OCTOBER 20, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Dr. Barbara Amodio, Chair; Bea Brown; Dr. Charles Stabinsky; Sarah Mann; Vicky Su; Rev. Douglas Nissing; Rahoul Dupervil; Sara Sikes.

STAFF: Elisabeth Youngerman, Director of Human Relations.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the Chair.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The following corrections were made to the minutes of September 15, 2005: On page 1, under “Staff”, the spelling of Elisabeth was corrected. In the last paragraph, “I believe that Dr. Amodio planned to have Human Rights at the Global Studies of Brien McMahon High School and not have a Global Studies Day in the high schools.” was added to the end of the paragraph. On page 2, under “Director’s Report”, 3rd paragraph, “replace” was corrected to “replaced” and “until replaced” was added to the end of the sentence, followed by “Dr. Amodio stated that to her recollection, Sarah Mann was reappointed by the Common Council when Steve Papadakos’s term expired, and she calculated that Sarah Mann’s term should expire in 2007.” In the last paragraph, 1st sentence, “the position of” was inserted before “a bilingual secretary”. On page 3, 1st paragraph, “These comments were supported by Dr. Amodio, who also requested that Personnel be reminded of this issue and the need to advertise in a bilingual publication” was inserted after the 1st sentence. In the second paragraph, 1st sentence, “of the commissioners” was inserted after “everyone”. In the 8th paragraph, the spelling of Dr. Grose’s name was corrected. In the 9th paragraph, the spelling of Rev. Nissing’s name was corrected. On page 4, under the “Nominating Committee Report”, both motions were seconded by Mr. Ross.

** REV. NISSING MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED.
** MS. MANN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

CHAIRLADY’S REPORT

The Chair said she had spoken to Dr. Corda, who said he loved the idea of International Human Rights Day at the Global Studies Center, but the building is currently under construction. It can be there next year, but for this year, he suggested it take place at Ponus Ridge. Linda Sumpter, the Principal of Ponus, and the Chair will make arrangements and set a date. The best day for Mayor Knopp is December 2nd or the following Monday. The Chair will try to get the Music Center of Connecticut to provide talent. As soon as all of the details are set, she will forward them to the Commissioners.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Ms. Youngerman reviewed her written report, emphasizing the incredible difference it has made to have Ms. Martinez in the position of Bilingual Secretary.

Rev. Nissing said he found it amazing that the printer in the office is almost 15 years old. Ms. Youngerman noted that they are going to be obtaining a new printer. The Chair said she has an HP printer that she might be able to donate.

Ms. Youngerman said she was offered a scholarship to participate in the Norwalk Leadership Institute of the Chamber of Commerce. She is honored to be able to participate.

Ms. Youngerman said she was hopeful that this Commission would appoint a committee to deal with ADA compliance.

Ms. Youngerman asked if anyone had suggestions about training diversity specialists, they should contact her. Dr. Stabinsky recommended “World of Difference” through B’nai Brith, and Ms. Youngerman said she was aware of them and they are wonderful. Discussion took place on funding; Ms. Youngerman said she was also looking into grants. The Chair said that Tony Flack, a former longtime member of this Commission, has brought presenters on ADA in the past. She also inquired about opening this diversity training to the community. Ms. Youngerman said she was looking at diversity training for the Commission first. The Chair will find information on prejudice reduction workshops.

The Chair asked about “language line”, a subscription service. Mr. Dupervil said there is such a service in Norwalk, related to “information”.

OLD BUSINESS

UPDATE ON SEARCH FOR BILINGUAL SECRETARY

This item was covered under the Director’s Report.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

This item was covered under the Chairlady’s Report.

Ms. Brown said that at last month’s meeting, the question of whether Ms. Mann was a member of this commission was discussed. Ms. Youngerman said she was going to speak to the Mayor. Ms. Brown has a problem with people telling the Mayor everything they do. This is not a private agency. The Mayor should know what is going on, but if he really wants to know, he should come to the meeting. He can also read what is going on in the minutes. It is demeaning to keep running to him.

Extensive discussion took place. Mr. Dupervil said they should define the position of the Director in terms of the relationship with the Mayor.

NEW BUSINESS

Ms. Brown said she would like to see a written report from Mr. Patterson at each meeting, given that Ms. Youngerman has asked him not to attend these meetings. Dr. Stabinsky said that Personnel rules say that Mr. Patterson reports to the Director, not the Commission or the Commissioners. It is the duty and responsibility of the Director to advise the Mayor on Human Relations matters. He said he was pleased that she was conversing with the Mayor on Human Relations matters.

Ms. Su said it is in the Director’s job description to prepare reports.

Extensive discussion took place. The Chair noted there was always a Field Representative’s report in the past. Rev. Nissing said tonight’s Director’s Report was more comprehensive than he has ever seen. Mr. Dupervil said they should focus on the report of the Director, because she will tell them what is going on in the department. Ms. Brown, noting that everyone pays Mr. Patterson’s salary, said she wants to know what he is doing. Ms. Su said they should let the Director supervise her staff. Ms. Sikes asked if there was anything Mr. Patterson did in the past that the Commission should know about; Ms. Youngerman said there was not. She said that Mr. Patterson focuses on making field inspections, working with the Health Department. They have weekly staff meetings on Monday mornings. She is learning Mr. Patterson’s capabilities and assessing his skills. She handles all of the cases that come in.

The Chair said it was good for everyone to talk about issues.

EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR CASE REVIEW (CASE #223-05E)

** DR. STABINSKY MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR CASE REVIEW.
** REV. NISSING SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Commissioners went into Executive Session at 8:50 p.m. and reconvened into Public Session at 9 p.m.

** MR. NISSING MOVED THAT THEY ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AS TO THE DISPOSITION OF THE COMPLAINT, CASE #223-05E, AND THAT THEY DECLINE TO HEAR THE COMPLAINT.
** MS. SIKES SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

ADJOURNMENT

** MS. SIKES MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MS. SU SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services

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