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HAAB Minutes 01/27/2000 Minutes Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting January 27,2000 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING of January 27, 2000 at the Immokalee Community Park Immokalee, Florida PRESENT: ABSENT: David Correa, HAAB Member Leo Cardona, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Pete Cade, HAAB Member Faye Reddick, HAAB Member Andrew J. Fox, HAAB Member Christopher Bent, HAAB Member Ramiro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Member Forrest Cotten, HAAB Liaison from County Administrator's Office Also Present: Barbara Berry, Collier County Commissioner Chuck Mohlke, Consultant Amy Taylor, Planning Services Mickey Rosado, U. S. Census Regional Coordinator Representatives from lmmokalee Farmworkers' Coalition Bill Stiess, Chief of Operations, Collier County Sheriff's Office Mike Hedberg, Legal Counsel, Collier County Sheriff's Office The meeting of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board of Collier County (HAAB) for January 27,2000 commenced at approximately 7:05 P.M. A quorum of six (6) members was present. David Correa, Chairman, stated that the Board would delay appointing a secretary until the next meeting. The appointment is necessary as the result of Dora Vidaurri's resignation from the Board. David Correa proceeded to welcome everyone in attendance. He mentioned that there were many farmworkers who could not attend tonight's meeting due to a meeting conflict. He added that Chuck Mohlke was present to speak about the Census 2000 effort. Chuck Mohlke introduced Mickey Rosado as the US. Census Bureau's Regional Coordinator for the Fort Myers region, which includes Collier County and lmmokalee. Mickey Rosado began by announcing that they are "kicking off' the census committee tonight. He asked the audience if they knew what the census was all about. He stated that the census enables us to know how many people are living here. He added that residents will receive information in the mail, and will be asked to fill out a form and return it in the mail. He said that this is very important because if you don't get counted, then Collier County can't get money to support the programs that we need. He stated that statistics are vital for all of us. He proceeded to then translate his presentation into the Spanish language. David Correa emphasized the fact that no one should fear the census or fear being counted. Mickey Rosado continued by telling the audience to go home and tell their neighbors about the census and fill out the form. He stated that we want to make sure that everyone goes out in their communities and promotes this effort. David Correa asked if someone lives in Mexico two months of the year, and works in the US. for the other ten months, should they still be counted as part of the census. Mickey responded that yes they should. Chris Bent stated that we need to get every Hispanic on the census count. He added that numbers translate into power for the Hispanic community. He added that the decision- makers/elected officials in the community will come to you if they perceive you as being large. A member of the farmworkers' coalition mentioned that each person here tonight represents one to ten people within their household. She clarified that, in most cases, the number was closer to ten, rather than one. She said that residents are interested in promoting the lmmokalee community and they can call their local census office if they have any questions. David Correa mentioned that the Hispanic Hotline is available for anyone to leave a message about any question they might have and someone will call them back with an answer. 2 Juanita Alvarez-Mainster stated that the County should be recognized for their support. She said that the farmworker community should take the resources they are offered (referring to the water bottles that were handed out as part of the census promotional campaign) and put them to use. She also encouraged members of the audience to apply for positions in the local Fort Myers census office. David Correa told everyone to call the hotline if they needed to, and someone would call them back. Juanita Alvarez-Mainster stated that they are able to employ individuals through the census office if they have valid work permits. She said that questionnaires will be mailed out in March, and the census office would like to see them returned in April. She added that if they don't receive all the forms back in the mail, then they have to send out enumerators to go out in the community and knock on doors. They don't want to send out enumerators because it is an expensive process. She mentioned that some counting will be done over the internet and that forms will be placed in strategic locations where they can be picked up and completed. She concluded by stating that they are using all of their available resources from Homestead to Quincy (statewide) to ensure a successful count. Frank Loney asked if we are in Collier County, then why is our census office in Lee County. Juanita responded that Fort Myers was simply where it was decided the regional office would be located. David Correa announced that it was time to have discussion regarding the farmworkers' concerns and the labor/wage conditions issue. He stated that Greg Asbed has come to HAAB on previous occasions to seek the Board's support for farmworker issues. He said that, at that time, the Board did not meet their needs. He said that the HAAB is more active now, and as part of their mission statement, the HAAB is directed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve as a liaison to the Hispanic community. He acknowledged that there are many concerns throughout the community (crime, drugs, etc.), but that tonight the HAAB is here to give support to farmworkers in an attempt to increase their wages. He