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01/28/1997COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER January 28, 1997 Present: Herbert Freitag Chair Gabriel Cazares Member (departed 6:25 p.m.) Susan Diner Member Wayne Meissner Member James Murray, Jr. Member Jill Perrino Member Johnny Long Member Milton Rooks Member Thomas Fry Member (arrived 5:50 p.m.) Vacant Seat Sid Klein Police Chief (departed 6:40 p.m.) Eleanor Breland Human Relations Director Sally Ruby Human Relations Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent:: Jeffrey Jones Member Jonathan Wade Member Naomi Williams Member 1. Call to Order A. Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Chair Freitag at 5:30 p.m. at the Police Headquarters Building, 645 Pierce Street, Clearwater, Florida. In order to provide continuity for research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Approval of Minutes - September 17, 1996 and December 17, 1996 Member Wayne Meissner moved to approve the minutes of September 17, 1996 and December 17, 1996 as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Old Business A. Report - Police Chief Sid Klein Police Chief Sid Klein gave an overview of some efforts the Clearwater Police Department is taking to avoid the type of situation that occurred in St. Petersburg. This process includes working very closely with the community to build trust and confidence. Community policing can mean different things in different cities, and there is no right or wrong way in which it is done. There are various levels of preparedness to prevent problems. Communication is the first step towards finding solutions to community issues. Other plans are in place to address issues and restore calm to the community, including a Citizen Response Team. Many community issues involve basic quality of life issues, such as jobs and educational opportunities. It was noted the Police Department and other City officials have been conducting meetings in North Greenwood to address various issues in the community. The North Greenwood Community Task Team has been instrumental in developing an action plan which was recommended to the City. The Police Department has implemented computer learning centers in substations in an effort to provide educational opportunities to young people. Aggressive grant funding opportunities at the state and federal level continues, especially for North Greenwood. In conjunction with the Pinellas County School System and federal grants received, the Police Department can hire teachers who already know the children in the community. They will tutor youth at the community learning centers. A job skills training center is being developed, operated under the Police Department in partnership with other local community organizations. It is geared toward assisting youth in developing the necessary skills and methods for obtaining employment. It was suggested that members of the Community Relations Board contact a member of the NGCTT (North Greenwood Community Task Team) and other organizations throughout the community to attend their meetings. This may provide a more in-depth understanding of some community issues and concerns that need to be addressed. Eleanor Breland will contact the NGCTT regarding a member of this board attending their meeting. It was noted personal and parental responsibility is necessary for success and change in the community. Isolation between the races is not the answer. Government cannot solve these problems alone. It was suggested that members contact Mr. Roy Kaplan, one of the top human rights leaders in Florida, to schedule seminars on race relations. A concern was raised that affirmative action is being de-emphasized and it is critical for everyone to work together. A remark was made that lending institutions do not respond favorably to certain areas in need of assistance in the City. A local bank branch within the minority community would show confidence in the community. It was noted there is no central “clearing house” or “resource” in the City to effectively review and evaluate issues and ideas vital to obtaining grants and implementing changes throughout the City. B. 1997 Meeting Schedule A special meeting will be scheduled to discuss the general purpose and direction of this Board. The 1997 meeting schedule will be re-addressed at the next meeting. Some members are late coming to meetings due to other commitments. It was noted that the City Clerk’s Department must be notified should the meeting day be changed in order to ensure that a Board Reporter is available. 4. New Business A. Chairman’s Report No formal report was given. B. Member Reports on Community Involvement It was suggested that various other organizations throughout the community be contacted regarding involvement in community issues. Some organizations mentioned included the Sertoma, the Lion’s Club, Kiwanis Clubs, and the Rotary Club. It was agreed that this will be discussed at the Special Community Relations Board meeting. C. Staff Report Human Relations Manager, Sally Ruby, noted that she has spoken to Mr. Roy Kaplan, who has agreed to product human rights educational materials utilizing HUD funding. He will work on this project during the next several months. Ms. Ruby has also met with members of the Bahias from St. Petersburg. The Bahias have been instrumental in working with some of the task forces in St. Petersburg, and have been working closely with Mr. Kaplan. In response to a question, Ms. Ruby noted the housing discrimination case which previously came before the Board (Turman v. Giss) is going to court. The City has funded the legal expenses for the case. Had it gone the administrative route, damages would have been severely restricted for the charging party. Ms. Ruby noted the mediation process is proceeding favorably. Results are outstanding. 5. Other Business No other business was discussed. 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.