[Opening prayer by Father Victor Perez of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Houston.]
[III. Executive Session]
[00:04:12]
REAL-TIME CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY U.S. CAPTIONING COMPANY.
>> SPEAKER: IT'S 11:38. WE ARE BACK. WE ARE MISSING COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER RADACK, ARE YOU ON? LET'S GIVE THEM A COUPLE OF MINUTES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER RADACK?
[00:05:54]
LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER MINUTE. >> SPEAKER: I THINK THEY GOT LOST IN THE HALLWAY, JUDGE.
>> SPEAKER: I THINK SO TOO. THEY WERE JUST DONE. IT LOOKS LIKE COMMISSIONER
REDDICK MAY BE BACK. >> SPEAKER: HELLO? >> SPEAKER: CAN YOU GUYS HEAR
COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> SPEAKER: I HEAR RADEK. >> SPEAKER: THEY ARE TRYING TO
DIAL ME IN AGAIN. BUT YOU CAN HEAR ME. >> SPEAKER: WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> SPEAKER: WE WERE DISCUSSING THE EXECUTIVE DISCUSSION -- SESSION ITEM.
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY JIM VESTI HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB. HE IS TAKING ON NOW RESPONSIBILITIES AS DIRECTING PRETRIAL SERVICES. AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE AN INCREASE IN THE ANNUAL BASE SALARY OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PRETRIAL SERVICES FOR 206,000
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 17, 2020? >> SPEAKER: MOVED. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.
>> SPEAKER: SO THIS IS AN OMINOUS SOUND I GOT -- >> SPEAKER: SOMEBODY MIGHT OF
HAD SAME PROBLEM. >> SPEAKER: WE CAN SEE YOU. >> SPEAKER: COMMISSIONER ELLIS,
SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? >> SPEAKER: AYE.
>> SPEAKER: AYE. >> SPEAKER: A POST? SO CARRIED.
>> SPEAKER: THAT WAS 206,000? >> SPEAKER: YES EFFECTIVE AUGUST 17.
>> SPEAKER: COULD YOU REPEAT THE MOTION? >> SPEAKER: I DON'T HAVE A COPY OF THE MOTION BUT I HAVE NO, SHE WAS MOTION BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA AND THE UNANIMOUS VOTE
TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION TO 206,000. >> SPEAKER: OKAY.
THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: BACK UP TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA.
[I. Department(s)]
THE FIRST IS BUDGET MANAGEMENT 18, AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER BUDGET STAFF AND EQUIPMENT TOTHE TAX ASSESSOR TO THE NEW ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. >> SPEAKER: SO MOVED.
>> SPEAKER: JUDGE, I DO HAVE -- I THINK THIS WOULD BE A AMENDMENT TO DECIDE.
MY AMENDMENT IS TO MOVE TO INCLUDE THE TRANSITION TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOSH (INDISCERNIBLE) AS CHIEF TRANSITION OFFICER AND TO AUTHORIZE JOSHUA TO IMPROVE AS NECESSARY CURRENT COUNTY OWN SPACE ALLOCATIONS AND EQUIPMENT TRANSFERS, PHYSICAL AND VIRTUAL IN COORDINATION WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY CLERK, TAX ASSESSOR, AND COLLECTOR, BUDGET MANAGER, THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, UNIVERSAL SERVICES, AND THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND ANY OTHER COUNTY
DEPARTMENT IT DEEMS NECESSARY. >> SPEAKER: I THINK I'M FINE WITH THAT.
CAN YOU READ THE FIRST SENTENCE AGAIN. >> SPEAKER: THE FIRST SENTENCE IS I MOVE TO INCLUDE THE TRANSITION TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHIEF TRANSITION OFFICER. >> SPEAKER: I MISSED IT THE THE TRANSITION AT FIRST. I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
I'M FINE WITH THAT. >> SPEAKER: SO THAT IS IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS POSTED?
>> SPEAKER: THAT WAS AN AMENDMENT TO WHAT WAS POSTED. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.
[00:10:06]
>> SPEAKER: YOUR HONOR,? I'M GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THAT ITEM BUT BY DOING SO THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT I HAVE CHANGED MY POSITION ON WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD HAVE AN ELECTIONS ADMINISTERED. BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE ONE, I THINK THAT THIS -- I'M VOTING IN FAVOR OF IT BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO MAKE THE TRANSITION.
BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RECORD IS CLEAR THAT I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT AN
ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. >> SPEAKER: NOTED. >> SPEAKER: FEELING THE SAME
WAY. RADEK. >> SPEAKER: WE ARE GOING
THROUGH AND WE CAN DO IT IS SOMEONE IS TO VOTE AGAIN. >> SPEAKER: WE DID HAVE A
SPEAKER ON ONE BE. >> SPEAKER: WE ARE JUST GETTING 21B.
THAT IS THE OFFICIAL BOND FOR THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AND PUBLIC OFFICIAL BOND.
IT IS REQUIRED AS A CONDITION OF APPOINTMENT IT'S $20,000 WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE FOR
THAT OFFICE. >> SPEAKER: WE JUST DO THE ALL THE SAME TIME?
