Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 09/02/1993 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, L993 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Rev. Willie Davila, Chair Rosalie Beaty, Vice Chair Jimmie McCurn Rabbi Paul Joseph Staff Present Grandis Lenken Jacquelyn Harrell Sandra Huhn Adell Lucas Terry Mills Clyde E. Bourke Kate Haltom The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by the Chair, Rev. Willie Davila. 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 the Minutes of August 5, 1993 be approved as read. CHAIRPERSON'S COMMENTS 16 The Chairman reported the Commission has been very active for the month of August. Also Commissioner Davila stated he would like to see (1) more discipline in our meetings, (2) meeting an time, and finish within the hour or hour and half. Commissioner Davila reminded the Commissioners of the next Fair Housing Assessment meeting to be held September 9th at the 5th Floor Conference Room, City Hall. New Commissioner, Sandra Huhn, was introduced. She will represent Coastal Bend Legal Services on the Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission. She was appointment by Errol Summerlin, Director of Coastal Bend. Commissioner Haltom asked if it would be appropriate to send Sarah Guidry a thank you letter for serving as Vice Chair of the Commission. Jacquelyn Harrell reported an appreciation plaque is usually presented during our employment conference. The Conference will be held in November at Bayfront Plaza Convention Center. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Jacquelyn Harrell briefly discussed her report to the Commission. Copies of the report had been distributed. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES PACE 2 OLD BUSINESS: a. Ordinance Committee Report - NO Report Jacquelyn Harrell stated she has received the disk and corrections will be made as soon as possible to the revised Ordinance. b. Complaint Committee Report - No Report c. (busing Assessment - Jimmie MCCurn Commissioner McCurn reported an her attendance at the Fair Housing Assessment meeting. Commissioner McCUrn stated there were several goals established. One of the main gals in our community is the need to identify and recognize problems and concerns of equal housing, assets to Fair Housing and affordability, as well as quality housing thoughout the City of Corpus Christi. Representatives from the Board of Realtors, Department of Public Health, City Staff, an architect, and a Banker came frau various business and organizations in the community to attend. 46 Ms. McCurn reported one of the methodologies not discussed was sampling. Discussion was on indentifying the problems such as wages. How do you buy or rent a house if you don't have income? How can you qualify for a home if you don't make enough money? She reported they also discussed visting churches to give people information on housing. Commissioner Rabbi Joseph also added that other issues that were addressed were linkages between economic developers of the City and the ability to solve housing problems as far as persons working with minimum salary of $4.25. d. MAYOR'S COMMITTEE ON DISABILITIES - Grandis Lenken Commissioner Lenken reported the Mayor's Committee for persons with Disabilities met on September 1, 1993 at 3:00 p.m. Discussion was on the banquet planned for October 29, 1993 at the Lexington Museum. The price of banquet tickets will be $25.00. The Veterans Band will be participating. Former State Representative, Eddie Cavazos of the Texas Employment Commission will be present. It was reported the guest speaker will be Walter Shortage; the Mayor will also attend. 3 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 3 e. Committee Appointments Jacquelyn Harrell reported on different Commission committees, the Commissioners were requested to use the form provided for committee preference. Commissioners were asked to select a committee and goal oommittee sign, and return the information. Jacquelyn Harrell reportedthe following committees are established: 1. Ordinance Committee 2. Complaint Committee 3. Fair Housing 4. Speakers's Bureau 5. Public Relations Commissioner Davila stated he would like to add a new Committee ("Environmental Committee"). Jacquelyn Harrell reported on the four Goal Committees: Goal 1: TO increase awareness of Commissioners role. Goal 2: To maintain and enhance a public relations campaign. 46, Goal 3: TO extend the community involvement effort. Goal 4: Community needs related to fair housing. Goal 5: Staff: Affirmative action compliance of City Contracts. Jacquelyn Harrell reported the past Chairs of each committee as follows: Ordinance Committee - Sarah Guidry Complaint Committee - Sarah Guidry Fair Housing Committee - Jimmie McCurn Speaker's Bureau - no Chairman Public Relations - Lynda Sutherland F. Healing of Racism Seminar: The Center for the dealing of Racism seminar is scheduled for September 17 and 18 from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. We have reserved facilities at the Regional Transportation Authority facility. Please remember those who do not attend Saturday may not attend on Sunday. We are planning for fifty (50) participants. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES 46 PAS 4 6. NEW BUSINESS Community Forum Commissioner Davila reported plans to have Community Forums with culturally different representatives from the community. This Community Formum would meet on a quarterly basis. Hopefully this Community Forum would start on October 7, 1993, immediately following our regular meeting. Commissioner Davila stated if you have or names that you would like to be invited to speak at the Community Forum please submit them in writing. Commissioner McCurn reported that Lupe Silvas, Board of Realtors, would like meet with Commission members. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Joseph reported two items talked about in the training session were (1) Things that are based on matter of law and human rights, those things are generally covered by laws, subject to legal interpretation. (2) Human Relations is our (Commissioners) responsibilities. He talk about the need to 461i pay attention to letters to the editors. It was suggested that when someone wants to call something to the attention of the Human Relations Commission, the only form we have is the Fair Housing complaint form. If we had a non- complaint form, a way someone could call the Commission's attention to a potential problem outside the format of sending it to the legal staff. Jacquelyn Harrell suggested a Post Office Box might be good to have complaints sent to the Commission. However, the purpose of the Commission is to bridge gaps and facilitate better understanding. Therefore, appearances before the Caâ–ºrmission are critical for feedback to the proper people. Jacquelyn Harrell stated she will check with Austin and Fort Worth to see how they handle complaints to the Commission. FAIN RELATIONS COMMISSIONMINUTES PAGE 5 PUBLIC COMMENTS Ron Hudson stated to the Commission that a P. 0. Box is a waste of taxpaper money. Ron Hudson stated at some of the Commissioners are familiar with Article VI of the U. S. Constitution - non-religion test should never be required for qualification in office of public trust of the United States. Mr. Hudson continued to request this Commission to take some action to recommend to Mayor and City Council ways to eliminate illegal discrimination by the City of Corpus Christi because they allow a Corpus Christi Board of Standards, and Corpus Christi Development Corporation Board to require a member has to be a clergyman. Mr. Hudson also stated those requirements are unconsitutional, illegal, and discriminatory; and this body has the authority to investigate prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, receive, hear, and investigate complaints of discrimination to any person or group. The Complaint is against the City of Corpus Christi. The Commission should report their findings to the Mayor and City Council. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Chair Date