NOVEMBER 5, 2003

ATTENDANCE:                  Richard Booth, Chairman; Martin Bernard, Vice Chairman;

                                                Wendell Simms, Norman Roberts, Ben Guerrero,

                                                Sarah Mann, Jordan Kolovson

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Booth called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 3, 2003

**        MR. ROBERTS MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF

            SEPTEMBER 5, 2003.

**        MR. SIMS SECONDED.

**            MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Mr. Booth stated that there was a website for the Fair Rent Committee. He said he thought a good job was done on the website. The commissiom was pleased with the recent election and was appreciative of the Mayor’s support of the commission.

Mr. Booth stated that it was important that the proper recommendations are made on a timely basis. He said the commission is due to set up a Nominating Committee for the new Chair and Vice-Chair. Larry Patterson and Irene Alarcon have done a great job. Mr. Booth stated that he had a concern that people were not being made aware of the services that the Fair Rent Commission provides. The second concern is over the fact that the committee must have the budget completed with the next couple of weeks. Mr. Booth said he was displeased with the way the Fair Rent Commission budget has been maintained. All cost related to Fair Rent Personnel should be included on the budget. He said there should be a reflection of the current costs and automatic raises. The true costs should either be in the budget or there should be a decision not to have a commission.

Mr. Bernard said that the current website does not give the indication that the Fair Rent Commission even exists. Mr. Guerrero asked whether there is an accurate representation of Fair Rent wages. He said it was obvious that arbitrary wages were being picked out.

Mr. Booth passed the “Personnel Roster” around. Mr. Roberts asked what the status of the new job position was. Mr. Booth said he wrote to the Mayor and had not yet received a response about the description of the “Director of Human Relations.” He passed around a memo from Tom Hamilton.

Ms. Mann asked Mr. Booth if he had ever met with the Chair of Human Relations. Mr. Booth replied yes, stating that they had jointly written a letter about getting a new Director. Mr. Roberts said the Fair Rent and Human Relations Commissions were somehow put in association with one another because the same person directs both commissions. Mr. Booth said there definitely needed to be a separation. Ms. Mann asked if a quarterly report had been obtained from the Finance Department. Mr. Booth said no. Ms. Mann said the commission must ask for the quarterly report if there are changes to be made. She told the commission they should definitely follow up on the budget.

Mr. Booth said the commission has the opportunity to do things the way they want. He said he wanted to come up with the costs and give them to Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Roberts said he wanted the budget to reflect 50% allocation of the total staff.  Mr. Booth said that the current job description is inaccurate.

**        MR. BERNARD MOVED TO HAVE THE STAFF OF THE

            TWO COMMISSIONS, THE DIRECTOR, FIELD INVESTIGATOR,

            AND SECRETARY’S SALARIES DIVIDED TO REFLECT 50% OF

            THE TIME SPENT ON EACH COMMISSION AND THAT IT IS

            BUDGETED ACCORDINGLY.

**        MR. KOLOVSON SECONDED.

**            MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Bernard asked what Mr. Patterson’s opinion was on all of this. Mr. Booth said he believed Mr. Patterson was in agreement with him. He said he had spoken with Mr. Patterson and Ms. Alarcon. Mr. Booth said that his discussion reflects the opinion of the Commission and that it would be submitted to Tom Hamilton. Mr. Bernard said the motions of the commission would serve as back up.

Ms. Mann asked what the Human Relations Committee felt about the budget. Mr. Booth said he did not think there were any objections.

Mr. Booth said that based on the people that have been appointed, it seems as though Mayor Knopp intended that the Commission be supported.

**        MR. BERNARD MOVED TO REVISE THE WEBSITE TO REFLECT

            THE FACT THAT THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE COMMISSIONS

            AND THE DIRECTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HANDLING OF

            THE TWO SEPARATE COMMISSIONS.

**        MR. SIMMS SECONDED.

**            MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

COMMISSIONER’S POTPOURRI

Mr. Booth said there was nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Booth said the Commission should not make goals they do not intend to carry out. He said the following goals should be continued:

-Timely resolution of complaints

-Revision of forms and updates when necessary

-Expanding of billing information materials

-Completion of info mailing regarding the Fair Rent Commission

-Seeking of funding for community outreach programs

**        MR. SIMMS MOVED TO ADJOURN.

**        MR. ROBERTS SECONDED.

**            MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.  

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.  

Respectfully Submitted,  

  Michelle Joseph

Telesco Secretarial Services