Apr 27, 2021 Commissioners Court

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED 1234* MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE YOU HAVE MORE ITEMS, COMMISSIONER?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DO. IT IS 244.

IT IS A RESOLUTION ON EXPANDING HEALTH CARE COVERAGE. IT IS PRETTY STRAIGHT -- STRAIGHT FORWARD. WE KNOW THE 1115 WAIVER WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AGAIN.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE OUR PARTNERS ON A STATE LEVEL WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN SESSION.

WE CAN GO AHEAD AND TRY TO DO THE EXPANSION.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR SO MANY YEARS.

IT WOULD SAVE US DOLLARS AND IT WOULD GIVE US AN ABILITY IF WE OPTED TO TO REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAXES.

IT MAKES SENSE. I CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND WHY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WOULD NOT LET A LAST-MINUTE DECISION OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION GO FORWARD.

IT MAKES SENSE AND I WILL BE ONE OF THOSE ADVOCATING AS LONG AS I HAVE AN ABILITY TO FOR TEXAS TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE MONEY. THE RESOLUTION IS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD. IT IS ABOUT $19.5 BILLION AND $16.8 BILLION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE FIRST 10 YEARS AFTER IMPLEMENTATION. IT IS IMPORTANT.

WE NEED IT. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A GLIMMER OF HOPE. I THINK IT WAS OUR OWN REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS THE POINT PERSON.

HE HAD GOOD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE MONEY. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, BUT I ASSUME SINCE SOMEBODY TOOK IT OFF MAYBE THERE WAS A RELUG TENSE -- RELUCTANCE TO VOTE FOR IT.

I I SAY WE VOTE IF WE DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND THE RESOLUTION.

I SECOND THE MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTION.

LET ME ALSO SAY I HAVE BEEN A BIG PROPONENT AS WELL FOR THE EXPANSION OF HEALTH COVERAGE. RECOGNIZING THAT THE 1115 WAIVER HAS BEEN GOOD. BUT THE REALITY IS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS THAT TEXAS LEFT ON THE TABLE IS BROUGHT BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES.

IT IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY. WE ARE PAYING THAT MONEY.

I JUST CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE WILL NOT DRAW DOWN THAT MONEY BECAUSE WE ARE IN EFFECT PAYING DOUBLE FOR WHAT THIS EXPANSION COULD PROVIDE. BACK WHEN THE WAIVER WAS TOUTED. IT WAS A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO COVER UNCOMPENSATED CARE THAT THE HOSPITALS HAD TO TAKE ON AND COVER COSTS OF OTHER MEDICAID MANAGED CARE PROGRAMS. I APPLAUD YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR PROPOSING THIS. THIS SOMETHING I HOPE WE ARE UNANIMOUS ON BECAUSE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING DOUBLE FOR WHAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE COVERED BY THE EXPANSION.

THE MONEY IS THERE AND I AM COMING FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS TO THIS PRECINCT DIDN'T TAKE THE POSITION. THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CHILDREN

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AND FAMILIES ARE WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE AND THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS.

AND NOT TO MENTION CANNER AND AND ACUTE ASTHMA.

AND SO I HAVE OUR HEALTH CARE DISPARITY STUDY THAT WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF MEDICALLY UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES IN PRECINCT 2. WHILE OTHERS DIDN'T HAVE A BACKBONE TO STAND UP AND SAY THIS IS RIGHT AND THIS IS IMPORTANT AND THIS IS NECESSARY, I DO.

I AM LOOKING FOR A SUPPORT FOR YOUR MOTION AND RESOLUTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO DALLAS ON FRIDAY. I HAD TO PULL OUT BECAUSE OF COMMITMENTS AND I HOPE TO GO AT A LATER POINT.

COOK COUNTY, PART OF WHAT THEY DID TO DEAL WITH THE RISING COST OF CARE IN COOK COUNTY JAIL IS TO USE THE MEDICAID EXPANSION TO DO THIS. THIS COVERS MENTAL HEALTH.

DURING THE PANDEMIC WE HAD MORE OF A PROBLEM WITH REVENUE CAPS THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH NOW.

IT IS A BIG PROBLEM. I THINK ONE REASON WE ARE HAVING SO MANY CHALLENGES DESPITE ALL OF THE GREAT WORK IS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CULTURE OF PEOPLE GOING TO THE DOCTOR. SOMEBODY SAYS I WAS ON -- I WAS ON A PORT AUTHORITY CALL WHEN THE PORT COMMISSIONERS SAY I THINK VIRGINIA IS OFFERING $100 PER ARM -- I GUESS FOR BOTH ARMS FOR PEOPLE TO GET THEIR SHOTS.

I JUST THINK THE CULTURE WE HAVE OF PEOPLE NOT HAVING HEALTH CARE. THAT'S ONE CHALLENGE WE HAVE.

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

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. I HAVE TWO COMMENTS.

ONE OF WHICH IS A PAGE OUT OF PRECINCT ONE'S PLAYBOOK FROM LAST COURT TO WHERE WHEN YOU HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF WORDS IT DILUTES THE MEANING OR THE IMPORTANCE OF A RESOLUTION.

IT DUTCH TAIL -- IT DOVE TALES WITH -- DOVE TAILS WITH THE RESOLUTION. WE HAVE 12 WHEREAS' WITH FIGURES AND STATS AND ASSERTIONS.

I DONL GOT TO 426 -- I DONL GOT TO -- I ONLY GOT TO 426 AND I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO RUN DOWN THE STATS AND THE NUMBERS. IF WE CAN REDUCE IT LIKE WE DID A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITH REGARD TO THE RESOLUTION WHERE WE TAKE THE DEAL ON THE 87TH LEGISLATURE AND THE MEDICAID EXPANSION AND WE CAN'T WAIT AND THE BE IT RESOLVED I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF THIS RESOLUTION.

IF WE COULD TAKE ALL OF THE STATS AND THE NUMBERS AND THE ASSERTIONS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF, BUT -- THAT I HAVEN'T

HAD A CHANCE TO VET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL OFFER YOU A DEAL. IT WILL GIVE YOU AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY -- WE DRAFTED THIS IN CONSULTATION WITH HOUSE MEMBERS WHO ARE PUSHING IT.

IF YOU TWO WILL VOTE FOR IT, I WILL TAKE THE WHEREAS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL TAKE THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AND YOU WILL SAY WHEREAS --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BILLS FILED IN THE 87TH LEGISLATURE WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION AND HAS STRONG --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THEREFORE TEXAS -- DAH, DAH, DAH.

JUDGE, IS THAT CLEAR? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

JAMES, ARE YOU CLEAR? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MAKES SENSE. AND YOU PROBABLY TAKE THE FIRST WHEREAS, CAGLE SO WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE FIRST WHEREAS AND THE LAST -- THE FIRST WHEREAS AND THEN I GUESS THE LAST WHEREAS THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED.

DO YOU FOLLOW ME? >> TOM RAMSEY: I'M ALL RIGHT

WITH THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES ARE YOU

CLEAR? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT A MOTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, AND I THINK THERE IS A SPEAKER OR

TWO. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, GO

AHEAD. >> ELAINA MARKS WITH EPISCOPAL HEALTH FOUNDATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANKS VERY MUCH. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT. I WAS GOING TO URGE YOU TO DO IT AND THAT IS TO URGE THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE THE MONEY

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AND EXPAND MEDICAID. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE COURT BEFORE AND APPRECIATE SO MUCH OF THE WORK YOU DO.

OUR MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR ALL IN OUR REGION. WE PROVIDE A LOT OF FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CARE.

AND IN FACT, WE WILL PROBABLY PUT ANOTHER $2 MILLION OUT IN GRANTS IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

WE ALSO PROVIDE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY RELATED TO ACCESS OF CARE INCLUDING MEDICAID EXPANSION. YOU ALL KNOW WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE OF UNINSURED PEOPLE.

THE BURDEN OF THOSE HIGH RATES ARE BORN BY THE PEOPLE WITHOUT AFFORDABLE CARE AND ARE TOO SICK AND END UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE BURDEN IS ALSO BORNE BY ALL OF US IN HARRIS COUNTY. IF WE ARE INSURED OUR PREMIUMS ARE INFLATED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE COST PROVIDERS WHO PROVIDE CARE TO LOW-INCOME AND LOW INTERESTED -- LOW INSURED PEOPLE. HARRIS COUNTY IS PROVIDING THAT ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES AND YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS EACH YEAR THAT GO TO HARRIS HEALTH TO TAKE CARE OF THIS POPULATION.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT NOW? MEDIC -- MEDICAID EXPANSION HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR SEVEN YEARS.

THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION OF THE IMPACT IT HAS HAD WITH THE OTHER STATES. THERE IS AN AMPLE BODY OF RESEARCH THAT SHOWS IT IMPROVES THE HEALTH OUTCOME FOR THE PEOPLE WHO GAIN COVERAGE.

AND THERE IS A COST OF UN UN-- UNCOMPENSATED CARE.

AND NEW RESEARCH ON TEXAS SPECIFICALLY INCLUDING FROM TEXAS 26 LEAD BY TOM AND MARGARET SHOWS THE POSITIVE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF COVERAGE ON THE STATE.

THAT'S WHY THE METRO 8 AND THE BIG CHAMBERS HAVE URGED THE STATE LEADERS TO EXPAND COVERAGE.

HB3871 HAS BEEN FILED AS A MECHANISM TO DO THIS AND THE MAJORITY OF NUMBERS INCLUDING 9 REPUBLICANS HAVE SIGNED ON.

I UH -- I APPLAUD THIS COURT TO URGE THIS RESOLUTION AND NOW IS THE TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU JUST GIVE US A LITTLE PEEK BEHIND THE SCREEN SO TO SPEAK? YOU CAN TELL US WHAT IS HAPPENING.

WE GOT THE RAISER. IT WAS A WAY OF TAKING THE FEDERAL MONEY AND SAYING WE WEREN'T TAKING FEDERAL MONEY.

THE CLOCK IS RUNNING OUT. IF I WERE IN PRESIDENT BIDEN'S POSITION I CAN SEE WHY HE WOULD RESCIND THE WAIVER AND GO THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS.

JUST GIVE US -- I JUST THOUGHT THIS WAS A REAL OPPORTUNITY AND I WAS IMPRESSED A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS GOT ON BOARD.

JUST GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND IN AUSTIN. I KNOW YOU ARE TALKING TO AS MANY FOLKS AS I DO. WE ARE AS CLOSE AS WE HAVE EVER BEEN, BUT NOT THERE YET. THE BILL I MENTIONED IS AN EXCELLENT BILL AND IT HAS BY -- BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, BUT IT HASN'T YET HAD A HEARING. YOU MENTIONED HIS ATTEMPT TO TACK ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET LAST WEEK.

SOME OF THE OBJECTIONS HAD TO DO WITH, WELL, THIS IS TOO BIG A TOPIC TO DEAL WITH THE AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET.

THERE IS A BILL FOR THAT. THERE IS STILL TIME AND TIME IS SHRINKING. IT DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL THE FALL OF 2022. THEY NEED TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THE UNIQUE NEEDS ARE.

WE NEED AN UNCOMPENSATED CARE POOL.

WE WILL GET ONE, BUT WE CAN'T CREATE THE DESIRE FOR A BIGGER UNCOMPENSATED CARE POLL. THAT'S WHERE I THINK THE CONVERSATION WILL GO AND IT IS UP TO BOTH SIDES TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND MAKE IT WORK FOR ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS AND ALL

OF THE CITIZENS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. YOU PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO THIS OVER THE YEARS. EVEN WHEN YOU WERE THE HEALTH DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THANK YOU. >> THANKS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> WE HAVE MORE SPEAKERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M SORRY. >> THAT'S OKAY.

LISA HUNT WITH HEALTH JUSTICE ADD VAW -- ADVOCACY NETWORK.

>> I AM LISA HUNT AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE HEALTH AND JUSTICE ADVOCACY NETWORK OF THE DIOCESE OF TEXAS.

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I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF HOUSTON.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE IN BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD. IN HEBREW SCRIPTURES HEALTH MEANS SALVATION AND IT MEANS WHOLENESS.

THE WORD ITSELF. AND WE KNOW WE HAVE A NEED FOR WHOLENESS AND HEALING IN OUR POLITICAL LIFE AS WELL AS IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THE BILL YOU ARE CONSIDERING THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION WOULD CLOSE DISPARITIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES AND POLITICAL DISPARITYIES -- DISPARITIES. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU.

THE WITNESS IS BEING TOGETHER ON THE SOLUTION WILL BE A BEACON AND IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS AS WE SEEK

HEALING AND SALVATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> CECILIA FONTANO WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING GROUP.

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

I AM CECILIA FONTANO AND I AM A COMMUNITY LEADER AND ADVOCACY GROUP IN THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

WE DEMAND HEALTH CARE ACCESS IN JUSTICE.

PUSHING FOR MEDICARE EXPANSION FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS.

IT IS TIME TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE OPTIONS FOR MILLIONS WITHOUT. OUR PROGRAM ALLOWS ONLY ADULTS WITH CHILDREN TO GET MEDICAID COVERAGE IF THEY MAKE LESS THAN -- LESS THAN $320 A MONTH FOR A FAMILY OF THREE.

THIS MEANS THERE ARE NO HEALTH CARE COVERAGE OPTIONS FOR THE MILLIONS OF LOW-WAGE TEXANS WHO DO NOT GET HEALTH CARE INSURANCE FROM THEIR JOB. OVER THE LAST YEAR THEY HAVE BECOME KNOWN AS VALUED ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP.

THEY ARE LEAVING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THE TABLE AND NOT DRAWING DOWN MEDICAID EXPANSION DOLLARS.

TEXAS HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF UNINSURED IN THE COUNTRY.

OUR STATE IS NOT TAKING CARE OF ITS PEOPLE.

LAST WEEK OUR RESPECTIVE LEADERSHIP FAILED AGAIN TO MAKE MEANINGFUL STEPS TOWARD ADDRESSING OUR COVERAGE PROBLEM. THEY FAILED TO PASS AN AMENDMENT BY OUR OWN STATE REP GARNET COLEMAN TO THE HOUSE BUDGET THAT WOULD HAVE DRAWN DOWN FEDERAL DOLLARS AND INCREASED HEALTH COVERAGE. I APPLAUD COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND HIS EFFORTS TO CONTINUE TO HOLD THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE FEET TO THE FIRE TO MAKE MEAN -- MEANINGFUL MOVEMENTS FOR TEXAS FAMILIES AND THIS RESOLUTION URGING THE INCREASE OF HEALTH COVERAGE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

>> JOY DAVIS WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE LINA HIDALGO. I AM JOY DAVIS AND A MEMBER OF THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP TEAM OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AND A MEMBER OF THE HEALTH CARE JUSTICE CAMPAIGN.

I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION.

LAST WEEK 800 TEXAS ORGANIZATIONS SENT A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND HOUSE SPEAKER URGING THEM TO EXPAND HEALTH COVERAGE.

THE LETTER LAID OUT FOR COVERAGE INITIATIVE THAT IS BIPARTISAN AND AVAILABLE FEDERAL DOLLARS AND STRUCTURED TO BE NEUTRAL FOR THE STATE'S BUDGET AND DESIGNED TO MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS RATHER THAN CIRCUMSTANCES.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE ON MEDICAID IN TEXAS INCLUDING MORE THAN THREE MILLION CHILDREN.

MEDICAID RECIPIENTS ARE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, CHILDREN,

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PREGNANT WORES PREGNANT MOTHERS.

THAT IS NOTHING TO BE PROUD ABOUT.

OUR FRONT LINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND MANY DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARE THEMSELVES. WE LEAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL MONEY ON THE TABLE.

AS BUDGET UNCERTAINTY JEOPARDIZES THE MONEY TEXAS FAMILIES DEPEND ON. THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION. POOR FAMILIES DON'T MAKE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE. IT WOULD PREVENT DYING AND PREVENTABLE DEATHS. IT WOULD STRENGTHEN OUR WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY FOR DECADES TO COME.

FAMILIES KNOWING THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEIR HEALTH REQUIRES TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

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

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING TO THE COURT. I AM AURORA HARRIS AND WITH YOUNG INVINCIBLES. WE REPRESENT YOUNG PEOPLE IN HOUSTON COUNTY 18 TO 34. ALMOST A THIRD OF YOUNG ADULTS 18 TO 34 DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE AND THAT'S THE MOST OF ANY AGE-GROUP. MEDICAID EXTENSION WILL GIVE MORE INSURED AND IT IS MO COST EFFECTIVE THAN CONTINUING TO REIMBURSE HOSPITALS TO UNCOMPENSATED CARE.

WHILE THE UNINSURED RATE IS ALWAYS HIGH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED THE PROBLEM.

AN ESTIMATED 700,000 TEXANS WERE STRIPPED OF THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC-RELATED JOB LOSS INCLUDING MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE. IN ADDITION TO THAT, MEDICAID IS ESSENTIAL FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.

THE VAST MAJORITY IN THE MEDICAID GAP ARE ALL PEOPLE OF COLOR. SO EXPENDING MEDICAID IS NOT ONLY PROVIDING NECESSARY AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH COVERAGE, BUT DECREASE THE UNINSURED RATES BETWEEN WHITE ADULTS, BLACK ADULTS AND LATIN X ADULTS.

WE SUPPORT THIS ON BEHALF OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR SPECIFICALLY. I APPRECIATE YOU FOR HAVING ME

TODAY. >> THANK YOU.

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

THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE A MOTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS THE SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AS FRIENDLY AMENDED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY FOR THE AMENDED RESOLUTION. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THIS IS THE LAST ONE AND IT WAS IN PART INSPIRED BY THE RECENT COVERAGE I SAW ABOUT REMOVING SOME OF THE RACIST LANGUAGE IN DEED RESTRICTIONS.

THIS MONTH, APRIL MARKS THE 53RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT UNDER LBJ.

I WON'T GO THROUGH OF IT. THANK YOU ALL WHO READ IT.

ESSENTIALLY IT SAYS WHEREAS THE RED LINE FOR 30 YEARS AND LEGALLY EXCLUDED PEOPLE OF COLOR FROM ACCESSING HOME OWNERSHIP BY DENYING THEM MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS.

AS AN EXAMPLE IN 1930 TO 1950 ONLY 2% OF THE FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION MORTGAGES WENT TO NON-WHITE FAMILIES.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU KNOW, AT THAT POINT THEY DID NOT DO A SEPARATE CLASSIFICATION FOR HISPANICS.

SO ALTHOUGH THE LAW DIDN'T SAY HISPANIC COULDN'T GET ONE, IF YOU SHOWED UP AND YOU SAID YOUR NAME WAS GARCIA, TRUST ME. YOU WOULDN'T GET ONE.

AND THEN IT IS WHEREAS EVEN THOUGH THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968 LEGALLY ENDED RED LINE, IT STILL EXISTED AND OFTEN PLACED IN COLOR RACIALLY SEGREGATED A CLUSTER OF COMMUNITIES THAT WERE RED LINE WHERE I GREW UP, THIRD WARD, FIFTH WARD AND THEY WERE LIVING IN POVERTY COMPARED TO THOSE ON THE WEST SIDE OF HOUSTON.

WHEREAS DECADES OF THESE EXPLICITLY RACIST HOUSING POLICIES THAT ARE DIRECTLY TIED TO THE CURRENT RACIAL HOME OWNERSHIP GAP ACROSS THE HOUSTON THREE-COUNTY AREA, 72% OF THE WHITE RESIDENTS HOMEOWNER COMPARED TO 41% OF

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BLACK RESIDENTS AND 52% OF LATIN X RESIDENTS AND 31% OF RESIDENTS IN FIFTH WARD WHICH IS PREDOMINANTLY BLACK NOBODY HOMEOWNERS COMPARED TO 48% IN THE AREA WHERE I LIVE, MUSEUM DISTRICT. 65.6% OF RESIDENTS IN THE HEIGHTS AREA. IT GOES ON WITH A NUMBER OF WHEREAS' I THINK ARE IMPORTANT, BUT THIS MAY HAVE GIVEN SOMEONE HEARTBURN, I DON'T KNOW.

THE LAST ONE IS WHEREAS UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT HAS REINSTATED THE HEART OF THE ORIGINAL FAIR HOUSING ACT.

AFFIRMATIVE FAIR HOUSING RULE WHICH REQUIRES LOCALITIES THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING TO LOOK FOR AND ANALYZE PATTERNS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AND THEN PRESENT A PLAN TO ADDRESS THEM IF THEY ARE PRESENT. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO THINK HARD AND TRY TO VOTE FOR THIS ONE BECAUSE IF WE DON'T ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND COME UP WITH A PLAN TO REMEDY IT, WE WILL NEVER GET RID OF IT.

I THINK WITH THE $900 MILLION THAT WE WILL GET THANKS TO THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS VICE PRESIDENT IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT A MAJOR DENT IN SOME OF THE GENERATIONAL POVERTY, THAT GOVERNMENT HELPED CREATE. THE LAST POINT I WILL HELP MAKE IS -- A PERFECT EXAMPLE IS MY DAD.

HE SERVED THIS COUNTRY FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS OVERSEAS. EVEN WITH AN AIDE -- WITH AN EIGHTH GRADE EDUCATION THEY CLASSIFIED HIM AS AN ENGINEER BECAUSE HE WAS BUILDING RUNWAYS FOR AMERICAN SOLDIERS TO LAND ON WHO WERE TRYING TO INVADE JAPAN.

WHEN HE CAME BACK TO THIS COUNTRY HE COULDN'T USE THE GI BILL TO GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SEGREGATED HIGH SCHOOL WITHIN 10 MILES OF THERE.

SO HE QUIT AND WAITED UNTIL HE COULD JOIN THE MILITARY.

HE COULD NOT GET A HOME IN SOUTH PARK AT THE TIME WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN OF MORE VALUE THAN THE HIGHWAYS HE ENDED UP GETTING IN THAT SEGREGATED SUBURBAN COMMUNITY, SUNNY SIDE , FOR BLACKS. SO GOVERNMENT PLAYED A ROLE IN THIS. WHILE I SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS AND MY SISTER DID, MOST DON'T.

THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO REINSTATING WHAT PRESIDENT JOHNSON INTENDED WITH THE FAIR HOUSING ACT.

I MOVE ADOPTION AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ? >> NO, MA'AM.

NOT ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I'M IN FAVOR OF THE FIRST TWO WHERE'S -- WHEREAS' AND THE THEREFORE. I CHANGE THE RESOLUTION WHERE WE HONOR YOUR NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH.

MY COLLEAGUE IS CORRECT THAT I DID HAVE A LITTLE HEARTBURN OVER THE TIMING WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS DOING, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF STATS IN HERE THAT HAVING RECEIVED THIS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON WE HAVE NOT ADD CHANCE TO LOOK AT.

WHAT I AM HEARING FROM MY COLLEAGUE IS HE WANTS IT TO BE PASSED THE WAY HE DOES AND SO THERE IS NO NEED TO GO THROUGH ANY OF THAT. SO WE WILL JUST VOTE ON IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN, BUT THE MAIN ONE IS THE LAST WHEREAS. ARE YOU ALL RIGHT WITH IT.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS REINSTATED THE HEART OF THE

ORIGINAL FAIR HOUSING ACT? >> YEAH.

I GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL I JUST MOVE IT.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DEBATE IT THEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

JUDGE, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN MOVE THESE MEETINGS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO MEET TWO DAYS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DID WANT JAMES TO KNOW THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF THE HISTORIC MONTH OF APRIL OF THE 53RD

ANNIVERSARY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD.

I WILL SEND YOU THAT IN A -- AS AN ASIDE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THE FIRST RESOLUTION I HAVE IS ONE THAT IS VERY, VERY SPECIAL. YOU KNOW, WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE AROUND US, AND IN THIS CASE IT IS GREAT TO HAVE DEDICATED, LOVE-FILLED EMPLOYEES WHO DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO MAKING THE DAYS BRIGHTER FOR OTHERS AROUND THEM. THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION IS FOR DEBBIE REEVES. DEBBIE STARTED HER WORK AT THE

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SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY CENTER OF PRECINCT 2 IN 2005 WHERE SHE WORKED AS A COMMUNITY AID AND THEN SHE WORKED UP TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND THEN DIRECTOR FROM 2014 TO PRESENT. THE ONE THING THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION IS THE FACT THAT SHE CREATED A SPECIAL NEEDS ADULT ART CLASS AT THE SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY CENTER PROVIDING ONE ON ONE ATTENTION AS THEY WORK WITH ACRYLIC AND WATER COLORS NO -- AND NO ONE WHO KNOWS DEBBIE WOULD DOUBT THAT SHE LOVES HER SENIORS AND REALLY ENJOYS PLANNING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PROGRAMS, AND SHE HAS MADE SO MANY FRIENDS OVER THE YEARS.

