Feb 09, 2021 Commissioners Court

THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE HER.

30 YEARS. THAT'S PHENOMENAL.

HOPE THE NEW CHAPTER IN HER LIFE IS PLEASANT AND ENJOYABLE AND THINK ABOUT US AS YOU ARE ENJOYING YOURSELF.

LISTEN, CONGRATULATIONS. IT IS COMMENDABLE.

>> I BELIEVE SHE IS ON THE LINE.

IS THAT RIGHT, LUCINDA? >> JUDGE, WE COULD NOT REACH

HER. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL OUR BEST TO HER AND HER FAMILY. THAT WAS MY RESOLUTION OUT OF ORDER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU.

THIS IS AN ITEM THAT I AM PROUD TO HAVE WORKED WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY ON AND IF I MIGHT I WANT TO PASS THE HONORS OVER TO HIM. I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW PROUD I AM OF THE LEGACY AND WORK OF MR. HAINSWORTH.

MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY, IF YOU ARE THERE, I WOULD LIKE TO

PASS IT TO YOU. >> I'M ON.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR BRINGING THIS FORTH.

THANK YOU TO THE COURT AND THE LAW LIBRARY AND A THANK YOU TO MARIANNE SEARS AND THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROG -- PROJECTS FOR THE WORK ON THIS.

AND THE BLACK LAWYER BAR ASSOCIATION IN HOUSTON WHICH WAS ALSO FOUNDED BY MR. HAINSWORTH.

WE ARE EXCITED DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, THE LAW LIBRARY IS BEING DEDICATED TO HONOR THE LOCAL ATTORNEY AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER ROBERT HAINSWORTH.

IN 1951 WHEN RACIST JIM CROWE LAWS WERE ALIVE AND WELL IN TEXAS MR. HAINSWORTH FILED A LAWSUIT WHICH IS A RULE THAT REQUIRED AFRICAN-AMERICAN ATTORNEYS TO USE A SINGLE DESIGNATED TABLE WHILE WORKING IN THE LAW LIBRARY.

IT NOT ONLY INHIBITED THE ABILITY TO ACT FOR THE CLIENTS, BUT A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT THEY EXCELLED IN COLLEGE AND EXCEL RATED IN LAW SCHOOL AND PASSED THE LAW EXAM THEY WERE STILL TREATED AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS BY THE GOVERNMENT. IN THE SAME PERIOD MR. HANES -- HAINSWORTH WAS FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY THEY WERE FIGHTING FOR RECONCILE IN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION'S PROMISE FOR EQUALITY FOR ALL AND THE PRACTICAL REALITY OF SEGREGATION IN THE SOUTH.

IN MAY OF 1954 THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RULED THAT RACIAL SEGREGATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS VIOLATED THE 14TH AMENDMENT OVERTURNING THE SEPARATE BUT EQUAL DOCUMENT. JUST SIX MONTHS LATER THEY HEARD THE CASE AGAINST THE LAW LIBRARY.

WHILE THE COURTS DENIED THE CALL FOR EQUALITY THE VISION BLAZED THE TRAIL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SEGREGATION IN THE STATE. IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT THE LAW LIBRARY SHOULD BE REDEDICATED TO THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE VICTORY OF THAT VISION.

TODAY'S LAW LIBRARY IS A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION OR GENDER HAS A SEAT AT ANY TABLE. REDEDICATING THE LAW LIBRARY LOCATED AT 1019 CONGRESS IS IMPORTANT FOR ADDITIONAL REASONS. YEARS AGO THE BUILDING WAS THE HOME TO THE SLAVE MARKET. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST SLAVE MARKETS IN TEXAS. IT WAS NOT JUST TO THE DILIGENCE AND THE COURAGE THAT MR. HAINSWORTH EXHIBITED, BUT THE BLOOD OF THE FORE FATHERS.

IT WAS THE AMERICAN PUBLIC EXPECTS LAWYERS TO BE THE FIRST TO STAND FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY AND THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL. TO MY FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS BAR AND MY FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIALS, MAY WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE FREEDOM AND THE EQUALITY AND MORE JUSTICE. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO NOTE THAT I CERTAINLY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS ELOQUENT, BUT WANT TO COMMENT ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MR. MENEFEE NOT ONLY BEING THE YOUNGEST,

[00:10:03]

BUT THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN HIS POSITION.

WE HAVE COME A VERY LONG WAY FOR HIM TO BE IN A POSITION TO DEDICATE THAT LAW LIBRARY IN HONOR OF ONE OF THE TRAILBLAZERS THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR HIM AS WELL AS ME AND SO MANY OTHERS. THANK YOU.

I'M ALSO PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE HLA.

I KNOW THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS.

SOME OF THEM ARE LEGENDS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, BY THE WAY.

I AM JUST GLAD THAT SO MANY OF THEM SIGNED UP TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT MR. HAINSWORTH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: INCREDIBLE STEP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAD

ANOTHER ONE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH.

>> DO YOU WANT ME TO DO THE SPEAKERS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE GREAT, LUCINDA.

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 2)]

GO AHEAD. >> SARA BETH LANDO, FIRST COURT OF APPEALS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SARA BETH LANDOW.

I AM A JUSTICE ON THE FIRST COURT OF APPEALS.

I AM SPEAKING TO YOU IN MY CAPACITY AS ONE OF THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY COMMITTEE FOR THE HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION. I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE REDEDICATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY BECAUSE I THINK IT IS THE HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION LIBRARY COMMITTEE, A CHANCE TO RIGHT A HISTORIC WRONG WHEN IT DENIED MR. HAINSWORTH EQUAL ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY LIKE EVERY OTHER LAWYER. AND IT IS A CHANCE FOR THE LIBRARY TO CONTINUE THE SERVICE AS A BACKBONE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR SELF-REPRESENTED LIT GANTS AS WELL AS -- LITIGANTS AS WELL AS LAWYERS FROM SMALL FIRMS. I THINK MR. HAINSWORTH IS EMBLEMATIC OF THE LAW LIBRARY AND GIVE THE CHANCE OF THE VALUES OF THE LIBRARY AND ITS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY TO BE REFLECTED ON THE OUTSIDE AND CONTINUE SERVICE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR CONSIDERING THIS

IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> ANDREW WITH THE HOUSTON LAWYER ASSOCIATION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

I LISTENED TO THE PRIOR SPEAKERS, BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT THE LAW LIBRARY AT THE TIME THAT HAINSWORTH WAS PRACTICING SAT IN THE BASEMENT OF THE CIVIL COURTS BUILDING -- WHAT WAS THE CIVIL COURTS BUILDING AT THE TIME.

IT IS NOW THE APPELLATE. HAINSWORTH SPENT HOURS IN THE LIBRARY. HE FILED A NUMBER OF LAWSUITS AND HE SPENT MANY, MANY HOURS AND HE PRACTICED.

I DIDN'T KNOW MR. HAINSWORTH. I ARRIVED IN 1982 AND HE DIED IN 1981. I HAVE NEVER SEEN MR. HAINSWORTH, BUT JUST LOOKING AT SOME OF THE CASE THAT'S HE HAS TAKEN TO THE SUPREME COURT.

THERE MAY BE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BAR WHO SPENT TIME ON THE LIBRARY. I'M SURE MR. HAINSWORTH SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME DOWN IN THAT LIBRARY.

THAT'S IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, MR. MCGEE. THIS IS JACK CAGLE.

>> OKAY. OKAY.

HOW ARE YOU DOING, JACK? CACTUS JACK.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DOING ALL RIGHT.

GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN. >> ALGENITA SCOTT DAVIS WITH THE HOUSTON LAWYER ASSOCIATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> I AM ALGENITA SCOTT DAVIS AND I WANT TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION TO REDEDICATE THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY IN HONOR OF A GENTLEMAN WHO SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT THE MISSION OF THE LAW LIBRARY WAS FULFILLED.

ROBERT WENDELL HAINSWORTH. BEFORE OTHER ELECTRONIC LEGAL

[00:15:03]

SOURCES, THE PURPOSE OF THE LIBRARY WAS TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION THAT LAWYERS PRACTICING IN THE COURTROOMS OF THE COUNTY WOULD BE ABLE TO RESEARCH.

THE SEGREGATION WAS ON DISPLAY IN 1949 WHEN MR. HAINSWORTH WHEN HE GRADUATED FROM MY ALMA MATER, THE HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW. THIS LAW SCHOOL WAS A BOLD LABORATORY OF HOUSTONIAN JUROR REIS PRY -- JURIS-PRUDENCE TO PRACTICE WHERE -- WHEREVER THEY EXISTED.

IT WAS A DRIVING FORCE THAT MADE THE HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW INSTRUMENTAL IN LAYING THE GROUNDWORK THAT LEAD TO A SERIES OF RULINGS OUTLAWING RACIAL SEGREGATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. HE LEFT FROM HOUSTON TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO ATTEND THE SPECIALLY DEDICATED INSTITUTION. HE RETURNED COMMITTED TO WORK AND TO UP LAW THE INJUSTICE AND PRACTICING IN HIS OFFICE IN THE MCDONALD BUILDING IN LOUISIANA WHERE THERE WERE MANY CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS. AS YOU HAVE READ AND WILL HEAR MR. HAINSWORTH WAS NOT PERSUADED IN HIS DETERMINATION. HE HELPED SO NEGRO LAWYERS COULD COLLABORATE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISM. HAINSWORTH'S SISTER, HAZEL HAINSWORTH GRADUATED FROM HOWARD IN 1924.

SHE WAS ON THE FIRST FACULTY. DEAN HAINSWORTH PERSUADED ME TO ATTEND HOWARD UNIVERSITY. IT WAS FROM HER THAT I LEARNED AND HEARD MANY DOTING DISOIRS -- STORIES ABOUT HER OLDER BROTHER. FROM THE FIFTH WARD I COULD NOT HAVE ANTICIPATED THE LEGAL FIRE THAT ENVELOPED HER BROTHER, MR. HAINSWORTH AND WOULD ALSO ENVELOP ME AND DIRECT ME TO HIS HLA, BECOMING HIS PRESIDENT AND MADE A PRESIDENT OF HIS NATIONAL AFFILIATE, THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION AND BECOMING THE GENERAL COUNSEL -- COUNCIL OF THE PORT AUTHORITY FOR 10 YEARS BECAUSE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HOUSTON LAWYER ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HONORING HIM FOR WHAT HE DID FOR OUR COUNTY AND WHAT HE DID FOR LAWYERS LIKE ME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS. I WANT TO THANK YOU AND OF COURSE EVERYBODY WILL SPEAK AND I WON'T INTERRUPT EVERYONE. BUT SHE IS MY RESIDENT AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY HISTORIAN.

SENATOR AND CONGRESSMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE WASHINGTON AND I WILL BE PRESENTING THAT OTHER ONE.

I AM EMBARRASSED THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ALL OF THAT.

THANK YOU. >> WE BOTH LOVE HISTORY.

>> FRANCIS CARTWRIGHT -- CAN YOU PLEASE TURN DOWN YOUR

AUDIO IN THE BACKGROUND. >> OH, OKAY.

OKAY. >> IT IS DOWN NOW.

IS THAT OKAY? >> THANK YOU, SIR.

THAT'S PERFECT. CAN YOU GO AHEAD AND START?

>> OKAY. YES.

I AM ONE OF THE PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON LAWYERS ASSOCIATION. I WANT TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION OF RE-DEDICATING THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY IN HONOR OF MR. ROBERT WENDELL HAINSWORTH.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING MR. HAINSWORTH BECAUSE HE AND HIS SISTER, THE HAINSWORTH FAMILY WERE MEMBERS OF THE HISTORIC BAP AT THIS TIME -- BAPTIST CHURCH DOWNTOWN. MR. HAINSWORTH WAS NOT ONLY A LEGAL SCHOLAR. MRS. HAINSWORTH YOUNG.

[00:20:07]

I WANT TO SAY THAT I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE RESOLUTION.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING MR. HAINSWORTH ON ONE OCCASION. HE SHARED WITH ME HIS VISION.

I WAS 30 YEARS YOUNG THEN AND HAD HAIR ON MY HEAD.

WE WILL PICK UP THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE IN HARRIS COUNTY. HE AND SOME OF THE FOUNDERS IN THE HOUSTON LAWYER'S ASSOCIATION ENDURED DURING THE EARLY 50S THAT THEY WERE NOT ONLY SEGREGATED AND THEIR CLIENTS WERE THE LAST PERSONS ON THE COURT DOCKET TO BE CALLED. THERE WAS CERTAINLY AN EMBARRASSMENT TO NOT HAVING EQUAL JUSTICE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AT THE TIME. DURING THE TIME I WAS PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON LAWYER'S ASSOCIATION I WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE THE ORAL HISTORY OF SOME OF THE FOUNDERS THAT WERE LIVING AT THE TIME.

ATTORNEY WITCLIFF AND MR. -- ROBERSON KEY AND JUDGE FRANCIS WILLIAMS. SO THEY WERE ALL FOUNDERS OF THE HOUSTON LAWYERS ASSOCIATION.

MR. HAINSWORTH WAS THE TRAILBLAZER.

WHAT I ADMIRED ABOUT HIM BEING A SELF-LITIGANT, HE WAS A STUDENT OF THE LAW, AND FOR THAT REASON I THINK HE WAS A STALION -- A LEGAL TRAILBLAZER OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THIS IS VERY APPROPRIATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I HOPE THAT MY SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU WILL BE FORTHCOMING IN A POSITIVE, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TAKING PLACE ON THE REDEDICATION. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, MR. CARTWRIGHT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RJ BLUE WITH HOUSTON LAWYER ASSOCIATION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. I HOPE I I DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH BACKGROUND NOISE IN THERE. I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING AS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSTON LAWYER ASSOCIATION AND ITS CURRENT MEMBERS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WE FULLY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND WE ALSO THANK ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO HAS DEDICATED ANY TIME ORIE SOURCES IN -- OR RESOURCES IN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLUTION PASSED.

AND SPOKE DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY.

I WANT TO THANK THE FOLKS FROM THE HOUSTON YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION AND THE HOUSTON AREA LAW LIBRARY AND THE HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION AND PHIL KROGER AND THE FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES BAKER AS WELL AS AGAIN ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY WHO HAD A HAND IN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLUTION PASSED. WHEN I FIRST -- LIKE A LOT OF FOLKS MY AGE, I AM A LITTLE YOUNGER.

I FEEL LIKE I AM OLD, BUT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE YOU GET AROUND MORE SEASONED ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE A MORE INTIMATE CONNECTION WITH THE HOUSTON LAWYER ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS MANY OF ITS FOUNDERS INCLUDING MR. HAINSWORTH.

I AM HUMBLED TO BE PART OF AN ORGANIZATION WITH SUCH A RICH HISTORY AND EVEN MORE HUMBLED THAT THE FOUNDERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION HAD TO DEAL WITH THINGS I WOULD NEVER EVEN IMAGINE HAVING TO DEAL WITH. A LOT OF THE ISSUES THEY HAD TO FACE WHEN THEY WERE PRACTICING LAW, WE DON'T HAVE TO FACE NOW. IT IS IN LARGE PART DUE TO THEIR EFFORTS. WHEN READING THE BIO OF ROBERT HAINSWORTH I WAS TAKEN UH BACK.

I THINK ALL LAWYERS CAN FIND THEMSELVES WELL SERVED BY TRYING TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MR. HAINSWORTH.

NOT ONLY WAS HE A SERVANT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND TRYING TO USE THE LAW TO ACHIEVE EQUALITY FOR PRACTITIONERS AND THE CLIENT'S HEALTH, HE WAS A SERVICE MEMBER AND A COLONEL IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY. THE HOUSTON LAWYERS ASSOCIATION STANDS FULLY PREPARED TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND ALL THINGS SUBSEQUENT TO THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION TO MAKE SURE WE SOLIDIFY MR. HAINSWORTH AND THE CHANGING OF THE NAME OF THE LIBRARY AND ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE LIBRARY AND THE RESOLUTION AFTERWARDS. ALSO I AM GOING TO WRAP UP AND GIVE SOME TIME BACK. I HAD TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK FROM A DEPOSITION, BUT I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE

[00:25:01]

COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR ALLOWING US TO REQUEST THIS RESOLUTION AND SPEAK HERE TODAY.

I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE BECAUSE HE KNOWS AND HE ALWAYS REMINDS ME -- YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE JUDGE CAGLE TO ME.

I TRIED A TON OF CASES, BUT MY FIRST JURY TRIAL WAS IN I BELIEVE COUNTY COURT OF LAW NUMBER ONE IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN WHEN YOU WERE IN THE COUNTY COURT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HI TO YOU AGAIN EVEN THOUGH IT IS ONLY ON THE TELEPHONE CALL. THANK YOU, AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING ALL EFFORTS CONCERNING THIS

RESOLUTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COUNSELOR, I REMEMBER YOU TRYING THAT FIRST CASE.

YOU MAY RECALL I COMMENDED YOU FOR DOING SUCH A FABULOUS JOB ON YOUR FIRST TIME OUT OF THE BOX.

I WAS NOT AWARE YOU WOULD BECOME THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON LAWYERS ASSOCIATION. YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF THIS, BUT WHEN I SAT ON THE BENCH I WAS ACTUALLY A MEMBER. YOU ARE NOW MY PRESIDENT.

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

>> LOOKS LIKE HE LEFT, SIR. >> JUDGE, THOSE WERE THE SPEAKERS ON THE ITEM. I DO HAVE AURORA ROBERTS BACK

[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

ON THE LINE FOR YOUR RESOLUTION IF YOU WOULD LIKE

TO GO AHEAD -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE

GREAT. >> AURORA ROBERTS, GO AHEAD

PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND TO THE COMMISSIONERS ELLIS, GARCIA, RAMSEY AND CAGLE. I AM PROUD TO REACH 30 YEARS OF BEING AN EMPLOYEE. IT HAS BEEN A -- AN AMAZING JOURNEY. I REMEMBER AS IF IT WAS EARLY OCTOBER ABOUT SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION BECAUSE THE OVERNIGHT POSITION SAID SPANISH PREFERRED.

BUT THE HR EMPLOYEE ASKED I DIDN'T SUBMIT AND SUGGESTED I DO. 30 YEARS LATER I HAVE MADE LIFE-LONG FRIENDS AND LEARNED A LOT ABOUT COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND LIFE AND MYSELF.

I WORKED FOR AND ALONGSIDE AMAZING PEOPLE AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SERVED MY COMMUNITY IN THAT CAPACITY. TODAY I HAPPILY JOIN THE HARRIS COUNTY RETIREE CLASS, BUT SADLY LEAVE BEHIND AN AMAZING GROUP OF SUPERVISORS AND THE MOST CREE -- CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE STAFF AND FRIENDS WHO I HOPE WILL JOIN ME AS A RETIREE IN THE COMING MONTHS.

I THANK ADMINISTRATIONS PAST AND PRESENT.

I THANK ALL OF THE HARRIS COUNTY PRE-TRIAL STAFF.

THEY ARE AMAZING PEOPLE. AND I THANK THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AND FOR PROVIDING THE SOUND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT FACILITATED MY 30 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT AND PROVIDED FOR MY FUTURE. THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU AND THE GREAT CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF I MIGHT SHOULD I MOVE THE ONE NOW FOR MR. HAINSWORTH OR JUST WAIT AND DO THEM AT THE SAME

TIME? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN DO

THAT ONE, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST MOVE

ADOPTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM 236 ON PAGE 28 UNDER COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 1.

>> IS IT APPROVED AS PRESENTED?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: A REDEDICATION OF THE LAW LIBRARY IN HONOR OF MR. ROBERT W.HAINSWORTH. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I DIDN'T CALL ALL OF THE NAMES OUT, BUT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND A HOST OF PEOPLE WHO WORKED ON THAT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THEM.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD. IF WE DON'T CELEBRATE HISTORY LIKE THAT WE WILL FORGET ABOUT IT.

THE THING ABOUT HISTORY, IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO WHEN THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPENED IN HOUSTON.

WE SAW THE EFFECTS OF THAT ALL THE WAY UP IN MY HOMETOWN OF CROCKETT, TEXAS. THANK YOU FOR THAT AND, CHRISTIAN, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE CRAIG WASHINGTON SPEAK TO US.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IN FACT, JUDGE, I WILL CALL HIM.

I DON'T THINK WE TOLD MY PREDECESSOR HOW TO SIGN UP.

I WILL MAKE SURE WE CALL HIM. I KNOW YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON CURTIS GRAY AND THE ONE ON MR. HAINSWORTH.

I WILL TRY TO TRACK HIM DOWN, LEW -- LUCINDA.

HE CALLED ME THIS MORNING TO ASK WHAT TIME.

I SAID 11 AND HE SAID A.M. OR P.M.

I GUESS HE KNOWS HOW LONG WE GO.

WE WILL TRY TO TRACK HIM DOWN, CACTUS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE WE CAN DO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S NEXT IF WE CAN, JUDGE, AND I WILL TRY TO TRACK DOWN CONGRESSMAN WASHINGTON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. LET'S MOVE TO COMMISSIONER

GARCIA FOR NOW THEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

[00:30:01]

BEFORE I BEGIN MY RESOLUTION, JUDGE.

I DO WANT TO -- I RECEIVED A TEXT FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS EARLIER WITH SOME AMAZING HISTORY ABOUT HIS FATHER.

I WILL JUST TELL YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I REGRET THAT I NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO VISIT WITH HIM AND SPEAK TO HIM, BUT I THANK YOU FOR THINKING ENOUGH TO LET ME MEET HIM. THE HISTORY THAT HE HAS AND PARTICULARLY HIS MILITARY HISTORY IS -- IT LEAVES ME SPEECHLESS. SO I JUST REALLY WANT TO SAY ON THIS OCCASION THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY AND RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO PERSEVERED AND THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED AND THOSE WHO SUPPORTED FORWARD PROGRESS AND THOSE WHO INSPIRED THAT YOUR FATHER, ELIJAH ELLIS, SHOULD BE AMONGST THOSE REMEMBERED ON THIS OCCASION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND SO WITH THAT LET ME READ THIS RESOLUTION. AS IT WAS BEING SAID, I WANTED TO DO THIS ONE, AND WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS I QUICKLY TEXTED MY STAFF AND SAID I WANT TO DO THE RESOLUTION FOR JUDGE GILMORE. PART OF THE REASON IS I HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED THAT SHE HAS BEEN THE JUDGE TO OFFICIATE MY OATH OF OFFICE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

BUT IT WAS ONE TIME WHEN WE WERE ATTENDING AN EVENT TOGETHER, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONE, BUT JUDGE GILMORE WAS TALKING ABOUT BROWN VERSUS BOARD OF EDUCATION AND HOW THAT DECISION IMPACTED HISD. AND THE WAY IT IMPACTED HISD WAS THAT A FAMILY SENT FROM CRAWFORD ELEMENTARY SENT THEIR CHILD TO SHERMAN ELEMENTARY. THE PRINCIPAL AT SHERMAN SAID THAT WE DON'T ACCEPT BLACK STUDENTS.

AND SO THE COMMUNITY HERE BEGAN TO LEVERAGE BROWN VERSUS BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND IT STARTED RACIAL IMMIGRATION HERE IN HISD. THE REASON THAT THAT WAS SPECIAL TO ME WAS BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW I SHARED SOME OF THE HISTORY BECAUSE SHERMAN ELEMENTARY WAS WHERE I WAS ATTENDING. AND DURING THE INTEGRATION PROCESS HISD SETTLED THE SUIT AND SAID WE WILL INTEGRATE AND WE WILL SEND OUR WHITE CHILDREN, OUR WHITE STUDENTS TO CRAWFORD ELEMENTARY AND WE WILL ACCEPT BLACK STUDENTS FROM CRAWFORD AT SHERMAN ELEMENTARY.

I WAS ONE OF THE WHITE STUDENTS THAT GOT SENT TO CRAWFORD ELEMENTARY. I REMEMBER THE UPROAR AND THE PICKETING. PARENTS DID NOT WANT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO CRAWFORD. THERE WERE PROTESTS AND I REMEMBER DRIVING MY DAD DRIVING MY SISTER AND I TO CRAWFORD THAT DAY WHEN THE BUSING WAS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN AND PRIOR TO A LOT OF MY FRIENDS WERE TELLING THEM THEIR PARENTS WERE PULLING THEM OUT OF HISD AND STARTED TO SEND THEM TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THOSE RESOURCES , AND IT WASN'T A CONVERSATION AT HOME. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT SHERMAN AND I SAW ALL OF THE ACTIVITY OCCURRING AND I SAW PARENTS CARRYING PICKET SIGNS I ASKED MY DAD, "DADDY, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO." AND MY DAD SAID ABOUT WHAT? I SAID ABOUT THAT. I POINTED TO THE PROTESTS.

MY FATHER SAID, SON, ALL I I KNOW IS YOU GOTTA GO TO SCHOOL. I WOULD IMAGINE HE WAS CHANNELING A LITTLE BIT OF ELIJAH AT THAT MOMENT.

SO MY SISTER AND I, AS A PROUD DEMOCRAT, I BROKE THE PICKET

[00:35:01]

LINE AND GOT ON THAT BUS AND MY SISTER AND I WERE THE ONLY TWO ON THAT BUS AS WE STARTED OFF AT SHERMAN.

I I WILL JUST SAY THAT THAT EXPERIENCE -- BECAUSE I STILL HAVE MANY OF MY CLASSMATES ON MY PHONE TODAY FROM THOSE DAYS AT CRAWFORD, AND I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW MY TEACHERS WOULD PREPARE US. DON'T WORRY.

THEY ARE REALLY NICE PEOPLE OVER THERE.

AND SO I STARTED MY SCHOOLING AT CRAWFORD.

HISD DOES SOMETHING ELSE INTERESTING AND THAT IS THE FIRST PROGRAM. I REMEMBER MY TEACHER SAYING THEY ARE NICE PEOPLE OVER THERE.

THEY HELPED ME THROUGH MY LIFE.

IT WAS JUDGE GILMORE WHO WAS SHARING THAT STORY THAT REALLY GOT MY ATTENTION AND SHE WAS ALWAYS SOMEONE I ADMIRED AND RESPECTED. SHE IS TOO YOUNG TO LEAVE THE BENCH. I WISH THIS RESOLUTION WOULD HAVE READ THAT WE STAND AGAINST HER RETIREMENT AND IT READS AS SUCH. WHERE -- WHEREAS BORN IN SAINT ALBANAS, THE HONORABLE VANESSA D.GILMORE GRADUATED FROM HAMPTON UNIVERSITY IN VIRGINIA A HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY KNOWN FOR ITS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN TEXTILES AND MARKETING AND BEGAN HER CAREER AS A FASHION BUYER AT FOLEY'S DEPARTMENT STORE IN HOUSTON. WOW.

AND WHEREAS AS GILMORE WENT TO GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW SCHOOL AND FOR 13 YEARS WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AT BICKERY, AND GILMORE AND BICKERY WHERE SHE SPECIALIZED IN CIVIL LITIGATION, HER WORK GARNERED HER THE ATTENTION OF GOVERNOR. SHE WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SERVE ON THE BOARD FOR INCREASING BUSINESS, TOURISM AND JOB TRAINING IN TEXAS.

SOON AFTER JUDGE GILMORE WAS NAMED THE CHAIRPERSON FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN TRADE AGREEMENT WITH RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE

U.S. TRADE OPPORTUNITIES. >> I IMAGINE YOU WERE LOOKING ALONGSIDE HER AT THE TIME. WHEREAS JUDGE GILMORE WAS NOMINATED TO THE FEDERAL BENCH BY PRESIDENT BILL JONES IN 1994. AND SHE WAS THE FIRST FEDERAL JUDGE AND WAS A GRADUATE TO BE APPOINTED AT THE FEDERAL BENCH. ONLY 27 YEARS, JUDGE? I HAVE ANOTHER 27 YEARS I THINK WE CAN GET.

AFTER NEITHER -- NEARLY A 27-YEAR TENURE, SHE PRESIDED OVER THE ENRON BROAD BAND TRIAL AND THE CASE INVOLVING THE BUILDING OF THE GALVESTON CRUISE TERMINAL AND HAS WRITTEN SIGNIFICANT OPINIONS ON PATIENTS RIGHTS AND COPYRIGHT AND PATENT LAW AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

WHEREAS IN ADDITION TO HER JUDICIAL WORK, JUDGE GILMORE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARDS OF THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN THE CHILDREN'S CENTER.

SHE HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE YWCA OF HOUSTON AND THE BOARDS OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING IN PRIBT, A -- IN PRINT, A LITERARY ART FOR READERS AND WRITERS. THE FIRST OF HOUSTON, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR HAMPTON UNIVERSITY FOR 17 YEARS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL.

WHILE SHE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT SHE PLANS TO RETIRE AS U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE IN JANUARY OF 2022, JUDGE GILMORE EXPECTS

[00:40:05]

TO CONTINUE WORKING PROFESSIONALLY AND TO DEVOTE TIME TO HER OTHER PASSIONS AS AN AUTHOR AND ENTREPRENEUR.

HER PUBLISHINGED -- HER PUBLISHED WORKS INCLUDE THE CHILDREN'S BOOK ENTITLED "A BOY NAMED ROCKY." IT IS A COLORING BOOK FOR THE CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS WHICH LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LEGAL FINANCE AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

SHE IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF HER SON SON'S COMPANY SLEEP OVER BED, TENT LLC. AND IN 2015 STARTED VOICES BY VIRGINIANESS SAW. VOICES BY VANESSA WHERE SHE WORKS AS A VOICEOVER ARTIST. NICE.

A RECIPIENT OF MANY REC COG -- RECOGNITIONS IN 2017, JUDGE GILMORE WAS NAMED ONE OF THE 30 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN HOUSTON. JUDGE GILMORE, IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO SHARE YOUR HISTORY. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE HISTORY YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US FOR SO MANY YEARS.

WE HATE TO SEE YOU GO. WE ARE JUST SO BLESSED TO HAVE HAD YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT HAS BEEN THE HONOR OF MY LIFE TO HAVE SPENT THE NEARLY LAST 27 YEARS AS THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE. I KNOW SOME MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT KNOW VERY WELL THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SERVICE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL DO WITH A FULL OBLIGATION AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SEE AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES EVOLVE OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES, AND I HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THAT EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS. I THINK WE ARE ALL MINDFUL OF OUR ROLES, BUT OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES WE HAVE SEEN THE NEED TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE FOR INSTANCE THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAVE A TRUE OPPORTUNITY TO REINTEGRATE INTO OUR COMMUNITY AS PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

I ENJOYED BRINGING PEOPLE IN TO SEE HOW THE COURTS OPERATE. I ENJOY SHARING STORIES ABOUT THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF HOUSTON BY SHARING CASES ABOUT OUR COURT SUCH AS THE CASE YOU MENTIONED INVOLVING THE INTEGRATION OF THE SCHOOLS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I RECALL VERY WELL TALKING TO YOU ABOUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY AND THE EVERY -- EVOLUTION OF OUR COUNTRY. AND USING THE COURTS TO MAKE THE UNITED STATES A PLACE THAT IS MORE JUST AND FAIR FOR ALL OF US TO BE ABLE TO LIVE OUR DREAMS OF EDUCATION AND SUCCESS FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN.

I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH THE YOUTH AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE ROLE OF OUR JUDICIARY AND OUR SOCIETY. AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO TRANSITIONING TO THE NEXT PART OF MY CAREER, BUT ALSO HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY.

I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR RECOGNIZING ME AND GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND RESPOND TO THE LOVELY RESOLUTION THAT YOU HAVE JUST READ FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE AND HOPE THAT I WILL STILL BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COMMUNITY IN THE NEXT PART OF MY JOURNEY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE KNOW YOU

WILL. >> LINA HIDALGO: JUDGE GILMORE, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS -- OR COMMENTS.

GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

IT HAS BEEN A DELIGHT TO SEE YOU OVER THE YEARS AND I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHAT YOU DO NEXT.

NUMBER TWO, IN THE LIST OF CASES, THE PROMINENT CASES YOU PRESIDED OVER YOU PRESIDED OVER HARRIS COUNTY'S REDISTRICTING. CRAIG WASHINGTON WHO IS ABOUT TO COME ON IN A LITTLE BIT WAS OUR ATTORNEY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE HE GRACIOUSLY ALLOWED ME TO HAVE THE WORK CAMP. IT WAS GOING TO BE WHERE I HAD TO SERVE THE PRECINCT, BUT NO PLACE TO SERVE THEM FROM.

THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD JOB YOU DID BACK THEN.

AND I HAVE TO ASK, VOICES BY VANESSA.

WHAT TYPE OF VOICEOVERS DO YOU DO?

>> YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS, BUT I HAVE BEEN THE HOUSE

[00:45:01]

ANNOUNCER FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY FOR SOME SPORTING EVENTS. NOBODY KNOWS THAT IS MY VOICE

BEHIND THE SCREEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW, THAT'S COOL. MOSTLY FOR SIRIUS RADIO.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL VERY GOOD.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER EL -- ELLIS 1234*.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY AND I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL. GOING BACK TO WHEN VICKY LEYLAND WAS PULLING TOGETHER YOUNG AND UPCOMING LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS NOMINATED FOR A STATE BENCH. IT DIDN'T WORK OUT, BUT GOOD FOR HER. I WAS THERE WHEN SHE WAS SWORN IN AS THE YOUNGEST FEDERAL JUDGE AND THEY PICKED THE SAME PLACE TO GO ON SUMMER VACATION.

IT WAS UP AT MARTHA'S VINEYARD.

I HOPE -- I TOLD YOU YESTERDAY OR THE DAY BEFORE YOU DON'T RULE OUT GOING BACK INTO PUBLIC LIFE.

OBVIOUSLY IT WAS A TREMENDOUS SACRIFICE AND YOU COULD MAKE A LOT OF MONEY IF YOU DECIDE TO GO THE PRIVATE ROUTE.

I KNOW THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES AND FOLKS LOOKING AT YOU. YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TITLES YOU HAVE HAD IS MOTHER AND WE HAVE SO PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE.

SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER.

I APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: JUDGE GILMORE, IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR TO KNOW YOU IF FOR A SHORT TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO STAY IN TOUCH. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU SWORE ME AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THOSE OF US -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE AS WELL FOR HIS SECOND TERM IN JANUARY 1ST, 2019. I ALWAYS CHERISH THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR COUNTRY AND ALL THAT LAYS AHEAD.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I APPRECIATE IT. I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU HONORED ME AS WELL BY COMING AND BEING MY SPEAKER FOR THE SWEARING IN OF OUR NEW CITIZENS.

THAT WAS A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU PARTICIPATE IN THAT VERY IMPORTANT CEREMONY FOR US, SWEARING IN OUR NEW CITIZENS OUT AT THE EDUCATION CENTER.

I WANT TO THANK YOU. AND I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS HONORED US BY SPEAKING AT THAT EVENT AS WELL.

I HOPE BEFORE I LEAVE AT THE END OF THE YEAR I CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO CALL ON YOU IN THAT REGARD AGAIN MAYBE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE AND

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

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

COUPLE OTHER RESOLUTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO, JUDGE. THE NEXT ONE IS ONE THAT IS ALSO VERY SPECIAL AND IMPORTANT TO ME.

IT IS FOR SEVERAL REASONS. ONE IS BECAUSE I HAVE THROUGHOUT MY LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER HAVE HAD THE UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE OF HAVING TO DEAL WITH MANY CASES LIKE THIS RESOLUTION THAT WE'LL DISCUSS.

AND ALSO BECAUSE I REMEMBER SOME OF THESE.

ONE IN PARTICULAR. I WAS PROUD I WAS ABLE TO BE A PART OF THE FIRST ANNUAL EVENT OF THIS OCCASION.

I JUST WANTED TO FIRST SAY TO YOU ALL OF THE PARENTS AND THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE THE REGRETFUL CIRCUMSTANCE TO BE A PART OF THIS CLUB, I I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE THOUGHT ABOUT AND KNOW THAT REGARDLESS OF THE AGENCY THAT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CASE THAT THERE IS CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO BRING CLOSURE TO THE EXAT THE PRESENT TIME -- EXTENT CLOSURE CAN BE BROUGHT TO YOU AND TO YOUR FAMILY SO YOU MAY KNOW WHERE YOUR LOVED ONE IS AT AND WHAT MAY HAVE

[00:50:03]

HAPPENED. TO THAT END, THAT IS WHY WHEN I FIRST BECAME SHERIFF ONE OF THE FIRST MAJOR PRIORITIES WAS REINSTATING THE COLD CASE FILE.

WE HAD NO ONE ASSIGNED TO IT. CASES SAT THERE UNATTENDED AND WITHOUT ANY ATTENTION. WE DEDICATE SMED PHENOMENAL -- DEDICATED SOME PHENOMENAL INVESTIGATORS AND STARTED TO HELP FAMILIES WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THEIR LOVED ONES. THIS RESOLUTION WITH INCREDIBLE RESPECT AND DIGNITY TO ALL OF THE FAMILIES THAT ARE CONNECTED. AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2019, THE FBI'S NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION CENTER HAD NEARLY 87,500 ACTIVE MISSING PERSON RECORDS.

WITH YOUTH UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ACCOUNTING FOR 35% AND 44 ACCOUNTING FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 21.

IN 2019 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ENTERED MORE THAN 609,000 MISSING PERSONS RECORDS.

WITH THE RECORDS BEING RETAINED INDEFINITELY UNTIL A MISSING PERSON IS FOUND. OR THE REPORTING AGENCY CANCELS THE ENTRY. AND WHEREAS LOCALLY WE TAKE THE TIME TO REMEMBER ALEXANDRIA JOY, ALEX, WHO HAS BEEN MISSING FROM TEXAS SINCE APRIL 26 OF 2010.

HOUR -- HER MOTHER ESTABLISHED THE TEXAS CENTER FOR THE MIGGING -- MISSING WHICH IS ALSO THE HOUSTON AMBER ALERT.

AND IT COMES TOGETHER TO SHOW THOSE WHO SUFFER THE LOSS OF A MISSING LOVED ONE AND THE VICTIMS THE CRIME LEAVES BEHIND. FAMILY MEMBERS ARE WORRIED WITH CONCERN AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

AND WHERE EVERY MISSING PERSON IS SOMEONE'S CHILD AND DESERVES TO BE FOUND NO MATTER HOW LONG THEY ARE MISSING OR UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES. EACH YEAR WE HOPE THAT ON THIS DAY FAMILIES LIKE THOSE OF JOANNE MAY FIND EACH OTHER AND REMEMBER THOSE WHO CANNOT BE WITH THEM.

SHARING IN SUPPORT OF COMMON EFFORTS TO SEARCH FOR FAMILY MEMBERS. AND WHEREAS THE FAMILIES OF THE MISSING DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE KNOWLEDGE -- TO BE EDUCATED ON SEARCH AND TOOLS ON INVESTIGATION AND STRATEGIES TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CASE INVESTIGATORS AND WAYS TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THEIR MISSING LOVED ONE UNTIL A RESOLUTION IS PROVIDED.

WE HAVE JOY ON THE CALL, BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THERE IS ALSO SOMEONE VERY INTRICATE AND IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE EFFORT OF THE ANNUAL MISSING PERSON'S DAY AND THAT IS BETH. BETH IS RETIRING AND SHE LEAVES AN INCREDIBLE LEGACY WITH HER WORK AND COMMITMENT TO THESE FAMILIES. JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES ON THE COURT I RESPECTFULLY AND HUMBLY SUBMIT THIS MISSING

PERSONS DAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE BEFORE JOANNE SPEAKS IF I CAN CHIME IN WITH SOME OF THE HISTORY OF THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION TODAY AND I PROBABLY WILL SECOND IT. ALLEY LIVED BEHIND CARS COUNTRY IN PRECINCT 4. SHE STEPPED OFF THE BUS AND SHE DISAPPEARED. NEVER TO BE PHYSICALLY SEEN AGAIN, BUT HER MEMORY HAS STAYED WITH US.

SHE WAS 16 AS YOU MENTIONED. AT THAT TIME WE HAD NATIONAL DAYS FOR CHOCOLATES AND CUP CAKES AND PIZZA, BUT WE DID NOT HAVE A NATIONAL DAY FOR MISSING PERSONS.

SHE APPROACHED JUDGE TED POE, FORMER CONGRESSMAN AND THEY

[00:55:05]

DISCUSSED THE LACK OF MISSING PERSON'S DAY.

