Apr 13, 2021 Commissioners Court

[00:00:03]

LEAN GOOD MORNING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING. SORRY, FOLKS, WE WERE DEALING WITH THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON ISSUE. IT IS 10:04 AND I AM CALLING

THIS MEETING TO ORDER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST IN TIME.

MY COLLEAGUE HERE WAS ABOUT TO RELIVE AN OLD RICE/TEXAS A&M. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU'RE

WELCOME, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU SAVED US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD

[Director Dean Riley of Moody Library at Houston Baptist University in Houston.]

HE GOT HIS BACHELORS FROM UT SAN ANTONIO AND MASTERS FROM -- IN EDUCATION.

HIS MASTER IN LIBRARY SCIENCES FROM UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI. HE HAS SERVED AS A MINISTER OF MUSIC AND OF YOUTH AND CHURCHES IN OHIO AND IN MISSOURI.

HE CURRENTLY PLAYS THE KEYBOARD IN LITTLE SAIGON. HE HAS BEEN ELECTED TO THE LIBRARY HONORS SOCIETY. AND HE EMBODIES AND ENCOURAGES THE LIBRARY WHICH IS THE WILLIAM L.MOODY LIBRARY TO SEEK TO HELP ALL STUDENTS BY ENDOWING THEM WITH CRITICAL RESEARCH SKILLS WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF SATISFACTION SO THEIR CURRENT RESEARCH CAN SPRING BOARD AND BECOME USEFUL VESSELS TO EMPOWER THEIR FUTURE ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR LIVES AND TO HONOR CHRIST. AND JUDGE, WITH THAT INTRODUCTION, WE ASK NOW

REVEREND RILEY TO LEAD US IN OUR INVOCATION. >> GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR AND COURT. PRAY WITH ME TOGETHER, PLEASE.

HEAVENLY FATHER, LORD, GOD ALL MIGHTY, I THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US. YOU HAVE PROVIDED LIFE AND BREATH TO US TO SERVE YOU ANOTHER DAY. WE ARE ALL STILL ALIVE AND IT MEANS YOU HAVE WORK FOR US TO DO AND LESSONS FOR US IN OUR SERVICE TO YOU. I PRAY YOU WOULD SHAPE US ALL INTO YOUR IMAGE. I THANK YOU FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE AND FOR THESE COMMISSIONERS WHO DILIGENTLY SERVE OUR COUNTY. I PRAY FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELL BEING AND THAT OF THE FAMILIES AS WELL. I PRAY YOU ENDOW THEM WITH LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER. THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE FOR THE COUNTY BE BASED ON THE SAME ALL-ENCOMPASSING LOVE YOU HAVE SHOWN FOR US AND TO US THROUGH THE LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST.

FATHER, THE JOBS THAT WE ALL ARE DOING THESE DAYS AS LEADERS ARE HUGE.

THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH MONEY AND NEVER ENOUGH TIME AND NEVER ENOUGH RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL TO HELP US GET DONE THE THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO GET DONE.

HELP US LEARN TO PRIORITIZE AND NOT QUIT IN THE FACE OF THE HARDSHIPS.

FATHER, OUR DECISIONS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND AFFECTING THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE IN COUNTLESS WAYS. HELP US TO SEE THE SHORT AND LONG-TERM RAMIFICATIONS OF WHAT WE ARE FACING AS LEADERS. HELP US NOT RUSH OUR DECISIONS. HELP US TO USE THESE WONDERFUL BRAINS TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT EACH DECISION. YOUR WORD SAYS IN GLALATIANS 6 THAT WHATEVER WE SEW WE WILL REAP AND RETURN. HELP US SEW OUR SEEDS AND IDEAS WISELY.

IN THE SAME PASS -- PASSAGE YOU ENCOURAGE US NOT TO GROW WEARY AND DOING GOOD KNOWING THAT AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP THE HARVEST AND NEVER GIVE UP.

I PRAY FOR US AS LEADERS AND ESPECIALLY AS COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT WE WOULD BE ENDOWED WITH PERCENT VERNS TO DO -- PERSEVERANCE TO DO THE BEST WE CAN.

GIVE AS YOU BROAD RANGE OF UNDERSTANDING AS THEY DO RESEARCH AND GIVE THEM CAREFUL DELIBERATIONS OVER THE OPTIONS AND THAT THEY WOULD SEE THINGS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

GIVE US ALL WHO ARE LEADERS THE EYES TO SEE THINGS AS YOU WOULD SEE THEM AND EARS TO HEAR THINGS AS YOU WOULD HEAR THEM. EVERYTHING FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND HELP US TO RESPOND IN A MANNER THAT IS WORTHY OF YOUR NAME.

MAY THE DECISIONS OF THE COURT REACH US TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE AND BE PLEASING AND HONORING TO YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE ABOVE ALL. OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME. YOUR KINGDOM COME, AND YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD AND FORGIVE US OF OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER. I PRAY THIS ALL IN THE NAME OF

YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY NICE

PRAYER. THANK YOU, PASTOR. >> MY PLEASURE.

[00:05:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, PASTOR. >> HAVE A GREAT DAY TODAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: BEFORE WE GET TO THE RESOLUTIONS I WANTED TO

[Additional Item]

IF FOLKS HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WE ASK YOU TO KEEP THE APPOINTMENT.

WE WILL KEEP WORKING AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH WILL KEEP WORKING TO TRACK THE GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC. IN FACT, ONE OF OUR ADVISERS IS SITTING ON THE CALL.

[Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WANT TO START WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S RESOLUTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. GO COUGS! I HAVE MY RESOLUTION HERE HOLD ON. I'M SORRY, FOLKS.

I THOUGHT WE HAD IT IN ORDER. NOPE.

THAT'S NOT IT. FIRST, LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING GO COUGS! AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A HOMETOWN KIND OF A TEAM KIND OF A GUY. AND SO WHEN MY TEAM IS NOT IN THE HUNT IT IS HARD TO GET EXCITED ABOUT ANYTHING.

I WILL TELL YOU THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WAS IN THE HUNT AND DID A PHENOMENAL -- A PHENOMENAL JOB IN MAKING IT TO THE FINAL FOUR. WE HAVE COACH KELVIN SAMPSON AND ASSISTANT COACH KELAN SAMPSON, HIS SON, AND ASSISTANT COACH ALVIN BROOKS TO THANK FOR THE EXCITEMENT WE HAD THIS YEAR. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH DR.

CATOUR. SHE WOULD HAVE JOINED US ON THIS CALL, BUT SHE WAS BUSY WITH AN IMPORTANT MEETING THAT KEPT HER FROM BEING ON THE CALL.

I WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND SIMPLY TO SAY THAT IT'S ALWAYS EXCITING WHEN YOU SEE YOUR LOCAL FOLKS ON A NATIONAL SCREEN COMPETING AT THE TOP LEVELS OF ANY ENDEAVOR OF ANY ARENA. ON THIS ONE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY EYES ON THE FINAL FOUR IT IS EXCITING TO SEE HOMETOWN REPRESENTATION THERE. AND SO THIS RESOLUTION IS TO HONOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

WHEREAS ON MARCH 20, 2021, THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM NUMBER 2 SEED ADVANCED TO THEIR FIRST NCAA FINAL FOUR SINCE 1994, AND THAT IS EXCITING BECAUSE WE REMEMBER THOSE DAYS SO VERY WELL WITH DEX.

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>> R. JACK CAGLE: FOR THE TWO YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF THE COURT,

THEY MAY NOT REMEMBER THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE THE SHAKE AND BAKE WAS INVENTED, IT WAS A GREAT MOMENT.

WHEREAS THE COUGARS SIXTH FINAL FOUR APPEARANCE TOPPED OFF A 28-4 SEASON WITH A NUMBER THREE RANKING IN THE COACHES' POLL AND A NUMBER SIX RANKING IN THE AP TOP 25 POLL AND A 5-0 ALL TIME IN THE ELITE 8.

THE MOST WINS WITHOUT A LOSS AMONG ALL SCHOOLS ACCORDING TO THE SPORTS BUREAU. AND WHEREAS THE COUGS' SEASON HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE THEIR OWN REGIONAL SEMIFINAL BEATING, THE NUMBER 12 SEED OREGON STATE IN THE ELITE 8 BY A FINAL SCORE OF 67-61. TO ADVANCE TO THE FIRST FINAL FOUR GAME AGAINST THE BAYLOR BEARS.

THE FIRST TIME WITH THE TWO TEXAS TEAMS COMPETING IN THE SAME YEAR. THAT WAS EXCITING.

JACK, YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THAT.

WHEREAS U OF H TEAMMATES WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER IN NEW ORLEANS, AND IN A DREAM COME TRUE PLAYED TOGETHER IN THE FINAL FOUR. WHEREAS HEAD COACH CALVIN SAMPSON DID A GREAT JOB BUILDING A WINNING TEAM.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HIS SON WORKED FOR HIM AS A FULL TIME ASSISTANT COACH. KELLAN IS ALSO THE THIRD GENERATION FROM HIS FAMILY TO WORK AS A COACH.

NICE. NICE.

WHEREAS ALVIN BROOKS, THE SECOND OF UH AND WENT TO WHEATLEY HIGH SCHOOL AND FACED HIS SON, ALVIN BROOKS, THE THIRD, A BAYLOR ASSISTANT COACH.

I DIDN'T KNOW THIS PART. THE ELDER BROOKS USED TO BE THE COUGARS' HEAD COACH IN THE 90S AND BECOMING THE PROGRAM'S FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN HEAD COACH AND ONE OF THE NATION'S YOUNGEST HEAD COACHES AT THE TIME.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY OF HARRIS COUNTY.

CONGRATULATIONS, COACH. IT DIDN'T END THE WAY WE WANTED TO. BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER.

YOU GAVE US A HELL OF A RIDE. CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, SIR. >> OKAY.

GOOD. SOMETHING CAME ACROSS MY DESK YESTERDAY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL START PAYING ATTENTION TO UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AS WE MADE THIS RUN TO THE FINAL FOUR. IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE THREE WINNINGEST PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES IS GONZAGA, NUMBER ONE, HOUSTON, NUMBER TWO.

I THINK WE HAVE 111 WINS. AND THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA NUMBER THREE. YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT A ONE-YEAR WONDER. THIS HAS BEEN THE CULMINATION OF FOUR YEARS GETTING TO THIS POINT.

I THINK THE THING THAT SATISFIES ME THE MOST IS MAYOR TURNER SPOKE TO A CELEBRATION WE HAD THE OTHER NIGHT.

HE TALKED ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY GOING THROUGH COVID AND HAVING SO MANY SETBACKS AND SO MANY ISSUES FACING SO MANY PEOPLE IN HOUSTON AND TALKED ABOUT US BEING A RAY OF HOPE AND A LITTLE SUNSHINE, SOMETHING PEOPLE CAN GET EXCITED ABOUT.

ONE OF OUR SLOGANS IS FOR THE CITY.

WE HAVE A GREAT UNIVERSITY AND A GREAT GROUP OF KIDS.

WE HAVE TO TAKE A TWO-WEEK PAUSE BECAUSE AT SOME POINT THIS YEAR ALL 15 OF OUR PLAYERS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. WE HAD TO BATTLE THROUGH THAT.

WE HAD A BUNCH OF KIDS MISS GAMES, BUT WE JUST KEPT GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. WE HAD GREAT SENIOR LEADERSHIP. WE HAVE A GREAT STAFF.

WE HAVE A GREAT CULTURE. WE HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE TOP PROGRAMS IN AMERICA THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I AM PROUD OF WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED, BUT I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE AND BEING ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS GREAT RUN WE'RE ON. CONGRATULATIONS, COACH.

QUICK QUESTION. COACH, QUICK QUESTION.

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>> WELL, MY FATHER IS A HALL OF FAME HIGH SCHOOL COACH IN NORTH CAROLINA. HE WAS MY HERO.

I LOOKED UP TO HIM GROWING UP.

HE WAS A HIGH SCHOOL COACH FOR 33 PLUS YEARS.

WHEN HE COACHED THERE WAS SEGREGATION, SO I REMEMBER GOING TO GAMES WHEN IT WAS DIFFERENT.

IN THE 60S ALL OF THE WHITE COACHES SAT DOWN IN THE THEATER SEATS IN THIS BIG BALLROOM.

AND IN THE METAL CHAIRS WERE THE MINORITY COACHES.

I LOOK BACK AT MY DAD WHO WAS A TRAILBLAZER, AND SO MANY COACHES LIKE HIM THAT PAVED THE WAY BEFORE HIM.

IT WAS A THRILL TO SEE HOW FAR WE HAVE COME IN THIS COACHING PROFESSION AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR EVERYBODY. THE FACT THAT MY SON IS BY MY SIDE, AND HE HAS BEEN NAMED COACH IN WAITING AT THE UNIVERSITY IN HOUSTON. WHEN I DO STEP ASIDE HE WILL BE NAMED HEAD COACH, SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE

EXCITED ABOUT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEAUTIFUL.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND TO YOUR FAMILY, COACH.

>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ALL OF THE COUGARS KNOW THAT WE WERE ALL CHEERING FOR THEM AND WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR

PERSEVERANCE AND LEADERSHIP. >> LINA HIDALGO: COACH, HANG ON A SECOND. THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS HAVE COMMENTS FOR YOU AS WELL. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COACH, THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE LONG, BUT YOU MADE AN IMPORTANT POINT. A LOT OF PEOPLE PAUSED AND PAID ATTENTION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF YOU, YOUR SON, YOUR OTHER COACHES AND YOUR TEAM, AND THE PLAYERS, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

THAT SCHOOL DESERVES SO MUCH MORE CREDIT THAN IT GETS.

A GREAT MEDICAL SCHOOL, LAW SCHOOL, BUSINESS SCHOOL, SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS. IT TAKES WHAT YOU ALL DID TO GET A LOT OF PEOPLE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. BY THE WAY, YOUR LIFE STORY AND YOUR FATHER'S IS SO INSPIRING AND WE ARE JUST GLAD

TO HAVE YOU IN HOUSTON. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: COACH SAMPSON, TOM RAMSEY.

YOU BROUGHT THAT FI -- FIVE SLAMMA-JAMMA.

WE LIKE THAT YOU BROUGHT THAT BACK.

WE LIKE HOW YOU PLAY BASKETBALL AND MORE THAN THAT WE LIKE THE LEADERSHIP THAT YOU SHOWED OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY. THAT MEANS A LOT TO US IN HOUSTON, PARTICULARLY COMING OUT OF WHAT WE ARE.

THANK YOU, COACH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT'S AN HONOR. IT'S AN HONOR TO REPRESENT UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ON A NATIONAL STAGE, BUT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT OUTSTANDING PLAYERS.

WE HAVE VERY, VERY TALENTED KIDS AND THAT'S WHY WE WON.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COACH, THIS IS JACK CAGLE.

I WAS GOING TO A LITTLE SCHOOL OUT IN SOUTH MAINE IN 1984 WHEN FIVE SLAMA-JAMA AND ALL OF THOSE GOOD GUYS WERE HAVING THE FUN OVER THERE FOR YOU GUYS.

WE WEREN'T QUITE IN THE SAME LEAGUES AS YOU WERE IN THE SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE AT THE TIME.

AND THEN I WENT ON TO BAYLOR WHERE I GOT MY LAW DEGREE.

IF MY UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WHEFER I HAD BEEN AND SERVED AS AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN THE LAW SCHOOL WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE FINAL FOUR, IT WAS TO A SCHOOL THAT I APPRECIATED. SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING HONOR TO HOUSTON. THANK YOU FOR JUST MAKING THIS A REALLY FUN RIDE FOR ALL OF US IN HARRIS COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS ONE OF THE 33 CITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE APPRECIATE HOW YOU BROUGHT HONOR TO OUR COUNTY IN THIS INSTANCE.

THANK YOU, COACH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COACH, THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS AND TRULY JUST BRINGING HOPE.

I MYSELF WAS GRIPPED BY THE GAMES.

IT WAS A WELCOME RESPITE I HAVE TO SAY FROM COVID.

I KNOW IT WAS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THE LEADERSHIP, THE TEAM, THE PLAYERS, THEY ARE INCREDIBLE.

THEY EMBODY THE GRIT. YOU EMBODY THE GRIT OF THE COMMUNITY. HOW EXCITING.

CONGRATULATIONS ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE OUR COUNTY AND CITY AND -- BETTER FOR

[00:20:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: TAKE CARE. >> BYE-BYE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA,

ON THIS ITEM? >> NO, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 204 AND THAT'S MY RESOLUTION ON NATIONAL EATING DISORDER AWARENESS WALK DAY. WHEREAS NATIONAL EATING DISORDER AWARENESS WALK DAY IS AN EFFORT TO PUT LIFE-SAVING RESOURCES INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE IN NEED.

CAT TAU LIESING PREVENTION, CURES AND ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE. EATING DISORDERS AFFECT ALL RACES, ETHNICITIES, GENDERS, AGES, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUSES.

ALMOST HALF OF ALL AMERICANS KNOW SOMEONE WITH AN EATING DISORDER. EATING DISORDERS HAVE THE SECOND HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE OF ALL MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. IT RESULTS IN ONE DEATH EVERY 52 MINUTES. THEY AFFECT AT LEAST 9% OF THE POPULATION WORLDWIDE. THE MORTALITY RATE OF ANOREXIA IS 12 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE DEATH RATE OF ALL CAUSES OF DEATH FOR FEMALES 15 TO 24 YEARS OLD.

AND EATING DISORDERS ARE THE THIRD MOST CHRONIC ILLNESS AMONG ADOLESCENTS -- FEMALE ADOLESCENTS IN THE UNITED STATES. EATING DISORDERS ARE WIDELY MISUNDERSTOOD ILLNESSES AND OLD STEREOTYPES THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM GETTING HELP. WE HAVE TO FIGHT STIGMA AND SHINE A LIGHT ON EATING DISORDERS AS A SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES APRIL 17TH, 2021 AS NATIONAL EATING DISORDER AWARENESS WALK DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WISHES MUCH SUCCESS TO THE WALKS AS THEY RAISE CRITICAL FUNDS FOR RESTORED HOPE AND CHANGE THE CONVERSATION SURROUNDING EATING DISORDERS.

DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE LINE?

>> YES, MA'AM. LAURA PARKER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LAURA PARKER AND I AM SPEAKING TODAY TO ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL EATING DISORDER AWARENESS WALK THIS SATURDAY.

FIRSTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS EVENT AND HELPING CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT EATING DISORDER.

AS AN EATING DISORDER SURVIVOR I KNOW ABOUT THE SERIOUS OF THE DISEASE. EATING DISORDER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. THEY CAN AND DO AFFECT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. EATING DISORDERS ARE THE SECOND DEADLIEST ILLNESS. WE ALL KNOW SOMEBODY WHO IS OR HAS SUFFERED FROM A EATING DISORDER.

DESPITE THE SERIOUSNESS OF EATING DISORDERS FUNDING IS LACKING. WHILE MOST MAJOR ILLNESSES RECEIVE $70 PER PERSON IN RESEARCH FUNDS, EATING DISORDERS RECEIVED 73 CENTS PER IMPACTED PERSON.

THE WALK THIS WEEKEND, ALTHOUGH VIRTUAL, WILL HELP TO NOT ONLY SPREAD AWARENESS, BUT RAISE FUNDS THAT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO HELPING VICTIMS OF EATING DISORDERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. THE MONEY RAISED WILL HELP BRIDGE THE GAP IN FUNDING. FOR EXAMPLE, $10 WILL HELP 180 PEOPLE TAKE THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD RECOVERY THROUGH THE ONLINE TRAINING TOOL. $250 WILL HELP RUN THE NATIONAL EATING DISORDER HELP LINE FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS. THIS MONEY WILL LITERALLY SAVE LIVES. I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT RECOVERING FROM EATING DISORDER IS POSSIBLE AND THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM IT CAN GO ON TO LEAD HAPPY AND HEALTHY LIVES. I AND OTHERS ARE PROOF OF THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND RECOGNITION AND AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY

HAVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. PARKER, FOR CALLING AND RAISING AWARENESS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR THE BOOK YOU SENT RELATED TO HEALTH AND EXERCISE AND THE OTHER.

THAT'S MUCH APPRECIATED. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS, LUCINDA? >> NO, MA'AM.

NOT ON THIS ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE WE OUGHT TO DO A WEIGHT CHALLENGE AMONG THE FIVE OF US.

YOU COME UP WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES.

LINE

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT IS ITEM 205, A RESOLUTION DESIGNATED MAY 9-15 AS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK.

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.

HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS TUESDAY, JUNE 1ST AND ENDS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 30TH. THE 624-MILE TEXAS GULF COASTLINE THAT INCLUDES HARRIS COUNTY AND HUNDREDS OF MILES INLAND ARE VULNERABLE TO THE DANGERS OF HIGH WIND, STORM SURGE, FLOODING, TORNADOES AND -- IN CONJUNCTION WITH A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE EMERGENCIES MOST COMMON IN YOUR AREA.

AND IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR PEOPLE IN HURRICANE-PRONE AREAS TO PREPARE FOR EACH KIND OF A HURRICANE HAZARD.

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THRRCH -- THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE BY DESIGNATES MAY 9TH TO THE 15TH AS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK 2021 IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. AND FURTHER URGES RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS, PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO WATCH AND WARNING INSTRUCTIONS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES AND PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT MEMBERS OF FAMILIES AGAINST HURRICANES.

I BELIEVE MARK SLOAN IS ON THE LINE.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK. AS WE PREPARE FOR ANOTHER HURRICANE SEASON, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO REVIEW OUR PLANS. KNOW IF YOU ARE IN AN EVACUATION ZONE AND WHAT WOULD WE NEED TO DO AND TAKE WITH US TO HELP OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILY.

IF WE ARE OUTSIDE THE EVACUATION ZONE AND WE WILL STAY AT HOME TO REVIEW PLANS, MAKE SURE BE HAVE OUR SUPPLIES. FOOD, WATER, MEDICINE, INSURANCE DOCUMENTS AS THE JUDGE MENTIONED.

BUT DON'T FORGET TO PLAN AND PREPARE FOR YOUR PETS AS WELL. WE HAVE MANY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE MOVED INTO HARRIS COUNTY FROM OTHER AREAS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND THIS MAY BE THE FIRST TIME THEY NEED TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT REMINDER FOR PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION AND FINALLY AS A REMINDER TO STAY INFORMED. GO TO SIGN UP FORAGE SISTER ALERTS AT -- FOR REGISTER ALERTS.

THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR THE RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MARK.

APPRECIATE IT AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING

ON THE MULTIPLE DISASTERS. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ARE MY RESOLUTIONS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, QUICKLY, JUST WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE, COUNCILMEMBER AIM -- AMY PECK YESTERDAY AT MINUTE DEN HALL -- MINDENHALL HAD AN EMERGENCY SESSION.

IT WAS JUST TO GET SPRING BRANCH FOCUSED.

I APPRECIATE HER AND SALLY ALCORN WAS THERE AND OTHERS FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I THINK IT WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE CITY AND HARRIS COUNTY GETTING PREPARED.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING MORE OF THOSE.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL NEWS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DON'T SEE ANY OUT OF ORDER FOR YOU SO I WILL MOVE

TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING COACH SAMPSON TO TALK ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.

MY FIRST ITEM IS TO RECOGNIZE EARTH DAY.

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY IMPORTANT OCCASION.

WE ARE ALL WORKING IN SOME REGARD TO ENSURE THAT OUR PLANET REMAINS HEALTHY AND STABLE AND THAT IT CONTINUES TO ALLOW US TO BRING ON FUTURE GENERATION THAT'S WILL HELP US LIVE HEALTHY LIVES. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT TO ME. I HAVE ALWAYS COMMITTED TO FOCUSING ON THE ENVIRONMENT AS YOU HAVE, JUDGE.

COLLEAGUES. THIS RESOLUTION READS WHEREAS OUR COUNTY IS EMERGING FROM PROFOUND PUBLIC HEALTH AND ECONOMIC CRISIS, BORN OF THE PANDEMIC AND FACES THE CLIMATE CRISIS THAT THREATENS OUR PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITIES AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ECONOMY, AND WHEREAS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S JANUARY 27TH, 2021 EXECUTIVE ORDER 14008 ON CLIMATE CHANGE CREATED THE WHITE HOUSE AND AGENCY INFRASTRUCTURE TO TARGET 40% OF THE OVERALL TIME AND INVESTMENT BENEFIT TO DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY IS HOME TO MANY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES WHO STAND TO BENEFIT FROM THE INVESTMENTS OUTLINED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 14008.

THROUGH PARTICIPATION AND EQUITABLE DECISION MAKING AND MEASURES PERFORMANCE TOWARD CLIMATE JUSTICE GOALS.

[00:30:01]

IT DELIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND SPURS THE CREATION OF GOOD-PAYING JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

AND WHEREAS WE CELEBRATE THE 51ST AN SCRERS RE-- ANNIVERSARY OF THE EARTH DAY MOVEMENT WITH THIS REMINDER OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROTECT OUR PLANET FOR ALL. AND WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY ENCOURAGES ALL BUSINESSES, INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO COMMIT TO CARING FOR THE PLANET AND ITS RESOURCES.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT DESIGNATES THIS DAY, APRIL 22ND -- NOT THIS DATE, BUT APRIL 22ND AS EARTH DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND URGES ALL RESIDENTS TO DO THEIR PART TO BE A GOOD STEWART OF THE ENVIRONMENT -- STEWARD OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

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

I'M GLAD YOU PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM --

>> LINA HIDALGO: HANG ON, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A COMMENT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, IN TIMES PAST I WOULD VOTE FOR THEM, BUT THERE ARE A FEW EXTRA THINGS LOADED IN THAT I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH REGARD TO MY COLLEAGUES.

AT THE END OF THE COURT AGENDA I WILL BE VOTING NO AS THE RESOLUTION IS PHRASED. BUT I DID WANT TO MAKE THE COMMENT THAT I SUPPORT THE EARTH.

I APPRECIATE THE SENTIMENT. I DON'T THINK IT IS CURABLE WITH REGARD TO THE ASPECTS OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE THERE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I PUT IN THE WORD THAT WHEN THE TIME IS PROP PROAT -- APPROPRIATE, I WILL BE VOTING NO.

NOT BECAUSE I AM AGAINST THE EARTH.

I AM FOR THE EARTH, BUT SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THIS THAT I JUST CAN'T SUPPORT. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE SHOULD VOTE ON IT SO JAMES HAS THAT MARKED AND SINCE WE ARE DOING THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OH, THANK YOU.

WELL, LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS FIRST.

>> THANK YOU. CHURCH -- CHURCHILL COUCH, GO AHEAD, PLEASE. CHURCHILL COUCH?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. WE HAVEN'T READ THAT

RESOLUTION YET, LUCINDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

THAT'S FOR THE NEXT -- FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OTHER AGENDA ITEM. I THINK WE DID HAVE SPEAKERS

FOR THE EARTH DAY RESOLUTION. >> YOU ARE CORRECT.

I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO WORRIES.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? LEAN LINE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED. >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FEVER

AND IT PASSES. >> TOM RAMSEY: ONE OTHER COMMENT, IT WAS ALMOST 50 YEARS TO TODAY WHEN AS A SOPHOMORE AT TEXAS A&M WE SAMPLED THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL. WE TRAVELED DOWN THERE NEAR THE BASIN AND THE SAFETY PROTOCOL FOR SAMPLING THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL WAS DO NOT LIGHT A CIGARETTE WITHIN A A HUNDRED YARDS OF THE SHIP CHANNEL.

THEY WERE AFRAID OF SPONTANEOUS COME BUST -- SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. MAN, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. AT THE TIME RAW SEWAGE WAS BEING DUMPED IN THE BUFFALO BAYOU.

AND SINCE THEN, SINCE THE STUDY, THERE WAS A DEAD BODY OF WATER. I AM PROUD OF WHAT ENGINEERS AND WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE TO OUR WATER AND OUR AIR IN THE LAST 50 YEARS. I JUST WANT TO GET A SHOUTOUT TO THEM. I HAVE GONE FISHING AND CAUGHT FLOUNDER AND TROUT AND IT IS QUITE THE TURN AROUND FROM 1971 OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS. SO I THINK THE WORK CONTINUES, BUT REALLY IT IS A BENCHMARK IN TERMS OF WHERE WE HAVE BEEN. THANK YOU.

[00:35:03]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, YOU HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DID WE FINISH THE VOTE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. THIS RESOLUTION IS PRETTY EXCITING. IT IS ALMOST UP THERE WITH THE U OF H COUGARS. THE REASON BEING IS WE ARE SEEING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS, OF THOUGHT LEADERS COMING OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY. I HAVE ALWAYS SAID MY COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND THE INITIATIVES THAT WE ARE DOING IN PRECINCT 2 REGARDING EDUCATION IS ALL WITH THE IDEA -- WITH THE KNOWING THAT WE HAVE INCREDIBLE TALENT.

IT IS YOUNG PEOPLE BORN WITH PHENOMENAL PROMISE LIKE YOURSELF, JUDGE, THAT JUST NEEDS SOME ENCOURAGEMENT AND SOME SUPPORT SO THAT THEIR WINGS CAN SPREAD AND THEY CAN SOAR TO INCREDIBLE HEIGHTS. WELL, THIS RESOLUTION IS IN THE SPIRIT OF A YOUNG MAN BY THE NAME OF CHURCHILL COUCH.

WHAT A COOL NAME. THIS YOUNG MAN AT THE AGE OF 17 WHO IS A JUNIOR AT GALED -- GALENA PARK HIGH SCHOOL AND WAS LIKE ALL OF US GETTING AND SEEING THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? I HAVE SOME SKILLS. LET ME DO WHAT I CAN TO PUT THEM TO WORK AS -- AND AS A RESULT HE CREATED THE GALENA PARK HEALTH CENTER AND HE LAUNCHED IT IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. IT INCLUDES LINKS FOR BASIC NEEDS RELATED TO COVID-19. AND I HAVE VISITED THIS WEBSITE AND I WOULD INVITE YOU ALL TO AS WELL.

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA WHAT THAT SIDE LOOKS LIKE, ALL OF THE RESOURCE THAT'S SOMEONE COULD HAVE, LOOK WHAT HE PUTS RIGHT HERE, JUDGE. MENTAL HEALTH.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT, BASIC NECESSITIES AND HELP, HELP HOTLINES, BASIC NEEDS DATABASE, IMMUNIZATIONS, DENTAL CARE. A TON OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION IS ON THIS YOUNG MAN'S WEBSITE.

AGAIN, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

CRISIS TEXT HOTLINE, MEAL DISTRIBUTION TECHNICAL SUPPORT , INTERNET, HOMELESSNESS, TEMPORARY PLACEMENT SERVICES, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, MORE MENTAL HEALTH.

THERE ARE HOTLINES, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, 2-1-1, HARRIS COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES, URGENCY OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES. WE ARE DOING THAT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THIS.

I APPLAUD A PRECINCT 2 RESIDENT AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE TO TAKE ACTION TO DO SOMETHING THAT WILL GIVE PEOPLE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT SO MANY OF US NEED AND THAT SO MANY OF US ARE WORKING TO GET OUT. SO I WANT TO APPLAUD THIS YOUNG MAN. THIS RESOLUTION READS WHEREAS A JUNIOR AT GALENA PARK HIGH SCHOOL, CHURCHILL COUCH, PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER RESOURCES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

AND WHEREAS WHAT BEGAN AS AN ACADEMIC RESOURCES PAGE TO HELP A SCHOOL COUNSELOR CHANGED REMARKABLY WHEN CHURCHILL SAW A LINE THAT WENT AROUND THE PARKING LOT OF PEOPLE WHO NEEDED FOOD. WHEREAS HE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY COVID RESOURCES ONLINE THOUGH NOT ALL IN ONE PLACE AND A CENTRAL LOCATION. THEY LAUNCHED IT IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR IT INCLUDES LINKS OF BASIC NEEDS AND COVID INFORMATION AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND HOTLINES AND VIRTUAL LEARNING AND ACADEMIC RESOURCES.

COVID-19 FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES RESOURCES.

MANY OF THEM OFFERED BY HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEREAS HIS JUNIOR YEAR WAS BUSY, CHURCHILL MANAGED TO

[00:40:03]

THINKING OF THE FUTURE HE IS MENTORING A FRESHMAN WITH HOPES OF KEEPING THE WEBSITE GOING AFTER HE GRADUATES.

WHEREAS HIS FAVORITE SUBJECTS INCLUDE HISTORY, ENGLISH WITH AN INTEREST IN STUDYING LAW. CHURCHILL IS A STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND RANKS TOP OF HIS CLASS.

PASSIONS INCLUDE COLLECTING VINYL RECORDS.

I LOVE IT. I HAVE A FEW AT MY HOUSE.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM, BUT I CAN SHARE THEM WITH YOU.

PLAYING ON THE HIGH SCHOOL GOLF TEAM.

THERE YOU GO. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE BY COMMANDS CHURCHILL REAGAN COUCH FOR HIS VOLUNTEER WORK TO HELP AREA RESIDENTS BY CREATING A ONE-STOP WEBSITE WITH HELPFUL RESOURCES DURING THE PANDEMIC. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I THINK WE HAVE COPY OF HILL ON -- I THINK WE HAVE

CHURCHILL ON THE LINE. >> HELLO?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HEY, CHURCHILL.

>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT THE HEALTH CENTER WEBSITE.

MY NAME IS CHURCHILL COUCH. A COOL NAME I WAS TOLD.

I AM THE SON OF TWO TEACHERS AND NUMBER ONE IN MY CLASS AND STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT AT HIGH SCHOOL.

OVER MY 11 YEARS I HAVE GROWN A GREAT ATTACHMENT TO THE GP, JC AREA. WHILE I DON'T LIVE IN THE GPJC AREA I THINK OF IT AS MY TRUE HOME BECAUSE IT IS WHERE MY HEART IS. IN CREATING THE WEBSITE I HOPE TO HELP THOSE IN FEED -- IN NEED, BUT MORE SO THOSE SEEKING TO HELP OTHERS. MY GOAL IS TO HAVE A WELL-KEPT DATABASE TO THE COMMUNITY. THE RESOURCES WERE THERE, BUT IT WAS MY MISSION TO HELP PROVIDE THEM.

A THANK YOU TO PRECINCT 2 FOR LIGHTING A FIRE IN ME TO SEE THE PROJECT THROUGH TO COMPLETION.

I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR INSPIRING THE IDEA OF A LIVE CALENDAR, AND THANK MY PRINCIPAL, DR. MARTIN, FOR HER CONTINUED SUPPORT. IN THE FUTURE I PLAN TO TRANSLATE THE SITE TO SPANISH AND SPREAD IT ACROSS THE COMMUNITY. WHEN I EVENTUALLY LEAVE GALENA PARK, ISD IT WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER STUDENT AND MY HOPE IS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INDEFINITELY. I AM DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE SHEAR AMOUNT OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE EFFORTS OF THE GP/JC COMMUNITY TO HELP ONE ANOTHER. YOU CAN FIND THE WEBSITE AT TINY URL.COM/GPJC HEALTH CENTER.

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR.

CONGRATULATIONS, CHURCHILL. WE ARE HONORED BY YOUR WORK.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TOUCHING LIVES AND CHANGING LIVES AND EVEN SAVING LIVES. VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOUR WORK. KEEP IT UP.

WE WISH Y'ALL THE BEST. MAYBE WHEN YOU BECOME A

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT. >> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN YOU GRADUATE? DO YOU HAVE THAT WORKED OUT?

>> I AM LOOKING AT SEVERAL COLLEGES MOSTLY IN THE -- SORT OF FROM PENNSYLVANIA TO MAINE AREA.

THAT'S PRETTY FAR AWAY. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS THERE IS A TEACHER AT MY SCHOOL. HE IS A TEACHER WHO IS A

LAWYER AND PRACTICES LAW. >> GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

COMMISSIONER GASH SEE -- GARCIA WILL TELL YOU ABOUT A PROGRAM IN AUSTIN AND MAYBE YOU CAN INTERN IN AND HE'LL

PAY FOR IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S

RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ASK HIM TO

TELL ABOUT YOU THAT LATER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS BECK CONNING YOU TO GO TO -- BECKONING YOU TO GO TO RICE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE

THEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHY GO TO THE EAST COAST WHEN HARVARD IS THE RICE OF THE NORTH.

[00:45:01]

I ENCOURAGE YOU. THINK ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU. >> I WILL TAKE IT UNDER

ADVISEMENT. >> TOM RAMSEY: CHURCHILL, TOM RAMSEY HERE. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES THERE AT THE JAW SIN -- JACINTO COUNTY MAYOR'S OFFICE IS THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE

DOING TO THE COMMUNITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: CHURCHILL, CONGRATULATIONS. GOOD WORK.

I WILL BE WATCHING JUST WITH EVERYONE TO SEE YOUR NEXT STEPS, AND SO HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARE PLANNING TO COME BACK AND SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY. WE NEED BRILLIANT FOLKS IN PUBLIC SERVICE. I AM THRILLED TO HEAR THAT AND

KEEP IT UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS SO GOOD.

>> I DO HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, LUCINDA.

>> THANK YOU. KIMBERLY MARTIN.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HONORING CHURCHILL TODAY. I AM THE PRINCIPAL AT GALENA PARK HIGH SCHOOL AND I HAVE THE UNIQUE PLEASURE OF HAVING KNOWN CHURCHILL SINCE HE WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD.

WE -- I HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS WRITTEN DOWN AND LISTED TO TELL YOU ABOUT HIM. BUT HE ARTICULATES HIMSELF VERY WELL AND HAS EXPLAINED MOST OF THOSE, AND I CAN TELL THAT YOU SEE WHAT AN EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG MAN HE IS.

THE ONLY ADDITION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT IS HOW PROUD I AM THAT CHURCHILL, ALTHOUGH HE IS NUMBER ONE IN THE CLASS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL, LOOKED BEYOND HIMSELF IN A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SEEK OUT RESOURCES TO HELP HIS PEERS, HIS COUNSELORS AND THE PEOPLE THAT HE SAW AROUND HIM STRUGGLING.

AND AS AN EDUCATOR, I AM ALSO EXCEPTIONALLY PROUD FOR HIS PARENTS WHO I KNOW ARE TEACHERS AND ARE RAISING HIM TO SEE THE NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

HE SERVES ON THE PRINCAL'S ADVISORY HERE IN GALENA PARK ISD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE BECAUSE HE IS A BRILLIANT RESOURCE FOR US TO REALLY GATHER INFORMATION FROM, AND TO HEAR WHAT OUR STUDENTS THINK AND NEED.

