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HAAB Minutes 11/08/1991 Minutes Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting November 8, 1991 COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD Minutes of Meeting November 8, 1991 7:00 A.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Zac Lucio Alex Castro Gloria Dominguez Bernardo Garcia Nelson A. Munoz Antonio Perez-Benitoa Eduardo Galvan MEMBER ABSENT: Jaime Gutierrez STAFF PRESENT: Ramiro Manalich: Staff Liaison to Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board The meeting of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board was held at 7:00 P.M. on November 8, 1991 in Immokalee at The Roberts Center, 905 West Roberts Avenue. Zac Lucio, Chairperson of the Hispanic Board, called the meeting to order. The Board members approved the minutes of the October 18, 1991 meeting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Zac Lucio, welcomed all present and in particular Mr. Edwin Aguila and Mr. Jose Quintanilla. He also introduced Mr. Eduardo Galvan, a new member to the H.A.A.B. Mr. Lucio informed the Immokalee Community that the success of our meetings depends on their presence and sincerity to attend. He told the public that as citizens of the lmmokalee Community they are entitled to all the privileges and benefits that this country provides. Mr. Zac Lucio also introduced Dr. Jane Polkowski, Director of the Collier County Public Health Services. STAFF REPORT Mr. Ramiro Manalich reported to the H.A.A.B. that Mr. Leo Ochs, Mr. Steve Carnell and Mr. Thomas Whitecotton are available to attend our next scheduled meeting. He stated that Ms. Mary Morgan, Supervisor of Elections will also be available and would like to address the following issues: 1. How do we convince citizen residents to register? 2. When is the best time to organize voter registration drives to reach the most people in our area? (See attached memorandum from Mary W. Morgan dated November 5, 1991.) It was agreed by the H.A.A.B. to have Ms. Morgan attend our next scheduled meeting. Mr. L. Ochs, Mr. S. Carnell and Mr. T. Whitecotton will be invited at a later date. Mr. Manalich also informed the Board that Mr. Gutierrez reported he would not be able to attend this meeting. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Housinq Committee: Mr. Jaime Gutierrez, Chairman of the Housing Committee, was absent. Therefore, no report was presented at this meeting. Education Committee: Mr. Bernardo Garcia, Chairman of the Education Committee, reported that Collier County School Board is looking into the possibility of forming an Hispanic Advisory Board. Law Enforcement: Mr. Jorge Avila reported that Sheriff Hunter is aware of the shortage of Hispanic employees in the Sheriff's Department. He recommended that prospective Hispanic Law Enforcement applicants may contact the H.A.A.B. for information on how to prepare an application. He also promised to run workshops on how to complete the Sheriff's Department Comprehensive Job Application and other documents necessary to apply for a position. Hopefully, this process will enable the Sheriff's Department to hire between 10 and 12 Hispanic applicants within the next six months. Sheriff Hunter promised and assured Mr. Avila that recruitment will continue as long as the H.A.A.B. assists the prospective Hispanic law enforcement applicants. Mr. Perez-Benitoa informed the Board about the translating services of Mr. Goodwin. Mr. Goodwin is a translator for the Hispanic Community in the Collier County Court system. Mr. Perez-Benitoa is of the opinion that we should approach Mr. Goodwin in order to make sure that his services are being utilized to the maximum. Health Committee: Ms. G. Dominguez, Chairperson of the Health Committee reported on information received from the Immokalee community -2- regarding the long waiting period, neglect and abuses at the Collier Health Services in Immokalee. Ms. Dominguez informed the Board that she has obtained proof of abuses/neglect that occurred at the clinic; however, the names of patients cannot be given because they are afraid of personal revenge and for other personal reasons. Ms. Dominguez was pleased to inform the H.A.A.B. about her conversation with Sharon Aragona, Assistant Director of Collier Health Services in Immokalee regarding the community's concerns. Ms. Aragona agreed on the long waiting time and stated that surveys are being conducted in order to evaluate the performance of the Collier County Health