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HAAB Minutes 02/22/2001 Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Minutes February 22,2001 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING of February 22. 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 Also Present: Victor Valdes, Editor. Las Naciones News Frank Rodriguez The meeting of the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) for February 22, 2001 commenced shortly after 7:00 P.M. A quorum of six (6) members was present. Mr. Victor Valdes, editor of Las Naciones News. was asked to introduce himself by Chairman David Correa. Mr. Valdes described that he had spent 21 years in Collier County and was editor of Las Naciones News for 17 years. He also stated that he was one of the creators of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board. David Correa mentioned that Mr. Valdes was very active in numerous Hispanic issues and in the Immokalee community. According to David Correa, Mr. Valdes had been at the forefront of Hispanic issues regarding education, health services and as a watchdog. Mr. Valdes clarified that his past criticism of some HAAB members was directed to those members who had acted for self-serving purposes or to improperly serve interests other than the Hispanic community David Correa, mentioned that the HAAB function is to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BCe). Mr. Pina asked how matters of the HAAB reach the BCe. David Correa explained that the HAAB has brought a number of different items, in different ways, to the Board of County Commissioners. He mentioned that the HAAB has contact with individual commissioners as well as appearances before the BCC and correspondence. At this point of the discussion, liaison Ramiro Manalich reminded the Board members of the periodic reporting requirement in the HAAB ordinance. Frank Loney commented that new commissioners, such as Commissioner Fiala, want the HAAB to address the County Commission regarding Hispanic issues. David Correa cautioned the members to make sure that they made no representations as to any HAAB position without the HAAB having formally considered such a matter. David Correa described to the members prior HAAB matters involving the county such as farm worker issues and the previous proposal for a Human Rights Commission. Mr. Pina brought up a recent article written by columnist Brent Batten about comments made by Commissioner Constantine regarding the farm workers protesting against the restaurant chain Taco Bell. With regard to this, Frank Loney, stated that he had told Commissioners Constantine and Norris that he would see both of them eventually in jail. A motion was made by Elvin Santiago, seconded by Pete Cade, to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2001 meeting. There was a unanimous vote to approve those minutes. A motion was made by David Correa for Mr. Pina to serve a shorter term and Sofia Pagan a longer term in regard to the two vacancies on the HAAB which needed to be filled. Franklin Loney seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous for approval. David Correa made a motion nominating himself as the Chairman of the Hispanic Advisory Board unless someone else was interested in the position. Pete Cade seconded the motion and there was unanimous approval. David Correa made a motion to nominate Frank Loney as Vice Chair and that motion was seconded by Elvin Santiago. There was a unanimous vote for approval. A motion was made by Frank Loney for Sofia Pagan to serve as Secretary. David Correa seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously. 2 Leo Cardona was not present at the HAAB meeting and it was determined that a report would be needed at the next meeting as to whether or not Mr. Cardona's absences are excused. A discussion was held regarding two more vacancies on the HAAB. David Correa encouraged the members to look in their own communities for interested applicants. He mentioned that there could be inspiration for people to apply for membership based on the good works of the HAAB, such as removal of school board testing fees, the HAAB's opposition to an English only resolution by the Board of County Commissioners, the dispute in which the HAAB intervened regarding an alleged English only rule at Naples Community Hospital. and the school system and the need for minority teachers. Frank Loney commented that there is a need to get involved in community projects and present items to the BCC involving the Hispanic community. He said that this is a diverse county and this should be reflected in Board of County Commissioners' decisions. He emphasized that it is necessary to get minorities involved in the election process and he mentioned the history of San Antonio, Texas where Hispanics came together as a voting block to elect Hispanic officials. He emphasized the need for action, not just discussion. Sofia Pagan brought up that the term "Latin" was more inclusive than the term "Hispanic". Mr. Valdes responded that "Latin" would involve nations not related closely to Hispanic issues. A discussion ensued regarding the origins of nations and whether they should be included as "Hispanic". Frank Loney mentioned that the HAAB should always encourage minorities from different nations to create their own organizational efforts and to vote. Elvin Santiago mentioned that he knew of specific cases of Hispanic problems in the community. He mentioned specifically mortgage company abuses and the need to get the word out to the Hispanic community. He said that there were overly high interest rates being charged to Hispanics due to misrepresentation. Liaison Ramiro Manalich said that the HAAB could approach the Board of County Commissioners and/or the County Manager regarding specific problems in the Hispanic community and seek direction for action with different community resources or a community information program. Frank Rodriguez emphasized that