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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - Special - 5/20/1993CITY OF LUBBOCK SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 1993 The City Council of the City of Lubbock, Texas met in special session on the 20th day of May, 1993 in the City Council Chambers, first floor, City Hall, 1625 13th Street, Lubbock, Texas at 5:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Langston, Mayor Pro Tem Maggie Trejo, Councilmember T. J. Patterson, Councilmember M. J. Aderton, Councilmember Randy Neugebauer, Councilmember Max Ince, Councilmember Alex Cooke, Acting City Manager Bob Cass, City Attorney John C. Ross, Jr., and City Secretary Betty M. Johnson. Mayor Langston called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. ( 1.) The Invocation was given by Councilmember T. J. Patterson. ( 2.) The Pledge of Allegiance was given in unison by those in the Council Chambers. The Council recessed from the regular meeting at 5:03 p.m. for executive session. *1IV.,QEW%]61: ( 3.) Hold an executive session, in accordance with Article 6252-17, Section 2(e) and (f), VACS, to discuss pending and contemplated litigation and acquisition of real property (Water Utilities). 93-52A-449-359 ( 5.) Hold an executive session, in accordance with Article 6252-17, Section 2(_g), VACS, to discuss personnel matters regarding duties, responsibilities, and/or appointments to: Community Development Advisory Commission Building Board of Appeals Transit Advisory Board Electric Utility Board Permit and License Appeal Board Human Relations Commission Planning and Zoning Commission The Council reconvened the regular meeting at 7:05 p.m. 93-52A-449-360 ( 6.) Consider six appointments to the Community Development Advisory Commission. The terms of Kado Lang, E. Hoyse McMurtry, Mary Mauldin, Sharon Bennett, Gary Cocanougher, and Jose Davila will expire on May 31, 1993. May 20, 1993 Page 450 93-52A-450-361 ( 7.) 93-52A-450-362 ( 8.) 93-52A-450-363 ( 9•) 93-52A-450-364 (10.) 93-52A-450-365 (11.) Motion was made by Councilmember Cooke, seconded by Councilmember Patterson to hold on the appointment to the Community Development Advisory Commission. Motion carried:- 7 Yeas; 0 Nays. Consider three appointments to the Building Board of Appeals. The terms of Michael Landress, Terry Echols, and Raymond Powell will expire on June 1, 1993. Motion was made by Councilmember Cooke, seconded by Councilmember Patterson to appoint Duane McQueen, Cyril Reasoner, and Ricky Brazil to the Building Board of Appeals. Motion carried: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays. Consider three appointments to the Transit Advisory Board. The terms of D. A. Smith, Steve Sexton, and Rose Mediano will expire on June 24, 1993. Motion was made by Councilmember Cooke, seconded by Councilmember Patterson to reappoint Steve Sexton and Rose Mediano to the Transit Advisory Board. Motion carried: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays. Consider three appointments to the Electric Utility Board. The terms of Edward W. Breihan, Floyd Greer, and Jim Gilbreath will expire on June 30, 1993. Motion was made by Councilmember Cooke, seconded by Councilmember Patterson to appoint Judy Blakey, John Zwiacher, and Ellwood Keeney, Jr., to the Electric Utility Board. Motion carried: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays. Consider one appointment to the Permit and License Appeal Board to replace John L. Wilson whose term expired on April 27, 1993. Motion was made by Councilmember Cooke, seconded by Councilmember Patterson to appoint Curt Covert to the Permit and License Appeal Board. Motion carried: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays. Consider two appointments to the Human Relations Commission to replace Vivian Hupp who has resigned and Fulton Berry whose term will expire on May 25, 1993. Motion was made by Councilmember Cooke, seconded by Councilmember Patterson to appoint Angeles Barranda to the Human Relations Commission. Motion carried: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays. May 20, 1993 Page 451 93-52A-451-366 (12.) Consider one appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission to replace Alfred Velasquez. Motion was made by Councilmember Cooke, seconded by Councilmember Patterson to hold on the appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion carried: 7 Yeas; 0 Nays. 93-52A-451-367 ( 4.) Hold a public hearing to hear testimony pertaining to the recommendations of the Board of Health regarding teen pregnancy, and take appropriate action. Mayor Langston opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. The following people spoke on behalf of a particular organization in favor of the Board of Health recommendations regarding teen pregnancy: Carolie Mullan, League of Women Voters Frances Lowe, American Association of University Women Davis Price, Committed Christians Concerned Maria Louisa Mercado, Hispanic Agenda Task Force Donita Samuels, March of Dimes The following people spoke on behalf of a particular organization in opposition to the Board of Health recommendations regarding teen pregnancy: Dr. Clark Kerr, group of parents and medical doctors with an alternative proposal Bret Cadenhead, First Baptist Church Dr. Wayson Gerwig, Lubbock Baptist Association Bob Fagan, Lubbock Baptist Association Rev. G. E. O'Neal, IMFA Mikel Ward, SPARTAN Vanessa Robison, Lubbock Eagle