Oct 27, 2020 Commissioners Court

[Opening prayer by Senior Pastor Dr. Gary Alaniz of Kingdom Living Church in Houston.]

[IV. Tax Rates]

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>> LINA HIDALGO: HI, FOLKS. IT IS NOW 10:52 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK

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[I. Departments (Part 1 of 5)]

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CAR -- SERGEANT POHLMAN'S FINAL WISH WAS TO MAKE SURE HIS BALLOT WAS SIGNED AND MAILED WHICH I THINK IS POWERFUL. IT IS HIS SPIRIT OF SERVICE.

WHEREAS RETIRED HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT SERGEANT JOHN G.P POHLMAN PASSED AWAY MONDAY OCTOBER 12TH, 2020 AT THE AGE OF 77. HE WAS A DEVOTED HUSBAND, FATHER-LIKE FIGURE, MENTOR AND LOYAL TO MANY. HE HAD A CALMING AND CHANTING SMILE AND A DISPOSITION HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL MISS GREATLY.

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HIS LOVE OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY EARNED HIM MANY RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, MENTOR SHIP AND COMMITMENT. HE JOINED THE POLICE ACADEMY IN 1968. CLASS NUMBER 37. HE WAS THE LAST MAN STANDING IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM HIS ACADEMY BEFORE HE RETIRED IN 2017.

HE PROUDLY SERVED FOR 49 YEARS. HIS LAST ASSIGNMENT BEING HIS DIVISION LEVEL WAS INVESTIGATOR. HE WAS NUMBER ONE IN DEPARTMENT FOR SENIOR -- SENORITY AND WAS BILINGUAL. HE GREW UP IN THE EAST END BARIO AND EARNED A BACHELOR AND MASTER'S DEGREE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWN AND GRADUATED SUMA-CUM-LAUDE. HE IS VUR VIEFD BY HIS WIFE, LENORA AND DAUGHTER, AND GRANDCHILDREN AND AUSTIN AND JONATHON AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN KATHLEEN AND MAX. BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE BY OFFERS SINCERE CON DOLL -- CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF SERGEANT JOHN G.POHLMAN AND THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY HE LOVED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I HAVE KNOWN SERGEANT POHLMAN SINCE THE EARLY 80S.

I DID SOME UNDERCOVER WORK. I WILL TELL YOU THAT PEOPLE THAT YOU MEET OVER THE YEARS BRING CHANGE. SERGEANT POHLMAN DID NOT CHANGE.

HE REMAINED THE PERSON YOU JUST DESCRIBED AND ALWAYS PROFESSIONAL AND ALWAYS CALM AND ALWAYS WITH NOTHING BUT THE BRIGHTEST OUTLOOK ON EVEN THE MOST SERIOUS AND MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, WHEN HE WAS -- WHEN HE STARTED HIS CAREER, I HEARD A LOT OF STORIES FROM THE GUYS WHO DID NOT HAVE WALKY TALKIES AND DID NOT HAVE BULLETPROOF VESTS AND THEY HAD TO BUY BATTERIES FOR THEIR FLASHLIGHTS.

THERE WASN'T THE TECHNOLOGY OF RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHTS AT THAT TIME.

SO THE JOCK -- SO THE JOB WAS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN HE STARTED HIS CAREER.

AND SO YOU WOULD SUSPECT THAT HIS TRAINING AND HIS EXPERIENCE WOULD PREPARE HIM TO DEAL WITH THE MOST CHALLENGING OF SITUATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, JUDGE. I NEVER SAW A STRONG MAN LIKE SERGEANT POHLMAN BECOME A MOUNTAIN OF PUDDING OTHER THAN WHEN LENORA WAS IN HIS PRESENCE.

THERE WAS NEVER, EVER A DOUBT THAT THERE WAS LOVE IN HIS EYES.

THERE WAS NEVER ANY DOUBT THAT THERE WAS LOVE IN HIS SMILE. THERE WAS JUST SOMETHING CHALLENGING HIM AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY DOUBT THAT THERE WAS LOVE IN JUST THE WAY HE NODDED AND HE JUST SAID, LIKE, WHY TRY? I WOULD JUST SAY, LENORA, THAT, THANK YOU FOR SHARING SERGE WITH US. YOU GUYS MADE THE MOST AMAZING, AMAZING COUPLE. IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND FACE AND NOT TO BE LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE SERGE IS AT.

REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT I CAN'T SEE HIM, DOES PRESIDENT MEAN HE -- DOESN'T MEAN HE IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE. LENORA, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE AMAZING MEMORIES THAT YOU AND SERGE BLESSED ME AND MY FAMILY WITH AND WE ARE SO

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IF WE ACT NOW, WE CAN AT LEAST CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR SOCIETY.

LENORA, I LOVE YOU. I LOVE JOHN. IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO KNOW THAT HE IS PHYSICALLY NOT WITH US, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT HE IS WITH US AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE WITH US. ON PRAYERS ON BEHALF OF MONICA AND I, OUR PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES TO YOU. IT IS HARD TO BE SAD KNOWING THE SERGE AND HOW HE JUST KNEW THAT LENORA WAS HIS NORTH STAR. AND HE WAS JUST IMMENSELY HAPPY TO SEE YOU DO WHAT YOU DO, TO SEE YOU DOING WELL AND TO JUST BE YOUR GREATEST FAN.

AGAIN, MY PRAYERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR YOUR HEART FELT WORDS. LENORA, WE ALL LOVE YOU. I POSTED AND REPOSTED A COUPLE OF TIMES THE FIGURE AND IT WAS TOUCHING AND HOPE IT WAS AN INSPIRATION TO VOTE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS. WHOEVER THEY ARE FOUGHT -- VOTING FOR OR ORGANS -- OR AGAINST. YOU WERE A GREAT COUPLE. I HOPE YOU REMAIN ACTIVE.

HE WOULD EXPECT N LESS -- EXPECT NO LESS THAN THAT. YOU ARE A BURST OF ENERGY WHEN EVER I SEE YOU. ALICIA WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO TELL ME ABOUT IT.

WE ALL SHARE YOUR LOSS, AND WE WILL ALL DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH THIS.

I KNOW WE WILL ALL SEE HIM AGAIN AT SOME POINT. THANK YOU FOR SHARING ALL THESE YEARS. A LINHIDALGO: N -- LENORA, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? >> YES, JUDGE.

I WOULD LOVE TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS. FIRST OF ALL, HE THOUGHT YOU AND ADRIAN AND RODNEY WERE GREAT. HE SUPPORTED Y'ALL WHOLEHEARTEDLY FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. ADRIAN, YOU KNOW, IN THE BEGINNING WHEN YOU FIRST THOUGHT OF RUNNING FOR OFFICE HOW WE WERE THERE FOR YOU.

RODNEY, I KNOW YOU PROBABLY DON'T REMEMBER US, BUT WE WERE THERE AT THE SHINE ROCK HOTEL WHEN YOU STARTED YOUR CAMPAIGN. WE HAVE BEEN WITH Y'ALL.

HE SUPPORTED Y'ALL ALL THE WAY THROUGH EVERYTHING. BUT THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION. I JUST WANT TO CLOSE WITH SOMETHING, WITH SOME WORDS FROM A LETTER THAT KIM WROTE ABOUT JOHN. KIM HAD KNOWN HIM FOR 35 YEARS. WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED FOR A LONGTIME.

IT IS NOT JUST RECENT. THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID AND THIS IS WHAT REALLY RINGS TRUE ABOUT JOHN. SERGEANT JOHN POHLMAN SERVED OUR CITY FOR 49 YEARS AS A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER. HE SERVED WITH A PERFECT RECORD.

A RECORD OF HARD, IMPORTANT POLICE WORK. A RECORD OF EDUCATED CRIME-FIGHTING. A RECORD OF A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND MOST IMPORTANT , A RECORD OF -- A RECORD ABSENT OF ONE SINGLE COMPLAINT BY ANY CITIZEN HE SERVED.

YOU SEE, JOHN POHLMAN WAS THE TYPE OF POLICE OFFICER A PEACE OFFICER THAT WE NEEDED THEN AND WE NEED NOW. KIM KNEW HIM WELL JUST LIKE Y'ALL DID.

ALL YOUR KIND WORDS AND EVERYTHING MEAN SO MUCH TO ME. YES, I WILL BE OUT THERE SUPPORTING US AND SUPPORTING Y'ALL AND SUPPORTING OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY AND OUR STATE.

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>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I LOVE YOU, LENORA. GOD LOVE YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GOING BACK TO THE HOTEL, I DO REMEMBER YOU. HE KNEW MICKEY LELAND.

LOOK, YOU STAY IN TOUCH AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO FOR YOU, WE'LL DO IT.

>> YES, THANK YOU. JUDGE, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

YOU FOUGHT A HARD FIGHT AND IT WAS GREAT AND WE WERE JUST SO HAPPY IN YOUR VICTORY AND IN ANOTHER VICTORY YOU WILL GET IN ANOTHER COUPLE YEARS. WE WILL BE THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I WILL MISS HIM TOO. I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. >> STEVE RADACK: STEVE RADACK,

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

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

FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS MY RESOLUTION.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU.

I HAVE A RESOLUTION AND IT IS HONORING THE LATE JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG.

IT IS PART OF A NATIONAL EFFORT. THE SAME LANGUAGE IS GOING TO BE PASSED AT A NUMBER OF CITY COUNCILS AND COMMISSIONER'S COURTS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE STATE. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF GETTING TO SEE HER AT ONE OF THE LAST PUBLIC EVENTS. LBJ FOUNDATION. LBJ IS A LIBERTY AND JUSTICE AWARD. IT WAS A GREAT EVENT. I THINK ONE OF THE LAST TRIPS I TOOK BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC. I'M SO GLAD THAT I WENT. I HATE THAT MY WIFE COULDN'T GO AND MY DAUGHTER DIDN'T MAKE IT, BUT, YOU KNOW, SHE ATE DINNER AND SHE STAYED AND ENJOYED THE MUSIC. I JUST WISH THAT I COULD FIND THAT PICTURE.

I THINK I WILL HAVE TO ASK AMBASSADOR KIRK OF THE FOUNDATION.

I DID LEAVE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU COULDN'T POST IT THEN.

I GUESS IT IS LEGAL TO POST IT NOW. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I KNOW YOU SENT MY STAFF A NOTE AND YOU HAD CONCERNS ABOUT A COUPLE OF WORDS.

I RESPECT YOUR CONCERNS, BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO CHANGE IT. I USE THE SAME LANGUAGE.

I HOPE YOU LOOK AT IT CLOSELY BECAUSE IT IS TALKING ABOUT HER POSITION AND NOT YOUR POSITION. IF YOU CAN'T VOTE FOR IT, I RESPECT YOU ANYWAY.

I WILL READ PARTS OF IT AND INCLUDING THE PARTS THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAD SOME CONCERN ABOUT. IT WHEREAS RUTH BADER GINSBURG OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, WAS ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE AND INFLUENTIAL JUSTICES TO SERVE ON THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES. WHEREAS RUTH BADER GINSBURG BROKE BARRIERS AND SERVED WITH DISTINCTION AS A LAW PROFESSOR AT RUTGERS LAW SCHOOL AND COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE WOMEN'S RIGHTS PROJECT AT THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, WHEREAS RUTH BADER GINSBURG SERVED ON THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT FOR 13 YEARS AND ON THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT FOR 27 YEARS, AND WHEREAS THE JUSTICE -- THE JURISPRUDECE BLENDED MORAL PRECISION AND MASTER -- MASTERY OF LAW AND INVITED THE JEWISH VALUES, REPAIRED THE WORLD AND WHERE RUTH BADER GINSBURG BROUGHT TO HER ENTIRE LEGAL CAREER INCLUDING HER JURY REIS PRUDENCE ON REDUCING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN OF EVERY RACE, CLASS AND LIFE EXPERIENCE, AND WHEREAS RUTH BADER GINSBURG BELIEVED THAT ACCESS TO ABORTION -- NOWHERE AS RUTH BADER GINSBURG BELIEVED THAT ACCESS TO ABORTION SPECIFICALLY WAS ESSENTIAL TO EACH PERSON'S AUTONOMY TO DETERMINE THEIR LIFE'S WORK AND TO ENJOY EQUALITY IN SOCIETY, AND WHEREAS THE NATION AND OUR COUNTRY IS DEEPLY ENDEBTED TO RUTH BADER GINSBURG WILL DISTINGUISH AMERICA. AND BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY HONORS RUTH BADER GINSBURG AND HAS HEART FELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND AGO -- AGO AN -- ACKNOWLEDGES THE LIFETIME OF SERVICE OF RUTH BADER GINSBURG AS A TRAIL BLAZING ATTORNEY AND AN ACCLAIMED SCHOLAR AND BRILLIANT JURIST. TO COMEPPED RUTH BADER GINSBURG AND THE TENURE OF THE SUPREME COURT ON THE UNITED STATES.

RECOGNIZE RUTH BADER GINSBURG AS A CHAMPION FOR GENDER RIGHTS, ABORTION RIGHTS, VOTING RIGHTS, THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS AND THE RIGHTS OF LGBTQ PLUS INDIVIDUALS HONORS HER LEGACY BY COMMITTING TO UPHOLD AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS FOR WHICH RUTH BADER GINSBURG

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AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I WILL MOVE ADOPTION. I CAN'T I CAN'T REMEMBER IF

ANYBODY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK OR NOT. >> YES, THERE IS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM

COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND GARCIA. >> BLAIR WALLACE WITH ACLU OF

TEXAS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. MY NAME IS BLAIR RUTH WALLACE AND A POLICY AND ADVOCACY STRATEGIST FOR THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF TEXAS AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON COALITION AND HERE TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

AFTER JUSTICE GINSBURG'S PASSING I WAS TALKING WITH FRIENDS AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF OUR COUNTRY AND SPEAKING OUT JUSTICE GINSBURG INFLUENCED OUR LIVES.

OUR LIVES AS PROFESSIONALS AND AS WOMEN AND FEMINISTS AND AS MOTHERS WHO GOT TO CHOOSE WHEN WE BECAME MOTHERS. IT PARALLELLED A LOT OF THE FEELINGS SINCE THE PASSING OF MY OWN RUTH. RUTH CAL LAW PAN BOYD WHO PASSED THIS SPRING.

RUTH BADER GINSBURG REMINDS ME OF THE STRENGTH OUR OWN MOTHERS HAVE HELD.

OUR MOTHERS WOULD STOOD BOLD IN THE FACE OF INEQUALITY AND BROKE BARRIERS JUST TO EXIST.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THIS RESOLUTION IS AN HONOR TO NOT JUST JUSTICE GINSBURG, BUT ALL OF THE MOTHERS BEFORE US LEAD THE PATH OF PROGRESS. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS HIGHLIGHTED PREF -- PREVIOUSLY, EVEN BEFORE BECOMING A JUSTICE, SHE WAS A TRAILBLAZER. SHE STARTED LAW SCHOOL AS ONE OF 9 WOMEN AT HARVARD LAW AND IN A GRADUATING CLASS OF OVER 500 SHE WOULD GO ON TO FINISH FIRST IN HER CLASS.

AFTER LAW SCHOOL SHE BECAME ONE OF ONLY 20 FEMALE PROFESSORS AT RUT GUESSER -- RUTGERS LAW AND LATER THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE A TENURED PROFESSOR AT COLUMBIA LAW.

AND THEN IN 1972, NEAR AND DEAR TO MY OWN HEART, CO FOUNDED THE WOMEN'S RIGHTS PROJECT AT ACLU. SHE IS QUOTED FOR SAYING FIGHT FOR THE THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT, BUT DO IT IN A WAY THAT WILL LEAD OTHERS TO JOIN YOU. I HAVE TAKEN THAT AS A PILLAR IN MY OWN WORK AT THE ACLU. SHE FOUGHT TO EXPAND "WE THE PEOPLE" TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, AND TOGETHER WE WILL CONTINUE THAT FIGHT IN HER HONOR.

WE WILL FIGHT TO UPHOLD REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO ABORTION.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR TRANS AND NONB BIARY COMMUNITY, OUR BLACK COMMUNITY, OUR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY. AND TODAY I ASK HARRIS COUNTY JOIN US IN THIS FIGHT AND PASS THE RESOLUTION TO HONOR HER LEGACY THROUGH ACTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND

THANK YOU FOR CREATING SPACE TO HEAR US. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD. IT IS VERY APPROPRIATE.

YOU KNOW, FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT JUSTICE -- YOU KNOW, STOOD FOR AND DID OVER HER YEARS IS INCREDIBLE. IT IS JUST INCREDIBLE HOW SOMEONE WITH A SOFT VOICE AND EASY DEMEANOR COULD BE SO POWERFUL AND COMMITTED TO JUSTICE AND BRINGING IN OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSIVENESS TO OUR SOCIETY. ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT SHE FOUGHT FOR MADE ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IT JUST REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING I HEARD ONCE AND THAT WAS THAT SHE FOUGHT FOR THE LAW, AND THAT THE LAW SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. AND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE EQUAL UNDER THE LAW. IT WASN'T THAT THE LAW SHOULD BE UNIQUELY APPLIED TO THIS PERSON AND NOT THIS PERSON. IT IS FOR EQUALITY FOR MEN. IT WOULD MAKE MEN AND WOMEN EQUAL TO ALL. SHE WILL BE AN INCREDIBLE GIANT.

SHE IS AN INCREDIBLE GIANT AND YOU CAN SEE THE NOTORIOUS AND TO -- FOR THE EXAMPLE THAT SHE SETS FOR MY DAUGHTER AND OTHER YOUNG LADIES IN OUR SOCIETY AND THE ABILITY TO BE A GIANT, JUDGE, DOESN'T COME WITH STATURE AND DOESN'T COME WITH HEIGHT.

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INCREDIBLE LADY SAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FOR RECOGNIZING WE WERE TRYING TO REACH OUT ON THIS ISSUE.

THE ISSUE FOR ME, YOUR HONOR IS I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE RESOLUTION, BUT I CANNOT SUPPORT THE 7TH WHEREAS THE -- WHEREAS IT DEALS WITH ABORTION AS A MATTER OF MY CONSCIENCE. I GUESS WE HAVE FORWARDED TO ALL OF THE OFFICES A ALTERNATIVE VERSION WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH VEER BAY -- VERBATIM AND IT TAKES THE 7TH WHEREAS OUT DEALING WITH ABORTION AND ON PARAGRAPH THREE IT TAKES ABORTION OUT SO THAT THIS BECOMES SOMETHING THAT WE COULD ALL JOIN IN TERMINGS OF HAHN -- IN TERMS OF HONORING. THERE ARE A LOT OF HER DECISIONS THAT I THOUGHT WERE SPOT ON AND THERE WERE A FEW DECISIONS I DISAGREED WITH. I THINK WE ALL FIND OURSELVES WHETHER -- WHEN WE READ THOSE OPINIONS FROM THE SUPREME COURT.

I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUES AND I WOULD MOVE THAT WE TAKE THE ALTERNATE VERSION OF THAT RESOLUTION SO THAT WE CAN ALL JOIN IN ON IT. AND WE WILL MOVE THAT AS -- I WOULD HAVE DONE IT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, BUT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID HE WON'T TAKE THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AT THIS TIME. SO I WILL MOVE THAT AS A ALTERNATE VERSION TO WHERE WE TAKE THE 7TH WHEREAS OUT AND WE DROP ABORTION OUT OF THE THIRD PARAGRAPH AFTER THE ENUMERATED NUMBER THREE. THAT'S MY MOTION AT THAT

TIME. >> STEVE RADACK: I SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I DON'T WANT TO VOTE AGAINST OUR COLLEAGUE SO I WILL MOKE THE -- MAKE THE MOTION TO TAKE IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL HAVE -- WE ARE CONSIDERING

COMMISSIONER ELLIS' INITIAL MOTION, CORRECT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

I GUESS WE HAVE TO VOTE, JUDGE ON TABLING HIS ALTERNATE, I THINK?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE VOTED TO TABLE COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S PROPOSED MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR -- OR WE MADE A

MOTION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO.

STEVE NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I RESPECT YOUR EFFORTS, BUT I ALSO NEED TO STAND WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THIS ONE SO I WILL VOTE I AS WELL.

SO THAT MOTION CARRIES. NOW LET'S CONSIDER THE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT, CACTUS, I RESPECT YOUR CONCERNS. I DID WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHEREAS MADE REFERENCE TO HER POSITION AND NOT YOUR POSITION, BUT IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, I RESPECT IT. IT IS PART OF A NATIONAL EFFORT TO HONOR HER BY MANY CIVIL RIGHTS ICONS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH HER OVER THE YEARS.

COMMISSIONER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SHE USES THE SAME THEORY TO GIVE WOMEN THEIR RIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY, AND IT WAS USED TO GIVE FIRST BY THURGOOD MARSHALL, AFRICAN-AMERICANS THE MANY RIGHTS THEY RECEIVED IN -- AND JUDGE HIDALGO, THE SAME WAS USED FOR HISPANICKED -- HISPANICS. THEY REMIND ME THAT WE SHOULD HONOR MORE AND HE DOESN'T GET THE RECOGNITION BEING FROM HOUSTON, BUT HE SHOULD HAVE GOT THROUGHOUT HIS LIFETIME. I WON'T STICK -- I WILL STICK WITH WHAT THE NATIONAL GROUPS ASKED ME TO USE. IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE I RESPECT THAT, BUT I MOVE FOR

ADOPTION AS SUBMITTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR

AS THE RESOLUTION AS SUBMITTED? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR

AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING WHERE I STRUGGLED ON THAT.

TRYING TO WORK WITH ME. I APPRECIATE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO PROBLEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. AS WE CONTINUE IN AND ON WITH THE CELEBRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER THE 15TH AS

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A YOUNG MAN WHO WE ATTENDED THE SAME MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER.

IT HAS JUST BEEN ALWAYS A MOMENT OF PRIDE TO TO SEE HIM ASCEND THE WAY HE HAS, TO SOME OF THE BIGGEST STAGES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD AND REMEMBERING HOW HE GOT STARTED AS THOSE KEEN SEEN YESTERDAY DOS. THE QUINSIENETTAS.

AND THEY ARE ALL INCREASING IN THE NEAR NORTH SIDE. I AM SO PROUD TO READ THIS RESOLUTION THAT BEGINS AS: WHEREAS A MUSICIAN AND SINGER ONS -- OSCAR DE LA ROSA WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HOUSTON'S NORTH SIDE AND IS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SUCCESS WITH HIS BAND FOUNDED IN 1980. AND WHEREAS THEY ARE CURRENTLY NOMINATED TO THIS YEAR'S LATIN GRAMMYS FOR THE ALBUM "LIVE IN MEXICO" WHICH WAS RECORDED IN MONTEREY, MEXICO AND LA MAFIA HAS EARNED TWO AMERICAN GRAMMIES AND TWO LATIN GRAMMYS.

WHEREAS IN JANUARY OF 2020, THEY KICKED OFF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR IN CHAPAS, MEXICO WHICH WAS TO CONTINUE IN ALL OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE U.S. WHEN REGRETFULLY COVID -- THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC BROUGHT THE CONCERT TO A HALT.

NONETHELESS, I KNOW PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD ARE STILL CELEBRATING HIS WONDERFUL MUSIC. AND WHEREAS, AS A CHILD OSCAR'S DAD HAD A BAR AND LATER A CLUB IN THE NORTH SIDE WHERE OSCAR'S EARLY MUSICAL INFLUENCES DEVELOPED.

WHEREAS GROWING UP LISTENING TO TRADITIONAL NORTENO AND MARIACI -- MOD YAW TIE MUSIC FROM LITTLE JOE WHO I SAW AND ENGLISH LANGE ROCK AND POP ALLOWED OSCAR TO CREATE A WHILE WIND INTERNATIONAL TEJANO MUSIC STYLE THAT BROKE BARRIERS ON A DISTINCT GENRE.

AND WHEREAS LA MAFIA IS KNOWN FOR OPENING DOORS IN MEXICO AND PARTS OF LATIN AMERICA FOR ARTISTS SUCH AS SELENA AND AMILIA DEVILLA. AND WHEREAS LA -- WHEREAS A COMMUNITY SERVICE, LA MAFIA HAS DONATED THEIR TIME TO THE USO TO ENTERTAIN TROOPS IN KOSOVO AND GERMANY BRINGING A TASTE OF HOME TO TROOPS AND FAMILIES STATIONED OVERSEAS.

NOW BE IT RESOLVED WITH INCREDIBLE PRIDE FROM ONE NORTH SIDE KID TO ANOTHER, OSCAR TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION THAT READS, THAT OSCAR DE LA ROSA THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT HONOR ONS -- ONS -- OSCAR DE LA ROSA HONOR THE HISPANIC HERITAGE

MONTH, ADOPTED ON THIS DAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OSCAR, ARE

YOU ON THE LINE? >> I AM ON THE LINE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU. >> THANKS. THANKS FOR THE GREAT WORDS FOR LA MAFIA AND MYSELF. I AM HERE IN THE STUDIOS RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE WORKING ON A NEW ALBUM, A NEW PROJECT FOR NEXT YEAR. THE TIMING WAS TO RELEASE AN ALBUM THIS YEAR FOR FANS. WE ALL KNOW THAT THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE ALBUM TOGETHER AND MAYBE RELEASE IT FOR NEXT YEAR.

YOU JUST CAN'T STOP LIVING. YOU CAN'T STOP BELIEVING THAT THINGS ARE GONNA GET BETTER.

THAT IS PRETTY MUCH THE WAY WE ARE THINKING HERE. IT IS TRYING TO KEEP IT POSITIVE AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND WORKING ON THIS NEW ALBUM. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE DID GROW UP IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD, THE NORTH SIDE, AND OUR STUDIOS ARE STILL HERE IN THE NORTH SIDE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OSCAR, CONGRATULATIONS AND PROUD OF YOU.

CONTINUE TO CREATE SOME BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THAT BRINGS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AND CULTURES AND COUNTRIES TOGETHER. VERY, VERY PROUD TO SEE ALL OF YOUR INCREDIBLE SUCCESS. PLEASE GIVE MANDO OUR GREAT APPRECIATION.

I KNOW HE IS A BIG PART OF THE WORK BEING DONE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT.

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, OSCAR. I REMEMBER YOUR DAD'S BAR. I WAS A ROADIE FOR MY BROTHER, YOU REMEMBER THAT. I KNOW THE FEELING, MAN. LISTEN, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING. GOD KEEP YOU, AND CONTINUE TO MAKE US PROUD.

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

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP. I WAS GOING TO ASK OSCAR, COULD YOU HIT A NOTE? GET YOU IN THE BAR LONG ENOUGH, YOU COULD PROBABLY HIT A NOTE.

I'M SO GLAD. HE IS SUCH A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR OUR REGION, AND I'M GLAD YOU GAVE HIM THIS HONOR. AND THANK YOU, OSCAR, FOR YOUR WORK.

I AM RODNEY ELLIS, BOY THE WAY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: OSCAR, I PLAY A LITTLE BASE, BUT I CAN'T PLAY ANY OF YOUR TUNES BECAUSE THOSE RHYTHMS ARE A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN WHAT I CAN DO. I AM A C BASE PLAYER.

THIS IS COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I THINK I DEFINITELY LEADER -- HEARD A HINT THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS TO SING BACK UP FOR YOUR BAND AT SOME TIME. YOU MAY WANT TO INVITE HIM OUT SOME TIME AND THEN IF YOU'RE REALLY HARD UP I WILL COME AND HELP WITH MY BASE.

THERE IS SOME EXTRA RHYTHMS THAT YOU PUT IN THERE. I THINK YOU PLAY SOME OF THE 17 STUFF WHICH I AM STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT. APPRECIATE HOW YOU ARE AN

AMBASSADOR FOR US OUT THERE AND ALL THAT YOU DO. >> THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF I SING BACK UP FOR OSCAR, HE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE CREATED A NEW GENRE THAT PROBABLY WOULD CLEAR OUT STAGES AND AUDITORIUMS MORE

THAN COVID WOULD. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, OSCAR.

IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.

AND EVERYTHING YOU CONTINUE TO DO. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ONE LAST POINT, JUDGE, I ALSO WANT TO THANK OSCAR AND MANDO BECAUSE LIKE LENORA AND JOHN, LIKE JUSTICE GINSBURG THAT OSCAR AND MANDO AND LA MAFIA ARE ALSO INCREDIBLE ACTIVISTS FOR VOTING RIGHTS AND FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE, THEIR OBLIGATION TO VOTE.

AND SO I WANT TO THANK OSCAR FOR THE MANY TIMES WE HAVE CALLED ON HIM TO LEND HIS VOICE AND HIS PERSONALITY TO ENCOURAGING THE LATINO COMMUNITY TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

HE HAS DONE THAT ON MANY, MANY OCCASIONS. AND SO IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL WHEN SOMEONE OF HIS STATURE AND RECOGNITION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND HIS BACKGROUND LENDS HIS CONFIRMATION THAT GOOD THINGS DO HAPPEN WHEN YOU VOTE.

>> YES. GOOD THINGS DO HAPPEN. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. IF YOU WANT THINGS TO CHANGE

[00:55:08]

YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR PART. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S RIGHT.

GRACIAS, OSCAR. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I BELIEVE THOSE ARE ALL OF THE RESOLUTIONS.

SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE COVID AGENDA. FIRST IS COUNTY ENGINEER TO MOVE POSITIONS FROM PART-TIME TO FULL-TIME. THAT'S A.

B1 AND 2 IS BUDGET MANAGEMENT. B2 WE ARE ACCEPTING CONTRIBUTION FROM THE HEB FOUNDATION AND UNILEVER CORPORATION FOR $250,000 EACH FOR PROJECT 10 MILLION. THAT'S FANTASTIC. WE ARE THANKFUL TO THEM.

B3 IS BUDGET'S CREATION OF THE COVID RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND.

WHICH I BELIEVE EVERYONE IS -- HAS BEEN BRIEFED ON. ITEM C --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, ON 3, THIS APPEARS TO BE WHERE WE ARE TAKING FEDERAL FUNDS AND ARE TRYING TO PROCESS IT SO THAT WE STRIP IT OF THE RESTRICTIONS AND THE REQUIREMENTS THAT THE FEDERAL FUNDS NORMALLY HAVE. BEFORE I CAN VOTE FOR THAT, I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO HAVE A COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OPINION IN WRITING SAYING THAT THAT IS LEGAL, AND AN OPINION FROM OUR COUNTY AUDITOR AND A MEMO FROM GUIDE HOUSE RECOMMENDING THAT BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO CHANGE FUNDS FROM ONE MECHANISM TO ANOTHER MECHANISM, IF IT TURNS OUT THAT WE CAN'T DO THAT, THEN WE ARE GONNA HAVE TO COME UP WITH THAT MONEY SOMEWHERE IF WE SPEND IT. AND SO I RECOMMEND THAT WE BRING THAT BACK AS MY RECOMMENDATION WITH A WRITTEN OPINION FROM THE CON TEEN ATTORNEY -- COUNTY ATTORNEY, OPINION FROM THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND A MEMO FROM GUIDE HOUSE RECOMMENDING IT AND STATING THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE APPROPRIATE, OR IF WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD TODAY BECAUSE THERE IS A RUSH ON IT, I CAN'T VOTE FOR IT UNLESS WE HAVE

THOSE THREE THINGS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO ASK THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT, MAYBE MR. BERRY, THESE ARE NICE THINGS TO ASK FOR, BUT I GOT A BRIEFING FROM GUIDE HOUSE AND I KNOW THEY SIGNED OFF. I DON'T WANT US TO RUN THE RISK OF NOT GETTING ALL OUR DUCKS IN A ROW. SO EVEN IF -- I WANT TO GET INPUT FROM THEM, BUT I DON'T WANT TO DELAY IT. MAYBE IF THOSE THINGS CAN BE GIVEN TODAY, GOOD.

IF WE WILL DELAY -- MAYBE WE CAN DELAY TO THE END OF THE GENERAL DO.

IF IT IS DELAYED TWO WEEKS I MOVE UH -- ADOPTION. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, CAN YOU

HEAR ME? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR. >> I CAN SAY FIRST OF ALL, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN HERE. THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE VETTED. WE HAVE OPINIONS IN WRITING FROM THE AUDITOR AND GUIDE HOUSE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. IT IS SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED.

I THINK WHY DON'T WE HUDDLE AND SEE IF WE CAN PRODUCE SOMETHING IN WRITING TODAY THAT COULD GET COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S CONCERNS OR ANOTHER THING WOULD BE TO APPROVE IT AT THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND MAKE THE TRANSFER SUBJECT TO RECEIVING THOSE [INAUDIBLE]. I WOULD RATHER NOT WAIT TWO WEEKS, BUT I ALSO WOULD LIKE

TO ADDRESS COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S CONCERNS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MAYBE I WOULD SUGGEST IF YOU HUDDLE AND WE GET BACK TO IT LATER TODAY, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE AUDITOR CAN SIGN OFF ON IT UNTIL AFTER IT IS DONE OR NOT.

