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Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission
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1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: '� zzti2® Co‘'
The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 5:09 PM
2. ROLL CALL:
Present Commissioners:
Crystal Lyons, Errol Summerlin, Linda Fallwell-Stover, Dr. Clifton Baldwin, Dr. Stuart Elovitz,
Gilbert Fuentes, Lucy Reta, 0. K. Smith, Jennifer Starr, Sam Watson, Thomas Lopez,
Post Roll Call Arrivals:
Sam Watson
Absent Commissioners:
Robert Adler, Dr. Carol Ledbetter, Tony(JR) Bonilla,Albert Santoya
Staff in Attendance:
Mr. Leon Bazar, Ms.Wanese Butler, Ms. April Moffett
3. EXCUSED ABSENCES:
Gilbert Fuentes:
MOTION: Dr. Elovitz moved to approve Gilbert Fuentes', September 7, 2005 absence with a
second by Jennifer Starr. The motion passed.
Errol Summerlin:
MOTION: Dr. Elovitz moved to approve Errol Summerlin's September 7, 2005 absence with a
second by Linda Fallwell-Stover. The motion passed.
MOTION: Linda Fallwell-Stover moved to approve 0. K. Smith's September 7, 2005 absence
with a second by Dr. Elovitz. The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
- MOTION: Lucy Reta moved to accept the minutes as written with a second by Dr. Elovitz.
The motion passed.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
Announcements:
The Chairperson announced that there is still a vacancy on this Commission. The
Chairperson stated that the vacancy does not have to be filled by someone associated with
Apartment Association. The person needs to be involved with the renting of dwellings.
Introductions: none
Presentations: none
6. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:
The Chairperson mentioned that the Boards, Committees, Commissions Reception is scheduled
during this Commission's next meeting. After discussion among the Commissioners, the
Commissioners decided to cancel the November meeting.
MOTION: Dr. Elovitz moved to cancel the November 3, 2005 Human Relations Commission
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meeting due to the Mayor's reception for Boards, Commissions and Committees that will be held
in City Council Chambers with a second by Dr. Baldwin. The motion passed.
The Chairperson then stated there will not be a November meeting unless there is an emergency.
7. COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion with Possible Action)
A. Housing Subcommittee: 0. K. Smith:
■ Fair Housing Brochure
0. K. Smith stated that the printing and distribution of the brochures have been put
on hold. Leon Bazar then stated that Wanese Butler attended a HUD seminar in
Washington D.C. HUD funded this trip and there are funds left over from that trip
that will be allocated for outreach. The Chairperson asked Leon.3azar could the
remaining funds be used to house some of the Hurricane Katrina victims. Mr.
Bazar stated that he would ask Oscar Martinez about the redirecting of those
funds. O. K. Smith further stated that the Commission's fair housing brochures will
go out to the citizens in the utility bills.
■ . Rental Dwellings: none
B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities—Linda Fallwell-Stover
■ Linda Fallwell-Stover informed the Commission that a presentation on the new
portable polling machines was made at the last Committee meeting.Accessible
parking violations were also discussed at that meeting. She then informed the
Commission that there has been an ongoing effort to resolve this issue and the
Committee is concerned about the accessible parking violations in this city.
■ The Committee has been in contact with the American Bank Center regarding their
seating manifest in relation to accessible seating.
■ The Committee has been discussing an Emergency Preparedness Plan for the City
of Corpus Christi. The discussion has been an ongoing effort that needs to occur if
an evacuation was called for this city. There will be an ongoing effort to work with
the City's staff on this issue. She stated that the Committee is grateful for the City's
staff and for their efforts during the evacuation. The Committee is also looking at
areas that can be improved.
C. Education Subcommittee—Dr. Carol Ledbetter:
Thomas Lopez stated that the Education Subcommittee has not had a meeting this month.
On October 27th, a representative from the EEOC office in San Antonio, Texas will be here to
speak at various high schools regarding the issue of youth abuse in the work place.
8. OLD BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): none
9. NEW BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action):
The Chairperson informed the Commission about Judy Telge submitting documentation for a
grant to assist with housing Hurricane Katrina victims and to develop a plan to evacuate people in
cases of emergencies. Judy Telge was awardedthe grant. The Chairperson stated that there
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are 95,000 households without transportation in this area. Six thousand people were transported
out of the city. during Hurricane Rita and the majority of those people were elderly, poor and
disabled. The Chairperson also stated that there were no plans of evacuation by the City
regarding nursing homes. Sam Watson also mentioned that there should be some established
mode of transportation to prevent this City from having the same issues as the Hurricane Katrina
victims.
MOTION: Linda Fallwell-Stover moved to recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance
requiring assisted living facilities to file an evacuation plan with the City and provide annual
updates to those plans with a second by Sam Watson. After some discussion, the motion
passed, Dr. Baldwin stated that he did not approve of the motion.
Linda Fallwell-Stover stated that the sub-committee has just been established and it needs to
consist of people other that the Committee for Persons with Disabilities' members.
10.ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Leon Bazar
• The Human Relations Department's Quarterly Update(September 13, 2005)was
issued to the Commissioners.
• Disability Employment Awareness Month is in October. The Mayor will read a
proclamation on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 11:45 AM.
• There will be three people attending the Texas Accessibility Academy this month.
11.PUBLIC COMMENTS I CONCERNS I ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA:
The Chairperson issued a handout from the U. S. Department of Labor entitled Employers
and the ADA: Myths and Facts.
[6:18 PM Mr. Baldwin left]
12.ADJOURNMENT:
With nothing further,the Chairperson asked for a motioned to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioners.moved and second in unison. The meeting adjourned at 6:19 PM.
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