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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 08/01/2002 SUMMARY MINUTES:QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING August 1,2002 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Ms. Crystal Lyons Ms.Laura Aguinaga Mr. Gustavo R. Valadez Ortiz Ms.Betty Black Dr. Stuart Elovitz Mr. Joey Maldonado Ms. Amy Rhoads Ms.Ruth Silva Mr.Errol Summerlin Ms. Stephanie Saenz Ms.Nancy Vera Staff—Present HRC Legal Advisor-Present L.David Ramos Mr. Joseph Harney(Absent) Wanese Taylor Butler June Shultz (Two Youth Commissioner Vacancies) The Human Relations Commission held their Regular Monthly Meeting,on August 1,2002 at 5:00 p.m.,in City Hall, 1201 Leopard St., 6`s Floor Conference Room, Corpus Christi, Texas. This meeting was a quorum meeting. The following are summary minutes of the meeting. ATTENDANCE: Called Meeting To Order Roll Call: Mr. Hinojosa—P;Dr. Peterson—P(came in late); Ms. Lyons—Called in, son having surgery; Ms. Aguinaga—P; Ms. Black—P; Dr. Elovitz— P; Mr. Johnson— A; Mr. Maldonado —P; Dr. Valadez Ortiz—A;Ms.Rhoads—P;Ms. Silva—P;Mr. Summerlin—P;Ms. Vera—P;Ms. Saenz—P. Discussion of last month's absences, reasons were provided. Motion made by Dr. Elovitz to accept requests for excused absences from last month's absences, seconded by Mr. Summerlin;vote—passed. May 2nd minutes were provided for review and approval. Ms. Silva asked questions on CDBG Funding. There was discussion of a resolution proposal,but there was no action at the time. It was clarified that a Commissioner can raise it as an Agenda item. Ms. Aguifiaga made a motion to accept the minutes as presented,seconded by Dr.Elovitz;vote—passed and minutes were approved as presented. Presentation: Patricia Garcia,of Intergovernmental Relations distributed handouts. They oversee grant requests, develop proposals, develop legislative agendas, and work with legislation on federal and state level. Ms. Garcia reviewed the handout. There are various types of grants—i.e.: Pass Through-Step Grant—federal source to state to others. State—can use to match State and Federal. Federal—can't match. Foundations—less strings, but harder to get. Corporations have foundations — normally fund projects in their areas. (Example: Kennedy Foundation—fund non-profits). Finding State Grants —Ms. Garcia listed examples and reviewed information. Team members can help you locate funding sources. With the Federal Register —you can do key word searches and it will give you a deadline for the year. Foundations and Corporations can be located in the Funding Library at the Main Library on the First Floor. The information found there is very useful. You can see 1099 information on specific corporations/foundations— it can show whom SCANNED they funded. Grantsmanship (Spelling?) Center worksite—there is a lot of information at that location. It has grant writing workshops, etc. The City's application process was reviewed. Ms. Garcia outlined the steps. A concern to be considered it to avoid competing within the City (i.e.: multiple departments applying for the same funds);we need to identify priorities, public support, Council approval, submit the request and wait. It is important to establish networking to support grant approval. What's in a proposal? The application and need to describe what the proposal is. For example, a recent land grant request was prepared—they requested only bullets of information. Typically,you would provide lengthier information and you might include a needs assessment. You might reflect projected outcomes, measurable goals, method, and project description. You might have a requirement of matching funds or leveraging. You might provide a budget. How do you know it will work? Give examples of quotes or research done to get figures. Ms.Black asked about the amount money the City normally receives? Ms. Garcia was not certain, some is independently done by departments, some she helps with,but funds are overseen by the Finance Department. Ms.Black asked if you have to be a non-profit to apply for a grant. Ms. Garcia indicated that it depends on what the grant designates. Chair Hinojosa asked there has to be a resolution or approval by the City Council before submission of a grant request? Ms. Garcia indicated yes. That every department is responsible for getting items on the Agenda,as well as a contracts resulting from the grant request. Chair Hinojosa asked if you need to specify what the monies need to be used for? Ms. Garcia,yes, they follow- up by sending receipt information to the grant organization. Chair Hinojosa asked where does it (the monies) go? To the General Fund? Ms. Garcia indicated that it doesn't go into the General Fund. It is placed under a designated project. Chair Hinojosa mentioned that Dr. Peterson has questions on who received grants, the dollar amounts, etc. Ms. Garcia indicated that normally all grants require reporting information. If there are delays on a project, you need to keep the grant agency informed of the delays. Mr. Summerlin indicated that Dr.Peterson had asked if there was a single point of information,here in the City to know: 1. All grants applied for. 2. Where grants were approved and the dollar amounts. 