AND JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, WE WILL SEE IF MY COLLEAGUES CAN SEE THIS, BUT THAT IS DEBBIE AND IT IS PUTTING A BEAUTIFUL SMILE ON ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS SINCE 2005, DEBORAH REEVES HAS BEEN A LEADER IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON AT THE SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY CENTER. DEBBIE HELD VARIOUS POSITIONS AT THE CENTER LEADING UP TO DIRECTOR IN 2014 TO PRESENT.

SHE HELPED TO SHAPE THE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OFFERED FOR THE AREA RESIDENTS INCLUDING THE SENIOR ACTIVITY PROGRAM.

AND WHEREAS DEBBIE IS KNOWN FOR HER FRIENDLY AND CARING NATURE, AND SHE LOVES HER SENIORS.

THEY MEAN THE WORLD TO HER. THEY ARE MORE LIKE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THE SENIORS LOVE HER AS MUCH AS SHE LOVES THEM. AND WHEREAS ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE PROGRAMS SHE HELPED TO DEVELOP IS THE SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS ART CLASSES. WITH A DEDICATED INSTRUCTOR THAT IS ABLE TO GIVE AS MUCH ATTENTION TO THE STUDENTS AS THEY NEED TO COMPLETE IN THE BROG JECT.

PROJECT. SHE WAS PROUD TO BRING IT TO THE SAN JACINTO COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND WHEREAS SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO TRAVELING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ENJOYING QUILTING AND WOODWORKING WITH HER HUSBAND, CHARLES. BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT REC COG -- RECOGNIZES MISS DEBORAH REEVES FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO HARRIS COUNTY.

CONGRATULATIONS, DEBBIE. I THINK WE HAVE HER ON THE LINE. WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN THIS NEW CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE AND WE WANT YOU TO ENJOY IT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING FOR THE COUNTY FOR 16 YEARS.

IT HAS TRULY BEEN A WONDERFUL CHAPTER IN MY LIFE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THE REST OF MY FUTURE BRINGS ME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIO. >> THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONSES AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD LUCK. >> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE

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

NOT ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE ANOTHER ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVE ANOTHER ONE.

THIS ONE IS ONE THAT THE GOOD PASTOR ELUDED TO.

THIS ONE SPEAKS TO THE NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH. I WILL JUST SAY THAT THIS HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF MY WORK OVER THE YEARS.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WE HARDLY DID ANY OUT REACH TO THE SPANISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY. WORKING TO ENGAGE THEM AND PROVIDING THE PROGRAMMING TO RAISE AWARENESS AND GET THEM TO STEP FORWARD IN WHAT IS A RYE WARDING PART OF THE CAREER.

WE HAVE EMILY DAWN WHITEHURST WITH THE WOMEN CENTER SPEAK ON THE RESOLUTION. I AM NOT SURE IF SONYA IS ON

[01:15:03]

THE LINE. THOSE YEARS BACK THAT'S HOW WE CROSSED PATHS AND WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS.

THIS RESOLUTION READS -- AND LET ME JUST SAY WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE ADVOCACY TO RAISE AWARENESS AND I WANT TO APPLAUD ALL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHETHER THE RESPONDING PATROLMAN, THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS OR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OR THE JUDGES THAT HEAR THESE CASES THAT PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN ENSURING THAT THE VICTIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE PROPERLY TREATED AND HELP TO NAVIGATE THE VERY COMPLEX SITUATION AND TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE.

SO WHEREAS EVERY 73 SECONDS AN INDIVIDUAL IS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND EVERY 9 MINUTES THAT INDIVIDUAL IS A CHILD.

MOST OFTEN IT HAPPENS AT OR NEAR THE VICTIM'S HOME ACCORDING TO THE RAPE ABUSE, SEXUAL ASSAULT IS AN UNWANTED AND NONCONSENSUAL SEXUAL CONTACT THAT BE GETS -- BEGETS ANY INDIVIDUAL TO ANOTHER USING COERCION OR PHYSICAL FORCE. IT IS AN ACT THAT A PERSON IS FORCED TO PERFORM OR RECEIVE. WHEREAS CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND AGENCIES RESPECT EVIDENCE THAT SHOULD YOU -- THAT THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN ARE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSING -- ABUSE. THE MAJORITY OF VICTIMS AGE 12 TO 17. WHEREAS, ABUSE OF POWER, SEXUAL VIOLENCE AFFECTS COLLEGE STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES, INCARCERATED POPULATIONS AND LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY. WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT AFFECTING WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL RACIAL, SOCIAL, RELIGIOUS, AGE THET NICK -- ETHNIC GROUPS. EACH YEAR ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF APRIL, ADVOCATES BRING AWARENESS AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH. IT HELPS SURVIVORS AND ENSURES THE PERPETRATORS ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

WHEREAS SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS IN HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDE THE WOMEN'S CENTER AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY OF VIOLENCE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO USE THE SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE.

AND I PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION IN THE MIND AND IN THE SPIRIT OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS VANESSA GUILLEN.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN VICTI OF SUCH HORRIFIC ACTS AND LOOKING FOR THEIR DAY OF JUSTICE. BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES APRIL OF 2021 AS NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH. AND SUPPORTS THE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RECOGNIZES THE EFFORTS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORTERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS IN PROMOTING AWARENESS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PROVIDING INFORMATION AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF PERPETRATORS. AND JUDGE LET ME ADD THAT I THANK YOU IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE YOU PROPOSED AND WE SUPPORTED THE SUBMISSION OF FUNDING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I JUST WISH THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH.

DOESN'T MATTER WHO, BUT CHILDREN HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN ALL OF OUR HEARTS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT

[01:20:05]

RESOLUTION AND I APPLAUD THE WORK YOU AND WE HAVE DONE TO DO TO BRING JUSTICE. THANK YOU.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD SOME COMMENTS AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR BRINGING THIS. THERE IS NOT A BIGGER PROBLEM WE HAVE IN PRECINCT 3. I REALLY THINK THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THAN DOMESTIC ABUSE. JUST IN PRECINCT 3 RATES ARE UP 150%. MY RE-- RESOLVE AND YOU PUT IT VERY CLEARLY IN THE RESOLUTION, AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. MY RESOLVE IS TO SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY THE SHERIFF AND GETTING MORE INVESTIGATORS BECAUSE WHEN I MET WITH HIM RECENTLY AND HE SAID WHAT IS SOME OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS TO THE SHERIFF'S CREDIT.

HE SAID, TOM, I NEED MORE INVESTIGATORS, PARTICULARLY ON THESE TYPES OF CASES. SO THAT IS A CHALLENGE FOR US GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING AWARENESS TO IT AND GIVING VOICE TO IT.

MUCH APPRECIATED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD. IN SO MANY INSTANCES WOMEN HAVE ENDED UP BEING DOUBLE VICTIMS. THAT'S ALWAYS PART OF THE EQUATION.

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

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM. EMILY WHITEHURST WITH HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

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

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GAY ARE SEE YAW FOR HAVING ME TODAY. -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY. I SERVICE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE WOMEN'S CENTER. ON BEHALF OF OUR SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS WE SERVE I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH. SEXUAL ASSAULT AFFECTS EVERY PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT IS A DEVASTATING AND HARMFUL CRIME. ALARMINGLY IT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR SCHOOLS AND PLAYGROUNDS AND CAMPUSES AND OUR WORKPLACES AND OUR FAMILIES. DESPITE THE BRAVE SURVIVORS WHO ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE ME TOO MOMENT HAVE RAISED THEIR VOICES AND TOLD THEIR STORIES.

IN COUNTLESS CASES SURVIVORS ARE SILENCED FOR FEAR OF RETE PRO -- OF RETRIBUTION OR BECAUSE OF THE SHAME AND THE BLAME THAT WE CONTINUE TO PLACE ON THE SURVIVOR AND NOT THE PERPETRATOR. AT HAWK WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WALKING WITH AND SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF ALL AGES, GENDER IDENTITIES AND SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS, RACES AND ETHNICITIES. LAST YEAR ALONE EVEN IN A PANDEMIC HAWK, MULTI-RACIAL AND MULTI-ADVOCATES ATTENDED TO JUST UNDER 4200 SEXUAL ASSAULT-RELATED CASES.

WE FIELDED HOTLINES -- HOTLINE CALLS FROM CHILDREN WHO REPORTED SEXUAL ABUSE. WE OFFERED SUPPORT AND SAFE REFUGE TO SEX TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS.

WE HOSTED SUPPORT GROUPS FOR RAPE SURVIVORS.

IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS WORK THAT WE KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT ARE SO CRITICAL IN OR FOR SURVIVORS TO HEAL -- IN ORDER FOR SURVIVORS TO HEAL THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE. SURVIVORS SHOULD BE BELIEVED.

IT IS OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO HOLD OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE. WE MUST SHIFT THE BLAME AND BURDEN FROM THE VICTIM TO THE PURPOSE TRAITOR -- TO THE PERPETRATOR AND THE SYSTEM THAT'S FOSTER ENVIRONMENTS THAT MAKE PEOPLE VULNERABLE TO ASSAULT.

AND WE MUST FOCUS ON PREVENTION STRATEGY LIKE MOBILIZING BOYS AS ALLIES AND TEACHING THEM ABOUT HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND CREATING SAFE SPACES IN OUR SCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES AND THE COMMUNITIES WE LIVE.

THIS IS HAWK'S GREATEST AMBITION.

COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR RUER SUPPORT AS WE RECOGNIZE THIS -- COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

AND WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE ARE RECOGNIZING THIS MONTH. I HOPE YOU WILL TUNE IN TOMORROW AT NOON FOR OUR BELIEVE 2021 VIRTUAL EVENT.

YOU CAN SIMPLY LOG INTO HAWC.ORG AND IT WILL TAKE TO YOU A LIVE STREAM LINK. THIS YEAR WE ARE FEATURING THE FAMILY OF FORT HOOD SOLDIER VANESSA GUILLEN.

THE GUILLEN FAMILY HAS GONE ON A VALIANT STRUGGLE TO MAKE SURE SHE IS NOT FORGOTTEN AND IT IS NOT ONE OF SORROW, BUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND US DASH -- SYSTEMIC FORUM.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW. THANK YOU.

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

[01:25:03]

EMILY. AGAIN, MY -- I LOVE ME SOME HAWK. I AM GRATEFUL THERE ARE HUMAN BEINGS LIKE YOU AND YOUR STAFF THAT EXIST AND ARE WILLING TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO A VERY, VERY CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULT PASSION AND THAT'S TO HELP THESE VICTIMS. AND TO HAVE LONG AND DEDICATED FOLKS LIKE SONYA AND SO MANY OTHERS. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE OUT RIDGE WHO SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE THANKS TO THE WINTER STORM. EMILY, ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE ADVOCATES OUT THERE THAT YOU REPRESENT AND EMBODY, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU FOR LIFTING UP THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

NOT ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: SADLY MY RESOLUTION HERE DEALS WITH THE TRAGEDY. THAT OCCURRED ROUGHLY A YEAR AGO. I WANTED TO GIVE THE BACKGROUND. WHEN CRIME HAPPENS, I THINK IT IS HELPFUL FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT AND THE IMPACT IT HAS ON THE COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO TAKE JUST A MINUTE. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE MS. COOK'S FAMILY HERE AS WELL.

AND THEY CAN GIVE YOU A LOT MORE DETAILS THAN I WILL SHARE. LET ME SIMPLY READ THE RESOLUTION. WHEREAS ROSALY, ROSE COOK, WHO DIED MAY 16TH, 2020 WAS KILLED WHILE RUNNING A SIMPLE ERRAND OF A DRUGSTORE BY AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS OUT OF JAIL ON PERSONAL RECONNAISSANCE BONDS FOR FELONY THEFT AND ASSAULT ON A PUBLIC SERVANT. THAT'S A FACT.

WHEREAS ROSE WAS A LOVING, MOTHER CARING GRANDMOTHER AND FOUR GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. SHE IS DEARLY MISSED BY HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS. ROSE WAS BORN ON FEBRUARY 10TH, 1940 IN KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

IN 1958 SHE AND EUGENE COOK WERE MARRIED AND MOVE TO HOUSTON IN 1969. ROSE AND EUGENE WERE MARRIED FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND RAISED THEIR CHILDREN IN HOUSTON.

ROSE LOVED TO READ, CROW -- CROCHET AND COOK, BUT MOST OF ALL SHE LOVED HER FAMILY. JI -- DESCRIBED AS A PRECIOUS LADY AND ONE OF A KIND AND WAS THE BEST MOTHER TO HER THREE CHILDREN AND GRANDMOTHER TO HER SIX GRAND CHILDREN.

AND THE ONE WITH THE ICE CREAM AND THE FRASIER POPCORN AND ANYTHING ELSE ANY GRAND BEAN -- GRAND BABY WANTED.

BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFERS CONDOLENCES AND RESOLVES THAT CHANGE MUST BE

UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE SAFETY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE THE FAMILY OF MS. COOK IS ON THE LINE. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, MA'AM, THEY ARE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> COMMISSIONERS, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING SM I UH -- I APPRECIATE THE CONDOLENCES AND THE RESOLUTION.

I AM CHUCK COOK. I AM THE SON OF ROSIE COOK.

WHEN MY MOTHER WAS 80 YEARS OLD, IF YOU WANTED THE PICTURE OF A STEREOTYPICAL GRANDMOTHER, YOU WOULD SEE MY MOM. SHE WAS THE MAY TREE YAKKER OF THE -- MATRIARCH OF THE FAMILY.

SHE WAS 5-FOOT TALL. SHE HAD HER READING GLASSES DOWN ON HER NOSE. SHE WAS DISABLED.

SHE COULD ONLY SHUFFLE WITH THE HELP OF A WALKER OR A CANE. SHE LIVED ALONE.

THAT MADE HER THE MOST VULNERABLE OF THE VULNERABLE.

AS THE COMMISSIONER STATED ALMOST A YEAR AGO SHE LEFT HER HOME IN THE MORNING TO RUN HER SATURDAY ERRANDS AT WALGREENS. SHE PARKED IN THE HANDICAPPED SPACE CLOSEST TO THE ENTRANCE.

SHE SHUFFLED INTO THE STORE WITH HER CANE TO GET HER THINGS AND CATCH UP WITH THE ELDERLY CLERK THAT SHE HAD BEFRIENDED OVER THE YEARS. TYPICAL CHAT ABOUT HEALTH AND

[01:30:05]

GRANDKIDS. YOU KNOW HOW THEY LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT THEIR GRANDKIDS. SO COMPLETING THE CONVERSATION SHE GRABBED HER CANE AND SHUFFLED BACK TO THE CAR.

WHICH WASN'T EIGHT FEET FROM THE STORE -- DOOR OF THE STORE WHERE SHE WAS APPROACHED BY A MAN AND WITH NO WARNING STABBED. NOT ONCE, BUT MULTIPLE TIMES SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WANTED HER PURSE AND HER CAR.

THE MAN WHO DID THIS WAS RANDY LEWIS.

HE IS A CAREER CRIMINAL WITH 67 PRIOR CONVICTIONS.

67. HE WAS OUT OF JAIL ON PR BONDS , AS THE COMMISSIONER STATED. HE WAS RELEASED TO THE STREETS AND CONTINUED HIS LIFESTYLE WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF ACCOUNTABILITY. NOT EVEN AN ANKLE BRACELET.

I'M NOT AGAINST BOND REFORM. NOT AT ALL.

IN FACT, I AGREE THAT THE ACCUSED SHOULD NOT SIT IN JAIL BECAUSE HE OR SHE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY BOND.

HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE APPLIED ACROSS THE BOARD. IT SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR NON-VIOLENT MISDEMEANOR CASES AND NON-- AND NOT VIOLENT FELONS. THE BEST PREDICTER OF THE FUTURE IS TO LOOK AT THE PAST. THIS CERTAINLY APPLIES TO HUMAN BEHAVIOR. RANDY LEWIS PROVED THAT THAT SAYING IS TRUE. HE HAD NO BUSINESS BEING ON THE STREET AGAIN. HIS PAST WAS A CLEAR INDICATOR THAT HE HAD NO RESPECT FOR THE PERSONS OR THE LAW.

MY HOPE TODAY, JUDGE, IS THAT THE CONVERSATION WILL DISCUSS COMMON SENSE CRITERIA THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO BOND REFORM.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE CRITERIA SHOULD BE, BUT IT CERTAINLY SHOULD INCLUDE VIOLENT FELONS AND CAREER CRIMINALS LIKE RANDY LEWIS. MY MOM DIED A LONELY AND PAINFUL DEATH ON THE COLD ASPHALT OF A WALGREENS PARKING LOT, DROWNING IN HER OWN BLOOD.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC IN THE -- AND IMPORTANTLY THE MOST VULNERABLE OF THE VULNERABLE.

THE SYSTEM FAILED MY MOM. AND AS THE SAYING GOES, THE BEST PREDICTER OF THE FUTURE IS A LOOK AT THE PAST.

UNFORTUNATELY SHE IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

YOU KNOW, IF NOTHING CHANGES, NOTHING CHANGES.

MY PRAYER IS THAT IT DOESN'T FOLLOW TO THE NEXT FAMILY.

THANK YOU. MY WIFE IS GONNA HAVE A

SPEAK. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM DAWN COOK. ROSALIE COOK WAS MY MOTHER-IN-LAW. YOU KNOW, SHE WAS A FUNNY, FUNNY LADY. SHE KEPT YOU ON YOUR TOES.

SHE WAS JUST A WONDERFUL PERSON.

I WILL SHARE WITH YOU A FEW MONTHS BEFORE SHE WAS KILLED, SHE WAS REALLY SICK. SHE ALMOST DIED.

I WAS SITTING IN THE HOSPITAL WITH HER AND SHE SAID I AM NOT READY TO GO. I HAVE TOO MANY THINGS TO DO.

AND THEN ON MAY 16TH, 2020 , SHE WAS MURDERED BY RANDY LEWIS. WHAT MAKES THIS EVEN MORE POIGNANT IS THAT WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SEE HER FOR QUITE AWHILE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. WE WOULD OFFER TO RUN HER ERRANDS FOR HER. SHE WAS VERY PRIDEFUL, AND SHE WANTED TO DO THINGS ON HER OWN.

SO SHE WOULD PICK CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY SHE WOULD DO THINGS WHERE SHE THOUGHT SHE WOULD BE OKAY.

SHE HAD LIVED IN THIS HOUSE FOR 40 YEARS IN THIS SAME AREA. WE WORRIED ABOUT HER.

WE HAD MADE SUGGESTIONS TO HER ABOUT MOVING, AND SHE JUST WASN'T GONNA HAVE IT. WE HAD TO RESPECT HER.

SO SHE HEADED OUT AT 10 IN THE MORNING.

BEFORE THAT SHE HAD TALKED TO HER VERY BEST FRIEND IN HOUSTON AND HAD A LONG CONVERSATION.

SHE HAD A REAL ACTIVE SOCIAL LIFE.

SHE HEADED OUT TO WALGREENS TO GET -- TO GET A BIRTHDAY CARD FOR HER SISTER-IN-LAW AND SOME CIGARETTES.

SHE WALKED OUT THAT DOOR AND SHE DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME.

THE RAMIFICATIONS THAT IT HAS HAD ON OUR FAMILY HAVE BEEN THAT MY CHILDREN DON'T HAVE THEIR GRANDMOTHER.

MY HUSBAND AND HIS SISTER AND HIS BROTHER DO NOT HAVE THEIR MOTHER IF I MORE. WE DO -- MOTHER ANYMORE.

WE DO NOT HAVE OUR MATRIARCH ANYMORE.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNNY PERSON AT THE HOLIDAYS.

SHE WAS FUNNY. ANOTHER ONE OF THE

[01:35:05]

RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS HAPPENING IS THAT I'LL SHARE WITH YOU PERSONALLY THAT THIS IS MY FIRST TIME IN HOUSTON, THIS WAS IN ALMOST A YEAR. I DO NOT COME HERE.

I DO NOT FEEL SAFE HERE. I DO NOT KNOW WHO IS ON THE STREETS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

WHAT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO HAPPEN HERE IS THE RESULT OF REFORM AND IT IS TRAGEDY. THERE ARE OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED BY FELONS THAT HAD BEEN RELEASED ON PR REFORM BONDS. AND -- THAT'S IN IN-- THAT'S

INEXCUSABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA, OR THE FAMILY?

ARE YOU MR. AND MRS. COOK? >> THEY ARE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU -- >> I'M SORRY, JUDGE.

I DO HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

WELL, LET ME JUST SAY TO THE FAMILY, I AM JUST SO, SO TERRIBLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I AM SO GLAD YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO JOIN US VIA VIDEO. I CAN JUST FEEL YOUR GUYS' PAIN AND ABSOLUTELY SHARE IT. IT IS SUCH A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. I HAVE ENJOYED HEARING ABOUT YOUR MOTHER, MR. COOK, AND YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW, MRS. COOK. HOW FUNNY AND GRANDMOTHERLY FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD THAT IT SEEMS LIKE SHE WAS.

DESPITE THE TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES, I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU GUYS HAVE COME AND SHARED THIS STORY, AND I AM JUST SO TERRIBLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. MR. COOK AND MRS. COOK, THANK YOU AS WELL FOR SHARE YOUR MOM, YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW, WITH US AND GETTING US TO KNOW HER MUCH BETTER.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE. I DIDN'T GET TO MEET HER IN PERSON. SHE SOUNDS A LOT LIKE MY MOM.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT OUR PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES CONTINUE TO BE WITH YOU. WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU THROUGH THIS PROCESS, PLEASE COUNT ON IT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

LUCINDA. >> ANDY KAHN WITH CRIMESTOPPERS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION. IT IS DIFFICULT HEARING AGAIN FROM THE COOKS AND WE TRAGICALLY HAD TO MEET AFTER THE LOSS OF ROSALIE COOK WHO WAS RELEASED ON A PR BOND AND WHO WAS ACTUALLY SENT TO A LIVE-IN FACILITY AND BECAME ESCAPED AND FOR TWO WEEKS HIS WHERE ABOUTS WERE UNKNOWN -- WHEREABOUTS WERE UNKNOWN BECAUSE NOBODY BOTHERED TO REPORT THAT RANDY LEWIS TOOK OFF FROM AN ASSISTED LIVING CENTER AND THERE WAS NO WARRANT OUT FOR HIS REST.

ROSALIE COOK PAID THE PRICE. AND THE OTHER HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO SADLY AND TRAGICALLY THAT HAVE BEEN MURDERED ALLEGE LEADY BY FELONS RELEASED ON FELONY PR BONDS AND/OR BOND FORFEITURE. OF THE 115, 60 OCCURRED IN 2020. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 15 IN 2021.

12 WERE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCLUDING THREE UNBORN CHILDREN. WHAT HAPPENED TO ROSALIE COOK IS HAPPENING REPEATEDLY OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN HARRIS COUNTY. AT CRIMESTOPPERS WE BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY HAS TO BE PRIORITY NUMBER ONE.

AND AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD, WE HAVE SUPPORTED AND WE DO BELIEVE THAT IN FELONY COURT AND A REPORTER WHO HAS A DEFENDANT RELESION -- RELEASED ON EIGHT FELONY BONDS FOR DEADLY CHARGES. WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH?

[01:40:01]

THE JUDGE RESPONDED I DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I HAVE TO GIVE THIS PERSON A BOND. THAT'S WHY WE NEED LEGISLATION. THAT'S WHY WE DO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 20 AND SENATE BILL 21 AND HOPING WE CAN GET A GRIP ON THE PROBLEM AND MAKE IT SAFE NOT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY SO THAT DAWN COMPANY -- DAWN COOK WOULD DECIDE TO COME BACK TO HOUSTON. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE TIME TO SAY IT IS TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK ON THE BACK LOAD OF CASES. I EXTEND AN INVITATION TO ALL COMMISSIONERS TO ATTEND PARENTS OF MURDERED CHILDREN AND SURVIVING MEMBERS OF HOMICIDE MONTHLY MEETING THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT CRIMERS FROM 7 TO 9 P.M.

