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HAAB Minutes 04/22/1999 Minutes Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting April 22, 1999 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING of April 22, 1999 at the Golden Gate Community Center, Naples, Florida PRESENT: ABSENT: Frank Rodriguez, Chairman, HAAB Dora Vidaurri, HAAB Member Pete Cade, HAAB Member David Correa, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Faye Reddick, HAAB Member Ramiro Maiialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Member Maria Grimaldi, HAAB Member Kate Warner, HAAB Member Also Present: Dr. James D. Carter, Commissioner Bob Fernandez, County Administrator Jerre Salmon, Senior Human Resources Analyst Chris Straton, AAUW Al Perkins, General Public Russ Reddick, General Public Victor Epstein, Naples Daily News Arid Cohn, Marco Island Eagle The April 22, 1999 meeting of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board of Collier County (HAAB) commenced at approximately 7:07 P.M. There was a quorum of six (6) in attendance. Frank Loney made a motion to approve the minutes of March 25, 1999. A second was provided by David Correa. A unanimous vote in favor of approval occurred. Frank Rodriguez led off the discussion of the English As The Official Language Of County Government Resolution. Frank mentioned that the Hispanic community was surprised by the lack of notice regarding the passage ofthe Resolution. He mentioned that he is involved in other efforts in Collier County, such as that of the Economic Development Council, to attract foreign investment and tourism. He said that those outreach efforts are done in several languages. Frank also mentioned that Governor Bush has promoted business with Mexico. Frank opined that the English As The Official Language Resolution was contrary to all of these initiatives. He further stated that he was concerned about an official government message of exclusion and that the Resolution can encourage those with discriminatory intent. He questioned why the need for the Resolution and observed that government should be seeking to encourage participation in the process. Frank concluded his introductory comments by stating that although he believes there are many reasons not to have this Resolution, he wanted to take this opportunity to hear from Commissioner Carter as to why the Resolution was passed. Frank Loney mentioned at this point that the Resolution was the result of a request from a person from California. At this point in the meeting, a tape was shown to the audience of the April 13, 1999 Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting at which the Resolution in question was passed. Commissioner Carter thanked the HAAB for the opportunity to address the Board and the audience. He stated that he was not attempting to discount anyone's feelings on this subject or change any minds. He stated that he wanted to clarify that this is a resolution and not an ordinance. He also stated that it was never his intent to use the Resolution to limit the use of foreign languages as required in the court system. Commissioner Carter clarified that the policy in the Resolution is to provide official records in English. He described it as a "English-first" Resolution. He stated that he always attempts to communicate in the language of the country which he visits. Commissioner Carter commented that this country has a rich cultural heritage and that he is not in anyway prejudiced. However, English is the language of the United States and of business in this Country. He stated that he hoped that his Grandchildren would be bilingual. He mentioned that it is important to note that the intent of the Resolution was not to single out any particular language. It was merely to provide official documents in English. He is not opposed to the use of other languages. He agreed that the Constitution requires translation in certain court proceedings for due process. He also observed that this Resolution does not affect other constitutional officers. Commissioner Carter observed that the Resolution was intended to provide a simple statement and not to upset anyone or pick on anyone. He agrees that to recruit foreign investment, advertisement should be done in foreign languages but the expectation is the language of the land in which the advertisement is being made will be the language used. He stated that he valued all segments of the community and all of its members and that he merely did not want to create an expectation of another language other than English being the official language. At this point Commissioner Carter offered to answer questions from the HAAB or the audience. Frank Loney stated that he was upset and mentioned that he considered that Pete Wilson, the Governor of California, had promoted discriminatory policies. He opined that it was better for children to learn more languages and he was surprised that the community had not been consulted regarding this measure. He stated the he understood that English was the official language of the United States but it must be recognized that this is a tourist area where a number 2 oflanguages are used. He thought that it showed a lack of respect to pass the Resolution without consulting the community. Commissioner Carter responded that he was not looking to cause a problem by the Resolution and that the Resolution item had been placed in the usual public notice of the Board of County Commissioners meetings. He stated his conviction that individuals should be responsible to pay for translations of official documents into their native languages. Faye Reddick welcomed the Commissioner and stated that she was happy that he was there to provide an explanation. She opined that the United States should be a culturally sensitive and enlightened country. She thought that it was an insult that the HAAB had not been consulted about the passage