Click here for minutes from the April 18th, 2002 meeting
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Click here for minutes from the November 7th, 2002 meeting
Click here for minutes from the December 9th, 2002 meeting

JANUARY 16, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM by the Chairman.

MR. SCIALABBA MADE A MOTION TO MODIFY THE AGENDA FOR THE PURPOSE OF HAVING AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FIRST
MS. ROMANO SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR CASE REVIEW

MS. ROMANO MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXEXCUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS CASE REVIEW
MR. KOSSARSKI SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Commission went into executive session from 7:41PM to 8:55PM. Public session reconvened at 9:01 PM.

Ms. Devitt explained that decisions had been made on specific cases during the executive session. A Commissioner would identify the case by number and then a motion with regard to how that case should be resolved would be made.

MR. SCIALABBA MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE CASE #155 DUE TO LACK OF ACTIVITY
MS. ROMANO SECONDED THE MOTION
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

DR. STABINSKY MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE CASE #191-99B DUE TO A VERBAL RESPONSE FROM THE COMPLAINANT THAT THERE WAS NO LONGER A PROBLEM
MR. SCIALABBA SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MR. KOSSARSKI MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE CASE #193-99BN DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCE
MR. SCIALABBA SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MS. ROMANO MADE A MOTION TO DISMISS CASE #198-00BN DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCE
MR. SCIALABBA SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MS. AMODIO MADE A MOTION TO DISMISS AS SETTLED, CASE # 200-00A
MR. KOSSARSKI SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MR. DUPERVIL MOVED TO DISMISS CASE #201-00B DUE TO LACK OF RESPONSE AND REQUIRED STAFF TO SEND A CERTIFIED LETTER TO THE COMPLAINANT, AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
MR. KOSSARSKI SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

MR. SCIALABBA MOVED TO CLOSE CASE #218-02E DUE TO EXPIRATION OF APPEAL PERIOD
DR. STABINSKY SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

DR. STABINSKY MOVED TO CLOSE CASE #219-02E BECAUSE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT ISSUES WERE RESOLVED AT THIS TIME
MR. SCIALABBA SECONDED
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Ms. Devitt stated for the record, that only two cases remained open.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 2002

Corrections to Minutes of December 9th, 2002:

Stephen Papadokos change to Steven Papadakos;
Marius change to Mariusz
Art Scialabba - change to Art Scialabba, Vice Chairman
Page 2, Chairman's Report, 4th paragraph - "The press release was in one the local paper…." change to "The press release was in one local paper…"
Page 2, Chairman's Report, 5th paragraph - 'The tree cost $165…- change to " The Human Rights tree cost $165…"
Page 3, 3rd paragraph - "The first meeting in the New Year will January 16, 2003" change to The first meeting of the new year will be January 16, 2003."
Page 3, 4th paragraph - 2nd line - "proceeded to give…" change to "proceeded to describe…"
Page 3, 5th paragraph - remove the dot in Scialabba
Page 3, Executive Session for Case Review, change MURPHY to MURRAY

Correction to the Correction of Minutes of November 7, 2002

Page 1, Mastroinni should be Mastroianni
Page 2, 8th line - 2nd paragraph at - should be 2nd paragraph add