I AM EXCEPTIONALLY PROUD OF EVERYTHING CHURCHILL HAS DONE, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, FOR PUTTING OTHERS AHEAD OF HIMSELF AND HIS NEEDS. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT AS A JUNIOR WHO IS CURRENTLY RANKED NUMBER ONE IN HIS CLASS, HE HAS PLENTY TO DO AFTER SCHOOL, LOTS OF HOMEWORK, LOTS OF INFORMATION HE NEEDS TO PROCESS FOR HIS COLLEGE CLASSES SM HUE -- BUT HE IS REALLY STRIVING TO HELP OTHERS SO I WANT TO SAY HOW PROUD WE ARE OF HIM AT G AIR LEN -- GALENA PARK HIGH SCHOOL AND WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK IN ALL YOU DO TO GUIDE CHURCHILL.

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HIM, BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING THE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT GUIDING HAND TO THE YOUNG MAN HE IS BECOMING.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR HELPING INSTILL THAT PUBLIC SERVICE SPIRIT.

YOU'RE RIGHT. IT IS HARD ENOUGH TO BE A STUDENT THESE DAYS AND TO BE ABLE TO THINK BEYOND YOURSELF IS GREAT. BUT AS YOU SAY, IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH HIS SCHOOL AND HIS FAMILY AND YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE THOSE ARE THE RESOLUTIONS FROM

PRECINCT 2. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVE ONE

MORE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS ON PAGE 2, ACTUALLY AT THE BOTTOM. ITEM 10.

I WILL TELL THAT YOU THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO MAKE AN IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY LIKE CHURCHILL WHO MAKE IT THROUGH EDUCATION AND THROUGH THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT AND OTHERS MAKE IT NOT ONLY IN THAT REGARD, BUT THEY MAKE IT JUST BY BEING A JOYFUL, HAPPY, GOOD NEIGHBOR WHO CARES ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND THERE IS NO HESITATION IN BREAKING A SMILE OR WARMING THE HEARTS OF ANYBODY THEY

[00:50:03]

AS I READ THIS THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIES, JUDGE, AS YOU KNOW WHO HAS AN EMPTY CHAIR AT THEIR TABLE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. AS I READ THIS, IT IS AN HONOR TO VALENTIN JALOMO, BUT IT IS FOR EVERYONE WHO LOST A LOVED ONE AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS ON JANUARY 19TH OF THIS YEAR OUR COMMUNITY LOST VALENTIN JALOMO TO COVID-19.

A GREAT MENTOR, A LINGUAL EDUCATION TEACHER IN THE HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A DIE HARD ASTROS FAN. WHEREAS BORN IN TAFT, TEXAS IN 1939, VALENTIN GRADUATED FROM WHAT WAS KNOWN AS TEXAS A AND I KINGSVILLE WHERE HE WAS A PROUD ALUMNIST.

IN 1973 HE BEGAN HIS CAREER AS A TEACH NEITHER HOUSTON AND LATER TAKING A JOB AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THE EAST END LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PRECINCT 2.

WHEREAS DURING THIS TIME AS A TEACHER, VALENTIN MENTORED COUNTLESS STUDENTS, ALWAYS STRESSING THE NEED FOR GOOD STUDY HABITS, GOOD BEHAVIOR AND SERVICE TO ONE'S COMMUNITY. WHEREAS, EVEN AFTER RETIREMENT FROM TEACHING IN 2002, VALENTIN CONTINUED TO TAKE ON SUBBING OPPORTUNITIES AT SCHOOLS WHERE HIS FORMER COLLEAGUES HAD MOVED INTO ADMINISTRATION INCLUDING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AND WHEREVER ELSE HE MIGHT BE NEEDED. WHEREAS THOSE SAME FORMER COLLEAGUES DESCRIBE VALENTIN AS HAVING A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON HIS FORMER STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE GONE ON TO SUCCESSFUL CAREERS AND WHO CREDIT THEIR TIME AS PIVOTAL TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT. AND WHEREAS AFTER THE REGULAR VISITS, THE FARMER'S MARKET ON THEIR LINE, VALENTIN WOULD VISIT STUDENTS TO GIVE THEM PIECES OF FRUIT AND ONCE FILLING THE BED OF HIS TRUCK WITH WATERMELONS TO HAND OUT TO CHILDREN. AND WHEREAS VALENTIN WOULD HOST HIS NEIGHBORHOOD'S NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BLOCK PARTIES IN THE NORTH SIDE WHERE HE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. WHEREAS IN 1965VALENTIN ATTENDED HIS FIRST ASTROS GAME AT THE HISTORIC ASTRODOME.

HIS LIFE LONG FAN OF THE CLUB AND BECAME A SEASON TICKET HOLDER WHO DIDN'T MISS A GAME FOR OVER 10 YEARS.

WHEREAS VALENTIN'S FAMOUS MUSTACHE -- I THOUGHT MINE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL, IT DOESN'T COMPARE TO VALENTIN'S AND THE COWBOY HAT MADE HIM A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR ASTROS FANS AROUND THE WORLD. WHEREAS VALENTIN SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE OF 47 YEARS, CARMEN, FOUR CHILDREN AND NUMEROUS GRANDCHILDREN, BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE BY HONORS MR. VALENTIN JALOMO FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I AM LOOKING FOR -- HERE IT IS.

FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE NOT HAD THE HONOR AND PLEASURE AND GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE OF EVER MEETING VALENTIN, THIS IS THE ASTROS FAN THAT SO MANY KNEW, AND THAT'S THE MUSTACHE AND COWBOY HAT THAT MADE AN IMPACT ON SO MANY.

WE HONOR HIS LIFE. WE KEEP HIS FAMILY IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. AND WE THANK THE ASTROS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION OF THIS GREAT AS -- GREAT ASTROS FAN. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

[00:55:01]

>> YES, MA'AM. JASMINE GUTIERREZ.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR HONORING HIM.

I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY. I JUST WANT TO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID RIGHT NOW.

I WISH HE WAS HERE TO ACCEPT THIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JASMINE -- >> I'M SORRY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. WE COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND.

I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU IF YOU CAN SHARE A BRIEF GRANDPA

JALOMO STORY. >> I'M SORRY.

I CAN'T -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR SHARING HIM WITH US AND THE COMMUNITY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE HE WAS AN INCREDIBLE MAN.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW COMMISSIONER GARCIA SHOWING US HIS PICTURE. YES, HE IS RECOGNIZABLE.

WHAT A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL MAN.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOD BLESS YOU, JASMINE, AND YOUR FAMILY.

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

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE

ANOTHER SPEAKER, LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM.

MARIA SOLIS WITH HOUSTON ISD. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARIA SOLIS WITH THE CHAPTER CENTER AND HOUGHTON -- HOUSTON ISD.

I AM HONORED TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCES I HAD WITH MR. JALOMO AS A COLLEAGUE, SUPERVISOR AND FOREVER FRIEND. YOU ARE AWARE OF WHAT A GREAT ASTROS FAN HE IS AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA POINTED OUT AND HOW SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE OF THE TEAM AND YOU ARE AWARE OF THE ICONIC MUSTACHE.

I WISH TO TALK ABOUT HIS FIRST PASSION AND THAT WAS WHAT HE FELT WAS TEACHING CHILDREN. I MET MR. JALOMO WHEN I BECAME A TEACHER IN 1987 TEACHING ELEMENTARY ON THE EASTSIDE OF HOUSTON. I CAME IN WITH A KNOW IT ALL ATTITUDE AND THINKING I HAD THE BEST IDEAS AND THE BEST STRATEGIES FOR STUDENT LEARNING.

SOMETHING ABOUT ME -- ABOUT MY APPROACH DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH MR. JALOMO. HE MULLED ME ASIDE TO -- HE PULLED ME ASIDE TO TELL ME HOW HE FELT.

THOSE WHO KNEW HIM KNOW HE SPOKE FROM HIS HEART AND IN HIS OWN STYLE. HIS MESSAGE TO ME WAS IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE YOU ARE HAVING FUN WITH THE CHILDREN.

YOU NEED TO HAVE FUN WITH THE CHILDREN.

HIS WORDS SHOOK ME. I'M A NEW TEACHER.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT.

I WOULD OBSERVE HIM IN THE CLASSROOM AND I REALIZED THAT NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT TEACHER, HE CONNECTED TO HIS STUDENTS AND TO HIS FAMILIES. UNDOUBTEDLY THE MESSAGE WAS FOR ME TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STUDENTS.

THAT IN EAST -- IN ESSENCE IS WHAT MR. JALOMO WAS KNOWN FOR. HIS ABILITY TO BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS WITH HIS STUDENTS AND HIS FAMILIES AND THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND OF COURSE THE ASTROS COMMUNITY. IN 2005, THE CENTER OPENED THEIR DOORS IN THE COMMUNITY OF THE NORTH AREA.

AND EVEN BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, MR. JALOMO CAME IN WITH HIS LITTLE BAG FROM MERCADO WITH THE PEPPERS AND ONIONS, ALREADY RETIRED, BUT TO OFFER HIS SERVICES AS A SUBSTITUTE. I WAS JOYFULLY CONNECTED TO MR. JALOMO BECAUSE I KNEW WORKING WITH HIM YEARS BEFORE HE WAS DEPENDABLE AND OF COURSE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ALWAYS WILLING TO BE HELPFUL. THIS WAS HIS COMFORT ZONE, WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

WE WERE BLESSED WITH HIS PRESENCE AS A FREQUENT SUBSTITUTE FROM 2005, THE YEAR THE SCHOOL OPENED UNTIL THE PANDEMIC HIT. THE FACT THAT THERE ARE THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WHERE HE EITHER TAUGHT OR SUBBED AT ARE MOURNING HIM IS NOT SURPRISING.

HE WAS LOVED BY ALL WHOSE LIVES HE TOUCHED.

YOU KNOW, IT IS IRONIC THAT THIS WEEK WE ARE NATIONALLY CELEBRATING THE WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD.

TODAY THE FOCUS IS ON SUPERHEROS.

MR. JALOMO WAS OUR SUPERHERO. LARGER THAN LIFE AND TRANSPARENT AND BRUTALLY HONEST, A TEACHER YOU CAN COUNT ON TO KEEP THE STUDENTS SAFE AND KNOWING THEY WOULD FEEL CARED FOR AND STILL TEACH THEM GREAT LESSONS.

HE WAS A FRIEND TO ALL WHO CROSSED HIS PATH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE RESOLUTION TO HONOR MR. VALENTIN JALOMO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

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

[01:00:01]

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THAT'S IT FOR YOUR

RESOLUTIONS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, THANK

YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR NEW POLICE CHIEF IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I SHARED A DINNER HERE RECENTLY WITH CHIEF FR -- FEER.

WE SHARED -- CHIEF FINNER. IT COMES FROM THE HEART AND COMES FROM HOUSTON. ANYBODY THAT KNOWS WHERE LOVE LADY, TEXAS IS I WILL GET CLOSE TO IT PRETTY QUICK.

CHIEF FINNER IS THAT KIND OF A PERSON.

HE HAS A GREAT HEART. AND THE THING I WILL SAY MOST, HE HAS LOST FAMILY MEMBERS TO CRIME.

HE BRINGS THAT UNDERSTANDING AND THAT THOUGHT AND THAT NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUS EVERY DAY DAY TO WORK.

WHEREAS NATIVE HOUSTONIAN TROY FINNER WAS SWORN IN AS THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S CHIEF OF POLICE ON APRIL 5, 2021 TO LEAD THE OVER 5,300 SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CLOSE TO 900 CIVILIANS NOW THAT ARE PART OF THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. AND WHEREAS CHIEF FINNER, A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN IS A 31 NF -- 31-YEAR VETERAN OF HPD.

HE GREW UP IN THE AREA AND GRADUATED FROM MADISON HIGH SCHOOL. HE ATTENDED SAM HOUSTON STATE, GO BEAR CATS, AND HE EARNED A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND A MASTERS DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CLEAR LAKE.

WHEREAS THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST CRIME RATES IN THE UNITED STATES WITH VIOLENT CRIME RISING AND WITH MURDERS RISING WITH 41.35% IN 2021 OVER 2019.

MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER MAKING HIS DECISION AS TO WHO THE NEXT CHIEF WOULD BE STATED "I'M LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL BE FOCUSED ON MANAGING THE POLICE FORCE AND PUTTING FORTH STRATEGIC PLANS TO GET ON TOP OF THE CRIME SITUATION. MAYOR TURNER FOUND THIS IN TROY FINNER WHO IS TRULY A MAN OF THE PEOPLE.

HE UNDERSTANDS THIS CITY. WHEREAS, FINNER SHARES THAT THE TOP OF HIS AGENDA WILL BE REDUCING HOMICIDES AND REDUCING VIOLENT CRIMES AND AT THE SAME TIME BUILDING TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY. HE SAYS I AM FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS. I KNOW HOUSTON.

IMAGINE BEING IN A PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD AND SOMEBODY SHOOTS AND KILLS SOMEBODY AND THEY GET OUT.

IMAGINE WHAT THAT DOES TO THE PSYCHE OF POTENTIAL WITNESSES. WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WITH DEALING WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SHOOTING.

IT MAY NOT SHOW UP AS A MURDER BECAUSE THE PERSON DIDN'T DIE, BUT IT IS EQUALLY AS VIOLENT AND DISRUPTIVE TO THE COMMUNITY. THERE ARE A LOT OF CRACKS IN THE COMMUNITY AND DEFINITELY CRACKS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WHEREAS CHIEF FINNER SAID I'M READY.

BE IS RESOLVED COMMISSIONER'S COURT WELCOMES THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S NEW POLICE CHIEF, TROY FINNER AND OFFERS HIM THE COURT'S SUPPORT IN HIS ENDEAVORS TO MOVE FORWARD IN COMBATING THE VIOLENT CRIME THAT PLAYINGS OUR -- THAT

PLAININGS OUR COMMUNITY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SEND.

SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY ISSUES WITH THE RESOLUTION? LET'S KEEP GOING.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANTED TO THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR RECOGNIZING CHIEF FINNER.

I HAVE KNOWN THE CHIEF ALMOST HIS ENTIRE 31 YEARS.

I WANT TO RESPECTFULLY SAY TO MAYOR TURNER, WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? TROY IS A HELL OF A GUY AND A GOOD HEART AND VERY FOCUSED ON SERVING THE DEPARTMENT WELL AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON EVEN BETTER.

JUST KNOWING TROY AND HOW HE IS DESCRIBED AS SO INCREDIBLY ACCURATE, I AM JUST SO VERY PROUD OF HIM.

I KNOW HE WILL BE ONE OF THE GREATEST POLICE CHIEFS WE HAVE EVER HAD. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

EVEN -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I TOO WANT TO ECHO SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE.

I HAVE KNOWN CHIEF FINNER FOR A LONGTIME AND PROUD THE MAYOR CHOSE HIM. I APPRECIATE HIS OVERTURES

[01:05:03]

I MAY NOT GREAT -- AGREE WITH EVERY WORD IN MY COLLEAGUE'S RESOLUTION, BUT I THINK INTENT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, TO HONOR HIM IN A WAY THAT I HOPE OPENS MORE QUIET DIALOGUE , AND THERE IS ALWAYS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE VITRIOLIC ISSUES. I AM PROUD OF TROY FINNER.

AND DID WHAT I COULD TO ENCOURAGE THE MAYOR AS HE WAS MAKING THE DECISION TO LOOK CLOSE -- CLOSELY AT TROY FINNER. SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT

FORWARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DITTO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I KNOW YOU HAD A RESOLUTION ON THE PORT -- NOT ON THE PORT. ON THE COURTS.

ON THE COURTS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALSO HAD AN ITEM ON THAT, SO I WAS HOPING WE COULD DISCUSS THAT WHEN WE GET TO THE ITEM SO THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH ALL OF

THE SPEAKERS. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT WILL WORK. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, JUDGE AND WHEN WE GET TO THOSE TWO ITEMS WITH MY COLLEAGUES I WANT TO SECOND BOTH OF THEM.

I'M PUTTING MYSELF ON RECORD NOW AS SECONDING BOTH OF THEIR RESOLUTIONS. THEY ARE REAL CLOSE.

THEY HAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SPUR SPEC TIFFS -- PERSPECTIVES OR WINDOWS AND I WANT TO SECOND THEM.

JUDGE, LAST WEEK APRIL 4TH TO THE 10TH WAS THE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK.

THIS UPCOMING APRIL 16TH IS NATIONAL LIBRARIANS DAY.

APRIL 16TH IS KNOWN AS THE DAY AFTER TAX DAY.

IN THE CAGLE HOUSEHOLD IT IS AN IMPORTANT DAY BECAUSE IT IS THE DAY THE LOVELY JANET CAGLE WAS BORN.

WE CELEBRATE THAT DAY EVERY YEAR.

ACTUALLY WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH AS OPPOSED TO BIRTHDAY DAY. WE HAD ALREADY A LITTLE BIT OF AN ILLUSION FROM A LIBRARIAN FROM OUR OPENING INVOCATION.

I WILL MOVE INTO OUR RESOLUTION INVOLVING OUR LAY BRARIES -- LIBRARIES WHICH, JUDGE, YOU HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE. LIBRARIES ARE GREAT EQUALIZATIONS. ACCESS TO A LIBRARY IS WHERE EVERYONE CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND KNOWLEDGE, AND KNOWLEDGE ENABLES EVERYONE TO IMPROVE THEIR SITUATION IN LIFE AND ENABLES OUR MINDS TO BE EXPANDED SO WE CAN SEE THE OTHER PERSPECTIVES AND WE CAN BENEFIT OURSELVES EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY AND ECONOMICALLY.

LIBRARIES ARE AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION AND PART OF OUR COMMUNITIES. WHEREAS GUARDIANS AND THE LIBRARY GUARDIANS ARE IMPORTANT -- GUARDIAN LIBRARIANS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

THEY FOUND OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR LIBRARIES WITH 90% OF THOSE SURVEYED EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE LIBRARY'S ROLE ON LITERACY AND THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS. WHEREAS FORMER FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES, LAURA BUSH, A FORMER LIBRARIAN, SAID I FOUND THE MOST VALUABLE THING IN THE WALLET IS MY LIBRARY CARD. WHEREAS THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF EDWARD MELTON PREVAILED THROUGH WORLD WARS.

NOT HIM, THE LIBRARIES. PREVAILED THROUGH WORLD WARS, HURRICANES AND THE COVID 9 TEEN PANDEMIC -- COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO CELEBRATE A CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS AN APPRECIATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM AND ITS STAFF

[01:10:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

ANY SPEAKERS, LUCINDA? >> NO, MA'AM.

NOT ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE REC COG -- RECOGNITION, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I ECHO.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION AND THEN I WILL HAVE A VERY BRIEF POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE ON SOMEBODY THAT PASSED I NEED TO INFORM THE COURT ON.

OUR NEXT RESOLUTION, JUDGE INVOLVES -- WE HAVE LIVERING GROUPS THAT ACHIEVE DIFFERENT THINGS.

SOMETIMES THEY ARE WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENTS THAT YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE -- YOU COULD HAVE THUNK WAS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE TODAY HONORING THE KLEIN OAK STRUTTERS.

THEY WERE ESTABLISHED IN 1982 WITH THE OPENING OF KLEIN OAK HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SPRING. THE KLEIN OAK STRUTTERS, A 35-MEMBER YEAR YEAR-ROUND COMPETITIVE AND PERFORMANCE-BASED TEAM TO DEVELOP DISCIPLINE, RESPONSIBILITY, TIME MANAGEMENT AND EXCEPTIONAL DANCE SKILLS. WHEREAS THE KLEIN OAK STRUTTERS PERFORM AT COMMUNITY EVENTS WITH GREAT ATHLETICISM AND SPORTSMANSHIP. COMMUNITY SERVICE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE STRUTTERS, EACH TEAM MEMBER COMPLETES 30 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE EACH SCHOOL YEAR.

THE STRUTTERS SHARE THEIR SCHOOL SPIRIT, TALENT AND LOVE OF DANCE WITH THEIR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS THE KLEIN OAK STRUTTERS PARTICIPATED IN THE SHOW TIME INTERNATIONAL 2021 NATIONALS WHERE THEY PROUDLY WON THE TITLE FOR EVERY CATEGORY IN WHICH THEY PARTICIPATED. THIS INCLUDES THE GRAND CHAMPIONS FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES.

THE PRECISION DANCE TEAM IS THE DELIGHT OF KLEIN OAK HIGH SCHOOL IN PRECINCT 4. LET IT BE RESOLVED COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES AND CONGRATULATES THE KLEIN OAK STRUTTERS 2021 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THEIR DEDICATION, LEADERSHIP AND HARD WORK IN REACHING THE GOALS THEY HAVE SET BEFORE THEM.

JUDGE, I THINK WE HAVE A SPEAKER.

>> YES, WE DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> SHELBY POLINSKY WITH KLEIN OAK STRUTTERS.

>> HELLO. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

WE WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS AND ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER CAGLE IN PRECINCT 4 FOR RECOGNIZING US.

WE ARE HONORED AND HUMBLED BY THE RECOGNITION AND THE RESOLUTION. THESE YOUNG LADIES WORK FROM MID-JULY TO MID-JUNE. THEY HAVE A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 3.5 FOR THE TEAM EVERY YEAR.

THE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AS A TEAM PER YEAR AND THE CONTEST COMPETED IN 90 PLUS TEAMS AND WALKED AWAY WITH A NATIONAL BAND CHAMPION TITLE. WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY AND I HAVE SOME GIRLS WHO WOULD LOVE TO SAY THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU! >> WE ARE ALL VERY EXCITED AND APPRECIATE THE HONOR AND THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I AM EXCITED AND JAZZED ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE. I AM JUST DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY WON'T LET ME WORKOUT WITH THEM AND TRY TO DO THE STUNTS. YOU NEED ONE LEFT FOOD AND ONE RIGHT FOOT. TWO LEFT FEET DON'T WORK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TO YOUR INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCES.

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

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE ON A SADDER NOTE, NOW THAT WE ARE WINDING DOWN OUR OUT OF ORDER RESOLUTIONS I WANT TO MAKE THE COURT AWARE THAT ON EASTER SUNDAY ARITA HUGLER WHO IS A FREQUENT SPEAKER AND SHARED HER MIND AND FREQUENTLY SHARED HER MIND WITH ME AND OFTEN SHE AGREED WITH ME AND OFTEN SHE DID NOT. SHE WAS ALWAYS COMFORTABLE SHARING THE THOUGHTS. ON EASTER SUNDAY SHE STARTED TO CELEBRATE HERE ON EARTH THE RISEN LORD THAT SHE APPRECIATED SO MUCH, AND SHE FINISHED THAT DAY CELEBRATING EASTER IN HEAVEN. SO SHE PASSED AWAY.

I WILL BE BRINGING A RESOLUTION FOR RITA IN OUR

[01:15:01]

THAT WEEKEND SHE ENJOYED TWO PASSIONS, HER PASSION FOR POLITICS AND THE OTHER WAS FOR POODLES.

SHE WAS ABLE TO GO TO A NATIONAL POODLE THING THE SATURDAY BEFORE, AND THEN THAT SUNDAY MORNING SHE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A FEW LITTLE POLITICAL THINGS AND WATCHED "THE 10 COMMANDMENTS" WITH HER HUSBAND.

SHE WENT TO THE KITCHEN AND THEN WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD. I AM GONNA MISS MS. RITA AND SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL KNEW THAT SHE WOULD COME AND SIT OUT HERE FOR YEARS AND KEEP ME ON MY TOES. SHE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT I WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING. I THINK SHE SHARED HER MIND WITH A FEW OF YOU ON OCCASION AS WELL.

EVEN WHEN WE WENT VIRTUAL SHE HAD HER HUSBAND PUT IN SPECIAL SPEAKERS SO SHE COULD HEAR WHAT WAS GOING ON IN COURT.

IF WE WEREN'T TALKING LOUD ENOUGH SHE WOULD CALL AND TELL US. I WILL MISS MY MISERY -- MY MISS RITA. SHE WILL NOT BE JOINING US PHYSICALLY ANYMORE IN OUR COMMISSIONER'S COURT

SESSIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONDOLENCES TO HER FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW,

JACK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESOLUTION, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS SUCH SAD NEWS, COMMISSIONER.

PLEASE PASS ON MY BEST TO MR. HUGLER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW. THAT'S IT FOR THE RESOLUTIONS. WE WERE GONNA CALL UP COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S TRANSMITAL OF THE TRANSITION OF JAIL SERVICES FROM THE JAIL TO HARRIS HEALTH, BUT DR.

PORSA HAD TO HOP OFF AND HE WILL BE BACK AT 1:00.

WE WILL CIRCLE BACK. WE NEED TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER 212 BECAUSE THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COURT HAVE TO GO. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THAT ONE AND THEN WE WILL GO TO THE SPEAKERS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

AND IF THEY ARE READY I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM JUMP TO THE PRESENTATION. I APPRECIATE -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK YOUR APPOINTEE IS GOING TO SPEAK FIRST.

I AM PROUD OF YOUR APPOINTEE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND THE CHAIRMAN AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

I THINK THE DIRECTOR IS ON THE LINE AS WELL.

I THINK THEY ARE JOINING US BY THE HOOKUP SO THEY CAN SHOW A

SLIDE OR TWO. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT RIGHT, LUCINDA?

>> YES, SIR. I AM UNMUTING THEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL THIS DID A DISPARITY STUDY AND I AM PROUD OF THEM. IT WAS AN ISSUE THAT A NUMBER OF US ENCOURAGED THE PORT TO DO OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I ENCOURAGED IT SINCE I WAS HERE.

I AM GLAD OF THE NEW CHAIR AND THE BOARD FOR DOING THE STUDY AND WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE COMMISSIONER.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES.

>> GREAT. IT IS A PLEASURE TO TECHNICALLY BE HERE WITH YOU ALL THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. FIRST I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA AGAIN FOR NOMINATING TO PORT COMMISSION A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE UNANIMOUS REAPPOINTMENT BY THE COURT LAST YEAR.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE HAVE NOT MET BEFORE SO GOOD MORNING AND NICE TO MEET YOU, ALBEIT VIRTUALLY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: GOOD MORNING. >> SINCE MY APPOINTMENT THINGS HAVE BEEN BUSY AT THE PORT. I AM HERE TO GIVE Y'ALL AN UPDATE ALONG WITH OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ROBERT GUNTHER ON ONE SUCH ITEM OF IMPORTANCE, THE PORT'S DISPARITY STUDY AND WHERE WE ARE HEADED AT THE PORT.

LUCINDA, IF YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

THANK YOU. THE PORT CONTRACTED FOR A DISPARITY STUDY IN AUGUST OF 2019 TO INCLUDE A REVIEW OF FISCAL YEARS 2015 TO 2020 AND THE STUDY INCLUDED EIGHT COUNTIES IN OUR REGION. IN DECEMBER OF 20 THE INITIAL REPORT WAS PRESENTED TO US AT THE COMMISSION.

THE HIGHLIGHT IS THAT WE CAN DO BETTER, AS YOU CAN SEE.

THERE IS PROGRESS TO BE MADE. I WANT TO UPDATE YOU ALL ON SOME MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS TO DATE.

IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 I WAS VOTE ETD -- VOTED BY THE FULL COMMISSION ON THE PROCUREMENT TASK FORCE.

IT IS DEAN CORVEY AND STEVEN DONCARLO.

[01:20:09]

IN UH DATION WE HAVE A NEW MWBE ADVISORY COUNCIL.

THE POLICY IS NOW HEADED TO THE FULL PORT COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL AT OUR APRIL 26TH COMMISSION MEETING.

LASTLY, PORT STAFF IS WORKING DILIGENTLY ON MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS PLANS, TECHNOLOGY ASPECTS OF THE ROLLOUT AND IMPLEMENTATION AND THE RESOURCE PROJECTIONS, BUILDING UPON AND THE NEW DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING AND MENTOR SHIP PROGRAM AND ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENT STAFF WAS APPROVED. NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS THE LAST SLIDE. THE BUSINESS EQUITY COMMITTEE HAS WORKED HARD TO BRING THIS TO FRUITION AND THE PORT STAFF HAS WORKED DILL JEPTLY OVER -- DILIGENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR BRINGING THIS TO A JULY KICKOFF WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE HEADED.

THE BUSINESS EQUITY COMMITTEE WILL RECEIVE UPDATES MONTHLY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE AT THE PORT.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE. WE GOT THIS STUDY IN DECEMBER, AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN WORKING NONSTOP.

I WILL NOW HAND IT OVER TO ROGER GUNTHER, THE PORT CEO AS HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW MWBE POLICY.

OR I CAN TAKE QUESTIONS NOW OR AFTER ROGER SPEAKS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM ROGER AND THEN WE WILL DO

THE QUESTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE HIDALGO.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING THE PORT HOUSTON TO SHARE INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS EQUITY INITIATIVE.

COMMISSIONER CLOONAN HAS PROVIDED A LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE AT, AND I WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK HER FOR TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS BUSINESS EQUITY AT THE PORT AND THANK ALL OF THE PORT COMMISSION BOARD FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP, DIRECTION AND SERVICE TO OUR PORT.

I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE TODAY ABOUT OUR COMMITMENT.

AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE BUSINESS EQUITY IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR HOUSTON.

IT REAFFIRMS OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION. WE ARE COMMITTED.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE ABILITY FOR MWBE TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE PORT OF HOUSTON.

OUR BUSINESS PROGRAM HAS BEEN A MODEL OF SUCCESS FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES. WE'VE CONTINUED TO MEET AND EXCEED THE GOALS THAT WERE STEP -- THAT WERE ESTABLISHED OVER 35% FOR THE PROGRAM. IN FACT, IN THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM, JUST IN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FROM THE GRIFFIN AND STRONGER REPORT, THEY WERE PAID TO MWBE'S.

AS COMMISSIONER CLOONEN MENTIONED THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE. WE DO BELIEVE WE HAVE THE FOUNDATION TO BEGIN THIS IMPORTANT WORK.

WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING THESE TARGETS THROUGH INVESTING IN THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEED AND INTRODUCING OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND OFFERING THESE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSIST OUR VENDORS IN BUILDING CAPACITY.

WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL THROUGH THESE CLEARLY DEFINED POLICIES THAT COMMISSIONER CLOONAN MENTIONED IN ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES AND MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE VENDOR EXPERIENCE. AND IDENTIFYING EFFICIENCIES TO MAKE DOING BUSY WITH THE PORT EASIER.

I WANT TO MENTION JUST TO THAT POINT THAT WE HAVE ALREADY, QUOTE, FLIPPED THE SWITCH ON THE SYSTEM TO CAPTURE THIS MWBE CLASSIFICATION IN OUR PROCUREMENT SYSTEM IN ORDER TO TRACK AND DRIVE THIS PROCESS AND BUSINESS EQUITY BEFORE THE PROGRAM ACTUALLY COMES IN PLACE.

YOU KNOW, OUR MISSION AT THE PORT IS TO MOVE AND DRIVE REGIONAL PROSPERITY WHICH MEANS QUITE SIMPLY TO GENERATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOBS, GOOD-PAYING JOBS.

IT INCLUDES THE CREATION OF THIS PROGRAM THAT SPECIFICALLY

[01:25:04]

I AM TALKING ABOUT UP AND DOWN AND ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION.

WE DON'T STOP THERE. AS WE INTEND TO ASSIST THE MWBE AND OBTAINING THE ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND THE QUALIFICATIONS THROUGH TRAINING PROGRAMS WITH OUR LARGE CONSTRUCTION VENDORS IN ADDITION TO OUR HOME COURT TRAINING AND EVENTS THAT QUITE FRANKLY WE HAVE BECOME VERY GOOD AT THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM OUR -- SO OUR MISSION IS CLEAR. WE HAVE SPECIFIC TARGETS THAT WILL BESET AND MEASURED. WE WILL DELIVER RESULTS.

WE WILL INTRODUCE A MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR NEW MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES AND MAKE EVERYONE AWARE THEY CAN DO BUSINESS WITH THE PART. WE WILL DO THAT WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AT HARRIS COUNTY AND METRO AND CITY OF HOUSTON WHERE WE CAN SHARE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY CYNERGYS AND COST ADVANTAGES IN THESE PROGRAMS. SO WE ARE READY TO GET STARTED AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME.

THANKS FOR HAVING US AND WE'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, ROGER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THANK YOU, MR. GUNTHER FOR YOUR RE -- YOUR REAR MARK -- FOR YOUR REMARKS. I WANT TO INCLUDE COMMISSIONER CLOONAN FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHO HAS BEEN A STRONG AND CONSISTENT VOICE ON ADDRESSING THE BUSINESS INEQUITYIES -- BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY INEQUITIES. AND THIS IS A HUGE PARADIGM SHIFT FOR HARRIS COUNTY AS A WHOLE.

FOR THE PORT TO BE INVOLVED IS CRITICAL TO MAKING SURE ALL OF THE SYSTEMS AND ALL OF THE REGIONAL SYSTEMS ARE ENGAGED AND FUNKING WITH THE -- FUNCTIONING WITH THE SAME INTENTION. THANK YOU FOR FLIPPING THE SWITCHES. SO THIS PROGRAM AS THE LEADER OF THE PORT, THIS HAS YOUR FULL SUPPORT?

>> ABSOLUTELY IT HAS MY FULL SUPPORT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEAUTIFUL. BEAUTIFUL.

THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR. OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING STARTS AT THE TOP. IT WILL BE SO IMPORTANT TO KNOW IT HAS YOUR FULL SUPPORT SO THAT IT CAN BE A SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVE AND MAKE THE IMPACT THAT FOR SO LONG -- FOR SO LONG WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL EVERYBODY WONDERED HOW DO YOU DO BUSINESS AT THE PORT? AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE FRONT DOOR WAS AT.

THANK YOU FOR THAT COMMITMENT AND FOR THAT SUPPORT.

I KNOW YOU WORKED ON THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

TO ROLL THE SLEEVES UP AND WORK ON THIS AND BRING IT TO FRUITION, IS THERE ANYTHING MISSING THAT THIS COURT CAN HELP THE PORT WITH, EITHER A COMMISSIONER OR MR. GUNTHER?

>> I APPRECIATE THAT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN SOMETHING PASSIONATELY IT IS A LABOR OF LOVE AND THIS IS A LABOR OF LOVE.

I THINK WE ARE WORKING TO COLLABORATE AS MR. GUNTER -- GUNTHER SAID WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO I THINK JUST MAINTAINING COMMUNICATION AND SEEING HOW WE DEVELOP EFFICIENCIES AND AT THE END OF THE DAY MAKE IT EASIER ON THE PROCESS FOR MWBE'S SO WE CAN PUSH FORWARD AND DO THE BEST TO SERVE OUR

COMMUNITIES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ANYTHING WE NEED TO PUT ON OUR AGENDA HERE THAT MAY BE OF HELP TO YOU GUYS TO MOVE THIS WITH LIGHTNING SPEED?

>> NOT RIGHT NOW. WE ARE HEADED TO THE FULL PORT

[01:30:02]

APRIL 26TH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

WITH MR. GUNTHER'S SUPPORT I AM HOPEFUL THAT THAT WILL BE A DONE CASE. THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR

LEADERSHIP. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. MR. GUNTHER, I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. IT MEANS A LOT FOR YOU TO BE HERE AND COMETION -- COMMISSIONER CLOONEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I JUST HAVE A FEW COMMENTS AND MAYBE A QUESTION. AS MUCH AS I HATE TO HARP ON IT, IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT IT WAS NOT AN EASY JOURNEY TO GET HERE TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU MENTIONED WHEN YOU WERE ON CITY CON SL. COUNCIL.

I WAS ON COUNCIL IN 84. THEY USED TO DO THAT TRIP, THAT FANCY TRIP UP TO CENTURY 21.

MY LAW PARTNER YEARS LATER ENDED UP ON THE PORT.

HE AND MILTON CAROL WOULD BRING UP THIS ISSUE AND IT WAS ALWAYS VERY DIFFICULT. AS MUCH AS WE IN TEXAS IN PARTICULAR LIKE TO PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK, THE NUMBERS ON THE SLIDE, WHICH I WON'T HARP ON, BUT THEY WILL SEND THEM TO US. GO AND LOOK AT THEM.

THE NUMBERS SHOW THERE WAS A PROBLEM, A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. ALL GREAT CITIES WERE BASED ON WATERWAYS. IT GIVES US A PORT OF HOUSTON. I WAS BIKE RIDING WITH A PERSON IN THE PRECINCT OUT AT THE PORT.

THEY WERE TELLING AN INTERN AT THE PORT AND OF COURSE WHEN THEY CAME IT WAS CHIPPING. THEY SAID YOU ARE SHIPPING YOUR ANCESTORS IN HERE. THEY BUILT THIS CITY.

HE WAS AFRICAN-AMERICAN TOO AND MICHAEL WHO I LOVE DEARLY SAID THIS IS NOT A SLAVE PORT.

IT WAS COTTON. I COOK MY -- I TOOK MY GLASSES OFF AND I SAID WHO DO YOU THINK PICKED THE COTTON? GALVESTON WAS KING AT ONE POINT.

THESE NUMBERS, FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN PARTICULAR, THE DISPARITY STUDY SHOWED THAT BLACK-OWNED FIRMS -- I WANT TO PULL ONE OUT SINCE IT IS THE PORT.

BLACK OFFICIALS REPRESENT 15% OF THE PORT'S MARKET.

THEY RECEIVE ACCORD ACCORDING TO THE DISPARITY CENTER .1% OF THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT. THIS PORT IS MAJOR TO US.

339BILLION DOLLARS IN STATEWIDE IMPACT.

FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN PARTICULAR, NOT BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO BE ONE, BUT IT IS A REALITY.

THEY SUFFERED THE MOST. THEY FOUGHT THE HARDEST TO MAKE CHANGES. IT BENEFITED SO MANY OF US, WOMEN, HISPANICS. AND THEY, AFRICAN-AMERICANS, HAVE BENEFITED THE LEAST. WE OUGHT TO ALL HAVE A COMMITMENT TO CHANGING THAT. I WELCOME THIS NEW ATTITUDE AT THE PORT, BUT IT WAS NOT EASY GETTING HERE.

I RAISED IT EVEN BEFORE THE DISPARITY STUDY WAS REQUIRED.

AND WHEN WE MEASURED -- WHEN WE USED METRICS, WE CAN'T -- AS I TOLD MY FRIENDS AT METRO AS WELL, THIS IS WHAT THEY CAN DO. THE PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR SMALL BUSINESSES THEY GET THIS PERCENTAGE.

WE ARE HOUSTON. WE ARE HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE TEXAS. WE HAVE TO MEASURE OURSELVES TO THE PORT OF NEW YORK AND MIAMI.

OTHER PLACES WHERE THERE WAS A GREATER SENSITIVITY TO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS MANY YEARS AGO.

SECOND POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS RACE AND GENDER DISCRIMINATION IS HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE.