I HOPE TO SEE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AT ONE OF OUR MEETINGS. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, ANDY. JUDGE IF I MAY REAL QUICK?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND PLEASE GIVE THE DETAILS OF THE MEETINGS OVER TO ME.

I DO WANT TO COME BY. >> ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER.

I'M SURE EVERYBODY WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MY SUPPORT THERE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CLARITY ON THE POINT EARLIER YOU MENTIONED THAT IT IS NOT COURT-ORDERED. I THANK THE --

>> YEAH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK THE JUDGE FOR MAKING THE DECISIONS. WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION. THANK YOU.

>> YOU BET. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, IF WE ARE DONE WITH THIS LAST ITEM I DO ASK A PERSONAL INDULGENCE TO GIVE ME FOUR MINUTES BEFORE WE TAKE UP MY ITEMS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. WHY DON'T WE VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION AND THEN WE CAN TAKE OUR BREAK EARLY.

DOES THAT WORK? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST A SHORT BREAK, JUDGE. YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION I'M GUESSING, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

LET'S TAKE OUR BREAK EARLY AND WE WILL COME BACK AT NOON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD AFTERNOON.

IT IS 12:02 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> TOM RAMSEY: WE HAVE ONE MORE. ITEM 251, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. I'M SORRY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THIS ITEM IS TO NAME THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTER SET TO OPEN IN A FEW WEEKS, THE STEVE RADACK COMMUNITY CENTER ON 18650 CLAY ROAD. IT IS A WONDERFUL FACILITY AND I AM EXCITED. I HAVE HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT THE LAST FOUR MONTHS SEEING WHAT COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER RADACK LEFT IN HIS LEGACY, 30 PLUS YEARS.

AND TO SEE THE 63 PARTS, THERE WERE NINE WHEN HE STARTED.

THE VISIONS LIKE JOHN PAUL LANDING WHERE HE WENT OUT AND IN THE YEAR 2000 AND BOUGHT AN 800-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND WAY OUT WEST. AND TODAY WE HAVE A 490-ACRE LAKE THAT PROVIDES FLOOD MITIGATION.

IT WAS SOMEONE THAT LOOKED DOWN THE ROAD.

THE STORY I LIKE TO TELL THE MOST HAS TO DO WITH COMMUNITY CENTERS. WHEN HE WAS ORIENTATING ME AND BREAKING ME IN, I SAID I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE THE PURPOSE AND DIRECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE AND HOW TO DO THE METRICS THING, JUDGE, THAT WE TALK ABOUT A LOT.

HE SAID THIS -- HE SAID THE COMMUNITY CENTERS ARE IMPORTANT FOR THIS REASON. IT GIVES PEOPLE A REASON TO GET OUT OF BED MANY TIMES. SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T GO TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER. THEY ARE BOARD -- THEY ARE BORED OR ANYTHING ELSE. THEY CAN GO TO SEE FRIENDS AND IT REALLY IS A PLACE OF COMMUNITY.

TO NAME THIS THE STEVE RADACK COMMUNITY CENTER, I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE AND I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD GET SUPPORT TO

[01:45:04]

DO THAT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING THIS.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER RADACK WOULD JUST BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT HAVING A BUILDING NAMED AFTER HIM.

I WANTED TO OFFER A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT WE JUST HEARD THAT MAYBE THE COMMUNITY CENTER SHOULD BE IN HONOR OF ROSALIE COOK.

THAT WOULD BE A VERY FITTING GESTURE FOR HER FAMILY.

I AM JUST SUGGESTING THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: AT THIS POINT, I THINK WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE ROSALY -- R -- ROSALIE AND I THINK WE WILL KEEP THIS ONE WITH STEVE RADACK.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? WE MAY HAVE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GLAD YOU ARE HAHN -- HONORING SHERRY RADACK AS WELL. I THINK THAT'S A NICE

GESTURE. >> TOM RAMSEY: I MODIFIED THAT SLIGHTLY. IT WAS STEVE AND SHERRY RADACK. I HAVE MODIFIED IT TO THE STEVE RADACK. IT GETS A LITTLE COMPLICATED WHEN SHE IS STILL SERVING AS SHE IS.

SO -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. THAT DOES -- I DIDN'T KNOW

THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: OUT OF ABUNDANCE OF CARE AND CAUTION AND KNOWING THAT SHE CONTINUES TO SERVE, THIS WILL BE THE STEVE RADACK COMMUNITY CENTER.

THAT'S MY MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU CATCH THAT, JAMES? IT WOULD BE A CHANGE THERE.

>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I WAS A BETTING MAN, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT AFTER SHE RETIRES THAT THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER

RESOLUTION TO EXPAND THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE HIS MOTION WITH THE EDIT, AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE SECONDED THE MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK Y'ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS BEFORE US TODAY. ONE OF THESE I HAD GIVEN A SNEAK PEEK TO AND THAT IS TO OUR FRIEND RITA HUGGLER WHO FOR YEARS WAS A FIX TEAR HERE IN -- FIXTURE HERE IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I THINK IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT WHEN I OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF COURT THAT SHE DID NOT LIKE, SHE WAS NOT BASHFUL TO LET US KNOW.

SHE WAS STRONG AND SHE WAS FIERCE, BUT HER PASSION WAS FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE AND FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING.

SHE MIGHT KNOT -- SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE ALWAYS AGREED WITH ME AND PERHAPS A LITTLE MORE ON OF OFTEN SOME OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT HERE. I THINK THAT IS FAIR TO SAY.

NONE OF US COULD FAULT HER FOR WHERE HER HEART MOTIVATED HER.

I HAVE A RESOLUTION. JUDGE, WE HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT ARE ON OUR -- THAT ARE WANTING TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM. AND SO I WILL READ IT AT THIS TIME. WHEREAS ON THE FOURTH OF APRIL 2021 RITA B. HUGGL -- HUGGLER SUDDENLY PASSED AWAY.

WHEREAS RITA WAS BORN 74 YEARS AGO AND ATTENDED ALBERNIA COLLEGE AND SHE WAS MARRIED TO THE LOVE OF HER LIFE, JIM, ALMOST 52 YEARS AGO. BY THE WAY, JUDGE, I UNDERSTAND JIM WALKS ON WATER AND THAT'S THE WAY RITA DESCRIBED HIM TO ME. JIM AND RITA HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN. THERE WERE ORCHESTRA CONCERTS AND CEREMONY. SHE MADE A POINT TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH HER GRANDCHILDREN WHICH SHE WAS KNOWN TO EXCHANGE TEXT AND PHONE CALLS. RITA SERVED EVERY COMMUNITY IN WHICH SHE LIVES SERVING AS A PTA COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR 22 SCHOOLS, VOLUNTEERING FOR NORTHWEST ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES AND SERVING ON THE CONCERNED CITIZENS COUNCIL AND PARTICIPATING IN A LOCAL WATER BOARD MEETING.

SHE HAD A PASSION FOR POLITICS AND POODLES.

SHE WAS A MEMBER AND OFFICER OF THE NORTHWEST REPUBLICAN LIMIT AND THE BLUE BONNET POODLE CLUB.

[01:50:02]

WHEREAS SHE QUILL SH -- SHE WILL BE REMEMBERED BY THE COMMUNITY AND NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT WE HONOR RITA B. HUGGLER FOR PASSION TO HER GUEST AND HER -- AND HER LOVING FRIENDSHIP TO ALL HER KNEW

HER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE THE SECOND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU HAVE TO BE FAST IN HERE.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, BUT BEFORE THE FIRST SPEAKER GOES AND IT IS SAFE TO SAY SHE DETESTED UNFAIRNESS AND

WASTEFULNESS. >> LET'S HEAR FROM THE

SPEAKERS, LUCINDA. >> JAMES HYING -- JAMES

HUGGLER, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS JAMES HUGGLER AND I AM RITA'S HUSBAND.

I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR THIS RESOLUTION, ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. RITA WAS A, INDEPENDENT, WOMAN. SHE WAS A STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR FAIR ELECTIONS. SHE WAS ALSO AN ADVOCATE FOR VOTERS TO PARTICIPATE, PARTICULARLY IN LOCAL POLITICS FROM HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS UP TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

SHE DID NOT SEEK AWARDS AND RECOGNITION AND AS A WATCHDOG-TYPE OF PERSON THESE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES.

AGAIN, PLEASE ACCEPT MY THANKS AND I THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR SHARING HER WITH US.

>> THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. HUGGLER PUT IN A SPECIAL SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM DURING COVID SO RITA COULD HEAR OUR PROCEEDINGS.

SHE BRAGGED ABOUT THOSE. >> I REMEMBER WHEN SHE TALKED ABOUT THAT M. THANK YOU AGAIN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MAY SHE REST IN PEACE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I THINK WE MAY HAVE A COUPLE

OTHER SPEAKERS TOO. >> NORTHWEST FOREST REPUBLICAN WOMEN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU KINDLY FOR THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU ARE GIVING TO RITA. IT WAS IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. SHE NEVER SAID NO TO ANYONE.

SHE WAS ALWAYS BACKING UP PEOPLE AND THANKING ANYONE WHO ASKED FOR HELP OR DIDN'T EVEN ASK FOR HELP.

WE ARE ALREADY MISSING HER TERRIBLY.

EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING FOR RITA. WE LOVE HER SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ARE YOU A -- YOU ARE A TEST MEANT TO HER. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL THE SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE POODLES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF TALKING TO HER THE FRIDAY AND THE THURSDAY BEFORE SHE PASSED.

IT IS ABOUT HOW PRICE MIGHT BE HIGHER ON A PROPERTY AND HOW IT IS ON AN ITEM IN PRECINCT 2.

WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME AS I PROMISED THE MEMBERS OF COURT.

HE WAS ON -- SHE WAS ON HER WAY TO DO A BIG NATIONAL POODLE THING. SHE WAS PROUD OF THE POODLES.

SHE ALMOST LOVED THOSE POODLES AS MUCH AS SHE LOVED JIM.

SHE WAS SOMETHING ELSE. MY NEXT RESOLUTION IS ALSO PERSONAL TO ME AND IT IS A RESOLUTION HONORING THE

[01:55:06]

INTERNATIONAL SPACE DAY. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IT IS PERSONAL TO ME, JUDGE, IS THAT MY FATHER WAS IN THE SPACE PROGRAM AND I GREW UP ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE COUNTY WHERE I WAS IN THE PASADENA INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

PASADENA, WHERE THE GRASS IS GREENER, AND SO IF YOU EVER WATCHED THE MOVIE "APOLO 13". THERE IS A SCENE IN THERE WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SCENE TO ME.

THAT'S WHERE THE ASTRONAUT IS FLIPPING THE SWITCHES AND HE SAYS "LET'S CALL SNEAK CIRCUITS." FOR EVERYBODY ELSE THAT'S THE PART THAT GETS CUT OUT WHEN THEY EDIT THE MOVIE, BUT TO ME IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE MOVIE. MY DADDY WORKED IN SNEAK CIRCUITS. WHEN I WATCHED THAT IN "APOLO 13" THEY ARE SAYING CALL MY DADDY.

WITH THAT, WE HAVE, JUDGE AND MY COLLEAGUES, SOME VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE TO RECEIVE THIS RESOLUTION IN A FEW MOMENTS WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY IS HOME TO MISSION CONTROL WHERE HISTORIC THINGS HAVE BEEN UH ACHIEVED AND RICE STADIUM WHERE JOHN F. KENNEDY BOLDLY TOLD OUR NATION TO REACH FOR THE MOON WHERE RICE UNIVERSITY AND WESTBURY SHANNON WALKER WAS THE FIRST NATIVE HOUSTONIAN TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION THIS MONTH.

WHEREAS KLEIN HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR RESERVE TRAINING CORPS, JROTC HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE U.S. AIR FORCE TO BE THE FIRST SPACE FORCE JROTC IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND ONE OF THE FIRST 10 IN THE COUNTRY. WHEREAS WHAT BEGAN IN 1997 AT A CORPORATE EVENT BY LOCKHEED MARTIN HAS BECOME A TRUE CELEBRATION OF THE VON -- OF UNIVERSE AND STEM EDUCATION AND FORMER ASTRONAUT AND U.S. SENATOR JOHN GLENN.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT ACTS -- ACKNOWLEDGES THE FIRST FRIDAY OF MAY AS

INTERNATIONAL SPACE DAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I BELIEVE WE HAVE SPECIAL GUESTS TO RECEIVE

THIS. >> YES, SIR.

COLONEL TIMOTHY LAMPERT, KLEIN HIGH SCHOOL, JROTC.

>> GOOD MORNING GUNNEL, COMMISSION -- GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM LIEUTENANT TIM LAMBERT.

I AM WITH THE KLEIN HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR ROTC.

I WANT TO MENTION WHAT AN HONOR FOR THE KLEIN HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE DAY RESOLUTION.

IT IS REALLY A TRIBUTE TO THE CADETS WHO BOUGHT INTO THE JROTC PROGRAM AND WORK FOR EXCELLENCE.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR INCLUDING US. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO TO SEE OUR NAME MENTIONED ALONGSIDE LIKE THOSE OF SHANNON WALKER.

I WON'T TELL YOU HOW BIG THAT IS TO US AND MOTIVATE OUR CADETS TO WORK HARDER AND REACH FOR GREATER HEIGHTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COLONEL, DON'T YOU HAVE THOSE KIDS WITH YOU THERE? ARE THEY IN THE BACKGROUND?

>> SIR, WE DO NOT. WE ARE ON THE LUNCH, AND THERE IS -- THERE ARE THREE LUNCHES, AND WE RAN INTO OUR OFF

CONFERENCE PERIOD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M SORRY OUR TIMING DIDN'T GO THERE. AT ONE POINT IN TIME, JUDGE, WE WERE TRYING TO GET THEM TO HOLLER OUT TO US AT ONCE.

>> WE WERE. >> WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL THE CADET THAT'S WE GIVE OUR -- CADETS THAT WE GIVE OUR LOVE

AND UH -- APPRECIATION TO THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SEND THEM MY BEST AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING FOR

THOSE CHILDREN. >> YES, MA'AM, WILL DO.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CADETS, JUDGE.

CADETS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY CAN BE

BOTH. >> THEY ARE CADETS, YES,

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

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

>> THANKS. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

SO THAT SHOULD BE IT FOR RESOLUTIONS.

LET'S MOVE ON TO ANY OTHER SPEAKERS THAT WE HAVE NOT

ALREADY HEARD FROM. >> BRUCE BOLIN WITH ANIMAL CONTROL. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI, THIS IS BRUCE BOLIN. CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME?

SHOULD I CONTINUE? >> YES, SIR, GO AHEAD,

PLEASE. >> HI, MY NAME IS BRUCE BOLIN. I AM ON THE BOARD OF OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT HELPS TO PROTECT THE ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE IN OUR PRECINCT. I WORK TOGETHER IN A -- IN A SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR FOR TOM RAMSEY.

I WANTED TO START BY SAYING THE GOAL OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WAS NOT TO MICROMANAGE CONSTRUCTION OR

[02:00:04]

BUILD AND DESIGN EXPENSES AND WE ARE HERE TO OPTIMIZE AND UTILIZE THE EXISTING RESOURCES GIVEN TO ANIMAL CONTROL BY DEVELOPING WHAT IS BEST PRACTICES FOR OUR PRECINCTS.

THE PRACTICES SO BE ALIGNED WITH THE OVERALL HARRIS COUNTY GOALS. WHILE HARRIS COUNTY SPENT $25 MILLION FOR A NEW ANIMAL RESOURCE BUILDING, THE COMMUNITY IN PRECINCT 3 DIDN'T QUITE GET THE HELP IT NEEDED.

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH STRAY DOGS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ANIMAL CONTROL IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HASN'T BEEN PICKED UP IN YEARS.

I DON'T MEAN DAYS, WEEKSES OR MONTHS.

I MEAN YEARS. WE HAD POLICE OFFICERS TRYING TO CAPTURE AND ATTEMPT TO GET ANIMALS IN THE AREA WITH THEIR BEAR HANDS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES OR THE TOOLS THEY NEEDED. WHAT WE WANTED TO EMPHASIZE TO THEM WAS IN PARTICULAR AREAS OF COLOR, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE INEQUITIES WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMAL CONTROL.

THE CHILDREN AND ELDERS IN OUR AREA ARE VUBT -- SUBJECT TO DANGEROUS CONDITIONS LIKE DOG UH TANGS AND BITES.

IN RETURN THIS CREATES PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY.

ANIMALS EATING THROUGH GARBAGE AND SPREADING TRASH.

AND THAT HAS LEFT MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN PARTICULAR HAVING TO DEAL WITH ANIMAL CONTROL INDIVIDUALLY.

INDIVIDUALS ARE OFTEN LEFT WITH THE COST 20 TIMES IN EXPENSES. INDIVIDUALS ARE LEFT TO PURCHASE ON THEIR OWN AN -- ANIMAL CONTROL EQUIPMENT AND CLEAN UP THEIR STREETS AND TAKE CARE OF STRAY ANIMALS THEMSELVES. MEANWHILE, UNFORTUNATELY A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD YOU CAN GO TO FORT BEND WHERE IT IS A SAFER PUBLIC PARK. THAN THOSE WE ACTUALLY LIVE IN. WE CAN COME AND PICK THEM UP, BUT IN HARRIS COUNTY IT IS SOMETHING WE DON'T DO.

SO THE PRECINCT THREE ANIMAL CONTROL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN DECIDED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE TO PETITION THE REQUEST TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO DENY THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE. THE ISSUE WAS NOT PREED TO THE PUBLIC IN -- AND THE ATTACHMENT WAS NOT INCLUDED AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON ANY ITEM THAT FOR EXAMPLE THIS IS $201,000 SPENDING. IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, THE PROPER PROCEDURES WERE NOT SUPPORTED.

IT WOULD SUPPORT OF THE NAME AND APPROVAL.

WE ARE REQUESTING EXPENDITURES BE SUCK MITTED -- SUBMITTED TO

THE PUBLIC FOR REVIEW. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, MR. BOLIN. I APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT AND I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING US THE INSIGHT.

>> THANK YOU, MR. COMMISSIONER.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COME OFF

THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS ONE MORE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MY QUESTION IS TO MR. BLOUNT IF HE IS AVAILABLE. I KNOW -- DO YOU WANT ME TO TAKE THAT UP WHEN WE TAKE UP THE AGENDA ITEM OR DO YOU WANT ME TO ASK MY REQUEST TO MR. BLOUNT RIGHT NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE BETTER DISCUSS IT AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS BRIEF, RIGHT, COMMISSIONER?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE SPEAKER

IS STILL ON THE LINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY QUESTION OF JOHN IS THIS A TIME-SENSITIVE MATTER, OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BRING BACK IN TWO WEEKS BECAUSE I HAD -- I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO IT A LITTLE BIT

MYSELF? >> COMMISSIONER, WE CAN BRING IT BACK THIS TWO WEEKS. THIS WAS A SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETED NOTICE. THE CONTRACTOR AGREED TO ALLOW PUBLIC HEALTH TO MOVE INTO THE BUILDING PRIOR TO SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION SO THEY COULD BEGIN THEIR OPERATIONS WHILE THEY FINISHED THINGS LIKE LANDSCAPING, IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S TO THE ITEMS ON THE LIST, BUT WE CAN DEFINITELY HOLD IT AND THEN BRING IT BACK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT? COMMISSIONER, IS THIS IN MY

PRECINCT? >> YES, COMMISSIONER IT IS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WHAT IS THE CONCERN AGAIN? I'M SORRY.

I WAS MULTI-TASKING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SORRY ABOUT THAT. THE ANIMAL CONTROL BUILDING IS ONE THAT SERVES ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS, AND SO I -- I DON'T WANT TO TREAD ON YOUR TOES, BUT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF THINGS I JUST HEARD FROM THE LAST SPEAKER I WOULD LIKE TO RUN DOWN AND VISIT WITH HIM ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU DO THAT AND THEN LET'S DECIDE -- I DON'T WANT TO DELAY IT, BUT SEE IF YOU CAN RUN THOSE DOWN AND SEE IF WE CAN -- JOCK

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JOHN SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM HOLDING IT FOR TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY MOVED IN.

[02:05:04]

THIS IS JUST THAT CERTIFICATE THAT GOES AT THE END.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO, JOHN, YOU SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH

DELAYING? >> I'M SAYING WE CAN HOLD IT, BUT IT DOES DELAY THE PAYMENT TO THE CONTRACTOR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I OBJECT TO HOLDING IT.

WHY DON'T YOU TRY TO TALK TO THEM AND FIGURE IT OUT AND

VOTE ON IT AT THE END OF TODAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, WELL, WE'LL DISCUSS IT FURTHER WHEN WE GET TO THAT ITEM. LET ME JUST ASK THE SPEAKER, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

ANYTHING WE MIGHT BE MISSING? >> NO, JUDGE.

I JUST SAID THE POINT WAS THE TRANSPARENCY BEHIND IT.

IF WE ARE GOING TO SPEND MONEY ON SOMETHING, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE SOMETHING WAS SPENT ON.

IT IS THAT SIMPLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PART OF THE ISSUE IS THE THING WE ARE APPROVING WASN'T POSTED FOR

THE PUBLIC. >> LINA HIDALGO: I SEE.

>> YES, JUDGE, IT IS. WHEN WE GO TO A CERTAIN COMPLETION ON A PROJECT, IT REACHES SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION WHICH IS A LEADING TERM OF THE CONTRACT.

IN MANY CASES WE START USING THE FACILITY PRIOR TO SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION AND WE HAVE WHAT IS CALLED A PUNCH LIST OR ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

THE EXHIBIT A IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

AS YOU KNOW, JUDGE, WHEN YOU VISITED THE FACILITY THERE WAS

STILL ON GOING WORK OUTSIDE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

AND WE WILL RUN THIS -- SOUNDS LIKE IT IS A QUESTION WE ALL HAVE, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES, RIGHT, THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND A BUILDING IS ONE THING AND THE OTHER IS THE FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THESE COMMUNITIES SAFE. WHICH IT IS A BIG ISSUE.

MY PUZZLE IS WHY DIDN'T THIS COME IN THE BUDGET REQUEST FROM PUBLIC HEALTH IF WE WERE SO SORELY LACKING WITH ANIMAL CONTROL? BUT I'M GLAD THE SPEAKER IS

BRINGING THIS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD JUST HATE TO HOLD -- IF IT IS A SEPARATE ISSUE, OBVIOUSLY IF I WERE A CONTRACTOR I THINK SOMEBODY SHOULD CALL HIM BEFORE WE HOLD THE MONEY UP.

I WOULD BE SENSITIVE OBVIOUSLY -- WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THIS WITH THE MWBE'S, BUT IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NO FAULT ON THEIR SIDE, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A SEPARATE ISSUE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I DON'T KNOW WHO THE CONTRACTOR IS. IF IT WAS ME, YOU KNOW, I WOULDN'T WANT MY MONEY HELD UP FOR TWO WEEKS.

PARTICULARLY DURING A PANDEMIC.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL WORK TO RUN IT DOWN. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> R MICHAEL LEE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

TODAY I SUBMIT $28,900 CLAIM FOR INJURING COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE APPEARED MANY TIMES BEFORE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON FLOOD CONTROL, ERRORS ON THE ARDMORE BRIDGE PROJECT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

MY COMMISSIONER HAS IGNORED MY REQUEST TO MEET.

18 MEETING REQUESTS HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE AUGUST OF 2019.

THEREFORE TODAY I POSE QUESTIONS SINCE MY COMMISSIONER NEVER AGREED TO MEET OR EVEN RESPOND FROM OCTOBER 2020 CERTIFIED LETTER.

THE COUNTY USED THE DESIGN AND CALCULATIONS PREPARED FROM MY ENGINEERS FOR A CHANGE ORDER AND TO SAVE THE COUNTY $50 THUNDERSHOWER -- $54,000 CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

THE INTOED CONTROL IN -- THE FLOOD CONTROL IN 2019 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVED THE CHANGE OF WORK IN AUGUST OF 2020. THIS WAS JUST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE CONTRACTOR WAS SCHEDULED TO RIP UP MY FRONT YARD TO INSTALL 16-FOOT WIDE STORM CEP -- STORM SEWER INLET.

