Nov 10, 2020 Commissioners Court

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IT IS GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE. IT IS 10:05 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE NOVEMBER 10TH, 2020 MEETING OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ORDER. IT IS GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE.

[Opening prayer by Senior Pastor Dr. Laurence White of Our Savior Lutheran Church & School in Houston.]

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR.

TODAY WE WILL HAVE LEADING US IN OPENING PRAYER DR. LAURENCE WHITE, OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN SAY ABOUT LAURENCE WHITE.

HE HAS GIVEN OUR CON -- CONVOCATION BEFORE, BUT IF YOU EVER NEED LIGHT READING HE IS A PROLIFIC WRITER. MOST OF HIS WRITINGS ARE BOOKS SUCH AS THIS SUCH A -- HOW MANY PAGES IS THIS? EIGHT? 84 ONE-PAGES OF -- 841 PAGES OF LIGHT READING ON THEOLOGY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME OF HIS LIGHT READING, WE WILL MAKE SURE WE GET A COPY TO YOU. HE HAS BEEN A LEADER AND A PASTOR FOR A LONGTIME. HE IS IN PRECINCT 1, BUT THIS PROBABLY GOES TO HIS DETRIMENT, BUT HE HAS BEEN A FRIEND OF MINE SINCE HE AND I WERE BOTH YOUNG AND HAD MORE HAIR THAN COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS. AND THAT'S IN THE DAYS WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE FACE OF THE EARTH. WE DON'T ALL HAVE THE BLESSINGS OF GOVERNOR PERRY HAIR. DR. WHITE IS THE PASTOR OF OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH SINCE 1981. OF COURSE HE HAS HIS DOCTORATE AND DIVINITY FROM LIBERTY UNIVERSITY. LARRY, LEAD US THROUGH OUR

INVOCATION, SIR. >> THANK YOU, CACTUS. LET US PRAY.

SOVEREIGN LORD OF MEN AND OF NATIONS, WE COME BEFORE YOU THIS DAY IN A MOMENT OF UNCERTAINTY AND FEAR TO PRAY FOR OUR HOMELAND. WE ARE BOLD TO ENTER INTO YOUR PRESENCE ONLY BECAUSE YOU SENT YOUR SON, JESUS, TO DIE UPON THE CROSS AS OUR SAVIOR.

WE CLING TO YOUR PROMISES OF UNDESERVED LOVE AND PRECIOUS GRACE AND IN FAITH WHICH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT HAS CREATED IN EACH OF OUR HEARTS. SPARE US THE JUDGMENT WHICH WE DESERVE. CALM THE FURY OF THOSE WHO SEEK TO SPREAD ANARCHY AND VIOLENCE THROUGHOUT OUR CITIES. THE BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT UNBORN CRIES OUT TO YOU FOR JUSTICE FROM THE SOIL OF AMERICA. FORGIVE US OUR APATHY AND OUR INDIFFERENCE TO THIS ABOMINATION. WE HAVE SEWN THE WIND AND NOW WE REAP THE WHIRLWIND OF SHATTERED FAMILIES. EMPOWER US TO DEMONSTRATE THE FEARLESS COMPASSION OF CHRIST IN THE FACE OF THE ADVERSARY. ALLOW JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS TO PREVAIL THROUGHOUT OUR CITY AND ACROSS AMERICA.

MAY THIS ELECTION DEBACLE BE RESOLVED IN A LAWFUL AND PROPER MANNER SO THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALLOT WHICH IS THE ESSENCE OF OUR DEMOCRACY BE PRESERVED.

WE BECOME A PEOPLE TORN APART FROM ONE ANOTHER BY THE REACH -- WRETCHED CONSEQUENCES OF SIN. BIND UP OUR WOUNDS AND REUNITE US AS ONE.

GRACIOUS GOD, HEAL THE SUFFERING SOUL OF AMERICA. BLESS THIS HAHN -- HONORABLE COURT WITH WISDOM AND COURAGE THAT OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY MAY ENJOY HARMONY AND PEACE TOGETHER. IN JESUS' NAME. AMEN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AMEN. >> JUDGE, IF YOU ARE SPEAKING WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS THANKING PASTOR, COMMISSIONER.

ON A SAD NOTE I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEATH OF POLICE SERGEANT SEAN RIOS WHO WAS FATALLY SHOT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, A 25-YEAR MEMBER OF THE POLICE FORCE.

I KNOW ALL OF OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THIS TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. I WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH THE CHIEF AT HPD AND IT IS JUST -- THE SITUATION ABOUNDS WHERE HE LEAVES A KIND OF FAMILY WITH FOUR CHILDREN.

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IT REMINDS ME OF MY DAYS WHEN I STARTED PATROLLING IN 1980, AND WE HAD A STRING OF HOUSTON POLICE OFFICERS THAT WERE LOST WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD. AND REMINISCENT THAT WE HAD A DIFFICULT ECONOMY AT THAT TIME. WE NEED TO STAY DILIGENT AND VIGILANT AND DO ALL WE CAN TO SUPPORT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS NO MATTER WHATY -- WHAT EVENT THEY HAVE. I JUST WANT TO SAY I SPENT 23 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN THAT ORGANIZATION, 28 IF YOU COUNT THE CITY COUNCIL TERM, AND IT IS PAINFUL.

IT IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS PAINFUL. PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES TO HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND OBVIOUSLY PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES TO HIS WORK FAMILY AND PRAYERS TO MAYOR TURNER AS HE WORKS TO

LEAD THE CITY THROUGH THIS TRAGEDY AGAIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,

COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THOSE WORDS, COMMISSIONER.

WE HAVE A POINT OF GOOD NEWS. OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ADRIAN HOLLOWAY IS JOINING US. I WANTED TO EXTEND A WELCOME TO HER AND OBVIOUSLY CONTINUED THANK YOU TO JOSH STUKEY AND THE DEPARTMENT WHO CONTINUE TO DO GREAT WORK. WE WILL HAVE A NEW COMMISSIONER COME JANUARY AND WE NOW KNOW WHO WILL BE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONER RADDACK.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND A WELCOME WILL BE IN ORDER COME JANUARY FOR COMMISSIONER

ELECT TOM RAMSEY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING TO DR. HOLLOWAY YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS GETTING MY BRIEFINGS FOR THE AGENDA.

I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE HER ON THE SCREEN BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I HAVE SPOKEN TO HER TWICE NOW, IT WOULD BE NICE TO INTRODUCE HER TO THE REST OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I'M EXCITED. AND SIMILARLY, JUDGE, I SHARED MY APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO JOSH AND DAPHNE FOR HOLDING THE REINS AND HELPING US MOVE FORWARD.

THEY DID A PHENOMENAL JOB WORKING ALONGSIDE YOU DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

BUT I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF DR. HOLLOWAY AND WHAT'S IN STORE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. SO EXCITED.

WELCOME ABOARD, DR. HOLLOWAY. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I CAN PROMOTE HER TO A PANELIST SO

YOU CAN TURN ON THE VIDEO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD. I WAS THINKING WE SHOULD DO THAT -- IF WE ARE DOING THIS FOR AWHILE VIRTUALLY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT'S RIGHT. IT IS HOW I KNOW YOU ALL ANYMORE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE SHE IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WELCOME,

DR. HOLLOWAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WELCOME ABOARD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ONLY KNOW WHAT WE LOOK LIKE VIRTUALLY AS WELL, I GUESS.

>> TRUE. IT IS SUCH A PLEASURE. THANK YOU FOR THE WARM WELCOME I RECEIVED FROM YOURSELF, COMMISSIONER, JUDGE AND YOUR STAFF.

HAVE I BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH THEM PRIOR TO STARTING YESTERDAY.

I DO ALSO WANT TO EXTEND MY THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO JOSH AND DAPHNE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ME TO PREPARE ME FOR TODAY AND THEREAFTER AS WELL.

I LOOK FORWARD TO JOINING THIS WONDERFUL TEAM THAT WE HAVE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY IN THE LARGER ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS OUR DEPARTMENT AND MOVING THINGS FORWARD AS WE SEE FIT.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELCOME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I RECALL, HAVE YOU LIVED IN HOUSTON BEFORE?

>> I HAVE. I WANT TO SAY IT WAS 1999 TO 2005.

MY DAUGHTER IS A TEXAN. SHE WAS BORN HERE IN HOUSTON. SO A PROUD TEXAN AS WELL.

EXCITED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN AS WELL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS JOKING YESTERDAY IN MY BRIEFING WITH YOU THAT THE WEATHER IS ALWAYS

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WE TRY TO RECRUIT PEOPLE THIS TIME OF YEAR AND THEN WHEN THE SUM ARE ROLLS -- SUMMER ROLLS

AROUND WE TELL THEM IT IS AN ABBA -- AB RATION. >> I'M SURE THEY WILL HIT THE COLD QUICKLY. THE 40S WILL BE UPON THEM VERY SOON.

THEN WE'LL HAVE THE BRAGGING RIGHTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A FEW RESOLUTIONS TO GET

[I. Departments (Part 1 of 4)]

HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEMS SERVES A QUARTER OF THAT -- OF THOSE DIAGNOSED IN HARRIS COUNTY.

DISPARITY AND OTHER CHALLENGES CONTINUE TO PREVENT PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV FROM OBTAINING THE CARE AND THE TREATMENT PROVEN TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL CARE.

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF RYAN WHITE, A YOUNG HIV ADVOCATE AND THE NAME SAKE OF THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS PROGRAM.

THE MESSAGE OF WORLD AIDS DAY IS TO SUPPORT MILLIONS GLOBALLY LIVING WITH HIV AND ENCOURAGE CONTINUED PROGRESS IN BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS THAT KEEP PEOPLE FROM ACCESSING LIFE EXTENDING HIV MEDICAL CARE. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DESIGNATES DECEMBER 1ST, 2020 AS WORLD AIDS DAY AND URGES PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS AND TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THOSE LIVING WITH HIV TO ACCESS LIFE EXTENDING MEDICAL CARE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. I TOO WANT TO EXTEND MY CELEBRATION OF THIS IMPORTANT DAY AND THANK ALL OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ON THE FRONT LINES TO FIGHT THIS HORRID DISEASE. IT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF MY BROTHER IN 95. YOU KNOW, I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT SO MANY HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS, JUDGE. THERE WAS A TERRIBLE AND TRAGIC STIGMA AROUND THE ISSUE OF AIDS. I THINK PEOPLE HAVE REALIZED THAT THIS IS A DISEASE THAT KNOWS NO STRANGER AND THAT ANYONE COULD BE UH FLICKED IT -- AFFLICTED BY IT.

TO THOSE WHO WERE AT THE TRUE FRONT LINE OF SIMPLY TRYING TO GET ACCESS TO CARE, IT WAS THE REASON MY PROCEDURE DIED IN CALIFORNIA AND NOT HERE IN HOUSTON.

IF HE LEFT CALIFORNIA, HE WOULD HAVE LOST HIS MEDICAL COVERAGE AND TREATMENT HE WAS RECEIVING. I'M GLAD THAT WE MADE THAT TRANSITION.

WE STILL HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO DO, BUT I'M GRATEFUL TO ALL OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND ALL OF THE SURVIVAL -- SURVIVORS THAT ARE DEALING WITH A LOST LOVED ONE, BUT ALSO THANKS TO THE SCIENCE AND THE DOCTORS WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT FORTH MEDICINE AND TREATMENT THAT NOW ALLOWS US TO HAVE LIVING SURVIVORS. SURVIVORS OF HIV.

THIS IS ALWAYS A SPECIAL DAY FOR ME FOR THOSE PERSONAL REASONS.

I KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY MORE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE SHARE THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH.

SO FOR ME, WORLD AIDS DAY IS ALWAYS SOMETHING SPECIAL AND SIGNIFICANT FOR ME.

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THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I KNOW IT IS A VERY PERSONAL ISSUE FOR YOU.

JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO IF I CAN PIGGYBACK OFF YOUR RESOLUTION.

I KNOW WORLD AIDS DAY IS ON DECEMBER 1ST. I WANT TO ASK DR. SHAW OR YOUR TEAM OR OUR TEAM TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING, WHAT THEY ARE DOING SOMEWHERE WITH CARES MONEY? I KNOW TESTING IS ALWAYS A BIG PROBLEM.

YOU KNOW, THE LAW IS SUCH THAT I THINK THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL RECOMMENDED YEARS AGO FOR ALL OF US AS PART OF OUR NORMAL CHECKUP TO GET HIV TESTS.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CHANGE THAT LAW IN TEXAS. I KNOW IN ILLINOIS AND A NUMBER OF STATES THEY HAVE. THE COST IS FAIRLY MINIMAL. WE NOW DO IT FOR PEOPLE GOING INTO PRISON AND GOING OUT OF PRISON. IT IS NOT CLEAR WE TEST THEM, COMMISSIONER IN THE JAIL. I KNOW SOMETIMES BLOOD IS DRAWN.

I I JUST REMEMBER READING SOME CON -- CONSENSUS THAT HAD HIGHER RATES OF INFECTION.

ONE WAS IN SUNNY SIDE. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE THE OTHER ONE WAS.

THEY HAD HIGH RATES OF INFECTION THAN SOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

OF COURSE UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH WITH THE PEPAR PROGRAM THEY DID A LOT TO REDUCE INFECTION RATES IN AFRICA AND SOUTH AFRICA AND ALL OVER AFRICA. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR STAFF TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF YOURS AND MAYBE SOMETHING -- IF THEY FIGURE OUT MAYBE WE CAN FIND CONSENSUS TO TAKE SOME CARES MONEY. WE HAVE DONE SUCH GREAT, CREATIVE THINGS, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF NGO'S -- I DON'T KNOW.

I WANT TO MENTION PIGGYBACKING ON YOUR RESOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT

FORWARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL LOOK INTO IT, COMMISSIONER.

I KNOW WE HAVE DONE WORK WITH THE RYAN WHITE FOLKS AROUND COVID AND HOW IT AFFECTS THAT COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR, AND THEY HAVE RECEIVED SOME GRANTS AS WELL.

I'LL CIRCLE BACK ON IT AND HAVE MY TEAM REACH OUT TO YOURS AND OTHER OFFICES AS

WELL. >> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANTED TO ADD QUICKLY, JUDGE, TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' REMARKS, YOU KNOW DEALING WITH THE HANDOFF OF THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD SOON BECOME EX OFFENDERS IN THE COUNTY JAIL WAS THE FIRST MAJOR REFORM PROJECT THAT I DID. THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK AND TREATMENT PROVIDED IN THE WALLS OF THE COUNTY JAIL.

THE PROBLEM WE HAD BACK THEN WAS THAT WE WOULD GIVE FOLKS A 30-DAY SUPPLY OF MEDICATION AND THEY WOULD WALK OUT THE DOOR. THERE WAS AN 80% DROP OFF FROM THE COMMUNITIES PROVIDING. IT STARTED THE DISCHARGE AND IT WENT TO A 20% DROPOFF.

THEY WERE HANDING OFF RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE O-- THOSE ORGANIZATIONS.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SITUATION IS TODAY, BUT IT WOULD MAKE A GOOD REVIEW THAT BACK IN MY TIME THE PHARMACEUTICAL BUDGET , APPROXIMATELY 1100 INMATES WHO WERE DIAGNOSED WITH HIV-AIDS WAS CONSUMING BECAUSE OF THE COCKTAILS 40% OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL BUDGET. AND SO WE HAD TRIED TO GET THE PROCESS AND WE WORKED TO CREATE A PROCESS BY WHICH WE WOULD GET THEM OUT AND THERE IS NORMALLY A COST TO THE TREATMENT. AND THEN GET THEM CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO VISIT WITH THE SHERIFF AND MAKE SURE WE

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ARE MOVING THE SITUATION FORWARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK THE ISSUE -- COMMISSIONER, I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

WE HAD TO PASS A LAW -- YVONNE DAVIS OUT OF DALLAS CAME UP WITH IT BECAUSE OF ONE OF HER CONSTITUENTS FOUND OUT THAT SHE WAS INFECTED AND HER HUSBAND DID NOT KNOW HE WAS POSITIVE. SO WE FIRST PASSED A LAW TO TEST PEOPLE GOING IN.

AND THEN YEARS LATER WE HAD TO TEST THEM COMING OUT. SOME OF THE RESISTANCE WAS IF SOMEONE KNOWS THEY ARE POSITIVE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST TREATMENT AND THE STATE PRISON DEPARTMENT DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR IT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE SHERIFF OR SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE LAW I THINK WAS TRYING TO GET -- I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A TB OUTBREAK OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE TO TEST.

THERE WAS SOME ISSUE AND I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS. I THINK YOU WANTED TO DO IT,

BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE LAW THAT WOULDN'T LET YOU. >> PEOPLE HAD TO SELF-ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAD HIV-AIDS COMING INTO THE JAIL.

ON MANY OCCASIONS WE DIAGNOSED NEW PATIENTS WHILE THEY WERE IN THE COUNTY JAIL BECAUSE THEIR CONDITIONS PROMPTED TESTING AND THEN WE FOUND OUT IN THAT REGARD.

I CAN'T REMEMBER -- I DON'T REMEMBER THERE BEING A REAL OBSTACLE OTHER THAN THE CONSUMPTION OF THE MEDICINE THEY NEEDED. AND ALSO THAT THERE WASN'T A LOT OF THOUGHT OF UNEFFECTIVE DISCHARGING SO THEY COULD CONTINUE THEIR TREATMENT AS

THEY LEFT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SEE WHAT THE JUDGE'S RESOLUTION PROMPTED? WE WILL FIND OUT. OUR STAFFS ARE SCURRYING AROUND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO IT. I BELIEVE, LUCINDA THAT THE --

THAT A CHAIRPERSON WITH THE FOUNDATION MAY BE ON? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> YES. HI, GOOD MORNING AND MANY THANKS TO YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. OVER 14,000 PEOPLE CURRENTLY LIVING WITH HIV IN THE COUNTY AREAS RELY UPON HOUSTON'S RYAN WHITE PROGRAM FOR THEIR HIV MEDICATION AS WELL AS THEIR MEDICAL, DENTAL, MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND MORE.

IT HAS EXTENDED LIFE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND HAS RECEIVED THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND RECEIVED HIS FIRST RYAN WHITE GRANT IN 1991.

WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED IN 1999 I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD LIVE THIS LONG.

AS A BLACK WOMAN LIVING WITH HIV FOR 20 YEARS, I HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST THROUGHOUT THE YEARS FROM PEOPLE THINKING I WAS SOMEONE THAT I WASN'T.

AFTER LEARNING TO LOVE MYSELF FOR WHO I AM TO RECLAIM MY POWER AND MY TIME, TOGETHER WITH MY SISTERS LIVING WITH HIV, WE CO-FOUNDED THE POSITIVE WOMEN'S NETWORK OF GREATER HOUSTON. WE ARE PARTER OF THE LARGER COMMUNITY OF SICK AND TRANS WOMEN BUILDING THE POWER WE WANT TO SEE. I HELPED LAUNCH A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT HELPED HARRIS COUNTY SEE RECORD VOTER TURNOUT IN THIS YEAR'S GENERAL ELECTION. BEING THE CHAIR OF THE RYAN WHITE PROGRAM OF COUNCIL HAS BEEN A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT. ESPECIALLY THROUGH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE HAD TO DO ALL BUSINESS VIRTUALLY. MIGHT I ADD THAT PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND THEY HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THEIR HI HAVE -- HIV DIAGNOSIS. IN THE EARLY 1990S, MOST OF US NEVER DREAMED THAT WE WOULD LIVE TO SEE OUR NEXT BIRTHDAY. IT IS BECAUSE OF PROGRAMS LIKE THE RYAN WHITE PROGRAM THAT PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICATIONS, CARE AND HOUSING. WITH STRATEGIES LIKE OUR LOCAL PLAN TO END THE HIV EPIDEMIC, I AM HOPEFUL THAT THERE WILL BE A TIME WHEN NEW HIV DIAGNOSIS WILL BE RARE, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. AND IT WILL TAKE LEADERS CURRENT AND NEW TO MAKE THIS A

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>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,

TONYA. >> THANK Y'ALL. Y'ALL HAVE A BLESSED DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU TOO. THANK YOU. YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION,

COMMISSIONER, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THIS IS A RESOLUTION FOR A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, DR. MATTHEW PLUMMER.

HE WAS ON CITY COUNCIL, BUT HE WAS A BIG DEAL BEFORE BEING IN POLITICS.

IT SAYS WHEREAS DR. MATTHEW PLUMMER RETIREMENT FROM THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

FOR 40 YEARS IN CONJUNCTION WITH HIS LATE AND PRESENT PARTNERS OVER SAW THE DENTAL PROGRAM WHICH THEY DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED AND HELPED TO IMPLEMENT THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY DENTAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT PATIENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

DR. PLUMMER GRADUATED FROM THE HARVARD SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE AND HOLDS A MASTERS DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION FROM THE HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. IN ADDITION TO HIS PRIVATE PRACTICE, DR. PLUMMER WAS PRESIDENT OF THE HARVARD DENTAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. AND DR. PLUMMER SERVED ON THE BOARD OF PROSPERITY BANK BOARD. HE HAS ALSO SERVED ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND CHAPTER OF THE NAACP AND THE SOUTH CENTRAL YMCA, THE ACADEMY OF DENTISTRY OR THE HOUSTON FOUNDATION OR HANDICAPPED AND A HOST OF OTHER HEALTH-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS. BE IT RESOLVED WE HONOR HIM TODAY FOR HIS DEDICATION AND HIS 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY.

HE IS ALSO A -- AN EARLY PEACE CORP PERSON. HIS WIFE, BY THE WAY, JUDGE, I WAS RIDING WITH COUNCILMEMBER PLUMMER, AND SHE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT HOW THEY WERE CIRCLING HIS FATHER'S HOME FOR A GOOD WHILE BEFORE THEY HAD ENOUGH NERVE TO WALK IN AND SAY THAT HE HAD GOTTEN A WIFE THAT HE MET WHILE TRAVELING ABROAD.

HIS WIFE, I THINK, IS FROM -- I THINK SHE IS FROM ZANZAPAR. YOU MAY HAVE TO LET US KNOW.

I MAY HAVE THAT WRONG. IT IS FROM SOMEWHERE IN EAST AFRICA.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS KENYA OR ZANZABAR. I MET HIM WHEN I WAS A YOUNG FULL-HAIRED HEADED STAFFER FOR CONGRESSMAN MICKEY LEYLAND. I DON'T THINK THE CONGRESSMAN OR I EVER COMPENSATED OUR DENTAL WORK. RARELY COULD WE FIND OUR INSURANCE -- ALTHOUGH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IF WE TURNED IT IN.

I THINK HE IS ON THE LINE, BUT I MOVE UH -- UH -- ADOPTION WHEN APPROPRIATE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. AND COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HONOR. ALSO I AM BEING HONORED PERSONALLY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT MY STAFF AND I SPENT 40 YEARS PROVIDING QUALITY DENTAL CARE FOR THE INDIGENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT AND WE THINK THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT AFFORD QUALITY DENTAL CARE RECEIVED IT UNDER OUR CARE.

THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH FOR THIS HONOR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. PLUMMER, WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU. SUCH A MODEST GUY. I MUST SAY I HAD FORGOTTEN THAT YOU WENT TO HARVARD UNTIL DR. PLUMMER, COUNCILMAN PLUMMER WAS BIKE RIDING WITH ME FOR 30 MILES BY THE WAY. WE WENT TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, COMMISSIONER, IN YOUR PRECINCT AND WE STOPPED AND TALKED FOR A GOOD 45 MINUTES. SHE WAS TELLING ME SO MANY STORIES ABOUT YOU. I JUST APPRECIATE YOU. I I SAW THE NEWS COVERAGE ON YOUR MOTHER GOING TO MAKE SURE HER BALLOT WAS CAST, BY THE WAY.

IS SHE 90 SOMETHING YEARS OLD? >> 98 YEARS OLD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GOD BLESS HER, 98 YEARS OLD. >> AND HER MIND IS SHARPER

THAN YOURS AND MINE PUT TOGETHER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN TELL BY HER COMMENTS ON THE NEWS COVERAGE. IT WAS ABOUT HAVING TO PAY A POLL TAX SO SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HER BALLOT WAS COUNTED.

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>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PLUMMER, AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BRIL YEBT -- BRILLIANT MINDS, WOULD THE SENIOR HAPPEN TO BE JUDGE

PLUMMER? IS THAT YOUR FATHER? >> YES, SIR.

THAT'S MY FATHER. THAT WAS MY FATHER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AS A MUCH YOUNGER LAWYER, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF PRACTICING IN FRONT OF YOUR FATHER.

AND I GOTTA SAY, HE WAS TOUGH. HE WAS BRIGHT AND HE WAS FAIR.

IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE IN FRONT OF HIM. AND READING THIS RESOLUTION,

IT LOOKS LIKE THE ACORN DIDN'T FALL TOO FAR FROM THE TREE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING MY FATHER. I THINK HE WAS A COMMUNITY LEADER AND A CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE AND HE SET A LEGACY THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR HIS OFF SPRING TO FOLLOW, BUT WE

ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. PLUMMER? >> SIR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER GARCIA HERE. I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE WISH YOU MANY, MANY, MANY MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CELEBRATION. AGAIN, THANK YOU AND JUST WANTED TO APPLAUD COMMISSIONER

ELLIS FOR RECOGNIZING YOU ON THIS IMPORTANT DATE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR NOMINATING THE HARRIS HEALTH BOARD. SHE WAS MY MENTOR WHEN I FIRST STARTED WITH THE DISTRICT IN

81. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NICE. >> AND IT IS GLAD TO SEE HER BACK. SHE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY HEALTH CARE.

NOT ONLY HEALTH CARE, BUT QUALITY HEALTH CARE TO THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE SHE IS. SHE IS.

THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING HER AND SHE IS EXCITED TO SERVE THERE ON THE BOARD.

AGAIN, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY FOR SO MANY YEARS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT I WANT TO ADD THAT DR. PLUMMER IS RETIRING AFTER 40 YEARS, BUT AFTER ALL THAT EXPERIENCE AND TWO DEGREES FROM HARVARD, I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL THINK ABOUT SOME BOARD WE CAN PUT YOU ON. I KNOW YOU ARE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME AT THAT RANCH. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT, AND YOU WERE TELLING MICKEY LEYLAND THE STORY ABOUT HOW THE FIRST COWBOYS IN AMERICA WERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

WE THOUGHT YOU HAD LOST YOUR MIND. ALSO, YOUR DAUGHTER, WHEN SHE STEPPED OUT ON A LEAP OF FAITH ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND I POINTED OUT THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE. YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE ACTIVISTS HER DADDY WAS AND STILL IS AND HER GRANDFATHER. I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I SAW THAT NEWSCAST THAT YOUR MOM IS STILL AROUND AND IS SUCH A BLESSING AND OF COURSE THE WHOLE FAMILY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE ARE GONNA KEEP YOU ACTIVE. I PLAN ON SITTING UP THERE AND BRUSHING OFF THE COWBOY BOOTS AND PUTTING THEM ON THE TABLE.

I WILL GET YOU ACTIVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO YOUR DAUGHTER TOO.

I AM GRATEFUL TO THE WORK SHE IS DOING TOO, COUNCIL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I BELIEVE

YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS ONE IS TO RECOGNIZE A VERY DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF MY STAFF. UNFORTUNATELY HE COULD NOT JOIN US TODAY, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE HIM. AS WE KNOW, TOMORROW IS VETERAN'S DAY. THIS IS IN THAT SPIRIT. IT IS FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED HONORABLY AND RESPECTFULLY OUR NATION. AND SO -- BUT GIL, SIMILAR TO DR. PLUMMER, IS HANGING UP HIS SPURS. IT WOULD GIVE ME A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE AND HONOR TO READ THIS RESOLUTION. THIS ONE READS: WHEREAS MR. GIL SOSA HAS SERVED VETERANS OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT 2 FOR 19 YEARS AS SENIOR VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER AND LATER AS VETERANS SERVICES MANAGER.

WHEREAS PRIOR TO HIS WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY, GIL SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, 101ST AIRBORNE AS AN INFANTRY MAN DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

AND WHEREAS HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND RECEIVED THE VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL AND A PURPLE HEART AWARD. GIL IS A LIFETIME MEMBER OF VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS AND PURPLE HEART ASSOCIATIONS AND BOARD MEMBER

[00:35:03]

IT WAS FOR HIS DEDICATION IN HELPING VETERANS. WHEREAS ON HIS FREEDOM -- ON HIS FREE TIME, IF HE HAS ANY, HE VOLUNTEERS BY COORDINATE SCG PARTICIPATING IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD, WATER AND CLOTHES TO HOMELESS VETERANS.

THAT IS NICE. WHEREAS IN HIS ROLE WITH THE COUNTY, VETERAN SERVICES, GIL HAS HELPED COUNTLESS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND DEPENDENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ALL -- TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM.

AND WHEREAS GIL LOOKS FORWARD TO SPENDING MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY, KATE, AND THEIR TWO SONS, JIM AND ANTHONY, AND WHEREAS HE WILL BE MISSED DEARLY BY HIS CO-WORKERS, VETERANS AND THE FAMILIES WITH WHOM HE HAS BUILT UNBREAKABLE BONDS.

AND SO, JUDGE, I WILL ALSO SAY THAT GILL -- GIL HAS BEEN A RELENTLESS CHAMPION FOR THOSE SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN LIKE HIM. I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK STORY TO TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT HIS WORK HAS BEEN. LAST YEAR I GOT A CALL FROM A CONSTITUENT WHOSE HUSBAND HAD BEEN STRUGGLING TO GET INTO THE PROCESS TO RECEIVE HIS -- I GUESS THE PROPER TERM IS AGENT ORANGE BENEFITS. HE WAS STRUGGLING WITH THE V.A. FOR YEARS. IT WAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I GOT THE FAMILY REFERRED TO GIL'S OFFICE AND HIS OPERATIONS. AND THEN I STARTED TO GET ALL KINDS OF ACCOLADES BECAUSE THEY FINALLY GOT HER HUSBAND EFFECTIVELY ENROLLED INTO THE BENEFITS THAT HE WAS SO DESERVING OF. THOSE ACCOLADES CAME MY WAY.

THAT'S BECAUSE I WAS THE COMMISSIONER, BUT THEY GO TO GIL AND ALL OF THE STAFF FROM THE FREE SINK -- PRECINCT 2 OFFICE. GIL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE. WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. GOD SPEED.

YOUR WORK WILL LIVE IN INFAMY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY APPRECIATION FOR THIS RESOLUTION, AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMIND FOLKS THAT TOMORROW THEY CAN JOIN PRECINCT 4 VIRTUALLY FOR OUR VETERANS DAY SALUTE TO VETERANS. USUALLY WE HAVE A DINNER, BUT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE, WE WILL BE DOING OUR TRIBUTE TO VETERANS VIRTUALLY.

THEY CAN GO ONLINE AND LINK IN IN THAT REGARD. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GATHER, ESPECIALLY SINCE MANY OF OUR VETERAN THAT'S ATTEND OUR SALUTE ARE FROM THE GREATEST GENERATION. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF WORLD WAR II VETS THAT STILL ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE. IN FACT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU AND I, WE TRAINED A COUPLE OF -- WE TRADED A COUPLE OF THOSE GUYS BACK AND FORTH. WHEN THEY ARE WITH ME THEY CLAIM THEY ARE PRECINCT 4. WHEN THEY ARE WITH YOU, THEY CLAIM THEY ARE FROM PRECINCT

2. THEY GET ALL THE MEALS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY DO.

AND I THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING THEM. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE HUMAN

BEINGS. I LOVE THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE, I BELIEVE YOU HAD A RESOLUTION AS WELL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DO, JUDGE. AND WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS ON OUR PHONE HERE THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONNECT IN AND THAT IS LIL -- "LIL FRTS-FRAKES. WE HAVE A RESOLUTION I AM EXCITED TO BRING. WHEN I WAS A NEW COMMISSIONER FIGURING OUT WHAT I WAS DOING, WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A DROUGHT AND OUR PARKS WERE UNDER THE DROUGHT WATCH.

WE ALMOST WEREN'T ALLOWED TO PUT ON OUR TRADITIONAL EVENTS FOR PIONEER DAYS WHICH AS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF INDIAN VILLAGE. WE HAVE OUR NATIVE AMERICAN DAY AND OTHER DAYS. ONE OF THE GREAT SETS OF VOLUNTEERS WAS LIL FRAKES AND

[00:40:05]

EVERY TIME I MET HIM, AFTER THE FIRST TIME I ALWAYS BROUGHT HIM SOME TOBACCO.

HE DIDN'T SMOKE, BUT HE WANTED THE TOBACCO. AND IN FACT WE HAD SOME THAT WAS GROWN IN THE PARK THE WAY THE OLD SETTLERS AND THE PIONEERS AND OUR ORIGINAL INDIGENOUS FOLKS WOULD GROW IT. AND SO EVERY YEAR AFTER THAT.

I HAVE LIL ON THIS PHONE AND WE WILL HAVE HER SPEAK IN A MINUTE.

LET ME READ THIS RESOLUTION. AND I MISS DAVE. I MISS HIM DEARLY.

I KNOW WE ALL DO. I WOULD BE REMISS IN NOT MENTIONING THAT DAVE AND HIS GRANDKIDS WOULD SIT OUT AND HAVE HIS OTHER SKILLED ATTRIBUTES AND WOULD TELL STORIES AND TALES OF THE DAYS GONE BY AND LIL MANNED THE KITCHEN AND FED THE ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS. AND SO THIS IS A LADY WHO CAN COOK, BUT NOT ONLY CAN SHE COOK, BUT SHE CAN COOK FOR HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS. AND SHE CONTINUES TO DO SO EVERY YEAR AT OUR EVENTS. AND WE COULD NOT PUT ON OUR EVENTS WITHOUT OUR VOLUNTEERS. AND SO IT IS MY HONOR THEN TO READ THIS RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS JESSE H JONES PARK AND NATURE CENTER PRESERVES THE HISTORY OF LOCAL NATIVE AMERICANS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS BY HOLDING SUCH EVENTS SUCH AS PIONEER DAYS AND HERITAGE HOMESTEAD DAYS. Y --Y -- EVENTS LIKE THESE ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF DAVE AND LIL FRAKES. WHERE DAVE FRAKES, A DAKOTA INDIAN AND HIS WIFE, LIL, A NAVAJO INDIAN WERE SO IMPRESSED THEY WERE REGULAR VOLUNTEERS.

VOLUNTEERING AT THESE EVENTS. THEY VOLUNTEER THEMSELVES AND THEN THEY VOLUNTEER THEIR KIDS AND THEIR GRANDKIDS. VOLUNTEERING AT THESE IMPORTANT EVENTS BECAME A FAMILY AFFAIR THAT GREW TO INCLUDE THEIR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. AND WHEREAS DAVE ENJOYED SHOWING OFF INDIAN ARTIFACTS INCLUDING DRUMS, FLUTES, BOWLS AND WEAPONS AND HOW TO USE THEM TO PARK STAFF AND VISITORS LIL WAS FOUND SEWING COSTUMESES AND COOKING FOR AND FEEDING VOLUNTEERS.

THE FRAKES FAMILY IS FOUND AT THE RED BLOOD HILL HOMESTEAD OR THE INDIAN VILLAGE IN THE PARK EXHIBITING SKILLS SUCH AS CORN GRINDING AND FIRE MAKING WITH FLINT AND STEEL.

DAVE BROUGHT KNOWLEDGE OF ADZESS AND OTHER WOODWORKING TOOLS TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT THE USEFUL IMPLEMENTS AND BROUGHT GENERAL -- GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR. WHEREAS THE FRAKE FAMILY'S UNWAIVERING DEDICATION TO EDUCATING THE PUBLIC EVEN AFTER THE PASSING OF DAVE FRAKE IN JULY OF 2015 AT THE AGE OF 82, THEIR MISSION IS STILL GOING STRONG. AND NOW BE IT RESOLVED, COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES DAVE AND MARIA LIL FRAKES FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEVOTION TO ENSURING THE LEGACY OF NATIVE AMERICANS LIVES ON IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND JUDGE WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I WILL PUT THE MICROPHONE TO LIL AT THIS TIME TO SPEAK. IS THAT ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, JUDGE? LIL, YOU'RE LIVE AND WE'RE READY TO HEAR YOU TALK.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. WE WERE SO BLESSED TO GO. IT WAS A MAJOR PART OF OUR LIVES. I HAVE A GREAT-GREAT GRANDSON NOW AND HE CAN'T PARTICIPATE YET, BUT HE PARTICIPATES WITH HIS MOTHER. AND SHE IS PRETTY MUCH CARRYING ON MY HUSBAND'S LEGEND. SHE IS DOING SO MUCH MORE THAN I DID. THE PARK HAS BEEN A BLESSING. YAWN -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE. IT IS GREAT FOR NOT JUST OUR KIDS, BUT OTHER KIDS.

WE FEEL LIKE THE PARK IS A TRUE BLESSING. SO MANY PEOPLE HELPED.

I FEEL BLESSED WE WERE LEAD TO THE PARK TO PUT ON THE SHOW WE PUT ON.

ANYTHING ELSE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THAT'S BEAUTIFUL, MISS LIL.

AND I THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE YOU RENDERED TO ALL OF US THERE AND ALL OF THOSE GOOD

MEALS YOU COOKED. YOU ARE A BLESSING. >> THE PARK IS A BLESSING AND

[00:45:07]

ALL OF THE WORKERS FOR THE PARK SYSTEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.

LEAN THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

SO THAT'S IT FOR THE RESOLUTIONS. STARTING WITH THE COVID AGENDA IT STARTS ON PAGE 26. THE FIRST ITEM IS 23A AND THAT IS THE COVID-19 FOOD DRIVE.

ITEM 23B1 AND B2. B1 IS THE STANDARD PERSONNEL ITEM.

B2A IS THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. AND B2B IS THE RECOVERY FUND.

ITEM 23C IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2020 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. ITEM 23D1 IS AFTERNOON -- IS AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE FOR TESTING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. AND ITEM D2 HAS AN EDIT.

THIS IS FOR THE PREVALENCE SIR VIA -- SURVEY THAT'S BEING DONE.

IT SHOULD HAVE AN ADDITIONAL SENTENCE THAT SAYS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, COMMISSIONER'S COURT AUTHORIZES THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO TRANSFER THE SAME AMOUNT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FROM EITHER CARES OR THE COVID RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND. THAT'S TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT THAT UT CAN BE TAKEN THROUGH AND NOTIFY THE SOURCE OF FUNDING. THE PROGRAMS ARE NOT EVEN APPROVED. 23E IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM. DO FOLKS HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD

THERE? COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. MAKE SURE I AM UNMUTED HERE. YES, JUDGE, FIRST I WANT TO THANK GUIDE HOUSE AND GABBY FOR THEIR PHENOMENAL WORK IN CONTINUING TO MOVE PROJECT 10 MILLION FORWARD. AND SO I HAVE AN ITEM BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE SCHOOLS FROM PRECINCT 2, BUT REALLY ALL OF THE SCHOOLS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE NEED TO BE WORKING ON EVERYBODY'S BEHALF AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MOTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE TO ENSURE THAT PASADENA ISD IN PARTICULAR IS PARTICIPATING.

WITH YOUR PERMISSION I WOULD LIKE TO ADD PASADENA ISD AS A LOCAL AGENCY IN T T-MOBILE'S PROJECT 10 MILLION TO RECEIVE 5,000 LAPTOPS AND A MAXIMUM FUNDING ALLOCATION OF 1 MILLION 14, 900 AND HOTSPOTS AT AN ALLOCATION OF 900,000. WITH COSTS TO BE COVERED BY CARES ACT FUNDS PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY DIGITAL ACCESS FOR STUDENTS PROGRAM. SECONDLY THE SUBJECT TO THE -- THE SUBJECT TO COUNTY ATTORNEYS APPROVAL. MOVE TO AUTHORIZE THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE CONTRACT AMENDMENTS TO ADD LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES TO THE PROGRAM AND REALLOCATE THE DEVICES AND THE HOTSPOTS AND THE CURRENT FUNDING BETWEEN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WANT TO SECOND HIS MOTION, IF I MIGHT AND JUST ASK GUIDE HOUSE ARE WE LEAVING ANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS OUT? I THINK THEY ARE COVERED, BUT

I JUST WANT TO ASK HIM, JUDGE, IF I MIGHT. >> THIS IS TODD HOFFMAN FROM

GUIDE HOUSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING, TODD.

GO AHEAD. >> CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE CAN HEAR YOU, TODD.

>> THIS IS TODD HOFFMAN FROM GUIDE HOUSE. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, SIR. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. I WAS ON MUTE.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE PASADENA ADDITION TO THE PROJECT 10 MILLION PROGRAM CAME THROUGH OUT REACH WE ARE CONTINUING TO DO AS A PROGRAM.

AT THIS MOMENT THERE IS NO OTHER REQUESTS OTHER THAN THE ALLOCATION THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA JUST SPOKE ABOUT. IT APPEARS THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS COVERED AND WE CONTINUE TO

DO OUT REACH TO ENSURE THAT'S THE CASE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU WOULD JUST LET US KNOW, MAYBE THERE ARE SOME WHO DON'T WANT IT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVEN IF ONE OF US NEEDS TO CALL THEM -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THIS OR SOMETHING ELSE,

[00:50:07]

I CAN'T SAY IF WE HIT THE LAST MILE. WE ARE TRYING AND WE PUT UP THE BULK OF IT FROM THE COUNTY AND THE TEA. IF YOU DON'T KNOW NOW, LET US KNOW HOW CLOSE WE GOT. PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT FOR SO LONG.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE DIGITAL ACCESS AND THE GAP, IT IS A JOURNEY AS WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY LOOKING AT THE DEVICES FOR HOTSPOTS AND THE ALLOCATION OF THOSE. THAT'S ONE PIECE.

AND IT IS PART OF THE BROADBAND STRATEGY AND THERE IS A LACK OF CONNECTIVE TEE AROUND THE COUNTY AND WE ARE WORKING ON A SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE AND WE HAVE THE LONGER-TERM STRATEGY AND IT IS TO DISCUSS THAT FROM A COUNTY WIDE PERSPECTIVE AND IT IS A JOURNEY THAT PICKS UP ALL THREE OF THOSE BUCKETS. BUT IT IS AROUND THE ALLOCATION, LICENSE AND HOTSPOTS. AND IT APPEARS THAT WE ARE MAKING A -- WE ARE CLOSING THAT GAP, BUT REACHING OUT TO ENSURE THAT THAT IS THE CASE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE REASON I AM ASKING IS I AM ASSUMING NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER, THAT WILL BE MAYBE A RELIEF PACKAGE BEFORE INAUGURATION OR SOMETIMES SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, AND IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY I WANT TO MAKE SURE HARRIS COUNTY IS HELPING TO MAKE THE CASE ON WHAT ELSE WE HAVE TO DO. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE -- NONE OF US ARE CLAIMING MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, BUT ANYTIME WE CAN MAKE THE CASE I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO IT. WE MAY BE STUCK IN THIS POSTURE FOR AWHILE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR ADDING AND PASSING THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT INTO THE MIX. I AM A PRODUCT OF THEIR SCHOOLS HAVING GONE TO DUTCH PERRY ELEMENTARY AND THOMPSON INTERMEDIATE AND THEN THE FIRST BUILDING OF J FRANK HIGH SCHOOL. THEY ARE ON THEIR THIRD BUILDING NOW SINCE I WENT TO J FRANK. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE ALMA MATERS OF MY EARLY DAYS BEING BROUGHT INTO THE MIX. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE AND SOMEONE THOUGHT THEY HEARD ME SAY 500. I WANT TO REREAD MY MOTION JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE IT ALL CLEAR. THE MOTION READS: MOVE TO ADD PASADENA ISD AS A PARTICIPATING LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY IN T-MOBILE'S PROJECT 10 MILLION TO RECEIVE UP TO 5,000 LAPTOPS AT A MAXIMUM ALLOCATION OF 1 MILLION 14,900 AND UP TO 5,000 HOTSPOTS AT A MAXIMUM FUNDING ALLOCATION OF 900,000 WITH COSTS RECOVERED BY CARES ACT FUNDS PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY DIGITAL ACCESS FOR STUDENTS PROGRAM. AND SUBJECT TO COUNTY ATTORNEY'S APPROVAL TO MOVE TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE CONTRACT AMENDMENTS TO ADD LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES TO THE PROGRAM AND REALLOCATE DEVICES AND HOTSPOTS AND CURRENT FUNDING BETWEEN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. SOMEBODY THOUGHT THEY HEARD ME SAY 500 AND I WANT TO MAKE

SURE I GET ALL 500 ROD ROUGH -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND IN

CASE YOU NEED ADOPTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S FOR THE COVID AGENDA, THE

[II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 1 of 3).]

>> YES, MA'AM, WE DO. CARNEY WITH LOAN -- LONE STAR LEGAL AID.

[00:55:01]

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM DONNA CARNEY AND WITH LONE STAR LEGAL AIDE. I AM THE MANAGING ATTORNEY ON THE EVICTION COUNCIL UNIT AND I AM GRATE -- GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME. I AM NOT HERE NOT ONLY ON BEHALF OF LONE STAR LEGAL AID AND EVICTION RIGHTS TO COUNCIL -- COUNSEL AND WE HAVE A HOUSING UNITS WITH TENNANTS FOR 40 YEARS IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT WE ARE WORKING IN A COALITION EFFORT WITH OTHER LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THAT INCLUDES SOUTH TEXAS LAW OF HOUSTON AND UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND HOUSTON VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND THE OLD INSTITUTE. THAT STARTED IN PRECINCT 7 AND WAS SPABD -- EXPANDED TO PRECINCT 1. SINCE THE CARES ACT PASSED, SEEMS LIKE A LONGTIME AGO IN MARCH, HARRIS COUNTY HAS HAD 13,000 EVICTION CASES FILED. THE TOTAL AMOUNT CLAIMED ON THE EVICTION CASES IS OVER $26 MILLION. REGRETTABLY ONLY 3.77 OF THOSE CASES, TENANTS HAD REPRESENTATION. AND THAT MEANS THAT FEWER THAN 500 OF THOSE 13,073 EVICTION CASES HAD TENANTS WITH REPRESENTATION IN COURT.

WE FOUND RECENTLY -- AS RECENTLY AS THIS PAST MONTH THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IS SENDING OUT NOTICES IN -- AND INSTANCES WHERE TENANTS HAVE TAKEN THEIR CASES UP ON APPEAL AND LETTING THE PARTIES KNOW THAT IF -- KNOW THAT -- I AM READING A QUIT -- A QUOTE. AT THE CURRENT TIME THERE ARE NO ATTORNEYS AVAILABLE TO HANDLE EVICTION APPEAL. WE FIND IT REGRETTABLE THAT LONE STAR LEGAL AIDE AND OTHER LEGAL SERVICES THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY ARE AVAILABLE. MAYBE IT IS NOT ON AN APPOINTMENT, PER SAY, BUT CERTAINLY WILLING AND ABLE TO REPRESENT TENANTS WHO ARE ABOUT TO BECOME HOMELESS AND BECOME A TREMENDOUS BURDEN ON THE COUNTY.

TO DATE, HARRIS COUNTY -- WITHIN THE HARRIS COUNTY ONLY SERVICE AREA HAS TOUCHED ON OVER 1,123 TENANT MATTERS AND THAT INCLUDES CASES WHERE WE PROVIDED ADVICE AND DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION. THERE ARE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE BOTH OUT OF WASHINGTON AND OUT OF IS YOU STEIN. AUSTIN. THERE IS A CDC DECLARATION WHERE LONE -- LONE STAR AIDE HAS PROVIDED COUNSELING TO TENANTS.

WHETHER IT IS THROUGH DIRECT REPRESENTATION OR HELPING TENANTS ABATE THEIR EVICTION PROCEEDINGS OR THROUGH PUBLIC OUT REACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THERE IS ALSO A TEXAS EVICTION PROGRAM WHERE THERE IS ONE OF FEW PILOT COUNTIES FOR WHICH THE STATE HAS EARMARKED $600,000 THEY WERE INVITED TO TWO JUSTICES OF THE PEACE COURTS.

THAT IS IN JUDGE DELGADO'S COURT WHERE WE ARE FACING LITIGATION ON THE SAME DAY WITH AN EFFORT TO HELP PEOPLE ENTER INTO THAT EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM AND GET LANDLORDS PAID AND GET TENANTS CASES DELETED AND DISMISSED FROM EVICTION DOCKETS.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND WE WOULD LIKE TO REPRESENT TENANTS TO EVERY EX -- EXTENT POSSIBLE. I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, GO AHEAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND I KNOW MY STAFF IS WORKING WITH YOU AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THEY ARE PUTTING IN ON THIS. I THINK THEY EARMARKED 750K OF CARES MONEY AND YOU WERE WORKING WITH THE TASK FORCE TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO DO IT.

WE INCREASED THAT TO A MILLION, AND I KNOW IT BUILDS ON WHAT WE HAVE INVESTED IN AND ACCORDING TO MY NOTES IN NEW YORK HAVING AN ATTORNEY CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

IN NEW YORK 84% OF THE TENANTS WITH AN ATTORNEY STAYED IN THEIR HOME.

YOU MENTIONED A LOWER NUMBER, BUT DESPITE THE NATIONAL EVICTION MORATORIUM AND YOU

GAVE A NUMBER AND MY NOTES TELL ME 27,000. >> AND THAT MAY WELL BE THE

[01:00:05]

WE HAVE NO DOUBT WHEN WE GO INTO A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE EVICTION DOCKET CALL AND WE CAN SEE 50 OR 60 CASES SET FOR HEARING AND ONLY ONE TENANT HAS AN ATTORNEY THAT IS REPRESENTED BY ONE OF OUR OWN FOR A DOCKET OF 60 PEOPLE, 59 MAY GET A JUDGMENT THAT DAY AND ONLY ONE WILL HAVE THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY AND THEIR CASE WILL BE ABATED.

THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE TENANT WHO IS REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY GETS THE BENEFIT OF THE PROTECTIONS, THE FEW PROTECTIONS, THAT TEXAS RESIDENTS HAVE COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON OR OUT OF AUSTIN THANKS TO THE PANDEMIC.

BUT OTHERWISE THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE PROTECTIONS AVAILABLE IN NEW YORK ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN TEXAS BUT FOR THE CARES ACT AND BUT FOR THE CDC PRO SECTIONS AND THE EMERGENCY ORDER THAT'S HAVE COME OUT OF THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A TENANT'S RIGHTS ATTORNEY, THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT IF YOU ARE A TENANT FACINGY -- FACING EVICTION, YOU WILL BE EVICTED.

