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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 02/03/2000 • SUMMARY MINUTES NON-QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 3,2000 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Rev.Willie Davila Ms. Anna Mercado-Flores Mr.Oscar Hinojosa Mr.Daniel Carmona(Youth Commissioner) Dr.Sylvester Peterson Ms.Lena Coleman Ms.Jeanette Stevens Ms.Kelly Garza(Youth Commissioner) Mr.Errol Summerlin Rabbi Paul Joseph (Advisory) Ms.Olga Tamar Ms.JoAnn Kernick Ms.Sandra Terrell-Davis Ms.Blaire Pittman(Youth Commissioner) Ms.Laura Rios Ms.Toni Tamez Staff Present Dr.Helen Gurley June Shultz Attorney Mr.Joseph Harney Reverend Davila,Chairperson,called the regular monthly meeting to order at approximately 5:15 p.m. It was determined that there was not a quorum present,therefore there would not be a formally recognized meeting. However,since there was a Guest Speaker who had come from Austin,Texas,to provide a presentation,an informal meeting continued. As indicated above,nine Commissioners indicated they were unable to attend this month's meeting,but were granted excused absences. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes from the.January 6,2000 Meeting are being held for approval at the next formal meeting. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT—Rev.Willie Davila No report was provided at this time. Rev.Davila asked that Mr.John Benevides' Presentation be moved up on the Agenda. Dr. Gurley introduced Mr. Benevides,who works with the Texas Commission on Human Rights in Austin,Texas. Mr. Benevides indicated he was excited that Corpus Christi was going to be the 5th City in the State of Texas to have"Substantial Equivalency"with HUD. This will be beneficial to citizens,allowing them to have a local person to talk with,as well as a point of contact for housing providers with,questions or someone to whom they can go to. It is also closer to than having to refer someone to Austin to address a concern or complaint.The Texas Commission on Human Rights (TCHR)works closely with cities,Ft.Worth,Austin,Dallas,Garland,and now Corpus Christi. This comes at a very good time for the City, as HUD is starting a new computer system,called the"T-Pot"System. It is virtually a"paperless"system,which is due to start this year. It allows you to monitor the cases more closely. TCHR talks with each city,approximately once or twice a week. E-Mail helps. He also explained that Austin's laws were slightly different than HUD's,in that they expanded local ordinances to include sexual orientation,age discrimination and student protections. When considering housing complaints, it is important to ensure that at least Title VIII is enforced,but you can go beyond that, if your ordinance addresses it. Plus, for the City, they have Public Accommodation. Mr. Benevides indicated he recently discussed the proposed Ordinance Revision with a City Attorney and a citizen who had some questions. He clarified that HUD has had some recent amendments, which addressed issues such as "Confidentiality" and "Final Investigative Reports". Commissioner Summerlin asked if there were any studies or statistics on impact to a City having a Fair Housing Ordinance, 1 i.e.:helping to bring in business? Mr.Benevides indicated that businesses look at many factors when considering relocation or establishing a worksite. They consider politics,workforce and housing. There has been a lot of movement in High Tech for Austin,just as in Williams County,their response to the proposed"Significant Others"clause has stopped some activity there. There are other pluses as well,the City will be reimbursed for some expenses from HUD,i.e.:$20,000 for training provided each year. This year there will be some training held in San Antonio on June 11,2000. Reverend Davila asked about PSA's at the State level? Mr.Benevides indicated that yes,there are some,but they haven't had much outreach. They utilize Service Fairs for State and Local Agencies,which allows large groups of citizens to come and gather information for individual needs. TCHR has printed information and some radio spots(but that is limited). The City of Austin does a lot of PSA's now. Commissioner Summerlin asked if the expenses related to PSA's are allowed for coverage under the $115,000 Grant Funds, or other media time? Mr. Benevides indicated that there are "Special Enforcement Funds" provided. Most agencies put information out on newspapers, green sheets, etc. They have some materials in Spanish. FHIP Grants had set aside some monies for studies,i.e.:a recent study by Laredo,regarding persons over 55. It studied the impact of a recent State Law, where