HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 06/04/2003 SUMMARY MINUTES
June 4, 2003
Regular Monthly Meeting of the Committee for Persons with Disabilities
Committee Members - Present Committee Members - Absent
Chairperson: Ms. Crystal Lyons Mr. Billy R. Sayles
Vice Chair: Mr. Roberto M. Flores Ms. Debra Valenzuela
Mr. Eloy Soza
Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover
Ms. Toni Padilla
Ms. Mary J. Saenz
Mr. Glen Ray Torno
CITY STAFF and ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Building Official: Park and Recreation Director:
Mr. Art Sosa/Mr. John Kendall Mr. Dan Whitworth
Human Relations Administrator: Legal Advisor:
Mr. L. David Ramos, Director Mr. Joseph Harney
Human Relations Management Assistant: Human Relations Analyst:
Ms. June Shultz Ms. Wanese Taylor Butler
I. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Chairperson Lyons at 3:36 PM.
A. Introduction of Ms. Valenzuela —Ms. Valenzuela unable to attend.
B. Issuance of Attendance Policy — Ms. Valenzuela unable to attend.
C. 1. Roll Call - Roll called by Ms. Butler.
Present Committee Members: Crystal Lyons, Robert Flores, Linda
Fallwell-Stover, Toni Padilla, Mary Saenz and Ray Torno.
Present City Staff: Art Sosa, Joseph Harney, David Ramos and
Wanese Butler.
Quorum: YES
Others Present: Margie Rose, ACM
Late Arrivals: David Ondrias for Dan Whitworth — 3:40 PM
Eloy Soza — 3:50 PM
2. Other Attendance Business: After brief Committee discussion,
the Chair Ms. Lyons asked staff to inform the City Secretary's
Office that Ms. Valenzuela has not yet attended any of the CFPWD
meetings.
SCANNED
3. Excused Absences: Mr. Flores had previously called-in for his
absences, which were excused by the Committee today.
II. APPROVALS OF MINUTES - Monthly Minutes from the May 7, 2003 meeting
were reviewed. Amendments were made by the Committee:
Amendment#1 Ms. Lyons amended paragraph 6 of Page 2 to add that the
resource book that Mr. Guzman, of the Governor's
Committee for Persons with Disabilities, offered is in regards
to state laws concerning persons with disabilities.
Amendment#2A Ms. Lyons amended the last sentence of Page 3 to include
and indication that Mr. Stan Terry no longer works with the
Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC), as per Ms. Saenz's
remarks during the Human Resources' presentation.
Amendment#2B Ms. Saenz also amended this section of Page 3 to
strengthen the wording by changing "indicated" to "stated" as
she felt that the word "indicated" was too soft regarding City
Human Resources Director, Ms. Garcia's remarks during her
presentation on 5/7/03.
Amendment#3 Ms. Saenz amended 2nd to last paragraph of Page 3 to
include a remark as statement by Ms. Garcia that it would be
difficult for persons using wheelchairs to work with the
children in the City's Summer Program.
Amendment#4 Ms. Padilla amended Page 5 to correct the spelling of United
Cerebral Palsy.
The Committee accepted the Summary Minutes of 5/7/03 as Amended.
III. Presentations/Public Comments — None.
IV. Chair's Report— Moved Back to Audience
The Chair, Ms. Lyons, moved to Agenda Item V — Committee Reports since
Assistant City Manager, Margie Rose, was present. Ms. Lyon's explained that
she had invited Ms. Rose for the day's discussions.
1. Title I Employment — Hiring/Employment Practices
MOTION: Ms. Lyons made a motion that the CFPWD recommend Ms.
Rose to make a recommendation to the City Manager that a
complete comprehensive self-evaluation be conducted of the
Human Resources Department, utilizing the Employment
Supplement of the Access Guide as endorsed by the
Department of Justice, and that interested persons, including
persons with disabilities be included in this process.
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SECOND: Mr. Flores seconded the above motion. There was no further
discussion. A vote was then called.
MOTION PASSED with none opposing votes.
In Ms. Rose's follow-up response, she informed the Committee that she
will:
(1) Forward this action accordingly, with Staff providing a copy of the
Committee's resolution; and
(2) Provide an update to the Committee by the next meeting.
Ms. Padilla suggested that Staff also provide Ms. Rose a copy of last
month's meeting.