I CANNOT URGE ENOUGH THE NEED TO AVOID HOMELESSNESS AND THE EXTREME COST AND BURDEN TO THE COUNTY OF HOMELESSNESS THE TENANTS WILL BE AFFORDED. IN NEW YORK AND SOME CITY

ITSELF HAS PAID OFF. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A GOOD REPORT AND ACCORDING TO THE KINDER INSTITUTE AND THE PUBLIC ARENA WE ARE SPENDING $240 MILLION A YEAR IN HARRIS COUNTY EACH YEAR BECAUSE OF EVICTIONS. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE MORE THAN A MILLION. THE CITY IS PUTTING IN A MILLION AND WE ARE PUTTING IN

A MILLION? IS THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT? >> LINA HIDALGO: AND FIVE FROM THE CSD. MY UNDERSTANDING IS -- I MEAN WE HAVE BEEN DOING -- GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES ABOUT HOW MUCH WE NEED AND WHAT IS THE CAPACITY? I HAVE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS AND I CERTAINLY -- IT IS MY PERSPECTIVE AND I HEARD COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND GARCIA AND I BELIEVE THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS VOTED FOR THIS IN THE PAST. THE WILL OF THE COURT IS TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS. THE POINT IS FOR YOU TO BRING BACK IF Y'ALL NEED MORE FUNDING AND BRING BACK THE PROPOSAL. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE PARTIES ALL GOT TOGETHER AND THE BEST THEY HAVE IS THE FUND WILL BE USED AND THEY CAN UNDERSTAND HOW OPERATIONAL THEY ARE TO BE DISTRIBUTED IS THIS FIVE MILLION AND FOUR MILLION FROM THE CDGB DOLLARS. I THINK WE ALL AGREE ON THIS. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS STANDING IN THE WAY OF MORE FUNDING OTHER THAN WORKING OUTLAW GIST STICKS AND BRINGING BACK A PROPOSAL. AS MY UNDERSTANDING AND THIS IS THE BEST --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IF YOU ALL COME BACK -- JUDGE, IF YOU ALL COME BACK I WON'T PUSH FOR IT TODAY, BUT IF YOU COME BACK WITH A CONCRETE PROPOSAL BEFORE THE CARES MONEY IS GONE I WOULD DO IT. I WOULD BE FOR IT. SO THAT'S YOU ALL'S TASK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I TOO AM FOR THIS ITEM AND I SUPPORTED IT LAST TIME. IT IS IMPERATIVE TO KNOW THAT IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WE MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS. IT IS FRUSTRATING THAT WE PUT OUT A MANDATE AND SOME OF THEM ARE NOT PARTICIPATING. THEY WANT NO STRINGS ATTACHED. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME OF THOSE SITUATIONS OCCURRING, THEN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOMEONE SPEAKING UP FOR THEM AND ADVOCATING ON THEIR BEHALF.

[01:05:03]

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS A ROW -- ROBUST PROGRAM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE WE ARE CHARGING TO IMPLEMENTING IT ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND GIVING US A GOOD STRUCTURE SO THIS PROGRAM WORKS AS INTENDED AND IT IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF ADDING MORE MONEY, BUT MAKING SURE IT IS WORKING AS INTENDED. I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT BRINGS TO MIND IF WE END UP WITH SOME OF THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE MONEY THAT WE CANNOT GET OUT BEFORE THE DEADLINE, I AM HOPING MR. BERRY WILL FIND -- HOPEFULLY GUIDE HOUSE AND BERRY WILL LET US KNOW IN TIME AND WHETHER THAT GOES IN DIRECT ASSISTANCE OR SOMEWHERE. WE DON'T WANT TO GET SOMEWHERE WE DON'T SPEND AND I MIGHT BRING MR. SOARD IN. IT IS BROAD ENOUGH BECAUSE WE ARE ON -- IN MY MIND IN ADDITION TO THE PEOPLE RENTING AND BEING EVICTED, BUT WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CAN'T PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES BY JANUARY THE 15TH, I THINK IS THE DATE. AND UNDER OUR ABUSIVE SYSTEM UNDER TEXAS LAW, WHERE YOU END UP PAYING CONSIDERABLY MORE I WANT TO GET SOME PROJECTIONS. IS IT TOO EARLY TO TELL HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE LOSING HOMES OR WITH THESE OUTRAGEOUS PENALTIES BAY US THEY CAN'T PAY TAXES ON PROPERTY THEY OWN. NOT ONLY AM I WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE RENTING, BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT THOSE WHO OWN, BUT WON'T ALL OF A SUDDEN BE ABLE TO PAY. WHAT IS THE SAYING? OVER A COURSE OF A YEAR IF YOU DON'T PAY BY A CERTAIN DATE YOU PAY ANOTHER 40% A YEAR OR WHATEVER IT IS?

>> IT IS ROUGHLY 1% PER MONTH. YOU END UP PAYING AN EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE OF 8 MEAN -- 18% PER YEAR. WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT IS -- AT THOSE ISSUES AND LOOKING AT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS AND MAYBE IT WILL GIVE SOME RELIEF ON THAT. I ANTICIPATE WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING BY NEXT

COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I KNOW WE HAVE CUT THE FEE FOR THE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS FROM 20% WHICH A LONGTIME AGO I TOLD WAS THE LAW.

WE HAD TO PAY THEM 20% THEN. WE CUT THAT TO 15%. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE 15.

I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO PUT IT TO 10. I JUST THINK IT IS A CONTRACT ADHESION AND THEY THINK I FORGOT, BUT I HAVE NOT. WITH COVID IN PARTICULAR EVEN IF WE DO IT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, WE WANT TO KEEP THE NUMBERS ON HOW MANY PEOPLE ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY THE OUTRAGEOUS PENALTIES LAST YEAR WHEN THERE WAS NOT A PANDEMIC COMPARED TO WHAT THE NUMBER WILL BE IF PEOPLE HAVE NOT PAID THIS YEAR.

THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 4. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 5 IS AN UPDATE TO THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. AND THAT IS IT FOR THE COVID

AGENDA. SO MOVING ON -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE MOVE THEM ALL? I MOVE THEM. COMMISSIONER GARCIA I WILL

[I. Departments (Part 2 of 4)]

SECOND IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL MAKE THE MOTION, BUT, JUDGE, ITEM F ON THE AGENDA RIGHT AFTER YOUR BROAD ITEM, WE DIDN'T COVER

AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SUBMIT THAT RESOLUTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH PAGE,

COMMISSIONER? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PAGE 26. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHICH ITEM?

[01:10:13]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH ITEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 23F. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, THANK

YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, I WANT TO AGAIN THANK YOU AND ALL OF OUR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHETHER AT HARRIS HEALTH OR AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR PHENOMENAL WRORK IN DOING -- WORK IN DOING ALL YOU CAN TO HELP US THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC. YOUR STRENGTH IS TO BE COMMENDED AND RESPECTED AND ADMIRED. I WILL SAY THIS RESOLUTION IS WHY WE HAVE TO KEEP DOING MORE AND KEEP PUSHING THE ENVELOPE AND I AM BEHIND YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, JUDGE, FOR THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS YOU ARE MAKING AND I AM PROUD YOU ARE MAKING. WE NEED TO MAKE FOR -- MAKE MORE OF THEM TO SAVE MORE LIVES. THIS RESOLUTION IS IN THE SPIRIT OF DOING ALL WE CAN TO PROTECT THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND IN PARTICULAR THOSE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FAMILY AND TO RESPECT AND HONOR OUR DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS AND OUR NURSES AND EVERYBODY WORKING DILIGENTLY AND TIRELESSLY TO SAVE LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND FOR ALL OF THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST SOMEONE OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS CONTINUE TO BE WITH YOU. CAN'T SPEAK FOR EVERYBODY ELSE, BUT AS FAR AS HARRIS COUNTY IS EARNED -- CONCERNED, WE HAVE NO COVID FATIGUE. WE ARE STILL IN THE FIGHT AND STILL CONCERNED AND STILL FOCUSED. THE RESOLUTION READS: WHEREAS ON NOVEMBER 3RD, THE TUNCHES FAMILY LOST THEIR BELOVED JOHNNY, A DEVOTED FATHER AND HUSBAND TO THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19. AND WHEREAS A 29-YEAR VETERAN OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, DEPUTY JOHNNY TUCHES BEGAN -- TUNCHES BEGAN HIS SERVICE IN 1991. IT WAS AT THE INMATE PROCESSING CENTER.

AND AS WORK CONCLUDED PATROL AND WHEREAS HIS WIFE, SARA SHARED THAT JOHNNY WAS A PEOPLE PERSON. HE SURE WAS. I KNEW HIM PERSONALLY.

AND HE ENJOYED GOING OUT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT WALLS AND WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WHEREAS SHERIFF GONZALEZ SAID THAT DEPUTY TUNCHES SERVED THE COUNTY WITH DISTINCTION.

WE WERE PROUD TO CALL HIM OUR PARTNER AND OUR FRIEND. HE WILL BE MISSED TERRIBLY AND OUR CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THOSE HE TOUCHED. AND AT 56 HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE OF 21 YEARS, SARA, AND THEIR DAUGHTERS AND HIS BROTHER, RANDY TUNCHES, A RETIRED LIEUTENANT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AND NOW A SERGEANT OF PRECINCT 1. AND A NAVY VETERAN.

THIS I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT HIM, JUDGE. DEPUTY TUNCHES SERVED IN DESERT STORM. HE PUSHED HIMSELF MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES TO BECOME A NAVY SEAL AND TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY WITH VALUE LOUR AND HONOR -- VALOR AND HONOR. AN IMPORTANT PART OF HIS TIME WAS TO SPEND TIME WITH VETERANS AND LENDING SUPPORT. WHILE THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF DEPUTY TUNCHES IS DEEPLY FELT BY THE TUNCHES AND RAMIREZ FAMILY AND THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WE ALSO REMEMBER ALL OF THOSE LOST TO COVID-19 IN HARRIS COUNTY AND SEND CONDOLENCES TO THEIR FAMILY. JUDGE, AGAIN, THIS IS A RESOLUTION SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED TO THIS AMAZING LIFE. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING JOHNNY AND HIS BROTHER RANDY YEARS AGO. THEY ARE PRECINCT 2 PRODUCTS, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

THEY ARE GRADUATES OF MACARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL IN THAL -- IN THEAL -- ALDENE AREA. AND IT PAINS ME THAT SOMEBODY WITH THE PHYSICAL AND THE MENTAL CAPABILITIES TO BECOME A NAVY SEAL WOULD FALL TO COVID-19.

[01:15:07]

IT IS AN HONOR FOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

THAT'S THE RESOLUTION I SUBMIT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT, COMMISSIONER. AND OUR HEARTS GO OUT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK BACK TO THE COVID ITEMS -- THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ON PAGE 1, I THINK BUDGET MANAGEMENT, THERE MIGHT BE SO SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO SPELL OUT, SPECIFIC LANGUAGE.

MAYBE MR. BERRY CAN TELL US. I DON'T THINK WE CAN JUST MOVE IT.

DOES IT HAVE TO HAVE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE? >> WE SUBMITTED A MOTION TO THE COUNTY CLERK, SO I THINK YOU CAN JUST MOVE IT. IT WOULD BE AUTHORIZING BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO FURTHER AMENDMENT THE BAKER RIPLEY AGREEMENT.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, YOU CAN JUST MOVE IT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S

MOTION FOR ALL OF THE COVID ITEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE WILL

VOTE ON THEM AT THE END SO WE DON'T GET CONFUSED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: EVERYBODY IS

OKAY WITH ALL OF THEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE GO BACK TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.

COUNTY ENGINEER. PAGE 6. ADD THE WORD 2 AND PRECINCT -- SO IT READS [INAUDIBLE] PARTIAL ON BEHALF OF PRECINCT 2.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WHAT PAGE ARE YOU ON, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM ON PAGE 6 AND ITEM 1Y. IT IS A PARTIAL REPLAT. ANYTHING ELSE ON THE COUNTY

ENGINEER? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE WE MOVE OI WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THE ITEM ON PAGE 5, T. IT IS THE TRANSMITAL OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION AWARDS TO HARRIS COUNTY FROM THE NATIONAL MUNICIPAL STORM WATER AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AWARDS PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTY'S STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT AWARD THAT FOLKS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THAT HAS BEEN SNAGGED BY OUR GUYS.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENGINEERING TEAM IN THAT REGARD AND TO RECOGNIZE ITEM Z ON PAGE 6. AND THIS IS HUGE. THIS IS TO RECOMMEND THAT THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO CHAIR AND THE COUNTY THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO SERVE AS A PROJECT SPONSOR OF THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

THE SAN JACINTO REGIONAL FLOOD PLANNING GROUP AND SUPPORT BOTH DEPARTMENTS DOING WHATEVER IS NECESSARY IN THOSE ROLES TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE STATE'S REGIONAL FLOOD PLAN FOR OUR REGION. THAT'S HUGE. AND I JUST WANT TO COMMEND ENGINEERING AND THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THEIR DILIGENT WORK FOR REALLY EARNING THE RESPECT FROM THEIR PARTNERS AND NOT ONLY TO BE A SPONSOR OF IT, BUT ALSO TO CHAIR IT. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO RECOGNIZE THOSE TWO ITEMS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, ALSO IN LINE WITH THAT I WANT TO COMMEND THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ON PAGE 6 AND ITEM V. THAT IS ACQUIRING ADDITIONAL PROPERTY. I THINK THERE WILL BE FIVE TRACKS FOR BUILDING A PARKING LOT FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO MOVE OVER TO THE HISTORIC PROJECT SITE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JOHN, AND YOUR TEAM. AND RUSS AND ALL ALL

[01:20:05]

[INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: FLOOD CONTROL

DISTRICT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON FLOOD CONTROL, JUDGE, I DO HAVE ON PAGE 9 AND ITEM I. RUSS, I JUST WANT TO GET YOU ON THE RECORD REGARDING LOOSE BAYOU METHODS. I HELD A PREVIOUS ITEM ON THE -- ON THIS AREA.

THE CONSTITUANTS WERE CONCERNED -- CONSTITUENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. THERE IS STILL WORK OCCURRING IN THE AREA THAT IS GIVING PEOPLE FEAR THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SNOOKER THEM. I KNOW THAT THEY ARE -- THERE ARE DIFFERENT AREAS OF WORK, BUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL WORKING TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY OUT THERE IS GIVING PEOPLE CONCERN THAT THE TBROJ -- THAT THE PROJECTS ARE STILL MOVING FORWARD. I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT MY ITEM TO -- OR MY EFFORT TO HOLD THE ITEM AT THE PREVIOUS COURT WAS TO SPECIFICALLY HOLD ANY ACTIVITY OCCURRING OUT THERE AND WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE STUDY. ONE, I JUST WANTED TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT. AND SECONDLY, I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT MY INTENTION WAS TO CEASE AND DESIST ANY OTHER WORK BEYOND THE STUDY OF LOOSE BAYOU IN THAT AREA.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

WE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR. THE ITEM WE HELD A COUPLE COURTS AGO TO ACQUIRE ANYMORE PROPERTY IS STILL ON HOLD. THE ONLY THING WE ARE DOING NOW, COMMISSIONER IS TRYING TO REGROUP BASED ON THE COMMUNITY INPUT AND THE CONCERNS VOICED AND SEE WHAT WE CAN SALVAGE OUT OF THAT PROJECT AND MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION TO FIRST YOUR OFFICE AND THEN TO THE

RESIDENTS TO SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME COMMON GROUND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THEN -- OH, THAT'S NEXT. THAT'S ON TOLL ROAD. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. BEFORE WE MOVE TO TOLL ROAD THERE IS A REQUEST FOR A BREAK. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF SPEAKERS COMING UP.

LET'S TAKE A 10-MINUTE BREAK UNTIL -- IT IS 11:27. UNTIL 11:50, I GUESS.

LET'S MA >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M PRESENT. I'M HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. IT IS 11:51 AND WE ARE BACK. WE WERE JUST ABOUT TO HOP ON TO THE TOLL ROAD PORTION. I KNOW THERE IS AN ITEM THERE ON THE NORTH HOUSTON HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS AND DISCUSS THE TOPIC THE EKDZ TENSION OF THE -- EXTENSION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IS EXTENDED 30 DAYS.

APPRECIATE TEX DOT DOING THAT. BUT THERE ARE STILL CONCERNS WE HAD ALL ALONG ABOUT THE FOOTPRINT AND THE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY DISPLACING MANY COMMUNITIES AND THE BROADER FOOTPRINT OF THE PROJECT. THE BROADER DECIDE OF THE PROJECT. AS IT STANDS I STILL DON'T STAND IT AND NOR SHOULD HARRIS COUNTY. IT HAS MANY ISSUES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH TEXT DOT. TEX DOT. BUT I HOPE AT SOME TIME THEY WILL FULLY ADDRESS THE ISSUES BROUGHT FORTH FROM THE CHALLENGES TO UH -- TO ALLOW FOR TRANSIT AND FOR THE REGION TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT AND THE DISPLACEMENT OF COMMUNITIES. YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND

-- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, THANK YOU.

I WILL JUST SAY THAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT TO BE RELEASED REALLY WEEKS AGO, 9,000 PAGES AND TO HAVE THAT EFFECTIVELY REVIEWED AND COMMENTED ON IT REALLY WOULD BE DISINGENERAL -- DISINGENUOUS TO SAY YOU WANT TO GET GOOD INPUT AND BE A PARTNER WITH YOUR LOCAL ENTITIES. I'M STAYING AT THE TABLE, BUT I AM INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS PROCESS. EVERY TIME WE PUSH TO -- WELL,

[01:25:08]

I WOULD SIMPLY SAY TO THE COMMUNITY, YOU HAVE REASONS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

YOU REALLY DO. I WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU SHOULD BE WEIGHING IN WITH YOUR STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GETTING THEM TO GET TEX DOT'S ATTENTION.

I MEAN, WE'RE DOING OUR PART, BUT UNLESS TEX DOT HEARS FROM THEIR STATE OFFICIALS, NO PUN INTENDED, WE -- BUT WE ARE GETTING RUN OVER ON THIS DEAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE ITEM TO THE COURT. YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS, AS WELL AS YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BECAUSE YOU ARE ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE BOARD. YOU HAVE REALLY DUG INTO THIS.

I KIND OF LEAN BACK AND I HOPE WE CAN HAVE -- I GUESS MAYBE BEFORE THE SPEAKERS BECAUSE I WANT THEM TO HEAR SOME OF IT. I WILL ASK SOME OF MY EXPERTS WHAT IS GOING ON AND IN PARTICULAR GET A LITTLE OVERVIEW FROM THE FOLKS WITH HEWLET ZOLLERS.

I MADE A COMMENT TO A GROUP I SPOKE TO OVER THE WEEKEND AND OF COURSE WE WANT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INVESTED IN THIS REGION IN TRANSPORTATION. THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE HAVE TO TAKE THE MONEY THE WAY SOMEBODY SAYS YOU CAN TAKE IT AND GET ACCESS TO IT.

I POINTED OUT, MAYBE NOT AS CALMLY AS NOW, BUT IT IS NOT THE STATE'S MONEY.

IT IS BASICALLY FEDERAL MONEY. IT IS NOT THEIR MONEY.

IT IS OUR MONEY. OR IT IS THE -- OR, IT IS THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY.

I HOPE TO CHANGE IT IN WASHINGTON. I MENTIONED THIS TO CONGRESSWOMAN LEE. SHE AND SENATOR GARCIA AND SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE AT THE EVENT I WENT TO OVER THE WEEKEND. I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL.

I WANT TO BE POLITE. I WANT TO BE DIPLOMATIC, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO.

IN MY EXPERIENCE EVEN WHEN I WAS WITH THE STATE WITH TEX DOT, EVEN WHEN IT WAS THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, IT HAS BEEN GENERALLY THEIR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY.

THERE ARE JUST SO MANY GREAT CITIES IN THIS NATION THAT HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BECAUSE OF THAT ATTITUDE. I DON'T WANT TO CALL ANY OF THOSE CITIES OUT BECAUSE IF IT CHANGINGED I DON'T WANT TO GO TO X CITY AND GET RUN OUT OF TOWN FOR MAKING A REFERENCE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I POINT OUT ALL THE TIME AN ITEM IN YOUR PRECINCT, NONE OF US WOULD HAVE IT IF THE PORT WAS NOT HERE. MAYBE IT WAS MAN MADE AND THE GOOD LORD DIDN'T WANT TO BRING WATER INTO THE DOWNTOWN. LET'S HOPE A HURRICANE DOESN'T DO IT OR IF THE MEDICAL CENTER WAS NOT HERE IN THE INNER CITY NEIGHBORHOODS.

I MENTION ON THIS ONE, WHAT DID THE 288 EXPANSION DO FOR MY PRECINCT? I'M REAL HAPPY THAT THE PEOPLE CAN WORK IN THE MEDICAL CENTER, BUT IT IS GOING TO LEAD TO MORE FLOODING IN THE CITY AS A RESULT. AND I10 RIPPED UH -- APART THE FIFTH WARD. THOSE BLACK AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES.

SOMEBODY IS COMING ON LATER TODAY. HER FAMILIES LOST THEIR HOMES. IT'S RIDICULOUS. WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN. AFTER WE GET THROUGH THE DISCUSSION AND I DON'T NEED TO RUN THROUGH THE 10,061 MULTI-FAMILY HOMES. WE ALL KNOW ALL OF THAT.

WHAT DO WE DO TO HELP THESE COMMUNITIES. MOST OF THE ISSUES THEY

[01:30:06]

I WANT TO KNOW AND I WANT TO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. WHAT OPTIONS DO WE HAVE? DO WE WANT TO BE DIPLOMATIC AND WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS? I WANT TO KNOW, DO WE FORCE THEM TO TAKE SOME LAND? IN OTHER WORDS YOU TRY BEING NICE AND DIPLOMATIC, BUT IF NOT YOU HAVE TO FACE RESISTANCE WITH RESISTANCE. I DIDN'T JUST START DOING THAT WHEN I BECAME A COUNTY OFFICIAL. I TRIED TO DO IT WITH A SMILE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK PETER KEYS SOME QUESTIONS AND THEN GO TO

HUE LIT ZOWERS OR -- HEWLET ZOWERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

COMMISSIONER AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: PETER, I WANT TO KNOW IN LINE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SAYING, BUT I HAVE NOT READ THOSE THOUSANDS OF PAGES. I COULD READ THEM IN 60-DAYS OR SOMETHING ELSE ON THE SIDELINES. HAVE YOU REVIEWED THE FINAL FEIS REPORT?

>> NO, SIR, I HAVE NOT. COMMISSIONER, THIS IS PETER KEY OUT WITH TOLL ROAD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW YOU ARE A SPEED READER, BUT 60-DAYS IS NOT ENOUGH TO GO

THROUGH ALL OF THAT ESPECIALLY SOMEBODY LIKE YOU. >> IT IS A LENGTHY DOCUMENT AND IT IS TECHNICAL IN NATURE. THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION IF THERE. IT CAN BE INTIMIDATING AT TIMES FOR THE STAFF TO READ IT. AN AFFECTED PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY IMAGINE THEM TRYING

TO READ THROUGH THE DOCUMENT IN 60-DAYS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WHAT DO

YOU THINK OF THE TEX.COM PROCESS? >> WELL, I -- THE TEX DOT

PROCESS. >> I HAD PREPARED REMARKS, BUT TEXT DOT IS GOING -- TEX DOT IS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS. THIS IS THE PROCESS IDENTIFIED.

AND SO IT WAS WISE OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO REALIZE THAT WITH A PROJECT OF THIS TYPE OF SIGNIFICANCE AND THE PROGRESS THE COUNTY HAS MADE TO SEEK AND EMPLOY MEAN -- MEANINGFUL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FOR PRODUCTS IN OUR REGION, IT WAS TIME FOR THE COUNTY TO PARTNER WITH THE BOARD AND HELP THE PUBLIC AND ALSO HELP THOSE OF US AT THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AND METRO HAS BEEN INVOLVED AS WELL TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS IN THE FEIS AND HOW BEST TO RESPOND TO EITHER LACK OF CLARITY OR DEFICIENCIES THAT WE PERCEIVE IN THE FEIS. AND WHAT MAY NOT EVEN BE IN THE DOCUMENT AT ALL EVEN

THOUGH IT IS CLOSE TO 9,000. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ANY OTHER POINTS YOU WANT TO MAKE?

AND THEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE FLOODING IMPACT. >> FOR COURT AND FOR THE PUBLIC WHO MAY BE LISTENING, JUST REMINDING EVERYONE THAT THE COUNTY WORKING WITH HEWITT ZOLLER'S TEAM AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON, WE HELD A SERIES OF PUBLIC MEETINGS.

AND WE HELD WORKSHOPS. IT HELPS EXPLAIN THE PROCESS AND SEEK ENGAGEMENT AND ALSO A COMMITMENT TO HELP THE PUBLIC IF THEY WANT TO RESPOND. WE MADE A NUMBER OF POINTS AND I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO COME UP WHEN KRISTOFF SPEAKS. AND RIGHT NOW HE IS THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON THE DOCUMENT. WE SPOKE TO SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER, AND IT IS WHAT I CALL THE BENEVOLENT VALUES OF HARRIS COUNTY.

BUT IT IS THE VALUES THAT THE COUNTY EXPRESSED IN THE RESOLUTION THROUGH IDENTIFYING BENCHMARKS AND ALSO THE VALUES EXPRESSED IN THE COUNTY'S MOU PROCESS.

IF THE COUNTY HOPES THAT TEX DOT WILL RECOGNIZE AND EMBRACE AND ULTIMATELY INCORPORATE INTO WHATEVER PROJECT IS EVENTUALLY CONSTRUCTED IN THE REGION, AND WE REPEATEDLY TRIED TO STRESS THOSE POINTS. AND I KNOW KRISTOFF IS ON THE PHONE.

[01:35:08]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE ONE FOR RUSS POPPY, IF I MIGHT, JUDGE? RUSS, I WANT TO KNOW IN WHAT WAYS IS THIS PROJECT GOING TO AFFECT HARRIS COUNTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM? AND DOES IT MEET THE COUNTY ATLAS 14 STANDARDS? EVEN IF I KNOW THE DISCUSSION IS ABOUT SOME MODEST MODIFICATIONS WITH YOU OR MR. BLOUNT. WHAT IMPACT DOES IT HAVE AND DOES IT MEET THE COUNTY'S

STANDARD? >> THIS IS RUSS POPPY WITH FLOOD CONTROL.

RIGHT NOW THE COMMITMENT TEX DOT HAS GIVEN US THAT THEY WILL USE ATLAS 14 RAINFALL TO DESIGN THEIR DRAINAGE INFRO -- INFRASTRUCTURE. AND THEY HAVE MITIGATED ANY FILL PLACED IN THE CURRENT MAPPED 500 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN. AT A HIGH LEVEL THEY ARE CHECKING THE BOXES, BUT A BAYOU THAT IS A SHARED FACILITY BETWEEN THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND TEX DOT CROSSES I-45 A MULTITUDE OF TIMES.

THEREFORE OUR ABILITY TO WORK WITH TEX DOT TO NOT MAKE FLOODING WORSE, BUT TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE IT BETTER IS CRUCIAL TO THIS CONVERSATION.

AND THE CULVERTS UNDER 610 SERVES AS A SIGNIFICANT BOTTLENECK AND UNDOUBTEDLY ADDS TO THE SIGNIFICANT FLOOD PLAIN THAT IS UP STREAM AND AFFECTING INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS. AND SO WE ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE, COMMISSIONER, AS WELL AS LOCAL DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE. WE KNOW MANY OF THE HISTORICAL CHANNELS ARE NOW ENCLOSED ALONG THE HI -- THE E-45 -- THE I-45 CORRIDOR.

AND THERE IS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LOCAL DRAINAGE STRUCTURE SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WIDER BODY, WE CAN GET THE WATER TO THE IMPROVED SECTION.

>> ANOTHER QUESTION IS IT RELATES TO LEVERAGE. I HEARD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WOULD THE CITY HAVE LEVERAGE IF THEY DECLARED SOME OF THE LAND WE'VE GIVEN THEM CONTROL OF ALONG WHITE OAK AS A PARK? WE CANNOT DO THAT BECAUSE SOME OF THE AGREEMENTS SAID WE WOULDN'T. YOU KNOW, WE SAY THIS IS NOT PARK SPACE, BUT DO THEY HAVE TO GET CERTAIN LAND FROM THE COUNTY? ALONG WHITE OAK OR ANY OTHER WATER SHEDS WHICH WOULD GIVE US LEVERAGE? I AM NOT SAYING WE WOULD EXERCISE THAT, BUT ONE THING I LEARNED HOW TO DO IS PLAY HARD BALL WITH MY FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP. THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN ME A BASEBALL SCHOLARSHIP.

INSTEAD OF GIVING IT AWAY. ANYWAY, WHAT LEVERAGE DO WE HAVE WITH REGARD TO PROPERTY?

PROPERTY THE COUNTY OWNS THAT THEY WOULD NEED. >> TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE DO HAVE PROPERTIES ALONG THE I-45 CORRIDOR PRIMARILY AS DRAINAGE EASE MENTS AND -- EASEMENTS AND FEES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT DEPENDING UPON THE ULTIMATE FOOTPRINT THAT IS DECIDED UPON TO WIDEN I-45, YES, THEY WOULD HAVE TO ACQUIRE SOME OF THE

PROPERTIES FROM US TO MAKE THE PROJECT WORK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY COULD ALWAYS USE EMINENT DOMAIN, BUT THIS IS AN INCIDENCE WHERE I AM GLAD COMMISSIONER RADACK RAN OVER ME WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE HE WANTED TO GET A BILL PASSED THAT I WAS OPPOSED TO SO HARRIS COUNTY CAN DO SOME SHOPPING AND NOW IT MIGHT COME IN HANDY BECAUSE IT IS NOT EASY TO GET THE STATE TO EXERCISE THE DOMAIN.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING A GOVERNMENT ENTITY LIKE TEX DOT

CAN'T EXERCISE DOMAIN OVER THE ENTITY LIKE FLOOD CONTROL. >> CAN OR CANNOT?

I I COULDN'T HEAR YOU. >> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING -- >> THEY CAN AND IT IS REPORTED

TO WHO HAS -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL COMMISSIONER RADACK'S BILL

FROM 2015 OR WHENEVER THAT WAS. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> IT MIGHT COME IN HANDY.

[01:40:02]

>> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER. THERE IS A LOT OF FEEDBACK AND I DIDN'T HEAR YOUR QUESTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU WANT TO ADD ABOUT THIS PROJECT?

>> WE HAVE OUR OWN EFFORTS ON GOING. YOU ARE AWARE OF THOSE.

WE ARE OVERDUE FOR A BRIEFING ON THAT. I CAN'T EXPRESS THE IMPORTANCE ENOUGH. WE HAVE ONE SHOT TO GET THIS RIGHT AND WE ARE LOOKING HARD

AT IT TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HOPE THE IRT IS LOOKING AT UNDER ATLAS 14 HARVEY WOULD STILL NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

I DON'T THINK WE COULD BE CERTAIN THAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WILL SEE AGAIN. AND SO THEY ARE NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH FROM A FLOOD CONTROL STANDPOINT. OF COURSE THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES ON THE TRANSIT SIDE AND

ON THE CHEUPT -- AND ON THE COMMUNITY DISPLACEMENT SIDE. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, DO

YOU NEED ME TO UNMUTE KRISTOFF? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

OR JUDGE, WHENEVER. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

LET'S HEAR FROM HIM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, BYWAY OF BACKGROUND ON THIS STUDY, IT WAS YOUR ITEM AND THE COUNTY IS FLOODING PART OF IT AND THE CITY COOPERATED.

BUT WE PUT UP MONEY WITH THE COUNTY TO GET THIS IN? >> LINA HIDALGO: THROUGH THE

TOLL ROAD. IT THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE PETER CAN TELL US, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE SPENT TO GET IT REVIEWED.

>> JUST UNDER $250,000. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM THE COUNTY SIDE OR IN TOTAL?

>> FROM TOLL ROAD, COMMISSIONER, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S THE TOTALITY OF THE COUNTY'S FUNDING. AND FOR CONTEXT THAT'S ON A PROPOSED $7 BILLION PROJECT.

>> AND HOW MUCH DID THE ENDOWMENT PUT UP. >> COMMISSIONER, I DON'T KNOW

OFFHAND, BUT I CAN GET THAT INFORMATION. >> WHEN HE GETS HIS COMMENTS

HE MIGHT KNOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THIS.

>> AND I CAN ANSWER THAT AS WELL. FOR THIS PHASE THE ENDOWMENT AND THE COUNTY PUT IN ROUGHLY 50/50. THIS COVERS MORE THAN JUST THE REVIEW. IT COVERS THE PROCESS AND TELLS THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHAT THE COUNTY AND THE CITY HAS TEX DOT FOR AND IT COVERS FURTHER WORK TO LOOK AT VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DETAIL. THAT'S MORE THAN A REVIEW.

WOULD YOU BE HAPPY TO PULL UP THE DETAILS OR I CAN GIVE A BRIEF STATEMENT OR AN OVER

VIEW ON WHAT THE ISSUES ARE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE IF YOU

POPPED IT ON THE SCREEN? >> I MEAN, I CAN DO A FIVE-MINUTE PRESENTATION ON SCREEN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT LEVEL OF

DETAIL WOULD YOU LIKE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE THAT IF WE COULD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND IF YOU CAN KEEP IT TO FIVE MINUTES. WE HAVE ABOUT FOUR HOURS OF SPEAKERS. YOU KNOW THE ESTIMATE SO WE HAVE TO DOUBLE THAT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BIG ITEMS TO GET THROUGH. IF YOU CAN KEEP IT TO FIVE

MINUTES OTHERWISE WE WILL BE HERE UNTIL TOMORROW. >> SOUNDS GOOD.

>> I AM CHANGING YOUR ROLE TO PRESENTER. >> WE WON'T LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER FOR TWO AND A HALF WEEKS, RIGHT? WE WON'T MEET AGAIN UNTIL

AFTER THANKSGIVING SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO DO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHILE ARE YOU PREPARING THAT, IT WOULD BE NICE THAT WHEN YOU ARE MAKING THESE COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS AND ONE OF US IS ON THE CALL, IF YOU CAN CARVE OUT SOME TIME TO MAKE SURE THE

ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED. >> WE HAD A PRE-AGREEMENT FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY ON HOW WE WOULD DO THAT. I KNOW YOU WERE AT THAT MEETING AND WE APPRECIATE YOU HAVING BEEN AT THAT MEETING. SO JUST A QUICK UPDATE.

WHAT THIS PROCESS HAS CONSISTED OF IS A PHO SILL STATION GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS. WE WERE BROUGHT ON BOARD IN 2019.

WE HAD TWO ROUNDS OF WORKSHOP THAT'S LEAD TO RECOMMENDATIONS TO TEX DOT THAT CAME FROM BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. AND NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT A FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

[01:45:02]

ONCE A RECORD OF DECISION IS IN PLACE, THE AGENCY HAS FULL FEDERAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE AND CAN PURCHASE THROUGH EM -- EMINENT DOUGH INANE.

DOMAIN. WHAT IS DOCUMENTED IS LEGALLY BINDING.

IF IT IS DOCUMENTED, TEX DOT CAN BE HELD TO IT. IF IT IS NOT DOCUMENTED, THEN TEX DOT CAN'T BE IN THE SAME WAY. THEY CAN ADOPT AS SOON AS DECEMBER. THE COMMENT THAT IT WAS EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 9TH.

LOOKING THROUGH THIS DOCUMENT A COUPLE THINGS WE NOTICE IS IT IS A LOT LIKE THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT. THERE IS A LOT OF RESPONSES WHICH ARE ALONG THE LINES OF WE ARE COORDINATED. THERE ARE SOME CRITICAL AREAS THAT WERE RE -- RESOLVED AND OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN. THERE ARE SOME COMMITMENTS.

ATLAS 14 IS IN THERE AND REPLATING -- REPLACING THE CULVERTS ON WHITE OAK WITH BRIDGES IS IN THERE. THE DISPLACEMENT NUMBERS HAVE NOT CHANGED.

TXDOT SAYS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A LOSS OF TAXABLE PROPERTIES THEY WILL HAVE A POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT. IT SAYS THE LIT PARK THAT'S COULD BE BUILT WOULD MITIGATE IMPACTS, BUT THEY SAY TXDOT WILL NOT PAY FOR THOSE. IT IS SAYING THAT THERE ARE VISUAL IMPACTS ON THE BAYOU GREEN WAYS, BUT THEY ARE NOT DESIGNATED PARKLAND AND DOES NOT PROPOSE SUBSTANTIVE MITIGATION FOR THOSE. IT HAS ELIMINATED MOST OF THE DEIS CLIE -- CLIMATE IMPACT. THERE IS NOT A TRAFFIC STUDY IN THIS DOCUMENT FOR IMPACTS ON LOCAL STREETS. THEY ARE SAYING THAT EVEN THOUGH THE PROJECT WILL CLOSE SOME STREETS, WILL MOVE ON AND OFF-RAMPS CONSIDERABLY, BUT IT WILL NOT AFFECT NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC. BUT THERE IS NO STUDY TO BACK THAT UP.

AND IT ALSO HAS NUMBERS CLAIMING REDUCTION IN CRASH FREQUENCY, SEVERITY, BUT NO EXPLANATION OF WHERE THE NUMBERS COME FROM AND NO DISCUSSION OF SAFETY ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. AND THERE IS ALSO NO COMMITMENT ON HOW THE MANAGED LANES THAT WILL BE -- THAT WILL REPLACE THE HOV/HOT LANES WILL BE MANAGED.

THE BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT ARE CLAIMED BASED ON VERY HIGH TRAVEL TIMES IF THE PROJECT ISN'T BUILT. THEY ARE SAYING IF WE DON'T BUILD THIS IT WILL TAKE 103 MINUTES TO GET FROM THE NEAR NORTH SIDE TO MIDTOWN. IN TERMS OF CONNECTIONS, SOME OF THE MAJOR CHANGES LIKE GETTING RID OF NORTH STREET WHERE IT CURRENTLY CROSSES THE FREEWAY, NO NEW CONNECTION PROPOSED TO MITIGATE THAT. THE SCHEMATIC DO NOT SHOW CONNECTING SAN JACINTO TO THE FREEWAY. IT WOULD BE MOVED AND THE ASK YOU -- SCHEMATIC DOES NOT SHOW SAN JACINTO BEING MOVED FOR THE VEHICLES -- FOR THE CONNECTION. THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE FACILITIES NORTH OF DOWNTOWN.

THE POKE STREET CONNECTION FOR EADO IS GOING AWAY AND THEY SAY A NEW BIKE LANE AND SOUTHBOUND FEEDER ROAD MITT -- MITIGATES THOSE AND DOESN'T HAVE MITIGATION THERE.

THEY DO NOT REC COG -- RECOGNIZE ANY IMPACTS TO BUS SERVICES.

IT STATES THERE ARE NO PERMANENT IMPACTS TO METRO BUS SERVICE EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE A DOZEN BUS ROUTES THAT WOULD NEED TO BE PERMANENTLY REROUTED.

THE SCHEMATICS AS DRAWN WOULD ELIMINATE THE DRIVEWAY OUT OF THE WHEELER TRANSIT CENTER WHICH WOULD LEAVE THAT NOT ABLE TO FUNCTION WITH NO COMMITMENT TO REPLACING THAT AND REMOVES THE HOV LANE TO THE KD FREEWAY WITH RAMPS OFF MANAGED LANES AND DOES NOT CONSIDER HOW THAT WOULD IMPACT TRANSIT SERVICE. THESE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THE DOCUMENT DOESN'T DEAL WITH. THIS PERIOD IS INTENDED TO BE ONE WHERE THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF TXDOT ADDRESSED PREVIOUS COMMENTS.

AND THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND THE PUBLIC AND OTHERS HAD BROUGHT IT UP EARLIER IN THE PROCESS. THAT'S THE FIRST QUESTION. THE SECOND, IS THIS A GOOD PROJECT? IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTATE JUST HOW BIG THIS THING IS.

HERE IS A SAMPLE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF DOWNTOWN WHERE WE WOULD GO FROM EIGHT LANES OF FREEWAY TO 23 LANES. THROUGH SEGMENTS 1 AND 2 A 50% INCREASE IN FOOT PRINT.

SO GOING FROM SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WHICH MEANS 160 SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSES AND 919 WELFARE FAMILY HOMES AND 450-ACRES AND 344 BUSINESSES.

[01:50:02]

THIS WAS AFTER WORLD WAR II AND THIS IS WHAT THE AREA LOOKED LIKE WHEN THEY WERE BUILT IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS WHAT THE AREA LOOKED LIKE WHEN THEY WERE WIDENED AND THIS IS WHAT IT PROPOSES THE AREA WOULD LOOK LIKE. AND THOSE DECISIONS WERE MADE NOT ONLY BEFORE MODERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, BUT BEFORE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT WAS IN PLACE. AND SO IN A LOT OF WAYS THIS PROJECT PERPETUATES THOSE PREVIOUS DECISIONS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES, IT DID NOT CONSIDER DISPLACEMENT IN INITIAL SCREENING. ALL OF THE ALTERNATIVES THAT DID NOT ADD LANES WERE ELIMINATED BEFORE THE COMMUNITY IMPACTS WERE EVALUATED. THE ONLY NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THE PROJECT CONSIDERED RIGHT OF WAY IMPACTS HAPPENS TO BE THE RICHEST AND THE WHITEST NEIGHBORHOOD IN SEGMENTS 1 AND 2. WHICH LEADS TO QUESTIONS LIKE IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE THOSE KIND OF NEGATIVE IMPACTS SO OTHERS CAN GET A BETTER COMMUTE? AND SHOULD THIS PROJECT MITIGATE ITS OWN IMPACTS FOR THE ORIGINAL IMPACTS.

THE PROJECT HAS SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON PARKS. HERE IS WHAT THE BAYOU GREEN WAY ON WHITE OAK LOOKS LIKE BEFORE AND AFTER. AND WE KNOW THAT TRAFFIC PROJECTIONS HAVE NOT MATCHED THE ORIGINAL FORECAST. THEY ARE PROJECTING A FOLLOW INCREASE AND TRAFFIC HAS GONE DOWN. AND WE KNOW IT ACTUALLY INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC. IT WILL MAKE ACCESS WORSE IN MANY PLACES. PEOPLE DRIVING A MILE AND A HALF EXTRA ON STREETS BECAUSE THE OFF-RAMP GOES AWAY. DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT METRO'S TRANSIT PLANS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THOSE TO MOVE MORE PEOPLE. THEY REALLY DID NOT TAKE A HARD LOOK AT DESIGN STANDARDS TO SEE IF THERE ARE WAYS TO USE EXCEPTIONS TO THOSE KIND OF DESIGN STANDARDS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT THE PROJECT HAS. THEY DID NOT ANALYZE FREIGHT MOVEMENT WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING. AND WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE FREIGHT MOVEMENT WORKS. AND THIS PROJECT REALLY DIDN'T FOCUS ON SAFETY ON THE LOCAL STREETS OR FRON -- FRONTAGE ROADS.

FRONTAGE ROADS WE KNOW ARE CRASH HOTSPOTS AND THEY ARE A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT THAN FREEWAY MAIN LANES AND REQUIRE DIFFERENT KINDS OF DESIGNS, BUT THERE IS NO ANALYSIS OF THAT. AND NO REAL THINKING ABOUT THAT IN THIS PROJECT.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THE DECISION ON WHAT KIND OF HIGHWAY WE BUILD IS A DECISION ON WHAT KIND OF A PLACE WE WANT TO BE. WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK CITY AND COUNTY AND METRO WITH WORKSHOPS ON THE EIS. THAT WILL THEN LEAD TO THE COUNTY BEING ABLE TO FORMULATE COMMENTS AND WE WILL CONTINUE AFTER THAT WITH LOOKING AT SPECIFIC FOCUS AREAS ON THE PROJECT THAT WE THINK DESERVE MORE ATTENTION.

WITH THAT I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IN SIM POLICE -- IN SIMPLISTIC TERMS, WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS PROJECT THE MOST? IS IT PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY? IS IT PEOPLE IN HOUSTON? IS IT PEOPLE TRYING TO GET OUT OF HOUSTON? MAYBE TO UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY? OR IS IT PEOPLE TRYING TO GET

OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY ON AN IN AND OUT PERIOD? >> GENERALLY THE GREATEST BENEFIT IS DURING RUSH HOUR BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THE MOST CONGESTION IS.

THE GREATEST BENEFIT IS TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUTSIDE BELT WAY 8 AND HEADED DOWNTOWN IN

THE MORNING AND HEADED OUT IN THE EVENING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THEY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT MORE OF A LIMITED MASS TRANSIT OPTION THAT WE HAVE, COULD WE IMPROVE ACCESS

IN AND OUT OF THE CORE OF THE CITY WITHOUT TEARING IT UP? >> YEAH, I MEAN, WE ALREADY HAVE ROUGHLY 50% OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE SUBURBS AND WORK DOWNTOWN ALREADY USE METRO TRAINS -- METRO TRANSIT. I CAN IMAGINE PUTTING BETTER TRANSIT GOING TO PLACES LIKE UPTOWN AND THE MEDICAL CENTER AND COULD IMPROVE THOSE NUMBERS AS WELL. METRO IS ALREADY PLANNING TO GREATLY IMPROVE THE TRANSIT SERVICE IN THE CORRIDOR, BUT THAT WASN'T BUILT INTO THE PROJECTIONS HERE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS IT FAIR IN YOUR JUDGMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CORE TO ASK FOR SOMETHING MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN THEY ARE GETTING IN EXCHANGE FOR US BUILDING ON

[01:55:06]

>> I THINK THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT QUESTIONS HERE. ONE IS DO WE NEED ADDITIONAL LANES IF THIS CORRIDOR? LIKE I SAID, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE TRAFFIC NUMBERS AND SEE WHAT THE ACTUAL TRAFFIC IS. I THINK IT IS A VERY GOOD IDEA TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECTIONS THIS IS BASED ON. DO WE NEED THE CAPACITY? CAN WE ADD TRANSIT CAPACITY? THE SECOND QUESTION IS AND ACCEPT -- ACCEPTABLE TO DISA THESE PEOPLE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF IMPROVING OTHER PEOPLE'S TRIPS. IT NOT ONLY HAS A REAL IMPACT ON THESE PEOPLE'S NEIGHBORHOOD TERMS OF THE SOUND AND THE NOISE AND IN TERMS OF THE VISUAL IMPACTS ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU ARE LOOKING AT A PROJECT THAT MAKES IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS TO MOVE AROUND HOUSTON.

IT GIVES THEM FEWER PLACES TO GET ON AND OFF THE FREEWAY AND FEWER PLACES THEY CAN CROSS THE FREEWAY. IT IS A PROJECT WHERE THE PEOPLE WHO BENEFIT AND PEOPLE

WHO BEAR THE COSTS ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SEE, I THINK IT IS A PROBLEM TO TRY AND MAKE IT A TENSION BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE BELT WAY AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ALONGSIDE THE HIGHWAY'S FOOTPRINT.

THE BIGGER POINT AND YOU MENTIONED IT A COUPLE TIMES, BUT IT IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT THAT ACTUALLY THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT WIDENING THESE HIGHWAYS DOESN'T REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I HAVE SEEN IT PRESENTED BY VERY -- VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS AT VARIOUS POINTS AND DIFFERENT EVIDENCE THAT PERHAPS IT REDUCES TRAFFIC FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND THEN YOU ARE JUST RIGHT BACK TO WHERE YOU STARTED.

EVEN IF THE GOAL WAS TO IMPROVE THE COMMUTE FOR THE SAKE OF ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OR WHATEVER IT IS, YOU DON'T ACTUALLY IMPROVE THE COMMUTES.

AND THAT'S NOT THE ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE COMMUTES. ARE YOU TRYING TO MOVE PEOPLE AND NOT TRYING TO MOVE CARS. THAT'S WHAT GETS ME. I'M WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

WE HAVE PLAYED NICE A LOT ON THIS. AND AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON FOLKS ARE RAMMING THIS THROUGH.

AND THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO IMPROVE IT. WE HAVE ALL ABOUT ON THE HIGHWAYS SAYING HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS GET BUILT? HOW DID THEY GET BUILT THIS WAY? AND IT IS BEING DONE IN FRONT OF OUR EYES RIGHT NOW.

PROFOUNDLY PROBLEMATIC PROJECT WITH A VERY THOROUGH ALTERNATIVE THAT YOU HAVE PRESENTED, KRISTOFF, WITH A LOT OF RESEARCH AND A LOT OF COMMUNITY INPUT.

IT IS NOT LIKE WE ARE JUST YELLING AND NOT OFFERING AN ALTERNATIVE.

I WILL SURGE -- CERTAINLY BE THINKING AS WILL ALL OF US BE LOOKING AT TRYING SOMETHING ELSE. I AM ALL IN ON THE FIGHT ON THIS.

I THINK IT IS VERY SAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I AM HOPING -- AND I DO APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS ON THE PART OF THE CITY AS WELL. I TALKED WITH ANDY EKIN, AND SOMEBODY POSTED MY COMMENTS SO I FIGURED HE HAD THEM SO I CALLED HIM.

YOU CAN'T JUST -- WE CAN'T KEEP REPEATING HISTORY. I AM SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE WHERE THEY LIVE. 288, I HAVE JUST SEEN IT HAPPEN SO MANY TIMES BEFORE.

BY THE WAY, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT WAS GUTTED ANYWAY. IT WOULDN'T MATTER.

THEY NEED TO MAKE SERIOUS CHANGES AND WE CAN ONLY TALK ABOUT IT WHILE IN PUBLIC.

IT IS HARD TO REMEMBER WHICH ONE OF YOU ALL OF THE OTHER FOUR I MAY HAVE SAID SOMETHING TO. WHICH IS WHY BEFORE WE GO TO THE PUBLIC I WANT TO ASK, YOU LOOKED AT THIS. I HEARD YOU MAKE REFERENCE TO PARK SPACE AND ALL.

I HEARD THAT HERE RE. THAT THEORY. HEARING STUFF ON THE BIKE RIDES WILL I AM NOT SURE IF I REALLY HEARD IT OR I ROAD TOO MUCH AND I WAS DELIRIOUS AND THOUGHT I HEARD IT. WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTIONS WE HAVE TO USE THEM?

>> I WOULD SAY TXDOT DOES HAVE TO LISTEN TO ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I DON'T THINK TXDOT WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATORS AND THE PEOPLE ARE

[02:00:08]

THIS IS FUNDED BY CONGRESS IN THE LEGISLATURE. THOSE ARE LEVERAGE POINTS.

UMENT MATILY -- ROUGH ROD HAVING BEEN PLAP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HAVING BEEN ON A COUPLE OF LEVELS IN MY LIFE, TALK IS SO CHEAP. MOST PEOPLE ARE FAR REFORMED BEFORE THEY ARE AGAINST IT. SMGHTS -- SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHERE SOMEBODY IS. WHAT LEVERAGE DO THE FIVE OF US HAVE ON THIS BOARD? I MADE REFERENCE TO SOMEBODY TAKING LAND BY EMINENT DOMAIN.

IS IT THE PARK OPTION? I DON'T WANT TO GO AND MESS UP FLOOD CONTROL ISSUES FOR US,

BUT I AM ASKING I CAN TALK TO STATE PEOPLE AND I WAS ONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: KRISTOFF, ONE OF THE POINTS I MADE IS THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CONVERSATION ABOUT -- IN SUPPORT OF THE JUDGE'S REMARKS, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CONVERSATION ABOUT THE STRATEGIC APPROACH TO REDUCING SING -- SINGLE OCCUPANT VEHICLES OFF THE ROADWAY.

THAT WOULD BE A MAJOR POINT OF STRATEGY AND MOBILITY. SECONDLY WITH THIS PANDEMIC COULD WE ANTICIPATE, OR IS THERE STILL AN OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE FUTURE OF A LOT OF THINGS INCLUDING THE PHAK THAT FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THE FUTURE WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME AND NOT COMMUTING ON A DAILY BASIS. IS IT TOO LATE TO HAVE THE WEIGHT OF THIS PANDEMIC TO BE CONSIDERED IN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT? AND IF I -- IF YOU OFFER REMARKS ON A CHALLENGE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT A REAL SINGLE-OCCUPANT RE --

REDUCTION STRATEGY. >> YOU'RE RIGHT. WE DO HAVE A COORDINATED REGIONAL STRATEGY WHERE WE THINK ABOUT HIGHWAY EXPANSION OR HIGHWAY RECONSTRUCTION.