a House Bill removed some requirements for"Significant Facilities and Services"and other requirements. Reverend Davila asked about"Testing",how it was handled and resources available. Mr. Benevides indicated they did testing,using staff. They have a"Testing Manual"and they did"sandwich"testing,where they would try to catch the same person,when going in to inquire about housing. He indicated that it wasn't good for a FHAP to do the testing,really a FHIP should. Other groups can go in and do it,i.e.:the Walker Project in Dallas;Austin's Tenant's Council. Dr.Gurley asked Mr.Benevides to explain to the Commission about the HUD Grant for the first three years. Mr.Benevides stated he believes that HUD has increased their Grant to$125,000 for the three-year period. The City will be assigned cases and HUD will review them. There will be"Special Enforcement"monies for advertising,outreach and litigation. HUD wants you to resolve cases through conciliation if possible. The City is responsible for enforcement,if the agreements are not complied with. The City will receive$1,800 for each investigation it completes. HUD expects no more than a 3%-4% maximum"Failure to Cooperate/Locate"type of closure. There are new avenues that are helpful to address this,such as the Internet,Utilities Offices,DPS,etc. HUD also doesn't like"Withdrawal with Benefits" closures. It prefers that the resolution be reflected as a Conciliation Agreement,because that provides benefits and protection to both parties. HUD also provides $20,000 in Training. Charges receive additional monies if it has to go through a litigation process (approximately$300-$500). This won't pay for all expenses,but it will offset some of it. You also use an Administrative Hearing Process,where an Administrative Law Judge sits in. If you go through Court,it is more expensive. TCHR has an Administrative Law Judge Section,comprised of retired Judges. They apply case law when hearing the case. Commissioner Tamar asked how outreach was done? Mr. Benevides indicated that they work with FHIP Agencies, advertisements,radio announcements,training sessions,and recently they worked with Ft. Worth and NAACP to put on some training for Housing Providers,Mortgage Lenders and Investigators. Mr.Benevides indicated that there are more and more cases being filed on Housing Complaints dealing with Disabilities. COMMISSIONERS/COMMITTEE REPORTS Housing Committee/Revision of City Ordinance—Commissioner Olga Tamar A handout was distributed of the February 1,2000 Housing Committee Meeting. Mr. Willard Hammonds had submitted a letter voicing some concerns regarding the proposed Ordinance Revision. Dr. Gurley addressed each concern and provided copies of the subsequent response and follow-up correspondence. Reverend Davila asked if we were still on the Agenda? Dr.Gurley indicated yes. Reverend Davila asked if at this point it seems like it would pass? Dr.Gurley indicated yes,it still seems that there is no opposition to the revision at this time. Reverend Davila asked if we needed representation? Dr. Gurley indicated that it would be good for some of the Commissioners to be present if at all possible. If any Commissioners can come,the Ordinance is approximately Number 10 on the Agenda. Reverend Davila asked if Dr.Gurley could have staff call the other Commissioners who were not in today's meeting. Dr. Gurley agreed to notify all the Commissioners. Reverend Davila indicated the Commission should plan a celebration once the City receives its Interim Agreement. 2 Mayor's Task Force for Persons with Disabilities—Commissioner Hinojosa No report at this time. OLD BUSINESS None at this time. NEW BUSINESS None at this time. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Monthly statistical report was provided to the Commissioners. The Human Relations Department will start on a Housing Study,as soon as HUD monies become available. Dr.Gurley informed the Commissioners that she had asked Assistant City Manager Tom Utter for the information requested by Dr.Peterson at last Month's Commission Meeting. Dr.Gurley is still looking into training through the John Marshall School of Law. They have a contract with HUD to provide training on Housing. She also wants the Commissioners and staff to receive Mediation training. Dr. Gurley informed the Commissioners that the ADA Booklet was completed. Assistant City Manager Jorge Garza and various upper management were very pleased to receive the information. PUBLIC COMMENTS-Limited to two(2)Minutes There were no public comments at this meeting. The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:05 p.m. 34.64(.1c/C)--- Rev.Willie Davila,Chairman Date Minutes Mrd ifinyi 3