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* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

[Opening prayer by Major Zach Bell of the Salvation Army of Greater Houston.]

[00:00:09]

COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR. TODAY I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR OF INTRODUCING MAJOR ZACH BELL WITH THE SALVATION ARMY.

THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO HAVE THE SALVATION ARMY COME AND TO DO OUR INVOCATION.

SCWHROR ZACH -- MAJOR ZACH BELL ALONG WITH HIS WIFE, MAJOR SHELLY BELL ARE AREA COMMANDERS OF THE SALVATION ARMY OF GREATER HOUSTON. AND THEY ARE BACHELORS AND THEN GORDON COMWELL. THEIR ROOTS RUN DEEP IN THE SALVATION ARMY WHICH EXPLAINS WHY THEY WERE ACTUALLY MARRIED. MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR. I WENT TO WHERE JUDGE, JUDGE, JUDGE. WE ARE DOING THE INVOCATION AND WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION AND RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME, JUDGE WHICH I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO LET US TAKE OUT OF ORDER RIGHT

AFTER OUR MAJOR INVOCATION. >> SURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

LET'S PRAY. OUR FATHER RIGHT NOW, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GOODNESS TO US. IN THE MIDST OF THE TRYING TIMES WE WANT TO IN THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE GOD WITH US AND YOU ARE GOING THROUGH IT WITH US. DURING THESE TIMES I PRAY THESE TIMES BE TRULY HOPEFUL IN THE MIDST OF WHAT COULD BE DESPAIR FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THESE TIMES WILL BE TRULY JOYFUL AND AT THIS TIME WE FIND LIVE AND YES WE FIND HOPE.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOODNESS WITH US AND WE RECOGNIZE YOUR PRESENCE WITH US AND WE GO IN THAT PEACE AND THAT LOVE AND THAT HOPE AND THAT JOY. WE PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS ON OUR COMMUNITY. A COMMUNITY THAT IS STRUGGLING, BUT FATHER WE KNOW WE ARE RESILL YEBT -- RESILIENT SO CONTINUE TO PROTECT US AND GUIDE US.

WE PRAY ALL OF THIS IN JESUS' NAME. AMEN.

>> AMEN. JUDGE DO YOU WANT ME TO GO FORWARD WITH THAT?

>> AMEN. THANK YOU. >> GO AHEAD.

>> OUR PROCLAMATION IS WHEREAS INSURANCE -- SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1865, THE SALVATION ARMY HAS BEEN A BEACON OF HOPE AND MERCY IN OVER 5,000 COMMUNITY HAD AND IMPACTS -- AND IMPACTS ROUGHLY 30 MILLION AMERICANS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE EVERY YEAR.

WHEREAS THEY ARE THE GOOD NEIGHBORS FEEDING THE HUNGRY AND RESPONDING TO DISASTERS AND REACHING OUT TO THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY AND SHELTERING THE HOMELESS AND BRINGING CHRISTMAS TO SO MANY CHILDREN. AND WHEREAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS NOT SLOWED THEM OR BEEN AN EXCUSE FOR PROVIDING LESS, BUT RATHER A RALLY CRY TO BATTER BECAUSE THE NEED IS GREATER THAN BEFORE.

AND WHEREAS THE SALVATION ARMY MEMBERS ARE RESCUING CHRISTMAS HERE IN 2020 WITH A VIRTUAL RED KETTLE. AN ONLINE ADOPT AN ANGEL TREE FOR CHILDREN AND WE WILL BE RINGING THE BELLS ON THE STREET CORNER. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES WITH GRATITUDE THAL VAGUES ARMY -- THE SALVATION ARMY RECOGNIZES THE AREA COMMANDERS MAJORS SCR AC -- ZACH AND SHELLY BELL. IT IS HERE BY ORDERED THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE INCLUDED IN THE MINUTES OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON THIS THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2020.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> WOW. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THAT. IT IS AN HONOR TO SERVE THIS GREAT HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE PRAY FOR YOU DAILY.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAJOR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. I USED TO SERVE ON THE ADVISORY OF THE SALVATION ARMY SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR THE FOLKS THAT LEAD WITH THEIR HEARTS. THANK YOU AND PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORKS.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MERRILY

CHRISTMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A

[I. Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

[00:05:01]

RESOLUTION HONORING -- ACTUALLY PRECINCT 2. I AM HAPPY TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION FOR COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA. LOOK, WE HAVE ALL BEEN HEARING THE PROJECTS COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS BEEN DOING WITH THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND I WAS IMPRESSED AS I HEARD IT COME THROUGH, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THE EXTENT OF IT.

IF I CAN JUST READ IT VERY BRIEFLY. COMMISSIONER, IF YOU DON'T MIND. THERE IS THE AWARD. THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY HAS THE 2020 BEST PRACTICES AWARD WENT TO THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA IN THE AREA OF FOOD ACCESSIBILITY AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2 RECEIVED A NOMINATION FOR SEVERAL PROGRAMS FROM BAGGED LUNCHES AND SMALL BUSINESS RESTAURANTS AND THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK INITIATIVE. THEY DISTRIBUTED 21,477 BROWN BAG LUNCHES.

37,444 HOT MEALS TO SENIORS, 28,435 MEALS TO SENIOR CITIZENS WITH THE FOOD STABLE PROGRAM. AND 10,142 HOT MEALS AND TWO FAMILIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS RESTAURANTS THROUGH THE HOT MEAL FRIDAY PROGRAM.

IN ADDITION TO THIS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S TEAM POSTED 48 DISTRIBUTION EVENTS SERVING 25,000 -- 25,300 FAMILIES WITH MORE EVENTS SCHEDULED. BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECEIVING THE BEST PRACTICES AWARD FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO COUNTER THE IMPACTS OF FOOD INSECURITY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD BE HAPPY ON BEHALF OF MY OFFICE TO MOVE ON YOUR NOMINATION, JUDGE. I AM HAPPY TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF MY ENTIRE OFFICE. I HAVEN'T DONE THIS BY MYSELF. MY TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY AND TIRELESSLY ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE CITIZEN IS -- CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 2. AND JUDGE LET ME JUST SAY THAT YOU WERE ALONGSIDE US HERE AS WE WORK AND NONE OF THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT AND THE SAW POUR -- THE SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES TO HELP US ACHIEVE THIS VERY, VERY SIGNIFICANT RECOGNITION. WHEN COVID HIT OUR COMMUNITY WE BEGAN STRATEGIZING ON HOW TO MAINTAIN OUR DOORS OPEN AND OUR HEARTS OPEN AND CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO OUR CITIZENS.

WHEN I WAS INTERVIEWING FOR THIS PRIVILEGE TO SERVE PRE SINK -- PRECINCT 2, I TALKED ABOUT THE MANY CHALLENGES THAT MANY PEOPLE IN PRECINCT 2 FACE.

NOT ALL, BUT MANY. AND THOSE CHALLENGES IS WHAT I GO TO SLEEP THINKING ABOUT AND THAT'S WHAT I WAKE UP THINKING ABOUT. DURING THIS PANDEMIC THERE WAS LESS SLEEP IN BETWEEN WAKING UP AND GOING TO BED. THINKING ABOUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THESE THINGS DONE WITH THIS VIRUS LOOMING OVER US.

WE RECOGNIZE QUICKLY WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO UNFORTUNATELY WERE UNEMPLOYED THAT FOOD INSECURITY WOULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE COMMUNITY.

OVER THE PAST 9 MONTHS OUR TEAM HAS ASSISTED RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WE NEVER TURN ANYBODY AWAY. REGARDLESS OF WHAT ADDRESS THEY HAVE, WE TOOK CARE OF THEM. AND THE PROGRAM CONSISTED OF THE SIX PROGRAMS THIS AWARD IS BASED ON. IT IS BROWN BAG LUNCHES WHICH WE DISTRIBUTED OVER 21,000 TO CHILDREN IN OUR PARKS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OUR HOME BOUND SENIORS WOULD WERE PART OF THE CONGREGATE MEALS PROGRAM. SHELVES -- SHELF STABLE MEAL

[00:10:05]

BOXES ARE OVER 28,000 TO THE HOMES OF SENIOR CITIZENS. HOT MEALS ON FRIDAYS TO OVER 10,000 INDIVIDUALS AND PREPARED BY THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

ALSO PROUD THAT OUR RESTAURANTS THOUGHT THROUGH AND STEPPED UP AND HELPED US TO PARTICIPATE AND CATER FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY NONE OF THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK.

I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR STEPPING UP TO HELP MAKE THE WHOLE PROGRAM POSSIBLE, BUT FOR ALL THEY DO FOR OUR ENTIRE REGION. OUR PARTNERSHIP FOR THE 48TH FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT SERVED OVER 25,000 FAMILIES AND WE WILT CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IN THE COMMUNITY GOES HUNGRY.

BUT AS I MENTIONED, JUDGE, I HAVE BEEN VERY BLESSED WITH SERVING LEADERS FOR ALL THAT THEY DO. BECAUSE THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS AND OBVIOUSLY THESE AREN'T THE ONLY PROGRAMS, THE SECOND SERVING WAS A MAJOR, MAJOR PART OF OUR EFFORTS, BUT ALL THIS COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE TEAM I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE HELPING ME DO THE HEAVY LIFTING ON A DAILY BASIS. I WANT TO GIVE THEM THEIR DUE RECOGNITION. I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO SAY CHRA -- CHARA.

CHARA HAS STEPPED UP TO THINK THROUGH ALL OF THE PROGRAMS. THERE WERE DAYS THAT WE HAD TO SAY CHARA, SLOW DOWN. SHE WAS ALWAYS READY AT THE DROP OF A HAT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE WILL DO A MEAL DISTRIBUTION AND GET ALL OF THE PIECES TOGETHER.

TIFFANY HARDING WHO HAS BEEN AT THE TIP OF THE SPEAR AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE BABIES IN THE COMMUNITY. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO FEEL INSULTED, BUT THEY CALL THEM ALL BABIES. AND TIFFANY HAS REALLY HELPED US ENSURE THAT WE ARE PUTTING ALL OF OUR CENTERS TO WORK AND ENSURING EVERY ASPECT OF OUR PROGRAM IS THOUGHT ABOUT.

OUR TRANSPORTATION TEAM. THEY BECAME UBER EATS DELIVERING FOOD TO THE DOORS OF OUR SENIORS AND DOING IT WITH A SMILE AND DOING IT WITH AN INCREDIBLE ATTITUDE.

SIMILARLY TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES ORGANIZATION AND OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS OR BEING ABLE TO STEP UP TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. THE ENTIRE PRECINCT HAS BEEN WORKING. EVERY ORGANIZATION HAS A LEADER AT THE TIP OF THE SPEAR. A LOT OF THIS HAD TO GET THROUGH THE BUREAUCRACY AND HAD TO BE GIVEN A GREEN LIGHT. AND SO MY CHIEF OF STAFF OBVIOUSLY DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT, BUT I WANT TO THANK MY DIRECTOR JOSE JIMENEZ WHO I HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS. SERVING US AT METRO AND SERVED ME AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND HE CONTINUES TO BE THAT GUY WHO TAKES ALL OF THESE CHALLENGES TO HEART AND TAKES NO PRISONERS IN MAKING SURE THE JOB GETS DONE. JOSE, I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU FOR BEING ABLE TO LEAD THE TEAMS AND GETTING THESE EVENTS DONE.

RAIN, HEAT -- A LOT OF HEAT, JUDGE. RAIN AND HEAT THE TEAM WAS OUT THERE. JOSE WAS ALWAYS OUT THERE. JOSE WAS MAKING SURE THAT HE WAS THE FIRST GUY IN AND THE LAST GUY OUT. AND SO I WAS GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE. THIS WAS AN AWARD FOR ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY AND FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE ARE LEADING ON MANY FRONTS AND WE ARE DOING IT THROUGH YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND SO THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES MY TEAM, BUT YOU ARE PART OF OUR TEAM TOO, JUDGE. SO I ACCEPT THIS ON BEHALF OF MY OFFICE. I ACCEPT THIS ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 2.

I ACCEPT THIS AS A MEMBER OF THIS GREAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT WHOA -- WHO LOOKS THROUGH ALL OF THE CHALLENGES AND SO THIS AWARD CARRIES THE RECIPIENT OF LINA HUH DOLL --

[00:15:17]

LINA HIDALGO. TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD OVERALL OF THE OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS, IT IS INCREDIBLY HUMBLING. I DO IT AND I ACCEPT IT BECAUSE OF THE TEAM THAT I HAVE AND THE TEAM THAT I PERSONALLY AM A PART OF AT

THIS PARTICULAR TABLE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I JUST WANT TO SECOND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION ON HIS TEAM. AND I WANT TO SAY WHAT A GREAT TEAM YOU HAVE AS WELL AND WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS TO WORK WITH HIM. I WENT OUT TO ONE OF THE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AND I THINK JOSE HOSTED ME. I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND YOU.

SOMETIMES I GIVE UH HARD TIME BECAUSE -- I GIVE YOU A HARD TIME BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO CATCH YOU. MY STAFF TELLS ME IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE UP LATE AT NIGHT. IT IS A WELL-DESERVED HONOR AND THE GREATEST HONOR ONE CAN RECEIVE IS TO BE HONORED BY THEIR PEERS. WE WILL TWEET IT OUT AND WE

ARE PROUD OF YOU AND WE WILL STEAL SOME OF IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: STEAL AWAY

BECAUSE IT WILL SERVE OUR COUNTY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER. MISSION --

>> JUDGE WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: FOR THE --

>> FOR THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.

>> ALLEN BRISTOL WITH TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, MA'AM. I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA COVERED EVERYTHING THAT I COULD HAVE SAID. ADRIAN, YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS ABOUT THE BEST PRACTICES AWARDS IS THIS COULD BE SCALABLE AND REPLICABLE BY ANY COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF SIZE. YOU ARE OUR LARGEST COUNTY AND OUR MOST POPULOUS COUNTY. YOU DID IT IN A BIG WAY. ADRIAN, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE HAVE MET A COUPLE TIMES AND YOU ARE REALLY ON THE CUTTING EDGE.

ALL SIX PROGRAMS AND OVER SIX TONS OF FOOD. IT IS VERY WELL DESERVED.

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR LARGEST COUNTY FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND FOR TAKING CARE OF FOLKS THAT NEEDED THE HELP. I HOPE YOU CONTINUE ON -- I KNOW YOU CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT ALL OF YOUR CITIZENS AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THEM. I WANTED TO MAKE ONE OTHER COMMENT THAT ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TRULY HAVE SERVED AND IT IS NOT UNNOTICED.

IT IS NOTICED BY YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT WORK AT THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. CON -- CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER.

THE REST OF THE COURT, TRY TO KEEP CACTUS JACK UNDER CONTROL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THAT'S A FULL TIME JOB.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: RIGHT? THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOU CALLING IN.

>> THANK Y'ALL. VERY WELL DESERVED RECOGNITION, COMMISSIONER

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

HONORED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JOSE JIMENEZ WITH HARRIS

COUNTY PRECINCT 2. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER'S COURT. HI, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE IN PRECINCT 2 AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS, THE TEAM IS COMPLETELY HONORED TO HAVE THIS AWARD. I TELL YOU WHAT. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A COUNTY WIDE EFFORT. WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK OR COUNTY PURCHASING, DWIGHT'S TEAM SUPPORTING US WITH THE PO'S TO SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES, OUR PARTNERS AND HOUSTON FOOD BANK HANDS DOWN STEPPED UP EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

AND OUR HOT MEAL PROVIDERS WHO SUPPORTED US ALONG THE WAY AND EVEN THE SHELF STABLE FOOD PROVIDERS WHEN THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO SERVICE US BECAUSE OF THE COVID SITUATION.

EVERYONE STEPPED UP AND WE DIDN'T MISS A BEAT. OUR SENIOR AND THE COMMUNITY

[00:20:05]

GOES HUNGRY. NONE OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT THE GREAT SUPPORT OF EVERYONE ON THE TEAM. ESPECIALLY OUR DIRECTOR WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.

TIFFANY HARDING WAS HANDS DOWN THE BEHIND THE SCENES PERSON WHO GOT EVERYTHING TAKEN CARE OF. CHARRA WAS OUR FACE AND LIAISON WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS AND TAKING CARE OF THE SENIORS AND CALMING THEM DOWN. SHE DID WONDERFUL AT THAT.

OUR PARTS DIRECTOR ON THE FIELD HE WAS MANAGING EVERYTHING.

HE PICKED UP TRUCKLOADS OF DONATED FOOD FROM THE HOTELS AND THE RESTAURANTS AND EVERYTHING FOR THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. AND THE TEAM MEMBERS.

TAMMY TAYLOR WHO HANDLED THE EXTRA DOLLARS THAT WERE COMING IN AND THE CARES DOLLARS.

AND MALCOLM BERRY WHO IS HANDLING THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

WE HAVE A GIVE AWAY EVERY FRIDAY. EVERYONE ON THE ENTIRE TEAM IS TRULY HONORED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE -- I CAN TELL THAT YOU WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. NEXT YEAR WILL BE EVEN BIGGER THAN THIS YEAR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JOSE, I WANT TO UH -- TO JUST APPLAUD YOU. THANK YOU FOR YO -- FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I AM PROUD OF YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

THANK YOU. CON -- CONGRATULATIONS. DO WE HAVE MORE SPEAKERS,

LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM. TIFFANY HARDING, HARRIS COUNTY

PRECINCT 2. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

FIRST, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK. I WANT TO KIND OF JUST SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE TEAM WHETHER THEY WERE A MEAL DRIVER OR THEY WERE PREPARING THE FOOD TO GO OUT OR THEY WERE PLACING THE FOOD IN TRUNKS. WHATEVER IT WAS THEY WERE A TRULY HARD-WORKING AND DEDICATED TEAM. THEY BRAVED -- LIKE COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED THEY BRAVED THE HEAT AND THE WIND AND THE RAIN.

WE EVEN BRAVED A COUPLE OF DOGS. THEY DONNED THEIR MASKS AND FACE SHIELDS AND GOT THE JOB DONE. IT IS GREAT TO BE A PART OF SUCH A HARD-WORKING AND DEDICATED GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY HAD THEIR OWN -- YOU KNOW, THEIR OWN PARTICULAR ISSUES AND IMPACTS FROM THIS PANDEMIC, THEY STILL FELT THE CALL TO COME AND SERVE. WE TRIED TO MEET THE ENTHUSIASM AND THE DEDICATION OF OUR FEARLESS LEADER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

WE ARE STILL TRYING TO CATCH OUR BREATH. THE NEXT THING WE WILL DO IS MAYBE HAVE A BICYCLE DELIVERY TEAM. WE ARE TRULY DEDICATED AND WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CONSTITUENTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO DOING SO

IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TIFFANY, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. EVERY TIME I SHOWED UP AT ONE OF THE EVENTS YOU WERE THERE AND YOU WERE SMILING. YOU JUST MADE IT LOOK SO EASY.

IF YOU -- THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU AND FOR

ALL YOU HAVE DONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE ARE HAVING A FEW DIFFICULTIES, JUDGE. I'M SORRY. JORGE ALMENTA WITH JORGE'S MIX

CON RESTAURANT. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THEY HAVE DONE THESE PAST FEW MONTHS.

I WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF HOW MY TEAM IS VERY THANKFUL TO BE ABLE TO BE PART OF THE HOT MEALS. IT REALLY HELPED US WHENEVER WE HAD TO CLOSE THE DINING ROOM IN APRIL, MAY. THAT'S WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

RIGHT AWAY I COMMITTED OUR MENU AND WE WERE FORTUNATE TO BE SELECTED SEVERAL TIMES TO

BE DELIVERING FOOD TO SEVERAL COMMUNITIES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JORGE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU ARE A FAMILY-OWNED

[00:25:01]

BUSINESS IN THE PRECINCT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING THAT HAD NO PLAYBOOK. WE HADN'T DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

STEPPING INTO THE RESTAURANT AND STEPPING INTO THE COMMUNITY CENTER WHERE YOU ARE PREPARING THE MEALS, IT SMELLED DELICIOUS REGARDLESS OF WHERE I WAS AT.

SO THE CONSISTENCY AND THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD THAT THE CITIZENS WERE GETTING WAS AMAZING. AND TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU TOO INSPIRED OTHER AREA RESTAURANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAM. AND SO, JORGE, THANK YOU FOR BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR IN THE PRECINCT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THE SMALL BUSINESS. I WILL SIMPLY SAY TO ALL THAT ARE LISTENING, GO AND EAT THERE. I THINK THEY HAVE A VEGAN PLATE, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JORGE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THE CHALLENGES.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING WITH THE CHALLENGES. >> JUDGE, WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME KIND OF DIFFICULTIES. THERE IS A LITTLE DELAY. JUST LETTING YOU KNOW.

I'M SURE HE HEARD YOUR COMMENTS, BUT WE LOST HIM ON THE LINE.

I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET SOMEBODY ELSE ON THE LINE NOW.

ANGELA MEJIA WITH SENIOR MEAL PROGRAM. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. JUDGE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO PRECINCT 2, ADRIAN GARCIA, COMMISSIONER, AND HIS STAFF FOR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE PHYSICALLY HAD SOMETHING TO EAT. THEY PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR US. WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE LEADERSHIP BEING SHOWN BY HARRIS COUNTY, AND ESPECIALLY HERE IF PRECINCT 2. IT IS SOMETHING WE WILL NOT FORGET. I JUST WANT TO GIVE MY THANKS TO YOU AND ADRIAN FOR DOING THE GREAT JOB YOU ARE DOING AND ALSO WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT ALL OF YOU.

ARE YOU DOING A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. JUDGE HIDALGO AND I ARE SO PROUD OF ALL THAT YOU DO AND THAT YOU HAVE DONE MAKING SURE YOUR NEIGHBORS KNOW WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO BRING FORWARD AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE WAS GETTING INFORMATION AND WE ARE NOT LEAVING ANYONE

BEHIND. >> THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK YOU HAVE DONE.

>> THANK YOU. >> CHARRA-BOWIE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER'S COURT, FOR HAVING US HERE THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA. I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS AWARD TRULY EXEMPLIFIES OUR PRECINCT 2 TEAM. IT IS A TEAM THAT SELF-LESLIE WAS COMMITTED -- SELF- -- SELFLESLY COMMITTED IN THE RAIN AND THE HEAT AND COVID PANDEMIC. A LOT OF TIMES ADRIAN WAS THERE LIFTING BOXES AND BAGS IN THE HEAT AND IN THE RAIN. WE REALLY APPRECIATE HIS HELP TOTD COMMUNITY.

TO THE COMMUNITY. THEY ALL PULLED THEIR TEAMS TOGETHER WITHOUT HESITATION.

IT IS A COHESIVE UNIT AND SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY. I AM HUMBLED AND THANKFUL FOR BEING PART OF SUCH A GREAT TEAM. THANK YOU.

>> CL -- ARRA, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. YOU STEPPED UP IN A BIG WAY.

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE. >> I AM ALSO GRATEFUL YOU ENGAGED YOUR FAMILY. YOU ARE HAVING YOUR BABIES PARTICIPATE AS WELL.

I KNOW THEY WOULD PROBABLY WANT TO STAY IN FRONT OF THE TV, BUT YOU HAD THEM OUT THERE UNDERSTANDING WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THOSE IN NEED AND THOSE WHO MAY BE STRAG -- STRUGGLING AND I ARE A GREAT ROLE MODEL TO YOUR CHILDREN AND AN AMAZING LEADER. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.

>> THANK YOU. >> BARBARA BRONSTEIN WITH SECOND SERVANT OF HOUSTON.

[00:30:01]

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM BARBARA BRONSTEIN AND I AM WITH SECOND SERVANT OF HOUSTON. WE ARE A FOOD PREPARER AND RESCUE ORGANIZATION. WE PICK UP UNSERVED AND UNSOLD FOOD FROM 400 FOOD BUSINESSES AND DELIVER IT PROMPTLY AND SAFELY FOR FREE TO OVER 90 LOCAL CHARITIES.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON RECEIVING THIS AWARD.

THANKS TO HIS LEADERSHIP AND HIS RESPONSIVENESS AND VERY DEDICATED TEAM.

RESIDENTS GAINED ACCESS TO INCREDIBLE FOOD THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE LANDFILL. WHEN THE PANDEMIC STRUCK IN MID-MARCH AND CAUSED A DISROPING -- DISRUPTION IN THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN WE REACHED OUT TO PRECINCT 2 FOR HELP.

PRE -- PRECINCT 2 ACTED SWIFTLY AND DECISIVELY TO DEPLOY THE TRUCK AND DRIVER TO MAKE EIGHT LARGE PICK UPS AT OUR DIRECTION INCLUDING TRIPS TO STAFFORD AND GARDEN OAKS AND DOWNTOWN. WE PICKED UP THROUGH PRECINCT 2 ALMOST 45,000 POUNDS AND ENTIRE PALLETS OF APPLES AND PAIRS AND -- PEARS AND FRESH VEGETABLES AND ORANGE JUICE AND MUCH MORE FROM SIX DIFFERENT FOOD DONORS. A SCHOOL LUNCH PROVIDER AND RETAILER'S WAREHOUSE AND MANUFACTURER AND DISTRIBUTOR AND HILTON AMERICA HOTEL.

AS PRE SINK -- AS PRECINCT 2 DISTRIBUTED IT TO SENIORS AND FAMILY WHICH EXTENDED THE 7 SERVING REGION AND PARTS OF HOUSTON WE DON'T COVER. THANKS TO THE SWIFT ACTIONS AND THE DECISIVENESS WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE TO BE ABLE TO HELP THE COMMUNITY THROUGH HIS

CARING ACTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I TELL YOU WHAT SECOND SERVING IS ONE OF THOSE INCREDIBLY WELL-KEPT SECRETSES.

WELL-KEPT SECRETS. YOU ARE PHENOMENAL. WE APPLAUD YOU.

THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH US AND THANK YOU FOR REACHING OUT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. MOST IMPORTANTLY, PANDEMIC AND NO PANDEMIC, PEOPLE CAN COUNT ON SECOND SERVING TO GET THEM THROUGH THOSE TOUGH TIMES NO MATTER WHEN IT IS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE. >> FELICITAS MENDOZA.

GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> I AM HERE WITH MY MOTHER FELICTAS MENDOZA.

GOOD MORNING. >> SAY GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> MY MOTHER IS AN ALZHEIMER'S PATIENT AND WE RECEIVE MEALS FOR HER EVERY DAY.

AND WE JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS OUR THANKFULNESS FOR THIS PROGRAM.

I MYSELF AM DISABLED. I HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND LUPUS AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO PREPARE MEALS.

THIS IS A BLESSING THAT SHE GETS A MEAL EVERY DAY SO IT MAKES THINGS A BIT EASIER FOR ME TAKING CARE OF MY MOM HERE AT HOME. AND IT HAS ENABLED HER TO BE AT HOME THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE TIME BECAUSE OF IT -- IT IS LENDING THE HELPING HAND DAILY FOR US. EVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC THEY DID BOX FOOD, AND IT HELPED THROUGH THAT TIME WHEN THEY COULDN'T COME. THEY ALWAYS THINK FORWARD.

WE JUST WANT TO EXPRESS OUR THANKFULNESS TO THIS PROGRAM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR MOM.

AGAIN, YOU ARE JUST AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE AS TO OUR KEY FOCUS THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE THING. WE DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND.

JUDGE, MY TEAM ALSO WAS ABLE TO ENROLL MORE PEOPLE INTO THE PROGRAM THAT PREVIOUSLY EXISTED BECAUSE WE ARE FINDING AND I CHARGED THE TEAM WITH ANYONE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THEM. AND SO TO FAMILIES LIKE YOURS, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE CONFIDENCE YOU GAVE US AND FOR PARTICIPATING. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

YOU ARE NEVER ALONE. WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER, YOU AND YOUR MOM.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE

SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[00:35:05]

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW WE GOT A LOT OF RESOLUTIONS, BUT IT IS THE END OF THE YEAR.

AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA JUST DID, THESE RESOLUTIONS DO MATTER TO PEOPLE.

I THINK THEY MATTER MORE WHEN THEY ARE RETIRING. ONE OF MY KEEPSAKES FROM THE SENATE WAS MY COLLEAGUE'S RESOLUTION AND THEY SENT IT WHEN I WAS GONE.

THEY SAID IF WE HAD BEEN IN SESSION IT WAS A BIGGER DEAL, BUT I I WANT TO HONOR CHRIS HOLLINS. IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT I HAVE THESE TWO RESOLUTIONS.

ONE HONORS HIM AND THEN ONE HONORING THE MEMBERS OF THAT TEAM.

MOST WERE THERE LONG BEFORE HE GOT THERE. AND WE ARE DOING IT ONE DAY AFTER THE HISTORIC CERTIFICATION IN THE VARIOUS STATES OF THE STATE ELECTORS WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN OUR DEMOCRACY. SO I WANT -- I WON'T READ ALL OF THIS ONE, BUT IT MENTIONS CHRIS HOLLINS' GREAT EDUCATION, MOORE HOUSE WHERE IT GOT STARTED, PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN HOUSTON AS WELL, MBA FROM YALE.

I THINK A BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION DEGREE FROM YALE AND SCHOOL OF HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL. HE WAS A SUCCESS BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT OF HIS WIFE, MORGAN, WHO MOST OF US HAVE MET, HIS CHILDREN VIVIEN AND GEORGE AND HIS PARENTS, GEORGE AND CHRISTIE. IT TALKS ABOUT THE WORK HE DID WITH THE SAFE ELECTION.

PARTICULARLY IT WAS HIS LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION AND PERSISTENCE ENSURING SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, FAIR, EFFICIENT WAYS TO VOTE DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED GLOW -- GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND SHEPHERDED RECORD-BREAKING BALLOT IN PERSON TOTALING 1.6 MILLION VOTES CAST. HIS EARLY VOTING CENTERS, EXTENSIVE SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR ELECTION WORKERS AND VOTERS AND BALLOT DROPOFF AND INITIATED DRIVE-THRU VOTING AND EXPANDED VOTING HOURS AND ESTABLISHED THE FIRST 24-HOUR VOTING LOCATION, THE FIRST LOCATION AT TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER TO REACH SHIFT WORKERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE MIDST OF A NATIONAL HEALTH CARE CRISIS. JUDGE, IT IS OUR WAY OF HONORING HIM. I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS ON THE LINE.

I KNOW HE TOOK A WELL-DESERVED VACATION, BUT WE ALL APPRECIATE THE WORK CHRIS DID, PARTICULARLY TO ESSENTIALLY TAKE A LEAVE IF -- FROM HIS LAW PRACTICE TO COME IN AND DO THAT UNDER WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE VERY CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES.

OBVIOUSLY A FEW LAWSUITS AND SOME NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRESS, IT IS GOOD WITH SOME OF THE MORE INTRIGUING THINGS IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE OUT OF TEXAS, INCLUDING THE LATEST LAWSUIT AT THE SUPREME COURT. AT LEAST FOR A SHINING COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE WERE GETTING INTERNATIONAL PRAISE AND FOLKS WERE LOOKING AT US AS SIGN OF HOPE AND SPOTLIGHTING WHAT CAN BE DONE WHEN YOU HAVE GREAT LEADERSHIP AND THE SUPPORT, MIGHT I ADD, OF THIS COMMISSION AREA EAST COURT AND YOU -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT, AND YOU JUDGE WHO PUT MONEY IN , MOST OF WHICH CAME FROM OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS SO WE CAN HAVE THAT IMPRESSIVE TURNOUT WHETHER THEY WANTED TO VOTE ON THE BLUE SIDE, THE RED SIDE, IT DIDN'T MATTER. THAT WAS THE IMPORTANT THING. A GREAT STANDARD FOR HIS SUCCESSER -- SUCCESSOR. I WANT TO PASS THIS SEPARATELY AND I I WILL THEN GO TO THE OTHER ONE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WILL MENTION BOTH OR DO I WANT ME

TO STOP ON THIS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ME JUST SAY THAT THEY ARE BOTH IMPORTANT AND THEY BOTH DESERVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL PRAISE AND RESPECT.

I WILL WITH INCREDIBLE PRIDE SECOND YOUR MOTION FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

FOR ALL OF THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, A LOT OF US SIGNED UP FOR JOBS THAT NO ONE TOLD US WE WOULD BE DEALING WITH A PANDEMIC. CHRIS STEPPED INTO THIS KNOWING HE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC. THAT IS TO BE COMMENDED.

AND WITH A BABY ON THE WAY AND A BABY TO CARE FOR AND WITH A SUPPORTIVE WIFE LIKE MORGAN.

WHEN WE HEARD THE QUALIFICATIONS OF MORGAN I STILL THINK WE GOT THE RAW END OF THE DEAL, BUT CHRIS DID GOOD JUST THE SAME. I AM HONORED TO SECOND THE

RESOLUTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I HOPE IT IS UNANIMOUS.

COLLEAGUES, I TRIED TO PHRASE IT IN TERMS OF WHAT DID HAPPEN SO NO ONE WOULD HAVE

[00:40:03]

HEARTBURN. JUST IN CASE I MOVE ADOPTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE, GO AHEAD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THESE, JUDGE?

I WAS TRYING TO SORT THAT OUT THROUGH OUR CHART. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK

SO. >> WE DO NOT. NOT ON THIS ITEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, ON BOTH THIS ONE AND ON THE SECOND ONE, THERE IS THE POISON PILL PARAGRAPH ABOUT THEREFORE THAT SAYS THAT THIS WAS IN THE FACE OF LEGAL BATTLES AGAINST VOTERS. THERE ARE MANY THAT BELIEVE THOSE -- THAT THE RESORT TO THE COURTS, AND SOME OF THOSE RESORTS TO THE COURT WERE SUCCESSFUL IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE ISSUES IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS APPROPRIATE AND NOT APPROPRIATE.

I CAN'T VOTE FOR EITHER OF THESE RESOLUTIONS IF WE LEAVE THAT PARAGRAPH IN.

I MAKE THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE JUST KNOCK THAT LITTLE THEREFORE OUT AND IT WORKS ON

BOTH OF THESE AND THEN I CAN BE SUPPORTIVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS PASS IT THE WAY IT IS. WE CAN DO A SEPARATE ONE IF YOU WANT TO DO IT AND LEAVE THAT OUT. IT IS JUST GOING THROUGH HISTORICAL FACTS. I UNDERSTAND AND I'M SURE THEY MADE NOTE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SOME WOULD SAY THAT THESE WERE LAWSUITS THAT -- I MEAN YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN LAW SUITS BEFORE TOO, AND SOME SAY THE LAWSUITS WERE FOR THE VOTERS AND NOT

AGAINST THE VOTERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE ADOPTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? AND THIS IS ON BOTH

RESOLUTIONS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> R. JACK CAGLE: AS WRITTEN?

>> LINA HIDALGO: AS WRITTEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OPPOSED. >> STEVE RADACK: I VOTE NO. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON

THAT ELECTION WAS OUTRAGEOUS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT PRETTY MUCH TRACKS IT. SOME OF THESE FOLKS I TRIED TO DO -- I DID THEM ALPHABETICALLY. THE SECOND ONE I WILL DO TO HONOR TANEISHA HUDSON WHO HAS BEEN IN COLUMBIA COUNTY FOR A GOOD PART OF HER LIFE.

IT WAS SHORTLY AFTER SHE LEFT HOUSTON. SO ISABEL, RACHEL I.

I TRIED. BETH STEVENS AND ALSO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY IN THIS HISTORIC ELECTION. AND IT TALKS ABOUT TRACKING THE SAME LANGUAGE ABOUT THE GREAT JOB ALL OF THEM DID. I JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WE VOTED

ON BOTH AT THE SAME TIME? >> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,

JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIOS -- CONGRATULATIONS TUNEI -- TUNISHA AND TO ISABEL, THANK YOU. IT HAS DILL JEPTLY BEEN -- IT HAS BEEN THERE DILIGENTLY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOOD, SAFE ELECTIONS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HOPE ISABEL AND HER TEAM WITH GOOD ADVICE FROM TAU KNEE -- TANEISHA AND HER TEAM AND EVEN FROM THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, I WILL BE COMMITTED TO SPENDING AS MUCH MONEY AS IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE WE BEAT TRAVIS COUNTY ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE. SOME PEOPLE THINK IT IS A WASTE OF MONEY, BUT I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN INVESTING IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

I HOPE IF THERE IS ANOTHER ROUND OF CARES MONEY THAT COMES IN AND WE ARE SABLE -- ABLE DURING A PANDEMIC TO USE SOME OF THAT MONEY TO REGISTER OR FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.

IN TEXAS, THERE ARE MANY HURDLES WE PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE IT A CHALLENGE FOR PEOPLE TO EVEN REGISTER TO VOTE. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM. THEY DID A GREAT JOB ON THE ELECTION THIS PAST WEEKEND. THE NEXT BIG HURDLE IS REGISTRATION.

I WILL PUT SOMETHING OUT HONORING COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HIS STAFF AND WHAT THEY DID. IF IT IS LEGAL I WILL PUT A VOTER REGISTRATION CARD IN

[00:45:03]

THERE WHEN WE SEND IT OUT. WE OUGHT TO BE CREATIVE. TO THE NEW CLERK IN HER OUTFIT, YOU BETTER GET SOME OF THE EXPERIENCE FROM THE HONORABLE TANEISHA AND HER TEAM AND THE TAX ASSESSOR AND BEAT TRAVIS COUNTY ON PEOPLE WHO ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN

HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AMEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. AND WE HAVE A RESOLUTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THIS IS WHERE I WILL TAKE MY POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

>> JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, JAMES.

>> I HATE TO INTERRUPT, BUT FOR CLARITY I SHOW THE LAST TWO RESOLUTIONS PASSED 3-2.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT, JAMES. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS A RESOLUTION AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE FLOOR IN A MOMENT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO HONOR MARIA JIMENEZ WHO IS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO PASSED AWAY VERY RECENTLY. AND I BELIEVE HER CHILDREN ARE ON THE LINE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY MARIA, FOR FOLKS WHO DIDN'T KNOW HER, SHE WAS A HUMAN RIGHTS FIGHTER.

SHE WAS A MOTHER OF FOUR. SHE WAS A COMMUNITY LEADER. SHE WAS A MASTER ORGANIZER.

SHE WAS SOMEBODY WHO LOOKS AFTER THE MOST VULNERABLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

FOR ME SHE IS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST PEOPLE I MET WITH. THEY ARE SOMEBODY WHO BELIEVED IN THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY AND BELIEVED IN THE VALUES AND BELIEVED IN WHAT WAS POSSIBLE AND THEY WILL MAKE INTRODUCTIONS AND NEVER FOR A SECOND DOUBTED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO SL HAVE THE VISION I HAVE FOR GOVERNMENT. SALINA AND CARLOS WHO ARE ON THE LINE, YOU KNOW, YOUR MOM SOMEONE WHO SHOWED US THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE EVEN WHEN SHE WAS SICK WITH CANCER. SHE WAS WORKING ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FOR COMMUNITIES THAT WERE SUFFERING AND THE HEALTH IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES. SHE WAS SOMEBODY WHO EXEMPLIFIED SERVANT LEADERSHIP. IT WAS INCREDIBLE HOW SHE COULD GET PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY WOULDN'T ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND WHO DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME AND PERHAPS DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT AND WHO HAD BEEN BEATEN DOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN. PARTICULARLY IMMIGRANTS AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND GAVE THEM THE COURAGE TO MOBILIZE AND GAVE THEM THE COURAGE TO FIGHT AND ACHIEVE RESULTS. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SHE BELIEVED IN THE DIGNITY OF EVERYBODY. AND SHE IS SOMEBODY I HAVE STAYED IN TOUCH WITH THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND I WORKED ALONGSIDE IN PARTICULAR FIGHTING FOR THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. I HOPE WITH MARIA WE CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY AND THE BASIC RECOGNITION THAT ALL OF US HAVE A RIGHT TO HUMAN DIGNITY AND ALL OF US ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND NONE ARE LESSER HUMANS THAN OTHERS AND THAT PARTICULARLY APPLIES TO FOLKS WHO HAVE ARRIVED IN THIS COUNTRY, RECOGNIZING THAT IF NOT US DIRECTLY, OUR ANCESTORS ARRIVED HERE, MANY OF THEM, IN SEARCH FOR BETTER LIVES AND FOR A BETTER LIFE AND THE DEFINITION OF DOCUMENTED AND UNDOCUMENTED I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN SAY THAT WHOEVER 100 YEARS AGO ARRIVED DOCUMENTED. WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS AND WE ARE ALL WORTHY OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT. I JUST WANT TO THANK SALINA AND CARLOS FOR SHARING YOUR MOM WITH ME. I WAS JUST CRUSHED WHEN I LEARNED OF HER DEATH. SHE IS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE WOMAN THAT I HOPE WILL LIVE ON THROUGH OUR REMEMBERING HER LIFE AND HER WORK. SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA. AND SALINA AND CARLOS, MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. YOU ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOUR MOTHER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I CANNOT DO HER LEGACY ANYMORE JUSTICE THAN YOU HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW -- YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WALK THIS EARTH WE RARELY KNOW WHEN WE ARE AMONGST GIANTS.

[00:50:01]

WHEN WE ARE SEEING HISTORY BEING WRITTEN. BUT WHEN YOU WERE WITH MARIA YOU GOT A SENSE OF HOPE. I AM GLAD THAT BOTH YOUR LIFE AND MY LIFE CROSSED PATH WITH MARIA'S. I GOT TO MEET MARIA YEARS AGO.

IT WAS IN THE EARLY 90S WHEN I WAS DOING MY GANG WORK. MARIA HELPED TO LOOK AT THE PERSPECTIVE THAT, YES, THERE WERE THINGS HAPPENING AND THERE WERE ISSUE THAT'S WE HAD TO CONTEND WITH BUT WE HAD TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO BLANKET AND INDICT AN ENTIRE SOCIETY.

