Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 09/07/2006 t ,�13 3___. _. 4 35�r Ci of �� �`` i # Cit Corpus Christi Human Relations Commissio J `��, Summary Minutes for September 7, 2006co 4.:_ A t. 2127 22 Christi - 2�0, �^ ,ter Cif .{..t _ r.� M i 711: ` ' is ca :t� 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: c\ic-. 6zL� , / The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 5:07 PM. 2. ROLL CALL: Present Commissioners: Crystal Lyons, Errol Summerlin, Linda Fallwell-Stover, Marta Del Angel, Kelley Knight, 0. K. Smith,.Sam Watson, Mariann Bryant, Amanda Villarreal Post Roll Call Arrivals: Dr. Stuart Elovitz Absent Commissioners: Robert Adler, Jack English, Gilbert Fuentes, Pastor Derrick Reaves, Lucy Reta, Karen Maldonado Staff in Attendance: April Moffett, Doyle Curtis, Wanese Butler, June Martinez Public: Dr. Gloria Scott, Judy Telge 3. EXCUSED ABSENCES: Pastor Derrick Reaves: The Chairperson informed the Commission that Pastor Derrick Reaves has requested an excused absence for this month's (September 7, 2006) meeting. MOTION: Sam Watson moved to excuse Pastor Derrick Reaves' absence of September 7, 2006 with a second by Martha Del Angel... The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of August 3, 2006 The Chairperson requested the Commissioners to review the minutes of August 3, 2006. Linda Fallwell-Stover requested for a correction to page two of the minutes to correctly reflect "Barbara Jordan Media Awards." MOTION: Sam Watson moved to accept and approve the minutes of August 3, 2006 as amended with a second by Marta Del Angel. The motion passed. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS: Announcements: • Mr. Smith informed the commission that the founder for Habitat for Humanity, Mr. M. Fuller, would be the speaker for a Habitat for Humanity event on December 8, 2006. One of the topics that he will be addressing is "Why Affordable Housing is so Important". ■ Linda Fallwell-Stover then informed the Commission that the Committee for Persons with Disabilities is planning "Scoop"Training for the week of September 25—29 2006 for local high school students. Scoop Training provides training for students regarding best CCHRC 09/07/06 1 SCAN ED Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for September 7, 2006 practices for reporting on issues relative to persons with disabilities. If a student develops a story or positive portrayal relative to persons with disabilities, it could be one of the award nominee winners for the statewide Barbara Jordan State Wide Media Awards. . Introductions: Dr. Gloria Scott The Chairperson acknowledged and introduced Dr. Gloria Scott to the Commission. Ms. Scott thanked the Commission for the opportunity to speak. She then informed the Commission that Corpus Christi's, major problem with school dropouts is due to many reasons as 32 percent of high school children in Corpus Christi, Texas will drop out of school. The Citizens for Educational Excellence has surveyed this issue and has received a grant to sponsor a discussion forum. The forum, entitled "One Dropout is Too Many", will be held from 7:30 AM—3:30 PM, September 13, 2006 at the American Bank Center in the Water Garden - Room A. She further informed the Commission that Dr. William Dagot would be the guest speaker at the forum and then invited the Human Relations Commission to be apart of the forum. The fee to attend the forum is $50.00 and breakfast and lunch will be served there. The Chairperson asked that if any Commissioners would like to attend the forum, please contact her. Wanese Butler informed the Commissioners that the Human Relations Department would pay for Commissioners who would like to attend. Dr. Stuart Elovitz stated that he would like to attend the forum. Presentation: June Martinez, Compliance Officer-Human Relations Department: Basis for Discrimination The Chairperson acknowledged and introduced June Martinez, Human Relations Department Compliance Officer. June Martinez distributed a packet of information to the Commissioners and explained that today's presentation would be a brief overview, followed by later sessions. She provided some history in that the Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission was formed in 1963 prior to the 1964 Civil Rights Acts and it was established to address Human and Civil Rights issues encompassing employment, housing and public accommodations issues and disability related issues. She also informed the Commissioners that the Human Relation Department is currently in a work sharing agreement with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These agreements authorize the Human Relations Department to be a local representative for the EEOC and HUD. The Human Relations Department receives complaints from the community, and they are referred to as intakes. The intakes (cases) are then deferred or retained; depending on jurisdiction for investigating. The covered laws that are address are as follows: • Title VII of the Civil Rights act of 1964 CCHRC 09/07/06 2 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for September 7, 2006 ■ Equal Pay Act of 1963 • Age Discrimination and Employment Act of 1967 • Title I and Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 • Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ■ Civil Rights Act of 1991 All private employers, state and local governments, and educational institutions that employee fifteen or more individuals are covered under these laws. June Martinez then encouraged the Commissioners to view the EEOC web site and informed the Commissioners that next month's training session will be on different types of discrimination issues." www.eeoc.gov 6. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: • The Chairperson requested the names of the Commissioners wanting to attend the "One Dropout is Too Many" Forum. • The Chairperson informed the Commissioners that there would be a statue unveiled the week September 3, 2006 at Sherrill Park. • On September 11, 2006, there will be a prayer event at Cole Park in honor of 911 (September 11th). ▪ The Official dedication of the Jones/Linton Bridge was observed. Many citizens walked from the Oveal Williams, Sr. Community Center to the Jones / Linton Bridge. Roy Miller High School Band accompanied the citizens. • The Chairperson commended CCISD for sponsoring the Mary Carroll home and bringing it into Heritage Park. The students will be utilizing it to home for educational purposes. 7. COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion with Possible Action) • A. Housing Subcommittee—0. K. Smith 0. K Smith said that the subcommittee met on August 31, 2006 and agreed that there is a lot to learn about fair housing, affordability, and accessibility. They also agreed that there needs to be more information on these issues. He then stated the subcommittee felt it would be a good idea to have people come to speak to the Human Relations Commission on fair housing issues and the have members of the subcommittee to go and speak at different civic groups on these issues. The Chairperson stated that a very good partner for the Human Relations Housing Subcommittee would be Judy Telge, Executive Director of Accessible Communities, Inc. She also agreed with the idea of having the Human Relations Housing Subcommittee members go to speak at different civic groups. 1. Fair Housing Brochure: None. 2. Rental Dwellings: None. B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities Linda Fallwell-Stover informed the Commission that the regular meeting of the Committee CCHRC 09/07/06 3 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for September 7, 2006 ■ There was a presentation by the new City Police Chief Smith and by Judge Tamez on the Volunteer ADA Parking Program. The Committee feels that the program should be open to everyone in the community who wants to participate. ■ Hector Vallejo, Neighborhood Services, conducted a presentation on obtaining low- income housing and ADA requirements for that housing. He informed the Committee that Neighborhood Services recognizes that accessible, affordable, safe housing for persons with disabilities is a concern of the Committee for Persons with Disabilities. Because thehomes are being built and reconstructed with grant dollars, the Committee for Persons with Disabilities wants to ensure that the homes met basic access requirements. He informed the Committee that some of the grants issued to the citizens for Corpus Christi include the elderly; therefore, steps are being taken to ensure ADA accessibility on those homes. • Access to Downtown Project report, (accessible paths of travel), was given to the Committee by the.Engineering Subcommittee. ▪ Mr. Alonzo Garza, Development Services, was not able to be present at this month's meeting; however, the Committee is actively involved in progress of the Unified Development Code. • The Committee is hosting Barbara Jordan.Media Awards. The event will be here in April 2007. Planning is on going. ■ The Committee has been selected and is participating in the disability policy consortium. She will be attending the policy consortium on the 14th of September in Austin, Texas. 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. She then encouraged the Youth Commissioners to find a joint passion and create a project from that passion. 8. OLD BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): Emergency Preparedness • The Chairperson stated that she is still in need of names of those citizens who are shut in and may need assistance evacuating. She is requesting names of the shut in so that they may be placed on the evacuation registry. She also stated that if an emergency occurs, citizens might also call 211 (United Way hot line). The registration of citizens is still an ongoing process. • Council Chamber Well Errol Summerlin voiced concern on the resolution of the City Council Well. The Chairperson informed the Commission that the Mayor of Corpus Christi has received that resolution. Wanese Butler informed the Commission that there has been a meeting with Leon Bazar and the City Facilities Manager. They are still working on a solution of the City Council Well. CCHRC 09/07/06 4 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for September 7, 2006 9. NEW BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): ■ Partnership for Working toward Inclusive Communities (Handout) The Chairperson informed the Commissioners that City Council member Melody Cooper attended the National League of Cities. Councilwoman Cooper then returned to the City and presented the idea of Inclusive Communities to the City Council As a result of Council Resolution, the City will become apart of Inclusive Communities. The City will receive a sign to inform visitors that the City Corpus Christi, Texas is apart of the statewide inclusive community effort. • Inclusive Communities week(Race Equality Week) is September 25—29, 2006. The Chairperson is encouraging the Commissioners to be active in promoting race equality. 10.ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Wanese Butler on behalf of Leon Bazar, Director of Human Relations • The Human Relations Department will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on September 12, 2006. The Hispanic Heritage Proclamation will be read on September 12, 2006 and there will be a reception and an art exhibit in the Human Relations Conference Room after the reading of the proclamation. The featured local artist will be Eliza Oviedo. ■ The American Council for the Blind of Texas will hold its statewide conference here in Corpus Christi from September 15— 17, 2006. The Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Airport. • The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities will hold its conference on September 22 24 2006 at the Omni Marina. • The Human Relations Department is still in the process of arranging for TDLR to come to Corpus Christi, Texas. The Human Relations Department is still sending City staff to training in Austin, Texas. 11.PUBLIC COMMENTS I CONCERNS I ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Public Comments: Judy Telge, Executive Director for Center Independent Living: Judy Telge stated she feels that it is wonderful that 0. K. Smith is the Housing Subcommittee Chairperson for the Commission. She also commended the City of Corpus Christi for finally recognizing affordable, accessible and fair housing all ties in together. She also informed the Commission that the Center for Independent Living is working on national initiative regarding youth with disabilities transitioning from schools. There will be more information in this initiative. Dr. Gloria Scott: The north side area of town needs to be considered while thinking of inclusive communities and on affordable, fair, and accessible housing needs. CCHRC 09/07/06 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for September 7, 2006 Concerns: None. Items for Next Agenda: Continued training from Human Relations Department on Protected Class/Prohibitive Basis. 12..ADJOURNMENT: V With nothing further, the Chairperson asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Commissioners moved and second in unison. The meeting adjourned at 6:27 P.M. Chairperson Date CCHRC 09/07/06 6