ON FEBRUARY 3RD OF 2018 WE BECAME A UNITED STATES MISSING PERSONS DAY. ALLEY WOULD HAVE BEEN 27 YEARS OLD THIS LAST WEEK AND I LIKE YOU ENCOURAGE COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WHO SUFFERED THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A LOVED ONE, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THIS.

WE HAD A RECENT BENCH DEDICATION IN ONE OF OUR PARKS. AT THE TIME WE DISCUSSED -- OUR STAFF DISCUSSED THAT WE WOULD TAP INTO OUR LEGACY TREE PROGRAM AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A LEG -- LEGACY MAGNOLIA TREE. WE DON'T HAVE THE DATES SET UP WITH THE COMPLICATIONS OF COVID AND WHATNOT, AND I THINK WE VERY SOON WILL BE PLANTING A LEGACY MAGNOLIA TREE NEXT TO ALLEY'S BENCH IN HER MEMORY. THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION AND FOR BRINGING THIS AWARENESS. IF WE ARE GONNA HONOR PIZZA, LET'S HONOR OUR MISSING CHILDREN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, LUCINDA.

>> JOANNE LOWITZER. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. MY NAME IS JOANNE LOWITZER.

I'M SORRY. I HAVE SOME HAPPY TEARS.

I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS TO ALL OF YOU THAT IT MAKES ME HAPPY. I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A HAPPY SITUATION I AM IN, BUT IT IS SITUATIONS LIKE THIS TO HELP BRING MORE AWARENESS TO NOT JUST ALY, BUT TO ALL OF THE OTHER FAMILY THAT'S HAVE A MISSING LOVED ONE AND IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE LEADERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SHERIFF WHEN ALY FIRST WENT MISSING. I AM HAPPY HE IS STILL ABLE TO BE INVOLVED EVEN IN THIS CAPACITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

MR. CAGLE, I REALLY STARTED TEARING UP FROM WHAT YOU SAID BECAUSE IT JUST REALLY TOUCHES ME THAT -- THE INVOLVEMENT WITH PRECINCT 4 AS FAR AS THE BENCH AND I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE MAGNOLIA TREE.

I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

EVEN THOUGH IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM REALLY, REALLY UPSET, IT IS HAPPY TEARS. I PROMISE.

I JUST WANT TO -- FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOD BLESS YOU, JOANNE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSEVERANCE AND YOUR CONTINUED FIGHT ON THIS. AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR THE SUPPORT IN THIS.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE ONE MORE RESOLUTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, MA'AM. I ACTUALLY HAVE TWO, BUT UNLESS MY COLLEAGUES ALLOW I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT OTHER ONE, BUT I MAY -- I MADE ROOM FOR THE FIRST THREE.

THIS RESOLUTION IS ALSO IMPORTANT.

IT ALSO SPEAKS TO WHY I AM GETTING ON MY BIKE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I WANT TO HAVE A HEALTHY HEART. CHOLESTEROL IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE FOR ME BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF THAT I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LIKE AND I SHOULDN'T.

WITH THAT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE FACT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO WEAR RED AND GO FIGURE THAT I PICKED THE WRONG TIE TODAY. MY SPIRIT IS WITH WEAR RED DAY. AND THIS RESOLUTION READS WHEREAS IN 2019 THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION REPORTED CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES ARE THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES CLAIMING ONE WOMAN ALMOST EVERY 80 SECONDS. WHEREAS HEART DISEASE AND

[01:00:03]

STROKE CAN AFFECT ALL WOMEN AT ANY AGE, HEART ATTACKS ARE ON THE RISE IN YOUNGER GENERATIONS OF WOMEN.

GEN-Z AND MILLENNIALS ARE ALSO LESS LIKELY TO BE AWARE OF THE WARNING SIGNS OF HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES.

WHEREAS NEARLY A QUARTER, 23% OF PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID-19 HAVE EXPERIENCED SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS. AND WHEREAS THE CASE STUDIES INDICATE COVID-19 MAY LEAD TO HEART ATTACKS OR CORONARY SYNDROMES, STROKES AND OTHER ISSUES ADVERSELY AFFECTING HEART HEALTH. AND WHEREAS, THE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES KILL ONE IN THREE WOMEN, BUT ABOUT 80% OF CARDIAC EVENTS CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH EDUCATION AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES LIKE BEING A VEGETARIAN.

THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION'S GO RED FOR WOMEN MOVEMENT MOTIVATES WOMEN TO LEARN THEIR FAMILY HISTORY AND TO MEET WITH A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO DETERMINE THEIR RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND STROKES.

AND WHEREAS ALL WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO MOVE MORE, EAT SMART AND MANAGE BLOOD PRESSURE TO REDUCE THEIR RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. AS THE TRUSTED, PASSIONATE AND RELEVANT FORCE FOR CHANGE TO ERADICATE HEART DISEASE AND STROKE IN WOMEN, THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION'S GO RED FOR WOMEN REMAINS COMMITTED TO MEETING THE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH NEEDS OF WOMEN AT EVERY LIFE STAGE.

AND WHEREAS THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION URGES ALL CITIZENS TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR WOMEN IN -- AND THE FIGHT AGAINST HEART DISEASE BY COMMEMORATING THIS DAY BY WEARING THE COLOR RED. I'M GONNA GO CHANGE SOON.

AND EMPOWERING MY -- BY INCREASING THE AWARENESS AND SPEAKING OUT ABOUT HEART DISEASE AND HELP WOMEN REDUCE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES WE CAN SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES EACH YORE. I AM EXCITED AS I AM GETTING ON MY BIKE MORE AND SO IS MY BEAUTIFUL BRIDE.

I WANT TO KEEP HER HEALTHY AND KEEP HER FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. SO WITH THAT, JUDGE, I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT THE HEART ASSOCIATION'S WEAR RED DAY RESOLUTION. I THINK WE HAVE MS. EDWARDS TO SPEAK ON THIS EAST LUGES. THIS RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU.

IT IS A HUGE ISSUE AMONGST OUR POPULATION.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING ATTENTION TO.

IT THERE IS NOT A SINGLE PERSON WE KNOW THAT HASN'T BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS DISEASE.

THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION. IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> I WANT TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I AM GLAD YOU ARE OUT THERE RIDING. I KNOW THE HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET IS UP. I HEARD OUR HEALTHY FOOD WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED. IT IS A HECK OF A DEAL WHEN THE NUN -- THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IS WHAT WE EAT. AS I START THINKING ABOUT TELLING THEM TO GET ME THE SALMON FOR LUNCH AND THE DRESSING ON THE SIDE. IT IS AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. I THINK WE AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS CAN PLAY A ROLE IN ENCOURAGING OUR POPULATION.

WEARING RED IS HELPFUL. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> MEL EDWARDS WITH THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I DO BELIEVE WE CAN SEND YOU A RED

TIE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> YOU BET. ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS AND ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR RECOGNIZING NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL WOMEN TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR HEART HEALTH AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.

AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER ONE IN THREE WOMEN ARE DYING FROM CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND LOSING EVEN ONE WOMAN IS NOT AN OPTION. OUR URGENT CALL IS TO RAISE AWARENESS THAT CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER FOR WOMEN IN THE U.S. THE PROCLAMATION IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN RAISING AWARENESS OF THE RISK OF CARDIO -- CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.

WE THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO PRIORITIZE THE HEALTH EQUITY AND FUND THE VASCULAR SERVICES AND HAVE CONTROL AND IT IS

[01:05:03]

THROUGH THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND HYPERTENSION IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE HEART DISEASE AND DEATH SECOND ONLY TO SMOKING. INCREASING PUBLIC HEALTH CAPACITY IN THE AREA IS ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVING OUR MISSION AND IMPROVING HEALTH AND HEALTH EQUITY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR YOUR HONOR AND STEDFAST COMMITMENT TO THE

HEALTH OF ALL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT I DO HAVE A BRIEF RESOLUTION, BUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE. IT IS ALSO ONE THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A ROLE IN.

IT WASN'T ON THE TAKE OUT OF ORDER LIST, BUT I WOULD ASK IF

THE JUDGE WOULD ALLOW -- >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS FINE,

COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

THIS RESOLUTION HAS TO DO WITH THE RENAMING OF A LAKE THAT HAS A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE NAME CURRENTLY.

WE HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THIS YESTERDAY AND I WANT TO FIRST BEGIN BY SAYING THAT WE HAVE HISTORY AMONG US IN THE LIFE AND THE WORK OF COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS WHO THEN AS SENATOR ELLIS HAD A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS RESOLUTION I AM ABOUT TO READ. THIS RESOLUTION ALSO IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT HARRIS COUNTY WILL DIVORCE ITSELF AGGRESSIVELY, INTENTIONALLY, DELIBERATELY DIVORCE ITSELF FROM ANY HISTORY ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEGRADATION AND THE DISRESPECT AND OPPRESSION OF ALL PEOPLE, BUT IN PARTICULARLY ON THIS OCCASION THOSE AFRICAN-AMERICAN DECENT. IN 1991 THEN STATE SENATOR RD -- SENATOR RODNEY EL NICE CO-SPONSORED BILL 1756 AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR ANNE RICHARDS ON AUGUST 26TH OF 1991. THE BILL CALLED FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIALLY OFFENSIVE NAMES GIVEN TO CREEKS, RIVERS, LAKES, PONDS, BAYS, COVES, HILLS AND OTHER GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES. THE BILL DIRECTED -- THE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TEXDOT, TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE U.S. BOARD OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES TO CHANGE THE NAME OF 19 TEXAS SITES WITH THE WORD "NEGRO" INCLUDED IN ITS NAME.

AND WHEREAS THE OFFENSIVELY NAMED NEGRO HEAD LAKE IN PRECINCT 2 ON THE WEST SHORE OF CEDAR BAYOU JUST A FEW MILES FROM DOWNTOWN BAY TOWN. THIS LAKE WAS INCLUDED IN THE 1991 BILL AND WAS PROPOSED TO BE RENAMED AS LAKE HENRY DOYLE. HOWEVER, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES UNFORTUNATELY DENIED THE PROPOSED NAME CHANGE IN 1998. LET ME ALSO ADD TO THIS THAT IT IS LOCATED VERY CLOSE TO BAY TOWN.

I WANT TO THANK MAYOR BRANDON CAPATILLO AND COUNCILMEMBER CHARLES JOHNSON FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND THEIR COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE WORK WE ARE DOING IN CONNECTION WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE TO FINALLY GET THIS HORRIBLE NAME TAKEN DOWN, THROWN IN THE TRASH, AND WE NAME IT LAKE HENRY DOYLE. SO BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DECLARES ITS FULL SUPPORT IN URGING THE U.S. BOARD OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES AT ITS NEXT MEETING ON FEBRUARY 11TH TO RECONSIDERING -- TO RECONSIDER RENAMING THE LAKE IN QUESTION AND THEREFORE REPLACING THE RACIST AND OFFENSIVE LAKE NAME CURRENTLY EXISTING IN EASTERN HARRIS COUNTY.

FURTHERMORE THIS COURT DECLARES ITS FULL SUPPORT FOR BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION THAT AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATES AND SIMPLIFIES -- SIMPLIFIES THE PROCESS FOR CHANGING INDISPUTEDLY OFFENSIVE NAME OF GEOGRAPHIC

[01:10:01]

LAND -- LANDMARKS OF MORE THAN TWO DOZEN LANDMARKS IN TEXAS AND 600 LANDMARKS NATIONWIDE THAT ARE STILL NAMED USING THE TERM "NEGRO" AND AS A COURT WE WILL WORK TOWARD SUPPORTING THE ELIMINATION OF RACIST NAMES GIVEN TO LANDMARKS AND GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES. THAT IS THE RESOLUTION AND I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SUBMIT IT AT THIS POINT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I'M SURE THIS IS SOMETHING WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. THESE NAMES DO MATTER.

THIS WAS INTERESTING FOR ME BECAUSE AS I MENTIONED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF SAM -- REPRESENTATIVE SAM HUDSON WHO IS NO LONGER IN OFFICE AND GOT TO THE LEGISLATURE WELL AHEAD OF ME.

BACK THEN I STARTED OFF TRYING TO GET CONFEDERATE MONEY YMENTS DOWN -- MONEY YMENTS DOWN AT THE CAPITOL.

WHEN I COULDN'T MAKE HEADWAY I WAS LOOKING FOR THE MIDDLE GROUND, I GUESS. AND SO THEN I RAN AND TRIED TO GET AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN STATUE PUT UP.

THEY SAID WHAT ABOUT US, BRO? SO WE CHANGED IT TO MAKE IT AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND A HISPANIC STATUE ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS. A SMALL PROBLEM IS IT WAS MORE EXPENSE -- EXPENSIVE TO DO IT WHEN WE GOT AROUND TO IT IN 91 AND WE HAD TO RAISE THE MONEY.

YEARS LATER I HAD THE PEN IN MY HAND, THANKS TO A GOOD REPUBLICAN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHO MADE ME FINANCE CHAIR.

I PUT A HALF MILLION, 700,000 IN FOR THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN ONE AND THE HISPANIC ONE. HISPANICS GOT THEIRS UP.

HUDSON CAME TO ME BECAUSE I HAD THE BILL IN 91 AND HE SAID YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET A STATUE.

HERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO. I THINK HE HAD ONE OR TWO IN THE HOUSE WHO VOTED NO. THE SENATE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND A FEW PEOPLE TOOK A WALK BECAUSE OF PRESSURE IN THEIR DISTRICTS, BUT THEY DID TELL ME BRING IT UP AND PASS IT ON THE LOCAL CALENDAR WHEN I AM OUT.

AND WE DID. SOME WERE REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES. WE THOUGHT IT WAS DONE.

THEN A REPORTER CALLED ME. I THINK EVERYBODY WAS LOOKING FOR STORIES ON RACIAL RECONCILIATION AFTER THE FLOYD TRAGEDY AND THEY ASKED ME ABOUT THE BILL.

I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT IN 30 YEARS.

NOBODY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE TURNED DOWN OR ANYBODY ELSE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

IT DID TURN OUT THAT ONE COUNTY, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONE. IT WAS A RURAL COUNTY.

THE FEDS SAID WE ARE TURNING IT DOWN BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE LOCAL SUPPORT. I WOULD SAY ALL OF THE LEGISLATURE VOTING FOR IT WAS LOCAL ENOUGH TO ME.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT. IT WAS A RURAL COUNTY THAT QUIETLY DID A RESOLUTION AND CHANGED IT.

JANAYLA ON MY STAFF DID A LOT OF WORK.

TWICE THEY TOOK THESE NAMES OFF WITHOUT LEGISLATION.

ANTI-JAPANESE NAMES. AND MOST OF THESE LAKES, CREEKS, HILLS, WHATEVER, OBVIOUSLY THEY USED THE OTHER N-WORD AT ONE POINT INCLUDING THIS ONE BY THE WAY.

AND THERE IS ANTI-HISPANIC AND ANTI-SEMITIC AND MISOGYNISTIC. SOMEBODY TOLD ME THERE IS A B-COVE SOMEWHERE. A DEAD M-HILL.

SO I HOPE THE AGENCY SHOULD GET RID OF ALL OF THEM AS THEY DID TWICE BEFORE. THERE OUGHT TO BE LEGISLATION. WE WILL LET THEM KNOW.

THANK YOU AND I DO APPRECIATE MAYOR CAPATILLO AND COUNCILMAN JOHNSON. I WAS JOKING BECAUSE INITIALLY SOME PEOPLE, I THINK A STATE AGENCY, THEY WERE ON THE CALL AND THERE WAS THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT ON THE BILL AND NOW IT IS TRANSPORTATION. THEY WERE SAYING, WELL, IT IS THE WATER CONTROL BOARD AND WE BROUGHT THEM IN.

I SAID I DON'T MIND CALLING A PRESS CONFERENCE.

I THINK WE SHOULD DO THIS AM MICK KAW BELLY.

THEY SAID -- AMICABLY. I KNEW IT.

I WAS AN -- I WAS IN UNDER GRAD SCHOOL.

THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN JUDGE.

I DIDN'T KNOW HIS HISTORY. HENRY DOYLE BEING THE FIRST BLACK PERSON TO GET A LAW DEGREE FROM A TEXAS UNIVERSITY, A TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY.

A GREAT STORY. THEY MOVED THE LAW SCHOOL FROM THE BASEMENT OF SOME BUILDING IN 1957 BEHIND THE CAPITOL, AND THEY PUT THEIR STUFF IN A COUPLE OF LITTLE TRUCKS AND HAULED IT TO HOUSTON. HENRY DOYLE FOLLOWED THE TRUCKS. HE WAS THE JANITOR IN LAW SCHOOL. TWO BLACK STUDENTS, TWO BLACK

[01:15:01]

MALES AND TWO BLACK WOMEN DROPPED IT OFF.

THE OTHER BLACKMAIL -- BLACK MALE DID NOT FOLLOW.

HE WENT TO UT WHEN IT OPENED UP.

HENRY DOIL FILED A -- HENRY DOYLE WANTED TO INTEGRATE THE CAFETERIA. THAT WAS HIS CLIENT.

GOOD CHANCE FOR ME DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH TO GO DOWN -- IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MEMORY LANE, BUT A LOT OF IT I

DIDN'T KNOW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW WE CAN'T DO IT RIGHT NOW, BUT I WILL BE BRINGING AN ITEM AND MAYBE WE CAN COLLABORATE TO MAKE SURE WE DO SOMETHING RESPECTFUL WITH THE OTHER OFFICES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR PUTTING THIS OUT HERE.

YOU CAN'T CHANGE EVERYTHING OVERNIGHT, BUT THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO. THAT NEEDS TO GO AWAY, AND IT NEEDS TO GO AWAY NOW. WE ARE GONNA HAVE ALL OF THE EXCUSES IN THE WORLD AND EVERY BUREAUCRAT ON PLANET EARTH IS GONNA GIVE US A GOOD REASON WHY WE CAN'T DO THIS, BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD LISTEN TO ANY OF THEM.

IF IT IS EVEN GOING OUT THERE AND PUTTING A NAME UP TOMORROW , WE OUGHT TO DO IT, AND WE OUGHT TO PUSH IT.

USUALLY IT IS THE SPECIFIC THINGS LIKE THIS THAT CAUSE OTHER THINGS TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR MAKING AND PUTTING THIS OUT THERE AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AS WELL. I AGREE WITH THIS AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET IT OUT HERE AND GET IT CHANGED IMMEDIATELY. EVEN IF NO ONE APPROVES IT.

I DON'T CARE. LET'S PUT MR. DOYLE'S NAME ON

THE BAYOU TOMORROW. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I ECHO THE COMMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUES, AND I AGREE.

SOMETIMES THERE IS A BIT OF LAND THAT IS OUTSIDE A FEDERAL PIECE OF LAND, AND WE CAN NAME WHATEVER WE WANT TO ON THE PIECE OF OUR LAND OUTSIDE THE FEDERAL LAND.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE THEIR CHANGES THAT THEY NEED TO, BUT THERE MIGHT BE A GOOD SPOT FOR MAYBE A 4 BY 4 PRECINCT 2 PARK RIGHT THERE WHERE WE CAN PUT WHATEVER SIGN WE WANT TO ON IT.

JUDGE, I WANT TO ASK YOUR INDULGENCE.

HAVE I A RECIPIENT FOR MY RESOLUTION AND THEY HAVE TO GO TO A PRESS CONFERENCE PRETTY SOON.

CAN I GO AHEAD AND DO MY MIX RES -- MY NEXT RESOLUTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S FINE COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

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

I AM PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT A RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH TO HONOR THE 151ST.

WE WILL TELL YOU WHAT IT STANDS FOR.

TO RECEIVE THIS IS COLONEL ALLEN WEST WHO IS THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE TEXAS REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND SO WE HAVE A BRIDGING HERE BETWEEN THE -- BETWEEN THOSE EARLY REPUBLICANS WHO MADE HISTORY IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND OUR CURRENT AFRICAN-AMERICANS THAT ARE MAKING HISTORY. AND SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND HE HAS SOME TIME CON STRAIPTS, I AM GONNA -- CONSTRAINTS I WILL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION. WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMMEMORATES THE TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES AND WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACKNOWLEDGES ALL PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE WEALTH OF HISTORY PROVIDED BY BLACK CULTURE AND WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON THE COMPLEX HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES WHILE REMAINING HOPEFUL AND CONFIDENT ABOUT THE PATH AHEAD.

AND WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATED DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY ORIGINATED IN 1926 WHEN DR. CARTER G WOODSON SET ASIDE A SPECIAL PERIOD TO RECOGNIZE THE HERITAGE AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BLACK PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES. AND WHEREAS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1867 IN PART BY 150 BLACK MEN. AND THEREAFTER 75% OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN REGISTERED VOTERS PARTICIPATING AND ELECTING NUMBERS TO THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION CONVENTION OF 1868. AND WHEREAS IN HONOR OF THESE -- OF THESE 150 MEN HAS LAUNCHED THE FIRST IMPACTFUL REPUBLICAN STRONG TRAILBLAZERS INITIATIVE AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES AND HONORS 150 FIRST BLACK MEN OF TEXAS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

IT IS ORDERED THIS RESOLUTION BE INCLUDED IN THE MINUTES THIS 9TH DAY OF FEBRUARY OF 2021.

AT THIS POINT, YOUR HONOR, IF I MAY, I WILL HAND IT OFF TO COLONEL WEST TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION.

>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL HONOR FOR ME TO RECEIVE THIS RESOLUTION. THIS PAST SUNDAY I TURNED 60 YEARS OF AGE, AND IT IS MONUMENTAL IN THAT --

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

YOU SAID SUNDAY YOU TURNED 60?

>> YES, SIR. SUNDAY I TURNED 60.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON SUNDAY I TURNED 60.

[01:20:01]

>> WELL, GUESS WHAT. WE ARE BIRTHDAY BROTHERS

THEN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SORRY TO

INTERRUPT YOU. >> AND WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT. WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT OFF LINE. IT IS AN HONOR BECAUSE 60 YEARS AGO I WAS BORN IN THE INNER CITY OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA IN A BLACK ONLY HOSPITAL. TO BE SITTING ON THE CHAIR FOUNDED ON INDEPENDENCE DAY OF 1867 BY 150 COURAGEOUS BLACK MEN RIGHT THERE IN THE HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY, IT IS JUST VERY SPECIAL TO ME. AND TO KNOW THAT THE PREDECESSOR THAT WAS ONE OF THE EARLY CHAIR MEN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS A BLACK MAN AND A BUSINESS OWNER FROM DOWN IN GALVESTON JUST SHOWS THE INCREDIBLE HISTORY THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS HERE WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, MY BIRTHDAY BROTHER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS INCREDIBLE RECOGNITION AND FOR THIS RESOLUTION, AND TO THE STATE SENATOR, MR. ELLIS THERE, TODAY WE RECOGNIZE ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS WEBSITE ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK STATE SENATORS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS IS MATTHEW GANES WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE FOUNDING OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AND PRAIRIE VIEW A AND M UNIVERSITY.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER

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

COLONEL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IS YOUR

SPEAKER AVAILABLE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: LUCINDA? ARE YOU ABLE TO GET CONGRESSMAN -- SENATOR

WASHINGTON? >> NOT YET, SIR.

WE DID HAVE OTHERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN GO TO THEM. I WILL LET THEM KNOW TO ANSWER

YOUR PHONE. >> WE HAVEN'T TRIED TO CALL

HIM YET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK HE IS PROBABLY ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S -- OR ARE THEY ON

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> ON YOUR SUPPLEMENTAL, SIR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL LAY THAT ONE OUT THERE.

JUDGE, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS, ALL OF YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND I THANK YOU.

CACTUS MADE A COMMENT ON THINGS WE CAN DO WITH OUR LAND, AND I THOUGHT OF THIS -- I THINK IT WAS WITH THE FARM BASIN THAT IS GOING TO BE A HUNDRED ACRES.

THAT IS GOING TO BE DROP BOTTOM.

I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT IF I WANT TO NEED A BASIN AFTER SOMEBODY IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING IN IT. IT MAY HAVE A NAME, BUT I WANT TO GET RID OF THAT. MR. POPPY SAID WE CAN NAME THE DETENTION BASINS WE SEE FIT. OBVIOUSLY IT IS BETTER IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT.

THIS IS A DETENTION BASIN I AM ASKING US TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THAT IS CURRENTLY CALLED THE HOME STEADY TENSION -- THE HOMESTED DETENTION BASIN. IT WILL -- I AM ALWAYS CAREFUL WITH MY WORDS. I WILL NEVER SAY ELIMINATE BECAUSE IF ANOTHER HARVEY COMES, WE WILL ALL BE IN TROUBLE AGAIN, AND ONE DAY IT WILL, BUT HOPEFULLY NOT ON OUR WATCH. ONE DAY IT WILL.

I THINK IT IS ABOUT 50-ACRES, BUT IT WILL REDUCE FLOODING FOR KASHMIR GARDENS, HOUSTON GARDENS AND TRINITY GARDENS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THEM OUT THERE.

PRECINCT 1 IS GOING TO PUT A GARDEN ON THAT DE -- DETENTION POPPED SO TO SPEAK SO -- POND SO IT WON'T BE A FLOODED GARDEN, SO TO SPEAK. WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH DONE WHAT WE DO TO DETENTION PONDS. THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

CURTIS GRAVES WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO GO TO THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SINCE RECONSTRUCTION ENDED.

MS. WEST MADE REFERENCE TO SENATOR GANES EARLIER, BUT HE WAS THE FIRST ONE TO GO TO THE HOUSE.

CONGRESSWOMAN JORDAN WENT TO THE STATE SENATE.

HE DIDN'T GET THERE FROM DALLAS.

I REMEMBER READING ABOUT MR. GRAVES.

HE HE WAS RUNNING FOR MAYOR WHEN I WAS IN THE 10TH GRADE. HE HAD THESE BIG GREEN BUTTONS THE SIZE OF A MAYONNAISE JAR. GREEN BUTTONS AND BLACK LETTER.

YOU MIGHT NOT REMEMBER IT, BUT I'M SURE RAMSEY DOES.

I COULD DIG IT. THEY COULD DIG IT.

I CAN DIG IT. YOU CAN DIG IT AND THEY CAN DIG IT. HE DIDN'T WIN.

THEY HAD A RECORD TURNOUT. THEY CAME UP WITH A GOOD AMOUNT OF FUNDING TO GET HIM ON TELEVISION.

EVEN FROM WOMEN THE TURNOUT WAS DOUBLE.

HE RAN ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ISSUES IN 1969.

[01:25:05]

THERE WAS ONE THAT I CAN REMEMBER SEEING IN THE PAPER AND I THOUGHT WHEN I READ IT AS A KID WHATEVER YEAR IT HAPPENED I WAS ASKING MR. GRAVES WHAT QULEER -- WHAT YEAR AND HE THOUGHT I THOUGHT -- I SAID I DON'T KNOW. I WAS GEEK.

I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS READING THE PAPER AND WATCHING THE NEWS IN THE 9TH GRADE. MAYBE I WAS.

I REMEMBER SEEING THIS AFRICAN-AMERICAN GUY JUMPED ON THE TABLE. I THOUGHT THE PRESS ACCOUNT I READ OR SAY -- I SAW ON TV, A BLACK AND WHITE TV BACK THEN SAID THEY WOULDN'T LET HIM SPEAK AND SOMEBODY MADE REFERENCE TO THE N-WORD. AND SO I REMEMBER THAT PICTURE. HE SENT IT TO ME THE OTHER DAY. I CAN REMEMBER TELLING THE GOVERNOR WHEN I GOT TO THE SENATE -- HE WAS ANGRY WITH ME ABOUT SOMETHING. HE TOLD ME HE WAS THINKING ABOUT NOT RECOGNIZING ME. I SAID, GOVERNOR, I WOULDN'T DO THAT IF I WERE YOU. I READ THIS AS A CHILD, AND I AM PREPARED TO JUMP ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

YOU MAY TAKE ME OUT OF THERE IN HANDCUFFS, BUT I WILL END MY SPEECH AND SOMEWHERE I READ THAT WE HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY WHAT IS NOT RIGHT. GOVERNOR BULLET LET ME SPEAK.

GOVERNOR DUHURST SAID HE THOUGHT ABOUT DOING THAT ONCE AND I TOLD HIM THE SAME STORY.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF INTRODUCING HIM TO CURTIS GRAVES. HE CLEARED ME UP ON THE STORY. I THINK IT WOULD BE A FITTING HONOR. WASHINGTON IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED CRYSTALLIZE MY THINKING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT CURTIS GRAVES WAS IN TEXAS HISTORY.

AND SO THAT IS MY RESOLUTION. I KNOW HE MAY BE ON THE LINE AT SOME POINT, BUT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I WILL MAKE

THAT MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS FOR THIS

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 2)]

ITEM, LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> GRAVES.

I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD, JAMES.

>> THE MOTION IS TO BE AS PRESENTED, CORRECT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> THANK YOU.

>> I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD, MR. GRAVES.

>> I AM REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE FACT THAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I DID TO SHAKE UP THE TREE BACK IN THE DAY ARE STILL REMEMBERED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND OTHERS.

I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HE AND CRAIG WASHINGTON A FEW DAYS AGO AND IT WAS GOOD TO REMINISCE ABOUT THOSE THINGS THAT OCCURRED SO MANY YEARS AGO.

I REALIZED THAT THEY DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. GRAVES, WHILE WE GET TO THE NEXT ONE, I WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO KNOW THAT YOU WERE FIGHTING AGAINST A TAX BILL OF ALL THINGS. WHAT WAS THE TAX BILL YOU WERE FIGHTING WHEN YOU JUMPED ON THE TABLE?

>> WELL, THE TAX BILL -- THERE WAS A TIME, AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW. I HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH THE TEXAS TAXES. BUT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THERE WAS NO TAX ON FOOD IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

THERE WAS A SPECIAL SESSION, AND THEY DECIDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO RAISE THE TAX ON FOOD RATHER THAN ON SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE TAXED IN THE STATE.

I WAS IN OPPOSITION TO THAT. THE INTERESTING THING THAT OCCURRED WAS ABOUT 10:30 IN THE MORNING ON THE MORNING THAT THE BILL WAS TO COME UP SOMEBODY CALLED IN A BOMB SCARE TO THE CAPITOL. THEY CLEARED THE CAPITOL OUT.

AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS COULD TELL YOU WHEN YOU DO THAT INNED COULD OF A THING BEFORE LUNCH MOST OF THE MEMBERS WOULD TURN UP AT THE LOCAL BARS AND SPEND THEIR TIME THERE BEFORE THEY COULD CLEAR OUT THE CAPITOL.

THAT'S WHAT OCCURRED. YOU HAD PROBABLY HALF THE HOUSE WAS A LITTLE HIGH BY THE TIME THEY GOT BACK AT 2:00 AND WE ATTEMPTED TO PASS THIS BILL. WELL, WHAT OCCURRED WAS THAT I WAS SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL AND SOME PERSON RIGHT BEHIND ME AND SAID STOP THE N-WORD FROM SPEAKING.

THERE WERE TWO OR THREE PEOPLE THAT STARTED FIGHTING BEHIND ME BECAUSE ONE PERSON WAS PRETTY ANGRY THAT THAT HAD ABOUT -- THAT THAT HAD BEEN SAID.

WHEN I REALIZED I WAS IN A JAM I THOUGHT THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO GET OUT OF THIS JAM WAS TO STAND -- WAS TO WALK FORWARD AND THERE WAS A PRESS TABLE IN FRONT OF ME.

I HOPED -- I HOPPED UP ON THE PRESS TABLE AND SURE ENOUGH DID NOT GET BEAT UP THAT DAY. I THINK THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN WHAT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I DID HAVE --

[01:30:04]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO YOU WERE NOT TRYING TO SPEAK? YOU WERE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THERE.

>> I WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF THERE.

THAT STOPPED THE BILL FROM PASSING THAT DAY.

IT CAME UP THE NEXT DAY, AND I THINK THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE GUTS TO INTRODUCE THE BILL -- THE TAX ON FOOD THAT DAY.

THEY TAXED SOME OTHER ITEMS. SO TEXAS STATE -- THE FOOD IN TEXAS STAYED UN -- UNTAXED FOR ANOTHER YEAR OR SO.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE A TAX ON FOOD NOW OR NOT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE STILL DON'T.

YOU CAN BUY A HAMBURGER AND THERE MAY BE A TAX ON IT, BUT

WE DON'T TAX -- >> BUT WHEN YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE YOU DON'T NORMALLY SEE WHEN YOU BUY RAW FOODS YOU DON'T NORMALLY SEE TAXES ON THEM.

MOST STATE STATES HAVE THOSE TAXES.

THAT IS A REGRESS SHIV TAX THAT AFFECTS POOR PEOPLE MORE

THAN ANYBODY ELSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, MR. GRAVES. THE COUNTY IS PREPARED TO SPEND ABOUT A MILLION 7 IF I CAN GET THE CITY AND THE PARKS BOARD TO DO THE MAINTENANCE, AND IF NOT WE ARE NOT -- I AM NOT GOING TO NAME A BASIN AFTER YOU AND IT IS JUST A FLOODING HOLE. WE WILL REDUCE WHAT WE DO IF WE DON'T GET A PARTNER, BUT IT WILL BE SOMETHING YOU WILL BE PROUD OF. WE WILL BE PREPARED TO COME UP WITH FUNDING. AS I MENTIONED, WE MAY PUT A PARK BENCH OUT THERE THAT CAN TAKE THE WATER WHEN IT COMES, BUT HAVE YOU -- A STATUE OF YOU AT THE BED SO SOME OTHER YOUNG PERSON MAYBE MORE DIVERSE THAN THAT AREA WAS WHEN YOU REPORT -- WHEN YOU REPORTED -- REPRESENTED IT.

YOU RAN IN A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM. WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR HISTORY MAKING, MR. GRAVES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. GRAVES THERE IS ONE MORE COMMENT FOR

YOU FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> GO AHEAD.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. GRAVES, THIS IS JACK CAGLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS FORWARDED IN YOUR BIO WAS THAT YOU SERVED FOR 30 YEARS AT NASA.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT SERVICE AS WELL.

MY FATHER WAS BURT CAGLE IN THE SPACE PROGRAM.

YOU MAY NEVER HAVE BUMPED INTO HIM WHEN HE WAS OVER THERE, BUT CITY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING AN INNOVATOR AND LEADING US INTO SPACE AS WELL AS ALL OF YOUR OTHER INNOVATIONS BEING THAT I WAS A KID AT ONE OF THE SPACE PROGRAM FOLKS.

>> THOSE WERE SOME MARVELOUS YEARS TO BE INVOLVED IN A SPACE PROGRAM BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS THAT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS THERE.

I WAS THERE WHEN THE CHALLENGER BLEW UP.

I WAS PROBLEM -- PROBABLY ONE OF THE CLOSE -- CLOSEST PEOPLE TO RON MCNAIR WHEN THAT TRAGEDY HAPPENED.

I SPENT A LOT OF VERY, VERY GOOD TIMES AT NASA.

THAT WAS THE CAREER I TOOK UP WHEN I LEFT TEXAS AND MOVED TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AFTER LOSING THE CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

LEAN COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WILL JUST TELL YOU I LOVE BEING A FLY ON THE WALL AND LISTENING TO THIS HISTORY AND HEARING ABOUT THE GOOD, GOOD FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND PROGRESS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO WHAT I HOPE MAKES US A BETTER TODAY THAN IT WAS YESTERDAY.

THANK YOU. >> WELL, IT IS A REAL HONOR TO BE REMEMBERED AND MENTIONED IN THIS WAY.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT WHEN IT HAPPENS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SONG "YOU CAN DIG IT" I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO THROW IN ARCHIE AND THE DRILLS AS WELL.

>> IS SKIP STILL ALIVE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO, I'M SORRY HE IS NOT. BUT HE BROUGHT A MOURN --

MOUNTAIN OF SOUL TO HOUSTON. >> HE DID BRING A MOUNTAIN OF SOUL TO HOUSTON. WE CALLED HIM THE HIP SKIPPER BACK IN THE DAYS. A LINHIDALGO: THANK YOU, MR. GRAVES FOR ALL OF YOUR LEADERSHIP.

I'M REALLY ENJOYING LEARNING ABOUT IF -- ABOUT IT AS WELL.

LUCINDA -- GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> TOM RAMSEY: MR. GRAVES, I

[01:35:02]

NEVER KNEW WHO TO THANK FOR NOT TAXING FOOD.

I HAVE A LOT OF RELATIVES IN EAST TEXAS WHO CAN BARELY RUB TWO NICKELS TOGETHER, AND IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS AN EARLY TAX FIGHTER AND THAT RESULTED IN SUCH A GOOD THING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR

LEADERSHIP. >> WELL, THANK YOU.

I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS ONE OF THOSE SWORDS THAT YOU DON'T MIND FALLING ON IF YOU CAN STOP TAXING A FOOD IN THE

STATE OF TEXAS. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

>> STEVE GIBSON WITH HOUSTON GARDEN CIVIC ASSOCIATION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR. GRAVES FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS.

I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THE RENAMING OF THE DETENTION POND IN YOUR HONOR. I AM HAPPY TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN. WHAT MY ASK IS THAT HOUSTON GARDENS HAVE SOME KIND OF A MONEY Y MEN STATION -- MONUMENTATION AND RECOGNITION.

WE ARE HERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE NEED THE DETENTION POND FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. WE WORKED WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND OUR LOCAL REPRESENTATION IN THE CITY GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO GET THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THERE.

WE ARE FIGHTING THE CONCRETE COMPANIES MOVING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE WELCOME THIS NAME RECOGNITION THAT WHEN WE HAVE AN ISSUE THAT PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS DE -- THIS DETENTION POBD IS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND AN INDIVIDUAL THAT DID SO MUCH FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS AND AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WHO REPRESENTS A GREATER PORTION -- IT IS A GREAT PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY THAT IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND WE WANT TO BE TIED TO THAT AS WELL. IF YOU COULD, WE ARE CONSIDERING THIS CHANGE AND THIS NAME CHANGE TO INCLUDE SOME TYPE OF A MONEY Y MEN -- MONUMETATION FOR THE TRINITY GARDEN COMMUNITY. I KNOW IT SERVED KASHMIR GARDENS AND ALL THOSE COMMUNITIES HAVE A RECOGNITION OR A NAME WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.

KASHMIR GARDENS YOU HAVE SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.

PLEASANTVILLE YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY CENTER WITH A NAME RECOGNITION. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT.

THERE IS NOTHING WITHIN THE FOOTPRINT OF THIS COMMUNITY AND IT IS SO FAR REMOVED AND THERE IS A REAL RECOGNITION THAT CAN HOLD WASTE. WE TAKE A NAME LIKE MR. GRAVES ASSOCIATED WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND IT CAN HELP US WHEN WE NEED TO FIGHT WITH SOME ISSUES HERE.

WE ANTICIPATE PEOPLE USING THIS FOR WALKS AND BIKE RIDES TO RAISE MONEY AND TO HAVE THE NAME BRAND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

IT IS MORE OF A WALK THAN A BIKE RIDE WHEN WE WERE OUT THERE THE OTHER DAY. I AM HOPING THAT THE CITY WILL PARTNER WITH US AS I SAID AND I THINK IT IS 1,000,007 OR 1,000,008 TO BEAUTIFY CEMENT TRAIL.

IT IS STILL IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND WE DON'T HAVE TO SCALE IT BACK.

IT IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT TRULY THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN BENEFIT FROM. THERE IS 10 MILLION IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS IN OUR SPACE.

I AM HOPING YOU AND OTHERS THAT I THINK THERE WILL BE FOUR OR FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS PERSON TO GIVE A BIKE RIDE AROUND THE DETENTION TO PUT SOME TREES IN

AND IT WOULD BE OVER WITH. >> KURT WASHINGTON, GO AHEAD,

[01:40:08]

SIR. >> MR. COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY I WILL BE BRIEF.

I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING ON. MY CHILDREN SAY I AM DIGITALLY DEPRIVED AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT CATCHING UP.

I REMEMBER WHEN PAGERS CAME OUT.