OR AN ENTIRE RACE. AND MARIA HELPED TO PUT IN MY MIND THAT AS WE NEED TO BE COURAGEOUS AND BOLD TO GO INTO ALLEYS AND DEAL WITH INDIVIDUALS AND YET TO BE COURAGEOUS AND BOLD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING MINDFUL OF THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE COMMUNITY AND IT IS UNDER THE LIGHT. I HAVE HERE SOMETHING WRITTEN ON MY DESK THAT I HEARD DURING A MOVIE. IT IS THINGS THAT ARE EQUAL TO THE SAME THING ARE ALSO EQUAL TO ONE ANOTHER. AND SO FOR MARIA THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT'S THE LAW. WE HAD TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE WAS EQUAL UNDER THE LAW. IF THEY ARE EQUAL TO THE LAW THEY ARE EQUAL TO THEMSELVES.

SO THIS RESOLUTION TO HER FAMILY AND TO HER CHILDREN, SALINA AND CARLOS, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR MOTHER WITH AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING HER WORK. I WILL JUST SAY WE ARE MUCH BETTER TODAY BECAUSE OF HER WORK AND BECAUSE OF HER RELENTLESS FIGHT AND SPIRIT.

I WILL RESPECTFULLY SAY, JUDGE, THAT THE FARM WORKER'S MOVEMENT IS ALWAYS THERE.

I WON'T READ THIS BECAUSE IT SHOULD REALLY BE A VOLUME. THIS IS IN HONOR AND THE

MEMORY AND RESPECT AND LEGACY OF MARIA JIMENEZ. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: BEFORE HER KIDS SPEAK I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF THEM. I KNEW MS. JIMENEZ VERY WELL.

SHE WAS VERY MUCH AN ACTIVIST IN THE OLD SENATE DISTRICT 13 THAT I REPRESENTED.

EARLY ON IN MY CAREER SHE WAS SOMEONE WHO GAVE ME A BIT OF ADVICE.

I WAS SOMEWHAT YOUNG. NOT AS YOUNG AS I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN WHEN I FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE, BUT SHE WAS ALWAYS CLOSE TO BEN REYES AND IT IS TRAGIC TO LOSE HER SO EARLY. SHE IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLDER THAN ME.

SO THAT JUST SHOWS HOW PRECARIOUS LIFE CAN BE FOR ALL OF US.

IT IS A GREAT HONOR AND I KNOW YOU ALL WILL BE THINKING OF SOMEWAY GOING FORWARD IN ADDITION TO THE RES -- TO THE RESOLUTION TO MAKE SURE THAT LOCAL HEROS AND HEROINES ARE HONORS SO 50 YEARS FROM NOW OR 20 YEARS FROM NOW, I WON'T BE AROUND, BUT SOMEBODY WILL SAY WHAT DID THAT PERSON DO? IT INSPIRES OTHER PEOPLE. HER WORK ON IMMIGRATION.

SHE WASSED A H -- SHE WAS AHEAD OF HER TIME. HER WORK ON SO MANY CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES ON CITY HALL, SHOWING UP IN AUSTIN. SHE IS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO

[00:55:05]

CAN CALL AND YOU TAKE THE PHONE CALL, BUT YOU DIDN'T WANT HER TO COME UP THERE AND RAISE CANE. I DO APPRECIATE HER CHILDREN SHARING HER ALL OF THESE YEARS AS THIS CASE WOULD -- I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE HER FAMILY ON THE LINE?

>> YES, MA'AM. SALINA VIA -- VIAREAL. >> I AM MARIA JIMENEZ'S DAUGHTER AND I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT RESOLUTION TO HONOR MY MOM. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ADRIAN GARCIA'S OFFICE FOR HAVING THE RESOLUTION -- FOR ADDING THE RESOLUTION TO THE AGENDA AND ALL OF YOU FOR HONORING MY MOM AND THE WORDS YOU JUST SHARED ABOUT HER.

WHENEVER SHE WAS RECOGNIZED SHE WOULD ALWAYS ACKNOWLEDGE THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SAY THAT IT WASN'T -- THAT IT IS NOT JUST HER WHO FIGHTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, BUT A COLLECTIVE OF PEOPLE. PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT SHE -- ONE OF THE REASONS SHE IS AN INSPIRATION IS BECAUSE SHE WAS WILLING TO BE ON THE FRONT LINES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE. SHE ALWAYS HAD AN URGENCY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S PART OF THE PASSION THAT SHOWED IN HER ACTIONS AND THIS HER -- AND IN HER WORDS. SHE WOULD CAPTIVATE THE AUDIENCE WHEN SHE SPOKE.

SHE USED TO ALWAYS -- ALSO SAY THAT YOU NEED TO LAUGH AT YOURSELF.

SO I'M GOING TO READ A FUN QUOTATION BY HER. SHE ONCE SAID "FROM MY MOTHER WHAT I LEARNED IS HOW TO DEAL WITH ABSOLUTE POWER. SHE WOULD FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GAIN OBJECTIVES. I REMEMBER SHE WOULD ORGANIZE THIS CLAN -- CLANDESTINED.

DON'T TELL YOUR PAPA, BUT WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS. FROM HER I LEARNED TO DEAL WITH THE ABSOLUTE POWER. SHE STRATEGIZED IN HUMOROUS SITUATIONS.

SHE WAS A BRIL YEPT -- BRILLIANT THINKER AND LOVED BY SO MANY AND SHE LOVED SO MANY PEOPLE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HONORING MY MOM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SALINA, THANK YOU I HOPE YOU AND CARLOS WILL CONTINUE HER

ROLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA , FOR BRINGING THAT RESOLUTION. I BELIEVE THOSE ARE ALL OF THE RESOLUTIONS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS AN ITEM BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE COVID ITEMS. COMMISSIONER IT IS ON JAIL HOUSE SERVICES. IT WAS ASKED WE TAKE IT OUT OF

ORDER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO LET US TAKE THIS OUT OF ORDER. IT IS A PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD MOTION.

WHAT I WANT TO DO IS -- I THINK WE SENT THE MOTION AROUND.

IT WILL BE TO THIS COURT TO DIRECT BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND TO WORK WITH THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP A TRANSITION PLAN THAT TRANSFERS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING HEALTH SERVICES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL TO THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND REPORT BACK TO THE COURT IN THREE MONTHS.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN GET IT DONE IN THREE MONTHS, I DON'T KNOW.

DR. PORSOM WAS INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE WHEN DALLAS COUNTY DECIDED TO MAKE THE TRANSFER.

I KNOW IT WAS NOT A EASY PROCESS TO DO. I ALSO TALKED TO ONE OF HIS FORMER COLLEAGUES OVER IN DALLAS COUNTY WHO TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T COME ON THE FRONT END.

THEY DID IT BECAUSE THERE WERE LAWSUITS K THEY HAD TO DO -- THEY HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

THEY DID BRING IN A CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT.

THIS GROUP MAY COME BACK WITH THE RECOMMENDATION AS WELL. I HAVE TALKED TO THE SHERIFF ABOUT IT. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT A NUMBER OF TIMES HERE AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT. AND IT JUST HADN'T MOVED AND SO I WANTED TO PUT SOME DEFINITIVE TIMETABLE IF THERE. I THINK IF WE DO IT WE WILL HAVE BETTER MEDICAL CARE AND A REDUCTION IN PROGRAM COSTS AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE COUNTY'S HEALTH CARE SAFETY NET. MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE INMATES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL IF THEY

[01:00:11]

WERE NOT IN THE FACILITY AND NEEDED HEALTH CARE, THEY WOULD PROBABLY GO TO HARRIS HEALTH OR THE HARRIS CENTER TO GET IT ANYWAY. IN SOMEWAYS AN ARGUMENT COULD BE MADE THAT IF MANY OF THEM COULD GET THE SERVICE MAYBE WE WOULDN'T SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON HAVING THEM IN JAIL. I KNOW IN COOK COUNTY THE COUNTY JUDGE TOLD HIM.

SHE PIONEERED THE EFFORT TO USE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE MONEY.

I HOPE THIS ADMINISTRATION, THE COURT IN THE PAST UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED OVER THE LAST DECADE IS DRAWING DOWN THE MONEY. THAT MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE COSTS AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE IF DR. PORSOM IS ON THE LINE AND I WOULD LIKE DAVE BERRY TO CHIME IN IF HE COULD. I PUT TO PARAMETERS ON WHAT THEY DO OR HOW THEY DO IT. IF THEY COME BACK AND SAY THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE, THEN I WON'T DO IT. I DID TALK TO THE SHERIFF ABOUT IT.

I DIDN'T ASK HIM TO COME ON THE LINE. I THINK HE SAID THAT BEFORE.

I AM JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE GET OFF THE DIME, SO TO SPEAK, AND MAKE A DECISION.

IF THE DOCTOR IS ON THE LINE AND THEN MAYBE DAVE BERRY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUICKLY BEFORE THEY COME OCOMMISSIONER -- COME OCOMMISSIONER, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA. WHEN WE SPOKE ABOUT THIS I WAS GRAPPLING BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE PUT THIS IN MOTION. WE MAY HAVE, BUT WITH THE TRANSITION OF MASSEY AND DR. PORSA AND THE PANDEMIC, IT FOUND ONE OF THE CRACKS TO FALL IN BETWEEN. I APPLAUD YOU. WHEN I CAME IN AS SHERIFF UTMB WAS TRYING TO RENEGOTIATE THEIR CONTRACT. THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE CONTRACT THEY HAD. ONE MORNING I WOKE UP AND WE HAD A COUPLE OF HUNDRED INMATES WHO HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO SEE A DOCTOR. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AT THE TIME. I HAD WORKED TO CREATE A RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN THE COUNTY JAIL. I WAS OBVIOUSLY A -- I DON'T THINK THEY CAN GET THAT JOB IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO UNDERSTAND PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES AND ISSUES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE ARE SEEING IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

I JUST WISH I WOULD HAVE HAD THE SUPPORT THEN AND HAD SOMEONE AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO PUT IT IN THE RIGHT DOMAIN. YOU'RE RIGHT.

THERE WILL BE SOME CHALLENGES WITH THE MOVEMENT. I DO KNOW THAT THEY NEED MORE THAN THREE MONTHS. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT INDEFINITE AND THEN ALLOW THEM TO TELL US HOW MUCH MORE TIME THEY MAY NEED. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE CONCERNED FROM MOVING FROM ONE AND THERE IS A LITTLE CONCERN WITH ANYONE'S JOB AND LONG-TERM INVOLVEMENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE MOVE IT OUT IN THE RIGHT WAY.

AND I WILL END WITH THIS. I DO ASK THEM TO LOOK THROUGH THE ELEMENT THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND WE MAY NEED AN AGENDA ITEM IN. WHEN YOU ARE IN JAIL MORE THAN

[01:05:11]

30 DAYS YOUR MEDICAID IS TERMINATED. IT IS TO THE SUSPENDED, BUT TERMINATED. ONE OF THE THINGS I HOPE WE CAN FIGURE OUT IS WHETHER WITH THIS MOVEMENT IS WHETHER THAT PROTECTS THEM OR ALLOWS THEIR MEDICAID TO BE SUSPENDED RATHER THAN WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING NOW. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF THOSE OTHER DETAILS. I DON'T WANT PEOPLE RECYCLING THROUGH BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET THEIR DENTAL WORK DONE. COMMISSIONER, WHAT PUT THIS ON MY MIND WAS AT THE LAST COURT YOUR ITEM RELATED TO HEALTH CARE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE REST OF US DO IT, BUT FOR ME AT THE HOLIDAYS AT THE END OF THE YEAR AS OPPOSED TO -- YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WERE KIDS PARENTS WOULD SAY WORK ON YOUR RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR. THE WAY MY MIND WORKS, AT THE END OF THE YEAR I TRY TO REMEMBER WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT AND WHERE IS IT? I THOUGHT ABOUT IT WHEN YOUR ITEM CAME IN LAST GO AROUND. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN, BUT I VAGUELY REMEMBER THE DISCUSSION THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST EITHER 30 MILLION OR 70 MILLION.

ONE OF US MADE A MOTION AT THE TABLE TO GO AND DO THIS WHEN MR. MASSEY WAS HERE.

AND YOU KNOW, LOOK, THERE ARE TWO OR THREE OTHER THINGS AND WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER MEETING. I WAS TELLING MY STAFF WHEN I GET ON THE ROAD I WAS THINKING WHERE IS THAT HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S HISTORICAL COMMISSION. AT THE END OF THE YEAR AS OPPOSED TO RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR, I TRY TO REMEMBER AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN FIND AN ANALYST OFFICE, BUT WHAT DID WE SAY AT SOME POINT AT THE COMMISSION MEETING AND IF MY STAFF DIDN'T COME BACK AND TELL ME I SAID I WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING, I FORGET ABOUT IT AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS AT 66. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I COULD REMEMBER. MAYBE IN A MONTH THEY WILL COME AND SAY WE NEED TO GET HMA OR SOMEBODY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT. BUT I THINK IT WAS ONE OF THOSE ITEMS OUT THERE. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE AS WE USED TO SAY I THINK I WAS ONE OF THOSE WHO ALWAYS HAD THE BRIGHT IDEAS. THAT'S ANOTHER ONE OF RODNEY'S BRIGHT IDEAS. SEND IT OVER TO THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE AND FORGET ABOUT IT. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO COME BACK WITH DEFINITION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON THAT POINT COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA TOUCH OWED THIS TOO, BUT I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I TALKED WITH DR. PORSA AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW OF THIS. WE DID OUR TALKING TRANSITION AT THE BEGINNING OF 2019, AND I REMEMBER VERY WELL THE ONE ON HEALTH WHERE I WAS SITTING WITH FOLKS FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FROM HARRIS HEALTH AND EVERYBODY AGREED THAT THIS IS SO CRUCIAL AND WE NEEDED IT.

I PERSONALLY MADE IT A POINT TO EVERY TIME HARRIS HEALTH COMES IN AND PRESENTS OR WE DISCUSS HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES TO MENTION, HEY WHAT ABOUT HARRIS HEALTH AND THE JAIL.

I KNOW OTHER FOLKS ON THE COURT HAVE DONE THAT TOO. AND SO I AM JUST PUZZLED AS TO -- BECAUSE NONE OF OUR OFFICES WERE IN THE WEEDS WITH THIS IT DIDN'T MOVE.

AND TO THE EXTENT OUR HEALTH CEO DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT.

I MEAN THE ONE IDEA I I HAVE IS -- IT COMES FROM THE RECENT BRIEFING I HAD WITH PFM.

I KNOW EVERYBODY HAS BEEN MEETING WITH THEM OR I IMAGINE I JUST HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH THEM WHERE I SAW THEIR REPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS INTERESTING IS WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE STAKEHOLDERS AT THE HIGH LEVEL. AND I THINK SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING WHEN THE ONLY WAY THINGS GET DONE IS IF WE GET INVOLVED IN THE WEEDS. I AM GONNA TRY TO THINK ABOUT THIS OVER THE BREAK AND I HAVEN'T RIGHTFULLY READ THE REPORT SO I PLAN ON DOING THAT , BUT I HAVE A HUNCH IT IS SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES. I AM DISAPPOINTED AND WE TRIED TO GIVE A HIGH-LEVEL DIRECTIVE. GET THIS DONE.

IT JUST SORT OFY EVAPORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE CEO DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MAKE REFERENCE TO THE PFM REPORT. PART OF IT IS WE HAVE 20 COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND THEN ALL OF THESE OTHER ENTITIES WHERE WE CONTROL THE BOARD.

[01:10:03]

THE BLACK HOLE SYNDROME IN BURE ROCK -- BUREAUCRACY IS SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND I DON'T KNOW HOW WE TRACK -- I KNOW OUR STAFF HAS TRIED. BUT SOMETIMES WE REALLY DO HAVE BRIGHT IDEAS AND SOME IDEAS MAYBE NOT SO BRIGHT. THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMEWAY SOMEBODY COMES BACK AND SAYS I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TO YOU DISUH -- DISAVOW YOURSELF OF THAT IDEA. THERE HAS TO BE SOMEWAY.

THE NUMBER IS EITHER 30 OR 70. I CAN'T I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH

ONE. I THINK IT IS 70. >> I THINK IT IS 70.

>> I THOUGHT WE MADE A MOTION. THE DISCUSSION WAS -- WELSHING I THINK SOMEBODY SAID -- ONE OF US SAID WE KNOW WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

BUT THAT -- WE SET THAT TAX RATE AND SET THIS TAX RATE AND WE ARE PAYING FOR IT ANYWAY.

SHERIFF GARCIA SAID THE THOUGHT POPPED IN MY HEAD WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT REALIGNING THE HEALTH CARE ENTITIES AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT? I TALKED TO MR. BERRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT THE NUMBERS. MOST THINGS WE IMPROVE IN LIFE TEND TO COST MONEY. YOU CAN HAVE EFFICIENCIES AND MANY OF THESE PEOPLE IF THEY WERE GETTING HEALTH CARE. NOT ALL, BUT MANY. THEY WOULD GO TO HARRIS HEALTH ANYWAY. AND SOME IF THEY WERE GETTING MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE MAYBE WOULD NOT END UP IN THE JAIL WHERE IT COSTS A HECK OF A LOT MORE.

I KNOW THERE ARE STRUCTURAL ISSUES. WHEN I TALKED TO HIM OVER THE WEEKEND, I DID MY HOMEWORK, AND I CALLED HIS FOLKS IN DALLAS.

ISSUES LIKE SECURITY IN THE JAIL AND WHO CONTROLS THE FACILITY AND NOT LOWERING THEIR STANDARDS AS IT RELATES TO MAYBE ACCREDITATION BECAUSE FACILITIES ARE NOT UP TO PAR.

IT GOES TO THE POINT IF WE ARE GOING TO INCARCERATE PEOPLE PARTICULARLY BEFORE THEY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED. THERE OUGHT TO BE A QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE FOR THEM THERE AS IT WOULD BE ON THE OUTSIDE. WITH THAT I THINK ONE OF THEM MAY BE ON THE LINE.

>> YES, SIR. WE DO HAVE DR. PORSA ON THE LINE AND SHERIFF GONZALEZ.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, GO AHEAD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. I HAVE THREE ISSUES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS OF ONE OF WHICH IS -- DISCUSS. ONE OF WHICH I HAVE BEEN A LONG ADVOCATE AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE THIS AND TRYING TO DO THIS PROGRAM WITH ESPECIALLY MENTAL HEALTH.

ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM IN MENTAL HEALTH IS WE ARE UTILIZING OUR JAIL SYSTEM AS A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY. AT ONE POINT IN TIME WE WERE THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN THE STATE, THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL WAS. AND ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS ON THE REVOLVING DOOR IS WHEN SOMEBODY GETS UNDER MEDS AND MEDICAL CARE WHILE IN THE JAIL SYSTEM AND THEN RELEASED, THEN THEY GET DROPPED OFF OF THE COVERAGE AND THERE IS A GAP WHERE THEY CAN GO AND TRY TO FIND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH TO BE PICKED UP AND MANY TIMES THEY DON'T. THEY GET OFF THEIR MEDICINES AND THEN WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT -- SHOULD NOT BE IN THE JAIL SYSTEM, BUT NEED MENTAL HEALTH HELP AND ARE IN A REVOLVING DOOR. I DEALT WITH AN INDIVIDUAL ONE TIME -- SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS, BUT ONE IN MY BRAIN THAT WENT THROUGH THE REVOLVING DOOR MULTIPLE TIMES.

I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE SOMETIMES WHEN WE DO SOME THINGS IN BITES WE CAN GET MORE ACCOMPLISHED FASTER. I MAY ASK THAT WE TRY TO MAYBE CREATE IN THIS COMPONENT, THE MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT, A PILOT PROGRAM TO SEE HOW IT WOULD WORK.

IF WE DID WITH AT LEAST THE MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT SOMETHING TO MOVE IT ALONG AT A FASTER PACE. I KNOW, AND THIS IS WHERE MY SECOND POINT COMES IF, THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES. WE ASKED COLONEL MASSEY TO LOOK AT A FEW THINGS.

WE HAD -- HE HAD AND CONCERNS AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS IT WAS SLOW WALKED BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE NOT ADDRESSED. AND SO WITH REGARD TO THAT I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL THAT WE STUDY IT FIRST AND MAYBE GET AN ACTUAL REPORT BACK TO LOOK AT BEFORE WE MAKE A DECISION THAT WE ARE GOING TO TRANSITION THE OTHER MEDICAL CARE SERVICE THAT'S ARE OVER. I AM AN ADVOCATE IF WE CAN HAVE THE BEST MEDICAL CARE WE CAN HAVE ACROSS THE BOARD AND BECAUSE YOU ARE INCARCERATED

[01:15:03]

DOES NOT MEAN YOU NEED A SECOND CLASS OF -- SECOND CLASS MEDICAL CARE OR A BETTER SET. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SHERIFF GARCIA WHEN WE FOUND OUT FROM SHIFTING NAME BRAND DRUGS TO GENERIC DRUGS WHICH IS WHAT OUR INSURANCE COVERS.

IT DOESN'T COVER NAME BRAND. IT COVERS GENERIC DRUGS. WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE MILLIONS. IT SOMED -- IT SOMED LIKE -- SEEMED BIKE 10 MILLION A QUHEER -- A YEAR WHEN WE SHIFTED. AND SO I THINK A LOOK INTO THIS PROCESS WOULD BE A GOOD THING THAT THEN MOVES ME TO THE THIRD POINT.

I RECEIVED THE ACTUAL MOTION AT 11:02 FROM -- OR MY STAFF DID AND WE PRINTED IT OFF REAL QUICK. I THINK WE NOW HAVE AN AMENDMENT WHICH I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY HAD A CHANCE TO READ YET, BUT WHICH CAME ACROSS I GUESS AT 11:09 FROM MR. GILL YEN. FORGIVE ME FOR READING THE MOTION.

THE NEW MOTION, AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, YOU DIRECT MANAGEMENT TO WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY SYSTEM, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF THAT TRANSFERS RESPONSIBILITY BACK TO THE JAIL AND REPORTS BACK IN THREE MONTHS.

INSTEAD OF THE WORD PLAN, WOULD YOU BE UH MEANABLE TO SAY -- SAYING RECOMMENDATION? THEY MAY DECIDE IN STUDYING AS COLONEL MASSEY SAID THERE MAY BE TWEAKS THAT NEED TO BE THERE. INSTEAD OF HAVING JUST PLAN HAVE A RECOMMENDATION AND I

THINK THAT A A BROADER TERM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME SUGGEST THIS BECAUSE I KNOW DR. MASSEY WANTS TO SPEAK. CAN YOU JUST E-MAIL IT TO US AND LET US LOOK AT.

IT I ASSUME YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT MORE THAN THAT. JUST SEND IT TO ME AND LET

THEM LOOK AT IT. JUST A SUGGESTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT.

MY RECOMMEND -- RECOMMENDATION IS CHANGE THE WORD PLAN TO RECOMMENDATION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THAT YOUR ONLY SUGGESTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL THAT AND I DON'T HAVE AN ACTUAL MOTION, BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO LOOK AT AND THAT COULD BE PART OF A RECOMMENDATION BUT AN EMPHASIS ON MENTAL HEALTH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. IT BUT WHY DON'T YOU SEND IT AROUND -- PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT WHY DON'T YOU SEND IT AROUND. I JUST DON'T WANT TO LOSE HIM

FOR YOU TO GET HIS THOUGHTS. >> DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO PURSA FIRST?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE COULD. THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE JUDGE TO PUT IT UP EARLY BECAUSE HE

HAS THE VACCINE ISSUE TO GET TOGETHER. >> ARE YOU UNMUTED.

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?

>> YES, SIR. >> WONDERFUL. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE INPUT.

BEFORE I START YOU ALL MENTIONED SOMETHING THAT I TOOK NOTE ON.

LET ME ADDRESS THIS FIRST AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, TO YOUR POINT, ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT HEALTH CARE AND MEDICAL CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE THEY ARE HAND IN HAND. LET ME UH BOWL -- APOLOGIZE AHEAD OF TIME AS I THREW OUT MY CONVERSATION TO YOU ALL. I REFERRED TO MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH CARE.

I REALLY MEAN THE ENTIRE UMBRELLA OF PHYSICAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR HEALTH.

ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER IS NOT COMPLETE. I WILL SAY THAT UP FRONT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WHAT IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE KNUCKLE HEAD RESIDENTS WHO ACTUALLY

WENT TO RESIDENCY AND BECAME A DOCTOR TO WORK INSIDE THE JAIL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PROUD OF

YOU. >> THANK YOU. I WAS ONE OF FIVE CHIEF RESIDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER. THE OTHER FIVE WENT INTO CARDIOLOGY AND NEVER -- NEPHROLOGY. WHEN THEY FOUND OUT I WAS GOING INTO IT THEY QUESTIONED MY STANDING -- CORRECTIONAL HEALTH.

SO MY COMMITMENT AND MY ACTION , YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT. UNFORTUNATELY I LOOKED AT THIS PREVIOUSLY AND THE ISSUE OF TRYING TO GETTING IMMEDIATE -- MEDICAID IS A NO GO.

THERE IS A POSSIBLE LEGAL ANGLE AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ARE YOU CORRECT.

HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND -- IS THE LARGEST PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY IN TEXAS AND DALLAS COUNTY JAIL IS THE SECOND LARGEST PROVIDER OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN TEXAS WHICH

[01:20:02]

IS SHAMEFUL. OUR TWO LARGEST -- TWO LARGE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ARE THE LEADING IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. AND RUN LAST THING ON THE TIMELINE AND I APPRECIATE, JUDGE, WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT HOW THIS FELL THROUGH THE CRACK, BUT THIS IS A BIG ITEM. I BELIEVE WHEN HMA REFERRED IT YEARS AGO, SOON AFTER THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM WAS CONFRONTED WITH THE CMS ISSUES AND I THINK AT THAT TIME THERE WAS A TIME-OUT AND EVERYBODY DROP WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO SHUT US DOWN. THEY ADDRESSED THAT AND MR. MASSEY LEFT AND I CAME ON BOARD AND THEN THERE WAS COVID. YOU ARE RIGHT.

I HAD NOT BEEN APPROACHED ABOUT THIS TOPIC. I HAD NOT HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS. I HAD NOT TALKED ABOUT THIS. I AM GLAD IT IS ON THE AGENDA AND I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE SOME THOUGHTS WITH ALL OF YOU IF I MAY.

BEFORE I DO THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT MY CREDENTIALS WHEN IT COMES TO CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE. I HAVE NOW BEEN ENGAGED WITH CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE FOR MORE THAN 28 YEARS. THAT INCLUDES 15 YEARS HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING WORKING IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.

ACTUALLY DELIVERING DIRECT PATIENT CARE TO HARRIS COUNTY JAIL INMATES.

IN THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL, INITIALLY AS A MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL AND THEN LATER AS AN EXECUTIVE IN DALLAS COUNTY. IN DALLAS COUNTY I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MEET THE ADDITIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MONITORING AGREEMENT.

THAT WAS THE REASON I WAS RECRUITED. I CURRENTLY WORK ON THE BOARD OF NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE WHICH IS THE ONLY REGULATORY AGENCY SURVEYING THE JAILS INSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITH REGARDS TO PROVIDING HEALTH CARE.

I ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN WRITING THE TEST QUESTIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL HEALTH SERVICES.

I SERVE AS THE DEVICE CHAIR AS THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS.

I HAVE BEEN DOING THAT THE LAST FEW YEARS. AND I HAVE TRAVELED ACROSS THE COUNTRY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. I HAVE A FEW YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH AND I WANT TO PUT THAT IN THE BACKGROUND. THE REST OF THE THINGS I WILL SAY, THERE IS A RHYME OR REASON. THE HEALTH CARE UNDER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND WE ALL MENTIONED THE IDEA IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH CARE DELIVERY INSIDE THE JAIL AND MAKE THE IN-- INMATES PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE AVERAGE LIFE IS ABOUT 35 DAYS. THESE PEOPLE ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY. THEY ARE IN AND OUT OF THE JAIL THEY HAVE MORE MANAGED HEALTH AND THEY ARE BETTER SERVED AS A WHOLE AND AS A TEAM LEADER.

CLEAR 80ING ONE STANDARD OF CARE AND JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE INCARCERATED DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE SECOND RATE HEALTH CARE. WE ARE TAKING CARE OF FOLKS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM IN THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. IT MAKES SENSE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THEIR CARE WHILE THEY ARE INCOURSE RATED AS WELL. AND I THINK THE EMR IN THE JAIL, I EXPECT IT BY NEXT YEAR. I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ELLIS YOU MENTIONED IT.

BY STREAM LINING THE RESOURCES WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GAIN SOME EFFICIENCIES.

IS DOES YOU -- IT DOES ALIGN WITH WHAT HARRIS HEALTH WANTS TO DO AND THE CONTINUED THREAT NOT JUST BY INMATES, BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED ON THE SCENE IN DALLAS, DALLAS COUNTY JAIL HAD 62 LAWSUITS PENDING AGAINST

[01:25:04]

THE COUNTY JAIL. I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT BY THE TIME I LEFT DALLAS THERE WERE ONLY TWO LAWSUITS. SOME OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IF WE WILL DO THIS, YOU ARE RIGHT THE QUESTION IS NOT IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS. WE CAN LOOK INTO A MEASURE THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. ONCE WE DECIDE WE WILL DO THIS, THERE ARE SEVERAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

ONE ONCE IT BECOMES PART OF THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM IT MAKES IT LIABLE AND IT IS AN AGENCY AND THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL IT. IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE REGULAR AGENCIES AND IT IS ANOTHER PART OF HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

AND IT CREATES ONE SYSTEM OF CARE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE JAIL.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WAS $70 MILLION. THEY ESTIMATED THE COST.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT -- WHEN WAS THAT? 2018?

>> DECEMBER OF 2018. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO TWO YEARS AGO.

>> EXACTLY TWO YEARS AGO. YES. STAFFING HAS TO BE STREAM LINED AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA TOUCHED ON IT. HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE CARE.

THEY HAVE TO HOLD TOGETHER THE PERSONNEL. IT IS STARTING FROM THE FRONT LINE AND ALL OF THE TOP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. AND TRYING TO MAINTAIN TWO LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT. IT IS AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY AND IT WOULD MAKE THIS TRANSITION COMPLETE. IT IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENED, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU MENTIONED YOU SPOKE TO MY FRIENDS FROM DALLAS COUNTY. SO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONSENT DECREE FOR THE TRANSITION AT THE TIME IN 2006 TO THE COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM AND WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR A TERRIBLE OUTCOME. THE COUNTY SPENT MORE THAN $ 50 MILLION ON IMPROVING THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL. THAT WAS WHERE IT COULD BE DELIVERED SAFELY.

THAT INCLUDES 19 NEW CLINICS AND THE NURSING STATIONS IN THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL.

IT IS THE CREATION OF 113 BEDS INSIDE THE JAIL BY COMPARISON. THE 48-BED INFIRMARY AND THEY MONITOR HEART RHYTHMS. IT WAS LITERALLY A SMALL HOSPITAL.

24R* WAS A NEW JAIL THAT WAS ERECTED. AND IT WAS THE DIRECT OBSERVATION IN THE COUNTRY. THERE WAS A NEW DENTAL CLINIC AND THERE WAS FIELD AUTOMATION. IT ACTUALLY HAD THE CAPABILITY OF AUTOMATION.

AND IT INCREASED STAFFING BY MORE THAN 50%. IT INCREASED THE JAIL

[01:30:03]

POPULATION. ALL OF THOSE THINGS WAS PART OF THIS PROCESS OF THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL BEING TAKEN OVER BY THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM. IT REQUIRES PLANNING BEFORE THE SYSTEM HAPPENED AND AFTER THE TRANSITION HAPPENED EVERYTHING I JUST MENTIONED AND HAPPENING. FOR US TO BE GIVEN -- IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU VOTE ON AND APPROVE AT THE END OF THE DAY, GIVE US THE TIME TO DO THIS RIGHT.

GIVE US THE TIME SO WE CAN LOOK INTO -- NOT JUST THE TIME, BUT THE RESOURCES AND THE COMMITMENT AT ALL LEVELS. I THINK YOU HENGES -- YOU MENTIONED THE HMA.

I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE HMA TO THE REPORT AND DO THAT BEFORE MARCH OF NEXT YEAR.

GIVE US AN IDEA HOW FAR WE ARE IN TERMS OF EQUIPMENT AND STARVING THAT ARE NATURALLY ACCEPTED. AND TO DO THIS BY END OF MARCH YOU CAN SPEND THE MONTH OF APRIL TO COME BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND I WOULD BE HAPPEN TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL. YOU CAN ENGAGE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO WORK IN THE TRANSITION PLAN. FINANCE, PERSONNEL AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND CONTRACTED SERVICES. AND SPEND BASICALLY THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR DOING THAT WITH THE HOPE AND THE GOAL AND THE PROMISE TO BEGIN THE TRANSITION AT THE BEGINNING OF 2022 AND SEEING THE TRANSITION BEFORE THE START OF OUR NEXT HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM'S NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND THAT IS MARCH OF 2022. THESE ARE MY THOUGHTS AND I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS. I FELT TO BE REASONABLE AND TO MAKE DECISION THAT'S ARE TOO

HASTY AND PERHAPS NOT -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M SORRY. WERE YOU FINISHED, DOCTOR?

>> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.

IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THIS CAME UP. I KNEW IT WAS 30 OR 70 IN MY HEAD. I DON'T THINK THE MARCH DEADLINE CAUSES ANYTHING TO BE DONE. NEXT DECEMBER WHEN I THINK OF A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION YOU SAY GOING BAYING TO 2021 -- GOING BACK TO 2021 AND IN MARCH WE WANT TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO YOUR BOARD AND IT IS YOUR ISSUE THAT IS A CONCERN.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE SENT OVER.

I MOVE THE BOARD TO WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE AND TRANSFERS RESPONSIBILITY TO HARRIS COUNTY AND REPORT BACK TO THIS COURT IN THREE MONTHS.

EVEN THREE MONTHS YOU COME BACK AND 8 -- AND SAY YOU GOT ME? I DON'T WANT TO -- I DON'T WANT STUFF TO GET LOST. I KNOW YOU ARE NEW TO. IT BUT IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR. I KNOW CLEARLY PEOPLE ON THE BOARD YOU KNOW WHAT WE DID.

[01:35:15]

I THINK IN MOST STATES IN AMERICA, THE LARGEST COUNTY JAIL IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH ENTITY. I THINK THAT'S THE CASE WITH L.A., WITH COOK AND WITH LOUISIANA AND WITH TENNESSEE. IS THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE? IT IS NOT A DROP DEAD.

IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THAT'S FINE.

I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THAT. THAT'S A PART OF IT.

YOU WILL BRING THEM IN AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT AS AN APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD COMES UP WE WOULD DO THAT. PEOPLE WANT ME TO ADD HARRIS CENTER TO IT, THAT'S IMPLICIT. ONE THING I LEARNED WHILE WORKING IN AUSTIN IS I'M NOT

PERFECT. >> IF I MAY SUGGEST, I THINK IT LIMITS ACHIEVING THE GOAL.

>> I SAID HARRIS CENTER WHICH I DON'T HAVE IN IT. >> I WOULD HUMBLY RECOMMEND

AGAINST IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T PUT IT IN.

I SAID IF SOMEBODY WANTED IT IN I WOULD TAKE IT, BUT I LEFT IT OUT BECAUSE MENTAL HEALTH WAS MORE THAN JUST THE HARRIS CENTER. IS THAT WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO

SAY? >> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BERRY, DO

YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS? >> I BELIEVE MOST OF WHAT I HAD TO SAY ON THE TOPIC WAS SAID AND WON'T REPEAT IT. THE ONE SUGGESTION I WOULD MAKE IS I THINK WE CAN WORK ON SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS INVOLVED IN THE TRANSITION. I THINK WE CAN WORK ON THE VARIOUS BENEFITS. I THINK WE CAN WORK ON A PARALLEL TRACK.

AND I JUST ASSUME NOT TO WAIT UNTIL MARCH. >> IF YOU COME BACK AND MARCH AND SAY OUR REPORT IS WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TO REPORT, YOU CAN COME BACK IN APRIL OR JUNE.

THEN SAY IT. BUT IF IT IS A HARD TIMETABLE SOMEBODY IS SAYING SOMETHING.

I DON'T WANT IT TO GO THE WAY IT WENT SINCE DECEMBER 2018. >> YES, SIR.

I DON'T WANT THAT EITHER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN'T REMEMBER THE PERSON'S NAME I SPOKE TO AND HE SAID HELLO. HE SPENT AN HOUR WITH SOMEBODY ON MY STAFF.

I WAS LOOKING ON MY PHONE AND TRYING TO SEE WHO IT WAS. >> PAT JONES, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, THAT'S WHO IT WAS. >> JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: DOCTOR, ISN'T

HARRIS HEALTH PUTTING EP -- EPIC IN THE JAIL RIGHT NOW? >> YES STEVE WHAT IS THE

PURPOSE OF THAT? >> IT IS TO HELP WITH THE CONTINUING CARE SO THE JAIL DOCTORS CAN HAVE A VIEW OF THINGS AND VICE-VERSA, SO HARRIS HEALTH KNOWS WHAT IS

GOING ON IN THE JAIL. >> STEVE RADACK: A FEW MONTHS AGO, DIDN'T COMMISSIONER'S

COURT PROVIDE LIKE $8 MILLION FOR JAIL HEALTH? >> YES, SIR.

THAT WAS PART OF THE OVERALL AMOUNT. YES.

YOU ARE CORRECT. >> STEVE RADACK: HADN'T THE BOARD BEEN HESITANT TO TAKE IT

ON? >> I WOULD HAVE TO SPEAK -- I HATE TO SPEAK FOR THE BOARD,

COMMISSIONER. >> STEVE RADACK: IN OTHER WORDS, THEY HAVEN'T -- IT

HADN'T BEEN PURSUED SO TO SPEAK, CO -- OKAY? >> YES, SIR.

>> STEVE RADACK: IN YOUR OPINION ISN'T THIS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH

[01:40:05]

UT AND BAYLOR AS WELL? >> IT DEPENDS ON HOW WE ARE GOING TO APPROACH THE PROVIDERS. THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

RIGHT NOW THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE CONTRACTED AND ALL BELONG TO UT OR BAYLOR.

AND SO AS PART OF THE TRANSITION PLAN THE DETERMINATION AND IT HAS TO BE

MADE. >> DR. PORSA, TO THE POINT COMMISSIONER BROUGHT UP AND HOW WE CAN OPERATIONAL LIES YEARS AND QULEERS AGO AND HAVE -- YEARS AND YEARS AGO AND NOT HAVE NECESSARILY A COUNTY JAIL AND -- IS THIS TRANSITION AND DOES IT MOVE IF THAT DIRECTION? HOW CAN YOU INCLUDE THAT IN THE THINKING?

>> IT WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE INCLUDED, JUDGE. PART OF THE TRANSITION PLANNING IS WHAT IS THE BEST WAY OF APPROACHING THIS? RIGHT NOW IT IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS FRAGMENTED. LET ME SPEAK FROM MY EXPERIENCE. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL IS THAT BOTH MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WERE GIVEN TO THE DEPARTMENT HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM FOR HARRIS COUNTY. THAT GNAW -- NEGATED IN I -- ANY POTENTIAL FOR FRAGMENTED CARE. THE SAME ENTITY WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL CARE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. THAT'S ONE WAY OF DOING IT.

THE OTHER WAY IS JUST DOING MEDICAL CARE WITH THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND BEHAVIOR HEALTH SYSTEM. I WOULD RECOMMEND AGAINST IT, BUT THAT IS PART OF THE

TRANSITION PLAN LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT GOES BACK TO THE INITIAL POINT WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY THE PEOPLE THAT END UP WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AT THE JAIL, THEY DIDN'T GO TO JAIL BECAUSE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ALONE. OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE COMMITTED SOME KIND OF A TRANS GRETION OR ARE -- TRANSGRESSION OR ACCUSED OF DOING SO. HOW DO WE HELP THEM BEFORE THEY END UP IN THE SITUATION. IF IT IS NOT YOU GUYS WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT IT, THEN WHO? WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT TWO YEARS TO EVEN START THE TRANSITION.

IF WE GO TO THE PLAN AS PRESENTED WE WILL HAVE THE LARGEST JAIL IN MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY AND NOBODY IS LOOKING AT BEING THE KEEPER OF HOW TO STOP THAT SITUATION.

>> THAT IS A CONVERSATION WORTH HAVING. THE BEHAVIOR HEALTH COMMUNITY IS A LARNL DISCUSSION. HARRIS HEALTH WANTS TO BE A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES, BUT IT REQUIRES CLOSE PARTNERSHIP.

>> MAYBE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AS YOU DO YOUR OPERATIONAL REVIEW, I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT IT AND IN TERMS OF RESOURCES, I MEAN IT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN REQUEST.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> I KNOW THE SHERIFF IS ON, BUT YOU MAKE AN INTERESTING POINT. IF THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN BOTH STATES IN AMERICA IT MAKES THE CASE THAT WHAT WE PROVIDE IN TERMS OF MENTAL AND FEBRUARY HEALTH IS SOMETHING NOT SUB PAR. WHERE EFFICIENCY COMES IN ON YOUR SIDE IS BECAUSE IF YOU ARE DOING HEALTH CARE FOR THE INDIGENT AND MANY PEOPLE NOW ARE INDIGENT, AT SOME POINT THERE SHOULD BE SOME DEFICIENCIES THERE. THE SHERIFF IS HAVING TO DO WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RUN THE JAIL. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS RUN HEALTH CARE. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SECURITY ISSUES YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH AT YOUR FACILITY AS WELL. SO FOR -- SO IF A PERSON SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE THE COST ON THE FRONT END THE WAY THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD -- I KNOW THE SHERIFF IS ON THE LINE.

[01:45:19]

MY ONLY REASON FOR PUSHING IS WE NEED SOME MEASURABLE OUTCOME FOR MAKING PROGRESS.

THAT WAS BEFORE JUDGE HIDALGO AND -- JOINED COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND WE VOTE OWED SOMETHING SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN HERE. I JUST NEED SOMEBODY TO PULL

THE MINUTES OR THE TAPES. >> QUICKLY, YOU ARE CORRECT. THE COST SAVINGS WERE NOT REALIZED IMMEDIATELY. THE COUNTY INVESTED $50 MILLION.