of the Resolution. She said that it was the purpose of the creation of the HAAB to avoid the need for civil rights boards. There was no need for the Resolution itself and that it had the appearance of being a statement of an attitude of bias. She said that she was not judging the Commissioner's intentions but was concerned about the appearance of a lack of sensitivity. She said it creates suspicions of a motive of trying to please special interest groups without much thought to the consequences of alienation. She thought there could be severe consequences for the community in terms of fear and prejudice. She thought that there could be healing from this process ifthere was reconsideration of the Resolution. Commissioner Carter responded that he valued Ms. Reddick's comments but that he disagreed with a number of points. He stated that he was not singling out any particular group in the Resolution and that the Resolution was not politically motivated. He stated that he typically tries to act as a statesman on most matters of public policy and that there are many who do support the Resolution. Commissioner Carter stated that it was necessarily a matter on one side being wrong and the other being right but that he would not change the Resolution. He added that he did support diversity and equal opportunity and agrees that on many matters the HAAB should be consulted. Frank Rodriguez asked why the need for the Resolution. Commissioner Carter responded that the people of the State of Florida had voted for a Constitutional amendment on this subject and that the County Resolution is merely an affirmation of that Constitutional provision. Pete Cade asked if any dollars were to be saved by the implementation of the Resolution. Commissioner Carter responded that that could be determined by reviewing the cost of translations in the community but he emphasized that the Resolution was not motivated by budgetary concerns. Frank Loney objected to the Resolution as having been prompted by an individual who is not even a resident of Collier County or Florida. He warned that the HAAB was not consulted about this Resolution and that the voters would remember this at election time. David Correa asked the Commissioner if he knew how many Hispanic students reside in Collier County or as to what amount of money would be saved in regard to foreign language translations. Commissioner Carter responded that dollars were not the motivation behind the Resolution. David Correa stated that studies indicated that many Hispanic students in Miami 3 were not speaking good Spanish. He asked what agencies were affected. Commissioner Carter responded only the Collier County Board of County Commissioners and County Administrator Bob Fernandez explained that it consists offive divisions and eleven hundred employees. At this point a discussion was had involving an example of a foreigner applying for development permits at the County Development Services building. Commissioner Carter stated that under the Resolution the foreign individual would be able to obtain translations at County expense but that he could pay for the translations himself. David Correa asked why the HAAB had not been consulted about the Resolution. Commissioner Carter responded that the Resolution was not focused on anyone language group. David Correa stated that he was concerned that the Resolution was indicative of the playing of the "race card." Dora Vidaurri asked about a statement in the video tape that the Commissioner had made regarding the Hispanic community. Commissioner Carter responded that Spanish was mentioned as an example but that he did mean to single out a single group under the Resolution. Chris Straton of the American Association of University Women spoke on her own behalf and applauded Faye Reddick's expression of feelings of the community regarding the Resolution. She mentioned she was also troubled by the fact that the Board had made a statement in the Resolution that territories should establish English as an official language of government. She thought that this was not consistent with the concern over having only official records and acts in Collier County be in English. Commissioner Carter commented in response that the expression contained in the Resolution was part of a global initiative for all American states to have English as the official language. Frank Rodriguez commented that the English first concept sounded totalitarian. Frank Loney added that he loves Collier County but he does not want the California approach initiated by Governor Pete Wilson. Commissioner Carter stated that he is willing to receive input from all over to provide the best services and direction for the County. He thought that individuals should be free to disagree on policy matters but should not condemn different view points. Mr. Al Perkins stated that Ponce de Leon was Spanish. He commented about the many individuals of foreign origin that were forced to come to Florida. He expressed concern about the field workers in Immokalee who can not understand English. He opined that Hispanics need to organize and vote. He asked whether Emergency Services would use other languages. He asked about whether the court system would use other languages. He expressed concern regarding excessive arrests at Immokalee Middle School. He stated that bilingual education was definitely the way to go. He also expressed concern that translations in the court system were not very accurate. At this point Liaison Ramiro Maiialich inquired whether the Board wished to receive a letter which had been faxed by Mr. Victor Valdes, editor of Las Naciones News and Hispanic rights advocate. Manalich advised the Board that they have the discretion to accept or not accept written submittals. The Board chose to accept Mr. Valdes' letter and Frank Rodriguez read it 4 into the record. A copy of Mr. Valdes' letter is attached as