Dec 01, 2020 Commissioners Court

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>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING. IT IS 10:03 AND I CALL THIS

MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE

[Opening prayer by Senior Pastor Jason Nelson of Rose Hill United Methodist Church in Tomball.]

BEFORE GOING INTO MINISTRY HE TAUGHT EIGHTH GRADE U.S. HISTORY FOR SEVEN YEARS ALONG WITH DOING THE FALL, WINTER AND SPRING SPORTS. HE COACHED FOOTBALL, COACHED BASKETBALL AND COACHED TRACK. HE HAS BEEN SERVING IN MINISTRY SINCE 2007.

HE AND HIS WIFE, TIFFANY, HAVE SIX CHILDREN. PASTOR NELSON, WOULD YOU PLEASE LEAD US IN OUR INVOCATION BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY?

>> YES. LET'S PRAY. GOD, WE COME BEFORE YOU ACKNOWLEDGING THAT YOU ARE THE CREATOR. YOU ARE THE GIVER, THE SUSTAINERS -- SUSTAINER OF LIFE. THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE FIRST AND THE LAST AND THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU. YOUR WORD SAYS EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT COMES FROM YOU, COMES FROM ABOVE. SO WE PAUSE NOW TO THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS THAT YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE US. THE GIFT OF LIFE AND LAUGHTER AND THE GIFT OF LOVE FAMILY AND FAITH AND THE GIFT OF FREEDOM AND THOSE WHO SERVE ON THE FRONT LINES AND PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE FREEDOM. WE THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF THIS MOMENT WHERE WE CAN COME BEFORE YOU AND ASK FOR YOUR GOODNESS AND GRACE AND YOU CONTINUE TO POUR IN US SO YOUR LIGHT MIGHT SHINE THROUGH US. GOD, I ASK YOU POUR YOUR SPIRIT UPON THIS GROUP OF PUBLIC LEADERS. I PRAY YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM SO THEY MAY DISCERN AND DECIDE HOW TO BEST ALIGN WITH YOUR WILL AND YOUR WAY.

MAKE THEM SERVANTS OF YOU AND TO SEEK YOU FIRST WHO WILL HAVE JUST MERCY AND WALK HUMBLY WITH YOU. WE KNOW ARE YOU SOVEREIGN AND YOU WILL RAISE UP YOUR PEOPLE TO LIVE AND LOVE THE WAY YOU CALL US TO. IN YOUR GREAT NAME AND IN THE

POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AMEN.

THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYER AND THANK YOU FOR THE REFERENCE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

PASTOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE ONE RESOLUTION TODAY.

[I. Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

SHE IS RETIRING FROM THE AMERICAN ENGINEERING. MS. LYNDSAY WILL RETIRE ON DECEMBER 31ST HAVING SERVED ON THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING HOUSTON CHAPTER FOR 21 YEARS. SHE WAS HIRED AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A LOCAL CHAPTER OF ACEC. ACEC HOUSTON HAS JOINED FROM 98 MEMBERS TO OVER 235 MEMBERS DURING HER TENURE. MEMBERS HAVE PROVIDED I'M NUMERABLE -- INNUMERABLE HOURS OVER VISIONS OF NUMEROUS DESIGN STANDARDS AND PROCEDURE AND POLICIES AND HELPING BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE CRUCIAL TO ECONOMIC HEALTH AND GROWTH OF THIS REGION.

SHE SERVED AT METRO FOR OVER 14 YEARS. AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT PROCLAIMS DECEMBER 13TH, 2020 AS

CHRISTINA M.LYNDSAY DAY. THANK YOU FOR HER DEDICATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION. I WANT TO SIMPLY SAY THAT I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH CHRISTINA SINCE MY DAYS ON CITY COUNCIL.

I TELL YOU, SHE HAS BEEN A JOY AND A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH. CHRISTINA, THE PLACE IS GOING TO FALL APART WITHOUT YOU. THOSE GUYS WERE DOING IT RIGHT BECAUSE THERE IS A WOMAN AT THE HELM. THEY DON'T LEARN FROM THEIR SUCCESS THEN THEY WILL FALL APART. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND THANK YOU FOR BEING AN INCREDIBLE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU FOR THE CONVERSATIONS, THE MANY CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS.

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YOU WILL BE MISSED AS THE STEADY HAND AT THE HELM OVER THERE.

WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. AGAIN, JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU FOR YOUR SUCCESS OVER THE YEARS AND WISH YOU CONTINUED PROSPERITY GOING FORWARD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: CHRISTINA, CONGRATULATIONS. THE PHRASE RETIRE FOR YOU MEANS YOU ARE TAKING OFF ONE SET OF TIRES AND PUTTING ON ANOTHER SET OF TIRES. YOU ARE RETIRING.

YOU ARE OFF TO DO THAT NEXT THING. ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE HIGH ENERGY FOLKS THAT I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE YOU GOING OFF TO PLAYING GOLF ALL THE TIME.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT YOUR NEW TIRES WILL HAVE YOU DO AS YOU RETIRE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: MS. LYNDSAY, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK

YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANY REMARKS? >> I DO.

HOW DO I MAKE THEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> USING THAT WELL-KNOWN

PHRASE, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> YES. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> OKAY. WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS HONOR. OF COURSE, OVER THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN TO SO MANY COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETINGS AND HAVE WATCHED OTHER PEOPLE RECEIVE THIS HONOR AND NEVER THOUGHT IN MY WILDEST DREAMS THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ME. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THIS HONOR.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND IN PARTICULAR WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING DURING THIS PANDEMIC. IT HAS BEEN A MOMENTOUS JOB AND YOU'VE ALL BEEN DOING YOUR UTMOST TO KEEP US SAFE AND I THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC IN TERMS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT AND THE POST HARVEY BOND PROGRAM THAT IS GOING ON. I WANT TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WITH THE POLICIES THE PROCEDURES THAT YOU PROVIDE, THEY ARE CARRIED OUT BY A VERY PROFESSIONAL STAFF AMONG THE THREE AGENCIES. THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT UNDER JOHN BLOUNT'S LEADERSHIP, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT UNDER ROSS POPPY'S LEADERSHIP AND THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PETER KEY. NOT ONLY THOSE THREE INDIVIDUALS, BUT ALL OF THEIR STAFF. YOU CAN BE VERY PROUD OF THEM.

THEY ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL, AND THEY HAVE GIVEN ME AND MY ORGANIZATION THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH THEM AND ACTUALLY WORK WITH THEM ON IMPLEMENTING YOUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND ASKING FOR ADVICE. THEY ARE SO PROFESSIONAL THAT THEY ARE NOT INTIMIDATED BY NOT HAVING ALL OF THE ANSWERS. AND THEY DO LOOK TO US FOR SOME OF OUR ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL EXPERTISE. THANK YOU.

BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND BECAUSE YOU EMPOWERED THEM TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES, HARRIS COUNTY IS IN GREAT HANDS. IT IS DEMONSTATABLE BY THE COUNTY AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU AND I THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN,

CHRISTINA. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. CONGRATULATIONSES AND THANK

YOU SO MUCH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I THINK COMMISSIONER RADACK

WAS TRYING TO SAY SOMETHING. >> STEVE RADACK: CHRISTINA, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK. YOU HAVE DONE GREAT THINGS NOT ONLY FOR THE PEOPLE ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE WHOLE OF THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE ON THE CALL SO I MAY CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR PENDING RETIREMENT AS WELL.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP AND ASSISTANCE OVER THE YEARS.

I APPRECIATE IT TOO. >> STEVE RADACK: I'LL SEE YOU ON THE POLITICAL TRAIL.

OKAY? >> YES. I'M SURE YOU WILL.

>> STEVE RADACK: OKAY. >> BYE-BYE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHAT I HAVE FOR OUT OF ORDER RESOLUTIONS. MOVING ON TO THE AGENDA --

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A2 REQUEST BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO SAY ON ITEM A2, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED IN HELPING TO CONVERT THOSE LOANS INTO FORGIVABLE GRANTS OR GRANTS RATHER, AND I HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED THAT NOTICE AND IT HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED AND IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. GUIDE HOUSE WAS VERY TREUMENT -- INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING US GET THERE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR WORK. WE DID IT IN SHORT ORDER. IT WASN'T PERFECT BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION, BUT IT DEMONSTRATED TO OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT THEM AND WE WERE CONCERNED FOR THEIR ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN, AND WE WERE DEMONSTRATING HOW COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAN REACT AND ACT FAST FOR THOSE STRUGGLING. JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ITEM AS

WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

22B1 IS FOR THE SEROPREVEL -- SEROPREVALENCE STUDY. THAT'S FOR ALL WHO HAVE HAD COVID. ITEMS 22C1 AND 2 ARE CSD ITEMS ON COVID.

22D IS THE BROAD COVID-19 ITEM I PLACED ON THE AGENDA AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A SPEAKER.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ON HERE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET'S HAVE THE SPEAKER FIRST, JUDGE. I DO WANT TO BRING UP AN

ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM.

JASON HOFFMAN WITH JASON'S BUSINESS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. THANK YOU. I NOTICED A TON OF BARS THAT ARE OPEN AND WHAT LOOKS LIKE WHAT THE MEDIA IS CALLING A SUPER SPREADER EVENT.

MEANWHILE, THE LITTLE TINY CORNER BAR THAT MIGHT GET 20 REGULARS CANNOT BE OPEN.

AND WHEN I GOT TO THE VET I CAN'T GO IN. I HAVE TO WAIT OUTSIDE.

THE LIBRARY IS CLOSED. I DON'T I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LA JOLLA JIBING OF THIS.

-- I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC OF THIS. WHAT IS THE SCIENCE BEHIND

THAT? THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

UNFORTUNATELY I AGREE WITH YOU. ALL THROUGHOUT THE STATE ALL KINDS OF GATHERINGS CAN TAKE PLACE AND THERE IS A MASSIVE LOOPHOLE ON BARS AND IF BARS CAN BE OPEN. WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO LIMIT GATHERINGS, BUT THAT'S A BIG, BIG PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE DESPERATE FOR ACTION FROM THE STATE.

BECAUSE OF THE NUMBERS WE ARE SEEING NOW. TO PUT IT IN CONTEXT THE NUMBERS WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW ARE ABOUT AS BAD AS THEY WERE WHEN HARRIS COUNTY WENT INITIALLY TO THREAT LEVEL RED AND IF YOU WILL RECALL IT WAS SOON AFTER THAT THE GOVERNOR PULLED BACK A LITTLE BIT AND THE NUMBERS KEPT CLIMBING UNTIL FINALLY THEY PEAKED AT A LEVEL WHERE WE WERE ROUTINELY AT BASE HOSPITAL CAPACITY. I CAN SEE THOSE BARS TOO.

I AGREE. IF WE MOVE FORWARD SCHOOLS CAN BE SAFELY OPENED OR MORE LOGICAL ENTERPRISES CAN BE OPENED. IT IS A VERY BACKWARDS LOGIC.

YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I AGREE WITH YOU AND I APPRECIATE THE SPEAKER COMING IN. OBVIOUSLY THE STATE, THE GOVERNOR HAS TIED YOUR HANDS AND HAS TIED OUR HANDS. WHAT IS INTERESTING IS I SAW -- AND I SAW THAT THE CITY HAS OPENED SOME OF THE SCHOOLS. THEY MADE THE COMMENT THAT THE BIGGEST THREAT WOULD BE FROM PEOPLE GOING TO BARS AND MORE SO THAN KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL

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OUR HANDS ARE TIED AS LONG AS FOLKS IN CONTROL OF THE STATE DECIDE TO PLAY POLITICS INSTEAD OF PUBLIC SAFETY. I APPRECIATE THE SPEAKER COMING IN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A COMMENT.

>> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER. I'M SORRY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, LUCINDA. >> DAVID [INAUDIBLE] GO AHEAD,

PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS DAVID AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 2.

MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH IN HEALTH CARE AND THE PARENTS OF FOUR CHILDREN 10 AND UNDER.

HERE WE ARE IN COVID-19. WAVE NUMBER TWO OR WAVE NUMBER THREE IF YOU COUNT THE RIPPLE IN MARCH. HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE THE WAY UP WHICH IS BEST INDICATIONS OF CASES AND TESTS. GOVERNOR ABBOTT HAS TIED THE HANDS OF THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS.

THEY BEGAN REOPENING JUNE AND EXPANDED SINCE. THE REOPENING PLAN HAS LEAD TO A LEVEL OF COUPLE -- COUPLE -- CUMULATIVE PER CAPITA HOSPITALIZATIONS.

HARRIS IS THE LOWEST MEANING BEST PERFORMING. INSTEAD OF SPECULATION AND MODELLING FROM EXPERTS IN THE U.S. RELYING ON EUROPEAN DATA FROM THE SPRING AND ONCE AGAIN TIED HANDS BEFORE SCHOOL REOPENS IN SEPTEMBER. ACCORDING TO THE ROAD MAP, ALL SCHOOLS SHOULD STILL BE CLOSED TO IN PERSON LEARNING.

.75%. THE CUMULATIVE INFECTION RATE IN THE SAME TIME PERIOD IS 1.55%. 90% OF CASES OF KNOWN ORIGIN ARE OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL.

ONE CAN REASONABLY CONCLUDE THE SCHOOL IS THE SAFEST PLACE FOR OUR KIDS.

IT IS 1.4%. THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR OPENING OUR PARKS.

GIVEN THE STORIES ABOUT THE PLAYGROUNDS BEING HOTSPOTS OF TRANSMISSION WE CAN ONLY HOPE ALL WILL END UP FOLLOWING YOUR LEAD. THE SCHOOLS ARE SAFE AND THE PARKS ARE SAFE AND HARRIS COUNTY IS OUT PERFORMING THE REST OF THE COUNTRY ON COVID AND YET WE CONTINUE TO DISSEN FRANCE -- DISENFRANCHISE THE PLACES THIS COURT WORKS SO HARD TO PROTECT. LIBRARIES FOR MANY IMMIGRANTS GO TO IMPROVE ENGLISH ARE CLOSED. THE FREE EDUCATION PROVIDED BY THE LIBRARIES ARE LOCKED AWAY BEHIND THE COUNTY MANDATES. PARKS WHERE YOU CAN STAY OUT OF TROUBLE REMAIN CLOSED.

THE COUNTY'S ROAD MAP DISCOURAGES RETURNING TO SCHOOL AND MANY OF THE KIDS FIND THEMSELVES WITH FOOD, COUNSELING, SPEECH AND BEHAVIORAL THERAPY.

MY WIFE IS A CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGIST AND RECENTLY TREATED COVID.

FESS SPECIFICALLY THE EFFECT OF SCHOOL CLOSE DOWNS AND LOCK DOWNS.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR METRICS. THEY WILL LOOK AT TRADEOFFS FROM ALL SIDES OF THE COVID POLICIES. HOSPITAL CAPACITY, COMMUNITY OVERALL HEALTH AND ECONOMY AND EDUCATION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HEALTH.

IF WE DON'T WE WILL RELY ON THE SAME POSITIONS AND THE GOVERNOR FORCING MANDATES ON US AND BLAMING HIM FOR ON THE -- FOR THE OUT PERFORMANCE OF THE COUNTY WHOSE HANDS ARE

NOT TIED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE IF I MAY? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING IN AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF MY TEAM HERE IN PRECINCT 2 AND OUR COMMUNITIES. PLEASE GIVE OUR HIGHEST REGARDS TO YOUR WIFE FOR HER IMPORTANT WORK. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR VOICE. WE ARE IN IT TOGETHER AND I AGREE WITH YOU.

THE JUDGE IS LEADING US HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND DEMONSTRATING TO OTHER COUNTIES AROUND TEXAS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY HOW TO GET THE JOB DONE AND DONE AS WELL AS WE CAN WITH MINIMAL SUPPORT FROM THE STATE. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA? >> NO, MA'AM.

NOT ON THIS SUBJECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER

TOPIC ON THE SUBJECT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DID, BUT I JUST GOT CLARIFICATION FROM MY

STAFF SO WE CAN MOVE ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DID WANT TO ASK, IF IT IS AN ILLEGAL BAR NOW, IF THE OUTBREAK IS ILLEGAL AND IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA WE CAN CLOSE IT DOWN. BUT IF ONE IS IN THE CITY LIMITS AND OPERATING

ILLEGALLY, THAT'S THE CITY AND NOT US, RIGHT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S

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CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS RIGHT.

THE OTHER THING THOUGH IS AS LONG AS THE BAR HAS SOME SORT OF FOOD, THEN IT IS LEGAL.

AND SO IT IS VERY EASY FOR THEM TO GO AHEAD -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TO GET

AROUND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN OF COURSE THERE IS THE QUESTION OF ENFORCEMENT IS SO SEE CENTRALIZED. IS SO DECENTRALIZED.

AND THERE IS A CERTAIN OCCUPANCY LIMIT FOR THE DIFFERENT ESTABLISHMENTS.

HOW DO YOU TELL IF IT IS 75% VERSUS 50%. AT SOME POINT A GOOD STRATEGY AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN ELSEWHERE, A SUCCESSFUL ONE, WOULD HAVE BEEN TO SUPPORT BARS AND RESTAURANTS AND THE BUSINESSES CAN'T OPERATE AS USUAL DURING A PANDEMIC SO THAT THE NUMBERS COME DOWN AND WE CAN SAFELY SEND OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL.

BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS THING WHERE EVERYONE IS OPEN AND ALMOST AT FULL CAPACITY AND THESE PEOPLE NEED THE BUSINESS , BUT PEOPLE ARE CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO KEEP THE ECONOMY GOING. AND WE MAY SEE THOUSANDS OF DEATHS AND WE ARE SEEING A THOUSAND NEW CASES REPORTED EVERY DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY WHICH IS JUST, YOU KNOW, MIND BOGGLING. I AM VERY CONCERNED. I AM NOT TRYING TO PICK ON THE BARS OR PICK ON THE RESTAURANTS. IT IS THE WAY OF THE STRATEGY

OR LACK THERE OF IS DEVELOPED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WERE INCORPORATED OR UNINCORPORATED. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW.

I JUST WANTED TO RAISE THAT POINT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR RAISING THE QUESTION. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT -- YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY IN A PANDEMIC WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR CITATION OR FINES OR REVENUE OF ANY SORT, BUT I HAVE A LOCATION IN MY PRECINCT OF THE HOUSTON FIRE CHIEF BECAUSE IT IS IN THE INCORPORATED AREA OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND TO THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO TABC BECAUSE OF SOME INFORMATION THAT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. WHEN I CHECKED THIS ESTABLISHMENT'S WEBSITE I WAS FIT TO BE TIED, JUDGE. BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR WAS GIVING -- AND THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITY HERE, BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAD MADE HIS DECLARATION TO OPEN, THIS ESTABLISHMENT USED THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE TO INSINUATE THAT THE PANDEMIC WAS OVER.

AND THAT PEOPLE SHOULD COME ON IN AND START THE PARTY SEASON.

IT WAS INCREDIBLY IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THEM. HOIFER -- HOWEVER, DO I HAVE ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT IN MY PRECINCT WHO HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE FOR HOW BARS CAN DO IT AND DO IT RIGHT AND DO IT WELL AND HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE CORPORATE SPONSOR TO THE COMMUNITY. AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT FOR THOSE THAT ARE -- FOR THOSE BAR OWNERS WHO ARE OUT THERE, IF YOU WANT AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN, WORK WITHIN THE RULES AND KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, NOT BE A SUPER SPREADER, THEN PLEASE REACH OUT AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH THAT ESTABLISHMENT IN THE AREA AND BY THE SAME TOKEN I HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON THE WORK OF THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON THE OTHER ESTABLISHMENT. IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE WE WILL HAVE SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF THAT AS WELL.

WE DO WANT TO SUPPORT OUR ECONOMY. WE DO WANT TO HELP KEEP -- HELP PEOPLE KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN. BUT YOU HAVE TO MEET US HALFWAY. YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO MEET US HALFWAY AND DO THE WORK WITHIN THE RULES AND KEEP PEOPLE SAFE. OTHERWISE WE WILL CONTINUE TO

STRUGGLE THROUGH THIS ECONOMY AND THIS PANDEMIC. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS ITEM 22D. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE NEXT ONE, 22E IS NO ACTION,

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CORRECT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S CORRECT.

NO ACTION ON THIS ONE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA HAS A FEW COVID ITEMS. FIRST IS ITEM 10 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL.

IT IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH BAKER RIP PLEA.

RIPLEY. THE ITEM 11 IS PIC FUNDS FOR COVID-19 RELATED CORRECTIONS.

AND A REQUEST BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO TRANSFER $40 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE PIC FUND. IT SHOULD SAY THAT AFTER SUPPLIES AND THE ARAMARK FOOD CONTRACT AND REQUEST BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT, ET CETERA. AND THEN ITEM 12 IS DIGITAL ACCESS IF GUIDE HOUSE IS ON THE LINE? I THINK WE WOULD WELCOME AN UPDATE. WE ALL RECEIVED THE PRESENTATION.

>> I WILL UNMUTE TODD. TODD? TODD, YOU ARE UNMUTED.

>> SORRY. THIS IS TODD HOFFMAN, GUIDE HOUSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING, TODD. GO AHEAD.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION -- I APOLOGIZE. I STEPPED OUT OF MY OFFICE TO

TAKE A PHONE CALL. I APOLOGIZE. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO WORRIES.

WE WERE JUST GETTING TO ITEM 12 ON THE AGENDA WHICH IS THE PROPOSED CONTRACTS FOR THE TEMPORARY BROADBAND ACCESS. I KNOW YOU GUYS HAD SENT A PRESENTATION AND I WAS JUST GIVING YOU A CHANCE TO MAKE WHATEVER REMARKS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ON THE PROGRESS.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I UH -- APPRECIATE AND APOLOGIZE FOR STEPPING AWAY.

BRETT IS ON THE LINE AND IS ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES. DO YOU WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE

ON SOME OF THE SHORT-TERM? >> SURE. HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION ON THIS. IN TERMS OF THE SHORT-TERM, JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY, YOU KNOW, WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THAT SAME FRAMEWORK OF ACCESS WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, HOW TO GET SIGNAL AND CONNECTIVE TEE AND PAYMENT AND HARDWARE WHICH IS DEVICES AND HOTSPOTS AND ACTIONS SUPPORTING THE ADDITIONAL NEEDS AND KNOWLEDGE AND ENGAGEMENT.

IN TERMS OF ACCESS THAT IS THE MOST RELEVANT AND THE DISCUSSION WE ARE HAVING AND THE MOTION. WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH THE THREE DIFFERENT ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES. THERE IS THE MESH WI-FI THAT BRINGS SMALL SERIES OF FREE PUBLIC WI-FI FROM COUNTY BUILTINGS. AND TRYING TO CONNECT AND GET THE DURABLE BENEFITS EVEN AFTER THE INVESTMENT IS FINISHED.

WE HAVE THE MOBILE AND BUS WI-FIES WHERE YOU PUT THE WI-FI HOTSPOT ON A BUS AND WE ARE SEEING THAT AS WE HAVE PIVOTED TO THE COUNTY ASSETS THERE.

THE BUSES ARE ALL IN USE TAKING CHILDREN BACK AND FORTH.

WE ARE USING THE COUNTY ASSETS TO CREATE MOBILE HOTSPOTS WHERE PRACT -- PRACTICABLE.

AND WE ARE TURNING THE WIRES TO THE INTERCONNECTED HOMES FOR NEEDY AND DISCONNECTED FAMILIES. AND FOR EACH OF THOSE WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

WE ARE SEEING ABOUT 40 TO 50 SITES FOR THE MESH. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF DISTRICTS INTERESTED IN THE FLIP. WE HAVE HAD TO WORK HARD AND STAY THROUGH FOR SOME CONTRACTING. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PRECINCTS THAT HAVE MOBILE ASSETS TO DEPLOY AS WELL. WE ARE TEEING UP TO GET TO THE SITE LEVEL TRACKING AND ASSISTING THE PROCUREMENTS. WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE BEFORE 12/31 TO QUALIFY FOR THE CARES FUNDING. I THINK THAT'S WHAT BRINGS US TO THE MOTION HERE IS THE ABILITY TO BEGIN TO MAKE SOME OF THE PURCHASE ORDERS AND SECURE SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. AND DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF TO WHAT EXTENT THIS WILL MEET THE NEED AT LEAST IN THE SHORT-TERM FOR BROAD -- BROADBAND?

>> OUR SENSE IS THAT IT WILL GIVE US GOOD COVERAGE FOR THE CURRENT NEED.

AND THAT'S BEEN VALIDATED BY OUR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE SEEN OBVIOUSLY THAT THEY HAVE, YOU KNOW, MADE A BIG DENT WITH THE HOTSPOT WORK THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE IN TERMS OF THE SHORT-TERM NEED AND THAT THESE ADDITIONAL DEPLOYMENTS THAT WE ARE BRINGING AROUND THAT, THEY SAY DISTRICT BY DISTRICT SHOULD PROVIDE THE CONNECTIVE TEE THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR AND THEY ARE INDICATING SATISFACTION WITH THE BREDTH OF SOLUTIONS. IN THE SHORT-TERM IT DOES MEET THE NEED AND THEY ARE STARTING TO TALK ABOUT THE LONG-TERM NEEDS AS WELL. THEY REVEALED THE NEED FOR

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LONG-TERM SUPPORT AS WELL. >> DO YOU PLAN ON HAVING THIS ALL INSTALLED, THE SHORT-TERM

SOLUTION? >> THIS IS TODD. AS IT RELATES TO THAT, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS. THE PLAN HERE IS TO GET IT ALL PROCURED AND INSTALLATIONS HAPPENING THIS MONTH. SOME OF IT GOES INTO JANUARY.

AS WELL AS GUIDE HOUSE AND WHAT IT RELATES TO WHAT OTHER CLIENTS DO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS A GREAT -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM AND I SUPPORT IT. IF NOT WE CAN VOTE ON IT. LOOK, WHEN I GOT MY BRIEFING, TODD, YOU ALL MADE THE POINT IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS WITH GETTING THE MONEY SPENT TO QUALIFY FOR CARES FUNDING YOU HAVE SOME METHOD AND SOME TRIG NEITHER THERE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF SOME OF THE MONEY IS NOT SPENT WE WON'T GET DINGED.

>> THE THING WE TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY, COMMISSIONER WAS AROUND.

THE 14 MILLION, THE 15 MILLION DOLLARS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BY THE DECEMBER 15TH COURT, WHATEVER MONEY IS NOT SPENT AT THAT POINT IN TIME WE ARE GOING TO PROMOTES THAT IT BE MOVED TO THE RESPONSE RECOVERY FUND AND WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS AND JANUARY WILL BE AROUND GETTING BROADBAND TO SMALL BUSINESSES. WE KNOW THERE ARE BUSINESS PARKS AND THINGS AROUND THE COUNTY THAT DO NOT HAVE CONNECTIVE TEE.

WE WILL BE WORKING TO MOVE SOME OF THE FUNDS TO THAT IN JANUARY TO BEGIN THE WORK THERE. AND SO -- AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY

ATTORNEYS ON THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND SOMEWHAT RELATED TO THIS, JUDGE, I KNOW SINCE GUIDE HOUSE IS ON THE LINE I THOUGHT OF ASKING DAVE BERRY, BUT IS THERE A PLAN BETWEEN THE BUDGET OFFICE AND THE FOLKS AT GUIDE HOUSE TO MAKE SURE NOT JUST WITH THIS PROGRAM, BUT WITH ANY OF THEM, WORST NIGHTMARE WOULD BE TO END UP HAVING TO GIVE SOME OF THE MONEY BACK. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO PIGEON HOLE IT AWAY SOMEWHERE INCLUDING THE STATE. I GOT A TEXT ABOUT THAT THE OTHER DAY. THE 5.4 BILLION I THINK THE STATE HAS.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. MR. BERRY, YOU CAN CHIME IN AS WELL.

DO YOU FEEL CONFIDENT THAT IF WE HAVE TO MOVE TO DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND THE OTHER THINGS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WE CAN DO. IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM OR FASHION WILL WE END UP HAVING TO GIVE MONEY BACK AND THEN TRYING TO HAVE THE NEW ADMINISTRATION TRY TO GIVE IT TO US. JUDGE IF THIS IS AN

APPROPRIATE TIME, JUST THROWING THAT OUT. >> DAVID, DO YOU WANT TO

RESPOND TO THAT? >> HAPPY TO. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE ANSWER IS YES. WE WILL -- WE ARE DOING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF EVERYTHING. SOME OF THE MONEY GOT OUT JUST AS FAST.

IF WE NEED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS SO WE DON'T LOSE MONEY WE WILL BRING THAT TO YOU AT THE DECEMBER 15TH COMMISSIONER'S COURT. THE MESSAGE IS WELL RECEIVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WE SHOULD PLAN FOR A LONG DAY ON DECEMBER 15TH, END OF THE YEAR. WORK FROM HOME THAT DAY SO YOU CAN WORK FROM HOME.