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT FAILED TO NOTIFY RIVERSIDE COUNTY AND DUE PROCESS FOR THE ARDIMORE BRIDGE PROJECT WHICH REQUIRED FEDERAL FUNDED PROJECTS. IT AFFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS AND THE COMMISSION SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY FOR ITS ERROR IN THE DECEMBER 2019.

I'M 68 YEARS OLD, SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME. I LIVED IN MY HOME FOR 40 YEARS. FLOOD CONTROL'S POOR DESIGN PLACES 16-FOOT WIDE STORM INLET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 1930S HISTORIC RESIDENCE BY TAKING $150,000 FROM THE HOMESTEAD VALUE. THIS BAD DESIGN VIOLATED THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT.

WE NEVER HAD TO ENGAGE OVER $28,000 IN ENGINEERING FEES.

COMMISSIONER'S COURT, DO YOU THINK IT IS FAIR THAT A SENIOR

[02:10:02]

CITIZEN STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE SHOULD FOOT THE BILL FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES AND FLOOD CONTROL'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND PAY FOR SERVICES AND DEFECTS IN THE COUNTY'S PLANS AND A BETTER SOLUTION ULTIMATELY THAT WOULD HAVE SAVED THE COUNTY THOUSANDS IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS ? NO.

INTOED CONTROL -- FLOOD CONTROL HAS NO WRITTEN POLICY FOR A CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO APPEAL.

IN THIS CASE, FLOOD CONTROL MADE UP THE RULES ON THE FLY FOR OVER A YEAR, FABRICATING DELAYS AND FABRICATING DECEPTIONS. IT IS BAD PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR AND EXACERBATES THE ENGINEERING FEE FROM $15,000 TO $28,000. COMMISSIONER, ELLIS -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WHEN WILL YOU AGREE TO MEET WITH ME AND DISCUSS THIS ISSUE. NOTE, I HAVE HAD COVID AND I

AM FULLY VACCINATED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I KNOW YOU THREATENED LEGAL ACTION SO I MET WITH YOU AND I HAVE TALKED WITH YOU AND SO HAS MY STAFF. AT THIS POINT FORWARD YOU SHOULD VISIT WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> I HAVE NOT INITIATED LEGAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CAROLYN CRIVERA. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS CAROLYN ADDISON RIVERA.

I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1, THE HALLS AND GREEN BAYOU WATER SHED AREA. I AM A COMMUNITY APPLICANT AND VOLUNTEER WITH NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE.

MY HOME HAS BEEN IN PRECINCT 1 OVER 40 YEARS.

THE COMMUNITY IS WITNESSING DEVASTATING DECAY OF THE BAYOU AND TERRORIZING FLOODS. RESIDENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR OF FUTURE PROPERTY DESTRUCTION AND DEATH WHEN FUTURE TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES COME INTO HOUSTON, DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IS IMMINENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. ACTION IS NEEDED NOW.

TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHIC CRISIS.

CURRENTLY HOUSTON'S DISTRIBUTION OF BOND FUNDS IS NOT BEING DISTRIBUTED EQUITABLY IN PRECINCT 1 AS PROMISED. IN 2018 WE WERE PROMISED THAT EQUITY, FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE WOULD BE A PRIORITY.

HELP IS A PRIMARY NEED AND SHOULD BE A PRIORITY OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WE IN PRECINCT 1 LIVING IN THE COMPANY HALES AND -- THE HALLS AND GREEN BAYOU ARE ASKING FOR EQUITY, JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS NOW. NOT EXCUSES, BUT ACTION.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

MS. RAW -- MS. RIVERA, I HEAR YOU AND I HOPE ALL OF US ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT HEAR YOU.

THE COMMITMENT WAS MADE AND YOU ALL HAVE GOTTEN FLOODED NOT SOMETIMES, BUT EVERY TIME.

>> YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM FIGHTING FOR IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT ACTION. THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> MICHELLE PILAY WITH COMB COAL -- WITH HOME COALITION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM WITH THE HOME COALITION AND TODAY I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON THE UPDATED FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK AND INTENT TO FUND THE DRAINAGE PROGRAM FOR STREET FLOODING. HOME COALITION IS IN SUPPORT OF APPROACHES TO MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF FUNDS ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITIES WITH HIGH FLOOD RISK.

TO BE CLEAR, MANY OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE AT A HIGHER RISK BECAUSE THE INGNAW STRUCTURE -- INFRASTRUCTURE WAS NEVER ADDED TO BEGIN WITH.

IT IS A BUDGET SHORT FALL IN THE BOND PROGRAM.

WE WANT TO LOOK AT ALL AVENUES THAT PERPETUATE FLOODING WITH NO SOLUTIONS IN SIGHT. SO IT IS TO UPDATE THE

[02:15:04]

FINANCIAL FRAME -- FRAMEWORK. IT IS CRUCIAL THE COUNTY STAND AND LEAD THE COMMITMENT TO EQUITY WITH THE EQUITY PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AFTER THE FLOOD BOND WAS PASSED.

IT APPLIES THE FRAMEWORK TO TRULY ENSURE THOSE THAT FALL BY THE WAY SIDE GET WHAT IS NEEDED FOR FAR TOO LONG.

LAST MONTH'S 1.4 BILLION BUDGET SHORT FALL SHOULD BE A LESSON LEARNED TO US ALL THAT THE PARTNERSHIP IS NOT ALWAYS GUARANTEED. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT INCLUDES PARTNERSHIP FUNDING IMMEDIATELY TRIGGERED IMPACT AND BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITIES.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS MUCH HIGHER OR MUCH MORE LIKELY AND THEY WILL HAVE MORE FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS THAN NEIGHBORHOODS NEEDING ASSISTANCE.

THEY WANT TO REMIND THE COUNTY OF THE COMMITMENT TO HARRIS DRIVE WHICH IS A COMMITMENT TO A COMPREHENSIVE RESILIENCE STRATEGY TO ALL COMMUNITIES. THE REIMAGINED AND THE REESTABLISHED FLOOD CONTROL TASK FORCE SHOULD BE IN4THOF JULY -- SHOULD BE INFORMED AND EMPOWERED ON THE PROJECT DECISIONS. AS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY WORKING ON EQUITY ISSUES ON A DAILY BASIS, I REALLY WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT EQUITY IS NOT EQUALITY.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS RECOGNIZED IT AND IT IS A LEAP OF EXAMINING AN EQUITY LENS ON A STRUCTURE AND RESIDENTS ARE FOR THESE FAMILIES AND EACH GENERATION.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DILIGENCE ON THIS ISSUE. I'M GONNA HAVE MY OFFICE SEND TO YOU IF THEY SCR -- IF THEY HAVE NOT SENT TO YOU FLOOD CONTROL. 1BILLION -- $1 BILLION WAS SPENT FROM THE $2.5 BILLION BEFORE THE ADOPTION OF THE BOND PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK.

AND THEN IT IS NOT CLEAR AND THE MONEY HAS ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. I KNOW THE BUDGET OFFICE WITH FLOOD CONTROL COMES BACK WITH A REMEDY FOR A COMMITMENT THAT WAS MADE BANKING ON FEDERAL MONEY THAT MAY NOT WELL COME IN AND THEN THERE ARE SOME COST OVER RUNS.

I RAISE EAST -- I RAISE THESE ISSUES BECAUSE THERE IS ANOTHER ROUND OF CDBG MITIGATION MONEY.

IT IS MUCH SMALLER PARTIALS AND FLOOD CON -- FLOOD CONTROL THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE. EVEN IF IT MEANS SOME OF THE OTHER PROJECTS I SAID IN THE PAST WHO DID NOT -- OUT OF THE 1.6 BILLION, WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE SPEND THE OTHER MONEY. WE ARE TRYING TO GET FUNDING BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE FLOODED EVERY TIME.

PEOPLE AT HUD SAID WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL IN WHAT WE SAY.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH OF AN IMPACT TO SAY WE ARE CHASING FEDERAL DOLLARS. I WILL ASK FOR A BREAK DOWN ON EACH OF THESE WATER SHEDS AND WHAT OUT OF OUR MONEY WAS SPENT ON -- BASED ON LMI AND EVERY ONE OF THEM SO YOU CAN SEE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT. I THINK IF WE PUT THAT ONLINE AND IF WE EVER GO BACK TO VOTERS AND THE PEOPLE FIND OUT, WELL, WE ONLY USE FEDERAL MONEY WHEN WE GET IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD THEY ARE LESS APARTMENT TO GO FOR IT.

>> YES, SIR. DEFINITELY.

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

>> HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

[02:20:01]

I WAS HAPPY TO LEARN THAT FUNDS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO START CONSTRUCTING EQUITABLE DRAINAGE PROJECTS IN THE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY UNDER SERVED FOR TOO LONG.

TRANSFERRING OF $315 MILLION FROM ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECT FUNDS THE FIRST STEP. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY FLOOD RESILIENCE TASK FORCE.

THE TASK FORCE WILL BE LOOKING FOR TRANSPARENT USE OF THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK THAT WAS ADOPTED.

EVERY PROJECT LISTS THAT EMERGES SHOULD USE THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK AND MUST CONNECT TO THE PRIORITIZATION LIST AND THE TASK FORCE SHOULD BE INVITED TO SHARE THE EQUITY PROCESS. THE DRAINAGE PROGRAM PROJECT LISTS THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS PER PRECINCT AND TOTAL COST PER PRECINCT. THE ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECT LIST DOES NOT REVEAL THE EMBEDDED INEQUITY WE ARE FACING. CALLS IN PRECINCTS THAT RECEIVED A TRIM -- STREAM OF INVESTMENTS, AND FOR THE SAME REASON LISTING THE INEQUITIES TO BE DEALT WITH.

ONE PRECINCT MAY NEED MORE SMALL PROJECTS COMPARED TO A PRECINCT. ONE AREA MAY BE HIGH DENSITY AND ANOTHER LOW DENSITY. CENSUS TRACKS HAVE DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE THAT CAN BE USED FOR EQUITY ANALYSIS. THERE IS A TWO-YEAR PROTECTION AND FIVE-YEAR PROTECTION ET CETERA.

PROJECT COSTS CAN BE BETTER SPENT PER RISK PROTECTION ACHIEVED. IT IS REPRESENTED AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL WHICH TIED TO EBBING HUA EQUITY WHICH IS ALSO TIED TO EQUITY. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY FLOOD RESILIENCE TASK FORCE TO FIND IMPARTIAL METRICS FOR ENGINEERING OUTCOME AND FOR NEW WAYS FOR IN-- FOR INEQUITIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO MENTION THAT MR. BLOUNT WANTED DR. BULLOCK TO SPEAK AT AN EVENT. WE COULDN'T GET HIM, BUT THEY SUGGESTED DR. NANCE. IT WOULD BE VERY NICE.

>> YES, I WILL GET BACK TO JOHN BLOUNT SOON.

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

>> HI, I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1.

THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES IN NORTH HOUSTON THAT FALL UNDER PRECINCT 1 TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF FLOODING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I HAVE SEEN DESTRUCTIVE PARITIES IN THE AREAS.

THEY ARE LACKING FLOOD MITT -- MITIGATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE. IT IS INCREDIBLE AFTER A ONCE IN A CENTURY STORM LIKE HARVEY NOTHING HAS MOVED TO CHANGE.

THE TRUTH IS A CHANGE WILL ENSURE THAT THE ISSUE GETS WORSE. IT IS NECESSARY TO BE PRO ACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE AND FOR THE CHANGE TO HAPPEN NOW. WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT WAITING FOR? ANOTHER MONSTROUS STORM? WORKING IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR IT IS INCREDIBLE THE AMOUNT OF BUREAUCRACY AND THE AMOUNT OF OBSTACLES I HAVE RUN INTO DOING THIS WORK. IT IS NECESSARY WE CREATE CHANGE TO ENSURE THE OTHER AREAS AND THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE ABLE TO ENSURE EQUITABLE CHANGE AND NOT JUST EQUALITY, BUTTON SURING THAT THE -- BUT ENSURING THOSE WHO MOVE THE MOST AND NEED THIS THE MOST.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I -- I CAN'T SEE YOU. IS SOUNDS -- IT SOUNDS LIKE

[02:25:02]

ARE YOU IN COLLEGE. ARE YOU?

>> YES, I AM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I USED TO BE IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR A LONGTIME.

IT SEEMS LIKE ALL OF THE ACTIVISM, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, ARE ALWAYS IN THE PRECINCT I REPRESENTED.

I WOULD TELL THEM THAT'S GREAT, BUT I WANT YOU TO MEET SOME FOLKS IN THE OTHER SENATE DISTRICTS TO HELP MAKE THE ARGUMENTS AS WELL. I WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU WITH MY STAFF. ON THIS BOARD IT IS ALL ABOUT GETTING THREE. YOU GOT MY VOTE, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET SOME STUDENTS -- TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SWROATS -- VOTES TO GET IT PASSED.

YOU ARE RIGHT ON AND I APPRECIATE IT.

THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PROJECT THANK YOU.

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

MUCH. >> IRIS GONZALEZ.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HEY THERE, GOOD AFTERNOON.

THIS IS IRIS GONZALEZ. I AM THE COALITION DIRECTOR FOR FEAR AND COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENT EQUITY AND RESILIENCE. I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FROM THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT.

WE NEED TO THINK STRATEGICALLY AND HOLISTICALLY ABOUT ALL OF OUR COUNTY RESOURCES. I KNOW WE NEED TO FIND MORE MONEY FOR FLOOD PROJECTS. IT IS LOOKING AT OTHER PROJECT THAT'S INTERSECT LIKE THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY.

THE THING TO EMPHASIZE IS AS WE FREE UP THIS MONEY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS GOING TO THE PLACES THAT NEED IT THE MOST AND THE RED PARTS OF THE MAP.

WE WANT TO TRACK THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING.

WE KNOW FINDING THE MONEY IS ONLY PART OF THE RESOLUTION AND WE WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME TALKING ABOUT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM AND SO NOT ONLY DOES THAT MEAN DEALING WITH THE FLOODING RESOURCES IT IS HOW HOW WE REPORT BACK TO THE MOST IMPACTED COMMUNITIES ON HOW REVIEW THOSE RESOURCES.

THERE IS A PATTERN OF OVER SERVING AND UNDER SERVING WATER SHEDS. THIS IS THE PATTERN AND THE HISTORY THAT WE HAVE CREATED AND WE NEED TO INTERRUPT THE PATTERN. WHEN WE GET MORE MONEY WE PUT IT IN THE SAME SYSTEM AND WE WILL GET THE SAME RESULT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE TASK FORCE AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SOLUTION. I SPEAK AS A MEMBER AND WE HAVE NOT YET NAMED OFFICERS. I AM NOT SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE TASK FORCE, BUT AS A MEMBER.

WE HAD TWO ORIENTATION MEETINGS AND THE NEXT MEETING IS IN A FEW WEEKS. IT IS WHAT ARE THE INVESTMENTS WATER SHED TO WATER SHED. WHERE IS IT WE NEED TO GO AND HOW LONG UNTIL WE GET THERE? WE HOPE IT IS AN EXTENSION OF YOUR EYES AND EARS AND ASKING HARD QUESTIONS AND PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS FROM START TO FINISH.

WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED, BUT WE ARE READY FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENTS AND THE PLAN COMING BACK LATER IN JUNE.

AND I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE TO BUILD OFF DR. NANCE'S POINT TO HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY DATA. IT TELLS US THE AMOUNT --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP JOOVMENT --

UP. >> I JUST WANTED TO FINISH THE

SENTENCE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS. IN PARTICULAR I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE FLOOD RESILIENCE COMMITTEE AND WANTED TO ASK AND AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS TOUCHED ON EARLIER WE DIDN'T DO A PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND EQUITY WAS SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOUGHT IN

[02:30:04]

THE PROCESS OF THE BOND ELECTION.

AND THEN, IN YOUR REVIEW AND HAS THERE BEEN MISSED OPPORTUNITIES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE BEST

POTENTIAL? >> SURE, COMMISSIONER AND I HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE HEARING YOU, BUT I THINK THE EQUITY GUIDELINES IS BEING ABLE TO TEST THEM IN PARTS OF THE BOND. WE WOULD HAVE WANTED THEM APPLIED TO EVERY PENNY OF THE BOND, BUT WHERE IT WAS PUT TO THE TEST WE ARE SEE THRG IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN IT EVEN MORE. IT WAS TAKEN FROM OTHER PLACES TO CREATE THE FIRST TOOL AND IT REALLY EMPHASIZES WHERE ARE WE STILL NOT MEETING THE GOAL? HOW CAN WE APPLY THAT TO HARRIS COUNTY FOR OUR CONTEXT. IT IS HARD TO HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION AT ONCE IN YOUR HANDS.

IT IS IN A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

AND SO PART OF THE FIRST STEP IS WE NEED TO ALL AGREE ON THE BASELINE. WE NEED TO ALL HAVE IN OUR HANDS THE ANALYSIS AND THE CURRENT CONDITIONS AND HOW WE GOT HERE BEFORE WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK.

AND THEN TRACK THE METRICS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COMMUNICATING AND WE ARE ON TRACK TOWARD SUCCESS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD. YOUR EARLIER COMMENTS ARE TOUCHING A NERVE WITH ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. >> MS. GONZALEZ, COMMISSIONER GARCIA RAISED THE ISSUE AS WELL AND I KNOW YOU ARE HIS CONSTITUENTS, BUT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND I DIDN'T ASK A QUESTION FROM THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS, BUT YOU ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND RESPECTED IN A SPACE AND TRY TO WATCH THE DISCUSSION WHEN WE GET TO IT LATER.

THIS MONEY FROM THE TOLL ROAD WILL HELP.

IT IS A BIG STEP, BUT IT IS A STEP.

HOW DO WE GET A $1.4 BILLION HOLD? I THINK IT IS GOOD TO HAVE MR. POPPY AND MR. BERRY WALK US THROUGH THAT. WITH THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, THEY THOUGHT WE WOULD GET ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS FROM THE CBD MITIGATION MONEY THAT THE STATE CONTROLS. IT IS FEDERAL MONEY.

IT IS NOT THE STATE'S MONEY. IT IS FEDERAL MONEY.

THE CITY AND THE COUNTY GOT 9 THUSES -- 900 MILLION.

SOME WAS TAKEN BACK. JUDGE YOU ASKED THE QUESTION, BUT WAS IT IN WRITING? THAT WAS BEFORE YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA GOT HERE. I WAS NOT IN THE ROOM WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD DIG INTO IT A LITTLE BIT. IT WAS ROUNDED TO A BILLION.

900MILLION FOR THE CITY AND 900 MILLION FOR THE COUNTY.

THEN THEY SAID IT SHOULD BE A TEMPLATE -- THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. RUSS POPPY CAN COMMENT.

THIS IS WHAT WE DO WITH THE CDBG FLOOD MITIGATION MONEY.

BUT IT WAS NOT WRITTEN OUT THE OTHER SIDE TOOK IT TO MEAN THAT'S WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. PROJECTS COST MORE THAN THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD. BUT WHEN THE QUESTION COMES UP THE BOND PUT IN PLACE WAS THE 670 MILLION SPENT PRIMARILY AND THEY SAID THEY ARE AGAINST THE RATIO.

[02:35:02]

EVEN THE -- MR. POP -- POPPY HAD CONCERNS.

EVERYBODY HAS CONCERNS AND NOBODY CHANGED.

YOU LOOK AT MY PRECINCT, CLEAR CREEK.

$181MILLION ESTIMATED PARTNER FUNDING AND THEY TOOK 103 MILLION FROM THE BOND PACKAGE.

I REFER TO IT AS CHOCOLATE BAYOU WHEN I WAS A KID.

THEY HAVE 6.5 MILLION OUT OF OUR MONEY PART OF THIS IS BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO ENCOURAGE OUR STATE FRIENDS, BOTH PARTIES. WE GOT THE MONEY BECAUSE OF FLOODING. IT IS NOT TO GET AS MUCH AS THEY GOT ON THE EAST COAST AND THEY DID NOT GIVE US A DIRECT ALLOCATION. HUD CAN INFLUENCE WHAT ELSE HAPPENS. AND IN TERMS OF PARTNER FUNDING ALONG HALLS AND GREENS, FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY CAN GO AFTER SOME OF THE MATCH MONEY WITH THEIR MONEY WITH THE DRAINAGE FEE SO WE CAN LEVERAGE MORE TO DO THE DRAINAGE PROJECT. BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GET THE DIRECT ALLOCATION WE HAVE TO GO TO HUD, NEW ADMINISTRATION WE SHOULD GET OUR PROPORTION GNAT SHARE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING, BUT I WILL DO ALL I CAN WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RADACK. RAMSEY.

THAT'S HOW IT CAME OUT. I WAS NOT IN THE ROOM, BUT TRYING TO CONSTRUCT THE CON VEER AS BEST AS I CAN.

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

>> ALLISANDRA WITH THE TEXAS RIGHTS PROJECT.

TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE HUH DOLL GO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I AM THE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS AT THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM 284 THERE WAS AN ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT FROM THE PERIMAN GROUP THAT LOOKS AT THE EFFECTS OF COMMUNITY OF COLOR AND THE DRAG ON SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES WITHIN TEXAS' BUSINESS SECTOR TO LOCATE AREAS PROMOTING EQUALITY IS AND LOSSES IN TOURISM.

THE ANALYSIS IS THAT THE COST WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT.

IT IS A LOSS OF 73,000 JOBS AND 832 MILLION IN STATE TAX REVENUE AND 465 MILLION IN LOCAL TAX REVENUE.

WHAT I WROTE LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE EVER GROWING PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO BE FILLED FROM THE TEXAS BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND WHAT WE NEED FROM THEM TO STOP THEM.

THERE ARE MAJOR LOSSES IN GDP AND THE THE MUNITION OF THE TEXAS BRAND IT RUNS COUNTER TO THE INCLUSION VALUES AND WOULD HURT RECRUITMENT EFFORTS. ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR STATE.

WE ARE SEEING GROWING OPPOSITION.

THE TEXAS CORPORATIONS INCLUDING AMERICAN AIRLINES.

THEY OPPOSE THE ACCESS AND ARE OPPOSING WHAT IS DONE IN THIS MOMENT. FOR THE COMPANIES WHO ISSUED A PUBLIC STATEMENT TO RACIAL JUSTICE AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD LAST SUMMER WE HOPE THOSE ENTITIES HONOR

[02:40:02]

THEIR COMMITMENT BY EXECUTING THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS IMMEDIATELY. ONE, MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT AGAINST THESE ROTOR RESTRICTION BILLS TO COMMIT TO ALL POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES WHO PROPOSE OR VOTE FOR VOTER SUPPRESSION LEGISLATION AND UTILIZING PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM TO CONTACT LEGISLATORS AND ASK THEM TO STOP THESE BILLS AND VOTE NO.

I AM HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THE WORK THEY ARE DOING.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. WE SHARE YOUR SENTIMENT AND WE ARE HOPING THAT WE ARE HOPING OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> THANKS SO MUCH. >> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE AGENDA-RELATED AND MOVING TO NON-AGENDA RELATED.

EMANUEL THOMAS WITH PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM BROTHER EMANUEL AND I AM CALLING FOR THE CITIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON. OUT THERE ON JULY 11TH OF 2020 WITH BROTHER ADRIAN GARCIA AND MANY OF OUR OTHER CITIZENS AND THE MAYOR OF HOUSTON WHO ARE HONORING OUR SISTER, VANESSA GUILLEN, AND THE SITUATION THAT WAS GOING ON. I SPOKE WITH YOU ON THAT DAY AND I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT THE DISRESPECT GOING ON IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WENT DOWN TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND SPOKE 22 TIMES IN FRONT OF THE CITY COUNCIL AS I WILL SPEAK AGAIN TODAY. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO CURRENT LAWS AGAINST ANY TYPES OF VANDALISM OR ANY TYPES OF THEFT DONE TO MEMORIALS THAT ARE SET ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO LET CERTAIN SPOTS IN AND AROUND THE COUNTY.

