HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 04/05/2001 MINUTES-QUORUM MEETING
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
April 5,2001
Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent
Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Mr. William"Bill"Bonilla
Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Ms.Laura Rios
Ms.Laura Aguiftaga Ms. Sandra Terrell-Davis
Ms.Lena Coleman Crystal Lyons
Dr. Stuart Elovitz Mr.Errol Summerlin
Mr. Scott Elliff
Mr.David"Phillip"Engel
Ms.JoAnn Kernick Non-Voting Advisory-Absent
Mr. Joey Maldonado Rev. Willie Davila
Mr.Joshua J. Vaughan
One(1)Vacant Position(Anna Mercado-Flores' Resignation)
Staff—Present HRC Legal Advisor—Absent
L.David Ramos Mr. Joseph Hone}
June Shultz
Chairperson Hinojosa made the announcement of the appointment of a new Ex-Officio Commission
Member,Crystal Lyons,who is the Chairperson for the new Committee for Persons with Disabilities. (Ms.
Lyons wasn't present.)
ATTENDANCE
Roll Call — Absences: Bill Bonilla (unknown), Laura Rios (Business Conflict), Sandra Terrell-Davis
(Family Matter),Errol Summerlin(Family Emergency),Ex-Officio Commission Member—Crystal Lyons,
Non-Voting Advisory Member—Reverend Davila,and one(1)vacant position on Commission was absent.
Lena Coleman and Joey Maldonado came in late.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Minute's Reviewed for approval — Mr. Hinojosa made a motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Elliff
seconded. A vote was taken and the minutes were approved.
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: Mr. Hinojosa discussed the appointment of Crystal Lyons. The vacant
position will not be filled until after the election. San Antonio Express News Today - Newspaper article
stated that the Senate legislature approved to curb racial profiling by Police in Texas. (HB 1074—Require
Law Enforcement Agencies to diversify training programs and to compile statistical data about race and
ethnicity pool regarding people pulled over during traffic stops and adopt a detailed policy prohibiting the
practice of racial profiling.)
COMMITTEE REPORT
Housing Committee:
No report from the Sub-Committee at this time. However, Commissioner Kernick gave a report about her
and Commissioner Aguidaga's participation with the Planning Committee, about the up-coming Coastal
Bend 2001 Fair Housing Seminar,which will be held on Friday,April 27's. She discussed the speakers and
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Agenda Program. The Keynote Speaker will be David Enzel, Deputy Assistant Secretary of HUD and he
will present the Interim Agreement. The brochures will be mailed out next week. Registrants can mail in
registration forms with payment or may pay at the door. It will have a lunch. Commissioner Elliff asked
who was the targeted audience and for the date? The targeted audience is realtors, architects, builders,
apartment owners,contractors and mortgage and lending institutions.
Committee for Persons with Disabilities:David Ramos provided a report to the Commission.
The Mayor's Task Force for People with Disability no longer exists—it has been established by Ordinance,
as a formal City Committee-"Committee for Persons with Disabilities". Nine committee members—their
first meeting was held on March 7th to appoint Officers and to determine meeting times. The second
meeting was held yesterday, April 0. The Committee is comprised of a diverse group of individuals —
such as parents of children with disabilities, state providers, etc. The purpose and Mission Statement are
for the group to provide information to Mayor and City Council on issues dealing with compliance with
City facilities, new construction and issues under Title III — Public Accommodations. The Human
Resources Department had been involved with ADA issues, but now ADA issues have been moved to
Human Relations. Part of the projects that will be worked on is the Transition Plan—determining where
the City is on ADA compliance and accessibility issues or deficiencies.
NEW BUSINESS
Formation of an Education Sub-Committee: General discussion. The Youth Commissioners expressed a
desire to participate on the Education Sub-Committee. They expressed a concern over existing standards.
The Committee would be to formulate an education and outreach program. The sub-committee would
initially begin with the identification and formulation of a materials packet. The Youth Commissioners can
assist during the summer. Further discussion. The Chair appointed the three Youth Commissioners,Laura
Aguittaga, Scott Elliff, and Stuart Elovitz to the newly formed Education Sub-Committee. Commissioner
Elliff clarified that his understanding of the charge of the Education Sub-Committee is to do education and
outreach in Schools and the Community around issues the Human Relations Commission deal with. The
Youth Commissioners discussed further concerns regarding local schools. The Committee members will
meet separately, appoint a Chair and schedule a meeting. The meeting will be coordinated through the
Human Relations Office and they will provide administrative support. They will bring a report back to the
Commission next month. Vice-Chair Peterson expressed a hope that this will help to create dialogue.
