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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 01/02/1992 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING January 2, 1992 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Kate Haltom, Chair Terry Mills Jimmie McCurn Adolf Andrews Elida Gonzalez Beatrice Lopez Grandis Lenken Rosalie Beaty Lynda Herndon-Sutherland Staff Present Sandra Longoria Green Jacquelyn Harrell Sara Guidry June Shultz Elisa Holland Adell Lucas Fernando Ortiz Guest Chris Gorham Jorge Garza Debbie Lindsey-Opel The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5:00 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 December 5, 1991 be approved. OLD BUSINESS Fair Housing Assessment Update - Chris Gorham, Assistant Director, Housing and Community Development Chris Gorham stated when he first talked to the Human Relations Commission several months ago, he advised the Human Relations Commission at that time the resources were available to initiate a Fair Housing Assessment. They (Housing and Community Development) knew it was a requirement based on the information from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing and Community Development was working on the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy which was a priority at that time. Since then on September 24, 1991 Housing and Community Development went to City Council with a recommendation based on information from U. S. Housing and Urban Development to request $60,000 be appropriated for the development and implementation of a Fair Housing Assessment. The City Council authorized the appropriation of funds for the assessment. Housing and Community Development set out to get Requests for Proposals to various individuals and agencies which are involved in this ihr type activity. HUMAN RELATIONS COMIISSION MINUTES PAGE 2 OLD BUSINESS (continued) FAIR HOUSING ASSESSMENT Chris Gorham stated in early November he telephoned San Antonio (Area Housing and Urban Development) and at that time they indicated to us that an assessment is not required for the City of Corpus Christi. Commissioner Haltom asked Chris Gorham if we had anything in writing to the effect that an assessment is not necessary. Chris Gorham told the Commission he had called the San Antonio Area Housing and Urban Development Office and asked them to submit something in writing regarding the need to do a Fair Housing Assessment. Commissioner Lenken asked Chris Gorham his impression if an assessment is needed now or ever. The answers given by Mr. Gorham were as follows: The City of Corpus Christi from the decision of San Antonio Office of U. S. Housing and Urban Development does not need an assessment now. The San Antonio Area Housing and Urban Development Office is recommending one be done over the phone, but that is as far as they will go at this point on the Fair Housing Assessment. Chris Gorham suggested to Commissioners, they might want to wait until 410, something in writing from the San Antonio Area Housing and Urban Development is received. Chris Gorham said to Mr. Castillo indicated during the holidays the Area Office had not been able to forward information to any cities. Mr. Gorham said all cities are in this same situation in receiving something from the Area Office in regards to Fair Housing Assessment. Commissioner Haltom talked about the concerns of the Commissioners on receiving information. Chris Gorham stated there seems to be some confusion with the Regional Office Fort Worth as to whether or not an assessment is needed. He went on to say by now the Regional Office has surely contacted Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D. C. to find out what the regulations specify. Jacquelyn Harrell stated she had talked Mr. John Wright, Regional Director U. S. Housing and Urban Development, Fort Worth. The information he has is they still highly encourage and recommend an assessment, but their office does not control Community Development Block Grant recipients, therefore, it is not under enforcement's jurisdiction. Mr. Wright stated if the Commission wants to inquire, put it in writing, and he will obtain the answers through the chain of command. Chris Gorham stated that Housing and Community Development is prepared to do an assessment whenever the Council authorizes them to do so. t HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES �r PAGE 3 OLD BUSINESS (continued) Chris Gorham stated the Fair Housing Assessment has been put on hold until they hear from U. S. Housing and Urban Development on what they want the Housing and Community Development Department to do. Commissioner Green stated even if the City Council approved the assessment, Housing and Community Development does not know the criteria to use. Chris Gorham stated there is a standard criteria for handling the assessment. Commissioner Beaty stated the Human Relations Commission is not qualified to do an assessment and the Housing and Community Development Office is looking at a $45,000 proposal to hire full time temporary staff. Commissioner