HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 01/06/1994 MINUTES
OF THE
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
January 6, 1994
Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent
Rev. Willie Davila Ms. Rosalie Beaty
Ms. Jiimiie MCCurn Ms. Sandra Huhn
Rabbi Paul Jospeh
Ms. Grandis Ienken
Mr. Clyde Bourke Staff Present
Dr. Kate Haltom
Dr. Tito Guerrero Jacquelyn Harrell
Ms. Brandy Shaw Adell Lucas
Ms. Julia Coleman
The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by the Chair,
Rev. Willie Davila. 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 2, 1993 be approved
411,1 as read.
CHAIRPERSON S COMMENTS
The Chair, Rev. Willie Davila, Chair, welcaned Dr. Tito Guerrero, Brandy Shaw,
and Julia Coleman, newly appointed Cacunissioners. Each introduced themselves
and gave an overview of their background.
DIRECT'OR'S REPORT
Jacquelyn Harrell welcaned the new Cmunissioners and reported there will be an
orientation session as soon as possible. The orientation will cover
procedures of the Human Relations Caimission and Civil Rights laws.
Jacquelyn Harrell discussed the Human Relations Monthly Report and requested
suggested changes in format frau Commissioners.
Commissioner Haltom requested an explanation of the difference between the
Hunan Relations Department and the Human Relations Commission.
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DIRECHUR'S REPORT (continued)
Ms. Harrell reported that the Human Relations Department has been delegated
authority by the Hunan Relations Cammmission to carry out the mandate of the
City Ordinance for employment discrimination, housing discrimination and
public accommodations. The Ordinance gives certain duties and
responsibilities to the Commission. The Human Relations Department via the
Director carries out the thy-to-thy administration of complaints and other
activities for the Human Relations Commission.
The Director administratively reports to the City on policies and procedures
such as budget, etc., and follows the City's personnel policies in hiring of
staff for the Human Relations Department. However, jurisdiction for any
procedural or administrative matter on all charges of discrimination falls
under the auspices of the Commission, (See Ordinances 20838 and 20839).
Caanissioner direction and approval are sought on matters relating to charges
of discrimination as needed.
The Human Relations Commission emanated before the Department which came about
as a result of the National Conference of Christians and Jews recommendations
to the Mayor and City Council. At that time, the Ordinance was revised. Ms.
Harrell reported that Human Relations is not a regular City department, but
gets its authority frau an autonomous body, the Human Relations Commission, a
citizens group appointed by the Mayor. The Commission is a quasi-judicial
body as well as an advisory group to the Corpus Christi City Council.
OLD BUSINESS
Committee Appointments and Committee Responsibilities
Commissioners received a list of committee appointments and committee
responsibilities as set forth by Chairman, Davila.
Commissioner Davila will hold a meeting with Committee (hairiorsons before
the mxt regularly scheduled Commission meeting.
Fair Housing Assessment Update
Fele Leal frau Community Development gave a summary of the Fair Housing Act.
She told Commissioners the Fair Housing Act was part of the 1968 Civil Rights
Act and in 1988 was amended to strengthen by Department of Housing and Urban
Development. She went on to say the Fair Housing Assessment has two objectives
(1) identify barriers in fair housing choices, and (2) to develop strategies
to eliminate or prevent those barriers.
HUMAN RELATICVS CCt44LESION MINUTES
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Fela Leal continued to say the Fair }busing Assessment had good support frau
the Human Relations Cannission, different businesses, and commuiity leaders.
Copies of Fair Ebusing Assessment Recommendations were distributed. Fela teal
reviewed the recommendations.
Commissioner Davila stated he is concerned as to how do we get the community
to work with Community Development so the assessment will not be dropped.
Fele Leal suggested to write a letter to the Mayor, City Manager or both. let
everybody sign as a group to serve as an advisory group.
Commissioner McCurn's main concern is a non profit ad hoc group does rot lose
siyht of the Commission. The Human Relations Commission has responsibility
for Fair Housing under the Ordinance and that person will be the liaison
morson for any type of fair housing task force that a non-profit group
develops. Under the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Human
Relations Dejart.nent has an obligation as part of its jurisdiction over Fair
Housing.
Jacquelyn Harrell stated the application for a fair housing initiatives grant
V must be suhaitted before the deadline of February 22, 1994. Presentation will
be at next meeting for Commission approval. The Chair, after a show of
interest by Canuissioners instructed the Director to proceed with the grant
application as was decided last year.
NEW BUSINESS
Long Range Planning
Jacquelyn Harrell presented a long range planning workbook to ascertain
approval for a format for Human Relations long-range planning.
PUBLIC MIMI:NTS - 2 Minutes
NONE
Adjournment
There beiny no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Chair Date