Services. Ms. Aragona is of the opinion that much more is needed to be done, but is confident that services will improve. Economic Development: Mr. N. Munoz, Chairperson of Economic Development Committee, reported to the Board that he will assist Hispanics owners in preparing the documents needed to obtain a contract. Mr. Munoz informed the Board that job posting in Spanish stores is necessary in order to inform Hispanic owners of job contracts. Mr. Bernardo Garcia informed the Board that J.L.W. Vo-Tech will assist students in job placement, how to prepare a resume and how to complete an application. The Immokalee Vo-Tech also offers these services. Government Affairs Committee: Mr. Zac Lucio, Chairperson of the Government Affairs Committee, reported that he spoke with Mr. Hunter about the shortage of Hispanic personnel in the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Hunter promised to hire between 10-12 persons within the next 6 months. He will prepare workshops to teach prospective employees how to complete the Sheriff's Department Comprehensive Job Application. Ms. Rosa Hernandez, representing the Collier County Sheriff's Department, spoke about her position as a Sergeant in the Collier county Sheriff's Department. She stated that Sheriff Hunter is helping Hispanics to enter the force. The criteria to enter the force can be obtained at the personnel Department. Ms. Hernandez informed the public that all positions of the Sheriff's Department are announced on radio and in local newspapers such as the Immokalee Bulletin and others. Ms. Hernandez concluded by stating that J.L.W. Vo-Tech Center will prepare applicants to pass the Sheriff's Department examination. Emplovment opportunities: Mr. Alex castro, Chairperson of the Employment Opportunities Committee informed the Board that he spoke with the president of -3- a radio station in Miami and informed him about the jobs available in Collier County. Mr. Castro promised to mail a list of job postings to the president of the radio station so that qualified Hispanics may apply for positions within the government and hopefully Hispanics will be placed at all levels of the hierarchy. The Immokalee community showed tremendous concern about recruiting out of Collier County and suggested that we should first approach the Hispanic community in our area. Some members of the public were of the opinion that a mailing list of vacancies be obtained and presented to Mr. Jose Quintanilla at WZOR for announcement. OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Ramiro Manalich presented and read in English and Spanish Mr. victor Valdes' Proclamation. Mr. Valdes thanked the H.A.A.B. for the proclamation and related his past community involvement and hard work, and the physical abuse he received by the previous Sheriff's Department. Mr. Zac Lucio explained to the group that Mr. Valdes' interest is for the community benefit and not his own. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Zac Lucio introduced Dr. Jane Polkowski, Director of Collier County Public Health, Mr. otis Dykes, R.N. and Branch Manager and Mark Crowly, Division Director of Epidemiology. Dr. Polkowski explained the services and functions of the Collier county Public Health Department and advised the group not to confuse the Collier Health Services with the C.C.P.H. as they are two different agencies. Dr. Polkowski named the Public Health Services available to all residents and visitors in Collier County. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ALL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IN COLLIER COUNTY -Communicable Disease Control and Surveillance -Family Planning Services and Referrals -HIV(AIDS) Counseling and Testing -HIV/AIDS Education -childhood Immunizations -Sexually Transmitted Disease Treatment and Case Management -Tuberculosis Surveillance, Treatment and Case Management -Maternity Care (IPOP) -WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program -Nutrition Services -Pharmaceutical Services -Health Education Programs -School Health and Child Care Centers Services -Dental Care -HIV/AIDS Patient Care -4- -HIV/AIDS Case Management -Children's Health Services -Travel and Adult Immunizations -EPSDT (Medicaid) Physicals -Primary Health Care Services for Adults and Children -Environmental Health and Engineering Services -Diabetes, Epilepsy and Rheumatic Fever Program -vital Statistics: Birth and Death certificates Dr. Polkowski's concerns were: 1. How to serve the community better. 