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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 05/06/1999 n'016 17 16°8.` �. .. SUMMARY MINUTES c,3 OF THE ,A\. (^ Yc: w. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING G May 6,:.1999 c, t:4u- Flc Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent o Rev.Willie Davila Ms.Anna Mercado a �`Lo' Ms.Jeanette Stevens ' Dr.Sylvester Peterson Ms.Olga Tamar_ Ms.Laura Rios Rabbi Paul Joseph Ms.Toni Tamez Mr.Errol Summerlin Ms.Kelly Garza(Youth Commissioner)' Ms.Lena Coleman Mr.Daniel Carmona(Youth Commissioner) Staff Absent Ms.Blaire Pittman(Youth Commissioner) Dr:Helen Gurley Staff Present - Attorney Present Ms.June Shultz 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. Four members and one staff member called in requesting excused absences—Anna Mercado;Dr. Sylvester Peterson;Toni Tamez;Kelly Garza;and Dr.Helen Gurley. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was'offered to accept the April 1, 1999 minutes as submitted. Motioned and Seconded. Motion was approved and the minutes were accepted as submitted. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT—Rev.Willie Davila Represented the Commission at a Holocaust Memorial on April 13th. Good turnout and have co-sponsored this event in the past. It would be good for us to help with the publicity in the future. COMMISSIONERS/COMMITTEE REPORTS—Olga Tamar Housing Committee—Commissioner Tamar,Committee Chair Commissioner Tamar was not present at the start of the meeting. Rev. Davila asked Alex Lopez, Legal Advisor and Commissioner Summerlin to provide a brief update. Commissioners and Staff have meet to discuss the very detailed,' technical and dry material. Additionally, 'Mr. Lopez and Commissioner Summerlin are noting their comments and researching some technical points,but were unable to complete the information. Further work is required,however,the Committee has provided a Report Update,Enforcement Flow Chart,and a non-redline version for easier review by Mr. " Lopez and Commissioner Summerlin regarding legal technicalities: They will note additional changes for the staff to incorporate into the draft ordinance revision for presentation to the Commission,along with those items discussed during ' the meeting. Mayor's Task Force for Persons with Disabilities Commissioner Toni Tamez Not present. No committee report provided at this month's meeting. Return to Housing'Committee Report—Commissioner Tamar arrived to provide update. Chairman Davila asked Mr.Lopez to verify if there was a general clause for automatically adjusting our fines to federal standards. Mr.Lopez was going to research it.Chairman Davila reviewed the Flow Chart of the Intake Process through various options that can occur for completion of the City's responsibility. The Commission also received a.copy of information for the number of Housing Discrimination cases filed in the State. Our region is number two in the State—Central Texas being number one. 1 - NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Summerlin mentioned seeing Commissioner Coleman on the news last night(May 5th). He indicated he concurred with Commissioner Coleman's concerns over the possibility of the Jasper Trial being moved to Corpus Christi. The concern is over the Public response to congregations of groups of individuals(i.e.:persons in white sheets/hoods,etc.) should the Commission be prepared to address concerns that could divide the Community in an adverse way? Would the Commission have a pro-active response and/or recognition of First Amendment Rights? The Commission needs to be ready for what could happen. The Commission would need to keep it as low key as possible, and not let it,divide us if it comes here. If the Change of Venue occurs,then we might need to think of holding a special meeting of the Commission.To come up with public statements on individual rights,not just First Amendment rights,but. tolerance and the rights to a fair trial,so that it might help dissuade some of what we might expect. Chairman Davila said he would appoint a special_committee to look at that possibility and try to foresee any issues,provide a balanced response to that and look at the educational aspect of what needs to happen.His concern is that this should not be seen as an African- American issue,it is all of our concerns. Whatever our response is, it needs to be unified in terms of everyone on the Commission,regardless of background.. We have to stand together,otherwise it reflects the polarity that is out there. Disparity Study Report to the Administrative.Analysis Committee—meeting held in April. Dissatisfaction was expressed at the study not being at the level it should have been. The members of that group from UT requested a 90-120 day extension of the Study. The City Council is the governmental body authorized to approve the extension,as they were the party who approved entering into the contractual agreement for the City. Mayor's Committee-Richard"Dick"Johnson here to speak regarding ADA