WHY THERE IS SUCH A SENSITIVITY TO FOCUS ON RACE AND GENDER TO GET US OUT OF THE BACK OF THE BUS IS A MYSTERY TO ME. THESE DISPARITY STUDIES ARE HARD TO DO AND THEY ARE EXPENSIVE, BY DESIGN.

[01:35:03]

I DO WANT TO MAKE A THIRD POINT.

THE COUNTY DID A STUDY. THE CITY HAS HAD A PROGRAM.

THE STATE HAS HAD A PROGRAM SINCE 91.

NOW THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR STUDY WE WILL HAVE METRICS.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM. METRO HAS A COMMUNITY MEETING TOMORROW. I WILL ZOOM IN AND LISTEN TO THE PRESENTATION. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE REPORT WILL SHOW. I HOPE IT IS BETTER THAN THE ONE FROM THE COUNTY OR THE ONE FROM THE PORT.

OF COURSE HARRIS HEALTH IS DOING ONE.

THIS IS WHAT I DESCRIBE AS AN ATLANTA MOMENT.

THE REASON ATLANTA WAS AHEAD WAS BECAUSE MAYOR JACKSON SHUTDOWN THE AIRPORT AND PRETTY MUCH SAID YOU WILL NOT DO THAT AIRPORT, WHICH I THINK IS THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTRY. AND NOW YOU WILL NOT COMPLETE THAT AIRPORT UNLESS THE CITY COUNCIL AGREED TO A PROGRAM FOR MINORITIES. HE COULDN'T GET IT LOCKED IN AND HE STOPPED IT ON THE RUNWAY.

THANK GOD WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

AND I THINK MR. GUNTHER AND COMMISSIONER CLOONEN, THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMEWAY -- MAYBE IT IS A STATURE OF YOURS AND THE MAYOR SOMEHOW THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND METRO AND THE PORT AND HARRIS, YOU NEED TO HAVE A BOND PASSED FOR THESE FOLK WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT. WE HAVE TO PICK OUT SOME STRATEGIES TO PICK OUT THE BIG CONTRACTS SO WE BUILD MORE ENTREPRENEURIAL CLASS. I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

WE SHOULDN'T BE SO MIOPIC FOR THOSE WHO COME HERE AS THE MAJORS END UP. I MADE MY MONEY IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IT WAS WHEN I WAS WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS OR THE CITY COUNCIL.

THERE IS ROOM FOR COLLABORATION AND IT IS NOT JUST EACH OF US BEING IN THE SILOS.

IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE COUNTY PROGRAM WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WERE ADVANTAGED BY THE CITY HAVING THE PROGRAM. SO COMIGHTER -- COMMISSIONER AND MR. GUNTHER, I HOPE THERE IS A WAY WE CAN CLAP -- COLLABORATE. WE JUST USE THAT.

WE SIMPLIFY IT. >> AGREED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER CLOONEN, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND YOUR LEADERSHIP.

ROGER GUNTHER, IT IS GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AGAIN AND IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU AT THE PORT.

I WILL SPEAK ON MY EXPERIENCES WITH THE PORT.

HOW AND WHY I AM ENCOURAGED THIS MORNING.

I WILL TELL YOU WITH MR. GUNTHER IN CHARGE HE WILL BE SURE THAT THERE IS MENTORING GOING ON AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE FIRMS THAT WILL BE IN THE PORT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THE BACKDOOR, THE SIDE DOOR. HOW CAN I GET INTO THE PORT? I AM ENCOURAGED. FOLKS LIKE NATHAN AND OTHERS AND WE GOT STARTED IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WE DID A LOT OF WORK IN METRO, BUT TRANSLATING THAT SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM AND I AM ENCOURAGED THAT THAT CAN HAPPEN.

I WILL JUST ENCOURAGE ROGER TO START WITH THE NUMBERS.

BE SURE THAT WE ARE MONITORING THAT.

I THINK YOUR COMMENT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ON BREAKING UP CONTRACTS IS A GOOD ONE.

A LOT OF THAT DOZENED UP BEING BONDED.

EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE REASONS WHY KEEPING THE CONTRACT LARGE IS THERE, BUT BEING SURE WE GIVE ALL OF OUR LOCAL COMPANIES AS MUCH OPPORTUNITY, THE LOCAL MWBE CONTRACTORS AND

[01:40:02]

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE POINT ABOUT THE METRICS, I AM GLAD THAT WE HAVE THE METRICS. WHEN WE SAW THE NUMBERS IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE AND IN MY MIND IT WAS CRITICAL TO EXPEDITIOUSLY PUT IN PLACE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO CORRECT THESE NUMBERS AND MAKE PROGRESS TO MONITOR IN COMPLIANCE AND MOVE THEM FORWARD WITH FREQUENT REPORTING AND I KNOW ROGER AND I WILL BE IN CONSTANT

CONVERSATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE B2G AND I KNOW I WILL ASK PERIODICALLY, BUT I STOPPED ASKING AND I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT I WAS DOING OTHER THINGS. ON YOU ALL'S LEVEL, YOU HAVE THE COMPUTER PROGRAM. WE HAVE IT NOW.

YOU HAD IT FOR A LONGTIME, BY THE WAY.

THAT WAS A RESISTANCE TO TURNING IT OFF.

I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I STARTED OFF BY SAYING GO PAY FOR B2G NOW. YOU CAN MEASURE THIS AND KNOW EVERY YEAR. AS LEAST AS LONG AS I AM HERE I WILL ASK YOU SOMETHING. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR MAKING A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU. IT IS IMPORTANT YOU ARE DOING THIS. YOU MENTIONED IN THE REPORT MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND FORT BEND COUNTY.

CAN YOU SPECIFY FOR ME EXACTLY WHAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HOPEFULLY ADOPT AND HOW THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE REGIONAL FOOTPRINT, IF AT ALL THAT YOU MENTIONED IN THE

REPORT? >> IN TERMS OF THE POLICY WE HAVE A GOAL OF 30%. AND SO THE IDEA IS THAT WE WANTED TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE COUNTIES WITH WHOM THE PORT HAS DONE BUSINESS. THERE WAS CONVERSATION INTERNATIONALLY AND THAT WAS MORE OF A -- NOT AT THE COMMISSION LEVEL UNTIL WE GOT A DRAFT REPORT, BUT TO EXPAND AND INCLUDE ALL OF THE COUNTIES TO LOOK MORE LIKE WHAT THE COUNTY -- WHAT HARRIS COUNTY DID AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND AT Y'ALL'S REPORT SO WE COULD PARALLEL A LITTLE MORE. THE AS SEPARATION -- ASPIRATIONAL GOAL IS TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE COUNTIES IN WHICH THE PORT HAS DONE OR WHICH HAD BUSINESSES WORK WITH

THE PORT. >> OBVIOUSLY YOU ONLY CONTROL THE CONTRACTS THAT YOU ALL CONTROL, RIGHT? SO THIS IS JUST SETTING A GOAL AND POINTING TO THOSE COUNTIES THAT THEY OUGHT TO BE LOOKING AT THE TYPE OF THING WE ARE

LOOKING AT. >> RIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN Y'ALL HAVE OUTSIDE INFLUENCE OF THE CONTAINER BUSINESS. DO YOU SENSE THE OTHER RELEVANT INDUSTRIES TO HELP IN THIS DIRECTION?

>> ROGER, DO YOU WANT TO ANSWER THAT? I DON'T DIRECTLY COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONTAINERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST MEAN ON THE NON-CONTAINER.

>> ON THE NONCONTAINER? LIKE THE OTHER FACILITYIES -- FACILITIES? THERE ARE PRIVATE INDUSTRIES THAT WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OF.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU WE ARE DOING IS -- I HAVE SEVERAL GOALS THAT OUR COMMISSIONER HAS GIVEN US.

THE OTHER INVOLVES ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL GOVERNMENTS AND WE ARE TRYING TO COLLABORATE AND EXPAND WITH ALL OF THE CHANNEL INDUSTRIES AS WELL.

SO THAT IS ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT WE HAVE.

AS FAR AS PROCUREMENT OUR CONTROL IS REALLY FOCUSED ON WHAT WE DO AT THE PORT. AND THE CONTRACTS THAT WE -- THAT WE ISSUE FOR OUR ACTIVITIES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ALL IMPORTANT.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND IT WILL HELP WITH COMPETITION AND BETTER RESULTS FOR US.

I CALL THE COMMENTS MY COLLEAGUE MADE ABOUT REPORTING AND I AM EAGER TO HEAR AS TIME GOES BY THE PROGRESS YOU ARE ALL IDENTIFYING AND ROLES ARE IMPORTANT.

AND I ENCOURAGE TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYWAY -- AND MAYBE IT IS SETTING AN EXAMPLE, AND TO YOUR POINT OF COLLABORATION

[01:45:05]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU RAISE A VALID POINT.

COMMISSIONER CLOONEN WHO IS NOW ONE OF OUR YOUNGEST CORP -- CORPORATE LEADERS SHALL I SAY? SHE IS DOING A MAJOR CORPORATE BOARD AND YOU SHOULD BE PROUD HAVING NOMINATE HER. IT IS WHAT PEOPLE WERE THINKING WHEN THEY WERE FILLING THE CORPORATE BOARD AND THEY THOUGHT OF HER, BY THE WAY.

I SAW SOMETHING IN THE PAPER A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHERE IT WAS SAYING THAT THE TARGET -- I THINK IT WAS TARSHAY, -- PUTTING PRODUCTS ON THE SHELVES TO DEAL WITH INCLUSION. I THINK I MENTIONED TO YOU THAT CALIFORNIA PASSED A STATUTE OUT -- A STATUTE THAT IS BEING CHALLENGED, BUT THEY ARE GOING TO FIND COMPANIES AND IF THEY DON'T ADD WOMEN AND MINORITIES AND IN THE CASE OF CALIFORNIA LGBT TO THEIR BOARD, AND WHEN I FOUND THAT OUT I WAS SHOCKED AND CALLED A COUPLE OF LEGISLATORS.

THEY MADE THE POINT I MADE EARLIER.

THE BLACK CAUCUS HAD THAT AS PART OF THEIR LEGISLATE PACKAGE FOR A DECADE. IT FINALLY PASSED BECAUSE OTHER FOLKS CAME IN WITH BLOCKS OF VOTES.

AND NOW NASDAQ IS GOING TO DE LIST PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES. JUDGE, I GO TO YOUR POINT.

I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT I WOULD USE MY BULLY PULPIT WHEN SOMEBODY COMES IN TO TALK ABOUT A TAX BREAK OR WHATEVER TO RISE THISH -- RAISE THE ISSUE OF COLLUSION.

WE NEED TO MAKE UP FOR OUR PAST SINS.

YOU GOT ME? I MAY NEVER GET REPARATIONS, BUT I CERTAINLY WANT TO REPAIR SOME OF THE DAMAGE THAT GOVERNMENT PLAYED A ROLE IN CREATING.

I THINK, MR. GUNTHER, I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS THEY WANT THE PORT TO DO, WE SPEND MONEY AND OUR FRIENDS WOULD TELL US BY DEEPENING AND WIDENING. YOU WANT ME TO DO THINGS AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP WITH OUR BOTTOM LINE.

AND WHEN YOU CREATE MORE MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES, THEN YOU HAVE FOLKS WHO THINK LIKE ENTREPRENEURS.

WE ALL SHOULD THINK LIKE THAT.

I WILL PUT MY THINKING HAT ON.

FOLKS WHO DO THESE DISPARITY STUDIES, IT IS A REAL COMPETITIVE BUSINESS. IT IS WORSE THAN WHEN I WOULD FIGHT FOR MY OTHER INVESTMENT FRIENDS.

THERE IS A LOT OF STUDIES GOING ON IN HOUSTON AT THE SAME TIME. THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME CYNERGY

OUT THERE. >> AND WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER, SHED -- LEADING BY EXAMPLE, THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT WE SHOULD DO AT THE PORT. JUST LIKE WHEN YOU ALL MADE THE DECISION AND LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A VOCAL VOICE AND A LOUD VOICE

ON THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER AND ROGER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOCAL LEADERSHIP ON THIS ITEM.

THIS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. >> THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND JUST A QUICK THING BEFORE I FORGET AND I MEANT TO ASK THIS EARLIER.

ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS BROUGHT THIS UP, HOW ARE WE DOING COMPARED TO OTHER PORTS? IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CAN INCLUDE IN YOUR ANALYSIS GOING FORWARD?

>> YES. WE CAN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND NOT JUST TEXAS PORTS.

>> RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS CONSTANTLY A COMPETITION WITH THEM.

IT IS ANOTHER AREA TO COMPETE SO WE ARE AHEAD EVERYWHERE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: ONE OTHER THING , COMMISSIONER CLOONAN, AND I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EQUATION IS THE NUMBER OF MINORITIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY WORKING FOR MAJOR FIRMS IN HOUSTON.

I THINK YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK THAT QUESTION.

[01:50:03]

MWBE IS IMPORTANT. >> I THINK YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. TO THAT POINT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE ARE ACTUALLY IN CONVERSATION AND WORKING WITH COMPANIES SUCHING A MCCARTHY AND IT IS EXACTLY ON WHAT YOU

ARE SPEAKING. >> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER, MIGHT I ADD, I THINK THAT'S THE STRENGTH OF GETTING THERE. THE ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS TO HELP US HAVE A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THE PARALLEL IS ATLANTA IS THE BIGGEST AIRPORT -- THIS IS THE BUSIEST WATERWAY IN THE NATION.

IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES. WE HAVE TO GET THE DEEPENING AND THE WIDENING DONE. THIS REGION BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGE IS POISED FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH.

OTHER THINGS WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN DOING.

TALKING ABOUT THOSE TYPES OF THINGS TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION. ALL OF THAT IS THE PLAN.

WE ARE PUTTING THIS TOGETHER ON AN AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING IT STARTED.

>> PLEASE TELL YOUR CHAIRMAN OR GIVE HIM OUR KUDOS AS WELL. I TALK TO HIM THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS AND BEFORE HE BECAME CHAIR AND I MADE THE COMMENT -- I GUESS I WAS ON A CALL WITH COMMISSIONER CLOONAN.

I MADE THE COMMENT THAT EVEN IN HIS -- WITH HIS PRIVATE COMPANY, YOU KNOW, HE HAS LIVED -- I MEAN NOT JUST TALKING, BUT LIVED IT IN TERMS OF DIVERSITY.

IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT HIM. HE HAS YOU DOING THIS.

I'M PROUD OF HIM AND ALL OF YOU.

AND YOU AS WELL, MR. GUNTHER. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IT IS ALMOST NOON.

I SUGGEST WE BREAK UNTIL 12:15 AND THEN WE COME BACK AND GET

THE SPEAKERS. >> JUDGE, THIS IS JAMES.

GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. SO FOR ITEM 212 IS THERE ANY

ACTION BEAK -- BEING TAKEN? >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS 12:57 -- EXCUSE ME 11:57 AND WE WILL BE BACK AT 12:15 TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. LEAN LOON IT IS 12:

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 2)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 12:17 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IF SESSION. LUCINDA, IF YOU CAN CALL UP

THE SPEAKERS. >> CARL MILLS WITH MILLS REAL ESTATE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> DID YOU CALL MY NAME? >> YES, PLEASE.

GO AHEAD. >> I AM CHARLES MILLS AND PRESIDENT OF MILLS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT COMPANY.

I AM CALLING REGARDING THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE BENTON CORPORATION. OUR COMPANY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 79 AND I AM THE GREAT-GRANDSON OF TOBIAS BARRETT, THE TOWN'S FOUNDER. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY COMPLEMENTING -- COMPLIMENTING COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR SHARING THAT COLLABORATIVE PROCESS THAT WAS USED TO ENGAGE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND ADDRESSING THE PRIORITIES OF OUR COMPANY -- I MEAN OF OUR COMMUNITY.

DURING THE PLANNING PROCESS OF THE FACT THAT IMPLEMENTATION IS THE MOST CRITICAL PART OF MAKING THIS WORTH AS GROWTH AND CHANGE IS HAPPENING AT SUCH A FAST PACE IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS

[01:55:03]

AND -- BROUGHT FORTH RIGHT NOW.

AND ALSO A KEY PART OF THE -- OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GIVEN, A PLAN IMPLEMENTED PROPERLY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER -- THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR APPROVING THE BUDGET BACK IN FEBRUARY AND AGAIN THANKS TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR MOVING THAT FORWARD.

MY FINAL COMMENT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT WE ARE JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO ON GOING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND AS WE WORK WITH PRECINCT 2 TO BRING THE BENEFITS OF -- TO THE COMMUNITY AND PRESERVE THE RICH HISTORY FOR FUTURE

GENERATIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. MR. MILLS THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PLAN.

BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT. IT WILL GIVE US A BLUEPRINT TO MOVE TO THE FUTURE. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE COMMITMENT THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED OUT THERE TO BARRETT. ABOUT 55 MILLION HAS BEEN EITHER INVESTED OR PROGRAMED IN SOME FORM OR MANNER INTO THE BEAR COMMUNITY. EVER SINCE -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD MY COMMENTS EARLY IN THIS PROCESS, BUT EVER SINCE I WAS THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER FOR INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS, THE FIRST THING INCORPORATED SLAVE CITY IN OUR AREA, I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED THAT BACK THEN I COULDN'T GET THE RESOURCES INTO INDEPENDENT HEIGHTS TO INVEST IN ITS HISTORY.

AND SO THIS PLAN IS TO ENSURE THAT THE RICH AND DEEP AND BEAUTIFUL HISTORY OF BARRETT IS PRESERVED AND PROTECTED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME AND THIS PLAN -- I I JUST WANT TO THANK THE GOODMAN CORPORATION. THEY DID A VERY GOOD JOB IN REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND HEARING FROM SO MANY STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE LONG BEEN COMMITTED TO PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY. I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED.

AGAIN I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF YOUR SCHEDULE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND THAT IS GOING TO HELP US WORK ALL OF THESE INITIATIVES FROM BOTH ENDS.

FROM THE OFFICE STANDPOINT AND FROM THE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PERSPECTIVE AS WELL.

I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.

THANK YOU, MR. MILLS. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> CHERYL BARRETT.

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

THANK YOU FORGIVING ME -- FOR GIVING ME TIME TO SPEAK TO YOU AND GIVING MY ENDORSEMENT FOR THE GOOD MONEY STUDY THAT'S BEEN CONDUCTED. I AGREE WITH MR. MILLS THAT WE HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I'M A TRANSPLANT TO BARRETT. I MARRIED A BARRETT.

I AM A TEXAS GIRL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL RIGHT!

>> I AM FROM THE DORIAN FAMILY.

I AM ACCUSTOMED TO THINGS BEING DONE DIFFERENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY. I WAS RAISED WITH ORGANIZING AND DEVELOPING. SO MOVING HERE I WAS -- IT WAS STRANGE THAT THIS WAS A REALLY VIBRANT COMMUNITY.

IT HAD SIGNIFICANT AND HISTORICAL ASPECTS TO IT, BUT NOT A LOT HAS BEEN DONE. WE ARE GLAD TO SEE THE STUDY COME OUT AND SOME PROGRESS HOPEFULLY BEING MADE.

LIKE NORTH DALLAS, I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THERE WAS A HUGE BLACK COMMUNITY IN WHAT IS NOW THE GALLERIA AREA. WE ARE WANTING TO MARE -- MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN BARRETT.

WE ARE ONE OF THE PLACES STILL IN TACT AND STILL WITH FAMILY

[02:00:01]

I WAS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATIONS DURING THE STUDY. I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND THE WALK PAST THE CANAL.

LIKE I SAID, WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DOESN'T SIT AND GET DUST ON IT. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THINGS HAPPEN AND WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT CAN HELP TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. BUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT INCORPORATED, WE HAVE BEEN STYMIED AND WE MET SOME RESISTANCE AND LONG AGO TRIED TO DO THIS.

BARRETT IS A SMALL COMMUNITY WITH SOME BIG DREAMS AND SOME HUGE POSSIBILITIES. WE GIVE YOU ARE -- WE GIVE OUR ENDORSEMENT OF THIS AND HOPE IT HAPPENS RAPIDLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, CHERYL, SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR CLAIMING FIFTH

WARD AS WELL. >> ALWAYS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GLAD YOU ARE IN BARRETT.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS HAS MY FULL COMMITMENT.

I HAD A BIG APPETITE AFTER VISITING WITH COUNTY JUDGE NELSON WOLF IN BEXAR COUNTY. HE WORKED TO GET THE ALAMO AND ALL OF THE SURROUNDING MISSIONS RECOGNIZED AS A WORLD HERITAGE DESIGNATION SITE WHICH BRINGS WITH IT SOME INCREDIBLE BENEFITS AND RESOURCES WITH IT.

AND SO I STARTED THERE. THIS PLAN DOES INCORPORATE ALL OF THE OTHER HISTORICAL DESIGNATIONS AND COMPONENTS THAT WE BELIEVE WE CAN ACHIEVE BEFORE WE GET TO THE WORLD HERITAGE DESIGNATION. THAT ONE IS A VERY, VERY LONG AND TEDIOUS PROCESS. AND SO WE ARE STILL STUDYING HOW TO NAVIGATE THAT. I'M AFTER EVERY HISTORICAL DESIGNATION WE CAN GET SO THAT WE CAN PROTECT BARRETT AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THE ELEMENTS THAT ARE IN OUR IMMEDIATE FUTURE. I WANT TO ACCENTUATE WHAT SHE TOUCHED ON AND WHAT MR. MILLS TOUCHED ON.

THIS IS A FINAL REPORT OF THE BARRETT COMMUNITY PLAN.

BARRETT IS ALSO KNOWN AS BARRETT STATION.

IT IS AN UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY AND A DESIGNATED PLACE IN HARRIS COUNTY. BARRETT IS AMONG THE 500 FREEDOM COLONIES SCATTERED ACROSS TEXAS.

THESE COLONIES ARE KNOWN AS FREED MEN SOUNDS.

THEY ARE FORMER SLAVES RELEASED BY FAMILIES IN THE CIVIL WAR. AND FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL SET AT THE PRESENT TIME -- THE SETTLEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY IN 1889, BARRETT HAS ATTAINED ITS SIGNIFICANCE AS A PLACE OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE.

THE PLAN WHICH WAS INITIATED BY MY OFFICE WAS TO SEIZE UPON THE OPPORTUNITY AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN ALL OF THE PARTNERS, AND TO UPDATE AND MAKE CONSISTENT PREVIOUS COMMUNITY PLANNING EFFORTS MORE CONCISE AND TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY IN DEVELOPING A VISION AND A STRATEGY FOR IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS.

THE 2020 COMMUNITY PLAN IS AN UPDATED -- IT IS AN UPDATE ON THE PREVIOUS ITERATION COMPLETED IN 2004.

AND A HIGH LEVEL DEMOGRAPHIC. IT ADDS SO MANY ELEMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO GIVE US GREAT GOALS TO WORK TOWARD.

AGAIN, THIS AIN'T GONNA BE A SHELF ON THE PLAN OR JUST ON THE WEBSITE, CHERYL. IT IS A PLAN THAT MY STAFF AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WILL WORK ON ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND FOR BEING A PROUD BARRETT RESIDENT.

[02:05:05]

I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON IT IF WE CAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD A

COMMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL BE GLAD TO SECOND THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER.

CHERYL, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY I KNOW THE FAMILY WELL.

COMMISSIONER, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER MR. DORIAN.

I MET HIM IN HIGH SCHOOL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OH YEAH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK MR.LY -- MR. LEYLAND AND I OWE THEM SOME MONEY FOR DROPPING OFF ALL OF THE BOOTS OVER THERE. WE ARE DOING INFRASTRUCTURE AT DORIAN PARK, BY THE WAY. THANK YOU FOR LEADING ON THIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ANYTHING I CAN DO WITH CORPORATE SUPPORT, AND IT REALLY COULD BE IN ADDITION TO AN ECONOMIC BOOM. IT COULD BE A MAJOR TOURIST DESTINATION. I HAVEN'T BEEN OUT THERE IN AWHILE. I AM ASHAMED TO SAY IT.

MAYBE YOU CAN LET MR. MILLS AND MS. BARRETT KNOW.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LOVE TO.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS HAPPENING.

WE JUST HAD ANOTHER PIECE OF THE EQUATION COME TO FRUITION WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SO WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. I'M JUST EXCITED, AND I MEAN THIS, COMMISSIONER. I GOT THE -- I GOT TO MEET THE DAUGHTER OF THE LAST MAYOR OF INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS, GOT TO SEE WHERE THEIR CITY HALL WAS AT, THEATER, THE TOWN STORE.

I GOT TO SEE WHERE THE ENGINEER'S OFFICE WAS AT AND HIS ICE CREAM SHOP. ALL THAT IS GONE NOW.

IT'S ALE GONE -- IT'S ALL GONE.

WHEN I BECAME COMMISSIONER I KNEW OF BARRETT WELL BECAUSE OF MY TIME AS SHERIFF. I JUST SAID, NOT ON MY WATCH.

AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M TRYING TO -- HE WANTED TO DO A BIKE RIDE AND HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW FAR HE

WILL HAVE TO GO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. YOU WANTED TO MOVE ON THIS

ONE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION AND A SECOND. AND THAT IS ITEM 15 ON THE AGENDA. ALL IN -- ACTUALLY, THERE IS A CORRECTION ON THIS ITEM. THE BARRETT STATION --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY APOLOGIES.

THE CORRECTION IS ON PAGE 71. THE BARRETT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION IS A 501C4, BUT IT IT IS A 501C3.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE THAT CORRECTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO THE SPEAKERS.

GO AHEAD, LUCINDA. >> YES, MA'AM.

DORIS BROWN WITH NORTHEAST ACTIVE COLLECTIVE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS DORIS BROWN.

THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD DISTRICT BREAK THE LAW BY NOT INSTITUTING EQUITY? HEAD IN THE CLOUDS? 2.5BILLION THE COUNTY SHOULD HELP.

THAT'S COUNTY MONEY THAT SHOULD HAVE GONE TO BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES. ALTHOUGH WE WANT ALL PROJECTS TO FINISH, HE TELLS US IT WILL BE ABOUT 10 YEARS TO FINISH.

MOST OF THE AFFLUENT AREAS ARE FINISHINGED AND THRIVING.

WHAT IS THE EQUITY IN THIS SITUATION? HOW DO WE HAVE A FUNDING GAP THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED? HURRICANE SEASON IS VASTLY APPROACHING AND STILL WE HAVE NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OTHER DISASTERS THAT HAVE BEEN BEFALLEN ON OUR COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

MR. Z SHOULD TEND TO HIS RESIGNATION BECAUSE INEQUITY ESCAPES HIM. ONCE AGAIN, IF NOTHING CHANGES, NOTHING CHANGES. SO WE WILL TRY TO FIND OUT WHY WOULD IT TAKE 10 YEARS WHEN IT TOOK ALMOST [INAUDIBLE].

LEAN

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSION EARLY LIS?

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

THANK YOU AND THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE, AND WE HEAR YOU. JUDGE YOU HAD HURRICANE

[02:10:01]

THE MAP YOU ARE MAKING REFERENCE TO DOES LAYOUT A COMPELLING STORY AND EVEN AT THE LAST COURT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A $10 MILLION ITEM. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, OBVIOUSLY. IT DID NOT FOLLOW THE EQUITY FLOW. AND THERE IS EVEN A PROJECT OUTSIDE HARRIS COUNTY THAT WAS 10 TO 12 MILLION THAT THE COUNTY DID NOT FOLLOW. WE HEAR YOU.

I KNOW WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T LEAVE THE COMMUNITIES OUT CHASING FEDERAL DOLLARS WE CANNOT CONTROL. I MADE REFERENCE TO SOMEBODY THAT I WILL TAKE BIKE RIDING THIS WEEKEND AND I THINK WAS IN THE ROOM WHEN THE COMMITMENT WAS MADE ON WHAT MONEY WOULD COME FROM THE STATE.

IF IT WASN'T IN WRITING, I THINK WE GOT -- IF WE CAN'T GO TO COURT ON IT AND CAN'T GET H -- GET HUD TO GIVE US THE POWER FOR A DIRECT ALLOCATION, WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

I THINK HELP IS ON THE WAY, OR I WILL GO DOWN FIGHTING WITH YOU, MS. BROWN. MY STAFF WILL KEEP YOU POSTED. THANK YOU FOR SIGNING UN.

EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, I WAS TRYING TO GIVE IT A BREAK FOR A FEW WEEKS.

YOU HAVE JUST CAUSE TO BE UPSET.

I AM UPSET TOO. I WILL COMMIT TO YOU THAT IF IT DOESN'T GET DONE, I WILL BE AS LOUD AS YOU ARE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL KEEP WORKING ON IT. WE ARE ALL VERY, VERY FOCUSED

ON CORRECTING THIS. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> ALICE LOU, GO AHEAD PLEASE. ALICE LOU.

>> HI, YES. THIS IS ALICE.

>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU SOUND A LITTLE FAR AWAY. IF THERE IS A WAY TO GET CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE. WE CAN'T HEAR YOU VERY WELL.

>> YEAH. IS THAT BETTER?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> HI, YEAH, MY NAME IS ALICE.

I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH MS. DORIS BROWN AND I'M ALSO CALLING ABOUT THE GAP IN MONEY IN THE BOND.

I REALLY DO JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING, AS COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST EXPRESSED TO SEE HOW THIS GAP FALLS INTO THE PATTERNS OF ONCE AGAIN NOT GIVING THE COMMUNITIES WHO NEED THE MOST HELP IN TERMS OF FLOOD MITIGATION AND HELP WITH DISASTER RECOVERY THAT THEY ARE ONCE AGAIN SORT OF LEFT OUT IN THE COLD AND, YOU KNOW, IN THE PAST THREE YEARS SINCE THE NORTHEAST COLLECTIVE WAS HIT WE WERE HIT WITH THIS NORTHEAST HOUSTON. IT WAS A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE LANGUAGE -- FOR US TO HAVE GONE WITH OUR ALLIES PLACED IN THE BOND ITSELF. NOW WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE THAT LANGUAGE IS NOT ENOUGH AND IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE FOLLOWED UP WITH AN ACTUAL DISTRIBUTION OF MONEY VERSUS TIME AND EFFORT. I AM GLAD THAT -- I AM GLAD THAT THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE SEEMS TO HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR COMMITMENT TO THAT.

JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE DEPENDING ON MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES JUST TO MAKE THIS AREA LIVABLE.

AND FOR US TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUR FUTURES IN HOUSTON.

AND TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? I DO WANT TO SAY THAT YOU'RE RIGHT TO BE CONCERNED AND I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE FOR GETTING ORGANIZED. I THINK THE ATTITUDE USED TO BE AROUND HERE AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT, DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR, YOU MIGHT GET. IT WE RAISE THE ISSUE OF EQUITY AND PEOPLE SAY WHERE IS IT?

[02:15:01]

I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT GOT THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE MR. ZHE AND MR. POPPY TO TALK ABOUT IT. YOU HAVE TO JUST SHOW UP AT THE HEARINGS IN AUSTIN ON ZOOM AND IS A WHERE IS OUR MONEY? WE WILL WORK OUR FETED -- FEDERAL FRIENDS TO SEE IF THEY CAN CHANGE. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN.

CHANGE WHAT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION DID TO GIVE AS YOU DIRECT ALLOCATION. IF THAT DOES NOT COME, I AT LEAST AM TAKING THE ATTITUDE -- I AM WILLING TO BET AND I WILL SEND THIS QUESTION TO MR. POPPY, AND I THINK WE HAVE SENT IT, PREVIOUSLY WHAT MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE LOW AND MODERATE INCOME AREAS FOR FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS? IS IT PRIMARILY FEDERAL MONEY? HOW DO YOU GO BACK AND ASK FOLKS IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS TO EVER VOTE FOR A BOND ISSUE IF WE TAKE OUR MONEY ON THE LOCAL LEVEL AND PUT IT IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS CHASING THE COST BENEFIT RATIO. AND THEN WE USE LMI -- LMI MONEY AND THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE, THERE ARE SO MANY LMI AREAS IN TEXAS -- YOU GOT ME? WE HEAR YOU.

GO RAISE SOME CANE IN AUSTIN AS WELL AND WE'LL HELP YOU TO DO THAT. YOU CAN TELL THEM I TOLD YOU WHERE TO GO AND HOW TO DO IT. THANK YOU.

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

>> GABRIELLE LAW BARAJONA WITH TEXAS JAIL PROJECT.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS GABRIELLE LAW AND I WORK AT TEXAS JAIL PROJECT AND SPEAKING ON JAIL SERVICES IF THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS DOCUMENTED THE EXPERIENCE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE IN JAIL WE ARE HEARTENED TO HEAR THAT TRANSITION IS UNDERWAY. MEDICAL FLAW -- NEGLECT IS A COMMON THEME AND WE FELT IT IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON CURRENT MEDICAL CARE AS DOCUMENTED BY THE PATIENT.

YOU MAY HEAR THEM REFERRED TO AS INMATES, BUT THEY ARE PEOPLE. MANY OF THEM STILL UNCONVICTED OF THEIR CRIMES AND THEY ARE PATIENTS.

FIRST, WE ARE DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR FROM ONE OF OUR CLIENTS, AN EPILEPTIC MARINE VETERAN AND FATHER OF THREE THAT IT RESUMED AGAIN IN JAIL INCLUDING IT IS 10 FOR NAIL CLIPPER USAGE. IT -- THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE SAME PLACE FOR THREE YEARS. NEVERTHELESS, HE WAS ARBITRARILY LOWERED AND PUT ON THE PILL PRESCRIPTION.

GUARANTEEING CONTINUITY OF PRESCRIPTION DOSAGE AND FORMULATION MUST BE A PRIORITY FROM THE TRANSITION PLAN AND MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL SHOULD BE FREED OF THEM FOREVER. MAYBE A COMPANY LIKE AIR MARK WE RECEIVE FOR MOLDED AND NUTRIENT IN THE JAIL AND THINGS LIKE SODIUM PACKAGED FOODS SHOULD PAY A TAX SO IT GOES TOWARD THE COST OF OFFSETTING CARE FOR MEDICATIONS MADE WORSE. ON MARCH 26TH, THEY WERE CONTACTED BY A GRANDMA AND GRANDSON WHO WERE BOOKED INTO THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND HAD GONE THREE DAYS WITHOUT SCREENING OR MEDICATION. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE JAIL BEFORE. HE HAD RECEIVED MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND MEDICATION FROM THE JAIL BEFORE.

AND YET NOBODY LOOKING AT HIS RECORD OR NOT LOOKING.

I AM NOT SURE WHICH IS WORSE, DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THE CONTINUITY OF CARE. INSTEAD HE WOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THREE DAYS WITHOUT MEDICINE UNTIL HIS FAMILY CONTACTED US. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THIS COURT TO KNOW CURRENT AVERAGE WAIT TIMES TO REQUEST MEDICAL ATTENTION FROM TIME OF REQUEST TO TIME OF RESPONSE.

A FEW YEARS AGO WE RECEIVED THIS LETTER FROM A MOTHER OF TWO WITH SEVERAL LARGE MASSES ON HER KIDNEY AND EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19. QUOTE, THE FACILITY STILL HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY GRIEVANCES ON MEDICAL ATTENTION.

I KEEP GETTING CALLED OUT TO TRIAGE SO THE NURSE WILL TELL ME IT IS 10 DAYS. BUT IT HAS BEEN 60-DAYS BY THE TIME I WRITE THIS LETTER. END COAT -- END QUOTE.

THEY SHOULD PRIORITIZE QUICKER TIME FOR CARE AND AUDIT THE REQUEST PROCESS AND INCLUDE FOOD QUALITY AND HEALTH OUTCOME MEASURES AND ESTABLISH AN OUTSIDE INDEPENDENT HELP LINE TO REPORT MEDICAL COMPLAINTS TO STAFF PRESIDENT THE VERY IDEA THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING GNAW -- NEGLECT

[02:20:01]

RIDICULOUS. >> WE LOOK FORWARD TO MONITORING THE PROGRESS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR

ATTENTION. >> MICHAEL BLOOM WITH AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MICHAEL BLOOM.

THIS IS REGARDING AGENDA ITEM 99, THE TRANSMITAL OF THE MEMO RESPONDING TO PRECINCT 1 REQUEST TO WORK WITH THE RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO PRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE CATALOG OF THE SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES.

I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, REALLY THE HOUSTON BRANCH.

THAT'S ASCE. THE CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR HOUSTON AND ALSO ON THE BOARD OUR BRANCH REPORTS -- REPRESENTS ABOUT 3,000 ENGINEERS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY AREA AND ABOUT 10,000 IN TEXAS AND GLOBALLY ABOUT 150,000 CIVIL ENGINEERS.

WE COMMEND THE COUNTY FOR PREPARING THIS CAT TAU LOG OF SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES AND WE APPRECIATE HARRIS COUNTY AND THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS AND THE FLOOD CONTROL EFFORTS TO UTILIZE RELATIVELY NEW ENVISION SUSTAINABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK OR ENVISION WHICH IS NOTED TO THE CATALOG. IT IS A FRAMEWORK WHICH ALLOWS PLANNERS AND ENGINEERS TO DELIVER MORE SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT AND EQUITABLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITH ENHANCED SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES SIMILAR TO THE WAY THE U.S. COUNCIL'S LEADERSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN OR THE LEAD SYSTEM HELPS ARCHITECTS DELIVER BETTER BUILDING. ENVISION HELPS PLANNERS AND ENGINEERS DELIVER BETTER PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS LIKE FLOOD MITIGATION AND PARKS AND ROADS.

THE ENVISION FRAMEWORK INCLUDES GUIDE -- GUIDANCE ON HOW TO ENHANCE PROJECT OUTCOMES WITH MOBILITY, COLLABORATION, PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MATERIALS AND PROCUREMENT AND ENERGY, WATER, CONSERVATION, ECOLOGY, EMISSIONS AND RESILIENCE.

AS ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS WHO FOUNDED THE INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE THE PUBLISHER ENVISIONED, ASE WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR APPROVING VISION TRAINING ON THREE OCCASIONS, BACK WHEN THIS COURT STARTED IN JANUARY OF 19, FEBRUARY OF 21 AND MARCH OF 21, AS A RESULT OF THIS COURT'S APPROVAL OVER 90 EMPLOYEES FROM HARRIS COUNTY AND VARIOUS PRECINCTS, RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY AND FLOOD CONTROL HAVE BECOME ENVISION SUSTAINABILITY PROFESSIONALS. THESE FOLKS ARE TRAINED TO USE THE FRAMEWORK TO PLAN AND DESIGN AND DELIVER MORE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS.

