05/07/1996
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COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD - CITY OF CLEARWATER
Minutes of Meeting - May 7, 1996
MEMBERS PRESENT
Gabriel Cazares
Susan Diner
Herbert Freitag
Wayne Meissner
James Murray, Jr.
Jill Perrino
Kay Vega
CITY STAFF PRESENT
Eleanor Breland
Sally Ruby
Karen Cooper
MEMBERS ABSENT
Dana Hall
Jeffrey Jones
Gay McGill (Resigned)
Milton Rooks
Jonathan Wade
Naomi Williams
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Herbert Freitag, chairman. Roll was taken by
referencing the membership list.
Approval of the minutes of the November 29, 1995 meeting, forwarded to each Board Member
r::, for advance reading, was tabled due to lack of a quorum at the time.
Eleanor Breland reported on the proposed Pinellas County Consolidation, The St. Petersburg
Office of Human Relations withdrew from the agreement effectively ending all negotiations.
Since the City agreed to discussions only because the project was "county-wide," the plan will
not be pursued and is a l1dead issue" according to City Manager Betty Deptula. This and S1.
Petersburg's failure to give any reason for their withdrawal left Community Relations Board
Members believing the issue of consolidation won't resurface.
Gabe Cazares reported the 9uadalupe Festival held at St. Ceclias Church was a huge success.
The City, and Human Relations Department specifically, were well represented. Sally Ruby
passed pictures around and said the staff gave generously to the nice assortment of gifts collected
to give to children. Mr. Cazares reported general attendance at approximately 200 which
included supportive parishioners and others who were not Hispanic. He feels this shows the
church and community are recognizing the growing number of Hispanics in the area. In reply
to Mr. Freitag's question, Mr. Cazaras said he believes this will become a yearly festival
celebration.
Sally Ruby discussed the Clearwater Library's programs to celebrate to Black History Month.
Players from the Negro Baseball Leagues were invited to Clearwater to meet and talk with
children from neighboring schools. Also present to teach youngsters of the segregated history
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of our country was Dorothy Thompson owner of the Black History Museum in Clearwater. Her
ongoing fight for equality was also highlighted for the youngsters.
Ms. Ruby also took Ms. Thompson to the Largo Correctional Facility for Woman's History
Month. Ms. Thompson gave a lecture to the inmates about woman's history and her role in
promoting desegregation in Pinellas County. This was received so well that Correctional
Facility staff asked Ms. Thompson and Ms. Ruby to serve on an advisory board.
The Social Services Block Grant Funds Committee will meet Tuesday, May 28th, location to
be announced, per Eleanor Breland. The Committee will be reviewing City of Clearwater Social
Service Grant proposals and Social Service Grant Proposals for the Community Development
Block Grant Funds. In an effort to make more funds available to smaller groups, City Grants
are now limited to $10,000 per program, increased from $5000 last year. A total of $62,000
available for disbursement. Requests normally total 3 to 4 times that amount. The application
review process is a commitment of one full work day. Proposals will be copied, bound, tabbed
and mailed to volunteers for advance review. There are 5 repeat volunteers who will serve on
the committee. Ms. Breland requested two additional volunteers from the Community Relations
,Board. Jill Perrino and Herbert Freitag volunteered and were approved by Board consensus.
With a quorum now present, Jim Murray made a motion to accept the minutes of the November
29, 1995 meeting. The motion was seconded by Wayne Meissner and carried.
All minutes from City board meetings are filed in the City Clerk's oftice. Per Eleanor Breland,
the City Clerk asked that the procedures to file be reviewed with each board. Minutes from the
previous meeting go to the Board where they are approved or corrected. If corrected, they are
amended, resubmitted and approved as amended. The original of the approved minutes are
signed by the chairperson of the board and the acting secretary who signs to authenticate the
minutes. It is this finalized version of the board minutes that is filed with the City Clerk.
Accordingly, the original minutes of the November 29, 1995 Board will be filed after Mr.
Freitag and the preparer have signed. Per Ms. Breland, the City Clerk is aware that this Board
does not meet on a regular basis and minutes will be filed as available.
The Community Housing Resource Board and the Clearwater Board of Realtors worked together
to produce an educational video "Discrimination Then and Now" which was presented by Sally
Ruby for Board preview. Using local talent and a TV clip called "True Colors, II loaned by
ABC, the video offers a unique look at discrimination. The Board recognized Producer Sally
Ruby, Community Relations Board Chair Herbert Freitag and other local people for their
contribution to the production of this excellent film. Copies of uDiscrimination Then and Nowl1
are available for any organization or group and Ms. Ruby encouraged Board members to
suggest its use. Per Mr. Freitag, the Upper Pinellas Ministerial Association is already scheduled
to view the film. Also available from the Community Housing Resource Board, and bearing
their logo, is II Home Buying" an excellent booklet offering tips for the experienced or first time
home buyer.
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Gabe Cazaras expressed great concern about the future of civil rights. Minority commissions
haven't been funded by the federal government and organizations such as The California Civil
Rights Initiative (CCRI) had enough signatures to put Proposition 187 on the California ballot.
Mr. Cazaras fears that thirty years of gain in civil rights may be lost and he urges Board and
individual concern and involvement. The sixteenth Florida State LULAC Convention takes place
Saturday May 25, 1996 at Capdevilla's La Teresita with Roy Kaplan as the keynote speaker.
LULAC wi11 support the Black and Hispanic coalition being formed in Tampa to counteract
setbacks to civil rights. Sally Ruby recognized Mr. Cazaras as the local LULAC President for
this year.
:)
Board Chair Herbert Freitag commended the Human Relations Department for the exceptional
effort extended toward community involvement as documented by the number of community
related organizations and events in which staff actively participates.
Mr. Cazaras requested a letter of thanks be sent to the City Commission for the excellent "Fun
and Sun Parade" held May 4. Jim Murray would like written recognition sent to Religious
Community Services and their new full-time director for the good job they are doing. Mr.
Freitag will draft the two letters and get together with Ms. Ruby to get them sent.
i':)
Veronica James (ofOldsmar) contacted Mr. Cazaras concerning two hispanic students who travel
from Oldsmar on Bus 406 to the Clearwater Discovery School. The students are being picked
on then blamed for problems. Sue Diner suggested contacting the Discovery School Principal.
Apparently this has been done to no avail. Eleanor Breland suggested addressing the new
Director of Transportation. She will find his name, contact him about the problem and get his
name to Mr. Cazaras for Ms. James. Mr. Freitag asked Mr. Cazaras to follow up on the
problem and report back to the Board.
Mr. Cazaras reports that Roy Kaplan is concerned about the Skin Heads hanging out on Drew
Street at a place called "Crash & Burn. II According to the proprietor, there have not been any
problems to date. Wayne Meissner took the information and will report back.
Sally Ruby officially introduced new Board member, Jill Perrino. Ms. Perrino writes for the
"Tropical Breeze" and formerly worked with HRS. The Board is pleased to welcomed Ms.
Perrino.
Ms. Breland discussed position of .'Compliance Supervisor" for the Human Relations
Department. The position has not been funded for several years and will likely be removed
from the budget. The City Manager promises to work with the department to handle overflow
cases with contract investigators or in some suitable manner. Additionally, the preliminary city
budget is not complete due to the installation of the new City Commissioners. Ms. Breland will
keep Mr. Freitag updated on the budget as requested.
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There being no further business, a motion was made by Jim Murray and seconded by Wayne
Meissner to adjourn. The motion cart1edt meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
hai
Community Relations Board
Attest:
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