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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 11/04/1999 SUMMARY MINUTES HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING November 4,1999 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Rev.Willie Davila Rabbi Paul Joseph, (Advisory) Mr.Daniel Carmona(Youth Commissioner) Ms.Laura Rios Ms.Lena Coleman Ms.Kelly Garza(Youth Commissioner) Mr.Oscar Hinojosa Staff Present Ms.JoAnn Kernick Dr.Helen Gurley Ms.Anna Mercado-Flores June Shultz Dr. Sylvester Peterson Ms.Blaire Pittman(Youth Commissioner) Ms.Jeanette Stevens Attorney Mr.Errol Summerlin Mr.Joseph Harney Ms. Olga Tamar Ms.Toni Tamez Ms.Sandra Terrell-Davis Reverend Davila, Chairperson,called the regular monthly meeting to order at approximately 5:10 p.m. A quorum was present.Rabbi Paul Joseph and Laura Rios had indicated they were unable to attend this month's meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The September 2, 1999 minutes were approved. There were unofficial summary minutes of a non-quorum meeting for October 1999,therefore due to lack of a quorum there were no formal minutes for the file. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT—Rev.Willie Davila None. COMMISSIONERS/COMMITTEE REPORTS Housing Committee/Revision of City Ordinance—Commissioner Olga Tamar Reverend Davila asked Dr.Gurley to provide information on the status of the HUD Substantial Equivalency approval. Dr. Gurley indicated there hadn't been any Housing Committee meetings pending further information. There is a new attorney assigned to assist the Human Relations Commission—Joseph Harney. Dr.Gurley has been in contact with Loretta Dixon regarding the requirements,which must be done within the first three-year period. HUD will provide a grant in the amount of$115,000 per year for the three-year period. Ms.Tamar indicated she would be calling a meeting in the up-coming month. The Housing Committee has been waiting for information, from Dr. Gurley, Commissioner Summerlin and Alex Lopez, the prior Legal Advisor on proposed modifications. Dr.Gurley will meet with Mr.Harney to discuss the proposed modifications. Mayor's Task Force for Persons with Disabilities—Commissioner appointment pending Reverend Davila asked Commissioner Hinojosa if he would be willing to serve on the Mayor's Task Force,as he would like to appoint Commissioner Hinojosa to be the Commission's liaison. Commissioner Hinojosa accepted There was discussion about the City facilities being up to required standards,however there were still problems outside the internal City structure. 1 ..sed 0 l�` S'1 NEW BUSINESS No new business discussed. OLD BUSINESS Discussion on the Disparity Study-the City's report has been completed and will go before the City Council on Tuesday, November 9th. It was originally scheduled on the November 19th City Council Agenda,but was moved forward. Reverend Davila asked about any role the Commission may play? Dr.Gurley indicated that the Commission might be involved in enforcement They may be responsible for overseeing compliance of the City government's contracts. Also they may be looking for help to identify individuals with services for the City. A key objective will be to get vendors qualified for bidding. The Executive Summary will be primary information discussed in the review with the City CounciL Commissioner Hinojosa asked if the Commission could prepare a resolution supporting the study. Reverend Davila indicated that the Commission should wait until the information has been presented to the City Council. Once it is made public,the Commission could consider its options. It is too early at this point.However,once its public,the Commission may want to make a statement to it. Commissioner Summerlin indicated he would like to read it Dr.Gurley indicated there were approximately 27 pages to the Executive Summary,while the actual report is over 200 pages. Vice Chair Mercado-Flores asked if the Commission could receive copies after the City Council reviewed the report? Dr.Gurley will provide copies to the Commissioners. This was a$225,000 study,the Representatives from the University of Texas-Austin and their Legal Advisor will be here for the presentation to the City Council. They will discuss the ways and means to meet Supreme Court strict scrutiny. Vice Chair Mercado-Flores asked when they were on the Agenda. Dr. Gurley indicated they were on the Tuesday,November 9t"s Agenda,in the afternoon. Commissioner Summerlin asked what action would be taken. Dr.Gurley indicated the Council would make a decision on accepting the Report. Commissioner Coleman indicated she concurred with Commissioner Summerlin,asking for him to review the Study. Commissioner Coleman asked what the Commission could do if they don't agree with the study. Dr.Gurley discussed need to address concerns outside the City structure,to talk to the community as a Commission. Commissioner Coleman discussed use of consultants. Reverend Davila informed the Commission that their hands were tied until the information was made public. The Commission should not jump the gun. Reaction should come after they know what the Report contains,at this point,the Commission is only responsible for enforcing certain laws,can work to develop a list of what to monitor. Dr.Gurley discussed the Commission's area of authority regarding enforcement were specified in the City Ordinance governing the Commission. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Monthly reports were distributed. Dr. Gurley and the Compliance Officers attended a Fair Housing /HUD Training Conference in Portland,OR. Commissioner's Training was conducted in September 1999. Dr.Gurley is still looking into training through the John Marshall School of Law for Attorneys and training for the Housing Committee — certain Commissioners will be designated to go. The Human Relations Department worked with TEA for this year's conference —approximately 1,400 attended. The Year 2000 Annual Contract was increased to specify 143 case resolutions. This will require a minimum of 12 cases per month. On October 21st,Dr.Gurley was honored by the Minority Business Development Center for her contribution to the community. She has been working on the Disparity Study,ADA Survey—Handbook is currently with an editor,and the U.S.Department of Justice is sending us checklists(including Malls;Doctor's Offices; Restaurants;Hotels;Grocery Stores,etc.)and some of the latest ADA information. Dr.Gurley discussed the issue of ADA accommodation pertaining to streets. Flour Bluff Bus Stops had drop off problems. RTA should know about the requirements. Dr. Gurley will be looking into the matter. Reverend Davila and Vice-Chair Mercado-Flores began discussing the proposed Housing Study and the Report previously done by the City's Housing and Community Development Department Dr.Gurley discussed with the Commission,that the Housing and Community Development Department wanted the Human Relations Department to work with them on a Housing Study as a requirement of receiving CDBG funding. Dr. Gurley was working on development of the survey and budget to compile the data. The study would look at affordable housing and identification of impediments to fair housing. It will also look at building of housing,where and how the City develops, affordability,who is living in poverty and where. Commissioner Coleman indicated she was on a Board that addressed the issue of affordable housing. She was aware that monies had been set aside to help people get into housing. Reverend Davila indicated that they needed to see what is going on. There are instances where people are put to shame in getting information. Dr.Gurley indicated she was aware that it was a tedious process. We need to identify impediments, what's wrong with a program,if the process overwhelms potential buyers. Vice Chair Mercado-Flores asked if there was or could be a vehicle to partner up with people for walking them through the whole process and/or if the Board will help. 2 Commissioner Coleman indicated she believed the HUD process was easier,however when the matter was discussed with the Board,the City didn't want to use another process,they wanted everything to come through the City Department and then referrals be made from there. Banks were sanctioned to set monies aside. Commissioner Tamez mentioned the Affordable Housing Board. Commissioner Coleman indicated monies were set aside,but people had to go through the City to receive it, she was aware that JoAnn Dominguez in Housing and Community Development worked in the area overseeing it. Commissioner Tamez indicated that the Board of Realtors doesn't require such high down payments for housing. Commissioner Coleman discussed the$10,000 interest free that could be applied toward the initial costs of getting into a house that HUD provides through their program There was more discussion about the survey being used to identify barriers and once identified to provide possible remedies. Commissioner Peterson asked how the Commission could help? Were there existing models or programs that could be used? Commissioner Kemick asked if there was a program to teach applicants how to fill out the forms. Dr. Gurley said that we could write to some other cities to see how their program worked. Commissioner Summerlin had a suggestion. We are people of means,we have a Realtor help us and a lawyer to review the process and paperwork,the others trying to go through the program to receive the federal funding for housing assistance are put through rigors that we don't experience. Some people expect those applicants to go through the process without any assistance. Suggest we come up with a group of Realtors and Lawyers(Pro Bono)who could sit with them,go through the process and call them when problems arise. Coastal Bend Legal Service has just hired a lawyer with incredible abilities in housing. There was discussion on if the Study could possibly make a recommendation to contract for full-time staff/attomey for the process. Commissioner Summerlin will help work on getting that done. There was discussion about people getting$10,000 for initial housing,whether they really needed that much money,etc. Reverend Davila asked Dr. Gurley to provide copies of the Executive Summary of the Housing Assessment done in 1993. PUBLIC COMMENTS-Limited to two(2)Minutes There were no public comments at this meeting. The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m. /`/97 Rev.Willie Davila,Chairman Date Minutes Approved 3