>> SOUNDS GOOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: TODD, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD OR

FROM GUIDE HOUSE? >> WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH DAVID IN THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT TEAM AS IT RELATES TO THAT DECEMBER 15TH COURT APPEARANCE AND ALL OF THE CONTRACTING AND THE FUNDING SOURCES. SO WE ARE WORKING AND WE MEET REGULARLY TO WORK THROUGH THERE. WE ARE CONNECTED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, ARE YOU HEARING ANY RUMORS IN TERMS OF THE STATE IF THEY DO HAVE 5.4 -- WE HAVE BEEN TRANSPARENT AND THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR WHAT YOUR OFFICE HAS PUT ONLINE WITH THE DASHBOARDS. WE CAN'T SAY THAT ABOUT OUR

[00:35:03]

IF THEY DECIDED TO GIVE SOME OF THE MONEY TO US THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK Y'ALL WILL NEED TO PULL US BACK IN SO WE CAN TRY TO GET IT OUT? I MEAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE

ARE HAVING, BUT DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THAT? >> YEAH, COMMISSIONER.

DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE HEARING AROUND THE COUNTRY AS WELL AS

THE STATE? >> I AM NOT ABLE TO UNMUTE HIM.

>> YOU CAN'T? OKAY. I WILL GO AHEAD --

>> I'M SORRY. >> CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE NEED TO

GET UH WI-FI HOTSPOT. >> YES, COMMISSIONER. THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM.

I NEED TO GET A PRIVATE NETWORK HERE. TO BE HONEST, COMMISSIONER WE HAVEN'T HEARD WHAT THE STATE PLANS TO DO. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THIS TRAGEDY, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW WORKING WITH DAVE AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT THERE IS -- YOU KNOW WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE OPTIONS BASED ON THE GUIDELINES OF HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT EVERY DOLLAR THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY SPENT AND USED IN THE COUNTY WITHOUT HAVING TO RETURN ANY FUNDS TO THE TREASURY.

WHEN IT COMES TO ANY OTHER GUIDANCE, WE ARE STILL WAITING.

WE HAD REACHED OUT TO MULTIPLE CHANNELS TO THE TREASURY TO SEE IF THERE IS GOING TO BE ANY ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE ON THE TIMELINE AND EXTENSION OF THE USE OF THE FUNDS.

AND THERE IS -- THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE HOPING THERE WILL BE A 60-DAY EXTENSION.

IF THAT DOES HAPPEN OBVIOUSLY WE WILL BRING IT TO THE COURT WHEN WE HAVE IT CONFIRMED.

>> SO THERE ARE RUMORS THAT THERE MIGHT BE. IF SOMEBODY CAN GET ON THE GOLF COURSE IN BETWEEN TWEETS, THEY ARE HOPING THAT SOMETHING WILL COME OUT AND THERE WILL

BE A 60-DAY REPRIEVE? >> THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HOPING, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOPE IS ETERNAL. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. TODD, ANYTHING ELSE? >> I THINK THAT'S IT, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE UPDATE. AND AS FAR AS GETTING THE DEVICES TO THE SCHOOLS, AND I MAY HAVE MISSED THIS ON THE UPDATE, BUT HOW IS THAT GOING?

>> GO AHEAD. SURE. SO WE ARE TRACKING THAT BOTH THE HOTSPOTS AND THE DELIVERY PERCENTAGES ARE CONTINUING TO INCREASE.

WE HAVE CONFIRMATION FROM ALL OF THE VENDORS THAT THEY SHOULD ALL BE ON TRACK TO BE DELIVERED BY THE END OF DECEMBER. WE ARE CONTINUING TO PUSH

THAT, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE ON TRACK. >> AND IT IS STILL JUST THE ONES LIKE THIS VERY SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT IS NEEDED.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. THE CHROME BOOKS AND THAT'S WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE

ORDER IS COMING FROM. IT IS STILL ON TRACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IT FOR THE COVID AGENDA.

SO WE WILL MOVE TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. >> CAN I ADDRESS ITEM 12? I NEED TO CONFIRM LANGUAGE. TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF THE COVID RECOVERY AND RESPONSE RECOVERY FUND AND SET UP THE BUDGET UNDER UNIVERSAL SERVICES AS PART OF THE ACTUAL MOTION SO WE CAN SET THE BUDGET UP AND MAKE SURE IT IS COVID RELATED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES ANYONE

HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT? JAMES, YOU GOT THE LANGUAGE? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE REGULAR AGENDA IS STARTING

WITH COUNTY ENGINEER. >> JUDGE. THIS IS LUCINDA THERE IS ONE

ADDITIONAL COVID ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THERE IS A REQUEST BY DWIGHT TO ADD THAT AND I'M GATHERING -- DO WE NEED TO VOTE? I WOULD SECOND THE MOTION. BUT DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON DWIGHT'S AMENDMENT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN. THAT'S WHY I ASKED IF ANYONE HAD AN ISSUE WITH IT.

SOMEONE HAD A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

[00:40:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. YOU SAID, LUCINDA THAT THERE IS ANOTHER COVID ITEM ON THE

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA? >> YES, MA'AM. IT IS A REQUEST BY THE COUNTY CLERK FOR AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT A TOY DRIVE AND PLACE COLLECTION BINS FOR THE CLERKS

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS IS A COVID ITEM?

IT SHOULD BE ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL. >> I DON'T KNOW.

IT SAYS WHERE THE OFFICE WILL COLLECT TOYS FOR AFFECTED FAMILIES WHO LOST THEIR JOBS

DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. I'M NOT SURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL INCLUDE IT IN THE BROAD MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

SO COUNTY ENGINEER. FLOOD CONTROL. TOLL ROAD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, ON TOLL ROAD, ON ITEM B I HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH MR. KEY YESTERDAY REGARDING THIS ITEM. AND I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A -- A TARGET TO SHOOT FOR, IF YOU WILL IN REGARDS TO THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.

YOU KNOW, THE -- I SUPPORT LOOKING AT PLANNING HOW TO -- WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A CONNECT ALL THE WAY TO DOWNTOWN, HOW TO DO IT WELL. THE ALLUSIAN VIADUCT ON THAT SIDE OF DOWNTOWN DOES GET CONGESTED ON AN AVERAGE DAY. AND THEN WHETHER THE VIADUCT BECOMES RELEVANT AS A PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE FUTURE. AND SO WE HAD A VERY GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT. THERE IS ALSO SOME DEGREE OF DEBATE AS TO WHETHER THIS IS A COUNTY ASSET. F -- TEXDOT DID THE WORK, BUT IT IS NAMED BY A PREVIOUS COUNTY ATTORNEY. AND SO WE ARE THINKING -- THEY ARE DOING THE RESEARCH AND IT MAY END UP BEING PART OF ONE OF OUR ASSETS. TO THAT END AND ASSUMING THAT WE DO THE PARTY CONNECTOR WELL SMART RIGHT AND INCLUSIVE OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY AND IT MAY MAKE THE ALUSIAN VIADUCT IRRELEVANT. TO THAT END I AM ASKING THAT AS IN THE OVERALL LOOK OF THE -- OF THIS PARTICULAR WORK THAT WE ALSO OFFER THAT THE ALUSIAN VIA -- VIADUCT COULD END UP TAKING A NEW LIFE. SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THE HIGH LINE IN NEW YORK CITY. IT IS AN INCREDIBLE ASSET AND I THINK IT WILL BRING AN INCREDIBLE QUALITY OF LIFE. POTENTIALLY IT CAN REMAIN WHERE THE MARATHONS -- WHERE THE MARATHONS USE IT FOR THEIR EVENTS. BIKING FOR AREA RESIDENTS.

OBVIOUSLY A PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY WALKWAY WITH A MASSIVE AND GORGEOUS VIEW.

SO I JUST WANT TO INCLUDE AND NOT TO SAY THAT THIS IS WHAT IT SHOULD DO, BUT IF THEY WERE TO LEND ITSELF I DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON BRINGING SOMETHING AS MAGAZINE UNANIMOUS AS HIGH -- AS HIGH LINE IN NEW YORK CITY TO HOUSTON, TEXAS. I AM NOT SURE HOW TO INSERT THAT. I WILL ASK MR. KEY WHETHER THERE IS A MOTION THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE OR TO -- OR THAT WE JUST INCLUDE HIGH LINE CONCEPTS AS PART OF THE GENERAL CONCEPT TO BE CONSIDERED. MR. KEY, DO YOU HAVE ANY

THOUGHTS. >> THEY WANTED TO MAKE THE MOTION.

AND IT IS -- THE HIGH LINE PROJECT HAS GOTTEN SO MANY ACCOLADES TO WHAT THEY DID.

AND IT COULD BE A GUIDE FOR WHAT THEORETIC COULD BE CONSTRUCTED BY THE COUNTY AND

[00:45:03]

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN PLANNED. YOU CAN SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO MAKE IT BETTER AND WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WORK WITH COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> I THINK YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS, BUT THERE ARE PLANS TO DISCUSS A HIGHWAY THAT GOES BACK TO THE EARLY 70S. HERE WE ARE 50 YEARS LATER AND WE HAVE NOT BUILT A CONNECTOR TO THE DOWNTOWN. BEFORE WE DO LET'S BRING IN ANOTHER FIRM TO OFFER A

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND ESTABLISH THE RIGHT PROJECT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU, PETER. JUDGE, I APOLOGIZE. MY MAF -- MY STAFF WORKED UP A MOTION AND I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER. THAT HECTOR BE ABLE TO SEEK STATEMENTS OF INTEREST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TO CONDUCT A PLANNED DESIGN PROCESS FOR PHASE TWO OF THE HARDY TOLL ROAD CONNECTOR PROJECT TO INCLUDE EXTENSIVE PUBLIC OUT -- OUT REACH AND ENGAGEMENT AND TO INCLUDE DEVELOPING SCENARIOS THAT WOULD INCLUDE PEDESTRIAN, BIKE WAY AND GREEN SPACE OPTIONS THAT FOCUS ON MAKING THE CONNECTOR A PUBLIC ACCESS SIMILAR TO HIGH LINE IN NEW YORK CITY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. YAK JACK WHO IS

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO IS FIRST, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: PETER, ARE YOU THERE?

>> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: DOING A STUDY, A THREE QUARTER OF A

MILLION DOLLAR STUDY RIGHT NOW ON THE TOLL ROAD? >> YES.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT AN OVER ALL VIEW OF THE TOLL ROADS. >> STEVE RADACK: OKAY.

SO WHAT'S INTERESTING, AS YOU WELL KNOW I DON'T LIKE PFM, BUT I'M CURIOUS WHY YOU ARE PROCEEDING TO DO STUFF WHEN YOU ARE PATING THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS TO GET THEIR EXPERTISE IN A STUDY ON THE TOLL ROAD WHEN THEY STUDIED ONE TOLL ROAD IN THEIR CAREER. WHAT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT IS ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON RIGHT NOW WHILE THIS STUDY IS MOVING ALONG. AND INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIKE Y'ALL POSTING JOBS. ONE LOOKS CATERED FOR YOU WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE AND NO ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE, BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS, IF YOU ARE DOING A STUDY, WHY ARE YOU PROCEEDING TO MAKE MAJOR DECISIONS WITHOUT A -- WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A STUDY YOU

THOUGHT WAS NEEDED? >> WELL, THE PFM STUDY IS LOOKING AT THE OVERALL OPERATIONS OF THE AGENCY. HOPEFULLY THE NEXT DIRECTOR OF THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY WILL HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE STUDY WITH REGARDS TO FUTURE OPERATIONS.

IN REGARDS TO A ROADWAY, IT IS ACTUALLY A FRESH PERSPECTIVE BEFORE THE COUNTY WERE TO CONSTRUCT ANYTHING. AND SO WE THINK IT IS WARRANTED TO GO OUT AND SEEK QUALIFICATIONS AND INTERESTS FROM FIRMS AND BRING A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO A PROJECT THAT ONCE IT IS BUILT IT IS GOING TO BE THERE FOR GENERATIONS, AND IT CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT

PEOPLE OR IT CAN POSITIVELY AFFECT PEOPLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PETER -- AND JUDGE IF I MAY? PETER, FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU FOR EMBRACING A LOOK AT YOUR LEADERSHIP. TOO OFTEN PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT COULD BE TELLING. YOU FIND PERSONAL VOTES BEHIND COUNTY FACILITIES CLAIMING THAT IT COULD BE USED FOR EMERGENCIES, BUT IT IS PERSONAL USE OF COUNTY PROPERTY. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU

[00:50:01]

SO THANK YOU. KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING, MAN.

>> STEVE RADACK: PETER, I WASN'T FINISHED. PETER, ARE YOU THERE?

>> YES, SIR. >> SO YOU ARE MOVING ALONG AND FIRING PEOPLE, ONE OF WHOM WORKED FOR 22 YEARS WHICH I THINK IS A VERY -- WAS VERY INTERESTING OF YOU TO DO.

BUT, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY YOUR POSITION IS TENTATIVE. APPARENTLY YOU ARE GOING TO BE REPLACED FROM ALL INDICATION INDICATIONS, BUT WHAT I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IS WHY SPEND THREE QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS AS YOU CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THAT'S -- THAT IS PROBABLY THE WRONG TERM, BUT AS YOU CONTINUE TO DO YOUR DICTATORSHIP OVER THERE WHERE YOU ARE SITTING OVER THERE AND MAKING DECISIONS THAT EVEN THE

PEOPLE DOING THE STUDY AREN'T EVEN AWARE OF. >> I WOULDN'T REFER TO IT AS A DICTATORSHIP. AND IN REGARDS TO PFM, SOMEONE IS NOT AWARE OF A STUDY.

CAN YOU CLARIFY THAT, COMMISSIONER? >> PFM IS NOT AWARE -- TALKING ABOUT YESTERDAY, BUT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE CHANGES THAT ARE BEING MADE ALTHOUGH THEIR -- THEY ARE STUDYING THE TOLL ROAD, ALLEGEDLY, STUDYING THE TOLL ROAD.

AND THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT THE LEADERSHIP AT THE TOLL ROAD IS DOING.

SO HOW DOES IT -- HOW DOES THAT WORK? WHY ARE YOU SPENDING THREE

QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS? >> I AM NOT AWARE OF WHAT THE PFM STUDY IS COSTING THE TOLL ROAD, BUT I THINK THE MONEY WILL BE WELL SPENT.

I THINK THE OVERALL AGENT -- AGENCY IS IMPORTANT. WE HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE AND WE LET THEM KNOW SOME OF THE JOB POSTINGS FOR THIS AGENCY INCLUDING BRINGING ON SOMEONE WITH A PLANNING BACKGROUND TO BE A TRANSFER PATIENT POLICY DIRECTOR FOR THIS AGENCY.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL SERVE THE COUNTY WELL GOING FORWARD AS IT PLANS PROJECTS

THAT ARE RELATED TO THE AGENCY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, THERE MAY BE MORE DISCUSSION ON THIS AND I HATE TO INTERRUPT. WE RECEIVED AN AMENDED MOTION FOR ITEM C UNDER THE TOLL ROAD FROM PRECINCT 2, BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR NEW MOTION FOR ITEM B WHICH IS WHAT I THINK WAS READ A FEW MOMENTS AGO.

IT WAS A CHANGE TO ITEM B. WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT. IF WE COULD HAVE THAT RECIRCULATED AROUND SO I CAN SEE WHAT IT IS AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT?

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, MY MOTION WAS SENT LAST NIGHT. IT WAS SENT OUT YESTERDAY.

WE'LL SEND IT OVER TO YOU AGAIN, BUT IT WAS SENT TO YOU YESTERDAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> RODNEY ELLIS: PETER, IF I MIGHT, I ECHO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S COMMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

IT IS INTERESTING HOW WHEN SOMEBODY WANTS TO PULL SOMETHING OUT OF THE PFM STUDY OR SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO DO TO USE IT, AND THEN WHEN THEY DON'T WANT TO DO SOMETHING THEY ARE CRITICAL OF IT. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES LIFE WORKS LIKE THAT. PETER, HOW LONG HAS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE HARDEY TOLL ROAD EXTENSION BEEN ON THE AGENDA? IN MY MIND THNG -- I THINK EVEN WHEN MR. TREACH WAS THERE I BROUGHT IT UP. AND EITHER I OR COMMISSIONER

[00:55:01]

SOMEONE HAS A PLAN TO MAKE IT A WELL LANDSCAPED SCENIC ROUTE INTO THE CITY.

AS OPPOSED TO MERELY BEING A TOLL ROAD. AND THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ALONG THE LINES OF EF45, WHICH I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH, BUT IF IT GOES FORWARD WHY DO IT AT

ALL? IS THAT MY RECOLLECTION? >> YES, SIR, YOU ARE NOT IN AGREEMENT. BUT THE COUNTY HAS HAD THIS ON THE PLANNING BOOKS SINCE THE TIME THE TOLL ROAD WAS CREATED. THE CONCEPTUAL PROJECT WAS FROM THE 1970S. THE COUNTY TRIED TO SUE THE PROJECT BY ACQUIRING A RAILROAD. AND THEN AT ONE POINT AROUND THE YEAR 2000, COMMISSIONER WE STARTED HAVING BREAKFAST WITH THE GENTLEMAN WHO IS NO LONGER WITH US.

HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE PARTNERSHIP. THERE IS A STRONG DESIRE FOR A

LANDSCAPE PARKWAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN ONE OF US PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA SOME MONTHS BACK, IT WAS TO FIGURE OUT AN AN AN -- AN ALTERNATIVE.

I REMEMBER IT, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IF COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS WITH ME.

WE WERE AT A CONFERENCE ON URBAN COUNTIES THING AND WE SAW THE HIGH LINE.

LOOK, IT'S BEEN AROUND AWHILE. AND I HATE TO DATE MYSELF, BUT I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL IN 83, THEY WERE GONNA DO THIS HARDY TOLL ROAD AND RIPPED UP THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, BY THE WAY, FIFTH WARD RIPPED UP THOSE WORKING CLASS POOR NEIGHBORHOODS AND IT WAS A BIG FIGHT.

TMO WAS VERY ACTIVE IN IT. I THINK IT WAS -- BACK THEN IT WAS CONTINENTAL AIRLINES.

IT WAS THEM WHO TRIED TO GET TO A AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE FACILITY.

AND THEN THEY COMPLETED IT. LOOK. I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT. I SECOND IT. WE WILL HAVE SUCH A LONG MEETING IN A COUPLE WEEKS, I HOPE WE CAN VOTE ON IT. YOU MADE A MOTION AND I SECOND IT. I ASSUME THE MOTION IS FOR THE WHOLE ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WILL CALL FOR IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: PETER, HASN'T THE CONDUCTOR BEEN TOTALLY

DESIGNED -- PRETTY MUCH TOTALLY DESIGNED? >> NO.

THERE WAS A TON OF WORK GOING BACK TO THE LATE 90S. WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS ELUDING TO ON THE PRIOR COURT, BACK IN MAY WE RECOMMENDED TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT WE SUSPEND DEVELOPMENT OF PHASE TWO OF THE HARVEY CONNECTOR. BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY WITH REGARDS TO TEX DOT'S NORTHERN HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND HOW THE CONNECTOR WAS IN THE VISION TO ULTIMATELY CONNECT TO THE FREEWAY SYSTEM NORTH OF DOWNTOWN. THAT WAS SOMEWHAT OF A QUESTION GOING BACK MULTIPLE

DECADES. >> HOW MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE GONE INTO IT

ROUGHLY. >> WHAT WE PUT IN THE LAST CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT WAS THAT PHASE TWO GOING BACK TO THE 90S WE ESTIMATE WE SPENT 20 MILLION 700THOUSAND

DOLLARS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THAT ONE FIRM?

>> THE BULK OF THE WORK GOES BACK TO THE DANENBOM FIRM. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAD A CONTRACT FOR THIS PROG -- PROJECT GOING BACK TO THE 1990S.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, POINT OF ORDER, COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS CALLED TO QUESTION AND I

SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE A VOTE.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

[01:00:03]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF CALLING A POINT OF ORDER BEFORE WE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO READ THE MOTION. I JUST GOT IT WHILE WE HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION AND I HAVE BEEN READING IT. OF THE ACTUAL MOTION I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS.

ONE OF WHICH S-- ONE OF WHICH, IS THIS A SUBSTITUTION OF WHAT WAS POSTED UNDER ITEM B.

IT COULD BE AN ADDENDUM TO WHAT IS ON ITEM B. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A

SUBSTITUTION OR -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS AN ADDENDUM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY. THAT'S QUESTION NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO, I HAVE IN MY 30 SECONDS OF READING THIS, AND WE DID NOT GET IT LAST NIGHT. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE DID NOT, BUT WE DID NOT GET IT LAST NIGHT. IT HAS BEEN MY CHANCE TO READ THIS. I REALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ASKING FOLKS TO LOOK AT ADDING THESE AMENITIES TO THE TOLL ROAD. I CAN SEE THAT HAPPENING IN ANY OF OUR TOLL ROADS OR THE OTHER ROAD PROJECTS. MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THAT THE LAST LINE SAYS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE HIGH LINE WHICH MAY BE, AND WE'LL GET INTO THIS DISCUSSION LATER, BUT WHEN WE SAY SIMILAR IT MAY BE A DIRECTIVE THAT IT HAS TO BE LIKE THE HIGH LINE: INSTEAD OF SAYING SIMILAR, MAYBE WE CAN ADD ANOTHER WORD LIKE LOOKING INTO WHAT WAS DONE AT THE HIGH LINE SO THAT IT IS NOT MANDATORY LANGUAGE.

>> ARE WE VOTING ON THE QUESTION OR DISCUSSING THE ISSUE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I MEAN, I THINK IT SEEMS -- IT SEEMS TO ME QUITE A MINOR CHANGE SO WE WANT TO LOOK AT PROJECTS LIKE THE HIGH LINE AND THEN WE CAN VOTE FOR THE SAKE OF KEEPING

THIS MEETING -- IS THAT OKAY? RODRIGUEZ -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S FINE. JOCK JOCK

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SO IT IS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT SIMILAR TO LOOKING AT --

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES LOOKING LIKE THE HIGH LINE. YES, JAMES?

>> IF THAT LAST PART CAN BE REPEATED. SIMILAR TO LOOKING?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHERE IT SAYS THE PROJECT AND THEN THE ORIGINAL SAYS SIMILAR TO THE HIGH LINE OF NEW YORK CITY. INSTEAD OF SAYING SIMILAR TO THE HIGH LINE OF NEW YORK CITY WHICH HAS THE PROJECT LOOKING TO THAT OF THE HIGH LINE OF NEW YORK CITY.

WE ARE BASICALLY GOING TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING AS PART OF WHATEVER IT IS THE INSPIRATION THEY WANT TO DO. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM OF LOOKING WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

OUT THERE. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I PULL DOWN MY MOTION. I KNOW WE MISS ONE ANOTHER AND MISS THE HUMAN INTERACTION.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO NOT BE HERE UNTIL MIDNIGHT. >> STEVE RADACK: WHY DON'T YOU WANT TO BE HERE UNTIL MIDNIGHT? YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR

ALMOST TWO YEARS. RODRIGUEZ -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THESE LAST COUPLE MINUTES I WANT TO GIVE UH SENSE OF HOW THINGS USED TO BE.

I JUST WANT TO SHOW YOU THAT YOU CAN BE HAPPY THE WAY IT WAS.

WE CAN GET BARBARA STREISAND SINGING "THE WAY WE WERE." >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM JUST

TRYING TO KNOW WHAT IT IS WE ARE VOTING ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE GOT THE MOTION, JAMES. ARE YOU GOOD ON IT? DO YOU NEED IT TO BE RE-READ.

>> IF YOU CAN HAVE SOMEBODY REREAD IT AND CLARIFY IS IT THE WORDING THAT IS ALSO ON

THE AGENDA BEING APPROVED 1234*. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

THE FULL MOTION HECTRA BE AUTHORIZED TO SEEK QUALIFICATIONS TO CONDUCT AND FULFILL CON -- CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PROCESS FOR PHASE 2 RT HARDY TOLL ROAD PROJECT TOVMENT CLUE EXTENSIVE PUBLIC OUT REACH AND ENGAGEMENT AND TO INCLUDE DEVELOPING SCENARIO THAT'S WOULD INCLUDE POSSESSION, BYWAY AND USE SPACE OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC AMENITIES BENEFITING COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING THE PROJECT SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE

HIGH LINE IN NEW YORK CITY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND JUDGE I WANTED TO TAKE THE WORD

SIMILAR OUT AND SAY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: EXCUSE ME. WHAT WAS THE WORDING,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WAS A LITTLE RUSHED.

MY APOLOGIES. I WOULD SAY -- INSTEAD OF SAYING SIMILAR WHICH MEANS THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS SAYING LOOKING AT THAT OF THE HIGH LINE IN NEW YORK CITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LOOKING AT THAT. OKAY, JAMES, I MESSED UP THERE. SO THE PART WE WILL SAY THAT WILL INCLUDE PEDESTRIAN, BIKE WAY AND MAKING PUBLIC AMENITIES BENEFITING THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING THE

PROJECT LOOKING AT THAT OF THE HIGH LINE IN NEW YORK CITY. >> GOT IT, JUDGE.

AND THAT WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> . >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> STEVE RADACK: I VOTE NO BECAUSE I DON'T AGREE WITH

[01:05:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES 4-1. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, BEFORE PETER LEAVES, PETER, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR -- I THINK IT WAS THE NEXT MAYBE TWO MEETINGS BACK WHERE YOU ALSO -- I THINK I MADE A MOTION. THIS WAS BEFORE THE ELECTION AND COMMISSIONER RADACK SECONDED IT. IT WAS TO STOP RUNNING THAT TOLL ROAD BY THE WATER HOLE. IS THAT CORRECT? HOW MUCH HAS WE SPENT ON

THAT? IS THAT 750,000? >> YOU GOT ME THERE, COMMISSIONER. I WOULD HAVE TO GO AND LOOK UP --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BUT WE SPENT MONEY ON IT, RIGHT? TO DO THE STUDY?

>> OH SURE. MONEY WAS SPENT ON THAT PROJECT AS WELL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS ABOUT A HALF MILLION OR SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW.

I WAS LOOKING UP BAR BOUGH STREISAND -- BARBARA STREISAND AND IT SAYS "WHAT IS TOO PAINFUL TO REMEMBER WE CHOOSE TO FORGET." I LOVE THAT SONG.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE ANOTHER ITEM UNDER TOLL ROAD AND WE HAVE SPEAKERS. THE MOTION HERE WOULD JUST BE FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE LETTER THAT THE COUNTY WOULD SEND TO TEX-DOT.

AND THE LETTERS ARE BEFORE WE NEXT MEET AND THIS IS SEEKING APPROVAL FOR THEM TO WORK WITH

THE TOLL ROAD PARTIES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I ALSO HAVE A MOTION I WANT TO ADD TO THIS ITEM, BUT WE WILL LET THE SPEAKERS. I DO HAVE MY COMMENTS AS WELL. DO WE HAVE A COPY OF THE LETTER WE ARE VOTING?

VOTING ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON FLOOD CONTROL TOO. THEY NEED TO FINALIZE THE LETTER AND THEY HAVE TO REVIEW IT BY -- I FORGET. ROBERT CAN FILL IN, BUT THERE IS A PARTICULAR KIND OF ATTORNEY. HAVE I TO LOOK AT THIS TO MAKE SURE IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE

APPROPRIATE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I BELIEVE WE WERE 3-2 ON THIS MOTION PREVIOUSLY. THERE IS THIS LETTER THAT WILL BE DRAFTED BETWEEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND SENT BEFORE THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

I AM GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME VOTING FOR A LETTER I HAVE NOT SEEN WHERE THERE WAS SOME DISGREM ON THE PRIOR ACTION. DISAGREEMENT ON THE PRIOR ACTION.

THAT'S WHERE I AM ASKING MY QUESTION. AND WE ARE WRITING A BLANK CHECK FOR A LETTER ON A MATTER THAT I THINK WAS SOMETHING WE WERE IN DISAGREEMENT ON

BEFORE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. AND I GET IT.

YOU COULD SEE IT THAT WAY, BUT THE OTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT WHICH IS HOW I LOOK AT IT IS THERE ARE FACTS TO WHAT THE FBIS CONTAINS AND DOES NOT CONTAIN.

THERE IS A CERTAIN TECHNICAL ANALYSIS THAT HAS TO GO INTO IT AND IT IS NOT A MATTER OF OPINION. YOU KNOW, THE FOLKS WE HAVE HIRED WITH KRISTOFF AND THE ATTORNEYS AND THOSE INVOLVED WILL BE ABLE TO ASSESS WHAT SATISFIES AND WHAT DOESN'T.

SO I THINK IT IS A TECHNICAL RESPONSE SUCH AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS HAVE SUBMITTED ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS AND POLLUTION CONTROL HAS AND FLOOD CONTROL HAS SUBMITTED ANOTHER MATTER. IT IS NOT A RESOLUTION. IT IS A TECHNICAL DEAL.

IT IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO WORK THROUGH WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PUTTING THEIR HEADS DOWN AND LOOKING AT THE COMMENTS AND MAKING SURE THINGS ARE UP.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW WE WANT TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS, AND REASONABLE MINDS CANDICE AGREE, BUT THERE ARE -- CAN DISAGREE, BUT THERE ARE TIMETABLE THAT'S HAVE TO BE MET. OBVIOUSLY BEFORE SOME OF THE TIMETABLES ARE MET WE MAY NOT MEET AGAIN SO I DON'T THINK WE WILL HAVE MUCH CHOICE. AND IF THE FIVE OF US DON'T AGREE, THAT'S FINE. BUT I FAVOR GETTING AS AGGRESSIVE AS POSSIBLE.

I THINK WE ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE. I THINK THE STATE -- IT WILL BE THEIR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. I THINK WE DISCUSSED THAT WHEN WE HAD THE PRESENTATION.

