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Human
Relations Commission
Actions
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SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 23, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Barbara Amodio, Chair; Bea Brown; Rahoul Dupervil;
Dr. Sally Grose; Sarah Mann; Sarah Sikes; Vicky Su
STAFF: Elisabeth Youngerman, Director
GUESTS: Mayor Richard Moccia
CALL TO ORDER
Dr. Amodio called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. She thanked everyone for taking time out of their schedules for this class.
MAYOR RICHARD A. MOCCIA – PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION
Mayor Moccia explained that he had a meeting with the corporation counsel to delineate the power of this Commission and the responsibilities of the Director.
The Commission and Chairperson are responsible for setting the agenda and placing those items on the agenda. With regards to the day to day activities of the Director, she reports to the Mayor. Mayor Moccia said that that does not mean the Director does not have communications with the Commissioners, but her directions come from the Mayor.
Mayor Moccia pointed out that it was his decision to give the Haitian Community a room at City Hall.
Mayor Moccia said that unless there was an unusual situation, he does not want to bring Mr. Patterson out to the meetings because of budgetary constraints.
Mayor Moccia said that there is an interesting provision in the budget that conflicts with the Charter. He said that they will probably have to change it, but the Commission will still have the right to review the budget and any expenditures.
Mayor Moccia said that the main point is that the Commission understands that they have the control over the cases, the hearings, the budget and the agenda. Ms. Youngerman reports to the Mayor about the day to day activities of the department.
Dr. Amodio asked Mayor Moccia what Ms. Youngerman would report to him about. Mayor Moccia replied that she would report to him about how the department is functioning, ADA issues, and any extraordinary situations dealing with her staff. He said that he was Ms. Youngerman’s boss and the Commission deals with complaints, the budget and the agenda. He said that was his opinion and the opinion of the Corporation Counsel.
Mayor Moccia said that the Corporation Counsel agreed that the Executive Session was illegal and the action should not have taken place. Ms. Sikes said that no action was taken.
Mayor Moccia said that the Commission should not have gone into Executive Session and asked the elected officials to leave. He said that was not a good idea. Elected officials have the right to be a part of the Executive Session.
Mayor Moccia said that this is in the past and that they are looking forward. He said that he asked Ms. Youngerman to be sure that the agenda goes out on time.
Mayor Moccia told the Commissioners that they have a difficult job dealing with the complications of discrimination and they need to get away from judging each other. Mayor Moccia asked everyone to respect each other’s functions.
Mayor Moccia said that Norwalk is one of a few cities with a Human Relations Commission; it could easily be turned over to the State. He said that he is here to support the Commission and to support the City employee who has to implement some of his policies.
Mayor Moccia said that the Director of Human Relations has to evaluate complaints that are made to her. She is trying to be sure that the complaints that go to the Commission are legitimate and not frivolous. Mayor Moccia noted that Ms. Youngerman is also responsible for the Fair Rent Commission, which has a big case load.
Dr. Gross said that she has not heard any complaints within the Commission about how Ms. Youngerman prepares for the meetings. She said that she has been exemplary in that area.
Mr. Dupervil emphasized that the Commission is here for the people of Norwalk. However, within the Commission they need to find a way to deal with the situation and that is by respecting each other. There are people at the table who do not respect each other.
Mayor Moccia said that they need to look forward. He added that the regulation under code 60-5 states that any obligations for contract services are to be approved by the Human Relations Commission. He said that he can authorize contracts up to a certain amount and he can also allow Ms. Youngerman to do that, up to a certain amount.
Mayor Moccia stressed that the Commission serves a vital function for the City and that he doesn’t want it to defeat itself.
Mr. Dupervil asked about the by-laws. Mayor Moccia said that they were being reviewed by the Corporation Counsel.
Mayor Moccia said that the Executive Session should have been listed on the agenda. Ms. Sikes disagreed. Mayor Moccia said that his impression is that it was supposed to be listed. He said that he will get an opinion from the Corporation Counsel. Mayor Moccia said it was totally erroneous to not allow the elected officials into the Executive Session.
Ms. Sikes said that she believed that they had to do what is mandated by FOI. Ms. Sikes read the statute and said that she did not believe they were required to allow elected officials to attend the Executive Session. Mayor Moccia said that this is a public agency that is controlled by the Common Council.
Ms. Sikes said that she did not know who invited the Councilmembers. Ms. Brown said that she invited them and told them what the meeting was supposed to be about. Ms. Brown agreed with Mayor Moccia and said that the Councilmembers should not have been asked to leave the room.
Mayor Moccia said that it was over. Ms. Brown said that it was not over.
Dr. Amodio suggested that they wait for the opinion of the Corporation Counsel. She said that the Commission does not go into Executive Session except to discuss cases.
Dr. Amodio agreed that they can not exclude elected officials from Executive Session. Mayor Moccia said that as far as the Executive Session, it should no longer be an issue. He will try to get an opinion from the Corporation Counsel as soon as possible.
Dr. Gross asked if anyone in the City serves as a mediator or ombudsman. Mayor Moccia replied that he does.
ADJOURNMENT
** MS. MANN MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MR. DUPERVIL SECONDED
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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