Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, December 1, 2006
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes
A. Director’s Monthly Report Includes:
-Monthly Intake
-Monthly Budget Activity
B. New Business
- Black History Month 2007
- NYS Division of Human Rights at City Hall
- HR Scholarship Mailer
- Commission Member Re-Appointments
C. Old Business
- Juneteenth Day 2007/update
- SA Bell Ringing schedule/update
-- November Forum/In-Service
Auburn Human Rights Commission
Members: Present (P) Absent, (A); Excused (E)
Karen Sheftic-Burns, Ex.Director __ Fred Richardson, Commissioner ___ __
Judah Rodriguez-Sierra _ __ Fr. Stephen Mack _ __ Lebertus van der Werff _ _
Gwendolyn M. Jones __ _Kent Brandstetter__ ___ Anthony DeCaro _ ___
Yolanda Rivera __ __
Members Present: ____ Members Absent: _____ Members Excused: ____
Holiday Meeting
Call to order:____ _pm
Minutes approved/seconded by: ________________
Director’s Report December:
Monthly Intake for November (44) Complaints consisted of concerns for housing/eviction, housing complaints, employment/termination, truth in heating, and general information.
Monthly Budget: Members please see monthly activity report attached.
Motion to accept Director’s Report/Second:
New Business:
Black History Month 2007 planning is underway. An early notification was compiled on November 14. It was sent to the elementary, middle, and parochial schools in the Auburn School District for integration into their curriculum. This year’s program expands to include visual arts as well as writing (please see attachment/guidelines). Syracuse Newspapers and The Citizen agree to publish selected student entries.
Key deadline dates are:
- Entry deadline: Wednesday, January 17, 2007
- RSVP for Program/Reception: January 25, 2007
- Program/Reception: Wednesday, February 7, 2007
John Gee, Hearing Officer with NYS Division of Human Rights, contacted our local HR office in need of space to conduct hearings on open cases in Cayuga County. HR stated that our small office is available for the hearings. Additional space was required and HR suggested that the state use the Council Board Room located on first floor. HR advised that Mr. Gee obtain formal approval to use the meeting room from the City Manager (done). Hearings are currently on-going to date.
HR Scholarship Fundraiser: Ongoing with additional donations to date totaling $25
Advertising Campaign/Public Awareness: ongoing. Residents have been calling the HR office, requesting free printed materials. This indicates that our campaign is visible and making a difference to those who wish to be informed about their rights.
Council Agenda will include HR Commission Member Re-Appointments (3 year). Official paperwork completed and travels to City Manager, Councilors, and Mayor. Members noted: J. Rodriguez-Sierra, L. van der werff, Fr. S. Mack.
Old Business:
Juneteenth Day 2007 Update. Have communicated with BSLR via various emails concerning presenter availability, dates, times, fee, etc. The current choice commands a fee of $700, beyond our current small budget. A respectful request for a fee reduction was politely declined. HR’s plan “B” has been in-touch with another Presenter from BSLR who can accommodate our small budget with a fee of $225.
HR Commission has a commitment to ring fundraiser bells for the Salvation Army. This takes place on Thursday, December 7 from 2-4 at the P&C inside lobby, located on W. Genesee St. in Auburn. HR Members may split the shift in half or remain for an entire 2- hour shift.
November Public Forum/Commission In-service with Marie Montgomery, Weatherization Director at Cayuga-Seneca Community Action Agency generated a small but interactive group with questions about the program. Information regarding guidelines, wait lists, qualifications, and housing heat loss/prevention and more was discussed. Good press coverage by The Citizen staff reporter as well as photographer.
Motion to accept/second old/new business:
Motion to adjourn/second: Jones/Rodriguez Time 6:45 pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Anthony DeCaro, Commission Secretary
Next Commission Meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007
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