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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 10/05/2000 /Si ->624:8 MINUTES-QUORUM MEETING /7/(11273 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING ' NAV LOUD ECE$VED October 5,2000 � C1T1'SECRETARY'S Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent OFFICE AA) Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa Mr.William`Bill"Bonilla ,� `' Vice Chair:Dr.Sylvester Peterson Ms.Lena Coleman S�$ZLZ92SI Mr.Scott Elliff Ms.Anna Mercado-Flores Mr.David"Phillip"Engel Ms.Laura Rios Dr.Stuart Elovitz Mr.Errol Summerlin Mr.Joey Maldonado Mr.Joshua J.Jiminez Ms.Olga Tamar Ms.JoAnn Kenrick Ms.Sandra Terrell-Davis Non-Voting Advisory-Absent Rev.Willie Davila Staff-Present HRC Legal Advisor -Absent Dr.Helen Gurley Mr.Joseph Harney June Shultz Oscar Hinojosa, Chairperson, called the monthly meeting to order on October 5, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. Initially, it was determined that a quorum was not present,therefore the Commission proceeded with an informal meeting. The Chair began to give an informal report to those Commissioners present. The newly formed community organization CUFABCC would be holding a meeting open to the public on October 12,2000, at Sokol Hall. The reason this was mentioned to the Commission was due to interest and discussion at the previous month's meeting. Hereafter, any Commissioners or persons from the Community will need to contact CUFABCC directly regarding their interest in attending CUFABCC meetings. However,at 5:15 p.m.,Olga Tamar arrived and a quorum was called. ATTENDANCE The following Commissioners had requested excused absences:Anna Mercado-Flores(at out of town Conference),Laura Rios(work related conflict),Errol Summerlin(work related conflict),Rev.Davila(at a Clergy Conference),Joshua Jiminez (in School Play) and Legal Advisor Joseph Harney (child care conflict). Lena Coleman and Bill Bonilla didn't return reminder call. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes from the September 7,2000 Commission Meetings were reviewed. Commissioner Elliff requested a correction about New Commissioner Training-Dr.Gurley was to suggest some tentative dates for scheduling the training.The minutes were approved,with changes as noted. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT The Chairperson introduced the newly appointed Commissioner,Dr.Stuart Elovitz,M.D.,to the Commission. Dr.Elovitz expressed his thanks for the opportunity to participate with the Commission. Chairperson Hinojosa then raised a concern of the on-going absences that were occurring during the regular Monthly Meeting.There was discussion about the Orientation Manual distributed to each new Commissioner,which addressed attendance requirements. Dr.Gurley shared information from the Corpus Christi City Code of Ordinances,Section 2-61, which advises that Boards,Commissions,and Committee Members must not accumulate more than twenty five percent 1S c,t N ) (25%)of unexcused absences during regular scheduled meetings,in the member's respective term year. A term year is defined as that annual period after which a term is normally scheduled to begin. The Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission's term begins on July 1',continuing through June 30th of the following year. Thus,a member can miss up to and/or no more than three(3)unexcused absences. Chairperson Hinojosa then asked the Commissioners for feedback on types of absences that would be excused and/or unexcused. He proposed that internal guidelines be drafted, for future reference to go by. Commissioner Elliff discussed how in the other three Commissions he served on,that a vote was taken by the Commission to determine if the absence was excused, as each occurred. Commissioner Tamar informed the Commission that her recent absences were related to: 1)the sudden death of her Brother;2) clients in crisis;and 3) car trouble.She requested that these absences be excused. A new Attendance Sub-Committee was formed to develop an internal policy(by-laws). Members will be Chairperson Hinojosa,Commissioner Elliff,Commissioner Elovitz,Commissioner Terrell-Davis and Dr.Gurley. Dr.Gurley will schedule a meeting in the Human Relations Conference Room,over a lunch hour. Commissioner Elliff made a motion,to record those absences where Commissioners notified the Human Relations of their intended absence and those of Commissioner Tamar to be excused. Commissioner Terrell-Davis seconded the motion. A vote was taken and it passed that they would be recorded as excused absences. At the next meeting we can ask Commissioner Coleman and Commissioner Bonilla if they are requesting excused absences. There was further discussion about Commissioner Bonilla's absence. This was Commissioner Bonilla's third absence in consecutive meetings. He has not attended a meeting since he was sworn in. Chairperson Hinojosa indicated that he would like Dr. Gurley to send Commissioner Bonilla a letter,asking him if he is still interested in participating with the Commission. Dr.Gurley discussed the past process,where letters have been sent to Commissioners in the past. Dr.Gurley will prepare the letter. If he does not respond and/or does not come to the November meeting,then that will result in an automatic dismissal. A vacancy notification letter will be sent to Mayor,through the City Secretary's Office,with a copy going to Commissioner Bonilla. COMMITTEE REPORTS Housing Committee—No report at this time. ADA Committee—Dr.Gurley informed the Commission that she was scheduled to meet with Ms.Lyons and the Mayor and they would be discussing various suggestions. She would inform Vice Chair Peterson of the next meeting time and location. There was discussion about education and outreach to youth regarding concerns raised over the alleged racial unrest occurring at Flour Bluff High School. Chairperson Hinojosa emphasized to the Commission that any sub-committees formed must be assigned by the Chair. There was discussion about the possibility of forming an educational outreach committee,but nothing was decided at this time. NEW BUSINESS Dr.Gurley informed the Commission that a"Hate Violence"Brochure has been drafted and is presently in the Office of Communication and Quality Management for review and finalization. In response to the F.B.I.S.D.situation,their School District has decided to develop a program to address racial unrest. The situation dealt with problems with individuals who were categorized as"Skin Heads". F.B.I.S.D.wants to work with the students on sensitivity,cultural awareness,acceptance, etc. There were five young men involved in the incident. They have since been taken out of the regular student population and placed