I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU. I CONSIDER MYSELF HONORED AND PLEASED TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE I KNOW ALL FOUR OF MY GOVERNING AUTHORITIES PERSONALLY AND I WANT TO COMMEND ALL OF YOU. I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING THE LEADERSHIP ROLE. WHILE I WAS WAITING TO SPEAK I WAS TAKING ABOUT HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS WE HAVE ALL OF THESE MINDS WORKING FOR A COMMON GOOD TO SERVE ALL OF THE PUBLIC. THE CITY AND THE COUNTY USING DRAINAGE DITCHES AND THE RETENTION PONDS AND CONVERTING THEM FOR MULTIPLE USE SO THEY CAN BOTH SERVE THEIR ENGINEERING PURPOSE, BUT ALSO SERVE THE GREATER PURPOSE OF MAKING US PROUD OF OUR CITY. AND THE FACT THEY ARE DOING THAT FOR THE LAW LIBRARY IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT HAINSWORTH AND DOING IT ON BEHALF OF THE HONORABLE CURTIS GRAVES. AND I'M SURE YOU WILL BE DOING OTHER. -- OTHERS. I WAS HACKERRENNING BACK TO KISLEY AND LEE. THE SPARK PROGRAM WHERE THEY TOOK COUNTY FACILITYS AND RESOURCES AND MADE THE PARKS AVAILABLE ADJACENT TO SCHOOLS.

SOME OF THEM. NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT THEY WERE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN TO USE ON THE WEEKENDS.

THAT'S WERE -- THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD ALL BE ABOUT.

I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK YOU ARE DOING AND FOR HAVING AN OPEN MIND AND THINKING INTO THE FUTURE AND UTILIZING ALL OF THE FACILITIES WE HAVE FOR THE MANY PURPOSES WHICH IS ALL ONE COMMON GOOD AND THAT IS TO SERVE US ALL WELL AS PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BE WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CONGRESSMAN, BEFORE YOU GO, I WANT TO THANK YOU PUBLICLY.

I WAS JOKING WITH YOU THE OTHER DAY.

I WAS TELLING COMMISSIONER LEE AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MY DAD AND YOU AND FRANCO USED TO LET ME STAY IN YOUR APARTMENT. I WAS AT THE LBJ SCHOOL AND I HAD A RAT HOLE I WAS LIVING IN.

I JUST APPRECIATE GOING OVER THERE AND TAKE YOU STUFF FROM THE CAPITOL WHEN I WAS INTERNING AND TO BE ABLE TO GO AND STAY AT YOUR APARTMENT AND EAT YOUR FOOD.

I DIDN'T DRINK, BUT I WOULD EAT YOUR FOOD AND ENJOY THE COMFORT OF WHERE YOU TWO LIVED.

SO THANK YOU. YOU HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME, JUDGE. HE IS THE REASON I WENT TO THE TEXAS SENATE WITHOUT OPPOSITION.

IN 1990. I HOPE I DID A DECENT JOB BECAUSE NOBODY EVER RAN AGAINST ME.

MAYBE NOBODY WANTED THE $600 A MONTH JOB.

I KNOW I GOT THERE -- >> NO, IT WAS BECAUSE YOU WERE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB. IT WAS BECAUSE YOU WERE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB AND YOU ARE CONTINUING TO DO A WONDERFUL JOB. THAT'S WHAT PUBLIC SERVICE IS TO ME. MY MOTHER CALLED IT COOKING BREAD ON THE WATER. -- CASTING BREAD ON THE WATER. IF YOU COOK MORE THAN YOU CAN HAVE, YOU CAST IT ON THE WATER.

SOME PEOPLE WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND THEY HAD TO USE A PIECE OF CARDBOARD TO SLEEP ON.

WE NEED TO DO BETTER. WE OWE OURSELVES AND THEM BETTER. SLOWLY, BUT SURELY, INSTEAD OF GIANT LEAPS AT ONE TIME, IF WE GO BACK TO INCREMENTALLY, LITTLE BY LITTLE, USE OUR COMMON BOND AND THE LOVE WE HAVE FOR EACH OTHER TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR SOMEONE YOU T DON'KNOW. SPEAK TO A STRANGER JUST BECAUSE. JUST SAY HELLO.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT PERSON IS GOING THROUGH AND YOU CAN CHANGE SOMEONE'S LIFE WITH LITTLE BITTY INCREMENTS LIKE THAT. AND YOU ARE DOING IT ON A WONDERFUL LARGE SCALE. SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER IS NOT Y'ALL SPEAKING TO US -- I MEAN US SPEAKING TO Y'ALL TRUTH TO

POWER IS SPEAKING TO YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRESSMAN, BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THERE IS A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND WE WILL HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

[01:45:04]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE AND CONGRESSMAN.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE HEARING YOUR THUNDEROUS VOICE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE. IT IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO RUN ACROSS YOU WHEN I WAS SHERIFF.

BRINGING A SMILE ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR LAST COMMENTS.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE HAD YOU IN PUBLIC SERVICE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CONGRESSMAN, THIS IS CACTUS HERE. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOU HAVE

DONE. >> JACK! YES!

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HONORED JUDGE GILMORE EARLIER AND I JUST REMEMBER HOW YOU REPRESENTED US HERE IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THAT LAWSUIT AND DID US A GOOD JOB. AND THEN I WAS REMEMBERING HOW I ALMOST RENTED OFFICE SPACE FROM YOU OUT THERE I WAGS THINKING OF OPENING UP A BRANCH OFFICE AND I WAS TOO BUSY TO OPEN UP THE SECOND BRANCH.

YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER THIS, BUT BACK WHEN WE WERE PARTNERING WITH SARNEY WE ADD DONNY BROOKE OF A CASE TO FIGURE OUT WHO WOULD STAY ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY.

>> MY GOODNESS, YES. >> SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT.

I NOTICED YOUR LETTER HEAD. INSTEAD OF ALL OF THE FANCY THINGS PEOPLE DO -- THIS IS SO YOU.

I LOVE IT. YOU JUST SAY A LAWYER.

THAT IS POETIC IN ITS SIMPLICITY.

>> THANK YOU, JACK. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING A LAWYER AND THE PEOPLE'S LAWYER AND OVER TIME, MY LAWYER.

>> YOU ARE GONNA MAKE ME CRY, CACTUS.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CACTUS, YOU KNOW IT IS HANDWRITTEN AND I MAILED THAT TO CURTIS GRAVES, CONGRESSMAN. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A NICE

KEEPSAKE FOR HIM. >> I HAVE TO HAND WRITE ALL OF MY LETTERS, BUT -- BECAUSE I TYPE FOUR WORDS A MINUTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ECONOMICS -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS A

COMMENT AS WELL. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE YEARS. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NOT MET, ANYBODY THAT SHOWS UP AND GIVES A LITTLE CASTING ON THE WATER SOME BREAD, THAT'S A GOOD WORD FOR ALL OF US.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. CONTINUE TO DO A WONDERFUL JOB. YES, MA'AM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUST A THANK YOU AS WELL.

I ECHO EVERYBODY'S NOTE. I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU SOON. THIS IS THE VERSION OF MEETING THESE DAYS WITH THE PANDEMIC. IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.

EVERYBODY SHARING THE HISTORY IS POWERFUL.

IT IS SO POWERFUL. IT IS INSPIRING.

WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU, CONGRESSMAN, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE TOUGH TIMES SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU ARE DOING. I'M WATCHING.

I AM IN THE LAST SEATS UP AT THE TOP IN THE CHEAP SEATS WITH SOME BINOCULARS, BUT I AM WATCHING EVERYTHING AND I WATCH WHAT YOU DO AND WATCH HOW YOU THINK.

Y'ALL ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB.

THE PEOPLE DON'T REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT GOES INTO WHAT YOU ARE DOING, BUT I CHAIR A LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE DURING THE 74 CONVENTION AND I HAD TO LEARN ABOUT COUNTIES. NEVER INTERESTED IN SERVING THE COUNTY, BUT I KNOW IT IS HARD WORK AND Y'ALL DO A WONDERFUL JOB AND KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THE

PEOPLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

DO I HAVE ANY OTHERS ? >> YES, SIR, WE DO.

CARL DAVIS WITH HOUSTON SOCIETY FOR CHANGE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE, SIR. >> YES.

JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST OF ALL THANK COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS IN PRECINCT WON FOR PARTNERING WITH THE HOUSTON SOCIETY FOR CHANGE WHICH IS GEORGE FLOYD TEAMMATE AND COMMISSIONING A BLACK LIVES MATTER STREET MURAL THAT IS A BEFITTING TRIBUTE TO MR. GEORGE FLOYD DURING THIS BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

AS A SON OF HISTORICALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD, GEORGE FLOYD IS PART OF OUR LOCAL BLACK HISTORY AND THE INTERNATIONAL FACE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. WHICH IS WHY IT WAS NECESSARY TO HONOR HIS MEMORY WITH THIS PIECE OF ART DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN FRONT OF JACK GATES HIGH SCHOOL WHERE HE WAS A STAR ATHLETE ON THE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL TEAM.

THIS WEEKEND'S DEDICATION WAS AN AN AMAZING CELEBRATION OF GEORGE FLOYD AND HIS LIFE AND THE INSPIRATION TO THE STUDENTS. WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH, COMMISSIONER, FOR ALL YOU DID TO MAKE THAT A REALITY.

[01:50:02]

I ALSO WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR LEADING THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY.

300 BIKERS LEFT THE CAMPUS RIDING FOR GEORGE.

COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO BEGIN THIS BLACK HISTORY MONTH -- YOU KNOW I AM HONORED TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ELLIS IN THE RENAMING OF THE DETENTION POND PROJECT AFTER MR. CURTIS GRAVES. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR HIS VOICE TODAY. I WAITED ON THE LINE.

MR. GRAVES WAS A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE FROM 67 TO 73. I FELT I WAS A YOUNG KID DURING THAT TIME AND IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME.

HE WAS ONE OF THREE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEMBERS ELECTED THAT YEAR, BUT HE WAS ALSO A STUDENT LEADER AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY WHERE HE WAS A BOLD LEADER AND ALWAYS OFFERED CHANGE. IT IS BEFITTING THAT THIS PROJECT IS NAMED AFTER HIM. THIS DETENTION POPPED PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO -- POND PROJECT IS MEANT TO REDUCE THE FLOODING RISK IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

MR. GRAVES FACILITATED CHANGE FOR THE POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE RIGHTS OF HIS CONSTITUENTS IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON. I ALSO WANT TO BRING UP THE ISSUE I HEARD EARLIER ABOUT DIXIE ROAD.

THESE ROADS HAVE NO PLACE IN PUBLIC DOMAIN, COMMISSIONERS.

DURING A MOMENT OF RACIAL REC CONNING AND DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION TO MAC SURE THESE OFFENSIVE AND RACIST NAMES ARE Y -- ERASED FROM THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND REPLACED WITH PUBLIC FIGURES WE HONOR AND ARE REPRESENTED BY A DIVERSE COUNTRY.

AS YOU CONSIDER THE NAME CHANGE, IT WOULD ONLY BE FITTING TO GET RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND JOIN THE TEAM AS WE ERASE THESE TYPE OF NAMES AND ALSO I WOULD

LIKE TO -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF I MIGHT I JUST WANTED TO LET HIM CONTINUE.

I WOULD LIKE TO LET HIM -- CARL, CAN YOU WRAP UP YOUR OTHER POINT. YOU ARE WITH THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORICAL COMMISSION.

AND YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR SERMON.

>> AND AS A PART OF THE HIS -- HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORIC COMMISSION WE WANT TO SAY BYE-BYE TO NEGRO LAKE. IT USED TO BE NAMED TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOR NEGROS. WE GOT RID OF THAT SO LET'S CHANGE THE LAKE TO JUDGE HENRY DOYLE IN HIS HONOR.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CARL, MY BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER.

MAN, THANK YOU. YOU ARE STILL A YOUNG MAN.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. IT WAS SO GOOD TO BE OUT THERE WITH YOU WITH VERNEL AND CHRIS AT THE RIBBON CUTTING.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT WAS A WORK OF ART. 2* WAS NICE TO -- IT WAS NIGHT -- NICE TO MEET ANOTHER ELIJAH AND JUST SEE HIS INCREDIBLE WORK OF ART. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU, CARL, FOR ALL YOU DO, BUDDY.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CARL, I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL. I THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY HAVING TO VOTE ON THE DIXIE FARM ROAD DETENTION BASIN, I THINK THAT'S WHEN I SAID ONE DAY IN OUR REGULAR MEETING WITH MR. POPPY, DOES IT HAVE TO BE THE DIXIE FARM ROAD? CAN WE CHANGE IT? HE SAID WELL THAT'S UP TO YOU ALL.

YOU HAVE VOTES IF THE COURT WANTS TO TO DO IT.

THAT ROAD IS A CITY ROAD. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS LIKE 80 OR 20 OR 60 AND 40 AND 70 AND 30, YOU KNOW, THAT TAKES SOME MORE REC CON -- RECKONING.

I WILL SEE THE CITY TOMORROW. YOU OUGHT TO WORK THAT, BUT WE WILL AND THEN WE WILL -- LOOK, IT WILL BE A GOOD ROLE.

YOU ALL ON YOUR COMMISSION WILL REPRESENT EACH PRECINCT AND THE JUDGE. JUDGE, THIS IS YOUR IDEA TO CREATE IT. I DO THINK WE OUGHT TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE PARK. WE HAVEN'T NAMED ANYTHING IN HONOR OF -- AS AN EXAMPLE. THE 3AMIGOS.

AND I WANT TO CHARGE YOU ALL TO WORK WITH ME.

IT IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THIS MUCH

[01:55:02]

OF COURT'S TIME, BUT WE GOT SOME BLACK HISTORY TODAY.

WE WILL WORK WITH YOU, CARL. >> SOMEBODY WAS COMPLAINING TO ME AND I TOLD THEM, WELL, I JUST NAME IT BLM, BLACK LIVES MATTER LAKE. AND THEN THEY MAY SAY HENRY DOYLE SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD. WE CAN CALL IT BLM PARK OUT THERE. WE WILL WORK ON IT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

TAKE CARE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I GUESS I

WILL REMOVE THIS ONE. >> I HAVE A FEW MORE SPEAKERS, COMMISSIONER. KATHLEEN GUNT -- GUNTER WITH HOUSTON GARDEN ASSOCIATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYONE. GREETING.

WHEN YOU SAY FIFTH WARD YOU KNOW WHERE WE ARE.

THEY TAKE A MENTAL NOTE WHEN WE TAKE INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS OR SUNNY SIDE, GARDEN OAKS, THIRD WARD.

MANY PEOPLE KNOW THESE AREAS, BUT HOUSTON GARDEN COMMUNITY FIRST OF ALL IS GRATEFUL THAT WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS PLATFORM TODAY TO SPEAK AND WE NEED THE ATTENTION OF COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND FOR A BIKE RIDE WITH US.

OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO FEEL A PART OF THIS CITY.

HOUSTON GARDENS NEEDS A SENSE OF BELONGING.

HONORING CURTIS GRAY -- CURTIS GRAVES IS GREAT.

HOWEVER, THE COMMUNITY HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN OF RENAMING THE DETENTION BASIN AFTER OTHER LOCAL -- AND I WON'T NAME THEM ALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT THAT IMPORTANT, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT JUST TO NAME A FEW. FRANCIS FRASIER.

JOHN BLAND AND CONRAD JOHNSON. THE COMMUNITY HAS REQUESTED THAT YOU WOULD IN SOMEWAY HONOR THE AREA HOUSTON GARDENS IN THE RENAMING OF THE DETENTION BASIN.

IN ADDITION, HONORING THIS AREA, THE NAME, WITH THE SOULS OF THE LOCALS HERE AND PERHAPS RESTORE A SENSE OF PRIDE AND GRATIFICATION. WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL.

WE ALSO RECOGNIZE MR. CURTIS GRAVES AND ALL OF THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE AND THE GREAT WORK HE HAS DONE AND WE THANK HIM FOR THAT. AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT GLENDA DAWSON WAS MY PROFESSOR.

I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD THROW THAT IN.

THANK YOU, RESPECTFULLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU MS. GUNTHER AND WE WILL WORK WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> PJ JONES WITH GLENWOOD FOREST COMMUNITY. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. I AM GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT TODAY.

THIS IS DIRECTED TO THE COMMISSIONER, MR. RODNEY ELLIS. FIRST OF ALL IT IS A TWO-FOLD QUESTION. ALSO MY CONCERN IS FOR THE DETENTION BASIN AS WELL. I BELIEVE THE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA, THE RESIDENTS OF HOUSTON GARDENS SHOULD HAVE A VOICE.

I WILL NOT GO OFF TO NAMES AS WELL.

THERE ARE SO MANY -- FIRST OF ALL MR. CURTIS IS VERY ADMIRABLE ON THE THINGS HE HAS DONE.

WE DO NOT TAKE THAT AWAY. I BELIEVE THE VOICES NEED TO BE HEARD OF HOUSTON GARDENS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUALS IN THAT AREA THAT SHOULD HAVE THE SAY SO FIRST AS TO WHAT THE AREA SHOULD BE NAMED.

AND MY NEXT QUESTION IS THAT WE ARE GETTING SLAMMED HERE IN DISTRICT B BEING A LEADER IN ILLEGAL DUMPING.

I WILL BE MEETING WITH YOU COMMISSIONER ABOUT MAINLY CONSTABLE 3. THEY CAME TO OUR AREA FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING. IT WAS A PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE AND WHY WAS THAT PROPOSAL SHOT DOWN, BASICALLY.

THAT IS TO HELP US. THE LAST QUESTION I WILL ASK YOU TODAY, MR. COMMISSIONER, THE SAME TRASH IN FRONT OF MY HOME AND IN DISTRICT B, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF I TOOK THAT SAME TRASH WITH THE TRAILER INCLUDED IN FRONT OF YOUR HOME? WOULD YOU LIKE THAT? WOULD YOU HAVE A SOLUTION FOR ME TO REMOVE IT FROM YOUR HOME? THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> KIMBERLY LEE.

[02:00:02]

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

I WANT TO ECHO MR. JONES AND MS. GUNTHER.

I AM HAPPY THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO RENAME THE DETENTION BASIN BY CHOOSING GREAT LEADERS NAMES.

I WANT TO ALSO ASK THE COMMISSIONERS MOVING FORWARD WOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION OF WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO GET INPUT SO THEY CAN ALSO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS OF THE RENAMING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> TONYA DUBOSE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. TONYA DUBOSE?

MS. DUBOSE? >> I'M SORRY.

I WAS ON MUTE. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THIS IS TONYA DUBOSE I AM -- I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I APPLAUD THE EFFORTS TO NAME THE DETENTION POND WITHIN CERTAIN AREAS AFTER PEOPLE THAT DESERVE THE RECOGNITION AND I WANT TO GO ON THE RECORD SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS FOR THE DETENTION POND AND THERE WAS TALK ABOUT THE DIXIE FARM ROAD AND THE NAME OF THE FARM ROAD.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GO ON RECORD LETTING THE COURTS KNOW THAT WE SUPPORT THAT. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON OUR HARRIS COUNTY AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMISSION.

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS

WE COULD REACH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I MOVE

ADOPTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT? I THINK COMMISSIONER -- WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

THAT IS FOR -- WHICH ITEM COMMISSIONER?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CURTIS GRAVES DETENTION POND.

I THINK WE DID MY OTHERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE VOTE OWED ONE, COMMISSIONER. WE NORMALLY LET THEM PASS.

WE ARE VOTING ON ITEM 274 ON PAGE 32, THE DETENTION BASIN IN HONOR OF CURTIS GRAVES. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE HAVE QUITE A FEW SPEAKERS, BUT IT HAS BEEN TWO HOURS. LET'S BREAK FOR 15 MINUTES UNTIL 12:20 AND THEN WE WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. IT WAS TIME. I ARE THE TWO

YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF COURT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AGREE.

IT IS 2:23 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE ARE GONNA HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.

LUCINDA, IF YOU HAVE THEM ON THE LINE WE WILL HEAR FROM ALL OF THEM BEFORE WE TAKE UP THE BUDGET AND THE AGENDA.

>> YES, MA'AM. RICHARDS WITH SANCOFA RESEARCH INSTITUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO. I AM SPEAKING AS THE COORDINATOR OF THE REDEFINING YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION WHICH WAS FORMED IN JUNE OF 2020 IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. OUR FIRST GOAL WAS FOR YOUTH JUSTICE AND ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR DETENTION CENTERS THAT INCOURSE RATE YOUNG PEOPLE.

OUR SECOND GOAL WAS TO EXPAND THE COMMUNITY-BASED CONTINUUM OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO IMPACT THE YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO SAFELY KEEP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE OUT OF CUSTODY AND OUR THIRD GOAL IS TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO THE NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES AND TRANSFORM TRANSMISSION EFFORTS. I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT SINCE THE COALITION THEY HAVE CONVENED 40 TIMES.

AND THAT INCLUDED THE PARTICIPATION OF THE DIRECTOR HENRY GONZALEZ AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION DETERMINE AND THE HONORABLE OAKES OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COURTS. AND YOU WHO ARE CURRENTLY AND HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. ON TUESDAY, JANUARY FIFTH OUR COALITION SUBMITTED A LETTER OF SUPPORT ASKING THE COUNTY JUDGE AND EACH COMMISSIONER TO ADOPT THE ITEM IN THE JAD BUDGET FOR THE CREATION OF THE REVENLT -- REINVESTMENT FUND.

IT INCLUDES 60 ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENTS THE DIVERSITY

[02:05:02]

OF HARRIS COUNTY IT INCLUDES NATASHA BUTLER AND THE NEWLY ELECTED MEMBER NATASHA JACKSON.

BASED ON THE BROAD SUPPORT WE HAVE GALVANIZED WE URGENTLY REQUEST YOU VOTE YES TO FUND THE CREATION OF THE YOUTH JUSTICE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT FUND WHICH IS HISTORIC IN ITS FORMATION. AND WE EXPECT -- AND WE ARE EAGER TO SUPPORT THE LONGEVITY TO MAKE A SIZABLE AND A LASTING DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND YOUTHS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES RESIDE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR

ALL THE WORK. >> JUDGE, EXCUSE ME.

I AM GETTING A MESSAGE. THESE SPEAKERS ARE ON THE BUDGET, SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED TO DO THE -- OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THIS TIME OR DO YOU WANT ME TO SKIP ON AND

CALL THE REGULAR SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, WE CAN OPEN THE HEARING. JAY, IS THAT THE

[Public Hearings]

RECOMMENDATION? >> YEAH.

JUDGE, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE FOLKS WHO WANT TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET WE NEED TO OPEN UP THE HEARING AND THEN --

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IN THAT CASE --

>> EXCUSE ME. DO WE NEED TO CALL THE SPEAKER THAT JUST SPOKE BACK? ARE WE OKAY?

>> LUCINDA SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET? WE SHOULD LET HER KNOW THAT SHE CAN -- IT WAS HARD TO TELL. WAS SHE ADDRESSING --

>> LINA HIDALGO: SHE WAS ADDRESSING THE BUDGET, YEAH.

>> YEAH, WE SHOULD -- I DON'T KNOW ABOUT CALLING HER BACK, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND OPEN THAT UP.

>> COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL GO INTO A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED PHYSICIAN -- FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND 2022 BUDGET. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? AND NOW THE HEARING IS OPEN.

>> JUDGE, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE COMMENTS OF THE FIRST SPEAKER ON THE BUDGET AS BEING INCORPORATED INTO OUR BUDGET DISCUSSION.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. JAMES, THIS IS FOR ITEM 260.

YOU'RE RIGHT. IT IS THE DISCUSSION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD -- HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND FLOOD CONTROL AUTHORITY.

THE HEARING IS OPEN AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM THE

SPEAKERS. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

ISAAC GHIA, REDEFINING YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MYSELF BEING A YOUTH -- BEING IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A YOUTH AND FAMILY MEMBERS AS WELL AS BEING AFFECTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT FOR YOUR APPROVAL OF THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT FUND AND THE REDEFINING YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION HAS BEEN DOING.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BRIEFLY SHOW MY GRATITUDE TO THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT FOR RECOGNIZING THE ISSUES AFFECTING OUR YOUTH. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MANY OF THE YOUTH ARE COLORED AND THEY HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED NEGATIVELY IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY REINVEST MEANT FUND. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT FAMILY SYSTEMS IN THE COMMUNITY MORE FOR OUR YOUTH AND RIGHT NOW MORE THAN EVER OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDER MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PRESSURE AND STRESS AND ANXIETIES AND WE ARE BUILDING IT AND SO IS OUR YOUTH.

NOW MORE THAN EVER IT IS TIME TO REIMAGINE THE KINDS OF SUPPORT WE ARE PROVIDING OUR MINORITY YOUTH AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING AFFECTED BY CRIME IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ANY SOCIAL INJUSTICE.

OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED OF THE HEADLINES OF BREAKING OUR PEOPLE OF COLOR IN COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS FURTHER DOWN AND WE SHOULD BE LIFTING EACH OTHER UP.

WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT COMMUNITY INVESTMENT INTO THE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS THAT WILL SUPPORT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MENTOR SHIP AND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS AND KEEPING OUR YOUTH OUT OF THE STREETS AND OUT OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION AND WE HOPE YOU APPROVE THIS NEW

[02:10:04]

INITIATIVE AND INVESTMENT INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM HERE REPRESENTING MYSELF AND MY COMMUNITY AND I HOPE YOU CAN APPROVE THIS NEW COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, EYE -- ISAAC. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING YOU

AND THE OTHER FOLKS. >> THANK YOU.

>> RB BESHEAR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS TO SPEAK.

I AM BARBIE BESHEAR THE HEAD OF THE OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNCIL AND A WAY HOME STEERING COMMITTEE.

I WANT TO THANK THE COURT AND ALL OF THE STAFF FOR COMMITTING COVID RELIEF FUNDING TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANT -- ASSISTANCE FUND THAT WAS ESTABLISHED. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR REPORT WITH YOU AND WE WILL HIGHLIGHT HOW OUR FUNDS PROVIDE SAFETY TO MORE THAN HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES AND 80% OF THE FAMILIES WERE FAMILIES OF COLOR.

I WANT TO EXPRESS A GREAT GRATITUDE TO YOUR COMMITMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2.6 MILLION DOLLARS TOWARD THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THOSE CLAIMING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. I CAN'T EXPRESS ENOUGH TO YOU WHAT -- HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. IT IS ONE PART THAT WAS MADE TO YOU ALL FOR THE FULL 13.9 MILLION THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO MAKE HOMELESSNESS NONRECURRING.

SECURING THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUEST NOT ONLY ENSURES SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS ARE IN PLACE, BUT IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT OF SERVICES. EXPERIENCE TELLS US SUPPORTIVE IS THE KEY WORD IN SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

AND THE SUPPORT THAT HAS A LONG-TERM OUTCOME.

IT INCREASES STABILITY AND IT LOWERS THE PUBLIC COSTS AND IT REDUCES THE PUBLICLY FUNDED CRISIS SERVICE THAT'S INCLUDES SHELTERS, HOSPITALS AND JAILS AND IT MEANS SAFETY AS WELL AS HEALTH CARE. STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE ORDERS ONLY WORKS FOR THOSE WITH HOMES.

>> I WAS THINKING THIS MORNING AND ONE OF MY FIRST CLIENTS AS A CASEWORKER WAS A RETIRED TEACHER WHO ENTERED THE SHELTER BECAUSE SHE COULD NO LONGER AFFORD REPRESENT.

SHE HAD A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AND SHE WAS -- SHE LOST NOT ONLY HER HOUSING, BUT SHE ALSO LOST HER HOPE.

SHE JUST KEPT SAYING I JUST WANT SOMEWHERE TO CALL MY OWN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER OR IF SHE EVER FOUND A PLACE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, BARBIE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE VALUE. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT IN MOST CASES HOMELESSNESS WE THINK OF PEOPLE IN ENCAMPMENTS AND THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAYS. THE REALITY IS THERE ARE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE HOMELESS BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS FOR THEM TO BE IN THEIR OWN HOMES.

AND THIS IS ONE PROGRAM THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY IN SUPPORTING THOSE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BERRY FOR INCLUDING IT.

IT REMAINS OUR COMMITMENT THAT YOUR CLIENTS AND YOUR WORK IS NOT LOST ON THIS. AND WE ARE STILL VERY FOCUSED ON DOING AS MUCH TO HELP SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS TOM

[02:15:04]

RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 3.

THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING. I CAN TELL YOU THAT I RECENTLY GOT SOME DATA LAST WEEK AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN PRECINCT 3 CRIME IS UP 77% IN THE LAST YEAR.

WE DO NEED TO FOCUS ON THIS AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS. YOUR LEADERSHIP IS GONNA HELP

MAKE THAT HAPPEN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH,

COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, MS. BESHEAR. YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4 AND WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU.

>> JACKIE OTMAN WITH URBAN COMMUNITY NETWORK.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR PROVIDING THIS WONDERFUL TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE FOR ME. IT WAS ALSO VERY -- A VERY TEACHABLE MOMENT. I LEARNED SO MUCH DURING THIS MORNING'S PRESENTATIONS. MY NAME IS JESSE OTMAN AND THE -- AND WITH URBAN COMMUNITY NETWORK AND THE GOD -- GODMOTHER OF A FORMER YOUTH THAT WAS IMPACTED BY THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. TODAY I AM COMING AS A MEMBER OF THE REDEFINING YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION.

I WANT TO GIVE SPECIAL THANKS TO THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION AND TO JUVENILE PRO -- PROBATION FOR SEEING THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING THIS REINVESTMENT FUND.

I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE DETRIMENTS OF REMOVING YOUTH FROM THEIR HOMES AND FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE HAVE -- THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES IN THE IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY THAT BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN THAT LIVE IN AND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION.

I AM COMING TO YOU TODAY TO ASK YOU TO ADOPT THIS ITEM AND TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND THE WORK YOU

ARE DOING IN THIS AREA. >> THANK YOU.

>> ZACHARY BELL WITH THE SALVATION ARMY.

>> YES, HI. I AM MAJOR ZACH BELL AND I AM WITH THE SALVATION ARMY. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FORGIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THE SALVATION ARMY IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT WE ARE ALL FOR AND ABOUT PEOPLE. WE LOVE TO BE ABLE TO MEET PEOPLE AND HELP THEM WITH WHATEVER HARDSHIP THEY MAY FACE AND THAT INCLUDES HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEMS. SO WE THE SALVATION ARMY ARE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THAT AND BE A PART OF THE WAY HOME AND TO BE A PART OF THE COORDINATED EFFORTS THAT TAKE PLACE TO END HOMELESSNESS AND ALSO HOPEFULLY PREVENT THAT AS WELL IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND SO I DO WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE RECOGNITION THAT YOU GAVE TO EVEN THE SALVATION ARMY A FEW WEEKS AGO OF THE WORK WE ARE DOING THROUGH THIS TIME OF COVID AND SUCH.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT RECOGNITION IS A TEAM EFFORT AS WE TALK ABOUT THE CONTINUE -- CONTINUUM OF CARE. I AM HERE TO JUST EXPRESS MY TRUE SINCERE THANKS AND GRATITUDE AND SUPPORT FOR THE $2.6 MILLION THAT IS RECOMMENDED IN THIS BUDGET.

WHAT I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT WE AS A COUNTY, AND WE AS A HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY, WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO RESPOND TO AN ISSUE THAT IS REALLY NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS.

IT IS PEOPLE SUFFERING AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE GREAT NEED.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE STEPS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN FOR THIS $13.9 MILLION FOR THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM IN THE YEARS TO COME. LET ME JUST QUICKLY SAY ONE OF THE OUTCOMES I HAVE SEEN WITH THE CARES ACT FUNDING, THE SALVATION ARMY HAS BEEN CALLED UPON WITH PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT COMING TO US IN A MAJOR WAY.

IT STARTED A DIVERSION PROGRAM.

AND WE HAVE ALSO BEEN A PART OF A COVID OUT REACH OR AN EXTENSION OF SHELTERS AND IT WAS SET UP TO BE A TEMPORARY SHELTER TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. AND I AM SO PROUD THAT WE ARE ON TRACK BY THE END OF THIS MONTH TO SEE HOW 76% OF EVERYONE THAT CAME IN AND OUT OF THAT SHELTER.

THAT WAS A TEMPORARY SHELTER. THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS

[02:20:02]

THAT THE SYSTEM THAT'S ARE BEING PUT INTO PLACE IN THIS RESPONSE SYSTEM, THEY WORK. I THINK THE GOAL IS THAT WHILE WE HAVE THIS TEMPORARY INFUSION OF RESOURCES WHICH WE ARE BEYOND GRATEFUL FOR FROM THE CARES ACT, WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT WE BELIEVE WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF HERE IS A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE ANSWER. OBVIOUSLY WE NEED THOSE RESOURCES. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REALLY THINKING ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORS AND THINKING ABOUT YOUR CITIZENS AND RESPONDING IN SUCH AMAZING WAYS WE ARE HERE WITH YOU AND AS YOU LEAN ON US, WE WILL LEAN ON YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR WHAT THE SALVATION ARMY DOES.

FROM 1865 IT HAS BEEN AN ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS.

THEY ARE CHRISTIANS OUT THERE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. SO PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY I THINK ARE GOING TO BE A KEY GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR WHAT YOU

DO. >> DID YOU.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE AND IS

IT COMMANDER BELL? >> YEAH.

ZACH. YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAY NOT REALIZE IS THAT WE HAVE THE SALVATION ARMY DO OUR OPENING PRAYER.

WE RECOGNIZE THEM JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

JACK I THINK WE GOT TO HEAR FROM YOUR WIFE WHO CANDIDLY -- I THINK YOU ARE GREAT AND I THINK SHE IS EVEN MORE

BETTER. >> OF COURSE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TELL HER I SAID SO.

BUT HOW DID Y'ALL DO THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON?

>> YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN TOUGH TIMES FOR EVERYONE, BUT OUR COMMUNITY IS TRULY RESILIENT AND THEY STEP UP.

WE WERE ABLE TO MEET OUR GOAL WHICH IS JUST AN AMAZING -- ONCE AGAIN AN AMAZING THING TO SAY THANK YOU TO THIS COMMUNITY WE SEE THAT MANY MORE PEOPLE COMING TO US FOR HELP AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS.

AND SO WE LIVE IN A GREAT COMMUNITY.

THIS WHOLE PLAN IS PART OF THAT.

THANK YOU FOR ASKING. >> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU. >> EMILY WHITEHURST WITH THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND EXPRESS MY SUPPORT OF ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR THE HOMELESS RESPONSE CENTER. MY NAME IS EMILY WHITEHURST AND I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER. WE ARE PROUD TO SERVE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE DONE SO SINCE 1977.

WE KNOW FROM RESEARCH AND CERTAINLY FROM HAVING SERVE OWED THE FRONT LINES FOR THESE 40 YEARS THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A LEADING CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS AMONG WOMEN AND CHILDREN. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN AND WE KNOW AGAIN FROM SERVING ON THE FRONT LINES, HAVING A ROBUST SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES SECURE AND SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING, THAT IS WHAT CAN ASSURE SURVIVORS ARE ABLE TO MOVE THEIR LIVES FORWARD AND FREE FROM VIOLENCE.

WE ARE PROUD TO PARTNER AND BE A PART OF THE WAY THE HOME CONTINUUM OF CARE AND COORDINATED EFFORT TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

ON BEHALF OF THE WAY HOME, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THE 2.6 MILLION IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER STEPPING UP YOUR ANNUAL ALLOCATION IN THE FISCAL YEAR. IT IS CRITICAL AND IT IS NECESSARY AND WHAT WE SEE SO OFTEN IS THAT THESE FUNDS ARE LIFE SAVING. FOR EXAMPLE THE INFUSION OF CARES FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVED , AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED RECENTLY, WE CAN TELL THAT YOU OUR CLIENTS BENEFITED AND CONTINUE TO BENEFIT, BUT THAT TEMPORARY INFUSION OF RESOURCES LIFTED OUR HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE IF WE INDEED HAVE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO HOUSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN FLEEING FROM VIOLENCE IN SAFE AND SECURE HOUSING.

WE KNOW MANY SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS ARE COMING ONLINE. THEY ARE EMBARKING ON AN EXPANSION PROCESS THAT WILL TRIPLE CAPACITY FROM 120 TO 320 BEDS OF TEMPORARY SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO ENSURE WOMEN AND CHILDREN ESCAPING ABUSE AND NEEDING A SAFE PLACE TO STAY ARE NO LONGER TURNED AWAY.

TOO OFTEN WE SEE PEOPLE HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN STAYING IN A VIOLENT HOME OR HOMELESSNESS. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU.

I WANT YOU TO HOPEFULLY UNDERSTAND THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS AND THEN THE ANTIDOTE TO THE VIOLENCE CAN OFTEN BE SAFE, SECURE

[02:25:04]

HOUSING. I WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE COALITION AND I AM PROUD TO BE A PART OF THEIR EFFORTS FOR MAKING HOMELESS LESS -- HOMELESSNESS RARE AND BRIEF.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS FOR BEING A CRITICAL PART OF REDUCING HOMELESSNESS AND MAKING OUR COMMUNITY MORE

RESILIENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GAR -- GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: EMILY, THANK YOU FOR ADDRESSING THIS TODAY.

AS A FORMER BOARD MEMBER OF YOUR INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATION, NOT JUST THE WOMEN'S CENTER, BUT HAWK AS MORE AFFECTIONATELY AS YOU ARE HAWKS ON DOING ALL THAT YOU CAN TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CLIENTS.

THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING AND I WANT TO APPLAUD MY COLLEAGUES. THE JUDGE AND I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT OUR CONCERNS SPECIFICALLY FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND I WANT TO APPLAUD OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR FOR WORKING THE NUMBERS AS CAUTIOUSLY AND CAREFULLY AS HE COULD TO ENSURE THIS GOT INTO OUR RECOMMENDED BUDGET. THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES.

EVERYTHING IS A PRIORITY. THERE ARE JUST SOME THINGS THAT MAKE IT A GREATER PRIORITY.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE. EMILY, THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF. PLEASE GIVE SONYA MY REGARDS.

>> I WILL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: KEEP DOING WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. WE APPLAUD YOU.

THANK YOU. >> IT IS AN HONOR TO SERVE.

THANK Y'ALL VEF MUCH. VERY MUCH UVMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> DAVID JUEVAS.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED IN REFERENCE TO WHAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET WILL BE ALLOTTED FORE -- FOR 2021 FISCAL BUDGET YEAR. I SEE THERE IS A 1.2% ACROSS THE BOARD FOR RAISES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WHICH I SAY THANK YOU. HOWEVER, I THINK WE ALL KNOW IN OUR TIMES AND THE ISSUE WHEEZE HAVE ON GOING -- ISSUES WE HAVE ON GOING AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, WE ARE SEEING DRASTIC INCREASES OF VIOLENCE IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

I AM HOPING THAT Y'ALL WILL INCREASE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE BY ADDING MORE TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

WE HAVE SEEN WHERE OUR DEPUTY WAS TARGETED -- BOTH DEPUTIES TARGET AND ALMOST KILLED. THANK GOODNESS OUR DEPUTIES HAVE SURVIVED AND ARE DOING WELL.

I THINK WE HAVE SEEN THE STATISTICS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND IN HARRIS COUNTY WHERE OUR MURDER RATES ARE UP. I AM SPEAKING FOR THE 3200 MEMBERS WE HAVE, AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT INCREASING OUR RAISES AND INCREASING PROVIDING ADDITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES TO THE COUNTY? VIOLENCE IS NOT GOING AWAY. IT IS GETTING WORSE.

IN PREVIOUS YEARS WE KNOW THAT WE ARE COMPETING WITH OUR PARTNERS WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THEY MET 20 TO 30,000 JOBS ARE RETAINING THE BEST AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. SO I WAS ASKING IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER ADDITIONAL INCREASES IN FUNDING.

AND THERE IS LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND SALARIES.

IF Y'ALL WOULD, PLEASE CONSIDER THAT.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. I THINK WE KNOW THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS AND SHOULD BE NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTY.

IF Y'ALL WOULD JUST REPLY ON WHAT Y'ALL INTENTIONS ARE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DAVID. APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.

AS WE GO THROUGH THESE BUDGET ISSUES, OBVIOUSLY SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS IS IMPORTANT AS WE VISITED BEFORE.

CERTAINLY 75% OF PRECINCT 3 IS UNINCORPORATED.

THE STATISTICS ARE THE VIOLENT CRIMES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND IT IS UP 77%. AS I HAVE SAID EARLIER AND MURDERS ARE UP 41%. WE UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE.

