Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 03/07/1991 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING March 7, 1991 Commissioners Present COMhIISSIONERS ABSENT Paul York, Chairperson Elizabeth Guthrie Errol Summerlin Kim Garner Kate Haltom Elida Gonzalez Staff Present Grandis Lenken zerry Mills Jacquelyn Harrell, Director Adelaide Marlatt Rosie Alaniz Yvonne Ilinojosa Adell Lucas Gene Ward June E. Shultz Jimmie McCurn Kendall Snouffer The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. by Paul York, 411. Chairperson. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The Minutes for February 7, 1991 were corrected. It was moved and seconded the Minutes of February 7, 1991 be approved as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. CHAIRPERSON'S COMMENT: Commissioner Paul York commented that the training session that was held on 'larch 1 and 2, 1991 for the Commissioners and Staff was very enjoyable. He commented Mr. Ebendorf had a way of keeping your attention. PUBLIC INTRODUCTION AND REMARKS Ms. Adelaide Marlatt, new Commissioner was introduced. 411/ HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 7, 1991 PACE 2 HUMAN RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Jacquelyn Harrell discussed the February 1991 monthly report as distributed to Commissioners. Ms. Harrell is working on Mayor's Committee for the Handicapped and a Seminar on American Disabilities Act is tentatively set for May at Del Mar College. She reported they are trying to get a guest speaker from Washington, D. C. , and hope to have 100 people in attendence (to target employers and parents of handicapped children). Commissioner Summerlin inquired as to how many speakers are being invited. Ms. Harrell explained that they were working on getting someone from EEOC from Washington, D. C. They want Chris Bell who wrote the regulations on Americans with Disabilities Act, and is on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chairman's staff. However, we welcome anyone knowledgeable on the regulations. Commissioner Summerlin commented Legal Services is planning to hire an attorney in June or July to handle Handicapped issues. He knows of a knowledgeable speaker from Austin and recommended him if another speaker iir is needed. He reported he would coordinate getting the speaker. A discussion ensued regarding the National Conference of Christians and Jews banquet and how successful it was. The EFOC Conference in Washington, D. C. is to be held March 9-14, 1991. A Report will he given at the next meeting. REPORTS FROM GOALS COMMITTEES No reports were given. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner York requested all Commissioners to try to attend an intake session; especially those who weren't able to attend the training session March 1 and 2. Commissioner York commented attendance will inform you to ofwhat this Commission is all about. Schedule for Intake is four (4) days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; times are 8:45 a.m. , 10:1.5 a.m. , 1:15p.m., and 2.45 p.m. Commissioner Ward commented on the goal committees, stating they should be realigned due to the addition of new Commissioners. 4, HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 7, 1991 PACE 3 OLD BUSINESS continued Commissioner McGurn wanted to know the status of the Fair Housing Survey. It was reported more complete information from the Census Bureau is being sought. Also, it was put on hold for awhile, but is now a new assignment for Chris Gorham. Human Relations Commissioners will participation on the Mayor's task force on housing. This study will be funded from a separate allocation, after approval by the City Council. NEW BUSINESS Copies of a letter from the City of Dallas, Texas was distributed. The letter references legislation to make cities eligible to enforce federal fair housing laws after the passage of the 1988 Fair Housing Amendments. Commissioner Summerlin explained this legislation is exactly what is needed to become "substantially equivalent". The Commission Chairman and/or Vice Chairman may make a presentation to the City Council, to enlist support for the legislation. Commissioner Summerlin explained to the new Commissioners what the proposed legislative bill would provide. He reported sometime ago Commissioners 41, rewrote the City Ordinance and the Council adopted it. This allows the Human Relations Commission to enforce laws against discrimination in housing. In order to enforce Federal Contracts effectively, we need to have the same penalty provisions as those provided by Federal law. Currently our penalty provisions are less than a"slap on the wrist" for individuals who are being discriminated against in housing. Commissioner Summerlin reported the legislation being proposed will give us the right to rewrite the Ordinance and rewrite penalty provisions of the Ordinance. This would allow the Commission to collect fines from $10,000 to $100,000 if the Ordinance/federal law was violated. He reported further at this time Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission does not collect fines for housing discrimination. The fines collected would remain with the City of Corpus Christi. TRAINING SESSION OR TOPIC The sexualharassment video will be rescheduled for the next meeting. `► HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 7, 1991 PAGE 4 CLOSED SESSION NONE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS NONE ADJOURNMENT There beim. • fur •r business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. /j Chai ._. son Date