3. Which grants were denied and why? There is a concern of failure of the City to apply for rural or urban funds,i.e.:North side -Is there a need? Where opportunities and monies are available? But the City is not applying? Is there a single source? Ms. Black indicated that she agreed with Mr. Summerlin's summary of Dr. Peterson's questions and their intent. Ms. Garcia indicated that in the past, she had tracked items, but she has been unable to maintain those records. Currently she only has things submitted to Council. Ms. Silva asked,isn't there a database? Ms. Garcia indicated that she couldn't maintain it—there was insufficient time to maintain a database. She focused on the grant applications. Ms. Black asked how long the department has been in operation? Ms. Garcia indicated two years. Ms. Black asked who did this before? Ms. Garcia indicated that some departments did them,but it is time consuming and complex. It is very difficult. We focus on items that have larger funding and greater impact. General discussion ensued. You should have a project in mind first and then find funding. Ms. Black asked if there were two employees, it would seem there would be more opportunities. Mr. Summerlin indicated that if there were two employees, they would at least have more coordination. (Ms. Saenz left at 5:45 p.m.) Ms. Garcia indicated that normally employees come to her,to discuss a potential grant request first. She gave an example of a recent grant request for Solid Waste Services. (Dr.Peterson arrived at 6:00 p.m.—he indicated he was delayed due to CCISD's Budget Review by the School Board.) Chair Hinojosa asked if congressmen could help with grant applications? Ms. Garcia indicated yes,because the City has done that in the past. Dr.Peterson asked if she could get a feel if funding support tended to make an impact? Are they successful in their requests? Is there a summation of impact of tax dollars being used for certain programs? Is there information on possible projects that should have been funded by grants? Ms. Garcia indicated that grants have performance standards. There are bullets on meeting expectations. Dr. Peterson spoke of looking at social service areas, areas where there are problems—disability issues, such as primary areas like housing, elimination of barriers; helping with employment/training. Dr. Peterson indicated that he had heard of$3,000,000.00 being turned back on a project. Someone should be concerned about monies being returned. Is there information on all types of examples, all types of programs and funding available? As a citizen and taxpayer, people want to know. Dr.Elovitz mentioned GAO's—how effective are we with our grants? Are we applying for what we can? Ms. Garcia indicated that would be hard to measure. You need to identify projects—but need someone to develop project details and work with someone on the grant writing. Ms. Rhoads discussed non-profits addressing most of the areas Dr. Peterson spoke of. The areas discussed are not items normally administered by the City. However, there are some partnership situations for some items. The Renewal Committee brought in some non-profits. You need standards and reports. Dr. Peterson gave an example, suppose we got$1,000,000.00 to work with juveniles and homeless. The Agency has expectations. If it fails, citizens/City enabled an Agency to have funding. Only one can apply — which means another opportunity is blocked for a different agency. Some entities/states require applications to go through COG (Council of Governments). Dr. Peterson indicated his intent was a concern as a City on untapped grant opportunities. There was further discussion on examples of opportunities. (Ms. Aguinaga left at 6:15 p.m.) Mr. Summerlin indicated that in a nutshell,no-there is no single source for performance outcomes;what's been applied for,granted or denied;there is only one staff person and most departments are doing their own thing. This is certainly worth pursuing. Dr.Peterson indicated there is a need for an Assistant. Ms. Garcia indicated she would be happy to compile data and if there was a particular project they were interested in reviewing. There was a HUD opportunity for funding for outreach activities, but the deadline was June 2002. She would be glad to work with the Commission and Human Relations on any projects or grant requests that arose. HUD Grants—now the City is a renewal community,which gives two extra points and can impact decisions on grants. Ms. Rhoads mentioned performance measures and reports turned in to Housing and Community Development. Ms. Garcia indicated that basically reports are prepared by departments. Committee Reports: There were no reports. Old Business: CCHRC Conference — Ms. Butler discussed that Mr. Ramos received a very complementary letter from Washington, D.C. on our annual conference. There were approximately 120 participants. The speakers and material presented this year were outstanding. Next year we will hold our 40th Anniversary. We are soliciting ideas for theme and/or suggestions for events and/or recognition. Next year's conference will be held on May 30,2003. Extra copies of the conference manual are available. New Business: Nomination of Vice Chair: Mr. Summerlin made a motion that nominated Dr.Peterson to continue as Vice Chair,seconded by Mr. Hinojosa;vote—motion passed. Dr.Peterson expressed his pleasure as continuing as Vice Chair. Attendance Record: Chair Hinojosa reviewed the attendance record. Dr.Peterson mentioned accessing Texas Education Agency to look for links for funding opportunities. Dr.Elovitz mentioned that the Truancy Conference has not set the date yet. Administrator's Report: Ms.Butler indicated that there wasn't a Monthly Report,as today was the First of the month and there was insufficient time to compile the data. Mr.Ramos was at the IAOHRA Conference in New Orleans,LA. Public Comments: None Motion to adjourn made by Dr.Peterson,seconded by Ms.Black;vote—passed. Adjourned at 6:34 p.m. Minutes Approved By: , - glpslD, Oscar Hinojosa, Sr., CHRC Chairperson Date