WE JUST NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO COME FROM. I APPRECIATE YOU CALLING IN.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> THANK YOU FOR COMING AND

[02:30:04]

FOR EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION. I WILL VALIDATE THAT I WAS PART OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS WHERE WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO GET PARITY WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THIS IS A TIME WHEN ALL OF THE PUBLIC SCRUTINY GOING INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WE RECRUIT THE BEST OFFICERS WITH THE BEST EDUCATION AND WITH THE BEST TRAINING.

IN ORDER TO HAVE THE HIGHER QUALITY OFFICERS AND TO HAVE THE HIGHER QUALITY TRAINING THAT DOES MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO FULFILL OUR COMMITMENTS. WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT THAT WE WOULD TRY TO BEGIN TO MOVE AND IT IS IMPERATIVE TO MOVE WITH OTHER AREAS. THEY WILL GET MORE MONEY IF THEY GO TO AUSTIN OR DALLAS. WE WANT THE BEST TRAINED AND THE BETTER AND IF WE WANT TO RELATE TO THEM WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE CARE OF THEM. THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US OF OUR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO GET TO THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN HAVE THE BEST AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALSO THE BEST TRENDED -- THE BEST TRAINED. AND SO I THANK YOU FOR REMIND -- REMINDING US AND YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT.

YOU CAN KNOW I WILL DO WHAT WHAT I CAN TO I'M -- TO HELP IMPROVE OUR SHERIFFS AND THE CONSTABLES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT. I AM JOE FUENTAS, JUNIOR.

I WANT TO THANK JUDGE HIDALGO FOR IN THE PAST VISITING OUR SITE SET UP FOR CAMPAIGNS. IT IS A FAIRLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE CENTER AND AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF COMMUNITY CARE. IT IS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS IN HARRIS COUNTY. OUR ORGANIZATION HAS A CONNECTION BETWEEN IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE INCLUDING HEALTH EQUITY AND FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS HOMES AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS UNDERSTANDING THEY HAVE THE 2.2 MILLION FUNDED BY COVID-19. ALSO WANT TO VOICE MY SUPPORT AND DEEPEST THANKS OF 2.6 MILLION FOR THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM. JUST STARTING OFF WITH THE OTHER PROGRAMS THEY CAN LEVERAGE THESE RESOURCES.

A COPY OF THE SERVICE PLANS THAT IS TO THE ONLY HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING, BUT ADDRESSING OTHER DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. FOR BEING HIV POSITIVE FOR 30 YEARS I HAVE DEDICATED MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE FOR EQUITY FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO NEED RESOURCES AND THESE SERVICES.

IN CLOSING HARRIS COUNTY IS A MODEL FOR REDUCING HOMELESSNESS. THEY WILL PUT US MUCH CLOSER TO THE ISSUES. THANK YOU TO THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THE TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU. >> CARLTON HARRIS WITH MY BROTHER'S KEEPER. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

CARLTON HARRIS? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS CARLTON HARRIS.

GOVERN, JUDGE HUH TALL GO AND -- HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

IT IS THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE MY BROTHER'S KEEPER REDIRECT DIVERSION PROGRAM. I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE REDEFINING YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION THAT YOU PREVIOUSLY HEARD FROM. RICHARDS OUTLINED OUR PURPOSE FORGIVING TESTIMONY TODAY -- FOR GIVING TESTIMONY TESTIMONY FOR THE JAD BUDGET AND THE REINVESTMENT ACT.

I HAVE BEEN HONORED TO WORK IN THE TIMES PAST WITH

[02:35:01]

COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON RE-ENTRY EFFORTS AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THE PREVENTION EFFORTS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SERVED AS MY COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE LETTER THAT YOU MAILED TO ME AFTER GIVING TESTIMONY AT THE BUDGET HEARING. WE APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTIMONY TO THIS ISSUE.

I WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND JUVENILE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT FOR CREATING THIS REINVESTMENT FUND. I BELIEVE INVESTING IN THIS WILL INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSFORM LIVES SIMULTANEOUSLY. AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A WIN-WIN. I JUST WANT TO CLOSE WITH A FAMOUS QUOTE AND SAID IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A LASTING INFLUENCE UPON THE WORLD, YOU MUST INVEST IN PEOPLE'S LIVES. IF YOU WANT TO MAXIMIZE THE INVESTMENT, YOU MUST INVEST IN THOSE PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE YOUNG. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S A GOOD WORD.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU

AGAIN. >> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH ON THE BUDGET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS HOPING TO HEAR ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, LUCINDA BEFORE WE GET TO THE SESSION AND OTHER ITEMS. JAY, DO WE NEED TO CLOSE THE HEARING OR DO WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS ?

HOW DOES THAT WORK? >> DO WE EXPECT ANY OTHER SPEAKERS FOR THE BUDGET, LUCINDA?

>> NO, SIR, NOT THAT I'M AWARE.

>> THEN WE CAN CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE WE CLOSE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: GIVE ME A SECOND HERE. NORMALLY WE VOTE BEFORE WE CLOSE IT. SO WE WILL OPEN IT BACK UP.

>> CORRECT. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION AND THEN VOTE ON IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, I DON'T HAVEN'T TO HAVE DISCUSSION.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AND THEN HAVE A

DISCUSSION. >> YOU CAN VOTE ON IT IF

YOU -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN'T VOTE

ON IT WITHOUT DISCUSSING IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, MAY I MAKE A SUGGESTION? WHY DON'T WE TEMPORARILY TABLE DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET TO BE BROUGHT BACK UP AGAIN AFTER WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS, AND THEN WE REOPEN THE BUDGET DISCUSSION? IN OTHER WORDS, YOU DON'T CLOSE IT. YOU JUST TABLE IT FOR THE

INTERIM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES MA MATTER, CACTUS? CAN WE JUST CLOSE AND THEN

REOPEN? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU DON'T WANT TO END WHERE YOU CLOSE THE OPEN HEARING -- THE BUDGET HEARING IN ITS ENTIRETY. IF YOU DO THAT THEN WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT AND EVERYTHING IN THE WINDOW.

WE CAN TEMPORARILY TABLE THE HEARING AND HEAR SPEAKERS THEN THEY CAN DO THE SPEAKING AND THEN REOPEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE QUESTION IS THE HEARING IS ON THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND AND WE DIDN'T HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE OTHER FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND TOLL ROADS.

I DON'T KNOW. I CAN OPEN THAT ONE SEPARATELY

AFTER THIS ONE IS DONE. >> WE CAN DO THAT.

I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S SUGGESTION IS A FINE ONE.

WE CAN JUST TABLE DISCUSSION AND THEN YOU CAN GO BACK.

YOU ALREADY HAD -- ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WERE FOR 260, I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THEY WERE FOR 260 WHICH IS THE

BUDGET. >> THERE THERE WAS NONE FOR

THE OTHER ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TABLE

THE DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET. >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON 260 WHILE WE HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE

SPEAKERS ON THE AGENDA. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK AND DEAL WITH

THE OPEN HEARING. >> THAT SHOULD WORK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE NEED A MOTION? LOAN

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO WE JUST TABLE IT.

LUCINDA, LET'S HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS.

THIS IS WHAT YOU PREFER, RIGHT?

HEAR ALL THE SPEAKERS ? >> YES.

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. >> MARGARET MITCHELL, GO

AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

I HAVE ENJOYED LISTENING TO THIS HEARING TODAY BECAUSE THE REMARKS I WANT TO MAKE REALLY ARE VERY PERTINENT.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HAPPENED TO ME IS BECAUSE THERE WAS A CRIMINALIZATION OF WHAT IS PERCEIVED TO BE MENTAL ILLNESS. BUDGE THE PRIORITIES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED TO HELP PEOPLE AND NOT CRIMINALIZE THEM.

[02:40:14]

SINCE RACISM IS NO LONGER VIABLE THEY ARE GOING TO MENTAL ILLNESS. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO LEFT HOME WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD BECAUSE SHE WAS BEING RAPED.

AND THEN AS A TEENAGER SHE WAS TRAFFICKED.

AND THEN SHE GOT DISSH -- BECAUSE OF THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND NOW SHE IS IN PRISON BECAUSE SHE HAD PROBLEMS PEOPLE -- AND PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO MANIPULATE THE POLICE SYSTEM TO CATCH HER AT A TIME WHEN SHE WAS VULNERABLE.

AND SHE HAS BEEN IN PRISON FOR YEARS NOW MAINLY BECAUSE SHE AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WERE MANIPULATED TO CRIMINALIZE HER MENTAL ILLNESS. AND SO WE NEED TO DE CRIMINALIZE SO MANY BEHAVIORS AND TREAT THEM AS WHAT THEY ARE, PROBLEMS OF ACTUALLY DECENT PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST HAVING PROBLEMS. SO MUCH MONEY COULD BE SAVED IN THE LONG RUN IF WE JUST TREATED PEOPLE DECENTLY AND STOPPED CRIMINALIZING BEHAVIORS.

THEY NEED MENTAL HEALTH. THANK YOU.

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

>> JAMES HOROWITZ WITH PROBATE COURT FORUM.

GO AHEAD, JUDGE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGES.

THIS IS JUDGE HOROWITZ IN PROBATE COURT 4.

I AM SPEAKING TODAY ABOUT THE SALARY SUPPLEMENTS THAT ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

THE PROBATE JUDGES HAVE PREVIOUSLY SPOKEN TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ABOUT THIS MATTER.

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HE WILL OFFER HIS LEGAL OPINION WHEN YOU GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

JUDGE SIMINOW AND SOME OF THE OTHER JUDGES WILL PROBABLY SPEAK IN EVEN MORE DETAIL ABOUT THIS.

BUT THEN SOME SOME OF THE PROBATE COURTS WILL RECEIVE A DISTRIBUTION FROM THE STATE JUDICIAL CONTRIBUTION FUND WHICH IS TO BE USED FOR PROBATE COURT PURPOSES ONLY.

THIS IS NOT GENERAL FUND MONEY, TAXPAYER MONEY.

THIS IS MONEY ON EACH PROBATE SINCE COLLECTED THROUGH THE STATE CONTROLLER. IT IS DISTRIBUTED BACK OUT AT A MINIMUM LEVEL OF $40,000 PER YEAR TO EACH PROBATE COURT.

AND THEN THE EXCESS IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE PROBATE COURTS. HARRIS COUNTY IS THE LARGEST COUNTY. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING HARRIS COUNTY GETS $350,000 ANNUALLY FROM THIS FUND.

IT CAN ONLY BE USED FOR PRO -- PROBATE SERVICES.

GOING BACK TO WHICH COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS WITH THE PROBATE COURTS, THE PROBATE COURT RECEIVES THIS MONEY AND IT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE JUDGES TO STAFF MEMBERS AS A RAIL -- SALARY SUPPLEMENT AND THESE MEMBERS HAVE RELIED ON THIS AS AN INCENTIVE AS PART OF THEIR COMPENSATION.

IN AN EARLIER MEETING WITH THE BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT DIVISION THEY TRIED TO GET ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS.

BECAUSE OF THE REALITY AND THE WORLD RELIVE NTHE COUNTY BUDGET MANAGEMENT PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK THEY COULD SPARE THE MONEY TO GIVE OUR PROBATE COURTS ADDITIONAL STAFF.

I UNDERSTAND THAT. THE STAFF MEMBERS WE HAVE ARE TOPPED OUT. MANY ARE AT THE TOP SALARY THEY CAN GET IN THEIR POSITION.

WE NEED TO KEEP THESE PEOPLE. WE CAN'T CERTAINLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC REMOTE TRAIN ANYBODY.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THERE IS A 26-WEEK PAYOUT RATHER THAN A LUMP SUM PAYMENT. SINCE ARE YOU DOING LUMP SUM

[02:45:01]

PAYMENTS CERTAINLY WE ASK YOU CONTINUE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M AFRAID I HAVE TO STOP YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

>> JUDGE JERRY SIMINOW PROBATE COURT 1.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FORGIVING US TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS MATTER.

AS JUDGE HOROWITZ SAID, OUR STAFF HAVE BEEN HERE QUITE AWHILE. MANY ARE TOPPED OUT AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO INCENTIVIZE THEM TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR WORK. IT IS IN A DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING YEAR. IF WE WERE TO LOSE SOMEBODY BE IT RETIREMENT OR SOME OTHER REASON.

IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. YOU CAN RELY ON THIS FOR PAYMENT HAVING DONE SO FOR THE LAST 10 OR 12 YEARS, IN THAT TIME THE NUMBER OF CASES HAS TRIPLED IN THE PROBATE COURTS. TRIPLED.

IT IS NOT THE BENEFIT OF HAVING EXTRA STAFF.

THESE PEOPLE DESERVE TO RECEIVE THE SAME LUMP SUM THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING THE LAST 10 OR 12 YEARS.

I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THAT AGAIN.

AS JUDGE HOROWITZ SAID COUNTY ATTORNEY MENEFEE AND JR SPOKE WITH US ABOUT IT. I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AND IT WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND THE CONSIDERATION.

I APPRECIATE IT. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> JUDGE JASON COX PROBATE COURT 3.

GO AHEAD, SIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I REALLY CAN'T ADD ANYTHING MORE TO MY COLLEAGUES' COMMENTS, BUT I APPRECIATE YOU HEARING US OUT AND AGAIN, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ONE SECOND, JUDGE COX.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A COMMENT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TO THE EXTENT THAT AFTER WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, THESE ITEMS MAY BE ALSO PART OF OUR GENERAL BUDGET I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT THIS TESTIMONY OF THE COMMENTS BE INCORPORATED INTO THE RECORD SO THEY WOULD BE INCORPORATED IN THAT LOCATION AFTER WE HAVE HAD OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH REGARD TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND THEN THEY WILL BE -- THE COMMENTS WILL BE APPLIED TO THE OVERALL BUDGET HEARING

PROCESS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND

FOR YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. WHAT IS IT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE

YOU WOULD LIKE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT SOME FINANCIAL MATTERS THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT THEIR BUDGET REQUESTS OF THE COURT, OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR BELTS AND SUSPENDERS ARE ON AND ONCE WE HAVE HAD OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION WHICH I UNDERSTAND WE WILL HAVE LATER ON FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS THAT THESE COMMENTS WERE PART OF THE OVERALL BUDGET PROCESS AS WELL.

AND SO MY MOTION IS THAT WE INCORPORATE THEIR COMMENTS INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS SO THAT WE IN ESSENCE HAVE THEIR COMMENTS IN BOTH PLACES, FOR OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND

BUDGET HEARING. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE PAUSED THE BUDGET HEARING. THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I COUNT COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND CAGLE AND RAMSEY.

THEY ARE IN FAVOR. COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- WE CAN CHECK ON HIM AS WELL. THE MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU TO THE JUDGES FOR CALLING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: APOLOGIZE, JUDGE.

I WAS ON MUTE. I WAS SUPPORTIVE.

>> IT IS 5-0? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, JAMES.

>> JUDGE MICHAEL NEWMAN -- >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> JUDGE MICHAEL NEWMAN, PROBATE COURT NUMBER 2.

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

I CONCUR WITH MY COLLEAGUES. OUR FOLKS HERE IN COURT 2 COURT HARD. A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN WORKING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WE CAN KEEP THE INCENTIVE IN PLACE IN A LUMP SUM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I THOUGHT WE HAD ALL OF THE JUDGES. I MISSED HIM.

I WOULD MAKE THE SAME MOTION FOR PROBATE 2 AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. I AM EASY TO OVER LOOK.

THAT'S OKAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL GIVE

[02:50:05]

UH SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE ADDING THOSE COMMENTS ALSO TO THE BUDGET RECORD.

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

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY APOLOGIES

TO JUDGE NEWMAN AGAIN. >> SORRY, JUDGE.

HE IS ALREADY OFF THE LINE COMMISSIONER, I'M SORRY.

AL CASHONI, GO AHEAD, SIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS AL CASHONI.

I AM A LOCAL DEVELOPER AND A BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR AND MORE IMPORTANTLY AN ADVOCATE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A HUGE WELCOME TO YOU TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I LOOK FORWARD TO DO GREAT THINGS WITH YOUR BUSINESS. I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT ITEM 191. FOR THE RECORD, WE PAY MULTI-MILLION PROPERTY TAX AND OTHER TAXES AND WE HAVE NEVER BEEN LATE. I AM NOT HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR ME. I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE REST OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

I THINK HAVING AN ADDITIONAL 20% PENALTY AND EVEN THE WHOLE COUNTRY GOING THROUGH IS UNNECESSARY.

MOST OF THE BUSINESSES THEY ARE ALREADY SUFFERING AND FOR EXAMPLE MOST OF THE RESTAURANTS HAVE A 50% OCCUPANCY. RESTAURANTS THAT OPERATE ON A 5 OR 10% MARGIN, THEY ARE OPERATING DURING THIS TIME.

AND THEY WILL GET BEHIND ON ALL OF THE TAXES.

THEY ARE LUCKY TO PAY THEIR TAXES AND HAVE A PENALTY THAT DOES NOT ENCOURAGE THEM TO PAY THE TAXES.

NOBODY WANTS TO GET PENALIZED.

IF THEY HAVE THE MONEY, THEY WILL PAY THEIR TAXES.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR US TO INCREASE AND IMPOSE A PENALTY.

THIS DOES NOT GO TO THE COUNTY. I REALLY THINK IT IS UNAPPROPRIATE AND UNJUST FOR YOU GUYS TO IMPOSE THESE PENALTIES. KEY CAN HAVE SOME -- WE CAN HAVE SYMPATHY AND EMPATHY FOR THE BUSINESSES GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME. I HOPE YOU CONSIDER REDUCING THE PENALTIES AND NOT INCREASING THEM.

IF PEOPLE CANNOT PAY THE TAXES THEY CANNOT PAY THE PENALTIES. TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO AT THIS TIME.

MOST ARE BARELY SURVIVING. THEY INCREASE THE PENALTY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA 70 TO 78% OF THE PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED.

OI -- URGE YOU NOT TO INCREASE THE PENALTY.

PERHAPS THE PEOPLE COME IN AND CATCH UP AND THEY PAY TAXES.

YOU COULD WAIVE THE PENALTY AND THAT WOULD BE PART OF IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, MR. CASHANI. I AM CURIOUS, MAYBE YOU OR MR. BERRY SO WE UNDERSTAND IT, I KNOW, I AM ASSUMING WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING SO THAT THE NOTICES GO OUT.

I KNOW WE REDUCED THIS TO 15% AND THAT WAS NEGOTIATED ON OUR PROPERTY TAXES. THE LAW SAYS YOU COULD GO UP TO 20. AND THAT MEANS YOU CAN REDUCE THE PENALTY TO 15, 10, 5, 1. ONE COULD MAKE THE CASE AS WE THE GOVERNMENT PUT A RESTRICTION ON HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN GO TO A RESTAURANT, FOR EXAMPLE.

MR. BERRY, CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THIS AND I KNOW THERE WAS A REPORT BEFORE, BUT I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS. IF SOMEBODY OWES A THOUSAND

DOLLARS, WHAT IS IT? >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS IF I COULD -- JUDGE IF I MAY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS I WANTED TO ADD TO YOUR QUESTION, IS IT ACCURATE THAT IF WE TAKE

[02:55:09]

ACTION ON THIS ITEM TODAY THEN THE TAX ASSESSOR WILL START -- CAN START COLLECTING AS OF APRIL?

THEN IT DELAYS IT UNTIL JULY? >> COMMISSIONER WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ISSUES HERE. ONE WE ARE CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATIONS WITH OUR COLLECTIONS FIRM TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT 20% IT IS SOME OF THE ISSUE HERE.

AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS POINTED OUT WHEN TAXES WERE ASSESSED THERE WAS SOME THINGS DONE AT COURT, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A RATE. IT GIVES OUR OFFICER OR OUR BUDGET SOME ABILITY TO GO BACK AND DO IT.

AND THEN IT WOULD HINDER THE TAX OFFICE'S ABILITY TO ACTUALLY DO IT. WE ARE OBLIGATED TO DO

SOMETHING TODAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT DOESN'T

HAVE TO BE 20%. >> IT DOES NOT.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME WE ARE CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO 20%.

ANY RE -- REDUCTION IN THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE

NEGOTIATED WITH THE VENDOR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS.

I KNOW WE TOOK THIS IN HOUSE SO WHAT LEGAL FEES AND PENALTIES COME HERE AND WHAT COMES HERE BEFORE THE FIRM'S 40% OR 15 OR WHATEVER COMES UP?

>> I'LL GIVE THE NUMBERS A SHOT HERE.

WE IMPOSED A PENALTY AND IT STEPS UP DWENT% -- 1% PER MONTH. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING HERE. WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING ARE THE COLLECTION FEES FOR THE FIRM. AND SO I THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE OF THE EXISTING CONTRACT AND PERCENTAGES AND IF WE SHOULD HAND OVER PERM PROPERTY -- PERSONAL PROPERTY AND REAL PROPERTY ON JULY 1ST. THERE ARE TWO ISSUES HERE IN TERMS OF WHAT IS ON THE TABLE TODAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE FIRST ONE BEFORE WE GET TO -- OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO HARM OURSELVES.

DOES IT MATTER IF IT IS NOW OR THEN, SO 6% PLUS 1% A MONTH.

SAY SOMEBODY IS A YEAR LATE WITH THE 20%.

IF YOU OWE A THOUSAND DOLLARS, JUST SO WE UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHAT PERCENTAGE?

>> IF SOMEONE WAS DELINQUENT ON A THOUSAND DOLLARS, IT IS A SMALL BUSINESS. 12 MONTHS LATER IT WOULD BE 1,495. THAT INCORPORATES THE 20% COLLECTION FEE OR LATE PENALTIES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO OUT OF THE THOUSAND DOLLARS IT WOULD BE WHAT? 1500?

>> YEP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IF YOU

OWED 100,000 YOU ARE AT 150. >> CORRECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IF YOU ARE A MILLION, YOU ARE A MILLION 5. I AM JUST MAKING A POINT AND I'M ASSUMING THE WAY THIS WORKS, I AM JUST GUESSING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ECONOMY, IF NOBODY IS BUYING BURGERS OR GOING TO THE MOVIES OR WHATEVER THEY ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE LATE UNLESS THEY HAVE A NEST EGG OR A BIG CHECK COMING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT I KNOW THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WILL NEGOTIATE DOWN 15% BEFORE A PANDEMIC ON THE PROPERTY TAXES.

MOST OF US WILL DO VIER -- VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING TO HOLD ON TO OUR HOME OR YOU WILL END UP HOMELESS.

[03:00:03]

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BUSINESS UNLESS IT IS AT YOUR HOME.

THAT'S A STEEP CLIMB. THAT COMES TO ABOUT -- IF MY MATH IS RIGHT, THAT IS ABOUT 50%?

>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 6% AND 1% EVERY MONTH AND THEN THE NEXT YEAR IF YOU ARE LATE AGAIN,

THAT IS COMPOUNDED, RIGHT? >> YOU DON'T GET THE PENL --

THE 20% PENALTY AGAIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO YOU DON'T GET THE 20% AGAIN. AND WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOU AND MR. AIYER ON WHAT HAPPENS IF WE WAIT AS OPPOSED TO DOING

IT NOW? >> SO PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS A STATUTORY DEADLINE THAT REQUIRES NO DECISION TO BE SENT OUT. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM WHAT THE TAX OFFICE IS TELLING US IS THAT UNDER THEIR SYSTEM THEY NEED TO HAVE SOME CERTAINTY IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO ISSUE THAT. I THINK WHEN WE GET TO THE ITEM SOMEONE FROM THE TAX OFFICE CAN MAKE THE PRESENTATION AS TO WHAT THE TIMING HAS TO BE.

THEY ARE INDICATING THEY NEED TO HAVE THAT -- THEY NEED TO HAVE A VOTE ON IT TODAY FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

ASIDE FROM THAT, THE NUMBERS ARE SOMEWHAT IMMATERIAL BECAUSE I THINK THE COURT SET A STANDARD TO ADJUST THAT RATE IN NEGOTIATION WITH OUR VENDER. OUR VENDER HAS BEEN QUITE FLEXIBLE TO DOING SO. I DON'T THINK THAT IS AN ISSUE. I THINK WE DO NEED TO HAVE

IT. >> SO WE HAVE TO PROVE IT WITH THE CONTINGENT UPON YOU NEGOTIATING A RATE AND SET THAT RATE. WHETHER IT IS 2 PENT OR 15% OR

10% OR WHATEVER IT IS. >> YES, SIR, YOU COULD.

YOU COULD DO IT CONTINUED UPON THAT AND A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE AMOUNT AND YOU CAN HAVE OUR OFFICE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE LAW PUTS IT UP UP TO 20, RIGHT 1234*

YOU CAN'T GO ABOVE THAT? >> YOU CAN'T GO ABOVE 20, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE 20. I THINK THAT HAS BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING. RAD RAD

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR 30 YEARS.

HOW LONG HAVE THEY HAD THE CONTRACT?

>> CERTAINLY LONGER THAN ANYONE -- THAN ON THIS ZOOM CALL HAS BEEN AROUND GOVERNMENT.

THEY HAVE BEEN A GOOD PARTNER TO THE COUNTY IN MANY WAYS.

I DON'T WANT TO DISPARAGE ANY VENDORS, BUT THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR A LONGTIME AND THEY HAVE PROVEN TO BE WILLING TO BE

FLEXIBLE. >> --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I'M JUST CURIOUS, BUT WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

TO ALSO ASK THERE IS AN MWBE --

>> SO JUST. FAIRLY -- THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. THE ITEM WE ARE REFERRING TO AND THE SPEAKER IS REFERRING TO RELATES TO THIS PARTICULAR RATE. IT IS NOT THAT PARTICULAR CONTRACT. I AM HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, AND WE CAN POST THAT THE AT A LATER DATE TO HAVE THE BROADER CONVERSATION.

THIS IS A REMINDER THAT THE CONTRACT IS MONTH TO MONTH AND

IT WALL NOT BE CHANGED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THAT CAN BE NEGOTIATED LATER. OH IT STILL GOES MONTH TO

MONTH? >> YES, MONTH TO MONTH.

THIS IS NOT A NEGOTIATION FOR THAT.

THIS IS A NEGOTIATION ON THE RATE BEING ACCEPTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I THINK MR. AIR -- AIYERS ANSWERED MY CONTRACT. WHEN DOES THE CONTRACT EXPIRE? IF WE HAD A CONTRACT THAT LASTED A YEAR AND WE ADD CONTRACTUAL RIGHT THEY COLLECTED 20% AND WE REDUCED IT TO 10 DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE PLAN MOVING IT TO 15 WITH THE PANDEMIC AND EVERYTHING SETTLED DOWN, WHAT WOULD BE OUR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY? WHAT I HEAR FROM YOU IS WE ARE ON A MONTH TO MONTH CONTRACT. SO IF WE REDUCE IT FROM THE 20 TO 15 OR 10 THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE A FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH REGARD TO BREECH OF CONTRACT?

>> YEAH. THAT IS CORRECT.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CONTRACT TERM LISTS 20%.

ANYTHING WE WE DO WILL REQUIRE US FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MONTH A LEVEL OF NEGOTIATIONS.

WE KNOW WITH VEOROM -- VELOROM THEY REDUCED IT FROM 20 TO 15. THEY WOULD BE UH MEANABLE TO THAT IF NOT LOWER. WE ARE MONTH TO MONTH AND NEED

[03:05:07]

TO DEAL WITH THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY SECOND QUESTION -- PARDON ME, JUDGE. MY SECOND QUESTION IS IF WE DO A LOWERING OF THIS TAX RATE WOULD THERE BE SOME FUNCTION OF LEFT OVER CARES FUNDS THAT MIGHT BE SOMEWHERE WE CAN TAP INTO THE REDUCTION? IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN REDUCE

ON THE COUNTY. >> THE 20% OR 15% IS CLEARLY

THE FEE. >> THERE WOULD BE NO FINANCIAL

INCENTIVE. >> I THOUGHT I UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING FOR YOU AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I THINK I AM MISSING SOMETHING. DO WE NEED TO SET THE 20% OR 15% RIGHT NOW? WHAT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN THERE ARE THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT AND THAT IS MONTH TO MONTH. THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS?

>> YES. THERE IS A CONTRACT THAT HAS IN IT A SET OF GUIDELINES. ONE OF WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM CHARGE THEY CAN DO FOR COLLECTIONS FOR BOTH A TANGIBLE -- A BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY AND ADD VELOROM. THIS RATE IS SET BY THE COUNTY. WE SEND OUTLETTERS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BASED ON THAT BECAUSE THE ASSESSMENTS ARE FOR THE YEAR. WHAT THE TAX OFFICE IS LETTING US KNOW OR TELLING US IS THAT THAT DATE NEEDS TO BE CERTAIN. THERE IS A JULY 1ST -- WE ACTUALLY HAVE A CALL IN TO THE TAX OFFICE NOW TO CONFIRM AS TO WHAT THAT DROP DEAD DATE IS AS TO WHEN THEY NEED -- MEET FOR THE JULY 1ST HAND OVER PROPERTY FOR THE ASSESSMENT.

THAT'S A SEPARATE ISSUE FROM THE CONTRACTUAL MONTH TO MONTH.

THAT 20% NUMBER IS IN THEIR CONTRACT FOR THE VENDOR.

RIGHT NOW, FOR EXAMPLE, WE SAID 15%.

OR IF THE COURT SAID WE ARE ONLY GOING TO ALLOW 15%.

THAT WOULD PROVIDE CERTAINTY FOR THE TAX OFFICE, BUT WE

WOULD NEED TO NEGOTIATE THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND LET ME JUST ASK A COUPLE OF THINGS. TO BE CLEAR, WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON RIGHT NOW IS NOT THE EXTRA FEE THEY CHARGE, BUT FOR

WHAT. >> IT IS THE FEE THEY CAN CHARGE WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE PAYMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER. WHAT HAPPENS IS WE ARE SETTING THE ALLOTMENT FOR THE YEAR, BUT THEIR CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY IS TO COLLECT -- IT IS TO PREVENT -- IT IS ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS. MEANING THEY DON'T HAVE A BUILT IN PROTECTION. WE DON'T HAVE A PAST ANNUAL CONTRACT. WE HAVEN'T DONE A CONTRACT LIKE THAT. THIS IS FOR THE ANNUAL FEE.

>> RIGHT. SO RIGHT NOW WE WOULD JUST SET FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT LET'S SAY WE SET -- WE KNOW IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE 20. LET'S SAY WE SET IT AT 15.

THEY WILL HAVE TO NEGOTIATE IT AND STICK THAT NUMBER 15 IN

THE MONTH TO MONTH CONTRACT. >> THEIR CONTRACT SAYS 20.

IT DEFAULTS TO A MONTH AND MONTH BASIS.

IT ALLOWS THE VENDOR TO USE A CHARGE OF 20%.

IT REQUIRES US TO DO 20%. IF YOU WOULD WANT A LOWER RATE YOU WOULD HAVE TO NEGOTIATE DOWN THAT RATE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WILL END WITH THIS.

WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WE NEED IS THE CLEAR DATE AND THE CLEAR

[03:10:03]

MOTIONS. AS SAID EARLIER IT IS CON INIT -- IT IS CONTINGENT ON SOMETHING.

WHETHER IT IS A MOTION FROM EACH ENTITY AND THEN THE FILL IN THE BLANK IS WHAT WE WILL --

>> IF THAT'S WHAT THE COURT WANTS, A PARTICULAR AMOUNT OR

IF THEY WANT US TO DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK I GET IT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST -- THANK YOU.

I RECALL WITH THE PROPERTY TAXES AND AS ONE PERSON WHO RAISED THIS ISSUE WOULD KNOW THE CRITICISM OF THE VENDOR.

11,728. I WAS THINKING THE NUMBER WAS 40%. SAY IT IS A THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THEY WILL OWE RIGHT AT $1500 AT THE END OF ONE YEAR.

I ASK THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO NEGOTIATE.

I WOULD SUGGEST IF WE CAN TAKE THIS.

THE THING ABOUT NEGOTIATING IS YOU CAN SEE THE BEST YOU CAN GET. I WANT TO STRESS WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER WILL BE. WHETHER IT IS THE GOVERNOR OR THE JUDGE SAID WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE RESTAURANT.

THEY ARE MADE FROM THE VENDOR BECAUSE MY GUESS IS MORE PEOPLE, UNFORTUNATELY ARE GOING TO BE DELINQUENT, PERIOD. WHETHER IT IS PROPERTY OR BUSINESS OR WHATEVER. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY WITH OUR VENDOR WHO HAS BEEN HERE SOME 30 SOME ODD YEARS AND IT WAS 15% IT DIDN'T SAY IT WAS UP TO 15%.

IT WAS 20 UNTIL WE JUST FOUND OUT MIRACULOUSLY THIS LAST SICKLE IN THE -- IN THIS LAST CYCLE.

IT HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE LATE.

YOU CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WILL TAKE AS THE COUNTY TOOK IN HOUSE FOR THE TOTAL. WE ARE REALLY LIMITED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SINCE WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT. IT THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING VARIABLES.

ONE VARIABLE IS CONSISTENT. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HURTING. AND OBVIOUSLY IT IS GOING TO IMPACT WHAT REVENUE WE HAVE THE TO SERVICE THEM WITH GOVERNMENT SERVICES. YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING

INTO BANKRUPTCY. >> OUR OFFICE IS LETTING US KNOW THAT THE BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY HAS TO HAPPEN FOR APRIL 1ST NEEDS TO BE SET TODAY.

WHATEVER HAPPENS TODAY WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU SAYING BY THE WAY -- MAYBE THE WAY COMMISSIONER KAY GAL ASKS, BUT RIGHT NOW WHENEVER WE DO IT WILL BE 20% TODAY UNLESS WE CHANGE THAT IN THIS ONE.

AND IF YOU NEGOTIATE -- IF WE SET A NUMBER, 15, 10 AND THEN YOU HAVE TO NEGOTIATE AND YOU DON'T GET THE NUMBER WHAT

HAPPENS? >> WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH

THEM. >> ONCE THIS KICKS IN -- IF THEY PUT IT OUT AND IT IS KICKED IN AT THAT NUMBER.

[03:15:05]

>> COMMISSIONER AT THIS STAGE I THINK WE ARE GETTING INTO AREAS WHERE I THINK IT IS BETTER TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

JUST A NOTE. I KNOW WHERE I WANT TO GO WITH THIS AND I THINK IT IS IN LINE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS' COMMENTS, BUT DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION NOW? IF SO I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION NOW.

WE CANDICE PUT IT -- WE CAN DISPUTE IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. DO WE MAKE THE MOTION NOW?

LEAN COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE ARE ON THE SPEAKERS AND WE WENT OFF ON A TANGENT.

I SUGGEST THEY RUN IT DOWN AND GIVE OUR STAFF A CHANCE TO RUN IT DOWN AND GET THE MOTIONS AND THEN IN A COUPLE HOURS

COME BACK TO IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

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

GO AHEAD, LUCINDA. >> ELIZABETH MARTIN.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND ESTEEMED COMMISSIONERS.

I AM SPEAKING OUT ON ITEM 191 WHICH HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AND I LEARNED A LOT FROM YOUR DISCUSSION.

BUT I'M APPALLED THAT THIS IS AN ITEM ON OUR COUNTY'S UH -- AGENDA AT THIS MOMENT IN OUR TIME.

OUR BUSINESSES ARE HANGING ON BY A THREAD.

THEY ARE CREATING A SICKLE OF POVERTY -- THEY ARE CREATING A CYCLE OF POVERTY. THERE ARE FEES IN A MYRIAD OF WAYS. WHEN THE HOMES ARE FORECLOSED ON THERE IS A TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT.

AND THEY ARE CERTAINLY GONE. THE MORE INTANGIBLE EFFECTS, IT IS THOSE FALLING INTO THE CRACKS AND THEY CAN'T CONCENTRATE IN SCHOOL AND THEY ARE HUNGRY AND THEIR LIVES ARE UPSIDE DOWN AND THINGS AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC ARE NOW AFFECTED BY POVERTY. WE DON'T COME BACK FROM THAT.

THE GOVERNMENT FORCED BUSINESSES TO CLOSE AND LIMITS SAFETY WHICH I AGREE WITH. YOU CAN'T PUNISH THEM FOR THAT. I I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE A CONTRACT AND IT IS MONTH TO MONTH, BUT IF THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO NEGOTIATE DOWN TO A MUCH LOWER RATE, THEN I THINK IT IS TIME AS TAXPAYERS WE HAVE A SAY IN THAT.

I WAS SADDEN TO KNOW THAT THIS WAS EVEN SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE DISCUSSED DURING THIS TIME.

THAT'S ALL I HAD HAD TO SAY. >> CRAIG HEMHILL.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I THINK THE SPEAKERS HAVE PRETTY MUCH LAID OUT ANY SENTIMENTS I WOULD HAVE FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE.

I WILL ADD THAT YOU HAVE MUCH MORE TAX PEOPLE THAN I.

I AM JUST A LAWYER, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT YOU HAVE THE BUSINESS FOLKS THAT GO ACROSS TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS WHERE I HANG MY HAT.

THOSE PRECINCTS ARE AFFECTING ALL PRECINCTS.

I HAVE BUSINESS CLIENTS THAT ARE LIKE, WHOA, WAIT A MINUTE. I AM TRYING TO MAKE MONEY HERE. IT IS NOT JUST THE RESTAURANTS. YOU HAVE MECHANICS.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO FALL SHORT BECAUSE IT IS JUST NOT THERE. AND, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THOSE PRECINCTS THAT I MENTIONED, I DID A LOT OF BUSINESS IN THOSE AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS. I THINK IT IS A LITTLE GUY AND IT IS THE VENDOR AND THE AMOUNT OF THE PARTICIPATION.

I WILL SAY -- YOU LOOK AT PROBABLY MORE OF THE MWBE PARTICIPATION. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK AT. WE WILL MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND HOW IS THIS BROKEN DOWN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

[03:20:09]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO OUR CONCERN.

I AM CALLING IN TO DISCUSS ITEM 191.

I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN THE COMMUNITY AND I AM BLESSED THAT I AM FINANCIALLY STABLE. BUT THOSE BUSINESSES I WORK WITH, THEY ARE NOT. AND I FEAR THAT WE ARE HITTING THE ACCELERATOR ON PUTTING THESE BUSINESSES INTO A POSITION THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE INSTEAD OF GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO RECOVER. AND THEN ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I AM ACTUALLY, LIKE I SAID, I AM IN A BLESSED POSITION WHERE I AM FINANCIALLY STABLE. AND I HAVE A PROPERTY THAT THE ASSESSMENT ISN'T COMPLETE ON. I AM READY AND WILLING TO WRITE THAT CHECK AND PAY MY TAXES, BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE THE ASSESSMENT IS STILL NOT DONE.

MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

PEOPLE THAT ARE FINANCIALLY STABLE AND WHO ARE READY AND WILLING TO WRITE THE CHECKS, THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR ASSESSMENTS YET. I KNOW WITH OUR FEDERAL TAXES WE DO AN ESTIMATED TAX. WE PAY THAT IF WE HAVEN'T FINALIZED OUR TURN. I THINK THERE COULD BE SOMETHING SIMILAR HERE WHERE WE WOULD PAY AN ESTIMATED TAX AND THEN MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT WHETHER THAT IS MORE OR LESS.

WE HAVE A PRIOR SPEAKER AND THEY SAID -- YOU KNOW, IF THESE PEOPLE THEY COULD, THEY WOULD BE WRITING THOSE CHECKS. WE WILL HIT THE ACCELERATOR ON PUTTING THOSE FOLKS OUT OF BUSINESS INSTEAD OF GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOVER.

MAYBE WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE ASSESSMENTS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE READY AND WILLING AND ABLE TO WRITE THE ASSESSMENTS FOR THEIR TAXES. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE ABILITY TO DISCUSS THE CONCERN.

>> DOMINIC MAZOG, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR.

>> HELLO? OKAY START THE CLOCK.

I KNOW HAVE I THREE MINUTES. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT -- I THINK IT IS SOMETHING COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTS TO BRING UP. I AGREE WITH WHAT HE IS PROPOSING. I AM A METRO USER.

I THINK YOU KNOW THAT I AM A PRO TRANSIT PERSON.

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE 290 CORRIDOR THAT PAY THE TAX.

THERE IS VERY THE -- THERE IS VERY LITTLE OUTSIDE THE PARK AND RIDE SYSTEM. IT IS PART OF THE CONCEPT.