YOU GOT ME? ASK THE AUDITOR. I WOULD SUGGEST, JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, FOR THE SAKE OF REMEDY, IF THEY CAN DO THAT, THEN BRING IT BACK AT THE END OF

THE AGENDA IF THAT'S APPROPRIATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE, DAVE. YOU GUYS CAN GET THIS IN WRITING.

I THINK WE ARE ALL ASSUMING YOU HAVE RUN IT DOWN WITH THE BRIEFINGS YOU PROVIDED, BUT I WOULDN'T BE UH SUPPOSE -- OPPOSED TO GETTING IT IN -- IT FURTHER PRESENTED.

WE HAVE TIME, AND I WILL COME BACK TO IT. SO THAT'S B3.

AND NOW ITEMS 22C1 AND 2 IS ACCEPTING DONATIONS AND SUBMITTING AND GRANT APPLICATION. ITEM C3 IS PUBLIC HEALTH'S REQUEST FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS OF OPERATIONAL FUNDING FOLLOWING THE TIMETABLE WE PUT THEM ON.

DO FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS ON THAT ONE? YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

[01:00:04]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OF THIS 20.3, ALL BUT FIVE THEY

BELIEVE IS REIMBURSABLE, IS THAT CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE SO. DAVE OR GUIDE HOUSE, FEEL FREE TO -- OR PUBLIC HEALTH, BUT YES BECAUSE IT IS 75% IS POTENTIALLY FEMA REIMBURSABLE. AND THEN THE 25% MATCH CAN BE COVERED BY CARES FUNDING. IT WOULD BE THE BULK OF IT. AM I MISSING ANYTHING?

>> JUDGE WE HAVE BOTH. WE HAVE GUIDE HOUSE AND PUBLIC HEALTH ON THE LINE.

DID YOU WANT ME TO UNMUTE EITHER ONE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD. I KNOW GUIDE HOUSE HAS BEEN DIGGING INTO THESE NUMBERS.

IS THAT RIGHT? FIVE MILLION IS NOT REIMBURSABLE?

>> I HAVE UNMUTED TODD. >> GOOD MORNING. THIS IS TODD HOFFMAN OF GUIDE HOUSE. YES, JUDGE. I THINK YOU SUMMARIZED THAT

CORRECTLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. AND I DO NOTICE OF COURSE THE INCREASE -- OR THE FUNDS NOW, THE BULK OF THEM ARE GOING TO TESTING GIVEN THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PULLING OUT THEIR SUPPORT FOR THAT. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON THIS AS WE MOVE FORWARD, OF COURSE. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DO WE NEED A SEPARATE MOTION OR ARE YOU ALL RIGHT WITH THAT EXPLANATION? I AM ONLY ASKING BECAUSE I

WILL MAKE A MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M ALL RIGHT WITH THAT EXPLANATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ITEM 22D1 AND 2, THEY ARE AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. 22E, THE SHERIFF IS REQUESTING AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR DATA OBVIOUSLY RESPECTING ALL HIPA REGULATIONS. 22F IS A REPORT FROM THE COUNTY AUDITOR.

22G IS MY BROAD COVID ITEM. AND WE HAVE TWO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION UNDER HERE. FIRST IS DIGITAL ACCESS. BUDGET MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH GUIDE HOUSE ON THE DIGITAL ACCESS THEY SENT AROUND PROPOSALS FOR NEXT STEPS. WE CAN SUCCESS THAT -- WE CAN DISCUSS THAT.

THEY ARE ONLY AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AFTER 12:30. IS THAT STILL RIGHT, LUCINDA?

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: GUIDE HOUSE IS. SO WE CAN HEAR FROM BUDGET AND SHANE, AND IF WE HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS WE CAN COME BACK TO THIS ITEM. AND THEN THE CLERK HAS ALSO ASKED ME TO PUT AN ITEM ON HERE TO PROVIDE MEALS FOR ELECTION WORKERS, SO I WILL LET THEM GO OVER THAT. I KNOW EVERYBODY RECEIVED AN E-MAIL ABOUT IT LAST NIGHT.

LET'S START WITH THE DIGITAL ACCESS. SHANE, I KNOW WE ALL RECEIVED THE UPDATE FROM GUIDE HOUSE AND THE POWER POINT. MAYBE IF YOU WILL JUST DO A VERY BRIEF OVERVIEW AND IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, HOPEFULLY YOU CAN ANSWER THEM.

>> JUDGE, TODD IS ON HERE AS WELL. THEY CIRCULATED THE PRESENTATION TO Y'ALL'S OFFICE OVER THE WEEKEND. THERE IS ALSO SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, YOU KNOW, IN THE SLIDE DECK. I BELIEVE THERE ARE THREE RECOMMENDATIONS. TODD IS ON THE PHONE AND HE CAN WALK US THROUGH ANY OF THE PRESENTATIONS OR IF Y'ALL HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS HE CAN ANSWER THAT, IF HE CAN. A PERSON FROM GUIDE HOUSE CAN BE ON AT 12:30 FOR ANY

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS Y'ALL MAY HAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I I HAVE -- I HAVE VISITED WITH GUIDE HOUSE ON THEIR PRESENTATION. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THEY ARE GETTING DONE. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I SUPPORT THAT EFFORT AND WILL HAVE MOTIONS TO MAKE BASED ON THE PRESENTATION AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I DON'T HAVE ANY ITEM ON THIS ISSUE. WE SKIPPED OVER ITEM F ON COVID AND I DID WANT TO GO BACK VERY BRIEFLY AND MAKE A REQUEST ON THE AUDITOR'S REPORT THAT WAS SENT TO US. THEY HAD A SUGGESTION THAT WE MAKE SURE IN THE FUTURE THERE IS A -- THERE IS AN OVER SIGHT OR A MONITORING OF HARRIS COUNTY IN FUTURE PROJECTS AS ONE OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS. AND I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT AND ASK THAT IF ANY OF THESE COME UP IN THE FUTURE THAT WE TASK THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR FLAGGING IT FOR US

[01:05:04]

RECOMMENDATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THANK YOU FOR CATCHING THAT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WITH THE PUBLIC CONTRACT, SAME ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG WE HAVE HAD THAT CONTRACT, BUT APPARENTLY IT WASN'T ASSIGNED TO ANYONE AND YET WE HAVE BEEN GIVING $16 MILLION TO IT ALMOST ANNUALLY. VERY IMPORTANT.

I APPRECIATE YOU CATCHING THAT. >> JUDGE?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE MOTION.

IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT WITH ALL OF THE CONTRACTS RELATED TO COVID, WILL WE DO IT WITH ALL CONTRACTS? IF SO DO WE NEED TO EXPAND THE STAFF? THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET SOME PARAMETERS.

BEFORE WE VOTE ON THAT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE -- >> MY MOTION IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER ELEVATED THAN TASKING SOMEBODY WITH A SPECIFIC JOB. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE AUDITOR'S RECOMMENDATION IS WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP IN THE FUTURE THAT THERE BE, A, HARRIS COUNTY ENTITY THAT HAS AN OVER SIGHT OVER IT. AND SO THAT IS WHAT MY SIMPLE MOTION IS. WE ARE ASKING THE UH UH BIT -- THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO FLAG ANYTHING THAT COMES DOWN THE PIPES SAYING THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE MAY WANT TO LOOK AT.

WE MAY CHOOSE NOT TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE AUDITOR AT THE TIME.

I AM JUST ASKING THAT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FLAGGED FOR US WHERE IT MAY BE APPLICABLE IN THE FUTURE. I AM NOT SAYING LET'S ASSIGN SOMETHING TO SOMEBODY. I AM CERTAINLY NOT SAYING LET'S DO SOMETHING RETROACTIVE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE AUDITOR SINCE WE HAD THIS RECOMMENDATION GOING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE THAT WE HAVE A HARRIS COUNTY ENTITY THAT WOULD HAVE OVERSIGHT WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ENTITY WOULD BE UNTIL WE SAW WHAT THE ENTITY WOULD BE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOMEBODY FLAG IT FOR US SO WE ARE NOT IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS WHERE AFTER IT IS OVER AND THEY SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD HAVE SOMEBODY LOOKING AT THAT.

>> MAYBE THEY HAVE THE BUDGET OFFICE -- I REFER YOUR RECOMMENDATION TO THE BUDGET OFFICE TO WORK WITH THE UH -- WITH THE AUDITOR AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

IT MAKES GOOD PUBLIC POLICY ON HOW IT DOES IT JACK YAK -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M FINE WITH THAT. I JUST DON'T WANT SOMEBODY LATE TORE SAY YOU SHOULD BE

LOOKING AT IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S A FAIR POINT.

YOU HAVE SEEN IT PROBABLY A LOT SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN IN. >> AND I WOULD JUST SAY MAYBE WE CAN PUT THE AUDITOR'S LEAD SINCE THEY WROTE THIS AND I KNOW DAVE HAS A MILLION BIG PROJECTS ON HIS PLATE, BUT PERHAPS FOR THE AUDITOR TO, YOU KNOW, TO DRIVE THIS AND THEY CAN WORK WITH BUDGET AND GUIDE HOUSE IF NEED BE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> AND I AM FINERY FERRING IT TO SOMEBODY. FINE REFERRING IT TO SOMEBODY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS NICE TO HAVE SOMEBODY TELL YOU BEFORE YOU VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT SOMETHING OUGHT TO BE INCLUDED.

>> AND WE WILL LET COMMISSIONER GARCIA SPEAK ON THIS TOO BUT SO I AM CLEAR ON THE MOTION IT IS FOR THEM TO WORKUP A SYSTEM IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY WHO IN THE COUNTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING WORK IS PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY WHEN WE HAVE A VENDOR.

IS THAT WHAT WE ARE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO, MA'AM. THAT'S MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN WHAT I AM SUGGESTING. I AM SAYING LET'S HAVE THE AUDITOR WHEN THINGS COME ALONG FLAG THINGS AND SAY THIS IS SOMETHING I POINTED OUT TO YOU ON THE OTHER AUDIT.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOMEBODY -- WE USED TO HAVE FOLKS WHO WOULD WAIT UNTIL WE VOTED AND THEN SAY YOU VOTE OWED THIS PROJECT OVER HERE AND YOU LEFT SOMETHING OUT.

MY POINT IS LET ME KNOW BEFORE I VOTE ON IT SOMETHING IS LEFT OUT SO WE CAN INCLUDE IT.

THAT'S ALL I AM GETTING TO. LET'S HAVE THE AUDITOR AND PERHAPS AS YOU SAY THE BUDGET

[01:10:04]

INCLUDE AN OVER SIGHT ORGANIZATION. >> IN ADVANCE WHEN A COUNTY DEPARTMENT FOR OVERSIGHT ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO BE ASSIGNED TO OVERSEE A VENDOR.

SORRY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I JUST -- I KIND OF FEEL THAT THE MOTION IS UNNECESSARY, BUT I WILL SUPPORT. IT THE PRESUMPTION IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS WHO IS TO TELL US ABOUT OUR LEGAL COMPLIANCE MATTERS SO THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE -- IT DOESN'T HAVE TO GET TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

ALTHOUGH THE AUDITOR IS -- I MEAN GOING BACK TO P3 THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE DOESN'T HAVE THE CONTRACT FOR P3. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW OFFICER THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE EXPERIENCES TO ENSURE THAT THEY DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I WILL SUPPORT THE MOTION JUST THE SAME.

THIS IS JUST BRINGING A LOT OF DEJA VU FOR ME IN TERMS OF WHAT I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED ON

THE P3 CON -- CONTRACT. >> I THINK THEY SAID LET'S REFER IT OVER AND I'M FINE

WITH THAT. >> IT WILL COME BACK WITH SOMETHING AND WE WOULD SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. WE ARE NOT ADOPTING ANYTHING THAT SAYS ANYONE DO ANYTHING.

I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUTLAW GIST STICKILY HOW IT WOULD WORK -- OUT LOGISTICALLY HOW IT WOULD WORK BECAUSE IT IS EDS TO SAY DO IT WITH THIS CARES MONEY.

I ASSUME IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN WITH HARVEY MONEY. LET'S LET SOME POLICY TRIGGER SOMETHING AND LOOK AT IT. JADE

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED A MOTION? >> AS REQUEST APPROPRIATE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M FINE WITH THE REQUEST. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU FINE WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, MR. POST? YOU ARE ON MUTE.

>> YEAH, I HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND WE WILL CERTAINLY WORK WITH THESE OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

I SEE AN ELEMENT HERE FOR THE BUDGET OFFICE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE CAN WORK TOGETHER. I THINK I GET THE MESSAGE THOUGH. YOU DO WANT SOME ADVANCE NOTICE WHERE THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE WE DO NEED TO HAVE A GROUP THAT IS RESPONSIBLE OR COORDINATING, AND THAT MIGHT NOT BE SET OUT SO WE'LL TAKE THIS ASSIGNMENT ON TO COME BACK WITH SOMETHING.

I'LL WORK WITH THESE OTHER DEPARTMENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, TO BE CLEAR, COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS WITHDRAWING HIS MOTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOING BACK TO THE DIGITAL ACCESS POINT, IT SOUNDS LIKE DID FOLKS HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS FOR TODD OR

FOR SHANE? YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I GOT A GOOD BRIEFING ON IT AND I WILL SUPPORT COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, THANK YOU FOR PUSHING THIS ISSUE.

AND COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS WELL. THIS DIGITAL DIVIDE, IT IS A GOOD USE OF THE CARES MONEY. I HOPE WHAT WE DON'T MAKE UP FOR IN THE GAP FOR WHATEVER IS LEFT, IF WE HAVE RESOURCES DOWN THE ROAD WE OUGHT TO DO IT.

I THINK WE WILL FIND OUT THAT A LOT OF THINGS IN THIS PANDEMIC THE WAY OUR LIVES CHANGE, WE WILL NOT GO BACK. WE WILL GET MORE PROFICIENT AT ZOOMS AND OTHER THINGS.

AND ACCESS TO A DIGITAL DEVICE IS SO IMPORTANT. AND A HOTSPOT.

THAT MAY BE GOOD FOR THE AUDITOR TO COME BACK AND TELL US WHAT IS LEFT? WE WON'T GET TO THE LAST MILE, BUT WHAT IS LEFT? I ASSUME IT IS IN THE LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES WHETHER THEY ARE UNINCORPORATED IN ONE OF OUR PRECINCTS OR IN THE CITY. I AM GLAD WE ARE DOING THIS. MORE CARES MONEY COMES DOWN THE PIPE, I THINK THIS OUGHT TO BE A TOP PRIORITY. I COMMEND YOU JUDGE AND YOU

COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON THIS ISSUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

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

AND WE HAVE SOME MOTIONS TO BE READ. THE FIRST MOTION IS TO AUTHORIZE GUIDE HOUSE TO WORK WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND PROCUREMENT PURCHASING TO PROCURE FIXED OR MOBILE WI-FI SOLUTIONS, MOBILE WIRELESS AND

[01:15:04]

PRIORITIZING THE HIGHEST NEED WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS TO SPECIFY PRIORITIZATION OF NEED. THAT'S MY FIRST MOTION.

>> SECOND. ARE THERE THREE OF THEM, COMMISSIONER?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE SEEN THESE OR IF YOU HAVE CIRCULATED THEM.

IS THIS OUT OF THE CARES FUND? IF THIS IS FROM THE CARES FUND

I AM IN FAVOR OF IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION IS COMING AROUND, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. THE SECOND MOTION WILL BE TO AUTHORIZE GUIDE HOUSE TO WORK WITH GAG -- BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING AND THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE MULTI LINUAL SUPPORT CENTER -- LING -- LINGUAL SUPPORT CENTER TO ALL DISTRICTS AND ANALYZE THE COMMON CHALLENGES IDENTIFIED FROM OUT REACH SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATE UP TO 100,000 AND WORK ON CONTINUED OUT REACH AND ENGAGEMENT. GUIDE HOUSE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUESTS AT THE NEXT COURT. THAT'S THE SECOND MOTION. THE THIRD MOTION IS TO AUTHORIZE GUIDE HOUSE TO WORK WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES, ENGINEERING, PURCHASING AND OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO BEGIN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE BROADBAND STRATEGY TO AUGMENT THE SHORT-TERM PLANS ALREADY APPROVED.

IF APPROVED, THE TEAM WILL RETURN TO COURT ON DECEMBER 1ST TO PRESENT A PRELIMINARY INFORMATION INCLUDING THE CURRENT STATE, LEADING PRACTICES, FRAMEWORK AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE BROAD -- BROADBAND STRATEGY.

THAT'S MY THIRD MOTION. >> I WILL SECOND ALL THREE, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WOULD JUST ASK TODD AND GUIDE HOUSE I REALLY APPRECIATE HOW METHODICAL AND CREATIVE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ON THIS. AND SO AS YOU ALL DEPLOY, I THOUGH THERE IS SOME MOBILE STRATEGIES, MOBILE WI-FI STRATEGIES AND MOBILE TRUCKS OF SOME SORT. TO HELP CONTINUE TO PRESENT IT IN A WAY WE CAN EASILY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE NEED YOU IDENTIFIED AND THIS IS THE MEASURABLE WAY IN WHICH THE NEED IS ADDRESSED SO IT IS NOT JUST WE ARE SENDING WI-FI TO AREAS AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IT IS VERY CLEAR WHERE EXACTLY WE MADE THE INVESTMENTS AND TO WHAT EX -- EXTENT THEY ARE MEETING THE NEEDS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE, TODD?

>> YES, JUDGE. IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE. WE WANTED THE DIRECTION TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. WE WILL BE GRANULAR AND METHODICAL ON WHERE THESE

MOBILE SUINGSES WILL GO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND EVERYONE WHO HAS WORKED ON THAT THIRD POINT TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND YOUR TEAM AS WELL TO HAVE THE COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY. I THINK IT IS KEY FOR US TO DEAL WITH THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL AND THAT WILL TAKE LONGER, OF COURSE, BUT TO HAVE A PLAN AND THE ASSESSMENT IS GREAT.

I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I FORGOT AND MAYBE WHILE TODD IS ON THE LINE, WHAT IS THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT WE ARE INVESTING IN THE ADDITIONAL ACCESS EFFORT ONCE THIS IS DONE?

>> COMMISSIONER, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE UP TO 32 MILLION AS IT RELATES TO DEVICES AND HOTSPOTS AND THEN WE -- AND NOW WE HAVE THE ASK HERE UP TO THE 14 MILLION.

THAT'S JUST TO GET STARTED. I MEAN, WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK, COMMISSIONER AT, YOU KNOW, OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, YOU KNOW, COULD THAT NUMBER GROW A LITTLE BIT? YES, IT COULD AND THERE IS A LONGER APPROACH IN WHAT THOSE DOLLARS WILL LOOK LIKE. ON THE MOMENT BASED ON YOUR DIRECTION, ARE YOU SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ABOUT, YOU KNOW, $46 MILLION ROUGHLY WITH A 14 MILLION DIRECTIONAL THAT YOU GAVE US TODAY AND THE DEVICES AND THE HOTSPOTS WHICH

[01:20:03]

IS UP TO 32 MILLION. >> AND IF YOU WOULD WHEN YOU CAN, SEND US A CHART ON IT.

I SAW THE ONE ON THE JUDGE'S WEBSITE AND RETWEETED IT OVER THE WEEKEND.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I LOOK AT IT ALL THE TIME, BUT WHEN I CAN'T SLEEP I FIND THINGS USEFUL TO DO. AND I HOPE IT WILL ENCOURAGE SOME OF OUR PARTNERS IN THE REGION AND WITH THE MONEY WE GIVE TO CITIES OR WITH OUR PARTNERS AT CITY HALL TO LOOK AT THAT AS WELL. I THINK IT SHOWS. I THINK THE DIGITAL DEVICE -- DASH THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, THERE ARE FEW THINGS WE CAN DO WITH THE LIMITED MONEY WE CAN DO TO PUT A DENT IN GENERATIONAL POVERTY. THIS IS ONE.

I'M GLAD WE ARE STEPPING UP. JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU -- I REMEMBER MEETING WITH YOU.

AND I HAPPENED TO STUMBLE IN TO ONE OF THOSE MEETINGS. IT IS GOOD AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO IT. I THINK IT WAS FRIDAY. I I CAN'T REMEMBER NOW, BUT COMPARED TO OTHER REGIONS A COMPARABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY. THIS IS A PRETTY BIG HIT AND IT IS INCORPORATED AS WELL AS UNINCORPORATED. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE THREE MOTIONS BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ALL SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER EL -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER RADACK, ANY OPPOSED? >> STEVE RADACK: I'M IN

FAVOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU ALL. AND NEXT IS THE CLERK'S OFFICE SENT AN E-MAIL, BUT THEY NEED TO PROVIDE MEALS TO ELECTION STAFF FROM THIS THURSDAY UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY WHERE THEY WILL BE WORKING PRETTY MUCH AROUND THE CLOCK.

IT IS HARD TO GET ON AND OFF NRG'S CAMPUS WITH THE COVID SAFETY PRACTICES AND SO THEY ARE HOPING TO HAVE THE MEALS CATERED. THEY NEED 45,000 THAT WE APPROVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE COSTS OF UP TO $45,159 FOR COUNTY CLERK ELECTION STAFF AT

NRG FROM OCTOBER 29TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 3RD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE, THIS IS RADACK. IS DWIGHT GOOD WITH THIS?

>> COMMISSIONER, AS FAR AS THE FOOD SERVICES IT IS OVER AT NRG BECAUSE THEY ARE THE FOOD CONTRACTOR. AS FAR AS FOOD PROVIDED TO THE ACTUAL DEPARTMENT, THAT'S THE COURT DECISION AND IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY COURT. YOU CAN SEND THOSE INDIVIDUALLY TO COURT. THE ACTUAL CONTACT IS WITH AEROMARK SO THEY HAVE TO USE

THEIR VENDOR. >> STEVE RADACK: SO WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

>> NOT THE ACTUAL VENDOR. >> STEVE RADACK: WE CAN GET IT CHEAPER, BUT OKAY.

THANK YOU. LEG

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DWIGHT. SO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS

ONE, DWIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM. WE HAD TO DO THE SAME THING WHEN WE DID TRAINING AT NRG FOR VENDORS DARRIN AND HARVEY.

WE HAD TO USE THEIR CONTRACTS AND VENDORS TO USE THE LOCATION AND THEIR BUILDINGS.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE ACTUAL FOOD PROPOSAL. IT WASN'T SENT TO ME.

I WOULD BE GLAD TO REVIEW IT IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD AGREE WITH NRG AND THE COUNTY A LONGTIME AGO. THE COUNTY BUILT IT.

IF WE GO OVER THERE AND HAVE A PRAYER SERVICE, YOU HAVE TO USE THEIR VENDOR.

YOU CAN'T JUST WALK OVER THERE WITH FRENCH'S CHICKEN. >> CORRECT.

NO, SIR. THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT IN PLACE WITH THESE VENDORS.

WHEN WE DID THE HOSPITAL SET UP WE HAD TO DO THE VENDOR WITH ALL OF THE SERVICES THEY OFFER. IT IS NOT A CHOICE WE HAVE IN THE MATTER ON THIS ONE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASSUME WHILE YOU ARE WORKING ON COVID YOU ARE GOING TO TELL THEM.

I'M GLAD THE COURT AGREED TO DO THAT. YOU TELL THEM RUN ACROSS MAINE AND PICK UP A BURGER AND RUN BACK. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M ASSUMING WE ARE APPROVING THIS, BUT IT WOULD COME OUT OF THE 27 MILLION PLUS THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED FOR THEIR BUDGET AND THAT IS COMING -- I GUESS THAT'S A

QUESTION FOR MR. BERRY. >> I AM NOT AWARE OF THE PROPOSED FUNDING SO I THINK IT WOULD EITHER MAKE SENSE TO SPECIFY THE MOTION OR IF YOU WANT US TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE

[01:25:05]

FUNDING SOURCE IT HAS TO BE DONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SUGGEST TO LET THEM EAT. IF THEY HAVE IT -- HOW MUCH IS IT? I DON'T THINK IT IS LEGAL FOR US TO GO OUT AND RAISE IT, BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO EAT.

IF NOT I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO KNOW WHICH COMMISSIONERS DIDN'T WANT THEM THERE.

I WOULD LIKE THE VOTERS TO KNOW WHICH COMMISSIONERS DIDN'T WANT THE WORKERS TO

EAT. >> IF I CAN JUMP IN BECAUSE I TALKED TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, JUDGE. I WAS OF THE UNDERSTANDING AND THEY CAN CONFIRM THAT THIS WOULD BE PAID FROM CURRENT -- FROM THE FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN BUDGETED FOR THE ELECTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S THE QUESTION I NEEDED ANSWERED. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THAT IS THE CARES MONEY THAT WAS DONATED.

>> ONE OR THE OTHER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS MONEY THEY ALREADY BUDGETED.

>> AND IF THEY DON'T SPEND IT ALL THEY WILL GIVE IT BACK. >> CORRECT.

THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. >> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST GOT CONFIRMATION THAT IT IS COMING

OUT OF THE EXISTING BUDGET. SO WE HAVE A MOTION -- >> JUDGE, WOULD YOU MIND

REPEATING THE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE COSTS OF UP TO 45,$159 FOR COUNTY CLERK ELECTION STAFF AT NRG OCTOBER

29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 3RD, 2020. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION I THINK CHICKS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

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

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MY STAFF SAID THAT THIS IS -- IS

IT NOVEMBER 3RD OR OCTOBER 3RD? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SHOULD BE FROM OCTOBER 29TH THROUGH NOVEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR, THE DATE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THOSE WERE THE TWO ITEMS I HAD UNDER THE BROAD COVID AGENDA ITEMS. DO FOLKS HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I MIGHT HAVE ONE LATER. I WELL COME BACK.

IT WAS SOMETHING REFERRED TO EARLIER. SOMEBODY WANTS TO DO TESTING AT OUR COUNTY SITES FOR FREE AND HE IS CHECKING IT OUT. AT THE END OF THE DAY I MAY

HAVE A MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, IT WASN'T VERY FAIR FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO REFERENCE FRENCHY'S ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY WERE SHUTDOWN FOR AWHILE NOW. ARE WE GONNA BE HAVING LUNCH TODAY? I KNOW FRENCHY'S IS NOT ON YOUR MENU, BUT WHEN I WAS OVER BY UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, I ALWAYS HAD TO GO BY FRENCHY'S. MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABUSED A LITTLE BIT BY THOSE LADIES FLIPPING THAT CHICKEN. YOU NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANTED BEFORE YOU GOT TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE OR THEY WERE GONNA --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY HAVE A TEMPORARY LOCATION, BUT UNTIL YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE

ANTIBODIES, JUST GET YOURS TO GO. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUND DELICIOUS. SO THOSE ARE -- THAT'S IT FOR THE COVID AGENDA.

ACTUALLY, THE SUPPLEMENTAL COVID ITEMS WE HAVE ITEM 7 ON THE COVID-19 SUPPLEMENTAL IT

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

PROGRAMS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO COMMENT.

I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS PROGRAM. I REMEMBER BACK WHEN YOU AND I WERE INTERVIEWING FOR THIS JOB AND WE WERE ASKED ABOUT CAPITAL IDEAS.

OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE GOING TO DO SOME INCREDIBLE GOOD. THE BIGGEST TAKE UH -- TAKE AWAY AND WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE IS THATY -- THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO LEFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY. I AM SO, SO EXCITED. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ITEM AND THANK YOU, JUDGE FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON IT AND YOUR COMMITMENT.

I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION AS TO WHAT THE AMOUNT WILL BE, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY EVER IMAGINED THAT WE WOULD BE STEPPING FORWARD SO HUGELY AS WE ARE DOING

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

IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN TAKE SOME GOOD LESSONS FROM IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE A MOTION OR IS ANYBODY FOR IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK

[01:30:04]

ITEM 10 IS THE AGREEMENT FOR THE -- SORRY. I SKIPPED ITEM 9.

ITEM 9 IS THE AGREEMENT THAT MOU WITH T-MOBILE FOR 10 MILLION.

ITEM 10 IS THE AGREEMENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

I HAVE A NOTE HERE THAT WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO RETURN TO ITEM 10 LATER BECAUSE THEY NEED TO UPDATE A PORTION OF THE CONTRACT. IS THAT STILL CORRECT?

>> YES, JUDGE, WE CAN REVISIT THAT. THERE IS ONE THING WE HAD TO

VISIT ON ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS CONTRACTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO I WILL COME BACK TO SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 10. ITEM 11 IS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE NEEDS ADDITIONAL BUDGETS FOR COVID OVERTIME. AND ITEM 12 IS AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR COVID-19 DATA RESPECTING ALL HIPAA PROVISIONS AND DATA. THAT ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE A DASHBOARD THAT COMBINES THE

CITY AND COUNTY DATA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, ON THAT ITEM, DIDN'T WE HAVE THIS

ALREADY IN PLACE? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS THERE BETWEEN THE TWO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. AS WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE DATA

DASHBOARD, IF WE DON'T HAVE THIS WE CAN'T DO IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THOSE ARE ALL OF THE COVID ITEMS. I HAVE A NOTE TO COME BACK TO 23B AND TO SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 10.

SO LET'S MOVE ON THEN TO THE AGENDA. LET'S START WITH COUNTY

ENGINEER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CAN WE TAKE A LITTLE BREAK?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OF COURSE. LET'S BREAK UNTIL 12:15. IT IS 12:05.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS WE DECIDE THAT BREAK, I HAVE A BET GOING THAT -- I NEED ONE MINUTE

AFTER 5:00 TO WIN THIS BET. EVEN EVEN I'M -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SURE WE

WILL MAKE IT. SEE YOU SOON. >> LINA HIDALGO: HI, Y'ALL.

IT IS 12:18. COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE WERE GOING BACK TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA AND STARTING WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER.

[I. Departments (Part 2 of 5)]

>> YES, JUDGE I WANT TO MAKE NOTE ON PAGE 2, ITEM G6. THIS IS THE MAST YOU ARE -- THE MASTER LICENSE WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR TWO YEARS THAT WILL ALLOW THE COUNTY AND THE CONTRACTORS TO BUILD HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS. THIS IS A REALLY BIG DEAL TO BE ABLE TO ADD A LOT OF HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TO CORRECT YOU, JOHN, BUT WE WERE WORKING ON IT FOR FOUR YEARS.

WE WERE LOBBYING COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHEN HE WAS SENATOR ELLIS TO GETTING SUPPORT TO

GET THESE THINGS THROUGH. >> RIGHT. RIGHT.

I GUESS I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR TWO YEARS. THAT MAY BE A BETTER CORRECTION. OTHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING LONGER, YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THANK YOU. THAT WAS ONE OF MY PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS. I DON'T REMEMBER HARRIS COUNTY COMING UP THERE TO HELP ME TO

GET THAT BILL PASSED. I REMEMBER WHEN I HAD TO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS

THERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU SHOWED UP THE SECOND SESSION.

THE FIRST TIME I CARRIED IT I COULDN'T GET IT OUT. I REMEMBER BEING IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO VISIT WITH THE MAYOR OVER THERE. I WAS ON THE UTILITY COR -- CORRIDORS AND I SAID WHY CAN'T WE DO THAT? ROBIN STALLINGS WHO WE BOUGHT BIKES FROM GAVE ME AN IDEA OF THE BILL. WE GOT IT OUT OF THE SENATE ONE SESSION. COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE SOME OF MY FRIENDS WERE BLOCKING IT UP OVER THERE. WE DID MANAGE TO GET IT PASSED. JOHN, ARE YOU HAPPY WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S IN IT? I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE ON HOW WELL WE ARE USING IT.

I AM LOOKING AT THAT CORRIDOR AND GOING ALONG 59, BY THE WAY. WE OUGHT TO RUSH -- WHEN I SEE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE OUT WALKING AND RIDING WITH AND WITHOUT MASKS ON, OBVIOUSLY

[01:35:03]

I WANT TO GET SOME TRAILS OUT. MAYBE WE CAN FIND A WAY THAT WE CAN USE SOME OF THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDS TO GET THEM DONE QUICK.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE AGREEMENT? >> YES, SIR.

AND THE NEXT ITEM IS WORKING ON A RIGHT OF WAY. WE WORKED TOGETHER, BUT FOR EXAMPLE WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME ITEMS FROM CENTER POINT AND THEY PUT THE LARGER POWER POLES IN OUR RIGHT OF WAY BECAUSE THEY NEED TO GET ELECTRICITY SOMEWHERE AND THEY NEED TO HAVE THEM READY FOR 70 MILES AN HOUR WIND SPEED. WE ARE LOOKING AT RESILIENCE WHEN WE ARE DOING THESE THINGS. WE ARE HAPPY WITH THE AGREEMENT. THERE IS AN INSURANCE REQUIREMENT THAT THE BUDGET OFFICE IS WORKING ON AND I THINK WHEN IT PASSES THEY CAN HAVE IT RESOLVED.