WE ASSUME PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE DRIVING AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE MORE AND MORE AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE FURTHER AND FURTHER. THAT'S THE BASIS OF THE PROJECT. WE JUST SAY WE WILL HAVE MORE DRIVING.

IF YOU MAKE A BETTER TRANSIT YOU CAN END UP WITH A LOT MORE PEOPLE ON TRANSIT.

AND THERE ARE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT. IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER STATES, STATES LIKE COLORADO HAVE DONE PROJECTS THAT RECYCLE TRANSIT PROJECTS AND HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN TENDED TO CREATE CAPACITY IN MORE THAN ONE WAY. A LOT OF THE DOLLARS TXDOT HAS IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSIT. YOU COULD DO A VERSION OF THIS PROJECT IF WHICH YOU REALLY EMPHASIZE IMPROVED TRANSIT. THAT'S THE VISION THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAS LAID OUT.

THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WILL MAKE TRANSIT BETTER AND NOT WORSE.

WHERE ARE WE TRYING TO DRIVE PEOPLE TO LIVE? DO WE WANT PEOPLE TO LIVE FURTHER AND FURTHER OUT, OR DO WE WANT THEIR WAYS TO ACTUALLY REDEVELOP AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO LIVE CLOSER TO WHERE THEY ARE. AND IT IS HELPFUL TO HELPING

PEOPLE CONTROL LONGER. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHALL WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS?

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> PETERS, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

[02:05:14]

>> YES, THIS IS BEN PETERS. FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS ISSUE AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR ATTENDING OUR EVENT ON SATURDAY.

I DON'T THINK I CAN ADD SOMETHING YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS PROJECT ALREADY, AND I SUPPORT MOST OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID ABOUT WHAT THIS PROJECT MEANS TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. THE RESIDENTS OF CLAYTON HOMES WHICH IS ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT IS FACING DISPLACEMENT ARE BEING TOLD THEY WILL BE OUT OF THEIR HOUSES BY CHRISTMAS. THERE IS CURRENTLY -- IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS ONE RELOCATION COORDINATOR WHO IS RELOCATING OVER THE 600 RESIDENTS OF CLAYTON HOMES AND THE HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY IS NOT ANSWERING QUESTIONS OR COMMUNICATING PLANS TO THE PUBLIC AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXCHANGES ARE GOING ON BETWEEN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND TXDOT. WE KNOW TXDOT IS HAVING MEETINGS WITH THE DEVELOPER OF THE EAST RIVER PROJECT IN THE FIFTH WARD. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CONTENT OF THOSE MEETINGS IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW. THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO FOR THE RESIDENTS FACING DISPLACEMENT. AS SOON AS THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RECORD OF DECISION. AND ESPECIALLY DURING THIS COVID CRISIS AND WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT EVICTIONS ON THIS CALL.

I KNOW THEY COULD BE ACTIVELY DISPLACING PEOPLE. I WANT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THE COUNTY CAN DO ABOUT THIS. I ENCOURAGE INVESTIGATING WHAT THE HARD BALL OPTIONS ARE. WHETHER IT IS FORCING TXDOT TO INVOKE EM -- EMINENT DOMAIN OR IF IT IS A TYPE OF CHALLENGE THAT WE CAN PURSUE THAT WE CAN DO THAT ARE LIKELY GOING TO

CONTINUE TO BE PRESENT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> THANK YOU.

MOLLY COOK FROM TXDOT. >> HEY. CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> AWESOME.

THANKS. MY NAME IS MOLLY COOK AND I AM A MEMBER OF STOP TXDOT AND A RESIDENT OF MONTROSE. THANK YOU, JUDGE, SO MUCH FOR SAYING IT IS NOT A SUBURBAN VERSUS URBAN ISSUE. I GREW UP IN THE WOODLANDS AND HAVE LIVED IN BOTH PLACES AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. A REAL PROJECT WITH LOTS OF TRANSIT WOULD BE A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY. I AGREE WITH YOUR STATEMENT. THANK YOU TO JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR YOUR CONSTANT EFFORT IN THE MOU DISCUSSION.

WE APPRECIATE YOU. IT IS GREAT AND THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR SHOWING UP ON SATURDAY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS AND IT IS OBVIOUS AND IT SHOWS. I WANTED TO KNOW WHY THE WHITE OAK GREEN SPACE IS NOT BEING TREATED LIKE THAT WHEN IT IS PART OF THE BOND REFERENDUM. WE LOVE IT AND PARTIED AT IT ON SATURDAY SAFELY AND WE WANT TO PROTECT IT. THE SCIS REQUESTED NO MEANINGFUL CHANGES FROM TXDOT. THERE ARE A LOT OF ARGUMENTS FOR WHY THESE SPACES FALL INTO THE CATEGORY AND WHY THEY SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM VISUAL AND NOISE DISTURBANCES AND THEY DON'T JUST SERVE AS DRAINAGE.

THERE ARE BIKE WAY THAT'S ARE NOT JUST FOR TRANSPORTATION. ALTHOUGH IT IS IMPORTANT AS WELL. THEY ARE FOR RECREATION AND THEY WERE FUNDED BY A BUNCH OF ENTITIES ACROSS THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AS WELL. IT IS NOT BEING TREATED AS A PARK AND I WONDER WHY AND HOW WE CAN PROTECT IT FROM A HIGHWAY THAT IS TWICE AS WIDE. I WANTED TO REITERATE WHAT BEN BROUGHT UP.

[02:10:08]

THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT PROPERTY SELECTED BECAUSE THE ONLY REPLACEMENT PROPERTY SELECTED IS IN LITIGATION. SO THEY ARE I CAN MAAING FALSE CLAIMS. THEY SAY IT IS MUCH HIGHER AND PUBLIC TRANSIT DOES NOT EXIST OUT THERE.

THEY HAVE ONE RELOCATION AGENT FOR ALL OF CLAYTON HOMES. THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REACH THEIR AGENT AND GET THE INFORMATION THEY NEED. AND TXDOT IS TAKING MEETINGS AND AS OPPOSED TO RESPONDING TO MORE IN THE FIFTH WARD THEY ARE ENGAGING THE FIFTH WARD GENTRIFIERS WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. IT REALLY FLIES IN THE FACE OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> G ASHLEY JOHNSON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ASHLEY JOHNSON AND I WORK WITH LINK HOUSTON A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR EQUITY AND TRANSPORTATION.

I COME TO YOU TODAY WITH OTHERS ALSO FROM THE HOUSTON AREA TO ADDRESS THE TEXAS -- TO ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE COURT REGARDING TXDOT'S FINAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE AGREED TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR 30 DAYS. WIFING MOVING A FEW STEPS FORWARD IT IS AN INSUFFICIENT TIME FOR REVIEWING AND ASSESSING 18 ONE-PAGES ESPECIALLY DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. THEY HAVE ACCURATELY ANALYZED HOW THEY WILL ADDRESS CONCERNS ADDRESSED BY STAKEHOLDERS AND THROUGH THEIR OWN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTLINED TO A LETTER. THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO AID IN THE ANALYSIS AND THEY POSTED THEIR OWN INFORMATIONAL MEETING TO SHARE A DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WHILE THEY ARE RESOLVING CRITICAL QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROJECT THEY WERE MADE UNCLEAR WHETHER THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRIVATE DESIGN AND THE IMPACT AND THE PROPOSED MITIGATION WAS ADDRESSED IF AT ALL. TXDOT SAYS, IT IS, QUOTE, REDUCING VEHICLE CRASHES AND TRAFFIC CON SEES -- CONGESTION TO NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUSINESSES, END QUOTE. SUCH IS THE CASE IT IS GIVING A LOOK AT THE HIGHWAY PROJECT. AND IT IS REFLECTED IN THE VISION.

IT HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTING DISTRICTS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT. AND IT IS SUPPORTED BY JUDGE HIDALGO AND OTHERS ON THE COURT WE URGE TXDOT TO PRESERVE THE HOMES.

THE 160 SINGLE FAMILIES AND 433 MULTI-FAMILY AND 486 PUBLIC AND LOW INCOME HOUSING UNITS AND DESERTING THE 344 BUSINESSES AND THOUSANDS OF JOBS ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT AND THE I'M PROFESSIONAL OF ACCESS TO -- AND THE IMPROVING OF THE ACCESS TO NEIGHBORHOODS. WE ARE HOPING THE COURT WILL CONTINUE TO REMAIN ENGAGED ON THIS ISSUE AND CONTINUES THE COMMUNITY VOICES BROUGHT UP TODAY AND RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS AND THAT ARE IN LINE WITH THE LEADERS OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN THE COUNTY AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND AMONG ELECTED OFFICIALS WRITTEN INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY TO THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AS WELL.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEIL AIRHARDT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

[02:15:07]

TODAY I AM LOOKING FOR MORE BIKE LANES AND USE THE WIDE OAK PARK TO RESIST EXPANSION AND TAKE THE LEAD IN PLANNING A FREEWAY REMOVAL. I WANT TO LOOK AT THE BIKE LANE BUILD OUT. IT MAKES IT EASY AND SAFE FOR ME TO GET AROUND DOWNTOWN IT MAKES IT EASY FOR ME TO GET AROUND ON MY BIKE. THEY ARE INEXPENSIVE AND THEY ARE SAFE AND THEY INCREASE EQUITY IN THE COMMUNITY. I ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO BUILD MORE OF THE EYE QUALITY BIKE LANES. TO RESIST THE FREEWAY EXPANSION I ASKED THIS COURT TO REINFORCE THE WHITE OAK BAYOU GREEN SPACE AS A PARK.

THERE IS A KEY PIECE OF LAND WHERE THEY WILL BE BUILT IN THE GREEN SPACE.

WE LOVE OUR GREEN WAY PARKS AND WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEM.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. TRANSPORTATION ACT, THE PARKS ARE PROTECTED AND TXDOT MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT NOT TO DISTURB THEM. PLEASE DOUBLE DOWN ON WHITE OAK BAYOU STATUS AS A PARK. FOR FREEWAY REMOVAL I WILL ASK THE COURT TO SHARE THE PLANNING EXPERTISE WITH TXDOT. THE I-45 CORRIDOR WOULD BE BETTER DESIGNED AS A SURFACE GRADE BOULEVARD FOR CARS AND BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS.

WITH AN ELEVATED FREEWAY STAW DILT. IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD TO PUBLIC HEALTH. OUR COMMUNITY NIECE SAFE, MULTI-MODAL MOBILITY WITH REGULAR CROSSINGS. TXDOT WILL NOT COME TO THIS CONCLUSION ON THEIR OWN.

SO I AM ASKING HARRIS COUNTY TO TAKE THE LEAD SHOW TXDOT AND THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY HOW WE CAN SPEND THIS $7 BILLION TO TRULY IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH A FREEWAY REMOVAL PROJECT. TO RECAP, PLEASE BUILD MORE PROTECTIVE BIKE LANES AND USE WHITE OAK FOR FREEWAY EXPANSION AND PLAN A FREEWAY REMOVAL FOR OUR BELOVED HOME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY, COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> THANK YOU.

KENDRA LONDON WITH OUR AFRICAN FAMILY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGES -- JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM CALLING IN AS A PROUD ADVOCATE AND [INAUDIBLE] I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE AND I ADVOCATE ON OUR BEHALF. MY ORGANIZATION IS A HUGE SUPPORTER. I WAS BORN IN A FOOD DESERT WHICH IS A PANDEMIC IN ITSELF. I AM 39 YEARS OLD AND IT IS STILL A FOOD DESERT.

NOW WE HAVE TWO MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH MY COMMUNITY LIKE BULLDOZERS. THE I-45 EXTENSION AND THE EAST RIVER PROJECT.

WE HAVE THE I-45 PROJECT THAT WILL TEAR DOWN HOMES. AND THE NEXT WILL BE CAT TEE CORNER. WHEN I WANTED TO FIND OUT THE ISSUES THAT IS A CONCERN OF A RESIDENTS THEY HAVE NO CLEAR ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.

THEY HAVE TO CLUE ABOUT THEIR MOVE OUT DATE. ALL OF THESE MEETINGS -- I MEAN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS STATING THAT THEY ARE HAVING, THEY ARE NOT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR THE RESIDENTS BECAUSE THEY ALL SEEM TO BEACON FUSED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

THE TXDOT TO THE I45 EXPANSION WOULD TACK OUT CLAYTON HOMES AND THEY WANT THE FAMILIES OUT BY DECEMBER. I WAS ON A CALL WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE RESIDENTS, AND ONE OF THE RELOCATION STATED WE WILL HAVE YOU IN YOUR NEW HOME BY

[02:20:01]

IT WAS WIPED OUT WITH HARVEY. AND NOW THE FRONT WILL BE TAKEN OUT BY TXDOT.

SO THE FAMILIES ARE BEING DISPLACED. WHEN YOU DISPLACE THESE FAMILIES AND YOU GIVE THEM THE HOUSING VOUCHERS AND PUSH THEM OUT TO THE SUBURBS AS IF THEY ARE GETTING A BRAND-NEW COMMUNITY LIFE, THAT VOUCHER DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THE LIVING COSTS THAT MY FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WILL EXPERIENCE.

IT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE RENT, BUT NOT THE LIVING COSTS. THAT CREATES A DOMINO EFFECT OF BURDENS FOR THE CLAYTON HOMES RESIDENTS. AND OTHER RESIDENTS WILL BE HANDLED THE SAME WAY WE ALLOW I-45 EXPANSION TO HANDLE CLAYTON HOMES.

THAT'S THE EXABLGHT SAME WAY THEY WILL -- EXACT SAME WAY THEY WILL HANDLE KELLY COURT.

KELLY COURT IS EXPERIENCING ANXIETY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY ARE NEXT.

THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHO IS GETTING A VOUCHER OR WHO WILL NOT GET A VOUCHER.

THEY ALSO SAY IF YOU WERE IN COMPLIANCE -- IF YOU WERE NOT IN COMPLIANCE YOU WILL NOT GET

THE VOUCHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MA'AM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING. >> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL OF

THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH. ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, THANK YOU. I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

WE HAVE TO KEEP FIGURING OUT WHAT ALL WE CAN DO. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST ASK MAYBE BETWEEN LEGAL AND SPILL OFF TO COME UP WITH SOME OPTIONS AT OUR LEVEL. I'M SURE YOU CAN TAKE THE LEAD ON WHAT WE CAN DO.

I DIDN'T READ IT WHEN THE PERSON WAS SPEAKING, BUT I FOUND THIS E-MAIL AND I WILL MAKE SURE RUSS POPPY HAS. AND WE CAN TIE OTHER PROJECTS TO THE LAND.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL KEEP LOOKING.

WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT. ANYTHING ELSE ON TOLL ROAD? >> JUDGE, THIS IS JAMES.

SO FOR ITEM 3C IS THERE ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, JAMES.

>> NO ACTION. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: BUDGET MANAGEMENT. AND THE ITEM HERE CITY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DISCUSS IS 4B AND I WANT TO THANK SHANE AND HRM AND DAVE BERRY AS WELL FOR THEIR WORK ON THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE. AND THIS IS A CONTINUE WEIGHINGS OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S INITIATIVE FROM LAST YEAR. AND THEY HAVE NOW COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. I WILL LET SHANE DISCUSS UNLESS COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU

HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS YOU ARE BRINGING FORTH. AND I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT WHEN WE FIRST MOVED THIS FAMILY LEAVE PROGRAM FORWARD IN WHICH WE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE INSIGHTFUL IN WHAT THIS PANDEMIC WOULD BRING TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR WORK FAMILY.

THE ITEMS YOU LAID OUT HERE, IT IS WHAT BECAME THE IMMEDIATE POINT OF CONVERSATION FOR SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MY STAFF. ONE IN PARTICULAR WHO DURING THE PANDEMIC HAD A PANDEMIC BABY AND THERE IS ANOTHER IN THE OVEN.

THIS IS GOOD STUFF. I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT TAKE AWAY FROM THIS IS I WANTED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO CORPORATE AMERICA AND IT SHOWS WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL FOR THOSE WHO WORK FOR US AND THAT WE COUNT ON TO MOVE OUR ECONOMY.

IT IS A SERVICE DELIVERY TO THE CONSTITUENTS. I HOPE THIS SERVES AS A MESSAGE TO CORPORATE AMERICA THAT THIS PANDEMIC SHOWS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR WORK FAMILIES AND TRY TO DO ALL WE CAN IT IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING -- IT IS BETTER THAN NOTHING. AND IT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF WORK.

[02:25:06]

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> IF I CAN HAVE MR. BERRY ON THE LINE.

DAVID, ARE YOU THERE, SIR? >> HE MIGHT HAVE STEPPED AWAY.

I CAN TEXT HIM. I WANTED THIS COMMENT. WE HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THIS, JUDGE, AND THERE IS -- THERE IS SOME SORT OF SCENARIO TO WHERE YOU CAN HAVE AN EMPLOYEE THAT COULD BE OUT POTENTIALLY FOR A VERY, VERY EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

AND IT IS HOW WE PROVIDE OUR EMPLOYEES THE BENEFIT OF USING THEIR SICK LEAVE AND THEIR ACCRUED COMP TIME AND OTHER ISSUES. I THINK THERE WAS A MINOR TWEAK THAT WE COULD DO THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO HAVE THE 12 WEEKS GOING STRAIGHT FOR PATERNITY, BUT IF YOU HAD A MEDICAL NECESSITY, THEN YOU COULD TAP INTO THE OTHER BENEFITS. WE HAD A NUMBER HERE IN PRECINCT 4 THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO USE THEIR MEDICAL LEAVE AND THEIR VACATION AND THEIR OTHER ISSUES TO GET WHAT THEY WERE NEEDING TO GET DONE. THIS WOULD ELIMINATE THAT PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE GOOD RELIEF. I THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD PROPOSAL AND IT PUTS US AT CADILLAC PLAN OR MAYBE EVEN A MASERATI PLAN FOR PRIVATE INDUSTRY. IN TERMS OF ONE TWEAK WE SHOULD CONSIDER HAVING IS THAT SINCE WE WILL BE PROVIDING, AND THIS WAS THE DISCUSSION I HAD WITH DAVE, AND I WANT TO COMPLIMENT HIM FOR TAKING MY CALLS ON THIS MATTER OVER THE WEEKEND AND TODAY AS WELL THAT MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE THE STACKING OF ALL OF THOSE THINGS, BUT YOU HAVE A MEDICAL NECESSITY BEFORE YOU TAPPED INTO YOUR 12-WEEKS PARENTAL LEAVE AND SICK LEAVE AND OTHER ISSUES. DAVE, WOULD YOU EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO ME? IT SEEMS TO BE A GOOD TWEAK ON THE PROGRAM.

>> SURE, HAPPY TO DO THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK YOU NEED TO

MUTE. >> AND SORRY. I WAS HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. WHAT COULD BE SENSIBLE HERE IS PAID PARENTAL LEAVE AND USING ADDITIONAL SICK LEAVE WOULD REQUIRE AS IT NORMAL -- NORNL -- NORMALLY WOULD A MEDICAL NECESSITY. TO USE 12 WEEKS OF PAID LEAVE AND SIX WEEKS OF SICK LEAVE UH ACCUMULATED THEY COULD ONLY USE THE ADDITIONAL SIX WEEK AND HAVE A DOCTOR'S NOTE

REVIEW IT. I THINK THAT IS CONSISTENT. >> I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT ALREADY HAPPENED. I AM GOOD TO PUT IT IN THE MOTION.

IT IS NOT TO HAVE PEOPLE TRY TO TAKE VAPG OF THIS IN THE WRONG WAY.

I AM WITH YOU AND I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION. THEY WOULD NEED A DOCTOR'S NOTE. AND THEY SHOULD MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR TO THE EMPLOYEES.

AND IF WE GET THIS IN A PROBLEMATIC WAY WE SHOULD PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

>> AND IF I DID HAVE A LEGITIMATE PROBLEM THEN THAT'S THERE FOR THEM TO USE.

>> AND I ALSO -- NOW THAT DAVE IS ON I WAS HOPING YOU CAN GO OVER HOW THIS WOULD PUT US IN RELATION TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. I THINK THAT WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE WE ARE ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT GOING FORWARD THAT THE IMPETUS BEHIND THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND WE WANT THE BEST PEOPLE AND WE DON'T WANT THEM TO CHOOSING NOT TO WORK HERE BECAUSE THE POLICIES ARE NOT

APPROPRIATE. >> THE TIMING COULDN'T BE BETTER.

I UH -- I APPLAUD YOU FOR IT. AND THERE ARE OTHER JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE COUNTY THAT HAVE DONE IT. MAYBE NOT IN TEXAS, BUT I WOULD LIKE ONE OF THE MOST

[02:30:07]

10 TO 12 WEEKS IS TYPICAL FOR A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY. I THINK IT IS A GOOD SPOT TO BE IN. I KNOW SHANE DID MORE WORK ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BUT WITH RESPECT TO THE GOVERNMENT THEY HAVE A 12-WEEK PAID POLICY THEY JUST IMPLEMENTED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR. I THINK THIS PUTS US IN A GOOD SPOT.

AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE -- I KNOW IT MAKES IT EASY TO RECRUIT THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST. IT IS TOUGH TO LEAVE A SPOT WHERE YOU HAVE FAMILY LEAVE TO

COME TO A SPOT WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THE FEDS

DID THAT UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP? >> CORRECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WANT TO MAKE SURE AT LEAST MAKE SURE WE CAN MATCH THE TRUMP PLAN.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PAY AS MUCH, BUT WE CAN COMPETE ON THE BENEFITS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: DAVID, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE ARE THERE MANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY USE THIS TIME TO GO OUT AND SAY LIKE 12 WEEKS AND FIND EMPLOYMENT SOMEWHERE ELSE JUST TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS AS A -- TO TURN IT INTO A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE? I MEAN IS THERE MUCH OF THAT

THAT GOES ON? >> I'M SORRY. CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION,

MR. RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: IN SOME SITUATIONS HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT PEOPLE THAT GO OUT AND TAKE THESE 12 WEEKS AND THEY USE THAT 12 WEEKS TO GO OUT AND FIND OTHER EMPLOYMENT IN LIEU OF CHILD CARE AND WHATEVER.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: TAD?

>> I HAVE UNMUTED HIM. >> THE OTHER RECOMMENDATION WE ARE MAKING IS AFTER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD AND IT IS SICK LEAVE TO TEND TO THE CHILD UP TO 12 MONTHS AFTER BIRTH.

AND THAT WAS THE OTHER MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS. THERE ARE OTHERS REGARDING CHILD CARE ACCESS AND BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT AND I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MODIFY THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. WE CAN MAKE IT CLEAR ON THE DOCTOR'S NOTE FOR THEIR OWN

HEALTH REASONS. >> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS RADACK.

I WILL ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION. HAVE YOU SEEN OF ANY ABUSES IN

THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM? >> I HAVE NOT HEARD THAT. SOME OF THE RESEARCH THAT WE DID AND SOME OF -- I BELIEVE IT IS KING COUNTY THAT REQUIRED SOMEBODY TO STAY AND

I HAD NOT HEARD OF ANYTHING ELSE TO THAT NATURE. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD NOT BE OPPOSED TO SOMEBODY STAYING.

IT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MORE PROGRESSIVE ONES IN THE COUNTRY.

IT IS A GREAT IDEA. MOST HOUSEHOLDS, BOTH PARENTS ARE WORKING NOW ANYWAY.

THEY HAVE BOTH PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN WORKING NOW WITH WHAT WE ARE GOING

THROUGH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, DO WE NEED AN EXTRA MOTION ON THAT? OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE FINALIZED WITH THE

PROPOSITION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE MOVE ON IT PENDING THESE THINGS? RENNE

>> LINA HIDALGO: MY NOTE IS TO ADOPT ALL RECOMMENDATIONS BEING PROPOSED BY THIS ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: PAID FAMILY LEAVE ACT AND SUPPORT FOR BREASTFEEDING AND THAT HAS SUPPORT. I WILL ADD MAKING SURE THAT USE OF ADDITIONAL SICK LEAVE REQUIRES THE DOCTOR'S NOTE. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING

[02:35:19]

HAVE ASKED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND THE MOTION.

IF THEY WANT TO ASK ABOUT MORE, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE. I WILL SECOND THE MOTION AND

MOVE FORWARD. >> DO WE NEED A MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: ADOPT ALL RECOMMENDATIONS BEING PROPOSED FOR BEST IN CLASS PAID FAMILY AND FRIENDS POLICIES CHILD CARE ACCESS AND SUPPORT FOR BREASTFEEDING AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND THE USE OF ADDITIONAL SICK LEAVE REQUIRES A DOCTOR'S NOTE. AND IT IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: UH POISED?

OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE WE STOPPING FOR LUNCH? IF NOT A BREAK WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE A QUICK BREAK UNTIL 1:15 AND THEN I THOUGHT WE MIGHT TAKE ONE MORE ITEM THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF SPEAKERS FOR, THE IMMIGRATION ITEM AND THEN

BREAK FOR LUNCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 1:16 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. ANYTHING ELSE ON BUDGET MANAGEMENT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LITTLE DISCUSSION ON ITEMS E AND F RELATING TO THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY TO ISSUE 525 MILLION OF BONDS AND THEN THE HECTRA TO TRANSFER 300 MILLION -- QUOTE,

UNQUOTES -- QUOTE, UNQUOTE, SURPLUS REVENUE. >> I'M SORRY?

>> PAGE 10 AND ITEMS E AND F WHICH I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: TOWARD THAT DISCUSSION I HAD CONCERNS ABOUT US APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS WITHOUT A PLACE FOR THOSE FUNDS TO GO TO. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE ROUGHLY 70 MILLION OF A SERIES OF 2010 BONDS THAT COULD BE PAID OFF WITH SOME OF THESE FUNDS THAT HCTRA HAS THAT IS AVAILABLE. I UNDERSTAND FLOOD CONTROL HAS ROUGHLY $80 MILLION OF PROJECT THAT'S ARE ROAD RELATED WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND WIDEN THE CHANNEL IT IMPACTS THE ROADS AND THAT IS ALSO RELATED TO DRAINAGE TO OUR ROAD PROJECTS AND IMPROVING THAT. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM, THUS MAKING THE TRANSFER OF THE 70 AND THE 80 TO IDENTIFIED PROJECTS. I COMMEND MR. BERRY AND HE IS WORKING WITH ME ON THESE QUESTIONS. THERE IS NO -- IF WE HAVE THIS TRANSFER TO WHERE IT IS DESIGNATED TOWARD THESE TWO PROJECTS I AM FINE WITH THAT.

I ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF THEY WILL BE DIVIDED AMONG THE PRECINCTS, TO BE UTILIZED IN TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS OR TO BE UTILIZED AS I UNDERSTAND TRAILS ARE CONSIDERED MOBILITY UNDER THE OLD TEXAS LAW AND THEY CAN BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO OUR MOBILITY. AND IN THAT ZONE. BUT I AM NOT COME -- COMFORTABLE WITH WE WILL TRANSFER 150 MILLION OVER AND WE WILL FIGURE OUT LATER ON HOW WE WILL SPEND IT. WE WANT TO KNOW IF WE WILL BE TRANSFERRING THE PEOPLE'S FUNDS FROM A MOBILITY SOURCE THAT WE IDENTIFY WITH THE MOBILITY SOURCES AND -- THAT

IT WILL BE GOING TO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, I WANT TO ADD TO THAT WHEN THEY MAKE THE PRESENTATION. MAKE SURE TO GET THE OVERVIEW HOW MUCH MOBILITY FUNDS EACH

[02:40:02]

THERE ARE CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS IN ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS.

ONE TO A GREAT EXTENT THAT HISTORICALLY WOULD DISADVANTAGE ON THE FORMULA THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS PUT IN PLACE AND I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE BRING IN SOME INDEPENDENT PERSON. I SAW THE KINDER INSTITUTE HAS SOMETHING GOING ON TOMORROW OR THIS WEEK, BUT SOME EQUITY AND TRANSPORTATION EXPERT TO LOOK AT WHAT MR. BLOUNT IS DOING.

WE HAVE AN EQUITY LENS ON SO MUCH OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE. UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA IN PARTICULAR, WE SHOULD MAKE UP FROM SOME OF THE MISTAKES OF

THE PAST FROM EVERY AREA. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I MAY MAKE A REMARK, THANK YOU FOR RAISING THAT ISSUE. LOOK, YOU ARE HITTING IT ON THE HEAD IN THAT WE HAVE DONE GOOD AT INCLUDING EQUITY WITH FLOOD CONTROL -- WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT.

WE ARE VERY GOOD WITH EQUITY DURING THIS PANDEMIC AS IT RELATES TO DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE. AND SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A BROAD AND OVERARCHING FOCUS ON EQUITY AS IT RELATES TO ALL COUNTY DOLLARS AND HOW THEY ARE BEING SPENT. I KNOW WE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHERE THE GROWTH IS AT.

THE GROWTH IS WHERE DEVELOPERS TEND TO THINK THEY MARKET THEIR WEARS.

THEY ARE HELPING TO INVEST IN SOME OF THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS.

WHEN YOU HAVE 18-WHEELER THAT'S ARE CONSTANT NEIGHBORS IN THE PRECINCT, IT IS HARD TO ENCOURAGE THAT HIGH END DEVELOPMENT TO COME INTO AREAS BECAUSE THEY -- YOU KNOW, THEY KNOW THAT WHOEVER THEY SELL THE HOUSE TO IS NOT GOING TO QUANT -- WANT TO DRIVE DOWN THE BROKEN DOWN ROAD. THIS IS IN THE PROCESS TO CLOSE HIS OR HER EYES AND PICK A PART OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WE HAVE TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE OLDER AND HUMBLE DOES NOT GET OVER LOOKED BECAUSE IT CAN. WE JUST GOT THROUGH WITH AN ELECTION AND WE MAKE THE ARANGEMENT -- THE ARANGEMENT -- ARGUMENT IS WHY DO IT IF NOTHING GETS DONE? THAT'S BECAUSE WE LOOK THROUGH A POLITICAL LENS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT ALL CONSTITUENTS AND SO I SUPPORT AN EQUITY COME PONE INEPT IN THIS FUNDING -- COMPONENT THAT

IS DEDICATED ON INFRASTRUCTURE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO ADD THE FLOODING ASPECT. SOME THINGS ARE NOT POINTING -- EXCUSE THE FIGURE, AND I AM SINCERE ABOUT THAT, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS DONE -- TAKE 288, FOR EXAMPLE. THE TOLL ROAD THAT WAS BUILT TO GET PEOPLE EASILY IN AND OUT OF THE CITY. IN ADDITION TO DISRUPTING THE NEIGHBORHOODS IT LEAD TO FLOODING BECAUSE OF THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUE THROUGH CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS.

[02:45:02]

THE DECISION WAS MADE, BUT THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND NOT ONLY THE ABJECT POVERTY THEY WERE TRYING TO GET OUT OF, BUT IT ALSO LEAD TO MORE FLOODING IN PART BECAUSE WE AS A COMMUNITY WERE NOT ATTUNED TO ATLAS 14. SO TO THE EXTENT THE LAUPER MITTS IT THEY WILL TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY GOVERNMENT ACTIONS

OR INACTIONS OVER THE YEARS. >> COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: MR. BERRY,

WHAT IS THE DEBT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD SYSTEM? >> ABOUT 2 MILLION IN BONDS,

BUT NOW A FEW HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. >> AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND THEY ARE TRYING TO DO THIS GOVERNMENT CORPORATION.

AND THEN IF THAT HAPPENS HOW MUCH DID THE TOLL ROAD DEBT GO TO? YOU SAID IT WOULD GO UP TO ABOUT 500 MILLION ROUGHLY. 2.9 TO 3 BILLION.

THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT. I ASKED YOU, WHY WOULD THAT BE? YOU SAID, WELL, BECAUSE YOU WOULD ACTUALLY BORROW THE MONEY TO PAY THE 300 MILLION.

AND START PAYING 90 MILLION A YEAR. AND THAT WAS TRYING TO GET

THAT STARTED, CORRECT? >> I WANT TO CLARIFY AND APOLOGIES IF I MISS COMMUNICATED. THE 300 MILLION LGC PAYMENT WAS GOING TO BE PAID OUT OF ACCUMULATED REVENUE. AS IS THIS TRANSFER PROPOSAL. WE DID HAVE A HIGHER DEBT BALANCE IN THE INITIAL FRAMEWORK OF THE GOVERNMENT CORPORATION AS PRESENTED.

AND AS WE WORK THROUGH THE TRANSACTION WE SCALED THAT BACK A LITTLE BIT.

LARGELY BECAUSE WE THINK WE CAN DO IT LATER AS NEEDS CAN STILL GET IT GOOD.

>> NOW THE OTHER DAY YOU SAID YOU WILL GET AN EXTRA HUNDRED MILLION UNDER THIS NEW PLAN AND YOU WILL TAKE AN EXTRA HUNDRED MILLION AND BASICALLY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BRIDGE. BUT THERE ARE SOME WITH THE OPINION, INCLUDING ME, THAT THE ACTUAL BRIDGE, THE NEW COST OF THE BRIDGE WILL PROBABLY GO UP ABOUT 250 MILLION INSTEAD OF 100 MILLION. ARE YOU GOING TO TRY TO GET

ANOTHER HUNDRED MILLION IN BONDS? >> OF WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING OF THE 500 MILLION, 425 WOULD BE REFUNDING AND 100 MILLION WOULD BE NEW BONDS DEDICATED

TO THE TOLL ROAD CAP -- CAP EX. >> STEVE RADACK: AND THE CITY

IS HIGHER THAN THE COUNTIES, IS IT NOT? >> I THINK IT IS PRETTY

CLOSE. I TRUST YOU IF YOU SAY SO. >> STEVE RADACK: AND THE CITY GETS 1% SALES TAX WHICH BRINGS THEM GIVE OR TAKE 800 MILLION A YEAR.

WE DON'T GET THAT. I THINK IN YOUR ANALYSIS WHEN YOU LOOK AT EQUITY AND ALL THAT, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA, WE ARE KIND OF THE LONE GOOSE. WE ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INFROM YOU -- THE INFRASTRUCTURE. WE ARE NOT GETTING HELP FROM THE CITY.

WE DO GET METRO MONEY IN THE AREA WHERE PEOPLE WERE WILLING TO SUPPORT METRO.

BUT MY POINT BEING THAT THERE ARE FUNDS THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS -- THEY HAVE THE MONEY. AT LEAST THEY GET THE INCOME AND THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF A LOT ON THE STREETS. YES, THERE ARE DEVELOPER THAT'S PARTICIPATE IN CONSTRUCTION IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. BEAR IN MIND THE CITY OF

[02:50:06]

AS YOU ANALYZE EQUITY, THE PEOPLE THERE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY ARE PAYING TAXES TO THE COUNTY AND THE CITY. IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON THAT IS A SEPARATE TAX FOR THOSE PEOPLE. THE POINT HERE IS THIS THAT, YES, I THINK WE NEED TO DO THINGS IN THE CITY AND WE DO DO THINGS IN THE CITY LIKE 90% OF THE INDIGENT HEALTH CARE COMES OUT OF THE COUNTY COFFERS, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE CITY IS GETTING MONEY AND THEY NEED TO ADEQUATELY TAKE CARE OF THE FOLKS AND THE STREETS IN THE CITY. SO PLEASE INCLUDE THAT AS YOU DO YOUR ANALYSIS.

OKAY? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME JUST JUMP IN HERE FOR A SEC.

THE -- OBVIOUSLY I THINK THE PLAN IS SMART. THERE IS THE 175 MILLION AND 3% PER YEAR THAT WILL GO INTO THE MOBILITY FUNDS FOR THE PRE SINKS.

PRECINCTS. AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT JOHN AND HIS TRANSPORTATION STUDY IS LOOKING AT HOW TO DO THAT EBBING WIT -- EQUITABLY. WE NEED TO DO THAT FOR EVERYBODY TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND IT IS DONE IN AN INDEPENDENT WAY.

I AM GOOD WITH IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM I AM NOT MISUNDERSTANDING THE 300 MILLION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE GENERAL FUND WITH THE AIM AT INVESTING ISSUES LIKE PAYING OFF-ROAD DEBT AND THE TOLL ROAD NEXT SUCCESS -- NEXUS FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT AND OTHER PRIORITIES RELATED TO TRANS -- TRANSPORTATION FROM A MORE MACRO AND NOT PRECINCT BY PRECINCT PERSPECTIVE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE, A, I AM UNDERSTANDING THIS CORRECTLY. AND B, THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE

SAME PAGE ABOUT THAT. >> JUDGE, THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING.

THE $300 MILLION TRANSFER THAT WAS ORIGINALLY CONTEMPLATED IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CORPORATION IS MAJORLY ACCOUNTED. AND NOW IT IS RESTRICTED TO TRANSPORTATION PURPOSES AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE IDENTIFIED TWO CONCRETE USES OF THAT MONEY THAT I PERSONALLY THINK ARE A GOOD IDEA. THERE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY MORE BOTH IN FLOOD CONTROL AND IN OTHER AREAS. I WOULD PROPOSE WE WILL CONTINUE THE MOBILITY AND THERE IS A STUDY UNDERWAY TO LOOK AT HOW THAT SHOULD BE DONE. AND WE HAVE A $300 MILLION TRANSFER THAT WE ARE GOING TO PUT TO WORK IN THE FLOOD CONTROL AND OTHER COUNTY WIDE PRIORITIES.

I LOOK AT IT LIKE THESE TWO THINGS WORKING TOGETHER. WE HAVE FUNDS WE ARE USING FOR COUNTY WIDE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FUNDS THAT WE ARE ALLOCATING TO THE PRECINCTS FOR THOSE --

FOR PROJECTS THERE. >> YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT COMMISSIONER RADACK RAISED A GOOD POINT.

PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, PASS -- PASADENA AND THE OTHER CITIES ALSO PAY TAXES, AND THEY GO TO PAY FOR SERVICES THAT ARE COUNTY WIDE. I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT.

I UNDERSTAND HIS POINT AS WELL. I WANT TO MAKE A DISTINCTION ON THE SECOND MOBILITY FUNDS FOR THE PRECINCTS. WHEN THE ISSUE CAME UP BEFORE AND WE VOTED ON IT, I THINK I MADE A MOTION, BUT IT WOULD BE THAT WE HAD EQUALITY AMONG THE FOUR PRECINCTS UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT WHAT EQUITY MEANS. AND THEN MR. BLOUNT WAS DOING THE TRANSPORTATION STUDY SO THAT I THINK THEY ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR ROADS.

IN THE CITIES AS WELL AS OUTSIDE. I THINK THEY WERE DRIVING THEM OR WHATEVER IT IS. SO WE COME UP WITH SOME RECOMMENDATION ON WHAT IS EQUITY? THERE IS SOME THAT WOULD SAY EQUITY WOULD MEAN EQUALITY.

[02:55:04]

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CLEAR. AND THEN I DON'T KNOW THE METRICS THAT WE ARE USING. IT IS NOT JUST WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.

AND WE SAY WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHATEVER IS EQUITY BASED ON HOW BAD THE ROADS ARE. SOMEHOW IN MY MIND YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING IN THE FORMULA THAT LOOKS AT HISTORICAL NEGLECT. IT WOULD BE PURE SPECULATION ON WHERE THAT IS. I AM ASSUMING A GOOD BIT OF IT IS IN 2.

IN 2 AND 1. I ALSO THINK IN PARTS OF PRECINCTS 3 AND 4 THERE HAS BEEN HISTORICAL NEGLECT OF CERTAIN AREAS. IN PART BECAUSE THE MONEY TO A GREAT EXTENT WAS DEVELOPED BY A DEVELOPER PARTNERSHIP OR BY GROWTH.

WE COULDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE AREA THAT'S COULDN'T GROW.

I DON'T KNOW WHO. I JUST SAW THE THING FROM RICE AND THIS WAS SOMEBODY OUT OF STANFORD, I THINK. I CAN'T REMEMBER. I MENTIONED IT TO YOU.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR. I AM NOT TRYING TO GO IN THERE AND DIVEE UP. AND DIVY IT UP. BEFORE PRECINCT 2 WAS DISADVANTAGED AND PRECINCT 1 ON THE OTHER ONE. I WAS NOT GOING TO DIVIDE IT EVENLY AND NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT SOME PRECINCTS WERE DISADVANTAGED FOR A

LONGTIME. THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE REALITY THAT, YOU KNOW, FOR TAKING ON A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO FUNDING AND THEY ARGUE THAT'S THE WAY THEY OUGHT TO BE. BUT THAT ALSO MEANS THAT YOU ARE ALREADY BEHIND IN ALL REGARDS. AND THE NEW PROJECTS IN MAINTENANCE AND IN REPAIRS.

AND SO GETTING AND CREATING A STRATEGIC WAY TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THE RESPECTIVE CHALLENGES.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEW ECONOMY IS GOING TO BE LIKE. AND THIS IS -- THIS IS I BELIEVE IS A SMART AND STRATEGIC WAY. I WANT TO APPLY -- TO APPLAUD THEM FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS. THEY HAVE REALLY DONE SOME INCREDIBLE MATH AND STRATEGY AND ANALYSIS TO ALL OF THIS. THIS IS GOING TO ENABLE US TO REMAIN LAST IN AND FIRST OUT.

IT WILL BE MAINTENANCE AND PROJECTS AND IMPROVEMENTS. IT WILL ALLOW BUSINESSES AROUND THE REGION AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO CONTINUE TO LOOK.

HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD AND CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND THIS IS A SMART WAY TO GO ABOUT IT. THE FACT WE ARE GETTING HERE NOW IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC WILL ALLOW US TO KEEP THE ECONOMY HUMMING AS WELL.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE PROJECT. THE EXCLAMATION POINT IS A FACT THAT IT WILL COME WITH EQUITY AND THAT'S A GOOD FRAMEWORK ALL THE WAY AROUND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO ADD ANYTHING TO THE MOTION HERE? ARE YOU PROPOSING AN ADDITIONAL CONSULT -- CONSULTANT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS A SUGGESTION. I'M SORRY I JUST THOUGHT OF IT. I THOUGHT OF IT LAST NIGHT. IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT, AND IF NOT WE CAN WAIT. WE WOULD LIKE THE COUNTY PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO CREATE AN RFB WITH A CONTRACTOR WITH NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERTISE TO ASSIST AND SUPPORT COUNTY STAFF IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRANSPORTATION EQUITY GUIDELINES THAT HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY BE

[03:00:06]

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T DO IT. JUST GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND SEE IF SOMEBODY COMES IN THAT IS WORTH A HOOT. DO YOU WANT ME TO READ IT

AGAIN? >> LINA HIDALGO: THE QUESTION I HAVE IS -- WOULD THIS GO

INTO THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN THAT IS IN THE WORKS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT, BUT HOWEVER WE CAME UP WITH THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY.

YOU HAVE A REALLY BRIGHT STAFF. IT IS LMI.

AND I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH AND NOT AS A REFLECTION ON STAFF, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY

TAKING A PEEK AT IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I LIKE THE IDEA, BUT --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL SEND IT AROUND AND YOU CAN WAIT. I'LL SEND IT AROUND AND PUT IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA. I'M FINE WITH THIS ONE AS IS. UNLESS THERE ARE MORE

QUESTIONS I MAKE A MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAKE A

MOTION TO MOVE ADOPTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THESE ITEMS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> STEVE RADACK: RADACK IS

NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES.

>> E AND 4F? >> LINA HIDALGO: IGA. UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

PUBLIC HEALTH. COMMUNITY SERVICES. UNLESS ANYBODY HAS ANOTHER ITEM I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS 8G, 1 THROUGH 4. AND ALONG WITH A5 ON PAGE 24 WHICH IS UNDER MY AGENDA. AND C2 AND C4 UNDER COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S AGENDA.

THESE ITEMS ARE TIED TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION. IT IS FITTING WE DISCUSS IT AT THE SAME COURT AS THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR TENANTS. OF COURSE THIS IS THE THEME OF OUR FOCUS ON ADEQUATE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL AND REPRESENTATION BY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AS WELL. THE FOCUS OF THIS, I KNOW THE OFFICES HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS. IT IS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ACCESS TO DUE PROCESS. WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY IN DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS AND THEY DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY THEY ARE DEPORTED AT A MUCH, MUCH HIGHER RATE, LIKE 90% OF THE TIME COMPARED TO LIKE 5% OF THE TIME WHEN THEY DO HAVE AN ATTORNEY.

IT JUST MEANS THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE A VALID CLAIM TO BE HERE AND WHO OF COURSE CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO OUR ECONOMY ARE BEING DEPORTED NOT BECAUSE THEY SHOULD, BUT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PRESENT THEIR VALID POINT.

I WILL LET CSD COVER -- GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AND THEN WHATEVER CSD HAS TO

ADD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU, JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD AND FOR THE CARE EXPFL THOUGHT OF WORK -- CAREFUL AND THOUGHT -- THOUGHTFUL WORK OF YOUR STAFF. IT WAS NICE TO HAVE CHRIS BANKS FROM MY OFFICE WORKING WITH YOU. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW OPPORTUNE THIS IS. JUST LAST NIGHT I GOT A CALL FROM A FRIEND WHOSE SON IS ATTENDING U OF H. AND WHOSE CLASSMATE HAS BEEN PICKED UP.

ALMOST IN THIS SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THAT SHE CONTACTED ME THAT I THEN STARTED TO WORK TO FIND AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY FOR HER THAT HER SON'S FRIEND HAD MADE IT TO THE MONTGOMERY DETENTION CENTER. IT WAS JUST IN THE MATTER OF A FEW HOURS.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ITEM. IT IS A UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STUDENT THAT THAT IF NOT ABLE TO ASK -- NOT EVEN JUST ASK, BUT HAD A THOUGHTFUL FRIEND WHO REACHED OUT TO HIS MOM,

[03:05:02]

IT SHOULDN'T BE THIS HARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL. WE WORKED WITH YOUR STAFF ON THIS AND IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO WIN A DEPORTATION CASE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE OF COUNCIL.

OF COUNSEL. A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WERE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL.

I AM TOLD THAT IF YOU ARE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL YOU ARE 10.5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED IN YOUR LEGAL CASE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK YOU WERE THERE WITH SILVIA GARCIA AND SHEILA JACKSON LEE. YOU ARE RUNNING.

IT JUST REALLY TOUCHED ME. AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE PRIMARILY LATINO AND A GOOD NUMBER OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES AS WELL AND IT HITS ACROSS THE BOARD.

I MIGHT SAY THAT WE CAN MAKE IT A DAY -- WE CAN'T MAKE IT A DAY AND I HOPE THEY CAN COME UP WITH SOME VERSION OF AN IMMIGRATION PACKAGE THAT BOTH SIDES CAN AGREE TO.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE CAN'T KEEP RIPPING THESE FAMILIES APART. TTS JUST -- IT IS JUST WRONG AND IT GOES AGAINST EVERY RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE AND THANKS FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD AND I

WILL VOTE FOR IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THE STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS, AND ALSO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. I WANT TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE IF THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD AND I BELIEVE SOMEBODY IS ON THE LINE AS WELL. THANKS, LUCINDA.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS DIRECTED IN FEBRUARY TO TAKE THIS TASK ON.

AND WE DO APPRECIATE THE HELP THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE COURT MEMBER OFFICES AND FROM THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE THAT HELPED TO PUT TOGETHER THE GUIDE BOOK FOR THE PROGRAM.

SO BASICALLY THE ITEM ON THE COURT TODAY IS APPROVAL FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO WORK WITH NONPROFIT PROVIDERS AND REPRESENTATION FOR IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE DETAINED.

AND SO THE GUIDE BOOK HAS BEEN VET EXPETD -- VETTED AND IT IS VERY THOROUGH AND IT WILL IMPLEMENT THE USE OF UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION MODEL. THAT MODEL IS A MODEL THAT IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED. IT WILL ALLOW THE COUNTY TO ALSO PURSUE FUNDING FROM THE VERA INSTITUTE WHICH IS ANOTHER ACTION ITEM FOR THE COUNTY TO APPLY TO VERA.

THAT COULD PROVIDE SOME LEVERAGE AND MATCHING FUNDS THAT WILL GO ALONG WITH THE FUNDING THAT IS UP FOR APPROVAL TODAY. THE PROGRAM IS BEING REQUESTED FOR $2 MILLION FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD. AND $50,000 IS FOR CSD TO WORK WITH A NONPROFIT COORDINATOR TO HELP US AS WE IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM NEXT YEAR.

ADDITIONALLY CSD IS ASKING FOR A POSITION THAT WILL ALSO HELP COORDINATE THIS AS THE PROGRAM STANDS UP. WE WERE GLAD TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST.

AND WE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW WE

[V. Appearances before court (Part 1 of 2)]

LET'S START WITH VERA. DO THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> HI THERE. >> COURTNEY WITH VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM.

WE CAN HEAR YOU. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE JUDGE HIDALGO AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I AM COURTNEY LEE AND A SENIOR PROGRAM ASSOCIATE AT THE VERA INSTITUTE FOR THE STATE INITIATIVE. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM 8G WITH RESPECT TO ALLOCATING $2 MILLION 50 THOUSANDS DOLLARS FOR THE FUND.

[03:10:07]

IT IS WITHIN 11 STATES AND THAT HAS COMMITTED THE PUBLIC FUNDING FOR DEPORTATION DEFENSE. THESE ARE COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS AND THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD A MOVEMENT FOR UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION. SIMPLY PUT, IT IS A PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM FOR ALL IMMIGRANTS FACING DEPORTATION.

CONSISTENT WITH THE PRIOR TESTIMONY, WE KNOW THAT THE DEPORTATION AND THE DETENTION MACHINERY DESTROYS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. IT CONTRIBUTES TO THE SPREAD OF COVID AND DEEPENS RACIAL INJUSTICES WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND JUDGE YOU NOTED EARLIER IN THE PROCEEDING BRINGS BASIC FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY TO AN OTHERWISE CRUEL AND UNJUST PROCESS. WE COMMEND THE COUNTY FOR THE STRONG COMMITMENT IN THE INITIAL YEAR OF THE PROGRAM AND ADOPTING A PRIMARILY UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATION MODEL. BASED ON VER'S -- VERA'S EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH OUR COUNTIES LIKE NEW YORK CITY, LOS ANGELES AND CHICAGO, FUNDING THE PROGRAM AT THIS LEVEL ENSURES THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO BUILD A STRONG AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE FIRST YEAR. IT CAN GROW OVER TIME TO MEET THE GREATER NEED.

FINALLY WE ARE EAGER TO ENJOY THE STATE'S INITIATIVES AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONVERSATIONS ON HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THE PROGRAM THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESEARCH.

GIVEN THE YOU ARE -- GIVEN THE URGENCY OF THIS MOMENT AND THE LONG-TERM FEDERAL ATTACKS ON OUR COMMUNITY, THE LEADERSHIP IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. FOR AS LONG AS THEY TARGET OUR HARRIS COUNTY NEIGHBORS AND TO REVERSE THE DEEP HARM BY THIS ADMINISTRATION, THE NEED FOR THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE TO BE URGENT. WE URGE YOU TO APPROVE AGENDA

ITEM G AND AM OPEN FOR QUESTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SAY I WORKED WITH THE VERA INSTITUTE AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF YEARS I WORKED ON THE BOARD OF INNOCENCE PROJECT THEY, AND THEY WOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED THIS KIND OF SUPPORT OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY. JUST TELLING MY FRIENDS, WELCOME TO TEXAS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YES, WE ARE A NATIONAL NETWORK AND WE ARE STANDING UP FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHILE SUPPORTING CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS YOU ELUDED TO

, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? >> YES.