IF THERE ARE THREE WHO CAN VOTE FOR IT, IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR US TO ORCHESTRATE THIS IN A WAY OF WHICH THE DEPARTMENTS KNOW WHAT WAVE LENGTH WE ARE ON.

WE HAVE TO HAVE AT LEAST A UNIFIED MESSAGE FROM A MAJORITY OF THE COURT.

[01:10:07]

>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. >> YES, MA'AM.

NEIL EHART WITH STOP TEXT DOTI-45. >> YES.

GOOD MORNING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, SIR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN HEAR

YOU. >> GREAT. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.

MY NAME IS NEIL EHART AND I AM PART OF STOP TEXT DOT, I-45. TODAY I WILL ASK YOU TO REMOVE THE FREEWAYS IN THE STUDY AREA AND TO REPLACE THEM WITH MASS TRANSIT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

FIRST I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN. ARE YOU COMMITTING TO REBUILDING OUR ROADS SO THEY ARE SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYBODY.

YOU ARE MAKING AN OPTION FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND NOT A REQUIREMENT.

I WORRY THAT MEETING THE COUNTY'S GOALS WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT AS LONG AS WE HAVE SURFACE GRADE FREEWAYS. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN UPCOMING PROJECT.

I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE USE THAT PLATFORM TO ASK THE PUBLIC IF THEY WANT A FREEWAY REMOVAL. THE PLAN I RECOMMEND IS THIS. WE SHOULD BUILD AN OVER PASS FOR EXCLUSIVE USE BY BUSES WITH ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION.

AND WE SHOULD BUILD A SURFACE GRADE BOULEVARD WITH SEPARATE SPACES FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLES AND CARS. IF WE REMOVE THE FREEWAY INTERCHANGES, IT FREES UP A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF LAND ESPECIALLY AROUND DOWNTOWN. I SUGGEST THAT FREEWAY FUNDS SHOULD BE DIVERTED TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE LAND PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BY THE FREEWAY. THIS REPRESENTS RESTORE TIFF JUSTICE FOR THE FREEWAY'S LEGACY OF DESTROYING HOMES. AND IT IS A CHANCE TO REMEDY THE MOUNTING HOUSING CRISIS IN OUR COUNTY. PLEASE USE THE POWER YOU HAVE TO PRESENT A PLAN TO RECONFIGURE THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AREA WITH BUS RAPID TRANSIT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ASK THE PUBLIC IF THEY WANT IT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> BENJAMIN PETERS WITH STOP TEXT DOT, I-45.

PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY COMMENT IS DIRECTED TO THE CON AT THE PRESENT TIME OF -- THE CONTENT OF THE LETTER THAT WE ARE PROPOSING SUBMITTING TO THE -- TO TEX DOT. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE COUNTY SUBMITS A LETTER THAT IS ONLY A TECHNICAL RESPONSE TO THE FBIS, THAT TEX DOT WILL NOT BE PARTICULARLY RESPONSIVE TO THAT.

WE'VE SEEN THAT THROUGH THE MOU PROCESS WITH THE TPC AND THE HGAC THAT TEX DOT INTENDS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT AS CONTAINED IN THE FBIS AND ANYTHING THAT ISN'T CONTAINED IN THERE WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED INCLUDING THE DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES THAT WERE PROPOSED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE WORK DONE. I WOULD ASK THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT CONSIDER STRONGER LANGUAGE IN THIS RESPONSE LETTER FOR THE FBIS TO INDICATE THAT THE COUNTY CAN'T SUPPORT A PROJECT IF IT REMAINS UNRECEPTIVE TO LOCAL INPUT. I THINK WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE STATE AGENCY UP TO THIS POINT. I WOULD ASK THAT THE COUNTY CONSIDER STRONGER LANGUAGE IN THIS LETTER AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE COUNTY WON'T SUPPORT THE PROJECT FROM TEXT DOT -- TEX DOT IT -- IF THE AGENCY IGNORES LOCAL INPUT INCLUDING FROM THE PUBLIC AND FROM THE

[01:15:04]

CITY AND FROM THE COUNTY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS -- I MEAN I DON'T -- I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTY TO BE ON RECORD WITH WHATEVER.

THE EXPERTS HAVE FOUND LACKING IN THE FBIS, BUT I DO THINK THAT IT IS DISAPPOINTING THE WAY TEX DOT HAS FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE COUNTY AND THE CITY'S REQUEST AND THE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS AND THE CONCERNS ABOUT SIMPLY WIDENING HIGHWAYS THAT HAVE AN INCREASING TRANSIT OPTION AS WELL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT THE -- WITH ALL OF THE CONSTERNATION I HAD WITH THIS PROJECT, I RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING SOUND INFRASTRUCTURE. AND THAT IMPROVEMENTS TO I-45 MUST HAPPEN.

THAT IS TENAMOUNT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COMITIALERS WHO -- OF THE COMMUTERS WHO USE IT. I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT MY WHOLE GOAL IN THIS EFFORT HAS SIMPLY BEEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING SOMETHING IN A -- IN THE MOST CONTEMPORARY MANNER. IT IS NOT JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL.

MY CONCERNS ARE IF YOU WIDEN IT, THEY COME, BUT RIGHT NOW IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC A HISTORICAL EVENT THAT IN MODERN HISTORY WE HAVE NOT DEALT WITH OR HAD THE DEEP IMPACT AND IMPLEMENTATION -- IMPLICATION OF, AND TEX DOT IS EITHER UNWILLING OR UNABLE IN EITHER ONE OF THOSE TO REALLY WORK TO EMBRACE THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS I TALKED TO SEVERAL BUSINESS LEADERS WHO HAVE OPERATIONS NATIONALLY IF NOT GLOBALLY AS WELL AS STATEWIDE. EVERY ONE -- EVERY ONE, JUDGE HAS SAID THEY WILL NOT RETURN TO BUSINESS AS USUAL TO BRINGING THEIR STAFF BACK TO THEIR CORPORATE OFFICES. MANY ARE MAKING CHANGES TO EMBRACE AND THERE IS MORE WORK FROM HOME APPROACHES. AND I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE -- NO ONE REALLY KNOWS.

AND IT WILL STAY WITH US FOR OUR LIFETIME. AND AS A RESULT I THINK WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY THINK ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THIS FREEWAY IN A WAY THAT EMBRACES THE NEW PARADIGM SHIFT IN OUR CULTURE OF WORKING FROM HOME MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. AND THERE IS MASS TRANSIT AND SOUND INFRASTRUCTURE.

I THINK WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY MY HOPE IS AS WE AUTHORIZE YOU TO PEN A LETTER ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR POSITION IS HEARD, I WOULD ASK, JUDGE AND SOME LANGUAGE HAS BEEN SHARED WITH YOUR STAFF THAT IT WOULD READ SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THE EVENT OR TO THE EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED END HHIP, FBIS LACKS SUFFICIENT DATA AND ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT THE PROJECTED TRAFFIC VOLUME INCREASES OF THE FACILITY.

AS WE HAVE SEEN ADDING ADDITIONAL LANES FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY VEHICLES WILL NOT IMPROVE TRAVEL TIMES. WE HAVE ALL MODIFIED WAYS IN WHICH WE DO BUSINESS BECAUSE

[01:20:08]

WE SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT ALL BUSINESSES WILL RETURN TO BUSINESS AS USUAL AND THERE IS RENTAL SPACE AND EFFICIENCIES IN CONDUCTING VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

I WOULD ASK THAT TEX DOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THIS CULTURAL SHIFT THAT MAY HAVE A LONG-LASTING IMPACT ON HOW WE BEHAVE AS A SOCIETY WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUTING TO WORK.

THAT'S JUST PROPOSED LANGUAGE, JUDGE. I ASK IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER SOME OF THAT LANGUAGE TO INSERT IN YOUR TEXT AS YOU MOVE FORWARD.

I AM JUST -- I WAFNT -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR THAT JUST AS IN 2004 WHEN TEX DOT WAS LOOKING AT TAKING THE LOWER HEIGHTS, HISTORICAL HEIGHTS AND IT WAS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO WIDEN. THE PROBLEM WAS, THE PRINCIPAL ARGUMENT THEY MADE AT THAT TIME WAS THEY NEEDED TO WIDEN IT -- AND ACTUALLY NOW THAT MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT, THAT CONVERSATION STARTED IN 2004, BUT THEY USED HURRICANE RITA AS THE REASON WHY THEY NEEDED TO WIDEN. HURRICANE RITA HAD MASSIVE -- OR DEMONSTRATED MASSIVE CONGESTION ON OUR ROADWAYS BECAUSE OF THE EVACUATION THAT PEOPLE WERE DOING AT THE TIME AS A RESULT OF THE CALL BY THE JUDGE THEN AND THE MAYOR AT THE TIME.

THE PROBLEM IS WE LEARNED FROM THAT. WE DON'T CALL MASSIVE EVACUATIONS LIKE THAT ANYMORE. IT IS MUCH MORE STRATEGIC.

IT IS SMARTER. USING SINGULAR EVENTS WITHOUT LOOKING AT CULTURAL SHIFTS AND CHANGES IN OUR SOCIETY, I THINK IT IS A DISSERVICE TO HOW WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD, RECOGNIZING THAT THE EVIDENCE OR THE PROBLEMS THAT SINGLE OCCUPANCY VEHICLES BRING TO THE ROADWAYS. I AM REALLY HOPEFUL THAT TEX DOT WILL KEEP THESE COMMENTS IN THE LIGHT THAT IT IS INTENDED TO DO SOMETHING SMART.

DO SOMETHING CONTEMPORARY. DO SOMETHING THAT WILL BRING BENEFIT FOR THE LONG-TERM.

TAKING THE SAME OLD APPROACH OF WIDENING BECAUSE THIS CONGESTION, THAT DOGGER -- THAT DOG DOESN'T APPLY TO USE A TECHNICAL TERM. I JUST HOPE THAT TEX DOT WILL HEAR THAT. YOU KNOW, I KNOW WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, BUT DOING WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT IS NOT INDICATIVE OF THE CAPACITY I BELIEVE TEX DOT HAS. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT AND I DO HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM. THE MOTION WOULD BE I MOVE TO AUTHORIZE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY, HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BY DECEMBER 9TH 2020 THAT IS RESPONSE -- RESPONSIVE TO THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TO TEX DOT NORTH HOUSTON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY PROJECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I SECOND IT. I DO WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE HAVE DEADLINES TO MEET, AS I SAID EARLIER, BUT I FAVOR A MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR CITY, OUR MAIN CITY AND IN THE COUNTY.

MOST OF THIS RUNS THROUGH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S AREA, MY AREA AS WELL.

IT IMPACTS ALL OF US. I DO HAVE A LITTLE HISTORY OF WORKING WITH TEX DOT.

[01:25:05]

BUT USUALLY IF YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF FBIS, THE STATE WINS.

I JUST THINK ALL OPTIONS OUGHT TO BE ON THE TABLE RECOGNIZING THAT I WANT THE INVESTMENT.

WE NEED IT. THE ECONOMY NEEDS. IT I GET ALL THAT.

WE OUGHT TO BE WELL BEYOND SOMEBODY'S WAY OR THE HIGHWAY.

THAT'S JUST CRAZY. SOME PORTIONS OF THIS WILL BE AS WIDE AS WHEN I WAS IN CAGLE'S AREA THE OTHER DAY AND IT WENT FROM 59 OR 45. THERE ARE CERTAIN SECTIONS ON THE TRAIL OUT THERE, WAY OUT TOWARD THE AIRPORT. CACTUS WAS OUT THERE HE CLOSED THE GATES AT 5:00. I THINK HE WANTED TO GET ME LOCKED IN THERE AND LAUGH ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW, LITIGATION MIGHT HAVE TO BE AN OPTION.

OR EVEN IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS SETTLED. EVEN IF THERE ARE THINGS THEY HAVE TO GET FROM THE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, WE COULD FIGHT OVER IMMINENT DOMAIN ISSUES.

I WANT TO MAKE THE CLEAR -- MAKE THE RECORD CLEAR, I WANT INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE COUNTY NEEDS INVESTMENT INFRASTRUCTURE. THE TWO THAT ARE MOST DIRECTLY IMPACTED CONGRESSWOMAN JACKSON LEE AND CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA, BY THE WAY.

BECAUSE IT GOES THROUGH THEIR DISTRICTS. THAT'S A ROLE THEY CAN PLAY.

I AM HOPING THAT OUR INTER GALACTIC AFFAIRS PEOPLE ARE PLAYING A ROLE IN THIS.

I KNOW WE HAVE A DC LOBBYIST. IT TAKES A LOT OF STRATEGY IN ORDER TO STOP SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I KNOW THE HISTORY WHEN DALLAS HAD A BIG FIGHT DECADES AGO AND THEY WORKED OUT A PRETTY GOOD DEAL. WE GOT THE BRIEFING.

BASICALLY THEY ARE SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. WE WILL MAKE A FEW CHANGES.

IF YOU GET SOME MONEY YOU CAN GO AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO GO TO A PARK.

COME ON. THERE -- IF THERE ARE THREE OR FIVE OF US HERE THAT WANT TO DO IT, I WILL PUT IT OUT THERE. I WANT THE INVESTMENT, BUT NOT JUST ON TERMS DICTATED BY OUR STATE PARTNERS. AND IT IS FEDERAL MONEY.

IT IS NOT THEIR MONEY. IT IS REALLY ALL OF OUR MONEY.

IT IS MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WE SHOULD HAVE A STRATEGY FOR.

IT WITH THAT SAID I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD TO MEET THIS DEADLINE.

EVEN IF WE HAVE TO -- IF AT THE NEXT MEETING OR AT SOME POINT FIGURE OUT A LEGAL

STRATEGY AS WELL. I'M GLAD TO SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I AM NO ON A LETTER I HAVE NOT SEEN. I GUESS IT WILL BE ELLIS' WAY OR THE HIGHWAY FOR ME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WILL BE NO EVEN WHEN YOU DO SEE THE LETTER, BUT THAT'S OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: I VOTED NO.

METRO RIDERSHIP IS DOWN 50%. I VOTE NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I VOTE IN FAVOR AND WOULD ECHO COMMISSIONER -- BOTH COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS ABOUT BEING MORE AGGRESSIVE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS' NOTE ABOUT WHATEVER OTHER OPTIONS WE CAN PURSUE. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ANYTHING ELSE ON TOLL ROAD? BUDGET MANAGEMENT. NOW, THERE IS AN ITEM 4C HERE ON AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH. I SUGGEST WE TAKE THIS UP UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION LATER ON. THAT ALONG WITH THE ITEMS ON PAGE 22.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS? ARE THEY ON THIS ITEM OR

SOMETHING ELSE? >> NOT ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, BUT THERE ARE SOME ON

THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: IGA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DID

[01:30:04]

MEMBERS AS WELL, CORRECT? >> WHO ARE YOU ASKING FOR, COMMISSIONER?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER REID. >> ONE MOMENT.

I'M UNMUTING HIM. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COURT.

THIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF INTER GOVERNMENTAL GLOW -- GLOBAL AFFAIRS.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YES, WE DID CHANGE UP THE FEDERAL REPRESENTATION AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF BUDGETED MEMBERS IN THE -- ON THE STAFF THAT'S BEEN THERE SINCE 2015. ALL POSITIONS ARE FILLED RIGHT NOW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO HOLD THIS ITEM. >> SURE THING.

>> WHICH ITEM IS THAT, SIR? >> RODNEY ELLIS: 5A. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> STEVE RADACK: 5A IS THE LEGISLATIVE TRAVEL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M SORRY. >> STEVE RADACK: YOU MEAN 5C. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, 5C.

THAT'S OKAY. >> STEVE RADACK: AND WHILE WE HAVE YOU ON THE LINE I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM EVERY TWO YEARS I THINK THIS ITEM COMES UP, AND IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE OUR OWN TRAVEL FROM HARRIS COUNTY AS COMMISSIONERS SO THAT WE CAN GO TO AUSTIN AND TO THE RELATIVE COMMITTEE HEARINGS THAT MAY BE THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT THIS COVERS THE ABILITY OF THE MEMBERS OF COURT TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO AUSTIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS. I THINK WE SAW THAT IN THERE.

I THINK MR. BERRY WAS CHECKING ON THAT. THIS IS THE TWO-YEAR 8 TESTIMONY THAT ALLOWS NOT JUST YOUR OFFICE, BUT ALLOWS THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE TO GO

AND SPEAK TO THOSE ENACTING LAWS THAT IMPACT THE COUNTY. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU ARE CORRECT. THAT IS THE EXACT SAME LANGE DARK -- LANGUAGE THAT HAS PASSED EVERY COUPLE YEARS. WE KNOW THIS WILL BE A DIFFERENT SESSION ADD -- ADMINISTRATIVELY, BUT WE ARE PLANNING TO BE AS ACTIVE AS EVER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, JUDGE, WHEN WE TRAVEL, I KNOW SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE, I WENT TO AUSTIN QUITE A BIT AND TO WASHINGTON A NUMBER OF TIMES. I THOUGHT I WAS PUTTING THAT ON MY BUDGET.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU ARE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS WHEN WE GO IT IS ON OUR BUDGET.

HOWEVER, WE TO -- WE HAVE TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO GO BECAUSE IF YOU GET HURT OR IF THERE IS A WORKER'S COMP CLAIM OR YOU ARE IN A WORK VEHICLE

THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE RATES ARE A LITTLE CHEAPER I AM TOLD. IF YOU WANT TO GO TO WASHINGTON, I CAN GET YOU INTO THE FOUR SEASONS REAL CHEAP UP THERE. DURING COVID.

>> COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE DO NOT STAY AT THE FOUR SEASONS WHEN WE ARE

IN DC, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS TALKING ABOUT COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THANK YOU FOR THE OFFER FROM MY SOPHISTIMICATED NEIGHBOR.

I DON'T THINK I HAVE BEEN TO WASHINGTON, D.C. SINCE I WAS A TEENAGER.

THAT WAS A COUPLE YEARS AGO. I WILL LEAVE THAT TRAVEL TO YOU, SIR.

I WILL BE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO AUSTIN QUITE A BIT. TYPICALLY WHEN I GO TO AUSTIN

IF I NEED TO STAY OVER I WILL STAY AT MOM'S HOUSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME UP THERE FROM WHAT I'M HEARING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> SO JUDGE FOR CLARITY FOR 5

CL ARE WE -- FOR 5C? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: UNIVERSAL SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH.

THERE IS A CHANGE. THERE IS A CORRECTION ON ITEM 7E ON PAGE 9.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE WORD ACCEPT TO THE WORD PAY AND THE WORD FROM TO THE WORD TO.

THAT IS FOR THE MEDICAID WAIVER ITEM. COMMUNITY SERVICES.

VETERAN SERVICES. COUNTY LIBRARY. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.

[01:35:01]

COUNTY ATTORNEY. JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I APOLOGIZE. WE GOT PAST BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND I WANTED TO GO BACK A SECOND. LET'S SEE. WHERE IS THE ITEM? I APOLOGIZE. IT IS ON THE SECOND IS UP PLAW -- SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL.

I WILL GET BACK TO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. I KNOW THERE IS AN AGREEMENT

ON CONTROL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT PAGE ARE YOU ON?

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION WHICH IS PAGE 11.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. TRAVEL AND TRAINING. GRANTS.

GRANTS PAGE 12 AND ITEM 19A NEEDS A CORRECTION. REPLACE THE WORDS FY BETWEEN 20 SIMMS BAYOU TRIBUTARY PROGRAM WITH 2020BRIC GRANT PROGRAM.

THAT'S ON THE APPLICATION FOR THE USDHS GRANT FUNDS. >> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE CORRECTION IS TO REPLACE THE WORDS FY2020SIMS BAYOU TRIBUTARY PROGRAM WITH 20 AT THE PRESENT TIME FEMA BRIC GRANT PROGRAM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN ON PAGE 13 UNDER GRANTS ITEM C1 WHERE WE ARE ACCEPTING GRANTS FOR HOMELESS SERVICES PROGRAMS WE NEED TO CHANGE THE ITEM TO READ AS FOLLOWS, ACCEPT GRANTS FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN THE AMOUNT OF -- EXCUSE ME. IN THE AMOUNT OF 266,962 WITH NO REQUIRED MATCH AND APPROVAL OF FIVE GRANT FUNDED POSITIONS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 192020 FOR THE -- DECEMBER 19, 2020 FOR THE -- THE PY2020 HOMELESS SERVICES PROGRAM.

I AM GUESSING IT IS FISCAL YEAR 2020, HOMELESS YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM.

DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES? >> YES, MA'AM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, REAL

QUICKLY IF I COULD, I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO PUBLIC HEALTH. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: PAGE 9 AND D2. I WANT TO HOLD THIS ITEM.

THIS CAME OUT OF LEFT FIELD. IT WAS ONE THAT MY OFFICE WAS NOT MADE AWARE THAT PUBLIC HEALTH WAS LOOKING TO MOVE OPERATIONS TO OTHER PLACES. AND SECONDLY THERE HAS BEEN ZERO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS TO WHAT THIS WOULD MEAN IN TERMS OF MOVING FROM A LOCATION THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO THE COMMUNITY TO A NEW LOCATION. I AM GOING TO HOLD THIS ITEM,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION ON ITEM D2 ON PAGE 9.

DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES? >> LINA HIDALGO: GOING BACK TO GRANTS.

FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING. AND THEN COMMISSIONER'S COURT. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF RESOLUTIONS AND ALREADY THE ONE FOR MS. LYNDSAY AND THERE IS DO THE RIGHT THING. THIS AGENDA ITEM WAS REQUESTED BY FORMER JUDGE EKLES WHO IS ON THE LINE TO ANSWER QUESTION.

DOT RIGHT THING IS A NONPROFIT THAT TEACHES AT RISK MIDDLE SCHOOLERS TO CONSTRUCTIVELY DEAL WITH ANGER, BULLYING, CONFLICTS. IT IS ANTI-BULLYING AND A

[01:40:03]

JUDGE EKLES, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD IF YOU ARE ON THE LINE I WOULD ASK YOU TO EXPLAIN OR ANY NOTES YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE. I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS

TO US. >> COMMISSIONER WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY AND EACH COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

I MISSED THE FIRST PART OF THE PRESENTATION, BUT THE PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IN SPITE OF THE COVID. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT PROGRAM AND IN YEARS PAST OUR OFFICES WOULD REVIEW AND GRADE THE PAPERS THAT WERE SUBMITTED BY THE STUDENTS. LAST YEAR FOR SOME REASON WE DIDN'T GET ON THE ROTATION, BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO GET BACK ON THAT ROTATION AGAIN AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM. I THINK JUDGE ECKLES MENTIONED THAT NOT TOO LONG AGO HE RAN INTO SOMEBODY THAT WAS A LAWYER THAT WAS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS PROGRAM AND INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING THEM GET ON THE OTHER SIDE. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PROGRAM FOR OUR KIDS AND I AM SUPPORTIVE OF IT. I WANT TO GET BACK INTO THE

PRECINCTS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

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

JUDGE ECKLES, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR -- YOU HAVE REMAINED A PUBLIC SERVANT WITH AN ELECTED TITLE OR NOT, AND I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU WITH HOW YOU HAVE HANDLED YOUR POST LIFE IN ELECTED OFFICE AND THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD WHETHER IT WAS ON THE HIGH SPEED RAIL OR WHETHER THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD WHILE IN DC WHEN I WAS SHERIFF.

JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP OVER THE YEARS.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS ITEM. >> -- APPRECIATE IT.

JUDGE, THE ONE COMMENT THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE ABOUT THE YOUNG MAN THAT WAS -- WELL PARTICIPATED IN SEVENTH GRADE. HE WAS ACTUALLY A PROSECUTE NEITHER MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND RECENTLY JOINED OUR LAW FIRM. HE WAS VERY EXCITED WHEN HE CAME IN. HE SAID, JUDGE, ECKLE -- JUDGE ECKLES, I HAVE A CERTIFICATE FROM YOU. HE WAS A NATIONAL TITLE WINNER FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

A BRIGHT YOUNG MAN. SHE A GREAT EXAMPLE. HE IS JOINING OUR BOARD AND SO

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE ECKLES, I HOPE ARE YOU DOING WELL.

YOU HAVE A LITTLE COUGH THERE, MY FRIEND. PUT A MASK ON YOU SO YOU CAN RIDE A BIKE WITH ME AGAIN. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR MIC IS ON.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE ARE DOING ORDERS OVER HERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SEND ONE TO MY OFFICE. ROBERT, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I HOPE YOU ARE DOING ALL RIGHT. GET WELL. I AM DOING AN AIR ALLIANCE BIKE RIDE AND SOCIALLY DISTANCING WITH MASKS IF YOU AND YOUR BUDDY WANT TO GO.

>> I'LL GET THE DETAILS FROM YOU. MY DAUGHTER IS COMING IN, AND I HAVE TO PICK HER UP FROM THE AIRPORT DEPEND DEPENDING ON THE RIDE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE ON THIS? >> JUDGE.

I HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> KATHY LUSTER WITH DO THE

RIGHT THING. >> HI, THANK YOU FOR HEARING US TODAY.

I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT AFTER HARVEY WE HAD A TREMENDOUS RESPONSE FROM THE TEACHERS AND

[01:45:05]

THIS IS -- I THINK THIS WILL BE ESPECIALLY PROGRAM THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. IF YOU -- THANK YOU.

GREAT. SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED ONE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE ECKLES. SO THAT IS IT FOR MY REGULAR AGENDA.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DON'T SEE ANYTHING FOR YOUR ITEMS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. BEFORE I GO ON MY ITEM I WANTED TO GO BACK TO PURCHASING ON THE SAME PAGE. PAGE 20.

IS AND ITEM 13B. THIS IS AN ITEM FOR A TECHNOLOGY KNOWN AS SHOTSPOTTER. I AM INCREDIBLY EXCITED TO BE BRINGING THIS TO MY PRECINCT BECAUSE SINCE I WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY'S ANTI-GANG OFFICE AND THE CHARGE BY THEM WAS TO FIND A WAY TO ADDRESS DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS AT THE TIME THAT WE WERE -- WE ARE REALLY SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL, THIS TECHNOLOGY WAS AVAILABLE THEN, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT IS FIRST GENERATION ANYTHING IS CUMBERSOME AND VERY COST PROHIBITIVE AND AS MUCH AS I TRIED AND TRIED TO FIND GRANT DOLLARS TO PAY FOR IT, I COOPERATE DO IT. I WAS CONVINCED THEN AS I REMAIN CONVINCED EVEN MORE SO TODAY THAT THIS WILL BRING INCREDIBLE CHANGE TO THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, I IMAGINE, JUDGE, THAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD GUNSHOTS ON OCCASION IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SOMEWHERE OR IN A DISTANT -- SOMEWHERE DISTANT. WE KNEW IT AND OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT GOOD, BUT NOT KNOWING WHERE IT IS COMING FROM OR WHAT IS CAUSING IT.

OR IF IT WAS REALLY GUNFIRE OR NOT. FOR MOST PEOPLE IT CREATES THE THOUGHT OF, WELL, I BETTER NOT CALL BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER LAW ENFORCEMENT. I DON'T WANT TO BATHER THEM WITH JUST I HEAR GUNSHOTS UNLESS I CAN PROVIDE THEM BETTER INFORMATION. ON THE OTHER HAPPENED AND SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT DEAL WITH THIS ON A DALE BE BASIS, ONE THERE IS A REAL FEAR OF RETRIBUTION FROM THOSE WHO MAY BE CAUSING IT. SECONDLY, THERE IS THE IDEA OF I'M JUST NOT GONNA GET INVOLVED. I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO THE COPS. I DON'T WANT A PATROL CAR SHOWING UP AT MY DOORSTEP.

THAT LACK OF ENGAGEMENT COULD BE THE REASON WHY MURDER RATES HAVE GONE UP IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. IT COULD BE INDIVIDUALS THAT SHOULD BE CAUGHT BEFORE GOING OFF AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE. IT REALLY WORKS TO ELIMINATE THE MIDDLE -- THE MIDDLE PERSON, IF YOU WILL. THIS IS ENTIRELY TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN AND IT TRY AN GEU LATES -- IT TRY AN GEU -- TRIANGULATES WHERE THE GUNSHOTS ARE COMING FROM AND IT HELPS TO IDENTIFY THE LIKELY CALIBER OF THE BULLETS BEING FIRED, THE GUN IN USE.

AND THE TYPE OF POTENTIAL FIREARMS BEING USED. AND IT COMES WITH THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL IF IT WAS A DRIVE BY SHOOTING OR SOMEONE ON A MOTORCYCLE OR OTHER FORM

[01:50:03]

THIS IS COMING OUT OF MY BUDGET. I BELIEVE IT WILL BE MONEY WELL SPENT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE WORK TO DO FOR MANY YEARS.

I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN INVESTED IN TRYING TO BRING SHOTSPOTTER TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. I AM GLAD WE CAN HIGHLIGHT IT IN THE AREAS.

AND THE IDEA OF THIS CAME WHEN I WAS DOING A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MY SMART PODS THAT I ANNOUNCED RECENTLY. I NEEDED TO BE AT THE LOCATION FOR AN EARLY-MORNING INTERVIEW , AND AS I WAS THERE I HEARD I COULD TELL THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIREARMS GOING OFF.