>> SEE IF WE ARE KEEPING PACE WITH OTHER COUNTIES. THE FIRST BILL I PASSED WAS A PILOT. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OVER 10 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS JUST FOR HARRIS COUNTY. IT LISTS SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO I THINK HAVE ALTERIOR -- ULTERIOR MOTIVES. THE AGREEMENT WAS WE WOULD ONLY DO IT FOR HARRIS COUNTY WHEN I PASSED IT. AND THEN THEY CAME BACK AND TOOK THE MURPHY ELLIS BILL AND IT WAS REALLY ELLIS MURPHY, CACTUS, BUT THE HOUSE MEMBERS HAVE A HABIT -- IT IS HARD TO GET SOMEBODY OUT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE THERE ARE 150 EGOS TO DEAL WITH AND 31 IN THE SENATE. MURPHY SAT ON MY BILL FROM THE SENATE THAT GOT OVER THERE EARLY IN THE SESSION AND I WENT AHEAD AND LET HIM PUT HIS NAME ON IT SO HE COULD PASS

IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S NOT HOW HE IS DESCRIBING THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: TELL HIM TO READ THE RECORD. THEY KEEP PRETTY GOOD RECORDS UP THERE. YOU CAN CHECK IT AND SEE WHEN IT PASSED.

GIVE US SOME COMPARISON. WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY FIRST AS A PILOT FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

>> YES, SIR. AND THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT VERSION OF THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN. WE WILL BE TRACKING HOW MANY WE BUILT COMPARED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND COMPARED TO THE LAST YEAR SO WE CAN TRACK OUR PROGRESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. GOOD WORK ON IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SINCE I AM WORKING FROM THE LINE FOR 5:01 P.M., I WANT TO ADHERE TO THE THEORY ON WORKING ON EASE MENTS AS A -- EASE MEANTS AND WHAT WAS MISSING SINCE COMMISSIONER ELLIS WROTE THIS INCREDIBLE LEGISLATION I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND FROM BEL BLO -- FROM MR. BLOUNT, WHAT ARE THE SHORT COMING THAT'S HAVE TAKEN US THIS LONG TO GET IT DONE, AND JOHN, PLEASE,

TAKE YOUR TIME. >> THE ISSUE IS COMING TO AN UNDERSTANDING WITH CENTER POINT AND THE REQUIREMENTS. WE ARE UNUSUAL IN HOW WE CAN ASSUME LIABILITY AND VERY UNUSUAL AND THE BIG DEAL IS SOME PRE SINKS BILL THEIR OWN TRADES.

THAT WAS RESOLVED EARLY ON. BUT FINDING A WAY WHERE PRECINCTS OWN STAFF -- IF A COMMISSIONER WANTED THEIR STAFF TO BUILD TRAILS, HOW WOULD WE WORK THROUGH THAT, THAT WAS A STRUGGLE. BOTH SIDES ARE WORKING ON IT AND WE CAME TO A SOLUTION.

THAT WAS THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW YOU

HAVE MORE EXPLANATION. PLEASE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: PART OF IT WAS LIABILITY WHEN SOMEBODY CLIMBS UP ONE OF THOSE POLES. AT LEAST WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND I WAS WONDERING WHO COULD WIN THAT LAWSUIT? RARELY COULD ANYBODY WIN THE LAWSUIT, BUT YOU STILL HAD TO HIRE A LAWYER TO GO THROUGH IT. IT IS A MATTER OF IF IT IS AN ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE.

MOST PEOPLE COMMON SENSE WOULD SAY HE IS GONNA CLIMB UP THIS UTILITY POLE AND YOU WILL SEE THE WIRES AND YOU WILL CLIMB UP THE POLE AND SOMETHING IS GOING ON.

YOU GOT ME? EITHER THE PERSON HAS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE OR SOMETHING IS GOING ON. JUST NORMAL FOLKS WOULD NOT GO AND DO THAT BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE WE HAD THE DAY OF THE DANGER THERE. THEY WERE HAVING -- BECAUSE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WOULD COVER THE LEGAL FEES OF THE LIABILITY, THEY WOULD END UP SETTLING THOSE CASES. SO I ASSUME THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE SORTING THROUGH.

HARRIS COUNTY HAD THE POWER WHEN THE BILL FIRST PASSED, BUT WE DIDN'T DO MUCH.

[01:40:02]

>> RIGHT, WE DIDN'T DO MUCH BECAUSE IT REQUIRED AN AGREEMENT WITH CENTER POINT.

CENTER POINT WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT LIABILITY AND THE SECOND SET OF LIABILITY WAS CON DRACTERS -- CONTRACTORS DAMAGING EQUIPMENT.

WHEN WE HIRE CONTRACTORS THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE INSURANCE TO US AND WE CAN HAVE THEM -- WE CAN HAVE SOMEONE ELSE ON THE POLICY. IT IS WHEN THE COUNTY -- IT IS WHEN THE PRECINCT CREWS THEMSELVES WERE DOING IMPROVEMENTS IT BECAME AN ISSUE. AND WE HAD TO WORK THROUGH AN INSURANCE SYSTEM FOR THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATE ON THE

NUMBER OF MILES WE COULD BUILD HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS ON? >> IT IS HUNDREDS OF MILES, JUDGE. THERE ARE EASE MEANTS ALL OVER.

WE HAVE A MAP OF THEM. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THEM. IN MANY CASES IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT ON CONNECTING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE OTHER TRAILS WE HAVE.

THIS IS A HUGE, HUGE DEAL AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED. >> STEVE RADACK: JOHN, DO YOU REMEMBER SEVERAL, SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT -- OVER THERE IN THE ORCHARD AND WE PUT THESE CONCRETE POLES IN AND THEY ARE NICE LOOKING LIGHTED AREAS TO PUT LIGHTS ON AND I WENT BY THERE AND THEY WERE ALL LIT UP UNDER THOSE LINES. I SAW THE ELECTRICIAN AND HE SAID THAT'S AMAZING. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HOOKED UP YET.

I'LL LET YOU FIGURE THAT OUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JOHN.

ANYTHING ELSE IN THE COUNTY ENGINEER? FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT. HERE I'M GRATEFUL TO DAVE AND YOUR TEAM FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING UPDATING THE BUDGET PROCESS. I REACHED OUT --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I REACHED OUT TO MR. BERRY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON HOW IT IS GOING. AND JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF US AND THE DEPARTMENTS ARE ALIGNED, GENERALLY AS WE MOVE TO BUDGET, I KNOW FOLKS ARE GOING THROUGH A DIFFERENT PROCESS AND I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT IT IS NOT JUST DAVE'S IDEA.

IT IS THE INTENT OF THIS COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A BUDGET THAT IS FOCUSED ON METRICS AND OUTCOMES. THAT IS PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGETING.

THAT ALIGNS WITH THE COUNTY GOALS THAT THIS COURT ADOPTED A FEW WEEKS BACK.

THE IDEA IS WE HAVE A MORE TRANSPARENT BUDGET PROCESS AND THAT CLEARLY CONNECTS THE DOTS BETWEEN WHAT WE ARE DOING AND THE OUTCOMES WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE AND IT TRACKS THOSE GOALS. IT IS THROUGH PERFORMANCE METRICS AND I KNOW THE BUDGET IS WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS AND WITH PFM ON COMING UP WITH THE PROPOSALS.

YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I AM PROUD OF MR. BERRY AND THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU HIT IT SO WELL. IF YOU RECALL AT THE LAST YEAR -- OR MAYBE IT WAS EARLIER THIS YEAR I MADE A MOTION THAT WE STRIVE FOR CREATING BENCHMARKS AND PROCESSES THAT ALLOW US TO DO BUDGETING IN A MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE WAY. I REMEMBER THERE WAS A LOT OF REASONS WHY IT WASN'T DONE.

I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD MR. BERRY FOR WORKING TO GIVE US A PROCESS THAT IS BUSINESSLIKE AND CONTEMPORARY AND TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE TAXPAYERS.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY. IT IS TO ENSURE THAT WHAT PEOPLE ARE LIVING WITH OUT OF THE COMMUNITY IS ALIGNED WITH THE THINGS THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH AT OUR LEVEL.

AND TO HELP US IN OUR PRIORITIES. AGAIN, JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR CONTINUED WATCHING OVER THIS PROCESS AND MR. BERRY, THANK

[01:45:09]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANTED TO CHIME IN. THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

DAVE, LOOK, I APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US BRING SOME ADDITIONAL METRICS TO THE RESOLUTION WE PASSED DECLARING RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS BECAUSE IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENTS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AT LEAST ONE DEPARTMENT THAT YOU ALSO ASKED FOR SOME METRICS ON WHAT THE BUDGET DOES TO ADDRESS RACIAL, GENDER AND OTHER INEQUALITIES.

JUST COMMENT ON THAT A LITTLE BIT. I KNOW BALTIMORE COUNTY WHICH IS A CITY COUNTY. YOU MENTIONED MAYOR STEPHANIE RAWLINS BLAKE HAD SOME VERSION OF THIS. I KNOW WHEN WE GET OUR EQUITY, OUR EQUITY DEVELOPMENT PERSON ON BOARD THEY WILL BE TASKED WITH ADDING MORE TO IT. I THOUGHT THAT WAS A VERY PROVOCATIVE AND THOUGHTFUL THING AND I APPRECIATE YOU ADDING IT.

I WANT TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT IT ENTAILS. >> HAPPY TO DO THAT, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS, BUT THIS IS -- THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT. IT IS NOT JUST MY TEAM, BUT THE ENTIRETY OF THE GROUP.

IT IS EVERY DEPARTMENT HERE. I WOULD SAY OVERALL WE HAVE HAD ENTHUSIASM AND I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S EFFORTS. I ALSO -- TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DO WANT TO STRESS THAT THERE ARE -- OBVIOUSLY I'M COMING IN WITH SOME BUDGETING AND BRINGING IN SOME OF WHAT I THINK ARE BEST PRACTICES.

BUT I DEFINITELY WANT TO BUILD ON WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS HISTORICALLY DONE RIGHT.

AND I THINK WE HAVE BEEN GOOD AT DEFINING SPENDING -- FINDING SPENDING TARGETS THAT ARE AFFORDABLE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT.

FURTHERMORE I THINK WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DAYS OF BUDGET HEARINGS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THAT. AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS WE HAVE INCORPORATED EQUITY INTO OUR BUDGET PROCESS.

ONE IS THERE IS A SPECIFIC PART OF THE QUESTION AND AS YOU MENTIONED WE ARE ASKING THE DEPARTMENTS TO DISCUSS IN NARRATIVE FORM WHAT ARE THE INEQUITIES IN THE POPULATIONS THEY SERVE AND HOW THEY ARE ACCOUNTING FOR THAT IN THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE.

AND IN THEIR BUDGET. SO THAT'S MORE OF A NARRATIVE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS THINKING ABOUT IT AND TO ALLOW US ALL TO READ WHAT EACH OTHER ARE DOING AND SEE IF WE CAN LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND COMPARE IT TO WHAT THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST ARE DOING ALL-AROUND. AND THE OTHER IS, AS WE DEVELOP MEASURES -- IT IS ALL OF THE METRIC THAT'S WILL BE ABOUT EFFICIENCY. BUT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT WE HAVE METRICS OF EQUITY. WE ARE TRYING TO PUSH THOSE DOWN, BUT THIS IS QUITE AN UNDERTAKING, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO PUSH THOSE DOWN TO THE SERVICE LEVEL.

IS A GIVEN SERVICE EQUITABLE AND TO TRACK THAT, WE MAY NOT KEEP ALL OF THE DATA, BUT WE

CAN START. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DAVE, ONE OF THE FIRST LESSONS I LEARNED WHEN I GOT TO AUSTIN. I DON'T THINK I APPRECIATED IT WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL , BUT OUR BUDGET IS A STATEMENT ABOUT OUR VALUES. IT IS PROBABLY THE MOST SUBSTANTIVE STATEMENT ABOUT OUR VALUES BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY WHERE WE SPEND OUR MONEY IN GOVERNMENT OR IN OUR HOUSEHOLD OR OUR BUSINESS REALLY DOES SAY WHAT WE DO OR DO NOT BELIEVE IN. IT IS IMPORTANT. AND WITH THE OTHER ENTITIES

[01:50:05]

WHETHER THAT IS THE VARIOUS FINANCING ENTITIES THAT COME TO US, YOU KNOW, I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I -- JUDGE, IT WAS HELD UP SOMETIME BACK AND I HADN'T THOUGHT OF THAT PREVIOUSLY. SOMETIMES FOLKS WOULD SAY ALL WE DO IS JUST APPROVE THEM.

IF I'M VOTING FOR IT, I WANT TO KNOW WHERE IT IS GOING AND HAVE SOME INPUT INTO IT.

I APPRECIATE THAT. WITH THE PFM PROCESS, I HOPE YOU WILL FIND A WAY THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, WHATEVER POWERS ARE GIVEN TO YOU SO THAT THE DEPARTMENTS THAT DON'T RESPOND SHOULD NOT EXPECT A RESPONSE IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR IN THEIR BUDGET. I WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU FIGURE OUT WHATEVER LEVERS THEY ARE SO WE REALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE INEQUITIES AND NOT JUST TALK

ABOUT THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I COULD ADD TO YOUR COMMENTS, THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US. YOU MAY NOT BE GIVEN CERTAIN AUTHORITY, MR. BERRY, IN THIS REGARD, BUT WE DO HAVE IT. AND SO IF WE HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS NOT COMPLYING -- BECAUSE I REMEMBER SEEING SOMETHING RECENTLY THAT HAD ALL OF THE NUMBERS -- ALL THE SAME NUMBERS ACROSS THE SPREAD SHEET OVER LIKE A 10-YEAR PERIOD. AND I'M THINKING, OKAY, NOT A LOT OF THOUGHT WAS GIVEN TO THIS. AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

THE BUDGETING SHOULD BE DIFFICULT. IT SHOULD GIVE SOME DEGREE OF STRESS BECAUSE WE ARE -- WE DO HAVE THE PEOPLE'S MONEY AND WE DO NEED TO PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND TRY TO MAKE THINGS WORK WELL AND NOT JUST GIVE FOLKS A BLANK CHECK.

AND SO I WOULD BE -- I THINK IT WOULD HELP US WHEN WE GO TO THE BUDGET HEARINGS TO KNOW THAT BASED ON YOUR PROCESS AS WE CALL UP DEPARTMENTS THAT THEY HAVE OR HAVE NOT SUBMITTED YOUR RESPECTIVE FORMS OR COMPLETED PROCESSES. THAT WAY WE UNDERSTAND WHERE THE DEPARTMENT MAY BE AT. I THINK THAT WILL HELP US. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE SAID IF I SUBMIT ANYTHING YOU WILL GIVE ME WHAT WE WILL GET ANYWAY. WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE IT THAT WAY ANYWAY. WE NEED FOLKS TO PARTICIPATE AND GIVE US A PERSPECTIVE.

WE ALL HAVE THE SAME OBLIGATION. WE ARE TRYING TO DELIVER AS EQUITABLE SERVICES ACROSS THE COUNTY AS WELL AS POSSIBLE. AND WE NEED TO CHALLENGE EACH

OTHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, ALL.

THANK YOU, DAVE. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED US TO COVER ON THIS ONE?

>> NO, WE ARE GOOD. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, TO YOUR COMMENT, VERY MUCH OUR FIRST STEP IS TO BE A PART OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND ARTICULATE WHAT THEY DO.

I WON'T BE SHY ABOUT RAISING ANY ISSUES. BUT SO FAR IT HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTIVE. WE WOULD LOVE FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO HAVE TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE. THAT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR.

WON'T BE SHY ABOUT RAISING A NEW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD.

STEVE DAVID, APPRECIATE -- >> STEVE RADACK: DAVID, UH -- APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. YOU -- I APPRECIATE SOME OF THE THINGS THE COUNTY HAS DONE IN THE PAST. SOME THINGS IN REFERENCE TO THAT.

MY QUESTION IS THIS: HOW DO WE MAKE IT WITHOUT HAVING TO -- A SIGNIFICANT TAX INCREASE LAST YEAR? HOW WAS THAT DONE? THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO RAISE

[01:55:01]

AND NOW TODAY VOTED TO LOWER THE TAX RATE. SO HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

>> WELL, THE -- I THINK I WILL JUST SAY HOW DOES THE BUDGET WORK? WE AT THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT WORK WITH THE AUDITOR WHO IS CHARGED BY STATUTE FOR PROVIDING AVAILABLE RESOURCE. THAT ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A PROJECTION OF AVAILABLE TAX REVENUE. WE DEFINE FROM OUR FISCAL SPACE HOW MUCH MONEY THERE IS FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO SPEND. OUR TARGET FUND BALANCE AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE NOTHING LEFT AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUES. PROPOSALS GENERALLY WILL EXCEED THAT FISCAL SPACE WHETHER THE TAX RATES GO UP OR DOWN, AND WE NAVIGATE THROUGH BASED ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE DEPARTMENTS A BUDGET THAT FITS. I MEAN, I THINK THAT THE EVENS TO YOUR QUESTION IS WHEREVER COMMISSIONER'S COURT SETS TAX RATES WE HAVE TO FIND A BUDGET.

IF THE TAX RATES ARE HIGHER, THERE WILL BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO FUND INVESTMENT. AND IF IT IS LOWER THERE ARE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES.

A BUDGET IS ABOUT NEGOTIATING BETWEEN THE NEEDS AND THE ASKS AND THE AVAILABLE RESOURCE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS WITH HOW THE BUDGET WORKS IS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, WE ARE THE POLICY MAKERS. WE HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS.

SO WHEN THAT CONVERSATION WAS HAPPENING LAST YEAR NONE OF US KNEW THERE WOULD BE A PANDEMIC. BUT WE DID KNOW THE HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES THAT EXISTED IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WE DID KNOW FLOODING WAS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTY.

WE DID KNOW NEIGHBORHOODS NEED MORE RESOURCES. IT IS EASY TO MAKE A POLITICAL LINE AND CUT TAXES, DEFINITELY NOT RAISE IT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID IT BEFORE. THE HARDEST THING TO DO IS RAISE TAXES.

NONE OF US KNEW THERE WOULD BE A PANDEMIC. THIS PANDEMIC HAS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, SHOWN US THAT EITHER FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH SIDE, FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT SIDE THAT IT WAS WHOLLY, WHOLLY UNDER FUNDED. AND SO I AM GLAD THAT WE STRUCK A UNANIMOUS DECISION FOR THE TAX REGULATIONS PASSED TODAY.

LAST YEAR I KNOW THAT I WAS WALKING INTO THIS ROLE RECOGNIZING THAT -- AND WE ARE ABOUT TO PROPOSE TAX ABATEMENT GUIDELINES. THINGS THAT THE COUNTY HASN'T HAD BEFORE. AND THEY ARE DEFICIENCIES THAT HAVE EXISTED.

THOSE EFFICIENCIES CAN ONLY BE ADDRESSED WITH INVESTMENTS. AND SO THAT'S ANOTHER WAY HOW THE BUDGET WORKS, MR. BERRY. WE WILL CHALLENGE YOU WITH CERTAIN PRIORITIES.

AND WE WILL MAKE ANOTHER INVESTMENT THAT WILL PAY INCREDIBLE DIVIDENDS FOR OUR FUTURE AND OUR COMMUNITY AND I WILL SAY YOU CAN BE THE FISCAL CONSERVATIVE OF SAYING NO TO EVERYTHING AND WE CAN SAY HOW TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN CERTAIN AREAS AND WE HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS IN THAT REGARD. SPENDING WISELY IS ANOTHER

[02:00:11]

FISCAL DECISION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ARE YOU THINKING OF THE QUOTE I GIVE IN THE SESSION SAYING ANY IDIOT CAN PASS A TAX INCREASE.

EVEN I PASSED ONE WHEN GOVERNOR BUSH WAS THERE. I HAD THE RECORD OF PASSING THE LARGEST TAX CUT IN THE HISTORY OF TEXAS. IT IS PROBABLY THE THIRD LARGEST ONE. OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS AND INTERNET CONNECTIVE TEE.

I THINK DIAPERS MAY HAVE BEEN IN THERE. THE BIG PART WAS A DEMOCRAT OUT OF NORTH CAROLINA JIM HUNT PASSED NORTH CAROLINA'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CUT THAT WAS CREATED AND THEY CALL IT THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE. WE WERE GOING TO CUT TAXES ANYWAY. THE REASON I PASSED THE BILL IS I HAD A SIMPLE BILL FOR A SALES TAX HOLIDAY. IT WAS BACK TO SCHOOL SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP.

AND DEALING WITH THE ISSUE. AND I THINK THAT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 1990 -- 1995 OR 1997 WHEN WE PASSED THAT BILL. GOVERNOR BUSH COULDN'T GET HIS BILLS OUT OF THE HOUSE.

HE CALLED ME IN AND ONE BILL HAD A BROAD CAPTION. ALL OF THE OTHER STUFF WAS IN MY BILL AND THAT'S ONLY WAY TO PASS IT. IT ACTUALLY WAS NOT MY INTENT, BUT I ENDED UP PASSING THE BILL. LOOK, MR. BERRY, HERE IS THE HISTORY IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS COUNTY PUT BLINDERS ON TO INEQUITY, TO POVERTY FOR DECADES, AND THE ATTITUDE WAS I HAVE MINE. YOU GET YOURS.

SIMPLE THINGS LIKE MOWING THE GRASS, I GUESS ALONG THE BAYOUS, TWO AND THREE TIMES A YEAR FOR 15 YEARS. EVEN WHEN HARVEY, RECORD FLOODING COMES, AS THE SON OF A YARD MAN, THE ONE THING I KNOW IS AFTER A RAIN, THE GRASS GROWS.

STILL JUST CUT IT, WHATEVER IT IS, TWO, THREE TIMES A YEAR. ALL OF THOSE FLOODING ISSUES WERE IGNORED. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ARE RIGHT TO POINT OUT HEALTH CARE BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WAS TOLD DON'T GO OVER THERE AND ASK FOR ANY MONEY.

YOU TAKE WHAT WE GIVE YOU AND YOU ACT LIKE IT WAS YOUR IDEA.

THAT'S WHAT YOU KAILEY -- THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL HEAD IN SAND.

AND THAT'S WHY THE IFNY -- THE INEQUALITY INDEX IN THIS COUNTY -- AND BY THE WAY IN OUR CITY IS ON PAR WITH INEQUALITY INDEX IN MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. IT IS RIDICULOUS. BUT SOME PEOPLE GET TO PUT THEIR NAME ON THE BALLOT AND AND PAT THEIR CHEST AND ACT LIKE THEY DID SOMETHING WHEN IN REALITY THEY DID NOTHING. AND IT HELPS INSTITUTIONAL LIES, IN MY JUDGMENT, THE RACIAL DISPARITY -- THE RACIAL INJUSTICE WHERE WE ARE NOW. I HOPE THE RIGHT THINKING PEOPLE WHEN THEY VOTE OUGHT TO ASK WHAT PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN SOLVED? NOT JUST BE SO SELFISH AND JUST FOCUS ON THEIR LITTLE PIECE OF THE PIE.

BUT WE'LL GET THERE, AND THAT'S WHAT ELECTIONS ARE ABOUT.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. I APPRECIATE YOUR FOCUS ON INEQUITIES. WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO DO A NICE STUDY AND LOOK AT ALL OF THE AREAS THAT WE HAVE IGNORED IN THIS COUNTY AND ACTED LIKE IT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE

PROUD OF. IT IS NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. MR. BERRY, THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. THAT WAS BUDGET MANAGEMENT. WE ARE CLOSING IN ON 1:00.

I WONDER IF WE TAKE A LUNCH BREAK AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK AND DISCUSS THE REST OF

THE AGENDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GASH SEE YAWMM- COISSIONER

GARCIA IS WANTING TO WIN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I LIKE GETTING LECTURED, JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: PUT ON YOUR FACE AND SUIT. YOU CAN COME AND LISTEN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I ORDERED MY STAFF, BARBECUE FOR LUNCH BECAUSE I WANT THEM TO FALL

ASLEEP AND NOT PUSH ME THROUGH THE AGENDA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE'RE

GEPTING FRENCHY'S -- WE'RE GETTING FRENCHYS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW LUCINDA AND JAMES NEED TO POST ANOTHER AGENDA FOR THE ELECTIONS BOARD SO LET'S BREAK UNTIL 2:00. IT IS 12:50. WE WILL BE BACK AT 2:00.

[02:05:09]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:01 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE WERE JUST DISCUSSING -- WE JUST FINISHED BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND WE WERE ABOUT TO MOVE TO INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS. DO FOLKS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

THERE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MISSED THAT, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU HAVE ANY NOTES ON THE IGA AGENDA, PAGE 7, BEFORE WE GO --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: INTER GALACTIC AFFAIRS? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE ON TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH. POLLUTION CONTROL.

COMMUNITY SERVICES. THERE IS A TRANSMITAL ON OUR REPORT ON THE RECOVERY HOUSING PROGRAM ITEM 18A ON PAGE 8. THEY ARE ASKING WE REPLACE THE 18 WITH A 25.

AND THEN THEY -- COMMUNITY SERVICES ALSO REQUESTS THAT NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON ITEM 8B ON

PAGE 8 ON THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MANUAL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I DO

WANT TO COME BACK TO POLLUTION CONTROL. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW THEY HAD EDITS ON THE BIO, BUT IT MUST BE ELSEWHERE. LET'S GO BACK TO POLLUTION

CONTROL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. JUDGE, THANK YOU.

I WANT TO COMEPPED HER STAFF -- I WANT TO COMMEND HER STAFF AND A LITTLE INTO THE BUDGETING AND THE SETTING OF PRIORITIES. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS A DEPARTMENT THAT HAD BEEN PUT ON A FORCED DIET AND IT NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE FOLKS TO AN IMPORTANT MISSION AND THANKS TO YOUR LEADERSHIP AND MOST OF THE COLLEAGUES AND POLLUTION CONTROL IS DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB. THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS ON THE FRONT END OF THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF RECEIVING THE MILLION .1 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM ACC. POLLUTION CONTROL AND MY STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MAYOR RIGBY AND THE CITY MANAGER IN GETTING THESE AIR MONITORS PLACED.

AND THIS IS GOING TO THE CITY OF LA PORT. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS ITEM.

PRECINCT 2 IS AN INCREDIBLE PLACE. I MEAN, WE ARE HOME TO THE PORT OF HOUSTON. AND THERE ARE ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE NEIGHBORS WE HAVE WHETHER IT IS INDUSTRY OR COMMUNITY. UNSPHOORT -- UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED IN LEADING THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY WITH ITC AND THE OTHER EVENTS. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH HOW YOU BROUGHT TOGETHER THE SCATTERED RESOURCES WE HAD AT THE TIME SO THAT THE COMMUNITY COULD GET AN ACCURATE AND TRANSPARENT INFORMATION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE QUALITY OF THE AIR WAS DURING THAT TIME.

AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDED. IT CAME OUT OF THAT EVENT AND I WANT TO APPLAUD THE AMERICAN INDUSTRY COUNCIL FOR THEIR WELLNESS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND A PARTNER IN THE EFFORTS TO TAKE CARE OF THE COMMUNITY, AND AS I SAID SO MANY TIMES BEFORE, JUDGE, THAT PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECTING OUR INDUSTRY ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE TO EACH OTHER. WE CAN DO THEM WELL AND WE CAN DO THEM AT THE SAME TIME.

[02:10:15]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO ECHO YOUR POINT. IT IS A LACK OF INVESTMENT IN POLLUTION CONTROL AMONG THE MANY INADEQUACYIES -- INADEQUACIES.

I KNOW WE HAVE SOME OF THE DIS IRTIEST AIR. TO OUR FRIENDS TO THE WEST IN LOS ANGELES THEY HAVE MORE CARS THAN WE HAVE THEY HAVE 10 MILLION PEOPLE AND WE HAVE FIVE, BUT AT LEAST THEY CAN BLAME SOME OF IT ON A MOUNTAIN RANGE AND THE OCEAN WHERE IT GETS TRAPPED. IN OUR CASE, THERE ARE NO MOUNTAINS.

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE RESOURCES IT WON'T ADD ANYWHERE NEAR THE NUMBER OF MONITORS WE NEED. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE ON COUNCIL AND I THINK IT WAS WHEN YOUR -- PART OF THE EAST END YOU WERE GETTING A LOT OF IT.

THE STATE WENT BACK AND TOOK AWAY THE CITY'S ABILITY TO DO THEIR JOB.

YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF AGGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT FROM THE COUNTY'S SIDE.

WE DO NOW AND THEIR TEAM IS WORKING ON BEING CREATIVE WITH WHAT WE CAN DO WITH SOME OF THE ROCK CRUSHING. IT DOES TAKE MONEY. YOU CAN'T WISH IT AWAY OR PASS A RESOLUTION ON IT. IT IS A GOOD POINT. EVERY TIME WE CAN HIGHLIGHT IT, WE OUGHT TO HIGHLIGHT IT SO THAT THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT WE LACK BY NOT HAVING ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY, FIRST OF ALL AND THEN NOT HAVING THE MONEY TO AT LEAST HAVE THE TRANSPARENCY TO LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW BAD THE AIR IS. YOU GET IT FIRST AND THEN IT GETS TO A LOT OF US. A LOT OF THE DISPARITY YOU SEE ON COVID BECAUSE NOW WE KNOW IT IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE AIR AND NOW PEOPLE HAVE TO WALK AND THEY HAVE TO GET OUT AND NOT AS MANY CARS ARE ON THE ROAD FOR AWHILE, BUT THEY ARE COMING BACK.

WE REALLY OUGHT TO PUT A DENT IN THIS DIRTY AIR THAT HAS CREATED SO MANY CANCER-RELATED

ISSUES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND TO DR. BAR -- BAR BOUGHT -- BABBOT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE DISCUSSED COMMUNITY SERVICES ALREADY.

YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES. CONSTABLES. SHERIFF.

INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES. COUNTY CLERK.

KOIRN -- COUNTY ATTORNEY. JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. AND HERE I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE AND THANK JIM AND JAD AND BUDGET AND EVERYONE INVOLVED FOR THEIR WORK AND THINKING HOW WE CAN HAVE A MORE PAR MISS PAW TORE -- PARTICIPATORY PROCESS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE. THIS IS A GREAT THING TO START.

HOPEFULLY YOU CAN TAKE AND RUN WITH YOUR BUDGET SEASON SO THAT WE CAN BE REALLY, REALLY SMART WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGETING AND MAKING SURE THE COMMUNITIES INVOLVED, PARTICULARLY ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SIDE OF THINGS. THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT.

PRETRIAL SERVICES. COUNTY COURTS. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THIS

ONE, LUCINDA? >> YES, WE DO. WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER, BUT HAVE

ONE FOR THE OTHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF I AM UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, LUCINDA ON THE CREATION OF THE MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL EXECUTIVE POSITIONS AND SPACE,

CORRECT? ITEM 17 ON PAGE 10? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

THIS PERSON IS SPEAKING ON BOTH ITEMS, 17 AND 20A4. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> SENACIA MCQUEEN WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

MY NAME IS SENICA MCKEAN -- MCKEAN QUEEN -- MCQUEEN. SPECIFICALLY I WANTED TO TALK

[02:15:02]

INSTEAD OF FOLKS -- FOCUSING ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE TREATMENT OF THE POOR, MANY COUNTY JUDGES ARE USING A LOOPHOLE OF ONE-WEEK ASSIGNMENTS USING TECHNICALITIES TO AVOID CASE LOAD LIMITS IS OPPRESSIVE ON HISTORICAL MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. THE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION AND ARE NOT FOR SALE. THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS BY PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO NEED A COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY.

THEY OFTEN HAVE PLEA DEALS IN ASSISTED OF FIGHTING FOR PEOPLE'S LIVES.

WE NEED COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO PUT AN END TO THIS DEBT PRO MENTAL SYSTEM -- DETRIMENTAL SYSTEM CALLED NEED THEM AND PLEAD THEM. IT IS THE MOST VULNERABLE REPRESENTED. LONG-STANDING BEST PRACTICE AND DEFENSE PRINCIPALS STATE THE LAWYER APPOINTMENT PROCESS SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT OF THE JUDICIARY.

HARRIS COUNTY FELONY COURTS ARE UNWILLING TO IMPOSE CASE LOAD LIMITS ON THEIR OWN.

COMMISSIONER'S COURT NEEDS TO ACT. OUR CURRENT JUDGES ARE MAKING SYSTEM MORE EQUITABLE. WE NEED COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ACT NOW.

HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE NEED YOU TO END THE PAY FOR JUSTICE PRACTICE THAT PUNISH POOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD AN ATTORNEY. WE FIND OUT THAT ONE ATTORNEY WAS UH FOUNDEDDED -- WAS UH POIND -- APPOINTED 500 CASES A YEAR.

