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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 09/04/2003 3 SUMMARY MINUTES:QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING September 4,2003 Commissioners-Present Commissioners-Absent Chairperson:Mr.Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Vice Chair:Mr.Richard"Dik"Johnson Peterson Ms.Laura Aguifiaga Dr. Sylvester Ms.Betty Black Ms.Ruth Silva Dr. Stuart Elovitz Ms. Crystal Lyons Commission Vacancy Ms. Amy Rhoads 4 positions 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-Absent June Shultz The Human Relations Commission held their Regular Monthly Meeting, on September 4, 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; Ms. Lyons —P; Ms. Aguifiaga— P; Ms. Black — P; Dr. Elovitz — P; Mr. Johnson—A;Dr.Peterson—A;Ms.Rhoads—P;Ms. Silva—A;Mr. Summerlin—P;Dr. Valadez Ortiz-P and Ms. Vera—P. Excused Absences: Dr. Peterson - not here; Dr. Elovitz - out on Vacation - Motion to excuse absences made by Commissioner Lyons, seconded by Commissioner Black-Vote taken, and motion passed;Nancy Vera - out due to very important personal business - Motion to excuse absence made by Commissioner Elovitz,seconded by Commissioner Valadez Ortiz-Vote taken,and motion passed. Minutes: Approval of August 7,2003 minutes—Commissioner Valadez Ortiz made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Lyons. A vote was taken and the motion passed to accept the minutes as presented. PRESENTATION: City Secretary's Representative -Monique Gonzales, provided information on Youth Commissioners and terms of office. There was discussion about Commissioner Black's request to be considered for the"Selling Dwellings"position,rather than her current position under"Rental Dwellings". A motion was made by Dr. Valadez Ortiz to accept/recommend Commissioner Black for the "Selling Dwellings"position,and seconded by Dr.Elovitz. There was discussion,a vote was taken and the motion passed. There was further discussion about a letter of recommendation being submitted with her application. Ms. Gonzales mentioned that there have not been many applications submitted. If someone needs an application or bio form, we are to refer the applicant to her. Applicants can fax in their application. She needs them by September 12th. Commissioner Vera asked if Commissioners could provide a letter of reference. Mr.Harney clarified that they could do so as a private citizen. Commissioner Black will continue in her current position, until a decision is made. There was discussion about the SCANNED l • selection process by the C.C. Association of Realtors and the C.C. Apartment Association. The past practice is that individuals are recommended by those entities when a vacancy occurs. It was decided that Commissioner Black would approach the C.C. Association of Realtors for a letter of recommendation. Commissioner Lyons mentioned that in reviewing the historical files, she found information about the appointment process and concerns about why the positions came into being. We should include them in the appointment process. There was discussion about the terms of office for Youth Commissioners. They can only serve one year,and then be considered for re-appointment. Commissioner Lyons expressed a concern that she hopes that next year the application process can be done earlier. Ms. Gonzales indicated that Youth Commissioners could continue to serve until the position is filled. Commissioner Elovitz expressed a concern that the City needs to expand the number of Youth Commissioners. Commissioner Vera also indicated that the Youth Commissioners need to come in for the entire year. This would allow them to become familiar with the Commission, orientation, share information on up-coming projects, etc. Commissioner Lyons mentioned utilizing the Counselors Association for outreach next time. Commissioner Black also mentioned approaching Private Schools. Ms. Shultz mentioned that there have been some Youth Commissioners who have served three terms. Youth Commissioners need to fall within the ages of 16 to 20 years of age. Commissioner Lyons also mentioned reviewing files about Annual Board Training (for the Commissioners). Ms. Gonzales asked Commissioner Aguifiaga to let her know if she would like to be considered for reappointment and asked her to call her. Commissioner Lyons asked if a College Student could take part. Yes. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:No report. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Housing Subcommittee: The Chair announced that Vice Chair Dik Johnson had submitted his letter of resignation. There was discussion about the need for a new Chair for the Subcommittee. Commissioner Black agreed to be the Chair. It was noted that we would include an item for nomination of a new Vice Chair on next month's Agenda. As Chair Johnson wasn't there to provide a report, Commissioner Summerlin provided an update. They met a few weeks ago to develop a "Fair Housing" brochure. There was discussion of mass mailing with Central Power and Light. They got far in compiling content for the brochure. The information was left with Ms. Shultz to put together. A draft should possibly be ready some time this month. Commissioner Black will set a meeting when the draft is ready for an initial review. Committee for Persons with Disabilities: Commissioner Lyons indicated the main focus is on the proposed non-discrimination ordinance. City staff have set up at least 16 meetings regarding the proposed ordinance (5 have been held so far). Mr.Ramos has given presentations,Mr. Andy Quittner,Assistant City Attorney, has been present to answer any legal questions and members of the CFPWD have attended to address questions or provide