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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 10/04/2007 Corpus Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission City of Summary Minutes for October 4, 2007 B Chnsti 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Vice Chairperson, Mr. Errol Summerlin, called the meeting to order at approximately 6:05 PM with a quorum. 2. ROLL CALL: Present Commissioners: Marta M. Del Angel, Margie Myers, Kelley A. Knight, Lucy Reta, Derrick Reaves, Jared Cummings, Lauren McAdams, and Johnny Meisner. Absent Commissioners: Crystal Lyons, Robert Adler, Leah Patterson, Richard Pulido, Linda Fallwell-Stover, and Sam Watson. Staff in attendance: Human Relations: Wanese Butler Legal Advisor: Yvette Aguilar 3. MOTION EXCUSED ABSENCES — Motioned was made by Marta Del Angel and Seconded by Margie Myers to excuse the following absences: Crystal Lyons for the September and October 2007 meetings, Leah Patterson for the September 2007 meeting, and Derrick Reaves for the September 2007 meeting. The MOTION passed. [Lucy Reta's August absence had already been excused at the last meeting on September 6, 2007.] 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —The minutes were reviewed by the Commission. AOTION To approve the minutes as written was motioned by Derrick Reaves, and was seconded by Margie Myers. The motion was passed. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS /INTRODUCTIONS/ PRESENTATIONS: A. Announcements made: 1. Mr. English had resigned from the Commission. 2. Congratulations to Human Relations staff member, June Martinez, for graduating from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) National Fair Housing Academy. 3. Congratulations also to Youth Commissioner, Johnny Meisner, for being#1 in his class at Tuloso-Midway High School. [Lucy Reta arrived at approximately 6:10 PM.] B. Introductions — Assistant City Attorney, Yvette Aguilar, has been recently assigned as the Commission's Legal Advisor in joining today's meeting. C. Presentations —None. Page 1 of 4 a Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for October 4, 2007 6. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT (Discussion, with possible action) Vice Chairperson, Errol Summerlin, had informed the Commission that the Chair, Crystal Lyons, was unable to attend today due to health reasons. 7. COMMISSION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Discussion with Possible Action) A. Housing Subcommittee Margie Myers spoke regarding obtaining a housing update from the Corpus Christi Housing Authority in the form of a presentation before the Commission. She asked Commissioners if they would like this presentation at the November 2007 meeting. Errol Summerlin expressed interest in doing so since the C.C. Housing Authority is a large housing provider in the community. There was consensus, and the Commission asked that the Human Relations Department staff coordinate the scheduling this presentation for the November 2007 agenda. B. Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPWD) Subcommittee Chair, Ms. Fallwell-Stover, was unable to attend today's meeting. Wanese Butler did indicate that this Committee did hold its monthly meeting on October 3, 2007 and received a presentation by the City's Public Information Officer, Kim Womack. Ms. Womack had proposed to the Committee for marketing public awareness campaign on accessibility related issues, beginning with Sidewalk Accessibility to remove obstacles such as debris, tree limbs, parked vehicles over the sidewalk which cause barriers to navigating the sidewalks by not only persons with disabilities, but also persons using baby strollers, carts and general pedestrians and children going to school. The Public Information Office now has equipment to do some in-house video productions for public service announcements. Mr. Summerlin indicated that cars park on the sidewalks along Agnes Street at Laredo Street causing people with disabilities who use wheelchairs to have to then go into the street and center turn lane. Possibly look around the vehicles at repair shops and possibly sidewalks that are not ADA compliant. C. Education Subcommittee—Richard Pulido was unable to attend today's meeting. Johnny Meisner reported that this subcommittee did meet regarding the promotion of Youth@Work and develop marketing such as on bus benches. Jared Cummings indicated that they will try to include as many high schools and colleges. He also mentioned their exploring the development of a local website for youth that could include Youth@Work and other links. Mr. Meisner works on webpages, but indicated that they would need clearance from the City to add their proposed youth webpage on the City's website. In response to Ms. Summerlin question if they can get such authorization, Ms. Butler responded yes this could be accomplished as part of the Human Relations Department and since this is a project through the Commission. D. Disparity Subcommittee—Report made by Errol Summerlin and Johnny Meisner. Page 2 of 4 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for October 4, 2007 This subcommittee met on September 23, 2007 and again on September 27, 2007. Assistant City Manager, Oscar Martinez, attended the September 23rd meeting to hear and discuss status after in the City's 1999 disparity study, the City's performance, and how the Commission hopes to proceed from here. Extra copies of the Disparity Study are available in the Human Relations Department. Mr. Summerlin expressed the most interesting item to him was learning something from Leon Bazar which was a Good Forth Effort Plan (GFEP)designed by former staff as a result of the Disparity Study as a format to address under-utilized woman and minority businesses. This would be under the oversight of the Assistant City Manager, Oscar Martinez's position. Mr. Summerlin also indicated that this GFEP was a good document but not implemented, and that this subcommittee conducted a page-by-page review with it being a good start. He added that it was dated May 2000 and seen for the first time by several people. In response to Derrick Reaves' question about the 2000 GFEP and getting a copy, Mr. Summerlin indicated that this GFEP had been discussed with the City Council and the Staff but not formalized after being produced by a Human Relations Director and not circulated. Mr. Summerlin requested to copies of the GFEP to all commissioners for background. At the September 23rd meeting, they discussed a suggested idea of the City hosting a women's and minority business owner's fair to encourage them to do business with the City and how to begin so. Other suggestions included designated a single point of the contact for interested business owners with a bank of information, policies, documents, etc... and to help connect business owners directly with appropriate departments. Mr. Meisner added that they need to know how businesses are set up and need to define the process for them based on their goals. Mr. Summerlin indicated as another issue that bonding may for some potential contractors, but Lamont Taylor had shared with them that some people may be able to obtain federal funds for bonding. In response to Ms. Myers'questions about possible website some information for women/minority owned businesses, Mr. Summerlin indicated that there is such information for Engineering contracts. Mr. Meisner added that this should also include subcontractors into GFEP. S. OLD BUSINESS (Discussion, with possible action) A. Emergency Preparedness—Standing Agenda item. No Discussion B. Plans and Status of Citywide Residential Projects and Permits. No Discussion 9. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion, with possible action)—None Page 3of4 Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission Summary Minutes for October 4, 2007 10. ADMINISTATOR'S REPORT (Discussion, with possible action) — Mr. Bazar was unable to attend today's meeting. Ms. Butler provided the Commission with the departmental activities summary for October 2007; performance measurements report; information sheet on the HUD National Fair Housing Academy and the announcement of Mr. Martinez's accomplishment; and information on September 2007 activies and case closures. Commissioners also congratulated the Human Relations Department for its EEOC work. 11. PUBLIC COMMENT/CONCERNS/AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS- None. 12. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:55 PM. Page 4 of 4