Additionally, the Youth Commissioners or groups may appear before the School Board at the regular
meetings to air concerns. If there are policy issues,then this is an option.
Commissioner Coleman asked if this was an Ad-Hoc Committee or a permanent Committee. Chairperson
Hinojosa indicated that it would be an Ad-Hoc Committee at this time.
Budget: Update provided by David Ramos. The budget figures were the same as last year. However, Mr.
Ramos spoke with the City Manager and has submitted a"Supplemental Budget Request" for an additional
Compliance Officer and targeting HUD monies for capacity building. Now it is up to the Council to decide
what the Budget will be. Regarding the CDBG proposals,we submitted four—however,only the Citywide
Housing Assessment($66,833)is being recommend by staff and the Planning Commission. This would be
a joint project with Housing and Community Development. Further discussion about the other three
proposals that were not recommended. The Planning Committee will be holding one more Public Hearing,
and then the recommendations will be put before the City Council.
OLD BUSINESS
Flour Bluff I.S.D.:No report at this time.
HUD Interim Agreement—Mr.Ramos provided Update.
Great news, we received the Interim Agreement (Contract). It has been sent to the Fort Worth Office for
their signature,then it will be forwarded to Washington,D.C.for final processing. For the first three years,
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Weintakesinvestigations locally. W will
we would receive$115,000. will do and 1Gca1 y. v % recervC case referrals
from the Regional District Office. We will have 100 days to complete housing investigations. We will be
getting computer equipment to link with HUD and will need to obtain training for the City staff in latest
federal guidelines, standards and processes, and initiate "Capacity Building" to get situated for an
equivalent Fair Housing Program and to begin outreach and education programs within the local
community. the Peterson raised a question about availability of affordable housing. Mr. Ramos indicated that the Cl y
hasn't realized the full impact now, what with the relocation of families due to sale of homes by the
refineries,etc. Some families may be renting rather than buying. Some people aren't sure how to handle
the Home Ownership process. There isaISG a buzzwordcirculating now about Predator Lending.
ng.
Commissioner Maldonado indicated that there is a need for education—the Home Buyers Fair is scheduled
for this month at Del Mar College,the week before the Fair Housing Seminar. Further general discussion
about Florae Ownership and programs or opportunities available through the. City and Balks and Lending
Institutions.Commissioner Kemick discussed the need to not focus on the negative side of predator lending
when it may be discussed,but rather on the constructive and positive awareness work being done to prevent
it. The banks and lending institutions, realtors and bUildei5 have been working to build a positive
relationship and doesn't want to jeopardize it or be accusatory. Commissioner Coleman asked if there
would be opportunity for someone to talk with the speakers. Ms. Shultz confirmed that there would be
opportunities throughout the day for people to approach individuals with questions.
CvIIlllnSsiGner
Maldonado added that at the Home Buyers Fair that there would be realtors, lenders, builders, contractors,
etc available to answer questions,as well as having an area set aside for non-English speaking
,'attendees.
CCHRC 2001 Annual Training Conference: July 20,2001 (Mr.Ramos and Ms. Shultz provided an update)
EEOC related conference. We have confirmed some speakers and presently still waiting for response on a
Keynote Speaker. Review of the tentative Program Agenda. The Commission was asked to submit names
of persons who would be willing to be Moderators. The cost for the Conference for the public is$100.00,
which will cover luncheon, • manual and related conference expenses. It will be at the Bayfront
Convention Center,Friday,July 20 .
ADMLNI STRATOR'S P. 1 OD T
Mr. Ramos referred to handouts provided in the Commissioner's Packets — copies of sample letters of
determination and/or negotiated settlement agreements.
David Ramos provided verbal recap of the statistical information for the month of March 2001. (A copy of
aUL report will be provided at the next meeting.) Commissioners prViUea [ copy of IL February
2001 Performance Measures Report. Discussion about the increase in statistics for contacts and services
provided by the Human Relations Department. This is the information we provide to the City Manager,
City Council and Budget Office to show the performance of the Department.
Motion made by the Commissioner Kemick, for the meeting to adjourn and seconded by Commissioner
Maldonado. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Oscar Hinojosa. Sr.. Chairperson Date Minutes Approved
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