YOU THINK OF METRO AS SOMETHING LIKE THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I THINK IT WILL START TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BELT WAY 8. AND IN FACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD SAID SEVERAL TIMES IN HIS COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE REGULAR BOARD IS THAT THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT NEEDS MORE SERVICE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE ARE PAYING AND THERE IS NO SERVICE.

THAT HAS TO BE DONE TO TAKE AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY HAVE TO HAVE A BUS.

MORE SO THAN WHAT IS OUT THERE.

LASTLY, JUDGE, I THINK YOU ARE GONNA HAVE A MAJOR DECISION COMING UP HERE PRETTY SOON. I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE LISA ON THE BOARD AND THE REDISTRICTING OR THE CHOICES COMING OUT MAY MAY BE INCREASED.

INSTEAD OF THREE MEMBERS IT IS THREE OR FOUR MEMBERS.

COMMISSIONERS AND RAMSEY AND ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS, YOU HAVE MY E-MAIL. IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME ABOUT METRO I AM WILLING TO TALK.

I WILL SEND IT BACK TO YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> DOMINIQUE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. YOU ALREADY KNOW A LOT ABOUT METRO. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU WOULD SHOW UP AND SHARE THAT INFORMATION.

YOUR ISSUES ARE WHAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR 20 YEARS. METRO DOES NEED TO BE A REGIONAL AUTHORITY AND WE NEED TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY.

THEY HAVE BEEN MORE THAN ENCOURAGING TO US.

[03:25:01]

I APPRECIATE THEIR ATTITUDE IN TERMS OF WHOM WE CALL AND IN TERMS OF WHAT WE MIGHT DO. TO GET PEOPLE THAT NEED JOBS AND WHERE THE JOBS ARE. THEY HAVE BEEN FRONT AND CENTER. THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH METRO.

>> KEITH BUCHANAN WITH KMB REALITY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. MY NAME IS KEITH BUCHANAN AND I AM A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL.

I URGE THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT AS A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION TO THE FEBRUARY 23RD AGENDA. THE HOUSING SHORTAGE CRISIS FACING OUR COMMUNITY CAN BE HELPED BY ALLOWING THE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE AUCTION TO CONTINUE STARTING IN MARCH OF 2021. THE FEDERAL MORATORIUM PREVENTS THE FORECLOSURE OF OCCUPIED PROPERTIES AND THEREFORE THE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE OPTION WOULD ALLOW INVESTORS TO GAIN VACANT AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES.

WE ARE FACING A BACKLOG OF 20,000 HOMES THAT WILL BE FORECLOSED ONCE THE MORATORIUM IS LIFTED BY ALLOWING THE AUCTION TO OCCUR AND IN THE MEANTIME WE ARE ALLEVIATING THE CURRENT SHORTAGE OF HOME BUYERS.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT

SUGGESTION, MR. BUCHANAN. >> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT. >> DORA ABSTEN.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM HERE TO THE COMMISSION AGAIN. I CAME TO YOU IN NOVEMBER OF 2019. IT IS IN REGARDS TO MY SON WHO IS NOW IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR TWO YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS. HE HAS BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THE PANDEMIC SITUATION AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS AS FAR AS VACCINES FOR PEOPLE INCARCERATED.

I HAVEN'T HEARD TO ANYTHING REGARDING THEM.

I HEAR ABOUT NURSING HOMES. BUT THE PEOPLE INCARCERATED, IT IS LIKE THEY DON'T EXIST. THE OTHER THING IS THE MEDICAL AND HE REFUSES SERVICES. WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, I CONTACTED SHERIFF GONZALEZ IN RESPONSE TO MY SON BEING VICIOUSLY ATTACKED IN MARCH OF 2019.

I NEVER DID RECEIVE A CALL BACK.

AND SO MY CONCERN IS MY SON'S SAFETY AND I ALSO WANT TO KNOW , ARE THE INDIVIDUALS ALLOWED TO STAY IN THE HARRIS 2 YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS. THAT IS MY CONCERN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MA'AM, THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

WE WILL PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH SOMEBODY AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND SEE IF THEY CAN GIVE YOU SOME ANSWERS SO

SOMEBODY WILL CALL YOU. >> OKAY.

MR. ELLIS, THE DAY I CAME IN 2019 I DID TALK TO [INAUDIBLE] AND WE TALKED SEVERAL TIMES. BUT SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET A RESPONSE FROM HER AS WELL.

I DID TALK TO MR. BOWAN WITH THE DEFENDANTS COURT, THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS, BUT HE WASN'T ABLE TO ASSIST ME AS WELL. HIGH HAS -- HE HAS BEEN SITTING THERE WITHOUT ANY SERVICES FOR TWO YEARS AND

FIVE MONTHS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU AND DO WHAT WE CAN AND FIGURE OUT IF HE HAS A LAWYER, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT NOW.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MORE SPEAKERS.

>> OKAY. WELL HE HAS A COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY THAT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE WILL REACH OUT. >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> ELIZABETH ROSSI WITH CIVIL RIGHTS COURT. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> MY NAME IS ELIZABETH ROSSI. HARRIS COUNTY IS HAVING A

[03:30:03]

6TH AMENDMENT CRISIS. THE SUPREME COURT RENG COG NIGHED -- RECOGNIZED 80 YEARS AGO THAT THE RIGHT OF COUNCIL IS NECESSARY FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY.

IN HARRIS COUNTY IT DOES NOT EXIST FOR MOST POOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ASSIGNED PRIVATE COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS.

I WORK FOR AN -- FOR A CONSTABLE THAT IS A NONPROFIT THAT HAS SUED HARRIS COUNTY TWICE FOR UNCONSTITUTIONAL MONEY BAIL PRACTICES AND KEPT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN CAGES EVERY DAY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD A MONETARY PAYMENT.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT ARE ASSIGNED COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS, AND FOR MONTHS MY TEAM HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING COURT RECORDS AND ATTORNEYS FEES.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A FEW EXAMPLES OF THOSE CASES.

FIRST IS A 17-YEAR-OLD CHILD WHO SPENT ALMOST TWO MONTHS IN ADULT JAIL IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE OF A PAPERWORK ERROR.

HE WAS TOLD THE WRONG DATE TO RETURN TO COURT AND WAS ARRESTED FOR NOT APPEARING AT THE ACTUAL COURT DATE WHICH OF COURSE HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT. LAST WEEK MY TEAM AND I HELPED CONTACT FOLKS IN THE COUNTY WHO CONTACTED HIS LAWYER WHO FINALLY REVIEWED THE CASE AND GOT A PERSONAL BOND THAT WAS THANKFULLY ISSUED. IF HIS LAWYER HAD REVIEWED THE BONDING DOCUMENTS HIMSELF AND SOONER HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SPARED 2 MONTHS IN A BRUTAL JAIL OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

WE IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE PEOPLE WHOSE LAWYERS MET THEM ONCE IN THEIR ENTIRE CASE AND ON THE DAY THEY PLAYED GUILTY.

THEY HAD NO INVESTIGATION AND NEVER VISITED THEIR CLIENTS IN THE JAIL. IT IS MAKING THEM AN EXTREME EXAMPLE. ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THESE PROBLEMS IS A REPORT THAT SHOWS THE DEFENSE LAWYERS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN AND MORE LIKELY TO GET LUCRATIVE UH POINTMENTS. THIS PRACTICE CREATES A CLEAR FINANCIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT SHOULD TAKE ACTIONS ENDORSED BY THE LOCAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT'S WE WORK CLOSELY WITH.

ONE, CREATE AN OVER SIGHT BOARD THAT HAS THE POWER TO INVESTIGATE ATTORNEY CONDUCT AND JUDGES APPOINTMENT POLICIES TO REJECT PAYMENTS TO LAWYERS DUE TO FRAUDULENT REPORTING OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL REPRESENTATION, AND TO DOCUMENT WHETHER JUDGES ARE IGNORING CORY SPAWNS DENSE -- CORRESPONDENCE OF PEOPLE IN JAIL.

2, CREATE TRANSPARENCY THROUGH A PUBLIC DASHBOARD THAT PROVIDES READY ACCESS TO DATA INCLUDING SEARCHABLE VOUCHERS GENERATED BY THE COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS SO THEY CAN

IDENTIFY AND THREE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM AFRAID I

HAVE TO STOP YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, MS. ROSSI THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP US TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT OURSELVES.

I DO HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA LATER WHICH IS PROBABLY IN PART WHY YOU COULD TALK TODAY.

I HAVE THE STAFF ON THE FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR SIDE.

I ASSUME WE MAKE PROGRESS ON THE MISDEMEANOR SIDE.

IN 2019 WE HAD A FELONY JUDGE PAY SOMEONE $517,000 AND 541 CASES AND APPOINTED HERE. WE HAD SOMEONE BE PAID 440,000 AND HAD 447 CASES APPOINTED AND THEN SOMEONE PAID SOMEONE 300,000 AND THEY HAD 328. LOOK, HERE IS MY QUESTION.

I GET IT. I KNOW YOU HAVE MORE EXAMPLES.

A SUPER MAJORITY OF THE JUDGES HAVE TO AGREE.

THAT WAS A CONCESSION TO KEEP THE BILL FROM BEING VETOED AS IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY. WHAT CAN COMMISSIONER'S COURT DO TO GET MORE PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL? PEOPLE WHO ARE SAFE AND CAN BE SOMEWHERE.

I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT WHO WOULD CREATE A PROBLEM.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT, MS. ROSSI?

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FOR THAT QUESTION.

IN ADDITION TO THE PROPOSALS I MADE ABOUT ENSURING THAT THE COUNCIL THEMSELVES ARE DOING -- THE COUNSEL THEMSELVESES ARE DOING THE WORK THEY ARE APPOINTED TO DO, THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT COULD START FUNDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SO PEOPLE CAN BE RELEASED.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEAR ALL THE TIME IS THAT THE JUDGES THINK THEY CAN'T RELEASE PEOPLE WHO ARE EITHER HOMELESS OR LACK STABLE HOUSING. IT IS THE BAIL PROJECT AND

[03:35:03]

UNABLE TO POST BAIL FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT IT COULD OTHERWISE ASSIST. THE GOOD THING IS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT CAN GET BY INVESTING IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SO THAT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO THE JUDGES WOULD LIKE TO RELEASE THEM TO THE LOCAL FUNDERS AND WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY BAIL FOR CAN GET OUT AND GET BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES.

>> DO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SAY THAT TO OUR FRIENDS OVER AT THE CITY AS WELL. I GUESS WE ARE THE LANDLORDS, SO TO SPEAK. BUT THEY ARE THE BIGGEST TENANTS. THEY SEND US MOST OF THE TENANTS. I DO THINK THAT IS A VALID POINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK,

MS. ROSSI. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> JUDGE, THOSE WERE THE AGENDA-RELATED SPEAKERS.

I CAN MOVE ON TO NONAGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> RICHARD WALKER. GO AHEAD, PLEASE, SIR.

>> MY NAME IS RICHARD WALKER. I AM 68 YEARS OLD.

FATHER, GRANDFATHER. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING AT MY PARK ON THE SOUTHWEST -- WELL, FOR THE MOST PART WE PLAY ON THE BASEBALL FIELD. I HAVE BEEN THERE 17 YEARS CONSISTENT 3 -- CONSISTENTLY THREE OR FOUR TIMES A WEEK.

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER PARTICIPANTS PLAYING THERE OVER 20 YEAR YEARS. FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE YEAR WE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM AND WE PLAYED ON THE BASEBALL FIELD AND EVERY NOW AND THEN ONE OF THE OTHER FIELDS MAY HAVE BEEN OPEN AND WE WOULD PLAY ON THERE.

WE REPRESENT FAMILIES FROM RESIDENCES AND HOMES AND APARTMENTS AROUND MAYA PARK. IT IS A 20-YEAR TRADITION.

WE NEVER CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS AND WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING.

WE ARE PREDOMINANTLY, OF COURSE, HISPANIC AND BLACK.

MANY OF US HAVE ROOTS OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.

SOCCER FOR US IS A CULTURE. ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS AGO A CLIENT -- WHAT DO THEY CALL THEMSELVESES ? CLIENT SPORTS AUTHORITY WHO -- AND I FIND IT STRANGE THAT A NO NAME ENTITY WITH NO FOOTPRINTS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO -- TRYING THROUGH PUBLIC ACCESS TO FIND THE PAPERWORK THAT GAVE THIS SMALL UNKNOWN ENTITY CONTROL OF MAYA PARK SPORTS FIELD. VERY STRANGE.

I CANNOT FIND ANY PAPERWORK. SPOKEN TO THE PARK PEOPLE AND SPOKE TO CLIENT SPORTS AUTHORITY AND IT IS A GREAT MYSTERY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE WERE UNCEREMONIOUSLY KICKED OUT OF MAYA PARK.

THEY HIRED SECURITY PEOPLE TO -- WE WERE FACED WITH THREAT OF ARREST, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

WE ARE, I WOULD SAY, PROBABLY ABOUT 50 FAMILIES.

WE ARE GRANDFATHERS, SONS. OUR YOUNGEST IS 10.

WE ARE DAUGHTERS. WE ARE ENGINEERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. MR. WALKER YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING AND WE WILL MAKE SURE SOMEBODY

CONTACTS YOU. >> OKAY.

>> DENNIS DUARTE WITH PRO LINE CYCLING.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. DENNIS DUARTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

HELLO? >> YES, SIR.

GO AHEAD. >> FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK HERE TODAY.

I OWN A MOUNTAIN BIKING TEAM. WE ARE TRYING TO EXPAND THE SPORT AND MAKE THE SPORT A LOT MORE FEASIBLE FOR EVERYBODY AND -- IN HOUSTON. I WANT TO THANK ADRIAN GARCIA

[03:40:01]

ON THE EASTSIDE OF HOUSTON. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DONATE THEIR TIME. AND THEY ARE IN OTHER PRECINCTS AS WELL. WE WANT TO TURN THESE TRAILS INTO PARKS AND SEE IF THE COMMISSIONERS ALLOW US AND HELP US TO TURN THEM INTO PARKS.

THEREFORE THEY ARE SANCTIONED AND RECOGNIZED BY THE CITY.

A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE ISSUES WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO WE ARE ISSUES WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO CLOSE THEM DOWN WE DON'T JUST RIDE BIKES. WE ARE MAINTAINING THE LAND AND WE ARE MAKING SURE AND WE ARE TEACHING KIDS FROM A YOUNG AGE HOW TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

THEY GO OUTDOORS AND THEY GET TO JUMP THEIR BIKES AND THEY CAN MAKE A COMMUNITY GROW. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SAY.

HOW CAN WE GO ABOUT MAKING THESE TRAILS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE SUCH AS CYPRESS CREEK AND CYPRESS WOOD TRAILS AND MAKE THEM WHERE THEY ARE RECOGNIZED SO PEOPLE ARE NOT -- I GUESS THEY ARE NOT THREATENING US THAT THEY WANT THE TRAILS GONE , AND JUST BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT, I KNOW THERE MILT -- THERE MIGHT BE A LIABILITY ISSUE, BUT WE TRAVELED THROUGHOUT 40 SOMETHING STATES TO RIDE MOURN DEN BIKES -- TO RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKES IN THE CITY.

ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TOWNS AND STUFF THEY HAVE SIGNS THAT SAY RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

WE CAN DO THE SAME WITH OUR TRAIL SYSTEMS HERE.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TEXAS AND EVERYBODY WHERE ELSE ALL OF OUR LAND IS OWNED BY SOMEBODY WHERE THERE IS NO PUBLIC LANDS LIKE IN OTHER STATES.

THE ONLY PLACE WE CAN RIDE AND DO MOUNTAIN BIKES IS BY THE CREEKS IS BY THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

IT IS HEALTHY PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.

WE JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE SPORT GROW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> I'M SORRY? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. DUARTE, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE YELLOW BIRD TRAILS.

WE INVITE YOU BACK. WE WILL BE DOING MORE.

THANK YOU. >> AWESOME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> DARRELL ALEXANDER WITH MUTUAL AID HOUSTON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO. I AM THE ORGANIZER OF MUTUAL I'D -- MUTUAL AID HOUSTON. WE DISTRIBUTED $20 MILLION IN FUNDS TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AT 701 NORTH SAN JACINTO STREET. THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE JAIL IS OFFERING WATER, SNACKS, RIDES, PPE AND PHONE CHARGING SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY LEAVE THE JAIL. THEY LEAVE WITH A DEAD CELL PHONE BATTERY. THEY ARE UNABLE TO QUICKLY CONTACT FAMILY MEMBERS OR LAWYERS.

MORE ALARMINGLY, SOME PEOPLE DO NOT LIVE IN HOUSTON OR LOST FAMILY WHILE INCARCERATED AND ARE LOST WITHOUT OPTIONS.

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I HAVE DRIVEN OR COORDINATED RIDES TO SPRING OR HUMBLE THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

WE CURRENTLY OWN THE SERVICES PER WEEK.

AND WITH A COVID POSITIVITY RATE THAT HAS SPIKED WE ARE OUT THERE. WHEN WE ARE NOT PRESENT, MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE LEFT IN AN UNKNOWN CITY AND UNABLE TO CONTACT FRIENDS AND FAMILY. I AM HERE TO ASK THAT THE COUNTY PUT A CHARGING KIOSK OUTSIDE THE COUNTY JAIL.

IT WOULD BE A BENEFIT TO RECENTLY RELEASED INDIVIDUALS. IT WILL ALLOW THEM TO CONTACT FRIENDS OR RELATIVES THAT CAN HELP WHEN GETTING OUT.

IT CAN BE UTILIZED 24/7. I HOPE THE PROJECT THAT THE COUNTY WILL TAKE AND I AM READY TO SUPPORT

[03:45:01]

IMPLEMENTATION FOR A COMPARABLE SOLUTION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CAN WE REFER THAT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THEN HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CALL PRECINCT 4? I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE CONCEPT OF MAYBE THAT TYPE OF A KIOSK TO BE MADE TO THE

PUBLIC IN GENERAL. >> JONATHON BEALE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FORGIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

MY NAME IS JONATHON BEALE. I AM THE CO-FOUNDER OF 88 CHUMP. IT IS AN ACRONYMN OF HELPING UNDER PRIVILEGED COMMUNITY. NOT LONG AGO IN LIGHT OF OUR DEAR CHILDHOOD FRIEND, CLASSMATE AND TEAMMATE GEORGE FLOYD PASSING AWAY ON MAY 25TH OF 2020.

MY PURPOSE OF CALLING TODAY IS TO SAY TO COMMISSIONER RODNEY -- TO THANK COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS FOR HIS SUPPORT. WE HAD THE ADDITION OF THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MURAL AND DEDICATING THAT TO OUR GOOD FRIEND GEORGE FLOYD IN FRONT OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL.

AND WE HAD SOME THAT WERE HELPING US AND ENHANCED THOSE LIVING IN THE THIRD WORLD COMMUNITY IN THE GREAT AREA AS WELL. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT NOT ONLY IN THE THIRD WORLD COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I HOPE TO MAKE IT TO OKLAHOMA CITY ONE DAY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS THERE AND DID A BALLOON LAUNCH. I HAD AN EVENT AND PEOPLE WERE ON BICYCLES. THEN THE MAYOR HAD AN EVENT AND SO I DID ADDRESS -- MY STAFF WANTED ME TO COME OUT IN SPANDEX. WE GOT TO SHAKE HANDS WITH YOU. BUT I HAD TO TIP OUT TO GET TO MY NEXT EVENT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS THERE. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE

DOING. >> AND I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE THAT CONGRESSWOMAN LEE WOULD SAY THAT THESE ARE SOME GOOD GUYS AND TO ALLOW THEMSELVES TO CALL THEMSELVES 88 CHUMPS IS AWESOME.

IT IS BECAUSE OF YOUR DEDICATION TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR ALMA MATER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK

YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU.

>> STEVE WILLIAMS GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> YEAH, OKAY. I HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON BETWEEN ME AND THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I AM GETTING NOWHERE BECAUSE OF THE FBI.

TWO THINGS OTHERWISE I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER HAS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND BLACK MEN ARE STILL BEING DONE AND THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING UP.

THE LGBQ HAS A BUNCH OF MONEY.

WHAT DO THESE HOMO 6 CYLES -- OWE HOE SEXUALS HAVE TO DO WITH THE DEATH OF THESE BLACK MEN.

DASH HOMOSEXUALS HAVE TO DO WITH THE DEATH OF BLACK MEN.

WHEN THE GOVERNORSHIP ENDS IF THEY DON'T START RIGHT NOW BUILDING FOR 2022 AND 2024. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH DONALD TRUMP. I HOPE [INAUDIBLE] AND BEN CARSON AND JEFF SESSIONS AND THOSE ARE THE ONE THAT'S HAVE TO BE LOOKED AT. THE WONDERFUL DEMOCRATS FROM THE STATE OF ALABAMA ONLY. THOSE DEMOCRATS.

I LEFT A MESSAGE AND I WOULD LIKE THE OTHER ONE AND I NEVER

[03:50:03]

GOT A RESPONSE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I AM NOT WORRIED. I WILL GO AHEAD AND START TRYING TO RAISE SOME MONEY. I WILL USE THE CORONA CHECK WHEN I GET IT AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE AND I WILL SHOCK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. IF THEY WANT TO GATHER THESE PEOPLE TOGETHER. THE PROS -- PROTESTANT AND JEWS AND NOT FAKE CATHOLICS LIKE JOE BIDEN.

IT IS EVERYTHING BAD YOU CAN SAY ABOUT PEOPLE IMPLANTED.

YOU SEE THESE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD? IT WAS THROUGH RAPE AND CHILD MONTHLY LESS TAIG.

MOLESTATION. ONE OF THE MOST DESPICABLE RACE OF THE WHITE PEOPLE ARE THE IRISH.

[INAUDIBLE]. BLACK FOLK IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES AND ALL OVER AFRICA, YOU UNDERSTAND HOW THEY GOT LIKE THAT? NOBODY SAID ANYTHING? I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT THAT THEY SAT THERE AND LET THIS PUNK PRESIDENT TALK ABOUT BLACK FOLK AND DIRTY, FILTHY, NASTY, MASSIVE ORGANIZED CHILD MONTHLY -- MOLESTATION ALL OVER THE WORLD. EVERYONE KNOW ITSELF.

HOW DO THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS STUFF.

I WILL WORK TO GET A DEMOCRAT TO OVERCOME THIS GOVERNORSHIP AND WIN IT. YOU DON'T HEAR ME WHEN I'M SAYING SOMETHING AND TELLING YOU YOU CAN BUILD A VOTING BLOCK. TRUMP COULD HAVE WON IF HE DID THE SIMPLE THINGS. [INAUDIBLE].

ALL OF THE EXPERTS SAID I AM BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON DOING THIS STUFF AND ONLY LIDSING AND I -- ANALYZING AND I LOST. HE WILL NOT WIN 2024 IF HE IS THE CANDIDATE. I WANT ANNE COLT -- COULTER AND BEN CARSON OR JEFF SESSIONS TO REMEMBER THE JEWISH RIGHT HAND MAN OF TRUMP.

ANYWAY RATE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> DOLORES ROGERS WITH JACK GATES NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. GO AHEAD, PLEATS -- PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. TODAY I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR HIS WORK.

I AM A RESIDENT OF THE THIRD WARD AND I SERVE ON AS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE JACK GATES NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO THANK GOVERNOR ELLIS FOR HIS WORK ON THIS PROJECT.

IT HAS IMMEDIATELY BECOME A SPIRITUAL PLACE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE THIRD WARD. SATURDAY I WITNESSED PEOPLE CRYING AND PRAYING AND REFLECTING AND HONORING THE MEMORY OF GEORGE FLOYD AND SO MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN LOST IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT HAS BECOME A HEALING PLACE FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE RESIDENTS.

A SONG SAYS OUT OF OUR PAST WE STAND.

THIS MURAL HAS CAST A BRIGHT STAR.

AND WE THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

IT IS A BRIGHT STAR FOR THE STUDENTS.

EVERY DAY THEY WILL LOOK OUTSIDE AND SEE SOMETHING AND REMEMBER THEIR LIVES MATTER. THE JACK GATES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WANTS TO THANK YOU FOR BEING AN EXTRAORDINARY VISIONARY AND LEADER. WE THANK THE SOCIETY FOR CHANGE AND ADA CHUMP -- AND 88 CHUMPS.

WE THANK YOU FOR LOOKING BEYOND THE ORDINARY AND GIVING A RAY OF HOPE TO A COMMUNITY THAT IS SUFFERING.

WE ALL CAN STAND WHERE A LIGHT GLEAM AND STAR IS CAST.

WE THANK YOU AND WE THANK YOU AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSURANCE -- INSPIRATION AND VISION AND SUPPORT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, BY THE WAY.

MY MOTHER AND BOTH HER SIBLINGS WENT TO JACK YATES.

THEY WERE ACTIVE WITH THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WHEN THEY ARE -- THEY WERE ALIVE. THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> VAUGHN DICKERSON WITH 88 CHUMP.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I WROTE -- I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER RODNEY EL -- ELLIS FOR HIS VISION AND HIS EFFORTS TO ENABLE US FOR ENABLING 88 CHUMP TO TAKE THE GEORGE FLOYD MURAL IN FRONT OF JACK YATES ALMA MATER IN THE HEART OF THE THIRD WARD. THIS NOT ONLY RESEMBLES RESILIENCE, BUT IT SHOWS THE COMMITTEE A COMMITMENT TOWARD OUR PEOPLE AND TOWARD OUR COMMUNITY AND IT IS KNOWN THAT

[03:55:07]

COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS FIGHTING FOR YEARS.

WE PERSONALLY WANT TO THANK YOU.

WE PRAY THAT YOU CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH US AND ANY OTHER DREAMS WE WANT TO BECOME A REALITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL OF THE NONAGENDA RELATED.

WE HAD ONE SPEAKER THAT CALLED US BACK REGARDING AN ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

CYNTHIA COLE WITH AFSC AND E, 1550.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I WANTED TO JUST STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MISS LISA REDD TO THE DISTRICT BOARD.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THERE IS A BALANCE ON THAT BOARD.

THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THE BALANCE CAN BE INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN LOOK BACK AND SEE HOW FAR HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS COME AND ALSO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE FUTURE. THERE IS A QUOTE THAT SAYS PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE VISION AND THE SECRET FOR THE PERSON WITH THE VISION IS TO STAND UP.

IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE. MS. REYES HAS BEEN STANDING UP AND BALANCING THINGS. SHE ASKS THE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS THAT GETS THE APPROPRIATE ANSWERS.

SO THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS IN REGARD TO CONSIDERING HER AS A CANDIDATE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR APPOINTING HER INITIALLY.

AND WE JUST WANT TO REALLY JUST SUPPORT TODAY THAT SHE IS IN FACT INSTRUMENTAL IN KEEPING THE BALANCE ON THAT BOARD. THANK YOU.

>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS FOR TODAY, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND BE -- WE ARE ABOUT TO HIT THE TWO-HOUR MARK. WE HAVEN'T BROKEN FOR LUNCH AND THAT IS THE QUESTION FOR YOU ALL.

DO YOU WANT TO BREAK FOR 15 MINUTES OR BREAK FOR -- UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR? BEFORE WE TAKE UP THE AGENDA? WHY DON'T WE BREAK UNTIL 3:00 SO FOLKS CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO EAT AND THE STAFF AS WELL. DOES THAT WORK? ALL RIGHT. SO IT IS 2:18.

WE WILL BE BACK AT 3:00. PROCED. AIYER.

I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 3:01 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ARE

ON MUTE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE.

I MAY HAVE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES AND YOU TO SPEAK AS LOUD AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING A BIRTHDAY HERE, ACTUALLY TOMORROW. IT IS MY CHIEF OF STAFF.

HE IS JUST HARD OF HEARING THESE DAYS.

IF Y'ALL WILL JUST HELP ME OUT AND HELP SPEAK LOUD SO THIS YOUNG MAN HEAR THE CONVERSATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, EARLIER WE HAD THE COMMENTS FROM THE FOUR PROBATE JUDGES ABOUT AN EXPENDITURE THAT WAS A TYPE OF A SUPPLEMENT. MY QUESTION IS MR. AIYERS SHOULD WE DO A EXECUTIVE MEETING BEFORE WE DO THE FINAL

VOTE ON THE BUDGET? >> YEAH, WE CERTAINLY CAN.

I KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WANTS TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO YOU ON THAT TOPIC AND GIVE YOU SOME GUIDANCE.

IF YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH IT ON A BEFORE YOU DEAL WITH THE BUDGET, I THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WHICH ITEM WOULD THAT BE,

COMMISSIONER? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M NOT SURE, JUDGE. I KNOW THAT THE FOUR PROBATE JUDGES WANTED TO TALK TO US ABOUT THE SUPPLEMENT THAT GET

FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

135. DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? I FEEL --

>> SO I THINK THE ISSUE IS THAT THERE ARE -- THERE IS -- THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS GIVING LEGAL ADVICE ON THE TOPIC.

THAT'S THE THING WE NORMALLY DO ON EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO DO THAT THERE RATHER THAN

DOING IT IN OPEN COURT. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF I MAY, MY VIEW THESE PAYMENT ARE OUT OF EXISTING FUNDS AND IT

[04:00:01]

WOULD BE WITH RESPECT TO THIS FISCAL YEAR.

I DON'T SEE IT DIRECTLY PERTAINING TO NEXT YEAR'S FISCAL BUDGET, NEXT FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET.

OF COURSE WE CAN TAKE THINGS IN WHATEVER ORDER COMMISSIONER'S COURT WANTS TO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF THAT'S THE CASE, WHY DON'T WE JUST DO THE BUDGET AND THEN WE CAN TAKE THIS AS THE AGENDA GOES ON.

THAT'S A GOOD POINT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE, JUDGE.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF IT WAS PERTINENT TO THIS BUDGET PROCESS THAT WE GET IT DONE BEFORE WE VOTE ON THIS BUDGET. IF IT IS NOT PERTINENT TO THIS YEAR'S BUDGE -- BUDGET PROCESS, LET'S DO IT AT THE

END. >> I WOULD SAY IT IS NOT

PERTINENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, THANK YOU. WE HAVE AN OPEN HEARING CURRENTLY ON THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

SO LET'S DISCUSS THAT. THAT'S ITEM 260.

WE ONLY OPENED IT UP FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY.

WE WILL HAVE TO OPEN IT UP FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND

TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, NOT TO CUT YOU OFF, BUT I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH MR. BERRY EARLIER TODAY, AND HE HAD MADE A REQUEST THAT -- BECAUSE I I HAVE A VIEW ON SOME OF THIS AND I MAY THROW MY THOUGHTS OUT ON HOW TO HANDLE THE BUDGET PROCESS.

I AM NOT SURE HOW YOU PLAN TO HANDLE IT.

WE WILL SPEND TIME GOING THROUGH EACH ITEM OR SINCE ALL OF OUR OFFICES HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW A LOT AND I HAVE A NUMBER OF ITEMS I CAN DISCUSS IF WE GO DOWN THAT WAY INCLUDING REQUESTS. FOR ME JUDGE, TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 4 IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT DIRECTIVE. FIXING THE POTHOLES AND YOU HEARD ME TALK ABOUT THE BASICS.

YOU KNOW, KEEPING THE BATHROOMS IN THE PARKS CLEAN.

WHEN YOU ARE BUILDING YOUR ROADS YOU HAVE THE PIEM LINE OF WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR TOMORROW AND YOU WILL NEED FOR THE DAY AFTER THAT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND IT IS ON PAGE FOUR, JUDGE, IS A PROPOSED BUDGET ITEM. AND WE DO HAVE THE BACK UP OF THE SIX OR SEVEN VOLUMES THAT WE WENT THROUGH DURING THE BUDGET HEARINGS TOO, BUT IT IS ON PAGE FOUR OF THIS.

IT IS A CHOICE OF WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL ESTABLISH WHAT THE ALLOCATION WILL BE FOR THE YEAR NOW OR WHETHER IT WILL BE A HALF YEAR ALLOCATION OUT OF THE MOBILITY FUND.

I WOULD ARGUE 25% FOR EACH PRECINCT BE LIES THE SCIENCE THAT IT TAKES MORE FUNDING TO SERVICE 2,700 MILES OF ROADS THAN IT WOULD BE TO TAKE CARE OF A SIGNIFICANTLY LESS NUMBER OF ROADS AND BRIDGES. HOWEVER, WITH THIS ALLOCATION WE CAN'T DO OUR JOB. THE ABILITY TO DO THE JOB IS VERY IMPORTANT. IN TERMS OF BUDGET COMPROMISES THAT ARE OUT THERE, THERE ARE MANY, MANY THINGS IN THIS BUDGET WE CAN DEBATE AND DISCUSS AND THAT I WOULD CERTAINLY FEEL LIKE IS PART OF THE COUNTY AND I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND THINGS I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN AND THINGS I HAVE CONSISTENTLY VOTED AGAINST. BUT THE VALUE OF BEING ABLE TO PLAN FOR A YEAR WHAT IT IS WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE PRECINCT IS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR ME.

I THROW OUT AS A COMPROMISE OF LESSER EVILS IN TERMS OF WHAT I FEEL IS APPROPRIATE FOR US TO BE INVOLVED IN AND WE SHOULD DEBATE OVER, I FEEL WE ARE NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH FUNDS FOR OTHER AREAS IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY AREA, AND I THINK WE ARE OUT OF BALANCE ON A LOT OF THAT STUFF.

INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH LENGTHY DEBATE ON ALL OF THOSE ISSUES, I SUGGEST IF I CAN HAVE THE CERTAINTY OF HAVING THE FUNDS I NEED TO HAVE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 4, AND THEN INSTEAD OF HAVING HALF A YEAR'S FUND AND HAVING TO FIGHT ALL OVER AGAIN IN THE FUTURE I AM WILLING TO MAKE

[04:05:01]

THE COMPROMISE SAYING LET'S VOTE ON THIS BUDGET AS A COMPROMISE WITH ALL OF THE FACTORS THAT ARE IN THERE AND WITH THE COMPROMISE BEING THAT THAT ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE ROAD AND MOBILITY FUNDS IS PROVIDED FOR.

I JUST WANT TO THROW THAT OUT THERE.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT I LIKE THIS BUDGET.

ON THE OTHER HAND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO MAY NOT LIKE THAT WE ARE FUNDING ROADS AND BRIDGES FOR A YEAR.

I FEEL THAT THE CERTAINTY OF BEING ABLE TO PLAN AND TO BE ABLE TO DO OUR JOBS BODES BASICS.

I KNOW SOME SAY WE OVER VALUE BASICS.

BUT THAT IS A CRITICAL FEATURE.

I WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT AS POSSIBILITY OF A WAY OF MOVING FORWARD. IF NOT, YOU KNOW, I'M PREPARED FOR US TO GO THROUGH I GUESS IT IS THE 28 NEW REQUESTS AND THE REQUEST REQUESTS FOR ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ITEM THAT'S ARE OUT THERE AND THE NEW FUNDS AND THE ITEMS I FEEL THAT ARE UNDER FUNDED AND IT COULD BE A VERY LONG PROCESS.

I AM WILLING TO THROW OUT THE SUGGESTION -- BACK WHEN I WAS A JUDGE AND WE WOULD SEND PEOPLE OFF TO MEDIATION AND THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT. THE SETTLEMENT EVERYBODY WAS UNHAPPY WITH WAS USUALLY THE MOST FAIR.

I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS, BUT I WILL BE WILLING TO ACCEPT IT IF I CAN GET AT LEAST THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 4 FOR A YEAR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. SO I -- CERTAINLY MY STAFF AND I HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE BUDGET THOROUGHLY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE OTHER FOLKS HAVE TOO.

I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO ADOPT THE BUDGET BEFORE -- BUDGET. BEFORE WE DO THAT, I AM FINE SHIFTING AND MAKING THE DISCUSSION ON THE MOBILITY FUND. ARE WE ALLOCATING THE 45 MILLION TO EACH PRECINCT FOR THE YEAR SO IT IS AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION AND THERE IS PREDICT BUILT AND I WOULD BE FINE WITH THAT. GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER CAGLE RAISING THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IN MY PRECINCT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND A LOT OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ROID -- ROADS THAT ARE BEATINGEN -- BEATEN UP.

I STARTED ON STUDY ON THE STATE OF THE ROADWAYS.

THEN IT TURNED INTO A COUNTY WIDE PROJECT.

THE DATA IS COMING BACK THAT PRECINCT 2 HAS SOME OF THE WORST ROADS IN THE COUNTY. WHILE I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I WOULD LIKE ALL OF THE BUDGETS, BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE FAIR.

BUT I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF AN EQUAL FUNDING OF ALL OF THE PRECINCTS BECAUSE IT DOES ALLOW MY STAFF TO PLAN OUT FOR YEARS. IT DOESN'T -- I DON'T LIKE THE FORMULA BECAUSE IF OUR GOAL IS VISION ZERO AND OTHER INITIATIVES THAT DO REQUIRE WORK TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND THE STATE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, I HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN AN IDEA OF HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE US TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE, AND HOW MUCH FUNDING THAT WOULD TAKE.

AT LEAST BEGINNING NOW ON AN EQUAL DISTRIBUTION IS A GOOD START AND THEN MAYBE BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR WE CAN FIGURE THIS OUT ON A BETTER WAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS WELL.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK MR. BLOUNT WHEN THE DECISION WAS FIRST MADE ON DIVYING UP THE MONEY, GIVE US A QUICK HISTORY ON, AS YOU RECALL IT, ON WHAT WAS IT, JOHN, INITIALLY? I THINK I WAS RECALL IT WAS DIVIDED EVENLY.

TO GIVE US A SENSE, WHAT IS YOUR MEMORY OF WHAT DID

HAPPEN? >> YES, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: PRECEDING ALL OF US, I MIGHT ADD, WHEN THEY STARTED IT. ALL OF US ON THE COMMISSION.

>> RIGHT NOW OBVIOUSLY IT IS BROKEN DOWN AND IT IS EQUAL.

PRIOR TO THAT THERE WAS -- THERE WAS MULTIPLE FORMULAS DEPENDING ON THE ROAD LENGTH AND THE ROAD MILES AND THE ROAD TYPES. QUITE FRANKLY IT WAS A POLITICAL DECISION. THE GOAL HERE IS TO MOVE TO A MORE SCIENCE BASE. AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE

[04:10:01]

NOT THERE YET, BUT WE DO HAVE OUR INDEX IN AND AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA ELUDED, SOME PRECINCTS ARE IN MUCH WORSE CONDITION THAN OTHERS. WE ARE WORKING WITH ALL OF THE PRECINCTS RIGHT NOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WOULD COST TO GET EACH PRECINCT UP TO THE COUNTY AVERAGE WHICH IS 80 ROADS.

WE EXPECT THAT TO BE DONE IN ROUGHLY TWO MONTHS.

WE HAVE A TRANSPORTATION STUDY THAT SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED BY THE SUMMER. WE HAVE A THIRD PARTY CONSULTANT COMING IN THAT IS NATIONALLY KNOWN AND MAKING SURE THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING LOOKS RIGHT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE CONCEPT OF BREAKING THE MONEY UP EQUALLY AND THIS SUMMER TAKING SOME OF THE MONEY THAT WAS TRANSFERRED ON THE TOLL ROAD AND DOING A EQUITY AS YOU POSED TO EQUAL -- AN EQUITY VERSION SEEMS MOST APPROPRIATE ONCE THE TRANSPORTATION STUDY IS DONE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE QUICK QUESTION ON THE HISTORY AS I RECALL IT. WHEN THEY FIRST DID IT, IT WAS EQUAL. IT WAS SPLIT FOUR WAYS.

WAS THAT YOUR RECOLLECTION? 20 YEARS AGO OR WHENEVER?

>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN, COMMISSIONER.

I WROTE -- THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN I WROTE, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER IT EXACTLY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST SEND IT TO US.

YOU SENT ME A MEMO ON IT AND WE DISCUSSED IT SOMETIME WHEN I MADE THE MOTION. I THINK IT WAS LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT THE EQUALITY MEANS. I ALWAYS MAKE THE POINT THAT EQUAL DOES NOT MEAN EQUALITY. I USED AN EXAMPLE THE OTHER DAY. WE ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL SINCE IT WAS SUPER BOWL WEEKEND. ONE TEAM DOESN'T HAVE SHOES.