Guidry questioned who gave the stipulation on why an assessment cannot be done if the monies have been allocated. Chris Gorham stated the City Council made a decision at the time they were ready to appropriate the money, and a question came up on who will do the assessment. Chris Gorham also stated there was a question on whether the assessment would be done inhouse or outside. Housing and Community Development cannot do the assessment because of lack of staff. That is the reason they set out to develop a proposal. Jacquelyn Harrell explained to the Commission how the assessment impact the work of Commissioners. She said in applying for funding from U. S. Housing and Urban Development we will be asking for funds as a substantially equivalent Agency. We are saying there are discriminatory practices occurring in the community. We are seeking assistance from Housing and Urban Development, as we do with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for job discrimination. The Human Relations Commission has been handling housing cases, but previously, Housing had never been a priority. The community is unaware the Human Relations Commission handles housing discrimination. We must establish whether there is a need for enforcement in this area. It is a common business practice to do feasibility studies, and assessments to determine what is really occurring based on fact, rather than mere statements or beliefs. It was stated the Housing and Community Development Department appropriated $3,000 (administrative costs) to the Human Relations Department for design, printing and distribution of brochures on housing discrimination in the community. This serves as educational outreach and will be used by U. S. Housing and Urban Development to assess the Community Development Block Grant program in furthering fair housing. HUMAN RELATIONS C@/4SSION MINUTES PAGE 4 OLD BUSINESS (continued) Ms. Harrell also stated Housing and Urban Development's concentration on an affordability study is new for 1991 in Congress, but in every aspect of the regulations did include furthering fair housing as a requirement. There are several methods outlined to faciliate furthering fair housing; an assessment is one method, but it commits the City to correct any deficiencies found. Commissioner Haltom asked Chris Gorham who is going to make the next move. Chris Gorham stated as soon as he knows the status, City Council will be advised on what has happened recently about the assessment, arid"-the Fair Housing Assessment will be ready to move forward. He stated he anticipates getting word from City Council or the City Manager on what to do. Jacquelyn Harrell stated a letter had been faxed to Mr. John Wright and he telephoned that the letter would be forwarded to the San Antonio District HUD. Mr. Castillo is on vacation and as soon as he gets back, they will answer the letter. 4111/ Commissioner Lenken stated the Commission should recommend a Fair Housing Assessment, whether it is required by the federal government is irrelevant. She said an assessment is needed by the citizens of Corpus Christi. It was suggested a resolution be made recommending a fair housing assessment. It was reported a Fair Housing Assessment Resolution was done a few years ago. The Commissioners stated the Resolution should be updated. Commissioner Beaty wanted to know if we could form a subcommittee from the Commission to update the Fair Housing Resolution. Commissioner Lenken made a motion that a Fair Housing Assessment be done. the motion was seconded. The motion was unanimously passed. Commissioners to serve on subcommittee to update the Resolution on the Fair Housing Assessment are as follows: Rosalie Beaty, Sarah Guidry, Sandra Green, and Jimmie McCurn. ( HUMAN RELATIONS CUMHISSOIN MINUTES PACE 5 Commissioner Haltom stated the subcommittee will update the old Resolution, after Commissioners review it, they will send it to the City Manager and to the City Council. NEW BUSINESS The Chairperson Haltom read a letter from City Councilwoman, Betty Jean Longoria inviting the Commission to attend a public hearing for revising the City Charter to be held January 21, 1992. The Chairperson, Commissioner Haltom appointed a committee to look at the Ron Hudson Ordinance agenda items and the City Charter Revision. Commissioner Haltom also indicated the Committee should touch base with the League of Women Voters. Commissioners appointed to the subcommittee are as follows: Rosalie Beaty, Chair, members Sarah Guidry, Terry Mills, and Fernando Ortiz. Commissioner Haltom stated the Vice Chair on the Commission position was left open after Mr. Summerlin resigned. Commissioner Lenken nominated Sarah Guidry as Vice Chair. It was moved and seconded by Rosalie Beaty. The motion passed. June Shultz, staff, discussed cases (public accommodations, and housing) which the Human Relations Commission has recently received through the intake process. She explained housing cases are dual filed with the federal government (HUD) Ft. Worth. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Chair Date