|
|
|
|
Human
Relations Commission
Actions
|
Click
here for minutes from the April 18th, 2002 meeting
Click here for minutes from the
June 20th, 2002 meeting
JULY 18, 2002
ATTENDANCE: Art Scialabba, Chairman; Joanne Romano, Vice Chair; Andy
Garfunkel (8:00 p.m.) Tony Flack; Mariusz Kossarski, Dr. Charles Stabinsky, Steve Papadakos, Ruthie Brown (7:45 p.m.) Barbara Amodio (7:40 p.m.)
STAFF: Sonja Devitt, Director; Larry Patterson
Mr. Scialabba opened the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 18, 2002
The following corrections were made:
Page 2, paragraph 3 should read:
"On March 11, 2002 the Chairman received written notice of intent to commence an action against the municipality, Commissioners and municipal employees regarding the Year Book. It was filed by Attorney Brown, and even Dr. Stabinksy, who was appointed before the yearbook was released."
Page 2, paragraph 5, should read "...a letter from Mr. Pullen..."
Page 2, paragraph 7, the time should be 7:00 p.m.
Page 2, paragraph 9, 2nd line, this should be that
Page 3, paragraph 5, the motion should read 205-00B and206-01B
Page 3, paragraph 6, AMDIO should read AMODIO
** MR. FLACK MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2002
WITH CORRECTIONS.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Amodio arrived at 7:40 p.m.
April 20, 2002
** MR. FLACK MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Ms. Brown arrived at 7:45 p.m.
The Chairman said the ordinance is moving forward and he did not feel there would be a problem at a pubic hearing. The Ordinance Committee will meet next week on the proposed item and if approved, it will be forward it to the Common Council.
Mr. Scialabba left the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The Vice Chairman continued the meeting.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Devitt summarized the written report and the attached Comparative Annual Statistical Report. She stated because of the volume of calls and the small staff the numbers may not reflect all the follow-up calls made by staff.
Ms. Devitt will be on vacation at the end of the month.
The department has its own fax machine and hopes to have the proper copier by the end of the week. The HPIII printer needs a part and the Commissioners suggested searching the Web to find it. Ms. Amodio offered a printer she is not using for the Human Relations Department until one is purchased.
Mr. Garfunkel arrived at 8 p.m.
Ms. Devitt brought everyone’s attention to The New York Times, Connecticut Section of the paper that had an article about yearbooks that had problems. One student was not allowed to attend graduation this year for putting discriminatory information in the yearbook. She presented articles that were noted in The Hour on 6/11 and 7/17 as well.
Ms. Suib attended a meeting and suggested that the Commission hold a meeting with the Muslim community after hearing the keynote speaker. Dr. Stabinsky stated that it might not be wise to have a meeting specific to this community since there have been no complaints.
The Mayor has expressed that he wants to reorganize and cluster departments that are related. Human Relations falls into a group outside the clusters. It was decided that Human Relations from the City and Board of Education would explore training for ADA, sexual harassment and other issues as a group, not individually in the future. Bruce Morris is working on a rotating diversity training program and Ms. LeTourneau will develop a Concept Paper to submit to the Mayor. It is anticipated that there will be funding for these activities. It costs less to do it co-operatively in-house then to send people outside. The proposal and concept is being developed at this time to train groups as they are hired in both areas. This will eliminate duplication and ensure attendance for the sessions.
Ms. Devitt inquired whether the Commissioners would be open to have a Section 8 training at an up coming meeting by Ms. Suib. She suggested it would be no more than one-half hour of information and it would not be on a night when there would be a hearing scheduled.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR CASE REVIEW
** MR. FLACK MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS
NEW CASES.
** MR. GARFUNKEL SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Chairman moved out of Executive Session and resumed the Regular Session at 9:40 p.m.
CASE NUMBER - 184-984BN
** MR. GARFUNKEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE ARBITRATION REMEDY
AND DISMISS THE COMPLAINT AS ADJUDICATED.
** MS. BROWN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CASE NUMBER - 216-023
** MS. AMODIO MOVED TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF A FINDING OF
DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.
** MR. GARFUNKEL SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CASE NO. 217-02E
** MR. KOSSARSKI MOVED TO DEFER A DECISION TO HEAR THE CASE UNTIL THE STAFF INTERVIEWS MORE WITNESSES,
INVESTIGATES AND OBTAINS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
** MR. PAPADAKOS SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CASE NO. 218-02E
** DR. STABINSKY MOVED TO HEAR THE CASE.
** MS. AMODIO SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
OLD BUSINESS
Fair Housing Representative’s Report
Mr. Papadakos said that a housing forum had been scheduled for May. However, it is now scheduled for October.
Update and Review of Blue Ribbon Reports
This item was tabled.
OTHER BUSINESS
Review/Revision of Brochure
This item was tabled.
ADJOURNMENT
** MS. AMODIO MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. GARFUNKEL SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Vice Chairman closed the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alvina L. Richardson Decker
Telesco Secretarial Services
 |
 |