HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 01/09/2003 SUMMARY MINUTES:QUORUM MEETING
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
January 9,2003
Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent
Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Dr. Stuart Elovitz
Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Mr. Joey Maldonado
Ms.Laura Aguifiaga Ms. Stephanie Saenz
Ms.Erica Alatorre Mr.Errol Summerlin
Ms.Betty Black Dr. Gustavo R.Valadez Ortiz
Ms.Karleen Engel Ms.Nancy Vera
Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson
Ms. Crystal Lyons
Ms. Amy Rhoads
Ms.Ruth Silva
Staff—Present HRC Legal Advisor-Present
L.David Ramos Mr.Joseph Harney
Wanese Taylor Butler
June Shultz
The Human Relations Commission held their Regular Monthly Meeting, on January 9, 2003 at 5:00 p.m.,
in City Hall, 1201 Leopard St., Basement Training Room, Corpus Christi, Texas. This meeting was a
quorum meeting. The following are summary minutes of the meeting.
CALLED MEETING TO ORDER: Chairperson Hinojosa called the meeting to order.
INTRODUCTION: None.
ATTENDANCE:
Roll Call: Mr. Hinojosa — P; Dr. Peterson — P (came in late); Ms. Lyons — P; Ms. Aguinaga — P; Ms.
Alatorre-P;Ms. Black—P;Dr.Elovitz—A;Mr.Johnson—P;Mr.Maldonado—A;Dr. Valadez Ortiz—A
(Called in advance - out of town at conference); Ms. Rhoads — P; Ms. Silva — P; Mr. Summerlin — A
(Called in advance-Out of Town);Ms.Vera—A(Called in advance-Ill -Back);Ms.Engel—P;and Ms.
Saenz—A.
Excused Absence:No absences were requested excused at this time.
Minutes: Approval of December 5th minutes-Commissioner Lyons requested a correction on Page 2,first
paragraph, second line, need to strike ADA of"...ADA Non-Discrimination Ordiance". Motion made to
accept the minutes as corrected by Dik Johnson,seconded by Betty Black-Vote-motion passed.
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:No report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Housing Subcommittee:No report-going to schedule a subcommittee meeting next week.
Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Commissioner Lyons indicated that the Committee held their
monthly meeting the day before. Everyone was mailed the draft Transition Plan. It is under Administrative
Review. They met yesterday and have scheduled a Special Meeting for January 15, 2003 at 3:30 p.m. on
the First Floor in the Committee Room. It will be open to the public,as they are going over the document.
SCANRevised:2-17-03 . .E D 1
The CFPWD is continuing to work on the Non-Discrimination Ordinance. The draft was reviewed and a
resolution was passed to support it. It was e-mailed on Tuesday night and the meeting was held on
Wednesday. If you look at the Ordinance, there is general text in black, other text in blue (CFPWD
language) and green(City Staff recommendation). These represent areas of disagreement. The CFPWD
used the model from the City of Austin and added language from ADA. They have asked for clarification
on contracts. The blue text is part of Austin's Ordinance and a lot out of Rehabilitation Act 504. Ms.
Lyons read the resolution to the Commission and is passing the ordinance draft onto the CCHRC.
Dr.Peterson arrived.
The Chair questioned about the blue text-the City disagrees with it and the green represents the change the
City wants? If no green, after blue then the City just wants it dropped? Commissioner Silva asked a
question about the resolution and clarification was provided. General discussion ensued about the
Transition Plan and about contractors - i.e.: 1) City leases space to another entity (discussed example of
Landry's not being accessible); 2) C.C. Ice Rays -extra seating was inaccessible; 3) Airport -fixed based
stations-couldn't change and were not accessible. There are parents with problems with facilities around
town. It is time to take care of the majority of populations. General discussion ensued about enforcement
options. Mr. Ramos explained about changes to draft ordinance added yesterday - they haven't had an
opportunity to review. He indicated that with dialogue more changes may occur. When the City looked at
it-areas were added in. Ms. Lyons indicated that the CFPWD passed a resolution to support this draft
ordinance-the one with the colored text included. Ms.Lyons also indicated that they don't want to confuse
staff that there's a lot of time. The Chair proposed an Ad Hoc Committee Meeting to discuss the ordinance.
Ms. Lyons indicated that she hoped it would be held this month,as this will not change before going to the
City Council. Members interested in attending the Ad Hoc Committee Meeting were the Chair(to sit in);
Commissioners Silva, Aguiftaga, Johnson and Dr. Peterson. Ms. Lyons would be presenting the
information on behalf of the CFPWD. Commissioner Black asked about if this was not enforced?
Commissioner Lyons indicated that it is currently complaint driven. Commissioner Johnson also
mentioned that Mr. Ramos is the Citywide ADA Coordinator, but is only one person. He asked if they
were training more, because there is a need for more staff with ADA training. Commissioner Lyons
indicated that the City has had a twelve year vacation to comply. There was discussion of another special
meeting to be held next Thursday, 23rd, at 5:00 p.m. in the Human Relations Conference Room on the 4th
Floor of City Hall. On a positive note,the CFPWD made a motion to celebrate positive changes that have
occurred within the City. She discussed the "Sweetheart Awards" celebrating efforts made to ensure
integration. Two areas discussed were: 1) Library staff(grant writers)who wrote and received a grant to
establish accessible computer stations for persons with cross disabilities; and 2) Police Department -
Officer recognition for Sgt. Whatley for his efforts to address violations pertaining to accessible parking
issues. There will be a reception held on Febriary 5, 2003 at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall. There will be a press
release about the awards and reception.
Education Sub-Committee:No report at this time.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Ordinance-Pending(This was discussed as noted above.
NEW BUSINESS:
None at this time.
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Ramos first discussed the Transition Plan. A meeting was held this Wednesday to go over the
document in detail and to go forward with a resolution of support. Last night the information was shared
with the Park and Recreation Board. Mr. Ramos discussed the Executive Summary that was presented
back in September and noted that there had been changes. He reviewed various pages, sections and
Revised:2-17-03 9
changes that were included in the present version. General discussion ensued about short and long range
plans. He continued with review of the Appendix Sections.
Dr. Peterson indicated he needed to leave, however he asked to return to the attendance section and
requested excused absences for his recent absences due to his father's serious illness and the need for him to
travel out of town. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to reflect Dr.Peterson's Absences for November
and December 2002 as excused absences, and was seconded by Commissioner Silva. A vote was taken
and the motion passed. Dr.Peterson left.
Review of the Transition Plan continued.
Mr.Ramos reviewed the monthly report.
AGENDA ITEMS/CONCERNS/PUBLIC COMMENTS:None.
Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Black, seconded by Commissioner Alatorre; vote — motion
passed. Adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
Minutes Approved By:
/ca
Oscar Hinojosa, Sr., HRC Chairperson Date
Revised:2-17-03