HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 03/04/2010 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commissi • n' CEIVEQ
Summary of Minutes for March 4, 2010 APR 2 0 2010
1. CALL TO ORDER CITY SECRETARY'S pFF�CE
Chairperson Ramiro Gamboa called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Present Commissioners:
Ramiro Gamboa Robert Garza Abel Alonzo
Robert Adler Edna Arredondo Margie Myers
Lucy Reta Mariah Howard (Youth) Jacob Sendejar (Youth)
Present Staff:
Leon Bazar(Human Relations) Patsy Garcia (Human Relations) Deborah Brown (Legal)
Absent Commissioners:
Toni Davis (Excused) Patricia Mattocks (Excused) Pastor Reaves (Excused)
Robert Bonner(Youth) Dalia Brem Kathleen Cooper
Eric Holguin
Please note: Although Kathleen Cooper's name was called, Ms. Cooper had not been
sworn in as a Commissioner; therefore, absence will not be counted against her term.
B. REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES
Motion to excuse Toni Davis, Patricia Mattocks and Pastor Derrick Reaves for the
MOTION March 4, 2010 meeting made by Robert Garza and seconded by Edna Arredondo.
Motion passed.
2. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF 02/04/10
MOTION Motion to approve the February 4, 2010 meeting minutes made by Lucy Reta and Margie
Myers. Motion passed.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS (LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES)
None
[Deborah Brown arrived at 5:04 p.m.]
4. PRESENTATIONS - COMMON ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES IN MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING
Wanese Butler presented the Commissioners with a very informative PowerPoint
presentation - Housing Accessibility "Beyond the Brick and Mortar". Highlights included:
Design and Construction, Dwellings, Types of Housing, No Minimum of Accessible
Units, Accessibility Requirements, Residential Parking, Accessible Building Entrance on
Accessible Route, Accessible Route Into and Through the Unit, Usable Doors, Light
Switches, Electrical Outlets, Thermostats, Environmental Controls, Reinforcing Walls for
Grab Bars, Usable Kitchens and Bathrooms, Accessible and Usable Public/Common
Use Areas. (A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is attached to the back of the minutes.)
SCANNED
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5. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT
A. New Commissioner Introduction
Mr. Gamboa stated Ms. Cooper did not attend the meeting. New Commissioner
Introduction deferred until next month's meeting.
B. League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Textbook Hearings
MOTION Mr. Gamboa reported hearings in Austin will be held during March 11th and 12th
regarding changes in Social Studies textbooks being produced for children for the
next ten years. The Committee is trying to do away with a lot of information
regarding minorities African-American, Hispanics, Germans, Asians, etc. in
textbooks. More information is available online at Texas Education Agency
Textbook Hearings website.
6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Housing Subcommittee — New Texas Property Changes
Ms. Myers provided handouts and reported on new Texas January 1, 2010
changes: (A copy of the handout is attached to the back of the minutes.)
• Repair Orders Easier to Come By
• Utility Cutoffs No Longer Allowed
• New Smoke Detector Requirements for the Hearing Impaired in Texas
• Lease Termination Rights for Family Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors
Leon Bazar reported the Human Relations Department has two cases with difficulty
in which may have to bring before the Commission next month for subpoenas to
proceed with case investigations.
B. Committee for Persons With Disabilities — March 3rd Meeting
Abel Alonzo reported the following:
• This year's Walk 'n Roll Celebration will be held in the month of July. The Coastal
Bend TRAN Sub-Chapter would like to partner with the City of Corpus Christi to
celebrate Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Leon circulated a draft letter to the Commission to prepare an appointment
recommendation to the RTA. The letter will go through: the Committee, the
Commission, the Assistant City Manager Margie Rose, and the City Manager
Angel Escobar and finally to the City Council. The letter will be brought before the
Commission next month for Resolution.
• Mr. Alonzo stated he was proud of the progress with Development Services,
Engineering and Parks and Recreation Departments. Mr. Alonzo and thanked Leon
Bazar and his staff for demonstrating leadership and a positive environment with
other departments.
C. Education Subcommittee— Project Proposal Presentation
Mariah Howard stated she, Robert Bonner and Leon Bazar met on March 2nd and
discussed whether or not they are going to do a new PowerPoint presentation for
the Student Council Conference. The Student Council Conference date, time and
location will be determined by sponsors by the end of the week.
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D. Disparity Subcommittee — No Update
E. Health Disparity Subcommittee— 03/31/10 Birth Defects Workshop Information
Patricia Mattocks was absent. Ms. Mattocks sent Mr. Bazar an e-mail indicating
there will be a presentation by the Department of State Health Services on
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the Del Mar Small Business
Development Center. This is not a meeting of the CCHRC. Commissioners are
being invited as individuals. Commissioners interested in attending may contact
Leon Bazar or Ms. Mattocks.
7. HUMAN RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
A. Department Monthly Performance Report Review
Leon Bazar provided the Commissioners with copies of the February 2010 Monthly
Performance Report. (A copy of the report is attached to the back of the minutes.) Highlights included:
• EEOC adjusted previous month's closures from 30 to 15 based on duplicate
employers in settlement
• Housing closures at 80% with 4 months left on contract — Anticipate to exceed
contract and generate additional funding
• Will need to do Fair Housing outreach due to inventory shrinking
• Submitted one EEOC charge for Conciliation to San Antonio for review and
agreement
• EEOC charge age average is 218 days — lowest ever — moving toward target
of 180 days — was previously in 300+ day range
• EEOC issues for Closures involved Race (White), Religion, Disability and
Discharge
• HUD Fair Housing Closures involved Disability and Race (White)
B. Budget Process Update
Leon Bazar reported on the Budget Process Update. Highlights included:
• Budget adjustments completed for the remainder of the fiscal year - at $6.2
million as a whole for the City
• Now facing 2010-2011 — possible $8-10 million deficit for City organization
(like other cities)
• Not known at this time how Human Relations will be impacted — currently in
the planning stages for next budget year
8. IDENTIFY ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA
CFPWD Resolution
Youth Presentation Preview
9. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Robert Garza and seconded by Robert
Adler. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m.
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