I WAS JUST WAITING FOR THE CONVERSATION TO BE OVER. MONICA HOLCAMP WITH -- HOLDCAMP WITH BAKER RIP -- RILEY. GO AHEAD.

>> I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE COURT FOR CONSIDERING A LEGAL SERVICE FUND IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE.

I AM MONICA HOLDCAMP AND A LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER AND REPRESENTATIVE WITH BAKER RIP PLEA. I -- BAKER RIPLEY. I SERVED SINCE 2015 AND THROUGH MY WORK WITH FOR VICTIMS WITH ABUSE ACT I HAD 9 -- HAD THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE HELP TO HUNDREDS OF SURVIVORS IN THE HOUSTON AREA.

I OBJECT SERVED FIRSTHAND THE CHALLENGES OUR IMMIGRANTS SURVIVORS FACE.

THEY ARE IN FEAR OF BEING DEPARTED AND SEPARATED FROM LOVED ONES.

THERE IS ALSO A HIGH EXPENSE -- HIGH SENSE OF FEAR OF SHAME ASSOCIATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. ULTIMATELY THIS LEADS TO CONTINUED UNDER REPORTING AND ON GOING TRAUMA AND CYCLES OF ABUSE. IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS, I RECALL A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WALKED INTO ONE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND SHE EXPRESSED FEELINGS OF SHAME AND FEAR, AND I LISTENED AND GAVE HER THE SPACE TO EXPRESS

[03:15:06]

SHE RECEIVED SEVERAL THREATENING AND VIOLENT MESSAGES FROM HER ABUSER.

SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER OTHERS ACTIONS AND NOTHING SHE DID WANTERRED THE OUTBURST.

IT TOOK SEVERAL HOURS TO GIVE HER THE SPACE SHE NEEDED TO PROCESS WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

WHEN SHE WAS READY I OFFERED TO ACCOMPANY HER TO THE NEAREST CRIME VICTIMS UNIT.

HAVING WORKED WITH THE PRECINCT OFFICERS I WAS ABLE TO SHARE HOW THE PROCESS WORKED. THE SPECIFIC OFFICERS NAMES THAT WITH BILINGUAL AND INTERACTED WITH THE COMMUNITY. I WAS THANKFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GIVE HER THE SUPPORT SHE NEEDED AND IDENTIFIED AT THE MOMENT.

AT THAT MOMENT AND THROUGH HER JOURNEY SHE SAID SHE WOULD NOT HAVE REPORTED WITHOUT OUR COLLECTIVE SUPPORT. PRESENTLY SHE IS ONE OF OUR CLIENTS AWAITING APPROVAL.

OUR NEIGHBORS LOOK TO COMMUNITIES DURING TIMES OF NEED AND THEY ARE SERVING A VITAL ROLE IN BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS BY CREATING A SAFE AND TRAUMA-INFORMED TO SEEK HELP. THEY ARE GENERALLY THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT AND WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE TRAUMA REQUIRES TIME, PATIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH. ONLY A HANDFUL OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE HOUSTON AREA ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THESE WRAP AROUND SERVICE THAT'S ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED WITH LIMITED CAPACITY AND HIGHER WAIT TIMES.

BUILDING THESE RELATIONSHIPS TAKES TIME. THIS FUND WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT THE NONPROFITS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY AREA. TO INCREASE AND EXPAND SERVICES ACCESSIBLE TO SURVIVORS. DUE TO THE CURRENT CLIMATE, THE SURROUNDING IMMIGRATION POLICIES COMPOUNDED BY THE WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC, FUNDS SUCH AS THIS ARE NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. DAVID SEGAL WITH RELIGIOUS ACTION CENTER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, THANK YOU FOR THE CONVERSATION.

I AM RAN BY DAVID SEGAL AND WITH THE NETWORK OF REFORM ACROSS THE STATE.

QUITE A FEW IN THE HOUSTON AREA, OF COURSE. AND I HAD THE HONOR OF TESTIFYING IN FEBRUARY WHEN THE VOTE FIRST CAME UP ALONGSIDE A COUPLE DOZEN IMMIGRANTS AND RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND NOW BACK TO DO THE SAME.

REALLY TO UNDERSCORE WHAT MICHELLE SAID ABOUT THE MORAL IMPERATIVE, THERE IS A CORNER ISSUE AND BEYOND THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT HOW WE BUILD A HEALTHY COMMUNITY.

AND HOW WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER. IT SEEMS TO ME NOT JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO IN TERMS OF FAIRNESS, BUT IN TERMS OF HELPING PEOPLE JOIN THE COMMUNITY FULLY AND BEING AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE WORKFORCE.

THAT STRIKES ME AS IMPORTANT AS WELL. SO AS THE GRANDSON OF IMMIGRANTS, A LONG-TIME HARRIS COUNTY BACK TO MY GRANDFATHER AND BORN HERE MYSELF I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT FOR THE MEASURE PASSING.

THANK YOU. DISBRIE THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. NAGALISE PAW LOW -- PALOMO. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON LEAGUE COALITION. I AM TESTIFYING IN SUPPORT OF THE IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES FUND ALLOCATION OF TWO MILLION. FOR IMMIGRANTS AND FAMILIES DEPORTATION HAVING AN ATTORNEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING ABLE TO STAY IF HARRIS COUNTY OR BEING TORN FROM THEIR FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND THE LIFE THEY BUILT HERE.

I WANT TO COMMEND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HOUSTON LEAGUE COALITION AND HOUSTON LEAGUE MEMBERS TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER AND FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE UH -- THE ATROCITIES. AS A POLITICAL REFUGEE MYSELF I KNOW THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE TOP REPORTING COUNTIES. IN 2019 OVERWELMING 69% DETAINED IN HOUSTON DID NOT HAVE THE REPRESENTATION. THE PROPOSED AMOUNT WILL NOT COVER ALL OF THE COSTS FOR FAMILY, BUT THE LEGAL SERVICE FUND WILL HAVE A PROFOUND INSIGHT ON INDIGENT FAMILIES BY PROVIDING THEM WITH HIGH QUALITY CONSULT AND A FAIR

[03:20:05]

IT IS MY HOPE THE COUNTY WILL RENEW THIS FUND AND GIVE LEGAL PROVIDERS SO THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO BE REPRESENTED BY TRUSTED NONPROFIT ATTORNEYS WITH HIGH QUALITY REPRESENTATION AND HOLISTIC SUPPORT. FURTHERMORE, LEGAL REPRESENTATION IS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL FOR LGBTQ IMMIGRANTS AND BLACK AND BROWN IMMIGRANTS AND TEENAGERS WHO [INAUDIBLE] AS WELL AS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL IN CUSTODY.

THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC BRINGS A NEW URGENCY TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE SAME IMMIGRANTS. AS OF NOVEMBER 3RD ICE DEPORTED 447 ACTIVE CASES OF -- REPORTED 447 AGO -- ACTIVE CASES IN THE DETENTION CENTER.

THEY NEED MORE REPRESENTATION AND HELP FROM CON TRACKING THE VIRUS.

AND I LEAVE YOU WITH THIS REMINDER. FAMILIES BEING SEPARATED DID NOT JUST HAPPEN AT THE BORDER. IT EXISTS IN OUR CITY AND IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. IT IS CRUCIAL THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO MAKE THIS BOND YEAR AFTER YEAR UNTIL WE CAN DISRUPT THE CORRUPT ESTABLISHMENT WHICH IS ICE AND KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER AND THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH SUFFERING AND LOSS IN 2020.

-- >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> ANNA GONZALEZ WITH MI PHO MEAL -- MI-FAMILIA-BO TA.

>> I AM A STAFF MEMBER AND MI-FAMILIA IS LOOKING AT STRENGTHENING OUR POLITICAL POWERS THROUGH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. I WITH THE REST OF THE TEAM URGE YOU TO VOTE IN SAW -- SUPPORT OF THE IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES FUND.

IT WILL HELP INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT HAVING OVERWELMING BURDEN AS MY FAMILY DID.

I UNDERSTOOD THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE SYSTEM. IT BRINGS ME GREAT PRIDE AND JO OJ -- JOY. I NO LONGER HAD TO FEEL BEER SENT -- FEEL BEING SENT TO A COUNTRY I NEVER KNEW. AND IT WAS A COUNTRY I LIVED IN FOR 19 YEARS.

THIS ALSO BRINGS ME AN IMMENSE AM OF GUILT. MY PARENTS HAVE MADE FINANCIAL

AGO SCRAW FIESES -- SACRIFICES. >>> WHOLE LIFE FOR OVERWHELMING LEGAL FEES.

IT COST THEM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND YEARS OF HARD WORK.

WHILE MY FUTURE IS BRIGHT THANKS TO MY PARENTS MANY LIVE THEIR LIFE WITHOUT ANY HOPE IN THE SYSTEM. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARE OFTEN IN -- INTIMIDATING AND COSTLY. I WORKED WITH THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY FOR YEARS.

I AM AN IMMIGRANT. I HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS AND I CAN SAY CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME BELIEVE WE ARE NOT DRUG DEALERS OR CRIMINALS OR RAPISTS.

WE ARE HARD WORKING PEOPLE WHO KEEP THIS COUNTRY RUNNING. WE ARE COLLEGE EDUCATED PROFESSIONALS AND STAY-AT-HOME MOMS DEDICATING THEIR LIVES TO RAISE DOCTORS AND TEACHERS.

WITHOUT REPRESENTATION FOR MINOR OFFENSES SUCH AS DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE WHEN YOU ARE NOT LEGALLY TO OBTAIN ONE. THEY HAVE INVESTED THEIR LIVES IN MAKING HARRIS COUNTY ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE IN THE U.S. ACCORDING TO RODNEY ELLIS UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS PAY A BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES COMBINED.

I ASK YOU TO UH BROF -- APPROVE THE $2 MILLION BUDGET AND CONTINUE WITH THE FUNDS IN THE FUTURE. WITH THE ON GOING SUPPORT THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY WILL ONLY -- [INAUDIBLE] AND PROFITS WILL INCREETS -- INCREASE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR

DECISION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

DANIEL HOROWITZ. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I CALLED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED ALLOCATION TO THE IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES FUND. FOR ME THIS IS A PERSONAL ISSUE. MY GRANDPARENTS CAME TO THIS COUNTRY AND LEFT BEHIND GREAT DANGERS. IF THEY HAD NOT BEEN ALLOWED HERE, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT I

[03:25:04]

I BELIEVE THEY WILL MAKE A COLD FRONT -- A CONTRIBUTION TO OUR SOCIETY.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK MY FAMILY HAS DONE SOMETHING FOR THIS COUNTRY.

ASIDE FROM HELPING TO VOTE OUT OUR CORRUPT PRESIDENT. THAT WAS THE LEAST WE COULD DO. IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR POLICIES, THESE IMMIGRANTS DESERVE TO BE REPRESENTED -- REPRESENTED IN COURT AND WE SHOULD PROVIDE THE MEANS FOR IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU. LIVING HOME WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] AND I WORK WITH LIVING HOPE -- LIVING HOPE WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION.

IT IS FOR IMMIGRANTS WITH DISABILITIES. I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND ELLIS AND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS AND ASK THAT YOU ALLOCATE $2 MILLION FOR THIS FUND TO PROVIDE THE LEGAL DEFENSE FOR IMMIGRANTS. I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY EXPERIENCE THAT THE CAPACITY TO MIGHT DEPORTATION IS A LIFE AND DEATH ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN THE UNMARKED GRACE OF PEOPLE WHO TRY TO COME BACK AFTER BEING DEPORTED AND THEN THEY ARE DEPORTED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO REPRESENTATION AND THEY TRY TO COME BACK TO THE ONLY LIFE THEY KNOW, TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THEY DIE BECAUSE WE HAVE YEARS OF IMMIGRATION POLICIES WHO MADE OUR BORDER A DEADLY TRAP. I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE SEEN THE SUFFERING OF FAMILIES WHO ARE DEALING WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES AFTER ONE OF THEIR MENTORS WHO IS WORKING CONSTRUCTION IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL WORKERS, BUT ALSO CONSIDERED DISPOSABLE. WHEN THEIR BODIES BREAK, THEIR FAMILIES HAVE TO BE THERE TO PAY MEDICAL EXPENSES AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT THEY HAVE TO FACE THE RISK OF DEPORTATION AND IT CAUSES SUFFERING AND BANKRUPTCY. WHAT I HOPE YOU WILL DO TODAY IS FUND A SYSTEM -- TO HELP OUR FAMILIES LIVE IN DIGNITY AND PUT IT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AS A SOCIETY WE CAN REDEEM OURSELVES.

IT COMES WITH DOING BETTER, AND I AM THANKFUL TO THE GROUPS WHO HAVE DONE WORK FOR SUCH A LONGTIME TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. SO I THANK YOU FOR THIS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ERIKA-RAZO WITH MI-FAMILIA-B. >> I AM ERIKA AND THE STATE DIRECTOR OF MI-FAMILIA-BOSA AND PART OF THE HOUSTON LEAGUE COALITION.

WE ARE GRATEFUL COUNTY LEADERS HAVE TAKEN THE STEPS TO SERVICE THE FUNDS.

TO MAXIMIZE THE FUND IT IS NECESSARY TO A LOT THE NECESSARY FOUNDS -- FUNDS.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS MUCH TO BE PROUD OF. BEING ONE OF THE TOP SUPPORTING TOWNS IS NOT IT. THE NEED IS GREAT AND INCREASING.

IT IS FINANCIALLY INACCESSIBLE AND NONPROCHT LEGAL -- NONPROFIT LEGAL PROVIDERS HAVE LITTLE CAPACITY. IT CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING TO STAY IN HARRIS COUNTY OR BEING TORN AWAY. THEY HAVE REACHED SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES AND 10 TIMES A HIGHER RATE THAN THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE REPRESENTATION.

FEW CAN AFFORD A PRIVATE LAWYER. DEPORTATION COSTS CAN BE AS HIGH AS $10,000 AND NONPROFITS THAT PROVIDE THE FREE SERVICES ARE ALREADY OVERWHELMED BY WHAT WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY THIS GRIM REALITY. TIMES ARE STRESSFUL AND EXHAUSTING FOR ALL, PARTICULARLY FOR OUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES WHO ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOSSES AND CON CONSTANTLY FEARFUL OF DEPORTATION.

THERE IS NEVER A TIME A FAMILY SHOULD WORRY ABOUT BEING SEPARATED, BUT THIS IS NOT THE TIME. WE SHOULD INVEST IN FUND. I ALSO WANT TO THANK JUDGE

[03:30:08]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. ANNA MORALES.

>> THANK YOU. ANNA MORALES [INAUDIBLE] AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO A VOTE. LET ME JUST SAY EVERYBODY SAID IT SO ELOQUENTLY AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GO ON RECORD AND SUPPORT THE $2 MILLION TO THE IMMIGRANT SERVICES FUND AND UNDER FUND FOR CRIME VICTIMS. AS SOON AS COVID IS OVER, JUDGE HIDALGO, I WILL RUN OVER AND GIVE UH BIG HUG. THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH HOUSTON LEAGUE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT EVERYONE DESERVES DUE PROCESS. ON ANOTHER ISSUE BEFORE THE COURT, THE TAX ABATEMENT POLICY ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 27TH WE PRESENTED BEFORE THIS COURT WITH OUR COLLEAGUES, THE HOUSTON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADE COUNCIL AND IN WORKERS DEFENSE WE PRESENTED IN SUPPORT OF TAX ABATEMENT GUIDELINES AND LABOR SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SAFE JOBS.

WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE REVISION THAT WAS VOTED ON ON OCTOBER 27TH AS WELL AS ADDING APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING AND UTILIZATION THIS ALL COMMUNITIES NEED TRAINING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU ARE DOING GREAT WORK. WE LOVE YOU AND GOD BLESS.

THANK YOU ALL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO THANK HER AND I MADE NOTES.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK ON, BUT THANK YOU. YOU WERE FORM BEFORE AND YOU

ARE FORM AFTER. LOVE YOU. >> CAMILLA TRUJILLO WITH

WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT. >> CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME OKAY? >> YES, MA'AM.

GO AHEAD. >> OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA. MY NAME IS CAMILLA TRUJILLA AND FOR WORKERS DEFENSE AND A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND LIVE IN DISTRICT 7.

I AM HERE TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF MY COMMUNITY AND OUR MEMBERS.

IMMIGRANTS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON ARE 30.6 OF THE LABOR WORK MODE.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST POPULATION IN HOUSTON THAN ANY OTHER RACE GROUP.

ONE OF EVERY FOUR RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY IS FOREIGN BORN.

WE KNOW IMMIGRANTS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITY, IMMIGRANTS ARE CONTINUED TO BE SET ASIDE. WE WITNESSED THIS DURING THE CO -- COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS IMMIGRANTS WERE LEFT OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT STIMULUS CHECK AND THEY ARE DETAINED AND VN -- HAVE BEEN DETAINED IN THE PANDEMIC. THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC BRINGS ATTENTION TO THE NEED OF THE IMMIGRANTS. DETENTION FACILITIES ARE HOTBEDS FOR A SPREAD OF THE INFECTION AND A LACK OF THE FACILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WITH COVID CALL TO OUR ATTENTION TO GET HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IT WAS A CITY BUILT BY THEM. CURRENTLY -- HOW THE CITY IS REPRESENTED AND IT IS AN IMPACTFUL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. AND THEY HAVE THE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE MILLIONS OF IMMIGRANTS AND FAMILIES THAT LIVE IN THE CITY.

WE ASK THAT HARRIS COUNTY BE THE PIONEER WITH ALL OF THE CITIZENS FOR THE IMMIGRATION

LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

JUDGE I'M GOING TO UNMUTE THE INTERPRETER. INTERPRETER, YOU ARE UNMUTED.

>> THANK YOU. DAISY OSORIO WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO. HELLO, GOOD AFTERNOON.

[03:35:44]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DAISY OSORIO AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE

ORGANIZATION TOP. >> TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY PRAYER WITH YOU IN REGARD

TO SANCHEZ. >> THEY WERE LOCKED UP FOR BEING AT THE WRONG PLACE AT

THE WRONG TIME. >> FOR ME AND MY FAMILY THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

ME AND MY FAMILY LEFT HONDURAS IN THE YEAR OF 2011. >> WE WERE RUNNING FROM VIOLENCE AND POVERTY. WHEN WE CROSSED THE BORDER WE WERE DETAINED AND PLACED IN A

DETENTION CENTER. >> THE TREATMENT WE SUFFERED WAS HORRIBLE.

MY SON NOW SUFFERS FROM DEPRESSION FROM AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER.

HE TRIED TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE SEVERAL TIMES NOW. >> WE ARE A FAMILY OF LOW RESOURCES AND LOW INCOME. WE ARE TRYING TO HELP MY SON AND WE EVEN ASKED FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HELP US. WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR A LAWYER.

>> I WISH THAT YOU -- I ASK THAT YOU LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF A MOTHER.

THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION THAT I DON'T WISH UPON ANYONE.

US AS A COMMUNITY, WE CAN'T KEEP WAITING ON OTHER PEOPLE. >> IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE CORONAVIRUS AT LARGE RIGHT NOW. AND NOT TO MENTION THAT IN THOSE SITUATIONS THERE IS A LOT OF ABUSE. THERE ISN'T A LOT OF HEALTH CARE, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF ABUSE FROM THE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON THE DETAINEES.

TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ALLOW PEOPLE TO DIE. >> THAT'S WHY TODAY I AM HERE TO PLEAD TO YOU THAT YOU PLEASE SUPPORT AND ALLOCATE THE $2 MILLION BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR IMMIGRANTS TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR A LAWYER TO HELP THEM FIGHT THEIR

CASE. >> THEY HAVE A FAIR PROCESS AND THEY CAN RETURN BACK TO

[03:40:26]

SISTERS. >> THAT WILL BE IT. THANK YOU.

I JUST HOPE YOU CAN HELP. >> THANK YOU. INTERPRETER PLEASE STAY ON.

MARIA WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MARIA AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION

TOPS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS THE URGENCY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO

BE ABLE TO APPROVE THE $2 MILLION. >> THE LEGAL DEFENSE ACCOUNT

FOR ALL OF THE IMMIGRANTS. >> FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DETAINED AND DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR A LAWYER. GEE MY SON --

>> MY SON CAME TO THE COUNTRY WHEN HE WAS THREE YEARS OLD. ALL HIS LIFE HE HAD BEEN HERE AND UNFORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND AND I DIDN'T COUNT ON THE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT FOR

HIS DEFENSE. >> THEY ARE UNABLE TO PAY FOR A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE.

MY SON WAS RISE -- RAISED HERE. HE LIVED HIS WHOLE LIFE HERE AND NOW CURRENTLY HE IS IN THE STATE OF MEXICO. WE ARE A FAMILY DIVIDED.

>> NOW HE IS IN A PLACE HE IS ALL ALONE. HE DOESN'T KNOW THE COUNTRY AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY FAMILY IN MEXICO. IT HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT

SITUATION FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILY. >> I PRAY TO GOD EVERY DAY FOR HIM. EVERY DAY I PRAY FOR HIM. NOBODY SHOULD BE SEPARATED

FROM THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. >> OUR COUNT, ONE OF THE HIGHEST COUNTY WITH THE

HIGHEST DEPORTATION. >> THAT'S WHY I AM ASKING YOU NOT TO WAIT ANY LONGER.

WE NEED THIS PROGRAM TO BE APPLICABLE AND PUT INTO PROCESS.

>> ESPECIALLY FOR THE DETENTION CENTERS. >> THEY HAVE REPORTED 400

[03:45:06]

CASES OF CORONAVIRUS. >> WE KNOW THAT IN THOSE DETENTION CENTERS THE DETAINING OFFICERS DO NOT PROVIDE A LOT OF MEDICAL HELP.

>> THE PEOPLE THERE, THEY ACTUALLY ALLOW THEM TO DIE. I AM TELLING YOU, THE DAY OF TODAY AND MY APOLOGIES. WHAT I MEANT IS NOW WITH THE TIME AND DAY FOR ACTION.

I PLEAD TO YOU TO PLEASE TAKE ACTION AND APPROVE THOSE $2 MILLION.

>> LOW INCOME PEOPLE. IT WILL BE A LOT MORE FAIR AND IT WILL PROVIDE THEM ALLOT -- A LOT OF ASSISTANCE.

YOUR FAMILIES. I WOULDN'T WANT IT ON ANYONE ELSE.

>>

THANK YOU. >> CARMEN YVONNE, TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

>> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CARMEN YVONNE.

TODAY I'M OVER HERE TO BEG YOU TO PASS NO LESS THAN $2 MILLION FOR IMMIGRANTS' LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. OUR COMMUNITY NO LONGER WAITS FOR YOU TO PASS THIS BILL.

INSIDE OF THE DETENTION CENTERS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE DYING. A LOT OF KIDS FRN INAUDIBLE -- [INAUDIBLE].

$2MILLION LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY BUT WE NEED IT TO COVER $8,000 TO PAY A LAWYER AND COVID TOOK 250 PER PERSON. AND IT IS NOT ENOUGH. IN THE END YOU PAY A LAWYER AND IN THE END -- THE JUDGE IS THE ONE WHO DECIDES WHO WILL STAY HERE AND WHO IS NOT.

IT IS A LOT OF CORRUPTION IN THE SYSTEM. I AM GONNA ASK A QUESTION.

WHO OF YOU HAVE THE CARDS TO TELL A KID WHEN THEIR PARENTS DIE IN A DETENTION CENTER THAT IT HAPPENED BECAUSE NOT PASSING A FUND. IN YOUR HEART THINK OF THAT LITTLE KID. FOR ME IT IS FAMILY. TAMBIEN, THE LAWYER [INAUDIBLE] AND IN THE END THE JUDGE IS THE ONE THAT DECIDES.

RIGHT NOW I'M BEG YOU TO PASS NO LESS THAN $2 MILLION. IT IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO DEFEND EVERYBODY, BUT AT LEAST 250 PEOPLE, THAT FAMILY WILL BE GRATEFUL.

ALL OF THE HELP YOU ARE DOING THEM. PLEASE.

[03:50:04]

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. >> THANK YOU. >> MAURICE GONZALEZ WITH TEXAS

ORGANIZING PROJECT. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.

GOOD AFTERNOON BETTER SAY. I AM GONZALEZ AND THE IMMIGRANTS ORGANIZING RIGHTS DIRECTOR. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE URGENCY TO APPROVE THE FUNDING FOR THE I'M -- IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. THESE PAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN MONTHS OF UNCERTAINTY AND FEAR FOR MANY IMMIGRANT FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOVED ONES IN THE DETENTION CENTERS. FAMILIES LIKE VANESSA GARZA WHO LOST A FAMILY MEMBER TO COVID-19. SHE WAS DETAIN HAD -- HE WAS DETAINED WHEN HE GOT COVID-19. NOT ONE AGENT OR EMPLOYEE NOTIFIED HIS FAMILY.

NO MEDICAL CARE WAS PROVIDED. ICE AGENTS DECIDED TO TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL WHEN IT WAS TOO LATE. HIS NAME WAS NOT AWARE OF HIS CONDITION AND NOR WERE THEY NOTIFIED HE WAS HOSPITALIZED. THANKS TO THE HELP, WE WERE ABLE TO FIND OUT INAUDIBLE]. I GAVE INFORMATION TO HIS FAMILY A FEW DAYS LATER MR. GARZA PASSED AWAY. THE REST OF HIS FAMILY COULD NOT SAY GOODBYE.

THE FAMILY DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO HIRE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR MR. ALONZO. SOMETIMES I WONDER HOW DIFFERENT THE SITUATION WOULD HAVE BEEN IF HE HAD AN ATTORNEY. MR. ALONZO HAD BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HE WILL STILL BE ALIVE TODAY.

IT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE. JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS WERE PASSING THE IMMIGRANT DEFENSE BILL FUND EARLIER THIS YEAR, BUT NOW IS THE TIME TO PUT THIS ORDINANCE INTO ACTION. WE ARE ONE OF THE COUNTIES THAT HAS MORE PEOPLE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTY IN THE NATION. FOR THAT REASON OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY DESERVES NOTHING LESS THAN $2 MILLION FOR THE FUND. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE LESS FORTUNATE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ARE ABLE TO HAVE A FAIR PROCESS SO THEY CAN BE BACK AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES WHERE THEY BELONG.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. JUAN WITH MI-FAMILIA-BOTA.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE. THANKS FOR INVITING PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. I AM JUAN AND I REPRESENT MI-FAMILIA-BOTA. I MYSELF ARE FROM TWO LATIN AMERICAN IMMIGRANT WHO HAD TO FACE A LOT OF DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE OF THE LEGAL STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES. I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE ALLOCATION OF $2 MILLION TO THE HARRIS COUNTY IMMIGRANT LEGAL FUND BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE ARE FACING A COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT IS ONLY UNDERMINING OUR COMMUNITIES AND IT IS MORE DIFFICULT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO BE REPRESENTED. ICE REPORTED MORE THAN 447 ACTIVE CASES IN DETENTION CENTERS AND WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IS DOING TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE. OUR COMMUNITIES NEED NOTHING LESS THAN $2 MILLION. THEY ARE THE ONES BEING DISPROPORTION NATIONALLY AFFECTED, LOWER INCOME PEOPLE AS WELL. FOR THAT REASON I AM HERE REPRESENTING THEM SAYING EQUITY IS IMPORTANT AND EVERYBODY DESERVES DUE PROCESS AND FAIRNESS REGARDLESS OF STATUS. WITHOUT THE D TWOL -- $2 MILLION IN LEGAL FUND IT IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE IMMIGRANT POPULATION ARE IMPACTED IN DISPROPORTION -- DISPROPORTIONATE RATES THEY ARE SIMPLY NOT ALLOWED TO BE

[03:55:05]

PROTECTED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

JUDGE, I AM UNMUTING THE INTERPRETER. INTERPRETER.

YOU ARE UNMUTED. ONE MOMENT. >> MARINA SANCHEZ WITH TEXAS

ORGANIZING PROJECT. >>

>> TOP.

FEW MONTHS AGO AND WAS RELEASED THANKS TO MY COMMUNITY AND THE ORGANIZATION

TOP. >>

AND WE ARE A FAMILY OF LOW INCOME AND LOW RESOURCES. >>

>> WE WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A LAWYER TO REPRESENT HIM. >>

>> AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER TYPICALLY CHARGES ABOUT $7,000, $8,000 IS AN AMOUNT THAT USUALLY OUR TYPE OF FAMILIES OR FAMILIES OF LOW INCOME DON'T HAVE.

>> PANDEMIC WITHIN THOSE DISCI DASH DOSH DETENTION CENTERS ALREADY.

>>

THE DETENTION CENTER IN CONROW. >>

>> WE CAN'T ALLOW PEOPLE WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS OR HEALTH ISSUES TO CONTINUE TO BE

DETAINED. >> THE CHILDREN OF MR. GARZA LOST THEIR FATHER AND THEIR

GRANDCHILDREN HAVE LOST THEIR GRANDFATHER. >> THIS IS A CRISIS THAT A LOT

OF FAMILIES. >> WHO SUFFER FROM MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS. IF THEY WERE ABLE TO BE PROVIDED WITH A LAWYER OR AN ASSISTANT FOR REPRESENTATION THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN FREE.

>> $2 MILLION TO HELP A LOT OF FAMILIES AND NOW IT LIES IN YOUR HANDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

[04:00:02]

>>

>> INTERPRETER, STAY ON THE LINE PLEASE. >> JOCELYN VASQUEZ WITH TEXAS

ORGANIZING PROJECT. >>

>> HELLO, GOOD AFTERNOON. >> MY NAME IS JOCELYN VASQUEZ. I AM A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION TOP.

I AM HERE TO HELP SUPPORT OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY. >> REASON SPEAKING SPANISH

>> ANYONE IN THE DETENTION CENTERS AT THIS MOMENT. >>

>> THEY NEED TO HAVE EQUAL REPRESENTATION. >>

>> SINCE THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A REPORT OF OVER 400 CASES OF CORONAVIRUS WITHIN

THOSE DETENTION CENTERS. >> CASES IN THE SURROUNDING HOUSTON AREA. THE LIVES OF A LOT OF PEOPLE

ARE IN DANGER. >> LAWYER TO REPRESENT THEM, AND AT THIS MOMENT A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WOULD BE FREE RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT EXPENSE OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION DUE TO THE CRISIS THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE

PANDEMIC. >> CORONAVIRUS HAS AFFECTED EVERYONE. IT IS A VERY SEVERE PANDEMIC AND THAT'S WHY WE CAN'T ALLOW FOR MORE PEOPLE TO DIE IN THE DETENTION CENTERS.

>> LOOK INSIDE YOURSELVES AND LOOK WITHIN YOUR HEARTS AND HELP THE FAMILIES BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF FAMILY THAT'S ARE SUFFERING THROUGH THIS.

THERE'S FAMILIES AND THERE ARE MINORS SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

>>

SAME RIGHTS THAT WE DO. >> SINGLE MOTHERS OUT THERE. THERE ARE PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT AND ALONE BECAUSE THEIR HUSBANDS ARE DETAINED. I ASK YOU TO LOOK WITHIN YOURSELVES AND LOOK WITHIN YOUR HEART AND APPROVE THE $2 MILLION TO HELP THEM AND PROVIDE THEM SOME LEGAL

[04:05:02]

DEFENSE. >> I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE TRUST YOU AND WE TRUST THE SYSTEM.

WE TRUST THIS COUNTRY WHICH IS WHY WE COME FROM SO FAR AWAY TO BE ABLE TO COME HERE IN HOPES OF A BETTER DREAM. THEY HOPE -- WE HOPE THEY RESPECT OUR RIGHTS.

I DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANYMORE OF YOUR TIME, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW I RESPECT YOU AND

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> INTERPRETER, PLEASE STAY ON.

ISMAEL GARCIA WITH LIVING HOPE WHEELCHAIR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> I AM A MEMBER OF LIVING HOPE WHEELCHAIR DISABILITY AND ALSO PART OF THE COMMISSIONS FOR

HOUSTON COMMISSIONS WITH DISABILITIES. >>

>> WITH MY EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS DISABILITIES AND IMMIGRANTS.

>> SINCE I AS WELL HAVE A DISABILITY AND AN IMMIGRANT MYSELF I SUPPORT THE SYSTEM OR WHERE YOU GUYS -- I DO APOLOGIZE. FOR YOU TO GRANT THE

$2 MILLION. >>

COURTS. >>

LIFE WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES AT THIS MOMENT. >>

>> ANY LEGAL ATTEMPT IS SEVERE, ESPECIALLY NOW WITH THE PANDEMIC.

>>

HAS CAUSED US. >>

FAMILIES WHO STRUGGLE EVERY DAY TO SURVIVE. >>

SPANISH]. >> LAWYERS CHARGE UH LAT. I.

>> -- A LOT. >>

DISASTROUS SITUATION FOR OUR FAMILY. >> AND IT WILL CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN THE SITUATION WITH HIGH MARGINALIZATION.

>>

FUNDS BECAUSE A LOT OF THE DETENTION CENTERS -- >>

>> THEY ARE NOT A SPECIAL PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO BE IN. >>

>> NOT TO MENTION THAT THEY NEED MEDICATIONS ON THE DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

>>

[04:10:12]

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. >>

WITH ME ON LIVING HOPE. >> CERTIFICATE FOR THEM -- IT WOULD BE A DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR THEM.

>>

REPORTING -- >> HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION. THEY DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO GOOD REPRESENTATION.

>>

$2 MILLION. >>

THE LEGAL DEFENSE FOR IMMIGRANTS. >>

>> THIS WOULD PUT SOMETHING PERMANENT IN THEIR BUDGET AND HOPEFULLY SOMETHING IN THE

FUTURE THEY WOULD INCREASE. >> FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT SUPPLY SO MUCH TO OUR COMMUNITY, PROVIDE

SO MUCH. >>

>> OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD

DAY. >> THANK YOU, INTERPRETER. KRISTEN KATZ WITH BAKER

RIPLEY. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS KRISTEN KATZ AND I AM THE SUPERVISING IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WITH BAKER RIPLEY. I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR BOTH FUNDS IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT ITEM 22C4. AT THE TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR PROPOSING THE CREATION OF THIS PROGRAM. I WORKED FOR 10 YEARS AND I WORKED WITH THE ADVOCATES OF VIOLENCE VICTIMS. AFTER GRADUATING FROM GEORGETOWN LAW CENTER I PROVIDED FREE LEGAL SERVICES TOIM GRANTS SURVIVORS OF -- TO IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS.

I LATER RELOCATED TO SAN ANTONIO WHERE I PROVIDED FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO DETAIN IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN LOOKING FOR PROTECTION IN THE U.S.

I WORKED WITH IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE IN A NUMBER OF CAPACITIES.

I PRIMARILY FOCUS ON PAID IMMIGRANTS IN NEED OF SERVICES I PROVIDE THIS BACKGROUND INFORMATION BECAUSE WHEN I SPEAK OF HIGH QUALITY, LOW COST OR FREE REPRESENTATION I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE. HOUSTON IS HOME TO 1.6 MILLION IMMIGRANTS AND THERE IS OVERWELMING NEED FOR IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES. NEVERTHELESS THERE ARE LEGAL PROVIDERS OFFERING LEGAL SERVICES TO IMMIGRANTS. BAKER RIPLEY HAS SEEN THE NEED OF SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANTS SURVIVORS. WE TURNED AWAY 59 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR [INAUDIBLE]. DEMAND FOR THESE SERVICES IN THE PROGRAM HAS OUT PACED CAPACITY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

WE KNOW FROM SPEAKING TO OTHER NONPROFITS THAT THEY TOO ARE EXPERIENCING OVERWHELMING NEED IN LIMITED RESOURCES. WE ARE SUPPORTING FUNDS LIKE THIS AND IT IS ON A WAY TO PATHWAY AND SECURITY. YOU MAY WONDER WHY I AM FOE QUASS OWED NONPROFIT LEGAL PROVIDERS AND WHY THEY NEED THESE PUBLIC FUNDS TO WOULDN'T AND EXPAND THEIR WORK BY SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE. IT HAS BEEN A SAFE AND REPUTABLE PLACE TO SEEK

[04:15:05]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR WEIGHING IN, KRISTEN. ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING WITHOUT MUCH SUPPORT OF ANYWHERE ELSE OTHER THAN YOU JUST FIGURING IT OUT. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> TAHIRI JUSTICE CENTER. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS CARLA PEREZ AND I AM A STAFF ATTORNEY AT THE TAHIRI JUSTICE CENTER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. WE PROVIDE HOLISTIC LEGAL SERVICES TO I'M -- IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF GENDER VIOLENCE. WE SUPPORT THE ALLOCATION OF $500,000 FOR A CRIME VICTIMS FUND IN THE COUNTY AND WELCOME ANY OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE A CHANCE FOR OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND FOR SURVIVORS OF CRIME. I WANT TO THANK JUDGE HIDALGO FOR INVOLVING IMPACTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE PROCESS.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE VOICES BE HEARD. I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER. MY TESTIMONY COMES FROM MY EXPERIENCE AS A NON-PROFIT STAFF ATTORNEY AND AS A FORMERLY UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT.

MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS AND BEST FRIENDS ARE UP DOCUMENTED AND LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. OUR CLIENTS ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES LIKE PASADENA. DISCRIMINATION AND FEAR OF DEPORTATION PREVENT IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS FROM SEEKING LEGAL RECOURSE FROM GENDER VIOLENCE.

IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR IMMIGRANT OFFICERS -- IMMIGRANTS TO EXECUTE THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. WHILE THIS CULTURE OF FEAR EXISTS IT IS MORE PERVASIVE.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL TRAUMA MAKES NAVIGATING OUR COMPLICATED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM A HUGE CHALLENGE. WITHOUT LEGAL REPRESENTATION THEY ARE UNLIKE -- UNLIKELY TO OBTAIN. IY CO WHAT -- I ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUE WAS SPEAKING TO IN REPRESENTING IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS FLEEING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. OUR OFFICE IS ONLY ABLE TO TAKE A FRACTION OF CASES.

THEY CART THEM AWAY WHEN ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE. IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO SEE LOVED ONES STRUGGLE TO FIND REPRESENTATION AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION THEY CAN AFFORD AND PUT THEM ON A PATH FROM BEING PROTECTED FROM DEPORTATION.

THE NEED IS GREAT AND INCREASING YET LEGAL REPRESENTATION IS FINANCIALLY INAGO -- IN IN-- IN IN-- INAGO SETTABLE. FEW CAN AFFORD A PRYETT -- PRIVATE ATTORNEY. AND IT PROVIDES FREE SERVICES SUCH AS OURSELVES.

THEY ARE FEW IN NUMBERS AND OVERWHELMED. OUR TOWN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RELIEVE THE STRAIN. WHEN OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THRIVE SO DOES OUR COUNTY.

I SUPPORT THE ALLOCATION OF $500,000 IN OUR COUNTY AND ASK YOU TO DO THE SAME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> ANDREA GOODMAN. I'LL COME BACK TO HER.

>> GUADELOUPE FERNANDEZ WITH THE TAHARI JUSTICE CENTER. >> HI.

I AM GUADELOUPE FERNANDEZ FROM THE TAHARI JUSTIN -- JUS LISTEN TER.

WE PROVIDE HOLISTIC SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA SUCH AS DO

[04:20:06]

IN MY EIGHT YEARS OF DOING FRONT LINE WORK I HAVE SEEN HOW THE IMMIGRATION STATUS HAS BEEN USED AS A TOOL TO PERPETUATED VIOLENCE. THEY USE IT AS A TACTIC OF ABUSE RECOGNIZING THIS, CONGRESS OVER THE YEARS CREATED IMPORTANT PROTECTIONS FOR IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS. IMMIGRANTS CRIME SURVIVORS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SOME OF THE VISAS AND NEED TO HAVE THEIR APPLICATION CERTIFIED BY A DESIGNATED OFFICIAL.

A POLICE OFFICER, PROSECUTOR OR JUDGE TO CONFIRM THEIR PARTICIPATION AND ASSISTANCE IN BRINGING THE CASE TO JUSTICE. THESE PROTECTIONS ARE A CRITICAL LIFELINE FOR SURVIVORS OF CRIME. IT IS TO ENSURE SURVIVORS AND WITNESSES CAN SEEK SAFETY WITHOUT LOOMING THREAT OF DEPORTATION.

POLICIES HAVE CREATED A DANGEROUS TIME. INCREASING IMMIGRATION IN THE AREA AND CHANGING DEPORTATION PRIORITIES. THE EROSION OF PROSECUTAL DISCRETION AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE AND FAMILY SEPARATION AND ATTACKS AND THE NUMEROUS ON GOING REGULATORY CHANGES WITHIN THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM ARE ALL FORMS OF SYSTEMIC VIOLENCE.

THESE CHANGES HAVE UNDER MINDED SAFETY AND I'M GRABT -- IMMIGRANT VICTIMS ARE PUSHED TO THE MARGINS. IT WILL TAKE A LONGTIME TO UNDO THE FARM AND THE IMPACT -- AND UNDO THE IMPACT OF THE POLICIES. OUR ORGANIZATION SUR -- SERVED 600 VICTIM ADD -- ADVOCATES. THEY ARE ENGAGED IN THE SYSTEM TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS.

70 PICKS% -- 76% OF SURVIVORS HAVE CONCERNS OF CONTACTING POLICE.

SURVIVORS ARE AFRAID THEY WILL BE REPORTED TO ICE AND REMOVED FROM THEIR CHILDREN.

THIS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.

THEY ARE FEARFUL ANY CONTACT PUTS THEM IN A MORE DANGEROUS POSITION.

52% WORK WITH SURVIVORS WHO DROPPED CIVIL OR CIVIL CASES BECAUSE THEY WERER FOOFUL TO

CONTINUE -- FEARFUL. CAPACITY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I'M UH -- I'M AFRAID WE HAVE TO STOP YOU AT TIME. THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

>> SURE GADE

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. >> ANDREA GUTIN WITH HILSC.

GO AHEAD. >> I AM ANDREA GUTIN AND THE LEGAL DIRECTOR FOR THE HOUSTON IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES CLAP BRA -- COLLABORATIVE. I AM HERE TO REQUEST COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO TESTIFY ON 22G4. WE WERE ASKED TO SURVEY MEMBERS OF OUR COALITION AND IT IS A CRIMES WORKING GROUP IN WHICH 15 PROVIDERS TAKE PART. WE SURVEYED THE ORGANIZATIONS TO ASK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF NEED THEY ARE SEEING FROM THE COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF NUMBERS AND WHAT CAPACITY THEY HAVE TO RESPOND TO THE NEED THIS. IS DATA FOR 2 -- THIS IS DATA FOR 2019.

WE HAVE ABOUT SEVEN ORGANIZATIONS RESPOND. THEY SAID ALL OF THE PARTNERS EITHER MAINTAIN THE WAIT LIST OR THEY HAVE TO STOP TAKING ON CRIME VICTIM CASES FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO LACK OF CAPACITY. NOT EVERYONE MAINTAINED A WAIT -- WAIT LIST, BUT THOSE THAT DID VARIED. THEY HAD TO WAIT AND SOMETIMES IT WAS A THREE-MONTH WAIT AND ANOTHER A FIVE-MONTH WAIT LIST.

ONE AGENCY HAD TO WAIT 9 MONTHS, AND THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF A LACK OF CAPACITY. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAD TO STOP TAKING NEW CASES ALTOGETHER. TWO ORGANIZATIONS WERE NOT ABLE TO TAKE THEM ON FOR SIX MONTHS AND ANOTHER FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. FIVE PARTNERS TURNED AWAY 825 CRIME VICTIMS IN 2019 DUE TO LACK OF CAPACITY. WHILE SOME WERE ABLE TO TRACK

[04:25:04]

CRIME VICTIMS CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR MANY TIMES OF RELEASE. PEOPLE THINK OF NEW VISAS, BUT INDIVIDUALS CAN HAVE BETTER CASES FOR DACA OR ADJUSTMENT OR CITIZENSHIP.

SOME COULD BE AN ACT OF DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS. AND CASES CAN TAKE A LONGTIME. IT CAN TAKE THREE YEARS NEW VISAS CAN TAKE THREE TO FIVE YEARS. AND THAT'S DEPENDING ON THE CASE.

ADJUSTMENTS TAKE ONE TO THREE YEARS. FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM IT CAN TAKE FIVE YEARS AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS OUTSIDE THE DE PENSION, -- DETENTION THAT COULD TAKE THREE, FIVE OR TEN YEARS.

THESE ARE LONG CASE THAT'S REQUIRE A LOT OF LEGAL ATTENTION.

RIGHT NOW THE FUNDS WILL GO A LONG WAY IN REMEDYING THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS. >> ELISE GRISMEYER WITH

CATHOLIC CHARITIES. GO YOU A HEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COURT ABOUT THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, BUT ALSO SPES SPIC -- SPES -- SPECIFICALLY FOR AGENDA ITEMS OF CRIME.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WE LEAD THE IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF CRIMES FREE OF CHARGE. WE ARE A SMALL PROGRAM. WE ARE FIVE FULL TIME STAFF MEMBERS BUT CAN REPRESENT QUALIFYING FAMILY MEMBERS. AS MUCH AS WE LOVE TO DO MORE WE HAVE TO TURN AWAY DOZENS FOR LACK OF CAPACITY. PARTICULARLY WHEN SURVIVORS HAVE A COMPLEX CASE. IN 2020 WE WERE ON -- UNABLE TO TAKE MU CASES FOR FOUR MONTHS. THE NEED IS SO GREAT IN HOUSTON, BUT AS THINGS ARE BECOMING MORE COMPLICATED THEY ARE FORCED TO DECREASE THE CASE LOAD.

IT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE RECOVERY AND WELL BEING OF IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS.

I WILL TELL YOU BRIEFLY ABOUT CLAUDIA WHO SUFFERED PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABUSE IN HER MARRIAGE. HER UH BEESER REMINDER -- HER ABUSER REMINDED HER OF HER IMMIGRATION STATUS AND IT KEPT HER FROM GOING TO THE POLICE FOR YEARS.

SHE BELIEVED HER HUSBAND HAD ALL OF THE POWER UNTIL ONE DAY HE CHOKED HER UNCONSCIOUS IN FRONT OF HER DAUGHTER. SHE TOOK HER CHILDREN AND FLED.

ULTIMATELY OVER THE COURSE OF A DECADE WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN HER A GREEN CARD.

NOW SHE IS A SELF-SUFFICIENT SINGLE MOTHER AND INDEPENDENT AND HARD WORKING AND HER KIDS ARE THRIVING IN THE HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SHE WANTS TO BECOME A COUNSELOR AND HELP OTHER WOMEN WH -- WHO EXPERIENCED ABUSE. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT PRO-BONO SERVICES. FOR MANY IT IS THE ONLY OPTION AVAILABLE. SHE WAS LIVING IN A SHELTER AND KIDS TO SUPPORT.

SHE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD PRIVATE REPRESENTATION THAT IS $5,000 OR $SEN,000.

AND MANY THINGS ARE TIME SENSITIVE. IT CANNOT WAIT FOR NONPROFITS. WE DON'T WANT IMMIGRATION BENEFITS TO BE DETERMINED BY WHO HAS MONEY. THIS IS A QUESTION OF DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE. IF WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE FOR THE VULNERABLE POPULATION NOT ONLY CAN THE SURVIVORS PARTICIPATE WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY SAFETY, BUT SURVIVORS CAN MOVE FORWARD IN PEACE AND RECOVER AND ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND MOVE FORWARD.

I SINCERELY HOPE YOU WILL PASS THIS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SONYA CORALES.

HOUSTON WOMEN CENTER. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THIS IS SONYA WITH THE HOUSTON WOMEN CENTER. I AM THE CHIEF OFFICER HERE. FOR 42 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO END DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE TO SUPPORT ALL IN BUILDING SAFE AND HEALTHY LIVES. THROUGH EDUCATION AND SHELTER AND TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU -- ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AND I

[04:30:06]

WHEN SOMEONE EXPERIENCES VIOLENCE, THE IMMIGRATION STATUS SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO THINK ABOUT OR BE CONCERNED WITH. IT SHOT -- IT SHOULD NOT BE A DETERRENT. WE KNOW IT PROVIDES A PATHWAY TOEN -- TO MANY IMMIGRANT PROVIDERS. THEY ARE UNABLE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNLESS THEY ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN TRAUMA INFORMED AND LINGUISTIC AS -- ACCESS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THAT IS A CRITICAL PIECE. THIS PRO FOESED -- PROPOSED PROGRAM IS THAT MUCH MORE OF AN EXAMPLE. THEY ARE A REFERRING PARTNER OF THE COLLABORATIVE AND WE STAND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA IN CREATING THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM THAT WILL PLAY -- WHICH IS GOING TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROVIDING A LIFE-CHANGING BRIDGE TO SAFETY AND WELL BEING FOR IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN. AND FINALLY AS MANY OF US HAVE HEARD, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS SURGED IN THIS ON GOING PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE SEEN CALLS SURGE AND WE NEED ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES MORE THAN EVER.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SONYA, THANK YOU.

JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? SONYA, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND SPEAKING.

I WANT TO COMMEND YOU AND APPLAUD YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM. SEEING YOUR WORK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL VICTIMS BE ABLE TO COUNT ON SOME DEGREE OF SUPPORT AND SERVICES.

SOME VIC -- SOME VICTIMS NEED MORE SUPPORT. THIS HELPS VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE REGARDLESS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCE TO GET FULL SUPPORT OF THE RESOURCES AND THE ATTENTION. THANK YOU AND GIVE ALL OF YOUR CO-WORKERS MOO I SINCERE --

SINCEREST APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR YEARS OF ADVOCACY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE FIELD AND ADVOCATING FOR SURVIVORS FOR

AT LEAST THE 28 I HAVE BEEN HERE. >> YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO MENTION

THE YEARS, ALL RIGHT? THANK YOU. >> JUDGE I AM UNMUTING THE

INTERPRETER. INTERPRETER, YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> RAMIREZ.

>>

PRESIDENT OF THE LIVING HELP ORGANIZATION. >>

>> AS YOU MIGHT BE AWARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS ORGANIZATION ARE VICTIMS OF CRIME LIKE I

WAS 22 YEARS AGO. >> YEARS AGO A DRUNK DRIVER, A WOMAN DROVE OVER ME WITH HER VEHICLE AND WENT OVER MY CHEST

AND I BASICALLY HAD ISSUES WITH MY BACK. >>

>> I IT IS A VERY SITUATION. I NOW SUFFER WITH INTENSE PAIN AND NOT TO MENTIONS THE CHANGES IN MY LIFE. IT IS DRASTIC WHEN YOU GO FROM A PERSON HAVING TO WORK AND DO

[04:35:04]

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE, BUT AT THAT TIME I ENDED UP APPLYING FOR A PROGRAM THAT WAS COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIMES. PEOPLE WHO SUFFERED IN CRIMES OR ARE VICTIMS OF CRIME AND THEY OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

THE PROGRAM IS BASICALLY WHAT HAS SAVED MY LIFE. >>

>> YES, UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS TIME THAT PROGRAM IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

IT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH FINANCIAL HELP. WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS TO THEM IT IS BASICALLY VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO ASSISTANCE. THEY DON'T HAVE AN ABILITY TO WORK AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO

NOT HAVE MONEY FOR THEIR SURVIVAL. >>

>> FORTUNATELY IF SOMEBODY IN THE SITUATION IF THEY END UP UNFORTUNATELY IN A WHEELCHAIR LIKE I DID, GRATEFULLY OUR PROGRAM IS ABLE TO ASSIST THEM. THEY CAN PROVIDE THEM WITH SUPPLIES AND AN ELECTRIC BED AND DIAPERS AND PADS AND ANYTHING THEY MIGHT NEED.

WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO ASSIST THEM WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND THAT'S WHY I AM GRATEFUL AND VERY APPRECIATIVE TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND JUDGE HIDALGO FOR ASSISTANCE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE. >>

>> WELL, THAT'S IT. I JUST WANTED TO THANK THEM FOR ALWAYS TRYING TO HELP OUR PEOPLE. I WANTED TO THANK THEM AND GOD BLESS YOU.

AND THAT WILL BE ALL. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GRACIAS.

>> GRACIAS. >> THANK YOU, INTERPRETER. >> THANK YOU.

>> MIESHA COUL -- COLTER WITH ADA. >> THANK YOU.

I AM THE CEO OF ABDA. ABDA HAS BEEN SERVING THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOR 40 YEARS. WE ARE A NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO ENDING THE FAMILY VIOLENCE BY ADVOCATING FOR THE SAFETY AND SELF-DETERMINATION OF VICTIMS AND PROMOTING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ABUSERS AND FOSTERING A COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO ABUSE.

OUR PRIMARY SERVICES INCLUDE LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAMS THAT HELPS TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND GETTING LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN THE FAMILY COURTS AND PARTICULARLY THE FAMILY COURTS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE ALSO SERVE FORT BEND COUNTY AND AUSTIN WALLER AND WASHINGTON AND GRIMES. WE ARE IN ABSOLUTE SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE FOR SURVIVOR SERVICES IN IMMIGRATION LAW WE HAVE MANY CLIENTS WE SERVE THAT HAVE THE DUAL NEED OF NOT ONLY OUR REPRESENT -- REPRESENTATION IN THE FAMILY COURTS, BUT ALSO IN REGARD TO THEIR IMMIGRATION. WE SERVE VICTIMS WITHOUT ANY CONSIDERATION OF THEIR STATUS. AND SO WE UNDERSTAND

[04:40:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> JUDGE THOSE ARE ALL OF THE

SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I CLEARLY MISS CAL LATE -- MISCALCULATED

[I. Departments (Part 3 of 4)]

THOSE ARE THE ONES FOR THE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM AND ITEMS C2 AND 4 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4 ARE UNDER THE SURVIVOR SUPPORT PROGRAM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I BOTH OF THESE OR ALL OF THESE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? COMMISSIONER CAGLE -- THERE. YOU ARE BACK.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? WE HAVE FOUR ITEMS. THEY ARE BASICALLY IN TWO CATEGORIES. THE FIRST SET OF CATEGORIES IS THE GENERIC DEFENSE OF THOSE IN THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM. JUDGE, ARE YOU WAIVING AT ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. I HAVE A MOSQUITO. I'M SORRY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THOUGHT I WAS SAYING SOMETHING THAT YOU WERE TRYING TO GET MY ATTENTION ON THERE. I SEE THIS AS TWO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

THE FIRST DEALS WITH FEDERAL ISSUES AND FEDERAL IMMIGRATION. WHEN THIS CAME UP BEFORE IN FEBRUARY I ARE -- ARTICULATED THAT THOUGH I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE NONPROFITS AND THE WORK IN THIS AREA, THIS IS NOT THE PER -- PER VIEW OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND TAXPAYER DOLLARS. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE $2 MILLION FOR THE -- FOR THAT DEFENSE FUND. HAVING SAID THAT, I HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW WITH REGARD TO VICTIMS OF CRIME THAT ARE OCCURRED HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHICH I BELIEVE IS IN THE COUNTY PER VIEW AND THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY. I WOULD NOTE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR D.A.'S OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE A PROGRAM WHICH HELPS FOLKS GET THEIR NEW VISAS SO THEY CAN THEN PROSECUTE THOSE WHO HAVE PERPETRATED AGAINST THOSE IN THE SYSTEM. I WOULD MAKE WAY AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE PROVIDE SOME FUNDING TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE TO ASSIST THEM IN TRYING TO PROSECUTE THOSE WHO COMMIT VIOLENT CRIMES WITHIN OUR REGION TO GO ALONG WITH THE FUNDS THAT WE MAY BE APPROVING FOR OUR NONPROFITS THAT WORK WITH THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CRIME WITHIN OUR

REGION. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

[04:45:04]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ADDING THE D.A.'S OFFICE TO ITEMS 22C -- 22C3 AND C4.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE WOULD LIKE TO BRING IT UP AS A SEPARATE ITEM, THEN DO IT.

AS IT RELATES TO THE ITEM I MOVE TO TAKE IT. >> STEVE RADACK: I SECOND

COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I MADE A MOTION TO TABLE IT FIRST. IF I HAVE A SECOND WE WOULD VOTE ON THAT ONE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND IN THE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR

OF TABLING THE MOTION? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I AM ON BOARD WITH THAT. I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS DESIGNED THIS WITH HIS STAFF AND I'M SURE IT CAME THIS WAY FOR A REASON.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANT TO ADD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, OBVIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU AS THE BUDGET COMES AROUND.

RIGHT NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD BE ADDING TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE IN THIS REGARD.

SO THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR VICTIM SERVICES IN TERMS OF HELPING TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS WOULD BE -- THEY WOULD HAVE SOMEONE TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE NEW VEE -- VISA -- THE U VISA AND S VISA AND IT WOULD INCLUDE OTHER WORK TO ENSURING THE DEVELOP MEANT OF MODEL

POLICIES TRAINING POTENTIALLY. >> ALTHOUGH THEY ARE PARALLEL, I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT INTERSECT. I WILL WORK WITH YOU ON THE

BUDGET IN THE D.A.'S OFFICE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND YOUR MOTION AND COMMEND YOU AND THE JUDGE ON YOUR WORK. I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSIST WITH THE ITEM COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE REFERENCE TO. THE NUMBER OF METRICS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE COMPLY WITH ALL OF THOSE.

IT IS MOTIONS, I THINK. MOTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A

MOTION ON -- GENTLEMEN. >> I HATE TO -- YES. >> I HATE TO INTEREST -- INTERRUPT. CAN YOU FINISH ON THE VOTE TO TABLE COMMISSIONER CAGLE STEVE

NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JAMES.

THAT CARRIES 3-2. COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS MOVED ALL OF THE ITEMS. I THINK HAVE YOU THEM, BUT IT IS 8G1, 2, 3, 4 AND 2285 ON PAGE 24 AND C2 AND 4.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED THE MOTION.

>> AND THAT'S AS PRESENTED ON THE AGENDA? >> LINA HIDALGO: AS PRESENTED,

YES, JAMES. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I AM OPPOSED TO 8G, 22A5.

I AM IN FAVOR OF 22C3 AND 22C4. >> STEVE RADACK: JAMES, THIS IS RADACK. I VOTE THE SAME WAY AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME VERIFY. I THINK YOU MEAN 22C.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOUR NUMBERS ARE OFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS

C THREE AND C FOUR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: C THREE AND C4.

C2 AND C3. MY ALL -- MY APOLOGIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: C2 AND C4 COMMISSIONER CAGLE. C3 IS ABOUT THE TRANSITION OF COUNTY OFFICES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND C4. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES?

>> REPEAT THE VOTE. >> STEVE RADACK: I AM RADACK AND NO ON C2 AND C4.

>> SO 8G1 THROUGH 4 IS A 5-0 UNANIMOUS? UNANIMOUS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE HAS BEEN A MISTAKE. I WILL WALK YOU THROUGH IT, JAMES. SO THE WAY IT GOES IS THAT 22C 2 AND 22C4 ARE UNANIMOUS.

BOTH ARE UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2. 8G1, 2, 3, 4 AND ITEM 5 ON

[04:50:04]

PAGE 24, THOSE ARE PASSED 3-2. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO ITEMS UNDER COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ARE UNANIMOUS.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANTED TO THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR WORKING WITH CHRIS AND MY OFFICE AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT'S ARE OUT THERE DOING INCREDIBLY HEAVY LIFTING AND HAVE BEEN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

I HOPE WITH THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION WE WILL SEE SOME LEGAL REFORMS AND WILL MAKE THIS A MOOT POINT. I AM GLAD HARRIS COUNTY IS AGAIN LEADING IN THIS REGARD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I ECHO EVERYTHING YOU SAID AND THANK YOU AND THANK YOUR STAFF FOR YOUR COLLABORATION. THAT'S DONE.

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TO COME BACK AT 4:00 BECAUSE WE SCHEDULED SPEAKERS.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THE TIME MISMANAGEMENT TODAY. LET'S TAKE A LUNCH BREAK UNTIL LEAN WE ARE BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE BACK. I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS WE WOULD TAKE UP YOUR ITEM AT

4:00. LET'S GO AHEAD AND -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW SHE IS TRYING TO GET CONGRESSWOMAN JACKSON LEE AND AL GREEN. I WILL JUST START BECAUSE IT

IS TAKING A SECOND. DO YOU HAVE THEM? >> WE WERE JUST INFORMED TO CALL THEM SO WE ARE DOING THAT RIGHT NOW. I WAS GOING TO SAY WE HAVE

COLETTE ON THE LINE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU -- WHEN YOU GET THE CONGRESS PEOPLE --

I WILL LAY THE GROUNDWORK AND JUDGE IS THAT ALL RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS

ITEM B3 UNDER COMMISSIONER ELLIS' AGENDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

WE KNOW THE COUNTY DID A DISPARITY STUDY TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT YOU HAVE TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY TO SET UP A MINORITY WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE PROGRAM. THE FIRST PHASE IS YOU HAVE TO DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN WITH A RACE NEUTRAL PROGRAM. WE HAD ONE AND DIDN'T DO WELL.

THE NUMBERS WERE EMBARRASSING. 91% OF THE COUNTY'S SPENDING WENT TO WHITE MALE BUSINESSES. .5% OF CONTRACTS WENT TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND 4.6 TO HISPANICS AND .6% TO PEOPLE OF ASIAN ANCESTRY.

.1% WENT TO NATIVE AMERICANS. 3.2% FOR WHITE WOMEN. OBVIOUSLY WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM. UNLIKE YEARS AGO AT CITY HALL, WE TRIED TO DRAFT OUR OWN PROGRAM AND THERE WAS SOME FLAWS. THEN THE SUPREME COURT RULED AND YOU HAVE TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY. IT WAS AN AWFUL DECISION.

OBVIOUSLY PUSHED BY CONTRACTORS WOULD BENEFITED FROM THE STATUS QUO AND WANTED TO KEEP BENEFITING FROM IT. I WAS SO STRESSED OUTLAST NIGHT WHEN I WAS READING IT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING. IT IS A GOOD DECISION TO READ IT.

IT SHOWS THE DEPTHS OF RACISM THAT PEOPLE WILL GO TO TO JUSTIFY THE STATUS QUO.

FOR THURGOOD MARSHALL'S ENLIGHTENING DISSENT, I SUGGEST YOU READ IT IF YOU ARE AN INSOMNIAC LIKE ME. I ASKED AND THE COURT AGREED TO GET COLETTE HOPE WHO DID OUR DISPARITY STUDY TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSED SET OF PRINCIPALS OR PROGRAMS. HOPEFULLY LATER TODAY WE WILL PICK A NEW PERSON TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. SHE WILL PUT MEAT ON THE BONES, SO TO SPEAK, WORK OUT THE DETAILS. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT CHANGES CANNOT BE MADE.

I DON'T WANT US TO GET SUED. THE STITD -- THE STUDY CAME BACK AND WE HAVE HAD IT FOR SIX MONTHS WHILE MS. HOLT HAS BEEN WORKING UP OUR PRINCIPALS AND POLICIES FOR OUR PROGRAM I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SUE US BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD AN ADVANTAGE AND THEY WANT

[04:55:02]

DON'T MESS IT UP FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. I CAN SEE WHY HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT BACK THEN. HE WAS WRONG AND WE WERE RIGHT. COLETTE HOPE DRAFTED THIS POLICY. I KNOW HAVE YOU SOME SLIDES. I WANT US TO VOTE TODAY.

IT DOES PRESIDENT MEAN THAT CHANGES -- IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT CHANGES CAN'T COME LATER. I DON'T WANT US TO GET SUED. SOME OF THE SAME PEOPLE ASKING FOR THE DELAY WILL BE THE FIRST TO GET SOME OF THEIR FRIENDS FILING A LAWSUIT AND ACT LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL THROWING A ROCK AND THEN HIDING BEHIND IT. I RESEPTEMBER ANYBODY TO -- RECENT ANYBODY TO DO THAT. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO TRUST ME.

I WAS THE ANTAGONIST PUSHING IT AND I PUT THE DISPARITY STUDY INTO LAW AND PUT IN THERE THE GENERAL SERVICES COMMISSION THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS HAD A PROBLEM FOR 32 YEARS. WE ARE THE LAST DIVERSE URBAN AREA IN AMERICA TO DO ONE. IF STEVEN F AUSTIN GOT HIS LAND GRANT IN 1824 I GUESS OLD JOHN HARRIS SHOWED UP AND MAYBE THAT WAS -- HE SHOWED UP ABOUT TWO YEARS EARLIER TO ESTABLISH A CLAIM TO WHAT IS NOW HARRIS COUNTY, THEN WE MAY BE LATE, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT AND IF WE WANT TO MAKE CHANGES, MAKE CHANGES. MS. HOLT, WELCOME.

>> COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE, WE DO HAVE THE SPEAKERS ON THE LINE ALREADY.

SHOULD WE START THAT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL TAKE THE CONGRESS PEOPLE.

>> CONGRESSMAN JACKSON LEE, GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COMMENT. IT IS ALWAYS EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH THE VERY POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS WHO ARE PROVIDING FOR OUR COUNTY AND CONSTRUCTIVELY WORKING WITH OUR CITY AND THE MANY CITIES.

AND SO TO THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT LET ME THANK YOU TO COUNTY JUDGE HUH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS THERE, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

I BELIEVE THAT THE ITEM WE ARE DISCUSSING, THE NWBE PROGRAM IS ACTUALLY, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE COUNTY. IT IS AN ENHANCEMENT OF YOUR TAX BASE AND THE AMOUNT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD BE IN US SENSE POURING DOLLARS BACK INTO THE COUNTY BASED UPON THEIR WORK AND AS WELL THE REWARD THEY GET FOR THEIR WORK. CLEARLY THERE IS A SITUATION THAT IS UNUH TENABLE THAT -- UNATENNABLE THAT MANY WILL RECOGNIZE AND THAT IS THAT THE NUMBERS THAT WE FACE BASED ON A PRODUCTIVE STUDY THAT THE COUNTY DID BETWEEN 2016 AND 2019 AND LOOKING AT $9 BILLION OF CONTRACTS AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE WENT TO NODC'S OF ANY KIND.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO CITE THE NUMBERS. AFRICAN-AMERICANS HOLD A .5% OF THE CONTRACTS. BY NO MEANS COMPARING TO THE POPULATION IN HARRIS COUNTY WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST INTERNATIONAL AND DIVERSE COUNTIES IN THE NATION.

IF YOU WANTED TO DO A HYPERBOLE, IN THE WORLD. HISPANICS HOLD 4.6% OF THE CONTRACTS. ASIANS .6% OF THE CONTRACTS. NATIVE AMERICANS ARE 0.1% AND WOMEN IS 3.2%. NOT IN ANYWAY COMPARING TO POPULATION OR IN FACT TO ELIGIBLE, CONSTRUCTIVE AND BUSINESSES THAT ARE WELL ABLE TO DO THE WORK -- THE

[05:00:06]

MY CONCLUDING SENTENCE IS, BOTH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN OFFERED PROGRAMS COMPARABLE TO THE PROGRAM HERE. REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO MORE IN INVESTING IN SMALL BUSINESSES AND MINORITY BUSINESSES. THIS IS A VERY GOOD PROGRAM. IT WILL BE A STAR IN THE CAP

OF ALL OF YOU FOR INVESTING IN SMALL BUSINESSES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING IN IN SUPPORT OF THIS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A

QUESTION FOR YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MY QUESTION TO CONGRESS PERSON SHEILA JACKSON LEE WAS DO YOU HAVE MORE THINGS TO SAY? THE BEEPER WENT OFF ON YOU AND I WAS GOING TO EXTEND TO YOU THAT PRIVILEGE OF GETTING TO ASK THE QUESTION SO YOU CAN GO PAST THE BEEPER. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY TO YOU?

>> COMMISSIONER, IT IS A PLEASURE TO OVERLAP WITH YOUR GREAT DISTRICT.

I THINK I KNOW WHO I AM SPEAKING TO. YES, I WANT TO CONCLUDE ON THIS POINT. THE ONE THING I SEE IN NWBE PROGRAMS ARE THE MENTOR PROTEGE ASPECT OF IT. THE RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT YOU WILL PROVIDE AN ECONOMIC ENGINE AND FOR A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE THIS PROGRAM WILL HAVE MONITORING ORDERS BECAUSE EVERY DOLLAR AND EVERY TIME AND THOSE OF US IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND PUBLIC LIFE IS IMPORTANT. AND I GUESS I WILL CONCLUDE ON THE FACT THAT WE ARE RICHLY BLESSED BY THE DIVERSITY IN OUR COUNTY. YOU ALL REPRESENT YOUR COMMISSIONERS DISTRICTS AND I KNOW YOU WILL BE THE FIRST TO ATTEST THAT IT HAS GOTTEN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE. AND THEN WE CAN JOIN IN BY SAYING WE ARE NOT ALONE.

BOTH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AT THE TIME VIEWED THE IDEA OF INVESTMENT IN MAJOR REVISITING OF BLACK COMMUNITIES AND OTHER MINORITY COMMUNITIES AS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT.

ONE USE -- UTILIZE THE PLATFORM PROPOSAL AND ONE USED THE MINORITY EQUITY PROGRAM.

THANK YOU FOR YIELDING TO ME. I WANTED TO CONCLUDE AND SAY YOU ARE NOT ALONE IF YOU VOTE ON THIS I THINK VERY INSTRUCT TIFF AND WELL DOCUMENTED PROPOSAL AND YOU WILL GAIN FINANCIALLY IF YOU UTILIZE THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO GROW THESE SMALL BUSINESSES.

THEY WILL IN TURN REWARD YOU AS YOU REWARD THEM. THANK YOU FOR THAT EXTRA

TIME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, CONGRESSWOMAN.

APPRECIATE HEARING YOUR THOUGHTS AND FOR YOU LENDING YOUR SUPPORT.

CONGRESSWOMAN -- JUDGE IF I MIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

CONGRESSWOMAN, ARE YOU STILL THERE? >> YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED YOU TO WEIGH IN ON ONE OTHER SUBJECT.

IT WAS LATE WHEN I CALLED YOU AND I DO WANT TO THANK YOU. YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE AND I APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. THE CONTRACTORS SEWS YAGS -- ASSOCIATION MAYBE OUT OF NOT KNOWING, WE ARE ASKING FOR A DELAY WHICH I AM AFRAID COULD PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE THESE MAJOR CONTRACTS COME UP WE COULD GET SUED. AND SECONDLY THEY DON'T WANT AN MWBE IF THEY ARE LUCKY ENOUGH AND THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT THREE IN OUR REGION THAT ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET TO BE -- YOU HAVE GRADUATION PROGRAMS AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE

[05:05:05]

FOR EXAMPLE, I WAS BLACK IN 1954 WHEN I WAS BORN. I HAVE BEEN BLACK UP UNTIL A MINUTE AGO, UNLESS IT CHANGED, AND IF SOMEHOW I LOOKED UP AND I GET TO BE A PRIME, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT DISCRIMINATION ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT AWAY.

I AM STILL BLACK OR BROWN OR ASIAN OR FEMALE OR NATIVE AMERICAN, AND I WANT TO DISADVANTAGE THEM AND ONLY HAVE THE MWBE'S AS SUBS. I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO BE PRIMES. I WANT TO LET YOU WEIGH IN ON THAT.

I KNOW MS. HOLT CAN COMMENT ABOUT IT. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WHAT YOU HAVE PROTECTED GOING BACK TO PERRY MITCHELL LETS YOU CONSIDER THE FACT ARE YOU BLACK, BROWN, FEMALE, NATIVE AMERICAN IN THE FEDERAL PROGRAM.

CHICAGO DOES IT. NEW YORK DOES IT. ONLY PLACE THAT DOESN'T IS HOUSTON, AND I AM ASHAMED TO SAY THAT IT WAS SO DIFFICULT TO GET OUR POLICY PASSED IN 19 84 BECAUSE THE CONTRACTORS HAD US BY THE NECK. EVERY DISPARITY STUDY THE CITY HAS DONE THE LAST TWO HAVE RECOMMENDED TAKING THAT OUT. THE MAYOR IS THINKING ABOUT TAKING THAT OUT. I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HIM AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE WILL.

HE IS LOOKING AT TRYING TO GET SUPPORT TO TAKE IT OUT. I DON'T WANT -- I SAID BEFORE YOU CAME ON AND STEVEN S AUSTIN SHOWED UP IN 1824. THE PEOPLE MAKING THE MONEY HAD THEM ALL THOSE YEARS, ALMOST 200. I WON'T BE AROUND.

YOU MIGHT, BUT I WON'T BE HERE 50 YEARS FROM NOW AND I DON'T WANT MWBE'S TO BE RELEGATED TO

THE BACK OF THE BUS AND I WILL LET YOU COMMENT ON IT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXTENDED COURTESY AND I WANT TO BE COURTEOUS TO THE FELLOW COLLEAGUES, BUT I AM GLAD YOU RAISED THE QUESTION WITH ME. IT REQUIRES BRIEFLY A HIS STORE -- HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE YOU HAVE ELOQUENTLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CAPTURE. I WANT TO PUT BACK ON THE TABLE AGAIN THE NUMBERS VERY QUICKLY. THESE NUMBERS REPRESENT A STUDY BETWEEN 2016 AND 2019.

IT MAY BE REDUNDANT, BUT WORTH REPEATING. NO STUDY WAS DONE BEFORE THEN. SO THEY COULD HAVE GONE DOWN OR UP A MEASURE OR SLIGHT AMOUNT. AND TAKE 50 YEARS. JUST TAKE 50 YEARS.

THIS IS 2020 AND SO THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN 1970. YOU CAN IMAGINE IT GOES BACK EVEN FURTHER. LET'S JUST USE THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

THAT MEANS THERE WAS BETWEEN 0 AND 0.5% FOR BLACKS. AT SOME POINT IT PROBABLY WAS 0. IT PROBABLY WAS 0 FOR HISPANICS AND IT WAS 4.6% DURING THAT PERIOD SO IT WAS PROBABLY 0 FOR ASIAN, .6%. IT WAS PROBABLY 0 FOR NATIVE AMERICANS, 0.1% AND WHITE WOMEN, 3.2% AND PROBABLY WAS 0 FOR THAT.

I HAVE THE GREATEST RESPECT FOR THE HOUSTON CONTRACTOR ASSOCIATION.

WE SEE THEM IN WASHINGTON AND I AM A BELIEVER IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

MAYBE WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM NEWS THAT WE WILL PASS A BIPARTISAN PACKAGE FOR THE NATION VERY SOON. WE HOPE IT GIVES PEOPLE JOY. WITH THAT BACKDROP, I WILL SAY THE DELAY IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO BUILD YOUR ECONOMIC ENGINE.

I WILL CONTINUE TO STAND ON THAT AND BUILD A STRONG FORCE.

AND THE WHOLE QUESTION ABOUT THE PRIME NOT BEING COUNTED AND THAT THEY THEN HAD TO ADD TO THEIR PARTICULAR PROPOSAL DOES NOT SPEAK TO LOGIC. IF THEY MANAGED TO CLIMB TO A PRIME STATUS, IT DOES NOT SPEAK TO LOGIC. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN A PRIME FOR 50 YEARS OR 70 YEARS. THE FACT THAT THEY ARE PRIME, THE ASPIRATIONAL GOAL IS 70%.

THAT IS PART OF THE GOAL AND THE COUNTY WILL MONITOR THAT. THEY WILL HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE I'M SURE TO ADD TO THE NUMBER. IT IS DISCRIMINATORY IN A

[05:10:02]

I THINK YOU HAVE A VERY GOD -- VERY GOOD ROAD MAP TO RESPOND TO THE CONTRACTORS AND EMBRACE THEM AND HAVE THEM CONTINUE THEIR GREAT WORK AS YOU BUILD THIS FARM TEAM.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW OF MWBE'S THAT WILL THEN BE ANOTHER ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THIS GREAT COUNTY. DON'T BLOCK THE DOOR ON WHAT WILL BE A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTORS TO THE ECONOMY IF THEY ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MULTI LEVELS OF PROJECTS THEY CAN DO AND AS A PRIME GIVE THEM THE RESPECT OF THE FACT THEY ARE A PRIME, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE A MINORITY. THAT SHOULD NOT BE DENIED AND IT SHOULD COUNT.

YOU WILL SEE THAT IS THE RIGHT AND APPROPRIATE WAY TO GO. I HOPE THAT IS IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION. I AM GOING TO YIELD AT THIS MOMENT.

BUT I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO THE URGENCY AND ALSO THE ROAD MAP AND THE FACT THAT WE UNDERSTAND PRIMES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT HAPPEN TO BE MINORITY.

AND THEY CAN COUNT BECAUSE IT TOOK THEM A LONG, HARD WAY TO GET TO WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRESSWOMAN BEFORE YOU DROP OFF COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A

COMMENT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SPEAKING TO US. IT IS A PLEASURE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE TOGETHER.

CONGRESSWOMAN AND CONGRESS PERSON, HEARD IT BOTH WAYS. WHAT DO YOU PREFER?

>> YOU CAN CALL ME SHEILA AS LONG AS YOU ARE CALLING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, BUT

CONGRESSWOMAN IS WHAT WE USE IN WASHINGTON. >> I WANT TO DO IT THE RIGHT WE YOU PREFER. I READ THE CONTRACTOR ASSOCIATION SUGGESTION SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY. WHAT I READ WAS WHEN YOU GET TO BE ONE OF THE BID PRIMES THAT THEY KEEP THE DOOR OPEN BEHIND THEMSELVES AND THAT THEY ALSO CONTINUE TO APPOINT SUBS THAT ARE NOT THEMSELVES, BUT OTHER MWBE-TYPE COMPANIES SO THE PROCESS OF GROWING FUTURE FIRMS IS AN ON GOING PROCESS AND THAT'S HOW I READ THEIR SUGGESTION.

I THINK I READ IT DIFFERENTLY THAN MY COLLEAGUE MAY HAVE READ IT.

I MIGHT HAVE READ IT WRONG. BUT THE CONCEPT BEING ONCE YOU ARE ONE OF THESE FOLKS WHO GETS THE HALF A BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT OR THE 100 MILLION PROBLEM JECT.

PROJECT YOU CANNOT APPOINT YOURSELF, BUT YOU ARE BRINGING SMALLER COMPANIES.

YOU USED THE PHRASE THE FARM TEAM GOING AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING IN NEW FOLKS AND THAT'S HOW I READ THEIR SUGGESTION. THAT'S SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN

THE WAY MY COLLEAGUE MAY HAVE READ THE SUGGESTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I BASED MY INTERPRETATION ON 36 YEARS OF BEING INVOLVED IN THIS SPACE AS A POLICY MAKER.

AND ABOUT 33 YEARS OF HAVING BEEN ACTIVE WITH A AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC OWNED FIRM. IT WAS NOT HERE IN HOUSTON, BUT PROBLEM -- PROBABLY IN DENVER, COLORADO WHEN MY PARTNER, RICHARD RAMIREZ, AND I ENDED UP BEING IN A POSITION WHERE WE COULD LEAD AN ISSUE. THE POINT IS, LIFE IS NOT A CRYSTAL STAIRWAYS -- STAIRCASE. CONGRESSWOMAN, YOU CAN RELATE TO THAT.

WHEN YOU GET THERE, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE.

IN THE BUSINESS I WAS IN, IF WE EVER END UP WITH A BLACK FEMALE OR HISPANIC FIRM THAT WOULD BE A GOLDMAN SACKS OR A CHASE OR SMITH BARNEY. THEY HAVE TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT. THE OTHER FIRMS HAVE HAD VENTIS, DECADES OF AN

[05:15:03]

AND THAT'S WHAT THE COURT REQUIRED. THAT KEEPS MANY JURISDICTIONS FROM DIVIDING THE PROGRAM. THE REASON THE GOVERNMENT AND NO CITY I COULD DEFINE -- AND MRS. HOMENT COULD COMMENT ON THIS, NOBODY DOES IT BUT HOUSTON.

THEY HAD A FEISTY, WHOLE HEAD OF HAIR COUNCILMEMBER SAYING IT WAS ABOUT TIME.

THEY HAD TO GO TO THE CONTRACTOR'S ASSOCIATION TO GET IT PASSED AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS ADDED AND IT HAS NEVER COME OUT. IT COULD BE A MATTER OF A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON IT. I DON'T WANT TO LEGAL -- TO RELEGATE THEM TO THE BACK OF THE BUS AND THAT'S WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN FOR DECADES. THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME. I CAN RESPECT YOUR TBRENS OF -- DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND LET'S KEEP GOING WITH THE SPEAKERS BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE A FEW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU CONGRESSWOMAN FOR TALKING TO US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HOPEFULLY IT CLARIFIED IT FOR YOU, COMMISSIONER AND I WOULD CONCLUDE, JUDGE BY SAYING I THINK THE HOUSTON CONTRACTOR'S ASSOCIATION WILL BE WELL PLACED AS THIS MWBE PASSES AND THEY WILL FIND THEMSELVES BENEFITING FROM MINORITIES WHO ARE COUNTING IN THE PROCESS. IT WILL BE AS MUCH PROSPEROUS FOR THEM AND THE MINORITIES IN THE PROGRAM. I ENCOURAGE YOUR RESPECTFUL CONSIDERATION AND HOPEFULLY YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR THE COUNTY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CONGRESSMAN GRANT WILL COME ON AT SOME

POINT AND MS. HOLT IS THE ONLY OTHER ONE I HAD. >> THANK YOU.

>> CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN. GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JUDGE, MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND FRIENDS. LET ME START WITH THE FURTHER INTRODUCTION. I AM A SON OF THE SEGREGATED SOUTH.

THE LAWS AND THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THE CONSTITUTION RECOGNIZED, THE RIGHTS THE CONSTITUTION RECOGNIZED WERE NO RIGHTS. I SAT ON THE BACK OF THE BUS AND I DRANK FROM A COLORED WATER FOUNTAIN. I HAD TO STEP OUT OF LINE TO ALLOW PERSONS OF A DIFFERENT HUE TO STEP IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS CALLED NAMES AND THE KLAN BURNED A CROSS IN MY YARD. I HAD UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH DISCRIMINATION IN THE LAW. I WANT TO FOCUS ON A SPRENT ASPECT -- ON A DIFFERENT ASPECT ON THIS. FROM A PERSON WHO SUFFERED DISCRIMINATION. BE -- WE HAVE SET ASPIRATIONAL GOALS.

THESE ASPIRATIONAL GOALS CAN BE AN INSPIRATION. WHEN PEOPLE ARE AWARE THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITIES AND THEY SEEK OPPORTUNITIES. IT MIGHT BE A BROTHER, A FRIEND, OR A

[05:20:05]

I HAD NO IDEA A BLACK PERSON COULD BE A CONGRESS PERSON. WHEN I MET MICKEYLY -- MICK -- MICKEY LEYLAND AND I HAD A EXPERIENCE I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD.

HE WAS AN INSPIRATION. NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

HE WAS N INSPIRATION FOR A A GOOD MANY PEOPLE. THIS ASPIRATIONAL GOAL CAN PROVIDE THE MEANS BY WHICH MANY PEOPLE WILL SEE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WAS NOT THERE BUT WAS IN THEIR MINDS. I AM PLEADING FOR YOU TO LET'S SET THE GOAL AND DO IT RIGHT AWAY. I KNOW THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO DELAY, BUT IT HAS BEEN QUITE AWHILE. I THINK WE CAN ALL CONFESS THAT IT IS LONG OVERDUE.

WHY NOT DO IT NOW AS OPPOSED TO LATER? I BUY INTO THE ARANGEMENT THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS GIVEN US ABOUT BEING SUED. I THINK THAT IS A RELEVANT AIRING -- ARANGEMENT -- ARGUMENT, BUT A MORE RELEVANT ARANGEMENT ARE THE -- ARGUMENT

IS THE CENTURIES AND DECADES OF DISCRIMINATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD

CONGRESSMAN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL BE

>> TERSE WITH THE REMAINDER OF MY COMMENTS. I AM IMPLORING WE WILL DO THIS AND DO IT RIGHT AWAY OF -- RIGHT AWAY. IT IS A GOAL.

AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID 9% GOING TO MWBE AND ON THE MARKET THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

I WILL CLOSE BY REMINDING MY COLLEAGUE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THAT I WAS WITH HIM WHEN WE TOOK THIS BEFORE THE CITY AND IT WAS A CHAPPING -- CHALLENGE THAT WE EMBRACED WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH OTHERS. WE DIDN'T DO IT BY OURSELVES. NOBODY DOES ANYTHING ALONE.

IT COULD HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BETTER, BUT I DO BELIEVE WE NEED NOT START IN A PLACE WHERE WE WILL AT SOME POINT WANT TO MOVE ON FROM. WITH THE NOTION THAT WE WANT TO HAVE THE PRIME TO HAVE SUBS THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITY. IF YOU CHECK WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE YOU WILL PROBLEM BLOW FIND HE HAS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF MINORITY PEOPLE IN HIS OFFICE. MY CHIEF OF STAFF IS A MALE. HE IS GAY.

MY DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF IS A FEMALE. SHE IS PAKISTANI.

MY LD, THE ELECT TIFF DIRECTOR -- LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR IS A FEMALE AND SHE IS CHINESE.

WE TEND TO BRING PEOPLE IN WHEN WE GET IN. IT WORKS THAT WAY.

WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. IT IS IN US TO BRING OTHERS ALONG. I DO BELIEVE THESE PRIMES ARE GOING TO HAVE WHAT IS BEST AND WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GROW. WE DON'T HAVE MORE THAN ONE BLACK BANK THAT IS CAPITALIZED AT MORE THAN 1 BILLION. MAYBE THERE ARE TWO.

A BALANCE DOLLAR BANK IS A SMALL BANK. IT IS NOT A BIG BANK.

IT IS SMALL. I MENTION IT BECAUSE IN ALL ASPECTS WE ARE IN A GROWTH MODE NOW. LET'S MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE GROWTH MODE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I RESPECT ALL OF YOU AND I ASK YOU TO GIVE THIS YOUR STRONG E -- STRONGEST CONSIDERATION. I WILL DO WHAT I CAN TO HELP IN A POSSIBLE -- POSITIVE

WAY. THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK THE -- TO THANK THE JUDGE. THE PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP AND

[05:25:05]

I REMEMBER BEING YOUNG AND CRAZY MEETING WITH THE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION AND BACK THEN GOING TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE. I HAD ENOUGH HUCKSPA TO NOT BACK DOWN BECAUSE I HAD AL GREEN AND THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND THE NAACP COVERING MY BACK. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CONGRESSMAN, THANK YOU FOR COMING. I REMEMBER YOU GOING BACK TO WHEN I WAS A YOUNG LAWYER AND YOU WERE A VERY YOUNG JUDGE WE BOTH LIKED BOOKS AND LIKED TO READ YOU USED TERMS BACK THEN LIKE YOU DID TODAY. YOU SAID YOU WOULD BE TERSE AND LACONIC.

THAT'S POET CAL. YOU STILL SPEAK THAT WAY TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR

SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US. >> THANK YOU.

IF I MAY RESPOND TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE WHO I KNOW AFFECTIONATELY AS JACK.

HE KNOWS ME AFFECTION -- AFFECTIONATELY AS AL. HE AND I HAVE SHARED STORIES AND EXCLINGED -- AND EXCHANGED LETTERS AND READING MATERIAL. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WHAT I HAVE GONE THROUGH HAS NOT CAUSED ME TO HAVE DISDAIN FOR MY COUNTRY I -- I LOVE MY COUNTRY. IT MEANS SOMETHING TO ME. AND IT MEANS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO MAKE ANOTHER SEMINOLE ADVANCEMENT, IF YOU WILL.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE I APPRECIATE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN. >> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS STEVE RADACK. WE WILL TALK AGAIN AT 3:00 ONE MORNING.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THE THINGS THAT YOU AND I HAVE WORKED ON TOGETHER. MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS IN YOUR PRECINCT.

AND -- YOU AND I WERE ABLE TO WORK THINGS OUT AND GET IT DONE QUIETLY SO WE CAN BOTH GET RE-ELECTED. I VALUE THE THINGS WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER AND I SEE THIS AS ANOTHER GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US. I SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY LONG OVERDUE. WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WHICH HAS NOT BEEN

DONE, BUT SHOULD BE DONE WE OUGHT TO DO IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

CONGRESSMAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRESSMAN AND THE CONGRESSWOMAN HOPPED OFF, BUT I AM SO GLAD, COMMISSIONER, YOU INVITED THEM BOTH TO SPEAK.

HEARING THEM SHARE WHAT THEY OBSERVED TELLS US WE HAVE SUCH A WAYS TO GO.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING HARRIS COUNTY CAN DO. FOR A LONGTIME AND AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER, IT IS HARD. IT IS NOT AN EASY THING TO SOLVE BUT FOR A LONGTIME THE WAY THE CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED IT IS NOT WHAT YOU KNOW, BUT WHO YOU KNOW. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY AND IT WILL TAKE EFFORT.

IT IS ONLY A PIECE OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN HARRIS COUNTY TO ACHIEVE BROADER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY. I AM GLAD YOU BROUGHT THIS ITEM AND I AM SO GLAD CONGRESSMAN GREEN AND CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE TO TAKEN THE TIME AND

SHARE THE CONTEXT OF THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT CONGRESSMAN GREEN WAS AROUND AND CONGRESSWOMAN JACKSON.

I COOPERATE -- COULDN'T CATCH UP WITH CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA. IT WAS LONELY WHEN I WAS

[05:30:01]

THEY WILL COME OUT THE END OF DECEMBER AND JANUARY. I'M ASSUMING BECAUSE NOBODY WAS COLLECTING THE DATA THEIR NUMBERS MAY NOT BE WHAT THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE AS WELL.

IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY. MOST AREAS GOT IT RIGHT. WE TALKED ABOUT SOME TRAINING AND MENTORING AND SOME BONDING. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT NOW. I HOPE IT IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND I THINK IT CAME FROM THE NIXON ERA AND THERE WERE SOME AFRICAN-AMERICAN REPUBLICANS DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA AS A WAY TO CUT IN. SOMEHOW THEY GOT LOST IN THE MIX. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM COLETTE.

>> IF I CAN AT THIS TIME -- YOU ARE CORRECT. REPUBLICANS HELPED US WITH WHAT IS CALLED THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAMS. I AM HOPEFUL WE WILL HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. AND MY DIRECT -- MY DISTRICT DIRECTOR IS A LATINA, RACHEL RODRIGUEZ. WE TEND TO DIVERSIFY WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU, OVER. GOD BLESS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER, I DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER THAT WE CALLED BEFORE WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO GO ON TO COLETTE. IT IS DR. LAURA MURILLO. MORINO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I CAN CATCH HER, I WILL TELL HER I CAUGHT YOU.

>> WE WERE THERE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER, ON DAY ONE OF THESE LONG CONVERSATIONS REGARDING THE DISPARITY STUDY. I WANT TO THANK THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS. FACTS ARE FACTS AND YOU CAN'T ARGUE WITH THOSE.

LET ME JUST SAY THAT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WALKS THE WALK.

I CAME TO THE CLAIM -- CHAMBER 15 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS 100% HISPANIC AND 90% MEXICAN-AMERICAN AND ABOUT 90% ALL FROM THE SAME THREE ZIP CODES.

FAST FAST-FORWARD AND YOUR HOUSTON HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS DIVERSE.

OUR BOARD HAS UP TO 40% NONHISPANICS BECAUSE WE KNOW FOR HOUSTON TO SUCCEED AND HARRIS COUNTY TO SUCCEED WE MUST BE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE DISPARITY STUDY AND I AM HERE TO ASK YOU GIVE THIS STRONG CONSIDERATION. HARRIS COUNTY CAN DO BETTER AND TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE INCLUDE PEOPLE SUCH AS SOMEONE YOU HAVE ALREADY ASSISTED. THIS IS ONE OF THE EMERGING LEADER IS -- LEADERS WHO QUIT HIS CONSTRUCTION JOB AND HELPED HIS IMMIGRANT FATHER WHO HAS A FOOD TRUCK TO KEEP THE FAMILY SUSTAINED. HE APPLIED FOR A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY.

THE FUNDS YOU ALL PROVIDED FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IS SOMETHING HEN -- WE ENCOURAGED HIM TO DO. WE FILLED OUT THE PAPERWORK WHICH IS SO MUCH EASIER THAN WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUT OUT. HE KEPT HIS BUSINESS ALIVE.

HE IS A CONTRACTOR AND HE WAS ABLE TO PAY HIS EMPLOYEES. THE CHAMBER OPENED DOORS FOR HIM. HE IS ONE OF OUR EMERGING LEADERS.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SEE HIM SUCCEED AND BECOME THE ON THRAW -- THE ENTREPRENEUR THAT WE WILL BE PROUD OF. HE HAS THE WHEREWITH ALL TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND HAVE ACCESS TO $1 BILLION WORTH OF WORK THAT THE COUNTY WILL CHANGE HIS CAREER THRAW GEEK -- TRAJECTORY. YOU ALL HAVE THE POW WRIER TO DO THIS.

THE POWER TO DO THIS. PLEASE CONSIDER CHANGING WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING.

[05:35:08]

THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP RESOURCES WHEN THEY NEEDED YOU MOST.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AGAIN AND CHANGING THE WAY HARRIS COUNTY DOES

BUSINESS FOREVER. MY THANKS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. JACK THIS IS JACK

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS JACK. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MS. HOLT, ARE YOU ON THERE? >> SHE IS ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH EVERYBODY. I HAVE TO BE HONEST. I HAVE TO CATCH MY BREATH TO HAVE THE HONOR OF FOLLOWING ANY CONVERSATION WITH CONGRESSWOMAN LEE AND CONGRESSMAN GREEN. I HAVE TO GET IT TOGETHER HERE.

THANK YOU FORGIVING ME -- FOR GIVING ME TIME TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROPOSED POLICY.

I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE AT ANY POINT.

I BELIEVE MS. SILVA IS MY HUMAN CLICKER. I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SEE THE POWER POINT. IF YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE DISPARITY FINDINGS.

OUR ESTEEMED LEADERS HAVE WALKED YOU THROUGH THEM QUICKLY SO I WON'T SPEND A LOT TIME ON THIS. OTHER THAN TO LET YOU KNOW THERE IS AMPLE STATISTICAL AND EQUAL -- QUALITATIVE INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THE ADOPTION OF A RACE AND GENDER-BASED PROGRAM FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO ENSURE ALL PROGRAMS HAVE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR YOUR WORK. BOTH AS PRIME CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT DISPARITIES BETWEEN MWBE AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION. IT REFLECTS THE DISPARITIES IN THE OVERALL HOUSTON AREA ECONOMY WHERE THE PROGRAMS ARE NOT PRACTICED MUCH. OUR ANECDOTAL DATA COLLECTION SUPPORTED THE COP COLLUSION THAT WOMEN AND MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS HAVE RACE AND GENDER BARRIERS. THE DISPARITY STUDY HAS MANY COMMENTS VERBATIM.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. YOU CAN SEE AS BEEN MENTIONED, THIS IS WHAT THE STUDY FOUND FOR THE COUNTY'S UTILIZATION OF COUNTY OWNED FIRMS BY MINORITIES.

91% OF THE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO NONMWBE'S. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MAY I ASK THE GOOD DOCTOR A QUESTION ON THE LAST SLIDE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. JOSH

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DOCTOR -- >> NOT UNLESS WE WILL CALL JURIS DOCTORS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SOMEWHERE I THOUGHT YOU HAD A DOCTOR IN PHILOSOPHY.

>> YES, BUT THAT'S OKAY. YOU CAN CALL ME COLETTE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY APOLOGIES THERE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS EARLIER MADE A REFERENCE TO 91% BEING WHITE MALE. I GUESS THAT WAS JUST HIS ASSUMPTION THAT NONALL MWBE'S ARE THAT. WHEN I LOOK AT THE TOP 10 CONTRACTS THAT YOU HAD FORWARDED TO US, ALL OF THOSE WERE BIG COMPANIES THAT HAD BOUGHT DASH DABBING BID IN -- BID IN THE COMPETITIVE PROCESS. IS THERE A WAY TO SEE WHAT THE RACIAL PICK -- MAKE UP IS OF LARGE CORPORATIONS? IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY ARE WHITE MALE. MANY COULD BE OWNED BY FEMALES AND OTHER ENTITIES.

HOW DOES THAT WORK IN TERMS OF THAT? TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THERE. I KNOW MANY COMPANIES GRADUATE AND THERE ARE OTHER COMPANIES -- FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF OUR LARGER CONTRACTORS IN THE SELECTIONS DEPARTMENT IS LINE BARGER THAT IS PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND FEMALE OWNED AND OPERATED. HOW DO WE DIVE INTO THIS NONM WR BE NUMBER -- NONMWBE TO SEE WHAT IS THE MAKE UP OF THE FOLKS THAT IS NOT SO CLEARLY DEFINED.

[05:40:02]

>> LET ME BE CLEAR. IN THE STUDY WE WERE VERY, VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THE TERMINOLOGY. I WOULD NOT HAVE SAID THAT 91% OF THE DOLLARS WENT TO WHITE MALES. WE ARE CAREFUL TO SAY THAT THESE SIMPLY ARE FIRMS THAT ARE NOT MAJORITY OWNED BY WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED FIRMS. IT INCLUDES LARGE PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES AS WELL AS EVEN NOT FOR PROFITS.

THAT'S WHY WE USE THE TERM NONM. THIS DOES INCLUDE FIRMS FOR WHOM THERE REALLY IS NO REASONABLE CONCEPT OF RACE OR GENERAL -- OR GENDER OWNERSHIP.

THE WHOLE POINT OF THE EXERCISE IS TO REMEDY RACE AND 6 DISCRIMINATION.

WHO KNOWS WHAT THE OVERALL MAKE UP OF THE STOCK OF APPLE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT HAVE DISCRIMINATORY BARRIERS.

OUR AVAILABILITY MEASURES ARE NOT JUST TO CERTIFIED -- CERTIFY TERMS. THERE MAY BE SOME THAT GRADUATED BUT THEY ARE MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE CAREFUL ABOUT THE CATEGORIES AND HOW WE DESCRIBE THEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I NOTICED THAT YOUR REPORT WHAT WAS VERY CAREFUL.

WE MAY BE LOOSER IN OUR LANGUAGE. HERE IS MY FINAL QUESTION.

IS THERE A WAY THAT OUT OF THE NONMWBE'S HOW MANY ARE WHITE MALE JUST LIKE YOU HAVE UNDER NWBE, THOSE CATEGORIES THAT ARE THERE IS THERE A WE -- A WAY TO GO IN THAT IS THE

NON-MWBE'S ARE NOT WHITE MALES? >> I DON'T THINK IT IS RELEVANT. IT IS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS. WE CAN FIGURE OUT IF WE SPEND ENOUGH TIME WHAT THE CORPORATE BOARD IS OF DEL -- DELL AND TESLA. IF IT IS TO REMEDY RACE AND SEX DISCRIMINATION THERE MAY BE PRIVATELY HELD FIRMS THAT ARE SOMEWHAT OWNED.

I OWN A SHARE OF APPLE STOCK. THE QUESTION IF PEOPLE ARE GIVEN FULL AND FAIR OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPETE. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE OUT LAW -- UTILIZATION NUMBERS THIS LOW THERE IS NO REASON TO ASSUME THEY ARE IN THE NONMWBE CATEGORY.

WE DON'T SEE THAT. THESE FIRMS ARE SMALL. ANYBODY BIDDING HUNDRED MILLION PROJECTS AND AT THAT POINT THEY ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE BARRIERS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT WAS AVAILABLE TO HARRIS COUNTY, THEY ARE SMALL FIRMS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET OVER THE BARRIER SO THEY CAN BECOME THE NEXT TESLA OR THE NEXT DELL OR SOFTWARE COMPANY OR THE GIANT INSTRUCTION COMPANY. THEY JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE. ONE CAN TRY TO DELVE IN, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT WILL GET

US. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WASN'T TRYING TO GET INTO THE PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY CATEGORY. I WAS JUST TRYING TO -- SO I CAN HAVE THAT -- WHITE WOMEN IS THERE AS A SUB CATEGORY AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHERE IN THE MIX IF WE WERE TO ADD THE CATEGORY OF WHITE MALES WHERE THAT WOULD POP UP.

SO AS A COMPARISON TO WHAT WE HAVE VERSUS THE NONES. IT IS A SENSE OF HOW BAD THE PROBLEM MAY BE. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME ASK THAT QUESTION.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME INTERRUPT YOU I MAY HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THAT QUESTION THERE. >> NO, I AM HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. THAT'S MY PURPOSE. I AM DELIGHTED TO TAKE ANY

[05:45:04]

THIS IS THE WEIGHTED AVAILABILITY AND IT REFLECTS THE SPENDING PATTERNS.

A WEIGHTED AVAILABILITY IS A HEAD COUNT OF WHAT IS OUT THERE AND THIS REPRESENTS WHERE YOU SPEND YOUR FUNDS WITH THE LARGEST SHARE OF YOUR SPENDING BEING ON CONSTRUCTION CON -- CONTRACT IS -- CONTRACTS. YOU CAN SEE THE AVAILABILITY AT 28%. WE TALK -- TALKED ABOUT STRICH -- STRETCHING IT TO 30%. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. WHEN WE COMPARED IT TO THE UH -- THE AVAILABILITY FIRM A COUPLE OF THINGS ON HOW TO READ THIS CHART.

THE COURTS TOLD US IF YOU HAVE DIS-- DISPARITY RATIOS THEY WERE LOWER AND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF DIS-- DISCRIMINATORY ISSUE. CERTAINLY IF YOU GET BELOW 80% YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. THESE ARE VERY, VERY LOW. VERY FEW COUNTY DOLLARS WILL GO INTO THESE GROUPS AND THEY WERE MORE AVAILABLE THAN THE DOLLARS THAT THEY RECEIVED.

NEXT SLIDE. BASED ON THE SET OF FINDINGS WE DECIDED TO HAVE A RACE AND GENDER-BASED PROGRAM. IT DOES HAVE NEUTRAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND THOSE ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF ANY PROGRAM AND NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED.

WE URGE YOU TO DO THAT. IT SUPPORTS THE RACE AND GENDER PROGRAM WHERE YOU ARE INTENTIONALLY TRYING TO ENSURE THAT WOMEN AND MINORITY FIRMS HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR WORK. OUR SUGGESTION WILL SET YOUR ANNUAL SEPARATIONAL GOAL AND CONTRACT GOALS ON THE STUDY RESULTS. TO ADOPT SOME ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS WE SAW PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS AND WHITE WOMEN WERE BEING VASTLY UNDER UTILIZED. THEY COULD BE ON THE PROGRAM AND THIS IS TO ADDRESS THE REQUIREMENT THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS DISCUSSING.