THE SAVINGS WERE REALIZED LATER. IT WAS NOT JUST ON HEALTH CARE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW, BUT THEY WERE SENDING -- DALLAS COUNTY WAS SENDING A THOUSAND INMATES A MONTH. THERE ARE A THOUSAND SHERIFF DEPUTY THAT'S HAVE TO TRANSPORT INMATES TO AND FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THIS LAST TIME BEFORE I LEFT IT WAS A THOUSAND TRIPS A MONTH. WHAT THAT IS IN TERMS OF

SAVINGS TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, I THINK IN A NEW ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE LARGEST -- THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTY GAL POPULATION -- JAIL POPULATION IN AMERICA NOW AND WE HAVE THE OVERALL POPULATION OF LOS ANGELES, FIVE MILLION ROUGHLY, 10 MILLION, THAT'S THE ONLY COUNTY THAT HAS A LARGER POPULATION IN THE COUNTY JAIL, I THINK A NEW JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE MORE VIGILANT ABOUT LOOKING. DO YOU REMEMBER HOW MUCH CANE

I USED TO GIVE YOU? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAD FORGOTTEN.

NOTHING LIKE A FRIENDLY COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO BE PROGRESSIVE ON THESE MATTERS, BUT COULDN'T GET YOUR OLD HARD HEAD TO GET AROUND THAT. AND NOW YOU UNDERSTAND.

I WILL TAKE THAT APOLOGY IN WRITING AND PUT IT IN THE FORM OF A RESOLUTION AND I WILL

SECOND IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVEN'T CHANGED MY COMMITMENT TO QUALITY OF CARE AND REFORM EVEN IF NOW I AM ON THE OTHER SIDE WHERE WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. YOU GOT ME? THE BUCK STOPS HERE WITH US.

I DO THINK WE WILL HAVE A MORE AGGRESSIVE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

I KNOW THE SHERIFF IS ON THE LINE NOW, JUDGE, AND I WILL BE QUIET.

CAGLE, AM I RIGHT WITH THE LANGE -- I AM ALREADY WITH THE LANGUAGE YOU SUBMITTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU CAN HANG TIGHT, DR. PORSA, THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

AFTER THE SHERIFF SPEAKS. SHERIFF, ARE YOU ON? >> ONE MOMENT, JUDGE.

YOU ARE UN -- UNMUTED. >> HELLO? >> GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I AM SUPPORTIVE TO THIS MATTER AND I WANT TO ADD A LITTLE CONTEXT. WE WERE MOVING ALONG BECAUSE WE WANTED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I THINK IT HAPPENED ON THE HARRIS HEALTH SIDE OF THINGS.

IF FACT THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WAS INVOLVED AND EVEN SPENT TIME HERE AT THE JAIL TO TAKE AN IN DEPTH LOOK. I PERSONALLY WENT TO PRESENT TO THE HARRIS BOARD.

THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT TAKING IT OVER AND THEN WHEN THERE WAS GOING TO BE A TRANSITION OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND JUDGE HIDALGO, THEY WANTED YOU ALL TO BE INFORMED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS AN IMPORTANT POLICY DECISION. IT WAS CLOSE TO THE TRANSITION HAPPENING AND THEN OF COURSE COVID AND OTHER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.

THAT'S WHERE THE DELAY HAS OCCURRED. I I DO WANT TO SAY THAT OUR MEDICAL OPERATION IS IN GOOD STANDING RIGHT NOW. WE OPERATE A VERY GOOD MEDICAL OPERATION. WE WERE RECENTLY RESETTER FIGHT ONCE AGAIN BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE OUR TEAM OF PHENOMENAL GROWTH AND WE WERE ABLE TO INSTITUTE TREATMENT THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTED IMPLEMENTED AND WE ARE GETTING THE BALL ROLLING ON THAT. WE ARE DOING GREAT WORK ON THAT. THE HMA REPORT CONFIRMED THAT.

THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT BASICALLY HARRIS HEALTH WASN'T INHAIR TIG -- INHERITING THE

[01:50:05]

OPERATION. THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A GOOD OPERATION AND THINGS WERE IN GOOD HANDS. I THINK WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR IS POSSIBLY MORE EFFICIENCIES AND TO LEVERAGE TO SCALE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THREE KEY POINTS AND I WILL TRY TO MAKE THEM QUICK. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR MENTIONING THE EMPLOYEES. THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF STRESS, IF YOU WILL. IT WAS WHAT LEADERS WERE TALKING ABOUT AND THEY ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. IT IS TWO DIFFERENT EMPLOYMENT SYSTEMS. IT IS IMPORTANT THEY ARE NOT LEFT OUT OF THE EQUATION. I DO WANT TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS AT THE TIME. THIS WAS THE PREVIOUS BOARD AND NANCY DID INDICATE THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY REQUIRE A LOT MORE MONEY THAN WAS CURRENTLY BEING SPENT ON HEALTH CARE IN THE JAIL. IT IS AROUND 70 MILLION YEARLY AND THAT IS FOR HEALTH CARE IN THE JAIL. BECAUSE OF OTHER EXPENSES WE ARE HOVERING AROUND 82 MILLION YEAR TO DATE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IF HARRIS HEALTH DOES LOOK AT IT, IT IS GOING TO GROW COSTS. THE THIRD PLACE IS I WANT TOKING -- TO ACKNOWLEDGE EXPECTATIONS. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TRANSFERRING RESPONSIBILITY.

I DISAGREE WITH THAT FRAME. I AM RESPONSIBLE OF THE COUNTY JAIL SYSTEM AND I WILL BE HELD TO THAT RESPONSIBILITY BY THE CONSTITUTION AND THE TEXAS JAIL STANDARDS.

WE CAN'T TRANSFEREE RESPONSIBILITY THIS. IS A GLORIFIED -- RESPONSIBILITY.

THIS IS A GLORIFIED WAY. THE SERVICE PROVIDER THAT OVERSEAS THE -- THAT OVERSEES THE MEDICAL CARE. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE THE CHECK IN BALANCE SO WE ARE PROVIDING ADEQUATE CARE ONCE THEY DO TAKE IT OVER.

IT FITS THEIR VALUES TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY HEALTH. I WILL ONLY SAY JAIL HEALTH IS COMMUNITY HEALTH. I WANT TO TELL THAT YOU WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE THINGS UNDER CONSIDERATION. I ARGUE IN THE PROPOSAL AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HARRIS CENTER AND HARRIS HEALTH IS HARRIS CENTER ALREADY PROVIDES MEN -- MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE JAIL. THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE. HARRIS HEALTH DOES NOT.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THAT DE -- DE LYNN YAGS. IT IS TWO GOVERNING BODIES.

AND SO THE HARRIS CENTER MANAGES THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THEY DO A PHENOMENAL JOB. IT IS BETTER TO SEPARATE BOTH ISSUES.

ULTIMATELY ONCE HARRIS HEALTH COMES IN IT WOULD BE BETTER TO ALSO IMPLORE THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE OF IT. AND I THINK IT IS BETTER TO KEEP SEPARATED.

ALSO TO THE BROADER QUESTION THAT JUDGE HIDALGO MENTIONED WHEN IT COMES BACK TO 30,000 IN MENTAL HEALTH AND ALL OF THAT THE PREVIOUS COURT AND THE COMMISSIONERS DID HELP FUND THE DIVERSION CENTER FOR HTD AND OURSELVES WE USE IT HEAVILY.

WE HAVE THE ONLY PRE-BOOKED DIVERSION CENTER IN THE NATION. IT IS 24 HOURS FOR ANY OFFICER TO CONNECT WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND MAYBE IT IS NONVIOLENT WHERE WE CAN TRANSFER THEM TO THE CENTER. WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT BODY IS PERHAPS WE COULD AUGMENT THE INITIATIVE AND I KNOW WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL I HELPED CODIFY THAT TO THE GOVERNMENT. IT IS A TEAM THAT HELPS STAICIAL -- STABILIZE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE STABILIZED. THEY CAN HAVE THE TRANSPORTATION AS THEY STICK WITH ALL OF THAT SO WE CAN STABILIZE THE INDIVIDUALS. IF WE CAN STABILIZE THEM, THE RESEARCH -- IT IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM. WE REDUCE THE SERVICE TO THOSE HOMES BY 75%. WHAT HAPPENS IS IT WILL CONTINUE DOWN.

[01:55:03]

THAT WOULD BE AN EASY WAY FOR US TO CONTINUE THE CARE SO THAT SERVICE CAN BE PROVIDED WHEN AT HOME AND WE CAN CONNECT THEM TO ESTABLISHED SERVICES.

THAT'S THE MISSING PIECE THAT IS HAPPENING. THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF THE CONTEXT. IT WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE BOARD FOR FINAL APPROVAL AND IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THE SUMMER OF LAST YEAR. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND THEN COVID HAPPENED AND THEN IT WAS GOING BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO DETERMINE THE FINAL BUDGET NUMBERS AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS AND OBVIOUSLY COVID HAS PUT A BIG WRENCH THIS THAT. SO I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF MY CONCERNS AND THINGS

TRANSFERRING RESPONSIBILITY. THAT'S A LITTLE CONCERNING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND WE HAVE DR. MONDAY ON THE LINE TO SPEAK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APPRECIATE YOU BREAKING DOWN THE CONVERSATION AND IT HELPS EVERYONE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE, NUMBER ONE, ON TOP OF IT. NUMBER TWO, WE DID PUT SOMETHING IN MOTION LAST YEAR AND FOR WHATEVER REASON IT HAS NOT MOVED.

I AM A LITTLE SURPRISED IN THE TRANSITION IT WAS NOT HANDED OVER TO DR. PORSA.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB REGARDLESS OF THE ADMINISTRATION RUNNING THAT JAIL IS A BEAST OF A TASK. AND SO I APPLAUD YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING. AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. WE ARE LOOKING TO BRING IN A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. FORTUNATELY OR UNFORTUNATELY THE RESPONSIBILITY STAYS WITH THE ELECTED SHERIFF. THAT'S WHAT THE CURRENT LAW IS.

YOU ARE DOING IT IN FINE ORDER SO THANK YOU, SHERIFF FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHERIFF, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO, BUT WE CAN'T CHANGE WHAT THE STATE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES. YOU USED A PHRASE I USE AS WELL. YOU SAID I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.

THEY WILL BE MY PROVIDER TO RUN IT. I DIDN'T MEAN TO TAKE ANY POWER FROM YOU. I THINK WE CAN LOOK AROUND THE STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I JUST LOOKED AT DALLAS, AND I LOOKED NATIONALLY. IN EVERY COUNTY, HMA WORKED WITH THEM AND FOR NEW YORK CITY, A COMPARABLE ENTITY TO HARRIS HEALTH DOES RUN I ASSUME WITH THE SHERIFF ULTIMATELY STILL BEING LIABLE, RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT LEAD TO IT ON RYE CUSTOMER -- RYKER'S ISLAND OR WHAT LEAD TO IT IN L.A. AND ALSO COOK COUNTY. IN IS -- THIS IS A WAY OF GETTING IT BACK ON THE TABLE, SHERIFF, AND I THINK YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AS WELL AND AS EVIDENCED BY THE VOTERS SENDING YOU BACK BY A BIG TIME MARGIN.

IT IS ONE OF THE LBJ LANDSLIDE MARGINS. SECOND TERM, MIGHT I ADD AND NOT THE FIRST TERM. IN NO WAY WHOA -- WE WILL TAKE POWER FROM YOU.

THE BUCK STOPS WITH YOU. IF THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE BOARD IT IS GOOD FOR US TO KNOW THAT. I KNOW THE CHAIR IS ON THE LINE, BUT IT HEADS THE BOARD KNOW THERE IS A SERIOUSNESS. I GUESS WHAT GAY ARE SEE YAW CAME UP WITH IS WHATEVER HAPPENED AT THE DECEMBER MEETING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE LAST MEETING UNDER JUDGE HEMET AND WE DID SOMETHING UNDER JUDGE HIDALGO. IT IS PROBABLY IN THESE NOTES, BUT I WON'T READ THEM TO YOU. THIS IS THE WAY BY COMING BACK IN MARCH WHERE IS IT? FROM WHAT YOU SAID YOU THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING LAST SUMMER.

I WANT TO KEEP IT ROLLING. IF WE CAN'T DO IT, YOU BALK OR THE BOARD BALKS THEN WE WANT

TO KNOW. >> IT WAS SCHEDULED AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO BEFORE THE HARRIS HEALTH BOARD. WE WERE JUST WAITING FOR THE BOARD AND IT WAS WELL RECEIVED. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT FIT INTO THEIR MISSION AND VALUE AND WHEN THEY ARE INHAIR TIG AND RUNNING THE MEDICAL OPERATIONS THEY DO IT IN THE

[02:00:01]

CONTEXT OF HAVING A LARGER SYSTEM. AS DR. PORSA SAID THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE NEEDED. I THINK WHERE WE COULD REALLY MAXIMIZE? EFFECTIVENESS HERE IS THAT WE ARE NOT A FULL SCALE OPERATION.

MANY TIMES AS DR. PORSA MENTIONED, WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF TRANSFER THAT'S OCCURS BETWEEN OUR JAIL AND LBJ OR BENTAB AND IT WOULD HELP OPERATIONALLY AND IT WOULD HELP WITH THE STAFFING. WITH HAVING EPIC AND ALL OF THESE SYSTEM ITSELF WOULD BE A BETTER CONTINUUM OF CARE. THERE ARE PRIVATE PROVIDERS THAT ALSO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE IN FACILITIES. MY CONCERN IS WITH THE FOR PROFIT THEY LOOK AT THE BOTTOM LINE AND THEY DON'T ALWAYS LOOK AT THE BEST CARE FOR THE DEPENDENTS.

I THINK IN THAT CASE HARRIS HEALTH WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER MASK.

EVERYTHING POINTED OUT IT WOULD BE. IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF HARRIS HEALTH HAVING THE POLITICAL WILL TO TAKE IT ON, AND IN TERMS OF THE BOARD THERE WAS A THESE 10 SEE THERE AND THE DOLLARS. THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ASK FOR A LOT MORE MONEY. I AM TRYING TO -- MY MIND IS GOING TOO, -- MY MIND IS GOING

TOO, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

YOU ARE NOT TOO MANY YEARS YOUNGER. >> I THINK IT IS CLOSER TO

100 MILLION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS.

>> WHAT WE CAN LOOK AT IS COMMUNITY HEALTH. WE KNOW THAT THOSE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM HAVE A POORER QUALITY OF HEALTH THAN THE AVERAGE POPULATION BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING AND IF WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WHILE THEY ARE IN THE TEMPORARY HOME AND THEN EXIT BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT IT IS ALL ONE SYSTEM THAT IS LOOKING AT HOW TO MANAGE HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES AND OTHER THINGS SO THERE IS NOT A DROP OFF IN CARE.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE CAN MAXIMIZE THE ECONOMY TO SCALE.

THERE IS A SMOOTH TRANSITION. THEY WENT TO ONE SYSTEM AND GOT X-RAYS AND THEN THEY COME IN HERE AND WE HAVE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. ULTIMATELY HEALTH CARE IS NOT FREE. COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE PAYING FOR THIS.

IF WE PAY 70 MILLION TO 100 MILLION IT SHOULD NOT JUST BE IN A JAIL CELL.

THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY RIGHT NOW IS 209 DAYS. IT IS VERY HIGH.

EVERY DAY IT IS COSTING MONEY. 30% OF OUR INMATES ARE -- IDENTIFY AS BEING HOMELESS. CLEARLY THERE IS A BROKEN SYSTEM WE ARE SEEING ON THE FRONT LINES. 25% ARE ON ON ONE SIDE OF THE MEDICATION.

>> AND SHERIFF, SOMEBODY TOLD ME EITHER THE COUNTY JUDGE OR COMMISSIONER, BUT IN THE BUDGET FOR PARKLAND THE COUNTY SETS THE TAX RATE AND THAT IS A SEPARATE LINE FOR JAIL HEALTH. AT THE END OF THE DAY THE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR IT.

WE HAVE TO TAKE THE HEAT SETTING THE RATE. >> AND THE OTHER CHALLENGE IS TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP A COMPETENT AND QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE STAFF.

WE ARE COMPETING WITH THE HOSPITALS. SOMETIMES THE PAY AS WELL AS BEING A CHALLENGING WORK ENVIRONMENT, IT IS CHALLENGING WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH UPWARDS OF 8500 IN A COMPLEX AND I DO WANT TO ADD AS WELL THAT I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT ADDRESSING THE CARE OF WOMEN IN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. IT IS THE FASTEST GROWING IN THE PRISON SYSTEM AND OUR FACILITIES ARE NOT BUILT WITH WOMEN IN MIND.

IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. WE HAVE 13 WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT TODAY, AND SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE PRENATAL CARE AND THEY GO TO HARRIS HEALTH TO DELIVER THEIR CHILD AND THEN QUICKLY BROUGHT BACK TO OUR SYSTEM. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER IMPACTS INTO THE SYSTEM. WE ARE COMPETING WITH THE MARKETPLACE TO RETAIN THE HIGHLY QUALIFIED MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND THE NURSES AND LVN'S AND OTHERS.

WE ARE COMPETING AMONG OURSELVES WHEN HARRIS HEALTH IS ACTUALLY ABLE TO PROVIDE A BETTER WAGE BECAUSE ECONOMY IS TO SCALE AND THAT'S THEIR WHEEL HOUSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW WE HAVE DR. MONDAY ON THE LINE SO WE OUGHT TO HEAR FROM HER.

[02:05:05]

THANK YOU, SHERIFF. WE MAY HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I AM UNMUTING DR. MONDAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. I WANTED TO ECHO THE SHERIFF'S COMMENTS AND REASSURE THE COURT THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE SHERIFF AT THE PRESENTATION, AND THAT WAS VERY MUCH ON OUR RADAR WHEN WE SELECTED DR. PORSA OUT OF A VERY COMPETITIVE FIELD KNOWING HIS PASSION AND EXPERIENCE. AND IT WAS NOT A MATTER OF IF, BUT A MATTER OF WHEN.

THERE ARE MANY COMPLEX ISSUES FOR THE PROVIDER OF THE JAIL. WHEN THE SHERIFF PRESENT -- PRESENTED TO US THE OCCUPANCY RATE OF NURSES AND PHYSICIANS AND THE STAFF THEY NEEDED WAS UPPED ABOUT 50% BECAUSE IT IS VERY HARD TO RECRUIT FOR THE JAIL AND WOO CASH -- AND WE WANT TO DO IT WELL. WE ARE LOOKING AT EXACTLY THE FRAGMENTATION THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH JAIL HEALTH AND ALSO ACROSS THE COMMUNITY WITH THE FQ TAY C'S AND -- FQAC'S AND THEY ARE TRYING TO COORDINATE CARE SO WE DON'T HAVE THE FRAGMENTATION.

THE $8 MILLION FOR EPIC UPGRADE HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THAT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COORDINATING WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND PUTTING SCANS IN THE JAIL SO INMATES DON'T HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED. THOSE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE ON GOING CURRENTLY.

WE HAVE HAD A BIT OF A YEAR. WHEN DR. PORSA WALKED UP WE JUST FINISHED UP OUR INVESTIGATION AND WITH COVID WE HAD SOME MAJOR FACILITIES ISSUES AS YOU KNOW.

IT IS A BIG ENDEAVOR AND WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. I HEAR YOU AND WE WILL CONVEY THAT TO THE REST OF THE BOARD. OUR REAL ISSUE WAS WHEN WE HEARD FROM THE SHERIFF TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO IT, DO IT RIGHT AND HAVE THE FINANCING. I REMEMBER IT TO BE OVER 100 MILLION IN TERMS OF WHAT THAT WOULD ACTUALLY COST TO MAKE SURE OUR STOVE IS -- OUR STAFF IS SAFE IN THE MEDICAL FACILITIES AND THE MEDICAL SERVERS ARE ON BOARD SO IT IS DONE IN A TRULY EXEMPLARY WAY TO MAKE IT AN EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR. IT IS A BIG CHALLENGED, BUT HOPEFULLY WE ARE BACK ON TRACK AND IN BETTER COMMUNICATION. I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER

ELLIS YOU BRINGING THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE I WILL ACCEPT THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AND READ IT IF THAT IS OKAY? I MOVE THE COURT DIRECT THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO RECOMMEND, AND THAT'S THE CHANGE, A PLAN THAT TRANSFERS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, AND THAT'S A CHANGE, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL, HEALTH SERVICES TO THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL -- IN THE HAIR LIS COUNTY JAIL -- HARRIS COUNTY JAIL TO THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND REPORT BACK TO THIS COURT IN THREE MONTHS.

I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE YOU SENT IT AROUND. I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION.

I HOPE HE WILL SECOND IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOLD THAT CARD UP SO I CAN GET A PICTURE OF IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND I WILL NOTE COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S SECOND SINCE IT IS HIS AMENDMENT. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ONE MORE SENTENCE THERE.

IT JUST REMINDED ME THAT THE SHERIFF WAS TALKING ABOUT PREGNANT WOMEN, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF DELIVERING A BABY INSIDE 1301 FRANKLIN AT THE TIME THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WAS IT A BOY OR A GIRL? >> IT WAS A BOY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: TELL THEM PORSA IS A GOOD NAME. >> ACTUALLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DOCTOR PORSA, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. I KNOW YOU HAVE A PARTICULARLY BUSY DAY. ALL RIGHT. I KNOW EVERYONE HAS BEEN -- EVERYONE'S OFFICE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT WE NEED TO BREAK FROM 1 TO 2:30 TODAY.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT. MOVING TO THE COVID AGENDA.

WE START WITH PAGE 33 -- >> STEVE RADACK: EXCUSE ME THE BREAK WILL BE BETWEEN WHAT

[02:10:02]

TIMES? >> LINA HIDALGO: 1:00 TO 2:30, COMMISSIONER.

>> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, DID YOU SAY THAT CAME TO OUR

STAFFS? >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY IF IT DIDN'T ARRIVE,

COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NOW I GOT IT FROM YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. IT WAS MEANT TO HAVE ARRIVED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUT OF THE

JUDGE'S MOUTH NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

PAGE 33 AND ITEM 25. A1 IS THE SAME COMPENSATION ITEM THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE.

ITEM A2 IS HARRIS AND COVID RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUNDS. WONDER FIGURE FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS ON THAT AND A3 IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND BAKER RIPLEY PROJECT. I KNOW WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THEM THROUGH THE YEAR BECAUSE OF THE RAINY DAY FUND. AND THEN 25B IS PUBLIC HEALTH ASKING FOR OPERATIONAL FUNDING AS THEY DO EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE.

25C IS A REQUEST FOR AN AMENDMENT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES.

D IS PRETRIAL SERVICES IS PURCHASING LAPTOPS AND EQUIPMENT TO WORK REMOTELY.

25E1, THIS IS GUIDE HOUSE'S ITEM FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE.

E2, THIS IS THE COMMUNITY SPREAD SUR -- SURVEY WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.

YOU GUYS SAW THE NEWS YESTERDAY ABOUT THE PREVALENCE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

WE ARE EXPECTING HARRIS COUNTY RESULTS IN THE NEXT MONTH. AND THAT IS A GOOD HIS STORE -- HISTORICAL LOOK. THE INCIDENT SURVEY, THAT'S WHAT E2 IS AND THAT IS WHO HAS IT CURRENTLY. WE CAN START TO GET RESULTS ON THAT IN JANUARY AND DIRECTING RESEARCH ACCORDING TO THAT. HOPEFULLY IT WILL HELP IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST COVID.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS. AND ITEM 34 -- SORRY PAGE 34 AND F IS A BROAD COVID ITEM.

DO FOLKS HAVE ANYTHING TO MENTION ON THAT ONE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HAVE I AN

ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVE A MOTION ON THE SHORT-TERM DIGITAL ACCESS PROGRAM. AND I WANT TO THANK GUIDE HOUSE FOR CONTINUING TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BRIDGE -- BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE. THEY ARE WORKING HARD, JUDGE. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING OVER THE WEEKEND. I KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH THEM.

I WANT TO THANK COMCAST FOR WORKING WITH US AS WELL TO HELP MOVE THIS FORWARD.

I HAVE TWO ITEMS, JUDGE, TWO MOTIONS. THE FIRST IS TO MOVE TO APPROVE THE COUNTY JUDGE IN EXECUTED AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY AS A PART OF THE CRF SHORT-TERM DIGITAL ACCESS PROGRAM SUBJECT TO COUNTY ATTORNEY APPROVAL. THE SECOND MOTION WOULD READ MOVE TO APPROVE AN ALLOCATION IN THE COVID RESPONSE RECOVERY FUND CALL R EQUAL -- EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT REMAINING FROM THE CRF SHORT-TERM DIGITAL ACCESS WITH A FOCUS ON BROADBAND AND SMART COUNTY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN 2021. AS I SAID, JUDGE, THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD WORK HERE.

THEY ARE BUILDING THE PLANE AS THEY ARE FLYING IT. I APPLAUD EVERYONE'S WORK, BUT

THOSE ARE MY TWO MOTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. A THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND GUIDE HOUSE AS WELL. DO FOLKS HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THESE? ALL RIGHT SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. TWO MOTIONS AND SECONDS.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER RADACK, WHAT IS YOUR VOTE?

>> I VOTED I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. LUCINDA?

>> CHRIS PILAY. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

THIS IS CHRISHEL-PILAY WITH THE HOME COALITION. I JUST WANTED TO RAISE UP SOME CONCERNS AND UNDERSTAND IN IS REGARDING THE CDC. AS WE KNOW IT WAS PRESUMED THAT IT WOULD PREVENT A HUGE WAVE OFY VEHICLESES. OFY VICES -- OFY VICESES.

[02:15:08]

OF EVICTIONS. THEY ARE STILL BEING FILED SINCE THE ORDER WAS ISSUED.

I AM ACTUALLY A MEMBER OF THE TASK FORCE AND THE GOAL IS TO ADDRESS ISSUES AROUND EVICTIONS AND BENEFITING PUBLIC HEALTH. THESE WERE SOME OF THE STATED GOALS. WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN THE -- IN THE REGION WHAT WE PUT FORWARD SENSOR THE LANDLORDS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY TENNANTS. NOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS SEEN 2500 DEATHS, THE HOME COALITION ALONG WITH OTHER ADVOCATES ARE RECOGNIZING THAT THESE CONDITIONS ARE SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL AND CRITICAL ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN.

WE ARE CALLING ON HARRIS COUNTY TO DO ALL THAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP EVICTIONS NOW.

THE CITY AND THE COUNTY MUST WORK TOGETHER ON THE MORATORIUM.

IT TRULY DOES NOT PROVIDE THE PROTECTION FOR ALL RENTERS. WE ARE REALLY ENCOURAGING YOU ALL TO CONSIDER PROVIDING MORE CASH RELIEF ASSISTANCE DIRECTED TO HOUSEHOLDS.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE EXPIRING AND THE RESIDENTS NEED TO DO WHAT THEY CAN FOR THEIR FAMILIES. ALSO WE ARE ASKING FOR A PROVISION FOR A RIGHT TO COUNCIL. LESS THAN 2% ARE REPRESENTED. WE NEED FOR THEM TO CURTAIL THE LIFE LONG TRAUMA WE ARE SEEING. AND LASTLY WE REALLY WANT TO SEE TENANTS AND OUT REACH EFFORTS PUSH FORWARD AND COUNTY STAFF WORKING DIRECTLY

WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WANTED TO THANK HER AND I AM GLAD THAT -- I SAW IN THE PAPER WHERE THE CITY IS PUTTING I THINK 20 SOMETHING MILLION OF THEIR MONEY IN THEIR DIRECT ASSISTANCE YOU WANT TO COMMEND THE STAFF AND WE GOT INQUIRIES ABOUT HOW WE DID IT. USING A VERSION OF THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY AND WHEN WE GET TO THE BUDGET SECTION I WILL ASK WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE SPENDING ALL OF OUR CARES MONEY WHICH MAY GO TO THIS ISSUE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD I CAN'T FIND MY NOTES.

I THINK WE ARE CLOSE TO 60 MILLION AND WHEN THE CITY PUTS ITS MONEY IT IT WILL BE USING OUR LIST TO A GREAT EXTENT. THE NEXT ITEM IF THAT THAT WAS THE LAST SPEAKER, OBVIOUSLY THNG WE ARE ALL FOR IT, BUT IT IS ANOTHER 5 MILLION GOING TO THE FOOD BANK. WE PUT IN 4.1 MILLION SO FAR AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID SUCH A GOOD JOB THANKING HIS STAFF, MINE IS SITTING THERE GOING WHAT ABOUT US? I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR PUTTING IN THE EFFORT THAT THEY DID AND COORDINATING WITH ALL OF OUR STAFFS SO IT WAS UNANIMOUS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM AND PUT THAT MONEY

INTO THE FOOD BANK. >> JUDGE IF WE COULD GO BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW WOO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS, COMMISSIONER. I HAVE ANOTHER ITEM I WANT TO DISCUSS UNDER MY BROAD COVID ITEM. GO AHEAD, LUCINDA.

>> THANK YOU. KENDRA LONDON WITH OUR AFRICAN FAMILY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI. THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, WE CAN'T QUITE HEAR YOU VERY WELL.

IS THERE A WAY FOR YOU TO GET CLOSER TO THE PHONE? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> SORRY. YES, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE TIME TO SPEAK. I WAS JUST CALLING TO ASK IF THE EVICTIONS COULD BE PLACED ON HOLD. THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE FOR I WOULD SAY -- IT

[02:20:12]

IS A SURPRISE. EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TRYING TO RECOVER FROM HARVEY AND THE PANDEMIC HIT. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS COMING. I WAS ASKING IF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY COULD GET TOGETHER TO FIND A WAY TO STOP THE EVICTIONS THAT MAY COME IN JANUARY.

TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT THEY SAID ON GIVING DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO THE FAMILIES I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT AS WELL ONLY BECAUSE WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN TRYING TO GET THE KNOWLEDGE, THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY CLUE WHERE THE RESOURCES WERE AND THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO WI-FI TO DO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE REQUIRED.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE REQUIRED WASN'T REQUIRED. SO IT IS CAUSING THEM TO RETURN BACK FUNDS THAT THEY DIDN'T USE WITHIN THE DEADLINE AND IT COULD HAVE GONE TO THOSE COMMUNITIES. SO IF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY COULD GET WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN, WHERE AND IF IS -- AND IF THERE IS A DEADLINE WHAT THE RESIDENTS WOULD HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FUNDING OR TO FIND A WAY TO GIVE THE FUNDING DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILY BECAUSE SOME THE THINGS THAT ARE OUTLINED AS WHAT QUALIFIES TO RECEIVE THE FUNDING MAY NOT GIVE US TO NEED FUNDING.

AND IT IS ONLY GOING TO THE RENTERS. IF THE DEADLINES COULD -- IF THERE ARE WAYS TO GET THE FUNDING, THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING SO.

THEY ARE GETTING THE KNOWLEDGE TO THE RESIDENTS AND IF THERE WAS A WAY FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY TO WORK TOGETHER, WE ARE HEARING MORE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.

I HEAR YOU BRING UP THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND I HAD A GUY TALK LAST NIGHT WHO STATED HE DRIVES RECKLESS AT NIGHT BECAUSE HE IS THE ONLY PROVIDER FOR HIS FAMILY.

HE DRIVES RECKLESS AT NIGHT HOPING SOMETHING HAPPENS. I AM ASKING YOU TO HALT THE

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

JUST A COUPLE OF POINTS. ON TERMS OF HALTING EVICTIONS, AS MUCH AS WE WANT TO DO THAT, I NO LONGER HAVE THE AUTHORITY. I USED TO, BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE POINTS OF AUTHORITY THE GOVERNOR STRIPPED AWAY. WHAT WE CAN DO IS SUPPORT FOLKS, LIKE YOU SAID, WITH ASSISTANCE. THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS RUN INTO SOME ISSUES WHERE FOLKS ARE NOT APPLYING AS MUCH AS THEY SHOULD. WE ARE SHIFTING FUNDS FROM THAT TO THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND WE ARE TRYING ALSO TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOME FUNDS EARMARKED TO WHERE WE CAN DO MORE ROUNDS NEXT YEAR. I KNOW IT IS HARD AND WE CAN'T SOLVE ALL OF THIS THROUGH THE SUPPORT, BUT JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE TRYING TO WORK ON IT.

YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK MAYBE THE CITY DECIDED TO USE THE LIST WE ALREADY HAVE BECAUSE OF THE DEADLINE.

WE ARE SPENDING MONEY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. IN THE NEW YEAR I ASSUME ALL OF US WILL PROBABLY OPEN THAT BACK UP AGAIN. EVEN AS WE HAVE SHIFTED FROM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE WE HAD TO USE THOSE LISTS THAT WE -- WE HAD FAR MORE PEOPLE APPLY THAN WE HAD MONEY. I DON'T WANT HER TO THINK IT WOULD OPEN BACK UP AGAIN. WROA -- WE COULD SPEND THAT MONEY IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA? >> NOT ON THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND ON THAT ONE JUST BRIEFLY, I DON'T KNOW WHO SPEAKS TO IT, BUT AS FAR AS HOW MUCH THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS GOES TO THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND SO IT IS BASICALLY WE ARE PROJECTING THAT THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS THAT ARE LEFT ARE GOING TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR OR APPLIED FOR BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

IS THAT WHERE WE ARE AT? >> I AM HAPPY TO TAKE A SHOT AT THAT.

WE EXPECT TO GET OUT $30 MILLION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

[02:25:03]

THAT'S NOT OUR FULL TARGET. WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS AND SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT IMPLEMENTED.

THE BALANCE OF THE MONEY IS INCREASED TO A TOTAL OF $66 MILLION.

AND THAT IS ON TRACK TO ALL GET OUT BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE HAVE HAD GOOD SUCCESS IN ADMINISTERING THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE.

ONCE ALL OF THE ACCOUNTING IS DONE WE COULD HAVE LEFT OVER FUNDS AND IF WE GET A NEW ALLOCATION -- EXCUSE ME. I THINK THOSE PROGRAMS WILL BE -- THE DIRECT 8 SIS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM -- ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WILL GET THOSE OUT EFFICIENTLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO BE CLEAR, DAVE, YOU ARE REACHING OUT TO FOLKS WHO APPLIED FOR THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, BUT WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IT BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND AND TO FOLKS WHO APPLIED -- YEAH, I GUESS RENTAL ASSISTANCE DOESN'T HAVE MORE DEMAND THAN THERE IS SUPPLY. BASICALLY ARE YOU CIRCLING BACK FOR FOLKS WHO APPLIED FOR

THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE. >> THAT'S CORRECT. AND FOR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO MEET THE PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE IT FORWARDS THEM TO

THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. >> GREAT.

>> THAT'S WHERE THEY MAY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING HELP.

>> THANK YOU FOR WALKING ME THROUGH THAT. I JUST NEEDED TO CONFIRM.

I JUST HAD ONE BRIEF ITEM BEFORE WE MOVE TO YOURS. GO AHEAD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL, I WAS GOING TO ASK BERRY A QUESTION, BUT I WILL WAIT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO FOR IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT ABOUT THE PEAK MONEY WE DID WITH DIRECT ASSISTANCE? WOULD THAT BE ANOTHER 30 ON TOP OF THE 60 SOMETHING SO

THAT PUTS US AT 90? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM TAKING THAT GINKO-BALOBA PILLS SO THAT HELPS. I GUESS YOU CAN DO IT NOW, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE ON THE CARES MONEY, I DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE DETAILS BECAUSE I MIGHT FORGET, BUT I WANT YOU TO SAY ON THE RECORD AND IF FOLKS FROM GUIDE HOUSE IS ON THE LINE, YOU ARE CONFIDENT WE WILL -- WHAT IS THE WORD? I DON'T WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE LIKE I DID WITH THE SHERIFF, APPROPRIATE, EARMARK, SPEND, WHATEVER.

WE WON'T LOSE ANY MONEY. JUDGE, I REMEMBER BEING ON CITY COUNCIL AND PEOPLE GETTING IN TROUBLE AND THEY COULDN'T SPEND THE CDBG MONEY.

I WANT TO YOU MAKE SURE. IF NOT, DO WE NEED TO -- I WAS JOKING WITH YOU THE OTHER DAY SAYING, YOU KNOW, DO WE NEED TO GO BY LOTTERY TICKETS? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO MONEY LEFT ON THE TABLE. HAVE WE DONE WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO TO MAKE SURE IT IS DESIGNATED. IS THAT THE PHRASE? IT IT HAS TO BE APPROPRIATED AND, DESIGNATED OR WHATEVER SO WE DON'T LOSE IT.

>> OF THE 427 MILLION DOLLARS WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED WE CIRCLED 572 MILLION OF EXPENSES THAT WE COULD APPLY IT TOWARD. I THINK WE ARE IN AS GOOD SHAPE WE COULD POSSIBLY BE. WE HAVE A BEST CASE PLAN THAT REPORTS AND WE HAVE SOME BACK

UP PLANS. >> I DID READ THE PAPER WHEN I WOKE UP AT 3 A.M.

DID I READ THAT THEY ARE USING OUR DIRECT ASSISTANCE MODEL TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDS? THAT'S WHAT I READ. THAT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GET IT OUT BY THE END OF THE

YEAR, RIGHT? >> YOU ARE REFERRING TO THE CITY?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> THAT'S CORRECT. IT IS NOT BAKER RIPLEY.

EFFECTIVELY THE CITY LATCHED ON TO THAT INFRASTRUCTURE BECAUSE IT WAS WORKING WELL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IT SHOWS WE WERE DOINABCOLLORATION WITH THEM SO THEY CONFIDENCE IN WHAT WE PUT TOGETHER. IN THE NEW YEAR IF ADDITIONAL MONEY COMES IN OR SOME OF THE MONEY THAT WE MAY USE THAT WE HAVE, WE COULD OPEN IT BACK UP AGAIN SO THE PERSON SPEAKING EARLIER, OTHER PEOPLE COULD APPLY. TO GET THIS OUT BY THEN OF THE YEAR -- BY THE END OF THE YEAR WE HAD TO USE THE LIST -- I I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER.

WAS IT 700,000 PEOPLE THAT APPLIED? IT WAS SOMETHING ASTRONOMICAL. IN THE NEW YEAR MY QUESTION IS WE WILL HAVE THE LATITUDE TO

OPEN THAT UP AGAIN? >> WE WILL HAVE THE LATITUDE. WE NEED TO DESIGNATE MORE

[02:30:02]

FUNDING FOR IT IF COMMISSIONER'S COURT MAKES THAT DECISION.

AND THERE IS A POLICY CALL THAT WE GO BACK TO THE LIST WE HAVE OR WE OPEN IT UP AGAIN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I BIGGER -- ADDITIONAL MONEY IS COMING. >> AND IT IS HARD TO KNOW, BUT THERE IS CERTAINLY A LOT OF TALK ABOUT IT. AT SOME LEVEL BIPARTISAN

SUPPORT. >> AND THE STATE COULD DO SOMETHING.

WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS -- WE WILL KNOW BECAUSE OF -- BECAUSE IT

WILL ALL COME OUT IN THE COUNTY WITH THE FEDS. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND DAVE WHEN YOU MENTIONED -- WE SAID 60 AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID IT WAS ACTUALLY 90, CAN

YOU CLARIFY WHAT THE OTHER 30 IS? >> THERE WAS AN INITIAL

ROUND. >> OH THE ONE WE DID. GOT IT.

GOT IT. >> AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT $66 MILLION.

>> THAT'S HOW I COUNTED IT TOORKS COMMISSIONER. MY STAFF SAYS 60.

>> JUDGE, I WISH YOU KNEW ME WHEN I WAS IN MY RIGHT MIND. WHEN I WAS YOUNG I COULD HAVE

ZIPPED IT OFF LIKE GARCIA. >> I DON'T REMEMBER. AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HONORARY COURT MEMBER. I HAD ANOTHER NOTE ON THIS BROAD ITEM AND THAT IS ON THE JAIL. WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE CJCC ON FRIDAY.

I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS THERE AND THE ISSUE KEEPS COMING UP, BUT THE JAIL IS GETTING FULLER AND FULLER. IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR THE COVID-19 CONTAINMENT OVER THERE. THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, BUT IT IS NOT A GIVEN.

AND THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH CAPACITY. RIGHT NOW NOBODY ELSE IS TAKING TRANSFERS. I WANT -- WE ALL KNOW THAT THEY GAVE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE HAD A THOROUGH DISCUSSION AT COURT. AND IT JUST SEEMS THAT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BETTER OR WORSE ARE NOT ACTIONABLE RIGHT NOW.

OR SOME ARE NOT. SO I THINK WE NEED FOR IT TO GET HELPFUL TO CONVENE THE RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS ACTIONABLE RATHER THAN DECIDING THEY WILL NOT DO EVERYTHING JMI SUGGESTED AND THEREFORE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT TO EVALUATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE RISING JAIL POPULATION AND HOW IT MIGHT IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO CAN THANE COVID-19 AMONG STAFF AND DETAINEES.

AND THEN REPORT BACK TO COURT WITH FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON

JANUARY 26TH, 2021. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED ON THAT, JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE, I DIDN'T MAKE THE MEETING. THEY ADDED ME BACK TO THE LIST. THEY SENT IT TO ME WHICH I WOULD READ MY E-MAIL, BUT NOT MY SCHEDULE. I WILL BE THERE. I THINK THE CITY IS THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF PEOPLE FOR THE FACILITY. OBVIOUSLY AT THE PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THAT AND IT IS FORTUNATE THAT WE DO HAVE THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTY JAIL POPULATION AND THEY HAVE DOUBLE THE POPULATION WE HAVE.

