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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 01/03/2008 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commissione Summary of Minutes for January 3, 2008 SUM 2008 12 ,(51I OFF` ' '�,.r 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Vice Chairperson Errol Summerlin, called the meeting to order at approexmaely��©� 5:00 pm with a quorum of ten. ROLL CALL Present Commissioners: Errol Summerlin Marta M. Del Angel Margie Myers Kelley A. Knight Richard Pulido Pastor Derrick Reaves Lucy Reta Sam Watson Jared Cummings (Youth) Johnny Meisner (Youth) Lauren McAdams (Youth) Staff I Legal: Leon Bazar (HRel) Wanese Butler (HReI) Yvette Aguilar (Legal) Absent Commissioners: Linda Fallwell-Stover Robert Adler REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES Motion passed to excuse Robert Adler for December 6, 2007 meeting. MOTION 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion proposed and passed to approve the minutes as written. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public Comments was discussed after Item #5. 4. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT No Report. 5. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. Housing Subcommittee — Regarding the Short Sale Program, Margie Myers updated the Commission that she completed the Short Sale Program course and reminded them that this program may be used when the mortgage loan on a home is on arrears. The homeowner must utilize a realtor or lender to avoid foreclosure. SCANNED Page 1 of 4 • B. Committee for-Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) — Chair Linda Fallwell- Stover did not attend the meeting due to illness. Leon Bazar provided a brief overview of the last CFPWD meeting: • The Engineering Department is working on preparing an overview of all bond projects including ADA components (curb ramps, sidewalks, ADA parking, etc.). The Engineering Department will present a report at the next CFPWD meeting. • The Parks & Recreation Department Latchkey Program is continuing to ensure that children with disabilities are being accommodated as much as possible. To date, the Latchkey Program has received 20 requests for accommodations. Out of the 20 requests, only 1 accommodation was declined by the parents. [Lisa Reta arrived at 5:10 pm] • The Development Services Department is working towards providing the committee with consistent updates on new developments regarding accessibility such as new shopping centers, stores, businesses, etc. • Committee Chair, Linda Fallwell-Stover's term on the committee will end on February 6, 2008. Linda has been a Charter Member and has served on the committee for the past 6 years and is not subject to re-appointment due to term limits. C. Education Subcommittee — Richard Pulido asked the Commission for feedback, critique and suggestions on the approximately 10 minute EEOC Youth at Work Program presentation prepared by the Youth Commission. The Youth Commissioners plan to visit schools and corporations to conduct awareness presentations for youth that work. The Youth Commissioners presented their preliminary PowerPoint slide show. The Commissioners provided feedback, suggestions and examples regarding the format, tone to help improve their presentation. D. Disparity Subcommittee— No meeting this month. No report. E. Emergency Preparedness— No report. [Errol Summerlin asked if there were any Public Comments. There were none.] 6. HUMAN RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Leon Bazar briefly discussed the new agenda format. The Human Relations Department and the Legal Department reviewed the proposed agenda format and recommended changes to comply with the Open Meetings Act. Mr. Bazar asked Commission members to submit agenda requests to the Human Relations Department for placement on the following month's agenda. Page 2 of 4 -f Mr. Bazar provided the Commission with a copy of the Human Relations Department Case Closures / Activities Summary for Month of December 2007 and provided an overview highlighting the following: • 100% EEOC Charge Write-ups completed in 8 days or less. • 69.2% EEOC Charges closed in 180 days or less. • Human Relations and Legal Department have presented over 20 Leadership Training Sessions on Non-Discrimination in the Workplace to Managers and Supervisors. • Summary of Cases: - Discrimination (discharge and wages) alleged based on Race (African American) — No Fault Settlement of$7,000.00 - Discrimination (sexual harassment and discharge) alleged based on Sex (Female) — No Fault Settlement of$9,000.00 - Discrimination (discharge) alleged based on Sex (Female-Pregnancy) — Failure to Conciliate and forwarded to EEOC for Legal review and possible litigation. - 2 Fair Housing cases closed. Both cases were filed by the same complainant. (HUD) Discrimination (refusal to sell and discriminatory financing) alleged based on National Origin (Hispanic). - ADA Accessibility—Anonymous complaint. Doors to building housing medical office are too heavy for persons with disability to open. Notification was sent to building management to schedule site visit and review. - Person expressed concern that department store had fire hazard with multitude of merchandise on floor and blocking aisle-way. Fire Marshal requested to do site visit and cited for entrance/exits blocked and notification was sent for site visit to review accessibility on customer aisles. - Person with disability cited section of broken sidewalk that prevented him from getting to the Water Utilities office to pick-up grease collection bags. The Water Department delivered bags to citizen's home and Engineering Services requested to investigate and confirm and present resolution options. - Three new ADA Trash Pick-ups added. A person with a disability, who does not have anyone else residing in their home and is unable to take the trash to the curbside may request ADA Trash Pick-up at no additional charge. The citizen must provide medical documentation from their physician confirming their disability. - Human Relations Department hosted a TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations) Training Seminar in November focusing on Pedestrian Elements. 80 Registered / 60 Attended including Builders, Contractors, TXDOT, City Departments (Engineering, Architects, Streets, Solid Waste). Agreement reached with TDLR to co-host a three day TAS (Texas Accessibility Standards) Academy in Corpus Christi, Texas in 2008. • Mr. Bazar also provided a review of upcoming activities: Page 3 of 4 • - The City will resume Executive Leadership Training in the month of January 2008. Wanese Taylor-Butler will be presenting the "People First Language" training to City Employees and City Supervisors. - Leon also noted that three mediations will be held in the month of January. - City Hall in the Mall will take place in the month of February or March, (date pending). - Leon Bazar will attend the EEOC National Conference in February 2008. = Leon Bazar, Yvette Aguilar and Commission Member, Margie Myers will attend the HUD National Conference in April 2008. Margie Myers will represent the housing organization. 7. COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS No Requests. 8. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the presiding Chair adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:01 pm. Page 4 of 4