HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Human Relations Commission - 06/06/1996 MINUTES
OF THE
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING
June 6, 1996
Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent
Rev. Willie Davila Mr. Josemanuel Baiiales
Dr. Kate Haltom Ms. Abigail A. Wemeke
Rabbi Paul Joseph Ms. Corina Garcia
Mr. Clyde Bourke
Ms. Jimmie McCum
Mr. Errol Summerlin
Ms. Anna M. Mercado Staff Present
Mr. Kareem Goffigon Helen It Gurley, Administrator
Mr. Terry Mills Adell Lucas, Secretary
The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by the Chair, Rev. Willie Davila. Roll
call was taken and a quorum was present to conduct a legally constituted meeting.
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APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
It was moved, seconded and voted that the Minutes of May 2, 1996 be approved.
CHAIR'S COMMENTS
Rev.Willie Davila read a letter from the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance. The Alliance and
the City of Corpus Christi have formed the Community Progress Partnership to assess the community
needs. The Alliance provided a proposal form with names, fax numbers and telephone numbers who
the Commissioners can get in contact with should they have a program to recommend for review with
to the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance.
Committee Reports
Mayor's Committee on Disability- Dr. Kate Haltom-No Report
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Housing-Ms. Jimmie McCum
Commissioner McCum stated the old ordinance is still in the process of being combined with the new
revision that has already been approved in varies article areas, and in speaking to Dr. Gurley learned
that the final ordinance is soon to be finish. The Ordinance will come back to the Commission for
review of the changes and approval before it goes to the City Council.
Rev. Davila asked whether the Ordinance will go directly to Washington, D. C. before City Council
approval. Dr. Gurley stated the revised ordinance will go to the enforcement unit in Fort Worth and
will be reviewed and they will let us know if there are any changes. It will then be forwarded to
General Counsel in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gurley also stated that when the ordinance goes before
the City Council for approval, they will know the ordinance has passed through General Counsel-
HUD in Washington D. C., and when the Commission present the ordinance to them it will be
substantial equivalent to the federal law.
Housing Authority Progress Report-Errol Summerlin
Rev. Davila stated in the May meeting that there were several complaints from residents in the Corpus
Christi Housing Authority. The Chairman of that committee is in Houston on a family emergency,
but sent a letter saying the committee has not made a determination on their findings. However, they
should have a report at the July meeting.
Commissioners that were not at the May meeting wanting to know what types of complaint were
made before the Commission. Complaints were of mis-management, insensitivity by Housing
Authority official, sexual, racial and age discrimination. During the Public Hearing in May, we heard
an employee had slapped a youth resident. Also charges of repairs not being made on apartment units
that housed majority African American families.
Unfinished Business
None
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HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
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New Business
Community Block Grant Block Development-Fair Housing - Tom Utter, Assistant City Manager
Tom Utter, Assistant City Manager,gave an overview of the Community Block Grant Development.
He discussed the hisotry and present activities of Community Block Grant Development. The City
received about 5 million dollars from the Community Block Grant Development this past year.
Mr.Utter explained the process on submitting a Community Block Grant. The proposals are taken
by the City staff and rank the proposal base on the number of people it serves, percentage that are
low income and what affect it will have on the City. Then, the recommendations are made to the
Planning Commission which holds a major public hearing. The Planning Commission makes a
decision on what to recommend to the City Council. The City Council then holds a public hearing
and they normally make a tentative list of what they want to have funded. Thirty days after the
hearing, a Community Block Grant Plan is usually adopted.
Mr. Utter stated there will be funds next year and if the Director or Commission wants to go for an
application get it in early with a reason for the application. You can be assured the City Staff will
recommend the proposal to the Planning Commission. He also suggested for some of the
Commissioners to go before the Planning Commission's public hearing and make the presentation.
Administrator's Report
1. Monthly Report
Dr. Gurley gave a report on the closures, inquiries and intakes for May 1996.
2. Training
Dr. Gurley stated the commissioners should complete their mediation training this month.
The Commissioners will have to mediate ten(10)cases before they receive their certification.
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3. Report on June 14, 1996 Conference
Dr. Gurley reported that the Employment Conference plans were complete. Dr. Gurley
thanked Commissioner Mercado for her assistant on the logistics for the conference. Also
based on the registration, we hope to have 200-225 in attendance of the conference.
Commissioner Joyce Tucker from Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will be the
luncheon speaker and will be giving information on what is going on in Washington D. C.
The speakers presenting the workshops are attorneys from various law firms from the Corpus
Christi and San Antonio, Texas areas.
Dr. Gurley also stated that if anyone is interested in getting CEU credit from Del Mar
College, there is a small fee of$5.00.
PUBLIC COMMENTS- 2 Minutes
None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Chair Date