MAYBE THERE ARE LESSONS WE CAN TAKE FROM WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING THERE OR SOME OF THESE OTHER CITIES. WE ARE GOING TO END UP IN THAT SITUATION IF THERE IS A COVID

CLUSTER IN THE FACILITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WOULD YOU RE-- REREAD THE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS FOR THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION TO EVALUATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE RISING JAIL POPULATION AND HOW IT MAY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO CONTAIN COVID AMONG STAFF AND DETAINEES AND REPORT BACK WITH FINDINGS ON JANUARY 26TH. JACK

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HAS QULOR STAFF SENT -- HAS YOUR STAFF SENT THAT OUT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, AND THEY WILL. IT SEEMS KOSHER, BUT I ASKED THEM TO. WE WILL SEND IT OUT AND WE CAN VOTE ON IT LATER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ACTUALLY I THINK THAT ALL YOU ARE DOING IS REQUESTING THAT THEY LOOK

INTO IT AND GIVE US A REPORT BACK IN JANUARY? >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

I JUST DON'T -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M FINE WITH THAT.

[02:35:04]

JUST READ IT ONE MORE TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: FOR JACK TO EVALUATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE RISING JAIL POPULATION AND HOW IT MIGHT IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO CONTAIN COVID-19 AMONG STAFF AND DETAINEES AND REPORT BACK TO COURT WITH FINDINGS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS ON JANUARY 26, 2021. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S PRETTY BENIGN, JUDGE. I DON'T THINK I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IN THAT CASE COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAD

A NOTE ON ITEM 25G, THE FOOD BANK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WENT

THROUGH IT EARLIER. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE A SPEAKER STILL?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> KATHERINE BYERS WITH THE

HOUSTON FOOD BANK! GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GO AHEAD.

MY NAME IS DR. KATHERINE BYERS WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ITEM 25G. AS YOU KNOW THE NEED FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE THAT IS INCREASED DRASTICALLY SINCE THE ONSET OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

COMPARING MARCH TO SEPTEMBER OF 2019 FOR THE SAME PERIOD THIS YEAR THERE WAS A 76% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS SERVED ON AVERAGE EACH WEEK.

THIS MEANS THERE WERE 126,000 HOUSEHOLDS EACH WEEK ON AVERAGE.

TRANSLATING TO OVER 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE EACH MONTH.

THAT'S 148 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED MOSTLY THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THE DRAMATIC INCREASE AND NEED REQUIRES AN INCREASE IN LABOR AND THAT LEAD TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK.

THE CONTRACT THAT ENDS THIS MONTH MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US AND OUR PARTNER DISTRIBUTION ORGANIZATION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE VITS SEEKING ASSISTANCE OR HOME DELIVERY.

WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEED WITHOUT A CONTINUATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. ITEM 25G PERTAINS TO FUNDING FOR 1.29 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD THAT WILL BE PLACED AND CANCELED BY USDA. IF THE 240,000 WILL ALLOW US TO PROCURE COMMODITIES WE WILL DISTRIBUTE BY THE END OF JANUARY, WE L VERY THANKFUL TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR BRINGING THESE NEEDS TO YOUR ATTENTION AND APPRECIATE YOU SUPPORTING THIS ITEM. I DO WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE TRANS -- TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE NEED FOR FOOD. THIS IS DUE TO THE COMMODITY CLIP THAT INCLUDES THE TRADE MITIGATION AND THE FOOD ASSISTANCE COUPLED WITH CONTINUING INCREDIBLY HIGH LEVELS. WE ARE LOOKING AT 800,000 POUNDS OF FOOD EACH DAY AND WE DON'T EXPECT THAT. WE WILL HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING UP WITH THIS DEMAND WITHOUT AN INFLUX OF FUNDING. WE ARE ADVOCATING WITH THE NATIONAL AND STATE ASSOCIATIONS FOR DICIALG FEDERAL RESOURCES -- DICIALG FEDERAL RESOURCES, BUT THE TIMING IS UNCERTAIN AND IT WILL VARY.

THE UPCOMING GAP IN RESOURCES OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS WILL REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF ABOUT 14.3 MILLION THAT WILL UNCOVER -- THAT WILL COVER UNEXPECTED EXPENSES IN 2020 AND PANDEMIC EXPENSES WE KILL INCUR -- WE WILL INCUR IN THE NEW YEAR INCLUDING 5 MILLION POUNDS OF PRODUCE TAKING US THROUGH JUNE OF 2021. EVERYONE AT THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK EXTENDS THEIR GRATITUDE TO ALL OF THE WORK THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE DONE SO FAR, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE WELL BEING

OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I NEGLECTED TO MENTION HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THE WORK OF SHANE AND THE FOLKS IN THE BUDGET OFFICE.

ALL OF YOUR STAFF AS WELL, BUT ALSO CHRISTIE GILBERT WHO IS THE LEAD.

THE WHOLE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND CHRISTIE GILBERT DID A LOT ON THIS. DR. BYERS, WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHOSE

PRECINCT YOU WERE IN. WE FIGURED OUT IT IS MINE. >> IT IS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WANTED TO GIVE UH SIDEWALK BECAUSE PEOPLE WALK ON THAT BUSY ROAD WHEN THEY PICK UP FOOD TO GET THE BUS. I WANTED TO ASK, HOW MUCH HAVE

YOU GOTTEN FROM THE CITY OF CARES MONEY? >> THE ALLOCATION WAS

$2 MILLION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GOING TO BE AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES ARE SUPPORTIVE OF HELPING YOU FILL THAT GAP COMING UP IN THE NEW YEAR.

I ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE CITY. I MEAN, WE HAVE BEEN -- WE ARE ALL IN A PARTNERSHIP, BUT WE ARE AT ABOUT WITH THIS THAT PUTS US AT ABOUT 9 MILLION.

I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY A 14 MILLION HOLE IS COMING. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE ALL TO PARTICIPATE. I GO BACK TO WHEN -- TO YOU ALL WHEN I WAS AN INTERN IN

[02:40:08]

THE CAPITOL. YOU DO GREAT WORK AND HAVE YOUR VOLUNTEERS PICKED UP?

>> SLIGHTLY. IT'S BEEN A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO FILL THOSE SLOTS AND OF COURSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE WHEN AT THE COME TO THE FOOD BANK.

WE HAVE TO LIMIT NUMBERS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SOCIALLY DISTANCED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES. WE WORKED IT OUT SO THEY COULD USE THEIR TIME TO GO AND WORK OVER THERE. YOU WERE GETTING SOME ASTRONOMICAL NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS A DAY BEFORE COVID AND THEN IT DROPPED.

THE BEST I CAN TELL WE HAVE A FEW FOLKS WITH COVID. LOOK, I HOPE WE ARE GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE AND WE ENCOURAGE OUR PARTNERS AND THE STATE CAN DO SOMETHING TOO.

WHATEVER IT WAS, $7 BILLION AND ON OUR SIDE WE HAVE BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT.

WE WANT YOU TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS AND IT HELPS US GO EVEN MORE.

>> WE ARE ADVOCATING STRONG LEGAL AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR THEM TO WRY -- REPLACE OUR ADDRESS AND WE WILL ADVOCATE THE CITY AND THE CONGRESS AS WELL.

>> MAYBE THE PRESS WILL PICK IT UP SO YOU CAN SAY 9 MILLION.

IS MY MATH RIGHT? >> 9 MILLION FROM THE COUNTY? 9 FROM THE COUNTY AND TWO FROM

THE CITY AND ANYTHING FROM THE STATE? >> WE ARE HOPING TO GET THE SURPLUS MAYBE FOLKS WILL TWEET IT OUT. IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT VALUES.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO, DOCTOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MORE COVID ITEMS. PAGE 34 AND ITEM 25H ARE BOTH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ITEMS.

AND THEN THERE IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: QULE, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER ERNEST LEAL, JUNIOR.

HE WAS A DEAR FRIEND, BUT AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING AND A PHENOMENAL PARTNER TO HIS WIFE. SHE IS ALSO A RETIRED HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER.

ERNEST LIKE MANY FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY WAS DONE IN BY COVID.

HE HAD SOME PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS. UNFORTUNATELY HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER. THERE WAS A LOT OF HOPE AND POSITIVE SIGNS, BUT THE WORST OF THE VIRUS GOT THE BEST OF HIM. JUDGE, I WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO MENTION THAT THE IDEA WHEN -- THE IDEA HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO HIS CAREER.

36 YEARS IN UNIFORM WEARING A BADGE AND A GUN JUST TO BE DONE IN BY THIS HORRIBLE VIRUS. IT JUST REMINDS US THAT THE VACCINE CAN'T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH, AND IT REMINDS US THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO HEED YOUR COUNSEL, JUDGE, AND THOSE OF OUR SCIENTISTS AND THE PROFESSIONALS, THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OUT THERE, CAN DO THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT DURING THIS HOLLADAY -- HOLIDAY SEASON.

WE CAN STILL MAKE IT FESTIVE, BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. WITH THAT THE RESOLUTION WHEREAS OFFICER ERNEST LEAL, JUNIOR WAS LAID TO REST ON DECED , AFTER A COURAGEOUS BATTLE AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS. EXPOSED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. WHEREAS THE 36-YEAR VETERAN OF THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVED MORE THAN THREE DECADES WITH THE NORTH PATROL BUREAU HE ALSO WORKED IN THE NORTHEAST PATROL DIVISION AND DROVELY IN THE JAIL -- BRIEFLY IN THE JAILS. WHEREAS RESIDENTS OF MANY SUBDIVISIONS BY NAME AND ARE SADDENED TO LOSE A FRIEND THEY CONNECTED WITH HIM AT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AND ATTENDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND THE VEHICLE PARADES AND THE COMMUNITY EVENTS.

[02:45:04]

WHEREAS OFFICER LEAL WAS KNOWN FOR DEDICATION AND HIS SERVICE.

HE VOLUNTEERED WITH HIS CHURCH AND COACHED YOUTH SK -- SOCCER AND WAS ALWAYS READY TO HELP A FELLOW OFFICER INCLUDING DONATING WORK TIME TO OFFICERS THAT WERE SICK AND NEEDED TO BE WITH FAMILY. WHEREAS PART OF HIS FRIT COMMENT -- COMMITMENT TO REDUCING CRIME HE MENTORED MANY YOUNG OFFICERS IN PRO FOUND WAYS TO HELP OTHERS.

HE WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN HELPING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON A DAILY BASIS.

FELLOW OFFICERS REMEMBER ERNEST FOR A SENSE OF HUMOR AND DEDICATION FOR HIS CAREER. AND AT HIS FUNERAL OFFICER LEAL WAS HONORED WITH A PRO TEGS AND A -- PROCESSION AND A 21-GUN SALUTE AND A MISSING MAN FLY OVER.

OFFICER LEAL IS SURVIVED BY HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE RETIRED FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SIX CHILDREN AND 10 GRANDCHILDREN, HIS MOTHER, TWO BROTHERS AND SISTER.

THEREFORE NOW BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HONORABLY HONORS OFFICER ERNEST LEAL, JUNIOR FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I WILL ALSO PUT A QUICK NOTE THAT DEE RETIRED FROM HPD YEARS AGO, BUT HER HEART DIDN'T. SHE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH AREA SENIORS.

SHE WORKED WITH THE COUNCIL ON AGING, ORGANIZED MANIY SLENTS.

MANY EVENTS. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FORUM AND INVOLVED WITH SO MANY THINGS. AND SO ALWAYS, ALWAYS INCREDIBLY ACTIVE.

WHO WAS TO HER RIGHT SIDE THROUGHOUT ALL OF THOSE EVENTS? THEY SAID ERNEST WAS KNOWN FOR HIS SENSE OF HUMOR, AND HE HAD ONE.

WHEN HE WASN'T CRACKING A JOKE , THE GUY WAS INCREDIBLY QUIET , BUT WHEN HIS WIFE LOOKED OVER HER SHOULDER AND KNEW SOMETHING NEEDED TO GET DONE, SHE WOULD JUST POINT AND GIVE ORDERS AND ERNEST WAS SCOURING AROUND. I KNOW HER HEART IS BROKEN.

SHE STRUGGLES THROUGH ANY CONVERSATION. SHE IS NOT WITH US TODAY, BUT I STILL WANTED TO SUBMIT THIS BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE IN HIS COMPANY. IT WAS ALWAYS SPECIAL TO WITNESS HIM AS HE SUPPORTED HIS WIFE AND HER LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THEY WERE A DYNAMIC DUO.

IT REMINDS ME OF LEANORA AND JOHN. MY RESOLUTION IS IN MEMORY OF

AN INCREDIBLE GUY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. IT IS SO SAD TO HEAR ABOUT -- AND YOU MENTIONED JOHN AND NOW ERNEST. IT IS JUST THESE STORIES OF THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT HEROS WHO IS -- WHO HAVE FALLEN TO THE VIRUS. I ALSO, YOU KNOW, AM SO SORRY FOR DEE'S LOSS AND GLAD YOU PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. YOU HAVE A MOTION.

I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE MOTIONED AND ELLIS SECONDED IT.

I WILL NOTE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' SECOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THEN MY SECOND ITEM IS AN AGREEMENT WITH HCC FOR COMPUTER SUPPORT SPECIALIST WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM. JUDGE, THIS IS FOR 300,000 FROM OUR CARES ACT FUNDING.

IT WILL ASSIST 108 STUDENTS IN THE I.T. FIELD, ASSIST WITH THREE VERY, VERY VALUABLE CERTIFICATIONS. ITF PLUS, A PLUS, NETWORK PLUS.

AND IT WILL ASSIST WITH RESUME WRITING AND INTERVIEWING SKILLS.

OBVIOUSLY WITH ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED DURING THIS PANDEMIC THE I.T. AND COMPUTER SCIENCE FIELD IS INCREASINGLY GAINING POPULARITY AND OPPORTUNITIES. AS MENTIONED, PRECINCT 2 HAS LOW TO MEDIUM INCOME. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THAT AND FOR SO MANY THAT ARE DISPLACED, BUT ARE STILL LOOKING FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE BACK TO OUR COUNTY AND ACCORDING TO SISCO'S ANNUAL INTERNET REPORT FROM 2018 TO 2023 AND 20 AND 2023, A NUMBER OF NETWORK DEVICES AROUND THE GLOBE WILL TOTAL 29.3 BILLION.

[02:50:02]

IT OUTNUMBERS HUMANS MORE THAN 3 TO 1 COMPARED TO 18 BILLION IN 2018.

THE INTERNET WILL REACH OVER FIVE BILLION, 5.3 BILLION PEOPLE BY 2023 COMPARED TO 3.9 BILLION IN 2018. THE NUMBER OF DEVICES PER PERSON WILL CONTINUE TO RISE FROM 2.4 NETWORK DEVICES PER CAPITA IN 2018 TO 3.6 DEVICES BY 2023.

THIS RAPID GROWTH WILL REQUIRE ESSENTIAL WORK FROM TRAINED I.T. SPECIALISTS TO KEEP UP WITH THE NEW CHANGES AND TRAIN AND SUPPORT USERS AND DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS.

COMPANIES ARE UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMANDS DESPITE INVESTING HEAVILY IN AUTOMATION. THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED ECONOMIC HARDSHIP TO MANY RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. ANYONE LOOK TO GET INTO THE I.T. FIELD MUST START SOMEWHERE. THAT STARTS WITH THE FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERNET TECHNOLOGY. THE PROPOSED FUNDING WILL BE GEARED TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY JOB LOSS AND ANYONE INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO THE FIELD.

DUE TO THE UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND AND THE COMPUTER SCIENCE FIELD HARRIS COUNTY IS LOOKING TO ADD HCC AS A STRATEGIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PARTNER DUE TO THEIR EXCELLENCE. HCC RANKED SECOND IN TEXAS AND 36TH NATIONALLY DURING THE SANS2019 CYBER FAST TRACK COMPETITION. HCC REACHED THE TOP TIER AND IDENTIFIED STUDENTS WITH NATURAL APTITUDE TO EXCEL IN CYBER SECURITY.

H CL C RANKED AS A TOP PERFORMER IN THE NATIONAL CYBER LEAGUE 2020 COME -- COMPETITION. AND OUT PERFORMING TEXAS A&M RANKED 37'S AND OUT RANKING OTHER SCHOOLS WITH A RANKING OF NUMBER 9 AND INDIVIDUAL RANKING OF 32 OVERALL.

THIS WILL PROVIDE FOR AN 18-WEEK PLAN BEGINNING THE 19TH OF JANUARY AND ENDING MAY 30TH OF NEXT QULEER. THAT WILL TARGET 108 ELIGIBLE STUDENTS AND THIS INCLUDES THREE COURSES THAT ARE DIRECTLY ALIGNED WITH THE COMP TIA, ITF PLUS WHICH IS A TWO-WEEK COURSE AND NETWORK PLUS IS EIGHT-WEEK CERTIFICATIONS.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND I WANT TO THANK HCC FOR STEPPING UP AND AND EXPRESSING INTEREST TO PARTICIPATE WITH US AND FINDING WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

THEY HAVE DONE IT IN A BIG WAY, JUDGE AND TO GUIDE HOUSE FOR THEIR GOOD WORK.

I MOVE ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

SO THAT IS COVID 19 AGENDA. THE SUPPLEMENTAL COVID AGENDA, THERE ARE ONLY TWO.

[II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 1 of 2)]

ITEM NUMBER 4 WHICH IS THE SHERIFF'S LABOR COST AND THEN ITEM 8 WHICH IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY FUND. SO IT IS 12:57.

I SUGGEST WE BREAK NOW AND THEN WE WOULD RETURN AT 2:30. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, ARE ALL OF THOSE ITEMS OKAY? DOES ANYONE WANT TO VOTE AGAINST ANY OF THEM OR ARE WE

OKAY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET'S MOVE THEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ALWAYS MOVE THEM ALL AT THE END. WE HAVE GOTTEN THE REQUESTS, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING BE NEED TO VOTE RIGHT NOW ON. THE ONLY ONE THAT FOLKS VOTED NO ON WAS THE RESOLUTIONS. AND THAT IS AS REPORTED. SO IT IS 12:57 RIGHT NOW AND

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:31 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE JUST FINISHED THE COVID ITEMS SO WE CAN GO TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA STARTING WITH

[I. Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

THE COUNTY ENGINEER. AND I HAVE A NOTE ON ITEM -- THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR

[02:55:10]

ITEM U-2, JUST TO MAKE SURE Y -- WE ARE WORKING INTO LOOKING INTO EXISTING SPACES AS OPPOSED TO BUILDING NEW SPACE TO THE EXTENT IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO THAT.

I KNOW THIS IS JUST AN ASSESSMENT OF WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY AND I JUST WANT TO PUT OUT

THERE FOR FOLKS TO TRY -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT ITEM IS THAT, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM U NUMBER 2 AND IT IS ON PAGE 7 OF THE AGENDA, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, JUDGE, TO THAT END, MR. BERRY HOW ARE WE COMING, OR CAN YOU TALK ABOUT IT AT THIS POINT IN TERMS OF FINDING SPACE WHICH THEY COULD USE IN OTHER COUNTY ENTITIES OR IS THAT BETTER FOR WHENEVER WE -- AT SOME POINT IT WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> I CAN GIVE UH GENERAL UPDATE -- YOU A GENERAL UPDATE AND CERTAINLY WHEN WE TALK THE NUMBERS AND THE ADDRESSES WE SHOULD DO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT CENTRALLY-LOW -- LOCATED OFFICE SPACE AND GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO BUY SOMETHING. AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS TOGETHER WITH THE REAL ESTATE FOLKS. I THINK THERE ARE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES AND IT IS CENTRALLY LOCATED AND BUYING A BUILDING EVEN WITH A SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATION BUDGET IS LIKELY TO BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF HALF THE COST OF BUILDING A NEW ONE.

I DO THINK IT IS A PROMISING STRATEGY. I THINK OVER AND ABOVE FOR ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL WE ARE DOING SOME SQUARE FOOTAGE.

AS WE PROCEED THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND SPACE FOR THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WHO

ARE LOOKING FOR 50 TO 7500 DESKS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY HAVE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PAPER THAT HAS TO BE STORED AND PROTECTED SO THAT MAY BE SEPARATE FROM

THE OFFICE SPACE. >> HAPPY TO DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR.

BECAUSE THERE IS THE PENDING DISPUTE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, I AM GOING TO, FOR NOW, VOTE NO ON PAGE 3 AND ITEM 1F-15 AND PAGE 7, ITEM 1-U-2 THAT RELATES TO EXPEPPED TOURS -- EXPENDITURES RELATING TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AT THIS TIME.

THAT'S NOT WITH ANY HOSTILITY WITH THOSE IN THAT OFFICE. I JUST DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR US TO BE VOTING ON THOSE EXPENDITURES WHILE WE ARE STILL UP IN THE AIR.

SO I WILL BE A NO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MOVE THOSE ITEMS IF THAT'S OKAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: FOR A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, WHAT IS THE -- I KNOW WHAT THE ITEM WAS, BUT IS IT ACCURATE THAT IT IS JUST PENDING? CAN WE GET THE COUNTY

ATTORNEYS -- THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO -- >> I CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THE ITEM IS ON THE AGENDA, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO ACTION TAKEN EITHER

WAY TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THAT PENDING HAD THEY RESPONDED?

>> I THINK THAT'S UP TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. WE DON'T KNOW, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DOES THAT HELP YOU? IT IS NOT PENDING ON OUR SIDE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HEAR YOUR COMMENTS AND I AM STILL, WHILE IT IS UNRESOLVED, GOING TO BE

A NO ON THOSE TWO ITEMS AT THIS TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SPL SOARD -- MR. SOARD, I THINK HE BROUGHT IT UP SO IT IS OKAY TO TALK ABOUT, BUT WE ANSWERED THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. YOU ALL SENT A LETTER.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. WE SENT A LETTER WITHIN THE DEADLINE IMPOSED BY THE -

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 14 DAYS I THINK IT WAS. >> CORRECT.

AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE TO OUR RESPONSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

AND WHICH TWO ITEMS WERE THOSE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON PAGE 3, 1F15 AND ON PAGE ITEM 1 U-2. THE JUDGE WAS JUST REFERRING TO 1U.2 A FEW SECRETARIES --

SECONDS AGO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET'S MOVE THE ITEM.

[03:00:01]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL SECOND THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ITEMS HAVE A MOTION. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY GARCIA.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM NOT SURE

IF COMMISSIONER RADACK IS ON. >> JUDGE FOR CLARITY, THAT IS ITEM 15? ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AND ITEM 1 U-2 FOR COUNTY ENGINEER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ITEM 1F AND SUB PART 15 PAGE 3. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY ARE

BOTH UNDER ENGINEER. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT U.2 AND NOT U.1, RIGHT, CACTUS? YOU ARE VOTING AGAINST U.2.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, U.2. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK, WHAT IS YOUR VOTE ON

THESE TWO ITEMS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM IN FAVOR OF THE FIRST ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. IF WE WANT TO COME BACK TO IT WHEN COMMISSIONER RADACK IS BACK. RIGHT NOW IT IS 3-1 AND ONE IS

NOT PRESENT. GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANTED TO GET SOME CLARITY ON PAGE 4 AND ITEM J. RECOMMENDATION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO EXPLAIN THE COUNTY'S INTEREST IN TRACK 1 FOR THE 3114 LANGE -- LANGLEY ROAD PROJECT. CAN YOU GIVE ME CLARITY? IMR WOULD WE WANT TO DISCLAIM

OUR INTEREST IN THIS PARTICULAR TRACT. >> I WILL GET THE DETAILS TO YOU SHORTLY. I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS, SO LET ME GET THEM TO YOU

SHORTLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW THE NUMBERING WAS OFF SO THIS IS

ACTUALLY PAGE FIVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU WERE THROWING ME OFF.

I THOUGHT I HAD THE WRONG CALENDAR. IT IS PAGE 5.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, PAGE 5. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ITEM J.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO MOVING ON TO FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. THERE IS ITEM A12 WHICH IS ON PAGE 9, AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND WALK FOLKS THROUGH THIS IF YOU WILL GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES HERE. THERE ARE SEVERAL PARTS TO THIS.

THIS IS THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT OF THE PERRY HOMES ITEM.

WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE TO HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO FLOOD CONTROL AND THE CREATIVE WORK WE HAVE TO DO. THAT INCLUDES BUYOUTS AND IT INCLUDES THE ATTENTION -- THE TENSION REQUIREMENTS AND INCLUDES UPDATING OUR MAPS.

IT ALSO INCLUDES DECISIONS LIKE THIS ONE. THIS IS A WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND FLOOD CONTROL MORE GENERALLY.

LET ME GO OVER THE FACTS OF THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT WHICH I SUPPORT.

THESE FOLKS, IF YOU HAD SOME DETENTION IT WOULD HELP THEM AND THE WATER SHED.

THE PROJECT WILL PLUG A HOLE IN OUR REGIONAL APPROACH TO FLOOD CONTROL BECAUSE IT WILL REQUIRE, AND THIS IS THE PART OF IT I REALLY LIKE, AND IT IS FINALLY THROUGH THIS AGREEMENT WE WILL REQUIRE THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO ADOPT THE DETENTION REQUIREMENTS THAT THE COUNTY HAS. WHICH THEY ARE USING THE ESTIMATES OF RAINFALL AND THEY ARE THE MOST STRINGENT WE CAN POSSIBLY COME UP WITH. THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE CITY TO MOVE ON FOR A LONGTIME, AND THEY WOULD DO IT THROUGH THIS AGREEMENT. CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THIS LAST WEEK.

AND IF THE CITY DOESN'T APPROVE THE DETENTION REQUIREMENTS BY DECEMBER 31ST, THEY THEN -- WE SIMPLY WOULDN'T GO THROUGH WITH THIS.

THAT'S ONE POINT. THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL IMPROVE.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A MODERN WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

THIRD WE ARE AGREEING TO JOINT OWNERSHIP TO THE PROPERTY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE SHARE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY IS THERE WHEN IT COMES TO THE IMPROVEMENTS GOING FORWARD.

THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES THAT PROVISION WITH THE CITY. THE CITY IS GIVING THE LAND

[03:05:03]

ASSETS AND OTHER WATER SHEDS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO THIS.

MOST WILL BE IN AREAS THAT WE NEED THE ASSETS AND BUILD DETENTION THAT'S WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BUILD OTHERWISE. AND THEN WE BUILT THIS UP IN THE BOND.

I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE ANYTHING THAT WAS DECIDED BECAUSE WE NEED TO GO FORWARD AND NOT BACKYARD -- BACKWARD. THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP-TYPE PROJECT AND IF THIS WOULD AFFORD US TO THE REQUIREMENT FRAMEWORK IT WOULD BE AT THE SCHEDULE WHERE WE HAVE. IT BUT IT FALLS UNDER THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT. ONE QUICK, QUICK FINAL COUPLE NOTES HERE, IN TERMS OF THE FUND ANTICIPATING QUESTIONS MY COLLEAGUES MAY ASK, PERRY HOMES PURCHASED THIS FOR -- PURCHASED THIS AND OBTAINED $10 MILLION IN COSTS WE ARE PAYING $5 MILLION AND IT IS A TOTAL $14 MILLION COST. THE FAIR MARKET VALUE WITH -- OF THE PROPERTY IS $19 MILLION. OF COURSE THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF FOLKS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BUILT IN -- HAVE TRIED TO BUILD THIS DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THAT'S ULTIMATELY WE ARE PREVENTING BY HAVING THE CITY ADOPT THESE TENSION REQUIREMENTS WHICH I THINK IS THE MOST VALUABLE PART OF THIS AGREEMENT. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT REMAINS, THE NEW DETENTION REQUIREMENTS, AND MAKES SURE THAT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY PEOPLE ARE AND COMMUNITIES ARE GROWING IN A WAY THAT IS SMART AND IT IS NOT JUST FLOODING FOLKS AND IT WILL PROVIDE RELIEF FOR FOLKS ALONG THE SAN JACINTO WATER SHED. THAT'S MY BEST EXPOSITION ABOUT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

I'M SURE RUSS CAN EXPLAIN TOO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL DONE,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAD GREAT CONCERNS ABOUT DOING THIS AND SPENDING COUNTY DOLLARS IN ANOTHER COUNTY. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU CRAFTED THE AGREEMENT WELL ENOUGH THAT THE COUNTY INTERESTS ARE PROTECTED.

ARE YOU GETTING THAT COMFORT FROM FLOOD CONTROL THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS INSURED THAT THIS

IS NOT JUST A BAILOUT FOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, AND FOR TWO REASONS, COMMISSIONER. I DON'T SEE IT AS A BAILOUT BECAUSE NUMBER ONE WE ARE BUYING IT FOR LESS THAN WHAT THEY HAVE SPENT. THEY BOUGHT IT FOR 14.

THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE BUYING IT FOR 14 AND ONLY FIVE MILLION COMES FROM THE COUNTY COFFERS AND THEY ACTUALLY PUT 10 MILLION ON TOP OF THE 14. YOU CAN SAY IT IS WORTH 24 MILLION. IN FACT, WHEN YOU UH PRAISE THE PROPERTY, IT IS UH PRAISED AT 19 MILLION. WE ARE BUYING IT AT 14. THERE WAS A QUESTION WILL IT DEVELOP IT IN A WAY THAT IS UNSUSTAINABLE THE COUNTY WILL BUY YOU OUT.

NO. NUMBER ONE WITH THIS AGREEMENT THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DEVELOP IN A WAY THAT IS UNSUSTAINABLE. NOW THE CITY WILL HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENTS WE HAVE REQUIRED AND THROUGH THE BOND PROGRAM WE ARE REQUIRING OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT WANT OUR FUNDS TO DO THE SAME THING. OBVIOUSLY THEY COULD SELL TO SOMEBODY ELSE AND THERE IS THAT CONCERN THAT PERRY HOMES COULD FIND ANOTHER BUYER AND HAS ANOTHER ONE LINED UP. I WANT TO CONFIRM WITH ROBERT AND I TALKED TO RUSS ABOUT THIS AS WELL IS I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT GONNA GET SHAFTED IN ANYWAY IN TERMS OF THE TENSION REQUIREMENTS. IF FOR WHATEVER REASON THE CITY DOES NOT ADOPT THE TENSION REQUIREMENTS THIS DEAL IS NOT TO GO THROUGH. I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE BIG CRUX OF IT. THERE ARE OTHER BENEFITS, BUT IT IS TRULY A BIG DEAL.

IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE WILLING TO DO. ESSENTIALLY THE $5 MILLION PROJECT AND IN EXCHANGE WE ARE DOING A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT. IT IS GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THEY ARE ADOPTING THE REQUIREMENTS. DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE?

[03:10:04]

>> YES, WE DO. >> IF THE CITY WERE TO CHANGE THEIR MIND IT WOULD BE OFF.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IF THE CONDITIONS THE COUNTY LAID OUT, IF THEY ARE NOT SUBSTANTIAL AND NOT MET AND WE PULL OUT OF IT, WE WILL OWN THE PROPERTY STILL, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO BUY THE PROPERTY IF ALL THAT HAPPENS SAY BEFORE MID-FEBRUARY.

>> THERE ARE CERTAIN CONDITIONS THAT ARE PRE SEEN -- PRE SEE DENT AND SOME ARE AFTER THAT DATE. IF THE CITY DOES NOT COMPLY WITH SOME OF THOSE AGREEMENTS AS AN EXAMPLE TO RIGHT AWAY AFTER THAT FEBRUARY DATE THEY COULD PULL OUT.

>> YES AND RUSS CAN EXPLAIN IT BETTER THAN I, BUT ANTICIPATED THAT IT COULD BE CONVEYED IS

THAT RIGHT? >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, GOOD AFTERNOON.

THIS IS RUSS POPPY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THIS AGREEMENT IS JUST TO ESTABLISH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. FOR CLARITY, THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT BEFORE THE ANTICIPATED CLOSING DATE ON MARCH THIRD AND FOURTH TO GET PERMISSION FROM COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO CUT THE CHECK.

THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BITE OF THE PER VERB -- PERVERBIAL APPLE AND OUR WORK IS TO DEFINE THE ASSET LIST THAT THE JUDGE JUST MENTIONED AND I WILL DISTRIBUTE THAT TO THE COURT MEMBERS STAFF FOR THEIR REVIEW AND FEEDBACK BEFORE WE COME BACK FOR PERMISSION TO

CUT THE CHECK. THAT'S CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM ONLY ASKING BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE PUT STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS ON IT AND I BELIEVE THEY WERE MET.

IT WAS HALF OF THE MONEY AND HALF OF THE COST OF ACQUISITION.

SOME IS IN CASH AND SOME IS IN ASSETS. THERE IS JOINT PAYMENTS FOR OPERATING IT. THEY WILL PUT A WATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN IT.

ACTUALLY THEY WILL ADOPT ATLAS 14 AND THERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THEY MAY BRING FORWARD THAT WILL STRENGTHEN ATLAS 14 AND THEN AS I UNDERSTAND IT WE WILL ADOPT THOSE AS WELL, SO THERE MAY BE THINGS THAT GO BEYOND ATLAS 14.

WE WILL APPLY FOR THE E T.J. IF SOMETHING FALLS APART AS YOU EXPLAINED TO ME THE OTHER DAY AND THE CITY MEETS THE CONDITIONS AND WE PULL OUT AFTER THAT CHECK HAS BEEN CUT, THEN WE WOULD OWN THE PROPERTY. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. THE CITY WOULD OWE US THEIR SHARE OF THE LAND COSTS IN CASH MINUS WHATEVER ASSETS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. BUT YOU ARE CORRECT. WE WOULD OWN AT THAT POINT THE PROPERTY. RAID RAID AND JUST SO WE KNOW IT IS ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING SALVAGEABLE FROM A BAD DEAL. IT IS A GOOD THING.

IT IS A HIGH PRICE TO PAY, BUT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAVE THE SAME STANDARDS.

IT WILL NOT APPLY TO IF SOMEBODY DEVELOPED BEYOND THE E T.J. IN THAT COUNTY,

CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO

BEYOND THAT POINT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IT MAY MAKE THE POINT IN OUR LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE AND FOR OUR OTHER PARTNERS TO MAKE THE CASE.

IF THIS PROPERTY BEING DEVELOPED IS WHAT CAUSED THE FLOODING, HOW MANY MILES WOULD SOMEBODY HAVE TO DO? FOR SOMEBODY OR SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO IT IN THE SAME COUNTY?

HOW MANY MILES WOULD THEY HAVE TO GO OUT TO? >> THE CITY'S E T.J. ON AVERAGE EXTENDS OUT FIVE MILES BEYOND THEIR CITY BROWN DREYS.

BOUNDARIES, THEY HAVE TO GO ANOTHER FIVE MILES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I GOT STUCK

[03:15:07]

IN THAT HIGH QUALITY SAND. IT CAME IN HANDY AND THEY CAN FIND ME HARM.

THOSE 300 ACRES TAKES UP CLOSE TO A COUPLE OF MILES, RIGHT? YOU HAVE TO GO ANOTHER --

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE THAT DISTANCE MEASURED. IT WOULD BE SOMETHING LESS

THAN FIVE MILES AWAY. YOU ARE CORRECT. >> SO I WANT TO RAISE THE ISSUE OF SOMEBODY DEVELOPING BEYOND IT. WHERE IS THERE ANYBODY ELSEWHERE THIS ISSUE WOULD COME UP? IN THE E T.J. AND IN THE COUNTY, I WANT TO KNOW SO THAT AND IF THEY COME SIX MONTHS FROM NOW AND THEY SAID WE BELIEVE WE FLOODED BECAUSE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, WHERE ELSE COULD THIS COME BACK AND SOMEONE BE ABLE TO MAKE THE EQUITY ARGUMENT TO US IN THE CITY?

>> I'M SURE THOSE PLACES EXIST, BUT ONE PLACE IS FOR THE CITY TO ADOPT CRITERIA NOT ONLY IN THE CITY LIMITS, BUT IT WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING TO ADDRESS THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. I WILL POINT OUT THAT THE STATE FLOOD PLANNING GROUPS ARE CONTEMPLATING THE PROJECTS THAT GO TOWARD THE STATE FLOOD PLAN.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST THURSDAY WAS IN ADDITION TO PROJECTS, IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE GOOD CRITERIA.

I HAVE EVERY INTENT TO ADD ANOTHER ATTACK AREA AND TO BE PROMOTING THAT AS PART OF OUR

STATE'S FLOOD PLAN. >> RUSS, DO YOU KNOW OF OTHER AREAS WHERE THIS ISSUE COULD COME UP? AND SOMEBODY ELSE WILL MAKE THE ARGUMENT YOU NEED TO BUY

OUT OTHER DEVELOPMENTS. >> I'M SURE THEY EXIST, GOVERNOR, BUT I CAN'T GIVE YOU

DETAILS WITHOUT DOING SOME HOMEWORK ON THAT FIRST. >> I THINK IT IS A HIGH PRICE TO PAY, BUT WE ADOPTED ATLAS 14 A YEAR AGO? A YEAR AND HALF AGO?

>> 18 MONTHS AGO. IT WAS JULY OF 2019. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT IN MY MIND WAS PRETTY PERSUASIVE. YOU WERE ALL PRETTY GOOD POKER PLAYERS.

YOU HAD A LITTLE HELP. MAYBE WITH COMMISSIONER'S COURT WITH THE CONDITIONS.

WHAT COULD THE CITY OFFER AS EXAMPLES TO ENHANCE ATLAS 14 WHERE THEY WOULD GO FARTHER THAN WE HAVE GONE, AND THEN WE WOULD PROBABLY HOPEFULLY ADOPT IT AS WELL.

>> I HAVE ASKED THE CITY TO GIVE US A COPY OF THEIR UPDATES TO THEIR CRITERIA.

I UNDERSTAND THOSE ARE PENNING AND THEY HAVE RECONFIRMED IT. I GOT AN E-MAIL FROM CAROL SAYING THEY ARE WORKING TO ADOPT THESE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

I HAVEN'T SEEN IT AND I HATE TO SPECULATE WITHOUT SEEING EXACTLY THE UPDATES TO THE CRITERIA. THEY COULD MAKE MORE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DETENTION AND MAYBE FOR REDEVELOPMENT. INSIDE THE CITY YOU HAVE A LOT MAURY DEVELOPMENT THAN YOU -- YOU HAVE A LOT MORE REDEVELOP THAN -- REDEVELOPMENT THAN YOU HAVE.

>> THIS IS JOHN BLOUNT, AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY.

IT IS FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH WE DIDN'T HAVE, JOHN. I REMEMBER YOU PRESENTING THIS AS IF YOU DID ANYTHING MORE IT WOULD BE A TAKING. SO WHAT IS IT THEY ARE DOING MORE THAT IS NOT A TAKING?

>> THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING YET. THEY ARE PROPOSING.

WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER WHERE IT IS NOT A TAKING.

THIS IS WHERE SOMEONE, FOR EXAMPLE, TEARS DOWN A SMALL HOUSE AND BUILDS A VERY LARGE HOUSE. THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON THAT STREET.

WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS. >> WHY HADN'T WE DONE THAT

THEN? >> IN GENERAL NOBODY HAS DONE THAT BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT A DETENTION ON A SINGLE FAMILY LOT TO BE EFFECTIVE.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS BE IN LIEU OF TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE IMPACT CAN BE COLLECTED AS

OPPOSED TO SOMEONE'S YARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: JUST A QUICK NOTE HERE AND THAT'S THE VALUE OF THE IRT AND THE OTHER GROUP. BUT I DO THINK -- YOU KNOW, I

[03:20:05]

SLEPT EASY BECAUSE YOU TOLD ME THIS IS AS FAR AS WE COULD GO, SO I AM A LITTLE BLIND CITED THAT WE -- BLIND SIGHTED THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE MORE. WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE PLACES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER AND DIDN'T. I HOPE I'M WRONG, BUT THIS

KIND OF A SURPRISE SHOULD NOT BE APPEARING. >> JUDGE, WE HAVE ALMOST NO REDEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY. THE VAST MAJORITY HAPPENS INSIDE THE LOOP WHERE THE PROPERTY IS VERY VALUABLE. WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM BECAUSE PRIOR TO THE REDEVELOPMENT HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY WE WANT HAVE -- WE WANT TO HAVE A STANDARD.

>> IS IT A STATUTORY ISSUE OR A COURT ISSUE? >> A STATUTORY ISSUE,

COMMISSIONER. >> AND I ONLY RAISE IT BECAUSE I HOPE AFTER HARVEY AND MAYBE WITH THE POLITICAL CLOUT OF THIS AREA, IF IT IS A STATUTORY ISSUE AT LEAST WE SHOULD MAKE A RUN IN. EVEN IF IT IS BLOCKED FOR A CERTAIN REGION OF THE STATE.

I AM JUST BRINGING IT UP IF IT GOES TO LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THAT'S A GOOD THING IF IT GOES BEYOND WHERE WE RVMENT I THOUGHT IT WAS -- WHERE WE ARE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A LEGAL ISSUE. >> IT IS RELATED TO THAT AS WELL, COMMISSIONER.

IT IS NOT ONLY IN THE STATUTE OUTS, BUT IT IS IN PART OF THE CONSTITUTION ABOUT UNLAWFUL TAKING. LIKE I SAID, WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO HAVE REDEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY BECAUSE OF LAND VALUES THE CITY HAS. THE CITY DOES AS WELL.

WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT IS REDEVELOPMENT OF RESIDENTIAL WHICH THEY HAVE AND WE DON'T HAVE. EVENTUALLY WE WILL. THAT'S WHY WE ARE WORKING WITH

THEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS JUST ONE OF THE LINES OF QUESTION -- QUESTIONING. RUSS, GIVE ME SOME SENSE OF THE COST OF WHAT WE WILL HAVE TO SPEND TO DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH OUR PART OF THE PROPERTY.

GIVE ME SOME SENSE OF WHAT LIABILITY WE WILL HAVE IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL FLOODING AND TAKES US A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO COME UP WITH OUR FUNDING TO DO WHATEVER WE WANT

TO DO WITH OURS. >> IT IS PORPTD -- IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THEY BUILT ALL OF THE DETENTION THAT THEY HAD TO BUILD TO ACCOMMODATE 800 PRESIDENTIAL HOMES. THAT'S ONE 69 BENEFITS THE COUNTY WILL GET.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION MORE SPECIFICALLY, IT IS 267 MORE ACRES.