IT WAS 6:30 IN THE MORNING. THAT WAS NOT GONNA WORK. I AM MORE CONVINCED -- OR I WAS CONVINCED AT THE TIME THAT , YOU KNOW, THIS -- WE NEED TO BRING CHANGE TO THESE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT BELIEVE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT MAY NOT CARE THAT YOU CALL.

GENERALLY PEOPLE CALL WITH -- I HEAR GUNSHOTS AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE CALL READS.

I AM ADRIAN GARCIA AND I HEAR GUNSHOTS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. DO YOU KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM? DO YOU KNOW WHO IS DOING IT? NO.

NO. THERE IS A FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RESPOND BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER INFORMATION ATTACHED. THEY WILL GO TO WHERE THE PRIORITY IS, WHERE MORE INFORMATION IS AND WHERE THE SUSPECTS MAY BE AND WHERE THERE IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT TAKING PLACE. AND REGRETFULLY IT IS NOT THAT THEY WON'T GET TO. IT BUT IT WON'T BE THE IMMEDIATE PRIORITY.

AS A RESULT, THE COMMUNITIES FEEL LIKE NO ONE EVER SHOWED UP, OR YOU SHOWED UP HOURS LATER OR YOU SHOWED UP POTENTIALLY DAYS LATER. OR YOU GAVE ME A CALL TO ASK ME ABOUT IT AND THAT'S NOT AN EFFECTIVE WAY OF RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS.

SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS, JUDGE, AS YOU CAN TELL. AGAIN I WANT TO APPLAUD SHERIFF GONZALEZ FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO HIGHLIGHT THIS AS WELL AND TO BECOME THE FIRST AGENCY IN TEXAS TO LAUNCH SHOTS FIRED. SHOTSPOTTER.

I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT AND MOVE ON THE ITEM. >> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE I WOULD

LIKE TO SPEAK TO PRECINCT 3 PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA.

I AM GOING TO LOOK AT IT. YOU KNOW, IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CITY THAT'S ARE DOING

IT? OUTSIDE OF TEXAS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

IT IS IN MANY OF THE MAJOR CITIES. 122 CITIES ACROSS AMERICA.

AND AGAIN WHEN I WAS DOING THIS WORK FOR MERYL LENIER THIS WAS 1995 AND I WAS

LOOKING AT IT BACK THEN AND -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IT IS A PRETTY GOOD DEAL. IT IS TWO SOMETHING A YEAR? 240?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS A AN INITIAL START UP COST AND POTENTIALLY WITH ME DOING IT I MAY HAVE ADDRESSED IT FOR THE COUNTY AND THEN THERE BECOMES A MEMBERSHIP COST, IF YOU WILL, FOR EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER. IT NEEDS CONCENTRATED AREAS TO DO IT. IT IS NOT REALLY APPLICABLE TO SAY WE WILL DO IT COUNTY WIDE. THEY REALLY NEED TO IDENTIFY THE AREAS.

AND SO WE HAVE USED THE CRIME INFORMATION AND THE CALL REPORTING INFORMATION THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS. AND THAT'S HOW WE HAVE DECIDED ONAL -- ON ALDINE AND IT WILL

[01:55:06]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I THINK I HEAR COMMISSIONER RADACK SAY HE WANTED TO ADD

SOMETHING TO HIS PRECINCT. I AM LOOKING INTO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO DO A ME TOO ON THAT TO ADD TO THE MOTION THAT WE BE ALLOWED TO EXPAND THIS TO OTHER PRECINCTS.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PILOT WILL BE IN ALDINE WHICH PRECINCT 2 AND 4 SHARE ALDINE. SO I THINK IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE BE ALLOWED TO CONCLUDE THE

ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN ALDINE IN THAT REGARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT THE

MOTION TO GIVE EACH PRECINCT THE OPTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WHAT WOULD IT READ? MAYBE, DWIGHT, YOU CAN HELP US OUT HERE.

>> I WOULD JUST EXPAND IT TO ALL PRECINCTS TO UTILIZE IT. WE WILL BRING THE ITEM BACK WITH DOLLAR FIGURES WHEN WE ARE READY TO DO IT. WE ARE JUST REQUESTING NOW THE COMMISSIONER IN PRECINCT 2 MOVE FORWARD. WHEN WE ESTABLISH A LOCATION WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO COURT AS SOLE SOURCE ITEMS SO I REQUEST IT BE EXPANDED TO ALL

PRECINCTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT CLEAR

TO YOU, JAMES? >> YES, MA'AM. THE ITEM IS BEING APPROVED AND EXPANDED TO ALL PRECINCTS. AND THE MOTION WAS BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S CORRECT. >> SECOND IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHO IS THE SECOND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK

RADACK WAS. >> STEVE RADACK: I'M SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL ONLY ADD ONE COMMENT. EVERYBODY USE YOUR OWN MONEY. I'M USING MINE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM FOR IT

AND I DON'T HAVE TO SEE THE AMENDMENT, BY THE WAY. >> STEVE RADACK: ADRIAN,

WEREN'T YOU WORKING WITH KIM? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AT THE TIME I WAS WORKING WITH THIS I WAS WORKING WITH KIM OG. I WAS WORKING ON THIS AND IT WAS WHEN I WAS APPOINTED THE

DIRECTOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ON YOUR SECTION OF THE AGENDA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE DISCUSSED THE COVID ITEMS ALREADY. NOW WE HAVE THE EMERGENCY AND

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

SO THE ITEM WILL READ REQUEST BY THE OFFICE OF THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR FOR APPROVAL OF TWO ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITIONS AND ONE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

POSITION. THAT'S IT. >> JUDGE I HAVE A SPEAKER ON

THAT ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD.

AND COMMISSIONER KAY -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAVE A QUESTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE SPEAKER, BUT I DO. >> ONE MOMENT.

TAMARA BELL. WE MIGHT NOT HAVE A SPEAKER YET.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, ON THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADD -- ADMINISTRATOR I AM VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF THE TWO DULY ELECTED OFFICERS.

I MADE THAT POINT SEVERAL TIMES. KEEPING AND MAINTAINING AS ELECTED OFFICERS THESE DUTIES, I WONDER THOUGH WHETHER THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE HELD CONSIDERING WE ARE ABOUT TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OVER WHETHER THE PROPER PROCEDURE, OR NOT, UTILIZED IN THE ADOPTION OF THIS ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR? AND SO BEFORE WE APPROVE ADDITIONAL ITEMS RELATED TO THAT, MAYBE WE OUGHT TO AT LEAST GO THROUGH OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I WOULD ARGUE THAT WE SHOULD PROBLEM -- PROBABLY POSTPONE THAT UNTIL WE SEE HOW THINGS PAN OUT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK IT IS A PROBLEM TO DISCUSS WHEN WE COME BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. I WILL MAKE IT A POINT TO BRING IT BACK UP.

ITEM 2 IS A CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT DESIGNATING DR. MARIA RIVERA AND

[02:00:07]

HOUSTON TO WORK ON THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS DR. BAR -- DR. BABBOT ON THE LINE? I WOULD LIKE TO GET HER THOUGHTS ON WHAT SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES WOULD COME ABOUT

BECAUSE OF IT. >> I DO NOT SEE HER ON THE LINE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST AT THE END OF THE DAY. BUT I ASK FOR HER LATER.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: NUMBER FOUR, SHERIFF WORK WITH THE CON

TIP -- THE COUNTY ENGINEER. NUMBER FIVE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE.

I APOLOGIZE. BEFORE WE LEAVE POLLUTION CONTROL.

I WANT TO SAY THAT I AM PROUD OF DR. BABON'S WORK. I HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH HER ON THE ITEMS IN THE PRECINCT. I WILL JUST SAY THAT NO PUN INTENDED, BUT AS SHE WAS THROWN INTO THE FIRE, DR. BABIN HAS REALLY BEEN HIGH STEPPING. I AM GOING TO COMEPPED HER FOR HER -- I AM GOING TO COMMEND HER FOR HER WORK. SHE HAS BEEN TENACIOUS AND DETAIL ORIENTED.

AND RECOGNIZING THAT POLLUTION KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES. IT IS SMART TO HAVE THE CITY OF HOUSTON PARTNER WITH US. I AM GLAD THAT THIS IS HAPPENING.

AGAIN FOR OUR CITIZENS OUT THERE, I THINK WE HAVE CONTINUED TO DEMONSTRATE HOW WE ARE CLOSING GAPS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT. I KNOW THE CITY AND THE COUNTY DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK WELL TOGETHER. BUT WITH A -- WITH THE NEW BOLD LEADERSHIP AT THE HELM TODAY, IT IS FINDING OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS THAT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT DOESN'T CARE WHOSE SIDE OF THE FENCE THEY ARE ON. THEY WILL WORK TO BRING HARM TO OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, OUR BUSINESSES AND TO OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. SO I WANT TO SAY, DR. BABIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND PROUD OF THE EFFORTS OF POLLUTION CONTROL AND WHERE IT IT HAS COME FROM THE ITC DAYS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU WILL GET HER A LITTLE LATER? WHEN WE FINISH?

>> YES, WE ARE TRYING TO REACH HER NOW. WE ARE TRYING TO CALL HER

NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL MAKE A NOTE OF THAT TOO, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. NUMBER 5 IS ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT BY THE COUNTY OF THE TEXAS WATER CODE. NUMBER 5 IS THE SAME FBIS LETTER.

SO NO ACTION HERE ON NUMBER 6. THEY HAVE THAT IN THE CONTROL

ROOM AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE YOU

SAID WE ALREADY VOTED ON 6? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE ALREADY VOTED ON AN ITEM THAT

ADDRESSES WHAT 6 IS ABOUT. SO I AM SAYING NO ACTION ON 6. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF THERE IS NO ACTION, I'M FINE. I JUST DID NOT WANT TO HAVE -- IF THERE IS NO ACTION, I'M OKAY. I DON'T WANT TO ACCIDENTALLY AT THE END HAVE A VOTE AGAINST IN ONE LOCATION AND A VOTE FOR IN ANOTHER LOCATION. NO ACTION ON ITEM 6.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION. >> JUDGE, WE HAVE DR. BABIN ON THE LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, DR. BABIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. BABIN?

>> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW ARE YOU DOING? GREAT JOB. YOU MAY HAVE MISSED THE GLOWING COMMENTS THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SAYING ABOUT YOU. I WANT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE. I KNOW YOUR ITEM IS ON THE AGENDA AND I AM FOR IT.

BUT JUST GIVE SOME UPDATE ON HOW THINGS ARE GOING? >> OKAY.

YES. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, MA'AM,

WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS. HELLO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DR. BABIN, YOUR SIGNAL APPEARS TO HAVE CUT OUT.

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. HELLO AND GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

YES, I WAS ACTUALLY ON THE PHONE WITH -- IN A MEETING WITH THE CITY WHEN YOU WERE ALL TALKING A FEW MINUTES AGO. I DID HEAR SOME OF THE

[02:05:02]

FORCES IN THAT EFFORT AS WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. BABIN, IS

THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED FROM US? >> -- FROM US? I DIDN'T WANT TO JUST HEAR FROM YOU WHEN THERE IS A CRISIS AND THAT'S WHY I

THOUGHT YOU COULD COME ON. >> ACTUALLY TODAY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE GUIDANCE OF HOW THINGS WILL LOOK WHEN THERE IS A RESPONSE NEEDED. AND SO WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE OUTSIDE PROPOSING TRYING TO GET SOME ANSWERS. SO MAYBE AS WE SIT DOWN AND INDIVIDUALLY DECIDE HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, THE GUIDANCE AND THE SUPPORT THAT WE WILL NEED IS BETTER UNDERSTOOD AND I CAN REACH OUT TO THE COURT AND LET YOU

KNOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. LISTEN TO THE TAPE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS

SINGING YOUR PRAISES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SINCE WE'VE GOT YOU ON THE LINE DR. BABIN, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU. YOU TOOK ON AN OPERATION IN A VERY INTERESTING TIME. AND YOU HAVE DONE IT, YOU KNOW, WITH CLASS AND WITH GRACE AND YOU HAVE BEEN A STEADY HAND OVER THERE, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN A STRONG HAND OVER THERE, DR. BABIN. AND I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

KEEP DOING IT. KEEP GETTING OUT THERE AND KEEP SHOWING THAT HARRIS COUNTY CARES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF OUR AIR, WATER AND LAND AND THE HEALTH OF OUR CITIZENS.

I APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSIVENESS TO THE CITIES IN PRECINCT TWO AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING ON THAT CHALLENGING ISSUE. MY LIST GOES ON, BUT THIS ITEM ADDS TO THAT GROWING LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOOD WORK BY YOU AND YOUR STAFF.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WELL.

I APPRECIATE THE COURT'S SUPPORT. YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL.

I KNOW THAT AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW, IF WE SEE THINGS THAT WE NEED, WE WILL DEFINITELY REACH OUT TO THE JUDGE AND TO THE COURT AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE NEED.

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT IN THOSE ENDEAVORS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DR. BABIN. I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO HEAR ABOUT ALL OF THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE AND WHAT MORE WE NEED TO DO. I DO WONDER SOMETIMES WHEN THE REPORT CAME BACK IT WAS VERY EARLY ON IN MY AND ANYTHINGS -- MY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S TENURE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOTHING MISSED.

I ENCOURAGE YOU AS YOU WORK TOWARD BUDGET HEARINGS TO THINK ABOUT -- THINK BIG AND THINK ABOUT WHETHER WHAT WE'VE INVESTED ACHIEVES SUCCESS OR WHETHER WE NEED TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS. I DON'T KNOW ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING RIGHT BY SO MANY IN OUR SPACE WHEN IT COMES TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. AND I RECOGNIZE A LOT OF THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN

LEGISLATION. >> YES. THANK YOU.

YOUR SUPPORT IN THOSE EFFORTS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AS WELL.

I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD IN THAT CHARGE AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. YES, COMMISSIONER? HAN -- HANG ODR. BABI -- HANG

ON DR. BABIN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DR. BABIN, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU.

AS I INTERVIEWED AS ALL OUR COLLEAGUES INTERVIEWED YOU FOR THE POSITION.

YOU MADE A COMMITMENT TO ME THAT YOU WOULD NOT VIEW YOUR JOB AS LOOKING TO PAST EVENTS AND TRYING TO REACT, BUT THAT YOU WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT YOU COULD DO TO TRY TO PROVIDE A PROTECTIVE BARRIER MOVING FORWARD. I THINK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING A FABULOUS JOB OF TRYING TO LOOK INTO THE FUTURE, THE FOG OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE AS OPPOSED TO JUST REACTING TO EVENTS. THANK YOU FOR THAT. I ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO

THAT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I APPRECIATE IT.

I DO LOOK FORWARD TO BEING MORE INNOVATIVE IN SOME PRO ACTIVE THINGS THAT I THINK WILL HELP ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES BE STRONGER AND HEALTHIER.

[02:10:09]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR. BABIN. >> THANK YOU.

HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE BEEN AT COURT FOR 2 HOURS.

LET'S TAKE A 15-MINUTE BREAK. AND I SAY A BREAK RATHER THAN LUNCH BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE CLOSE TO BEING DONE WITH THE AGENDA. IF YOU WANT TO COME BACK AT

12:30 AND WE'LL CONTINUE AND FINISH UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

IT IS 12:34. COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT -- WE JUST GOT DONE TALKING WITH DR. BABIN AND THAT WAS A SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 3. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 4 IS ADDITIONAL OFFICE SPACE FOR THE SHERIFF. SUPPLEMENTAL -- EXCUSE ME. WE HAVE ALREADY GONE OVER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 6. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAD AN ITEM FOR DISTRICT B.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES I WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: RODNEY, REAL QUICKLY, IF I MAY, JUDGE. I WANTED TO GET SOME CLARIFICATION ON ITEM 6.

ON MY PREVIOUS MOTION IT WAS SIMPLY TO ADD THE TOLL ROAD, ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL TO AUTHORIZE AND SUBMIT LETTERS. WE DID TALK ABOUT MY LANGUAGE IN YOUR LETTER, BUT IT WASN'T -- THE MOTION WASN'T MADE FOR THAT.

IT WAS THROUGH THE ENTITIES. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GAVE YOU THE AUTHORIZATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO -- BECAUSE I THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION, BUT IT WAS NOT THE MOTION FOR IT. I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT AND SEE IF WE CAN'T MOVE ON

ITEM SIX JUST TO ENSURE THAT WE CAPTURE THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT

TO MAKE A MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. TO SUBMIT ITEM 6 AS PROPOSED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED A SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE MOTION INITIALLY WAS TOLL ROAD, FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING FOR THEM TO SUBMIT THE COMMENTS.

I THOUGHT AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE DISCUSSED THIS EARLIER WHEN I SAID NO ACTION, I THOUGHT THAT INCLUDED -- THAT WAS THE LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.

BUT AS I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY AND AS ROBERT AND WHO WHOMEVER STEPS IN, THAT IS ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENTS SEPARATELY THOUGH WE NEED A LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THAT'S

THE LETTER THAT WAS UNDER ITEM 6. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S

CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WE WANT TO GIVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND

COMMISSIONER RADACK THE OPTION TO VOTE NO IF THEY WOULD LIKE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S

CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CACTUS, ARE YOU THERE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M HERE. AND IF WE ARE TAKING ACTION IT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITHOUT

HAVING THE LETTER TO REVIEW. I SCANT -- I CAN'T VOTE FOR IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT MAKES THINGS BETTER -- NOT FOR YOU, BUT IT IS SIMPLY TO AUTHORIZE FOR THE JUDGE TO SUBMIT A LETTER. I'M SURE THAT ONCE SHE HAS PENNED IT SHE WILL SHARE IT WITH US. I WOULD IMAGINE YOU WOULDN'T SEE IT WITHOUT IT. IT WON'T -- IT WOULDN'T BE SENT WITHOUT YOU SEEING IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND MY CONCERN IS THERE ARE SOME AREAS TO WHERE WE HAVE RESPECTFUL DISAGREEMENT ON WHERE ITEMS ARE. AND I WOULD EXPECT HER TO IN HER LETTER TO ITERATE THE AREAS THAT WE ARE IN RESPECTFUL DISAGREEMENT ON WHAT TO TELL TEX DOT TO DO AND WHATNOT TO TELL TEX DOT. I DON'T WANT TO HINDER HER IN ADVANCE BY SAYING YOU CAN PEN A LETTER AS LONG AS I APPROVE IT.

I WILL JUST SAY NO AT THIS POINT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FAIR

ENOUGH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, IT IS MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. I GUESS I'M ON THE HIGHWAY ON THIS ONE.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, AND I'M GOING TO BE A NO. THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE IT BE A NONITEM OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY NO. WITHOUT SEEING IT -- I CAN'T

[02:15:01]

AGREE ON, BUT WITHOUT SEEING IT I CAN'T BE OKAY WITH THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A QUESTION FOR ROBERT OR PETER KEY OR WHOMEVER.

OBVIOUSLY THE DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING WITH THE ATTORNEYS ON DRAFTING THIS LETTER AND WITH MY OFFICE TO THE EXTENT IT GOES OUT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.

IS THIS A LETTER THAT YOU GUYS CAN STILL CIRCULATE? I THINK WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON IS ALLOWING THE TOLL ROAD AND FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING AND THE COUNTY AT LARGE TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE TO FBIS. WE ARE NOT VOTING ON A PARTICULAR LETTER.

AND ONCE THEY HAVE DRAFTED IT AND THEY SEND IT AROUND, THE COMMISSIONERS CAN SIGN IT, RIGHT? COMMISSIONER, CAGLE, IF YOU -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF YOU LIKE IT, YOU CAN JOIN IT AND IF NOT, THEN DON'T. AM I MISUNDERSTOODING

SOMETHING? >> NO, MA'AM. I THINK THE DILEMMA IS THEY CAN'T SIGN THE LETTER WITHOUT HAVING IT -- HAVING A FORMAL MEETING AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT. SO -- I CAN GO INTO MORE DETAIL IF YOU WANT ME TO.

SIGNING A LETTER IS IN EFFECT A DELIBERATION OUTSIDE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? IS THERE A WAY WE CAN PASS SOMETHING TODAY THAT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LET HER NEGOTIATE A LETTER?

>> YES. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

IF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WANTS TO AUTHORIZE THE JUDGE TO SEND A LETTER, THEN THE JUDGE IS AUTHORIZED TO SEND A LETTER ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I GUESS WHAT I AM ASKING -- >> IN OTHER WORDS, THE COMMISSIONERS CAN'T GET TOGETHER OUTSIDE AN OPEN MEETING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT LETTER IS GOING TO SAY. THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS TO IN EFFECT DELEGATE THAT TO

JUDGE HIDALGO AND SEND IT OUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO SHE COULD NOT GO AND CIRCULATE A LETTER FOR US TO SIGN? WITH THE TIMETABLES THAT ARE COMING FORWARD, YOUR HONOR, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO RAISE EARLIER.

WITH THE TIMETABLE APPROACHING US, EITHER WE HAVE TO DO A SPECIAL MEETING TO TRY AND NEGOTIATE LANGUAGE WE CAN ALL AGREE TO, OR WE CAN SIT ON THE SIDELINES AND DO NOTHING OR DELEGATE IT TO THE JUDGE. I TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT. I THINK COMMENTS I MADE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE WILL MAKE SENSE TO WHAT THE THREE OF US AGREE TO OR WE HAVE TO

DO A DRAFT AND COME BACK AND HAVE A MEETING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY MOTION IS TO AUTHORIZE THE JUDGE TO SUBMIT A LETTER ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND IT. >> STEVE RADACK: MR. SOARD? >> YES, SIR.

>> STEVE RADACK: YOU KNOW, THERE IS SOMETHING -- GOING BACK TO THIS WORLD OF TRANSPARENCY, YOU KNOW THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE THIS LETTER AND EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS IN AN OPEN MEETING INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING SOMEBODY WRITE A LETTER ON BAF -- ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEN IN ACTUALITY IT IS NOT ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

IT IS ON BEHALF OF THE GUNNEL. ON BEHALF OF THE JUDGE.

NO ONE ELSE WILL GET ON REVIEW IT. >> YOU'RE -- I MEAN --

>> STEVE RADACK: HOW IS THAT TRANSPARENT? TO WRITE A LETTER NO ONE WILL KNOW WHAT IT SAYS AND FOR US TO APPROVE IT, HER ABILITY TO DO THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER RADACK -- >> STEVE RADACK: IT IS LIKE HIRING AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR BEFORE THE STATE HAS ALLOWED THE COUNTY -- WHEN

THE COUNTY HAS NOT DONE THE PROPER STEPS TO CREATE ONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER RADACK, IF I MIGHT, I SAW A LETTER AND I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR IT.

I ASKED MY STAFF TO FILE IT, BUT IT WAS A LETTER FROM YOU THAT COPIED ALL OF US, AND YOU WERE RESPONDING TO -- I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS.

I JUST PUT IT OUT LAST MONTH SOMETIME. DID YOU SEND THAT OUT TO YOUR

CONSTITUENTS? >> STEVE RADACK: WHICH LETTER ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT SURE. IT WAS A RECENT LETTER JUST ABOUT A MONTH AGO YOU SENT OUT A LETTER. IT WAS YOUR SIGNATURE AND YOU COPIED US ON IT. I AM JUST CURIOUS, I'M SURE YOU KNOW WHAT LETTERS YOU

SIGNED. STIVE STEVE I MEAN -- >> STEVE RADACK: I MEAN I SIGN

[02:20:03]

MORE THAN ONE. I AM ASKING WHICH ONE IT WAS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT WAS ONE,

IF YOU CAN RECALL, IT IS YOUR LETTER AND I AM A RECIPIENT. >> STEVE RADACK: I DON'T NEED COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL TO WRITE A LETTER EXPRESSING MY OPINION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT SAYING IT WAS YOUR LETTER. I'M JUST SAYING YOU -- DID YOU

GIVE IT TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO WEIGH IN ON? >> STEVE RADACK: SO WHAT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE. THAT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO! YOU ARE SAYING WE CAN'T AUTHORIZE THE JUDGE TO SUBMIT A LETTER WITHOUT THE CITIZENS WEIGHING IN ON IT. THAT'S WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

IT IS HIPOCRITICAL IF YOU DIDN'T GIVE IT TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO WEIGH IN ON.

>> STEVE RADACK: YOU GOT IT WRONG. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS APPROVING A LETTER OR DISAPPROVING A LETTER FOR HER TO SEND THE HARRIS COUNTY AS COUNTY JUDGE SOMETHING THAT WAS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND IT IS THE SAME THING. FROM YOUR OFFICE AND YOUR CITIZENS AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS DIDN'T WEIGH IN ON SO YOU JUST SEND A LETTER WITHOUT THEIR APPROVAL AND WITHOUT THEM WEIGHING IN ON IT. I'M ASSUMING THAT WE ARE JUST

FOLLOWING YOUR EXAMPLE. SO THANK YOU. >> STEVE RADACK: ONCE AGAIN, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T EVEN TELL ME WHAT LETTER YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. IT COULD BE WISHING PEOPLE A MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR ALL I

KNOW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. I WILL GET YOU THE LETTER.

>> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU. MR. SOARD, DO YOU UNDERSTAND MY POINT HERE?

>> I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT, BUT -- >> STEVE RADACK: FINE! IF YOU WANT TO SAY IT IS OKAY, YOU CAN SAY IT IS OKAY. YOU TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY

AND THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL ZERO. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, I MEAN -- COMMISSIONER, I DON'T THINK -- I THINK WE ALL KNOW THAT YOU ARE JUST SAYING THESE WORDS, BUT YOU HAVEN'T LIVED THEM. I WILL SAY I AM NOT HUNG UP IF FOLKS WANT TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING JUST TO SEE THE LETTER WHICH WE ALL KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE AGAINST IT OUT OF SPITE, BUT I AM NOT WEDDED TO IT.

MY INTENT HERE IS THAT A LETTER GO OUT EXPRESSING THE CONCERNS THAT ARE VERY CLEAR WHEN IT COMES TO I-45 AND SO WHETHER WE NEED TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING SO YOU CAN VOTE NO AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S OKAY.

I'LL DO THAT FOR ON YOU YOUR WAY OUT, COMMISSIONER, BUT I KNOW WE ARE GOOD.

ROBERT SAYS WE ARE GOOD, BUT I'M EASY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE CAN HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING ON THIS AND WE CAN VOTE.

I WILL BE IN FAVOR OF THE COUNTY SUBMITTING A LETTER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, WHEN

IS IT DUE? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS DUE ON THE 9TH.

WE COULD MEET -- WE COULD HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING ANYTIME BETWEEN TODAY AND NEXT TUESDAY ON THE LETTER. I DON'T SEE -- IT IS NEITHER HERE NOR THERE FOR ME.

>> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE, FIRST OF ALL I DON'T NO -- I DON'T VOTE NO OUT OF SPITE OR YES OUT OF SPITE. I VOTE NO WHEN I THINK SOMETHING IS NOT A GOOD IDEA OR SHOULDN'T BE DONE. YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT IS INTERESTING.

I KNOW YOU DO ALL KIND OF THINGS OUT OF SPITE, BUT THAT'S OKAY.

MY POINT IS THIS, I HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER REPRESENTING MY CONSTITUENTS, AND SO THEREFORE I RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO DO THE SAME.

BUT I'M NOT HERE DOING THINGS OUT OF SPITE. I'M DOING THEM BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT IS A BAD IDEA, WHATEVER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE REASON THAT IS HARD TO BELIEVE IS LETTERS ARE SUBMITTED ALL THE TIME, THESE TECHNICAL LETTERS. THE LETTERS OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FILES ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL THIS OR THAT. YOU DON'T READ EVERY TECHNICAL DETAIL. WE SIMPLY GIVE THEM THE AUTHORITY TO RESPOND.

BUT I'LL HUMOR YOU. LOOK, I AM NOT LOSING SLEEP OVER THIS.

I'M GOOD. I'M HAPPY TO SIT HERE WITH YOU GUYS ANYTIME BETWEEN NOW AND

TUESDAY. >> STEVE RADACK: YOU DON'T NEED COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE STATE OF TEXAS. ALL I'M SAYING IS IF -- IF YOU'RE WRITING A LETTER BASED UPON COMMISSIONER'S COURT'S APPROVAL, THAT'S A DIFFERENT

THING. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M EASY. I DON'T LIKE -- ALL I WANT IS FOR THE COUNTY TO HAVE A POSITION. THIS IS A VERY, VERY PROBLEMATIC PROJECT. IT IS NOT JUST FOR THE RESIDENTS, BUT FOR THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE REGION. IF THE FOLKS ARE SAYING WE NEED A LETTER FROM HCTRA AND FROM TOLL ROAD AND FROM BUDGET AND FROM THE COUNTY, THEN WE GOT -- ALREADY WE ARE CLAIMING -- CLIMBING AN UPHILL BATTLE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. WHATEVER CARRIES THE MOST

[02:25:01]

I WAS JUST QUA -- ASKING IF WE CAN DO IT MONDAY OR TUESDAY BECAUSE I HAVE THINGS LINED UP FOR WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NEXT WEEK I CANNOT BREAK IF WE WERE GOING TO COME BACK. AND I WOULD SAY, I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- I KNOW WOO HAVE EXPERTS WHO ARE LOOKING -- I KNOW WE HAVE EXPERTS THAT ARE LOOKING AT IT, BUT WHATEVER GIVES US THE MOST IMPACT WITH THE LETTER OR MAKING SURE THAT FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING, EACH OF THESE ENTITIES ARE ON THE SAME PAGE SAYING THIS ONE SAID THIS AND THIS ONE SAID THAT. I'M OKAY EITHER WAY. IF WE WERE GOING TO COME BACK I ASK WE DO IT ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY. IF THERE IS SOME CHANCE -- THIS IS JUST BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE. IF OUR OTHER COLLEAGUES WOULD VOTE FOR IT, IF THEY REALLY WANT US TO HAVE? INFLUENCE ON THIS ISSUE, I THINK IT WOULD HELP TO PERSUADE THE STATE IF THEY DID , BUT I CERTAINLY LAY MY CARDS ON THE TABLE. IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PERSUADE OUR STATE ALLIES TO WORK WITH US AND WE HAVE GONE THROUGH IT ADNAUSEAM, OTHER GREAT CITIES AROUND THE WORLD HAVE ENDED UP WITH ALL OF THESE FREEWAYS THAT BYPASS THE COUNTY AND WE WENT ALL THROUGH THAT.