issues. , • As a user,he is faced daily with attitudinal barriers—that can't be fixed. Physical barriers are fixable. • Texas Department of Regulatory for License Standards survey any set of plans and revisions. , • They have authority to go in to buildings and request that they become compliant • But they are physically located in Austin.' • They can look at plans,but the City Inspectors here have the responsibility for looking at ADA compliance. - • There is a concern that there is no means in the City to regulate ADA compliance throughout the City. • There are federal laws,where no one is exempt,but there is no one within the Commission or City to look at old/new construction and decide if there is a problem and when a situation requires a problem be brought up to compliance. • There are several entities that can do it,but the City doesn't require it or ask anyone to do it. • The City has a Citywide ADA Coordinator(one person),David Ramos,who is very good. • However,there are no standards—no guidelines. Chairman Davila raised a question to Mr.Lopez regarding the City's Ordinance=doesn't it mirror federal standards? Mr: Lopez indicated thatthe new ordinance dealt mostly with Fair Housing issues rather than ADA. He can go back and look at it to see if a creative interpretation could provide some kind of leverage or other methods of trying to pursue some of the things raised. Mr.Johnson discussed his work with the Housing Authority and a special project"ACARE". They have set up a contract with the Housing Authority to look at all houses and apartments for accessibility problems. Schools are supposed to be accessible. Mr.Johnson indicated however,it,is pathetic,disabled individuals can't get into most schools. He has to vote - absentee,because he can't get in to the school for his voting precinct. Mr.Johnson has worked with the City—looking at - streets,they determined curb cuts,etc. They prepared a report,however,to date the streets have not been fixed. Yet that is a federal law requirement. There is a primary need for change in attitudes. Another issue to be addressed is Handicap Parking—there is no control or enforcement commitment. Judy Tell,a Former Chair of the Committee discussed how the,committee is working with the Police Department on education and the City's fine program. At this point,they are working on getting the Police Department on board regarding education only. We need to,focus on overall accessibility. 19.4% of the,population are disabled. In looking at the percentage of disabled,the usage of City and tax dollars are not distributed in an equitable manner. Further discussion on 2 how the City has no department to ensure compliance,which the City opted not to do so: That is alarming. It was thought • that this came with licensing,especially with new construction—but the licensing merely dealt with building codes. There are suggestions for ADA compliance,but no requirements by the City for stoppage order by the City.There were remedies at the federal level,but there were gaps in the State and Local authority.Further discussion on examples of non-compliance and how cases were addressed through Court actions can help bring about changes in public attitudes. Commissioner Summerlin pointed out that the City does have an ordinance on public accommodation. They are responsible and can enforce public accommodation compliance. If in fact the City does not have any enforcement agency,then the Commission should be it. Further examples—businesses with leases on City properties,which are not in compliance. Why isn't the City at the least requiring their lessee's to be in compliance? Commissioner Summerlin indicated that the Coastal Bend Legal Services would be working with the Advocacy Program,bringing one individual to assist with enforcement.But he thinks under the public accommodation ordinance,if someone has a complaint that they can come before the Human Relations Commission under the public accommodation ordinance and that would-be enforcement agency for the City. Commissioner Summerlin asked the Commission and Mr.Lopez,if under the public accommodation ordinance they could fine? Chairman Davila indicated that, "yes there were fines" (a general fine of$250.00) available to us. The public - accommodation portion allows ample authority and to let people know they can file a complaint with the Human Relations - Department(i.e.:voting problem). We need to encourage folks to file the public accommodation complaints. A question was raised on who could file? Mr.Lopez indicated that he would need to do a more thorough review of Chapter 24 of the Code would tell us more. Ms.Tell provided her telephone number(814-1999)for contact regarding ACARE. Mr.Johnson employed by the Army Depot and is the Vice Chair for the Committee ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Eva Plaza,Assistant Secretary for HUD has accepted our invitation to be the Luncheon Speaker for the Annual Conference. Pedro Esquivel has also confirmed and Judge Hayden Head has