>> SPEAKER: WE COULD CAN DO THEM ALL. >> SPEAKER: MR. RADEK, WHAT IS THE SALARY OF THE ELECTION IN A STRAIGHTER? ADMINISTRATOR.
>> SPEAKER: SHANE, YOU WILL HAVE TO HELP ME. >> SPEAKER: SHANE IS UNMUTED.
>> SPEAKER: IT WAS VOTED ON 190,000 PER YEAR. >> SPEAKER: SO THE ELECTION OF MINISTRY IT IS GOING TO MAKE MORE MONEY THAN THE COUNTY CLERK?
CORRECT? >> SPEAKER: THAT IS CORRECT. >> SPEAKER: WE VOTED ON THAT?
>> SPEAKER: YOU ALL VOTED ON A SALARY RANGE AND THAT FELL WITHIN THE RANGE THAT WE ALL
APPROVED. >> SPEAKER: WHAT WAS THE RANGE? AND HOW WAS THAT FIGURE DECIDED?
WHO DECIDED IT WAS WITHIN THE RANGE? >> SPEAKER: ROBERT, YOU CAN HELP ME OUT. THE ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICIAL NAME THAT DECIDES THE SALARY.
>> SPEAKER: THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SET THE RANGE AND BETWEEN THE ELECTION COMMISSION AND THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR A NUMBER WAS CHOSEN WITHIN THAT RANGE. IT WAS OUR VIEW --
>> SPEAKER: WHAT WAS THE RANGE? >> SPEAKER: DO YOU REMEMBER, SHANE?
>> SPEAKER: I BELIEVE IT WAS EITHER 150 TO 200 OR 160 -- I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THE RANGE
WAS. >> SPEAKER: THE COURT ACTUALLY DIDN'T CHOOSE THE 190, THE COURT
CHOSE THE RANGE? >> SPEAKER: THAT'S CORRECT. >> SPEAKER: GO AHEAD,
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> SPEAKER: HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY PAYING AND IT ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR PAYING $190,000 WHEN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, THE COUNTY CLERK IS NOT PAID
NEAR THAT AND IS HANDLED ELECTIONS FOR DECADES. >> SPEAKER: YES, COMMISSIONER
ELLIS? >> SPEAKER: I DON'T REMEMBER. I DON'T HAVE MY -- I STILL CALL THEM BILL BROOKS. I DON'T HAVE THE NOTES IN FRONT OF ME.
I ASSUME WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO COMBINE BOTH THE VOTER REGISTRATION FUNCTIONS AND THE ADMINISTERING OF AN ELECTION FUNCTION IN THE WON OFFICE, MOVING AWAY FROM THE VESTIGES OF JIM CROW, WHERE WE DIVIDED VOTER REGISTRATION FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, WHICH WAS PUT THEIR WHEN WE HAD A POLL TAX IN TEXAS. THE RUNNING OF ELECTIONS IN THE SAME OFFICE, WE DID SOME VERSION OF A SURVEY. I DON'T HAVE MY NOTES IN FRONT OF ME. I DON'T THINK THE NUMBER CAME OUT OF THIN AIR.
WE CAN PROBABLY GO AND SEE WHAT THEY PAY THE PERSON IN DALLAS, IN TERRENCE.
MUCH LARGER THAN ANY OF THOSE. BUT I ASSUME THERE WAS SOME RATIONALE BEHIND THE RANGE WHEN IT CAME UP. I CAN'T REMEMBER, MR. SEWARD. YOU MIGHT HAVE TO HELP ME.
I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS PART OF THE ITEM AND I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA OR NOT OR IF IT CAME BACK MAYBE THIS TO RAY -- I SEE HIS MIC MIKE IS MUTED. I KNOW I RELIED TO A GREAT EXTENT ON COMING UP WITH THE METRICS ON WHAT TO DO ONCE THE COURT MADE A DECISION TO SET AN
[00:15:02]
EPIC. IT WOULD BE COMMISSIONER RADEK. I DON'T HAVE THE BOOK IN FRONT OF ME. I THINK THAT WAS THE RATIONALE AND WE GAVE THAT BOARD, WHICH THE JUDGE SHARES, THE DISCRETION TO COME BACK WITH SOMETHING WHEN THEY PICKED THE PERSON.>> SPEAKER: DID YOU HAVE ANY APPROVAL OR ANYTHING, ANY MECHANISM THAT THIS CAME THROUGH
YOU, FOR $190,000? >> SPEAKER: I BELIEVE WE DID DO SOME COMPENSATION.
IF SHANE IS ON I WILL LET HIM SPEAK TO THAT. >> SPEAKER: ROBERT, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PUBLIC BOND. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE SENSE FOR US TO RELITIGATE THE SALARY STUDY?
I BELIEVE THAT WAS ALREADY DONE. >> SPEAKER: IN MY VIEW IT WOULD FIT UNDER 1A ABOUT THE INITIAL BUDGET BECAUSE THIS IS PART OF THAT TRICK I THINK IT IS A FAIR TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.
>> SPEAKER: LET'S GO BACK TO 1A. SHANE, I THINK YOU ARE GOING SAY
SOMETHING? >> SPEAKER: YEAH, THE RANGE WAK AND LOOK AT MY NOTES.
