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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 12/05/1991 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMh1MISSION hIEETING December 5, 1991 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Kate Haltom, Chair Errol Summerlin Rosalie Beaty Adolf Andrews Lynda Herndon—Sutherland Terry Mills Elida Gonzalez Beatrice Lopez Grandis Lenken Elisa Holland Fernando Ortiz Staff Present Sandra Longoria Green Jacquelyn Harrell Sarah Guidry Ora Stone Jimmie McCurn June Shultz Adell Lucas Guest Mayor Mary Rhodes Ron Hudson Stanley Andwrick 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 October 3, 1991 be approved. PUBLIC INTRODUCTION AND REMARKS The Mayor, Mary Rhodes, was welcomed by the Chairperson and Commissioners. The new member, Sandra Longoria Green, was introduced. Ms. Green gave a brief summary of her interest in the Human Relations Commission. Ron Hudson spoke briefly about an Ordinance he wants the Commission to consider. Stanley Andwrick spoke briefly about his interest in Civic affairs in the City. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 2 411, The Mayor, Mary Rhodes, attended the meeting to followup on questions that were asked at the October 3rd Human Relations Commission Meeting. (1) Fair Housing Assessment: The Mayor stated that the City received a call from Housing and Urban Development to put the Fair Housing Assessment on hold until further notice. When Housing and Urban Development gives us the okay to proceed an assessment proposal will be ready, she reported. Mayor Rhodes stated the Commission should be thinking about how the assessment is going to be handled, and to let her know through our Chair, Kate Haltom. At the Council meeting part of the assessment was discussed. Councilman Martin asked the question why should this be put out for proposals? Why doesn't the Human Relations Commission do the Fair Housing Assessment? Mayor Rhodes suggested the Commission be ready for a response to the City Council. (2) The Mayor stated she approached the City Council about the concerns on invocations, religious symbols, and the request to have a task force to look into these kinds of issues. The City Council turned that down she reported. The Council has a legal opinion from the City Attorney that says an invocation is legal. The City Council unanimously wants to do the invocation and will continue to do so. The Mayor stated Human Relations Commission cannot appoint an outside committee, there is an Ordinance that states this. She advised to talk to legal on what the Human Relations Commission can do. The Commission can ask citizens advice on what they think. Then the Human Relations Commission can formulate an opinion, and present it to the Mayor. Mayor Rhodes stated she would put the item on the City Council agenda. (3) In checking about staff, the Mayor said, although not permanent, a temporary has been in the position. (4) On the matter of the Public Accommodations case, the Mayor said the question is still in legal, because the wrong question was asked. Mayor Rhodes will get back to the Commission with the information. Kate Haltom, asked the Mayor who should Human Relations Commission report to. Mayor Rhodes stated it is not appropriate to report to the City Manager, she feels the Human Relations Commission should go through the Chairperson and to the Mayor. Mayor Rhodes stated on other staff questions and issues, she doesn't want to get involved, its inappropriate, and a violation of the City Charter for the Mayor to go the City Manager and ask these question. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES kir PAGE 3 OLD BUSINESS Kate Haltom spoke on the meeting she and Rosalie Beaty attended with the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Ms. Haltom said she suggested we could work with them if they would like to make recommendations to the Human Relations Commission and then we can pass them on. Kate Haltom said she spoke with Jo Ann Kernick, Executive Director. NEW BUSINESS Kate Haltom, Chair, read a letter from Errol Summerlin on his resignation from the Human Relations Commission. Mr. Summerlin designated Sarah Guidry in accordance with the City Ordinance, as his designee to the Human Relations Commission. A motion was made to accept Errol Summerlin's resignation with regrets. It was seconded by Grandis Lenken. The motion passed. The following Commissioners, Jimmie McCurn, Grandis Lenken, and Sarah Guidry, were named to the Ordinance Goal Committee. They will meet and prepare a report. liV Ron Hudson talked about the proposition he wants presented to the Human Relations Commission. Mr. Hudson spoke briefly on what his proposition is all about. Kate Haltom, Chair, stated Mr. Errol Summerlin was to present this to the Commission, but has now resigned from the Human Relation Commission. Kate Haltom stated this proposition is to be presented at the next Human Relations meeting, in order to allow time for Commissioners to review this proposition. Sarah Guidry will present it at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Chair Date 16