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* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

[Opening prayer by retired Pastor Randy Ginnan of Katy.]

[Discussion of the proposed FY 2021-2022 budget for Harris County. No action will be taken on the budget.]

[00:58:41]

BE PRO ACTIVE AND NOT REACTIVE. AND THERE ARE TOO MANY NEEDS

[00:58:51]

THAT NEED TO BE FILLED DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

[00:58:59]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NAKIA SIMMS WITH CONSULTING

[00:59:07]

SERVICES. SHE SIGNED UP FOR THE BUDGET

[00:59:09]

SECTION AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM NUMBER 3.

[00:59:12]

SO SHE WILL TAKE IT UP AT THIS TIME.

[00:59:15]

GO AHEAD, MA'AM. >> I AM DRIVEN BY A BITTER

[00:59:19]

HATRED OF POVERTY AND THE LACK OF MOBILITY THAT KEEPS

[00:59:21]

FAMILIES IN AN ENDLESS CYCLE OF WASTED ABILITY.

[00:59:25]

THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF SAFETY ABRAM.

[00:59:27]

I AM A POLICY WALK LIKE LONGORIA.

[00:59:31]

I AM ALSO A DATA NERD. SO -- I'M SORRY.

I HAVE PAPERS EVERYWHERE. IT IS THE WORLD RESOURCE INSTITUTE AND I WAS EXCITED TO SEE A DATA ANALYTICS PERSON THAT LOOKS LIKE ME. TEXAS HOUSES ADVOCATES FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND THEN COVID-19 RESEARCH FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE. IT IS REFLECTIVE OF SOMEBODY THAT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE COMMUNITY SERVED WHICH IS THE

[01:00:01]

HOUSING STABILITY. YOU HAVE PEOPLE OF GREAT MINDS, BUT HOW MANY HAVE BEENY SH -- BEEN EVICTED.

I FACED EVICTED THREE TIMES. I LOOKED AT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT AND IT IS EASY TO TWEET ABOUT AN EVICTION WHEN YOU LIVE IN A HALF MILLION DOLLAR HOME THAT HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN TO YOU FROM GENERATIONS.

WE DON'T HAVE THE EQUITY. HISPANIC WOMEN WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE HAVE HALF OF THE SALARY OF WHITE MEN.

I AM HERE AND I AM NAKIA SIMMS AND I AM HERE FOR MY DAUGHTERS. I I SUPPORT THE HOMELESS.

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE -- MY HOMELESS EXPERIENCE.

I APPLIED TO BE A HOUSING NAVIGATOR.

I HAVE TO HIDE MY EXPIRED REAL ESTATE LICENSE AND LAW DEGREE AND THE PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE I GOT AFTER A LAW DEGREE BECAUSE I WAS NOT LIGHT ENOUGH OR WHITE ENOUGH.

IF YOU ARE A BLACK WOMAN -- THE GENTLEMAN SPOKE ABOUT CREATING JOBS. CREATING JOBS EVEN WHEN IT IS IN GOVERNMENT. THERE IS DISCRIMINATION.

COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, SIR, I DIDN'T GET A JOB.

I FOUND A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER.

HE GOT A JOB AS A PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE WHEN I JOCKS -- JOCKS TAUS POSE OUR LIVES? HE IS A WHITE MALE.

A MALE THAT IS WHITE SHOULD NOT LIVE IN A BETTER HOME AND HIGHER INCOME WHEN BLACK WOMEN DON'T.

WE TALK -- I REACHED OUT TO KELLY YOUNG AND I ASKED HER ABOUT SURVEYS AND FOLLOWING UP WITH THE HOMELESS AND HER RESPONSE TO ME WAS NOT AS KIND AS THE RESPONSE TO YOU ALL.

WHO ARE YOU? SHE ASKED IF I WAS SOME TYPE OF AN INTERN. THESE PEOPLE ADVOCATING FOR HOMELESSNESS, TALK TO PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES.

YOU WANT THE DATA, YOU ARE NOT ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

IT IS THE UNKNOWN OF THE UNKNOWNS.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.

THEY ARE NOT ASKING ABOUT THE CITY'S MORATORIUM AND LOOKING AT SOME OF THE EVICTIONS DIVERSIONS AND ASKING ABOUT RACE. THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, I ASKED YOU ALL TO LOOK AT THE ANALYTICS.

WE HAD A DISCUSSION OF RACE AND EQUITY MATTER AND IT IS

NOT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> IT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED IN THE ANALYTICS AND THE OUTCOME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH

FOR THE BUDGET SECTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA. WE HAVE A FULL AGENDA TO GET THROUGH. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE AREN'T ANY ANYMORE COMMENTS ABOUT THE BUDGET BEFORE WE MOVE ON. ALL RIGHT.

WELL -- GO AHEAD. >> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE ONE COMMENT AND I THINK NUMEROUS COURT MEMBERS TALKED ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ONE PLACE WE CAN FOCUS IS INFRASTRUCTURE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY $230 MILLION FROM THE TOLL ROAD TRANSFER LAST YEAR, AND A NUMBER OF THE INFROM YOU STRUCTURE -- INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FOR EXAMPLE FLOOD CONTROL AND CHANNEL PROJECT AND ROAD RECONSTRUCTIONS. THERE MAY BE SOME AREAS WE CAN PUT THAT MONEY TO WORK WITH A SHORTENED TIME FRAME.

FOR EXAMPLE, STREET DRAINAGE. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A USEFUL CONVERSATION TO CONTINUE AND TRY TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN THERE IN ADDITION TO THE INTERNAL EFFORT. IT MIGHT HELP GET OTHER FOLKS

TO WORK IN REASONABLY SHORTER. >> THAT IS A REALLY GOOD POINT AND THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THAT.

WHAT WE KNOW IS FOR WHATEVER BILLION DOLLARS CONSTRUCTION WE PUT ON THE STREET, THERE IS 21,700 JOBS.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT POINT.

WE ARE DOING GOOD THINGS ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS.

I KNOW EVERYONE IS WORKING HARD ON THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE TO THE AGENDA AND I WANT TO GIVE

[I. Departments (Part 1 of 2)]

FOLKS A HEADS UP ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

AFTER THE RESOLUTIONS, AND I KNOW WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS AT -- SOMETIMES AT COURT AND I FIGURE WE GO AHEAD AND DO IT AND THAT IS TO TAKE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AT THE BEGINNING OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. EACH MEETING GOING FORWARD.

IF THAT'S OKAY WITH FOLKS WE WILL GO THROUGH THE RESOLUTIONS AND THEN TAKE THE SPEAKERS.

THE SECOND POINT, WE STARTED AT 9 AND WILL BREAK AT 11:00 AND WILL BREAK AT 1:00 AND NOT RETURN UNTIL 2:15.

I KNOW A COUPLE OF FOLKS HAVE TO BREAK AT THAT TIME.

[01:05:01]

I WANT TO GIVE FOLKS A HEADS UP ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE QUITE A FEW RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.

THE FIRST IS UNDER MY AGENDA. AND HS HONORING THE LIFE OF A COUNTY EMPLOYEE WHO RECENTLY DIED.

IT IS CELEBRATING THE MEMORY OF SHEEN -- SHEENA TATE.

SHEENA TATE PASSED AWAY AND SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.

SHE WAS BORN IN LOUISIANA AND LIVED IN HOUSTON THE LAST 13 YEARS. SHE WAS HIRED AS A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE SEPTEMBER OF 2010 AND HAS BEEN WORKING AT THE HARRIS COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR OFFICE AND NOW WORKING AT THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE. SHE ROSE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT TO THE POSITION AS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF VOTER REGISTRATION. THE OFFICE WILL BE DEEPLY SADDENED BY SHEENA'S ABSENCE. THEY ALSO LOST WES HART.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HEART BROKEN FROM THESE RECENT LOSSES. SHEENA WAS THE DESIGNATED PARTY PLANNER FOR ALL OFFICES.

SHE WAS MARRIED TO HER BELOVED HUSBAND, CHRISTOPHER FRANCIS, FOR 9 YEARS. SHE IS A LOVING AUNT -- SHE WAS A LOVING AUNT TO FOUR NEPHEWS AND SEVEN NIECES.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFERS SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF SHEENA TATE AND RECOGNIZES HER MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY.

LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE HER HUSBAND ON THE LINE TO OFFER A

FEW WORDS? >> YES, MA'AM.

CHRIS FRANCIS. >> YES, I'M HERE.

I JUST WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING EVERYONE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE SHEENA'S HARD WORK AT THE COUNTY.

SHE LOVED HER JOB. AGAIN, LIKE YOU SAID, SHE WAS THE PARTY PLANNER. SHE WAS THE ORGANIZER.

SHE REALLY HELD THAT TEAM TOGETHER.

I KNOW THE TEAM WILL MISS HER.

HER FAMILY AND MY FAMILY AS WELL, HARRIS COUNTY HAS SHOWN HER LIFE SUPPORT FROM [INAUDIBLE] AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR SUPPORTING MY FAMILY AND HER FAMILY THROUGH ALL OF THIS. THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE.

SHE WAS A GREAT PERSON, AND SHE TOUCHED A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WE ARE GOING TO TRULY MISS HER.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, SIR. THANK YOU FOR SHARING HER WITH US WHILE SHE WAS HERE. THE NEXT RESOLUTION IS OFFERING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF WES HART.

THIS IS WHERE IT WAS UNBELIEVABLY TRAGIC WEEK FOR THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND ASSESSOR AND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. WHEREAS WES HART PASSED AWAY ON JANUARY 15TH, 2021 AND WILL BE MISSED BY HIS CO-WORKERS, FRIENDS, DOGS AND HIS LOVING PARTNER.

HE WAS HIRED AS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

IN JANUARY OF 2019 UNDER FORMER HARRIS COUNTY CLERK DR. DIANE TROUTMAN HE ATTENDED UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS EL PASS -- EL PASO. AFTER COLLEGE HE STARTED SOFTWARE TRAINING CENTERS IN HOUSTON AND DALLAS AND STARTED DEVELOPING CUSTOM MANUALS FOR NASA.

OVER TIME HE SERVED IN MULTIPLE SERVICE ROLES INCLUDING THE OAK FOREST AREA DEMOCRAT WHERE HE WAS PRESIDENT. HE WAS SECRETARY FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY. HE WAS A FORMER STATE DEMOCRATIC SCUTE -- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER IN 2016 AND DEMOCRATIC HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT CHAIR.

HE WAS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY.

IN SHORT, HE HAD A SERVING SPIRIT.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFERS SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF WES HART AND RECOGNIZES HIS TWO YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY. I BELIEVE COUNTY CLERK TANISHA HAD YOU HAD -- HUDSMITH IS ON THE LINE.

>> YES, MA'AM. YOU ARE UNMUTED.

[01:10:01]

>> GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

THANK YOU FOR HONORING THE LIFE OF WES HART AND ALL OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR GREAT COUNTY.

I GRACIOUSLY ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF WES HART. I WANT TO SAY THAT WES WAS NOT ONLY SUCH A GREAT CONTRIBUTOR TO OUR GREAT COUNTY AND IN ALL THAT WE DO, BUT WAS TRULY A FAMILY MEMBER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE OFFICE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE COMMUNITY THAT HE SERVED.

WHAT WES DID WAS REVAMP AND GROUND BREAKING IN TERMS OF CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE, INCLUSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL OF THE ELECTION CLERKS AND THE POLL WORKERS IN THIS COUNTY. AND IN THE WAY WE TRAIN AND IN THE WAY WE GO ABOUT BEING INCLUSIVE TO THE PEOPLE WE SERVE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE TO THAT PROGRAM. WE ARE SO GREATLY PROUD.

OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY DURING THIS TIME.

WE WISH THE BEST TO HIS LOVED ONES AND AT THIS TIME WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND WE APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, MAY HE REST IN PEACE AND WE APPRECIATE ALL HE DID TO IMPACT OUR COUNTY AND MAY WE ALL CONTINUE TO HAVE A HEART

LIKE WES HART. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM CLERK. OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO HIS

FAMILY. >> JUDGE WE ALSO HAVE ISABEL

LONGORIA ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> MS. LONGORIA, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT WITH BOTH WES AND SHEENA.

I KNEW WES PERSONALLY OUTSIDE THE OFFICE AND HIS HEART OF SERVICE, AND THIS AFFECTED NOT JUST OUR OFFICE AS THE ELECTIONS OFFICE, BUT THE COUNTY CLERK.

AND WITH SHEENA PASSING IN THE TAX OFFICE AS WELL.

THANK YOU TO WES FOR LEAVING A LEGACY OF SERVICE.

HAVING A BIG HEART. I KNOW MY TEAM HAS BEEN GREATLY, GREATLY AFFECTED WITH HIS ILLNESS AND HIS EVENTUAL PASSING. AND AS WELL WITH MS. SHEENA TATE ON THE TAX SIDE. SHE WAS A POWER HOUSE.

SHE WAS HOLDING STEADY AND PROVIDING SO MUCH LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE TRANSITION AND WAS SO EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE AND HAD SO MANY BRIGHT IDEAS. SHE WILL BE SORELY MISSED.

THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION.

I BELIEVE MS. WENDY CAESAR IN THE TAX OFFICE WANTED TO SHARE THOUGHTS ON BEHALF OF THEM AND EVERYONE WHO WHACKER -- WHO WORKED WITH SHEENA PREVIOUSLY MOVING TO ELECTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE THAT SPEAKER,

LUCINDA? >> YES, WE DO.

MS. CAESAR, I AM UNMUTING YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM WENDY CAESAR IN THE TAX OFFICE AND I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH SHEENA TATE.

SHEENA TATE WAS UP FOR ANY CHALLENGE AND IN STREAM LINING THE PROCESS OF VOTE -- VOTER REGISTRATION.

SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING THE VOTER REGISTRATION EMPLOYEES ON HOW TO PROCESS.

SHE KNEW THE ELECTION TOLLS LIKE THE BACK OF HER HAPPENED. SHE SLEEPED, BREATHED, TALKED VOTER REGISTRATION AND CAN BE CALLED ON TO HELP FIGURE OUT ANY ISSUES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

SHE WAS A GREAT ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT.

SHE KEPT US LAUGH -- LAUGHING WHEN WE DIDN'T FEEL LIKE LAUGHING. AND WE RECEIVED 120,000 VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS AND WE WERE WONDERING HOW CAN WE PROCESS ALL OF THESE APPLICATIONS IN TIME FOR THE ELECTIONS? SHE LOOKED AT US AND LAUGHED AND SAID THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW TO DO SO LET'S KEEP MOVING UNTIL IT IS COMPLETED. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID AND WE DID IT IN RECORD TIME. SHEENA WAS ONE OF A TIME AND

WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL STORY. THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING IT. SHE WILL BE MISSED.

WES WILL BE MISSED. I KNEW HIM PERSONALLY.

IT IS SO TRAGIC. BUT I AM GLAD WE HAVE A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE THEIR LIVES AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR -- TO COMMEMORATE -- COMMEND, EXCUSE ME, COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE ROBERT SOARD ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT. THIS IS RECOGNIZING A FRIEND TO THE COURT, I THINK TO ALL OF US.

HE HAS DONE INCREDIBLE WORK. AT LEAST FOR ME I I REMEMBER JUST ALL OF THE HELP THAT ROBERT AND HIS TEAM HAVE PROVIDED US OR HAD PROVIDED US DURING THE VARIOUS CRISIS.

I AM GRATEFUL TO HIM AND PROUD TO OFFER THIS RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS, ROBERT SOARD WITH HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL RETIRE ON JANUARY 31ST, 2021 AFTER 18 YEARS OF

[01:15:03]

OUTSTANDING AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY.

HE WAS HIRED IN 2002 AND 2003 WHERE HIS CLIENTS WERE THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THEN HE WAS NAMED DIVISION CHIEF OF THE REAL PROPERTY DIVISION IN 2003.

HE INSTITUTED THE USE OF MOCK TRIALS AND FOCUS GROUPS FOR MAJOR CASES AND IMPLEMENTED DOCUMENT STORAGE WITH CASE TRACKING DATABASE. ROBERT SOARD SERVED AS CHIEF OF STAFF FROM THE SUMMER OF 2009 TO JANUARY OF 2013.

WHERE HE HELD THE GENERAL SUPERVISORY ROLE OF DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS. AND THEN IN 2013 HE WAS NAMED FIRST ASSISTANT. REPRESENTING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND CONTINUING AS CHIEF OF STAFF. I KNOW WE HEARD HE WAS DOING TWO PEOPLE'S JOB, AND I THINK DOING IT WELL.

HE ALSO OVER SAW THE INTEGRATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY IN THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ATTORNEY AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT BUILDING PROJECTS INCLUDING THE BUILDOUT OF THE FIRST FLOOR TO RELOCATE THE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY. HE OVER SAW THE CASE -- OF THE CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE BY COMMANDS AND CONGRATULATES ROBERT W.SOARD FOR HIS YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND FURTHER EXTENDS BEST WISHES FOR MANY YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION AND THANK YOU, MR. SOARD, FOR YOUR CALM, DELIBERATE, STEADY HAND.

YOU WOULD ALWAYS ANSWER THE PHONE EVEN ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS AND AT NIGHT. IT HAS BEEN A DELIGHT TO KNOW YOU AND GET TO KNOW YOU. EVEN FROM A DISTANCE WHEN I WOULD CALL YOU ON MY EARLIER JOB YOU ARE A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING. THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF MY PRECINCT AND OF COURSE ALL OF US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I TOO WANT TO COMMEND ROBERT FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE. I APPRECIATE HIM SITTING AT THE TABLE AND IT -- ACTUALLY I WAS GOING TO TRY TO PASS A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO SEE IF WE CAN'T GET HIM SOME BACK PAY.

HE WAS ACTUALLY ACTING LIKE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME VINCE WAS ELECTED.

THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I SAW VINCE.

HE OUGHT TO BE UP FOR A BATTLE PAY OR SOMETHING.

ANYWAY, THANK YOU, ROBERT, FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ROBERT, WE GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER IN MY PRIOR JOB AS A JUDGE AND YOU WERE A PRACTICING LIT -- LITIGANT. YOU WERE RESPECTFUL, CALM AND WELL RESEARCHED IN THOSE DAYS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE UP TO THIS TIME.

ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: ROBERT, EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T GET TO SERVE WITH YOU HERE, I OBJECT SERVED WITH SOME AMAZEMENT HOW YOU HANDLED COMPLICATED ISSUES IN A NONPARTISAN WAY.

HAVING WORKED WITH 50 CITIES IN TEXAS AND 20 COUNTIES IN TEXAS I CANNOT RECALL SOMEONE AS GIFTED.

THANK YOU, ROBERT, FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I FORGOT SOMETHING I WANTED TO SALINE LEAN GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ROBERT, THE THING I AM MOST GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR DURING YOUR SERVICE AS THE ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY IS WHEN I CALLED YOU TO ASK WHETHER I SHOULD DO SOMETHING OR NOT AND YOU SAID NO I SHOULD NOT MANY TIMES WE JUST BASICALLY THINK IT IS THE ROLE OF THE ATTORNEY TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO WHERE YOU JUST RUBBER STAMP WHATEVER IT IS WE ARE TRYING TO DO. AND YOU TOOK SERIOUSLY THAT ROLE OF SAYING, YOU KNOW, THE LAW DOESN'T LET YOU DO THAT.

I VALUE MORE THE TIMES YOU SAID NO, DON'T DO THAT TO KEEP ME OUT OF THE ROCKY WATERS THAN THE TIMES YOU SAID, YES, SIR, GO AHEAD. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I EXPRESSED MY PROFOUND APPRECIATE -- APPRECIATION

[01:20:03]

WHEN YOU SAID NO. I NEEDED TO HEAR THE NO SO I COULD BE ALWAYS STRAIGHT AND TRUE AND PROPER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN SEE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS ON.

>> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ROBERT, CON GRAT -- CONGRATULATIONSES ON YOUR RETIREMENT.

SECOND TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAVE KNOWN ROBERT FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME. WE MET FOLLOWING THE MARCH PRIMARY AND THEN GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. ONE THING ABOUT ROBERT IS HE IS THE CONSTANT PROFESSIONAL. HE HE WAS VERY MUCH INTEGRAL IN THE TRANSITION TO THE OFFICE.

HE LEAD US WEED THROUGH EVERYTHING AND HELPFUL IN THE PROCESS. ROBERT, I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND EVERYTHING YOU DID TO HELP US GET ON BOARD AND I AM WISHING YOU THE BEST IN YOUR RETIREMENT. IF WE HAVE INSTANCES WHERE WE NEED TO TELL COMMISSIONER CAGLE NO, YOU WILL HELP ME

MAKE THAT CALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE ROBERT SOARD IS ON THE LINE. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, MA'AM. I AM UNMUTING HIM.

>> AM I UNMUTED? >> YES, SIR.

>> OKAY. WELL, ALL OF YOU ARE SO KIND THAT IT MAKES ME A LITTLE WEEPY HEARING ALL OF THIS STUFF, BUT I DO APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK THAT EACH ONE OF YOU COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS. YOU ARE ALL GREAT PEOPLE.

I HAVE ENJOYED SERVING WITH YOU.

I HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE I DO WANT TO THANK JUST BECAUSE I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE. CERTAINLY I I WOULD NOT BE HERE IF NOT FOR THEM. VINCE RYAN FOR FORGIVING -- FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE WITH HIM.

I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR CHRISTIAN MENAFEE AND DYER AND A GREAT JOB THEY DID IN THE TRANSITION. THEY WILL DO GREAT WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE DOING.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH WHOM I HAVE SERVED OVER THE YEARS. THEY ARE ALL GREAT PEOPLE AND THEY WORKED REALLY HARD. THEY HAVE AN OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE. AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT LAT FEW DAYS -- THE LAST FEW DAYS SINCE I HAVE BEEN OFF.

I THINK EVERYONE I HAVE WORKED WITH IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THAT INCLUDES THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE APPOINTED OFFICIALS, THE FOLKS WHO REALLY GET THE WORK DONE, EMPLOYEES OF HARRIS COUNTY, IT IS AMAZING THEIR HEART FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND THEY WORK TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. I UH -- I APPLAUD THEIR COMMITMENT AND I APPLAUD YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOD BLESS, ROBERT. ALL THE BEST.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ALL CLAPPING OVER HERE, ROBERT. KNOWN IF YOU CAN SEE US.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE US.

WOW. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE. YOU WILL BE MISSED AND CELEBRATED. THANK YOU.

THOSE ARE ALL OF MY RESOLUTIONS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE TWO.

ONE IS FOR CHASE. WE KNEW HER IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. HER AND HER HUSBAND JOHN CHASE INTEGRATED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.

SHE GRADUATED AT 19 YEARS OLD AND HAD TO GET PERMISSION TO TEACH BECAUSE SHE WAS SO YOUNG.

JOHN CHASE'S CAREER IS LEGENDARY, BUT IS THE CASE AS MANY POWERFUL WOMEN, SHE WAS IN THE BACKGROUND AND SHE GOT THE HATE MAIL AND HAD TO KEEP THEIR MARRIAGE AFLOAT.

I THINK THEY GOT MARRIED IN MID-AUGUST AND HE STARTED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PROBABLY IN JUNE.

PRIOR TO BROWN VERSUS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THAT FAMOUS CASE. HE WAS THE FIRST BECAUSE LAW SCHOOLS WERE STARTED IN AUGUST.

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN ARCHITECTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS STARTED IN LATE JUNE.

A GREAT COMMUNITY LEADER AND I APPRECIATE YOU, JUDGE, WORKING IT OUT SO WE CAN DO THIS AND LETTING ME TAKE OFF AND GO AND SPEAK AT A FUNERAL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US AND COME BACK.

I THINK WE ARE TRYING TO GET THAT RESOLUTION SIGNED SO I

[01:25:02]

CAN TAKE. IT IF NOT, I WILL REPRESENT ALL OF US. AND THE OTHER ONE IS FOR A LONG-TIME COUNTY EMPLOYEE THAT COMMISSIONER FRANCO LEE BLESSED ME WITH. SHE HELPED ME GET THROUGH THE FIRST FOUR YEARS. IT IS JUDY SPRINGER AND SHE SERVED HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 1 WITH DEDICATION AND DISTINCTION FOR 37 YEARS. SHE EARNED A BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OF ACCOUNTING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON BEFORE SHE BEGAN HER CAREER IN 1984 AS INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

AND THEN JUDY SPRINGER ROSE AS A BUDGET ANALYST IN THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT STARTING IN 86 AND PERFORMING AS A HARRIS COUNTY RISK MANAGEMENT ANALYST IN THE SAME DEPARTMENT AND BEGAN IN 89. AND THEN IN 1990 JUDY EARNED A MASTER'S IN ACCOUNTING FROM TEXAS SOUTHERN AND WAS APPOINTED CONTROLLER FOR THE LATE COMMISSIONER L.FRANCO LEE AND WAS THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF ROADS AND BRIDGES IN 1994. IN 1999 SHE WAS PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR AND HONORED TO BE SELECTED BY COMMISSIONER FRANCO LEE AS ONE OF HIS NEWLY CREATED SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP. JUDY IN HER FINAL YEARS OF HER I WILL LOS STRASS CAREER HELPED ME OUT AS A NEW PERSON HERE AS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

SHE WILL BE MISSED BY HER COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS IN PRECINCT 1 AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

SHE ADD GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND THE JUDGE'S OFFICE.

EVER ENERGETIC AND RESPECTED SHE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HER SMILE AND ABILITY TO REMAIN GROUNDED.

I AM JUST SO PROUD OF HER. 37 YEARS HERE.

IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO GET TO KNOW HER UP CLOSE, AND EVEN WHEN I KNEW HER FROM A DISTANCE, JUST HANGING AROUND COMMISSIONER LEE'S OFFICE. I WANT TO COMMEND HER.

I AM SO GLAD SHE IS HERE. I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY

WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING US AT COMMISSIONER CHASE'S FUNERAL. HE WAS A TRAILBLAZER IN THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING COMMUNITY.

THE THINGS HE REALLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED TO HAPPEN WERE TOO HUMAN RUSS. HE WILL BE MISSED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I HOPE JUDY IS ON THE LINE.

>> JUDY SPRINGER. >> YES, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

BEFORE JUDY SPEAKS I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT HER

TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDY, WE'RE GONNA MISS YOU. AND NOT JUST ME, ALTHOUGH I WILL, BUT MY EXECUTIVE STAFF HAS GROWN TO APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO COOPERATE WITH REGARD TO TRY TO FIND OUT THE BEST WAY TO DO THINGS BECAUSE WHEN YOUR MIND GOT TOGETHER WITH MY EXECUTIVE TEAM'S MIND, Y'ALL WOULD ALWAYS COME UP WITH THAT THING THAT WAS THE BEST FOR US ALL TO DO. AND SO WE ARE GOING TO DEFINITELY MISS THAT OPPORTUNITY OF BEING ABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH YOU AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR WISDOM AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LOOK FOR WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COUNTY. WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR OFFICE -- YOUR SERVICE AND WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU.

THAT'S FROM PRECINCT 4. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,

COMMISSIONER. >> HELLO.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THOSE KIND WORDS. THANK YOU, JUDGE UH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO THANK GOD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT HE GAVE ME TO JOIN HARRIS COUNTY 37 YEARS AGO IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND ALLOWING ME TO SERVE AS YOUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.

I APPRECIATED BEING PART OF YOUR TEAM AND I HOPE I MADE A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING FOR PRECINCT ONE CONSTITUENTS.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME OVER THE YEARS.

I WILL ALWAYS APPRECIATE AND NEVER FORGET THAT YOU REACHED OUT TO THE PRECINCT ONE STAFF AFTER COMMISSIONER LEE PASSED AWAY. AND YOU BROUGHT US LUNCH.

I THANK YOU DEARLY FOR THAT. ALSO I THANK THE LATE, BELOVED COMMISSIONER L.FRANCO LEE FOR TRUSTING ME TO BE HIS CONTROLLER. HE TRUSTED A 29-YEAR-OLD AND

[01:30:01]

GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO BEACON TROLLER -- BE CONTROLLER 30 YEARS AGO AND PROVIDED ME WITH NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW FOR OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

HE WAS TRULY A BLESSING, A FRIEND, A MENTOR AND A GREAT BOSS TO ME AND SO MANY OTHERS.

I WILL NEVER FORGET HIM. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE PRECINCT 1 FINANCE AND TECHNOLOGY TEAM.

THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE TO WORK WITH.

I THANK THE ENTIRE PRECINCT 1 FAMILY.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE FRIENDSHIPS I MADE AT THE COUNTY AND I THANK EVERYONE HERE FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY FAMILY, MY HUSBAND AND MY TWO BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS FOR THE SUPPORT THEY OFFER ME EVERY DAY.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDY, I WANT TO THANK FOR FAMILY AS WELL. JUDGE, AS I RECALL HER HUSBAND WORKED FOR THE COUNTY, AND HER DAUGHTER I THINK WAS AN INTERN.

I I CAN'T REMEMBER, JUDY, IF BOTH DAUGHTERS WORKED FOR THE COUNTY AT SOME POINT. IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO GET TO KNOW YOU AND WE WILL MISS YOU.

WE WILL HAVE A PARADE -- JACK IF YOU WANT TO SHOW UP IT WILL BE A CAR PARADE AND IT WILL BE SOCIALLY DISTANCED.

THANK YOU, JUDY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MS. SPRINGER, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE THOSE ARE YOUR RESOLUTIONS,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, MA'AM,

THAT'S IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE A COUPLE SPECIAL ONES MYSELF. YOU KNOW, RECENTLY FOLLOWING IN COMMISSIONER ELLIS' EXAMPLE OF GETTING ON A BIKE AS OFTEN AS I CAN I HAVE BEEN MAKING A COMMITMENT TO REALLY GET TO KNOW MY PRECINCT FROM THAT SEAT OF MY MOUNTAIN BIKE.

ONE OF THE AREAS I HAVE VISITED BEFORE AND HAVE REVISITED ON THE BIKE IS ARMON BAYOU.

IT IS GORGEOUS. IF ANYONE HAS NOT YET VISITED, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE IT OFF YOUR LIST TO DO.

IT IS GORGEOUS AND JUST LIKE ME I CAN SEE SOME GOAT.

IT IS GREAT. THAT NATURE REQUIRES A STEADY HAND AND A COMMITMENT AND A LOVE FOR NATURE AND A LOVE FOR RECOGNIZING THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING SUCH BEAUTIFUL TREASURES LIKE ARMON BAYOU.

AND FOR THAT REASON I AM SO PROUD AND HONORED TO SUBMIT THIS RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF MARK KRAMER'S RETIREMENT.

I GOT TO MEET HIM WHEN I FIRST CAME TO OFFICE, AND HE GAVE ME A PONTOON RIDE THROUGH THE AREA THERE.

I WILL JUST SAY THAT MARK HAS BEEN THE CHIEF NATURAL LIST -- NATURALIST AND THE DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION AT THE ARMAND BAYOU CENTER FOR 25 YEARS. ON THE 11TH OF LAST MONTH, MAYOR JEFF WAGNER OUT OF THE CITY OF PASADENA OFFICIALLY RENAMED MUD LAKE, WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT NAME, THAT LINKS ARMAND BAYOU TO CLEAR LAKE TO LAKE MARK KRAMER.

I THINK THAT IS SO BEFITTING OF WHO MARK IS AND ALL THAT HE HAS DONE. MARK IMPLEMENTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HABITAT RESTORATION GRANTS.

AND HE WAS A MASTER CAPTAIN WITH THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD. THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. HE ALSO GREW UP IN PASADENA, SWIMMING, FISHING AND PADDLING THE WATERS OF ARMAND BAYOU.

THAT'S WHERE HIS LOVE FOR THE PLACE FIRST DEVELOPED.

AND THEN HE WORKED AT HARRIS COUNTY PORTS FOR EIGHT YEARS.

GIVING EBBING -- GIVING ECOLOGICAL TOURS OF ARMAND BAYOU AND THEN ASSUMING THOSE ROLES, CHIEF NATURAL LIST AND DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION. AND THEN MARK IS KNOWN TO HAVE TAUGHT AND MENTORED COUNTLESS PARTS DEPARTMENT PRESERVATION

[01:35:01]

AND CONSERVATION WORKERS ALL-AROUND THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND MANY WHO NOW HOLD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THAT PARTICULAR FLOW. DURING HIS CAREER AS I MENTIONED HE WAS A VERY, VERY TRUSTED HAND FOR THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT THE COUNTY RECEIVED AND ARMAND BAYOU RECEIVED TO IMPROVE THE PROPERTY.

BUT ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ENHANCE EXPLORING AND PRESERVING AND RESTORING AND INTERPRETING THE ECOLOGY AND WILDLIFE. A RESTORATION ECOLOGIST, LECTURE, WRITER, LICENSED MASTER U.S. CAPTAIN OF THE COAST GUARD, AN AVID FISHERMAN.

I GUESS NOT ALL OF NATURE IS SAFE WITH MARK.

HE HAS RECEIVED COUNTLESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS FROM THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE, THE BAYOU PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION.

OVER THE YEARS MARK LEAD COUNTLESS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TO RESTORE MANY ACRES OF MARSH GRASSES AND TEXAS COASTAL PRAIRIE, CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE RETURN OF WILDLIFE SUCH AS THE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR, BALD EAGLE, NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER AND THE BROWN PELICAN.

MARK CONTINUES TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THROUGH A BLOG ON THE NATURE CENTER'S WEBSITE. WE ARE JOINED BY A COUPLE OF FOLKS WHO KNOW MARK A WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN I CAN DESCRIBE HIM AND INTRODUCE HIM TO YOU ALL IN THESE WORDS.

WE ARE JOINED BY HIS WIFE, JENNIFER, AND BY TIM PILOT WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARMAND NATURE CENTER.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU, MARK, FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO SOMETHING SO , SO IMMENSELY IMPORTANT FOR OUR FUTURE. I WILL ALWAYS SAY, JUDGE THAT I DEVELOPED AN APPRECIATION ENSURING THAT WE ARE KEEPING OUR AIR, LAND AND WATER CLEAN.

AS A KID I REMEMBER SEEING A COMMERCIAL IN WHICH A NATIVE AMERICAN IS CANOEING DOWN THE WATER AND THERE IS PRESS TEEN, CLEAR WATER. AND THEN YOU SEE THE TRASH AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT CONTAMINATE THE WATER.

THAT PERSON BEGINS TO CRY. JUST KNOWING THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE MARK THAT HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO ENSURING THAT THERE IS STILL A BIT OF THAT NATURE THAT OUR NATIVE AMERICANS TREASURED SO DEEPLY CAN STILL BE FOUND IN THE 21ST CENTURY IS BEYOND WORDS AND RESPECT.

AGAIN, IT IS MY HONOR AND PLEASURE TO SUBMIT THE RESOLUTION. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE JENNIFER AND TIM PILOT TO SHARE A FEW WORDS.

>> MS. KRAMER WANTED TO DEFER TO MR. PILOT.

TIM PILOT WITH ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER.

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

AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HERE AT ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER AND I HAD THE SHEAR PLEASURE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE MARK THROUGH MUCH OF HIS CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION WORK.

MARK HAS A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT HAS LEFT HIM WITH NO VOICE. HE IS WITH US TODAY, BUT HE HAS ASKED THAT I READ THESE WORDS ON HIS BEHALF.

I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY FOR THIS REC COGS ANYTHINGS. I SPENT MY CAREER OF 30 YEARS WORKING ON HARRIS COUNTY PROPERTY, ALL OF IT ON ARMAND BY -- BAYOU. I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE AS WORKING AS AN EMPLOYEE FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER. THEY ARE A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. IT IS A TRUE CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORY ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT IT IS LOCATED IN THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED COUNTY IN TEXAS.

I HAVE PLAYED MY SMALL ROLE IN THAT SUCCESS AS HAVE MANY OF YOU. YOU DO ME GREAT HONOR WITH YOUR REC COG -- RECOGNITION TODAY.

I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL. I JUST WANT TO SAY ON BEHALF

[01:40:03]

NOW FROM MYSELF TO ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE, WE ARE SO HUMBLY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT COMMISSIONER'S COURT PROVIDED TO ARMAND BAYOU AND MR. GARCIA FOR CONTINUING SUPPORT AND ALL OF THE THINGS THE PARKS DEPARTMENT HAS DONE FOR US. THANK YOU FOR PRESERVING THIS 2500-ACRE GEM OF THE GULF COAST.

GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, TIM AND JENNIFER.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MARK FOR SO MANY YEARS.

MARK, SINCE YOU CAN HEAR US, LET ME JUST SAY THAT ON BEHALF OF ALL OF PRECINCT -- QUITE FRANKLY FOR THE REGION, ARMAND BAYOU TODAY IS AN INCREDIBLE GEM IN THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY. FOR THE 25 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE WE THANK YOU FOR KEEPING IT THE GEM IT IS.

WE LOVE YOU, MARK. GOD BLESS YOU AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. I WAS ON ONE OF YOUR TRAILS OVER THE WEEKEND WITH ABOUT 14 PEOPLE.

I WILL CHALLENGE YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT THIS WEEKEND AND SEE IF MARK CAN WATCH US.

WE WON'T GET HIM TO TALK. WE WILL BE QUIET.

I HAVEN'T BEEN OUT THERE FOR AWHILE AND I WOULD LIKE TO DO A RIDE WITH YOU IN MARK'S HONOR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S GOOD.

I'M UP. I GOT MY LEGS TRAINED RIGHT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR

ALL OF YOUR WORK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE NEXT RESOLUTION I HAVE IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART AND I WILL JUST SAY THAT TIMES ARE TOUGH RIGHT NOW AND ESPECIALLY WITH SOME NEWS, BUT HAVING BEEN A CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR 23 YEARS AND HAVING BEEN THE CHAIR OF THE CITY'S PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE, AND THEN SERVING AS THE SHERIFF OF THE LARGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS, I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT IN SPITE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE OUR SOCIETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE THE TIME TO GIVE THEM OUR RESPECT -- EXCUSE ME.

OUR RESPECT AND ADMIRATION. IT'S A JOB THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TOUGH. I REMEMBER WHEN I STARTED MY CAREER WALKY TALKIES WERE BARELY MAKING THEIR WAY TO OUR PORTFOLIO OF EQUIPMENT. SO OFTEN YOUR PARTNER AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE WHO CARRIED THE RADIO WHEN WE WOULD HAVE TO JUMP OUT OF CARS.

SINCE WE WEREN'T USED TO IT, MANY TIMES WE WERE JUMPING OUT OF THE CAR AND FORGETTING WE HAD A RADIO TO HELP COMMUNICATE. AND THEN JUST OVER THE YEARS I HAVE KEPT TRACK OF THOSE THAT PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND HAVE REGRETFULLY SEEN THOSE NAMES GROW ON THE MONUMENT AT THE HOUSTON POLICE MEMORIAL AND GRATEFUL THAT I LEAD THE CHARGE ALONG WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOUNDATION TO CREATE A MORE RESPECTFUL AND BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL FOR OUR HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTIES AND CONSTABLES, DEPUTY CONSTABLES.

SO FAMILIES AND WE CAN ALL HONOR THEM MORE APPROPRIATELY. AND SO WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, JUDGE, I STARTED MY CAREER AT 19.

I COULDN'T DRINK BACK THEN. I COULDN'T EVEN BUY MY OWN BULLETS. I HAD TO ASK MY MOM WHEN SHE WAS GOING SHOPPING TO BUY MY BULLETS FOR ME.

THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO HEAR THE CALL FOR THIS SERVICE.

WE STILL HAVE LEADERS LIKE SHERIFF GONZALEZ THAT STEP UP TO ASSUME AN INCREDIBLY HEAVY TASK AND DEAL WITH MANY CHALLENGES ON A 24 -- NOT EVEN A DAILY BASIS.

ON A 24/HOUR BASIS. AND STILL WITH A SCAR ON MY HEART OVER FOLKS LIKE THE LOSS OF SANDEET AND SO MANY OTHERS JUST SAY IT IS MY HONOR TO SUBMIT IN THIS RESOLUTION THAT

[01:45:01]

RECOGNIZES THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE COMMITMENT AND THE SACRIFICES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS OUR COUNTRY, BUT TODAY IN RESPECT OF THOSE WHO SERVICE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. THIS RESOLUTION READS ACROSS THE NATION NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION WAS OBSERVED ON JANUARY 9TH, 2021.

WHEREAS WE TAKE THIS TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROFESSIONAL WORK, OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS DO EACH DAY IN THE LINE OF DUTY, STRIVING TO MAINTAIN ORDER AND KEEP US SAFE. WHEREAS DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES WE SEE MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FACE DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

WHEREAS THE DAY OF NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION IS A TIME TO RECOGNIZE AND REFLECT ON THE SACRIFICE WHICH SO MANY OF OUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND FELLOW HOUSTONIANS AND HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS MAKE ON A DAILY BASIS TO KEEP US SAFE IN OUR HOMES, PLACES OF WORK AND ON THE STREETS.

WHEREAS WHETHER ANSWERING CALLS FOR CRIMES IN PROGRESS, VEHICLE COLLISIONS, MEDICAL EMERGENCIES, HELP TO FIND LOST LOVED ONES, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS DEMONSTRATE THEIR BRAVERY, SKILLS, TRAINING AND KINDNESS ON A DAILY BASIS. WHEREAS WE PAUSE TO APPLAUD THE COURAGE AND DEDICATION OF ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR DEDICATING THEIR LIVES TO PROTECTING US FROM THOSE THAT WOULD DO US HARM OR BREAK THE LAWS THAT KEEP US SAFE. THAT'S WHY I AM HONORED, JUDGE, AND WE HAVE CONSTABLE SILVIA TRUJILLO, SOMEBODY I SERVED WITH AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SOMEONE WHO SERVES US TODAY TO ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF HER COLLEAGUES IN HARRIS COUNTY. CONSTABLE?

>> YOU ARE UNMUTED, CONSTABLE.

CONSTABLE? CONSTABLE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LOOKS LIKE WE MAY HAVE SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY. LUCINDA, IF WE CAN WORK TO GET

HER ON MAYBE A LITTLE LATER? >> YES, SIR.

LET ME TRY TO GET HER ANOTHER WAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU.

COLLEAGUES, LOOK, WE ARE HAVING A GOOD DEBATE AND WE HEARD FOLKS TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I HAVE MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN PUBLIC SAFETY. I KNOW -- LET ME JUST SAY, I KNOW BETTER THAN MOST WHAT HAPPENS IN THAT PATROL CARS, AND WHAT HAPPENS ON THE STREET CORNERS AND WHAT HAPPENS AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING AS WELL AS 8:00 IN THE MORNING.

AGAIN, TO ALL OF MY -- THERE ARE STILL A FEW OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT ARE STILL SERVING.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. GOD SPEED.

AND TO THOSE YOUNGSTERS WHO ARE STILL STEPPING FORWARD TO LIVE OUT THEIR DREAMS, WE LOVE YOU AND WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WE ALSO ASK YOU TO KEEP SAFE AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES AND CONTINUE TO DO A PHENOMENAL SERVICE.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE THE EPITOME OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> WE HAVE HER ON THE LINE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

>> CONSTABLE. >> YES.

I'M ON THE LINE. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, CONSTABLE.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY AND PRIVILEGE TO EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS, MY GRATITUDE FOR MY PRECINCT 6 DEPUTIES AND PEACE OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN HONOR OF NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION. I RECALL IT LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY WHAT AN HONOR IT WAS FOR ME WHEN I JOINED THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT ON OCD , 1983.

WHEN I TOLD MY MOM OF MY PLANS TO JOIN SHE WAS SO EXCITED FOR ME. WHEN I SHARED THE NEWS WITH MY DAD THAT I WAS GOING TO APPLY TO BE A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER, THE FIRST THING HE DID WAS TURN TO MY HUSBAND AND ASK HIM, SON-IN-LAW, YOU ARE GOING TO LET HER BE A POLICE OFFICER? WHILE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS LONG

[01:50:01]

BEEN A MALE-DOMINATED PROFESSION, BEING A FEMALE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN VERY SPECIAL TO ME.

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WOMEN PIONEERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO PAVE THE WAY FOR SO MANY OF US.

HERE WE ARE JUST 37 YEARS LATER, AND NOW I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO SERVE AS THE FIRST LAW LAW -- THE FIRST THE LATINA ELECTED IN HARRIS COUNTY.

TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY WHERE I WAS BORN AND RAISED AND TO LEAD 110 EMPLOYEES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE A LEGACY OF GOOD LEADERSHIP AND TO PROMOTE WHAT I BELIEVE IN AND THAT IS HONOR, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

WHEN I TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY OF 2017 I WAS TRULY HONORED TO TAKE AN OATH AND ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO OUR MEN AND WOMEN WHO WOULD SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE, HONOR AND INTEGRITY. ONE OF OUR FIRST COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT OUR PRECINCT SIX DEPUTIES HOSTED WAS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WHERE WE INVITED OUR COMMUNITY TO COME TO OUR DEPARTMENT FOR AN EVENING OF FUN AND FELLOWSHIP WITH OUR DEPUTIES. OUR PRECINCT 6 DEPUTIES AND STAFF CAME TOGETHER AND PUT TOGETHER THE BIGGEST AND BEST NATIONAL NIGHT OUT SECOND TO NONE.

WE HAD OVER 2,000 PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE IN OUR PARKING LOT. WE GAVE HUNDREDS OF BACKPACKS TO CHILDREN. OUR SURROUNDING BUSINESSES PROVIDED SOURCES, SNOW CONES, POPCORN, WATERMELON AND HOT DOGS AND SO MUCH MORE, AND IT WAS ALL FREE.

THE BEST PART WAS OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR DEPUTIES COMING TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN BUILD A TRUST AND WORK TOGETHER AND MAKING PUBLIC SAFETY OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. TWO WEEKS LATER WE WERE FACED WITH THE DEVASTATION OF HURRICANE HARVEY.

OUR PRECINCT 6 TEAM CAME TOGETHER AND BEGAN 24/7 RESCUE MISSIONS IN WAIST DEEP WATER. AND IN MANY INSTANCES OUR HIGH WATER RESCUE BOATS WERE SENT OUT NOT ONLY IN OUR PRE SINK, BUT WHEREVER THEY WERE NEEDED IN THE COUNTY.

AFTER A 12 TO 15-HOUR SHIFT OUR DEPUTIES SLEPT ON THE FLOOR IN THE WAREHOUSE WHY -- WHERE THEY COULD FIND A PLACE. WHEN THIS MISSION ENDED OUR DEPUTIES NOT ONLY CONTINUED TO PATROL OUR COMMUNITY, BUT AGAIN THEY CAME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE OUR CHILDREN WITH A SAFE CELEBRATION OF HALLOWEEN TRUNK OR TREAT.

OUR DEPUTIES PROVIDED HUNDREDS OF TURKEYS FOR OUR SEEN -- SENIOR CITIZENS AND AT CHRISTMAS IT WAS THE FIRST PICTURE WITH BLUE SANTA WHERE WE DISTRIBUTED OVER 1,000 CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO CHILDREN. ALL OF THESE BEAUTIFUL EVENTS ALONG WITH FOOD AND MASS DISTRIBUTION TOOK PLACE AND TAKE PLACE RIGHT HERE AT OUR PRECINCT SIX HEADQUARTERS YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. WE MAKE OUR COMMUNITY FEEL WELCOME, AND WE LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR CASA IS SU CASA.

OUR HOUSE IS THEIR HOUSE. IT WAS AN HONOR TO SWEAR IN THE WONDERFUL MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR PRECINCT 6 COMMUNITY. I AM TRULY THANKFUL FOR OUR TEAM AND I AM SO PROUD OF THEM.

WHILE LAW ENFORCEMENT ALL OVER THE WORLD IS FACING SOME OF THE MOST SERIOUS AND NEGATIVE CHALLENGES, IT HAS EVER FACED, I KNOW THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR PRECINCT 6 COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE WITH THE HIGHEST INTEGRITY AND FOR THEM IT IS NOT ABOUT BECOMING BITTER, BUT ALWAYS BECOMING BETTER. THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN BLUE FOR YOUR SERVICE.

GOD BLESS YOU, HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DAY.

GOD BLESS PRECINCT 6 AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA, FOR THIS HONOR. GRACIAS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GRACIAS, CONSTABLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WELL, WELL SAID.

JUST TELL YOUR GUYS TO STAY SAFE.

THANK YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER CAGLE

AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, CONSTABLE AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT THING FOR US TO REMEMBER.

IN PRECINCT 4 WE INHERITED SOMETHING FROM JUDGE TED POE, CONGRESSMAN TED POE WHICH WAS HIS APPRECIATION.

AND WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THAT FOR -- I THINK HE WAS ORIGINALLY HOLDING IT IN PRECINCT 3.

AND FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS SINCE WE TOOK IT OVER IN PRECINCT 4 IT HAS BEEN HELD UP IN THE HUMBOLDT AREA AND THOSE

[01:55:03]

FACILITIES THAT ARE THERE. THIS YEAR IT WILL PROBABLY BE VIRTUAL AGAIN BECAUSE OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT WE WILL BE HONORING OUR FALLEN ON MAY 17TH, 2021 THIS YEAR.

AND IT IS WHERE WE HAVE THE CEREMONY WHERE THEY RING THE BELL FOR THE END OF WATCH. IT IS A VERY, VERY TOUCHING CEREMONY. WE INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME AND PARTICIPATE IN THAT. IT WILL BE A LOT EASIER TO DO THIS YEAR SINCE IT WILL BE VIRTUAL.

THIS LAST YEAR THERE WERE 48 OFFICERS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT WERE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ACROSS THE STATE. HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WE HAD A RECORD 12 OF OUR LOCAL FOLK AND WE WILL BE HONORING THEM ON MAY 17TH. WE CALL THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY WHICH WILL BE OUR LOCAL ONE AND WE WILL BE PUTTING ANOTHER FOLLOW-UP RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA AS WE GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO TIME PERIOD FOR HARRIS COUNTY PORTION OF THAT.

LET ME SEND MY APPRECIATION AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING IN ON THE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AS WELL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WE APPRECIATE CALLING ATTENTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU, CONSTABLE, FOR YOUR VERY CLEAR REMARKS THERE.

I THINK YOU REPRESENT US WELL.

I AM GOING TO TAKE A PERSONAL PRIVILEGE HERE.

I LOST ONE OF MY VERY BEST FRIENDS IN LATE DECEMBER.

HE WAS A POLICE OFFICER FOR THE HOUSTON PD FOR OVER 30 YEARS. HIS NAME WAS MARK HANNAH.

HE WAS TRAGICALLY SHOT IN KERRVILLE.

I GUESS IF THERE WAS EVER A FRIEND, HE WAS MY FRIEND.

SO YOU JUST SIT THERE AND YOU REMEMBER THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MARK AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE US HAVE MADE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO MENTION MARK AND HIS FAMILY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, TOM.

I KNEW MARK WELL. LIEUTENANT HANNAH TO ME.

I WAS SHOCKED. I GET THE ALERTS FROM OUR OFFICERS WHO ARE ENDING THEIR WATCH.

WHEN I SAW MARK'S I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS COVID AND I DID NOT IMAGINE THAT HE WOULD DIE VIOLENTLY.

MY CONDOLENCES. >> TOM RAMSEY: A TRAGEDY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONDOLENCES FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP, BUT A

BIG LOSS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR BRINGING THIS. IF I AM TEXTING WE ARE GETTING READY TO LAUNCH THE VACCINE REGISTRATION WEBSITE.

DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK IT IS NOT HONORING THE RESOLUTIONS BEING MADE. I REALLY APPRECIATION YOU BRINGING THIS AND I APPRECIATE THE CONSTABLE CALLING ME IN.

I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU KNEW HIM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: WELL I WANT TO RECOGNIZE A CLOSE FRIEND AND SOMEBODY I ADMIRE GREATLY.

THIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRECINCT THREE ARE I'M NUMERABLE.

TO KNOW STEVE MICHAEL RATTED -- STEVE MICHAEL RADACK WASE LICTED -- WAS ELECTED TO SERVE PRECINCT 3 AND TAKING HIS OATH OF OFFICE. MOST PEOPLE BEGIN THIS -- I THINK STEVE R -- STEVE RADACK KNEW WHAT HE WANTED TO DO.

WHAT HE DID WAS AMAZING. FOR 32 YEARS HE SERVED FAITHFULLY. AND WITH EACH WIN I THINK HE WAS EVEN MORE COMMITTED OVER THOSE 32 YEARS TO DO SOMETHING IS THAT -- SOMETHING THAT MATTERED.

HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE TOO MUCH TO LIST.

HE TOO WAS A HUH -- A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER.

HE OBTAINED THE RANK OF SERGEANT AND THEN ELECTED THE

[02:00:02]

HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 5 CONSTABLE AND SERVED THAT FOR FOUR YEARS BEFORE BECOMING COMMISSIONER.

MR. RADACK WAS THE FIRST ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ESTABLISH A SENIOR EDUCATION CENTER.

THEY ARE SO VALUABLE TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

HE CREATED PRECINCT FLEET OF AIR BOATS.

THEY SAID THAT IS NOT IMPORTANT.

IT ONLY RESCUED 1200 RESIDENTS DURING HIS TENURE.

HE CREATED THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT DIVISION. OUR HISTORY IS IMPORTANT AND FROM THIS IT EVOLVED PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 5'S ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES UNIT. HE BUILT AN IN GROUND PRECINCT TREE FARM TO SUPPLEMENT TREE PLANTINGS IN PARKS.

THERE IS NOT A WEEK THAT GOES BY I DON'T TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT PLANTING TREES. THEY SAY WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THEM? I SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE A TREE FARM. HE BUILT THOSE AND IMPLEMENTED A TRAPPING PROGRAM FOR FERIL HOGS.

USED THAT MONEY FOR THE LOCAL FOOD AND IN THE LOCAL FOOD BANKS. HE WAS ALWAYS WATCHFUL OF THE TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS. HE WORKED TO STREAM LINE GOVERNMENT AND MAKE SOUND FINANCIAL DECISIONS.

I THINK A LOT OF THE REASONS WE HAVE GOOD FINANCIAL SITUATION WE DO TODAY WAS FROM COMMISSIONER RADACK'S LEADERSHIP IN SO MANY WAYS. HE CONTRACTED WITH A FIRM TO DEVELOP LANDFILL WASTE REDUCTION OPTIONS FOR THE PRECINCT AND SPEAR HEADED A CHANGE FOR COUNTY POLICY THAT STOPPED THE SELLING OF SHELTER ANIMALS AND FOR RESEARCH.

THAT'S STEVE RADACK. NOT MANY PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT PART OF IT. HE PRIVATIZED COUNTY FUNCTIONS THAT WAS PRACTICAL. HE WOULD GIVE ANYBODY THAT WOULD TAKE IT SHELL SILVER -- SILVERSTEIN'S "THE GIVING TRUE" BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS US AS STEWARDS OF RESOURCES.

HE GREW AND DEVELOPED PARKS. WHEN HE BECAME A COMMISSIONER THERE WERE 9 PARKS IN PRECINCT THREE.

WHEN HE RETIRED THERE WERE 63.

THAT'S AMAZING. EVERYTHING FROM A SOAPBOX DERBY TO DISK PARKS AND FIVE DOG PARKS AND NATURE CENTER AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. PERHAPS HIS GREATEST AND MAYBE COMMISSIONER GARCIA WITH AN EYE TO ARMAND, HE PURCHASED OVER 865 ACRES OUT THERE AND CALLED IT JOHN RUPAUL LANDING. DAB DASH JOHN RUPAUL

>> JOHN PAUL LANDING. IT IS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE AN OFFICER OUT THERE AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSON THAT DOES GIVE GREAT INSIGHT ON BIRD ACTIVITIES AND OTHER THINGS OUT THERE. WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS ON THE PARKS AND THEIR IMPACTS TO THE COMMUNITIES, STEVE STOOD STRONG FOR US.

HE KNEW HOW IMPORTANT SHIVE -- SAFE PLACES WERE TO MEET AND LEARN. HE BUILT OUR EDUCATION -- OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS. WE HAVE EIGHT.

IT IS THE CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY'S ACTIVITY.

STEVE USED TO LIKE TO SAY, AND I QUOTED HIM MANY TIMES, I JUST WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE A REALLY GOOD REASON TO GET UP IN THE MORNING. THAT'S WHAT WE FIND AT THESE COMMUNITY CENTERS. THEY ARE FOLKS THAT REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY PLACE ELSE TO GO.

WITH THAT THEY DO. COMMISSIONER RADACK SET A BAR HIGH BY BUILDING AND MAINTAINING EXCEPTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON ROADS AND BRIDGES.

I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT COMMISSIONER RADACK WAS A VISIONARY. NEVER AT A LOSS FOR WORDS MAYBE AND WAS A TIRELESS WORKER.

WE'VE ALL GOTTEN PHONE CALLS AFTER 10:00.

I USUALLY TURN MINE OFF CLOSE TO 9, BUT THERE HAS BEEN THOSE PHONE CALLS LATE AT NIGHT ON ISSUES THAT MATTER.

SO NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT EXTENDS THANKS AND BEST WISHES TO COMMISSIONER STEVE RADACK FOR HIS YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT 3 IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD.

ANYBODY WHO HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE FOR 32 YEARS DESERVES COMMENDATION AND RESPECT. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE WORK THAT COMMISSIONER RADACK HAS DONE ON PARKS, WITH

[02:05:05]

THE EXCEPTION OF THE SPEED LIMIT TICKETS, I WILL JUST SAY THAT I HAVE TOLD MY STAFF, GO LEARN FROM PRECINCT 3.

