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HAAB Minutes 04/23/2009 R April 23, 2009 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD Naples, Florida, April 23, 2009 LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 6:00 PM in REGULAR SESSION in Building "F," 3rd floor, of the Government Complex, Naples, Florida, with the following Members present: Chairman: Valaree D. Maxwell Raymond Cabral (Excused) David Correa Renato F. Fernandez Manuel Gonzalez Cosme Perez (Excused) Ernesto Velasquez ALSO PRESENT: Mike Sheffield, Assistant to the County Manager April 23, 2009 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairman Valaree Maxwell at 6:02 PM and a quorum was established. II. Approval of Meeting Agenda Ernesto Velasquez requested to add his Housing Report under Item V, "Old Business," as "D. " Ernesto Velasquez moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Second by Renato F. Fernandez. Carried unanimously, 5-0. III. Approval of Minutes from March 28, 2009 Meeting Correction: · The 2010 Census Report was given by Raymond Cabral, not David Correa. Ernesto Velasquez moved to approve the Minutes as amended. Second by Chairman Maxwell. Carried unanimously, 5-0. IV. Public Speakers (None) VI. New Business A. Introduction of HAAB applicant, Zetty Yetny Rivera, and recommendation to the BCe for appointment of a new member to the HAAB Mike Sheffield noted that there are currently two vacancies on the HAAB which have been advertised as required. Ms. Rivera was the only applicant. Ms. Rivera gave a short synopsis of her background. She is: · a real estate and licensed mortgage broker and owns her own company; · a member ofEl Rey Jesus Hispanic Church and an Usher Leader · was born in Venezuela and moved to the U.S.12 years ago, and . a registered voter. There was a discussion of the duties, responsibilities, and limitations ofHAAB membership. The Members questioned Ms. Rivera concerning her reasons for wanting to join the HAAB. Reference was made to a directive contained in Section 7 of the Ordinance that created the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board: "The [Hispanic Affairs Advisory] Board shall identify and evaluate problems within the Hispanic Community. " It was noted the HAAB's function is to identify potential problems that could affect the Board of County Commissioners' ability to administer or govern. It was stressed that the HAAB is not an activist Board. A second directive was also noted: "The [Hispanic Affairs Advisory] Board shall review and recommend ways to ensure open communication between the Hispanic Community and the County Government for the purpose of addressing problems. " Mike Sheffield stated Ms. Rivera met the criteria outlined in the County's Ordinance. 2 April 23, 2009 Chairman Maxwell moved to accept the application of Zetty Rivera. Second by David Correa. Carried unanimously, 5-0. Mike Sheffield stated he will notify the Board of County Commissioners that Ms. Rivera was the recommended applicant ofthe Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board. She will be notified of her appointment by the Board of County Commissioners. V. Old Business A. Law Enforcement Report - Manny Gonzalez Minority Task Force Meeting: · There are several openings within the Sheriff s Department · Sheriff Rambosk outlined his plan to make the Collier County Sheriffs Office responsive to the concerns of all Collier County citizens o Wants to keep services and not reduce levels of public safety o Plans to revitalize key organizational committees within the CCSO o The high number of vacant homes (4,000+) are attractive to criminal elements from other Counties · Collier County has one of the lowest crime rates in the State o The Immokalee Jail has been closed as a cost-cutting measure and the crime rate has not been affected · The County participates in the ICE ("Immigration & Customs Enforcement") Program - an alliance with Homeland Security o Criminal illegal aliens are identified, prosecuted, and deported o Savings of $500,000 per month for the County . The Sheriff plans to expand community partnership o Neighborhood Safety Teams, Crisis Intervention Teams, and Citizens Advisory Council o Deputies are to become more approachable, professional, and give courteous service o Expand understanding of various minority cultures within County · The Mission: To protect and preserve the lives, property, and Constitutional rights of the County's residents, with service to others coming before self. There was a discussion concerning racial profiling, discrimination, and the Latino Community. Reference was made to a recent article in the Naples Daily News. It was suggested members of the ARAB could volunteer to serve on the Citizens Advisory Councilor on one of the Teams the Sheriffs Office is going to organize. B. Update from the Hispanic Heritage Month Subcommittee - Ernesto Velasquez The Subcommittee met on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. In attendance were Renato Fernandez, Mike Sheffield and Tatiana Gust. Members of the general public also attended. [David Correa was also a member of the Subcommittee but could not attend the meeting.] Goals: . To plan an art exhibition 3 April 23, 2009 · Recognition of Hispanic role model for the year - criteria is being established for nominations. Mike and Tatiana will consult with the County Attorney's Office regarding a draft nomination form. · Nominees will be reviewed by the HAAB; HAAB will determine the winner Mike Sheffield noted he took summary minutes of the Subcommittee meeting which will be presented at the next HAAB meeting. A Member asked if enough time had been allotted to accomplish the goals. Chairman Maxwell stated she was reinstating the Naples Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and would have 300 to 400 individuals available to lend assistance to him. She suggested holding a "Gala" that will be open to the public, as well as the Hispanic Community. The advantage of having sponsorship from the Naples Hispanic Chamber of Commerce would be the lack of red-tape, problems with the Sunshine Law, and funding would be available. Mike Sheffield stated the Board of County Commissioners will need to approve the project. He suggested it is a large endeavor and referring the project to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will have more resources and the transfer could be easily accomplished by a motion. There was a discussion concerning the option presented by the Chairman. Mike Sheffield stated the County could help find a location for the art exhibit. He stated he did notify the BCC that a Subcommittee had been formed but had not received any comments. There was further discussion concerning what would happen if the BCC rejected the project. Chairman Maxwell pointed out that the Hispanic Chamber could expand upon Mr. Velasquez' idea and could add an educational component as well. Discussion continued. Chairman Maxwell moved to disband the Hispanic Heritage Month Subcommittee and to transfer the project to the Naples Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Velasquez was opposed and left the meeting at 7:04 PM. Without a second and quorum, the Motion was not considered. (7:04 PM - Mr. Velasquez left and quorum was lost.) Chairman Maxwell stated the meeting would continue for "information only." Mike Sheffield confirmed no action or voting could take place since quorum was lost. A member asked why only Colombians were being honored during Hispanic Heritage Month when at least 20 other nationalities resided in Collier County. Mike Sheffield stated the County will not provide any funds that might be required. Members expressed confusion and the general consensus was the purpose ofthe proclamation was not clearly understood. Objections were noted to the proclamation in general, and specifically to allowing it to be presented to the BCC. The topic will be included on next month's agenda. 4 April 23, 2009 C. Education Report - Valaree Maxwell (Not presented) D. Housing Report - Ernesto Velasquez (Not presented) VI. New Business B. Introduction of Tatiana Gust, new staff liaison to the HAAB Mike Sheffield introduced Ms. Gust to the Members. VII. Member and Staff eomments VIII. Action Items(s) to the Board of County eommissioners (None) IX. Next Meeting: May 28, 2009 There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the ehair at 7:15 P.M. COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Valaree D. Maxwell, Chairman The Minutes were approved by the Board/Committee on as presented or as amended 5