YOU CAN'T GO OUT TO KANSAS CITY AND OKAY, EVERYBODY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU MENTIONED THAT AT THE PRESS

CONFERENCE YESTERDAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST SAYING, CACTUS, I CAN COUNT, BUT, YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER HOW WHEN SHORTLY BEFORE I GOT HERE WHATEVER THE NUMBER WAS FOR PRECINCT 1 IT WAS REDUCED. I'M SURE IT WAS IN THE WORKS, BUT IT WAS REDUCED WHEN IT WAS CLEAR I WAS COMING.

I DO THINK WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT -- AND LOOK, I LOOKED AT SOME OF THE PRELIMINARY NUMBERS. MY PRECINCT WON'T NECESSARY -- WOULD NOT BE THE ONE THAT WOULD GET THE MOST.

I DO THINK AT ALL LEVELS WE HAVE TO REPRESENT THE FOLKS THAT WE HAPPEN TO HAVE IN OUR PRECINCTS.

BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY, WE DO HAVE TO TRY I WOULD HOPE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THESE INSTITUTIONAL INEQUITIES THAT WE, OUR PRESENTED -- PREDECESSORS, OUR GOVERNMENT, PUT IN PLACE. I CAN LIVE WITH THIS -- AND THEN WE OUGHT TO ARGUE WHAT THE EQUITY IS.

I WON'T SAY I WILL AGREE WITH WHAT YOU COME UP WITH, BUT I CAN CLEARLY SEE THE ARGUMENT. ONE WOULD WANT TO FOE WHAT IS EQUITY BEFORE SAYING I AM GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE METRICS WERE, IF THERE IS A BEST PRACTICE. MR. BERRY, HAVE YOU DELVED INTO THIS SINCE YOU ARE A NUMBER CRUNCHER?

>> MR. BLOUNT HAS BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO KEEP ME UP TO SPEED ON THEIR EFFORTS. WE HAVE PART OF THE DATA WE WOULD NEED, BUT IT IS NOT ALL OF IT.

ROADS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT SO ARE SIDEWALKS AND TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND COMMUTE TIMES AND ANY NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS.

I DO THINK BY MIDYEAR WE SHOULD BE IN A BETTER SPOT WITH MORE DATA, BUT I ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT WE HEARD FROM OTHER COURT MEMBERS WHICH IS A VALUE.

THAT'S WHY WE KEYED UP THE TWO OPTIONS FOR COURT TO DECIDE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, FOR A LONG DAY, UNLESS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS SOMETHING TO SAY, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, MAKE THE MOTION AND LET'S MOVE ON WITH

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD SAY WE CAN GET INTO THE DETAILS AND THERE ARE 1,870 MILES OF ROAD INNCRECIT 3 AND 75% OF PRECINCT 3 IS UNINCORPORATED, AND WE ARE IN YEAR FIVE OF A 10-YEAR PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY TO GET TO -- I THINK THE GOAL MR. BLOUNT HAD SAID.

I RECOGNIZE 25% OF THE PRECINCT IS INCORPORATED.

AS I HAVE MET WITH FOLKS IN AREAS, THERE IS MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER AND SOME AREA THAT'S QUITE FRANKLY I WOULD SERVE. I WOULD NEED TO BE SURE THAT

[04:15:02]

WE HAVE RESOURCES IN PRECINCT 3 TO RESPOND TO CLEAR NEEDS.

I'VE GOT NEEDS AND I'VE GOT RESOURCES.

THAT'S PROBABLY A CONSISTENT STATEMENT WITH ANY COMMISSIONER. BUT WHAT I WILL SAY IS I WANT TO START WITH, I'M NEW. WHAT DID I GET LAST YEAR? WHAT DID PRECINCT 3 GET LAST YEAR, AND WHAT AM I GETTING THIS YEAR IF THERE IS A CHANGE DOWNWARD OVER COMPARED ONE YEAR VERSUS THE OTHER AND THEN I HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD REDUCE A BUDGET. IF WE ARE TRYING TO DO A HALF YEAR DEAL UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND BETTER, OKAY.

I THINK YOU START WITH WHAT DID WE GET LAST YEAR AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO THIS YEAR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE NEED A MOTION THAT THE 2021-2022 BUDGET ALLOCATES 40.5 MILLION TO EACH PRECINCT FROM THE $162 MILLION ANNUAL MOBILITY TRANSFER FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. AND THAT WOULD BE FOR THE FULL YEAR IS MY UNDERSTANDING IS WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WILL MAKE THE MOTION, AND IF I CAN READ THE MOTION I WAS PREPARED TO MAKE, I WILL --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO ANSWER TOM'S QUESTION.

WE GET A SLIGHT INCREASE PER PRECINCT OVER LAST YEAR, TOM, WITH THIS PROPOSAL IF WE GO FOR A YEAR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF I MIGHT, I THINK WHAT WE DID WHEN I MADE THE MOTION TO DIVIDE IT EVENLY AS OPPOSED TO WHAT IT WAS, JOHN BLOUNT HELP ME, WE INCREASED WHAT WENT IN.

I GUESS THAT WAS PART OF MY MOTION AS WELL, SO NOBODY TOOK A REDUCTION. AM I RECALLING THAT RIGHT?

>> CORRECT. YOU WENT FROM 120 MILLION ANNUAL TO 159 MILLION, AND THIS YEAR IF I RECALL IS 162.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THAT WAS HCTRA TOO, RIGHT?

>> EXCUSE ME, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S PART

OF THE HCTRA RESTRUCTURE SNG. >> THIS WAS DONE BEFORE THE

HCTRA RESTRUCTURING. >> LINA HIDALGO: OH.

WELL ANYWAYS, EVERYBODY IS GETTING MORE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS HCTRA FUNDS THOUGH.

>> YEAH, THEY ARE ALL HCTRA FUNDS, JUDGE.

IN ESSENCE, PRIOR TO THIS THERE WERE PERCENTAGES AND EVEN THE PERSON WITH THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE, NOW THEY WENT TO 25% AND THEY ARE NOT GETTING LESS THAN THEY DID

BEFORE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS TRYING TO COMPROMISE AND YOU WOULD HAVE WON COMMISSIONER CAGLE BY BUDGETING. IF I REMEMBER RIGHT THEY WERE FOR MY MOTION. ONE TO DIVIDE IT FOUR WAYS.

I WAS GETTING THE LEAST. GARCIA WAS SECOND LOWEST.

AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS GETTING THE MOST.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU ARE GETTING THE SECOND HIGHEST.

I MADE THE MOTION TO DIVIDE IT EVENLY, AND I WAS TOLD THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS WHEN THEY FIRST DID IT, WHATEVER YEAR THAT WAS. I ALSO MADE A MOTION TO

INCREASE THE AMOUNT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO ONCE UPON A TIME THEY WERE ALL PAID BY MILE.

AND THEN WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH COMMISSIONERS PUTTING ROADS ON THE COUNTY LOG THAT REALLY DIDN'T NEED TO BE ON THE COUNTY LOG SO THEY COULD BOOST THEIR MILEAGE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS BEFORE JOHN'S TIME, BUT I REMEMBER AS A BRAND-NEW COMMISSIONER BEING SHOWN ROADS THAT USED TO BE ON THE COUNTY LOG OF PRECINCT 3 WHICH PRECINCT 4 INHERITED PRECINCT ROADS AND I SAID THIS IS PART OF THE OLD DEAL WHERE THEY WERE BEING PAID BY THE MILE.

AND THEN WE MOVED TO DIFFERENT FORMS SINCE THEN.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A MOTION AND I WOULD LIKE TO

HEAR HIS MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION -- I MOVE THAT THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 TO 2022 BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY BE APPROVED AS PROPOSED WITH MOBILITY FUNDS SPLIT WITH A 40.5 MILLION PER PRECINCT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THAT STUDY ACTUALLY CAME BACK WITH PRECINCT 2 HAVING THE LEAST AMOUNT.

YOU WERE SECOND. BOTTOM LINE IS --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OH YOU HAD LESS THAN I HAD.

YEAH. IT WASN'T BY MUCH THOUGH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 17% TO YO 21.

TO YOUR 21. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE METRO PIECE I THOUGHT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAYBE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT WAS. BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO

BUCKETS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T REMEMBER NOW. I HAVEN'T HAD COFFEE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOING BACK TO THE GENERAL -- THE REST OF THE

[04:20:03]

GENERAL FUND, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY GARCIA. YES?

>> SO THE MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE WOULD BE THE

GENERAL FUND? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK FOLKS KNEW THAT WHEN THEY VOTED FOR IT.

WE ADJUST FOR THE HCTRA MOBILITY TRANSFER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DON'T TELL THEM IT MAY CHANGE THE VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S DO THIS ONE.

IT IS JUST EXTRA. SO THIS IS THE MOTION FOR THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED IT.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, JUDGE. I DID HAVE ONE TWEAK I WANT TO DO TO THE BUDGET. THERE IS A 25% HOLD BACK FOR MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE NUMBERS ARE SQUARED AWAY ON THE ROLL OVER. THE WAY THAT THE ROLL OVER WORKS IS PART OF THE PIPELINE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, WE HAVE A LOT OF ITEM THAT'S ARE NOT, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, ALLOCATED, NOT INCOME BETTERED, PARDON ME.

THEY LOONT -- THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE THE ROLL OVER.

WE HAVE PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE.

I KNOW THAT WILL BE THE SAME THING FOR MY COLLEAGUES HERE.

THE PROPOSAL WAS TO HOLD 25% BACK UNTIL APRIL SO WE COULD HAVE EXACT NUMBERS BEFORE WE DO IT ALL.

BUT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IMPINGE US.

WHEN WE GET AN AN ALLOCATION, WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS LINED UP. I JUST ASK INSTEAD OF A 25% HOLD BACK, LET'S MAKE THAT A 5% HOLD BACK.

THE AMOUNT THAT I THINK DAVID IS GONNA NEED TO MAKE SURE THE NUMBERS ARE EXACT WHEN SPREAD OUT OVER THE FOUR PRECINCTS AT 5% APIECE OF THAT FUND SHOULD -- I THINK SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO DO THE ACCOUNTING OF THE PENNIES.

WE ARE NOT ACCOUNTING OF THE MILLIONS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ACCOUNTS -- THE ACCOUNTING OF THE PENNYS. WOULD THERE BE A PROBLEM SHIFTING THAT FROM A 25% HOLD IN APRIL TO A 5% HOLD IN

APRIL? >> COMMISSIONER, IF WE ALSO STIPULATED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD BE OPEN TO A TRUE UP IF IN FACT THEY HAD LESS OR MORE THAN WE HAD FORECASTED, I WOULD BE FINE WITH THE 5%.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU HAVE MY VOTE THEN ON THAT.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

SO THE MOTION IS WE CHANGE IT FROM A 25% HOLD UNTIL APRIL TO

A 5% HOLD. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE JUST GO OVER -- ONE SECOND, JAMES. DAVE, CAN YOU GO OVER IT BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF I UNDERSTAND.

SORRY. I THTHGHT AT WAS DAVE.

>> I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHAT DAVE JUST SAID.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION WAS TO APPROVE THE ACTUAL BUDGET AS PROPOSED WITH GENERAL FUNDS SPLIT AT 40.5 MILLION PER PRECINCT. SO YOU PASSED THE BUDGET.

NOW AS TO THE -- I GUESS THE POTENTIAL MOTION OF COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF YOU DO WANT TO MAKE THAT, THAT WOULD BE AS A SEPARATE MOTION BE MADE ON THE ITEM.

IT IS NOT NEEDED TO BE MADE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BUDGET.

YOU EFFECTIVELY PASSED THE BUDGET.

WHAT I WOULD DO IS MAKE A MOTION THAT IN THE BUDGET WE HAVE 25% OF EACH PRECINCT BEING HELD UNTIL APRIL THAT WE REDUCE THAT TO 5% BEING HELD UNTIL APRIL PER PRECINCT WITH

THE STIPULATION -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OF THE ROLL

OVER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OF THE ROLL OVER WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IF THE 5% IS NOT ENOUGH FOR THE TRUE UP AS MR. BERRY SAID WE WOULD WORK TOWARD THAT DIRECTION. THAT GIVES US MORE CERTAINTY TO START THE PIPELINE PLANNING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST NEED DAVE TO WALK ME THROUGH THIS BECAUSE I AM NOT REALLY SURE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I AM HEARING YOU SAY EACH PRECINCT, BUT I KNOW THERE IS A ROLL OVER. I AM NOT SURE HOW THAT -- MAYBE DAVE YOU CAN TELL US THE STARTER VERSION OF THIS.

LET'S DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT MENTAL ROLL OVER

[04:25:01]

AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT. DEPARTMENTAL IS IN APRIL.

THE PRECINCT ROLL OVER IS PART OF THE BUDGET.

THE CHALLENGES BECAUSE WE ARE ADOPTING THE BUDGET WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WILL BE LEFT AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THERE ARE FUNDS THAT WILL BE CARRIED FORWARD TO THE SUBSEQUENT YEAR. WE DON'T WANT TO ALLOCATE A BUDGET AND THEN COME BACK BECAUSE THEY SPENT MORE THAN WE HAD ESTIMATED. WHAT MY OFFICE PROPOSED IS HOLD BACK 25% OF THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT AND THAT WOULD BEACON -- BE CONVEYED IN APRIL WHEN WE KNEW THE FINAL BALANCE AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS WE TOLD BACK 5%, BUT WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IF ANYONE'S BALANCE IS OUT OF WHACK IT WOULD BE HELD UP. I HOPE THAT HELPS.

>> YES. AND WHAT WOULD BE THE MOTION THEN, DAVE? THIS IS SPECIFIC TO THE PRECINCTS, THE PRECINCT BUDGETS.

>> I MEAN, I WOULD DO THIS AS IN THE -- AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION PASSING THE BUDGET THAT WOULD SAY THAT WE WOULD DECREASE THE HOLD BACK. IN EACH PRECINCT THE MOBILITY FUND ROLL OVER TO 5% AND THAT WE WOULD DO A TRUE UP IN APRIL POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE TO GET TO THE ACTUAL BALANCE -- BALLOT.

IS THAT WHAT YOU HAD IN MIND? >> FOR THE ROLL OVER OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND THE MOW -- MOBILITY FUND?

>> WE ARE ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE MOBILITY FUND.

>> ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD.

>> SO WE VOTED EARLIER BEFORE, BUT WE THOUGHT THERE WAS A MOBILITY FUND. I DON'T THINK -- THEY HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE AND AS AN AMENDMENT TO THAT MOTION WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HOLD BACK THE ABILITY TO FUND A ROLL OVER TO 5%. AND WE WOULD DO A TRUE UP IN APRIL FOR ANY NEGATIVE TO MATCH THE ACTUAL BALLOT.

ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? LET'S VOTE ON THAT, ON THE AMENDED MOTION WHICH IS THE BUDGET WITH THE AMENDMENT.

>> I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE FOR CLARITY, WHO DID

YOU SAY MADE THE MOTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: CAGLE.

>> AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES THAT WORK? AND THAT COVERS US FOR THE GENERAL FUND PART OF ITEM 260.

WE HAVEN'T DONE A HEARING ON THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY.

LET ME JUST -- >> I WAS GOING TO SAY JUDGE DO YOU WANT TO CLOSE THE HEARING FOR 260?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED FOR THE GENERAL FUND. THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND BUDGET UNDER ITEM 260. NOW COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL GO INTO A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR ITEM 260, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THOSE?

>> NO, MA'AM, WE DO NOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

MOTION TO ADOPT THE BUDGET -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >>

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

THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.

FINALLY WE GO BACK UP TO ITEM 259 ON PAGE 30.

COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL GO INTO A PUBLIC HEARING ON 259, THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT DBA HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS

ON THIS ITEM? >> THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS

SIGNED UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS IS THERE A MOTION?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IS THERE ANYBODY ON THE LINE FROM

HARRIS HEALTH? >> YES, SIR, THERE IS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO ASK ONE QUESTION.

>> I CAN UNMUTE MIKE MARBY. UNMUTEED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. MARBY, I KNOW THAT YOU ALL HAD TOLD ME YOU ARE GOING TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY.

I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE FUNDED THAT OR IF YOU HAVE PRO VISIONS TO FUND THAT OR A TIMETABLE WHERE YOU ARE

[04:30:03]

ON THAT. MR. MARBY, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, I CAN. THE DOLLARS ARE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PROJECT IS ALREADY UNDER WAY AND THE INTENT IS TO PRESENT TO OUR BOARD IN MARCH.

HOPEFULLY THE PROJECT IS WELL UNDERWAY AND WILL BE COMPLETED

WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

I WILL SECOND THE MOTION IF NOBODY HAS MADE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.

>> DID YOU CALL MY NAME, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO SAY

SOMETHING. >> I DID.

I WANTED TO JUST MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE COMMISSIONERS THAT THE STUDY IS UNDERWAY, BUT IT WILL NOT -- THE STUDY WILL NOT BE COMPLETED BY MARCH. THEY ARE DOING AN UPDATE IN MARCH. THE STUDY HAS STARTED AND IT WAS PROVIDED TO THE CONSULTANT.

THEY ARE WORKING IT, BUT IT WOULD BE TO COME IN AND

COLLECT AND BACK IN 60-DAYS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

I KNOW MY STAFF CALLED HARRIS HEALTH TO LET THEM KNOW, AND I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT TO CALL YOU AS WELL.

THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR. >> I STEPPED INTO MR. NORBY'S OFFICE. THE QUESTION WAS REGARDING THE STUDY AND THE MWBE AND I THINK THEY WERE UH -- APPRAISED AT -- THERE IS AN OP -- OPTIC BEING BROUGHT TO THE BOARD.

IT IS AT THE END OF MONTH ONE OF THE 12-MONTH ENGAGEMENT.

IT IS TO EXPLAIN TO THE BOARD WHAT THE MILESTONES ARE GOING TO BE. IT IS A COLLECTION OF THE -- COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF THE DATA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, THANK YOU FOR THAT, AND I HOPE THEY CALL TO LET YOU KNOW. I CAN'T REMEMBER.

CAN YOU JUST GIVE US AN UPDATE ON IF THIS BUDGET TOUCHES ANYTHING THAT -- TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED FOR WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH TRANSITIONING FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO THE BUDGET OFFICE.

>> NO. THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT THE

HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. >> I DON'T KNOW WHY I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT DOING THE STUDY OF THE

ASSESSMENT. >> YES, SIR.

THE STUDY -- REMEMBER THAT WHAT I PROMISED THE COURT WAS WE WERE GOING TO REENGAGE TO PROVIDE A REPORT FOR 2018 AND THAT IS IN OUR BUDGET AND THAT IS HAPPENING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THAT IS IN THE BUDGET.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND WHILE YOU ARE ON THE LINE THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS THAT THE MWBE WILL NOT BE ADOPTED

BY YOUR BOARD? >> I HAVE NO CONCERNS

WHATSOEVER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD MADE A MOTION AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED IT. IT IS FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT BUDGET. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

IN THAT CASE THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.

THAT'S ALL ON THE BUDGET. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS. EVERYBODY WORKED SO HARD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, MR. BERRY, CONGRATULATIONS ON A UNANIMOUS BUDGET. APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS. AND JUDGE, LET ME ALSO JUST SAY TO YOU AND TO MR. BERRY, I HAVE MY TUT -- TUTELEDGE ON BILL WHITE A TENACIOUS GUY ON THE NUMBERS.

DON'T TELL BILL WHITE, BUT I THINK YOU HAVE OUTDONE HIM WITH A METRICS H OF BASED BUDGET.

I DON'T THINK WE EVER GOT THERE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. WE JUST TRUSTED THE MAYOR TO BE A GOOD MANAGER AND STEWARD OF THE BUDGET AND ALWAYS FELT WE WERE GOING NO THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WITH YOU, MR. BERRY LEADING THE CHARGE ON THIS, THIS IS ANOTHER NEW DAY IN GOVERNMENT AND I APPLAUD BOTH OF YOUR

[04:35:06]

LEADERSHIPS ON THAT. >> LET ME WEIGH --

>> TOM RAMSEY: LET ME WEIGH IN HERE TOO.

THERE PROBABLY WASN'T ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT TO THE FOLKS IN PRECINCT 3 THAN GET THE BUDGETING RIGHT.

WE EVEN HAD A LITTLE PODCAST WITH DAVID.

PEOPLE COULD CALL IN. WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MR. BERRY, IF YOU ASK A SPECIFIC QUESTION HE WILL GIVE YOU A SPECIFIC ANSWER. WITH TRANSPARENCY AND DOING IT RIGHT WITH THE GOVERNMENT FUNDS AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. WELL DOP AND LOOK -- WELL DONE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MANAGING THIS BUDGET AND BEING SURE THE RESOURCES ARE PROPERLY APPLIED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANTED TO THANK MR. BERRY AS WELL AND HIS TEAM BY THE WAY. I'M SURE WE WILL ALL PUT OUT STATEMENTS ON VARIOUS THINGS IN THE BUDGET THAT WE FEEL PROUD OF. IT WILL BE A LONG DAY AND THERE IS SOMETHING WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT AND NOT HAPPY ABOUT, BUT IT IS LIKE HERDING SHEEP, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? YOU DID A GOOD JOB. THIS IS YOUR FIRST REAL ONE AND I THANK YOU. I KNOW IT WAS DIFFICULT.

AND THANK YOU. HE HAS TO IN -- INTERACT WITH YOU MORE THAN THE REST OF US, BUT YOUR STAFF HELPED AS WELL

AS ALL OF OUR STAFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU ALL.

NOW TO THE AGENDA. WE WILL START WITH THE COUNTY

ENGINEER. >> ONE QUICK QUESTION.

WE HAVE ONE MORE PUBLIC HEARING WITH ITEM 261 RELATED TO THE CLERK AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO DO THAT NOW OR WANTED TO WAIT AND COME BACK AROUND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN. LET ME SEE.

I NORMALLY JUST GO DOWN. >> SINCE WE ARE DOING

HEARINGS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR 261 IN THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON PAGE 30. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE RECORDS ARCHIVE PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE

TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I

WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE A JUDGE IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND ACTUALLY A SERIES OF JUDGES THAT HAVE BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN THE ARC -- ARCHIVE PROCESS OF THE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND THE RECORDS OF COUNTIES.

THAT'S MARK DAVIDSON AND CHYME -- AND KIM WISE WHO HAVE BEEN LEADING HISTORIANS IN THIS ENDEAVOR.

WE ACTUALLY ADD TRIAL IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT INVOLVED JOHN LENNON AND HIS WIFE. I AM BLANKING ON THE NAME.

I WILL HAVE TO ASK MY OLDER COMMISSIONERS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOKO ONO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DURING THE TRIAL JOHN LENNON PAINTED A PAINTING IN THE COURT THAT ENDED UP BEING IN THE COURT FILE.

IT GOT DESTROYED. IT WAS IN THE DOCUMENT PROCESS. WE HAVE LOST FOREVER AN ORIGINAL PAINTING MADE IN OUR HARRIS COUNTY BY JOHN LENNON DURING A TRIAL IN OUR COUNTY. BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A DOCUMENT IN A FILE IN OUR PROCESS. I BELIEVE EVERYTHING IS FINE AS IT IS HERE, BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE COME AROUND NEXT YEAR WE HAVE UH -- ALLOWED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR JUDGES AND OUR APPELLATE JUDGES AND THE VISITING JUDGES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE GREAT HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS TO HAVE A CHANCE TO RYE -- TO REVIEW WHAT WE HAVE HAD AND TO MAKE SURE THE GREAT TRIALS AND THE GREAT EPISODE THAT'S HAVE OCCURRED IN OUR COUNTY, THAT THOSE ITEMS ARE NOT FOREVER LOST.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE IN OUR COUNTY A TRIAL A NUMBER OF YEARS BACK CALLED PENNZOIL WHICH IS THE LARGEST TRIAL -- THE LARGEST VERDICT, ONE OF THE LARGEST VERDICTS IN THE COUNTRY. THAT WAS A TRIAL WHEN I WAS A BABY LAWYER. AND SO WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE, JUDGE, THAT IN OUR PROCESS THAT WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GO TO ELECTRONIC FORMS. WE GO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT STORING MANY, MANY DOCUMENTS. WE STILL NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

I DON'T WANT US TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE YEARS FROM NOW SEEING, GEE, THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT BACK IN 2021 VOTED TO DESTROY AN ORIGINAL PAINTING BY -- JUDGE WHO WOULD BE A FAMOUS MODERN SINGER OF YOUR AGE?

SINCE YOU ARE THE YOUNGEST. >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT.

[04:40:02]

YEAH, YOU AND I. THESE DAYS COMMISSIONER TRAVIS

SCOTT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY.

YEAH, TRAVIS SCOTT WHOSE LABEL IS CACTUS JACK.

YES! THAT WE DESTROYED THE RECORDS ABOUT CACTUS JACK 20 YEARS FROM NOW. SO LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE

DON'T DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS GREAT TO TALK ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE TO SPEAK? IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'LL MOVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY KEYING GEL -- CAGLE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IF FAVOR.

>> I. >> .

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. NOW TO THE AGENDA AND WE START

[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

WITH THE COVID ITEMS. IT IS ON PAGE 29.

THE FIRST ITEM IS ITEM 248 AND IT IS THE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION ITEM WE GENERALLY HAVE.

IT IS AT EACH COURT. ITEM 249 IS A GRANT.

ITEM 250 IS THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

I KNOW FOLKS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS WITH THE CITY AS WELL. YES COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND

THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS ITEM. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT IN NEED OF HELP. I WILL ALSO SAY I AM PROUD OF OUR TEAMS AND I WANT TO THANK OUR CONSULTANTS AS WELL, GUIDE HOUSE IN PARTICULAR, TO MAKE SURE WE LEARN FROM THE PAST, AND I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU, JUDGE, AND MAYOR TURNER TO MAKE SURE WRY CAN BRING THE -- SURE WE CAN BRING THE PEOPLE TOGETHER AND BRING SIMPLICITY AND A UNITED GOVERNMENT SO WE CAN HELP THEM SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

SO THIS IS VERY, VERY EXCITING TO SEE THIS COME TOGETHER.

AND I WILL ALSO SAY THAT ONE THING I PUSHED FOR WAS TO HAVE SOME PROJECT MANAGEMENT ON THIS.

I CAN'T REMEMBER HER LAST NAME.

IT IS LEAH BARDON. I AM EXCITED TO HAVE HER AT THE TIP OF THE SPEAR. TWO GREAT ORGANIZATIONS BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO WONDER IS THIS DONE BY BAKER RIPLEY? WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOME GOOD, GOOD COORDINATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP IN LEAH BARDEN. I AM EXCITED TO HAVE HER RUNNING THE PROGRAM OVERALL. AND THEN LASTLY THAT WE HAVE WORKED HARD AND I WANT TO APPLAUD THE PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION FOR RECOGNIZING THAT OUR LANDLORDS AND OUR BUSINESSES TOO AND WE STRAG GREL -- STRUGGLE WITH THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE. WE DIRECT THAT TO THE ASSISTANCE, BUT I I DON'T BLAME THE LANDLORDS.

I AM FRUSTRATED WITH SOME OF THEM, BUT I LARGELY DON'T BLAME THEM. THEY WERE MONTHS IN THE UH REARS. WE CAN ONLY GIVE THEM MONTHS ASSISTANCE AT A TIME AND THEN STILL RESTRICTING THEM FOR MONTHS AFTERWARDS. NO WONDER WE STRUGGLED AND I THANK THOSE WHO DID PARTICIPATE.

THERE IS A CON STITCH WENT, MR. RODRIGUEZ, THAT HAS STRUGGLED THROUGH SOME OF THAT.

I WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE ISSUE HE DEALT WITH IS RESOLVED AS WE LAUNCH THIS NEW EFFORT I THINK THE WAY THE PROGRAM IS STRUCTURED, IT WILL NOW ALLOW US TO MAKE THE LANDLORD COMMUNITY WHOLE AND RECOGNIZING THAT THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER WITH YET. THE ECONOMY IS NOT REPAIRED YET AND WITH THE TWO MONTHS GOING FORWARD IT SHOULD BE A GAME CHANGER FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND IT SHOULD HELP US KEEP A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES.

I DO WANT TO ASK, JUDGE, AND I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE THAT WE DO NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THOSE CASES. I HOPE THIS WILL MAKE A LOT OF THE CASES IN THE JP COURTS GO AWAY.

[04:45:08]

I WILL GIVE THIS PROGRAM SOME TIME TO MA TRICK -- MATRICULATE, BUT I MAY WANT TO BRING AN EYE TOME TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER TO NAVIGATE THE CASES THAT STAYED IN THE COURTS.

I HAVE GOTTEN SOME FEEDBACK AND SHE IS INCREDIBLY ADAMANT THAT THE ONE AREA WE COULD FIND THAT COULD MAKE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE WOULD BE THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER FOR THE ROLE THEY CARRY IN NAVIGATING THESE CASES THROUGH THE COURTS. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I AM EXCITED. I WISH THE STATE WOULDN'T HAVE CREATED ANOTHER PROGRAM AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE JUST PARTICIPATED WITH US TO MAKE OUR PROGRAM MUCH MORROW BUST.

I HOPE WE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO COORDINATE THE TWO SO THERE IS NOT A CALL BACK ON THE CITIZENS AND TO THE SO MUCH US, BUT IT IS BACK ON THE RESIDENTS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT IF THIS ISN'T HANDLED CORRECTLY FOLKS MAY REACH OUT AND SAY YOU OWE ME SOME MONEY.

I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET THE STATE TO BE MUCH MORE COLLABORATIVE AND COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH US AND COORDINATE BETTER WITH US SO WE CAN GIVE LESS CONFUSION TO THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE. THIS IS AN EXCITING DAY.

GLAD TO SEE THIS ITEM ON OUR AGENDA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALONG THE SAME LINES I WANT TO REPEAT WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID.

I WANT TO REITERATE IT IS $159 MILLION AND THE U.S.

TREASURY GIVES RENTAL MONTHLY.

HARRIS COUNTY GOT 74 AND THE CITY IS PUTTING ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO THE SOURCES BAKER RIPLEY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES SHOWED THE GREAT JOB THEY COULD DO WITH THE PROGRAMS WE GAVE THEM IN THE PAST. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I TOO AM WORRIED ABOUT THE EVICTIONS. ACCORDING TO MY STATS IN 21, LANDLORDS FILED 3,000 EVICTION CASES AND THAT IS EVEN WITH THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL'S INTENDED EVICTION MORE TORY. MORITORY.

ACCORDING TO THE JANUARY ADVISERS 16% OF THE FAMILIES FACING EVICTION USED THE EVICTION.

AND LESS THAN 3% OF THE EVICTION CASES WERE REPRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEYS. AND I KNOW OUR STAFF AND MAYBE OTHERS AS WELL HAVE BEEN OFF FOR THE WEEKEND THEY WERE GOING OUT AND KNOCKING ON DOORS AND TALKING TO PEOPLE.

IT IS A REAL CHALLENGE. JUDGE, YOUR STAFF AND ALL OF THE COUNTY FOLKS AND THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE ALL DONE A GOOD JOB OF COMING UP WITH SOME EQUITY GUIDELINES.

THERE WAS A COMPROMISE WITH THE CITY.

IT IS A HECK OF A LOT BETTER FOR FOLKS TO NOT BE CONFUSED

GOING TO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A GOOD PROGRAM AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WHEN WE FIRST DID RENTAL ASSISTANCE. IT WAS CHALLENGING TO GET PEOPLE TO SIGN UP. WE HAD TO KEEP IT WITHIN THE FEDERAL PARAMETERS. I HOPE THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE HAVE REMOVED ENOUGH OBSTACLE THAT'S WE WON'T HAVE TROUBLE GETTING PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM.

I KNOW EVERYBODY WORKS TO MAKE IT AS EASY AND OBVIOUSLY SECURE AND ACCOUNTABLE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE CITY IS VOTING ON THEIRS TOMORROW.

THERE WILL BE A TBRENT -- DIFFERENT LINK NEXT WEEK.

IF WE SEND PEOPLE TO READY HARRIS THEY WILL FIND IT THERE. I AM PROUD AND I ECHO THE

SENTIMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED A

MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: UNLESS FOLKS NEED TO -- SO THAT WAS ITEM 250.

ITEM 251 -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I LIKE THE NEW DESIGNATION SYSTEM WHERE WE JUST HAVE A

SIMPLE NUMBER. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AGREE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I KNOW WE DISCUSSED THAT A COUPLE YEARS BACK AND FOR WHATEVER REASON AT THE TIME THAT WAS A CHANGE WE DID NOT MAKE. I AM GLAD THAT WE HAVE GONE TO

[04:50:04]

IT. I WAS JUST THINKING OF IT BECAUSE I WENT TO THE FRONT OF THE BOOK WHEN WE STARTED THE REGULAR AGENDA AND DID NOT KNOW WHERE WE WERE BECAUSE I BLINKED AND YOU WERE JUST ABLE TO TELL ME THE NUMBER AND BOOM WE ARE THERE. I LIKE THE NEW NUMBERING SYSTEM. AND I ALSO LIKE GETTING THE SPEAKERS UP IN THE BEGINNING. I LIKE THAT TOO.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THOSE TWO LITTLE CHANGES ARE GOOD

CHANGES. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO PROBABLY WRAP OUR MEETING UP HERE IN THE NEXT HOUR OR SO, BUT I WAS THINKING BECAUSE OF THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND THE CONCERN THAT FOLKS ARE WONDERING WHERE IS THE HELP AND WHEN IS IT COMING, I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE THAT WE ADOPT IT NOW SO THAT WAY WE CAN GET

THE WORD OUT THAT IT IS DONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SURE. THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THAT IS ITEM 250. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

JUDGE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? COMMISSIONER CAGLE DID A GOOD JOB OF COMPLIMENTING YOU ON THE NUMBERS. I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK AND SEE IF THERE IS A PROCESS ON SPEAKERS WHERE IF SOMEBODY USES RACIST AND MISOGYNISTIC CUSSING, CAN THEY BE BANNED? I'M TOLD THAT HAPPENED WITH COMMISSIONER LEE.

I WOULD BE WILLING TO MAKE THAT MOTION IS SOMEBODY IS

DOING THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I SECOND THAT.

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THAT. IN FACT, CUT THEM OFF AND ASK THEM TO LEAVE AND ESCORT THEM OUT OF THE BUILDING.

EXACTLY RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T THINK I COULD DO IT TODAY, BUT THERE IS ONE SPEAKER FROM EARLIER, BUT I AM TOLD -- WE MIGHT SEND UH -- A TEXT ON WHO

DID IT EARLIER. >> I AM LOOKING AT THE PROCESS NOW. IT HAPPENED TODAY AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO TRY TO -- WE WILL CERTAINLY TRY TO CUT DOWN ON OR AVOID BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL

NOTICED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND IF WE CAN MAKE SURE TO ADOPT VIRTUAL RULES AS WELL.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO TRY -- WE WANT THE COURT TO KNOW IS THERE HAS BEEN A SET OF RULES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT OUT. THE JUDGE JUST SENT ME THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS CREATE A HARRIS COUNTY CODE WHERE A LOT OF THE COURT'S ORDERS WILL BE CODIFIED INTO A SINGLE DOCUMENT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE GUARDRAILS YOU NEED SO THAT -- AND THE PUBLIC FRANKLY FOR TRANSPARENCY. I KNOW THAT'S WHAT THE JUDGE BELIEVES IN STRONGLY. SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND WHAT IS NOT. WE WILL CERTAINLY ENFORCE THIS GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THAT. IF WE KEEP GOING ON ITEM 251 THROUGH 255. I WOULD ASK IF WE COULD HOLD THAT FOR TWO WEEKS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THAT THROUGH THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT OR PASS IT CONTINGENT ON -- IF YOU DON'T

MIND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU WANT

TO HOLD THOSE FOUR ITEMS? >> LINA HIDALGO: OR IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND DOING AN ITEM CONTINGENT ON MY TEAM'S REVIEW. NORMALLY --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM HAPPY TO HOLD THEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OR IF YOU ARE FINE WITH US APPROVING THEM SUBJECT TO YOUR OFFICE'S REVIEW, AND IF YOUR OFFICE HAS A PROBLEM THEN YOU WILL BRING IT BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WHY DON'T WE DO THAT.

WE WILL REVIEW IT IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WE DON'T HOLD IT THE WHOLE TWO WEEKS. I HAVE NOT SEEN IT AND I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLEN -- COMFORTABLE ENDORSING IT.

>> IT IS MOBILE TESTING SITES SO IT MAY BE GOOD FOR PLANNING TIME. I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THEM SUBJECT TO THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE REVIEW, AND IF APPROVED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE THEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE

IMMEDIATE ACTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

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

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THERE IS A DISCUSSION I WAS GONNA HAVE HERE ON LIBRARIES IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE THAT WE TALK ABOUT THIS UNDER ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM, BUT MY ISSUES ARE THE LIBRARIES IN PRECINCT 3 ARE CLOSED AND MANY ARE ACROSS FROM A SCHOOL THAT IS SUCCESSFULLY OPEN.

I HAD A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT

[04:55:03]

OF THE SOUTH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ON SATURDAY.

THEY HAD AN EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL FFA AUCTION ALL PER CDC GUIDELINES AND ALL SOCIALLY DISTANCED.

MY QUESTION IS, AND THIS IS FOR FUTURE CONVERSATION, I DON'T SEE ANY REASON OUR LIBRARIES IN PRECINCT 3 SHOULD BE CLOSED. PARTICULARLY WHEN WE ARE SUCCESSFULLY OPENING THE SCHOOLS AND HAVE BEEN OPEN AND THEY ARE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET SO THE CHILDREN WALK OUT OF THE SCHOOL AT KATY ELEMENTARY AND THEY LOOK AT THE LIBRARY ACROSS THE STREET AND IT IS CLOSED.

THIS IS WHAT I KNOW ABOUT CHILDREN.

IF A CHILD IS NOT READING BY THE THIRD GRADE THERE IS A REALLY GOOD CHANCE THAT HE WILL END UP IN PRISON.

SO WE MUST -- WE CAN BE SAFE AND WE CAN OPERATE OUR LIBRARIES SAFELY. I KNOW WE HAVE A VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU CAN PULL UP IN THE PARKING LOT AND GRAB A BOOK. I AM OF AN AGE I LIKE TO GO TO THE LIBRARY AND READ. I KNOW MANY FOLKS DO AND MANY KIDS DO. I WOULD LONG RATHER OUR CHILDREN HAD -- HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE LIE PRARY -- LIBRARY AND SOCIAL DISTANCELY READ.

MANY ADULTS USE THE LIBRARY TO GO MAYBE SIGN UP TO GET THE COVID VACCINE. I WOULD LIKE TO PUT THAT AS A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM, BUT AT LEAST WE OUGHT TO BE THINKING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS TIME, AND WE NEED TO BE SELECTIVE IN WHICH BRANCHES WE OPEN AND WHICH WE DON'T.

I LOOKED AT PRECINCT 3 AND I THINK WE CAN OPEN THEM ALL UP. THAT'S MY COMMENT.

IF WE USE THOSE BRANCHES AND THEIR PARKING LOTS, I THINK IT IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY IF WE DON'T OFFER LIBRARIES.

IN MANY WAYS A LIBRARY IS LIKE A COMMUNITY CENTER.

IT GIVES PEOPLE A PLACE TO GO AND A PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND HELP. IN MANY WAYS I CONSIDER IT LIKE A CLINIC. CERTAINLY DURING COVID I WOULD. THAT'S MY COMMENTS ON THE LIBRARY. I KNOW THAT'S A BIT OFF OF WHAT WE WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

AND I WANT THAT ON THE TABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW YOU HAD AN ITEM ON THE LIBRARY. I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION NUMBER ONE, DAB -- AND WE WILL LOOK INTO IT.

THEY ARE BEING SUCCESSFUL WITH THEIR CURBSIDE PICK UP.

IT IS 3,000 TO 4,000 PICK UPS A DAY IF NOT MORE.

I HAVE SPOKE WITH MY COUNTERPARTS IN OTHER PLACES AND THE CONSENSUS SEEMS TO BE THAT IT IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF A SET UP. I MEAN, YOU HAVE PEOPLE THERE FOR VERY LONG TIMES. GENERALLY IF YOU LOOK AT IS IT DALLAS, SEATTLE, SAN ANTONIO, L.A., FOLK ARE GENERALLY DOING THE CURBSIDE LIBRARIES BECAUSE OF THE ASSESSMENT IS THAT IT IS A DIFFERENT, MORE RISKY-TYPE SET UP.