Forum John Simpson, representing the Lubbock Moderate Majority, presented a rebuttal to the testimony of those speaking in opposition to the Board of Health recommendations. Mr. Simpson said that everyone represented believes in abstinence and of the role of the family. He reiterated that those people and organizations who are for the Board of Health recommendations are not anti -family, but there are many children who don't have the benefit of two loving parents, and their needs must be addressed also. He pleaded with the Council not to put off the decision regarding the recommendations of the Board of Health, stating that two years of hard work have gone into the proposed recommendations, and a decision should not be delayed. Dr. Wayson Gerwig, representing the Lubbock Council on Family Values, presented a rebuttal to the testimony of those speaking in favor of the Board of Health recommendations. Dr. Gerwig requested that the Council give serious consideration to the proposal of the Lubbock Council on Family Values that alters the Board of Health recommendations in some areas and leaves other areas unaltered. May 20, 1993 Page 452 The following individuals spoke in favor of the Board of Health recommendations, voicing their personal views regarding teen pregnancy: Harvey Madison Dr. Norman Shulman Dr. Jerry McLaughlin Oscar Reyes Jim Jackson Charles Johnson Barbara Pierce Mona Morin Mario Martinez Dan Dennison Marcos Martinez Lilly Aguilar Gloria Valdez The following individuals spoke in opposition to the Board of Health recommendations, voicing their personal views regarding teen pregnancy: John Oakley Bill Weaks Dr. Jeff Paxton Steve Donaldson Foree Grove Floyd Rich Kathy Waldron Cherri Head Marilyn Mills Tim Lambert Robin Chamberlain Larry Doyle Cheri Isett Brant O'Hair Mark Punzo Mayor Langston closed the public hearing at 10:55 p.m. Vicki Shadden, Chairperson of the Board of Health, asked that the Council accept the Board of Health recommendations regarding teen pregnancy. Councilmember Ince stated that his views today are consistent with the views he held on the issue over a year ago, that is, that this is a health -related problem and not just a problem of moral choice. He went on to say that the plans of both of the groups include government involvement at a time when the public is asking for less government involvement in all issues. He described his position as the most conservative position of all and would prefer to keep, government out of this issue. He closed by stating his opinion that it is time to put an end to government intervention in moral values and to proceed with other business. Councilmember Cooke commented that all of the participants in the issue have the same interest, that is, of decreasing the rate of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. He went on to say that abstinence is the only 100 percent answer and the family is the key, but that there will not be 100 percent abstinence nor 100 percent participation of the family. He stated his opinion that there is no threat to parental authority in the Board of Health recommendations and that two years of negotiation and study is enough for Council to make a decision. Mayor Pro Tem Trejo commented that the community can't deny that there is a problem with the high rate of teen pregnancy. She argued that the statistics that show minorities having more babies than non -minorities is not accurate because of the abortion option taken by more non -minorities than minorities. She went on to say that one cannot assume that parents can take care of the problem because not all children have two good parents to guide them. She closed by saying that something must be done and we must get on with other business. May 20, 1993 Page 453 Councilmember Aderton said that he observed that the word "moderation" had not been mentioned during the hearing because the problem cannot be handled in moderation; abstinence is the only answer. He said that if the Council chooses to follow the recommendations of the Board of Health, that the abstinence route will have to be followed. The authority must be given to the parents, but since 14- and 15-year-old kids are not responsible parents, there must be a substitute for it. He stated his opinion that one must put a sense of value on this issue because low moral values are the cause of the problem. He recommended that the Council take a direction that can be adopted with amendments that conform with the values of people's lives and characters as well as with moral values. Councilmember Patterson commented that the problem goes back to the family. He stated his opinion that it is the family's responsibility to teach what is fair and equitable. He said that both sides are wanting some of the same things, but that there must be a compromise for the sake of the children. Councilmember Patterson reiterated his concern that African Americans were not represented in the debate. Councilmember Neugebauer stated his impression that both groups recognize that young people are very important assets who must be preserved and protected in the best possible way and that the deliberation centers on the best way to go about doing that. He voiced his concern that values are the missing ingredient; the young people don't have a clear picture of what the community standard is. He said that everyone must go out into the community to try to j reach the young people and let