During the Oct. 20 Schenectady City government operations committee meeting, members raised concerns about a recent incident in which the building inspector reportedly called 911 regarding a construction crew and made comments suggesting the crew "looked illegal," language committee members described as racially charged.

Councilmember Mutuveran (spelled in the packet as "Mutuveran") introduced the item and said he had been collecting audio, video and resident reports about multiple enforcement interactions in which residents and contractors say code enforcement and assessment staff treated them disrespectfully. He said examples included an inspector calling 911 at work sites, references to workers' appearance and complaints that enforcement actions had discouraged contractors from working in the city.

Committee members and the mayor discussed two lines of response: (1) following up on specific complaints and personnel conduct through the city's personnel and disciplinary protocols and (2) addressing broader institutional concerns by expanding staff training on bias, customer service and anti‑racism. The mayor said personnel matters are handled administratively and can be discussed in greater detail in executive session; other council members urged a citywide, institutional response including training for new and existing employees and a review of the employee handbook and workplace policies.

Several council members said they had previously pushed for anti‑racism or bias training and that funding for training had at one point been included in a budget request; they debated whether the council or administration was responsible for implementing training paid for by council allocations. Committee members also asked that staff document and share the complaints they had received so the council could track patterns.

After the public portion of the discussion, the committee voted to enter executive session to review personnel issues and related complaints. The committee recessed into executive session as allowed under personnel‑matter provisions; committee members said they would follow up publicly after the confidential review to the extent allowed by law.