldermen have say in the other two seats. That’s just my votes. Alderman Sheehan Off the top of my head, I can’t remember, did we make it so the liaison is the Human Affairs chair? Chairman Wilshire That’s how the current ordinance reads. I think for future appointments it should be that way. There are a lot of liaison positions that are spelled out that way. I think it makes sense to keep that. Alderman Sheehan My original concern was that a lot of these liaison positions, if it’s not a voting position, somebody doesn’t necessarily shows up. Voting gives them a vested reason, but making it the human affairs makes sure that it is someone that is very knowledgeable on it and understands how it’s going to go. I’m less concerned as long as the right person is going to be at the committee and have a vested interest in going. I’m wondering if our confirmation process is our seat at the table, however we had some concerns previously with somebody that we were reconfirming. That kind of got held up for awhile. There’s still a gap with we just won’t send him back in for reconfirmation. I think whatever we set up if you want to you can run a truck through the way that the wording is. I think our opportunity is having the confirmation process, but whether or not we act on that is another thing. My concern initially was just taking a person off. I feel having the Chair of Human Affairs solves that problem or concern. Chairman Wilshire The chair of human affairs or a member of the human affairs committee? Alderman Sheehan Was it a member? I thought it was the chair. Chairman Wilshire No, it’s just a member. Alderman Sheehan Okay that works too, just somebody who needs to participate in this process and understands how it fits in with community development block grants and the overall picture of what we’re trying to do. Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 5 Alderman Melizzi-Golja I think when we first began having meetings with members of Review & Comment about the process and how they fit into the bigger piece of supporting programs and agencies in the city, that’s what we heard from them. They weren’t aware of some things. I’m comfortable with it being a member of Human Affairs and the alternate also being a member of Human Affairs. I think that would make the most sense so they are directly tied back to the committee. Alderman Moriarty What’s wrong with having the Aldermanic liaison be a voting member? Alderman Melizzi-Golja The concern that’s been raised is that by one of the commissioners being a voting member that alderman has direct influence on one of the subcommittees that’s looking at a fifth of the grants so has the potential to have influence. That person is then voting on the financial breakout for organizations, and then is getting another vote when that whole package is brought back here. When we talked about the process way back in March, Alderman Pressly was commenting on the process and her thoughts about the process. She made a comment that I think sums up how I feel about it also. She said her feeling was that the Board of Aldermen should have as little involvement in determining how those funds are awarded as possible at the committee, at the Review & Comment level. Our work should be when it comes to the Board. So this would take an alderman out of that direct interaction in voting but have them there to act as the liaison to make sure whatever support they need is available, that minutes are being posted, that minutes are being noticed appropriately and they have whatever else they need to function as a committee but would not be voting directly on what’s going to then come before the Board and they would have another vote on. Alderman Moriarty Do we know how many commissions that the liaison is a voting member? Certainly the Capital Improvements Committee is one where they are a voting member. Chairman Wilshire We’ll run down. Board of Ed, no. Fire commissioners, they’re not voting members. Board of Health, no. Board of Police Commissioners, no. Board of Public Works, no. BPW Pension, I don’t believe they’re a voting member. Broad Street Parkway, BIDA ? Alderman Sheehan I’m not sure. Chairman Wilshire What about Cable TV Advisory? Alderman Sheehan I’m not sure. Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 6 Chairman Wilshire I don’t’ know about that one either. CERF? Alderman Moriarty None of us are on those. Chairman Wilshire Capital Improvements. Alderman Moriarty That’s for sure. Capital Improvements is one. The alternate liaison is not a voting member on Capital Improvements, oddly enough. Chairman Wilshire But the liaison is a voting member? Alderman Moriarty Ya. Alderman Sheehan I am a member of the Historic District Commission. As a liaison I do have voting rights. If I’m not present my alternate does have voting rights. However it has come up that that alternate was voting while I was voting and that was prohibited. They are allowed one vote as a liaison or their alternate but both may not vote. Chairman Wilshire What about the Child Care Advisory? Alderman Caron That’s no longer. Chairman Wilshire It’s still on the list. Continuum of Care, that’s not a voting member. Conservation Commission. Alderman Moriarty Nope. Chairman Wilshire Not a voting member. Conway Ice Rink. Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 7 Alderman Caron I think he must be. That’s Paul. Chairman Wilshire Paul Chasse and Alderman McCarthy is the alternate. 14 Court Street, Downtown Improvement. I don’t’ know some of these if they are or not, but I know there are a number of them that they are. Alderman Melizzi-Golja I am a voting member on Ethnic Awareness but I am there not in a liaison position but as a member of the Ethnic Awareness Committee. Chairman Wilshire But you are the liaison. Alderman Melizzi-Golja It’s there as a liaison but if you read it, the Mayor has someone to represent them, the Board of Aldermen has someone to represent them. Chairman Wilshire That’s the same thing with Review & Comment. The mayor has someone there to represent her, and the Board of Aldermen has someone there to represent them. It’s the same thing. I think that’s the kind of point you’re getting at, right Alderman Moriarty? Alderman Moriarty I’m just curious why there are and why there aren’t some in cases. Chairman Wilshire Right now the mayor has a vote. The mayor’s representative is a voting member of Review & Comment, and a member of the Board is a voting member of Review & Comment. I don’t want to give up all of our voice at the table. That’s my only problem. I don’t think that the Mayor or the administration should have all five appointments and we confirm them. I think ti was set up this way intentionally so that both branches had some say at the table. Alderman Sheehan In the research, we went all the way back to the creation, that was the intent: to keep it mixed. I’d like to hear the sponsor’s position on that, but I see that that would honor the intent. I’m just not sure how logistically it would work but I see the intent being there. Alderman Melizzi-Golja I’m comfortable with this because as you said, Alderman Sheehan, the intent was that