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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 04/05/2007 7e1Q1- City Of Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Coonspu Summary Minutes for April 5, 2007 v�h 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The Chair, Ms. Lyons, called the meeting to order at approximately 5:00 PM with a quorum. 2. ROLL CALL: Present Commissioners: Crystal Lyons, Errol Summerlin Robert Adler, Linda Fallwell-Stover, Kelley Knight, Pastor Derrick Reaves, Lucy Reta, O.K. Smith, Sam Watson, Mariann Bryant Post Roll Call Arrivals: Dr. Stuart Elovitz Absent Commissioners: Marta Del Angel, Jack English, Gilbert Fuentes, Eric Briones, Amanda Villarreal Staff in Attendance: Leon Bazar, Wanese Butler, Joseph Harney(for retired Doyle Curtis) Public: Daly Powers, Lamont Taylor, Judy Telge 3. EXCUSED ABSENCES: MOTION To excuse the 02/01/07 absence for Linda Fallwell-Stover was made by Stuart Elovitz, with a Second by Sam Watson. The Motion passed. MOTION To excuse the 03/01/07 absence for Marta Del Angel was made by Dr. Reaves,with a Second by Dr. Elovitz. The Motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—April 5, 2007: MOTION To approve the minutes as written was made by Lucy Reta,with a Second by Stuart Elovitz. The Motion passed. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS: Announcements: Dr. Benibo of TX A&M-Corpus Christi was unable to attend. Introductions: None. Presentations: None. [Moved to Public Comments] The Chair opened the floor for public comments. Handouts of each event were provided. A. Daly Powers spoke on behalf of TX A&M-Corpus Christi's Theater and invited the Commissioners to the upcoming presentation of"The Laramie Project",April 19-29,2007. Page 1 of 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for April 5, 2007 B. Judy Telge on behalf of the Coastal Bend Council of Governments (COG) Affordable Housing Subcommittee and invited the Commissioners to the upcoming 2007 Fair & Affordable Housing Seminar on April 12-13,2007. Ms. Telge mentioned that the keynote luncheon speaker would address, NIMBY—"Not in my backyard'. The Chair asked Ms.Telge if the COG Affordable Housing Subcommittee has a position/statement on the issue of multi-family housing units. Ms.Telge replied that the Subcommittee did not have one at this time. Brief discussion ensued on affordability, inclusion/integration, Southside issues, and having a presentation by the City's Development Services Department on plans for the city's Southside. 6. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: The Chair decided to forgo and moved to the next item, Subcommittee Reports. 7. COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion with Possible Action) A. Housing Subcommittee 0. K. Smith distributed and discussed an excerpt from the City's 2003 Impediment Study through the Community Development Department,pages 106-114,model block program,and inclusive communities/neighborhoods. He asked the Commissioners to review and highlight areas for further discussion. Mr. Bazar commented regarding the 1-year and 3-year action plans, a meeting would be scheduled with staff from CDBG, Neighborhood Services and this Subcommittee. PUBLIC — Ms. Telge offered to share with this Subcommittee a Comprehensive Economic Development Study's 5-year plan developed by the Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living (CBCIL). Ms. Fallwell-Stover offered the assistance of the Committee for Persons with Disabilities,who is concerned about affordable housing as well. B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Ms. Fallwell-Stover provided an update on: 1. 24th Annual Barbara Jordan Media Awards' event information, the importance of these communication awards, and the importance of Barbara Jordan as a role model. 2. ADA Volunteer Program —Human Relations Intern, Ashley Carroll, presented survey of other Texas cities to the CFPWD, and the importance of being flexible in program participation, volunteers using own vehicles, training requirements. Ms. Fallwell-Stover also mentioned that the CFPWD will also work with CCPD Chief Smith for multi-prong success and conduct public service announcements (PSAs). Page 2 of 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for April 5, 2007 3. Park and Recreation summer program information will be coming soon. 4. Sail Corpus Christi —Working with the City for a lift to increase program accessibility. C. Education Subcommittee—No report at this time. Mr. Fuentes was not in attendance today. 8. OLD BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): A. Emergency Preparedness — The Chair indicated that there will be some additional information next month. B. Consideration of Northside and Proposed Wastewater Treatment Plant—Item tabled. MOTION To table this item was made by Sam Watson, with a Second by Ms. Fallwell-Stover. The Motion passed,with Mr. Summerlin abstaining. 