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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 09/05/2002 SUMMARY MINUTES:QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING September 5,2002 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Ms.Betty Black Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson Ms.Laura Aguinaga Mr.Joey Maldonado Dr. Stuart Elovitz Dr. Gustavo R Valadez Ortiz Ms.Karleen Engel Ms.Amy Rhoads Ms. Crystal Lyons Ms.Ruth Silva Mr.Errol Summerlin Ms. Stephanie Saenz Ms.Nancy Vera Staff—Present HRC Legal Advisor-Present L.David Ramos Mr.Joseph Harney Wanese Taylor Butler Tune Shultz (One Youth Commissioner Vacancy) The Human Relations Commission held their Regular Monthly Meeting, on September 5, 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: Called Meeting To Order Roll Call: Mr.Hinojosa—P;Dr.Peterson—P(arrived late);Ms.Lyons—P;Ms. Aguifiaga—P;Ms. Black —A(reason unknown at this time);Dr.Elovitz—P;Ms.Engel—P;Mr. Johnson—A(Ill);Mr.Maldonado— A(Business Conflict0;Dr.Valadez Ortiz—A(Meeting Conflict);Ms.Rhoads—A(Business Conflict);Ms. Silva—P;Mr. Summerlin—P;Ms.Vera—P;Ms. Saenz—P. Discussion of last month's absences,reasons were provided by: Crystal Lyons—she was out of town. Dik Johnson and Dr. Valadez Ortiz requests for excused absences are pending. Motion made by Dr. Elovitz to accept request for excused absences from last month's absences,seconded by Ms. Saenz;vote—passed. August lst minutes were provided for review and approval. Mr. Sununerlin made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Dr.Elovitz;vote—passed and minutes were approved as presented. Announcements/Introductions: Chairperson Hiriojosa reviewed the CCHRC appointments (Mr. Hinojosa, Dr. Peterson, and Dik Johnson) that are valid until 2005, except for the Youth Commissioners(Stephanie Saenz and Karleen Engel),which are appointed on an annual basis. Chairperson's Report: None at this time. Committee Reports: Housing Sub-Committee: No report at this time. SCANNED Revised:10/4/02 Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Commissioner Lyons indicated that later this month,the City will be adopting new City Codes,which should satisfy local accessibility guidelines. (Dr.Peterson arrived.) Commissioner Summerlin asked if the code would be more or less stringent. Commissioner Lyons explained it would be exactly the same as the State,which are more stringent. Commissioner Elovitz asked some questions regarding residential dwellings (condos), which Commissioner Lyons provided responses to. Education Sub-Committee: No report at this time. However, Chairperson Aguifiaga indicated a need to step down as Chair. She had unavoidable commitments, which would not allow her to have the time needed for this responsibility. Other present committee members are Ruth Silva, Nancy Vera, and Stephanie Saenz. Chairperson Hinojosa asked Commissioner Vera if she could assume the position of Chairperson for the Education Sub-Committee. Commissioner Saenz asked for clarification of what the requirements would be for the Chair? The Chair would need to coordinate visits and go to schools, contact counselors, set up school training (once a month), coordinate speakers to go to the local high schools. Commissioner Vera indicated that she believed she could and accepted the position. Old Business: A. Continued discussion on subject of the Intergovernmental Department — Grant Writing Section and need for additional staff. Commissioner Lyons indicated that this matter would call for a recommendation from the Commission to the City Council/City Staff for a request of implementing a tracking system and sufficient staff support Chairperson Hinojosa indicated that last month's presentation discussed this and concerns were raised now about where the information is to going to. He expressed a concern that it might be getting too much into the City's business. Commissioner Vera asked if the Commission could ask for grants? Mr. Harney indicated that they would need to clear it with the Chair and the Legal Department. Commissioner Vera agreed with Commissioner Lyons. Chairperson indicated they would need to clear it with him. Commissioner Summerlin indicated that many departments submit grants —this could be beneficial if it were something to further Human Relations endeavors, such as funding to further the Education Sub- Committee efforts to provide training and outreach. He encouraged the Commission to look into that. There was a suggestion for the City to coordinate an effort to gather information from City Departments— this is within our duties and responsibilities. We don't know if there have been missed opportunities in submitting grants that would further our Commission's interests. Commissioner Summerlin made a motion that the Commission forward a letter to the City Manager, requesting that he consider implementing an internal project with current staff or other employee staff (contracted out) to gather information on types of grant applications available, what has been submitted, what was accomplished, what was denied and otherwise coordinate compiling of this information/data. The motion was seconded by Ms. Lyons. General discussion ensued. Chairperson Hinojosa thought that Ms. Garcia had indicated they have this information. Commissioner Summerlin clarified that no, she said they didn't have that information. Chairperson Hinojosa indicated but these are grants for the City. Commissioner Silva indicated that this would be for control—to have information for data/requests and to provide staff or system tracking. Commissioner Lyons indicated it might just be a need for tracking software. Dr.Elovitz asked to amend the motion to include language seeking grant funding for more staff to assist with tracking and applying for more grants. Commissioner Summerlin indicated the intent of his motion was not to limit the language of the letter,rather it was to provide the necessary language. There was further general discussion, but the consensus was to not amend the motion for staff. Vice Chair Peterson