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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 07/03/2003 - r , () SUMMARY MINUTES:QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING July 3,2003 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Ms.Betty Black Vice Chair:Dr. Sylvester Peterson Ms.Ruth Silva Ms.Laura Aguinaga Mr.Errol Summerlin Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson Dr. Gustavo R. Valadez Ortiz Ms. Crystal Lyons Dr. Stuart Elovitz Commission Vacancy Ms. Amy Rhoads 4 positions 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 July 3, 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 —P; Ms. Aguinaga—P; Ms. Black— A; Dr. Elovitz—P;Mr.Johnson—P;Ms.Rhoads—P;Ms. Silva—A;Mr. Summerlin—A;and Ms. Vera—P. • June Meeting was not held due to the 2003 CCHRC Annual Training Conference. Minutes: Approval of May 1,2003 minutes—Vice Chair Dr.Peterson made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Dr. Elovitz. A vote was taken and the motion passed to accept the minutes as presented. PRESENTATION:Mr.Richard Franco of the Corpus Christi Housing Authority(CCHA). Mr. Franco provided his thoughts on public accommodations and assisted housing. His background was twenty-two(22)years with HUD, consulting for eight(8)years and now he is here with the Corpus Christi Housing Authority. Mr. Franco provided the statistical information on number of low rent units for families,low rent units for seniors,number of Section Eight,and provided information on new construction of 30 new family homes on Lamont Street. Mr. Franco reviewed the one strike policy and that it now has been supported by the Supreme Court. Mr. Franco is working with MHMR on a cooperative agreement regarding situations with tenants with mental disabilities. Mr. Franco indicated that the CCHA has received four(4) Fair Housing complaints that have been investigated by HUD and all four (4) were mediated. Mr. Franco indicated that they have had problems with trespassing policies, but again the Supreme Court has upheld the Housing Authorities right to the trespassing policies. Mr. Franco indicated that they have had four (4) EEOC complaints, but all four (4) complaints were dismissed. Mr. Franco indicated the toughest problem CCHA is facing is available and affordable housing. Problems impacting this are economic justice; he is concerned with local wages, because it impacts peoples housing wage. There is a gap between living wages and housing wages. All entry-level positions at CCHA are now$8.10 SCANNED per hour. He is trying to get them to$10.00 per hour. Mr.Franco briefly reviewed issues of the day that he sees currently exist. They have a GED Program. Vice Chair Peterson has help with their GED Program. Mr. Franco discussed three people who have graduated with top honors and they will be having an article written about them. Chair Hinojosa mentioned a recent article and asked if there were 1,846 affordable housing units? Mr. Franco responded that no, there are 1,846 apartments, 1,000+ Section Eight Units. Section Eight is for families that represents housing dispersed throughout the City. Commissioner Aguifiaga asked of the almost 3,000 lower income housing, how many are accessible? Mr. Franco most apartments are retrofitted, some are not accessible; most were built in the 1940's. When they get requests for modifications, they make them. Many are requests of existing tenants, elderly issues and 15% built specifically for persons with disabilities. Thirty(30)homes of aluminum structure,which would be easier to modify. Commissioner Aguifiaga asked if they are using the universal design? In example, zero step/entrance. Mr. Franco indicated no. A question was raise if the CCHA has stopped the wailing list? Mr.Franco indicated yes,after receiving 1,000 requests. The estimated completion date for the new homes is March or April 2004. The other two new construction projects have just started; they have just bought land. A question was raised about the affordability -were they ranging from $70,000 - $90,000 based on financial income of $18,000? Mr. Franco indicated yes. Discussion was raised about Section Eight, landlords not fixing and maintaining properties. Mr. Franco indicated that landlords have agreements, if there is a concern then tenants can speak with him regarding specifics. The requirements are the same as with HUD. There was discussion of sewage backup and what happens with landlords. They have little control,there is a landlord/tenant agreement and the lease directs the action. However, the family should tell them,so they can also address it. However,it may be the tenant's responsibility. There was discussion on funding sources for housing projects. Presently Mr.Franco indicated that he is seeking money from the private sector. They try to mix and create physical packages, with Section Eight, Bonds, Federal Tax Breaks, etc. There was discussion of tax credits next year and funding with TDHCA. Ms. Lyons mentioned total accessibility requirements tied with funding. There was discussion of retrofits and concerns about addressing "aging in place", in single family dwellings where there are no modifications who will need modifications when needs arise for the retrofit. There was discussion about basic access in affordable housing, in new building projects, which would mean little need for retrofit. Vice Chair Peterson expressed the Commission's thanks for being here and raised a question if CCHA had a practice of the agency getting feedback on the degree of satisfaction? Mr.Franco discussed an Annual Review by a third party reviewer who provides a survey to all tenants. They have a data gathering process. Additionally, they have day to day communication with staff, maintenance and community center locations. There was discussion about the senior citizen population growing each year and in senior housing. In the future would they consider providing recreation, etc., activities for lower income person, who might have a rehabilitation opportunity there as well,through the fitness opportunities in the housing units? Mr.Franco indicated that was a good idea,but it all comes down to service and resources to provide it. They could possibly plan for provision of space to accommodate for a rehabilitation/recreation center. Chair Hinojosa acknowledged that it would require additional funding. Chair Hinojosa extended his thanks from himself and the other Commissioners. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:No report. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Housing Subcommittee: Commissioner Johnson provided a report review of a Subcommittee Meeting and the plans for a brochure. The Subcommittee is trying to disperse Housing information out to the public. Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Commissioner Lyons briefed the CCHRC that the CFPWD held a meeting today,just before the CCHRC Meeting. The CFPWD made a recommendation to the 4A Board, the people who will decide how the $500,000 will be spent. The recommendation is that all single family dwellings follow basic access requirements. (Those of Texas SB623, which was passed in 1999.) The CFPWD is asking them to consider it. Justification for the recommendation was provided. Ms.Lyons will share a copy of the recommendation with the Chair and with Commissioner Johnson (as Chair of the Housing Subcommittee), to see if the CCHRC would like to recommend it further through the CCHRC. Today the CFPWD improved the non-discrimination ordinance. They held a special meeting on June 16, 2003, to review a draft. It was determined it needed additional language. The CFPWD added in undue 9 burden and readily achievable language. The CFPWD also approved a draft notification letter to Contractors/Lessees of upcoming public meetings on the non-discrimination ordinance. They plan to hold one meeting during the day and one in the evening. Additionally, they made a motion to approach the Mayor and City Council about placing the non-discrimination ordinance on the agenda, prior to the thirteenth anniversary of the ADA on July 26`h. It will also contain a Questions and Answer Informational Sheet Flyer. If anyone on the CCHRC would like to see it,please let Commissioner Lyons know. Education Sub-Committee: Commissioner Vera indicated the subcommittee has not met since the last meeting. She will schedule a meeting within the next two weeks. The following Commissioners are on the Education Subcommittee - Commissioner Aguifiaga, Vice Chair Peterson, Commissioner Elovitz and Commissioner Valadez-Ortiz. OLD BUSINESS: A. Appreciation Plaque-The Mayor indicated he wanted to present it at the City Council Meeting. They will wait for his return to make the arrangements for the presentation and then e-mail the date and time to the Commissioners. B. CCHRC Annual Conference-Mr.Ramos indicated that the Conference was successful. He received a note from the Keynote about the number of attendees; received a lot of positive comments; and manuals were provided. Mr. Ramos extended his thanks to those who participated in the Conference. It is our plan to implement the feedback into next year's Conference. Additionally, we hope to hold next year's conference later in the year. This year,there was a conflict due to construction constraints. C. Housing- 1. Rental and Selling Dwellings:Issue about vacancy left by Commissioner Maldonado. Mr.Harney discussed the revision to the ordinance made in 1998, when the CCHRC was working on the Housing Ordinance and HUD Interim Agreement, There were concerns raised by the Board of Realtors and the Housing/Apartment Association. There are times when a housing concern comes before the CCHRC and they wanted representatives to act as liaisons. One representing rental dwellings,one selling dwellings. Mr.Harney indicated that there were no delegations at this time. If the CCHRC chose to require it, then they can do it informally or they could put it in the procedures for the two positions to be on the Housing Subcommittee. Mr.Ramos further clarified that Commissioners Maldonado and Black were in the same group,although Commissioner Black is under the rental dwellings presently. Ms. Black would like to change to selling dwellings position. Ms. Black will need to go through the City Secretary's Office to address the request and see how to handle it. In the past the CCHRC went through the Board of Realtors and the Apartment Association to obtain applicants for those vacancies. Commissioner Lyons suggested formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to obtain some recommendations and more information. There was some general discussion, then the Chair asked for volunteers for the Ad Hoc Committee. The following Commissioners will participate: Chair - Ms. Aguinaga, Ms. Lyons, Ms. Vera,Mr.Ramos and Ms. Shultz. Ms. Vera asked staff to call her with meeting details. The Ad Hoc Committee can meet in the Human Relations Office Conference Room. The following questions were raised-duties of the rental and selling dwelling vacancies,two entities or points of contact for applicants and/or sharing of information, and historical past practice. The purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee is to make recommendations,identify options and/or suggestions. NEW BUSINESS: A. Youth Commissioners-The Youth Commissioners vacancies are now being addressed by the Mayor's Office and City Secretary's Office. Correspondence is going out under the Mayor's letterhead. We are not doing the reaching out to the local high schools now. B. Vice Chair Nomination(s) and Appointment - Commissioner Rhoads nominated Commissioner Johnson, and Commissioner Aguinaga seconded the nomination. The floor was asked if there were other nominations? None were presented. A vote was taken and Commissioner Johnson was appointed the new Vice Chair. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Mr.Ramos provided an overview of the May and June 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. Mr. Ramos also announced staff member John Broomfield's retirement. Ms. Aguifiaga asked if Mr.Ramos could provide a clear charge of the Commissioner's duties. Mr. Ramos indicated he would provide a copy of the information to her. (This was same information distributed at an earlier meeting,which detailed duties outlined by the ordinances.) AGENDA ITEMS/CONCERNS/PUBLIC COMMENTS:None at this time. Meeting adjourned by acclamation at 6:24 p.m. Minutes Approved By: F/ 27 / Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. CHRC Chairperson Date 4