NOT COUNTING HIS PRIVATE CASES. THIS SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THE PROBLEM. HE DIDN'T SPEND ONE FULL DAY'S TIME ON DECISION THAT'S IMPACTS PEOPLE FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. WE FEEL THIS SYSTEM IS UNJUST BASED ON MY 41 YEARS OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND STUDYING THE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS AND HARRIS COUNTY FEDERAL JUDGES THAT THIS SYSTEM IS CORRUPT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN ANTIQUATED. IT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED AS EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE UPDATED. OUR TAX DOLLAR ARE SUPPOSED TO ENSURE THAT THOSE IN NEED ARE PROVIDED ADEQUATE COUNSEL. PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED AND HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS TO ACT NOW TO IMPLEMENT CASE LOAD LIMITS AND END ONE-WEEK TERM ASSIGNMENTS. JUDGES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ACCEPT CAMPAIGN FUNDS FROM ATTORNEYS THAT WILL WORK IN THEIR COURTROOM. THIS IS A CLEAR CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AND ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS

ISSUE. THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. MCQUEEN AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS WHO WILL COME UP, SO I WON'T COMMENT AFTER EVERY ONE, BUT I KNOW OUT OUT OF ALL OF THE THINGS GOING ON IN THE WORLD IT TAKES REAL LEADERSHIP FOR YOU TO TAKE THE TIME AND SPEAK UP FOR PEOPLE WHO END UP IN THIS POSITION. WE WILL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN -- THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS, BY THE WAY. YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, BUT I PASSED THAT FAIR DEFENSE ACT 20 YEARS AGO. PART OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS ASK FOR SOME CHANGES. I KNOW I AM SUBMITTING TESTIMONY AND, HEY, I'M ACCUSTOMED TO WHEN I WAS IN AUSTIN, I USED TO SAY PEOPLE ALWAYS COME TO ME, AND I NEED THEM TO GO GET SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN WE WILL DO IT.

IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT WE CAN SET THE CASE LOAD STANDARD. I WISH I HAD SOMEBODY BRIGHT LIKE YOU OR DREW WILLY WHO IS OUT THERE LISTENING WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PASS THAT BILL AND SOMEBODY GET ME SOME VOTES. I WOULD HAVE PUT IT IN THERE. I'M NOT SURE WE CAN DO THAT WITHOUT THE JUDGES. TO THE EXTENT WE CAN AND ADDING THE TRANSPARENCY AND THE DASHBOARDS, THEY GAVE YOU THIS INFORMATION AND IT IS BEING COLLECTED FOR A LONGTIME.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE AUDIT REPORT, BUT ON THIS ITEM, THE FELONY JUDGES UNDER THE LAW I PASSED BECAUSE IT IS ALL I COULD GET, TWO-THIRDS OF THEM HAVE TO AGREE.

BUT THEY OUGHT TO DO IT. IT IS THE COUNTY ISSUE YOU OUGHT TO RAISE WHEN YOU ARE SCREENING THESE JUDGES. I SAID THAT A NUMBER OF TIMES BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS FOR REFORM BEFORE THEY ARE AGAINST IT. WHEN THEY ARE RUNNING, THEY WILL COMMIT TO DAMN NEAR EVERYTHING. YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME FOLLOW-UP. THAT'S WHY I'M GLAD YOU TOOK THE TIME TO STAY ON THE LINE AND WAIT UNTIL YOU GOT HERE. KEEP THE ACTIVISM UP. ALL RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES, SIR.

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

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING ELSE , LUCINDA?

>> JUDGE, THERE WAS ANOTHER SPEAKER, BUT THAT LINE KEEPS GOING TO VOICEMAIL.

THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE TWO ITEMS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO JUDGE IF I MIGHT, IF BETH IS AROUND -- BETKEY IS ON THE LINE, LUCINDA?

>> YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ANY PROGRESS -- OBVIOUSLY YOUR SECOND

[02:20:07]

>> YES, SIR. YES. IT HAS BEEN REVIEWED.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE QUALITY CONTROL AND IF NOT TOMORROW THEN DEFINITELY THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. WE ARE JUST DOUBLE CHECKING. WE ARE CROSSING OUGHT OF THE T'S AND THE SECOND MODULE WILL PERTAIN TO THE FINANCIALS AND THE CASE LOADS AND ALL OF THIS INFORMATION, THIS PUBLIC INFORMATION THAT IS REALLY HARD TO GATHER.

I THINK THEY ARE PUTTING IT TOGETHER TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE AND MORE TRANS --

TRANSPARENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IN THE -- WE ARE LOSING MONEY RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE FELONY JUDGES ARE NOT AGREEING TO JOIN THE MAC, BUT HOW MUCH ARE WE LOSING?

>> I AM NOT SURE HOW MUCH MONEY WE ARE LOSING. I KNOW THE GRANT WAS TO SET UP THE COUNCIL AND INITIALLY IT IS A COUNTY PERMIT REPORT. THERE WAS MONEY LEFT ON THE TABLE. I AM NOT SURE HOW MUCH. WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS AND I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL SEE SOME MOVEMENT IN THAT DIRECTION.

THEY CAN SERVE WITH THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS AND THE JUVENILE COURTS.

WE ARE DOING IT SO IT CAN STICK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JIM, I MAY HAVE MORE QUESTIONS WHEN I GET TO THE AUDITOR'S REPORT. WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU HAVE A BAD SPOT THERE. THERE IS A LITTLE ECHO. YOU MIGHT WORK ON THAT.

GET SOME OF THAT CARES MONEY TO GET YOU A HOTSPOT. >> YES, SIR.

THANK YOU. SORRY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S ALL

RIGHT. >> JUDGE, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE OTHER SPEAKER BACK ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. LET'S HEAR FROM THEM. THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. I DIANA WILLIAMS. >> YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS DIANA WILLIAMS. I AM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ORGANIZER FOR GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE.

I RAISED MY FAMILY IN PRECINCT 2 SINCE 1993. GO MUSTANGS! YAY!

>> HOORAH! >> I AM CALLING IN TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF LIMITING THE CASE LOADS OF COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS BY CREATING AN OFFICE OF MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL. THE 6TH AMENDMENT SAYS IN PART THAT THE ACCUSED SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL. DATA AND REPORTS SHOW THE AVERAGE CASE LOAD FOR MANY COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS IN HARRIS COUNTY IS 500 YEARLY IN ADDITION TO WHAT THE ATTORNEY MAY BE HANDLING IN THEIR OWN PRACTICES.

THIS IS WAY TOO MANY CASES FOR THE ATTORNEYS TO DO ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE CASE.

MY ORGANIZATION STARTED A LETTER-WRITING PROGRAM IN THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL SHORTLY AFTER THE COUNTY RELEASED ELIGIBLE, LOW OFFENSE INMATES FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID THE SPREAD OF COVID TO THE INMATES AND JAIL PERSONNEL.

THE LETTER WRITE -- WRITING PROGRAM WAS NOT MEANT TO BE A [INAUDIBLE] PROGRAM, BUT REACH OUT TO THOSE ACCUSED OF A CRIME AND NOT ABLE TO MAKE BAIL WITH THE INTENTION OF HAVING CONVERSATIONS BY MAIL WITH THOSE INCARCERATED TO SEE HOW THEY WERE DOING AND DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC AND IF THERE WAS ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF ANY LEGAL ADVICE WE CAN HELP THEM WITH. MAYBE CONTACTING FAMILY MEMBERS, FOR INSTANCE.

IN ONE LETTER I RECEIVED, ONE MAN ASKED IF WE CAN CONTACT HIS ATTORNEY.

HE KNEW HIS ATTORNEY'S NAME AND HAD MET HIM ONCE. HE SAID HE HAD BEEN INCARCERATED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WAITING AND HAD NOT SEEN ANYTHING OR HEARD ANYTHING. IMAGINE SITTING IN JAIL WAITING FOR WEEKS TO FIND OUT SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CASE. LONG STORY SHORT, THOSE INCARCERATED DESERVE TO HAVE

[02:25:01]

RIGHTS AS OTHERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MS. WILLIAMS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORGANIZING EFFORT.

AS I MENTIONED TO MR. MCQUEEN, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO THE JUDGES.

I THINK MANY OF YOU SCREENED WHEN THEY WERE RUNNING. AND THEY ARE RUNNING NOW.

HE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE LINE, BUT I WISH I HAD THE VOTES OR HAD THE WISDOM TO DO A LOT OF THINGS DIFFERENTLY WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THAT FAIR DEFENSE ACT 20 YEARS AGO. FOR THAT MATTER, ON THE MAC PROGRAM IT IS KIND OF INTERESTING TO BE HERE ON THE GROUND AND TO HAVE CARRIED A LOT OF THESE ISSUES AND -- BECAUSE YOU PASS THEM AND THEN FORGET ABOUT IT UNTIL SOMEBODY COMES AND ASK -- ASKS YOU ABOUT IT. INCLUDING REPORTING WHAT THEY MAKE AND WHAT THEIR CASE LOAD IS. WHEN WE GET TO THE AUDITOR'S ITEM I WILL ASK THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND MR. BETKEY WHO WAS AROUND WHEN A LOT OF THESE LAWS WERE PUT IN PLACE. I JUST HAPPEN TO BE THE GUY CARRYING A FEW OF THEM.

SOMETIMES THEY GET TIRED OF ME AND I ASK SOMEBODY ELSE TO PASS THEM.

MOST WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON THESE JUDGES. I WILL SAY THIS. SOME OF THIS HAS HAD SOME IMPACT WHETHER IT IS THE DASHBOARD OR YOU ALL AGITATING , SINCE THE DASHBOARD CAME OUT , THE PD'S OFFICE HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO 17 PERCENT OF THE FELONY CASES COMPARED TO LESS THAN 5% IN JUNE WHEN MY OFFICE PUT IN THE REQUEST FOR THE DASHBOARDS.

THE SECOND DASHBOARD IS COMING. KEEP ASKING THE QUESTION.

ALSO IN AUSTIN WE HAVE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME CHANGES. HOWEVER FAR WE CAN GO UNDER THE LAW. I PASSED A VERSION UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH AND THEN GOVERNOR PERRY MADE SOME CHANGES TO GET IT OUT. ONE WAS TWO-THIRDS OF THE JUDGES HAVE TO AGREE. I REMEMBER BEING TOLD IF I WOULDN'T ACCEPT THAT, THE BILL WOULDN'T GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. THAT'S WHY THAT TWO-THIRDS PROVISION IS IN THERE. THOSE JUDGES HAVE A LOT OF POWER ON THIS.

AND THEY OBVIOUSLY STAND FOR RE-ELECTION AS WELL. THEY CAN'T TALK TO YOU ABOUT A SPECIFIC CASE. BUT IF THEY ARE PLANNING ON RUNNING, THEY WILL TALK TO YOU. AND YOU ALL HELPED A LOT. I WANT TOEN -- TO ENCOURAGE YOU -- YOU CAN'T SIGN UP TO SPEAK IN THAT COURTROOM LIKE YOU CAN SIGN UP OVER HERE.

YOU HAVE TO DO SOME OF THAT AGITATION OVER THERE AS WELL. I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME, MS. WILLIAMS, TO DO THIS. ACCESS TO JUSTICE DOES A GREAT

JOB. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> THOSE WERE ALL OF THE

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

WE WENT THROUGH PRETRIAL SERVICES. COUNTY COURTS.

THAT WAS THIS ONE. TRAVEL AND TRAINING. GRANTS.

[III. Public Hearings (Part 1 of 2)]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO PAGE 24 OF THE PUBLIC HEARING WE HAVE -- I KNOW -- I NOW OPEN PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED PARK DEVELOPMENTS SCHEDULED FOR CHALLENGER 7 MEMORIAL PARK. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS -- OR

AGAINST THIS ITEM. >> JUDGE, WE ARE TRYING TO REACH MARIE FLICKENGER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FLICKENGER, YES. >> CAN'T PRONOUNCE NAMES

TODAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M LIKE THAT MOST DAYS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM IN THE MEANTIME?

[02:30:01]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IT IS A GREAT ITEM. PRECINCT 1 I AM TOLD HAS NEVER APPLIED FOR A GRANT, AND SO WE ARE LEARNING FROM PRECINCTS 2 AND 4 IN PARTICULAR TO GET IN THE QUE. I WISH WE WOULD HAVE ASKED FOR MORE SINCE WE MISSED OUT ALL OF THOSE YEARS. MY BROTHER THAT IS ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR ME, BUT HE DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT THIS ONE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE DIDN'T PASS ON INFORMATION ON IT EITHER. HE WAS TRYING TO GIVE ME CHICKEN WINGS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MY FRENCHY'S I WANT YOU TO KNOW WAS VERY GOOD.

WITH THE BEANS AND RICE, WITH THE GREENS AND -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THE

BISCUIT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THE BISCUIT AND ANOTHER CLASSIC

SIDE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU THOUGHT BECAUSE THEY HAD TO MOVE FOR WILL AVENUE CHURCH THEY WERE CLOSED, BUT THEY MOVED DOWN THE STREET TEMPORARILY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DIDN'T REALIZE. YEAH, THEY HAVE ANOTHER ONE BY SAINT PIOUS WHERE MY SON PLAYED FOOTBALL BACK IN THE DAY.

THERE ARE A FEW OTHERS IN TOWN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE ORIGINAL

IS THE BEST. THE ORIGINAL ONE IS THE BEST. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO THEY HAVE

THE SAME LADIES THERE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO, THEY'RE DIFFERENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF Y'ALL JUST NOTICE, I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT MY RIBS AND BARBECUE, BUT I JUST NOTICED HOW THE JUDGE IS LOOKING AT US AND SHE IS SAYING WHILE YOU ALL ARE CLUTCHING YOUR CHEST AND GASPING FOR AIR, I WILL BE JOGGING BY TO MAKE MY 100-MILE

FOR THE MONTH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND REMAINING A VEGAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST ATE LUNCH AND Y'ALL ARE MAKING ME HUNGRY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE DON'T FIND MARIE FLICKENGER, I THINK SHE WILL EXCUSE US IF WE DON'T

GET HER. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY NEWS? >> THEY HAVE US ON HOLD AND

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET HER. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE CAN COME

BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL COME BACK.

LET US KNOW, LUCINDA, IF YOU GET HER AND WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> HANG ON A SECOND. I THINK THEY ARE TYPING BACK RIGHT NOW.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SEE, I GREW UP IN MARIE FLICKENGER'S TERRITORY WITH THE SOUTH BELT LEADER. RECENTLY SHE FOUND AN OLD ARCHIVE PICTURE OF ME WHEN I WAS IF HIGH SCHOOL WITH LONG HAIR AND PARTED DOWN THE MIDDLE.

>> SHE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 10 MINUTES. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

WE WILL WAIT ON THAT THEN. IF YOU WILL JUST LET US KNOW AND WE WILL COME BACK TO THIS ITEM. FOR NOW WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SO GOING BACK TO THE AGENDA, FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING.

[I. Departments (Part 3 of 5)]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT PAGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: ON PAGE 15 RIGHT NOW.

ITEM 20. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS UNDER THE AUDITOR, LUCINDA?

>> YES. I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM A4 ON PAGE 15. THAT IS A CYBER SECURITY TRAINING PROGRAM TRANSMITAL.

>> DAVE LEWIS WITH SECOND CHANCES.LIFE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S THE TRAINING PROGRAM AND THE HARRIS COUNTY INDIGENT DEFENDANTS.

>> I THINK HE DROPPED ON US. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET THE NEXT ONE.

GABRIELLE LAW B WITH TEXAS JAIL PROJECT. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM.

GO AHEAD. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO. MY NAME IS GABRIELLE LAW AND I WORK WITH TEXAS JAIL PROJECT. I AM SPEAKING LIKE OTHERS BEFORE ME TO CONTINUE TO RAISE THE ALARM ON A BLOATED AND BIASED COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY SYSTEM THAT FAVORS TAKE ACTION WHERE IT CAN BY ENDING THE ONE-WEEK TERM LOOP LOOPHOLE AND LIMITS FOR COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS. IN OUR WORK SPEAKING WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST HARRIS COUNTY ARE THE RULE AND NOT THE EXCEPTION. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH 13 PEOPLE WHOSE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY REFUSED TO APPLY FOR A BOND RE -- REDUCTION DESPITE NEVER HAVING ONE BEFORE. 20 PEOPLE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEIR ATTORNEY IN SIX MONTHS AND 11 PEOPLE WHO EXPLICITLY EXPRESSED FEAR THEY WERE BEING PRESSURED AND MANIPULATED TO TAKE WHAT THE STATE AS OFFERING. THESE ARE ONE TINY SUM OF THE

[02:35:06]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, LET ME TRY THIS OTHER ONE. STILL NO LUCK. WE ARE TRYING TO REACH THE

OTHER TWO SPEAKERS. SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, WHILE REARE WAITING I I WILL ASK THE AUDITOR TO GIVE US THE INDIGENT REPORT.

>> I HAVE MONIQUE JOSEPH NOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL WAIT. >> MONIQUE JOSEPH WITH

RESTORING JUSTICE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR ME SPEAK AGAIN TODAY.

WHILE I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, I AM ALSO SADDENED BY THE NECESSITY TO SPEAK ON THE TOPIC AGAIN. WHILE WE ARE EACH STRUGGLING DURING THE WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC, EACH OF YOU AND MOST FOLKS LISTEN HAVING A SAFE HOME TO GO HOME TO.

WE HAVE ACCESS OF A SAFETY NET OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND RESOURCES.

THIS COVID-19 CRISIS WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING IS EXTREMELY HARD FOR MOST OF US.

THE FEARS AND THE WORRIES WE FACE DO NOT COMPARE TO THE FEARS PACED -- FACED BY THE 6,510 PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL PRETRIAL. THE AVERAGE STAY IS 209 NIGHTS. LOCAL DATA FROM THE REPORT YOU EACH RECEIVED IN LATE SEPTEMBER SHOWS THAT FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE CRIMES, COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS ARE MEETING WITH THEM FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS PER FELON CASE AND EVEN LESS FOR MISDEMEANOR CASES. THIS SUN ACCEPTABLE. THIS IS UNAGO -- UNACCEPTABLE. I WORKED IN ORGANIZE ANDING AND WAS ACHE -- DASH WAS ABLE TO MEET PEOPLE OF VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS. NOW THAT I WORK WITH RESTORING JUSTICE, THOSE PEOPLE ARE REACHING OUT THROUGH E-MAILS AND LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS AND TEXTS WITH REFERRALS FROM THE COMMUNITY. EACH OF THESE REQUESTS ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR AN ATTORNEY THAT CARES AND AN ATTORNEY THAT WILL MEET WITH THEM OR THEIR CHILD OR PARTNER MORE THAN JUST AT COURT. YOU THAT HEAR THE DESPERATION IN THESE MOTHERS' VOICES PLEADING FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE FOR THEIR CHILD.

I AM NOT ONLY HEARING THESE PLEAS, BUT I GET ANGRY KNOWING THESE TWO THINGS, NUMBER ONE, MY LIFE AND MY HUSBAND'S LIFE AND MY CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE FOREVER ALTERED BECAUSE OF HARRIS COUNTY'S FAILED COURT APPOINTED SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR INDIGENT PEOPLE. NUMBER TWO, I AM ANGRY BECAUSE I KNOW LAST YEAR FIVE ATTORNEYS MADE OVER $1.4 MILLION OFF THE BACKS OF SOME OF HARRIS COUNTY'S MOST VULNERABLE. ONE OF THE FIVE ATTORNEYS, ATTORNEY BARR, IS THE HUSBAND OF A JUDGE THAT LOST HER SEAT IN 2018. THAT JUDGE HAPPENS TO BE THE JUDGE THAT ALLOWED THE MISERY MY FAMILY IS CURRENTLY FACING.

RESTORING JUSTICE STARTED A PETITION WHICH TODAY HAS OVER 3,400 SIGNATURES AND COUNTING. THE PROBLEM WE HAVE SHARED WITH YOU ARE NOT GOING AWAY.

THEY ARE NOT GETTING BETTER ON THEIR OWN. RESTORING JUSTICE WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS WILL NOT GROW WEARY. WE ASK COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO DO EVERYTHING WITHIN ITS POWER TO PUT AN END TO THIS DETRIMENTAL SYSTEM.

THAT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A MEET EM AND PLEAD EM SYSTEM. AS THE WORDS OF ANGELA DAVIS, I AM NO LONGER ACCEPTING THE THINGS I I CANNOT CHANGE. I AM CHANGING THE THINGS I CANNOT ACCEPT. WE ASK THE COURT DOES THE SAME THING.

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

>> JUDGE I DO I DO HAVE ONE MORE THEY ARE TRYING TO REACH.

ONE MOMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HEAR COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

YOU WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE AUDITOR? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED THE AUDITOR TO WALK THROUGH THE REPORT AND THEN I WOULD LIKE SOME REACTION FROM BETKEY AND ALEX IF THEY ARE ON THE LINE. MR. POST, THANK YOU. IT IS A GOOD REPORT.

I WILL LET THE COURT WALK THROUGH IT. YES, I WILL WILL --

>> I WELL LET ERIKA PERKINS WHO IS THE CHIEF OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT DIVISION WALK THROUGH IT. SHE WAS THE ONE MOST INVOLVED.

>> HELLO COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. FOR THE INDIGENT DEFENSE

[02:40:04]

THOSE ARE THE ONES WHEN YOU HEAR THE DISTRICT REPORTS MENTIONING THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY DRAFTED A CONTRACT, THAT'S THE CONTRACT THAT THEY ARE DRAFTING FOR THOSE ONE-WEEK PLUS ASSIGNMENTS. NOW, ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE FOR THOSE ONE-WEEK PLUS ASSIGNMENTS, THEY WILL NEED TO HAVE CASE LOAD.

IT IS A PRODUCT OF REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS ADD STRAIGHT TIFF -- ADMINISTRATIVE CODE THAT YOU HAVE THE CASE LOAD GUIDANCE IN THERE.

IN THE REPORT WE ACTUALLY REFERENCE THAT PARTICULAR RULE WITHIN THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE AND WE ALSO REFERENCED THE GUIDELINES FOR CASE LOAD ASSIGNMENTS.

WE ALSO KNOW WITHIN THE REPORT THAT THE PDO'S OFFICE ALREADY HAS CASE LOAD ASSIGNMENTS IN THEIR PLAN. EACH OF THE COURTS THAT HAVE INDIGENT DEFENSE HAS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT TALKS ABOUT HOW YOU ARE GOING TO APPOINT ATTORNEYS AND THE ATTORNEYS' QUALIFICATIONS ET CETERA. IN THE PDO'S PLAN THEY HAVE THE CASE LOAD ASSIGNMENTS AND OF COURSE THAT IS GOING TO BE A PART OF THE MAC.

WHEN WE DISCUSSED WITH THE DISTRICT COURTS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO INCLUDE IN THEIR PLANS, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE CASE LOADS IN THEIR PLAN RIGHT NOW. AND AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE WE DON'T HAVE THE WRITTEN CONTRACTS AT HARRIS COUNTY FOR ONE WEEK PLUS ASSIGNMENTS CURRENTLY.

THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO IS THERE IS A LOT OF DATA BACK THERE AND I BELIEVE FROM WHAT I AM HEARING RIGHT NOW WHICH YOU MAY BE LOOKING AT IS THE IMPENDING B THAT'S WHERE WE PULLED DATA FOR OF 2019 TO FEBRUARY 29TH OF 2020.

AND YOU HAVE SOME PRIVATE ATTORNEYS THAT ARE HAVING AS MUCH AS 800 EMPLOYEES AND THAT IS 450 FELONY CASES AND 397 MISDEMEANOR CASES AND WE HAVE ALL THAT DATA AFFORDED AND PENDING FOR THE TOP 80 ATTORNEYS. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO IS I HAVE A SAMPLE CONTRACT AND YOU CAN SEE IN THE TEXT OF THE FULL CONTRACT IN APPENDIX C THAT ONE OF THE FIRST REQUIREMENTS -- IT IS ACTUALLY THUB THREE IS CASE LOAD. IF YOU WERE TO USE THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE -- OR -- I SAID TAX, BUT I WENT TO SAY TIBC. YOU CAN SEE ON ITEM NUMBER THREE THEY HAVE CASE LOAD REQUIREMENTS THERE IN THEIR SAMPLE CONTRACTS. SHOULD THE DISTRICT COURTS FINALIZE THE CONTRACTS FOR THE ONE WEEK PLUS ASSIGNMENTS. THE OTHER INTERESTING POINT THAT I BELIEVE YOU MAY -- THAT I I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION IS APPENDIX E. THAT'S WHERE WE USE THE COUNTY'S PEOPLE SOFT DATA --

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH DATA IS APPENDIX E? >> APPENDIX E IS ON PAGE 19.

WHAT WE DID WAS TAKE THE PEOPLE SOFT DATA AND YOU CAN SEE THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS.

THIS IS FOR TIDC'S PROGRAM HERE FOR 2019. AND YOU CAN SEE THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS. THIS IS THE FULL DATA SET FOR ALL OF THE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS.

THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTY HAS PAID THESE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS FOR THIS ONE YEAR TIDC'S

ONE-YEAR PERIOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE CAN I ASK A QUESTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

YOU DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS. >> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU DON'T KNOW, BUT I WILL ASK MR. BUNYON OR MR. BETKEY AND MR. SOARD, DO WE HAVE THE

ABILITY TO WRITE CASE LOAD STANDARD FOR THESE STANDARDS. >> I DIDN'T SEE IT IN THE

[02:45:16]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT I AM THINKING IS IF MR. BETKEY OR MR. BUNYON CAN JUMP IN.

I KNOW THE JUDGES CAN DO IT. IF IT IS A CONTRACT, IT IS LIKE WHEN THEY DO THIS WEEK TO WEEK THING, IF THAT'S THE CONTRACT, I THINK WE COULD -- AT LEAST WE CAN VOTE NO ON IT. ONE OF Y'ALL JUMP IN HERE AND HELP ME OUT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TRYING TO ASK. MS. BELL, I PASSED THAT BILL THAT REPORTS THE DATA WHERE THEY HAVE TO SEND THE DATA IN AND YOU ARE USING IT FOR THIS REPORT. WE ARE MAKING IT TRANSPARENT, BUT THE NEXT STEP IS WHAT THE HECK CAN WE DO TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP THIS THAT IS GOING ON.

BUYON, CAN YOU ANSWER IT? BUNYON IS ON THE BOARD. I KNOW WE CAN ENFORCE IT IF THE BOARD WOULD STOP GIVING THE DISCRETIONARY MONEY. THEY CAN MAKE ALL OF THE MONEY

DISCRETIONARY. >> THIS IS ALEX BUNYON, HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER.

FIRST OF ALL, THE AUDIT WAS -- THEY DID A REALLY GOOD JOB. IT LAYS IT ALL OUT.

THE ONE POINT THAT I WAS MAKING BEFORE THAT THIS DOES NOT REACH AND I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DIDN'T REACH IT, BUT THE LIMITED TERM ASSIGNMENTS ARE THE EQUIVALENT CONTRACTS.

I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS AUTHORITY OVER THEM AND THEY COULD IMPLEMENT CASE

MAXIMUMS FOR THOSE TWO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IF YOU WOULD, MR. BUNYON, IF YOU BRING IT IN TWO WEEKS I WILL VOTE ON IT. AT LEAST IT WILL STOP IT WITH THOSE TWO. BUT THIS AUDIT REPORT IS SHOWING THAT IT IS GETTING AROUND IT. THESE TWO ARE HOW MANY OF THE APPOINTMENTS, WHAT PERCENT?

>> I'M SORRY. WHICH TWO ARE YOU REFERRING TO?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE TWO YOU ARE SAYING COULD BE TREATED AS TERM CONTRACTS.

THERE ARE TWO TERM CONTRACTS. >> THE LIMITING TERM -- >> LIMITED TERM ASSIGNMENTS ARE THE ONES LESS THAN A WEEK. AND WHAT THE REPORT -- ON PAGE 11 OF THE REPORT THEY FIND INSTANCES WHERE THESE LIMITED TERM ASSIGNMENTS LASTING LESS THAN A WEEK WERE DONE CONSECUTIVELY. SO IT IS THE SAME THING IF YOU DO THEM CONSECUTIVELY. THAT MAY JUST BE A MISTAKE. THAT MAY BE A MISTAKE THAT IT WASN'T CAUGHT, BUT THE SAME LAWYER IS GOING WEEK AFTER WEEK AFTER WEEK WITHOUT A

CONTRACT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO, ALEX, YOU ARE SAYING YOU THINK WE COULD -- IN YOUR OPINION WE COULD COME UP WITH STANDARDS, FOR CASE LOAD STANDARDS OF

THOSE LIMITED TERM ASSIGNMENTS? >> I BELIEVE SO.

THE AUDITOR'S REPORT DOESN'T REACH THAT AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE LEGAL OPINION.

I BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. SOARD, DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT? DO YOU NEAT TO CONFER? I WOULD LIKE TO COME BACK WITH AN EYE -- ITEM ON THE AGENDA, BUT I DON'T WANT TO DEFEND MY OWN JUDGMENT. I WANT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO

DO IT. >> THE COMMISSION IS WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT JUDGE'S LAWYER PHOS COME UP WITH SOME -- LAWYER TO COME UP WITH COMMON GROUND SO WE CAN ALL

AGREE ON SOMETHING. THAT'S WHAT OUR OFFICE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S WHAT IS PREFERABLE. THEY WILL HANDLE ALL OF IT, BUT NOT -- I DON'T MIND GIVING SOME TIME, MR. SOARD, BUT WE HAVE BEEN AT IT AWHILE, BUT EVEN IF WE HAVE TO TEST THE LAW, I PREFER NOT TO DO THAT, BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> I AGREE THAT THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE GIVES THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT AUTHORITY. I CAN TELL YOU IN FULL DISCLOSURE THAT THE DISTRICT

COURT JUDGES OR THEIR LAWYERS DISAGREE WITH THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL TRUST

YOUR JUDGMENT. THAT'S OUR DEFENSE OVER HERE. >> WE ARE GOING FOR A

RESOLUTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHO IS THE LAWYER?

>> IT IS ELAINE GAFNEY AND LISA TEECHEE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHO PAYS FOR

THOSE LAWYERS? >> YOU KNOW, MAYBE DAVID BERRY CAN TELL US.

THEY ARE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT MAY COME IN UNDER EQUITY. WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT CLOSELY ON THE EQUITY

[02:50:02]

MR. BUNYON, ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS? I THINK IT WAS UNANIMOUS THAT WITHIN TWO YEARS YOUR OFFICE WOULD HELP -- WAS IT 40 OR 50% OF THE CASES?

I CANNOT REMEMBER. >> YOUR PROPOSAL WAS 50%. I AM WORK -- WORKING WITH MR. BERRY AND COMING UP WITH WHAT CAN BE DONE AND WE ARE COMING BACK TO YOU WITH WHAT CAN BE

DONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD BE FOR -- IF THIS COURT WILL GIVE YOU THE BUDGET TO DO IT AND THEN THE JUDGES WON'T MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS UNDER THE LAW AS IT EXISTS. SO YOU CUT BACK ON A RECOMMENDATION ON HOW TO GET

TO THE 50%? >> YEAH. AND LET ME SAY IN FAIRNESS TO THE COURT ADMINISTRATION AND THE JUDGES, AS MR. SOARD IS SAYING, WE ARE WORKING TOWARD THAT. WE ARE COOPERATING. WHAT I LACK RIGHT NOW IS ANYWAY I WOULD HAVE A PREDICTABLE CASE LOAD. THAT'S BECAUSE I AM DEALING WITH 23 SEPARATE COURTS AND WE DON'T HAVE AN AGREEMENT OF EXACTLY HOW I WILL GET THE

NUMBER OF CASES YOU NEED TO BUDGET FOR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO I ASK WHILE YOU AND MR. BERRY ARE WORKING ON IT I WOULD USE THE BUDGET AS A WAY OF MAKING SURE WE ACHIEVE THIS. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE FUND SOMETHING THAT IS VIOLATING THE FAIR DEFENSE ACT. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS PASSING IT, THE SAME WHEN WE HAD A DISCOVERY STATUTE. THE JUDGES WOULD ALWAYS FIGHT ANYTHING THAT PUTS A SANCTION ON THEM IN THE LAW WHEN A RULE IS PUT IN PLACE. BUT THE SAME PEOPLE WHO WOULD WANT TO ENHANCE THE PENALTIES ON EVERYBODY ELSE ON THE DISCOVERY SIDE WE THROW OUT

THE EVIDENCE AND YOU COME AFTER THAT. >> YES, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGES, HOPEFULLY I AM NOT GETTING AN ECHO. I DID TALK TO MY REPRESENTATIVE AND I GOT NEW AIR PODS. I WANT TO COMPLIMENT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR THE WORK THAT THEY PUT IN AND TO BUILD OFF OF WHAT ALEX HAS SAID AND WE ARE WORKING AND ROBERT WE ARE WORKING AS THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS INCLUDING THEIR ATTORNEYS TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT IS -- SOMETHING THAT DOES MEET THE REQUIREMENTS. I WILL POINT OUT ONE THING ON PAGE SEVEN OF THE AUDITOR'S REPORT. I FIND IT FRUSTRATING. MY FORMER OFFICE ISSUED A REPORT IN OCTOBER OF 2016. IT WAS OVER FOUR YEARS AGO. AND BASICALLY IT THEY MUST IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM NOTING THE TIDC'S CONTRACT DEFD -- DEFENDER RULES ARE TERM ASSIGNMENTS EXCEEDING ONE WEEK. NO WORK WHATSOEVER HAS BEEN DONE. I THINK REALLY THE CATALYST BEHIND THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT'S ACTION WAS THIS REPORT THAT MY FORMER OFFICE ISSUED IN 2016.