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO COMMEND THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR KNISH -- INITIATING PILOT PROJECTS AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT ONE OF THESE PROJECTS WILL BE FEATURED IN THE VIRTUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE IN -- INFRASTRUCTURE THIS YEAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, MICHAEL.

APPRECIATE YOU REPRESENTING ASCE, AND I APPRECIATE THEIR LEADERSHIP ON INFRO TRUCK -- INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE

COUNTRY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK HIM AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY THE REPORT SHOWS THAT WE ARE DOING SOME THINGS -- NOT ALL COORDINATED, BUT I DO THINK IN LINE WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S RESOLUTION EARLIER IN THE DAY, I THINK IT IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DO MORE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND GETTING TO KNOW YOU EVEN BETTER.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MICHAEL, I HOPE I DIDN'T LOSE YOU.

ARE YOU STILL THERE? >> YES, SIR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LISTEN, THANK YOU FOR WEIGHING IN WITH YOUR THOUGHTS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND I THINK WE ARE ON A GOOD TRACK AND WE HAVE A LOT TO DO.

I THINK WE ARE MOVING BETTER EVERY DAY AND IN A BETTER DIRECTION. THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ACTIVE

AND ENGAGED STAKEHOLDER. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MICHAEL TO YOUR TEAM AND

ASCE. >> ANNA -- ANALISE BUST --

[02:25:05]

BUSTILLO. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES. GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I AM ANALISE BUSTILLO AND THANK YOU FOR LAST MONTH'S RESOLUTION LAST MONTH.

IT IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD MAKING CHANGE.

I COME TO YOU IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM 209 WHICH IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS' PROPOSAL FOR A HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COUNCIL TO ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

AT HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN ARE 50% MORE LIKELY THAN MEN TO BE IN POVERTY. THIS IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE PAY GAP WHITE WOMEN MAKE 80 CENTS TO THE DOLLAR OF THEIR WHITE MALE KOLL -- COLLEAGUE. LAW TINAS 54 CENTS.

HARRIS COUNTY IS FAR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES.

AS YOU MAY REMEMBER FROM LAST COURT, THE COLLEAGUES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON RESEARCH ON WOMEN AND GENDER SEXUALITY, 69.4 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR. BLACKWELL 47-POINT -- BLACK WOMEN, 47.1 AND HISPANIC 43%. WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE 2IVE -- 25% THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

WOMEN IN THE COUNTY LIVING IN POVERTY ARE AFFECTED BY ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. THE MORTALITY RATE IN THE UNITED STATES IS DOUBLE THAN ANY OTHER HIGH INCOME NATION INCLUDING UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA AND CANADA.

IN HARRIS COUNTY, WOMEN WITH SEVERE MATERNAL MORBID TEES INCREASED BETWEEN 2008 AND 2015.

ADDITIONALLY WOMEN ARE OFTEN EXPECTED TO TAKE THE LEAD ON CHILD CARRIE RESPONSIBILITIES.

IN 2018 MOTHERS WERE 40% MORE LIKELY THAN FATHERS TO FEEL THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF CHILD CARE ISSUES ON THEIR CAREER.

CHILD CARE DECISIONS AND THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

UNDERSTANDING THESE ISSUES IS THE FIRST STEP.

NOW IT IS TIME TO BEGIN ADDRESSING THEM.

BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT GENDER GAP IN HARRIS COUNTY THEY ASK FOR A REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL.

THIS KIND OF COUNCIL COULD ADVISE THE COMMISSION ON ADDRESSING INEQUITIES AND ACCEPTING WOMEN OF COLOR.

THEY CAN TALK ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE GREATEST IMPACT ON WOMEN AND FOSTER DIALOGUE ON THE STAGGERING IN -- INEQUITIES IN THE COUNTRY. THEY CAN CELEBRATE THE INNER SEXUALITY AND CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN OF ALL RACES AND ETHNICITIES. IT IS EASY TO THINK IT IS TOO MIOPIC OR FOCUSED ON ONE LOCATION.

WHEN WE BUILD A SOCIETY THAT FOCUSES ON THE MOST MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS WE ENCOMPASS ALL OF THE POPULATIONS. WHEN WE BUILD A SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS A YOUNG, BLACK SINGLE MOTHER IN THE THIRD WARD WE

PROVIDE FOR ALL MOTHERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER SENTENCE OR TWO TO WRAP UP? YOU HAVE BEEN SO HELPFUL TO MY OFFICE.

>> I WAS JUST ALSO GOING TO POINT OUT WHEN WE SUPPORT THE LATINA BEING PAID $7.25 CLEANING OUR BUILDINGS IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC WE SUPPORT ALL UNDERPAID FOLKS.

AND THOSE LOOKING FOR WORK WE SUPPORT ALL OF THOSE UNEMPLOYED. WE ASK YOU TO BRING THEM TO THE CENTER OF OUR WORK. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: PROFESSOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND YOUR WORK ON THIS. I'M HOPING THAT ONE OF US, IF IT IS CREATED, YOU WOULD BE ONE OF THE PERFECT PEOPLE TO WORK ON IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU. >> CHUCK WIMPLE.

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS CHUCK WIMPLE AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSTON COUNTY OF GOVERNMENTS AND I WILL COMMENT ON 210 [INAUDIBLE].

GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE ITEM I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF AN IMPORTANT BOARD THAT WILL BE CREATED ON APRIL 20TH. THE NEW COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW AND CONSIDER CHANGES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERSHIP AND VOTES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THE COMMITTEE WILL BE CONSIDERING POPULATION GROWTH AND OTHER MODELS ON THE BOARD.

I WILL DE -- BE ON THE STAFF OF THE COMMITTEE AND WORKING WITH MY PEERS ACROSS TEXAS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO GAIN

[02:30:03]

WE WILL BEGIN OUR WORK IN EARLY MAY AND DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS ON CHANGES FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER AS THE WORK PROGRESSES AND WE WILL CERTAINLY KEEP YOU POSTED AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I ALSO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE HARRIS COUNTY, YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR ENGAGEMENT AND IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE AS WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO SERVE THE REGION.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH YOU TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

TO COMMENT TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. WIMPLE, I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR COMING AND YOUR WORK.

I HAVE WATCHED YOU PROGRESS AND COMING UP THE RANKS OF THE STAFF. I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE, AS I TOLD YOU WHEN WE CHATTED YESTERDAY OR THE DAY BEFORE. OBVIOUSLY THE RULES WERE PUT IN PLACE, BY LAWS AND OTHER THINGS, IN THE 1960S.

IN ADDITION TO THE AGE GAP, OBVIOUSLY THE TRANSPORTATION POLICY CON -- COUNCIL AND YOUR AFFILIATION WITH IT.

I KNOW I WAS TOLD AT ONE POINT MAYOR PARKER AND JUDGE EMMITT TALKED ABOUT WHETHER IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO FORM A SEPARATE ONE, AND THAT DISSIPATED AT SOME POINT.

I ASKED IF SHE CAN FIND THE NOTES.

WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER. I JUST -- YOU KNOW, THROUGH -- THROUGHOUT MY LIFE WATCHING MY PARENTS AND OTHER PEOPLE FIGHTING FOR PROPORTION REPRESENTATION AND SOMETIMES THAT MEANT ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE.

BUT IT MEANT SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHAT WE HAVE.

AND EVEN WITH THE CRITICISM THAT PEOPLE HAVE OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. WHAT WE DO HERE PALES IN COMPARISON. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME READJUSTING THERE. I JUST WANTED TO PLAY A ROLE IN SPURRING ON THE CONVERSATION.

MY ITEM WILL ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ALONG WITH OTHERS TO LOOK AT ALL OPTIONS AND PUT THEM ON THE TABLE AND NOT IN ANYWAY SAYING THAT HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED. I DID CALL MAYOR TURNER AFTER A RATHER DIFFICULT VOTE AND I TALKED TO COUNCILMAN ROBINSON. WE WERE ON ONE OF THOSE LONG BIKE RIDES. WE TALKED ABOUT 30 OTHER THINGS AS WELL. I DO THINK IT IS TIME TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. I KNOW PEOPLE HAD IT IN THE PAST, BUT HOPEFULLY IN A SERIOUS WAY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR OPENNESS AND REACHING OUT TO ME.

>> MY PLEASURE, COMMISSIONER. THAT'S WHY WE ARE FORMING AN

ACTUAL COMMITTEE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING AND WEIGHING IN.

THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. LOOK, I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING TO THE CONCERNS OF OUR COUNTY AS WE WORK ON SOME VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES. AND RECOGNIZING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT DOES MERIT A DISCUSSION AND I HOPE WE GET TO A CHANGE. I JUST REALLY WANT TO APPLAUD YOUR LEADERSHIP ON WHAT CAN BE A DELICATE MATTER, BUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE TO MOVE US FORWARD.

JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: CHUCK, WHEN

WILL YOU VOTE ON THIS? >> THE TIME ON ANY VOTES FOR AMENDMENT IS TO BE DETERMINED.

WE WILL START OUR WORK IN EARLY MAY AND WE WILL PUT TOGETHER AN ANTICIPATED TIMELINE.

I DON'T WANT TO COMMIT TO DOING IT LIKE IN ONE OR TWO MEETINGS. AND TAKE AN APPROPRIATE TIME

TO DO THIS. >> I THINK IT IS GREAT THAT

YOU ARE DOING IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME FOLKS THAT WILL BE VOTING ON THIS AND IRRESPECTIVE OF MR. WIMPLE'S INTENTION WYNN WAS ON THE I-45 ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE IS A HARRIS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE AND I ASKED IF -- I SAID I WOULD LIKE TO BE THE

[02:35:02]

WE HAD TO SEND LLOYD. THEY WOULDN'T LET ME OR COMMISSIONER -- I THINK. I CAN'T REMEMBER.

THE SECOND TIME WAS MAYOR ZIMMERMAN AND THE VARIOUS FOLKS WHO HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP AND THE DIVERSITY OF THE LEADERSHIP. THERE IS NOT A SINGLE WOMAN IN THE LEADERSHIP AND NOR IS THERE A SINGLE PERSON OF COLOR. I HAVE RAISED THIS SINCE 2019. A ROSTER WAS PROPOSED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.

IT INCLUDES TWO WOMEN. OF COURSE NO ONE FROM HARRIS COUNTY, BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET.

DR. CAROL LEWIS WAS ON THE ROSTER AND IT WAS THE LEADERSHIP PROPOSING A BETTER SET UP.

AND IT WAS VOTED DOWN. RIGHT NOW THE CHAIR, THE VICE CHAIR AND THE SECOND CRIES -- SECOND VICE CHAIR.

THE DYNASTY RIGHT NOW IS NO WOMEN AND NO PEOPLE OF COLOR.

MAYBE THEY MAY HAVE ADDED A COMMISSIONER FROM PORT BEND.

YOU HAVE TO CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. I WANT TO TEMPER THE EXPECTATIONS FOR MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE OFTEN TIMES THERE WILL BE A GREAT PROPOSAL AND THEN THEY JUST WON'T VOTE FOR IT.

WE WILL KEEP PUSHING TO SEE IF WE CAN FIND A COLLABORATIVE SOLUTION TO ALL OF THIS. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW THE OTHER SPEAKERS I WILL TRY NOT TO GO OVER THIS WHEN WE GET TO MY ITEM.

HARRIS COUNTY MAKES A 41% OF HGAC'S MEMBERSHIP DUES PAID AND OUR POPULATION IS 67% OF THE TOTAL REGION, BUT WE HAVE ONLY TWO OUT OF 36 VOTING MEMBERS.

I GUESS ARGUABLY YOU CAN COUNT TWO FROM THE CITY AS WELL.

I THINK THE COUNTY REQUIRES GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN THE DECISION MAKING AND SPENDING BASED ON OUR POPULATION SIZE.

I AM ALSO GOING TO ASK -- IT IS MY ITEM AND I SENT A MOTION, BUT IT WON'T BE TO PULL OUT ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMEWAY THAT WE HAVE A LOOK AT WHAT HGAC DOES AND TRANSPORTATION AS WELL.

>> IF I MAY, HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL AS SECRETARY. AND THAT IS A SEPARATE WAY AND

JUST TO BE CLEAR ON THAT. >> AND FORT BEND COUNTY.

YOU KNOW THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ONE MAN OF COLOR AMONG THE MEN. IT IS LAUGHABLE AND IT IS EMBARRASSING. I'M SORRY, BUT CHUCK I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE LISTENING TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHEN SOMEONE TOLD HIM, WELL, IT WAS COTTON THAT WAS LOADED OFF THE DOCKS AND NOT SLAVES. I MEAN, COME ON, MAN.

JUST DON'T GO THERE. >> NO.

I WAS JUST -- YOU ASKED IF THAT WAS CORRECT.

I WANTED TO SAY THAT IT WAS CORRECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR RAISING IT.

LET ME TELL YOU, I TRY TO USE DR. KING'S LINE OF SCRATCH WHEN IT DON'T ITCH AND LAUGH WHEN IT IS NOT FUNNY.

IF WE DON'T RAISE THE ISSUES, I DON'T MIND BEING THE EL FEPT IN THE ROOM -- ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, BUT THESE ISSUES HAVE TO BE RAISED AND THAT'S WHY IT HAS GONE ON FOR SO LONG.

AND I FEEL NO DISCOMFORT AT ALL AND WISH WE HAD DONE MORE OF IT. I WESH I -- I WISH I HAD DONE

MORE IN POLITICS. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND ZIMMERMAN HAS BEEN FANTASTIC. THERE ARE SOME GREAT FOLKS THAT RECOGNIZE IT. I FOR ONE STOPPED SHOWING UP BECAUSE THE ENORMOUS DISRESPECT AND NOT REPRESENTING A COUNTY ON THE ECONOMY.

THANK YOU, CHUCK. >> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. >> CROSSLEY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO

[02:40:01]

I AM JAY CROSSLEY. I CALLED IN TO DISCUSS ITEM 210 ON THE STRUCTURAL INEQUITY ON THE HOUSTON AREA COUNCIL.

WE WORK ON TEXAS POLICY ISSUES ON THE ISSUE OF TRANSPORTATION AND PLANNING AND EQUITY. WE WORK WITH TEXDOT CITIES AND COUNTIES ON VISION 0 STRATEGIES.

WE WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO GIVE TRANSIT ACCESS.

AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THE EFFORTS TO RUN UP AGAINST THE ARCHAIC INEQUITIES. IT IS ONE OF OUR FOUR MAJOR PROGRAMS THEY ARE FINDING WAYS TO BRING REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY. FOUR YEARS AGO WE PUBLISHED THE ASSESSMENT THAT INCLUDES METHODOLOGY WITH A WHITE ADVANTAGE INDEX AND MALE ADVANTAGE INDEX AND GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE INDEX TO QUAWPT FIE HOW PEOPLE HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.

IT IS THE MOST EBBING -- EQUITABLE IN TEXAS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO THE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY? IT IS BASED ON WHETHER THEY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. THERE ARE THREE VOTING MEMBERS IN THIS GROUP. THE LAST GROUP WILL REPRESENT YOUR CONSTITUENTS AS WELL AS OTHERS.

THERE ARE 9 WHO REPRESENT HARRIS COUNTY AND 16 WHO REPRESENT THE SEVEN OTHER COUNTIES.

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE 4.7 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND 2.2 MILLION LIVE IN ALL OF THE OTHERS COMBINED. FOR EVERY MILLION RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY THEY GET TWO VOTES ON THE TPC.

FOR EVERY MILLION RESIDENTS THEY GET SEVEN VOTES.

THEY HAD FIVE REPS ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WHILE OTHERS HAD 23REPS PER MILLION RESIDENTS.

AND I HAVE NOTED THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND FIRST PERSON OF COLOR EVER SELECTED TO THE HGAC SLRKS --/TPC COMMITTEE. PAM HOLM IS THE ONLY WOMAN EVER TO BE ON THE COMMITTEE. AND THERE IS NO HISTORY OF A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY ON THE COUNCIL.

THE STRUCTURAL GEOGRAPHIC INEQUITY BUILT INTO THE BY LAWS OF HG ARC C MAKE THE RACE, ETHNICITY AND GENDER INEQUITIES WORSE. THE REGION IS WHITE OTHER, WEALTHIER AND DRIVES MORE. THE AMERICAN VALUE OF ONE PERSON AND ONE VOTE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IS NOT JUST A JUSTICE ISSUE.

IT MEANS OUR MOST IMPORTANT TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FLOODING AND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS ARE MADE WITHOUT THE DIVERSE PEOPLE OF THE HOUSTON REGION.

AND WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO THANK YOU.

IF YOU JUST GOT A QUICK SENSE TENSE OR -- SENTENCE OR TWO TO WRAP UP I WANT YOU TO DO THAT.

YOU PUT A LOT OF RESEARCH INTO THIS AND I WANT TO ASK YOU -- BY LAW -- FIRST, IF YOU WANT TO WRAP UP AND THEN I HAVE A

QUICK QUESTION. >> WELL, ACTUALLY THE LAST WORD. THAT WAS MY PREPARED REMARKS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, MY COLLEAGUES WERE KIND ENOUGH TO SAY I WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO YOU. I WAS READY TO PASS IT ON TO HIM. THE WEEK WE WEREN'T MEETING I HAVE TO BE HERE TO GO. IT WAS OUTNUMBERED AND IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF INPUT I COULD GET.

WHY IS IT THIS WAY? I SENT A MEMO OUT TO YOU, JUDGE. I SHOULD SEND THAT STAFF TO ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES. EVEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, THE REPRESENT -- REPRESENTATION IS BETTER THAN WE GET HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVEN'T ASKED MUCH OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTY. AND I KNOW THE FEDERAL LAW COMES INTO FLAI -- INTO IT. WE WERE ALREADY ASKING FOR

[02:45:03]

RESEARCH ON THIS. >> I BELIEVE THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF THE INEQUITY AND ENJOYING MORE POWER THAN SORT OF YOUR POPULATION MIGHT DESERVE THAN A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM. THE INEQUITY HAS MEANT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ALLOCATED OUTSIDE HARRIS COUNTY INSTEAD OF INSIDE BECAUSE OF IT.

IT IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE SOMEBODY CRITICIZE SOMEBODY WHO PAYS YOUR PAYCHECK.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REFORM THESE THINGS.

AND RURAL PEOPLE PERCEIVE THAT THEY ARE NOT REPRESENTED ENOUGH, BUT ALTHOUGH TECHNICALLY THEY ARE WRONG AND WE NEED A SYSTEM THAT REPRESENTS ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE REGION WHERE ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE REGION CAN GET BETTER RESULTS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT Y'ALL HAVING THIS DISCUSSION CAN GET US CLOSER TO THAT.

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

>> EDNA GRI -- GRIGGS. >> HOW ARE YOU TODAY? I AM CALLING ABOUT LINE ITEM 210 THAT WE NEED MORE REPRESENTATION FROM HARRIS COUNTY ON THE HOUSTON GAL REIS STONN -- GALVESTON COUNCIL. MY COMMUNITY DESERVES FAIR REPRESENTATION. THERE ARE THEIR COUNTIES IN THE ORGANIZATION, BUT HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE MOST PEOPLE WITH THE LEAST REPRESENTATION.

THE FEDERAL AND THE STATE DOLLARS ARE NEEDED RIGHT HERE IN MY COMMUNITY. THE COURT SHOULD REVIEW WHAT THEY DO WITH THE MONEY. WE DESERVE TRANSPARENCY.

THE MONEY IS FIXED TO THE TARGET.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN THE COUNTY. OUR ISSUES ARE NORTH BY HARRIS COUNTY. WE ASK THAT THE COURT DO WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR VOICES MATTER.

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

MS. GRIGGS. >> MICHAEL SKELLY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YEAH, HI.

THIS IS MICHAEL SKELLY. I AM ONE OF THE LEADERS OF MAKE I-45 BETTER AND I HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE AT HOUSTON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING. I GUESS IN ADDITION TO THE POINTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED WHERE HARRIS COUNTY IS GEOGRAPHICALLY. WE ARE THE CENTER OF THE REGION AND NOT ONLY ARE WE THE CENTER OF THE REGION, BUT WE SIT BACK ON TOP OF SOME VERY IMPORTANT TRADE ROUTES.

NOT ONLY FROM THE PORT, BUT IF THERE IS A TRUCK THAT IS LOADED UP IN MONTEREY, MEXICO AND IT IS GOING TO THE EAST COAST THERE IS A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE THAT TRUCK OR VEHICLE IS GOING RIGHT THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY.

AND THE DECISION MADE ON TRANS PORE -- TRANSPORTATION AND THAT MEANS THAT WILL DECIDE TO RUN TRUCKS RIGHT THROUGH OUR CITY AND SOMETIMES THEY HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED. AND THE OTHER THING WHEN I CAN POINT OUT IS PERHAPS IT IS BECAUSE OF THE VAST IMPLICATION OF THE REGION AND GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION.

AND THEY JUST ROLLED ON THE PLANS.

HIGHWAY 5 SOUTH IS BEING PLANNED AND I-45 SOUTH THERE ARE EXPANSION PLANS IN THE WORK THERE AND I-10 EAST.

THEY WILL BE IN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY FOR THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS AND WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT.

WE WON'T GET IT RIGHT, BUT IRRESPECTIVE OF HOW YOU FEEL

[02:50:02]

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR DRILLING DOWN ON THIS ISSUE AND LOOKING NOT ONLY AT HOW IT IS STRUCTURED, BUT PLACING -- PLACES LIKE SAN DIEGO AND OTHER PLACE THAT'S DEALT WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND LET'S FIND EXAMPLES OF WHAT COULD WORK FOR US GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU MR. SKELLY.

YOU ARE JUST SUCH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ON THESE ISSUES. I AM HOPING THAT THEY CAN STILL FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING THE CORE OF THE CITY BACK.

THE CITY WAS CONSIDERABLY LARGER THAN HOUSTON.

EVERYBODY WOULD MOVE OUTSIDE THE CITY, BUT THE CORE OF THE CITY WAS CRUMBLING AND THE FREEWAYS WERE PUT TOGETHER SO YOU COULD BYPASS THAT GREAT METROPOLIS.

I AM ALWAYS SENSITIVE OF BRINGING IT UP TO MY FRIENDS IN DETROIT. THEY MENTIONED THAT TO ME IN THE LAST MAJOR CONVENTION I WENT TO.

THERE WAS A MEETING OF COUNTY OFFICIALS.

THANK YOU, AND I WILL CHALLENGE COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO AN EARTH DAY RIDE ON SUNDAY.

SINCE WE WERE ALL-AROUND HIS PRECINCT AND MAYBE WE CAN PLAN ONE TO BARRETT STATION AND HE CAN ARRANGE FOR SOMEBODY TO GIVE BACK. THANK YOU, MICHAEL SKELLY, FOR

WHAT YOU DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. RODNEY, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN. HEY, YOU HAVE TO STAY ON THE HORSE, MAN. MICHAEL, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND WEIGHING IN ON THIS ITEM.

YOUR POINTS ARE ALL ON TARGET AND JUDGE MADE A GOOD POINT OF MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE FOE THERE IS A BIT OF FRUSTRATION. UNTIL THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS LIKE THIS, IT KIND OF REMINDS ME OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WAS STARTED. WE HAVE TO THINK THROUGH THAT.

IF WE STAY AND MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO, THAT'S ONE OPTION. WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTIONS? THIS IS A WAY WE CAN GET TO THE DISCUSSION AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE VALID POINTS AT THE TABLE. MICHAEL, THANK YOU FOR BEING A LEADER ON ALL OF YOUR WORK. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> CLAIRE HOPPER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

I AM CLAIRE HUBBARD AND I AM CALLING IN REFERENCE TO ITEM 210 DISCUSSING HGAC'S IMPLEMENTATION.

I AM FIGHTING AGAINST THE EXTENSION AND I THINK A CRUCIAL EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE IS THE WAY HGAC AND THE POLICY COUNCIL HAVE CLAIMED THE NORTHEASTERN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS WE HAVE SEEN THAT HGAC IS DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTATIVE OF WEALTHIER AND RURAL COUNTIES WHICH WE HAVE REPRESENTED WITH COMPARATIVELY LITTLE POWER TO THE HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS THEY REFUSED TO SIGN THE MEME RAN -- MEMORANDUM OF THE UNDERSTANDING. WE FOUND POWERFUL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT REPRESENTED RURAL AND SAW BURR PLAN -- SUBURBAN AND MOSTLY WHITE AREAS [INAUDIBLE] THE EXTENSION. I THINK THE REPRESENTATION ON THIS COUNCIL IS IMPORTANT AND I THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS DISCUSSION AND BRINGING IT TO THE TABLE.

GREATER DIVERSITY ON THE COUNCIL AND A GREATER DIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE REPRESENTED BY.

IT COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE CRITICAL

[02:55:03]

ISSUE AND I YIELD MY TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> GOODWILL PIERRE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK THIS AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS JAMES GOODWILL PIERRE.

I AM A LICENSED PRACTICING ATTORNEY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO ECHO WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THE SPEAKERS HAVE STATED RELATED TO THE EQUITY AND REPRESENTATION OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON ON MAJOR PROJECTS. WHAT I WANT TO FOCUS ON IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS CAN ATTEST TO THIS. FOR THE PAST 24 YEARS I HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE ADVOCACY OF EQUITABLE INCLUSION OF MINORITY WOMEN AND SMALL DISADVANTAGED OWNERS IN CONTRACTING RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION, SERVICE, PROCUREMENT AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

I DON'T JUST ADVOCATE. I ALSO SPEND TIME IF HIRED OR MY OWN DIME EDUCATING, TRAINING AND PROVIDING PRO-BONO LEGAL SERVICES AS WELL AS CONNECTING SMALL WOMEN-OWNED MINORITY BUSINESSES TO CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES AND PRIVATE CONTRACTORS AND ASSISTING THEM IN ANYWAY, SHAPE OR FORM TO FIND A WAY TO GET IN WHERE THEY CAN FIT IN. I ADVOCATE FOR THE PRO ACTIVE ATTEMPT TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

AS A BUSINESS OWNER I ALSO RELY ON MANY OF THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE IN ORDER TO FEED MY SIX EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SECTION THREE AND MINORITY EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS GIVING TO OTHER MINORITY COMPANIES WHEN I SUB CONTRACT THE WORK. OVER THE PAST YEARS I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WHILE I KNOW THAT EVERYONE DOES ALL THEY CAN TO UTILIZE THE PRECIOUS TAX DOLLARS PROVIDED AND EVERYONE THINKS THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

AS A MINORITY BUSINESS OWNER SEFORT FIGHT -- CERTIFIED DISADVANTAGES, I DON'T SEE OR I FAIL TO NOTIFY ABOUT WHEN THE OPPORTUNITIES AND HOW CERTAIN DECISIONS ARE MADE TO PROVIDE CONTRACTS TO THE MINORITY AND DISADVANTAGE AND SMALL BUSINESSES. IF ANY EXISTING DISPARITY STUDIES LOOK AT THE DISPARITY OR LACK THERE OF OF CONTRACTS AWARDED TO THE MINORITIES AND WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS.

TITLE 2 CALLS FOR THE EQUITABLE PRO ACTIVE ATTEMPT BY THE AGENCY TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. AND I MYSELF HAVE BEEN HIRED AND ATTAINED BY MANY ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFIT AND FOR PROFIT TO ASSIST THEM IN ACTUALLY MARKETING OR INFORMING SMALL MINORITY BUSINESS OWNERS OF OPPORTUNITY

THAT EXIST. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> I JUST HAVE ONE SENTENCE. MAY I PLEASE WRAP UP, JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, I WILL ASK -- COULD YOU GIVE HIM THAT LAST SENTENCE? I HAVE BEEN WAITING WITH BATED

BREATH. >> A FORMER PASTOR OF MINE, BISHOP JAMES DIXON HAD A STANDARD PATIENT.

IT CAN AFFECT PEOPLE NOT DIRECTLY AFFECTED TO KNOW THEY ARE MISSING OUT ON A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

THEY JUST DON'T KNOW. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A MINORITY BUSINESS DIVERSITY BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH THERE IS NOT. WE SHOULD DO ALL THINGS TO EXPOSE AND EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITIES AND AWARENESS OF CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES AND BE PRO ACTIVE AND ALLOW MINORITY WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES TO GET CONTRACTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. THAT WAS A RUN ON SENTENCE.

>> IT WAS, BUT I AM A LAWYER, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A

QUESTION FOR YOU. >> YES, COMMISSIONER?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NO, NOT FOR YOU, MR. PIERRE.

AND GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. >> THANK YOU.

>> SLIGHTLY OLDER THAN THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU.

YOU WERE OVER THERE PRACTICING IN THE CON SH -- COUNTY CIVIL COURTS. I HAD A QUESTION FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS IF THAT IS THE LAST OF THE SPEAKERS.

>> IT IS NOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: BUT WE DO HAVE SOME -- OH ON THIS ITEM, THAT'S THE LAST OF THE

SPEAKERS, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON THIS ITEM? COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I UNDERSTAND YOU SENT AROUND THIS MORNING AT 9:30 YOUR MOTION WHICH IS WHERE WE DIRECT THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT, THE ANALYSIS -- ANALYST AND THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AND I

[03:00:01]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND ANYBODY ELSE THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE.

JUDGE, IF YOU WANT I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION NOW.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL JUST SAY THAT IS A -- UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO MAKE ANY SPEECHES, THIS IS AN EASY ONE THAT IF WE ARE SENDING IT OVER THERE FOR THEM TO LOOK AT

IT, LET'S DO IT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I ASK A QUESTION? I AGREE.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OR MAYBE YOU GUYS KNOW THE ANSWER IS THIS A FEDERAL -- IS THIS SOMETHING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT -- JUST FOR YOU GUYS TO ASK THAT QUESTION, I MEAN IT IS CLEAR THAT WE CAN RAISE ENOUGH HELL TO GET ATTENTION AND IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS A LINE TO THE AMOUNT THEY ARE GOING TO WRITE OFF HARRIS COUNTY AND PREVENT US FROM ADEQUATELY REPRESENTING OUR FIVE MILLION RESIDENTS. SO IF YOU WILL JUST LOOK INTO IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN PARTNER WITH.

FRANKLY, Y'ALL, I CAN JUST SEE THIS TRAIN.

I LIVED IT AT LEAST TWICE. THEY WILL FORM THIS COMMITTEE AND IT WILL BE A MIRACLE IF COMMISSIONER GARCIA ACTUALLY IS APPROVED TO BE THE CHAIR. EVEN IF THEY DO DO THAT, THEY WILL MAKE SURE THE COMMITTEE HAS 11 PEOPLE.

THEY WILL GIVE A MAJORITY TO EVERY COUNTY AND MAKE SURE HARRIS COUNTY -- AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE URBAN COUNTIES THAT THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY WE COULD POSSIBLY GET OUR ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION AND THEN WE CONTINUE TO BE ABUSED. IT IS NOT US.

IT IS THE FIVE MILLION PEOPLE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH.

LEGAL MAY KNOW. IF WE HAVEN'T SHARED IT, WE WILL. IT IS A COMBINATION OF IF -- WE CAN JUST PULL OUT AND NOT PAY DUES.

OR MAYBE THERE IS SOME VALUE TO BEING AT THE TABLE AND TALKING WITH COLLEAGUES. SOME CITIES PASADENA AND HARRIS COUNTY WANT TO DO THEIR OWN THERE ARE TWO AVENUES.

ONE IS FOR THE GOVERNOR TO AGREE TO IT.

IT IS TO SET UP A SEPARATE ONE.

AND YOU STILL COLLABORATE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES.

AND THE OTHER ROUTE IS A FEDERAL ROUTE.

WE WILL SAY THAT WHILE THINGS ARE GOING ON ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL LIKE IF THERE IS A TRANSPORTATION BILL, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM AROUND THE COUNTRY, I DON'T KNOW.

I SAT ON THE SENATE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND HE CHAIRED THE COMPARABLE ENTITY IN AUSTIN.

HE CAN SPEAK FOR HIMSELF, BUT HE HAD FRUSTRATIONS EVEN AS THE STATE DHAIR -- CHAIRING IT.

WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL THAT WOULD GIVE MORE LATITUDE. I WANT TO SEND THIS TO LEGAL AND OTHER ENTITIES. I TALK -- TALKED TO CHAIR METRO, OBVIOUSLY, AND FROM THEIR RESEARCH, YOU KNOW, I DID GET SOME PRELIMINARY RESEARCH, THEIR LAWYERS DID LOOKING AT THESE ISSUES AS WELL AND BY SHOWING WITH SERIOUS WHICH IS WHY I HELD THE DUES UP AND THAT WILL GET THEIR ATTENTION. I DON'T MIND WALKING INTO THE CHINA CABINET AND KNOCKING THINGS OVER.

I HAD TO DO IT HERE AND A FEW GOOD THINGS CAME OUT OF IT, THERE WAS A LITTLE KICKING AND SCREAMING, BUT I HOPE THERE

CAN BE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, THEY ARE PUNCHING US IN THE FACE AND LAUGHING ABOUT IT.

THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK SEND IT TO LEGAL.

THAT'S GOOD. I THINK MOST DAYS THEY ARE DISINUNCTIONAL -- DYSFUNCTIONAL, NOT JUST FOR THE REASONS YOU ELUDE TO, BUT FOR MANY REASONS.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR OPTIONS.

I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE SERVED THE REGION WELL FOR MANY REASONS, AND I CAN GET INTO THAT LATER.

IT IS IN ADDITION TO WHAT Y'ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS JUST BEING THE FAIR MPO THAT LOOKS AT EVERYTHING.

I WILL SAY, SOME OF THE POOREST AREAS YOU CAN FIND ON PLANET EARTH ARE IN THE COUNTIES THAT SURROUND US.

IF YOU THINK THERE IS SOME BAD -- YOU GO INTO SOME OF THESE COUNTIES AROUND US AND THEY HAVE ISSUES AS WELL.

ANY CASE, I THINK LOOKING AT THEM, LOOKING AT LEGAL.

FOR MANY REASONS THE MPO AND THE HDAC IS DYSFUNCTIONAL.

>> JUDGE, IF I MIGHT I WANT TO REACH OUT AND ANALYZE THE CITY. I JUST CALLED THE MAYOR AND CHATTED WITH HIM ABOUT IT BRIEFLY.

[03:05:03]

IT COULD BE BECAUSE HE NEEDED A WATER BREAK.

HE EXPRESSED SOME OF THE FRUSTRATIONS YOU EXPRESSED.

I THINK IF THE CITY HAS SOME OF THESE CONCERNS AND THEY SAY IT, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE METRO BOARD AS WELL.

IF METRO HAS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS.

I THINK THE OLD DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL, IT IS PASSE FOR THAT. THE ENTITIES THAT BRING THE

DOLLARS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ABOUT THE OTHER THOUGHTS YOU HAVE. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT ANALYST OFFICE AND THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AND INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS TO REVIEW THE HOUSTON GAL REIS STONN -- GALVESTON MEMBERSHIPS AND IMPROVING HARRIS COUNTY'S ABILITY TO HAVE FAIR REPRESENTATION IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

FOR HGAC AND HGAC COMMITTEES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS A SECOND. DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS JUST

HOLDING UP THE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THE NEXT SET OF SPEAKERS, AND IT IS THE FINAL SET OF SPEAKERS BY SIDES OUT OF THE AGENDA IS ACTUALLY ON THE COURTS. SO I THOUGHT WE MAY AS WELL DISCUSS THAT. IT IS HIT -- LITERALLY THE LAST OF THE SPEAKERS ARE ALL ON THE COURTS.

[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAVE AN ITEM.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD BEFORE WE HEAR

FROM THE SPEAKERS? >> I SECONDED BOTH OF THEM,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I AM ASSUMING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT --

>> LINA HIDALGO: 215 AND 220. >> TOM RAMSEY: THE GOOD NEWS 1* COMMISSIONER GAR SIGH -- GARCIA AND I HAVE RECEIVED CALLS FROM REPRESENTED IT WU. REPRESENTATIVE WU.

HE CALLED ME AS WELL TO SEE IF I WOULD SUPPORT AND I DO ADDING COURTS TO HARRIS COUNTY.

WE AGAIN NEED THOSE KINDS OF RESOURCES.

WE HAVE ISSUES. I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I HAVE COME AT IT IN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT POSITIONS.

I DON'T DISAGREE THAT IT WILL SAVE US MONEY.

I THINK IT WILL HELP ADDRESS THE CRIME ISSUE.

I DO THINK IT IS GOING TO HELP ADDRESS THE CONCERNS WE HAVE IN THE JAIL. I DO HAVE A RESOLUTION THERE.

I CAN READ MY RESOLUTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ARE WE GOING TO LOOK AT TWO RESOLUTIONS?

>> I THINK IT IS EASIER TO LOOK AT TWO AND VOTE ON BOTH.

>> WHEREAS DISTRICT COURTS AND COUNTY COURTS STATUTE EARLY TO CREATED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURES AND DURING THE 87TH SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE OF HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE GENE WU TO EXPAND A NUMBER OF DISTRICT COURTS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND REPRESENTED BY DISTRICT COURT, WORKLOAD ANALYSIS THAT HARRIS COUNTY PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION AND THE STATE OF TEXAS STATING HARRIS COUNTY'S NEED FOR ADDITIONAL DISTRICT COURTS.

AND WHERE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A NEW CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT ESTABLISHED IN HARRIS COUNTY SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 1984, THE LAST TIME HOUSTON WAS IN THE FINAL FOUR WHEN THE 351ST CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT WAS CREATED.

THE AVERAGE CASE LOAD PER COURT AT THAT TIME WAS 888 NEW FILINGS OF THE YEAR. ANNUAL CASE LOADS HAVE DOUBLED AT 261 NEW FILINGS PER YEAR WHICH IS A 232% INCREASE AND

[03:10:02]

AT THE END OF 2020 THESE CASES GREW TO 66,179 TOTAL CRIMINAL CASES PENDING WITH 49,982 ACTIVE CASES AND 16,197 NON-ARREST CASES WITH ACTIVE WARRANTS.

THE BACKLOG OF THE CRIMINAL CASES AS OF APRIL 8TH, 2021 PENDING BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURTS IS 70,951 TOTAL CASES OF 52,495 ACTIVE CASES AND 18,456 NONARREST CASES THAT HAVE ACTIVE WARRANTS.

INCLUDED ARE 9,976 FELONIES RELATED TO VIOLENCE.

1,71 MURDERS AND 6,980 SERIOUS ASSAULTS AND 4,105 SUCH CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN. AND WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY IS UNDER ASSAULT, THE DELAYS AND THE TRIALS ARE PUTTING VICTIMS AT GREATER RISK AND JEOPARDIZING WITNESS RELIABILITY AND AVAILABILITY AND FAILING TO ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IN CAUSING THE JAIL TO BURST AT THE SEEMS WITH DEFENDANTS IN CUSTODY AND SEEN CURRENTLY OVER 8,173 FELONY DETAINEES AWAITING TRIAL.