GO LEARN FROM THOSE PARTS OVER THERE BECAUSE -- THOSE PARKS OVER THERE BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PARKS I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN PRECINCT 2. THAT IS COMMENDABLE.

I REMEMBER THE -- AS THE CHALLENGE OF FERRIL HOGS CAME, THEY PUT THEIR HANDS UP. THE HOGS HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN, BUT THERE ARE A FEW THAT PAID THE RADACK PRICE, IF YOU WILL. BUT WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, LET'S NOT FORGET THAT STEVE ALSO SERVED IN UNIFORM AS A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER AND THEN AS CONSTABLE.

SO THAT PREVIOUS RESOLUTION IS ALSO TO HIS HONOR.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WANTED TO BRING A RESOLUTION LIKE THIS ON COMMISSIONER RADACK'S LAST DAY, BUT HE EXERCISED HIS PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE DEAN TO TELL ME NOT TO.

NOW THAT HE IS NOT HERE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU DONE GOODBYE BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

YOU ADMITTED ON HERE HE USED TO SELL CEILING FANS.

I REMEMBER A LOT OF STORIES THAT HE WOULD TELL ME ABOUT HOW HE LEARNED FROM HIS DAYS OF SELLING CEILING FANS AND THE BLUE LAWS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WERE THERE.

ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT COMMISSIONER RADACK I GREATLY APPRECIATED. WHEN HE DISAGREED WITH YOU HE WAS NOT SHY TO LET YOU KNOW. SOMETIMES WE DIDN'T LIKE THAT. AT THE CORE, IT IS A WHOLE LOT BETTER TO KNOW WHEN SOMEONE EITHER AGREES WITH YOU OR DISAGREES WITH YOU THAN TO SIT THERE AND JUST WONDER.

IT'S NOT UNKNOWN THAT UNTIL COMMISSIONER ELLIS CAME ALONG, I WAS THE PERSON THAT RECEIVED A LOT OF THAT DISPLEASURE FROM RADACK, AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS BECAUSE HE TOOK MY PLACE WITH REGARD TO WHO IT WAS THAT NEEDED TO RECEIVE MOST OF THE DISPLEASURE.

ONCE THAT OCCURRED, THEN I WAS ABLE TO SEE THOSE OTHER SIDES. I MAY HAVE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET SEEING COMMISSIONER RADACK IN HIS CAR WITH HIS LITTLE MALTESE DOGS ON HIS SHOULDERS LIKE PARROTS AND HOW WHEN I GOT MY DOG YEARS AND YEARS AGO FROM OUR SHELTER THAT WE HAVE AND RADACK DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE REST OF US, BUT HE GOT A RIDE INTO PERCENT -- PERCIVILLE SPACE. HE WAS A 100-POUND MASSIVE -- MASTIFF. EVERYTHING TURNED OUT ALL RIGHT. RADACK IS A BIGGER THAN LIFE, LAW ENFORCEMENT TEXAN AND WASN'T AFRAID TO THROW A HAND GRENADE WHEN HE FELT HE NEEDED TO, BUT HE WASN'T AFRAID TO ALSO STICK OUT A HAND. NEVER, NEVER BACKED OFF OF HAVING COMPASSION AND CARE FOR THOSE WHO LIVED AND BREATHED IN HIS PRECINCT. HE WAS UNAPOLOGETIC WITH REGARD TO HIS CARE FOR THOSE THAT WERE IN HIS PRE SINK -- PRECINCT. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE SERVED WITH HIM AND A LOT OF THE BEST IDEAS THAT I PICKED UP WHEN I CAME IN AND BEGAN LOOKING AROUND FOR WHAT WE NOW CALL BEST PRACTICES, MANY OF MY BEST IDEAS WERE IDEAS THAT I STOLE CANDIDLY FROM SOME OF THE INNOVATIONS THAT WERE GOING ON IN PRECINCT 3. PRECINCT 4 NOW HAS THREE DOG PARKS IN PART OF BECAUSE OF WHAT WE FOUND THE CONSTITUENTS LOVED OVER THERE IN PRECINCT 3.

AND ONE OF THEM WAS NAMED AFTER BARBARA BUSH'S TWO DOGS SHE HAD LATER ON. NOT MILLIE BUSH, BUT HER MINI ME AND BEBE BUSH DOG PARK. AND THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS AS A YOUNG COMMISSIONER IS WALKING THROUGH THE DOG PARK WITH BARBARA BUSH.

SHE CAME OUT TO DEDICATE IT HERSELF WITH HER TWO DOGS AND WHEN THEY DID THEIR BUSINESS, BARBARA BUSH, SHE PICKED UP HER OWN DOG'S BUSINESS AND WOULDN'T ALLOW THE SECRET SERVICE FOLKS TO DO IT FOR HER.

THEY WERE HERS. SHE USED THE PLASTIC COVER FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES AND THE PLASTIC COVER FROM THE CHRONICLE TO PICK UP THE WASTE THERE.

SHE SAID THAT WAS THE BEST USAGE FOR THOSE PIECES OF PLASTIC THAT SHE HAD. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING

[02:10:03]

COMMISSIONER RADACK AND FOR HIS SERVICE.

TOM, WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE, BUT I'M GONNA MISS OLD STEVE

TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

COMMISSIONER RADACK, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR BEING A STRAIGHT SHOOTER. CACTUS, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY ANYBODY WOULDN'T LIKE YOU. THAT'S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE. STEVE, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES PEOPLE TOLD ME WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, YOU AND RADACK HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON.

YOU ARE NOT FAKE. YOU CALL IT AS YOU SEE IT.

AND I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED THAT ABOUT YOU AND LONG BEFORE I EVER KNEW I WOULD COME HERE COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONER LEE TOLD ME ONCE YOU GOT HERE YOU WILL FORGE AN ALLIANCE BECAUSE YOU ARE A STRAIGHT SHOOTER.

I HAVE STOLE YOUR IDEAS ON WALKING TRAILS AND BIKING TRAILS. HAVEN'T GOT TO THE POINT THAT YOU PUT YOUR OWN CREW OUT THERE AND DO THEM.

YOU DID CONVINCE ME DON'T GET SO CAUGHT UP ON CONCRETE AND CEMENT. JUST GO OUT THERE AND BLACKTOP THE TRAILS AND LET FOLKS USE THEM.

JUST TWO LITTLE STORIES. ONE I THINK I FIRST GOT A SENSE OF WHO YOU WERE WHEN I WAS A COUNCIL AND I TOOK A TRIP WITH YOUR WIFE. I THINK WE WERE IN CHILE OR SOMEWHERE. SHE WAS JUST SUCH A DELIGHT WHEN I GOT TO KNOW HER. THEN WHEN BOB LANIER WAS MAYOR YOU AND I WERE BOTH HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A CERTAIN REPORTER, AND THERE WAS SOMETHING -- YOU WERE GOING OFF ON THIS REPORTER. I WON'T CALL OUT HIS NAME.

I WILL TEXT YOU, BUT DAVE WALDEN WAS TRYING TO CALM YOU DOWN. I MADE THE COMMENT WHEN YOU GET HIM ON THE GROUND AND KICK HIM, I WOULD LIKE TO GET A LITTLE KICK IN TOO. YOU FELL OUT LAUGHING.

I DO APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE. WE MAY NOT HAVE AGREED PHILOSOPHICALLY. EVERYBODY IN MY PRECINCT, IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN PARTICULAR, SHOULD BE ENDEBTED TO YOU BECAUSE HAD YOU NOT CHALLENGED ME TO MAKE A MOTION TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY AND PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY BUDGET, YOU SAID YOU WOULD SECOND IT. I AM CONVINCED BACK THEN IF YOU HADN'T SAID THAT, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET A SECOND AND DO THAT DISPARITY STUDY.

I APPRECIATE IT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

AND ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT AND A LONG LIFE TO YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I ALSO WANT TO ECHO THOSE WORDS OF THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER RADACK. I ENJOYED THE TWO YEARS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE TOGETHER.

I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER RADACK'S -- YEAH, STRAIGHT FORWARDNESS. I DO THINK THAT IS SOMETHING TO VALUE, AND IT IS IMPORTANT.

HIS SMARTS ARE CLEAR AND HIS DEDICATION TO THE COUNTY HAS BEEN CLEAR. COMMISSIONER RADACK, YOUR TRAILS I LOVE. I RUN ON THEM ALL THE TIME.

SO, YEAH, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A JOY AND I MEAN THAT.

I ENJOYED BEING ABLE TO SERVE ON COURT TOGETHER AND JUST WATCHING AND LEARNING ALL THE HISTORY YOU SHARED AND JUST HOW WELL YOU UNDERSTOOD WHERE EVERYTHING -- HOW EVERYTHING ENDED UP BEING THE WAY IT ENDED UP BEING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YOU BET. MY LAST COMMENT THERE IS I CALLED HIM COMMISSIONER FOR 32 YEARS.

NOW I GET TO CALL HIM A REALLY GOOD FRIEND AND LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING ON ALL OF HIS LEGACIES.

THE NEXT RESOLUTION I HAD, THIS IS FUN.

THE KATY TIGERS WON STATE AGAIN.

THIS IS ONLY THE 9TH TIME THEY HAVE DONE IT.

THEY STARTED IN 1959, PROBABLY WHILE CACTUS WAS PLAYING FOOTBALL, BUT THEIR FIRST ONE WAS IN 1959.

THEY WON IT IN 97 AND 2000 AND 2003 AND 2007 AND 2008.

2012, 2015 AND 2021. HAVING PLAYED FOR A HALL OF FAME FOOTBALL COACH IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND NEVER HAVING GOT TO GO TO A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TO GO TO 9 AND WIN, THAT'S JUST AMAZING. THEY ENDED THE SEASON 15-1.

I TAKE GREAT LESSON. THEY LOST A GAME TO TOM KINS -- THOMPKINS THIS YEAR. THEY DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO MAKING IT BACK AND THEY DID. THIS HEAD COACH, GARY JOSEPH, FIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. PRETTY AMAZING GENTLEMAN.

I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION. THEN I THINK WE WILL HEAR FROM COACH JOSEPH. AND WE WILL HEAR FROM OUR GOOD

[02:15:02]

FRIEND MAYOR OF HARRIS COUNTY.

JUST A REMINDER, JOSH STUCKEY PLAYED UNDER COACH JOSEPH.

Y'ALL MIGHT WANT TO DIG INTO THAT LATER.

HERE IS THE RESOLUTION ON THE KATY TEAM.

ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 16TH, 2021, THE KATY HIGH SCHOOL TIGERS TRAVELED TO ARLINGTON, TEXAS TO BATTLE THE CEDAR HILL LONG HORNS AT AT&T STADIUM FOR THE STATE UIL6A DIVISION 2 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AND UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF HEAD COACH GAVE RAY JOSEPH, THE TIGER -- GARY JOSEPH THE TIGERS WHO FOUGHT HARD TO BRING GLORY TO KATY HIGH DID NOT FAIL IN THEIR MOST IMPORTANT GAME.

A SCORE OF 51-14, THE TIGERS ROARED OVER THE LONG HORNS.

BEING AN AGGIE THAT'S PROBABLY A PRETTY GOOD THING.

TO TAKE THE SCHOOL'S 9TH CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOOTBALL.

THE TIGERS HAD BEEN STATE CHAMPIONS IN 1959.

I LISTED THOSE. THE QUOTE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS, DEBBIE DECKER, ONCE AGAIN OUR KATY, ISD STUDENTS ARE CREATING A LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THIS CHAMPIONSHIP IS MORE THAN FOOTBALL.

IT IS A REFLECTION OF THE DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY THAT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO REACH EXCELLENCE.

WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE WITH COVID-19 WE ARE REAL PROUD OF OUR COACHES AND PARENTS AND STUDENTS FOR THEIR SUPPORT. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT WISHES TO EXTEND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COACHES, PLAYERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS OF THE KATY HIGH SCHOOL TIGERS FOR BEING THE NEW STATE UIL6A DIVISION 2 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS.

I THINK WE HAVE COACH JOSEPH ON THE LINE?

>> YEAH. ON BEHALF OF THE HIGH SCHOOL STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION AND FOOTBALL TEAM, I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.

IT IS QUITE AN HONOR FOR THE KIDS.

I AM THANKFUL THEY WERE ABLE TO PLAY THIS YEAR.

IT WAS VERY TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES BUT IT IS ABOUT GROWING UP. IT IS ABOUT HAVING RESILIENCY AND RESOLVE ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

NO DOUBT THE KIDS SHOWED THAT THE WHOLE WAY AND I AM THANKFUL TO BE PART OF SUCH AN ORGANIZATION AND A PART OF

KATY HIGH SCHOOL. >> THANK YOU, COACH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, COACH.

PART OF PRECINCT 4 CREEPS OVER THERE.

WE GO OUT TO FRYE ROAD AND CELEBRATE WITH YOU GUYS IN

THIS VICTORY AS WELL. >> WE SO MUCH APPRECIATE THAT. WE NEED ALL OF THE HELP AND SUPPORT WE CAN GET AROUND HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. COACH, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR BOYS. THE SPEED OF THE PACK IS THE SPEED OF THE LEADER. COMPLIMENTS TO YOU.

I WILL JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CROSBY COUGARS DIDN'T DO TOO BAD THIS YEAR. THEY DID TAKE ON ELITO AND UNFORTUNATELY -- IF THERE IS A TEAM YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE TO IT IS ALITO. I WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMEND THE CROSBY COUGARS FOR A GOOD SEASON AS WELL AND TO ALL OF THE FACULTY AND THE STAFF OUT THERE.

AND SO COACH MAYBE WE CAN GET OUR BOYS ON THE SAME FIELD ONE DAY. ALL THE BEST TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE THAT.

AND CROSBY HAD AN OUTSTANDING SEASON.

ANYTIME YOU GO TO A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME YOU HAD AN

OUTSTANDING SEASON. >> LINA HIDALGO: COACH, CONGRATULATIONS. I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL -- THOUGHT KATY HIGH SCHOOL, BUT IN THE AREA, SO I AM VERY

PROUD. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: DO WE HAVE THE MAYOR PRO TEM OF KATY?

>> YES, SIR, WE DO. >> YES, SIR.

CHRIS HARRIS, MAYOR PRO-TEM ON BEHALF OF MAYOR HASTINGS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. COACH JOSEPH, IT IS AN HONOR TO BE ON THE CALL WITH YOU. JUDGE, I KNOW AS A KATYISD ALUMNI YOU ARE CELEBRATING THIS TOO.

BEFORE I READ THIS I WANTED TO LET COMMISSIONER ELLIS KNOW TO SEND OUR DEAR RIVALS TO THE EAST, THE NORTH SHORE MUSTANGS, WE SURE MISS HIM IN STATE THIS YEAR, BUT MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE WILL MEET UP. THE KATY TIGERS HAD AN IMPRESSIVE VICTORY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON THAT LEAD THEM TO

[02:20:02]

THIS END GOAL WHICH IS A TRUE STATEMENT FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM'S HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND SPIRIT.

THESE ACHIEVEMENTS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN REACHED WITHOUT THE LEADERSHIP OF ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING COACHES AND THE SUPPORT STAFF THROUGHOUT THE WAY TO VICTORY.

THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE PLAYERS' PARENTS THAT INSTILLED THE VALUE OF TEAMWORK AND THE DESIRE FOR SUCCESS AND HELPED THEM TO DEVELOP THE SENSE OF FAIR PLAY AND COMPETITION WHICH EXEMPLIFIES THE PRIDE AND HEART OF THE CITY OF CHAMPIONS, KATY, TEXAS.

AND WE ARE ALL PROUD OF THEM. THEY ARE FINE REPRESENTATIVES OF KATY HIGH SCHOOL AND THE CITY OF KATY.

IT IS AN HONOR TO JOIN COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO-TEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I HAD ONE MORE RESOLUTION.

THESE THINGS COME IN BATCHES. IT IS RECOGNIZING OUR THOMAS A.GLAZIER SENIOR EDUCATION CENTER WAS AGAIN THE 2020 READERS' CHOICE AWARD. IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN BY THERE, YOU SHOULD. IT IS A WONDERFUL FACILITY.

THE RESOLUTION READS THE THOMAS A.GLAZIER SENIOR EDUCATION CENTER WAS OPENED IN OCTOBER OF 2010 AS PART OF COMMISSIONER RADACK'S VISION TO PROVIDE CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES SPECIFICALLY GEARED FOR KEEPING OUR SENIORS' MINDS AND BODIES ACTIVE AND HEALTHY.

THE CENTER WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY USING NONTOXIC CARPETS, PAINTS, A GREEN ROOF AND A SYSTEM TO RECYCLE AND REUSE RAIN AND A HOST OF COMMUNITY GARDENS THAT WAS FEATURED ON PBS NEWS AND RADIO.

FIVE PRECINCT THREE STAFF MEMBERS SUPPORTED BY 50 VOLUNTEERS WORKED WITH HUNDREDS OF ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE CLASSES, SEMINARS, STIMULATING EVENT -- ENTERTAINMENT. THOMAS UNIVERSITY PROVIDES ADVISORIES FOR RESUMES AND TEACHES AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE. THE MUSEUM OF FINE ART GIVES LECTURES AND THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY PROVIDES BEAUTIFUL CONCERTS. EXPERTS TEACH HOW TO COOK AND PREPARE NUTRITIOUS MEALS. LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS PROVIDE CLASSES ON FORGIVENESS AND DEPRESSION AND WORRY AND HOARDING. INSTRUCTORS USE IPHONE, IPAD USAGE AND COMPUTER 101 TO NAME JUST A FEW OF THE 300 CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE TO OUR SENIORS.

FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW CLOSE TO 60 SENIORS AND 24 HOUSES SENIORS IN -- 24,000 SENIORS IN 2020, THAT'S AMAZING IN COVID. THEY SHARED THEIR ENTHUSIASM AND GREAT GRATITUDE FOR THE THOMAS A.GLAZIER SENIOR EDUCATION CENTER FOR NOMINATING IT THE SENIOR DIGEST AWARD. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT EXTENDS CONGRATULATIONS TO PRECINCT 3 THOMAS A.GLAZIER FOR BEING NAMED THE SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE'S READERS' CHOICE AWARD IN 2020 AND RECOGNIZING THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AND THE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE THIS CENTER OUTSTANDING.

I UNDERSTAND I AM LINING UP NEXT YEAR TO GIVE A COURSE ON FRYING BASS AND RED FISH, AND IT WILL BE -- THIS IS MORE OF A HIGHER LEVEL OF COOKING CLASSES IT WILL OFFER.

VERY PROUD OF OUR PARTNERS OUT THERE AT GLAZIER.

CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER.

THAT'S GREAT. I WISH I COULD SHARE IN YOUR

BASS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WAIT A MINUTE, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALL ABOUT TRADITION HERE.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO COOK SOMETHING, I THINK YOUR COLLEAGUES OUGHT TO PARTAKE AND ALSO BE PART OF THE JUDGING. I'M JUST SAYING.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I'LL FRY THE FISH.

YOU BRING THE OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE WITH THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU GOT IT. DONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THAT'S ALL OF OUR RESOLUTIONS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE DO HAVE LISA RICE ON THE PHONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> HI.

>> MS. RICE? >> HI.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE ARE REALLY VERY PLEASED AND HONORED TO ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION.

OUR TEAM ABSOLUTELY LOVES SERVING THE HARRIS COUNTY SENIORS, AND IT IS OUR HONOR AND OUR PRIVILEGE.

OUR SENIORS IS WHAT MAKES GLAZIER SPECIAL.

WE ARE GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THAT DATE FOR THE COOKING

CLASS AS WELL. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU,

[02:25:02]

LISA. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IS THAT IT FOR YOUR

RESOLUTIONS ? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES, THAT'S

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE ANY, CORRECT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, TO TAKE

OUT OF ORDER? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE SOME

COMING, BUT NOT TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN TWO HOURS.

LET'S BREAK FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN WE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 1:00. WE WILL BE BACK AT 11:35 TO

MOVE ON TO >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 11:37 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

I AM TRYING TO SEE IF FOLKS ARE ON.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

LET'S START UP WITH THE SPEAKERS BEFORE WE GET TO THE

[V. Appearances before court]

AGENDA. LUCINDA, WE WILL HEAR FROM ALL OF THE SPEAKERS ON THE AGENDA AND NONAGENDA SPEAKERS AND THEN MOVE ON TO THE COVID AGENDA.

>> YES, MA'AM. THOMAS MUTON WITH CENTURY 21 EXCLUSIVE PROPS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. THANKS, EVERYONE, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY OPINION. I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR HAR. I AM PROUD TO BE SERVING THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.

I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM, BUT IT IS MY CONCERN AS AN OFFICER AS A REAL ESTATE PRACTITIONER, I DO OWN CENTURY 21 EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES IN THE AREA.

WE HAVE ABOUT 70 AGENTS THERE.

I AM ALSO A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPER AND DO DEALS FOR SOME OF THE MAJOR HOME BUILDERS HERE.

THEY ARE FINDING LAND AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.

WHEN THE LAND IS NOT AVAILABLE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES, THEN THE BUILDERS CANNOT BUILD AT AFFORDABLE PRICING AS WELL.

USING THAT PRODUCT MIND WE HAVE FOR BUILDERS IN 2021 TO 2023, THAT NEXT LINE OF PRODUCTS WILL BE 2024 TO 2026 AND THOSE PRICES ARE GOING TO BE ASTRONOMICAL.

THE PRICE THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR NOW WILL WILL BE SUSTAINABLE FOR ALLOWING PEOPLE TO GET INTO THE AFFORDABLE HOME SITUATION. I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN FOR THE PRICE POINT AT WHICH THE AFFORDABLE DOWN PAYMENT.

THANK YOU. >> GABRIELLE LAW ALLEN WITH ONE OAK REAL ESTATE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK AS WELL. I TOO AM A REAL ESTATE AGENT.

ON THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE MY BIGGEST CONVERSATION OVER THIS PROGRAM OF COURSE IS WE WANT TO SUPPORT IT AND IT IS THAT THERE IS A CONVERSATION ABOUT 1978 AND HOUSES BEING BUILT BEFORE THAT FOR PARTICIPANTS NOT BEING ABLE TO PURCHASE HOMES IN THAT TIME FRAME. THAT IS A PROBLEM WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT COMMUNITIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE GROWN UP IN FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS. IF A HOUSE WAS BUILT BEFORE 1978, LETTING THEM NOT PURCHASE THAT HOME IN THAT COMMUNITY WHERE THEY KNOW WHERE THEY SHOP AT, EAT AT, ATTEND CHURCH AT, OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM. THE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO BE REROUTED. IF SOMETHING WAS BUILT BEFORE 1978, THAT PERSON SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE.

THEY JUST HAVE TO HAVE SEEN SOMETHING THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN REHABBED OR REDONE. THAT WOULD STILL ALLOW THEM TO BE IN THE PRICE RANGE AS WELL AS ALLOW THEM TO STAY IN THEIR

COMMUNITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> ALLISON GRIFFIN WITH CROSS COUNTRY MORTGAGE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE COURT, FOR AFFORDING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE COURT.

TODAY I LOOK AT THE 2020 MANUAL FOR APPROVAL.

I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM SINCE INCEPTION.

AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP IN HARRIS COUNTY, THIS WILL NOT HELP ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. THE NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM HAS IMPLEMENTED MANY CHANGES AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CAL LENGTHS HELPING QUALIFIED FAMILY UTILIZE FUNDS FOR PURCHASE. THE 2020 MANUAL WILL ONLY ADD TO THE CHALLENGES. THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES TO

[02:30:02]

COVER IN THREE MINUTES SO I WILL FOCUS ON ONE.

THE 2020 MANUAL HAS INCREASED THE CASH REQUIREMENT FROM $500 TO $1,000. PRIOR TO 2019, IT WAS $350 INVESTMENT. BY INCREASING TO $1,000 IT DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE ELDERLY AND KISS -- AND DISABLED HOME BUYERS, THOSE WE WANT TO HELP.

THEY ARE ON A LIMITED INCOME, BUT THEY CAN PAY RENT AT A HIGHER LEVEL AS A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR INCOME.

MOST OF THE FAMILIES WHEN THEY TRANSITION TO HOME OWNERSHIP, THE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS ARE LOWER THAN WHAT THEY PAID IN RENT. FOR EXAMPLE, FIVE YEARS AGO SHE IS ON DISABILITY AND HE IS DISABLED, BUT WORKING AND MAKING LESS THAN A MINIMUM WAGE WHICH IS ILLEGALLY ALLOWED IN THE LAW. THEY INVESTED $350 WHICH THEY SAVED OVER A THREE-MONTH PERIOD.

THEIR PAYMENT WENT DOWN $200 WITH A NEW MORTGAGE PAYMENT, AND THEY HAVE HAD THE BENEFIT OF HOME VALUE APPRECIATION FROM 110,000 TO 169,000. AND ALTHOUGH THE MANUAL STATES WE WILL MAKE EXCEPTIONS, WHY SHOULD THE POLICY BE SUBJECTIVE FOR ONE PERSON TO BE THE JUDGE AND WHETHER OR NOT TO ALLOW THE EXCEPTION. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

IT CREATES GUIDELINES AND POLICIES IN SOME INSTANCES NOT EVEN FOLLOW REGULATIONS ASSET FORTH BY HUD TO EXPERIENCE THE USE OF PROGRAMS. I REMIND COMMISSIONERS TO ASSIST HELPING THESE FAMILIES GET APPROVED.

I SUGGEST SUCCESSFUL OPERATION AND MY RECOMMENDATION A STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY BOARD BE CREATED CONSISTING OF SIX TO 9 PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT ASPECTS SUCH AS REAL ESTATE IN -- INSPECTORS AND BUILDERS AND LENDERS.

HE HAS A GLOBAL BACKGROUND IN REAL ESTATE AS A WHOLE AND NOT PARTICULAR TO ONE AREA. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE IN HELPING ALL OF THESE FAMILIES. WE HAVE MORE IN YOUR DISTRICT

THIS YEAR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, ALLISON. GOOD TO HEAR YOU.

>> LIKEWISE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> SANTIAGO WITH THE ELITE REALITY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THROUGHOUT THE YEARS I LIKE TO HELP PEOPLE.

THROUGHOUT THE YEARS I CAME TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HAS HAD PROBLEMS. AT FIRST AS A REALTOR I DIDN'T -- I TRIED THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT MANY LENDERS KNEW HOW TO DO IT. FINALLY I FOUND A LENDER WHO WAS VERY PROFICIENT. SHE IS ALSO FOCUSED ON HELPING PEOPLE. WE FOUND ANOTHER PERSON THAT WAS FOCUSED ON HELPING PEOPLE AND THAT WAS MS. DEBORAH LEE.

WHEN SHE WAS RUNNING THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANT -- ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. I WAS AMAZED, ONE, HOW MS. DEBORAH LEE WENT FROM HER OFFICE IN HARRIS COUNTY TO UNLOCK A HOME THE HARRIS COUNTY WAS SELLING FOR A VETERAN, ONE OF MY CLIENTS. NOW YOU DON'T SEE THAT.

WHENEVER MS. DEBORAH LEE LEFT HARRIS COUNTY, THE POLICY IN HARRIS COUNTY BEGINS TO CHANGE.

BEFORE YOU CAN CLOSE THE DEAL IN 30 DAYS.

SOMETIMES EVEN LESS. NOW THEY ARE ASKING RIDICULOUS -- RIDICULOUSLY FOR 75 DAYS. WHAT THEY HAD DONE WITH ALL OF THOSE CHANGES IS COMPLICATE EVERYTHING.

I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DISCRIMINATION ESPECIALLY ON SINGLE MOTHERS. ALL THAT IS WITH -- WITHIN THE LAST YEAR OR SO AND PROBABLY A LITTLE MORE.

I STARTED SEEING A CHANGE IN MS. DEBORAH LEE.

INSTEAD OF BEING PRO ACTIVE AND INSTEAD OF PRYING TO HELP THE NEEDY THEY ARE COMPLICATING THINGS.

THE LAW ITSELF IS GOING TO GO TO AN UNDERWRITER.

A LICENSED UNDERWRITER THAT IS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

[02:35:09]

YET THEY WANT TO SEND THE ARMS AND GET INTO OTHER THINGS THAT REALLY -- LIKE, WE CAN MAKE THAT ASIDE REGARDING INCOME

AND REGARDING -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

>> OTHER REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY ARE MAKING UP THAT

CONTRIDICT HUD. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> I THINK THE PEOPLE -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, YOU NEED TO STOP BECAUSE WE STOP EVERY

SPEAKER AT TIME. >> TO HELP THE NEEDY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA? >> CHAD BOGANY WITH REALTORS.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU TODAY. MY CONCERN HAS BEEN THE HOME PRICE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE COUNTY IS RECOMMENDING.

HOME PRICES IN HOUSTON IS WAY UP.

I THINK THEY ARE TOO LOW. I ALSO ASKED THE REALTORS TO DO A A POLICY TO GIVE THEM GUIDANCE.

I THINK THE HOME PRICES THEY ARE USING NOW ARE FROM FHA GUIDELINES FROM FIVE YEARS AGO.

EVEN FHA HAS RAISED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT A PERSON CAN BUY ON AN FHA LOAN. REALTORS HAVE BEEN OPEN TO -- THE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS HAVE BEEN OPEN TO PUTTING SOMETHING TOGETHER TO HELP THEM PUT THE PRICES.

I ALSO THINK THE ELIMINATION OF THE 1978 RULE LIMIT, STILL REQUIRING A LEAD-BASED PAINT INSPECTION, BUT OPEN UP THE AFFORDABILITY QUITE A BIT MORE IF YOU ELIMINATE.

A LOT OF THESE HOMES HAVE BEEN REHABBED AND REDONE.

THE OTHER THING I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING IS WE ONLY HAVE 1.9 MONTHS OF INVENTORY IN HOUSTON.

SO BASICALLY IN THIS PRICE POINT THERE ARE HARDLY ANY HOMES. THESE FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS ARE COMPETING WITH INVESTORS AND COMPETING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, OTHER CONSUMERS, TO BUY THESE HOMES.

THE THING I THOUGHT WAS QUITE INTERESTING, SO FAR THIS YEAR THEY HAVE DONE -- IN 2020 THEY DID ABOUT 20 HOMES.

YOU TAKE A COUNTY LIKE MONTGOMERY COUNTY WHO HAS ONE PERSON IN THE OFFICE, MUCH SMALLER COUNTY, BUT THEY HAVE DONE 30 IN 2020. IT TELLS ME WE NEED TO RELOOK AT IT. I AGREE WITH THE LAST SPEAKER ABOUT THE TIMELINE. IT SHOULD BE SHORTER.

IT USED TO BE DONE FAIRLY QUICK.

I JUST THINK THE DEPARTMENT HAS THE GOAL OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND MAKING IT HAPPEN WHETHER IT IS SECTION 8 HOME OWNERSHIP OR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS WHO ARE TRYING TO BUY THEIR FIRST HOME WHO DON'T NEED ASSISTANCE.

THEY ARE NOT ON SECTION 8, BUT THEY ARE REGULAR HOME BUYERS.

I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU RECONSIDERING THIS AND RELOOKING AT IT AND MAYBE TABLING IT AND GIVING THE DEPARTMENT TIME TO BRING THIS RESEARCH IN SO WE CAN MAKE IT

BETTER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

AND I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT WE ARE HOLDING ON THIS ITEM FOR A FUTURE COURT. BUT GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER

CAGLE -- COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO DO A CONFERENCE CALL OR SOMETHING VIRTUAL.

WHEN WHEN I WAS BRIEFED YESTERDAY THIS CAME UP.

AT LEAST GIVE THEM THEIR DUE AND SEE WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS DON'T DO.

SHE EXPLAINED IT YESTERDAY AND IT SEEMED REASONABLE.

BUT FOUR OR FIVE SIGNING UP -- I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ONE STATE REPRESENTATIVE. I WOULD ASK HER TO DO THAT.

AT LEAST -- AND I WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW TOO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CONFIRMATION THAT WE ARE HOLDING THIS ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. NO ACTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: A NO ACTION AND THEN IT CAN BE BROUGHT BACK LATER ON. I WANTED TO ADD THAT I DID RECEIVE A CALL ALSO FROM A STATE REP IN PRECINCT 4, ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, BUT IT WAS A GREAT PARTNER IN WORKING FOR THE GOOD OF THE LOCAL CONSTITUENTS. STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN ROSENTHAL. HE MADE A REQUEST THAT IF IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT WE HOLD IT FOR AWHILE SO THAT THEIR OFFICE AS WELL AS SOME OF HIS CONSTITUENTS CAN LOOK INTO IT CLOSER. SO I THINK THAT WILL BE GOOD NEWS SO WE CAN REPORT BACK THAT WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT IT. I DID NOT MAKE A PROMISE WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, BUT I DID INDICATE THAT WE WOULD TRY TO SEE IF THE BODY WAS UH MEANABLE TO LOOKING AT IT A LITTLE LONGER BEFORE MAKING A DECISION.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE, THAT'S ASSUMING, CABBING --

[02:40:02]

CACTUS, THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE TO HOLDING IT AND IN MEETING

WITH THOSE FOLKS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T THINK THERE IS. I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE JUDGE HAS ALREADY ASKED THAT WE TAKE NO ACTION FOR NOW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. WE RAN IT DOWN AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH TAKING NO ACTION.

DR. HOLLOWAY AGREES. DR. HOLLOWAY, IF I AM SAYING SOMETHING WRONG, WE WILL GIVE IT A CHANCE.

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANT TO THANK DR. HOLLOWAY FOR HITTING THE PAUSE BUTTON AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE ALL OF THE BASES COVERED. THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE BEEN VERY CONCERNED AND INTERESTED IN.

MAKING SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO HELP FOLKS WITH THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND DOING IT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. WE MADE SOME CHANGES TO HELP FACILITATE THIS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IT MAY BE SPECIFICALLY THAT IS CREATING SOME OF THE CONCERN.

FOLKS LIKE ELLIS SON ARE INDUSTRY LEADERS IN THIS REGARD. I THINK IT WOULD BENEFIT CSD TO HIT THE PUT A -- THE PAUSE BUTTON AND MAKE SURE THE COMMUNICATION IS WELL AND ACCURATE AND THEN DECIDE HOW WE PROCEED WITH MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THERE MAY BE SOME CARES ACT INTERSECTIONS WITH THIS WHEN IT COMES TO ASSISTANCE DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME THAT SINCE WE ARE TAKING NO ACTION TODAY AND BRINGING IT BACK LATER IT MAY BE LOOKED INTO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AGREE. LUCINDA, LET'S KEEP HEARING

FROM THE SPEAKERS. >> YES, MA'AM.

CHRISTOPHER WITH THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON TWO ITEMS, 22C AND 22F.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE, SIR. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU AGAIN COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING ME SPEAK HERE TODAY. MY NATURE -- MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER RIVERA. I RESIDE IN PRECINCT 1.

I AM CALLING TO REQUEST THE COMMISSIONERS DENY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REQUEST FOR 22 ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.

THE COMMISSIONERS STOOD CORRECTLY AGAINST THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REQUEST. AND NOW THE D.A. RETURNS UNDER THE GUYS OF COVID-19 FOR ADDITIONAL PROSECUTORS.

NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO FUND MORE PROSECUTORS.

WE HAVE AN OVER POPULATED JAIL WITH 25 BEDS REMAINING.

WE HAVE AN ON GOING CRISIS WITH 21,390 EVICTION CASES SINCE MARCH 13 AND THERE IS AN INCREASING POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO CALL THE STREETS THEIR HOME.

WE HAVE FAILED OUR COMMUNITY IF WE FUND THE D.A. INSTEAD OF FUNDING THE RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LIKE COVID-19 AND SUPPLEMENTAL TEXAS EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. MORE MONEY TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S BUDGET ITEM AND NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT 9-1-1 RESPONSE TEAMS. THESE PROGRAMS WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF LAYING BURDENS ON THEM. THE SHERIFF MADE A REQUEST TO APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL CONTINGENCY FUND FOR $23.83 MILLION COVID-RELATED LABOR SERVICES.

WE DO NOT NEED SHERIFFS TO RECEIVE MORE LABOR SERVICES ESPECIALLY UNDER THE GUYS OF COVID-19.

THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS YOU DENY IT AND PUT IT IN COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. ANY PROGRAM THAT HELPS PRE -- PREVENT THE EVICTION OF OUR COMMUNITY WHEN 71% OF HOUSTON RENT -- RENTERS REPORTED A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF EVICTION IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS. THESE DEVASTATING AND LIFE-THREATENING EVICTIONS COULD IMPACT US FOR DECADES.

PEOPLE NEED HOUSING NOT SERVICES UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF COVID 19 RELIEF. WE NEED TO HELP THEM RATHER THAN SPENDING MORE MONEY TO EVICT THEM.

THOUSANDS OF EVICTION CASES SINCE MARCH OF 2020.

THIS COULD IMPACT OUR REGION FOR DECADES.

REVISING THE BUDGET REMEMBER YOUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE CITY SAFER AND A JUST PLACE. PLEASE DENY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET REQUEST.

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

THANK YOU. >> SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE SIGNED UP FOR 22E AND 22G. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.

I AM JUAN SOTO AND THE CHAIR OF THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE. SINCE ITS CREATION IN 1999 BY

[02:45:02]

THE FORMER LAYER LEE BROWN AND THE ONLY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION THAT IS PART OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S CHARTER, THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE THAT ENCOMPASSES THE NEIGHBORHOOD EXTENDING THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY HAVE CO-OPERATED TO ADDRESS THE WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES. COVID-19 PRESENTS THE CHALLENGES ON THE WAY THE PARTNERSHIP WILL CONTINUE TO PROSPER. WE UNDERSTAND THAT GIVEN THE COMPLEXITY OF A PANDEMIC, YOUR LEADERSHIPS HAVE BEEN EXTRAORDINARY. WE THANK ALL OF YOU AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT INCLUDING JUDGE HIDALGO FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP AND FOR EITHER ATTENDING OUR MEETINGS PERSONALLY OR FOR SENDING A REPRESENTATIVE TO OUR MONTHLY VIRTUAL MEETINGS HELD ON THE SECOND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH RMT. AS FOR THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE I AM HERE TO EXTEND AN INVITATION TO JUDGE LINA HIDALGO FOR A FIVE-MINUTE SPEECH DURING OUR NEXT SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE MEETING TO DELIVER AND ERADICATE COVID-19 IT WOULD TAKE EVERYONE.

WE FEEL OUR COMMUNITY TENDS TO BENEFIT WHEN OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, EXPERTS AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIPS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF A VACCINE WHICH FOR THE LAST COUPLE HOURS WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS CALL OUR SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE AND ASK WHY THE WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY DOWN AND THE PHONE LINES ARE CURRENTLY BUSY IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REG TER STORE THE VACCINE -- REGISTER FOR THE VACCINE. WORKING TOGETHER I FEEL IT CAN BE BETTER DELIVERED. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THE WEBSITE IS GOING TO BE UP SOON.

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE A SPECIFIC TIME SO AS TO NOT OVERWHELM IT. IT IS NOT UP YET, BUT IT IS

GOING TO BE UP SOON. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> TAMARA BELL WITH SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> JUAN STOLE MY LINES. AT ANY RATE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PERSONALLY, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, FOR COMMENTING ON OUR LIVE MEETING THAT WE DO ANNUALLY ON HTV WITH THE MAYOR AS OUR GUEST SPEAKER.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR HAVING HIS LEADERSHIP AND ROGER BRIDGEWATER.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ADRIAN GARCIA BECAUSE YOUR STAFF ALWAYS COMMENTS. WE APPRECIATION THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT AS WERE YOU A COUNCIL MEMBER WHEN THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD STARTED. I AM CALLING TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT COVID-19 IS HITTING EVERYBODY AND EVERYWHERE.

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING TO DO OUT REACH, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU HAVE TO TRY TO REINVENT THE WHEEL.

THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD IS MADE UP OF VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL CASTS. IT IS BASICALLY A TRUST THAT USES -- ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OF MINORITY PERSUASION AND PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE A WAY TO BE LINKED IN TO GET THE TESTING AS WELL AS VACCINES. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS WHO DO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR PRESENCE AND DO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COMING TO OUR MEETINGS TO FIND OUT WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING. ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ALL IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO IS DOING POP UP TESTING. YOU ALL HAVE SOME BEAUTIFUL PARKS ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS IN THEM. IF YOU DID A POP UP BECAUSE MOST OF THE SITES ARE DRIVE UP.

WITH COVID-19 AFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE, THEY DON'T HAVE VEHICLES. THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THEM.

IF YOU DID POP UP TENTS AND POP UP WALK UPS I THINK YOU CAN GET MORE PEOPLE TESTED. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS YOUR GOAL TO FIND OUT WHERE COVID-19 IS, I THINK THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO FIND OUT IF THAT IS YOUR VISION.

THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> THANK YOU. BYE-BYE.

>> BRANDON GRIFFIN WITH TEXAS APPLE SEED.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

MY NAME IS BRANDON GRIFFIN AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TEXAS APRIL -- APPLE SEED. WE ARE A PUBLIC INTEREST JUSTICE CENTER AND WORKING ON ISSUES AROUND THE STATE.

WE ARE PART OF THE RIGHT TO JUSTICE COALITION IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE BUDGET REQUEST INCREASING THE NUMBER OF D.A. POSITIONS BY 22.

WE HAVE SEEN A REALLY DISAPPOINTING EFFORT FROM THE D.A. ALREADY ON TRYING TO DEAL WITH THIS INCREDIBLY SCARY SITUATION GOING ON AT THE HARRIS COUNTY RIGHT NOW.

[02:50:03]

WE NEED THE D.A.'S OFFICE TO HAVE ALL HANDS ON DECK AND IDENTIFY THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO BE RELEASED.

IT WAS DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THAT SHE HAD 60 CASES OUT OF THOUSAND THERE'S SHE COULD LOWER BOND TO.

THE JUSTICE MANAGEMENT SUGGESTED 30 TO 50% OF THOSE BEING HELD ON FELONIES RIGHT NOW, PRE-TRIAL CITIZENS, NOT CONVICTED OF ANYTHING, ARE NONVIOLENT AND CAN BE RELEASED WITHOUT BEING DANGEROUS TO THE COMMUNITY.

RIGHT NOW BEING IN JAIL IS WORSE FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. THE MORE CASES COMING FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL WHERE THE SUPER SPREADER EVENTS ARE EASY TO OCCUR. IT IT HAS ALLOWED THE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND IT COSTS -- IT CAN COST A LOT.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ACCUSED, BUT NOT FOUND GUILTY OF ANY CRIMES. WE ARE WITHOUT COMMITMENT FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE IN REDUCING THE JAIL POPULATION IN SIGNIFICANT WAYS. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I WANT TO SHARE WITH COLLEAGUES THAT THE SITE IS UP NOW.

I JUST GOT A NOTIFICATION. THERE WAS A BIT OF A TRIAL RUN YESTERDAY WITH THE CALL LINES.

IT HELD UP. WE'LL SEE HOW THE CALL LINES AND THE SITE HOLDS UP TODAY. THEY JUST GOT IT UP ONLINE AND IT IS ON READY HARRIS TOO. WE HAVE GOTTEN GOOD FEEDBACK YESTERDAY. WE'LL SEE HOW THE SYSTEM HOLDS UP TODAY. THERE HAS BEEN TROUBLESHOOTING IN BUILDING IT UP. LUCINDA, ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ?

>> YES, MA'AM. CHRISTIAN CABALLERO WITH TEXAS

APPLE SEED. >> THIS IS CHRISTIAN CABAL LLERO WITH TEXAS APPLE SEED. I WANT TO ECHO A LOT OF THE SENTIMENTS PREVIOUS ADVOCATES HAVE SAID AND MY COLLEAGUE, BRENDAN. I UNDERSTAND THAT CASES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, BUT THE COST NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED AND STRICT TERMS NEED TO BE SET ON THE USE OF THE MONEY.

THE D.A. NEEDS TO COMMIT TO USING THE MONEY OF COVID RELIEF BY FOCUSING ON JAIL DIVERSION AND JAIL RELEASES.

WITH THE PROPER ADJUSTMENTS AND REALLOCATION OF ANY FUNDS LEFT OVER FROM WHATEVER DOES NOT APPLY TO JAIL DIVERSION AND JAIL RELEASES, THE REST SHOULD GO TO JAIL CONDITIONS AND MEDICAL CARE AND RE-ENTRY SERVICES AND HOUSING FOR PREVIOUSLY IN -- INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.

ANYTHING ELSE IS A MISUSE OF FUNDS THAT SHOULD GO TOWARD COVID RELIEF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ROSINA KARA.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

MY NAME IS ROSINA. I AM CALLING TO REQUEST THE COMMISSIONERS DENY THE D.A.'S REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL 22 POSITIONS. HEARING A REQUEST FOR 102 PROSECUTORS IN 2019, THE COMMISSIONERS STOOD CORRECTLY AGAINST THE D.A.'S REQUEST. AND NOW THE D.A. COMES UNDER THE GUYS OF COVID-19 -- GUISE OF COVID-19 FOR ADDITIONAL PROSECUTORS. NOW IS NOT A TIME TO FUND MORE PROSECUTORS. WE HAVE AN OVER POPULATED JAIL WITH 25 BEDS REMAINING. WE ARE FACING COVID-19 AND THERE IS AN ON GOING EVICTION CRISIS WITH 21,690 EVICTIONS FILED SINCE MARCH 13TH. AND THERE IS AN INCREASE IN POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO NOW CALL THE STREETS THEIR HOMES.

WE HAVE FAILED OUR COMMUNITY IF WE FUND THE D.A. INSTEAD OF THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LIKE COVID-19 SUPPLEMENTAL TEXAS EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT STOP EVICTIONS. THE SHERIFF HAS ALSO MADE A REQUEST TO APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY FUND FOR $23,000,850 FOR COVID-19-RELATED LABOR SERVICES AND SUPPLIES THROUGH THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2021. WE DO NOT NEED MORE SHERIFFS TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL LABOR AND SUPPLIES ESPECIALLY UNDER

[02:55:01]

THE GUISE OF A COVID 19 REQUEST.

THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS YOU DENY THE SHERIFF TO RECEIVE THAT MONEY AND PUT INTO THE TEXAS RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND EMERGENCY RENTAL IS YOU -- ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

ANY PROGRAM THAT PREVENTS EVICTION OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT A TIME WHEN 71% OF HOUSTON MEMBERS REPORT A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF EVICTION IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

THESE DEVASTATING AND LIFE-THREATENING EVICTIONS COULD IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY FOR DECADES.

THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON NEED HOUSING AND NOT SHERIFF LABOR, SERVICES AND SUPPLIES UNDER THE GUISE OF COVID-19 RELIEF.

WE SHOULD GIVE HOUSTONIANS ASSISTANCE IN HOUSING RATHER THAN SPENDING MORE MONEY ON POLICE TO EVICT THEM.

IN REVISING THIS BUDGET REMEMBER YOUR GOAL IS TO MAKE OUR CITY A MORE SAFE AND JUST PLACE.

INCREASING FUNDING FOR POLICING AND JAILING IS MOVING BACKWARDS FROM YOUR STATED GOALS.

INVEST IN COMMUNITIES. DON'T INVADE THEM.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

CAMILLE SHENIFER WITH SUNRISE HOUSTON.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO AND THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO -- FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET.

I AM CAMILLE AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1.

I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE BUDGET.

IT RELATES TO SAFETY AND JUSTICE.

IN THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING WE HEARD THE PRIORITIES OF THE BUDGET WERE SAFETY FROM COVID AND ADDRESSING THE RESULTING ECONOMIC CRISIS EQUITABLY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY POINTED OUT THAT YOU WERE TASKED WITH ADJUSTING A FIGHT THAT RESULTED FROM THE COVID CRISIS. IT INCLUDES MASS EVICTIONS AND JOB LOSS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND STRESSES RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. I THINK THE SOLUTION TO THIS CRISIS IS NOT MORE PROSECUTORS, BUT AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. THE INCREASE IN ASSISTANCE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MENTIONED CANNOT BE FIXED WITH MORE POLICING. POLICE ARE NOT THE SOLUTION TO THIS TYPE OF CRIME. WE NEED MORE SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF DO MESS -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND NONEMERGENCY LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES. I HOPE YOU VOTE TO DENY THE REQUEST FOR THE ADDITIONAL 22 PROSECUTORS.

NOW IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE TIME TO FUND MORE PROSECUTORS IN OUR JAILS AND HAVE IT BECOME A MAJOR COVID CLUSTER.

TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE WE NEED TO CLEAR THESE JAILS WHICH ARE HOUSING -- WHICH ARE PUTTING THEIR FAMILIES IN LIFE-THREATENING POSITIONS. IF WE FUND THE D.A. AND DON'T FUND THESE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, THE PUBLIC BAIL REFORM AND NONENFORCEMENT 9-1-1 RESPONSE WILL FAIL THE COMMUNITY. THESE PROGRAMS BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND LAYING -- INSTEAD OF LAYING FINANCIAL BURDENS ON THEM. THE SHERIFF MENTIONED 23.8 BILLION UNDER COVID-RELATED LABOR SERVICES AND SUPPLIES AND THIS IS RELATED TO MORE EVICTIONS OCCURRING AND KEEP IN MIND THAT WE HAVE A CHOICE TO EITHER FUND PEOPLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOUSES OR FUND POLICE TO TAKE THEM OUT OF THEIR HOUSES. OBVIOUSLY THE JUST DECISION IS TO GIVE THAT MONEY TO FAMILIES TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND TO HOUSE THEIR FAMILIES. I HOPE IN REVISING THE BUDGET I HOPE YOU CAN REMEMBER THE GOAL IS TO MAKE OUR COUNTY MORE SAFE, JUST PLACE. GIVING FUNDS FOR POLICE IS MOVING BACKWARDS FROM THOSE GOALS.

PLEASE INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY

TO SPEAK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> HENRY PRICE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

MR. PRICE? HENRY PRICE? I WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT ONE, JUDGE.

ALEXANDRA SMITHER WITH WEST STREET RECOVERY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

MY NAME IS ALEXANDRA SMITHER AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. I AM ALSO CALLING TO REQUEST

THE COMMISSIONER DISEASE. >>> THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL 22 POSITIONS DASH REQUEST -- DENY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL 22 POSITIONS. THE D.A. IS NOW USING COVID-19

[03:00:02]

AS AN EXCUSE TO TRY AGAIN, BUT NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO FUND MORE PROSECUTORS. WE HAVE FAILED OUR COMMUNITY IF WE CHOOSE TO FUND PROSECUTORS WHO PUT MORE PEOPLE IN OUR JAIL RIPE WITH COVID AND RUNNING OUT OF BED INSTEAD OF USING THE FUNDING TO GO TOWARD STOP THE EVICTION CRISIS WITH 21,000 EVICTION CASES FILED FROM MARCH 13TH. WE FAIL OUR COMMUNITY IF WE FUND THE D.A. INSTEAD OF THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LIKE COVID-19 SUPPLEMENTAL TEXAS EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT STOP EVICTIONS. NONLAW ENFORCEMENT 9-1-1 RESPONSES WILL ONLY BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF LAYING FURTHER FINANCIAL BURT -- BURDENS UPON THEM.

THE SHERIFF MADE A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT FUND $23.8 BILLION FOR LABOR SERVICES AND SUPPLIES THROUGH THE END OF PHYSICIAN -- FISCAL YEAR 2021. WE DO NOT NEED SHERIFFS TO RECEIVE MORE LABOR SUPPLIES ESPECIALLY UNDER THE GUISE OF THE COVID-19 BUDGET REQUESTS. THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS AND ASKS YOU DENY THE SHERIFF'S REQUEST AND PUT THAT MONEY IN COVID-19 SUPPLEMENTAL AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND OTHER PROGRAM THAT'S WILL HELP PRE -- PREVENT THE EVICTION OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THEY CAN IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY FOR DECADES AND ARE IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY.

THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON NEED HOUSING AND NOT SHERIFF, LABOR SERVICES AND SUPPLIES. WE SHOULD GIVE HOUSTONIANS THE ASSISTANCE THEY NEED INSTEAD SPENDING MORE MONEY ON POLICE TO EVICT THEM. IN REVISING THE BUDGET I ASK YOU ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE WHO IS SPEAKING TO REMEMBER THAT YOUR GOAL IS TO MAKE OUR CITY A MORE SAFE AND JUST PLACE. INCREASE FUNDING FOR POLICING AND JAILING IS MOVING BACKWARD FROM YOUR STATED GOALS.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM WHICH IS PEOPLE ARE BEING KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY TO LIVE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE HORRIBLE PANDEMIC. PLEASE INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND DON'T FUND THE POLICE MORE.

THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THIS TIME.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS TIME.

>> THANK YOU. HENRY PRICE.

GO AHEAD PLEASE, SIR. >> YES.

THANK YOU. MY NAME IS DR. HENRY PRICE.

I AM A PASTOR IN HOUSTON IN SUNNY SIDE, TEXAS.

I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

I SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE I REALLY CARE ABOUT JUSTICE. MANY TIMES I HAVE COME BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND ASKED THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT NOT TO INVEST MORE MONEY IN PROSECUTION.

I ASKED BECAUSE I KNOW MORE PROSECUTORS OIL ONLY LEAD TO MORE POOR AND WORKING CLASS BLACK AND LATINO PEOPLE BEHIND BARS. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY OPPOSED MORE PROSECUTORS AND ALSO SUPPORTED ENDING CASH BAIL BECAUSE I OPPOSE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF MASS INCARCERATION.

A SYSTEM THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS PEOPLE LIKE ME. I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION OF THE REQUEST BY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 FOR THE APPROVAL OF 22 POSITIONS JANUARY 30, 2021 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING THE BACKLOG OF CASES RESULTING FROM EMPLOYEE WORKFORCE DUE TO COVID-19.

I AM DEEPLY TROUBLED TO SEE THE COURT IS BEING ASKED AGAIN TO USE THIS AUTHORITY TO GRANT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE AT A TIME WHEN D.A. KIM OGG AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO USE ITS AUTHORITY TO TAKE ANY ACTION WHATSOEVER TO REDUCE THE JAIL POPULATION.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AND THE JAIL POPULATION IS OVER FLOWING WITH OUR BLACK AND LATINO BROTHERS AND SISTERS, MOST OF WHOM ONLY REMAIN BEHIND BARS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO POOR TO BUY THEIR FREEDOM. IN SPITE OF THE PANDEMIC, THE D.A.'S OFFICE ASKS FOR BONDS THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR WORKING CLASS BLACK AND LATINO FAMILIES TO PAY.

IN SPITE OF THE PANDEMIC THE D.A.'S OFFICE REFUSES A REDUCTION OF BONDS. AND [INAUDIBLE] MAKE REDUCTIONS WHEN POSSIBLE TO EASE SOME OF THE CROWDING OF THE PANDEMIC [INAUDIBLE] I REPEAT IT IS A KILLING FIELD.

THE D.A.'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO BE JUST AS MUCH AS TO THE COUNTY AND A REDUCTION IN THE JAIL POPULATION DURING THE COVID CRISIS AND BEFORE THE CRISIS.

[03:05:02]

I ASK TODAY THAT YOU PROVIDE NO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THAT STRUCTURE. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK REVEREND PRICE FOR HIS STEDFAST LEADERSHIP ON CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES.

I KNOW IT LASS -- IT HAS DIFFICULT AND HE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING. HIS VOICE AND THE VOICES OF SO MANY OTHERS ARE SO POWERFUL AS WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE NOW.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: REVEREND, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND CALLING IN ON THIS ISSUE.

>> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, PASTOR.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> DIANA WILLIAMS WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS DIANA WILLIAMS AND I AM AN ORGANIZER WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AS WELL AS A CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT 2.

I AM CALLING IN TODAY REGARDING ITEM 22F THAT IS A REQUEST TO ADD ADDITIONAL STAFFING TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE JAIL POPULATION.

I PERSONALLY LOOK AT THE JAIL POPULATION DASHBOARD DAILY AND IT IS VERY CONCERNING TO SEE THE POPULATION COUNT AS IT INCREASES DAILY. TODAY IT IS 8900 AND SOME DAYS IT IS AS MANY AS 9,000. LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE, I DO SUPPORT AND WANT THOSE WHO ARE INCARCERATED WHO QUALIFY TO HAVE THEIR CASES PROCESSED, BE RELEASED AND CASES DISMISSED OR WHATEVER RE -- RESOURCES NEEDED. I ALSO ASK FOR AN ASSURANCE BEHIND THIS REQUEST THAT THE D.A.'S OFFICE CAN AND WILL BEHELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MAKING SURE THE STAFF IS FOCUSED ON THE REDUCTION OF THE JAIL POPULATION AND THAT THEY HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN ON HOW THEY WILL CARRY THIS OUT.

MY QUESTIONS ARE: HOW ARE WE TO BE SURE THIS WILL HAPPEN? THAT THE STAFF WILL BE USED FOR REDUCTION IN INCOURSE RATION? INCARCERATION.

HOW LONG WILL THE STAFF BE EMPLOYED BY THE D.A.'S OFFICE? WILL THERE BE A REPORT IN DATA TO SHOW THE PUBLIC THE PROGRESS OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE WROTE -- WOULD TAKE THIS POSITION.