MY SON WHO PASSED AWAY THREE YEARS AGO MURDERED IN THE STREETS I PUT OUT MEMORIALS TO HIM BECAUSE I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BE ON THE PREMISES WHERE HE ACTUALLY WAS MURDERED.

AND SO AS A DEDICATION TO HIM I PUT OUT MEMORIALS ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH AND THOSE MEMORIALS WERE STOLEN AND VANDALIZED ON MANY OCCASIONS. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO CURRENT LEGISLATION TO PROSECUTE ANYONE FOUND DOING THAT AND SO I ASKED OUR CITY TO DRAFT UP SOME FORM OF LEGISLATION SO WE CAN MAKE THAT AGAINST THE LAW IN OUR CITY AND AS EVERYONE HAS SEEN WITH THE GEORGE FLOYD SITUATION, THIS IS ABOUT THE THIRD TIME THAT HIS MURAL HAS BEEN VANDALIZED.

IF SOMEONE WAS TO COME UP ON A PERSON DOING THAT WE HAVE FOLLOW 11 OFFICERS -- WE HAVE FALLEN OFFICERS AND FALLEN PERSONNEL AND THEY PUT TEDDY BEARS AND IF SOMEONE FOUND THE VAN DO LAYINGS -- VAN DO LAYINGS IN THE FACT, IF THEY ACT ON THEM THE CITIZEN WHO ACTED ON IT WOULD BE IN TROUBLE. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE NO CURRENT LAWS AGAINST THAT. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD IMPLEMENT THEM AND THAT'S WHY I AM COMING TO YOU GUYS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOUR TIME IS UP THANK YOU. WE CAN'T RESPOND TO YOU DIRECTLY BECAUSE YOUR COMMENT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT SOMEBODY WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

>> MY COMMENTS ARE -- OH. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE WAY IT WORKS IS IF YOU SPEAK ABOUT AN ITEM THAT IS LISTED ON THE AGENDA WE CAN ENGAGE WITH YOU ON IT.

OTHERWISE LEGALLY WE CANNOT. YOUR COMMENT IS NOT RELATED TO A PARTICULAR POSTED ITEM. BUT WE WILL MAKE SURE SOMEBODY

FOLLOWS UP. >> WELL, I MEAN, CAN I GET AN ANSWER IF ANYONE IN THE COMMISSION IS WILLING TO DRAFT

UP LAWS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, WE CAN'T LEGALLY ENGAGE ON ANYTHING THAT IS SORT OF SUBSTANTIVE.

[02:45:04]

WE ARE FORBIDDEN BY LAW FROM DOING THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, SOMEBODY WILL CALL HIM.

SOMEBODY WILL CALL YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA OR MY

OFFICE WILL CALL YOU. >> OKAY.

WELL, CAN SOMEONE ALSO LOOK INTO MY SON'S CASE? BLAKE THOMAS. HE WAS MURDERED ON

NOVEMBER 5TH, 2017. >> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

>> WELL, I HAD TWO PARTS OF MY SPEAKING THAT I ASKED TO SPEAK ON. I DIDN'T KNOW --

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE GIVE EVERY SPEAKER THREE MINUTES AND YOURS ARE UP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE WILL CIRCLE BACK. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALLEY HAHN -- ALEJANDRA BIG GELS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

I CAN'T PRO -- PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HIDALGO. >> OKAY.

HI. MY NAME IS LORANDA BIGGLES AND I AM HERE TODAY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SON. BACK IN FEBRUARY ON THE 17TH OF 2021 MY SON WAS MURDERED IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. HE WENT TO JAIL ON FEBRUARY 10TH WHICH WAS MY BIRTHDAY.

SIX DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE -- I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE CHAPLAIN LETTING ME KNOW THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND THAT MY SON WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE IN HIS CELL , AND THAT HE WAS GIVEN C PJ R AND RUSHED TO -- CPR AND RUSHED TO LBJ HOSPITAL. THAT PHONE CALL WAS DEVASTATING, BUT AFTER THAT PHONE CALL WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM ANYONE ELSE ALL THE REST OF THE DAY.

WE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE.

SO WHEN WE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO IDENTIFY MY SON, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE COULDN'T VIEW HIM BECAUSE HE HAD ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED. I'M THE ONLY FAMILY HE HAS HERE. WHO IDENTIFIED HIM THEY SAID THE AUTHORITIES DID. THAT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

ANYWAY, THEY WENT FROM THAT TO HE HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO THE MORGUE. THAT UPSET ME.

[INAUDIBLE] AFTER THAT THEY GOT SOMEONE, A HIGHER NURSE AND A HIGHER POWER FROM THE HOSPITAL TO TALK TO ME.

THEY TOLD ME THE REASON WHY I COULDN'T SEE MY SON WAS BECAUSE HIS CASE WAS CLASSIFIED AS A HOMICIDE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS TO DO THEIR INVESTIGATION. THE THING THAT BOTHERED ME IS WE NEVER GOT TO SEE MY SON. WE DIDN'T SEE MY SON UNTIL THE DAY OF HIS FUNERAL. WHEN WE SAW HIM, HE WAS A WHOLE DIFFERENT PERSON. IT JUST DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HIM.

IT WASN'T -- I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT WAS HEARTBREAKING.

WE -- IT STILL HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN HIS DEATH CERTIFICATE AND HIS CAUSE OF DEATH.

I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE AUTOPSY RESULTS.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING. I AM CONCERNED IN THESE MATTERS. I AM NOT GETTING ANY ANSWERS FROM NO ONE. THAT ONE CONTACTED ME SINCE MY SON PASSED AWAY. NO ONE HAS SAID ANYTHING TO ME. I HAVE LAWYERS AND THEY ARE NOT CONNECTING WITH THE LAWYERS OR COOPERATING.

IT IS BECOMING VERY STRESSFUL FOR ME.

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

YOUR TIME IS UP. BUT THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I'M SO SORRY.

I WILL MAKE SURE SOMEBODY FOLLOWS UP.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> DEBORAH CRAWFORD.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE HIDALGO. MY NAME IS DEBORAH CRAWFORD AND I AM SPEAKING IN REGARDS FOR MY SON, DOUGLAS CRAWFORD.

HE HAS AN 8-YEAR-OLD WHO JUST LOST HIS MOTHER IN OCTOBER.

HE NEEDS HIS DAD REALLY BAD OUT HERE, AND I CAN USE THE HELP MYSELF, GOD KNOWS. HE HAS A MEDICAL ISSUE.

HE IS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.

HE HAS -- HE WAS A COLOSTOMY BAG.

SINCE HE WAS IN -- INCARCERATED THEY NEVER HAD

[02:50:04]

NEFROSTAMY BAGS AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T GET ANY.

I HAVE TO ORDER THE BAGS AND TAKE THEM TO THE JAIL TO HAVE THEM. ALSO HE HAS AN ATTORNEY ON HIS CASE, MR. VON SCOTT. I HATE TO SAY IT LIKE THIS, BUT THE MAN HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING FOR MY SON REGARDING HIS CASE AT ALL. ONE THING, HE NEVER WENT TO SEE HIM, HE HAS NEVER HAD A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH HIM.

THE ONLY TIME HE HAS EVER SEEN MY SON OR SPOKEN WITH MY SON WAS ON COURT ON HIS COURT DATE.

AND THE LAST TIME HE SPOKE WITH MY SON IN COURT HE SAID THAT THE JUDGE CALLED HIM A MENACE TO SAW -- TO SOCIETY.

I THOUGHT IT WAS DISGRACEFUL AND I THOUGHT IT WAS WRONG.

I AM IN NEED OF SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS CASE BECAUSE HE IS NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR MY CHILD.

HE HAS BEEN DOWN THERE SINCE JANUARY OF 2020 AND NOTHING HAS COME ABOUT. I CAN'T EVEN GET THIS MAN ON THE PHONE WHICH I KNOW HE IS NOT OBLIGATED TO SPEAK WITH ME , BUT IF HE CAN GO OUT THERE AND DO SOME INVESTIGATING IN THIS CASE, YOU KNOW, MY SON'S BOND IS $500,000.

I DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY.

HE WON'T EVEN GO IN AND TRY TO GET HIS BOND LOWERED.

I NEED SOME HELP. I AM REALLY AT MY WIT'S END WITH THIS AND IT HURTS SO MUCH.

I FEEL LIKE I AM SO HELPLESS BECAUSE I CAN'T FIND ANYONE TO HELP US. PLEASE, ANY HELP I CAN GET I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE. MY SON RIGHT NOW IS IN QUARANTINE. PEOPLE IN THERE WHERE HE IS HAD A STAPH. I AM AFRAID OF HIM GETTING COVID OR HIM BEING EXPOSED LIKE THAT WITH HIS KIDNEY ISSUE. AND HIM HAVING TO WEAR THAT TUBE AND THE TUBE COMES OUT SO HE HAS AN OPEN INCISION.

GOD FOR -- FORBID IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY CHILD IN THERE.

I AM JUST NEEDING SOME HELP. I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANYONE THAT IS WILLING TO LOOK INTO, LIKE I SAID, LOOK INTO HIS CASE, BUT IF THERE IS SOME HELP OUT THERE I WOULD TRULY

APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> HIS EIGHT-YEAR-OLD NEEDS HIM. THANK Y'ALL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ONE SECOND. COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

MA'AM, I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY ON MY STAFF CALL YOU.

WE CAN'T HANDLE THE CASE FOR YOU, BUT I WILL HAVE SOMEONE CALL TO LISTEN AND SEE IF WE CAN POINT YOU IN A DIRECTION THAT CAN HELP YOU AND WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN.

>> I THANK YOU FOR THAT. YES, SIR.

I THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

WE WILL FOLLOW-UP. >> THANK YOU.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE CONSENT AGENDA THEN. LET ME LOOK AT THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 271, ESSENTIAL BUSINESS DISTRICT?

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO MAKE SURE, WHAT IS DISCUSSION AND WHAT IS EXECUTIVE SESSION.

PERHAPS WE WILL GIVE HIM A MINUTE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WHICH ITEM, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE FIRST EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM, 271, CONSIDERATION OF THE PURCHASE OF A CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT PROPERTY FOR USE BY THE COUNTY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU WOULD? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO THEN WE HAVE ITEM 272, COATS, AND I BELIEVE WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE FOR THAT ONE TO DISCUSS WITH OUR ATTORNEYS.

273, APPROVAL OF A SETTLEMENT WITH INTER CONTINENTAL TERMINALS COMPANY WILL GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO

CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEY. >> JUDGE ON 273, THE ITC SETTLEMENT DOES NOT NEED TO GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE FOLKS OKAY WITH THAT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL KEEP THAT OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.

270 -- OH THE OTHER ONES ARE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. DOES ITEM 280 NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? IT IS CONCERNING A CASE PENDING IN THE 270TH

COURT. >> JUDGE, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT

[02:55:03]

NEEDS TO GO BACK EITHER. I THINK WE CAN DO THAT IN OPEN

COURT AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME JUST SEE -- THOSE ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. LET'S GO DOWN THE ITEMS THAT FOLKS FLAGGED.

YES? OKAY.

I WILL LIST FOR JAMES ANY CHANGES TO ITEMS AS POSTED.

THERE IS A CORRECTION ON ITEM 36.

WE NEED TO CHANGE LLP TO INC. SO IT SHOULD BE PAGE SUTHERLANDER LAND PAGE INC. ITEM 101 ON PAGE 12 SHOULD SAY APPROVAL OF AS OPPOSED TO AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATION.

SO IT IS AN APPROVAL. ITEM 219 ON PAGE 25.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE DATE FROM MAY TO MARCH.

DURING PERIOD OF MARCH 3RD, 2020 TO MARCH 2ND, 2027.

ITEM 251 ON PAGE 28 WE PASSED.

WITH THE CORRECTION. THOSE ARE THE ONLY CHANGES.

IS THAT WHAT YOU HAVE, JAMES? >> YES, MA'AM.

EXACTLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND AS FAR AS THE CONCEPT AGENDA -- CONSENT AGENDA.

DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS 271? WE DISCUSSED THAT.

DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 8, REQUEST BY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR TWO MONTHS OF OPERATIONAL FUNDING? I HAVE THAT FLAGGED BY PRECINCTS 2 AND 3.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? NO? OKAY.

WHAT ABOUT ITEM 17? THE TRANSMITAL OF THE CHARTER AND MEETING MINUTES FROM THE IRT WORKING GROUPS AND TWO COMMITTEES? 17 ON PAGE 3.

I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR OFFICE MAY HAVE FLAGGED THAT ONE. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TAKE IT OFF? ITEM 17.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST A SECOND.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: KEEP THAT ONE PULLED, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM 17.

ITEM 47 CHANGE IN CONTRACT WITH SERCO CONSTRUCTION GROUP. DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT

ONE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

I THINK WE'RE GOOD ON THAT ONE.

>> JUDGE, THIS IS JAMES. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES?

>> DISCUSS ITEM 18? IT WASN'T ON THE CONSENT

AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

ITEM 18 WAS THAT THE SPEAKER CAME ON ON BEHALF OF ANIMAL CONTROL GROUP. SO I WILL PULL ITEM 18 AS WELL. THANK YOU, JAMES.

THE NEXT ONE IS ITEM 85 AN MOU WITH NOAA.

DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ON PAGE 9?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO WANT A BRIEF CONVERSATION ON THAT EVEN EVEN ITEM 86, AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT ON THE LATIN

X PROJECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: 104 A DISCUSSION ON THE REVISED EXPENSE POLICY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: NO. I DON'T.

THAT'S MINE AND I DO NOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 105.

THE UPDATED FRAMEWORK TO FUND 100% OF THE SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROJECT. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE. EYE -- ITEM 110 THE ACQUISITION OF A BUILDING FOR THE BUILDING CONSOLIDATION

PROJECT. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

I NEED TO DISCUSS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 126 AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND PRE SINK 2 FOR THE EAST HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECT.

[03:00:02]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M GOOD, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 219 -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR? I SHOW THAT THERE WAS 125 THAT WAS ALSO -- THAT WAS REMOVED? OKAY. I'M SORRY, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 219 IS CONSENT DECREE SO I WILL KEEP THAT ONE ON. ITEM 245 IS FAIR HOUSING THAT WE PASSED SO WE DO NOT NEED TO DISCUSS THAT.

246 ADOPTION OF FORMAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. >> TOM RAMSEY: WE NEED TO

DISCUSS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 284 DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED STATE VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS.

WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE I KNOW THAT FOLKS ARE ON THE LINE FOR IT. ITEM 289, REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION OF UP TO $250,000 FOR PROMOTIONAL

ACTIVITIES FOR THE VACCINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DO NEED

TO DISCUSS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ARE ALL OF THE ONES I HAVE, FOLKS. IS THERE ANYTHING I AM

MISSING? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, QUICKLY I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO ITEM 8.

IS THIS ONE PULLED? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME CHECK. NO, WE ACTUALLY SAID WE WOULD NOT PULL IT AFTER ALL, BUT I CAN BRING IT BACK?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF YOU COULD, PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO ITEM 8 GETS BACK ON THE LIST.

SO WE HAVE 8, 17, 18, 85, 86, 105, 110, 219, 246, 284 AND

289. >> AS WELL AS 271 AND 272 FOR

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

AS WELL AS 271 AND 272 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

SO IF THAT CASE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: WAS 280 IN THAT CATEGORY TOO, JUDGE? I HAD A NOTE FOR 280.

LET ME SEE IF I CAN FIND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, I DON'T HAVE IT FLAGGED RIGHT NOW. LET ME LOOK AT IT TOO.

280 AND -- 280 IS THE SETTLED -- SETTLEMENT IN FRONT OF THE 270TH DISTRICT COURT, BUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID WE DID NOT NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS

ONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO I WILL KEEP 280 OUT. IN THAT CASE IS THERE A MOTION

-- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, IF HE IS GOING TO DISCUSS IT THEN WE NEED TO HAVE IT ON THE LIST.

ALTHOUGH HE DOESN'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I FIGURED HE WASN'T GOING TO DISCUSS IT.

ARE YOU DISCUSSING IT, JAY? >> NO, MA'AM.

UNLESS THE COURTS WANT TO -- WANTS TO DISCUSS IT.

IT IS A ROUTINE SETTLEMENT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THEN I'M

FINE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE. THE DOCUMENTATION I HAVE IS BASICALLY FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING -- >> LINA HIDALGO: JAY WHAT WOULD BE THE MOTION ON THAT ITEM, ON ITEM 280?

>> YEAH. ITEM 280 WOULD BE MOVE APPROVAL OF THE SET -- SETTLEMENT ON THAT.

I CAN GIVE YOU THE AMOUNT. IF YOU WANT TO PULL IT WE CAN AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT TOGETHER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL PUT IT THERE AND YOU CAN GIVE US THE MOTION. THANK YOU FOR FLAGGING THAT,

JAMES. >> THANK YOU, JAMES.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL ADD 280 TO THE LIST. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE REQUIRING CLARIFICATION, JAMES?

>> YES, MA'AM. ITEM 14, THAT IS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC LETTER. IS THERE ANY ACTION ON THAT

ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME SEE.

OH, YOU KNOW WHAT? I BETTER PULL IT IF FOLKS WANT TO HAVE A BROAD COVID DISCUSSION SO WE CAN GIVE FOLKS AN UPDATE. I DON'T EXPECT DISCUSSION SO I

WILL PULL ITEM 14. >> HOW ABOUT ITEM 112? THAT IS UNDER THE GLOBAL AFFAIRS.

IS THERE ACTION ON THAT ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, JAMES.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 289 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEM THAT'S WE JUST

LISTED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR SPH.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED

[03:05:03]

POTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S GET STARTED WITH THE AGENDA. THE FIRST IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF TWO MONTHS OF OPERATIONAL FUNDING BY PUBLIC

HEALTH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I WANTED TO BEGIN FIRST BY ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR WORK IN HELPING US NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND ALL OF THE SUCCESS YOU BROUGHT TO THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. TO THAT END I DID WANT TO CREATE A DISCUSSION AND I AM NOT SURE IF IT CAN HAPPEN UNDER THE FUNDING WE ARE EITHER GOING TO GET EITHER THROUGH FEMA OR THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDS, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CREATE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NEED TO INCREASE STAFFING FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S IMMUNOLOGY UNIT. THERE IS A FRAMEWORK FOR THEIR COLLEAGUES NATIONALLY OF WHAT -- HOW MANY -- HOW MUCH STAFF NEEDS TO EXIST PER HUNDRED THOUSAND CITIZENS OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. I THINK WE ARE WAY UNDER THE MARK IN THAT REGARD. IF WE WERE STAFFED UP COULD BE HAVE BEEN FURTHER ALONG IN THIS PANDEMIC IF WE HAD THE RIGHT NUMBER OF PEOPLE. MAYBE THE BUDGET DIRECTOR CAN HELP US DECIDE WHETHER WE CAN MAKE A COMMITMENT IN THAT REGARD AND FOR AT LEAST -- AT LEAST PUT A STAKE IN THE GROUND IF YOU WILL FOR THE UPCOMING MID-YEAR.

I THINK THIS IS JUST AN AREA THAT HAS IDENTIFIED WHERE WE COULD HAVE DONE OURSELVES A LOT OF GOOD HAD WE KNOWN THIS WAS AN AREA THAT WAS UNDER FUNDED AND ADDRESSED IT EARLY

ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AGREE AND I HAVE HOUR -- HORROR STORIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC. A LOT OF THE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFF THAT WE DID WHICH WAS LACKING.

OBVIOUSLY IT WAS STRONGER THAN THEIRS.

SO OUR STAFF WAS STRETCHED NOT JUST ALREADY WITH OUR OWN POPULATION. WE COULDN'T SAY FOLLOW YOUR LEAD. I'M WITH YOU.

I'M CURIOUS WHAT DAVE WILL SAY, BUT I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING ONCE BARBIE GETS HERE WORK WITH HER.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THERE WAS A MODEST AND ONCE THE NEW DIRECTOR WAS HERE THERE WOULD BE MORE PROPOSALS.

I AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE SHOULD LOOK INTO.

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I KNOW YOU HAVE A GOOD ATTENTION TO DETAIL SO WHEN I LOOK AT 18.7 MILLION, ARE YOU SATISFIED THAT THERE IS A PLAN THAT EXISTS THAT MEETS YOUR STANDARD IN TERMS OF KNOWING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT AND THAT IT IS BEING SPENT WELL? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT PUTS MY MIND AT EASE.

IT IS THE VACCINATION SITE, THE NRG ONE WHICH IS A LARGE CHUNK OF THE COST IS WE ARE ALL PROUD OF IT.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT -- OURS PERFORMS PARTICULARLY WELL.

THEY HAVE CUT BACK ON SOME OF THE TESTING SITE THAT'S ARE

[03:10:04]

NOT SEEING DEMAND. SO I HAVE SEEN EVIDENCE OF THEM BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DOLLARS.

IT MAY NOT BE FULLY REIMBURSABLE.

AND WE MADE THE DECISION AS A COURT TO PULL BACK ON THAT.

THE COMMUNICATIONS BUDGET WOULD BE MY PIECE -- HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH SIDE OF THINGS AND WE HAVE THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN AND I WILL MAKE SURE THEY ARE COORDINATING IN AN INTEGRATED MEDIA CAMPAIGN.

WE ALSO HAVE THE BENEFIT THAT IT WILL ALL BE REIMBURSED.

SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION I DO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, DID YOU

HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? >> JUDGE, ON THE EARLIER ITEM ON THE EPIDEMIOLOGY WE DID SET ASIDE RESOURCES IN THE BUDGET PROS SET AND HAPPY TO VISIT WITH MS. ROBINSON TO HELP

ADDRESS THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM 14 AND I WILL JUST GIVE YOU MY REPORT VERY BRIEFLY AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS I CAN GO INTO IT IN MORE DETAIL.

THE BASIC SITUATION IS WE ARE ABSOLUTELY HITTING THE VACCINE HESITANCY. FOLKS THOUGHT WE MIGHT HIT THAT AROUND THE POLLS AND THE SURVEYS THAT WERE DONE FROM THE OUTSIDE ENTITIES. THE THEORY WAS 40% OF THE POPULATION WAS VACCINE HESITANT.

WE ARE AT A POINT THAT 50% OF THE POPULATION HAS GOTTEN ONE VACCINE OR JUST BELOW THAT. THEY HAVE HAD ONE VACCINE SO THEY ARE NOT VACCINE HESITANT.

WE ARE VERY MUCH HITTING A WALL IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THOSE WERE THE FOLKS THAT REALLY WERE EAGER TO GET THE VACCINE. IT COME PORTS WITH A LITTLE WITH WHAT THE RESEARCH PROJECTED.

I DO BELIEVE THERE IS HOPE. THE LIMITED RESEARCH SHOWS THE BEST WAY TO GET PEOPLE COMFORTABLE WITH THE VACCINE IS WORD OF MOUTH. THE MORE PEOPLE THAT GET THE VACCINE -- EVERY DAY THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FOLKS GETTING VACCINATED AND THEY ARE SPREADING THE WORD TO THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND NETWORKS AND THEIR COLLEAGUES THAT THEY GOT THE VACCINE. WE ARE GONNA KEEP PUSHING.

AS YOU GUYS KNOW WE WANT TO HAVE A LOT MORE COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES. THE LIMITING FACTOR IS TWO FOLD. ONE IS JUST THE STAFFING AND WE ARE STAFFING UP FOR THE ITEM THAT WE PASSED LAST WEEK. THE BEST -- THE BIGGEST LIMITING PHAK -- FACTOR IS THE VACCINE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PFIZER, BUT WE CAN'T TAKE IT OUT OF NRG BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE AT SUB-0 TEMPERATURES.

MODERNA WE ARE LIMITED AMOUNTS, BUT WE HAVE THE PLAN THAT YOU ALL HAVE SEEN TO SCALE UP TO 40 MOBILE UNITS VERSUS -- FIRST AND SECOND DOSE AS QUICKLY AS CAN BE DONE. THAT IS IN THE HOPES THAT WE WILL BE SENT MORE MODERNA VACCINE.

IT MAY BE THAT WE SCALE UP AND WE DON'T GET MORE.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE USING THE ONE WE HAVE IN THE PROJECTS WITH EACH OF YOUR OFFICES TO GET THOSE AND HAVE THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING WITH THAT. THE FINAL POINT I WILL MAKE IS ON JOHNSON & JOHNSON. THE FDA GAVE APPROVAL OF -- FOR THE RESUMING OF THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

WHEN JOHNSON & JOHNSON FIRST CAME OUT WE HAD A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION WITH A PHILOSOPHER OUT AT RICE.

