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HAAB Minutes 10/25/2001 Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Minutes October 25,2001 msp ANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING of October 25, 2001 PRESENT: ABSENT: David Correa, HAAB Member Ro ber! Pina Pete Cade, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Sofia Pagan, HAAB Member Susan Calkins, HAAB Member Carlos Aviles Ramiro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Also Present: Victor Valdes, Editor, Las Naciones News Timothy Durham, Office of the County Attorney David Weeks, Collier County Planning Services Liza McClenaghan Michael Kirk, Collier County Public Schools, Chuck Mohlke Frank Rodriguez, Que Pasa Southwest Florida TV John Norman, Representative Ralph Arza's office The October 25, 2001 meeting of the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) took place at the Collier County Commission meeting room and began at approximately 7:03 P.M. A quorum of six (6)) members was present. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2001 MINUTES David Correa noted a correction that was needed on the draft minutes of September, 2001. Specifically, on page 4, he noted that a reference to the "Immokalee Bank" should be changed to "Bank of America." There is also a correction to the spelling of the last name of Commissioner Coletta. A motion was made to approve the minutes, as corrected, by Frank Loney. Carlos Aviles seconded the motion. The vote was 6 to 0 in favor of the motion. ""'-.- -~-,.,", .__.- ","'~-'--'''-' - _._ _'...._.. __m'~'"'_'~__'>"_ EXCUSED ABSENCE Ramiro Mafialich informed the Board that Mr. Pina had called several days before and advised that he would be unable to attend the HAAB Meeting as he aa~ 1381la sallea ta vv<~<d- <k \t",.,t- t>1;\i~rn~' ~~'kll in l>leAIl.t'arolina. Carlos Aviles made a motion to excuse the absence and Frank Loney secftfn'ae the motion. A unanimous vote (6 to 0) occurred in favor of the motion. REDISTRICTING PRESENTATION David Weeks from the Collier County Planning staff cxplained the reasons for redistricting of the Commission boundaries. The basic reason was that there had been population changes throughout the County. He explained that five maps had been prepared (the maps are attached to these minutes) as well as a repor! (attached) and a spreadsheet regarding population figures (also attached). He said that the basic redistricting critcria approvcd by the County Commission were to maintain incumbency, compact and contiguous districts, cqual population districts, and seeking to havc the same boundarics as the school district. Hc also said that additional lcgal critcria includcd: avoiding rctrogrcssion of minority votes (espccially in District 5); and avoiding division of neighborhoods. He mentioned that othcr critcria that wcrc followed are included in thc rcpor!. He also stated that retrogression analysis indicatcd that thcrc was actually an increase in minority populations in the districts. Mr. Weeks cxplained the redistricting methodology based on census tracts and whcrc Commissioncrs livc. He mcntioncd that Collier County is a "covered jurisdiction" and that it must submit maps' for "pre- clearance" by the U.S. Justice Department. He explained that the repor! that has been prepared has standout features and critiques of each map. There is also a dcscription of each district in the package. Mr. Weeks commented about the differences between the maps. With regard to Maps #1 and #2, he said that the only significant difference was in the area of Davis Boulevard. District I has not changed in those maps. Map #3 has a significant feature in that District I goes farther east. Maps #4 and #5 have different boundaries in North Naples. There are very few "jogs" on Map #5. Mr. Weeks also mentioned some significant changes in the maps regarding the so-called Manatee Road Triangle. Mr. Weeks recapped prior public meeting presentations regarding redistricting. He mentioned that there had been meetings with the Leaguc of Women Voters, the Black Affairs Advisory Board, and the School Board. He said the School Board wanted to follow the County lead in this matter and also wanted to wait for public comment. The School Board expressed reservations about Map #3 regarding Everglades City not being in District 5. Therc were also three community meetings. Weeks said that the turnout varied, but generally the numbers were small. He mentioned that notices of these meetings were provided as described. The notices were in English, Spanish and Creole. The BCC meeting is November 13, 200 I for consideration and approval of the maps by the County Commission. The staff group would also be back before the School Board and in Immokalee. He said that residents of Immokalee felt that there was a need for another mecting duc to lack of sufficient prior notice tor the previous meeting. 2 "'-'"'-~----'-'-'----- -- -,--_..--_.-,--- _<M'.,M_~..__, ~<",~.""." ,--. .-...~-,---_._..--,~ David Correa mentioned that he felt that there was a lack of ample notice for tonight's meeting. He said that it would have been better if there had been earlier notice. He would have preferred a summary of the large amount of information. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich expressed regrets about not getting information to the HAAB earlier, but he explained that all of the staff had been very busy and that thc information had been coming together recently. He suggested that the Hispanic Board could consider having another meeting before the November 13th County Commission Meeting. David Weeks mentioned that more information about the redistricting process was available on the County Website. Frank Loney asked about the Hispanic population figures in the districts and David Wecks cxplained the numbers of the spreadsheet. Mr. Weeks emphasized that County Statl was seeking comments, criticisms and suggestions regarding all of the redistricting process. David Correa asked if any comments would be conveyed to the County Commission. Mr. Weeks explained that the comments would be presented to the Board of County Commissioners. Howcver, staff