HAAB Minutes 10/18/1991
Minutes
Hispanic Affairs
Advisory Board
Meeting
October 18, 1991
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING
OCTOBER 18, 1991
7:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Gloria Dominguez
Alex Castro
Zac Lucio
Jorge Perez Avila
Jaime Gutierrez
Nelson Mufioz
MEMBERS ABSENT
Bernardo Garcia
Antonio Perez-Benitoa
STAFF PRESENT
Ramiro Mafialich: Staff Liaison to
Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board
The meeting of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board was held in the
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room, Building F, Third
Floor, of The Collier County Government Complex on October 18,
1991 at 7:00 p.m. Zac Lucio, Chairman of the Hispanic Board,
called the meeting to order. The Board members approved the
minutes of the October 4, 1991 meeting.
Chairman's Report
Mr. Zac Lucio introduced Michelle Edwards, Planner II of the
Collier County Government Growth Planning Department. Ms. Edwards
presented the redistricting process of the Collier County Board of
Commissioners. Ms. Edwards read the rules and Amendments of the
Voting Rights Act of 1965 on minority groups. She also explained
in detail the proposed and existing district lines and presented
the following handouts:
1- A map of the commission's proposed district lines.
2. A map of the Commission's existing district lines.
3. A chart of existing and proposed Commission district
population figures.
4. And a chart of the Collier County School Board's
proposed member residence areas, which includes three
options.
Mr. Gutierrez wanted to know whether the proposed district lines
distribution was political or educational.
Mr. victor Valdes, editor of "Las Naciones" newspaper explained to
members and the public the difference between the two proposals
and encouraged the acceptance of the East Naples Association
proposal.
A motion was made to accept the East Naples proposal. It was
seconded and passed.
Mr. Mafialich suggested to the Board to have a spokesman from the
H. A. A. B. to present the acceptance of the East Naples proposal
to the Board of Commissioners offices.
A motion was made to have Zac Lucio and Jorge Avila present the
acceptance of the East Naples proposal to the Board of County
commissioners. It was seconded and passed. A motion was made to
accept the East Naples Proposal for the School Board District. It
was seconded and passed.
Mr. Gutierrez suggested to the group the need to have a speaker
from the School Board explain its goals for the Hispanic Community
in order to know what we are supporting.
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Mr. Perez Avila made a motion to have a member present to
School Board the acceptance of the East Naples proposal.
so we will be consistent with the County's proposal.
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In doing
Staff Report
Mr. Mafialich reported to the H. A. A. B. the visit of Mr. Leo Ochs
and Mr. Thomas Whitecotton to the Black Affairs Advisory Board.
He stated that Mr. Ochs and Mr. Whitecotton will be happy to
address our Board on issues involving the Collier County
Administration and resources, also we may want to meet with the
Purchasing Director.
A motion was made to invite Mr. Ochs and Mr. Whitecotton to visit
the H. A. A. B. It was seconded and passed. Mr. Mafialich also
reported to the Board his conversation with Ms. Sue Filson
regarding the victor Valdes prOClamation. It was suggested the
victor Valdes proclamation be handled by the H. A. A. B. A motion
was made to present the victor Valdes proclamation at our next
Board Meeting.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Housinq Committee
Mr. Jaime Gutierrez, Chairman of the Housing Committee informed
the Board of his conversation with the Mayor of the City of
Naples. Mr. Gutierrez requested of the Mayor to be on the list of
participants of future boards formed by the County and of the city
of Naples. Mr. Gutierrez was advised to speak with Mr. Fred
Thomas, Director of the Housing Authority in order to obtain
information about plans for the Hispanic Community.
Education Committee
Mr. Bernardo Garcia, Acting Chairman of the Education Committee
was absent therefore no report was presented at this meeting.
Law Enforcement Committee
Mr. Perez-Benitoa has an excused absence at this meeting therefore
Mr. Jorge Avila reported to the Board the following information.
The Sheriff's Department has 750 employees of which 50 are
Hispanics; according to the Census Report of 1990 the
representation should be 14.5%.
The Hispanic representation in the Sheriff's Department has a
shortage of 59 employees. Mr. Avila reported to the Board that he
will meet with Sheriff Hunter and will present the following
recommendations:
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A. The hiring of at least 10 Hispanics within the next
year.
B. The difference of 49 Hispanics to be hired within the
next three years if the budget permits.
Health Committee
Ms. Dominguez Chairperson of the Health Committee reported to the
Board about the long waiting time, patient neglect and abuses
taking place in the Immokalee Clinic.
Ms. Dominguez informed the Board she will try to secure an
appointment with the Director of Collier Health Services in
Immokalee and will report her findings at the next meeting. Mr.
Ed Galvan agreed on some issues but suggested that we obtain proof
of all abuses and neglect that occurred at the Immokalee Clinic.
It was agreed that Mr. Zac Lucio and Ms. G. Dominguez will
approach the Director of the Immokalee Clinic in order to obtain
complete information on all abuses taking place at the Immokalee
Clinic.
