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FAIR
RENT COMMISSION
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MARCH 3, 2004
ATTENDANCE: Richard Booth, Chairman; Michael Murray; Patty Genuario; Martin Bernard; Ben Guerrero; Jon Nathanson
STAFF: Larry Patterson, Field Representative
Chairman Booth called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
The following correction was made:
Page 1, under Commissioner’s Potpourri, change “Mr. Booth said more communication” to “Mr. Patterson said more communication”
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 7, 2004 AS AMENDED.
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Booth said that there was an interesting article in the February 27th edition of the Norwalk Citizen about the relationship between the Fair Rent Commission, the Human Relations Commission and the Fair Housing Advisory Board.
Chairman Booth said that he and Mr. Patterson attended the recent Board of Estimate and Taxation meeting. In the past, the sub budgets of the HR Commission and FR Commission were combined for related expenses, but that each commission still had its own budget. At that meeting, there was a discussion about the hire of a Human Relations director and the importance of a job description to accurately reflect the tasks that would be assigned. Chairman Booth said that he discussed this with the Mayor and was told that there might be reorganization with the department. He wondered if this meant that the administration was intending to cut a position, saying that it had been 15 months since the former director left and the position remained unfilled. Since that time the bulk of the workload has been handled by Mr. Patterson, but this is a severe overload. The fact that there have been no complaints is good because it meant that staff is handling the load, but bad because it may signify that the position is unnecessary and could be eliminated.
Mr. Patterson thanked everyone for attending and apologized that there had not been a meeting for some time. He said that he had answers to questions for a few members that were not present at the meeting. In response to a budget question, Mr. Patterson said that both steps in the process were complete. There are always two budget scenarios and both were presented … (1) a budget with 0% increase from the previous year and (2) a budget proposing a 2% reduction from the previous year. Mr. Patterson said that he felt the administration fully recognized that fiscal crisis is difficult for everyone. Regarding the hire of a Human Relations director, Mr. Patterson said that there was nothing new to report. He was hopeful that the situation would be resolved after the mill rate was set in April and the budget finalized.
A commissioner had asked Mr. Patterson about office procedures and how certain activities were handled. Mr. Patterson showed that the department maintains a daily log of calls, which includes those received via the telephone and walk-ins; the information is transferred onto a color-coded intake form which is monitored for a 6-month period after the initial contact and then filed alphabetically for easy retrieval. The form’s data is used to create monthly activity statistical review sheets which are available for the commissioners’ review. Chairman Booth asked when the process would become computerized. Mr. Patterson responded that most of it already is, but the manual portion is still necessary and very time consuming.
The commissioners had nothing specific to discuss.
Chairman Booth said that the most significant bit of information related to the news article he mentioned previously. He suggested that the commission consider not meeting until the Human Relations director was hired unless Mr. Patterson felt there was business to handle.
Mr. Bernard said that the City should change its online job description to accurately reflect the specific requirements of the director’s position. Mr. Patterson said that the website has received a number of queries which means that the public is finding it helpful.
Chairman Booth asked how many calls Ms. Alarcon could handle. Mr. Patterson said that she does an excellent job and is quite competent. She has learned a great deal about tenant-landlord law, the procedure of security deposits and eviction, etc. Chairman Booth suggested that the commission document the performance for her personnel file; Mr. Bernard said that if the need arose, the commission should go to bat for her. He added that having bilingual secretaries over the years has been a blessing. Chairman Booth said that he spoke on behalf of the commission by expressing thanks and appreciation to Mr. Patterson and Ms. Alarcon. Mr. Patterson said that his heavy workload for the Human Relations Commission detracted from what he was able to do for the Fair Rent Commission; the past 18 months have been very difficult. He said that hearings have been light because it is often quicker to mediate.
There was no new business to discuss.
#1509, Puskas, 233 Flax Hill Road – Mr. Patterson explained the details and said that since all is now in order he recommended closure.
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO CLOSE CASE #1509.
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
#1510, Flame, 34 Stuart Avenue - Mr. Patterson said that the case did go to court and rather than having it continue on for what appeared to be non-valid reasons, he recommended closure.
** MR. MURRAY MOVED TO CLOSE CASE #1510.
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
#1511, Martinez, 28 Camp Street – Mr. Patterson said that he witnessed a horrific rat situation at the residence. The tenant filed initial complaint but withdrew it even though Ms. Alarcon and Mr. Patterson urged her to pursue. Since she refused, and the Health Department cited the landlord, Mr. Patterson recommended closure. Chairman Booth suggested the tenant notify the Board of Education because the rats were near the dumpster next door at Tracey School.
** MS. GENUARIO MOVED TO CLOSE CASE #1511.
** MR. MURRAY SECONDED THE MOTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
PRESENTATION OF NEW CASES; Motion and Vote as Necessary
#1512, Hoermann, 26 Triangle Street – Mr. Patterson said he felt after inspecting the premises that the case should be heard.
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO HEAR CASE #1512.
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
#1513, Alexandrova, 42 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive - Mr. Patterson said he felt after inspecting the premises that the case should be heard.
** MR. NATHANSON MOVED TO HEAR CASE #1513.
** MR. BERNARD SECONDED THE MOTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
#1514, Morris, 42 Glasser Street – Mr. Patterson recommended that the case be heard. After discussions with the tenant, he suggested that the tenant pay the rent increase so as to not be late, also an 11.5% over a two-year period is permissible.
** MR. NATHANSON MOVED TO HEAR CASE #1514.
** MR. GUERRERO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MS. GENUARIO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol A. Wiggins for
Telesco Secretarial Services
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