will not change the maps without County Commission direction. Tim Durham from the County Attorney's Office explained that there had been lots of information received. He emphasized that there had been significant concerns expressed regarding Map #3 as well as regarding the North Naples communities on Map #3 and Map #5 not being similar to the rest of District 5. David Correa agrccd that there should be concern over these North Naples communities being in District 5 because they are not similar in terms of income and in other ways. Frank Loney echoed those same concerns and he thought that including the North Naples gated communities in District 5 would impede minorities running for office in that district. David Correa asked Chuck Mohlke, Democratic Party Chairman, to comment about the redistricting information. Mr. Mohlke stated that he had been monitoring the redistricting process and that he had previously commented regarding congressional redistricting as Chair of the Collier County Democratic Party. He said that the County Staff had made a good presentation. He stated that he has concerns concerning the North Naples' gated communities being included in District 5. He provided demographics information and mentioned that Commissioners Matthews and Berry had been elected from those Nor!h Naples' communities. He compared information of other representative areas in the Immokalee region in District 5. He also spoke of "age demographics" in Immokalee. He said that the last Ccnsus it was indicated that the median age in Immokalec was far younger (22.5 years of age) than in the North Naples' gated communities. In those communities, the median age is 55. He also mentioned that those under 18 years of age cannot register to vote. He said that the registered voters are 39% of District 5's population whereas in District 2 it is 66% of the population that are registered to vote. He mentioned that obviously age was a major consideration. He stated that the North Naples' communities had a highcr number of registered voters and that they do not have much in common with Immokalee or the rest of District 5. David Correa asked Mr. Mohlke about having just Immokalee as a Commission District. Mr. MoWke respondcd that the districts all have to have the same approximate population. A variance of up to five percent is allowed. The present maps have one to two percent variations and they are good maps, but there are the concerns that he expressed previously. 3 ..__._.__.____._M.__._.~ ~._._.~ <."~~'nM. "=--"~._._,..- .~"._.__."-_.~--".__..,,..- David Correa asked Mr. Mohlke if there could be one "minority" district? Mr. Mohlke explained that it was very hard to do that in the large Collier County area and not violate the compact and contiguous redistricting standards. He said therc was no legal basis for line drawing with an exclusive focus on race and ethnicity. David Correa clarified that hc was not saying that he wanted to have only minority elected officials, but he did want the Commission Districts to be drawn in such a way as to allow for that potential. Mr. Mohlke emphasized that minorities have a smallcr percentage of registered voting age population. He believes that they should not be disadvantaged by mixing the minority population with other populations that have an older age and more voters. He said that Frank Rodriguez would also address this topic. David Correa stated that he would like for Mike Carr, Chairman of the Collier County Republican Party, to share his comments with the HAAB on this topic. Mr. Mohlke presented a spreadsheet (attached) regarding the total registered voters per district and a breakdown by ethnicity and race. The figures presented related to population percentages and minority groups and numbers of registcred voters and the percentages of total population made up of registered voters in the Commission Districts. He emphasized again that District 5 has a younger than average population and many of them under voting age. There are also a number of voting age adults who are not naturalized U.S. citizens. He felt that there would be a dispropor!ionate impact to include the North Naples' gated communities in District 5. He repeated that this had been exhibited by the results in the 1992 and 1996 commission elections. Tim Durham emphasized that staff is inviting comments and contact by the public before the November 13th County Commission redistricting decision. Miclillel Kirk, representing the Collier County Public Schools, statcd that he had been working with County staff on the redistricting effort and that the School Board Policy is to seek to have the same school district boundarics as the boundarics tor thc County Commission District. Frank Rodriguez introduced himself as President of Vision Inc. which features Hispanic TV programming. He said that he is familiar with the ccnsus information and seeks to have more Hispanic representation in government. Hc mentioned that there had been a dramatic increase in the Hispanic population in Collier County. Many are not U.S. citizens and cannot vote even though they contribute to the community. He mentioned that in reviewing the maps he had a "Catch 22" concern over the lack of conccntration of Hispanic voters. He thought that overall there had been a dilution of votes of Hispanics even though it was not the fault of anyone in particular. When there is such a dilution there is a loss of ability to influence candidates. He said that he had been involved in voter registration eflor!s for Hispanics and that the HAAB and the County Commission need to keep an eye on the concentration of Hispanics in the districts. He observed that the Hispanic population tends to be much younger and that he thought there was a need to get representatives of the Republican Party involved in this process. Sofia Pagan then had some discussion with Mr. Rodriguez about the Hispanic media in town and how the community can best be reached. Frank Loney said that he was happy to see the new redistricting information from staff, but that he wished he had more time to interpret the data. A discussion occurred about the logistics 0 I' having another meeting versus taking 4 .