07-09-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 9, 2012 nine member commission two of whom are disabled. The Commission also serves as also in a quasi-judicial capacity meaning that it is somewhat like a court. It holds reconsideration hearings about once a month, public hearings two, three and sometimes four times a year, and of course the public meetings of the Human Rights Commission each month. The clients of the Human Rights Commission are generally low income and generally do not have transportation and it is essential that there be a good functioning conference room in which the necessary public hearings which require confidentiality and privacy are held. Those that have claims of discrimination, their claims are protected as a matter of federal law. The Human Rights Commission can not release any information about investigations so the privacy of those who have claims who may be in vulnerable positions is essential. With that in mind, then there are five (5) distinct requirements of the Human Rights Commission and say distinct because they are unlike any other department. 1. Must have approximately 3,000 square feet of space usable as an office. 2. That it be a totally ADA accessible facility, because they hear cases of those with disabilities and because members of the commission themselves are disabled. 3. It needs to be on a first floor, for the same reasons. 4. It needs to be a place that enhances the privacy of individuals who are the clients of the commission. 5. It needs to be on a Public Transportation Route with parking facilities. All of those requirements are met with the space that has been identified here. She stated that the other component of the Human Rights Commission is that it receives about 1,000 inquiries a year, of which about 100 turn into actual cases that are worked on involving witnesses and clients. So, for those reasons it’s clear that a finding for a new facility is necessary in addition to all of the problems that are with the space as it is presently constituted. Councilmember Henry Davis asked how the new location will be marketed. How would people be able to find the Human Rights Commission on Niles Avenue? How will the rest of the world know that the Human Rights Commission has relocated to Niles Avenue. Mr. Lonnie Douglas stated that the HUD has given them an $80,000 grant to do education and outreach. Part of that grant will be utilized to advertise the billboards, television spots, newspaper spots that the Human Rights Commission is moving and where they will be located and how accessible they will be. Councilmember Henry Davis asked if they were going to use that total amount of the grant for marketing purposes? He stated that he didn’t know anything about an $80,000 grant to be honest. Mr. Douglas stated that the grant is given to them three (3) fold: 1. The Council passed the sexual orientation law, an ordinance that they will also be marketing in terms of making people aware of that. 2. Housing in general, that they investigate housing in terms of landlords as well as homeowners. 3. To announce that they are moving. Ms. DeRose advised that much of the funding for the Human Rights Commission is provided by grants from the EEOC and from the Housing and Urban Development Department of the Federal Government. Councilmember Dieter asked for clarification on the exact dollar amount of the grant. Ms. DeRose stated that it was $80,000. Ms. DeRose stated that she made a mistake when she identified the owner of the building, it’s 319 Niles Avenue LLC. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this Resolution, Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to adopt this Resolution as substituted. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried and the Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of nine (9) ayes. 10