THE QUESTION WAS DIFFERENT COUNTIES ARE TAKING A DIFFERENT TACK ON THIS. DO YOU GIVE A CERTAIN VACCINE IN A CERTAIN PLACE -- DO YOU GIVE PEOPLE A CHOICE, BASICALLY, WAS THE QUESTION. WHERE WE LANDED WITH THIS PROFESSOR'S RECOMMENDATION AND I HAVE FORGOTTEN HIS NAME NOW. I CAN FIND IT FOR YOU ALL.

IT IS THAT THE CHOICE IS IMPORTANT.

WHERE I HAVE COME DOWN IS IF IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND YOU ALL LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS, THAT PEOPLE BE ABLE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN ONE DOSE OR TWO-DOSE SHOT.

AND SO WHAT I HAVE SAID TO THE TEAM IS SO LONG AS WE CAN PRESERVE THAT, THEN WE CAN REINTEGRATE JOHNSON & JOHNSON. THE CHALLENGE IS THAT AT SOME OF THE MOBILE SITES IT IS EASIER TO HAVE JOHNSON & JOHNSON. WE ARE TRYING TO WORK ON SOMETHING LIKE WE WILL TELL THEM IF YOU WANT ANOTHER ONE

[03:15:02]

WE WILL HOOK YOU UP WITH THE TWO-SHOT VACCINE.

MAYBE IT IS A LITTLE HARDER, BUT WE WILL STILL DRIVE THEM THERE. THE IDEA IS TO GIVE FOLKS AN OPTION IF THEY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST A BIT OF A NOTE ON THAT, JUDGE. WE DID HAVE A VACCINE EVENT ON MONDAY AT WHAT IS NOW THE STEVE RADACK COMMUNITY CENTER. WE COORDINATED, PLANNED AND WE WORKED WITH MANY SUPER NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE OFFERED BUSES AND WE HAD OUR PRECINCT 3 BUSES LOCATED AT OTHER COMMUNITY CENTERS TO TRANSPORT THERE.

WE CONTACTED SOME FAITH-BASED FOLKS AS WELL.

IT WAS A WELL ADVERTISED EVENT.

WE HAD 225 VACCINES AND WE ONLY GAVE OUT 26.

WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, WE'RE THERE.

IT WAS WELL-ADVERTISED. WE ARE PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION. I DID NOT GIVE THEM A MENU OF VACCINES. I SAID THIS ISN'T A PIZZA JOINT. YOU ARE NOT GETTING PEPPERONI AND BACON. YOU WILL GET WHAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF VACCINE. MAYBE WE CAN FINE-TUNE THAT GOING FORWARD. WE WERE PREPARED TO BRING PEOPLE OUT OF ANY COMMUNITY THEY NEED TO GET THERE.

THAT'S THEIR -- THEY ARE TRYING TO THINK THROUGH WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THE WORD OUT TO I HAVE REALLY NOT SOLVED THAT PUZZLE. IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT BEATING DOWN OUR DOOR TO GET THE VACCINE ANYMORE. SO I DON'T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER IN TERMS OF PRECINCT 3 FOR HOW DO WE GET THAT LAST 40% IN AND VACCINATED. THAT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME KNOW IF YOU THINK OF SOMETHING, IMHITIONER, AS WELL -- COMMISSIONER, AS WELL, WE ARE TRYING TO PULL ANY AND ALL IDEAS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS KNOW AS WELL THAT THE CONTRACT CONTINUES WITH THE DOOR KNOCKING FOLKS.

IF YOU ALL FEEL THAT, AND I HOPE THEY WERE PART OF YOUR EFFORT. I DON'T KNOW.

JUST KNOW THAT YOUR OFFICE COULD REACH OUT TO JOSH, AND WE DO HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND IF YOU THINK THAT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ANY OF YOUR EFFORTS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE DID TALK TO JOSH THIS MORNING.

THE PROBLEM IS THEY THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECOND SHOT AND IT IS NOT AS MUCH AS THEY THINK IT IS.

COMMUNICATING THE GOOD NEWS, YOU KNOW, WE ARE GETTING THE SECOND SHOT OUT AND PEOPLE ARE COMING OUT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE DO MORE THAN WE HAVE BEEN DOING, BUT ADVERTISING AND COMMUNICATION.

IT WASN'T A SECOND SHOT PROBLEM THAT THEY SAID IT

WAS. >> I KNOW YOUR QUESTION, BUT I WANTED TO RESPOND TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

WE DID LOOK INTO IT AS WELL. NATIONALLY IT IS 8% ARE NOT GETTING THE SECOND SHOT. IN HARRIS COUNTY IT IS VERY, VERY GOOD. IT MIGHT CHANGE.

I AM RUNNING IT DOWN TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYMORE TEXTURE TO IT. WE ARE NOT SEEING THAT DROP.

THE HISPANIC, CAUCASIAN AND ASIAN LOOK GREAT.

HISPANIC FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH LOOK GAY

>> LOOK DASH PUBLIC HEALTH LOOKS GREAT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT. COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND

GARCIA. >> IF YOU ARE DONE WITH THE GENERAL REPORT AND MY COLLEAGUES MAY HAVE ISSUES.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE DATA VERY CAREFULLY. I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD THE EFFORTS OF MY STAFF AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

AS OF 8:00 THIS MORE THAN OR 9:00, THERE WERE 250 VACCINATIONS AND WE WILL HIT 400 BY THE END OF THE DAY.

[03:20:04]

WE ARE HITTING CLOSE TO A THOUSAND.

YOUR OFFICE AND PUBLIC HEALTH WORKING WITH ME AND GETTING THOSE VACCINES INTO THE COMMUNITY CENTERS BECAUSE IT IS MAKING A WORLD OF EFFORTS AND I AM EXCITED.

WE WILL KEEP THE PRESSURE UP TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO HESITANCY. I SAW A ROOM FULL RIGHT BEFORE I GOT TO COURT. AND MY MESSAGE TO THE FOLKS THERE IF YOU ARE GETTING IT BOTH SIDES WERE FULL AND TO BE AMBASSADORS. FOLKS WITH CELEBRITY STATUS THAT ARE TAKING THE SHOTS. THEY ARE THE ONES YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE. THEY ARE NETWORKS THAT ARE IN THE HARD TO REACH AREAS IF YOU COME IN AND GET THEIR VACCINES.

THAT'S THE MESSAGE IS YOU BE THE AMBASSADOR AND HELP ME TO GET OTHERS TO FOLLOW IN YOUR EXAMPLE.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND HARRIS HEALTH FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK AND ALL OF THE RESPECTIVE PARTNERS THAT ARE MAKING IT

ALL POSSIBLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THAT'S WONDERFUL NEWS.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, LAST TIME WE MET YOU WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO OUR LIBRARY SITUATION TO SEE IF THERE IS MAYBE A WAY WE CAN BEGIN WORKING WITH THEM. I AM ASKED ALL THE TIME.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT -- WE HAVE A PLAN TO REOPEN THE ORANGE.

WE ARE IN A WEIRD SEE SAW MOMENT WITH OUR NUMBERS.

I AM JUST SO FOCUSED ON THE VACCINES.

MY CHALLENGE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I AM LOATHED TO REOPENING RIGHT NOW AND TO REOPEN THE LINE.

I AM NERVOUS TO SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE.

THEY ARE IN THE DRIVE-THRU AND ALL OF THAT.

I AM HAPPY TO DISCUSS WITH YOU FURTHER.

WHERE I LANDED, THEY WERE MAKING SURE WE WILL GET THERE AND WE CAN MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH AND ENCOURAGE FOLKS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED TO DO THEIR PART TO NOT GET OTHER PEOPLE AND THEMSELVES SICK. WE HAVE THE GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC ON OUR WEBSITE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I AM LOOKING AT THE ORANGE AND WE ARE JUST.

WE WERE DISCUSSING A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE E117 AND IT IS LIKE IT COULD BE REALLY BAD OR IT COULD BE GOOD. AND IT IS UP TO THE COMMUNITY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU

HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE UPDATED ITEM 14.

>> IS THERE ACTION ON THAT ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, JAMES. ITEM 17, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU REQUESTED THIS ONE. IT IS THE MEETING MINUTES FROM

IRT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANTED TO TOUCH ON THE FACT THAT OUR WORK ON VISION ZERO CONTINUES. I AM SO EXCITED BECAUSE THE PROGRESS WE MADE IN SHORT ORDER IS GOING TO PAY DIVIDENDS. I JUST REALLY THANK THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AND GIVING OF THEIR PRECIOUS TIME AND ENERGY AND EXPERTISE. I REALLY DO HAVE A LOT OF HOPE THAT OUR STREETS AND OUR ROADWAYS ARE GONNA BE SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS AND AS THEY -- A -- AS A NEW BICYCLIST TO THE COMMUNITY, FOR BICYCLISTS AS WELL.

SINCE I HAVE BEEN RIDING FREQUENTLY I HAVE BEEN KEEPING

[03:25:03]

TRACK OF THE NUMBER OF GHOST BIKES I HAVE SEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. IT BREAKS YOUR HEART, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE , YOU GET A GOOD IDEA AS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HOW THAT ACCIDENT MAY HAVE OCCURRED.

SO JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMITTEE AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I'M WATCHING THESE MINUTES AND SEEING THE PROGRESS BEING MADE. THE VISION ZERO ASPECT IS ONE I AM WATCHING CLOSELY WITH THESE FOLKS.

I THANK THEM ALL FOR THEIR WORK.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I ECHO YOUR WORDS, COMMISSIONER. ITEM 18.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WE REVIEWED THAT, AND WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE FINE. I GUESS THERE MAY NEED TO BE A MOTION AND A VOTE FOR IT, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY OBJECTION

ANYMORE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO IS THERE A MOTION ON -- WELL, WE WILL VOTE FOR THEM ALTOGETHER -- ALL TOGETHER. ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH IS

THAT, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: 18.

IT WAS THE ANIMAL SHELTER. ROOD

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. MR. BLOUNT, HAVE YOU TALKED TO THE CONTRACT OWNER? WHAT DAMAGE ARE WE DOING TO

THEM -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE SAID WE ARE FINE TO MOVE ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FINE, CAGLE? I'LL MOVE IT THEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S KEEP GOING.

I DID KIND OF WAS THROWN BY WHAT THE GENTLEMAN SAID THAT IT CAME UNANIMOUSLY FROM SOME GROUP.

I DON'T KNOW IF -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT

THAT WAS SEPARATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A SEPARATE ISSUE IT SOUNDS LIKE.

ANYWAY IF PUBLIC HEALTH IS LISTENING, IS THERE SOMEONE

HERE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH? >> YES, MA'AM, THERE IS.

>> HI, JUDGE. THIS IS GWEN FROM HARRIS

COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. >> LINA HIDALGO: MS. SIMMS, I WANTED TO FLAG FOR YOU, THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED THERE WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON THE LACK OF INVESTMENT FOR THE ANIMAL CONTROL. SO I JUST THINK FOR DAVE AS WELL AS YOU WORK THROUGH THE QUESTIONS OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS, PERHAPS IT IS WORTH LOOKING INTO THIS.

HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING TO THATY TOSH

TO THAT EFFECT? >> NO, JUDGE HIDALGO, I HAVE NOT. I WROTE THE GENTLEMAN GENTLEMAN'S NAME DOWN. HE SEEMS TO BE -- HE IS ON THE ANIMAL CONTROL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I AM FAMILIAR WITH. I WILL TALK WITH DR. WHITE WHO

IS OVER AT VETERINARY HEALTH. >> WE DID HOLD FUNDS FOR YOU ALL. THIS MAY BE AN ISSUE TO LOOK

INTO. >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS RIGHT OR WRONG IT IS TRUE THAT THERE IS CRIME AND ANIMALS THAT ARE

DANGEROUS. >> IF THE ISSUE IS A LACK OF FUNDING COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION AND LET US KNOW.

>> I WILL TALK TO THE DIRECTOR AFTER TALKING WITH MICHAEL

WHITE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THIS ITEM MAY BE FINE.

IT IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AN MOU WITH NOAA ON

COLLECTING HIGH WATER MARKS. >> YES, JUDGE I WANTED TO -- YOU THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION ABOUT CHANGING THE SCHEDULE OF THE -- CHANGING OF THE SCHEDULE OF THE HURRICANE SEASON AND I WANT TO DISCUSS IF THERE IS ANY VALUE FINANCIALLY TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT DECLARING THE WHOLE YEAR AS A HURRICANE SEASON.

THAT WAS IT, JUDGE. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A CHANGE OF SCHEDULE THAT COULD BRING US FROM THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS A RESOURCE OR A BENEFIT.

BUT I WANTED TO ASK IF THERE WAS AN OFFICE OF EMERGENCY

[03:30:04]

MANAGEMENT AND MAYBE WE START WITH FLOOD CONTROL AND MAYBE WITH THE RESILIENCY TO SEE IF THERE IS A BENEFIT THAT COMES WITH CHANGING THE SCHEDULE. YOU ARE MUTED, JUG.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS AN INTERESTING THOUGHT.

THE WORDS ARE STARTING HERE SOON, BUT WE DO HAVE HURRICANES OUT SIDE OF THOSE DATES.

I WILL FLAG MY TEAM AND SEE IF THERE IS A REASON IT CAN'T BE DONE. IT REALLY IS A GOOD POINT.

AND WE SHOULD PREPARE YEAR-ROUND.

I JUST GOT A MESSAGE FROM MY TEAM AT FEMA.

WE'LL LOOK INTO IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 86.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON THAT ITEM I WANTED TO ASK FOR A MONTHLY UPDATE ON THIS JUST TO SEE WHERE THE -- HOW THE WORK IS PROGRESSING. I THINK IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL FOR ALL OF US TO SEE WHAT IS OCCURRING.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT MY FIRST RODEO BECAUSE WE DREW THE FLOOD MAPS WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER ALT -- AFTER ALLISON. AND IT WAS A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE. WE REMEDIED A LOT OF THE MAIN THAT CAME OUT OF THE DISCUSSION.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T GO THROUGH THE SAME EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNICATING TO SOMEONE THAT YOUR HOUSE IS HALF IN THE FLOOD WAY AND HALF NOT IN THE FLOOD WAY AND THEN HAVING TO REFIGURE THAT ALL OUT.

MAYBE WE CAN BE PRO ACTIVE IN MAKING THOUGHTFUL MAPS THAN HAVING TO DO A LOT OF CORRECTING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED ROUTINE UPDATES ON.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT IS GONNA IMPACT HOMES, RESIDENCES, CITIZENS MORE THAN THIS REMAPPING.

WHEN THE GENERAL RULE OF THUMB IS THE OLD 500 IS NOW THE NEW 100, THAT'S A BIG DEAL AND YOU THINK ABOUT YOU ARE NOW PAYING INSURANCE ON YOUR HOME THAT IS NOW BELOW OR INTO THE HUNDRED-YEAR EVENT. THAT'S HUGE.

AND SO THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. IT IS A BIG DEAL.

>> OR THAT YOU DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: RIGHT. EXACTLY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF I JUST MAY QUICKLY THROW IN A SIDEBAR, ANY CHANCE -- I'M LOOKING AT A VERY DELICIOUS CHICKEN SANDWICH HERE WITH SOME NICE TASTY FRIES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S BREAK AT 2.

SO IS THERE A MOTION FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL COME BACK TO COURT ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE MAP NEXT PROJECT? NEXT PROJECT PROGRESS?

>> DOES THAT INCLUDE APPROVAL AND GUIDANCE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. DID YOU MAKE THE MOTION?

>> YES. >> I SECOND.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WELL, THE NEXT ITEM IS A LONG DISCUSSION ITEM. SO PERHAPS -- COMMISSIONER, WHATEVER YOU PREFER. WE COULD GO THROUGH ANOTHER --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW DR. HOLLOWAY DID WANT TO TALK ON 125 TO GET SOME DIRECTION FROM THE COURT.

IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT BEFORE LUNCH OR IS THAT GOING TO TAKE

A LONGTIME? >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, LET'S GO UNTIL 2 AND THEN BREAK BECAUSE I KNOW COMMISSIONER

NEEDS TO BREAK AT 2. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, DR. HOLLOWAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE IS COMING ON? JUDGE, THIS IS AN ITEM I ASKED HER TEAM TO PUT TOGETHER.

WE VOTED ON IT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

THERE WAS A RICE STUDY THAT SAID FROM NATURAL DISASTERS, THE RATIO -- THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP INCREASED BY $87,000 BETWEEN 91 AND 2013. CSD WORKED WITH THEIR TEAM TO COME UP WITH PROGRAMS TAILORED TO MEET THE GAPS AND PROGRAMMING AFTER A DISASTER. THEY BRIEFED THOSE WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THE MOST BASIC REPAIRS FOR THE TENANTS.

THIS IS A WAY TO HELP RENTERS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSURANCE, BUT CANNOT AFFORD IT USE IT THESE ARE LEFT OUT OF THE

[03:35:07]

PROJECT REPAIR ASSISTANCE. SO THIS IS THE PROPOSAL THAT THEY CAME UP WITH TO GIVE US SOME IDEAS ON WHAT WE CAN DO.

I THINK THEY DID A GOOD JOB. YOU DID THIS AFTER URIE.

>> YES. GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A LITTLE UPDATE.

WE DID RECEIVE A CHARGE FROM THE COURTS AND PROGRAMMING FOR THE OUT REACH COMPONENT, THE ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT OF STORM URIE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF APPLICATION THAT'S PEOPLE WERE SUBMITTING TO FEMA FOR ASSISTANCE.

SO IF YOU WOULD INDULGE ME ON THAT LEVEL OF ACTIVITY, WE DID CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PRECINCT AT THE DISASTER ASSISTANCE CENTER BY PROVIDING EXPERT ACCESS TO THE STAFF TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS THAT STAFF AT THE CENTERS MAY HAVE RELATED TO THE APPLICATION WE ALSO ENGAGED IN A VERY SOPHISTICATED SOCIAL MEDIA PROJECT AS WELL AS ENGAGED IN SOME [INAUDIBLE] AND WITH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA OUTPUT AND PROGRAMMING WE WERE ABLE TO REACH ABOUT 57,000 RESIDENTS IN THE TARGETED ZIP CODES WE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, BUT ACTUALLY OVER LAYED WITH THE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES THAT WE WERE TRYING TO SERVE AS WELL. SO OVER 57,000 RESIDENTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA WERE BREACHED, AND WE HAVE WHAT WE CALL IMPRESSIONS. THAT'S THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT SOMEONE ACTUALLY SAW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT.

AND THAT WAS ABOUT 134,000. AND THEN EVEN FROM THERE WE HAVE WHAT WE CALL ENGAGEMENTS AND ALMOST 6,000 INDIVIDUALS WHO LOOKED AT OUR ADS ACTUALLY DID SOMETHING WITH IT.

THAT MEANT THEY CLICKED ON ADDITIONAL LINKS OR THEY SHARED THAT PARTICULAR IS AD WITH SOMEONE ELSE OR THEY RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS OR IMPOSED QUESTIONS ON THAT.

AND THEN WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WE WERE ABLE TO CREATE A VIDEO, AND THIS WAS A VIDEO THAT WAS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO FEMA. WE HAVE THE VIDEO IN ENGLISH AS WELL AS SPANISH AND WE POSED IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. THE VIDEO, WE HAD IT MEASURED FOR ONE DAY, TO PROVIDE THE DATA FOR YOU.

OVER A THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS ACTUALLY SAW THE VIDEO FROM THE BEGINNING TO END. AND THESE ARE THE TYPES OF TECHNIQUES WE ARE EMPLOYING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENGAGE IN. I WANT TO UNDERSCORE ALL OF THE DATA I SHARED WITH YOU. IT IS BASED ON OUR OUT REACH TO VERY SPECIFIC, FOUR H -- FOUR OR FIVE ZIP CODES.

YOU CAN IMAGINE IF PEOPLE DO THIS COUNTY WIDE THE TYPE OF RESPONSE WE ARE ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU.

THE METRICS ARE THERE AND WE WILL SEE MORE WITH THE OUT REACH EFFORTS. AND WE CONDUCTED THREE DAYS IN THE ZIP CODES AND AGAIN APRIL 16TH, 17TH AND 18TH. WE WENT OUT AND SHARED NOT ONLY THE INFORMATION ON THE FEMA APPLICATION, BUT WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY AND SHARED INFORMATION ON OUR PROGRAMS AS WELL AS SHARED INFORMATION ON VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES TO LINEUP. AND FINALLY WE DID CONDUCT A COUPLE OF ITEMS WITH THE LIBRARY.

WE HAD SEVERAL VIRTUAL REALITY MOBILE UNITS IN ADDITION TO WORKING WITH THE PRECINCTS AND THEIR DISASTER ASSISTANCE CENTER. THAT'S AN UPDATE ON WHAT WE HAVE DONE SINCE WE HAVE WORKED FORWARD WITH THE CAMPAIGN.

IT IS EQUAL TO DEVELOP SOME RESPONSES WE LATED TO HOME REPAIR. WE CAME UP WITH TWO BUCKETS OF HOME REPAIR. IN CONCERT WITH THE STAFF AND THEIR INPUT, WE FELT THE AREAS THAT WE FOCUSED ON WERE COMPLEMENTARY TO THE EFFORTS THAT WERE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED IN RESPONSE TO THE STORM. IT IS THE UNLOCKED INSURANCE.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO ASSIST RESIDENTS WHO WERE PAYING TO THEIR INSURANCE PREMIUM AND PAYING FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE, BUT GIVEN THE TIME NOW WITH POTENTIAL

[03:40:04]

REDUCTION IN INCOME AS A RESULT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID OR OTHER FACTORS, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. THERE BY NOT BEING ABLE TO APPLY FOR ANY TYPE OF INSURANCE RELIEF.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BENEFIT THE HOMEOWNERS AND THIS WAS A WAY FOR US TO REALLY TARGET THE RENTERS BECAUSE RENTERS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT HAVE NO OTHER RECOURSE TO ADDRESS THEIR UNIT REPAIRS OF THEM WORKING WITH THE LANDLORDS AND FEMA DOES NOT WORK WITH LANDLORDS.

THIS GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO INDIRECTLY HELP RESIDENTS BY OFFERING THIS INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE PACKAGE TO THE SMALL LANDLORDS AND THOSE ARE TYPICALLY LANDLORDS PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS TO OUR POPULATION.

IT IS THAT FACTOR WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS.

THERE IS A LOT OF DATA WE INCLUDED IN OUR REPORT THAT SUBSTANTIATES THE IMPACT THIS CAN HAVE ON A HOMEOWNER WHO PAID INTO THE CHURCH PROGRAM AND CANNOT AFFORD THE DEDUCTIBLE TO RELEASE THE FUND TO HELP WITH HOME REPAIR AND THE SAME PREDICAMENT FOR LANDLORDS WHO ARE PROVIDING A LARGE PORTION OF THE UNIT TO SUPPORT HOUSING FOR THE MOBILE INCOME. 80% AN AMI RESIDENCE.

WE DO HAVE CAVEATS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE UNITS AND THEY ARE ABLE TO REPAIR IT IF WE WERE ABLE TO COME UP WITH ASSISTANCE.

THAT'S THE FIRST BUCKET. THE SECOND BUCKET WAS FOCUSING

MORE ON -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW WE PROMISED WE WOULD BREAK AT 2. SO I THINK -- I PROPOSE PERHAPS UNLESS YOU ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT 3:00, PERHAPS WE JUST CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ONCE WE ARE BACK FROM LUNCH?

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

IS THAT OKAY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WORKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL LET'S

BREAK UNTIL 3:00. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT ITEM 125 WAS UH --

APPROVED WITH CONSENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

IT IS A DISCUSSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT IS 3:02 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. I DO WANT TO MENTION I AM NOT SURE IF YOU SAW THE NEWS, BUT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS NOMINATED SHERIFF GONZALEZ HAS THE NEXT HEAD OF OF IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OF ENFORCEMENT. MY FIRST REACTION WAS I WAS THRILLED. THAT MEANS HE IS NO LONGER HE IS GOING TO BE HERE. HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB IN NAMING A JAIL ADMINISTRATOR. IF HE HAS THE SUPPORT HE CAN FOCUS ON KEEPING FOLKS SAFE ON THE STREETS.