CAN THIS BE DONE IN A REALTIME REPORT AND MAYBE INCORPORATED IN THE JAIL POPULATION DASHBOARD REPORT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SO ALL OF US CAN SEE WHAT THE JAIL POPULATION IS DAILY. I URGE THE COURT TO TAKE ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS AND OTHERS INTO CONSIDERATION AS YOU CONSIDER THIS REQUEST. WE ALL AGREE THAT OUR COUNTY IS IN A CRISIS MOMENT WITH NEED IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING FEEDING OF FAMILIES. SAFETY FOR THE PUBLIC, THOSE INCARCERATED AND THE JAIL STAFF IS OF HIGH IMPORTANCE.

MY HOPE IS THAT AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, WORKING ON CRIMINAL AND JUSTICE REFORM WE CONTINUE TO EXPLORE SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS TO DE POPULATE AND REDUCE JAIL POPULATION. UNTIL WE GET MORE DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING THE REQUEST FOR ADDED STAFF, I CANNOT SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ALLEN VERA WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM SPEAKING ON THE SELECTION OF THE NEW ELECTION EQUIPMENT. YOU WILL BE RELIEVED TO KNOW I MADE IT MY OWN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO NEVER ALLOW COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO MAKE AN ELECTION DECISION THAT RESULTS IN UNPLEASANT SURPRISES LATER ON.

MAKE A DECISION TO PURCHASE A NEW ELECTION SYSTEM.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING US ORDINARY CITIZENS THE OPPORTUNITY OVER THE LAST 20 MONTHS TO TEST AND TRY TO EMBRACE THE DECISIONS. THE TRANSPARENCY IS APPRECIATED. BUT THE COST OF PURCHASE DOES NOT COVER FULL COST OF OWNERSHIP.

CALCULATE AND INCLUDE IN THE FUTURE BUDGETS THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE NEW HYBRID PAPER SYSTEMS THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO PURCHASE. THESE ARE COSTS YOU HAVEN'T HAD TO CONSIDER FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS WITH THE DRE SYSTEM ARE YOU ABOUT TO RETIRE. BE SURE YOU PLAN FOR THE INCREMENTAL COSTS GOING FORWARD.

THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE REQUIRES ALL ELECTION DOCUMENTS ARE FOR 22 MONTHS AND IT NOW INCLUDES THE PAPER BALLOTS INHERENT IN YOUR NEW SYSTEM.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAD USED THIS NEW SYSTEM FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION, YOU WOULD HAVE TO BUDGET 1.6 MILLION PIECES OF PAPER FOR 22 MONTHS.

PERHAPS A GREATER CONCERN ARE IF ANY FUTURE ELECTION IS THROWN INTO AN AUTOMATIC RECOUNT BECAUSE THE MARGIN OF

[03:10:03]

DIFFERENCE IS SO SMALL, YOU WILL FACE INCREMENTAL COSTS THAT MAY NOT BE OFFSET BY THE CANDIDATES INVOLVED.

PREPARE THE COST OF STAFF GOING THROUGH EVERY PAPER BALLOT CAST AND MANUALLY FIRING THE VOTES BEING COUNTED. IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC RECOUNT IN AN ELECTION YEAR, A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR, YOU MAY NEED THE BUDGET TO HAVE STAFF GO THROUGH NEARLY TWO MILLION PAPER BALLOTS TO FIND THOSE RELEVANT TO THE RECOUNT. ELECTION CODE REQUIRE WHEN'S THE VOTER HAS CAST A PAPER BALLOT, THAT ORIGINAL BALLOT MUST BE THE BALLOT USED FOR THE RECOUNT.

THAT COST IS MORE DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE IN ADVANCE AND IT COULD BE SIGNIFICANT. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE IF YOU WANT. IF NOT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO HAVE A BUDGETARY SERVED FOR THIS PURPOSE.

NOW MOVING FORWARD WITH YOUR DECISION, YOU AND THE BUDGET OFFICE KNOW TO HAVE MONEY RESERVED TO COVER THESE NEW CONTINGENCIES. I HAVE DONE MY CIVIC DUTY FOR THE DAY AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SINCE YOU DIDN'T USE ALL OF YOUR THREE MINUTES, TELL US THE EXAMPLE SO WE ARE AWARE OF IT.

>> HYPOTHETICAL, BUT REALISTIC EXAMPLE, NOVEMBER ELECTION 2024, NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR DOING A GOOD JOB IN MORE VOTER TURNOUT AND YOU HAVE TWO MILLION PEOPLE CASTING A PAPER BALLOT. I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS UP, MARGINS IN FD7 AND HOUSE DISTRICT 38 BOTH REQUIRE AUTOMATIC RECOUNTS. WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN NOW WITH THIS SYSTEM IS THAT THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR STAFF HAS TO GO THROUGH ALL TWO MILLION PIECES OF PAPER TO FIND THE BALLOTS CAST ON FD7 AND THE BALLOTS CAST FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 138. THEY THEN HAVE TO SEPARATE THEM BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DO BOTH RECOUNTS SIMULTANEOUSLY SINCE THERE IS OVERLAPPING. YOU HAVE TO BRING PEOPLE IN IN PERSON AND TO DO THE RECOUNT. IT IS SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND AND TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY FOR BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE STAFF TO GO THROUGH TWO MILLION PAPER BALLOTS TO FIND THOSE ELEMENTS AND THEN SEPARATE THEM FOR THE RECOUNT. THAT'S A HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE, BUT IT IS NOT UNREALISTIC, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR COMING BY AND GIVING US INSIGHT ON THIS.

IT IS MUCH APPRECIATED. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. VERA, ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU.

AND I WANT TO MAKE A POINT FOR ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS TOPIC IS THIS HAS GONE THROUGH THE VOTING MACHINE A VERY, VERY STRICT PROCUREMENT PROCESS THAT REALLY INVOLVED TWO OPTIONS JUST BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT QUALIFY UNDER THE STATE AND FEDERAL PARAMETERS.

THAT IS WHERE THIS ITEM IS COMING FROM.

I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATIONS IN THE PAST WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WE WILL CONTINUE GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU FOR FLAGGING THE COSTS MR. VERA.

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

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. MR. VERA, APPRECIATE HEARING YOUR VOICE OF REASON. JUDGE, I WILL HOLD OFF ON ASKING FOR SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CONCERNS.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SPEAKING TO FOLKS.

THIS IS A BIG TICKET ITEM AND LIKE YOU SAID IT HAS GONE THROUGH A STRINGENT PROCESS. HE IS THE PURCHASING AGENT AND AT THE RIGHT TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK HIM TO WEIGH IN ON

THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF IT IS OKAY WITH YOU WE CAN CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS AND WHEN WE GET TO THE ITEM WE CAN SPEAK WITH THEM. GREAT.

GO ON, LUCINDA. >> STEVEN FLOREZ WITH LATINO

LEADERSHIP. >> THIS IS STEVEN FLOREZ.

I AM NOT SURE THAT EVERYONE ON THIS CALL KNOWS ME.

THE COMMISSIONERS, I KNOW SOME OF THEM DO.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I COMMEND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I WAS ON THE CALL WHEN Y'ALL MADE THE RESOLUTION AND I THINK THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION THAT Y'ALL MADE AND THEY SHOULD BE SALUTED. I WANT ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS WORKING SO HARD WHETHER THEY BE COUNTY OR CITY TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE GETTING COVERED FOR THE COVID ISSUES. I KNOW EVERYTHING ISN'T PERFECT, BUT Y'ALL ARE TRYING HARD AND DOING EVERYTHING Y'ALL CAN TO MAKE SURE EVERY ISSUE THAT COMES UP GETS ADDRESSED. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL

[03:15:02]

FOR THAT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE MEDICAL STAFF THAT ARE FIGHTING EVERY DAY TO SAVE ALL OF US DURING THIS TIME. Y'ALL MAY NOT KNOW THIS, BUT ME AND MY WIFE BOTH HAD COVID PNEUMONIA AND IT CAME CLOSE TO NOT BEING PRESENT. THEY SAVED US.

THANKS ALL OF THE MEDICAL PEOPLE OUT THERE.

LASTLY, THE REASON I'M ON THIS CALL IS, YOU KNOW, I RETIRED THE 31ST OF DECEMBER, DECEMBER 31ST.

MAYBE NO ONE KNOWS THAT. I DID.

I SPENT THAT TIME IN THE HOSPITAL, BUT NEVERTHELESS I WAS GLAD I MADE IT OUT. I DIDN'T DIE AND I'M GLAD I DIDN'T AND SO I RETIRED FROM BEING THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA.

BECAUSE I DIDN'T DIE, I HAVE A LOT TO DO.

I AM STILL THE PRESIDENT OF THE LATINO-LEAD LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ALONG WITH SOME OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS THAT I BELONG TO. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT IS THE ES AND F SYSTEM IN VOTING.

I DO BELIEVE THE DAY OF THE DOLLAR IS OVER WITH AND WE NEED TO MOVE TO SOMETHING ELSE, SOMETHING BETTER, FASTER AND SOMETHING THAT IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES.

BEING ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTIES IN THE WORLD IS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY OF I LOOKED AT SEVERAL OTHERS, BUT I DO THINK THIS IS THE ONE TO CHOOSE.

THOSE PEOPLE THAT DO KNOW ME ON THIS CALL, I DON'T

NECESSARILY GO ALONG WITH -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I AM GOING TO HAVE TO STOP YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE STOPPED ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AT TIME. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. STEVE, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR KIND WORDS ON THE EFFORTS BY THIS COURT. YOU ARE RIGHT.

WE ARE TRYING HARD. THINGS AREN'T PERFECT, BUT I CAN'T BE MORE PROUDER OF THE JUDGE AND ALL THAT IS BEING DONE. GOD BLESS YOU, BLANCA AND MONICA AND SO GLAD YOU ARE ALL OUT OF HARM'S WAY AND WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU GUYS.

>> DO YOU HAVE SOME FINAL THOUGHTS, STEVE? IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WRAP THEM UP I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM.

>> I JUST THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

THERE WAS THE IPHONE -- NOT LONG AGO IT SEEMED LIKE IPHONE ONE AND NOW IT IS IPHONE 12. WE NEED TO MOVE ON TO A HIGHER TECHWAY TO VOTE AND I HOPE Y'ALL STRONGLY CONSIDER THE ES

AND F SYSTEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

WONDERFUL. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AT CWA FOR ALL THOSE YEARS, MAN.

I STARTED MY CAREER WITH YOU AND I CONTINUE TO SERVE IN YOUR SPIRIT, MY FRIEND. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE

DONE FOR SO MANY OF US. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND I'M GLAD YOU

ARE BETTER. >> CHARLES SILL MONEYS.

CHARLES SIMMONS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU. GOOD DAY.

I AM CHARLES SIMMONS AND LIVE IN PRECINCT 3.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE PURCHASE OF VOTING EQUIPMENT.

BEFORE EACH OF YOU VOTES TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED VOTING MACHINE EQUIPMENT AND GIVEN WHAT WE WITNESSED AS POTENTIAL VULNERABILITIES IN VOTING MACHINES AND THE HARDWARE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, I HOPE YOU ASK THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

DO THEY USE PASSWORDS OR SOURCES FROM THOSE OR THE COMPANY'S CLARITY. SECOND, USING MACHINES IN CHAI -- CHINA THAT HAS VULNERABILITY.

AND THIRD IS THERE A PRODUCT WARRANTY OR INDEMNITY PROVIDED

[03:20:06]

SUCH THAT THEY DON'T USE THE DOMINION SOFTWARE CODE.

AND IF ANY OF THAT SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE PROVES TO BE EFFECTIVE CAN HARRIS COUNTY RETURN PART OF THE PURCHASE PRICE. THEY ARE AN ELECTRONIC AUDIT TRAIL OR AN ELECTRONIC AUDIT TRAIL.

HAVE THE HEART MACHINES BEEN USED BY INDEPENDENT EXPERTS RATHER THAN RELYING ON TESTS AND CRITERIA BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND U.S. ELECTIONS SYSTEM THAT'S ARE OUTDATED AT THIS POINT. SIXES -- SIX, ARE CHIP DEPICTED SO THEY CANNOT BE EASILY REMOVED OR TAMPERED WITH? AND HAVE THEIR IDENTIFICATIONS BE REMOVED SO THEY CANNOT BE EASILY IDENTIFIED OR TAMPERED WITH. IT HAS BEGUN AT LEAST A YEAR AGO FOR MANY VULNERABILITYIES AND IT WILL NOT BE PUT OFF UNTIL THEY CAN BE EXPLORED AND REVIEWED AND THE MACHINES TESTED. AND THE VOTING MACHINES ARE ALWAYS THE RIGHT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.

A PROCEDURE THAT PROVIDES VOTING SECURITY.

I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK AT ALL OF THE PROCEDURES SURROUNDING VOTING AND VOTING MACHINES. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, CHARLES.

APPRECIATE YOUR GOOD INPUT. >> GRACIELLA SIGNS.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM HERE TO ADDRESS ITEM NUMBER THREE ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA FOR THE PROR CURE MEANT OF ELECTION SOFTWARE.

I AM LOOKING WITH THE SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE COMPANY THAT SUBMITTED A RESPONSE TO THIS BID AS WELL.

I HOPE BY NOW YOU HAVE RECEIVED AND READ THE LETTER THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY FORWARDED TO YOU SWRID -- INDIVIDUALLY FROM KC WALLACE. THE LETTER FAIRLY OUTLINES THE CONCERNS AND A NEED FOR YOU AS A GOVERNING BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINAL OUTCOME OF THIS BID TO TAKE TIME OF THE NECESSARY QUESTIONS. IT HAS MISS COATED THE BEST AND FINAL OFFER SUBMITTED. WE BELIEVE THAT AFTER WE REVIEWED THE DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION YOU WILL SEE THAT THEIR BID OF 43 MILLION 136,598 WAS TRULY -- WAS TRULY THE LOWEST BID SUBMITTED. THAT'S $10 MILLION LOWER.

THEY SUPPORTED AND REJECTED THE DECISION OF THE COUNTY -- I SHOULD SAY RESPECTED THE DECISION OF THE COUNTY TO MAKE PRIVACY THE MAIN GOAL IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS.

GIVEN THE FACT THE BID GAVE THEM A VOIDED VALUE.

I WILL POINT OUT THAT MUCH OTHER JURISDICTIONS GAVE NO MORE THAN 25. COMMISSIONERS, AS ALL OF YOU KNOW HARRIS COUNTY IS EXPERIENCING AN EVER INCREASING POPULATION GROWTH AND THE NEED FOR FAST, EFFICIENT, TRANSPARENT AND AUDIBLE EQUIPMENT AND IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS.

WE ARE DEALING WITH ISSUES SURROUNDING THE VOTING RIGHTS. THE MACHINES WILL BE THE GATEWAY THROUGH WHICH VOTERS PARTICIPATE AND SHOULD PROVIDE THE GREATEST ACCESS POSSIBLE. WE ARE MORE EFFICIENT AND FASTER THAN THE COMPETITORS. SOMETHING THE REVIEWING COMMITTEE SAYS WAS OF IMPORTANCE.

THEY DIDN'T WANT PEOPLE STANDING IN LONG LINES.

AS YOU CAN SEE IT IS MUCH CHEAPER.

YOU WILL HEAR FROM BRIAN HALFMAN, THE REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT. WE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

I AM CONFIDENT THAT AFTER FURTHER REVIEW BY YOUR OFFICES YOU WILL COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION THAT ES AND S HAS SUBMITTED THE LOWEST BID AND THIS TEAM -- THIS ITEM SHOULD NOT BE FINALIZED, BUT FURTHER EVALUATED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. ONCE AGAIN I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BRING THESE CONCERNS TO YOUR ATTENTION AND I KNOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND FAIRNESS AND EFFICACY WILL GUIDE YOU. THANK YOU.

[03:25:06]

>> THANK YOU. BRIAN HOFFMAN.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I AM THE REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES FOR ELECTION SYSTEMS SOFTWARE.

I AM VERY INVOLVED WITH DUE PROCESS FOR HARRIS COUNTY FOR A NEW VOTING SYSTEM. FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE IFP NEW VOTING SYSTEM WE WERE SURPRISED WHEN THE INITIAL REQUEST WAS A NEAR 3,000 VOTING DEVICES.

WITH HARRIS COUNTY BEING RUN OF THE LARGEST VOTER REGISTRATIONS IN THE COUNTRY WE KNEW IT WAS GROSSLY UNDERSTATED AND WOULDN'T MEET THE NEEDS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WE WERE MORE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT 60% OF THE DECISION WAS GOING TO BE BASED ON PRICE. VARIOUS ADVOCATES SAID THEY WANTED AN EASY TO USE SYSTEM. A SYSTEM THAT PROVIDE -- PROVIDED FOR A SECURE AND PRIVATE VOTING SESSION THAT WOULD PREVENT VOTERS FROM STANDING IN LONG LINES.

WE TOOK THIS INFORMATION AND RESPONTED WITH -- RESPONDED WITH TWO OPTIONS. IT WILL ALLOW US TO 18 CONTESTS PER SCREEN. THIS SYSTEM WAS COST EFFECTIVE, BUT PROVIDED FOR THE VOTING EXPERIENCE WE HEARD WAS WANTED FROM THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WE HAVE AN ALTERNATE BID. IT ALLOWS THE VOTER TO VIEW ALL CONTESTS CANDIDATES AND MAKING IT EASY TO MAKE THEIR SELECTION. THE XL ALLOWS UP TO 38 CONTESTS PER SCREEN. IN BOTH DISTANCES WE ARE OFFERING A FASTER VOTING SOLUTION THAN THE DEVICE NOW BEING RECOMMENDED BY PURCHASING WHICH ALLOWS ONLY ONE CONTEST PER SCREEN. IMAGINE A CONTEST BALLOT THAT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO HARRIS COUNTY AND HAVING TO VIEW ONE CONTEST PER PAGE AND HAVING THE VOTER PUSH THE SELECTION AND THEN THE NEXT BUTTON TO MOVE TO THE NEXT CONTEST.

THIS IS OVER 160 TOUCH POINTS IF ALL CONTESTS ARE A VOTE FOR ONE. COMPARED TO OUR EXPRESS VOTE THAT COULD HAVE THE WHOLE LAL -- BALLOT ON FIVE SCREENS AND HAVE 85 TOUCH POINTS. YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH FASTER THEY WILL COMPLETE THEIR SESSION.

WE WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH A DETAILED LIST OF ITEMS INCLUDING 12,000 EXPRESS POINTS.

IT RESEMBLES THE NUMBER OF DEVICES THEY CURRENTLY HAVE.

THROUGHOUT THE RESPONSE WE STRESS HAVING MORE CONTESTS ALLOWS THEM TO MAKE THE SELECTION MUCH FAST EVERY -- FASTER. THIS INFORMATION WAS NEVER TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. BY APPROVING THE PURCHASE DEPARTMENT'S RECOMMENDATION THEY ARE MOVING TO A MUCH SMALLER PROCESS FOR VOTERS. WE FOLLOW THIS KNOWING THAT PRICE WAS A DOMINANT FACTOR IN THE DECISION FOR A NEW VOTING SYSTEM IN HARRIS COUNTY. THEY WORKED TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE AND THE BEST EXPERIENCE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THE TIME IS UP.

YOUR TIME IS UP. YOU NEED TO STOP.

THANK YOU. THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE AIR WITH FOLKS NOT STOPPING AT THE BUZZER.

GO AHEAD, LUCINDA. >> MATT KUNZ WITH ELECTION SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE. GO AHEAD, SIR.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MATT KUNZ MANAGER FOR ELECTION SOFT WIRE -- SOFTWARE SYSTEMS IN TEXAS.

WITH STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING RE-- REMOVED IN TEXAS WE UNDERSTOOD THE LARGER TOUCH SCREEN DEVICES IT WOULD BE NEEDED IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE POSITIVE RESPONSE FOR OUR VOTING SYSTEM WAS OVERWHELMING.

EVERY GROUP LOVED THE SPEED AND EASY TO TOUCH SCREENS WITH THE AUDITABLE PAPER TRAIL. DUE TO LONG LINES IN THE PAST ELECTION SPEED OF VOTING WAS THE TOP OF THE FEATURE LIST FOR THE GROUPS. WHILE DEVELOPING DEMONSTRATION ELECTIONS FOR THE COUNTY WE DISCOVERED THE LARGE ELECTION IN BAY TOWN FROM NOVEMBER OF 2018.

WE ANTICIPATED THE STRUGGLES VOTERS WOULD FACE TO VOTE ON A BALLOT THAT LARGE AND HOW IT COULD AFFECT THOSE ON A SYSTEM WITH ONE RACE PER SCREEN LIKE OUR COMPETITORS.

WE COLLECTED RESEARCH DATA FROM THE JULY 2020 RUNOFF ELECTION THAT ALLOWS ONLY ONE RACE PER SCREEN USED.

IN THIS COMPARISON WE FOUND VOTING TIMES IN TARANT COUNTY

[03:30:02]

FOR A 25-RACE BALLOT AVERAGED 15 TO 20 MINUTES PER VOTER AND THE LARGER, 37-RACE IN COLIN COUNTY TOOK THREE TO FOUR MINUTES. THIS MEANS VOTERS IN COLIN COUNTY CAN VOTE THREE TO FOUR TIMES FASTER THAN TARAN COUNTY AND COLIN CON TEE HAD A LARGER -- COUNTY HAD A LARGER BALLOT. THE COMPETITOR'S SYSTEM WOULD NEED 11 MACHINES IN A 12-HOUR DAY WHILE WE CAN HANDLE THE SAME WITH TWO TO THREE MACHINES.

WE WERE ASKED BY PURCHASING HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO VOTE IN THE SYSTEM AND IF SPEED WOULD AFFECT THE NUMBER RAW POSED. PROPOSED.

WE ANSWERED WITH A RESOUNDING YES.

HOWEVER, IN THE END ALL VENDORS WERE REQUIRED TO PROPOSE PRICING FOR 12,000 MACHINES WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE SPEED DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SYSTEMS. BECAUSE PRICE IS WEIGHTED 60% IN THE RFP THE COUNTY IS FORCED TO CHOOSE THE LOWEST COST SYSTEM WITHOUT CONSIDERATION FROM MEETING THE MOST IMPORTANT NEEDS OF THE COUNTY. OUR FINAL BID IS STILL OVER $10 MILLION LOWER WITH THE SAME QUAWPT TEE OF -- QUANTITY OF MACHINES PROPOSED WHICH IS THE BEST INVESTMENT FOR THE COUNTY BECAUSE YOU CONTINUE TO GROW AT A RAPID PACE.

YOUR DECISION WILL IMPACT VOTERS IN THE WAY YOUR COUNTY CONDUCTS ELECTIONS FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS.

WE ASK THE COURT TO PUT A HOLD ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT DECISION FOR FURTHER REVIEW. I BELIEVE A REVIEW WILL SHOW THAT OUR VOTING SYSTEM BEST MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE VOTERS. WE ALSO HAVE THE LOWEST BID BY MORE THAN $10 MILLION WHICH MEETS THE LOWEST BID REQUIREMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DWIGHT, I ADDRESS YOU WILL ADDRESS ALL OF THIS WHEN WE GET TO IT ON THE AGENDA. THANK YOU.

>> RITA HUGLER, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS AND AN APPEAL. WHEN COUGH -- KAUFMAN SELECTED THE VOTING EQUIPMENT IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION SHE CHOSE THAT EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTIONS.

SHE DID SUCH A GOOD JOB ONE CAN WONDER IF THE FIRE WAS TO FORCE BEVERLY KAUFMAN TO GO BACK TO A PAPER BALLOT THAT HAD A HISTORY OF FRAUDULENT USE.

THAT ELECTION EQUIPMENT SHE CHOSE HAS NO ABILITY TO BE HACKED BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.

WHY WAS THERE NO INFORMATION IN THE AGENDA DOCUMENTATION ON THE SPECIFICS OF THE EQUIPMENT AND WHERE CAN I SEE IT? I HAVE A GREAT CONCERN ABOUT VOTER INTEGRITY.

ON ANOTHER SUBJECT RELATED TO THE BUDGET ONE WONDERS WHY COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS SO SPECIAL HIS BUDGET IS 24% HIGHER THAN PRECINCT 2 GARCIA.

37% HIGHER THAN COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR PRE SINK 4 WHERE I AND -- WHERE I LIVE AND 53% HIGHER THAN RAMSEY'S PRECINCT 3. COMMISSIONER ELLIS DOES NOT HAVE THE LARGEST PRECINCT WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER OF RESIDENTS AND ROADS AND BRIDGES.

PRECINCT 4 HAS THAT COVERED. QUESTION NUMBER TWO, WHY ARE THE THREE OF YOU LETTING HIM GET AWAY WITH THIS? WHEN ARE YOU -- WHEN YOU ARE DISCUSSING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, YOU HAVE GROWN SLOPPY IN TWO AREAS.

FIRST, INDICATING THE LOCATION OF THE SPECIFIC ISSUE IN QUESTION AND TALKING SO EVERYONE EASILY CAN HEAR YOU.

I GOT A GOOD BOSE SPEAKER WHEN YOU GO VIRTUAL.

SOMETIMES JUDGE YOUR JOYCE GOES AWAY WHEN -- WHEN YOUR VOICE GOES AWAY. BE CLEAR ON THE LOCATION AND THE PAGE AND PLEASE SPEAK INTO YOUR MICROPHONE CLEARLY.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO ADJUST THE VOLUME ON MY SPEAKER FOR FOUR PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HAVE A

GOOD DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

TO THE POINTS OF THE SPECIFICATIONS, DWIGHT, WE WILL GO OVER THE DETAILS OF THE MACHINES AND THEN WILL YOU CIRCLE BACK? I IMAGINE IT IS BECAUSE OF THE

PROCUREMENT PROBLEMS. >> YES, MA'AM.

I WILL BE GLAD TO FOLLOW-UP WITH HER.

IF YOU WANT ME TO ADDRESS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I WILL BE GLAD

TO DO SO. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HOLD UNTIL WE DISCUSS THE ITEM. SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO HEAR.

>> ART MURILLO. GO AHEAD, SIR.

>> HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FIRST I WISH TO EXTEND MY MOST SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. ESPECIALLY DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

ONE THING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON IS THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IS INTEGRAL TO OUR REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.

[03:35:06]

AS A FORMER PRECINCT JUDGE, PRIOR TO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, I KNOW THAT THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE WILL IMPACT OUR ELECTORAL PROCESS FOR YEARS TO COME. AS YOU ASSESS AND BALANCE FUNCTION -- FUNCTIONALITY AND FITNESS FOR PURPOSE HONOR OUR PRECINCT JUDGES EVERYWHERE. THEY ARE TRULY OUR UNSUNG HEROS. AND YOU CAN DO THAT BY HELPING TO MAKE VOTING EASY FOR EVERYONE.

I MEAN EVERYONE. EVERY WHICH WAY POSSIBLE.

UMENT MAT DASH ULTIMATELY IT ADDRESSES CONCERNS FOR VOTER SUPPRESSION. LEAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NICHOLAS LITTLE WITH MFG.

GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> HELLO COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND STAFF. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY DURING SUCH TRYING TIMES. I AM NICHOLAS LITTLE.

[INAUDIBLE] THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE AND THE HOUSTON BRANCH OF THE NAACP. TODAY I WANT TO TALK TO YOU GUYS ABOUT JANUARY. THIS MONTH IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH. I WANT TO READ OFF A FEW FACTS. HOUSTON IS NUMBER ONE IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING. TEXAS RANKED NUMBER TWO, ONLY SECOND TO CALIFORNIA. [INAUDIBLE].

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS PRIMARILY BROKEN UP IN TWO PARTS.

MODERN DAY SLAVERY IS PRIMARILY VICTIMIZING PEOPLE IN THE MINORITY PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THERE HAS BEEN AN UP TREND IN VICTIMS BECOMING YOUNGER AND YOUNGER. I HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH DIFFERENT MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

MY COMMISSIONER IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I HAVE TALKED TO HIS STAFF AND I JUST WANT TO SEE THERE IS MORE POLICY OR LEGISLATIVE POLICIES PUT IN PLACE TO TAKE HOUSTON OFF THE MAP. I AM FROM NORTH CAROLINA ORIGINALLY, BUT IT IS SAD THAT PEOPLE IN MY CITY KNOW ABOUT THIS. I HAVE BEEN MERE FOR FOUR YEARS. I AM JUST KIND OF PUT SOMETHING AWARENESS AND HOPING THAT TODAY THERE IS SOMEBODY AVAILABLE OR SOME OF YOU GUYS CAN TAKE A NOTION TO LOOK INTO THIS. I JUST HOPE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TAKE THE TIME TO EVALUATE IT AND REALIZE THE DANGERS AND HOW MUCH IT CONTRIBUTES TO OTHER CRIMES HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR

TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> SANDRA EDWARDS WITH IMPACT FOOT FORWARD.

GO AHEAD. >> HI, HOW IS EVERYBODY DOING TODAY? THIS IS SANDRA EDWARDS.

I AM THE PRESIDENT OF IMPACT. I KNOW WE HAVE DISCOVERED ANOTHER CANCER CLUSTER. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED AND WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO COME AND HELP US GET IT OUT THERE.

MY KIDS ACROSS FROM ME AND NEXT DOOR HAS A LOT OF KIDS AND THEY ARE SICK. THEY ARE BORN THIS WAY.

THIS IS NOT A WAY OF LIFE FOR US.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE DID NOT ASK FOR.

THIS IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE PUT ON US AND WE HAVE BEEN ENDURING IT TOO LONG. IT IS TIME AS OF NOW TO SAY NO MORE. WE WOULD LIKE FOR Y'ALL TO HELP US TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT TO GET EITHER HELP TO RELOCATE OR HELP US CLEAN UP OR GET THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TOGETHER. IT IS NOT FAIR AND IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FAR TOO LONG THAT MY NEIGHBORS ARE DYING AND GETTING SICK EVERY DAY AND DROPPING.

DOCTORS DON'T KNOW WHY. WE KNOW WHY.

IF YOU TELL THEM WHERE YOU LIVE, THEY WOULD KNOW WHY TOO. WE NEED YOUR HELP.

PLEASE. WE ARE BEGGING YOU FOR YOUR

[03:40:02]

HELP TO GET SOMETHING DONE OVER HERE.

MY AIR IS WORSE THAN THE AIR OFF I-10.

WE DID TO A HOUSE ON I-10 AND MY HOUSE.

MINE IS THREE TIMES THE LEFT ON I-10.

SO THE AIR OVER HERE IS STILL BAD.

IT IS STILL BAD. WE LET PEOPLE COME IN HERE AND DO THIS. WE KNOW OUR RESULTS ARE AGO -- ACCURATE. WE ARE DYING OVER HERE.

WE ARE BEGGING FOR HEM. PLEASE HELP US.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO GO AND WHAT ELSE TO DO.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL MY COMMUNITY ANYMORE.

THAT'S -- I MEAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY.

WE NEED HELP OUT HERE. THIS IS REAL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK THE SPEAKER. I KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHERS WHO SIGNED UP ON IT AS WELL.

THE REASON I PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS SO THAT DR. BAR -- BABO -- BABBOTT CAN GIVE US A SENSE OF THE ROLE WE CAN PLAY. IT IS IN THE CITY LIMITS AND IT IS IN THE COUNTY LIMITS. I WILL SPEAK AT MRS. CHASE'S FUNERAL AND WILL BE BACK AS SOON AS I CAN.

I AM GLAD THEY CAME AND HOPE THEY LISTENED.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT ROLE THE COUNTY CAN PLAY. WE HAVE LIMITED ORDINANCES.

WHATEVER WE CAN DO WE WILL DO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS IN CASE YOU MISSED THE SOUTHERN DRAWL. THIS IS RODNEY SPEAKING.

>> I KNEW WHO IT WAS. I KNOW MR. RODNEY.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLING, MA'AM.

WE WILL BREAK AT 1:00. WE HAVE ABOUT AN HOUR'S WORTH OF SPEAKERS SO WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO OTHER FOLKS WHEN WE RETURN FROM THE BREAK. MA'AM I HOPE YOU AND THE OTHER SPEAKERS WILL LISTEN IN WHEN WE GET TO THIS PART OF THE

AGENDA AS WELL. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WILL STILL BE ON HERE.

>> JAMES CALDWELL. GO AHEAD, SIR.

>> YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS. I AM A MEMBER OF IMPACT.

I AM THE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF [INAUDIBLE].

IMPACT WORKS ON NEIGHBORHOODS, SPECIFICALLY OUR GOALS CENTER AROUND ADVOCATING FOR A CLEAN UP OF THE FOAM THAT IS CURRENTLY DOCUMENTED BEING UNDER RESIDENTIAL HOMES JUST NORTH OF THE FORMER SOUTHERN PACIFIC WOOD PRESERVING WORK SITE THAT NOW BELONGS TO UNION PACIFIC.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT IT IS MADE UP OF NUMEROUS CHEMICALS AND MANY OF WHICH WE KNOW OR HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE CANCEROUS. IN THE RECENT TIMES IN 2019 UNION PACIFIC HAS NOT PROPERLY CHARACTERIZED THE EXTENT OF THE FOAM AND OUR DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY THE UP SHOWS THE CONTAMINATION CONTINUES TO MIGRATE.

UP FAILED TO CONDUCT PROPER VAPOR TESTING AS WELL.

THE RECENT SUPPLEMENTAL TO CANCER REPORT COMPLETED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES BILLS THEY ARE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED STAGES OF PLASTICS [INAUDIBLE] IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE CASES WERE NEAR 20 THROUGH 2016. I CALL FOR A MORE THOROUGH CLEAN UP AND INCREASE TESTING.

WITH REGARD TO LAST WEEK'S DS AND FOR AN IN DEPTH ANALYSIS IMPACT IS RETURNING FAVORS AND REQUESTS TO ANY AND ALL RESPONSES. THE COMMUNITY HAS NEEDS AND THERE IS CANCER SCREENING AND MEDICAL CARE AND ACCESS AND

[03:45:02]

ASSISTANCE. AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, IF THIS IS NOTHING NEW TO THE COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY ITSELF HAS BEEN ADDRESSING THIS FOR YEARS IF NOT DECADES. I WILL REQUEST AND WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR PUTTING IT ON THERE AND MAKING IT CLEAR TO ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS NOT ONLY TO THE CANCER CLUB, BUT THE LEUKEMIA STUDY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

LET'S HEAR FROM ONE MORE SPEAKER, LUCINDA AND THEN WE

WILL BREAK FOR LUNCH. >> YES, MA'AM.

LATONIA PANE. GO AHEAD.

>> HI. MY NAME IS LATONIA PANE AND I AM CALLING ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, THE FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY. I MYSELF WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER IN 2016. MY MY SON WHICH IS MY NEPHEW WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA IN 2016 AS WELL IN AUGUST.

WE WERE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER THREE MONTHS APART.

THAT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE BECAUSE WE HAVE LIVED IN THE FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY WHERE THIS PLUME HAS BEEN.

AND WE ARE CALLING FOR HELP. WE NEED A SUPER SITE TO BE SET UP. WE NEED A CLEAN UP TO BE DONE. WE NEED HELP IN OUR COMMUNITY. I MEAN, WHAT IF IT WORE -- WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR FAMILY? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD DAMAGED YOUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE.

I AM NOT SURE IF RELOCATION IS A GOOD THING FOR EVERYONE, BUT WE DEFINITELY NEED -- WE NEED HELP.

YOU KNOW, WE NEED HELP. I SURVIVED CANCER.

MY SON STILL GOING THROUGH IT AND FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE RIGHT NOW AT 13 YEARS OLD. IT IS NOT FAIR FOR HIM TO HAVE TO DO THIS DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE ON SMAWN -- ON SOMEONE'S PART. I AM COMING BEFORE EVERYONE AND JUST ASKING PLEASE SEND THE HELP THAT WE NEED.

PLEASE LET'S GET THIS CLEANED UP.

PLEASE. WE NEED HELP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING.

ALL RIGHT. SO IT IS 12:59.

WE ARE GOING TO BREAK UNTIL 2:15 AND WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKERS AND THE AGENDA. 12:15.

WE ARE BREAKING FO >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M BACK, JUDGE. I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER CAGLE

IS HERE TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:15 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, DO YOU WANT ME TO PUT MY JACK -- JACKET ON FOR YOU GUYS? I TOOK IT OFF.

I STILL HAVE MY TIE ON. I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS -- I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT YOU HAVE A TIE OR JACK -- JACKET, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE BOTH.

IN A LITTLE BIT I WILL SWITCH OUT AND GO THE GARCIA MODEL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SHALL WE KEEP HEARING FROM THE SPEAKERS?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, GO

AHEAD. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> JAMES JOSEPH. GO AHEAD, PLEASE, SIR.

>> GOOD EVENING. THIS IS JAMES JOSEPH WITH THE PRESIDENT OF FIFTH FOURTH BOND AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD AND A RESIDENT OF THE FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I IS YOU PART AND -- I SUPPORT AND GIVE MY RESIDENTS' OPINIONS. THERE ARE 27,000 PEOPLE IN THE FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A CANCER CLUSTER FOR A GOOD WHILE NOW.

I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR BRINGING IT UP ON THE AGENDA. KUDOS FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR DOING A GOOD JOB. ONCE AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC RIGHT NOW AND WITH THE COVID, WE HAVE BEEN DYING IN THE FIFTH WARD FOR A LONGTIME.

THIS IS A VERY HISTORIC COMMUNITY THAT HAS RAISED PEOPLE SUCH AS MICKEY LELAND AND GEORGE FOREMAN AND MANY OTHERS. WE HAVE A GREAT HISTORY HERE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE DON'T WANT TO SEE OUR CHILDREN DEPLETED IN THE COMMUNITY ALTHOUGH WE ARE AN ALREADY UNDER SERVED AND UNDEVELOPED COMMUNITY.

WE ARE STRIVING TO MOVE FORWARD EACH AND EVERY DAY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE WILL NEED TO SEE THESE THINGS REMEDIED SUCH AS THE CANCER CLUSTER. ONE OF THE THINGS IS ADJACENT TO THE BARBARA JORDAN PARK WHERE SHE ONCE LIVED ACROSS THE STREET. TO HAVE IT BE THAT CLOSE TO SUCH AN ICON FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE IMLOA BALANCE -- GLOBAL WORLD IS A TRAGEDY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT ON THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

[03:50:02]

WE HAVE BALANCED IT YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

I DON'T SAY NO ONE, BUT NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS HISTORICALLY BLACK COMMUNITY DEVELOPED IN 1866 BY THREE BLACK FREE SLAVES.

ONCE AGAIN, WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND WE WANT TO PUSH FORWARD. WE HAVE A GREAT MEDICAL CENTER AND THERE IS NO REASON WE CAN'T FIND FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE UNION PACIFIC SEVERAL TIMES. IT LEADS US TO THIS POINT TODAY. I WANT TO SAY ONCE AGAIN LET'S MOVE FORWARD IN A GOOD FASHION.

WE HAVE A NEW DAY. HOPEFULLY WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN 2021. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE GREAT PEOPLE IN THE FIFTH WARD AND THE KASHMIR GARDEN COMMUNITY. ONCE AGAIN I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> KEITH DOWNEY WITH THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY. THIS CANCER CLUTTER, IT -- THIS CANCER CLUSTER, IT SADDENS MY HEART.

WE HAVE RESIDENTS DYING OF CANCER.

THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE DIFFERENT CANCERS IDENTIFIED IN THE KASHMIR LIBERTY FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY.

I HAVE CLASSMATES THAT ARE NOT EVEN LIVING TO SEE 60 YEARS OLD. I WAS ON A CALL WITH THEM LAST NIGHT AND WE WENT THROUGH A LIST OF CLASSMATES WE ARE LOSING. WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR AS A COMMUNITY IS FOR UNION PACIFIC TO CLEAN UP THAT SITE.

WE ARE ASKING FOR THE EPA TO STEP IN AND WE ARE ASKING FOR IT TO BE DPEE CLAIRE -- DECLARED A SUPER CLUSTER SITE. THEY PUT OUT PLAUSIBLE DENY BUILT. THE ONES WHO ARE PUTTING OUT THE STATEMENTS DO NOT KNOW THE DECADES OF HISTORY THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING. THEY ARE LOSE -- LOSING THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF THEIR FAMILY.

SO WE IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE NEED HELP.

SOMEBODY ASKED ME, MR. DOWNEY WASN'T THERE IS RESIDENCE IN KASHMIR ONE? WE WANT TO LIVE TO BE 100 YEARS OLD AND NOT SUFFER FROM CANCER.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY AND IT IS SAD. WE WANT THEM TO LIVE.

WE WANT THEM TO PROSPER. WE WANT TO SEE THEM GROW.

WE WANT THIS TO BE ADDRESSED SO THAT WE WILL HAVE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO COME. I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH

FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

MR. DOWNEY. >> JUAN PAREZ WITH TEXAN VIERN MENTAL JUSTICE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

MR. PARAS? WE'LL COME BACK TO HIM, JUDGE. TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS ANOTHER HEARTBREAKING TIME IN HARRIS COUNTY. COMPANIES CONTINUE TO BE ALLOWED TO SITE POLLUTING FACILITIES IN VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AT EVERY LEVEL ARE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT THE COMPANIES AND THE CULTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE.

THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED SECOND CANCER CLUSTER IN KASHMIR GARDENS AND FIFTH WARD AND THE FACT THAT CHILDREN ARE BEING TARGETED ARE VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

HEALTH RISKS AND THE I'M -- IMPACTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN FOR DECADES, BUT NO ONE IN POWER DID ANYTHING TO STOP OR PROTECT THESE RESIDENTS. A UT REPORT FROM 2005 IDENTIFIED THE POLLUTANTS, THE CANCER RATES AND THOSE MOST AT

[03:55:03]

RISK IN HOUSTON. THEY FOUND CHILDREN ON THE SHIP CHANNEL SIDE OF HOUSTON HAD A 56 HIGHER CHANCE OF HAVING LEUKEMIA. WHEN YOU LIVE IN A CITY WHERE NOTHING IS DONE AFTER THE BEST RESEARCHERS IN THE WORLD ANNOUNCE THAT CHILDREN ARE GETTING CANCER, WHAT DOES THAT SAY? IT SAYS OUR SYSTEMS OF LAND USE PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS PREY ON THE MOST VULNERABLE AND HAVE CREATED A SEGREGATED LANDSCAPE WHERE POLLUTION AND HEALTH IMPACTS ARE DISTRIBUTED INEQUITABLY.

FREE LIFETIME MEDICAL CARE SHOULD BE OFFERED TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THESE CLUSTERS. IT INCLUDES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HELP. MOVING ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO WANT IT.

I ASK FOR STRICT LAND USE AND STOP ALLOWING POLLUTERS TO SET UP SHOP IN NEIGHBORHOODS. I ASK THE COMMISSIONERS TO PUSH FOR AGGRESSIVE REGULATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND STOP ALLOWING POLLUTERS TO DESTROY THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE LIVES OF CHILDREN.

I ASK THE COMMISSIONERS TO IMMEDIATELY CLEAN UP THESE POLLUTED SITES. IF YOU ARE AN A -- AN ELECTED OFFICIAL YOU HAVE POWER. THERE ARE NO EXCUSES.

PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUAN PARAS WITH TEXAN VIERN MENTAL JUSTICE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE, SIR.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WANT TO GO WITH WHAT THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER MENTIONED HAS BEEN DONE PRIMARILY ALONG THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS STUDIES AND THEY SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON RESEARCH AND POLLUTION ALONG THE SHIP CHANNEL.

LIKE THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER WAS SAYING, THE COMMUNITY OF MANCHESTER HAS FAILED TO BE ADDRESSED AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CUMULATIVE IMPACT. THE COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATES THAT OUT OF 12 POLLUTE -- POLLUTANTS AND CANCER CAUSING CHEMICALS. THERE IS A HUGE AMOUNT BY ALL STANDARDS AND IT IS MOVING FORWARD.

THERE WILL BE EIGHT CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS THEY WILL BE EXPOSED TO IN THIS COUPLE LAW -- CUMULATIVE IMPACT. THE ISSUES ARE THERE FOR THAT COMMUNITY. THE ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. THE FAILURES WE HAVE SEEN IN TRYING TO ADDRESS OR HELP THE COMMUNITIES ALONG HOUSTON IS A LACK OF POLITICAL WILL. WE HAD NUMEROUS REPRESENTATION IN THE COMMUNITY ALL THE WAY FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND CITY COMMISSIONERS OR CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES AND TO DATE RARELY DO ANY ONE OF THEM SPEAK UP ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY OR HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICES THAT OCCUR YEAR AFTER YEAR.

ANOTHER SPEAKER I HEARD MENTION THE LEUKEMIA STUDY THAT IS A 56% RATE OF CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA IF YOU LIVE WITHIN THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL CONCERNED SCIENTISTS SAY THERE IS A HARD DATA STUDY THAT SPENT $3 MILLION IN THE STUDY. THERE ARE 10 RESEARCHERS, AGAIN, THAT HAVE MADE A LOT OF RESEARCH FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT BORDERS THE INDUSTRY. AND THEY ALL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS. STUDIES ARE DONE TO EVALUATE THE COMMUNITY AND THEN THEY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY ALL OF THE RESEARCHERS THEY ARE NEVER ADDRESSED.

OUR ISSUES THAT -- ARE THAT THERE IS ENOUGH OUT THERE AND YOU JUST NEED TO ADDRESS THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

THERE IS MORE STUDIES -- I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MORE STUDIES THAT CAN BE DONE. WE DON'T NEED TO CONTINUOUSLY DO A STUDY THAT REVEALS THE SAME THING AS THE RECOMMENDATIONS. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT

POINT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU.

>> METCALF TEXAS HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HEA.

[04:00:01]

I AM NOT FROM THE FIFTH WARD CANCER CLUSTER, BUT I AM FROM THE SAN JACINTO WASTE PIT. OUR CHILDREN ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO EXPOSURE AND CATERS THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS.

IT IS FROM VAPORS FROM THE CONTAMINATION UNDER THE TRACK IN THE FIFTH WARD. THE CHILDREN ARE LOWER TO THE GROUND. THEY RES SPIR RATE AT GREATER RATE THAN ADULTS. THE FINDINGS OF ACUTE LIMB FOE -- LIMB FOE BLASS STICK LEUKEMIA IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. WE HAVE ADVOCATED TO THE STATE HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE PAST YEAR REGARDING THE NEED FOR THE STATE TO LOOK AT NUMEROUS TYPES OF CHILDHOOD CANCERS.

I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL UNDERSTANDING THAT THE STATE ONLY LOOKED AT TWO TYPES OF CHILDHOOD CANCERS.

THOUGH THIS WINDOW IS INCREDIBLY STARTLING IT IS NOT A FULL VIEW. AS LEADERS WE NEED YOU REQUESTING THAT THE STATE CAST A WIDER NET AND HAVE A LONGER LIST OF CANCER TYPES. IF THEY DON'T LOOK FOR A SPECIFIC TYPE OF CANCER, IT COULD BE THERE AT AN ALARMING RATE AND WE WOULD NEVER KNOW. ADDITIONALLY I DON'T BELIEVE SHIFTING EFFORTS TO GET THIS AS A SUPER SITE IS THE WAY TO GO. IT IS SHIFTING FROM ONE REGULATORY PROCESS TO ANOTHER.

THERE IS A LONG WAIT LIST TO GET ON THE NATIONAL PRIORITY LIST. AND THEN ONCE IT IS LISTED SITES OFTEN TAKE 20 TO 30 YEARS TO SEE A CLEAN UP.

I BELIEVE THE ENERGY SHOULD GO TOWARD PUSHING THE PROCESS THAT THIS SITE IS ALREADY IN. THE RESERVE CONSERVATION ACT.

I ASK COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO CONTINUE ADVOCATE SCG WORKING WITH THE -- AND CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE OTHER BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT. IF THE COURT CONSIDERS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE UP SITE THE CHANGE FROM ONE GOVERNMENT PROCESS TO ANOTHER I URGE YOU TO STRONGLY CONSIDER THE INS AND OUTS OF WHAT THIS MEANS. I WORKED IN THIS PROCESS FOR 10 YEARS AND IT IS A LONG AND ARDUOUS PROCESS.

THANK YOU, HARRIS COUNTY, FOR YOUR EFFORTS SUPPORTING THIS COMMUNITY. TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND TO ALL OF OUR LEADERS FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE SEEM TO HAVE MISSED YOU.

WE SEEM TO HAVE LOST YOU THERE.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

WITH HER LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK SHE WAS PRETTY MUCH DONE WITH HER REMARKS.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> DIANA COMIER JACKSON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, COUNCIL, FOR LISTENING TO ME. THE PROOF OF BURDEN IS ON THE COMMUNITIES. I SEE WITH ALL OF THESE STUDIES WE HAVE SHOWN PROOF. SOUTHERN PACIFIC OR UNION PACIFIC NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ACCEPT THE FACT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO US. THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

I FEEL ALL OF YOU AS COUNCIL SHOULD STAND WITH US AND FIGHT THIS BATTLE. IF THERE WAS ANYWAY ELSE, ANYWHERE ELSE THIS WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CARE OF YEARS AGO. AS FOR COMPENSATION THERE ARE BACK TAXES FOR THESE PROPERTIES.

THEY CAN'T BUY EVERYBODY OUT, BUT THEY CAN PAY TAXES FOR THE LAST FIVE AND 10 YEARS AND CONTINUE TO CLEAN UP FOR OUR FUTURE. I'M OVER 65 YEARS OLD.

I CAN'T AFFORD TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE.

ALL I'M ASKING IS THEY COME OUT AND CONTINUE TO CLEAN UP AND HEAR THE CONVERSATION FROM THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED.

I AM ASKING FOR YOU TO HELP US FIGHT THIS BATTLE.

PLEASE HELP US. THANK YOU.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> MOLLY COOK. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> OKAY.

GREAT. HELLO AND THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE COMMENTS.

I AM MOLLY COOK, RN. I USE THE PRONOUNS RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE. I AM A ER NURSE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CANCER CLUSTER LIKE SO MANY BEFORE ME.

I APPLAUD THE COUNTY FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING BY COLLECTING SAMPLES AND DATA AND HOLDING THOSE ACCOUNTABLE. IT REMINDS ME OF CASES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. A PATIENT COMES IN WALKING AND TALKING AND THEY ARE BASICALLY OKAY WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EVERY PIECE OF DATA POSSIBLE TO CREATE THE MOST OPTIMIZED TREATMENT PLAN.

WHEN A PATIENT COMES IN SUPER SICK OR NEARLY OR ALREADY DEAD TO RESUSCITATE THEM, THERE IS NOT THE SAME TIME BE FOR DATA

[04:05:04]

COLLECTION. YOU CAN'T TAKE THE TIME TO BUILD A CASE. YOU DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO SAVE A LIFE. YOU PULL RESOURCES AND FOCUS ON THOSE THAT NEED IT MOST. THIS COMMUNITY IS SUPER SICK.

AND IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. MAYBE IT IS NOT ANYONE'S FAULT IN THIS ROOM EITHER, BUT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE NOW.

THE WAY WE CAN ACT IS THROUGH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

THE CITY AND THE COUNTY NEED TO START INTERVENTIONS LIKE BUYOUT AND DIRECTING INVESTMENT WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS ALREADY ASKING FOR IT. AS AN ER NURSE I CAN TELL YOU THE PATIENTS WITH CANCER SOMETIMES GET A LITTLE EXTRA LOVE FROM THE HOSPITAL STAFF BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND HOW DEVASTATING THE DISEASE IS. AND WE CAN SEE OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES LYING ON THE STRETCHER IN PAIN AND IN FEAR. THE COURT IS ALMOST FUNCTIONING LIKE AN ER TODAY. THE PATIENTS CHECKING IN ON THE FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO ACT AND WE HAVE TO ACT WITH A LITTLE EXTRA LOVE AND EMPATHY BECAUSE THE SITUATION SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED AND IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TODAY TO EASE THE BURDEN FOR THEM. WHAT CAN WE PULL OUT OF OUR POCKET AND TOOL KIT? HOW CAN WE GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR A COMMUNITY THAT IS SUFFERING MORE THAN ANY PERSON OR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO BEAR? I ENCOURAGE YOU TO FIND WAYS TO ACT TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> DORIS BROWN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. MY NAME IS DOUR ADVICE BROWN AND I AM A LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF THE FIFTH WARD AND KASHMIR GARDENS AREA. I GREW UP OUT THERE.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS BACK THEN.

WE JUST KNOW THE AIR STUNK AND THE WATER TASTED FUNNY.

MOST OF THE KIDS GOT SICK. I MYSELF CAME UP WITH ASTHMA.

AS TIME PROGRESSED I HAVE SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DEVELOPED CANCER AND NO ONE KNEW WHY.

THEY MOVED. WE ALL NOFD -- MOVED HOPING FOR A BETTER. AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE WE WERE ALREADY INFECTED WITH IT.

IT KILLED MY FAMILY. IT GAVE US CANCER THAT NO ONE KNEW THE NAME FOR. ALL THIS TIME IT HAS BEEN KILLING PEOPLE AND EVEN DESTROYED MY SCHOOL.

A LOT OF US GOT SICK, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT BACK THEN.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC -- IT WAS SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD AT THAT TIME AND NOW UNION PACIFIC, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE BLAME FOR WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

SO WE MARCHED AND HELD A PROTEST DOWN THERE BY THE MAIN CUTOFF. TO NO AVAIL.

FINALLY, FINALLY WE ARE GETTING SOMETHING OF NOTORIETY. PEOPLE WERE COMING TO OUR AID. WE ARE GETTING MUCH-NEEDED AID BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE STILL LIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL DYING AND GETTING SICK AND IT IS AMAZING BECAUSE IT GETS EMOTIONAL. I LOST MY MOM AND THAT WAS MY BEST FRIEND. NOBODY REALLY CARED.

NO ONE TOOK THE TIME OUT AT THAT TIME TO FIND OUT WHY SHE GOT CANCER AND SHE HAD BEEN HEALTHY.

I APPLAUD EVERYONE AND I THANK COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR HEARING US TODAY AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ON GOING SERVICE TO THIS TOWN. I GUESS THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR ME. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING IN.

>> MARGARET MITCHELL. GO AHEAD, PLEASE, MA'AM.

>> YES. MY COMMENTS ARE NOT ON THE CANCER CLUSTER, BUT THEY ACTUALLY ARE VERY PERTINENT TO IT. WE HAVE LEARNED THAT WE CANNOT -- WHEN WE CANNOT TRUST OUR LEADERS AND INSTITUTIONS, PEOPLE DIE. WE MUST BE ABLE TO TRUST THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. NTC AND BTEC BYPASSED IMPALA FOR FACILITY TRANSFERS AND THAT WAS A VIOLATION OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. THESE ENTITIES SIS MEME MAT PARTICULARLY -- SYSTEMATICALLY DESTROYED THE MENTAL HEALTH DETAINEES AND DISABLED MENTAL HEALTH DETAINEES WERE DENIED STANDARD OF CARE. BY DESTROYING THE EVIDENCE OF THEIR MEDICAL CONDITION AND FABRICATING THE MEDICAL RECORDS REACHING THE CONCLUSION THAT THEIR BEHAVIOR

[04:10:02]

WAS DUE TO A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION AND NOT THE ACTUAL HEALTH CONDITION THEY WERE DOCTOR -- THEY WERE CONSIDERED MENTALLY ILL. AND THEN THE HARRIS COUNTY PUT INTO THE SYSTEM FALSE, FABRICATED RECORDS.

THEN THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEMATICALLY WITHHOLDS, DESTROYS, FALSIFIES AND FABRICATES AND WEAPONIZES THE MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS OF DISABLED INVOLUNTARY MENTAL HEALTH DETAINEES. THIS IS WRONG BECAUSE A PERSON CLASSIFIED BY THE POLICE AS MENTALLY ILL IS 15 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED BY THE POLICE THAN A PERSON NOT SO CLASSIFIED. IN MY CASE, HARRIS COUNTY REFUSED TO TREAT MY HYPERTENSIVE URGENCY.

THEY HID THE DIAGNOSIS OF MY MEDICAL CONDITION.

THEY DESTROYED ALL EVIDENCE OF THAT MEDICAL CONDITION.

THEY REFUSED TO TREAT IT. AND IT HAS A 9.6% DEATH RATE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL HAS TO STOP WITH DESTROYING AND FALSIFYING AND FABRICATING PEOPLE'S MEDICAL RECORDS. AND YOU NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS. I URGE THAT THE NEW PERSON BEING APPOINTED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY TRUSTY PLEDGE TO INVESTIGATE THIS SCANDAL WHERE PEOPLE HAVE PROBABLY DIED AND YOU ALL ARE STILL STONEWALLING.

THANK YOU. >> DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY

QUESTIONS? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MAKE SURE FOLKS FOLLOW-UP AND TALK ABOUT YOUR POINTS.

>> WELL, I HAVE PURSUED AND YOU ALL HAVE SAID THAT THERE IS NO JURISDICTION BUT IT IS A TERRIBLE SCANDAL.

AND EVERYBODY -- EVERY ATTORNEY INVOLVED IN THIS FELONIOUS DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS SHOULD SELF-REPORT TO THE TEXAS BAR AND HAVE THEM SEE IF THEY SHOULD BE DISBARRED OR NOT. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE WE ARE MOVING ON TO NONAGENDA RELATED.

DARLENE KING, PLEASE GO AHEAD, MA'AM.

>> YES. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> IN 2006 ON METRO RAIL IT WAS BROUGHT BY A METRO POLICE OFFICER AND IT HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME AFTER THE INCIDENT.

