CITY OF NORWALK
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
AUGUST 21, 2008

ATTENDANCE:         Vicky Su, Chair; Barbara Amodio; Rahoul Dupervil; Daisy Franklin; Andrew Mattiello; Brian Smith

STAFF:                        Adam Bovilsky, Director

GUESTS:                     Ann Benfield, Intern

CALL TO ORDER

Chairwoman Su called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July Meeting

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

Page 1: under attendance - correct spelling from Vicki to Vicky
Page 2: third paragraph, first sentence should read….Americans With Disabilities Act…
Page 5: first paragraph, fourth sentence should read….was provided to the sub committee by Michele DeLuca.

**        MS. FRANKLIN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED
**        MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED
**        MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Chairwoman Su thanked the Commissioners for making an effort to show up for their meetings on time. She said that she feels the meetings are very good and that they are in a good situation. Three people have been appointed to the Nominating Committee for next year.

Mr. Bovilsky said that their by-laws require that the slate of officers be provided to the Commissioners prior to the meeting when the voting will take place.

**        DR. AMODIO MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
**        MR. DUPERVIL SECONDED
**        MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. Bovilsky reviewed his written report.  He said that they had 362 follow up contact during July.  There were no formal complaints filed during the month of July for either Commission.

Three commissioners’ terms are going to expire on September 1st.  Mayor Moccia is aware. 

Mr. Bovilsky thanked Ms. Benfield who has been interning in their department this summer.  He said that she has been instrumental in helping them catch up.  He thanked her for all of her hard work.

Mr. Bovilsky said that he was pleased to be able to distribute to the Commissioners for their review and comment at the next meeting, copies of the Affirmative Action Plan.  He said that it was a collaboration between this department and Personnel and Labor Relations.  The plan has been reviewed by outside counsel.

Mr. Bovilsky said that the Affirmative Action Plan had been his main project. He is working with the sub-committee on the needs of marginalized people and planning a City wide diversity training. 

Mr. Bovilsky thanked Dr. Amodio and Ms. Franklin for their participation in the training at NEON’s Head Start program.  Dr. Amodio said that she never saw such a wonderful program.  She said that the three of them did great three part harmony.  Chairwoman Su thanked Dr. Amodio, Ms. Franklin and Mr. Bovilsky for their hard work.  Dr. Amodio said that Mr. Bovilsky did a wonderful job bringing together the resources and asked if they could start a lending resource to teach youngsters.  She said that she wants people to remember that they are part of the human community.  Mr. Bovilsky said that Ms. Benfield was the one who gathered the resources and thanked her.

**        MS. FRANKLIN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
**        DR. AMODIO SECONDED
**        MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

EXECUTIVE SESSION

**        DR. AMODIO MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS CASE #228-08E AND CASE #229-08E
**        MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED
**        MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The Commissioners and Mr. Bovilsky entered into Executive Session at 7:47 p.m.

1. Case #228-08E
2. Case #229-08E

**        MS. SU MOVED TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AND GO INTO REGULAR SESSION
**        MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED
**        MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The Commissioners and Mr. Bovilsky reconvened into regular session at 8:59 p.m.

VOTE TO HEAR/NOT HEAR CASE #228-08E

There was no discussion.

BILLS AND COMMUNICATION

There was no discussion.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Bea Brown Memorial

Mr. Bovilsky said that he did not have an update.  Dr. Amodio offered to reach out to the family and let them know that the Commission would like to create a memorial to Ms. Brown.  She said that the family may also have some suggestions.  Dr. Amodio said that she does not want to do anything without the approval of the family.  The Commissioners agreed.

1. HR Day Committee

1. Perennial Rights Garden Dedication – West Rocks Middle School

Mr. Bovilsky said that he has the proof for the plaque and it has been approved, but it is not yet in the ground.

1. NEON Headstart Program

This was discussed earlier.  Mr. Bovilsky said that it was a great program with 70 – 80 participants. Ms. Franklin and Dr. Amodio said that the program was very well received.  All of the participants were very pleased with the program.

1. Diversity Day Committees

Mr. Bovilsky said that the only active sub-committee is Group 3.  They are going to meet on August 26th at 5:00 p.m. at the Connecticut Avenue Fire Station.  There are six research projects currently in progress.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Affirmative Action Plan (tentative)

The Commissioners will review the Plan and discuss at the next meeting.  The goal of the Plan is to focus efforts on recruitment.

Ms. Franklin announced that NEON is celebrating their 43rd anniversary on October 17 and hopes that everyone can attend. She distributed information about the Housing Summit in Hartford.

ADJOURNMENT

**        DR. AMODIO MOVED TO ADJOURN
**        MR. MATTIELLO SECONDED
**        MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

There was no further business and the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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