Human Relations

Human Relations Commission May 21, 2009 Minutes (Final) CITY OF NORWALK HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MAY 21, 2009 ATTENDANCE: Daisy Franklin; Rev. Julius Gamble; Andrew Mattiello; Elizabeth Merced-Surapine; Diana Paladino; Karen Tobin STAFF: Adam Bovilsky, Human Relations and Fair Rent Director CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:13 p.m. by Mr. Mattiello. Mr. Mattiello heard nominations from the floor for Chair Pro Tem: ** MS. FRANKLIN NOMINATED ANDREW MATTIELLO. ** MOTION WAS SECONDED BY REV. GAMBLE. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MARCH 12, 2009 PUBLIC HEARING MEETING ** MS. FRANKLIN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MARCH MINUTES WITH NAME AND CASE NUMBER CHANGES (as noted in right column of minutes). ** MS. TOBIN SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MARCH 19, 2009 REGULAR MEETING ** MS. PALADINO MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MARCH MINUTES WITH NAME CHANGE (as noted in right column of minutes). ** MS. FRANKLIN SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT There wasn’t any Chairperson’s report. Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes – May 21, 2009 Page 1 of 3  DIRECTOR’S REPORT Commission Members and Departmental Staff One sitting Commissioner’s term expired on September 1, 2008. As you know, Commissioners continue to serve until they are re-appointed, resign or are replaced. Budget The main topic discussed was personnel (not fully resolved) and Budget cuts. Summaries included in packet hand out. In addition to the major personnel cuts, most of the budgets cuts were items such as Staff attending Seminars and Conference (from $300 to $0); Furniture and Office Machine Expenses; Business Expenses, and; Typing Services. Seminars and Conferences were cut from everyone’s budgets. If staff wishes to attend conferences, we should request funding from the Mayor. Also professional typing services are needed for each and every meeting. If need be, Director Bovilsky will go before the Common Council and ask for funds to pay for critical items such as typing services. NMEA was scheduled to meet this afternoon (5/21/09) and is to vote on keeping the Field Representative as a full time employee, it would still need to be ratified by the Common Council. The Director is optimistic of the approval. Priorities/Goals 1. The Director is doing legal research a Mother of a student with a complaint against a Board of Education Employee. This will be discussed in greater detail in Executive Session. 2. Director Bovilsky wants everyone to be aware of the ongoing diversity training. 3. Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan. We are almost done with Affirmative Action. When finished with that we will be focused on the American with Disabilities Act. Also included in the handout packet was the following articles featured in the THE HOUR: (4/6/09) “Commission gives Yankee Gas Employee His Seniority Back”, (4/12/09) Commissioner: Diverse Careers Await Women in Fire Dept., (4/14/09) Union Rejects Wage Concessions, (4/19/09) Common Council Approves $21,800, (4/24/09) Rell to Sign Same-Sex Marriage Into Law, (4/27/09) Signing of Gay Marriage Law Changes the Game at Schools, (5/6/09) City Diversity Training Brings Lenses and Filter to Light, (5/10/09) Islamic Center reaches out to Community on Mosque Plan, (5/2/09) Union Rejects City’s Accord to save Jobs, and (5/13/09) Moccia: City will work with NMEA. ** MS. PALADINO MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT. ** MS. TOBIN SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes – May 21, 2009 Page 2 of 3  EXECUTIVE SESSION ** MR. GAMBLE MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ** MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The Committee went into Executive Session at 8:25 PM and reconvened into Public Session at 9:09 PM. BILLS AND COMMUNICATION There was no report on Bills and Communication. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Seminar for Landlords and Section 8 b. Diversity Day Committees – Plaques to be handed out c. HR Day Committee 1. NEON Child Development Program, June 9 Diversity Training for City Employees has been a great success. The Employees are learning in 2 ½ to 3 hours how to handle uncomfortable situations and conversations. They are also learning how to respect and valuing each other. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. ADJOURNMENT ** REV. GAMBLE MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MS. TOBIN SECONDED. ** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Gail DeFrancesco Telesco Secretarial Services Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes – May 21, 2009 Page 3 of 3