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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 05/12/1994 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MAY 12, 1994 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Rev. Willie Davila Ms. Brandy Shaw Ms. Rosalie Beaty Mr. Terry Mills-excused Ms. Jimmie McCurn Ms.Valerie Santos Ms. Grandis Lenken Mr. Clyde Bourke Staff Present Ms. Kate Haltom Jacquelyn Harrell Rabbi Paul Joseph Adell Lucas Ms. Julia Shaw Mr. Tito Guerrero 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 to amend the Minutes of April 7, 1994 in 1st paragraph: That the Human Relations Commission becomes substantially equivalent and change to"Human Relations Ordinance of City of Corpus Christi becomes substantially equivalent to Federal Law." It was moved, seconded and voted the Minutes of April 7, 1994 be approved as corrected. CHAIR'S COMMENTS Rev. Willie Davila, Chair reported on his visit with the Mayor. Discussion was about affirmatively furthering fair housing in Corpus Christi. The Mayor stated she is aware of the need to affirmatively further fair housing in Corpus Christi,and the role of the Human Relations Commission. Rev. Willie Davila,reported Pedro Esquivel, District Director, of San Antonio Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will visit next Thursday,May 19, 1994. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES 4110 PAGE 2 DIRECTOR'S REPORT Jacquelyn Harrell reported attending the FEPA/EEOC Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. She also reported meeting with the Regional Director of U. S. Housing and Urban Development, regarding the Fair Housing Initiatives Program. The Human Relations Commission applied for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program grant finds in February 1994. In answer to Dr. Guerrero's questions on fair housing, a discussion ensued. It was reported no complaint had been made to HUD by letter,but advice was requested on how to affirmatively further fair housing in Corpus Christi and Section 109 of the Community Development Act,which set forth requirements for equal opportunity. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance Committee - It was reported Sandra Huhn is finalizing work on the fair housing, portion of the Ordinance. 411, NEW BUSINESS 1. Memorandum of Understanding, U. S. Department of Justice Jacquelyn Harrell presented and read the agreement (Memorandum of Understanding), This agreement is between the Commission and Special Counsel Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices. Previously those cases were sent directly to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Now the U. S. Department of Justice wants to have written agreements with local fair employment practice agencies. Our City has a large Hispanic population and these "National Origin" cases frequently have issues which are immigration related. Commissioner Paul Joseph made a motion to accept the agreement. Commissioner Beaty seconded the motion. The vote was accepted and passed in the affirmative. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES 4, PAGE 3 2. Policy clarification-Contract Compliance Monitoring - Goal Committee Jacquelyn Harrell stated there is a section in the City Ordinance 20838 that is apparently unclear for some that read it. Under Commission Duties and Responsibilities, the function has been passed on to staff to monitor contract compliance. Under Section 24-4 "Commission investigates, acting through the Administrator, all complaints received regarding failure of a contractor or potential contractor to be an equal opportunity employer as required by the general conditions of the bid specifications of the City. The report of its findings shall be submitted to the City Manager, City Secretary and Director of Finance. The Commission shall keep an active file on any complaint wherein it finds that the charge has some basis and shall, through its Administrator, work with the contractor involved to the end that the Commission can satisfy itself that the basis for the charge has been eliminated. The Commission shall file with each party receiving a copy of its initial report such supplemental reports of its findings may be indicated until the file is closed." g Jacquelyn Harrell stated"questioned for what purpose is information to be referred/submitted to City �I Manager,City Secretary and Director of Finance". Is the referral simply for informational purposes or for enforcement proceedings when a contractor is found to be in noncompliance with City bid specification? After discussion, It was moved and seconded if a contractor is found non compliant, the matter should be referred to City Administrations for enforcement of the City's bid specifications and regulations as stipulated in City Ordinance 20838. 3. EEOC Employment Conference Jacquelyn Harrell reported there will be an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Conference in Corpus Christi July 14, 1994. All Commissioners are invited to attend. Lunch will be provided for a fee. New policies and procedures of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will be discussed. The Commission has requested that the Mayor welcome conferees and the Chair participate as well. `y HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 4 4. Budget appropriations Jacquelyn Harrell reported on the budget for 1994-95. The Community Development Block Grant requested earlier from Community Development Block Grant funds for fair housing is included in the regular budget under the general fund. 5. Committee Chairs - Meeting for calendar year Rev. Davila, Chair, discussed that its time for Committee Chairs to meet. Would they be willing to serve as a group on the Ordinance Committee? Items to discuss will be to enlarge the Commission,serve on a panel, learn budget procedures. To review cases when there is a cause finding, and to rotate monthly to sit in on investigations and intake. 6. Coastal Bend Legal Services Coastal Bend Legal Services has not designated a person to serve on the Human Relations Commission. 411, Rev. Davila, Chair, reported he received a letter from the City Secretary on expiration terms of Grandis Lenken, Rosalie Beaty,Julia Coleman,Valerie Santos, and Brandy Shaw. Their terms are up June 14, 1994. Please let him know if you are seeking reappointment. PUBLIC COMMENTS -2 Minutes Ron Hudson distributed copies of information he seeks. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. 7 / l Y Chair to