I DO THINK THAT THERE IS MOMENTUM AND ALEX AND DAVID ARE WORKING ON THE EXPANSION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE. THEY ALSO ASKED US TO ADD TO THAT REPORT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WILL BE COMING BACK WITH IS A COMPLETE UNIT BY DEFENSE DELIVERY SYSTEM THAT NEEDS AND EXCEEDS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE LAW THAT IS A BASELINE. IN THE DECEMBER -- WE WON'T BE ABLE TO BRING IT ABOUT OVERNIGHT AND IT IS NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY BE LESS COSTLY, BUT IT WILL DEFINITELY ADDRESS THE CONCERNS FROM RESTORING JUSTICE AND THE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES BEING PROVIDED WITH LIMITED CASE

LOADS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HERE IS MY ASK.

I WILL MAKE IT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION UNLESS YOU TELL ME I NEED TO.

ON THE AFTERNOON OF MR. GEORGE FLOYD FUNERAL, THIS COURT UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS. ONE WAS THAT IN TWO YEARS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE CAN HANDLE 50% OF THESE CASES. WE KNOW THE SLEEPING LAWYER CASES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS

[02:55:08]

HANDLING MR. BUNYON, 6% OF THE CASES? >> WHEN I GOT HERE IN -- WHEN I GOT HERE IN 2017. WHAT IS IT AT NOW? ALEX, WHAT PERCENT OF THE

CASES ARE YOU HANDLING NOW? >> OH, I'M ON AGAIN. IT WAS UP TO 17%.

FOR THE YEAR IT IS A LITTLE LOWER. I MEAN, I THINK THINGS ARE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET SOME CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WILL

CONTINUE AND WE WILL ADD SOME PREDICT BUILT. >> I WANT Y'ALL TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON HOW TO GET THERE. AT LEAST I WILL COME AND ASK FOR A REPORT. SIX MONTHS AGO WE ADOPTED IT AND SAID 50% [INAUDIBLE] AND SO I WANT TO KEEP THAT QUARTERLY. NOT QUARTERLY EVERY YEAR, BUT AT LEAST SOME BENCHMARK TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. YOU ARE ON THAT BOARD AND JIM USED TO WORK THERE. THEY COULD STOP GIVING US -- UNDER THE LAW THEY COULD STOP GIVING US THE FORM OF MONEY. WE DECIDED NOT TO GO AFTER MAC MONEY, AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE KNOW WHAT THAT IS. I AM NOT ABOVE ASKING.

I WILL WRITE A LETTER. Y'ALL STOP GIVING AWAY THE FORMULA MONEY.

IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO IGNORE , BUT WE CAN'T BE IN A POSITION WHETHER IT IS THE BUDGET PROCESS OR WHATEVER WE DO, WE CAN'T JUST LET PEOPLE IGNORE THE LAW.

IT WAS AN ADDITION THAT PUT IN THE LAW THAT REQUIRES THAT THE PEOPLE'S OFFICE BE THE PREFERENCE. WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE ADDED? I GUESS I WAS THERE WHEN THEY

DID IT OR MAYBE THEY DID IT WHEN I LEFT. >> YES, THERE IS A PRIORITY

FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND IT IS NOTED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE A

PERCENTAGE ON THE PRIORITY? >> NO. THE FAIR DEFENSE ACT ALSO ALLOWS US TO STOP WHEN WE HAVE TOO MANY CASES. THE WAY I INTERPRET THAT IS THAT WE SHOULD REACH SOME AGREEMENT WITH THE COURTS ON WHAT IS A PROPER PERCENTAGE

AND WORK FROM THERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO YOU ESSENTIALLY HAVE A CASE LOAD

STANDARD UNDER THE LAW, BUT THEY DON'T? >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I ASK JUST SO I AM UNDERSTANDING, COMMISSIONER, AND MAYBE FOR THE AUDITOR TOO, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THAT THE -- THEY HAVE STANDARDS IF IT IS LONGER THAN ONE WEEK AND SO THEY ARE EXTENDING THE ONE-WEEK PERIOD AND THAT WAY GETTING AROUND

IT? IS THAT THE SITUATION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT USED TO BE A ONE-YEAR TERM ASSIGNMENT AND THEY HAVE CUT THAT BACK. IS THAT --

>> JUDGE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED IN SEVERAL CASES. THAT'S IN THE AUDITOR'S REPORT. UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE THE TIBC HAS NOT PREVENTED THE LOCAL COURTS FROM USING LESS THAN A WEEK ASSIGNMENT WITHOUT A CONTRACT.

THAT'S WHAT IT. IT ALSO SAYS IN ANOTHER STATUTE OUT AND THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN REFERRING TO THAT ANY CONTRACT COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS AUTHORITY OVER, SO THAT'S WHY I AM SAYING YOU COULD IMPOSE THOSE MAXIMUMS UPON THOSE EVEN LESS

CONTRACTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I GUESS WHAT I'M ASKING IS, ALEX, I KNOW EVERYBODY IS TALKING, YOU KNOW, BUT AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO PULL THE TRIGGER. SO AS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THOSE ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF YOUR OFFICE. THAT'S WHY WE WANT SO MANY INDEPENDENT.

YOU, WHEN YOU ARE READY, PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. THEY CAN KEEP TALKING, BUT PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. I'LL VOTE FOR IT. I JUST PREFER YOU PUT IT ON THE AGENDA SO -- SO YOU CAN EXPLAIN IT INSTEAD OF EXPLAINING IT TO ME AND THEN I

EXPLAIN IT. >> SURE. NO PROBLEM.

WE'LL DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER RADACK.

>> STEVE RADACK: JIM, ARE YOU THERE? >> YES, SIR.

>> STEVE RADACK: YOU KNOW WHAT CONCERNS ME, JIM, IS THAT I THINK WE HAVE SOME OUTSTANDING JUDGES AND THERE MAY BE SOME ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH EVERY DAY.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE SLAPPING JUDGES BASED UPON THEIR FEELINGS.

[03:00:04]

>> COMMISSIONER RADACK, I DON'T DISAGREE. I THINK WE ARE HAVING SOME BREAKTHROUGHS. I AM NOT GOING TO SAY THERE MAY NOT BE AN OUT LIAR OR TWO WITH THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS, BUT I KNOW THE ONES I HAVE WORKED WITH HAVE BEEN RECEPTIVE, AND I THINK ONCE THEY HAD AT THEIR FINGERTIPS OUR FIRST DASHBOARD LITERALLY WITHIN TWO WEEKS, THE APPOINTMENTS WENT FROM LIKE 7% TO 17%.

AS ALEX INDICATED WE ARE HAVING TALKS WITH THEM. WE TALKED WITH THEIR TECHNOLOGY PEOPLE EARLIER THIS WEEK AND THEIR COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DO THIS IN A COLLABORATIVE MANNER.

I DO SENSE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS KIND OF ANXIOUSNESS AS FAR AS MOVING ALONG. I DO THINK WE NEED TO DO IT CONSCIOUSLY.

I AM KIND OF A GLASS HALF FULL AND WE WILL GET THERE TOGETHER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WHEN I LOOK AT THIS LIST, APPENDIX B, IT DEPICTS TOP 80 PRIVATE ATTORNEYS BY NUMBER OF CASES FOR A PERIOD OF MARCH 2019 TO FEBRUARY OF 2020. YOU HAD SOMEBODY ON THERE GETTING 450 APPOINTMENTS -- FELONY APPOINTMENTS. 397 MISDEMEANOR APPOINTMENTS FOR 847 CASES.

NOW, TO LOOK AT THAT, COMMISSIONER AND JUST DISPENSE IT EITHER MEANS SOMEBODY DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE, OR THEY JUST DON'T CARE. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF INDICTING SOMEBODY. IT IS A REAL SIMPLE ISSUE OF JUSTICE.

THAT'S WHAT IT AMOUNTS TO. AFTER THAT BILL PASSED, DIDN'T LIFT A FINGER TO ASK THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER LEE TAKING THE LEAD ON IT.

I'M GLAD I MET WITH HIM. AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WE CAME A DECADE AFTER.

YOU THUMP YOUR CHEST AND CAN BRAG ABOUT HAVING CREATED A PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

THE OFFICE WAS HANDLING 6% OF THE CASES. MOST OF THEM WITH THE OLD SCHOOL SYSTEM. YOU FOE WHAT HAPPENED. YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

I AM SAYING I KNOW THESE JUDGES CAN DO BETTER. THAT'S WHY THE DATA IS OUT THERE. THAT'S WHY I PASSED THE BILL SO YOU HAVE TO SHOW HOW MANY CASES ARE BEING APPOINTED AND TO WHO AND HOW MUCH THEY ARE MAKING.

IT IS CALLING THE BACKS OUT AND UNLESS MORE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO DO WHAT I'M DOING

INSTEAD OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING, MY FRIEND. >> STEVE RADACK: ARE YOU TALKING TO ME THAT I AM THUMPING MY CHEST. YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN ME THUMP MY CHEST. YOUR CHEST IS THUMPED IN ON ITSELF FROM ALL OF THE THUMPING IN. YOU HAVE THE MOST EXAGGERATED OPINION OF YOURSELF THAN

ANYBODY I HAVE EVER SEEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MISS HEARING ABOUT THAT.

STY. >> STEVE RADACK: WE WILL SEE ABOUT THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PART OF MY CHALLENGE IS HOW TO PRESENT THIS AND I THINK BECAUSE WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO CERTAINLY I WILL BE WORKING TO TRY AND CALL ATTENTION TO THIS. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND ANYBODY WHO GETS THE GIST OF IT LIKE THAT STUDY THAT WAS DONE AND THAT WAS REPORTED IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA IS VERY CLEAR THAT SOMETHING IS OFF HERE. SOMETHING DOESN'T SMELL RIGHT. I AM GLAD THAT WE ARE GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IT IS GOOD THAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE LOOKING AT THE DASHBOARD AS AN EXAMPLE. I THINK THE OTHER COUNTIES -- THERE IS JUST SO MUCH OF IT

[03:05:06]

IT SHOULDN'T TAKE THESE ISSUES SO LONG AND THAT'S MY FRUSTRATION.

LOOK, IT IS PROGRESS FROM THE OFFICE THAT WAS HANDLING 6% OF THS.CASE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, WHEN YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA GOT HERE I THINK IT IS UP TO 17% NOW. WE WILL GET TO THE GOAL 50%. THAT WAS NOT JUST SOMETHING I DID TO SAY WE DID SOMETHING. I WAS INSPIRED AND I AM GOING TO STAY ON IT NO MATTER WHO GETS ANGRY. I THINK THAT'S HOW PROGRESS IS MADE.

I APPRECIATE THESE ADVOCATES RAISING THE ISSUE AND THEY OUGHT TO KEEP DOING IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT, COMMISSIONER ON THAT TOO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: MR. POST, ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS ONE? LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, WE CANNOT GET UH HOLD OF THE OTHER SPEAKERS,

BUT MS. FLICKENGE R IS BACK ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

[III. Public Hearings (Part 2 of 2)]

SCHEDULE FOR CHALLENGE 7 MEMORIAL PARK. >> MARIE FLICKENGER, GO

AHEAD. >> COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU. I WANT TO ADD MY SUPPORT TO THE TEXAS PARKS DEVELOPMENT OUTDOOR GRANT THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHALLENGER PARK. I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I THINK WE CERTAINLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING BOARDWALK AND THE REPURPOSING OF THE BOAT LAUNCH, AND I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE ENHANCEMENT OF AN EXISTING GROUND TO INCREASE THE ACTIVITY THERE.

I SPECIFICALLY WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND YOU FOR THE WORK DONE ON LOOKING AT THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL LEARNING AND THE NEW BOARDWALK.

THIS PROJECT IS TAKING PLACE AND THE FLOOD PLAINS AND THED WITH LANDS, YOU KNOW, IT IS A GREAT USE FOR THE AREA THERE. AND THAT PARK IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUFF. IT IS A PEACEFUL PLACE TO GO TO AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANY DEVELOPMENTS WE CAN DO THERE. I UNDERSTAND THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS ARE A NATURAL HABITAT AND I KNOW THAT CONSIDERATION WILL BE PUT IN PLACE FOR CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNIQUES WE KNOW THIS WILL BE MONEY WELL SPENT AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING TO HELP. I THINK WE NEED THIS PROJECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MS. FLICKENGER, THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

THANK YOU AND I HOPE YOUR HEALTH IS DOING WELL. >> HANGING IN THERE.

JUST WISH WE WOULD GET OVER THIS STUFF SO WE COULD ALL GET TOGETHER AND PARTY SOME TIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE OPENING THIS WEEKEND. JUST DON'T YOU GO OUT THERE

AND PARTY WITH THEM. >> THEY FOUND OUT THAT MY SON WAS EXPOSED THIS WEEKEND, SO IT IS A LITTLE BIT HAIRY AROUND THE OFFICE HERE. WE HAVE BANNED HIM FROM THE OFFICE. I SURVIVED THIS LONG. I SURLY -- SURELY DON'T WANT

TO GET IT THIS FAR INTO IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL KEEP HIM IN OUR PRAYERS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ONLINE, MS. FLECKENGER. >> THANK YOU.

BYE-BYE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WAIT! MS. FLECKENGER, DON'T GO AWAY.

ARE YOU STILL THERE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE MIGHT BE TAKING CARE OF THAT SON.

>> SHE DISCONNECTED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S TOO BAD.

I WAS GOING TO THANK HER FOR HER WORK AND EVERYTHING SHE HAS DONE.

I WAS JUST SHOWING THE FOLKS IN MY OFFICE A LITTLE ARTICLE THAT SHE HAD WRITTEN BACK IN

1979. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU HAVE A NUMBER -- DO YOU HAVE HER

NUMBER? I WID SENIT TO YOU. >> I MAY HAVE HER NUMBER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL SEND IT TO YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YEAH, WE GOT

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IN THAT CASE, IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 19N

ON PAGE 14? >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING?

AND THEN I WILL MOVE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK I CLOSE IT AT THE END.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE THE ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, SO IT

THERE A SECOND? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WAKE UP, GANG.

[03:10:05]

>> SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AFTER ALL OF THOSE SWEET, NICE THINGS YOU SAID ABOUT ME TODAY, ALL THOSE PEJORATIVES AND THE SOUND AND THE FURY, I WILL GO AHEAD AND SECOND YOUR MOTION BECAUSE I LOVE THE PARKS, AND I WANT TO

SUPPORT THAT PROCESS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL, I'LL TAKE IT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR OF AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION TO THE PARKS AND WILDLIFE?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHAT IS

YOUR VOTE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M SORRY, JUDGE.

I LOST TRACK OF WHERE WE WERE AT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE VOTING ON THE APPLICATION FOR THE PERSONAL WILDLIFE GRANT FUNDS FOR PRECINCT 1.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OH, SUPPORT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK? I'M AN I, JAMES. SO MOTION CARRIES AND WE CAN HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER RADACK LATER. I WILL CLOSE THIS PUBLIC

HEARING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S GRANTS.

[I. Departments (Part 4 of 5)]

PURCHASING ITEM 1L ON PAGE 16 REPLACE THE WORD CASALCAUSAL. AND THEN WE GET TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT BARRING ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON PHYSICIAN WALL SERVICES AND --

FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING. >> WHAT WAS THAT LAST

CORRECTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM L ON PAGE 16.

THIS IS RELATED TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND I AM ABOUT TO DISCUSS.

IT CASUAL AND IT IS SUPPOSED TO SAY CAUSAL. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> JUDGE, WHEN YOU HAVE A SECOND I HAVE ONE ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

DWIGHT. >> JUDGE, ON PAGE 16 AND ITEM 4, THIS ACCEPTANCE OF THE DONATION TO THE SANITIZER, I NEED TO CHANGE THE VALUE. IT IS 22,800.

AND ORIGINALLY IT STATED IT WAS 2500. THEY ENDED UP DONATING 7,000 BOTTLES OF SANITIZER FOR THE ELECTION WORKERS. SO I WANTED TO PUT THAT

CORRECTION IN THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. THANK YOU.

DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES? >> I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THE DOLLAR AMOUNT AGAIN, DWIGHT?

>> $22,800. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. SO THEN MOVING TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

I HAVE MY AGENDA AND I HAVE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND.

THIS ONE WE SENT IN THE LETTER WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION. WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE.

THERE IS -- YOU KNOW, HARD-PRESSED TO FIND SOMETHING MORE IMPACTFUL THAN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. WE WERE HOPING FOR A REALLY BIG PROGRAM THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF COVID IT HAS HAD TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT, BUT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THIS YEAR. WE HAVE EVALUATED THE OPTIONS.

WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS AN IMPACT FUND THAT WILL IDENTIFY AND FUND AND EVALUATE KEY EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTIONS. AND HOPEFULLY SERVE AS AN INCUBATOR FOR THOSE OPTIONS THAT ARE MOST PROMISING. THERE ARE TWO ITEMS UNDER PURCHASING.

ONE HAD THE TYPO. THEY ARE BASICALLY THE RFP'S FOR US TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS SO WE CAN SELECT THE PROGRAMS AND ALSO SO WE CAN SAW LIS -- SOLICIT AN OUTSIDE EVALUATOR WHO WILL LOOK AT THESE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S TEAM HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL ON

THIS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, WITH THIS PARTICULAR ITEM I WILL CALL YOU THE NOTORIOUS LH. I MEAN, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

THIS IS -- JUDGE, WHEN I WAS SHERIFF, EARLY TO RISE WAS PROPOSED.

THE -- AT EVERY TURN YOUR PREDECESSOR COULD NOT WORK OUT THE DETAILS.

I KNOW IT WAS COMPLICATED AND THERE WAS A TAX IN -- TAX INCREASE.

[03:15:01]

YOU ARE MAKING A SMART INVESTMENT TO INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL THAT WITHOUT A DOUBT EXISTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I AM JUST BEYOND WORDS. I AM EXCITED BECAUSE I ALWAYS SAID AS A SHERIFF AND WALKING THROUGH THE COUNTY JAIL THAT IT WAS SO PAINFUL TO SEE THE CAPITAL THAT WAS THERE VERSUS IN A LABORATORY AND VERSUS IN A LAW CLASS VERSUS IN A COMP -- IN A CORPORATE COURTROOM. THE HUMAN CAPITAL THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO INVEST TO THE COUNTY JAIL VERSUS THE CAPITAL WE CAN INVEST INTO HUMANS.

AND IT IS THE FUTURE OF OUR SOCIETY. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS WE HAVE MADE IN THE HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY, I BELIEVE.

THIS IS AMAZING. I AM PROUD OF YOU. I AM PROUD TO CAST MY VOTE ON THIS ITEM. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU. I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU.

I STARTED WORKING ON TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING. I WAS WORKING ON SOME EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVES. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TOLD US THAT THERE WASN'T -- THERE WAS A LOT OF REASONS WE COULDN'T GET -- WHATEVER. I'M GLAD WE ARE HERE NOW AND I AM PROUD YOU HAVE LEAD THE CHARGE, JUDGE, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE BABIES ARE -- THEIR WINGS ARE GOING TO SPREAD AND WE WILL SEE THEIR SUCCESS.

VACCINES FOR FUTURE PANDEMICS WILL BE FOUNDED BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE YOU CREATED THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN BESIDE ME WHY TEXAS WOULD HAVE PRISON SPACE AT THIRD GRADE READING LEVEL. FOR A GUY WHO HAS COMMITTED MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, THIS INITIATIVE WILL HOPEFULLY HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE BETTER DAYS AND LESS WORK TO DO, LESS CROWDED COUNTY JAILS, BUT STRONGER ECONOMIES AND STRONGER COMMUNITY AND A MUCH, MUCH BRIGHTER FUTURE.

I'M JUST PROUD TO CALL HARRIS COUNTY HOME BECAUSE OF THE NOTORIOUS LH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A BIG DEAL.

THE 10 MILLION I HOPE IS JUST A -- I HOPE IT IS JUST A BEGINNING.

WE OUGHT TO DO MUCH MORE. OBVIOUSLY IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY.

I GUESS ON MY BUDGET -- I'M SURE 50% OF THE GENERAL REVENUE GOES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE-RELATED ISSUES. AND SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT WE SPEND, THE 10 MILLION IS SO IMPACTFUL THAT I THINK I WENT TO ONE OF THOSE MEETINGS AND SOMEBODY SAID THOSE FOR MA TIFF -- FORMATIVE YEARS IS ALMOST OVER.

WE SPENT A FORTUNE TRYING TO CATCH UP. I THINK THAT'S WHY LBJ STARTED HEAD START IN A LOT OF WAYS. YOU COULD GET IT THERE AND SPEND IT ON THE FRONT END.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND MUCH MONEY TRYING TO CATCH UP ON THE BACK END OF LIFE.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL DISMISS THIS AND NOT MAKE IT A PRIORITY.

THAT WAS THE CASE IN OUR REGION FOR SO LONG. I KNOW OTHER CITIES IN THE STATE HAVE DONE SOME THINGS, BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR A COUNTY OF THIS SIZE.

I AM PROUD. ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THAT MOTION, JUDGE?

IS GARCIA MAKING IT? >> IF COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD MAKE IT WE NEED A MOTION

FOR AN EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND A MOTION TO ENGAGE ONE OR MORE INDEPENDENT EVALUATORS FOR IMPACT EVALUATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVES THAT RECEIVE FUNDING THROUGH THE EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE

MOTIONS AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR. I'M OPPOSED. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS

[03:20:03]

EDUCATION AND OTHER GROUPS AND SO I AM OPPOSED TO BOTH. >> STEVE RADACK: I VOTE NO AS WELL. THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS

ALREADY. YOU OUGHT TO CHECK WITH THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I AM IN FAVOR OBVIOUSLY SO THE MOTION IS CARRIED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CONGRATULATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE UNDER COUNTY JUDGE. THE OTHER ONE WAS THE RESOLUTION. DMITIONER -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OBVIOUSLY I MOVE THE SECOND ONE AND I JUST MOVE -- MY OTHER IS ON THE IS UP -- SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM. I MOVE TWO OF THOSE AND I WILL PULL IT DOWN THROUGH.

I JUST MOVED MY OTHER TWO. >> NO ACTION ON ITEM THREE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO ACTION ON

THREE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. OBVIOUSLY WE DID OUR RESOLUTION FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE EARLIER. ON THIS ITEM I WANT TO SAY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO STREAM LINE GOVERNMENT AND WORK TOWARD A BETTER SERVICE DELIVERY OUTCOME WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET BEING PERFORMANCE BASED.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REST OF OUR SYSTEMS ARE IN LINE WITH THOSE GOALS.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT READS AS FOLLOWS: MOVE TO DIRECT THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ALL OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND THE OFFICES THAT OFFER PUBLIC-FACING SERVICES SUCH AS ENGINEERING, PUBLIC HEALTH, THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE TAX ASSESSOR, AND DIRECT BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ANALYST ALONG WITH OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO EVALUATE OPTIONS FOR A COMMUNITY REGIONAL SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL TO INCLUDE A ESSENTIAL CITY COMPONENT AND IDENTIFIER COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTIES WITHIN EACH PRECINCT APPROPRIATE TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES AND TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE COUNTY WOULD NEED TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY TO BEST SERVE RESIDENTS. AND I WILL JUST SAY THAT I KNOW THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS DOING A SIMILAR TYPE OF ASSESSMENT.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE, MR. BERRY, THAT YOU CONSIDER THE ROLE OF THE AS IT RELATES TO PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES. THEY ARE STAND ALONE, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE ON THESE CONVERSATIONS SO THAT WE CAN BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS, JUDGE, WITH YOUR JUST MADE MOTION. THESE THINGS ARE INVESTMENTS AND THEY ARE METRIC-BASED AND SMART GOVERNMENT AND THIS IS IMPORTANT TO DO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SECOND IT AND MAKE A COMMENT, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SURE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IS THAT ALL RIGHT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS GOOD AND I TRUST BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO DO IT IN THE RIGHT WAY. IT MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO ALSO TALK ABOUT THE REGIONAL OFFICE AS A DELIVERY MODEL TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE PINEMONT FACILITY. I THINK THIS MAKES SENSE. I THINK EVERYBODY BUT YOUR

PRECINCT AIDE AID THAT'S RIGHT -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT WAS 20-ACRES. FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS 40-ACRES. I SAID WHERE IS MY MULE? I MAY NOT WANT THAT ONE.

[03:25:01]

AND SOMEWHERE CLOSER TO THE INNER CITY OR SOMEWHERE -- YOU KNOW, I WILL TELL THEM I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD DO WITH THE AS -- AS STRAW DOME. ASTRODOME.

HOUSTON IS THE COUNTY SEAT. AT LEAST EVERYBODY CAN GET THERE.

AND COMMISSIONER, I CAN MAKE REFERENCE TO THAT COUNTY OWNED SITE IN YOUR PRECINCT.

THAT'S CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN. IF SOMETHING IS ON THE RAIL LINE AND PEOPLE CAN GET THERE.

HAVE WE TALKED TO THE OFFICES? THEY DIDN'T GET ONE IN YOUR PRECINCT, COMMISSIONER BECAUSE THE JP'S DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY TALKED TO MY JP'S. IT MAY BE A WAY -- PUT IT THIS WAY.

IN ADDITION TO BUILDING BUILDINGS, YOU GOT A LOT OF PROPERTY UNFORTUNATELY THAT WILL BE A LOT LESS EXPENSIVE BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE BUILDING PROPERTIES AND THEN THEY WILL FIND OUT THAT WON'T HAPPEN. IF YOU COULD TAKE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE US AN UPDATE CONCEPTUALLY? I GUESS WE DID IT TWO WEEKS

AGO. >> WE'RE MOVING. >> WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ENGINEERING OFFICE AND WE HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWING REAL ESTATE AGENTS TO HELP WITH THE SEARCH. WE HAVE OUR LAST MEETING TOMORROW AND WE WILL MAKE IT A RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE FORWARD. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MARKET. I THINK, NUMBER ONE, THERE IS OFFICE SPACE THAT IS AVAILABLE. AND NUMBER TWO, FROM THE INITIAL SORT OF CRISIS AND ESTIMATES WE HAVE BEEN SEEING, IT IS SELLING AT A SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TWO-THIRDS DISCOUNT. AND THEN WE WILL BRING A PROPOSAL TO DO THAT.

IT WAS NOT IN GREAT SHAPE. IT IS JUST GETTING WARMED UP. I THINK THERE IS AN -- I UNDERSTAND, COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION AND HOW IT FITS IN WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING.

I WOULD SUGGEST LET'S LOOK AT THE OFFICE SPACE. AND IT IS NOT WITH THE LOCAL SERVICE. IF THERE IS SOME PROOF THAT WE DO THINK MIGHT BE BETTER DOWNTOWN, BUT MORE DISTRIBUTED , WE CAN, YOU KNOW, HOLD THEM BACK FROM LOOKING AT THE OFFICE. AND I THINK THERE IS A LOCATION DOWNTOWN, BUT I AM NOT DECIDING THAT. WE WILL CHUG AHEAD AND WE CAN TWEAK THROUGH THOSE.

AND MY SENSE FROM HEARING THE DISCUSSIONS AND THERE ARE OTHER DEMANDS AND I THINK WE

CAN DO THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ITEM IS BROAD ENOUGH AND IF NOT, COMMISSIONER, I MAY WANT TO OFFER IT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT OR SUGGESTION. I LIKE THAT. I ALWAYS THINK ABOUT CITY HALL AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND IN THE SAME BUILDING. AND DPOR -- FOR THAT MATTER JUST DOING SOMETHING ON A COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR A UNIVERSITY AND IF YOU CAN WORK IT OUT THEY PUT THE LIBRARY ON THE LAND NEAR THE DUMPSITE. AND AT THE --

[03:30:39]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND ADDING TO MY MOTION, BUT TO MAKE SURE FOR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AND THE TOLL STORES CAME TO MIND. AND SO I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE

THE FOOT KRASK IN THESE PLACES -- >> I WANT TO SEE THEM AS EMPOWERMENT CENTERS. IT IS THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, BUT THEN THEY CAN SEE THE LIBRARY. THEN THEY SEE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AND THEN THEY CAN SEE THE TOLL ROAD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN KEEP THAT KIND OF VISION IN MIND THAT WE SHOULD BE SEN -- ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS THAT'S ONE WAY OF DESCRIBING IT. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MADE SURE TO ENGAGE THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROADS.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW, IN AUSTIN THAT CITY HALL BUILDING OR COMPLEX IS KIND OF A MIXED USE THING. THERE IS NO HOUSING THERE. THERE IS A RESTAURANT, A GREAT BREAKFAST PLACE THERE. THAT WAS A HIGH-TECH COMPANY THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT.

AND SO THE CITY OF AUSTIN BOUGHT THAT BUILDING AND I KNOW JOHN BLOUNT IS LOOKING AT SOMETHING OUT THERE ON LAKE HOUSTON AND TRYING TO LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THEY DID.

I GUESS YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM ENOUGH LATITUDE TO PUT OUR OPTIONS ON THE TABLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M GLAD TO SEE THIS MOTION. IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE WORKS BEFORE HARVEY HIT THAT WAS ON THE EUROPEAN MODEL OF HOW YOU HAD THE CENTRALIZED SERVICES.

AND THERE ARE EFFORTS TO -- AT ONE TIME WE WERE GOING TO MOVE OUR COURTHOUSE UP BEFORE HARVEY HIT AND THEN IT GOT SHELFED. ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WERE LOOKING AT ONE BIG BUILDING THAT GETS TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE AS A SERIES OF MODULAR BUILDINGS. FE HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME COOKIE CUTER BUILDINGS THAT WILL BE IN THE CIRCLE AND EACH ONE IS CHEAP TO BUILD AS OPPOSED TO ONE SPECIALIZED TAILORED BUILDING. AND COMMISSIONER RADACK HAS A COMMUNITY CENTER THAT IF YOU CREATE AND RECREATE IT YOU CAN HAVE A BUILDING IN THE CIRCLE FOR TAX ASSESSOR.

A BUILDING IN THE CIRCLE FOR CLERK'S OFFICE. YOU CAN HAVE A BUILDING FOR EACH OF THE AREAS WE ENGAGE IN. SOME OF THAT THAT I WILL GET WITH DAVE AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SHOW YOU SOME OF THE PRELIMINARY THOUGHT PROCESSES. ONE BUILDING TO HOUSE EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE FIVE TIMES THE COST THAN IF WE HAD THESE LITTLE MODULAR BUILDINGS. SO YOU WOULD END UP WITH EACH DEPARTMENT GETTING MORE SPACE AND MORE FLEXIBILITY AT A FRACTION OF THE COST WHEN YOU DO THE EUROPEAN MODEL.

AND SO BY HAVING THAT -- YOU CAN MOVE A WALL CHEAPER THAN YOU CAN, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE BASIC DESIGN AND COMMISSIONER RADACK HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK AT MAKING HIS COMMUNITY CENTER'S

[03:35:03]

SO THIS IS SOME WORK THAT WAS STARTING TO BE DONE, BUT WAS FRANKLY JUST DERAILED WHAT WAS OUT THERE. IT WILL ALLOW IN THE PRE SINKS , PRECINCT 2 AND PRECINCT FOUR COULD REALLY USE THAT IN THE NORTH PARK AND FOLKS MAYBE DON'T HAVE TO COME DOWNTOWN WHERE TRAFFIC IS DIFFICULT AND PARKING IS PROBLEMATIC. AND IT CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICES WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE. SO LET ME -- I WILL CHOOSE YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO HAVE US GET TOGETHER AND I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT I HAVE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LOVE IT. LOVE IT. AND IF IT IS THE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH BAYLOR WHEN WE PURCHASED THE SMART PODS BECAUSE YOU CAN END UP CONNECTING THEM AND MAKE A HONEY COMB, IF YOU WILL. VERY GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU'RE

WELCOME, JUDGE. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, COULD COMMISSIONER

GARCIA REPEAT THE MOTION SO IT IS CLEAR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SURE.

