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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 11/02/2006 n �,.. Ci of ■ Corpus Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission \' '‘'11";i: 3�c�;�,�r; a, g=v �.. Summary Minutes for November 2, 2006 ��9; ��, � .� Christi (cip JP r,. ��!! 200/ ::::: \ t9 �rYnI.�'fin.,'■ CALL MEETING TO ORDER: F FI ' The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM. 1� ,e/ • ROLL CALL: 0E-.5T, Present Commissioners: Crystal Lyons, Errol Summerlin, Linda Fallwell-Stover, Robert Adler, Marta Del Angel, Dr. Stuart Elovitz, Jack English, Kelley Knight, Pastor Derrick Reaves, Lucy Reta, 0. K. Smith, Mariann Bryant, Amanda Villarreal Post Roll Call Arrivals: None Absent Commissioners: Gilbert Fuentes, Sam Watson Staff in Attendance: Leon Bazar, April Moffett, June Martinez, Gary Smith Public: None • EXCUSED ABSENCES: None • APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of October 5, 2006 , MOTION: To approve the minutes of the October 5, 2006 meeting (by Pastor Derrick Reaves, 2nd by Jack English). The motion passed. • ANNOUNCEMENTS I INTRODUCTIONS/ PRESENTATIONS: Announcements: • The Chairperson informed the Commission that there is a Youth Commissioner vacancy on the Human Relations Commission and asked if they were aware of anyone wanting to become a Youth Commissioner, please instruct the student to submit their bio to the City Secretary's office. • The Chairperson informed the Commission that Accessibility First will be conducting Fair Housing training in April 2007. The Chairperson stated that it is not too early to start spreading the word about this event so that the right people will be informed. • 0. K. Smith shared a newspaper article, "Disability Americans are now a part of the process", on how the nation is changing its attitude about disability issues. Introductions: None. Presentation: June Martinez, Compliance Officer- Human Relations Department: EEOC Investigative Process CCHRC 11/05/06 1 SCA E D Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for November 2, 2006 As part of the continuing education for the Commission, Ms. Martinez presented a brief summary (with hand-out), of the EEOC investigate process used by the department in the resolution of charges filed. Discussion focused on the need for the Human Relations Department to ensure a published resource is available referring individuals to other agencies that might provide similar assistance. Commissioner Summerlin added that his agency, Legal Aid, does provided similar services and that 8 or 9 of his organization's 100 Attorneys are devoted to employment discrimination cases. Legal Aid does refer individuals to the EEOC to obtain "Right To Sue" letters or"Letters of Determination"for them to be able to proceed with their processing. Mr. Summerlin added that the results of a state-wide survey his agency conducts indicate that only five percent of the legal needs of those who require or need assistance are being met. The Chairperson stated that the Human Relations Department needs to be a resource for information and she feels that some type of information packet would be appropriate. ■ CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: The Chairperson informed the Commissioners to mark their calendars for Saturday, December 9, 2006. On Saturday, December 9, 2006, at 1:00 PM the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. will host the annual Rosa Parks Day Bus Ride Celebration. Everyone will meet at the Staples Street Bus Station and go to one of the local parks. The City's Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will be part of the celebration this year. ■ COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion with Possible Action) A. Housing Subcommittee—0. K. Smith (Handout) 0. K. Smith provided all the Commissioners the brochure the Neighborhood Services Housing section distributes that lists all the housing programs that the City has in place. The brochure noted several funding programs assisting homebuyers and home owners. Leon Bazar informed the Commission that if an individual receives money from any of the City's Housing Programs, for a single family dwelling, there are no requirements or guidelines to comply with relative to accessibility. The Chairperson added that there is Federal legislation pending that would make a single family dwelling subject to some of these requirements. The Chairperson questioned how the HUD Section 504 and the Fair Housing Act fit together and Leon Bazar shared that section 503 defines the guidelines for new construction of multi-family dwellings and noted that these were addressed and included in the handouts given by Mr. Smith. Further discussion followed regarding the Human Relations Department now being part of the review process for plans being built under these funds and a concern that the Department has more things than it can handle. The Chairperson stated that the Human Relations Commission does not need the Director of the Human Relations Department getting deeper involved in something that other City departments should be able to handle. Leon Bazar informed the Commission that he has sent and paid for seven City staff members from the Engineering and Development Services Departments to attend the Texas Accessibility CCHRC 11/05/06 2 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary.Minutes for November 2, 2006 Academy and he does not feel confident not looking over their shoulder right now. 1. Fair Housing Brochure: None. 2. Rental Dwellings: None. 2. Committee for Persons with Disabilities • Linda Fallwell-Stover informed the Commission stated that the Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) has also looked at the housing funding by the City programs and is concerned with what can be done as a community to try to encourage and require the fact that when public funds are loaned to be utilized for renovation or new construction of a single family dwelling, that the dwelling be accessible. We have asked the City's Legal Department to provide the Committee with some feedback and some interpretation of the law on how this might occur. She then informed the Commission maybe there would be an opportunity for the Commission to work