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HAAB Backup 02/08/1995 Backup Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting February 8, 1995 NOTICE OF MEETING HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1995, 7:00 P.M. COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT COMPLEX ADMINISTRATION BUILDING (FORMERLY BUILDING "F") Third Floor, BCC Meeting Room 3301 E. TAMIAMI TRAIL NAPLES, FLORIDA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AGENDA 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER II. Discussion of "hispanic hotline" III. 8:00 P.M. Adjourn February 27,1995 Board of Collier County Commissioners Bettye J. Mathews , Chairman 3301 East Tamiami Trail Nap1es,F1. 33962 Dear Mrs. Bettye J. Mathews; County Commission Chair, The members of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board during our meeting of February 8, 1995; delegated authority upon myself to respond to the expected inquiry from the County Commission Board, regarding comments made public by some County COmmissioners, about consideration given by the Board to the HAAB and the BAAB during a "workshop" on this subject.' Since we cannot speak for the BAAB; The consensus of the HAAB regarding us is as follows: 1) Since the creation of the HAAB, there have never been in any way shape or form, direction, evaluation, nor setting of goals from the County Commission; regarding the HAAB purpose as stated by the Ordinance that created the Advisory Board. It was left to the interpretation, discretion and judgement of the Board members, how to go about the Board's business. The creation of this Board in 1991 stemmed from the severe criticism from members of the Hispanic community to the County Commission and Administration. It was a reaction of the County Commission, not a request from the Hispanic community as it surfaced during the cited "workshop". If this had been requested by the Community, the terms and goals would have been more specific in addressing Community needs. 2) The HAAB volunteers, with serious concerns and a genuine interest in becoming liaisons between the County Government and the Hispanic Community; since it's inception received a diversity of requests and complains from the Community, regarding unfair treatment and/or possible discriminatory acts against individuals employed by the private sector as well as our local Government. The HAAB felt impotent and restricted to take any action or position in those cases, due to lack of a clear understanding of what the scope and function of the Board was; and what the HAAB can or cannot do regarding conflicts betwen the Community and the County Commission. The HAAB was (and still is), perceived as an action taken by the County Commission to aplacate the Community dissapointment and dissatisfaction with the Local Government, which has NO real value before those who created it. Consequently, many of the Board members become frustrated, dissapointed, miss meetings, and eventually leave the Board. - 2 - This frustration spreads into the Community and creates disbelieve among potential qualified members to the Board. However it is encouraging to see that new members apply to fill the vacant positions on the Board, which is an indication of the interest and concern in the Community. 3) Regarding the number of meetings during 1994; I'd like to point out the fact that we scheduled meetings on a monthly basis. More than half of those meetings showed a quorum and additionally, we held meetings to the tune of twice or three times during some months of 1994, working on the project of the Human Rights Commission Proposal in conjuction with the BAAB. During 1994 we held alternate meetings between Naples and Immokalee with the purpose of reaching out into the Community, not waiting for them to come to us. Specifically in December of 1994 and January of 1995, it was impossible for me to call for a meeting, due to an emergency back surgery and recovery period, which kept me inactive during those months. Also during that time, members of the Board were out of town due to the Holidays and there would have been no quorum. 4) Taking into account the aforementioned absence of definite mission and scope of action provided by the Ordinance that created the HAAB, it was difficult to realize any measurable progress. The joint effort with the BAAB to establish a HRC being not just turned down, but considered so unnecesary that the County Commission did not even counteracted with an alternative plan, idea or NOTHING; left the HAAB members astonished after all the effort, long hours and dedication, that was put in a project that reflects needs of the Community that you all represent and work for. The HAAB approved and requested from the County adminstration, the designation of a telephone to be identified as "THE HISPANIC HOT LINE". The purpose is to advertise this telephone in the Community as a means to contact the HAAB (in Spanish) with any concerns, needs for information, complains, and any other matters that anyone may want to request or need from the County or the HAAB. The telephone number has been approved by the County Administration, and we are in the process of implementing details to start operating the same during March 1995. This will serve as a means to gather data about Community needs, which will document and substantiate future decisions to be made by the County, related to programs or any other new services that might become available. We plan to run this project for one year with an evaluation to take place after the first six months, and at the eleventh month. At that time a decision must be made wether or not to continue such "HOT LINE". - 3 - 5) Regarding need for direction; the first thing that come to mind is that the