I WILL ASK THE TEAM TO GO BACK AND REEVALUATE AND MAKE SURE WE TAKE A LOOK AND WE LOOK AT WHAT THE CDC TALKS ABOUT.

I DO THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT.

>> I THINK MANY OF THE CITIES YOU REFERENCED, THEY HAVEN'T SUCCESSFULLY OPENED THEIR SCHOOLS.

MAYBE THE DIFFERENCE IS, AND I WAS CAREFUL WHEN I SAID IT, BUT THE PLACES I AM REFERRING TO ARE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THE KIDS ARE GOING TO SCHOOL AND THE PARENTS ARE BEING CAREFUL, AND I THINK WE'VE GOT A GOOD RECORD OF THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE THING.

IT IS I'M -- IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL IT APART IN THE COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS ARE OPEN AND SO ARE THE BARS. WHEN YOU HAVE 2,000 CASES A DAY YOU YOU CAN'T CONTACT TRACE ALL OF THEM APPROPRIATELY AND THAT'S THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

THE NUMBERS ARE REALLY BAD RIGHT NOW.

WE JUST HAVE TO BE VEA -- VERY, VERY, VERY CAREFUL AS TO WHAT WE DO. I SHARE YOUR CONCERN THAT IT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT ATOM TOM MY MOTHER WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THAT THE BARS SHOULD NOT BE OPEN.

THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE. THE SCHOOLS I THINK -- THANK

YOU FOR LOOKING INTO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT ITEM IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM I BELIEVE.

AND IN THIS ONE I SHARED WITH YOU ALL -- IT IS ITEM 256.

THEY SENT THE VAC -- VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UNIT AND HARRIS HEALTH PLAN. I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE AN

[05:00:06]

OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS YOU GUYS HAVE ON THAT. I TALKED TO EACH OF YOU ABOUT IT LAST WEEK OR OVER THE WEEKEND.

NOTHING REALLY CHANGED. THE ONLY THING THAT CHANGED BETWEEN MY CONVERSATION AND THE MATERIALS YOU ALL RECEIVED WAS THAT WE GOT GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE JUST YESTERDAY.

THEY NO LONGER WANT US TO PRIORITIZE GROUP 1A OVER GROUP 1B. AS OF NOW WE ARE PRIORITIZING OLDER OVER YOUNGER AND GOING TO 1B IF THEY ARE OLDER.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THOUGHT THE PLAN WAS GOOD, JUDGE.

I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT YOU PUT INTO IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. THAT HAS US SET THROUGH THE END OF MARCH. THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UNITS START FEBRUARY 22ND. WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR THEM TO USE THE WAIT LIST IN AND WHEN THEY SEND THE FEMA SITES.

YOU HAVE A WAIT LIST THAT CAN BE COLD FOR CERTAIN GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, WHATEVER IT IS, CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND THEY CAN SCREEN IT FOR WHATEVER IT IS THEY WANT TO PRIORITIZE.

YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: FOR THE HOSTS LISTENING IN ON OUR SESSION, WHERE CAN THEY GO SO THEY CAN SEE THAT PLAN AND PASS IT ON TO THEIR FRIENDS AND CONTACTS? WHAT NUMBER WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THEY GO TO? READY HARRIS.ORG, BUT IS THERE ANOTHER NUMBER YOU RECOMMEND BESIDES READY HARRIS.ORG?

>> LINA HIDALGO: READY HARRIS AND THEN WE HAVE THE DATA PAGES THAT I AM PROUD OF. THE SIGN UP IS LINKED OUT OF THERE. THERE IS A VACCINE NUMBER THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE AND I DON'T HAVE IT AT MY FINGERTIPS.

THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET VACCINE INFORMATION.

AS FAR AS THE ACTUAL -- YOU KNOW AS FAR AS WHAT YOU RECEIVED THAT EXPLAINS THAT THESE ARE THE FOUR VACCINE -- THESE ARE THE UNITS AND THESE ARE THE CONGREGATE CARE SITES. WE CAN PUT THAT OUT SOMEWHERE. I DIDN'T THINK FOLKS WOULD FIND IT USEFUL, BUT WE CAN PUT IT ON THERE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OUT THERE BECAUSE I KNOW THERE ARE FOLKS THAT LISTEN AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEY CAN GO TO LOOK AT THE PLAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE BIGGEST THING IS YOU CAN'T JUST WALK UP TO ONE OF THE SITES. THAT'S THE CONCERN WITH SAYING THIS IS WHERE THE VACCINES ARE DISTRIBUTED.

ONCE YOU ARE SELECTEDDED FOR AN APPOINTMENT, THEN YOU CAN CHOOSE THE SITE THAT IS CONVENIENT, OR IF IT IS THROUGH THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UNIT IT IS ONLY FOR THAT ZIP CODE. WE WILL CRAFT IT, COMMISSIONER TO WHERE IT EXPLAINS 70% IS GOING TO THE WAIT LIST AND 25% IS GOING TO THE HARRIS HEALTH AND HUFC'S AND PART IS GOING TO THE DISTRIBUTION SO FOLKS KNOW WHAT IT IS LOOKING LIKE.

AND THAT WILL BE ON READY HARRIS.

WE'LL HAVE IT DONE LATER THIS WEEK.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I GUESS WE CAN POST IT NOW, RIGHT? EACH OF US CAN POST IT AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AS WELL, YEAH.

YOU CAN. I WILL ONLY WARN THAT WHEN I HAVE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE THING WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF IS DON'T INSINUATE THEY CAN JUST SHOW UP TO THE SITES. AND SAME THING WITH THE SCHOOLS. WE ARE DOING THE NO SHOW POLICIES IT GIVES THEM TO TEACHERS.

THEY ARE CONTACTED THROUGH THE INTERNAL NETWORK.

YOU DON'T WANT TO RAISE FALSE HOPE TO SAY SUDDENLY EVERY TEACHER IS BEING PRIORITIZED BECAUSE THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

IT IS A NARROW SEGMENT OF THE ONES IN THE AREA OF THE SITE.

>> IF THEY WANT TO SEE THE PLAN WE CAN POST THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, YOU ARE WELCOME TO, COMMISSIONER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE IF WE CAN ASK YOU TO SEND YOUR MOST RECENT VERSION OF THE PLAN TO EACH OF US SO THAT WE WILL HAVE -- I MEAN WE HAVE ONE, BUT YOU ADDED LANGUAGE YOU WANTED US TO BE CAUTIOUS OF. IF YOUR OFFICE CAN GIVE US WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH US POSTING I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT RIGHT AWAY. THAT WAY WHAT I POST, I DON'T HAVE TO COME UP WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING THERE AND THE WARNINGS YOU WANT US TO DO. SEND US WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH AND LET'S POST IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE MAY WANT TO DO A GRAPHIC VERSION. IF YOU JUST -- IF YOU WANT THE IN-- INTRA CREATE DETAILS WHAT I SHARED WITH YOU DOESN'T HAVE

ANYTHING TO BE KEPT SECRET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SUGGEST WE WAIT UNTIL YOU TELL US WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH US POSTING. SOME PEOPLE MAY FOLLOW US THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY GO TO RAY DE HARRIS.

[05:05:02]

WHAT YOU -- READY HARRIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS DOESN'T HAVE THE LOS ANGELES WHERE YOU CAN -- HAVE THE LINK WHERE YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR A VACCINE. IT JUST SAYS AFTER 48 HOURS YOU DO THIS. WE WILL HAVE AN EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND ONLY THE IMPORTANT STUFF SUMMARY OF THE -- 70%, 50%, BUT FOR THE FOLKS LISTENING, WE HAVE THE RANDOMIZED SYSTEM WE WORKED THROUGH TWO WEEKS AGO.

WE WANT TO GO INTO THE COMMUNITY SO WE HAVE FIGURED OUT ABOUT 10 TO 15% OF THE VACCINES EACH SHIPMENT ARE GOING TO THE HARRIS HEALTH CLINICS AND THE FQHC'S THAT SERVE THE UNINSURED AND UNDER INSURED COMMUNITIES AND THEY ARE CALLING THEIR PATIENTS DIRECTLY.

AND THEY ARE ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

ABOUT 10 TO 15% THEY WILL BE GOING TO 10 ZIP CODES THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST INCIDENCE TO COVID.

ALL THAT SAID IT IS SMALL NUMBERS AND WE HAVE 9,000 VACCINES PER WEEK. AND THE WAIT LIST IS WORKING VERY WELL. WE ARE GETTING THE VACCINES OUT THE DOOR EFFICIENTLY. PEOPLE GET SIGNED UP FOR THE SECOND DOSE WHEN THEY GET THE THE FIRST DOSE.

WE HAVE A THOROUGH PROCESS FOR NO SHOWS OR THE VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF LEFT OVER VACCINES AND IT INVOLVES DISTRIBUTION TO TEACHERS NEARBY AND PRE-REGISTERED LAW ENFORCEMENT. THAT'S IT.

THAT'S THE GIST OF IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TOO JUDGE FOR THOSE LISTENING THAT IF YOU HAVEN'T COOPERATED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THEY REVIEWED THE PLAN AND THEY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

WE ARE IN COOPERATION WITH REGARD TO THIS PLAN AND THAT'S

A GOOD THING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT. THEY HAVE IT AND WE ARE LOBBYING FOR THE USE OF OUR WAIT LIST WITH THEIR SITE.

I THINK THAT WOULD HELP. GREAT.

WE'LL GET TO WORK ON THAT. THAT IS 256.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE BROAD COVID ITEM? IN THAT CASE -- AND YOU ALL SAW THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN.

SO IT IS OUT. THEY ARE GOING TO RUN IT.

THEY ARE GOING TO START RUNNING A BROADCAST AND PRINT AND WE'LL SEE HOW THAT GOES AND WE WILL BRING BACK A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IF IT GOES GOOD.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAD A MINOR QUESTION OF THE TIMING OF THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN. THAT IS -- MEDIA CAMPAIGNS ARE EXPENSIVE, BUT WHILE WE HAVE 250,000 PEOPLE WAITING FOR $9,000 -- 9,000 PER WEEK VACCINES WOULD IT BE ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE FOR US TO PUSH THE BULK OF OUR MEDIA CAMPAIGN MAYBE A LITTLE FURTHER BACK TO WHEN WE HAVE HAD A BETTER CHANCE OF HAVING A DEMAND BE MET BY THE SUPPLY? I AM NOT SAYING IT IS A BAD THING, BUT IF WE HAVE A ROBUST CAMPAIGN RIGHT NOW WITH 250,000 PEOPLE AND WE NOW HAVE A MILLION PEOPLE WHO WANT THE VACCINE WHEN WE ARE STILL GETTING 9,000 PER WEEKEND, MAYBE OUR DOLLARS WOULD BE BETTER SPENT AND WE ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO SIGN UP WHEN WE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH PENT UP DEMAND AND WE ARE REALLY NEEDING TO BEAT THE BUSHES.

I AM 3ING THAT OUT AS AN -- I AM THROWING THAT OUT AS AN ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION. WE CAN SPEND THE MONEY NOW WHEN WE WILL JUST CREATE A BACKLOG OF DEMAND.

OR WE CAN SPEND THE MONEY LATER WHEN WE CAN MEET THE DEMAND. I ENCOURAGE YOUR TEAM TO CONSIDER THE TIMING OF WHEN WE ROLL OUT THE BULK OF THE

CAMPAIGN. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

AND LET ME COVER THAT BRIEFLY, COMMISSIONER, BECAUSE I HAD THE SAME QUESTION. THE SENSE IS THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS VACCINE THESE -- VACCINE HESTENCY -- HESITEC. WE ARE TARGETING THE PEOPLE THAT CALL FIE. ALL OF US HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES EVEN WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

FOR ME IT WAS A NURSE AND I SAID DID YOU GET YOUR VACCINE? SHE SAID I AM NOT GETTING IT.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT QUALIFY RIGHT NOW THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED A VACCINE RIGHT NOW AND ARE NOT GETTING IT.

WE ARE GOING TO NEED THEM TOO.

THERE ARE 30 TO 40% OF PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET IT OR ARE DOUBTFUL ABOUT THE VACCINE AND IT WILL TAKE A STEADY DRUM BEAT TO GET TO THEM.

THAT IS THE ARGUMENT TO START SOONER IS THAT THERE ARE SOME

[05:10:04]

WILLING TO GO RIGHT NOW AND WE NEED TO BEGIN THAT DRUM BEAT.

THAT SAID WE CAN DO THE THE FIRST PUSH AND THEN DO ANOTHER WAVE LATER. THE OTHER THING THAT IS LATER ON THE AGENDA AND I CAN VERY BRIEFLY COVER IT IS ITEM 201, AND THAT IS THE RFT FOR A TARGETED COMMUNITY OUT REACH CAMPAIGN. THAT IS BASED OFF THE CENSUS.

IT IS GETTING A GROUP THAT IS GOING TO BE THINKING ABOUT HOW DO WE GO DEEP INTO THE GRASSROOTS AND THIS IS MOVING THROUGH PURCHASING AS FAST AS IT CAN.

WE ARE NOT EVEN GOING TO HAVE IT UNTIL MARCH.

THESE ARE ALL DIFFERENT PIECES WE ARE TRYING TO BRING TOGETHER. MY ASSESSMENT IS ON BOTH SIDES THERE IS THE YOU ARE -- URGENCY THAT YOU NEED THE CAMPAIGN SOON AND THE CONSIDERATION THAT WE ARE WAITING FOR THE SLIGHT INCREASE.

SO THE MESSAGE IS JUST, YOU KNOW, SIGN UP AND BE READY SO WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN YOU CAN GET IT.

DON'T FEEL LIKE IT IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE NERVOUS ABOUT. LET US SEE HOW THE FIRST ROUND GOES, AND THEN WE'LL BRING BACK SOME INFORMATION AND WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT WANTS TO GO THROUGH -- IT IS QUITE A MODEST AMOUNT FOR THE SIZE OF THE COUNTY WE PUT IN FOR THIS INITIAL CAMPAIGN SO WE CAN WORK OUT THE KINKS AND EVERYTHING. AND WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER WE WANT INITIAL INVESTMENT. NOW OR IN A FEW MONTHS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. LEAN SO 257.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH, QUICKLY, JUDGE, JUST AN IDEA TO COMPLEMENT WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING HERE, WE DO HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS WITHIN PRECINCT 3, EIGHT OF THEM. SOME OF THOSE ARE CLOSE TO HIGH CASE ZIP CODES. TWO THOUGHTS HERE.

WE CAN USE THE COMMUNITY CENTERS TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO GET THE VACCINE. IF THERE WERE POP UPS AND IF THERE ARE PLACES YOU WANT TO DO THE LOWER VOLUME VACCINES I KNOW WE DID ONE ON SATURDAY AND ONE SUNDAY.

WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO VACCINATE 150.

THAT WAS THREE HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH PERSONNEL AND 12 PRECINCT 3 PERSONNEL. BELIEVE ME WE SAW SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT COMFORTABLE COMING TO A BIG SIGHT.

THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE.

I GET THAT PART, BUT JUST KEEP IN MIND OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS GOING FORWARD. IF WE WANTED TO REACH DEEP INTO THE COMMUNITIES MANY OF WHICH HAVE SOME HIGH CASE LOADS WE SHOULD CONSIDER IT AT LEAST.

>> LINA HIDALGO: FOR NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT THE TOP 10 THAT ARE IN THE .99 OR .98 IN THE SCORE.

DOWN FROM THAT AND YOU GET THE .7 AND DOWN FROM THERE.

THAT'S THE TOP 10 ZIP CODES AND WE WILL RERUN IT IN ABOUT A MONTH. I WILL SAY WE WILL NEED SOME NEW SITES. SO IF THERE ARE COMMUNITY CENTERS YOU THINK COULD SUSTAIN THE LEVEL OF CAR DRIVE-THRUS THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO HAVE A BIG, BIG SITE, THAT MAY BE A WAY TO USE THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND THEN DEFINITELY TO SPREAD THE WORD.

THE VACCINE WAIT LIST IS STILL PRETTY SKEWED.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO REACH PEOPLE OF ALL KINDS IN THE PRECINCTS. YOU KNOW THOSE PEOPLE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND THE PROGRAMMING.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY COVID ITEMS ON THE COVID SECTION OF THE IS UP PLAW -- SUPPLEMENTAL. SO WE CAN MOVE TO THE REST OF THE AGENDA. YES, LUCINDA.

[05:15:02]

>> I BELIEVE THERE WAS ONE ITEM, 276 REGARDING COVID.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 276? THEY ARE INDIRECTLY RELATED TO COVID, BUT NOT PLACED TO THE COVID SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.

>> THAT WAS IT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO LET'S START WITH THE COUNTY

ENGINEER. >> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE ONE CHANGE ON ITEM 2 PAGE 1. STRIKE WHERE IT SAYS ENGINE -- ENGINEERING AND PUT IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE.

THAT'S THE ONLY CHANGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT WILL SAY PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SERVICES FOR ITEM

2 ON PAGE 1. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: FLOOD CONTROL.

THERE IS A CORRECTION TO CHANGE --

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. THERE WAS ONE ITEM ON 9 UNDER ENGINEERING. I WANT TO VOTE NO ON THAT MAINLY BECAUSE IT IS A FIRM OUT OF SAN ANTONIO.

I WOULD HOPE WE COULD FIND SOMEBODY TO DO ROOFING IN THE

HOUSTON AREA. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ITEM IS

THAT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: 9 UNDER

ENGINEERING. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT YOU

SAID PAGE 9. >> TOM RAMSEY: ITEM 9.

I'M SORRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE I WANT TO SPEAK ON ITEM 29. ON ENGINEERING.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IN 2019 WE CREATED THE HARRIS COUNTY LAND TRUST AND THIS IS THE FIRST PROPERTY IN PRECINCT 2 THAT WE FINALLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACQUIRE.

THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE IN THE AREA, THE COMMUNITY AREA AND I AM EXCITED THAT WE FINALLY GOT SOMETHING. IT IS PART OF THE 250,000 GIVEN BY PRECINCT. THE FACT THAT WE ARE FINALLY ABLE TO -- [INAUDIBLE] SO WE CAN HELP CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FAMILY THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY.

I AM A LITTLE FRUSTRATED IT HAS TAKEN US SINCE 2019 TO GET THIS FIRST PROPERTY GOING. BUT ONE PROPERTY IS A SMALL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WE NEED TO DO MORE AND WRAP THIS UP. MULTI-HOUSING FAMILIES IS AN EASY THING TO DO. WHAT MOST FAMILIES WANT TO DO IS OWN THEIR OWN HOME. THIS IS TRULY THE IDEA OF CREATING SINGLE FAMILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGHOUT THE AREA. AGAIN, JUST THE SAME, I AM EXCITED WE FINALLY GOT THIS ONE ESTABLISHED IN PRECINCT 2. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MY COMMENTS TO BOTH COMMISSION -- ECONOMICSER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S IS THE SAME. I TRUST EACH OF THESE COMMISSIONERS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT IS NEEDED IN THEIR PRECINCTS. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF 29 FOR GARCIA AND I AM SUPPORTIVE OF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FEELING THAT THE PROCESS THAT WAS DONE ON THE PROJECT IN HIS PRECINCT , HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT REDONE.

SO IF HE IS VOTING NO ON THAT I AM VOTING NO ON IT TOO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON THAT NOTE, LET'S GO BACK THEN TO ITEM 9 AND JUST TAKE A VOTE. SO WE CAN HAVE ON RECORD WHAT THE VOTE IS. THAT IS PAGE 2 AND ITEM 9.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DO HAVE A QUICK QUESTION OF JAY.

MR. AIYER, ARE YOU ON? >> YES, SIR, I AM ON.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND MAYBE ALSO A QUESTION FOR DWIGHT.

WE ARE PERFECTLY FINE SAYING WE ARE REJECTING THIS PROCESS THAT CAME UP WITH THIS OUT OF TOWN CONTRACTOR WHEN PERHAPS THERE IS SOMEBODY WE COULD PUT BACK OUT FORBID OR WHATEVER THAT PROCESS IS. ARE WE FINE WITH SAYING NO ON

THIS? >> COMMISSIONER FROM MY STANDPOINT, AND I AM READING THE ITEM.

IT IS A REDUCTION IN THE ACTUAL WORK.

IT IS A CHANGE TO REDUCE THE WORK.

IF YOU WANT TO STOP THE WORK I WANT TO LET JOHN SPEAK TO WHERE THAT PROJECT IS. THIS WAS BID BACK IN EARLY 2000. I'M SORRY.

IT IS EARLY 2020. I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHETHER THE JOB HAS BEEN COMPLETED, BUT THIS IS A REDUCTION IN THE

ACTUAL SCOPE IN COST. >> TOM RAMSEY: I MISUNDERSTOOD THEN. THAT'S GOOD CLARIFICATION.

COMPLETE THE PROJECT. I THOUGHT THIS WAS ADDED WORK.

[05:20:02]

IT IS A DEDUCTION. OKAY.

UNDERSTOOD. >> JUDGE, BUT TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE AWARE THAT DWIGHT AND OUR OFFICE HAD BEEN WORKING ON TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS RAISED RELATED TO THIS TOPIC AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW WE ARE CONTINUING IN THAT DIRECTION AND WE HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHING BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING YOU

CAN REPORT ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST SO WE KNOW, DO WE KNOW UNDER CURRENT LAW IS IT LEGAL FOR US TO REJECT SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FROM HOUSTON? OR HARRIS COUNTY?

>> I MEAN, WHY, -- I MEAN, YEAH, THIS WAS BID OUT THAT WAY. YOU CAN'T MAKE THAT BE THE SOLE CRITERIA. I CAN SEE JOHN NODDING NO AS WELL. YOU CANNOT MAKE THAT THE

CRITERIA FOR REJECTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN'T MAKE THAT THE ONLY CRITERIA.

BUT I WILL ALSO -- I HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND KNOW THAT WHEN YOU PICK SOMEONE BASED ON A LOW BID, THERE IS ALSO A QUALITY OF SERVICE.

THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS YOU CAN CONSIDER WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT A BID. ONE OF THOSE FACTORS MAY BE, WELL, IF I NEED TO MAINTAIN OR DO SERVICE ON A ROOF, THEY ARE GONNA HAVE TO COME OUT OF SAN ANTONIO AS OPPOSED TO COMING OUT OF HOUSTON. THERE MIGHT BE A WAY -- AND AGAIN, TO WOULD JUST -- IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE ON WHY SOME CONTRACTS WE SHOULD CONSIDER WOULD BE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOCAL AND CAN SERVICE THEIR WORK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK WE HAVE TO WORK HARD IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO GET THE LAW CHANGED AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHAT DO WE MEAN? DOES IT MEAN YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN OFFICE HERE 1234* DO YOU HAVE TO RESIDE HERE? YOU GOT ME? I THINK IT WOULD BE AN UPHILL BATTLE TO GET THAT DONE.

I AM TOLD UNDER THE BUY EL PASO OR THE BUY HOUSTON THING IT DIDN'T DO AS MUCH AS IT WAS PROMOTED THE WAY PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WOULD DO. AM I ON THE RIGHT TRACK? WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN DO IT LEGALLY AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE DEFINE IT.

IT IS LATE IN THE DAY AND I DON'T WANT TO TIE US UP NOW.

WE ARE IN -- ARE WE IN AGREEMENT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? I WANT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO IT TO GET IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND JUDGE IF WE ARE DONE WITH THOSE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT TO MOVE THAT?

SINCE IT IS A DEDUCTION? >> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH, THAT'S FINE. JUST LEAVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON IT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I WANT TO COMMEND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ITEM ON ITEM 66.

BEING AN OLD JUDGE AND A DISTRICT ATTORNEY IF YOU WANT TO SIGN A WARRANTY DEED YOU HAVE TO SIGN A WARRANTY DEED ON SOMETHING YOU OWN. THIS PARK INVOLVED IN THIS, IT IS LIKE PANAMA CANAL. WE ARE RENTING THE LAND FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR -- I FORGET THE AMOUNT.

$1 FOR 30 YEARS. AND THEN WE BUILT THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK IN THIS LOCATION.

TO GET THE STORM WATER AND THE SEWER LINES THE WATER AND WATER DISTRIBUTION LINES WE HAD TO SIGN A WARRANTY DEED.

IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE WHY YOU WANT THE CITY TO SIGN A WARRANTY DEED TO YOU ON PROPERTY YOU OWN AND WE ARE ONLY RENTING. OUR GREAT ATTORNEYS FOUND OUT THAT APPARENTLY WE ACTUALLY OWN THE SEWER LINES THEMSELVES. WE MAY NOT OWN THE PHEOBE -- THE FEE BELOW. IT THE FANCY, THAT'S THE FANCY LINES.

SO FOR ALL OF THE THOUSANDS OF LAWYERS WAITED FOR BATED BREATH AT THIS POINT IN THE DAY AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT, WE ARE NOT GRANTING A WARRANTY DEED ON WHAT WE DON'T OWN.

WE ARE GRANTING A WARRANTY DEED ON WHAT WE OWN WHICH IS THE ACTUAL LINES WHICH ARE NOT CONSIDERED PERSONAL, BUT CONSIDERED REALITY. I THREW THAT QUESTION OUT AND MR. HARRIS LOOKED AT IT. WE HAD THE RESEARCH DONE.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT MEANT ANYTHING TO YOU, JUDGE, BUT IT MEANT A LOT TO ME TO MAKE SURE WE WEREN'T SIGNING WARRANTY DEEDS TO PROPERTY WE DID NOT OWN.

[05:25:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

WE MADE NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER CONVERSATION ON THIS ONE.

>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE SET -- SENT US DOWN A TEXAS REAL ESTATE RABBIT HOLE THERE.

IT TOOK OUR OFFICE AND JOHN BLOUNT'S OFFICE AND SPENT SOME TIME. IT WAS A GREAT EXERCISE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. IT WAS A GREAT QUESTION AND I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE YOU AN ANSWER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST TRYING TO KEEP US LEGAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S GREAT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ANYTHING ELSE ON COUNTY ENGINEER? UNDER FLOOD CONTROL --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO HAVE ONE MORE, JUDGE.

ITEM 59, IT IS A PROJECT TO RECOMMEND AUTHORIZATION TO DECLARE AS SURPLUS PROPERTY THE SALE OF PROPERTY AND EXECUTION OF CONVEYANCE DOCUMENTS FOR A RIGHT OF WAY EASE MEANT. WHAT ULTIMATELY THIS MEANS IS WE WILL BE MAKING THIS PARTICULAR SECTION OF THE EASE MEANT ADA COMPLIANT. IT IS A LITTLE THING, BUT IT IS A BIG THING TO ME. I AM GLAD I THOUGHT OF REQUESTING -- OF ASKING HOW ADA COMPLIANT IT WAS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF US MOVING THAT FORWARD AND THINKING ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORS WHO STRUGGLE WITH THINGS THAT WE MAY TAKE FOR GRANTED. AND RECOGNIZING THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FRIENDLY TO USE SO THEY CAN EXERCISE AND GET AROUND AND BE AS MOBILE AS POSSIBLE. NOT TO MENTION MOMS AND DADS WHO ARE MOVING AROUND THEIR KIDDOS ON THEIR BABY CARTS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT, YOU KNOW, FRIENDLY FOR THEM AS WELL. THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME AND I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT FOR US.

>> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IS THAT A PROJECT ARE YOU DOING WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEP. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO THEY ARE DOING CONSTRUCTION AND WE ARE HELPING ON THE RIGHT OF WAY?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.

JOHN, IF YOU CAN REMIND ME. >> YES, COMMISSIONER.

WE ARE GIVING HIM THE RIGHT OF WAY TO MAKE SURE HE CAN MAKE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE ADA RAMPS.

IN CONJUNCTION THEY ARE IMPROVING LOCKWOOD WHICH GIVES ACCESS TO COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S GOOD. WE ARE LOOKING AT THINGS WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THIS IS HELPFUL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. NOW FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THERE IS A CORRECTION ON 84. IT SHOULD BE GARNER'S BAYOU

AND NOT GAMERS BAYOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND AS YOU LOOK THROUGH THERE, THERE IS ANOTHER MODEL AND THAT'S A GOOD JOINT PROJECT TOO. LINE

>> LINA HIDALGO: TOLL ROADS. YOU BUDGET MANAGEMENT -- BUDGET MANAGEMENT. UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE ON BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND ITEM 104, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM WITH WITH HILLTOP.

WE WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE SITUATION OF ADVICE AND COUNCIL AND TRYING TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM THE TOLL ROAD INTO GENERAL FUND BY CREATING ANOTHER ZONE, SORT OF THAT WHOLE PROCESS, AND IT TURNED OUT THAT THAT COUNCIL WAS NOT -- THAT COUNSEL WAS NOT GOOD COUNSEL.

I FEEL A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE THEY SAID -- THEY GAVE THAT RECOMMENDATION THAT TURNED OUT TO NOT BE GOOD ADVICE. SO I HAVE A PROBLEM VOTING FOR THEM IN THIS OTHER AREA HERE. I KNOW WE MAY HAVE A MAJORITY THAT SAYS LET'S GO AHEAD AND KEEP THEM.

I KNOW I HAVE STAFF MEMBERS THAT SAY THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AND ADVISING FLOOD ON -- CONTROL DISTRICT, BUT I HAVE A FAILURE OF CONFIDENCE. WE MAY NEED TO TAKE A VOTE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU WANT TO MOVE ON IT?

[05:30:03]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL A MOVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> TOM RAMSEY: THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS DURING THIS DISCUSSION WE GOT GOOD MWBE ALTERNATIVES TO HILLTOP I KNOW THAT MAY BE DOWN THE ROAD AND THIS VOTE CONFIRMS SOMETHING JUST THROUGH APRIL, BUT THAT WOULD BE MY REASONING IN TERMS OF WHY I AM OPPOSED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE IS AN MWBE COMPONENT TO THIS, I

BELIEVE. >> THAT'S RIGHT AND PEOPLE HAVE CO-ADVISERS AND THIS IS A STOP GAP AND I WOULD BE VERY OPEN TO HIRING [INAUDIBLE]. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR

QUESTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

LEG

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. AND IT SEEMS THIS IS JUST UNTIL APRIL 30TH. IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN GO OVER.

COMMISSIONER YOU MOVED IT AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES.

ANYTHING ELSE UNDER BUDGET MANAGEMENT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL JUST TELL YOU, JUDGE THAT BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, BOY I TELL YOU WHAT.

JUST KIDDING. I JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO SAY HOW NICE IT IS TO WORK WITH THIS TEAM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PUBLIC HEALTH.

I'M SORRY. UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN GARCIA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON I 112 AM VOTING NO ON THAT IF SOMEONE

WANTS TO MOVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

112 ON UNIVERSAL SERVICES. MOTION BY COMMISSION GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES, AND THIS IS RELATED TO THE BAIL REFORM.

BAIL REFORM IMPLEMENTATION. PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I JUST WANTED TO COMEPPED -- COMMEND GENERAL NORIEGA AND HIS STAFF. I GOT HIS HUNDRED-DAY REPORT AND IT WAS VERY COMPLETE AND FILLED WITH A LOT OF INCREDIBLE FORWARD PROGRESS. HE WANTED TO MOVE SOMETHING FORWARD THAT AT LEAST -- I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT WHEN WE VOTED AND WE MADE A LOT OF HAY ABOUT GETTING IT THROUGH THE SYSTEM. IT WAS LIKE, OH YEAH, WE CAN DO THAT. WE CAN DO IT QUICKLY.

HERE WE ARE AND IT IS ALMOST TWO AND A HALF -- GOING ON TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATE -- LATER.

I LIKE THE WAY THE GENERAL APPROACHES THESE ISSUES AS HE REVIEWS THEM. HE SAYS I DON'T WANT TO RUSH TO FAILURE. HE HAS RESURRECTED THAT PROJECT. WE MAY THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO THEIR COUNTY COMMISSIONER IS, AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL 3-1-1 AND THEY CAN GET THEIR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO WORK FOR THEM REGARDLESS OF WHO REPRESENTS THEM.

JUST WANT TO COMEPPED -- COMMEND JOHN NORIEGA AND HIS

TEAM FOR THEIR GOOD WORK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR RAISING THAT. I HAVE NOTKE LOOD AT IT BECAUSE I HAVE HAD FAMILY ISSUES, BUT I PLAN TO LOOK AT IT THIS WEEKEND. I WANT THE GENERAL TO KNOW I WILL CALM -- I WILL CALL HIM AFTER I LOOK AT IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I ECHO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S COMMENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND NOW PUBLIC HEALTH. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON PUBLIC HEALH

. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PUBLIC HEALTH 113 IS ACCOMPANIED BY 151.

SHOULD WE TAKE THOSE ITEMS TOGETHER?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL MOVE

WE ADOPT ITEM 113 AND 151. >> LINA HIDALGO: 113 AND THEN 151 IS THE GRANT. THERE IS A MOTION ON THOSE TWO ITEMS. DO FOLKS NEED TO VOTE ON IT?

[05:35:01]

WE CAN VOTE ON IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND, BUT ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT, COMMISSIONERS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE A VOTE.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THOSE TWO

ITEMS PASS, 151 AND 113. >> JUDGE THOSE PASSED

UNANIMOUS? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, UNANIMOUS. I AM IN FAVOR AS WELL.

COMMUNITY SERVICES. CONSTABLES.

SHERIFF. FIRE MARSHAL.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, OUR FIRE MARSHAL LIKES TO PLAY IN WATER. I HAVE A PHOTO OF HER IN ONE OF MY GREAT PRECINCT 4 PARKS FOLKSES PLAYING IN THE WATER AND CATCHING FISH. THAT WILL BE SOMETHING I HAVE TO SHOW YOU ANOTHER TIME. SOMETHING ABOUT THE FIRE MARSHAL LIKES TO PLAY IN THE WATER.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS ABOUT, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THEY ARE DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: A FIRE MARSHAL GENERALLY HAS TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF WORE AT THE WORST TIME.

I AM GLAD SHE IS ONE WITH THE WATER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COUNTY CLERK.

DISTRICT CLERK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE WE NEED TO TAKE ON VOTE ON THAT ONE.

129. >> LINA HIDALGO: 129.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ARE TRANSFER BAIL REFORM --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THOSE ARE O'DONNELL EXPENSES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SAME THING AT 133 WHEN YOU GET THERE, BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE A COUPLE BETWEEN THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING ELSE ON COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST THAT I AM GLAD TO SEE ITEM 132 BACK ON THE AGENDA. A LITTLE DISMAYED THAT WE HAD TO GET IT BACK ON THERE. LET ME TAKE A VOTE ON THIS, JUDGE. I DON'T WANT US TO GET BY US AGAIN. I MOVE WE ADOPT ITEM 132.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR AS WELL.

THE MOTION FOR ITEM 132 CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I MOVE

133, THE O'DONNELL EXPENSES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SPECCED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 133. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

THAT MOTION CARRIES 3-2. COUNTY COURTS.

PROBATE COURTS. I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 135 SO WE WILL DO IT AT THE END.

TRAVEL AND TRAINING ITEM 136, THE SHERIFF REQUESTS NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON REQUEST NUMBER 3 UNDER 136.

IT IS LABELED THE NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL.

THEY REQUEST NO ACTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, COULD I JUST ASK JUST BECAUSE THE TRAVEL AND TRAINING DOES PROVIDE A LOT OF INFORMATION, AND LIKE NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE BACK UP, OR AT LEAST I DO -- I DON'T, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST IF YOU COULD VISIT WITH YOUR STAFF TO HAVE THE TRAVEL AND TRAINING INCLUDED AS IT USED TO BE WITH THE GRAPH AND YOU SHOW THE DATES AND THE AGENCIES AND TRAVEL AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT SOMETHING, DAVE AND TEAM THAT YOU CAN GET DONE FOR THE NEXT COURT?

>> NO PROBLEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

DAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE OKAY WITH IT FOR NOW, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD SECOND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S COMMENTS.

WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THOSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I CONFESS WHEN I SAW IT I THOUGHT THE STAFF JUST HADN'T PUT IT INTO MY DOC YET.

I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WASN'T THERE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I IT KIND OF FLOWS INTO OUR WHEN YOU ARE THE AUDITOR, JUDGE I NEED TO RAISE AN ISSUE THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON GRANTS THERE IS A CORN.CTIO CHANGE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO

[05:40:01]

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

IT IS AN AGREEMENT -- AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT

WITH THE CDC. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHICH ITEM

IS THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: 149 ON PAGE 18. AND ITEM 150 ON PAGE 19 ALSO HAS A CORRECTION. WE NEED TO CHANGE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. AUDITOR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUICKLY, JUDGE, IF I CAN ASK A GENERAL QUESTION OF MR. BERRY. MR. BERRY, WE GO AFTER GRANTS PRETTY AGGRESSIVELY AS A WHOLE ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS.

HAS YOUR OFFICE BEEN ABLE TO DIGEST THIS AND TO THINK ABOUT , YOU KNOW, THERE IS A COST TO THE GRANTS AND SOMETIMES WITH MATCHING FUNDS OR OTHER THINGS THEY ASK OF.

AND GRANTS ARE CONSIDERED START UP DOLLARS.

THE IDEA IS THAT WE WILL COMMIT TO SUSTAINING THE GRANT AFTER THE GRANT EXPIRES. A LOT OF GRANTS ARE ON AN ESCALATING OR DE ESCALATING CYCLE.

WE LOSE MONEY UP FRONT OR WE CAN GET A LITTLE BIT AND THEN OBLIGATED TO PAY MORE TOWARD THE END.

WITH THE ECONOMY IN FRONT OF US I WONDERED IF YOU ARE FORMULATING THE POLICY AND THEN WHO OVERSEES ALL OF THE

GRANTS THAT WERE GIVEN? >> EXCELLENT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. I THINK THIS IS ONE AREA WHERE I WON'T SAY WE CAN SEE IT PERFECTLY IN THIS AGENDA, BUT WE ARE CONSIDERING A FISCAL NOTICE.

AND WE DO THAT ANALYSIS, BUT WE CAN MAKE IT PART OF THE

DECISION MORE EXPLICITLY. >> TO YOUR SECOND QUESTION, WE HAVE A SMALL GRANTS GROUP THAT COORDINATES AROUND THE COUNTY. I HEARD YOU MENTION A COUPLE OF TIMES YOU WOULD LIKE MORE SOCIALIZATION THERE.

WHAT I THINK WE NEED IS DIRECTION FROM COURT TO DO THAT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE I WOULD BE HAPPY TO VISIT WITH YOU ON WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

DO I THINK THERE ARE ADVANTAGES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. I WILL ASK MY STAFF WHO IS LISTENING IN. WE WILL GET WITH YOU AND PUT

IT ON THE AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, UNDER AUDITOR I WANT TO START BY GIVING A WORD OF PRAISE, AND THERE ARE ITEM THAT'S DON'T COME AS APPARENT. I LOVE THE NEW FORMAT.

AS WE ARE TWEAKING IT, IT IS A LITTLE HARD TO SEE WHAT GOES ON. DISWEN 18 -- BETWEEN 181 AND 185, SOMEWHERE IN THERE BURIED, BUT DOESN'T COME OUT CLEARLY IS A PAYMENT OF 402,500 TO PFM.

I AM GONNA VOTE NO ON PAYING PFM $402,500.

I ASKED MR. POST AND MR. DOBSLO SAYING HOW MUCH HAVE WE BEEN PAYING THIS FIRM? INSTEAD OF SAYING NO THEY SAID WE'LL GET BACK WITH YOU. WE GOT NUMBERS REALLY QUICK TODAY AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM.

IF YOU ASK A STRAIGHT UP QUESTION, YOU GET A STRAIGHT UP ANSWER. I APPRECIATE THAT.

THEY DON'T ALWAYS GIVE ME THE ANSWER I WANT, BUT THEY GIVE ME AN ANSWER QUICK. BUT I APPRECIATE THAT.

WE ARE UNDER CONTRACT WITH PFM FOR 3 MILLION 412, 500.

OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDY IS 2 MILLION 877, 100.

AND 220,000 IN RECURRING SERVICES.

OUR TOTAL PURCHASE ORDER OUT RIGHT NOW IS $6.5 MILLION.

JUDGE, I UNDERSTAND THAT IN THEIR REPORT THEY TALK ABOUT MISPLACED EXSEMSALLISM -- EXCEPTIONALISM.