RESTITUTION IN THIS CASE IN 2018 METRO FALSELY ALLEGED THAT I MADE CORRECTIONAL CALLS AND MADE A TERRORISTIC THREAT AND THEY WERE ASKING FOR A TRIAL DATE BEFORE THE STATUTE OUT RUNS OUT. SHY -- SHE NEEDS AMMUNITION.

MY HOMESTEAD NEEDS TO BE PUT IN MY NAME AND PROPERLY ADDRESSED TO 7255KELN. BASED ON THE DATE I SIGNED FOR A HOME EQUITY LOAN, MY HOMESTEAD WAS PROTECTED FROM LIENS AND FORECLOSURES BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION AND THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE THROUGH THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.

IT GUARANTEES ME THE RIGHT TO MY HOMESTEAD IN ORDER TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. THIS IS BASED ON TEXAS HOMESTEAD LAW, ARTICLE 16, SECTION 50.

I AM REQUESTING COMPENSATION FOR MY PERSONAL PROPERTY SEIZED IN THE BOTCHED, ILLEGAL FORE SLOUGHS -- FORECLOSURE THAT INCLUDES THREE -- TWO CLASSIC CARS AND ANTIQUES OF THE ESTATE OF MINI OSEA AND A VINTAGE DOUBLE GARAGE DOOR SLAL -- VALUED AT OVER $10,000.

ONE, LET ME REPEAT A TRIAL DATE FOR DERRICK FORD AND HIS CASE AGAINST METRO. TWO, FOR MY HOMESTEAD AT 7255 SIMMS BACK IN MY NAME. AND THREE, COMPENSATION FOR MY PERSONAL PROPERTY LOST. I KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT PERFECT PEOPLE AND WE ALL HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF GOD.

[04:15:10]

LET'S WORK TOGETHER AND ALLOW JUSTICE TO PREVAIL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE OR HAVE A FOLLOW-UP WITH SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY WHO

CAN SETTLE THESE MATTERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MA'AM. WE WILL MAKE SURE SOMEBODY

REACHES OUT TO YOU. >> THIS IS DARLENE KING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT. THANK YOU.

>> JONATHON WILSON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. HOW ARE YOU DOING? MY WIFE AND I OWN THE PROPERTY AT 3038 UPLAND SPRING TRADE IN KATY, TEXAS. 77492.

WE HAVE HAD A TENANT THERE, SINGLE MOTHER.

WONDERFUL TENANT AND PAYS ON TIME EVERY MONTH.

ALMOST NEVER HEAR FROM HER. SHE REACHED OUT DISTRAUGHT BECAUSE NEW NEIGHBORS MOVED IN DIRECTLY NEXT DOOR.

I BELIEVE IT IS 3034 UPLAND SPRING TRADE -- OR 3036.

I DON'T RECALL. BASICALLY DIRECTLY NEXT DOOR.

AND SHE SAID THEY HAVE BEEN THROWING LOUD, WILD PARTIES AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT AND SOMETIMES UNTIL 2:00, 3:00 IN THE MORNING WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN.

YOU KNOW, WHEN THE WEATHER IS NICE.

THE SHERIFF -- WE CALLED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ASK IF THEY CAN COME OUT AND THEY ARE TELLING US THAT IF THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS OUTSIDE OF KATY, IT IS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THERE ARE NO NOID ORDINANCES -- NO NOISE ORDINANCES. THIS IS A COMMUNITY MASTER PLAN -- PLANNED COMMUNITY. IT IS MORGAN CREEK RANCH IN KATY. A WONDERFUL NEW NEIGHBORHOOD.

I THINK IT WAS BUILT IN 2014. I AM DUMBFOUNDED THAT THERE IS NO COUNTY ORDINANCES AGAINST LOUD NOISES -- AT LEAST A MASTER PLANNED -- I CAN UNDERSTAND IF SOMEBODY LIVED IN ACREAGE, BUT IN A MASTER PLANNED A COMMUNITY WHEN YOU ARE IN X NUMBER OF FEET FROM A NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR THERE NEEDS TO BE A NOISE ORDINANCE THAT CAN BE ENFORCED.

RIGHT NOW ALL THE SHERIFF DEPUTY CAN DO IS ASK THEM TO TURN IT DOWN AND THEY CAN'T MAKE THEM DO ANYTHING.

THE SHERIFF SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS ONCE WE HAVE JURISDICTION TO FORCE THEM TO DO. IT THEY CAN -- THEY GET EVEN MORE BOLD IN A LOT OF CASES. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND MY TENANT SAYS IT CREATES A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FOR HER AND HER KIDS. SHE IS AT HER WIT'S END AND WE WILL LOSE HER AS A TENANT AND I CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

WE OWN TWO RENTAL PROPERTIES. WE ARE NOT SOME BIG CORPORATION. WE HAVE TWO RENTAL PROPERTIES WE ARE TRYING TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT.

I AM BEGGING THE COUNTY TO PUT SOME SORT OF A NOISE ORDINANCE IN PLACE, AT LEAST FOR HOMES THAT ARE LOCATED WITHIN X NUMBER OF FEET OF THEIR NEAREST NEIGHBORING PROPERTY.

I CAN UNDERSTAND, AGAIN, FOR PEOPLE ON ACREAGE NOT HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO GO WITH THIS AND I'M HOPING AND PRAYING YOU CAN HELP OUT WITH

THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MR. WILSON. BECAUSE YOU DID NOT SIGN UP -- THIS ITEM IS NOT ON THE AGENDA WE CAN'T GO INTO GREAT DETAIL WITH YOU IN COURT. I'M SURE FOLKS WILL REACH OUT TO CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU IN DETAIL.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> OKAY.

AND I DID REGISTER. I DID GO ON THE WEBSITE AND

REGISTER. >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT.

BUT THERE HAS TO BE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA ABOUT THE TOPIC THAT YOU ARE REGISTERING. THERE WASN'T.

I KNOW YOU SIGNED UP AS TO A NON-AGENDA RELATED ITEM.

LET'S HEAR A BRIEF COMMENT FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RAMSEY AND I WILL RELY ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO STOP US.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE JUDGE HAS ACTIVELY STATED WE CAN'T DISCUSS THE MERITS OF YOUR PARTICULAR ISSUE, BUT I WILL REFER YOU TO ENDOR REID WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS IN OUR COUNTY. WE WILL BE GOING INTO LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS IN A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK I CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY. WE PREF -- PREF -- PREVIOUSLY PUSHED TO GET SOUND ORDINANCE ABILITIES.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THEN SENATOR ELLIS, I THINK WAS FRIENDLY TO US IN THAT REGARD BACK IN THE DAY OF TRYING TO GET SOME OF THOSE TYPES OF AUTHORITY.

I THINK YOUR STORY I WILL REFER YOU TO THE DEPARTMENT AND IT MAY BE USEFUL TO THEM IN THEIR PROCESS THAT THEY ARE GOING FOR. HAVE I STAYED IN THE LINES?

>> THAT'S PERFECT. PERFECT, COMMISSIONER.

>> AND IF YOU ARE OUT -- >> ENDOR REID.

>> CALL THIS GUY. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOUR MICROPHONE SEEMS TO BE ACTING

[04:20:04]

UP. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHERE YOU LIVE.

OUR STAFF HERE IN PRECINCT 3, WE WILL FOLLOW-UP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THE NEXT SPEAKER NEEDS AN INTERPRETER. I AM GOING TO UNMUTE THE

INTERPRETER. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES. ONE MOMENT.

GARCIA.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

DISSATISFACTION AND LOSS OF INTEREST WITH REGARDS TO MY SITUATION, THE BUYOUT MANDATORY PROGRAM.

>> NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUGHT. THEY JUST PRESSURE WE MUST

TURN IN OUR DOCUMENTS. >>

>> AND EVERY DAY WE HAVE TO KEEP THINKING ABOUT WHEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE OUR HOMES.

ILLNESSES THAT ARE INCLUDED, INCLUDING MYSELF.

>> THEY THEY HAVEN'T ORGANIZED IT WELL.

>> UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE, AND IT INCLUDES WHOLE FAMILIES AS

WELL SINGLE HOUSEHOLDS. >>

>> EACH PERSON DESERVES TO BE TREATED AS A HUMAN BEING AND

NOT AS AN AN OBJECT. >>

>> THERE CONTINUE TO BE PROBLEMS WITH COMMUNICATION.

>> WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEIR HOMES.

>>

TO BE A LIE. >>

>> BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE IS NOT ADEQUATE SERVICES.

>> HIDALGO, WE DON'T FEEL WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH FROM YOU.

>>

>>

REGARDLESS OF LEGAL STATUS. >>

>> AND IF ALL OF THIS IS TRUE, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS.

US, DON'T MAKE US END UP IN DEBT

>> IT IS GENERATING NEW PROBLEMS WE NEVER HAD IN MY

NEIGHBORHOOD. >>

>> LIKE THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO OBTAIN BENEFITS FROM THE

COUNTY. >>

>> I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER YEAR, 2021, TO BE EXHAUSTING AND

STRESSFUL. >>

[04:25:14]

>> WE REQUIRE ANSWERS AND WE REQUEST YOU TURNOVER THE PROJECT CALLING 11 DEER FOR THE EVENT SO WE KNOW WHEN THE

PROJECT BEGINS AND ENDS. >>

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE I I DON'T CROSS THE LINE, BUT I KNOW WE DID HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

I WILL ASK HER TO HAVE HER STAFF CALL OTHER VENDORS THAT HAVE BEEN HIRED TO WORK WITH PEOPLE ON THIS.

WE HAVE GOT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.

TELL THE PERSON ON THE LINE THAT MY STAFF WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH HER AS WELL. BUT I WILL ASK DR. HOLLOWAY TO HAVE SOMEBODY SENIOR ON THE TEAM CALL HER AS WELL.

IN PARTICULAR THE VENDOR. >>

>> YES. PLEASE BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED SOME ANSWERS. THE YEAR 2020 HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF ANSWERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST TELL HER WE HEAR HER AND I KNOW -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY, BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

I WILL CALL DR. HOLLOWAY MYSELF WHEN WE HAVE A LITTLE

BREAK. >>

>> THAT'S FINE, THANK YOU. >> PRAN --

SPANISH]. >> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR AN OPINION OR SOMETHING FROM JUDGE LINA HIDALGO.

THERE IS A LOT OF US IN THE COMMUNITY AND THERE IS A LOT OF FAMILIES. AND WE NEED A LOT OF HELP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU GUYS.

WE WILL MAKE SURE WE FOLLOW-UP.

WE WILL GET THE DEPARTMENT TO WORK ON.

IT IS A HARD PROCESS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT.

WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU GUYS.

>>

>> THANK YOU. >> MUTING THE INTERPRETER.

MACY HAMILTON WITH ASVOV. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

VC HAMILTON? WE'LL GO BACK TO HER, JUDGE.

JACOB CLEMENTECK. GO AHEAD.

>> YES, MA'AM. THIS IS SPECIFICALLY TO JACK CAGLE. YOU COULD HAVE BEEN MORE EFFICIENT ON YOUR THANK YOU LETTER TO ME.

WHILE HERE IS A POLITICAL OPINION.

THERE IS A "STAR WARS" EPISODE FOR "A NEW HOPE." OBIE CAN CANOBIE SAYS TO LUKE SKYWALKER YOU WILL NEVER FIND A MORE WRETCH -- WRETCHED PLACE OF SCUM AND VILLAINY.

THE SAME COULD BE SAID ABOUT WASHINGTON, D.C., OR SPECIFICALLY THE WHITE HOUSE WHERE THEY SAY YOU WILL NEVER

[04:30:01]

FIND A MORE WRETCHED PLACE OF HUMAN SCUM AND VILLAINY.

WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS OPERATORS NEED TO BE A CONGRATULATOR. YES, SIR.

THEY ARE -- WHILE THEY HELPED A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY GET TO THE PLACE WHERE I CAN TAKE [INAUDIBLE] AND THAT PERSON WAS AUTISTIC. AND THEY -- WELL -- THEY HELPED THE AUTISTIC PERSON AND WELL THAT'S GOOD BECAUSE THEY GO ALL OVER HARRIS COUNTY. YES, SIR, WE TAKE A RIGHT.

AND WHAT I WANT TO SAY NOW IS THAT WHILE I LOVE THAT "STAR WARS" EPISODE. HE SAID YOU WON'T FIND A A MORE WRETCHED PLACE OF SCUM ANDVILLE -- AND VILLAINY.

THAT'S MY OPINION. [INAUDIBLE] I GOT A MIRACULOUS MESSAGE FROM CARDINAL DELANO. YES, SIR.

AND I HOPE THE PEOPLE HAVE COMMENTED ON THIS.

I THINK YOU POLITICIANS WILL QUESTION POLITICAL VIEWS AND POLICIES AND ARE GOOD PEOPLE. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JACOB FOR CALLING IN.

>> YEAH. OKAY.

THANK YOU MS. HIDALGO. YOU ARE THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP. AND TOM RAMSEY IS THE -- WELCOME ABOARD. SHE IS THE CAPTAIN.

WE NEED TO GO BACK TO BACK UP, OPERATOR.

OKAY. I'M SURE THAT WAS TRYING TO DO TWO THINGS AT ONCE. REMEMBER, "STAR WARS" EPISODE 4 WHERE OBIE CAN CANOBIE SAYS TO LUKE SKYWALKER IT IS A PLACE OF SCUM AND VILLAINY. OKAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, JACOB.

>> VC HAMILTON WITH ASVOV. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, MA'AM. THIS AFTERNOON OR GOOD EVENING, RATHER TO HONORABLE JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND THE DISTINGUISHED COMMISSIONERS OF THE COURT AND STAFF.

I AM VC HAMILTON AND MY ORGANIZATION IS A SURVIVOR BOARD OF VICTORY. I CURRENTLY PRESIDE IN PRECINCT 1, COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS' PRECINCT.

I AM A PROUD RESIDENT OF THE THIRD WARD COMMUNITY.

WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU GUYS ABOUT TODAY IS HOUSE BILL THAT IS AN EXTENSION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE SCHOOL AND THE TEACHERS AND THE ADMINISTRATORS OF LIFE FOR TERROR TRAINING.

I AM ASKING WE EXPAND VICTIM SERVICES TO STUDENTS AT SCHOOL AT THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE A STRENGTH IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN THIS AREA.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THERE IS -- THERE NEED TO BE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HISTORICAL HARM AND HISTORICAL TRAUMA THAT'S HAVE HAPPENED IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LATINO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SEPARATING OUR CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS. PARENTS DO NOT HAVE A SYSTEM IN WHICH THEY ARE TO REPORT INSTANCES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO LEGISLATORS OR TO POLICE OFFICERS.

WHEN THEY DO REPORT THE POLICE OFFICERS THEN TAKE THAT INFORMATION SPH -- AND THEN CRIMINALIZE THE CHILDREN FOR REPORTING. IF THEY ARE TRADING PICTURES AMONG EACH OTHER AND LEAVING THE CHILDREN SEPARATED FROM THE HOME SOMETIMES AND THEY ARE LEAVING THE PARENTS AS VICTIMS AS WELL. AND THERE IS NO STABILITY IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHEN IT COMES TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. I AM ASKING THAT WE PARTICIPATE OR AT SOME LEVEL WE HAVE A COMMUNITY -- PARTICIPATION OR A PSA OR SOME TYPE OF TRAINING FOR OUR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A VICTIM SERVICES EXPANDED TO THEM -- TO THEM SO WE CAN EXPAND OUR COMMUNITY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE HISTORICAL HARM AND THE HISTORICAL TRAUMA OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND

LATINO COMMUNITY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT

[04:35:03]

TO THANK YOU. MY STAFF WILL FOLLOW-UP.

I KNOW THERE IS A CONFERENCE AT THE NRG -- THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. I THINK A NUMBER OF US ARE GOING TO ZOOM IN VIRTUALLY OR GO.

IT IS A GOOD ISSUE TO GET MORE VISIBILITY ON THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. WE WILL GET YOU THE FLIER AND LET YOU KNOW ABOUT IT. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN GO OR IF YOU CAN PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY, BUT

THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR.

I WILL GO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS CAGLE.

WE'LL SEE YOU THERE. >> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL THE

SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO COMMENT ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S BACKGROUND. I AM CAPTIVATED ABOUT HOW BEAUTIFUL THE COURTHOUSE LOOKS , COMMISSIONER.

>> IT REALLY IS. WE PULLED THE BLINDS ONE DAY AND I SAID, WELL, WHY DON'T WE HAVE THAT? WELL, THERE IS A LITTLE FILTERING THAT GOES ON AND A DIFFERENT KIND OF A CAMERA. IT WAS NOT THAT COMPLICATED.

IT IS NICE TO SEE THE BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE IN THE

COUNTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS VERY

BEAUTIFUL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE RIGHT THERE IS WHERE I STARTED MY JUDICIAL CAREER, LEGAL CAREER TOO. THERE ARE DIVOTS IN THE STAIRS

THAT I HELPED MAKE. >> LINA HIDALGO: Y'ALL ARE PUTTING MY SHELVES TO SHAME NOW.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK YOU WON AN AWARD FOR THOSE SHELVES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S VERY BEAUTIFUL, COMMISSIONER.

SO THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AND WE WILL MOVE TO THE AGENDA STARTING WITH THE COVID ITEMS.

[I. Departments (Part 2 of 2)]

THAT IS SECTION 22 AND PAGE 27.

22 -- EXCUSE ME A1 IS THE ROUTINE ITEM TO BE ABLE TO COMPENSATE EMPLOYEES DURING COVID APPROPRIATELY.

ITEM A2 ON PAGE 27 IS ACCEPTING THE TREASURY GRANT FUNDS OF ALMOST $74 MILLION. DO FOLKS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT? I KNOW THAT THE TEAMS ARE WORKING ON HOW TO BEST DISPERSE THAT.

SO IT IS EFFECTIVE AND FAIR AND GOES WITH THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS. PAGE 27 -- EXCUSE ME.

ITEM 22B. B1 IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE JOINT MEDICAL ISOLATION RECOVERY CENTER.

THESE, AS YOU RECALL, IS HOMELESS FOLKS WHO HAVE COVID OR FRONT LINE WORKERS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO ISOLATE AT HOME.

SO THE OCCUPANCY CONTINUES, AND WE ARE JUST REDUCING THE NUMBER OF BEDS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT BEING USED AS OFTEN.

THE FACILITY CAN ADD ROOMS QUICKLY IF NECESSARY.

ITEM B2 IS TO ACCEPT -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, VERY QUICKLY ON RENTAL ASSISTANCE. HAVE WE GOTTEN ANY THOUGHT GIVEN ON BEING ABLE TO TAKE THE FOLKS THAT HAVE ALREADY APPLIED TO THE EXISTING PROGRAMS AND STARTING WITH THAT LIST? HAS ANYBODY LOOKED AT THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE -- I WILL DAVE, OR YOU FOLKS TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE MYSELF.

>> THANK YOU, MR. GARCIA. I DON'T THINK SAM IS ON, SO I WILL GIVE THAT A TRY. YES, WE WANT TO REPORT THAT DATA OVER. THERE ARE PARTS OF THE GUIDANCE THAT REQUIRE US TO PRIORITIZE FOLKS OF A CERTAIN INCOME LEVEL. I DON'T THINK IT IS AS SIMPLE AS POURING OVER THE LIST AND PROCESSING IT.

CERTAINLY WE WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CONTACTS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE. TO SHEEN -- TO ENSURE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. AND I CAN WORK WITH YOU ON THIS. THANK YOU.

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

THANK YOU, DAVE. SO ITEM B2 IS A PROGRAM -- IT IS A 2.6 MILLION GRANT AND UP TO 6 MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE. ITEM 22C ON PAGE 27 IS THE SHERIFF REQUESTING ALMOST $24 MILLION FOR COVID-RELATED LABOR. I WILL PASS THIS ONE ON TO DAVE TO EXPLAIN. HONESTLY I AM A LITTLE BAFFLED. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

[04:40:01]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE DAVE WILL ADDRESS IT.

I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF, BUT I AM WONDERING HOW WE GOT IN THIS POSITION AND WHAT WE CAN DO SO WE HAVE SOME SENSE GOING FORWARD IF WE ARE GOING TO END UP IN THAT POSITION, THIS POSITION HERE.

MAYBE YOU CAN ANSWER THAT IN YOUR COMMENTS.

>> SURE. FIRST OFF I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I SPOKE WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY.

I THINK HE IS A VERY WILLING PARTNER TO ADDRESS THIS GOING FORWARD. LET'S START THERE.

THIS IS A REQUEST THAT EFFECTIVELY COVERS COSTS AT THE JAIL, LARGELY LABOR COSTS.

THERE ARE A FEW OTHER THINGS, BUT THIS IS A BIG MAJORITY OF IT. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF DRIVERS. ONE IS COVID-19 AS SOMETIMES FOLKS GET EXPOSED AND THEY NEED TO BE ISOLATED.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED AND THEY NEED TO STAY HOME.

IN ADDITION THE JAIL POPULATION IS RUNNING HIGH FOR ANY NUMBER OF FACTORS. I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS WORTHY OF FOCUS AS WE GO FORWARD.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THAT IN TERMS OF GETTING THE SYSTEM MOVING, I HAVE ANOTHER OPTION.

THAT HAS DRIVEN US ACROSS. BY THE SAME TOKEN WE ARE PLAYING CATCH UP IN TERMS OF COSTS THAT HAVE BEEN INCURRED AND THAT'S NOT THE BEST WAY TO DO THINGS.

I SPOKE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ABOUT THIS.

WE ARE GOING TO UPDATE A STAFFING PLAN FOR THE JAIL.

WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHO IS WORKING THERE AND WE CAN GET REGULAR SUPPORT FOR OVERTIME AND TALK WITH THEM ABOUT THE WAY TO MAKE SURE WE GET DOCUMENTATION TOGETHER TO GET THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT.

I WOULD SAY FROM MY OFFICE'S PERSPECTIVE THIS REQUEST IS WHERE WE ARE WHICH IS NOT WHERE WE WANT TO BE.

I DO THINK THE SHERIFF INDICATES HE WILL BE A WILLING PARTNER TO MANAGE THIS COST GOING FORWARD AND PRAY TRANSPARENCY -- AND PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DAVE, I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND THE SHERIFF FOR BEING VERY TRANSPARENT WITH SUPPLYING THE DATA THAT I KNOW YOUR OFFICE ASKED FOR AS YOU WERE COMING UP WITH THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS AND THROUGHOUT THE FBM PROCESS.

I THINK THAT IS SO IMPORTANT. I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT. I MEAN, WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

AT LEAST HERE WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS BEING TOTALLY TRANSPARENT, AND THAT HELPS. NO ONE CAN PREDICT EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

LINE

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? COMMISSIONER, YOUR MICROPHONE --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE WE GO.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR WORK ON THIS ALONG WITH THE SHERIFF.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT HOW WE CAN -- HOW THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WE CAN HAVE PARTICULAR CONTROLS ON AS IT RELATES TO CERTAIN OPERATIONS OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE COUNTY JAIL IS NOT ONE OF THOSE. IT IS COMPLICATED, EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE AN UP CLOSE SEAT AS THE SHERIFF DOES.

I JUST APPRECIATE THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME GOOD CONVERSATION AND SHARING THE DATA AND COLLABORATION TO HELP NAVIGATE THIS AND PROVIDE THE BUDGET OFFICE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION SO THAT WE KNOW EXACTLY THAT THE MONEY IS GOING TO A CRITICAL OPERATION.

AND REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE OPERATION IS WE ARE BRINGING YOU A LOT OF THINGS AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I ASSUME WE WILL WAIT FOR MR. BERRY TO

[04:45:01]

COMPLETE HIS REVIEW BEFORE WE PROCESSING -- WE PROCESS IT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK IT IS CLEAR ENOUGH.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS SOMEBODY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON THAT CAN DISCUSS THIS.

WHAT I DISCUSSED WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ THAT UNFORTUNATELY, AND THIS IS NOT THE SITUATION WE WANT TO BE IN, IS THAT THESE FUNDS ARE NECESSARY TO GET THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. I AM A MESSENGER ON THIS.

I DON'T THINK IT IS WHERE EITHER OF US WANT TO BE.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: ARE YOU RECONCILING THE ACT?

IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING? >> THAT'S RIGHT.

AGAIN, I AM THE MESSENGER AND TRYING TO LAY IT OUT CORRECTLY. I THINK WE ARE ON A PACE WHERE THE COST FOR THE YEAR WILL EXCEED THE BUDGET WITH RESPECT TO THE JAIL. THIS FUNDING IS WHAT THE SHERIFF NEEDED AND WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE COULD TO GET THROUGH THE END ST YEAR AT THE REQUIRED STAFFING LEVEL.

>> YOU WILL DO A POST MORTUM AND REPORT BACK TO COURT ON

YOUR FINDINGS? >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE NEED TO DO BETTER GOING FORWARD.

I THINK I SPEAK FOR BOTH -- FOR THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT.

>> THANK YOU, DAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK, DAVE, TELL ME IF I AM UNDERSTANDING THIS WRONG.

IT IS CLEAR THAT THESE FUNDS ARE NECESSARY.

THE MONEY IS OWED ALREADY IS MY SENSE.

WHAT IS PERHAPS NOT APPROPRIATE IS THAT THERE WAS NO SENSE THAT THIS DEGREE OF FUNDING WAS COMING.

PUBLIC HEALTH REU TINILY -- ROUTINELY SUBMITS $3 MILLION REIMBURSMENTS, BUT THEY ARE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR OFFICE AND GUIDE HOUSE. SO IT IS KNOWN THAT THEY ARE WRACKING UP THOSE COSTS AND WHAT THEY ARE FOR AND THAT IT WILL HAVE TO COME OUT OF SOMEWHERE.

GOING FORWARD -- YOU WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO THERE IS PREDICT BUILT SORT OF BEFORE THE COSTS ARE INCURRED? AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHERE ELSE THIS MAY HAPPEN? I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IS REIMBURSABLE OR HAS BEEN CREATED IN SUCH A WAY SO AS TO MAKE IT REIMBURSABLE.

WE CAN'T AFFORD THE DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE THESE -- TO PUT US IN THIS KIND OF A POSITION IF THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT WILL COME BACK ON THE BACK END.

I'M SURE YOU WILL DO EVERYTHING TO HELP US GET REIMBURSED FROM THE FUNDS, BUT I KNOW WORKING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH IT IS IMPORTANT THINGS ARE DONE IN A CERTAIN WAY TO QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE TO DECLARE

IT IN THE FRONT END. >> I AGREE WITH THOSE COMMENTS, JUDGE. TO BE FAIR, WE DID HAVE SOME SENSE THAT THERE COULD BE OVERTIME COSTS AND COVID COSTS , BUT WE NEED TO EVOLVE THIS SO IT IS MORE LIKE WHAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS DOING WHERE WE ARE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING DOCUMENTATION AND PLANNING AHEAD.

THAT'S THE COMMITMENT I GOT FROM THE SHERIFF AND WE PLAN

TO WORK ON BOTH SIDES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THERE ANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS YOU NEED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH PREEMPTIVELY? I DON'T KNOW IF OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE A SIMILAR ISSUE?

>> I DON'T THINK TO THIS EXTENT, BUT I WILL GIVE IT SOME MORE THOUGHT. WE HAVE NOT SEEN OTHER THAN THE SHERIFF AND PUBLIC HEALTH THE DEPARTMENTS COMING IN WITH THIS LEVEL OF REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

IT IS A GOOD CHALLENGE TO THINK ABOUT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE DOCUMENTS IN THE BEST

ORDER. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I DON'T HAVE ANY DOUBTS -- I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE DEGREE OF CHALLENGES, THE MULTI-FACETTED CHALLENGES THE SHERIFF IS FACING. BUT THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOME RHYME OR REASON TO THESE THICKS.

-- THESE THINGS. I APPRECIATE THE TRANSPARENCY, AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ASKED SOME OF THEM ABOUT WHETHER IT IS REIMBURSE -- REIMBURSABLE AND WE WILL FIND OUT LATER.

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF HOW MUCH OF THIS IS RELATED TO THE OVERCROWDING? IT SAYS COVID RELATED LABOR SERVICES SUPPLIES THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE AS YOU GO THROUGH THE ASSESSMENT TO COME BACK AND LET US KNOW. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH IS RELATED TO COVID AND OVERCROWDING AS IT RELATES TO WHERE WE WERE PREVIOUSLY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> IT DOES. I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER.

I WOULD SAY THEY WORK TOGETHER.

THE MORE FOLKS IN JAIL THE MORE STAFFING IS NEEDED.

[04:50:01]

THE MORE STAFFING IS NEEDED AND THEN FOLKS ARE OUT.

WE WILL DEFINITELY DIVE INTO THAT AS PART OF THE REVIEW.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE AND I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT QUARYTILY PERFORMANCE REPORTS AND MONITORING.

JAIL POPULATION AND JAIL COSTS WOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. IT MAKES SENSE FOR THIS BODY TO MONITOR AT LEAST ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE BOTTOM LINE AND FOR OTHER

REASONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DAVE, JUST SO WE ARE CLEAR, WHEN YOU SAY THIS $23, $24 MILLION IT GETS US TO THE END OF THE YEAR YOU ARE REFERRING TO THE PHYSICIAN -- FISCAL YEAR WHICH IS THE END OF MARCH?

>> END OF FEBRUARY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PARDON ME.

END OF FEBRUARY, BEGINNING OF MARCH.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A MONTH AND A WEEK.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT DECEMBER OF NEXT YEAR.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE THE

SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

HELLO? >> YES, SIR.

YES, SIR, GO AHEAD. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I JUST WANTED TO RESPOND. I KNOW SOME QUESTIONS WERE ASKED ABOUT HOW MUCH OF THIS IS DUE TO THE OVERCROWDING IN THE JAIL. 17MILLION OF THE 24 IS LABOR IN THE JAIL WHICH IS LARGELY DRIVEN RIGHT NOW BY THE POPULATION AND BY THE CHALLENGE WE ARE FACING WITH REGARD TO COVID. IT IS NOT JUST THE POPULATION ITSELF. IT IS THAT WE HAVE TO DO LOTS OF THINGS TO SEGREGATE PEOPLE DUE TO COVID.

WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES OUT.

THEY ARE EITHER COVID POSITIVE OR QUARANTINED DUE TO COVID.

AND WE HAVE LARGE CHALLENGES TRYING TO BACK FILL THOSE POSITIONS. IT IS NOT LIKE WE CAN JUST NOT DO THAT JOB. WE HAVE POSTS THAT HAVE TO BE FILLED. I GUESS THE SHORT ANSWER IS IT IS VERY MUCH LABOR DRIVEN IN THE JAIL.

WITH REGARD TO THE PRO ACTIVE ASPECT OF THIS, I TAKE THE HIT FOR THAT. ALL YEAR LONG WE HAVE TRIED TO ASK ONLY FOR WHAT WE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED AT THE MOMENT TO OPERATE AND WHAT WE HAD 100% BACK UP FOR IN TERMS OF ASKING FOR COVID RELIEF. MOST OF THAT WAS VENDORS AND PP AND E AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE SORT OF BEEN KNOWING THAT THE LABOR WAS GOING TO CATCH UP TO US BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

IT IS ON ME THAT IT WASN'T COMMUNICATED IN ADVANCE THAT ULTIMATELY WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THIS CATCH UP BEFORE THE END

OF THE YEAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION. IT WAS HELPFUL.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU CHECK AROUND WITH YOUR PEERS AROUND THE COUNTRY IF NOT THE STATE.

I KNOW WE HAVE THE SECOND LARGEST JAIL POPULATION IN AMERICA. ONLY L.A. WOULD HAVE MORE.

OF COURSE THEY HAVE A COUNTY OF 10 MILLION PEOPLE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT UNPANTS PATED COSTS -- WHAT UNANTICIPATED COSTS THEY MAY HAVE.

IT MAY GIVE US AN INDICATION OF WHAT IT MAY BE FOR IF THE PANDEMIC CONTINUES. IT WOULD BE GOOD SOMEWHERE -- I MEAN OTHERS HAVE GONE DOWN MORE IN THE POPULATION THAN WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT WILL GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT WE MAY BE IN FOR DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTY POPULATION IN AMERICA.

IT IS A POPULATION THAT IS DOUBLE THAT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, GO

AHEAD. >> I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT WE WILL CERTAINLY MAKE THE CASE THAT THIS IS REIMBURSABLE AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE 25% BACK.

AND WE WOULD BE ON THE HOOK FOR THAT.

WE WILL DO OUR BEST. IT IS THE BEST POSSIBLE

[04:55:09]

DOCUMENT -- DOCUMENT STATION. >> I WANT TO STRESS TO THE EXTENT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO IT.

THIS WILL BE LESS MONEY FOR DIRECT ASSISTANCE, A HOST OF OTHER COVID-RELATED ISSUE THAT'S WE HAVE AND WHATEVER IT IS. WHETHER IT IS TESTING OR

WHATEVER IT IS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM D, APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO BE BE IN AGREEMENT WITH DASCENA. THIS IS THE TESTING PROGRAM CONTINUING. ITEM E IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM. I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST UPDATE YOU ON THE VACCINE EFFORT THAT HAS LAUNCHED TODAY.

I KNOW I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OF YOU AS AN UPDATE, BUT I WANTED A CHANCE TO TALK THROUGH HOW TODAY HAS GONE AND THE GIST OF IT AS WE DISCUSSED. WE FOCUS ON THE FRONT LINE WORKERS. WE HAVE TO OPEN IT UP TO THE COMMUNITY. THE QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU MAKE IT FAIR, EFFICIENT AND EQUITABLE WHILE ALSO ABIDING BY THE STATE PRESCRIPTIONS. WHAT WE CAME UP WITH IS A SYSTEM THAT AT LAST TALLY I KNOW WE HAVE GOT -- WE HAD AT LEAST 18,000 PEOPLE SIGN UP, BUT IT IS GROWING FOR THE WAIT LIST. RIGHT NOW IT IS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. THEY ARE ADDING OTHERS TO THE WEBSITE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO REGISTER. FOR FOLKS NOT 1A AND 1B WILL NOT BE PART OF THE POOL AS THEY EXTEND THE ELIGIBILITY.

RIGHT NOW IT WILL CLOSE AND THERE WILL BE A RANDOM BISE -- RANDOMIZED DRAWING. THAT AGE PORTION AND THIS WASN'T IN THE BRIEFING THAT WAS SENT TO YOU GUYS.

THAT IS BECAUSE THEY WERE PLANNING ON DOING IT THAT WAY AS WELL. THEY HAVE RUN THAT BY THE STATE TO PUT THE OLDER AGED COHORTS FIRST.

AND SO THAT IS HOW IT WILL GO GOING FORWARD.

THE WEBSITE HAS BEEN DOWN A FEW TIMES AS EXPECTED.

IT HAS BEEN UP AND DOWN, JUST DEMAND, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER IT IS. FOLKS ARE TRYING TO OVERWHELM IT. IT HAS HELD UP SO FAR AND THE CALL LINE WAS HELD UP SO FAR. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO COMMEND YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR COMING UP WITH A PROCESS WHERE IT IS A POLICY OF EQUITY AND MAKING IT MORE THAN JUST A SIX-LETTER WORD.

IT TOOK SOME THOUGHT TO COME UP WITH THAT.

I THINK THAT IS A GOOD THING TO DO.

AND BEING FLEXIBLE ENOUGH THAT IF WE LEARN THINGS ALONG THE WAY YOU CAN MAKE CHANGES. THE FUNERAL I WENT TO OVER THE LUNCH BREAK, THEY ARE MAKING SURE THEY ARE WORKING WHERE THEY CAN. I AM GLAD THAT WE NOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON ARE NOT TURNING PEOPLE AWAY BASED ON THE ADD DRESS -- ON THE ADDRESS. PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC. I THINK THAT IS A GOOD THING.

WE HAVE TAKEN THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE GIVEN US.

WE ARE FOOT SOL YES, SIRS TO -- WE ARE FOOT SOLDIERS.

WE HAVE TO TALK TO SOMEBODY. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO HELP.

[05:00:03]

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I AM GOING TO ADDRESS MY ITEM G HERE. I WORK WITH JOSH AND IT MAKES SENSE. SOME OF WHAT I TALKED ABOUT WAS RELATED TO THE STRIKE TEAMS. WE HAVE DATA CENTERS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTERS.

THERE ARE NEARLY 15,000 FOLKS DUE TO THE CROSS SECTION THAT WILL MEET ANYBODY'S CONCERNS RELATED TO EQUITY.

SO I JUST OFFER THAT AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE -- WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT.

AND WE CAN HELP FACILITATE GETTING THE VACCINE OUT.

WE DID SOME TRIAL RUNS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTERS LAST WEEKEND AND THEY WORKED OUT GREAT. AND WHEN YOU ARE OLDER AND GETTING IN YOUR 80S AND IT IS A COMMUNITY CENTER YOU HAVE BEEN GOING TO FOR A LONGTIME. AND IT GETS YOU THROUGH A STRESSFUL TIME. IT IS NOT TO GET THE 9,000 VACCINES OUT THERE. IT IS THE 215 VACCINES WE WILL BE DOING. AND WE WILL DO IT IN AN EQUITABLE WAY. WE ARE GETTING THE WORD OUT TO PEOPLE TO REGISTER THROUGH THE LINK.

IF YOU HAVE THAT LIST, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, PERHAPS YOU CAN SHARE IT WITH PUBLIC HEALTH SO THOSE FOLKS CAN INPUT IT INTO THE DRAWING RIGHT NOW.

YOU GUYS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A BRIEFING ON THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN THAT THEY ARE PUTTING TOGETHER.

RIGHT NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP AND YOUR LEADER CONTACTS AND YOUR GRASSROOTS TO GET IT TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY CAN SIGN UP. THE IDEA WOULD BE WE CAN STILL SEND A TEAM TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF TOWN.

ONE IS IN CYPRESS AND THE OTHER IS IN THE SOUTHEAST OF THE COUNTY. SO WE ARE BUILDING UP TO HAVE SIX. IT IS TO HAVE THOSE WITH HIGH INCIDENTS AND GOOD GEOGRAPHIC SPREAD.

AS THE ROVING SITES VISIT AND WE WILL NEED YOUR COMMUNITY CENTER, WE CAN PULL FROM THE RANDOMIZED LIST THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE IN THERE. THIS WEEK THE ROVING SITE IS COMPLETING SECOND DOSES. IT IS GOING TO HOMELESS SHELTERS AND THEN PROBABLY IN THE NEXT I WOULD SAY TWO OR THREE WEEKS THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GO BACK INTO OTHER PLACES THAT IS NOT THE SECOND SITES AND IT IS NOT A CARE SETTING.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT IN A WAY THAT IS EQUITABLE AND THAT IS EFFICIENT, BUT IS ALSO FAIR.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVEN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S DON'T KNOW ANY OF US TO SIGN UP ARE PART OF IT AND THAT IS A WAY TO GET EVERYBODY INTO THIS LIST.

>> WE WILL GET THEM SIGNED UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS GOING TO SAY FOR ALL OF US, I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PROCEED IN A WAY WHICH WE ARE NOT PLAYING FAVORITES. A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WERE SAYING TO ME, I FEED YOU TO WORK IT OUT TO GET SUCH AND SUCH A SHOT. I SMILE AND SAY IT IS GONNA ALL WORK OUT. DO WE NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO MAKE SURE OUR STAFF AND OUR BUSES, FOLKS ARE DISTRIBUTING FOOD AND WE HAVE PEOPLE AND IT WAS DIFFERENT FROM SHOTS, BUT WE HAD PEOPLE WITH MORE BICYCLES AND TAKING STUFF FROM

[05:05:01]

THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ALL OUR STAFF CAN HELP WITH THAT. WE NEED TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO VOTE.

I THINK EVERY ONE OF US CAN AVOID THE PERCEPTION OR SOME EMPLOYEE AT ONE OF OUR CENTERS IS GETTING IN TROUBLE BECAUSE SOMEBODY SAYS CAN MY COUSIN OR MY CHILD OR MY GRANDMOTHER GET IN? I DON'T WANT THEM TO BE IN THAT POSITION. I KNOW WHO TAKES THE TEST IS PROTECTED. THAT'S ALWAYS WHAT PEOPLE PROCEED. MOST FOLKS DIDN'T KNOW I WAS 66 UNTIL I TOOK THE SHOT AND I HAD TO POINT OUT AND THAT'S WHY I SHARED MY HEAD. YOU WON'T SEE THE GRAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE JUST GOT AN UPDATE.

27,900 SIGN UPS. I HOPE WITH THIS WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR THE STATE. PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, THE CITY AND OTHER HUBS ARE TAKING FROM OUR LIST.

AND SO WE ARE -- RIGHT NOW, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOUR QUESTION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT YOU GUYS NORMALLY ACTIVATE, IT IS TO THE EXTENT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO COMMUNITIES WHERE FOLKS CAN SET UP A BOOST AND SIGN PEOPLE UP.

THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL.

AND THEN HOSTING THE ROVING SITES.

IT IS GETTING THESE FOLKS INTO THE LIST.

WE DID SEND 1,000 VACCINES ON FRIDAY AND THERE WAS FOUR OF THEM AND TRYING TO SEE HOW THEY DO.

IF THEY DO WELL THE FQHC'S WILL BE PUT IN A ROTATION THAT IS SHARED WITH YOU ALL SO THAT IT IS PRE-SCHEDULED.

EVERYBODY GETS A FAIR SHOT AT IT.

AND SO WE ARE RECEIVING HOWEVER MANY, NO MATTER WHAT THE DEMAND IS A CHUNK CAN GO TO THE FQHC'S.

IT IS EQUITY IN THE REGISTRATION WHICH NOW ALLOWS FOLKS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH OR ARE OLDER OR WHATEVER IT IS TO SIGN UP. COMMUNICATION, WE NEED YOUR HELP IN GETTING THE WORD OUT FOR PEOPLE TO REGISTER AND THEN FINALLY THE GEOGRAPHIC EQUITY WHERE WE ARE BUILDING UP TO THE SIX SITES AND THE ABILITY TO SEND THE ROVING

SITES OUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS -- CACTUS I WILL MAKE THIS QUICK POINT.

I GUESS YOU STILL PUT -- YOU KNOW, YOU INCREASE -- 45% SAFE, BUT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE, BABY-SIT THEM TO GET THE SECOND SHOT. I'M GETTING SOME WHO HAVE TAKEN IT AT THE CITY AND WHO ARE CALLING ME, THE ONES WHO HAVE MY CELL, BUT ARE STRESSED OUT.

IT IS THE SECOND SHOT WHERE SOME OF THE FOLKS JUST -- THAT'S GOING TO BE THE HEADACHE.

WHEN I TALK TO COUNTY FOLK AROUND THE COUNTRY, GETTING

THEM TO GET THE SECOND SHOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AS SOON AS THEY GET THE FIRST SHOT THEY ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE SECOND SHOT. SO THEY ARE NOT WONDERING HOW WILL THEY GET THE SECOND ONE. I WILL SAY AT RISK OF OPENING THE CAN OF WORMS WE GOT IN BEFORE, IF YOU GO TO READY HARRIS.ORG RIGHT NOW AND THE DATA DASHBOARD IT WAS UPDATED ON FRIDAY. AND IT IS GREAT AND CREDIT GOES TO JOSH AND THE TEAM. THERE IS A VACCINE TAB AND A DEMOGRAPHIC TAB. YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST SHOTS AND THE SECOND SHOTS THAT ARE DISTRIBUTED.

WE CAN TRACK IF THERE IS A PROBLEM GETTING THE SECOND SHOTS. THE DATA OUTSIDE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS OUTDATED. EVEN IF IT HITS THE DATE WE CAN'T SAY IT IS COMPLETE. SO THAT IS A CONTINUAL CONVERSATION WITH THE STATE. MY SENSE IS THAT THEY ARE REALLY TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER.

I DON'T THINK THEY ARE STONEWALLING.

I THINK THEY BUILT IT SO QUICKLY AND IT WAS NOT DESIGNED IN A WAY TO PROVIDE ROBUST DATA.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL GET FIXED.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAVE THREE POINTS I WANTED TO DISCUSS.

THE SECOND ONE YOU JUST TOUCHED ON AND THAT IS OUR EFFORT TO GET THE DATA WITH REGARD TO WHAT ARE THE SITES IN THE COUNTY TO KNOW HOW EFFECTIVE WE ARE, AND YOU AND I HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION AND YOU TOUCHED ON IT THERE, BUT YOU HAVE PUBLIC, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

IT IS EASY TO TRACK OUR TWO WINGS.

[05:10:01]

ONE THROUGH HARRIS HEALTH AND WHAT WE ARE ALSO DOING THROUGH OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THOSE DISTRIBUTIONS.

WE CAN TRACK THAT, BUT IT IS HARDER FOR US TO TRACK THE OTHER PUBLIC ENTITIES ON WHAT IS THE CITY OF HOUSTON DOING WITH THEIR SHOTS AND WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO TRACK THE PRIVATE SHOTS GOING OUT THERE WITH THE DOCTORS AND THE PRIVATE HOSPITALS. I THINK YOU HAVE INDICATED THE FRUSTRATION OF TRYING TO TRACK THE OTHER TWO SETS OF ENTITIES THROUGH THE STATE. I THINK YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS OF FINDING WHERE WE ARE.

IT FITS INTO THE THIRD POINT AND THEN I WILL COME BACK TO THE FIRST ONE WHICH IS THE ASPECT WHICH IS A FAIRNESS OF EVERYBODY HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A SHOT, ESPECIALLY WITH A SCARCE RESOURCE.

AND WILL COVER ARE -- AND THE CONCEPT OF BEING ABLE TO BE ON THE TESTING SIDE OF WHERE ARE THE HOTSPOTS IN THE COUNTY.

AND IF THERE IS A SUB ZIP CODE WITH A HIGHER INCIDENCE, THEN WE MAY WANT TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE AN EMPHASIS IN THAT SUB ZIP CODE TO VACCINATE SO THAT THOSE FOLKS WHO COULD BE THE SPREADERS OF IT, WE CAN STOP IT IN THE HOTSPOTS.

WE DO IT WITH OUR MOSQUITO SPRAYING AND WHERE THERE IS DISEASE COMPONENTS. WE SPRAY FIRST WHERE THERE IS DISEASE OUTBREAKS SO AS TO KEEP THE DISEASES FROM SPREADING IN THE AREAS THERE ARE NOT DISEASES.

IN ORDER FOR US TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO GO BACK INTO THAT WHOLE ZONE OF OUR TESTING AND WHERE ARE THE HO THE SPOTS.

I KNOW YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE DATA AND ARE DEALING WITH, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP THAT ON THE FRONT BURNER. IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO IN PRECINCT 4 TO HELP YOU GET THAT DATA, WE KIND OF THINK WE MIGHT KNOW WHERE SOME OF THE HOTSPOTS MIGHT BE IN OUR PRECINCT, BUT WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW BECAUSE THAT DATA IS HARD TO COLLECT. BECAUSE OF OUR LIMIT IN THE TWO PUBLIC AND ONE PRIVATE, WE HAVE ONE ASPECT OF THE PUBLIC. MY FIRST POINT WHICH ENDS UP BEING MY LAST POINT ECHOES OFF OF WHAT COMIGHTS -- COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY SAID EARLIER WHICH IS THE PROCESS OF USING OUR COMMUNITY CENTER THAT IS A PLACE TO WHERE A LOT OF OUR SENIORS ARE ALREADY COMFORTABLE WITH AND FAMILIAR WITH AND WHO ARE -- IN MANY INSTANCES IS THE MOST VULNERABLE. AND WE WILL ASK THEM TO GO THROUGH A SOMEWHAT SCARY PROCESS.

IT IS GOOD WHEN THEY CAN GO TO AN ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY ALREADY KNOW HOW TO GET THERE.

THEY ALREADY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT CAN GET THEM THERE. WE HAVE SOME OTHER COMMUNITY CENTERS THAT AS WE BEGIN TO EXPAND OUT AND SOME PARK FACILITIES THAT WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

WE HAVE SEEN FIRST HAPPENED HOW THAT -- FIRSTHAND HOW THAT WORKED WELL AND IT MADE AN EASIER PROCESS FOR THOSE WHO WERE FRIGHTENED IN THE ENVIRONMENT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SPOKE ABOUT HOW WELL IT WORKED FOR THEM, AND WE FOUND THE SAME THING TO BE IN OUR FACILITY WITH REGARD TO ASSISTING THOSE WHO ARE IN THE CATEGORY THAT IS NEEDING HELP. WE HAD SOME CONCERNS AND WE HAD TO PUT IN EXTRA PROTOCOLS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS FINE. IT IS A LARGE ENOUGH FACILITY AND IT IS A FAMILIAR FACILITY WITH EASY PARKING AND IT WORKS WELL. SO MY FIRST POINT, SLASH LAST POINT, WHAT WE HAVE DONE WELL WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING WELL WITH. AND AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUT, I THINK WE HAVE PLACES TO WHERE EACH OF US KNOW WHERE OUR VULNERABLE SENIORS ARE AND BEING ABLE TO GET THEM TO WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO GO TO A PLACE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH AND FAMILIAR WITH AND AS WE PROGRESS IN THIS PROCESS, I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHO TALKED ABOUT IF YOU NEED FOLKS TO VOLUNTEER AS YOU KNOW, AND AS THE TESTING AND IN EVERYTHING ELSE WE STAND READY WITH OUR BRIDGE CREWS AND EVERYBODY ELSE TO HELP. AND WE WILL, OF COURSE, ASSIST AS THE FLURRY IS STILL OUT THERE AND GETTING PEOPLE

PRE-REGISTERED. >> LINA HIDALGO: TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ON THE DATA, THE CHALLENGE IS WE CAN'T BUILD IT BOTTOM UP. WE DON'T HAVE A CARROT OR A STICK FOR THESE PRIVATE FACILITIES TO TELL US WHAT THEY ARE DOING. WE ARE PUSHING FOR IT WITH THE STATE. TO YOUR POINT ABOUT THE

[05:15:03]

CONCENTRATION OF WHERE THERE IS A HIGHER INSURANCE DINS -- INCIDENCE THEY ARE COLLECTING THE INFORMATION.

THAT WILL BE ABLE TO GUIDE US.

UT HEALTH AND TEXAS UNIVERSITY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN DESIGNING THIS. IT TAKES THEM A LITTLE BIT.

THE FACT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO FOCUS ON THE FRONT LINE WORKERS AND WE CAME UP WITH THE THOUGHTFUL SYSTEM AND IT IS GIVING THEM A SPACE TO WORK ON IT, BE ASSURED THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON FIGURING OUT WHAT DO WE DO IN TERMS OF SENDING TEAMS TO HOTSPOTS AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE IT IS FAIR. WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS USING A GOOD LOCATION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE COMMUNITY CENTER THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW AND PEOPLE KNOW IT AS PARKING ET CETERA, ET CETERA. PULLING FROM THE LIST THE -- AT RANDOM THE PEOPLE FROM ROUGHLY THAT GEOGRAPHIC AREA SO THAT IT IS I CAN -- IT IS EQUITY AND FAIRNESS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE WORKING ON.

AND WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE THEM ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO TO FIND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT. SO IT CAN MEET ALL OF OUR GOALS. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE POINTS YOU MADE, COMMISSIONER, CORRECT? COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR WORK ON TRYING TO CREATE SOME DEGREE OF EXPECTATION FOR HOW THE PROCESS WORKS.

AS WE TALKED LAST NIGHT MY CONCERN IS THAT THE VACCINE HAS BECOME THE NEW WATER. AND THEY ARE SEEING IT AS THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

AND THEN WE HAVE THOSE WITH A LOT OF RESERVATION AND THESE 10 SEE. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK. AND WE WANT TO REFLECT ON ALL LESSONS LEARNED DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

AND MAKE SURE WE DON'T REPEAT THE ONES WE CAN AVOID.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THAT OBVIOUSLY THE HARD TO COUNT, THE UNDER SERVED IN THE COMMUNITY ARE A MAJOR PART OF THE EQUATION IN TERMS OF THOSE THAT ARE FILLING THE HOSPITAL BEDS AND CONSIDERING THE AMBULANCE RUNS.

IT TOOK ME TOO LONG TO GET DR. SHAW AROUND TO UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THAT. AND IT BEGINS THE CONVERSATION OF THE REGISTRATION AND THE TIMELINE AND WHAT IT IS EXPECTED TO DO TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE IN THE SECOND DOSAGE AND THE SAFETY IN STEPPING UP AND TAKING IT AND THE SAFETY IN THE VACCINE ITSELF. WE ARE WAITING FOR THE VACCINE TO ARRIVE AND THEN WE WILL START COMMUNICATING ALL THINGS ABOUT THE VACCINE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE USING THESE TIMES AND WE ARE STARTING THE ENGAGEMENT PROCESS EARLIER THAN WE DID LAST YEAR.

I WANT TO REITERATE THAT. MY MORE -- POIGNANT ISSUE IS WE ARE THE THIRD LARGEST, NOW SECOND LARGEST IN AMERICA FOR COUNTIES. WE WANT TO GET THAT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. I AM WORRIED WE ARE NOT USING

[05:20:01]

ALL OF THE DATA SETS. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POPULATION OF HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE GETTING OUR ALLOCATION OF DOSES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS 62,000 UNUSED VACCINES IN SOME REFRIGERATORS IN SOME HOSPITALS SOMEWHERE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE ALLOCATION TO HARRIS COUNTY IS PROPORTION GNAT TO OUR ECONOMIC FOOTPRINT. IF WE CAN'T TO KEEP THE ECONOMY HUMMING WE HAVE TO ADVOCATE THE RESOURCES WE HAVE IN RELATION TO THE NATIONAL ECONOMY MUST BE PRIORITIZED.

WE NEED TO MAKE THAT ARGUMENT AND ENSURE THAT IT IS ALSO CONSIDERED AND NOT THOUGHT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, HAVE YOU GUYS HAD A CHANCE -- MY STAFF TOLD ME THEY WERE DOING THIS YESTERDAY AND PERHAPS IT WAS DELAYED. HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN PACKET OR MAYBE IT WAS JUST SENT TO YOUR STAFF? I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR

THOUGHTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET, JUDGE. MY STAFF MAY HAVE IT.

I HAVE NOT SEEN IT YET. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS THE STAY SMART, DO YOUR PART. THAT'S THE ONE WE FUNDED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR. THE FIRM WENT THROUGH PROCUREMENT. IT DOESN'T SAY PUBLIC HEALTH ANY -- ANYWHERE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MORE FUN. IT HAD BEEN TESTED IN THE PAST MONTH ON SOCIAL MEDIA. THEY TWEAKED IT AND COURT MITTED 1.5 MILLION. THAT'S AVAILABLE TO LAUNCH.

LET ME KNOW OR LET MY OFFICE KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY THOUGHTS. WE WORKED WITH PUBLIC HEALTH ON DEVELOPING THAT THROUGH THE CONSULTANTS.

HEREUPON -- HERE UPON ANY FEEDBACK YOU MIGHT HAVE AND THAT'S THE IDEA IS TO JUST GET IT OUT.

IT IS TOUGH. THERE YOU GO.

THERE IS A WHOLE PACKET ON THE VACCINE AND THE VACCINE INFORMATION. WHAT IS NEAT IS THE CAMPAIGN THAT GOES ON TV AND THE BILLBOARD AND WHATEVER AND YOU

HAVE THESE TOOL KITS -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I HAVE TO INTERRUPT. YOU SAID THIS IS FUN AND THERE IS A DIAGRAM AND I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU CHOSE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FEMALE GIVING A MALE A SHOT AND CONSIDER THAT FUN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT IN COLOR, COMMISSIONER.

IF IT WAS IN COLOR YOU WOULD SEE HOW FUN IT IS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS NOT JUST HER, CACTUS.

I HAD IT. THE CAMERAS WERE THERE.

MS. THOMPSON WAS LOOKING TO SEE IF I WAS CRYING.

IT IS A VERY SMALL NEEDLE, BY THE WAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOANK U TALKING ABOUT SMPHRONIA THOMPSON? I LOVE THAT LADY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL WORK TO PUT YOU IN TOUCH BECAUSE I DID AND I AM DOING ANOTHER TESTING EVENT AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THE U.S. HISPANIC CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION THEY HAVE REALLY OUT PERFORMED THE TESTING.

I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO DO OVER 400 TESTS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LISTENING TO THOSE WHO ARE CLOSEST TO THE GROUND AND HAVE LEARNED VALUABLE LESSONS IN A COMMUNITY THAT MAY SHY UH -- SHY AWAY.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP. >> AND WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET THE TOOL KITS. IF YOU GO OR IF YOUR TEAM OR CONTACTS GO INTO A COMMUNITY THERE IS THE LONGER FORM STUFF THAT CAN BE PUT ON A COMMUNITY SENDER, AN EVENT OR WHATEVER

[05:25:01]

IT IS, AND THEN THERE IS THE STUFF THAT IS FOR PLASTERING THE AIR WAVES. ARE THE VACCINES AVAILABLE? I AM HEARING THAT THERE IS SOME VACCINE VALUABLES.

I WAS SKIMMING THROUGH THE COVID PLAN AND THEY SAID THEY WILL HAVE A VACCINE MEDIA CAMPAIGN.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR TIMELINE IS, BUT IT HELPS TO HAVE THE MESSAGE ALSO FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYING TO GET THE VACCINE AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE LATEST WE HAVE IS A 3 -- AS OF 3:45352 SIGN UPS FOR THE SITE.

IT HASN'T GONE DOWN AGAIN. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYMORE COMMENTS ON THE BROAD COVID ITEM? IN THAT CASE COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2, EYE FEMME -- ITEM

F. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THIS IS AN ITEM THAT DELVES INTO THE OTHER CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD REGARDING THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET.

WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY HEARD FROM SOME SPEAKERS.

THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS A DIRECT COVID ITEM.

THIS IS NOT FUNTD -- FUNDING THE D.A.'S OFFICE.

THIS IS ADDRESSING OPERATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY COVID. 25% OF THE STAFF HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE OPERATIONS. WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE TO ENSURE THAT THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE REIMBURSED BY -- THIS IS A HIGH LEVEL OF THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. TO THAT END, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S OPERATIONS.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT HOW IT ALL WORKS TOGETHER. IF THEY ARE ABLE TO GET FOLKS' CASES PROCESSED AND DECIDE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THIS PRE-TRIAL POPULATION IN THE JAIL IS WHAT IT IS.

I WOULD HATE TO SEE PEOPLE STUCK IN JAIL UNDER PRE-TRIAL STATUS LONGER THAN THEY NEED TO BE.

IT COULD IMPACT THE SHERIFF'S BOTTOM LINE HAS HAD A 51% CLEARANCE RATE IN DECEMBER WITH A BACKLOG OF 49,000 CASES.

THIS IS SAFELY ASSUMED THAT THERE IS MORE AND MORE ON THE FELONY SIDE. AGAIN, WE HAVE MADE SURE THAT THIS IS ALL WITHIN THE GUIDELINES OF THE PANDEMIC AND ALL OVER THE GUIDELINES OF CARES AND ALL WITHIN THE GADE -- THE GUIDELINES OF WHAT IS REIMBURSABLE.

AND THEY ARE WORKING IN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO US TO HELP OUR RESPECTIVE OPERATIONS DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE IT ON WHAT THIS ITEM PROPOSES.

WHEN I VISIT WITH THE D.A. ON THIS AND STAFF, THEY GOT TO SEE A LIST OF FOLKS AND THEY ARE IMPACTING THE OPERATIONS AND I LEARNED AS A SHERIFF THAT THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH OVER TIME THEY CAN CONSUME AND IT IS PUTTING THEM IN AN

[05:30:07]

UNSAFE CIRCUMSTANCE. IT IS FOLLOWING THE COVID

GUIDELINES FOR 615. >> R. JACK CAGLE: FORGIVE ME FOR HARKENING BACK TO THE TRIAL COURT JUDGE DAYS.

WE LIVE IN AN ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM.

I THINK IF WE SHARE THE GOALS THAT WERE EXPRESSED EARLIER BY OUR SPEAKERS AND THAT IS TO REDUCE THE JAIL POPULATION THEN WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM WORKS.

IF YOU HAVE FUEL AND YOU HAVE OXYGEN YOU ARE ABLE TO FIRE THE MOTOR. IF YOU HAVE A GOOD MIXTURE, IN OUR SITUATION IF WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE JAIL AND WE WANT THE PROCESS WE NEED PEOPLE TO GET OUT OF THE JAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE INNOCENT. OTHERS NEED TO GET OUT OF THE JAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE GUILTY AND WILL BEACON VICED IT AND -- BE CONVICTED IN THE STATE SYSTEM.

IF WE DON'T HAVE AN ADEQUATE MIXTURE OF BOTH PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE, THE MOTOR WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY.

THE MOTOR, THE CARVE JUSTICE WILL NOT MOVE AND WE BACKLOG OUR CASES. THOSE THAT NEED TO BE OUT ARE PENALIZED BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE BOTH FUEL AND OXYGEN GOING IN THE SYSTEM TO MAKE THAT MOTOR OF JUSTICE OPERATE EFFICIENTLY. SOMEONE HAS TO PROSECUTE TO BE COMPLETE. WHETHER THE OUTCOME IS A DISMISSAL OR WHETHER IT IS THEM GOING TO A STATE JAIL, THE CASE BEING COMPLETED RESULTS IN OUR JAILS NOT BEING AS CROWDED. WHEN WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE A DEFICIT ON ONE SIDE OF THE MOTOR, WHETHER YOU CALL THEM THE OXYGEN AND WHETHER YOU CALL THEM THE FUEL PART, BUT WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE MIXTURE, THE D.A.'S OFFICE IS NOT ADEQUATELY ABLE TO PUSH THESE CASES TO A CONCLUSION.

WE HAVE AN OLD ADAGE. JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED. AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GETTING JUSTICE BECAUSE THEY ARE BOGGING DOWN AND SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OXYGEN AND FUEL TO MAKE THE MOTOR OF JUSTICE RUN SMOOTHLY.

SO I AM SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE OF THIS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE JAIL BECAUSE THE COURTS CAN'T GET THEIR CASES MOVED BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PROSECUTORS TO PUSH IT THROUGH QUICKLY TO A FINAL RESOLUTION. WHETHER THE RESOLUTION IS AFTER THEY WERE ARRESTED THEY WERE ARRESTED IMPROPERLY AND THEY ARE DISMISSED OR THE RESOLUTION IS THEY ARE CONVICTED AND NOW ARE WARDS OF THE STATE AND NOT THE COUNTY ANYMORE. WE SHOULD NOT BEHOLDING ALL OF THOSE FOLKS HERE, WAITING FOR THEIR FINAL DECISION ON EITHER WAY THE CASE WOULD BE RESOLVED.

WE NEED FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO PUSH THESE CASES THROUGH SO WE DON'T DENY JUSTICE BY DELAYING IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THAT IN ENGINEERING TERMS I CAN UNDERSTAND.

I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THAT AND I GET THE -- ONE, YOU CAN'T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER. WITH ON YOU -- WITH OUR CRISIS THAT IS GOING ON IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE HAVE GOT TO GET THROUGH -- WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A JAIL CRISIS.

WE HAVE A COVID CRISIS. WE HAVE A CRIME CRISIS.

THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. I TRIED TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT IS THERE. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE NEAR TERM. WE CAN'T WAIT.

THIS THING IS GOING TO BLOW UP IN OUR FACE JUST LIKE THE ENGINE COMMISSIONER CAGLE REFERRED TO.

WE MUST DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT EXPLODES.

THIS IS ONE OF A COUPLE OF THE STEPS WE NEED TO DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU

KNOW IF THIS IS REIMBURSABLE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT. WE ARE UNDER THE ASSUMPTION

[05:35:07]

THAT THE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE SURE THIS IS AS MUCH REIMBURSE -- REIMBURSABLE AS ANYTHING ELSE WE HAVE DONE IN RELATION TO CARES OR FEMA DOLLARS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THIS PERMANENT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS WHILE THE PANDEMIC -- WHILE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES OF THE PANDEMIC --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MEANT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT.

IS IT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME? IS IT PERMANENT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT SURE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE I WILL ASK COMMISSION -- MR. BERRY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS REIMBURSABLE YOU THINK?

>> THE ITEM AS I UNDERSTAND IT IS TEMPORARY.

THE BUDGET REQUEST, FROM A ROUGH CHECK OF THE MATH AND IN TERMS OF IT BEING REIMBURSABLE IF THIS IS DIRECTLY TIED TO FOLKS BEING OUT IN COVID, THEN I THINK WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CASE. IF IT IS AN EXPANSION, THE INTENT IS IT IS TEMPORARY TO ADDRESS A BACKLOG.

I THINK THE RIGHT DOCUMENTATION IS TO BE REIMBURSED. SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS ON THE

DOLLAR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU KNOW, MR. BERRY -- I ASSUME YOU HAVE REVIEWED THIS?

, THE BUDGET OFFICE? >> WE HAVE REVIEWED THE FINANCES OF IT. I CAN'T SAY WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN REVIEWING THE INTAKE STATUS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW I READ IN ONE OF THE MEMOS, THE PFM, SOME OF THE DATA NECESSARY FOR THE BUDGET REQUEST CAME IN FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE. IT WAS THE STUFF THAT WAS ASKED FOR LIKE TOTAL ARRESTS AND THE TOP CHARGE OR THE TOP 10 MOST FREQUENT ARRESTS RESULTING IN PROSECUTION.

A HOST OF THINGS, ARRAIGNMENTS, DISPOSITIONS.

I ASSUME THE RATIO CATEGORIES.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS? HERE IT IS.

DISAGGREGATE -- WHEN POSSIBLE DISAGGREGATE BY ETHNICITY AND RACE OF DEFENDANT. DO YOU KNOW IF THAT WAS SUBMITTED? I THINK THERE WAS A REQUEST MADE TO VALUE -- EVALUATE THE BUDGET REQUEST.

>> LAST TIME I CHECKED WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ALL OF THAT.

WE RECEIVED SOME OF IT. LET ME DOUBLE CHECK WITH MY TEAM MERE WHILE WE ARE ON AND CONFIRM NOTHING ELSE HAS COME

IN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL GOING FORWARD AND IT WOULD BE GOOD IF YOUR OFFICE AT LEAST REVIEWED IT. I THINK YOU ALL HAVE PUT IN A LOT OF WORK. WOULD THIS BE IN ADDITION TO OR WOULD IT BE IN THE PLACE OF THE BUDGET REQUEST MADE BY THE

D.A.'S OFFICE? >> TO ME THIS IS [INAUDIBLE] SO IF COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVES IT ON A TEMPORARY BASIS, THAT WOULD BE IN LIEU OF THE REQUEST OF A MORE

PERMANENT BASIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK THIS IS -- MY ITEM IS TO FIT INTO THE COVID CARES AND FEMA REIMBURSEMENT CATEGORY OR THE BUDGETING PROCESS.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE OTHER ITEM SO I CAN'T SPEAK TO IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HIM LOOKING AT IT TO RECONCILE IT TO SO AT LEAST WE KNOW IF IT IS APPLES TO APPLES?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS RECONCILED.

>> MY VIEWS ARE THE SAME. IT IS TEMPORARY STAFFING TO DEAL WITH A COVID BACKLOG. AND THE POSITIONS ARE

[05:40:05]

TEMPORARY AND WOULD BE RENEWED.

AND IT WAS A PERMANENT EXPANSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THAT IS HARD BECAUSE IT IS BEING PROPOSED AS TEMPORARY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR IT TO SAY WHAT I HAD IN MY NOTES HERE.

TO SAY 22 POSITIONS ARE EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 30 OF 2021 THROUGH JULY 30TH OF 2021, ET CETERA, ET CETERA AND I WOULD HAVE ANOTHER MOTION. WE KNOW THERE IS A BACKLOG.

JIM BETKEY WAS COMING BACK WITH A PLAN.

THE PROBLEM IS THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE NOT ON BOARD WITH THEM. WE NEED SOME RECOMMENDATION THAT THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE ON BOARD WITH AND I HOPE THEY ARE BRINGING IT BACK FOR THE NEXT COURT.

IT GOES BACK TO WHERE WE ARE SPENDING THE MONEY.

THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED THE DETAILED INFORMATION TO BUDGET , AT LEAST THE CYCLES I HAVE BEEN HERE.

YOU CAN MAKE THE CASE THAT FUNDING IS NEEDED.

THE BUDGET WE REVIEWED THIS MORNING, FACTORS INCLUDED IS WHETHER THEY SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATE HOW THE CHALLENGE WILL BE ADDRESSED. AND WILL RESULT IN COST SAVINGS I AM OKAY WITH THE TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATION.

I WANT THERE TO BE THE METRICS TO PROVE EFFECTIVENESS.

IT IS EASY TO MAKE A CASE IN BROAD STROKES.

IF THE BUDGET DIDN'T RECOMMEND IT, I AM ASSUMING IT DIDN'T MEET THESE PARAMETERS BECAUSE THE REQUEST COMING FROM THAT OFFICE HAVE NOT BEEN TRANSPARENT IN THAT WAY.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WOULD READ WHAT I PROPOSED SO WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE, I SUGGEST THE ITEM READ APPROVAL OF 22 POSITIONS FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

THE TEMPORARY POSITION WOULD BY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 30TH 021 TO TO JULY 30TH 2021 TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG OF CASES FROM EMPLOYEE WORKFORCE ABSENCES DUE TO COVID-19 AND FUNDING OF 1 MILLION FROM THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY FUND. AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT EVALUATE THE D.A.'S BACKLOG AND THE INTAKE OUTCOMES RELATED TO THIS REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY POSITIONS FOR THE D.A. TO PROVIDE BUDGET WITH A COMPLETE AND NECESSARY DATA WITH WHICH TO CONDUCT AN EVALUATION AND FOR THE EVALUATION TO GO TO COURT. THE POINT OF THAT IS SO THAT WE CAN GET A COMPARISON AND THAT WAY IT DECIDES LATER WHETHER THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED OR NOT.

IT IS BASED ON INFORMATION AND NOT JUST RHETORIC.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND THE MOTION, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AT THE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YES, DAVE? >> WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO ADDING THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT TO YOUR MOTION? IT MAKES SENSE FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ARE MUTED, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. SO IT WOULD SAY, DAVE, THAT THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND JAD EVALUATE THE D.A.'S BACKLOG, ET CETERA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU OR COMMISSIONER GARCIA KNOW WITH THE PFM REQUESTS, I MEAN, DID WE GET A RESPONSE? ARE THEY UNREASONABLE, OR IS IT TOO DIFFICULT TO PULL? DO THEY NEED HELP TO PULL IT? IT WOULD JUST BE HELPFUL TO GET THAT AND IT TIES IN WITH BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO

PFM? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THEY GAVE SOME -- IN THIS MEMO THEY GAVE SOME, BUT NOT ALL HAVE

[05:45:07]

BEEN SUBMITTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, AND TO ME -- YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA GET WITH THE ATTEMPT TO MAKE EVERYTHING MORE TRANSPARENT AND MORE METRICS BASED.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT IS IF THEY DON'T FULLY PARTICIPATE, BUT THEY ARE REQUESTING -- THAT'S WHY I WANT TO HAVE THIS EVALUATION SO FOR THESE PURPOSES OF THE BACKLOG THEY HAVE SOME DATA ON THAT.

I DON'T KNOW -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DON'T KNOW.

PERHAPS JIM OR DAVE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH PFM'S INABILITY TO GET ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION.

>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTION AS IT IS ONE HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN AS WELL. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THERE ARE $CLOSURE ISSUES IT WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW WHY.

>> THE JUDGE MAKES A MOTION AND I SECOND THE AMENDMENT TO

THE ITEM. >> JAMES, DO YOU WANT ME TO

READ IT? >> FOR CLARITY I WOULD

APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SAYS APPROVAL OF 22 POSITIONS FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 30TH -- OH.

WHAT AM I DOING HERE? EXCUSE ME ONE SECOND.

APPROVAL OF 22 POSITIONS FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 30TH, 2021, THE 22 TEMPORARY POSITIONS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 30TH, 2021 THROUGH JULY 30TH, 2021 TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG OF CASES RESULTING FROM EMPLOYEE WORKFORCE ABSENCES DUE TO COVID-19 AND FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF 1 MILLION 365 THOUSAND FROM THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY FUND.

THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT VALUE WAY THE D.A.'S BACKLOG AND TAKE OUTCOMES RELATED TO THE REQUESTS FOR TEMPORARY POSITIONS. AND FOR THE D.A. TO PROVIDE BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND JAD WITH A COMPLETE AND NECESSARY DATA WITH WHICH TO CONDUCT AN EVALUATION, AND FOR BMB AND JAD TO PRESENT EVALUATIONS TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT NO LATER THAT AUGUST 6TH, 2021. YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I AM SUPPORTING THE MOTION.

WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST THOUGH, DAVID, THAT AS YOU WORK WITH JAD YOU FIGURE OUT THE METRICS.

DO THAT FROM DAY ONE. DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE END BECAUSE AT THE END WE MAY LOOK AT THE DATA AND SAY, MAN, THIS HAS BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE. AND WE HAVE ALREADY SENT THE FOLKS HOME BECAUSE THEY WERE TEMPORARY.

GET A SENSE OF THE DIRECTION. GIVE THE D.A. THAT FACT THAT WE ARE EVALUATING THIS AND WE WANT TO SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL THIS IS. I'M FRANKLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT IS ONE OF THE FEW ITEMS ON HERE THAT I CAN POINT DIRECTLY TO SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS. I THINK I CAN MAKE THAT CASE CERTAINLY WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO DEPENDS ON THE D.A. TO DO CERTAIN THINGS. THIS IS GOOD.

I SUGGEST THE D.A. START WITH DAY ONE WITH THE METRICS SO THAT THEY KNOW WHAT THE OBJECTIVES ARE.

>> WE'LL WORK WITH THEM ON THAT AND WITH JAD AS WELL.

THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, PROCEDURALLY THIS IS THE ORIGINAL MOTION OF PRECINCT 2.

YOU, THNG, ARE -- I THINK, ARE MAKING A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AND I KNOW GARCIA SECONDED YOUR FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

PROCEDURALLY LEAHY WOULD SAY I ACCEPT YOUR FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AND WE VOTE ON HIS ORIGINAL MOTION WITH THE AMENDMENT

ATTACHED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AID COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, I DID ACCEPT HER MOTION AND I SECONDED IT. OR ARE YOU SAYING THE REVERSE THAT YOU HAVE MADE THE MOTION?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU HAVE MADE THE MOTION.

SHE IS GIVING A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

AND YOU SAY EITHER I ACCEPT IT OR DON'T ACCEPT IT.

[05:50:01]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I ACCEPTED IT.

I SECOND IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS THE OLD PARL MEN TEAR YEN IN ME. I USED TO HELP CHURCHES WITH PARLIMTARY PROCEDURES WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE EARTH.

NOW WE VOTE ON HIS ORIGINAL MOTION AS AMENDED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. IT IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S

MOTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND I WILL

SECOND HIS MOTION AS AMENDED. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE VOTING ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S AMENDED MOTION WHICH IS WHAT I READ TO JAMES. COMMISSIONER CAGLE SECONDED IT. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: QUICK QUESTION, JUDGE.

SO THIS IS ENOUGH MONEY, MR. BERRY FOR 22 ATTORNEYS FOR SIX MONTHS? IS THAT THE WAY IT PLAYS OUT?

>> I HAVEN'T CHECKED THE MATH, BUT YES IT SEEMS TO BE THE

RIGHT NUMBER FOR SIX MONTHS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU KNOW, I WAS NEVER CONSIDERED THE BEST ATTORNEY AROUND, BUT WE TALK ABOUT HIRING 22 ATTORNEYS FOR SIX MONTHS?

THAT'S WHAT IT AMOUNTS TO? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PRETTY

MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS TEMPORARY OR WHAT THE MOTION IS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, THERE ARE SOME COMMENTS IN THE CHAT FROM VIVIEN KING. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO UNMUTE

HER? >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> VIVIEN, YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> HELLO.

I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A POINT OF CLARIFICATION THE 22 POSITIONS ARE FOR 15 ATTORNEYS AND SEVEN SUPPORT STAFF.

KEVIN HAS GONE THROUGH THIS WITH US.

IN FERMS OF PFM -- IN TERMS OF PFM, WE PARTICIPATED WITH THEM IN THE BUDGET PROCESS CONSTANTLY.

I HAVE E-MAILS FROM THEM AND I ALSO, JUDGE HIDALGO, HAVE GIVEN SUPPLEMENTAL ANSWERS TO WALLACE NADER'S QUESTIONS AND KEVIN CAN VERIFY THAT. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT WITH COVID. THERE IS A BACKLOG WITH WARRANTS BECAUSE THE STREET OFFICERS FROM OUR AGENCIES HAVE NOT BEEN BRINGING PEOPLE DOWN TO THE JUSTICE -- THE JPC.

THEY HAVE BEEN E-MAILING WARRANTS TO US.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT.

WE ARE USED TO HOMICIDE DETECTIVES BRINGING IN WARRANTS AND GETTING THEM SIGNED BY THE OFFICER AND GIVING THEM TO JUDGES TO SIGN.

WHEN THE STREET OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT USED TO WRITING WARRANTS ARE NOW E-MAILING THEM TO US, THAT'S WHERE THE BACKLOG IS. WHEN WE TRY TO GET TO THE WARRANTS TO TRY TO VERIFY THEM AND CORRECT THEM AND VERIFY THE INFORMATION, THE OFFICERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

THERE IS A HUGE BACKLOG OF THE NEW PROCESSES BECAUSE WE CANNOT ACCEPT PEOPLE TO THE JPC.

AND BECAUSE OF COVID. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR

ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> BUT WE HAVE COMPLETELY COOPERATED.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THOSE QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THAT YOU READ OUT, BUT EVERYTHING THAT SARA SCHUMER AND THE OTHER YOUNG LADY SENT TO US WE RESPONDED TO.

WE HAVE EVEN HAD DRAFT MEETINGS WITH KEVIN AND SO WE

HAVE PARTICIPATED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY WERE

DFM? >> YES, SIR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. >> AND KEVIN IS AWARE OF IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> AND JUST AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION HERE, I WOULD DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE BUDGET PROS SET AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW.

>> THEY NEVER ASKED ME AND IN I AM IN CHARGE OF OPERATIONS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT YOU CAN SEE THE NAMES AND SOME OF THE CONTRACTORS AND OTHERS, BUT MY NAME IS NOT THERE, SO MAYBE IT DIDN'T GET TO THE RIGHT PERSON.

I'M NOT SURE. YOU KNOW WE ARE SCATTERED BETWEEN SIX BUILDINGS, BUT I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO

COOPERATE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE IT DID GO TO THE WRONG PERSON, BUT I I WAS TOLD YOU HAD ASKED.

>> THEY NOMO ME -- THEY KNOW ME.

WE HAD ZOOMS. THEY HAVE SEEN MY FACE ON ZOOM. BUT IT WAS ONLY THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS. I READ THAT REPORT.

BUT IF YOU SEE IT MY NAME IS NOT IN IT AND I DON'T KNOW WHO IT WENT TO. I AM IN CHARGE OF OPERATIONS AND THE MONEY AND THE FINANCES. I WILL COOPERATE AS BEST I CAN. SOME OF THAT WE DON'T KEEP IN THE FORMAT IN WHICH WE ARE ASKED FOR.

WE DID COUNTLESS METRICS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE A COPY OF AND WE HAD TO ASK HEM -- THEM HOW TO DO IT.

THEY SENT COPIES OF HOW THEY WORK WITH OTHER D.A. OFFICES LIKE KIM FOX'S OFFICE WHO I KNOW BECAUSE SHE IS A SORORITY SISTER OF MINE AND FROM PUBLIC SERVICE AND THEY SHOWED US

[05:55:02]

DIFFERENT COUNTIES AND HOW THEY DID IT.

WE TRIED TO MIMIC IT AS BEST WE COULD CON FIGURE THE NUMBERS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A STAYS THIS TIGS -- STATUSTICIAN. THEY GAVE ME SUGGESTIONS ON

HOW TO DO IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT IS HELPFUL AND I HOPE THEY ARE LISTENING AND WHEN THEY COME ON LATER TODAY WE WILL LET YOU KNOW.

IF THERE IS A NEED FOR A STATUSTICIAN TO GET IT, WE ALL WANT TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS WE CAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT MAY HAVE CLARIFIED A BIG THING.

THERE IS A METRICS PROCESS AND THEN THERE IS THE PFM.

I MEAN, THE METRICS WHAT AS QUICK AND DIRTY TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT WITH THE BUDGET DIRECTOR COMING IN IN THE MIDDLE OF BUDGET SEASON. IT IS A MULTI-YEAR EFFORT.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW IS WHERE THEY ARE REALLY DIGGING IN AND HELPING UNCLOG ALL OF THESE WHEELS THAT ARE NOT TURNING EFFICIENT -- EFFICIENTLY.

IT INVOLVES A LOT OF PLAYERS. WE NEED FOLKS TO LOOK AT ALL OF IT AND SAY HERE IS A FEW PLACES WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT AND HELP THIS -- THAT IN-- INFORM FUTURE BUDGET DECISIONS. IF IT HAS GONE TO THE WRONG PERSON IT IS IMPORTANT THAT BE ADDRESSED AND I ASK DAVE TO REACH OUT TO MS. KING AND JIM AND PFM AND MAKE SURE IT IS NOT THE CASE. IT IS A MATTER OF THEY SENT IT TO THE WRONG PERSON SO LET'S SEND IT TO THE RIGHT PERSON BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. I THINK AT THE VEST IMPORTANT. VERY IMPORTANT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THE PERSON'S NAME IS DAVID.

I CAN CALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, BUT HE IS THE PERSON FROM PFM. I THINK WHAT MS. KING IS SAYING IS IT MAY HAVE GONE TO THE WRONG PERSON IN HER

OFFICE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING FROM THAT GENTLEMAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE CAN YOU HELP US FIGURE THAT OUT?

>> SURE. I ACTUALLY THINK DAVID COULD BE ON THE LINE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM HIM NOW, OR WE CAN TAKE IT AS A FOLLOW-UP AND WORK WITH THE D.A. AND PFM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DAVID IS ON. PERHAPS, MS. KING, YOU CAN LET HIM KNOW WHO HE CAN SEND THE REQUEST TO SO WE CAN CLEAR THAT UP RIGHT NOW. THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT WOULD BE GOOD SO WE CAN CLEAR IT UP AND

GET THE INFORMATION. >> HE IS UNCOMMUTED.

HE SUN MUTED. >> SURE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR ME.

I AM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR WITH PFM.

OVERSEEING THE OPERATIONAL REVIEW AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW. I THINK THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT THINGS UNDER DISCUSSION WHEN IT COMES TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. WE ABSOLUTELY DID ENGAGE WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND AS SHE SAID IN WORKING WITH MR. BERRY AND DEVELOPING THE METRICS OF THE BUDGET.

EARLIER IN THE YEAR AS PART OF THE INITIAL SCOPE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW ATTEMPTED ON MULTIPLE OCCASION TO COLLECT DATA TO FILL OUT THE SCOPE UNDER THE INITIAL CONTRACT AND LOOK -- LOOKING AT A REVIEW SPECIFICALLY AROUND WORKLOAD. I HAD ONE OR TWO CONVERSATIONS BY PHONE WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEY OGG.

WE MET WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND HER STAFF.

MS. KING, I THINK YOU WERE THERE, EARLY LAST YEAR PRE-COVID AND FOLLOWED UP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS REQUESTING DATA AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE.

I CORRESPONDED DIRECTLY WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ON THIS AND REACHED OUT TO MAKE SURE MY CORRESPONDENCE WAS REACHING THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW. AS PART OF AN AMENDMENT WE WERE TASKED WITH DOING A MEMO LOOKING AT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL. I THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS REFERRING TO.

WE PREPARED THAT MEMO. IN THAT MEMO WE MADE A

[06:00:02]

DISCUSSION AS TO THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DATA THAT THE COURT MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT IN CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET PROPOSAL. THE LAST THING I WILL SAY IS WE HAD NO ROLE IN LOOKING AT WHATEVER THE PROPOSAL IS BEFORE THE COURT THIS AFTERNOON IN TERMS OF TEMPORARY STAFFING. HOPEFULLY THAT PROVIDES A

TIMELINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> AND JUST IF I MAY SPEAK, DANIELLE SCOTT IS THE OTHER PERSON WE DEALT WITH AND SARA SCHUMER. I DON'T THINK I WAS IN THAT MEETING YOU ARE DISCUSSING, SIR, BUT I WOULD BE GLAD TO TALK. I WOULD BE GLAD TO TALK TO YOU

AT ANYTIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

I'M GLAD THAT WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION.

WHEN YOU HAVE A CHANCE, DAVE AND IF YOU CAN CONNECT AND I KNOW YOU WILL BE BE LATER FOR THE PSN CONVERSATION AND WITH MS. KING SO THEY CAN GO TO THE RIGHT PERSON AND GET THAT AND MOVE ON THAT. YOU ARE STILL CONNECTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW, CORRECT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S A QUESTION FOR MR. IKENTHAL.

>> I THINK I WAS ON MUTE. YES.

WE ARE STILL CONDUCTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW.

WE PRESENTED THE INITIAL REPORT AT THE END OF DECEMBER THAT THERE WILL BE SUBSEQUENT REPORTS.

WE ARE FINISHING UP IN MAY. AS A RESULT, WHAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THE DETAILED ANALYSIS FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS NO LONGER PART OF THE SCOPE. WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THAT. PARTICULARLY TO DO THE WORK THAT WAS INITIALLY IDENTIFIED IN THE SCOPE AND WE REALLY NEEDED COOPERATION OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD HATE FOR THAT TO NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THERE IS A MISS COMMUNICATION SOMEWHERE.

IF YOU WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS THAT IS NEEDED AND THEN DAVE IF YOU CAN COME BACK TO THE NEXT COURT WITH THE EDITS TO THE SCOPE, IT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM FOR ME.

AND I VENTURE TO SAY IT IS NOT ONE FOR MY COLLEAGUES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT WHILE MR. IKENTHAL IS ON THE LINE, IT IS GOOD THAT COMMUNICATION ISSUE IS CLEARED UP. MR. IKENTHAL IS THERE ANOTHER ONE? FROM THE MEMO I SAW A CONSTABLE'S OFFICE WAS N -- WAS AN ISSUE.

I HOPE BEFORE WE GET TO YOU, MAYBE IT IS LATE NIGHT, MR. BERRY CAN REACH OUT AND IF THAT IS A COMMUNICATION ISSUE AS WELL AND IF WE NEED TO ADJUST THE SCOPE I SUGGEST WE

DO BOTH. >> WE HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO THE CONSTABLES AND WE RECEIVED WORD ABOUT SETTING UP A MEETING TO INITIATE THE PROCESS THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE PLACE IN JANUARY. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO FOLLOW-UP AND THE MEETING HAS NOT YET TAKEN PLACE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASSUME IT IS A VIRTUAL MEETING.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BERRY, IF YOU CAN ASK. I MEAN THE BUDGET IS A GOOD TIME TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES, BUT IT WOULD BE GOOD.

OR SOMEONE OUGHT TO SAY IF THERE IS A PUBLIC POLICY

REASON FOR IT. >> IF I MIGHT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I AM HAPPY TO WRK WITH -- WORK WITH MR. IKENTHAL AND PRESENT A SPORT -- A SHORT STAT -- STATUS REPORT TO AVOID

CONFUSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: SEND IT PERHAPS TO THE CONTACT YOU USED, DAVE, SO THEY CAN SAY, NO, THAT WAS THE WRONG PERSON OR WHATEVER.

>> I WILL DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 20 YEARS AGO.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ONE IN AWHILE AND I WANT TO MAKE THE MOST OF

IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SPEAKING OF E-MAILS I DID GET THIS ONE. THIS ONE GOT IN.

SOMETIMES IT TAKES AWHILE FOR E-MAILS TO GET TO ME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M TELLING YOU, IT IS NICER IN COLOR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BUT THE SECOND PAGE IS STILL THE GUY GETTING THE SHOT. JUDGE CAN WE MOVE ON YOUR -- ON COMMISSIONER'S MOTION AND THEN TAKE OUR FIVE-MINUTE

BREAK, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE SECONDED IT. THE LANGUAGE I READ TO JAMES.

[06:05:01]

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S BREAK UNTIL A QUARTER TO 5. SO 10 MINUTES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 4:45 AND WE ARE CONTINUING WITH COURT. WE JUST VOTED ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ITEM. WE ARE STILL ON THE COVID AGENDA. WE ARE ON G NOW WHICH IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S ITEM AND I KNOW WE ADDRESSED IT EARLIER. THE LAST COVID ITEM IS ITEM 11 ON THE SECOND PAGE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA AND IT IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS' ITEM. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOUR

MICROPHONE IS OFF. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M SORRY, JUDGE. WHICH ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU HAVE AN ITEM ON THE IS UP PLAW -- THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA? ITEM 11 ON THE SECOND PLACE, DISCUSSION ON THE POPULATION DETAINED AT THE JAIL AND THE ABILITY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME SENSE FROM MR. BETKEY ON WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHERE WE ARE HEADED NEXT. IF BETKEY IS ON THE LINE.

>> I AM ON. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT. WHAT WE ARE DOING -- ACTUALLY PART OF THE REASON WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE JAIL RIGHT NOW IS, AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED IT, IT CLEARANCE AND IT IS 50%. THAT'S CRIMINAL COURTS AND CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS EXCEEDING OVER 90,000 CASES.

THE SITUATION CONTINUES -- I'M SORRY.

MY SIRI THOUGHT I WAS TALKING.

WE HAVE VERY FEW JURY TRIALS GOING ON.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT THE DISTRICT COURTS INITIATED. THEY ARE HAVING THREE EMERGENCY IMPACT DOCKETS ON A DAILY BASIS AND THAT IS BEING FUNDED OUT OF THE REGIONAL PRESIDING JUDGES' BUDGET.

IT BEING DONE VIRTUAL. IF THE RODEO TAKES PLACE, THE EARLIEST WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET BACK INTO NRG IS IN APRIL. IN THOSE CASES THEY ARE ADDRESSING THE PERSONS IN CUSTODY.

LAST WEEK THROUGH PRE-TRIAL SERVICES WE REVIEWED A LIST OF 1500 PERSONS WHO SENT THAT ON TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND SOME HAVE GOTTEN RELEASED.

I JUST LEARNED THAT SEVEN PERSONS HAVE BEEN RELEASED SO WE ARE WORKING TO GET THE OTHER 53 OUT.

I AM ALSO HAVING MY TEAM DO A DEEPER DIVE ON THE 1500 PERSONS WE HAD. THERE IS CLEARLY SOME ON THAT BASED ON THE SENSE OF CRIMINAL HISTORY THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE. THERE ARE HOPEFULLY SOME ON TOP OF THE 60 WE CAN IDENTIFY AND ALL PARTIES CAN AGREE THAT THESE PERSONS DO NOT POSE A PUBLIC SAFETY RISK.

THEY ARE ALSO DEVELOPING A CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH SCHEDULING ORDERS AND I AM NOT SURE HOW QUICKLY IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED, BUT I DO THINK IT WILL HAPPEN IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. THIS IS SOMETHING MY STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON WITH THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT

[06:10:01]

JUDGES. IT WILL BASICALLY PRIORITIZE HOW LONG THE DEFENDANT HAS BEEN IN CUSTODY AND LOOKING AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT SCORE OF THE DEFENDANT'S AGE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I AM SEEING MOVEMENT FROM THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS. AND THERE IS FOUR NEWLY ELECTED CRIMINAL COURT JUDGES THAT HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ME AND OUR ROLE WITH JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION AND PRETRIAL SERVICES. AT PRETRIAL SERVICES WE PULLED SOME OF THE MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE STAFF TO ASSIST THE COURTS. THAT IS ACTUALLY HAVING A VERY -- HAVE A GREATER IMPACT IN PROCESSING PEOPLE OUT.

WE WILL WORK WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE JAIL POPULATION MANAGER, VIRGINIA AND OTHERS. THEY ARE BEING EXTREMELY RESPONSIVE AND RECEPTIVE. JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU MENTIONED EARLIER IN REFERENCE TO THE PLAN.

WE ARE IN COORDINATION WITH VIRGINIA AND JMI AND WILL BRING THAT BACK THE NEXT COURT.

I WAS PLEASED WITH THE AGENDA ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA BROUGHARD. I THINK THAT WILL HAVE A VERY MEANINGFUL IMPACT TO START ADDRESSING THE BACKLOG.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO ADD THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS.

IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN I THINK THE LAST ONE WAS IN 1985.

AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE STATE OFFICE OF COORDINATION AND IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE FILED IT NEEDS TO BE BEFORE THE END OF FEBRUARY. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE PRESIDING JUDGE JOHNSON AND SAME WITH DAVE PERRY -- DAVE BERRY BECAUSE THE COURTS ARE EXTREMELY OVERLOADED.

WHEN COVID PASSES WE WILL NEED AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CAN ADEQUATELY MOVE THESE CASES. I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER CAGLE THAT SAID JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED AND THAT'S TRUE. WITH THE RAMPING UP OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND MEETING WITH COUNSEL WE CAN HAVE MORE REPRESENTATION ON THE DEFENSE SIDE AND THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE HAVING ADEQUATE STAFF TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THIS, I THINK WE CAN START DIGGING OUT OF THE HOLE. IT IS NOT JUST FROM THE PANDEMIC. AS YOU RECALL THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGES WERE NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET BACK INTO CHAMBERS UNTIL JUNE OF LAST YEAR.

THEY ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THE RECOMMEND INEPTS OF HARVEY

-- REMNANTS OF HARVEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT US IN HARRIS COUNTY? I MEAN, LAST COUNTY'S 10 MILLION PEOPLE -- I MEAN, L.A. COUNTY IS 10 MILLION AND WE ARE 5 MILLION.

THEY HAVE THE LARGEST JAIL POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY AND WE ARE NUMBER TWO. I KNOW BOOKINGS WERE DOWN IN 2020, BUT THE JAIL POPULATION IS BACK BEING AS HIGH AS IT WAS. IS THERE SOMETHING -- I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER WHERE WE WOULD BE IF NOT FOR A MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM. ARE WE ABOUT TO GO ON ANOTHER BUILDING SPREE? IS THERE SOMETHING GOING ON HERE OR SOMETHING WE OUGHT TO BE DOING THAT WE ARE NOT

DOING? >> I DO THINK THE NATURAL DISASTER OF HARVEY REALLY KIND OF CONTRIBUTED TO US GETTING IN THE SITUATION I DON'T THINK WE NECESSARILY NEED TO GO ON A

[06:15:03]

BUILDING SPREE, BUT LIKE MY OFFICE AT PRE-TRIAL SERVICES WE HAVE 30,000 CASES THAT ARE UNDER SUPERVISION.

AND THAT'S A LOT. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COURTS AND WE HAVE SOME EDUCATION TO DO.

THEY WANT INFORMATION AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE BEING SUPERVISED PROPERLY. WE HAVE AN OVER ALL CASE LOAD CRISIS. I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER. IT WAS SAID THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGES AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, MY OFFICE. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND LOOK AT THIS AS A SYSTEM.

IT IS NOT JUST THE COURTS OR THE D.A.'S OR THE DEFENSE.

WE HAVE GOT TO ADDRESS THESE CASE LOADS AND GET US OUT OF WHAT HAS REALLY JUST BEEN, SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE, OVER A YEAR, PRACTICE MANAGEMENT. WE STILL HAVEN'T GOT OUT OF THAT. POSITION.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME BREAKTHROUGHS.

I THINK WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE COUNTY THE CRIMINAL COURTS ARE VERY GOOD. I AM VERY ENCOURAGED WITH THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES. AND I VISITED WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND CRIMESTOPPERS AND AS YOU ARE AWARE MURDERS ARE UP AND THEY ARE FIGHTING CRIME, AND IT IS NOT EVEN AS HIGH IN THIS AREA AS OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. WE ARE WORKING ON THE VICTIMS' LIST AND WE ARE BREAKING THAT DOWN.

I THINK SOME OF WHAT IS BEING SAID AS FAR AS EVERYTHING BEING BLAMED ON BAIL REFORM IS UNFOUNDED.

LOOKING THROUGH THE LIST WE HAVE OVER HALF OF THE PERSONS ARE ON SURE -- SURITY BONDS. THERE ARE PROBABLY 20 AND 30 OF THOSE AND WE ARE DRILLING DOWN ON THAT TO LOOK AT WHAT DID GO WRONG? WHAT CAN WE PROVIDE ON THAT? PUBLIC SAFETY IS ALSO VERY CRITICAL.

WE'VE GOT WORK WHOA -- WORK WE ARE DOING WITH VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND WE ARE CLOSE TO RELEASING THAT.

THERE IS A LOT ON THE TABLE AND IT REALLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW. IN THE TIME I HAVE BEEN HERE THIS IS REALLY THE MOST COLLABORATION AND -- THE MOST MEAN -- MEANINGFUL COLLABORATION I HAVE HAD WITH ALL OF THE JUSTICE INVOLVED PARTIES.

IF WE WORK TOGETHER AND LEAVE OUR ADVERSAIRIALNESS FOR THE COURTROOM WE CAN GET OUT OF THIS AND WE MADE HARRIS COUNTY

THE MODEL WE WANT TO MAKE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANKS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT YOU HAVE COME UP WITH. THAT WAS IT FOR THE COVID-19 AGENDA. MOVING ON TO THE AGENDA, THE GENERAL AGENDA. FIRST IS THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND I HAVE A NOTE ON PAGE 3 TO CHANGE THE WORD "OFFICE" TO" DEPARTMENTS." IT SHOULD SAY VETERANS DEPARTMENT. ANYTHING ELSE ON COUNTY ENGINEER? FLOOD CONTROL.

TOLL ROAD. BUDGET MANAGEMENT.

IGA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

[06:20:01]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BACK ON TOLL ROAD ON 8 TESTIMONY 3 -- ON ITEM 3A2 THAT'S WHERE WE ARE DEALING WITH THE I-45 PROJECT AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A VOTE ON THAT BECAUSE I WILL BE

A NO VOTE ON THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CONTINUE CRISTOFF'S ANALYZING.

THERE IS A MOTION -- YES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YOU ARE MUTED. >> TOM RAMSEY: ONE COMMENT I WOULD SAY AND THIS HAS BEEN SAID BEFORE AND IT MAY NOT BE TOTALLY RELEVANT TO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, BUT IT IS I-45. ALL OF US BE AWARE THAT TEX-DOT HAS NOT HAD TO SPEND THE $7 BILLION ON THE I-45 HERE TEX-DOT CAN SPEND IT IN DALLAS COUNTY, BEXAR COUNTY, TRAVIS COUNTY. BELIEVE ME, THEY HAVE PROJECTS TO SPEND IT ON. I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD EXERCISE GREAT WISDOM WHEN WE ARE GIVING INPUT AND MAKING CONTACT WITH WASHINGTON AND THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION AND ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

PLEASE EXERCISE GREAT DISCERNMENT BECAUSE KNOW THAT TEX-DOT CAN SPEND THAT MONEY ANYWHERE THEY CHOOSE.

IF THIS IS MUCH TOO COMPLICATED, IF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHICH FRANKLY I HAVEN'T HEARD A LOT FROM THEM, IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ENGAGE AND IF THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN INTEREST TO DO THE PROJECT, I AM JUST CONCERNED THAT IT WILL GO -- THESE DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT ELSEWHERE. THAT'S AN ON GOING CONCERN AND I WILL BE A NO VOTE ON THIS AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND EVEN IF WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, IT IS RESPECTFUL. I WOULD HOPE IGA AND THOSE OF US WHO ARE OF THE SAME MIND-SET ON THIS ISSUE WILL USE WHATEVER RESOURCES WE HAVE ON A FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL TO GET OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION INVOLVED.

THIS IS PRIMARILY FEDERAL MONEY.

I HAPPENED TO DO A ZOOM FIRE SIDE CHAT WITH THE NEW SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, MAYOR PETE.

I BROUGHT UP THIS ISSUE NOT DIRECTLY, BUT I'M SURE THE STAFF KNEW WHAT I WAS MAKING REFERENCE TO.

AROUND THIS COUNTRY, LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED WHEN A STATE OR ENTITY, GENERALLY FEDERAL MONEY, WOULD GO IN AND RIP THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS APART.

I FOR ONE WANT THIS MONEY, BUT AS I SAID BEFORE, IT OUGHT NOT BE THEIR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. I THINK THE INPUT THAT CAME IN FROM STAKEHOLDERS IS IMPORTANT, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A WAY OF MAKING SURE THAT IT IS PART OF WHAT GOES FORWARD.

I AM COMMITTED TO DOING THAT. AS SOON AS I GET MY SECOND SHOT I MAY BE EVEN WILLING TO GET ON A PLANE SOME TIME SOON. I DON'T THINK THAT IN ANYWAY WE OUGHT TO TAKE MY COMMENTS OFF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S COMMENTS OR CAGLE'S COMMENTS TO INDICATE WE DON'T WANT THE INVESTMENT HERE. IT CAN'T JUST BE ON THE TERMS DICTATED BY OUR STATE PARTNERS COMING IN AND DIEDING WHAT THEY -- AND DECIDING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

HISTORICALLY THAT WAS THE ATTITUDE OF THE OLD STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION. DALLAS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHEN LOCAL LEADERSHIP DECIDED TO PUT THEIR FOOT DOWN AND PLANS CHANGED. I'M HOPING THAT HAPPENS HERE.

I FOR ONE COULD NOT FEEL LIKE I AM ADEQUATELY REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE THAT PUT ME WHERE I AM IF I JUST TOOK THE ATTITUDE , WELL, IT IS GOING TO BE JOBS.

THAT'S OKAY. WE WILL HELP THE ECONOMY.

I THINK WE CAN DO BOTH. I THINK WE CAN HELP THE ECONOMY AND WE CAN BE FAIR TO THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT'S WHAT THIS ITEM SEEKS TO DO.

I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I CONCUR WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

LOOK, I WILL BE ON THE SIDE OF KEEPING PEOPLE BUSY AND

[06:25:01]

WORKING AND CREATING JOBS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE EXPERIENCE AT THE TPC RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM HAS LEFT A LOT TO BE DESIRED. WORKING THROUGH AND CRAFTING AN AGREEMENT TO HAVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING JUST TO SIMPLY CREATE GUIDING PRINCIPALS NOT TO -- AND NEVER TAKING A POSITION AGAINST THE PROJECT.

NEVER. AND THEN TO HAVE TEX-DOT SAY WE CAN'T DO. IT -- CAN'T DO IT.

CAN'T COMMIT TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT WE ARE USED TO DOING. AND THEN RECOGNIZING HOW DANGEROUS IT IS AND HOW MUCH IT IS IN NEED OF REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT. HOW IT RECOGNIZES NOT ONE OF, BUT THE MOST DANGEROUS HIGHWAY IN TEXAS.

AND THEN TO STATE EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST STATED THAT TEX-DOT WILL TAKE THE MONEY AND PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE, I JUST THINK THAT INCREDIBLY -- THAT'S A HUGE DISSERVICE AS A PUBLIC ENTITY TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY ARE CHARGED WITH IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUTERS AND THEN THREATENING TO TAKE THAT MONEY ELSEWHERE. IF I-45 IS AS DANGEROUS AS THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED, THE MONEY MUST STAY HERE.

I WILL BE CHALLENGING THEM ON THAT PROCESS.

MY STAFF IS GETTING SOME INFORMATION TOGETHER.

I AM ALL WITH YOU ON THAT WE OUGHT TO FIGHT FOR EVERY DOLLAR TO KEEP OUR FOLKS WORKING AND IMPROVING OUR SYSTEMS. THEY CAN'T TALK OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTH. I-45 IS EITHER DANGEROUS AND NEEDS IMPROVEMENT AND THEY NEED TO WORK WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. PRE SINK 2 IS -- PRECINCT 2 IS MOST ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT.

SO IT EITHER IS OR IT IS NOT AND SO I AM TAKEN UH -- ABACK THAT THEY WOULD THROW THE THREAT OUT THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR HAVING BEEN A JUDGE AND PRE -- PRESIDING OVER CASES WHERE FOLKS REACHED DISAGREEMENTS, A LOT OF TIMES FOLKS ENDED UP IN COURT BECAUSE THEY JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TALK TO EACH OTHER BEFORE THEY ENDED UP IN COURT. I THINK THAT WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT I-45 HAS BECOME DANGEROUS.

IT IS NOT BUILT TO MODERN SAFETY STANDARD.

IT HAS CONGESTION ISSUES THAT IMPACT ALL COMMUNITIES.

THOSE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA THAT WORK OUTSIDE IN THE -- BEYOND BELT WAY 8 WHERE MORE THAN HALF OF OUR RESIDENTS LIVE, OUTSIDE BELTWAY8, AND THOSE WHO WORK INSIDE BELTWAY8 AND NEEDING TO COME INTO DOWNTOWN TO WORK IN OUR DIFFERENT COMPLEXES THAT WE HAVE.

I THINK I-45 IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT BOTH WITH REGARDS TO MAKING IT A MODERN, SAFE ROAD AND ONE THAT HELPS REDUCE CONGESTION. HOWEVER, WHEN WE HIRE LAWYERS AND WHEN WE STARTLING D -- TEX-DOT WHAT TO DO -- AND IF I CAN TAKE WHAT MY COLLEAGUE COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS THEY SAY IT IS OUR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY, WE ARE TELLING THEM IT IS OUR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THEM IS REACH OUT THE HAND WITH A GESTURE OF FRIENDSHIP AND SAY LET US WORK TOGETHER. AS OPPOSED TO HIRING LAWYERS AND TELLING THEM HOW THEY ARE WRONG.

I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONDING TO PERCEIVED, AND HOPEFULLY ILL PERCEIVED, BUT PERCEIVED HOSTILITY LOCALLY WHEN WE HAVE SOME OF THAT LANGUAGE THAT THEY ARE NOW GIVING IN RESPONSE TO THE LANGUAGE THAT THEY HAVE HEARD FROM? ELEMENTS -- FROM SOME ELEMENTS IN OUR PRECINCTS AND IN THIS COUNTY.

AND SO, JUDGE, THE REASON WHY I AM NOT WANTING TO VOTE FOR THIS AGENDA ITEM IS MERELY BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE

[06:30:03]

TEX-DOT KNOWS I PERCEIVE THEM TO BE A PARTNER AND I WANT TO WORK WITH THEM. FROM WHAT I HEAR, THEY WANT TO MAKE A PARK AMENITY AS PART OF THE PROCESS TO ACHIEVE THE THREE VIRTUES, THE THIRD ONE IS IS IT BEAUTIFUL, IS IT USEFUL AND IS IT STRONG? I THINK THEY ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH US TO DO THAT. THAT'S WHY I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS ITEM. I WANT TO SEND THEM THE MESSAGE THAT I WANT TO WORK WITH THEM AS COLLEAGUES TOWARD THE AGENDA OF MAKING THIS ROAD , THIS HIGHWAY, A SAFER, BETTER PLACE THAT ACHIEVES THEIR PRIMARY MISSION WHICH IS HOW DO WE MOVE PEOPLE SAFELY WITHOUT CONGESTION SO THAT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE INNER CITY WHO ARE GOING OUT DON'T HAVE TO SPEND THEIR DAYS IN TRAFFIC.

AND THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE OUT WHO ARE GOING INTO THE INNER CITY AND BEYOND BECAUSE WE HAVE INNER CONNECTIVE TEE BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH COUNTY NOW, THAT THOSE THAT WORK IN PRECINCT 2 AND LIVE IN 4, THOSE THAT LIVE IN 2 AND WORK IN 4, THAT THEY ALL CAN HAVE MORE TIME AT HOME ENJOYING OUR PARKS INSTEAD OF SPENDING THEIR TIME ON THE ROADS WHICH WOULD IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY OF THOSE THAT ARE IN THE MIDDLE WHERE THE CAR DRIVES BY.

CARS THAT ARE PARKED IN THE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THAT PRODUCES MORE NOISE AND MORE POLLUTANTS.

FOR THOSE REASONS, JUDGE, I WAS JUST GOING TO QUIETLY GO FORTH AND SAY NO, BUT SINCE WE ARE MAKING SPEECHES I HAD TO MAKE MINE AND THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME IN THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY, LET ME JUST SAY I HAVE A LITTLE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THEM BOTH ON A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL, BUT ALSO LIVING IN MY COMMUNITY OF VING -- SPRING VALLEY. WHEN A 26-LANE INTERSTATE GOES THROUGH AND TOOK OUT 60% OF MY COMMERCIAL BUSINESS, TOOK OUT MANY, MANY HOMES, I KEPT TELLING OUR RESIDENTS, YOU FOE, IT IS IMPORTANT -- YOU KNOW, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONSIDER TRANSIT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONSIDER THE GOOD FOR THE WHOLE.

EVEN THOUGH MY RESIDENTS DIDN'T REALLY LIKE THE INCREASED NOISE AND THEY DIDN'T LIKE A LOT OF THE IMPACTS, THEY GOT THE PART THAT AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE -- WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND SO THAT WAS -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T JUST A COMMENT FROM NO EXPERIENCE, AND A COMMENT JUST BASED ON BUSINESS.

IT WAS A COMMENT THAT I HAVE LIVED IN TERMS OF HAVING MAJOR FREEWAYS AND I WORKED WITH TEX-DOT.

JUST TAKE A 45-YEAR EXPERIENCED PERSON WORKING WITH TEX-DOT AND I HAVE SEEN THEM DO THINGS IN THE PAST AND THAT'S NOT -- I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY TREAT IT AS A THREAT. I JUST KNOW HOW THEY OPERATE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT TO GET THROUGH INCLUDING THE PFM REPORT SO I WILL AVOID MY OWN SOAPBOX ABOUT THIS. NOT ACTUALLY REDUCING TRAFFIC, ET CETERA. AND SO WHY DON'T WE TAKE A VOTE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAVE

MADE THE MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE ONE OTHER -- WHILE WE ARE ON TOLL ROAD, THE CORVEN ENGINEERING, WHERE ARE THEY OUT OF?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS A QUESTION FOR PERHAPS PETER

KEY. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE

WILL FOLLOW-UP -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY.

YOU ARE HERE. I'M SO SORRY.

>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT, JUDGE. YOU ARE VERY BUSY.

THAT'S QUITE ALL RIGHT. WE WILL FOLLOW-UP AND WE WILL

GET THAT INFORMATION TO YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: THEY ARE NOT IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THAT'S MY POINT.

I CAN'T SUPPORT -- WHEN WE NEED JOBS IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND I KNOW THERE ARE QUALIFIED FIRMS IN HARRIS COUNTY, THERE IS A LOT OF THEM. NOT ANY ONE, BUT THERE IS A LOT, WE OUGHT TO BE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO FIND QUALIFIED FIRMS IN HARRIS COUNTY RATHER THAN GOING OUT OF STATE TO GET CONSULTANTS. THAT'S MY COMMENT.

I WOULD NOT BE VOTING FOR THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD. I MOVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

[06:35:03]

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR

AND THE MOTION CARRIES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THIS

SPACE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO APPLAUD MR. BER WHY -- BERRY IN THINKING THROUGH THE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS RIGHT HERE.

AND THAT IS -- IT BEGINS WITH SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS CHANGING THE FISCAL YEAR. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT AFTER -- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE TELL YOU THE FISCAL YEAR IS WHAT IT IS BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT.

WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE LOGIC AND WHY WE OUGHT TO CHANGE IT AND HOW IT CREATES BETTER GOVERNMENTS AND MORE TRANSPARENCY, I THINK THAT IS PHENOMENAL.

I JUST WANT TO SOME PROPS TO MR. BERRY.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WAS GOING TO COME OUT ON UNDER ITEM.

MR. BERRY, CAN YOU QUICKLY FOR OUR VIEWERS THAT WE HAVE THIS LATE, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CHANGE THE FISCAL YEAR?

>> SURE. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YOU MENTIONED MY FLAME -- MY NAME A LOT TODAY.

BUT I HOPE YOU TUNE IN -- [INAUDIBLE].

THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS. THE BIGGEST IS IT IS MUCH EASIER TO DO BUDGETING. WE CAN HAVE MORE CERTAINTY.

IF WE UH LOPT -- ADOPT A BUDGET IN SEPTEMBER WE KNOW WHAT THE TAX ROLE IS AND THE TAX BASE.

WE CAN ALSO VOTE ON THE TAX RATE.

NOT THE SAME, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE VOTE ON THE BUDGET.

I THINK IT PROVIDES US MORE CERTAINTY AND IT WILL HELP COMMISSIONER'S COURTESY THE REVENUE PIECE AND THE EXPENDITURE PIECE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I COMMEND YOU AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER BEFORE WE MOVE ON COMMISSIONER

CAGLE HAD A COMMENT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY COMMENTS ARE SIMILAR. THE FIRST TIME I HEARD ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF MOVING THE FISCAL YEAR WAS A FEW YEARS BACK WHEN BILL BROUGHT THAT BACK TO US.

I MENTIONED THAT WE NEEDED TO LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE IT WOULD TAKE OUT HOW, AS WE ARE CURRENTLY OPERATING, WHEN OUR YEAR BEGINS IS WHEN WE ARE AT THE WORST TIME FOR CALCULATING IT. THEN WE HAVE THE RISE AND THE FALL AND SUGGESTED THAT OUR BUDGETS COULD BE EASIER FOR US TO MANAGE IF WE HAD OUR FISCAL YEAR THE WAY MANY OTHERS DO WHICH IS TO LINE THEM OUT. I UH -- I APPLAUD DAVE -- DAVID FOR PUTTING IT ON THE AGENDA.

AND MOVE FROM THE ACADEMIC DISCUSSION WHICH WE HAD THE LAST COUPLE YEARS TO ACTUALLY ENACTING IT.

I AM PRESUMING IT WILL PASS. I WILL BE IN FAVOR OF IT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA, BUT THE QUESTION WAS THE TIMING TO PUT IT IN. THIS YEAR WITH WHAT IS GOING ON WITH REGARD TO THE PANDEMIC AND THE IMPACTS IT WILT -- IT WILL HAVE ON OUR FINANCES, THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANTED TO THANK BUDGET MANAGEMENT FOR ITEM G ON PAGE 9 INVESTMENT POLICY THAT THEY CREATED. AND IT INCLUDES A VETERAN POLICY. IT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE DISPARITY STUDY WHICH THIS COURT CONDUCTED.

WE NEVER REALLY KNEW HOW BAD THINGS WERE UNTIL WE HAD THE METRICS AND THEY WERE PRETTY BAD.

I WANT TO COMMEND YOU, MR. BERRY, FOR DOING THAT AND LET YOU COMMENT ON IT BRIEFLY AND THE PROCESS HOW YOU CAME UP WITH IT. I KNOW WE ARE WAITING FOR OUR NEW DEPARTMENT TO BE CREATED, BUT WE COULDN'T WAIT FOREVER.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS YOU OR DWIGHT HOW YOU CAME UP WITH

THE MWBE POLICY. >> SURE, COMMISSIONER.

