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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 06/07/2007 City of Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission _ C Summary Minutes for June 7, 2007 .4 :;j1. hristi CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The Chair, Ms. Lyons, called the meeting to order at approximately 5:08 PM with a quorum. 2. ROLL CALL: Present Commissioners: Crystal Lyons, Errol Summerlin Robert Adler, Marta Del Angel, Jack English, Linda Fallwell-Stover ,Kelley Knight, Lucy Reta, 0. K. Smith Post Roil Call Arrivals: Sam Watson Absent Commissioners: Gilbert Fuentes, Pastor Derrick Reaves, and Youth Commissioners:Mariann Bryant,Eric Briones, Amanda Villarreal Staff in Attendance: Wanese Butler and Wendy Ogden(new Legal Advisory replacing retired Doyle Curtis) Public: None. 3. EXCUSED ABSENCES: IOTION To excuse the 06/07/07 absence for Pastor Reaves was made by(unclear on recording),with a Second by(unclear on recording). The Motion passed. IOTION To excuse the 04/05/07 absence for Marta Del Angel was made Errol Summerlin, with a Second by Linda Fallwell-Stover. There was brief Commission discussion and clarification by Wendy Ogden that absences from a non-quorum meeting are not held against members' attendance. The Motion assed. IOTION1 To excuse the 04/05/07 absence for Jack English was made Robert Adler, with a Second by Errol Summerlin. The Motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—April 5,2007;No quorum at the May 3,2007 meeting. The minutes were addressed at the end of the meeting: IOTION To approve the minutes as written was made by Robert Adler,with a Second by Sam Watson. The Motion passed. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS I INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS: There were none. Dr. Benibo of TX A&M-Corpus Christi was unable to attend due to teaching summer classes. There was brief discussion to still pursue this presentation pending Dr. Benibo's schedule, possibly in between summer sessions. 6. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: The Chair yielded the floor to the Subcommittee Reports. Page 1 of 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for June 7, 2007 7. COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion with Possible Action) A. Housing Subcommittee Subcommittee Chair,Mr.Smith,reported that the subcommittee was unable to meet this month,but he provided remarks on: 1. The City Model Block Program's current targeted neighborhood has approximately 700 households and approximately 2,700 citizens,which is a separate program from NIP-Neighborhood Initiatives Program. The current Model Block neighborhood is located between the streets of Agnes, Crosstown, Staples, and Morgan. 2. The City is working to create affordable housing on vacant lots. There was brief discussion on the model block program could foster relationships by Ms. Fallwell- Stover. Mr.Summerlin added that at the recent City Council Retreat,the Council included the Model Block Program one of its priority short-term goals(12-24 months)by expanding it which he felt was very encouraging. Members of the Commission are interested in receiving a brief presentation to learn more about the Model Block Program,being a positive opportunity for neighborhoods and sharing this information in the community. B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Subcommittee Chair,Ms.Fallwell-Stover,reported that the CFPWD met on 6/6/07 and she provided an update on: 1. Engineering Project —Weber Road's west side has been completed but that Engineering Services sought the CFPWD's input and guidance to address accessibility on Weber's east side curb ramps and sidewalks from South Staples to McArdle,given funding constraints after some change orders. (Not through McArdle since this intersections curb ramps have already been completed.) Engineering staff went on-site with one of the Committee Members who uses a wheelchair to navigate the east side and that four(4) intersections were identified as to ones to most in need of improvement for an accessible path of travel.Although the preference is that whole east side of Weber Road receive curb ramp installation and replacing all the sidewalks just as done on Webers west side,potential funding constraints may further delay completion of this project. The Chair echoed this preference. However, approval of a change order at this time would allow this project work to continue without further delays. [Mr. Watson arrived approximately 5:22 PM.] Discussion ensued including: Chair's remarks on concerns and disappointment that this project's funding had been exhausted before completing the planned work;the Chair Ms.Lyon's clarification that when streets are redone,the curb ramps have to be made accessible for cross- disabilities and not every single sidewalk, especially if the sidewalk replacement would be the same dimension as the old sidewalk;Ms. Fallwell-Stover's comment that possibly the CFPWD Page 2 of 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for June 7, 2007 provide its position under public comment at the Council Meeting when this project item is presented and how to plan for challenges in the community with an aging population; and Mr. Summerlin inquired about the amount of additional funded needed to complete