them know that they are L. special and that this community loves them, regardless of what is happening in their homes. He stated his opinion that children have the capacity to know right from wrong and are looking to the adults to set the standard; the adults have failed them by allowing the, standard to slide. Councilmember Neugebauer stated that the Council must adopt a perfect standard, then let groups, churches, and organizations rally around that perfect standard. Mayor Langston reiterated that both sides of the issue, as well as the Council, care about values in this community and that the community must set a value standard below which the community will not fall and that there are certain things that the community simply will not tolerate. He agreed that the problem is a failure of the family, but he said that the community must do something about it, by stepping in and acting as a substitute. He said that the Council's duty is to make a policy statement with respect to what this community's value standard is and how Council intends to carry out that value standard. He agreed that abstinence must be the standard and made suggestions for amendments to the Board of Health recommendations, incorporating suggestions made by the Lubbock Council on Family Values that constituted a reworking of the Board of Health recommendations. The full text of the amended document follows: May 20, 1993 Page 454 STRATEGIES TO REDUCE SCHOOL -AGE SEXUAL ACTIVITY, PREGNANCIES, AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES The Lubbock City Council believes that the appropriate community standard is to promote premarital abstinence to attack the health problem of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. Nothing in this document is to be interpreted in any other way. EDUCATION 1. The Board of Health believes and supports parents as the primary human sexuality educators of their children and these recommendations are designed to facilitate and complement their role. 2. The Board of Health recognizes sexual abstinence as the effective way to prevent school -age pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. 3. The Board of Health recommends families, churches, public schools, private schools, and youth -serving agencies develop and/or implement programs which address school -age disease and pregnancy prevention by encouraging the healthiest possible lifestyle choices. 4. Training should be offered for the instructors prior to teaching the curricula. 5. Educational components should include the following: abstinence; self-worth enhancement; life skills training; goal setting; health education; human reproductive anatomy; prevention of AIDS and STD's; childbirth education; parenting skills; male responsibility; and the physical, emotional, financial, and economic consequences of school -age pregnancy. The components should address abuse of sex, drugs, and alcohol among adolescents, offer practical alternatives to this behavior, and train students in refusal skills and decision making. 6. School -age parents will be offered special instruction to develop their parenting skills. 7. Parents have the right to preview all materials intended for use with their children. 8. Churches are encouraged to offer school -age pregnancy prevention education taught by their teachers, using their curricula, and upholding their beliefs. 9. Parents are encouraged to participate in the educational process. 10. To enhance the parental role, parents should be offered courses on effective communication with adolescents and children surrounding sensitive issues such as sexuality, drug and alcohol use, school challenges, and gangs. A course on contraceptives will be offered to parents with a list of agencies and organizations who will, with parental permission, instruct their children in the use of contraceptives. 11. Encourage local churches to offer workshops for parents to more comfortably and openly discuss sexuality with their own children in the setting and context of their own individual family values. Adult education organizations and PTA organizations could offer similar seminars for parents of public school children. Encourage parental attendance at Speaker Series. Encourage networking among parents to ensure better dissemination of information and availability of programs. May 20, 1993 Page 455 12. To enhance community -wide participation and availability of educational opportunities, an educational clearing -house will be developed and made available to all interested agencies and organizations. MENTORING 13. A service provided for families who identify the need for additional role modeling and support systems for their youth. 14. The role of these mentors is to befriend the young person and to encourage him/her in his/her goals. One aspect of the role is to build a relationship that would counter -balance the negative influences from media and peer pressure. 15. Mentors will be matched to meet the cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious diversity of the youth's family, supporting that family. 16. Mentors will be recruited from churches businesses, civic organizations, service organizations, and community groups such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys Clubs, Scouts, YWCA, Campfire and Indian Guides. The sponsoring agency, with the assistance of the coordinator, will screen, train, and be accountable for their mentors. NEIGHBORHOOD TEEN CLUBS 17. Establish Teen Clubs in neighborhoods, as requested, where services could be provided by a variety of public and private agencies whose goals and objectives are consistent with the spirit of this document. 