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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 04/01/2004 City of Corpus Christi SUMMARY MINUTES REGULAR MEETING on APRIL 1, 2004 CORPUS CHRISTI HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL (Discussion with Possible Action) PRESENT ABSENT Oscar Hinojosa, Sr. Dr. Carol Ledbetter Dr.Sylvester Peterson Errol Summerlin Ruth Silva Theresa Holder Albert Santoya Amy Rhoads-Granberry Ms. Crystal Lyons for Linda Fallwell-Stover Dr.Stuart Elovitz Marisa K. Dowling Betty Black Dr.Clifton Baldwin STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: L. David Ramos Wanese Butler 3. EXCUSED ABSENCES (Discussion with Possible Action) A. Dr. Peterson was out of town last month: Motion to excuse made by Dr. Elovitz with a second by Ms. Black. The vote was taken and the motion passed. B. Ms. Silva was absent and had called in for work-related reasons, October 2003-February 2004: Motion made by Dr. Elovitz and seconded by Dr. Peterson. The vote was taken and the motion passed. C. Ms. Vera resigned: The Chair asked Ms. Butler to read the resignation letter addressed to the Commission. By MOTION, Dr. Elovitz suggested that the Commission send a letter of thank you and appreciation to Ms. Vera for being on the Commission. Dr. Peterson second. There was no further discussion. The vote was taken and the motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Discussion with Possible Action): A. Approval of the minutes for February 5,2004 regular meeting(no quorum at the March 3, 2004 meeting): After review of the minutes, there was general discussion about noting when Commissioners leave during the meeting. Dr. Peterson raised a question for action that references to exiting Commissioners be made only if'affecting the quorum. AMENDMENT on last line before adjournment: Dr. Peterson amended the reference to Commissioners who departed towards the end of the meeting be removed from these minutes. The minutes were approved as amended. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS—None at this time. 6. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT— None at this time. 7. COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion with Possible Action) A. Housing Committee 1. Fair Housing Brochure—Ms. Black reported that the Apartment Association requested a meeting ® due to having some concerns on the Commission's fair housing brochure. The Housing LIU Committee met with five members of the Apartment Association, along with City Legal and Human Relations Staff, to clarify misunderstandings of information. Ms. Lyons asked if the brochure would be used at the fair housing seminar on 4/2/04,and why not. Both Ms. Ms. Black commented that there was a perception that the brochure language and limited examples would encourage lawsuits, although not intended. Discussion ensued on the uses of the brochures and missed opportunities. Ms. Lyons also asked who made the decision not to use the brochure on 4/2/04. Ms. Black clarified that this brochure was initially going to be used at the 2/21/04 housing fair and seek distribution with CPL bills. However, the Apartment Association raised an issue just a day or so before 2/21/04. Mr. Ramos provided clarification that the decision came through chain of command in that the Apartment Association President, Ms. Patterson, had contacted a City Council Member who then contacted the City Manager. Thus Assistant City Manager, Ms. Rose, instructed Mr. Ramos to hold on distribution of the brochure until the concerns were addressed. Ms. Black explained that the actual meeting with the Apartment Association was delayed after the association cancelled the initial date and further scheduling conflicts. There was general discussion about how to proceed to revise the brochure with minor terminology changes to improve the brochure and remove the perceptions of limiting language, and do so with a timeline to complete within the next month or so through the Housing Subcommittee. [Mr. Santoya arrived] B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities—The new Chair for the Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) was ill, so Ms. Lyons [Past CFPWD Chairperson] was attending on her behalf. Ms. Lyons reported on: 1. Non-discrimination ordinance—The City Council passed this ordinance. The Human Relations Department will be hiring the two positions and providing an update soon: 2. New CFPWD Officers—The newly elected officers are Ms. Linda Fallwell-Stover as Chair and Ms. Toni Padilla as Vice-Chair. 3. Accessibility Materials - Pending are a parking brochure on accessibility and also a draft accessibility guide for visitors to our community. 4. Barbara Jordan Media Awards—Ms. Lyons gave general event information and encouraged the Commissioners. Mr. Ramos asked that those interested in attending should contact Ms. Butler. C. Education Sub-Committee—No report at this time.The Chair indicated that he would wait until the next meeting to appoint a new subcommittee chairperson due to Ms. Vera's resignation. 8. OLD BUSINESS (Discussion with Possible Action) A. Fair Housing—Dr. Peterson asked about the CC Housing Authority impact on availability/opportunities of funds for housing in Corpus Christi in light of allegations against the housing authority. Mr. Ramos indicated based on information he received thus far, that the allegations appear to be on mismanagement of funds and not yet a matter for the Commission. Mr. Summerlin had previously provided information by email. 9. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion with Possible Action) A. CCHRC Election of Vice Chair — The Chair called for motion to nominate a Vice Chair, due to Dr. Valadez-Ortiz's resignation. Dr. Peterson was the only nominee. Ms. Black made a Motion to elect Dr. Peterson as Vice-Chair,which was seconded by Dr. Elovitz. There was no further discussion. The vote was taken and the motion passed. 10. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT A. Monthly Statistics- Mr. Ramos provided an overview of the handout of monthly statistics-March 2004. B. Staffing—Mr. Ramos reported that two employees retired in March: Compliance Officer,Henry Gorham, and Staff Assistant, France Barrera. C. Contracts—Mr. Ramos indicated that a HUD agreement is anticipated in September for the investigation of housing discrimination complaints. He also informed the Commission that fair housing intakes should increase with the new Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP) locally through Accessible Communities Inc. (ACI), with Director, Ms. Judy Telge. This new FHIP will also provide referrals through outreach. D. Commissioner Vacancies—Per the City Secretary's Office, they may have candidates for City Council consideration,tentatively on April 13,2004. Regarding the youth commission vacancy,the City plans to conduct youth recruitment in April in hopes of a June appointment for a one-year term. E. Fair Housing Seminar on 4/2/04 — Mr. Ramos reminded the Commissioners that if they attend, the Human Relations Department would pay their registration fee. Also, registration will be conducted at the door. Following questions on the Human Relations Conference, Mr. Ramos elaborated that this • ,t conference has a similar format. 11. PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA A. Ms. Black: Question on the processing of curb cuts, example of Gardendale subdivision. Mr. Ramos clarified that the monthly report consists of incoming individual curb cut requests to the Human Relations Department. Others curb cuts could be done directly through Engineering Services, as streets are redone, the curb cut work should be automatically addressed. Mr. Ramos provided examples of street projects in the City. B. Dr. Peterson:Asked about who handles concessions, public parking and fees collected,i.e.:Greenwood Ballpark. Mr. Ramos indicated that the Park and Recreation staff person who could assist in ballpark related matters is Mr. Billy Delgado. 12. ADJOURNMENT — Motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Black and seconded by Dr. Elovitz. Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:00 p.m. MINUTES APPROVED ON: PRESIDING CHAIR: Date Oscar Hinojosa, Sr., Chairperson CC Human Relations Commission