THE CITY OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA WOULD ACCEPT MINORITY FIRMS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE DEVELOPED A METHODOLOGY TO TAYLOR WHAT THE MARKET AREA IS SO YOU ARE NOT EXTENTING BEYOND WHAT YOU HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO REMEDY.

WE ARE SUGGESTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. IT IS CRITICAL YOU HAVE ADEQUATE STAFF AND SYSTEMS SO YOU MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PROGRAM IN -- INTEGRITY SO YOU CAN FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE DATA YOU CAN GENERATE. AND LASTLY WE SUGGEST A PILOT PROGRAM. AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT ONES YOU CAN DO.

WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK TO THE STAFF ABOUT WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE.

WE HEARD FROM MANY OF THE MWBE'S AND WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH LARGER FIRMS SO THEY CAN LEARN THE ROPES AND MAKE CONNECTIONS.

FLYNN CAN TEACH YOU HOW -- SOMEONE CAN TEACH YOU TO DO TO ANYTHING.

MOST PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE SOMEONE TO TEACH THEM AS CHILDREN, YOU KNOW, HOW TO THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS AND MAKE THE CONNECTIONS. THE MENTOR PROTEGE PROGRAM IS SOMETHING WE URGE YOU TO CONSIDER. AND OF COURSE THERE HAS TO BE TRAINING FOR CITY STAFF AND TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT THE NEW SYSTEM AND GOAL SETTING AND WHAT THE NEW ELEMENTS WILL BE AS WELL AS PROW -- PROVIDING TO VENDORS.

[05:50:11]

YOURS MAY BE DIFFERENT AND VENDORS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE WAY THE PROGRAMS OPERATE.

TRAINING FOR VENDORS IS IMPORTANT. AND THEN LASTLY, BUT NOT LEAST, WE URGE YOU TO ADOPT SOME PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND A TIMETABLE FOR REVIEW.

THE COURTS REQUIRE YOU REGULARLY EVALUATE YOU NEED TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM.

IF SO WHAT CHANGES YOU NEED TO MAKE AND DOING THAT ON A DESIGNATED SCHEDULE.

>> BRIEFLY WHAT WERE THE POLICY PROGRAM ELEMENTS WE DEVELOPED OUT OF YOUR DISPARITY STUDY? WE SUGGEST YOU SET AN OVER ALL ASPIRATIONAL GOAL OF 30%.

THIS IS ALL CONTRACT DOLLARS SO THAT IS DOLLARS TO PRIME VENDORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS.

I WANT TO SAY WHAT AN ASPIRATIONAL GOAL. TH IS NOT A QUOTA.

THIS IS NOT A SET ASIDE. THIS IS AN OVER ALL TARGET FOR WHAT THE CITY WOULD LIKE -- EXCUSE ME, WHAT THE COUNTY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN TERMS OF ITS SPENDING.

IT IS NOT THE GOAL FOR EVERY CONTRACT. IT IS NOT THE GOAL FOR MOST CONTRACTS. THE GOAL IS THE OUT LAW -- UTILIZATION WILL ROLL UP TO THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING TO STRIVE FOR.

AND ALSO IN THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, LET'S ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM IS KEY. WE CAN GIVE UH DISPARITY STUDY AND WRITE YOU ANYTHING. IT IS HAVING COMMITTED PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM THAT WILL BE THE DIFFERENT -- THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMETHING ON PAPER AND A CHECKED BOX AND SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE AN ENGINE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH. THE COUNTY IS RESPONSE -- RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER COUNTY PROGRAMS. ONE THING ABOUT MAKING IT SUCCESSFUL IS IT IS NOT JUST THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM. IT HAS TO BE HARRIS COUNTY'S PROGRAM. ALL DEPARTMENTS WITH ANY VENDOR INTERFACE NEEDS TO SIGN ON TO THE MISSION AND THE GOALS AND THE OBJECTIVE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SPELL OUT WHAT OTHERS MI DO -- OTHERS MAY DO. THEY ARE KEY TO THE ACTUAL OPERATIONS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THESE ARE OUR RACE AND GENDER NEUTRAL MEASURES. MAKING SURE YOU ARE UNBUN DILLING -- UNBUNDLING CONTRACTS WHERE FEASIBLE. MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO TIMELY INFORMATION ABOUT CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES THEY UNDERSTAND AND HOW DO -- HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY. WE URGE YOU EXAMINE THINGS LIKE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE LIMITS AND QUALIFICATIONS. IN OUR INTERVIEWS THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS WAYS THEY COULD REDUCE BARRIER THAT'S IT ITSELF HAS PUT IN PLACE.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT AGENCIES NOT JUST LOOK TO PRIME CONTRACTORS AND MWBE FIRMS, BUT EXAMINE THEY DON'T HAVE UNNAMED OBSTACLES. AND THEN OF COURSE COLLECTING CONTRACT DATA. EVERYBODY AT THE COUNTY, THANK YOU, DWIGHT, AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN GETTING CONTRACT DATA SAYS AMEN TO THIS ONE. IT IS EASIER TO GET YOUR INFORMATION AND MONITOR AND PRODUCE IT FOR THE NEXT STUDY UPDATE.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER PIECES.

WE RECOMMEND FIRMS BESETTER FIGHT -- BE CERTIFIED BY WHO YOU APPROVE.

THE POLICY IS BROAD ON THAT. IT GIVES YOU LOTS OF ROOM TO DECIDE BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE

[05:55:06]

THOSE THAT PERMIT BROKERING IS NOT DOING ANYBODY ANY GOOD. THE COUPLE FIRMS THAT CAN TAKE A LITTLE TINY SLICE AND GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS. IT IS VERY KEY.

THE POLICY DESCRIBES AS A GENERAL LEVEL HOW TO SUBMIT UTILIZATION PLANS AND IMPORTANT PROVIDES A BIDDER OR PROPOSER THAT IS UNABLE TO MEET THE GOAL WILL BE AWARDED THE CONTRACT. AGAIN THEY ARE NOT QUOTAS. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A ROBUST AND CLEARLY DESCRIBED GOOD FAITH EFFORTS POLICY AND PROCEDURE.

AND CERTAINLY THE UTILIZATION PLANS REQUIRE PEOPLE TO SUBMIT THEIR DATA AS THEY GO ALONG.

THE BEST WAY TO GET THEM TO DO IS TO HOLDUP THEIR PAY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE RIGOROUS AND TIMELY IN YOUR DEDICATION. NEXT SLIDE.

WE WANT TO YOU BE ABLE TO AUDIT AND YOU NEED TO SUBSTITUTE A CERTIFIED FIRM NOT ABLE TO DO THE JOB FOR WHATEVER REASON. MAY BE OVERLOADED, THE REQUIREMENTS MAY CHANGE, WHATEVER. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE HOLDING UP YOUR PROJECT WHILE SOMEONE IS TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER CERTIFIED FIRM.

WE SPELL THAT OUT IN SOME DETAIL. YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME TYPE OF SANCTIONS AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO PROCURE -- PROCUREMENT OFFICIALS AND WITHHOLDING PAYMENTS AND DETERMINING THE CONTRACTS AND IT IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO FAIL TO PERFORM UNDER WHATEVER REASON. AND THEN AGAIN IN THE POLICY WE SUGGEST YOU HAVE A FIVE-YEAR SUNSET DATE AND AN ANNUAL REVIEW AND HOW YOU ARE PROGRESSING TOWARD OBJECTIVES. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE MY LAST SLIDE. YES. THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEADION COMMISSIONER GAR -- GO AHEAD

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR MOVING THIS FORWARD.

A QUICK QUESTION ON THE CERTIFICATIONS. TOMORROW IS VETERAN'S DAY AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- I KNOW THE CERTIFICATION FOR VETERAN-OD BUSINESSES EXISTS.

IS THAT ONE CERTIFICATION THAT CAN BE INCLUDED INTO THIS POLICY?

>> WELL, MY SUGGESTION IS IF YOU HAVE A VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES YOU PUT IT IN A DIFFERENT PROGRAM. YOU DON'T CAN -- CANNIBAL LIES YOUR MWBE PROGRAM.

>> IT WON'T HURT? >> WELL, NO. I WOULDN'T SAY I AGREE WITH THAT. MINORITY WOMEN FIRMS THAT ARE VETERAN OWNED WOULD BE COVERED. TO BE CANDID ABOUT IT, IN SOMEWAYS REALLY ADDING VETERANS AS A GROUP WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE AND GENDER WILL CAP BALANCE LIES YOUR MWBE. ON ANY PARTICULAR PROJECT THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH WORK TO DO -- TO GO AROUND. SINCE MY RECOMMENDATION IF YOU WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF DISCRIMINATION, BUT YOU DO THAT IN A SEPARATE POLICY AND A SEPARATE PROGRAM.

IT IS REMEDIAL AND IT IS DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH RACE AND SEX DISCRIMINATION.

IT FALLS UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT GUARANTEES. VETERAN STATUS IS NOT A

[06:00:04]

YOU COULD MAKE UP A NUMBER QUITE FRANKLY. IF YOU ADD VETERANS YOU WILL

TAKE WORK FROM ANY CERTIFIED MWBE'S AND ANY CONTRACT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I GET YOU.

BUT THAT WOULD BE THE CASE ANYWAY. THERE IS ONE ROAD TO BUILD AND YOU HAVE AN MWBE AND THE VETERAN HAPPENS TO HAVE MORE CAPACITY, MORE BONDING CAPACITY AND EXPERIENCE THAN IT WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THE ONE PROJECT OPPORTUNITY.

WE WILL LOOK AT THE PROGRAM AND THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO IN LIGHT OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALING AND WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS. THE SECOND QUESTION IS RELATED TO THE HUB AND THE DBE PROGRAMS AND THEIR NET WEALTH CAPS.

THE CERTIFICATIONS YOU TALKED ABOUT, MAKING SURE WE RECOGNIZE HUB AND DBE ARE

INCLUDED, CORRECT? >> I WANTED TO LEAVE THAT UP TO THE JUDGMENT OF THE NEW DIRECTOR. JADE

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. THESE ARE NOT GUIDELINES.

WE ARE ABOUT TO HIRE A NEW DIRECTOR. IF WE ARE HIRING SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING I WOULD RATHER NOT TIE THEIR HANDS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE AND ALLOW THE NEW DIRECTOR TO WORK THROUGH THEM AND ENGAGE ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS. AND CREATE SOME BUY IN.

COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT I THINK THIS PROGRAM IS IN LINE -- IT SEEMS TO BE IN LINE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. WHICH IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

I I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE DIRECTION TO THE DIRECTOR. WE DON'T WANT STATUS QUO IN THE HOUSTON AREA. I WOULD RATHER HARRIS COUNTY BE A TRUE LEADER AND ESTABLISH SOMETHING MUCH MORE TRANS FOR MA TIFF IS THE WORD YOU USED, COMMISSIONER.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE HEARS THIS AND THERE IS A LOT OF RUNWAY FOR US TO DO

SOMETHING REALLY, REALLY INCREDIBLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AGREE THAT IT IS A POLICY STATEMENT. OBVIOUSLY ANY THREE OF US OR FOUR OR ALL FIVE COULD CHANGE IT AT ANYTIME. I DID WANT TO GIVE HER SOME GUIDANCE AND HAVING BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SLIP IN THE TOILET FIXTURES FOR LIKE $175,000 AND WOULD SLOW DOWN THE FAST PACE TO HAVE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IMAGINE A MILLION DOLLARS TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY IN 1991. I THINK IF I ASKED THE GOVERNOR BEFORE AND THROWING IT ON THE BILL SHE WOULD BE PRYING TO PERSUADE ME NOT TO DO IT. IT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN ESTABLISH A PROGRAM.

MY STAFF WASSING LOOING AT A PROGRAM AND -- WAS LOOKING AT A PROGRAM.

SOMETIMES I WOULD DO SOMETHING FOR VETERANS BECAUSE I COULD GET BUY IN FROM THAT BEFORE I COULD FOR MINORITIES AND WOMEN. IT OUGHT TO BE A SEPARATE

PROGRAM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BASED ON WHAT SEE SAID I AGREE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND SOME HAVE DONE THINGS FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY WHERE THERE WAS

DIS-- DISCRIMINATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND CAN THE LGBTQ BE INCLUDED IN THIS DO

YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO DO ANOTHER STUDY 1234*. >> HAHN -- HONESTLY, THAT'S COMPLICATED AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT. IT THE FIRST ISSUE ABOUT LGBTQ -- LET'S CALL IT SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND TRANSGENDER STATUS.

WHAT IS THE LEGAL STANDARD? WE THOUGHT BE WOULD GET GUIDANCE ON THAT? DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF SEX IS A REALLY ELEGANT ARGUMENT BUT IT SAYS WHAT DOES IT SAY?

[06:05:08]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST SPOKE WITH THE NEW DEVELOPER OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY P -- YESTERDAY, AND YOU ARE MAKING ME THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT SOME OF THESE ARE QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD COURT UH POINT HERSHEY WILL HAVE -- APPOINT HER THAT SHE HAS TO FIGURE OUT. IS IT A WRONG WE RUE TRYING TO -- IS IT A WROFNG -- WRONG THAT WE ARE TRYING TO RIGHT. AND THERE IS A WRONG THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.

AND I DON'T THINK COMMISSIONERS ARE PROPOSING. THE LIMIT SHOULD NOT BE WHAT IS PROTECTED, BUT WE DON'T NEED TO WAIT ON DETERMINING WHERE ALL OF THE DISPARITIES

ARE WHEN WE KNOW THERE ARE DISPARITIES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APPRECIATE THAT AND I WANT TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA. WE CAN GIVE THEM ANOTHER PROJECT TO WORK ON, BUT IT IS ONE AREA THAT MERITS GOOD WORK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR NEW DIRECTOR TO FOCUS ON THAT. THAT'S ONE IMPORTANT AREA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THIS BROADER ISSUE, I HOPE WE ARE A TREND SETTER BECAUSE WE ARE SO LATE. THAT'S SOME OF MY URGENCY, BUT MY RUSH TO GET IT DONE IS BECAUSE WE ARE SLAPPING A NUMBER ON THE CONTRACTS. IF THE NEW DIRECTOR -- WHEN THE NEW DIRECTOR GETS HERE -- I CHATTED WITH HER AND I THINK SHE MIGHT BE DOING SOMETHING AND WILL WATCH IT LATER TONIGHT. OF COURSE BY NOW -- IT IS 5:15

AND SHE MAY BE FINISHED ON THE OTHER JOB. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO WHERE WE

ARE AT -- I GUESS WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE JUST HAVE

A FEW SPEAKERS. YES, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD SAY QUITE A FEW. IF THE SENTIMENT OF THE COURT WE WILL PASS IT -- WHAT WE WOULD DO IN AUSTIN WE WOULD SAY DO YOU WANT TO BE HEARD OR DO YOU WANT US TO PASS IT? I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET AWAY WITH IT IN THE NEW JOB? IT ALWAYS WORKED IN AUSTIN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHATEVER THE PLEASURE IS I WILL BE HAPPY TO GOAT ON THE -- TO VOTE ON THE GUIDELINES WITH DIRECTION THAT THE NEW DIRECTOR WOULD WORK ON THESE AND BRING SOMETHING BACK

TO THE COURT. >> NO PROBLEM AT ALL. IT IS A POLICY STATEMENT.

I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES -- WELL, ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN THE CITY IS -- WELL, YOU DON'T GET TO COUNT YOUR MWBE STATUS YOU HAVE HAD ALL YOUR LIFE WOULD

YOU SAY THAT IS ONE OF THE KEYS? >> THAT'S PROBABLY THE BIGGEST

ONE. >> AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I CLEARLY REMEMBER BEING SUMMONED TO OFFICE BY THE CONTRACTORS AND I WOULDN'T BACK DOWN ON THAT.

>> BY THE SAME TOKEN I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CAREFUL OF THAT.

WHEN I WAS THE CHAIR THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE HAD WAS WE HAD WEALTHY, WEALTHY GOOD PEOPLE. THAT WERE CONSUMING THE WORK. WE WORKED TO CREATE A TURN IN THAT PROGRAM SO THAT MORE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE CITY CONTRACTS AND CREATED WEALTH AND IT CREATED CAPACITY AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CAREFUL IN MAKING SURE -- I

KNOW I I WILL NEVER BE ON THE ROADS -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE ARE

[06:10:02]

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FEW THAT GET TO WHERE HE STWO HIS SPAN -- TWO HISPANIC

AND ONE BLACK IN MY POSITION. I WANT MORE. >> THERE ARE THREE VOTES FOR

THE POLICY SO WE WILL MAKE THAT CLEAR TO THE SPEAKERS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL

SECOND THE ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. SOARD, I KNOW MY STAFF IS CALLING YOU, SUBJECT TO ANY MODIFICATIONS LEGAL HAS.

>> YES, SIR. AS I UNDERSTAND IT IT IS A POLICY SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY SERIOUS MODIFICATIONS AND WE WILL WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE IT FOLLOWS ALL

TEXAS LAW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, I WILL MAKE THE MOTION WE ADOPT IT SUBJECT -- SOMETIME NEEDS TO MUTE. IT IS ADOPTED SUBJECT TO BE SIGNED OFF BY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. WE WILL STILL HEAR THE WITNESSES, BUT THEY WILL KNOW IT PASSED. THAT'S AN OLD TRICK I LEARNED

FROM JOHN WHITMEYER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL BE IN FAVOR, BUT I WANT TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS FIRST. LUCINDA, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL

THE SPEAKERS. >> YES, MA'AM. GARY WADE WITH MWDBE TRAINING

ACADEMY. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

IT IS A DELIGHT -- BELIEVE IT OR NOT, GUYS, I HAVE BEEN ON THIS PLATFORM SINCE 10:00 A.M.

THIS MORNING. I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE WORLD.

I HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE TIME WOULD COME UP, BUT I AM DEFINITELY PATIENT.

I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 22 AND SECTION B3 AND HERE ARE THE ADDITIONS.

I READ COLETTE'S STUDIES EVERYWHERE, BUT WHAT I DO NOT SEE A LOT OF, GUYS IS TRAINING AND EDUCATION. THERE ARE 5,000 MWBE'S AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE STUFF THAT'S IN THE POLICY. BELIEVE IT OR NOT THE MWBDE'S THAT ARE CERTIFIED DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SIMPLE TERM OF PERFORMING THE USE OF FUNCTION.

THEY CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW THE OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS. I ASK THAT THE COMMISSION CONSIDER THIS POLICY. IT IS SOME TYPE OF A TRAINING MECHANISM.

I AM WORKING WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS AND I AM TRYING TO GET INTO BEING CERTIFIED.

IT NEEDS TO COME ALONG WITH SOME QUALIFICATIONS AND STUDIES ALONG WITH 49Z -- 49C406. AND WITH THE TRAINING ACADEMY, WHAT I FOUND AFTER THREE YEARS OF TEACHING IT NATIONWIDE ABOUT 32 HOURS IS A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF TIME SO THAT MWDBE'S WOULD HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF THE RULES OF THE PROGRAM. THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE IS THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAM. THEY HAVE LITTLE TRAINING AND EDUCATION ABOUT THE RULES.

[06:15:06]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> GO AHEAD, I'M SORRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I HAVE TO STOP YOU BECAUSE IT IS TIME. THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND

FOR LISTENING IN TODAY. >> STEVE RADACK: YOU SAY YOU ARE WILLING TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE BUT YOU KNOW HOW YOU WILL VOTE. THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND AND YOU SAID YOU WILL VOTE IN FAVOR. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST. I WILL GO ON RECORD RIGHT NOW SAYING I AM GOING TO VOTE AGAINST IT. AND IT WILL BE INCLUDED IN A SEPARATE STUDY.

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR IT SO WE CAN SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO PEOPLE. THE FACT IS SINCE ANYONE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON HERE, SINCE A -- SINCE THEY KNOW THIS MOTION IS GOING TO PASS, IT IS ONLY NOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT NUMBER IT IS GOING TO PASS BY. 3-2 OR 4-1.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: STATUTE EARLY TO -- STATITORILY AND WE NEED TO LISTEN TO EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK SO WE WILL KEEP HEARING FROM THE SPEAKERS.

>> STEVE RADACK: I MAY ADD THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS LISTEN WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY BEFORE

YOU DECIDE TO VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WILL ADD TO THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS NOT TO SAY LET'S INVEST IN VETERANS OFFICE THAT IS NOT DELIVERING FOR VETERANS.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK THE -- AT WHAT YOU DID IN THE 30 YEARS WHAT YOU DIDN'T DO BEFORE YOU TELL US WE HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER AND WE ARE THOUGHT -- THOUGHTFUL IN THE POLICIES WE BRING. THEY ARE GOING TO WORK ON THIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD POINT, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR

FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS. >> SANDY RUCKOR.

>> YES, HELLO. I AM SANDY RUCKOR. THIS IS THE WOMEN'S CONTRACTING ASSOCIATION. THIS PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE AND IT GIVES US A LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT FROM -- FOR MINORITY OWNED FIRMS. AND IT IS ALSO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK. AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING WCBA CAN DO HELP PEOPLE GET CERTIFIED WITH HARRIS COUNTY WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO SO.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WANTED TO THANK HER AND THE WOMEN'S CHAMBER, THE CONTRACTORS FOR WOMEN WERE VERY ACTIVE IN PUSHING THE

WOMAN TO PORT IN METRO AS BELL AND I APPRECIATE IT. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

MS. MARTIN? >> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT TO SPEAK WITH ME TODAY. I AM ELIZABETH MARTIN.

I AM A FORMER TEACHER AND NOW A CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL. COMMISSIONER RADACK, I AM THE DAUGHTER AND SISTER OF A VETERAN. HAVE I BEEN ON THE PHONE SINCE 10:00 A.M. WHILE I WOULD -- WHILE I APPRECIATE IT I WOULD LIKE MY VOICE TO BE HEARD AS WELL. I USED TO TELL MY STUDENTS WITH WORK ETHIC THEY CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING AND BE ANYTHING. I READ THE DISPARITY STUDY AND MY ENCOURAGEMENT AND PROMISE AND WORKING WAS EMPTY PROMISES.

RACE AND GENDER IS AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE THING TO BREAK INTO.

HAD -- TODAY'S AGENDA WAS 27 PAGES I FOUND TWO CONTRACTS TO MSWBE.

THAT'S NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF WHO I PAY TAXES TO AND THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH AND NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE I LOVE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROGRAM IN PLACE THAT IS NOT A BANDAID FOR OUR CURRENT SITUATION, BUT HANDS OUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND GIVES EDUCATION AND GIVES REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CAPACITY GROWTH.

[06:20:02]

EVENING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARENTS -- YOUR

FAMILY'S SERVICE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> THANK YOU.

>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I GUESS IT IS CLOSE TO EVENING. RON RABBLE -- HONORABLE JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT, I AM MILTON THIBODAUX, PRESIDENT OF THE GREAT HOUSTON BUSINESS PROCUREMENT FORUM.

THE FORUM IS A MONTHLY ADVANCE THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR THE PAST 29 YEARS AND NOT MISSING ONE MONTH. WE BRING TOGETHER MAJOR CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND CITY AND STATE AND FEDERAL AND THE CONTRACTING OFFICERS AND THE BUYERS AND THE PURCHASERS AND BONDING AGENTS AND BANKERS AND MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS. IT IS IN A MATCH MAKING MANNER TO MAKE BUSINESS HAPPEN IN THE MINORITY COMMUNITY AND IN THIS MORE DIVERSE AREA IN THE COUNTRY.

AS A RESULT OF THE CONTINUED EFFORTS AND THAT OF OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS I AM TRULY EXCITED AND SUPPORTIVE OF HARRIS COUNTY INSTITUTING AN MWBE PROGRAM.

I FEEL THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE FIRMS WITH CAPACITY INCLUDING TRACK RECORD OF PERFORMANCE BONDING AND FINANCIAL WHEREWITH -- WHEREWITH ALL TO BRING TO THE TABLE AND WE WILL SUPPORT YOU AND THE FIRMS TO GROW A PROGRAM THAT WILL BE A MODEL FOR EVEN THE CITY AND THE STATE TO FOLLOW. WE ARE TIEING THE SUCCESS STORIES WHEN AND WHERE POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND FOR YOUR FORWARD THINKING. ALL THE BEST TO YOU IN THIS

INITIATIVE. WE'RE BEHIND YOU. >> THANK YOU.

RAY SHAKELFORD WITH HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR. >> GOOD EVENING.

RAY SHAKELFORD WITH THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE. I AM SPEAK ON THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. THE MAJORITY OF THE BLACK POPULATION, BUT A GOOD PORTION OF HISPANIC CLIENTS WE ALSO SEE. ON MAY 25TH OF THIS YEAR GEORGE FLOYD WAS LYNCHED IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. HE GREW UP A BLOCK FROM WHERE I CURRENTLY LIVE IN THE THIRD WARD RIGHT HERE IN HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY AND SPECIFICALLY IN PRECINCT 1. HIS DEATH SPARKED WORLDWIDE PROTEST AND CALLS FOR JUSTICE AND THE TEARING DOWN OF SYSTEMIC RACISM AS WELL AS EQUITY.

THIS PROGRAM SEEMS TO ADDRESS THE LATTER. THIS IS MY HOME AND IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN AND I LOVE THIS CITY. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE. DIVERSITY IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE ETHNIC OR THE RACIAL MAKE UP OR AGE, GENDER AND DISABILITIES. IT IS ABOUT HOW WE WORK TOGETHER TO INCLUDE ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT MIB -- MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. A LOT OF INSTITUTIONS ISSUED STATEMENTS FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD ABOUT HOW THEY FELT AND WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO.

THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS TAKING MEANINGFUL STEPS TO ACTUALLY CHANGE THE DYNAMICS IN THIS COUNTRY AND IN OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE JUST HAD AN ELECTION WITH HIS -- WITH HIS STORE -- HISTORICAL ACCESS REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION, AGE OR ANY OTHER IDENTIFIER YOU CAN THINK OF.

WITH THIS MWBE PROGRAM WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO SET RECORDS AND BE A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY BECAUSE RESEARCH FROM DR. KLEINBURG AT RICE UNIVERSITY SHOWS IF YOU ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT'S WHAT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WILL LOOK LIKE.

I AM HOPING THIS BODY WILL PASS THIS PIECE OF -- THIS POLICY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MWBE PROGRAM BECAUSE IT IS CRITICAL AND I EXPECT IT TO CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER AND NOT JUST IN TEXAS AND NOT JUST IN THE COUNTRY, BUT FOR THE WORLD.

THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> JETSON ROBINSON WITH

[06:25:14]

HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JUDGE HIDALGO AND HEBES OF THE COURT -- AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF THE DISPARITY STUDY AND PUTTING US IN A POSITION TO BE LOOKING AT THIS ITEM, THE MWDBE.

IT REMINDS ME OF THE LEADERS OF DAYS GONE BY. IT WAS REALLY KIND OF A FOG OF THE MWBDE PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN THE MID80S. IT WAS HISTORIC AT THAT TIME AND GROUND BREAKING. AND IT KIND OF CHANGED THE DESTINATION OF THE CITY AND ALL BUSINESSES GOING FORWARD. IT WAS A PLEASURE TO GET TO SERVE WITH COUNCILMAN MCGOWAN AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, MY DAD HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH HIM AS WELL.

OFTENTIMES AS WE STEP OUT ON THE FRONTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FUTURE OF THE AREA OF THE REGION, YOU KNOW, IT IS TIMES LIKE THESE THAT REALLY CALL FOR LOOKING AT THE DATA AND MAKING BOLD DECISIONS TO MOVE FORWARD. IT WAS IN THE 1980S WHEN HARRIS COUNTY WAS 62% WHITE VERSUS IN 2000 WHEN IT WAS 42% WHITE.

AND NOW WE REMAIN STEADY WITH ABOUT A 20% BLACK POPULATION AND AN INCREASE IN THE HISPANIC POPULATION. WE ARE THANKFUL THAT WE ARE IN A POSITION TO LOOK AT THE DATA AND NOW USE IT TO BE IN A POSITION TO CONSIDER THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL. AND CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT EFFORT THIS PAST ELECTION.

BREAKING ALL TYPES OF RECORDS IN TERMS OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION.

ONCE AGAIN WE ARE AT THE PRESS -- PRECIPACE AND I RECOMMEND SUPPORT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> AL KASHANI.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO YOU.

I AM CALLING ON -- FOR SUPPORTING THE ITEM THERE. I AM JUST PLEADING TO COMMISSIONER RADACK TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM AS WELL. I AM 100 SUPPORT OF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, MR. RADACK, BUT DO NOT PUNISH ONE GROUP TO SUPPORT ANOTHER GROUP.

AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE SUPPORTING THE MWSB PROGRAM, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND THAT CAN BE DONE INDEPENDENTLY OF THE PROGRAM. PLEASE I URGE YOU TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM TODAY. I KNOW THERE IS CONTEMPLATION WHETHER THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE THE CITY OR THE STATE. THE PLUS AND MINUSES ARE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO MAKE AN EX EXSWREM FLARE -- EXEMPLARY AND THE DIVERSITY PROGRAM SHOULD BE THE LEADING PROGRAM. IT IS A CULTURE CHANGE THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

CULTURE CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND CULTURE CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THE PROCUREMENT. POLICIES WITH THE PROCUREMENT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT. IT WAS 17% VOLUNTARILY GO AND WE UH -- WE ACHIEVED 24% ON A DIFFICULT PROJECT. IF WE CAN DO TRICK FIB CAN DO IT.

WE SHOULD FOCUS ON NOT MAKING THIS ALSO THE SUBCONTRACTORS AND HAVE THEM GROW IN CRIME AND GROW THE CAPACITY BECAUSE THE CAPACITY IN THE COUNTY IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND COMMUNITY WILL HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE. AT THE END OF THE DAY THE SUBCONTRACTOR HAS TO WORK TO

[06:30:03]

WE ARE NOT ASKING TO -- WE ARE ASKING YOU TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

AL. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. JACKIE SWINDLE.

>> OKAY. GOOD EVENING COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE COURT MY NAME IS JACKIE SWINDLE. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHEAST COALITION CITY CLUB. I AM BEFORE YOU TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MWBE PROLL -- POLICY. A POLICY OF THIS NATURE WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY. THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WOULD BE AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO START OR EXPAND THEIR BUSINESSES THAT WOULD BENEFIT ALL.

IN ADDITION THE BUSINESS OWNERS WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND ALLOW THEM TO SUSTAIN THEIR BUSINESSES WHICH IS IMPORTANT IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER ITEM 22 WHICH WOULD BENEFIT ALL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANDREA ODOM WITH THE ODOM

CONSULTING GROUP. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I AM ANDREA ODOM AND THE CO-OWNER OF THE ODOM CONSULTING GROUP. AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN AND BUSINESS OWNER I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICY AND THE PROGRAMS IT INVOLVES. IT WILL HELP SMALL BUSINESSES IN CAPACITY BUILDING AND ALLOW YOUNG SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE MINE TO PARTNER WITH OTHER BUSINESSES AND GROW AND LEARN IN THE FORM OF MENTOR PROTEGE PROGRAMS. HOUSTON HAS BIG DIVERSITY SO WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES TO HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AND ENSURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE DIVERSITY.

I AM IN FULL SUPPORT AND THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY CONCERN. >> THANK YOU.

DOLORES ROGERS WITH EEDC. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I AM DO LOUR RAYS DELORES ROGERS, A LONG-TIME RESIDENT AND ALSO A BUSINESS OWNER.

THE PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY IS A RAY OF LIGHT IN THE SYSTEM THAT HAS LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME. I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THEY MANS -- THE EMANCIPATION DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND KNOW FIRSTHAND THE STRUGGLES OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO SURVIVE AND TO GET A SHARE OF THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE COUNTY. AS A BUSINESS OWNER THE ABILITY TO COMPETE FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS PUTS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN A DIFFICULT POSITION ESPECIALLY THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMPANIES. IT IS EMBARRASSING AND TRAGIC THAT LESS THAN 6% OF THE WORK GOES TO MINORITY BUSINESSES AND 3.2 TO WOMEN BUSINESSES. THIS POLICY IS A GREAT STEP FORWARD AND I APPLAUD THE COMMISSION ON TAKING THE STEP FORWARD.

I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE MENTOR PROTEGE PROGRAM. WE SAY WE ARE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND WE MUST BE DIVERSE IN OPPORTUNITY. AS A RESULT OF THIS POLICY I ANXIOUSLY LOOK FORWARD TO INCREASED PARTICIPATES -- PART PAYINGS OF MARGINALIZED COMEUTIONS -- COMMUNITIES PRO PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES. I ALSO HOPE THIS NEW POLICY WILL RESULT IN INCREASED LOCAL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN OUR CITY.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS POLICY AND PASS IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. JEFFREY NIELSEN WITH HOUSTON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND

[06:35:02]

YOU PAINTED ME WITH SUCH AN UGLY BRUSH. I FEEL LIKE I NEEDED TO TALK ABOUT -- OFF SCRIPT ABOUT WHY I SENT THAT LETTER IN AND KIND OF WHAT THE FEELING IS ON THIS. IF YOU SAW TODAY'S CHRONICLE YOU WILL SEE I WAS QUOTED AS SAYING WE ARE FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND SUPPORTIVE OF THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY. YOU USED THE TERM THROWING A ROCK AND HIDING BEHIND IT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING. I RECOMMENDED THE HCA FOR 20 YEARS NOW. WE HAVEN'T SUED ANYBODY IN ALL THAT TIME.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE SUING THE COUNTY OVER THIS PROGRAM RIGHT NOW.

THE REASON I DID ASK FOR A DELAY IS BASICALLY I WAS ASKING FOR IT TO BE SETBACK FOR ONE COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING SO TWO WEEKS WAS SO THAT WE HAVE TIME TO PUT TOGETHER BASICALLY A COMPLETE LIST OF SOME OF THE ISSUES OR SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE ON THE POLICIES OF HOW THE PROGRAM WILL BE RUN. THE REAL ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO POLICIES -- WHEN IT COMES TO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS IS THE POLICIES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY WORK SEEMLESSLY AND THERE ARE NO STUMBLING BLOCKS.

AND THAT THEY KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM AND THAT EVERYBODY CAN ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT WERE PLACED -- THEY WILL BE PLACED FOR THE CONTRACTORS.

I AM ONLY REPRESENTING THE CIVIL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. I AM NOT REPRESENTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OR PURCHASING OR ANY OF THAT. JUST CIVIL.

WHEN IT COMES TO CIVIL CONGRESSWOMAN LEE IS CORRECT. WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE SMALL BUSINESS THAT'S ARE OUT THERE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE NEED TO SUPPORT THEM.

CIVIL HAS A NEED TO GROW THESE SMALL COMPANIES. WE NEED TO BRING THEM UP.

THAT TIES TO PAIR -- PARAGRAPH TWO. COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS CORRECT IN HIS INTERPRETATION. MY FEELING IS THAT -- AND HCA BACKS ME UP.

WHEN MWBE REACHES A PRIME CONTRACTOR LEVEL THEY SHOULD REACH BACK AND PULL THEM UP.

PULL UP OTHER MBE'S SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING TO BECOME PRIME CONTRACTORS AS WELL. I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND IN THE SPIRIT OF THE

PROGRAM ITSELF. I THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT

TO FINISH YOUR COMMENTS? >> THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT. IT IS MY LETTER AND I'M SORRY IF YOU TOOK IT THE WRONG WAY. IT WAS NOT MEANT TO BE CRITICAL OF ANY COMPANIES OR ANY PARTS OF THE PROGRAM. HCA REALLY DOES WANT TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ON THIS.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY FOR THE LAST 36 YEARS SINCE THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE. I PERSONALLY HELPED WORK WITH THE CITY TO HELP NEGOTIATE ON THE KAUFMAN CASE THAT WAS THE LAST LAWSUIT THAT CAME OUT. THAT WAS A DIVISIVE AND A VERY BAD FOR BUSINESS POLICY THEY WORKED TO SETTLE THAT OUT AND BRING A CONCLUSION TO THAT PROGRAM. SINCE THAT TIME WE WORKED HARD WITH THE NEW DIRECTOR OVER AT OBO TO MAKE A PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO THE SUBCONTRACTORS AND TO THE CITY AND ALSO TAKES INTO GET -- INTO ACCOUNT THE ISSUES PRIME HAS.

THAT'S ALL WE ARE TRYING TO DO WITH THE COUNTY AS WELL AND WE WILL BE DOING THE SAME.

WE ARE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU. WE ARE NOT HERE TO BE A STUMBLING BLOCK ORGANS WHAT

YOU ARE TRY -- OR AGAINST WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LOOK, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. IF I SEEM ANGRY, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU FOR THAT.

BUT I AM ANGRY. I AM MAD AS HELL. JUDSON ROBINSON EARLIER MADE COMMENTS ABOUT WHEN THE CITY ADOPTED THE PROGRAM X YOU KNOW, MY STYLE HASN'T CHANGED FOR 36 YEARS, TO BE HONEST. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY -- I AM NOT ALWAYS SURE.

WHEN I WENT ON COUNCIL OTHER CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ADOPTED PROGRAMS YEARS AHEAD

[06:40:06]

I QUILL -- I WILL NEVER FORGET IT. IT WAS VALENTINE'S DAY, 1984.

I HADN'T SAID A WORD UNTIL THEN. LET IT LAND WHERE IT LAND.

MUCH TO EVERYBODY'S SURPRISE IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. AL GREEN, THE NAACP, THE COMING MAN BEHIND ME. AND THEN THE CONTRACTORS CAME IN TO DO DAMAGE CONTROL BECAUSE THEY SAW THE VOTES WERE THERE. AND IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IT DUKE A LITTLE SKILL TO -- IT TOOK A LITTLE SKILL TO GET THAT DONE.

IT WAS SOMEONE ASSOCIATED AND OUT OF THE CRICK KEL. YOU -- CIRCLE.

YOU GOT ME? THEY USED TO PRACTICE WITH ME.

PART OF MY ANGER IS THAT THIS HOSPITAL HAVE TAKEN SO LONG. I JUST DON'T REMEMBER SEEING A LOT OF MY FRIENDS, YOU INCLUDED, COMING UP TO MAKE A CASE.

NOBODY THOUGHT I WOULD PULL $50,000 OUT OF PRECINCT 1. I APPRECIATE THE TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE COURT PUTTING IT BACK IN. IT IS A LONG ROPE.

THE REASON IT IS TAKING SO LONG IS BECAUSE GOOD PEOPLE HAVE THE ASSIGNMENT.

AND SO I WANT TO GET IT DONE AND I WANT TO GET IT DONE QUICKLY.

WE HAVE WAITED TOO LONG. I AM SPEAKING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE MOST AND FOUGHT THE HARDEST. THEY HAPPEN TO BE THE AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND THE WOMEN AND IT IS TIME. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WORKS.

AND I WANT TO RELEGATE THESE MWBE'S THAT WERE LEFT ON THE BANG -- BACK OF THE BUS FOR DECADES IN THIS COUNTY. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS INDEFENSIBLE.

THE FIRST ONE IS A SYSTEM THAT HAS DISCRIMINATED AND PEOPLE HAVE SMILEDDED -- HAVE MILE -- SMILED AND GAVE NICE SPEECHES. DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL, BUT I AM MAD AS HELL AND IT OUGHT TO CHANGE. I AM NOT GOING TO WAIT ANOTHER DAY IF I HAVE THE POWER. EVEN IF I DON'T HAVE THE VOTES I WILL SAY.

IT THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY TRADEMARK. PEOPLE NEVER WONDERED WHERE I STAND. I MAKE IT CLEAR. THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. THERE IS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY WITH A NEW DIRECTOR OR ELECTIONS WILL COME IN AND MAKE THE CASE AND MAKE CHANGES.

WE WANT MORE PEOPLE TO BE LIKE REYES, YOUR ONLY MINORITY WHO HAS BEEN CHAIR OF YOUR BOARD.

THAT'S WHY I MET WITH YOU AND HAD COLETTE VISIT WITH YOU. I TRIED TO MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE. EVERYBODY KNEW THIS WAS COMING.

THANK YOU THOUGH. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION LATER ON. I HAVE A FEELING THAT'S THE WAY IT IS GOING TO BE.

I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED. I WANTED TO BASICALLY COME ON AND GIVE MY SIDE OF THE STORY AND LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THIS. WE ARE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU

ON THIS PROGRAM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> HELLO. THIS IS JOHN VOLS CALLING.

I AM WITH AZTECA ENTERPRISES. WE ARE LOCATED AT 3340 SEA GREENS ROAD IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. THAT IS ONE OF OUR SATELLITE OFFICES.

WE ARE HEADQUARTERED IN DALLAS, TEXAS. WE ARE A HISPANIC-OWNED, MINORITY OWNED COMPANY. 80% OF OUR PROFESSIONALS ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR, PRIMARILY HISPANIC AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN. AND WE HAVE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR OVER 30 YEARS. WE ARE CURRENTLY VERY ACTIVE ON SEVERAL AIRPORT PROJECTS.

IT IS FOR THE HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM AND MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED A $15 MILLION TRAFFIC GUIDANCE PARKING CONTRACT FOR THE HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEMS. WE ARE EXCITED, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND ALL COMMISSIONERS, ABOUT THE NEW BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC PROGRAM. WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE CLARIFICATION THAT IS

[06:45:02]

YOU WANT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. YOU WANT A PROGRAM THAT WILL ALLOW MINORITY CONTRACTORS TO BE PRIME CONTRACTORS. WE ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT. WE KNOW FOUR OR FIVE THAT DO A GREAT JOB.

THE THING THAT IS CONSISTENT ABOUT OUR JOBS IS IT IS REFLECTIVE OF OUR WORKFORCE.

YOU SEE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF HISPANIC AND BLACK WORKING ON THE FIELD AND MORE IMPORTANTLY AT THE MANAGEMENT LEVEL OF LET'S NOT DELAY THIS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU ARE RIGHT AND YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE MAD.

THERE IS NO REASON TO DELAY. LET'S ALSO NOT RESTRICT IT. I KNOW COLETTE HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB AND WE ARE IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK HER ORGANIZATION DOES.

DALLAS COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE RESTRICTIONS IN SIDE PANDERS. YOU NEED LARGE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC OWNED AND ASIAN-OWNED COMPANIES SO WE HIRE OTHER MINORITY CONTRACTORS. RIGHT NOW IN HOUSTON WE HAVE 14 SMALLER MINORITY CONTRACTORS THAT ARE WORKING FOR US. AND WE HOPE THEY ARE OUR SIZE OR EVEN BIGGER THAN US AT SOME POINT IN TIME IN THEIR EXISTENCE IN THE OVERALL POLICEMAN. OVERALL PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ONE LAST THING. WE ARE HERE TO HELP THE PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE IT BECOME IS -- BECOMES SUCCESSFUL. WE WILL PUT OUR DOLLARS AND CENTS BEHIND THE PROGRAM, COMMISSIONER. WE WILL DO CREATIVE THINGS AND BE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU.

I I WILL TERM -- TERMINATE AT THIS POINT IN TIME. THANK YOU.

>> CONNIE HENSHAW. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE HONORABLE COMMISSIONER. MY NAME IS TONY HENSHAW AND I AM THE PRINCIPAL PARTNER WITH HENSHAW GROUP CONSULTING GROUP IN HOUSTON, NEXT -- HOUSTON RICKS TEXAS. I STARTED AS THE MINORITY PROGRAM IN PUBLIC WORKS.

MY CALL IS TO ASK YOU TO PASS THE THE ORDINANCE. HOWEVER, I WANT YOU -- I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER MAKING A -- MAKING IT A ROBUST PROGRAM.

A PROGRAM THAT DOESN'T JUST DEAL WITH MINORITIES AND SUBCONTRACTORS BUT A PROGRAM THAT CAN HAVE TRUE ECONOMIC RELEVANCE TO MINORITIES. AND UNTIL THEY CAN PLAY EQUALLY ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AS PRIME MINORITY OWNED COMPANIES.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU GUYS HAVE DONE IN TRYING TO BUILD THIS PROGRAM. ARE YOU RIGHT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG. WE ARE HERE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I HOPE HARRIS COUNTY WILL BUILD A PROGRAM THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF AND NOT JUST DUPLICATE A PROGRAM FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT A PROGRAM WHERE HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE AND THE EXAMPLE TO EVERYONE ELSE AS PART OF GOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS. THAT IS WHAT MY CALL IS ABOUT.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL PASS THIS TONIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TONY, JUDGE IF I MAY, TONY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CALLING IN. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS.

REALLY YOU HAVE WORKED TO CREATE THAT CAPACITY WE HAVE ALL HUNGERED FOR.

ONCE MOM AND POPS SHOPS ARE COMPETING FOR THE PRIME CONTRACTS.

THE CONTRACTS IN PRIME WERE INCREDIBLE PROGRAMS. IF THERE IS SOMETHING I WOULD BE WANTING TO SEE THE COUNTY REPLICATION -- REPLICATE IS THAT TYPE OF PROGRAM WHERE WE ARE BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THE FOLD AND MAKING SURE WE ARE DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE DEMONSTRATING THEIR COME -- COMPETENCE AND CAPACITY AND THEY ARE PLAYING BY THE RULES. AND WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO

[06:50:10]

COMMISSIONER RADACK HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH. IT BUT THAT PROGRAM WORKED.

IT BROUGHT PEOPLE IN. THE REASON PEOPLE DIDN'T LIKE THE PROGRAM, RODNEY, WAS BECAUSE WE WERE LETTING THE CAMEL GET ITS NOSE UNDER THE TENT.

I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WE WILL HAVE A NEW DIRECTOR HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND I WANT TO GET YOU CONNECTED WITH HER SO THAT YOU CAN SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND YOUR IDEAS AND

BUILD OFF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE CITY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO BUILD A PROGRAM THAT WILL BRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY.

IF I MAY ADD ONE MORE THING. PEOPLE ASSUME THAT THE MINORITY PROGRAMS IS TAKING SOMETHING FROM SOMEBODY. MINORITY COMPANIES BRING VALUE.

IT IS A LOWER COST WHEN YOU HAVE COMPETITION. THAT'S WHAT CAPITAL -- CAPITALISM IS ALL -- IS ALL ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS TAKING SO LONG TO GET HERE, BUT I AM EXCITED. FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING OUT. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

TO SPEAK TO YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, TONY.

>> ROGER P POMBRA -- ROGER POMBRAL. GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD EVENING, JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF EMRIL STANDARD SERVICES ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS AND THE EXECUTIVE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY CONTRACTORS HOUSTON CHAPTER. I AM A PRECINCT 1 RESIDENT AND MY BUSINESS IS LOCATED IN PRECINCT 2 OF HARRIS COUNTY. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY CONTRACTORS WE HAD THE PLEASURE TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED POLICY. WE ARE EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH WHAT WE SEE AND THE MEASURES BEING PROPOSED AND THE DUTIES THAT THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC EQUITY WILL UNDERTAKE. I HAD THE PLEASURE TO SERVE ON THE BOARD FOR FOUR YEARS NOW AND I AM SEEING WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T WORK. THIS GOES TO THE MEAT OF THE ISSUES AT HAND THAT WILL HELP SMALL MINORITY WOMAN -- SMALL, MINORITY AND WOMAN-OWNED CONTRACTORS. WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS THAT PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 2 HAVE DONE. THEY REACHED OUT TO US AND WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER, BUT IT IS TIME WE NEED A CENTRALIZED OFFICE WHERE WE CAN HAVE PERMANENT CONTACT WITH AND FURTHER THE INITIATIVES WE HAVE AND ACCESS MORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AT HARRIS

COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

ROGER. >> RICHARD HEBNER. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I KNOW MY TIME IS LIMITED, BUT I WANTED TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND YOU, COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR STRONG ANDY -- AND EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED PROGRAM.

AND SPECIAL THANKS TO COLETTE WHO WE ARE FORTUNATE AND IS ONE OF THE TOP IF NOT THE TOP

[06:55:04]

31 AND IT HAS REPEATEDLY BEEN PROVEN THAT THEY BRING MORE INGNAW VAIGHTS -- INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVE PRICING AND ECONOMIC SELF- SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND A BROADER TAX BASE AND LOWER TAX RATES AND INCREASED PURCHASING POWER FOR OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES.

WHO WOULD NOT WANT THAT FOR THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

IF IT RAISES ONE SHIP IT RAISES ALL OF THE SHIPS. MINORITY WOMEN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROGRAM. THE DIFFERENCE THAT ACHIEVE THESE AND THOSE THAT DO NOT FIND THE INTENDED OUTCOMES. IN THAT REGARD I WROTE LIKE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO ONE PROVISION IN THE PROPOSED PLAN THAT MAY APPEAR RATHER SUBTLE, BUT I BELIEVE COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE PROGRAM. WE KNOW WHAT GETS MEASURED IS WHAT GETS DONE. A PARTICULAR -- A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT PROVISION IS HOW WE COUNT PARTICIPATION TOWARD THE GOAL. SOME WOULD ADVOCATE WE COUNT ONLY MWBE SUB CONTRACT DOLLARS. THIS IN MANY WAYS CREATES ITS OWN SYSTEMIC BARRIER AND REEL GATES TO SUBCONTRACTOR -- AND RELEGATES TO THE SUBCONTRACTOR. IT NO LONGER -- IT PROVIDES NO INCENTIVE FOR MWBE'S TO BE PRIME CONTRACTORS WHERE WE ALL KNOW MOST OF THE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED.

THE HARRIS COUNTY MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM AS IT IS NOW BEING PROPOSED ELIMINATES THIS BARRIER TO FULL PARTICIPATION OF ALL BUSINESSES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING AND ENABLES FULL PARTICIPATION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN SETTING THIS PROGRAM INTO PLAY IN SUCH A MANNER THAT HARRIS COUNTY CAN BECOME A NEW MODEL OF EFFECTIVENESS AND EXCELLENCE TO OTHERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF I MIGHT? I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE BEEN AT IT SINCE I MET YOU WHEN I WAS A STAFFER AND BEFORE I GOT IF OFFICE.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE WISDOM TO CALM ME DOWN. I WAS THREAT -- THREATENING THE CITY'S CIP IF WE DIDN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH A POLICY. I KNOW YOU HAD YOUR HEALTH CHALLENGES, BUT I'M GLAD YOU WERE AROUND WHEN WE WERE PUSHING FOR THE DISPARITY STUDY AND I AM GLAD YOU WERE IN THE ROOM WITH REVEREND JESSE JACKSON AND THE CONGRESSIONAL PEOPLE AS WELL. I UH -- I APPRECIATE YOU AND HOPE YOU ARE AROUND FOR ANOTHER 30 YEARS TO SEE IF THIS PROGRAM DOES EVEN BETTER THAN WHAT WE LIT THE FUSE FOR

AT CITY HALL BACK IN 84. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: REAL QUICKLY I WANTED TO ADD MY THOUGHTS AND APPRECIATIONS. THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE. THANK YOU FOR BEING A PARTNER OR LEADER WITH ME WHEN I SERVED ON CITY COUNCIL. ALL THE THINGS WE DID BACK THEN. GOOD TO HEAR YOU AND THANK YOU FOR WEIGHING IN.

>> IT WAS MY HONOR. IT WAS MY PLEASURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED

LEADERSHIP OF OUR CITY AND COUNTY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

BUDDY. >> CAROL ROBINSON WITH TEXAS COALITION OF BLACK DEMOCRATS.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, THIS IS CAROLE ROBINSON.

GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONER AND COUNTY JUDGE. I AM A FORMER CITY COUNCILMEMBER, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I AM ON THE CALL TONIGHT BECAUSE I AM A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE GREATER HOUSTON BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PERSPECTIVE THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD COME TO THIS ENDEAVOR WITH. IT SHOULD TAKE THE BEST OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE AND IT SHOULD IMPROVE ON WHAT ALL OF US ARE SEEING NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED.

AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK HIM FOR ALL HIS YEARS. BUT I WANT TO MAKE THIS

[07:00:08]

THE COUNTY WOULD BE DOING ITSELF A DISSERVICE IF IT DID NOT ENCOURAGE AND TAKE CREDIT FOR WHAT YOU ARE ESTABLISHING THE PROGRAM FOR. THE GOAL IS NOT TO INCENTIVIZE COMPANIES OWNED BY MINORITIES AND WOMEN WHO STAY SUBCONTRACTORS.

YOU ARE CREATING A PROGRAM TO CREATE MORE PRIME COMPETITORS TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY TO DRIVE DOWN COST SAVINGS FOR TAXPAYERS. YOU SHOULD GIVE CONTRACTORS WHO ARE CAPABLE EITHER ON THEIR OWN OR IF PARTNERSHIP THE ABILITY TO SECURE PRIME CONTRACTS AND FULL CREDIT FOR THAT. IT WOULD HELP YOU GROW THEM AT A FASTER PACE AND A BETTER OUTCOME FOR THEIR BUSINESSES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY TAXPAYERS OF I APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONERS FOR TAKING THIS ENDEAVOR ON. I THANK COLETTE FOR THE BEST WAY TO DRAFT THIS PROGRAM.

THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU

FOR WEIGHING IN, CAROLE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> EMPOWERED SURVIVOR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT I AM THE OWNER OF A LAW FIRM -- MS. CLOUD? WE'LL COME BACK TO HER, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANKS. >> GERALD WOMACK WITH WOMACK DEVELOPMENT.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING, JUDGE AND GOOD EVENING TO ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS GERALD WOMACK AND I AM A PRINCIPAL IN THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES FIRM IN HOUSTON. HAVE I BEEN A HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYER FOR OVER 40 YEARS. MY BUSINESS HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 45 YEARS.

WE PROVIDED REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND ALSO FOR REGULAR -- RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL COMMUNITIES ALL OVER HAIR US -- HARRIS COUNTY. I WORKED WERE CORPORATE ENTITIES AND LARGE AND SMALL FIRMS. I AM EXCITED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS AND FOR OVER 40 YEARS BEING ABLE TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF A MINORITY AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS IN THE PROGRAM IT IS DESIGNED TO STIMULATE OPPORTUNITIES. IT ABOUT ESTABLISHING GOALS TO DIVERSE GROUPS OR CONTRACT RECIPIENTS. I WANT TO COMPLIMENT MR. ELLIS FOR TAKING THIS ON EARLY ON AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND THANK ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS I HAVE WORKED WITH. IT HAS BEEN A POSITION OF

[07:05:02]

AND I HAVE AN ADDITIONAL COMMENT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE. MAYBE MR. NELSON AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNER [INAUDIBLE] AND I HAD SOME REAL ISSUES AS IT RELATES TO THE LETTER. THERE IS ONE INSTANCE THAT KEPT MY MIND GOING.

IT SAID ONCE THE MWBE FIRM REACHES A LEVEL TO OPERATE AS A PRIME CONTRACTOR, THEN THAT COMPANY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REACH BACK. REACHING BACK FOR ME -- STUFF AND I WOULD BE PENALIZED TO REACH BACK AND SEEK SOME TYPE OF PUNISHMENT.

I WOULD LIKE THE CONTRACTOR'S ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT TO LUBE AT THAT. TO LOOK AT THAT. THERE IS A HUGE DIS-- DISPARITY OVER THE YEARS WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THE RIGHT THING --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SO I URGE YOU TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM. IT IS CERTAINLY A STEP FORWARD --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> CARVANA CLOUD, THE

EMPOWERED SURVIVOR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT I APOLOGIZE FOR THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. I AM CAVNA CLOUD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DASH EMPOWER -- FOR CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES.

AND A PARTICULAR FOE DISASH GASH FOCUS ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

AND PROVIDED BY OUR AGENCY AND IS FREE OF CHARGE OR ON A SLIDING SCALE AND SURVIVABLE IN THE COUNTY. I AM INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND OTHERS ON THE ESTEEMED COURT FOR ADD -- ADVOCATING FOR A DEPARTMENT OF OPPORTUNITY.

DURING THESE TRYING TIMES IT -- INEQUALITY HAS AFFECTED PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THERE IS AN EVER GROWING NEED FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED COMPANIES TO PROVIDE KEY SERVICES TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND EXPAND OUR BUSINESSES IN ORDER TO INCREASE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR MINORITIES AND WOMEN-OWNED CONTRACTORS.

AS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTIES IN THE NATION, THE COUNTY WHOSE POPULATION IS THREE-QUARTERS MINORITY AND HALF FEMALE IT IS UNACCEPTABLE IT IS ONLY ONE OF THE JURISDICTIONS WITHOUT A MINORITY AND WOMAN OFF OWNED BUSINESS OPTION.

WHILE IT IS NOT JUST THE FAULT OF THE COUNTY OR OFFICIALS IT IS NOT ON LACK OF TRYING FROM BUSINESS OWNERS AND LEADERS LIKE YOURSELF, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

IT DIRECTLY AFFECTS ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MY LAW FIRM AND NONPROFITS THAT WAS FOUNDED TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVOCACY AND CONSULTATION TO INDIVIDUALS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. AS A NAY OF IT HOUSTONIAN WHOSE BUSINESSES ARE LOCATED IN HISTORICAL COMMUNITIES, I AM ASKING THAT THIS COURT APPROVE THIS AGENDA ITEM SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO THIS COMMUNITY.

AS A BLACK FEMALE OWNER AND NONPROFIT LEADER I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE BENEFITS THIS DEPARTMENT WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE. THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT FOR ENSURING ECONOMIC EQUITY FOR ALL MINORITY AND

FEMALE-OWNED BUSINESSES. >> THANK YOU. ARISA JOHNSON WITH RISK MITIGATION WORLDWIDE. MS. JOHNSON? HELLO?

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TRY FOR THE NEXT ONE. >> YES, MA'AM.

DEION DORSETT WITH HHULYP. GOOD EVENING HONORABLE JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL TODAY.

I AM THE PRESIDENT -- I AM DEION AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUGHTON -- HOUSTON

[07:10:02]

I REMEMBER TWO YEARS AGO COMMISSIONER ELLIS CALLED A MEETING.

I WAS ABLE TO REPRESENT IN THAT MEETING FOR THE YOU ARE BAN LEAGUE AND TO HEAR THERE IS SUCH A DISPARITY GOING ON AND IT CALLS FOR A DISPARITY STUDY IS MIND BOGGLING TO ME.

EVEN THOUGH OUR COUNTERPARTS HAVE BEEN THERE. ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AND WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE WITH IS WHILE THIS PROGRAM IS A GREAT START, IT IS NOT THE END. I RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WILL BE BUMPS AND HOUR -- HURDLES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THE PROCESS GO SMOOTHER. A 30% GOAL HAS TO BE REALIZED BY EVERYONE AND IT REQUIRES ALL SUPPORT FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT JUST A GOAL, BUT SOMETHING THAT IS ATTAINABLE TO MOVE OUR COUNTY FORWARD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. ARETHA JOHNSON WITH MITIGATION

RISK WORLDWIDE. >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

AS SHE SAID I AM ARETHA JOHNSON IT IS RISK MITIGATION WORLDWIDE FORMERLY NATIONWIDE. I WAS ON THE WOMEN'S COUNCIL BOARD AND I WAS APPOINTED TO THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S COUNCIL DURING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

I WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER AND I CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE LEADERSHIP FORUM AND AS A WOMAN OF DISTINCTION FOR THE NATIONAL COUNCIL. THIS IS SO INCREDIBLE AND IT IS A LONGTIME COMING. THANKS TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS IT LOOKS LIKE OUR CHANGE IS FINALLY COMING. AS I WAS GOING THROUGH AND LOOKING AT THE PROGRAM I WAS NOT SURE HOW IT WOULD WORK. I HAD A FEW COMMENTS OR SHALL I SAY SUGGESTIONS? WHAT I FOUND IT WE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH MINORITY BUSINESSES AND WOMEN BUSINESS. THEY ASK US TO BID ON IT AND THEN WE GIVE IT TO THEM AND THEY SAY THEY ARE GONNA USE US, GUT -- BUT WE ARE NEVER CALLED AFTER IT HAPPENS.

THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKES WITH THE COMPLIANCE COMPONENTS YOU ARE REVIEWING THAT AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AS MUCH. ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IS WE ARE BUILDING CAPACITY FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

TO BUILD THE CAPACITY YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET THOSE CONTRACTS.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN IS A LOT OF CONTRACTORS WILL USE THE SAME PEOPLE OVER AND OVER AND OVER. IT IS BUILDING CAPACITY FOR ONE, BUT NOT THE MASSES.

I ALWAYS THOUGHT IF THEY HAD A WEIGHTED COMPONENT WHEN THEY GAVE THE CONTRACTS.

AND PART OF IT DETAILS HOW MANY MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE YOU UTILIZING THAT'S DIFFERENT? PUT COMPONENTS IN THERE THAT INCENTIVIZES PEOPLE TO USE

[07:15:02]

IF YOU PUT THAT IN THERE I THINK YOU WILL DRIVE UP THE NUMBER OF -- BUILD IN THAT CAPACITY QUICKER. IF MINORITY BUSINESSES -- I SHOULD SAY WOMEN AND MINORITY BUSINESSES CAN GET TOGETHER AND IF IT IS AN ALL MINORITY AND WOMEN BUSINESS CONTRACT AND THEY FIND A WAY THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER GIVE HIGHER POINTS ON THAT.

THAT WILL HELP BUILD CAPACITY BECAUSE THEY WILL LOOK AT THAT AND SAY NO, MAYBE THEY WERE NOT THAT MAJOR. THEY GOT THE SKILL SET AND THEY HAVE THE TRAINING AND THEY HAVE A -- HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD. I WANTED TO THROW OUT THE IDEA. I THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH. I HAVE BEEN AROUND -- OH, OKAY. I KNOW IT IS MY TIME TO GO. VIRGINIA HAS A PROGRAM THAT

-- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> TIERA -- SIERRA JOHNSON.

>> I AM SEE YEA RAW -- SIERRA JOHNSON. I AM IN THE -- IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICIES WE WORK WITH FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS AND WE HELP THEM INCREASE THEIR REVENUE EARNINGS. AND IT IS POLICY IN PLACE AND I KNOW AND WE KNOW THAT IT WILL PROVIDE MORE WOMEN AT THE SEAT OF THE STABLE AND WILL GIVE US MORE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO GET THESE CONTRACTS AND BE ABLE TO START A DIFFERENT CAPACITY.

IT IS ALREADY HARDER FOR US TO GET STARTED IN THE WORLD BY BEING IN BUSINESS.

WE PUT POLICY IN PLACE AND IT WILL BE GROUND BREAKING AND LEGENDARY TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY. IF YOU GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES THEY WILL SOAR.

ALL WE NEED IS A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND I THINK THIS POLICY WILL GIVE US THAT SEAT AT THE TABLE. I STAND WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO INCREASE BUSINESS FOR MINORITY BUSINESS AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND IT

HAS BEEN A PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU ALL TONIGHT. >> THANK YOU.

JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO PATIENT. I WANT TO READ THE MOTION. I SENT IT AROUND.

I MOVE THIS COURT ADOPTED DON'T THE MWBE FRAMEWORK CREATED BY COLETTE AND ASSOCIATES TO BE THE BASIS OF AN MWBE PROGRAM TO BE DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED AND MANAGED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY SUBJECT TO NECESSARY APPROVALS OF THE CAO OFFICE. THAT'S THE MOTION.

I WANT TO STRESS AT ANY POINT IF THE DIRECTOR WANTS TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE FRAMEWORK SHE IS FREE TO DO THAT. WHEN WE AWARDED THE CONTRACT THE REQUEST WAS THAT MS. HOPE DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK. THAT WAS THE LANGUAGE. IN NO WAY DOES THIS RESTRICT -- AS DOES ANYTHING WE DO TODAY THIS COURT TO DO ANYTHING.

THREE VOTES AND YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD AS LONG AS -- I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE

MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND IT.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ANY CHANCE TO USE GUIDELINES VERSUS FRAMEWORK?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, ONLY BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DILUTING IT IT SAID FRAMEWORK. BUT I AM SAYING FOR THE RECORD -- I MEAN AT ANY POINT ANYTHING CAN BE CHANGED AND I SAID THAT TO THE NEW DIRECTOR. HAVE I BEEN IN THIS SPACE FOR AWHILE AND THINGS CAN ALWAYS BE CHANGED AND I AM OPEN TO ANYTHING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU ASKED SOME POIGNANT QUESTIONS EARLIER ABOUT VETERANS AND THE PROGRAM. MY UNDERSTANDING IS DISABLED VETERANS ARE A PROTECTED CLASS. THERE ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR ALL.

IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU CORRECTLY YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO BRING BACK THAT AS A PROGRAM

IN TWO WEEKS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT. YOU JUST MADE MY GUYS' HEAD

[07:20:02]

TO BRING BACK A VETERAN SPECIFIC PROGRAM. >> IF I HAVE YOUR COMMITMENT YOU WILL COME BACK WITH A VETERANS PROGRAM THEN I CAN BE SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE OF THIS

PROGRAM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I HOPE YOU WILL PUT THE SAME LEVEL OF DETAIL INTO THIS THAT YOUR OFFICE ALWAYS DOES AND CERTAINLY MINE DID ON COMING UP WITH THIS JUST TO MAKE SURE NO UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. AS MUCH AS I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S SUPPORT I DON'T WANT TO MISLEAD YOU.

IF IT COMES BACK IN TWO WEEKS I WILL MAKE SURE JUST AS YOU BEING METHODICAL ABOUT THIS THAT WE DO THAT. AND JUST MAKE SURE WE TALK ABOUT.

IT I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU THE LIMITED WORK WE HAVE DONE.

WE DO HAVE A VETERANS DEPARTMENT AND I DIDN'T SAY THAT THIS NEW -- WHETHER IT IS VETERANS OR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. AND I HOPE COMMISSIONER CAGLE

WILL BE SENSITIVE TO AS WELL. I MOVE ADOPTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A

MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: A YOU POSED? >> I'M A NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 4-1. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: BEFORE WE GO ON HERE WE WERE IN COMMUNITY SERVICES. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ON COMMUNITY SERVICES ?

VETERAN SERVICES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT ACCORDING TO OUR LIAISONS AND FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING WITH OUR VETERAN SERVICES THAT OUR NEW TEAM IN THERE IS DOING A FABULOUS JOB IN REACHING OUT AND BEING ABLE TO ASSIST OUR VETERANS.

LIKE MANY OF YOU TOMORROW MORNING I WILL BE UP AT KLEIN FOR A VETERAN'S EVENT AND THAT WILL BE A LIVE EVENT AND THEN TOMORROW NIGHT I WANT TO REINVITE EVERYBODY TO JOIN US FOR OUR VIRTUAL PRECINCT FOUR VETERAN'S EVENT. THAT'S AN EVENT WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR A LONG, LONGTIME. IT BEGAN BEFORE I STARTED SERVING AS COMMISSIONER AND I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF CARRYING THAT FORWARD. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR VETERANS FOR THE GREAT SERVICE THEY HAVE GIVEN TO OUR COUNTRY AND TO US SO WE CAN HAVE ROBUST DISCUSSION AND DO BY THES SUCH -- AND DEBATES SUCH THAT WE ARE HAVING HERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AMEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE JUST ONE THING BACK TO CSD AND PAGE 12 AND HIGH TESTIMONY H. IF THE DIRECTOR -- IT MIGHT BE -- YOU MAY NOT KNOW NOW, DOCTOR, OR MAYBE YOUR STAFF WOULD, DO YOU WANT TO MENTION THIS IN THE BRIEFING AND I WAS GOING TO ASK THE OTHER DAY, DO WE -- ARE YOU ALL ABLE TO GIVE A BRACT -- BREAK DOWN ON HOW MANY OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS -- NOT JUST COUNTY, BUT CITY AND COUNTY? I HOPE THE IF YOU ADMINISTRATION WILL UNDO THE EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION WHICH INCREASES THE SEGREGATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAPPED IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. MAYBE IT WILL BACK US AWAY FROM SOME OTHER DRAW CONE YEN POLICIES TO TRAP PEOPLE IN PLACES LIKE THE ONE GEORGE FLOYD WAS IN.

I'M TAKING ALL OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IT COMES IN AND I AM GLAD TO HAVE IT AS IS THE CASE WITH THIS ONE. BUT DO YOU ALL KNOW OR CAN YOU JUST GIVE US A BREAK DOWN ON THAT THE NEXT COURT OR IF IT TAKES TWO COURTS FROM NOW.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MONEY DEERING AS WE DO -- MONITORING IF WE DO THIS IF WE CONTINUE TO SEGREGATE THOSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN PRECINCTS 1 AND 2.

>> OKAY, GO AHEAD, MS. HOLLOWAY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT, BUT WE DEFINITELY CAN HAVE A REPORT AVAILABLE FOR YOU THAT DEMONSTRATES WHERE THE LOCATION IS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AND THOSE THAT ARE PLANNED TO AS YOU MENTIONED ENSURE THERE IS MORE OF A WIDESPREAD SOIP OF -- OWNERSHIP OF WHERE THE HOUSING IS LOCATED.

WE WILL WORK TOWARD GETTING THAT TO YOU THE NEXT COURT. IF IT IS DELAYED I WILL

COMMUNICATE THAT TO YOU AND TO YOUR STAFF. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MAYBE EACH TIME, DOCTOR, AS WE DO ONE I WILL PROBABLY ASK. IT WOULD BE GOOD BECAUSE THAT

[07:25:04]

THANK YOU. >> MOST DEFINITELY. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, GOING BACK TO VETERANS SERVICES I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE ARE.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING WITH DAVE LEWIS AND HE WAS TELLING ME THAT HE HAS SOME CHALLENGES GETTING HIS LEASE DONE IN THE BUILDING AND THEY ARE HOPING TO COMBINE THEM WITH COMBINED ARMS. I THINK IT HAS BEEN WORKED OUT.

I WILL ASK MR. SOARD IF A MOTION IS NECESSARY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING L -- MR. LEWIS AND EVERYTHING HE NEEDS TO GET THAT LEASE DONE.

>> WE ARE WORKING ON THAT WITH SOME PEOPLE AND IT IS AN ISSUE WITH A MASTER LEASE.

IT IS THE COMBINED ARMS AND THE PERSON IF CHARGE OF THE PROPERTY.

I DON'T BELIEVE YOU NEED A MOTION, BUT IT WOULDN'T HURT, BUT EITHER WAY WE WILL GET IT

DONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST BECAUSE TOMORROW IS VETERAN'S DAY I THINK WE WOULD ALL TAKE PLEASURE IN VOTING ON A MOTION SUPPORTIVE OF OUR VETERAN SERVICES OFFICE. WHAT WOULD THAT MOTION LOOK LIKE TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO WORK WITH VETERAN SERVICES TO WORKOUT A LEASE?

>> AND THE PROPERTY SERVICES. THEY CAN ALL WORK ON THE PROJECT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE COUNTY TO WORK WITH

FPM TO GET A LEASE DONE FOR VETERAN SERVICES. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COUNTY

LIBRARY. >> FOR COURT CLARITY THE ACTUAL TRANSMITAL AND ON THE

APPROVAL FOR LATE OTHER? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THIS INCREDIBLE WORK.

IT IS APPRECIATED. COUNTY LIBRARY. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.

CONSTABLES. SHERIFF. FIRE MARSHALL.

[II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 2 of 3)]

ONE WHICH IS THE REPORT BACK ON THE ELECTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I HAVE A

QUESTION, JUDGE. WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

WE HAVE MR. HOLLINS. AND WE WILL START WITH A THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YAY! >> LINA HIDALGO: EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN'T KNOW THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION ON TUESDAY NIGHT, I SLEPT GREAT KNOWING THAT -- KNOWING THAT THINGS HAD GONE WELL OPERATIONALLY AT THE COUNTY AND THAT'S IN NO SMALL PART DUE TO CHRIS HOLLINS AND

HIS CREW. MR. HOLLINS, ARE YOU ON? >> CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD. >> FANTASTIC.

WELL, GOOD EVENING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. IN MY REMARKS THAT ARE IN FRONT OF ME THE NOTES SAY GOOD MORNING. BUT IT HAS BEEN QUITE THE DAY. IT REMINDED ME OF THE DAY ON WHICH YOU ALL APPOINTED ME WHERE I SAT ON THE PHONE I THINK ABOUT 10:30 P.M. IT WAS FOR Y'ALL TO COME TO THAT VOTE. AND THEN I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO SAY ANYTHING.

MY PARENTS AND MY WIFE SPENT A LONG DAY ON THE WEBEX AS WELL.

IT IS GREAT TO BE TALKING TO YOU ALL THIS EVENING. AS YOU ARE ALL AWARE MY TIME AS COUNTY CLERK IS COMING TO A CLOSE. THIS WILL BE MY FINAL REGULAR COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING AS COUNTY CLERK.

AFTER THE CANVAS OF THE ELECTION IS COMPLETED, AFTER THE ELECTIONS ARE CERTIFIED THE DULY ELECTED COUNTY CLERK IS GOING TO REPLACE ME UPON TAKING HER OATH.

I DO WANT TO JUST MAKE THE STATEMENT, I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THIS OFFICE CAN AND WILL ACHIEVE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF TANISIA. SHE IS A VETERAN OF THE OFFICE AND HAVING SERVED UNDER FOUR ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATIONS.

YOU ALL KNOW AS I DO THAT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK IS GOING TO BE IN GOOD HANDS.

[07:30:08]

ALONG WITH JUDGE HIDALGO THERE WAS A SEARCH FOR THE PERSON WHO WAS BEST TO FILL THIS CRITICAL POSITION. ISABEL'S VISION AND TALENT AND COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY MADE HER THE TOP CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB. TAU KNEE SHAW AND -- TANISIA AND ISABEL AND I WILL ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION. WE HAVE A CALL SET UP WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND OTHERS TOMORROW MORNING.

I KNOW WE EACH SAW APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AS WE CONTINUE. AND UNPARALLELED VOTER ACCESS TO THE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY. ANOTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT IS SOME OF MY TIME IN OFFICE IS TO BEAR WITNESS TO THE WORK THIS COURT HAS DONE AS A RECORD KEEPER OF HARRIS COUNTY I CAN SIGN ON TO YOUR RESOLUTION HONORING OUR SERVICE MEMBERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OUR COMMUNITY LIKE DR. PLUMMER FROM TODAY AND RABBI CARP WHOSE LIFE WE RECOGNIZED AND IMPORTANT DAYS LIKE VETERAN'S DAY AND LIKE CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, WORLD AIDS DAY AND THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT. YOU ALL DESERVE ENORMOUS CREDIT FOR ALL YOU DO. ESPECIALLY FOR KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE DURING THE PANDEMIC. IN MY SHORT TIME IN OFFICE AND I KNOW HOW STRESSFUL THIS WORK CAN BE AND HOW MUCH SACRIFICE IS REQUIRED BY YOU AND YOUR STAFF INCLUDING YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH AND TIME AWAY FROM FAMILY. THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU AND TO YOUR TEAMS AND TO YOUR -- AND MY TEAM AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE INCLUDING THE THOUSANDS OF ELECTION WORKERS WHO STEPPED UP WHEN HARRIS COUNTY NEEDED YOU THE MOST.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MY WIFE, MORGAN, FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND FOR YOUR GRACE AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT. JUST TO BRAG A BIT ABOUT MY WIFE, NOT ONLY DID MORGAN UP SHAW HOLLINS KEEP OUR HOUSEHOLD RUNNING SEEM LESLIE -- SEEMLESSLY AND OUR DAUGHTER IS ON TRACK TO A SCHOLARSHIP, BUT GAVE BIRTH TO OUR SON, GEORGE, IN JULY DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION.

AND SHE HAS REARED HIM FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS. AND ALL THAT WAS DONE WHILE SHE WAS WORKING AS COUNSEL AT A PRESTIGIOUS LAW FIRM AND WORKING TOWARD MAKING PARTNER WHICH SHE JUST ACHIEVED A FEW WEEKS AGO. THAT IS REMARKABLE.

I'M SURE YOU ALL AGREE THAT I DON'T DESERVE SOMEONE LIKE MORGAN.

I'M GLAD SHE HAS NOT FIGURED THAT OUT YET. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I THINK WE APPOINTED THE WRONG PERSON. GO AHEAD, CHRIS.

>> TOO LATE, BROTHER. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE FANTASTIC WORK THAT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. MOST OF THE ATTENTION PAID TO MY OFFICE IS AROUND ELECTIONS. IN A YEAR LIKE 2020 I CAN CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHY. HUNDREDS OF COLLEAGUES COME TO WORK EVERY DAY TO SERVE THE 4.7 MILLION RESIDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR VOTING STATUS AND SOMETIMES EVEN BEFORE THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE. WE RECORD THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS FROM BIRTH CERTIFICATES TO MARRIAGE LICENSES AND TO PROPERTY RECORDS AND TO COURT DOCUMENTS AND SO MUCH MORE. LIKE EACH OF YOUR OFFICES WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONTINUE THESE CRITICAL SERVICES AND WE HAVE UNCOVERED THE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE OUR LEVEL OF SERVICE AND IT WILL HELP US NOT ONLY THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, BUT FAR BEYOND IT. THAT'S WHY THEY CREATED THE CCO CARES PLAN. IT IS AN ACRO -- ACRONYM THAT IS CLIENT ACCESSIBLE RESPONSIVE,Y -- EFFICIENT AND SAFE. THEY BRAINSTORMED AND PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED ENHANCEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH 16 CARES INITIATIVES.

IT INCLUDES IMPLEMENTING AN E-COMMERCE SYSTEM THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY ALLOWED FOR RECORDS AND MAKING OUR WEBSITES MORE INTUITIVE AND INCLUDING AN ONLINE CONTACT DIRECTORY WE CAN USE TO GET TO THE RIGHT PLACE FASTER. OVERHAULING OUR CALL CENTER AND REOPENING OUR DOWNTOWN OFFICE FOR IN PERSON CLIENT SERVICES AND FOR THE SAFETY OF.

>> -- CLIENTS ALIKE. SO THE BEST IDEAS ARE DEVELOPED AND PUT INTO

[07:35:06]

PRACTICE. >> THEY HAVE INCREASED THE AMOUNT THEY OFFER AND THE REAL PROPERTY AND THE ARCHIVES SYSTEM AS WELL. THE CARES TEAM HAS INCREASED FOCUS ON ENHANCING THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF THE PATRONS AND I AM GLAD UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF CLERK ELECT WE WILL CONTINUE TOEN STANCE CLIENT SERVICE AND PROMOTE DEVELOP MEANT AMONG COLLEAGUES AND IMPROVE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS AND RESHAPE THE CULTURE TO BE INNOVATIVE AND TEAM CENTERED AND CLIENT FOCUSED.

AND YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT WE HAD AN ELECTION AS WELL. IT TURNS OUT THAT WHEN YOU MAKE VOTING EASIER FOR FOLKS, THEY VOTE. MORE THAN 1.65 MILLION HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS MADE THEIR VOICE HEARD IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS AND 300,000 MORE VOTERS TURNED OUT IN 2016.

WE HAVE SEEN SO MUCH TOGETHER. THE FIRST DRIVE-THRU PROGRAM IN THE HISTORY OF TEXAS AND TRIPLING THE NUMBER OF VOTERS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

AND WE HEARD SO MANY INSPIRING STORIES FROM THE FIRST TIME VOTERS OR FROM VOTERS WHO WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS WITHOUT THE INNOVATIVE AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS THAT WE PUT FORWARD AND THAT THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT TODAY -- STOOD BEHIND.

THE WELDERS AND THE ELECTRICIANS THAT VOTED AT 2:00 A.M. WHEN THEY GOT OFF THEIR SHIFT AND WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT AT ANY OTHER TIME AND THE NURSE WORKING 12 AND 14-HOUR SHIFTS BACK TO BACK SINCE FEBRUARY WHO CRIED WHEN SHE FOUND OUT SHE COULD VOTE AT THE TEXAS CENTER. SO MANY FOLKS WHO HAD FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WERE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED THAT SAID DRIVE-THRU VOTING ALLOWED THEM TO CAST THEIR BALLOT WITHOUT FEAR THEY MAY BE SERVING AS A CONDUIT FOR THE DEADLY VIRUS. THE MOTHER WITH SMALL CHILDREN THAT VOTED DRIVE-THRU WITH HER KIDS IN THE CAR AND NOT PUT HER FAMILY'S SAFETY AT RISK AND THE VETERAN -- I KNOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VETERANS TODAY, WITH PTSD THAT WOULDN'T HAVE VOTED IF HE HAD TO WALK INTO A VOTING CENTER. THESE GREAT SERVICES DID NOT COME OUT OF NOWHERE. THEY CAME AS A RESULT OF A PLAN.

ON JUNE FF TEEN -- JUNE 15TH, TWO YEARS AFTER I STARTED MY TENURE I ISSUED THE SAFE ELECTION PLAN. SAFE STANDS FOR SAFE, ADHERE -- AND THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION BETWEEN THEIR HEALTH AND THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE.

AND WE WORKED TO MAKE SURE VOTING WOULD BE CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE AND SECURE.

AT THE SAME TIME 24 INITIATIVES WITH TEAMS SET UP TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY. WITH REGARD TO SAFETY ALL ELECTION WORKERS WERE PROVIDED WITH PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND SO WAS EVERY VOTER WHO NEEDED IT FROM FACE MASKS TO FINGER COVERINGS THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE LOVED SO MUCH AND PLEXIGLASS AND HAND SANITIZERS AND WIPES WE DID EVERYTHING TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE. WE PUSHED FOR EXTENDING VOTER PERIOD SO THEY CAN BE MORE SPACED OUT AS THEY CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT UH PLIEJED -- OBLIGED AND EXTENDED IT TO 18 DAYS.

AND BE -- WE ENCOURAGED THOSE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BY MAIL TO DO SO.

MY FIRST ACT IN PUBLIC OFFICE WAS TO SEND VOW BY -- VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONS MORE THAN 250,000 HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS REQUESTED A MAIL IN BALLOT AND 90% WERE SENIORS AND 170,000 ULTIMATELY VOTED. BOTH OF THOSE ARE RECORDS AND THEY EACH RESULTED IN OUR VOTERS AND OUR VOTING CENTERS BEING SAFE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

REGARDING SECURITY WE UTILIZED THE FULLY CLOSED SYSTEM. WHERE THERE IS NO TALLY EQUIPMENT EVER CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET. THIS ELECTION WAS OURS AND NOBODY ELSE'S AND WE KEPT IT THAT WAY. OUR MAIL BALLOTS WERE SECURED IN LOCK BOXES AND THEY WERE KEPT IN A LOCKED CAGE AND PROTECTED BY CON -- CONSTABLES. WE HAD A TASK FORCE THAT INCLUDED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND NUMEROUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INCLUDING CON STACKETS FROM PRE SINK -- CON STACKETS -- CONTACTS FROM PRECINCT 1 AND PLAIN CLOTHED OFFICERS ENSURED VOTERS COULD

[07:40:06]

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WORKING TIRELESSLY TO SAVE LIVES AND SHIFT WORKERS SHOWING UP IN WELDING GEAR AND WORKING PARENTS DOING THEIR BEST TO JUGGLE FAMILIES AND THEIR LIVELIHOOD WERE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE EXTENDED HOURS. WE SHORTENED WAIT TIMES AND STRENGTHENED OUR WAIT TIME TOOL TO ALLOW SLOTTERS -- VOTERS TO CHOOSE A LOCATION MORE CONVENIENT. YOU WERE ABLE TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN LINE AND HOW LONG THE PROXIMATE WAIT WAS AND IF THERE WAS A SHORTER LINE AT THE THREE CLOSER CENTERS. WE LEARNED QUICKLY THAT THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO LINE ON THE EARLY 14 DAYS OF VOTING. THIS IS SIMPLY UNHEARD OF IN ELECTIONS.

REPORTERS COMPLAINED THEY NORMALLY GET THEIR MATERIAL FROM THE STORIES BY INTERVIEWING VOTERS STANDING IN LINE, BUT THERE WEREN'T VOTERS IN LINE.

I THINK OUR OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO THAT WAS SORRY, BUT NOT SORRY.

WE OFFERED DRIVE-THRU VOTING AND ONE IN 10 IN PERSON VOTERS UTILIZED THE SEARCH.

PARTISAN FORCES STOPPED TO MAKE THEM CONTINUE VERBS -- CONTROVERSIAL IN THE SAME WAY THEY ATTACKED VOTING BY MAIL. THE FACT OF THE MATTER WAS IT WASN'T CONTROVERSIAL.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REPUBLICANS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DEMOCRATS AND I'M SURE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF EVERYONE IN BETWEEN CAST THEIR BALLOTS SAFELY AND CONVENIENTLY AT DRIVE THROUGH LOCATIONS. THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION WE GOT WAS WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN OFFERED BEFORE. AND THE NUMBER TWO QUESTION IS CAN WE PROMISE WE CAN HAVE THIS IN THE FUTURE. I HOPE THE ANSWER IS YES.

REGARDING FAIRNESS ALL OF THE WORK WE WERE DOING WOULD BE WORTHLESS IF THEY WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF IT. AND THE DEMOCRACY WOULD BE DO MINUTED -- BE ADD MINUTED -- -- DIMINISHED. WE INCREASED OUT REACH EFFORTS ESPECIALLY TO COMMUNITIES WHO SPEAK SPANISH, CHINESE AND VIETNAMESE. WE HAD BILLBOARDS AND PRINT AND RADIO AND TV ADS AND SOCIAL MEDIA. OUR TWITTER ACCOUNT WAS A FAN FAVORITE NATIONALLY FOR HOW WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE SO MUCH USEFUL INFORMATION IN A FUN AND ENGAGING WAY. AND WE ALSO BROUGHT IN IBM WATSON TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON OUR WEBSITE. WE SOUGHT FEEDBACK FROM STAKEHOLDERS.

I MET WITH WEAVER -- EVERY ONE OF YOUR OFFICES ON A WEEKLY BASES AND WE INVITED COMMUNITY GROUPS TO JOIN IN OUR WORK AND PROVIDE BETTER AND SAFER PROGRAMS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK TO COUNT EVERY VOTE. UP UNTIL YESTERDAY THEY WERE REACHING OUT TO PROVISIONAL VOTERS WHO NEEDED TO TAKE ACTION TO HAVE THEIR VOTES COUNTED. A IS -- AS WE SPEAK, OR AS WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SPEAKING A FEW HOURS AGO A TEAM OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS THAT THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPOINTED ARE TAKING THE TIME TO FINALIZE THE TALLY AND COUNT THE VOTE AT RGA.

WE NEEDED RESOURCES TO MAKE ALL OF THIS HAPPEN. MORE ELECTION WORKERS AND BETTER TRAINING AND ADDITIONAL VOTING MACHINES AND MAIL BALLOT EQUIPMENT AND A NEW HEADQUARTERS. HARRIS COUNTY IS GRATEFUL FOR THE RESOURCES APPROVED FOR THE TASK. OUR WORK DOES NOT STOP HERE. BEGINNING TOMORROW YOU ALL, COURT MEMBERS, WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE NEXT GENERATION OF VOTING MACHINES. MACHINES MORE INTUITIVE FOR THE VOTER AND EASIER TO OPERATE BY OUR ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND THAT WILL PROVIDE A PAPERBACK UP FOR SECURITY PURPOSES. ONE OF MY FINAL WEEKS IN OFFICE WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE. I HOPE YOU WILL USE YOUR AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO MAKE VOTING SIMPLER AND SAFER FOR RESIDENTS. AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA WILL REQUIRE THE SAME AS MY OFFICE RECEIVED IF SHE IS TO MAINTAIN THE LEGACY OF VOTER ACCESS WE CREATED TOGETHER THIS YEAR. I AGAIN WANT TO WISH EACH OF ALL WELL. GOING FORWARD IF YOU WANT TO CALL MY CELL PHONE AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT TO YELL AT ME, THERE WILL NOW BE AN ASSOCIATED HOURLY RATE.

IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH EACH OF YOU DURING THIS TIME

[07:45:04]

WE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH TOGETHER IN SUCH A SHORT TIME THAT I AM EXCITED FOR WHAT'S

TO COME. THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE IF I MAY? CHRIS I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT AS A COMMISSIONER WE GET TO VOTE ON A LOT OF COOL THINGS. WE JUST VOTED ON THE FRAMEWORK FOR SOME GOOD POLICY AND WE VOTED ON PROGRAMS TO HELP THE HOMELESS, BUT WHEN WE VOTED ON YOU BECAUSE OF DEMOCRACY BECAUSE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE VOTED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND VOTED WITH ENERGY AND PASSION. I VOTED AT MIDNIGHT. I WANTED TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE. WE GET TO CAST VERY FEW HISTORIC VOTES.

VOTING FOR CHRIS HOLLINS TO LEAD US THROUGH THIS ELECTION, A HISTORICAL ELECTION IN AND OF ITSELF, AND IT REMAINS THAT, BUT VOTING TO UH POINT YOU IN THIS ROLE, CHRIS, IS ONE OF THE VOTES THAT I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH AND REMEMBER AND I JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH TO YOUR FAMILY AS YOU JUMPED IN WITH BOTH FEET AND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAD A LOT GOING ON. I DO WANT TO TELL MORGAN THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HER SUPPORT OF YOU. AND TO YOUR CHILDREN WE SAY THANK YOU FOR SHARING THEIR DADDY. I WILL JUST TELL YOU, CHRIS, YOU DID THIS INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED, STRESSFUL HISTORICAL ELECTION AND YOU DID IT WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF CLASS. WITH ALL OF THE MOVING PIECES AND GETTING CALLS ABOUT DO THIS AND DON'T DO THAT AND STOP NOW AND DON'T STOP.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU DID THIS WITH AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF CLASS AND WE -- ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY REGARDLESS OF PARTY IS GRATEFUL TO YOU. YOU HAVE SHOWN WHAT OUR DO -- OUR DO POCK RAW SEE -- DEMOCRACY CAN BE. AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT WE COULD HAVE HAD SOME INCREDIBLE DEBATES ABOUT THE LAW AND YOU'RE RIGHT AND WERE YOU STRONG IN YOUR CONVICTION. AND SO I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE AND YOUR STRENGTH AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR INNOVATION AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS ON ISABEL AND YOUR COMMENTS SHOULD GIVE US ALL GREAT COME -- COMFORT THAT THE LEGACY OF CHRIS HOLLINS WILL CONTINUE.

YOU GOT TO SEE IT UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. THAT'S EXCITING.

IT REALLY IS. CHRIS, AGAIN, ALL OF THAT IS TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A GUY THAT SAYS I AM ONLY HERE FOR AWHILE AND I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS PAPER MOVES FROM ONE SIDE OF THE DESK TO THE OTHER AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT KIND OF A THING. YOU REALLY EMBRACED THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE MOMENT THAT WAS HANDED TO YOU AND YOU KICKED ASS, PARDON THE FRENCH, BUT YOU DID.

YOU REALLY DID. ANOTHER TECHNICAL TERM IS YOU ARE A BADASS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID IT ALL. CHRIS, IN PARTICULAR, IT DOES SAY A LOT ABOUT MORGAN AND ABOUT VIVIEN, EVEN AS YOUNG AS SHE IS AND ALSO ABOUT GEORGE.

YOU GET TO TELL HIM ABOUT THIS AS HE GROWS UP. YOU DID DO AN INCREDIBLE JOB AND WE WERE ALL PROUD TO VOTE FOR YOU. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I HOPE IT IS NOT THE LAST TIME I GET TO VOTE FOR YOU. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO AIM

[07:50:10]

TOOK COURSES WHERE DR. KING TOOK TO SCHOOL. CERTAINLY MADE SOME GOOD TROUBLE. I KNOW I CHATTED WITH YOU BRIEFLY AND I HOPE EVEN BEFORE YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT ELSE YOU MAY WANT TO DO IN TERMS OF POSSIBLE ELECTED POSITIONS IF SOMETHING OPENS UP DOWN THE ROAD OR YOU MAKE AN OPENING I HOPE THAT WE AT HARRIS COUNTY WILL THINK IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT FITS IN YOUR CAREER PATH THAT IS NOT A DISTRACTION FROM YOUR DAY JOB TOO MUCH THEN WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT THAT.

YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING. IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE.

LAST POINT IS I KNOW DURING THE TENSE CONCERNS AND YOU GOT A TASTE OF SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TAKE A FIRM POSITION AND YOU ARE IN THE PUBLIC SPOTLIGHT, AND JUDGE YOU FOUND THAT OUT AS WELL OBVIOUSLY, SOMETIMES THERE ARE DEMENTED INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN DO HARM. WE APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY IN HARM'S WAY. THAT'S THE AMERICAN WAY.

TO DO PUBLIC SERVICE. THANK YOU, MY FRIEND. AND GIVE ME MY BIKE BACK BY

THE WAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHRIS.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WITH ALL OF THE SECURITY CONCERNS I DON'T THINK WE WOULD HAVE GUESSED THE WAY I WOULD HURT MYSELF IS FALLING OFF MY BIKE.

I'LL TAKE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU TO YOUR FAMILY AS WELL. WE ALL REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I'M SORRY. I FORGOT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. HOLLINS. I HAVE THREE POSITIVE THINGS AND SEVEN QUESTIONS OF SORT OF WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF STATUS IN THIS LAST ELECTION. POSITIVE IS THAT I HAVE BEEN GETTING RAVE REVIEWS BACK ON THE DROPOFF AT NRG. THAT WAS VERY QUICK AND WELL ORGANIZED PROCESS. SOME SPECULATION THAT MAYBE YOU WERE USING NRG STAFFERS TO HELP WITH THE PROCESS. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DID IT, BUT I HAVE BEEN HEARING GOOD REPORTS ON THAT DROPOFF. WHATEVER IT IS YOU DID, MAKE SURE YOU PASS THAT INFORMATION ON TO YOUR SUCCESSOR. THE SECOND POSITIVE THAT I AM HEARING FROM THE FOLKS IN THE FIELD IS THAT THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF APPRECIATION FOR THE EXTRA TRAINING THAT WENT INTO MANY OF OUR WORKERS. THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS IN THIS ELECTION AND A LOT OF NEW VOTERS. AND HAVING THE ADDITIONAL HOURS OF TRAINING APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN VERY POSITIVE AND BENEFICIAL AMONG THE FOLKS OUT THERE.

OF COURSE WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONGTIME, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE NEW FOLKS TRYING TO LEARN EVERYTHING IN EIGHT HOURS IS DIFFICULT AND IT WAS HELPFUL IN THE PROCESS. THE THIRD POSITIVE IS THAT ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT AGREED WITH YOU ON ALL OF YOUR DECISIONS OR ON ALL OF THE APPROACHES, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY PLEASANT AND COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL TO ME PERSONALLY.

AND I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT. I DO LIKE TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE WITH FOLKS WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO DISCUSS DIFFICULT ISSUES ALONG THE WAY. AND YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL TOWARD ME WHEN I AM TRUE I -- TRYING TO FIND OUT THE INFORMATION I AM TRYING TO DISCOVER. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THOSE THREE THINGS THAT I DON'T THINK HAD BEEN NECESSARILY MENTIONED BY MY COLLEAGUES.

THE SEVEN SORT OF WHERE WE ARE AT QUESTIONS AND I WILL LOOK AT THE FIRST ONE.

HAVE ALL OF THE JVC MEMORY CARDS BEEN COUNTED? THERE WERE A QUESTION OF OUTSTANDING MEMORY STICKS. HAVE THEY BEEN LOCATED AND HAVE THEY BEEN COUNTED?

>> THEY HAVE AND THERE WAS NEVER A LOCATION ISSUE FOR JVC.

THERE WAS A JCC -- JVC THAT HAD NEEDED SOME SORT OF A REPAIR THAT WAS AT ETC ON ELECTION NIGHT THAT CAME OVER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THAT WAS THE ONLY JVC THAT WASN'T ITSELF PLUGGED IN AND COUNTED ON ELECTION NIGHT IT CAME IN THE FOLLOWING DAY.

>> >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY SECOND QUESTION RELATES TO THE RECOUNT. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THE STATUS IS OF THE STATE REP

[07:55:02]

RACE THAT IS BEING RECOUNTED? >> NO RACE IS BEING RECOUNTED AT THE TIME.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH A NORMAL CANVAS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I UNDERSTOOD THAT THE RACE WITH JOHN ROSETHAL AND JUSTIN RAY WAS EITHER IN LITIGATION OR REQUEST FOR RECOUNT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAD BEEN DONE.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT IS NOT THE CASE? >> I HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF ANYTHING THERE. THEY WOULD NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE CANVAS WAS COMPLETE TO PUT UP ANY SORT OF ELECTION CONTESTS OF THAT NATURE. THAT MAY STILL BE PENDING.

I KNOW THAT RACE AS OF WHERE WE WERE AT WHICH IS 99.9% OF THE RESULTS WAS WITHIN ABOUT 300, 400 VOTES. I DON'T RECALL THE SPECIFICS. IT IS CERTAINLY A CLOSE RATE -- CLOSE RACE. RIGHT NOW THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED OUT. WE WILL SEE WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE AND IF -- AND IT INCLUDES THE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS. THE REASON THERE ARE SO MANY PROVISIONALS AND MAYBE YOU ARE AWARE THERE ARE QUITE A FEW FOLKS THAT APPLIED FOR A MAIL BALLOTS.

AND IF THEY DID SO AND DID NOT HAVE THEIR MAILED BALLOT WITH THEM TO SURRENDER, THEN THEY WOULD NEED TO VOTE PROVISIONALLY AND AS LONG AS IT WASN'T VOTED THEIR VOTE COUNTED. FROM MY ANECDOTAL CHAT ROUGHLY HALF OF THE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS ARE GOING TO BE COUNTED. THE HUGE MAJORITY ARE BECAUSE OF THE MAIL BALLOT SITUATION AND SO WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME MORE VOTES THAT WILL BE ADDED TO THE TALLY ON THE NEXT REPORT AND WE WILL SEE IF THAT HELPS ONE CANDIDATE OR THE

OTHER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY THIRD QUESTION RELATES TO THE EAST SLATES AND -- EASTLAKE -- E SLATES AND THEIR PERFORMANCE. HOW MANY E SLATES WERE OUT

THERE? >> NOW YOU ARE TESTING ME. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM GUESSING 1300, BUT I DON'T WANT TO -- THAT'S MY GUESS. YOU WOULD BE GUESSING YOURSELF

AS WELL? >> THE NUMBER OF E SLATES IS HIGHER THAN THAT.

IT IS ALMOST 10 TIMES THAT AMOUNT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THEN WITH REGARD TO THE JVC'S OUT THERE, WE ONLY HAD A COUPLE OF FAILURES, IS THAT CORRECT? THE MACHINES ACTUALLY PERFORMED QUITE WELL THIS ELECTION?

>> YEAH, WHAT YOU SEE TYPICALLY IS A LESS THAN 1% FAILURE RATE AMONG BOTH JVC'S AND THE E SLATES. WE SAW A SLIGHTLY HIGHER FAILURE RATE FOR JVC'S BUT NOT OUTSIDE OF ANY RANGE OF EXPECTATIONS. IF YOU ARE ASKING IF THE

MACHINES STILL WORK, THE HIGH LEVEL ANSWER IS YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOT WORKING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WOULD YOU MIND REPORTING TO MY OFFICE

AND IF YOU CAN AND THERE ARE SOME -- >> THERE ARE SOME ISSUES WITH

THEM OPERATIONALLY. >> DO YOU HAVE A TALLY OF WHAT THE FINAL COST OF THIS

ELECTION WAS YET OR A BALLPARK FOR US? >> I DON'T AND I HAVE NOT BEEN IN FRONT OF MY COMPUTER FOR ABOUT 10 HOURS. WE CAN CALL AND SEND YOU AN UPDATE. WE SPENT ABOUT 6.5 MILLION. THAT'S MONEY THAT HAS GONE OUT IN TERMS OF OUT FLOW. THERE IS ANOTHER NUMBER IN THE LOW TEENS THAT HAS BEEN INCOME BETTERED, BUT NOT YET SENT. AND THEN THE REMAINING FIGURE WHICH IS ALSO IN THE LOW TEENS IS MONEY WE WOULD HAVE TO SEND OVER TO A1. I UH POLL GAZE FOR NOT -- I

[08:00:10]

GRANT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO I GUESS IF I CAN REPHRASE MY QUESTION

ARE WE GONNA GET SOME MONEY BACK? >> I BELIEVE THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES AND I THINK CERTAINLY ONCE THAT $10 MILLION GRANT IS FACTORED

IN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY FIFTH QUESTION IS HOW MUCH OF THESE FUNDS THAT WERE SPENT WERE SPENT ON THE GET OUT THE VOTE CAMPAIGN, THE INFORMATIONAL

CAMPAIGN? >> THE COMMUNICATIONS BUDGET WAS NOT QUITE 2 MILLION.

SO IF I AM RECALLING CORRECTLY IT IS BETWEEN 1.4 AND 1.6. >> AND NUMBER 6, WE HAVE HAD SOME CALLS AND INQUIRIES FROM OUR ENTITIES THAT DID THEIR ELECTIONS WHEN WE CALLED THE

COUNTY ELECTION. >> CAN YOU TELL US WHY THE COST WOULD DOUBLE? I UNDERSTAND WE DID A LOT OF THINGS OURSELVES, BUT HISTORICALLY WE DID -- IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY AS IN TIMES PAST WE DID NOT NECESSARILY PASS ON ALL OF OUR EXPENSES OF AN ELECTION. WE DID THE MARGINAL COST OF WHAT IT WOULD DO TO HOST AN ELECTION. CAN YOU EXPLAIN FOR US WHY THE COST TO OUR VENDOR HAS

DOUBLED. >> I WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT AND GET WITH YOU.

I KNOW THERE IS A FORMULA INVOLVED WE LAY LAYOUT OUR COST AND WE PAY A PERCENTAGE OF THAT COST I WOULD HAVE TO GET WITH YOU ON SPECIFICS. AS WE ALL KNOW THIS WAS CERTAINLY A MORE EXPENSIVE ELECTION TO ADMINISTER AND SO I IMAGINE THAT IS A HIGH LEVEL ANSWER THERE. I WILL DIG INTO IT AND GET AMOR DETAILED ANSWER THIS

WEEK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. AND THEN THE SEVENTH QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS ALMOST IN LINE WITH PASSING ON INFORMATION TO YOUR SUCCESSOR IN THIS ROLE.

AND THAT DEALT WITH THE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE NUMBERS THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAD VERSUS THE NUMBER THAT'S WERE ON OUR WEBSITE VERSUS THE NUMBER THAT'S ARE APPEARING ON THE VOTER ROLES. THE SATURDAY AFTER I ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE TAKES THEIR NUMBERS AT ONE TIME OF THE DAY AND THAT WE POST OUR NUMBERS ON OUR WEBSITE FROM A DIFFERENT TYPE -- DIFFERENT TIME OF THE DAY AND THE VOTES HAD COME IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO WHICH WOULD BE AN EXPLANATION FOR WHY IN MANY INSTANCES THERE WERE DIFFERENCES.

