HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 04/03/2008 11 �
Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission ..
Summary of Minutes for April 3, 2008
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER I; ctjr'''`
Chairman Ramiro Gamboa, called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm with a q.uorum-;n' '
of 13. � ,,
ROLL CALL
Present Commissioners:
Ramiro Gamboa Errol Summerlin Abel Alonzo (CFPWD)
Robert Adler Marta Del Angel Margie Myers
Richard Pulido Pastor Derrick Reaves Lucy Reta
Rene Saenz Sam Watson Johnny Meisner (Youth)
Lauren McAdams (Youth)
Staff 1 Legal:
Leon Bazar (HReI) Patsy Garcia (HRel) Yvette Aguilar (Legal)
Absent Commissioners:
Kelley Knight Patricia Mattocks Jared Cummings (Youth)
MOTION REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES
Motion to excuse Patricia Mattocks and Kelley Knight for the April 3, 2008 meeting
made by Lucy Reta and seconded by Robert Adler. Motion passed.
MOTION 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve March 6th minutes made by Richard Pulido and seconded by Errol
Summerlin. Motion passed.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
MOTION 4. DESIGNATION OF CITY SECRETARY AS PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
Motion to approve Designation of City Secretary as Public Information Officer made by
Errol Summerlin and seconded by Margie Myers. Motion Passed.
[Pastor Derrick Reaves arrived at 5:05 p.m.]
5. HUMAN RELATIONS BUDGET UPDATE
Leon Bazar attended the first budget meeting and reported there were no requests for
reducing the department's budget. Mr. Bazar also indicated the department is
requesting two additional positions. The next budget meeting will is scheduled for April
28, 2008.
SCANNED,
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6. SCHOLARSHIP BOND USE
Rene Saenz provided the Commission members with San Antonio Education
Partnership program information. Mr. Saenz retrieved the information from the City of
San Antonio's website (www.sanantonio.gov). The program focuses on offering
scholarships to eligible students to pursue post-secondary studies in San Antonio. The
website states, "Since 1989, the Education Partnership has invested more than $10
million in scholarships and produced more than 2,200 college graduates. It supports
more than 2,500 current College students." Discussion was held regarding the San
Antonio program and the Commissioners agreed to further discuss the scholarship
initiative and a proposed resolution for the City of Corpus Christi at the next meeting.
The Commissioners formed a Subcommittee of volunteers (Rene Saenz, Pastor
Derrick Reaves and Richard Pulido) to meet at least once prior to the next
Commissioner meeting to draft a resolution and present it to the Commission at the
May 1, 2008 meeting.
[Sam Watson arrived at 5:15 p.m.]
7. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT
Mr. Gamboa requested the Commission meet for a Special Meeting on April 17, 2008
to discuss a resolution which will later be presented to the City Council requesting
additional Human Relations staff members.
8. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Housing Subcommittee
1. HUD National Policy Conference - Margie Myers will be leaving on
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 to attend the HUD National Policy Conference in
Atlanta, Georgia and will provide a report at next month's Commission
meeting. Also attending the conference: Leon Bazar, Wanese Butler and
Yvette Aguilar. Ms. Myers also spoke regarding a Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs program. The department intends to
implement a Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate Program. For information
on the program and qualifying guidelines, contact a mortgage lender.
B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD)
1. Summary of April 2nd Meeting —Abel Alonzo provided a brief overview of
the April 2nd CFPWD meeting:
• Election of CFPWD Board Officers was held. Elected officials:
Chairperson — Abel Alonzo, Vice Chairperson — David Walker and
Secretary—Thomas Dryer
• The Committee designated the City Secretary as Public Information
Officer
• Staff Reports:
- Leon Bazar, Human Relations Department Performance Report
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- Jerry Shoemaker, Engineering Department Cimarron Phase I and
Staples/Doddridge Update
- Billy Delgado, Parks and Recreation Summer Brochure Update
- Christina Fratilia — Development Services (No Report)
• Subcommittee Reports:
- ADA Title I/Employment Comprehensive Subcommittee, No report
- Engineering Subcommittee, Met on March 24, 2008 and reviewed plans
for ADA improvements on Staples from Leopard to 6 points, reviewed
plans for Wooldridge Road Street Improvement Project-Bond 2004 and
discussed Mission Statement for the CFPWD Engineering
Subcommittee
- Latchkey Subcommittee, No meeting. No report.
- The Committee is looking into an education and Goals Workshop
C. Education Subcommittee
1. Regional Student Council Convention Presentation — Richard Pulido
presented a twenty-two slide PowerPoint presentation on the Regional
Student Council Convention which was held on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at
Banquete High School. High school students from Alice, Robstown, Flour
Bluff, Taft, Banquete, Beeville, Falfurrias and Mathis attended one of the
four sessions offered. A total of fifty-five students, including some middle
school students from Falfurrias, attended the convention.
D. Disparity .Subcommittee — Errol Summerlin reported the Disparity
Subcommittee met twice in the month of March. Two meetings are also
scheduled for the month of April. The goal of the Subcommittee is to have a
report completed by the end of May and present the report at the June
Commission meeting.
E. Emergency Preparedness— No report.
6. HUMAN RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Leon Bazar provided the Commission with a copy of the Human Relations
Department Case Closures / Activities Summary for Month of March 2008
and provided an overview the following:
• Closed 12 EEOC cases for a totaling over $70,000.00 in settlements
• Closed 2 Fair Housing (HUD) cases (currently have 19 open cases for
investigation):
- Discrimination (failure to make repairs) alleged based on Disability and
Race (African American). Investigation resulted in No Cause
determination as evidence did not support allegation.
- Discrimination (eviction notice) alleged based on Disability. Investigation
resulted in No Cause determination as evidence did not support
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allegation.
• Received 3 ADA Accessibility Grievances:
- 1 citing concerns with sidewalk elevation issue (sunken). Engineering
evaluating causes.
- 1 citing concerns with sidewalk crossing at drive-thru exit from restaurant.
Engineering has a site visit scheduled.
- 1 cited concerns with newly constructed baseball parking lot patch of
travel. Engineering and Parks and Recreation assisted in site visit and
agreement to install patch of travel to common area.
- Public Accommodation concern regarding access to Environmental
Courtroom at the Wilson Building. Agreement for new parking spaces,
door buzzer, widened ramp, and accommodations wording on Jury Notice.
• Received 3 new ADA Trash pick-up requests.
• Received 4 Technical assistance requests for ADA parking guidance,
assisted living, and home buying assistance.
• 10 outreach training sessions
• Human Relations quarterly presentation to City Council will be held on April
15, 2008.
• Completed 26 EEOC Charge Write-Ups
• April is Fair Housing Month - The department will display Fair Housing
information (posters, brochures, etc.) in the Atrium of City Hall.
• The RTA, City Engineering Department and Human Relations Department
will meet at least once a month to review joint projects to ensure that
sidewalks, curb ramps, etc. at bus stops are accessible for public
transportation.
7. COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
• Discussion of Scholarship Initiative and Proposed Resolution
MOTION 8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Sam Watson and seconded by Marta Del Angel.
Motion passed. With no further business, the presiding Chair adjourned the
meeting at approximately 6:09 pm.
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