the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen would have representatives but not necessarily that a member of the Board of Aldermen would be the representative. Just like the mayor doesn’t sit there. It’s one of the mayor’s Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 8 representatives. I’m very comfortable amending ti that there would be five commissioners, three appointed by the mayor and two appointed by the board of aldermen. In talking to Alderman McCarthy about this, I would anticipate he would look towards Human Affairs to maybe make recommendations to him as to people who might be interested in participating and being nominated as one of the commissioners as well as some of the other committees that we have that are involved with programs in the city. Alderman Moriarty I’m sort of not convinced. My instincts say when in doubt, leave it out or leave things alone if they don’t’ need to be repaired. You pass legislation earlier this term that seemed to go a long way of fixing all the problems if not fixing all of the problems of perceived issues with Review & Comment. I think we all agree certainly in principle with the idea of the mayor’s office and the board of aldermen having somehow influence on the Review & Comment Commission in some way. Whether that is done via a voting member or a non-voting member is sort of down in the noise to me. I’m sort of leaning towards just having no change at all. Again, I’m not compelled to make a change. So rather than feel like I have to do something, I have to make some sort of ordinance and then try to figure out how to do it, I’d rather just say let’s just not at all. Alderman Melizzi-Golja The legislation we passed in March I believe addressed the process. I would agree with you that it certainly tightened up that process in gaps that we thought were present, and members of Review & Comment thought were present also, I think were addressed. I think there’s a much more comprehensive process that allows better documentation of what that committee is doing also. This is really addressing the composition of that committee. That was the other part that there had been discussion about when that first piece of legislation came in and whether or not it was appropriate for the aldermen to have more than a liaison position. But for someone who has not only appointed by the Board of Aldermen though the Chair but someone who actually sits in the horseshoe as an alderman being a voting member. This as amended would havfe two people, two citizens as Alderman Caron pointed out, who would be appointed by the Board of Aldermen and then confirmed by us. I think there’s a difference there between having someone who is sitting as an alderman managing one of those committees and then being part of the five members of that review and comment commission who is making the final allocation of funds and then bringing it back here and voting on it again. That’s where I see the difference. We would have appointments but neither of those appointments would be someone who’s a member of this body. They would be citizens from the community, similar to the mayor’s appointments. MOTION CARRIED TO AMEND MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN TO RECOMMEND FINAL PASSAGE AS AMENDED ON THE QUESTION Alderman Caron I think this is a good solution, a compromise. I think it will work. I think that the changes that were made in March were a good thing. If we can tighten it up even more to help us, I think that’s the way to go. I think it’s a good compromise. I’ll support this. Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 9 Chairman Wilshire I just want to look at the analysis to make sure there isn’t something we’ve missed. “ This legislation amends the composition of the Review and Comment Commission by eliminating the aldermanic Commissioner and the Mayor’s office representative Commissioner. All five Commissioners would be appointed by…” We’ll change the wording in that to what we already voted on. Alderman Moriarty I don’t know if it matters, I think we all understand how the process works. In the end, the Review & Comment’s recommendations are just recommendations to be considered by the mayor to be put into the budget process of which non-profit organizations will receive funds. Then that budget, of course, comes back to the Board of Aldermen for review. However which way, whoever is voting, whoever is non-voting, the liaison, not the liaison, in the end it’s a small difference in the total grand scheme of things. If they are a voting member or not a voting member, the mayor can reject all the recommendations anyway and complete turn them over if the mayor chose and then the board of aldermen can make changes anyway. I don’t have a strong opinion one way or another but I’m still going to vote no imply because again it’s just not a major, compelling argument to make the change. MOTION CARRIED GENERAL DISCUSSION Alderman Sheehan I was grateful to be invited today to the Xavier House Open House which is some affordable housing for senior citizens and those with some physical challenges. I just wanted to thank them for inviting me and showing me the program. I was also invited into an apartment that you would have thought that they knew they were coming. It was ready to have a photo shoot there. It’s nice to see that even in affordable housing, people can live beautifully and with dignity. The comradery that was there as I spent some time in the community room, it was a really nice place to be. It’s at the foot of ward three down on Chandler Street. Watching the progress of all the renovations over the last few years, it was nice to see it from the inside as well. I just want to thank them for the invitation, and I enjoyed my time there today. Alderman Moriarty I’ve spoken to a few people that either work for or represent non-profit agencies. There’s been a mix of their understanding or knowledge of the existence of the community development block grant, CDBG funds. Certainly at the very least the group of people in the administration that are in charge of soliciting proposals from the non-profits need to do a little better job of marketing that information. Certainly specific evidence of that was this past cycle when there were funds left over and yet there are a lot of non-profits out there that could really use it. Somehow I would like to request that either the Chairman can do it individually or we just sort of please request that they put more effort into getting the word out. Chairman Wilshire I will discuss that with the administration and see how that can best be handled. Human Affairs – 10/03/13 Page 10 Alderman Moriarty Thank you. PUBLIC COMMENT – None REMARKS BY THE ALDERMEN Alderman Melizzi-Golja This Friday is the dedication of Dick LaRose Way, 5:30 p.m. on West Pearl Street. Chairman Wilshire I have a prior commitment, I can’t make it. That’s too bad because I think Dick was just a great member of this committee and is truly missed. He was a terrific guy. POSSIBLE NON-PUBLIC SESSION ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN TO ADJOURN MOTION CARRIED The meeting was declared adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Committee Clerk