WHEREAS IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, THE CRIME VICTIMS ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FULFILL THEIR SWORN DUTIES AND PRESERVE THE RIGHT THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT SUPPORTS THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE GENE WU TO CRIMINAL DISTRICT IN HARRIS COUNTY DURING THE 87TH LEGISLATURE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE TWO OBSERVATIONS.

AS AN ARM OF THE STATE WE NEED STATE ENGAGEMENTS.

THE STATE WILL PAY FOR THE SALARY OF THE JUDGE, BUT THE COUNTY WILL BE PAYING FOR THE SUPPORT STAFF IN THE SPACE THEY GO INTO. THESE ARE THE COURTS AUTHORIZED SINCE THE 1980S. MY RECOMMENDATION FOR BOTH OF THE RESOLUTIONS IS THAT WE ADD THE PHRASE IN THE RESOLVE SECTION WHERE IT SAYS CREATE A NEW COURT.

I THINK WE SHOULD SAY WE CREATED FOUR NEW COURTS.

AND THAT'S LOOKING FORWARD THE FUTURE.

AND IT MAY BE THAT WE JUST APPOINT ONE OR TWO NOW AND WE MAY USE HA'S FOR THEM LATER. AND THE ISSUE IS BY VOTING AND WE HAVE UP TO FOUR NEW COURTS WITH THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES OF THE FOUR COURTS. AND WE ARE LOOKING WAY INTO THE FUTURE. WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT IN ASSOCIATE JUDGES NOW. WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT IN THE NEW COURTS, BUT TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE THEM.

I THINK THE LAST TIME THEY DID THIS FOR A FAMILY COURT, IT WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE WE ENACTED IT AND PUT IT IN PLAY BEFORE WE DID THAT ACTION.

WE CAN GET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO LOOK AT THAT. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF US CREATING FUTURE CAPACITY. SO AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW WE CAN MOVE IN WITH THAT GROWTH AND WE HAVE A FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE WORDING, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I MISSED IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: RIGHT AFTER THE PHRASE -- ON BOTH OF THE RESOLUTIONS ONE IT SAYS A NEW COURT AND THE OTHER ONE SAYS AN ADDITIONAL COURT. INSTEAD OF A AND AND I WOULD PUT FOUR COURTS WITH AUTHORITY TO UH POINT ASSOCIATE JUDGES.

>> DID YOU SAY UP TO FOUR COURTS? UP TO FOUR COURTS. AND WE DON'T EVER GO TO THE FOUR. MAYBE WE WAIT ON THE ONE OR THE TWO. BUT TO HAVE UP TO FOUR COURTS WITH AUTHORITY TO APPOINT -- ASSOCIATE JUDGES GIVES US CAPACITY AS WE MOVE FORWARD. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

[03:15:01]

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, DO YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WHEN A LEGISLATURE CREATES A COURT THIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS THE

OPTION NOT TO FUND IT? >> I DON'T KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PHYSICIAN RAIL IMPACT WITH EVERY COURT -- A FISCAL IMPACT.

IT REQUIRES A COURT COORDINATOR.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS THREE AND FOUR ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER IF THAT'S THE ROUTE YOU TAKE. THERE IS A FISCAL IMPACT AND IT IS FUNDED BY COUNTY RESOURCES AND STATE RESOURCES. WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO, IT DEPENDS ON THE LEGISLATION THAT CREATES IT.

ONCE IT IS CREATED I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE THE OPTION.

I -- >> THAT'S MY SENSE.

MY SENSE IS IF THE LEGISLATURE CREATES A COURT, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW THAT A COUNTY COMMISSIONER HAS THE OPTION NOT TO FUND IT. AND THEN AS IT RELATES TO

ASSOCIATE JUDGES -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THAT QUESTION, I WONDER DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE FISCAL COMMITMENT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY WOULD BE IF WE WERE

REQUIRED TO FUND IT? >> I BELIEVE DAVE -- OR I BELIEVE THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS DONE AN ASSESSMENT ON THAT AND I BELIEVE HE CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE TOTALITY ON IT, I ASSUME OTHER ENTITIES, THE D.A. WOULD COME IN.

SO THE TOTAL -- GIVE US A RANGE ON EVERYTHING LOW TO

HIGH. >> BASED ON IT IT WOULD BE $100,000. AND IT COULD RISE TO WELL OVER A MILLION DEPENDING ON WHETHER ADDITIONAL STAFFING WITH THE D.A. AND ADDITIONAL DEFENSE COUNCIL OR ADDITIONAL

FACILITIES WOULD BE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THAT IS PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH MY EXPERIENCE.

WE LOOKED AT THIS AND IT WAS ROUGHLY A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR COSTS TO PURPORT. IT CAME IN FROM THE COURTS AND AT ONE TIME IT WAS REVENUE POSITIVE IN TERMS OF OUR CALLS VERSUS THE FEES AND THERE ARE FINES AND FEES THAT COME IN THAT DO OFFSET SOME OF THAT. THE CRIMINAL COURTS HAD SOME FEES AND FINES THAT WOULD OR WOULD NOT BE THERE.

800 TO A MILLION SOUNDS RIGHT TO ME.

IT IS BASED UPON THE CIVIL SIDE AND WE LOOKED AT OUR

BUDGETS REAL CLOSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR SPACE, ARE YOU TAKING THAT INTO CONSIDERS? IS THERE SPACE FOR ADDITIONAL FOUR OR ONE?

>> MINE DOES NOT INCLUDE SPACE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SOME ARE FAMILIAR WITH ONE OR TWO

DASH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M SORRY,

JUDGE. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IN TERMS OF THE COST -- I MEAN SEWS YIT JUDGES HOW DOES -- ASSOCIATE JUDGES, DO WE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY? I KNOW WHEN I MET WITH A COUPLE OF JUDGES LAST WEEK THEIR LAWYER TOLD THEM AND IT WILL BE A CLEAR BACKLOG. I THINK YOU ARE MUTED.

[03:20:02]

>> YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CREATE ASSOCIATE JUDGE POSITIONS. YOU DON'T NEED LEGISLATIVE ACTION. LARGELY YOU ARE NOT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL COURT. THE MECHANISM BY WHICH YOU WILL DO IT YOU WOULD DESIGNATE THE COURTS YOU WANT.

IF YOU WANT ONE ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR THREE OR FOUR COURTS YOU WOULD IDENTIFY THOSE SPECIFIC COURTS.

IT WOULD CHOOSE AND SELECT WHO THE JUDGE WOULD BE.

AND IT IS THE POWER OF THE PURSE STRINGS.

>> IT IS INDEPENDENT OF THE TWO RESOLUTIONS.

THEY ARE LIMITED IN THEIR ABILITY TO DO CERTAIN THINGS.

THEY ARE PRIMARILY PRE-TRIAL COURTS.

AND THEY CAN DEAL WITH SOME OF THOSE ISSUES, BUT THEY CAN'T DEAL WITH THAT. SOME OF IT IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF -- THE KINDS OF THINGS THEY WERE ALLOWED TO DO AND THAT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE NEED IS FOR IN TERMS OF THE -- WHAT IS THERE. THE BIG ADVANTAGE IS THAT THEY ARE NOT PERMANENT. AND SO ONCE YOU CREATE A COURT, THE COURT NEVER GOES AWAY.

THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL CREATE AND YOU WILL ALLOW TO PER -- PERPETUATE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SO WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY BECOMES IMPORTANT FOR THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE.

YOU CAN UH POINT A ASSOCIATE JUDGE BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO OTHER THINGS UNLESS YOU HAVE THE STATE SAYING TO DO SO. IN THOSE DAYS THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY FOR JURY TRIALS.

NOW THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY. MY RESOLUTION SAYS WITH THE ASSOCIATE JOG COME PONE INEPT -- ASSOCIATE JUDGE COMPONENT SO THEY COULD ENGAGE IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HAS THE STATE DONE THAT BEFORE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH THE FAMILY COURTS.

>> COMMISSIONER, IF I MIGHT, YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS CORRECT. IT IS CERTAINLY NOT FOR HARRIS COUNTY, BUT IT HAS FOR OTHER COUNTIES.

I THINK AS A PRACTICAL MATTER IS THAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO CREATE NEW COURTS. THEY WOULD SERVE AS THE CRITICAL PRE-TRIAL FUNCTION. THAT IS A HUGE COME PONE INEPT OF SOME OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT YOU COULD RESOLVE RIGHT NOW IF YOU WANTED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, IF THEY HAVE CREATED OTHER PLACES IN THE STATE WE COULD HAVE BROADER AUTHORITY THAN JUST THE PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS.

IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING HAS HAPPENED? THAT IS CORRECT. THERE ARE OTHER PARTS THAT CAN DO MORE THINGS. THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE.

>> SO IF THE ISSUE IS CLEARING UP THE BACKLOG WE COULD ASK FOR LEGISLATION TO GIVE HA'S AUTHORITY TO DO THAT.

AND BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WE WOULD NOT BE -- BEING IN AUSTIN 26 YEARS I DON'T REMEMBER ANYONE ELIMINATING THE COURT UNTIL THIS PAST SESSION WHEN THEY WANT TO ELIMINATE COURTS. I JUST HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY

ELIMINATE A COURT. >> I AM NOT SURE.

THAT MAY BE SOMETHING JIM BETKEY WOULD KNOW ABOUT.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE PRE-TRIAL FOR -- OR THE CASE ITSELF. THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO RESEARCH AND WE WILL WITH THE COURT ANALYST'S OFFICE AND WITH JAD AND OTHERS. THAT'S A BROADER QUESTION THAT I THINK REQUIRES A LITTLE MORE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS IN TERMS OF BACKLOG.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IF I MIGHT, I WILL CLOSE WITH A A QUESTION. IT IS VERY EASY TO SPEND MONEY TO GO AND CREE -- CREATE A NEW COURTROOM AND ASK FOR ANOTHER JUDGE. I MEAN, THERE IS A REASON WHY THAT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE THE 80S, BY THE WAY.

[03:25:02]

WHAT'S A LOT MORE DIFFICULT THAN BUILDING A COURTROOM OR JUST HAVING A JUDGE WOULD BE TO CREATE A SYSTEM THAT IS BALANCED AND A SYSTEM THAT IS EQUITABLE.

THAT'S WHY I PUT THE INDIGENT DEFENSE ON THE AGENDA AS WELL. THERE ARE A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO OR IT WOULDN'T HAVE COME UP AT THE LAST MINUTE. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH WHEN I TOOK MY MEETING I WAS TOLD YOU HAD TO HAVE LEGISLATION TO HAVE ASSOCIATE JUDGES. JUDGES -- THEIR LAWYER TOLD THEM THAT VERY QUICKLY. IT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE RIGHT. IT IS INTERESTING HOW WE WOULD JUMP AS A BODY TO SPEND FOUR MILLION PLUS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE TO CREATE MORE COURTROOMS AND SOMEHOW THAT GIVES US A BETTER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IF WE WANT TO HAVE A PUBLIC DEFENDER OR IF WE WILL DO A CONFLICT PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE WE WILL SAY WELL WE WILL DO THAT AND WE WILL GO AND INVEST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE BUILDING OF THE JUDGES.

JUST FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH. FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH.

AND WE CAN TELL ANYONE I KNOW IN AUSTIN THAT THERE IS A REASON WHY FROM 1980 WHATEVER IT WAS, ONE WAS NOT CREATED.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH I HAD A GREAT MEETING WITH THE JUDGES AND GREAT PHONE CONVERSATIONS. IT IS IN THIS MOMENT OF REFLECTION IN OUR COUNTRY. AFTER THE FLOYD TRAGEDY.

WE OUGHT TO BE AS COMMITTED AND EVEN MY FRIENDS ON THE BENCH FOR HOLISTIC REFORM. THE BIGGEST THING I WAS PUSHED TO DO IS CONTRACT SYSTEM. THERE ARE SOME VOICES IN AUSTIN, BY THE WAY AND IF THERE IS A WAY TO IMPROVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, I JUST -- BASED UPON MY KNOWLEDGE OF MY CAREER, IT IS -- IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN EASY TO GO AND JUMP AND SAY GIVE US BENCHES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, ON MY ITEM A BIT LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS I WANTED TO APPROACH THIS VERY CAUTIOUSLY.

OBVIOUSLY EVERY SESSION WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THE COURTS WE HAVE AND AT PRESENT THE FACT THAT THE WHOLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CENTERS ON THAT PARTICULAR JUDGE'S BENCH. ALL HEARINGS HAVE TO BE DONE BY THE JUDGE HEARING THE CASE.

AND THERE ARE OTHERS THAT CAN BENEFIT AND I RECENTLY VISITED WITH A COUPLE OF THE JUDGES AND THEY TOO WERE OF THE THOUGHT BECAUSE THEY WERE ADVISED AS SUCH THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO UTILIZE THEM AND CREATE THE

[03:30:02]

I DON'T THINK I'M AT A PLACE WHERE I CAN SUPPORT ONE NEW BENCH. BASED ON THAT -- IT IS TO THE LIKE WE CAN NOT FOREVER DO IT IF WE WANT TO GROW EVEN MORE SO THEY CAN BRING A LOT OF VALUE AND THEY ARE BOTH CONVINCED AND INVESTED IN PARALEGALS, FOR EXAMPLE.

I WAS ABLE TO MOVE CASES AND PROCESS USING CLERKS AND NOT NECESSARILY HAVING TO RELY ON THIS.

I THINK WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN TO A CLEANER RESOLUTION ON THIS. BUT I HAD -- MY OFFICE REACHED OUT TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO SEE IF WE COULD CONSOLIDATE THESE TWO RESOLUTIONS AND COME TO A BETTER PLACE.

UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE BOTH PUT ON THE AGENDA.

I WOULD LIKE TO COMPROMISE ON THAT AND BRING THE UNITED FRONT TO THE TABLE. I'M AT A PLACE WHERE ASSOCIATE JUDGES ARE A NEED FOR OUR JUDGES, AND I THINK IT WILL BRING IMMEDIATE VALUE AND IMMEDIATE SAVINGS AND IT WILL BRING IMMEDIATE EXPEAKED YEN SEE -- EXPEDIENCY.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF A JUDGE IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD TO THE FRAMEWORK. MY RESOLUTION WILL READ A LITTLE DIFFERENT. WHICH -- WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT

TIME I WILL PRESENT THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU CAN SPELL IT OUT.

WE HAVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S EDIT.

WILL YOURS GET EDITED OR IS IT AS PRESENTED?

>> IT WILL BE AS PRESENTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS ARE CREATED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO HEAR AND TRY FELONY CASES THAT ARISE OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY. AS OF DECEMBER 8TH OF 2020 , HARRIS COUNTY HAS MORE THAN 50,000 -- MORE THAN A 50,000 CASE BACKLOG ATTRIBUTABLE TO COVID-19 DELAYS.

WHEREAS IN 2017 WITH IMPACTS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF HURRICANE HARVEY, 7,715 PEOPLE WERE RELEASED POST HASTE DISPOSITION AND 2,540 PEOPLE WERE RELEASED POST HASTE DISPOSITION. WHEREAS THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT HELD THAT COURTS WILL NO LONGER NEED STATE APPROVAL OR BE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT REMOTE HEARINGS AS OF MARCH 5TH, 2021. ALTHOUGH SUCH HEARINGS AND OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ARE ENCOURAGED.

WHEREAS JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED FOR EVERYONE IN THE SYSTEM AS A BACKLOG AND INEFFICIENT SYSTEM RESULTING IN CRIME VICTIMS BEING UNABLE TO OBTAIN JUSTICE AND DEFENDANTS UNABLE TO MOVE ON WITH THEIR LIVES AND TAXPAYERS FORCED TO CARRY THE BILL. AND WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY

[03:35:04]

AND WHEREAS KEEPING AN INDIVIDUAL INCARCERATED IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL COSTS TAXPAYERS ABOUT $100 PER DAY MEANING A 5% INCREASE IN THE EFFICIENCY OF MOVING PEOPLE OUT OF THE COUNTY SYSTEM WHICH SAVES TAXPAYERS ABOUT 1.9 MILLION IN RELEASED -- IN REDUCED INCARCERATION COSTS UNDER THE CURRENT PANDEMIC CONDITIONS.

THIS IS THE RESOLUTION I AM MAKING.

I LOOKED AT THIS FROM A PRAGMATIC STANDPOINT.

THE STATISTICS THAT WERE CITED ARE ONE THING.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, FINDING A WAY TO GIVE THE JUDGES WHAT MANY ARE STRIVING FOR GETTING TO A QUICKER JURY TRIAL. WHAT I AM HEARING IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE SUCCESS OF THOSE JUDGES HEARING THE CASES. I HAVE BEEN DOING MY OWN DISSECTING OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THERE IS PLACES IN THE PROCESS THAT CAN HELP US -- OR RATHER CAN BE HELPED SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN DISTRICT COURT JUDGES HAVE ASSOCIATE JUDGES TO COORDINATE AND TO DISPENSE OF EITHER PROCESSES OF THE CASES OR THE CASES THEMSELVES.

I AM LOOKING FOR EFFICIENT -- EFFICIENCIES FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND FOR THE JUDGES AND EFFICIENCIES THAT CREATE PUBLIC SAFETY. REMEMBER, I HAD AN OVERCROWDED JAIL. WHEN I CREATEDY FSHT SEES -- CREATED EFFICIENCIES IN THE JAIL IT RESULTED IN A LOWER JAIL POPULATION, BUT IT ALSO RESULTED IN A PRIMARY.

NOT IN ALL CATEGORIES, BUT MOST OF THEM.

AND SO I THINK WHEN WE MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS AND CERTAIN ASPECTS OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, IT WILL ALLOW OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO HAVE A BETTER SYSTEM TO ADMINISTER

THOSE CASES BY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I KNOW WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA JUST SAID REALLY HAS GRABBED MY ATTENTION.

ALL OF THE EXISTING TRIAL COURT JUDGES AND WE MAY NOT APPOINT THEM ALL, BUT TO GIVE THEM POWERS OF THE COURT AS DISTRICT JUDGES AND LET THEM FIGURE OUT THEIR ALLOCATIONS.

I KNOW WHEN THEY HAD ASSOCIATE JUDGE POWERS THEY WOULD DO THEIR TRIALS IN THE BREAK ROOMS. THEY WOULD USE THE BREAK ROOMS FOR THEIR TRIALS.

THE STAFFING WILL REMAIN THE SAME.

IF WE GAVE THE JUDGES FULL JUDGE POWER, IT WILL ALLOW THE SITTING JUDGE AND THE JURY TRIALS.

IF YOU WENT THAT ROUTE, I WOULD BE FINE WITH JUST ONE NEW COURT WITH FULL ASSOCIATE JUDGE POWER AND WE CAN COVER THE WORKLOAD WE NEED TO HAVE. AND THEN ONCE WE GET THE BACKLOG OF THE JURY TRIALS OUT OF THE WAY, WE GIVE PEOPLE A SPEEDY TRIAL. IF THEY ARE INNOCENT THEY ARE DONE. IF THEY ARE NOT INNOCENT, THEN THEY BELONG TO DO THEIR TIME WITH THE STATE.

THEY ARE OUT OF OUR SYSTEM. JUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE THROUGH AN ACQUITTAL OR A CONVICTION. JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED. WE CAN GET THOSE TRIALS DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I GOT A THUMBS UP FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHILE I WAS TALKING.

I REALLY LIKE HIS IDEA. AND WE'VE GOT I THINK

[03:40:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD IF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT COULD DRAFT SOME LANGUAGE.

THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT CAGLE WAS SAYING AND WHAT JIE HAS SAID ABOUT ASSOCIATE JUDGES OF SOME HAVING MORE POWER. I HAVEN'T SEEN THE CAPTION ON THIS BILL THAT REPRESENTATIVE WU HAS, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS WHERE YOU COULD GIVE US THE OPTION. WE MAKE THE DECISION.

I SUGGEST BEFORE MAKING THAT DECISION GO AND LOOK AT THE BACKLOGS AND DECIDE WHERE TO PUT IT.

THEY CAN DO STUFF AS THEY DID IN NEW ORLEANS AS THEY ARE IN WEEKENDS AND AT NIGHT. JUDGES COULD AS WELL, BY THE WAY. I'LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE GET TO IT. IT IS A GOOD IDEA, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, TO GIVE THEM THE BROADER POWER YOU MADE REFERENCE TO. IN WHICH EVER COUNTIES JIA WAS

TALKING ABOUT. >> I AM NOT ENTIRELY SURE, BUT

THAT IS CORRECT. >> IF NOT THIS BILL, THERE COULD BE SOME -- THERE COULD BE A SUB VEHICLE.

I AM JUST SUGGESTING MAYBE THROW A LINE IN THESE RESOLUTIONS TO GIVE -- TO GIVE A STABILITY TO HAVE ASSOCIATE JUDGES WITH THE BROADER POLICIES THEY MAY REFERENCE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. ONE IS JUST TO MAKE SURE M WHY UNDERSTANDING WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS SAYING AND WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS SAYING.

THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES IN HARRIS COUNTY DON'T HAVE CERTAIN AUTHORITY. DO WE KNOW IF IT NEEDS TO BE GRANTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OR WHETHER THAT IS AN AUTHORITY WE CAN GRANT THEM AND WE SIMPLY CHOSE NOT TO DO? DO WE KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, JAY?

>> ASSOCIATE JUDGES HAVE SPECIFIC PRE-TRIAL AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW. THEY CAN DO MANY THINGS, BUT THEY CAN'T ACTUALLY TRY A CASE.

WE DON'T USE ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE.

WE USE CRIMINAL HEARING OFFICERS.

CLAY IS ON HERE AND HE CAN SPEAK TO THAT.

WE CAN DO ALL OF THE PRE-TRIAL WORK FOR A DISTRICT JUDGE AND THAT WILL LESSEN THE LOAD. AND YOU CAN ASSIGN ONE FOR EACH JUDGE AND YOU CAN ASSIGN ONE ASSOCIATE JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. I GET WHAT THEY DO.

BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS IF WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE TRIAL ABILITY, IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN DO OR WE NEED

THE LEGISLATURE TO DO IT. >> YOU DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO UNILATERALLY ALLOW THEM TO DO MORE.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW.

>> AND I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH JUDGE JOHNSON.

I BELIEVE SHE IS ON AND WHOEVER IS SPEAKING ON THIS.

I WOULD APPRECIATE THEIR THOUGHTS ON WHAT WE MIGHT ADD TO THE RESOLUTION. WE CAN SAY WE WOULD LIKE TO CREATE A NEW COURT AND WE WOULD LIKE THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT ASSOCIATE JUDGES TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO X.

I DON'T KNOW IF X IS JUST THE TRIAL OR SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO ADD. THAT WOULD BE AN ASK PER COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT. I WILL SAY I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE CASE THAT EVERY DISTRICT COURT JUDGE NEEDS AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT, SOME JUDGES ARE NOT HOLDING THOSE HEARINGS BECAUSE -- NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TIME, BUT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO. THEY COULD WORK AT NIGHT.

SOME OF THEM JUST DON'T, AND THAT'S OKAY.

BUT WE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. PERHAPS WHERE THIS IS GOING IS WE COULD -- HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS AUTHORITY AND THEN JAD CAN WORK WITH THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES.

THERE WAS SOME CONCERNS THAT JUDGE JOHNSON RAISED WITH ME LAST NIGHT. WE CAN WORK THROUGH THOSE AND THEN PROPOSE A SHORT-TERM ASSOCIATE JUDGE PLAN AND THEN AN EVALUATION TO THE IMPACT. THAT'S THE BENEFIT AND THE

FLEXIBILITY OF IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO SAY TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, THE SHORTER THE RESOLUTION, THE BETTER.

[03:45:04]

PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU ARE THIS LATE IN THE SESSION AND YOU ARE MAD AND IT IS EASY TO GET A LITTLE CRANKY ANYWAY.

THAT'S JUST MY -- >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S GOOD, COUNSEL. I LIKE THE CONCEPT OF DOING SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY. THE LONG-TERM IS GETTING A NEW COURT AND MAYBE IT IS HELP WITH GETTING THE ASSOCIATE

JUSTICE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WHOSE BILL YOU MIGHT WANT TO RIDE ON I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY GO AND CALL OUT AN INDIVIDUAL'S NAME ON IT.

YOU MAY END UP TAGGING IT ON SOMEBODY ELSE'S BILL.

EVEN REPRESENTATIVE WU MAY TAG ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE'S BILL.

I WON'T ADD IT, BUT IF IT WAS ME AND SOMEBODY WAS TRYING TO GET MY VOTE ON IT, I WOULD MAKE A REFERENCE TO THE BROADER -- THE HOLISTIC ISSUES.

YOU GOT ME? IT WAS OTHER MEMBERS WHO LOCAL JUDGE S WHO WANT TO JUDGE AND THEY WOULD SAY CAN YOU KILL IT? I DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

IF I WAS THEM I WOULD MAKE THE CASE ON THE BROADER REFORMS. MOST OF THESE CASES DON'T GO TO TRIAL.

IT IS JUST A REALITY OF WHAT HAPPENS.

AND SO I AM NOT SAYING PUT THIS IN THERE.

I AM SAYING IF ONE OF THE VOTES I KNOW ARE THE VOICES THAT WILL KILL IT, BUT YOU OUGHT TO SPEAK TO IMPROVING THE INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM. MOST ARE WRONGFULLY

CONVICTED. >> RODNEY, ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU THINK ON BOTH OF THESE WE SHOULD JUST GET RID OF ALL OF THE WEARS AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT SUPPORTS THE TEXAS LEGISLATE -- LEGISLATURE TO CREATE A NEW CRIMINAL COURT AND TO GIVE FULL ASSOCIATED JUDGE POWERS UNDER THE LAW?

>> I DON'T WANT TO HURT ANYBODY'S FEELINGS, BUT BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE TO --

>> YOU CAN JUST SAY WE SUPPORT X.

>> I'M GOOD WITH THAT. >> BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, THE LESES WHEREASES -- THE LESS WHEREAS' THE LESS YOU WILL END

ON YOUR WHEREAS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO GIVING ASSOCIATE JUDGES FULL POWER UNDER THE LAW.

>> I THINK IT WAS BEXAR COUNTY AND THAT WAS A LONGTIME AGO.

>> FULL AUTHORITY INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO TRY A JURY AND

NON-JURY CASES. >> FIND OUT WHAT THEY DID.

GO AND SEE WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE HAS.

>> WE CAN ALSO LOOK WHAT THEY DID IN THE FAMILY COURTS.

THEY HAD THREE COURTS AND THEN THEY WERE SO EFFICIENT THAT WE GAVE AN ASSOCIATE -- ASSOCIATED JUDGE BECAUSE AS OUR COUNTY CONTINUED TO GROW AND THEY GAVE THE CAPACITY TO GROW. WE GREW WITH THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES INSTEAD OF WITH NEW COURTS.

WHICH FOR US AS THE COUNTY BUDGETS IS A LOT CHEAPER TO ADD AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE TO AN EXISTING COURT STAFF THAN IT

IS TO ADD A WHOLE NEW COURT. >> IF IT WAS THAT EASY THEY WOULD GET A COURT FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE.

IF IT WAS THAT EASY TO DO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A

LONGTIME AGO. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE RUNNING DOWN WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THE REST OF THE LANGUAGE. AS SOON AS I GET IT I WILL LET YOU GUYS KNOW. AND THEN IF THE JUDGES HAVE ANY FEEDBACK, LET US KNOW. LUCINDA, CAN YOU CALL UP THE

SPEAKERS? >> JAMES DIXON WITH THE NAACP PRESIDENT. GO AHEAD, SIR.

>> YES, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, LUCINDA.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND TO ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONERS. I HAVE BEEN LESSEN DASH DARR

[03:50:08]

I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE IN A GREAT NEED OF A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO LESSENING THE BURDEN OF THE JAIL OVERCROWDING. I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED QUITE A BIT. LET ME SPEAK FROM A HOUSTON -- FROM A HUMANE PERSPECTIVE. WHEN THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY COURT 87% OF THOSE 8500 PEOPLE ARE LOCKED UP WHILE AWAITING TRIAL, THE STORIES ARE A JAIL CONVICTION IS A JAIL CONVICTION. UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAPPEN THAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR MINDS.

WE DEVELOP NEW PATIENTS WHILE IN JAIL AWAITING TRIAL.

THEY ARE ABUSED PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

WE CAN LOOK AT THE COST TO MEASURE THE COST OF HUMAN LOSS. AND WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION I DO BELIEVE TO ACT ON THIS AND TO DO IT EXPEDITIOUSLY AND GET TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS EFFICIENT.

I THINK WHAT I AM HEARING IS ADDING A COURT WITH GREATER POWER AND IN ORDER TO BEGIN TO REDUCE THE JAIL OVERCROWDING IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT IS A PART OF WHAT WE COMMIT TO AS A SOCIETY I WILL ADD THAT WE DO NEED TO THINK ABOUT ADDING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. I WANT TO ASK OUR JUDGES TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE WANT TO DISCUSS WHAT WE CAN DO FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AND WE GOT NO RESPONSE. I WAS SHOCKED.

WE WROTE A CON GENIAL LETTER AND LOOKING FORWARD TO A CONVERSATION. WE ARE HERE NOW.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT ANOTHER PUBLIC DEFENDANT. WITH THE GREAT JOB OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER IS DOING WE NEVER EXCEEDED MORE THAN 15%.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU FINISH YOUR THOUGHT, BISHOP.

I KNOW YOU DO A LOT OF PRAYING FOR ME BECAUSE I AM ON MY BIKE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET

THE OPPORTUNITY. >> YES.

PRAYING FOR YOU AND THE ENTIRE COURT.

I THINK THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ENCOURAGE THE JUDGES TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WORK WITH YOU ALL AND WORK TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION THAT EVERYBODY CAN BUY INTO. I THINK WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS NOBLE, BUT IT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING DEFICIENT.

I SUPPORT WHAT IS HAPPENING, BUT I DO THINK WE NEED TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY AND WE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER OPTIONS AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES. EVEN ADDING ONE MORE COURT AND GIVING ASSOCIATE JUDGES POWER, IT DOES NOT FULLY ADDRESS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE HUMAN FACTOR AND THE HUMAN LAW THAT WE ARE ENCOUNTERING AS A RESULT OF NOT HAVING THE COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION. JUDGE, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I WILL ASK IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO SAY AMEN TO SOME OF THE

PREACHING POINTS YOU MADE. >> THANK YOU, BROTHER CAGLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: BIRN -- BISHOP, TOM RAMSEY HERE.

IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND SHARING THE LETTER YOU SENT TO THE JUDGES, I THINK THAT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THE CLEAR THOUGHTS THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE, THAT WOULD GIVE US ALL A LITTLE CLARITY AS WE APPROACH THE ISSUE.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT LETTER, IF YOU COULD.

>> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

LOVE TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AS WELL.

I WILL GET THAT TO THE COUNTY JUDGES AND THE COUNTY JUDGES

EXPEDITIOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

SOMEBODY TOLD ME YOU ARE IN AUSTIN ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

ARE YOU UP THERE AS WELL THIS WEEK? YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB FOR US.

>> YES, SIR. I WILL BE RETURNING TOMORROW.

[03:55:01]

WE LOOK FORWARD TO ADDRESSING OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON THAT AS WELL BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE FAMOUS AROUND THE NATION FOR BEING THE NUMBER ONE CITY AND COUNTY IN AMERICA. IT IS A CHALLENGE AND IT IS A CRISIS. I BELIEVE WORKING TOGETHER ALL OF US CAN HELP TO OVERCOME ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

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

BISHOP. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> TYRONE MONCRIEF.

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

MY NAME IS TYRONE MONCRIEF AND I AM A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER AND HAVE BEEN FOR 35 YEARS, BOARD CERTIFIED.

I TRY CASES. I GO TO TRIAL.

THE WHOLE TIME I HAVE BEEN A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER, A TRIAL LAWYER, THIS IS THE MOST OPPRESSIVE I HAVE EVER SEEN.

WHEN WE CAN'T GET TO TRIAL IT IS THE EFFECT THIS HAS ON FAMILIES. AND NOT JUST DEFENDANTS, BUT FAMILIES. I GET THEM IN MY OFFICE ALL THE TIME. WE ARE SITTING HERE AND WE MAY HAVE A -- AND THERE MAY BE A SON OR DAUGHTER HAVING PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES. IT IS SOMEONE SITTING ACROSS FROM ME AND I SEE THE EFFECT THIS HAS HAD ON FAMILIES.

WHATEVER YOU DO THAT WILL HELP US WITH THE OVER CROWDING AND IT IS NOT JUST A NUMBER TO ME.

I HAVE SEEN THEIR FAMILIES CONSTANTLY.

I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT WHAT HE HAS ALREADY SAID.

GIVE US SOME ASSOCIATE JUDGE THAT'S WILL RELIEVE THE PRESSURE AND WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED FROM THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BOARD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED -- MR. MONCRIEF, THANK YOU AND CAN YOU COMMENT -- IN YOUR JUDGMENT THE TATE OF INDIGENT DEFENSE IN HARRIS COUNTY? I HEARD BISHOP DIXON MAKE REFERENCE TO A CONFLICT PD OFFICE AS WELL, A NOT FOR PROFIT LIKE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES WHICH IS IN DETROIT AND ATLANTA AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PLACES. AND THERE IS ALSO A NEED FOR MAC. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE PD'S OFFICE. I WAS HANDLING 6% OF THE CASES AND WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO GET IT UP TO 50.

AND I AM NOT A PUBLIC DEFENDER AND AND USUALLY THERE IS MURDER K -- CAPITOL MURDER. IT IS EXCELLENT.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT. MATTER OF FACT, I THINK IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF THOSE APPOINTED IT IS A LOT BETTER THAN LAWYERS YOU ARE HIRING ON YOUR OWN.

THAT LEVEL IS EXCELLENT. IN TERMS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE LOWER REPRESENTATION, I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVEN'T DONE MISDEMEANORS FOR AWHILE.

MOST OF MY CASES ARE FELONIES OR IN THE HIGH LEVEL FELONIES. THAT'S WHAT USUALLY -- EURNLLY -- USUALLY I AM IN THE FINANCE STAGES.

THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION IS ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT

COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> PARISH. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. SO MY NAME IS DAMON PARISH AND I HAVE BEEN A PRACTICING CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR 15 YEARS. I WANT TO ECHO AND REPEAT EVERYTHING SAID BEFORE ME. I DEFINITELY SUPPORT THE ADDITION OF A CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGE.

THE ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO ADD AND THIS IS TO JUDGE HIDALGO'S POINT ABOUT WHAT TO ADD FOR THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE KNOWN THAT IN CRIMINAL COURT THE DEFENDANTS DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE OR IMPACT JUDGE OR VISITING JUDGE THE SAME WAY THE PARTIES DO IN A CIVIL COURT.

SO IN A FAMILY LAW CONCEPT I WILL CHOOSE AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND I CAN DO SO. AND THEN BE IN FRONT OF THE ELECTED OFFICIAL. THAT'S NOT THE SAME -- IT IS NOT LELGT TIFFLY SAY -- LEGISLATIVE SAYING.

[04:00:04]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF I MIGHT, I JUST DON'T WANT TO FORGET MR. PARISH, COULD IT BE WRITTEN INTO THE LEGISLATION TO GIVE YOU THAT AUTHORITY TO OBJECT TO THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ELECTED? I GET YOUR POINT?

>> JUDGE, [INAUDIBLE] I'M SURE THEY CAN.

I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WITH THE ADDITIONAL ASSOCIATE JUDGE THAT I WOULD LIKE, AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY, THE ABILITY IF I SO CHOOSE TO OBJECT TO AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND WE DON'T

HAVE THAT ABILITY NOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THAT IS FAIR. YOU COULD OBJECT IF IT IS AN

ELECTED JUDGE, RIGHT? >> IF WE HAVE AN -- IF I AM IN FRONT OF SAY THE 351ST AND THAT'S WHAT I'M ASSIGNED TO,

THAT'S WHAT I'M ASSIGNED TO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO YOU SAID IF SOMEBODY IS NOT ELECTED YOU WANT THE OPTION TO OBJECT?

>> CORRECT. THE SAME WAY THEY HAVE IT IN CIVIL COURT WHEN YOU ARE ASSIGNED TO AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I GET THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THE WAY IT WORKS YOU CAN MAKE AN OBJECTION TO AN ASSIGNED JUDGE ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A VISITING JUDGE.

IF YOU GET A SECOND ONE I THINK THE RULES ALLOW YOU TO MAKE A SECOND OBJECTION. AND THEN YOU ARE STUCK WITH THE THIRD ONE. SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE PROCESS OF AVOIDING A TRIAL. NORMALLY IT HAPPENS PRETTY QUICK. THAT IS A SAFEGUARD FOR FOLKS TO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE THE TRIAL IN FRONT OF SOMEONE THAT WAS NOT ELECTED. ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES YOU CAN END UP WITH SOMEONE WOULD IS NOT ELECTED.

ALL OF THOSE WERE UH POINTED BY SOMEONE -- APPOINTED BY SOMEONE WHO WAS ELECTED THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ASSOCIATES THAT ARE IN THAT PLACE.

>> I WAS THINKING IT MADE SENSE AND IT IS ABOUT A FINANCIAL MATTER. ON THE CRIMINAL SIDE IT IS USUALLY HIGHER BECAUSE YOU ARE DEALING WITH SOMEBODY'S LIFE

AND LIBERTY. >> IF YOU HAD A SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE CIVIL THAT GIVES THEM. LOOKER -- THAT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOMEBODY THEY FEEL IS FAR.

AND ALLOT -- FEEL IS FAIR. THE TRIAL JUDGE AND THE ELECTED JUDGE CAN BE THE ONE TO GO AHEAD AND TRY THE CASE AND HAVE THE ASSOCIATE -- THE ASSOCIATED JUDGE HANDLE THE

MATTERS. >> I DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM HIS TIME. IT HIT ME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: BEFORE HE CONTINUES WITH HIS TIME, I AM CURIOUS TOO AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY. RIGHT NOW THE DEFENDANTS CANNOT OBJECT IF IT IS AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE.

AS I TEXT THE TEAM WE WANT THERE TO BE SOMETHING ABOUT OBJECTIONS. AM I HEARING CORRECTLY?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I DON'T INTO SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW ABOUT. I MAY WANT TO LEAVE THAT PART OUT AND COME BACK AND ADD IT IN TWO WEEKS.

I WANT TO KNOW. I WANT TO ASK SOMEBODY.

PUT THIS THIS WAY -- [INAUDIBLE] OR SOMEBODY WHO PRACTICES ON THE DEFENSE SIDE TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT STEPPING

INTO SOMETHING. >> BUT IF IT IS AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE, EVEN IF THEY ARE GRANTED THE FULL POWERS WE AS MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT CAN ENUMERATE AND I

COULD BE WRONG. >> IF WE COULD DO THAT.

