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HAAB Minutes 08/14/1991 Minutes Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting August 14, 1991 COLLXER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMKXSSXONERS HXSPANXC AFFAXRS ADVXSORY BOARD Minutes of Meeting August 14, 1991 8:30 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Zac Lucio Alex Castro Nelson Munoz Antonio Perez-Benitoa Gloria Dominguez Jorge Perez Avila Dr. Frank Beltran Jaime Gutierrez Bernardo Garcia STAFF PRESENT: Ramiro Manalich: Staff Liaison to Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Assistant to the County Manager Staff Liaison To Black Affairs Advisory Board Jennifer pike: Margret B. Bowles: The organizational meeting of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board was held in the Board of County Commissioners meeting room, Building F, of the Collier County Government Complex on August 14, 1991 at 8:30 a.m. Members were welcomed by Jennifer Pike, Assistant to the County Manager, and by Commissioner Burt Saunders. Commissioner Saunders expressed to the members of the Board that it was his desire to see the Board function as a bridge of communication between the Hispanic Community and the Board of County Commissioners so that the needs and rights of the Hispanic community could be addressed by the Board of County Commissioners. The Board also heard from Mr. victor Valdes, editor of Las Naciones newspaper, who thanked Commissioner Saunders for his work in creating the advisory board. Mr. Valdes also stated that it had been his dream for a number of years to create a mechanism in county government to assist the Hispanic community. Ramiro Manalich, Assistant County Attorney, called the meeting to order for the purpose of transacting organizational business required by Ordinance No. 91-37, as amended. 1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Zac Lucio was elected Board chairman by a 7-2 vote. Alex Castro was elected vice chairman by secret ballot upon a 5-4 vote. Gloria Dominguez was unanimously elected secretary of the Board. -1- 2. TERMS OF OFFICE. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously for the following initial terms of office, in accordance with section Three of Ordinance No. 91-37, as amended. a. Three members for two vears Antonio Perez-Benitoa Dr. Frank Beltran Jaime Gutierrez b. Three members for three vears Nelson Munoz Bernardo Garcia Gloria Dominguez c. Three members for four vears Zac Lucio Alex Castro Jorge Perez Avila 4. RESOLUTION TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to submit a resolution to the Commissioners recommending for the forthcoming year the duly-elected chairman, vice chairman and secretary and the initial terms of office for each member of the Board. The Board requested staff to submit this resolution for adoption at the regular Commission meeting on the consent agenda. 5. ORDINANCE NO. 91-37. AS AMENDED. Staff reviewed with members the ordinance creating the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board. a. Section Five. caraorach "C". The Board briefly discussed Robert's Rules of Order as a source of procedural rules for the Board. Further dis- cussion on this topic was deferred until the next meeting. b. Sunshine Laws. Staff briefly reviewed the significance of the public meeting laws and the public records laws with regard to the Board's transaction of business. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public. Mr. Lucio stated for the record that he and several other members of the Board are also members of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and LULAC and that they often meet to discuss the business of those -2- two organizations. Mr. Lucio wanted it under- stood that he would in all respects conform to the Sunshine Laws and that any discussions between the other members and him would not relate to the business of the Hispanic Advisory Board except when convened in a proper public meeting. Mr. Perez-Benitoa suggested that in the event of such non-advisory board meetings, the other members might want to have a non-advisory board member present to confirm that no advisory board business was discussed at any such meeting. c. section Seven. caraorach "D". Mr. Gutierrez suggested interaction with the Black Affairs Advisory Board through joint meetings. Mr. Garcia suggested sharing minutes with the Black Affairs Board through each Board's secretary. d. section Eioht. A discussion was had regarding the meaning of "technical support" by staff for the members of the Board. Questions were raised regarding a budget for mailings, typing of minutes, a permanent staff person to assist the Board and other secretarial support. Ramiro Manalich was requested to report on these questions at the next meeting. e. section Seven. Two principal issues were raised in this area. First, could the Advisory Board address problems relating to local government entities other than the Board of County commissioners (for example, the City of Naples Police Department or the school board)? Ramiro Manalich was to report at the next meeting regarding this question. The second issue regarding the functions, powers and duties of the Board provoked an intense discussion. The issue is whether the Advisory Board can only address matters of general concern to the Hispanic community or whether it can concern itself with investigating and reporting to the Board of County Commissioners about individual cases. The matter was highlighted by the attendance of Mr. Manuel Rodriguez, Jr. who appeared to complain that he had been terminated from his position with Collier County for improper reasons. victor Valdes insisted that hearing individual cases involving Collier County government was part of the work of the Board and what would distinguish it from operating simply as a bureaucracy. Other members expressed concern as to whether every grievance could be heard by the Board and as to what would be the -3- best manner to address these cases. Mr. Perez- Benitoa insisted that there was a need to determine what would be the role of the Board in the future. Mr. Munoz stressed his view that the Board should serve to gather information and evaluate said information presenting a solution to broad based problems to the Board of County Commissioners. Ramiro Manalich was asked by the Board to report to the Board at the next meeting regarding the functions of the Board under this section of the Ordinance. The Board decided to discuss the creation of subcommittees to handle different aspects of the Board's duties. Said discussion was scheduled to occur at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 5. OTHER BUSINESS. a. Press release. The Board decided to prepare a press release regarding its initial meeting which would be submitted to the press through the county Manager's office. b. Recoonition of victor Valdes for his efforts on behalf of the Hiscanic communitv. A motion was passed unanimously by the Board to recognize Mr. victor Valdes for his efforts and contributions on behalf of the Hispanic community of Collier County. A resolution or motion to that effect would be drafted by Mr. Garcia and discussed at the next meeting. c. Next meetino. The Board voted to have the next meeting on August 29, 1991 at 8:30 a.m. at Building H, Collier County Government Center. Respectfully submitted, Ramiro Manalich Staff Liaison to Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board APPROVED BY THE BOARD ON , 1991 Zac Lucio, Chairman of the Board rrnfkkef4499 -4-