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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 04/01/1999 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING April 1,1999 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Ms.Anna Mercado Rev.Willie Davila Ms.Jeanette Stevens Ms. Olga Tamar Dr. Sylvester Peterson Rabbi Paul Joseph Mr.Errol Summerlin Ms.Laura Rios Ms.Toni Tamez Ms.Lena Coleman Mr.Daniel Carmona(Youth Commissioner) Ms.Kelly Garza(Youth Commissioner) Staff Present Ms.Blaire Pittman(Youth Commissioner) Dr.Helen Gurley Ms.June Shultz Attorney Mr.Alex Lopez The Chairperson called the regular monthly meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. A quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. Five members called in requesting excused absences—Rev.Willie Davila,Olga Tamar,Rabbi Paul Joseph,Laura Rios,and Lena Coleman. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was offered to accept the March 4, 1999 minutes,with one correction—change date to March 4,1999 from March 5, 1999,as submitted. Motioned and Seconded. Motion was approved and the minutes were accepted as submitted. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT—Rev.Willie Davila(Per Vice-Chair Anna Mercado and Dr.Helen Gurley) No information was submitted for discussion. COMMISSIONERS/COMMITTEE REPORTS—Olga Tamar Housing Committee—Commissioner Tamar,Committee Chair Commissioner Tamar was not present at the meeting. Dr.Helen Gurley,Director of Human Relations and Alex Lopez,Legal Advisor provided a brief update. Staff will be coordinating and scheduling a meeting with Commissioner Tamar and the Housing Committee members—tentatively suggesting May 3,1999. Dr. Gurley would like to hold the meeting prior to the next Monthly Human Relations Commission Meeting, in order to review and finalize a draft ordinance revision for presentation to the Commission. NEW BUSINESS Texas Human Rights Task Force-Update:Dr. Gurley was requested to be a member of the Task Force by the State. She attended a meeting in Austin on March 19th. The Task Force(26 members)was formed to achieve statewide coordination of support of legislative bills,regulations,equitable levels of services and attention to issues addressed by the Task Force. They will meet quarterly to share and coordinate information, services,etc.for local, state and federal governments. A Commissioner from the Texas Commission on Human Rights is chairing the Task Force. It was a good meeting and they 1 SCANNED began drafting some articles,which the Task Force will work by. There were people from the private sector—the Apartment Association from Austin and Houston,also several people from various advocate groups for ADA.The next meeting may be held in Corpus Christi. Dr. Gurley will notify the Commissioners of the meeting. This will be an open meeting and the Commissioners and public would be welcome. Vice Chair Mercado recommended the Commissioners try to attend the meeting. Legislative Updates-There are various proposed bills regarding Hate Crimes. Dr.Gurley is reviewing the proposed bills and will make recommendations to Assistant City Manager Tom Utter,if there are any that she believes the City Council may want to support. The City Manager would bring the recommendation before the City Council,with a report and ask them to support the bill as it goes before the House and Senate. OLD BUSINESS Human Relations Brochure—Commissioners were given until March 31, 1999,to provide input on any changes to the draft. Only one person provided input. Dr. Gurley will proceed with the final revisions and have the brochures prepared. The telephone numbers have been verified. Commissioners Training—Will wait for the next school break to accommodate training of the new Youth Commissioners. They will get out of school at the end of May. Dr. Gurley will make recommendation to the Mayor that the Youth Commissioners be allowed to continue on the Commission for the next year. Additionally,after the election,there will be two Human Relations positions to be filled. We will coordinate a training time convenient for all newly appointed Commissioners. Dr.Gurley is available to any Commissioner who may call and request a meeting to discuss any training issues. Commissioner Peterson asked if there was a Web-site on the Internet regarding Commissioner Training Packet/Program? Dr.Gurley indicated she wasn't aware of any information on a Web-site,as each Human Relations Commission(in Texas only in Ft.Worth,Austin,Corpus Christi,and Wichita Falls—other than Texas Commission on Human Rights)handle their own training. Vice Chair Mercado encouraged the Youth Commissioners and other Commissioners to attend the Training or if there is questions on any area of what the Commission is trying accomplish,to please meet with Dr.Gurley. Disparity Study—Meetings have been scheduled with the Administrative Analysis Committee,to meet with representatives from the University of Texas. We will be learning more on the current status of the Study. We had a year's contract with them,however,they have requested an additional 90 days to complete the Study. This request will have to be approved by the City Council. Their Legal Counsel will be present and provide legal ramifications into where we are currently,regarding where the City of Corpus Christi contracting stands in the hiring of minorities and women to perform various jobs and contracts within the City Limits of Corpus Christi. Annual Quality Training Conference—We have put together the