Economic Development Committee
Mr. Nelson Mufioz Chairman 'of the Economic Development Committee
reported to the Board his conversation with Mr. William Price.
Mr. Mufioz was concerned about how to obtain employment contracts
for Hispanic owners. He emphasized that Hispanics are not well
represented. It is his opinion that in order for Hispanics to
have an impact on the economic development of Collier County we
need to develop teaching tools which will enable them to:
1. Prepare a Resume.
2. Fill out an application.
3. Prepare other necessary documents needed to obtain a
contract.
Mr. Mufioz stated that an assistant from the Board of County
Commissioners will be helpful regarding
A. How to advertise in Spanish.
B. How to advertise out of County.
Mr. Mufioz's observation is that Hispanics are fearful to bid or
apply for a contract/job because of a possible language barrier.
Therefore, he suggested to educate the Hispanic entrepreneur, to
prepare the necessary documents in order to obtain a contract/job.
Mr. Mufioz concluded his report by recommending the translation of
an English bulletin to Spanish. He believes that the publication
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of a Spanish bulletin would increase the participation of Hispanic
merchants in Collier County.
Government Affairs Committee
Mr. Zac Lucio Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee
presented to the Board Members the following data:
Collier Countv Government Emplovees as of October 1991
Employees Hispanic Employees
1) Clerk of County 160 15
2) Tax Collector 67 7
3) Property Appraisal 43 2
4) Board of county Commissioners 900 89
Of the 89 Hispanics employed by the Board of County Commissioners
58 are in Maintenance
6 are Professional
9 are Technical
11 are Clerical
Total government employees 1170
Total Hispanic employees of above number 113
According to the 1990 united states Census Bureau the legal
representation of Hispanics employed should be 14.5% of the total
number of government employees.
The figures clearly show a shortage of 57 Hispanics. Mr. Zac
Lucio concluded his report by stating that he would like an equal
representation of Hispanics at all levels of the hierarchy.
EmploYment Opportunitv
Mr. Alex Castro Chairman of the Employment Committee stated that
there are places to assist the Hispanic community in obtaining a
job, i.e. Job Services of Florida.
Mr. Mafialich advised the Board that when subcommittee members are
carrying out duties and responsibilities of their respective
committees it is imperative that they identify themselves as
members of the H. A. A. B. or any other agency such as LULAC or
the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
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Mr. Jose' Ramirez, a member of the public stated the need to
develop an assistance center in order to prepare the community in
the writing of resumes, the completing of applications, etc.
Mr. Rolando Sanchez, Editor of "El Hispano" newspaper noted that
all the committees had something in common which is to try and
solve the problems of the Hispanic Community.
Mr. Sanchez also emphasized that he believes that the solution to
the problems may be solved by educating the Hispanic Community.
Mr. Ramiro Mafialich reported to the Board Members that on October
11, 1991 He had a meeting with Ms. Dominguez to develop a file
system for the H. A. A. B. Mr. Mafialich informed the group that
all records pertaining to the H. A. A. B. will be kept at the
County Attorney's Office and will become public record.
Mr. victor Valdes Editor of "Las Naciones" newspaper and Jorge
Avila were of the opinion that Mr. Bernardo Garcia should be
removed from office because of his unexcused absence.
Mr. Mafialich read to the members Ordinance No. 91-37, section 4.,
Removal from office: Failure to attend meetings. That if any
member of the Board fails to attend two consecutive Board Meetings
without a satisfactory excuse it will be grounds for the Board of
County Commissioners to declare the member's seat vacant.
Mr. Mafialich stated that he did not know the situation on Mr.
Garcia's absence, however Mr. Perez-Benitoa called Mr. Mafialich
explaining his illness and his inability to attend the meeting.
Some members strongly disagreed on Mr. Valdes recommendations,
however Mr. Avila made a motion to remove Mr. Garcia from office
and declare the seat vacant. According to Ordinance 91-37 under
which the H. A. A. B. was created.
Mr. Mufioz strongly disagreed on this issue and made emphasis on
past and wrong accusations made about other Board Members. He
further stated that we should not act based on accusation but on
facts. Members of the pUblic pleaded with Board Members to have
compassion.
Mr. Mafialich stated that we need to know if Mr. Garcia's'absence
is excused before making a decision. He recommended to the
Chairman Mr. Zac Lucio to investigate the circumstances
surrounding Mr. Garcia's absence. Mr. Lucio stated that he will
contact Mr. Garcia and report his findings to the H. A. A. B. at
the next meeting. Mr. Rolando Sanchez thanked the H. A. A. B. for
everything the Board has done and stated that he is willing to
assist the Board in whatever he can.
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NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled to be held in Immokalee. The date
and time will be decided by the Chairman and members will be
notified in writing.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
ctfully Submitted
loria Doml.ngue
Secretary
APPROVED BY THE BOARD ON
, 1991.
Zac Lucio, Chairman of the Board
HAAB/I0,1891/kke/S061
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