HAAB Minutes 02/25/1999
Minutes
Hispanic Affairs
Advisory Board
Meeting
February 25, 1999
HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING
of
February 25, 1999
at the
Board of County Commissioners Commission Meeting Room, Naples, Florida
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Frank Rodriguez, Chairman, HAAB
Dora Vidaurri, HAAB Member
Pete Cade, HAAB Member
David Correa, HAAB Member
Kate Warner, HAAB Member
* Frank Loney, HAAB Member (arrived at 7:45 P.M.)
Ramiro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Member
The February 25, 1999 meeting of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board of Collier County
commenced at approximately 7:08 P.M. There was a quorum of five (5) in attendance with
Frank Loney arriving at 7:45 P.M. Also present was Faye Reddick and Maria Grimaldo,
applicants who are seeking appointment to the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board.
A motion was made by David Correa, seconded by Dora Vidaurri, and a unanimous vote (5-0)
was made to approve the minutes of January 21,1999.
The Board interviewed HAAB applicant, Faye Reddick. Ms. Reddick inquired regarding the
activities of the HAAB. The members and liaison, Ramiro Mafialich, described the activities and
projects of the Board. A discussion was had regarding the community attitudes toward the
HAAB as well as toward non-Hispanic board members. The members mentioned the Naples
Community Hospital alleged foreign language rule as an example of an HAAB project in the
past.
Ms. Reddick indicated she was raised in Arizona and had a multi-cultural experience growing up
in Tucson. Kate Warner made a motion to recommend Ms. Reddick, as well as applicant, Maria
Grimaldo, for appointment by the Board of County Commissioners to the HAAB. Pete Cade
seconded and a unanimous vote of 5-0 occurred in favor of the motion.
Frank Loney arrived at this point in the meeting.
The HAAB considered elections of its officers. A discussion was had between Kate Warner and
David Correa as to whether or not to elect new positions now or defer the elections until after the
expiration of Chairman Frank Rodriguez' term. A discussion then occurred regarding the
expiration of HAAB terms. Liaison, Ramiro Mafialich, suggested that motions be made and
votes taken for each position. David Correa nominated himself for Chairman with a second by
Dora Vidaurri. Frank Rodriguez mentioned that he was interested in nominating Kate Warner as
Chairman. A discussion then occurred between David Correa and Kate Warner regarding their
respective interests in being named to the Chairman position. A vote was had regarding the
motion for David Correa to be named Chairman, and the motion failed on a 3-3 vote with David
Correa, Pete Cade and Dora Vidaurri voting in favor of the motion.
Dora Vidaurri made a motion to defer the election of the Chairman until the April, 1999 meeting.
This motion was seconded by David Correa and there was a unanimous vote of 6-0 in favor of
the motion.
Dora Vidaurri made a motion to nominate Frank Loney as Vice Chairman. Kate Warner
seconded the motion and a unanimous vote of 6-0 occurred in favor of the motion.
Maria Grimaldo initiated a discussion regarding scholarships and social security numbers for
Hispanic students. Dora Vidaurri indicated that she would assist in contacting education officials
regarding the topic.
Liaison, Ramiro Mafialich, reminded the members that they were individually invited to attend
the Diversity Dialogue to be presented by the Association of University Women with the HAAB
as a "cooperating organization."
Frank Rodriguez mentioned that there is a first time home buyers class for Hispanics available.
He distributed materials regarding that topic.
At this point in the meeting Frank Rodriguez had to leave the meeting and Vice-Chairman Frank
Loney took over running the meeting.
Liaison, Ramiro Mafialich, had a brief and informative discussion with the members regarding
the applications of the Sunshine Law.
Kate Warner presented a discussion regarding the absences policy. She essentially proposed that
there be a 2 day notice in advance of the meeting to the Liaison before the meeting with an
exception for emergencies. The HAAB, as a Board, would decide if any excuse given by a
member for an absence was satisfactory. Dora Vidaurri made a motion to approve Kate
Warner's absence policy as follows:
In order to have an excused absence, all Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board
(HAAB) members must notify the Liaison no later than 5:00 P.M. two business
days prior to any scheduled HAAB meeting. The Liaison will then report the
2
contact that was made by the absent member at the next HAAB meeting and the
Board will decide if the excuse is satisfactory. In addition, unforeseen
emergencies that do not permit two business days notice are eligible for a board
vote of excused absence.
The motion was seconded by Frank Loney and a unanimous vote of 5-0 in favor of the motion
occurred.
Dora Vidaurri mentioned that at the next agenda she would need to bring up problems with the
sidewalks in Immokalee.
The meeting of the Hispanic Board adjourned at approximately 9:02 P.M.
Prepared by: Ramiro Mafialich, Board Liaison
Approved by the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board on 25th Day of March, 1999.
J'~ ~ ~
Frank Rodri ~h~
Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board
3