THE MOTION IS MOVE TO DIRECT BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ALL OF COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES THAT OFFER PUBLIC BASING SERVICES SUCH AS ENGINEERING PUBLIC HEALTH, COUNTY CLERK AND TAX ASSESSOR -- COLLECTOR AND TO INCLUDE ENGAGEMENT WITH HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY, DIRECT BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ANALYST ALONG WITH OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO EVALUATE OPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY REGIONAL SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS TO INCLUDE A CENTRAL CITY COMPONENT AND IDENTIFY COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTIES WITHIN EACH PRECINCT APPROPRIATE TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES AND IDENTIFY WHERE THE COUNTY WOULD ACQUIRE PROPERTY TO BEST SERVE THE RESIDENTS.

>> SECOND. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A

MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

AND THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE CORRECTION ON THE AGENDA FROM CERTAIN TO CENTRAL?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. HE READ IT WITH CENTRAL. COMMISSIONER RADACK?

>> STEVE RADACK: MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR. I HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS. THE FIRST ITEM IS ONE CONCERNING WANTING TO LOOK AT AND SEE WHERE ALL THE FUNDS AND WHERE EVERYTHING WENT WITH REGARD TO THIS ELECTION. I KNOW WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE COME IN. WE VOTE -- VOTED ON A FEW THINGS AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FULL ACCOUNTING OF ALL OF THAT. I UNDERSTAND THAT A FEW MINUTES AGO PRECINCT 1 SENT ME A LONG TWO-PAGE DEAL FROM MR. GILL.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT ALL THAT IS. I HAVEN'T ADD CHANCE -- I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THAT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU MAKING A MOTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY MOTION IS THAT WE ASK THESE DEPARTMENTS TO COME BACK AND GIVE US A REPORT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, AND I CENTERED IT AROUND -- I WILL GO THROUGH THE MAJOR PARTS OF IT.

I'M ASKING THE COUNTY CLERK ALONG WITH THE RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO RETURN A STUDY TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT BY JANUARY 26 OF 2021 TO REVIEW THE HISTORIC IMPLEMENTATION OF A SAFE ELECTION IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19. THE STUDY WILL INCLUDE AN ELECTION COST, STUDY ACCOUNTING FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND VOTER TURNOUT RESOURCES USED. THE STUDY WILL COMPARE HOW HARRIS COUNTY AND TEXAS ARE RESTRICTED VOTING PRACTICES AND WILL HELP MAKE VOTING MORE DIFFICULT.

RANKING THE ABILITY TO VOTE. SUPPRESS THE TURNOUT WHICH INCREASES THE COST.

IF IT IS HARRIS COUNTY INCREASE IN A SAFE MANNER AS WELL AS THE RESULTS OF THESE EFFORTS TO INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT AND ACCESS. THE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN TO

[03:40:01]

ON THE LAST DAY OF EARLY VOTING, DATA ON THE NUMBER OF INCARCERATED PERSONS WHO VOTED FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, A COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE USE OF MAIL BALLOTS AND DEMOGRAPHICS OF MAIL BALLOTS AND OF VOTERS AND ANY CHALLENGES IN PROCESSING THE BALLOTS.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MAIL BALLOTS THAT WERE RESOLVED THROUGH THE EARLY VOTE AND ELECTION DAY. IT IS ALL LAID OUT AND A REVIEW OF THE DEPUTY CLERK AND A REVIEW THE OF THE PAID SCALE OF THE COST OF DEFENDING THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND VOTERS AND LAWSUITS DESIGNED TO SUPPRESS ACCESS TO VOTING SAFELY INCLUDING MEAL -- MAIL OUT BALANCING -- BALLOT APPLICATIONS AND MAIL BALLOT SUBMISSION LOCATIONS AND DRIVE THROUGH. AND A FINAL SUMMARY OF THE TOTAL VOTERS BY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT ALONG WITH DEMOGRAPHIC COMPARISONS IN COMPARE -- COMPARISON TO 2016. IT ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF, BUT IT SHOWS THE VARIOUS THAT OUR INTERIM CLERK HAD TO DEAL WITH WHEN HE STEPPED INTO THIS JOB.

I MAKE THAT MOTION AS A SUBSTITUTE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND

THAT. >> JUDGE, I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT ME TO SEND IT TO YOU? >> YES.

CAN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY LET ME KNOW IF IT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY READ ALLOWED FOR

COURT RECORD, OR CAN I GO OFF OF AN E-MAIL? >> ALL THAT WAS SAID WAS SAID,

SO YOU CAN GET IT OFF THE E-MAIL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I SKIPPED A FEW. I LOOKED UP AND SAY YOU ALL DOZING OFF SO I CUT A FEW.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS A PRE-DETERMINED CONCLUSION. CONNOR IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE

TO MAKE A LOT OF THE POLITICAL STATEMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DON'T CUT ANY WORDS. I AM TRYING TO WIN THE BET WE HAVE GOING ON OVER HERE.

PLEASE, CONTINUE. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL NOT TAKE THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. I KNOW IT IS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, BUT I DO HAVE A UM COULD OF QUICK QUESTIONS I WANT TO ASK OF OUR COUNTY

CLERK IN LINE WITH THIS ITEM IF HE IS AVAILABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS HE

AVAILABLE, LUCINDA? >> I DO NOT SEE HIM ON, BUT I SEE TUNISHA.

>> I AM CALLING THE COUNTY CLERK NOW. IS THERE A SPECIFIC CALL IN

NUMBER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: DON'T GIVE IT OUT.

DON'T GIVE IT OUT ONLINE. >> NO, I WILL TRY TO CALL RIGHT NOW.

>> IF YOU DIAL IT, HE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT HIS ITEM IS UP ON THE AGENDA.

>> WILL DO. >> THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS HERE. I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME THE REPORT FROM THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE ON SUNDAY. IT IS YOUR YOUR -- IT IS FROM YOUR WEBSITE AND FROM THE ROSTER. I NEED HELP IN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE NUMBERS ARE DIFFERENT BETWEEN THOSE THREE DIFFERENT REPORTS.

ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE IT SHOWS WE HAVE BALLOTS BY MAIL A TOTAL OF 149,966. OUR WEBSITE SHOWS 149,750. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ACTUAL ROSTER OF THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED, THAT NUMBER ON THAT SPREAD SHEET, IT IS A THIRD NUMBER WHICH IS 149,659. WHEN WE LOOK AT EARLY VOTING IN IN PERSON, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS WE HAVE 14,758. OUR WEBSITE SAYS 26,258.

[03:45:03]

AND OUR WEBSITE SHOWS 90,945. THAT'S A DELTA OF 9,180 VOTES.

THAT'S A CHANGE. AND I WAS HOPING YOU COULD TELL ME WHY THOSE DON'T TRUE

UP BETWEEN EACH OTHER. >> SO, I AM NOT AT LEISURE REALLY TO GIVE ALL OF THE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF YOUR QUESTIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK AND WRITE -- I HAVE BEEN WRITING DOWN THE NOTES TO YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT PARTICULARLY AND I KNOW WE VISITED THIS BEFORE, BUT DURING THE TIME OF REPORTING NUMBERS, ALL NUMBERS ARE UNOFFICIAL UNTIL THE CANVASSING THE OF THEY -- OF THE ELECTION.

THE ROSTER AND DAILY NUMBERS HAVE TO BE RECONCILED DAILY UNTIL THE CANVAS OF THE ELECTION WHICH IS WHY BE WON'T SEE 100% OF EVERYTHING MATCHING.

IN TERMS OF WHAT IS REPORTED TO SOS AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS, WE CAN DEFINITELY FOLLOW-UP IN WRITING ON THOSE QUESTIONS. I DON'T WANT TO MISS SPEAK ON ANYTHING. TYPICALLY AND KNOWING FROM WORKING IN ELECTIONS FOR QUITE AWHILE THAT IF ANY ELECTION -- IF ALL -- IN ALL ELECTIONS, ONE THING YOU SEE IS THAT THE NUMBERS ARE ALL UNOFFICIAL. THEY ARE UNOFFICIAL BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY PROCESSES IN PLACE TO RECONCILE THE VOTES. WHETHER SOMEONE ABOUT -- SOMEONE REQUESTED A BALLOT BY MAIL AND WHETHER THEY VOTED IN PERSON. OR IF THEY DID A PROVISIONAL.

AND SO SOME OF THAT INFORMATION IS NOT -- THAT'S WHY THE REPORT ALWAYS SAID -- SAYS UNOFFICIAL. THAT'S THE BEST ANSWER I CAN GIVE YOU AT THIS VERY MOMENT.

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO FOLLOW-UP WITH THIS CORE IN GREAT DETAIL OF YOUR QUESTIONS AFTER GETTING OUR ELECTION DIRECTOR AND THE COUNTY CLERK ON THESE ITEMS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOUR MIC IS NOT WORKING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. AND I WILL FORWARD IT TO THE OTHER COURT MEMBERS.

THIS IS JUST A SNAP SHOT FROM THE END OF VOTING ON SUNDAY. YOU CAN DO THIS TODAY OR ANY OTHER DAY THAT IS OUT THERE I AM JUST TRYING TO GET THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THERE ARE THREE SETS OF NUMBERS. IN A COUNTY WHERE WE HAVE 9,180 VOTES, THAT'S THE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINNING AND LOSING IN THE LAST ELECTION. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

IN THIS PERIOD THE NUMBERS ARE ALWAYS THIS MOVING TARGET BECAUSE DAILY YOU'RE RECONCILING THE BALLOT BY MAIL. YOU HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF VOTERS WHO DECIDE TO CANCEL THEIR BALLOT BY MAIL AND COME IN PERSON.

IT IS THIS MOVING TARGET UNTIL WE GET TO ELECTION DAY TO TOTAL WHAT WE HAVE.

AND THEN YOU KNOW THERE IS A PER OF RECONCILIATION WHICH IS WHEN WE BRING THE CANVAS TO YOU ALL FOR THE COURT MEMBERS TO CANVAS. I AM HAPPY TO FOLLOW-UP IN PERSON -- I MEAN, FOLLOW-UP IN TERMS OF WRITING JUST TO OFFICIALLY GO BACK AND LOOK AT YOUR QUESTIONS AND MAKE SURE WE ARE ADDRESSING IT PROPERLY VERSUS SAYING THIS IS WHAPTD -- WHAT HAPPENED HERE. I NEED TO LOOK AT THE DATES AND THE TIMES AND THE

INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED US. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE'LL FORWARD THIS TO YOU AND THE OTHER COURT MEMBERS SO THEY CAN SEE IT. OF COURSE, WE -- MY TEAM MEMBERS GOT THIS TO ME TODAY. THIS WAS SUNDAY WHICH IS A DAY WE ALL HAD ALL THREE GROUPINGS. THE ROSTER, WHICH ARE THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED.

>> RIGHT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE WEBSITE WHICH IS OUR WEBSITE THAT WE PUT UP AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE WHERE THEY PUT UP WHAT OCCURRED IN OUR COUNTY. AND SO HAVING ALL THREE OF THOSE, THAT'S A 9,180 VOTE DIFFERENTIAL IS A BIG DIFFERENTIAL AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE -- ESPECIALLY IN OUR COUNTY WE HAVE ELECTIONS THAT ARE A LOT CLOSER THAN THAT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS -- BACK IN THE OLD DAYS WHEN I DID CONSTRUCTION WORK WE CALLED IT TRUED UP.

MAKE SURE IT IS TRUED UP. >> YES, SIR. WE ARE HAPPY TO GET ALL OF THE INFORMATION TO YOU IN TERMS OF THE UNOFFICIAL ROSTERS, WEBSITE AND WHAT'S BEING REPORTED TO SECRETARY OF STATE AND FOLLOW-UP WITH ALL COURT MEMBERS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> YES, SIR.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET UH HOLD OF MR. HOLLINS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE IS OUT WORKING. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

[03:50:01]

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN HIS THAT IS NOT IN YOURS. I'M GOING TO BE FOR IT

ANYWAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU FOR MINE OR FOR RODNEY'S.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS'. I THINK YOU ARE BOTH ASKING VALID QUESTIONS. I THINK HIS INCLUDES YOURS. IT IS GOOD THAT WE ARE GOING

TO LOOK INTO ALL OF THIS. I THINK IT IS NECESSARY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE. JACK, I AM FOR YOU. I AM FOR YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU PUT IT COMMA THERE AND LEFT OFF THE REST OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO

ME. THAT'S TRUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU HAVE ITEM THREE, COMMISSIONER WHICH IS ABOUT THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TOO, SO I CAN

FILL YOU ALL IN ON THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S JUST TO GET AN UPDATE OF WHAT IS

GOING ON THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL FILL YOU IN.

LET'S VOTE ON THIS ONE THEN. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND

SECRETARIED -- AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I.

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

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO IT CARRIES.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAVE A COUPLE MORE ITEMS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR, I HAVE AN ITEM AND IT IS MY ITEM NUMBER TWO THAT DEALS WITH BRINGING BACK THE MOTION THAT I HAD BROUGHT TWO WEEKS AGO. WE HAVE MODIFIED THE LANGUAGE. WE ACTUALLY SEPTEMBER THIS OVER TO PRECINCT ONE TO GET SOME OF THEIR INPUT AND WE INCORPORATED SOME OF THEIR INPUT WITH REGARD TO THE LANGUAGE TO WHERE IT IS NOT ABOUT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, BUT IT IS ABOUT DEFENDANTS.

AND I THINK WE MAY HAVE A SPEAKER THAT IS IN THERE. I DO UNDERSTAND ANY COMMENT -- THEY HAVE BEEN VISITING WITH OUR PROFESSOR OUT IN THE NORTHEAST, AND I THINK THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO COME BACK WITH A GOOD REPORT THAT INCLUDES A LOT OF THE DATA SO THAT WE CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON FROM THE VICTIM'S SIDE AS WELL AS WHAT IS GOING ON TO THE ACCUSED IN THE OVERALLY -- OVERALL EQUATION. I THINK THAT'S A POSITIVE DIRECTION THERE THAT WE WILL INCLUDE IN OUR STUDIES OF THE ISSUE.

LUCINDA, IS MR. KAHN AVAILABLE? >> YES.

ANDY KAHN. >> YES, I AM HERE. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR ALLOWING ME TO RETURN. I AM JUST GOING TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE SINCE I WAS LAST SPEAKING A FEW WEEKS AGO. WE ARE NOW AT 66 VICTIMS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED BY DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS, BOND FORFEITURE AND PR BONDS AND FAILURE TO ENVOKE A MOTION TO REVOKE BOND. I WILL BRIEFLY TELL YOU WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST WEEK. WE HAD A DEFENDANT CHARGED WITH ANOTHER DEFENDANT OF STABBING TO DEATH A GUY 85 TIMES AND WHICH HIS HEAD WAS ALSO NEARLY DECAPITATED.

ONE THE DEFENDANTS WAS ON A PR BOND FOR ASSAULT AND HAD A NO CONTACT ORDER WITH THE VICTIM. A MOTION TO REVOKE WAS FILED AFTER CLEAR EVIDENCE INCLUDING THE VIDEO OF HIM SHOWING UP AT THE VICTIM'S DOOR WAS PRESENTED TO THE COURT.

THE COURT DENIED THE MOTION TO REVOKE. 17 DAYS LATER HUNTER PENN WAS STABBED TO DEATH. ANOTHER CASE WE JUST HAD INVOLVING A 20-YEAR-OLD NAMED JULIE DEL GARZA WAS KILLED BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OUT ON FELONY BOND.

WHILE ON FELONY BOND HE WAS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.

A MOTION TO REVOKE HIS BOND BASED UPON BEING CHARGED WITH ANOTHER OFFENSE WHILE ON FELONY BOND WAS FILED, BUT WAS NEVER SIGNED OFF BY A JUDGE. 20-YEAR-OLD JULIE DEL GARZA WAS DEAD. THESE ARE JUST TWO OF THE RECENT CASES THAT I WAS LOOKING INTO AMONG THE 66 OTHER VICTIMS THAT I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING IMMENSELY ON THIS. AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE SAID, I HAD A VERY ENCOURAGING CONVERSATION WITH THE PROFESSOR FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

WE WERE ON THE PHONE I WOULD SAY A HALF AN HOUR IF NOT MORE GOING OVER SOME OF THE ISSUES I ASKED HIM TO LOOK INTO. HE INDICATED THAT HE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY AND WILLING TO WORK WITH ME ON THESE AND WE BROUGHT UP SOME VERY RELEVANT POINTS.

LAST NIGHT I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH JIM BETKEY AS WELL AND THAT WAS AS GOOD A CONVERSATION AS WE COULD POSSIBLY GET. I THINK THE REALITY IS WHAT I AM SEEING NOW IS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS AT A HIGHER RISK WHEN CAREER HABITUAL OFFENDERS

[03:55:07]

I THINK ALL OF US NEED TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH THE VICTIMS' FAMILY A FEW DAYS AGO WAS ABSOLUTELY

HEARTBREAKING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ANDY, GO

AHEAD AND FINISH UP. >> I THINK THAT'S PRETTY MUCH -- I THINK WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE RIGHT NOW. YRNLG -- I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE AND PRY DEPARTMENT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THAT WE WILL BE WORKING TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH DATA, ISSUES AND FROM A VICTIM'S PERSPECTIVE, WHAT WE ARE SEEING OUT HERE REGARDING THE OFFENDERS WHO

HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY RELEASED ON FELONY BOND AND PR BONDS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE HAVE

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? >> STEVE RADACK: MR. BOND? >> YES.

>> STEVE RADACK: STEVE RADACK. WOULD YOU SAY THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIES IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT REALLY CAN FEEL LIKE THE SKY IS FALLING?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A STORY THAT WAS DONE ON FOX NEWS, AND BASICALLY IT SAID THAT THEY FELT LIKE THE SYSTEM FAILED THEM. A 26-YEAR-OLD JAKORI MILES DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE. THAT'S WHAT I AM SEEING WITH A LOT OF THESE CASES.

A LOT OF THESE CASES ARE SO TRAGIC. YET, FROM WHERE I SIT, SO UTTER -- UTTERLY PREVENTABLE. THE DEFENDANTS CHARGED WITH THE MURDER AND CAPITAL MURDER HAD BEEN REPEATEDLY LET OUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN. SO AS A VICTIM ADD -- ADVOCATE IT IS DIFFICULT TO TALK WITH THE VICTIMS OF THE SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBER OF A HOMICIDE AND OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHY AND RESOURCES AND THEN TELL THEM FROM OUR

PERSPECTIVE THE SYSTEM LET YOU DOWN. >> STEVE RADACK: YES, SIR, AND I THINK CRIMESTOPPERS IS SEEING CLEARLY IT IS ONE THING TO PAY REWARDS TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO TURN IN SUSPECTS AFTER A CRIME IS COMMITTED, BUT I'M GLAD TO SEE CRIMESTOPPERS NOW HAS BEGUN TO ENGAGE TO PREVENT CRIMES THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED.

I APPRECIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE

SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THE CASE THAT MR. KAHN MADE REFERENCE TO IS OBVIOUSLY TRAGIC. ANYTIME SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS IT IS TRAGIC, AND OBVIOUSLY I DO THINK WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK AT NUMBERS YOU OUGHT TO HAVE SOMEBODY LOOK AT THEM INDEPENDENTLY, SOMEBODY WHO IS UNBIASED. AND YOU CAN'T SAY A SINGLE CASE OUT OF 100,000 CRIMINAL CASES FILED ANNUALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY DICTATE WHAT YOU DO POLICY. WITH REGARD TO MR. GARCIA, ACCORDING TO MY NOTES HE WAS RELEASED ON CASH BOND AND ONE OF THE MAIN ARGUMENTS OF BAIL REFORM IS THAT A DECISION ABOUT FREEDOM SHOULD BE BASED ON WHETHER SOMEONE IS A RISK OF FLIGHT OR PRESENTS A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY AND NOT ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN PAY CASH BOND.

SOLICE WAS RELEASED ON A GENERAL OBLIGATION RULE 9. AND THE COMPETITION ELIMINATES ALL RISK. AND WAS CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT WITH LITTLE CRIMINAL HISTORY. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE YEAR.

PRIOR TO THE O'DONNELL CASE, SOLICE WOULD HAVE LIKELY BEEN RELEASED ON A CASH BOND OF $1500. THAT MEANS UNDER THE TEXAS LAW IF HE HAD $150, 10%, HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT. IT IS ALWAYS TRAGIC. COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE REFERENCE TO IDEAS THAT I SAID TO HIM. IN TRUTH, COLLEAGUE, YOU DIDN'T TAKE ANY OF THEM. YOU DID TAKE SMALL PARTS OF THREE OF THE SUGGESTIONS AND GAVE A NO ON THE OTHERS. ON THE SUGGESTION YOU INCLUDE PARTNERS, OTHER OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS WITH EXPERTISE AND DATA PRETRIAL RELEASE, YOU SAID WELL WE WILL GET A JAD

[04:00:05]

PETRONE CENTER. I SPECIFIED THE TYPE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: WAIT, WAIT, WAIT. LOOK AT THE RESOLUTION. WE INCLUDE RUPAUL HEATON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS THE COLLECT DATA.

NOT JUST ON A MISSION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT YOU SAID I REJECTED THOUGH IS

INCLUDED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU TAKE VERA AS WELL?

>> I HAVE PAUL HEATON AND I HAVE THE PATRON CENTER -- THE QUATTRONE CENTER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU TAKE VERA? >> I DON'T SEE VERA IN THIS

MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASKED YOU TO SPECIFY THE PRE-TRIAL RELEASE AND BE SPECIFIC ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE RELEASED PRE-TRIAL AND DO LINE YIT THE -- DELINEATE THE REPORT AND HAVE A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THOSE RELEASED ON CASH BOND, ET CETERA. CONSIDER LOOKING AT ALL CASES IN WHICH PEOPLE HAVE BECOME DEFENDERS DURING THE REGULAR TIME PERIOD AND NOT ONLY LOOKING AT PEOPLE WHO WERE RELEASED PRE-TRIAL. THAT GOES BACK TO THE TROUBLE I HAD WITH THAT PROBABILITY TEST. I GET IT NOW, AFTER I REPEATED IT. TIME FRAME, I SUGGESTED YOU GO BACK MORE IN TIME AND GET A BIGGER SAMPLE SIZE AND MORE DATA THAT IS NOT FROM A YEAR AS ANOMALOUS AS 2020.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WENT TO 2018 AND WE TOOK THE SUGGESTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASKED YOU TO GO BACK MORE IN TIME WILL GET A BIGGER SAMPLE SIZE AND MORE DATA THAT IS NOT FROM THIS YEAR. REPORT SHOULD BE DONE IN ORDER TO PROCEED NOT LIMITED TO 90-DAY TIMELINE. I JUST WANT --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE TOOK THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK YOU TOOK

EVERYTHING I GAVE YOU, BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE THREE THINGS YOU MENTIONED WE TOOK. MAYBE EXCEPT FOR VERA WE TOOK.

WE EXPANDED THE TIME AND WE ADDED THE DATE CRITERIA. WE WENT BACK TO JANUARY OF

2018. WE TOOK WHAT YOU GAVE US. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I ADD SOMETHING HERE? I THINK IT IS VALID, COMMISSIONER, WHAT MR. KAHN HAS SAID. I THINK IT IS CERTAINLY A QUESTION THAT EVERYBODY HAS A RIGHT TO PURSUE, AND I WOULD HOPE WHOEVER PURSUES IT WILL ANSWER IT IN AN INTELLECTUALLY HONEST WAY. IT IS EASY TO CHOOSE AN OUTLIAR AND OF COURSE THE NEWS -- IF IT BLEEDS IT BLEEDS AND THEY WILL PICK IT UP AND MAKE A BIG DEAL.

THE QUESTION IS IS THERE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE AND IF IT IS, HOW IS IT ADDRESSED.

THAT IS A VALID QUESTION TO ASK. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE PUTTING THE COUNTY BEHIND THAT STUDY AS MUCH AS THE QUATTRONE OR THIS PAUL HEATON AND HIS COLLEAGUES ARE DOING IT INDEPENDENTLY OF THE COUNTY AS WELL.

THAT'S WHY WE TRY TO GET THEM TO CALL IN, AND HE CAN'T BECAUSE IT IS AN INDEPENDENT THING. WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE IS -- AND I HAVE A MOTION IS THAT WE MAKE THE DATA AVAILABLE TO THE RESEARCHERS AND MR. KAHN CAN WORK WORKUP A REPORT WITH THE DATA JUST AS MR. HEATON OR DR. HEATON IS WORKING UP HIS REPORT.

AND IF THEY WANT TO WORK TOGETHER, THEY CAN. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE PUTTING THE COUNTY -- WORKING IN A REPORT WITH AN INTERESTED PARTY AND THAT IS MR. KAHN.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS APPROPRIATE. MY MOTION WOULD BE THAT THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT PROVIDE NONCONFIDENTIAL DATA ON THE NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS WHO HAVE BEEN -- WHO HAVE BECOME DEFENDANTS IN SUBSEQUENT FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR CASES WHILE FREE ON CASH BAIL, R BONDS OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PRE-TRIAL RELEASE UPON REQUEST BY RESEARCHERS, NONPROFIT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC OR PUBLIC ENTITY THAT REQUESTS IT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING RESEARCH OR PRODUCING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE REPORTS.

THAT SHOULD ALLOW MR. KAHN TO WORK ON HIS PROJECT HOPEFULLY IN A THOROUGH AND HONEST WAY.

IDEALLY IT WOULD BE AN OUTSIDE PERSON AND NOT AS AN INTERESTED PARTY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND THAT. I WILL SECOND IT, JUDGE.

MR. KAHN CAN GIVE IT TO ANYBODY ELSE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I

DON'T -- DID YOU SEND THAT TO US? >> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN.

IT IS VERY BRIEF. LET ME GET IT OVER. ONE SECOND.

[04:05:07]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE PUT IN MINE, NOT TO DERAIL YOU THERE, BUT WHATEVER IT WAS WOULD BE

SUGGESTED BY JACK -- BY JAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: MY REPORT IS JAD SHOULD NOT DO THIS REPORT WITH CRIMESTOPPERS. IT IS LIKE THEY ARE AN INTERESTED PART.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I I SHOULD WITH PENNSYLVANIA? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT -- HE DOESN'T HAVE AN AX TO GRIND. HE WON'T CALL IN WHEN WE ASK HIM TO.

IT IS A DIFFERENT THING. IT IS NOT JAD AND PAUL HEATON.

IT IS PAUL HEATON DOING A STUDY. IF CRIMESTOPPERS WANTS TO DO A STUDY AND CRIMESTOPPERS WANTS TO WORK WITH -- SEND INFORMATION TO PAUL HEATON AS IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE, I THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE. I I JUST DON'T THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENT TO PRODUCE A STUDY WITH THE STAMP OF THE COUNTY THAT IS REALLY DONE ON BEHALF OF THE CERTAIN INTEREST GROUP WHEN WE ARE GOING TO THE LENGTHS OF EVERYTHING WE DO TO -- IF IT IS SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAVE OUTSIDE INDEPENDENT PARTY THAT'S DON'T HAVE AN AX TO GRIND DO THEIR WORK. AND HE CAN PURSUE IT JUST AS WELL, BUT I I WOULDN'T WANT TO PUT THE COUNTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CRIMESTOPPERS WHO IS

PRODUCING A STUDY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I CAN VOTE ON MINE OF I AM NOT QUITE

SURE I UNDERSTAND YOURS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MOVE THE TABLE, COMMISSIONER.

I AM TRYING TO KEEP GARCIA FROM WINNING. I KNOW YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP HIM. I AM TRYING TO -- I WILL TABLE YOUR MOTION.

CAGLE'S MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO TABLE THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

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

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR SO THAT MOTION CARRIES. I HAVE A MOTION, COMMISSIONER KEYING GEL THAT -- CAGLE THAT I THINK ACCOMPLISHES YOUR AIMS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND IT, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY, JUDGE.

I LIKE MINE BETTER. I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU. BUT I WILL VOTE FOR THIS

BECAUSE IT IS -- IT AT LEAST GETS THE DATA OUT THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT'S MY MOTION. JAMES, DO I NEED TO READ IT AGAIN? ARE YOU GOOD? A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

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

>> I. >> THAT'S A BEGRUDGING I, JUDGE.

STEVE I AM A NO. . >> STEVE RADACK: I AM A NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. >> STEVE RADACK: MR. KAHN, ARE

YOU STILL THERE? >> NO, WE DISCONNECTED HIM. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, YOU HAVE ANOTHER ITEM? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IDEA.

-- I DO. IT IS A REPORT ON THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND I THINK YOU

HAVE A REPORT FOR US. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. WE ARE UNDERGOING A SEARCH -- YOU ARE PLEASE -- PLEASED TO HEAR THAT WE HAVE SOME GREAT CANDIDATES, GREAT CANDIDATES.

SO WE ARE MEETING THIS FRIDAY WITH THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND HOPEFULLY TO SELECT ONE. WE HAVE CANDIDATES BOTH FROM OUT OF TOWN AND FROM IN TOWN AND THEY ARE WORKING OUT WITH THE LAWYERS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TIMELINE WISE.

IF THEY ARE OUT OF TOWN THEY HAVE TO LIVE HERE A MONTH BEFORE THEY CAN FORMALLY TAKE THE POSITION. THINGS ARE MOVING AS WE SHOULD AND THE BIGGEST CONCERN ARE THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO APPLY? AND I HAVE HAD AND I AM

IMPRESSED. >> WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON AND WITH WHAT YOU HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH WITH COVID AND A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES.

AND THAT WAS PRETTY REMARKABLE. I WAS HEARING RUMOR THERE'S WERE CHALLENGES ON GETTING PEOPLE TO APPLY AND BECAUSE SO MANY OTHER FOLKS THAT HAVE THE

[04:10:07]

AND IT IS INTERESTING. A LOT OF THE NATIONAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICITY.

I WAS THINKING THE OPPOSITE OF THAT WOULD HAPPEN. I WAS THINKING PEOPLE MUST REALLY BE DOING SOMETHING IF THERE IS AN EFFORT TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM VOTING.

IF WE FOUND SOMETHING DIFFERENT WAS HAPPENING. >> THE CONVERSATIONS YOU ARE HAVING, AGAIN, I AM SO PROUD OF MR. HOLLINS AND THERE IS THE INTERPRETATION OF LAW AND WHAT IS ALLOWABLE AND DOABLE AND WE HAVE JUST IT IS A REOCCURRING THEME.

WE INVESTED IN OUR DEMOCRACY AND WE ARE SEEING THE RESULTS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WHOEVER WE GET IS SOMEONE THAT WILL SEE THIS AS WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO START BUT NOT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO STAY. I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY THAT WILL HAVE A HIGH, HIGH BAR TO SHOOT FOR AND ACHIEVE. THIS IS GREAT WHERE WE ARE AT.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU MAY NOT THINK THAT IT HAS BEEN GOOD TO INVEST IN OUR DEMOCRACY, BUT I AM SURPRISED THAT AS IN THE PAST THIS IS A BIT OF REPARATIONS FOR THEM.

IT IS IN OUR DEMOCRACY AND I THINK IT IS -- YOU MAY WANT TO COMMIT WITH THE BEST MONEY YOU CAN BUY. COME AND LIVE IN PRECINCT FOUR. THOSE ARE LIVES.

THOSE ARE LIVES AND THIS IS DEMOCRACY. THESE ARE REAL THINGS.

AND SO I SEE IT AS WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A LONGTIME AGO. WE COULD HAVE HAD A MUCH MORE

ENGAGED LECTURE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM HOPING IN ADDITION TO CHALLENGING THE APPLICANTS HOW CAN THEY REPLICATE THE TURNOUT. THEY SAID ONE OF THE BIGGEST ATTRACTIONS WAS PUTTING THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS IN THE SAME OFFICE WHEN YOU DO THE REGISTRATION PROCESS. I CALLED AND ASKED HIM ABOUT 8:00 AT NIGHT AFTER I SAW THAT ARTICLE IN THE PAPER. 90 SOMETHING PERCENT DOES THE REGISTRATION AND I ASKED HOW HE DID IT. HE SAID HE WAS TOO BUSY TRYING TO HELP THE OTHER OFFICE THAT WAS AT -- THAT WAS ADMINISTERING THE ELECTIONS AND IF THEY CAN LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD TURN OUT. I FOR ONE WOULD BE WILLING TO INVEST CREATIVITY AND MONEY IN REGISTRATION BECAUSE DESPITE WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD SAY, DEMOCRACY COSTS MONEY. IT TOOK A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF EFFORT AND CREATIVITY TO SUPPRESS ALL THESE YEARS. AND I THINK WE HAVE TO OVERCOME THAT.

WHETHER PEOPLE VOTE FOR ORGANS ME OR ANY ONE OF US AT THESE COMPUTERS TODAY, I THINK THERE -- THEY OUGHT TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS AND

WE OUGHT TO MAKE IT EASY AND WE OUGHT TO MAKE IT SAFE. >> ON THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER ON THE VOTING MACHINES, MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE ARE WAITING FOR THE BEST AND FINAL OFFER FROM THE VENDORS THIS WEEK, NEXT WEEK. DWIGHT CAN CONFIRM.