2. How to improve the Health Department. Mr. Bernardo Garcia stated that when two agencies are providing the same service, the public is at a disadvantage since they are not served well by either agency. Mr. Garcia asked whether people in Immokalee receive the same care as those in Naples. He was of the opinion that Immokalee should have the same health service structure as Naples. Mr. Eduardo Galvan reminded the group that our health service issue refers to the unfair treatment and services received by patients at the Collier Health Services. Ms. Elba Arrollo, a member of the public, stated that the Immokalee community Health Services problem is not with C.C.H.D. but rather with Collier Health Services. Therefore, she suggested that a solution to the problem should be sought. A motion was made to form a committee to visit with Mr. Richard Akins, Director and Ms. Sharon Aragona, Assistant Director of Collier Health Services. The Committee will consist of the following: Mr. Eduardo Galvan Mr. Nelson Munoz Ms. Gloria Dominguez Mr. Edwin Aguila Ms. Elba Arrollo Mr. Juan Medina H.A.A.B. H.A.A.B. H.A.A.B. Immokalee Postmaster Concerned citizen Concerned Citizen The functions of the Committee are to gather information, research and report to the H.A.A.B. at its next scheduled meeting. A motion was made (1) to research the services and treatment of patients served by Collier Health Services; and (2) to present the information gathered to the Collier County Board of Commissioners. It was seconded and passed. -5- NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Bernardo Garcia opined that the Sunshine Law states that for an act to be illegal there must be a conscious intent to violate it. Election by secret ballot can be construed as such. Mr. Bernardo Garcia gave as an example the election by secret ballot of Mr. Alex Castro, vice-Chairperson. Mr. Ramiro Mafialich stated that the Attornev General indicated a disfavor for the secret ballot, and in order to cure any potential violation, an open vote on Mr. Alex Castro's Vice-Chairperson position will take place at our next scheduled meeting. Mr. Zac Lucio: The Immokalee Hispanic Community concerns are overwhelming and need to be addressed individually. Ms. Elba Arrollo, a concerned citizen, informed the H.A.A.B. of discrimination by the Motor Vehicles Department. She told the Board that Immokalee has no Spanish interpreter at the Driver's License Department. Mr. Zac Lucio promised to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and hopefully will have an answer to her concerns at the next meeting. Mr. Hernandez, a 35 year resident of Immokalee, congratulated the H.A.A.B. for its presence in Immokalee and informed the Board that housing is a great problem in the community. He suggested to have scouts research the problems of the Hispanic community and present them to the H.A.A.B. Mr. Jorge Perez Avila requested to know whether Mr. Bernardo Garcia's two absences were excused. Mr. Ramiro Mafialich, Assistant county Attorney, informed the H.A.A.B. that Mr. Garcia reported, unknown to him, his absences to a secretary, therefore it is for the Hispanic Board to determine if his absences were excused. At the request of Mr. Perez Benitoa, Mr. Garcia explained the reason for his absences. The Board made a decision to retain Mr. Garcia as a member. Mr. victor Valdes quoted Ordinance 91-37 section on vacancy and attendance and informed the H.A.A.B. that Mr. Garcia should be removed from office. Mr. Valdes denounced Mr. Frank ROdriguez's actions to the Board and requested that exhibits 1-6 (see attached) be placed on public record. Some members of the public were irritated at Mr. Valdes' request to place Mr. Frank Rodriquez's exhibits on public record. Because of the disruption caused by Mr. Valdes' request, Ms. Rosa Hernandez, representing the Sheriff's Department, suggested to the Board that a law enforcement officer's presence at the H.A.A.B. meeting is needed to control the public. Because of the intense disruption, Mr. Zac Lucio assured the Immokalee community that the H.A.A.B. will return to Immokalee within two months with the solution to the problems presented at this meeting. -6- NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is scheduled for December 1991. The date and time will be decided by the Chairperson and members will be notified in writing. The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Gloria Dominguez, Secretary Approved by the Board on , 1991. Zac Lucio, Chairman of the Board -7-