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04/29/1999COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER April 29, 1999 Present: Wayne Meissner Board Member Johnny Long Board Member Thomas Fry Board Member Isay Gulley Board Member Robert Reece Board Member E.J. Robinson Board Member Herbert Weed Board Member 5 Vacant Seats Also present: Eleanor Breland Human Relations Director Sally Ruby Human Relations Manager Karen Cooper Staff Assistant II Absent: Anne Johnson Board Member* * Ms. Johnson is declining recent appointment due to a child care situation. A letter to that effect is to be sent to the City Clerk Department. In the absence of an elected chairperson, the meeting was called to order by Sally Ruby at 5:35 P.M. in City Hall. Roll was called and board members briefly introduced themselves. To provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Elect Chair and Vice Chair Member Weed nominated Robert Reece for Board Chair. Nomination was seconded and approved unanimously. Member Gulley nominated Johnny Long for Board Vice Chair. Motion seconded and approved unanimously. Sally Ruby handed the gavel to newly elected Chair Bob Reece. Minutes Approval - February 9, 1998 Member Meissner moved to approve the February, 1998 minutes as submitted in writing to each member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Discussion of Proposed Changes to City Code of Ordinances Re: Division 4. Community Relations Board: Discussion of Paragraph (1) of Sec. 2.121. Creation; composition and paragraphs (1) and (2) of Sec. 2.123. Meetings. Member Weed moved to approve the following changes: The Board will consist of nine (9) members (previously 13); no more than four (4) members (previously 2) may be appointed from outside the corporate limits of the City and they must live or work (previously “be chosen from”) in the area of the County over which the City has jurisdiction by contract; the Community Relations Board shall be required to hold one meeting (previously four) per year; five (5) members (previously 7) shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of board business. The motion was duly seconded, and carried unanimously. Additional discussion of Paragraph (1) of Sec. 2.121. In an effort to take advantage of expertise available in the areas of discrimination, human and civil rights, and affirmative action, Member Meissner moved to add “human rights advocate” to the job categories listed: …There shall be on the board at all times at least four representatives from any of the following fields: retail merchandising; management; industrial management; real estate sales; property leasing; mortgage financing; law enforcement, human rights advocacy…. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. In Paragraph (1) of Section 2.1225. Powers and duties, the Board agreed by consensus that office of community relations should be corrected to reflect the current name of the department. The section would read: … Receive, investigate and pass upon complaints and to cause, through the Human Relations Department, investigations of…. When the City Legal Department has reviewed the suggested changes, the Board will be sent corrected copies of the Ordinance. If Board members have additional comments or concerns about the wording, they are to contact the Human Relations staff. New Business Sally Ruby reported on community activities: The Human Relations Department and the City of Clearwater were honored to sponsor in part the 19th Annual Florida State LULAC Conference (League of United Latin American Citizens) held May 21 through 23 in the Sailing Center. The conference was highly successful and contributed positively to the City’s efforts to be aware of and meet the needs of an ever increasing Hispanic population. To further Board knowledge about happenings in the community, Ms. Ruby advised that Planned Parenthood is working to open a facility in northern Pinellas County. Planned Parenthood goal is to decrease teen pregnancy by offering education before pregnancy occurs. This information is not currently available through any health care facilities in the area. Member Long sought information about the functions of the Board. He feels that the Board is a link to the community with community information that is sometimes actionable. Any Board member with pertinent information may call the Board chair who can call a meeting if necessary. Further, each Board member receives a yearly non-specific report about the cases being processed by the Human Relations Department. Staff has been advised that Member Anne Johnson will be resigning due to personal obligations. This and Commission approval of above Ordinance changes will create two board vacancies. Board members are asked to submit candidates to the City Clerk Office. There being no further business, Chair Reece requested a moment of personal privilege to say that he is pleased to serve as Board Chair and pledges his full support and cooperation to work together with the Board to make a difference. Adjournment Member Fry made a motion to adjourn which was duly seconded and approved. Meeting adjourned at 5:45 P.M.