I BELIEVE THERE WAS SOME WORK DONE TO COME UP WITH THE RANGE. THIS IS KIND OF SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT -- THE COURT SETS THE MAXIMUM AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WORK WITHIN THAT RANGE. IN THIS CASE I THINK IT WAS THE COMMISSION WORKING WITHIN THE
RANGE BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT >> SPEAKER: SHANE, IN DALLAS, AND TARRANT COUNTY, THE ELECTIONS IN A STRAIGHTER IS PAID $150,000. ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
>> SPEAKER: AGAIN, I LOOK TO SEE WHAT THAT RANGES. I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAME FROM
WORK THAT ROBERTS GROUP DID. I WILL HAVE TO GO LOOK. >> SPEAKER: I CAN TELL TELL YOU GUYS, WE HAD A CONSULTANT THAT SUPPORTED THE SEARCH AND THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS --
>> SPEAKER: WITH WOULD THAT BE PFM? >> SPEAKER: I DON'T MEMBER THE NAME OF THEM. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU PERHAPD THEY CAN WALK YOU THROUGH THE CALCULATIONS AND HOW THEY CAME UP WITH IT. THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR PROCESS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE A FEW MONTHS AT THIS POINT WE COULD SPEND ALL DAY HERE RELITIGATING EACH SALARY. I THINK THERE ARE EXPERTS THAT DO THAT'S.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE ANY OF US ON COURT NECESSARILY HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO NITPICK ONE JURISDICTION. THE COST-OF-LIVING IS THAT DIFFERENT -- THE CLERK'S SALARY HAS BEEN SET LONG AGO, THE COURT OF MINISTRY THERE IS A NEW ADMISSION -- A NEW POSITION.
WE WOULD BE HERE ALL DAY. WE HAVE AN AGENDA TO GET THROUGH.
YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> SPEAKER: I WAS GOING TO SAY, WE JUST WENT THROUGH A SALARY
ITEM. >> SPEAKER: THERE WERE NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH EVERY SALAR-
>> SPEAKER: WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS ADOPT THE MOTION LAID OUT FOR ITEM 1A AND 1B.
>> SPEAKER: OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION. IS THERE SECOND?
>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: ALL IN FAVOR? >> SPEAKER: AYE.
>> SPEAKER: I WILL REITERATE MY COMMENT EARLIER THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF THE BOND AND I AM IN FAVOR OF THE BUDGET BUT I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THE REMOVAL OF THESE RESPONSE ABILITIES INITIALLY FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR AND THE COUNTY CLERK. I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT MY COLLEAGUE LIKES TO WAVE THE SVENGALI LANGUAGE AND JEDI MIND TRICK OF SAYING, JIM CROW, ROOM WHEN REMOVING AUTHORITY FROM A DEMOCRATIC WHITE FEMALE IN TWO INSTANCES.
I FIND THAT INTERESTING. THAT THAT IS WHERE WE RESORT TO IN OUR DISCUSSION.
BUT I AM VOTING IN FAVOR OF BOTH ITEMS. >> SPEAKER: AND IMPOSED?
ANY OPPOSED? >> SPEAKER: RADEK IS NO ON A AND B.
>> SPEAKER: I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR SO IT PASSES FOR-1. ITEM TWO, I WOULD LIKE TO
RECOGNIZE COLLINS FOR THIS ITEM. >> SPEAKER: JUDGE, DID YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO 1B SPEAKER?
>> SPEAKER: LUCINDA, THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: MATTHEW MILLIE OWN IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 1B AND ITEM
NUMBER TWO. PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. I WAS CALLING ABOUT THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR POSITION AND THE COVID-19. I WANTED TO SAY BOTH ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND I THINK WITH THE MOVIE AT WOULD BE IT A EXCELLENT CHOICE AND I THINK SHE WILL DO A GOOD JOB AND DO INCREASED VOTING
[00:20:04]
PARTICIPANT AMONG ALL HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS. I BELIEVE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS ALSO BEEN IN GOOD FAITH TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN RESPONSE TO COVID AND THE DRASTIC ACTIONS NECESSARY. THESE TWO ISSUES SEEM SEPARATE ON THEIR FACE BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY QUITE CONNECTED. DEMOCRACY FOR VOTER PARTICIPATION IN A SAFE THERE AND ELECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH ARE HURTING BECAUSE OF THE WHITE SUPREMACY IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO CONNECTING THESE TWO THINGS IS WHITE PRIVILEGE, WHITE ENTITLEMENT, WHITE SUPREMACY OF WHICH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS A CHAMPION. NOT JUST TRUMP.THE ENTIRE REPUBLICAN PARTY, LOCAL AND STATEWIDE AND NATIONALLY IS HOSTILE TO VOTER PARTICIPATION OF THOSE WHO ARE BLACK, BROWN, IMMIGRANT, LGBT OR YOUNG.