accepted. Conference details were reviewed on accomplishments to date. Dr.Gurley has requested assistance by the Commissioners in obtaining donations for door prizes. Call the department for information or providing the donations. Youth Outreach Suggestion — in light of the Littleton, CO incident, she would like to forward a suggestion to the Commission,especially to the Youth Commissioners,that we begin to look at how to address the issue of"Hate Crimes". There was discussion on this topic amongst the Commissioners. There were questions about if FCC regulations apply to newspapers—can we file a complaint as a Commission? Mr.Lop-ez can research it. However,the issue was when situations at schools or with media to the public/community we need to know what can be done to address a concern. Youth Commissioners provided their input regarding the suggestions: • Education ▪ Actual footage on"Hate Crimes"in video with the educational message. • "Channel One"where they can air videos for mass presentations to the student body: • Concern for student's need for respect for privacy. • Means for confidential reporting. • Possibility of designating Student Council members, mentors or designated class members (at all levels - seniors, juniors,sophomores,and freshmen). • Working with Crimel Stoppers. - Monthly Report—submitted by title,and note that we are at 85%of EEOC Contract PUBLIC COMMENTS-Limited to two(2)Minutes Chairman Davila asked if there were any public comments? None M "on was ad to adjourn and was seconded. The meeting adjourned-at approximately 6:30 p.m. • q Rev.Willie Davila,Chairman Date Minutes Approved 3 • - CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MONTHLY REPORT Reporting Period May 1999 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION INQUIRIES The Human Relations Office received 502 inquiries during the month of May 1999. Employment 305 Housing Complaints 22 Public Accommodations 4 Other 171 Total Inquiries 502 CHARGES Employment 34 Human Relations to process and investigate 14 EEOC to process and investigates 20 Housing Complaints 0 Public Accommodations 1 Total Charges 35 CLOSURES Employment 18 a)Negotiated Settlement 03 b)No Cause 011 SCANNED Human Relations Commission Monthly Report Page 2 CLOSURES: (Con't.) c)Administrative Closure 1 -No Jurisdiction 0 -Withdrawal w/out Settle 0 CP's Failure to Cooperate 1 - Unable to Locate Respondent 0 - Unable to Locate Charging Party 0 d)Unsuccessful Conciliation e) Successful Conciliation 0 f)Right-To-Sue Letter by EEOC 3 g)Withdrawal with Settlement 0 h)Transferred to EEOC 0 i)Additional Credits 0 j)Bankruptcy 0 Housing 0 Public Accommodation 0 TOTAL CLOSURES 18 • Human Relations Commission Monthly Report Page 3 YEAR TO DATE REPORT May 1999 CHARGES FILED Employment 233 Human Relations to process and investigate: 91 EEOC to process and investigate: 142 Housing Complaints 0 Public Accommodation 2 Total Charges and Complaints Filed 235 CLOSURES Employment Charges 105 Housing Complaints 6 Public Accommodation Complaints 0 Total Closures 111 SCHEDULE OF FACT-FINDING CONFERENCE • Human Relations Commission Monthly Report Page 4 ATTACHMENT A CORPUS CHRISTI HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Month: May 1999 Current Year to Date 1. Number of Employment inquiries/charges filed. Month Oct 01-May 31 (a) Number of charges filed 34 233 (b) Number of inquiries only 305 2,734 2. Number of Housing complaints/charges. (a) Number of complaints filed 0 06 (b) Number of complaints only- 22 183 3. Number of Public Accommodation inquiries/charges filed. (a) Number of complaints filed 1 02 (b) Number of inquiries only 04 18 4. Number of other inquiries received (a) Number of inquiries only 171 1,477 Human Relations Commission Monthly Report Page 5 of 5 ATTACHMENT B HUMAN RELATIONS DEPARTMENT COMPARATIVE STATISTICAL INFORMATION FY 99 CASE CLOSURE STATUS INFORMATION Contract Requirement 103 Total Closures submitted to EEOC as of October thru May 1999 105. Closures submitted to EEOC May 1999 18 Total Closures submitted to EEOC,year-to-date May 105 Closures pending Transmittal to EEOC by June 1999 05 Percentage of Contract completed 101.94% Percentage needed to be completed by September 30; 1999 100% V Intake Information. Contract Requirement 232 Total completed/reported to.EEOC as May 1999 20 Total Intakes submitted to EEOC year to date October thru 142 May 1999 Percentage of Contract completed 61.21% Remaining Intakes to Report to EEOC 90 Percentage of Contract completed as September 30, 1999 100% Total Dollar Benefits for February 1, 1999 to February 28, 1999 - $1,000 Total Dollar Benefits for March 1, 1999 to March 31, 1999 - $12,000 Total Dollar Benefits for April 1, 1999 to April 30, 1999 - $100.00 Total Dollar Benefits for May 1, 1999 to May 31, 1999 - $22,759.00 • a . . 0 an --1 .-1 M l- N et NO NO Net N l-- v1 N 00 0 N 1--1 M •-r N NO M an NO iU N '.-4 a ,P1 M 00 10 N VO et N -1 a N a a p.. 1141 a .I • 4- et • N N et — l� 00 et 00 an M M • . 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