County Commission held a "workshop" where the status of this Board was discussed. However this Board was not invited nor informed of such "workshop"; neither any other local Hispanic organization was invited nor informed. We believe that it will be most productive, an open workshop where the Commission receive input from a broader sector of the Hispanic Community, including without limitation individual leaders and common people that will bring real life situations into the open. It has also been discussed by members of our Community, the possibility of requesting a review of the Ordinance that created the HAAB, and actualize it to current needs, and provide a vision for the future. The consideration of merging the HAAB with the BAAB into a "Minority Advisory Board"; is considered as totally inappropriate and contradictory to the best interest, needs and cultural issues particular to the Hispanic Community. The unique characteristics of the Hispanic Community and socio-economic consequences of it's personality, sets us appart from the African-American Community. There are points of convergence, but major separation and differences in the intricacies and personality of each Community. The Hispanic Community's perception of themselves, is totally disconnected from that of the African-Americans as well as with the Anglo-Americans. Should the County Commission want to consider a joint Board, the same would be a first step towards the creation of something to the image of the "Human Rights Commission CORCEPT ", which will receive recomendations from the HAAB and the BAAB, to implement an interaction workplan with the County Commission. The Hispanic Community in Collier County is steadily growing in numbers and quality. The County Commission cannot afford to let this happen without capitalizing from it's talent, dynamics and creativity. The HAAB is the instrument that the County Commission would develop and help evolve into the bridge of, effective communications, for better serving the Hispanic Community. Should you need us to expand on any area of this response, feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. We will welcome the opportunity to jointly discuss and elaborate on this ideas. Sincerely, /J (] ;;./ _ Ci- J.V~y f'LI~J~ Anna I. Rodriguez, Chairperson Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board February 27,1995 Board of Collier County Commissioners Bettye J. Mathews,Chairman 3301 East Tamiami Trail Naples,Fl. 33962 Dear Mrs. Bettye J. Mathews; County Commission Chair, The members of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board during our meeting of February 8, 1995; delegated authority upon myself to respond to the expected inquiry from the County Commission Board, regarding comments made public by some County Commissioners, about consideration given by the Board to the HAAB and the BAAB during a "workshop" on this subject. Since we cannot speak for the BAAB; The consensus of the HAAB regarding us is as follows: 1) Since the creation of the HAAB, there have never been in any way shape or form, direction, evaluation, nor setting of goals from the County Commission; regarding the HAAB purpose as stated by the Ordinance that created the Advisory Board. It was left to the interpretation, discretion and judgement of the Board members, how to go about the Board's business. The creation of this Board in 1991 stemmed from the severe criticism from members of the Hispanic community to the County Commission and Administration. It was a reaction of the County Commission, not a request from the Hispanic community as it surfaced during the cited "workshop". If this had been requested by the Community, the terms and goals would have been more specific in addressing Community needs. 2) The HAAB volunteers, with serious concerns and a genuine interest in becoming liaisons between the County Government and the Hispanic Community; since it's inception received a diversity of requests and complains from the Community, regarding unfair treatment and/or possible discriminatory acts against individuals employed by the private sector as well as our local Government. The HAAB felt impotent and restricted to take any action or position in those cases, due to lack of a clear understanding of what the Scope and function of the Board was; and what the HAAB can or cannot do regarding conflicts betwen the Community and the County Commission. The HAAB was (and still is), perceived as an action taken by the County Commission to aplacate the Community dissapointment and dissatisfaction with the Local Government, which has NO real value before those who created it. Consequently, many of the Board members become frustrated, dissapointed, miss meetings, and eventually leave the Board. - 2 - This frustration spreads into the Community and creates disbelieve among potential qualified members to the Board. However it is encouraging to see that new members apply to fill the vacant positions on the Board, which is an indication of the interest and concern in the community. 3) Regarding the number of meetings during 1994; I'd like to point out the fact that we scheduled meetings on a monthly basis. More than half of those meetings showed a quorum and additionally, we held meetings to the tune of twice or three times during some months of 1994, working on the project of the Human Rights Commission Proposal in conjuction with the BAAB. During 1994 we held alternate meetings between Naples and Immokalee with the purpose of reaching out into the Community, not waiting for them to come to us. Specifically in December of 1994 and January of 1995, it was impossible for me to call for a meeting, due to an emergency back surgery and recovery period, which kept me inactive during those months. Also during that time, members of the Board were out of town due to the Holidays and there would have been no quorum. 