YOU ARE MY EXHIBIT-A FOR WHY WE ARE AN EPGZ -- EXCEPTIONAL PLACE. THEY ARE FROM NEW ORLEANS AND NEW YORK CITY AND THEY TALK ABOUT THE ENGZ -- THE EXCEPTIONAL PLACES WE NEED TO BE COMPARED TO, CALIFORNIA,

[05:45:03]

CHICAGO, MIAMI-DADE, LOUISIANA AND NEW YORK.

JUDGE, YOU WENT TO SCHOOL IN NEW YORK, BUT YOU GOT BACK TO TEXAS AS QUICK AS YOU COULD. YOU ARE EXHIBIT A.

WE ARE THE EXCEPTIONAL PLACE. I UNDERSTAND THEM WANTING TO ROOT FOR THEIR HOMETOWNS, BUT I DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEM. I AM VOTING NO ON THE 400,500

THAT IS IN THE PROCESS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH ITEM IS

THAT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS BURIED SOMEWHERE, AND WE'LL HAVE TO GET MIKE POST TO HELP US.

BUT IT IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 181 AND 185.

IN THE NEW FORMATTING PROCESS IT DOESN'T SHOW UP CLEARLY AS

TO WHERE IT IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE ADOPTION OF 181 TO 185. I'M SORRY, MIKE.

>> THE NEW FORMATTING PROCESS THREW FOR FOR A LITTLE BIT OF A LOOP THE WAY WE DO OUR AGENDA ITEM.

WE WILL CLARIFY IT BY NEXT COURT.

YES, ONE ITEM GOT SPREAD OVER ABOUT FIVE.

THAT WAS AN UNANTICIPATED CONSEQUENCE, BUT WE WILL --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM NOT AGAINST THE FIVE ITEMS. I AM JUST AGAINST THE ONE SUB ITEM.

>> ONE PAYMENT, YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE THOSE ITEMS. THAT'S 181, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, TO 185? 181 TO 185.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T WANT TO VOTE AGAINST THE ITEM.

I JUST WANT TO VOTE AGAINST THE PAYMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I MAKE THE RIGHT

MOKES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN MAKE THE MOTION ON THE ITEM AND THEN WHEN YOU VOTE YOU CAN SAY

WHAT YOU WANT TO VOTE NO ON. >> --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T WANT TO VOTE NO ON THE ITEM THOUGH

THERE IS JUST A PURPOSE ORDER. >> LINA HIDALGO: IN THE PAST YOU HAVE SAID I AM GOOD WITH IT EXCEPT FOR, SUCH AND SUCH

AND SUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU SUGGEST A DIFFERENT MOTION I WILL MAKE.

IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LET ME FLIP IT. I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DENY THE PAYMENT TO PFM, THAT WE DON'T PAY PFM, THE $402,500. AND IF THAT GOES DOWN IN FLAMES, THEN THE WHOLE THING WILL PASS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I SECOND THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE TO THE FROM

HARRIS COUNTY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WE CAN VOTE NO ON THAT ONE AND THEN YOU CAN VOTE SO WE CAN WEEP DOING -- KEEP GOING. I THINK HE IS SUGGESTING WE VOTE NO ON HIS MOTION, AND THEN I WILL COME BACK AND MAKE

A MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU MAKE A MOTION THEN MINE WENT DOWN IN FLAMES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ALL ARE OUT SMARTING ME.

WHY NOT JUST DO THE NORMAL WAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I HAVE A MOTION THAT WE NOT PAY THAT ONE IN-- INVOICE. SIMPLE.

AND THERE IS THE SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION THAT WE NOT PAY THE IN -- INVOICE AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDS IT. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM AGAINST IT AS WELL SO THE MOTION FAILS

3-2. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE YOU

GO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WE DON'T

HAVE TO GO AND VOTE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO HE WILL VOTE FOR IT THEN.

>> I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR. AT THE END OF THE NIGHT THE VIE TESTIMONY -- THE ITEM -- THERE WILL BE NO ADDITIONS OF

NO VOTING, CORRECT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE I HAVE A QUESTION ON 189 AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. POST IF HE WILL SHARE THE THINKING ON THIS. IT SEEMS COMMON SENSE THAT THE DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE GETTING THEIR PROCESSES IN LINE AND BE HANDLING THESE THINGS AS A PRIORITY.

THE REASON I AM WATCHING THIS IS I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR PROMPT PAYMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY AND I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF THIS IS A DEPARTMENT FAILURE OR A PEOPLE SOFT ISSUE OR WHAT IS IT? THE WAY YOU HAVE LAID IT OUT HERE, MIKE, IT IS A LITTLE CONCERNING.

>> THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR ON PEOPLE SOFT AND IT IS COMING TO AN END. PEOPLE SOFT IS SET UP THAT IF YOU HAVE A PURCHASE ORDER IT WILL TRANSMIT THAT PURCHASE ORDER TO THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

[05:50:01]

YOU CONTINUE THE PO. IF YOU HAVE AN INVOICE THAT IS IN THE SYSTEM, BUT HAS NOT BEEN PROCESSED BECAUSE MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T DONE YOUR RECEIVING, OR MAYBE YOU NEED TO ADD MONEY TO THE PO. IF THOSE ARE NOT PAID ON THE FED COURT. IF THE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T DO THE RECEIVING IT WILL TAKE THE ASSOCIATED PO AND NOT MOVE IT OVER TO THE NEXT YEAR. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS UNTIL RECENTLY THAT IT IS ONE OF THE WAYS PEOPLE SOFT IS SET UP TO WORK. AND IN THOSE CASES THE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TO GO IN AND RE-ENTER THE PO.

IT IS A LOT OF WORK. PURCHASING WILL HAVE TO GO IN AND GET THAT PO SET UP. THE VENDOR IS GETTING A NEW PO NUMBER FOR AN EXISTING PO WHICH IS GONNA CAUSE CONFUSION AND THERE IS ALWAYS SOME IN THE PIPELINE, BUT WE'RE JUST TRYING TO PUSH THE DEPARTMENT A LITTLE.

GET THE PIPELINE AS CLEAN IS -- AS CLEAN AS YOU CAN AT

THE END OF THE YEAR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THIS SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES A COMMISSIONER'S VOTE? OR SHOULD YOU DISTRIBUTE -- OR HAVE YOU SENT A MEMO OUT TO

ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS? >> WE HAVE DONE SEVERAL THINGS. DWIGHT HAS SEPTEMBER A CORRESPONDENCE -- SENT A CORRESPONDENCE OUT TO EVERY DEPARTMENT. I HAVE SENT A CORRESPONDENCE OUT TO EVERY DEPARTMENT. THIS WAS NOT PUT ON THE AGENDA ASKING FOR COURT TO APPROVE IT OTHER THAN WE ARE JUST SAYING WE ARE ASKING FOR COURT SUPPORT TO EMPHASIZE TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS A DESIRABLE THING TO REALLY WORK HARD THESE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS AND GET AS MANY OF THESE THINGS APPROVED TO SAVE US ALL WORK NEXT YEAR THAT WE

HOPEFULLY WON'T HAVE TO DO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO ASSUMING THAT YOU ARE RECOGNIZING THIS AS A PARTICULAR CHALLENGE IS THERE SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE DOING IN THE NEW PHYSICIAN RAIL YEAR TO -- NEW FISCAL YEAR WE SHOULD DO TO RESOLVE

THIS? >> I THINK AND I WILL TALK A LITTLE ABOUT UNIVERSAL SERVICES BECAUSE I AM VERY PLEASED WITH SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THEY ARE TAKING.

ONE OF THEM IS SOMETHING CALLED OPEN TEXT.

IT WAS ACTUALLY FIRST TESTED IN YOUR PRECINCT.

AND THAT HAS, I THINK, MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN BEING ABLE TO GET PAYMENT TO PROCESS QUICKER WHICH WE ALL WANT.

I KNOW ONCE WE GET PAST THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR UNIVERSAL SERVICES WILL MAKE THIS AVAILABLE.

WE ARE GOING TO ROLL IT OUT TO ALL DEPARTMENTS BEFORE TOO LONG. THAT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE SO WE CAN GET THESE PAYMENTS MADE MUCH MORE PROMPTLY. WE ARE ALL GETTING MORE FAMILIAR. I DON'T THINK WE WILL HAVE AS MANY IN THE PIPELINE THROUGH ALL OF OUR EFFORTS AT THE DEPARTMENT. DWIGHT'S EFFORTS AND THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S EFFORTS. THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST YEAR AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS WAS GONNA BE AN ISSUE OR I WOULD HAVE STARTED HARPING ABOUT IT EARLIER.

I AM LEARNING AS WELL SOME OF THE WAY PEOPLE SOFT WORKS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY GOOD. THANK YOU.

AND I TOO RECOGNIZE THE WORK THE GENERAL AND HIS TEAM HAVE DONE TO GET PEOPLE SOFT IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO I GUESS THE POINT HERE IS ALL DEPARTMENTS, CLOSE OUT THE INVOICES AND GET YOUR DOCUMENTATION IN. OR FOREVER BE QUIET.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

NOW WE ARE BACK AT THE TAX ASSESSOR AND WE WERE HAVING THESE DISCUSSION EARLIER. JAY ARE YOU AT A CLEARER POINT? WE ARE, --

>> WE ARE, YOUR HONOR. DAVE AND ELIZABETH FROM THE

[05:55:03]

TAX OFFICE, AND WE HAVE COME TO A UNDERSTANDING THAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE. WHAT OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO REALLY HAVE NO ACTION ON THE ITEM AT THIS TIME WHICH WILL ALLOW IT TO DEFAULT FROM A APRIL COLLECTION TO JULY 1ST WHICH WILL KEEP IT IN -- IT WILL BE PERFECTLY FINE IN NEGOTIATING AND BEING ABLE TO GO BACK TO THE VENDOR AND NEGOTIATE NOW. THE TAX OFFICE INDICATED THAT IT ALLOWS US -- IT GIVES US A LITTLE MORE TIME AND IT IS MORE BENEFICIAL TO THE TAXPAYER IN TERMS OF ABLE TO GET THEM IF THEY CAN'T GET THE PAYMENT GET ON THE PROGRAM THAT THE TAX PROGRAM. IT IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION.

BOTH FOR TAXPAYERS AND ALLOWING US TO TALK TO THE VENDOR AND WE ARE WILLING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT

THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I AM JUST HOPING THAT SINCE IT IS A LEGAL CONTRACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ANYWAY AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AS WELL.

I JUST KNOW THAT WAS USEFUL WITH I THINK GIVEN SOME ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE DEVELOPED ON THE FIRST GO AROUND FROM MY EXPERIENCE.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE IT BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION THOUGH UNLESS MY COLLEAGUES DON'T THINK SO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

MR. AIYER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON THIS.

WHILE WE CONTEMPLATE AND GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO FURTHER DISCUSS THIS, I DO WANT TO CALL ON THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR TO DO EVERYTHING THE OFFICE CAN DO TO ENGAGE IN THE AWARENESS THAT THERE IS EVERY POSSIBLE OPTION AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO BE USED AND ENGAGED THIS -- THIS IS CRITICAL TO THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY. THIS IS ONE AREA WE CAN HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE GET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

I ASK THAT THEY DO EVERYTHING AVAILABLE TO THEM AND LIGHT UP THEIR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON THE TALK SHOWS AND THE RADIO AND TV AND INTERNET AND LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST AND THAT'S WHY THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATION ON THIS. I RESPECT -- RESPECTFULLY ASK WE NEED TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SIGNIFICANTLY AND FEROCIOUSLY TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YOU ARE ON MUTE. >> TOM RAMSEY: SORRY.

JAY SO YOUR RECOMMEND -- RECOMMENDATION IS TO LEAVE 20%

ON THE AGENDA? >> NO.

WE ARE RECOMMENDING NO ACTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO TABLE IT?

>> YES. TABLE IT AS IS.

I ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT -- ELIZABETH FROM THE CLERK -- THE CLERK FROM THE TAX OFFICE IS ON AS WELL AND I KNOW SHE MIGHT WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS.

THAT'S OUR RECOMMENDATION. WE CAN THEN GO BACK WITH THE VENDER. WE WILL HAVE TO VOTE ON A

NUMBER. >> IF THAT'S WHAT THE COURT

WANTS. >> TOM RAMSEY: THERE IS MORE PEOPLE READING OUR AGENDA ITEM. IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO 20%.

[06:00:05]

THE POINT IS YOU WILL SIT DOWN WITH THE VENDOR AND HAVE THE

CONVERSATION. >> WE CAN GO TO EXECUTIVE

SESSION ABOUT. IT RIGHT? >> YES, WE CAN.

I ALSO HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. WE WILL GO THERE AND THEN WE CAN TAKE AN ELECTION AT THE TIME.

FOR NOW WE CAN DO NO ACTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN JAY AND MISSY BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION?

IS THAT APPROPRIATE? >> SHE CAN BE.

YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF NOT I WAS GOING TO LET HER TALK NOW. IF SHE CAN DO IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WE WILL DO THAT TOO. OKAY.

>> YOU WERE MUTED, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA. I SAID THANK YOU FOR RUNNING THAT DOWN. THAT WAS THE TAX ASSESSOR.

NOW WE MOVE ON TO PURCHASING. COUNTY JUDGE.

I BELIEVE I HAVE COVERED MY ITEMS ALREADY.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU WERE KIND ENOUGH TO TAKE MINE OUT OF ORDER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I WILL MOVE ON ITEM 241. I WILL SIMPLY SAY THAT THE -- WE ARE WORKING OUT -- WE ARE ROLLING OUT AND MOVING ON OUR COMMUNITY PLAN AND THIS PARTICULAR ITEM FITS INTO THE VISION OF BRINGING MORE SERVICES OUT.

WE WERE ABLE TO GET A HEALTH CLINIC ESTABLISHED OUT THERE IN THE LAST YEAR OR MAYBE AT THE END OF 2019.

I AM EXCITED THAT WE WILL BE BRINGING MORE SERVICES OUT.

THIS WILL SUPPORT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT IT WILL BE A MAJOR PART OF BRINGING MORE SERVICES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE THIS IS GOING TO BE

APPROVED AS PRESENTED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: MINE IS JUST A COUPLE OF UPDATES. QUICKLY I WANT THE COURT TO KNOW I DID MEET WITH ONE OF THE GENERALS WITH THE U.S.

CORP OF ENGINEERS LAST WEEK. HE WAS IN TOWN.

I HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH HIM AND CLEARLY COMMUNICATED OUR COMMENTS RELATED TO CHANNELIZATION OF THE BUFFALO BAYOU WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. THE THIRD RESERVOIR IS NOT LIKELY. THE COMMUNICATION WAS WAS A BUCKET OF DIRT. HE UNDERSTOOD THAT.

HE WAS EVEN OPEN TO DOING A PILOT PROJECT AT WILLOW CREEK -- I'M SORRY WILLOW FARMS WHERE IT COMES INTO BARKER.

MASON CREEK WHERE IT COMES IN IS ANOTHER AREA THAT IS CREATING ISSUES. WE'VE GOT MATY CREEK AND LIONEL CREEK. ALL OF THOSE COME INTO ADDIX AND BARKER. THE HOMES ARE FLOODING BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THOSE CLEANED OUT.

HE IS AWARE THAT WE WILL STAY FOCUSED ON IT.

I APPRECIATE RUSS POPPY'S SAW -- SUPPORT OF THIS AND GOING THROUGH THOSE DETAILS WITH THE GENERAL WAS SUPPORTIVE -- SUPPORTED. THEY ARE GONNA HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE MAYBE WHAT THEIR MISSION IS.

I APPRECIATE HIM TAKING THE TIME TO SIT DOWN WITH ME AND GO OVER THERE -- GO OVER THAT.

BUFFALO BAYOU COVERS A HUGE WATER SHED AND A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS INCLUDING MANY UNDER SERVED NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE ARE MAKING I THINK A LITTLE PROGRESS RELATED TO THAT.

THAT'S MY CORP UPDATE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I AM GOING TO INTERRUPT COMMISSIONER VAM -- RAMSEY.

HE CALLED IT BUFFALO BAYOU BECAUSE HE IS FROM EAST TEXAS. ONCE IT COMES OUT OF PRECINCT 3 AND TO PRECINCT 4 IT IS BUFFULO BAY-O.

THAT IS THE OLD HOUSTONIAN WAY OF SAYING IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT HITS PRECINCT 2 IF IT GOES BACK TO

[06:05:02]

THE LOUISIANA-STYLE OF CALLING IT BAYOU OR IF HE KEEPS WITH THE OLD HOUSTON STYLE OF BAY-O.

WHEN IT IS IN PRECINCT 4 IT IS BUFFALO BAY-O.

>> THAT IS THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN TEXAS A&M AND RICE, I GUESS. MAYBE SOME OTHERS, BUT, YES.

I WILL TAKE THAT EXCEPTION. THE GENERAL EM -- SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WHEN IT IS PRECINCT 1

IT IS A RIVER. >> TOM RAMSEY: BY THE TIME IT GETS TO 1 AND 2, IT IS A RIVER.

IN FACT IT COULD BE CALLED A SHIP CHANNEL BY THE TIME IT GETS TO ADRIAN. ANOTHER THING IS AN UPDATE THAT I AM DOING THIS TO GIVE YOU INFORMATION AND I DID A SPECIFIC DATA ON THE CRIME IN PRECINCT 3.

I MET WITH MAYOR TURNER A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND TALKED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. WE HAD -- HE ADD PRESS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY ON THIS ISSUE AND IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE ARE WORKING THROUGH SOME STRATEGIES TO TRY TO DEAL WITH IT. WHEN YOU HAVE HOMICIDES UP 40% AND YOU HAVE DOMESTIC VIE -- VIOLENCE UP 177% AND RATES ARE UP 150% THAT IS A CRISIS. THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. THOSE KIND OF QUESTIONS ARE NOT EASY. WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD FOLKS FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN HOUSTON TO THE CON -- CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

WE MET WITH TWO CHURCH GROUPS AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITIES INVOLVED AS WELL.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN START TO MAKE A LITTLE PROGRESS ON THIS BIG ISSUE AND WE WILL KEEP THE FOCUS ON IT AS WE NEED TO.

THE OTHER THING I WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE OF AND I MENTIONED IT EARLIER, BUT METRO HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO US AS WE CREATE A JOBS PROGRAM IN PRECINCT 3.

AND THEY HAVE OVER A THOUSAND JOBS.

IF WE CAN GET THEM ON THE BUS WE CAN GET THEM TO WORK.

THE LAST THING ON 225, OR THE LAST COUPLE THINGS, JUST BE AWARE THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON ISSUED CRITERIA THAT IS SO THE -- NOT THE SAME AS HARRIS COUNTY.

FORTUNATELY WITH THE MAYOR'S INVOLVEMENT THEY PULLED IT BACK A COUPLE MONTHS UNTIL THEY COULD WORK ON IT.

I APPRECIATE MR. BLOUNT WORKING WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. HERE IS WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED EVERYBODY TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON DOING THAT.

I THINK THEY WILL. I THINK WE PUT OURS OUT THERE EARLY SO PEOPLE CAN COMMENT ON.

IT THAT ISSUE IS BEING WORKED THROUGH.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT. AT E T.J. IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON GOES TO WALLER COUNTY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, WHEN THEY ADOPT A CRITERIA, IT REALLY DOES HAVE REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM AND APPRECIATE JOHN BLOUNT TAKING THE LEAD.

I WANTED Y'ALL TO BE AWARE. IF WE DON'T GET ON THE SAME PAGE, THAT COULD BE A BIG ISSUE GOING FORWARD.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IS THAT THE ONE -- IS THAT THE ONE THAT THEY ADOPTED RECENTLY WITH THE -- IS THAT SOMETHING ELSE?

>> TOM RAMSEY: THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PERRY HOMES. THAT'S GREAT.

THAT'S A WIN-WIN-WIN. THIS WAS EVERYBODY ADOPTED ATLAS 14. AND ORIGINALLY THE CITY OF HOUSTON ADOPTED THE SAME CRITERIA THAT WE DID.

EARLY JANUARY SOME ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OVER AND ABOVE WHAT THE COUNTY WAS ASKING FOR WERE PUT OUT THERE.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET EVERYBODY BACK TO A COMMON DENOMINATOR SO WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH FOLKS IT IS NOT WHAT IS THE COUNTY DOING AND WHAT IS THE CITY DOING? I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT THEY CAN GET THERE.

THEY HAVE BUT -- PUT ON HOLD ANY CHANGES SO WE CAN HOPEFULLY WORK THIS OUT IN EARLY MAY AND LATE APRIL.

[06:10:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP THIS ISSUE.

I REMEMBER -- I CAN'T I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS YOU OR COMMISSIONER KAY -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE WHEN WE ARE DOING THE ISSUE ON PERRY HOMES AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY. CAN YOU TELL US WHO HAS COME IN AND WHO HASN'T? JUST GIVE US AN UPDATE.

>> I WILL HAVE TO SEND THAT OUT.

I DON'T HAVE THEM OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM ARE EITHER THERE OR MOVING THAT WAY. THE CITY OF HOUSTON DID COMPLETE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED.

I WOULD SAY WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM AND SO THE MAYOR WORKING TO GET SOME TIME TO WORK THROUGH THE ISSUES AND IT RELATES TO A VERY SMALL DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSES.

WE DON'T HAVE THIS ISSUE IN THE COUNTY, BUT THE TRUTH IS IN FIVE OR 10 YEARS WE WILL START TO SEE THEM.

WE WILL WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN WHAT THEY DO AND WE ARE IN AGREEMENT AND WORK WITH THEM.

THERE WERE SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT THEY ADOPTED. THEY ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RIGHT THOSE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE IF I MAY, IF MR. POPPY IS ON THE LINE, I JUST WANT TO KNOW, IF THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO, WHO IS LEFT OUT, AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO BRING THEM IN IN TERMS OF ASKING OR IN TERMS OF JOINT PROJECTS? I KNOW IF RUSS IS ON THE LINE --

>> I WILL TELL YOU, COMMISSIONER, BOTH ME AND RUSS, ANYTIME THERE IS A JOINT PRONL -- PROJECT AND WE LOOK AT THE AGENDA AND LOOK AT THE ITEMS AND CITY THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. OR, HEY, THE CITY OF BAY TOWN IS ON HERE. YEAH, THE CITY OF BAY TOWN IS IN COMPLIANCE. WE KEEP CAREFUL TRACK.

IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT SHOWS UP ON THE AGENDA WHERE A CITY IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE LET

EVERYBODY KNOW. >> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, LET ME QUICKLY, I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS GOOD NEWS. JOHN BLOUNT HAS GOT EVERYBODY LISTENING. EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET TO THE SAME SPOT, INCLUDING HOUSTON. WE ARE SITTING HERE TODAY AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET THERE. WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE YET.

BUT IT IS NOT BECAUSE SOMEONE IS TURNING THIS DOWN OR THAT DOWN. JOHN IS WORKING THROUGH THOSE ISSUES. HE IS MEETING WITH THE FOLKS ON THE DETAILS NOW. THIS IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON, BUT ALSO AS YOU SAY ALL OF THESE OTHER

PLACES TOO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, MAYBE FOR THE NEXT AGENDA, JOHN, IF YOU PUT AN ITEM OR -- ON OR ONE OF US WILL, SO WE KNOW -- WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY.

EVEN IF IT IS NOT MY PRECINCT I WANT YOU -- ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT YOURS, IF SOMEBODY IS NOT ADOPTING THEM WE NEED TO KNOW THAT BEFORE THE JOINT PROJECT.

>> COMMISSIONER WE CAN SEND OUT AN UPDATE WELL BEFORE NEXT COURT. WE CAN SEND AN UPDATE WHERE

EVERYBODY IS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I APPRECIATE THE WORK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS PUTTING IN WITH REGARD TO USING ALL OF THOSE OLD CONTACT THAT'S HE HAD -- CONTACTS HE HAD OVER THERE TO HAVE IT COME.

FOR MY PART IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS, THEN MAYBE THE CITY OF HOUSTON WANTS TO HAVE AND MAKES SENSE FOR US TO ADOPT. I DON'T MIND US ADDING SOME PROTECTION ON THE COUNTY SIDE AS LONG AS IT IS A REASONABLE ONE. I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT I HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S CONTACTS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY HAVE CAUSED THEM NOW TO BE MORE OPEN TO CONSIDERING ADOPTING SOME OF OUR CRITERIA THAT WE HAVE HERE BECAUSE THERE IS A GOOD PLAY IN THERE AND WE'LL SEE HOW THAT COMES OUT. FOR THE NEWBIE, HE'S BEEN A HEAVY HAULER IN HELPING US WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES TO MAKE SURE THROUGHOUT OUR REGION THAT WE HAVE CONSISTENT , SOLID PROTECTION FOR ALL OF THE CITIZENS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS IMPORTANT AND IT IS CRUCIAL.

I KNOW IRT IS LOOKING INTO THIS, BUT THE QUESTION THAT GETS ME EVERY TIME IS WHEN I SAY WHAT IF ANOTHER HARVEY HAPPENED? WOULD WE BE PROTECTED? WELL, NO. JUST THINKING ABOUT IT AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE HAVE TO GET TO A BEFORE WE GET TO

[06:15:02]

B, SO WE NEED FOLKS TO AT LEAST ADOPT THIS.

AT SOME POINT WE REALLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT REALISTICALLY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A MINI HARVEY AND AMELDA AND A MINI HALF VEE -- HARVEY AND ALL OF THESE FLOODS.

WE NEED TO MAKE THE COUNTY RESILIENT TO WHAT THE REALITY

OF THE SITUATION IS. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S A GOOD POINT, JUDGE. I THINK WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO STAY FOCUSED ON IS WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW FROM CLEANING OUT ZITIS AND MAKING -- CLEANING OUT DITCHES AND. THOSE ARE NOT COMPLICATED.

WE CAN DO THAT TOMORROW. IT WOULD PROVIDE ANOTHER LEVEL OF PROTECTION FOR WHEN THE NEXT STORM COMES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK YOU HAVE ONE MORE ITEM. JUST ONE MORE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT IS REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF A CHECK $1,269.71 FROM COURTNEY AND MITCHELL FRANK FOR THE PICNIC TABLE AT TERRY HERSHEY PARK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WE ALREADY ADDRESSED MINE AND NO ONE HAD AN AN OBJECTION. I TECH -- TECHNICALLY MOVE

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE AT THE 2-HOUR MARK SO LET'S TAKE A BREAK AND THEN WE CAN FINISH THE AGENDA. IT IS 5:20.

LET'S BREAK UNTIL 5:30.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE. IT IS 5:37.

COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE LEFT OFF AT COMMISSIONER OF PRE SINK 4.

WE WENT OVER THE COVID-19 AGENDA THAT COVERS US THROUGH TO ITEM 257. ITEM 258 UNDER MISCELLANEOUS IS TRANSMITAL BY THE CON -- COUNTY CLERK.

259 WE VOTED ON. ALL OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS WE COMPLETED. THEN WE ARE AT EXECUTIVE

[Executive Session]

SESSION. ITEM 262 IS THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THE -- OF MR. ZAC ARIA -- ZAC ARIA WHO IS THE NEWLY UH POINTED TO THE HARRIS CENTER. HAPPY TO BE REAPPOINTING HIM.

DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HE HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB.

THESE BOARDS ARE INCREDIBLY TIME INTENSIVE.

TO HAVE HIM AND OTHERS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE BOARD MEMBER WE CANDIED INDICATE A GREAT DEAL OF PERSONAL TIME AND ENERGY AND PROBABLY TAKE AWAY FROM WHATEVER OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS THEY HAVE THERE AND THEY HAVE REALLY GIVEN A LOT TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS.

IF THERE ARE NO ISSUES I WOULD BE OKAY REAPPOINTING MR. ZAC

ARIIA. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON ITEM 262.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT YOU HAD A COMMENT.

IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU ALL. ITEM 263 IS NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM IS THAT RIGHT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN 264, JAY, I BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS

ONE? >> THAT'S CORRECT, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS 264 AND THAT'S ON REDISTRICTING.

ITEM 265 WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, RIGHT?

THAT IS THE SAME ITEM? >> THAT'S CORRECT, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN ITEM 266.

DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT

ONE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M SORRY.

>> I AM GONNA LET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY RESPOND ON THAT.

HE WANTED TO SPEAK ON IT. >> IF YOU DON'T NEED TO

DISCUSS IT, THAT'S OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ALL HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT IT IN OPEN COURT.

[06:20:03]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: UNLESS HE THINKS WE SHOULD DO IT IN

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT.

THAT'S FINE. >> THIS IS JUST A LAWSUIT WE ARE SETTLING. MULTIPLE RESIDENTS COMPLAINED OF PERVASIVE ROTTEN EGG AND A SULFUR-LIKE SMELL IN THEIR HOMES. POLLUTION CONTROL INVESTIGATED.

WE FOLLOWED A SUIT ON THIS ACTION AND WE WERE SEEKING THE COURT TO MAKE THEM FIX THE ISSUE AS WELL AS TRYING TO GET PENALTIES. WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY THE LANDFILL ACCEPTED RESIDENTIAL DEBRIS WHICH WAS DRYWALL. IT WAS STAYING WET AND IT RELEASED THE HYDROGEN SHUL FIGHT -- SULFIDE THAT EXPLAINED THE SMELL. SINCE WE FILED THE LAWSUIT THEY ADDED ADDITIONAL LAYERS AT THE LANDFILL WHICH HAS MITIGATED THE ODOR. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED COMPLAINTS OF THE ODOR SINCE WE TOOK THE ACTION.

THERE IS NO REASON TO DO ANYTHING WITH RESPECT TO THE PREVIOUS CONDUCT. AND SO THERE WOULD BE NEED $10,000 TO FUND A HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM THAT WOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT 2.

THE WRINKLE IN THE CASE, AS IN THE WRINKLE IN MANY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS IS THE STATE IS INVOLVED.

ANY SETTLEMENT WE REACH BY PENALTIES HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE STATE AND WE GOT AUTHORIZATION FROM THE STATE ON APPROVAL ON THIS AS WELL AS THE APPROVAL OF THE OTHER SIDE. AS SOON AS THIS COURT SIGNS OFF ON IT, IT WILL BE READY TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE WE ADOPT THIS ITEM AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF PASADENA AND THOSE SURROUNDING THE AREA

, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU, MR. MENEFEE AND TO YOUR TEAM.

NEXT IS THE EMERGENCY AND SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.

EYE SEEM 267 IS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

EYE SEEM 267 IS -- ITEM 267 IS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION,

CORRECT? >> YES, JUDGE.

THAT IS CORRECT. WE WILL DO THAT IN EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 268.

>> JUDGE I WAS GOING TO SAY ON ITEM 268, OUR OFFICE DID NOT GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY REVIEW THAT PARTICULAR ITEM.

IN PARTICULAR THERE WERE CONTRACT TERMINOLOGY THAT WASN'T UP-TO-DATE AND THEY USE AN OLD TEMPLATE.

WE ASK NO ACTION OR THE ITEM BE REFERRED BACK TO US FOR REVIEW BEFORE BEING LOOKED AT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE TO REFER IT TO THE COUNTY

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

IT IS FOR THIS ITEM TO GO TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

AND THEN YOU ALL WILL BRING IT BACK WHEN IT IS READY?

>> YES, JUDGE. WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.

WE WILL PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA OR GET WITH THEM TO PUT

IT BACK ON THE AGENDA. >> I KNOW THEY DID A REPORT ON THIS ISSUE. IT TIES IN WITH ITEM 273 SO WE CAN KNOW WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE DONE.

YOU'RE MUTED, YOUR HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON IT THEN, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

YOU MADE THE MOTION TO REFER IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OWL THOUGH, JUDGE -- ALTHOUGH, JUDGE IF ONE MEMBER WANTS TO REFER TO AN AGENCY THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE A VOTE. BUT I AM AN I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I AM AN I AS WELL.

WE WILL REFER AND SEE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. 269.

THAT IS A CONTRACT FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

270 IS CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

271 IS AN UPDATE ON RUSSELL. IS IT A COUNTY EXECUTIVE ITEM

AS WELL? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN 272, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

[06:25:03]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MOTION, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 273 IS ALSO YOURS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

RORD

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT WE DID THAT ONE EARLIER.

>> JUDGE, BEFORE WE MOVE OITEM 272, IS -- ON, ITEM 272, IS THAT AS PRESENTED? I HOPE WE SENT THE MOTION AROUND TO THE STAFF? E-- OH, 273.

YES. LET ME MAKE THAT MOTION OF I JUST SENT IT AROUND. JUDGE, WHAT I'M DOING IS DIRECTING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT CAN TAKE AND THEY WILL PROVIDE EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW AND THE RIGHT TO COUNCIL INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO CASE LOAD STANDARDS.

INDEPENDENCE OF COUNCIL AND OTHER METHODS TO ENSURE QUALITY AND A REPORT BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON THEIR

FINDINGS. >> JUDGE, WE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THERE WAS A MOTION COMING DOWN THE PIPE THIS LATE IN THE DAY. WE GOT IT ABOUT 5:23 AND I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT YET.

>> WE CAN DO IT AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THAT'S FINE. MAYBE IT IS THE OLD JUDGE IN ME. I WOULD LIKE TO READ SOMETHING

BEFORE I VOTE AGAINST IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, I LIKE TO READ IT AND PRINT IT INSTEAD OF ON THE

COMPUTER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AMEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT ONE AFTER

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> I HATE TO INTERRUPT, BUT TO BE CLEAR 272, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU WANT THAT AS

PRESENTED, CORRECT? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 274 WE COVERED COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS CURTIS GRAVES. AND 275 WE COVERED AND THAT IS ON THE LIBRARIES. 276 IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. I WANTED TO SAY THAT -- I'VE GOT SOME CONCERNS AND I WILL HOLD THIS ITEM, BUT I WANT TO CHECK WITH MR. DWIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT HOLDING THIS ITEM

WILL NOT CREATE ANY PROBLEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: DWIGHT?

>> COMMISSIONER, I DON'T THINK IT WILL HAVE ANY ISSUES.

IT IS JUST RENEWING A CONTRACT.

IF YOU WANT TO HOLD IT FOR TWO MORE WEEKS WE WILL PUT IT ON

HOLD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND ITEM 277 IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT IS 3-1-1 AND IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE THIS. SO THOSE ARE THE ITEMS. WE WOULD THEN VOTE ON ALL OF THE ITEMS EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING: 273 WHICH WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS.

AND THEN THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WE ARE TAKING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. 191, THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR PENALTIES. THAT IS TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS ON A CONTRACT. 135, PROBATE COURTS, TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEY ON A PERSONNEL MATTER.

264, REDISTRICTING IS TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS ON A CONTRACT. 267 AN HHIP TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION AND 271 IS RUSSELL TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS ON CURRENT LITIGATION.

SO IS THERE A MOTION -- >> JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, JAMES. >> DID YOU SAY YOU WERE ALSO

TAKING ITEM 265 BACK? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, JAMES.

191, TAX ASSESSY -- ASSESSOR PENALTY.

195. 264.

267, N -- NHIIP. >> AND 265 IS REQUEST BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO CONSULT WITH THE COURT REGARDING THE PROBATE COURTS JUDICIAL FUNDS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE TWO ITEMS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO TAKE THEM BOTH?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK SO, JUDGE.

>> YOU CAN, BUT 135 IS THE ACTION ITEM.

235 IS TO CONSULT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS OKAY IF WE VOTE ON 265? IT IS ATTACHED TO IT.

SO IT IS 135, JAMES. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS EXCEPT FOR THE ONES LISTED UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION I READ OUT AND 273 WHICH IS COMING BACK AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> AS WELL AS ALL OF THE PREVIOUS ITEM THAT'S WERE

ALREADY VOTED ON, CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS MADE THE MOTION. AND -- IS THERE A SECOND?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> ALL IN FAVOR.

>> I JOOVMENT I -- >> I.

[06:30:01]

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. DO FOLKS HAVE THE CALL IN

NUMBER FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> YES, MA'AM, THEY DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JAY, ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> YES, I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST, IF YOU CAN SIGN ON TO THE TEAMS, THE COURT MEMBERS. WE SENT AROUND AND I KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WANTS TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF PRESENTATION ON ONE OF THE ITEMS. SO IF YOU CAN BE ON THE TEAM INDIVIDUAL -- THE TEAM'S VIDEO PORTION AND NOT JUST THE AUDIO

WOULD BE PREFERABLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT THIS

ONE OR ANOTHER ONE? >> YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE AND IT

IS THE TEAM'S. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL GET SOMEBODY TO HELP ME. I WON'T EVEN TRY IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, ONE OF THE LAWYERS WE ARE TALKING TO IS A PARTNER WITH A LAWYER BY THE NAME OF JIM BLACKBURN. I HAVE HIS BOOK HERE WITH HIS PICTURES OF BIRDS AND HIS POETRY.

SO WHEN WE GET ONLINE WITH HIM, WE NEED TO ASK HIM IF HE WILL GET MINE SIGNED -- MINE IS SIGNED BY THE -- HE ACTUALLY APPEARED IN COURT FOR A FEW TIMES, BUT YOU NEED TO GET YOURSELF ONE OF THESE BOOKS BECAUSE YOU WILL LIKE

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. AND YOU ARE TAKING CARE TO

HAVE THE RIGHT FOLKS? >> YES, WE DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 5:52 AND WE ARE BREAKING FOR

EXEC >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I'M HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS 7:44 AND WE ARE BACK NOW FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE ARE DISCUSSING ITEM 273 AND

[Emergency/supplemental items]

GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS TAKING A PEEK AT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION WHICH HE SENT OVER AT 5:28 P.M. I AM FUSSING BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE GETTING MOTIONS WHEN I AM TRYING TO CONCENTRATE ON THE COGENT AND VALUABLE WORDS OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE SPEAKING , BUT I REVIEWED IT QUICKLY AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE FOLLOWING SIX WORDS WHICH I THINK WILL BE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WHICH IS IN THE ONE, TWO, THREE, FOURTH LINE DOWN.

IT IS THE NEXT TO THE LAST LINE.

IF YOU WERE A TRANSLATOR YOU WOULD CALL THAT THE PEN ULTIMATE LINE. NOT THE LAST LINE, BUT THE PEN ULTIMATE. AND YOU HAVE THE WORD AND AND IT SAYS OTHER METHODS. BEFORE THE WORD AND THERE IS A COMMA AND. ADD THE FOLLOWING SIX WORDS ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SPEEDY TRIAL.

I CAN'T HEAR COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO I MOVE IT WITH THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

IF JAMES GOT IT. JAMES DO YOU GET IT.

>> I DID, BUT FOR COURT RECORDS DO YOU MIND REPEATING

IT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS AFTER THE COMMA BEHIND COUNSEL AND BEFORE THE WORD AND, THE FOLLOWING SIX WORDS, ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SPEEDY TRIAL. NOW THAT COULD BE INTERPRETED TO BE DIFFERING THINGS. I THINK THE GOAL OF THE SPEEDY TRIAL IS AN IMPORTANT ONE. I MAY SAY THAT IF THERE IS A LOG JAM AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE LOG JAMS ARE IN THE SYSTEM, BUT IF A LOG JAM HAS INADEQUATE PERSONNEL TO PROCESS CASES, THAT WOULD BE PROVIDING A SPEEDY TRIAL.

NOBODY IS SERVED BY KEEPING PEOPLE LANGE -- LANGE WISHING

WAITING FOR TRIAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET

WHAT YOU NEEDED, JAMES? >> IT WOULD BE A LOT CLEARER

IF THE WHOLE MOTION WAS READ. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT CAN TAKE TO ENSURE THE COUNTY'S INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM MEETS ITS CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW AND THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO INFLUENCING CASE LOAD STANDARDS, THE TERMS OF PRIVATE APPOINTMENT CONTRACTS, INDEPENDENCE OF COUNSEL, ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SPEEDY TRIAL, AND OTHER METHODS TO ENSURE QUALITY INDIGENT DEFENSE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND TO REPORT BACK TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON THEIR FINDINGS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO NOW WE WILL GO BACK TO ALL OF THE ITEMS WE WENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON. WE WENT ON ITEM 191 ON THE TAX ASSESSOR. THERE WILL BE NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM, JAMES. WE WENT TO EXECUTIVE SECTION

[06:35:01]

ON 135 ON THE PROBATE COURTS. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE

THAT ITEM AS PRESENTED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM FAVOR AS WELL AND THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE WENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 264 ON REDIRECTING. WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE

THAT ITEM AS PRESENTED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?