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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 06/07/2001 SUMMARY MINUTES—NON-QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING June 7,2001 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Mr.William"Bill"Bonilla Ms.Laura Aguinaga Dr. Stuart Elovitz Ms.JoAnn Kernick Crystal Lyons Mr.David"Phillip"Engel Mr.Errol Summerlin Mr. Scott Elliff Mr. Joshua J. Vaughan Mr.Joey Maldonado Ms.Laura Rios Ms. Sandra Terrell-Davis Ms.Lena Coleman Non-Voting Advisory-Absent Rev.Willie Davila One(1)Vacant Position(Anna Mercado-Flores'Resignation) Staff—Present HRC Legal Advisor—Absent L.David Ramos Mr.Joseph Harney June Shultz The Human Relations Commission held its Regular Monthly Meeting on June 7,2001 at 5:00 p.m.,in City Hall, 1201 Leopard St., Council Chambers, Corpus Christi, Texas. This meeting was a non-quorum meeting therefore the following are just summary minutes of the meeting. ATTENDANCE Roll Call — Absences: Dr. Sylvester Peterson (unknown), Laura Aguinaga, Scott Elliff (e-mail — term complete on 6/15/01), and JoAnn Kernick (attending Leadership Corpus Christi Graduation), Lena Coleman (resignation letter submitted), Philip Engel (unknown), Joey Maldonado (work conflict), Laura Rios (e-mail — term complete on 6/15/01), Sandra Terrell-Davis (Unknown), Non-Voting Advisory Member—Reverend Davila,and one(1)vacant position on Commission was absent. Excused Absences: pending. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: May 5,2001 Minutes weren't reviewed for approval—unable to take a formal vote. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: Mr. Hinojosa discussed the various vacancies the Commission presently has. The three Youth Commissioners terms will be complete on 6/15/01. Scott Elliff's and Laura Rios's terms also are complete on 6/15/01 and elected not to pursue renewal of their appointments. Dr. Stuart Elovitz's term will also be complete on 6/15/01,however,he has asked to be considered for reappointment. Additionally,we have received a resignation letter from Lena Coleman,as well as the pending appointment for Anna Mercado-Flores'vacancy. Presently, the City Secretary's Office has received numerous applications for the Youth Commissioner positions. There was discussion about diversifying to multiple schools for wider input from the different areas within the City. It was discussed that if we know of interested persons for the Adult Commission 1 SCANNED positions, to refer them to the City Secretary's Office. The Mayor and City Council will make appointments in the near future. Youth Commissioner Joshua Vaughan indicated that he was aware of some of the applicants from Ray High School. He asked if they could take a good look at Daniel Gonzales, he would be a good candidate. Mr. Hinojosa indicated that the Mayor and City Council will review all applications and then take a vote. Crystal Lyons told Commissioner Vaughan that he could lobby for the appointment with his Council Member. Dr. Elovitz suggested submitting a letter of reference or recommendation. Commissioner Summerlin also suggested a letter to the Mayor and City Council. COMMITTEE REPORT Housing Committee: No report from the Sub-Committee at this time. Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Crystal Lyons provided handout to the Commission — "People First Language". This language is widely used. She thought it might help to know the current appropriate language,especially in your role as a Commissioner. The Committee is proceeding well with its goals and objectives. They held a retreat to organize priorities. They are also working with the City on the Transition Plan—the formal written plan the City utilises to be compliant on ADA issues. The City is developing a new time line for revision of the Transition Plan and they will begin conducting self-evaluations for facilities and services. Additionally,they held their regular monthly meeting. Dr. Elovitz asked for more information about the Transition Plan. Mrs. Lyons explained that the City is required to have a formal written transition plan,which complies with Title II under 504. This has been a requirement since 1991. All public entities are supposed to be in compliance. The deadline passed several year ago, it has not been done. There is a need to change policies, make structural changes, and the City has to have a plan,where they identify the needs,remedies and funding. Dr.Elovitz asked when it will go forward? Mrs. Lyons indicated that the City needed to prioritize the steps to accomplish the Transition Plan, policies are still discriminatory— it will be a big process. Hopefully the Transition Plan will be in draft form by November or December 2001. Dr.Elovitz,so we don't need it done by February 2002? Mrs. Lyons it isn't that specific, not instituted by a set date, rather just to identify needs for compliance and begin working on the changes. This will be a City Project, with input by the Committee. Ms. Lyons mentioned that the Committee's regular meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. However,going back to the Transition Plan, she mentioned that there will be a public forum meeting when the draft is ready,for input by the Community. Dr.Elovitz mentioned F.B.I.S.D.might benefit from doing this as well. Mrs. Lyons mentioned an example