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HAAB Minutes 11/29/2007 November 29,2007 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD Naples, Florida, November 29,2007 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 6:00 PM in REGULAR SESSION at Administrative Building "F", 3rd Floor, Collier County Government Center, Naples, Florida with the following members present: Chairman: James Van Fleet Vice Chairman: David Correa (Excused) Raymond Cabral Renato F. Fernandez Manuel Gonzalez Valaree D. Maxwell (Excused) Cosme Perez (Excused) Ernesto Velasquez Luis Alejandro Bernal Also Present: Mike Sheffield, County Manger's Office November 29,2007 I. Introduction A. Opening Remarks/Welcome The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman James Van Fleet. Mr. Van Fleet noted the HAAS Committee would not meet in December & thanked everyone for their service in 2007. B. Approval of Meeting Agenda Renato Fernandez moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Ernesto Velasquez. Motion carried unanimously 6-0. C. Approval of the October 25, 2007 HAAB Meeting minutes Ernesto Velasquez moved to approve the Minutes of October 25, 2007. Second by Raymond Cabral. Motion carried unanimously 6-0. II. Old Business None III. New Business A. Topics/Projects for 2008 Jim Van Fleet introduced Luis Alejandro Bernal, the newly appointed member of the HAAB Committee. Manuel Gonzalez stated the need to identify issues that are of concern to the Hispanic Community. The stated Mission for the Committee is to transport issues of the Hispanic Community to the Board of County Commissioners. Noting that the issues could be nullified by the Board of County Commissioners based on validity. Renato Fernandez stated the HAAB function is limited by the Board of County Commissioners. The Committee is not permitted to act on ideas, noting approval must be granted by the Board of County Commissioners. He suggested presenting a proposal to the Board of County Commissioners to allow communications with the Community. Luis Bernal stated a need to identify issues that not only affect Hispanics but the whole community. Recommended conducting research & communicating with Community Leaders. He suggested relaying the issues though the media. Noting the research did not need to be extensive i.e. sociological or political, just based on common sense. Ernesto Velasquez expressed continuing to enforce the Committee presence with Government entities i.e. Minorities Group / Sheriffs Department. He also suggested being more proactive with Schools. Jim Van Fleet reported he has participated on the School District's Diversity Committee over the past several years. Stating one objection was the infrequent meetings. He added for the November meeting he was I of the 3 members that attended & the next meeting was not scheduled until February. He emphasized the meetings are "open" & encouraged the Committee members to attend. 2 November 29,2007 Raymond Cabral recommended to be effective to the Board of County Commissioners adding a Forum to the 2008 Agenda for Community Leaders. He stated a need to gain community perspective. He reported on an article that classified Naples High & Immokalee as the "drop out factory." Renato Fernandez stated Immokalee is classified as an underprivileged community and is receiving assistance. The area from 951 to US41 has numerous Spanish people, he suggested inviting Manatee Middle School Principal. Raymond Cabral suggested inviting Community Club Members to identify community problems. Discussions ensued and it was determined holding a community forum consisting of 5 -7 community leaders would be advantageous. The Committee would extend an invitation for the January 24, 2008 meeting to the following: . Manatee Middle School Principal . Community Leaders . Chamber of Commerce Members . Hospitals . Health Department Jim Van Fleet recommended the Committee review a Study conducted by the University of Florida addressing the needs of the young people of Collier County. Mike Sheffield responded the Study titled "A Child of Well Being" was available in PDF format & would email to the Committee for their review. Discussions continued and the Community Forum invitation would also include: . Hodges University . Hospitals . Health Department . Social Services . Children & Family Services . Pace Program . Tom Davis - Minority Affairs / Sheriffs Offlce . Economic Development Council . Chip Program Mike Sheffield requested a confirmed list of the attendees be emailed to his office by January IS, 2008. Renato Fernandez suggested contacting the media. Mike Sheffield reminded the Committee of the primary purpose of the HAAB Board was to advise the Board of County Commissioners. Manuel Gonzalez recommended a time limit be placed on accepting guest speakers. In order to determine what program would be developed & to make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. 3 November 29,2007 Jim Van Fleet suggested scheduling a meeting in February to discuss the HAAB findings. Luis Bernal announced he has extended an invitation to the President of Columbia to visit Naples. Manuel Gonzalez queried Mr. Bernal on the Columbian Government & Latin American figures historically asserted our political leaders should preserve open borders between the United States, Mexico, & Canada. He stated the migration problems were internal due to gross negligence of reform. He noted it should be addressed inwardly in-lieu of criticizing our leaders & violating our statutes. Luis Bernal responded that it was a topic that could be discussed for years with no resolution. Manuel Gonzalez questioned if it would affect diplomatic relations with Latin America once the borders were closed. Luis Bernal replied "no." Manuel Gonz3Iez reported the findings from the death of a Haitian man who jumped into a canal trying to flee. The gentleman had a history of severe asthma with cocaine in his system. It was noted his death was ruled accidental & was not caused by electrocution from the combination of water & use ofa Taser gun, as was originally claimed. The deputy was exonerated based on the findings. An article published by the Associated Press titled "Immigrants Ripped offby Phone Card Fraud" was distributed. (See attached) Ernesto Velasquez reported Dr. Thompson / Superintendent of Hodges University is under scrutiny for initiating change to the "double credit system." He referenced the "Final Report to the District School Board of Collier County" written by Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. expressing concern that students were receiving credit for courses such as weightlifting. Dr. Thompson would be visiting his class on Monday & Mr.Velasquez welcomed any questions or comments that could be of aid to Dr. Thompson. (See attached) Mike Sheffield stated that comments & questions could be emailed to him & would be forwarded to Mr.Velasquez. Manuel Gonzalez stated DCF participation was possible for the Community Forum. It was determined that the list would be tabulated and presented to the Jim Van Fleet for the selection of 2-6 speakers. IV. Comments / Announcements None V. Public Comments Rosa Castillo / Hispanic Publication stated she would report the results from the meeting to inform the community. Jim Van Fleet recommended that an invitation to attend the Community Forum be extended to the public. 4 November 29,2007 Being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 7:01 P.M. COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE James Van Fleet, Chairman These Minutes approved by the Board/Committee on as presented or as amended 5