RENNE RENNE WE ARE

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PASS THE ONE COURT AND THEN HAVE THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE LANGUAGE. AND THAT WAY IT GIVES TIME FOR EVERYONE TO IRON IT OUT. MY QUESTION WOULD BE -- MAYBE I NEED TO CALL GENE WU BECAUSE WHAT KIND OF A TIMELINE ARE WE LOOKING AT. YEAH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? WE WILL GIVE YOU YOUR TIME. WE JUST GOT ON A TANGENT HERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I TOOK A CALL FROM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON AND REPRESENTATIVE WU WAS NEARBY.

THEY NEED OUR RESOLUTION FOR THE DISTRICT BENCH NOW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SUGGEST WE LEAVE THIS OUT.

I THINK IT SAYS RELATED TO THE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS ASSOCIATE WOULD BE -- I DON'T THINK IF THAT CAPTION IS BROAD ENOUGH TO TAKE IT ANYWAY.

>> YEAH. >> I SECONDED THE RESOLUTION.

[04:05:04]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE STILL ON THE SPEAKERS, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. MR. PARISH, GO AHEAD.

YOU HAVE THE BALANCE OF YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. I WOULD JUST WANT TO CONCLUDE WITH THAT I DO SUPPORT THE ADDITION OF A DISTRICT COURT WITH THE LIMITATIONS OR THE ABILITY TO OBJECT TO AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND I DEFINITELY RESPECT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' STATEMENT AND I LOOK FOR AND AGREE WITH THE ON GOING EFFORTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND I HOPE THOSE CONTINUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT THE FIRST SPEAK -- SPEAKER WAS FROM THE PD'S OFFICE, BUT HE IS FROM THE APPOINTED LAWYERS BY JUDGES.

I HAVE A PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM WITH, PERIOD.

NO MATTER HOW GOOD OF A LAWYER HE MAY BE, JUST TO INHERIT -- THE INHERENT INFLUENCE OF SOMEBODY WHO PICKS YOU HAS SOME INFLUENCE OVER YOU. I CAN HEAR YOU IN THE BACKGROUND THERE, RAMSEY. BE CAREFUL THERE.

I WANT YOU TO OWE -- OPINE ON THE NOTION OF A DEFENDER'S OFFICE. YOUR OFFICE MAY BE UP TO 15, 17% OF THE CASES NOW? DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THE MAC SYSTEM FOR FELONIES? WE OBVIOUSLY TURNED DOWN MONEY WE COULD HAVE GOT BEFORE. IT IS MOVING QUICK.

THE WINDOW OPENS UP TO GO BACK AFTER THAT OR TO ASK FOR STATE FUNDING TO DO A CONFLICT DEFENDER OFFICE AS WELL.

OBVIOUSLY IF WE SPEND A MILLION IN COURT PLUS, WE ARE GOING TO SPEND OUR MONEY AND WE WANT A CONFLICT OF OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I AM IN SUPPORT OF A FELONY MAC.

I AM NOT -- I WILL BE HONEST I AM NOT THE BEST PERSON IN THAT. THAT WOULD BE TO ALEX OR SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCES WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICES. THIS IS MY FIRST ONE TO EVER WORK FOR. SO I DON'T KNOW -- I REALLY COULDN'T SPEAK INTELLIGENTLY ENOUGH FOR YOU GUYS.

I DO BELIEVE IN THE CONCEPT OF A MAC.

I DO BELIEVE IN IT AND I SUPPORT THAT.

I DO, YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> CHAIR WILEY, GO AHEAD. >> THANK Y'ALL.

Y'ALL KNOW ME. I AM RUNNING AN ORGANIZATION CALLED RESTORING JUSTICE. WE ARE IN THE TRIAL COURTS ALL THE TIME. I I WILL CLEAR UP A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WAS SAID. WE TRACK DEPLOYMENT RATES AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IT WAS NOT UP TO 16 AND 17%.

IT WAS 8% IN MARCH. ANOTHER THING I WILL ADDRESS.

TYRONE MONCRIEF IS EXCELLENT AND ANYONE HE IS REPRESENTING GETS EXCELLENT REPRESENTATION, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE HE LIMITS HIS CASE LOAD. I CAN ON ONE HAND COUNT THE NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS DOING CAPITAL MURDERS ALONGSIDE HIM THAT ARE NOT LIMITING CASE LOADS AND THAT ARE IGNORING THEIR DEFENDANTS. SPECIFICALLY ON THIS RESOLUTION I THINK IT IS WORTH TALKING ABOUT WHY PASSING ONE ADDITIONAL COURT IS AFFECTING THE GOALS THAT Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO REACH. IN DALLAS THERE IS A JUDGE WHO HAS APPOINTED AND SAID ALL BOND REQUESTS ARE GOING TO AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE THEY ARE CALLING A WRITTEN ASTOR.

SO IT SEEMS TO SOLVE Y'ALL'S GOALS ON WHY YOU WANT TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG. AND ADDING ONE NEW COURT IS TO THE A GOOD IDEA. PASSING THIS RESOLUTION I AM OPPOSED TO. I DO NOT THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA. YOU WILL HAVE TO FUND MORE D.A.'S MORE SHERIFFS. THERE IS NO PROPOSAL ON WHO AND HOW. YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO IS ACTIVELY OPPOSING GOOD REFORMS THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS TRYING TO DO. IN HEPT WOULD BE ABLE -- WHO IN SEPTEMBER WOULD BE ABLE TO APPOINT THIS JUDGE.

ONE JUDGE WAS NOTORIOUS FOR NOT SHOWING UP TO WORK AND THERE IS A VISITING JUDGE GOING TO COURT.

WHO WILL BE HIGH ON THE LIST OF GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S APPOINTMENT OFFICE TO APPOINT TO THIS NEW JUDGE? IT IS GOING TO BE SOMEONE WHO WILL OPPOSE A LOT OF THE REFORMS AND THE MAC PD -- PDO.

WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS IF WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL NEW DISTRICT JUDGE WHO IS GOING TO OPPOSE DOING ANYTHING. HE IS NOT GOING TO DECREASE THE JAIL AND ULTIMATELY THE POOR PEOPLE AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES ARE GOING TO BE MORE ABUSED BECAUSE YOU ARE INCREASING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

[04:10:02]

I WILL BE OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS IF ANYONE HAS ANYTHING. IN MY LAST 15 SECONDS I WILL SAY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS I SUPPORT YOUR IDEA OF CONFLICT EPO. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES ARE AN EXCELLENT PUBLIC DEFENDER PROVIDER.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> YES, MA'AM. I AM UNMUTING CLAY BOWMAN.

MR. BOWMAN, YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> THANK YOU.

I AM CLAY BOWMAN, DISTRICT COURTS ADMINISTRATOR.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE RESOLUTIONS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL COURTS TO TRY CRIMINAL CASES IN HARRIS COUNTY. AS I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE MENTIONED, THE LATS -- THE LAST CRIMINAL COURT WAS IN 1984. SINCE THAT TIME THE COUNTY'S POPULATION HAS TRIPLED AND CASE LOADS HAVE DOUBLED.

AND NOW COURTS FACE UNPRECEDENTED BACKLOGS OF PENDING CASES. THE RESULT OF THE BACKLOG IS DELAYED JUSTICE FOR DEFENDANTS AND VICTIMS. A JAIL OVER CROWDING CHALLENGE THAT GOES BACK MORE THAN A DECADE NOW. AND THE COURTS ARE WORKING FURIOUSLY AT A LOSING BATTLE. THE PACE OF COURT HEARINGS IS OVERWHELMING WITH JUDGES UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE DELIBERATIVE PROCESS REQUIRED FOR FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE FOUR UNASSIGNED COURTROOMS THAT ARE FULLY EQUIPPED AND READY TO OCCUPY.

NO ADDITIONAL FACILITIES OVERHEAD WOULD BE REQUIRED.

FOUR NEW DISTRICT COURTS WOULD REQUIRE FUND FORGET THE STAFF AND REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE COURTS.

I BELIEVE THE COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE SAYS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE COSTS AND THERE IS LIKELY TO BE SUBSTANTIAL ANNUAL SAVINGS AS A RESULT OF THE CASE PROCESSING FROM THE COST OF IN -- INCARCERATING DEFENDANTS PRE-TRIAL.

MORE COURTS WOULD NOT RESULT IF MORE CASES FILED OR MORE INDIVIDUALS IN JAIL. ON THE CONTRARY, MORE COURTS WOULD CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE AND FAIR JUDICIAL SYSTEM FOR HARRIS COUNTY. THE COURTS ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE GROWING CASE LOAD THROUGH VISITING JUDGES AND SPECIAL DOCKETS TO HELP WITH THE WORKLOAD.

THESE SPECIAL DOCKETS HAVE THE EFFECT OF TREATING SYMPTOMS OF BACKLOG AND CASE DELAYS. ONLY THE ADDITIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES IN THE FORM OF MORE COURTS WILL ADEQUATELY ASSESS THE CURRENT CRITICAL BACKLOG AND POSITION US TO KEEP PACE WITH ANTICIPATED COUNTY GROWTH.

WE PROVIDED THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE AND EACH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE WITH SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON BOTH THE NEED FOR THESE COURTS AND THE ADDITIONAL COST OF OPERATING THEM AND WEE -- WE WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT YOU MAY NEED.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LETTING US

SPEAK TO YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. CLAY, THANK YOU FOR WEIGHING IN. I DIDN'T HEAR YOU SPEAK TO THE

ASSOCIATE JUDGES. >> I CAN VERY BRIEFLY.

WHILE COURTS ARE DESPERATE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE THEY CAN GET, I DON'T THINK THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES WOULD BE THE PREFERRED SOLUTION FOR SEVERAL REASONS. THE CASES ARE DIRECT FILED EQUITABLY AND ALL 22 COURTS, THE DEVELOPING OF FAIR AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS FOR APPORTIONING THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES WOULD BE CHALLENGING. IT COULD BE DONE, BUT IT WOULD BE -- IT WOULD BE A BIT OF A CHALLENGE.

THE APPROACHES WE HAVE CONSIDERED WOULD LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THE IMPACT DOCKET PROGRAMS THAT OUR COURTS HAVE BEEN RELYING ON SINCE 2008.

ONLY WITHOUT THE ABILITY -- CURRENTLY WITHOUT THE ABILITY OF THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES TO TAKE CASES TO TRIAL.

ADDRESSING THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THAT APPROACH, BUT CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE THAT. AND FOR AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE PROGRAM TO WORK IN A PRACTICAL MANNER FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS TRYING THE CRIMINAL CASES, NOT ONLY WOULD WE NEED TO FIND SOME SPACE MAYBE JURY ROOMS OR WHATEVER TO WORK AND OPERATE, BUT SOME ADDITIONAL STAFFING WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR THE CRIMINAL COURTS. IT WOULD CERTAINLY INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COURT REPORTERS TAKING RECORDS

[04:15:04]

AND BEHAVE -- BAILIFFS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WOULD ALL BE THE SAME CASE REGARDLESS OF WHAT COURTS WE CREATE. I WAS SURPRISED THAT NO ONE HAD EVER TAKEN A LOOK AT THE STATUTE.

FOLKS WERE OF THE MIND THAT IT WAS ILLEGAL AND SO I AM SURPRISED THAT MY POLICY CHIEF FOUND IT FAIRLY SIMPLY.

I WAS SURPRISED THAT IT HADN'T BEEN LOOKED AT.

>> COMMISSIONER, WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES IN FAMILY LAW AND JUVENILE COURT.

THAT WAS SOMETHING WE WERE NOT ASKED TO LOOK AT IN CRIMINAL COURTS. FRANKLY BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD NOT BE THE PREFERRED APPROACH THAT OUR JUDGES THINK WOULD BE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR ADDRESSING BACKLOG.

THE COURTS REALLY NEED ALL OF THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE THE CASES FROM THE BEGINNING OF A TRIAL.

CURRENTLY ONLY OUR FORMER JUDGES CAN DO THAT.

THE JUDGES HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES DON'T HAVE. GIVEN THE LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORITY, WE ASK THE BENEFITS AND THE COST OF AN ASSOCIATE PROGRAM VERSUS ESTABLISHING --

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? CLAY, I WAS TOLD WHEN YOU ALL MET WITH ME THAT IT WAS ILLEGAL.

ALL THAT'S NICE, BUT I RAISED IT WHEN YOU ALL CAME AND HAD GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT WANTING FOUR NEW COURTS.

I JUST RAISED THE ISSUE AND HAD THE CONSENSUS THAT YOU ALL THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND MAYBE I WAS WRONG, BUT YOU CALLED SOMEBODY AND THEN YOU ALL TOLD ME IT WAS ILLEGAL AND THEN MY STAFF CAME BACK TO ME AND I THINK I CALLED LEGAL DEPARTMENT. I GET THE ISSUE.

I THINK THERE WAS A TIME WHEN MOST JUDGES WERE APPOINTED ANYWAY. I AM QUICK TO POINT OUT EVEN WHEN I WON THE FIRST TIME, I DON'T THINK IT HAD THAT MUCH TO DO WITH ME. IF YOU JUDGE IT IS LBJ GARCIA OR CAGLE. I DON'T THINK THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE ANYWAY FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CLAY FOR WALKING US THROUGH THAT. HE WAS THE LAST SPEAKER.

WE DO NEED TO HEAR FROM DR. P OR -- PORSA BECAUSE HE HAS TO HOP OFF AND WE NEED A BREAK BECAUSE WE ARE LATE.

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER ON ITEM

243, BUT LAST ONE ON THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT.

LET'S HEAR ON THE JUDGE ITEM. I SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE WU AND HE SAYS THEY NEED THE BROAD LANGUAGE ASAP.

HE IS OPEN TO WORKING WITH US ON THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE LANGUAGE. I SAID COULD WE SEND YOU THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE LANGUAGE IN TWO WEEKS? HE SAID WE NEED IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

SO I MIGHT RECOMMEND THAT I HAVE THE MOTION HERE ON THE BROAD CREATION OF A SINGLE COURT LANGUAGE.

I PROPOSE WE VOTE ON THAT. AND THEN PERHAPS OUR STAFF CAN WORK WITH JAD -- JAD BUDGET. IF THE STAFFS AGREE WE CAN SEND THAT OVER. OTHERWISE WE CAN CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF COURT IF THE LEGISLATORS TELL US THEY REALLY NEED IT RIGHT NOW, OR WE CAN WAIT THE TWO WEEKS.

SO IT WOULD BE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT -- THIS IS IN LIEU OF EITHER RESOLUTION, BOTH RESOLUTIONS.

HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT SUPPORTS EFFORTS IN THE 87TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO ASSIST IN ADDRESSING THE CRIMINAL COURT BACKLOG IN HARRIS COUNTY THROUGH THE CREATION OF A NEW CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I SECONDED -- THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE SECONDED THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO, JAY, I BELIEVE YOU SAW THAT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

WE WILL GET THAT TO REPRESENTATIVE WU AND THEN WE WILL CIRCLE THE STAFF LEVEL ON THE ASSOCIATE --

[04:20:04]

>> JUDGE, FOR CLARITY IS THAT GOING TO BE ON A RESOLUTION OR IS THAT A MOTION THAT WAS MADE IN COURT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WHAT IS BETTER FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE LEGISLATORS? DOES IT MATTER? WE MAY HAVE LOST COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK HE JUST WANTS TO KNOW.

YOU CAN SEND IT AS A LETTER. DO YOU CARE, CAGLE? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? COMMISSIONER GARCIA? AS LONG AS HE GETS IT AND GETS IT TODAY, YOU KNOW.

DID HE SAY A RESOLUTION TO YOU, RAMSEY OR GARCIA?

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> SO THE OTHER TWO RESOLUTIONS --

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION. NO ACTION ON 220 OR ON 215.

>> WE WILL ATTACH THIS MOTION TO BOTH ITEM 215 AND 220.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. YEAH.

THAT WORKS. AND THEN THE -- UP TO YOU ALL. WE HAVE 15 MINUTES BEFORE DR.

PORSA HAS TO LEAVE. SO WE CAN HEAR FROM HIM REAL

QUICK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST NEED 5

MINUTES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE BE BACK AT 10 UNTIL AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM BRRRR CORRECTE

ENCOURAGED US TO DO EARLIER. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:51 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

AND WE ARE CHECKING TO SEE IF THE REPRESENTATIVE NEEDS A RESOLUTION OR ANYTHING ELSE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS ON THAT SO I WILL LET YOU GUYS KNOW. LET'S TAKE UP COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S ITEM ON THE TRANSFER TO THE JAIL CARE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, DID YOU HAVE THE ONE SPEAKER LEFT

OVER? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO.

WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS, PERIOD.

IT IS NOT ON THIS ITEM I DON'T THINK.

I WANT TO GIVE ENOUGH TIME TO DISCUSS IT WHILE DR. PORSA IS AVAILABLE. AND THEN AFTER LUNCH WE WILL HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS AND TAKE UP THE

DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEMS. >> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, JUDGE. I THINK DR. PORSA CAN ANSWER IT. AS WE LOOK AT THIS TRANSFER, I'M ASSUMING WE ARE GOING TO DETERMINE GETTING BACK TO WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE. WE ARE GOING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COSTS ARE IN TERMS OF HARRIS HEALTH TAKING OVER THE HEALTH CARE. THAT'S ALL A PART OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING INTO. WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS TO THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET? WHAT IS THE IMPACT TO HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET? AND THEN WHAT -- WE HAVE TO BE SURE THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE UNDER ONE SYSTEM AND AS WE GO AND TRANSFER THEM TO ANOTHER SYSTEM WE HAVE TO MAKE THEM WHOLE. I WOULD HOPE WE ARE LOOKING INTO ALL OF THOSE THINGS IN THIS PARTICULAR REVIEW AS WE MOVE TOWARD HARRIS HEALTH TAKING OVER THE JAIL.

THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS. AND DR. PORSA IS ON THE LINE I

ASSUME? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ADD TO THAT. YOU MAY GIVE US SOME CONTEXT IN TERMS OF THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

I MEAN YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN IT AND WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN BEFORE? THAT'S MY THOUGHT.

>> DR. PURSA IS UNMUTED. DR. PORSA?

WE MAY BE HAVING -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WHILE WE ARE WAITING FROM DR. PORSA, I JUST HEARD BACK FROM REPRESENTATIVE WU THAT THE OFFICE STATED TO HIM NOW THAT WE DO NEED -- THEY DO NEED A RESOLUTION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA ARE YOU

AROUND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES, PER YOUR QUESTION EARLIER WE WILL DO A MOTION, BUT LET'S MAKE IT A RESOLUTION IF THAT'S OKAY.

>> YES, MA'AM. WOULD YOU MIND READING WHAT THE RESOLUTION SHOULD BE SO WE CAN MAKE SURE TO GET IT OUT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. IT SAYS HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT SUPPORTS EFFORTS IN THE 87TH TEXAS

[04:25:01]

CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MAY THROW

IN WHEREAS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTS EFFORTS -- BACK BACKLOG IN THE CREATION OF A NEW COMMISSIONER'S COURT. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

DAVE, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ON THE HARRIS HEALTH QUESTION WHILE WE HEAR FROM DR. PORSA?

>> JUDGE, BEFORE YOU MOVE ON, WHAT DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO SEND ME THE ACTUAL RESOLUTION BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT

TYPE OF CAPABILITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: MY TEAM WILL

SEND IT TO YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S QUESTION, NUMBER ONE FROM THE BUDGET IMPACT THAT IS PART OF THE WORK STREAM.

I HAD NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS AND BECAUSE THIS TRANSITION WE HAVE TO CUT OTHER SERVICES. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF MECHANISMS WHETHER IT IS A TAX RATE ADJUSTMENT THAT COULD ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL. I THINK THAT IS OUR SHARED GOAL. TO YOUR SECOND POINT ABOUT PEOPLE, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THERE ARE TWO RETIREMENT SYSTEMS. ONE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ONE FOR HARRIS HEALTH.

WE BUILT OPTIONS SO THAT TRANSITION DOESN'T -- IT LEAVES OUT THE DRIVE OF SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE A LONGTIME. THEY CAN GET THE BENEFIT OF THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE SO FAR. SO I WILL LEAVE -- I CAN TELL YOU THAT BOTH OF THOSE ISSUES ARE PART OF THE WORK WE HAVE

BEEN DOING TOGETHER. >> I BELIEVE HE IS STILL HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

>> HELLO? >> YOU ARE UNMUTED.

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FIRST AND FOREMOST.

HAPPY RAMADAN TO ALL OF YOU. JUDGE, I WILL BE QUICK.

I THINK YOU ALREADY HEARD FROM MR. BERRY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YES, YES AND YES.

EVERYTHING YOU MENTIONED WE ARE WORKING ON AND I'M REALLY HAPPY WITH THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH MR. BERRY AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THERE ARE FIVE DIFFERENT AREAS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON COLLABORATIVELY. I HAVE STARTED MEETING WITH THE SHERIFF ONE ON ONE SO THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES YOU MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AS FAR AS THE EMPLOYEES OF THE JAIL HOUSE DEPARTMENT REPORTING TO THE SHERIFF AND THE QUESTION ABOUT THE FUNDING OF THE TRANSITION.

AND, YES, WE ARE WORKING ON AND THERE IS A DRAFT OF THE HMA FOR US TO WORK ON. AND ALSO AS THE COURT KNOWS A GROUP OF US INCLUDING COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE ARE TRAVELING TO.

AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WAS PART OF THE TRANSITION OF THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL FROM UT TO GALVESTON TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IF DALLAS. WHAT THAT BROUGHT TO DALLAS COUNTY, THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL IN TERMS OF AN IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOME FOR THE DETAINEES OF THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL.

JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I WILL STOP HERE AND I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE EYES,

EARS, HANDS AND FEET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. PORSA, WHAT PROMPTED THE MOVEMENT IN DALLAS? WAS IT BECAUSE THE COUNTY WAS GETTING SUED?

>> MATTER OF FACT, TWO THINGS.

[04:30:01]

THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL HAD TO ENTER A CONSENT DECREE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS WAS

THE TRANSITION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL -- WE HAD LITIGATION IN THE PAST, BUT I ASSUME THE QUALITY OF CARE WENT UP BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT

THE HOSPITAL ENTITY DOES. >> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE GOOD INTENTIONS THAT THE SHERIFF AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND STAFF MAY HAVE, YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOT THEIR AREA OF EXPERTISE.

THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, IN ADDITION TO WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, THIS IS WHAT THEY DO, BUT THE CONTINUING CARE BEING PROVIDED WHEN FOLKS ARE CARED FOR INSIDE THE JAIL AND OUTSIDE THE JAIL AND THEY ARE SEEING THE SAME HEALTH SYSTEM

IT MAKES A HUGE IMPACT. >> I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T COMPLIMENT THE SHERIFF.

IT IS HIS FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY.

I APPLAUD HIM FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO HAVE YOU CALL COME IN. IT GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO FOCUS ON EXPANDING YOUR FOOTPRINT IN AN AREA THAT IS TALENTED AND

IN DEPTH. >> THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT.

TRULY WITH THE COLLABORATIVE NATURE OF SHERIFF GONZALEZ IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IN THE MAKING AS FOR THE RECITY ASSISTANCE -- AS FOR THE RESISTANCE.

SHERIFF GONZALEZ HAS WELCOMED HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM OPEN ARMS. MY TWO MEETINGS WITH HIM COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE POSSIBLE BIFF -- POSITIVE IN ADDITION TO EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT, COMMISSIONER THE MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

HARRIS COUNTY IS PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

SO IT IS IN LINE WITH OUR MISSION TO DO THIS.

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

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND HAPPY RAMADAN.

I HOPE WE CAN DO SOMETHING AT OUR NEXT COURT MEETING TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE THAT YOU GIVE US.

>> BE HAPPY TO. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU.

>> YOU ARE ON MUTE, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE -- FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ ON MOVING THIS PARTICULAR ITEM FORWARD. I'M VERY EXCITED FOR -- YOU KNOW, THE ONE THING, WE SPOKE THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THE FACT THAT -- AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER IS TODAY, BUT I THINK IT IS STILL -- ACTUALLY I THINK MAYBE YOU OR SOMEONE TOLD ME IT MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE WORSE, BUT THAT THE AVERAGE STAY IN JAIL WAS 30 DAYS 30 DAYS -- 30 DAYS.

AND 30 DAYS WAS THE MAGICAL NUMBER TO BE TERMINATED OFF OF MEDICAID. AND THEN WE WOULD RELEASE THEM ON DAY 31 WITHOUT A SAFETY -- SAFETY NET.

WOULD YOU BE INCORPORATING A CASE MANAGEMENT SIDE TO THIS ENDEAVOR TO MAKE SURE WE CAN ENROLL PEOPLE IN MEDICAID IF THE SAME JAIL REQUIRES A DETERMINATION?

>> THAT'S PART OF THE HMA REPORT.

TWO THINGS. SOME PEOPLE UNFORTUNATELY INSTEAD OF TEXAS IT IS EXTREMELY SMALL.

IF YOU ARE NOT PREGNANT ON WITH CHILD YOU BASICALLY HAVE TO BE DISABLED TO BE ON MEDICAID.

WE TALK TO A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY THE CANCELLATION OF MEDICAID IS AFTER 10 DAYS OF ENTERING INTO THE JAIL. ACTUALLY THEY HAVE TO REAPPLY COMPLETELY. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IT IS

[04:35:02]

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE GETTING DISCHARGED. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ERROR. THEY SAID IT WAS 227 DAYS.

I SAID GIVE ME 27 DAYS AND THEY SAID NO.

THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS 27 DAYS.

AND SO WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE REASON FOR OVERCROWDING OF THE JAIL, THERE IS THE REASON.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING MANY THINGS ONE OF THEM IS HELPING THE SHERIFF AND HELPING THE COMMISSIONERS TO WORK ON THE WAYS OF ADDRESSING THIS BIG ISSUE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW. THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD INFORMATION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WHILE WE ARE TALKING IT MAY BE THAT WE ARE ALLOWING THE LEGISLATURE.

MAJOR JUDGES ARE JUDGES OF GENERAL JURISDICTION.

YOU DON'T HAVE A CRIMINAL JUDGE, A FAMILY JUDGE A CIVIL JUDGE. WITH THE CROWDING WE HAVE OF ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE PENDING AND WAITING FOR THEIR DAY IN COURT, SOMETHING WE MAY ASK IS THAT WE TEMPORARILY ALLOW OUR DISTRICT JUDGES TO BE COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION FOR A TEMPORARY PERIOD OF TIME SO THAT THOSE -- MANY OF THE JUDGES DID HAVE GENERAL JURISDICTION.

I DID A LOT OF JUVENILE LAW AND I COULD VERY EASILY SERVE BACK UP -- I MET ROGER BRIDGEWATER OCCASIONALLY IN THE CRIMINAL COURTS. WE VERY EASILY COULD HELP ALLEVIATE IF SOME OF OUR COURTS WHO HAVE CRIMINAL EXPERIENCE GO COURT BY COURT. IF THEY GOT THE AUTHORIZATION TO DO THE CRIMINAL TRIALS WE CAN GET A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE OUT OF THE JAIL IN TERMS OF GETTING THEM THEIR FINAL DAY BY CALLING UP THE JURISDICTION COURTS IN ADDITION TO THE CRIMINAL COURTS. MOST ARE GENERAL JURISDICTION COURTS. SOME SAY YOU JUST DO CIVIL AND YOU JUST DO CRIMINAL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT HALF OF THE COURTS DID DO CRIMINAL LAW IN THE PRACTICE PORTFOLIOS. WITH THE JAIL BACKED UP THE WAY IT IS, IT COULD BE A TEMPORARY WAY OF TRYING TO HELP GET THOSE FOLKS TO GET THE JAIL POPULATIONS DOWN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE? THAT WAS ITEM 96. IS THERE ACTION ON THAT ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. IT WAS JUST A TRANSMITAL.

>> I WILL RECORD IT AS NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF SPEAKERS.

IT LOOKS LIKE FIVE LEFT. I PROPOSE WE HEAR ALL OF THE SPEAKERS. THERE IS ONE MORE ON THE AGENDA. THE OTHER ITEMS ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA AND WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT THROUGH LUNCH AND THEN WE CAN TAKE A BRIEF LUNCH AND COME BACK AND FINISH.

IS THAT OKAY? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE DOING SO WELL, WHY NOT JUST KEEP GOING? I KNOW Y'ALL DON'T WANT ME TO COME UP HERE WITH THE TWO-DAY MEETING. I WILL LOSE WEIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS AND THEN WE CAN REVISIT. GO AHEAD, LUCINDA.

>> SPURGEON ERROR BIN SON. >> CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME?

[04:40:07]

>> YES, SIR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO AND GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS SPURGEON ROBINSON.

WE ARE AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FIRM IN BEAUTIFUL HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE A MINORITY-OWNED FIRM.

WE HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED -- ESTABLISHED AS AN EMERGENCY FUND THAT HAS BEEN GROWING AND HELPING THROUGH THE DISASTERS. WE HAVE BEEN HELPING WITH THE SMALL PROGRAMS AND THOSE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID-19.

THE EFFECT IT HAS ON THE COUNTY.

THE REASON I AM SPEAKING ON THIS TOPIC IS THAT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO DO THESE TYPES OF SERVICES.

RE -- RESPONDING TO AN EVENT OF THIS NATURE IS -- TYPICALLY IT IS NOT A LOT THAT DO THIS. AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE AUDIENCE OF WHO CAN DELIVER THESE TYPES OF SERVICES.

WE ASK THAT THE COURT CONSIDER THE BENEFITS OF USING THE KEY LOCAL RESOURCES WHETHER IT IS THE LARGER FIRMS WHETHER IN STATE OR OUT OF STATE TO USE THE LEFNLG RESOURCES -- LEVERAGE RESOURCES. WE KNOW HOW TO REACH THEM AND TARGET THEM. WE THINK IT WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR COUNTY AND RESIDENTS AND MAKE SURE WE CONSIDER THE PARTNERS IN THIS EFFORT AND ENCOURAGING NO MATTER WHO YOU PICK TO ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM TO LEVERAGE BACK TO US.

WE ARE EITHER NOT INVITED OR WE DEMONSTRATE THE FACT THAT WE SUPPORT OTHER LARGE COUNTIES AS WELL.

WITH THAT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WANT YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES.

THANK YOU. >> DARLENE KING.

GO AHEAD. >> GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF THE MOST HIGH. WE HAVE ALL FALLEN SHORT OF GOD'S WORD, ROMANS 3:23, KING JAMES VERSION.

WE HAVE ALL MADE MISTAKES. WE ARE NOT PERFECT HUMANS.

IN HARRIS COUNTY IT IS 12,423 UNITS AND THE PROPERTY WAS CONDEMNED. I WOULD NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE OF WHACK -- ACQUISITIONS. I DID NOT RECEIVE A PURCHASE ORDER AND ACCOUNT NUMBER IS 600020000127.

I WAS NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REJECT OR ACCEPT A PROPOSAL AND I AM REQUESTING COMPENSATION FOR THE 12,423 UNITS OF MY HOMESTEAD THAT WAS CONDEMNED WITHOUT A LEGITIMATE REASON. DUE PROCESS WAS NOT ENSURED BY ME AND I AM ASKING FOR JUST COMPENSATION.

IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HARRIS COUNTY TO SETTLE THIS DEBT. IT IS ONLY BY THE GRACE AND THE MERCY OF THE MOST HIGH DO I TESTIFY.

NOT ONLY HAS MY FAMILY SUFFERED, BUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED TOO. AND MANY ARE STILL SUFFERING.

[04:45:05]

I AM REQUESTING FAIR MARKET VALUE.

SOMEONE GAVE ERRONEOUS ORDERS TO CHANGE THE DESIGN OF MY ONE-ACRE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY. I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND 423 UNITS COULD HAVE ACCOMMODATED MY BUSINESS WAREHOUSE OR THE PROJECT. AND BECAUSE OF THE 12,423 UNITS, THAT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE.

I DON'T HAVE ANY PROPERTY TO GIVE AWAY.

AND I AM ASKING YOU TO CORRECT A MISTAKE.

PAY ME FOR THE 12,023 UNITS CONDEMNED BY THE COMMUNITY.

I AM ASKING TO YOU MAKE THIS RIGHT AND ASKING FOR JUSTICE.

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

>> THANK YOU. SOMEONE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH

YOU. >> MAGAZINE -- MAGNOLIA HENRY. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

MAGNOLIA MATTHEWS, HENRY. IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY DISCONNECTED. WE CAN TRY AND REACH THEM AGAIN. WE HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKERS AT

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

LUCINDA. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CAN WE VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA

BEFORE OUR BREAK? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA AROUND? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE -- WELL, I WILL START CALLING OUT THE MINOR EDITS WHILE WE GET HIM BACK.

HERE ARE THE SMALL EDITS WE HAVE TO MAKE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M HERE, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON ITEM 15 WE MADE THAT CHANGE AND THE ITEM PASSED. 501 CONSIDER 4 -- 501C4 TO 501C3. AND HERE WE DELETE THE WORD OATH AND ADDITIONS AND DE LESIONS AND -- DELETIONS.

SO THE ITEM READS, "REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR ADDITIONS, DELETIONS AND CHANGES TO ATTRIBUTES OF CERTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL NUMBERS AND FINANCE VEHICLE PURCHASES FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. THAT'S UNDER UNIVERSAL SERVICES. ITEM 170 ON PAGE 21 UNDER PURCHASING. THE WORD "STORM" IS MISSPELLED. SO CHANGE "STROM" TO" STORM." AND ITEM 186 AND PAGE 22 UNDER PURCHASING WE NEED TO DELETE AUSTIN, TEXAS. ITEM -- ONE SECOND.

ITEM 237 ON PAGE 28. UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. THE NAME IS MISSPELLED. IT SHOULD BE C-O-A-T-S.

NO E. >> ITEM 76 I SHOW THAT AS NO ACTION. IS THAT STILL CORRECT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE ONE WE JUST RECENTLY DID, CORRECT? SCHWA --

>> NO. THAT WAS 96.

ITEM 76 ON PAGE 9 UNDER FLOOD CONTROL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT I PULLED THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS REQUESTED AS A IN ACTION.

THANK YOU, JAMES. THIS ONE IS ITEM 240 ON PAGE 28 AND WE HAVE TO DELETE THE WORDS "USING COUNTY AND PERSONAL VEHICLES" INSTEAD OF A VIRTUAL -- IT IS A VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER CORRECTIONS, JAMES, THAT I MISSED?

>> NOT THAT I SEE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO HERE IS

THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> JUDGE?

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 2)]

[04:50:03]

THEY ARE BACK ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. DIMITLIA HEN -- T -- DIMITRIA

HENRY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M CALLING WITH AN ISSUE THAT HAS CAUSED OUR FAMILY HARDSHIP. WE LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IT IS ACRES OF LAND THAT WAS DEEDED TO MY FAMILY FROM MY GRANDFATHER WHO WAS A PILLAR IN OUR COMMUNITY, A PASTOR, AN AGRICULTURE ENGINEER AND REAL ESTATE OWNER, MAINTENANCE MAIN, YOU NAME IT. THIS ROAD THAT HE BUILT IN THE 1930S AND 40S AND 50S AS A PAYINGSER, HE HAS HELPED SO MANY PEOPLE. NOW THAT MY MOTHER RETIRED TO HER PROPERTY WHICH IS ON A PRIVATE PORTION OF MATTHEWS ROAD. SAMUEL L MATTHEWS PARK, THAT'S MY GRANDFATHER. WE ARE HERE TO ASK TO HAVE IT RECTIFIED IN FRONT OF HER HOME.

HE HAS LOCKED HER OUT OF ACCESSING OUT OF ANY OTHER LAND THAT IS PARALLEL TO HIS. THERE IS NUMEROUS ALTERCATIONS AS A RESULT OF THIS. THIS GENTLEMAN RUNS A TRUCKING BUSINESS. THE MAIN REASON FOR THE FENCE IS HE CAN RUN THE BUSINESS AND TAKE CARE OF HIS FAMILY BY WHATEVER INCOME. IN ORDER FOR HIM TO DO THAT, HE HAS TO TURN HIS RIGS AROUND.

HE DECIDED TO BUILD A FENCE AND IT IS DENYING HER INGRESS AND EGRESS TO HER PROPERTY BECAUSE IT IS IN HER FRONT YARD. WE ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RECTIFY THE EASE MEANT AND GET HIM TO CEASE AND DESIST. SHE IS 73 YEARS OLD AND SHE TRUSSES -- STRESSES ABOUT IT ALL DAY.

HE IS VERY VERY UH BUYS SHIV. WE CALLED THE -- ABUSIVE.

I CAN SEE IT SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL AND GOING INTO A CRIMINAL MATTER. HE IS VERY VERBALLY ASSAULTING. HIS WIFE ASSAULTED MY DAUGHTER PHYSICALLY. WE HAD TO CALL THE POLICE ONLY BECAUSE OF THIS NUISANCE. AND NOW IT IS CREATING A HARDSHIP BECAUSE THE PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE, WE CAN'T GET TO THE PROPERTY TO DEVELOP OUR PROPERTY SO WE CAN PRODUCE AGRICULTURE OR WHATEVER IT IS WE NEED.

AND YET HE IS ABLE TO LOCK US OUT OF OUR LAND AND CONTINUE TO RUN HIS BUSINESS. AND CAUSE ALL TYPES OF SET.

IT IS CRAZY. AND MY GRANDFATHER, THIS IS HIS PROPERTY. HE WAS ABLE TO GET TO IT BY DEFAULT. AND NOW HE IS HERE AND HE CLAIMS THE ROAD IS HIS BECAUSE HE BUILT IT AND WE CAN'T ACCESS IT. SO WE ARE ASKING FOR A

RESOLUTION IF ANY AT ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE SINCE YOU ARE COMMISSIONER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR OFFICE THAT WILL BE CONTINUING TO TRY TO WORK WITH THE HENRYS.

ON THIS PROJECT. WE DO HAVE A PARK THAT IS CLOSE TO THERE, SAMUEL MATTHEWS PARK, WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL PARK. I THINK THAT'S ALL I'M ALLOWED TO SAY. WE HAVE ENGINEERING WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF WE CAN

HELP THE HENRYS. >> LINA HIDALGO: BECAUSE YOUR ITEM IS NOT ON THE AGENDA WE CAN'T SAY ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE LEGALLY, BUT THEY WILL FOLLOW-UP.

IF YOU -- THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> MS. HENRY, BEFORE YOU DISCONNECT, WERE YOU ALSO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MS. MAGNOLIA MATTHEWS HENRY?

