02-25-14 Joint Meeting Community Investment & Personnel and Finance

Home Browse Search

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.