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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 04/07/1994 impr MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 7, 1994 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Rev. Willie Davila Ms. Valerie Santos Ms. Rosalie Beaty Ms. Julia Coleman Mr. Terry Mills Ms. Jimmie McCurn Mr. Clyde E. Bourke Rabbi Paul Joseph Ms. Kate Haltom Sandra Garcia Huhn Dr. Tito Guerrero Ms. Brandy Shaw Ms. Grandis Lenken 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. istr APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES It was moved, seconded and voted the Minutes of March 3, 1994 be approved as read. CHAIRPERSON'S COMMENTS Rev. Willie Davila, Chair, gave an update on the projects the Human Relations Commission has been involved with including the(I) Fair Housing Assessment and Racial Healing Seminar. Rev. Davila, other Commissioners and Community leaders looked at the initial fair housing assessment report, and from that assessment came other recommendations. One of the recommendations was that the Human Relations Ordinance fair housing section be made substantially equivalent to the federal law. This would require the rewriting of the Ordinance to set policy and procedure to investigate housing discrimination cases and publicize through education, and (2) Obtain funding to affirmatively further fair housing. Rev. Davila explained the Community Development Block Grant Program request made by the Human Relations Commission and stated the funding request was denied. The amount requested was $108,000. Commissioner Davila questioned what direction the Commission should take next? Commissioner Davila stated the regulations for Community Development Block Grant Programs designate a certain amount of funds be used for affirmatively furthering fair housing. We can raise this issue to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 1111/ HUMAN RELATIONS MINUTES PAGE 2 Commissioner Guerrero said one of his concerns is what advice would the Commission be considering asking Housing and Urban Development and the time commitment needed. Commissioner Guerrero asked who handles the cases now? He was told the Human Relations staff does intake, investigation, conciliation and refers the case to HUD if conciliation fails. It was reported the Human Relations Commission has authority to investigate housing cases under our Ordinance but the fine is only $100.00. But if the law is substantially equivalent, federal requirements must be met. It was stated the Commission is doing the public an injustice by taking cases where parties cannot receive equal justice. We take the case if it is an emergency and get legal aide to help if needed. Then the case is referred to HUD in Fort Worth. Also, whenever a case is referred to Department of Housing and Urban Development and a discrimination investigation occurs they(HUD)will pay the Texas Commission on Human Rights for the work. In order for the Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission to receive pay for housing cases, the Ordinance must be changed to reflect the current law. Our Ordinance is being drafted and updated and will be presented to City Council for approval. It was reported when the Human Relations Commission Ordinance of the City of Corpus Christi 411, becomes substantially equivalent to the federal fair housing law, there will be a panel of commissioners to hear cases and make decisions. A decision may be appealed, and it will be referred to legal for an opinion. The Commission still has final word on the decision once it returns from the Legal Department. It was stated the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be reviewing our Ordinance for as follows: The administrative process, reporting responsibility autonomy (whether the Commission is really making these decisions),access to appeal and due process. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will closely monitor for about two (2) years before certification can be given. When we receive substantial equivalency it is only provisional, and payment on cases will be made at$1300 per case. After final review, full certification will be given. Director's Report-None OLD BUSINESS Fair Housing Assessment/Funding request C.D.B.G. - Rosalie Beaty HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES 411, PAGE 3 Commissioner Beaty reported she appeared at the special hearing of the Planning Commission. She reported confusion on the requested amount. Planning Commissioners were given a complete packet of the request of$108,000.00. The next meeting was held on Wednesday, April 6, 1994. Public comments were only ten(10)minutes. Commissioner Beaty reported she was only able to say that they had been given our information on statistics. The Chair of the Planning Commission went through each item quickly to request approvals or hold for discussion. Planning Commissioner Taylor made a motion that put our request up for discussion. Commissioner Beaty stated they already had their minds made up. Commissioner Taylor recommended that our request be approved and excepted to CDBG monies for some City departments. Commissioner Beaty said in the amount of$104,000. The Planning Commission then denied our request for funding. Commissioner Taylor is the only one that understood our request. Commissioner Beaty requested a closed session to discuss our next step. The meeting continued in open session. Commissioner Mills asked if the Department of Housing and Community Development monitors for affirmatively furthering fair housing in Corpus Christi? Commissioner Beaty stated the City needs to know they are not furthering fair housing. ikar Commissioner Bourke suggested a letter be drafted. Commissioner Lenken stated the Commission should put a package together and submit it to each City Council member. Jacquelyn Harrell reported that a City in Arkansas was denied funds for not affirmatively furthering fair housing or at least had funding delayed. Commissioner Guerrero made a motion a package be put together of compliance guidelines and presented to the City Council to review. Commissioner Lenken seconded the motion,but no vote was taken. A substitute motion was made that the Chair appear before the City Council to express concern on our request for funding for furthering fair housing and that a letter be sent to U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.after the City Council presentation.The motion was seconded and voted in the affirmative. 411/ HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 4 NEW BUSINESS Environmental Committee- Commissioner Clyde Bourke Commissioner Bourke reported on monitoring of the refinery issue. There was a public hearing about 3,300 people attended to express their concerns. Commissioner Bourke will continue to monitor complaints on the refinery. Commissioner Bourke reported he has several questions to ask before he goes with either side. (1) How many people moved there when they knew the refineries were there? (2) Why did the City let the refinery build there and (3) Has any one been harmed? Ordinance Committee - Commissioner Sandra Huhn-no report `r PUBLIC COMMENTS 2 -Minutes Ron Hudson talked about Ordinance 20838, Section 24. The Commissioner's have responsibility to report his complaint to City Council. Mr. Hudson handed out copies of his complaint again. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Chair Date