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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-14 Joint Meeting Community Investment & Personnel and FinanceCOMMUNITY INVESTMENT COMMITTEE & PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 2S, 201 5:30 P.M. Committee Members Present: Gavin Ferlic, Valerie Schey, Henry Davis (AB), Derek Dieter Other Council Present: Tim Scott (AB), Dr. Fred Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis, Karen White (AB) Others Present: Jon Voorde, Kathy Cekanski- Farrand, George King, Jan Hall, Cherri Peate Agenda: Interviews for Council Appointments to the Redevelopment Commission, Human Rights Commission and Diversity Utilization Board This Committee meeting was called to interview three Councilmembers who have applied for one of two Council appointments to the Redevelopment Commission. The Committees task is to interview the three, then make recommendations to full Council for an appointment vote on March 10`". Dr. David Varner, current Redevelopment Commission member was the first candidate but arrived late so Gavin Ferlic became the lead. Gavin's opening statement emphasized what he described as a good working relationship with the Community Investment Department. He also said he would like to look at the overall number, size and use of TIF's. In turn each Councilmember attending was able to ask questions. It was predetermined each interview last no more than 10 minutes. Derek Dieter was first. His questions focused on whether Gavin would consider Park Department management of Blackthorn Golf Course as opposed to the current outside management contract. Gavin responded yes. Derek asked Gavin if his votes on the Committee would reflect the Council's opinion. Gavin said he would; but in the end always do what was best for the City. Oliver Davis asked Gavin if he felt the current Council appointees to the Commission were effective. Gavin said yes, generally adding he would offer more and better communication between the Committee and the Council. Dr. Fred Ferlic suggested the hospital TIF was no longer necessary and also felt more TIF dollars could be spent on public safety. Gavin agreed saying he would always vote in the City's best interests. Valerie Schey was the second candidate. She opened saying her one year experience on the Commission has fostering transparency through asking questions, studying issues, and bringing the public's attention to the Commission. Derek began asking the same Blackthorn management question. Valerie responded saying she wanted the Park Department to be given a chance to respond to the management RFP, just as other private companies. In response to whether her votes would reflect Council positions, she said yes first and foremost. Oliver reiterated his effectiveness query. Valerie said speaking only for herself; she would consider her work effective. She added Dr. Varner with his many years of experience had been a great help to her. Dr. Ferlic asked if she thought the Commission members had a high financial acumen. Valerie, again speaking only for herself, said she was not at all reluctant to ask questions. In closing Valerie said she would push for a Commission meeting time more apt to encourage public participation. The Community Investment recessed at 6:00 P.M. for the scheduled Personnel & Finance Committee meeting. The Personnel & Finance Committee meeting opened at 6:03 P.M. with Valerie Schey as Chairperson Personnel & Finance was meeting to interview candidates who had applied for the Council appointments to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) or the Diversity Utilization Board (DUB). GlendaRae Hernandez was the only applicant for the HRC appointment. Valerie asked her to explain her interest in Human Rights Commission. GlendaRae said she had served the Commission since 1982 always promoting justice. In response to Oliver Davis's performance question, she said over the years the processing of complaints had systematically become more efficient and fairer. Council Attorney Kathy Cekanski - Farrand sitting in on all interviews ask if there could be more regular communication with the Council. GlendaRae was more than willing to do so. Valerie asks what the major challenge was for the Human Rights Commission. GlendaRae said educating landlords and the general public in housing laws. After 6 minutes there were no more questions. GlendaRae Hernandez was the only candidate for the HRC. Three applicants were next to be interviewed for three open positions on the Diversity Utilization Board. It should be noted George King, Jan Hall and Cherri Peate attended these interviews for the DUB. Joseph Shabazz was first to be interviewed. Valerie Schey led off asking him why he wanted to serve. He said he studied the ordinance promoting diversity in City contracting for goods and services and found it to be incomplete and ineffective. Its implementation, he saw as half- hearted and was unacceptable. Dr. David Varner asked why that was the case. Joseph said the City effort was not reaching out to the poor. Gavin Ferlic asked Joseph if he was open to opinions other than his own. Joseph said creating controversy breeds progress. Tom Capers, the next candidate, said a church meeting inspired him to try to get involved to make a better, more diverse City. He said the DUB had made an honest effort to diversify business practices, but much improvement needed to be made. Responding to Oliver Davis's questions about his potential to add to the DUB's efforts, Tom said his own experience as a business owner would serve well to help the board's outreach efforts. Kareemah Fowler was next, she spoke of her experience on the DUB in identifying needs and matching plan was invaluable in moving ahead. She said everyone learned a lot. Key components to a successful diversity plan would require education for potential business providers along with the development of a tracking tool. She added that there still was a need for clear directives for the DUB and an effective implementation plan. She said minority businesses needed to be convinced to see the value in certification. She summed up saying her strengths were a strong desire to help people. Having completed the interviews Valerie moved all three candidates be recommended favorably. Derek Dieter seconded. All agreed. Valerie adjourned at 6:45 P.M. At 6:45 P.M. the Community Investment Committee reconvened the interview with the third and last candidate for the Redevelopment Commission, Dr. David Varner. Dr. Varner told the panel that with the disposition of 58 million dollars at stake by the Redevelopment Commission, Council input was crucial. When asked by Derek Dieter if he would vote the Council's directive, Dr. Varner said emphatically yes. He went on to say he would be open to selling Blackthorn feeling the City could not afford the course. Oliver Davis asked what he brought to the Commission. Dr. Varner said he was an independent questioning member wanting to shine a light on the "old boys club ". He added that changing public participation was needed along with giving the public an opportunity to comment during meetings of the Commission. Interviews completed, the consensus was that a decision on whom to appoint should be made March lot ". Gavin adjourned at 6:56 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Gavin Ferlic. Chairperson Community Investment Z-e�k Valerie Schey, Chairperson Personnel & Finance qa-A--c SIZ'37