HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 01/21/1993 MINUTES
OF THE
HUMAN RELATIONS CCMM7ISSION MEETING
January 21 , 1993
Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent
Kate Haltom Sarah Guidry
Jimmie McGurn Richard Leshin
Grandis Lenken Lynda Sutherland
Rosalie Beaty Terry Mills
Clyde Bounce
Willie Davila Staff Present
i busumi Shaw Jacquelyn Harrell
Jonathan Slum Henry Gorham
Myra Stepter June Shultz
Adell Lucas
The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. by the Chair,
Nate Halton. The roll call was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a
legally constituted meeting.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
( It was moved, seconded and voted the Minutes of December 3, 1992 be approved
ir as read.
CHA.IRPE SON'S camarrs
New Commissioner, Rev. Willie Davila, was introduced.
OLD BUSINESS
a. Ordinance Committee - Sarah Guidry
Jaamelyn Harrell reported Commissioner Guidry has finished the update on
the Ordinance and will be calling a meeting soon.
b. Mayor's Committee cn Disabilities - Grandis Lenken - No report
c. Coalition on Aids Report - Lynda Sutherland - No report
d. Freedom of Information Conference hand outs - Sarah Guidry
No distribution Ms. Guidry was absent.
HUMAN RE[ATICNS CCMAISSICN MINt7T1
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e. Youth Commissioners
Commissioner Beaty met with the Youth Commissioners after the regular
meeting. They planned to discuss the Youth Commissioners program through
year end. Cbmmnissioner Beaty stated it would be nice to inform
organizations such as National Honor Society, City Council, etc. on how
the Human Relations Conmission originated. Camnissioner Beaty also stated
she will be getting information frau the archives on the history of the
Human Relations Commission.
Commissioner Haltom requested Cylde Bourke to prepare a story on the
history of the Human Relations Commission for Public Relations purposes.
Commissioner Bourke stated that Lynda Sutherland was the Public Relations
Chair and she needed to be contacted. Comnissioners stated Rosemary
Barnes of the Caller-Times, and Deanna McQueen, Channel III are good
contacts to deliver news items.
PPS] BUSINESS
A. Goal Committees Discussion
t A Goal Committees form was distributed to each Commissioner to indicate
` preference for committee assignments.
Commissioner Haltom requested input on retaining goal committees; requested
ideas frau each committee chair.
B. Meeting with Kelly Elizondo, Oammunity Development
Camussioner .'1cCurn gave a brief talk on the meeting with Kelly Elizondo.
Also attending the meeting were Commissioners Beaty, Mills, and Jacquelyn
Harrell.
Commissioner McCurn stated Mr. Elizondo is interested in meeting with the
Committee on a regular basis on the Fair Housing Assessment. Mr. Elizondo
stated they will be going out to various associations and gather information
within the City. Commissioner Halton asked if the Committee discussed the
budget with Mr. Elizondo and if there is any Honey left to do the assessment!
Commissioner McCurn stated the issue of salary did cane up, but the salary
issue was not discussed thoroughly.
Commissioner Beaty told the Conmission the meeting stems from a question on
Noveder minutes and $60,000 that was set aside for the Fair Housing
Assessment. Commissioners were concerned that the assessment needed to be
done as soon as possible. The salary of Fela Leal of $40,000 a year was being
taken out of the $60,000 allocated for Fair Housing Assessment.
HUMAN AN RELATIONS ClnMSsIct MINUTES
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Commissioner Beaty stated to the Commission everything was put on the table.
Questions were asked such as where is the money going, is the money going to
be used wisely and not used for salary. Commissioner Beaty was pleased with
Mr. Elizando's answers. Commissioner Beaty also stated what she got out of
the meeting was Mr. Elizondo ensured the Committee the Fair Housing Assessment
will get done.
Commissioner Beaty stated her concerns was Kelley Elizondo has applied for a
Housing Authority job and we need to go forth with another meeting to see
where Mr. Elizondo stands if he would get the job. Would the Fair Housing
Assessment be put cn hold again?
C. Jacquelyn Harrell talked to new Commissioners on being substantially
equivalent. One of the things we needed to know is how much discrimination
there is; is there affordable housing in Corpus Christi; whether the elderly
is getting needed housing, looking at housing patterns, and red lining.
Jacquelyn Harrell also stated it would be hard for the Commission to tell how
much housing discrimination there is without a feasibility study. Ms.
Harrell continued to state the Fair Housing Assessment should have teen done
in 1985-89. Now Housing and Urban Development has gone to another priority
411 and Congress has mandated in 1992 affordable housing as the priority.
D. Commissioner McCurn stated the Fair Housing pamphlets were mailed out. TWT
of the City Council members stated Human Relations was soliciting complaints
from the community. Commissioner McCurn stated as Chair of the Fair Housing
Committee she wanted the Commission to make a decision cn whether or not we
will continue to hold or mail the pamphlet. Commissioner McCurn stated when
you have individuals that are trying to hide the rights of people that is a
problem.
Commissioner Beaty stated part of the duties of the Human Relations Commission
are to let people know their right to file.
Jacquelyn Harrell stated that one or two City Council members wanted to
redirect the efforts of the Human Relations Department to something else other
than distributing the housing discrimination brochures. However, she stated
she had cleared through her superior everything including approval of the
Commission for the draft before printing. She said copies of the brochures
were also sent to all City Council members in our Fair Housing Conference
packet in August 1991. Finally, the brochure was approved by Housing and
Urban Development (HUD).
HUMAN RELATIONS CO MCSSICN MINUTES
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` Commissioner Lenken stated putting the pamphlet in different locations other
than mailing then out would be more effective.
Jacquelyn Harrell stated the Human Relations Camnission received a grant from
Camnunity Development Block Grant and the requirement at that time was they
would be mailed. The project including draft of the brochure was approved by
the Human Relations Commission.
Commissioner Beaty made a notion to instruct the staff to mail out the Fair
Housing pamphlet. The notion was seconded by Commissioner McCurn.
Commissioner Blum stated he felt posters would be more effective than
pamphlets.
Ron Hudson stated the Conmtission should go into a joint venture with RTA in
putting Human Relations Caunission pamphlets out with their bus route and they
are currently getting ready for their new bus route schedules.
Commissioner Haltom stated that Jacquelyn Harrell, Clyde Bourke and herself
will set up a meeting with RTA.
PUBLIC OOMIGNTS - 2 Minutes
Ron Hudson presented the Human Relations Commission a complaint in accordance
with City of Corpus Christi Ordinance C20838. (Pre attached) Mr. Hudson said
he still does not like the posting notice for Commission meetings.
ADJOURN/IQVT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Chair Date