THE CITY AND US WILL JOINTLY SHARE THAT. ONE OF THE BIG COSTS OF MAINTAINING A VACANT PIECE OF LAND LIKE THAT IS VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.

AS A ROUGH NUMBER IT IS ABOUT $120 AN ACRE RIGHT NOW FOR US TO MOW AND MAINTAIN JUST A FLAT PIECE OF LAND AND A GENTLY SLOPING DETENTION BASIN.

THAT'S OUR ESTIMATED COST AT THIS TIME TO MAINTAIN THAT SITE UNTIL A LARGER PROJECT CAN BE IDENTIFIED AND THEN WE CAN JOINTLY FUND FEN -- BETWEEN THE CITY TO DO

SOMETHING ADDITIONAL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS THAT OVERALL COST?

>> IF WE SUBTRACT OUT THE 73-ACRES THE CITY WANTS TO PRESERVE AND BUILD THE WATER WATER TREATMENT PLANT THE JUDGE MENTIONED THAT LEAVES 194-ACRES REMAINING OR ROUGHLY TWO OF THIS THIRDS OF THE -- TWO-THIRDS OF THE ORIGINAL SITE.

TO BUILD BUILD A SEN -- CENTER ON THE ENTIRE SITE IT IS $30 MILLION.

IF -- ARE YOU LOOKING AT $20 MILLION TO BUILD ON THE REMAINING ACRES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND ONE LAST POINT, AT LEAST BACK IF MY EXPERIENCE WHEN I WAS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BEFORE USUALLY THERE WAS A LOT OF CRITICISM WHERE YOU PLACE THE TREATMENT PLANTS. THAT WAS A LONGTIME AGO. HAVE THOSEISH A YOU -- HAVE THOSE ISSUES BEEN ABATED WITH TECHNOLOGY SO WILL THE WIND GO INTO THE COUNTY?

>> IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS THE PREVAILING WINDS ARE OUT OF THE SOUTH OR SOUTHEAST.

THIS IS NORTH OF US SO THOSE PREVAILING WINDS WOULD NOT NECESSARILY BLOW ANYTHING

TOWARD HARRIS COUNTY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

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

THIS IS A UNIQUE TRANSACTION. THANK YOU FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THIS.

I MADE MY ISSUES KNOWN. I WANT TO APPLAUD COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR THINKING THROUGH SOME OF THE DETAILS. AND I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN DAVE ROBINSON -- NOT DAVE

[03:25:09]

ROBINSON, BUT DAVE MARTIN FOR HIS WORK AS WELL. WE PUT OUR -- WE PUT OUT OUR CONCERNS AND THE CITY DID PUT ITS ARMS AROUND IT FOR THE MOST PART.

MAYBE IT WAS RUSS' FACE AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS INDICATED OR MAYBE IT WAS THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MAYOR AND OTHERS OVER THERE. I WAS VERY, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE DISCUSSIONS AS CLOSELY AS YOU HAVE. I DO FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT I WILL SUPPORT IT. I HAD A LOT OF CONCERNS, BUT I THINK MOST OF OUR ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. I THANK -- I THINK CON -- COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN HAS DONE SOME HEAVY LIFTING TO MOVE THIS ALONG. WITH HIS WORK ON THIS IT IS INDICATIVE OF WHAT WE ASK OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO DO ESPECIALLY OUR INTER GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS TO DO. THEY HEARD US AND THEY HEARD US LOUD AND CLEAR.

I THINK THE CONDITIONS THEY PUT AROUND THE PROPERTY REFLECTS THAT.

ALTHOUGH THE WAY IT WAS INITIALLY APPROACHED, GIVE US SOME MONEY AND WE ARE GOING TO GO AND DO SOMETHING. I WASN'T EVER GOING TO SUPPORT THAT.

I APPLAUD YOU, JUDGE FOR BEING A GOOD STEWARD OF THE MONEY. IT WILL BRING LONG-TERM BENEFITS,. YOU CAN'T PREDICT MOTHER NATURE, BUT WE HAVE DONE ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH OUR CONCERNS. IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I AM STILL RELUCTANT, BUT YOU PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO THIS.

I AM COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU ALWAYS PUT OUT FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS.

I I WILL PUT OUT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AND VOTE FOR IT. CACTUS?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM NOT SURE WHAT YOUR MOTION IS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF YOU WERE AWAKE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I MEAN, I THINK IT IS A SMALL DEAL, Y'ALL.

I AM HONESTLY HAPPY WITH THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE TO GET THESE THINGS ADOPTED.

>> STEVE RADACK: RUSS, ARE Y'ALL GOING TO ATTEMPT TO TRY TO GET THE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVED AS FAR AS EAST ASK YOU STRAIGHTING -- EXCAVATING THE SITE AND I THINK MAKE JOHN PAUL'S LANDING BE ABLE TO BASICALLY SELL A LOT OF THE DIRT?

>> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER RADACK. ONE THINGS THAT IS A BENEFIT AT THIS SITE IS THE SOIL IS NOT A GUMBO CLAY. THERE IS A SILTY SAND WHICH IS VALUABLE FOR FOLKS WHO NEED FILL DIRT. ONE OF THE STRATEGIES WE ARE CONSIDERING IS IF THIS ITEM MOVES FORWARD AND IF THE CITY CAN COME FORWARD WITH THEIR END OF THE BARGAIN, THEN WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING INTO A REMOVAL AND EXCAVATION CONTRACT. WE PAY THE CONTRACTOR TO DO STORM WATER QUALITY ITEMS AT THE SITE AND THEY START EXCAVATING. WE GET A LOT OF TENSION DUG

THAT WAY AT A REDUCED COST. >> STEVE RADACK: I THINK JOHN RUPAUL SAVED 50 MILLION DOING IT THAT WAY. OKAY. AS FAR AS YOU ARE CONCERNED

THIS IS A GO, RIGHT? >> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, YES. FROM THE BENEFITS ONCE YOU BRING IN THE 20 MILLION IN TENSION, WE WILL LOOK FOR PRICE BREAKS WE H.

. WE ARE LOOKING AT 600 HOMES DOWNSTREAM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TO MAKE IT CLEAR, ARE YOU NOT LOOKING TO BUILD -- THAT'S WHERE THEY

NEED TO FIND THE PARTNERSHIP FUNDING. >> THE CITY IS IN THE PROCESS

OF PURSUING A COUPLE OF GRANTS TO SHAKE THE MONEY LOOSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT WOULD HAVE

[03:30:05]

TO COME FROM PARTNERSHIP FUNDS. I MEAN, THIS CAN'T REPLACE EXISTING PROJECTS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THE MOTION, YOUR

HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> I WILL VOTE FOR IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU ALL. >> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING THESE FOLKS WHO WERE FLOODED AND ASSISTING THESE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHO WILL BE BENEFITING FROM THE IMPACTS OF THIS PROJECT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK?

>> STEVE RADACK: I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CARE TO OR NOT, BUTS -- BUT I WAS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AT THE TIME YOU VOTE OWED ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR ON THOSE TWO ITEMS. IF YOU WANT ME TO VOTE, I CAN VOTE. IF NOT, YOU CAN LEAVE IT THE

WAY IT IS RECORDED. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS ITEM U-2 AND ITEM -- WHAT WAS

IT? F15 OR SOMETHING, JAMES? >> YES, MA'AM.

1U.2 AND 1F15 FOR COUNTY ENGINEER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RADACK? >> DO YOU WANT TO RECORD MY VOTE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> STETH

>> STEVE RADACK: ON EACH EYE VEM I VOTE NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ON FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ON D10 IT SHOULD SAY PRE 63 INSTEAD OF PRE 61.

ON PAGE 11 ITEMS TWO DID 5, 7 AND 8. SO D5, 7 AND 8 IS A PRECINCT -- STRIKE THE WORDS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION AND REPLACE IT WITH THE WORD STUDY.

IS THAT RIGHT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TOLL ROAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, ONE UNDER FLOOD CONTROL, RUSS ON PAGE 11 AND G2 THE SOUTH WILLOW DETENTION BASIN I, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE NECESSARILY HAVE TO USE A GIVEN NAME LIKE SOUTH WILLOW.

IF WE WANTED TO GIVE A DETENTION BASIN A NAME LIKE JOHN PAUL AS AN EXAMPLE, WE

CAN NAME A DETENTION POND THAT WE SEE FIT. >> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW I MENTIONED THE ONE OUT THERE ON DIXIE FARM ROAD, WE WILL NOT HAVE A DIXIE FARM ROAD DETENTION POND.

IT MAY BECOME FREDERICK DOUGLAS OR HARRIET TUBMAN, BUT IT WON'T BE DIXIE FARM ROAD.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WITH THE RESOLUTIONS YOU HAD EARLIER, THINKING OF

PEOPLE SOMETIMES THAT NEGLECTED [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO MOVING ON FROM FLOOD CONTROL, TOLL ROAD. I DID WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE

TOLL ROAD FOR THEIR UPGRADED RATING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

YES. I WANT TO JUMP ON THAT, JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT, JUDGE? I WOULD LIKE A NOTE FROM DAVE BERRY OR SOMEBODY. IS IT THE HIGHEST RATING?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. IT IS A DOUBLE A1. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME JUST

MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN ITEM HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS UNDER BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND NOT TOLL ROAD. IT IS UNDER BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE QUESTION ON TOLL ROAD, IF PETER IS ON THE LINE, PETER IS IT -- I'M FLIPPING IN HERE AND IT IS ON OUR ROUTE TO GALVESTON -- I'LL WAIT UNTIL WE GET THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO NOW BUDGET MANAGEMENT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE BACK ON TOLL ROAD, I HAVE A QUESTION ON ITEM B1 WHICH IS AN ENGINEERING FIRM TO REVIEW THE WORK OF COWI OR COWI, I'M NOT SURE HOW THEIR NAME IS PRONOUNCED, I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH CORVEN ENGINEERING, INC. THEY HAVE NOT DONE BUSINESS THAT I'M AWARE OF IN THE COUNTY. WHEN I WAS REVIEWING THAT EARLIER TODAY I GAVE A COUL

[03:35:06]

OVER TO JOHN BLOUNT TO SEE IF HE IS FAMILIAR, AND HE HAS NOT ADD CHANCE TO DO THAT.

I DO UNDERSTAND, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR OFFICE MAY HAVE VETTED THIS FIRM THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO VOTE ON AND WOULD LIKE TO GET A LITTLE OF THE BACKGROUND ON WHO THEY ARE AND WHY THEY ARE IN THIS PROJECT. NORMALLY WHEN THERE IS A FIRM WE ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

APPARENTLY THIS IS A FLORIDA FIRM. WOULD YOU MIND SHARING A

LITTLE OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHY WE ARE GOING WITH THESE GUYS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH.

MY OFFICE GOT WIND OF THEM YESTERDAY, BUT TOLL ROAD HAS DONE A FULL VETTING OF THIS FIRM. I DON'T KNOW THEM EITHER. I HAVEN'T MET THEM OR TALKED TO THEM OR SAT DOWN WITH THEM. WOULDN'T KNOW THEM IF THEY WALKED IN THE DOOR. I WILL TELL YOU THIS: I DO APPLAUD WHAT THE TOLL ROAD IS DOING BECAUSE HAD WE HAD QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY REVIEW DONE WITH THE PREVIOUS FIRM THIS WOULD BE A MOOT CONVERSATION. THIS IS BECOMING THE ENGINEER OF RECORD AND THEY ARE ALSO HAVING TO CONTEND WITH QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS. THE PREVIOUS FIRM, AND I AM DRAWING A BLANK ON THEIR NAME RIGHT NOW. THAT'S HOW GLAD I WAS FOR THEM TO BE GONE.

THEY JUST SENT IT TO ANOTHER BRANCH IF THEIR OFFICE. THAT'S LIKE YOU SENDING SOMETHING TO COMMISSIONER RADACK AND SAYING TELL ME IF YOU THINK THIS IS BAD OR GOOD. OF COURSE HE IS GOING TO SUPPORT YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HAVE YOU MET COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OH YEAH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU NEED TO PICK A DIFFERENT ILLUSTRATION THERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NONETHELESS, THIS IS GOOD QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY UH -- ASSURANCE THAT WASN'T DONE PREVIOUSLY. HOW THAT WAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN IS BEYOND ME.

IT IS DAMN NEAR CRIMINAL. I AM JUST GLAD WE ARE DOING IT, AND REGARDLESS OF WHO THE ENGINEER OF RECORD IS, THEY ARE SUBJECT AND IT IS CRITICAL FOR OUR CITIZENS AND THE SAFETY AND THE FUTURE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE. I DON'T KNOW WHO THIS FIRM IS.

I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WITH THEM. THEY HAVEN'T CONTRIBUTED TO ME AND WOULDN'T KNOW THEM IF THEY WALKED INTO MY OFFICE. I SUPPORT PETER'S LEADERSHIP AND ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE THE WHEREWITH ALL TO 3R0EU -- PROVIDE THE QUALITY CONTROL AND ASSURANCE TO COWI EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE AN IMPECCABLE REPUTATION AND WE ARE STAYING

ON HIGH SCWAWLT STAN -- HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY QUESTION WASN'T REALLY APPOINTING, BUT WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE. I ACTUALLY THINK THIS IS A GOOD THING TO HAVE IN PLACE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD A QUESTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE MUTED, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK PETER IF HE IS ON THE LINE HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THE FIRM.

DO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT, PETER? >> YES, COMMISSIONER I DO.

THIS IS PETER KEY OUT AT THE TOLL ROAD. I GOT JOHN TYLER WITH ME.

WE ARE SOCIALLY DISTANCED IN THE ROOM, BUT AS WE SEED WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST PRACTICE AND A GOOD MOVE FOR HARRIS COUNTY WHICH IS WHY WE RECOMMENDED.

I WILL LET JOHN TALK FOR JUST A MINUTE TO GIVE SOME BACKGROUND ON THIS PARTICULAR

FIRM. >> THIS IS JOHN TYLER AT THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY.

WO -- WORVEN -- CORVEN ENGINEERING SUBMITTED AS A TEAM IN THE ORIGINAL REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS IN 2013. THEY WERE VERY IMPRESSIVE BOTH IN WHAT THEY SUBMITTED AND THEIR INTERVIEW THAT OCCURRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WE HAVE SINCE VETTED EVERYBODY THAT WAS SUBMITTED AT THE TIME AS WELL AS ASKED QUESTIONS OF OTHER FIRMS THAT ARE IN THAT TYPE OF INDUSTRY ABOUT CORVEN AND THEIR ABILITIES TO DO WHAT WE ARE ASKING THEM TO DO AS DESIGN QUALITY CONTROL. EVERYTHING WE RECEIVED WAS VERY FAVORABLE FOR THAT FIRM

TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I WANT TO ASK RELATED TO THAT SINCE WE ARE ON THAT BRIDGE, THAT IS THE LARGEST PROJECT IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, RIGHT, IN TERMS OF COST? IT IS GOING TO GO UP A BIT,

[03:40:05]

PETER, RIGHT? >> YES, SIR. NOT USING INFLATED DOLLARS, AGAIN THE COUNTY BUILT THE STADIUM BACK IN THE 60S, BUT IT IS.

BY AND LARGE, THIS IS THE LARGEST PROJECT THE COUNTY HAS UNDERTAKEN IN DECADES.

NOT GONE UNNOTICED OUT HERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO ASK BECAUSE I THINK IT IS RELATED SINCE YOU ARE AWARDING THIS CONTRACT, HAVE YOU COME UP WITH SOME PLAN FROM MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE? I KNOW YOU WERE TALKING TO COLETTE. IS SOMETHING BEING WORKED OUT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE -- YOU KNOW, YOU CAN TELL ME THE DETAILS LATER, BUT I WANT TO

KNOW IF SOMETHING IS BEING DONE. >> THERE ARE TWO ANSWERS TO THE QUESTION AND BOTH GO IN THE SAME DIRECTION. WHEN WE HAD THE COWI CONTRACT ON THE AGENDA A NUMBER OF MONTHS AGO WE HAD A CLAUSE IN THE CONTRACT THAT THEY HAD TO COMPLY WITH MWBE PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE TRANSPORTATION CODE WHICH I BELIEVE YOU HAD A HAPPENED IN WRITING. WE HAD THAT AGREED TO BY COWI THAT IF THEY WERE TO SUB CONTRACT WITH ANYONE MOVING FORWARD. WE MADE A VERBAL COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND WE EXPRESSED IT TO THE COUNTY'S CONTRACTOR THAT IS CURRENTLY BUILDING THAT WHEN WE UNDER TAKE A CHANGE IN CONTRACT WITH THAT CONTRACTOR WHICH WE KNOW IS FORTH COMING AND WE TOLD COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT TOO.

IT IS A THREE-STEP PROCESS TO GET THE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION BACK GOING AND IN THE -- RIGHT DIRECTION. WE TOLD THE DIRECTOR WE WANTED TO PUT THAT LANGUAGE IN THE CONTRACT. VERBALLY WE HAVE GOTTEN NO PUSH BACK ON THAT AT ALL,

COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: PETE, I TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT.

I KNOW AT NOTE THE PORT HAS A REVIEW OF THE DISPARITY STUDY.

WHEN I LOOKED AT IT, THEIR NUMBERS WERE A LITTLE WORSE THAN OURS.

I THINK WE WERE 91% GOING TO NON-NWBE FIRMS. THE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE

COMING IN SOON. >> IT WAS DONE BY THE AGENCY AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE FIRST

CONTRACT ON A COUNTY AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK AND THEN COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> STEVE RADACK: I'M HERE. MR. TYLER AND MR. KEY, IF YOU ARE STILL THERE, JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO A COMMENT WAS MADE GOING ON IN REFERENCE TO THIS BRIDGE WERE DAMN NEAR CRIMINAL. I HAVE A QUESTION, MR. TYLER OR PETER, HOW DID COWI GET RECOMMENDED TO BE USED AT THE TOLL ROAD?

>> COWI WAS ENGAGED AS AN INDEPENDENT REVIEWER ENGINEERING FIRM THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROCESS THAT WE FOLLOWED TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE WERE.

THEY ARE AN INDEPENDENT -- THEY WERE TOTALLY INDEPENDENT OF OUR PROCESS AT THAT POINT.

>> STEVE RADACK: I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT COWI, I DON'T BELIEVE, WAS INVOLVED IN THE PRELIMINARIES BACK WHEN Y'ALL WHY DISCUSSING THINGS WITH FIG AND WHATEVER.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A LOT OF ENGINEERS IN HARRIS COUNTY. HOW DID COWI BECOME TO BE THE

COMPANY TO CHECK OVER FIG'S STUFF? >> WHEN WE LOOKED AT FIRMS THAT STILL REMAIN THAT WHY INDEPENDENT OF THE PROCESS, COWI WAS THE ONLY FIRM WITH

THE QUALIFICATIONS. >> STEVE RADACK: SO THEY WERE NOT RECOMMENDED?

[03:45:03]

>> I AM NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND. >> STEVE RADACK: NO ONE RECOMMENDED THEM?

>> WE IDENTIFIED THEM FROM FINDING SOMEONE THAT WAS INDEPENDENT TO THE PROCESS.

>> STEVE RADACK: BUT WOULD Y'ALL AGREE THAT WITH -- WHEN YOU HIRED THEM IT WAS REVIEWED

OR WAS IT NOT? >> I THINK WE DID AN RFQ AND WENT THROUGH THE SUBMITTALS AND THEN A -- AND THEN HAD FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEWS WITH EACH TEAM.

I BELIEVE THAT THE PROCESS WAS A VERY GOOD PROCESS. >> STEVE RADACK: IT JUST

DIDN'T WORK OUT. >> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANTED TO SAY TO PETER THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXCELLENT LEADERSHIP IN HOLDING THE REINS AT THE TOLL PROCEED -- TOLL ROAD.

PROUD OF YOU AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF -- FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF THIS COURT AND THINKING THROUGH MINORITY TRARTS -- PART PAYINGS AND NEW APPROACHES TO THE WORK WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION. YOU WORKED WITH US TO GIVE SOME RELIEF TO FOLKS AND THE LIST GOES ON. YOU ALWAYS HAD MY RESPECT, BUT MY RESPECT HAS GROWN.

THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR GOOD WORK. #*EU.

>> THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT. BUT TO EVERY MEMBER ON COURT, THANK YOU FOR FORGIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE STEWARD SHIP FOR THIS AGENCY FOR AN INTERIM PERIOD.

OBVIOUSLY IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR FOR ALL OF US AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF COVID. I THINK I SPEAK FOR MY FELLOW COUNTY STAFFERS.

IT HAS BEEN A ROUGH YEAR JUST DOING OUR JOBS. THIS AGENCY HAS FOUND A WAY TO HELP THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO LEAD AND BE SOMETHING I HOPE THIS COURT CAN BE PROUD OF. THE TOLL ROAD IS NOT ALWAYS AN EASY PLACE TO BE, BUT IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THE COURT SHOULD BE PROUD OF. I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR

THE OPPORTUNITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: PETER, I WANT TO ADD, YOU ARE NOT THROUGH YET BY THE WAY.

YOU HAVE A COUPLE MORE ITEMS ON HERE SO WE'LL DO IT LATER. I WANT TO JOIN IN ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I I KNOW ALL OF US DO. YOU STEPPED UP AT A CHALLENGING TIME AND YOU HAVE BEEN THERE A GOOD PART OF YOUR LIFE, RIGHT?

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN THERE? >> I STARTED WITH THE COUNTY IN 93 AS THE FIRST EL SAN FRANCISCO -- EL FRANCO GOVERNMENT INTERN.

I HAVE BEEN OUT ABOUT 15 YEARS. >> AND THIS IS YOUR SECOND

STINT ON AN INTERIM BASIS, RIGHT? >> I WAS THE DIRECTOR FOR

ABOUT FOUR YEARS. THE STINT IS INTERIM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AND I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH THE LEADERSHIP YOU STEPPED IN AND THEN TO DO THAT AND THEN WE END UP IN A PANDEMIC, YOU ARE DOING A MARVELOUS JOB AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR FAMILY AND I KNOW IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY WITH THEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ARE NOT THROUGH YET. YOU HAVE A COUPLE MORE ITEMS

ON THE AGENDA. WE'LL SEE IF THEY PASS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SINCE WE ARE AT IT, I WANTED TO ADD MY THANK YOU AND IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH YOU, PETER. THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE

QUESTIONS ON TOLL ROAD? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NOT ON TOLL ROAD, JUDGE.

I DID WANT TO GO BACK TO FLOOD CONTROL FOR A SECOND. ONLY TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS WHY I WAS WILLING TO SUPPORT YOU, JUDGE, AND COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN A -- ON THAT MONTGOMERY COUNTY PROPERTY. RIGHT NOW CITY COUNCIL IS GOING TO DISCUSS AND TAKE

[03:50:06]

UNDER CONSIDERATION THE IDEA OF ADD WILLING -- ADDING THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WILL BRING MUCH NEEDED REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT. I THINK IT WILL COMMUNICATE -- THE NEXT TIME WE HAVE TO GO OUT TO THE BALLOT TO ASK THE VOTERS TO GIVE US ANOTHER BOND TO DO MORE FLOOD-RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE WORK. NOW THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WILL TRULY HAVE A SUPREME ROLE WITHOUT A BIG HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTY.

THAT BEING THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THIS IS A HUGE STEP.

NOW THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WILL BE REPRESENTED -- I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE TAKEN THE VOTE JUST YET. I WILL CALL OVER THERE IF WE GET A BREAK TO WEIGH IN ON THIS. BUT THIS IS A HUGE STEP. SO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS , IN HISTORY, THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT NOW HAS THE COUNTY LINE PRESENCE AND VISIBLE ROLE IN ALL ASPECTS. HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET TO A POINT WHERE WE WILL NOW HAVE SEEMLESS, RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT THAT DOES PRESIDENT -- THAT DOESN'T CREATE MORE CHALLENGES FOR THE CITY OR FOR US. I APPLAUD MAYOR TURNER AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR STITTING DOWN WITH ME AND LISTENING, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT NEGOTIATIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROPERTY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I'M HOPEFUL CITY COUNCIL WILL SEE THEIR WAY TO APPROVE THIS. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE GREAT NEWS INDEED, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU FOR PUSHING FOR THAT. ALL RIGHT LET'S MOVE TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT. GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. THIS IS THE ONE I WANTED TO APPLAUD PETER.

THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO END THE YEAR. JUDGE, WE HAVEN'T HAD A WHOLE LOT TO CELEBRATE DURING THIS PANDEMIC. WE DO IT RESPECTFULLY KNOWING THE CHALLENGES OF MANY FAMILIES. FOR ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS AND FOR WORKING WITH EVERYBODY, BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS, THERE IS A LOT OF GLOOM AND DOOM, BUT THE GLOOM AND DOOM TURNED INTO A LOT OF HOORAH AND WAY TO GO.

THE BOND ISSUANCE THAT THE TOLL ROAD HAS WORKED THROUGH HAS RESULTED IN A MOODY'S RATING OF HCTRA AS A DOUBLE A1. IT IS THE SECOND HIGHEST RATING THAT CAN BE OBTAINED. IT IS THE ONLY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY IN THE NATION -- IN THE NATION, JUDGE, TO OBTAIN THIS RATING. TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY HAVE LOWER RATINGS TYPICALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO RELIANT ON DEBT. HCTRA HAS A STRONG REVENUE, BUT SETS IT ABOVE OTHERS AND THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE OF RATING THEY HAVE HAD AND IT IS A REFLECTION OF THE CURRENT, STRONG FISCAL MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNTY.

MOST POLL ROADS EARN UPGRADES. HCTRA DID IT WITHOUT INCREASING TOLLS AND DESPITE COVID AND DESPITE SHUTTING DOWN THE TOLLS IN SUPPORT OF THE CITIZENS.

MUCH TO CELEBRATE AND CONGRATULATE PETER KEY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU STARTED THE PROCESS. IT HAS CULMINATED IN GOOD ORDER.

CONGRATULATIONS. THIS IS ANOTHER FEATHER IN YOUR HAT, PETER.

JUDGE, THANK YOU AGAIN BECAUSE YOU ARE NAVIGATING ALL OF THESE IMPORTANT PIECES AND I

[03:55:06]

WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR HELP IN NAVIGATING THIS WHOLE PROCESS.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA AND MAKE IT

A RES -- RESOLUTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: PUT THAT IN A

RESOLUTION AND SEND IT TO MR. BERRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT JOB.

ANYTHING ELSE ON BUDGET? >> JUDGE WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, LUCINDA. I BELIEVE THIS IS FOR THE

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OF ECONOMIC EQUITY. >> HEIDI MCPHERSON WITH

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. AS WAS JUST ANNOUNCED I AM HEIDI MCPHERSON AND I AM A SENIOR DIRECTOR BASED HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EQUITY. AS YOU KNOW, THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION'S MISSION IS TO BE A RELENTLESS FORCE FOR A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE.

IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS MISSION, WE KNOW THE INEQUITIES IN OUR SAW SIGH TIES -- SOCIETIES MUST BE ADDRESSED AND AT THE ROOT ARE ECONOMIC AND HEALTH DISPARITIES. [INAUDIBLE] WILL ADVANCE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH FOR ALL AND WILL SPECIFICALLY DRIVE ADVANCES IN RESEARCH AND THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND ADVOCATE RELENTLESSLY TO HELP HEALTH CARE FOR ALL ALLS WELL AS SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE NEW SOLUTIONS TO ACHIEVE EQUITABLE HELP FOR ALL.

WE SEE THIS OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EQUITY AS A KEY INNOVATION AND THE DISPARITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS SUPPORTS OUR PLAN TO ENSURE EQUITY FOR ALL ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY AND EQUITY IS SOMETHING THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION BELIEVES IS VITAL TO ACHIEVING A THEY WILL THEE YES, SIR COMMUNITY. AS PART OF MY ROLE WITH THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION I AM PRIVILEGED TO SERVE WITH THE LEADER FOR THE GREATER HOUSTON COALITION FOR SOCIAL DETERMINE -- DETERMINANCE OF HEALTH.

IT WILL LINE THE COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL OUTCOMES.

I HAVE SEEN HOW IT IS DEEPENING AND THERE ARE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF FOOD AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS. AND THERE ARE NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND SRN CAREERS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. IF WE CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES, THE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE EMPOWERED TO SOLVE THEIR OWN FOOD AND HEALTH CARE NEEDS.

THIS OFFERS A FOUNDATION AND ADDRESSES SYSTEMIC DISPARITY. INCLUDING THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EQUITY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED COLLABORATION AS WE LOOK TO PUT THE HEALTH OF

THOSE MOST VULNERABLE FIRST. THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK YOU, MS. MCPHERSON.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING TAKE. I THOUGHT YOU WERE SPEAKING ON ANOTHER ITEM.

I WILL HAVE MY OFFICE SEND YOU A NOTE. THE PORT AUTHORITY IS GOING TO HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING TO GO THROUGH THEIR DISPARITY STUDY.

THE METRO, THAT STUDY WILL COME OUT LATE JANUARY OR FEBRUARY.

THAT'S INTERESTING. I'M GLAD THE HEART ASSOCIATION IS IN ON THAT.

I MISSED THE MEETING BECAUSE I WAS GETTING MY HEART CHECKED. I AM IN BETTER SHAPE THAN 97% OF THE PEOPLE IN MY DEMOGRAPHIC AND MY AGE. NO PLAQUE IN THERE.

I KNOW SOME WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK SOON, BUT THEY HAVE TO GET RID OF ME WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE HEART. THEY WILL SEND THAT TO YOU.

YOU CAN SIGN OFF FOR THAT AT 6:00. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IGA. COMMISSIONER COURT'S ANALYST'S OFFICE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE ON THIS ITEM IS THE TRANSMITAL OF THE MEMO AT THE REQUEST OF ME AND REPORTING THE TOTAL OF THE

[04:00:04]

ANNUAL DEATHS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY FROM JANUARY 2015 TO OCTOBER OF 2020 BY AGE, RACE AND ETHNICITY, I WANT TO FIRST THANK MS. SHORE WITH THE ANALYST OFFICE FOR HER WORK. THIS IS A VERY TELLING REPORT.

AND SPECIFICALLY AS OF OCTOBER 31ST OF THIS YEAR, THE TOTAL DEATHS WERE NEARLY 100% OF TOTAL DEATHS OF 2019 FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS IN JULY OF 2020 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY COMPARED TO JULY OF 2019. DURING THIS PERIOD HISPANICS -- HIS PAN -- HISPANIC DEATHS INCREASED 28.8% AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS BY 49.3%. ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS BY 65.9%. THIS IS A GLIMPSE OF HOW THE DEATHS IN GREATER HOUSTON PANNED OUT IN THIS THIRD WAVE OF THE PANDEMIC IF PEOPLE DON'T HEED THE ADVICE YOU SPEAK SO OFTEN ON, JUDGE. IF WE DON'T WEAR OUR FACE MASKS AND WE DON'T SOCIALLY DISTANCE. ONE DOESN'T HAVE TO CATCH COVID-19 TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS PANDEMIC. IT IS EVIDENT AND IT WILL HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN HARRIS COUNTY. SO TO THE ANALYST'S OFFICE, I WANTED TO ASK MS. SHORT, WHEN I ASKED FOR THIS REPORT I ASSUMED THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BUTTONS YOU WOULD HAVE TO CLICK TO PULL THIS REPORT. I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE CHALLENGES COMPILING THIS INFORMATION. THE STATE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GATE KEEPER OF THIS INFORMATION. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE FOR THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT TO MAKE IT A SMOOTHER PROCESS. AND IT SHOWS THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IS BEHIND IN DEATH RECORDS. IT NEEDS A TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEM THAT USES BEST PRACTICE TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBILITY. AND THEN I HAVE A QUESTION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MS. SHORT TO GIVE US SOME INSIGHT THAT ALL -- THAT ALTHOUGH THIS REPORT IS REALLY SPEAKING VOLUMES, APPARENTLY IT IS EASY TO COME BY.

>> I WILL UNMUTE YOU, KATIE. >> KATIE SHORT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO. BEFORE I JUMP IN AND ANSWER COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S GREAT QUESTION, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THEIR HELP PULLING TOGETHER IT -- THIS REPORT. AS YOU MENTIONED IT IS A BIT OF A LONG HAUL.

TO YOUR QUESTION WE HAVEN'T -- I DON'T HAVE A PROPOSAL TO THE STATE, BUT THERE IS A FULL VIEW BECAUSE THERE IS NO [INAUDIBLE] THAT COLLECTS THE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AND THE NUMBERS OF DEATHS JUST FOR THE COUNTY. AND SO TO PUT TOGETHER A LOCAL PICTURE WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO SIX DIFFERENT ENTITYIES AND WE ARE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WE CAN LEAVE AS MUCH WITH YOU AS POSSIBLE. THIS REQUEST IS MOVING FORWARD AND WE ARE EAGER TO PRODUCE AN UPDATED REPORT THAT COME PRE SEN HIGH VIEW.

[04:05:01]

COMPREHENSIVE VIEW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. I GOT THE INSIGHT FROM MY STAFF.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. PUBLIC HEALTH, IF YOU ARE ONLINE -- IF YOU ARE ON THE LINE, I HAD ASKED FOR THIS REPORT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY YOU HEARD MY CONCERN FOR THE DRAMATIC RATE OF PEOPLE DYING IN THIS PANDEMIC AND WHAT WE WERE DOING TO REACH OUT TO THOSE GROUPS THAT TEND NOT TO ENGAGE GOVERNMENT. SO YOU ARE AWARE OF THE DISPARITIES FOR THE DIFFERENT RACIAL GROUPS. WHAT IS IT THAT IS IMPACTING

YOUR ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN THE SPREAD AMONG THESE GROUPS. >> HELLO, COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> COMMISSIONER, IT IS DR. SHAW. THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

IT IS COMPLICATED, BUT I THINK IN A CLEAR WAY WHAT KATIE DESCRIBED AS THE DATA I'M PEDIMENTS -- IMPEDIMENTS AND THE SOURCES OF DATA FROM ACROSS THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS AND REALLY NOT HAVING A CENTRAL REPOSITORY THAT MAKES IT TOUGH ON ALL OF US AND TO BE ABLE TO SAY WHAT IS GOING ON AND HOW DO WE ADDRESS IT IS THE FIRST THING.

AND THEN WE -- YOU HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE CHAMPIONS FOR THE ENGAGEMENT AND OUT REACH IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS MAKING SURE THAT IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT DATA AND INFORMATION THAT REALLY MAKES IT APPEAR AS IF IT IS REMOVED FROM THE COMMUNITY BUT IT IS REALLY KNOCKING ON DOORS AND THAT IS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE TO MIND AS WE MOVE FORWARD. WHAT THE ANALYST'S OFFICE HAS DONE IS AGREED THAT THESE PATTERNS ARE OF CONCERN AND WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE ANALYST'S OFFICE. I KNOW WE WEREN'T A PART OF IT, BUT IT IS A -- IT IS GREAT FOR OUR TEAM TO BE A PART OF THAT AND WE CAN INVESTIGATE FURTHER AND COME TO THE

APPROPRIATE CON -- CONCLUSIONS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, WE RECEIVED ON FRIDAY ANOTHER REPORT THAT WAS REQUESTED BY PRECINCT 2 WHICH DEALT WITH SOCIAL SERVICES AND THERE ARE SOME NICE CHATS. I WONDER IF IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO ASK NOW THAT SHE HAS CRACKED SOME OF THE CODES ON HER REPORT. THIS ONE IS FROM 201 FIFER.

2015. IF SHE WOULDN'T MIND GOING BACK AND GIVING US THE 10-YEAR SPREAD SO WE CAN GO FROM 2010 TO CURRENT SO WE CAN SEE THE DECADE TREND THAT IS THERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT AS WE DID IN THE SPENDING TIMELINE. I THOUGHT IT WAS USEFUL IN THE SPENDING TIMELINE AS WELL AS -- AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT SHE GO BACK AND UPDATE. MAYBE UP DAY -- UPDATE OR BACK DATE -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY BACK DATE. I DON'T I DON'T WANT THAT TERM.

TO INCLUDE THE 10-YEAR TREND THAT IS IN PLACE WITH REGARD TO THIS MORTALITY STUDY THAT

SHE PREPARED HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA. I THINK IT HELPS US TO SEE THAT RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. I'M GLAD WE PASSED THAT RESOLUTION SOME TIME BACK.

I WANTED TO ASK KATIE SHORT, MAYBE YOU KNOW IT OR I CAN ASK LEGAL OR DR. SHAW.

ACCORDING TO YOUR REPORT 15% OF THE DEATHS IN HARRIS COUNTY DURING THIS PERIOD WERE IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. THAT MUCH BE -- WE KNOW. CAN THE COUNTY -- WHAT WOULD

[04:10:06]

IT TAKE FOR US TO COLLECT THE DATA? IS THAT UP TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKING A MOTION RIGHT NOW WITH REGARD TO AGE, RACE, ETHNICITY AND IS IT UP TO THE

CLERK? HOW COULD WE COLLECT THAT? >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IF YOU DON'T MIND, CAN I GO BACK TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S

QUESTION FIRST? >> SURE. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I'M SO GLAD YOU FOUND THE REPORT INFORM -- INFORMATIVE AND HELPFUL.

IT WAS THE RESULT OF SOME LONG HOURS. AND WE ARE HELP TO LOOK INTO AN UPDATE. THERE IS A FORTH COME -- FOURTH COMING REPORT THAT INCLUDES STATES OUTSIDE TEXAS AND THE COMPARISON. WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON THAT PIECE. I WILL BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT ADDING YEARS TO THE WEEK AND HAVING RETROSPECTIVE GOING BACK 10 YEARS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I THINK THE CLERK MAY BE STANDING BY TO ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS.

BUT I GATHER IT WOULD BE A MATTER OF THE CLERK POSSIBLY UPDATING OUR SYSTEM.

>> ARE YOU ON THERE? >> I AM. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU HEAR THE QUESTION OR SHOULD I SAY IT AGAIN?

>> I DO BELIEVE I HEARD. WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO CONTINUE TO DO A ROBUST PROGRAM TO TRACK THIS? THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE GOING, CORRECT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, 15% OF THE DEATHS ARE IN UNINCORPORATED AND THE REPORT SAID WE DON'T COLLECT THE DATA. SO THE QUESTION IS WHAT WOULD

IT TAKE TO COLLECT IT? >> I THINK IT WILL BE A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT.

WE HAVE GONE THROUGH A GOOD PROGRAM. WE HAVE TALKED TO SOME OF THE OTHER LARGER COMMUNITIES AND WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE A OFFICIAL CONVERSATION AND WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO BASICALLY SAY WE HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION.

YOU KNOW, IN HARRIS COUNTY IT IS 45 PLUS ENTITIES THAT WE ARE GATHERING FROM THEIR INDIVIDUAL CITIES WEESM HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE ANOTHER CONVERSATION TO SEE WHAT WOULD IT REQUIRE? THEY HAVE TO FOCUS IN ON JUST THIS PROJECT BECAUSE THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE AN ON GOING-TYPE THING IT MIGHT BE LOOKING OR TALKING WITH A CONSULTANT AND WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO RECORD IT.

I'M HAPPY TO LOOK AT THIS. AS A NEW COUNTY CLERK, I AM HAPPY TO LOOK AT THIS TO SEE HOW WE ARE IMPROVING ON THE DATA AND MAKING IT PUBLIC OR WHAT WE CAN DO.

IT WOULD TAKE SOME COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO GET THIS DONE. >> AND IF THERE IS A NEED FOR A STATUTORY CHANGE, IF YOU WILL FIND OUT SOON AND BRING LEGAL IN AS WELL, WE COULD ASK.

EVEN IF IT IS DRAFTED IN HARRIS COUNTY AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER CITIES.

IF YOU LET US KNOW THE SOONER THE BETTER SO YOU CAN MAKE A CALL I THINK THIS WILL BE A

GOODBYE PARTISAN THING. >> WE ARE HAPPY TO GET WITH THE ANALYST GROUP AND FIND OUT WHAT WOULD IT TAKE AND I AM HAPPY TO BRING IT BACK TO THE COURT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. SHORT FOR THAT REPORT AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YOU'RE RIGHT. IF WE DON'T EVEN KNOW -- DO WE KNOW AND CAN WE GO BACK TO THE COVID ITEM WHERE SOME STATES ARE USING THE CDC'S SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX TO DECIDE

[04:15:01]

WHO GETS IT. IS THAT THE STATE AND IS THAT THE COUNTY?

>> I CAN GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE VACCINE. WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT THE STATE IS THE ONE DEFINING THE DIFFERENT PRIORITY LEVELS AND WHO GETS IT FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD. THEY DEFINE WHAT IS PHASE 1A AND PHASE 1A HAS TEARS ONE AND TWO. WITHIN THAT PHASE 18 -- PHASE 1A AND TWO THEY ARE INTERACTING WITH THE COVID PATIENTS. SO ALL OF THESE HOSPITALS AS WELL AS LONG-TERM CARE WORKERS. THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WILL GET THE VACCINE TO THE HOSPITALS AND SOME OF THESE FOLKS HAVE AFFILIATIONS WITH THE HOSPITALS. EITHER THEY HAVE THE STORAGE OR CVS THROUGH WALGREENS.

THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TOLD AND WE WERE LOOKING TO MAKE SURE PARTICULARLY LONG-TERM CARE SIDE THAT NOBODY FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS. NOW AS FAR AS ONCE THIS GETS BROADER TO PHASES 1, 2, 3, FOUR, THAT'S STILL AN OPEN QUESTION.

IT IS SHIFTING AND I DON'T THINK IT IS WRITTEN IN STONE YET.

I DON'T BELIEVE THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE VULNERABILITY INDEX.

I WISH THEY WOULD. GOING OFF THE DISCUSSION WE JUST HAD IS WHAT IS THE DATA WE NEED TO HAVE AS FAR AS WHO HAS GOTTEN THE VACCINE. RIGHT NOW THE SYSTEM YOU INPUT WHEN SOMEBODY GETS THE VACCINE IT NEEDS TO BE INPUT INTO THE SYSTEM.