Chair's Report:
A. Travel Issues....
B. Information from Governor's Office....
V. Return to Committee Reports
A. Outreach/Awareness Sub-Committee — No report at this time.
B. Legislative Committee - Non-Discrimination Ordinance:
The Chair asked Mr. Ramos for status regarding the non-discrimination
ordinance. Mr. Ramos had distributed a copy of the City's impact
memorandum, per the Chair's request for a copy. The Chair asked for
explanation of both the Human Relations and Park and Recreation
estimated costs stated in the City's impact memo. Mr. Ramos explained
that these costs are a proposed budget. Chair asked Ms. Rose when the
non-discrimination ordinance would be on the City Council agenda.
Chairs Report- Ms. Lyons reported on four items:
1. News article to possibly submit for a Barbara Jordan Award (BJA). This article
Corpus Christi Caller-Times article was on a local high school student with a
disability who assists his school's football team, which considers him an asset.
2. Non-Discrimination Ordinance
a. The Chair has spoken individually with most City Council Members, one
pending.
b. The Chair provided individual information packets to City Council Members
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regarding information on business organizations, including tax incentive
information.
c. The Chair reminded all of tax incentives for hiring and training persons with
disabilities.
d. The Chair offered to conduct training.
3. BJA - Need to assess what services are accessible to provide to event
attendees.
4. Status of State of Texas House Bill 1098 — This bill is pending in committee,
with the Legislative Session ending soon on June 2, 2003. Interested persons
may still contact State legislature.
Committee Reports
A. Outreach/Awareness Subcommittee— No committee report at this time.
B. Legislative — No committee report at this time. However regarding the Non-
Discrimination Ordinance, Mr. Ramos indicated that the information that the City
Manager had previously mentioned would compiled for City Council has been
forwarded to management by the Human Relations Department. Ms. Lyons
mentioned hopes for a balanced report on ordinance impact, both if done or not.
[Ms. Shultz arrived at 5:01 PM] and [Ms. Fallwell-Stover departed at 5:01 PM]
Old Business
A. Transition Plan — Budget Efforts:
Budget process underway — pending. Committee reminded of public hearing
dates: 5/13/03 is the CDBG Public Hearing and 5/20/03 is anticipated CDBG
Adoption.
B. Accessible Parking Brochure:
Brief discussion ensured. Ms. Padilla confirmed that her comments had been
incorporated in the draft brochure, yet Ms. Lyons' changes pending. No action
taken since Mr. Flores, Brochure Committee Chair, was absent.
C. Retreat:
General discussion ensured as Committee members reviewed individual
calendars to determine time and date for the Committee's retreat on new
member orientation and strategic planning. Ms. Lyons mentioned that if new
member, Ms. Valenzuela, does not attend next month's meeting, then seek a
replacement through the City Council. After discussion, this retreat was set for
Monday, June 16, 2003 from 1-5PM at City Hall, with meeting room to be
determined.
D. Report on Fair Housing Conference:
Ms. Lyons mentioned (1) that although there is a lack of information on fair
housing with the apartment association, some representatives of the Texas
Apartment Association attended the conference; and (2) the presenters from the
United Cerepulsy could hopefully come again, but that the speaker with a
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disability had accessibility issues with transportation from the airport on his last
trip to Corpus Christi and then on this trip had accessibility problems at Landry's
Restaurant.
[Mr. Guzman departed at 5:19 PM]
Administrators Report
The monthly report for April 2003 was distributed. Mr. Ramos provided an overview of
the month's statistical data and general information.
Committee Concerns I Request For Agenda Items /Announcements
1. Ms. Padilla asked to maintain the Barbara Jordan Awards as a standard agenda
item since the CFPWD is the host in 2004.
2. Mr. Soza asked to maintain the House Bill 1098 as a standard agenda item as well.
3. Ms. Lyons asked the Committee for interested members to attend the City's Civil
Service Board meetings for the next few months to gain a better understanding and
then report back to the full Committee, which would consider any
recommendations for the City Manager and/or City Council. The members who
expressed an interest in attending and representing the Committee as an ad hoc
committee are as follows: Mr. Sayles, Ms. Saenz, Ms. Lyons, with a mention that
Ms. Fallwell-Stover may also participate.
Additional Public Comments
1. The Chair recognized Mr. Jack Widder of Villa Del Sol. Mr. Widder had fair
housing issues and ADA Title II issues, which he agreed to discuss with Mr.
Ramos after the meeting due to another meeting commencing. Mr. Widder would
contact Mr. Ramos and also intends to complete forms for complaints.
[Ms. Butler departed at 5:23 PM]
2. Mr. Abel Alonzo expressed concerns of problems with City Human Resources
Department and Director's comments of 5/7/03.
Adloumment-This meeting adjourned at approximately 5:30 PM.Ary
Approve
ry tai Lyons, mmittee Chairperson Date
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