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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 02/06/2003 SUMMARY MINUTES:QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING February 6,2003 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Dr. Stuart Elovitz Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Mr.Joey Maldonado Ms.Laura Aguifiaga Ms.Ruth Silva Ms.Erica Alatorre Mr.Errol Summerlin Ms.Betty Black Dr. Gustavo R. Valadez Ortiz Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson Ms.Karleen Engel Ms. Crystal Lyons Ms.Amy Rhoads Ms. Stephanie Saenz Ms.Nancy Vera Staff—Present HRC Legal Advisor-Present ' L.David Ramos Mr. Joseph Harney Wanese Taylor Butler June Shultz-Absent The Human Relations Commission held their Regular Monthly Meeting,on February 6,2003 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; 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;Ms.Rhoads—P; Ms. Silva—A(Called in Advance: Family Business); Mr. Summerlin—A; Ms. Vera—P; Ms. Engel—A (Called in advance: Sick);and Ms. Saenz—P. Excused Absence: The following absences were requested to be excused: Stephanie Saenz. Commissioner Saenz made a motion to accept the requested excused absences. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed. Minutes: Approval of January 9, 2003 minutes — Commissioner Aquinaga requested a correction of the date — changing the year from 2002 to 2003. Motion made to accept the minutes as corrected by Commissioner Aquinaga,seconded by Betty Black. A vote was taken and the motion passed. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:No report. COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Chair mentioned the Ad Hoc Committee that is reviewing the Non-Discrimination Ordinance. Housing Subcommittee:No report regarding meeting that week. 4y SCANED Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Commissioner Lyons briefed the CCHRC on: 1)Awards—Media in attendance; 2) Presentation by Housing and Community Development; 3) Passed resolution to support Transition Plan. Education Sub-Committee: Commissioner Vera distributed a handout. Asked for review and to come back in one month for Commission's vote. Comments on Rockport KKK Rally that is to be held March 1, 2003. Commissioner Vera asked for Commission to consider a statement of support for the NCCJ Coalition. Commissioner Lyons asked for guidance from Legal(Joseph Harney,Legal Advisor)on possible direction on how to proceed. NCCJ will be holding a Steering Committee Meeting on February 13, 2003 at 2:45 p.m. Commissioner Vera made a motion to support the efforts of NCCJ's Coalition, in light of KKK March(scheduled for March 1, 2003) and any that promote peace. General discussion ensued of ideas for support: 1) Commissioner Vera suggested the CCHRC could make a public statement;2)Chair Hinojosa discussed allowing publications to use the Commission's name; 3)Dr. Peterson suggested a resolution or press release including language of not supporting any other organization that promotes hatred—to address specifically KKK,but also include stand against any future injustice. Further discussion of no tolerance of hatred, support of non-violence, using staff assistance and referencing language found in the Human Relations Commission Ordinance. 4) Commissioner Vera suggested a press release and letter to NCCJ and send NCCJ letter to media; 5) Chair Hinojosa suggested CCHRC standing with NCCJ at a press conference. Motion made by Commissioner Vera to have a press release and letter to NCCJ and send NCCJ letter to media. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Black. A vote was taken and the motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: A. Ad Hoc Committee: Ordinance —The Chair briefed the Commission on the two meetings held, with discussion of differences in language. The Chair yielded to Commissioner Lyons. Commissioner Lyons gave the Commissioners: 1) A draft resolution on behalf of CCHRC (based on the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee);2)statistics on Persons with Disabilities Census 2000; 3) two pages of ADA, Page 27, Section 35-130, general prohibition B-1&3. Differences in proposed language were noted, and it was agreed to reflect the difference language options for Council review, since an agreement was not reached. A motion was made by Commissioner Lyons to accept the resolution and pass it as presented, in support of adoption and enforcement of the ordinance. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. The Chair asked Legal representative Andrew Quittner if he would like to speak. General discussion followed regarding protocol of City Manager and Mayor before submitting it to the Council for consideration. Commissioner Aquifiaga acknowledged this it was a lot of work. A vote was taken and the motion passed. B. Transition Plan: Presented to you at the last meeting, given an opportunity for review and changes. None were submitted. CFPWD endorsed it by resolution. Asked to consider making a motion to support the Transition Plan. The Transition Plan will go to the Council on February 11, 2003 in the final draft format. The staff have already made all changes CFPWD requested. Commissioner Vera made a motion to accept the Transition Plan. Dr. Peterson seconded the motion. No discussion. A vote was taken and the motion passed. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Dr. Peterson appealed to the Commission to contact other groups about grant opportunities. He discussed receipt of a half a million dollar grant for a year to address literacy. He shared census data statistics verbally on those without GED and those who don't speak English language. Commissioner Aquifiaga asked if he was working with Community Action Agency (NCCAA). Dr. Peterson indicated no, funds allocated with Country through the Adult Learning Center (under CCISD) —886- 9395 or 886-9390. Examples of groups— churches, community centers, etc. will hire teachers. The Chair asked if the Superintendent has assigned a committee to address drop-out issues? Dr. Peterson indicated yes. Commissioner Vera indicated that it may be campus based. �J 2. Commissioner Vera discussed concerns which pertained to medical care denial. Discussion of an oxygen machine being denied. Discrimination based on obesity/morbid obesity. Discussion on discrimination against persons with disabilities who are obese. Asked staff to look into/research ordinances in other cities — mentioned San Francisco, CA. Research: 1) genetic; 2) cultural background/lack of nutrition; 3) lack of exercise. Also issue with youth. There are more over with kids in schools. Concern that its within bounds of law to discrimination against obese and morbidly obese. (Website: American Obesity Association) (Mr.Harney and Mr.Quittner left at 6:00 p.m.) ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Mr.Ramos provided an overview of the report distributed at the meeting to the Commissioners. (Dr.Peterson left at 6:05 p.m.)9 Commissioners remain. Mr. Ramos discussed case reviews and age of cases. EEOC-SADO wants closer reviews and also quicker closures. Housing still in capacity building phase. Cases were going to Ft. Worth,but more concerns here now and anticipate more intakes. We are currently participating in planning for a Fair Housing Seminar on April 22-23, 2003. We are meeting weekly with COG, ACI and the Housing Coalition. Public Accommodation—we are about to close two pending cases. Mr. Ramos discussed the Annual Reports and indicated that extra copies were available,if needed. Commissioner Black mentioned a Housing Fair being held on March 9th, where information could be given out. Commissioner Lyons indicated that Commissioner Maldonado is a key person named in the newspaper. The Chair indicated that Commissioner Maldonado would be sending in a letter of resignation. Mr.Ramos will stay in contact. AGENDA ITEMS/CONCERNS/PUBLIC COMMENTS: Commissioner Vera announced that LULAC Council 4444 will be holding a March against Youth Violence on Tuesday, February 18, 2003. The March will begin at the street of Fitzgerald (by the Convention Center). Note LULAC week. Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Black, seconded by Commissioner Johnson; vote — motion passed. Adjourned at 6:14 p.m. Minutes Approved By: aOO /40Z Oscar Hinojosa, CCHRC Chairperson Date