4) Taking into account the aforementioned absence of definite mission and scope of action provided by the Ordinance that created the HAAB, it was difficult to realize any measurable progress. The joint effort with the BAAB to establish a HRC being not just turned down, but considered so unnecesary that the County Commission did not even counteracted with an alternative plan, idea or NOTHING; left the HAAB members astonished after all the effort, long hours and dedication, that was put in a project that reflects needs of the Community that you all represent and work for. The HAAB approved and requested from the County adminstration, the designation of a telephone to be identified as "THE HISPANIC HOT LINE". The purpose is to advertise this telephone in the Community as a means to contact the HAAB (in Spanish) with any concerns, needs for information, complains, and any other matters that anyone may want to request or need from the County or the HAAB. The telephone number has been approved by the County Administration, and we are in the process of implementing details to start operating the same during March 1995. This will serve as a means to gather data about Community needs, which will document and substantiate future decisions to be made by the County, related to programs or any other new services that might become available. We plan to run this project for one year with an evaluation to take place after the first six months, and at the eleventh month. At that time a decision must be made wether or not to continue such "HOT LINE". - 3 - 5) Regarding need for direction; the first thing that come to mind is that the County Commission held a "workshop" where the status of this Board was discussed. However this Board was not invited nor informed of such "workshop"; neither any other local Hispanic organization was invited nor informed. We believe that it will be most productive, an open workshop where the Commission receive input from a broader sector of the Hispanic Community, including without limitation individual leaders and common people that will bring real life situations into the open. It has also been discussed by members of our Community, the possibility of requesting a review of the Ordinance that created the HAAB, and actualize it to current needs, and provide a vision for the future. The consideration of merging the HAAB with the BAAB into a "Minority Advisory Board"; is considered as totally inappropriate and contradictory to the best interest, needs and cultural issues particular to the Hispanic Community. The unique characteristics of the Hispanic Community and socio-economic consequences of it's personality, sets us appart from the African-American Community. There are points of convergence, but major separation and differences in the intricacies and personality of each Community. The Hispanic Community's perception of themselves, is totally disconnected from that of the African-Americans as well as with the Anglo-Americans. Should the County Commission want to consider a joint Board, the same would be a first step towards the creation of something to the image of the "Human Rights Commission CONCEPT", which will receive recomendations from the HAAB and the BAAB, to implement an interaction workplan with the County Commission. The Hispanic Community in Collier County is steadily growing in numbers and quality. The County Commission cannot afford to let this happen without capitalizing from it's talent, dynamics and creativity. The HAAB is the instrument that the County Commission would develop and help evolve into the bridge of, effective communications, for better serving the Hispanic Community. Should you need us to expand on any area of this response, feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. We will welcome the opportunity to jointly discuss and elaborate on this ideas. Sincerely, ) ,j _ ("V~,-,) /cJ~J~/ Anna I. Rodriguez, Chairperson Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board 02/15/95 12:34 '5'813 953 7752 O' R I ORDEN. MANN. 14J002 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD ORDINARY MEETING WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 1995 MINUTES L~IOH: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION ROOM HOUR: 7:20 PM ATTEIIDAIICE: ANNA I. RODRIGUEZ, CHAIRPERSOR DOR PRICE, YOLAJIDA DUSTIN PBDRO VAZQU8Z ANGEL GU'J!IERRI!:Z VISITORS: MELIRDA R:l:bbLE, ATTORNEY FRARK RODRIGUEZ, COLLIER COUNTY BANKING pARTNERSHIP AND DIRECTOR LABPA W. JAY BEllING, JOBlfSOH-PITTMAlI FURBRAL BOMI!: DEBORAH DIAZ THOMAS, " " PAUL E. THOMAS, " " " " After determinig a quorWll the _eting was called to o1'der at 7: 20PM Since there was no .ecretary, it was unanimously accepted by the Board to ask one of the visitors to volunteer time and help take the minut.e. of t.his .eeting. It was approved without opposition and Mr. Frank Rodriguez offered to volunteer time in that capacity for this meet.ing. CHAIR: Introduced for the consideration of the Board a letter of intent to join the board from Mr. Neil Morales. After reading the same, and a brief discussion, the Chair called for a motion and Don Price moved a motion to favorably recomend Mr. Morales to be appointed to the HAAB by the County Commission. It was seoonded by Ms. Yolanda Dustin and the Board approved the motion without opposition. CHAIR: Reported that the County approved the installation of a telephone line to be identified as "The Spanish Hot-Line". The number assigned to suoh line is: 813-774-8880 and it will have a message recorder to allow messages to be retrieved and answered. The purpose of this line is to open lines of communication with the Spanish community