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HAAB Minutes 01/25/2001 Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Minutes January 25, 2001 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING of January 25, 2001 PRESENT: ABSENT: David Correa, HAAB Member Leo Cardona, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Pete Cade, HAAB Member Sofia Pagan, HAAB Member Robert Pina, HAAB Member Elvin Santiago, HAAB Member Ramiro Manalich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Member Also Present: Susan Golden, Planner, City of Naples The meeting of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board of Collier County (HAAB) for January 25, 2001 commenced at approximately 7:07 P.M. A quorum of six (6) members was present. A motion was made by Pete Cade, seconded by Frank Loney, to approve the minutes of November 18, 1999. There was a unanimous vote to approve. A motion was made by Pete Cade, seconded by Elvin Santiago, to approve the minutes of January 27, 2000. There was a unanimous vote to approve those minutes. For the record, a note should be made that the new members of the HAAB voted to approve merely what was presented to them based upon assurances of the Chair that the minutes were accurate. The vote of the new members is not reflective of any knowledge of the accuracy of the minutes since they were not present for those meetings for which the minutes were approved. Chairman David Correa asked the new members and everyone else present to do brief self-introductions. Mr. Elvin Santiago stated that he had resided in Naples since 1987 and was from Puerto Rico. He discussed his family and that he was an assistant manager for Publix Corporation. He mentioned that he lives on Marco Island and wants to get involved in Hispanic issues. He mentioned that he had heard complaints in the community and that he wanted to do something positive. Mr. Robert Pina stated that he had been currently living in Naples for one year although he had previously lived in Naples before. He is retired. He discussed his family and that he had been a plumbing inspector for Arlington Heights, IL and for the State of Illinois. He had also done work as a contractor. Pete Cade stated that he was raised and lives In Immokalee. He is a school teacher. He described his family. Sofia Pagan mentioned that she was born in the Peru rainforest region. She is a retired teacher. She has been in the United States since 1987. She discussed her family background and her work as a legal secretary for her son's law firm in the United States. She found out about the Hispanic Board through the newspaper. She stated that she believed there was a lack of assistance for those without much education. She expressed that she felt that society must support teacher authority. She mentioned some concerns that she has with some of the programs in the school district. She commented about the English as a Second Language program in the schools. Frank Loney stated that he was born in Costa Rica and has been living in Naples since 1979. He described his experience with negative labels being placed on minorities in the school system in Collier County. He talked about his cosmopolitan personal background. Frank also questioned the validity of some of the current minority statistics methodologies used in society. It was agreed by the members present that the length of terms of the members and the officers would be chosen at the next meeting. A discussion occurred regarding the HAAB meeting schedule. It was decided that the HAAB would meet on the last Thursday of each month. Generally, the meetings will be scheduled at the Golden Gate Community Center. Special meetings will be held elsewhere, as needed. 2 Frank Loney commented that meetings in Immokalee should be scheduled. Susan Golden, Planner for the City of Naples appeared before the HAAB. She mentioned that there would be an affordable housing committee presentation to the Board of County Commissioners in May, 2001. They are attempting to form subcommittees on the issue and expand the support base for affordable housing. Invitations will be extended to community groups to attend and participate regarding the housing concerns. She stressed that there would be solutions sought during the May presentation. She provided a list of meetings and locations and described the affordable housing programs which are under consideration. HAAB members commented that more public information is necessary regarding the availability of these programs. David Correa suggested that Susan Golden attend future HAAB meetings. David also encouraged HAAB members to interact with the affordable housing group. Staff liaison and Chief Assistant County Attorney, Ramiro Manalich, discussed the County ordinance requirements for the HAAB, including attendance. He also mentioned the basic requirements of the sunshine and public records law as well as the ethics laws. He mentioned that there is a resolution in place which serves as a safety net for advisory board members by potentially allowing them to have County-paid legal representation for complaints against them stemming from their advisory board roles. Ramiro explained that any such representation would require County Commission approval. There was a brief discussion regarding the history of the HAAB and its activities including such things as the supposed English only rule and Naples Community Hospital; the Human Rights Commission, farm workers issues; and school board issues. Regarding future topics for the HAAB to consider. Elvin Santiago mentioned that there was a need to communicate the availability of English training in the Hispanic community. Frank Loney thought that there should be more efforts made to get the media to attend the HAAB meetings and provide coverage for Hispanic information. Sofia Pagan suggested that perhaps Univision would be interested in covering Hispanic Board activities. She also said that there are Hispanic radio stations that also might be interested in affording coverage to Hispanic issues. Robert Pina mentioned that church bulletins can be used to disseminate Hispanic information. Elvin Santiago, commented regarding the need for improvement of communication about Hispanic issues and addressing affordable housing. 3 There was a brief discussion as to whether or not the HAAB should be involved in farm worker issues. Frank Loney commented that the new County Commissioners have invited the HAAB to bring matters to the Board of County Commissioners. He said that they are doing this because they want to restore public confidence. Elvin Santiago mentioned that a bus system and transportation for work for Immokalee residents should be a matter of concern to the HAAB. A brief discussion was lead by Chairman Correa regarding whether there is the need to change the quorum requirements of the HAAB ordinance. He mentioned that quorum alternatives have been considered by the Development Services Advisory Committee. It was the consensus of the members that they would wait and see as to whether an ordinance amendment would be needed. depending upon whether there were quorum problems in the future. It was agreed that the next meeting would take place the last Thursday in February at 7pm at the Golden Gate Community Center. The meeting of the HAAB Advisory Board was adjourned at approximately 9:55 p.m. Prepared by: Ramiro Manalich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Approved on this..2~ day of February, 2001 Cf)cv:() ~ David Correa, Chairman .j MEMORANDUM FROM: Sue Filson, Administrative Assistant Board o~ ~mmissioners Ramiro analich, C~ief Assistant County Attorney TO: DATE: March 6, 2001 RE: Approved Minutes of the January 25,2001 Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting Please find attached the approved minutes of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board meeting of January 25,2001. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. RM/kn attachment cc: David C. Weigel, County Attorney