9. NEW BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): A. Consideration of Disparity Study—Minority Business Program: The Chair remarked that once the study had been done that it should be updated from 2000 to 2007, and that the Black Chamber of Commerce was interested in updates regarding minority City contracts. She added that the Regional Transportation Authority has interests of doing a similar study and are looking at other entities for possible joint efforts. The Chair recognized Lamont Taylor in the audience. Mr. Taylor made comments regarding the need to access the availability of business contracts which should: • enhance what the City has • ensure equal access to contracts, leveling the"playing field" • considering the capacity and availability of business • reviewing what has been done historically. Mr.Taylor applauded that this issue was before the Commission for discussion and that he would be glad to assist in bring groups and entities together to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to do business in Corpus Christi. Discussion ensued about the City's goals set in 2000, measuring status, outcomes, timeframe of updates, possible discussions with City departments on contracts and construction projects, and responsibilities of updating disparity studies. Mr. Taylor indicated that an entity receiving federal funds has to show or prove that they are fair in their practices. Page 3 of 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for April 5, 2007 Mr. Bazar mentioned that he had already spoken with the Purchasing Director as the topic had come up at a community meeting. Mr. Taylor added that people need to be aware of the requirements so they can apply and be part of the process. 10.ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: Leon Bazar, Director of Human Relations provided: • Handouts of Commission roster and meeting dates for review and any necessary changes to contact information. • Handout of the monthly report on case work, activities, and targets for processing cases. • Staffing issue of the City's job position "freeze" affecting the filling of the vacant Staff Assistant and Intake/Investigative Specialist and department workload and workflow;thus the Department is going through a process of justifying the positions. In the interim,Staff is working with the EEOC San Antonio office on deferrals of out-of-jurisdiction intakes. • Annual review with HUD calls for fulltime fair housing investigator instead of part-time;thus need to relieve more administrative and office duties from Human Relations Analyst to do more housing cases. • Per the Chair, he provided an update on the overall success of the 1. 4-1-1 Equal Opportunity Symposium in joint with NAACP, LULAC#1 &#444,and American GI Forum, with presentations by EEOC, HUD, Department of Justice, and Texas Workforce Commission. [Pastor Reaves had to leave at approximately 6:14 PM—Quorum remained.] • Ms. Fallwell-Stover expressed concerns on local relationships due to resolutions of cases being delayed. • Mr. Summerlin expressed concerns of ongoing issue of staffing for Human Relations and indicated that(1)the Department has less staff now than before the City received the HUD grant;(2)community demands continue to grow on staff;and(3)the Department should be elevated to higher level in City Council's eyes regarding the budget. • After Commissioners discussed the vacancies' impact to the remaining staff, case back log, and revenue, the Chair entertained a Motion regarding a Commission resolution in support of filling the Department's vacancies 1111IOT1ON For the Commission to send a Resolution to the Human Relations Department's Assistant City Manager,the City Manager, and the City's Office of Management and Budget in recommending that the two vacant positions be filled immediately due to citizen and monetary implications as well as loose the ability to resolve local complaints timely and effectively, for San Antonio would mean long distance investigations. Seconded by Mr. Summerlin. The Motion passed unanimously. Page 4 of 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for April 5, 2007 • Mr. Summerlin suggested that the Chair be authorized to speak to the City Council in May regarding this matter. There was discussion about the budget timeline with the Department's budget already having been submitted to OMB, who submits to the City Budget to the City Council end of May,and then City Council deliberates for July adoption. • Mr. Watson expressed a concern of City funds being cut back when grant dollars arrive because there is a tendency to become too dependent on the grant dollars only and that there should be City dollars supporting the program. Mr. Summerlin clarified that back when the HUD grant came to Human Relations, it was supposed to be in addition to the City funds for the Department. 11.PUBLIC COMMENTS / CONCERNS / ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA - Recap of the day's discussion: • Public Comments: Made earlier during the meeting. • Agenda item: Update on Minority Business Program—Disparity Study by the Purchasing Department. • Agenda item: Plans for Southside housing projects by Development Services Department. • Agenda item: Consideration of Possible Commission Address at Future City Council Meeting on Human Relations Department's Resources • Announcement—Northside residents having a candidate forum from 6:00-8:00 PM tonight at the Oveal Williams Senior Center. 12.ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, the meeting adjourned in unison at approximately 6:25 PM. Page 5 of 5