IT IS ACTUALLY AMY PEREZ ON MY TEAM WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR WHO TOOK THE LEAD ON THAT. IT IS A GENERAL POLICY, BUT AT THE HEART OF IT, IT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ENCOURAGE OUR MWBE, INVESTMENT-OWNED FIRMS, TO PARTICIPATE.

WE ARE STILL REWARDING RNTION BUT BY HAVING -- BUT BY HAVING A BROADER POOL WE WERE ABLE TO SELECT A FEW NEW FIRMS BASED ON THE LOWEST BID. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE --

[06:40:01]

THAT WILL EVOLVE AS WE MOVE TOWARD IMPLEMENTING THE COUNTY WIDE MWBE PROGRAMS. BECAUSE WE KNEW THIS IS THE DIRECTION COMMISSIONER'S COURTED WAS HEADED -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT WAS HEADED WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS EVEN AS THE PROGRAM IS GETTING UP AND

RUNNING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF MEASURES TODAY DEALING WITH THE ISSUE OF EQUITY, BUT THIS WILL BE TRANSPARENT. WE WILL KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE NO GUESSING. NOBODY WILL BE ACCUSED OF MAKING UP NUMBERS. THEY WILL BE WHATEVER THEY ARE. AND IT WILL INCLUDE THE LAW FIRMS AS WELL. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I WANT TO -- I DON'T KNOW -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS MR. AYER, I GAVE THE HEADS UP TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

>> I WILL DO THE BEST I CAN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: BUT DR. COLETTE SAID WE HAD TO BE CAREFUL WITH ALL OF THIS AND MAKE SURE WE COMPLIED WITH THE LAW.

THIS CAME IN NOT THROUGH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND IT CAME FROM THE BUDGET OFFICE.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO ASK HAVE YOU HAD TIME TO REVIEW IT WITH ARE WE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW? THOUS ARE -- THOSE ARE MY TWO QUESTIONS.

WHOEVER FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WANTS TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, GO FOR IT.

>> SURE. I WILL GO AHEAD AND TAKE THOSE. IN TERMS OF THE SECTION 4.05 SELECTION PROCESS, THAT ADDITION IN GENERAL LANGUAGE IS FINE. MY UNDERSTANDING AND I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH AMY PEREZ TODAY AND THEY ARE DEVELOPING THE SPECIFICS OF THE POLICY IN TERMS OF HOW THEY ARE GOING TO ALLOCATE AND THE SPECIFIC TERMS IN TERMS OF THE MWBE GOALS THAT IS STILL BEING FORMULATED.

WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT WANTS THOSE SPECIFIC POLICIES TO COME BACK FOR YOUR REVIEW IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE OR DAVE CAN BRING IT BACK AS AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM. BUT THE POLICY CHANGE AS IT RELATES TO INVESTMENT RIGHT NOW IS GENERAL ENOUGH THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. IT DID NOT COME THROUGH OUR OFFICE, BUT WE DID REVIEW THE GENERAL LANGUAGE AND I THINK IT IS FINE. THE SECOND PORTION, OF COURSE, IS THE EXHIBIT -- OR THE ADDITION OF THE NEW FIRMS THAT WERE ADDED IN. THE ACTUAL ALLOCATIONS WERE NOT DONE YET. OTHER FIRMS THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN SELECTED. RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE CONCERNS. WE ARE WORKING WITH MR. BERRY'S OFFICE AND WITH AMY PEREZ IN TERMS OF HELPING THEM DEVELOP THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, IN TERMS OF THE ALLOCATIONS. IF THE COURT NEEDS TO REVIEW THAT, THAT IS CERTAINLY SUBJECT TO WHAT THE COURT IS

ABLE TO DO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I CERTAINLY WOULD WANT TO REVIEW ANY FINAL POLICY BEFORE WE ADOPT IT.

SO WHAT WOULD WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE WE CAN REVIEW THE FINAL POLICY BEFORE IT GOES INTO EFFECT?

>> I WILL THROW THAT TO DAVE. >> YES.

AND PERHAPS SOME CLARIFICATION HERE.

WE ARE SUBMITTING THE INVESTMENT POLICY.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON A DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION POLICY. THE INVESTMENT POLICY IS LIMITED TO THE BROKERS TO INVESTMENT AND THAT IS THE BASIS OF THE LOW BID. THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION POLICY HAS A SPECIFIC GOAL IN TERMS OF MWBE PARTICIPATION AND WE ARE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AT THE RIGHT TIME. WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY IS SIMPLER IN TERMS OF ALLOCATION AND WE ARE STILL REWARDING ON

THAT BASIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, MR. BERRY, YOU ARE SAYING WHAT MR. AIYER WAS REFERRING TO WILL OCCUR AND THE FINAL POLICY ON THAT OTHER MATTER WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO

COURT? >> CORRECT.

AND PLEASE CLARIFY IF YOUR UNDERSTANDING IS ANY DIFFERENT

FROM MINE. >> NO.

THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. AMY LAID THAT OUT EXACTLY AS YOU HAVE LAID IT OUT TO ME. IN ADDITION TO THIS POLICY, ON THE DEBT SIDE THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PRESENTATION I GUESS COMING UP IN TWO -- I THINK IT IS FEBRUARY 23RD WHERE THEY GO INTO DETAIL. OUR OFFICE IS WORKING WITH DAVE'S OFFICE ON THE DETAILS OF THAT.

WE BELIEVE THE COURT WILL BE -- WILL HAVE ADEQUATE

[06:45:02]

OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR INPUT IN THIS PROCESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY HAD A COMMENT. >> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY.

GOOD JOB, DAVID. I THINK JAY AND DAVID CLEARED UP MY QUESTIONS. GOOD JOB.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO SAY THE REASON IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO DO THAT DISPARITY STUDY FOR $650,000 WAS BECAUSE THERE ARE THOSE WHO WOULD SUE US.

IT WAS BY DESIGN THAT THE NUMBERS WERE SO LOW IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT HAS TAKEN US THIS LONG TO GET HERE AND I WANT US TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

THAT'S WHY I THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT, DAVE, WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS WE WILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EQUITY OFFICE. IF IT TOOK THIS LONG TO GET HERE, 36 YEARS AFTER THE CITY OF HOUSTON DID A POLICY RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD FROM US WE OUGHT TO MOVE WITH HASTE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NEW OFFICE HAS EVERYTHING IT NEEDS SO WE ARE NOT DRAGGING AROUND AND TAKING FOREVER AND SAYING WE WERE TRYING TO PUT IT IN PLACE.

I'M JUST SO GLAD WE ARE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

I KNOW IF A MAJOR EXPENDITURE COMES ON THE AGENDA AND THERE IS NOT A DIVERSITY IN IT, I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

I HOPE WE WILL GET THIS BEHIND US QUICKLY.

THANKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, INTER GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, I WANT TO ASK IF ANDREW IS ON THE LINE FOR A COUPLE OF LEGISLATIVE ITEMS. ONE, I THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BROUGHT UP THAT ITEM EARLIER THAT MAYBE HE CAN COMMENT ON IT. I KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE LEGISLATION. IF YOU CAN WALK THROUGH THE DIFFERENCE OF WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO IN TERMS OF HAVING

HARRIS COUNTY FIRST. >> I REACHED OUT TO THE COUNTIES IN TEXAS, THE LARGER COUNTIES.

THERE ARE TWO COUNTIES CURRENTLY USING ONE OF THE STATUTE OUTS WITHIN 271 THAT ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE PREFERENCE WITHIN 3% OF THE LOWEST BID AND THE COUNTY WERE TO TAKE ON THAT PREFERENCE REQUIREMENT IT WILL BE ON A LIMITED BASIS AND WE ARE LOOKING AT NOT JUST TO EXPAND TO GOODS, BUT ALSO FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES AS WELL SO WE CAN TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT IF YOU ARE WITHIN THE LOWEST BID IS AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AND THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS IN YOUR OFFICE THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO US THAT IS REACHING OUT IN THE STATUTE OUT LANGUAGE.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE TWO THIS WEEK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MENTIONED THAT, COLLEAGUES, BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. I THINK -- I HOPE IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN AGREE ON. I VAGUELY REMEMBER WHAT THE MAYOR DID WITH THE LEGISLATION. ARE WE TRYING TO ESSENTIALLY

DO THAT? >> I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S FIRST PROGRAM, BUT, THE CLOSEST IS EL PASO COUNTY AND THEY ARE ONLY DOING IT FOR GOOD.

WE WOULD BE THE FIRST TO GO BEYOND THE CURRENT ALLOWANCE TO INCLUDE SERVICES AND INCLUDE ANY OTHER ITEMS OTHER

THAN FIXED GOODS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN THE LANGUAGE IS DRAFTED, DWIGHT, YOU SAID YOU WOULD GET IT TO EVERYBODY'S OFFICE. IF THERE IS CONSENSUS ON IT, I THINK WE OUGHT TO TRY IT. IT MAY NOT MAKE THE FIRST GO AROUND, BUT WE SHOULD TRY IT. IF I MIGHT I WOULD MOVE TO ONE -- I WILL MOVE THE OTHER ONE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER, I AGREE GETTING EVERYBODY ON THE SAME PAGE EGG LEGISLATIVELY -- SAME PAGE LEGISLATIVELY.

I HAVE DONE A FEW PROJECTS AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE TODAY IS BASED ON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

[06:50:03]

AND IN STATEMENT QUALIFICATIONS, WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR? WHAT IS YOUR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND GETTING PREFERENCE TO LOCAL UNDERSTANDING OF ENGINEERING IS A TECHNICAL REASON TO HIRE SOMEBODY IN HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE SEEN IT AND I HAVE DONE IT. I SUBMITTED ON A PROJECT IN ANOTHER COUNTY AND THEY SAID WE HAVE TO SCORE YOU DOWN BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE EXPERIENCE AS SOMEBODY THAT HAS MORE EXPERIENCE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT IS THE CATEGORY OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WHICH WAS A CONTRACT WE APPROVED THAT WASN'T FROM HARRIS COUNTY.

SO THERE MAY BE SOME THINGS IN THE LANGUAGES GOING FORWARD AND WE CAN GIVE PROPER CREDIT TO THOSE WHO ARE PRACTICING

HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMNG COMMISSIONER -- I THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SPOKE ON ONE. WE HAVE THREE LEGS TO THE STOOL. ONE LEG IS THE GOODS OF THE 3% THAT DWIGHT WAS TALKING ABOUT AND I ENCOURAGE DWIGHT TO COME BACK TO US IN THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT SO WE CAN ADOPT WHAT WE CAN ADOPT. IF WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, LET'S DO IT NOW AND NOT TOMORROW.

ON THE 3% RULE YOU WERE DESCRIBING WITH GOODS.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT WITH REGARD TO OTHER TYPES OF CONTRACTS AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AND SCORING.

WE NEED TO SEND THAT OVER. THAT'S REGARD TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE WHERE WE CAN ESPECIALLY IN THIS ECONOMY THOSE PREFERENCES APPROPRIATE TO DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE FAULTS IN HARRIS COUNTY WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO BUILD A BRIDGE? DO YOU HAVE A EXPERIENCE IN YOUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS KNOWING WITHIN OUR PARAMETERS WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE IN THIS REGION. AND I THINK ON THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CATEGORY AND WE MAY NEED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REVIEW IT AND COME BACK, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS IN THE DISCRETION OF FLOOD CONTROL AND WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD ASSOCIATION. AS THEY LOOK AT THOSE PROJECTS -- IT MAY NOT BE AS LOW OF A HANGING FRUIT, JUDGE, BUT IT IS ALMOST AS HIGH -- I MEAN ALMOST AS LOW AS THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WE HAVE IN OUR REGION.

AND SO I FEEL LIKE WHERE WE HAVE THE DISCRETION.

WE USED TO RUN THE STATS IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS WHO WAS UTILIZING THE MWBE FIRMS THE MOST AND PRECINCT FOUR WAS USUALLY ONE OF THE BEST ONES WITH REGARD TO WHAT WAS WITHIN OUR DISCRETION ON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

THE STUDY FROM DR. HOLT WAS ONE THAT BASICALLY SAID IF WE HAVE THESE TYPES OF FIRMS AND THEY COMPETE AGAINST EVERYTHING ELSE, THE BIG CORPORATIONS AND WE THROW THAT UNDER ONE BIG POT, THAT WAS A DIFFERENT REALM THAT CANDIDLY WAS NOT ON MY RADAR. OUR RULES HAD FOLLOWED THE STATE'S RULES. IT WAS -- WITH REGARD WITH WHAT WAS IN OUR DISCRETION WE HAD DONE GOOD ESPECIALLY IN PRECINCT 4. I FELT LIKE OUR PRE SINK -- PRECINCT PERFORMED BETTER THAN HIS PRECINCT AND HE WAS ONE TO DO THESE STUDIES. I SAID WE ARE BETTER THAN YOU SO WHY DO YOU WANT TO DO THE STUDIES? HE WAS LOOKING AT OTHER PROJECTS OTHER THAN THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITHIN OUR OWN REALM.

AND HE DID EXPAND MY VISION TO LOOK AT OTHER THINGS BEYOND WHAT WAS IN OUR CONTROL. I WOLF WHISTLE WITH WHAT WE DO OUTSIDE OF THAT OTHER LITTLE CONTEXT.

JUDGE THREE LEGS ON THE STOOL.

LET'S TAKE THE LOW HANGING FRUIT AND THE PRETTY CLOSE TO LOW HANGING FRUIT AND TAKE CARE OF THOSE NOW WHILE WE ARE IN THIS ECONOMY. WE WILL GET MR. MENEFEE AND THERE AIYER TO WORK WITH DWIGHT WITH REGARDS TO THE THINGS THAT ARE THERE AND WE WILL TALK TO ENDER WITH THE

[06:55:08]

HIGHER FRUIT IN THE TREE TRYING TO ASSIST WITH THE

LEGISLATURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: METRICS ARE ALWAYS A GOOD THING TO LOOK AT.

TRANSPARENCY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WOLFING.

WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE ALL OF US CAN BE GUILTY WITH WHAT THEY CALLED MISPLACED EXCEPTIONALISM.

ALL OF US THINK WHAT WE DO IS THE BEST.

EVEN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A LOCAL PREFERENCE YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, I THOUGHT ABOUT IT AT MR. CHASE'S FUNERAL EARLIER. IMAGINE 1950 BEFORE THE FIRST BLACK PERSON GOT INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.

SHE HAS TO HELP THEM GET THROUGH IT.

JOHN CHASE CAME HERE BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET A JOB WITH AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM. THAT WAS NOT THAT LONG AGO.

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. THE CITY OF HOUSTON PUT TOGETHER A POLICY 36 YEARS AGO.

CABINET SAID THEY WOULDN'T DO IT.

CACTUS, THE NUMBERS WERE AN INTERNATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT AS DIVERSE AS THIS COUNTY IS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER WE DO, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE METRICS AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET WHERE ONE TRADITION AND THEN BRING IN A NEW SET OF RULES AND KEEP THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON THE BACK OF THE BUS ON THE BACK OF THE BUS.

IT IS GOOD TO HAVE THE METRICS.

THESE DISPARITY STUDIES COST A LOT OF MONEY, BUT THEY ARE IMPORTANT. HERE IS THE SECOND ISSUE I WANT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOBBYING US TODAY ON THE ELECTION MACHINES.

THIS COURT VOTED TO ATOP -- ADOPT AN ETHICS POLICY, BUT YOU NEED PERMISSION FROM THE ETHICS COMMITTEE TO DO IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF SOMEBODY CALLS ME OR TALKS TO ME ON THE STREET. ONE OF THE SMALL NEIGHBORING COUNTIES GOT THAT DONE. I HOPE YOU ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON THAT. AND THE LAST ONE IS I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN STRONG SUPPORT FROM ALL OF US TO CHANGE THAT COST BENEFIT RATIO. THAT'S IN WASHINGTON.

AND THAT IS JUST SO IMPORTANT AS NEW TRONCHES OF MONEY MAY BE COMING IN FOR A HOST OF THINGS.

I WANT TO GET A SENSE FROM ENDER OR FLOOD CONTROL, POPPY. I CAN WAIT AND WE CAN KEEP MOVING, BUT HOW ARE WE COMING ON THAT? MR. POPPY EXPLAINED IT TO ME AND WANTED ME TO TALK TO A FEW FRIENDS IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE BROUGHT THAT UP UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. I THINK NOW IT IS A WINDOW TO TALK ABOUT THE EQUITY ISSUE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT DOES NOT GET LOST. THAT IS NOT STATE.

THAT IS FEDERAL GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.

ANDREW, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? CAN YOU COMMENT ON THAT?

>> YES. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. Y'ALL ARE HITTING ON EVERYTHING I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ALL DAY.

I WILL GO BACKWARDS. ABSOLUTELY AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA IS LOOKING AT THAT WINDOW OF COMMUNITY AND WORKING ON COST BENEFIT RATIO.

WE ARE WORKING WITH DIRECTOR POPPY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ATTACK THAT ON THE REGULATORY LEVEL AND ISSUES.

THERE IS A QUESTION THAT WE HAVE THE COUNTY ETHICS COMMISSION BILL TO THE DRAFTERS RIGHT NOW.

AND WE ARE WORKING ON SPONSORSHIP FROM THAT.

THAT IS MOVING AHEAD. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DWIGHT ON THE ADDED CONSTRUCTION TO THAT AS WELL.

THAT'S BEING DRAFTED RIGHT NOW.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ANDREW, WILE -- WHILE YOU ARE THERE, EARLIER I WAS GIVING CREDIT FOR THE ORDINANCES TO HAVE LOCAL CONTROL ON THE NOISE ORDINANCES.

WE WENT DOWN IN FLAMES. DID I CORRECTLY REMEMBER HE WAS ON OUR SIDE, OR WAS HE AGAINST US IN THOSE DAYS? AND TWO, IS THAT BACK ON THE AGENDA TO ALLOW US LOCALLY TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT INTO PLACE OUR OWN LOCAL NOISE

[07:00:02]

LIMITS AND ORDINANCES? ARE WE STILL STUCK WITH

FOLLOWING THE STATE? >> UNDER MY RECOLLECTION SENATOR ELLIS WAS ALWAYS ON HARRIS COUNTY'S SIDE.

IT WAS SIMPLY ON THE NOISE ORDINANCE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD ANSWER.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RUN UP THAT HILL FOR A LONGTIME FOR COUNTIES.

THE FACT IS THIS SESSION THERE HAS BEEN MORE LOCAL GOVERNMENT VERSUS STATE SORT OF STRIFE DURING THE INTERIM AND THEM GIVING US ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES THAT GETS SHOT DOWN EVERY TIME WE HAVE TRIED IT 20 DIFFERENT WAYS. WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE

ABILITY TO DO SO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PASS THE URBAN-NEED-TYPE ORDINANCES AND

THANK YOU. >> ANDER THIS IS TOM RAMSEY.

THERE ARE TWO HOUSE BILLS FILED ON NOISE HOUSE BILL 774 AND HOUSE BILL 775. THOSE ARE TWO THAT YOU PROBABLY WANT TO TRACK AND HELP MAKE HAPPEN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE THE FIRST I CHAIRED AND IT IS A LOT MORE DIFFICULT ASKING FOR THE ORDINANCE MAKING POWER FOR 254 ENTITIES. IT IS A LITTLE EASIER WHEN YOU BRACKET IT: IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR FRIENDS FROM FIGHTING YOU AND I WOULD SUGGEST TRYING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND IT IS FOR HOUSTON. WE MIGHT GET SOMEBODY TRY IT AS AN EXPERIMENT. AS 8 POSED TO TRYING TO -- AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO GET IT FOR 254 PEOPLE.

>> THERE WILL BE SUPPORT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND THANK YOU FOR POINTING THOSE BILLS OUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT, COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS JUST REMEMBERING WHEN WE TRIED TO RUN THIS THROUGH PATRICIA HARLIS WHO WAS THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE TIME.

SAM HARLIS IS NOW IN THAT SEAT AND WAS TRYING TO GET THE BILL PASSED AND WE HAD A GROUP THAT HAD COME INTO THE SAM HOUSTON RACE STADIUM AND THEY BROUGHT IN THESE HUGE, HUGE SUB WOOFERS AND THEY HAD WINDOWS BREAKING TWO MILES AWAY FROM IMHER -- FROM WHERE THAT EVENT WAS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WERE HIGHLY MOTIVATED TO TRY TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO TO GET THAT PASSED.

WE MADE A RUN AT IT AND IT DIDN'T WORK THEN.

LET'S KEEP CHIPPING AWAY. THERE IS AN OLD ADAGE THAT IF YOU RUN IT ONCE AND FAIL, YOU RUN IT TWICE AND YOU CAN GET A LITTLE FURTHER ALONG. IF YOU RUN IT IS THIRD AND FOURTH TIME THAT'S WHEN YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

LOON

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, WE KEEP PUSHING.

THAT WAS INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.

COMMUNITY SERVICES. AND THIS ONE IS DISCUSSED -- THEY ARE REQUESTING NO ACTION ON ITEM 8C ON PAGE 10 WHICH IS THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHICH NUMBER, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 8C. THAT IS THE ONE WHERE THE SPEAKERS WERE -- THEY CAME TO COURT FOR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND JUDGE IF WE WOULD GO AHEAD AND TAKE A VOTE ON THE $2 MILLION ON 8E, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL MOVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. THIS IS JUST A CLERICAL MISTAKE THAT WAS MADE WHEN WE FIRST -- OR A LANGUAGE MISTAKE

[07:05:02]

THE FIRST TIME WE VOTE OWED THIS ITEM.

THE IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE FUND.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSE SNED.

>> NO. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE ON THAT OTHER ONE, DR. HOLLOWAY WILL MEET WITH THEM, AND OBVIOUSLY IF WE CAN HELP TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS OF THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GUIDE I DID CALL THEM, BUT JUST SO -- IN CASE THOSE FOLKS ARE STILL LISTENING TO SEE WHAT THE REACTION WAS, SHE

SHOULD JUST DO A MEETING. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU HAVE

ANYTHING TO ADD ON THAT? >> DR. HOLLOWAY IS UNMUTED.

>> WE ARE GOING TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO REVIEW THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE POSED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT AND GO THROUGH SOME OF THE Q AND A'S THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.

AND THEN COME AWAY WITH RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE CONVERSATIONS. WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING TO A COUPLE OF THE PEOPLE THAT DID PROVIDE COMMENT DURING OUR MEETING TODAY AND WE WANT TO FOLLOW-UP

WITH SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND DR. HOLLOWAY, THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE AS WELL THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE REFERENCE TO.

IF YOU CAN TALK TO HIM AS WELL.

AND BRIEFLY IF YOU KNOW OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, WHEN I BROUGHT IT UP, WERE YOU TELLING ME SOME OF THOSE THINGS WERE FEES THAT WE WERE PAYING ANYWAY, BUT YOU WERE BEING MORE TRANSPARENT ABOUT IT UNDER THIS NEW PROCESS?

>> IT PROVIDES MORE OF A GUIDANCE ON WHAT ARE THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES THAT A NEW HOME BUYER WOULD HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO SPEND. AND THEN OTHER CHANGES IN THE DOCUMENT ARE REALLY MORE FOR CLARIFICATION AND NOT SO MUCH A CHANGING STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM.

AND THEN WE ARE LOOKING TO FIND BETTER ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE BEING OFFERED.

WHERE WE CAN BE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS, WE WILL AS LONG AS WE ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH OUR FUNDING SOURCE. IT

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU CHECK WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND SEE IF WE ARE DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT AND IF THERE IS A PENALTY FOR US CHARGING LESS AND SOMEBODY NOT HOLDING ON TO THE HOME. WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE FOR US?

>> RIGHT. I WILL GET YOU THE INFORMATION ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PENALTY.

I THINK THE OTHER CONCERN IS PUTTING PEOPLE INTO A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE THE HOMEOWNER OR NOT.

THAT'S THE ASSET A -- HOME OWNERSHIP BRINGS TO A FAMILY AND WE ARE AWARE THAT HAVE AS WELL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE THE LOW HOME OWNERSHIP RATE WE HAVE, PARTICULARLY IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, I PREFER TO NOT TAKE A POSITION I AM PROTECTING IF THERE IS NO PENALTY TO US.

LET THEM ROLL THE DICE. SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL WORK FOUR JOBS TO HOLD ON TO THE HOME.

UNLESS THERE IS A DOWNSIDE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR US DOING THAT. I DON'T WANT TO SET THEM UP FOR FAILURE, BUT I WANT THEM TO DECIDE.

>> WE WILL MAKE SURE TO OUTLINE THE CRITERIA.

WITH OUR FUNDING SOURCE WE USE HOME FUND.

A NEARBY JURISDICTION MAY USE DIFFERENT FUNDING THAT WILL ALLOW A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF FLEXIBILITY OR DIFFERENT CRITERIA THAT WOULD NOT BE CONSISTENT WITH OURS.

IT DOES DICTATE HOW WE CAN OPERATE THE PROGRAM.

I WILL GET YOU THE INFORMATION RECORDING ANY TYPE OF PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH FUNDS THAT WE DISPERSE FOR HOME OWNERSHIP AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS SOMETHING RELATED TO THE LENGTH OF TIME HOMEOWNER WHETHER IT IS

FORECLOSURE OR WALK AWAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: STATE REP FROZE IT THOUGH. I WILL GIVE YOU COMMISSIONER

CAGLE'S NUMBER. >> I KNOW BOTH OF YOU RECEIVED

CONTACT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, FROM

REPRESENTATIVE ROSENTHAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND DR. HOLLOWAY, IF YOU CAN GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOUR MIC.

YOU SOUND A LITTLE FAR AWAY. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, DR. HOLLOWAY AND JUDGE, I HAVE 2 -- TWO CONCERNS IN THE MIDST OF ALL OF THIS.

IF WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING IS DISCLOSURE, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING. ON THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL IF YOU ARE BUYING A CAR OR BUYING A HOUSE THERE IS A DISCLOSURE FORM SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR INTEREST IS AND WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING IF OUR POLICY SHOWS UP FRONT WHAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND WHEN THEY MOVE INTO A PROCESS.

[07:10:02]

DISCLOSURE. IT HAS BEEN A LONG DAY AND THE BRAIN IS NOT BRINGING FORWARD THE NAME OF THE TWO FORMS. THERE IS THE DISCLOSURE FORM WHEN YOU BUY A HOUSE AND NORMALLY SPEAKING IT TELLS YOU THIS IS YOUR INTEREST RATE AND THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL PAY IN INTEREST AND THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO TO THE EXTENT WE HAVE A LOT OF FEES HIDDEN IN THE PROCESS AND THEY HAVE FORMS SAYING THIS IS WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

DISCLOSURE IS GOOD. NUMBER TWO.

JUDGE, I READ A BOOK WRITTEN IN THE LAST 200 YEARS AND IT IS CALLED "THE BIG SHORT." IT WAS ABOUT THE MORTGAGE FAILURE. YOU MAY HAVE STUDIED IT WHILE IN SCHOOL. FOR A SCIENTIFIC, COMPLEX FINANCIAL THING, IT ACTUALLY MADE IT SIMPLE FOR A FELLOW LIKE ME, WHICH I NEED HELP EVERY NOW AND THEN ON STUFF LIKE THAT. I DON'T WANT US TO GET INTO A SPOT OF WHAT OCCURRED AND WAS DESCRIBED IN THE BIG SHORT WHICH IS WE PUT WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH A WELL-MEANING POLICY IN HOMES THEY COULD NOT AFFORD AND THEN THEY HAD A CRISIS OF FAILURE. IF THEY ARE OVERMORTGAGED, THEY ARE OVERMORTGAGED. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THE RIGHT THING BY PEOPLE AND NOT BUILD THEM UP AND THEN HAVE THEM FAIL AND THEN BECOME HOMELESS BECAUSE WE DID NOT PUT THEM INTO A RIGHT-SIZED HOME THEY COULD MAKE THE PAYMENTS ON. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE VERY CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T GET IN THE PROBLEM OF THE BIG SHORT WHERE WE SYSTEMICALLY SET PEOPLE UP FOR FAILURE, BUT WE SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS. TEMPORARILY PUTTING SOMEBODY IN A SPOT WHERE MAYBE THEY HAVE A HOUSE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN LOSE IT, THAT'S A DEVASTATING PROCESS.

WHEREAS IF WE THAT -- PUT THEM IN A HOME WITH A LITTLE LOWER PAYMENT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND STAYED IN THEIR HOME AND NOT GONE THROUGH THE DEVASTATION OF A LOSS, THEN WE ARE DOING EVERYBODY THE RIGHT THING.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T DO THE BIG SHORT PROBLEM AND WE RIGHT SIZE PEOPLE WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I WILL GIVE UH CALL AND CHAT WITH YOU. I DON'T THINK YOU INTEND TO BLAME THE MORTGAGE CRISIS ON PEOPLE BUYING HOMES.

I READ THAT BOOK AS WELL. I'LL CALL HAVE YOU HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE. A ZOOM CUP OF COFFEE.

I WOULD NOT BLAME THAT MELT DOWN ON PEOPLE BUYING HOMES.

THERE ARE A HOST OF OTHER FINANCIAL SCHEMES BEING USED.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. HOLLOWAY, THANK YOU FOR CIRCLING BACK WITH THOSE FOLKS.

I'M SURE YOU ARE COMING UP WITH THE BEST POLICY.

NEXT IS CONSTABLES. WE DO HAVE A CORRECTION ON ITEM F1 ON PAGE 11. 9F1.

WE NEED TO ADD AND IN POSITION AFTER THE WORD AGREEMENT AND THEN STRIKE AN AUTHORIZATION TO RETAIN THE ASSOCIATED POSITION. SO THE SENTENCE ENDS AFTER THE WORD 2021. JAMES SHOULD HAVE THIS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: CONSTABLES, PAGE 11 AND ITEM 9F1.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY. JUDGE, I WANT TO DO A SHOUTOUT ON CONSTABLE 9E THREE. AND ALSO ON THE SHERIFFS WHICH WE ARE GOING TO GET TO IN A MINUTE WHICH IS GOING TO BE G. WE HAVE TWO INSTANCES WHERE OUR FRIENDS K9 FOR COPS ARE COMING IN AND ARE DONATING AND PARTICIPATING WITH US AGAIN ON ITEM 3 FOR CONSTABLES.

THIS IS A DUAL PURPOSE PATROL AND EXPLOSIVE K9.

AND THEN ON -- WE HAVE FOUR K9'S COMING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THESE K9'S ARE EXPENSE -- EXPENSIVE. NOT ONLY ARE THEY EXPENSIVE IN TERMS OF BUYING A PUPPY WHICH IS A THOROUGH -- THOROUGHBRED-TYPE DOG IN MANY INSTANCES, BUT THEIR TRAINING IS ACTUALLY MORE TRAINING THAN THE DOG AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TRAIN THE HAMMER -- THE HANDLER OF THE TRAINED DOG.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA REMEMBERS ALL OF THAT IN THOSE DAYS.

THIS IS AN ITEM TO WHERE I WANT TO THANK K9S 4 COPS.

[07:15:06]

NOT ONLY ARE THEY HELPING US WITH THE K9S, THEY ARE HELPING US WITH THE TRAINING OF THE K9S AND IN MOST INSTANCES THEY ARE HELPING US WITH THE TRAINING OF THE HANDLERS OF THE K9S. I WOULD WHRIEK -- I WOULD LIKE TO THANK K9S 4 COPS FOR BEING THE NONPROFIT ENTITY OUT THERE THAT IS OUR PARTNER IN THIS PROCESS.

I THINK WE DID A PROCLAMATION ON A K9 THAT RECENTLY DIED AND WE WILL TRY TO DO SOMETHING TO MEMORIALIZE JOHNNY CASH SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT AND SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO CHRISTIE SHILLER AND K9S FOR COPS FOR DOING THESE DONATIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THE SHERIFF REQUESTS NO ACTION ON ITEM 10F. THE AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER CERTAIN POSITIONS. THAT'S PAGE 12.

FIRE MARSHALL. INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SERVICES. COUNTY CLERK.

ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF MS. LONGORIA IS ON THE LINE AND IT SAYS FOR DISCUSSION AND AN UPDATE ON THE TRANSITION PROCESS OF THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

I JUST WANTED HER TO GIVE US A SENSE OF THE WAY IT IS GOING.

I WANTED TO ASK THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IF THIS ITEM OR SOME OTHER ITEM IS BROAD ENOUGH IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS -- WELL, I WILL SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

FIRST I WILL ASK MS. LONGORIA HOW THE PROCESS IS GOING.

>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD. THIS IS JUST A BROAD UPDATE ON HOW THINGS ARE GOING PER YOUR REQUEST.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH BUDGET, ENGINEERING, PURCHASING, -- IF I MISSED ANYONE I SHOULD KNOW.

AS WE GET TO A SECOND PHASE IN THE MOU TO REALLY WORK TOWARD MARCH 1ST BEING A CUTOFF. AS WE WORK TOWARD SPLITTING THINGS UP, AS ALWAYS THE MAIN AGENDA FOR ALL OF OUR GROUPS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO SERVICES ARE INTERRUPTED ESPECIALLY IN THE LEAD UP. YOU KNOW, WE ARE SPLITTING SOME THINGS SUCH AS ACCOUNTS AND TOUCH -- AND SUCH.

I WILL UPDATE PIECE BY PIECE. TECHNOLOGY WISE, TAX, UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS LEADING THAT FOR US.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DO BY MARCH 1ST, BUT I SUGGESTED A BLACKOUT PERIOD LEADING TO THE MAY ELECTION SO WE DON'T HAVE THE INTERRUPT OF SERVICES.

WITH THE VOTER DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT IS SO OLD AND SO CONNECTED TO THE OTHER SYSTEMS, IT WILL TAKE MUCH, MUCH LONGER TO UNTANGLE THAT ONE.

WE CAN GET THE E-MAILS AND SUCH TRANSFERRED OVER.

THE WEBSITES AND THE BACK END OF THE DATABASE WILL TAKE A LONGER TIME. WITH SPACE, ENGINEERING HAS THAT ASSESSMENT THAT YOU ALL APPROVED TO BE DONE WITH AN OUT -- WITH AN OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR.

WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ANNEXES RIGHT NOW.

WE SPUN UP VERY QUICKLY, AND IF YOU NEED TO DROP OFF, FOR EXAMPLE, YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS WE WORKED UP TO HAVE OUR WAREHOUSE TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THOSE FORMS AS WELL. WE ARE WORKING RIGHT NOW.

I AM HOPEFUL WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THANKFUL TO SET UP THESE CIVIC CENTERS TO HAVE MORE FORMS. ANYBODY CAN PICK UP THE SHORT OR LONG FORMS AND GET YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION. OUR ISSUE IS TO DROP THEM BACK OFF YOU HAVE TO DROP THEM BACK OFF TO AN ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR EMPLOYEE SO HAVING THE ANNEX SPACES TO SET UP THE OFFICES, YOU KNOW, WE LOOK TO YOU ALL ON HOW BEST TO FOLLOW-UP ON THAT RESOURCE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS RECOMMENDED IN THE MEMO. WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THEM.

AS FAR AS THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT, YOU ALL ARE CONSIDERING THE BUDGET AND WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE -- WE HAVE THE RIGHT FOR EXPANDED OUT REACH INITIATIVES AND WE ARE NAILING DOWN DETAILS ON THE ELECTIONS.

IT IS PUTTING TWO DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER AND DECIDING HOW IT WILL LOOK SO IT IS NOT JUST EXPENSE RELATED, BUT YOU ALL'S

[07:20:04]

EFFORTS. THAT'S IT.

THOSE ARE THE BROAD THINGS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER -- GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES SOMEBODY ELSE WANT TO TALK? I CAN COME BACK IF SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO ASK SOMETHING.

DOES SOMEBODY ELSE WANT TO ASK SOMETHING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I READ SOMETHING ABOUT SOME ISSUE WITH VOTER REGISTRATION.

WE WANT TO MAKE THIS PROCESS AS SEEMLESS AS POSSIBLE.

I AM HOPING IF WE NEED TO MAKE ANY COUNTY FACILITY AVAILABLE AS WE WOULD DO FOR COVID TESTING OR GETTING VACCINES, IS THAT COMING TOGETHER? DO WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING? DO WE NEED TO POST ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO MAKE SURE IT GETS DONE? YOU SAID A MAY ELECTION.

WHAT IS COMING UP IN MAY? >> THAT'S WHEN WE WERE CONTRACTING WITH VARIOUS ENTITIES LIKE SCHOOL BOARDS AND SOME OF THE LOCAL ENTITIES DOING -- YOU KNOW, LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS GONE THROUGH BEFORE, MAYORAL ELECTIONS AND SUCH. IT IS ACROSS THE COUNTY, AND CONSIDERING THE MACHINES I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL WORK OUT. TO THE POINT OF WE HAVE A LOT COMING UP, AND WE HAVE A LOT WE WILL BE UNVEILING IN MAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO REGISTER?

>> YES. SO BEFORE THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE TAX OFFICE HAD ACCESS TO ANNEX SPACES, IN THE REALM OF 10 TO 14 OFFICES EACH, RIGHT NOW WE DO NOT HAVE THAT.

IT IS A GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

WHO IS IN CHARGE OF PUTTING THAT ON THE AGENDA? THERE IS DISCRETION ON HOW WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD IF YOU

THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ANNEXES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A REQUEST TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I CAN'T DO IT TOO. WHETHER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY PUTS IT ON THE AGENDA OR TELLS YOU TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, MR. BLOUNT, SOMEBODY. BUT WHEN WE MAKE SUCH A MAJOR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE AND THEN WE DON'T FIGURE IT OUT.

>> OUR OFFICE CAN HELP WITH THAT PROCESS, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS JOSH STUKEY AS PART OF THE SPACE ALLOCATION ISSUES FOR THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS ALSO INTERESTED IN WANTING TO DEAL WITH THAT IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER. IT IS DEFINITELY ON OUR RADAR IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS. WE WILL LOOK WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR TO MAKE SURE IT GETS HANDLED.

AT LEAST ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION IF THAT

IS WHAT THE COURT WANTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN'T MAKE

IT AS A MOTION, BUT I -- >> NO.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT AS PART OF THIS DISCUSSION ON THE TRANSITION PROCESS, THE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN CONVEYED AND WE HAVE HAD IT AND WE CAN CERTAINLY MAKE SURE AT THE NEXT MEETING THERE IS AN ITEM TO DISCUSS THAT.

I WILL COORDINATE WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND THE TRANSITION OFFICER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAD. AND WITH THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE TAX ASSESSOR SINCE THEY ARE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT.

IN THE PAST WE DID IT IN THOSE OFFICES, AND I FOR ONE WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF DOING IT AT WHATEVER COUNTY FACILITIES WE HAVE AND WE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PERSON DO IT SOMETIME DURING THE DAY.

WHETHER-TO-BE -- WHETHER SOMEBODY WANTS TO VOTE FOR ORGANS ANY OF US, THE NEXT ELECTIONS -- OR AGAINST ANY OF US. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS FALLED -- IT IS BALANCED AND FAIR.

WE LOOK PRETTY RIDICULOUS IF WE PUT HURDLES UP AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE.

>> I I HAVE SAID THIS ON THIS PROCESS THAT THE SKETCH RISH MENTS -- THE SKETCH REQUIREMENTS AROUND MAKING SURE THE BUDGET FOR ELECTION ACTIVITIES ARE CONSISTENT, BUT THE SPIRIT BEHIND THAT LAW IS TO PREVENT ANY DIMUNATION OF SERVICES. IF WE WERE ABLE TO REGISTER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WE WANT AN EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT CONTINUES. WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE OUT OPTIONS. THAT IS SOMETHING THE COURT TO DECIDE AND POLICY DECISIONS. WE WILL GO YOU TO ANY AND ALL

[07:25:06]

RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO GET IT DONE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT IS AN ISSUE WITH STAFFING AS IT RELATES TO THE BUDGET I MAKE A MOTION FOR THE SIX-MONTH DEAL SO PEOPLE CAN VOTE ORGANS IN THE EARLY ELECTIONS COMING UP

SO WE CAN GET THEM RAISED. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. MR. LONGORIA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR UPDATE. I GUESS THE QUESTION, AT LEAST WE CAN ASK, WE NEED TO GET, ASIDE FROM VOTER REGISTRATION OPERATIONALLY. WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE DOING TO

HELP YOU? >> WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF LOOKING AT WHAT WAS RECOMMENDED FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S MEMO AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE SET UP.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS ABOUT 152 MORE OR LESS POSITIONS THAT HE RECOMMENDED. WE ARE AT ABOUT 116 RIGHT NOW. WE WORKED WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO RECTIFY SOME OF THAT IN THE BUDGET.

IN AS FAR AS CONVERTING TEMPS TO THE FULL TIME EMPLOYEES.

THEY HAVE BEEN ESSENTIALLY ACTING AS FULL TIME STAFF FOR US. THAT WILL GET US TO MINIMUM FUNCTIONS. IT WILL NOT GET US TO THE EXPANSIVE FUNCTIONS YOU HAVE REQUESTED OF US.

LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY. YES, WE ARE GETTING POSITIONS TO FUND OUT REACH AND EDUCATION.

NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MARCH AND HIRE THOSE PEOPLE.

I UNDERSTAND WE WANT TO BE THOROUGH, BUT WITHOUT THE ANNEXES WE CAN BE AS THOROUGH AS WE WANT, BUT THERE ARE ONLY TWO LOCATIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY RIGHT NOW WHERE THEY CAN DROP OFF THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS IN PERSON.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN TERMS OF THE ANNEXES, YOU'VE GOT MINE.

IF YOU NEED MINE, YOU'VE GOT THEM.

JUST TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO BE DOING TO MAKE THAT WORK FOR YOU. AND THEN SECONDLY IF THERE IS A GAP TO GET YOU TO THE RECOMMENDED A LOTMENT, I WILL BE -- I WILL PUT SOMETHING ON THE NEXT AGENDA TO TAKE A VOTE ON THAT. WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THOSE POSITIONS AND GET YOU FULLY STAFFED.

LET ME STAFF NOW -- KNOW AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.

>> AND WE WILL KEEP WORKING WITH JOSH AND THE COUNTY

ATTORNEY TO MAKE THAT WORK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I THINK TIME IS OF ESSENCE FOR YOU.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING YOU ARE JEPTLY TO MOVE ON.

MY PREFERENCE IS TO HAVE SOMETHING ON THE NEXT AGENDA

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. >> YES, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I KNOW YOU HAVE A COMMENT AND I WANT TO FLAG THAT THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR THE TAX OFFICE IS ON THE LINE AND WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AS WELL. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, GO AHEAD AND WE WILL HEAR FROM THE TAX OFFICE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO THANK THE EA LONGORIA FOR BEING PLEASANT IN THE MIDST OF ALL OF THE TRANSITION. BUT IN ALL FAIRNESS TO CON SIS STEN -- CONSISTENCY I THINK WE WILL HAVE AN UPDATE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LATE OTHER ON THE STATUS OF WHERE OUR EA OFFICE IS WITH REGARD TO THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND I HAVE BEEN VOTING AGAINST THE FISCAL ITEM THAT'S DEAL WITH THE EA AND OUT OF THE CONSISTENCY WITH DUE RESPECT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A VOTE ON PAGE 9 AND ITEM 4.

I4 PAGE 13 AND ITEM 13C. PAGE 13 ITEM 14A AND PAGE 13

EYE -- ITEM 13B. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE ALL OF

THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PAGE 9, ITEM

4I4. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE SECOND, COMMISSIONER. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE WHAT IT IS AS WELL. I4 SO THAT IS THE TRANSITION

PROJECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PAGE 13 AND ITEM 13C WHICH IS PETTY CASH ACCOUNT.

PAGE 13. 14A.

[07:30:04]

ACTUALLY I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THE DISCUSSION.

LET ME WITHDRAW THAT. GOOD REPORT.

IT IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM. PAGE 13.

14B WHICH IS THE RECLASSIFICATION OF POSITION.

THAT IS 4, I4. 8E.

13C. 14B.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT PAGE IS I4 ON?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: 4I4 IS ON PAGE 9.

THAT IS A COMMERCIAL PAPER FUNDING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVED IT IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS DID AND I SECONDED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THOSE ITEMS. HE JUST STEPPED OUT.

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

YES, MR. BERRY. >> I THINK WE DO NEED TO SLIGHTLY TWEAK THE MOTION ON THE COMMERCIAL PAPER ITEM FOR THE ELECTION. IT IS A TECHNICALITY AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ITEM IS THAT, DAVE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: PAGE 9. I4.

>> I THINK IT IS A DIFFERENT COMMERCIAL PAPER.

I BELIEVE THE ONE COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS ELUDING TO IS IN REGARDS TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THEY DID NOT CITE THE

OTHER ISSUES. >> I AM TALKING ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 2. MY APOLOGIES IF THAT IS NOT

PART OF THE LIST. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DID I MISS ONE OF YOUR ITEMS FOR

CONSISTENCY? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU DIDN'T LIST ANYTHING RELATED TO THE VOTING

MACHINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM NOT DOING THE VOTING MACHINES BECAUSE THAT IS A COUNTY PURCHASE AS OPPOSED TO AN EA PURCHASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU GOT EVERYTHING AND DAVE WAS TALKING ABOUT VOTING MACHINES.

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. I'M GOOD.

>> SO FOR CLARITY, Y'ALL ARE TAKING A VOTE ON 4I4, ITEM 13C AND ITEM 14B. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> CORRECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES. LET'S HEAR FROM -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WAS THAT ALL YOU HAD FOR RIGHT NOW?

>> -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S I HAD UNDER THAT ZONE AND THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MS. LONGORIA.

I WANT TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR

THE TAX OFFICE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, ON MY

LAST -- WE DID GET 13C, YES? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, LUCINDA.

>> TO UNMUTE WENDY? WENDY, YOU ARE UNMUTED.

>> I AM WENDY AND WITH THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE TAX OFFICE FOR 17 YEARS UNDER FIVE TAX ASSESSOR CORRECTORS. I WANTED TO MAKE MENTION OF SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW WE HAD VOTER REGISTRATION STAFF WORKING AT THE BRANCHES.

IN THE 17 YEARS I HAVE WORKED FOR THE TAX OFFICE WE HAVE NEVER HAD ONE VOTER REGISTRATION EMPLOYEE DEDICATED TO ANY BRANCH AT ANYTIME.

AS THE VEG -- REGISTRAR OFFICE IT TOOK PLACE ON 1001 -- [INAUDIBLE] AND THE PUBLIC CAME UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR TO GET ASSISTED IN REGISTERING TO VOTE.

THAT'S WHERE THE ASSISTANCE HAPPENED AT THAT TIME.

IN ADDITION TO THE ELECTION COACH, IT TALKS ABOUT WHERE THE VOTER REGISTRATION IS AND IT CAN ONLY BE DROPPED OFF AT

[07:35:04]

THE REGISTER'S OFFICE. IT TALKS ABOUT THE ELECTION CODE THAT THE TAX OFFICE IS NO LONGER A VOTER -- A VOTER REGISTRAR AGENCY. YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE THAT REQUEST IN THE STATE. EACH CARD TELLS THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHERE THE POSSIBLE CARDS ARE COMING FROM.

LASTLY, MS. BENNETT KNOWS BETTER THAN MOST THE STIGMA WITH THE TEXAS TAX ASSESSORS. SHE HAS CONNECTIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAD TO ENDURE THE OBSTACLES OF VOTING AND THE LEADERSHIP TEAM IS COMPRISED OF EQUALLY OF PEOPLE OF COLOR. WE BELIEVE WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW OFFICES WITH THAT STRUCTURE.

WE WILL AND CONTINUE TO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR OFFICE.

WE WANT TO MINIMIZE THE CURRENT CONFUSION BETWEEN VOTERS AND OUR OFFICE. AS A PRIORITY TO ENSURE THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS WAS NOT IMPEDED TO THE ACTION OF THE ELECTION. [INAUDIBLE].

ONE THING I DID KNOW IS IT SAYS THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE IS ALLOWED TO SET UP THEIR OWN BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

OF COURSE YOU KNOW THIS WOULD REQUIRE FUNDS, BUT IT IS AN OPTION. I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS

LISTENING TO ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE. ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO IT AS LONG AS YOU GET COMMISSIONS

FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE? >> THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS WE CAN OFFER. YOU HAVE TO BE DESIGNATED AS A VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCY. ON THAT LIST OF PEOPLE THERE ARE DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT CAN DO THAT.

YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT TO BE SUCCESS -- DESIGNATED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ARE GOING IN AND OUT A LITTLE BIT.

>> I AM HAVING SOME AUDIO PROBLEMS. I SAID IT TALKS ABOUT THE DESIGNATION OF VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCIES. THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS THE ONE THAT CAN DEEM AN OFFICE AND HAVING THE ABILITY TO SEND OUT AND TO GIVE OUT VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS.

WHEN MS. BENNETT STOPPED BY THE VOTER REGISTRAR THE TAX OFFICES BECAME -- FRN -- [INAUDIBLE] IS NOT LISTED ON

THE LIST. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE CAN REMEDY THAT BY PUTTING IN A REQUEST.

MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE AND I AM HOPING IT WOULD BE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT THAT WE SIMPLY ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WE WANT TO REGISTER AS MANY PEOPLE, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, WHOEVER THEY ARE AND WHEREVER THEY ARE IN THIS COUNTY WE WANT TO SURPASS THE SUCCESS OF TRAVIS COUNTY AND REGISTER THEM TO VOTE.

I AM HOPING THAT WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE CLERK AND THE TAX ASSESSOR AND ALL OF OUR OFFICES, WE OUGHT TO ASK TO FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN DO UNDER THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE LAW.

SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS TEXAS HAS PUT IN MAY GO AWAY.

I WILL TRY TO PUT THAT IN MY LEGISLATION DOWN THE ROAD.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I AM NT -- NOT JUST SINGLING OUT YOUR OFFICE. ALL OF THEM I SUGGEST WE DO AS LONG AS IT COMPLIES WITH THE LAW.

>> ITION -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE LOOKING AT WHEN WE MOVED FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR'S OFFICE IS MEETING WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN USE YOUR COMMUNITY CENTERS TO MAKE VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS AND POSSIBLY EVEN HAVING THE AUTHORITY TO HELP PEOPLE REGISTER TO VOTE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, YOU CAN AND I WILL LET YOU USE MINE TO COLLECT TAXES TOO. IT IS WHATEVER YOU WANT.

YRNG -- I THINK YOU WILL GET SUPPORT FROM ALL OF US.

LOOK. YOU ALL HAVE A LOT OF

[07:40:02]

EXPERIENCE HAVING DONE THIS ALL OF THESE YEARS AND NONE OF

US WANT TO LOSE THAT. >> I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT IN EVERY COMMUNITY CENTER AND EVERY AGENCY.

I MEAN THERE ARE QUITE A FEW AGENCIES.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCATION SERVICES AND THE DISABILITY SERVICES, COMMISSIONER ALL OF THESE AGENCIES, ALL OF THESE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES CAN HAND OUT.

THEY JUST CAN'T RECEIVE IN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

MS. CAESAR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM.

MR. AIYER, I JUST WANT TO GET SOME CLARITY.

IS IT ACCURATE THAT WITH THE CREATION OF THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AND WITH ALL THAT WE COMMUNICATED TO THE STATE IN TERMS OF THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE AND RECOGNIZING THAT OUR INTENT WAS TO CREATE A CENTRAL COMMAND AND CONTROL, IF YOU WILL, FOR ALL THINGS ELECTIONS AND -- WAS THAT WELL COMMUNICATED? DO WE STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS, OR HAVE WE DONE THE FRAMEWORK FOR ALL THINGS ELECTION INCLUDING VOTER REGISTRATION?

>> I THINK SOME WILL BE ADDRESSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WHAT I CAN TELL IS YOU A COUPLE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT. NUMBER ONE IS IN TERMS OF THE DESIGNATION OF VOTER REGISTRATION UNDER CHAPTER 20 THAT WENDY REFERENCED. THOSE CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE. I THINK WE HAVE MOVED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THINGS ARE DEFINITELY -- I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED ON THAT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR BROUGHT UP.

AND IT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE THAT IN THE CHAPTER 12 PROVISION THAT THE CHAPTER WENDY CAESAR ELUDED TO WAS WE HAD BRANCH OFFICES FOR VOTER REGISTRATION ACTIVITIES IN LARGE PART BECAUSE WE HAVE BRANCH OFFICES FOR THE TAX COLLECTION PROCESS. WHEN THEY DOUBLED UP IT ALLOWED FOR THE PROCESS AND WE HAD GREATER ABILITY TO DROP OFF THE VOTER REGISTRATION MATERIALS AND NOT JUST -- NOT JUST HAVING SEPARATE UNITS. PART OF THAT IS GOING TO BE A -- THIS IS GOING TO BE A LARGER QUESTION OF DESIGNATING BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS UNDER THE CODE.

THAT IS ALLOW -- ALLOWABLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR.

MANY OFFICES AROUND THE STATE DON'T HAVE BRANCH OFFICES.

THEY HAVE SINGLE ONES. LIKE FORT BEND COUNTY IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT. THIS COUNTY IS VERY LARGE AND DIVERSE. THAT MAY BE A DIRECTION YOU WANT TO TAKE. THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU ARE WANTING AND IT RECOGNIZES ACCURATELY THE RESTRICTION AND THE LIMITATION THAT WENDY HAS MENTIONED. YOU CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR DOESN'T HAVE OFFICES.

THIS IS A POLICY THAT HAS TO BE CORRECTED.

THAT'S PART OF WHAT THE PROCESS.

THAT'S PART OF WHAT JOSH AND DAVE AND THOSE FOLKS INVOLVED WITH FACILITIES ALLOCATION WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOT IT. SECONDLY WHEN WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, HOW MUCH OF THIS WILL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS

TONIGHT? >> THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM IS TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE AS TO THE STATUS OF EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN DONE. AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL BRIEF YOU GUYS ON THAT. CAN GIVE YOU SUFFICIENT DETAIL WHERE WE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE DIRECTION THE WAY THINGS

ARE GOING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOT YOU.

MR. MENEFEE, I CAN SEE YOU CLICKED ON.

IF YOU WOULD BE THINKING AS WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND NO ANSWER RIGHT NOW, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE

[07:45:01]

A MOTION TO MOVE THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE FORWARD.

IF THERE ARE THINGS WE HAVE NOT DONE TO MAKE IT WHOLE AS WAS THE VISION, THEN I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR THE WAY TO CONSTRUCT THAT MOTION SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS AS MUCH OF THAT TODAY. WE CAN THINK ABOUT THAT AS WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

AND IT IS GOOD TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE ON. THROUGHOUT THIS ASSESSMENT HAVE I BEEN GETTING A TON OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY TO THE OFFICE. I JUST GOT ONE TODAY.

PEOPLE ARE SHOWING UP AT THE MARTINEZ ANNEX, SPEAKING OF ANNEXES TO PAY THEIR TAXES. THEY ARE TURNED AWAY BECAUSE THEY ARE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND THESE ARE A LOT OF THE SAME FOLKS THAT DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER AND MAY NOT HAVE INTERNET. THEY MAY HAVE LIMITED CAPACITY. I WELCOME A CUSTOMER SERVICE ELEMENT TO HELP FACILITATE THE WORK OF NOT ONLY OUR SENIORS AND ANYBODY TRYING TO PAY THEIR TAXES, BUT PEOPLE TRYING TO DO OTHER WORK THAT IS PAPER INTENSIVE AND A LOT OF WORK AT

THESE FACILITIES. >> COMMISSIONER, I APOLOGIZE

FOR INTERRUPTING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APOLOGIZE. I THOUGHT I WOULD SQUEEZE IT

IN BEFORE YOU WOULD TELL ME. >> NO PROBLEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I JUST GET ON WORD IN ON THE EA AND WE HAVE A LOT TO GET THROUGH FOR THIS AGENDA, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE WE WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND FOLKS ARE WORKING WITH ADMINISTRATE TER LONGORIA -- ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA AND TRY TO GET HER ACCESS TO ANNEXED LIBRARIES.

I JUST WANT TO THANK ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA FOR THE EFFORTS AND JUST ASK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE DATA PIECE YOU BROUGHT UP IN THE BEGINNING. YOU SAID YOU ARE NOT ABLE RIGHT NOW AND NOT FOR AWHILE TO FINISH SOMETHING WITH THE DATA. CAN YOU BRIEFLY COVER WHAT LIMITATIONS THAT IS GOING TO HAVE? WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR VISION FORAGE SISTERING VOTERS AND AS EFFICIENTLY AS TRAVIS COUNTY HAS DONE, WHAT IS STANDING IN THE WAY AND WHAT ARE THE DATES YOU THINK THE

OBSTACLES WILL BE REMOVED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE QUICKLY I WANT TO INSERT A LITTLE NOTE HERE.

WE HAD A SHERIFF OFFICE DEPUTY SHOT AND I DON'T WANT TO MENTION HIS NAME YET BECAUSE IT IS EARLY ON THE SCENE.

THE REPORTS ARE THAT HE IS IN STABLE CONDITION.

A YOUNG MAN AND I AM ASSUMING BECAUSE HE STARTED HIS CAREER IN JANUARY. LET'S KEEP HIM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THAT UP. LET'S HOPE THAT HE RECOVERS QUICKLY. GO AHEAD, MS. LONGORIA.

>> TO YOUR QUESTION, FOR EXAMPLE, IF UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS A TIMELINE AND I AM HAPPY TO SHARE THAT WITH YOUR STAFF AND THE REST OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT STAFF.