THERE COULD BE OTHER MINOR THINGS, BUT THAT'S WHY WE WERE HAVING LARGE DISCREPANCY NUMBERS. WITH THE LARGE VOTER TURNOUT AND THE DIFFERENTIAL TIME THAT IS COMING IN, MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE SO THAT WE COULD INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE ON OUR WEBSITE THERE ARE NUMBERS OF THE DAY.

IT IS LIKE WHEN YOU GO TO THE VOTING LOCATION AND WE SAY SOMETHING AT 8:00 AND THIS IS HOW MUCH IT WAS AND AT 10:00, AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN WE WERE COUNTING FOR THAT DAY THESE ARE WHAT THE NUMBERS WERE. IT IS SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHY THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S PUBLISHING AND OUR PUBLISHING. I WANT TO PASS THAT ON AS A REQUEST IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE AS WE GO FORWARD WE CAN HAVE THAT EXTRA BIT IN THERE AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ON THAT SATURDAY LETTING ME KNOW THAT THE DISCREPANCY HAD OCCURRED.

OTHER THAN THAT -- >> YES, SIR. I THINK IT IS A VERY FAIR PUSH AND WE DID LOOK ACROSS OTHER MAJOR COUNTIES AND THERE NUMBERS CHALLENGES, BUT THAT HAVING BEEN SAID I AGREE WITH YOU THAT IT IS MUCH MORE CONFIDENT AMONG THE VOTERS AND THE PUBLIC WHEN THOSE NUMBERS ARE UNIFORM AND WE WORKED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO SOLVE THAT TOWARD THE END. BUT I THINK MOVING FORWARD I THINK IT WOULD BE IN THE COUNTY'S BEST INTEREST TO SOLIDIFY THAT AND MAKE SURE THOSE NUMBERS ARE UNIFORM

[08:05:04]

GOING FORWARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOT WORKING. ALTHOUGH THE VISUALS ARE GREAT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE MY FINGER GLOVE FROM THE ELECTION.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF IF I WANT TO CHARACTERIZE IT QUITE THE WAY YOU DID -- I THINK WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER OR TWO OUT THERE. AND WE THANK YOU FORGETTING BACK TO US. WE HAVE A FEW OTHER THAT'S WE WILL TAKE UP WITH THE STAFF.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM THE

SPEAKERS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE I FORGET, ONE THING IS ONE COMMISSIONER CAGLE PROMPTED ME ON IS THAT I KNOW YOU GOT VERY LIMITED TIME AND IT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL THAT I HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE IT WILL BE OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND COVID 19 WILL BE -- IT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE WITH AND MAYBE THE NEXT ELECTION.

IT WILL BE HELPFUL THAT THIS TIME AROUND WE WERE FOR THE -- FORTUNATE I GUESS IF YOU WANT TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE CARES MONEY TO FUND SOME OF YOUR OPERATIONS.

IT IS HARD TO. IT WOULD BE GOOD TO TRY TO DO SOME QUICK BRAINSTORMING AS TO WHAT FUTURE ELECTION BUDGETS WILL LOOK LIKE SO WE CAN START TO PLAN FOR THAT IN -- AND SUPPORT MS. LONGORIA STEPS INTO HER ROLE. WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT A SECOND AGO. AND SECONDLY WITH MR. HOLLISS GIVING HIS -- MR. HOLE LINS -- HOLLINS GIVING HIS REPORT AND WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION AND WITH THE INCOMING ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR WILL WE GIVE THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR SPACE ON THE AGENDA? MY STAFF AND I WERE HAVING A DEBATE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE SHE HAS SUPPORT. CAN WE PROVIDE DEDICATED SPACE ON THE AGENDA OR WOULD THAT

NOT BE CORRECT? >> THAT WOULD BE BETWEEN YOU AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT OR WHOEVER PREPARES THE AGENDA. BUT TO SUPPORT HER IT IS A NEW OFFICE AND IT IS AN IMPORTANT OFFICE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO BE THERE FOR HER. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT HER ON THE AGENDA'S LIST.

>> THAT'S A GREAT POINT COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT A NUMBER OF TIMES FOR MS. LONGORIA AS WELL AS THE OTHERS. I HOPE WE WILL START THINKING ABOUT IT, BUT SHE WON'T GO THIS LATE, AND THEY DON'T KNOW. MAYBE WE CAN THINK OF A WAY THAT WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THEM WAITING. I WANT HER OUT THERE REGISTER -- I AM HOPING THE REGISTRATION EFFORT DURING THIS INTERIM -- I KNOW THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP IN DECEMBER, BUT BEFORE THE NEXT MAJOR ELECTION I HOPE WE WILL GET THE NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR REGISTERING PEOPLE THAT WE GOT FOR THE VOTE.

OF COURSE IT HELPS WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR FRIENDS -- YOUR PARTNER SUING YOU.

MAYBE IT WILL MAKE THEM REGISTER. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT IN OTHER COUNTIES. I WOULD SAY AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS, BUT I HATE FOR HER TO BE HERE WATCHING US AND WAITING TO COME ON UNTIL 10:00 EVERY TWO WEEKS INSTEAD OF REGISTERING VOTERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A SPEAKER AND QUITE THROUGH -- QUITE A BIT TO QUIET THROUGH.

I SUGGEST WE TAKE THE SPEAKER AND THAT WE MOVE ON FROM THIS ITEM.

[08:10:06]

>> YES. ON THE SECOND DAY OF EARLY VOTING A FRIEND'S BALLOT INCREASING BY ONE -- ONE AND SEVEN ALLOWED HER TO VOTE FOR TWO.

A WORKER ON THE SECOND DAY OF EARLY VOTING SAID THIS NEW SYSTEM IS IN PLACE AND COULD NOT HANDLE THE WORK OF THE FIRST DAY. AND ALL OF THE WORKERS WERE SENT HOME AND THAT ONE WAS TO REPORT ON THE THIRD DAY. WHY COULD THE NEW SYSTEM NOT HANDLE THE WORK? WAS IT DOMINION SOFTWARE? ON THE 31ST I HAD A 10:00 A.M. TIME TO PICK UP MY ELECTIONS PLUG. A JUDGE ACQUAINTED WITH A 9:00 A.M. APPOINTMENT SAID THE DELAY WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTION WORKERS DIDN'T BOOT UP THE IPADS UNTIL 9:00 A.M. AND IT TOOK AWHILE. THE THERMOMETER IN MY PPE BOX HAD NO BATTERIES. WHEN I PUT NO BATTERIES IN IT DIDN'T WORK.

I WAS TOLD THE CHAI -- THE CHINESE THERMOMETERS CAME WITH THE WRONG SIZE BATTERY.

MORE MONEY WASTED. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE DISTRICT CLERK SPECIALIST WAS NOT ALLOWED INTO THE POLLING LOCATION. WHAT DID THE CLERK HAVE IN MIND AS DCS WAS TRAINED TO TAKE OVER FOR A CLERK OR JUDGE.

I WAS ASSIGNED A CLERK THAT COULD EASILY RUN MY ELECTION WITH CYBER STICKS.

MORE WASTED TAXPAYER MONEY. ON ELECTION DAY THE PASS -- PASS CODE 1120 GO WAS NOT ACCEPTED AND WE WASTED PRECIOUS TIME IN THE PAST HOUR.

I BELIEVE THE PASS CODE WAS CORRECT BECAUSE IT FOLLOWED PASS CODES FROM PREVIOUS ELECTIONS. WHY DID SOMEONE ENTER THE INCORRECT CODE INTO THE SYSTEM? THAT IMPACTED ALL 806 POLLING LOCATIONS? I WOULD LIKE THE NEW LAMINATED INSTRUCTIONS AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OTHER PROCEDURES SINCE THE ELECTION DAY MANUAL BINDER HAS OVER 218 PAGES. THE 75 OR MORE PENS LIKE LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN A HIGH END GARDEN PARTY. YOU THREE DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED TIME AND AGAIN AGAINST THE GREATER GOOD FOR YOUR LIBERAL SOCIALIST AGENDA AND IT IS DEBT PRO MENTAL TO HARRIS -- DETRIMENTAL TO HARRIS COUNTY. YOUR REACTIONS HAVE LONG-TERM NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR HARRIS COUNTY. BUT I SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS WITH THREE VOTES -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR

WORKING THE ELECTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WERE YOU ALMOST DONE THERE?

SHE'S GONE. >> I'M STILL HERE. >> SHE'S THERE.

>> DO YOU WANT TO FINISH UP YOUR SENTENCE? >> ON THE LAST -- I WAS JUST -- MY LAST SENTENCE WAS I HOSPITAL BE SURPRISED -- I SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED BECAUSE COMMISSIONER ELLIS TODAY SAID WITH THREE VOTES YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR ERR COMMENTS.

HAVE -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS COUNTY CLERK. MOVING ON TO DISTRICT CLERK.

COUNTY ATTORNEY. JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. TRAVEL AND TRAINING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THEY ARE STILL ON, I KNOW IT IS LATE, I WANT TO ASK IF YOU ALL LAUNCHED YOUR LATEST DASHBOARD? I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO BE DELVING INTO INDIGENT DEFENSE EVEN DEEPER, BUT IF NOT DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. HAVE YOU LAUNCHED THE NEW DASHBOARD AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU WILL PROMOTE THAT SO ADVOCACY GROUPS KNOW IT IS

THERE. >> EYE -- I KNOW, RADACK CALLS -- CALLED ME.

>> HE IS ON ANOTHER CALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL BRING HIM BACK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S ALL RIGHT. WE'LL ASK TOMORROW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TRAVEL AND TRAINING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT ARE WE

DOING WITH JUSTICE ADD STRAGS? >> LINA HIDALGO: --

[08:15:03]

ADMINISTRATION? >> LINA HIDALGO: WHEN HE GETS BACK WE WILL PUT HIM BACK ON.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAD A QUESTION OF MR. BEKEY -- BETKEY.

WHEN HE COMES BACK I WILL DEAL WITH THAT. AND NOW WE ARE ON TRAVEL AND

TRAINING? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO

POINT OUT IF I MAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON ITEM 2 OF HVEZ, THE DISNEY THEME THAT IS VIRTUAL TRAINING. WE ARE NOT SENDING ANYBODY TO FLORIDA? THEY ARE DOING THAT LOCALLY IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DISCOVER. FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD ARE LOOKING AT US AND ASKING ARE WE SENDING PEOPLE TO DISNEYLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF COVID.

THE ANSWER IS NO. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE VIRTUAL TRAINING HERE, BUT IF THERE WAS -- IF WE WERE SENDING SOMEBODY TO DISNEY LAND I WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. WE CHECKED INTO IT AND WE ARE NOT APPROVING SENDING SOMEBODY

TO DISNEYLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR PANDEMIC. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER

SOME WOULD SAY WE ARE AT DISNEYLAND RIGHT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

GRANTS. FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING.

THERE IS A REQUEST BY THE AUDITOR THAT ITEM H ON PAGE 17 AND ITEM 1H IS NO ACTION BE

TAKEN ON THAT ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I HAVE A QUESTION ON -- MY STAFF HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER I KNOCKED MY PICTURE OFF.

BACK ON AUDITOR 21A. JUDGE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE APPROVAL OF AUDITED CLAIMS THAT I WANT TO VOTE NO ON AS TO PFM. I ASKED -- WE ASKED THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THAT AND AT THIS POINT IT IS JUST WHERE I SAY NO AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SORT OUT WHAT THOSE ARE. IS THAT RIGHT, MR. POST?

>> YES. WE TURNED IN -- LET ME GET THE NUMBER HERE.

FOR THE COURT TO APPROVE 107 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF CLAIMS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS, BECAUSE I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE STAFF, YOU WANT TO VOTE NO ON 1,000,004 THOUSAND 674 WORTH OF CLAIMS. AND THESE SPECIFICALLY ARE

PAYMENTS TO THE PFM GROUP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT. >> I THINK THAT YOU CERTAINLY CAN DO THAT. YOUR STAFF ASKED ABOUT THE FORM THAT YOU SIGNED AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS SIGNED APPROVING THESE CLAIMS. AND I THINK YOU CAN JUST FOOT NOTE THAT WITH -- YOU KNOW YOU ARE VOTING FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE PFM INVOICES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: VERY GOOD. YOU MAY WANT TO VOTE ON THAT ISSUE NOW SO IT IS ALL CLEAR FOR THE END OF THE TALLY, BUT I'M VOTING NO ON THE PFM REQUEST FOR MAIMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: NOW OR LATER WHAT IS EASIER? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE SHOULD DO IT NOW. JAMES IS THIS CLEAR TO YOU? DO YOU NEED SOMETHING MORE

SPECIFIC. >> FOR 21A1, A THROUGH J, IF YOU TAKE A VOTE ON THAT,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS NO ON THE P PFM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE

ADOPTION FOR THOSE ITEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR OF THE ITEMS -- WE HAVE A MOTION COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ITEMS A1, A THROUGH J. ALL IN FAVOR OF ALL OF THE

ITEMS? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. OPPOSED?

>> STEVE RADACK: JAMES I AM OPPOSED AS WELL TO ALL OF THE PFM'S.

AND AN I ON THE REST. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. GREAT.

THANK YOU, JAMES. >> SO THE MOTION CARRIES WITH ITEM H IS STILL NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. H IS NO ACTION. COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> I HAVE JIM BETKEY NOW IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA, DID YOU NEED SOMETHING? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUICKLY.

ON AUDITOR AND PAGE 17 AND ITEM 3, JUST A DISCUSSION AND SOMETHING THAT I'M SURE MR. BERRY IS WORKING ON, BUT ACCORDING TO MY NOTES, THE GENERAL FUND PROPERTY TAX REVENUES FOR THE GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT ARE FOR APPROXIMATELY 80% OF TOTAL REVENUES FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR. THERE WAS AN 11.8 MILLION DECREASE IN TAX REVENUE

[08:20:02]

DIGEST THIS. >> CERTAINLY, COMMISSIONER. THIS IS DAVE BERRY SPEAKING.

AND WE HAVE DONE A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE FORECAST THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR AS OF SEPTEMBER. BUT WE WILL DIGEST THE NEW INFORMATION AND WILL KEEP THAT UPDATED. SO FAR WE ARE IN A PRETTY STEADY SPOT FINANCIALLY THIS YEAR. BUT IF THINGS START TO CHANGE WE WILL CERTAINLY LET YOU KNOW AND RECOMMEND ANY CORRECTIVE ACTIONS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GREAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: JIM BETKEY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND

COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD QUESTIONS FOR YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JIM RNTION I -- JIM, I KNOW I WILL PUT AN ITEM OR SOMEBODY WILL ON THIS ISSUE OF INDIGENT DEFENSE.

I KNOW SOME OF THE NOT FOR PROFIT GROUPS INTERESTED IF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM MAY START FOCUSING ON THAT A BIT MORE, BUT I JUST WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT KIND OF TRACTION YOU ARE GETTING ON THOSE BOARDS THAT YOU DID. AND DO YOU -- WOULD YOU DEVELOP A PLAN AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE OUT THERE EASILY? I ASSUME YOU RELEASED BOTH AND

ARE THERE ANY OTHERS COMING? >> RIGHT NOW, COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE RELEASED TWO.

AND THERE IS ANOTHER ONE IN DEVELOPMENT THAT IS THREE TO SIX MONTHS AWAY.

THESE ARE THE TWO THAT WE WERE REALLY FOCUSING ON. THEY ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR

WEBSITE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE THEY LIKE JUVENILE APPOINTMENT OR AD LIE -- AD LITUMS. THERE IS SO MUCH OF IT. THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF WHAT YOU HAVE. IT JUST MAKES IT EASIER TO DISCERN.

>> THERE IS A NEW STATE REPORTING REQUIREMENT THAT THE AUDITORS FROM ALL 54 COUNTIES WILL NEED TO REPORT I THINK BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021. THAT SOMETHING THAT I HAVE PUT MY STAFF ON NOTICE OF THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OUR DASHBOARD WITH OUR LOCAL INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY SEPTEMBER 1. THEY HAVEN'T ACTUALLY BEGUN

ACTUAL WORK ON IT, BUT THERE IS PLANNING TO DO THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. AND WE HAVE NOT ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE ON OTHERS, BUT WE HAVE BEEN GETTING INQUIRIES ON BOTH OF THOSE DASHBOARDS I DO KNOW THAT SOME FOLKS ARE GETTING IN

ON THE PUBLISHED NEWSLETTER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD SUGGEST YOU MIGHT EVEN THINK ABOUT YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVING A PRESS CONFERENCE JUST TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW.

MAYBE THE JUDGE OR SOMEONE WOULD BE THERE AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS WE HAVE

ADDED THAT LEVEL OF TRANS -- TRANSPARENCY. >> ABSOLUTELY, SIR.

I WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK

COMMISSIONER CAGLE YOU HAD A QUESTION IF YOU ARE THERE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. BETKEY THIS MORNING WE STARTED OFF WERE A TOUCHING AND SAD TRIBUTE TO HPD SERGEANT SEAN RIOS AND HIS TRAGIC SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED AND BY SHOOTING HE WAS SHOT AS HE WAS INTERVENING INTO AN EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE. THIS AFTERNOON ART ACEVEDO OF

[08:25:08]

WE NEED THIS DATA SO WHEN OUR JUDGES HAVE THESE TYPES OF FOLKS IN FRONT OF THEM THEY CAN MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ON WHETHER THIS IS A RISK TO THE PUBLIC.

OUR SERGEANT WAS TRYING TO ARREST SOMEBODY ON STREETS. WHOEVER IT IS THAT GRANTED THAT BOND SHOULD HAVE KNOWN AND HAD THE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF THEM, OR IF THEY DID HAVE THE INFORMATION THEN WE NEED TO KNOW THAT. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OUR JUDGES NEED TO HAVE IN FRONT OF THEM FOR THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK AND FORFEITING THEIR BONDS, BUT WHEN THEY ARE AT A RISK TO THE PUBLIC PEOPLE KNOW AND WE DO NOT HAVE THE ISSUE AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THE JUDICIARY TO GET THEM THE INFORMATION WHEN THEY ARE SETTING BONDS. YOU HAVE MY WORD THAT WE WILL DO THAT.

I AGREE WITH YOUR REMARKS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE JUDGES ARE HAVING THE NECESSARY INFORMATION I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE AN ITEM LATER ON PRETRIAL SERVICES.

I THINK THAT IS AS WE WORK THROUGH THAT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM DEEP INTO THE OPERATION AND I UNDERSTAND IT IS STILL PAPER DRIVEN AND I THINK THAT THAT COULD ALSO BE A HINDRANCE IN MAKING SURE THAT THAT NECESSARY INFORMATION ISN'T ENTIRELY GETTING TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO GET TO. I CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE ON HIS POINT AND -- BUT AS WE LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF THAT ORGANIZATION I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE JUST AS AGGRESSIVE WITH IT AS WE HAVE WITH OTHER THINGS.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF BENEFIT TO BE GAINED OUT OF ENSURING THAT ORGANIZATION IS WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. JIM, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STEP IN, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HEARING FROM YOU LOUD AND CLEAR WHETHER THINGS ARE FINE AND WHETHER THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED ON AND IMPROVED.

>> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER RADACK.

>> STEVE RADACK: I THINK MR. BETKEY IS DOING A FABULOUS JOB IN MANY WAYS TO THE COUNTY. I BELIEVE THE NEXT AGENDA, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE PLACED MAYBE IN BUDGET OR WHATEVER, BUT HE CERTAINLY SHOULD BE BEING PAID MORE MONEY FOR WHAT HE IS DOING. THAT'S MY OPINION. HOPEFULLY WE CAN VOTE ON THAT

ON THE NEXT MEETING. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WHEN WE GET TO THE ITEM FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, I KNOW THAT WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO LOOK AT ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE SAME

[08:30:08]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NEED TO PAY OUR FIRE MARSHALL MORE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: EVERYBODY WANTS TO PAY. BUT THEN WHEN IT COMES TIME TO PAY IT GETS QUIET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. I WELCOME FOR FOLKS TO BRING THOSE PROPOSALS SO WE CAN DISCUSS THEM. I'M SURE WE CAN WORK THROUGH THE VARIOUS OFFICES, ET CETERA. SO THANK YOU, JIM. WE ARE MOVING ON TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. ITEM 1 COUNTY JUDGE IS THE RESOLUTIONS --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE ON PAGE 21, 11C IS ANOTHER PFM ISSUE UNDER A DIFFERENT

DEPARTMENT AND I VOTE NO ON THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE ON IT.

I MOVE ON IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE AN EASIER WAY TO DO IT, JUDGE WHEN WE VOTE ON THE WHOLE AGENDA THAT SOMEBODY GIVES YOU A LIST OF WHAT THEY WANT TO

VOTE NO ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: EITHER WAY. COMMISSIONER SAID HE IS NO ON THAT AND I THINK JAMES GENERALLY RECORDS THAT AND WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE VOTE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK IT IS EASIER AT THE END, JUDGE TO WHERE YOU SAY WHERE WE HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY RULED, WHAT'S YOUR VOTE? THAT'S WHY I AM BRINGING THESE

UP WHERE WE GO THROUGH THE AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S JUST VOTE ON THIS. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR 11C ON PAGE 21.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I, I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES.

THAT'S C ON PAGE 21. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO PAGE 18 AND ITEM 4A. SCWH -- AND THAT IS THE PURCHASE OF A STREET SCWEEP -- STREET SWEEPER. IT IS A TRAIL SWEEPER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU MAY BE RIDING ON HIM, BUT I AM KEEPING HIM RIDEABLE. SO THIS IS -- THE PURCHASE IS

OF TWO TRAIL SWEEPERS FOR MY PRECINCT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT PAGE IS

THAT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PAGE 18. AND SO WHEN I GET THINGS DEPLOYED AND DOWN ON MY TRAILS YOU CAN COME BY AND RIDE ON A SMIES -- NICE, SMOOTH, CLEAN

TRAIL. >> WHILE YOU ARE ON IT, AS LATE AS IT IS, IN THAT STORAGE ROOM IN THE BASEMENT I AM GOING TO PUT 10 COUNTY ELECTRIC BIKES DOWN THERE.

ANY OF YOU CAN RIDE THEM. CHECK THEM OUT AND YOU CAN RIDE THEM FROM DOWNTOWN.

I SEE WHERE YOU ARE COMING INTO THE -- COMING IN FROM THE EAST.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL PUT THEM DOWN YOUR LANES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: PLEASE DO.

SOME OF THEM LOOK AWFUL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND, JUDGE, ON PAGE 19 AND ITEM 8B AND F,

I DO WANT TO -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT PAGE, COMMISSIONER?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 19 AND 8B AND 8F. THESE ITEMS -- THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT GO THROUGH A SELECTION COMMITTEE PROCESS AND THERE ARE SOME THAT DO DO NOT. THESE ARE SOME THAT DO NOT. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. BLOUNT AND MR. KEY AND MR. PREPONDERANCE PEA -- MR. POPPY, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A BETTER PROCESS TO UNDERSTANDING HOW THESE ARE BEING SELECTED WHETHER -- WHEN WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SOME AND OTHERS WE DO.

I THINK IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO STANDARDIZE THE WAY WE MAKE THE SELECTIONS.

I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT. I THINK THAT IS IT FOR THOSE

[08:35:04]

ITEMS. THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO GOING BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. WE DID THE RESOLUTIONS. ITEM 2 IS THE CONTRACT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I'M SORRY TO KEEP BACKING YOU UP THERE, BUT ON ITEM 21, 16 ON PAGE 23 JUST ABOVE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT I AM NO ON ITEM 16 ON PAGE 23, BUT NOT THE WHOLE THING. JUST ONE SUB ITEM IN THERE AND IT IS THE ITEM 20-0289 THAT RELATES TO BAIL REFORM CASE. I AM VOTING NO ON THAT ONE ITEM OUT OF SECTION 16.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET THAT JAMES? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAKE A

MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 20-089.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR OF ITEM 16? ROUGH --

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> I AM IN FAVOR OF EVERYTHING IN 16 AND A NO ON THE SUB PART OF 20-0289.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT? >> YES, MA'AM.

HOW DOES COMMISSIONER RADACK VOTE? >> STEVE RADACK: I AM THE SAME

VOTE AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

I AM IN FAVOR OF THE ENTIRE ITEM. SO BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S

[I. Departments (Part 4 of 4)]

ITEM 4 IS ACTUALLY EXCITING. WE MADE THE SHORT LIST FOR A PRESTIGIOUS GRANT TO WORK ON UPWARD MOBILITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY. IF WE ARE SELECTED WE WILL GET

18 MONTHS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK ON ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

5 WE ALREADY VOTEETT -- VOTED ON. 6 -- OH, 6 WE SORT OF DISCUSSED BEFORE IN PASSING WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RETAINING THE BEST PEOPLE.

AND WE WERE WORKING WITH SHANE AND THE TEAM ON THIS AND AND THE SENSE IS WE SHOULD ESTABLISH A CHIEF TALENT OFFICER WHO CAN FOCUS ON THE RECRUITMENT AND SORT OF BEING AS COMPETITIVE AS POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF BRINGING AND KEEPING THE BEST PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. AND SO THEY WOULD BE HOUSED IN HR AND IT IS A DISCREET

SECTION. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GREAT IDEA.

I MAKE A MOTION FOR PRECINCT 1. >> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 2?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: PRECINCT 2, JUDGE, ITEM 3 I HAVE A MOTION FOR THE OFFICE -- I AM TRYING TO FIND MY MOTION. WHERE DID I LEAVE IT? HANG ON A SECOND.

I THOUGHT I HAD IT RIGHT HERE. ALL RIGHTY.

SO MR. SOARD, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ARE WE PROVIDING FOR AN ORDERLY TRANSITION BETWEEN THE OFFICE HOLDERS, THE LEGAL AND PROPER USE OF COUNTY RESOURCES? CAN COUNTY -- CAN EMPLOYEES UTILIZE COUNTY TIME TO WORK ON THE TRANSITION?

>> GENERALLY YES. IT DEPENDS ON EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

WE DEEM IT IMPORTANT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON OFFICE HOLDERS IN REORGANIZING THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND HOW THEY ARE UTILIZED WITH COUNTY

RESOURCES? >> THERE IS A STATUTE OUT THAT SAYS THEY HAVE TO CONTINUE BUSINESS AS NORMAL. IT IS AN UNUSUAL STATUTE OUT. WE NOTIFIED SOME OF THE OUT GOING ELECTED OFFICIALS AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE NOTIFIED ALL OF THEM.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BUDGETS ARE BEING SPENT THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE AND I THINK THE AUDITOR PLAYS A ROLE IF THAT TOO.

[08:40:06]

IS A TRANSITION OF POWER. >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, JUST BEFORE YOU KEEP GOING, IF IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO GET CLOSER TO YOUR MICROPHONE. WE CAN HEAR YOU, BUT IT IS A

LITTLE FAR. >> OKAY. I WILL GET CLOSER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO WITH THAT , JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE A MOTION THAT THE COURT UH POINT -- APPOINT JOSH STUCKEY AS THE CHIEF TRANSITION OFFICER TO SERVE AS THE PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY OFFICERS, AND TO ASSIST THEM

IN THEIR TRANSITION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR. IS THIS PART OF HIS DUTIES WHEREVER HE IS AT RIGHT NOW? I GUESS HE IS IN -- I'M NOT SURE WHERE HE.

IS HE IN BUDGET MANAGEMENT RIGHT NOW? IS THAT WHERE HE IS?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS FAR AS I WOULD SEE IN THE CONVERSATION I HAD WITH MR. BERRY IS HE

WOULD REMAIN IN BUDGET MANAGEMENT IN HIS ROLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO WE ARE JUST ASSIGNING HIM WITHIN HIS ROLE AND WITHIN BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO TAKE CARE OF

THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: EXACTLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL COSTS OR ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH IT, THEN I WILL -- HAS IT BEEN SECONDED?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. IF HE NEEDS SPACE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I MEAN FOR WHAT HE IS DOING, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD -- I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM

WITH THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR AS WELL SO THE MOTION CARRIES

UNANIMOUSLY. YES COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: HAVE I A QUESTION. HAVE WE VOTED ON THE TALENT OFFICER YET?

THE TALENT DEPARTMENT? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE DISCUSSED IT.

THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION, BUT DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT COMMISSIONER RADACK?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU SING OR DANCE, STEVE? DO YOU SING OR DANCE?

WE ARE LOOKING FOR TALENT. >> STEVE RADACK: DEPENDS ON WHERE I AM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION ON IT OR IS IT OKAY?

WE MIGHT HAVE LOST IT. WE WILL FIND OUT AT THE END. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA, DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER ITEMS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH, BUT JUST ON ITEM 6. I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT WE ARE RECEIVING A NICE DONATION FROM THE ART AND ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHITECTURE COMPANY FOR A PARK BENCH THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY ARTIST KELLY GAIL AMEN. IT IS ABOUT A DISS -- A $10,000 BENCH GOING IN DOWN THE STREET AT JAMES BUTT -- AT JAMES BUTE PARK.

AND IT WILL BE A NICE PIECE OF ART TO SIT OUT THERE. AS SOON AS WE FINISH WITH THE LEGION OVERPASS AND DECIDING WHAT I10 IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE I WILL BE WORKING ON THAT PARTICULAR PARK. I WILL SAY IT HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL AND LOVE THE BRIDGE THAT IS OUT THERE AND I THINK THAT WE CAN REALLY GIVE IT SOME ATTENTION AND IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE A NICE PLACE TO GO TO, YOU KNOW, THE DOWNTOWN FOLKS THAT WILL GO BY AND HAVE LUNCH AND ENJOY. JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.

A NICE LITTLE DONATION. I WANTED TO THANK THE COMPANY FOR SHARING IT WITH US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK. WE ARE ON YOUR AGENDA,

COMMISSIONER. MAYBE ARE YOU ON MUTE. >> STEVE RADACK: HELLO?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> STEVE RADACK: [INAUDIBLE]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER RATTED -- COMMISSIONER RADACK YOU NEED TO MOVE YOUR AGENDA.

>> STEVE RADACK: I MOVE ON THE AGENDA, BUT DID WE VOTE ON THE TALENT OFFICER.

I WANT TO VOTE NO ON THE TALENT OFFICER. I DIDN'T HEAR THE VOTE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL MOVE ON THAT ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE TALENT OFFICER UNDER MY AGENDA. ALL IN FAVOR?

[08:45:02]

>> I. >> I. >> I WILL VOTE I ON THAT ONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> STEVE RADACK: NO. >> LINA O:DALG I AM IN FAVOR

AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. >> THAT IS AS PRESENTED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOUR AGENDA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I MOVE. AND WE MAY HAVE A SPEAKER THAT SIGNED UP BECAUSE I WANTED TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL TIME FOR FOLKS TO MAKE SOME INPUT ON OUR TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM.

I DON'T KNOW IF -- DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS OUT THERE? >> COMMISSIONER I HAVE SOME WE WERE ABLE TO REACH AND OTHERS ARE NOT ANSWERING AT THIS TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. LET'S HEAR FROM THEM. THANKS, LUCINDA.

>> JEREMY HENDRICKS WITH LABOR'S UNION LIUNA. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD EVENING. I ALMOST SAID GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO. GOOD TO BE WITH YOU. I AM JEREMY HENDRICKS WITH THE LABOR'S UNION. AS YOU KNOW WE REPRESENT THOUSANDS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND HUNDREDS OF UNION CONTRACTORS IN TEXAS AND WE WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND THANK ALL OF YOU TO PROTECT HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS. ENSURE OUR TAX DOLLARS DO NOT INCENTIVIZE DANGEROUS PROPERTY LEVEL JOBS. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE BROUGHT THIS UP THIS EVENING TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY GROUPS ADDITIONAL TIME TO COMMENT. I DON'T MIND BEING WITH YOU ALL AGAIN, BUT TO BE HONEST I FIND IT PRETTY SAD THAT SOMETIMES WHEN WE HEAR FROM THE SO-CALLED INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES IS WHEN THEY ARE ONLY IN FAVOR OF PROTECTING THE STATUS QUO OF AN INDUSTRY THAT IS ALREADY THE MOST DANGEROUS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY AND HAS THE LOWEST WAGES IN THE NATION AND THE MOST INSTANCES OF WORKER MISS CLASSIFICATION. AS I WILL REMIND YOU I AND OTHERS TESTIFYING ARE INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES AND WE ARE HERE TO BLUNTLY TELL YOU THAT WORKERS NEED BETTER WAGES AND BENEFITS AND BETTER LIVES. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN PASSAGE OF SIMILAR POLICIES IN TRAVIS COUNTY AND NOW HARRIS COUNTY. SIMPLY PUT WE CAN NO LONGER PROTECT THE STATUS QUO. WHEN IT COMES TO CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WE KNOW WHO IS WINNING AND WHO IS LOSING. THANK YOU FOR ENSURING THE -- THAT CONTRACTORS HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROSPER AND GROW WHILE GUARANTEEING HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY HAS FURTHER JOBS THAT WILL LIFT UP WORKERS IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE THANK YOU FOR THE PASSAGE OF THIS POLICY. I ALSO ASK AS I DID LAST TIME YOU PLEASE ADD A PROVISION INCENTIVIZING THE HIRING AND TRAINING OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS.

IT REQUIRES 20% OF THE WORKERS. THIS IS NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK AND THE WORKFORCE COMMISSION IS CELEBRATING THE GOOD WORK OF THESE TRAINING PROGRAMS. SO TO HONOR APPRENTICESHIP WEEK LET'S GUARANTEE WE ARE PUTTING LOCAL FOLKS TO WORK AND TRAINING THEM WITH HIGHLY SKILLED CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I THANK YOU AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO STAND STRONG IF SUPPORT OF THE TAX ABATEMENT POLICY AND ADD THE PROVISION TO PROTECT TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND ENSURE THESE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS ARE INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE. AND I WILL MENTION THE WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT PLANS ON SPEAKING AS SHE HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER CHILDREN BECAUSE WE ARE RUNNING LET.

BUT THEY ARE E-MAILING COMMENTS FOR IT. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR

LEADERSHIP AND STAY SAFE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANTED TO THANK HIM FOR COMING BACK. I KNOW IT IS LATE AND I WANTED TO SAY THAT THE NEW DEPARTMENT HEAD HOPE -- HOPEFULLY WE WILL APPROVE THE ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY WILL BE THE PERSON TO VISITED -- VISIT WITH. SHE WILL HAVE A SERIES OF OUT REACH OPPORTUNITIES TO HEAR FROM ALL SIDES, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK WE ARE PASSING THE FLOOR AND NOT THE CEILING AND SOMETHING WE CAN BUILD ON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WE TRIED TO DO MORE, BUT WE GOT SOME -- I WOULD SAY THAT THIS -- THE POLICIES IN TEXAS, THIS IS RANKED AT THE TOP AND NOT THE MOST PRO -- PROGRESSIVE AND IT TIES WITH OVER FOLKS IN TRAVIS CON -- OUR FOLKS IN TRAVIS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. ANY -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: ANY OTHER

[08:50:10]

SPEAKER SPHZ -- SPEAKERS SNY. >> YES. CARL DAVIS GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD EVENING. JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE ASSEMBLED THIS EVENING. I AM CARL DAVIS, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE -- AND THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. THE OLDEST BLACK DENOMINATION IN AMERICA THAT WAS FOUNDED BY MR. RICHARD ALLEN. A FREE SLAVE IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1787 BECAUSE OF DISCRIMINATION. I COME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM. IT IS AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

I SUPPORT THE TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM, BUT WITH IMPROVEMENT TO THE RESOURCES THAT WILL PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND WHERE THE COMPANIES WILL BELOW INDICATED WHO RECEIVE THE TAX ABATEMENT BY PROVIDING LIVING WAGES AND ARE EQUAL TO 80% OF THE MEDIUM SALARY WAGES. PAID SICK LEAVE, STRONG ENVIRONMENT ESTABLISHMENTS -- STRONG ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD THAT WILL PROVIDE -- WON'T PROVIDE CONCERN IN THE FUTURE. HIGH BUILDING STANDARDS THAT WILL PRESENT A BLITE FOR THE COMMUNITY DOWN THE ROAD AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING TRAINING FOR THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR JOB SKILLS AND MAKE A LIVING FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND FOR THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR FAMILIES.

I WANT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESS THAT ARE NEEDED.

ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION TO ALL WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS AND THEY CAN ENHANCE THEIR SKILL SET AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD A BUMP OR MISTAKE IN THEIR LIFE AND THEY WANT TO START A NEW LIFE BY ENTERING A TRAINING PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP PUT THEM ON THE RIGHT PATHWAY. I WANT TO GO ON RECORD THAT I WILL NOT SUPPORT A TAX ABATEMENT TO RESIDENTS THAT ARE NOT TEMPORARY, BUT PERMANENT AND IT IS PROVIDING HEALTH CARE FOR FULL TIME AND A MINIMUM WAGE OF $15 OR MORE. IT IS JOB TRAINING AND ALSO MWBE PROGRAMS THAT WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO GROW AND SUSTAIN THEMSELVES.

# IMAME. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CARL, THANK YOU.

ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU JUST LISTED SO MANY ISSUES. THANK YOU. WE ALL APPRECIATE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, MY BROTHER FROM MY OTHER MOTHER, CARL.

LOVE YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS ? >> YES, MA'AM. PAUL FUENTE WITH GULF COAST BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADE COUNCIL. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. GOOD EVENING. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, WHAT A LATE NIGHT Y'ALL ARE HAVING ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PASSING AND AS YOU MADE MENTION EARLIER THIS IS THE FLOOR AND THIS ISN'T THE CEILING. MY BROTHER JERRY HENDRICKS WAS ELOQUENTLY COMMUNICATING TO YOU ALL THAT THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IS THE BACKBONE OF TODAY -- THIS WEEK IS APPRENTICESHIP WEEK. AND THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION IS APPLAUDING THE WORK THEY ARE DOING. AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN PASSING THE TAX ABATEMENT. THE INDUSTRY -- BUSINESSES COMING TO OUR COUNTY AND BEING A PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A NEED TO EMBRACE THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

THAT'S THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY AND FUTURE CONTRACTORS.

I WANTED TO GET ON HERE AND THANK YOU ALL. I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS OR IF THERE IS ANY COMMUNICATION THAT WE NEED HAVE IN THE FUTURE, I WILL BE MORE THAN

HAPPY TO DO THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: PAUL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

LOOK, WE WANT TO SORT OUT THE OTHER ISSUES TO DO MORE IN TERMS OF THE ISSUES YOU ALL CARE ABOUT. I KNOW YOUR NEW DEPARTMENT HEAD AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO

[08:55:06]

GO. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, PAUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, PAUL.

>> THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR DUE DILIGENCE BEING OUT HERE ALL NIGHT. I KNOW IT IS IMPORTANT WORK YOU ALL ARE DOING AND JUST

APPRECIATE EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYONE ELSE,

LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM. ANNA GONZALEZ SPEAKING ON

BEHALF OF LAURA PEREZ BOSTON. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD EVENING.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM ANNA GONZALEZ AND I AM THE POLICY DIRECTOR WITH WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT. WE ARE A STATEWIDE MEMBERSHIP BASED ORGANIZATION BUILDING POWER FOR LOW WAGE I'M -- IMMIGRANT WORKERS ACROSS TEXAS.

I AM TESTIFYING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF WORKER PROTECTION AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT PASSED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. WE WANT TO THANK JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND GARCIA'S OFFICES FOR THEIR WORK ON UPDATING THE POLICY.

WE ALSO ARE TESTIFYING IN SUPPORT OF BUILDING OUT A SKILLED WORKFORCE BY CERTIFIED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. WE ASK YOU INCENTIVIZE THE HIRING AND THE TRAINING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS BY REQUIRING 20% OF ALL WORKERS AND IT COMES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR APPROVAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. WE MUST MAKE SURE ALL WORKERS ARE SAFE AND HEALTHY. TAXPAYER MONEY SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN OUT FOR HIGHER STANDARDS. OTHER THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND I KNOW IT WAS MENTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT THIS IS -- THAT THERE ARE -- THAT THERE IS -- THIS IS THE FLOOR AND THERE ARE OTHER THINGS LOOKED INTO. IT IS IMPORTANT TO THING -- TO THINK OF TIME AND THIRD PARTY MONITORING REQUIREMENTS. OUR BETTER BUILDER PROGRAM IS A WAY TO CERTIFY THAT CONSTRUCTION SITES ARE MEETING BASELINE STANDARDS FOR WORKER PROTECTIONS LIKE LIVING WAGES AND OSHA SAFETY TRAINING AND WORKERS COMPENSATION AND OTHER FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL LAW. THESE ARE BASIC STANDARDS THAT SHOULD BE PART OF ANY TAX ABATEMENT POLICY. BETTER BUILDERS CERTIFIED MONITORS ARE TRAINED TO DO INSPECTIONS TO VERIFY THAT THE WORKER STANDARDS ARE NEXT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HARRIS COUNTY CREATING A TAX ABATEMENT POLICY THAT RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.

SO THAT IS IT FOR THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. WE WENT OVER THE COVID-19 ITEMS ALREADY. MISCELLANEOUS, A IS A QUARTERLY REPORT AND ITEM B IS

[II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 3 of 3)]

IT IS A PERSONNEL MATTER ABOUT THE DIRECTOR OF PRE-TRIAL SERVICES RESIGNATION YOU RECEIVED. ITEM THREE, COMMISSIONER RADACK?

COMMISSIONER, YOU MAY BE MUTED. >> STEVE RADACK: I COULDN'T

HEAR YOU. WHAT DID YOU SAY? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM THROUGH WHICH IS YOUR ITEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS LR

COVERED WHEN WE DISCUSSED HCTRA. >> STEVE RADACK: THAT'S COVERED. I'M DONE WITH THAT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COVID-19 ITEMS WE ALREADY

COVERED. >> JUDGE SO, THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 3 WAS THERE ANY ACTION?

WAS THAT A NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS NO ACTION, JAMES.

[III. Public Hearings]

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: PUBLIC HEARINGS.

WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 3 ON PAGE 27. I KNOW -- I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARINGS TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AMY MICHELLE LANE TO BE CHANGED.

TO NORTH CUL-DE-SAC IN PRECINCT 2. ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS?

[09:00:04]

>> NO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO WE NEED TO MOVE TO CLOSE THE HEARING?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT AND THEN WE CAN CLOSE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I NOW CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.

[IV. Executive Session (Part 1 of 2)]

SO THAT LEAVES US WITH APPEARANCES BEFORE COURT. WHY DON'T WE VOTE ON ALL OF THE ITEMS EXCEPT FOR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 2 WHICH IS THE PRE-TRIAL SERVICES AND EXECUTIVE SESSION -- THE ONLY EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM AND THEN -- SO THAT MEANS -- IS

THERE A MOTION ON ALL OF THE ITEMS EXCEPT FOR THESE TWO -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER EL -- ELLIS AND

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ROBERT, IF WE COULD GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 2, A PERSONNEL MATTER AND EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM ON ANOTHER PERSONNEL MATTER. DO YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE IN

TERMS OF WORDING? >> JUDGE, YOU DO HAVE A FINAL SPEAKER.

[V. Appearances before court (Part 1 of 2)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: OH YES. WE ONLY HAVE ONE SPEAKER? >> WE COULD ONLY REACH ONE AND

I AM WAITING TO HEAR AN ANSWER ON ANOTHER ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

LET'S HEAR FROM HIM. >> THANK YOU. MICHAEL, PLEASE GO AHEAD,

PLEASE. >> YES, HI, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY NAME IS MICHAEL DINES. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, SIR. GO AHEAD PLEASE, THANK YOU. >> I'M SORRY.

GOOD EVENING. I'M GOING TO BE VERY BRIEF. I'M AN ATTORNEY AND I HAVE AN OFFICE IN THE GALLERIA AREA. I AM MICHAEL DIEZ. MY FIRM CONDUCTS FORECLOSURE SALES UNDER THE TEXAS PROPERTY CODE. CURRENTLY AS THE LARGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS HARRIS COUNTY HAS CANCELED SALES IN MAY AND CONDUCTED SALES -- ALLOWED SALES TO BE CONDUCTED IN JUNE AND THEN JULY THROUGH NOVEMBER HAS CANCELED SALES.

LAST MONTH I SPOKE WITH MS. KATHERINE CASE IN JUDGE HIDALGO'S OFFICE, AN ATTORNEY IN HER OFFICE AND WE DISCUSSED THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE REASON OF THE CANCELLATION OF THE SALES. I WAS INFORMED THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS SOCIAL DISTANCING.

HARRIS COUNTY IS THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. ALSO COINCIDENTALLY HAS THE LARGEST LOCATION FOR TRUSTY -- TRUSTEE SALES. I FIND IT PLAUSIBLE WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CONDUCT SALES AT THE BAYOU EVENT CENTER IN A SOCIALLY DISTANT AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER DURING THIS PANDEMIC. I SUGGESTED TO MS. CASE THAT MAYBE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AMEND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ORDER TO INCLUDE NOT ONLY THE PAVILION WHICH WAS DONE IN MAY FOR THE JUNE SALES, BUT ALSO THE ENTIRE PARKING LOT OR A PORTION OF THE PARKING LOT SO THAT THE TRUSTEE SALES CAN BE CONDUCTED IN A SOCIALLY DISTANT AND RESPECTFUL MANNER. ADDITIONALLY ONE OF THE REASONS I AM SPEAKING TODAY IS SINCE THE TIME OF MY DISCUSSION WITH MS. CASE AND NOW FORT BEND HAS ENTERED A NEW COMMISSIONER'S COURT ORDER MOVING THEIR SALES.

IT IS TO THE FORT BEND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. WHEN I WAS READING THAT ORDER IT STRUCK ME THAT I BELIEVE THERE IS A LEGAL MATTER TO YOUR COURT AND MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT YORD ORDER. I DON'T BELIEVE IT RECITES THE SAME THING FORT BEND DOES TO MAKE IT LEGAL -- NOT SO IT IS LEGAL. BAD TERM.

BUT SO IT IS COMPLIANT WITH THE PROPERTY CODE. IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE AMENDING IT TO MAKE IT COMPLIANT, I WOULD ASK YOU AMEND IT TO INCLUDE THE PARKING LOT. AT THAT POINT IN TIME THE COMMISSIONERS -- THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE COULD EASILY MONITOR THE PARKING LOT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE AREN'T GATHERING IN GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE. I HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING SALES DURING THE PANDEMIC IN MULTIPLE COUNTIES. I DID IT IN HARRIS IN JUNE WHEN IT WAS ALLOWED AND I HAVE DONE IT IN FORT BEND THIS PAST MONTH AND DALLAS AND COLLINS AND SOME OTHER ONES.

[09:05:02]

I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THE CHANGE IN LOCATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. BECAUSE IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA WE CAN'T REALLY TALK ABOUT IT. WE ARE LOOKING INTO THIS AND I

WILL MAKE SURE WE KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, CORRECT,

LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM. WE COULD NOT REACH THE OTHER

[IV. Executive Session (Part 2 of 2)]

ONES. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 8:16 AND WE WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 2 AND EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE PERSONNEL MATTERS.

>> SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 2. FIRST TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF KELVIN BANKS

FOR PRE-TRIAL SERVICES. AS OF DECEMBER 31ST 2020. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT MOTION IS TO INITIATE A NATIONAL SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR OF PRE-TRIAL SERVICES WITH A COMMITTEE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH MEMBER

OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND FINALLY TO APPOINT JIM BETKEY WITH SUPPORT FROM THE JUSTICE MANAGENT INSTITUTE EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 18TH 2020 UNTIL A NEW DIRECTOR IS HIRED DURING THAT TIME.

DR. BANKS WILL BE THE OUT GOING DIRECTOR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. AND BEFORE REVOTE I DO WANT TO MENTION HOW MUCH I AND I THINK WE APPRECIATE CALVIN BANKS' WORK AT THE COUNTY. AND WISH HIM ALL THE BEST IN THE TIME HE HAS LEFT AND IN HIS FUTURE WORKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> I.

>> . >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THEN WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER IS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM AND WE NEED A MOTION FOR

-- DO YOU HAVE THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE ARE FOUR OF THEM AND I DON'T KNOW IF I -- I SENT THEM AROUND. BRANDON SLIPPED OUT ON ME.

HE THINKS IT IS STILL EXECUTIVE SESSION. I MOVE THAT NUMBER ONE PAMELA CHAIN -- CHAN BE APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EBBING WHAT YOU TEE AND OPPORTUNITY -- EQUITY JANUARY 16TH, 2021. SECOND THE ANNUAL CAM PEN SAYINGS SET -- COMPENSATION SET AT 190,000 AND $550 MONTHLY CAR ALLOWANCE AND $50 MONTHLY CELL PHONE ALLOWANCE. AND NUMBER THREE PAMELA CHAIN -- CHAN BE REIMBURSED OF MOVING EXPENSES UNDER HARRIS COUNTY'S INTERVIEW AND RELOCATION EXPENSE POLICY.

AND THE LAST ONE, ALL HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES AUTHORIZED TO DO ANY AND ALL THINGS NECESSARY CONVENIENT TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORDER.

I MOVE THAT AS ONE MOTION OF FOUR MOTIONS. ONE MOTION OR FOUR MOTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU'RE MUTED JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE THE MOTIONS AND THEN THE SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> I VOTE I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I VOTE I AS WELL AND THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. A BIG WELCOME TO MS. CHAN.

>> DID YOU HEAR? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK SHE IS LISTENING SO CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONSES AND WELCOME ABOARD AND LOOKING FORWARD TO

WORKING WITH YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. SO WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER

TONIGHT. LUCINDA? >> YES.

CHARLOTTE COE WITH AUCTION.COM. PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CHARLOTTE COE WITH AUCTION.COM.

FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TO THE COURT TODAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO THE COMMENT [INAUDIBLE]. TAKING STEPS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO UH FILL SAY THE -- TO FACILITATE THE SALES.

THE EXPANSION OF THE SALE LOCATION TO INCLUDE THE PARKING LOT WILL ALLOW US THE NECESSARY SPACE TO EMPLOY MEASURES TO ALLOW THE SALES WHILE STILL MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND CONDUCTING SALES. ALONG WITH THE COOPERATION OF OTHER TRUSTEES AND COUNTY OFFICIAL WHEEZE -- WE CAN SET UP THE SALES BETWEEN

[09:10:04]

FURTHERMORE WE LOOK AT MICROPHONES WHICH WILL HAVE PERSONS REMAIN ACTIVE AND SPREADING OUT FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING. WE CAN PROVIDE SIGNS FOR SELF-WELLNESS CHECKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING. IN ORDER FOR US TO ADEQUATELY BE PREPARED TO CONDUCT THE SALES IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE AMPLE NOTICE THE SALE WILL PROCEED AND THE SALE AREA IS EXPANDED AND MOVE TO THE LARGER AREA WHERE WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONDUCT THE SALE SAFELY. WE WILL REQUIRE ADEQUATE TIME TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. WE WANTED TO SHARE THESE MEASURES SO WE HAVE PREPARED TO ABLE TO ALLOW SALES BEACON DUCTED FAIR -- BE CONDUCTED FAIRLY IN DECEMBER WITH THE LOCATION EXPANDED TO THE LARGER AREA. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD MY COMMENTS TO THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER, BUT WE ARE LOOKING INTO THIS AND WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.

>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ROBERT, JAMES, AM I MISSING ANYTHING? >> NOTHING FROM ME, JUDGE.

>> NOTHING FROM ME, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. GOOD DAY, FOLKS.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, WAIT, WAIT.

NOTHING ELSE? WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 8:44 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT I

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.