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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 03/06/2003 sk SUMMARY MINUTES:QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING March 6,2003 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Mr. Joey Maldonado Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Ms.Ruth Silva Ms.Laura Aguifiaga Ms.Erica Alatorre Ms.Betty Black Dr. Stuart Elovitz Ms.Karleen Engel Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson Ms. Crystal Lyons Ms. Amy Rhoads Ms. Stephanie Saenz Mr.Errol Summerlin Dr. Gustavo R. Valadez Ortiz Ms.Nancy Vera 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 March 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. Aguifiaga—P; Ms. Alatorre -P; Ms. Black—P;Dr.Elovitz—P;Mr. Johnson—P;Mr.Maldonado—A;Dr. Valadez Ortiz—P;Ms.Rhoads—P; Ms. Silva—A(Called in Advance:Business-Audit);Mr. Summerlin—P;Ms.Vera—P;Ms.Engel—P;and Ms. Saenz—P. Excused Absence:The following absences were requested to be excused: • Commissioner Summerlin (health issue) — Commissioner Johnson made a motion to accept the requested excused absence,seconded by Commissioner Rhoads—Vote—Motion passed. • Commissioner Valadez Ortiz(business conflict—conference)—Commissioner Johnson made a motion to accept the requested excused absence, seconded by Vice Chair Peterson—Vote—Motion passed. • Commissioner Engel (ill) — Commissioner Summerlin made a motion to accept excused absence request—seconded by Commissioner Aguifiaga—Vote—Motion passed. Still pending receipt of Commissioner Maldonado's resignation letter. Minutes: Approval of February 6, 2003 minutes — Commissioner Johnson made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Aguifiaga. A vote was taken and the motion passed. SCANNED -_- PRESENTATION: Assistant Chief Villagomez regarding Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) Investigations of alleged Hate Crimes. Asst. Chief Villagomez indicated he appreciated the opportunity to explain how the CCPD addresses hate crimes. They consider elements of a crime. It begins when they arrive at the crime scene—something may seem different. We look at the Penal Code. We establish elements on how to write up and look at a hate crime. We read the Penal Code language for criteria to note as a hate crime. If the elements are there,we look for other parts of the definition of a hate crime to see if it applies. We have instances of a patrol officer taking a report, but they don't know of prior reports. CID (The Criminal Investigation Division) however can review a report and if the elements are there, they can reclassify it as a hate crime. Information is sent to Central Records for special tracking of hate crimes and flagging. Once a report is completed,then a Detective takes the packet to the District Attorney(D.A.)Office and will discuss it with a staff member (D.A. or Assistant D.A.). They have final say. The file is left with their office. Commissioner Vera asked a question on statistics numbers? Asst.Chief Villagomez indicated: 2003 to Date: No Incidents 2002: 4 2001: 17 2000: He couldn't recall the number 1999: 21 reports* • NOTE:This was the year the State of Texas started reporting hate crimes. Forms were sent in and we started flagging and documenting. The Chair asked about the Bomb Threats at Miller High School? Were those construed as a hate crime? Asst. Chief Villagomez indicated he would try to address that. As of today there were no hate crimes noted. If this was a few weeks ago, a report should have been done. So a decision may have been made that this was not a hate crime. If there was a bomb threat, it would depend on if the wording meets the elements. Only the person receiving the threats can say what was said. Assumably there was insufficient evidence to say if the elements of a hate crime were there. Commissioner Vera asked how the CCPD was handling e-mails, verbal abuse, terrorist threats and written materials (i.e.: brochure)? Asst. Chief Villagomez indicated that if an e-mail were presented to the CCPD, if should show points of origin(s). They would look at the elements and follow-up on it. They could take an offense report and address the suspect. Commissioner Summerlin asked a series of questions. Question 1: Regarding the statistics — How many, if any, were prosecuted? Answer: He didn't know at this time. Commissioner indicated that he had heard of charges being alleged. Asst. Chief Villagomez indicated he could research it and provide the information. He indicated there was a case in `98-`99 where there was prosecution of church vandalism. Question 2: Criteria — Crime against persons, property or society. What is a crime against society? Asst. Chief Villagomez gave an example of wording on school walls — sufficient for society. Take photos —if it is a know perpetrator they can address. Question 3: So if a group issues a flyer or information that disparages segments of society (i.e.: Rockport flyers — disparaging to minorities) would this meet the criteria? Asst. Chief Villagomez indicated he would have to research this, he's not sure. Specific components of the crime needs to be looked at and evaluated by the D.A. and reviewed for relevance of elements. Also consider if someone was victimized or targeted? Asst. Chief Villagomez also indicated that they ask the officer to explain the process to the victim and witnesses. Questions they have are really answered in follow-up by the detective assigned to the case. Additionally, officers are asked to report hate crimes to their supervisors. The supervisor will call a detective to the scene to have them come for follow-up. It is critically import to document the event thoroughly and note specific elements that may be present and get specific statements of what has been said. Commissioner Vera asked if flyers are subjective by detective(s)? Asst. Chief Villagomez indicated sure—it can be mis-classified initially. There was general discussion. Normally there is follow-up with the detective — they can the victim(s) or witness(es). Commissioner Johnson mentioned 9/11 — was that construed as a hate crime and if so — against whom? Asst. Chief Villagomez indicated that is was against all three — persons, property and society. Commissioner Elovitz indicated that he didn't think the flyer was a crime against society, as it did not promote violence against an individual. Commissioner Vera indicated she wanted to thank the CCPD for the help given to the kids from Miller High School. The Chair thanked Asst. Chief Villagomez for his presentation. