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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 02/06/1996 MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING February 6, 1996 Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent Leonides Bazar Annie M. Mercado Lena D. Coleman Errol Summerlin Rabbi Paul Joseph Clyde Bourke Harold Williams Staff Present Corina Garcia Helen R. Gurley Nancy Somers Adell Lucas Julissa Torres Attorney Sam Henderson Johanna Barnett Rev. Willie Davila The Chairperson called the regular monthly meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. The Roll was checked and a quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was offered to accept the December 5, 1996, minutes as submitted. The Commissioners approved the motion to accept the minutes as submitted. 1 CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT-REV.WILLIE DAVILA The Chair welcome the new Youth Commissioners, Julissa Tortes, and Sam Henderson. He began his report by stating that the Commissioners needed to develop a long range plan for the rest of the year. He suggested: 1). Annual Training. After a brief discussion, they agreed to have this training in September 1997. An agenda for this training is forthcoming. 2). Annual Conference will be held June 13, 1997, at the Bayfront Plaza. The Chair wanted to know if the presentations will be given by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission representatives from the District Office, San Antonio. Dr. Gurley told the Commissioners that the presentations will be given by attorneys as well as EEOC personnel. In using attorneys, the State Bar 411, can authorize any attorney attending this training conference continuing legal education credits. Dr. Gurley also stated when looking for a keynote speaker, we should look to using public officials, because of the cost involved. The Commissioners suggested the following names to be considered for a keynote speaker: Governor Bush, Senator Carlos Truan, Congressman Solomon Ortiz, Attorney General Dan Morales, Judge Janet Jack, Susanna Aleman, Attorney at-the U. T. Law School, and Assistant Secretary Norma Cantu from the Department of Education. 3). Formation of Mediation Teams. It was suggested that the Commission began using mediation teams to clear several probable cause cases issued against four employers. The Chair stated that four Commissioners have completed the mediation training, and they will need to mediate a minimum of ten(10)cases before they can receive their certification. 2 Commissioner Somers was asked to lead these teams as she is already certified. Only two Commissioners will participate in each case along with a staff member and Commissioner Somers. The mediators will only receive the problem, where each party differs, the claimant's request, and the respondent's offer. They will not have access to the case file because of the confidentiality clause in the EEOC Contract with the City. 4). Activation of Speaker's Bureau. The Chair asked if there were any requests for speaking engagements. Dr. Gurley reported that there were none at this time; however, she had been ✓ asked to make a presentation sometime in June 1997 to the Corpus Christi Human Resources Association. She further stated that we need to begin letting the community know that we are prepared to speak before community organizations, employers, and various other types of agencies. Chair Davila stated that a memorandum should be sent to Commissioner Summerlin suggesting that we began notifying the community that the Commissioners and staff are available for speaking engagements. 5). Human Relations Appreciation Banquet. Chair Davila made a suggestion of the Commission sponsoring an annual banquet. Monies raised from this annual banquet will go toward a scholarship fund and to subsidize the works of the Commissioners. He also stated that during these banquets the Commission could recognize individuals, employers, and other organizations who have excelled in providing equal opportunity within the community. After a discussion of the idea, the Commissioners decided that we should plan to have the banquet sometime during Spring 1998. They also suggested that we try to get other organizations to co-sponsor these events. Commissioners Bazar and Coleman will co-chair the committee. 460 3 6). Professional Photo of the Commissioners. Chair Davila asked Dr. Gurley to expand on the reason for wanting a photo of the Commissioners. She stated that she would like to began hanging group photos of Commissioners in the Human Relations area, because she believes that the Community needs to know who are the volunteers behind this agency. Dr. Gurley further stated that she wanted the group picture taken when the Commissioners met in the City Council Chamber. It was decided that the group picture would be taken at the regular meeting in April. Chair Davila closed his comments by stating that he wanted to apologize for not being able to attend the December meeting where Professor Thorpe spoke on environmental issues. He stated there is a local concern about environmental problems, as well as, studies which indicate how these problems Jaffect the economical disadvantagekhair Davila asked if there is a national conference for Human Relations Commissioners or Human Rights Commissioners involving environmental issues. No one ` was aware of any such conferences. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Report on the Housing Ordinance. Dr. Gurley reported that the Human Relations Ordinance oN N'0a al is with HUD's legal department in Fort Worth for review. She also stated that she and Johanna Barnett, Assistant City Attorney, need to meet with the City Manager and City Attorney prior to sending the Ordinance to the City Council to further discuss any changes dealing with the Commissioners' authority that would be required by HUD. The Commissioners asked if the {� ordinance will be back in our office before the April election, or do we want to wait until the newly 4 elected City Council is on board before recommending the ordinance change for final approval. After 411/ a lengthy discussion, the Commissioners requested Commissioner Rabbi Joseph to send a letter to the mayoral candidates seeking their support, as he is the liaison between the council and commission. Human Relations Commission Annual Report. The Commissioners commended the staff and administrator for ajob well done on the annual report. Administrator's Report, Monthly Report. Dr. Gurley briefly reported on the Human Relations monthly report. She made mention that in January 1996 only two charges were completed verses twenty charges being Ni ✓/ completed for January 1997. She commented on how pleased she was with the staffs commitment to meeting the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Contract and their ability to complete 57%of the contract prior to the end of the second quarter. The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m. The Rev. Willie Davila, Chairperson Date Minutes Approved 4W 5