Agenda for the most part and are waiting for a few more responses.We are also making catering arrangements. The Youth Commissioners are encouraged to attend. Honorable Hayden Head,Jr.has confirmed. We are waiting to hear from the Assistant Secretary of HUD,Eva Plaza,to confirm if she will be attending as our Luncheon Speaker. We are beginning to compile information for the Training Manual,which will be provided to each person attending. This manual is a good reference tool for future use. ADA—We are continuing to work with the Mayor's Task Force. There will be an ADA Roundtable Conference in Corpus Christi sponsored by the Corpus Christi Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities and the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities to be held on April 9`11, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m There will be no registration fee and it is open to the public.Commissioners and interested persons are encouraged to attend. They were also having the Barbara Jordan Awards Banquet—information will be sent to Commissioners. Roland Guzman of Mayor's Task Force indicated he would like to meet with Commissioners regarding working with Commission on ADA issues. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Commissioner Summerlin was congratulated on his presentation on prejudices given to BAFEA. Other Commissioners encouraged to give presentations to the public. 2 Monthly Report—634 Inquiries for month of March. Employment is highest category for inquiries;Housing moving up due to distribution of public information;Public Accommodation staying the same. We took 28 charges. We had 14 closures. Year to Date:Since October 1st, 156 employment charges have been filed. We will investigate 61,EEOC will investigate 95. 4 Housing Charges have been taken. Our current contract with ELOC requires we complete 103 charges by June 15th. We have 12 cases pending, in addition to the 71 closures already completed. We anticipate we will meet the contract requirements for case closures. We have a contract requirement to take 232 charges before September 30th,of which we have taken 137.Comparison data-March 1998,we had 4,190 inquiries,in comparison to this March,we had a yearly total of 3,508—reflecting a decrease of 602. This is an indication things are going well for people in the community,with a decrease in problems. The Human Relations Departmental Budget paperwork has been prepared and submitted for approximately$304,000. We are also preparing for a HUD contract—with the possibility of an interim contract at any time. Ft.Worth Legal Counsel has submitted it to Washington with no corrections. We are"Number 2"on the list for review. If we receive an interim contract —we will receive$100,000 within this Fiscal Year,then another$10,000 after October 1'. In March,the Human Relations Department received new Y2K computer equipment from EEOC. This computer equipment will possibly be utilized for the HUD contract,as well as the EEOC contract. HUD is developing the necessary program for the integration. We have been contacted by Mr. Joe Castillo regarding becoming a FHAP Agency(Fair Housing Agency Program)from Austin. We met and discussed FHAP requirements. I- OC Annual Quality Training Conference scheduled for August 6th -planning and arrangements are continuing and on track. The HI-OC/FEPA(Fair Employment Practice Agency)Conference is planned for June 6th in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Gurley will be attending for the Department and Commission. Additionally,there will be a HUD Conference in late August in Portland,OR. Vice Chair Mercado asked if there were any questions by Commissioners? Youth Commissioner Garza asked some questions regarding EEOC. Dr.Gurley provided clarification and additional information regarding EEOC and HUD and where their national offices are located. Dr. Peterson raised a concern about Sr. Citizens and if there is adequate/affordable housing for them. Are there any monitoring measures to address this concern? Dr.Gurley indicated the City has a Senior Community Services Department and the City Manager is currently reviewing the Department for services provided. However,that will be one aspect that will be addressed with the Housing Authority—one of the priorities—i.e.:elderly,disabled;battered/abused individuals;etc. HUD is looking at out-sourcing management of properties. We are looking at many aspects of seniors needs. Commissioner Summerlin provided input regarding the Coastal Bend Legal Services participating in the Coastal Bend Council of Governments,which has an Area Agency on Aging. The current Director is Betty Lamb. They receive funds for a variety of services for seniors,including legal services. They have a 3-Year Plan addressing the varying needs of seniors for a 12 county area(of which half reside in Nueces County). Public Meetings are held to solicit information on needs of seniors to the Agency—for planning of funding for the next 3-Year Plan. Additionally,there is a Senate Committee on Housing Affordability Issues related to seniors — Senator Truan is on that Committee. Commissioner Summerlin indicated that he would request a copy of the Year 2000 Plan and provide the information to the Commission to keep them abreast of plans. PUBLIC COMMENTS-Limited to two(2)Minutes Vice Chair Mercado asked if there were any public comments? None Motion was made to adjourn and was seconded. The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m. Anna Mercado,Vice Chair Date Minutes Approved 3