the project and also commented that the City Council may be concerned with change orders,their cumulative costs increasing over contingencies monies,and overruns regarding infrastructure projects like this one. There was brief discussion about what Engineering was seeking as far as options. Ms. Fallwell-Stover reported in response to this question by the Chair that the following options were discussed at the CFPWD 6/6/07 Meeting to address Weber Road east side accessibility,with the Engineering cost estimates provided by Ms. Butler in that the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) was now turning over the project funding to the City: a. ADA improvements of curb ramps at the four intersections most in need at an estimated cost of approximately $30,000. b. ADA improvements of all Weber Road's east side curb ramps while replacing/repairing only those sidewalk sections in need at an approximate cost estimate of$80,000. c. ADA improvements of all Weber Road's east side curb ramps and all of the east side sidewalks at an approximate cost estimate of$516,000. The CFPWD had recommended "b" by resolution as the more feasible financial option to continue this project to provide accessibility at this time given existing RTA bus stops and need of residents with disabilities to have more immediate accessibility on Weber Road's east side. Engineering will take project and the CFPWD's recommendation to the Metropolitan Planning Organization before the item goes to the City Council. 2. Park and Recreation Outreach - Inclusive recreation for kids with disabilities, and lookout for barriers to programs. Some new CFPWD members have questions and interest in Latchkey and any barriers to kids with disabilities. 3. Evacuation Assistance—Encouragement of the importance in having personal plans and to dial 2-1-1 for evacuation assistance for hurricanes and get information in early. One thing noticed last year was that not all evacuation shelters were accessible. 4. Accessibility of Parks —Requested information on the status of park conditions to revisit and update the ADA transition plan. 5. Unified Development Code -Development Services continuing with subcommittees with some CFPWD members participating—ongoing. Page 3 of 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for June 7, 2007 6. Voluntary ADA Parking Program —Human Relations Intern, Ashley Carroll, had conducted a study on the program in which City requirement for using a City vehicle may limit participation by persons with disabilities. Invitation given to Police Chief Bryan Smith for next CFPWD meeting to review ADA parking violations, the dismissal of citations, and discussion of possible public service announcements (PSAs). Regarding Latchkey—CFPWD possible to establish a Latchkey Subcommittee to address parent concerns regarding inclusion of children with disabilities in the recreation program. C. Education Subcommittee —No report at this time. Mr. Fuentes and Youth Commissioners were not in attendance today. 8. OLD BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): A. Emergency Preparedness—The Chair encouraged that people should call 2-1-1 to register for evacuation assistance and the there is some educational opportunities will be available shortly. She added that Commissioners may let her know of any locations to conduct or provide education. B. Minority Business Program/Disparity Study—There was brief discussion and concerns that for update is still in process and not yet presented to the Commission. Ms. Butler informed the Commission that Leon Bazar had been in communications following-up with Mike Barrera, Purchasing Director of the Financial Services Department, under Department Head, Cindy O'Brien. 9. NEW BUSINESS: (Discussion with Possible Action): City Plans for Southside Housing Project—Mr. Summerlin clarified that this item was broader than entitled to include Development Services data of:identifying current residential projects that have been issued permits and under consideration; plotting/overlay of maps to identify where permitting/construction is not occurring; new lines; multifamily and all residential. There was also brief discussion of the Commission's desire for an update on the public housing authority. 10.ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Leon Bazar, Human Relations Director was not in attendance due to a mandatory EEOC Policy Conference. Ms. Butler provided: • Overview of the monthly report distributed on case work, activities, and target days for processing cases. • Summary and highlights of the type of case closures for the month. 11.PUBLIC COMMENTS/CONCERNS I ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Requested/Agenda Items: • Continue pursuing presentation on Measuring Equality/Ethnicity Factors by Dr. Benibo. • Work on scheduling presentation on Neighborhood Services Model Block Program Page 4 of 5 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for June 7, 2007 • Work on scheduling presentation on Public Housing Authority Update. • Update on Minority Business Program/Disparity Study — Purchasing/Financial Services Department. • Development Services Department data and mapping of Southside residential growth. 12.ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, the meeting adjourned in unison at approximately 6:15 PM. Page 5 of 5