18. The Teen Club would be operated by organizations supporting the Teen Club and/or individuals living in the neighborhood. The Teen Club would have adult supervision which provides a safe haven for children after school and on weekends when parents are away from home. 19. The Teen Club could provide any services to support teenagers as identified by the neighborhood as priorities. Services could be provided by a variety of public and private agencies. 20. Facilities will be available for youth -serving agencies/organizations; such as Churches, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YWCA, Campfire, Indian Guides, United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Public Agencies. MONITORING ORGANIZATION 21. Because the members of the Board of Health are volunteers, appointed to their health -advisory positions in accordance with Chapter 2, Article VII of the City of Lubbock Code, and are accountable to the citizens of Lubbock; it is recommended that the City of Lubbock Board of Health serve as the monitoring organization. 22. The Board of Health will receive quarterly reports from the standing committee regarding the efforts to reduce school -age pregnancy. The reports shall include, but are not limited to the following items: Teen Pregnancy Rate, Number of Sexually Transmitted Diseases reported in Teenagers, and the Number of AIDS cases reported in Teenagers in Lubbock. May 20, 1993 Page 456 STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH 23. The Board of Health will appoint members to the standing committee. Appointees will serve two years. Appointees may serve no more than two consecutive terms, except the chairperson, who can be reappointed. 24. Shall be charged with the responsibility of reducing the occurrence of school -age pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in teenagers in Lubbock. 25. Operate as an advisory, coordinating, and resource committee of the Board of Health for the prevention of school -age pregnancy and STD's by establishing strategies for the implementation of programs to direct youth toward a healthy lifestyle. 26. Shall facilitate, promote, support, monitor, and evaluate the strategies for the prevention of school -age pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in teenagers. 27. Interested volunteers will be selected on the basis of their qualifications without regard for age, race, sex, color, religion, and nondisqualifying disability. 28. The members shall include citizens with an interest in the prevention of pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases and shall represent, but are not limited to, the following areas: Parents, Churches, Business, Grant -Writing, Fund -Raising, Public Relations, Health Care, Child Development, and Education. 29. An advisory subcommittee of teens will be established at each Neighborhood Teen Club who will elect a representative to attend meetings of the Standing Committee. The teen representatives should be active participants at the meeting. 30. This committee is also charged with assessing the needs of teens, a minimum of two times each year, through open forums conducted in locations easily accessible to teens. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR 31. The Standing Committee shall elect one of its members to serve as a volunteer coordinator. 32. Responsible for organizing, facilitating, implementing, reporting, and evaluating the strategies developed by the standing committee. 33. Collaborates with individuals, organizations, and the community as a whole, to support these activities conceptually, financially, and personally; without additional tax burden to the citizens of Lubbock. 34. Seeks input from school -age youth, especially adolescents. 35. Coordinates the integration of services which supports the youth -serving agencies/organizations such as Lubbock City Health Department, Lubbock MHMR, Scouts, YWCA, United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Churches. 36. Is sensitive to the cultural, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious diversity of Lubbock. 37. Establish a speaker series using local and nationally known speakers who are gifted in their ability to communicate with young people in regard to the problems they face. 38. Develop a media blitz to reinforce the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and developing a foundation of character and self- esteem. May 20, 1993 Page 457 39. This document expires and is no longer in effect five years after approval by the City Council. 40. After review by the City Council, this document may be amended and/or renewed for another five years. Motion was made by Councilmember Neugebauer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Trejo to approve the amended recommendations as a community standard. Motion carried: 6 Yeas; 1 Nay--Councilmember Ince. There being no further business to co fore Council, motion was made by Councilmember Aderton, seconded b Counci member Cooke to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 p.m. Motion carrie : 7 Yea ; 0 yey—s ---_7 D R. LAN9STON, ATTEST: etty John n, City Secretary Read and approved this the loth day r ! ATTEST: L. Betty Johns n, City Secretary