IT IS A DATABASE THAT ALL VOTER REGISTRATION HISTORY RIDES. WHEN YOU GO TO THE POLLS WE CAN MAKE SURE YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED FOR YOU AND IN THE CORRECT JURISDICTIONS. THE TAX OFFICE MAINTAINS ONE AND THE COUNTY CLERK OFFICE MAINTAINS ONE.

WE HAVE TWO DATABASES THAT IN THE PAST HAVE TALKED TO EACH OTHER, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE SIMILAR PROCESSES IN HOW YOU SCAN THINGS IN AND HOW YOU EVEN RECORD THEM AND HOW YOU KEEP THE VOTER FILES. AND BASICALLY LIKE YOU ALL HAVE CONSTITUENT DATABASES. RIGHT NOW WE ARE UP FOR RENEWAL AT LEAST ON THE TAX ITEM AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT OVERALL HOW WE GO INTO ONE SYSTEM.

THAT SYSTEM ALONE WAS LAST UPDATED IN THE EARLY 2000'S AT BEST. WE ARE 15 TO 20 YEARS BEHIND.

IT PRESENTS SOME PRETTY SEVERE CYBER SECURITY ISSUES FOR US.

ON TOP OF THAT, THERE ARE CONNECTIONS THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE. FLEX -- FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW

[07:50:02]

WHEN WE HAD THE MAIL BALANCE -- BALLOT CHECK IN PROGRAM? THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROGRAMMERS FOR A NEW SOFTWARE SYSTEM. ONCE IT IS IN ONE SYSTEM IT CAN BE DONE WITH JUST A COUPLE OF CLICKS.

IT SHOULD BE A SIMPLE INTERFACE.

WE CAN STREAM LINE ALL OF OUR INFORMATION INTO IT.

WE ARE NOW MOVING TO GET IT INTO A MORE SECURE LOCATION.

AS FAR AS DATA, WE CAN'T EVEN START TO LOOK AT HOW TO OFFER A MAPPING RESOURCE ON OUR WEBSITE SO THAT ANYONE IN THE COUNTY, ANY CITIZEN AT ANYTIME CAN SEE IF THERE IS MORE OR LESS REGISTERED VOTERS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD OR PRE SINK -- PRECINCT TO DEMOCATIZE THE DATA.

SHARING THE INFORMATION IS THE SINGLE THING WE WANT TO DO AND WE CAN'T EVEN GET TO THINKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED. LOAN

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SURE YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE NEXT

STEPS. >> PART OF THAT IS, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING IS UNIVERSAL SERVICES -- THEY CAN COMMENT MORE -- BUT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT THE COUNTY CLERK SIDE AND THE TAX SIDE AND SAYING WHERE IS THE CODE AND THE SERVER AND THE DOMAIN? IT IS GETTING IT TO AN ENTIRELY NEW SYSTEM BY FEBRUARY 12TH BECAUSE AFTER THAT WE HAVE TO DO SO MUCH TO PREPARE FOR THE ELECTION THAT WE DON'T WANT A DISRUPTION IN OUR SYSTEM UNTIL AT BEST JUNE 1ST.

AND WE ARE ON ONE E-MAIL SYSTEM.

WE CAN ACTUALLY SHARE THE FILES TOGETHER.

WE ARE STILL LIVING IN TWO WORLDS.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET THAT PIECE IN PLACE BEFORE WE LOOK AT A WHOLE NEW VOTER DATABASE SYSTEM TO THEN DO ALL OF THE INNOVATIVE STUFF WITH THE DATA.

I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. IT LOOKS LIKE JUNE.

>> WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT YOU ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE ITEM IS ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT WEEK SO WE CAN USE ANY COUNTY FACILITIES. THAT MAKES SENSE.

WE WILL ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PERMISSION.

I'M SURE WE CAN LOOK AT OTHER COUNTY THAT'S MAY NOT BE AS LARGE AS WE ARE, BUT EL -- EL PASO COUNTY AND DALLAS COUNTY AND FORT WORTH COUNTY, SURELY THEY FIGURED OUT SOMEWAY WHEN THE TAX ASSESSOR IS NO LONGER DOING IT.

THE OTHER QUESTION IS, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ALL POST PEOPLE WHO VOTED BY EARLY BALLOT, BUT YOU DON'T POST PEOPLE WHO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY ONLINE? YOU DON'T KNOW HOW THEY VOTED, BUT IF -- IS THERE AN SH Y WITH THAT -- IS THERE ANISH YOU -- AN ISSUE WITH THAT? AS A POLICY WE OUGHT TO POST WHOEVER VOTED.

AM I MAKING SENSE? >> YEAH.

YOUR QUESTION IS WELL TAKEN AND UNDERSTOOD.

I WANT TO GET THAT SAME GOAL. I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER.

IF YOU ALLOW ME I WILL COME BACK TO YOUR OFFICE WITH THAT ANSWER ON WHY ELECTION DAY IS NOT THERE OR WHY WE HAVEN'T

POSTED IN THE PAST. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THERE IS A POLICY REASON AGAINST IT, LET ME KNOW.

I GUESS SOMEBODY IS WATCHING AND THEY WANTED ME TO ASK THAT. UNLESS THERE IS SOME REASON FOR IT AND SOME OTHER COUNTY TOO.

IF THERE IS ANISH -- AN ISSUE OF OPEN RECORDS REQUEST.

>> UNDERSTOOD. THE QUESTION IS UNDERSTOOD AND GOAL IS UNDERSTOOD. I WILL GET YOU THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: LONGORIA, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH MANY

[07:55:01]

ELECTIONS AND IN MANY CITIES. I WILL ECHO WHAT IS SAID.

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS AT THE SAME TIME SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF BALLS IN THE AIR.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO AND ANYTHING YOU CAN DO IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED BECAUSE ALL OF THE CITIES AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DEPENDING ON YOU AND YOUR OFFICE. THAT'S JOB ONE.

EVERYTHING ELSE WILL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED AT SOME POINT.

THAT MAY ELECTION AS YOU SO CLEARLY STATED EARLIER IS A PRIORITY AND IF WE CAN HELP WITH THAT LET US KNOW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MISS LONGORIA.

THAT WAS ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

DISTRICT CLERK. OH, YES.

IT IS 6:36. WE ARE ABOUT TO HIT OUR TWO HOURS. LET'S BREAK FOR 10 MINUTES AND

THAT WILL BE UNTIL >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

IT IS 6:46 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE WERE HEADED TO DISTRICT CLERK.

COUNTY ATTORNEY. PROBATE COURTS.

TRAVEL AND TRAINING. GRANTS.

THERE IS A CORRECTION UNDER GRANTS ON ITEM 19A3.

THE AGREEMENT ABOUT CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING.

DELETE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND REPLACE IT WITH CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING.

ON B1L AND B1T ON PAGE 19 -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR.

TWO THINGS. ONE OF WHICH SINCE YOU ARE COME BACK YOUR MICROPHONE IS JUST A LITTLE HARDER FOR ME TO HEAR. I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR MICROPHONE GOT ADJUSTED ON YOU OR NOT.

NUMBER TWO I WANTED TO MAKE A NOTE THAT ON PAGE 15 AND ITEM 49, COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 IS GOING TO BE HAVING THE TRAINING THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE STATE PARK AND RECREATION CONFERENCE AND THEY WILL BE DRIVING TO IT.

ALTHOUGH WE DON'T HAVE THAT ON OUR AGENDA ITEM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT IS A VERY VALUABLE THING FOR US TO DO AND WE WILL BE SUBMITTING OURS COMING UP HERE IN OUR NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND TO THE EXTENT THAT COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 3 OR 1 MAY NOT BE AS AWARE OF ALL WHO ARE WANTING TO ATTEND TO DO SO.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS THE FIRST ONE TO GET ON THE AGENDA. WE WILL BE THERE.

>> HELPFULLY THE MIC WORKS. ON PURCHASING PAGE 19, I WAS MENTIONING D1L AND D1T AND THE WORD LIGHTING NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO LIGHTNING. IT IS INSTALLATION OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM. ONWARD TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. UNDER MY AGENDA I HAVE THE RESOLUTIONS WE TOOK OUT OF ORDER AND THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL IS RETROACTIVE BECAUSE IT EXPIRED ON THE 31ST AND IT HELPS US BE REIMBURSED FOR ON GOING PATROLS WITHIN THE SHIP CHANNEL. ITEM 3 WE DISCUSSED BEFORE.

IT IS UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH BUDGET TO FIGURE OUT WHEAT COSTS TO BE MORE CONSISTENT.

YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE ON YOUR ITEM 3A WOULD YOU MIND HAVING A REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH PRECINCT JOIN IN THAT PROCESS? I THINK ESPECIALLY THOSE OF US WITH ROAD CAMS HAVE SMERT TEASE -- EXPERTISE THAT CAN BE BENEFICIAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MAKE THE EDIT UNIVERSAL SERVICES WITH THE SUPPORT OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND EACH MEMBER OF COURT IF THAT WORKS FOR FOLKS.

[08:00:06]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE QUICKLY, I'M JUST CURIOUS WILL THERE BE SOME AUDIT ON THE CURRENT WORK BEING DONE? WILL WE BE RECOMMENDING AN AUDIT FOR -- I MEAN WE WILL TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO -- FIGURE OUT THE PRICES CHARGED TO THE COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS FOR VEHICLE MEYNT -- MAINTENANCE AND ALL OF THE THINGS ASSOCIATED INCLUDING THE PRICES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO RECOVER THE COST INVOLVED.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO NEED A BASELINE OF SOME SORT.

AND SO I I THINK WE SHOULD ASK FOR AN AUDIT TO GO ALONG WITH

THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

MY INTENTION WITH IT, COMMISSIONER, IS TO TWEAK THE LANGUAGE A LITTLE BIT. MY INTENTION IS TO SAY I UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT COST OF OWN SCG MAINTAINING -- OWNING AND MAINTAINING THE COST OF THE FLEET.

WE DISCUSSED WHEN THE FLEET REQUESTS HAVE COME PARTICULARLY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REALLY ON A ROTATION. IN THEORY IT SHOULD BE READ TO INCLUDE IT IS A CURRENT ASSESSMENT OF WHERE I THINK THEY ARE AT. BUT WE CAN MAKE AN EDIT.

DO YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. I GUESS IT WOULD BE THAT AN AUDIT BE DONE ON THE CURRENT FLEET OPERATIONS TO ASSESS ALL OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE LAID OUT HERE IN ADDITION TO THE CHARGE BACKS COUNTY WIDE AND INCLUSIVE OF THE PRECINCT OFFICES. I KNOW WE DO A LOT OF WORK WITH THEM BECAUSE OF THE EQUIPMENT AND STUFF THAT WE HAVE. I THINK THAT'S ALL OF THE EXAMPLES AND I THINK THEY DO SOMETHING RELATED TO THIS.

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE A BASELINE GOING FORWARD. I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF AN AUDIT TO BE ATTACHED TO BOTH OF THESE ITEMS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO BOTH OF THE ITEMS AND THEN IF WE CAN HAVE C BEING AN AUDIT OF CURRENT, RELEVANT PRACTICES? DOES THAT WORK?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK THAT WORKS.

SO IT WOULD READ AS WRITTEN AND IT WOULD ALSO SAY -- IT WOULD ADD COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH MEMBER OF COURT ALONGSIDE THE MDNA UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE B WE WOULD HAVE C AN AUDIT OF CURRENT RELEVANT PRACTICES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY GOOD. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE THAT WOULD HELP ME TOO. I HAVE AN ITEM LATER DEALING WITH FLEET. MY PROPOSAL IS TO TAKE IT BACK OVER, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MOST OF THE PRECINCTS ARE DOING. THE AUDIT AND THE DATA WOULD HELP ALL OF US KNOW BETTER GOING FORWARD EVEN IF WE DECIDE TO DO IT OURSELVES IN THE PRE SINK OR -- PRECINCT OR WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES. I AGREE WITH THE MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR WHAT DAVE SAYS.

>> I WAS GOING TO MAKE A SUGGESTION.

IN TERMS OF AN AUDIT, MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE IF YOU INCLUDE THE AUDITOR IN THE GROUP WORKING ON THIS, BUT I THINK IT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND US AND OTHERS TO SPEND A FEW WEEKS DIGGING THROUGH THE DATA TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION IT IS SUCH A BIG TOPIC IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO FOCUS ON WHERE WE HAVE QUESTIONS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF WHERE YOU ARE HEADED.

I KNOW THEY LIKE A SPECIFIC SCOPE.

MAYBE WE HAVE OPENED THEIR EXACT SCOPE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL TWEAK THAT ASPECT OF THE AUDIT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THEN C WOULD SAY WORK WITH COUNTY AUDITOR ON AN AUDIT OF CURRENT

RELEVANT PRACTICES. >> YES.

DESIGN SCOPE FOR AN AUDITOR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

[08:05:02]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: PERFECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES?

>> YOU DON'T REMIND REPEATING IT SO IT IS CLEAR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT SAYS REQUEST THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES WITH SUPPORT FROM BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE OFFICE OF EACH MEMBER OF COURT PREPARE A REVIEW TO BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN MARCH 30TH, 2021 AND CONTAINING RELEVANT RECOMMENDATIONS OF, A, PRICES CHARGED TO COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, FUEL, PARTS AND LABOR INCLUDING THE PRICES NECESSARY TO RECOVER THE FULL COST INVOLVED. B, FINANCING OPTIONS FOR VEHICLES INCLUDING AN EVALUATION OF DEBT FINANCING, LEASES AND PAY-GO OPTIONS. C, WORK WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR ON AN AUDIT OF CURRENT RELEVANT PRACTICES.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IS THAT CORRECT?

IS THERE A SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST AN AMENDMENT TO YOUR -- IT IS AN AMENDED VERSION OF YOUR MOTION ALREADY THAT IS THERE.

I JUST HAVE TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T MIND HAVING THE MOTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NUMBER 4 IS PARKING SPACES.

NUMBER 5 IS ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM.

AND NUMBER 6 IS THE PFM REPORT.

I HOPE, DAVID THEY ARE AROUND, I BELIEVE IT WAS THE FIRST COURT IN 2019 WHEN WE FIRST GOT HERE AND WE DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR SOME SORT OF A COUNTY WIDE REVIEW.

AND THEN FINALLY IN FEBRUARY THE COURT VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO INITIATE A PROCESS FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

THE LAST REVIEW OF THIS KIND WAS DONE 20 YEARS AGO, OVER 20 YEARS AGO. PFM JUST SUBMITTED THE FINAL REPORT LATE LAST YEAR. THEY WORKED ON IT FOR A YEAR.

I WANTED TO GIVE A CHANCE FOR DAVID AND THE TEAM.

I KNOW THEY REACHED OUT TO EACH OF OUR OFFICES AND WALKED US THROUGH IT, BUT JUST WALK THROUGH IT BRIEFLY.

AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE STILL LISTENING. AND FOR THE PUBLIC.

WHATEVER COURT DECIDES TO ACT ON BASED ON THIS REPORT, GENERALLY I THINK THERE ARE IMPORTANT LESSONS.

WHATEVER WE DECIDE TO DO IS GOING TO TAKE A BUY IN AND WORK FROM VARIOUS SEGMENTS OF THE COUNTY.

I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO DISCUSS IT AND ASK QUESTIONS OF PFM. VERY BRIEFLY.

I CONFESS THAT I HAD SKIMMED IT AND GONE OVER THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. BUT I FINALLY WENT THROUGH IT AND READ EVERY PAGE OF THIS THING.

I JUST THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF POINTS THAT ARE WORTH MENTIONING. FIRST, PFM POINTS OUT THEY NOR -- THE ENORMITY OF THE CHALLENGES IN OUR REGION.

THE METROPOLITAN SERVICES AREA WHICH IS THE WOODLANDS SUGAR LAND. WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATIO OF INEQUALITY BASED ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME OUT OF ALL OF THE MSA EAST -- IN THE COUNTRY. THE 1997 ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW THAT WAS DONE, SO 20 YEARS AGO , THEY NOTED THE COMPLEXITY OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND SPOKE TO A STRUCTURE WHERE 25 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS REPORTED TO THE COURT WHICH CONSULT TEPTS -- CONSULTANTS AT THE TIME SAID IT WAS, QUOTE, A SITUATION THAT IMPAIRS COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

THE STRUCTURE INHIBITS THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO ADDRESS FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS THAT SPANS DEPARTMENTS AND PROHIBITS COLLABORATIVE ORIENTED SOLUTIONS.

IT HAMPERS THE FLOW OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL COMMUTATION. A LOT OF THAT HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED. PFM POINTS OUT THAT VOLTERS -- THAT VOTERS SEE NEW TAXES AND THEY HAVE LITTLE INFORMATION TO JUDGE WHERE THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS FALLING SHORT.

CONTINUED GROWTH HAS HELPED AVOID THE ENVIABLE TRIPLE-A BOND RATING. IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THERE IS A

[08:10:02]

REALIZATION THAT HARRIS COUNTY MAY BE AT AN INFLECTION POINT. THERE IS A SENSE OF OPPORTUNITY AND RECOGNITION THAT THE NEED FOR CHANGE IS BEING DRIVEN BY EVENTS THAT ARE PROFOUNDLY AFFECTING HARRIS COUNTY AND RESIDENTS, YET LARGELY OUT OF THEIR CONTROL. FOR THE REASONS AND THE DECISIONS MADE BEFORE ANY OF US WERE HERE OR ALIVE, THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH GROWTH. WE ARE GETTING TO A POINT WITH THE INEQUALITY AND WITH THE FLOODING AND THE CONGESTION AND WITH THE POVERTY CERTAIN METRICS AND CERTAIN AREAS WHERE IF WE DON'T GET IT TOGETHER SOON AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE WE MAY NEED FOR BOTH. AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGE THAT'S ARE BEING IDENTIFIED, THEY WERE IDENTIFIED 20 YEARS AGO, BUT THEY WEREN'T WORKED ON.

THERE IS A POINT GOING TO THE NOISE DISCUSSION AND THERE ARE VERY FEW TOOLS THAT WE CAN CONTROL.

WE ARE AN ARM OF THE STATE. WE DON'T HAVE ORDINANCE MAKING POWER. ONE OPTION PFM MADE AND I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING WAS WE TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE LARGE -- LARGER THAT 26 STATES.

IMAGINE A STATE OUR SIDE THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A LAW OR ORDINANCE OR ANYTHING.

THERE IS A LOT OUT OF OUR HANDS AND FOR THAT REASON WE CANNOT AFFORD TO USE THE TOOLS WE DO HAVE.

ONE OF THOSE TOOLS IS THE COORDINATION AND THE COOPERATION THAT BRINGS ME TO THE FINAL POINT WHICH IS OUT OF THE ENTIRE PFM PRESENTATION AND I WILL LET DAVID TAKE IT FROM HERE, THE THING I THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT IS TO MOVE ON THAT COORDINATION AND COOPERATION POINT.

AS THEY MAKE CLEAR IN THE ABSENCE OF CLEAR ORGANIZATION WIDE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, MOST ARE RELUCTANT TO TAKE ON THEIR OWN EFFORTS THERE IS NO ACCEPTED DEFINITION OF EQUITY ORIE SILL YEN SEE -- OR RESILIENCY.

DEPARTMENTS ENGAGE IN AD-HOC DECISION MAKING.

WE SEE THAT ALL THE TIME. THE US FROM -- THE FRUSTRATING CONVERSATIONS WE HAD ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH AND HARRIS HEALTH BOTH WORKING HARD, BUT NOT SEEING BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE CONVERSATION IS FRUSTRATING THAT WE NEED TO COORDINATE BETTER ON FLOOD CONTROL AND HAVE A LONG-TERM AM -- AMBITION DIRECTION THAT WE ARE ALL FOLLOWING. WHATEVER THE ISSUE AREA IS, I THINK HAVING BETTER COORDINATION IS GOING TO HELP. WE DO POINT OUT THAT IN THE CURRENT SET UP IS NOT TO THE COLLECTIVE COURT, BUT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF COURT. IN THE END IT IS A VERY STOP AND START. I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE MORE EFFICIENT THAN THAT. THEY PROPOSE THE ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM AND THEY HAVE IT FOR COOK COUNTY AND MIAMI-DADE AND DALLAS COUNTY. I THINK THAT THE TAKE AWAY IS THAT IT HAS TO BE THE RIGHT PERSON, OBVIOUSLY.

IT IS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT WE WON'T GET WHAT EACH WILL WANT AND THEY CAN FIND A GOOD BALANCE.

MY FINAL SENTENCE HERE WHICH I ALSO THOUGHT WAS A VERY MEANINGFUL POINT FROM PFM IS TO THE EXTENT WE HAVE ADEQUATE COORDINATION AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION WILL BETTER POSITION TO WORK ON EXTERNAL COLLABORATION.

WE HAVE ALL OF THESE MUGS AND WE HAVE 34 CITIES.

WE HAVE OTHER COUNTIES AND IT IS REALLY HARD FOR US TO COLLABORATION -- COLLABORATE WITH THEM.

FOR EXAMPLE, MIAMI-DADE, ONE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ROLES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LIAISONS WITH THE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AND QUASI GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES.

I WAS UP LATE READING THIS WORD FOR WORD.

I WAS STRUCK TO THE EXTEND ANOTHER -- EXTENT ANOTHER FIRM IDENTIFIED THIS 20 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE A CHANGING POPULATION. WE HAVE MASSIVE CHALLENGES.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IF THE COUNTY WANTS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.

>> JUDGE, I AM STILL ON. LIANGS -- THANKS, LUCINDA AND

[08:15:10]

I KNOW YOU ARE ABOUT TO START A PRESENTATION.

I WILL GO THROUGH IT RATHER QUICKLY AND IF FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS, QUITE CANDIDLY, JUDGE HIDALGO, I THINK YOU HIT MOST OF MY TALKING POINTS, BUT I WILL PROBABLY DEFER TO THE NEXT ONE. A BIT OF CONTEXT THROUGH THIS. WE WERE HOUSED IN ADDITION TO DOING THIS FINAL REPORT. THIS IS REALLY THE CULMINATION OF A SERIES OF REPORTS WE HAD DONE OVER A ONE-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME. LOOKING AT 10 DEPARTMENTS AND REALLY 11 BECAUSE WE TREATED HUMAN RESOURCES SEPARATELY FROM THE REST OF BMD. ACROSS THE DIFFERENT PRELIMINARY REPORTS AND SUMMARY REPORTS WE HAD A TOTAL OF 150 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDED 220 ACTION STEPS.

WE WERE GRATIFIED TO HEAR SOME OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATION THIS MORNING A NUMBER OF REFERENCES TO SOME OF THAT -- TO SOME OF THAT WORK. WE WERE PROUD TO WRK -- TO WORK WITH ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

THE PURPOSE OF THE FINAL REPORT WHICH I WILL TRY AND TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THIS EVENING WAS REALLY THREE FOLD. THE FINAL REPORT TRIES TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF WHAT WE SAW AS SOME OF THE HIGHEST IMPACT RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE REALLY ARE AT THE DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL. AND THERE IS A SERIES OF CROSS CUTTING THEMES THAT GO TO CHALLENGEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES. AND TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT'S WE TRY TO LAYOUT A PATH FORWARD.

TO THE NEXT SCREEN. I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE DOWN THE LIST OF THESE 9 KEY FINDINGS.

I TRIED TO BOIL THEM DOWN TO THE FOUR BIG POINTS WE TRIED TO ADDRESS AND SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE SHARED IN THE REPORT, AND THEN I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT TONIGHT.

THE FIRST IS THAT THERE ARE STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT FACE THE COUNTY AND THE IMPACT OF EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS ISSUES. I THINK THE JUDGE REFERRED TO SOME OF THEM AS A LIMITATION OF POWERS.

THE SECOND BIG ISSUE, AND IT IS AN AREA WHERE I KNOW THE COUNTY IS ALREADY MOVING TOWARD IN A DIFFERENT AND BETTER DIRECTION IS AROUND THE USE OF DATA.

THE ABSENCE OF A DATA-DRIVEN GOVERNMENT IS WHAT WE SAW AS LEADING TO SOME OF THE GAPS IN STRATEGIC APPROACH ISSUES AND MORE OF A RELIANCE ON AD-HOC DECISION MAKING AND IN THE DEPARTMENTS WE WERE LOOKING AT.

THE THIRD IS AROUND ISSUES OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. FOURTH AND REALLY SPEAKING TO WHAT THE JUDGE HIGHLIGHTED AND WHAT I THINK WE HIGHLIGHTED FROM DAY ONE TO OUR WORK WITH THE COUNTY WHICH IS SORT OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND COLLABORATION.

USUALLY FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND USUALLY TRYING TO TELL CLIENTS WE WORK WITH AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL THAT BETTER COORDINATION AND BETTER COLLABORATION IS OFTENTIMES THE BEST AND LEAST COSTLY WAY OF ADDRESSING CERTAIN PROBLEMS. IT IS ALSO REALLY HARD BECAUSE IT INVOLVES GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND IT REQUIRES A LOT OF DELIBERATE EFFORT. IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. ONE OF THE NEIGHBOR PROPOSALS, MOST OF THE COURT HAS AN IDEA OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT DALLAS COUNTY HAS AND SORT OF THE COUNTY MANAGER FUNCTION IN BEXAR COUNTY.

THE IDEA IS THAT DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT CURRENTLY REPORT THE 20 OR SO DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT RMENT -- THAT REPORT INDEPENDENTLY WOULD REPORT THROUGH A STRUCTURE OF DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS WHO WOULD REPORT TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. WE PROPOSE FOUR DEPUTY COUNTY

[08:20:02]

ADMINISTRATORS WITH THE IDEA BEING THAT THE FOUR WE FOCUS ON ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GOALS.

THE COURT-APPROVED -- THE COURT APPROVED THEM LAST YEAR. A SECOND STRUCTURAL ISSUE THAT GETS TOWARD EFFICIENCY, AGAIN ONE WHERE THERE IS PROGRESS MADE AND IN SEEING SOME OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATION THIS MORNING IS REALLY SORT OF TRANSFORMING THE BMD TO MORE OF AN OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WITH A REALLY STRONG FOCUS AROUND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND PERFORMANCE REPORTING. SPINNING OFF BY THE WAY THE DHR FUNCTION AND LOOKING ACROSS OTHER LARGE COUNTIES, HARRIS CON SEE IS RATHER UNIQUE IN NOT HAVING A SEPARATE HR FUNCTIONING. LUCINDA, YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE. SORT OF THREE STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT ARE MORE AT THE DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL AND WORTH FOCUSING ON. WE CAN GO A LITTLE OUT OF ORDER TO THIS IDEA OF MORE OF A GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. LOTS OF THE BENCHMARKS WE LOOKED AT FOR PURE COMPARISON HAVE A CENTRAL SUPPORT DEFERMENT THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS UNIQUE IN THE FLEET WITH THE CIO FUNCTION. WE THINK THERE IS A LOT OF VALUE IN TAKING PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND INTEGRATING THAT TO A LARGER GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS WELL.

WE LOOK TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT AT CSD AND WE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE VALUE BOTH TO FLATTEN SOME OF THE REPORTING. SO AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT CSD AND UNDER DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS THERE ARE ABOUT 13 DIFFERENT PEOPLE REPORTING TO THE DIRECTOR AND THERE IS AN OVER -- AN OVER LAP IN DIFFERENT PIECES OF THE DEPARTMENT. STREAM LINING THAT AND REPURPOSING IT. WE DID NOT LOOK AT HARRIS HEALTH OR THE HARRIS CENTER, BUT WE SAW THERE WAS A VALUE IN POTENTIALLY THE ABILITY TO AVOID CERTAIN OVERLAPS AND SERVICES BY GREATER INTEGRATION OF THE COUNTY DRIVEN HEALTH AGENCIES. L.A. COUNTY HAS A GOOD MODEL.

IT WAS NOT A CONSOLIDATION. WE WOULD NEED TO LOOK AT HARRIS HEALTH AND HARRIS CENTER TO DO THAT.

AT THE LEAST AN INTEGRATION SO THEY ARE, WOULDING IN CONCERT. YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

WE THINK THE NATURAL OUT GROWTH OF THE WORK DONE BY THE COURT IS TO MOVE TOWARD A COUNTY WIDE LAND.

AND WHERE IT SEEMS YOU ARE HEADING NOW IS MORE OF AN OUTCOMES BASED BUDGET. THE STRATEGIC PLAN TO FURTHER HIGH PRESSURE -- HELP TO DRIVE SOME OF THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE IN THE SPHEUT -- IN THE FUTURE AND IN BUDGETING DECISIONS AND THERE IS A MORE STRATEGIC ENTERPRISE WIDE PERSPECTIVE.

WE THINK A COMPLEMENT IS ALSO TO DO MULTI-YEAR FINANCIAL PLANNING. WE KNOW THAT IS SOMETHING BASED ON WHAT WE SAW IN THE BUDGET PRESENTATION THIS MORNING THAT YOU ARE HEADED FOR.

NEXT SLIDE. AGAIN SORT OF THINK ABOUT ALL OF THESE LINING UP AROUND THE ISSUE OF BEING MORE STRATEGIC AND DEVELOPING AN INCLUSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. NOT AT ALL DIMINISHING THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSIONER THAT'S SET CAPITAL PRIORITY, BUT THE ABILITY TO INTEGRATE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS TO A SINGLE PLAN.

DOING THE SAME FOR CAPITAL SPENDING THAT WE SEE FOR

[08:25:02]

OUTCOMES AND THE MULTI-YEAR FINANCIAL PLANNING.

IN CONCERT WITH THE COUNTY-WIDE STRATEGIC PLAN, INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS DEVELOPING STRATEGIC PLANS THAT ALIGN. GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

SO OUR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAW AND WE REC COG -- RECOGNIZE AND UNDER THE VALUE THAT THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND THE COMMISSIONER'S ANALYST OFFICE, BUT LARGE COUNTY, MIAMI-DADE IN PARTICULAR, COOK COUNTY, HAVE HAVE AN SPECTER -- HAVE AN INSPECTOR GENERAL POSITION. IT IS MODELED ON THE ROLE THAT THE FEDERAL INSPECTOR GENERALS -- INSPECTORS GENERAL PLAY.

AND ALSO TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT THE AUTHORITY AND TO A CERTAIN DEGREE THE POWER OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. OBVIOUSLY THEY WOULD REPORT DIRECTLY -- THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS TO AND IS RESPONSIVE TO THE COURT. THE MORE DATA YOU HAVE AVAILABLE AND THE ABILITY TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT OVER THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CONTINUES TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS GETTING THE JOB DONE IN A WAY THE JOB NEEDS TO BE DONE.

ON THE TRANSPARENCY SIDE THE COROLLARY TO THE ISSUE AND THE LACK OF DATA WE TALKED ABOUT IS THERE ISN'T MUCH DATA THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. WE THINK THERE WILL BE A REAL VALUE IN CREATING A REAL OPEN DATA PORTAL AND AN OPEN DATA POLICY FOR HARRIS COUNTY. GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

SORT OF LAST AND TRYING TO CREATE MECHANISMS AND THERE IS A REAL VALUE IN DOING THAT AROUND RESILIENCY PARTICULARLY AS A FRAME AT ENGAGING AND SETTING CAPITAL PRY YOUR -- PRIORITIES BEYOND PROCESS IN THE INDIVIDUAL PRECINCTS AND CREATING A COUNTY WIDE HEALTH COUNCIL.

WE LOOK AT INTEGRATION STRUCTURE AS BEING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY ENTITIES CONNECTED TO THE COUNTY.

WE THINK THERE IS A COORDINATION VALUE THAT IS BRINGING TO THE TABLE NOT JUST COUNTY ENTITY -- ENTITIES, BUT THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AS A WAY OF TRYING TO ENGAGE ONE ANOTHER AND REACH SOLUTIONS PARTICULARLY AROUND SOME OF THE ISSUES AROUND SOCIAL DETERMINE NENS OF HEALTH. GO TO THE NEXT.

AND THEN -- I THINK THIS IS THE LAST SLIDE.

TWO OTHER AREAS AROUND COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION. WE HAVE SEEN OTHER LARGE GOVERNMENTS USE CYNERGYS IN WORKING WITH THE PHILANTHROPIC SECTOR AND REALLY PARTNERING ON THE DIFFERENTEN -- THE ENGAGEMENTS. I HEARD THAT AND EVEN AS I LISTENED TO YOU ALL TODAY I THINK YOU WILL SEE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS WE THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE IN THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WE MAY BE LOOKING AT.

THERE MAY BE A VALUE IN A CENTRALIZED FUNCTION IN THAT AS WELL. WE SUGGEST THAT COULD BE PART OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF IGA. AND THEN THE LAST SORT OF COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION RECOMMENDATION THAT WE HAVE IS WE HAVE -- WE ARE AWARE AND WE HIGHLIGHT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AREAS WHERE THERE ARE CITY FUNCTIONS WITHIN SOME OF THE MUNICIPALITIES AND WITHIN THE COUNTY.

THEY ARE PARALLEL FUNCTIONS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

IT IS AROUND THE COUNTRY AS A WAY OF INCREASING EFFICIENCY.

THE PROBLEM THEY FREQUENTLY RUN INTO IS THEY TEND TO BE PRETTY ADD HOCK -- AD-HOC. WHAT WE SEE WORK WELL HAS BEEN TRUE IN NEW YORK STATE AND IT IS TRUE IN CINCINNATI AND

[08:30:06]

HAMILTON COUNTY. MAKE THIS TO HELP WITH EFFICIENCIES AND GOVERNMENT SAVINGS.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE RAISED THIS IDEA IN A REPORT WE DID IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I KNOW THE CITY COUNCIL WITH THE SUPPORT OF MAYOR TURNER BASICALLY ADOPTED IT AS PART OF THEIR BUDGETING PROCESS. IT SEEMS YOU MAY HAVE ONE WILLING PARTNER TO DO SO. AGAIN WE DO THINK IT IS A WAY OF ACHIEVING SAVINGS. THE CALF -- THE CAVEOT IS THERE HAS -- CAVEAT IS THERE HAS TO BE CLEAR INTENTIONS WITH THE QUALITY AND THE LEVEL OF SERVICES YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. I BELIEVE THAT'S IT.

YEAH. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS

THAT FOLKS MAY HAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE AND DAVID, THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION. YOU DID GO OVER IT WITH ME ON ZOOM, I GUESS, SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

ON THE OLDER VERSION YOU HAD THREE POINTS UNDER THE KEY FINDINGS. ONE WAS THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS THAT FOCUS ON ROADS AND DRAINAGE THAT LEFT OTHER RESOURCES UNDER FOCUSED. IT HAS LEFT SO MANY PEOPLE BE -- BEHIND. THEY ARE CLOSE TO HAVING FIVE MILLION PEOPLE HERE IN SUCH A DIVERSE POPULATION AND SUCH A YOUNG POPULATION. THE OTHER ONE WAS A LITTLE USE OF DATA FOR MANAGEMENT. AND I THINK IT TIES IN WITH THE NEXT ONE. CLAIMS OF BEST PRACTICES AND EXCEPTIONALISM. WE ALL WANT TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE DO IS THE BEST. WHEN WE DON'T MESH, IT FEEDS INTO THE BRAVADO WHICH IS TEXAS SPIRIT ETD IN SO MANY -- SPIRITED IN SO MANY WAYS THAT THE DATA IS IMPORTANT.

AND SOME OF THE INFORMATION YOU WENT THROUGH BEFORE, YOU MADE REFERENCE TO HOW YOUTHFUL OUR POPULATION IS AND THE NEED TO FOCUS ON -- I THINK YOU CALLED FOR SOME SORT OF A -- WAS IT A COMMISSION ON YOUTH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> IT IS BASICALLY ACCOUNTS ON YOUTH TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES.

THAT'S RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: UNLIKE SO MANY OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, THAT'S PART OF OUR STRENGTH. MOST PLACES ON THE GLOBE AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE A YOUTHFUL POPULATION COMING BEHIND THEM, AND THAT IS AN ASSET. AS IS THE CASE THE NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH WITH YOUTHFUL POPULATIONS.

I THINK IT IS THOUGHT WILL -- THOUGHTFUL AND IT WAS WELL WORTH IT AND I AM GLAD THAT FOR THE MOST PART OUR STAKEHOLDERS WERE COOPERATING.

THERE WAS MAYBE SOME MISS COMMUNICATION AND I HOPE THAT CAN BE STRAIGHTENED UP FROM THE DISCUSSION THIS MORNING.

THERE ARE OTHER AREAS YOU ARE LOOKING AT AS WELL.

I AM SUPPORTIVE THAT MAYBE SOME THINGS MY TEAM MAY HAVE SUGGESTIONS AROUND THE MARGINS, BUT I THINK IT IS THOUGHT PROVOKING. I THINK IT IS HIGH TIME.

THAT WE MOVE FORWARD AND I WOULD BE PREPARED TO DO THAT

AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DAVE. APPRECIATE THE UPDATE.

YOU SPENT PROBABLY MORE TIME WITH ME THAN ANTICIPATED.

THANK YOU. IT IS MUCH APPRECIATED.

IT IS INTERESTING. I KIND OF IDENTIFIED THE SAME AREAS THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS TARGETED.

I HAVE A LITTLE DIFFERENT TAKE.

WHEN WE SAY THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN WE FOCUS TOO MUCH ON INFRASTRUCTURE, I WOULD THINK THAT WAS A GOOD THING AND THAT WE WANT TO BUILD ON. I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE WOULD SAY THAT'S NOT BAD.

THAT'S GOOD. THERE'S OTHER THINGS WE COULD DO AND SHOULD DO, BUT BECAUSE WE DID A GOOD JOB MAYBE ON

[08:35:06]

INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT I WOULD SAY EVEN ON THE EBBING WITH YOU -- ON THE EQUITY SIDE OF THINGS AND I ASKED THIS FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS, WHY IS IT I CAN GO INTO SOME NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEY HAVE BAR DITCHES AND THE STREETS ARE THE PITS AND CRIME IS GOING OUT THE ROOF.

WHY IS THAT WHEN I GO TO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEY ARE JUST FINE? I DO THINK INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS. I THINK THERE HAS BEEN BAD CHOICES MADE IN THE PAST ON WHERE THE INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN BUILT. THAT'S A BIT OF THE -- THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUS IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING.

WE CAN DO THAT. WE CAN DO INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER THINGS. I THINK THAT WOULD BE -- I TALK TO PEOPLE EVERY DAY THAT MANAGE USING DATA.

I TAKE EXCEPTION TO WE DON'T USE ANY DATA WHEN DOING MANAGEMENT. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE OTHER PRECINCTS OPERATE, BUT I DO VERY LITTLE WITHOUT KNOWING THE NUMBERS. I ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND I GET A LOT OF ANSWERS. I WANT TO GIVE EVERYBODY ELSE TIME, BUT MY ONE CONCERN IS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND I HAVE ONLY WORKED WITH 20 COUNTIES IN TEXAS, AND IT IS NOT A STICK IN THE MUD IN TERMS OF I CAN ONLY THINK -- I THINK THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX IS GREAT.

I SEE A LOT OF WONDERFUL IDEAS WE NEED TO INCORPORATE.

JUST BE REAL CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T CREATE A BUREAUCRACY WHERE WE CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE.

I'M SORRY. I'M GONNA THROW ONE OUT THERE. IT IS JUST AN EXAMPLE.

THE BIGGEST EXAMPLE OF A BAD BUREAUCRACY I CAN THINK OF IS TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS. IT IS HARD TO PAY THE -- PAVE THE ROAD. IT IS HARD TO FILL A POTHOLE.

PLEASE LET'S NOT GO DOWN THAT ROAD OF CREATING A BUREAUCRACY WHERE WE CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE IN THE PRECINCTS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND FOUR DEPUTIES. WITH THAT EXPRESSED CONCERN, I'M SURE WE CAN BE SMART ABOUT IT, THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AS EACH PRECINCT DOES, BUT WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN NOT CREATING A BUREAUCRACY.

THANK YOU, DAVID. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT IT'S VERY GOOD.

THIS REPORT ALONG WITH THE 3/1/1 INITIATIVE THAT WAS STARTED I THINK IN JANUARY OF 2019.

I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT IS IMPORTANT WORK AND GOOD WORK. I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT AND THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE. I'M PROBABLY SOLD ON MOST OF THE REPORT. I DO HAVE QUESTIONS ON SOME OF IT, BUT I THINK IF WE CAN GET A LOT OF THIS DONE IT WILL BE TRULY TRANSFORM -- TRANSFORMATIVE FOR HOW COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAN SERVE THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN AROUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND WASN'T UNTIL I CAME INTO SHERIFF THAT I GOT AN UNDERSTANDING OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT. A LOT OF IT IS TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE. THERE IS TALK TO THIS COMMISSIONER OR TALK TO THIS DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR OR TALK TO THAT ELECTED OFFICIAL. THAT WAS A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED COUNTY GOVERNMENT AT THE TIME.

LET'S JUST ASSUME IT WAS NOT POLITICS, BUT IMAGINE WHAT A CITIZEN GOES THROUGH. IMAGINE SOMEBODY WHO IS SIMPLY TRYING TO BUILD A SHED ON THEIR PROPERTY AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHO -- WHOSE DEPARTMENT THEY HAVE TO FILE IT IN AND HOW TO GET SOMETHING FIXED. I MEAN, I GET CALLS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. A LOT OF WHAT I GET IS NOT JUST IN PRECINCT 2. I DON'T HAND IT OFF TO ANYBODY AND SAY THAT IS YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

GO AND CALL THEM. I TRY TO BE HELPFUL.

AND EVEN SOME THINGS NOT IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THAT'S HOW GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE, MORE CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED. BY GETTING SOME OF THESE

[08:40:02]

THINGS DONE WE WILL BE ABLE TO BETTER SERVE THE CITIZENS.

WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

I AM GLAD TO SEE THE WORK DONE AND APPLAUD YOU FOR SHEPHERDING THE REPORT AND THE STUDY, JUDGE.

I STILL HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, BUT I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD

FOR MANY OF OUR CITIZENS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE FOUR QUICK LITTLE POINTS. THE FIRST OF WHICH IS AS WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THIS CONCEPT OF MISPLACED EXCEPTIONALISM.

THE PHRASE IS ONE WE HEAR A LOT BECAUSE WE ARE BEING COMPARED TO CHICAGO, MIME -- MIAMI, NEW YORK AND L.A.

WE ARE TOLD THAT THOSE ARE THE BEST PLACES AND WE'RE NOT.

I WOULD ARGUE THAT, JUDGE, THERE IS A MISPLACED EXCEPTIONALISM FOR PLACING THOSE CITIES, THOSE REGIONS AND THOSE COUNTIES AS BEING THE BEST PRACTICES.

I DON'T WANT THE CHICAGO CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

PEOPLE ARE MOVING FROM NEW YORK AND FROM CALIFORNIA TO COME HERE BECAUSE OF OUR THRIVING ECONOMY, AND BECAUSE OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE.

I THINK SOME OF ALL OF THOSE GOOD THINGS IS THE FACT THAT WE DO FOCUS ON THE BASICS WHICH GOES TO SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY JUST POINTED OUT A FEW MOMENTS AGO IN TERMS OF IT IS NOT BAD THAT WE ARE GOOD IN THE BASICS.

KATY JUST WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

PART OF THE WINNING OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP I'M SURE IS BECAUSE THE COACH FOCUSED ON THE BASICS OF BLOCKING AND TACKLING. SURE THEY HAD A LOT OF GREAT PLAYS AND SURE THEY DID A LOT OF GREAT THINGS.

SOMETIMES IN ORDER FOR YOU TO EXCEL IN THE OTHER STUFF YOU HAVE TO EXCEL IN THE BASICS. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO BE THE DOG CATCHER. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FILL THE POTHOLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THE PARK'S BATHROOMS ARE CLEAN. WE DO THAT, AND I DO THAT WITH PRIDE. THE BASICS ARE NOT BAD.

ON TOP OF THE BASICS MAYBE THERE ARE THINGS WE SHOULD DO OR MAYBE THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT OTHERS SHOULD DO, AND I OFTENTIMES DISAGREE WITH US WANTING TO MOVE INTO OTHER AREAS THAT I THINK ARE THE PER VIEW OF THE EDGE -- EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OR THE PER VIEW OF ONE OF OUR CITIES.

IT WOULD BE THE PER VIEW OF ONE OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE AROUND US. AND IT IS OUR JOB TO DO THE BASICS AND PROVIDE THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OTHERS TO PERFORM THEM. WITH REGARD TO THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID IT A LITTLE MORE ELOQUENTLY, BUT A GOOD ROAD THAT DOES NOT DAMAGE YOUR CAR AND THAT ALLOWS YOU TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK IS A GREAT ECONOMIC EQUALIZER. IF YOU WANT TOKES -- FOLKS THAT CAN WORK AND CAN GET TO THE DOCTOR AND GET TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED, THEY NEED TO HAVE GOOD, CLEAN ROADS.

IF YOU ARE POOR, AND YOU'VE GOT BAD ROADS AND THAT ROAD CAUSES YOU TO BLOWOUT A TIRE, IF ARE YOU POOR, A BLOWN OUT TIRE IS A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE.

TO THE WEALTHY, IT IS A BLIP ON THE RADAR.

BUT TO THOSE WHO STRUGGLE TO PUT PENNIES TOGETHER, AND I HAVE HAD PERIODS IN MY LIFE WHERE I STRUGGLED TO PUT PENNIES TOGETHER AND I WAS ON A TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGHT BUDGET.

AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS WHEN YOUR BUDGET IS BLOWN FROM A BLOWN TIRE. THERE WAS A TIME I WAS NEWLY MARRIED AND I -- AND WE HAD A POT OF BEANS AND WE ATE IT FOR 30 DAYS AND I SAID, HONEY, WE HAVE TO THROW OUT THE POT OF BEANS. YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE AT TIMES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING TO SCRAPE TOGETHER.

FOR US TO FOCUS ON THE BASICS IS NOT BAD.

IT IS NOT A MISPLACED EXCEPTIONALISM THAT WE ARE GOOD AT TAKING CARE OF THE BASICS.

THOSE BASICS ARE ALSO WHAT UH WILL YOU -- ALLOWED US TO BE IN THE SPOT WHERE WE HAVE THE GREAT BOND RATINGS WE NOW ENJOY. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE THIRD THING AND THE THIRD B IS BUREAUCRACY.

THAN OF THE THINGS COMMISSION -- ONE OF THE THINGS COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID IS FOLKS NEED TO COME TO THIS TABLE WITH THEIR BUDGETS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID GOOD AND WHAT WE DID WELL LAST WEEK, WE TRIED TO HAVE EVERYONE COME AND SAY WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO? BEFORE WE HAVE THE -- WE CHANGED THE LANGUAGE SINCE WE HAVE SOME YOUNGER FOLKS NEIGHBORHOOD IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT, BUT BEFORE WE USES THE

[08:45:02]

PHRASES OF MEASURABLE METRICS AND SAID WHAT BANG DO WE GET FOR THIS BUCK, OR WHAT DO WE GET FOR THIS DOLLAR? I KNOW IT IS OLD AND ARCHAIC LANGE -- LANGUAGE.

LANGUAGE IN THE BUSINESS WORLD , BUT IT IS OUT THERE AND IT IS WHAT THEY TAUGHT ME WHEN I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL AND IN THAT SMALL SCHOOL OFF SOUTH MAIN WHERE WE TALK ABOUT WHAT DO YOU GET FOR THIS DOLLAR? VALUE ADDED INVESTMENTS.

NOW WE USE MEASURABLE METRICS AND OUTCOMES.

IT IS A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE, BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN A DIFFERENT CONCEPT. WE ALWAYS WANT TO KNOW WHAT DO WE GET FOR THIS DOLLAR OF THE TAXPAYER THAT'S THEY HAD TO EARN FOR US TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF REINVESTING BACK IN THE COMMUNITIES. ADDING TO THAT A WHOLE NEW LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY IS NOT GOING TO ADD TO YOUR EFFICIENCY. IF ANYTHING, ADDING LAYERS OF BUREAUCRACY WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT WE NOW SAY ARE THE PROPERLY PLACED EXCEPTIONALISM OF NEW YORK, CHICAGO, DETROIT AND CALIFORNIA, I THINK THOSE ARE MODELS OF WHAT WE DON'T WANT OR EVEN CLOSER AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID OUR NEIGHBOR NEXT TO US. BUREAUCRACY DOES NOT ADD TO EFFICIENCY. IT ADDS TO POWER, BUT IT DOESN'T ADD TO EFFICIENCY. I THINK THE FACT THAT WE ARE LEAN AND MEAN IN THE COUNTY AND WHEN WE WANT TO BUILD A ROAD WE CAN NORMALLY DO IT IN 27 MONTHS OR 36 MONTHS.

WHEN HOUSTON WANTS TO BUILD A ROAD, THEY CAN'T EVEN PICK WHO THEIR CONSULTANTS ARE UNTIL THEY ARE INTO TWO YEARS OF PROCESSING. WE HAVE DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

ISSUE WHERE SMALL AND LARGE COME TO US.

I THINK THE LACK OF A BIG BUREAUCRACY IS A BENEFIT AND A GOOD THING AND NOT A BAD THING.

AND THEN THE LAST THING, JUDGE -- AND FPM DID ELUDE TO THE CONCEPT OF DEMOCRACY AND I I WOULD SAY IT IS THE FOURTH B WHICH IS THE BALLOT BOX. IF I'M NOT DOING A GOOD JOB IN PRECINCT 4, THEY WILL VOTE ME OUT.

IF I DON'T TAKE CARE OF THE BASICS OF MAKE -- MAKING SURE THE DOG CATCHER IS PICKING UP THE DOGS AND THAT THE DRAINAGE DITCHES ARE CLEAR, THAT I'M NOT GETTING OUT THERE AND MAKING SURE THE POTHOLES ARE FIXED OR THE PARK BATHROOMS ARE CLEAN I WILL BE THROWN OUT OF OFFICE.

I HAVE ULTIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE VOTER.

WHEN WE CREATE A BUREAUCRACY THAT IS -- UN DASH DARR UNACCOUNTABLE TO ANYBODY WE DON'T DO ANY JUSTICE TO THOSE WHO ARE UNACCOUNTABLE AT THE BALLOT BOX.

JUDGE, THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD IDEAS IN THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PAGES IN THIS REPORT. I AM NOT GOING TO SAY THAT THE REPORT IS BAD, BUT WITH REGARD TO THOSE FOUR AREAS I TAKE DISAGREEMENT AND I THINK THE MISPLACED EXCEPTIONALISM PERHAPS IS THAT WE ARE MISPLACING EXSEMSALLISM ON WHERE WE -- EXCEPTIONALISM OF WHERE WE ARE BEING COMPARED TO. SOMETIMES THE BEST PRACTICES WE HAVE HERE WE JUST CALL IT A DIFFERENT NAME.

THREE BUREAUCRACY IS BAD AND FOUR, THE BALLOT BOX IS GOOD.

THOSE ARE MY FOUR B'S JUDGE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I DO THINK IT IS EASY FOR. I THINK IT WOULD BE EASY FOR THE REPORT TO BE TAKEN AS A PUT DOWN OF SORTS.

IT IS REALLY NOT. ONE OF THE THINGS THE REPORT DID PUT DOWN AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT PAGE IT IS ON, BUT I REMEMBER READING THAT THEY FOUND AFTERNOON EXTREMELY -- AN EXTREMELY TALENTED WORKFORCE.

WE KNOW THAT. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DOING THINGS WRONG. IT JUST MEANS THAT YOU GET SO CAUGHT UP THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO STEP BACK AND ASK ARE WE PEDDALING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OR DID THE TIDES CHANGE AND DID WE FORGET TO ADJUST? I DID WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

AS I CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR WHAT IS IN HERE AND DISCUSSING WITH -- AT THE STAFF LEVEL AS TO HOW WE CAN ADOPT SOME OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT I DON'T WANT IT TO COME ACROSS AS WE ARE PUTTING ANYBODY DOWN. I DO THINK TO THE POINT ABOUT THE BASICS, CERTAINLY I AM NOT SAYING DON'T DO THE BASICS AND NOW DO SOMETHING ELSE. I THINK IT IS GREAT THAT OUR

[08:50:02]

PUBLIC WORKS IS -- WORKS WELL AND THEY HAVE A TRIPLE-A BOND RATING AND WE CAN BUILD THINGS MORE EFFICIENTLY.

I DO THINK IT IS PROBLEMATIC AND I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS EFFICIENT THAT YOU CAN'T GO AND EASILY FIND A CONSISTENT WEBSITE SOMEWHERE THAT -- YOU KNOW, ALL THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE CAN SEE WHAT METRICS THE DEPARTMENTS ARE RELYING ON.

THEY WEREN'T TELLING US WHEN WE GOT HERE.

THERE ARE SO MANY AREAS -- MY LOW HANGING FRUIT POINT, THEY ARE BASICS. THEY ARE BASICS OF GOVERNMENTY SISHT SEE. GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO TAKE OVER THE JAIL.

YOU ARE TALKING TO THE OTHER DEPARTMENT.

I THINK WE CAN BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AT SETTING A STRATEGIC DIRECTOR HEED AD EFFICIENCY.

THERE IS A WORLD WE HAVE GONE TOO FAR AND GONE TOO FAR IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THERE IS A BUREAUCRATIC MESS. WE ARE TRYING TO BE MORE EFFICIENT BY BRINGING IN JIM TO GET THESE FOLKS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER.

WE ARE TOO FAR THIS WAY AND WE HAVE -- AND I DON'T WANT YOU -- I WOULD ASK DAVID WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT PLACES OF BEST PRACTICES. I MEAN THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO PRESERVE, BUT THERE IS A REASON THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THESE LESSONS WHERE THEY ARE BEST PRACTICES.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DID WANT TO JUST SAY THAT DAVID DID NOT USE THE TERM MISPLACED EXCEPTIONALISM. THAT THAT WAS MY SUMMARY.

WHAT HE SAID ON PAGE 5 OF THE OLDER SUMMARY I GOT IS THERE IS LITTLE USE OF DATA FOR MANAGEMENT FOR BEST PRACTICES AND EXCEPTIONALISM ARE UNSUPPORTED BY DATA.

IT IS NOT FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES.

THEY ARE MAKING AN EXAMPLE OF THE DISPARITY STUDY, FOR EXAMPLE. WHEN I GOT HERE THE COURT SAID ALL MY COLLEAGUES THAT THEY HAD A BETTER RECORD OF DOING BUSINESS WITH MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES.

AND IN FACT BRAGGED ABOUT HOW YOU DON'T NEED A BIG BURE -- BURE ROCK WRAW -- BUREAUCRACY.

PEOPLE JUST DO THE SAME THING.

THERE WAS NO DATA TO SUPPORT IT.

IT IS NOT COMPARING US TO COOK COUNTY OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

IT IS JUST MAKING A POINT AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT

POINT. >> CAN YOU JUMP IN HERE? THERE ARE A LOT OF VALID POINTS.

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, LET ME SAY TWO THINGS.

I THINK ONE IS MYTHOLOGICAL AND ONE GOES TO SCOPE.

IMENT TO SAY -- I MEANT TO SAY IN THE REPORT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE ARE MAKING FINDINGS WITH REGARD TO THE COUNTY IT IS BASED ON THE DEPARTMENTS WE LOOKED AT AND WE CAN'T LOOK AT THE OPERATIONS OF ANY OF THE PRECINCTS.

THAT IS THE SCOPE POINT. WE TRIED TO RELY ON BOTH A BENCHMARK COMPARISON AND A BEST PRACTICES ANALYSIS.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

FOR THE PURPOSE OF BENCHMARKING, COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS RIGHT AND WE LOOKED AT OTHER LARGE COUNTIES.

WE LOOKED AT MIAMI-DADE AND LOS ANGELES AND COOK AND DALLAS COUNTIES. I BELIEVE BE -- AND BEXAR

[08:55:04]

COUNTY AS WELL. THERE IS A SET OF COUNTIES FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES. WE LOOKED AT THE BEST PRACTICES BASED ON THE ACADEMICS LOOKING AT RESULTS OR COMMON SOURCES IN TERMS OF THINGS THAT NICO LOOKS AT ACROSS DIFFERENT COUNTIES AS WELL.

JUST BECAUSE A BENCHMARK COUNTY IS DOING A GREAT THING, OR IF IT IS A GREAT THING IT IS APPLICABLE TO ANOTHER.

WE THINK THAT BENCHMARKING IS INFORMATIVE EVEN IF IT IS NOT

POSITIVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO YOU ARE SAYING THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS CERTAIN COUNTIES ARE DOING THAT YOU DON'T RECOMMEND BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GREAT THINGS. BUT THERE ARE THINGS THEY ARE DOING RIGHT LIKE WE MAY HAVE OUR PRY YOUR -- PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK OR VOTING OR WHATEVER IT IS BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT WE DO WELL. ONE THING WE LEARNED THAT NACO AND RESEARCH AND THE OBSERVATIONS DO WELL IS A STRUCTURE THAT ENCOURAGES COORDINATION.

BUT WE WOULDN'T WANT THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S PUBLIC WORKS.

>> AGAIN, IT IS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN BRCH -- BENCHMARKING AND BEST PRACTICES. FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE IN BUDGET MANAGEMENT, THE DMV SUMMARY REPORT AND SOME OF WHICH ARE IN THE FRONTAL REPORT AS WELL ARE NOT BASED SOLELY ON WHAT ANY OF THE BENCHMARK JURY TICKS -- JURISDICTIONS ARE DOING.

