Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 09/05/1991 41110 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING September 5, 1991 Commissioners Present Commissioner Absent Kate Haltom,_ Chair Jimmie McCurn Errol Summerlin Grandis Lenken Elida Gonzalez Adolf Andrews Rosalie Beaty Elisa Holland Terry Mills Beatrice Lopez Lynda Herndon • Gene Ward Fernando Ortiz Staff Present • Jacquelyn Harrell, Director June E. Shultz • Adell Lucas • The regular monthly. .meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. by Kate Haltom, Chair. The roll call` was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: It was moved and seconded that the minutes of August 1, 1991 be approved. • PUBLIC.,INTRODUCTION AND REMARKS •Jorge `Garza, Director of General Services was introduced. He stated Commissioners can be assured the City Manager and Deputy City Manager will be made aware of your concerns. Jorge Garza stated he will be attending each meeting. Abel Alonzo, advocate for the disabled, spoke briefly on housing for the mentally retarded. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Haltom read a letter from the Mayor stating she could not attend the September 5, 1991 meeting of the Human Relations Commission. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 1991 PAGE 2 Response to Juan Garza's Memorandum to the Mayor At the July, 18, 1991 meeting, the Commission requested Commissioner Summerlin draft a letter to Juan Garza, City Manager, on our mutual concerns. In addition, a cover letter from Commissioner Haltom, Chair, agreeing with the draft letter was also discussed. The Commissioners unanimously approved the response to Mr. Garza as written by Commissioner Summerlin. Commissioner Beaty commented on the memorandum from Juan Garza. She stated answers to several questions are needed. Commissioner Beaty further commented after reading Mr. Garza's letter, there is evidence the Commission has been put on low-priority status. Commissioner Herndon said we must push for more visibility. We need to emphasize this and reiterate it at each meeting. Commissioner Haltom commented the letter from Juan Garza sounds as if Commissioner Summerlin drafted this letter without approval of the Commissioners. Commissioner Haltom emphasized that she drafted a letter to Mayor Rhodes, specifically stating she and all Commissioners present had Iliendorsed Commissioner Summerlin's response. Commissioner Summerlin stated certain issues need to be clarified in Mr. Juan Garza's letter. 1. The Memorandum is giving the Mayor the impression in his 2nd paragraph that U. S. Housing and Urban Development will pay $1,250 per case investigated and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission pays $450.00 per case, and that such an arrangement has the potential of bringing in more revenue for the City. Commissioner Summerlin also commented the Commission does not want the Mayor to get the impression it will pay for itself because it will not. Commissioner Summerlin stated he has talked to some Housing and Urban Development officials and was tole he program will not pay for itself. Therefore, resources must be provided by the City of Corpus Christi. 2. On the 2nd page in answer to Commission's concern for more public awareness of human relations issues. The Memorandum goes on to suggest to the Mayor to encourage Lynda Herndon, a public relations specialist, to speak to local groups and promote media coverage. "I see this as the responsibility of the Commission and its Director, Ms. Harrell." Commissioner Summerlin disagreed. He stated our role is to promote the Commission. Where are we going to get money for media coverage, cards, making the public aware of the Human Relations Commission? Commissioner Summerlin stated, would we get the isupport of the City Council? II 3 jI HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES 411, SEPTEMBER 5, 1991 PAGE 3 Some of the Commissioners expressed concern the Mayor did not attend any of the Fair Housing Conference. This was the first housing conference for Corpus Christi, Texas. It was also stated the Mayor needs to come in person to hear the concerns of the Commission. Commissioner Summerlin stated Mr. Garza said the Fair Housing Assessment can be put on hold and the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy cannot. Commissioner Summerlin continued to say we need to find out whether or not in our grant award (Comm►unity Block Grant Award) last year we told them that a Fair Housing Assessment will be done. If this correct, we are obligated to do a Fair Housing Assessment and this year's Community Block Grant Award Funds will be conditioned upon its completion. Commissioner Summerlin asked if this assessment requirement was in writing. Jacquelyn Harrell replied to the Commissioners, Joe Castillo, Housing and Urban Development, San Antonio visited and told her and Chris Gorham a study is needed in February 1990. Jacquelyn Harrell stated Mr. Castillo called later from San Antonio and said if we do not have something done or at least started in that fiscal year, funds may not be awarded. Commissioner Summerlin stated we need to get something in writing, or obtain a waiver. Jacquelyn Harrell stated she has a meeting with Housing and Urban Development staff on Monday, September 9th, to formally respond to the Commission. Commissioner Summerlin asked the Director to get some clarification of the Fair Housing Assessment during the meeting. Commissioner Ward made a motion that a letter be sent to the Mayor with a follow-up telephone call by the Chair, Commissioner Haltom. The motion was seconded and approved. HUD Conference The Commission commended the staff on a well-planned housing conference August 21-23. They were impressed with the speakers, who all knew their topics, or how to get the information. Jacquelyn Harrell thanked the Commissioners for their support at the Conference. 16, HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 1991 PAGE 4 ORDINANCE COMMITTEE It was announced Commissioner Summerlin, Commissioner McCurn, and Commissioner Ward are members of the Ordinance Committee. NEW BUSINESS Elect Vice Chair Commissioner Ward made a motion to re-elect Commissioner Summerlin as Vice Chair. It was seconded by Commissioner Mills. The motion was approved. Intergroup Relations/Issues Commissioner Haltom read from the Human Relations Ordinance the duties of the Commissioners. After reading Commissioner Haltom said she realized how strong the Human Relations Commission's responsibility is. Telephone secularized - copy of article It was stated it is insensitive when problems come up and City Council responds in a careless way such as the telephone issue. It was also stated City Council should take these issues seriously, or it can cause disharmony. Housing for the retarded - reinforce position City should have Commissioner Haltom stated that the City Council has not responded to Housing for the retarded yet. Commissioner Beaty expressed her concerns on how the mentally retarded are treated in housing within the City of Corpus Christi. Commissioner Haltom asked how can we make the City Council more sensitive to these issues. Commissioner Beaty stated, the Commission should appear before the City Council in a constructive and proactive manner. It was an informational/training session for the City Council to understand certain issues of concern to the Human Relations Commission was suggested. Commissioner Summerlin was in agreement because he feels the City Council does not understand what the Human Relations Commission and staff does. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES 4110 SEPTEMBER 5, 1991 PAGE 5 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Commissioner Haltom talked about two conferences, the National Association of Human Rights Workers to be held October 17-22 in St Paul, Minnesota, and Building Better Communities to be held November 14-15 in Norman, Oklahoma. Commissioner Haltom also asked about training for the Commissioners. It was stated training is being prepared. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Chair Date 411 II