I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CONGRATULATE SHERIFF GONZALEZ ON HIS NOMINATION AND WISH HIM ALL THE BEST IN GETTING THAT CONFIRMED AND THEN TO LAWMENT THE FACT THAT IF -- THEN TO LAMENT IF ALL GOES WELL FOR HIM WE WON'T HAVE HIM BACK, BUT IT IS GREAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SEEN HIS TALENT AND THEY WILL HAVE GAINED AN INCREDIBLY TALENTED

LEADER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ECHO YOUR COMMENTS. IT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS LOSS FOR US. IN MY JUDGMENT, HE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST THOUGHTFUL AND RESPONSIBLY PROGRESSIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIGURES IN THE COUNTRY FROM HIS COURAGE ON THE MISDEMEANOR BAIL SETTLEMENT.

HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THAT EARLY ON.

IT WAS A DIFFICULT THING TO DO, BUT I'M SURE HE WILL DO A GREAT JOB. I ADMIT THAT I HATE TO SEE HIM GO. I DID TELL HIM SOMETIME BACK THAT I GOT ONE OF THE CALLS FROM SOMEBODY.

I GOT A CALL FROM A PRIVATE NUMBER.

MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN IT TO THE OTHER GARCIA SO HE WOULDN'T BE GOING. IF IT IS A GOOD DEAL, WE WILL OBVIOUSLY DO ALL WE CAN TO HELP GET CONFIRMED.

I THINK HE DOES A LOT FOR OUR COUNTY AND OUR CITY AND THE

STATE OF TEXAS IN THE COUNTRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: [INAUDIBLE]

BUDGETS BROUGHT BACK. >> JUDGE, YOU MAY WANT TO REPEAT THAT. YOU WERE MUTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.

WE WERE DISCUSSING ITEM 105 WHICH IS THE PROPOSAL BUDGET.

[03:45:03]

IT WAS BRINGING BACK -- I DON'T SEE COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON THE LINE. PERHAPS WE CAN JUST GIVE HIM A

COUPLE MINUTES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH ITEM WAS THAT? 105 OR 125?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 105. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M HERE, JUDGE. LET ME JUST GET MY ITEMS IN

ORDER HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OH YEAH, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU DID NOT FINISH 125.

WE HAD ADRIAN HOLLOWAY HALFWAY THROUGH THE PRESENTATION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. JUDGE, I KNOW IT WAS A TRANSMITAL, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE I ASKED FOR IT AND I GAVE HER A CHANCE TO WALK THROUGH IT BRIEFLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT.

THANK YOU. IS DR. HOLLOWAY ON THE LINE

STILL? >> YES, MA'AM.

DR. HOLE LAY HUA -- HOLLOWAY, YOU ARE UNMUTED.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE AND I WON'T TAKE MUCH MORE OF YOUR TIME.

I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE A REQUEST TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS ON HOW WE CAN ADDRESS ADDRESSEE VENT- ADDRESS EVENT-LY LATED DAMAGE. WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW DO WE HELP HOMEOWNERS AND HOW DO WE HELP RENTERS ? WE DEALT WITH CONCEPTS AROUND HELPING THE HOMEOWNERS AND THE RENTERS THROUGH INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE GRANTS.

AND THEN WE LOOKED AT HOW WE CAN HELP RENTERS AND HELPING THE LANDLORDS PREPARE THE RENT ARE -- THE RENTER UNITS.

THOSE 2 AREAS ARE THE MAIN FOCUS OF PROVIDING [INAUDIBLE] AND IT WAS A CONVERSATION OF STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE IN THE PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW PROVIDING HOME CARE AND SAW THAT THESE WERE GAPS THAT NO ONE WAS NECESSARILY FILLING.

PARTICULARLY AS IT DEALS WITH RENTERS.

WE WANTED TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOU AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE A

RESPONSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO JUDGE, IT IS SEN TALLY -- ESSENTIALLY A PROPOSAL THAT GIVES US SOME OPTIONS TO TRY AND KEEP AFFORDABLE HOMES HABITABLE BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THE PAPERWORK OR DON'T GO THROUGH IT. IT IS SOMETHING WE WILL TRY AND GET FUNDED WITH SOME OF THE LATEST ROUNDS OF RECOVERY COMES FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT WOULD WE DO? I THINK THE PRICE TAG MIGHT

HAVE BEEN ABOUT 18 MILLION. >> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER.

ARE YOU POSING THAT TO ME? I THINK YOU PLACED IT IN A CONTEXT THAT IS APPLICABLE. WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE INCOME NEED RESTRICTIONS AND THE RESTRICTIONS THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE EXPERIENCE RELATED TO COVID, WE CAN SEE IT TIED TO PROVIDING A LINK AND TO GET ECONOMIC IMPACT.

THERE IS THAT TIE. SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE DID THINK OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO BE USED FOR RENTAL EMERGENCY PROGRAMS. THAT IS AN ELIGIBLE EXPENSE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR ACTION PLAN AND THE PROCESS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THAT.

THAT'S MORE DOWN THE ROAD. I THINK THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE DESIGNED AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FRAMEWORK WE PUT TOGETHER ALLOWS FOR IT TO BE JUST A STORM EVENT.

SO IT CAN BE A BLENDED FUND OF FEDERAL DOLLARS AS WELL AS FEDERAL DOLLARS. WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY AND THE APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SOME OF THESE.

I WOULD STATE THAT THE INSURANCE PROGRAM DEVELOPED HERE, I HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED A SIMILAR PROGRAM TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT HOW THAT WAS CAPITALIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE PROGRAMS, YES, THERE ARE OTHER POD -- MODELS WE CAN LOOK AT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK SHE WANTED SOME GUIDANCE. I FOR ONE AM IN SUPPORT.

WE NEED SOMETHING WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

[03:50:01]

I KNOW WE HAVE THE ISSUE OF MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WHO MAY END UP LATE ON THEIR TAXES ANYWAY.

AND LOSING PROPERTY. WE HAVE A HOMELESS PROPERTY AND THE RACIAL GAP IS WIDENING AND THE DISASTER ADDS TO IT.

I HOPE YOU WILL COME BACK WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT SOME CONCRETE PROGRAM THAT WE CAN EITHER APPROVE OR REJECT OR MODIFY.

I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO LET THE MOMENT PASS THAT YOU TRANSMITTED. SOMETIMES WE DO THAT.

WE WILL ASK YOU TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND I FOR ONE AM IN

SUPPORT OF IT. >> THANK YOU.

WE WILL FOLLOW-UP AND WE CAN DISCUSS THIS FURTHER WITH THE IDENTIFIED PORTIONS OF OUR OFFICE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE MIGHT FIND SOME CONSENSUS.

AT LEAST I THINK IT IS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DR. HOLLOWAY, FOR THE WORK ON THIS.

I WAS EXCITED TO HEAR THE RESPONSE TO THE FEMA ADS.

I THINK THAT IS GREAT. AND ALL OF THESE ARE GOOD IDEAS. I AM EAGER TO HEAR MORE AS WE

GO FORWARD. >> THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, 105, I WONDER CAN WE DO THAT AT THE END OF THE AGENDA, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM TRYING TO PULL NUMBERS SO I FULLY

UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IN THAT CASE WE ARE MOVING ON TO 110 WHICH IS ACQUIRING LAND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BUILDING CONSOLIDATION PROJECT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THIS GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DO NOT THINK SO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. EXECUTIVE SESSION IS 272 AND

273. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THOUGHT

THERE WAS -- >> GO AHEAD.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THOUGHT THERE WAS ONE ITEM -- I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN. WE CERTAINLY CAN.

>> YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL FLAG THAT ONE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION THEN.

SO THAT IS 110. THE NEXT ITEM IS 219.

AND IT IS THE O'DONNELL CONSENT DECREE.

RODRIGUEZ I MOVE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS A 4-1 VOTE I THINK HE SAID. [LAUGHING]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK YOUR MICROPHONE IS ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOUR MIC IS OFF.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WAS READING HIS LIPS AND HE SAID I

WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YEAH.

I THINK YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO READING LIPS SCHOOL.

THAT WOULD BE A NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 246 THE POLICIES PROCEDURES FOR APPOINTMENTS TO COUNTY BOARDS AND

COMMISSIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I MOVE

IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> IS THAT AS PRESENTED? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD FLAGGED THIS ONE SO I DO WANT TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE.

THE CAMERA IS OFF FOR SOME REASON.

LET'S JUST GIVE THEM A MINUTE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN'T SEE YOU -- OH THERE YOU GO. YOUR CAMERA WENT OFF ON THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT

ON 246? >> TOM RAMSEY: I DID.

I AM ALL FOR SETTING UP A DASHBOARD, UNDERSTANDING WHAT BOARD APPOINTMENTS ARE COMING AND HAVING A GREAT ORGANIZATION WHICH I PREESH -- I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THE EFFORT WAS PUT FORTH TO DO THIS.

I THINK THAT PART IS GOOD. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT THE COST TO SET UP THIS, THAT'S ONE QUESTION.

THE OTHER QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE COMMISSIONER'S RESPONSIBILITY? I UNDERSTAND APPLICATIONS WILL COME IN AND AT SOME POINT THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE COMMISSIONER RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING AN APPOINTMENT ASSUMING THAT HE HAS THAT RESPONSIBILITY.

[03:55:04]

THESE WILL BE APPLICATIONS WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION.

THAT'S WHAT I'M ASSUMING. THE COMMISSIONERS WILL REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS AND CONSIDER WHAT -- WHO THE BEST CANDIDATES IS AND MAKE THAT DECISION.

AM I UNDERSTANDING THAT CORRECTLY?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, WHAT I WAS DOING WAS LOOKING AROUND THE STATE AND TO SOME EXTENT LOOKING AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SEE WHAT OTHERS DO.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO APPOINTS WHO TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. NOBODY JUST KEEPS UP WITH IF -- WITH IT. I SPOKE WITH ONE COUNTY ENTITY.

WE AT TIMES DON'T THINK ABOUT.

IT NOBODY KEEPS UP WITH ATTENDANCE OR ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF IT IS A 9-PERSON BOARD.

EACH OF US WILL HAVE ONE. HOW YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION WILL STILL BE UP TO YOU. THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMEWHERE, I THINK, WHAT PEOPLE CAN'T APPLY.

THEY MAY NOT KNOW IT IS YOUR POSITION.

SO I ASSUME THIS OFFICE WHICH WE WILL FIGURE THAT OUT WITH A COUPLE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO RUNS IT AND PROBABLY SOMEBODY WHO IS THE ASSISTANT, YOU KNOW, THE ADMINISTRATIVE PERSON. SO IT IS A START TO GET SOMEWHERE AND THEY HAVE TO COME BACK WITH A BUDGET ITEM.

>> AS I SAID, I AGREE WITH YOU. SETTING UP THIS LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION IS WHAT IS NEEDED. LAST TIME, LAST MONTH, THE MOST CONFUSING THING ON PLANET EARTH HOW WE DO IT NOW.

NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS AND WHEN IT IS AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND WHO IS UP AND WHO ISN'T UP.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THE RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD LIE WITH THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS MAKING IT.

I DON'T NEED SOMEBODY ELSE MAKING THE DECISION FOR ME.

IF THEY CAN PROVIDE GREAT DATA THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

THE OTHER THING I DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON, THE LAST MEETING I RECOMMENDED AND Y'ALL APPROVED DR. ELIZABETH MCINVAIL TO SERVE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH BOARD.

I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER PERSON ON PLANET EARTH TO DO THAT. WELL, I ASSURE YOU THEY ARE NOT CRUISING THROUGH THE INTERNET AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT BOARDS TO GET ON. WE HAVE TO RECRUIT AND WE WANT TO GET THE BEST FOLKS TO REPRESENT THE NEEDS AND THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY. THAT IS GOING TO BE A PRETTY HIGH LEVEL, I WILL CALL IT COMMISSIONER-JUDGE LEVEL OF RECRUITMENT TO GET THE BEST WE CAN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT WOULD STILL WORK THAT WAY, COMMISSIONER. HOW YOU OR I DO IT I WILL WILL REST IN YOUR OFFICE -- WILL REST IN YOUR OFFICE.

THERE IS SOME REPOSITORY, HEY, I AM INTERESTED IN A BOARD OR A COMMISSION. WHAT ARE THEY? I DON'T THINK THERE IS A PLACE YOU CAN GO AND GET A LIST.

SO THIS OFFICE WOULD DO ALL OF THAT.

FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT -- I WOULD PERSONALLY CALL THE OFFICE WHEN I AM TRYING TO THINK OF SOMEBODY.

SOMETIMES I AM WRACKING MY BRAIN TRYING TO THINK OF A NEW FACE. CHRIS HAWLINS WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE WHEN THAT NAME CAME UP WHICH IN MY JUDGMENT TURNED OUT TO BE A GOOD ONE. IT WOULDN'T HAVE NECESSARILY BEEN ON MY RADAR. I THINK IF THERE IS SOMEPLACE YOU -- THEY CAN GO AND APPLY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT OR MY APPOINTMENT, THAT'S IN THE BOX -- THAT'S IN THE GRAY BOX IN YOUR OFFICE. AT LEAST YOU CAN CALL THIS OFFICE AND SAY I AM TRYING TO THINK OF SOMEBODY.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RESUMES FROM MY PRECINCT IN PARTICULAR OF PEOPLE WHO JUST APPLIED AND I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT TO LOOK AT? IT MAY TO THE HAVE ANY.

YOU GOT ME? FOR ME, I WOULD PROBABLY ENCOURAGE THE OFFICE TO BE VISIBLE IN MY RE-- IN MY PRECINCT TO GO PLACES. THAT WOULD BE FOR YOU.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY BOARDS HAVE AT LARGE POSITIONS.

THAT WOULD BE GOOD IF THERE WAS SOMEPLACE I COULD GO AND SAY, WELL, WHO APPLIED? WHO HAVE YOU TALKED TO? WHAT NEW FACES HAVE YOU COME UP WITH FOR ME TO CONSIDER

[04:00:04]

ADVOCATING TO MY COLLEAGUES? >> I THINK HAVING SOMEONE HELP US ORGANIZE IS GOOD. THAT'S GOOD.

GOOD ISSUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YAY, THANK YOU. THIS HAS BEEN AN AREA OF HEARTACHE FOR A LONGTIME TRYING TO KEEP TRACK OF IT.

WE GOT TO WHERE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING FOR AWHILE, AND THEN WE FOUND SOMEBODY TO MANAGE IT FOR AWHILE AND THEN THEY WOULD LEAVE AND THEN IT WOULD FALL IN DISREPAIR.

THE LAST TIME THIS WAS ORGANIZED AND DONE WELL IS WHEN RYAN WALSH WAS HELPING IN THE JUDGE'S OFFICE.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE TOOK OFF BEFORE YOU GOT HERE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, BUT THAT WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD IT REALLY ORGANIZED WAS WHEN HE WAS HERE.

HE HAD THE MAGIC TOUCH ON IT. I AM PLEASED TO HAVE SOMEBODY KEEPING TRACK OF IT. WHEN IT IS EVERYBODY'S JOB, IT IS NOBODY'S JOB. AND FEELINGS GET HURT WHEN PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OH YES. I THINK I BEAR THE BRUNT OF THAT. I FELT IT BIG TIME.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DON'T NEED ANY HURT FEELINGS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE IT AS IS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT? SECOND COMMISSIONER CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. WE WILL SKIP ITEM 271 AND ITEM 272 ARE BOTH FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ITEM 280J. THAT'S WHERE WE JUST NEED THE

MOTION. >> YES, JUDGE.

I THINK I SENT IT AROUND TO THE OFFICES.

I AM HAPPY TO SAY IT IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF YOU OR IF SOMEONE IN THE OFFICE DOESN'T HAVE IT.

IT IS TO MOVE APPROVAL OF ANNE MARIE CHAPMAN AND THOMAS CHAPMAN CAUSE 202-50-5076 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE

STATUTORY LIMIT OF $200,000. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I SECOND THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY CAGLE.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

DID YOU GET WHAT YOU NEEDED, JAMES?

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 284. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THIS IS WHERE I WANTED MR. PERIMAN TO COME ON.

IF SENATE BILL 7 AND HOUSE BILL 6, THAT IN MY JUDGMENT HARM VOTING RIGHTS IN TEXAS AND COULD LEAD TO JOB LOSSES.

IF HE IS ON THE LINE, I WOULD LIKE HIM TO WALK THROUGH.

WE HAVE TAKEN A POSITION ON IT.

AND I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH.

I KNOW IN ATLANTA IT IS AN EXAMPLE.

IT IS 100 MILLION BASED ON CANCELED EVENTS AND OVERALL OUTPUT. I WANTED TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT HE FOUND IN HIS RESEARCH.

I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT OVER THE YEARS.

YOU WERE ONE OF THE VOICES WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE EVEN WHEN I DISAGREED WITH YOU.

I LISTENED BECAUSE YOU WERE SO INSIGHTFUL.

HE IS ON THE LINE AND I WANTED HIM TO GIVE A SHORT OVERVIEW

OF HIS RESEARCH. >> DR. PERIMAN, I DON'T SEE HIM ON THE LINE UNLESS HE HAS CALLED IN? THERE IS A PHONE NUMBER, BUT I'M NOT SURE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL GET -- I WILL TRY TO GET UH HOLD -- UH HOLD OF HIM. AND WE -- I THINK I TOLD HIM 1:30 AND WE ARE A LITTLE LATER.

>> I HAVE NOT SEEN HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 289. THAT IS MY ITEM ON THE PROMOTING NRG. HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

ABOUT IT, Y'ALL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE?

YOUR HONOR? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PARTS OF THIS I HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN ON.

[04:05:02]

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MAKING IT A FUND, ET CETERA.

BUT WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO SET A PRECEDENT WHERE IF THERE IS ANOTHER EVENT IN THE FUTURE WHERE FOLKS ARE NEEDED TO BE VAC UH NATEED EVERYONE WAITS SO THEY CAN GET THEIR FREE GIFT CARD WE DON'T WANT TO INCENTIVIZE DELAY.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A PRO -- PRO -- PROMOTION ALI VENT, PIECE -- PROMOTIONAL EVENT, PIECE OF CAKE, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE GIVING OUT GIFT CARDS OR OTHER FINANCIAL INCENTIVE IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE OF THE INCENTIVIZING OTHERS TO DELAY WHEN THERE IS A NEED.

WE DON'T WANT TO GET IN THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WOULD GIVE BLOOD OVER AND OVER AGAIN SO THEY CAN GET PAID FOR IT.

IF WE ARE PAYING FUNDS OF SOME KIND WITHOUT APPROPRIATE TRACKING, YOU MAY HAVE PEOPLE TO GET MULTIPLE SHOTS SO THEY CAN GET THEIR NEW GIFT CARD. I HAVE CONCERNS ON THAT SIDE OF THE -- OF THAT PART OF THE EQUATION.

I JUST DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE GIVING GIFT CARDS OR FINANCIAL INCENTIVES. THAT MAY HAVE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE THAT WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE IN THE FUTURE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THE ITEM ON AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERNS.

I WOULD SAY BECAUSE WE ARE WHERE WE ARE NOW, AND IN ORDER TO GET TO HERD IMMUNITY, WE HAVE GOT TO GET THE NUMBERS UP IF IT MEANS A BAND OR IF YOU SAY CAN I GET TRAVIS SCOTT?

YOU SAY WHO IS THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S WHO CABBING SUCCESS -- CABBING -- CACTUS JACK GOT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH, I SAW THAT.

I AM GOING TO DRIVE THAT PERSON OVER TO NRG MYSELF.

I WAS AT A PRESS EVENT WITH YOU THE OTHER DAY AND YOU MADE THE COMMENT THAT THE BAND I KNEW IN NEW ORLEANS.

SOMETIMES, CABBING -- CACTUS, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT FUN. IF YOU RUN INTO A PROBLEM --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PROMOTION ALI VENT, THE BAND, WHATNOT. IT IS THE MONETARY SIDE, THE GIFT CARD IF THERE IS A BAND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I

THINK THAT'S. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GOT YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DO THE PARTY, BUT DON'T DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO GET THEIR SHOTS TWICE TO GET TWO GIFT CARDS OR IF WE NEED ANOTHER PUSH IF THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE ME A $50 TODAY, MAYBE IF I HOLD OFF I WILL GET A $100 GIFT CARD LATER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I GOT YOU. JUDGE, I TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT AND I HAVE A LITTLE MORE FAITH IN HUMAN KIND.

IF SOMEBODY DECIDES THEY ARE GOING TO GO AND TAKE A SECOND OR THIRD OR FOURTH SHOT TO GET A GIFT CARD, I HOPE IT IS BROAD ENOUGH YOU CAN GET THEM MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING AS WELL. I AM WILLING TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IF YOU SEE IT RUNS INTO A PROBLEM, STOP IT. I THINK IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA THEY ARE DOING -- I THINK IT IS VIRGINIA.

THEY ARE GIVING OUT $100 GIFT CARDS.

I WOULDN'T GO THAT HIGH, BUT I WOULD TRY SOMETHING.

I WOULDN'T RULE OUT A MODEST GIFT CARD EVEN IF IT IS $5.

DO THE WE SEARCH AND I TRUST YOUR TEAM.

IF IT CAUSES A PROBLEM, BACK OFF OF IT.

I KNOW IT IS TWO WEEKS BEFORE WE MEET AGAIN.

I AM FOR THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX TO TRY SOMETHING

DIFFERENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CAN WE ASK OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY MR. AYERS -- WELL FIRST ASSISTANT IF HE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE IDEA OF GIVING OUT GIFT

CARDS? >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YES, WE HAVE. THERE IS NO -- THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PUBLIC PURPOSE HERE. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON THING. COMMISSIONER ELLIS REFERENCED HIS POINT. GOP GOVERNOR JIM JUSTICE IS GIVING AWAY HUNDRED DOLLAR BONDS.

WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY DOING THIS. IT IS A QUESTION OF HOW IT IS IMPLEMENTED AND CONTROLLED. OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE

[04:10:05]

THERE IS SOME SORT OF MECHANISM IN PLACE AND HOW THE FUNDS ARE DISPERSED AND IF THERE ARE CONTROLS IN PLACE AND MAKING SURE IT IS DONE AT THE POINT OF RECEIVING THE VACCINATION RATHER THAN SOME POINT AFTER -- AFTERWARDS.

WE KNOW THERE ARE ISSUES WITH J35.

IT IS SOMETHING IN THE PIR VIEW OF THE COUNTY -- IT IS SOMETHING THE PER ZOO DARK -- PER -- PERVIEW AND CREATE A PARTICIPATION IN SOMETHING WITH A VALID PURPOSE.

>> I DIDN'T LIKE WHAT THE RECEIVE -- WHAT THE WEST VIRGINIA GOVERNOR DID TOO. THAT'S $100 OUT THERE.

WHAT I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IS MAYBE THEY ARE HANDING OUT STARBUCKS CARDS. AT ONE POINT IF YOU HELD OUT A STARBUCKS CARD THE LADY I AM MARRIED TO WOULD TRAMPLE OVER PEOPLE TO GET TO IT. IN TERMS OF GIVING AWAY CASH, IF THERE IS A WAY I COULD VOTE FOR THE PROMOTIONAL SIDE OF, WHICH I AM IN FAVOR OF, BUT I DON'T LIKE THE HANDING OUT OF THE CASH CARDS. AND COULD VOTE JUST TO GET YOUR PINKY SWEAR. THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE FIRST RESPONSE. IF YOU DID IT, YOU DID IT FOR A DONUT CARD OR A COFFEE CARD THAT WOULD CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE MOTIVATED TO GET MORE SHOTS AND/OR TO WAIT TO GET

SOMETHING BETTER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. IT IS A VALID POINT AND I GRAPPLE WITH THIS. THERE IS A CLEAR, PUBLIC PURPOSE. WE FEED TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE REALLY NEED THEM TO GET VACCINATED.

