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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 02/07/2008 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commiss-ion,, Summary of Minutes for February 7, 2008 't n' �.. C ` 'n.. U �, 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER ,,; Sul; Chairman Ramiro Gamboa, called the meetingto order at roximatel '5:00 m`r pP � -�t Y I?6;; with no quorum. t _ p. u!� ROLL CALL Present Commissioners: Ramiro Gamboa Robert Adler Marta Del Angel Patricia Mattocks Margie Myers Rene Saenz Johnny Meisner (Youth) Lauren McAdams (Youth) Staff I Legal: Leon Bazar (HRel) Wanese Butler (HReI) Patsy Garcia (HRel) Yvette Aguilar (Legal) Absent Commissioners: Errol Summerlin Linda Fallwell-Stover Kelley Knight Richard Pulido Pastor Derrick Reaves Lucy Reta Sam Watson Jared Cummings (Youth) REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES No quorum, the following Requests for Excused Absences were deferred until the March 2008 meeting. Errol Summerlin —Work commitments Kelley Knight— Illness Lucy Reta— Medical procedure MOTION 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES No quorum, Approval of Minutes deferred until March meeting. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS No public comments. 4. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT A. Introduction of New Members Mr. Gamboa passed the chair to Leon Bazar. Leon welcomed the new Commission Members Ramiro Gamboa, Patricia Mattocks and Rene Saenz. Leon also asked Commission members to introduce themselves to the new board members. Mr. Gamboa continued by introducing himself to the Commission members. SC 4,NNED Page 1 of 4 5. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. Housing Subcommittee — Margie Myers reported on the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. The coalition is sending out a policy recommendation on all of the issues that are occurring with sub prime lending. Although there are approximately seven states dealing with sub prime lending issues, Ms. Myers was glad to say that Corpus Christi has not experienced any major issues. The National Association of Realtors submitted a presentation to Congress to expand the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) program. B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) — Chair Linda Fallwell- Stover did not attend the Commission meeting. Leon Bazar provided a brief overview of the last CFPWD meeting: • Linda Fallwell-Stover and Toni Padilla's term ended in February. • The American Bank Center: Russ Myers, Administrative Services Manager, provided an overview of accessiblity and new programs offered by the American Bank Center (ABC). The ABC continues to provide training and information to all staff. Staff training includes ADA Accessibility, Post Briefing prior to every event, Monthly Parking Newsletter, Annual Training (6 Hours), New Employee Guest Services Training, Annual Customer Service Training and Connect Training (Sensitivity and Conflict Resolution Training). "Fans First" is a program that focuses on making sure each person who walks into the American Bank Center is treated individually. • Assistant City Manager, Oscar Martinez, spoke regarding RTA funding and how those funds are applied and could be applied to ADA improvements to within the City. • Parks and Recreation reported on the Catch a Special Thrill (CAST) program. CAST is a youth fishing program that encourages children with disabilities to participate and enjoy fishing. The event will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008 on the Upper Laguna Madre in Corpus Christi. The Program is sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department and Corpus Christi Independent School District. • Department of Interior complaint regarding 120 City parks - Human Relations, Parks and Recreation and Legal prepared and completed a response. The Department of Interior confirmed they received the response. After reviewing the response, they will provide a follow-up letter. C. Education Subcommittee — Richard Pulido was absent. Youth Commissioner, Johnny Meisner, reported the Youth Commission is finalizing the EEOC presentation for the Regional Student Council Convention to be held on March 8, 2008. There will be four sessions and twenty-six high schools are expected to attend the convention. Page 2 of 4 • T D. Disparity Subcommittee— No meeting this month. No report. E. Emergency Preparedness— No report. 6. HUMAN RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Mr. Bazar provided the Commission with a copy of the Human Relations Department Case Closures / Activities Summary for Month of January 2008 and provided an overview highlighting the following: • Summary of Cases: - Discrimination (sexual harassment and discharge) alleged based on Sex (Female) against industrial service business. Mediation resulted in No Fault Settlement that included $25,000.00 payment and Neutral references. - Discrimination (application of policies and discharge) alleged based on National Origin (Hispanic) against hospitality service. Investigation resulted in No Cause as evidence does not support discrimination allegation. - Discrimination (discipline and discharge) alleged based on Disability and Retaliation against medical service provider. Mediation resulted in No Fault Settlement that included $1,750.00 payment, neutral references, training, and posting of notices. - Discrimination (harassment and layoff) alleged based on Sex (Female- pregnancy) against medical service business. Mediation resulted in No Fault Settlement that included $7,000.00 payment, neutral references, training, and posting of notices. - 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. - Closed 2 Fair Housing (HUD) cases/Currently have 19 open for investigation. - Discrimination (reasonable accommodation) alleged based on Disability. Electricity interruptions/disconnects endangered individual with breathing apparatus. Conciliation resulted in Landlord setting up automated utility payments to alleviate service cut-offs and $80.00 to individual for repairs to equipment. - Discrimination (shut-off of electricity service) alleged based on Race (African American). Complainant refused to provide additional information and moved. Case was closed as No Cause. - Citizen Accessibility Complaints —30 - 16 citing concerns with resurfacing of city streets and associated ramps alleged not to be compliant. Each site being reviewed and response will be per ADA Elements Guidelines. Page 3 of 4 a - Greenwood Library - Sections of sidewalk sunken/elevated were repaired by using the Urotech foam process; three lifts performed in approximately 1.5 hours. - 1 grievance on utility poles placed obstructing sidewalk and pedestrian buttons. Utility company has agreed to remove poles. - Two 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. - Box Nix, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, agreed Human Relations will be part of review process for new subdivisions and plats and final approval will require HRel signature. Leon or Wanese Butler will be in attendance at the meetings. • Mr. Bazar also provided a review of upcoming activities: - Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP #21), February 7, 6:00 pm, City Hall, 6th Floor. - Annual Directors' Retreat, February 8-9, 2008. - Human Relations staff will attend Employment Law Update Seminar, February 13, 2008, Corpus Christi. - Human Relations staff will attend City Hall Emergency Procedures Training, February 14, 2008, Human Relations Conference Room. - City Council Retreat, February 18, 2008. - Leon Bazar will attend the EEOC Directors National Conference in February 2008, Los Angeles. - EEOC Charge Mediations Scheduled —3 - Weekly HUD Case Reviews with Fort Worth/San Antonio - Bi-Weekly Plans Reviews with Development Services - The Human Relations Department will co-host the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) 3-Day Academy. The training academy will be held April 2008. 7. COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS No Requests. 8. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the presiding Chair adjourned the meeting at approximately 5:50 pm. Page 4 of 4