--..--,.---,..---.."-.....' --.'-- .--- .__.~v"""_~___._,_._"'_.,.."__ ._...._-_.-.,~~~--"'_.._~--_.._,_. - formal action on this matter this evening. There was also a discussion about potential motions that could be madc on this subject. Frank Rodriguez observed that there was a concentration of Hispanic voters in District 3. Chuck Mohlke suggested that three maps (1, 2 and 4) show District 5 to the East of County Road 951. Frank Loney repeated that he was concerned about the lack of early information. A discussion ensued about the different maps. Susan Calkins made a motion expressing a preference for Maps # I and #2 on the basis that the HAAB does not want the minority vote diluted. A motion also included a policy statement that District 5 should not go West of Collier Boulevard (County Road 951). The motion was seconded by Carlos A viles. A 6 - 0 vote in favor of the motion occurred. The HAAB mcmbers thanked County Staff and Mr. Kirk for the presentation. IMMOKALEE CHECK CASHING Mr. John Norman explained that he had to get off to another meeting, but that he wanted to have the Hispanic Board consider a potential solution to the check cashing fees problems for Hispanics in Immokalee. He suggested that perhaps the HAAB could persuade a business to cash checks for no charge if minimum purchasc occurs. RESIGNATION OF MEMBER EUGENE GREENER Liaison Ramiro Mafialich passed out three documents relating to Mr. Greener's resignation. First, Mr. Greener's October 17, 2001 rcsignation letter. Liaison also distributcd Mr. Greener's September 28, 2001 letter complaining about lack of notice and information of the meetings and a copy of Legal Assistant Kay Nell's Memorandum in response to Mr. Greener's complaints about lack of noticc and information. Chairman Correa stated that it has been his experience that Kay Nell has always provided fine noticc for the meetings. FARMWORKERS' EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Liaison Ramiro Mafialich passed out a draft of the Executive Summary regarding the HAAB's decision to ask the County Commission to request dialogue between growers and farm workers in the Immokalce community. The Board members indicated that the Executive Summary should be presented to the County Commissioners as submitted by the Liaison. MR. VALDES' REQUEST FOR AN AGENDA ITEM Mr. Victor Valdes, Editor of Las Naciones News, requested time on the Board's next agenda for a variety of information regarding the activities of the Police Review Board which has been recently formed. The Chairman agreed to his request. 2002 ADVISORY BOARD REPORT The 2002 HAAB Repor! to the County Commission was deferred to a later agenda. 5 ~._--- ~_.---- -~"--. -...-..... . ----_...- LATIN FESTIVAL, VOTER REGISTRATION David Correa repor!ed that there had been an effor! to register Hispanic voters at the Latin Music Festival. He said that approximately 60-70 voters registered and more than 100 applications were passed out. He said he was assisted in this matter by Mr. Pina and the Elections Office. HARVEST FOR HUMANITY {\oaqj Carlos Aviles asked for Mr. Nejftj to be placed on the agenda for November to discuss the Harvest for Humanity in the Immokalee Hispanic Community. Mr. Aviles said he would contact Mr. Wojay to attend. . 1\0 0: FRANK RODRIGUE~1kISPANIC BUSINESS Frank Rodriguez asked the HAAB for its suppor! regarding a factory in Collier County that has a Code Enforcement Board hearing pending. He said that this factory has many Hispanic employees. He said that the factory obtained approvals from the County for a new building off Airport Road. Neighbors complained and these approvals were withdrawn. He said he wants the Board of County Commissioners to suppor! the original approval. He said that this business may have to move to Lee County and Hispanics cannot travel there and then will lose their jobs. He is asking thc Hispanic Board to address a private business that has a m~or impact in the Hispanic Community (200 Hispanic families). Frank Loney asked what was the name of the company and when would it be before the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Rodriguez stated that he did not know when the agenda items was coming before the County Commission and that the name of the business was called Gulf Coast American Blinds. He said that the business owners name is Carlos Diaz. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich stated that he would make no comments because he was aware that this item was being reviewed by the County Attorney's office. However, he stated that he thought this item was going before the County Commission at the second meeting of November. A discussion was held regarding options for action, future meetings or individual comments before the County Commission. David Correa mentioned that he was inclined to try to help in this situation, but he was not sure if the business had broken any rules. However, he recognized that sometimes Code Enforcement can abuse their powers. David Correa suggested having a special meeting with all parties involved. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich reviewed the HAAB's role under its ordinance. Mr. Valdes stated that this situation could be assisted by the HAAB. He said that he has had succcss before on these types of issues. Frank Rodrigucz stated that he was merely asking the HAAB for suppor! of the original approval and not for a judgment on the Code Enforcement Case. The HAAB decision was to set a special meeting prior to the County Commission meeting with regard to this Hispanic business. They would invite representatives of all parties concerned with the matter. 6 ~-----~ -'-- -~,,_.-.. _._- -""->--"--'-_._~~ ,. The meeting of the HAAB adjourned at approximately 9:25 p.m. Prepared by: Ramiro Mafialich, Chicf Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison ?l,-r?' ,''','1 'I I ' . / Approved by the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board on this ~ day of /(II C-/ , 2001. ,'.. (, , , I 1\ it "",.A / ~ 6' 11...X (l' A..... \ (J DilVid Correa, Chairman 7 "'e.'_"~'_'._'~"""_.",,,,,.__ .~---- "'-"'--~-- - .-- ---....,.--.-.--.