I DON'T MIND COMING BACK ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY. YOU ARE ALL NICE PEOPLE AND I ENJOY BEING WITH YOU. I DON'T WANT TO MEET TOO MUCH.

WE DON'T WANT TO GO OVER BOARD, BUT I CANNOT COME BACK WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE CAN MAKE THAT WORK. I AM EASY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. LET'S JUST PLAN ON -- SOUNDS LIKE THE COMMISSIONER NEEDS TO SEE ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT LET -- LETTERS SO WE CAN HOLD ON SENDING THE LETTERS AND

REVIEW THEM ALL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES YOUR STAFF -- MAYBE WE SHOULD DECIDE BECAUSE YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA ARE TAKING THE LEAD AND YOU ARE REPRESENTATIVES. THIS IS JUST GUT INSTINCT WITH ME.

I DON'T WANT TO MESS UP ANYTHING. I MADE IT CLEAR WHERE I AM.

IT IS NOT MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY, BUT THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE STATE.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I AM FOR BEING AGGRESSIVE, BUT STRATEGICALLY IF OUR OTHER TWO COLLEAGUES WOULD COME ALONG IT WOULD HELP PERSUADE THE STATE.

NOW, WILL THEY COME ALONG? >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK THEY WILL.

THAT'S THE THING. BUT I DON'T WANT THEM TO SAY THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF -- SO FINE. LET'S BRING IT AND THEY WILL VOTE NO EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW IT IS BLACK AND WHITE. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF OPINION WHETHER THEY -- WHETHER THE FBS DISPLACES. IT IS FACTUAL STUFF THESE GUYS WILL PICK OUT. I AM HAPPY TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COLLEAGUES TO VOTE YES AND IF THAT MEANS WE SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER NEXT

WEEK, I AM TOTALLY FINE WITH IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS THAT PENSIVE LOOK. YOU TWO HAVE BEEN OUR REPS. VOLUNTEER TO WEIGH YOUR

THOUGHTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LOOK. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CLEAR WHERE HARRIS COUNTY IS AT. SO I WOULD SUPPORT A SPECIAL MEETING ON THE LETTER. JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS AN OFFICIAL HARRIS COUNTY LETTER AND NOT IOS -- NOT JUST THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OPINION, BUT IT COMES WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE COURT. I WOULD HOPE THAT'S WHAT WE COULD DO TODAY, BUT I THINK THE POINT'S CLEAR. COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- I MEAN COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RADACK HAVE MADE THEIR POSITIONS PRETTY CLEAR SO WE CAN -- I THINK WE CAN ESTIMATE WHAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO VOTE ON NEXT WEEK. I KNOW TIME IS OF ESSENCE SO THE -- I HAVE THIS CONFIDENCE BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD THE JUDGE OFFER REMARKS ON THIS ITEM.

I KNOW THAT HER POSITION AND MINE ARE NOT MISALIGNED. WE HAVE THE SAME CONCERN FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE IN THE COUNTY. THAT'S WHY I HAVE CONFIDENCE.

I DON'T HAVE BLIND CONFIDENCE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A LETTER THAT I KNOW NOTHING

[02:30:02]

I THINK THE LETTER IS ALREADY WRITTEN BASED ON REMARKS THE JUDGE HAS MADE.

THAT'S WHY I HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT THE LETTER WON'T SURPRISE ME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF -- JUST A SUGGESTION, BUT I WOULD SAY WHETHER IT IS LATER THIS WEEK, MONDAY OR TUESDAY, THAT GIVES THE OTHER ENTITIES TIME TO WRITE THEIR LETTERS SO THAT WHATEVER COMES HERE WE CAN WORD SMITH THEM AND I AM FLEXIBLE WITH THAT.

WHAT I WORRY ABOUT IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, I DON'T -- YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WHEN PEOPLE JUST REALLY COMPLAIN -- THEY ARE ANGRY ABOUT THE END RESULT THEY GO EMIT PINK AND WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME ON HOW YOU GOT THERE.

THE REAL ISSUE IS THE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE AND I WOULD HOPE TO TAKE THAT AWAY.

I HOPE OUR OTHER COLLEAGUES MAKE MY DAY AND VOTE FOR. IT BUT I'LL BELIEVE -- FOR IT, BUT I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT. HOPE IS ETERNAL.

JUDGE, YOU JUST NEED THESE NUMBER OF DAYS. WHETHER IT IS FRIDAY, SATURDAY -- I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE. SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.

I LIKE TO DO MY BIKE RIDE WITH THE CLEAN AIR GROUP AT 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY, BUT SUNDAY. REVEREND CAGLE CAN DO THE PRAYER OVER THE WEEKEND.

THAT'S JUST BASED ON MY GUT INSTINCT SO SOMEBODY CAN'T CRITICIZE -- WELL, THEY WILL STILL CRITICIZE THE PROCESS, BUT WE WOULD AT LEAST SAY WE TRIED TO ACCOMMODATE IS MY

SUGGESTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: EARLIER COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID NEXT TUESDAY IS A GOOD DAY. IF WE DID IT NEXT TUESDAY, WE COULD POTENTIALLY CIRCULATE ALL OF THOSE LETTERS ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE AND WE COULD WORK ON THAT.

I WOULD COMMIT THAT IF I GOT A LETTER ON A FRIDAY THAT BY MONDAY I COULD LET YOU KNOW WHAT MY OBJECTIONS WERE SO THAT YOU COULD CONSIDER MY OBJECTIONS, IF ANY, -- YOU KNOW, IF IT IS A TECHNICAL DOCUMENT AND ALL THAT IS GOING UP IS TECHNICAL STUFF, THEN WE MAY BE ALIGNED. IF THERE IS BEYOND THE TECHNICAL ISSUE THAT'S ARE THERE, THEN WE MAY NOT BE ALIGNED. SO I THINK NEXT TUESDAY, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS WITH US GETTING THE RESPECTIVE LETTERS ON FRIDAY SO WE CAN LOOK AT THEM, I THINK THAT'S A VERY WORKABLE THING, AND I WOULD APPRECIATE HAVING A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE LETTERS AND GIVE

MY INPUT INTO THEM PRIOR TO THE NEXT COURT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, ASK YOUR PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU AND GARCIA HAVE BEEN DOING THAT. DO WE HAVE THAT MOP -- THAT MUCH TIME OR SHOULD WE DO IT ON FRIDAY? ONLY BECAUSE I LINED THINGS UP ON WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AND I CAN I CANNOT DO IT THEN.

OF NEXT WEEK. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. IT WILL WORK BECAUSE IT IS DUE ON THE 9TH AND THAT IS THE 8TH. IF ANYTHING COMES UP, I WILL BRING IT UP BEFORE THE END OF COURT. I STILL HAVE A FEW THINGS TO

GET THROUGH. >> STEVE RADACK: YOU KNOW, THIS DATE HAS BEEN THE SAME DUE DATE FOR OVER A MONTH. IT IS NOT LIKE THERE WASN'T TIME TO DO IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL SEE HOW YOU VOTE NEXT WEEK, COMMISSIONER.

I'M HAPPY TO DO THIS FOR THE COMMISSIONER AND WE WILL HOLD THIS ONE AND WE'LL HOLD THEN

THE OTHER RELATED ITEMS I THINK PROPOSED BY HCTRA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND DO ASK YOUR TEAM. IF THEY SAY IT HAS TO BE DONE ON FRIDAY, YOU KNOW, I'M OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL, COMMISSIONER. I'LL LET YOU KNOW BEFORE

COURT -- BEFORE COURT IS OUT. >> JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, JAMES.

>> FOR NOW WE ARE JUST PUTTING A PIN IN THESE TWO ITEMS ? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE PUTTING A NO ACTION ON THE TWO ITEMS AND IF ANYTHING CHANGES I WILL LET YOU KNOW.

>> THE TWO ITEMS WHICH IS SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 6 AND TOLL ROAD ITEM -- I'M SORRY.

3C. LEARN

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. TOLL ROAD ITEM C. >> THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND YOUR HONOR, I HATE TO BRING THIS BACK, BUT I HAD NEGLECTED TO

[I. Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

>> STEVE RADACK: WHAT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: PAGE 9 AND ITEM 8D.

[02:35:03]

TAKE A VOTE ON THAT RIGHT NOW? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA DO YOU WANT TO MOVE IT OR DO YOU WANT ME TO MOVE IT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'LL MOVE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. THAT'S THE IMMIGRANT SERVICES

FUNDING PROGRAM. ALL IN FAVOR? >> PROUD I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: I'M NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M AN I SO THAT IS EYE C UNDER -- THAT IS 8C UNDER COMMUNITY SERVICES.

IT PASSES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, BACK TO YOU ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

[II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 2 of 3)]

FOR DISTRICT B. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANTED THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THE ELECTION THAT WE HAVE WAITED FOR FOR SO LONG.

IF SHE IS AVAILABLE. >> US SAW -- ISABEL LONGORIA HAS BEEN UNMUTED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR THE JOG YOU -- THE JOB YOU ARE DOING.

I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO GO TO ANY OF THE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, BUT I KNOW FOLKS OUT THERE HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED. THEY HAVE WAITED SO LONG.

SO I JUST WANT SOME UPDATE. ANY RESOURCES YOU NEED, OR ANYTHING WE SHOULD BE DOING TO

MAKE SURE THIS -- THAT IS A SMOOTH PROCESS. >> THANK YOU FOR THE INVITE TODAY. I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF MY TEAM TO COME OFF A HISTORIC NOVEMBER ELECTION AND TRYING TO WRAP OUR HEADS AROUND WHAT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION WAS WORKING ON AND THEN TO GO IMMEDIATELY INTO THIS DECEMBER RUNOFF, NOT JUST FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, BUT OUR OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS. WE SET UP 14 LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTY. THREE ARE DRIVE-THRU VOTING. OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS WE HAD 499 PEOPLE VOTE IN PERSON. THERE WAS 92 OF THOSE FOLKS VOTING TODAY.

THAT'S 499 PLUS 92 TODAY. WE ARE HUMMING ALONG. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES AT ANY OF OUR LOCATIONS. WE ARE THANKFUL TO THE JUDGES COMING TOGETHER WITH THE CLERKS EVEN OVER A PAUSE OF THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. WE MAINTAINED OUR INTEGRITY IN PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES. AND WE ALSO SENT OUT ABOUT 12,000 PLUS MAIL BALLOTS.

TODAY WE ARE PROCESSING 1,300 ABOUT FROM FOLKS WHO ARE ALREADY RETURNING.

THEY GOT THEM OVER THANKSGIVING AND THEY ARE SENDING THEM BACK.

THAT'S JUST THE EFFORTS OF OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND PEOPLE ARE VOTING AND NOW THERE IS A TRICKLE DOWN FROM THE LOCAL ELECTIONS AND WE COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION

YOU WOULD LIKE SPECIFICALLY? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ANYTHING YOU NEED FROM US? ANYTHING YOU NEED FROM US SO YOU CAN FEEL SATISFIED WITH -- I KNOW THIS IS A CONTRACT ARRANGEMENT WHERE THE CITY DECIDES HOW MUCH THEY WILL PAY, RIGHT? IT IS NOT JUST UP TO US TO DECIDE HOW MANY POLLING LOCATIONS THEY WANT IF THIS IS

NEGOTIATED WITH THE VENDOR IN THIS CASE. >> CORRECT.

WE ARE THE VENDOR, AND EACH OF THOSE ENTITIES WILL REIMBURSE US FOR THE ELECTION AND WE DISCUSS THAT WITH THEM AHEAD OF TIME. BASICALLY IT IS THE DIFFERENT THINGS THEY WANT AND THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND THE HOURS AND THE DAYS AND ALL OF THAT GOOD STUFF. THEY HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT. RIGHT NOW WE ARE SET ON THE ELECTION AS A DECEMBER RUNOFF. THAT IS BEING REIMBURSED AND I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER ITEMS CONSIDERING THE ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS SO WE CAN PAY OUR

FOLKS FOR BEING HERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GREAT JOB. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD X

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

MS. LONGORIA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STEP INTO A HISTORICAL POINT IN HARRIS COUNTY HISTORY. WE HAVE NOW JOINED THE GREAT MAJORITY OF TEXAS WITH AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR POSITION. I MENTIONED TO SOME MEDIA ABOUT YOUR ROLE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD OF WHAT CHRIS HOLLINS D IT -- D IT WAS HISTORICAL AND GROUND-BREAKING INITIATIVES LIKE 24-HOUR VOTING, DRIVE-THRU VOTING AND DONE ALMOST ENTIRELY WITHOUT ANY EFFORT.

JUST INCREDIBLE. THE DAY I VISITED WITH YOU AT NRG IT WAS COLD AND RAINING, BUT THE STAFF WAS FOCUS ETD -- FOCUSED AND YOU HIRED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FOLKS FOR

[02:40:01]

AND AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY POSITION IS CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING THAT THE LATINO COMMUNITY NEEDS ENGAGEMENT. THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE TO THEM. AND THAT IS AN ON GOING DAY-TO-DAY PROCESS THAT IT GETS THE FULL ATTENTION OF OUR ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE. I KNOW YOU WILL GET THAT ATTENTION.

AND YOU CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT RESOURCES. WE ARE HERE TO HEAR YOUR REQUEST OF THE BUDGET HEARINGS. BE THOUGHT -- BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE THINGS YOU NEED SO YOU CAN BUILD AN ORGANIZATION THAT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE

HISTORY GOING FORWARD. >> THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

WE ARE HOSTING THE DECEMBER ELECTIONS. WE ARE WINDING DOWN THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. WE ARE PLANNING FOR A TRANSITION AND WE WILL BE BUDGETING FOR 2021. WE WILL BE MEETING WITH TEAMS THIS WEEK JUST TO DO THAT.

IT IS NOT ABOUT INVESTING IN THE BEAR MINIMUM, BUT INVESTING IN WHAT A

CALENDAR -- A CALIBER OF THIS DESERVES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY.

AND ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS ACROSS TEXAS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO ENGAGING YOU.

THEY ALL WATCHED THE ELECTION FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTIES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND MAKING SOME OF THE INTRODUCTION.

>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MEETING WITH THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS. WE WERE WORKING WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

WE ARE ALL SYSTEMS GO HERE. WE ARE READY TO PROVIDE THE -- WITH WHAT THEY EXPECT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT ON MY MIND, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. MS. LONGORIA, NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN THIS JOB.

LOOK, I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO GAVE ME THE CONFIDENCE TO GET IN THIS FIGHT AND CREATE THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION.

IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT WE MOVED AWAY OF THE JIM CROWE ERA OF DIVIDING THOSE TWO FUNCTIONS.

DESPITE SOME OF THE CONTROVERSY GOING ON AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS WELL WORTH IT. I AM REMINDED BY COMMENTS TO THANK YOU.

NOT JUST MR. HOLLINS, BUT CHRIS ALWAYS POINTED OUT HE HAD A LOT OF HELP FROM THREE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO PUT THE RESOURCES OVER THERE.

YOU WERE ALL A GOOD TEAM. YOU WERE A PART OF IT. AT THE NEXT COURT, MY STAFF SENT ME A NOTE, BUT I DIDN'T DO. IT BUT A FEW NAMES I WILL CALL OUT AND I WILL DO IT OR PASS IT ON TO YOU, JUDGE, BUT THEY WILL BE DOING OTHER THINGS, SOME OF THEM, IN THE FUTURE. BUT HECTOR DELAYON, TAMATI, JENNIFER BALLOT, MICHAEL NGUYEN, TANEISHA, RACHEL HOPE, OBA-CAZUA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AS WELL IS YOU DID A HECK OF A JOB. WE APPRECIATE IT AND IT WILL BE A NICE LITTLE KEEPSAKE, HOPEFULLY WITH ALL OF OUR NAMES ON IT THAT YOU CAN PUT ON THE WALL SOMEWHERE.

IF YOU GET MAD AT US YOU CAN THROW DARTS AT US. THE NEXT CHALLENGE WILL BE TO BEAT TRAVIS COUNTY WITH THEIR SYSTEM. I THINK IT IS LIKE 98% OF THE PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE. OUR NUMBERS WERE SUCH AN EMBARRASSMENT.

AND OBVIOUS -- AND OBVIOUSLY SOME BENEFITED FROM THE OLD SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE ARE IN THE FUTURE THOUGH. YOU ARE LIVING IN THE FUTURE. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD COME THIS QUICK. SO WHEN THIS NEXT PSYCH -- CYCLE IS OVER AND WHERE YOU CAN PUT YOUR MARK IS IN THE REGISTRATION PROCESS. AND IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO VOTE FOR ORGANS -- OR AGAINST, EITHER ONE OF US CAN SIT HERE AND THEY CAN -- IT SHOULD BE EASY. SOMEBODY MADE A COMMENT AT ONE OF THESE MEETINGS THAT IT WAS -- I READ SOMEWHERE IT WAS EASIER TO VOTE IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE MONEY WE

[02:45:02]

SO I WANT TO BE EASIER AND SAFER TO REGISTER THAN GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE.

THAT IS YOUR CHALLENGE. AND THEN YOU GET ANOTHER RESOLUTION.

>> MESSAGE RECEIVED. VOTER REGISTRATION WILL BE AN INFORMED PROCESS.

AND I WANT TO THANK THEM. THEY DID A LOT OF WORK AND THEY CONTINUE TO WITH THE TRANSITION AND WE WANT TO CARRY THAT FORWARD. THE NEXT STAKE IS IN THE

GROUND TO BE THE BEST IN TEXAS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAD A FINANCIAL QUESTION.

IS THERE GOING TO BE AN EXCESS COST WITH THE -- THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS PAYING WE WILL

NEED TO BE AWARE OF? >> THE WAY IT IS PORTIONED OUT IS WE ESSENTIALLY TALLY UP ALL OF THE COSTS FOR THIS ELECTION AND THEN PROPORTIONATELY BASED ON EACH VOTER AND IN EACH JURISDICTION. THAT'S WHAT EACH JURISDICTION WILL PAY.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS SOMETHING LIKE 80% OF THE REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE RUN -- RUNOFFS.

AND THEY WILL PAY 80% OF THE TOTAL. IT SHOULD NET OUT TO ZERO FOR

US. >> THANK YOU. LEAN

>> LINA HIDALGO: MS. LONGORIA, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. I ECHO THE QUESTION TO MAKE

SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED? >> I WANT TO BE STUDIOUS WITH OUR RESOURCES SO WE ARE GOOD FOR DECEMBER RIGHT NOW. THANKFUL FOR THE RESOURCES YOU ALL INVESTED IN THIS YEAR. WE ARE LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER -- SORRY.

TO 2021 IN OUR BUDGETING PROCESS. WE WILL BE MAKING THE ASKS

THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND TO JOSH STUKEY FOR THE SUPPORT AND I KNOW EVERYONE IS WORKING TOGETHER SO I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S WORK ON THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S KEEP GOING DOWN THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.

NEXT IS ITEM 8, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE -- YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW WITH ALL THAT IS GOING ON AND IN THE SPIRIT OF SUPPORTING OUR ECONOMY AND ALSO PROTECTING THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE -- IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PANDEMIC WITH THE PANDEMIC IMPACTING THEIR ABILITY TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS, I THINK THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WILL HELP US DO SOME IMPORTANT WORK WITH THE COUNTY. TECH SALES HAVE NOT STARTED, BUT ONE IS PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 1ST. THEY GIVE THE POWER TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ONLINE SALES. WE JUST HAVE BEEN -- WE HAVEN'T ADOPTED IT. COMMISSIONER'S COURT FIRST NEEDS TO ADOPT RULES FOR THE AUCTIONS THAT OCCUR AND A VENDOR MUST BE FOUND TO PROVIDE THE PLATFORM TO CONDUCT THE SALES. ELIZABETH DOSS HAD INTENDED TO ASK COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THE RULES IN JANUARY. THERE IS A RIT OF EXECUTION SALES ON PERM PROPERTY. IT IS TO SATISFY A JUDGMENT. THOSE CANNOT BEACON DUCTED ONLINE -- BE CONDUCTED ONLINE. THEY ARE WORKING ON LEGISLATION TO CLEAN THIS UP SO THE RIT OF EXECUTION CAN BE MERGED.

WITH THAT, JUDGE I MOVE TO REQUEST THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DEVELOP RULES FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL GOVERNING ONLINE AUCTIONS OF REAL PROBLEM AND TEXAS TAX CODE 30.01 AND SUBSECTION A-1 AND TO REQUEST THE PURCHASING AGENT TO REQUEST PROPOSE -- PROPOSAL TO PROCURE A VENDOR TO CONDUCT ONLINE SALES. THAT'S THE MOTION, JUDGE.

THIS WILL ALLOW HARRIS COUNTY TO MOVE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS -- I GUESS OR COUNTIES OF WHO ELSE DOES IT

[02:50:01]

GET SOME SENSE OF. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU PARENTALLY THERE IS -- APPARENTLY THERE IS ONE OTHER COUNTY. I'M SURE THERE IS MORE, BUT MY STAFF ONLY FOUND ONE OTHER. IT IS IN PAPER WHERE FEW PEOPLE EVER HAVE GONE TO.

IT IS NOT IN THESE DAYS, BUT IN PAST YEARS. OBVIOUSLY THE PRODIGAL READER SHIP IN TERMS OF PAPER AND PEOPLE GO ONLINE TO GET THE INFORMATION AND THIS WILL PUT

US ON PAR. >> I'M ALL RIGHT WITH IT. WHEN IT COMES BACK I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GIVES US SOME EQUITY ANALYSIS.

I KNOW WHEN I LOOK AT WHO HAS DELINQUENT TAXES, PRECINCT 1 HAS 14,418 ACCOUNTS.

PRECINCT 2, 11,728. THESE ARE PROPERTY TAXES PRECINCT 3, 4,599.

IT IS LIKE PULLING TEETH TO GET THOSE NUMBERS. IT IS NOT TRANSPARENT.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW YOU DO AS WELL.

WHATEVER COUNTY THAT DOES. IT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- THAT DOES IT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS TRANSPARENT. TO BE HONEST, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT EASY.

PARTICULARLY WHEN I THINK OF A PANDEMIC GOING ON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AN IMPORTANT POINT IN THIS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IS THIS WILL NOT INCLUDE THOSE PROPERTIES THAT ARE STILL INHABITED AND STILL GOING THROUGH PROCEEDINGS. THAT'S NOT THE INTENT.

THESE ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE COUNTY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SOMEBODY TOLD ME -- WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT SALE? IT IS LIKE THE INSIDE OF A

BALL AND YOU HAVE A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE TO GRAB THEM. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- YEAH? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH COUNTY DOES IT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? IS IT A BIG ONE OR A LITTLE ONE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BLAN -- BLANCO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK GALVESTON HAS DONE SOME ONLINE. I SEEM TO RECALL A DISCUSSION

IN HGAC ON THAT BEFORE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DID WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION JUST TO SORT OF MEMORIALIZE WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS JUST SAYING.

WE APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT ONLINE PROPERTY TAX PROPOSAL SALES WITH THE LIMITATION THAT ONLY VACANT LOTS AND NONRESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES MAY BE LISTED WHILE THE COVID-19

PANDEMIC IS ON GOING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL ACCEPT THAT AS A FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MINE IS TO MAKE SURE THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT DOES AN EQUITY ANALYSIS. I WANT TO SEE WHO IS BEING

IMPACTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. I SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES? >> NO, MA'AM.

CAN YOU REPEAT THE ENTIRE MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DEVELOP RULES FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL GOVERNING ONLINE AUCTIONS OF REAL PROPERTY AUTHORIZED BY TEXAS TAX CODE SECTION 34.01A-1 AND REQUEST THE PURCHASING AGENT PUBLISH REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO PROCURE A VENDOR TO CONDUCT ONLINE SALES. THAT AN EQUITY ANALYSIS BE DONE ON THIS AND THAT THERE BE A LIMITATION THAT ONLY VIA CAN'T -- VACANT LOTS AND NONRESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES MAY BE LISTED FOR ONLINE TAX BILLS WHILE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS

ON GOING. DOES THAT SOUND ALL RIGHT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

ALL IN -- >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RADACK? YOU'RE MUTED. >> STEVE RADACK: I VOTE I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M I. SO THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ITEM -- SUPPLEMENTAL 9 IS YOURS. YOU'RE MUTED, COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU GOT THIS FIGURED OUT. JUDGE, THANK YOU. ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WITH THE DEPARTURE OF THE CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR ENTIRE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. WHEN I CAME IN AS COMMISSIONER I CAME IN RECOGNIZING THAT THE EAST END HOSPITAL HAD BEEN ONCE AGAIN DEVASTATED BY FLOODING IN THE AREA.

[02:55:02]

HCA GOT OUT OF THE AGREEMENT AND THEN DEMOLISHED. AND IN VISITING WITH DR. MASSEY, THE -- AND UNDERSTANDING THE ENORMOUS COST IN BUILDING A NEW HOSPITAL AND THEN HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH DR. PORSCHE -- DR. PORSA'S.

-- AND DR. PORSAA'S THOUGHT WHAT IS THE HEALTH SYSTEM AND THAT IS TO PREVENT PEOPLE HAVING FROM END UP IN HOSPITAL BEDS IN IN HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITALS.

WHEN HE MADE THAT POINT TO ME, I ASKED THE QUESTION, WELL IF YOU DON'T OWN THE PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECT OF THAT, HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THAT PROCESS OR THAT MISSION OR THAT STRATEGY TO EX SH DASH TO EXTEND PUBLIC HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT PEOPLE GET GREATER ACCESS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVELS AND THE RESIDENTS AND POTENTIALLY IF THEIR HOMES? AND IT RESOLVES THE NEED TO HAVE BEDS IN A BED DEPENDENT SYSTEM TO BETTER SERVE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. AND HIS POINT WAS -- HIS REMARKS WERE THAT'S A GOOD POINT AND IT REMINDED ME OF A CONVERSATION I HAD AND SHE IS LOOKING AT MERNLING THE CITY'S PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO GO INTO THAT. IT MADE ME THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK AT OUR OWN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BEFORE WE THINK ABOUT MERGING WITH ANYONE ELSE.

I KNOW THERE IS A U OF H STUDY BEING DONE ON THE HEALTH CARE -- ON THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

I THINK IT IS ALSO LOOKING AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

I WOULD ASK, AND I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A ROLE IN THAT, BUT I WOULD ASK THAT WE ENCOURAGE THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON TO LOOK AT THE MERGING OF THE HARRIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF WE CAN'T FIND A MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND MORE STRATEGIC AND MORE RESULT ORIENTED WAY TO CREATE A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE UNDER SERVED AREAS. SO MY MOTION WOULD BE IN HOPES OF, NUMBER ONE, ENCOURAGING THAT WE SUPPORT AND LOOK AT WHAT OUR HEALTH -- OUR OVERALL HEALTH SYSTEM NEEDS TO BETTER SERVE THE UNDER SERVED AREAS LIKE PRECINCT 2 WHERE I HAVE THE MOST PEOPLE WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE. I HAVE THE MOST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE. I HAVE THE MOST DIAGNOSED CASES OF ASTHMATIC CASES.

I HAVE THE LOWEST MEDIAN INCOME AREA. AND SO HOW DO WE -- AND WE KNOW THAT WITH 63% LATINO COMMUNITY THAT THERE ARE SOME CULTURAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT COME WITH THAT. HOW DO WE BETTER SERVE THAT AREA AND AS YOU KNOW WELL, JUDGE, WITH THE ITC FIRE AND NO PUN INTENDED, BUT IT IGNITED A CONVERSATION OF WHAT CONDITIONS ALREADY EXIST IN THE AREA THAT THE ITC FIRE AGITATED.