an exhibit to these minutes. Also attached as an exhibit is the prepared statement of HAAB Member Faye Reddick. Frank Rodriguez mentioned that for Collier County to send a positive message to the community the County Commission should rethink the Resolution and bring back another resolution to the Board of County Commissioners with HAAB input. Frank concluded his comments by stating that there was no need for a message of division and that the Board of County Commissioners should seek to avoid a reputation of the Colorado racial massacre in the schools. Commissioner Carter stated that he understood the HAAB viewpoint and thanked the HAAB for the opportunity to be present. Frank Loney stated to Commissioner Carter that he hoped there were not any bad feelings as a result of the discussion. He stated that he respected Commission Carter as a Commissioner but he had felt discrimination personally in 1979 when he arrived in Florida. He stated that he wants to continue to support Collier County and, for that reason, wanted to ask the Commissioner to reconsider the Resolution and to work more closely with the HAAB. Commissioner Carter responded he had no bad feelings. He valued the HAAB. But that sometimes there must be an agreement to disagree. David Correa made a motion to condemn the Resolution in the strongest terms and requested, as part of the motion in the strongest terms, for the Resolution to be rescinded. Frank Loney seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. Frank Rodriguez stated that the motion of the HAAB would be communicated to the Board of County Commissioners. The next topic on the agenda was Diversity. Frank Rodriguez mentioned that it was an ongoing issue as to diversity in the workforce. He invited new County Administrator, Bob Fernandez, and Human Resources representative Jerre Salmon to this meeting to encourage them to promote diversity and to create pro-diversity policies for County government. He mentioned examples of large United States corporations that have established diversity programs. Bob Fernandez mentioned that in regard to diversity sensitivity the County has reacted to the lack of upper level positions with minorities by increasing the visibility of advertising to minorities in a number of publications. Despite these efforts, he mentioned that the County still has problems attracting minorities to top level county jobs such as the present hiring process for assistants of the County Administrator. Mr. Fernandez mentioned that the County has conducted mandatory diversity training for managers and in departments with problems of this nature, even if those problems were unintentional. He stated that he would review additional methods available to promote diversity. He mentioned the personnel policies have a brief statement in favor of diversity. He thought that perhaps the County could collaborate on that policy and worked with the HAAB in that effort. Frank Rodriguez suggested a public/private think tank regarding the subject of diversity. Frank Loney observed that the County should look for hiring minorities within Collier County. County Administrator Fernandez commented that the County emphasizes a primarily local recruitment effort but that he is concerned that sometimes there can be too much promotion from within the 5 - organization. He mentioned sometimes there is a need to attract outside candidates. A major emphasis must be on recruiting qualified people. Frank Rodriguez mentioned that diversity is a plus for services to the community. As an example, he cited the Sheriffs Minority Task Force which had led to more minorities being hired in the Sheriff s department. He also observed that coincidentally the crime rate had been reduced. He also mentioned that the Sheriff has publications in foreign languages. Commissioner Carter commented that it is a problem for employers, including government, in reaching potential applicants for positions. He said he was an advocate of the process to find the best people regardless of race or nationality, and whether within or outside ofthe community. Chris Straton commented that the School Board has Dr. Snow for minority hirings and retention. She thought that Collier County was not a "welcoming community," according to Dr. Snow, for minorities, and that efforts were underway to try to correct this. Jerre Salmon of Collier County Human Resources mentioned that he would be interested in working with the HAAB on the subject of diversity. He welcomed inquiries regarding claims of unsuccessful minority applicants to Collier County government. Frank Rodriguez responded that PIMA (Planned to Increase Minority Applications) had led to negative results as far as the non- hiring of good minority candidates. Jerre Salmon assured the HAAB members that the County would correct such problems ifthey are brought to the attention of the County. Liaison Ramiro Maiialich thanked Commissioner Carter, County Administrator Bob Fernandez and Human Resources Representative Jerre Salmon for their appearance at the meeting. Ramiro commented that regardless of different viewpoints, it is essential on democracy to have access and responsiveness from elected and appointed appointed officials. He observed that those goals had been promoted by the appearance of these three individuals at the meeting. Frank Rodriguez asked Commissioner Carter to consider supporting the HAAB motion to rescind the English Only Resolution and Commissioner Carter said he would think about it. Frank Rodriguez asked Commissioner Carter if he would cooperate with the HAAB regarding the promotion of diversity and Commissioner Carter stated that he would. The meeting ofthe Hispanic Board adjourned at approximately 9:00 P.M. Prepared by: Ramiro Maiialich, Board Liaison Approved by the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board on 27th Day of May, 1999. Frank Rodrigu z, Hispanic Affai , 6