said that in a wealthy county, why shouldn't we increase their wages by 15 - 20 cents per bucket. Secondly, the Board would like to discuss the arrest and detainment of certain individuals during a recent demonstration by farmworkers. Under normal circumstances, they are allowed to assemble and demonstrate without interference; however, in this instance, the Sheriff's Office was not aware of the arrangements for this particular demonstration, and a college professor was taken down and arrested. He stated that an ugly situation could have occurred and the HAAB believes the Collier County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) should explain their procedures in this regard. The HAAB believes in the right to demonstrate peaceably, and that we should be able to petition our government as we see fit. David said that he respects the law, but thinks that the Sheriff's Office should explain their procedures. 3 Bill Stiess, Chief of Operations for the Sheriff's Department, began by stating that the Department's primary concern is ensuring that everyone's rights are protected. He said they are working on a policy to specifically address occasions like the recent demonstration in lmmokalee. He said that in the past, there had always been a good relationship between the CCSO and the farmworkers, but that the recent demonstration came about without any notice. He stated that if the Department had the opportunity to plan, the situation could have potentially been avoided. He added that the Sheriff's Office is in the final stages of a formal response concerning Office policy as it relates to demonstrations, etc. He reasserted that the Sheriff wants the community to have opportunities to express themselves. The Sheriff's overriding concern is that it be done in a peaceful manner. He stated that some people in the room might recall the Sixties. David Correa clarified that there would be a formal statement stating the Sheriff's policy as it relates to demonstrations. Mike Hedberg, Sheriff's Department Legal Counsel, stated that the main concern is drafting the policy is ensuring rights are protected. He stated that if the Sheriff's Office had prior notice, the previous incident might have been avoided. He raised an issue concerning trespassing and said that it must also be considered as well. Frank Loney said that what they are saying is that written permission is needed in order to protest. Mike Hedberg stated that was incorrect, just advance notice was needed. David Correa acknowledged that he understood that the Sheriff's Office was there to protect everyone. Bill Stiess said that it helps to give the officers a "heads up," but that you don't need permission in order to protest. David Correa said that the farmworkers need to march, and that they should not be harassed if they choose to do so. Bill Stiess added that after the first day of initial confusion, everything went very smoothly. David Correa inquired if the Sheriff's Office had an advisory board. Bill Stiess responded that there was a Sheriff's Commission. David Correa mentioned that they might want to consider having minority representation on that Commission. Frank Loney asked if the Sheriff's Office could explain why the demonstrators were arrested. 4 Bill Stiess answered that he could not comment on that case specifically, because there were still court cases pending. Ramiro Mafialich asked the audience if they had any questions of the Sheriff Department representatives in regards to policies. Mike Hedberg clarified that the policy would emphasize notification through the "chain of command" and the need for better communication. He added that one provision that was drafted was that field supervisors were to be notified prior to an arrest. David Correa commented that the policy should be clarified. Mike Hedberg responded that the CCSO is trying to do just that, but there are too many possibilities - the officer must be granted some discretion. He stated that demonstrators can contact Lieutenant Martindale in lmmokalee anytime if they would like to coordinate a future demonstration. A representative from the farm workers group asked why pepper spray is used if people aren't going to be arrested. He indicated that workers should not be treated so poorly when they are only trying to fight for their rights. He said that one of the deputies was threatening the crowd and saying that they were assembling unlawfully. He added that he was trying to tell people to leave and the deputy was holding up the pepper spray saying he was going to use it and that the workers had no right to be demonstrating. The farmworker concluded by asking why would the deputies be afraid of them when the deputies are much bigger than them. Bill Stiess acknowledged that sometimes the deputies forget that they have an intimidating presence. David Correa stated that the farmworkers just want to work for decent wages. Bill Stiess commented that they had been hearing about the demonstrations through the rumor mill, and sometimes rumors have a cumulative affect on the psyche. Faye Reddick inquired of Mr. Stiess as to how the CCSO is helping officers understand cultural diversity. She asked him how the CCSO teaches officers not to fear the numbers of people that often come along with demonstrations. Bill Stiess relayed a story about responding with a new officer to a bar fight in which 40 subjects were involved. He said the officer was real eager and they were speeding to the scene, when he turned to the officer and asked him what he planned to do once he got there. 