in a Disciplinary Program in a special area. F.B.I.S.D.is working with the victims and parents. The Navy is involved as well. The Superintendent is interested in eliminating the problem within the School District. They are attempting to develop and implement a policy by November 2000 for F.B.I.S.D. and afterwards a Program and Night. Community Meetings. Chairperson Hinojosa asked Dr.Gurley if they could lose their State funding over this? Dr.Gurley indicated that,"Yes,Military funding and/or retirees,and money for schools having military children there. Children could be removed and placed elsewhere,and the funding for them would go as well." It is very serious. The removal of children hasn't occurred at this point,but if the situation were to escalate,it could happen. Vice Chair Peterson indicated he lives in the F.B.I.S.D.and has a son who is presently a senior student there. He called to inquire about his son's safety. Last week another student(affiliated with the Skin Heads)approached him and made racial comments. Additionally there has been displace of Nazi and Dixie Flags on campus. Vice Chair Peterson indicated that he didn't know if a lot of students were involved. It seems like a small number of isolated incidents in the past. Other Anglo students,who tried to discourage the behavior,confronted the student involved about the matter. It appears that the parents 2 • weren't aware their kids were involved with the Skin Heads. Vice Chair Peterson didn't feel it was that widespread. Commissioner Tamar indicated she was interested as a Commissioner on have to take information to the Calallen School District. She would like to disseminate information. There is a'great need,but lack of number to help. Dr.Gurley discussed the forth-coming plans of the Mayor's Office and CUFABCC to hold a Corpus Christi Diversity Day (or an event of similar name and nature). The Human Relations Commission would take a lead role in holding an all day event. We will get all of the Commissioners actively involved. It will be an opportunity for people from different cultural and ethnic groups to gather together to talk,hear music,try different ethnic foods,meet and discuss concerns and/or celebrate their heritage. The event is still in the planning stages,but they are presently looking at holding the event at the Bayfront- Plaza or Heritage Park on a Saturday. Vice Chair Peterson indicated that he hopes that in addition to the function,that people who need to be reached,would attend the function. We need to use a greater effort to reach grass roots,parents,etc.,through the newspaper,radio,make this an on-going effort to address the community. Vice Chair Peterson indicated that he senses a great deal of insensitivity here in Corpus Christi. Often time people aren't aware of how they hurt someone or are offensive. There is an insufficient amount of sensitivity towards others. People say things,not intending to be offensive,but it is. Commission Elliff indicated that it's ignorance,they don't know. Vice Chair Peterson indicated that it is a lack of education. Chairperson Hinojosa indicated he believed most people who start this type of behavior are uneducated. But everyone is invited to Corpus Christi Diversity Day. It would be a good opportunity for education. Dr.Gurley agreed and suggested that the Commissioners start asking people from all areas within the community to attend,once the plans are finalized. There has been discussion of possibly using the Ice Rays in the Kickoff and getting people together to mingle. We might have Banquet Awards for persons who've worked to enhance diversity awareness,etc. They can be ambassadors for the Mayor for education and outreach through their personal experiences. "Look,there is a way to live together and make our lives easier here in Corpus Christi."If we don't address it now,we will lose businesses. A date has not been set at this time. Commissioner Elovitz indicated that most persons involved in racism are under-educated,but there are some very educated individuals as well. There is still ignorance regarding racism,we need to make the public aware and teach about tolerance. Commissioner Tamar indicated that she had a concern over using the verbiage"tolerance",because it doesn't bring forth a positive message,rather this should be about celebrating diversity,differences and promoting harmony. OLD BUSINESS Dr.Gurley indicated that the"New Commissioner Training"has been scheduled for October 18`11. Chairman Hinojosa asked if the re-appointees should attend. Dr.Gurley indicated that any or all Commissioners could attend. The date was okay for Commissioner Maldonado,Commissioner Tamar,Commissioner Ellifl;Commissioner Engel,and Commissioner Jiminez. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT The Commissioners were provided with-a copy of the September, 2000 statistics that were presented for the normal Performance Measures report. Dr.Gurley reviewed the modification of duties of the Compliance Officers and herself due to the recent RIF(loss of a Compliance Officer and the Secretary/Administrative Aide). Dr.Gurley now handles all Housing and Public Accommodation complaints. The Compliance Officers address the Employment cases. There have been more mediations—so far a 100%success rate.The Office has one failed conciliation,which dealt with a Respondent who refused attempts at conciliation and indicated they would rather go to Court. The Case was referred to the San Antonio District Office Legal Department. Dr.Gurley has been addressing an anonymous Public Accommodation Complaint pertaining to racial issues that was sent in to the Mayor's Office. She has conducted an"On-Site",where she visited the facility,reviewed records and met with staff. Dr.Gurley indicated that with the loss of the two staff members,she approached AARP Senior Workers Program about assistance. We now have a part-time AARP participant,Charlotte Houser,who is working four hours a day. Prior to that,the Office had the assistance for a short period of time from two"Light Duty"employees,who are now gone. Commissioner Tamar asked Dr.Gurley if the Department would receive additional staff with the new HUD Contract? Dr.Gurley indicated that initially this was what had been planned, but at this point, there are no plans for additional staff. Dr.Gurley announced a meeting has been scheduled with the Mayor,City Secretary,Crystal Lyons and Marge Rue from Human Resources for Wednesday,October 12,2000 at 11:00 a.m. 3 PUBLIC COMMENTS-Limited to two(2)Minutes None at this time. Motion made by Commissioner Maldonado and seconded by Vice-Chair Peterson for meeting to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Oscar Hinojosa,ge.,Chairperson Date Minutes Approved 4