of Collier County and collect data at the same time. YOLANDA Dustin indicated available to the office of will be only a referral servicing. that all infomation would be made Congressman Porter GOBS and that this service and not a case working or 02/15/95 12: 34 '5'813 953 7752 O' RIORDEN. MANN. 14J003 CHAIR: Inquire as to what would be the time frame within which this line will be active before evaluation. YOLANDA: Suggested that it is necessary to run this line for not less than a year, to allow for the seasonal population to go through a complete cicle. CHAIR: Reminded the Board that there will be sometime at the beginning, when nothing will happen, until,the Community learns about this Hot Line. It was of general consensus that the Chair and Yolanda will retrieve messages from the recording until the need granted other posibilities; and that the effective Date for activating the Hot line will be set for February 22, 1995 for a period of 12 months. DON PRICE: Reminded the board that planning how to carry the message into the community was necessary. Some means to consider Would be without limitation; flyers and press releases. Outreach could be done through Latin Markets, Vo-Tech adult education, Churches, and in the areas of Immokalee, Everglades City, Bonita Springs, Packing Houses etc.... It was suggested the design of a form to gather information when contacting callers. Some open discussion took place around the subject of what greeting message to use in the recording but it Was unanimously agreed to let the CHAIR create the message and do the recording. DON PRICE: Brought up the subject of how much the HAAB should get involved in the Spanish Community and suggested some ways to better interact with different sectors in Collier County. 1) Set a Schedule of Town Meetings 2) HAAB to get data from Collier County to bring into the community 3) Show the Commmunity that HAAB is getting things done 4) HAAB should generate quarterly reports of doings There was agreement with this ideas but no official decision was voted to take any formal action. CHAIR: Explained that due to sickness of Board members, and holidays late in 1994, the minutes of 8/17/94 and 10119/94 had not been approved yet, Don Price moved a motion to approve both minutes. It was seconded by Angel Gutierrez and approved unanimously by the Board. ~2/15/95 12:35 '5'813 953 7752 O' RIORDEN. MANN. 14J004 GUESTS: Mr. Jay Hering; (Johnson Pittman Fune\ral Home), reported that their Funeral home has a Bilingual Spanish Funeral director and the start of a program identified as "Grieve Relieve" for the Spanish Community. They would like to bring this information into the community at large and specially into the Spanish Community. They indicated that Spanish customers are going to Miami for funeral services because of not Knowing anbout the Spanish director and cultural sensitivity in place with them. Mr. Frank Rodriguez; (Collier County Banking Partnership), reported that the CCBP is in the process of creatin9 a Community Advisory Board, formed by representatives of all mJ.nority civio groups, and all government agencies dealing with minority issues. He asked for the HAAB to designate one of it's members to represent them on such Board. Mr. Angel Gutierrez volunteer for the designation. Don Price moved a motion to appoint Mr. Gutierrez as the designee of the HAAB to the CCBP advisory Board. It was secondeed by Yolanda Dustin and approved unanimously. Mr Rodriguez will contact Mr. Gutierrez direct. CHAIR: Made comments about an article that appeared on the Naples Daily News issue of February 1995; regarding statements made by two County comissioners about the possible merge of the Black Affairs Adfvisory Board with the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board and then the subject was opened for discussion. Don Price and the CHAIR, expressed their opposition to the merge. Mr. Gutierrez indicated that he had learned from ex-members of this Board, that in the past, the County Commission after creating the Boards to receive advise, had not being receptive to their suggestions. He added that the Board should be reinforced to be effective; and that if it was not going to be heard, then why have it ? CHAIR: The commissioners are incorrect when they say that the Boards were formed at the request of the Community; while they were oreated at the initiative of the then Commissioner Burt Saunders. GUEST: Frank Rodriguez indicated that the LABPA approved to send a letter of support for the HAAB. Mr. Gutierrez argued about responding to the Newspaper artio1e by highlighting the positive things of the HAAB during it's existence. l:l:Ulb/\!b 12:36 '6'813 953 7752 O' RIORDEN. MANN. 14J005 Ms. Melinda Riddle indicated that during the time she was a Board Member, there was an intent from the County Commission to merge both boards. Last time the Board protested the intent of the Commission and that was the end of it. It was highlighted the fact that there are different basic issues and problems unique to each minority community, and each must address their problems in their own particular way. YOLANDA suggested to wait fOr an official communication from the Commission and then call an emergency meeting to respond. Frank Rodriguez suggested that the Board send a letter requesting a clarification of the whole issue from the County Commission. Don Price moved a motion for the CHAIR to send a letter to the County Commission, requesting a clarification regarding the article on the Naples Daily News. Angel seconded and it was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. This minutes were taken and prepared by Mr. Frank Rodriguez as a courtesy to the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board. Signed bY1 ]~ lrank