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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 06/06/1991 MINUTES COOF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 6, 1991 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Errol Summerlin, Vice Chairperson Gene Ward Jimmie McCurn Paul York Grandis Lenken Kendall Snouffer Elida Gonzalez Yvonne Hinojosa Kim Garner Kate Haltom Staff Present Terry Mills Jacquelyn Harrell Rosie Alaniz June Shultz Adell Lucas The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Errol Summerlin, Vice Chairperson. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. CO APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES it was moved and seconded that the minutes of April 4, 1991 be amended as to date. VICE CHAIRPERSON'S COMMENTS i Commissioner Summerlin, Vice Chairperson welcomed Jacquelyn Harrell back to work after having major surgery. The Vice Chairperson also wanted to know if IICommissioner York will be re-appointed to the Human Relations Commission. PUBLIC INTRODUCTION AND REMARKS NONE OLD BUSINESS A memorandum was read to the Commissioners which had been to the sent City Manager with regard to the Employment Application for the City. The section on race and ethnicity information was visible for employment/hiring decisions. Therefore the Commission drafted a note of concern to the City Manager at the April Meeting. Commissioners asked if there was a standard form and if a reply had been 16 received from City Manager, Juan Garza, on this matter. It was reported, at this time, no reply had been received on this matter. 4110 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 6, 1991 PAGE 2 OLD BUSINESS (CONTINUED) Fair Housing Assessment - Ms. Harrell reported she had talked to Chris Gorham regarding the Fair Housing Assessment and the Council presentation has not been made. Mr. Gorham will give the Commissioners an update when he receives more information. It was reported the Assessment should be in the planning stages by August 1, 1991, or the Community Development Block Grant may not be refunded. The Housing and Community Development Office is trying to get a waiver from the requirement, if it is possible, it was reported. Commissioner Summerlin stated, he does not want the Human Relations Commission to be responsible for any blame for not bringing this to the attention of the appropriate people. He also stated that if the Community Development Block 4'0 Grant is not refunded it will affect many important programs in the City of Corpus Christi. Jacquelyn Harrell spoke on the need for the Fair Housing Assessment. She reported one example from the HUD Conference in Dallas, Texas. It was noted that a lawsuit that the City of Dallas was brought into for not having affordable housing, and housing that was not reasonably clean. It was reported this was a total surprise to the City of Dallas. June Shultz (staff) talked to our City Manager about the lawsuit. 410 June Shultz (staff) spoke briefly on the HUD Conference she attended in Dallas, Texas. The lawsuit discussed was a landmark decision, highest penalty that ever was assessed for housing in the amount of $1.17 million. It was further reported the Housing Authority and the City of Dallas will be under court orders for eight (8) years. The City of Dallas anticipates they will have to establish a new private agency that will enforce their housing laws plus what the City will maintain. It was reported the Commission is very concerned that the Fair Housing Assessment may not be timely. They all agreed that the Mayor should get involved. A motion was made to send a Memorandum to the City Manager and a copy to Mayor (Mary Rhodes). It was determined if the Human Relations Commission does not hear from the City Manager or the Mayor by next meeting, they will request time on the Agenda of the City Council. 16 Commissioner Jimmie McCurn was interested in finding out if Commissioner York spoke to anyone about salaries coming out of Human Relations Budget for a previous employee. Ms. Harrell reported Mr. York called her regarding the matter. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 6, 1991 PAGE 3 NEW BUSINESS Ms. Harrell discussed a file she received from the new City Attorney regarding a Public Accommodations case. It was reported the City Attorney does not need to state a reason why they did not prosecute. However, they should transmit the file in writing so the case is closed by the Commission. A short memorandum should be requested by the Director to formally close this case. TRAINING SESSION OR TOPIC NONE CLOSED SESSION NONE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 41 Substantial Equivalency Jacquelyn Harrell discussed briefly the Texas Legislative Service. We received a Legislative Bill that was passed and sent to the Governor for signature. This Bill will give Texas cities the same authority to enforce housing discrimination regulations as the federal government. Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission will be seeking substantial equivalency, however, before this can be done, our Ordinance will need to be • updated and sent for evaluation and approval in order to determine whether we meet the criteria or maybe certified to handle federal housing discrimination cases. It was moved, seconded and approved that the Ordinance Committee meet to provide an updated Ordinance. IAOHRA Jacquelyn Harrell read information on the International Association of Human Rights Agencies Conference to be held June 29 - July 5th. 4 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 6, 1991 PAGE 4 STAFF REPORT June Shultz discussed Public Accommodations and Fair Housing cases. She continued briefly about the HUD Conference she attended in Dallas, Texas on April 28, 1991. The key discussion was the landmark decision lawsuit, and increasing payment for cases to HUD from $1200 to $1250. It was reported FHAP & FHIP Information was given out at the conference. This is federal funding (seed money) to start a housing program effectively. We must meet certain requirements, and be substantially equivalent to be eligible. Jacquelyn Harrell stated the Commission could be eligible for a $40,000 Grant and a total of 10 cases are required to be submitted. ADJOURNMENT 41) There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m. aii,„....,,,z:, 7 ,0, Chairperson at 1