IT DOESN'T LOOK AT RACE AND ETHNICITY. PART OF WHAT WE WANT TO FIGURE OUT IS WHAT INFORMATION -- IS THERE ANY INFORMATION THAT NEEDS TO COLLECT AND WHAT INFORMATION WILL WE GET AS WE ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION. WE NEED TO SAY, HEY, HARRIS COUNTY IS BEING LEFT IN THE LURCH OR CERTAIN COMMUNITIES ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WILL REPORT TO US. THAT HAS ME POTENTIALLY CONCERNED.

I DON'T KNOW HOW CONCERNED YET. I THINK WE ARE OKAY BECAUSE IT IS THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS THAT WE ARE TRACKING AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE BEING SERVED.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I THINK YOU ARE MUTED. AND THEN COMMISSIONER RADACK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY SAID IN STATES USING SOCIAL VULNERABILITY OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING, THINGS LIKE THE STAFF AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND IT HAS SPREAD AND IF WE DON'T DO

SOMETHING QUICKLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER RADACK?

>> STEVE RADACK: DR. SHAW? >> YES. >> STEVE RADACK: HAVE YOU

HEARD THE INSIGHT ON THE VACCINES? >> YES.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE VACCINE PLANNING AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS THEY ARE UNVEILING THE PLANS AND NOW WE ARE STARTING TO GET MORE INFORMATION FROM THE STATE AND TO BE YOUS -- AND OBVIOUSLY WORKING WITH THE STATE. THERE WERE HEALTH AUTHORITIES

[04:20:02]

AND TMC REGARDING THE VACCINES. I KNOW THERE WAS A QUESTION OF THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX AND I DO BELIEVE THE STATE OF MICHIGAN HAS BEEN USING THE CDC'S SVI FOR SOME OF THE PRIORITIZATION. EVERY STATE HAS A DIFFERENT WAY TO APPROACH IT.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A NATIONAL STRATEGY THAT EVERY -- THAT ALL OF US ARE FOLLOWING.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT BASED ON THE LIMITED INFORMATION WE HAVE.

THE GOOD NEWS SCOMMISSIONER, WE ARE -- YESTERDAY WAS THE THE FIRST DAY THAT ANYONE WAS GIVEN THE VACCINE. I KNOW THE JUDGE WAS WITH THE MAYOR AT A VACCINE EVENT EARLIER TODAY AS WELL. THE GOOD NEWS IS WE ARE SEEING THE LIGHT AT THE END OF A LONG, LONG TUNNEL. THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS. THE NOT SO GOOD NEWS IS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE TO GO AROUND AND THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE.

>> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, DR. SHAW? >> YES, SIR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THIS IS YOUR LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING.

I AM GETTING CALLS ABOUT YOU. ABOUT 7.5 MILLION PEOPLE ARE THERE WASHINGTON STATE AND WE ARE 5 MILLION. I WANT TO SAY NICE THINGS ABOUT YOU BECAUSE I HEARD FROM THE STATE LEGISLATORS THAT I WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS AND SOME COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO MIGHT BE WATCHING THIS MEETING TODAY SO I WANT TO SAY SOME NICE THINGS ABOUT YOU, BUT THEY ARE TRUE. I HOPE YOUR TIME HERE HAS HELPED PREPARE YOU IN THIS COUNTY FOR YOUR NEW JOB AS A HEALTH DIRECTOR FOR GOVERNOR INSURANCE -- GOVERNOR INSLEE AND THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME HERE.

OBVIOUSLY IN THE MIDDLED -- MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, YOU HAD A FEW TENSE MOMENTS.

I CAN'T REMEMBER IF YOU YELLED AT ME. IF I YELLED AT YOU I WANT YOU TO KNOW IT WAS FROM EMOTION AND NOT FROM THE HEART. I WANT TO WISH YOU WELL IN YOUR NEW ENDEAVOR. OBVIOUSLY WHAT GOES ON IN WASHINGTON STATE, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES I POINT TO KEY TON COUNTY -- KEATON COUNTY AND SAY KEATON COUNTY IS A GOOD PLACE TO LOOK TO FOR IDEAS. SOME OF WHICH LIKE THE EQUITY OFFICE AND THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE DONE HERE. THE FOLKS IN KEATON COUNTY WERE ASKING ME ABOUT YOU. A COUPLE OF STATE LEGISLATORS.

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR NEW INFORMATION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE IN

HARRIS COUNTY. >> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU. REALLY, THANK YOU TO ALL OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT I HAVE HAD THE HONOR -- I HAVE HAD THE HONOR TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU IN SOME CAPACITY OVER THE YEARS. AND EVEN SOME MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT PRIOR, PREVIOUS JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS.

IT HAS BEEN NEARLY 17 YEARS AT THE COUNSELING -- COUNTY AND SEVEN YEARS AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE -- OF THIS REALLY AMAZING DEPARTMENT AND INCREDIBLE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR OUR ACCIDENT -- OUR DEPARTMENT. IT IS BITTERSWEET LEAVING IN THE MIDST OF WHAT IS GOING ON, BUT IT WOULD ONLY BE AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY THAT WOULD TAKE ME AWAY FROM THIS COMMUNITY. GOVERNOR INSLEE, BEING ABLE TO SERVE IN HIS CABINET AS SECRETARY OF HEALTH IS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. I HAVE GROWN UP QUITE A BIT IN THOSE 17 YEARS. I CAN POINT TO JUDGE UH DAHL -- JUDGE HUH DOLL GO AND YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER RADACK AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, EEP -- EACH OF YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME SOMETHING.

I KNOW WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS SEEN EYE TO EYE ON EVERYTHING, BUT I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALL ABOUT TRYING TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COMMUNITY'S WELL BEING. I APPRECIATE THE KIND WORDS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT REMAINS, AND I SEE THIS PANDEMIC AS WE ARE -- YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE FIRST HALF THAT WAS 2020.

WE ARE HITTING HALF TIME AND TRYING TO RECHARGE OUR BATTERIES AND DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS. WE ARE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND HIT THE SECOND HALF IN 2021. AT LEAST WE HAVE SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF THIS LONG TUNNEL.

[04:25:04]

I WILL TELL YOU WE ARE ALL TIRED AS THE JUDGE SAID EARLIER.

THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE TIRED AND PUBLIC HEALTH IS TIRED.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT EVERYONE THAT HAS BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK.

I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE TEAM AND OF THE DEPARTMENT. GWEN SIMMS, IF YOU APPROVE HER , THEY ARE FANTASTIC LEADERS MOVING FORWARD. THE ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS THE END OF THE DAY WHILE WE CAN ALL HAVE OUR POLITICS AND WE CAN ALL BEAT EACH OTHER UP A BIT, WHEN IT COMES TO AN EMERGENCY AND WHEN SOMETHING OCCURS WHETHER IT IS A HURRICANE OR AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE CRISIS LIKE COVID-19 WE ALL HAVE TO PULL TOGETHER. THAT'S WHAT I AM REALLY PROUD OF WITH COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS WE DO PULL TOGETHER. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THANK YOU ALL, MEMBERS OF COURT. IT HAS BEEN MY HONOR AND MY PRIVILEGE. AND GUESS WHAT. I HOPE YOU ALL COME AND VISIT ME IN SEATTLE OR IN WASHINGTON. I HEARD IT IS A LITTLE COOLER THAN IT IS DOWN HERE. MY KIDS KEEP REMINDING ME OF THAT.

GOSH, DO YOU KNOW HOW COLD IT IS UP THERE? I TOLD THEM THE HEARTS ARE WARM SO I'LL TAKE THAT WITH ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH,

COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DR. SHAW. I'M GONNA ACKNOWLEDGE LATER ON THE FOLKS WHO WON'T BE WITH US NEXT YEAR. SINCE WE ARE ON THE TOPIC I DO WANT TO SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN A

PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS IGA. EXCUSE ME. COMMISSIONERS COURT'S ANALYST'S OFFICE. UNIVERSAL SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH.

COMMUNITY SERVICES. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES. I I WOULD LIKE THE DEPARTMENT -- CON -- CONSTABLES. SASH RIFF -- SHERIFF.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, WHICH ARE WE ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: SHERIFF.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I GO BACK TO COMMUNITY SERVICES? IF WE GO BACK TO COMMUNITY SERVICES AND 19B AND WALK THROUGH THAT REPORT AND HIGHLIGHT THAT.

I ASKED FOR A BREAK DOWN OF FEDERALLY SUBSIDIZED AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.

I DON'T KNOW IF SHE CAN THROW IT UP ON THE SCREEN OR NOT. IF NOT YOU CAN WALK US THROUGH

IT. >> I CAN UNMUTE ADRIAN HOLLOWAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. AND CAN SHE POP IT ON THE SCREEN?

I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME. >> I DON'T HAVE IT.

I DO NOT HAVE. IT BUT I CAN GIVE HER THE CAPABILITY IF SHE WANTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN GO BACK TO IT IF YOU NEED TO GIVE THEM THE CAPABILITY.

>> OKAY, I CAN PULL IT UP AS YOUR -- >> I AM GOING TO PROMOTE YOU

TO A PANELIST AND YOU CAN BE THE PRESENTER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR THAT FIVE-MINUTE BREAK. GAR SEE -- GARCIA, IF YOU STOP

ASKING QUESTIONS AND I WON'T NEED A BREAK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AIN'T

SAYING NOTHING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT WON'T POP UP, JUST WALK US THROUGH

IT. >> OKAY. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> YES, THIS IS A REPORT IN RESPONSE TO YOUR REQUEST TO MAP OUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS THAT LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

WHAT WE ATTEMPTED TO DO IN THIS REPORT IS INCLUDE NOT ONLY HARRIS COUNTY-FUNDED UNITS, BUT ALSO THOSE FUNDED BY THE DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES.

YOU WILL HAVE IN HERE HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON AS WELL AS THE HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY. AND THEN THE DIFFERENT TYPES YOU HAVE ARE ALSO THOSE FUNDED THROUGH CBG AND CBDR IN HARRIS COUNTY AS WELL AS THE CITY OF

[04:30:08]

HOUSTON. THE TABLES THAT APPEAR ALONGSIDE THE MAP, LET ME GIVE YOU BREAK DOWNS. IF -- IN OUR FIRST TABLE IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR FIRST HAPPEN. FIRST MAP. WHEN CONSIDERING ALL TYPES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE UNITS ARE FOUND IN PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 2. SO IT IS LOCATED IN THE PRECINCTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER. >> 42% OF THE HOUSING UNITS, 199 ARE LOCATED IN PRECINCT 1 AND 27% OF THE UNITS ARE LOCATED IN PRECINCT 2.

AND THAT IS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. HOLLOWAY, THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE AND STRESS PUBLICLY HERE IS THAT HISTORICALLY THE TRADITION WAS IF A COMMISSIONER DIDN'T WANT IT IN THEIR PRECINCT, THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE IT. WE CHANGED THAT SO THAT THE COURT DECIDES.

I KNOW WE HAVE TO BREAKAWAY AS YOU BRIEFED ME THE OTHER DAY THAT CULTURALLY OR BY CUSTOM MOST DEVELOPERS ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN GOING IN PLACES WHERE THEY HAVE GONE BEFORE.

I AM HOPING THE NEW ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE THE POSITION FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON OF NOT FORCING MORE SEGREGATION OF HOUSING IN THE COUNTRY AND THAT WILL IMPACT US HERE AS WELL. I ALSO WANT TO RAISE IT TO MAKE THE CASE THAT I KNOW FOR TAX CREDITS THERE IS STILL A PROVISION IN STATE LAW WHERE ONE GETS CREDIT IF THEY GET A LETTER FROM A STATE REP AND THEN THEY CHANGED THE LAW TRYING TO GET RID OF THAT. WHAT THEY DID WAS CHANGE IT IN AUSTIN SO THAT IF THE STATE REP DOES NOT TAKE A POSITION, THEN A LOCAL OFFICIAL CAN. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR CERTAIN AREAS TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND I WANT TO CHANGE THAT.

I WANT TO MAKE A CASE FOR US IN OUR CIP TO USE SOME OF OUR MONEY AS THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS DONE HISTORICALLY AND I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM FOR THAT. THEY WERE PUTTING IN THREE AND FOUR AND FIVE A YEAR. IN THAT ISSUANCE OF DEBT. THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY OF DOING 20 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. YOU DON'T HAVE ALL OF THOSE STRINGS ATTACHED. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE BREAKAWAY FROM CONCENTRATING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CERTAIN PRECINCTS. I DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO CONTINUE TO SEGREGATE PEOPLE LIKE THAT. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE IT. I'LL TAKE THE CRITICISM BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO. IF WE WANT TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF HOUSING SEGREGATION THAT LEAD TO A LOT OF POVERTY THAT EXISTS TODAY YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE IN. A COUNTY THIS BIG, WE OUGHT TO BE BETTER THAN THAT. I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT PUBLICLY WHICH IS WHY I ASKED FOR THE REPORT. I LOOKED AT IT, BUT I AM NOT SURE EVERYBODY LOOKS AT ALL OF THESE E-MAILS WHEN THEY COME THROUGH.

>> STEVE RADACK: DR. HOLLOWAY, THIS STEVE RADACK. HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

>> I'M DOING WELL, COMMISSIONER RADACK. HOW ARE YOU?

>> STEVE RADACK: I'M WELL. I WANT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION. THESE NUMBERS, OBVIOUSLY THE CITY HAS ITS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE COUNTY HAS ITS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

ARE ANY OF THESE NUMBERS MERGED? IN OTHER WORDS, AS YOU LOOK AT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY, DOES THAT PERTAIN -- IS THERE A DESIGNATION OF THE

COUNTY THAT FUNDED IT VERSUS THE CITY? >> THESE ARE WHAT I WOULD CALL UNIQUE NUMBERS. EACH NUMBER REPRESENTS A PARTICULAR HOUSING.

WE WOULDN'T DOUBLE DIP AND COUNT A HOUSING UNIT IN BOTH HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND NONE OF THOSE DISPLAYED TODAY ARE JOINT FUNDED

PROJECTS. >> STEVE RADACK: SO WHAT YOU ARE SHOWING IS WHAT COUNTY

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDED. >> NO. THERE ARE SOME CITY FUNDED

[04:35:02]

PROJECTS HERE AS WELL. IN THE MAP, AND MAYBE THE FIRST MAP IS A GOOD STARTING POINT TO LOOK AT BETWEEN THE HOUSING PROJECTS PRESENTED ON THE DATA REPORT.

THE BLACK REPRESENTS THE HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY. THE DOTS THAT ARE BLUE ARE THE CITY OF HOUSTON CDB PROPERTIES. AND THAT IS AN INDICATION OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROJECTS. THOSE ARE UNIQUE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND THEY ARE HARRIS COUNTY MONITORS AND HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY.

>> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. HOLLOWAY, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL AND COMMISSIONER RADACK RAISES A GOOD POINT. WE CAN SEE IF THE CITY IS RAISING IT OR THE COUNTY. MY INTUITION TELLS ME IT IS BOTH, BUT YOU CAN TRY TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER CHART THAT SPELLS THAT OUT FOR US. I KNOW I'M GOING TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO ENCOURAGE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO PUT IN THE RULE THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAD IN PLACE. I KNOW OTHER ISSUES ARE COMING INTO PLAY LIKE TRANSIT IS AN EXAMPLE. I KNOW WHY HUDD WAS CREATED, AND IT WAS TO BREAK THE HISTORIC CYCLE OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION WHICH YOU KNOW CREATED THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS AND THE MIDDLE CLASS CREATED THE WORLD. IF YOU WERE BLACK OR HISPANIC YOU COULD NOT PARTICIPATE. IT DENIED GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE.

I CAN SEE WHERE IT WAS HEADED AND IT IS A GOOD POINT, MR. RADACK, IS IT PRIMARILY THE

CITY OR IS IT BOTH? >> I I CAN PROVIDE A CLEANER MAP THAT WILL JUST PROVIDE

THAT DATA. >> STEVE RADACK: DOCTOR, THIS IS RADACK AGAIN.

IF YOU COULD CONSIDER GIVING EACH MEMBER OF THE COURT MAYBE SOME LARGER COLORED MAPS THAT MAKES IT CLEAR CLEARER HOW THIS IS SEPARATED OUT. FOR THE FUTURE.

>> MOST DEFINITELY. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DR. HOLLOWAY, IS THERE A PARTICULAR PAGE YOU THINK IS PARTICULARLY

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE POINT YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE? >> I WOULD SAY THE FIRST MAP

REALLY JUST IS THE SUMMARY MAP. >> IT IS THE FIRST MAP AFTER THE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SAYS BY PRECINCT. SO WHAT IS THE TAKE AWAY HERE.

>> IT IS NOT REALLY FOCUSED ON SUBSIDIZED HOUSING. IT WAS JUST THE CONCENTRATION OF DOTS AND IT MEANS THAT PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MULTI-FAMILY UNITS ARE BELOW 80% OF THE INCOME. SO THOSE WHO ARE OF LOW INCOME ARE LIVING IN PARTICULAR LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. YOU CAN SEE WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. IT GIVES A QUICK SNAP SHOT OF THEM. WE CANADA -- CAN DEFINE THE GEOGRAPHY.

ANOTHER INTERESTING MAP AND IT IS FOR HIGH OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN SEE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THE TAKE AWAY I HAD WAS COMBINE IT ALL. WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE CITY OR OUTSIDE THE CITY. UNLESS IT IS A PROJECT THAT THE UNINCORPORATED GO IN.

42% OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING GOES TO PRECINCT 1. >> 27?

[04:40:14]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 27% GOES TO PRE SIN -- PRECINCT 2. I THINK HER HUDD WAS HEADED WAS TO CRACKDOWN ON THAT. I'M ASSUMING THAT WE ARE GOING TO RUN INTO THAT AS WELL.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL HAVE LINES IN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.

THEY WILL TRY TO BREAK UP THIS CONCENTRATION OF LOW INCOME HOUSING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU RUN INTO A BIG PART OF IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. HOLLOWAY,

THIS IS A PART OF THE STUDY YOU WERE DOING. >> THIS CAN BE VIEWED IN CONCERT WITH THE HOUSING STUDY. IT IS QUALITATIVE DATA PRESENTED AS PART OF THE STUDY. IT IS A RESULT OF NOT ONLY WHAT THE LANDSCAPE LOOKS LIKE, BUT WHAT ARE THE UNMET NEEDS FOR HOUSING.

THAT WILL BE HOW TO IN -- INFORM THE HOUSING STRATEGIES THAT WILL BE PROPOSED WITHIN A 10-YEAR SPAN. THIS IS A SNAP SHOT OF THE STILL UNMET NEEDS.

AND THEN LOOKING TO IMPROVING COMMUNITIES. WE WANT TO PARTNER TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE DEVELOPING HOUSING AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE NECESSARY CONNECTIONS AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE ENHANCED OR DEVELOPED AND/OR PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE COMMUNITY

AND UP LIFT THE FAMILIES. >> I MENTIONED TO DR. HOLLOWAY THAT SOMETIMES THERE ARE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND THERE WERE PEOPLE STRUCTURE PROJECTS AND THAT WAS A GOOD THING.

TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ONLY MONEY WE ARE GOING TO USE FOR HOUSING ARE TAX CREDITS AND CBDG MONEY AND SHOULD WE SPEND MORE OF OUR MONEY ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OR PUT MORE MONEY OF WHAT SHE IS DEALING WITH INTO THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM.

I JUST THOUGHT THERE WAS A TENDENCY TO TAKE THE CBDG MONEY AND DO THINGS IN THE POORER NEIGHBORHOODS. IT IS NOT AS EASY TO MAKE A CASE FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNTY MONEY TO DO THOSE OTHER THINGS PERCEIVED AS SOFT THAT YOU CAN DO FOR FEDERAL MONEY.

IT WAS QUITE COMPREHENSIVE, BY THE WAY, SO THAT'S WHY I WANTED YOU TO PUT THE CHART ON THE WALL. NEXT TIME I WILL LET YOU KNOW IN ADVANCE.

I WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO DO IT IF SOMEBODY LET ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> I WILL PROVIDE LARGER REPORTS AND A CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON VERSUS HARRIS COUNTY DATA. WE WILL SIMPLIFY SOME OF THESE

AND MAKE IT EASIER TO LOOK AT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND GET TO KNOW YOUR COLLEAGUES OVER THERE BECAUSE WE ARE PARTNERS.

WE DO WORK TOGETHER AND I THINK THEY WILL BE SENSITIVE TO HOW TO LEVERAGE WHAT THEY

HAVE. >> DEFINITELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT SAYS COMMUNITY SERVICES AND WE MENTIONED CONSTABLES AND SHERIFF.

FIRE MARSHALL. SHE HAS AN EXCITING ITEM. IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO ADOPT THIS UPDATED FIRE CODE. I DON'T KNOW IF FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS OR IF CHIEF

CHRISTIANSON IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD. >> I CAN UNMUTE HER.

LAURA, YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M SORRY.

GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FIRE MARSHALL.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE SUPPORT I RECEIVED FROM THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE LIAISONS AND YOUR OFFICE. DEFINITELY WANT TO MENTION THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHO

[04:45:06]

WORKED DILIGENTLY AND JOHN BLOUNT'S OFFICE TO PUT IT TOGETHER.

WHEN WE ADOPTED THIS FIRE CODE, THE COURT WAS SUPPORTIVE.

IT WAS RIGHT AFTER THE ITC FIRES AND WE HAD WORKED ON SOME THINGS.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS DURING THAT TIME WE TALKED ABOUT WE NEED TO CLARIFY SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. WHAT HAS COME OUT OF THIS IS INFORMATION ON HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL LIVING. VERY -- VARIOUS TYPES OF OCCUPANCIES.

AND WE WERE USING A CHILD DAYCARE VERSUS AN ADULT DAYCARE.

WE DIDN'T GET TO TALK ABOUT THAT A LOT. I AM REALLY EXCITED.

THE GOAL WE ALL HAVE IS A SAFER HARRIS COUNTY. WE LISTEN TO THE COURT AND WE TALK ABOUT THE EQUALITY AND HOW WE WANT EVERYBODY TO FEEL THEY LIVE IN A SAFE COMMUNITY. THEY THINGS ARE HELPING TO ESTABLISH THAT AND I WAFNT --

WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

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

LAURA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE CALL.

I KNOW THERE WAS A FIRE EARLIER AND SO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS RUNNING TO WHAT MOST

PEOPLE RUN FROM, YOU AND YOUR CREW. >> THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON THE DOSH -- ON YOUR ITEM, THE REQUIREMENT OF THE FACILITIES HAVING A FIRE BRIGADE, THAT'S SOMETHING INCLUDED IN THEIR WORK.

COULD WE ELIMINATE THAT? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ELIMINATING THAT.

AND WE WORK TOGETHER AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU TO SIT WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ENGAGING THEM. WE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS WITH THEM AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE BUILD ON THE PROGRESS. I AM ASKING THEM TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS AND I WANT US TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS WITH THEM AS WELL.

>> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AND ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. THEY ACTUALLY REACHED OUT TO ME AND I HAVE A MEETING SET UP THIS WEEK AS WELL AS I AM WORKING WITH SOME OF MY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INDUSTRY. YOU MAY REMEMBER, YOU KNOW I HAVE BEEN IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE NOW FOR A LITTLE OVER 20 YEARS. I RETIRED FROM PRIVATE INDUSTRY BACK IN THE DAY AND GREW UP IN PASADENA. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING THAT OPPORTUNITY. AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WE WILL FIND THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PARTNERSHIPS OUT THERE. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL, THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE WILL BE AN EDIT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS TO CLARIFY THE OCCUPANCY SITE, BETTER FIRE CODE ENFORCEMENT AND OUT -- OUTDOOR EVENT PROVISION AND THEN A REQUIREMENT THAT THE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES HAVE A FIRE BRIGADE. COMMISSIONER YOU SAY BRING

THAT BACK LATER? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. HAVE IT TAKEN OUT.

IT WAS A REQUIREMENT OF THE FIRE BRIGADE AND THE BRIGADE MEMBERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND YOU ARE GOD WITH THAT, LORI? GREAT.

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> YES, MA'AM. THAT IS CORRECT. WE SUBMITTED AN UPDATE AND WE PUT IT BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS. IT HAS GONE BACK TO THE

ORIGINAL STATUS. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND A RELIEF ABOUT THE FIRE. CON -- COUNTY ATTORNEY. DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE. I WANT TO HAVE MR. BETKEY WALK

THROUGH ITEM 18A. >> I AM UNMUTING JIM. JIM?

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

>> JUDGE, MEMBERS OF COURT AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I AM PLEASED THAT WE WERE GIVEN THE TASK OF THE PROPOSAL OF DEFENDING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE TO 50% OF THE CASES AND I'M ASSUMING ALEX IS ON HERE WITH THE DEFENSE COMMISSION AND HELPED

[04:50:07]

US PREPARE THIS REPORT. THE BIG PICTURE OF IT IS IT IS GOING TO BE AN EXPANSION GOING FROM 164 PERSONS AND INCREASING IT BY APPROXIMATELY 100 OR 99.

THE OVERALL COST WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL 9 MILLION. THE COST IS APPROXIMATELY 23 MILLION, BUT WHEN YOU BACK OUT, THE SAVINGS WILL REDUCE IT BY ABOUT 14 MILLION.

I THINK -- WHY I THINK THIS IS NEEDED AND WILL PROVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL OVER TIME IS NOT ONLY -- IT NOT ONLY ADDRESSES THE CASES THAT WHOA -- THAT WOULD BE GOING TO THE PUBLIC PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, BUT IT TALKS ABOUT EXPANDING THE ASSIGNED COUNCIL PROGRAM.

ONE OF THE FIRST COMMISSIONER'S COURT I EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR A DEFENSE DELIVERY SYSTEM IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS DOES IT.

THE 6TH AMENDMENT IN THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION NOT ONLY REQUIRED THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL, BUT IT REQUIRES THE RIGHT TO EFFECT THE EXISTENCE OF COUNSEL.

IF WE LOOK BACK AT THE REPORT PREPARED BY THE AUDITOR AND SUBMITTED TO COURT IN THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE SOME CRUSHING CASE LOADS AND THEY TAKE COURT UH -- APPOINTMENTS. THERE HAVE BEEN PERSONS WHO TESTIFIED ON THE CASE LOADS.

IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO GET CONTROL OF. LOOKING BACK THERE WERE 15 COURT APPOINTMENTS THAT EXCEEDED 500. THE COURTHOUSE IS OPEN MAYBE 250 DAYS A YEAR. THAT MEANS TWO PERSONS ARE GETTING PROCESSED EVERY DAY THAT THE COURTHOUSE IS OPEN. THERE ARE THOSE WITH CRUSHING CASE LOADS AND WE DO HAVE CRUSHING CASE LOADS. UNLESS THE DEFENSE IS INDEPENDENT FROM THE JUDICIARY , WE DON'T HAVE THE PROPER ALIGNMENT. RIGHT NOW THERE IS ONLY ONE INDEPENDENT PROGRAM IN THE STATE AND THAT'S IN LUBBOCK AND THEY TRANSFER IT TO THE PRIVATE DEFENDER. THIS IS A COMBINATION OF A PUBLIC DEFENDER AND A PRIVATE DEFENDER ASSIGNED COUNCIL. IT SHOWS IT IS FUNDED WITH CASE CONTROLS.

THEY PRODUCE A BETTER OUTCOME. I COULD GO THROUGH THEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO LET MR. BUNYON COME ON AS WELL.

I CAN GO THROUGH. I SAID ADNAUSEAM ON WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO FULFILL THE LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND GIDDEON VERSUS WAYNE RIGHT CASE AND WE ARE ALL FAM -- FAMILIAR WITH THE METAL STUDY SAYING YOU GET BETTER OUTCOMES WITH A PUBLIC DEFENDER. I KNOW WE SPENT ABOUT 70 MILLION, 70.4 MILLION ON INDIGENT DEFENSE. I GUESS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAS BEEN AROUND A DECADE NOW FOR THE FIRST SIX YEARS IT RANGED BETWEEN SIX TO 8 SENATOR CASES.

WE MADE THIS COMMITMENT AS A COURT AFTER GEORGE FLOYD FUNERAL OF GETTING THIS PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE UP TO 50% OF THE CASES IN TWO YEARS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE HE IS GOING THROUGH IT. ALEX, WHY? I AM LOOKING AT MY NOTES FROM THE PF REPORT AND THEY DO A GOOD JOB QUOTING THE DUKE LAW JOURNAL ARTICLE AS WELL.

BETKEY, YOU CAME FROM THAT OFFICE IN LUBBOCK, BY THE WAY.

>> I DID. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY MADE THESE EXCHANGES INCLUDING

[04:55:04]

GIVING THE GRANT. MR. BUNION, WHY DOES IT MATTER?

>> COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, THIS IS ALEX, CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER.

I WANT TO THANK JIM BETKEY FOR THAT REPORT AND I AM READY TO DEFEND IT.

THE REASON IT IS BETTER TO PUT YOUR MONEY IN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IS BECAUSE WE DID TWO INDEPENDENT STUDIES AND BOTH SHOW THAT WE PRODUCED BETTER OUTCOMES FOR OUR CLIENTS. AND THAT MEANS THAT WE DO THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE LIMITED CASE LOADS. WE DON'T TAKE TOO MANY CASES AND WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO THAT. AND IT IS LIKE HAVING A GREAT WELL-RESOURCED LAW FIRM THE SAME WAY YOU HAVE A DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. WE ARE THE MIRROR IMAGE OF THAT. THAT'S THE BENEFIT YOU HAVE WITH THE INSTITUTION.

WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE PRIVATE LAWYERS GETTING COURT APPOINTMENTS.

THAT WILL IMPROVE, BUT YOU NEED BOTH. THEY CANNOT WORK BY

THEMSELVES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. AND OBVIOUSLY WHEN THE BUDGET PROCESS COMES UP, THAT'S WHEN WE WILL MAKE THIS DECISION. THE SHORT OF IT IS HOW MUCH NEW MONEY WOULD IT COST COMPARED TO THE REDUCTION OF USING COURT-APPOINTED

LAWYERS? >> I THINK MR. BETKEY SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE A TOTAL INCREASE OF ABOUT 23 MILLION, BUT IF YOU SUBTRACT NOT PAYING INTO THE PRIVATE BAR IT IS

ABOUT 90. >> AND WE COULD GET SOME MONEY FROM THE STATE HOPEFULLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY YOU COULD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. AND THERE IS NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM NOW. WHAT YOU ARE PRESENTING IS THE REPORT WHICH IS ONE OF THE

THINGS WE ASKED FOR AFTER MR. FLOYD DEATH. >> MR. BLOUNT TEXTED ME AND HE

WANTED ME TO REMIND EVERYBODY -- [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I CAN ASK AND ROBERT AND SCOTT LET ME KNOW IF IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE, BUT I AM WONDERING IF THERE ARE ANY UPDATES ON OTHER AUCTIONS IN TERMS OF GETTING FOLKS TO ADOPT -- IF WE USE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. I KNOW PEOPLE WERE RUNNING DOWN IF WE HAD LEGAL RESOURCE OR CREATIVE STRATEGIES. IS THAT A QUESTION THAT CAN BE ANSWERED?

>> JUDGE, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE JUDGES. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS IT OKAY?

>> IT IS APPROPRIATE TO ASK A QUESTION. YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> YEAH, I THINK THAT SITUATION IS IMPROVING AND WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE. I EXPECT THERE TO BE MORE MEETINGS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I THINK MR. BLOUNT, OR EVEN MR. SOARD, IT IS NOT CLEAR WE CAN DO. IT BUT IF WE CAN DO. IT THE PLACE WHERE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY WOULD ONLY AFFECT

THE NEW NUMBER OF CASES. IS THAT RIGHT? >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT

SETTING CASE LOADS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> MY POSITION IS IF YOU HAVE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT OVER THE CONTRACT CASES, BUT RIGHT NOW THAT IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE CASES WOULD THAT BE?

>> I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE MR. BETKEY HAS THAT. >> IT IS GOING TO BE A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER. I THINK IF WE WEIGH CASE LOADS WE HAVE TO GET THAT UNDER CONTROL. I AM OPTIMISTIC MOVING INTO THE NEW YEAR THAT WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS WE CAN TAKE IT AND MAKE SOME STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS AND CASE LOAD CONTROL. COMMISSIONERS CLEARLY HAVE AUTHORITY UNDER THE CONTRACT, BUT THE JUDICIARY SETS THOSE CASE LOAD AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, OKAY, WE DIDN'T GET INTO THIS OVERNIGHT AND SO HOW DO WE GET OUT OF IT AND PUT

CASE LOAD CAPS ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GUNNEL, I HAVE NEVER -- JUDGE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONE TO SHY AWAY FROM A FIGHT, BUT IT WOULD BE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE THAT WOULD REPRESENT FELONY JUDGES OR THEY HAVE TO GET OUT SIGHT COUNCIL.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TO THEM. IT IS THE SMALLEST PERCENT OF THE CASES. LAST TIME WHEN IT CAME UP, I THINK I PUT IT ON YOU.

I SAID PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. I WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED AS THE GUY WHO AUTHORED THE BILL,

[05:00:04]

EVEN IF IT WAS 21 YEARS AGO, 20 YEARS AGO TO GO IN AND MAKE THE ARGUMENT WHEN I WAS N BEING TOLD BY BETKEY OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OR THE STATE ENTITY THAT THEY THOUGHT WE

COULD DO IT. >> IT IS FIVE TO 10%. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF MR. BUNYEN WANTS TO PUT IT ON THERE, YOU CAN PUT IT ON THERE. I DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE IN COURT

IF I PUT IT ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> WE AGREE WITH ALEX, BUT WITH THE AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT IT ONLY APPLIES TO A RELATIVELY SMALL PERCENT OF THE CASES AND WE ARE WORKING TO SEE IF THERE IS

MORE THAT CAN BE DONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THEY ARE LETTING THE JUDGES SEE WHERE THEY ARE. I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE ARE

LOOKING AT THE STATE. DO YOU KNOW, MR. BETKEY? >> I DON'T KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE IMPLEMENTED, BUT I WORK WITH THE COUNTIES TWICE A MONTH. ALL OF THEM HAVE IT AND SO THAT TRANSPARENCY ON THE PDO APPOINTMENTS WENT FROM 7% IN ONE MONTH UP TO 17% THE FOLLOWING MONTH. QUUNS -- ONCE THE JUDGE HAS THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE IMMEDIATE ACTION WAS TAKEN. WE HAVE THE EXACT OPPOSITE ISSUE NOW.

NOW ALEX IS GETTING A LITTLE OVER LOADED OVER THE 20%, BUT THAT IS A GOOD POSITION TO BE IN. THEY ARE WORKING WITH THIS OPPOSITION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING ELSE ON JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION?

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. DISTRICT COURT. >> WE DID HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE

ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, LUCINDA.

>> ONE MOMENT. NATHAN FENNEL WITH TEXAS DEFENSE PROJECT.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YEAH, HI, MY NAME IS NATHAN AND I AM A LAWYER WITH THE TEXAS DEFENSE PROJECT AND SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSAL TO EXPAND THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. I CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT MR. BETKEY'S OBSERVATIONS ARE OF AN INDEPENDENT DEFENSE FUNCTION AND HOW ATTORNEYS WITH EXCESSIVE CASE LOAD PROVIDE CONSTITUTION ALLEY ADEQUATE DEFENSE. AS YOU HEARD TODAY AND PREVIOUS TIMES IN STUDIES THOUGHS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE GETS A BETTER OUTCOME FOR THEIR CLIENTS THAN COURT-APPOINTED LAWYERS AND A LOT OF METRICS BETTER THAN RETAINED COUNSEL.

AND ATTRIBUTES TO THE WORK THE OFFICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO, BUT PUBLIC DEFENSE IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE LAWYERS IN THE OFFICE. FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD A LAWYER, THE CRIMINAL SAYS IS NOT THE ONLY OR PRIMARY PROBLEM THEY ARE FACING. THIS EAST ARE FOLKS WHO ARE FREQUENTLY IN DESPERATE NEED OF OTHER LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES. UNFORTUNATELY IF THEY DON'T GET IT WHILE THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM THEY MIGHT NOT GET THE RESOURCES AT ALL.

OR THEY COULD BE POSSIBLE WITH THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS. THAT'S WHY I AM PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGED TO SEE THAT THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES THINGS LIKE SOCIAL WORKERS AND PEER NAVIGATORS. THEY BENEFIT CLIENTS AS WELL AS THE COUNTY'S BOTTOM LINE STUDIED BY THE RAND INSTITUTE. WITH THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC DEFENDER IT DIDN'T AND THEY FOUND THE HOLISTIC DEFENDER SAVED THE COUNTY AND THE STATE OVER 160 MILLION DOLLARS IN INCOURSE RATION COSTS -- INCARCERATION COSTS WITHOUT ANY NYINGIVE -- NEGATIVE IMPACT. SO THEY WANT TO REACH THE CLIENT MOREY -- MORE EFFECTIVELY TO MAKE THEM MORE EFFECTIVE.

I THINK IT IS A CRITICAL PIECE TO PERFORMING THE HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM TO TREAT PEOPLE MORE FAIRLY REGARD THESE -- RAR LESS OF THEIR INCOME -- REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME. I WANT TO BRIEFLY SHARE A POSITION IN SUPPORT OF THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE JAD MAKES NAMELY EXPANDING THE MAC AND COURT APPOINTMENTS AND

[05:05:06]

INCREASING THE INDIGENT DATA COLLECTION AND RESEARCH. I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THESE REQUIRE THE COOPERATION OF THE DISTRICT JUDGES WHICH HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN FORTHCOMING AND THAT THE DISTRICT JUDGES ARE STILL NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWING THE LAW OF COUNCIL EVEN AS MY ORGANIZATION AND OTHERS FIGHT TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL FOLLOW STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.

I JUST WANTED TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE WORKING TOWARD THOSE IMPORTANT REFORMS AND TO KNOW YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT IF YOU NEED. IT THANK YOU.

IF YOU NEED IT. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> SCOTT ELLERS WITH TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. THIS IS SCOTT AYLER WITH THE TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

I WAS HAPPY TO ASSIST THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT IN DRAFTING ITS REPORT TO YOU ON CREATING A MODEL INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

I INCLUDED THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON EXPANDING THE COUNCIL PROGRAM TO INCLUDE FELONY AND JUVENILE CASES AND APPOINTMENTS OF COUNCIL AND WE ALSO MADE THE RECOMMENDATION ON ENHANCING YOUR INDIGENT DEFENSE DATA COLLECTION AND RESEARCH CAPABILITIES AND REVIEWED THE SECTIONS ON EXPANDING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

I THOUGHT YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW THAT TIBC'S GRANT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM HAS PRIORITIZED FUNDING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE FOR MANY YEARS INCLUDING THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IN 2009 AND A NUMBER OF ENHANCEMENTS SINCE THEN.

THEY HELP ENSURE AGENT -- ACCOUNTABILITY. I THINK YOU HEARD THEY INCLUDE SUPERVISION WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURING QUALITY AND THEY HAVE WORKLOAD COG -- CONTROLS. THEY PROVIDE IN HOUSE HOUSE TRAINING AND EFFICIENCIES IN THE COURT. ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO CREATING GOOD REPRESENTATION. AS YOU HEARD ABOUT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THEY FOUND PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES RE -- REDUCED JAIL SAVINGS AND BETTER CASE OUTCOMES INCLUDING MORE DISMISSALS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND REDUCED RECIDIVISM. FOR ALL OF THOSE REASONS WE SUPPORT EXPANDING THE PUBLIC OFFICE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS WE MADE IN TERMS OF EXPANDING THE MACK AND CENTRALIZING YOUR INDIGENT DETERMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, I AM HAPPY TO

ANSWER THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S DO ONE THING AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A BREAK. ON ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR I FAILED TO MENTION ITEM 15 UNDER ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR THAT IS A NO ACTION. REQUESTED NO ACTION FROM ELECTION AUTHORITY. WITH THAT IT IS 4:45 AND LET'S

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT IS 5:02 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE LEFT OFF AT JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

DISTRICT COURTS. TRAVEL AND TRAINING. THERE IS A CORRECTION UNDER GRANTS. IT SHOULD BE SECTION 22 AND NOT 23.

MISS CAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING AND THAT SHOULD BE NUMBER 23 AND NOT 24.

COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SORRY. UNDER PURCHASING I DID HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS. FIRST UNDER ITEM ON PAGE 241D. I WANT TO APPLAUD JOHN BLOUT'S OFFICE AND DWIGHT FOR HELPING WITH THIS ITEM TO RETROFIT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS WITH

[05:10:06]

PUSH BUTTONS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. YOU KNOW, I HAD REQUESTED A REPORT TO DETERMINE WHERE WAS HARRIS COUNTY WITH ADA COMPLIANCE.

THIS REPORT HELPS TO INDICATE THERE WERE SOME IMMEDIATE AREAS THAT NEEDED IMPROVEMENT. AND SO I AM GLAD TO SEE THIS ITEM MOVE FORWARD.

AND THEN SECONDLY UNDER ITEM P ON THE ENERGY CONSULTING FOR MARKET -- RESEARCH RISK MANAGEMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND PROCUREMENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE COUNTY, I AM GLAD TO SEE THIS ON THE AGENDA. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MEMBERS OF THE ENERGY PROCUREMENT WORK GROUP FOR THEIR EFFORTS AND IN PARTICULAR I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF.

KRISTEN LEE FOR THEIR HARD WORK. IT IS A STRATEGY THAT HAS A TRANSPARENT AND INCLUSIVE PROCESS THAT MEETS THE COUNTY'S ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS. IT IS VIA TALLY -- VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AND THE FIRST LARGE SCALE TO EMBRACE CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY THAT MADE RENEWABLE ENERGY AN IMPORTANT AND GROWING PART OF OUR REGION'S ENERGY PORTFOLIO. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN A COUNTY WITH SO MANY RESOURCES. AND TRULY IT POWERS THE REGION, BUT THE COMMITMENT TO REDUCING THE OVERALL ENERGY USE WHILE REDUCING RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR EVERYONE.

