Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 03/02/2000 • MINUTES QUORUM MEETING HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 2,2000 Commissioner Present Commissioners Absent Rev.Willie Davila Ms.Anna Mercado-Flores Ms.Lena Coleman Mr.Daniel Carmona(Youth Commissioner) Ms.Kelly Gane(Youth Commissioner) Ms Olga Tamar Mr.Oscar Ifmojosa Rabbi Paul Joseph (Advisory) Ms.JoAnn Remick Ms.Jeanette Stevens Dr.Sylvester Peterson Ms.Blaire Pittman(Youth Commissioner) Staff Present Ms.Laura Rios Dr. Helen Gurley Mr.Errol Summerlin June SIAM. Ms.Toni Tamez Ms. Sandra Terrell-Davis Attorney Mr.Joseph Harney Reverend Davila,Chairperson,called the regular monthly meeting to order at approximately 5:10 p.m It was determined that there was a quorum present,therefore the proceeded with the formally recognized meeting. ATTENDANCE The following Commissioners had excused absences: Anna Mercado-Flores,Daniel Carmona,Rabbi Paul Joseph, and Jeanette Stevens. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes from the January 6,2000 Commission Meeting were approved by the Commission. Additionally,the Summary Minutes of the Non-Quorum Meeting was provided to the Commission for review and as a matter of record for future reference. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT—Rev.Willie Davila No report was provided at this time. Rev Davila asked Dr. Gurley to give an update on the HUD Contract. Dr. Gurley indicated that tlnm was nothing to rtpart at this time. The information is in the General Counsel's Office,once it has been reviewed again and approval,we will be given an Interim Agreement. This would be the first agreement in the new Millennium. Corpus Christi would be the first Agency for this century. We should be hearing from HUD soon (approximately a month or so). COMMISSIONERS/COMMITTEE REPORTS Housing Committee/Revision of City Ordinance—Commissioner Olga Tamar Dr.Gurley indicated that they were looking at using the current procedures,instead of changing it all now- They would like to wait for HUD's Agreement,then go back out into the Community and get information from the public and from the Apartment Association and Real Estate Association. Then they would work on development of a revision to amend the current ordinance. Mayor's Task Force for Persons with Disabilities—Commissioner Himoiosa Chairman Davila asked if there was a Commissioner who would like to volunteer at this time to be on the Mayor's Task Force—they can let him know. Dr.Gurley indicated she had spoken with Task Force member Judy Telge. COG would like the Commission to work with them at the Fair Housing training,to be held in ApriL The State has provided money for COG to hold the Seminar. COG will be providing a date for developing the program. I NEW BUSINESS Dr.Gurley was approached by two individuals(Frank Mendez and Kelly Elizondo)regarding subsidized housing for the Community. They would like to come and speak with the Commission. Chairman Davila suggested scheduling it next month. OLD BUSINESS Dr.Gurley provided an update on the Disparity Study-recommendations were presented to the City Council. The Disparity Study Committee has 90 days to provide their input back to the Council on questions they had. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Monthly statistical report was provided to the Commissioners. Dr. Gurley explained the difference of the Human Relations Department taking Employment charges vs. Housing and Public Accommodation cases. Housing and Public Accommodation Complaints are taken only if they establish some grounds of`Prima Fade". Dr.Gurley let the Commission know that the statistics were somewhat lower due to the absence of a staff member being out on FMLA. Commissioner Hinojosa asked where employment complaints come in from? Dr. Gurley indicated that the Department receives complaints Som all over the Coastal Bend area. The majority are from private industry. Business must have 15 or more employees- Dr.Gurley explained how the Compliance Officers must take charges from individuals even if there is no"Prima Fade",when an individual insists on filing. Thereafter,the case will be reviewed for jurisdictioal authority. The Office may take City,School District and Industrial District complaints;however,they are forwarded to the San Antonio District Office for investigation. We investigate every housing complaint;however,those regarding the Housing Authority are investigated by HUD and our Office. If it appears that the complaint will be a cause finding,the case is given to HUD. Private complaints are investigated by HUD,the State and our Office. PUBLIC COMMENTS-Limited to two(2)Minutes Commissioner Peterson asked if he could go back to Old Business-he wanted to follow-up on the earlier request made to Assistant City Manager Tom Utter regarding information on opportunities available to families needing affordable housing. We had not received a response-he asked for Dr.Gurley to follow-up on it. Chairman Davila seconded his concern. The City has monies available. Inviting Mr.Mendez and Mr.Elizondo