commented that he wants to encourage the City to make more resources available to aggressively seek funding. It could be reassignment of staff or better use of resources. Chair Hinojosa indicated that Ms. Garcia checks what grants are available. Mr. Harney clarified that she assists departments, however, Revised:10/4/02 i they've only been here a short time. Commissioner Vera indicated that Ms. Garcia made it clear she was overwhelmed with the work level. Resources should be available. Why spend money on software, if staff is not available. If information is couched in the letter in a correct manner, in example there might be a need for public record requirements—if they don't have a method to maintain the information, then they can't be provided. Chair Hinojosa expressed a concern to ensure that we don't make letter sound like a demand. Regarding the motion—Commissioner Summerlin asked for Ms. Shultz to read back the original motion. The motion was read back. It doesn't preclude resources and doesn't deny software—include in the motion the City should dedicate resources to gather department information. A vote was taken and the motion passed. There was discussion about asking Ms. Garcia deeper details. Commissioner Lyons indicated that the information is clear from last month's meeting minutes. Mr. Ramos indicated we could request Ms. Garcia come again if there was a need. Dr. Elovitz asked what would she discuss at the meeting? Further general discussion. Commissioner Silva asked if the proposed letter would be reviewed by the Commission? Mr. Ramos indicated that he would have Ms. Shultz e-mail the draft letter for Commissioners review, comments and suggestions. Vice Chair Peterson indicated that he was not disagreeing about inviting Ms. Garcia, however, he wondered what would be gained by inviting her. He expressed a concern that we don't want to link this with her. He doesn't want to give the perception that this groups was used as a vehicle. That is not the case,but she gave a very thorough response at the last meeting. Mr. Harney put forward a suggestion that if a specific Commissioner has a question, then we could ask her. Chair Hinojosa asked Mr.Ramos to ask her to come. New Business: Information provided on the upcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration. It starts early and continues into the evening. Everyone is invited. Chair Hinojosa reminded the Commissioners of Saturday's reception from 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.,by invitation only. City Council Presentation on September 9,2002—A draft Transition Plan report will be given. Administrator's Report: Mr. Ramos discussed the EhOC Contract, which runs from October to September of a given year. He distributed the monthly report. We have completed 128 closures and 177 intakes. We received a letter on a possible upward modification to allow for more cases for next year. It is not official yet,but he will let the Commission know next month. The average case age is significantly improved. In the past some cases were approximately 1,000 days. A meeting was held with the Mayor and Commission Chairperson. Now the department cases are below 250 days — reflective of the work done by the staff. It shows we're responsive to the community. We are neutral and objective in how we carry out our duties. EEOC requires completion of cases within 250 days, it may go lower. But this is a good indication. We started the new production period,this may show the need for more staff and provide justification. The department will be doing approximately 30 more cases, if the upward modification is approved. It has not been approved yet, but we'll continue to do the cases. Commissioner Lyons indicated that she hoped that Mr. Ramos was patting himself and the staff on the back. This was an extremely big difference from where the department was and is of benefit to the community. Public Comments: At Chair Hinojosa's request,Dr. Peterson provided an update on grants CCISD applied for regarding Title I. $30 Million grant was applied for—i.e.: free lunch program, eligibility based on numbers. Also a grant application was submitted for a small learning community— i.e.: at Ray. The Gates Foundation invited them to apply for grants—mini proposals that considered$20 Million for major reforms in schools. There are all kinds of grants out there. There are grants available for special needs/special education — that haven't been sufficient sought. He's not condemning the City, but he doesn't know if they have taken advantage of funds that are available. It was pleasing to him to hear that the City is more aggressive in going for grants. There is a high need among the low income/low education population of the city. Chair Revised:10/4/02 1 - • w Hinojosa asked if there was a grant for the Head Start Program? Dr. Peterson and Commissioner Vera indicated that they are not through the Independent School District. Commissioner Summerlin indicated this is through the County. Commissioner Vera indicated this is for pre-kinder, special population, look at the need and circumstance of families. Dr. Peterson indicated that for children between the ages of 0-3 years,there is not enough out there. Additionally, there are over 60,000 without high school diplomas or GEDs, over 100,000 who are not English proficient —with that kind of data, it suggests that there is a problem with seeking employment and fulfilling quality of life issues. They are working on Adult classes, on at least 10 campuses. General discussion continued. There was discussion on dropout rates — with varied statistical data, 2.6% up to 40% depending on data. CCISD and Department of Education are looking more closely at this. Further discussion. Dr. Elovitz discussed his experience with reading problems,defects that occur in the brain from use of drugs—scans show overwhelming damage. Motion to adjourn made by Dr.Peterson,seconded by Dr.Elovitz;vote—passed. Adjourned at 6:12 p.m. Minutes Approved By: = — /07-0,510,1 Oscar Hinojosa, Sr., pi'C Chairperson Date /®7/OoR Revised:10/4/02