comments as well. There has been positive to very positive feedback to date with those meetings. These meetings will go on for approximately six weeks and then they'll take the next steps. A concern was raised by several members -that it did not appear to be a balanced list in that there were only organizations identified by the City. The CFPWD made a motion for outreach to other groups that would benefit from the implementation of the proposed ordinance during the month of October. Commissioner Lyons also was encouraging the Commissioners to attend the public meetings. Education Sub-Committee: Commissioner Vera discussed their recent meeting. They looked over the drafted mission statement, goals and objectives voted on in prior meetings. They have some questions on how to implement. Q1) Can we get outside entities to sponsor our functions? Such as seminars or conferences. Al)The Education Subcommittee can come before the Commission,look at the proposal and related details before being-but probably yes. It depends on an individual basis. Q2)Are we free to form partnerships and coordinate with other entities, such as NCCJ or Realtors Association? A2) Bring the proposal to the Commission to vote and act on it. Q3) How do we get money to fund projects? City Budget, CDBG Requests, Collaborations? Discussion ensued. Commissioner Lyons discussed funds in the departmental budget, such as those for the Transition Plan. Mr. Ramos clarified that there are funds earmarked for the Transition Plan,but we need to plan during each budget preparation period for the up- coming year. Therefore, if the Commission is going to propose a project, City staff need to be informed to try to obtain the funding for the proposed project. There was discussion about outreach through the use of a brochure,public relations,presentations at schools, possibly a conference, etc. It was recommended that proposals be sent to Mr. Harney in Legal,prior to coming before the Commission. This will enable time for him to check into any concerns/liabilities, etc. There was further general discussion and the Chair mentioned applying for grants. Ms.Black mentioned partnerships for the brochure. Once ready, they will bring a draft forward for review. They could expedite the process if they called and posted for a special meeting - posting is required, since official business would be discussed. They will probably have a proposal at the next meeting. OLD BUSINESS: A. Housing Concerns- 1. Ad Hoc Committee-Update from Committee. Commissioner Aguinaga transferred the responsibility of the Ad Hoc Committee to the Chair. A meeting was proposed for Saturday, September 20, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. Commissioner Lyons has begun a preliminary review of the files separated on historical information. Commissioner Black indicated that she might be able to come during the week to review. B. Letter to Mr.Franco and the Corpus Christi Housing Authority. A meeting was held with Vice Chair Johnson, Commissioner Lyons, Mr. Ramos and Ms. Shultz. Basic language and content was discussed and drafted. The draft will be e-mailed to Ms. Lyons for her to add changes and once those changes are received, City staff will then send the draft letter out to everyone. NEW BUSINESS: None ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Mr. Ramos provided an overview of the August 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 mentioned that the System Database crashed on our computer and our system was down over a week. We were waiting for new computer equipment and then Washington had to retrieve lost data. We had a Public Accommodation charge resolved. There was general discussion about accessible parking. Commissioner Lyons provided the non- emergency Police Department number for reporting accessible parking violations (886-2600). Mr. Ramos mentioned the annual HUD National Conference that was attended by staff. Ms. Shultz compiled some information/handouts and will put together some information on Housing and ADA to share with Commissioners at a later date. AGENDA ITEMS/CONCERNS/PUBLIC COMMENTS: Ms.Judy Telge of ACI and Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living came before the Commissioners to let them know of an up-coming opportunity involving the Corpus Christi Housing Coalition. On September 16, 2003 at 10:00 a.m., at the Council of Governments (COG), which is located across from Miller Buccaneer Stadium. There will be a public meeting on the needs in Housing for Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend. They use the data/input for the State of Texas and funding decisions. This is an opportunity for each of you to provide input They are addressing focus groups in a State wide process. Commissioner Lyons question if this is only about the need of housing to be filled or addressing concerns such as aged and disabled in existing housing,lack of sidewalks,etc. Ms.Telge indicated that, "Yes,this is an opportunity to address problems and suggest possible solutions, to address concerns about barrier removal,environmental concerns, anything that might impact housing. This is a good opportunity to lend your voice. • - r Commissioner Lyons and Commission Black asked about the Housing Coalitions time for holding regular meetings. Ms.Telge indicated that the regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. Ms. Telge indicated the Vice Chair Johnson had been a regular member during those meetings and was very involved. Commissioner Lyons made a motion for the Meeting to adjourn, that was seconded by Commissioner Aguifiaga,and the motion passed by acclamation at 6:21 p.m. Minutes Approved By: r /0/oma /o3 Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. CCC Chairperson Date 4