will help,as part of the process is getting the necessary education. Commissioner Coleman indicated she is on the Community Housing Board. They are waiting for the City to act. Contractors are ready to go. The hold-up is with the City. Mr. Utter is supposed to work on it. Monies are available, Builders are available,and families are just waiting for the City_ Commissioner Hinojosa asked about the new apartments being built over on WOW(Way Out Weber). Commissioner Coleman indicated that a Female Builder was handling this project. Mr.Foster Edwards of the Real Estate Association came before the Commission,indicating he was on the same Board with Commissioner Coleman. There currently is a consortium of banks that have put aside a considerable sum of money for housing purposes. They are trying to determine ways to wend moneyon housingand have not been able to get it done. The first problem is that the lot Costs are so high-it is prohibitive for Builders to build a$40,000-$50,000 house by the time you put in the infrastructure,divided by the number of lots,minus the lot cost. One of the Commissioners asked if there weren't ways to do something? In example:cut sidewalks;could they meet with the Planning Department and Mr. Utter to change lot costs,etc. A second problem-have a concern of affordable housing. Have to start on the first rung of the ladder to get on the scale to go up further. A lot of people don't know they could qualify for homes. They don't know how to apply for loans for houses. The project to undertake is to provide classes to the public. The Real Estate Association wants to help but feel they can't-there's an assumption that they are tainted,just doing it for money. The City doesn't have that problem He suggested classes for potential homeowners training to get people in the housing market. Mr.Edwards said he was willing to help,to embark on a series of classes on how to buy a home. People think they are powerless. 2 • Chairman Davila asked about Housing Fairs.Mr.Edwards indicated that they have held them and Commissioner Tamez has helped. Typically 200-300 people(or I50 couples)attend. Mr.Edwards said they explain the process,dismiss money, and have sign-up sheets to receive more information. It is important to educate the community on the process. Mr.Edwards indicated Housing Fairs should be done in conjunction with information shown in the Caller Times and on Channel 6- before they couldn't afford to publicize. They are hoping for free coverage in the newspaper and PSA's. If you want to sponsor or co-sponsor, we could help or not, according to what you would like. Chairman Davila indicated that this information was very helpful. Conunissioner Peterson exproned a cone n for the people in the community He suggested exploring option of approaching them through people they trust-he would like the Commission to venture into it. For example,look into City Employees -move forward and explore options. Mr Edwards said there was a meeting 2 years ago at the Orveal Williams Center, where there was a man present who expressed concerns about how difficult it was to apply for a loan. There was a fear of being turned down or being afraid that they wouldn't understand the loan process. Loans seem to be the big deal-lack of trust,not knowing if they should try. Chairman Davila thanked Mr.Edwards for sharing this information. Commissioner Coleman suggested Commissioner Peterson speak with Margaret or Mike at Frost Bank-they are on the Community Advisory Committee. They will go anywhere,help with getting credit reports,bring it all with you Interest rates are running about 8 to 81/4 Percent_ Commissioner Summerlin reiterated his commitment to by to develop a project like that suggested by Mr.Edwards. There is an interest in the project to provide counsel to have an Attorney assist applicants through the process -there is a trust issue, but they could come to Coastal Bend Legal Services. He didn't know what type of collaboration or brainstorming would be needed to get it started The banks have the monies set up,so that it breaks it out, to free up from the routine bank examiners or doing things a bank could not ordinarily do. There was some general discussion on lots,new concoction,any funding for older homes,ways monies are structures for new construction. The City has a program for rehab of older homes. There was further discussion on lots,demos or burned houses,need for a minimum of 1,000 ft.houses,issue of back taxes,lots that arc given up or that people don't want. Need to look into those options. Chairman Davila asked Dr.Gurley about the upcoming Annual Training Conference. It has been scheduled for August 25th. Consider Housing Training as an event for the Conference. The Chair discussed how San Antonio involved churches in assisting people with housing. The City could tap into that We should fix a date to involve all the clergy in town. Suggested that the Housing Subcommittee work on this. The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:56 p.m. Rev.Willie Davila,Chairman Date Minutes Approved 3