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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 05/02/2002 SUMMARY MINUTES—QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING May 2,2002 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Ms.Laura Aguinaga Mr.Daniel Gonzales Ms.Betty Black Ms. Stephanie Saenz Dr. Stuart Elovitz Mr.Errol Summerlin Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson Ms. Wendy Lai Ms. Crystal Lyons Mr. Joey Maldonado Mr. Gustavo R Valadez Ortiz Ms. Amy Rhoads Ms.Ruth Silva Ms.Nancy Vera Staff—Present HRC Legal Advisor-Present L.David Ramos (Absent) Mr.Joseph Harney Wanese Taylor Butler June Shultz The Human Relations Commission held its Regular Monthly Meeting on May 2, 2002 at 5:00 p.m.,in City Hall, 1201 Leopard St., Council Chambers, Corpus Christi, Texas. This meeting was a quorum meeting. The following are summary minutes of the meeting. ATTENDANCE: Roll Call—Absences:Dr.Peterson;Mr. Summerlin;Mr. Gonzales;and Ms. Saenz. Excused Absence Requests: Ms. Lyons (ill); Mr. Maldonado (business conflict); Mr. Summerlin (son's graduation); and Ms. Vera (work conflict). Dr. Valadez made a Motion and was seconded by Commissioner Black to reflect the absences as excused,vote was taken and passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Request for corrections to 4-4-02 Minutes: 1. Commissioners Silva and Valadez were present. 2. Commissioners Silva and Johnson both received training. 3. Education Sub-Committee Report—reference date was Friday,April 26th. Commissioner Valadez made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, seconded by Commissioner Vera. A vote was taken and the motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS: 1. Introductions: Wanese Taylor Butler is the new Human Relations Analyst. She has worked for the City for 12 years. Her past work experience is inclusive of: Budget, Risk Management, Employee Benefits and she has now recently joined the Human Relations Department. Ms. Butler indicated that she may not be at every meeting, but she will be working with Mr. Ramos in accomplishing the Department, Commission and Committee goals and objectives. Chair Hinojosa asked Ms. Butler what she will do for the Department. Ms.Butler briefly reviewed priority projects and endeavors she would be working on. 1 SCANNED 2. Presentation: Authority and Responsibilities of Commission and response to related questions raised last month: Mr. Hinojosa explained about the information request to Legal on clarification of Commission authorities. Mr. Harney, the Commission's Legal Advisor, clarified that the information presented at the last meeting was something that was developed involving employment and those aspects of what the Commission does was developed by a sub-committee of the Commission. The second document was highlights of a recent revision of the Housing Ordinance(approximately 2 years ago). By reading the minutes, Dr. Peterson had some questions on more specific issues of what the Commission can do. Inquiring about any concern or issue that came about. The Commission can inquire about anything that it feels is relative to the function of Human Relations. Which is Human Relations and encompasses quite a spectrum of issues and other aspects of being a citizen of the community. Suggest that through a sub-committee or department delineate a procedure for bringing an issue before the Commission. For example a Commissioner becomes aware of something or overhears something; he/she could bring it before the Commission as a whole. The Commission as a whole should inquire, whether by contact or correspondence through an ACM, CM or City Council and establish a process to work through. If time is of an essence, then he suggests going through the Department, to get to the heart of the matter quicker. Basically, everything that Dr. Peterson raised were things that could be inquired about by the Commission and a response sought on it. It is only a matter of coming up with a format that is best suited to the Commission and going from there. The information given out was the power given through the City's Ordinances, which provide the jurisdiction and authority for the Commission. A lot of those duties have been delegated to the Department. If a Commissioner has a concern,we can address it on a case by case basis. Chair Hinojosa asked if Mr.Harney could explain about the Commission's power to subpoena. Mr. Harney indicated that the power is limited to certain circumstances. It has only been used one time in the past. A Respondent refused to provide information. The local office had shut down. There was a failure for them to comply with an information request. Eventually, an out-of-state entity responded. Mr. Harney further discussed that if an issue arose, i.e.: an investigator brought factors to light and there was justification for use of a subpoena, then the Department could ask the Commission for issuance of a subpoena. Chair Hinojosa questioned if the Department would ask the Commission for a subpoena. Mr. Harney indicated yes. Commissioner Johnson mentioned a situation where a citizen(lady)has some severe problems;her son was having some severe problems at a school. She had been trying to get with the principal or the powers that be to make some changes. Mr. Ramos told him that because the child was not a child with a disability that we couldn't address the situation in question—it wasn't an ADA issue. Is this true? Mr.Harney indicated that there are instances where you need to look at the situation on a case by case basis. He would need to look at it and the facts, but he would defer back to Mr. Ramos. Commissioner Lyons indicated that it would depend on if the issue involved civil rights violation(s) — was it racial, sexual or other types of harassment. Commissioner Johnson gave brief review of issue. Mr. Harney indicated that it could be that it involves an Education issue or something that results in criminal charges,it just depends on the situation. There could be some other avenues she could attempt to follow. Commissioner Vera indicated that every school has a copy of the School Board policies/procedures. There is a section, which discusses student rights and community action rights. It details the process, go to principal,if it doesn't resolve it,then go to the Superintendent,and if that doesn't resolve it,then go to School Board. That is generally what it is like in each school district. Go to Dr. Chavez or his designee. Commissioner Silva questioned the dates that appeared on the information distributed. As a new Commissioner, she wasn't sure if this date was accurate or if you go back and revisit it and/or if there have been changes. Mr. Harney explained that the date shown is correct. It is the date of the acceptance of the ordinance. There have been revisions since then; some areas were updated in the mid-90's. Commissioner Summerlin was on the sub-committee. And the Commission may want to revise some of the ordinances. Commissioner Silva indicated that she wanted the newest information. Mr. Harney indicated that this information it correct. Ms. Shultz mentioned that the Annual Report reflects the historical and 2 chronological information on all of the ordinances that have been implemented pertaining to the Human Relations Commission. Each ordinance enhanced the previous ordinances. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: No report at this time. COMMITTEE REPORT Housing Committee: No report at this time. Commissioner Maldonado submitted his letter of resignation as Chair,but he would like to remain on the Committee. Commissioner Johnson was appointed as the new Chair. The only new information on Fair Housing was the Seminar held on April 17th. It went very well. The Keynote Speaker was from HUD, in Washington, D.C. Some of the Commissioners attended. Commissioner Aguifiaga indicated that she had copies of last year's Keynote Speaker (David Enzel) speech. She had Brian Green's card and e-mail and is trying to obtain a copy of his speech as well. Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Commissioner Lyons indicated that the CFPWD held their monthly meeting yesterday. The City Manager gave a presentation on the City's ADA grievance and customer service process. The Committee is working to provide training to Department Heads. They are also working on an infomercial — they are trying to get it with closed caption, which will cost approximately$500.00. Continuing to meet with Cheryl Alexander(now Soward)to try to get it out. They have a sub-committee that is working on an ADA non-discrimination ordinance (revision). She clarified for the newer members,that the Committee is working develop win-win opportunities. They are trying to integrate everyone in society. Commissioner Lyons mentioned attending the May 14th Council Meeting, which will discuss CDBG Funding and May 219Council Meeting, which will discuss the Consolidation Plan. She expressed a concern to show supporting programs/projects to enhance ADA projects around the City. The Committee has volunteered to help with the ADA/Diversity Training within the City. The Transition Plan is progressing. The City Departments has completed their self-evaluation plans,which will lead into the Transition Plan document. Mr. Ramos was not there to explain why they are behind on the time schedule. Chair Hinojosa asked how many members are on the CFPWD? Commissioner Lyons indicated there are nine. Chair Hinojosa appointed Commissioner Rhoads to the sub-committee. Education Sub-Committee: Commissioner Aguifiaga went to Ray High School. She has set 5/14/02 for speakers to give a presentation at Ray High School. It will be 11/2 hours; the presentation would be on employment law. The youth commissioners would participate. There will be speakers and moderators. Two of the speakers will be from the Human Relations Department. Further information would be passed out. Unfortunately, this will be the only presentation this year and it will be with Ms. Bridges. Ms. Garst indicated an interest in scheduling monthly presentations in next year's curriculum. We would like to line up the number of speakers we would need and who would be interested in participating as a speaker. Ms. Lyons indicated she would be willing to attend the presentation on 5/14/02 to share ADA information. Commissioner Lai asked about the time. Commissioner Aguifiaga indicated that it would be held from 2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m., in Room 223. Commissioner Johnson asked for the information to be e-mailed. Commissioner Aguiflaga indicated she could do that. Chair Hinojosa appointed Commissioner Silva to the Education Sub-Committee. OLD BUSINESS: Ms. Butler announced the CCHRC Annual Training Conference, which will be held on Friday, June 28th and the Fair Housing Seminar on Wednesday, April 17`''. If you would like to attend please let Mr. Ramos know. The Human Relations Department will pay for those interested in attending. Asked for persons who would be interested in being moderators. General information was provided on both events. Commissioners Vera, Silva, Rhoads, Johnson and Maldonado expressed an interest in participating as moderators. Chair Hinojosa has already confirmed his presence. There was a request for a copy of the draft Agenda to be sent by e-mail. 3 t NEW BUSINESS: Chair Hinojosa discussed the Attendance Policy, which the City Secretary's Office sent out a reminder memorandum on attendance requirements. There was discussion on the 25%rule. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Mr. Ramos is out of town. There will be no Administrator's Report. Commissioner Lyons requested that both this month's and next month's be provided at next month's meeting. Ms. Butler confirmed that they would be. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Citizen Comment: Abel Alonzo came before the Commission. He indicated he was an advocate for persons with disabilities. He asked the Commission to consider submitting a resolution to the Mayor and City Council regarding CDBG Funding. He expressed a concern that funds are being used to segregate persons with disabilities. He and others are fighting to prevent segregation. Mr. Alonzo discussed a procedure that Tom Utter presented which when passed implemented a process to segregate persons with disabilities. Mr. Alonzo gave examples of other groups (single parents, elderly, 2 children only, etc.)who if they were singled out, then there would be repercussions. No taxpayer's monies should be spent on segregation. Chair Hinojosa asked Mr. Alonzo if he was on the Airport Advisory Board. Mr. Alonzo indicated he wasn't, but Mr. Lyons is. He indicated that he is trying to get on the RTA Board, if anyone can support him. Commissioner Lyons asked for a copy of everything provided to the Commissioners at last month's meeting. Commissioner Vera also requested a copy. Mr.Harney indicated they passed out the information on the Rules and Procedures,2 pages on housing. Commissioner Valadez mentioned Ray Texan Day. He stated that it was very successful. It was a pleasure to have high school students on campus. It was an opportunity to help them start thinking of attending college. Commissioner Valadez discussed the information that he had just received $5 million building— that won't cost them a cent Chair Hinojosa asked if they would be getting a new building. In the next few years,they will be building an Allied Health Building. General discussion followed. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Rhoads made a Motion to Adjourn, which was seconded by Commissioner Valadez. Adjourned by acclamation. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:55 p.m. /' y/o( oma. Oscar Hinojosa, Sr"hairperson Date 4