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09/17/1996COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER September 17, 1996 Present: Herbert Freitag Chair Gabriel Cazares Member Wayne Meissner Member Jill Perrino Member Milton Rooks Member Jonathan Wade Member Naomi Williams Member Thomas Fry Member Eleanor Breland Human Relations Director Sally Ruby Human Relations Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: Susan Diner Member James Murray, Jr. Member Kay Vega Member Jeffrey Jones Member I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:44 p.m. in the third floor conference room at City Hall, Clearwater, Florida. In order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. A. ROLL CALL Sally Ruby, Human Relations Manager, called the roll. She announced that the City Clerk’s office has provided a board reporter to take minutes at all CRB (Community Relations Board) meetings. B. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER Mr. Freitag introduced and welcomed Mr. Thomas Fry as a new member. Mr. Fry gave a brief overview of his background. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, MAY 17, 1996 MEETING Mr. Meissner moved to approve the minutes of May 17, 1996 as submitted in writing to members by the secretary. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. III. OLD BUSINESS A. SOCIAL SERVICES GRANTS ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE Mr. Freitag said he has served on the Social Services Grants Advisory Board. The City has a certain amount of funds available for charitable organizations. The Social Services Grants Advisory Board used a point system and criteria to determine monetary awards. Mr. Freitag said the method of awarding funds was arrived by taking into consideration the types of services provided, rather than funding by mathematical calculations. He said it was somewhat limiting to have a strict mathematical calculation or formula without consideration of the type of work performed in the community, or the number of people who would benefit from funds. Some organizations did not receive funds because the Board felt they were already supported generously by the City. Mr. Freitag will be available to answer questions at the next City Commission meeting. Clearwater residency percentages for recommended agencies were supplied to the Commission. They requested additional information before future funding is granted. Mr. Freitag said recommendations were made to the Commission to change questionnaires and mathematical calculations. Ms. Breland will supply CRB members with a list of organizations and recommended awards. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. TURMAN V. GISS (HUD/COCR DUAL FILED CHARGE) This is the CRB’s first fair housing cause case filed under the Clearwater City ordinance. Ms. Ruby reviewed the process involved for such cases. B. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Results of the City Commission’s review of social service funding recommendations will be reported at the next meeting. C. MEMBER’S REPORTS ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Board members reviewed other organizations with which they are affiliated. It was noted that affirmative action is being de-emphasized. A decision has been made not to fund minority commissions at the state level. Education and medical care for children of illegal aliens and language barrier issues are among those being reviewed in Washington. Fears are decisions will be disastrous for minorities. It was noted St. Cecilia’s has offered significant assistance to Hispanics in this area. Circulars from USF on immigration were distributed. It was noted the History Museum near the entrance to the St. Petersburg Pier has an interesting exhibit of residents’ ethnic backgrounds. The move to change ratios for court ordered busing in schools is being addressed in the school system. It was suggested members attend Community Alliance meetings to express their views on the subject. D. STAFF REPORT The inventory of discrimination cases is mounting and a mediation program is expected to be in place sometime next month. The Clearwater BAR Association has offered to mediate City cases free of charge. The program will serve as a model for the state of Florida. One City staff member will attend each mediation session and court certified mediators will handle cases. Ms. Ruby will gather information on whether board members can attend mediation sessions. The EEOC’s new case prioritization system was discussed. It was noted Mr. Freitag’s church sponsored a Habitat for Humanity house on Betty Lane. It was suggested sending the Habitat for Humanity article to the Commission. Congratulations to Mr. Freitag, who has been named the Trustee of the Year by the International Council of Community Churches. HUD is donating $5,000 for the purchase of a new computer, so that future cases can be processed electronically. Additionally, HUD has designated $10,000 to be utilized for fair housing outreach and education during the coming year. V. OTHER BUSINESS No other business was discussed. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.