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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 08/03/2006 E:litYrpuds Corpus ChristiHuman Relations Commission �,Aft-mm; F'Summary Minutes for August 3 2006 .��' Chnati ps? CO JAN 2007 PI 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: o •fiir The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM. 4� 2. ROLL CALL: ~4'0 6Z 56�`'�� Present Commissioners: Crystal Lyons, Linda Fallwell-Stover, Gilbert Fuentes, Sam Watson, Marta Del Angel, Jack English, Kelley Knight, Pastor Derrick Reaves, Lucy Reta Post Roll Call Arrivals: Robert Adler, Dr. Elovitz Absent Commissioners: Errol Summerlin, 0. K. Smith, Mariann Bryant, Karen Maldonado Staff in Attendance: Leon Bazar, April Moffett, Doyle Curtis, Wanese Butler, Shelley Franco Public: None 3. EXCUSED ABSENCES: The Chairperson informed the process of excusing absences to the Commissioners and then proceeded with the excused absences. Gilbert Fuentes: Gilbert Fuentes requested for last month's absence (July 6, 2006) to be excused. MOTION: Sam Watson moved to excuse Gilbert Fuentes's absence of July 6, 2006 with a second by Jack English. The motion passed. 0. K. Smith: The Chairperson informed the Commission that 0. K. Smith contacted her and he requested an excused absence for this month's meeting. MOTION: Sam Watson moved to excuse 0. K. Smith's absence of August 3, 2006 with a second by Jack English. The motion passed. Linda Fallwell-Stover: Linda Fallwell-Stover requested for last month's absence (July 6, 2006) to be excused. MOTION: Sam Watson moved to excuse Linda Fallwell-Stover's absence of July 6, 2006 with a second by Jack English. The motion passed. Errol Summerlin: The Chairperson informed the Commission that Errol Summerlin contacted her and he requested an excused absence for this month's meeting. MOTION: Sam Watson moved to excused Errol Summerlin's absence of August 3, 2006 with a second by Jack English. The motion passed. Mariann Bryant: The Chairperson informed the Commission that Marian Bryant has requested for requested CCHRC 08/03/06 1 SCANNED Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for August 3, 2006 an excused absence for this month's meeting. MOTION: Sam Watson moved to excuse Mariann Bryant's absence of August 3, 2006 with a second by Jack English. The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of July 6, 2006 MOTION: Lucy Reta moved to accept the minutes of July 6, 2006 as written with a second by Sam Watson. The motion passed. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS I INTRODUCTIONS I PRESENTATIONS: Announcements: None Introductions: With the new Commissioners present, the Chairperson requested everyone present to introduce himself or herself and state their role on this Commission. At this time, Leon Bazar introduced Shelley Franco as the new Human Relations Department Compliance Officer. Presentation: None 6. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: None. 7. COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion with Possible Action) A. Housing Subcommittee—0. K. Smith 1. Fair Housing Brochure: None. 2. Rental Dwellings: None. The Chairperson informed the Commission that 0. K. Smith has requested that Commissioners serve on of the Commission's Housing Subcommittee. Jack English, Lucy Reta, and Marta Del Angel all agreed to serve on the Subcommittee. B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities Linda Fallwell-Stover informed the Commission that the regular meeting of the Committee for Persons with Disabilities did take place on August 2, 2006. She then informed the Commission of the topics that were discussed, ■ Accessibletaxi cabs here in the City of Corpus Christi —The Committee feels that this is an area that needs to be worked on in this community. • Le Fleur Bus Transportation will provide accessible transportation from the airport to the downtown hotels. There are upcoming events in the City and the Committee for Persons with Disabilities feels that it is important to assist people needing transportation. • Barbara Jordan Media Awards—The Committee for Persons with Disabilities will be hosting the Barbara Jordan Media Award ceremony on April 20, 2007 in conjunction with the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities. The Barbara Jordan Media Awards recognizes positive representation of persons with disabilities in the media. CCHRC 08/03/06 2 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for August 3, 2006 reviewing accessible paths of travel to enable people to have access to the grocery store, medical facilities, post office, etc. Members of that community's NIP Program attended the meeting. ■ Parks and Recreation's Miracle Field— Rotary club is taking the lead role regarding the donation of funds for this project and the Corpus Christi State School is donating the land for the project. • Unified Development Code (UDC) —This is a Development Services Project. The Committee nominated Crystal Lyons as the Blue Ribbon Community Representative for the UDC Committee. C. Education Subcommittee: The Chairperson informed the Commission about the Youth at Work Program that was sponsored by the former Youth Commissioners earlier this year. Gilbert Fuentes informed the Commission that the Subcommittee was formed to involve youth with this Commission. He further informed the Commission that there are vacancies on the Education Subcommittee that need to be filled. 8. OLD BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): Emergency Preparedness The Chairperson informed the Commission that the City and Accessible Communities, Inc. are working on a special needs registry for emergency preparedness. The Chairperson then informed the Commission that planning is currently taking place to ensure that people needing transportation out of town during an emergency evacuation receive that service. She also stated that the hardest group of people to identify and reach is those that are shut in and she requested the Commissioners to inform her if they know of any persons who are shut in so that she may be able to contact these individuals. 9. NEW BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): The Chairperson requested everyone present to re-introduce himself or herself and state why they have chosen to serve on this Commission. (Deferred the meeting to the Administrator's Report) (Returned after Administrator's Report) Each member of the Commission shared their reason why they have chosen to serve on this Commission. 10.ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Leon Bazar, Director of Human Relations • Leon Bazar informed the Commission that it is the Human Relations Department's role to inform the Commission of issues that occur in the community regarding diversity and discrimination. • Leon Bazar recognized Crystal Lyons for receiving the Karen Moody Award at the Spirit of the ADA Awards Luncheon last month, by the Accessibility Coalition. • Leon Bazar also recognized Linda Fallwell-Stover for receiving the Pioneer Award at the Spirit of the ADA Awards Luncheon. CCHRC 08/03/06 3 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for August 3, 2006 ■ Leon Bazar mentioned the Employment Training will be taking place for all City supervisors on Employment Discrimination. Leon Bazar will be conducting the education training with the Legal Department and further informed the Commission on Employment cases that have been resolved for this month. ■ Leon Bazar informed the Commission of HUD Fair Housing cases that have been resolved for this month. The Chairperson voiced concerns regarding the basis of discrimination in employment cases that are currently being reviewed by the Human Relations Department. Leon Bazar responded that the majority of the cases are based on race. The Chairperson also asked about the amount of Employment Discrimination training that the City supervisors will be receiving. Leon Bazar responded that the City supervisors will be receiving one hour of training. 11.PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS/ ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Public Comments: None Concerns: Gilbert Fuentes voiced his concern regarding the fact the "Well"of the City Council Chamber is not wheelchair accessible and requested the Commission make a resolution to address why the "Well" of the City Council Chambers is not wheelchair accessible. MOTION: Gilbert Fuentes moved for the Human Relations Commission to draft a resolution to address why the "Well"of the City Council Chamber is not wheelchair accessible with a seconded by Linda Fallwell-Stover. There was some discussion regarding the motion. AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION: Dr. Elovitz amended the motion to state for the Human Relations Commission to draft a resolution make the "Well" of the City Council Chamber wheelchair accessible. The motion passed. (Deferred back to New Business) Items for Next Agenda: None 12.ADJOURNMENT: With nothing further, the Chairperson asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Commissioners moved and second in unison. The meeting adjourned at 6:13 P.M. Chairperson Date CCHRC 08/03/06 4