TEXAS WILL SEE MASSIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MAKE -- MAKING IT THE LEADING GOVERNMENT IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES. JUDGE I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT.

AND WANT TO THANK DWIGHT AND HIS TEAM IN PURCHASING AND MR. BERRY AND JESSE IN BUDGET AND OUR AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO GET ALL OF THESE IDEAS IN THE RFP AND I HAVE MOST OF IT IN THE PORT OF HOUSTON AND IN THE REFINERIES. I WELCOME ALL, BUT THERE IS SUSTAINABLE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY. SHOULD BE LOOKING AT IT AND UNDERSTANDING IT AND WORKING TO EMBRACE IT. ONE IS NOT EXCLUSIVE OF THE OTHER. I AM GOING TO REMAIN THE ENERGY CAPITAL AND I KNOW THIS WILL MOVE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I AM EXCITED BY THIS, JUDGE AND I'M SURE YOU CAN TELL BY MY HIGH ENERGY. IT IS CLEAN ENERGY.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT RENEWABLE, BUT IT IS CLEAN. I WILL SAY WE TOOK AN IMPORTANT STEP WITH THE PUBLIC POWER PEOPLE AND TO TO SEE US MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THEY ARE NOW LOOKING AT RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND THAT'S GOOD. IF SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER WE COME TO AN INTERSECTION, THEN WE HILLARY LOOK AT THIS. RIGHT NOW THE RFP IS WELL CRAFTED AND I WANT TO THANK MR. BERRY FOR HIS CONVERSATIONS. I I WILL JUST SAY WITH THE PREF -- THE PREVIOUS RP WITH HTC AND THE IT WORKHORSE -- WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM I WILL JUST SAY THAT IT IS REALLY, REALLY EXCITING FOR ME TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT. AND WE ARE DOING THINGS THAT I BELIEVE WILL HAVE POSITIVE

[05:15:05]

LONG-TERM FORWARD THINKING RESULTS AND LIFE-CHANGING IMPACTS AND WILL HELP US TO REDEFINE OUR COUNTY. AS WE LOOK TO RENEWABLE ENERGY IT REQUIRES REPORTS TO HELP SUSTAIN THAT AND BE A PART OF IT. I BELIEVE THE HTC PROGRAM WILL FIND ITS WAY. THEN JUST TO HAVE SO MANY THINGS COME FULL CIRCLE AND I LOOK TO MAKE THE JAILS GREEN, RENEWABLE ENERGY, RECYCLING AND WATER AND IT BELONGS TO THE SHERIFF AND THE COUNTY. IT IS A PART OF THE BODY THAT IS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AND CREATING THE PROCESSES THAT I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT ARE LEADING US INTO THE 22ND CENTURY. AGAIN, JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN PASSIONATE AND INTERESTED IN THIS.

I WANT TO ADD THESE REMARKS AND THANK THE STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THAT REALLY IS EXCITING.

A LOT OF CLEANERS. THANK YOU. ARE WE GOOD TO GO TO

COMMISSIONER'S COURT? MY ITEMS WE COVERED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M SORRY, JUDGE I DID HAVE ONE MORE. IF WE CAN GO BACK TO PAGE 27 AND ITEM 11.

I DON'T KNOW WHO TO ASK THIS QUESTION. MAYBE IT IS TO FLOOD CONTROL.

THIS IS TO REQUEST APPROVAL ON THE BASIS OF THE HIGHEST OVERALL EVALUATION AND AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATIONS WITH WALTER P MOORE AND ASSOCIATES AND ENGINEERING AND RELATED CONSULTING SERVICES, AND HERE IS WHERE I NEED SOME CLARITY. FOR AN URBAN FLOOD RISK STUDY FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT WE ARE

LOOKING TO GAIN OUT OF THIS? >> YES, COMMISSIONER AND COURT MEMBERS.

THIS IS RUSS POPPY EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

THIS IS AN ACTUAL GRANT WE RECEIVED FROM FEMA FOR $800,000 TO LOOK AT THE URBAN FLOODING RISK PHENOMENON. THIS IS SORT OF THE NEW BUZZ WORD EVEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL TRYING TO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ENGINEERS CAN RELATE TO THIS NEW PHENOMENON OF FLOODING. OUR RUNNING AVERAGE AFTER THE FLOODING EVENTS WE HAD IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS WAS AROUND 60% OF THE STRUCTURE THAT'S FLOODED ARE OUTSIDE THE MAPPED FLOOD PLAIN. FEMA IS RECOGNIZING THAT AS A RISK AND HOW DO WE IDENTIFY THAT RISK AND HOW DO WE INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE PLANNING? AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE AIR TUCK INDICATED -- ARTICULATED ON THE FEMA FLOOD PLAIN MAP? WE WERE ONE OF TWO ENTITIES IN THE COUNTRY SELECTED TO BE THE RECIPIENT OF THIS GRANT. IT IS TO LOOK AT THE RISK AND THEN THEY CAN TAKE BACK FOR

RECOMMENDATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THAT'S IT OR -- THAT'S IT ON THIS JUDGE. COMMISSIONER'S COURT I HAVE

GONE OVER MY ITEMS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WENT OVER A COUPLE OF MY ITEMS AND SO I WILL GO OVER TO THE ONE THAT I AM REQUESTING KATIE'S OPERATION COMES UP WITH A PROCESS FOR US TO DEVELOP A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.

SO THESE TWO REQUESTS PRETTY MUCH TELLING US TO LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE COUNTRY. I LATE OUT SOME SPECIFICS, BUT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND WE HAVEN'T MOVED FORWARD ON IT. I THINK ON A FEDERAL LEVEL,

[05:20:07]

WELL I KNOW BE ARE -- WE ARE GOING TO REJOIN THE PARIS ACCORD PRETTY QUICKLY AND SO I THINK IT IS TIME FOR US TO GET PREPARED. WE DO KNOW THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE FROM HARVEY TO ALEM -- AMELDA AND THE OTHER CHALLENGES WE HAVE HAD IN OUR AREA. IT NOT ONLY HURTS THE CURRENT RESIDENTS, BUT IT PUTS THE FUTURE RESIDENTS AND THE ECONOMY AT RISK. HARRIS COUNTY IS STAGGERING OUT OF 228 METROPOLITAN AREAS HARRIS COUNTY IS 9TH FOR OZONE POLLUTION.

WE LEAD THE NATION IN CARBON EMISSIONS WHICH HAS TRIPLED. WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

THE IMPACTS ARE WORSE FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.

THE AIR ALLIANCE OF HOUSTON SHOW PEOPLE IN HISPANIC AND BLACK COMMUNITIES OF HOUSTON DIE YOUNG YOUNGER AND SICKER THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

DECADES OF UNDER INVESTMENT AND INEQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT HAS LEFT THE COMMUNITIES WITH DISPROPORTION NALT OF HIGH COST LIMITED ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND HIGH LEVELS OF POLLUTION AND OUTDATED AND WEAK IN -- INFRO SPHRUK TOUR. INFRASTRUCTURE.

HARRIS COUNTY IS LONG OVERDUE FOR AN ACTION PLAN. IT TAKES TIME.

MAYBE WE WILL COME BACK WITH A BEST PRACTICE OF HIRING A CONSULTANT TO FIGURE IT OUT.

IT TAKES A LOT OF MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY. AND AS COMMISSIONER GAR SEE QUO SAID -- GARCIA SAID WE ARE THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AND NOT JUST THE COUNTRY.

DAVE BERRY, YOU THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX BECAUSE YOU CAME FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

YOU ARE IN THE CLEAN ENERGY BUSINESS ON THE FINANCING SIDE OF IT.

I KNOW THERE ARE THINGS THE COUNTY HAS BEEN DOING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE REFERENCE TO ONE, JOHN BLOUNT, A LOT OF THINGS HE IS DOING. I TALKED TO RUSS POPPY ABOUT THINGS GOING ON AND DR. BAR BOUGHT AND -- DR. BABBOTT AND I EXAT -- CHATTED.

WE WANT TO KNOW HOW WE POINT TO HARRIS COUNTY'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.

WHAT BETTER TIME THAN TO LAY DOWN THE MARKER THAN WHEN WE ARE ABOUT TO GO INTO A LEGISLATIVE SESSION? WE DON'T HAVE SOME OF THE POWERS THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS IN THIS REGARD, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT CAN WE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE THE POWER TO DO AND LOOK AT WHAT ADDITIONAL POWERS WE HAVE TO ASK FOR EVEN IF WE ARE DENIED? IT IS BETTER TO HAVE ASKED AND TRIED THAN TO SIT BACK AND LET CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUE TO RAVAGE OUR REGION AND NOT STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

I KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS THERE AND I WANT TO LET -- I KNOW DR. BABBOT IS ON THE LINE AND I CHATTED WITH HER TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY THOUGHTS SHE HAS --

>> SHE IS NOT ON THE LINE SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE HAVE SPEAKERS. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO THROW IN, DAVE BERRY?

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I THINK IT IS SMART TO DEVELOP CONGRESS' PLAN TO WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS. I ALSO THINK THERE ARE CONCRETE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING NOW. ELECTRICITY NEEDS IS ONE OF THEM.

ANOTHER IS LOOKING AT THE FLEET. I KNOW MR. BLOUNT AND HIS TEAM ARE LOOKING AT LED LIGHTS. MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE WHILE WE WORK ON THE LONGER TERM PLAN WE ALSO TRY TO SET UP SOME SHORT-TERM TARGETS TO SEE THINGS WE CAN CONTROL.

LET'S LOOK AT THINGS LIKE RENEWABLE ENERGY ON VEHICLES. THESE ARE THINGS THAT JUST

MAKE SENSE BASED ON ECONOMIC AND TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO HEAR FROM MR. BLOUNT AND MR. POPPY. AS IT IS THE END OF THE YEAR AND I AM MAKING RESOLUTIONS I RESOLVE TO TALK ABOUT THE THINGS I TALKED ABOUT AND NEVER GOT DONE AND THIS WAS ON THAT LIST. IF YOU WANT TO MEET AGAIN I THOUGHT OF A FEW MORE GOING THROUGH THE AGENDA TODAY. MAYBE SOME OF YOU WILL FIGURE OUT SOMETHING THAT -- AT SOME POINT SOMEBODY HAS TO BE THE FOCAL POINT.

AS I STATED WHEN I PUSHED FOR CREATING THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR MOST ARE BETTER AT WHAT WE FOCUS ON, AND IF YOU HAVE WHAT I HAVE, ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER, I

[05:25:05]

AM BETTER AT 20 THINGS. IF I HAVE TO DO ONE THING I DRIVE PEOPLE CRAZY.

THERE HAS TO BE SOME FOCUS TO THIS. WHAT ARE WE DOING UNDER THE POWERS WE HAVE NOW? A LOT OF THINGS ARE GOING ON, BUT THERE IS NO REAL DEPOSITORY FOR IT HERE AS WE CHECK THE BOX AND SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING OTHER THAN WHEN WE PUT OUT A TWEET ORIE LEASE. THE JUDGE TALKS ABOUT NUMBERS, METRICS AND TO BE ABLE TO MEASURE IT. THINK ABOUT THAT IN THE BUDGET OFFICE.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE ADD A LINE. I ASKETT -- I ASKED KATIE SHORT HOW LONG THIS WILL TAKE AND SHE SAID ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

THERE WILL BE LOW HANGING FRUIT. WE HAVE A NEW DEPARTMENT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION AND IT WILL BE GREAT WHEN WE JOIN THE PARIS ACCORD.

I ASSUME THERE WILL BE SOME GREEN STUFF RELATED. ARE YOU HAVING THOUGHTS?

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU WERE -- YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE DOING. WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND CREATE A PATH FORWARD OF THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE. THIS IS THE RIGHT APPROACH.

WE WERE WORKING ON LED EFFICIENCIES. WE CAN DO MORE.

AND MANY TIMES THESE TECHNOLOGIES SAVE MONEY. ME AND DAVE BERRY WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT MAKING CAPITAL INVESTMENTS UP FRONT TO SAVE MONEY LONG-TERM.

ABSOLUTELY THIS IS THE RIGHT APPROACH WE NEED TO DO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. POPPY?

>> COMMISSIONER, I AGREE WITH JOHN. YOU START TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE THINGS GOING ON, AND THERE ARE GOOD THINGS. AS YOU SAY, THEY ARE TO THE BEING CAPTURED APPROPRIATELY. RECENTLY WE ADOPTED ATLAS 14 AND THAT ACCOUNTS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE FOR THE NEXT 14 YEARS. THERE ARE THINGS THAT GO BEYOND RAINFALL RATES.

GULF WATERS LEADS TO MORE SEVERE STORMS AND THAT INCREASES OUR STORM SURGE VOL BETTER -- VULNERABILITY. THERE ARE MORE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD BE AND COULD BE LOOKING AT. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE CONVERSATION.

WE WILL BE TAKING A LOOK AT THIS, BUT HOW DO WE GET THE OTHER CITIES AND THE COUNTIES AS WE FORMULATE THE PLAN. I THINK AS WE MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A GLOBAL ISSUE TOO.

IT COULD BE DATA COLLECTION ABOUT WHAT THE REAL IMPACTS ARE TO COASTAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MORE PRONE THAN OTHERS TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND THEN PROVIDING THAT TO OUR PARTNERS AND LET THEM START PUSHING IT UP AT THE CONGRESSIONAL AND FEDERAL

LEVEL TO GET GLOW IMPALE -- GLOBAL ATTENTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. BABBOT.

>> I WILL UNMUTE DR. BABBOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CALLED YOU FIRST BY THE WAY, BUT WE

DIDN'T HAVE YOU ON THE LINE. >> HELLO, COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS ON -- WE CANNOT -- CAN NOT ONLY LESSEN OUR FOOTPRINT AS A RESPONDING AGENCY, BUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND WE MAY BE ABLE TO REQUEST FOR INJECTIONS OF TCEQ AND LOOKING AT THE GREENHOUSE GASES THAT PLANTS ARE EMITTING.

WE ARE PROJECTING TO GET A SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER IN OUR DEPARTMENT SO THAT THEY HAVE ONE ON ONE AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POLICYIES IN THOSE AREAS.

WE ARE REALLY JUST GETTING INTO THIS THING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I MISSED YOU A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. WE HAVE THESE MONITORS TO CHECK AIR POLLUTION. I SAW YOUR STAFF, BUT MISSED YOU.

OBVIOUSLY MOST WAS IN YOUR PRECINCT BECAUSE SOME OF OUR HIGHEST LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTANTS ARE OUT ALONG THE ENERGY CORRIDOR IN YOUR PRECINCT.

THEY USED TO SAY I WAS RUNNING WITH THE TREE HUGGERS. I AM WITH THE TREE RIDERS.

[05:30:03]

I DID A RIDE THROUGHOUT THE PRE SIN AND -- PRECINCT AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US.

JUDGE, I THINK THERE ARE SPEAKERS AND I WOULD MOVE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I APPRECIATE THE WAY YOU FRAMED THIS AND THAT IS, YES, CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, BUT I THINK IT IS BROADER THAN THAT, RIGHT? IT IS THE SIMILAR DISCUSSION WE HAD WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH THAT WE HAD AT THE LAST BOARD AND THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHO IS THE KEEPER OF THE HEALTH. I MEAN WE CAN'T HAVE THAT LEVEL.

SOMEBODY NEEDS TO LOOK AT IT AND REPORT TO US. I THINK IT IS THE SAME WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES. PERHAPS CLIMATE FALLS UNDER THAT.

I THINK THIS PLAN WILL BE A BIG PIECE OF IT, AND THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING BROADER.

AND I WAS TRYING TO SKIM THROUGH THIS REPORT AND COOPERATE FIND IT.

I WONDER IF THEY HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT. THERE IS SOME KIND OF A FOCAL

POINT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A REGIONAL APPROACH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S HOW I AM THINKING ABOUT IT AND I'M EXCITED -- I'M HAPPY YOU HAVE PUT THIS ON, COMMISSIONER THAT WORK WILL BEGIN IN ERNEST AND I AM THINKING THROUGH HOW WE CAN INSTITUTIONAL LIES AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BROUGHT OUT.

IT SHOULDN'T TAKE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE.

I JUST LEFT IT BROAD ENOUGH. I AM NOT SURE IF THAT WAS WHAT WE SHOULD EVEN BE DOING.

I TALKED TO, YOU KNOW -- SINCE I GOT HERE AND I THINK IT IS CLEAR.

WE SPEND SOME MONEY AND IT PULLS THE RESOURCES TOGETHER AND DO THE RESEARCH.

I AM ASSUMING OTHER COUNTIES, KING COUNTY HAS DONE SOMETHING AND DENVER DID SOMETHING AND BALTIMORE DID AND THAT'S A CITY COUNTY. I THINK NEW ORLEANS IS THE CITY AND I THINK THERE WILL BE A BIG PUSH AND HOPEFULLY SOME INCENTIVES ON THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENCOURAGE THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. BLOOMBERG TOOK LEAVE WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PULLED OUT OF THE PARIS ACCORD. THEY MADE SOME PROGRESS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS GREAT. SO WE HAVE SPEAKERS, LUCINDA?

>> YES. HARRISON HUMPHREYS WITH AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR.

>> OKAY, GREAT. GOOD EVENING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF.

I KNOW IT IS LATE SO I WILL TRY TO KEEP IT SHORT. I REPRESENT AIR HOUSTON.

OUR ORGANIZATION AIRLINE HOUSTON APPRECIATES THE ADVANCEMENT OF THIS ITEM.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE THAT CATASTROPHICKY VECT -- CATASTROPHIC EFFECTS WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON OUR REGION. THE TEXAS COAST HAS WITNESSED AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF STORMS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY AND THIS WILL BE ONE PRODUCT OF A CONTINUED CHANGING CLIMATE. EXTREME HEAT AND SEA LEVELS WILL IMPACT OUR REGION UNLESS WE ACT. IT SUPPORTS THE FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. THESE ARE IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE CENTERED IN THE PROCESS.

[05:35:02]

HAVING WORKED ON THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN I FAIL IT IS I'M -- I FEEL IT IS IMPERATIVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE FOCUSED ON CLIMATE ACTION -- CLIMATE JUSTICE AND NOT JUST CLIMATE ACTION. I APPRECIATE HOW YOU STARTED THIS ITEM OFF.

YOU STARTED OFF BY ASKING AS A COUNTY WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND THAT'S A GREAT PLACE TO START. Y'ALL ARE ALREADY DOING THINGS STUDYING TRANSPORTATION.

TRANSPORTATION IS A HUGE RESOURCE IN THE COUNTY AND A MON STRATEGY OF IN -- OF INCREASING THOSE. THE HIGHWAY PROJECTS ARE GREAT TOO.

YOU CANNOT COMPARE SOMETHING MORE TO YOUR STEPS MAKING IT MORE EQUITABLE AND GREAT.

I WROTE ALSO LIKE TO SAY THIS PLAN NEEDS TO BE BOLD AND AGGRESSIVE.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE PROCESS OF THE HOUSTON CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.

I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE PROCESS AND THEY DID NOT ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE INDUSTRY. THE COUNTY'S PLAN NEEDS TO TAKE BOLD ACTION IN ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CHANGE. WE CAN'T GO INTO IT THINKING THAT IT HAS DOWNED OUR CARBON EMISSIONS. WE NEED TO CONFRONT THAT IT IS THE GREATEST SOURCE OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE. WE SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD TO CONTINUE AT THIS RATE.

NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGE WILL BE DIFFICULT, BUT OUR ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT YOU HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF HAVING A BOLD ACTION PLAN. OUR ORGANIZATION LOOKS FORWARD

TO WORKING WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF, COMMISSIONERS. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> CHRISTINE SINGLETON WITH THEA.

>> HELLO, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CHRISTINE SINGLETON AND HERE WITH TEXAS HEALTH ENVIRONMENT ALLIANCE WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION OF FEAR WHICH IS A COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY AND RESILIENCE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR BEING PRO ACTIVE FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

WE WOULD HAVE TO COLLECT THE DEFINITION OF CLIMATE JUSTICE.

WE NEED A BETTER UPPEDZING OF WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT MEANS ANOTHER ASPECT IS TO LOOK AT OTHER EXAMPLES AS WHAT WE DID BEFORE IN OTHER CITIES AND COUNTIES TO SEE AND HERE AIRPLANES FOR HARRIS COUNTY. WE NOTICED AUSTIN AND BOSTON ARE FREQUENT EXAMPLES AND THEY INCLUDE GREEN NEW DEAL PLANS WHICH ARE ALSO BEST PRACTICES.

THERE ARE OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND IT WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE TO START.

WE THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTIVE STEPS TOWARD ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH Y'ALL TO IMPLEMENT A PLAN AND CREATE A PLAN.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> ANNA DE LEON WITH MOVE

TEXAS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS I AM THE ORGANIZER FOR MOVE TEXAS. I AM HERE TO MAKE CRITICAL RECOMMEND DECISIONS FOR -- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COUNTY ACTION PLAN.

THE URGENCY IS HERE TO HIRE AN OFFICIAL STRATEGY AND MAKE INVESTMENTS ON SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUE YOU SHIV GREEN -- INCLUSIVE AND GREEN LOCAL ECONOMIES.

THE STRONGEST LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION PLAN WE SHOULD POINT THE COUNTY TOWARD ARE THOSE WOULD ALIGNED THE PURPOSE WITH THE GREEN KNEW -- THE GREEN NEW DEAL.

IT WILL UP LIFT THE COMMUNITY VOICES. THERE IS A COMMITMENT TO 100% ENERGY GENERATION FROM THE CLEAN, REMOVAL SHOVESES TO THE TYPE OF -- REMOVAL SOURCES.

HARRIS COUNTY WOULD NOT BE ALONE IN THIS TARGET. MORE THAN 10 COUNTIES AND EIGHT STATES ACROSS THE U.S. HAVE SUBMITTED THE GREEN NEW DEAL PROVIDES THE BEST FRAMEWORK BECAUSE IT STRIVES FOR THE HIGHEST ECONOMIC SECURITY.

[05:40:07]

WE NO 250,000 PEOPLE WORK IN THE INDUSTRY AND THE TRANSITION FROM ONE TO THE OTHER ALLOWS IT FOR THE FAMILIES. THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRIES ARE FACING THE CURRENT. THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO SHUTDOWN.

THEY CONTINUE TO RAPIDLY RISE IN THE STATE. REPORTING IS SHOWING THAT IN OUR REGION THOUSANDS OF CHEMICAL LAYOFFS HAVE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE.

THEY ENSURE THAT NO WORKER IS LEFT BE UPPED -- BEHIND. IN ORDER FOR ANY COUNTY PLAN TO BE POSSIBLE, THEY NEED A CLEAR AND DEFINED LEVEL. THERE IS THE SUNRISE MOVEMENT AND EQUITY AND RESILIENCE. THERE IS LOCALITIES THAT HAVE ADOPTED THE GREEN NEW DEAL TO INCLUDE BOSTON AND KING COUNTY OF SEATTLE AND PORTLAND AND AUSTIN AND ULTIMATELY A GREEN NEW DEAL AND DISMANTLED -- DISMANTLE AT A RECOVERY RATE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THIS IS SOMETHING HARRIS COUNTY CAN DO AS WELL AND DEMONSTRATE IN THIS TIME OF CRISIS AND COME TOGETHER WITH OWE LOCALITIES AND BECOME A PART OF THE MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.

I YIELD MY TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> STEPHANIE THOMAS.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GREAT. GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS DR. STEPHANIE THOMAS. I REPRESENT A NATIONAL NONPROFIT THAT WORKS FOR CONSUMER ADD -- ADVOCACY. I AM BASED HERE IN HOUSTON.

IN HOUSTON WE FOCUS ON ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND ETHICS. TODAY I AM HERE TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' PROPOSAL TO STUDY THE PRACTICES AROUND CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY CRITICAL TIMES IN TERMS OF TAKING ACTION ON CLIMATE. WE REPRESENT SOME OF THE HIGHEST EMISSIONS IN THE COUNTY, BUT WE CAN THINK BACK TWO YEARS TO HURRICANE HARVEY AND HURRICANE AMELDA AND THE NUMBER OF NUMEROUS OTHER HURRICANES WE EXPERIENCED RECENTLY.

WE ARE FEELING BOTH THE IMPACT AND AS DISCUSSED IT IS NOT FELT EASILY ACROSS THE COUNTY. WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING A PLAN. IT IS INCLUSIVE TO COMMUNITY AND IT INCORPORATES THEIR FEEDBACK. COMMUNITY MEMBERS DO KNOW WHAT CAN HELP SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR EFFORTS TO LIVE THEIR LIVES AND HAVE ABSCESS -- ACCESS TO JOB THAT'S ARE IN A CLEAN ECONOMY. AND I THINK IMPORTANTLY THERE ARE SOLUTIONS THAT WE MAY NOT FROM A POLICY PER -- PERSPECTIVE, WE CAN LOOK UP AND SHOW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INCLUSION WHEN A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN IS BEING DEVELOPED.

THERE ARE SOME STRATEGIES THAT THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER ELUDED TO WORKERS' ROUTES -- WORKERS' RIGHTS AND THEY CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER. AND SO CREATING PLANS THAT CAN TRANSITION WORKERS TO HELP IN THE PETRO CHEMICAL ENERGY. THAT'S REALLY, REALLY KEY HERE. I WANT TO APPLAUD THE COMMISSION FOR TAKING THIS ON AND LOOKING AT WHAT MIGHT BE SOME BEST PRACTICES. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY CRITICAL FOR OUR COUNTY TO LEAD IN TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER AND HELP SUPPORT EFFORTS TO REDUCE CLIMATE CHANGE. IF WE CONTINUE ON THE PATH WE WILL FIND THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE FACING THESE STORMS LIKE HARVEY --

[05:45:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS.

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

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> JANETH WITH TEXAS ALLIANCE

FOR RETIRED AMERICANS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI THIS IS JANET PALOUTH.

PALOUSH. I AM A 30-YEAR WORKER IN THE OIL REFINERY INDUSTRY.

35 OF MY 45-YEAR WORKLIFE WAS SPENT WORKING IN OIL REFINERIES.

I AM CURRENTLY A RESIDENT OF DEER CLARK AND RETIRED FROM THE SHELL REFINERY.

I AM A LONG-TIME ENVIRONMENTALIST, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF MY CO-WORKERS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TALKING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTALISM BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING IN AN INDUSTRY THAT IS THREATENED BY ALL OF THIS TALK OF ENVIRONMENTALISM.

I WANT TO N COURAGE -- I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE WORK ON THIS POSITIVE ACTION PLAN TO FOCUS ON GETTING THE SUPPORT OF THESE PEOPLE. AND THE WAY YOU DO THAT IS TO ENSURE THEIR ECONOMIC LIVELIHOOD FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ANY DISCUSSION OF CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY STARTS AND ENDS WITH JOBS. WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT.

IT'S BEEN STATED BY A COUPLE OF THE OTHER SPEAKERS THAT THE TRANSITION TO A CLEANER ENERGY SYSTEM WILL INVOLVE NEW JOBS BEING CREATED. AND THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HAPPENS THAT NO DECISIONS IN THE OIL INDUSTRY ARE MADE WITHOUT US.

WE WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DESIST MAKING PROGRESS -- PROCESS.

WE HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS ALREADY AND THE SLOGAN WE HAVE, THE CATCH PHRASE IS JUST TRANSITION. JUST TRANSITION FROM THE FOSSIL FUEL-BASED ECONOMY TO A GREENER, CLEANER INDUSTRY, JOBS AND ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OF US.

ANY CLIMATE ACTION PLAN HAS TO CARRY MORE WEIGHT. IT HAS TO CARRY MORE WEIGHT BY GETTING THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITIES IT WILL AFFECT I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AND BE SURE -- BE ASSURED THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US WHO LIVE IF HARRIS COUNTY OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON IN THE PASADENA AND LA PORT AREA THAT WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS.

WE ARE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT IT. WE KNOW IT IS COMING.

WE WANT TO GIVE YOU OUR INPUT AND WE ARE ORGANIZED ALREADY INTO LABOR UNIONS AND RETIREE

ORGANIZATIONS. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> IRIS GONZALEZ WITH FEAR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, GOOD EVENING.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TONIGHT.

I AM IRIS GONZALEZ AND SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF FEAR, THE COALITION FORREN -- FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY AND ASSURANCE. I HEAR THE COMMENTS ON THIS ACTION REGARDING HOW HARRIS COUNTY MAY LAUNCH A CLIMATE ACTION PROCESS.

WE STRONGLY -- RECOMMEND THIS AND APPLAUD THE POTENTIAL LENS TO THE PROCESS IT IS GROUND 0 FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND THE TIME TO TAKE THIS ACTION IS NOW.

I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE ANALYST OFFICE TO LOOK AT MUNICIPALITIES WOULD HAVE DONE GREEN NEW DEALS AND CRAFTED LOCAL POLICY TO MATCH THE FEDERAL POLICY.

LISTEN, I KNOW WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT CLIMATE WITHOUT GETTING POLITICAL.

BUT THEY -- I THINK OF IT THIS WAY. WE SHOULD USE OUR LIMITED RESOURCES TO SOLVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. IT DOESN'T AFFECT ONE PART OF THE SAW SIGH -- SAW SAY -- SOCIETY, BUT WORKS WITH DIFFERENT SYSTEMS WE TALK ABOUT HOW CLIMATE IS A MULTIPLY YES, SIR -- MULTIPLIER.

THEY HAVE TAKEN AN APPROACH AND IDENTIFY HOW TO DIRECT INVESTMENTS INTO PROJECTS THAT

[05:50:07]

BUILD THE ENVIRONMENT AND HAS GOOD-PAYING JOBS. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO INCLUDE IMPACTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE PLANNING PROCESS.

THE ANALYST OFFICE SHOULD LOOK AT WHAT IT MIGHT COST SO WE HAVE AN IDEA WHAT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS WE NEED TO SET ASIDE. WE CAN LOOK TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN WHERE THE AMBASSADOR TRAINING AND THEY HIRE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CARRY ON ENGAGEMENT OR MILWAUKEE WHEN IT WAS TIME TO UPDATE THE PLAN THEY TOOK A FAITH-BASED APPROACH AND FUNDED COMMUNITY GROUPS ACTIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS RATHER THAN GIVING IT TO CONSULTING FIRM. LASTLY I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING ON THE FLOOD COMMUNITY TASK FORCE AND PART OF OUR JOB IS TO CREATE A 2050 RESILIENCE PLAN.

I BRING IT UP TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONNECTING ALL OF THESE DOTS.

THESE PLANS ARE IMPORTANT AND GREAT, BUT NOT IF THEY SIT ON THE SHELF AND NOT IF THEY DON'T TALK TO ONE ANOTHER OR SEE HOW THEY FIT INTO A LARGER BIG PICTURE.

I ENCOURAGE THE ANALYST'S OFFICE TO LOOK AT HOW MU NICE PALLET TEE -- KNEW NICE PAL TEE -- MUNICIPALITIES HAVE WOVEN THEM TOGETHER INTO ONE COHESIVE STRATEGY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING THIS AHEAD AND LOOK FORWARD AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR

LEADERSHIP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL OF

THE SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, LUCINDA.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, JUDGE I MOVE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS MUTED YOUR HONOR. FOR CLAIRE -- CLARIFICATION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS JUST REFERRING THIS TO KATIE SHORT'S OFFICE FOR A STUDY.

WHY DO WE EVEN WANT A MOTION ON THIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT YOU TO

VOTE WITH ME ON SOMETHING. >> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN'T TELL IF YOU ARE -- IF YOUR MIC IS

WORKING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T KNOW WHY WE ARE VOTING ON THIS, JUDGE. HE CAN REFER IT TO KATIE SHORT'S OFFICE ON HIS OWN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES THAT MEAN YOU ARE NOT VOTING? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL, THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF IN HERE THAT I DON'T THINK I NECESSARILY WANT TO VOTE FOR.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU ASKING KATIE SHORT'S OFFICE TO LOOK INTO AND DO THE RESEARCH. IF THAT'S THE WHOLE QUESTION I DON'T EVEN THINK YOU NEED MY INPUT WHEN YOU ASK OUR ANALYST'S OFFICE TO LOOK INTO THIS.

THERE IS A LOT OF EXTRA RHETORIC IF YOUR VERY, VERY LONG PUBLIC MOTION THAT IS HERE THAT I DON'T THINK I NEED TO BE JOINING IN ON. THERE IS A LOT OF INITIATIVES WITH REGARD THAT I DO AGREE WITH AND THINK THEY ARE AWESOME AND A LOT OF THINGS WE ARE DOING IN THE COUNTY ARE GOOD AND EXCEPTIONAL. I MISS PRONOUNCED MY WORD THERE. THEY ARE EXCEPTIONAL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ROAD WE ARE HEADING ON. LET'S ASK KATIE SHORT TO DO HER JOB.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE IS A MOTION ON THE TABLE. >> STEVE RADACK: RADACK VOTES

NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS WANTS A VOTE, IT DOESN'T HURT TO VOTE ON IT. OR YOU CAN ABSTAIN, COMMISSIONER. WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOTE FOR IT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL ASK KATIE SHORT TO DO THIS -- TO DO A RESILIENCY STUDY AND CHECK INTO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES, BUT I WILL VOTE NO ABOUT THE PROPOSITION BEFORE

US TODAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL VOTE IF FAVOR OF THE ITEM. MOTION CARRIES 3-2. YES, GAMINGS.

-- JAMES. >> I AM RECORDING COMMISSIONER CAGLE AS A NO?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANTED TO THANK THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR WORK ON A MODEL USE OF FORCE POLICY. AS WE ALL KNOW THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD SET INTO MOTION A

[05:55:11]

GREAT L -- GREAT DEAL OF EVENTS AND ONE RESULTED IN OUR CONVERSATION AND DISCUSSION ABOUT THINGS THAT WE COULD DO HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND HIS OFFICE FOR PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN WORKING WITH JAD AND IN PARTICULAR WORKING WITH DR. CORREA, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT. AS WE RECALL, THIS MOTION WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THAT SUPPORT.

THEIR WORK RESULTED IN THE LOOK OF MORE THAN A HUNDRED DIFFERENT USE OF FORCE POLICIES TO DETERMINE COMMON ELEMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES. THIS EFFORT PROMPTED REVIEW AND THEY IDENTIFIED ELEMENTS OF THEIR POLICY THEY NEEDED TO UPDATE.

THEIR AMENDED POLICY IS IN THE PROCESS TO BE RATIFIED. THEY HAVE A BIG ORGANIZATION.

THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT IMPACTS THE ORGANIZATION AND THEY ARE MAKING SURE THE WEALTH IN THE IMPACTS THEY MADE ARE APPLIED TO THOSE WORKING THROUGH THIS AND THEN SENDING IT OVER TO THE LEGAL PROCESS FOR FINAL REVIEW AND ULTIMATE RATIFICATION. I UNDERSTAND THE CONSTABLES MET YESTERDAY AND HAD A GENERAL TENTATIVE AGREEMENT TOWARD A POLICY OR AT LEAST ON ELEMENTS.

JAD FEEL THEY HAVE RESPONDED POSITIVELY AND MAKING PROGRESS.

NONETHELESS, I THINK WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE THIS POLICY IS READY FOR ADOPTION ONCE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMPLETES THEIR REVIEW. THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION -- ACTUALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THE PROCESS WAS THAT WE DO NEED TO TALK TO THE COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGE -- ENGAGEMENT PIECE SHOULD BE LEAD BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND I BELIEVE ANA CAN DO THAT WELL.

I BELIEVE IN THIS CLIMATE THERE MAY BE SOME FOLKS THAT DO WANT TO GIVE INPUT, BUT MAY NOT FEEL IT CONSTRUCTIVE TO GIVE IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR WHATEVER REASON.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE THE COMMUNITY A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENGAGED AND HEARD AND FOR THEM TO OFFER CONSTRUCTIVE INPUT TO THIS PROCESS.

WE WANT TO, ONE, INCLUDE THE OPINIONS OF ALL SEGMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND THEN ONCE -- OR NOW THAT THE PRELIMINARY WORK IS DONE JAD WOULD MEET FOR A TIMELINE, I BELIEVE. WE STARTED THE PROCESS WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE SENSE OF URGENCY IS NOT LOST. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR AN UPDATE FROM JAD ON THE POLICY AND THEN IF THERE IS A MOTION I THINK WE CAN ACT ON IT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DR. CORREA TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THIS POLICY.

>> DR. CORREA? DR. CORREA, YOU ARE UNMUTED. WE MIGHT BE HAVING SOME

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF WE ARE UNABLE TO GET TO IT RIGHT NOW, JUDGE, WHEN SHE GETS ONLINE WE CAN GIVE HER AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET ON WITH US, BUT THAT WAY WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE ON THE AGENDA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO PRECINCT THROUGH FOR NOW.

PRECINCT 3 FOR RIGHT NOW. >> R. JACK CAGLE: RADACK, ARE YOU MOVING YOUR ITEMS?

>> STEVE RADACK: YES, I MOVE THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 4?

[06:00:03]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MOTION TO MOVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS A -- I

MOVE ON MY ITEM THREE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COVID COVID-19 ITEMS WE DISCUSSED.

MISCELLANEOUS. FIRST IS A REQUEST BY THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY 9-1-1

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

ENERGY NETWORK. ITEMS 1 AND TWO ARE RELATED TO THE TOLL ROAD TRAILS ON THE

SUPPLEMENTAL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THESE ARE TWO ITEMS THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR AWHILE. WE MADE THE REQUEST IN PRECINCT 1 AND I AM GLAD THEY MOVED IT FORWARD. DO WANT TO STRESS TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE ON THE EMANCIPATION TRAIL ISSUE. NO WAY TO COMPLICATE WHAT SHE IS DOING. I TALKED TO HER LATE LAST NIGHT AND EARLY THIS MORNING ABOUT IT. IT MAY TAKE THE FEDS AWHILE TO GET THERE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE BIKE TRAIL TO GET FROM HOUSTON TO GALVESTON.

THEY MAY WELL DECIDE THAT THE UTILITY CORRIDOR MIGHT BE THE BEST ROUTE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA IT MAY NOT BE THAT OLD GALVESTON HIGHWAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SO THAT'S ITEMS 1 AND 2. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 3, GLO BENCHMARKS.

SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 4 WE DISCUSSED IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE QUICKLY ON ITEM 3 AND I WILL BE VERY BRIEF. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT TO DR. HOLLOWAY THAT THIS IS A HURRICANE IKE ITEM. SO IKE HAPPENED IN 2008.

I JUST WANT TO MENTION TO DR. HOLLOWAY ABOUT THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A WELL-OILED MACHINE WHEN IT COMES TO RECOVERY AND THESE DOLLARS GET OUT THE DOOR AS QUARTERBACKLY AS POSSIBLE. AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I KNOW WE ARE GOING ON YEAR FOUR OF HURRICANE HARVEY AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIGHT THAT WE NEED TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR ON HARVEY DOLLARS. JOSH HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AT SMOOTHING THINGS OUT WITH THE GLO. I WANT TO GIVE THIS A RENEWED SENSE OF URGENCY AND KEEP THESE DOLLARS MOVING AND DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STREAM LINE THE PROCESS SO THAT WE

ARE NOT 10 YEARS FROM TODAY CLEANING UP HURRICANE HARVEY. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER, WE

HAVE DR. CORREA ON THE LINE NOW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> DOCTOR, GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER. I AM ANNA CORREA, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, TO HELP US REALIZE THE VISION OF THE MOTION APPROVED BY COURT IN LIGHT OF THE TRAGEDY THAT TOOK PLACE WE HAVE LOOKED AT 102 USE OF FORCE POLICIES FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

THIS REVIEW HAS HELPED US TO CREATE A MATRIX MEANT TO GUIDE CHAD DURING OUR VARIOUS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC. WE ARE COMMUNICATING AND WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE D.A., THE FIRE MARSHALL AND CONSTABLES. THE CONSTABLES HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO US. IN FACT, YESTERDAY WE DISCUSSED NOT JUST USE OF FORCE POLICIES, BUT THE MOTIONS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RELATED TO THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND THE USE OF FORCE STATISTICS. I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT AFTER MANY MONTHS TO WORK ON THEIR SPECIFIC POLICY THEY HAVE REACHED A CON CENSUS GASH DASH -- DASH CONSENSUS. THEY HAVE DEVELOPED IT THROUGH THE REVIEW OF BEST PRACTICES.

AS IT PERTAINS TO NEXT STEP IS WE HOPE ONCE THE CONSTABLES SOLIDIFY AND INCORPORATE COMMUNITY OUT REACH AND DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY WHICH WE WILL GLADLY ASSIST

[06:05:01]

THEM WITH AND ONCE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT GETS THE REVIEW FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WE WILL COME TOGETHER AS A TEAM WITH THE D.A. AND THE FIRE MARSHALL AS WELL AS -- OBVIOUSLY THE CON TABLES, BUT -- CONSTABLES, ABOUT YOU THE DEPUTY ORGANIZATION THAT'S REGARDING WHAT A USE OF FORCE POLICY WOULD LOOK LIKE.

THAT'S OUR NEXT STEPS. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A RESOURCE FOR THEM. IT HAS BEEN AN ENJOYABLE JOURNEY AND I KNOW IT HAS TAKEN SOME TIME, BUT I BELIEVE YOU WILL BE PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME.

I AM GRATEFUL TO EVERYBODY FOR WORKING WITH US THE WAY THEY HAVE SO FAR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. CORREA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.

AS I MENTIONED IN MY PRESENTATION OF THIS ITEM, TWO THINGS AND ONE QUESTION.

THE FIRST ITEM IS I WOULD ASK THAT YOU AND JAD TAKE THE LEAD ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE -- YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY FEELS WILLING TO PARTICIPATE AND IN OTHER COMMUNITIES WHERE ENGLISH MAY NOT BE THE FIRST LANGUAGE. I URGE YOU TO VISIT WITH MR. BETKEY AND DISCUSS BEING THE LEAD ON THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CRAFT THE POLICY AND RECOGNIZING THAT WE WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM. THEY MAY OR MAY NOT AND I GENERALLY TEND TO FIND THAT THEY ARE RELUCTANT TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT INPUT THAT COULD BEACON STREWED AS -- BE CONSTRUED AS CRITICISM. I ASK THAT YOU AND THE STAKEHOLDERS WORK TO BE THE

LEAD ON THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PART OF IT. >> WE WILL GLADLY DO SO.