I KNOW THE ADVICE IS NOT TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC PRICE POINTS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE FOLKS ARE

[04:15:04]

FAR. DWIGHT, DID I MISS ANYTHING? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT COMES

BACK TO US FOR A VOTE. >> NO, JUDGE. YOU ADDRESSED EVERYTHING.

WE ARE ALMOST TO THAT POINT NOW. WE ARE FINALIZING THAT AND

WILL GET IT BACK TO COURT MEMBERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, DOES THAT COME BACK TO THE COURT FOR A VOTE? WHO MAKES THAT FINAL

DECISION? >> IT WILL COME BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN THE

FUTURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON THE VOTING MACHINES, YES, COMMISSIONER.

STEVE DWIGHT, -- >> STEVE RADACK: DWIGHT, ON PAGE 19, 12C THIS IS A RENEWAL OF A CONTRACT FROM DECEMBER 1ST 2020 TO NOVEMBER 30TH, 2021.

I'M ASKING A QUESTION OF THE COURT, SHOULD Y'ALL WAIT FOR A NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR TO CONTINUE AT -- THAT $375,000 CONTRACT? THIS IS $375,000 AND RENEWING THE CONTRACT WHEN THE NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR, WHOEVER THAT MAY BE MIGHT NOT

AGREE. >> COMMISSIONER IF YOU WANT TO RENEW IT, WE CAN RENEW IT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING WE WON'T ISSUE IT. IF THE NEW COMMISSIONER WANTS TO CANCEL, WE CAN CANCEL, AND IF WE WANT TO KEEP IT WE CAN KEEP IT.

IT IS UP TO THE COURT WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ITEM. >> STEVE RADACK: IT SEEMS TO ME TO LET THE NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR TO LOOK AT ONE OF HIS OR HER FIRST

EXPENDITURES. >> AS LONG AS WE CAN PRESENT IT ON THE NOVEMBER 10TH AGENDA. IT EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 1ST.

THE ONLY CHANCE TO RENEW IT WOULD BE NOVEMBER 10TH. WHOA -- WE WON'T HAVE COURT UNTIL DECEMBER 1ST SO WE WOULD HAVE TO DO IT AT THE NEXT COURT.

>> STEVE RADACK: I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD THIS IF I CAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? I WOULD LIKE TO ASK -- BEFORE WE DO IT AND PAPER GET MR. HOLLINS ON THE LINE AND ASK HIS OFFICE. I REMEMBER BEING TOLD ONCE I WAS GONNA BE A COMMISSIONER THAT ONE COMMISSIONER AT A TIME.

SO ONE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AT A TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME SEE IF I CAN REACH HIM. IF IT IS NOT A PROBLEM, I DON'T MIND -- RORD ROD I --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T MIND TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: IN ANY CASE, WE HAVEN'T TAKEN A BREAK IN A MINUTE. LET'S TAKE A BREAK FROM COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND WE CAN COME BACK TO IT IF HE GETS BACK TO US.

I WILL REMEMBER TO COME BACK TO IT, COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> WE CAN TRY TO GET UH HOLD

OF HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IT IS 4:15.

LET'S TAKE A >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 4:32 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. I CALLED CHRIS HOLLINS AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE CONTRACT -- AND I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER RADACK IS BACK, BUT HE MENTIONED THAT THE CONTRACT WE WERE LOOKING AT IS A CONTRACT THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE SINCE CLERK STANDARD WAS HERE. IT IS FOR ELECTION DAY, MOBILE TEXT SUPPORT.

HE IS FINE IF PEA -- IF WE HOLD IT OR DO IT PENDING THE INCOMING APPROVAL OF THE --

THE APPROVAL OF THE INCOMING CLERK. >> HE IS ON THE LINE IF WE

NEED TO UNMUTE HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> I WAS REQUESTING -- I WAS REQUESTING TO HOLD IT WHEN WILL THE CANVAS OF THE

ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3RD TAKE PLACE, MR. HOLLINS? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER. CANVAS TAKES PLACE OVER THE FOLLOWING 10 OR 12 DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR ELECTION DAY TECH SUPPORT.

>> STEVE RADACK: I UNDERSTAND THAT. THE CONTRACT IS BEING EXTENDED

AFTER THE ACTUAL ELECTION. >> RIGHT. AS I MENTIONED WITH THE JUDGE I AM TOTALLY FINE IF THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE FUTURE EA'S APPROVAL.

[04:20:02]

>> STEVE RADACK: THAT'S FINE. SO IT WON'T CAUSE PROBLEMS TO HOLD IT?

HOLD IT FOR TWO WEEKS? >> COMMISSIONER, WE CAN HOLD IT UNTIL THE NOVEMBER MEETING IF YOU WOULD LIKE. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS HIRED. IF WE CAN BRING THEM -- BRING IT BACK ON NOVEMBER 10TH.

>> STEVE RADACK: SUPER. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DWIGHT, PERHAPS YOU CAN BRING THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU PROPOSED EARLIER.

I DON'T THINK -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE STATUS WILL BE OF THE PERSON, BUT LIKE YOU SAID YOU CAN APPROVE A CERTAIN PORTION AND THE OTHER ONE THE PERSON CAN APPROVE.

>> YES, MA'AM. WILL DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL TAKE NO ACTION ON THAT ONE. COMMISSIONER RADACK, YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION AND WE HAD JUST

FINISHED THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AGENDA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I DID WANT TO GO BACK TO FLOOD CONTROL. I WANT TO GO BACK TO PAGE 6 AND IT IS ITEM 2E. THIS GOT BY MY EARLIER. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT VERY QUICKLY. IN THAT THIS IS THE TRANSMITAL FOR THE OUTLINE OF THE FUTURE O AND M OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS DEVELOPED THE FUTURE OPERATION AND MAIBT NENS -- MEYNT -- MAINTENANCE NEEDS THAT IT IS CONSTRUCTED USING THE BOND PROGRAM. THE RAW NEEDS OF THE NEXT 10 YEARS IS 97 MILLION WITH AN AVERAGE BUDGET INCREASE NEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MILLION PER YEAR. MAJOR IN DASH DARRIN FRO STRUCTURE -- INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE CHANNEL, THE CONCRETE CHANNELS AND THE OUT FLOWS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE COUNTY FUND THE PRO ACTIVE MAINTENANCE AND THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE FOR ALL OF THE HARRIS COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE. AND SO AS I SEE THE DISTRICT HAS SUBMITTED FOR THEIR COST PROJECTIONS. I AM CURIOUS WHY THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT, AND THE VEHICLES AND THE GAS IN MANAGEMENT LIMITATIONS AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH THE SOFTWARE AND THE LARGER REPAIR PROJECTS, WHY THESE COULDN'T BE PAID OUT OF THE BOND FUNDING VERSUS USING THE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS. I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE A MOTION THAT WOULD TOUCH ON THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ASPECT OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

>> HE SAID HE HAD A PERM CON -- A PERSONAL CONVERSATION WITH ME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: TANISHA, I THINK YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> I UNMUTED HER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE MODEL. AND SO MY PROPOSED MOTIONS WOULD READ THAT HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT SHOULD PERFORM A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY FOR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND SERVICES TO DEVELOP THE MAINTENANCE CYCLE AND THE OVERALL MAINTENANCE BUDGET NEEDS.

THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT SHOULD DEVELOP AN OVER ALL CONDITION ASSESSMENT FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASED ON THE RISK OF FAILURE AND THE RISK OF POTENTIAL FLOODING THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT SHOULD DEVELOP A PRIORITIZED CRITERIA AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS BUDGET AND THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT NEEDS TO TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE CONDITION OF ALL EXISTING INFRO -- INFRASTRUCTURE AND IDENTIFY MAINTENANCE NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN DEFERRED FOR YEARS DUE TO BUDGETARY OR ANY OTHER REASON.

THERE ARE MANY AREAS WHERE REPAIR WORK CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY LARGE AND MAY QUALIFY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS. AND THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO EVALUATE IT, THEN WE CAN FUND THESE THROUGH A POD PROGRAM. THAT'S THE MOTION I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE, JUDGE JUST TO MAKE THUR THAT WE ARE NOT DASH MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT FORGETTING HOW

[04:25:06]

RODRIGUEZ A

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I SECOND IT. JUDGE, MAY I ASK A QUESTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: BEFORE WE VOTE ON THIS, IT BRINGS TO MY MIND A QUESTION OF HOW MUCH OF THE FLOOD BOND MONEY WAS SPENT BEFORE WE ADOPTED THE EQUITY GATHERINGS? IF SOMEBODY FROM FLOOD CONTROL, IF THEY ARE STILL ON THE LINE. IF THEY AREN'T, JUST LET ME

KNOW. >> I AM GOING TO UNMUTE MATT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT YESTERDAY AND IT CAME UP AND I THOUGHT IT WAS RELEVANT AND I THOUGHT I

WOULD ASK. >> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER. MY STAFF AND I ARE WORKING ON GETTING THOSE NUMBERS OVER TO YOU BY THE END OF THE WEEK PLUS ALL OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT YOU ASKED US TO DIG INTO. WE PLAN TO HAVE THAT TO YOU

BEFORE THE END OF THE WEEK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND COMMISSIONER, I ONLY ASK US AS IT RELATES TO YOUR ISSUE, BUT SAY IF HALF A BILLION -- IF 500 MILLION WERE SPENT BEFORE WE ADOPTED EQUITY GUIDELINES, I MEAN, THE CITY IS TRYING TO GET US TO DO SOME SWAP.

THEY DON'T HAVE EQUITY GUIDELINES AS IT RELATES TO SOME OTHER PROJECT IN ANOTHER COUNTY. AND I AM GOING TO PROPOSE THEY GIVE US A RECOMMENDATION OR I WILL COME UP WITH ONE SO THAT WE MAKE UP FOR THE PROJECTS FUBTD -- FUNDED IN THE ABSENCE OF EQUITY GUIDELINES AND IN AN INEBBING -- AND AN INEQUITABLE WAY.

I WANT TO COMPENSATE FOR THAT GOING FORWARD. THAT TIES INTO WHAT -- WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING AS WELL. THANK YOU. I SECOND YOUR MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. JAMES, ARE YOU CLEAR ON THE

MOTION? >> WAS -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: WAS IT

COMING AROUND, JUDGE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS COMING AROUND, COMMISSIONER.

>> I'LL HOLD OFF UNTIL I SEE IT. I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

IS THE TRANSMITAL ON THE TABLE FOR APPROVAL LATER ITEM 2E? THIS IS A SEPARATE MOTION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS SAYING PERHAPS WE CAN KEEP GOING WHILE FOLKS RECEIVE THE MOTION.

THEN WE CAN CIRCLE BACK. I WILL MAKE A NOTE OF THAT. THAT WAS THE COVID ITEMS WHICH WE HAVE GONE OVER. WE STOPPED AT 23B, THE COVID AGENDA.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE ASKED FOR A MEMO AND IT HAS BEEN SEPTEMBER AROUND BY GUIDE HOUSE.

COMITIONZER, ARE YOU COME -- COMMISSIONER, ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH US TAKING

THIS UP? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YEAH, JUDGE, I AM COMFORTABLE.

ORG DURING THE LUNCH BREAK I HAD A CHANCE TO LISTEN TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND TO GADE HOUSE AND TO -- GUIDE HOUSE AND TO OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR. AFTER TALKING, IN ESSENCE WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TAKING FUNDS THAT ARE UNDER FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND WE ARE GOING TO TEMPORARILY PARK THEM IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. AND THEN WE WILL PULL OUT OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ON THE BACKSIDE THE SAME SET OF FUND.

IN ESSENCE LAWN -- LAUNDERING THE MONEY AND THEN SPENDING THAT WHEREVER WE WANT TO AND IT WON'T HAVE THE FEDERAL GUIDE DINES -- GUIDELINES ON IT.

I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT PLAN AND SO I WILL VOTE NSAGAIT IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WILL MOVE THAT ITEM AND I MR. BERR -- AND MR. BERRY, THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION OF GUIDE HOUSE IS ON THE LINE AND PERMITS US TO USE CARES MONEY

FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, IS THAT CORRECT? >> DAVE, YOU ARE MUTED.

>> THAT'S CORRECT, MR. ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

FOSS -- FOR THOSE WOULD DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR IT, I AM PROUD FOR TH TO CAST THEIR

VOTE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM PROUD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT WHEN YOU GIVE IT TO THEM AND THEN PULLING IT OUT THE BACKSIDE YOU ARE NOT SUPPORTING LAW

[04:30:01]

ENFORCEMENT. THAT'S A SHAM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEN DON'T

VOTE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THEN DON'T PUT ON YOUR HIGH HAT AND SAY HOW PROUD YOU ARE TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN YOU ARE PUTTING IT IN THE LEFT POCKET

AND TAKING IT OUT OF THE RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WEAR

A HAT AND I WILL MOVE THE QUESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE LOOKED AT THIS, CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM, WE HAVE.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH GUIDE HOUSE ON THE SAME ISSUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE

COMFORTABLE WITH. >> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION -- DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, I MOVED

IT. >> IS IT AS PRESENTED ON THE AGENDA?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

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

FAVOR. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NO. >> STEVE RADACK: I AM ALSO NO.

ROBERT, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. THIS IS RADACK.

YOU FEEL THIS COULD BE -- YOU FEEL THAT MANEUVER IS WITHOUT A DOUBT LEGAL? TO TAKE FEDERAL MONEY AND PUT IT SOMEWHERE AND THEN TAKE IT BACK OUT BECAUSE IF IT WASN'T GOING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT YOU COULDN'T DO IT. SO THEREFORE YOU ARE GIVING MONEY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT YOU HAVE NO INTENTION OF THEM KEEPING JUST TO TAKE IT AWAY

FROM THEM IN ORDER TO GO AROUND FEDERAL GUIDELINES. >> BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE INTENTION OF -- AND CERTAINLY DAVID BERRY CAN EXPLAIN IT.

IT IS OUR VIEW THAT UNDER THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND UNDER THE REGULATIONS ISSUED BY THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT THAT YOU CAN USE CARES MONEY TO PAY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMPLOYEES. THEY MADE THAT QUITE CLEAR. NOW, YOU CAN TAKE THAT AND THEN USE OTHER MONEY TO BUY OTHER THINGS TO PAY FOR OTHER THINGS THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

YOU ARE SIMPLY MOVING MONEY AROUND WITHIN THE BUDGET. >> STEVE RADACK: MAYBE HARRIS COUNTY WILL CAUSE THE GOVERNMENT TO TIGHTEN THEIR GUIDELINES.

THANK YOU. I'M A NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE ARE NOT THE ONLY JURISDICTION THAT IS TAKING THIS STEP.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK GUIDE HOUSE CAN GIVE AS YOU LIST OF JURISDICTIONS.

I ASKED WHEN THEY BRIEFED ME ON FRIDAY. >> TODD IS ON THE LINE IF YOU

WANT ME TO UNMUTE HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: TODD, ARE THERE OTHER JURISDICTION

THAT'S HAVE TAKEN THIS GUIDANCE FROM TREASURY? >> TODD YOU ARE MUTED.

HE MIGHT NOT BE ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, I KNOW THEY ARE AS WELL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASKED THEM AND THEY GAVE ME A LIST. I I CAN'T REMEMBER THE JURISDICTIONS. IT IS COMMON AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I THINK CONGRESS CARVED IT OUT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE CUT AND KNOWING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH CITY AND COUNTY AND STATE BUDGETS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

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

>> I'M A NO. >> I'M AN I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND SO THE MOTION CARRIES. THAT WAS ON THE COVID AGENDA. WE ALREADY COVERED ALL OF THE OTHER ITEMS. WE DID NEED TO REVISIT ITEM 10 ON PAGE TWO OF THE

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

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. >> JUDGE, THIS IS SHANE. THERE IS A QUESTION FROM ONE OF THE OFFICES. WE ANSWERED IT. WHATEVER SUBMITTED AS IS CAN BE APPROVED GENE

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ARE FOLKS GOOD WITH THAT ITEM OR DO WE NEED TO TAKE A SEPARATE VOTE? THAT'S THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

IT IS THE COVID ITEMS. AND NOW FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS, SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 IS THE RENEWAL OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE. SAME WITH ITEM 2.

ITEM 3 IS ON BENEFITS. ITEM 4, THERE IS A TYPO. IT IS A REQUEST BY THE COUNTY JUDGE AND NOT BY THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO ACCEPT THE GRANT ADJUSTMENT.

SO REPLACE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WITH COUNTY JUDGE. NUMBER 5, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ROTD

[04:35:02]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH, JUDGE. THIS IS A TAX ABATEMENT POLICY.

I DID SEND IT AROUND. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ENTITY THAT'S HAVE APPROACHED ME ASKING ABOUT TAX ABATEMENTS AND MAYBE I WILL ASSUME THAT IF THEY ARE CALLING ME THEY ARE CALLING OTHERS AS WELL. I WAS TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL OUR NEW OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY -- THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IS ESTABLISHED, BUT I WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE THERE IS SOME GUIDE POST. I DID TAKE OUT OF THE EARLIER DRAFT THAT I SENT AROUND A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT I WILL WALK THROUGH. I WON'T WALK THROUGH ALL OF THE ITEMS UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO. OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS BE IN LINE WITH OUR COUNTIES IN THE STATE. WHAT WRY DO IS TAKE THE PRACTICES OF THAT IN PLACE IN DALLAS COUNTY AND IN BEXAR COUNTY AND IN TRAVIS COUNTY IN PARTICULAR. THE CHANGES THAT WE PROPOSE WHEN WE SHOW COMPETITIVE WAGES WHEN IT SHOWS QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND SAFETY TRAINING AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF MWBE PARTICIPATION AND LOCAL AND RESPONSIBLE GREEN INVESTMENTS, AND MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE DOING IT. WHAT I PULLED OUT ARE THREE ITEMS THAT I THINK WE HAVE SUPPORT FOR AND I PROBABLY WOULD NOT VOTE FOR AN ITEM THAT CAME ON THIS AGENDA WITHOUT THESE IN THEM, BUT I TOOK OUT -- I EDITED THE GREEN INDUSTRY'S INDUSTRY TO BE REPLACED WITH A DEFINITION THAT IS IN TRAVIS COUNTY TAX INCENTIVES POLICY NOW.

WE WANT TO CHANGE IT, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS WHO ARE OFFERING THESE INCENTIVES. IN PARTICULAR LIKE PORTLAND AND KEY KING COUNTY. TRAVIS COUNTY IS WAITING TO ADOPT IT.

I HOPE THAT'S SOON OR IF WE GET A NEW DIRECTOR TO LET THEM DO IT.

I WOULD MOVE THE SECTION THAT I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT, ABOUT LABOR ORGANIZING.

THAT'S BECAUSE LABOR ASKED ME TO. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE, BUT CONCERNS WERE RAISED BY THE LABOR ALLIES ABOUT ENSURING THAT WE HAVE PROPER LANGUAGE. IF THAT'S WORKED OUT I WOULD COME BACK AND AMEND THE POLICY AT THE NEXT COURT. THESE STANDARDS EXPIRE AND OUR POLICIES EXPIRE IN MARCH.

I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD. THE LAST THING I TOOK OUT, I TOOK OUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND WE REMOVED THE RIERMENTS. WE WANTED TO LOOK AT ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE THAT WILL MONITOR FOR POLUTTANTS.

AND BEFORE GIVING SOMEBODY AN INCENTIVE. RIGHT NOW THEY DO STORM WATER INSPECTIONS. I WANT THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY LOOK AT THE TYPES THEY COULD BE MONITORING AND WE WILL BRING IT BACK IN TWO WEEKS. THE LAST THING I TOOK OUT WAS A TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE ANALYSIS. AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT IMPLEMENTING IT. THEY HAVE NOT DONE IT YET. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I DO IT SO I DON'T GET OUT OF LINE. IN 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. PUT IN TRIPLE BOTTOM LINES IN THEIR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN. IT WAS USED BY THE STATE OF THE NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY TO SHIFT TOWARD CLEANER ENERGY. TRAVIS COUNTY TELLS ME THEY ARE GOING TO WORK IT OUT AS PART OF THE ABATEMENT POLICY. I JUST WANT TO WAIT AND MAKE SURE I GET IT RIGHT. THE OTHER ITEMS ARE INCLUDING IT.

I WON'T WALK THROUGH THEM UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO. DO YOU WANT ME TO WALK THROUGH THEM? I CAN SEE YOUR HEAD SHAKING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO HAVE SOME COMMENTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WE PUT IN THINGS LIKE REGARDLESS OF PROJECT SIZE YOU CAN HIRE AT LEAST 50% OF THE NEW EMPLOYEES AT THE PROJECT WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. MUST PROVIDE SALARIES TO ALL EMPLOYEE INCLUDING CONTRACT EMPLOYEES AND HIRE THE EMPLOYEES BY CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMPANY'S FACILITY BY A -- BY AN AGREEMENT AND COMPETITIVE MARKET WAGE.

MOST OF THE COUNTIES DO THAT. IT MUST NOT INVOLVE CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE ANY OUTSTANDING WAYS TO AFFECT THE COME -- COMPLAINTS AGAINST THEM.

HAVE A HUMAN RESOURCES BENEFITS POLICY AND PROVIDE THE COUNTY WITH A COPY OF THE

[04:40:04]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE. COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD.

I TOO HAVE BEEN VERY INTERESTED. THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS ALSO THANK YOU TO THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP. THEY WANT TO BE A PARTNER WITH US TO ENSURE THE TYPE OF BUSINESSES FROM THE GUIDE -- GUIDELINES.

THIS IS WORKING FROM 9 -- FROM THE GREAT WOLF LODGE PROJECT WITH THOSE THEY WILL DO IN THE FUTURE. AND WE ARE JUST LOOKING FOR THOSE BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS AND THEN ONE TO CALL HARRIS COUNTY THEIR PERMANENT HOME.

IT IS THE LENGTH OF THE TAX ABATEMENT AND RATHER TO MAKE THEM A PERPETUAL PARTNER.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO SUGGEST AND SEE IS IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS I HAD ALWAYS LOOKED TO THE TAX ABATEMENT GUIDELINES AS A POSSIBILITY TO FUND THE FUTURE CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN PARTICULAR. AND VEE IF -- AND SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO CRAFT IT INTO THIS. IT CAN BE A PERPETUAL FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE JUDGES' INITIATIVE AND I WANT TO BRING THAT BACK.

I THINK IT IS BRILLIANT, COMMISSIONER. AND WE WILL CHECK THE GENERAL ABATEMENT AND STACEY YOU LATER AND GO TO THE NEXT PLACE THAT WILL OFFER THEM A NEW TAX ABATEMENT. THIS WAY THEY AT LEAST LEAVE A PERPETUAL INVESTMENT INTO OUR KIDS AND SO I WANT TO BRING THAT BACK WITH YOU AND GET YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT.

AND ALSO I WANT TO SAY THAT I WANT TO APPLAUD LATER FOR WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE ON THE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS AND THANK THEM FOR OFFERING INPUT.

TO SHOW THEY ARE AT THE TABLE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM TO MAKE THESE GUIDELINES MEANINGFUL AND I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD TEAMSTERS AND ILA AND PLUMBERS AND CARPENTERS AND IDW, EVERYONE INVOLVED FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE GUIDELINES. I KNOW THAT IT WAS -- I KNOW THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD WANTED TO SEE EARLY ON, BUT WE HAD NOT INVESTED INTO THINKING HOW WE ATTRACT MEANINGFUL THINGS IN THE REGION. MY COMPLIMENTS TO THE

COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I ONLY NEED ONE MOTION.

THAT'S A BRILLIANT IDEA. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR THE NEW OFFICE.

THE COUNTY HAS DONE IT IN THE PAST. I I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER.

IT CAN BE CHANGED AT ANYTIME. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE KNOCKING ON MY DOOR.

[04:45:06]

THE ITEMS I PULLED OUT BEFORE I VOTE FOR ONE. I THINK YOUR STAFF TOLD MINE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE, YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THAT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

IT IS ISSUES THAT GO ON. AND YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO KEEP UP WITH.

I GOT HEARTBURN AT THE LAST MINUTE. I TOLD MY STAFF TO PULL IT OUT AND LET'S SEE IF TRAVIS COUNTY PUTS IT IN FIRST BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN OFFICE AND THEY LOOK AT THESE ISSUES. I DIDN'T CATCH UP WITH DR. BABBOT.

I SIMPLY MOVE TO ADOPT A REVISION TO THE TAX ABATEMENT GUIDELINES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD COMMENTS AND I KNOW WE HAVE SPEAKERS THAT WE HAVE

TO HEAR FROM TOO. GO, HEADCOMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I SAW THAT THIS WAS POSTED ON OUR SUPPLEMENTALS AGENDA ON FRIDAY.

WE GOT THE FIRST VERSION OF THESE PROPOSED CHANGES YESTERDAY AT 3:30.

WE GOT THE SECOND VERSION YESTERDAY EVENING AT 7:01, AND THEN WE'VE GOT A THIRD VERSION TODAY AT 10:51. I THINK THIS IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT IN TERMS OF THESE KINDS OF GUIDELINES. I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN. AND THERE ARE HOUSTON CONTRACTORS AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS HAVE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON THIS. I AM JUST NOT COMFORTABLE VOTING ON A MOVING BALL ON SOMETHING SO SIGNIFICANT WITH SO LITTLE TIME TO DISCUSS IT AND FIND OUT FROM OUR PARTNERS. AND I AM NOT EVEN SURE WHICH OF THE THREE VERSIONS, WHAT IS IN AND WHAT IS NOT IN AT THIS POINT.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I KNOW WE ARE DOING A GREAT THING, BUT RUSHING IN AND POP IT IN AND POP IT OUT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM VOTING ON AND I FEEL VERY

UNCOMFORTABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS SO WE HAVE TO HEAR FROM THEM. WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 5 ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL TO READOPT AND MODIFY THE TAX ABATEMENT GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR GRANTING TAX ABATEMENT TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ALLOCANT COMMUNITY AND BENEFITS.

SAFETY PRO AND -- PROTECTION HEALTH CARE, MWV AND THAT POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH.

LUCINDA, CAN YOU CALL UP THE SPEAKERS? >> YES, MA'AM.

PAUL FUENTE PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> SO GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I AM SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED -- WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE AND ENSURING THAT THESE GUIDELINES WILL SELECT WHAT IT IS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY RECEIVES A RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT.

AS ANYONE RNTION -- AS ANYONE, I AM MORE THAN ADVOCATING FOR BUSINESSES TO COME HERE AND BUILD HERE. WE WANT THAT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE IN THE WAY WE ARE DOING THESE THINGS. OUR KEY COMPONENT IS TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION THEY WILL LEARN AND THIS IS A WAY TO DO THIS.

TO USE THESE DOLLARS AND INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE, THESE ARE GOING TO BE TOMORROW'S OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS. IF WE DON'T START BEING MINDFUL OF THAT AND RESPONSIBLE OF THAT, I AM SPEAKING TO YOU ALL AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE AND IN REGARDS TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA IN HIS EARLY CHILDHOOD I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE IT WITH YOUR OFFICE AND JUST KIND OF BRING IT TO THE TABLE.

EXPO -- IT HAS CREATED SOME EARLY CHILD -- CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR

[04:50:01]

I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT. THIS IS A GREAT AND IMPORTANT PROGRAM. THIS TAX ABATEMENT, I THINK IT WILL LEVERAGE THE TAX DOLLARS

WHEN THE COMMUNITY GETS AN INVESTMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND WE WILL WORK OUT THE LABOR ISSUES.

OBVIOUSLY THE COUNTY HASN'T DONE MUCH. VERY FEW JOBS ARE CREATED.

WE OUGHT TO ADOPT THE THINGS THAT OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS HAVE NOW.

I THINK YOU WOULD BE PROUD AND LET'S TRY TO SEE WHAT IS TAKING OVER THE EQUITY

OPERATIONS. >> IF I MAY? THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY FOR KEEPING HARRIS COUNTY A PLACE TO COME AND DO BUSINESS.

AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE TREATING RIGHT THE FOLKS THAT HELP TO CONSTRUCT AND BUILD THOSE BUSINESSES AND DO THE IMPORTANT WORK.

I ALWAYS APPLAUD YOU FOR REMINDING US. AS I LOOK OUT MY WINDOW I CAN SEE SCAFFOLDING AND WORK BEING DONE AT THE CJC. THOSE CONSTRUCTION SITES SOMETIMES CAUSE CASUALTIES. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS A ZERO -- HAS A GOAL OF ZERO FATALITIES ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITES THAT JUST MEANS THAT EVERYBODY IS DOING RIGHT BY ALL ACCOUNTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN PROPOSING THIS SITE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANKS, PAUL. LUCINDA, WE HAVE OTHER

SPEAKERS, CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM, WE DO. NICK WORSH WITH THE WORKERS

DEFENSE PROJECT. >> HI, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS NICK WURCH, I AM THE HOUSTON STAFF ATTORNEY FOR WORKERS EFFECTS. WE ARE A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO BUILDING POWER WITH CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES TO CREATE A JUST AND SAFE ECONOMY FOR WORKERS HERE.

THERE IS SOME SUPPORT FOR THE TAX POLICIES. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR UPDATING THIS POLICY TO INCLUDE WORK PROTECTIONS AND FOR KEEPING THIS COMMITMENT DOING SO AFTER THE GREAT WOLF LODGE DEBATE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

FIRST WE MUST MAKE SUR THAT -- MAKE SURE THAT COMPANIES THAT GET TAX ABATEMENTS ARE LAW ABIDING. ANY TAX ABATEMENT POLICIES SHOULD AND REALLY MUST REQUIRE THE OWNER OF THE SITE AND THE COMPANIES OPERATING ON THE SITE TO ABIDE BY ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAUERS AS A CONDITION OF KEEPING THE TAX ABATEMENT. FOR EXAMPLE COMMITTING WAGE THEFT ORIE TALL YIT -- RETALIATING AGAINST WORKERS WHO APPROVE THE WORK CONDITIONS ON THEIR SITE.

THEY SHOULD LOSE THEIR STATUS. AND SECOND, WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT ALL WORKERS ARE SAFE AND HEALTHY. THERE MUST BE A REQUIRE MEANT FOR A SAFETY AND HEALTH PLAN FOR ALL CONTRACTORS THAT ARE ON THE TAX ABATEMENT SITES.

IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE SAFETY RECORDS FROM THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A PLAN TO PREVENT INJURIES ON THE SITE WHILE THEY ARE ON IT. IT IS A PROVEN METHOD. CONSISTENTLY WE HAVE CONSTRUCTION WORKER DEATH AND INJURIES. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL WORKERS ARE COVERED BY WORKERS COMP INSURANCE. THAT'S CRUCIAL.

WE MUST REQUIRE THAT ALL WORKERS RECEIVE OSHA10 TRAINING AND WE MUST MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO PAID SICK LEAVE. BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT, THE FFCRA, HAVE SICK LEACH AND IT PREVENTED -- SICK LEAVE AND PREVENTED 400 CASES PER DAY PER STATE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE FFCRA IS SET TO EXPIRE BY THE END OF 2020 UNLESS CONGRESS ACTS. BUT I THINK THE POINT IS HERE THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THE BASIC HEALTH PROVISION IS PART OF THE POLICY. THIRD AND FINALLY, WE MUST ENSURE ANY ENTITY RECEIVING

[04:55:03]

THE ONLY REALISTIC WAY TO DO THIS IS THROUGH INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY MONITORING OF THE REQUIREMENTS BY WHOEVER THE DEVELOPER IS OR THE FOLKS OPERATING ON THE TAX ABATEMENT SITES. IT IS A WAY TO CERTIFY THE CONSTRUCTION SITES ARE MEETING BASELINE STANDARD. THEY ARE THE TYPES OF STANDARDS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED HERE. THESE ARE ALL BASIC STANDARDS AND LIVING WAGE THAT'S WOULD BE COVERED BY THIS TYPE OF MONITORING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THIS POLICY WORKS FOR

EVERYBODY. >> THANK YOU. LINDA MORALES WITH JC,

AFLCIO. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU.

JUDGE UH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM LINDA MORALES WITH THE GULF COAST OF THE AFLCIO. SORRY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT IS 5:10 P.M. RIGHT NOW.