THAT IS WHY THESE LOCAL REPUBLICAN SEE TO PRESS BLACK AND BROWN VOTERS TO THE SUPREME COURT IN TEXAS AND FEDERAL COURT. THAT'S WHY LINDSEY GRAHAM CALLED GEORGE'S SECRETARY OF STATE TO THROW AWAY LEGITIMATE VOTERS AND BLACK COUNTIES.
AS WELL AS IN ARIZONA. AND THAT'S WHY REPUBLICANS ARE FILING FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS.
REPUBLICANS LOOK AT YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND ELLIS PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT LIKE ME BLACK AND BROWN AMERICANS, IMMIGRANTS AND DREAMERS NOT AS PEOPLE TO PERSUADE BUT IT'S PEOPLE WHO DO NOT COUNT AND ARE THEREFORE TO BE HURT.
WE ARE ILLEGITIMATE IN THEIR EYES. RIDICULOUS FOR EVEN WANTING OUR VOTE TO COUNT AND PARTICIPATE IN DEMOCRACY. I SAY TO YOU THREE, WHILE YOU HAVE POWER, THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND ANYTHING BUT POWER. THE REPUBLICANS ARE A WHITE GRIEVANT CO-OP MAFIA AND NOTHING SHORT OF THAT. EVERYONE WHO RUNS AS ONE DESERVES TO BE SEEN AS ONE. THEREFORE I AM ASKING THE THREE OF YOU WHEN YOU HAVE POWER AGAIN IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS DO NOT ALLOW ANYTHING THAT CAGLE OR RAMSEY OR RADEK OR THE REST OF THIS WANT TO GET PAST PAST. FUNDING FOR SIDEWALK, NOTHING TO BLOCK THEM THE WAY MCCONNELL LED THE WAVE DAN PATRICK WOULD OR TOM DELAY WOULD HAVE. DON'T WARY ABOUT QUORUMS LET THEM CONTINUE TO SUE. AND LIKEWISE GERRYMANDER THE ABSOLUTE SHIPPED OUT OF THIS IF YOU CAN SO THAT ALL WHITE CONSERVATIVE VOTERS ARE PUT IN ONE PRECINCT AND THE REST OF US, THE BLACK AND BROWN, ASIANS AND ANYONE WHO IS IN GOOD FAITH WANT EVERYONE TO VOTE, IS SPREAD EVERYWHERE. DO THAT THE SAME WAY DAN CRENSHAW DISTRICT, JUST TREAT THESE PEOPLE THEY ONLY UNDERSTAND POLITICAL POWER. AND THE LOSS OF IT.
THAT IS WHAT WHITE TO PREMISES ALL ABOUT. I'M ASKING YOU GUYS TO FOCUS ON GOOD POLICY AS YOU ARE. AND THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION THOSE ARE ALL EXCELLENT THINGS.
BUT THESE PEOPLE DO NOT CARE IF THEY ARE THERE TO SHOW THAT THEY HAVE THE POWER AND THEY WILL EXERCISE IT SPECIFICALLY TO HURT THE REST OF US. YOU ALL NEED TO SHOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS SO AGAINST THIS AND WILL DO WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO JUST TO SAY TO BE CONSISTENTLY DOING FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. THE POINT IS TRUMP IS NOT THE ANOMALY HE IS REFLECTING EVERYTHING THAT IS ALWAYS BEEN THERE. THANK YOU.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. OTHER SPEAKERS? >> SPEAKER: HEADING TO ITEM TWO AS THE OFFICIAL CANVASS OF THE VOTES. IS MR. HOLLINS ON THE LINE?
>> SPEAKER: HE IS. >> SPEAKER: MR. HOLLINS, YOU ARE MUTED.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, LUCINDA. ARE YOU ABLE TO HEAR ME? >> SPEAKER: YES.
>> SPEAKER: GOOD MORNING. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER. OUR OFFICE HAS SENT OVER TO EACH OF YOU AND FTP LINK AS WELL AS A USB DRIVE THAT INCLUDES THE FINAL REPORT AND CANVASS FOR THE AUGUST 3, 2020, GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS. WE PRESENT THOSE TO YOU FOR YOUR APPROVAL AND TO THE PUBLIC, THOSE RESULTS ARE ALSO POSTED PUBLICLY ON THE HARRIS VOTES
WEBSITE. >> SPEAKER: JUDGE, I MOVE THE ADOPTION.
>> SPEAKER: COMMISSIONER? THIS IS COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> SPEAKER: GO AHEAD,
COMMISSIONER. >> SPEAKER: IS MR. HOLLAND THERE?
>> SPEAKER: YES, SIR. >> SPEAKER: ARE YOU CERTIFYING THIS AS 100 PERCENT ACCURATE?
>> SPEAKER: YES. THIS IS THE FINAL CANVASS. >> SPEAKER: SO IT'S 100 PERCENT
ACCURATE? >> SPEAKER: IT WAS PRESENTED I BELIEVE THAT MYSELF AND MICHAEL
WINN HAVE SIGNED OFF ON THE FINAL RESULTS. >> SPEAKER: OKAY.
THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: BESHEAR CAGLE? >> SPEAKER: MR. HOLLINS, IN THE COUNTING OF THE VOTES, THERE IS APPARENTLY AN ISSUE WITH TWO JB SEES THAT WAS CAUGHT AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT ENDED UP BEING RESOLVED. WOULD YOU SHARE WITH US WHAT
THAT WAS? >> SPEAKER: IF I COULD DEFER TO MY TEAM.
I DON'T KNOW IF MICHAEL AND ISABEL ARE ON TO SHARE ANY ADDITIONAL DETAIL.
>> SPEAKER: THEY ARE BOTH ON. WHICH YOU REFER? THAT I UNMUTE?
>> SPEAKER: I'M OKAY WITH EITHER ONE. ISABEL, DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO
[00:25:04]
THAT? >> SPEAKER: ISABEL, YOU ARE UNMUTED.
>> SPEAKER: HELLO, EVERYONE. ISABEL LONGORIA. NEW ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT. I WILL FOLLOW UP IN ABOUT 20,800 JB SEES THAT WE PROCESSED, WE HAD TO THAT SOMETIMES BECAUSE THE PINS THEIR OLD MACHINES IF YOU PUT THE PINS IN THE WRONG MACHINE WE HAD TO BACK THEM UP TO THE JVC.
WE USED THE BACK OF JVC TO GET THAT INFORMATION AND PULLED THEM INTO THE TOTAL COUNT AND WE RALLIED AND TALLIED EVERYTHING. SO THAT WE WOULD HAVE AN EXACT COUNT OF ALL OF THOSE 2800 JVCS
CLEANLY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNT. >> SPEAKER: OKAY.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE WAS ONLY TWO MACHINES OUT OF THAT BUT THERE WERE SOME DOUBLE COUNTS. THAT DIDN'T IMPACT ANY ELECTIONS IN TERMS OF THAT DOUBLE COUNT,
DID THEY? >> SPEAKER: NO. THE DOUBLE COUNT IS A MISNOMER.
WHAT HAPPENED THERE IS WE HAD OF THOSE TWO, 2800 JVCS, FOUR OF THEM WE ACCIDENTALLY COUNTED DOUBLE SO WE FOUND THAT OUT THE DAY AFTER ELECTIONS WHEN WE WERE DOING OUR AUDIT.
THE SAME AUDIT WE DO EVERY TIME. WE RERAN THE RALLY TALLY SO THAT MEANS FOR YOU IS THAT WE RERAN ALL 2800 JVCS AGAIN MAKING SURE THAT WE DIDN'T DOUBLE COUNT THOSE FOR AND THAT'S WHERE WE GOT THE NEW CLEAN AUDIT FOR THE ELECTION DAY AND EARLY VOTE IN PERSON RESULTS.
AFTER THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH DETAIL YOU WANT FROM THE AUDIT REPORT.
AFTER THAT WE WENT INTO FUSING THOSE LIMITED BALLOTS IN WHICH MEANS THAT WE ADD IN THOSE LIMITED BALLOTS THAT WERE VOTED, KICKING UP TO THE FEDERAL DATABASE FOR REPORTING THOSE RESULTS AND THEN AFTER THAT WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF HAND VERIFYING AND COUNTING THE 13,000 PROVISIONAL BALLOTS. SOME OF WHICH WERE ACCEPTED AND SOME OF WHICH WERE NOT.
, ETC. >> SPEAKER: WHAT WAS THAT NUMBER AGAIN ON THE PROVISIONAL
BALLOTS? >> SPEAKER: IT WAS I THINK JUST UNDER 13,000 TOTAL PROVISIONAL BALLOTS. THAT WERE CAST. AND THE BREAKDOWN OF WHICH I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 3500 THAT WERE REJECTED AND THE ONCE WERE ACCEPTED TO THE EARLY VOTING
PROCESS. >> SPEAKER: WOULD ANY OF THOSE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS HAD THEY BEEN EITHER THAT WERE REJECTED ACCEPTED OR THOSE THAT WERE ACCEPTED AND REJECTED WITH THEY HAVE BEEN OF A NUMBER SUFFICIENT TO HAVE CHANGED ANY RESULTS IN THE ELECTION?
>> SPEAKER: OF THE PROVISIONAL BALLOTS? IF WE HAVE REJECTED MORE WOULD
HAVE CHANGED OR ACCEPTED? >> SPEAKER: I BELIEVE THE CORRECT ANSWER IS NO.
I JUST WANT TO GET CONFIRMATION THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE IMPACTED THE ELECTION RESULTS.
>> SPEAKER: IF I CAN ANSWER THAT, COMMISSIONER. FROM THE TIME THAT WE HAD THE RESULTS PRETTY PROVISIONAL BALLOTS AND THE POST PROVISIONAL BALLOTS, THERE WERE NO ELECTIONS
THAT WERE SWAYED IN EITHER WAY BY THAT. >> SPEAKER: THIS GOES FROM AN EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH RIGHT IN BALLOTS WHEN I WAS BACK IN THE '90S.
I THINK HE IT WAS JUDGE DEVINE IN HIS FIRST RUN FOR OFFICE. THERE WERE A WHOLE BUNCH OF RIGHT AND BALLOTS THAT HAD THE IMPACT OF CHANGING SOME ELECTIONS.
