HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 05/01/2003 SUMMARY MINUTES:QUORUM MEETING
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
May 1,2003
Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent
Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Ms.Betty Black
Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson
Ms.Laura Aguiiiaga Ms. Crystal Lyons
Ms.Erica Alatorre Ms.Ruth Silva
Ms.Karleen Engel Mr.Errol Summerlin
Dr. Stuart Elovitz Dr. Gustavo R. Valadez Ortiz
Ms. Amy Rhoads Commission Vacancy
Ms. Stephanie Saenz 1 position
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 May 1, 2003 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.
CALLED MEETING TO ORDER: Chairperson Hinojosa called the meeting to order.
INTRODUCTION: None.
ATTENDANCE:
Roll Call: Mr. Hinojosa—P; Dr. Peterson—P; Ms. Lyons—A; Ms. Aguinaga—P; Ms. Alatorre -P; Ms.
Black—A;Dr.Elovitz—P;Mr. Johnson—A;Dr. Valadez Ortiz—A; Ms.Rhoads—P; Ms. Silva—A;Mr.
Summerlin—A;Ms.Vera—P;Ms.Engel—P;and Ms. Saenz—P.
• Excused Absence:
• Ms. Rhoads-Reason provided - Motion to excuse made by Dr. Elovitz, seconded by Ms. Vera,
Vote-motion passed,and absence was excused.
• Ms. Vera-Reason provided -Motion to excuse made by Dr. Peterson, seconded by Dr. Elovitz,
Vote-motion passed,absence was excused.
• Ms. Engel -Reason provided-Motion to excuse made by Dr.Elovitz, seconded by Ms. Rhoads,
Vote-motion passed,absence was excused.
Minutes: Approval of April 3, 2003 minutes — Vice Chair Dr. Peterson made a motion to accept the
minutes as presented, seconded by Ms. Saenz. A vote was taken and the motion passed to accept the
minutes as presented.
PRESENTATION:None
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:No report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Housing Subcommittee:No report at this time.
SCANNED
Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Commissioner Lyons briefed the CCHRC that the CFPWD would
not meet until next Wednesday.
Education Sub-Committee: Commissioner Vera met with staff, to discuss ways to implement goals. They
looked at budget issues, parameters, and staff support. They discussed researching grant options and
sponsors or sponsorship options. They also discussed the TAMU-CC Literacy Program and existing
problems with lowest income population and the possibility of the Commission becoming involved in this
area. There was discussion of establishing a set monthly meeting for the Education Subcommittee to meet
immediately after the monthly CCHRC Meeting. There was discussion of members meeting after the
summer for a fun day to set events. Ms. Vera is asking for members to plan to attend the first of these
meetings after the meeting next month. Appointment information was shared to Subcommittee members.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Transition Plan: The Transition Plan was adopted by the City Council - there was discussion on the
process of implementation, which will begin after August 1st, 2003, due to budget constrictions.
Additionally, Mr. Ramos discussed the supplemental budget and CDBG request and supplemental
budget for the Services, Programs and Activities, if Council provides funding and the CDBG funding
is approved.
B. Business Cards—Ms. Butler distributed the business cards at the meeting. Each Commissioner was
provided cards. They will then have to contact the Human Relations Department when additional
cards are needed. Ms. Butler mentioned that if there were any errors, to please notify the Human
Relations Office.
C. Appreciation Plaque -Dr. Elovitz had the plaque made, there is a seal on the front of it. The Mayor
indicated he wanted to present it at the City Council Meeting. The Chief and his wife will receive it
for him. Mr.Ramos will make the arrangements for the presentation and then e-mail the date and time
to the Commissioners.
D. CCHRC Annual Conference -Mr. Ramos indicated that he needed the names of the Commissioners
who would be participating as Monitors and also needed the names of those persons who would be
attending the Conference.
E. Fair Housing Seminar-It was well attended and was the 35th Anniversary. It was a two-day seminar
and share very good information. Chair Hinojosa asked if it would be at the same time next year? Mr.
Ramos indicated that April is Fair Housing Month, so it will be held in April, but it may be on a
different date.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Certificates for the Youth Commissioners and Exiting Commissioner - The Youth Commissioners
were presented with Certificates of Appreciation for their commitment and service to the CCHRC.
Vice Chair Peterson expressed his appreciation of their making and taking the time for community
service and service on the Commission. He was speaking on behalf of the Commission. Additionally,
we had Mr.Maldonado's certificate,which would be mailed to him.
B. Housing—Ms. Aguifiaga raised some questions regarding the responsibilities of Commissioners who
were appointed to address local housing issues (those positions filled by Betty Black and Joey
Maldonado). There was some general discussion. Mr. Harney indicated he would look into the
ordinance information on the matter. Additionally, Mr. Ramos indicated he would check into it and
address it at the next meeting. Ms. Rhoads stated it might be nice to encourage them to attend the
Housing Subcommittee meetings. Ms.Vera asked Ms.Aguifiaga if she'd found out something or heard
something at the Fair Housing Seminar to raise her questions? Ms.Aguinaga indicated no, she has just
been working with Fair Housing issues and the need for accessible housing - it becomes more
important. Mr. Ramos will find out the responsibilities and provide a report. Dr. Peterson voiced a
concern from the consumer side - affordability for persons of lower income. Mr. Ramos briefly
discussed the Housing Subcommittee role and responsibility to the Commission. Dr. Elovitz asked if
we could request a presentation by Mr. Franco from the Housing Authority regarding the criteria,
population makeup and what they cover. Ms.Rhoads indicated that the reality was that they don't fall
under fair housing - there are discrimination problems with housing, reporting problems to code
enforcement just makes more homeless, there are people currently living in dwellings without water
and/or electricity. Mr.Ramos indicated that he would request the presentation. Ms. Vera asked if he
could also look into how other cities help and enforce problems. There was also a request for a legal
opinion on what the Commission can do regarding general housing issues. General discussion
followed. There was a request for written information in the form of a brochure,and general housing
information. There are some written materials in the Human Relations Office available, if any of the
Commissioners would like items mailed to them, please notify Mr. Ramos. There was further
discussion of having representatives from Housing and Community Development come to provide a
presentation after the one from the Housing Authority. They also requested that Mr.Harney be at the
next meeting to answer any legal questions that may arise. Ms. Rhoads discussed the homeless and
care providers-there was discussion on getting information on the group who work with the homeless.
Commissioner Engel left. Mr.Harney left.
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Ramos provided an overview of the April Administrator's Report distributed at the meeting to the
Commissioners. Mr.Ramos discussed case status,resolutions and age of cases. Mr. Ramos touched upon
Employment,Housing,ADA and Public Accommodation.
Ms.Aguiiiaga asked if Mr.Ramos could change the report format in June 2003.
Dr.Peterson left. (Lack of quorum.)
AGENDA ITEMS/CONCERNS/PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Minutes Approved By:
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Oscar Hinojosa, Sr., C Chairperson Date