AND THERE IS SO MUCH TO GLEAN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY NOW THAT WE HAVE -- NOW THAT WE ARE DECIDING WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE OR THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

PART OF MY MOTION WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THAT WE GIVE THAT DEPARTMENT SOME LEADERSHIP, SOMEONE LIKE JOSH STUKEY TO HOLD THE REINS, BUT ALSO SCRUB THAT ORGANIZATION DOWN TO SEE

[03:00:12]

WE COULD ENTERTAIN A SEPARATE MOTION IN TERMS OF WHAT THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS ARE FOR -- YOU KNOW, AS I SUGGESTED JOSH STUKEY AND OTHER THINGS THAT OUR DEPARTMENT'S

SITUATIONAL -- THIS WOULD BE MY INITIAL MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DID YOUR

OFFICE SEND THAT AROUND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SENDING IT NOW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER I WANTED TO ASK. I KNOW PFM WAS LOOKING AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT I THINK, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE PFM HAS A ROLE IN NOT ONLY LOOKING AT

WHAT HAPPENS IN TEXAS, BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SUPPORT

THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT A CONCERN IS SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE ONE ENTITY IN CHARGE OF DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE, AND I GUESS THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE CITY'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SOME EXTENT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PREVENTION AND I GUESS IT IS THE AGE OLD QUESTION IF ONE OF US -- AN ADDITIONAL ONE OF US GETS COVID WHEN YOU HAVE IT YOU WORE -- WORRY ABOUT TREATMENT. AND IF ONE ENTITY KEEPS YOU FROM GETTING IT, ONCE YOU GET IT YOU FORGET THE PREVENTION SIDE SO YOU HAVE THAT STRUGGLE.

I WANT TO LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO LOOK.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO BOTH. AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN HARRIS HEALTH WAS CREATED BY THE STATE. I KNOW WE PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE IN OTHER COUNTIES ALTHOUGH THE TAXPAYERS IN HARRIS COUNTY PAY FOR IT AND YOU HAVE THAT ISSUE AS WELL. AND I AM THINKING BACK TO -- I THINK I MAY HAVE SAID ONCE AT A MEETING THAT I RAN INTO FORMER MAYOR KATHY WHIT MEYER A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

IN HAWAII AND SHE SAYS PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO SET UP AN INDEPENDENT BOARD TO RUN THE AIRPORT. AND SHE ALWAYS RESISTED IT BECAUSE HER EXPERIENCE WAS ONCE YOU MUTT -- WHEN YOU PUT FOLKS ON THE BOARD AND WHEN YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM AGAIN IS WHEN THEY WANT TO BE REAPPOINTED. YOU HAVE THAT CONCERN AND IN SOMEWAYS SOME OF THE COUNTY FOLKS, WHEN I LOOKED AT THAT LIST ON SOME BOARDS THEY WOULD APPOINT PEOPLE. NOT THIS ONE, BUT THEY WOULD APPOINT PEOPLE WOULD WORK FOR THE COUNTY SO THEY HAD A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

AND IT ALSO BRINGS ME TO THE POINT AS PART OF YOUR MOTION, I WANT TO ADD PFM, AND I WANT TO ADD AN EXPECTATION OR A SENSE OF THE COURT THAT OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR OUGHT TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HARRIS HEALTH AND HARRIS CENTER DO BECAUSE MOST OF US, I HAVE GOTTEN A BRIEFING FROM PFM, AND THE WAY THIS WORKS IS THERE ARE 20 DIRECT REPORTS TO US FROM OTHER VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND ALL OF THESE OTHER ENTITIES AND WE PUT PEOPLE ON THE BOARD OF. WE DON'T THINK ABOUT THEM THAT OFTEN OR UNTIL A CRISIS POPS UP ON THE RADAR. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST MAKE SURE -- YOU KNOW, I KNOW SOME OF THE ENTITIES LIKE TO JUST DEAL WITH US, BUT THERE ARE FIVE OF US AND SO MANY HOURS IN THE

[03:05:03]

HARRIS HEALTH. AND FOR THAT MATTER AT HARRIS CENTER AS WELL.

JUST BECAUSE I WANT TO GET A SENSE OF THAT. I DON'T MIND STUDYING IT, BUT YOU HAVE BIG CHALLENGES EVEN ON MERGING THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.

I TALKED ABOUT IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW IT IS KIND OF NICE WHEN DR. SHAW HAS TO RE-- RESPOND TO, YOU KNOW, FIVE OR AT LEAST THREE OVER HERE AND AT THE CITY IT IS THE MAYOR.

IF WE HAVE TO SET UP A CONGLOMERATION OF A CITY-COUNTY BOARD.

HOW MANY OF THEM ARE OVER THERE NOW? 17? 17 OVER THERE AND THE FIVE OF US, YOU KNOW, KIND OF LIKE HOW THEY DO THE PORT.

WHO IS IN K -- WHO IS IN CHARGE? I DON'T MIND LOOKING AT IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. AND I WILL SUPPORT YOUR WANTING TO PUT -- MY STAFF IS

LISTENING AND THEY ARE SENDING OUT -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BUDGET SHOP TAKES A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OF BOTH.

I WANT TO EMPOWER -- MR. BERRY, I AM GIVING YOU MORE WORK TO DO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BUDGET MANAGEMENT IS INCLUDED IN THE MOTION AND YOU WILL SEE THAT.

WE WILL ADD PFM. I THINK MR. BERRY IS HEARING YOUR POINT ABOUT THE COST EFFECTIVENESS AND THE COST INVOLVED WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEMS. OBVIOUSLY THE WHOLE IDEA IS NOT -- WHETHER WE SAVE MONEY IS ONE THING, BUT IF WE CAN'T SAVE MONEY, THAT'S GOOD. ASSUMING THAT THE OUTCOME IN THAT IS ALSO A HEALTHIER

COMMUNITY. I SUSPECT THE STUDY WILL -- >> THE LAST COMMENT I WANT TO MAKE, I KNOW I WILL PUT AN ITEM UP. I THINK IT WAS -- MAYBE IT WAS FOR ONE OF US. BUT THE DISCUSSION CAME UP AND MAYBE IT WAS THE SHERIFF.

IT WAS ON THE ISSUE OF HARRIS HEALTH HANDLING HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. AND I WAS THINKING THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE JAILS, BY THE WAY, NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT AT LEAST SOME PEOPLE IN THE JAIL, IF THEY NEEDED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND THEY WEREN'T IN THE JAIL, THEY WOULD BE GOING TO THE HARRIS CENTER ANYWAY. SO I'M GOING TO PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT WEEK TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE -- IN TWO WEEKS. AND HAVE A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON REQUIRING THE HARRIS HEALTH TO PAY FOR THAT INSTEAD OF US DOING IT.

MANY OF THEM -- OF COURSE IF WE EVER EXPANDED OBAMACARE, MANY OF THEM HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AS COOK COUNTY DID, AND IT IS A WAY TO PAY FOR IT.

PUTTING THAT RESPONSIBILITY ON THEM. PEOPLE TEND TO BE A LOT MORE TRUE GAL -- FRUGAL WHEN THEY ARE PAYING FOR IT. I THINK THERE IS ROOM FOR US TO GET MORE BANG FOR THEIR -- FOR THE INVESTMENT WE MAKE IN HARRIS HEALTH.

THAT'S A SEPARATE ISSUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SENDING THIS FOR A STUDY. I THINK THAT'S FULLY ENCOMPASSED WITH WHENEVER WE HAVE DISCUSSION AND SENDING THINGS FOR A STUDY. I DO HAVE TWO OBJECTIONS TO INCORPORATING PFM ON THE STUDY. THE FIRST OF WHICH IS THIS GOES TO COMMENTS THAT MY COLLEAGUE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID A FEW TIMES BEFORE, I WILL BE AGAINST IT NO MATTER WHAT. BUT B, THERE IS A TECHNICAL OBJECTION TO ADDING PFM AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THAT TECHNICAL OBJECTION IS NOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A FISCAL NOTE. I DON'T THINK THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT FOR FREE. THERE WAS NO NOTICE THAT THERE WOULD BE AN EXPENDITURE IN THIS AGENDA ITEM. I WOULD OBJECT TO ADDING PFM IN.

I WILL NOT OBJECTION TO THE MOTION AND THE WAY IT WAS FORWARDED AROUND AND I JUST READ, BUT I OBJECT TO PFM, A, THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE THERE AND B THERE HAS BEEN NO INCLUSION THAT THERE IS A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE POSTING. AID

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? IF I MIGHT?

[03:10:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I HAVE TO JUMP IN THERE.

MY COMMENT IS -- AND I I WAS WAITING. I DO FEEL STRONGLY THAT PFM BE INCLUDED. WE ALL HAVE WHAT THEY ARE WRITTEN -- BUT I WILL LET

COMMISSIONER CAGLE FINISH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THAT'S MY OBJECTION.

I DON'T AB IF THEY ARE LOOKING AT -- I DON'T OBJECT IF THEY ARE LOOKING AT A REPORT THAT HAS BEEN DONE OR MADE. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

BUT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY FISCAL NOTE OR COST THAT WOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS, ESPECIALLY AS IT COMES TO PFM. IF THERE IS ALREADY A REPORT

AND THEY WANT TO LOOK AT THAT, I DON'T HAVE A ISSUE WITH THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT TO RESTRICT THE ROLE OF PFM. AND BY THE WAY, ANYTHING YOU LOOK AT COSTS MONEY.

IF YOU TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THIS SUBSTANTIVE, RESOURCES WILL BE SPENT TO DO IT.

UNLESS MR. SOARD EASY SAYS -- UNLESS MR. SOARD SAYS, I DON'T WANT TO JUST LOOK AT WHAT WAS

DONE, BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE THING I NOTICED, SO THEY SENT THIS AROUND LAST WEEK. THEIR INITIAL DRAFT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT. THE PRELIMINARY THOUGHT IS THAT THERE IS A FORMAL STRUCTURE TO ALIGN THE HEALTH AGENCY. IT IS AN UMBRELLA ENTITY.

THAT'S AN IDEA. IT IS A RELATED, BUT DIFFERENT IDEA.

THEY INCLUDE THE HARRIS CENTER. AND THEY POINT OUT THAT IN OTHER COUNTIES -- IN THESE LARGE COUNTIES THAT'S HOW THEY DO IT.

I'M NOT HUNG UP ON EXACTLY WHAT COMES OUT OF THIS OR MAYBE THAT'S THE REASON IT IS BEING EXPLORED. MY POINT IS THAT HARRIS HEALTH, FOR EXAMPLE, IS UNDERGOING A BIG REALIGNMENT OF THEIR GOALS. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY, EVERY MEMBER OF COURT HAS HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH THEM YET, BUT I SPOKE WITH THEM A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND WHEN THEY ASKED WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO GET OUT OF THE REALIGNMENT I SAID THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ENTITY IN THIS COUNTY THAT IS TRACKING AND COMMITTED AND TAKING IT UPON THEMSELVES TO BE THE KIPERS -- THE KEEPERS OF HEALTH IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND I WANT TO KNOW WHETHER HARRIS HEALTH CAN DO THAT OR IF NOT WHO? CERTAINLY PUBLIC HEALTH HAS PROBLEMS, BUT THEY ARE NOT SAYING, OKAY, THIS IS EXACTLY HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B ON, YOU KNOW, A NUMBER OF INDICATORS.

WHICH IS IT? IS IT PUBLIC HEALTH? IS IT HARRIS HEALTH? IS IT BOTH? THEY WERE KIND OF EYES GLAZED OVER.

I TRIED MAKING MY POINT IN MANY WAYS. I AM CONCERNED THAT WE HAVE GOT ENORMOUS CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE ARE PEDALING VERY HARD, BUT IT IS WORKING HARD INSTEAD OF SMART. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHETHER IT IS AN UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION OR A MERGER OR WHETHER IT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION AND SOME OTHER ADDITION THAT WE DO THAT, AND I THINK THAT PFM BECAUSE OF THE RESEARCH THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE WOULD BE A VALUABLE EDITION TO THE DISCUSSION.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, AND I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR ROBERT, IF THIS AUTHORIZES EXPENSES OR WHETHER ANY ADDITIONAL FM EXPENSES IF NECESSARY WOULD COME BACK TO COURT. I WOULD JUST SAY TO INCLUDE -- TWO EDITS.

ONE TO INCLUDE PFM IN COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION. AND I WOULD NOTE DETERMINE METHODS THAT IMPROVE COOPERATION BETWEEN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND HOSPITAL DISTRICTS. I WOULD ADD RELATED DEPARTMENTS.

THEY MENTION THE HARRIS CENTER. I WOULD BE CURIOUS WHERE ALL IN THIS THE MACHINE -- THE MENTAL HEALTH WOULD FIT IN AND I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THEM OUT

OF THE QUESTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

GOOD POINT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE I WANT TO MAKE SURE, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AND ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED THAT A LOT OF THE WORK PFM WAS DOING AND I THINK THE PHRASE WAS MISPLACED EXCELS -- EXCEPTIONALISM. THEY FOUND MANY DEPARTMENTS THEY LOOK AT PEOPLE OUT OF THE BLUE SAY IT IS A MODEL FOR THE NATION AND HAVE NO METRICS.

[03:15:06]

OUR REFUSAL TO INVEST IN IT HAS BEEN AN INTERNATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: FORGET THE INVESTMENT. WE HAVE TAKEN MONEY AWAY FROM

IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE VOTES OF OTHER FOLKS. THERE IS NO PROBLEM. IF WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, DO IT. WE ALREADY PAID FOR NOT DOING IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT IS THIS -- OH YEAH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WAS GOING TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION. IF WE HAVE -- IF THE ITEM IS POSTED WITH ENOUGH AUTHORITY

TO ADD A FISCAL NOTE IF NECESSARY. >> IN MY VIEW IT IS NOT.

YOU CAN CERTAINLY INVITE PFM, BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO ADD MONEY TO THE CONTRACT OR HAVE THEM DO WORK THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY CONTRACTED FOR, YOU NEED TO POST IT FOR NEXT

COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO DO THAT, JUDGE.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE STILL ENGAGED AND I THINK WE CAN STILL GET SOME WITH THEM ON

THIS ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE SAID THE NEXT COURT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TWO WEEKS. IF YOU CAN GET IT TOGETHER FOR

WHEN WE MEET AGAIN ON FRIDAY, MONDAY OR TUESDAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DID WANT TO MAKE THIS POINT THOUGH, JUDGE. I HAVE BEEN CONNECTED TO THE CHALLENGES WITH ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL AND I CREATED THE HEALTHY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS BECAUSE SO MANY OF OUR -- LIKE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, SO MANY OF OUR VARIOUS HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, BACK THEN IT WAS THE CITY CLINIC AND THE COUNTY CLINIC IN THE CITY AND WHAT WAS BEING DONE ON SCHOOLS AND OTHER ENTITIES WORKING IN THE COMMUNITIES.

SOME FOCUS ON DIABETES. SOME FOCUS ON HEART HEALTH AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

NOBODY WAS TALKING TO EACH OTHER. EVERYBODY WAS COMPETING FOR THE SAME GRANTS. ALL THAT BEING SAID, JUDGE, IN THIS YEAR NO ONE -- OBVIOUSLY THE RESPECTFUL EXCEPTION OF THOSE ON THE FRONT LINES, BUT ON THIS COURT NO ONE HAS BEEN -- MAYBE I WILL SAY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE OF COMMISSIONER CAGLE WHO ACTUALLY TOOK ILL BECAUSE OF THIS PANDEMIC, BUT NO ONE BESIDES YOU HAS BEEN ON THE TRUE FRONT LINE OF THIS PANDEMIC AND UNDERSTANDING WHERE THE SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS GOOD AS IT CAN. I WILL -- I WANT THIS TO WORK FOR ALL OF US, BUT YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS TO WHERE WE CAN GO AND WHERE WE CAN GET TO AND WHAT WE NEED TO ACHIEVE, LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS ELUDING TO, COMES WITH THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU WILL BE BRINGING TO THE TABLE AS WE STUDY AND DISCUSS THIS. I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD X, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST GOT THE UPDATE. GIVE IT ONE MORE SHOT. I MOVE THAT THE COUNTY ANALYST IN COOPERATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUDGET MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, HARRIS HEALTH, PFM AND PFM SURVEY OF TEXAS COUNTIES TO DETERMINE METHODS TO IMPROVE COOPERATION BETWEEN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, HOSPITAL DISTRICTS AND RELATED AGENCIES AND LEGAL METHODS TO MERGE SEPARATE PARTNERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU NEED TO SPELL OUT HARRIS CENTER? THE JUDGE MADE REFERENCE TO

THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE ROSE COUNTY DEPARTMENT.

I WILL JUST ADD RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS CLIING -- INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO

THE HARRIS CENTER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO YOU ARE TRYING TO GET HIP IN GENERAL,

ALL OF IT. JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE A POINT BY THE WAY AND I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE THAT THE CITY IS -- THE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET IS THREE TIMES THE BUDGET OF THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT

[03:20:08]

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LAID THAT OUT AS WELL. I WILL SECOND THE MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, FOR CLARIFICATION, BASED UPON THE COMMENT FROM ROBERT WITH REGARD TO PFM, I BELIEVE WITH THE AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE WHICH INCLUDES YOURS, THAT IF WE DROP PFM FOR TODAY, I CAN VOTE FOR THIS. AND THEN GARCIA, COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILL BRING IT BACK IN OUR NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ADD PFM WITH THE FISCAL NOTE IN OUR NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT. IS THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING? ARE YOU WANTING TO ADD PFM NOW?

I DON'T THINK THEY WILL DO ANYTHING FOR FREE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND JUDGE IF I MIGHT? PFM IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED WITH US, AND THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE SOME WORK ON THIS. IF YOU WOULD SUPPORT THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO INCLUDE THEM ON THIS MOTION AS THEY AREN -- AS THEY ARE ENGAGED WITH THE COUNTY THE NEXT MEETING IT WILL BE AN ITEM TO FURTHER AUTHORIZE US TO ENGAGE THEM AS NEEDED AND PAY THEM AS

NEEDED TO DO MORE WORK ON THIS SPECIFIC AREA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WOULD YOU

SAY THAT AGAIN PLEASE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN VOTE YES TODAY OR NO NEXT WEEK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OR NO TODAY AND THEY NEXT WEEK -- AND YES NEXT WEEK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: BECAUSE THERE IS -- YOU SAID YOU DON'T WANT TO AUTHORIZE ANY FUNDING POUR P -- FOR PFM, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. WHAT I TRIED TO DO IS SAY NOTHING FUNDING IS BEING AUTHORIZED TODAY. WE ARE SIMPLY INVOLVING THEM IN THE DISCUSSION AS THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. AT SOME POINT THEY WILL SAY WE WON'T DO ANYTHING ELSE WITHOUT FUNDING, THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILL BRING THAT BACK TO US. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU WILL VOTE NO ON THAT, BUT WE WOULD LIKE YOUR VOTE ON TODAY'S VOTE WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASKS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF THEY ARE ALREADY ENGAGED WITH THESE OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND I'M CERTAIN THAT THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE GOING TO LISTEN TO THIS SEG -- SEGMENT OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT, I DON'T THINK THERE IS A NEED TO MENTION THEM IN THIS MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THEY ARE INCLUDED.

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE WHERE I AM EASY. MY POINT IS JUST THAT THEY CLEARLY HAVE SOME VERY THOROUGH ANALYSIS AND THOUGHTS AND I WOULD LIKE THEM

INVOLVED. I AM OKAY TAKING THAT OFF. >> R. JACK CAGLE: TAKE THOSE

THREE LETTERS OUT AND THEN I WILL VOTE FOR IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT, THEN I WILL ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE OUR COLLEAGUES ON BOARD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR. YOU PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA. AS LONG AS THEY ARE IN THERE. NOTHING WILL BE DONE BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT MEETING. IF IT WILL LET HIM -- LET US GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE, THEN

I'M FINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NOW, I THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, TALKED ABOUT HOW THIS IS A GOOD THING WHEN WE STAY HERE LATE AND SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER. YOU ARE STARTING TO SOUND LIKE COMMISSIONER RADACK NOW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WATCH THAT DEMENTIA. IT SLIPS UP ON YOU,

COMMISSIONER. >> JUDGE? LEAN LAP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> CAN THE FINAL MOTION BE READ?

AID YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. I MOVE THAT THE COUNTY ANALYST WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUDGET MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE HARRIS CENTER, HARRIS HEALTH AND PFM -- I'M SORRY. HARRIS HEALTH CONDUCT A SURVEY OF TEXAS COUNTIES TO DETERMINE METHODS THAT IMPROVE COOPERATION BETWEEN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, HOSPITAL DISTRICTS AND RELATED AGENCIES AND LEGAL METHODS TO MERGE SAID DEPARTMENTS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: AM IN FAVOR AS WELL SO THE MOTION CARRIES

[03:25:01]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. >> I'M HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I KNOW WE HAVE -- JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CLARITY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THIS CAME UP LAST TIME AND I ASKED TO HOLD IT UNTIL THE NEW COUNTY ATTORNEY CAME IN.

AND NOW IT IS GOING OVER TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT. ROBERT, IS THIS FROM MY

PREVIOUS HOLDING OF THE ITEM? HAS THIS CHANGED? >> CERTAINLY YOU ARE ALLOWED TO HOLD IT AGAIN, COMMISSIONER. FORGIVE ME.

I PLAIN FORGOT YOU HELD IT LAST TIME. I WILL COMMUNICATE TO THIS COURT THAT OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE TRANSITION TEAM FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I DON'T THINK I AM REVEALING TOO MUCH TO SIMPLY SAY THAT THE INCOMING COUNTY ATTORNEY SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF HAVING BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND DOING AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE

WHOLE ISSUE. >> COMMISSIONER BARRY, WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS ITEM?

>> I DON'T HAVE AN OPINION ON WHAT THE RIGHT ANSWER IS YET. I AM HAPPY TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE AND SOMAL 10 -- AND SOME ALTERNATIVES. IT COULD BE IN HOUSE, OR IT COULD CREATE SOME COMPETITIVENESS. THAT'S THE WAY WE TACKLE IT

WITH ALL OF THE OPTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. >> AND I WOULD SAD THAT MY

TEAM AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS INCLUDED -- I AM INCLINED TO HOLD IT BECAUSE I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE INCOMING COUNTY ATTORNEY WHO HAS POTENTIALLY LIVED WITH THIS DECISION TO BE AT THE TABLE AND RESPECTFULLY NOT THROUGH ANOTHER ENTITY AND ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL, BUT TO HEAR HIS THOUGHTS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS YOU CONSTRUCT THE RFP OR THE RFQ FOR THIS, THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT IT IS TODAY. I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT I'M NOT NECESSARILY A FAN OF WHERE GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE ALLOWED THEMSELVES TO GET TO, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN WE HAVE A COMPLICATED SYSTEM. I AM NOT SURE IF HARRIS COUNTY COLLECTS TAXES FOR A BUNCH OF OTHER PEOPLE. IT INCLUDES THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, HISD, OTHER CITIES. I HAVE SEEN WHERE GOVERNMENTS LET GO OF THEIR VENDORS JUST TO COME BACK. IT WOULD BE A LOT OF HEARTBURN IF WE DO THAT AND THEN PASADENA PICKS UP THE CONTRACT AND THEN WE HAVE TO DO BUSINESS WITH PASADENA. WE ARE THE CON THE -- THE COUNTY AND WE OUGHT TO BE SETTING A MEAN -- A MEANINGFUL DIRECTION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FULL VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL OF SUCH A DECISION.

I HEARD OF SOME SUPER DUPER TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE THAT LINEBARGER USES.

HOW WOULD WE FUNCTION WITHOUT THAT? AND WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR US TO DEVELOP OUR OWN AND TO KNOW THAT THE SOFTWARE WAS DEVELOPED OVER DECADES OR WHETHER WE WOULD BECOME A VENDOR FOR THE SOFTWARE WHICH IS STILL PROBABLY A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY. THE EXPERTISE AND THE TITLE RESEARCH THAT I THINK IS CRITICAL IN THIS ROLE. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THE LITIGATION.

PEOPLE DO THIS TO THEIR TAXES ALL THE TIME AND JUST HOW BIG OF AN ADDITIONAL SET OF IN

[03:30:04]

PURSE STRINGS AND MAKE SURE WE DO IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO SAY THAT THIS ITEM DOES NOT MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER THE ITEM STAYS OUT -- OUTSIDE OR COMES INSIDE.

THIS SIMPLY SAYS LET THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT GO AND DO ESSENTIALLY AN INDEPENDENT AM SIS SEPARATE -- ANALYSIS SEPARATE FROM -- AS YOU MADE REFERENCE TO, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. I DO KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS IN SUPPORT OF IT, BUT IT WOULD STILL HAVE TO COME BACK TO US. I DO WANT TO COMMEND MR. SOARD FOR BEING A GOOD NEGOTIATOR. PRIOR TO I GUESS JUNE 30TH THE FEES WERE FOR THE PRIVATE

LAW FIRM -- ROB, WAS IT 20%? >> YES, 20%. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THEN YOU ADD THE COMPOUNDED INTEREST. IF YOU DON'T PAY BY JANUARY 15TH, DOES IT GET

UP TO 45% BY THE END OF THE YEAR? >> CORRECT.

THE DUE DATE IS JULY 1ST. THAT'S WHEN ALL OF THE PENALTIES KICK IN.

I THINK THE COUNTY DID A GOOD THING AND IT WAS AT THE END OF AN ADMINISTRATION.

IT WAS JUDGE INMAM'S ADMINISTRATION. THE COUNTY MADE THE DECISION AND IT WAS ON THE AGENDA I THINK TO RENEW THE CONTRACT FOR THE TOLL ROAD COLLECTION.

I KNOW THIS IS A PREDATORY PRACTICE. I MADE THAT CLEAR AND FOR THE 14,418 ACCOUNTS IN PRECINCT 1, 11,728 IN PRECINCT 2, 4900 IN 3 AND 5500 IN 4, I JUST DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO LOSE SIGHT WHATEVER DECISION IS MADE AND EVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO NEVER DREAMED THAT THEY WOULDN'T PAY THE TAXES ON THEIR HOME ON JANUARY 15TH. THEY WON'T HAVE IT ON JANUARY 15TH AND THEY WON'T HAVE IT ON JUNE 15TH AS WELL.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LAY THAT ON THE TABLE. AND WE KNOW THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THIS LAW FOR A REASON. SO A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY CANNOT COLLECT TAXES OWED TO THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY ON THE SAME TERMS. IT IS LIKE A PRIVATE PRISON.

THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT ON THE TABLE JUST AT -- AS WE OUGHT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING EVICTED AND WHO ARE RENTERS. THIS IS AN INSTANCE WHERE WE OUGHT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE LANDLORDS WHO OWN PROPERTY COULD COULDY VECT AND COULDN'T PAY TAXES -- COULDN'T PAY TAXES ON TIME. AND ON JUNE 15TH WITH -- IT WILL PICK UP.

WE WERE TOLD THE LAW SAID YOU HAD TO THROW IN THAT 20% PENALTY.

THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY BELIEVED. AND THROUGH THE DISCUSSION WE FIND OUT, NOPE, THE LAW SAYS, UP TO AND WE MOVED IT DOWN 15%.

[03:35:08]

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE CONSUMER BECAUSE IT IS VERY MUCH A PREDATOR PRACTICE THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO BECAUSE THEY ARE PAYING INTEREST BY ROLLING THE TAXPAYERS. ONLY IF YOU DON'T ROLL IT IN AND HAVE THE MONEY UP FRONT OR DO YOU REALIZE THE HEFTY PENALTY. I MOVE ADOPTION.

IT IS TO SUPPORT THE FEASIBILITY AND THE VIABILITY REVIEW AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY -- BY BMD OF COLLECTING THE TAXES INTERNATIONALLY.

AND THAT WILL COME BACK TO US TO DECIDE WHO IF ANYBODY THEY FIND.

I -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I ALSO HEARD THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD LIKE THIS ITEM TO BE PASSED. I AM IN KLEIN -- I AM INCLINED TO SUPPORT IT.

I THINK THIS WILL HELP. IT WILL BE A NEW SET OF EYES AND AN INDEPENDENT LOOK AT WHAT THIS IS IT WAS CLEAR THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE A POSITION AT ALL RIGHT NOW.

I THINK IT IS GOOD AND IF IT WORKS FOR THE INCOMING PERSON, I'M GOOD WITH IT.

YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS GOING TO SAY I APPRECIATED THE COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I APPRECIATED MOST OF THE COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, I WILL FOLLOW

YOUR LEAD ON THIS ONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL SECOND.

>> AND IT IS AS PRESENTED ON THE AGENDA, JUDGE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> STEVE RADACK: I'M VOTING I, BUT I WANT TO REMIND COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT YOU REFERRED TO MINE BARTER WHEN IT CAME TO TAX COLLECTIONS -- LINEBARTER WHEN IT CAME TO TAX COLLECTIONS AND YOU DESCRIBED THEM AS A SLEEZY LAW FIRM. MR. BERRY, AT LEAST YOU KNOW THE OPINION OF ONE OF THE

PEOPLE IN COURT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

COMMISSIONER RADACK, YOU WERE? >> STEVE RADACK: I VOTED I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THE COVID-19 ITEM IS THE CLERKS FOR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM. THE THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA IS REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT ON THE CLAIMS OF THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR WAS NOT PROPERLY ESTABLISHED AND I RECOMMEND WE TAKE THIS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH

ITEMS. >> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THEM. >> TAMARA BELL.

PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> HELLO, YES. THE SECRETARY WAS [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED WHEN THIS CAME ABOARD IN JULY. CITIZENS WERE TOLD AT THE DISCUSSION OF AN ELECTION THAT IT WOULD BE ON THE AGENDA. INSTEAD YOU ALL VOTED FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE OFFICE BEFORE THERE WAS EVEN ANY DISCUSSION.

THE ACTIONS NULLIFY THE VOTE OF THOUSANDS OF VOTERS. YOU ALL DECIDED YOU WOULD HIRE SOMEONE INSTEAD OF GOING WITH WHAT THE CITIZENS HAD VOTED FOR.