I DID NOT THINK THAT OCCURRED THIS TIME BUT I WAS MAKING THE QUESTION.
MY FINAL QUESTION, CHRIS, IS, WHEN WAS THIS ELECTION RESULTS SIGNED? I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE THE ACTUAL SIGNATURE. MY STAFF MAY HAVE, BUT WHEN DID YOU SIGN THE AFFIDAVIT OF THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION? OR HAVE YOU?
>> SPEAKER: I THOUGHT THAT IN A LETTER TO COURT THAT CONTAINED MY SIGNATURE, IF THAT'S NOT THE CASE THEN WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TODAY TO FORMALLY SIGN, NOTARIZE ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE CANVASS IS TODAY, THE DEADLINE TO WE WILL DO WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE TODAY IF IT IS DEEMED THAT WE NEED TO DO ANYTHING ADDITIONAL.
>> SPEAKER: WE AREN'T ABLE TO FIND IT RIGHT NOW IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CHECK INTO THAT.
MY QUESTION WOULD BE THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT WE ARE TO APPROVE THIS UNTIL WE HAVE YOUR SIGNATURE. THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION. I MAY BE WRONG.
THAT MAYBE A QUESTION FOR ROBERT SWORD. >> SPEAKER: I WILL VOUCH THAT
THAT'S -- DOUGLAS. ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> SPEAKER: I AM.
I THINK THAT ANY KIND OF CERTIFICATION CAN BE DONE ORALLY BY THE CLERK AT THIS POINT IN TIME. IT CAN BE APPROVED BY THE COURT. AND WHATEVER SIGNATURES ARE
NECESSARY CAN BE SUPPLIED AT A LATER TIME. >> SPEAKER: I HAVE THE DOCUMENT
[00:30:04]
IT SEEMS TO HAVE MICHAEL WIENS' SIGNATURE. I DON'T KNOW -- WE WILL CHECK.WE HAVE A FEW MORE ITEMS TO GO THROUGH. WE WILL SEND THIS OVER, DOUG, AND ROBERT, TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE. IT SOUNDS LIKE DOUG SAYS THAT WE
ARE GOOD TO ADOPT IT. >> SPEAKER: IF THERE'S NOT A MOTION ALREADY MADE, I MOVE ON
IT. >> SPEAKER: I SECOND. >> SPEAKER: I WILL SECOND IT.
>> SPEAKER: DOUG, DO WE NEED CHRIS'S SIGNATURE ON THIS THING? >> SPEAKER: NO.
ALL WE NEED IS ONCE THE CANVASSING AUTHORITY WHICH IS THE COMMISSIONER BOARD APPROVES IT, IT NEEDS TO BE CERTIFIED BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER, WHICH WOULD BE JUDGE HIDALGO TO BE
SENT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE. >> SPEAKER: SO THE MOTION IS TO ADOPT THE OFFICIAL CANVASS OF ALL VOTES CAST IN AUGUST 3 GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> SPEAKER: AYE. >> SPEAKER: AYE.
>> SPEAKER: AYE. >> SPEAKER: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
THAT CONCLUDES THE CANVASS OF THE AUGUST 3. >> SPEAKER: QUICKLY, ARE CHRIS,
ARE YOU STILL ON THE LINE? >> SPEAKER: I AM, COMMISSIONER. >> SPEAKER: I WANT TO TELL YOU, BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I'M SORRY I COULDN'T JOIN YOU. I HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD TIME AND I WANT TO THANK YOUR BRIDE, MORGAN, FOR EXTENDING THE INVITATION.
I HOPE YOU WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AT YOUR BIRTHDAY. >> SPEAKER: IT WAS NOT MY BIRTHDAY BUT IT WAS A SURPRISE GATHERING. AND MORGAN -- THANK YOU.
I WILL CERTAINLY PASS ALONG YOUR REMARKS TO HER. >> SPEAKER: I WISH I COULD'VE BEEN THERE BUT I COULDN'T MAKE IT. I HAD ALREADY MADE OTHER PLANS.
I THOUGHT IT WAS YOUR BIRTHDAY. I WILL TAKE BACK MY BIRTHDAY WISHES.
>> SPEAKER: MY LAST PRIVILEGE HERE. MY BIRTHDAY IS JULY 8.
>> SPEAKER: WE MISSED IT. SO IT'S A BELATED EXPECT THE BEST BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR.
MY SON WAS BORN ON JULY 8. THAT WAS FANTASTIC. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> SPEAKER: TAKE CARE. >> SPEAKER: CHRIS, YOU GOT WELL WELL-DESERVED BREAK.
I HOPE WE SEE YOU AGAIN. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: GIVEN THE COMPLETION OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES, I AM VIRTUALLY DELIVERING THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES BACK TO THE COUNTY CLERK PER DOUG'S INSTRUCTIONS. NEXT IS ITEM THREE.
>> SPEAKER: JUDGE I HATE TO INTERRUPT. CAN WE GO BACK TO 1A.
I WANTED TO GET SOME CLARIFICATION. THE APPROVAL WAS FOR THE ITEM AS PRESENTED ON THE AGENDA ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ADDITION?
