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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 12/01/1994 • MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING December 1, 1994 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Rev. Willie Davila Mr. Terry Mills Dr. Tito Guerrero Dr. Kate Haltom Ms. Jimmie McCum Rabbi Paul Joseph Ms. Rosalie Beaty Mr. Clyde Bourke Ms. Corine Garcia Staff Present Mr. Chris Jonas Henry Gorham Adell Lucas 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. 11619 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The Chair asks if there were any corrections or additions on the minutes for July 7, 1994. It was moved and seconded that minutes be accepted as read. The Chair asked if there were any corrections or additions on the minutes for November 3, 1994. The minutes were accepted with a change to be added on page 2 behind Those individuals will be interviewed by members of the Commission and City Manager on November 14, 1994. The Commission applies that we should not participate in the selection process then. CHAIR'S COMMENTS The Chair stated his comments were limited and was waiting for Commissioner Jonas to inform the rest of the Commission about the meeting with the Mayor. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 2 The Chair reported that on November 10, 1994 he meet with the Fair Housing Assessment Committee. This committee consisted of Group Manger, Jorge Garza, and Community Development Director, Mike Reuwaat. Mr. Mike Reuwaat had requested a meeting with the Human Relations Commission Chair, Rev. Davila, to talk over the Community Block Grant request for the coming year. He advised the Commission to begin work on the process as soon as possible. These grants request form will be out in February or March and Community Development will begin to review them in April and May. He suggested we look at requesting a position in helping educating the public about housing concerns. He also suggested the Commission lobby the City Council for the position. The Community Development Director stated he would support us and his staff. He wanted us to know that we might have some resistance from the City Council. Henry Gorham stated the proposal will be funded through a Community Block Grant and that the Community Development Department will be the one responsible for dispensing the money. The position will be with the Human Relations department. This position will be responsible for outreach and education in Housing discrimination in Corpus Christi. Commissioner Joseph stated would it be wrong if we let the Community Development bring that on board with the understanding they are not an enforcment agency. The department would only handle education concerns in housing and the Human Relations department would still handle complaints. Henry Gorham said that Community Development Block Grant Program regulations would not allow the Community Development Department to have a position for education and outreach in Housing discrimination. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Henry Gorham gave a brief report on the Human Relations Commission November Monthly report and answered questions from the Commissioners. Henry Gorham also reported to Commission on getting outside help in investigating some of our cases. The person is well qualified and has a contract with the Human Relations. OLD BUSINESS NONE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION PAGE 3 NEW BUSINESS Process search for Director- Chris Jonas Commissioner Jonas reported on the meeting with City Manager, Juan Garza. The City Manager is supportive of the Commissions desires to become more autonomous from the municipal government structure. The purpose of the meeting was to look at the process in hiring our Director. The Commission should be able to make a choice. He felt the Commission should be autonomous, to be independent. Mr. Garza suggested that we meet with Mayor Rhodes. Mr. Garza also assures the Commission they will have his support. Commissioner Jonas reported their meeting with Mayor Rhodes was very positive and supportive of the Commission becoming autonomous. Mayor Rhodes told how the City of Fort Worth Human Relations Commission is very productive since becoming autonomous. The City Council would have to pass a City Ordinance. Commissioner Jonas stated the Mayor asked what would be the best way to get the Ordinance passed. The Mayor suggested a presentation to the City Council. The Commission needs to do research such as contact Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Texas Municipal League. Commissioner Jonas also stated the City Council would need to know us. The Commission would have to sell this idea to the City Council. The Ordinance needs to be work for in setting up guidelines for the Commission to become autonomous. The position for Director will be on hold until further notice. Commissioner Bourke wanted to know if there is a National Association on Human Relations Commission. If so, maybe they could send us some guidelines or suggested literature to pattern our future grow. Commissioner Davila stated the Fort Worth Ordinance could be used as a model in rewriting the Corpus Christi Human Relations Ordinance. Commissioner Bourke asked if we were the only Commission or department in City government is self sufficient due to government funding. Henry Gorham stated we are not self sufficient, but do get funding for investigating cases for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Commissioner Bourke wanted to know how much federal funding goes to the department. Henry Gorham also stated that all the money received goes into a general fund. L HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 4 Commissioner Davila stated that the amount of funding could not maintain a City department. Commissioner Davila stated he has directed staff to get information from Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to see what types of guidelines would be available. Also Commissioner Davila talked with Bill Hale, Texas Human Rights Commission, stated he would meet with the Commission, but Fort Worth Ordinance speaks for itself. Commissioner Joseph wanted to know if all the Commissioners could get a copy of the Fort Worth Ordinance, and make their changes and send them back to Commissioner Jonas. Commissioner Garcia stated is funding a factor for the City Council not being receptive to the Human Relations Commission becoming autonomous. Commissioner Davila stated funding is not a factor to the City Council, but their concern would be what will the Commission be enforcing? Commissioners talked on ideas to bring to City Council such as: let them know who we are, sell the ideals with a luncheon with City Council, let them meet you first as people. 41111, Commissioner Davila will get dates in January to see if the Commission can meet with the City Council. The Mayor will sponsor the reception. The purpose of the meeting is to get to know each other. Commissioner Jonas made a motion that the Commission goes into executive closed session. Commissioner Davila wanted to know the reason of a closed session. Commissioner Jonas stated a confidential matter concerning personnel. Commissioner Joseph made a motion that the Commission goes into closed session. A motion was made. Ronald Hudson protested the Commission going into closed session. Commissioner Jonas asked Mr. Hudson to leave the room. Mr. Hudson stated he would have to be thrown out. Commissioner Joseph withdrew the motion for a closed session for clarification on the Commission authority on closed session. Commissioner Joseph stated that at the last meeting the Commission ( meeting had gone into closed session because of privacy of innocent parties who might have legal 1111, recourse in another matter and the Commission didn't want to prejudice that by making privilege information we might have public. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 5 Commissioner Jonas stated he needed to discuss the applicants that applied for the position, of Director. Commissioner Jonas made another motion that the Commission go into executive closed session. A motion to second was made by Commissioner Garcia. Commissioner Davila asked Henry Gorham to remove Mr. Hudson from the meeting. Mr. Ron Hudson wanted the Minutes to reflect he was asked to leave the session. Mr. Hudson stated he wanted to hear one more time the reason for the closed session. Commissioner Davila stated to Mr.Hudson the reason for the closed session has already been stated. The Human Relations Commission went into closed session. Mr. Hudson stated he wanted the minutes to reflect that he was being remove under protested on the closed session for personnel matter. Mr. Jonas stated he has resigned from the Coastal Bend Legal Service. He would like to be reappointed on the Commission. Public Comments - 2 minutes Mr. Ronald Hudson said that he was still waiting on a response to his complaint. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Chair Date