with the Committee's Housing Subcommittee to facilitate something regarding this effort. • Linda Fallwell-Stover informed the Commission that the Committee For Persons With Disabilities is represented on the UDC (Unified Development Code) Blue Ribbon sub- committees by David Walker, Crystal Lyons and Brian Watson . • Ms. Fallwell-Stover shared that the Engineering Department presented information regarding the Whitecap Sidewalk Project on the Island. The information gave the Committee a project overview and the accessibility features related to the project. • The Title I Job Descriptions sub-committee will be meeting with Human Resource to review and ensure that job descriptions are written in such a way that they are accessible and inclusive and that the essential functions for a person with disabilities would not prevent them from applying for or being hired for jobs with the City. The Committee feels in lieu of the fact that there isn't any affirmative action plan or requirement regarding City hiring, the Committee would like to know how to measure and quantify how well the City is doing regarding hiring persons with disabilities. The Committee would like to explore what are some of the best practices that are being done around the county. Ms. Fallwell-Stover stated that this might be an opportunity for the Committee and the Commission to team up on this issue. • The Barbara Jordan Media Awards will be held in April 2007 and on-going planning meetings are being held. The next meeting will be Monday, November 6, 2006. It will be a brown bag luncheon at the RTA office located at 5658 Bear Lane. Please attend if you are interested. 3. Education Subcommittee: No Report • OLD BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): Emergency Preparedness No Report • NEW BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): CCHRC 11/05/06 3 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for November 2, 2006 No Report ■ ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Leon Bazar, Director of Human Relations • Each Commissioner received a monthly Department Activity Summary for the month of November. There will be a proclamation next Tuesday for American Indian Heritage Month. We will have the Gulf Coast Federation Native Americans here to accept that proclamation. • The City's Neighborhood Improvement Meetings (NIP)are continuing and Human Relations Department staff has been divided up to ensure representation at these meetings. • The Human Relations Department will be accompanying San Antonio EEOC Office staff at doing outreach presentations at Foy Moody High School, Richard King High School, Roy Miller High School, and Calallen High School during November 14-16th. We will provide further details as to locations as soon as the Department receives them. • Training for supervisors on creating a nondiscrimination working environment has been implemented for City staff and is being provided by Legal and Human Relations.. There have been seven training sessions and one more is scheduled on November 30, 2006. Leon Bazar informed the Commission that these training sessions are for first level supervisors and department managers. • Leon Bazar informed the Commission that he has been designated by Skip Noe as the United Way Campaign Coordinator for the City and will be working on this until mid- December. • Human Relations Department is still looking to set a date for the Architectural Barriers Training Session. Materials for the class had to be re-ordered and have delayed the scheduling. ■ For the month of November, the Human Relations Department has two EEOC mediations scheduled so far. Last month, the Human Relations Department ended the month with six mediations, for a total of$17,000.00 in settlements. ■ The Department's Quarterly ADA Transition Plan and Non-Discrimination report to City Council will be December 19th and Linda Fallwell-Stover and Crystal Lyons will be asked to assistance in preparing this presentation. • . City Hall in the Mall is scheduled for February 3—4, 2007 at Padre Staples Mall and we hope that some Commissioners and Committee members can help during this two- day event. Departments will havebooths to reach out to citizens regarding services the City provides. • There are a few.Commissioners who have not taken the Open Meetings Training and everyoneneeds to be trained by the end of the year. CCHRC 11/05/06 4 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for November 2, 2006 The Chairperson asked Leon Bazar to reinstate the report the Commission used to get from the Human Relations Director that would report the EEOC and HUD cases closed, how many are outstanding, how old they are, etc. This needs to be an agenda item for next month. The Commissioners need to decided what they want to have on the agenda and then they need to vote on what they want the Director of the Human Relations Department to give them on a monthly basis as far as updates are concerned. The Chairperson also stated that the Commission needs the minutes and agenda before a day or two before.the Commission meeting. The Chairperson stated that she is asking Leon Bazar to make sure that this gets done. She then stated that she especially needs a day or so to review the agenda, minutes and other documentation and she prefers not to do it over the weekend. She stated that the Commissioners really need the Human Relations Department Staff to be responsive to this Commission and the charge of this Commission. She requested Leon Bazar to balance what other City Departments might need because he (Leon Bazar/Director of the Human Relations Department) has a very eager Commission and Commissioners who want to be active. The Commissioners wants to help you, the Director, to help us. The Commissioners need your support as our Director. • PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Public Comments: None Concerns: None. Items for Next Agenda: • Presentation from June Martinez— No Fault Settlement Process • Director's Report • ADJOURNMENT: With nothing further, the Chairperson asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Commissioners moved and seconded in unison. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 P.M. Chairperson Date CCHRC 11/05/06 5