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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 08/02/1990 MINUTES 461/ OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION METING August 2, 1990 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Errol Summerlin Jacquelyn Harrell Raymond Perez Rosie Alaniz Gracie Barrera Welder Brown Elide Gonzalez Jimmie McCurn CQIIISSIONERS ABSENT Paul York Elizabeth Anne Guthrie The regular monthly Meeting was called to order at 5:00 P.M. by Commissioner Raymond Perez, Chairperson. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. ` CHAIRPER.SON'S COMMENTS Commissioner Raymond Perez, Chairperson, requested information on the length of his tenure on the Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission. The staff will followup with a report. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES It was moved the Minutes of July 5, 1990 be approved as mailed. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. PUBLIC INTRODUCTION AND REMARKS None HUMAN RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Ms. Harrell discussed the July 1990 monthly report as distributed to Commissioners. HUMAN RELATIONS CC MISSION MINUTES Es, AUGUST 2, 1990 PAGE 2 REPORTS FROM GOAL COMMITTEES No reports on goals were given. OLD BUSINESS Ms. Harrell stated it was recommended, at the last Commission meeting, that the Ordinance Review Committee be reactivated to look at substantial equivalency and recommendations to the City Council. Ms. Harrell stated she will prepare a paper for the City Manager on the Commission's position. Ms. Harrell also pointed out the City, as a Community Development Block Grant recipient, must still do a housing assessment. Commissioner Summerlin mentioned that this process is slow. Ms. Harrell pointed out that the assessment is a requirement for funding. She stated the City cannot receive funding unless an assessment is done. She further stated Housing and Urban Development has advised the last housing assessment needs updating and is a requiremnt for 1991 funding. The Human Relations Commission has to be authorized to initiate this assessment as the Ordinance does not address this ( activity. Ms. Harrell stated she wrote a memorandum to the Assistant City Manager stating we do not have the staff nor the money to do such an assessment, but we are ready to participate in the study. She further reported to the Director of Community Development, we are ready to aid them in any way possible. The last study was done by Community Development ten years ago. Commissioner Errol Summerlin asked Ms. Harrell what kind of survey is needed. Ms. Harrell explained it is an in-depth assessment of housing availability, as follows: 1. The scope of the assessment extends beyond illegal discriminatory practices to include a review of racial/ethnic housing patterns and local programs and policies which effect community balance. 2. As a recipient of Community Development Block Grant funds, the City is required to develop a proactive fair housing program with specific actions and procedures that will have a significant impact on preventing, reducing, or eliminating housing discrimination and other barriers to equal housing choice based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. 3. The definition of fair housing is defined as "a condition in which individuals of similar income levels in the same housing market area have a like range of choice available to them Iry regardless of race, marital status, color, religion, ancestry, sex, handicap, national origin, arbitrary age or any other category which may be defined by law now or in the future. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 2, 1990 PAGE 3 4. Other departments city and county, if applicable, should be involved such as Planning, Fire Department, code violation experts, housing authority, etc. Commissioner Errol Summerlin described the kind of assessment San Diego had. He explained there is a lot of money and time involved. Commissioner Raymond Perez asked what authority would the Commission have in taking the lead. The Ordinance authorizes the Commission to handle discrimination only. Ms. Harrell explained that someone should be appointed as Chairman by the Mayor and also probably have approval from the City Council for this exhaustive study. Funds must be appropriated to implement the study. Commissioner Errol Summerlin said in his opinion he feels that this Commission would be the best Commission to take on the responsibilities of the assessment, but, on the other hand, we do not have the funds for it. Commissioner Summerlin stated the other assessments he reviewed cost well over $100,000 and involved consultants and other specialists to do surveys. Commissioner Summerlin recommended that Ms. Harrell communicate to Juan Garza, City Manager, the Commission's concern that we do not want to jeopardize the Community Development Block Grant funds because it is something that is certainly necessary not only for funding but it also will help our equivalency application. NEW BUSINESS none TRAINING SESSION OR TOPICS none INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Ms. Harrell discussed handouts which were distributed to the Commissioners. Ms. Harrell stated we should have results on the Travel Survey by the next Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m. Signature Date