IT IS BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND NACO AND OTHER GROUPS LIKE THAT THAT REALLY TRY AND SET IF NOT NATIONAL STANDARDS, BUT AT LEAST IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES IN PARTICULAR AREAS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WAS CORRECTED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ABOUT THE PHRASE MISPLACED EXCEPTIONALISM.

ON PAGE 14 OF THE REPORT IT SAYS THIS MISPLACED SENSE OF EXCEPTIONALISM. MY TEAM PULLED THAT UP FOR ME. I WAS GOING TO BE CORRECTIVE, BUT I WILL PUT THAT CORRECTION BACK.

THAT WAS IN THE FINAL REPORT, PAGE 14.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DAVID, DO YOU WANT TO CLARIFY WHAT THAT MEANS? I DON'T SEE WHY WE NEED TO TAKE THAT AS A POINT OF OFFENSE.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE, YOU KNOW, -- I JUST FEEL LIKE I AM MISSING SOMETHING. WHAT WERE YOU GETTING AT WITH

THAT, DAVID? >> IT IS A DATA POINT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE ASKED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS WAS TO IDENTIFY WHEN HARRIS COUNTY IS ACTUALLY ENGAGED IN BEST PRACTICES. AND I THINK IN THE FINAL REPORT WE DETAIL A COUPLE OF AREAS WHERE THAT IS TRUE.

WHAT WE FREQUENTLY FOUND WAS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WOULD PUT FORWARD IDEAS THEY SAW AS BEST PRACTICES, BUT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF DATA AND THE LACK OF EVALUATION THERE REALLY WASN'T SUPPORT FOR IT.

IT IS MORE POINTED AT THE LACK OF DATA THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S THE WAY I TOOK.

IT WHEN I SAW THE DATA REFERENCE -- THAT'S THE WAY I TOOK IT. WHEN I SAW THE DATA REFERENCE I THOUGHT I COINED THE PHRASE.

IT MAKES SENSE. IF ONE'S SKIN IS SO THIN, I WOULDN'T TAKE THAT AS A CRITICISM.

I MEAN, CLEARLY THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN POINT TO THAT FOLKS LOOK TO US AS A MODEL, BUT WE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT BASED ON DATA AND NOT GUESSWORK.

WHICH IS WHY I MAKE THE REFERENCE TO THE DISPARITY STUDY. CACTUS, YOU WERE HERE.

IN FACT, WHEN I ASK THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WHERE IS HE GETTING THE DATA FROM? I SAY WHERE IS IT? LET'S PUT IT OUT. IT OUGHT TO BE BASED ON DREY -- DATA THAT IS TRANSPARENT.

WHEN WE CAN WE OUGHT TO TRY NOT TO DISAGREE ON A SET OF FACTS. MAYBE THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO GET IT FROM SOMEBODY ELSE.

AT LEAST WE CAN AGREE ON WHAT THE DATA IS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO FOLKS HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS FOR DAVID?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DAVID, THANK YOU.

YOU DID A GOOD JOB. I FORGOT YOUR BACKGROUND, BUT IT IS NOT EASY TO WALK INTO CITIES AND COUNTIES AND SCHOOL

[09:00:02]

DISTRICTS AND LOOK AT SOMEBODY'S SYSTEM AND SAY, HEY, BASED ON THE RESEARCH AND WHAT WE SEE AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE AGO DEEM MAKE DATA -- AND THE ACADEMIC DATA, HERE ARE THINGS YOU SHOULD CHANGE. I APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR.

IT IS NOT AN EASY THING TO DO, BUT IT IS NEEDED.

>> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DON'T UH -- APPLY FOR ADMINISTRATOR THOUGH.

>> NO, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND TO YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR WORK AND -- IN

THE PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IT FOR MY AGENDA ITEMS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I HAD THE RESOLUTION HONORING MS. SPRINGER.

THERE IS AN ITEM RELATED TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR A MURAL TO HONOR GEORGE FLOYD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT. IT IS OVER BY JACK YATES HIGH SCHOOL. THE OTHER IS A REQUEST OF THE BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. THE LAST ONE IS SIMPLY IN LINE WITH WHAT YOU HAD EARLIER. IT SIMPLY CALLS FOR LETTING EVOLVE HOUSTON DO A FREE ASSESSMENT -- AN ELECTION ASSESSMENT. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE RESULTS, DON'T TAKE IT. THE COURT HAS MADE TREMENDOUS STRIDES. MANY UNDER COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S LEADERSHIP ON ADDRESSING THE MITIGATING AIR POLLUTION AND REEVALUATING THE ENERGY PROCUREMENT AND INCORPORATE ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY AND BEGINNING THE TRANSMISSION TO SUSTAINABLE VEHICLES.

IT HAS BEEN A PIECE -- PIECEMEAL EFFORT.

SOME OF US ARE DOING MORE THAN OTHERS.

I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE BUILDING IN THE COUNTY.

THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION HAS VOWED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE. I THINK WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES IF WE CHOOSE TO EQUIP OURSELVES WITH THE DATA NEEDED AND BEGIN A TRANSITION TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FLEET. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL COST, BUT OTHER FOLKS IN OUR REGION HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE STUDY. I DON'T SEE IT IN MY NOTES, BUT I THINK HOUSTON AND FORT BEND COUNTY -- YEAH.

CITY OF HOUSTON AND FORT BEND COUNTY ARE ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY. THEY SAY IF WE DON'T LIKE IT.

WE DON'T DO IT. I SIT AROUND AND I TALK TO MR. BERRY ABOUT THIS. IN HIS PREVIOUS LIFE HE HAD A LITTLE EXPERIENCE IN THIS PHASE.

I MOVE THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES, BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PREPARE A REPORT ON THE FEASIBILITY, TIMELINE AND COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF TRANSITIONING THE COUNTY FLEET TO ELECTRIC, HYBRID OR OTHER GREEN VEHICLES, AND THAT THE COUNTY PARTICIPATE IN THE FLEET ELECTION CASE ASSESSMENT SPONSORED BY EVOLVE USE.

IF WE DON'T LIKE IT, WE JUST DON'T DO IT.

I WAS TEMPTED TO ADD IT TO THE PREVIOUS MOTION, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO CONFUSE US. THAT'S MY MOTION.

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

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH EVOLVE HOUSTON.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHO THEY ARE AND WHY THEY ARE ASKING

THEM TO DO THIS STUDY? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW IT IS A 501C3 THAT HAS -- EVOLVE HOUSTON IS A 501C3 NONPROFIT AND HAS EXPRESS INTEREST IN CONDUCTING UH MESS -- ASSESSMENTS AT NO COST TO HARRIS COUNTY AND WILL BE PRESENTED AS A GIFT IN FURTHERANCE OF THE MISSION TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THROUGH ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE BASED OR HAVE I MET THE

CEO, I HAVE NOT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHERE ARE

THEY FROM? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE NO IDEA. I COULD GOOGLE IT, BUT I HAVE

NO IDEA. >> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ADD A

FEW MORE DETAILS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR.

>> EVERYTHING YOU SAID IS CORRECT.

THEY ARE BASED IN HOUSTON. THEY ARE FOUNDING MEMBERS INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND CENTER POINT AND SHELL AND NRG. THEY ARE SPONSORING -- THEY ARE PAYING FOR THE IQ TO DO THE STUDY.

YOU STATED CORRECTLY THAT FORT BEND IS PARTICIPATING IN IT.

I THINK THE HEART OF IT IS WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE? WHAT WOULD IT COST? WHEN DOES IT MAKE SENSE AND WHERE DOES IT MAKE SENSE? I VIEW THIS AS SOMETHING THAT

CAN GO INTO THE DECISION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SINCE I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THESE PEOPLE BEFORE AND DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO

[09:05:03]

DO DUE DILIGENCE AND THIS WAS JUST HANDED TO ME WHEN YOU MADE THE MOTION, WOULD YOU ACCEPT AS A POSSIBLE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE AUTHORIZE UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND THE RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO UTILIZE EVOLVE HOUSTON IF AFTER THEY HAVE DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING SO?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULD YOU SAY IT AGAIN?

IT SOUNDS REASONABLE TO ME. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LET'S LET THE FIRST GROUP GIVE THEM THE AUTHORITY TO UTILIZE THE EVOLVE HOUSTON SERVICES AFTER THEY HAVE DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE. LET THEM CHECK OUT EVOLVE HOUSTON. IT IS AFTER UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAVE DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE.

I DON'T WANT US TO VOTE TO USE SOMEBODY THAT HAS NOT BEEN VETTED. LET UNIVERSAL SERVICES VET THEM AND THEN THEY CAN USE EVOLVE SERVICES IF THEY FEEL

IT IS NECESSARY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S FINE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GAMINGS, DO YOU -- JAMES, DO YOU NEED CLARIFICATION?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULD YOU LIKE A SEEM REOR YOU -- A SUMMARY, OR YOU GOT THE DRIFT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HE NEEDS US TO READ IT.

IF YOU DON'T MIND, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME. JUST ADDING THE LANGUAGE FROM

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, LET ME ASK THIS. DAVE BERRY BECAUSE YOU WERE IN THIS SPACE IN YOUR EARLIER LIFE DO YOU SEE A PROBLEM? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT MISSING AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET FREE LEG WORK. IF YOU DON'T WANT IT, THROW IT

IN THE TRASH. >> I MEAN, I PERSONALLY FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS GROUP. THE OTHER THING IS I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A LETTER AGREEMENT SAYING THERE IS NO COST TO US AND NO OBLIGATION. THAT MIGHT ALSO HELP

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, HERE IS MY PROPOSED LANGUAGE CHANGE.

IT IS PRETTY SMALL SCRIBBLING.

I MOVE UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PREPARE A REPORT ON THE FEASIBILITY AND TIMELINE AND COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND TRANSITIONING TO COUNTY FLEET TO ELECTRIC, HYBRID OR GREEN VEHICLES AND THAT THE ABOVE MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE FLEET ELECTRIFICATION ASSESSMENT SPONSORED BY EVOLVE HOUSTON

AFTER DOING DUE DILIGENCE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY, CACTUS. I THINK WHAT YOU DO IS PRETTY MUCH -- I THINK YOU LET EVOLVE HOUSTON LOOK AT IT AND WHY DON'T I HOLD IT AND PUT IT ON THE AGENDA IN TWO WEEKS.

IF YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: LET UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT DO IT AND THEN GO

FORWARD? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT

TO DELAY THE EFFORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I THINK WHAT HE IS SAYING IS AS -- IF UNIVERSAL SERVICES CAN LOOK AT IT TOMORROW AND THEY LIKE IT IT WILL GO FORWARD AND WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TWO WEEKS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU GOT IT, JUDGE.

IF UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT WHO SEEM TO BE ALREADY COMFORTABLE WITH THEM.

IF THEY ARE COMFORTABLE, TOMORROW THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE MOTION AS READ BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DO YOU WANT ME TO READ IT AGAIN, JAMES?

>> I AM NOT GOING TO SAY NO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I MOVE THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PREPARE A REPORT ON THE FEASIBILITY TIMELINE AND COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSITION OF THE COUNTY TO ELECTRIC, HYBRID OR OTHER GREEN VEHICLES, AND THAT THE -- AND NOW IS WHERE MY FIRST CHANGE COMES IN, THE ABOVE ENTITIES MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE FLEET ELECTRIFICATION ASSESSMENT SPONSORED BY EVOLVE HOUSTON AND I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING ONE, TWO, THREE FORWARDS AFTER DOING DUE

DILIGENCE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> I CHANGED THE WORD COUNTY TO ABOVE ENTITIES MAY AND THEN I ADD DOING DUE DILIGENCE. ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: OF COURSE.

ANYTHING -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: OH COME ON.

DON'T BE FACETIOUS. I DEEM THAT TO BE AN

[09:10:02]

ACCEPTANCE OF MY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE

-- OR COMMISSIONER -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND HE TOOK MY FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHO IS THE

SECOND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL

SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA, DO YOU MIND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER GARCIA CAN SECOND IT. I DIDN'T MEAN TO CUT HIM OUT

OF THE PROCESS THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHATEVER WORKS, JACK. LET'S JUST GET IT DONE.

IT IS GETTING LATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, ARE WE TAKING A BREAK SOON? I LOVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE, BUT I HAVE HAD ALL OF HIM AS I CAN TAKE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN BREAK NOW, COMMISSIONER, IF YOU

WOULD LIKE UNTILSENSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU UP ALREADY FOR THE NEXT DAY? COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE A SCORE -- QUORUM. IT IS 8:15 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE WERE

GETTING TO YOUR AGENDA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ALL

OF MY ITEMS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, JUDGE. I WANT TO JUST MAKE A NOTE.

I'M FINE WITH IT BECAUSE IT IS PRECINCT 2, BUT THE -- I WANTED CLARIFICATION. IF YOU ARE FROM PRE SINK -- PRECINCT 4 AND YOU WANT TO GO PLAY SOME SPORTS THING YOU HAVE TO PAY MORE, OR ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE OUT OF

THE COUNTY HAVE TO PAY MORE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WOULD BE -- THAT WOULD APPLY JUST TO YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

EVERYBODY ELSE WOULD PAY THE SAME.

JUST KIDDING. OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY. OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY.

IT WASN'T QUITE CLEAR. IT LOOKED LIKE YOU WOULD HAVE A STAGGERED RATE FOR PRECINCT 2 ONLY.

IF YOU FROM PRECINCT FOUR YOU WOULD PAY MORE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THOUGHT LONG AND HARD ABOUT IT.

JACKER

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHERE WOULD JUDGE UH DAHL -- JUDGE HUH

DAHL -- JUDGE HIDALGO BE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE WOULD HAVE THE RED CARPET OUT WHEREVER SHE SO WISHES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SHE COMES TO PRECINCT 3.

THAT'S WHERE SHE CAN COME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE WE ARE

FIGHTING OVER YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AT SOME EXTENT YOU MAY WANT TO TINKER WITH THAT.

THE LANGUAGE DID LOOK A LITTLE CONFUSING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE WAS A REVISE MEANT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THIS BROAD ENOUGH WITH LEGAL? CAN I AMEND THAT TO DO IT WITH PRECINCT 1 AS WELL?

>> LINA HIDALGO: PULL OUT THE RED CARPET YOU MEAN?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT ALL RIGHT? I WANT TO ADD PRECINCT 1 TO THAT.

I WONDERED IF I COULD DO THAT.

>> SO ITEM 21C3 YOU ARE GOING TO EXPAND TO PRECINCT 1?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: EXTEND TO ALL PRECINCTS IF THEY WANT TO OR NOT.

AVAILABLE FOR ALL PRECINCTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MAKE

THE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU? THAT ITEM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL

PRECINCTS IF THEY WANT TO? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED A MOTION OR CAN WE JUST SAY IT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYBODY AGREES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WOULD BE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AND THE WORDS OUT OF COMMISSIONER'S -- COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA'S WORDS SHOULD BE I ACCEPT IT AS A FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AGO AT THE PRESENT TIME IT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: LET ME RUN THROUGH IT QUICKLY.

IN MY EFFORT TO COLLABORATE I WANT YOU TO BE AWARE I CALLED COLONEL BELL AND HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HIM ON THE CORE ISSUES IN THE COUNTY. I THINK WE ARE DEPENDING ON THE CORE A LOT TO GET THINGS DONE AND BOND PROJECTS.

THE RECENT BUFFALO BAYOU REPORT AND WE HAD SOME CONVERSATION. BUT THE QUICK POINT I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF, I TOLD THE COLONEL THAT I WAS STANDING ON GREENHOUSE ROAD AND LOOKING UP STREAM IT WAS PERFECTLY KEPT. LOOKING DOWNSTREAM IT WAS

[09:15:02]

HORRIBLY MAINTAINED. I SAID I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE FLOODING 1,203 HOMES BECAUSE YOU WON'T MAINTAIN 83. I -- HE SAID I HAD NO IDEA AND I SAID I ASSUMED YOU DIDN'T. HE WAS HELPFUL AND HE HAS PROMISED TO JUMP ON THAT ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER THINGS.

THERE IS MUCH MORE TO THAT CONVERSATION.

I WILL OFFER THAT UP, BUT WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE OF IT.

I DID TALK ABOUT LITTLE BAKER. THERE ARE A COUPLE HUNDRED BEDS. IT IS NOT QUITE THERE.

THERE ARE ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED BEDS ASSOCIATED WITH TDCJ FOLKS THAT ARE IN OUR JAIL THAT SHOULD BE SOMEPLACE ELSE. WE FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THE JAIL POPULATION FROM THE LAST REPORT HAS GONE DOWN 200.

I THINK THERE IS PROGRESS BEING MADE.

I ENCOURAGED SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND I DID TALK TO THE JAIL STANDARDS IN AUSTIN. WE HAVE GOT SOME GOOD PEOPLE HERE THAT WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

THE SHERIFF HAS GOT A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

SO IF WE NEED SOME RELIEF THERE AS WE WORK OUR WAY THROUGHING THAT -- THROUGH THAT WE CAN.

IN THIS ITEM ON THE TOWN HALL I HAD RELATED TO THE CRIME I WANTED YOU ALL TO BE AWARE THAT IT HAPPENED AND I DID AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS ENCOURAGED ME.

I MANAGED THE DATA. AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE DATA THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS UP AND CRIME IS UP 70%.

IT IS SCARY THE NUMBERS IN TERMS OF CRIME IN THE PRECINCT. WE HAD A GOOD GATHERING THERE. IT WAS NOT A PARTISAN DEAL.

IT IS VERY BIPARTISAN. COUNCILMEMBER ED POLLARD AND ALSO MET WITH LATER WITH TIFFANY THOMAS.

COUNCILMEMBER WE ARE HAVING A DISCUSSION ON THINGS WE CAN DO.

WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT LAST WEEK WITH MAYOR TURNER AND HE ENCOURAGED ME. HE CONSIDERS CRIME ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES OF HIS ADMINISTRATION THERE IN HOUSTON. THAT WAS ENCOURAGING.

I JUST WANTED TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE COURT AS WE FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE WE COME UP WITH DIFFERENT THINGS WE COULD DO.

I AM WORKING THROUGH SOME OF THOSE AND I WILL KEEP Y'ALL POSTED GOING FORWARD. JUST KIND OF A HEADS UP WE ARE HAVING A JOB FAIR IN PRECINCT -- YES, SIR?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS THE ADVANTAGE/CURSE OF BEING THE DEAN THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR AWHILE, ALTHOUGH I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE RELATIVELY YOUNG.

WE USED TO HAVE AN ANNUAL COUNTY WIDE JOB FAIR THAT WE WOULD ALL PARTICIPATE IN. IN FACT, A COUPLE OF YEARS PRECINCT 4 HOSTED IN THE HUMBLE CENTER BECAUSE WE HAD A LARGE CENTER OVER THERE AND IT WAS LOCATED IN OTHER LOCATIONS ALONG THE WAY. HUMAN RESOURCES SPONSOR IT.

WHEN WE HAD OUR JOB FAIR WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH OF THE PRECINCTS COME. PRECINCT 1, PRE SINK 2, PRECINCT 3 AS WELL AS 4. AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE UNIVERSAL SERVICES. ALTHOUGH THEY HAD A DIFFERENT NAME AT THE TIME. ENGINEERING.

ALL OF THE DIFFERENT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WOULD COME AND HAVE BOOTHS. SO IT WAS A MUCH LARGER EXPANSION THAT ALLOWED ALL OF THE COUNTY FOLKS THAT WERE IN THE PROCESS TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT.

SINCE WE ARE IN A CONTRACTION PERIOD THERE MAY NOT BE A LOT OF NEEDS FOR EMPLOYEES TO COME IN.

THERE MAY BE NEEDS FOR SPECIALTY POSITIONS THAT WERE THERE. I MAY WANT TO THROW OUT TO YOU AND I KNOW YOU WANT TO HAVE A JOB FAIR WHICH MAY BE A PRIVATE AND PUBLIC VENTURE WITH REGARD TO THAT, BUT TO THE EXTENT WE USED TO ALL COOPERATE TOGETHER AND HAVE ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROCESS, THEN I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT COORDINATION THAT IS THERE. WE WILL PARTS -- PARTICIPATE IN IT AS WELL. THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE AT THIS TIME LOOKING FOR JOBS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SECURE AND SAFE, AND IT MAY BE THAT BECAUSE OF SIZE RESTRICTIONS IN THE PRECINCT, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE USED TO DO THIS, AND WE DID IT

[09:20:06]

COUNTY WIDE WITH THE DEPARTMENTS.

AND THAT MAY BE A GOOD THING FOR US TO DO AGAIN.

JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S A GOOD POINT. CERTAINLY COVID CONSIDERATIONS IN EFFECT WHERE, WHEN AND HOW BIG.

THE REAL CATALYST IS I HAVE TALKED TO FOLKS AND MAYBE SOME PEOPLE IN A FEW UNDER SERVED NEIGHBORHOODS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR WORK. WE WILL TRY TO CONNECT THOSE THOUSAND JOBS AND THEY SHOULD BE HIRING PEOPLE THAT LIVE AND WORK AND SLEEP IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THAT IS THE GENESIS OF IT. THANK YOU, COMIGGER -- THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. WE WILL KEEP THAT IN MIND.

AS WE GET MORE INFORMATION, THIS IS JUST TO GIVE UH HEADS UP THAT IT IS COMING DOWN. THAT'S THE REST OF THIS IS

PRETTY STANDARD STUFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WENT OVER THE COVID-19 ITEMS.

[II. Emergency/supplemental items]

WE CAN GO TO THE EMERGENCY IS UP PLAW -- EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. NUMBER ONE IS BOARDING HOME REGULATIONS FOR THE BOARDING HOUSE.

AND THERE IS AN AMENDMENT THAT IS REQUIRED.

THEY NEED THE ITEM TO INCLUDE ONE INSPECTOR POSITION FOR THE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE BOARDING -- BOARDING HOUSE ENFORCEMENT UNION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND THAT MOTION.

IT IS SOMETHING MY OFFICE HAS WORKED WITH THEM ON AS WELL.

I WILL JUST SAY, JUDGE THAT THE REGULATIONS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE WE ARE ABLE TO ENFORCE THEM. THAT'S WHY I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE ITEMS THAT THE SHERIFF ARE REQUESTING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WAITING REGRETFULLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FOLKS WHO TEND TO HOUSE AT THESE LOCATIONS. I WANT TO JUST THANK -- THERE IS A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A LONGTIME. THEY ARE MOVING THIS ALONG AND AS THEY ARE WORKING TO BUILD THIS ELDER ABUSE UNIT, I WILL JUST THINK ABOUT HE DEALT WITH THIS WHEN HE WAS ON HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL. AND SO THIS WILL MOVE US ALONG TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THE SAME TYPE OF COVERAGE AND PROTECTION THAT FOLKS DESERVE AND NEED.

I WILL JUST TELL YOU, JUDGE, SOON SHE WILL BENIGN 7 -- BE 97. MY SISTER WHO HAD JUST TAKEN PHENOMENAL CARE OF HER. SHE WAS LOVED AND SHE WAS TAKEN CARE OF. SHE IS IN A HOME.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THAT SAME LUXURY.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE PLACE HAD WHERE ONE WOULD PRESUME AND THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. THIS IS A GAME CHANGER FOR HARRIS COUNTY. AND SO I WANTED TO SUPPORT

THIS AS WELL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA TALKS A LOT WE -- ABOUT MS. MAW SHE WAS THE QUEEN OF MARY KAY AND WAS ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF ALL OF MARE KAY AND THEN -- MARY KAY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA THERE IS A MARE KAY QUEEN AND MY SISTER IS A MARY KAY QUEEN WHO TELLS ME ALL THE TIME HOW WONDERFUL COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S WIFE IS.

SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER YOU WERE GOOD OR NOT, BUT SHE KNOWS YOUR WIFE IS AND HOW WONDERFUL --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM IRRELEVANT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT A LEGACY YOUR MOTHER WAS FOR THE ENTITY. NOW I CAN FACE MY SISTER AND LET HER KNOW I SAID GOOD THINGS ABOUT HER MARY KAY

[09:25:06]

STAR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU ARE JUST TRYING TO GET A DISCOUNT ON THE FACIAL CREAM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AT CHRISTMASTIME YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS LIKE. WE ALL GET MARY KAY PRODUCTS.

THE GOOD NEWS IS NOW AT LEAST THEY MAKE MEN PRODUCTS.

I USE THEIR SHAVING CREAM. BUT A LOT OF THAT STUFF, YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA SMILE AND TAKE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. AND WITH THE ITEM I DON'T HAVE ASSOCIATED INCREASE IN FUNDING. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO PUT, THE MOTION

FOR THE FIRE MARSHALL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL COUCH IT AS CONTINGENT ON THE BUDGET DIRECTOR PROVIDING -- IDENTIFYING THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING LEVEL.

>> SO WE WILL TRANSMIT THAT TO THE NEXT COURT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WILL WORK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT WILL SAY APPROVAL FOR POSITIONS, ET CETERA -- EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 13, 2021 IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 278, 803 AND VEHICLES FOR THE BOARDING HOUSE -- BOARDING HOME AND DEL LEER ABUSE. AND ONE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE WILL BE INCLUDE HAD -- INCLUDED IN THE BOARDING HOUSE ENFORCEMENT UNIT RECOMMENDED BY BUDGET MANAGE -- MANAGE NENT.

>> THAT WILL WORK. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?

>> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAD MY

TINGE -- MY FINGER UP FIRST. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW THE NEXT ITEM 2 IS THE VOTING MACHINES. DWIGHT AND ISABEL, IF YOU COULD GIVE US AN UPDATE INCLUDING THE COMMENTS THAT THE SPEAKERS MADE EARLIER. I'M SURE THAT WILL BE HELPFUL.

>> I WILL BE GLAD TO ADDRESS IT AND I WILL RELY ON MS. LONGORIA TO DO THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OF THE EQUIPMENT AND SHE CANDY TALE THOSE EYE -- CAN DETAIL THE ITEMS AS FAR AS AVAILABILITY. I DO WANT TO POINT OUT FIRST I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF COMMENTS FLYING AROUND OVER THE LAST FOUR DAYS. BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO THIS COURT AND TO THE PUBLIC THAT IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM IS MY OFFICE -- OR HAVE WE EVER WITHHELD INFORMATION NOR WILL WE WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING A RECOMMENDATION ON A PROCUREMENT.

IT IS JUST NOT THE WAY I OPERATE.

IN THIS CASE WE DID MOVE HASTILY LAST FRIDAY TO PUT TOGETHER A SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THE AGENDA. WHEN I GOT IN ON MONDAY I REALIZED THE BACK UP DOCUMENTATION WAS NOT AS THOROUGH, BUT THAT INFORMATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT CASE.

WE REWORKED IT ON MONDAY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT LEFT THE PROCUREMENT OF THE SYSTEM.

THE NUMBERS READ OUT EARLIER, IT IS NOT JUST THE VOTING EQUIPMENT. THE INFORMATION THEY RECEIVED ORIGINALLY INCLUDED CONSUMABLES FOR THE COST OF THE EQUIPMENT. I WON'T GO INTO A LOT OF DETAILS ON THAT COST. IT IS JUST THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL IN A PROCUREMENT FOR OUR PROCESS, BUT IT IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF CONSUMABLES TO INCLUDE THE UPCOMING ELECTION IN MAY. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND WE WILL CAPTURE THE COSTS TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T HAVE TO COME BACK TO COURT.

THE EQUIPMENT IS LOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL COSTS FROM BOTH OPTIONS OFFERED BY THE OTHER VENDOR.

I WILL MAKE THAT CLEAR. WE DO NOT HAVE A HIGHER COST.

WE HAVE EVERYTHING DOCUMENTED.

ALL OF THE INFORMATION WE DISCUSSED.

ALE -- ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF COURT HAD A MEMBER ON THE COMMITTEE. THERE IS NO REASON TO TRY TO WITHHOLD THIS INFORMATION. I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR TO THE COURT. IN REGARDS TO THE INFORMATION WE CAPTURED, WE CAPTURED THE COST FOR THE EQUIPMENT ITSELF AND THE MAINTENANCE COST OVER THE NEXT 12 YEARS.

CONSUMABLE COSTS FOR EACH CONSUMABLE WE MAY NEED.

AGAIN THE CONSUMABLE COSTS WILL VARY BASED ON EACH ELECTION. BUT WE DO CAPTURE ALL OF THE COSTS SO WE CAN WORK IN MR. BERRY'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE

[09:30:02]

WHAT COSTS WILL COME DOWN THE ROAD AND HOW MUCH IT WILL INCOME BETTER EACH -- WILL INCUMBER.

THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS IT HAS BEEN TRANSPARENT IN MY EYES BECAUSE WE OFFERED THE PUBLIC TO SEE THE EQUIPMENT.

WE REACHED OUT TO ALL MEMBERS OF COURT.

EARLY ON THIS THIS WAS HANDLED BY THE COUNTY CLERK.

THEY HAD SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES ON THE COMMITTEE AND WHEN THE NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR CAME ON THEY TOOK ON A REVIEW OF THE PRODUCTS AND IT ENSURED IT MET THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY. AND IT WAS THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO US. WE SUBMITTED THE INFORMATION TO YOU ALL ON FRIDAY. MY APOLOGY FOR THE BACK UP NOT BEING AS THOROUGH. YOU HAVE A BACK UP SHOWING THE COMPLETE BREAK DOWN OF THE COSTS FOR BASIC EQUIPMENT AND THE CONSUMABLES FOR THE COMING ELECTION IN MAY AND ANY ADDITIONAL OPTIONS THE COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR SAID THEY NEEDED TO CARRY OUT A FULL ELECTION.

THAT'S THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY DETAILED QUESTIONS ON THAT AS BEST AS I CAN WITHOUT GOING INTO TOO MUCH DETAIL IN PUBLIC.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DWIGHT -- JUDGE IF I MAY.

DWIGHT, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REMARKS.

I WANT TO HOPEFULLY MOVE ON WITH THIS ITEM, BUT TO SPECIFICALLY ASK YOU THAT WITH THE ALLEGATION THAT'S WERE MADE, WITH THE CONCERN THAT THE ALLEGATIONS ARE FALSE AND THAT THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED MAYBE IT WASN'T THOROUGH INFORMATION, BUT IT WASN'T HIDING OR HOLDING

INFORMATION. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

IN NO WAY DID WE TRY TO HIDE INFORMATION.

WE PROVIDED IT TO THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND THEREFORE IN THIS CASE THERE WAS NO REASON TO HIDE IT.

I WORKED FOR THIS BOARD FOR TWO YEARS NOW AND NO COURT -- ESPECIALLY THIS COURT WILL NOT MAKE AN AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR $54 MILLION WITHOUT THAT PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION.

WE WERE NOT TRYING TO WITHHOLD ANY INFORMATION.

IN THIS INSTANCE WE WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE BACK UP ON MONDAY LIKE WE NORMALLY DO IF WE HAD ISSUES OR CONCERNS OR ERRORS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DID AT THIS TIME AGAIN.

I'M CONFIDENT IN KNOWING THAT OUR PROCESS WAS FOLLOWED AND DOCUMENTED IN THE FILE AND WE PROVIDED THAT INFORMATION TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. I MOVE ON THIS ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADMINISTRATOR LONG GOR RAW TO ADD --

LONGORIA. >> IS IT SUPPLEMENTAL 2 AND

3? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

WE WERE DISCUSSING SUPPLEMENTAL 2, BUT THEY OUGHT TO MOVE TOGETHER, SO 2 AND 3, JAMES.

CORRECT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> JUDGE, THIS IS ISABEL LONGORIA, I BELIEVE THERE IS AN AMENDMENT FOR ITEM NUMBER 2 THAT MR. BERRY IN PURCHASING MAY BE ABLE TO CHIME IN ON.

OVERALL I'M NOT GOING TO STOP THIS.

THIS HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY VETTED.

I AM VERY CONFIDENT IN THE MACHINES THAT WE ARE SELECTING IN THAT THEY HAVE EVERYTHING WE HAVE ASKED FOR.

PAPER COPIES OF THE SELECTIONS AND THE TRIPLE DATA BACK UPS AND REALLY FOR THE ELECTION INTEGRITY AND EVERYTHING WE NEED TO DO TO KEEP ELECTIONS SAFE AND THE OVERALL ACCESSIBILITY FOR ADA FOLKS AND SENIORS AND FOR EVERYONE WHO VOTES. I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT IN THESE MACHINES. I WON'T SAY ANYTHING MORE AND FILIBUSTER THIS MYSELF. IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO ADDRESS I AM HERE AND READY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE CORRECTION IS TO REPLACE CAPITAL FUNDING AND INSERT OUT OF COMMERCIAL PAPERS D AND TRANSFER AFTER THE WORLD -- AFTER THE WORD MILLIONS.

FOR APPROVAL OF COURT -- WAIT A MINUTE.

FOR APPROVAL -- FOR COURT TO APPROVE UP TO $54 MILLION OUT OF COMMERCIAL PAPER SERIES D AND ASSOCIATED TRANSFER TO PURCHASE A VOTING SYSTEM. DAVE?

>> THAT SOUNDS RIGHT. THE FIRST FEW WORDS TOOK ME

OFF A LITTLE BIT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SEEMS LIKE WHOEVER TYPE THEY HAD FOR ME DID NOT DO IT RIGHT.

THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR REPORT TO APPROVE UP TO $54 MILLION OUT OF COMMERCIAL PAPER SERIES D

[09:35:02]

AND ASSOCIATED TRANSFER TO PURCHASE A MOVING SYSTEM.

>> THAT WORKS FOR ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA AS I UNDERSTAND IT THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS WE CAN CHOOSE FROM AS FAR AS THE RESTRICTIONS FROM THE STATE.

OBVIOUSLY IT GOES THROUGH A PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND THIS IS AN OPTION WITH A PAPER BALLOT THAT IS ONE OF THE RECOGNIZED COMPANIES NATIONWIDE FOR GOOD VOTING

MACHINES, CORRECT? >> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO COMPANIES CERTIFIED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN TEXAS. THERE MAY BE MORE NATIONALLY.

THE TWO WE HAVE WE VETTED AND THEY PRACTICE ALL OF THE NATIONAL STANDARDS AND TO YOUR POINT THE PAPER BALLOTS AND THE AUDIT TRAILS. I BELIEVE THE EARLIER COMMENTS OF STORING AND MAKING SURE WE CAN RECOUNT AS NEEDED, ABSOLUTELY THAT WILL ALL BE IN PLACE.

LIEN

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY LOOKED AT ALL OF THIS AND IT IS ALL GOOD?

>> WE ARE. >> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE

LOOKED AT IT. >> COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS LOOKED AT IT AND I AM READY TO VOTE. I DO HAVE ONE COMPLAINT, JUDGE.

SCOTT USUALLY HAS ENTERTAINMENT IN THE BACKGROUND WITH EITHER HIS DOG OR CAT.

I HAVE SEEN NEITHER TONIGHT. >> STLE BEEN WITH ME --

>> THEY HAVE BEEN WITH ME AND I HAD MY CAMERA OFF.

>> IT IS PART OF THE LATE NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT.

>> I CAN BRING THEM UP. WHREAN

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR ITEMS ONE AND TWO AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR.

>> TWO AND THREE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

TWO AND THREE. TWO AND THREE, CORRECT,

COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS -- THERE IS ITEM 4 IS REAPPOINTING --

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 5 IS A RESOLUTION.

ITEM SIX IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THE NO TRAFFICKING ZONE.

ITEM 7, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I KNOW WE HEARD FROM SPEAKERS. I DON'T KNOW HAVE YOU HAVE

MORE ON THE CANCER CLUSTER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS DR. BABIN AROUND? IF WE CAN GET DR. BABIN ON THE

LINE. >> SHE IS NOT ON THE LINE.

DO YOU WANT ME TO CALL HER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU COULD. I WANT HER TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO.

>> I WILL TRY TO REACH HER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: MY QUESTION ON THIS IS THAT MANY SPEAKER RESEES FER TO THE -- SPEAKERS REFER TO THE SUPER FUND SITE. HAVE I BEEN TO A FEW SUPER FUND SITES AND ONE THING I CAN UNDERSTAND ABOUT THEM IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO OWNS THE SITE NEEDS TO SL -- TO HAVE RESOURCES. I THINK WE HAVE THIS.

IT NEEDS TO HAVE EPA INVOLVED.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WOULD. I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE SOME FEDERAL HELP. IT WOULD BE IN ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM. IF NOT TO ENCOURAGE UNION PACIFIC AND OTHERS. IT IS JUST NOT CLEAR TO ME WHY THIS HELP HASN'T BEEN THERE. IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST. YOU ARE DEALING WITH FOLKS THAT ARE LIVING NEXT TO A SUPER FUND SITE, THERE ARE FEDERAL ASSETS AND RESOURCES THAT COME INTO PLAY.

WE SHOULD LOOK AT THAT GOING FORWARD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK BRRRR BABIN WILL SAY WHAT ONE OF THE SPEAKERS ELUDED TO IS THAT IT COULD DELAY IT AND A NUMBER OF THESE PEOPLE MAY NO LONGER BE WITH US BY THE TIME IT IS SORTED OUT. THE PROCESS IS FAIRLY

[09:40:02]

CONVOLUTED. I CALLED DR. BABIN LAST WEEK BEFORE I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.

OBVIOUSLY WHEN PEOPLE ARE UPSET THEY GO WHEREVER THEY CAN GO. OUR POWER IS MORE LIMITED THAN THE CITIES. IT IS IN THE CITY'S JURISDICTION. WHEN SHE COMES ON TONIGHT SHE WILL GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHAT SHE CAN AND CANNOT DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT ONE.

THE NEXT IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOUR APPOINTMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE THIS IS FOR THE HARRIS HEALTH BOARD.

I HEREBY MOVE THE COURT APPROVE THE MARCIA JOHNSON TO THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE TERM

ENDING NOVEMBER 1, 2022. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NO NEED TO GO BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MS. JOHNSON.

SHE HAS SOME EQUITY WORK AND HAPPY TO SEE HER ON THE BOARD. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ITEM 9 IS IS YOUR APPOINTMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I WANT TO APPOINT THIS YOUNG MAN.

I AM NOT SURE IF ANYBODY HAS EVER HEARD OF HIM.

CHRIS HOLLINS IS FAMILIAR TO ALL OF US BECAUSE OF HIS HANDLING TO HISTORICAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THAT WAS HELD HERE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT WHEN I THINK OF METRO, I THINK OF HOW TO MAKE IT WORK BETTER AND HOW TO GET MORE OUT OF IT AND HOW TO GET MORE VALUE FROM THE RESIDENTS WHO -- FOR THE RESIDENTS WHO DEPEND ON IT.

AND HOW TO GET FOLKS LIKE US, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, TO USE IT MORE. I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED SINCE MY FIRST EXPERIENCE ON A TRAIN IN NEW YORK WHERE I SAW SOMEONE I THOUGHT WAS AN EXECUTIVE OF SOME SORT, BRIEFCASE AND OVERCOAT AND A NICE JACKET, AND THEN I SAW SOMEONE CARRYING A LUNCH BOX WITH WORK GLOVES AND BOOTS AND A HARD HAT. SO ALL OF SOCIETY WAS ON THIS TRAIN. YET HERE IN HOUSTON WE HAVEN'T QUITE GOTTEN IT YET. IT STILL REMAINS MOSTLY A SYSTEM FOR THOSE WITHOUT OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION.

WHERE ARE WE GOING TO TURN THE CORNER ON MOBILITY AND GIVING THE PUBLIC -- NOT MASS TRANSIT, BUT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION A REAL SHOT AT MOVING US FURTHER ALONG SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE WITH I-45 AND OTHERS AND THEN WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET MORE FOLKS WHO HAVE RESOURCES LIKE US SOME OPTIONS TO LOOK TO THE SYSTEM AND THINK OF IT AS OUR FORM OF TRANSPORTATION.

I THINK CHRIS CAN BRING VALUE TO THINKING AND HE CAN CHALLENGE SOME OF THE THINKING AND THE PROCESS AND HOPEFULLY HE CAN GET US THERE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

IT IS MY HONOR AND PLEASURE TO APPOINT THE FORMER CLERK TO

THIS POSITION ON METRO BOARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR INTENT IS FOR THIS TO GO INTO

EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, CORRECT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT.

AND FOR A TERM ENDING ON JULY 25TH, 2023.

JANUARY 25TH, 2023. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE BEFORE WE FINISH, I WANT TO GO BACK TO MINE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

CHRIS HOLLINS WILL BE A GREAT ADDITION.

I DO KNOW IN THE PAST THE COUNTY HAS BASED ON OUR RESEARCH HAS A TENDENCY TO APPOINT PEOPLE WHO WORKED FOR THE COUNTY AND IN MANY WAYS THAT IS A GOOD THING.

AND HE TOLD ME HE WAS INTERESTED IN THIS AND THE COUNTY WOULD BE DOING THE TRANSPORTATION SPACE AND WE WILL WANT SOME SENSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON THERE.

HE AND WHOEVER ELSE IS THERE, WHATEVER THAT PERSON MAY BE SHOULD BE COGNIZANT OF THAT. IN THE PAST THEY WERE COUNTY

[09:45:04]

EMPLOYEES. IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF TIME.

I AM HOPING THAT THE COMMISSIONER WILL MAKE AN ACCOMMODATION IF HE NEEDS TO COME AND ADDRESS US TO DO IT.

WE DO WANT TO FOE WHAT IS GO -- WE DO WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. IT IS ALL FORMS OF TRANS --

TRANSPORTATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS ONE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON IT, BUT I DO HAVE A COMMENT. THE PHONE NUMBER I HAVE FOR CHRIS ISN'T WORKING ANYMORE. HE AND I DIDN'T ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING, BUT HE ALWAYS TOOK MY PHONE CALL AND LISTENED TO ME. IN FACT, HE HELPED ME WITH A NUMBER OF THINGS WE NEEDED HELP ON WITH REGARD TO THE

ELECTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU MAY HAVE

CALLED HIM TOO MANY TIMES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT MIGHT BE THE ISSUE. I'M GONNA VOTE FOR HIM.

NOT BECAUSE I AGREE WITH HIM ON EVERYTHING, BUT BECAUSE HE TAKES MY CALLS, BUT HE NEEDS TO GIVE ME HIS NEW PHONE

NUMBER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE PROBABLY

LOST THE COUNTY CELL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT IS PROBABLY IT. HE ADD COUNTY CELL AND NOW HE HAS A NEW ONE. WHATEVER HIS NEW CELL PHONE NUMBER IS, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN PULL MY VOTE BACK, BUT IF HE DOESN'T GIVE ME THE NUMBER I AM VOTING AGAINST HIM IN. TERMS OF GOING -- VOTING AGAINST HIM.

IN TERMS OF GOING FORWARD -- IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT AGREES WITH YOU ON EVERYTHING.

COMMISSIONER, HIS RESUME WAS SENT AND IT HAS A NUMBER ON IT. SO JUST APPLY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DIDN'T HAVE IT ON MY PHONE WHEN I TRIED TO CALL HIM. IT WENT TO THAT VERIZON -- YOU KNOW, THIS PERSON DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.

WE'LL GIVE HIM A SHOT. JUDGE, WE DON'T AGREE ON EVERYTHING, BUT HE WILL TAKE MY CALL AND HE WILL LISTEN TO ME. SO I WILL VOTE FOR HIM TODAY ASSUMING I CAN GET UH HOLD OF HIM IN THE FUTURE.

HE HAS MY CELL PHONE NUMBER SOMEWHERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. HOLLIS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU WANTED TO MAKE AN EDIT ON YOUR MOTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT OF MS. MARCIA JOHNSON TO GO INTO EFFECT ON MARCH 1ST.

OF THIS YEAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO

VOTE ON THAT AGAIN? >> YES, JUDGE, YOU DO.

YOU CAN JUST RESTATE THE MOTION.

THEN WE CAN MAKE THE CHANGE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HERE BY MOVE THAT THE COURT APPOINT THE -- THE COURT APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF MARCIA JOHNSON TO THE HARRIS HEALTH BOARD OF TRUSTEES POSITION 6 FOR A TERM ENDING NOVEMBER 1ST 2022, AND THE TERM WILL BEGIN ON MARCH -- WHAT IS THIS 2021.

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

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

FINAL ITEM HERE BEFORE WE GET TO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS IS ITEM 10 AND THAT IS TRANSMITAL OF THE NRG QUARTERLY REPORT OF OPERATIONS. WE DO HAVE ONE PUBLIC

HEARING. >> JUDGE, I'M SORRY.

BEFORE YOU MOVE ON, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT, BUT

DR. BABIN IS ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, PLEASE,

GO AHEAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,

JUDGE. >> DR. BABIN, ARE YOU

UNMUTED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SPOKE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL LISTENING.

I CALLED YOU LAST WEEK AND TOLD YOU I WOULD POST THIS ITEM AFTER I SAW THE COUNT ON IT.

WOULD YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT YOU HAVE OF WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHAT WE CANNOT DO. WE WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE -- IF IT WAS A GOOD IDEA IF THERE WAS A SUPER FUND SITE.

WOULD YOU JUST GIVE US A SENSE OF WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT YOU THINK WE CAN DO? IT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

>> SURE, COMMISSIONER. GOOD EVENING, COURT MEMBERS.

I AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THIS.

TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR.

HARRIS COUNTY POLLUTION CONTROL HAS WORKED WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE TO GIVE AS YOU SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS PLAN. WE WANT TO INVESTIGATE THE CONTAMINATION IN 5TH WARD AND KASHMIR GARDEN.

THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THE COURT BE -- THE COURT CONTRACTOR MEET WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE FIFTH WARD AND KASHMIR GARDENS COMMUNITY. THE INTENDED OUTCOME OF THIS

[09:50:03]

MEETING IS TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY'SEN -- THE COMMUNITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS AND USE THOSE TO PRIORITIZE OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS AGAINST THE SAMPLING. THE CONTRACTOR WILL INCORPORATE THE FEEDBACK THEY GET FROM THE COMMUNITY INTO THE FINAL SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS PLAN.

AND THEN THEY WILL CONDUCT THE SOIL AND WATER SAMPLING AS WELL AS SAMPLING IN THE SEWER SYSTEM OUT THERE.

POLLUTION CONTROL WILL BE OUT THERE AT THE SAME TIME CONDUCTING THE AIR MONITOR SCG THAT WILL TAKE A TWO-WEEK TIME PERIOD ONCE THE PLAN IS DEVELOPED.

WE HAVE ENGAGED PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES IN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND ALSO THERE IS LEGAL AID SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO RESIDENTS OF FIFTH WARD AND KASHMIR GARDENS.

AND WE WERE LOOKING AT THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR UNION PACIFIC AND ITS PERMITTING IS A PRIORITY FOR US.

WE HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED COMMENTS AND WE ARE LOOKING TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSAL MEDIATION PLAN.

YOU ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A SUPER FUND SITE. IT IS AN EXTREMELY ARDUOUS PROCESS. IT TAKES A LONGTIME BECAUSE IT HAS TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO DESIGNATE AS A SUPER FUND.

AND THERE IS A RANKING PROCESS THAT GOES INTO THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DIAGRAM IT IS A WINDY TURNING PROCESS AND IT IS IN EFFECT. IT CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 10, 15 TO 20 YEARS TO GET THE PROCESS GOING.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS THE ROUTE WE NEED TO GO.

WE NEED TO KEEP WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW AND DEVELOP THE DATA SO THAT WE LOOK AT WHAT ACTUALLY IS OUT THERE.

AND THEN FROM THAT PROCESS WE CAN DETERMINE WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS ARE IN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE UNLESS YOU HAVE ANOTHER IDEA YOU WOULD

LIKE FOR US TO LOOK AT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OBVIOUSLY THE CITY PLAYS A KEY ROLE BECAUSE IT IS IN THE COUNTY AND IT IS IN THE CITY'S JURISDICTION. WE DON'T WANT TO STEP ON ANYONE ELSE'S TOES. WE HOPE WE ARE SHARING ANY INFORMATION WE GET AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO DUPLICATE THEM.

I HOPE THEY ARE SHARING WHAT THEY HAVE.

I HOPE JOINTLY IF WE OUGHT TO ASK FOR MORE AUTHORITY FROM THE STATE WE SHOULD ASK FOR IT.

AND IF THERE IS ROOM FOR US TO DO AN AMICUS, WE HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. IF THERE IS AN AVENUE IN WHICH WE SHOULD LOOK AT LITIGATION, I WOULD ADVOCATE THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE FALSE HOPE.

OBVIOUSLY I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.

I DIDN'T KNOW SO MANY WOULD COME.

IT IS PAINFUL FOR THEM. OF COURSE, IF THEY DECIDE THEY WANT TO GO THE SUPER FUND ROUTE, IF IT DOESN'T DISTRACT FROM OTHER THINGS THAT MAY HAPPEN, IT WILL TAKE 20 YEARS TO GET SOMETHING DONE OR TO GET A LAWSUIT SETTLED, MAYBE DO BOTH. I LOOK AT YOU TO BE THE EXPERTS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO AND YOU CAN GIVE US GUIDANCE ON IT. IT IS BETWEEN THE TWO OFFICES

IS WHAT I AM THINKING. >> YES, SIR.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH -- GO AHEAD.

>> IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EXPLT -- AND THE CITY OF HOW STONE -- HOUSTON. IT IS IMPORTANT WE ENGAGE IN

THIS PROCESS. >> DR. BABIN, THIS IS TOM RAMSEY. I AM NOT ADVOCATING SUPER FUND. I THOUGHT WHEN THEY SPOKE TODAY, THEY REFERRED TO AS A SUPER FUND SITE.

I GUESS IN SOMEWAYS THAT IS GOOD NEWS.

I AM SURPRISED BECAUSE USUALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A CLEAR OWNER WITH RESOURCES OF THE SITE, THE TCBQ IN MY EXPERIENCE HOLDS THE OWNER ACCOUNTABLE TO DO TESTING AND CONFIRM WHERE THE PLUME IS AND THE DETAILS RELATED TO IT.

I GUESS I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED A CEASOLE -- CREASOLE PLANT HAS NOT MANDATED TO GET EXTENSIVE REPORTING AND DETAILS DONE. I GUESS I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED AT THAT. THAT'S NOT TYPICAL OF MY EXPERIENCE WHAT TCEQ DOES TO OWNERS OF THE CREASOLE SITES.

[09:55:10]

>> YES, SIR. THEY ARE IN A PERMITTING PROCESS WITH TCEQ. AS I INDICATED WE HAVE SO FAR REVIEWED THE COMPONENTS OF THAT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT A PRIORITY TO REVIEW THOSE COMPONENTS AND MAKE COMMENTS AS WE PROPOSE REMEDIATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SAW MR. MENEFEE COME ON AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE WANTS TO ADD SOMETHING TO IT.

I AM AT A LOSS. I CHATTED WITH CONGRESSMAN -- CONGRESSWOMAN LEE ABOUT IT IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH A LITTLE TODAY. JUST FIGURING OUT WHAT TO DO.

EVEN IF IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND WANT TO SUGGEST THAT WE MAKE IT JOINT -- JOINTLY WITH THE CITY , I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO IT.

I KNOW THE PROSPECT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COMING UP WITH THE MONEY TO BUY OUT A PROBLEM THAT CORPORATE ENTITY HAS.

THEY ARE PRETTY LIMITED RESOURCES.

I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO IT, BUT IT WOULD SET A PRESS -- PRECEDENT. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.

AS WAS MENTIONED WE ARE WORKING WITH THE POLLUTION CON -- CONTROL DEPARTMENT TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTION TO THIS. THERE IS A POTENTIAL LITIGATION PIECE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT WE ARE KNEE DEEP IN INVESTIGATING THE MATTER.

AND WE ARE OPEN TO CREATIVE SOLUTIONS AND NOT JUST THE STANDARD WAY WE HANDLED SITUATIONS LIKE THIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU THINK THERE IS A ROLE WE CAN PLAY, THANK YOU GETTING EVERYTHING WORKING IN SYNC WITH THE CITY. I MEAN EVERYBODY IS SHARING

DATA? >> YES, SIR.

AT THIS POINT WE ARE COLLABORATING WELL.

AND IF ANYTHING COMES UP THAT WE NEED ASSISTANCE I WILL DEFINITELY REACH OUT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN GET TO MOVE FORWARD.

RIGHT NOW EVERYTHING IS MOVING WELL.

WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE DASH -- THE FOLKS ON THE CALL A LONGTIME AGO, THEY MAY BE IN BED BY NOW.

MAKE SURE YOUR TEAM FOLLOWS UP WITH THEM.

IF YOU WANT TO ARRANGE A ZOOM CALL WITH THEM OR A CONFERENCE CALL I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MY STAFF OR I WILL GET ON THE

LINE. >> YES, SIR.

DEFINITELY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

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

DOCTOR BABIN. >> THANK YOU.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WERE MOVING TO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

[III. Public Hearings]

I NOW OPEN PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR RECORDS AND PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION PLAN FOR YEAR 2021-2022. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

LUCINDA? >> THERE IS NO ONE SIGNED UP,

MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IN MY SECOND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO JUDGE MARK DAVIDSON FOR HIS WORK ON PRESERVATION OF OLD RECORDS.

I THINK THE CLERK'S OFFICE, THE DIACT -- DISTRICT AND THE COUNTY CLERKS HAVE BEEN WORK WORKING WITH THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON THE RECORDS DESTROYED.

THIS PLAN DOESN'T DEAL WITH THOSE, BUT DEALS WITH THE EARLY DAYS AND THE EARLY CASES WE HAD.

I WANTED TO GIVE THE SHOUT OUT TO JUDGE DAVIDSON.

>> SO A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> . >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ARE YOU AROUND?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I LOST YOU ON MY SCREEN. I AM IN FAVOR.

THIS MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.

MOVING ON TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[IV. Executive Session]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, SHOULD WE ORDER BREAKFAST?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE ARE ALMOST DONE.

LET'S PLOW THROUGH. THE FIRST ITEM IS A REAPPOINTMENT OF CLYDE FITZGERALD TO THE PORT OF

[10:00:01]

HOUSTON AUTHORITY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT IS ITEM 2A AND B. TAKE NO ACTION BECAUSE THEY ARE DUPLICATE ITEMS. ITEM 3, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL SECOND THE MOTION.

TOM YOU NEED TO SAY MOTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: I KNOW.

I MAKE A MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THIS IS TO APPROVE HARRIS HEALTH.

ITEM 4, COUNTY ATTORNEY ITEMS. I KNOW THAT COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS ASKED WE GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 4C.

DO YOU NEED TO GO BACK ON ITEMS 4A, B OR D?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YEAH, JUDGE.

WHILE WE ARE BACK THERE THEY MAY AS WELL GIVE AS YOU QUICK

REPORT ON THAT LITIGATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL OF THE

LITIGATION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT MAY BE A SHORT REPORT, BUT JUST TO LET US KNOW WHERE IT IS AT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 4A THROUGH D IN ORDER TO DISCUSS ON GOING LITIGATION.

BEFORE WE DO THAT -- >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST -- JUDGE CORTEZ DOES NOT NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M FINE

WITH THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WOULD

GO BACK FOR ITEMS 4A, B -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS IT NOT GOING BACK BECAUSE IT IS HELD?

>> TOM RAMSEY: NO. THERE IS JUST NOTHING -- THERE IS NOTHING TO DISCUSS ON THAT MATTER.

UNLESS THE COMMISSION WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF THERE IS NOTHING TO DISCUSS THEN I'M

GOOD. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 4A, C AND D TO DISCUSS ON GOING LITIGATION. BEFORE WE DO THAT LET'S VOTE ON THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA THAT WE HAVE NOT ALREADY VOTED

ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

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

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. DO FOLKS HAVE THE PHONE NUMBER

FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON

THOSE ITEMS I LISTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANKS FORGETTING ON. WE ARE ON ITEM 4A.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SORRY.

IT IS 9:35 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF BRANDON V HARRIS. A MOTION BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. DO YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL

LANGUAGE, JAMES? >> RODNEY ELLIS: MOTION TO

APPROVE, RIGHTS? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

UH -- A MOTION TO APPROVE. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> .

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM B WE VOTED ON ALREADY.

ITEM C IS A NONVOTING ITEM. AND ITEM D, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT WITH VALERO?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED, JUDGE.

AS I SAY THAT, LET ME JUST THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

WE ALL KNOW HOW MANCHESTER HAS BEEN OVERWHELMED FOR YEARS.

SHAKE ON VALERO FOR THIS HYDROGEN SIGN ITEM.

I DON'T KNOW REALLY WHAT IT IS, BUT IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE.

AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE GROUPS THAT WERE PART OF THE PROCESS AND WHO STAYED AT THE TABLE.

YES WE WILL ALWAYS LIKE TO SEE MORE, BUT EVERY EVENT LIKE THIS IS SUCCESS. THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >> YOU ARE MUTED, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I WAS SAYING I ECHO THAT.

COUNTY ATTORNEY MENEFEE, ANYTHING ELSE?

>> NOT HERE, JUDGE. >> GOOD JOB, CHRIS --

[10:05:03]

CHRISTIAN. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE THIS IS JAMES. JUST FOR CLARITY EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 4C IS NO ACTION, RIGHT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT.

IT WAS JUST AN UPDATE. GREAT.

WELL, WE HAVE ONLY BEEN AT IT FOR 13 HOURS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DON'T GO NOW.

THIS IS JUST SO NICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF THE WEEK. IT IS 9:38 AND COMMISSIONER'S

COURT IS ADJOURNED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA:

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.