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Q&A
Implementation of DOI recommendations on BOE policies and practices
4:38:11
ยท
4 min
Council Member Restler inquires about the implementation of DOI recommendations regarding BOE's policies and practices. BOE representatives discuss the current status of these recommendations and their efforts to improve their procedures.
- BOE claims to have an EEO officer in place (the director of personnel)
- Representatives assert that policies and procedures are being updated and employees are aware of EEO policies
- Council Member Restler expresses concern about the independence of the EEO office and requests a written status update on the implementation of each recommendation
Vincent Ignizio
4:38:11
There is and there always was.
4:38:14
As as sanctioned by the EEO mail group, if you will, I don't know if I'm saying the word right, But we have our director of personnel, was then and is now the EEO officer.
4:38:28
His name is is it Frank Tosi?
4:38:29
Mister Tosi,
Lincoln Restler
4:38:30
I believe his first name is.
Michael Ryan
4:38:33
But we also have a new Okay.
4:38:34
General Counsel.
Lincoln Restler
4:38:35
And do you agree with the recommendations around that DOI made around improving and strengthening BOE's policies and practices?
Vincent Ignizio
4:38:48
With respect to the recommendations that they made with for trainings, we do go through many
Lincoln Restler
4:38:53
Non personnel related?
4:38:54
I mean, think that piece has been resolved.
4:38:55
I just meant the policies and practices.
4:38:57
Yes.
4:38:57
Sorry.
Vincent Ignizio
4:38:57
No.
4:38:58
It's I mean, our our policies and procedures continue to be updated.
4:39:02
They they will continue to do so.
4:39:04
But rest assured that the agency and its 931, employees are aware of the EEO policies, how to report.
4:39:14
They go through training, we go through training, and, our staff is well aware on the reporting requirements so for any EEO issue or or any issue for that matter.
4:39:25
We want our we need to send a very strong message to every one of our employees and anyone out there.
4:39:31
If you come across any issue relating to that you believe should be filed with DOI, COIB and or kicked up the chain, that somebody will be listening, and we will absolutely ensure that those are followed up on from internally and externally the agency.
Lincoln Restler
4:39:48
I appreciate you saying that.
4:39:49
Can I just to plainly ask, I think it's a yes or no question, has the board of elections implemented the non personnel related recommendations that were in the report?
Vincent Ignizio
4:40:01
We either have had them in place already and or are putting them in the oldest the six off the top of my head, I don't I can't tell you what they are, but in terms of having an EEO officer, we have them in current having policies and procedures that that folks are made aware of, we do so.
4:40:18
The fact that we have trainings you were speaking to that that is ongoing in the same consistent with what all city city employees go through.
4:40:28
So I'm very confident that we have made strides and continue to make strides to ensure the safety of our all of our employees.
4:40:38
So just
Lincoln Restler
4:40:43
is there an independent EEO office that independently evaluates complaints and conducts investigations or is it just the director of personnel?
4:40:52
Because I don't think that it's a consistent I don't think it's a best practice to have your director of personnel serve as your officer.
Vincent Ignizio
4:41:00
That's who is currently our EEO officer and has been for some time.
Lincoln Restler
4:41:07
Well, the report went back and forth on that topic.
4:41:11
But when the b the report indicated that when the BOE's director of personnel receives an EO complaint, he refers the matter to executive management.
4:41:21
Is that the practice?
4:41:25
Is that practice still in effect?
4:41:26
Is that
Vincent Ignizio
4:41:29
To my understanding that the EEO officer evaluates and makes recommendations to the reports to executive management and which ultimately reports to the board of commissioners.
Lincoln Restler
4:41:42
Okay.
4:41:42
I I mean, I think it would be helpful, and we can go through this in greater detail.
4:41:46
I'm not gonna go through every recommendation in this moment, but I think it would be very helpful for us to get an understanding of progress on implementation of the recommendations that were made.
4:41:55
It sounds like you're not disagreeing with the policy and practice recommendations that were included in the report.
4:42:02
You think some of them were already implemented, but I we would very much appreciate if we could get responses in writing to a status update on the implementation of each of the recommendations.
4:42:15
Sure.
4:42:16
Okay.
4:42:16
Last question for me is on the general counsel position.
4:42:19
I understand you got a funky hiring process at the BOE, but is there a job posting?
4:42:25
Is there any kind of search?
4:42:27
Or is there any update on the hiring for the role?