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:The Chair provided a copy of the Letter of Support provided to NCCJ. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Housing Subcommittee:No report. Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Commissioner Lyons briefed the CCHRC on: 1) Awards— Sgt. Whatley in attendance;2)Presentation by City Manager—discussed assessment of the Non-Discrimination Ordinance;3)Member of the community came to the CFPWD regarding proposed budget cuts to Medicaid (12.5%) that would cut a lot of people, cut Medicaid and increase funds to Nursing Homes. This is an emergency situation for elderly and disabled community. The CFPWD was asked for a letter of support for a local resolution to the City Council, County Commissioners and COG. The proposed budget cuts hurt local conununities. They will be holding special meetings to address this prior to the March 21, 2003 Council Meeting, if you want to attend; 4) The Non-Discrimination Ordinance was taken to the Mayor, City Manager,and some Council Members. Response has been positive so far—they are still meeting with other Council Members. Commissioner Aguinaga asked Commissioner Lyons if any suggestions had been given? Ms. Lyons indicated that they were going to piggy-back on another group's suggestions/resolutions. Education Sub-Committee: Commissioner Vera discussed final reading of purpose and goals for the Education Sub-Committee. There were no changes from the last meeting. She distributed a handout. Commissioner Valadez Ortiz suggested the following changes: • Under Goal: • Second line—eliminate wording starting with"build...to the"and insert the word"promote". • Fifth line—insert"by"in front of the word expanding. • Seventh line—eliminate wording"work on promoting"insert"promote". • On the next to last line on Page 1,eliminate wording"with the potential" • On Page 2,under Content,on the first sentence eliminate"of'. • On Page 3,under Rationale,on the fifth line,insert"to"in front of the word secure. He made a motion to accept the document as amended, Commissioner Rhoads seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: A. Transition Plan: The Transition Plan was adopted by the City Council. City staff will provide quarterly updates to the City Council,CCHRC,and the CFPWD. Implementation will begin August 1, 2003, due to budget issues. Ms. Butler has started a new file to maintain documentation on changes and/or updates. City staff will also include updates in the budget. B. Follow-Up on "Unity Rally": Letter of Support — The Chair provided information on the letter of support to NCCJ. Press Release — Mr. Ramos discussed the press release regarding the letter of support to NCCJ. There was discussion about the Youth Commissioners being speakers at the Unity Rally. Commissioner Vera asked if City staff had received the Agenda yet? Mr.Ramos indicated that he asked for an e-mail and he will forward it to the CCHRC by e-mail upon receipt. Commissioner Summerlin asked about the speakers and format? Commissioner Vera indicated that there speakers interspersed with entertainment, there would be a Color Guard, etc. Youth Commissioners, Commissioner Vera in her capacity with LULAC and Commissioner Lyons in her capacity as Chair of CFPWD would be some of the speakers. 1. Follow-up on "Obesity" research: Mr. Ramos indicated staff had obtained a substantial amount of information, including statistical data, which indicated higher impact toward women and minorities. Commissioner Vera asked about ordinance from San Francisco? City staff were not able to identify an . ( ordinance under this area in the San Francisco Code of Ordinances. Commissioner Vera indicated she would provide the website reference she has reviewed. Once City staff receive that information they will research it and send an e-mail on website locations reviewed. (Website already reviewed: American Obesity Association) NEW BUSINESS: None at this time. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Mr. Ramos provided an overview of the February Administrator's Report distributed at the meeting to the Commissioners. Mr. Ramos discussed case status,resolutions and age of cases. Housing still in capacity building phase. Mr. Ramos discussed the focus on awareness, training and outreach to the community on provision of services. There has been a big push— several ideas: tie in with PSAs; utilizing Community Booths at the Malls; providing informational materials to the Texas Workforce Commission, etc. Mr. Ramos informed the Commission that he had notification the funding might be delayed by the federal government. The City might experience a 10% overall cut. We should know in the next few weeks. Commissioner Summerlin asked about the overall reduction and there was discussion on the reduction in employment cases inventory. There was discussion on sensitivity training being conducted, as well as accessibility information on disabilities and housing. We have also done outreach in the employment arena. Mr.Ramos mentioned three training sessions held with the Texas Workforce Commission. AGENDA ITEMS/CONCERNS/PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comments or concerns raised. Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Black, seconded by Vice Chair Peterson;vote—motion passed. Adjourned at 6:08 p.m. Minutes Approved By: --m-eL 1-(L/0 S Oscar Hinojosa, Sr., CHRC Chairperson Date 4