HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 11/05/1992 t1INUTIM
t OF THE
�r IIUPAN RELATIONS CGMMISSION [CITING
Noveohar 5, 1992
Ca:mtissioners Present Curnissioners Absent
Kate Halton, Chair Terry Mills
Sarah Guidry, Vice Chair Rosalie Beaty
Jinmiie McGurn Myra Steptar
Richard Leshin
Grandis tenken Staff Present
Lynda Herndon-Sutherland Jacquelyn Harrell
Clyde E. Bourke
Mousud Shaw
Jonathan Blum
The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by the Chair,
Kate Haltom. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a
loyally constituted neetiny.
APPROVAL OP flifl MINUTES
It was moved, seconded and voted the tlinutes of November 1, 1992 be approved
as read.
CHAIRPERSaN's c nine s
New Youth C xcmissioner, Jonathan Blum, was introduced.
ADA Conference
Caimissioner Halton reported she attended the Mayor's Committee on the
Disabled Conference. She reported John Bell spoke on Title I (employment
practices and hiring). The National Disabled Person for 1992 was the guest
speaker for the Awards Luncheon. Commissioner Halton gave a brief sunmary of
the speech the Keynoter gave.
Meeting with Mayor
The Chair stated she met with the Mayor on routine matters. Commissioner
Haltom stated the Mayor is aware of the demographic report requested by LULAC
on the ethnic and female makeup of Ards and axumissions of the City.
Training Session
Conmissioner Halton reported training for Cannissioners on the Ordinance was
held on October 24, 1992. Commissioner Halton stated the training session was
very goad. Mrs. Helen Gurley was the trainer and did a highly creditable job.
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HUMAN REfATIa4S m,t41SSICU MINUTES
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PUBLIC INTRODUCTION AND RflIAR S
The Chair introduced Kelly Elizondo, and Fela Leal of Camnuiity Development.
Update of Fair Housing Assessment
Kelly Elizondo, Director of Community Development, and Fela Leal who is the
Project Manager for the Fair Housing Assessment were guest speakers.
Kelly Elizondo spoke on the update of the Fair Housing Assessment and
information was distributed. The raterial consisted of tyleG of grant funding
expected frac the Federal Government and 'latching funds received frau the City
of Corpus Christi and local community organizations related to receiviny the
grants; and Why we reed an assessment.
f1r. Elizondo discussed briefly the material distributed to each Camaissioner.
(1) The Fair Housing Project Description was discussed and some background
4111/ was provided on how the City participates in certain programs with the U. S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Mr. Elizondo told Camdssioners getting to this point has been a long process
over ore year in determining if a Fair Housing Assessment was necessary.
The City received just this past year more program dollars as a result of the
National Affordable Housing Act. This Act consists of Ilare program dollars
which are strictly for hale rebuilding or providing hones whether it be rental
or occupant owned. He reported Community Block Grant dollars can be used for
many purposes as long as they are used for low incase individuals. Tb get all
of this the City had to develop a CLAS (Caaprehensive Housing Affordability
Strategy) which dealt with a number of issues indentified in the community by
meeting with different agencies.
Fele Leal, Project Manager for the Fair abusing Assessment, spoke briefly on
the analyses she has already received from different Cities. Ms. Tnal stated
she will be trying to work within the Project description and to stay with
the original Request for Proposals. The two goals of the Request for
Propx,als (1) Assess the implementation and availability of Fair Housing
choice and (2) Develop five (5) year and ten (10) year plans for affordable
housing.
Connissioner Guidry asked %tether there will be any participation from
Colleges and/or Universities.
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Fair Housing Assessment Update (continued)
Ms. Leal stated there is save participation from CCSU in doing sane analyses.
As. Trial stated she will be niting with other faculty nenbers to see if there
is a desire to participate with the Fair Housing Analysis.
Commissioner Guidry also wanted to know if there will be testers
participating in the community to determine hoe much discrimination there is
in housing in our local area.
Ms. Leal stated further, at this point, they are not ready to implement the
assessment yet, but whenever it is decided, there is a group frau Washington,
D. C., and the National Fair Housing Alliance is willing to participate.
OLD BUSINISS
a. Coalition on Aids - Lynda Sutherland
b. Job Corps - Clyde Bourke - None
c. Travel Policy - Sarah Guidry
(111, Caicuissioner Guidry discussed Travel Policy and why there is a need for a
policy. This travel policy will give each Camtissioner a chance to attend
a conference or meeting. The Travel Policy will be carefully scrutinized
after corrections are rade.
d. Ordinance CUu¢nittee - Sarah Guidry
Cacmissioner Guidry said the Ordinance Committee meeting was brief, but
they are in the process of writing certain addendum and want input frau
Ordinance Committee members. She also asked for volunteers to serve on
the Ordinance Committee. She requested word perfect formatting for
revisions to to ompleted on the word promsors.
e. Media Policy
Co missioner Guidry stated the importance of having a designated
spokesperson for the Commission.
Comissioners discussed this at length and consensus was the Chairperson
should act as spokesperson for the Commission.
Commissioner Leshin made a notion the spokeperson will be the Chair and
if she is not available the Vice Chair will be the spokesperson. The vote
was taken and the option was passed.
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f. Freedom of Information Conference
Commissioner Guidry talked about her attendance at the Freedom of Information
Conference held in Austin, Texas. She reported an types of data available and
research study material, under the Open Records Act.
NEE BUSINESS
Oamuissioner Shaw requested the Commission participate in getting prayras
together to go and speak to high schools on discrimination in employment,
housing and public accommodations.
Camiissioner Bourke stated there is a need to go out and acquaint the
Connnunity with the Haan Relations Commission.
PUBLIC OXA S - 2 minutes
Ron Hudson asked does the Commission under the Ordinance Section 24-4 b(5)
originate, receive, hear and investigate complaints of discrimination by or
against any person or group, and report its finding to the Mayor and City
Council?
Cannissioner Guidry told Mr. Hudson they will look into that, but an Annual
Report is given Council cn activities of the Commission. However, names, etc
are protected under the Privacy Act unless a public hearing is requested.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no furtrher business, the meting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Chair Date