5 Faye Reddick stated that the CCSO is training these officers, and that this type of problem is not going away, and quite frankly, she feels there are some overzealous officers out there. Bill Stiess responded that most importantly, the CCSO is interested (by virtue of their attendance tonight) in dealing with this issue and wants to avoid future problems. Frank Loney asked if there was a cover-up or something. He asked if he decided to express himself, what is the CCSO policy that would apply to him. Bill Stiess responded that as long as the demonstration is done peacefully and lawfully, there would be no problem. One of the farmworker representatives stated that the incident became heated because of the arrest that was made. He said everything would have been peaceful had the arrest not occurred. Bill Stiess stated that we could replay the last incident if that's what everyone wanted to do, or we can move forward. He added that the CCSO is very open, and that the deputies in lmmokalee, in particular, are interested in helping the community. He said the CCSO is doing some good things in lmmokalee to curtail street crime. Frank Loney asked if he were in a demonstration and was arrested, whom would the CCSO believe, the citizen or the deputy? He said he would like to know the answer to that question because it would be his word against the word of the deputy's. Lucas Benitez, representing the farmworkers stated that this incident was "water under the bridge." The farmworkers would like to continue to forge a good relationship with the CCSO. At this point in the meeting, Bill Stiess and Mike Hedberg left the building. Lucas Benitez commented that conditions haven't changed much since the last time the farmworkers spoke to the HAAB. He said the workers haven't heard anything from the growers - they will not talk with the workers. He stated that they always send a letter to the growers first asking them to sit down and talk before action is taken (meaning demonstration). Lucas added that the Bishop of the Diocese and Religious Leaders concerned also sent letters to the growers on the workers' behalf He said that when the growers did not respond, the protest was then organized. He said the industry is enjoying record earnings and he then distributed some reading materials including what he called a very good editorial from the St. Pete Times encouraging Governor Bush to initiate dialogue between the growers and the workers. He said that the entire state is impacted by this issue, not just lmmokalee. He commented that the change that is being sought is good for everybody. The workers asked for help from Taco Bell as one of the growers' biggest clients. He mentioned that 6-L Farms has forged a new relationship with Taco Bell. 6 Lucas continued by saying if the growers have a friendly relationship with the buyers, then why can't they have a friendly relationship with the workers. He asserted that we are now in the Year 2000 and we need to progress beyond the point that we are now at. He stated that we need to find better ways so that lmmokalee can survive and thrive. The merchants complain because there are no sales because the workers have no money. He used this example to illustrate how everything ties together economically. He extended his appreciation to the HAAB for listening to the workers' concerns. Lucas referred to a letter the Coalition sent to Governor Bush. He reminded everyone that the Coalition is not taking a political stance, rather they just want to facilitate dialogue. He added that the growers benefit from tax dollars for money for research and development, and that the industry as a whole gets considerable state support, and therefore, the workers ought to be helped as well. Lucas appealed to the HAAB asking for their support by sending a letter to Governor Bush and Taco Bell showing support for the workers and the need for dialogue to occur between the growers and the workers. He said improvements are needed. David Correa summarized by saying that the Board discussed a couple of items this evening. He said the police situation was discussed and a formal policy addressing demonstration situations was necessary to avoid future problems in this area. He said that the HAAB needs to send a letter to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) asking them to support a dialogue between the growers and the workers. He said it would be better for the BCC to write a letter to the Governor, than for the HAAB to do it. Chris Bent stated that the HAAB can say they enthusiastically support the workers. Frank Loney said that he only has respect for one of the county commissioners and that commissioner is here tonight. He said he would like to take this issue a step further by saying that this situation is shameful and disgraceful for our community. He said we need to say nicely to the BCC that we need to support our workers. Chris Bent added that the HAAB needs to say that we support open dialogue. Faye Reddick stressed that this effort needs to begin with just one person. She said people need to be made aware of what is going on. She added that if nothing is done, then a similar fate awaits others. (She then proceeded to read from a prepared statement which is included as part of the record.) Chris Bent made a motion that the HAAB recognize Lucas Benitez and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers as being representative of the farmworker community and we (HAAB) are in support of their efforts and will ask the BCC to support initiatives for dialogue. David Correa added that the HAAB request that a letter be sent by the BCC to Governor Bush encouraging dialogue between the growers and the workers. 7 Ramiro Mafialich clarified the motion to include both Chris Bent's and David Correa's comments into a single motion. He then reminded the HAAB that this issue had been before the BCC previously and the BCC, at that time, felt that this matter was a private labor dispute. The amended motion was seconded and passed unanimously by the HAAB. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:05 p.m. Prepared by: Forrest Cotton, Assistant to the County Administrator Approved on this _ day of February, 2000 David Correa, Chairman 8