09/20/07 Committee Meeting Minutes

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September 20, 2007 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Ms. McCain stated that the typical investigation takes about six (6) months, however this year they are able to doing many in a 2-3 month period. if there is probable cause, a case would take about a year. Ms. McCain noted in response to questions from Council Member Pfeifer that she has done two (2) training sessions this year on disabilities; and that Fred Harris has done such sessions on housing. On October 16t~' EEOC will be coming for a conference with the business community. Council Member Pfeifer noted that the two (2) Council interns are working with the Human Rights Housing Investigators. Ms. McCain noted in response to Council Member Pfeifer inquiry that two {2) of the investigators are fluent in Spanish; and that they offer services to the Hispanic community event if persons are not legally in the country. Assistant Controller John Murphy then reviewed the financial side of Human Rights. There are five (5) employees paid from the Genera[ Fund (see page 135) where their salaries are proposed at a 2% increase in 2008. $8,853 is budgeted for cleaning the Human Rights offices. On page 137 the Human Rights grant which is the EEOC portion funds one (1) person; and on page 138 the Housing and Urban Development funds one (1) person. There is a cash balance of $400,000 in Federal Grant Fund # 258. Council Member White requested additional information for the past three (3) years on the trends in each of the areas where Human Rights has investigators. She would like to have the case numbers for each tracked in that report and the various types of services provided. She would like Lonnie Douglas to come to a future meeting to review all of the material which has been requested today by the Council Members. Council President Rouse requested that demographics of clientele be provided in the material requested, so that patterns can be studied. Mr. Murphy noted that the annual HUD audit was favorable. At this point in the meeting, Council Member Pfeifer left and Dr. Varner, Personnel and Finance Committee Vice-Chairperson conducted the remainder of the meeting. Weed and Seed: Pam Meyer, Director of the Division of Community Development noted that a new site is being applied for with the Council taking action at the next Council meeting on the application for $58,333. They are working on seeking in-kind matches; with the response to this latest application probably not being received until next Summer. The new program would begin Octaber 1, 2008.