>> YES. >> IS SHE STILL WANTING TO

SPEAK? >> NO.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL WE WANTED TO COMMUNICATE.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.

SO THESE ARE THE CONSENT AGENDA -- THE DISCUSSION

[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

>> MY ITEM DOES NOT NEED TO GO BACK.

UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE HAS A PROBLEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DOES NOT NEED TO GO BACK.

233 APPOINTMENT OF MS. ETHEL STEES?

[04:55:09]

>> I DON'T THINK SO. >> LINA HIDALGO: APPROVAL OF -- OH, ACTUALLY THOSE ARE THE ONLY ONES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHALL I MAKE A MOTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I NEED TO LIST OUT WHAT THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ARE -- OR THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE.

WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 3 WHICH IS THE COURT'S ANALYST OFFICE MEMO ON THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

WE ALSO NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 7. A REQUEST BY THE PURCHASING AGENT FOR APPROVAL OF A PROJECT ON COVID-19 VACCINATION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES.

ITEM 8, THE BROAD COVID ITEM. ITEM 11, DISCUSSION ON THE HARRIS COUNTY RISK LEVEL. ITEM 29, AN AGREEMENT WITH FRIES AND NICHOLS. ITEM 148 THE TREASURER'S REPORT. ITEM 180 THE REQUEST TO -- FOR APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH WT GROUP ON ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR COUNTY WIDE PARK AND SAFETY -- PARK SAFETY AND ADA COMPLIANCE. ITEM 183, APPROVAL OF AN AWARD FOR RECOVERY RESOURCES FOR GRAW -- GRAFFITI AND ILLEGAL DUMPING ABATEMENT. ITEM 186, PERSONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DIMITRI MCDANIEL.

ITEM 207, ADOPTING FORMAL POLICIES PROCEDURES FOR APPOINTMENTS TO COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

ITEM 208, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE PROCESS OF SELECTING THE LEADER OF THE OPENING PRAYER.

ITEM 210, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING HARRIS COUNTY MEMBERSHIP IN THE HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNSEL -- COUNCIL. WE DID MAKE A MOTION ON 210,

RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM, I BELIEVE WE

DID. >> LINA HIDALGO: SCRATCH

THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND NO ACTION ON 208. COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND I

WORKED THAT OUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS 208 AND WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS 210.

211 AN UPDATE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON ENSURING THE COUNTY'S INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM PROVIDESSABLE GAGES -- PROVIDES OBLIGATION. 221 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO SIGNIFICANTLY ASSIST THE UNEMPLOYED WITH AVAILABLE JOBS.

ITEM 237 WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE COATS LAWSUIT AND 238 WE NEED TO GO ON CASE -- ON K -- ON K-SOLV.

AM I MISSING ANY DISCUSSION ITEMS ?

>> HOW ABOUT ITEM 98? THAT IS THE LEGISLATE -- THE LEGISLATIVE -- THAT IS THE INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS. IS THERE ACTION ON THAT ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NOT FROM ME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MIGHT HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. GIST TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE

WE ARE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE

ITEM 98 THEN, JAMES. >> YES, MA'AM.

AND HOW ABOUT 209? IS THERE A MOTION FOR THAT ITEM? IS IT TO REQUEST FOR COURT OF REFERRAL TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR A REPORT TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT REGARDING THE CREATION OF THE HARRIS

COUNTY WOMEN'S COUNCIL? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DON'T NEED

A MOTION ON THAT. >> SO NO ACTION?

OKAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST APPROVE

IT, RIGHT? >> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. IT CAN BE ON THE CONCEPT AGENDA UNLESS SOMEONE WANTS TO DISCUSS IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO, JAMES, DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT IT IS THAT IS BEING APPROVED? SIMPLY THE CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING FOREIGN POLICIES PROCEDURES -- EXCUSE ME.

THE REFERRAL TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR A REPORT RASHING -- REPORT REGARDING CREATION OF CITY COUNCIL.

DOES THAT SUFFICE, JAMES? >> A REQUEST FROM COURT FOR A REFERRAL TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR A REPORT TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT REGARDING CREATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY

[05:00:03]

WOMEN'S COUNCIL. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

>> BASICALLY IT IS PRESENTED -- AS PRESENTED, BUT TAKING OUT THE WORD "POSSIBLE."

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. SO THAT SHOULD BE ALL OF THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. WE NEED A MOTION FOR ALL OF

THE ITEMS ONE THROUGH 243. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE VOTED ON AND THE DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST

LISTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. J DON'T WE DO A BRIEF -- MAYBE A 20-MINUTE BREAK SO FOLKS THAT NEED TO EAT LUNCH CAN EAT A QUICK BITE. IT IS 3:30 WE COULD COME BACK AT 4. I KNOW THE STAFF NEEDS A BREAK. WE WILL RECONVENE -- IT IS 3:30 AND WE WILL RECONVENE AT 4.

THANK YOU. SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY LUNCH.

LET'S GET STARTED. IT IS 4:03 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE NEED TO START WITH ITEM 3 IS THE FIRST ONE. THE ANALYST'S OFFICE MEMO.

IS THERE ANYTHING FROM THE ANALYST'S OFFICE TO ADD? OR QUESTIONS? IT LOOKS HERE LIKE THIS IS AN ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA REQUESTED SO PERHAPS BE NEED

TO COME BACK TO IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M SORRY, JUDGE. WHICH ONE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 3 IS THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE ANALYST'S OFFICE FOR THEIR CONTINUED GOOD WORK AND DIGGING INTO SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND I'M CONTINUOUSLY MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE STRIVING TO DO AS GOOD AS WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THE VACCINES OUT TO EVERYONE WHO WANTS ONE AND NEEDS ONE AND THE RENNE CAL RECENTLY -- AND THE CLON CAL -- CHRONICLE IS TALKING ABOUT REACHING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND PARTICULARLY HOW THIS IS STIM -- THIS IS STILL A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR US. I JUST WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR ALL OF THE PHENOMENAL WORK IN GETTING THE VACCINES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACQUIRE THROUGH HARRIS HEALTH.

I WANT TO THANK DR. PORSA AND HIS TEAM BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL PARTNER RECOGNIZING THAT FOLKS ARE NOT GOING TO DRIVE TO NRG AND WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING TO GET THE VACCINES CLOSER TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE HOMES AND IN THE COMMUNITIES AND JUST THAT I WILL BE -- I WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK THIS JUSTER -- JUST BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT ARE CHALLENGING COMMUNITY.

IT IS REALLY INTERESTING. WHEN WE DO NO PRE-REG -- REGISTRATION THE TIMES ARE LONGER THAN WHEN WE DO PRE-REGISTRATION. WHAT I SUGGESTED TO FOLKS IS THEY DO THEIR OWN VACCINES -- VACCINE SITES IN THE SAME AREA. DON'T DO PRE-REGISTRATION.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT IF WE HAD STAYED ON THAT TRACK, WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT THE VACCINES TO THE ARMS OF THE PRECINCT 2 CONSTITUENTS IN A MATTER OF WEEKS. AND SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE SYSTEMS AND JUST RECOGNIZE THAT THEY MAY LOOK GOOD IN A TEXTBOOK, BUT WE NEED TO BE PRACTICAL ON HOW WE DEAL WITH THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE THEY WREN GAUGED AND ENCOURAGE -- THEY ARE ENGAGED AND ENCOURAGED AND THE SYSTEM IS COMING ACROSS AS FRIENDLY. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF

[05:05:05]

OBVIOUSLY THE STORIES AREN'T THERE, BUT THE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THAT KIND OF MISINFORMATION THROUGH SOME SOURCE. I THINK IT IS LIKELY THAT WE GET CORNEL MEDIA -- SOCIAL MEDIA.

I LOOKED TO SEE IF I COULD FIND SOME OF THESE INJUSTICES OF REALLY MISINFORMING THE PUBLIC.

I HAVEN'T FOUND THEM AS OF YET.

WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS SOMEBODY OUT THERE PUTTING SOMETHING OUT THAT IS GETTING THE ATTENTION OF SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THAT WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE TO BE EMPOWERED. LASTLY, JUDGE, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GET TO HERD IMMUNITY.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE GETTING INTO THE COMMUNITY AND WE NEED A FULL SERVICE SYSTEM TO FURTHER HELP THE COMMUNITY GET TO THOSE VACCINES, OR GET US TO THOSE SHOULDERS.

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THE ANALYST -- THIS REPORT BY THE ANALYST'S OFFICE IS JUST SHOWING US THAT WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ARE STILL FAR BEHIND THE VACCINATIONS AND THERE ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES. AND FOLKS STILL FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE STEPPING UP WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE THERE THAT ARE -- THAT CAN WALK THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS.

WHETHER IT IS PUBLIC HEALTH OR OUR RESPECTIVE INITIATIVE THAT'S WE KEEP THAT IN MIND AND THE MOST DISENFRANCHISED.

AGAIN, THANK YOU, MR. SOARD AND THANK YOU, DR. PORSA FOR

YOUR SUPPORT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR ASKING THE ANALYST'S OFFICE TO REPORT.

BECAUSE I THINK IT WAS VERY ENLIGHTENING.

THANK YOU FOR COLLECTING THE DATA.

I KNOW THE LAST TIME I WAS AT AN EVENT WITH YOU, JUDGE FROM LOOKING AT THE DATA OUR NUMBERS WERE BETTER THAN OUR OTHER PARTNERS. OBVIOUSLY IT IS STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH. I GUESS WE WILL SAY WE HAVE TO RUN IT LIKE WE RUN A CAMPAIGN.

AND WHEN SOMETHING CHANGES YOU CHANGE THE STRATEGY AND I THINK ABOUT HOW NORMALLY HARRIS COUNTY AND WE THINK ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY IS NORMALLY ONE OF THE LOWEST TURNOUT PLACES IN THE COUNTRY TO VOTE.

THEN WE PUT THE MONEY IN AND WE HAD THE WILLINGNESS.

I DON'T WANT TO DISCOUNT OTHER PEOPLE.

ALL OF THAT STUFF. I WANT TO SUGGESTION -- SUGGEST THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT AS WELL.

THE VACCINES THAT WE GET AT EACH PRECINCT, INITIALLY I I WAS RELUCTANT TO TAKE THEM. IT IS A HUMAN ELEMENT TO GET THE FRIENDS IN. I THOUGHT ABOUT THE DOCTOR AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I DIDN'T WANT ANY OF THAT GOING ON. I WENT TO AN EVENT THAT SHEILA

[05:10:06]

I CHANGED MY THOUGHT PROCESS. I DO THINK WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT AS A CAMPAIGN. I DON'T KNOW WHY IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, THE TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENT OR LACK OF HEALTH INSURANCE, I JUST -- THANK YOU.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE TO GET -- WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. YOUR TEAM IS DOING A GOOD JOB AT LOOKING AND SEEING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING.

I AM BEGINNING TO THINK NOW WITH THE ONES WE GOT I HAVEN'T PULLED THE NUMBERS. I TOLD THEM TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, BUT WE MADE THE DECISION THAT IT WAS FRIDAY, I GUESS, AND THEN I CALLED THE SUPERINTENDENT OUT THERE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PRINCIPAL. I PREFER TO HAVE A THOUSAND SHOW UP. AT LEAST THEN WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING AT THIS POINT. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX LIKE WE DID.

I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO BE KNOWN AS BEATING THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. IT IS A PROBLEM EVERYWHERE IN TERMS OF HITTING THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT MAYBE DON'T HAVE THE CULTURE OF GETTING SHOTS.

OR MAYBE THEY HAVE SOME -- IF IT IS SKEPTICISM, BUT WE HAVE TO IMPACT THE MORE FLUENT AREAS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GET THAT HEARD IN RUIN -- IN UNITY.

>> JUDGE, ONE QUICK COMMENT. I AGREE WITH TRY THINGS DIFFERENTLY. WE TALKED ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS. I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS THERE.

I PUT THEM IN THE VULNERABLE CATEGORY.

IT IS JUST LIKE WHEN WE WERE GIVEN THE WATER IN THE BIG FREEDZ WE COULD PUT THE WORD OUT THAT WE HAD AVAILABLE WATER AT BAYLOR AND WITHIN AN HOUR THERE WERE 500 PEOPLE LINED UP TO GET WATER. IF WE TAKE THAT SAME NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY APPROACH TO VACCINES, THEY WILL BE GIVING OUT VACCINES ON A CERTAIN DAY.

THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED IT, MAYBE THEY ARE RELUCTANT AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID GETTING IN THEIR CAR AND DRIVING TO NRG. IT MAY NOT SOUND BIKE A BIG DEAL TO US, BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL TO A LOT OF FOLKS.

JUST BEING ABLE TO GET THERE. SO TRYING NEW THINGS.

OUR COMMUNITY CENTER IN PRE SINK 3 SH AD -- PRECINCT 3 TYPICALLY IN THE ZIP CODES YOU PROVIDED FOR US, AND I THINK WE COULD -- WE SHOULD TRY THAT ANYWAY.

I KNOW JOSH STUCKY -- STUKEY REACHED OUT TO US AND WE ARE

READY TO START WHEN YOU ARE. >> AND I CAN JUST ADD THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I JUST -- AGAIN I WANT TO THANK THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, JOSH, WHEN THE WHOLE TEAM OVER THERE -- BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING JUST TIRELESSLY.

WE ARE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL AS WELL AS DR. PORSA AND HIS TEAM OUT THERE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO REMIND US IS THAT -- JOSH AND I SPOKE ABOUT THIS EARLIER. WE HAVE STAFF AUGMENTATION TO GET THE ENGINEERS MOVING A LITTLE SOONER.

THE VACCINATIONS NEED A STAFF AUGMENTATION AS WELL.

IT DOES PUT A LITTLE MORE PRESSURE ON PUBLIC HEALTH BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO MONITOR EVERYTHING.

IF NOT FOR SOME CREATIVITY ON MY STAFF SIDE, THE SMART PODS ARE BEING UTILIZED MORE THAN I EVER IMAGINED.

THAT TECHNOLOGY MAKES PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THEY ARE WALKING INTO A CLINIC. THEY ARE WALKING INTO A

[05:15:01]

THE FACT THAT THEY ARE SERVING THEIR PURPOSE AS A QUASI MEDICAL FACILITY IS EXCITING FOR ME BECAUSE IT IS MORE SO THAN I IMAGINE THEY WOULD.

SO THERE ARE WAYS TO GET THE VACCINES OUT IN A CREATIVE WAY AND WE USE OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MENTIONED. THE NICE THING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CENTERS IS THEY ARE IN STRATEGIC PLACES, AND OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL TO NRG, BUT THE REALIZATION IS THE LIFE OF MANY FOLKS IS WITHIN A MULTI-BLOCK RADIUS AND NOT BE ON -- YOU KNOW, NOT TO FORGET TO MENTION THEY ARE OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC SERVICE AREA SO IT IS MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT IS IN OTHER PLACES. SO I RAISE THIS ISSUE TO RECOGNIZE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD.

AND AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS ELUDED TO CONTINUE TO BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

MOST IMPORTANTLY IS THAT WE CANNOT STOP BEING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE ON HOW WE BEAT THIS PAN -- PANDEMIC.

AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO THE UNDER SERVED AREAS AND THE ENCAMPMENTS, THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE. IT IS GOING TO REQUIRE SOME WORK. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT THE STAR OF MY TEAM IS JUST WORKING HER FINGERS TO THE BONE. I REMIND HER THAT WHEN SHE WORKS HER FINGERS TO THE BONE, LIKE THE SONG SAYS, YOU GET BONY FINGERS. SHE IS A ROCK STAR AND WE APPRECIATE HER AND WE LOVE HER.

WE ARE GRATEFUL BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN VERY, VERY TENACIOUS ALT -- AT BEING THOUGHTFUL OF HOW TO GET THE VACCINES.

THUS FAR WE HAVE HAD -- I THINK WE HAVE ALWAYS OVER SHOT OUR GOAL OF THE DAY AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE AT 12,000 VACCINES AND COUNTING. OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE LOOKING AT A PRECINCT OF A MILLION THREE AND WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

IT IS REALLY INTERESTING. EVEN FOLKS WITH MEANS WOULD LIKE THEM DONE. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE WAS ITEM 7 AS WELL, COMMISSIONER

GARCIA, THAT YOU ASKED FOR. >> IF I CAN, JUDGE, INTERRUPT, IS THERE ANY ACTION ON ITEM THREE?

>> NO ACTION. >> AND JUST FOR CLARITY ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE A CATCH ALL VOTE ON THESE DISCUSSION ITEMS

OR VOTE ON THEM INDIVIDUALLY? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL TAKE A CATCH ALL VOTE, BUT THERE MAY BE SOME PLACES FOLKS WANT TO

VOTE INDIVIDUALLY. >> THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DWIGHT CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THERE IS A BIT OF AUGMENTATION TO GET THOSE VACCINES ADMINISTERED. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE WILL WORK WITH PUBLIC HEALTH TO GET THIS OUT. WHENEVER THE NEED ARISES THEY CAN UTILIZE THE CONTRACT AS NEEDED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I CAN USE IT I WILL USE IT, BUT I HOPE WE WILL BE USING THIS TO GET THE VACCINES OUT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 8 WHICH IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM. I HAVE A FEW POINTS.

YOU KNOW ABOUT J AND J. SO I COVERED THAT.

AND NOW WE ARE GOING -- WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE NUMBERS. I HEARD A LOT ABOUT NRG.

[05:20:08]

I AM A LITTLE BIT -- IT BREAKS MY HEART A BIT BECAUSE IT IS PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF AND MY OWN STAFF THAT HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE WITH YOUR STAFF TO BE AT NOT JUST NRG, BUT AT OVER 77 AND THAT'S DOZENS OF SITES AND TO ADMINISTER ALMOST 500,000 VACCINES. IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS THIS PAST WEEK'S DATA HAS -- THE POPULATION IN HARRIS COUNTY IS 18 -- EXCUSE ME. 44.3% LATINO, 41% HISPANICS.

IT IS 18.7% BLACK AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRIBUTED 25% -- OR DISTRIBUTED 17%.

I MEAN, WE'RE DOING THE WORK I JUST -- WE ARE HITTING THE NUMBERS AND WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VACCINE AND WE HAVE NOT EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF ANY SORT OF UNTOARD BEHAVIOR. ANYONE WHO HAD A SPRING TO -- STRING TO PULL ALREADY PULLED IT.

THAT'S WHY I SAID TO PUBLIC HEALTH LET'S GO AND STARTING AT THE END OF LAST WEEK LETS -- LET'S GO AND HAVE IT WITHOUT THE SIGN UP. WE HAVE GONE TO 77 SITES AND WE GIVE PEOPLE A RIDE AND WE DON'T ASK THEM TO DRIVE TO N RRK G. YOU GUYS KNOW THAT.

AND SO IT IS JUST -- PERHAPS I AM NOT DOING A GOOD JOB COMMUNICATING IT. WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP MORE THAN EVER IN THE SENSE THAT I DO FEAR THAT THE -- THAT WHAT I SAID A COUPLE WEEKS BACK AND A MONTH BACK MAY BE AROUND THE CORNER. I THINK IT IS HERE.

THIS WEEK WE HAD -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS BECAUSE OF THE J AND J OR IF IT IS BECAUSE OF VACCINE HESITANCY.

IT CAME TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME, SO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FLESH OUT. IT LOOKS LIKE -- IT LOOKS LIKE WE MAY BE HITTING THE CHALLENGE OF MORE VACCINES THAN PEOPLE. THIS IS REALLY THE TIME FOR US TO GO AND HAVE A BULK OF THE VACCINES TO THE COME ONE, COME ALL SITE. THERE IS THE STAFF AUGMENTATION CONTRACT HERE AS YOU HAVE IT SO THAT WE CAN DO THAT. RIGHT NOW WE ARE RUNNING 11 SITES IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT WE WANT TO RAMP THAT UP.

WE HAVE THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN. I AM GONNA ASK THE FAITH LEADERS. THEY SAY, HEY, I HAVE THIS CHURCH. SEND US VACCINES.

IF YOU HAVE MORE SITES THEN YOU CAN RAMP UP THE IDEAS AND LET US KNOW. BUT WE ARE GONNA CONTINUE WORKING. WE ARE NOT JUST AT NRG.

WE HAVE NOT JUST DISTRIBUTED THE 500 DOSES.

THE 77 SITES ARE NOT MADE UP. THEY ARE IN YOUR COMMUNITY CENTERS. THEY ARE IN CHURCHES AND THEY ARE IN HOMELESS SHELTERS AND THEY FROM SCHOOLS.

I JUST WANT TO DO JUSTICE TO THE PEOPLE THERE.

>> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT I THINK THE POINT YOU OR COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, THE NUMBERS FROM THE COUNTY DO TRACK THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE COUNTY. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE OTHER PARTNERS WHO ARE PUTTING THEM OUT AS WELL.

INCLUDE -- INCLUDING THE HOSPITALS.

I DOUBT -- I GUESS THE BURDEN FALLS ON US AND WE HAVE A PUSH AND USE THE -- I SUGGEST USING THE BULLY PULPIT.

I THINK THE NUMBERS ARE SLIGHTLY BEHIND.

NOT JUST AS A CITY -- NOT ONLY DOES THE CITY CONTROL ALL OF THE VACCINES, BUT, LOOK, IT IS SORT OF LIKE -- WE HAVE COME UP WITH THE EQUITY GUIDELINES FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH A THE FLOOD BOND PACKAGE. WE ALL GET JUDGED BY THE TOTALITY OF THE RESULTS WHETHER WE ARE -- THERE IS NO WAY FOR CRITICISM OF WHAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE DONE.

[05:25:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL COME -- YOU KNOW, LIKE THE DOOR-TO-DOOR PILOT, WE STARTED THAT AT COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S SUGGESTION. WE WANTED TO EXPAND THAT TO ALL PRECINCTS. CANDIDLY, IT IS WE CAN RAMP THAT UP, OR RAMP UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD GASH DASH -- DASH I CALL THEM AD-HOC. IT IS SHOW UP WHOEVER IS

THERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM TALKING A LITTLE SUBTLE PRESSURE ON OUR PARTNERS.

I GUESS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF WE INCLUDE THE CHART ON THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC BREAK DOWN OF EVERYBODY WHO HAS THEM, WOULDN'T THAT BE INTERESTING? THE SPOTLIGHT ON HOW THE NUMBERS ARE ON EVERYBODY ELSE PUTTING THEM OUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I PULLED SOMETHING YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING AND THAT'S ON ZIP CODES.

THE PRIORITY ZIP CODES, ALL PROVIDERS ARE GIVING 9% *6 -- OF THEIR VACCINES TO THE ZIP CODES.

WE ARE GIVING 18% SO TWICE AS MUCH.

IS IT WHERE WE NEED TO BE? NO, BUT WE ARE DOING BETTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE. I DO THINK WE HIT IT.

IT IS WHERE THE STRATEGY NEEDS TO HIT INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE BEEN HITTING THE NUMBERS AND DRIVING PEOPLE TO NRG AND GOING TO PEOPLE'S COMMUNITIES.

I DO THINK WE ARE THERE NOW. IT IS TIME TO TURN THE CORNER, PARTICULARLY FOR THE NOTE. MY CONCERN IS I NEVER WANT TO PUT THE COUNTY IN A SITUATION WHERE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SCANDAL. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID IT HAS HAPPENED IN PLACES AND IN COUNTRIES.

I AM HAPPY THAT WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE NOW.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I AM ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THE VISION WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY MORE AND MORE COMMUNITY-BASED SITES ABSOLUTELY PARTNERSHIPS WITH EACH OF YOUR OFFICES AND LEADERS. IF WE ARE NOT THERE YET, WE ARE ABOUT TO BE AT THE PLACE. IT IS NOT JUST THAT PEOPLE CAN'T DRIVE, BUT WE WERE DRIVING AND WE WERE GOING TO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE EAGER TO GET THE VACCINE KIND OF GOT IT, A LOT OF THEM.

AND NOW THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO DO IT.

WE ARE RAMPING UP THE DOUR -- THE DOOR-TO-DOOR AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AD-HOC. AS WE RM P UP -- RAMP UP WE WILL SEND MORE AND MORE DES -- DOSES AND WE WANT TO DO IT RIGHT. I WAS GOING TO SAY TO YOU GUYS WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING FOR THIS MONTH, HOW MANY DES -- DOSES, BUT IT WAS MOSTLY J AND J. AND THIS WEEK WE HAVE THEM.

WE HAVE IT ON HAND THE PFIZER AND MODERNA.

THE REST OF THE MONTH WAS MOSTLY J AND J.

I FEEL CONFIDENT WITH THE WAY THE STATE AND THE FEDS ARE WORKING WITH US AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE PFIZER AND THE MODERNA. IF THAT CHANGES I'LL LET YOU KNOW. BEYOND THAT, EVEN AS WE HIT THE HESITANCY WALL, LET US GO AND FIND THE ARMS. YOU -- I DON'T WANT TO GET TO WHERE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH DOSES. WE DEFINITELY HAVE WORK TO DO. I AM GOING TO TAKE YOU UP ON THE OFFER OF MORE VACCINES AND MORE SITES IN YOUR AREA.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: MY COMMENTS WERE NOT MEANT AS CRITICISMS. BELIEVE ME, IF WE WERE NOT DOING A GOOD JOB, MY PHONE WOULD BE RINGING AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANYONE. I GUESS WHEN WE GET A REPORT FROM THE ANALYST'S OFFICE THAT INDICATES AREAS TO RESPOND ON, HOW CAN WE HELP TO RESPOND ON THAT AND PROVING TO THAT.

WE OBVIOUSLY STAY CLOSE TO THE OTHER WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS CALLS PART OF NEITHER. PARTNERS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND ARMS LIKE WE ARE TRYING TO FIND ARMS. THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH JOSH AND DOING A GOOD JOB. WHEN IT IS TIME TO FIND ARMS WE CAN PROBABLY HELP WITH THAT.

IF YOU TURN THE NEXT BUTTON ON AND GO TO THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY THERE ARE PROBABLY 50 CHURCHES IN PRECINCT THREE AND GO DOWN THAT ROAD. I DON'T WANT TO CREATE EXPECTATIONS UNTIL WE ARE READY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE J AND J SWITCH AND

[05:30:02]

QUICKLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, I TOO WANTED TO ADD MY COMMENTS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS CRITICISM EITHER OTHER THAN I AM CHALLENGING MY STAFF WE HAVE DONE 12,000 WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL.

HOW DO WE 40,000? HOW DO WE FORCE MULTIPLY -- OURSELVES? I HOPE MY COMMENTS WILL HAVE PEOPLE RECOGNIZING -- AND RECOGNIZING THE PARADIGM SHIFT THAT WE WILL POTENTIALLY CONFRONT.

RECOGNIZING THOSE THINGS IN ADVANCE ARE CRITICAL FOR US TO MAINTAIN OUR MOMENT. THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE SHIFT THAT WE WILL HAVE TO DO OPERATIONALLY AND OUT REACH WISE AND SYSTEM WISE AND IN FACT, MY TEAM AND I LAST WEEK WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE VALUE OF ADAPTABILITY.

WE HAVE TO FIND WHAT THE PIVOT IS SO WE DON'T LOSE OUR STRIDE WITH THE SUCCESS WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

AND SO THAT IS -- SO I'M CHALLENGING MYSELF AS I LOOK AT THIS REPORT AND LOOK AT WHAT THE CHALLENGE REMAINS AND I AM CONTINUOUSLY THINKING HOW DO WE NOW HIT THE NEXT LEVEL AND NOT ACCEPT WHERE WE ARE AT AS THE ONLY LEVEL OF SUCCESS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE SIGNING UP FOR A CHALLENGE.

I CAN SEE IT. WE ARE HITTING THE HESITANCY WALL VERY SOON. THAT'S WHERE THE KEY COMMUNITIES AND THE NETWORKS THAT YOU HAVE ARE INVALUABLE.

JUST GIVE ME A CALL IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT IS NOT WORKING. I AM IN A HURRY TO GET IT RAMPED UP RIGHT NOW. SO THAT WAS ITEM 8.

>> IS THERE ANY ACTION, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, JAMES, UNLESS THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BROADLY RELATED TO COVID.

NO ACTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ITEM 11 ON THE THREAT

LEVEL SYSTEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

JUDGE, I PUT THIS ON THERE BECAUSE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. I DON'T THINK THIS IS THINGS WE TALK ABOUT OUT OF COURT. I WOULD RATHER TALK ABOUT IT IN COURT. I AM PROBABLY ASKED THIS QUESTION MORE EVERY WEEK THAN ANY OTHER QUESTION.

WHEN I START TALKING, AND I'M A NUMBERS GUY.

WHEN A YEAR AGO WE WENT INTO THIS AND I -- WE WENT INTO THIS AND I WAS TOLD THE PRIMARY THING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS OUR HOSPITALS. WE DID NOT WANT TO GET ANYWHERE CLOSE TOISM -- IMPACTING OUR ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE ONCE THEY WERE SICK.

I HAVE CHECKED EVERY MORNING AND I CHECKED THIS MORNING AS WELL AND TODAY THERE ARE 713 PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITALS WITH COVID. WE HAVE OVER 14,000 BEDS.

THERE IS 7,200 SOMETHING PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR OTHER THINGS. THOSE NUMBERS, THE PERCENTAGES KIND OF GO UP AND KIND OF GO DOWN.

VERY RARELY IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE WE GOTTEN CLOSE TO 5,000 AVAILABLE BEDS. WE HAVE HAD BEDS AVAILABLE, AND WHEN I TALK TO DOCTORS IN TERMS OF IMPACTS OVER THE LAST YEAR, WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN THE LAST YEAR? WHEN WE WENT INTO THIS NONE OF US KNEW ANYTHING.

WE LOOKED AT THE CDC. WE LOOKED TO THE GUIDANCE FROM FOLKS IN TERMS OF WHAT THE METRICS SHOULD BE.

I THINK YOU CAPTURED THAT IN THE FIVE METRICS IN DETERMINES -- DETERMINING THE CODE RED.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE HOSPITALIZATIONS MY TAKE AWAY THROUGH THE LAST YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

WE WERE FOCUSED ON IT. WE SHUT THEM DOWN ON ELECTIVE SURGERIES AND IF WE HAD TO DO THAT OVER WE WOULD HAVE.

[05:35:03]

THAT'S OLD INFORMATION, BUT WE GO THROUGH WITH THAT.

MY BROTHER IS A DOCTOR AND HE HAS TOLD ME FOREVER THAT ICU'S ARE DESIGNED FOR CAPACITY. YOU NEED YOUR ICU BEDS FULL.

TYPICALLY YOUR ICU BEDS ARE CLOSE TO CAPACITY.

WE HAVE HAD THE ABILITY TO RAMP UP IF WE NEED TO.

I GUESS THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE -- WE HAD THE RESOURCES AND THE HOSPITALIZATION-RELATED HOSPITAL RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH PANDEMIC UP UP TO THIS POINT. THE OTHERS RELATE TO CONNECTICUT TACT TRACING AND -- TO CONTACT TRACING AND OTHER THINGS. I DID A LOT OF THINGS AT A WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT, BUT I NEVER SUFFERED FROM A PANDEMIC. THE RESULTS ARE INTERESTING AND PROVIDE AS MUCH INSIGHT AS ANYTHING.

I GUESS MY POINT IT -- MY POINT IS PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT THE METRICS ARE. THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW.

SINCE AUGUST SPRING BRANCH, TOM BOSS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THEY HAVE BEEN IN CLASS. THEY HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM SO THAT'S GOOD INFORMATION IN TERMS OF WHAT IS OUR EXPERIENCED IN TERMS OF THE CHILDREN BEING IN SCHOOL.

MY SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOL SINCE AUGUST AND THOSE ARE GOOD, REAL LIFE DATA IN TERMS OF REFERENCING WHERE WE ARE. ACCORDING TO CODE RED THEY SHOULDN'T BE GOING TO SCHOOL. ACCORDING TO CODE RED WE SHOULDN'T BE GOING TO CHURCH. ACCORDING TO CODE RED -- SO I'M SAYING THE REALITY OF WHERE WE ARE AND THE GOOD EFFORTS WROA -- WE HAVE PUT FORTH.

OUR CHURCHES AND OUR BUSINESSES.

I THINK IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE SAID WE TRUST YOU.

HERE IS THE DATA. LET'S FOLLOW THOSE.

WHAT WE'RE SAYING, I GUESS, IS THE EXPERIENCE IS -- AND CERTAINLY AS I GET ON THE FREEWAY, BUT MOST PEOPLE ARE WORKING RIGHT NOW. IF I HAD TO JUDGE THAT BY THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE FREEWAY THIS MORNING I DON'T THINK THE CODE RED MATCHES THE REALITY OF WHERE WE ARE. MAYBE THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR RESIDENTS IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. THAT WAS MY REASONING FOR PUTTING THAT ON THERE. I AM BRINGING THAT THERE BECAUSE I DO GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON CODE RED.

I THINK WE AS A COUNTY AS WE COMMUNICATE WITH OUR RESIDENTS IT OUGHT TO BE IN CONTEXT WITH WHAT IS SAFE AND WHAT IS THE REALITY OF WHAT WE KNOW. WE KNOW A LOT MORE IN APRIL OF 2021 THAN WE DID IN APRIL OF 2020.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS OBVIOUS WE WANT TO SAY THREAT OVER. THEY MENTIONED THAT THERE IS A UNIQUE SITUATION HAPPENING IN THE HOSPITALIZATION.

IT IS THAT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOW ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITALS. AND THEN RECOGNIZING THAT THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION AS WE HAD IT LAST YEAR AND CONTINUE TO HAVE IT NOW AND FOLKS WERE TRYING TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN. THE REALITY OF IT IS, JUST AS

[05:40:08]

THE MEDICAL EXPERTS DISAGREE. I THINK WE NEED TO TRUST THOSE WHO WE HAVE CHARGED FOR THE PARTICULAR MISSION AND ALLOW THEM TO FURTHER GUIDE US. WHEN THOSE REALITIES ALIGN THE JUDGE WILL GIVE US A DIFFERENT INDICATION TO RECOGNIZE THE TERM. WHEN JOSH TOLD ME THAT, THAT SURPRISED ME. WE ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE YOUNGER PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL.

WITH SUMMER ON THE WAY, WE WILL BE LATER INTO THE SECOND WAVES, AND MY CONCERN IS WE ARE RELATED TO THE THIRD WAVE. AND IT IS WORKING ON THEIR BEHALF. SO I -- YOU KNOW, I WANT THIS OVER WITH, JUST LIKE YOU DO, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

BUT I WOULD JUST SAY WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TRUST OUR MEDICAL EXPERTS AND I WANT TO BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I AGREE WITH YOU.

I DON'T LIKE BEING THE ONE THAT -- IT IS NOT A GOOD -- IT DOESN'T HELP MY POLLING NUMBERS IN ANYWAY.

I'LL SHARE WITH YOU WHERE WE ARE AT.

SHE IS A PROFESSOR AT UT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

SHE IS THE PERSON INCLUDED IN THE VACCINE GROUP TOMORROW THAT IS GOING TO ME. THIS IS A STATIC SYSTEM THAT WE DESIGNED. SHE SAID LOOK AT IT AND TEAR IT APART AND WHAT DO YOU THINK. WHAT SHE EXPLAINED TO ME IS YOU LOOK AT ISRAEL. ISRAEL IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

THEY VACCINATED A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION THAN WE HAD. AND YET THEY BEGAN TO SEE THE RISES IN HOSPITALIZATIONS. RIGHT NOW MICHIGAN IS GOING THROUGH A VERY TOUGH TIME. HARRIS COUNTY, THE STATE IS ACTUALLY DOING A LITTLE BETTER.

BASICALLY THERE IS THE UK VARIANT WHICH IS THE B117.

AROUND HALF OF OUR CASES ARE NOW THIS UK VARIANT.

THE VARIANT IS NOT ONLY MORE CONTAGIOUS, BUT IT IS MORE DANGEROUS. IT IS MORE DEADLY.

AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE SEEING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL. I WAS LOOKING -- WHEN I SAW YOUR ITEM I LOOKED AT OUR DEMOGRAPHICS AND THE AGES FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS. WE HAVE IT OVER TIME IN OUR LANDSCAPE DOCUMENTS THAT WE PUT OUT THREE TIMES A WEEK.

YOU CAN SEE THE HOSPITALIZATIONS EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC. IT IS THIS MUCH OLDER FOLKS AND THIS MUCH YOUNGER FOLKS. YOUNG FOLKS MAKE A SIGNIFICANT

[05:45:02]

IN SOME CASES WE ARE UNDER THE 400 CASES THAT WOULD GET US TO ORANGE. THE CASE TREND IS TRENDING UPWARDS. THE ICU POPULATION HAS NOW FLATTENED AND IT IS JUST ABOVE 15%.

THE POSITIVITY RATE HAS FLATTENED TO AROUND 8%.

THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED NOW THREE TIMES OR TWICE BEFORE.

TBR -- FROM THERE THEY GO UP. I REALLY HOPE I'M WRONG I REALLY DO. IF YOU ARE RIGHT, PEOPLE END UP DEAD. IF YOU ARE WRONG, THEN YOU JUST LOOK LIKE YOU CRIED WOLF.

I WOULD RATHER FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF THE FOLKS THAT KEEP LOOKING AT IT AND THAT ARE NOT POLITICAL AT ALL.

I STRIVE TO IDENTIFY THE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS AND THE DOCTORS THAT WOULD NOT EVEN TRY TO GIVE ME POLITICAL ADVICE AND SAY THIS IS WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY.

WHAT HE AND OTHERS TELL ME IS THAT THE SYSTEM IS WELL DESIGNED. WHEN WE VACCINATE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO WHERE TRULY THINGS LOOK BETTER, THEN THE NUMBERS WILL GO DOWN AND WE WILL GET TO ORANGE AND GET TO YELLOW AND THEN GET TO GREEN. I GET YOUR POINT AND THERE HAS BEEN SCHOOL AND THERE HAS BEEN THESE GATHERINGS AND WE HAVEN'T OVERWHELMED THE HOSPITALS.

THAT MAY BE IN PART BECAUSE THERE IS A VOICE AND THERE IS A COUNTY SPEAKING PRECAUTION AND NOT SAYING WE'RE GOOD, WE'RE GOOD, WE'RE GOOD. WE SAW IT IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

SO MANY PLACES SAW IT IN NUMBERS THAT WE HAVEN'T.

WE STILL HAVE HAD OVER 3,000 DEATHS.

MANY PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED WITH THE VIRUS.

CERTAINLY WE CAN BE DEALING WITH MUCH LOWER LEVELS.

I DID ASK DR. JA L -- JARLENA TO BE ON THE LINE.

