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CITIZEN ADVOCACY PANEL (CAP) Brooklyn District Meeting Minutes
Panel Members Attending: Jim Montes, Chairperson Edward Maher, Vice-Chairperson Tony Fandozzi Kristen Bailey, DFO Laura Greenberg Ethel Richards IRS Staff Attending : Eileen Cain, CAP Manager James McGurn, CAP Analyst Leonides Rivera, CAP Secretary George Deller, Senior Analyst Absentees: Horace Aiken John Rotondi Burton Kahn Marie Nahikian Matt Mihovich Guests: None Public Attendees: None Opening of the Meeting Chairperson Montes called the meeting to order at 6: 15 P.M. He thanked Vice Chairperson Maher for leading the prior meeting in his absence. He noted the Panel is now officially in it's second year with much work to do and stated the past year has been a successful one. Review of February 25, 2000 and March 21, 2000 Minutes The panel members accepted the February 25, 2000 minutes without amendment. The March 21, 2000 minutes were amended to reflect the exact comments made by Panel member Fandozzi in the discussion of the March 2nd Public Forum (page 2) and to provide greater clarity as to which report Panel member Greenberg was referring to on page 5. Threaded Messaging CAP Manager Cain gave a visual presentation to the Panel on the "threaded messaging" Web site. This site provides a forum for discussion with other CAPs' members so that there can be an interchange of ideas and information. The site is not for public use or view. Panel member Maher shared his experiences with its capabilities. The Panel members discussed its possible uses. Panel member Maher noted that not all CAP members have access to the Internet. Reports of Working Committees EITC Panel member Greenberg submitted the EITC Sub-Committee Report. The report is attached and is an integral part of these minutes. She reported the sub-committee is in process of reviewing the 2000 Tax Professional Earned Income Credit CD-ROM and the correspondence used by the Service Centers to contact taxpayers regarding EITC issues. The sub-committee is also working on a simplified form to replace the current Schedule EITC. Language Diversity - Kiosk Project DFO Bailey discussed the problems with the Kiosk as outlined by Panel member Mihovich. Panel member Mihovich had noted that the Kiosk output and operation is much different than that which the Panel had submitted in many areas. DFO Bailey assured the Panel that she and CAP Manager Cain would visit the Kiosk during the week to determine the extent of the problems and will raise the issue back to procurement to see that the contract with the vendor is appropriately fulfilled. Panel member Greenberg felt that Panel member Mihovich should have been consulted by the IRS while the process of procurement was taking place. DFO Bailey outlined that procurement policies only permit a designated procurement officer from dealing directly with vendors but that she will ensure he is appraised and consulted during future activities. Chairperson Montes stated that he had real concerns with the Kiosk being installed before it had been inspected by IRS to ensure that it was operating as contracted. Panel member Richards requested that a procurement officer visit with the Panel to explain what happened and advise of its procedures. DFO Bailey will follow-up and will advise the Panel. New Business/Other Matters CAP manager Cain handed out information regarding the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Homecoming Festival being sponsored by the Brooklyn Borough President. The event is being held on June 11, 2000. She felt that this would be a good event for the Panel to attend in order for CAP to bring itself to the community. A booth could be purchased for presentation of literature and small items with the CAP logo could also be purchased. The Panel members discussed and agreed it would be a good event to attend. CAP Manager Cain will go ahead and book the booth and follow-up. CAP Manager Cain handed out information regarding the NATP's Conference in July. This conference had been discussed at prior meetings. She advised that Mid West CAP had purchased a booth that we could share. Panel member Fandozzi expressed a willingness to attend. CAP manager Cain handed out an Email from Panel member Nahikian regarding an invitation to participate in a small business workshop being sponsored by the Queens County Economic Development Corporation. The workshop will be geared toward Latino business owners and will take place on May 24th at the Jackson Heights Library. Panel member Richards agreed to represent CAP. CAP manager Cain will get more information and follow-up. Senior Analyst Deller noted that each fall the IRS issues media announcements regarding undelivered refunds. He thought this may be a good time for a tie-in to a public meeting. Chairperson Montes announced that a new Panel member has been selected. Her name is Mercedes Cintron and she works for New York State as an outreach Coordinator. She resides in Suffolk County and plans to attend the April 28th meeting. He also advised the Panel that South Florida CAP members had agreed to extend their two year commitment to come in line with the remaining commitment of the other CAPs. All other CAPs have had elections of officers with the exception of South Florida. All CAPs are in agreement to hold a second conference, possibly in the Fall. Panel member Fandozzi asked Chairperson Montes if he felt his conference calls with the other CAP chairs were productive. He replied that he thought they were in that they provide an excellent means of sharing information, proposals, and styles of operation. He noted that the other Chairs were reading our minutes to become more familiar with what Brooklyn CAP is doing. Chairperson Montes discussed the Washington meeting, attended by CAP chairs, where advertising and other outreach issues were discussed. They met with Emmerling Post; an advertising company that developed the E-file campaign for IRS public service announcements recently aired on television and radio. They will prepare a video and host a videoconference with the CAP Chairs on May 16th to outline a campaign. Chairperson Montes extended an invitation to Panel members to attend. June 7th Public Meeting Panel member Maher requested the staff to confirm the times of the meeting (7:30 to 9:30) with the Flushing Library. Staff will follow-up. Translators will be available but hearing impaired translator will not be procured due to lack of need at prior meetings. Advertising and flyers will request that if an individual does have a need to contact CAP and one will be procured. Advertising is being handled by Kevin McKeon and will include local foreign language newspapers. CAP Manager Cain inquired as to the need for a stenographer. The Panel members concurred that one should be procured. Adjournment Panel member Richards made a motion to adjourn and Vice-Chairperson Maher seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M. The Panel members accepted these minutes without amendment on May 19, 2000. I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the foregoing minutes are accurate and complete.
Jim Montes, Chairperson Brooklyn District Citizens Advocacy Panel Attachments: Report of EITC Sub-Committee |