>> SPEAKER: CORRECT. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: ITEM THREE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH JUSTICE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE WHICH IS GOING TO BE SUPPORTING
WORKING FULL TIME TO SUPPORT THE PRETRIAL MANAGEMENT. >> SPEAKER: I MOVE IT.
>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: AND FINALLY MOVING ON TO COVID-19.
[II. COVID-19]
THIS IS TO TRANSFER AN ADDITIONAL $20 MILLION FROM CARES ACT TO THE EMERGENCY DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SEND AN ADDITIONAL 17,000.I BELIEVE WE HAVE A FEW SPEAKERS >> SPEAKER: GO AHEAD. >> SPEAKER: BOB FLEMING WITH
THE METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> SPEAKER: GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONERS. THE METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION AS YOU KNOW IS A BROAD-BASED COALITION OF CHURCHES, ACTIVE ON BEHALF OF OUR CONGREGANTS.
FIRST WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE SUPPORT THE PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF $20 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO THE ADMINISTERED BY MY OLD ORGANIZATION, CATHOLIC CHARITIES. SECONDLY WE ALSO WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE COURT FOR THE REMARKABLY COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH THE COUNTY HAS TAKEN TO HELPING PEOPLE TO THROUGH THE COVID PROCESS, NAMELY THE RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS DIRECTED FINANCIAL PROGRAM, HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPER PROJECTS, LEGAL AID AND ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
IT IS TO SAY THE LEAST AND AN IMPRESSIVE EFFORT AND WE APPRECIATE IT.
WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE JUDGE AND THE COURTS TO COURT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ADMINISTERING THE SECOND ROUND OF RENT ASSISTANCE DOLLARS TO THE BAKER RIPLEY PROGRAM. PMO HAS MET WITH THE COUNTY WORKING GROUP ADMINISTERING
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THESE PROGRAMS AND ALL OF US WITHOUT EXCEPTION ARE AGREED THAT THE PROCESS FOR RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO QUALIFY FOR RENT ASSISTANCE IS DIFFICULT AND TIME-CONSUMING.AND CUMBERSOME. IT HAS RESULTED IN AN INABILITY TO MOVE THAT PORTION OF THE MONEY QUICKLY. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE TO HARRIS COUNTY.
IN FACT, OUR SISTER ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TELL US IT IS MUCH WORSE IN OTHER CITIES. IF THE WASHINGTON POST STORY FROM TWO DAYS AGO IS TO BE BELIEVED, IT IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM NATIONWIDE AS WELL. WE ARE APPRECIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY HAS RECOGNIZED THIS AND WE WANT TO REMIND YOU AND HOPE THAT YOU CAN RESOLVE THE MATTER QUICKLY, STREAMLINE THE PROGRAM AND GET THE PORTION OF THE MONEY QUICKLY INTO THE HANDS OF RESIDENTS WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND DESPERATELY NEED IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. JACLYN HALEY WITH PMO. GO AHEAD PLEASE.
>> SPEAKER: GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JACQUELINE HALEY FROM THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
AND TML. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
WE AT PMO ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR EFFORTS AS A BODY TO ASSIST PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC, ESPECIALLY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. THE INITIAL ALLOTMENT OF $30 MILLION IN THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WENT QUICKLY AND WAS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, AS WELL AS THE LATEST ALLOCATION TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES. HOWEVER THE SECOND ROUND OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE BEING DISPERSED BY BAKER RIPLEY IS NOT GOING AS WELL.
THREE FOURTHS OF THE MONEY ALLOWED ALOUD HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN AWAY.
WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THOSE ASSISTING TENANTS AND BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE SOME LANDLORDS ARE NOT WILLING TO PARTICIPATE. SOME LANDLORDS ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP WITH RENTAL VERIFICATION TENANTS CANNOT EASILY VERIFY LOSS OF INCOME AS WELL AS THE INABILITY OF TENANTS TO ACCESS THE APPLICATION PROCESS USING TECHNOLOGY DUE TO LOSS OF INTERNET OR UTILITIES.
WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY MAKING CHANGES TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE SITUATION CAN BE AIDED BY THE ASSIGNMENT OF ONE PERSON TO OVERSEE AND CUT THROUGH THE LOGJAM, MAKING IT LESS COMPLICATED. THE DECEMBER 31 DEADLINE IS ALMOST UPON US AND PMO WILL DO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN TO ASSIST YOU IN YOUR ENDEAVOR.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.
>> SPEAKER: VENUS ANGELA AUREA WITH PMO. GO AHEAD PLEASE.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THE GREATEST CONCERNS ARE OF COURSE WITH FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ASSISTING, MANY FAMILIES.
THEY HAVE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AND TIMING ON THAT. NO INTERNET OR NO CELL PHONES BECAUSE NO MONEY TO PAY OR NO JOBS TO GO OUT TO WORK. AND ALSO, THE GREAT NEED IS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO READ OR WRITE, MANY FAMILIES. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ASSIST THEM TO HELP THEM READ AND REPLY AND THE TURNAROUND TIMES FOR THESE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FROM THEM, THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO SO MANY FAMILIES. THAT IS OUR GREAT CONCERN.