I UNDERSTAND. EVERYBODY WISHES WE ARE OUT OF THIS, BUT I FEEL COMFORTABLE -- I REALLY HAVE RECEIVED PRETTY MUCH UNANIMOUS ADVICE, AND IT IS WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SAYING TOO. WE ARE NOT AT THE SAME TIME AS DR. FAUCI. WE ARE NOT THERE.

DOCTOR, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> HI.

YEAH, I'M HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT ME.

WHAT DID I SAY WRONG? >> I WAS GOING TO SAY, YOU DID GREAT, JUDGE HIDALGO. I HAVE BEEN HEARING EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT WHEN WE LOOK AT HARRIS COUNTY NUMBERS RIGHT NOW.

MARCH 20TH IS ABOUT WHEN OUR WAVE THREE WAS DONE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE PROBLEM IS THOUGH IT PLATEAUED. IT WAS A PLATEAU THAT STARTED PRE-WAVE 3. THIS MEANS THERE IS ACTIVE SPREAD IN THE COMMUNITY AND COUPLED WITH VARIANT SPREADS.

THIS IS REALLY AN UNFAVORABLE PICTURE.

YOU KNOW, HARRIS COUNTY CATERS -- INDICATORS TRY TO ANSWER THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF QUESTIONS.

ONE WE ALREADY HIT ON AND THAT IS THE CAPACITY WITH THE HOSPITALIZATIONS. WE ARE KEEPING TRACK ON THAT.

WE ARE STILL ABOVE -- BARELY, BUT WE ARE STILL ABOVE 15% ICU. THE OTHER THING IS DO WE HAVE ENOUGH BODIES TO CONTACT TRACE. THE OTHER THING THROUGH THE INDICATORS IS ARE WE TESTING ENOUGH? AND WE ARE HONESTLY NOT TESTING ENOUGH.

THE WHO SET IT. IN FACT, WE ARE INCREASING OUR RATE AMONG THE YOUNGER POPULATION.

[05:50:04]

THE PROBLEM IS THE PANDEMIC IS EVER-EVOLVING.

THE PICTURE IS CHANGING. THE VARIANTS ARE SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE AMONG THE YOUNGER POPULATIONS.

TESS -- TESTING, THE YOUNGER POPULATIONS ARE NOT GETTING TESTED. ONE GROUP IN HARRIS COUNTY AGE 10 TO 19 HAVE A 22% TEST POSITIVITY RATE WHICH IS TERRIFYING. 31% OF CASES AND 8 SYMPTOM -- 8 SOIM -- 8 SYMPTOM MASS PARTICULAR CASES.

THEY HAVE LONG COVID. WE NEED TO KEEP UP FOR THAT.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT. THE PANDEMIC IS EVER EVOLVING. AND SO WE ARE KEEPING TABS ON THIS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO TO BETTER PAINT THE PICTURE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW YOU HAVE TO TEACH AT 5 SO I WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DOCTOR, I GET ASKED THIS QUESTION ALL THE TIME IN THE PRECINCT IN TERMS OF BEING AT LEVEL RED.

I GET A SENSE THAT THERE ARE MANY FOLKS WHO ARE CONCERNED.

THERE IS A TV COMER THAT WILL -- COMMERCIAL ABOUT BEING NOSE BLIND AND TO ADVERTISE DIFFERENT KINDS OF AIR PHREN -- AIR FRESHENERS SO YOU ARE NOT NOSE BLIND TO A CERTAIN SMELL. WITH ALWAYS BEING AT LEVEL RED THERE IS NO PLACE TO GO IF THERE IS ANOTHER OUTBREAK.

THERE IS NO PLACE TO GO IN TERMS OF ALERTING THE PUBLIC IF THERE IS A CHANGE TO THE NEGATIVE OF THE CONDITIONS WE ARE IN. HOW DO WE FIND THAT BALANCE OF , YES, WE UNDER IT IS STILL SIGNIFICANT OUT THERE, BUT FOLKS ARE BECOMING BLIND TO THE COLOR RED AND IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING ANYMORE TO THEIR DAILY LIVES.

IF SOMETHING DID OCCUR THAT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT, THEN BE SAY WE'RE REALLY RED NOW. HOW DO YOU GET INTO A SYSTEM WHERE IF WE HAVE A TURN AND AN UP -- AN UPTICK THAT WE CAN ALERT THE PUBLIC THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM.

>> THAT'S A FANTASTIC QUESTION.

AND IT GOES BACK TO WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW BAD THIS PANDEMIC WAS GOING TO GET. THE SPECTRUM LIKE YOU ARE SAYING IS WHY? IT IS A BEHAVIOR THING AND THERE IS PANDEMIC FATIGUE. AND I ALSO THINK THAT THIS IS A QUAN DAY -- QUAN DAY TIFF NUMBER OF THE SYSTEM, BUT IT IS ALSO QUALITATIVE. I DON'T HAVE ANANCE -- AN ANSWER. WE ARE STICKING TO THE EVIDENCE AND THE PICTURE IS EVER-EVOLVING.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE EVIDENCE SO WE DON'T BECOME COLOR-BLIND BLIND. CHANGING BEHAVIORS IS VERY

IMPORTANT TO US. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST QUESTION FOR ME PERSONALLY. DO WE GO TO DARK RED IN DECEMBER WHEN THINGS WERE -- IT DIDN'T GET AS BAD AS JULY, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT AT THE TIME.

WE CROSSED TO WHERE IT IS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY.

YEAH, YOU HAVE SPACE, BUT WHEN YOU ARE GOING EXPO -- EXPONENTIALLY YOU ARE AT RISK OF RUNNING OUT AND DIDN'T QUITE GET THERE IN DECEMBER. I SAID WHEN WE GET THERE, WHAT COLOR DO WE GO TO? IF THE DECISION -- WHERE I AM AT -- AND LOOK, I DON'T FEEL RIGHT.

I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT AND I WOULD RATHER FOLLOW A DISCREET NUMBERS SYSTEM AND BE CONSISTENT SO LONG AS THE EXPERTS TELL ME IT IS ADEQUATE RATHER THAN GET IT ON A FEELING. IN DECEMBER I THOUGHT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING BAD, BUT IT IS NOT EXPONENTIAL.

I COULD HAVE SAID LET'S GO TO DARK RED, OR PURPLE, BUT I

[05:55:05]

IT IS NOT IDEAL, BUT I WOULD RATHER FOLLOW THE REU -- RUBERICK KNOWING IT IS GOOD. SOME OF THE JURISDICTIONS HAVE SAID HOW DOES IT FEEL. AND THEN YOU OPEN YOURSELF UP TO OTHER OPINIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS.

WHAT I HAVE LANDED AT IS WHAT ALTERNATIVE TOLTS -- TOOLS DO WE HAVE TO CONVEY THE SERIOUSNESS.

THE BENEFIT IS NOW WE UNDERSTAND WE ARE ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF HOSPITAL SPACE. AND IF WE WERE TO GET THERE AGAIN WE COULD SAY AND SEND MESSAGES AND WE COULD BE VERY CLEAR. WE WERE BAD AND NOW IT IS CATASTROPHIC. I ASKED THE TEAM TO COMPARE OTHER THREAT LEVEL SYSTEMS IN OTHER STATES.

IF WE WERE IN THESE OTHER JURISDICTIONS, NEW MEXICO, ILLINOIS, WE WOULD BE CURRENTLY THIS -- IN THEIR RED OR WHATEVER LEVEL, PURPLE. SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO HAVE PURPLE AND THAT'S WHERE I GOT THAT FROM.

REDER THAN RED IS -- REDDER THAN RED IS PURPLE.

ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? >> NO.

I AGREE WITH YOU AND KEEPING CONSISTENT WITH THE METRICS AND WE WERE -- WE ARE WORKING ON THE TOLL ROAD.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE ARE TRYING TO BE SURE THAT WE COMMUNICATE BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW AND CERTAINLY THE METRICS ARE DEFINED. THERE IS A BALANCE THERE AND I KNOW WE KNOW THIS AND I KNOW THE GOOD DOCTOR KNOWS THIS.

THERE IS THE OTHER SIDE. IT IS NOT ABOUT BEING POLITICAL AND BEING FATIGUED. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

THEY CAN'T WORK. THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN OUT.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND THE SUICIDES AND THE OTHER HEALTH ISSUES THAT ARE CREATED BECAUSE OF WHAT WE ARE IN, BUT I GUESS THAT'S THE NATURE OF A PANDEMIC THAT WE'RE NOT REAL SURE WHERE THIS IS GOING. WE KNOW WHERE WE'VE BEEN.

WE HAVE GOOD DATA IN TERMS OF WHERE WE'VE BEEN.

BUT HOPEFULLY WE ARE COMING OUT OF IT.

I APPRECIATE HAVING A CONVERSATION.

I WOULD RATHER TALK ABOUT IT HERE.

AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID IT BEFORE, I WOULD RATHER PUT IT ON THE TABLE AND TALK ABOUT IT THAN GO ON THE STREET CORNER AND HAVE A CONVERSATION. NOTHING GOOD EVER HAPPENS ON

THE STREET CORNER. >> LINA HIDALGO: LIKE I SAID, I HOPE I'M WRONG. WRY ARE -- WE ARE NOT THE ONLY VOICE. WE ARE JUST A PIECE OF THE STATE. IF IT HAD BEEN -- IF IT HAD BEEN THIS VOICE MAYBE WE WOULD HAVE HIT ORANGE OR THE OTHER NUMBERS. WE JUST NEVER GOT TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS A REOPENING THAT DOESN'T LEAD TO A MASSIVE UP TICK. HOPEFULLY IT HAPPENS NOW, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE JURISDICTIONS AND THAT'S WHY I AM I AM NOT SUPER OPTIMISTIC PUBLICLY HERE -- OTHER THAN SAYING IF YOU GET VACCINES WE WILL BE OPTIMISTIC.

WE ARE AT 100% AND I HOPE THAT WILL KEEP US FROM BECOMING A MICHIGAN. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT TO HOLD THE DOCTOR.

I KNOW SHE HAS A CLASS. I APPRECIATE WHAT SHE HAS DONE. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP THE FAITH. FOLLOW THE SCIENCE AND NOT THE POLITICS. OBVIOUSLY YOU GOT A LOT OF CRITICISM. I WAS AMAZED BY THE LEVEL OF VIT TREE YOL -- VITRIOL YOU GOT.

IF YOU FOLLOW THE SCIENCE IT IS MUCH SAFER THAN GUESSING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE SPANISH FLU.

THERE ARE JURISDICTIONS WITH PROBLEMS WORSE THAN OURS.

I THINK YOU SHOULD FOLLOW ON THE PATH OF THE EXPERTS.

IF THE EXPERTS ARE MORE DIVIDED MY ADVICE IS TO FOLLOW YOUR GUT. TO THE EXTENT IT IS UNANIMOUS ON THE PARTS OF THE EXPERTS -- IF I WAS IN YOUR SHOES, AND I

[06:00:01]

AT SOME POINT ALL OF US WON'T BE IN PUBLIC OFFICE, BUT I LIKE THE PATH OF DOING WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT.

AS OPPOSED TO POLITICAL POWER.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD LUCK

WITH YOUR CLASS. >> JUDGE, IS THERE ANY ACTION

ON ITEM 11? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I HOPE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS. HAPPY TO CONTINUE THE

DISCUSSION. >> THANK YOU.

ITEM 29 IS THE AGREEMENT WITH FREESE AND NICHOLS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DIDN'T PULL THAT ONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LOOKS LIKE PRE SINGS -- PRECINCTS 1 AND 4. CON TEEN -- COUNTY ENGINEER BY THE LOOKS OF JOHN. WELL, I WILL CHECK WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO SEE IF HE NEEDED THIS ONE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THIS IS THE ONE WHERE -- I THINK IT HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO ALL OF THE COURTS NOW.

ALL OF THE COURT MEMBERS WHICH TOOK AWAY PART OF ONE OF MY QUESTIONS ONE OF MY. ONE OF MY QUESTIONS WAS WHERE ARE THE FUNDS COMING FROM? I HAVE AN IDEA THAT MAY OR MAY NOT SEE SOME SUPPORT FROM THE OTHER MEMBERS OF COURT.

WE DO HAVE THE 210 THAT WE BROUGHT OVER.

THIS IS THE FLOOD-RELATED MOBILITY PROJECTS AND I SUGGEST WE MIGHT CONSIDER UTILIZING THOSE RESOURCES BECAUSE I THINK -- I KNOW IN MY PRECINCT AND I THINK THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ALIKE KNOW WE CAN GET THINGS BUILT QUICKLY IF WE HAVE THOSE RESOURCES.

AND I KNOW THE PILOT PROJECT IN PRECINCT 4 IS BEING ADOPTED WITH OTHER PRECINCTS FROM WHERE WHEN WE DO A ROAD PROJECT IT IS ALSO A FLOOD PROJECT.

WE GO 25% ABOVE THE NEEDS OF -- OR AT LEAST DO AN ANALYSIS FOR 25% OF THE NEEDS. SO WHEN WE BUILD INFRO STRUCTURE NOW WE IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE AS OPPOSED TO THE PRIOR APPROACH FROM BEFORE ALL OF THE RAINS CAME IN WHERE THERE WAS NO NET IMPACT. EVERYTHING WAS THE SAME.

NOW WE HAVE THE BENEFIT WHERE WE DO A ROAD PROJECT THAT WE LEAVE IT LIKE THE BOY SCOUTS AND THE GIRL SCOUTS, WE BERRY THAN -- WAY BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT.

I BELIEVE IF WE CAN TAP INTO THE RESOURCE THERE, UNLEASH US AND I BELIEVE WE CAN GET A LOT DONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I REMEMBER WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE A MOTION EXPANDING THIS. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAD TO GET SOME WATER.

I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE TABLE. EVEN IF THE STAFF AUGMENTATION ISSUE WAS ONE RELATED TO YOUR PRECINCT AND IT IS ABOUT $7 MILLION. IF THERE IS A NEED TO AUGMENT STAFF BECAUSE OF CERTAIN AREAS OF CERTAIN PRECINCTS BEHIND WE OUGHT TO DO IT. THANK YOU.

I DIDN'T WANT TO HOLD IT UP AND PIGGYBACK OFF YOUR GOOD IDEA. NOR IN ANYWAY DO I WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT IS BEING DONE TO HELP YOUR PRECINCT GET TO WHERE IT OUGHT TO BE. THE THE FIRST YEAR I GOT HERE, EVEN SOME STUFF WAS BEING HELD UP.

SOMETIMES I AM TOLD IT IS A SIMPLE AGREEMENT IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT: HEY, HOW ABOUT JUST GIVING MONEY OUT OF PRECINCT -- OUT OF MY PRECINCT TO A BATTERED WOMEN'S SHELTER. DO I NEED TO BE BATTERED TO GET THAT OUT? WHO IS AGAINST THAT? EVEN IF THE FIGURE WENT UP FOR ALL OF US, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE 27 -- 27 MILLION, BUT IT WILL GET DONE.

[06:05:11]

I KNOW I MENTIONED SOME OF THE ONE UPS THAT COME UP.

THE PROJECT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT THE CORE OF ENGINEERS WAS SUPPOSED TO DO.

I HAVEN'T GONE AND ASKED ANY OF THOSE ONE UPS IN THE FLOODING AREA OF MY PRECINCT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY REAL QUICK -- WHAT WAS IT 1.4 BILLION? YOU GOT ME? THIS IS ONLY SEVEN MILLION. IT WOO BE 2 -- IT COULD BE 28 MILLION. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS.

WE'RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BEFORE WE RUN OVER THERE THINKING IT IS A FREE POT OF MONEY, IF WE DON'T GET THE MONEY FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND EVEN IF MOST OF THE DAMAGE WITH HARRIS COUNTY, JUST BE CAREFUL OF PULLING THE MONEY OUT AND THEY CAME DOWN HERE TO POP ME IF I DIDN'T BRING IT UP. MR. BERRY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING? I AM WATCHING AND I WANT THIS COUNTY TO ADDRESS ITS FLOODING ISSUES. THERE ARE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT CHASING THE FEDERAL MONEY ARE LEFT OUT AND IT IS A BOND ISSUE GOING TO THEM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM CLEAR ON THAT. MR. BERRY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHERE THE MONEY OUGHT TO COME FROM?

>> HI, COMMISSIONER. THE JUDGE HAS A NOTION TO CLARIFY AND THEY ARE EXECUTING ON THE SUBDIVISION PROJECTS.

THOSE PROJECTS, THE COST 1* 535 MILLION.

COST OF 535 MILLION. THAT'S PART OF THE MAP.

SO MY THOUGHT IS THE FUNDING SOURCE FOR STAFF AUGMENTATION IF NEEDED TO EXECUTE THESE PROJECTS AND WE ARE ALREADY MAKING A PLAN FOR INTERNAL ENGINEERS AND EXTERNAL ENGINEERS. THE FUNDING SOURCE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THE PROJECT THAT'S WERE EXCAUGHT -- EXECUTED.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE FLOOD CONTROL BONDS DEDICATED TO THE PROJECTS AND WE HAVE DEPARTMENT FUNDING AND WE IS -- WE HAVE 63% NOT IDENTIFIED YET.

WE HAVE A HOLE FOR 63%. I'M SORRY THIS IS A LONG ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO AND WHAT WE HAVE PUTTING WORK ON IS TO TAKE THE HCTRA FUNDS AND BRING TO COURT A PROPOSAL ON HOW WE CAN FUND THE 535 MILLION INCLUDING THE RESOURCES WE NEED IN TERMS OF STAFF TO GET THE PROJECTS DONE.

I GUESS WHAT I WOULD OFFER IS WE ARE MAKING SOME PROGRESS ON THAT PLAN. WE HAD INITIAL CONVERSATION AND WE WILL BRIEF OUT OF COURT, AND LET US BRING YOU A COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSAL TO FUND ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS.

YOU CAN SEE IF IT WORKS FOR YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER.

WHAT WAS THAT COMMENT OF BEING IN THE ROOM? I WAS NOT IN THE ROOM WHEN THE COMMITMENT WAS MADE TO GET IT FROM GLO. I WILL BE WITH NEIL RATCLIFF ON SATURDAY. THERE WILL BE TWO OF US.

I'M TOLD THAT THE COMMITMENT WITH THE THEN COUNTY JUDGE,

[06:10:05]

HE REACHED OUT TO ME. I WANT TO BE SURE WHEN WE COME UP WITH ONE OFFS SO TO SPEAK. HE WAS TOLD THE PROJECTS WERE NOT PREPARED TO GET IN THE CUE.

THAT'S WHY I MAKE A REFERENCE TO THE OTHER ITEM THAT'S HAVE COME UP. 2.5BILLION THAT DIDN'T FALL IN THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE RUN OUT OR WHEN SOMEBODY IS SAYING, OH, RODNEY, WHY ARE YOU OPPOSING THIS BOND ISSUE? WE MAKE THAT COMMITMENT. IT WAS IN THE BOND ORDER AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS A BRIGHT IDEA ON THEIR PROJECT. I AM NOT MAKING REFERENCE TO THIS ONE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YOU TRY AND MAKE SURE YOUR AREA DES PRESIDENT -- DOESN'T GET BY ON 2.5. THERE WOULD BE THE VOICES WHO OBJECT TO THE TOLL ROAD MONEY BEING SPENT ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN ROADS OTHER THAN FOR SOMETHING THEY WANT.

IF YOU CATCH MY DRIFT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. YOU ARE RIGHT ON POINT.

THE REALITY OF IT IS THESE PROJECTS ARE DELAYED.

MY STAFF HAS DONE EVERYTHING TO GET THESE PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD, BUT THEY ARE STUCK IN ENGINEERING.

MR. BLOUNT PROPOSED THE ILLUSION.

BY THE SAME TOKEN WE NEED A BETTER APPROACH TO ENSURING THAT THESE PROJECTS MOVE ALONG IN A PRECISE MANNER SO THEY ARE NOT STUCK ON A SHELF SOMEPLACE.

THE CITIZENS DESERVE BETTER. AND THEY HAVE WORKED HARD TO GET THEM READY TO GO. HE PUT THIS PROJECT TOGETHER AND HE HAS IDEAS ON HOW IT WORKED.

IT IS A SOLUTION FOR MOVING THESE ACROSS THE AREAS BEHIND. WE NEED TO ACCELERATE THAT FOR PRECINCT 1 OR ANOTHER PRE SINK.

I AM NOT GOING TO STAND BY WHILE THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE ON THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE OF THE COUNTY.

SO WE HAVE WORKED TO GET THESE PROJECTS READY.

MY STAFF HAS DONE ALL THAT IS REQUIRED FROM THE PRE SINK SIDE AND NOW THE BUREAUCRACY NEEDS TO CATCH UP.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> EVERY TIME COMMISSIONER ELLIS BRINGS UP THE POINT ABOUT THE 2.5 BILLION BEING SURE WE DO WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO, I FELT LIKE I NEED TO REINFORCE AND MAKE THAT COMMITMENT.

WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD DO IN THE 2018 BOND ISSUE IS WHAT WE ARE GONNA DO. AND WHETHER THAT COMES FROM GLO OR FEMA OR SOME OTHER FUNDING ORGANIZATION, WE WILL DO EVERY PROJECT WE HAD ON THAT BALLOT I THINK I SAID THAT TOO OR WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE ANOTHER BOND ISSUE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK YOU HAVE FULL SUPPORT OF THAT IN TERMS OF WE'RE GONNA DO EVERY PROJECT LISTED IN THE 2018 BOND ISSUE PER THE SCHEDULE. AND WE NEED TO BE ON SCHEDULE. I KEEP BEING TOLD THAT IT IS ON SCHEDULE. IF IT IS NOT, I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT REPORT. IF WE CAN BEAT THE SCHEDULE

[06:15:03]

AND WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE PROJECTS AND GETTING EVERY

PROJECT DONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION WOULD BE AS FOLLOWS. A MOTION TO MODIFY THIS ITEM BY AMENDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE AGREEMENT TO READ, QUOTE, SECTION 2.1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT DESCRIPTION. THE COUNTY DESIRES THAT ENGINEER PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ON CALL STAFF AUGMENTATION AND RELATED SERVICES AS MAY BE NEEDED IN CONNECTION WITH VARIOUS 2018 ROAD AND BRIDGE SUBDIVISION IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THERE IS NO INCREASE. IT IS STILL THE 7.9, CORRECT? THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF THE DRAINAGE PROJECTS ?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GAO HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> WE ARE NOT OBLIGED TO SPENDING THE ENTIRE AMOUNT.

WE CAN COME BACK AND EXPLAIN WHAT WE ARE SPENDING ON AND WHAT ELSE WE NEED. THERE IS A 42% NWBE PARTICIPATION IN THIS AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT WAS 7 MILLION WEATHER -- WHEN IT WAS ONE PRECINCT, DO YOU THINK IT WILL GO OVER THE

7 MILLION? >> YOU DON'T MULTIPLY IT BY FOUR. WE WILL LEARN HOW TO EXPEDITE THE PROJECTS AND THAT SAME TECHNIQUE CAN BE APPLIED TO

OTHER PROJECTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU PUSHED

YOUR BUTTON. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> YOU WOULDN'T SAY WE NEED 32 MILLION.

YOU GET A BENEFIT BY THE MERE FACTOR OF THE QUANTITY OF THE PROJECT. WE WILL ALSO LEARN FROM THIS.

IF WE WANT SOMETHING THAT SPEEDS UP A PICK PROJECT IT WILL BE PUT ACROSS ALL PROJECTS WHETHER WE USE THIS

CONTRACT OR NOT. >> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO

MAKE A POINT IF I MIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE WERE 1.4 BILLION SHORT ONE WOULDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THE PROJECTS IN 2018 IF YOU THOUGHT THE PROJECT WOULD COST 100 MILLION AND MAY COST 50 MILLION.

IF 900 MILLION, AND I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE COMMITMENT WAS NOT MADE TO THEN JUDGE EMMITT AND RUSS POPPY. WHEN THAT MONEY THAT IS OVER GLO, WE THOUGHT WE WOULD GET MONEY THAT WE HAD NOT GOTTEN.

THE OPTION WOULD BE YOU AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE WOULD HAVE A BIT MORE INFLUENCE ON THE GLO THAN THE OTHER THREE OF US.

MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS IN HOUSTON COUNTY.

THEY WOULD OVER RULE THE DECISION MADE BY THE PREVIOUS HUD TO GET DIRECT ALLOCATION IF THAT IS EVEN LEGAL.

IF THOSE NUMBERS CAME IN THEN WE WOULD BE BE LOOKING FOR 500. EVEN IF WE GET TO 9 YOU STILL HAVE THE 5 THAT COMES FROM SOMEWHERE.

THANK YOU. >> RUSS IS ON THE LINE.

DO YOU WANT ME TO UNMUTE HIM? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

ARE MY NUMBERS RIGHT? I AM A YEAR OLDER THAN WE MET TWO YEARS AGO. IT IS DOG YEARS AROUND HERE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT, COMMISSIONER.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ALL HOPE YOU ARE ON THE CUSP OF SOMETHING HERE.

ANYWAY, ARE YOU GOOD WITH THIS MOTION?

WILL SOMEBODY MAKE IT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

[06:20:04]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE, THIS IS JAMES.

SO DID THAT MOTION THAT JUST PASSED INCLUDE THE ADOPTION OF

THE ITEM? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AS AMENDED. THAT'S ALL FOUR PRECINCTS.

I THINK SOMEBODY SENT IT AROUND.

>> HAPPY TO SEND IT AGAIN IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 98. DISCUSSION IS -- AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE AGENDA PLATFORM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO GET AN UPDATE IF HE IS NOT

IN COMMITTEE OR SOMETHING. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL

RESOURCES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM WONDERING HOW OUR BILLS ARE MOVING AND IN PARTICULAR SEVERAL I ASKED ABOUT. ONE ON THE BY HARRIS COUNTY AND WHERE IS THAT ONE NOW? I THOUGH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS MADE REFERENCE TO IT A NUMBER OF TIMES.

HAS IT BEEN SET? THAT IS HOUSE BILL 4447 AND WE ARE HOPING TO GET IT THERE. WE ARE LOOKING TO GET IT FOR NEXT WEEK. IF YOU NEED SOME OF US TO GO UP THERE AND MAKE CALLS, YOU WILL LET US KNOW?

>> YES, SIR. >> THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN AND YOU ARE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT HOLISTICALLY.

THAT'S THE PUSH BACK WE GOT ON THAT ONE.

>> AND I WON'T ASK ON THIS CALL, BUT YOU MIGHT LET -- IF THERE IS TIP THAT YOU THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE OR RAMSEY COULD HELP WITH MORE THAN THE OTHER THREE, YOU CATCH MY DRIFT, YOU LET US KNOW. ANY OTHER BILLS WE HAVE MOVING? ARE YOU GETTING ANY SERIOUS

PUSH BACK ON ANYTHING? >> WE ARE GENERALLY -- WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BILLS AND THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS HOW STACKED UP THE BILLS ARE THIS SESSION.

A LOT OF JURISDICTIONS GO IN FOR A MAXIMUM OF FIVE BILLS AND WE ARE LOOKING AT 25. IT IS GETTING THEM GOING.

WE HAVE 50 PEOPLE TESTIFY WE ARE TRACKING AND ANALYZING ABOUT A THOUSAND MORE BILLS IN GENERAL AND WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE OTHER COUNTIES.

>> IS THERE ANY ACTION ON THIS ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, JAMES. NEXT IS 148, PAGE 18.

TRANS MISS TALL OF THE COUNTY TREASURER'S REPORT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. I NOTICED THAT HADENCE BANK HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR DEPOSITS.

IS THERE A REASON WHY WE HAVE MUCH IF NOT MOST OF OUR

DEPOSITS IN ONE BANK? >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE THE COUNTY TREASURER ON THE LINE?

>> COMMISSIONER, TO ANSWER YOUR YES, WE DO HAVE A SINGLE DEPOSITORY. HOWEVER, I WOULD POINT OUT THAT THIS QUESTION IS PROBABLY BEST SUITED FOR DAVE BERRY.

MY OFFICE NO LONGER HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BANK.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS MOVED OUT OF MY OFFICE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THAT CONTRACT RESIDES WITH

BUDGET MANAGEMENT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, DO YOU

HAVE AN ANSWER? >> YEAH.

IN TERMS OF A PRIMARY BANK, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IT HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL TO HAVE A BANK REQUEST A LOCAL

[06:25:07]

THAT'S SOMETHING WE REVIEW EVERY YEAR.

>> I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING INTO IF THAT IS WISE TO HAVE ONE BANK. WE ARE NOT AT RISK ON OUR FUNDS BY JUST HAVING ONE BANK.

IS THAT RIGHT? >> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE MONEY MARKET FUNDS WE HAVE.

>> COMMISSIONER I WOULD ADD TO THAT ALL OF OUR DEPOSITS MUST BE COLLATERAL LIESED. NONE OF OUR DEPOSITS SHOULD EVER BE AT RISK. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF MECHANISMS, BUT OUR MONEY SHOULD BE INSURED.

>> THANK Y'ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ITEM 180 IS NEXT. IT IS NEGOTIATIONS ON THE WT

GROUP. >> MY QUESTION IS WE ARE DOING AN ADA STUDY. WHY IS IT JUST THE PARKS ONLY? WE HAVE ADA PROBABLY POTENTIAL ISSUES ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT COUNTY FACILITIES.

THIS IS FOCUSED ON THE PARKS AND IS THERE A REASON THIS IS

THE PARKS ONLY? >> COMMISSIONER, WE WENT AND ASKED FOR CIT FOR BOTH COUNTY FACILITIES AND FOR PARKS TYPICALLY IT IS A DIFFERENT CONSULTANT AND YOU WILL SEE

THOSE IN THE FUTURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I MADE A MOTION TO ASSESS HARRIS COUNTY. WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE THIS IS

BEING PIECEMEALED OUT? >> WE REACHED OUT TO THE VARIOUS CONSULTANTS TO DO THIS WORK.

THERE IS A GROUP THAT DOES PARKS AND DOES BUILDINGS.

SO WE DISCUSSED THEM ON THE VARIOUS PRECINCT INDIVIDUALS AND THEY WERE OKAY WITH US PARSING IT OUT IN TWO CATEGORIES. THERE ARE DIFFERENT STANDARD THAT APPLY. THERE ARE STANDARD THAT'S APPLY TO THE TYPICAL COUNTY FACILITIES.

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

ITEM 186. PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT

WITH DEMITRIUS MCDANIEL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO HOLD THAT FOR 2 WEEKS. DEMITRIUS IS A GOOD FRIEND.

I READ THE REPORT, AND THERE WAS A TIME IN MY LIFE WHERE I LOBBIED AS WELL AND I KNOW IN THAT BUSINESS MOST LOBBYISTS TAKE CREDIT FOR WHAT IS BLOWING.

SOME OF THE STUFF IN THERE TO TAKE CREDIT FOR US GIVING A DIRECT ALLOCATION IS A BIT MUCH.

WE CAN ALSO MAKE SURE THE GROUP WON.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I CAN GET A SENSE OF HOW YOU AND SOMEBODY IS RIDING ON MY DEAR FRIEND.

I WANT SOME MOVEMENT ON THE COST BENEFIT RATIO.

THAT'S ONE THAT IS NOT MOVING.

I WANT TO DRILL DOWN ON IT AND I WANT TO HOLD THAT FOR TWO WEEKS. I KNOW THAT NUMBER IS A SPECIFIC EARMARK. I LOOK ANOTHER SOME -- I LOOK AT SOME COUNTIES I THINK WE CAN GET MORE ACTION ON A LOT OF ISSUES AND I WANT TO MAKE -- I WANT TO DRILL DOWN.

>> ABSOLUTELY GLAD TO DRILL DOWN MORE AND I HEAR YOU ON GETTING CREDIT FOR WHAT IS GOING.

CERTAINLY THIS LAST YEAR THE BIGGEST ITEM WE HAD GOING WAS MAKING SURE DIRECT ALLOCATION HAPPENED.

WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE MONEY WENT THROUGH THE STATE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I GOT ALL OF THAT.

TRUST ME. THERE WAS A TIME I LOBBIED FOR

[06:30:05]

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AND IT IS WORDED TO DO A SURVEY AND THAT IS GOING TO BE THE PLACE THAT DIRECTS HUD AND FEMA.

WE HAVE YOUR OP-ED INTO THE RECORD AND HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OTHER DELEGATION MEMBERS.

>> AND MY PART IS NOT THE MONEY.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS HIS BUDGET. I MAY DO THAT AS WELL.

YOU KNOW WHEN I WAS UP THERE, THE STUFF IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD IS SOMETIMES LIKE A RESOLUTION BEING READ.

20 YEARS LATER THEY WILL READ THEM.

IT WILL TAKE SOME REAL FOCUS, BUT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I THINK WE SKIPPED 183.

THAT WAS BY PRECINCT 2 AND 3 AND I WANT TO DO A ME TOO ON

THAT AND I WANT TO JOIN IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL GO BACK TO IT. YOU GUYS ARE GOOD -- WE ARE DONE WITH THE DISCUSSION ON 186? NO ACTION ON THAT ONE, JAMES. JAMES?

>> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND SO 183 IS THE GRAFFITI AND ILLEGAL DUMPING.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I AM WORKING TO BUILD ON OUR SUCCESS AS A REGION IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND DEALING WITH OUR CHALLENGES INVOLVING THE HOMELESS.

I AM HAPPY TO BE WORKING WITH A PHENOMENAL, PHENOMENAL ORGANIZATION. THEY WERE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF VERNON AND FOR SO MANY YEARS HE HAS HUNG UP HIS SPURS, BUT NOW THEY ARE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF A YOUNG LADY I WORKED WITH IN THE WORLD AIDS FOUNDATION.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHERE THE ORGANIZATION ITSELF IS.

AND I SAW THIS PROGRAM AND I COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED AND PROUD BECAUSE JUST VISITING WITH HER I KNOW HER HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE. A PERSON NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS. AND THIS PARTICULAR INITIATIVE IS SOMETHING THAT I SPEAR HEADED.

PEOPLE ARE ANTSY ABOUT WHAT IT MAY BRING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY HAVE OCCUPANCY AND CAPACITY. UNFORTUNATELY THOSE WHO NEED THEIR SERVICES DON'T STOP COMING.

THEN IT CREATES A CHALLENGE. PEOPLE LOITER IN THE PARKS AND THE SIDEWALKS AND THE STORES. THEY SAY WE WANT YOU TO SHUT THOSE PLACES DOWN. THEN YOU RECOGNIZE THEY ARE DOING GOOD, IMPORTANT WORK. IT IS WORKING WITH THESE FACILITIES WHO WOULD VOLUNTEER AND IT IS REALLY JUST TAKING ON THE PRECINCT COMMISSIONER APPROACH BY HAVING THE WORK CREW TO GO OUT AND DEAL WITH THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND ONCE PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH THE GRAFFITI IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND DEALING WITH TRASH AND DEALING WITH WEEDED

[06:35:01]

AND PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS A PUBLIC WORKS CREW, BUT IT WAS REALLY VOLUNTEERS OUT OF THESE HOMELESS SHELTERS WHO GOT A DELICIOUS MEAL THAT I CAN AFFORD ON MY CAMPAIGN AND THEY ARE RECEIVING A WORK FROM MY CAMPAIGN AND THANKING THEM FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND HOPING THE LETTER WILL GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE EMPLOYED.

THERE WERE SO MANY STORIES AND THERE WAS A TURNING POINT WHEN A WOMAN WHO WOOS VISUALLY -- WHO WAS VISUALLY IMPAIRED HEARD THEM WORKING AND ENGAGED THE FOREMAN.

MADE THE COMMENT THAT SHE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LOT. THEY LINED UP THE VOLUNTEERS AND WENT DOWN THE LINE AND HUGGED AND KISSED THE GROWN MEN AND BROUGHT THEM ALL TO TEARS.

I USED TO TRY TO GIVE THEM A GOOD MEAL AS A WAY TO ATTRACT THEM TO VOLUNTEER. I DIDN'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM ANYMORE. THAT PARTICULAR CREW WENT BACK OUT TO WORK ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY.

THEY WERE NEVER APPRECIATED OR RESPECTED.

THE PROGRAM HAD COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY, IF YOU WILL.

ONCE THE RESIDENTS REALIZED THAT, OH IT IS PEOPLE FROM THE OPEN DOOR MISSION THAT ARE CLEANING UP THE GRAFFITI? YOU MEAN IT IS PEOPLE FROM THE VALUE -- VALUE -- SALVATION ARE PICKING UP THE TRASH. IT HAD AN INCREDIBLE RESIDUAL ON A LOT OF FRONTS. THIS IS WHAT I'M LOOKING TO REPLICATE IN MY PARTNERSHIP. WE WERE FIGURING IT OUT WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL. WE HAD THE CLEAN AND GREEN INMATES WHO WERE OUT THERE CLEANING SO THEY COULD GET OUT OF THE COUNTY JAIL. NOW WITH A STEADY HAND OF A PHENOMENAL ORGANIZATION WHO HAS INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AND THE CAPACITY OF DEALING WITH THIS POPULATION AND A TRACK RECORD MILLIONS OF MILES LONG, I REALLY BELIEVE THAT BE ARE GOING TO ONCE AGAIN PUT HARRIS COUNTY ON THE MAP FOR HOW WE WILL DEAL WITH OUR ENCAMPMENTS AND HOW WE PUT PEOPLE ON A BETTER TRACK. I WANTED TO THANK CAREER AND RECOVERY RESOURCES FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH ME.

AND TO WORK WITH US. BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY GOOD MODEL THAT I THINK WILL PUT US ON A BETTER TRACK THAN WHERE WE ARE AT. WE ARE COME -- COMBINING OUR RESOURCES, BUT THIS IS -- LET'S NOT FORGET THAT, BUT THIS IS ANOTHER ELEMENT THAT WILL HELP US REACH DEEP INTO THE COMMUNITY AND GET THEM BETTER ENGAGED.

I DON'T THINK SHE WILL MIND ME TELLING HER STORY, BUT KATHY GRIFFIN, WHEN I WAS SHARING -- WHEN I WAS SHERIFF SHE TOLD ME SHE HAD A MODEL, A PROGRAM CALLED "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT" AND SHE BELIEVED SHE WOULD HELP WOMEN IN CUSTODY WHO GOT

[06:40:05]

AND WHY DON'T WE GIVE THEM A CHANCE AND GAVE US AN 80% SUCCESS RATE. HER PROGRAM IS GOING TO OTHER STATES AND OTHER COUNTIES AND THEY ARE ENGAGING HER AND WORKING WITH HER. I KNOW THIS PROGRAM WILL FOLLOW -- WILL FALL ON THAT MODEL.

A YOUNG MAN THAT WILL BE ON THIS PROJECT WHO HAS A SIMILAR STORY LIKE KATHY AND KNOWS BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS GONNA HELP US A GREAT DEAL. OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN TELL I AM A LITTLE EXCITED ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR ALLOWING