education for the community is necessary. He mentioned church workshops, which have been done for six or seven years. He said that many in the affected populations have multiple jobs. He indicated that lender terms are sometimes higher if there is not a high credit rating. He also recognized that there were entities that were taking advantage of the minority population. He said that the average family 3 was not informed. He suggested the need to go to places in the community where the minorities tend to gather such as in churches. Elvin Santiago asked if interest rate information was published in Las Naciones. Frank Rodriguez mentioned that the Extension Office has an information program for first time homebuyers. Mr. Valdes mentioned that he could even provide through Las Naciones a DPR complaint form. Frank Rodriguez stated that he had tried to inform the minority community through church programs in partnership with bankers and the Extension Office. However. there has been poor attendance. Frank Loney again emphasized the need for action and not just talk. He said there was a need to bring the media into the issue and he mentioned how Hispanic musical events have been packed. Sofia Pagan observed that there is a lack of time and energy for those with multiple jobs. She said that maybe presentations at social events would attract attendance. She also suggested that the bus schedules for Immokalee should appear in the Las Naciones newspaper. Mr. Valdes indicated that he would do so in his next edition. Pete Cade observed that the current bus schedules result in buses coming back to lmmokalee too early. He mentioned that there should be created an HAAB booth at the upcoming Immokalee Festival. Frank Loney made a motion for an HAAB booth to be allowed by the Board of County Commissioners at the Immokalee Festival in May. He thought that the Hispanic Board members should be present at the booth and, if necessary, to advertise the event as a Hispanic Board Meeting. Mr. Valdes emphasized the need for the Hispanic Board to get back in touch with the minority public. He said that the public had been told by Las Naciones News of the prior Board of County Commissioners not listening to the HAAB and the HAAB being ineffective. He is willing to promote to the public any positive changes made by the HAAB. David Correa seconded the motion for the HAAB booth permission to be sought from the Board of County Commissioners. Robert Pina discussed that there were Hispanic masses at St. Peters Church and public information announcements could be made there. Frank Rodriguez emphasized working at banks and the extension office for seminars and making announcements at the masses in Spanish at the St. Peter's Church and the Manantial Church. A vote in favor of the proposal for an HAAB booth at the lmmokalee Festival passed unanimously. Elvin Santiago was selected to report back on the proposal for the extension office/banking organization/church seminars. Frank Rodriguez mentioned that a serious Collier County problem is that of affordable housing. He mentioned that income and salaries remain stagnant but housing costs increased. He mentioned that the average 4 yearly wage is $28,000.00 with multiple jobs. This is low compared to the median of $59,000.00 and the average cost of over $200,000.00 for home values in Collier County. He reported that rents are being paid at rates of $700.00-$1.000.00 per month, but these same people can't qualify for mortgages and pay the same rates for ownership. He said this is due to the inability to save on low income. He mentioned that the Work Force Housing Committee was planning a Board of County Commissioner's workshop in May to get the BCC involved. He mentioned a workshop on March 8th and that the HAAB and the Hispanic community should be present. He cautioned that if minority workers continue to live in Lee County, then the positive economic impacts will occur there and not in Collier County. Frank Loney also mentioned that there is a need for new industries that pay higher wages. He said that Collier County lacks the infrastructure to attract that industry. There is a need for education for the workforce existing in Collier County. He thought that the Hispanic Board could participate in these efforts. Mr. Pina mentioned that there seemed to be a lack of leadership in the Hispanic community. He also mentioned that the Board of County Commissioners does not seem to want to support social services. There was a consensus of those present that there is a need to get involved in the Hispanic issues and continue this discussion. Frank Rodriguez mentioned that the Lee County HAAB was going to present community awards in support of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. He thought that the HAAB of Collier County should get involved with the Collier County Board of County Commissioners for the same cause. Mr. Valdes requested the opportunity to speak at the next meeting regarding an updated report on his investigations of misconduct he alleges has occurred in the sheriff's office. The Chairman agreed to provide him the opportunity to make those comments. Mr. Valdes encouraged an invitation to the sheriff's office to attend this discussion. The meeting of the HAAB Advisory Board was adjourned at 9:01 p.m. Prepared by: Ramiro Manalich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison 5 Approved on this~day of March, 2001 ..3J~ r _~J David Correa, Chairman 6 MEMORANDUM TO: Sue Filson, Administrative Assistant Board o~ssioners FROM: Ramiro Maiialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney DATE: April 18, 2001 RE: Approved Minutes of the February 22, 2001 Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Meeting Please find attached the approved minutes of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board meeting of F ebuary 22, 2001. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. RM/kn attachment cc: David C. Weigel, County Attorney