IT IS THE 13TH AREA COUNTY AND WE REPRESENT 95 LABOR UNIONS AND 60,000 UNION MEMBERS AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED TAX ABATEMENT GUIDELINES BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE FINALIZED AGENDA CONSIDERATIONS. WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO UPDATING THESE GUIDELINES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOUR WORK DEMONSTRATES THE COURT'S COMMITMENT TO ATTRACT, RETAIN AND EXPAND INDUSTRY AND INCREASE EMPLOYMENT WITH MEANINGFUL WAGES AND THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS. YOU HEARD FROM TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE BUILDING TRADE AND WORK DEFENSE PROJECT. CERTAINLY YOU WILL HEAR FROM OTHER ONES. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON TWO IMPORTANT WORKER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS. OSHA TRAINING. WE FULLY SUPPORT OSHA 10 FOR WORKERS AND OSHA 30 FOR SUPERVISORS. AS A TRADITION EVERY APRIL LABOR RECOGNIZES APRIL 28TH AS WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY TO REMEMBER THOSE KILLED OR INJURED ON THE JOB. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY. TOO OFTEN WE HEAR OF INJURY AND LIFE ON THE JOB.

AND THIS SHOULD NOT BECOME THE NORM. ON WAGE THEFT, WHEN THE WORKERS ARE CHEATED AND ROBBED OF THEIR EARNINGS AND OF THEIR HARD WORK, THE TAXPAYERS ARE FORCED TO PICK UP THE TAB. SO THEY GET THE MESSAGE THAT WAGE THEFT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO THANK MY COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR YOUR LIP.

WE HOPE TO SEE A FINAL VERSION BEFORE THE REQUIREMENTS ARE ENACTED AND THANK YOU ALL GENTLE PERSONS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE IN HERE AND I AM LOOKING AT THEM.

THE WAIT STAFF IS IN HERE. YOU WOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. APPRECIATE THAT SO MUCH. I GUESS THEY ARE TALKING TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T CROSS THE LINE AND ORGANIZE IT.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. THANK YOU, SIR, APPRECIATE IT.

>> LAURA WILDENHALL. GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I AM LAURA WILDENHALL. I AM PRECINCT 1 AND NOT REPRESENTING ANY ORGANIZATION. I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THESE PROPOSED CHANGES AND I FAVOR THE AREAS THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE COVERED.

I WOULD PARTICULARLY PUT -- WAS PUT IN MIND AN EDITORIAL THAT WAS WITHIN THE LAST TWO OR SO DAYS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GOALS OF THE FIGHT FOR 15 DOLLARS AN HOUR CAMPAIGN. WHAT AN IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES IF THAT WERE TO BECOME NATIONAL. AND THIS IS JUST YET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GET US THAT MUCH CLOSER BY BUILDING THAT IN.

I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT. HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET OUT OF 2020 WITH AFRICAN-AMERICANS BEING IN A BETTER PLACE WITH MORE POLICIES LIKE THIS THAT HAVE A REALLY BROAD REACH INTO SOCIETY. AND ALL OF THE OTHER PROVISIONS ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT AND SO GLAD TO SEE THIS HAPPENING. TALKING ABOUT GIVING AWAY THE PEOPLE'S MONEY, THEN PEOPLE NEED TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS WILL BE THE STRONGEST ONE IN OUR REGION. IT WILL PUT US ON PAR. WE TOOK THE STRONGEST LANGUAGE FROM THE OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS AS WELL AND THE NEW ITEMS THAT I -- THE ITEMS WE PULLED OUT ARE THE THINGS THAT TRAVIS COUNTY IS LOOKING AT, BUT WE WANT TO KEEP UP WITH

[05:00:03]

WE HAVE DONE OKAY WITHOUT THESE INCENTIVES. I THINK MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING FORWARD BECAUSE BUSINESSES ARE HURTING AND WE WANT TO GIVE THEM GUIDELINES.

WHEN THE NEW OFFICE IS CREATED I HOPE THOUGHTFUL IDEAS WILL COME OUT OF IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> THANK YOU.

>> DOLORES ROGERS WITH EEDC. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM, WE CAN HEAR YOU. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AND HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW APPROACH TO TAX ABATEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN APPROACH THAT WILL TAKE A BALANCED LOOK AT HOW WE WILL DEVELOP IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THE BENEFITS FROM IT REALLY HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES AND LOCAL INDIVIDUALS PROSPER. AND SO I THINK WHILE TEXAS HAS BEEN KNOWN AND HOUSTON HAS BEEN KNOWN TO TAKE PLACE THERE NEEDS TO BE BALANCE FOR THAT AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.

THIS IS A BOLD MOVE. IT IS ONE THAT I BELIEVE WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY.

I AM IN SUPPORT OF THAT. I THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS

PARTICULAR BILL. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER ROGERS.

>> JEREMY HENDRICKS WITH SWLDCILUNA. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM JEREMY HENDRICKS WITH THE LABOR'S UNION.

THE BILL THAT HARRIS COUNTY VETERAN COALITION. HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 5. IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL ONLINE.

IT HAS BEEN AWHILE. AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THIS GREAT NEW POLICY. WE APPRECIATE YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, TO PUT THIS FORWARD AND FOR SUPPORTING IT. IT WILL MAKE SURE WE CREATE GOOD JOBS TO FURTHER PROTECT AND LIFT UP THE WORKING FOLKS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, THE GULF COAST LABOR FEDERATION AND MANY OTHER PARTNERS SPEAKING HERE TODAY ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS CHANGE. IT WILL ENSURE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS ARE ALSO INVESTING IN HUMAN CAPITAL. JOB GROWTH FOR GOOD PAYING JOBS AND SKILLED PAYING JOBS AND YOU ALL KNOW THAT TEXAS REMAINS THE DEBTS LEAD -- LEADING THE NATION. AND THINGS LINING THE -- LIKE THE TRAGIC MARATHON DISASTER.

THANK YOU FOR ADDING OSHA10. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY INCLUDED.

WE AGREE WE MUST DO EVERYTHING TO INCENTIVIZE THE HIRING AND TRAINING.

WE APPRECIATE THE LOCAL HIRING REQUIREMENT. AND WE CONSIDER ADDING A PROVISION THAT MEANS 20% OF ALL WORKERS WILL HAVE A DEAL THAT IS NOT ONLY GUARANTEED WE ARE PUTTING LOCAL FOLKS TO WORK, BUT WE ARE BUILDING HIGHLY SKILLED CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. AND WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE PAID SICK LEAVE BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE ON GOING EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC. IT IS CRITICAL TO INCLUDE THE STRUGGLING WORKERS IN THE COMMUNITY. I WOULD ALSO LOVE TO SEE A BETTER BUILDER INCLUDED. BETTER BUILDER STANDARDS ON THIS PROJECT WITH ON SITE INDEPENDENT MONITORING WOULD MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF YOUR GREAT IDEAS ACTUALLY GET PUT INTO EFFECT AND IT IS POSITIVE TO MAX -- MAXIMIZE FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

WE LOOK FOOSHED -- LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK ON THIS POLICY.

THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO BETTER FOR HARRIS COUNTY THAN BUILD A LOCAL WORKFORCE WITH PAID SICK LEAVE AND CAN BUILD A BETTER HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP

AND STAY SAFE. WE APPRECIATE YOU. >> THANK YOU, JEREMY.

[05:05:07]

>> CARL DAVIS WITH HOUSTON SOCIETY FOR CHANGE. >> YES, THIS IS CARL DAVIS.

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

>> I CAN HEAR YOU, CARL. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND ALL OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ASSEMBLED TODAY, I AM CARL DAVIS. IT IS AN -- HAVE I BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF IMPROVING COMMUNITY CONDITIONS. THOSE AND OTHER COMMUNITY THAT'S HAVE BEEN THE BENEFICIARY AND PROVIDED A HEALTHY AND STRONG AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY.

I COME TO SPEAK ON THE HARRIS COUNTY TAX ABATEMENT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM, BUT WITH IMPROVEMENT.

IMPROVEMENT THAT IT WILL PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. THAT THE TAX ABATEMENT WILL PROVIDE THE LIVING WAGES AND PAID SICK LEAVE AND VON ENVIRONMENTAL -- STRONG ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS THAT WILL HAVE CONCERNS FOR RESIDENTS IN THE FUTURE. BUILDING STANDARD THAT WILL CREATE BLITE FOR THE COMMUNITY. EXCUSE ME. DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL PROVIDE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY PROVIDING TRAINING FOR THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR JOB SKILLS AND MAKE A GOOD LIVING FOR THEIR FAMILIES. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND THE SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED FOR THE OPERATION OF THE BUSINESS AND THAT THE COMPANY PROVIDES THESE TWO SO THEY ARE BENEFICIARIES TOO. NEW CONSTRUCTION CAN PROVIDE STUDENTS FOR RESIDENTS WITH TRAINING SO THEY CAN ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS AND GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD A MISTAKE IN THEIR LIFE AND WORKING TO START A NEW

LIFE BY ENTERING A TRADE PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CARL, WE

LOST YOU, MY FRIEND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE LOST HIM, BUT I GOT THE DRIFT.

>> WE DID. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.

ANYBODY ELSE? >> NO, THE OTHERS DID NOT ANSWER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MADE A MOTION AND I MOVE THE TAX ABATEMENT AS OPPOSED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A QUESTION FOR ROBERT BEFORE WE

VOTE. >> YES, SIR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH THESE REVISIONS COMING IN YESTERDAY AT 3:30 AND 7:00 YESTERDAY AND 10 SOMETHING TODAY, HAVE WE

MET THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS TO DO THIS PUBLIC HEARING? >> IN MY VIEW YOU HAVE BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT WAS POSTED. IT DOES LIST THE ITEMS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

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

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND COMMISSIONER THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING

THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS SO IMPORTANT AND I KNOW IT IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. >> JUDGE.

THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED AT 5:23? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

LUCINDA. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

NEXT IS ITEM 6. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR REAPPOINTMENT ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. IT IS THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM REAPPOINTMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ARE ON MUTE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. RAID

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM TRYING TO GET TO THE RIGHT PAGE ON THE AGENDA.

THE REAPPOINTMENT IS MS. ALICIA RODRIGUEZ. I THINK SHE HAS ALMOST A PERFECT ATTENDANCE TO HER MEETINGS AND SHE CONTINUES TO BE A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL AND HOW TO

[05:10:11]

TO REAPPOINT ALICIA TO THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES ANYBODY NEED TO TAKE THIS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DO YOU

HAVE A COMMENT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO, I JUST SAID YES.

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE A SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

THANK YOU. >> SAM E1550. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.

THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF THE STATE COUNTY MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES APPLAUD THE REAPPOINTMENT OF ALICIA REYES AS ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS OF HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT. SHE HAS BEEN A BEACON FOR PATIENT ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AS WELL AS THE ADVOCACY FOR THE WORKFORCE. AND SHE HAS BEEN A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN RECORD -- IN REGARDS TO HAVING -- IN REGARDS TO HAVING A BALANCE AND IN MOVING FORWARD WITH CONSIDERATION ON ISSUES THAT ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTFUL.

AND IN KEEPING THE IDEAS PROGRESSIVE AS WELL AS ENSURING THE PROGRESSIVE IDEAS WILL YOU -- INCLUDE COMMUNITY, PATIENCE AND THE WORKFORCE. WE APPLAUD YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR HAVING APPOINTED HER INITIALLY, AND WE APPLAUD YOU FOR THE REAPPOINTMENT SO THAT THERE WILL BE OVERALL AN EXPERIENCE THAT INDIVIDUALS WILL HAVE WHEN THEY COME TO THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM THAT SHOWS THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR THERE TO BE GOOD WORK DONE AND

PREMIERE HEALTH CARE SERVICES IS STILL BEING PROVIDED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME -- TAKING TIME OUT TO CALL IN AND OFF -- OFFER SUPPORT.

I APPRECIATE THAT. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. YOU ALL HAVE A PLEASANT

EVENING. IT IS AFTER 5:00. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

IT REALLY IS. I WANT TO LET MY STAFF KNOW THAT IT IS AFTER 5.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ITEM 7, THE REST OF THE ITEMS ARE COVID ITEM THAT'S WE DISCUSSED ALREADY.

THE PUBLIC HEARING WE ALREADY HELD. TAX RATES WE ALREADY VOTED ON. EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEM 1A IS MY REAPPOINTMENT OF

[V. Executive Session]

DR. SANTOS TO THE HARRIS CENTER BOARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED A

MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: UNLESS FOLKS HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT, I DON'T THINK SO. I THINK WE CAN TAKE THE AGENDA ALTOGETHER.

IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE STAFF. ITEM B IS TO REAPPOINT COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I TO THE HGACA WITH COMMISSIONER AS MY ALTERNATE.

WE SHOULD COLLECT -- CORRECT THE MOTION. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF THE WE -- REAPPOINTMENT OF JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND ALTERNATE COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS AND ADRIAN GARCIA AS REPRESENTATIVES TO THE HOUSTON AREA COUNCIL. THE IDEA IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I ARE BOTH REPRESENTATIVES AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS THE ALTERNATE.

ITEM 2, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS CENTER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, MA'AM. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT GIVE OF THEIR VALUABLE TIME AND ENERGY IS ALWAYS IMPRESSIVE AND ASTOUNDING. ESPECIALLY WITH THE CALIBER OF FOLKS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I FIRST WANT TO THANK MAYOR JOHN KING OF TAYLOR LAKE VILLAGE FOR HIS WORK AND HIS ADVOCACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HARRIS CENTER.

AND HE HAS JUST MADE AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT THERE. AND FOR THAT WE ARE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT HE HAS DONE. TO THAT END, I AM PROUD TO SUBMIT THE NAME OF THE -- OF TASEER-BADAR FOR THE TERM ENDING NOVEMBER 1ST 2022.

[05:15:07]

I SAW IT BEFORE -- RATHER, IN ALL MY YEARS AS A BEAT COP, THE SITUATIONS I CAME ACROSS TOO OFTEN, THE -- I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT I CAN OFFER A SIDEBAR WHEN I WAS A TRAINING OFFICER AND I HAD A YOUNG GRADUATING CADET BEING TRAINED BY ME, I CAME ACROSS A YOUNG MAN BY THE NAME OF JEROME. JEROME WAS HUGE, JUST PHYSICALLY HUGE.

HIS PRESENCE ALONE WOULD BE INTIMIDATING TO ANYBODY WHO CAME ACROSS HIM.

WE HAD A CALL AT A BAR WHERE JEROME WAS AT. THE WAY HE PRESSED HIMSELF WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE THE HAIR ON THE BACK OF YOUR NECK STAND UP. WE FOUND IT WITHIN US TO FIND A WAY TO ENGAGE HIM SPH GET HIM TO SQUEEZE -- ENGAGE HIM AND SQUEEZE HIMSELF INTO THE BACKSEAT OF THE PATROL CAR. WE WERE ABLE TO GET HIM HOME. ALL HE WANTED TO DO WAS ENJOY THE SIREN ON THE WAY HOME. AND SO I GOT TO KNOW JEROME. EVERY TIME WE SAW HIM OUT THERE I WAS ABLE TO GET HIM BACK HOME SAFELY. WHEN I WAS REASSIGNED AND WORKING IN THE ORGANIZED CRIME SQUAD, I HAPPENED TO WATCH THE NEWS AND REGRETFULLY JEROME WENT INTO CRISIS AND LIFTED A HAMMER AND THREW IT AT SOME POLICE OFFICERS AND THEY REGRETFULLY HAD TO USE THEIR FIREARMS TO DEAL WITH JEROME. I REMEMBER THAT STRUCK ME SO DEEPLY BECAUSE I HAD GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM AND I GOT TO KNOW HIS FAMILY.

I JUST KEPT SAYING TO MYSELF, IF I COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN THERE.

I FELT GUILTY FOR HAVING ACCEPTED THE ASSIGNMENT THAT TOOK ME OFF PATROL.

ENGAGING THOSE WHO ARE IN CRISIS SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY. IT WOULD TAKE POTENTIALLY ONE PERSON TO BE ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO HAM INDIVIDUALS WHO -- WE RECENTLY SAW THE REGRETFUL DEATH OF THE HOUSTON POLICE SERGEANT JUST RECENTLY. HIS FAMILY AND HIS WORK FAMILY CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH THAT AND ARE MOURNING FOR HIM. THIS IS AN AREA OF MEDICINE THAT NEEDS BRIGHT MINDS, INNOVATIVE MINDS TO FIGURE OUT BETTER WAYS TO EXPAND THE SERVICES AND BRING MORE RESOURCES INTO HARRIS COUNTY. SO I CHARGE TASEER, BADAR WITH THE THINGS WE ARE DOING WITH MEN -- MENTAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS AND FIND A WAY TO KEEP THOSE IN CRISIS OUT OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE THE OPTIONS ARE INCREDIBLY LIMITED WHEN THAT HAPPENS. I AM PROUD THAT TASEER HAS ACCEPTED THE OPPORTUNITY. I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS ON THE CALL, BUT I WOULD JUST SAY THAT I WANT TO UH PLOWED WAYNE YOUNG DISASH -- I WANT TO APPLAUD WAYNE YOUNG AND THE ECI FOLKS, AND I MENTION ECI SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF THE WORK WITH BABIES AND WITH

[05:20:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE HIM ON THE LINE? >> NO, MA'AM.

I DO NOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM 3, COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THIS IS ON THE BUYOUT PROGRAM. I KNOW WE ALL WERE BRIEFED ON THIS. DO FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED AN UPDATE FROM JOSH?

SO THE MOTION AS I HAVE IT THAT THEY NEED -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVE A

MOTION ON THIS, JUDGE, IF I MAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION IS TO HELP PROTECT THE HEALTH AND THE SAFETY OF THE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY BLOCK PROGRAMS. I MOVE TO PROVIDE WOP .5 MILLION -- 1.5 MILLION TO AUGMENT CDBG FUNDS AND BENEFIT THOSE NOT ELIGIBLE AND WHO ARE ONLY PARTIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR RELOCATION BENEFITS UNDER THE UNIFORM RELOCATION ACT AND AUTHORIZE BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO BUDGET FOR AND TRANSFER THOSE FUNDS AS NEEDED TO CSD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DID YOU SEND THAT OUT TO US, COMMISSIONER?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I BELIEVE SO. LET ME DOUBLE CHECK.

WE ARE RESENDING. LOON

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND OF COURSE THAT'S WHAT CSD ASKED FOR. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO THIS. I KNOW WE ARE LEARNING AS WE GO IN TERMS OF HOW TO DO THE BUYOUTS IN A WAY THAT'S FAIR. I KNOW THAT THEY ARE EXPLORING ALL OPTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE COMMITTED AND SERIOUS. I THINK IT IS A GREAT PLAN

THAT THEY PUT TOGETHER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: TO SHORT CIRCUIT THIS SINCE YOU WON YOUR BET, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR MOTION AND WHAT WAS

POSTED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY DIFFERENCE. ONLY THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT IS

POSTED AND YOUR MOTION, THEN I DON'T NEED TO WAIT TO GET IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ROBERT, DO YOU AGREE? NO DIFFERENCES?

>> I AGREE THERE ARE NO DIFFERENCES. I HEARD NO DIFFERENCES FROM

WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA READ AND WHAT WAS POSTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JACK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, IF ANYONE HAS -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE NO

JOCKS -- I HAVE NO OBJECTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK?

>> STEVE RADACK: I'M READY TO VOTE ON ALL OF THE STUFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE THERE

[I. Departments (Part 5 of 5)]

IT IS ITEM 2E UNDER THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. IT WAS ON THE -- YOU WANTED TO DO AN OVER ALL CONDITION ASSESSMENT FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND WORK ON MAINTENANCE NEEDS WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MAY I ASK MY COLLEAGUE A QUESTION, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, HAVE YOU TALKED TO

MATT RUSS ABOUT THIS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE EARLIER ABOUT SOME OF THIS.

BUT SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS LIKE SOME OF THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BE MOVED TO THE BOND FUNDING, THAT PART, WE -- I DON'T THINK WE TOUCHED ON IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ANY ISSUES WITH THE -- I MEAN, IT IS ASKING FOR AN ASSESSMENT AND I

DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE. >> STEVE RADACK: MR. SOARD, THIS WILL COME BACK TO COURT?

>> YES, SIR. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT IT WE HAVE TO COME BACK.

AS I UNDERSTOOD THE MOTION, IT WAS JUST AS STATED IT IS A STUDY OR AN ASSESSMENT.

>> STEVE RADACK: FINE. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO

[05:25:03]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> CAN THE MOTION BE READ AGAIN? >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

AID 8 HANG ON A SECOND. LET ME GET IT. I THINK I GOT IT.

IT IS RIGHT HERE. DO YOU WANT -- HOLD ON A SECOND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU HAVE TWO VERSIONS. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT ONE JADE

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT PRECINCT 4 WILL MAKE FOR PRECINCT 2 PROJECTS -- JUST KIDDING.

THE MOTION IS DIRECT THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL TO PERFORM A SURVEY FOR PERFORMANCE AND SERVICES ET CETERA TO DEVELOP THE MAINTENANCE CYCLE AND OVERALL MAINTENANCE BUDGET NEEDS AND TO DEVELOP AN OVER ALL CONDITION ASSESSMENT FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASED ON THE RISK OF FAILURE AND RISK POTENTIAL IN RISK OF POTENTIAL FLOODING, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT SHOULD HAVE A PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS AND BUDGET AND A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT ALL EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND IDENTIFIED MAINTENANCE NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN DEFERRED FOR YEARS DUE TO BUDGETARY OR ANY OTHER REASON. THERE ARE MANY AREAS WHERE REPAIR WORK CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY LARGE AND MAY ALSO QUALIFY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO VALUE -- EVALUATE IF WE CAN

FUND THESE THROUGH A BOND PROGRAM. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. DID YOU NEED A MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON ALL OF THE ITEMS EXCEPT THOSE WHO -- THAT WE HAVE ALREADY VOTED

ON? >> JUDGE, BEFORE WE TAKE THAT VOTE IF YOU WANT TO REOPEN THE VOTE FOR COMMISSIONER RADACK ON 19N. IT -- HE WAS NOT PRESENT FOR

THAT VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER RADACK. PAGE 19, JAMES? >> PAGE 14.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT, IT WAS FOR THAT PART. >> STEVE RADACK: I'M READY TO VOTE. I'M VOTING I ON THAT AND I GOT A -- IT TURNED OUT TO BE FOR A BUILDING THAT TURNED OUT TO BE REALLY GREAT. I VOTE I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT, JAMES? >> YES, MA'AM.

I WILL RECORD IT UNANIMOUSLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. SO NOW WE NEED A MOTION ON ALL

OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVEN'T ALREADY VOTED ON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A MOTION.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR AS WELL. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

PERFECT. SPEAKERS ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA.

[VI. Appearances before court]

SPEAKERS NOT ON THE AGENDA. >> STEVE WILLIAMS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA, JUST LIKE CPS, AND LIKE SO MANY OTHER THINGS 12 OR 13%. I NEEDED A ATTORNEY OF 45 STATE AND LITIGATE THE CASE MYSELF. THE STATE'S ATTORNEY TO THE LINE OF FIRE. AND ONE PERSON SAID TO ME I OBJECT.

THIS IS PRETTY PERSONAL. THAT'S WHY I SAID THE U.S. ATTORNEY WAS IN SO FAR AS THE GAINS AND I WILL GET VOTER REGISTRATION CARD. AND I COULDN'T GET IN THE BUILDING TWO TIMES. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. IT IS PROT -- PROTESTANTS MOSTLY. YOU ASK PEOPLE TWO ARE TAKING -- YOU ARE TAKING --

[05:30:03]

WE CAN HELP THESE OTHER PROTESTANTS AND THE RED NECKS AND USE THE WORD [BLEEP] AND I DON'T WANT TO OFFEND ANYBODY. BUT EVERY WHITE RESISTANT ORGANIZATION.

THE PROUD BOYS INCLUDED. WHEN I MAKE GOOD CONTACTS AND SOME OF THEM ARE PUTTING OFF THINGS LIKE INSTAGRAM AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO GO ON FACEBOOK AND THAT KIND OF A THING. WHEN I GET THESE PEOPLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SHOCKED.

HOUSTON POLICE WHO HAVE STOLEN SO MUCH OF MY PROPERTY IT IS RIDICULOUS AND I CAN'T GET A QUESTION ANSWERED. WHERE IS MY PROPERTY AT? HPD OFFICERS HAVE STOLEN FROM STEVE WOODS. FOR KLANS AND ARYAN NATIONS AND SKIN HEADS, MOST ARE PROTESTANTS AND THERE IS A WAR GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY. THE PROTESTANTS ARE NOT FIRING BACK. THEY ARE NOT THROWING PUNCHES BACK.

THEY WILL HAVE TO. INEVITABLY THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO TURN AROUND.

THE NATION OF ISLAM MET WITH THEM AND THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY. AND IT WAS THE GRAND OF GRANDS AND THE KU KLUX KLAN. THEY MOVED OVER -- AND

SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO YOU JACK CAGLE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING. >> DARLENE KING. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANKS AND PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD WHO MADE US FOR THIS DIVINE PURPOSE.

WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE FOLLOW-UP BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

AND THE DISTRICT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REGARDING MY PROCESS BY WHICH THEY ACQUIRE PROPERTY. AND I AM CERTAIN WITH THE HELP THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND WE CAN GET THIS MATTER QUICKLY RESOLVED. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FOLLOWING UP WITH MS. LISA AND SUBMITTING INFORMATION TO HER REGARDING THE CASE.

AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SENDING A THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND SO THAT IS ALL I HAD TO SAY FOR THIS EVENING.

AND AGAIN, I APPRECIATE IT. >> SHARMINE. >> I WANT TO AND I THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK IN THE COUNTY OF HARRIS. I HAVE AN ISSUE IN PRECINCT 1 IN THE FIFTH WARD IN THE REVITALIZATION DISTRICT THAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ON.

IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THIS AGAIN, THE EXACT MAP IS 54D2 AND THE PROPERTY IS 1G.

MY ISSUE IS WHEN HIGHWAY 59 IS -- WAS BUILT THROUGH THE AREA, THEY LAND LOCKED A FEW PROPERTIES THERE. EAST TEXAS AND THE ROAD AND THEY LAND LOCKED A FEW PROPERTIES AND I JUST WANTED TO ASK THE COURT COULD FIND A WAY TO EXTEND THE STREET SO WE CAN USE THE LAND AND BUILD SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY COULD USE AND WE HAVE A SMALL GROCERY STORE AND THERE IS NO GROCERY STORE IN THAT AREA. IF YOU GUYS COULD EXTEND THE STREET IT IS EAST TEXAS.

AND JUST FOR REFERENCE, JUST RIGHT ACROSS 5019FROM -- RIGHT ACROSS 59 FROM THE WALL WHERE

[05:35:06]

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS RESPOND AND IF YOU COULD PLEASE EXTEND THE STREAK SO WE CAN USE THAT PROPERTY FOR A GOOD PURPOSE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SIR, THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. SOMEBODY ON MY STAFF WILL CALL YOU. I'M NOT SURE WHY TEX.COM -- TEXDOT TOLD YOU TO CALL THEM JAM JAM

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND HAVE SOMEBODY FROM JOHN'S OFFICE CALL TOO.

JOHN, ARE YOU OUT THERE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JOHN BLOUNT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WILL YOU FOLLOWING UP -- FOLLOW-UP AS WELL SINCE IT IS A PROPERTY AND TRANSPORTATION ISSUE?

>> SURE. >> RICHARD LIMBRICK, PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> HOW ARE Y'ALL DOING. I'M GLAD TO SPEAK WITH Y'ALL. I AM LEAVING IN PRECINCT 4 BY A HUGE BUILDING. WE ARE REQUESTING A RED LIGHT.

LIKE FOUR WEEKS AGO THEY HAD A FAMILY THAT GOT KILLED RIGHT THERE FROM AN ACCIDENT.

IT IS REAL BAD OVER THERE. WE HAVE TO QUESTION THAT OVER A YEAR.

I WANT TO KNOW IF MR. JACK CAGLE CAN PUT A RED LIGHT THERE.

THEY JUST HAD ANOTHER COMMENT UP THERE TODAY. I REALLY NEED TO KNOW BECAUSE

WE PUT THE QUESTION ALL YEAR. >> THIS IS JACK CAGLE. JOHN, CAN YOU FOLLOW-UP WITH

HIM? >> YES, SIR. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR OFFICE IS ALREADY WORKING ON IT. IF YOU WILL CONTACT HIM BECAUSE OF THE FORMAT. SIR, WE ARE ALLOWED TO ENGAGE ON SOMETHING THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA. WILL SOMEBODY FROM THE OFFICE CONTACT YOU EITHER TODAY OR TOMORROW. TO LET YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE IN THAT PROCESS.

>> OKAY. I APPRECIATE IT. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU CAN SLOW THE PEOPLE DOWN. WE HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT THE OTHER DAY.

I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> YES, SIR. HAVE A BLESSED DAY. >> THANK YOU.

FRED STOCKTON AND STOCKTON FOUNDATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTENING TO ME.

THIS IS ABOUT FLOOD CONTROL. THAT IS RUPAUL ZZ2 -- THAT IS PAULZZ2.

IT IS OUT OF THE 288 ACRES AND IN 1836 MY GREAT GRANDFATHERS CAME FROM HERE.

AND WE HAVE THREE YEARS AND IT WASN'T VERY SMART IT LASTS UNTIL 1964 WHAT WAS LEFT FOR US TO RUN A -- TO RUN AN OPERATION AND I AM HERE IN 1986 AND I HAD TO SELL HALF TO PAY MY HERITAGE TAX. IT WENT BROKE AND I CONTINUED TO RUN MY COWS AND A LANE FOR THE RTC. IN 1995 I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY FROM THE RTC.

I LOST SOME ADDITIONAL PROPERTY AND SOLD THAT OFF. WHAT I'M GETTING TO NOW IS 288-ACRES OF LAND. IT WAS FLOOD CONTROL AND FLOOD WAY IS A PROPERTY AT THE BACK OF THE DEAL AND DOING SO CONSISTS OF THIS PROPERTY. WE HARVEST TREES EVERY 10 YEARS OR SO. BUT THERE ARE BEAUTIFUL DEER AND WILDLIFE.

I MEAN, EVERYTHING IS HERE. WOLVES AND BOBCATS AND WE HAVE SPOTTED WOOD PECKERS THAT I THINK THAT ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES. BECAUSE OF MY LOCATION AND

[05:40:02]

THERE IS A 300 OF ACRE PARK -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. >> BEG YOUR PARDON?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> JACOB CLEMENTEK.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, MA'AM. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE MISTREATMENT OF BLACK PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES. I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A MISTREATMENT OF BLACK PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES AND [INAUDIBLE] THERE WAS A BLACK MAN THAT WAS DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF MEN AND YOU HAVE THE BLACK FOLK FOR EXAMPLE [INAUDIBLE] WHO HAVE BOOKER T WASHINGTON WHO WAS THE -- I BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE TUSKEGEE IN ALABAMA AND HE WAS A REPUBLICAN. HE PLIED -- HE MADE DEALS WITH THE REPUBLICANS. AND SO REPUBLICANS ARE A-OKAY IN MY BOOK, BUT HE IS WAY BETTER THAN JOSEPH BIDEN. I I DON'T CARE. [INAUDIBLE] HE MAY BE CATHOLIC, BUT I DON'T CARE. AND THEN HAVE YOU DR. -- GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER WHO DIDN'T ACCEPT THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR WORK ON FARMING. BUT HE WAS SMART.

HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND WE HAVE THE AIRMEN WHO WERE ESCORTS FOR WORLD WAR II BOMBERS AND HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF NOT HAVING US ASSEMBLE A BOMBER AND THEN THE 540'S AND THEN YOU HAVE THE MODERN DAY -- YOU HAVE RODNEY ELLIS. HE IS A GREAT POLITICIAN AND ALL OF THAT. IS -- AFTER ALL, IT WAS HIM WHO GAVE ACCOMMODATIONS AWARD TO A HISPANIC WOMAN [INAUDIBLE] AND SHE WAS A GREAT WORKER, BUT SHE BECAME PREGNANT AND NOT RETIRED, BUT SHE RAISED HER CHILD AND WHAT I WANT TO SAY NOW IS I HAVE COME UP WITH SOME POLITICAL TRUTHS AND YOU HAVE [INAUDIBLE] HE ONLY COMES UP

-- [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> IS THAT IT?

OKAY, BYE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND JUST BEFORE WE CLOSE, THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER, I WANT TO MAKE SURE FLOOD CONTROL WILL

CIRCLE BACK WITH HIM ON THE LAND ISSUE. >> THOSE WERE ALL OF THE

SPEAKERS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANKS, LUCINDA.

WE WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH FLOOD CONTROL AS WELL. SO, FOLKS, AM I MISSING

ANYTHING? ROBERT, JAMES? >> NO, MA'AM.

>> WE'RE GOOD. WE GOT IT ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

[05:45:01]

WELL, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT HAS BEEN A

WONDERFUL DAY. SEE YOU ALL IN TWO WEEKS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS 5:59 WHICH IS MUSIC TO MY EARS. I WANT ALL OF MY STAFF THAT BETTED ON THE UNDER THAT THEY

NEED TO PAY UP. TAKE CARE, GUYS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 5:59

AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOW ADJOURNED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD NIGHT,

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.