MR. SCIALABBA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 2003 AS AMENDED
MS. AMODIO SECONDED THE MOTIONS
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Mr. Papadakos first thanked Ms. Romano and Mr. Scialabba for their combined efforts on improving the website. He then went on to state that he and Ms. Devitt had attended the Affordable Housing Forum of January 6, 2003. The meeting was well attended by residents and Council members. Ms. Devitt, Ms. Suib and Ms. Rodin were all speakers. He announced that there would be another forum held on February 3, 2003. Mr. Papadakos then read a letter dated December 13, 2002, that he wrote to Ms. Sara La Tourneau, Director of Personnel. The purpose of the letter was to inquire if the Personnel department had found a candidate to replace Ms. Devitt, as her last day would be February 3, 2003. Ms. La Tourneau responded that at the present time a replacement had not been found nor could the spot be filled until severance had been paid to Ms. Devitt. He also mentioned that Ms. Romano had written a very flattering and touching letter about Ms. Devitt's retirement, which had been published in the January 11, 2003 edition of The Hour.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Ms. Devitt gave a hand out of her report, for the record, that included a statistical report of complaints to the Commission, through December 2002. She stated, that in order to arrive at a true number for 2002, numbers 507 & 508 had to be added together because they were half year sub-totals. Ms. Romano said that people were becoming more aware of Human Relations, accordingly there were more complaints last year. Ms. Amodio said that public workshops and plantings had opened many doors. Mr. Patterson added that the number of complaints from Spanish speaking individuals had increased as well. Ms. Devitt then read a statement, addressed to Personnel, from the Director's report dated January 16, 2003, for the record. There was some discussion about a budget review meeting scheduled for February 3, 2003, which will also be Ms. Devitt's last day as Director. The discussion consisted of arguments in favor and against making Ms. Devitt's attendance mandatory.

Ms. Devitt said that the Fair Housing Officers had developed an annual report that was available on demand from Ms. Suib. Mr. Papadakos announced that at the last Common Council meeting, Mr. Nate Shipp was reappointed as Chairman of the Fair Housing Commission. Ms. Devitt then asked Mr. Papadakos to raise the question regarding Dreamy Hollow, at the meeting scheduled for February 3, 2003. She closed her report by thanking Ms. Romano for her kind editorial.

OLD BUSINESS

A. FAIR HOUSING REPRENSATIVE 'S REPORT - STEVE PAPADAKOS

Mr. Papadakos announced that a meeting should be scheduled for February 17, 2003.

B. REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - JOANNE ROMANO

Ms. Romano reported that she was very pleased with the outcome of Human Rights Day. In particular, she was impressed by two essays that had been written by two exceptionally eloquent students that gave very mature presentations. She suggested that the two young ladies be invited in the future, to sit in on a meeting as a learning experience.

DR. STABINSKY MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION EXPRESS THEIR THANKS TO MS. ROMANO AND MS. AMODIO FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN ORDER TO MAKE HUMAN RIGHTS DAY A SUCCESS
MR. SCIALABBA SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

C. BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION STATUS REPORT - SONJA DEVITT

Ms. Devitt said that the report was not ready for review tonight, but that a draft would be ready in time for the February 3, 2003 meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

A. HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS IN ABSENCE OF DIRECTOR

Mr. Papadakos stated that directing complaints to the State would be defeating the purpose of the Human Relations Commission. He suggested that the complaints be taken from a staff member then should be reviewed as a Commission. After which, a decision would be made about the cases accordingly. He added that if the case could not be investigated by the Human Relations Commission, then it should be forwarded to the CHRO. Mr. Dupervil expressed his agreement with that suggestion. Ms. Amodio volunteered her time at least 2 nights per week due to her schedule. Ms. Devitt briefly reviewed the process of taking a complaint. Mr. Papadakos inquired about the time frame of an investigation to a complaint. Ms. Devitt responded that an investigation could not begin until the respondent was aware of the complaint. Dr. Stabinsky suggested that a certified letter would be the best method of informing both the respondent and the complainant.

DR. STABINSKY MOVED THAT WITHIN ONE YEAR OF RECEIVING A COMPLAINT, THE DIRECTOR SHALL REPORT TO THE COMMISSION AS TO THE STATUS OF THE COMPLAINT
MS. AMODIO SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MR. SCIALABBA MOVED THAT IN THE COURSE OF AN INVESTIGATION, IF THERE IS NO CONTACT FROM THE COMPLAINANT, THE DIRECTOR SHALL SEND A LETTER VIA CERTIFIED AND STANDARD MAIL, TO THE COMPLAINANT, STATING THAT IF THERE IS NO RESPONSE WITHIN 30 DAYS, THE CASE WOULD BE DISMISSED.
MR. DUPERVIL SECONDED THE MOTION
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADJOURNMENT

MS. ROMANO MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING

MR. SCIALABBA SECONDED THE MOTION

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michele Montgomery
Telesco Secretarial Svces

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