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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 04/04/1991 ` MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING April 4, 1991 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Paul York, Chairperson Kate Haltom Errol Summerlin Kendall Snouffer Gene Ward Adelaide Marlatt Jimmie McCurn Elizabeth Guthrie Kim Garner Terry Mills Elide Gonzalez Staff Present Grandis Lenken Yvonne Hinojosa Jacquelyn Harrell, Director Rosie Alaniz Adell Lucas The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. by Paul York, Chairperson. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a E. legally constituted meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The Minutes for April 4, 1991 were corrected. It was moved and seconded the Minutes of April 4, 1991 be approved as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC INTRODUCTION AND REMARKS Chris Gorham, Director of Housing and Community Development gave a report on the Fair Housing Assessment. Mr. Gorham reported in the past 16 years the City of Corpus Christi has been a recipient of federal funding by U. S. Housing and Urban Development, Title I Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). Part of the requirement in meeting the CDBG regulations is for the City to provide a Fair Housing Assessment. Mr. Gorham reported further that ten months ago, Joe Castillo, from the Housing and Urban Development Office came to monitor the office. He asked to see the Fair Housing Assessment Plan. Mr. Gorham advised him that basically City of Corpus Christi did not have an assessment because the assessment was done approximately about seven (7) years ago. Mr. Gorham commented was the Assessment should have been updated every three or four years. 4111/ HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 4, 1991 PAGE 2 Mr. Gorham reported that he and Ms. Harrell checked to see if there was an Assessment. He said he approached staff to look into the matter and it was determined we do not have an assessment plan. Mr. Gorham reported further the City Manager in August was notified of the need for a Fair Housing Assessment Plan. Mr. Gorham reported they are preparing a Council agenda memorandum to require funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program to allow staff support or buy materials for the task force involved in doing the Assessment. He said they anticipate going forward within the next two or three weeks for Council consideration. Mr. Gorham reported they have already requested $25,000 for the assessment; the total request will be for $60.000. Mr. Gorham reported the City Manager's Office led Community Development to believe we will be going out for proposals for a consultant to assist in developing the assessment. Those fund requests will provide for salary and any assistance they may need. Mr. Gorham commented he hopes the Human Relations Commission will be very 411, active in this project. He said also no decision has been made on who else may be involved. Additional participation from various organizations in the community should be expected. The Assessment Plan will need to be developed in a manner that would allow the Council to address those barriers that are found in the community in regards to housing choices, and in discrimination because of race/color, sex, handicap, national origin, or religion. Commissioner York said the Commission will wait to see who will be selected and if the City Council asks for volunteers to be on the task force, the Commission will be willing to participate. Commissioner Summerlin stressed the importance of Council involvement because of the time frame of the assessment. He said a year is not a long time for such a project. Ms. Harrell commented if the Commission needs to make a presentation to the Council on the Assessment, please allow time to prepare. Mr. Gorham commented some cities are not aware a Fair Assessment is a requirement. Commissioner York asked Ms. Harrell to call other Commissions across the United States to inquire about the types of assessments that have been done. HUMAN RELATIONS COH4SSION MINUTES APRIL 4, 1991 PAGE 3 OLD BUSINESS NONE NEW BUSINESS It was reported some job applications at the City of Corpus Christi are circulated for employment decisions with optional race, sex, and national origin information attached. This is a violation of U. S. Department of Labor regulations, the information should be kept separate. It was moved seconded and voted to convey the concern of the Commission to the City Manager that this practice be discontinued. TRAINING SESSION OR TOPIC A sexual harassment video was shown to the Human Relations Commission. Discussed in the video was what is sexual harassment, why is it here, and what can be done about it. CLOSED SESSION NONE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS NONE ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Chairperson Date