SR 06:116 - Laserfiche WebLink

apartment managers to learn if there is something defective about their practices so that they can make appropriate corrections. Commissioner Jones asked if there is any period of time at which ECHO will call these places back to see if the violations have been corrected. Ms. Cullen replied that they plan to retest the places where some of the violations were particularly of concern. Ms. Colbert indicated this effort is sometimes complicated by the fact that there is frequent turnover among on-site managers. Commissioner Stark asked if ECHO had a facility in the Tri- Valley area. Ms. Colbert replied that ECHO has a satellite office at the Livermore Multi-Service Center. Commissioner Start also asked how the results of the audit compare to the complaints that are received at the Tri- Valley center, and in particular for Pleasanton, and ifthe results of the audit are consistent with the complaints they typically receive. Ms. Colbert replied that discrimination complaints are fairly rare at the Tri- Valley office. She noted that usually when someone calls and raises a concern about discrimination there are usually other issues taking place that trigger the claim. ECHO staff ask various questions of callers to confirm discrimination before taking any action. Commissioner Stark asked if they felt that any of these cases typically warrant litigation or further action. Ms. Colbert stated that the callers usually just make a complaint and do not want to pursue it any further. Ms Cullen stated that ECHO definitely does want to retest specific sites if repeated instances of possible discrimination are found. In such a case, ECHO could file an "agency complaint." Commissioner Stark asked if ECHO has noticed any increase in contact after the articles about the audit appeared in the local newspapers. Ms. Colbert responded that they have not noticed any increase. Commissioner Whisnand thanked the representatives from ECHO for providing a great service. He asked about the audit results for Pleasanton and questioned the statistical significance of testing ten people in a city of this size. Ms. Cullen commented that their ability to test properties is linked to the amount of funding ECHO receives from the City and also on the fact that they were testing apartment complexes of which Pleasanton does not have a high number. Chairperson Harris stated that 30% does not seem very positive to him although Pleasanton looks good compared to the Livermore and especially to Union City. He asked if ECHO had done audits based on racial discrimination before. Ms. Colbert indicated that they had but that Pleasanton was not included in the earlier audits. Ms. Cullen stated that last year they did voice identification testing which was also a racial discrimination test. Pleasanton sites were included in that test. Page - 3 -