that the City's Park and Recreation Department has no accessible programs—what can be done? There is still a problem of segregation. Some other City's have take more action are much more compliance regarding ADA. However things are changing for the positive. Dr.Elovitz mentioned his experience in his medical profession and how making changes of this nature on his own. Mrs. Lyons indicated this can help people be more a part of the community. We need to make sure they're aware of the value of the disabled community. She told the Commission about the forth-coming changes to the Building Inspection process. In they past they elected to use the Codes as indicated, except for Chapter 13, which they are now revisiting. Hopefully, by November 2001, it will have been reviewed and re-adopted to pick it up and include it prior to release of occupancy permit. Commissioner Summerlin indicated that this made the City vulnerable, because of Federal and State requirements. The owner and the City could possibly be sued. Mrs. Lyons indicated that the City should protect itself, they now know the requirement should be in place. There was discussion about not getting changes until the City Council is behind it,but Mrs. Lyons indicated that at least five of the new Council Members get it now and she believes the necessary changes will be made. There was discussion about the Human Relations Ordinances pertaining to ADA. There are not procedures for enforcement or penalties. Commissioner Vaughan asked what could be done about that? Mrs. Lyons indicated that we could ask the Mayor to strengthen the ordinance-however,the City Attorney, Jimmy Bray, has indicated in the past that he didn't feel that it was necessary. Mrs.Lyons indicated that we should look into adopting a lot of the 504 language (i.e.: like Austin, TX has), in City Leases, etc., even though the City might rather not. 2 Commissioner Vaughan asked about how to enforce ADA? Mrs. Lyons indicated that this is not in their field of vision yet. Commissioner Summerlin said the City has avoided this for eleven years. Now the City is facing lawsuits. It may not happen until lawsuits are filed against the City every week then they'll look at it. Mrs. Lyons indicated the fact that the City is facing the present lawsuit is why the Committee for Persons with Disabilities was formed and is now under the umbrella of Human Relations. Some day, they will come to the Commission and ask for their support in the Committee's efforts to review the existing ordinances for revision of ADA enforcement and penalties. Commissioner Summerlin indicated that the Committee would not fmd a lot of opposition on the Commission for this endeavor. The Commission has worked on it for years. Commissioner Summerlin mentioned his continued interest in producing a book, which would list all those establishments that do not have accessible facilities and services. Mrs. Lyons indicated that the impetus has to come from an advocacy outside of the City. In example,Tom Niskala gets it. If we can move forward to meet the accessibility needs, through an awareness campaign, it would be a positive way. Dr. Elovitz agreed that we need to filter information down. Chair Hinojosa indicated that once the Commission has a quorum,we can discuss this issue further. Dr.Elovitz indicated that the Mayor seemed committed to this issue and that we have a good working relationship with the Mayor and City Council. There was discussion about CDBG and how funds can be withheld if the applicant's facilities and/or services are not accessible. Mrs. Lyons brought this up at the Public Hearing. When questioned, Tom Utter could not give an assurance that this requirement was being monitored and properly applied. Education Sub-Committee: Commissioner Laura Aguiiiaga is the Chair. No report at this time. NEW BUSINESS: No action was taken. However, area High Schools were notified of the Youth Commissioner vacancies. OLD BUSINESS: No action was taken. Chair Hinojosa briefly indicated that he had been following the Budget Review Meetings and it appears that the Human Relations Department's Budget may pass. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Ms. Shultz informed the Commission of the Human Relations Department's successful accomplishment of the Production Phase (the time period that the EEOC look at for determining next year's contract award). We have the opportunity to increase 36 case resolutions(which is$500.00 per case or$16,000 of additional revenue). We are rapidly approaching completion of our annual contract requirement. We do not know at this time if we will be able to apply for an upward modification. Washington notifies the FEPA's if additional monies are freed up to increase our contracts later in the fiscal year. Public Comments: None. Public Commendations: Certificates were distributed to exiting Commissioners. Youth Commissioner Bill Bonilla indicated he had learned a lot while working with the Commission. He will be submitting his application and try to return next year. Youth Commissioner Joshua Vaughan said that he would miss being a part of the Commission. He also learned a lot and wanted to thank the other Commissioners. Well wishes were extended. The informal meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m. /°a-/e3 Oscar Hinojosa, Sr hairperson Date 3