THE EXCUSE GIVEN THAT THIS IS TAKING AWAY JIM CROWE LAW, HOW THE HELL DO THEY LOOK LIKE JIM CROWE TO YOU? FULL TRANSPARENCY WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THIS COURT'S GOAL, YOU WILL TAKE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS AN EXTREMELY INTIMATE PUBLIC MATTER WHICH IS HOW WE VOTE AND HOW WE REGISTER TO VOTE. THIS, YOU SEE, IS NOT ABOUT JIM CROWE. THIS IS ABOUT CONTROL. I FEEL THE TWO PEOPLE THAT SOME OF YOU ALL SIT AROUND HAVE PUT UP AGAINST FOR HARRIS OR WANT TO BE ABLE TO RUN INSTEAD OF TANEISHA WOULD SEE THIS IS NOT HAPPENING. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF IT WAS TWO MALES IN THESE SEATS INSTEAD OF HISTORICALLY THE FIRST TWO

[03:40:04]

AND DON'T TELL ME OH THEY DO THIS IN THIS CITY AND THIS CITY.

THE LADY WHO IS THE ADMINISTRATOR IN DALLAS CHOSE NOT TO RUN WITH ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THEY HAD OVER THE YEARS. I STILL BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE. YOU ALL AROUND THAT HORSESHOE ARE THERE BY BOOK AND SOME BY CROOK, BUT IT IS THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE WHO GOT YOU THERE. WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE WHO THEY DESIRED TO HAVE IS NO LONGER WRIGHT -- RIGHT 1234* YOU TOOK THOUSANDS OF VOTES AND NULLIFIED IT TO FIVE PEOPLE? HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU ARE TRANSPARENT AND CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE. YOU DON'T GIVE A DAMN. IT IS ABOUT YOUR AGENDA.

THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR ANYBODY. LET ME EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO YOU.

IN 20 BETWEEN THEY TALKED ABOUT -- IN 2010 THEY TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT THEY SAY IT MAY LOOK GOOD ON SUNDAY, BUT MONDAY MY SHIFT IS OVER AND I AM NOT IN CONTROL.

THEN WHAT WILL IT DO? HAVING THE PEOPLE DECIDE IS THE BEST WAY.

THAT'S WHY YOU ARE ALL ELECTED. IT IS NOT APPOINTED. THE PEOPLE ARE A PART OF THE PROCESS. INSTEAD OF Y'ALL MAKING THEM FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEING PROSPECTS. THAT'S THE PROBLEM. GOOD DAY.

>> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU, MS. BELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

SO THERE HAS BEEN A REQUEST FOR A 30-MINUTE BREAK. LET'S TAKE 30 MINUTES AND A QUICK LUNCH AND THEN WE CAN FINISH OFF HERE. IT IS 2:05 AND

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT IS 2:37 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

SO WE WERE MOVING ON TO PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE ARE TWO HEAR -- TWO ITEMS

[III. Public Hearings]

I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REVISION TO THE SUBDIVISION PLAT FOR THE TERRY G WHITE ADDITION REPLAT NUMBER. IS THERE ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THIS ITEM? FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS

ITEM? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT ITEM ARE YOU ON, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS -- IT IS THE FIRST ITEM UNDER PUBLIC HEARINGS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS THE PLAT. DO YOU WANT TO MOVE IT,

COMMISSIONER? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES NONE MUSSILY. I NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REVISION TO THE SUBDIVISION PLATS TITLED PARISH LAKE ESTATES REPLAT NUMBER 1 AND PARTIAL REPLAT NUMBER 2.

THAT IS ITEM 2 UNDER PUBLIC HEARING. ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS?

THERE IS A MOTION? THERE -- IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO WE CLOSED THAT PUBLIC HEARING.

AND NOW WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. THE FIRST ITEM IS TO REAPPOINT

[IV. Executive Session (Part 1 of 3)]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED A MOTION? RENNE

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL TAKE IT WITH THE SECOND OF THE AGENDA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE THIRD ITEM IS TO REAPPOINT -- LINDALL-MURFF TO THE HARRIS GALVESTON SUB SAW DENSE DISTRICT AND MELINDA SALAZAR AS AN INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE. AND AUGUST CAMPBELL AS A

MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE? JACK EXPRAK

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? I WANT TO GIVE US OUR THANKS.

ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS ROTATING OFF THIS BOARD IS LYNN SMITH.

SHE HAS DONE A FABULOUS JOB ON THIS BOARD, AND SHE HAS DONE A LOT OF GOOD WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN FACT, I AM HOLDING UP A PHOTO THAT WAS TAKEN OF HER

[03:45:04]

SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING US. COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS WRITTEN ON THAT. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY WITH NATURE AND IT IS A PRESERVE THAT IS THERE. IT HAS A BIKE TRAIL THAT GOES AROUND AND IT IS CONNECTED TO THE GREEN WAY SYSTEM AND LYNN WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PULLING THAT TOGETHER. HER HUSBAND, WE LOST HIM SHORTLY AFTER THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN. WE PULLED TOGETHER AN EVENT AND WE BUILT A BOAT LAUNCH FOR THE LAKE. AND HE HAD US CREATE A PLAQUE AND WE DID A DEDICATION AND A PROCLAMATION HONORING HER FOR HER GOOD WORK IN GETTING THAT LAKE TOGETHER YOU KNOW -- LAKE TOGETHER. YOU KNOW, JUDGE, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SEE THESE THINGS IN LIFE, IT WAS HIS STATEMENT OF LOVE FOR HER HELPING TO GET THAT TOGETHER FOR THE LOVE SHE HAD FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND THEN HE SAID HIS FINAL GOODBYE TO US FOR AWHILE.

WE'LL SEE HIM AGAIN ON THE OTHER SIDE, BRUT -- BUT I COULDN'T LET THIS OPPORTUNITY GO WITHOUT SAYING THANK YOU TO LYNN FOR HER WORK ON THIS COMMITTEE AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK SHE HAS DONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE EXAMPLE SHE HAS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY NICE, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT ITEM

THREE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD JUST LIKE TO DISCUSS THOSE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION SINCE WE ARE GOING BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL OF ITEM THREE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

ALL OF ITEM THREE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. NOTED.

THE NEXT ITEM FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

I WAS ASKED WE TAKE THE NONAGENDA SPEAKERS BEFORE WE GO, AND WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE

AGENDA ALSO EXCEPT FOR THE ITEMS WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED. >> JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> I DO HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM NUMBER

4. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THEM.

THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. ELAINA MARKS WITH EPISCOPAL

HEALTH FOUNDATION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I ENJOYED THE DISCUSSION EARLIER ABOUT LOOKING AT BETTER WAYS TO ORGANIZE HEALTH SERVICES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I THINK YOU HAVE A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO RECONSIDER HOW PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE ARE ORGANIZED IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND I AM DELIGHTED TO HEAR THAT YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE AND THINK ABOUT HOW TO DO THAT BEFORE YOU MOVE FORWARD.

MOSTLY I AM HERE TO URGE YOU NOT TO DO A SEARCH FOR A FULL PERMANENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND INSTEAD TO GO WITH AN INTERIM PERSON SO THAT YOU HAVE TIME TO DO THE KINDS OF RESEARCH THAT YOU ALL TALKED ABOUT EARLIER ON THIS.

THERE ARE SEVEN HOUSTON FOUNDATIONS INCLUDING EPISCOPAL HEALTH AND THE COLUMN TRUST FOR HEALTH CARE AND THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT AND SUMMONS AND BROCK WELL AND BAXTER TRUST THAT'S ARE RIGHT NOW FUNDING A STUDY BEING CONDUCTED BY THE KINDER INSTITUTE AT RICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT BETTER SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT WAYS TO LOOK FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

THIS IS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE STURDY. IT IS COSTING A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. AND IT WILL LOOK AT THE SERVICES OFFERED BY EACH ONE AND WHERE IT OVERLAPS WHERE ONE OFFERS AND THE OTHER ONE DOESN'T OFFER.

IT WILL LOOK AT STAFFING AND SOURCES OF REVENUE AND USES OF REVENUE AND THE RESEARCH TEAM IS ALSO GOING TO BE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES IN TEXAS AND ELSEWHERE. FOR THOSE OF YOU INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT WHAT THIS MIGHT BE LIKE IF WE ROLLED HARRIS HEALTH INTO THE CONVERSATION.

YOU ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND POTENTIALLY THE HARRIS CENTER IN THE CONVERSATION. I THINK YOU HAVE A UNIQUE ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. AND THESE FOUNDATIONS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY WHICH MEANS PUTTING IN A GOOD BIT MORE MONEY FOR ALL OF US AND EXPANDING PROBABLY THE RESEARCH TEAM AND THE TIME INVOLVED, BUT WE COULD REALLY LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP YOU SEE ALL OF THE INFORMATION AND ALL OF THE POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE BEFORE WE MOVE ON. THE CITY AND THE HEALTH DIRECTOR IS LIKELY TO RETIRE IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.

[03:50:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> AND THAT LEADS TO MISTRUST.

SO I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: MISS MARKS,

I'M AFRAID I HAVE TO STOP YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? MS. MARKS I THINK YOU PRETTY

MUCH FINISHED YOUR STATEMENT, SO IF YOU ARE ALMOST DONE. >> YES, I HAVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK UH QUESTION. >> I WILL JUST SUMMARIZE --

SORRY, GO AHEAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> I WILL JUST SUMMARIZE BY SAYING THAT SOME OF THE WORK THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT IN -- AND PASSED IN MOTION WITHOUT FUNDING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY AND IT IS FAIRLY EXPENSIVE AND THE FOUNDATIONS ARE WILLING TO PUT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS INTO THIS TO GET IT DONE RIGHT. AND WE WOULD LOVE THE

OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WITH THE COUNTY. >> I JUST WANTED TO ADD AS LEAST AS IT RE -- AS IT RELATES TO PERSUADING ME, FROM MY EXPERIENCE SOMETIMES WHEN THE STUDIES ARE DONE, JUST TO MAKE SURE IT HAS CREDIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY PARTICULARLY A LOT OF THE LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES I REPRESENTED FOR 36 YEARS, IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL IF SOMEONE FROM TEXAS SOUTHERN IS INVOLVED AND IT IS IN NO WAY TO DISPARAGE RICE OR THE KINDER INSTITUTE OR THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. BUT THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC LAWYERS CAME OUT OF THE THURGOOD MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL. I DIDN'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF GOING TO THAT LAW SCHOOL. I WENT TO THE ONE THAT LAW SCHOOL CREATED.

THAT OPENED THE DOOR FOR ME TO GO TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.

WHATEVER COMES UP, MOST OF THE PEOPLE WOULD END UP INTERACTING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TEND TO BE PEOPLE OF COLOR. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL AND I KNOW A COUPLE OF NAMES IN PARTICULAR OVER AT TSU WITH THE EARL CARL INSTITUTE AND IT MAKES MY LIFE EASIER. I WILL REVIEW WHATEVER COMES BACK WITH A FINE-TOOTH COMB.

BUT TSU IN PARTICULAR HAS JUST BEEN AT THE CENTER OF SO MANY DISPUTES ON CIVIL RIGHTS AND EQUITY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT LOST.

PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE EXPANDING IT, I WANT TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF IT.

AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO STUDY SOMETHING AND EVEN IF I AGREE WITH IT I AM IN A POSITION WHERE I AM TRYING TO DEFEND IT. BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO HISTORICALLY HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINE OF THOSE ISSUES AT THAT INSTITUTION IN PARTICULAR ARE INVOLVED. I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU PRIVATELY, BUT IT IS ON MY MIND. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I THROW THAT OUT THERE.

>> THANKS. POINT WELL TAKEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MS. MARKS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING UP ON THIS ITEM. YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN MAKING SURE WE DO THIS RIGHT. AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. WHEN I HAD MY CONVERSATION IT WAS HOW DO I DEAL WITH THE HEALTH DISPARITIES IN MY PRE SINK WITH THE FACT THAT WE USED TO HAVE AN EAST HOUSTON HOSPITAL AND NOW WE DON'T. AND OBVIOUSLY HIM NOT KNOWING WHAT DR. MASSEY HAD COMMUNICATED TO ME AND HE ENDED UP IN -- IT WAS NOT SO MUCH IN THE SAME PLACE.

DR. MASSEY WAS ALL ABOUT THE DOLLARS. LOOK, WE NEED TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM ENDING UP IN OUR HOSPITALS AND WE NEED TO DO THE WORK ON THE FRONT END.

[03:55:10]

WE HAVE A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT SOMETHING WITHOUT THE WORRY OF INSECURITIES AND THE CONCERN AND FEAR TO GET IN THE WAY. BUT TO LOOK AT H HOLISTICALLY AND FIGURE OUT THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE AND MOST RESULT-DRIVEN APPROACH TO DELIVERING HEALTH CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ESPECIALLY IN THOSE HARD TO SERVE AREAS.

AND JUST LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID IN THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, THAT'S -- WE END UP BEING THE GREATEST USERS OF THOSE SYSTEMS, BUT -- AND WITHIN THE UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY, THEY ARE NOT EVEN STEPPING INTO THE CLINICS. MUCH LESS USING OBJ.

I TELL PEOPLE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND THEY SAY I'M NOT SURE.

I DON'T WANT TO BE ASKED A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS, SO I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY BUILD SOMETHING THAT ENDS UP BEING A NATIONAL MODEL AND SO SO I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND I AGREE WITH YOU.

WE HAVE ONE SHOT AT THIS TO REALLY LOOK AT THIS HOLISTICALLY AND

COMPREHENSIVELY AND UNIQUELY. THANK YOU FOR WEIGHING IN. >> THANKS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA?

>> YES, MA'AM. COLIN WITH THE COLIN TRUST FOR HEALTH CARE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, YES. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY. I WILL NOT TAKE MY FULL THREE MINUTES BECAUSE ELAINA MARKS WHO WAS ABLE TO COVER THE TOPIC AND YOU GUYS ALREADY DISCUSSED IT.

WE ARE CO-FUNDING THIS STUDY AND WE ARE OPEN TO EXPANDING IT HOWEVER WOULD SUIT THE COUNTY. AND LIKE WE SAID THIS IS A REALLY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MODERNIZE THE WAY WE ALL WORK TOGETHER IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

SO WE ARE JUST HERE TO LEND MY SUPPORT TO THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE THANK YOU -- JUDGE? THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU TO ELAINA MARKS AS WELL. MAKE SURE THERE IS A ROBUST CITIZENS PARTICIPATION COMPONENT TO IT. I'M SURE YOU ARE GOING TO DO THAT AS WELL, BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING AS BIG AS THIS -- IT WOULD NEED POLITICAL SUPPORT AND I THINK YOU HEARD SOME OF IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF HURDLE THERE'S AND THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE TO BUY INTO, IF THEY ARE SPENDING THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS WE ARE SPENDING AND UNLESS THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THREE TIMES THE SERVICES AND YOU GOT ISSUES THERE. IF NOT THERE IS EQUITY IN TERMS OF FUNDING.

WE FUND TREATMENT AND MAYBE A DISPROPORTIONATE PERCENTAGE OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE FROM INSIDE CITY LIMITS. MY POINT IS MAKE SURE THERE IS A ROBUST CITIZENS PARTICIPATION TO BOTH LISTEN AND TO BRING THEM ALONG. IF THERE ARE CHANGES THEY WOULD HAVE TO BUY INTO IT, OR IT WOULD BE ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE STUDIES THAT I'M SURE YOU HAVE SEEN THEM AROUND FROM TIME TO TIME WHERE THEY SIT ON THE SHELF AND WE WOULD NOT

WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. >> ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, AND I THINK THAT THE -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND TO MS. MARKS AS WELL. I THINK THE FACT THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING INTO THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER. AND I HOPE THAT AS THE COUNTY IS DOING THIS ASSESSMENT THAT WE CAN LINK ARMS AND EXCHANGE NOTES.

IF WE NEED TO COMBINE SOMEHOW THESE EFFORTS IN THE FUTURE, I'M OPEN TO THAT.

I WILL SAY, I DON'T THINK -- I DON'T THINK THAT THE HIRING OF A DIRECTOR AND THE UMBRELLA HEALTH AGENCY OR THE COMBINING OR THE RESTRUCTURING, I GUESS, IDEAS ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

QUITE THE OPPOSITE. I THINK AS WE ARE SEARCHING FOR A NEW DIRECTOR WE CAN MAKE

[04:00:03]

AND I THINK THAT WITHOUT A DIRECTOR IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE FORWARD THE CHANGES WE WANT I THINK -- THE CHANGES WE WANT. AND IT WOULD BE TOUGH FOR THE COVID RESPONSE AS WELL. I THINK IF WE GET THE RIGHT PERSON AND IF WE SET THE EXPECTATIONS, IT WOULD BE THE KIND OF PERSON WHO IS INNOVATIVE ENOUGH AND WHO PUTS ASIDE THE PETTINESS ENOUGH -- ELAINA HAD A PERFECT WORD FOR IT, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT WORD SHE USED, BUT THEY WOULD ACTUALLY HELP DRIVE THIS. WITHOUT A HEAD IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.

I APPRECIATE IT AND I AM REALLY GLAD YOU ARE DRIVING THE STUDY AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATIONS DO FOR THE COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THERE SPEAKERS, LUCINDA?

>> NOT ON THIS ITEM. NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WHY DON'T

[I. Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

SESSION ITEMS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO SO I MOVE THE AGENDA?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION IS FOR ANY ITEMS THAT I DIDN'T ALREADY VOTE ON.

AND THERE WOULD BE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 4C ON PAGE 7, BUDGET MANAGEMENT ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. AND IT IS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 4 AND PAGE 22 WHICH IS ALSO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH. AS WELL AS THE --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT PAGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS PAGE 22.

AS WELL AS THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR ITEM SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST ASKED THAT WE TAKE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 3 WHICH IS THE VARIOUS BOARDS. SO THERE IS A MOTION FOR ALL ITEM THAT'S WE DIDN'T ALREADY

VOTE ON? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE WE DO VOTE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ON -- YEAH.

ON PAGE 3 AND ITEM 16, PUT ME DOWN AT ABSTAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT? >> YES, JUDGE.

YOU'VE MENTIONED THAT YOU WANTED TO COME BACK TO THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM NUMBER

1 DEALING WITH THE EA POSITIONS? >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

>> THAT WOULD BE AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THAT WOULD BE AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THE OTHER EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM WE ARE TAKING IS THE EA ITEM. SO THAT ONE WOULD BE --

>> IT IS IS UP PLAW MAN TALL EYE -- SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM NUMBER ONE FROM THE FIRST

NOTICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: NUMBER ONE FROM THE THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL AND THEN FROM THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL. THAT'S WHERE THE CONFUSION

WAS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY WE ARE TAKING

THREE BACK AS WELL ON THE REGULAR AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THAT'S THE ONE WITH THE VARIOUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT YOU MENTIONED. SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I AM VOTING YES ON EVERYTHING. HOWEVER, UNDER THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, WE DID NOT NOTICE OR SEE ANYTHING RELATED TO PFM THERE, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SUBMITTED ON THAT SHEET THAT WE SIGN OFF ON THAT COMES BACK LATER ON THAT RELATES TO PFM I AM VOTING NO FOR ANYTHING RELATED TO FUNDING FOR PFM. THAT USUALLY COMES THROUGH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THIS TIME, BUT JUST OUT OF ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE MY VOTE FOR A NO ON ANYTHING THAT IS THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NOTED. >> STEVE RADACK: I AM ALSO -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE PLAN IS FOR PFM TO BE ADDED TO THE ITEM, BUT YOU ARE FOR IT BEFORE YOU ARE AGAINST IT?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

I THINK YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD IT TOO. >> STEVE RADACK: I AM NO ON

PFM FOR ANY MONEY GOING TO THEM UNDER THE AUDITOR. >> ON PAGE 7-4C, HAVE WE

[04:05:06]

VOTED? OUR FIRM TO HIRE A DIRECTOR? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE TAKING THAT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON IT BECAUSE WRY ARE TAKING IT WITH THE --

BECAUSE WE ARE TAKING IT WITH THE ITEM. >> STEVE RADACK: GO AHEAD AND VOTE. THERE IS SOMETHING I WANT TO VOTE NO ON.

GO AHEAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> I EXCEPT FOR WHERE I SAID

NO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I EXCEPT FOR WHERE I ABSTAINED.

>> STEVE RADACK: AND THE FUR C -- THE 4C I AM VOTING NO. ON PAGE 22 INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THAT'S ALSO PUBLIC HEALTH. IS THAT CORRECT, JAMES?

>> SO ITEM 4C IS GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO YOU HAVEN'T VOTED ON THAT.

>> STEVE RADACK: WHAT ABOUT PAGE 22, 4? INTERIM EXECUTIVE.

THAT IS THE SAME THING. THE SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL I AM VOTING -- I VOTED NO ON COLLECTION. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I AM VOTING I. PERFECT.

SO THOSE ARE THE ITEM THAT'S WE HAVEN'T ALREADY VOTED ON THAT PASSED.

SO LET'S HEAR FROM THE NON-AGENDA-RELATED SPEAKERS AND THEN WE WILL GO TO

[V. Appearances before court]

EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE VARIOUS ITEMS. >> YES, MA'AM.

NATASHA JACKSON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO.

HOW ARE YOU DOING? MY NAME IS NATASHA JACKSON AND I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MINORITY BUSINESS-OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS FOR FOR CONNECTING WITH VIOLENCE GROUPS. AND THEY ARE HELPING TO COLLABORATE WITH THIS AND IT IS GEARED AROUND ALL OF HOUSTON AND IT PROVIDES ADVOCACY THROUGH THESE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING IT IN HARDSHIP. SO WE CAN'T GET MORE FUNDING AND MORE -- SO IF WE CAN GET MORE FUND SCG MORE COLLABORATION -- FUNDING AND MORE COLLABORATION THAT WOULD BE GOOD. TO MAKE SURE WE REACH OUT TO FAMILIES THAT NEED IT. SO WHATEVER WE CAN DO WITH THAT, I WOULD REALLY

APPRECIATE THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> JOHNSON WITH STAFFING SOLUTIONS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

MS. JOHNSON? >> HELLO? >> CAN YOU PLEASE TURN DOWN

YOUR AUDIO IN THE BACKGROUND? THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD. >> I'M SORRY. >> NO PROBLEM.

>> I'M SORRY. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT IN THE SMALL BUSINESS AREA FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IS THAT BE ARE -- IS THAT WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY OF THE -- WE ARE NOT HAVING ENOUGH OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO BID ON THOSE CONTRACTS.

IT IS GOING TO THE SAME PEOPLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. MY QUESTION TO THE COMMISSIONER IS WHAT ARE YOU ABLE TO DO ABOUT THAT? IS THERE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE IN PLACE TO MONITOR WHETHER OR NOT THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY GETTING THE CONTRACTS ARE -- OR WILL WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AS A SMALL BUSINESS MINORITY-OWNED

BUSINESS TO BID ON THOSE NEW CONTRACTS THAT COME THROUGH? >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, I APPRECIATE YOUR CALLING. BECAUSE YOUR ITEM IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, WE CAN'T REALLY HAVE A BIG DISCUSSION ABOUT IT, BUT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS CIRCLE BACK WITH

ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. WE'LL MAKE SURE -- >> YES, MA'AM.

I JUST WANTED MY VOICE TO BE HEARD. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I ASK SOMEONE FROM DWIGHT'S OFFICE CONTACT HER AND LET HER KNOW HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.

>> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE. I WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> STEVE WILLIAMS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YEAH.

IT GOES BACK TO WHAT I SAID BEFORE. THESE LITTLE SHORT SESSIONS LIKE THIS ARE WAY TOO SHORT AND TOO FEW IN BETWEEN. ALL THE STUFF THAT GOES ON.

[04:10:04]

AND IT IS LIKE IT IS A JOKE OR SOMETHING. NO MATTER WHAT I SAY, NOTHING SEEMS TO GET DONE. THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN IT COMBS -- COMES TO METRO AND YOU SAY HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN AND HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A JOKE, BUT IT IS A DANGEROUS JOKE.

I TURN MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO WILL MARCH OUT THE DOOR WITH A JEWISH MOTHER AND KILL HER IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES AND IF THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE DOING. THAT'S NOT A GAME TO CALL AND GET INFORMATION. THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER OTHER PEOPLE'S ASS.

THAT'S THE ONLY CONCLUSION YOU CAN COME TO. WHY DO YOU GET THIS INFORMATION AND DO NOTHING AND DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN? IS IT THREE TIMES? IT SEEMS LIKE NOTHING DOES GET DONE. WELL NOTHING DOES GET DONE.

NOTHING HAPPENS WITH STEVE WILLIAMS WITH REFERENCE TO METRO.

IT FORCES THE EX-PRESIDENT TO FOCUS ON THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT, U.S. ATTORNEY.

HANDS DOWN -- BEST U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PERIOD. IN SO FAR AS HE WENT AFTER [INAUDIBLE] DON'T KNOW AND STILL CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY THAT WAS REASON.

BUT AT ANY RATE, THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE YOU STILL NEED TO GO AFTER.

THIS GUY IN THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS NOT DOING ANYTHING, BUT COVER UP.

THEY HAVE DONE IT FOR 31 YEARS AND I CAN PROVE. IT I CAN PROVE.

IT THERE NEEDS TO BE A DISCUSSION WITH SOMEONE FROM WASHINGTON ABOUT ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY. A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WENT THROUGH HIM AND HE IS STILL IN THERE AS A PARALEGAL ASSISTANT. I TOLD HEAVER.

-- I TOLD HER. I SAID DON'T DEAL WITH THESE THINGS OR LET SOMEBODY TO INFLUENCE YOU IN A NEGATIVE WAY. THERE ARE TRAGIC THINGS GOING AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE MARCHING DOWN THERE, AC, BC AND C -- ABC AND NBC AND CBS.

DEAD BODIES TURNED UP HERE AND OVER THERE AND BEHIND THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY AND THE FBI IN ADDITION. THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS STEVE WILLIAMS IS RELATING TO YOU THAT ARE -- GOLLY. WHAT DO I NEED TO SAY? THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS.

NUMEROUS PEOPLE KNOW. NUMEROUS PEOPLE KNOW. WHAT'S HIS NAME, STEVE RADACK KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT THE DEATH OF MY MOTHER. HE WAS THERE WHEN ALL THAT DISCUSSION WHEN -- WENT ON. MY MOTHER WAS MURDERED IN THE HOSPITAL.

A HOSPITAL OWNED BY U.S. SENATOR BILL FRIST AND HIS DAD AND HIS BROTHER.

YOU UNDERSTAND? I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS THESE PEOPLE ARE CALLING -- THAT'S

THE ONLY THING I CAN DEDUCE. THEY ARE COVERING -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.

JACOB CLEMENTECH. >> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS JACOB CLEMENTECH AND I WANT TO SAY COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE IS A-OKAY IN MY BOOK. HE WAS THE HOST OF THE TEXAS CELEBRATION OF LIFE ON NOVEMBER 14TH, 2020 AND THE [INAUDIBLE] AND WE HAD OUR SPEAKER TIM TEBOW -- PAM TEBOW WHO WAS THE KEY SPEAKER. AND TIM TEBOW WON THE HEISMAN TROPHY IN 2007.

IT WAS THE HONORABLE JACK CAGLE AND THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE AS HOSTS SUCH AS BRANDON CRUTCHINS. WHAT IS REALLY INTERESTING IS THAT I WAS A PERSON WHO DONATED TO THE SILENT AUCTION OF THE FOUNDATION TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE EDUCATION OF PEOPLE IN COLLEGES AND DO PRO-LIFE WORK. AND ALSO TO DO LEGISLATIVE WORK. AND THEN OTHER PEOPLE WERE ON THE LIST OF DONORS BESIDES MYSELF. AND THEN PATRICK AND HIS WIFE, THE BLACK CONGRESSMAN FROM [INAUDIBLE] AND THE HAHNABLE -- HONORABLE GEORGE BUSH, THE SON OF JEB BUSH.

AND SO THE COMMUNITY THAT IS WEST OF -- I THINK IT IS FORTHCOMING.

[04:15:13]

SO HONORABLE JACK CAGLE IS A-OKAY. AND THAT IS HAVE YOU ALL HEARD OF BENEDICT ARNOLD? DO YOU KNOW WHAT PARTY HE WAS? DEMOCRAT. HE RATTED ON OTHER PATRIOTS. THAT IS NOT ALL.

THE OTHER THING IS REPUBLICANS ARE ALCOHOLICS. YOU KNOW WHY REPUBLICANS ARE ALCOHOLICS? BECAUSE THEY RE-PUB. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY. THE HONORABLE BRIAN BEVINS WAS THERE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, JACOB. THAT'S A GOOD SPOT FOR YOU TO

STOP. >> OKAY. BYE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: RE-PUB! RE-PUB! >> THANK YOU, JACOB.

SCOTT DANOW WITH GHROBA. PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS SCOTT AND I REPRESENT THE THE GREATER -- GHROBA. WE ARE A 5013C, NONPROFIT AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION FUNDED MOSTLY BY GRANTS FROM TPW, REI AND MEMBERSHIP USE.

OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN OFF-ROAD, MULTI-USE TRAILS IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. WHILE OUR MEMBERSHIP CONSISTS MOSTLY OF CYCLISTS, THE TRAILS WE BUILD AND MAINTAIN ARE FOR ALL OUTDOOREN NEWS --EN ENTHUSIASTS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.GHORBA.ORG.

OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, GHORBA HAS WORKED WITH LANDOWNERS ALL OVER HARRIS COUNTY AND BEYOND TO TRANSFORM WOODED GREEN SPACES TO A PUBLIC AMENITY AT OUR OWN COST.

FOR YEARS WE HAVE ENJOYED A GREAT WORK -- WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. CAGLE, BUT MOST OF THE LAND WE WORK ON IS COUNTY PROPERTY WHERE THERE IS NO LAND USAGE GRIEVANCE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THAT. THE SPORT OF MOUNTAIN BIKING HAS GROWN ALL OVER THE GLOBE, BUT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS YEAR WITH IT IS CLOUGH -- WITH THE CLOSING OF MANY BUSINESSES WE HAVE SEEN THE CLOSING OF -- GROW EXPONENTIALLY. HERE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. MOST BIKE SHOPS H BARON -- ARE BARON HOMES NEAR THE TRAILS ARE HEAVILY SOUGHT AFTER AND PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT HAVING TRAILS NEARBY INCREASES THE PROPERTY VALUE AND THE TAX REVENUE.

DESPITE ALL OF OUR HARD WORK AND THE EVER INCREASING POPULARITY OF OUR SPORT ACROSS A BROAD RANGE OF DEMOGRAPHICS WE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME FORMING INTER LOCAL AGREEMENTS. A TOP -- TOPIC OF FREQUENT DISCUSSION IS LIABILITY.

DID YOU KNOW IN CHAPTER 70 FOO -- 75 IT PROTECTS AGAINST GROSS NEGLECT.

WITH THIS AND OTHER PROTECTIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AGAINST POTENTIALLY FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS, THE REASON WOULD DICTATE THAT THE TRAILS SHOULD BE EVERYWHERE CONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

I HAVE NEVER FOUND ANOTHER SPORT THAT KEEPS ME SO FIT WHILE ALLOWING MY BODY AND MY MIND TO SEEK IN THE WONDER OF OUR NATURAL, BEAUTIFUL FORCE. TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO CHALLENGE EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO LOOK WITHIN THE GREEN SPACES AND FIND WAYS TO BORK TRAILS INTO THE PRECINCTS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY YEARS

OF PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, SCOTT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, BEFORE SCOTT LEAVES, JOT -- SCOTT, I WANT TO INVITE YOU TO PRECINCT 2 OVER TO THE JIM FONTINO PARK. THANKS TO OPERATION YELLOW BIRD WE NOW HAVE A TRAIL THEY HELPED TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT.

IT IS SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED TO OUR VETERANS BECAUSE FOLKS WITH OPERATION YELLOW BIRD BROUGHT THE IDEA TO ME THAT IT HELPS SOME OF OUR VETERANS WITH THEIR PTSD CHALLENGES.

WE INAUGURATED THAT ON VETERAN'S DAY AND I INVITE YOU AND YOUR RIDERS TO JOIN US.

I THINK YOU WILL LOVE IT. WHAT ALSO GOT MY ATTENTION IS WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

[04:20:08]

>> IF I CAN REPLY TO THAT, I WILL TELL YOU I HAVE BEEN THERE AND I AM A GOOD FRIEND WITH ERIC. HE IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE. I REALLY, REALLY WANTED TO TIP MY HAT TO YOU AND SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT BEAUTIFUL PARK AND THOSE TRAILS.

IT IS REALLY COMING ALONG. IT IS A GREAT AMENITY FOR THE WHOLE PUBLIC.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. COME ON OVER.

YOU HAVE BEEN THERE SO COME AGAIN. >> YES, SIR.

YOU BET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE DID HAVE SOME BIKE TRAIL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. SOME OF MINE WERE ON THERE. IT IS OKAY TO TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT I WANTED TO DISCOURAGE COMMISSIONER GARCIA FROM RIDING THE TRAILS.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST STICK WITH THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH AND ON THE ELECTRIC BIKES I WAS TOLD THIS WEEKEND. IF YOU STICK TO THOSE AND IF YOU WANT A CHALLENGE JUST KEEP

UP WITH ME ON THOSE FAT TIRES ABOUT JUST MY LEGS KICKING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH, BUT

ARE YOU USING AN ELECTRIC BIKE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE GO OUT TO CAGLE'S PRECINCT. I WAS OUT THERE THIS WEEKEND. JUST DON'T LET HIM LOCK ME IN

THERE SO HE CAN BEAT ME. >> MR. ELLIS IF I CAN REPLY TO THAT, WE HAVE A PLAN TO BUILD

IN ONE OF YOUR PARKS AT EISENHOWER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW AND I AM VERY PLEASED AND I AM TOLD THEY ARE WORKING ON A MASTER AGREEMENT SO WE DON'T HAVE

SOME OF THOSE LIABILITY ISSUES THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. >> YES, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MARK JORDAN WITH MIJ

MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS MARK JORDAN WITH MLJ ENTERPRISES. WE ARE A SMALL MINORITY VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES AND SOME. CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING -- SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING IS SECURING CONTRACTS. WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS TRY TO EMPLOY MORE IN THE MINORITY COMMUNITY AND ALSO HAVE CONTRACTS IN THE CITIES AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE CHALLENGE WE ARE FACING IS IN GETTING SOME OF THESE IS WE ARE HAVING SOME DIFFICULTY AS FAR AS NAVIGATING THE SITES. WHO CAN WE TALK TO AND WHO CAN WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF GUIDANCE FOR TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATIONS AND MAKE SURE WE ARE FILLING EVERYTHING OUT CORRECTLY AND SECURING SOME OF THESE CONTRACTS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL HELP HIM. I WILL WORK WITH YOU, IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT. IT IS NO -- IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT WE WILL HAVE

FILM -- HAVE HIM FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU. >> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO UH GIST

YOU, MR. JORDAN -- TO ASSIST YOU, MR. JORDAN. >> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> TOMMY STANLEY, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, MY NAME IS TOMMY STANLEY AND I AM A RECENT INSTRUCTOR IN CROSBY, A VENDOR WITH YOU GUYS. HAVE I BEEN HAVING -- I HAVE BEEN HAVING A REALTIME HARD TIME GETTING MY INVOICES TAKEN CARE OF ON TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED PRETTY MUCH SINCE I HAVE BEEN A VENDOR WITH Y'ALL AND IT HAS BEEN ABOUT THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE ISSUES ARE BECAUSE I DO HAVE A SCHEDULE THAT I KEEP ON MY PHONE AS TO WHEN THE INVOICES ARE DUE AND I HAVE THEM TURNED IN ON TIME.

MATTER OF FACT, THEY ARE TURNED IN ON COUPLE DAYS AHEAD OF TIME TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE, BUT THEY NEVER GET TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON TIME AND YOU KNOW COMMISSIONER'S COURT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN TWICE A MONTH. SOMETIMES IT IS ONCE A MONTH AND THAT DELAYS PAYMENT. MATTER OF FACT, RIGHT NOW MY PAYMENT HAS BEEN DELAYED AND LAST MONTH IT WAS DELAYED. IT IS CHRISTMAS. IT IS THE HOLIDAYS.

THE COVID STUFF HAS GONE ON AND MY HUSBAND IS LAID OFF BECAUSE OF COVID.

RIGHT NOW I AM THE ONLY ONE BRINGING IN ANY MONEY. I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE A SOB STORY, BUT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONGTIME. I HAVE GONE THROUGH MANY

[04:25:03]

AT THIS POINT IT JUST FEELS LIKE I AM WORKING FOR FREE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF I

MIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: TAMMY, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. I HAVE MY CHIEF OF STAFF HERE AND I HAVE ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO YOUR ITEM. WHAT I DO KNOW IS WE DID MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET YOUR INVOICE ON THIS AGENDA. IT WILL BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA. I WOULD UNDERSTAND WHY IF YOU ARE HAVING THAT KIND OF ON GOING PROBLEM, I WANT TO LOOK A LITTLE DEEPER INTO IT SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER AND I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU. I I OBVIOUSLY KNOW WELL THE CHALLENGES THAT MANY ARE HAVING, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE THAT ON THE ACCOUNT OF MY OFFICE'S RESPONSIBILITIES.

WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING INTO THIS. KNOW THAT.

NEXT COURT YOUR ITEM WILL BE ON THE AGENDA. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.

>> LISA CASTANEDA. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO. MY NAME IS LISA CASTENEDA I HAVE SERVED AS A HARRIS COUNTY UH POINTED MEMBER SINCE 2011. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY ADVOCATED FOR THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WORKED TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION. I GRADUATED FROM TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY IN 1990 WITH A CIVILLEN -- AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEGREE AND WORKED IN A SEEMINGLY MAN'S WORLD. I WORKED UNDER SIX DIFFERENT HCTRA DIRECTORS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH NUMBER SEVEN. I AM PART OF THE TEAM RECEIVING AWARDS AND RECOGNIZED BY WTS AS WOMAN OF THE YEAR.

TWO WEEKS AGO I RECEIVED A CALL FROM PETER KEY AND HEATHER CANTU AND WAS TOLD I COULD RESIGN OR BE TERMINATED, BUT IT WAS MY LAST DAY FOR CTRA.

FOR HCTRA. I ASKED WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THEY WERE MOVING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. MY TERMINATION LETTER SAID MY JOB PERFORMANCE WAS NOT INCLUSIVE OF BEING PART OF A COLLABORATIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS I FIND MYSELF UNEMPLOYED AND SOON TO BE UNINSURED AND A 16-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER PREPARING FOR COLLEGE DURING THE ALREADY DIFFICULT COVID ECONOMY.

HCTRA IS UNDER A MANAGEMENT STUDY REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS WRAPPING UP A SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR.

IF THE CURRENT DIRECTOR IS POSTING NEW MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AND SEEMINGLY REORGANIZING THE MANAGE MANAGEMENT STAFF AND FIRING EMPLOYEES BEFORE THE NEW DIRECTOR IS ANNOUNCED IT HAS TIME TO EVALUATE THE CURRENT RESOURCES AND DEVELOP HIS OR HER OWN NEW DIRECTION. AND BEFORE THE MANAGEMENT STUDY IS COMPLETE IT COULD BE USED AS AN AIDE. ONE LAST THING. I AM PROUD OF MY CAREER.

WHAT I AM MOST PROUD OF IS THE PHENOMENAL I.T. TEAM I HAVE PUT TOGETHER.

HCTRA HAS ONE OF THE STRONGEST AND MOST DEDICATED AND MOST TALENTED IN THE NATION AND I HOPE YOU GET A CHANCE TO KNOW AND RECOGNIZE THEM. AND ALSO THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW YOU. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR CALLING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

WORK. >> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA. >> JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, JAMES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO GET CLARIFICATION.

A LOT HAPPENED DURING THE WHOLE VOTE. I WANT TO BE CLEAR SO THE COURT RECORD IS CLEAR. THE WHOLE AGENDA APPROVAL WAS MADE BY ELLIS/GARCIA AND EVERYTHING WAS 5-0 UNANIMOUS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WHAT'S BEING TAKEN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, ITEM 4C, EXECUTIVE SESSION 4, SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 1 FROM THE THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL, EXECUTIVE SESSION NUMBER 3 AND SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 1 FROM THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL.

THOSE WERE NOT VOTED ON. COMMISSIONER GARCIA ABSTAINED ON ITEM 1G-16.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER RADACK WERE YES ON EVERYTHING, BUT A NO ON COUNTY AUDITOR ITEM 20A, 1A THROUGH ZERO THROUGH -- THROUGH O.

IF IT PER PAINED TO PFM. DMITION -- COMMISSIONER RADACK SAID HE IS A NO ON THE SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL REGARDING COLLECTIONS. THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE AGENDA VOTE. THAT WAS TAKEN EARLIER IN THE DAY AND I HAVE THAT AS ELLIS,

[04:30:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: REPEAT THAT LAST VOTE THAT COMMISSIONER RADACK SAID HE WAS AGAINST?

>> COMMISSIONER RADACK MADE THE COMMENT THAT HE WAS A NO ON THE SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL, ITEM 1 UNDER COLLECTIONS. THAT VOTE WAS TAKEN EARLIER IN THE DAY WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED

IN THE WHOLE AGENDA VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, LET'S TAKE THAT VOTE AGAIN.

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 ABOUT COLLECTION GOING TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND THAT WOULD BE ASSESSMENT GOING TO GAG -- TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT. IS THERE A MOTION AND A SECOND

ON THAT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I MOVED IT AND COMMISSIONER

GARCIA SECONDED IT. >> STEVE RADACK: JAMES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE ONE NOW THAT

I LATER SAID I VOTED -- WANTED TO VOTE NO ON? >> YES, SIR.

>> STEVE RADACK: I STAND CORRECTED. I DID VOTE FOR THAT 5-0.

DISREGARD ME SAYING I WAS -- THAT I MEANT TO VOTE NO ON IT.

>> I WILL RECORD IT AS 5-0. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THAT WAS THE ONE WHERE YOU MADE THE SNIPPY COMMENT AND YOU HAD TO RUN OUT TO GET YOUR CAMPAIGN CHECK.

>> STEVE RADACK: WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU.

>> STEVE RADACK: CAMPAIGN CHECK FOR WHAT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: A SNIPPY

COMMENT TO ME. >> STEVE RADACK: SNIPPY COMMENT?

ARE YOU TALKING IN REFERENCE TO LINEBARGER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH.

>> STEVE RADACK: THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID. YOU CALLED IT A SLEEZY LAW

FIRM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF YOU HAD TO RUN

OUT AND GET YOUR CHECK YOU COULD GET IT. >> STEVE RADACK: GO AHEAD AND WHATEVER YOU -- WHATEVER YOU CARE TO SAY. BY THE WAY, ADRIAN, HAVE YOU

GOTTEN THAT LETTER YET YOU WANTED ME TO TALK ABOUT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH.

I MEAN, LOOK. IT IS A LETTER SIGNED BY YOU TO THE ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS. IT IS A GOOD LETTER. NOT SAYING YOU SHOULDN'T WRITE IT, BUT DID YOU SEND THIS TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS FIRST TO LET THEM WEIGH IN ON IT? THAT'S IT. THAT WAS YOUR POINT EARLIER. JUST POINTING OUT A LITTLE HYPOCRISY. STEVE STEVE THERE IS NO HYPOCRISY THERE.

. >> STEVE RADACK: THERE IS NO HYPOCRISY THERE.

THAT IS SPEAKING FOR THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN REFERENCE TO A THING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY -- OBVIOUSLY THERE MUST BE MERIT IN WHAT I SAID BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE

ANOTHER MEETING TO TALK ABOUT IT SO WE'LL GO FROM THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS QUITE A FEW ITEMS IN EXECUTIVE. JAMES, I HOPE I SAY THE STUFF

YOU SAID. I AM GOING TO TRY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE BEFORE YOU DO THAT, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT WE VOTED NO ON ALONG LIFE'S MERRY WAY.

JAMES, YOU DID NOT REPEAT THOSE, BUT ARE NOT CHANGING THOSE TO A YES, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. THOSE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE JUDGE'S -- IN THE JUDGE'S WORDS, HOWEVER IT WAS VOTED BEFORE WE ARE NOT INCLUDING THAT IN THE WHOLE VOTE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PAGE 7, ITEM 4C UNDER BUDGET MANAGEMENT.

[IV. Executive Session (Part 2 of 3)]

THE FINAL GROUP OF ITEMS IS THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS. THAT IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA FROM THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL -- ITEM 1 FROM THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL AND ITEM 1 FROM THE THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL.

AND THOSE ITEMS, THAT'S TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS AND RELATED TO THE ELECTION MINISTRY. IN SHORT, WE ARE GOING FOR TWO, THREE, FIVE ITEMS.

ROBERT, DID I MISS ANYTHING? >> THAT'S CORRECT, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES

EVERYBODY HAVE THE NUMBER? >> YES, MA'AM, I SENT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL CATCH YOU >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'LL TALK TO MY STAFF ABOUT THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 4:25. MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL GET ONE. IT IS 4:25 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. LET'S START WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH ITEMS. THESE WERE PAGE 7 AND UNDER -- PAGE 22 AND EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 4.

[04:35:09]

THE NUMBERS ARE VERY SCARY IN THE COUNTY AND VERY SCARY IN THE STATE.

WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE AND CONSISTENT OPERATION OF NOT JUST THE COVID RESPONSE, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DOES. THE PROPOSAL IS THAT WE DRAW ON CURRENT STAFF AS INTERIM PUBLIC DIRECTOR UPON DR. SHAW'S LEAVING AND THAT WE RENCH THE -- WE LEVERAGE THE SKILLS OF THE TRANSITION OFFICER WHO HAS SHOWN AMAZING, HONESTLY, UH FLUENCY AND EXPERTISE IN TAKING A DIFFICULT SYSTEM AND GETTING THEM MOVING AND THAT WE ALSO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE HEALTH SEARCH FIRM THAT'S WE HAVE IN PLACE TO RECRUIT HIGH QUALIFIED CANDIDATES QUICKLY FOR A NEW PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR. I'M GOING TO MAKE A SERIES OF PROPOSED MOTIONS AND JUST KEEP IN MIND -- OR I WILL CALL THEM AT THE END. THE MOTIONS WOULD BE TO APPOINT GWEN SIMS AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 18TH, 2020 UNTIL A PERMANENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS HIRED. TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS CLEAR ON THIS, GWEN SIMMS IS NOT AN MD, SO SHE WILL BE APPOINTING AN MD.

I WILL BE LEADING ON BOTH AND THE TRANSITION OFFICER AS WELL. SO LIKE THE CITY'S SETTED UP WHERE THEY HAVE ONE DIRECTOR. AND NUMBER 2, TO APPROVE A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN MS. SIMMS' SALARY TO $260,000 FOR THE PERIOD SHE SERVES AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. NUMBER THREE, TO ASSIGN THE CHIEF TRANSITION OFFICER TO OVERSEE THE TRANSITION FROM THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO HIS PERMANENT REPLACEMENT WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ROLE IN THE COVID-19 RESPONSE. AND EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, JOSHUA STUKEY IS APPROVED TO MANAGE AND ASSIGN STAFF AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE COUNTY'S COVID RESPONSE WORKING WITH OTHER COUNTY

DEPARTMENTS IF NEEDED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED ON ALL ITEMS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND NEXT IS TO APPROVE A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN JOSHUA STUKEY'S SALARY AS CHIEF TRANSITION OFFICER TO $227,702 DURING HIS TIME OVERSEEING THE TRANSITION TO THE NEXT PERMANENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: TWO MORE ITEMS. ONE IS TO CONDUCT AN EXPEDITED NATIONAL SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH A COMMITTEE OF THE CHIEFS OF STAFF OF EACH MEMBER OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. AND FINALLY, AND THIS IS THE ONE RELATED TO ITEM 4C ON PAGE 7, TO AUTHORIZE THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO USE THE EXISTING HARRIS HEALTH CONTRACT TO HIRE AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM TO SUPPORT THE EXPEDITED NATIONAL SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND ALL OF THEM.

I SEE YOU HAVE SIX MOTIONS THERE, RIGHT? IT IS SIX PARTS.

WITH THE SALARY INCREASES THAT IS TWO MORE, EIGHT THINGS. I AM SECOND -- SECONDING ALL

OF THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE MOTIONS BY COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST AS A DISCUSSION REAL QUICK, JUDGE, AND OBVIOUSLY WE ARE EXPECTING DR. SHAW'S COOPERATION DURING HIS BRIEF TIME LEFT WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO COOPERATE WITH MR. STUKEY IN LETTING MR. STUKEY DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND ALLOWING HIM TO GATHER THE INFORMATION HE NEEDS AND REPORT BACK TO YOU.

SO I AM HOPING THAT DR. SHAW HEARS THIS LOUD AND CLEAR. IF NOT, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO MAYBE LET HIM HAVE SOME TIME OFF AS WE MAKE OUR TRANSITION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS MOVED ON ALL SIX MOTIONS AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED THEM.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

[04:40:03]

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES

UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THAT WAS FOR ITEM 4C

AND EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 4 TOGETHER? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, JAMES. THAT'S RIGHT.

NEXT IS ON ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. THAT IS THE THIRD

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

RECOMMENDING NO FURTHER ACTION, CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ANY ACTION TODAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW, ROBERT, YOU MAKE REFERENCE TO A LETTER THAT WILL BE GOING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

OBVIOUSLY THAT WILL BE PUBLIC? >> YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DID JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE DID BY CREATING THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. THE PROCESS, BY THE WAY, IS ONE I THINK THAT WAS WELL THOUGHT OUT BY THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE IT TAKES THREE VOTES OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ESTABLISH IT. WE DID THAT.

IT WAS A 3-2 VOTE. AND THEN THE BOARD, JUDGE YOU CHAIR IT WITH FIVE PEOPLE.

AND YOU PICK SOMEONE INTO THE LAW AND IT TAKES A MAJORITY VOTE TO DO THAT.

TO GIVE THE OFFICE INDEPENDENT, 1800, 1900 COUNTIES IN TEXAS HAVE DONE THAT. IT TAKES A SUPER MAJORITY, FOUR TO FIVE PEOPLE TO REMOVE THE PERSON. AND THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK TO THIS BODY, THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, TO AFFIRM THAT. AND WE HAVE DONE THAT.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO MOVE FORWARD. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE THOSE THAT WOULD DISAGREE. I THINK IN THE CASE OF OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL, THIS JUST AMOUNTS TO ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF GENERAL TAX -- GENERAL PAXTON, USING HIS OFFICE TO ATTACK THE VOTING RIGHTS OF TEXANS AND RESTRICTING ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

WE KNOW WHAT HE IS TRYING TO DO AND WHAT IS AT STAKE. IT IS LIMITING 2.5 MILLION VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY, A COUNTY LARGER THAN RHODE ISLAND, THE STATE OF RAILED RILED, TO -- STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO A SINGLE DROPOFF LOCATION TO MAIL IN BALLOTS AND STOP THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK FROM SENDING VOTE BY MAIL ACTION AND WEAR FACE COVERINGS AT THE POLLS DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT EXIST AND SAYING MS. LONGORIA'S POSITION IS VOID OVER TECHNICALITIES IS A BLAI TAPT -- BLATANT ATTEMPT TO STOP IT.

IN HARRIS COUNTY WE WILL MAKE SURE THE OFFICE OF THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. WE HAVE DONE THAT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS THIS YEAR.

IT IS COMPLETED AND HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS DESERVE US TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE JIM CROWE ERA OF THE PAST AND INVEST IN ELECTIONS AND VOTER REGISTRATION AND FOR US TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO EXPAND AGO -- EXPAND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX.

I AM SO PROUD OF THE WORK OF THE ENTIRE TEAM. I MADE REFERENCE TO ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE CURRENT CLERK, THE CURRENT ADD -- ADMINISTRATOR, CHRIS HOLE LINS. CHRIS HOLLINS. GOOD CHOICE IN PUTTING HIM THERE. WE WERE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE NATION TO GETTING INTERNATIONAL PRESS. IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY PLACES I HEARD FROM ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING. WHAT ENCOURAGED MANY PEOPLE TO SHOW UP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WAS OUTRAGE TO WHAT GENERAL PAXTON AND HIS COMPADRES WERE DOING, WHAT HIM AND HIS FRIENDS WERE DOING TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE. THEY HAD TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE. WE ARE NOT GOING BACK TO THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR JUDICIARY AND IN THE TRIAL COURTS, AND IF THERE IS LITIGATION IN HARRIS COUNTY OR TRAVIS COUNTY, THE APPELLATE COURTS AND THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT, IN MY JUDGMENT TO DO THE RIGHT THING ON, THIS I ENJOYED THE LEGAL ANALYSIS THAT CAME OUT FROM BOB HEATH. I REMEMBER THAT FIRM WHEN MR. BICKERSTAFF'S NAME WAS ON IT.

[04:45:07]

A STATUTE OUT REQUIRING THE VOTER TO RENEW HIS CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM THE POLL TAX ANNUALLY. IT SAYS IT DID NOT PREVENT A PERSON WHO DID NOT FOLLOW THE CERTIFICATE THAT YEAR OF VOTING SINCE IT WAS MERELY TO MAKE THE VOTERS, THE REGISTRAR -- THE REGISTRAR RECORDS MORE ORDERLY. I AM GLAD WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AND I HOPE IT IS NOT A DISTRACTION OR IT DOES ANYTHING TO IMPACT THE MORALE OF THOSE GREAT FOLKS WORKING AT THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE.

YOU -- I THINK PART OF THE FEAR IS THIS OFFICE BILL BE AS SUCCESSFUL ON REGISTERING PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE IF THIS COURT AGREES TO INVEST IN IT AS THEY WERE IN HANDLING THE LAST ELECTION. RECORD TURNOUT. AND THE EASE OF PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT GOING FORWARD.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HAHN -- HONOR? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL NOT ASK FOR EQUAL TIME TO RESPOND TO THE DIATRIDE OF MY COLLEAGUE. I HAVE A COUPLE POINTS.

THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS THE DISPARAGE MEANT OF PAXTON'S INTERPRETATION OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE. AND I ONLY PRESIDED OVER 700 JURY TRIALS.

WHEN WE SAW SHALL AND MUST, THAT USUALLY MEANT SHALL AND MUST.

AND THE CODE SAYS EACH APPOINTMENT MUST BE EVIDENCED BY WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS.

AND THEN IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT IT SHALL BE FILED AND THEN IT IT SAYS SHALL DELIVER A COPY. WHEN PAXTON SAYS WE DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RULES, I DON'T THINK THERE WAS AN EVIL INTENT IN HIM INSISTING THAT WHEN OUR ELECTION LAWS ARE BEING FOLLOWED THAT WE FOLLOW THE WISDOM IN THE LEGISLATURE IN CREATING THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE TO DROP OFF MAIL IN BALLOTS, I FIND IT INTERESTING BECAUSE YOU GET YOUR MAIL IN BALLOT IN THE MAILBOX.

AND THERE ARE NOT JUST TENS OR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, BUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MAILBOXES THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO PUT THEIR BALLOT INTO THE MAIL BECAUSE IT IS MAIL BY BALLOT IN THE SAME LOCATION THEY RECEIVED THEIR BALLOT.

SO THAT ARGUMENT OF SUPPRESSION IS A LITTLE ODD TO ME.

AND NUMBER THREE, I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT WE KEEP INVOKING THE NAME OF JIM CROWE LAWS AND A CASE FROM THE 1940S. WHEN SOMEONE IS CITING CASES FROM THE 40S AND THE 50S, USUALLY THAT MEANS IT IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE CASE THAT'S ARE MORE RECENT -- CASES THAT ARE MORE RECENT. I AGREE WITH MS. BELL WHO TESTIFIED WITH US EARLIER THAT WE ARE GOING TO IN-- INVOKE JIM CROWE LAWS WHEN WE ARE TAKING AUTHORITY AWAY FROM TWO DULY ELECTED AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALES WHICH IS HISTORIC TO HAVE IN THIS COUNTY. AND EVEN THOUGH I AM A DIFFERENT PARTY AND DON'T AGREE WITH THEM ALL THE TIME, I DO LIKE THE IDEA AND HAVE SAID SO FROM THE BEGINNING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE OUR ELECTION OFFICIALS BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

THOSE ARE MY THREE QUICK RESPONSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, YOUR

HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

WE WILL TAKE A NO ACTION ON THAT ONE. WE WILL KEEP GOING.

I MENTIONED THIS I THINK BEFORE, BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO TAKE THE OTHER ITEM -- I AM TRYING TO FIND -- IT IS ITEM NUMBER 1 ON THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL.

YES, THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA, ITEM 1 IS A REQUEST BY THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATOR TO

[04:50:05]

WHILE THIS DISTRACTION GOES ON, ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO DO HER

JOB. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHILE THE

DISTRACTION IS GOING ON, YOUR HONOR, I WOULD BE A NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR

SO THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. >> SO FOR CLARITY ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE, I BELIEVE YOU MENTIONED IT EARLIER, YOU SCRATCHED THROUGH AN AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER TWO POSITIONS, COUNTY CLERK AND TAX ASSESSOR AND THE LINE IS TAKEN OUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN THERE IS ITEM -- EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 3 THAT WE HAD TAKEN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND

[IV. Executive Session (Part 3 of 3)]

JAMES AND ROBERT? >> JUDGE I WAS ASKED IF -- TO CLARIFY WHAT THE MATTER ABOUT THE LETTER TO THE -- OF TEX DOT. WILL THERE BE ANOTHER MEETING

OF THE COURT, IS THAT CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

A MEETING ON TUESDAY AND WE WILL GET WITH EVERYBODY ON THE SCHEDULES AND THE AIM IS TO

HAVE THE DRAFT LETTERS BY FRIDAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THAT

TIMETABLE WORKED WITH YOUR TEAM? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. YOU TWO WERE THE POINT FOLKS ON IT AND I THINK YOU DID A

HECK OF A JOB. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, WE KEEP FIGHTING.

WE'LL KEEP FIGHTING AND KEEP GOING WITH THE ELECTIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH. AGAIN, THANK YOU TO DR. SHAW FOR HIS WORK. SO GREAT. NO MORE SPEAKERS, LUCINDA?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS 4:43 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOW ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.