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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 06/04/1992 a MINUTES LOFD HUMAN RELATIONS NMuIISSION ML ANG JUTE 4, 1992 Commissioners Present Ccammissioners Absent Dr. Kate Haltom, Chair Sarah Guidry Jinmie McCurn Elida Gonzalez Grandis Lenken Sandra Longoria Green Rosalie Peaty Elisa Holland Lynda Herndon-Sutherland Fernando Ortiz merry Mills Clyde E. Bourke, Jr. Staff Present Mousumi Shaw Jacquelyn Harrell Rosie Alaniz Adell Lucas Guests Chief Henry Garrett Ron Hudson Julia Nilliams The re,ular monthly meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chair, Kate Haltom. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. 4111, CHAIP.PON'S COMMENTS Commissioner Halton reported the Mayor has appointed the Commissioners to serve on the following Committees'. Mayor's Youth Council - Rosalie Beaty Mayor's Camission on Aids - Lynda Herndon-Sutherland Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities - Grandis Lenken Chair, Dr. Halton also stated there reeds to be sane procedure within the Commission whenever a committee is appointed. Dr. Haltom stated she is the chair of any appointed oamnittro, unless she specically appoints someone else to act as the chairperson. Dr. Haltom also reported she is to be notified of all cormwittee meetings as a matter of procedure. It was called to the attention of the Chair that an appointed Youth Commissioner should be designated to serve Co the Mayor's Youth Council. It was reported Mousurwi Shaw will be appointed to the Mayor's Youth Council. IIId4AN RIIATIOMS CC[MUSSIQ4 MINUTES 411, PAGE 2 CHAIRPLS',SCN'S COMMENTS (continued) Commissioner Haltom read a speech which she delivered at the June 2, 1992 City Council Meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES It was moved and seconded the Minutes of May 7, 1992 be approved as corrected. PUBLIC INTRRODUCTION AND REMARKS Henry C. Garrett, Chief of Police, City of Corpus Christi, spoke briefly about the Corpus Christi Police Department. First, Chief Garrett said he wanted the Cormrission to know the Corpus Christi Police Department is one of the best in the Country. The Corpus Christi Police Department consists of 379 scan police officers and 178 civilian employees for a total of 557 employees. Chief Garrett said the Corpus Christi Police Department responds to 700 calls per day and investigates every complaint no matter how little they might be. He also talked about when he attended a convention in Minnesota and different cities represenatives were complaining about not having any carrcnunications with conuunity leaders, and organizations. Chief Garrett feels the Corpus Christi Police Department is very unique and lucky to have good communications with community leaders, service clubs, and organizations in Corpus Christi. Chief Garrett talked about the gang problem and how they are handling these situations with help frau news media. Chief Garrett said, if you notice, the names of gang members are never mentioned. Chief Garrett also reported on the D.A.R.E. program and the success of the program in the schools. It was requested of Chief Garrett whenever the Police Department deals with any hate crimes it would a 5uc.d idea to notify the Human Relations Commission for informational reasons. It was reported Hunan Relations Commission's goals are to monitor and educate the community on these issues. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance Committee - Sarah Guidry Commissioner Beaty reported Ordinance Committee metors are reviewing difference Ordinances. It was reported the Ordinance Committee will :wet again on June 9, 1992 and June 24, 1992 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss findings and recaawendations for inclusion in the Corpus Christi City Ordinance. HUMAN PETAIICKS CONFESSIONMINU11S 41/ PAGE 3 U. S. Housing and Urban Development Policy Conference - Jimmie McCurn Camnissioner McGurn spoke briefly on her attendance at the U. S. Housing and Urban Development Policy Conference held in Denver, Colorado on May 27-29, 1992. Commissioner McCurn reported overall the conference was very good. The Regional Directors of Regions VII and VIII reported this was the first conference where participants attended all sessions. Some of Housing & Urban Development officials in attendance were as follows: Jacquelyn Shelton, Director, Fair Housing, Washington, D. C. ; John Wright, Director, Fair Housing, Fort Worth, 'Texas; Norris Miller, Director of Fair ibusing, Denver, Colorado; Sarah Pratt, Deputy Assistant, General Counsel's Office, U. S. Housing and Urban Development, Washingon, D. C. Workshops offered were Basic Investigation, Testing; Intake; Fair Housing Act Program Management; Military ibusing; Housing; legal Update Overview; Substantial Equivalency; and Familia Status. Cotmtissioner McCurn telephoned Human Relations Director, Jacquelyn Harrell, about a Pro;ram where $8,000,000 has been allocated for grants to various cities. September 30, 1992 will be the deadline for reserved funds to be given out. A proposal must be submitted in order to obtain a grant. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner McCurn reported on the Legal Update given by Dorothy Willard, Attorney, Denver, Colorado Housing. The determinants of a prima facie case are broken town in four different areas: (1) Who the person is ; (2) Defining that Terson, defining the injury, was that person really injured; (3) Member of the protected class; and (4) Should it be taken as a discrimination case. It was also discussed how to educate ieople on their rights in order to get them to file. It was reported the guidelines are there, however, people need to know they have rights, the law need to be visible, but not as a weapon against the landlord. Conmtissioner McCurn stated in filing substantial equivalency, the proposal language should be correct. lb make sure there will be no loopholes in the proposal, HUD is waiting to preview. Commissioner £tCurn also stated Jacquelyn Shelton and Sarah Pratt invited suhnission for a preview of our Ordinance before the proposal is caipleted. Ms. McCurn reported, HUD will advise whether the language is correct. 7 HUMAN MATIONS CCMISSIGN MINITS ( PAGE 4 �/ OLD BUSINSS (continued) Commissioner ecCurn reported John Eubanks, Director of Compliance Division for Region VI, Fort Worth, Texas gave a presentation on familia status. SMU students did research on an actual survey of 22,400 cases that were filed in the Dallas Area. Out of the 22,400 cases over 5,000 unfair judgements were given that had to do with housing discrimination. One hundred four (104) that group had received unfair housing discrimination. Only six cases had valid proof. All of the six were minorities. It was known there was discrimination, however, documentation is very important and that had not been done. Commissioner McGurn stated it was a known fact that 75% of families were denied housing for various reasons in apartment complexes because of higher deposits, didn't allow children, or noise level after a certain hour, etc.) Commissioner 'McGurn also stated Sarah Pratt indicated in the conciliation process when neeting with the landlord and no agreement is made, he sure to let then know the case will be turned over to Housing and Urban Development. The landlord has a choice to deal on a local basis or with the U. S. Housing and Urban Development enforcement. The landlord or whenever the parson might be is looking at $100.00 per hour minimum fee. 41/ Gang Task Force Commissioner McGurn, and Commissioner Mills will be attending the Gang Task Force Meeting on June 6, 1992. A report will be expected at the next meeting. ADA Connussioner Paty reported the Corpus Christi Apartment Association is giving out wrong and illegal information to people with disabilities. Jacquelyn Harrell suggested a presentation be nude to Corpus Christi Apartment Association by Human Relations staff and/or Commissioners. HUMAN MATIONS OOPTIISSICN [IQIIl1"410 . PAGE 5 NEW BUSINESS Goal Setting - short and long range Commissioner Haltom talked to the Camaissioners about a training session. Commissioner Haltom suggested Saturday morning for training for about three hours. AEJOIR wlT There being m further business, the meetng was adjourned at 6:00 --p.m. Chair Date