Box 3, Folder 14, Document 32

Box 3, Folder 14, Document 32

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Members of the Human Relations Committee met at City Hall
on Friday, September 9, 1966, at 2:30 p.m, with the following
members present:

Alderman Milton Farris

Mr. Charles Hart

Vice Mayor Sam Massell, Jr., Acting Chairman
Alderman G. Everett Millican

Mrs, Eliza Paschall

Mrs. Dorothy Bolder Thompson

Rev. Samuel Williams

Mr. Dan E. Sweat, Director of Governmental Liaison for
the City of Atlanta, was also present.

The meeting was called for the purpose of organization of
the committee. However, due to the fact that a quorum was not
present, it was agreed to postpone this for a future meeting. The
group then discussed the role of the committee and possible
activities and programs to be accomplished.

Some of the suggested programs or improvements included:

(1) Alderman Farris suggested an ordinance by the Board
of Aldermen prohibiting building of houses on unpaved streets.

(2) The group discussed a demonstration project whereby
a emmall area (perhaps a city block) in the disadvantaged neighborhoods

could be completely cleared and inexpensive but substantial single

family dwellings built back as rental property or as purchase
property. As one area is completed the program would then move
to another area rather than taking in the large sections as under the
present urban renewal programs.

(3) Mr. Massell suggested that a listing of problems and a
schedule of priority of needs be compiled and suggested the Atlanta
Chapter of the National Association for Inter-Group Relations
Officials be contacted to obtain their recommendations.

(4) The group discussed the value of a survey of the residents
of the disadvantaged areas to determine what they feel are their
greatest needs and problems. There were many suggestions as to
how to conduct such a survey including:

a) <A professional survey

b) <A survey carried out by amateurs (such as the

EOA Neighborhood Aides) as the people might
discuss their problems more freely with this
group than with professional persons

c) Community meetings with members of the Board

of Aldermen

(5) It was suggested that a fulltime staff and budget be
recommended as part of a permanent Human Relations Commission.
It was agreed that the City should have one person responsible for

all needs and activity in this fedld. The people of these communities


would then know where to go with their problems and have confidence
that their needs will be handled by this office.

Since most of the discussion centered around the problems of
housing, it was suggested that Federal authorities from the Department
of Housing and Urban Development be asked to attend the next meeting
to explain their programs and the services this department can render
in solving this problem.

Mrs. Paschall agreed to review the material and information
obtained from the U. S. Conference of Mayors and the Civil Rights
Commission on the Human Relations Commissions of other cities
and prepare a brief summary for the members of the committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. with the next meeting

scheduled for Thursday, September 22, 1966, at 2:30 p.m.