MANY OF THESE EVICTED OR SUB EVICTED LIVING WITH ANOTHER FAMILY IN A ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT. WHERE THERE'S A BED IN THE LIVING ROOM AND THE DINING ROOM.
I'VE SEEN THIS MYSELF. FAMILIES HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT, NO ELECTRICITY WITH MANY
CHILDREN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.
>> SPEAKER: JUDGE, I WANT TO SAY I'M GLAD THAT YOU ARE SAYING THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS GONE WELL.
I'M GLAD WE TRIED WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE. IN MY NOTES ARE PART AND THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAS PROVIDED 11 MILLION, ALMOST 10,000 FAMILIES.
THE SECOND ROUND WOULD HAVE INTAKE PROCESS IT GOT ABOUT 6000 APPLICATIONS.
I THINK GOING FROM THE 40 AND THE 60 I'M TOLD THAT THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THEY CAN GET IT OUT. I ASSUME WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE IF SOMETHING ELSE COMES UP WE HAVE AN ABILITY TO MOVE MORE MONEY IF NEED BE. IF WE ARE IN ANY WAY WORRIED
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ABOUT THAT DEADLINE. IS THAT RIGHT? >> SPEAKER: THAT'S CORRECT.
I DON'T THINK WE ARE AT RISK OF LOSING MONEY AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
AND I WOULD ALSO, IF YOU DON'T MIND, QUICKLY ADD, WE ARE CERTAINLY, THE TEAM AND THE COUNTY TEAM ARE LISTENING. WE DID MAKE SOME PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS ON AUGUST 10 THAT SHOULD HELP IN TERMS OF THE DOCUMENTATION. WE ARE ALSO MONITORING IT ON A
WEEKLY AND DAILY BASIS. I APPRECIATE THE CONCERN. >> SPEAKER: PEOPLE CAN USE THIS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. IT'S JUST THAT THEY MAKE THE CHOICE.
>> SPEAKER: CORRECT. THESE GO DIRECTLY TO THE RECIPIENT.
THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THE LANDLORD, WHICH WORKS ON MANY
CASES AND IN MANY CASES IT CAN BE CHALLENGING. >> SPEAKER: JUDGE, I'M FOR
ADOPTING FOR THE REST OF THIS ITEM. >> SPEAKER: I TAKE THAT AS A MOTION ON ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVEN'T ALREADY VOTED ON. SECONDED BY GARCIA?
ALL IN FAVOR? >> SPEAKER: AYE. >> SPEAKER: AYE.
>> SPEAKER: THIS IS RADEK. I VOTE ON (INDISCERNIBLE). >> SPEAKER: I AM I.
I AM I I HE'S NO ON ITEM THREE. CORRECT, COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> SPEAKER: I THOUGHT HE SAID
AYE ON THAT. >> SPEAKER: ITEM THREE KNOW. OKAY.
>> SPEAKER: I WILL TAKE HIM AS ITEM THREE NO AND YES ON THE OTHER ITEM.
>> SPEAKER: YET, ON THE OTHER ITEMS WE HAVEN'T ALREADY VOTED ON.
AND I AM AYE. >> SPEAKER: MR. SWORD? I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION.
THIS IS A RECENT DEVELOPMENT. IN REFERENCE TO DR. SHOW, HAVE WE BEEN OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF
HIS RESIGNATION? >> SPEAKER: I ANSWER THE QUESTION AND NOT MUCH MORE.
AS FAR AS I KNOW WE HAVE NOT. I HAVE NOT BEEN. THE RESIGNATION WILL BE SENT TO
THE COUNTY JUDGE TYPICALLY. >> SPEAKER: IS THERE A PROBLEM IF HE IS RESIGNED AS FAR AS DOES
THE COURT AND TAKE ACTION? >> SPEAKER: ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I HAVE READ IN THE CONICAL.
IT SAYS THE RESIGNATION IS NOT EFFECTIVE UNTIL MID-DECEMBER. THERE WOULD BE NO ACTION FOR THE COURT TO TAKE TODAY AND NO EMERGENCY THAT WOULD NECESSITATE AN ACTION TODAY.
>> SPEAKER: OKAY. I WAS JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF MEMBERS OF THE COURT HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OR NOT. THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING.
THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, ROBERT. AND, YEAH, THE TIMING IS JUST
FINE. ALL RIGHT, DID I MISS ANYTHING? >> SPEAKER: I THINK WE ARE
GOOD, YOUR HONOR,. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> SPEAKER: DID I MISS
ANYTHING? GO-AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. >> SPEAKER: I WAS SAYING, YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE TIMING. THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO CONTACT YOU? I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO IT, COMMISSIONER BECAUSE I KNOW IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
HOWEVER MUCH I'M ALLOWED TO SAY. BUT I WILL SAY ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT ROBERT SAID, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IS OKAY SINCE HE SAID IT, IS THAT IN MID-DECEMBER TIMELINE WHICH IS JUST FINE.
IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TIME TO TAKE ACTION IS NECESSARY IN OUR FOLLOWING COURT.
>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: IT'S 12:19. THE SPECIAL MEETING IS NOW
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.