I KNOW THAT IN YESTERDAY'S DISCUSSION THE CONSTABLES WERE VERY EXCITED ABOUT MAKING MODIFICATIONS IF NEEDED. THIS WAS -- WE DISCUSSED A LOT OF THE MOTIONS AND WE ARE OPEN TO ALL OF THE ASSISTANTS AND ANY HELP WE CAN GIVE THEM AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF.

WHOA ARE -- WE ARE THERE AND HAVING MORE ON THE COMMUNITY PER SPEC TIFF AND IT WILL MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY WE HAVE A GOOD POLICY, BUT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE POLICY IS FULLY REALIZED. SO THAT PEOPLE'S LIVES CAN BE PROTECTED AND THAT THE

COMMUNITY CAN HAVE -- >> AND WE WANT TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WITH LESS CONFRONTATION SO THAT THIS POLICY WILL HOPEFULLY NOT -- IT WON'T NEED TO BE ENACTED.

THE SECOND THING IS A QUESTION. DO YOU NEED A MOTION? WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO HELP CULMINATE THIS IN A COUNTY WIDE USE OF FORCE POLICY? IT HAS BEEN OUR GUIDE FOR THIS POLICY. IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND THE TEAM MEMBERS ON THIS COURT HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL.

IT WILL GIVE US THE SPACE TO PROVIDE UPDATES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WORK WITH THE AGENCIES. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A ONE DOCUMENT A SINGLE DOCUMENT USE OF FORCE, BUT IF WE CAN HAVE THE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE BEST PRACTICES THAT EVERYBODY CAN LOOK AT THEM AND IMPLEMENT THEM AND THAT WOULD BE A BIG

[06:10:03]

WIN FOR HARRIS COUNTY. THAT'S ON THE WAY. AND AS YOU MENTIONED THE SHERIFF IS DOING HIS PART AND THE CONSTABLES ARE DOING THEIR PART.

IT IS COMING ALONG AND I FEEL CONFIDENT WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO YOU.

WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON EVERYTHING. >> VERY GOOD.

NO MOTION NEEDED TODAY. >> NOT AT THIS TIME. >> THANK YOU AND HAVE A

WONDERFUL EVENING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID YOU WANT TO -- WERE

YOU INTERESTED IN MAKING A MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANTED TO HEAR FROM JAD AND MAKE SURE TO SUPPORT THEIR WORK IF SHE SAYS THERE IS NO MOTION NECESSARY I DON'T WANT MUDDY THE WATERS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE DOING GREAT WORK.

I APPLAUD EVERYONE FOR COMING TO THE TABLE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.

>> AND WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING TO BRING THEM UP TO SPEED.

WE ARE WAITING FOR THE VARIOUS DOCUMENTS TO BE FINALIZED COMMISSIONER GARCIA SO WE CAN

PRESENT SOMETHING THAT IS MORE CONCRETE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, THE DATE THIS WAS ON THE AGENDA WAS WHEN? JUNE? AFTER MR. FLOYD FUNERAL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU.

IT IS A GREAT ONE. DR. CORREA, 102 POLICIES, THAT'S IMPRESSIVE.

ARE Y'ALL GOING TO COME BACK IN THE NEW YEAR. >> YES.

WE ARE MAKING A MATRIX THAT CAN BE GIVEN TO YOU AND THE DUE DATES AND WE HAVE BEEN HAVING -- IT HAS BEEN GREAT WORK AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND THANK YOU FOR THE TEAM HAVE YOU GIVEN US. WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY EXTREMELY QUALIFIED STAFF. WE ARE REALLY ENJOYING LOOKING

AT THESE ITEMS. >> IN THIS SPACE I AM IMPRESSED.

I HOPE YOU ARE TALKING TO THE COUNTERPARTS LIKE IN BEXAR COUNTY AND OTHER PLACES.

I KNOW IN THE LEGISLATURE THEY ARE LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE AS WELL.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT YOU TAUGHT ME DURING MY TIME WITH YOU, IS WHAT THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE DOING AND ALSO IN THE 254 COUNTIES.

WE DEFINITELY ARE LOOKING AT OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN THE VARIOUS COUNTIES AS WELL.

THANK YOU AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. SORRY. I LOST MY PLACE HERE. OKAY.

NEXT IS -- WE WENT OVER THE SHERIFF'S REQUEST. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. NUMBER 6 IS COURT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.

[06:15:02]

NUMBER 7 IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND THIS ITEM IS PRETTY -- YOU KNOW, THE I-45 PROJECT HAS CONTINUED TO BE AN INTERESTING PROJECT. WE ARE REQUESTING A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON DIRECTING THE COUNTY ENGINEER.

AND FLOOD CONTROL ON THE PROPOSED PROJECT. ON THE PROPOSED 45 PROJECT TO THE TEXAS DIVISION OF THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND TO THE TEXAS DIVISION OF THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION. AND IT IS AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENTS TO FORWARD THEM TO ANY OTHER LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY HAVE INTEREST, OVERSIGHT AND/OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPOSED NORTH HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. THE PURPOSE OF THE ITEM IS TO ENSURE THAT ALL AGENCIES NEED TO HAVE RESPONSES REGARDING THE FBIS. EACH OFFICE CAN SEND THEIR OWN RESPONSES TO THE FBIS. AND THIS PROJECT CONTINUES TO BE A HOT TOPIC AS YOU WELL KNOW AND WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS THE BEST PROJECT THAT CAN BE DONE AND DEVELOPED FOR OUR REGION AND THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED. AND WE WANT TO GIVE YOU ROOM TO SUPPORT YOU FORWARDING YOUR COMMENTS AS WELL, JUDGE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE SUBMITTING ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS ADMITTED AS WELL.

THAT'S MY ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> I HATE TO INTEREST -- INTERRUPT, BUT IS THE MOTION DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS ON THE

AGENDA? >> IT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA.

IT IS GIVING AUTHORITY TO SUBMIT HER REMARKS AS NECESSARY.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION IS WITH A SLIGHT AMENDMENT AND A

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> STEVE RADACK: RADACK IS NO.

LEAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON ANYTHING AND MAKE SURE THE FEDERAL LOBBYIST AND IF IT IS AN ISSUE WHERE WE DIS -- DISAGREE AND THEY ARE BROAD ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING WHAT IS NECESSARY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ANY OTHER PERSONS OR ENTITY THAT'S MAY

HAVE AN INTEREST IN OVERSIGHT AND AN INTEREST. >> IT IS BROAD ENOUGH TO ADD

TO THE MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I I SAW WHERE WE WILL HAVE A SECRETARY OF

TRANSPORTATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SO MOVE WE INCLUDE THE HARRIS COUNTY

FEDERAL LOBBYIST TO BE INVOLVED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION IS AS PREVIOUSLY STATED WITH THE SLIGHT ADDENDUM FOR JUDGE

[06:20:01]

UH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND AN ADDITION THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL HARRIS COUNTY LOB BY -- LOBBYIST BE ENGAGED -- BE DIRECTED TO BE ENGAGED IN THE PROJECT AT THE DIS -- DISCRETION OF JUDGE HIDALGO AND AS DIRECTED BY JUDGE HIDALGO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO.

>> STEVE RADACK: NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOVING ON TO PUBLIC HEARING. THERE IS NO PUBLIC HEARING TODAY. EXECUTIVE SESSION, I SUGGEST WE TAKE ITEM 1A WHICH IS FOR

[IV. Executive Session (Part 1 of 2)]

SHERRY ONYIEGO FOR GWEN SIMMS. AND ITEM B, THE BISHOP

DISTRICT NOMINATES FOLKS FOR EACH ZONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CAN I MOVE

ON B? I MOVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: UNLESS ANYONE HAS AN ISSUE WITH IT. AND THEN NUMBER TWO WE HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE AS WELL TO DISCUSS THE PERMANENT DIRECTOR TO HCTRA AND NUMBER THREE, I DON'T KNOW, ROBERT, DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON

THIS ONE? >> WE ARE NOT GOING TO NEED ANY ACTION ON THIS ITEM TODAY, JUDGE. WE JUST DON'T HAVE A SETTLEMENT TO BRING TO YOU AS OF THIS MOMENT. WE DON'T MIND MAKING A REPORT TO YOU IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IF

ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ROBERT, MAY

I -- IS IT OKAY TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS ON THIS PUBLICLY? >> SURE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR YOUR WORK.

I KNOW Y'ALL WORKED INCREDIBLY HARD ON THIS. THERE WAS VERY BROAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR A SETTLEMENT. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR IN PARTICULAR, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE LOWERING THE LIMIT OF THE CYANIDE -- THE HYDROGEN CYANIDE THAT WOULD BE ADMITTED IN THE PERMIT. THERE IS A LOT OF WORK IN THIS AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE THE MANCHESTER COMMUNITY HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY PLAGUED BY EMISSIONS IN THE AREA AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

AGAIN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THAT IS DUE TO SARA UTLEY'S WORK ON THIS MATTER. WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE YET, BUT WE ARE WORKING HARD TO GET

THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND SIMILARLY I WANT TO THANK KRISTEN LEE WITH MY OFFICE. SHE CONTINUE HAD TO REPRESENT PRE SINK 2 INCREDIBLY WELL.

I APPLAUD HER FOR WRORKING -- FOR WORKING WITH YOU ON THIS. THANK YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO I WOULD

[I. Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

SUGGEST THAT WE VOTE ON THE AGENDA. THEN WE CAN GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON -- LET'S VOTE ON ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT HAVEN'T ALREADY BEEN VOTED ON.

WITH THE EXCLUSION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 1A WHICH WE ARE TAKING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON A PERSONNEL MATTER. EXECUTIVE SESSION 2, WHICH WE ARE TAKING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AS A PERSONNEL MATTER AS WELL AND EXECUTIVE SESSION THREE I AM CURIOUS, ROBERT TO

HEAR YOUR UPDATES, SO THAT IS TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEY. >> ITEM 3 WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> WE WILL HAVE SARA AVAILABLE FOR THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. SO THAT MEANS WE HAVE A MOTION -- WAS THAT COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON ALL OF THE

ITEMS EXCEPT FOR THOSE AND THE ONES WE ALREADY VOTED ON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

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

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO WHY DON'T WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THOSE

ITEMS THEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE TAKE A SHORT BREAK BEFORE WE GO INTO

EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> JUDGE. WE DO HAVE SOME SPEAKERS

ALREADY ON THE LINE, THE NONAGENDA SPEAKERS? >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL LET'S

[06:25:04]

TAKE A BREAK AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK AND LISTEN TO SPEAKERS.

LET'S RECONVENE THEN AT 6:30.

>> THE SPEAKER -- >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA WILL YOU CALL THE SPEAKERS?

[V. Appearances before court]

>> JEFF PORTLAND. GO AHEAD PLEASE. MR. MARTIN?

>> I WILL SKIP AHEAD. DAVID CASTOR. >> THIS IS FOR COMMISSIONER RADACK. ONCE THERE WAS MAN WHO I KNOW WHO WE BOTH ADD MIR AND RESPECTED -- ADMIRE AND RESPECTED WHO SAID A DAY'S WORK FOR A DAY'S PAY.

I CANNOT THINK OF A PERSON BETTER WOULD EXEMPLIFIES THAT MORE THAN YOU.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING WITH YOU ALL BUT THIS LAST YEAR OF YOUR TENUOUS ACCOUNT.

YOU SERVED AS A CONSTABLE BEFORE THAT AND YEARS AS A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER.

YOUR SERVICE AS A POLICE OFFICER NOT ONLY GAVE YOU THE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE TO UNDERSTAND AND THE MANY ISSUES THE COUNTY FACED AND IT IS HANDLING IN ANY PUBLIC ASPECT.

>> IT WILL HELP MAKE ME A BETTER EMPLOYEE IN MY TENURE. ALL YOU ASKED WAS FOR ME AND OTHERS WAS TO DO OUR JOBS. EVERY TIME IT IS FOR YOUR PASSION AND DESIRE AND FOR THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE. WHEN YOU CALL ME MY PHONE SIMPLY SAYS RADACK. THE REASON I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WORK IS BECAUSE IT COULD BE 6 A.M., NOON OR EVEN 10 P.M. AND YOUR WORK DIDN'T STOP ON THE WEEKEND.

BEFORE CELL PHONES WE CAN REMEMBER THAT NUMBER. I WAS AT THE HOSPITAL WITH MY MOTHER AND YOU SAID TAKE CARE OF HER. EVERY PHONE CALL AFTER THAT I ASKED -- YOU ASKED ABOUT HER NO MATTER WHAT YOU NEEDED AT THE TIME.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF YOUR HEART AND TRUE CHARACTER. I HOPE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR WITH YOUR WIFE AND FAMILY. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU IN

YOUR RETIREMENT. >> STEVE RADACK: DAVID, ARE YOU A GREAT MAN AND I APPRECIATE THAT SO VERY MUCH. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR VERY KIND WORDS. I WANT TO WISH UH MERRILY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW QULEER. FINALLY -- NEW YEAR. FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO ASK

YOU HOW IS YOUR MOM? >> MOM LOST HER VOICE DURING THE ICE LACE AND SHUTDOWN, DURING COVID. FORTUNATELY THE STATE ENABLED HER AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER PROGRAM. MY WIFE AND I SINCE SEPTEMBER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT WITH HER ONCE A MONTH FOR AN HOUR AND THAT'S BEEN HELPFUL. I APPRECIATE THAT.

SHE WILL BE 97 GOD WILLING IN FEBRUARY. I JUST CAN'T TELL YOU AND OTHERS HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOUR KINDNESS THROUGH ALL OF THAT.

>> PLEASE TELL HER HELLO FOR ME AND GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY, BUDDY.

>> I WILL. YOU TOO, SIR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR COMING AND TALKING TO US. APPRECIATE YOU. THIS IS CAGLE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS DAVID RODNEY ELLIS. GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE, MAN.

>> HE MIGHT HAVE DROPPED ALREADY. JEFF MARTIN WITH LA PORT

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

THAT IS A DIFFICULT FOLLOW, BUT MY NAME IS JEFF MARTIN AND I SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF

[06:30:04]

THE LA PORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN PRE -- PRECINCT 2.

I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES YOU WILL GET PEOPLE COMING IN AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER AND YOU DON'T GET THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO TAKE A QUICK MINUTE TO SAY THANK YOU SINCERELY FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEART.

WE ARE THANKFUL THAT YOU TOOK THE TIME IF THIS CRAZY, CRAZY 2020 TO GO ABOVE AND YAWN -- AND BEYOND TO HELP BUSINESSES LIKE US WITH THAT SMALL BUSINESS GRANT RELIEF FUND.

WE ARE EXCEPTIONALLY BLESSED TO BE A RECIPIENT OF THAT. WE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT WITHOUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA DURING HIS 5 -- 15 ZOOM MEETINGS TO WALKING US THROUGH THAT. HIS -- THEY ANSWERED ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE. THIS IS LITERALLY THE ONLY THING AS A 501C6 OUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS BEEN ABLE TO APPLY FOR. WE WERE NOT EVEN ABLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS IN OUR OWN CITY. THIS IS HUGE FOR US.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS ARE SLOW ALREADY, I WANTED TO AGAIN SAY THANK YOU.

THE LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN PUT TO THE TEST IN THIS PANDEMIC. I KNOW YOU DON'T OFTEN GET ENOUGH -- CONGRATS AND THANKS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE REST OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

GUY -- YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING, BUT YOU HAVE EXCEPTIONAL STAFF THAT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO

HELP OUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HELP US. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO CALL.

AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING MY STAFF BY NAME. THEY HAVE A SERVING HEART AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ENGAGING ALL OF THE PRECINCTS.

I AM GLAD THE HELP MADE ITS WAY TO YOU AND TO YOUR CITY. AND WE ARE TRYING TO THINK OF ALL OF THE THINGS TO KEEP DOORS OPEN AND EMPLOYEES OFF THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN DOING PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

YOU NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING PRIOR TO, BUT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN IMPACTED.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS KNOWN NO STRANGER. AND IT IMPACTED YOUR SHAME BETTER -- YOUR CHAMBER. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU CONTINUE TO DO THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND I AM GLAD THIS SMALL BUSINESS GRANT HAS ENABLED YOU TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY MOVING FORWARD AND KEEPING IT OPEN AND KEEPING FOLKS WORKING.

AGAIN, THANK YOU AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING.

>> THANK YOU. >> JACOB CLEMENTEK WITH THE CLEMENETK FAMILY.

>> I WANT TO SERENADE COMMISSIONER RADACK. WHILE THIS IS THE LAST PUBLIC MEETING I WILL TALK TO HIM AT AND SO THE SONG GOES LIKE THIS.

♪ FAREWELL, SO LONG ♪ ♪ IT'S TIME FOR ME TO GO ♪ ♪ HOWEVER YOU ARE ♪ ♪ I WILL GO. I'M SORRY. I'M NOT A SINGER.

I HOPE YOU LIKE IT, COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: IT SOUNDED

GREAT TO ME. THANK YOU. >> I WANTED TO SAY THIS.

I ALSO ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO DROPPED OFF A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS GREETING CARD AT THE COUNTY JUDGE OFFICE, AT JUDGE HIDALGO'S OFFICE.

HOW ARE YOU, COMMISSIONERS FROM RODNEY ELLIS TO JACK CAGLE? I ALSO TOLD YOUR SECRETARY RECEPTIONIST SOME DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL JOKES AND REPUBLICAN POLITICAL JOKES. I CAN GO THROUGH THEM IF YOU WANT ME TO.

>> WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR THREE MINUTES DOING YOU CAN DO IT.

>> YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE NUTCRACKER BALLET? IT IS A NUTCRACKER THAT COMES

[06:35:05]

TO US WITH THE EVIL MOUSE KING. THE EVIL COULD BE SAID TO BE A DEMON AND WAS EVIL. AND THE MOUSE WAS ALSO KNOWN AS A RAT AND SO A RAT, A DEMOCRAT. THAT'S WHAT THE DEMOCRATS DID WITH DEMON AND THEY PUT D-E-M-O-N AND THEN THE RAT AND YOU BUT -- YOU PUT THE DEMOCRAT.

>> STEVE RADACK: ARE YOU A GOOD CATHOLIC. YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THE GOOD

LORD IS NOT A DEMOCRAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> BYE, MR. RADACK.

>> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU, BUDDY. >> PATRICK MCSWAIN.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR HEARING ME.

AS A LONG-TIME PART OF THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY I AM GOING TO BE SPEAKING FROM A PREPARED STATEMENT I MADE REGARDING COMMISSIONER RADACK'S SPEED LIMITS OF 10 MILES AN HOUR AT ALL TIMES. I AND MANY OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY BELIEVE THIS WILL FORCE CYCLISTS WHO COMMUTE THROUGH THESE PARKS OR WHO SEEK ADEQUATE EXERCISE TO USE THE DANGEROUS ROADWAYS SURROUNDING THESE PARTS AND THERE BY INCREASE THEIR RISK OF INJURY OR POSSIBLY EVEN DEATH. CYCLING HAS GROWN EXPO -- EXPONENTIALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HAS BEEN PART OF THE MENTAL WELL BEING DURING THE PANDEMIC. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE STYMIED BY THIS.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT NEAR RADACK'S PARK IN QUESTION. BICYCLES ARE NOT SOLD WITH SPEDOMETERS. THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD ONE HAVE TO LOOK AT EITHER THE SPEDOMETER OR WHAT IS AHEAD OF THEM. IF AETT MONTHER REST -- MOTORIST CAN HAVE A SPITED -- SPEEDING TICKET IS A MISUSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING THIS TIME. AND CURRENTLY THERE ARE 1400 SIG NOR TEWS -- SIGNATURES AGAINST THE REGULATION. I IMPLORE THIS COURT TO HAVE A VOTE TO ABANDON THIS REGULATION OR THE ALTERNATIVE TO SCHEDULING A FUTURE VOTE AFTER HAVING MORE RESEARCH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR HEARING ME OUT. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU,

SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: SINCE YOU ARE NOT ON THE -- ONE OF THE AGENDA ITEMS THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT WE CAN RESPOND TO YOU WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE

LAW. WE HEAR YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER -

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT GOING TO RESPOND TO THE PERSON, BUT I HAVE A QUESTION FOR ROBERT SOARD.

MR. SOARD, IF A COMMISSIONER IS GOING TO PUT IN A SPEED LIMIT, DOES THE STATUTE OUT REQUIRE FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ADOPT THE SPEED LIMIT? I AM JUST CURIOUS HOW A SPEED LIMIT WOULD BE ENFORCED ON ONE SIDE OF THE COUNTY THAT HAS IT AND NOT IN ANOTHER PART OF THE COUNTY THAT A COMMISSIONER WOULDN'T BE ADOPTING IT.

IF A SPEED LIMIT IS GOING TO BE IMPOSED DOES IT NEED TO BE BROUGHT TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO BE FORMALLY ADOPTED COUNTY WIDE SO IT IS APPLIED UNIFORMLY ACROSS THE COUNTY?

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS SCOTT LAMOND. MR. SOARD IS ON A PHONE CALL.

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

I WILL HAVE TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THAT. IF YOU GIVE ME SOME TIME I

WILL HAVE AN ANSWER BEFORE WE LEAVE TONIGHT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT, AND NOT RESPONDING TO THE COMMENT, BUT WE DID HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA ABOUT THE EMANCIPATION TRAIL GOING TO GAL REIS STONN -- GALVESTON THROUGH PRECINCT 2.

DO YOU KNOW WE HAVE ORDINANCE-MAKING POWER, SCOTT, TO EVEN SET A LIMIT UNDERSTATE LAW? YOU CAN LOOK UP BOTH IF YOU DON'T KNOW.

ONE IS CAN YOU HAVE DIFFERENT STANDARD. THE OTHER IS CAN WE EVEN SET IT? I KNOW FOR ELECTRIC BIKES THE STATE HAS SOMETHING THAT SETS

[06:40:03]

A LIMIT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS 12 OR 15 MILES AN HOUR.

SO JUST LOOK AT THAT AS WELL IF YOU DON'T KNOW. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, BUT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A GOOD IDEA TO

RESEARCH BOTH OF THEM AND GET BACK TO YOU TONIGHT. >> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS

RADACK. >> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: BY STATUTE OUT -- STATUTE, THE COMMISSIONER CAN CREATE -- THERE ARE PARK RULES THAT CAN BE INITIATED. THE VIOLATION IS A PARK RULE. IF THE COUNTY RECOGNIZING -- RECOGNIZES A DANGER TO THE PARK USER OR TO WHOEVER, AND IT IS DETERMINED THAT THERE IS SOME DANGER. FOR EXAMPLE, LET'S USE AN EXAMPLE OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILD BEING RUN OVER BY A BIKE THAT IS GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.

IF YOU HAVE INCIDENCES THAT ARE OCCURRING AND PEOPLE ARE IN DANGER AND WE FAIL TO ACT -- WE FAIL TO ACT THAT IN FACT COULD CREATE A PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO TORT LIMITS,

COULD IT NOT? >> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT WE ARE -- WE ARE GOING TO THE PATH OF SPEED LIMITS IN THE PARK. UNLESS WE CAN PIGGYBACK OFF

THE TRAIL ITEM THAT'S COMMISSIONER ELLIS SET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS

PRUDENT ON MY PART. >> YOU ARE RIGHT. WE ARE GOING IN FAR FIELDS -- IN THE FIELD OF THE SPEAKER'S COMMENTS. I THINK THESE ARE QUESTIONS WE

CAN ANSWER BASED ON WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA. >> THAT WOULD BE FINE AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. I AM RESPONDING NOT TO A PERSON THAT DISCUSSED IT, BUT I AM RESPONDING TO A MEMBER OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT ASKED A QUESTION. I AM TRYING TO HELP YOU WITH THE ANSWER.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH ON THE

AGENDA FOR THIS TO BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT SPEAKER. >> TAMARA BELL.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING. I WANTED TO COME TO YOU ALL THIS EVENING. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER RADACK, FOR YOUR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN VOLUNTEERING TO TRY MY BEST TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY AND HOUSTON A BETTER PLACE, I APPLAUD THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SERVE.

I TRY MY BEST TO HELP THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO TAKE THAT ROLE BY BEING AS ACTIVE -- AN ACTIVE CITIZEN IN WHAT I FEEL IS BETTER FOR US ALL. I KNOW WE MAY NOT AGREE, BUT OUR HEART IS ALWAYS TO MAKE HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY BETTER.

I APPRECIATE AND I MEAN IT IMMENSELY YOUR DECISIONS TO STAY IN SO LONG.

AS ACTIVE AS I AM AND THE MANY PEOPLE WHO ASK ME TO BE A POLITICIAN I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BAIL MONEY TO BE A POLITICIAN SO I CHOOSE TO HELP POLITICIANS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> STEVE RADACK: MS. BELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU. >> BYE-BYE.

>> DANIEL KEYBORT. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, MY NAME IS DANIEL KEBERT. I WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE MYSELF TO THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I AM HERE REPRESENTING A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WAS FILED THROUGH REPRESENTATIVE WU'S OFFICE.

THIS BILL INTRODUCES A MECHANISM FOR THE COUNTY. IT IS TO BE ABLE TO REGULATE POKER CLUBS. I AM ONE OF THE OWNERS AND I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN DOING THIS SINCE 2013 AND TRYING TO PASS LEGISLATION FOR THE CLUBS.

I WORKED ON SEVERAL LEVELS LOCALLY AND STATEWIDE. WORKING ON LEGISLATION THAT PASSED STATEWIDE AND THIS ATTEMPT NOW IS TRYING TO JUST GET HARRIS COUNTY SPECIFICALLY

[06:45:01]

A MECHANISM TO REGULATE THESE CLUBS. A DECISION WAS SENT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND LONG STORY SHORT HIS OPINIONS -- OPINION WAS THESE CLUBS NEEDED TO BE LEFT UP TO THE COUNTIES TO REGULATE. THAT HAS LEAD TO A PROLIFERATION OF THESE CLUBS STATE WIDE. AND THE BOARD IS PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT HAPTD -- HAPPENED HERE. AND SO THE GOAL IS NOT JUST TO GIVE THE CLUBS A MECHANISM TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE BUSINESS, BUT TO GIVE A PROPER MECHANISM TO REGULATE AND OVERSEE THE CONDUCT OF THE CLUBS.

THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS BASED ON SOMETHING THAT PASSED IN 2013 THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY THE THEN SENATOR PATRICK AND REPRESENTATIVE GUILLEN AND WAYNE SMITH THAT GAVE THE COUNTY BY COUNTY AUTHORITY TO REGULATE GAME ROOMS. SO WHAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL ATTEMPT TO DO IS INTRODUCE A MECHANISM OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 234 AND SECTION F AND IT GIVES COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURTS THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THE CLUBS WHERE THEY CAN BE AND HOW MANY THERE CAN BE AND GIVE THEM ACCESS TO THE CLUB AND LICENSES ARE ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I OPENED UP A CONVERSATION WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. MY HOPE TODAY IS TO PLANT THE SEED BEFORE I REACH OUT TO EVERYBODY INDIVIDUALLY TO HOPEFULLY GARNER SUPPORT FOR THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION SO WHEN IT GETS BEFORE LAP AND BEFORE THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE I CAN SPEAK AND SAY THAT HOPEFULLY THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND SHERIFF GONZALEZ IF NEED BE THROUGH AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT TO GET THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY AND ARA AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT MAY BE INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS LICENSE. MY NAME IS DAN KEBERT AND I AM REPRESENTING HOUSE BILL 770

TODAY. >> LACREISHA GILLERY GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON -- I WAS GOING TO SAY GOOD MORNING, BUT GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE. MY NAME IS LACREISHA GILLERY AND I WAS LIVING IN PRECINCT 4 AREA FOR YEARS. I WORKED CLOSELY WITH HARRIS COUNTY BEST FRIENDS TO DO P AND R FOR THE ABANDONED AND NEGLECTED PET POPULATION. I HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE WHERE WE SHARE OUR RESCUE STORIES AND WE TRY TO HELP THE NEXT RESCUES.

THAT'S WHAT I DO. AROUND JUNE OF THIS YEAR A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE CONTACTED ME SAYING HER BEAUTIFUL DOG NEEDED MEDICAL SUPPORT. SHE SURRENDERED HER TO MY RESCUE. SHE SAID SHE COULDN'T SUPPORT LALA'S MEDICAL CARE.

EVEN THE SIMPLE VACCINATIONS SHE COULD NOT AFFORD AND SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT LALA.

THERE IS DOCUMENTATION ABOUT LALA'S POOR STATE OF HEALTH AND BEING PREGNANT.

LONDON HAD AN UP -- UPHILL BATTLE. LALA WAS PREGNANT BY HER SON WHO THEY WERE NOT SPAYED AND NEUTERED. SHE HAD A UTERUS INFECTION AND THEY DIED. LONDON WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT DIED.

SHE WAS BORN WITH A BRAIN SHUNT AND EPILEPSY. WE RAISED MONEY TO GET LALA AND LONDON TO CARE. THE PERSON WHO SURRENDERED TO ME SAID SHE WAS DEPRESSED AND WANT -- WANTED THEM BACK. THEY WERE IN AN ABUSIVE SITUATION AND SO MEDICALLY NEGLECTED I WAS AGAINST HER HAVING THEM AGAIN. IT WAS NEVER EVEN AN OPTION.

AROUND NOVEMBER I RECEIVED THREATS FROM HER BRARY SAYING -- BROTHER SAYING THEY WOULD COME AND HARM ME TO GET LALA, THE DOG. AROUND THE SECOND WEEK OF NOVEMBER I GOT THE CALL. I WAS ON THE ALERT, BUT NOVEMBER 13TH MY DOOR BEGAN TO -- THERE WAS KIDS AT MY DOOR THREATENING TELLING ME THEY HAD COME TO GET LALA.

I WAS SO AFRAID FOR MY LIFE BEING THAT THE GANG THREAT CAME THROUGH AND ONE OF HER SONS WAS CHARGED WITH HOME INVASION I WAS AFRAID THEY WOULD COME TO MY HOME AND HURT

[06:50:05]

MY FAMILY. I GAVE THEM LALA. BY TIME THE POLICE ARRIVED THEY WERE HERE AND THEY VANDALIZED MY PROPERTY AND WERE KICKING MY DOOR.

THEY TOOK OFF MY RING DOOR BELL AND SOLD IT SO I COULD NOT GET THE FOOTAGE OF THEM OUTSIDE MY DOOR. WHEN THE CONSTABLE CAME THEY MADE THEM LEAVE, BUT DID NOT

GET LALA BACK FROM THEM. IS THAT MY TIME? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY FOLLOW-UP WITH HER. I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY ON MY STAFF CALL YOU AND SEE IF WE CAN PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE.

THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. >> YES, SIR. WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE CONSTABLE. THE ISSUE IS HPD SAID IT WAS CRIMINAL CHARGES ON THE 18TH AND THEY WERE WILLING TO GO IN, BUT HE KEEPS COMING BACK AND WE ARE IN PRECINCT 4 AND THEY WON'T SEE IT. THEY SEE IT AS CIVIL. THEY WON'T LOOK AT THE ROBBERY

CHARGES WITH -- WHEN THE BABY WAS SNATCHED FROM MY HANDS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY CALL YOU TO SEE IF WE CAN HELP WITH THAT. EVEN IF WE HAVE TO TALK WITH SOMEBODY TO SEE IF WE CAN PUT YOU IN TOUCH. SOMEBODY WILL CALL YOU.

THEY HAVE YOUR NUMBER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL OF

THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.

DOES EVERYBODY HAVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION NUMBER? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> WHEN DO I GET TO MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT STEVE RADACK AND THIS BEING HIS LAST

COMMISSIONER'S COURT? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GET THROUGH THE AGENDA AND THEN WE

CAN ALL MAKE COMMENTS. DOES THAT WORK? >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP MY OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE DEAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW IT. I WON'T FORGET. SO THIS IS EXECUTIVE SESSION

[IV. Executive Session (Part 2 of 2)]

FOR THOSE ITEMS. THE TWO PERSONNEL ITEMS AND THE DIRECTOR AND THE

CONSULTATION WITH THE VALERO. >> STEVE RADACK: JAMES ON PAGE 19 AND NUMBER 8D AND I MEANT

TO VOTE NO ON THAT. PAGE 198D I VOTE NO. >> PAGE 14?

>> I AM VOTING NO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 19? >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM CONFUSED.

ISN'T SECTION 8 OF THE AGENDA ON PAGE 15? IF IT IS 8D THAT WOULD BE THE

SPACE FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC? >> STEVE RADACK: UNDER JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. PAGE 18, 8D, DAVID. IT IS THE DEAL WITH THE

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 18, 8D. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO RADACK IS

A NO ON THAT ONE. DO YOU GOT THAT, JAMES? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS 6:59. AND WE ARE BREAKING FOR

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 7:21 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK.

ON ITEM 1A THE MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT SET THE SALARY OF THE LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY BY APPROVING A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN DR. SHERRY ANYIEGO'S SALARY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? I AM IN FAVOR SO IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

COMMISSIONER RADACK IS NOT JOINING US. JAMES, YOU CAN RECORD THAT

ACCORDINGLY. >> ZERO. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND NO ACTION ON ITEM 2 AND NO ACTION ON ITEM 3. THAT'S THE AGENDA.

[06:55:09]

I DID WANT TO MENTION AND I'M SURE FOLKS HAVE MORE TO SAY. COMMISSIONER RADACK MENTIONED THAT HE IS NOT ABLE TO JOIN US RIGHT NOW, BUT -- AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I DID WANT TO HAVE A SORT OF SENDOFF. WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT HIM. I THINK WE ALL UH -- APPRECIATE HIS SERVICE TO THE COUNTY AND I HAVE ENJOYED SERVING ALONGSIDE HIM.

I SAY THAT HONESTLY. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE COMMISSIONER RADACK AND HIS SERVICE. I WANT TO ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE SO MANY FOLKS WHO AREN'T GOING TO BE WITH THE COUNTY NEXT YEAR. WE HAVE SEVERAL JUDGES. JUDGE LANDROM AND JUDGE ROLL AND DERAMORE AND JIRK KIRKLAND AND JUDGE RICCI HAS RETIRED AFTER A LONGTIME.

JUDGE LIQOR AND JUDGE POWELL AND EXPWRUJ LARRY -- JUDGE LARRY WYMAN AND JUDGE RIDGEWAY.

JUDGE R -- VIA I WORKED WITH ON THE JUVENILE BOARD AND HE SERVE THEY HAD YEAR WHICH WAS A JOY TO HAVE HIM THERE AND OF COURSE JUDGE JEREMY BROWN WHO ALL OF US WILL MISS, BUT I KNOW HE REMAINS INVOLVED. WE HAVE TO MENTION DR. SHAW X OF COURSE.

DR. SHAW HAS BEEN A FIGHTER SINCE THE ICT FIRE. I THINK WE SPENT ENDLESS HOURS ON THE PHONE. I WISH HIM ALL MY BEST IN WASHINGTON.

AND THEN OF COURSE OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY I CAN'T THANK VINCE RYAN ENOUGH FOR HIS SUPPORT FOR HIS WORK AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I MENTION HIS ENTIRE TEAM.

ROBERT ESPECIALLY. GOODNESS, YOU HAVE BEEN SUCH A SOURCE OF SUPPORT AND CREATIVE LEGAL THINKING. YOU JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MUCH YOUR HELP HASMENT ON THIS PANDEMIC -- HAS MEANT DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND THOSE WHO WORKED ON THE ITC ENVIRONMENT. I MEAN YOU ARE JUST FANTASTIC.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DITTO, JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ALL OF THESE GREAT PUBLIC SERVANTS.

THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMIT -- COMMITMENT OVER THE YEARS TO SO MANY AND FOR ALL OF THE UPS AND DOWNS THROUGH THE YEARS THAT EACH ONE UNDOUBTEDLY FACED AT SOME POINT OVER ANOTHER. WISH EVERYBODY GOD SPEED AND ALL THE BEST.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE IN THE NEW YEAR WE CAN FIND SOMEWAY TO ASK SOMEONE TO DO AN APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION WITH THINGS THEY WOULD LIKE REFLECTED ABOUT THEIR TENURE HERE. I AGREE WITH THEM OR NOT I WILL VOTE FOR IT.

IT WILL BE A NICE TOUCH. PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED LIKE COMMISSIONER RADACK SO MANY YEARS AND MR. RYAN, DO SOMETHING AND MAYBE WE -- I WILL THINK ABOUT IT AND MAYBE CALL YOU. EVEN IF WE DO IT -- WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND HAVE A HUNDRED SPEAKERS, BUT JUDGE JORDAN WILL BE BACK, BY THE WAY.

HE IS ON LEAVE TO THE MILITARY. HE WILL COME BACK SO DON'T SEND HIM ONE. LOOK, DITTO TO YOUR COMMENTS AS WELL.

JUST REALLY GREAT PEOPLE. AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH.

IN THE NEW YEAR WE OUGHT TO THINK OF A WAY TO DO THAT. EVEN IF I AM MAD AT SOMEBODY,

YOU LOOK AT IT LATER ON AND IT WILL MEAN SOMETHING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT LIST, THE LAUNDRY LIST OF SERVANTS RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND/OR WILL BE LEAVING SERVICE AT THE END OF THE YEAR IS TOUCHING TO ME. IT IS COMMON FOR US SOMETIMES WHEN WE ARE IN OFFICE TO TALK ABOUT MY COURT WHEN ARE YOU A JUDGE OR MY PRECINCT WHEN YOU ARE A COMMISSIONER OR MY COUNTY. THE TRUTH IS OUR COURTS ARE NOT OURS.

OUR PRECINCTS ARE NOT OURS. OUR COUNTY IS NOT OURS. WE ARE JUST BUT CARETAKERS FOR A TIME. THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS WHEN WE LEAVE DURING OUR STINT

[07:00:09]

AND MOVE INTO WHAT EVER IT IS WE NEXT DOO THAT -- NEXT DO THAT WE LEAVE OUR PRECINCT OR OUR COURT AND WE LEAVE IT BETTER THAN WHEN WE FOUND IT. AND WITH THOSE FINGERPRINTS THAT SHOW WE GAVE IT OUR PASSION AND OUR HEART AND DESIRE.

COMMISSIONER RADACK AND I WERE NOT ALWAYS THE BUDDIES WERE -- WE ARE TODAY.

MY INTEREST -- INTRODUCTION IS A TIME WHEN HE AND I CROSSED SWORDS.

WE HAVE HAD A ROCKY RELATIONSHIP. I NEED TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS BECAUSE I THINK HE WAS THAT SPARK THAT CAUSED COMMISSIONER RADACK AND IT WAS THAT SPARK THAT ALLOWED THE TWO OF US TO GET OVER OUR EGOS AND TO MOVE INTO THE RELATIONSHIP. THERE ARE A FEW THINGS -- IT IS ABOUT THE FINE FORCE IN

YOUR LIFE. >> IT IS NICE TO KNOW I CAN HELP YOU.

>> THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT COMMISSIONER RADACK.

HE IS THE ROUGH PERSONA, THE COP AS IT WERE ON THE STREET. HE IS ACTUALLY A TENDER FELL -- FELLA. HE WILL KNOW THE NAME OF EVERY PERSON HE MEETS WHEN HE COMES INTO A BUILDING. WHETHER IT IS MY LITTLE SISTER, DIANA OR WHETHER IT IS ANYONE THAT IS A WILLING THE WAY. THAT IS ALONG THE WAY.

WHEN YOU CATCH HIM COMING INTO THE BUILDING HE HAS IN TIMES PAST HE HAD THESE LITTLE TINY DOGS CLIMBING ALL OVER HIM BECAUSE HE HAD THAT LITTLE TENDER SIDE TO HIM.

WE SEE THEM AS THIS BURLEY COP PERSONA. HE IS THE GUY THAT WILL PICK PICK UP THE GUY IN DISTRESS. HE TOUCHES THE LIVES OF PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE AND HE MET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS. AND SO I WILL FINISH MY COMMENTS BY BASICALLY SAYING I HAVE A REGRET WITH THE CURRENT DEAN OF THE COURT AND THAT IS I DID NOT GET TO KNOW AND HAVE THE CHANCE OF WORKING WITH HIM SOONER THAN THE LAST FEW YEARS IN TERMS OF A WORKING SIDE FRIENDSHIP AND SO I GIVE MY GRATITUDE TO HIM AS HE LEAVES THE PRECINCT AND I KNOW HE LEAVES THE PRECINCT IN CAPABLE AND COMPETENT HANDS IN TOM RAMSEY.

AND THE BAD NEWS OF IT ALL IS NOW I WILL BE THE OLDEST AND LONG LONGEST -- LONGEST SERVING MEMBER OF COURT EVEN THOUGH I AM MUCH, MUCH, MUCH YOUNGER THAN COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I LOOK

FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, TEAM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. WE WILL SURE MISS EVERYBODY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DID SAY I

WAS MUCH YOUNGER THAN COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DIDN'T I? >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU LOOK

SO MUCH YOUNGER. >> LINA HIDALGO: LOOK, IT HAS BEEN A HARD YEAR FOR EVERYBODY. FOLKS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THE COUNTY EVEN AS THEY FACE CHALLENGES IN THEIR OWN LIVES. EVERYBODY SHOULD BE PROUD AND I HOPE FOLKS HAVE A CHANCE TO REST A LITTLE BIT OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR STICKING WITH IT. IT HAS BEEN HARD, BUT WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE. THANK YOU. WITH THAT, JAMES AND RONT --

ROBERT, ARE YOU GUYS GOOD? >> WE ARE GOOD, JUDGE, THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS 7:32 AND COMMISSIONER'S

COURT IS ADJOURNED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO ACTION ON THE TOLL ROAD?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON THE TOLL ROAD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.