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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 08/03/2000 MINUTES-QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING August 3,2000 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Mr.Oscar Hinojosa Mr.William`Bill"Bonilla Ms.Lena Coleman Mr.David"Phillip"Engel Mr.Scott Elliff Mr.Joshua J.Jiminez .o;�� Ms.Anna Mercado-Flores Ms.Laura Rios 4., Ms.JoAnn Kernick Mr.Errol Summerlin / ? c' , :^ Mr.Joey Maldonado Ms.Olga Tamar Dr.Sylvester Peterson " c Ms.Sandra'Ferrell-Davis Non-Voting Advisory-Absent s' Rev.Willie Davila ;;b Staff-Present Dr.Helen Gurley 1 Adult Commissioner Vacancy June Shultz HRC Legal Advisor -Present Mr.Joseph Harney Oscar Hinojosa,Chairperson,called the monthly meeting to order on August 3,2000 at 5:00 p.m. It was determined that there was a quorum present,therefore the Commission proceeded with the formally recognized meeting. ATTENDANCE The following Commissioners had excused absences:Bill Bonilla,Rev.Davila,Phillip Engel,Joshua Jiminez,Laura Rios, Errol Summerlin and Olga Tamar. The Commission currently has 1 vacancy. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes from the June 6th and 16th,2000 Commission Meetings were approved. The July 6th Meeting was a non- quorum meeting. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT The new City Budget was passed and the Chair indicated that there were some problems with the new Budget,as far as appropriate funding for a fully functioning Department. Dr.Gurley and HRC Commissioners Mercado-Flores,Summerlin, and Hinojosa discussed their concerns and spoke with the City Council on July 18`s. It was decided that the Human Relations Office would be kept open,but the Budget is not what the HRC and Office wanted,but at least the Office is open. The Chair also informed the Commission of the formal resignation of Commissioner Jeanette Stevens. The Commission also received a card from prior Youth Commissioner Blaire Pittman,expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to be a Youth Commissioner and work with the Commission. COMMITTEE REPORTS Housing Committee—No report at this time. ADA Committee—No report at this time. 1 SCiNNED NEW BUSINESS Appointment of new Chairperson by Mayor Neal-Oscar Hinojosa was appointed HRC Chairperson. Vote and discussion for new Vice Chairperson—Anna Mercado-Flores expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve as the Vice Chairperson and the support she received from the Commissioners. Dr.Peterson was nominated for the Vice-Chairperson position and seconded. No other nominations were made,a vote was taken and it was unanimous for Dr. Peterson's appointment. OLD BUSINESS Discussion of Housing—HUD training held in San Antonio,4 City Staff members went,2 from Human Relations Office and 2 from the Legal Department. HUD has new computer system software called"Teapot",which the City will need to use. This will require purchase of Pentium 3 computers. With Housing Complaints,the HRC doesn't issue a charge until there is a belief that a discriminatory issue exists. Memorandum of Understanding — John Trasvina, Special Counsel from the Office of Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices,U.S.Department of Justice,has approached the CCHRC about being the first Office in the State of Texas to entering into a Memorandum of Understanding. It will be signed at the Annual Training Conference. Mr.Peterson discussed the additional duties with regard to HUD—has there been any additional support or supplies for these new responsibilities. Dr.Gurley indicated that it would be difficult to meet expectations of HUD. The City Council had told us that we would use some of the funding for additional staff; however, with the cutting of 2 staff positions it will be very tight. The $115,000.00 was suppose to be used to develop the Housing Program,purchase new computers,and yet currently there is no money in the budget for the computers. Basically,we will have to live off grants,which goes against the Ordinance and earlier'98 Ordinance and the HUD agreement. The counter proposal was turned down,and the City is contributing only $41,000.00 of City funds. Dr.Gurley had proposed reducing the Compliance Officers to Grade 25s,but that the Council and Management wanted to keep them at Grade 27s. This means that there was an additional$14,000.00 shortfall with the budget that was approved, because the salaries were calculated for Grade 25s. Human Relations have to have new computers to be operational under the HUD system. Additionally,with the reduction of the 2 staff members,Dr.Gurley has now had to assume responsibility overseeing all the Housing Complaints that come in. Annual Training Conference—Confirmation of who will attend and/or participate:Commissioner Coleman will be present Thursday,August 24th at Luncheon;Commissioner Kernick will not be here for the Conference;Commissioner Peterson will be present, will check with Commissioner Bonilla; Commissioner Terrell-Davis will be present; Commissioner Maldonado will be present(he has agreed to be the Moderator for the entire day on August 25th). All Guest Speakers have confirmed. Katherine Martinez-Vitella will provide presentations on both ADA and FLMA. The San Antonio District Office cancelled their participation this year. So far we have 75 persons registered. A budget update was provided earlier. The HUD Interim Agreement is still pending,but anticipated to be submitted no later than next month. We will receive$115,000+$5,000 for training. We will have to setup a revenue account. EEOC is still in the General Fund. There was discussion on Commissioners wanting to discuss budgetary concerns further with the Mayor and/or City Council. Dr.Gurley asked to return to New Business item—Housing Charge. She provided a quick review on the case. The initial complaint was filed 7/1/99. There was aspects of Public Accommodation and Housing;however,the Charging Party's (C.P.) Attorney is filing a lawsuit under.ADA, and the City will file under Housing. The Respondent had no disabled parking spaces. Even with meetings discussing Federal, State and Local laws,the Association still refuses to provide reasonable accommodation.The C.P. utilizes a wheelchair. The condos were built prior to 1991,however,the C.P.agreed 2 to pay for the parking space designation costs. The State is proceeding with filing a charge and the Texas Commission on Human Rights;is proceeding with fling a charge. Dr.Gurley requested the Commission to allow Administration toissue- a Housing Charge on the Commission's and City's behalf. Commissioner Mercado-Flores made a motion to issue the Housing Charge,and Commissioner Peterson seconded it. There was some discussion. A vote was taken and motion passed unanimously.Dr.Gurley will proceed with issuance of the Housing Charge on the Commission's and City's behalf. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT The Administrative Report was provided in a new format. For consistency purposes,the Administrator will provide the same report as that provided to the City Manager. The key information will still be maintained. CCHRC was notified that they would be having a downward modification. The intakes were being reduced from 227 to 184. We presently have 144. With respect to resolutions,it is a group action and we must have unified effort. PUBLIC COMMENTS-Limited to two(2)Minutes None at this time. A suggestion was made to draft a letter to the Chief of Police showing the HRC's support on gang violence and hate crime prevention and intervention endeavors. There was discussion about including the Nueces County Sheriffs Department as well. A motion was made and amended to include both the City's Police Department and Nueces County Sheriffs Department and to prepare the information in a"Resolution"format,which will be signed by all the Commissioners. A vote was taken and passed unanimously. The administrative staff will draft the resolution for the Commission. Motion made and seconded for meeting to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. 7 56 f C) Oscar Hinojosa,S `hairperson Date Minutes Approved 3