THE REASON WE ASK OUR TEAM AND THE FOLKS AT NRG HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC, AND I ASK YOU TO BE AS CREATIVE AS WE CAN BE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SIT HERE A MONTH FROM NOW AND SEE IT WORSEN OR EXTENDED AND SAY IF WE HAD DONE X IT WOULD HAVE HELPED. IT IS NOT A -- WELL, WE NEED TO TRY EVERYTHING WE CAN. THE IMMEDIATE GOAL IS NOT TO USE COUNTY COFFERS TO PAY FOR THE GIFT CARDS.

THE FIRST LINE OF APPROACH IS TO FIND CORPORATE PARTNERS TO OFFER GIFT CARDS AS THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY. RYAN AS YOU MENTIONED HAS BEEN FANTASTIC. HE IS GETTING TRACTION ON THAT FRONT. WE ARE WORKING ON GIVING DONUTS AND COCA-COLA AND WHATEVER IT IS.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET GIFT CARD FROM THE PARTNERS.

I DON'T HAVE A PLAN TO SAY LET'S GIVE AWAY $100.

IF THAT WAS THE CASE I WILL BE SURE TO CONSULT WITH YOU ALL.

IT IS A SHARP SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE.

>> -- I WOULDN'T WANT THERE TO BE -- PEOPLE SAY HOW COME I DIDN'T GET MY HUNDRED DOLLARS.

I DO THINK WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO TRY CREATIVE THINGS SO WE KNOW WE DID EVERYTHING WE COULD.

I INVITE YOU TO HELP ME AND THE TEAM.

AGAIN, I RECOGNIZE THAT WE CAN TAKE THE VACCINES TO THE COMMUNITY. HOW CAN WE FACILITATE PEOPLE USING NRG. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER? COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

AND JUDGE BUT I SUPPORT THE REALM OF POSSIBILITIES.

[04:15:01]

THIS IS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC. IT USED TO BE HESITANCY TO GET TESTED. WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT SIN -- ABOUT INCENTIVES BACK THEN.

WE HAVE THE VACCINES AND WE KNOW THEY WILL SAVE LIVES AND WE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN. IF WE START WITH SOMETHING FIRST AND LET THE DATA AND LET THE EXPERIENCES IN THE OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY GUIDE US ON WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN.

THIS IS WHERE THE INNOVATIVE THINKING NEEDS TO BE.

LET'S KEEP EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE AND LET'S APPROVE EVERYTHING AND SEE WHERE THIS GOES.

YOU HAVEN'T STEERED US WRONG, JUDGE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I'M PRETTY SURE IF WE GET ALTUVE BOBBLEHEADS WE CAN PRETTY MUCH MATCH THAT. BE CREATIVE.

WE HAVE MEMORIAL DAY COMING UP.

LET'S HONOR OUR VETS. WHAT BETTER WAY TO HONOR THE VETS. WE COULD DO A FIREWORKS DEAL.

I KNOW THERE ARE GATHERINGS GOING ON OF LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE. WHEREVER WE KNOW THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GATHERING WE NEED TO BE THERE WITH OUR VACCINE HATS ON. WE NEED TO BE SETTING UP TENTS AND DOING THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

WORKING WITH JOSH AND THE TEAM DOING DIFFERENT THINGS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY CHARGE FOR THE ALTUVE BOBBLEHEADS.

I JUST KNOW WE SAW A LINE AT MINUTE MAID.

I'M SORRY I COULDN'T GO TO THE GAME THAT NIGHT.

I MAY GET ANOTHER VACCINE IF I GET AN ALTUVE BOBBLEHEAD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION THAT THE CAST IS NOT GOING TO BE THE FIRST THING WE DO. PARTIES, FIREWORKS, CONCERTS, WHATEVER IT IS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME OUT.

I KNOW IT IS DIFFICULT WITH THE GATHERINGS BECAUSE OF THE SUB 0 FREEZING FOR THE MAIN ONE.

BUT WE CAN HAVE A TENT THAT SAYS GO TO THE COUNTY AND HAVE FOLKS OUT THERE AND THEY ARE HAPPENING OUT THE FLIERS.

-- THEY ARE HANDING OUT THE FLIERS.

JUDGE, WE ARE THE TWO YOUNGER MEN -- YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF THE COURT. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A WAY

TO REACH THE YOUNG PEOPLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HOPE SO.

LET'S TRY AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING.

THERE IS A FLIER. YOU CAN COME FROM NOON TO 9 AND COME TO GET YOUR SECOND SHOT IF YOU GOT THE FIRST PFIZER SHOT. NO INSURANCE, NO I DIRKS REQUIRED. JUST COME.

THERE IS NO COST. I DID SPEAK WITH CLAY JEAN -- JENKINS AND THEY ARE GOING TO THE CLUB TO PASS OUT QR CODES. I SPOKE TO RYAN ABOUT GETTING SOME OF THE SPORTS FOLKSES -- FOLKS.

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE TO CALL ON TO ENTICE A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY, PLEASE DO PUT YOUR THINKING CAPS ON AND REACH OUT TO ME OR RYAN. WE NEED TO REACH OUT TO RYAN AND HE IS ON IT TO RUN THIS DOWN AND PURSUE WHATEVER IDEAS ANY OF US HAVE. I WILL COMMIT TO YOU ALL THAT WE ARE NOT GOING FOR CASH GIFT CARDS RIGHT NOW.

IF IT WERE TO BECOME THAT DIRE AND IT LOOKS LIKE VIRGINIA BOWS THE UNICORN WE WILL CHECK WITH YOU OUT.

>> THAT'S THE ITEM AS PRESENTED, JAMES.

SO ALL WE HAVE LEFT -- YEAH? >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE YOU

[04:20:01]

OUGHT TO RAFFLE OFF TICKETS TO WATCH COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

THAT WILL DO IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE'LL TELL THEM THEY HAVE TO WATCH ALL OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT UNLESS THEY GET THEIR VACCINES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD DEFINITELY DO IT.

THE ONLY ITEMS LEFT ARE THE THREE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS AND THE HCTRA FUNDING ITEM. HAVE FOLKS HAD ENOUGH OF A

CHANCE TO REVIEW HCTRA? >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET'S DO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE CAN DO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> ALSO, EXCUSE ME, JUDGE. DR. PERIMAN IS ON THE LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.

LET'S DO THAT FIRST. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. DR. PERIMAN, THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

I KNOW WE TRIED TO DO MATERIAL YES, SIR, AND I KNOW YOU DID AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MADE A COMMENT WHEN I WAS IN AUSTIN. ALWAYS PAID ATTENTION WHEN YOU REPORTED ON SOMETHING EVEN IF IT WAS AGAINST MY POSITION BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING INSIGHTFUL.

IT HAS AN ABILITY TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR ECONOMY.

I SAW NEWS ACCOUNTS OF THE RESEARCH YOU DID.

I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO PRESENT IT TO US AND FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW HIS BACKGROUND, HE IS THE TEXAS ECONOMIC EXPERT EXTRA OR DIN -- E XTRAORDINAIR.

EXTRAORDINAIR. >> THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS. IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU. I KNOW I ONLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES SO SO I WILL BE BRIEF.

I HAVE A FEW SLIDES AND WE WILL RUN THROUGH THEM QUICKLY. THAT'S THE TITLE OF THE STUDY. WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE.

BASICALLY WE WERE ASKED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ECONOMICS OF THIS. WHEN I TRY TO DO ANY STUDY AND AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I SAID WE HAVE BEEN ON THE SAME SIDE. I TRY TO TAKE MY POLITICAL HAT OFF. I DON'T HAVE ONE TO START WITH. I JUST LOOK AT THE ECONOMICS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DID TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED.

IT IS A BIG STUDY AND ANYBODY CAN DOWNLOAD IT.

THERE IS NO COST. IT IS ON SEVERAL WEBSITES.

WE TRY TO LOOK AT A LOT OF SCENARIOS SO I WILL TRY TO KEEP THIS BRIEF AND JUST FOCUS ON ONE.

WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. BASICALLY TWO THINGS HAPPEN AND THEY ARE DISTINCT, BUT TWO THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE VOTER SUPPRESSION. THEY ARE BOTH VERY WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE RESEARCH. ONE I CALL INTERNAL AND ONE IS EXTERNAL AND THEY COME FROM DIFFERENT MOTIVATIONS.

THERE ARE DECADES AND DECADES OF GOOD, SOLID RESEARCH GOING BACK TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

WHEN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT IT CAUSES LOWER EARNINGS AND LOWER WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION AND THAT SORT OF THING BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET ACCESS TO EDUCATION FUNDING OR JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES OR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME WHEN YOU HAVE A STRONG POLITICAL VOICE.

THE EARNING POWER GIVES UH CHANCE TO SPEND IN THE ECONOMY AND IT RIPPLES THROUGH. THE OTHER IS THE EXTERNAL LOSSES. THAT COMES FROM THE SOURCES TOO. VERY DIFFERENT MOTIVATIONS THERE. ONE OF THEM IS TRUE.

THE HIGHLIGHT WAS WHEN THE ALL-STAR GAME WAS MOVED OUT OF GEORGIA. TOURISTS DON'T LIKE TO COME TO AREAS IN LARGE NUMBERS THAT ARE VIEWED AS DISCRIMINATORY.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A SUR -- SURVEY ABOUT THAT WE CAN GET THAT TO SOME -- THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO DON'T CARE.

SOME PEOPLE PREFER IT. THE NET EFFECT IS QUITE LARGE AND THE OTHER IS COMPANIES ARE INCREASINGLY FOCUSING ON ISSUES OF THIS NATURE. THE KIND OF PEOPLE IN HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES EXPECT THEIR COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES AND NOT APPROVE THINGS. WE WERE AIBLG TO FIND -- WE WERE ABLE TO FIND GOOD RESEARCH ON THIS.

WE MADE SURE WE WERE UNDER STATING.

THERE ARE A FEW HEADLINE NUMBERS.

I WON'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME THROUGH 2025, THE INTERNAL PIECES I MENTIONED WOULD COST THE STATE ABOUT $14 BILLION

[04:25:05]

OUTPUT. EXTERNAL IS 16.7 BILLION.

WHEN I KNEW COMMISSIONER ELLIS INVITED ME TO COME HERE WE EXTRACTED THE NUMBERS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE THE BIGGEST IN THE ENTIRE REASON FOR THAT.

>> IT IS THE INTER GNAT AND 3.2 BILLION IN OUTPUT.

YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. >> THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS WHY WE WANT EVERYONE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND HAVE A CHANCE.

WE ARE NOT GETTING THE POLITICS OUT OF THE ISSUE, BUT HOPEFULLY THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES AND WE NEED TO PUT THE ECONOMICS IN THE CONVERSATION AS WELL.

WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO TALK ABOUT.

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

YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER PUBLIC SPEAKERS ON A NUMBER OF PANELS IN THE COUNTRY.

DID YOU GET A SENSE AND GEORGIA WAS AN EXAMPLE OF A STATE TO DO IT HOW QUICK THE REACTION WAS.

>> THE FIRST THING WE SAW WAS AN ALL-STAR GAME.

>> THAT'S $127 MILLION. IT IS 54 MILLION.

SOMETHING THEY ARE ON THE LIST FOR IS THE 2020 WORLD CUP WHICH IS A HUGE EVENT. IF WE GET SOMETHING LIKE THAT IT IS 3.8 BILLION. YOU HOSTED A SUPERBOWL HOUSTON BEFORE. THESE ARE THE MAJOR EVENTS.

THAT'S ONE PIECE OF IT. THE BIGGER PIECE ON TOURISM IS JUST CORPORATIONS AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS DON'T WANT TO BE VIEWED AS DISCRIMINATORY. THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

THEY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT ONE AND THEN OTHERS.

THEY ARE ABLE TO ISOLATE THE NUMBERS AND THEY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IT. THE CONCERN IS INCREASING OVER TIME IT IS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE BECOMING CONCERNED ABOUT IT. WE FOUND IN THE MOST RECENT SURVEY 86 PFERS OF -- 86% EXPECT EMPLOYERS TO HONOR THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS AND TO SUPPORT A NONDISCRIMINATORY

POLICY. >> ONE KNOWLEDGE INDUSTRY THINKING OF RELOCATING HERE, IT WILL GIVE US A CHALLENGE.

WE HAVE THE ION PROJECT AND THERE IS AN IMAGE OF BEING AN INHOSPITABLE COMMUNITY IS SOMETHING THAT COULD REALLY HURT US. ESPECIALLY BEING ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTY. I REMEMBER YEARS AGO WHEN YOU TESTIFIED IN AUSTIN ABOUT THE CHANGE IN DEMOGRAPHICS BEFORE WE WERE A MAJORITY/MINORITY STATE.

IT IS WAS NEW MEXICO AND CALIFORNIA.

THE QUESTION WAS WHEN WILL TEXAS BE -- HAVE FOUR? NOW IT IS SIX OR SEVEN. FOR US IT PRESENTS MORE OF A BLOW TO OUR IMAGE. IT IS A USEFUL PLACE FOR

PEOPLE TO COME IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS ANOTHER QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

GO AHEAD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WAS LISTENING CLOSELY TO THE DOCTOR.

I'VE GOT I THINK SEVEN QUESTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO ASK

THE GOOD DOCTOR. >> I WILL ANSWER THEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE FIRST ONE RELATES TO THE ACTUAL

[04:30:05]

IMPACT ON SOME OF THE VOTER ID LAW THAT'S HAVE COME OUT.

SINCE 2011 AND THE VOTER ID LAW WAS PASSED WE HAD AN INCREASE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACTUAL INSTANCE OF THE VOTER ID LAWS SUPPRESSING THE VOTES.

THE VOTES ARE INCREASING. YOU CAN LOOK ALT THIS -- YOU CAN LOOK AT THIS PARTICULAR BODY AND IT IS NOT IN THE PARTY I'M FROM. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS NOT ACTUAL VOTER SUPPRESSION.

WOULD THAT BE CORRECT. >> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE EXTERNAL EFFECT, THE CONVENTIONS AND THE CORPORATIONS AND THE TOURISM, A LOT OF THAT IS PERCEPTION.

>> IT SHOWS THAT ACCESS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT WOULD THE VOTING HAVE BEEN.

THAT'S NOT A QUESTION WE HAVE ADDRESSED HERE.

BUT THERE IS CONCRETE WHEN YOU DO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT RESTRICT THE NUMBER OF HOURS AND MAKE IT HARDER FOR FOLKS

IN CERTAIN AREAS. >> THAT LEADS ME TO MY SECOND

QUESTION. >> GIVE ME ANOTHER 10 SECONDS I WOULD SAY PART OF THE RESEARCH GOES BACK TO AFTER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT YOU CAN HAVE COUNTIES NEXT DOOR TO EACH OTHER THAT WERE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

YOU HAD A VERY, VERY EASY WAY TO ANALYZE IT.

>> A LOT IS IN RESPONSE TO SB NUMBER 7.

I HAVE SOME BULLET POINTS FROM SB NUMBER 7.

WHEN I READ THIS, THIS DOESN'T STRIKE ME AS SOMETHING THAT WILL STOP PEOPLE FROM VOTING. IT APPEARS TO BE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO VOTE. MIND YOU THE LANGUAGE USED IS INFLAMMATORY. IT MUST BE VOTER SUPPRESSION.

I AM LOOKING AT EARLY VOTING AS 12 DAYS.

SENIORS IN DISABILITY. NOT CHANGED.

NOTHING IS CHANGED FOR ELECTION DAY.

CHANGE OF POLLING LOCATIONS TO 9:00.

IT APPEARS THAT THE SPECIFICS OF THIS BILL DON'T COME PORT WITH THE CANCEL CULTURE THAT IT IS SUPPRESSING VOTES.

THEY SAY IT IS SUPPRESSING VOTES.

>> PART OF WHAT YOU JUST POINTED OUT ACCURATELY WE JUST HAD AN ELECTION WHERE WE HAD AN ALL TIME RECORD TURNOUT.

THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT ELECTION. I DIDN'T ASK YOU -- I THINK I KNOW WHAT PARTY IS, AND YOUR PARTY DID VERY WELL.

WE DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS FIXING HERE IS I GUESS WHAT I WOULD SAY FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

WE DID MAP IT TO THE TYPES OF POLICY THAT'S ARE IN TEXAS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH REGARD TO COLORADO, THEY DON'T APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME CANCEL CULTURE BACKLASH THAT GEORGIA SUFFERED. ARE YOU ABLE TO TELL US WHY THAT MAY BE? THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR VOTING

ISSUES. >> NO, SIR.

I HAVE NOT ANALYZED THEIR LAW IN DETAIL.

THEY ARE A DIFFERENT STATE AND DIFFERENT ECONOMY AND DIFFERENT POLITICS LIKE THE GREAT DIVERSITY OUR COUNTRY HAS. I HAVE NOT ANALYZED THAT.

THAT'S SPECIFICALLY TO GIVE YOU A SITUATION IN COLORADO.

I ALSO DON'T KNOW IS IN THE AFTERMATH OF LAWS LIKE THAT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEIR BUILDING ATTRACTION.

THEY HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF DOING WELL IN THAT AREA.

[04:35:03]

I DID SOME STUDIES AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I STUDIED

COLORADO IRCH -- INTENTLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WON'T BORE EVERYBODY, BUT I HAVE 98 THINGS HERE THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR IN OUR CULTURE.

I DON'T THINK NECESSARILY REQUIRING ONE TO HAVE A PICTURE ID WHEN YOU NEED ONE TO DRINK OR WITH CASHING A CHECK OR TO BUY CIGARETTES OR OFTEN TIMES USING A CREDIT CARD OR ANY OF THESE OTHER THINGS CONSTITUTES ANY TYPE OF A SUPPRESSION. I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHEN WE GO ALONG WITH VERY INFLAMMATORY LANGUAGE WHEN THE FACTS ARE ASKING PEOPLE IF THEY HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAS INTEGRITY WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING. WE CAN BEMOAN BANKING INTEGRITY. WE CAN HAVE A LOT MORE WITHDRAWS IF BANKS DIDN'T REQUIRE AN ID.

WELL, THAT WOULD BE RIDICULOUS.

THAT CON -- CONCLUDES MY QUESTIONS, JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WON'T BE LABOR THE POINT, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DRIVE.

YOU DON'T HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO GO TO THE BANK. WE DO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS MUCH LARGER THAN PICTURE ID. IT PRESENTS AN IMPACT.

OUR COUNTY IN PARTICULAR. EL -- EL PASS SEW IT WAS A --

EL PASO -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER HERE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HERE YOU OVER HERE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE VOTER ID ISSUE HAS BEEN SCAWSED AD GNAW SUM -- DISCUSSED AD NAUSEUM. IT REALLY IS UNFORTUNATE AND I AM HOPEFUL IF IT DOES PASS THE LEGISLATURE THAT CONGRESS WILL GET THE VOTES TO RENEW THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THE REASON WHY LBJ AUTHORIZED THE VOTING ACTS AND HE THOUGHT THEY WOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUES ON THEIR OWN.

IT WAS NOT UNTIL A BILINGUAL AMENDMENT THAT TEXAS WAS CLE -- WAS INCLUDED. A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN. THANK YOU, DR. PERIMAN, THANK

YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. PERIMAN, BEFORE YOU TAKE OFF, WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE KENLT -- CONNECTING WITH A COUPLE MEMBERS OF COURT.

I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT UP IN TERMS OF THE WORLD CUP. THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE AT OUR COUNTY STADIUM AND SO I APPRECIATE YOU MAKING THAT POINT. DO YOU HAVE ANY INDICATIONS OF OTHER STATES THAT HAVE SEEN FALLOUT WITH THIS SPORTING

EVENT? >> OBVIOUSLY WE SAW A NUMBER OF YEARS BUT A DIFFERENT DISCRIMINATION TYPE OF BILL.

NORTH CAROLINA LOST A NUMBER OF NCAA EVENTS.

MAYBE ONE THING NOT ON POINT YOU MENTION THE WORLD CUP AGAIN AND IT IS HARD FOR PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES TO UNDERSTAND HOW BIG THE WORLD CUP IS.

WITH THE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION OF THE OLYMPICS IT IS THE SPORT EVENT OF THE WORLD. IT IS LIKE TWO SUPER BOWLS.

IT WOULD BE A SHAME FOR TEXAS -- ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE WORLD CUP THAT IS DIFFERENT IS THEY HAVE VERY, VERY EXPLICIT RULES IN BY LAWS FOR PICKING LOCATIONS.

THEY HAVE RULES WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL LOOK AT THESE TYPES OF THINGS. IT IS NOT ABOUT ONE SPORTING EVENT. IT IS A BIGGER ISSUE.

THAT'S ONE THAT IS FOCUSED ON THIS TYPE OF ISSUE.

>> CAN YOU CONNECT THE DOTS, DR. PERIMAN? HOW IS IT THE DECREASED VOTING POWER LEADS TO DECREASED.

ECONOMIC -- LEADS TO DECREASED ECONOMIC POWER IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DIS DISADVANTAGED? WHAT IS YOUR THEORY OF THE CASE AND HOW HAVE YOU DRAWN

THAT CONNECTION? >> THERE ARE LITERALLY DECADES OF RESEARCH ABOUT THIS. EVER SINCE THE VOTING RIGHTS

[04:40:01]

ACT THERE HAS BEEN A LABORATORY.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS. IF YOU HAVE A VOICE IN POLITICS YOU MAY HAVE GET FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU MAY GET MORE FUNDS WITH EDUCATION OR JOB TRAINING. ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HELP PEOPLE DEAL WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH FROM TIME TO TIME. IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX, WITH THAT COMES THE ABILITY TO INFLUENCE THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP. IT ALL STEMS FROM THAT TYPE OF A SITUATION. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OTHER CONTROLS OUT THERE. THERE IS ROUGHLY -- I MAY NOT HAVE THE NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT THERE IS ROUGHLY A 30% GAP IN BLACK EARNINGS, 30% GAP IN EARNINGS.

THE STUDY INDICATES 4 OR 5% OF THAT.

NOT ALL OF IT, BUT ONE SIXTH OF IT IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF POLITICAL POWER OVER TIME.

THERE ARE REAL, STRONG INDICATIONS THAT WHEN YOU CONTROL FOR ANYTHING ELSE, EDUCATION, FAMILY BACKGROUND, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT DETERMINE EARNINGS THIS ONE

REMAINS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S VERY INTERESTING AND IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THERE IS A QUANTITY OF RESEARCH ON THIS. YOUR PRESENTATION, IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CAN SHARE WITH US AND SOME OF THE ARTICLES

YOU REFERENCED? >> THE ARTICLES ARE ALL ONLINE. THEY CAN BE DOWNLOADED.

THE STUDY ITSELF HAS A LOT OF FOOT NOTES.

IF SOMEBODY WANTS A COPY, GO TO ANDY REEVES.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT IT JUST GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND

DOWNLOAD IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATED THAT PRESENTATION.

>> YOU KNOW I WATCHED YOUR WORK SINCE I MET YOU FROM THE JUNE HIRE. IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE

YOU. >> DID YOU HAVE A FINAL

POINT? >> I GOT CANCELED, JUDGE.

>> WHAT HAPPENED? OH I AM DWHRAD YOU -- I AM

GLAD YOU ARE BACK ON. >> THANK YOU, DR. PERRIMAN.

>> THANK YOU. >> IF THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR WANTS TO SPEND TIME AND IF THEY WANT TO DO SOME DRIVE-THRU VOTING IN THE REGION IF ANYBODY IS USING

IT. >> IT IS ME, YOUR ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I UH -- I APPRECIATE THE WORK FOR THE ECONOMIC IMPACT.

AS ALWAYS MY FOCUS IS ON THE VOTERS.

TO YOUR QUESTION, IN NOVEMBER WE SAW 127,000 PEOPLE DO DRIVE-THRU VOTING. AND WE ARE SEEING PRETTY MUCH THE SAME NOW. WE ARE AT 13% OF VOTERS.

IT WAS 1400 PEOPLE. THEY HAD TO USE THE KING WOOD LOCATION. THE SECOND HIGHEST IS IN PRECINCT 4 AND THAT'S 296 FOR ADRIAN GARCIA AND BACK TO PRECINCT 4 IN THE LOCATION WITH 212.

IT IS AN INCREDIBLY POPULAR OPTION FOR FOLKS TO USE

DRIVE-THRU VOTING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

YOUR ROLE IS TO MAKE THINGS ACCESSIBLE.

I HEARD YOU HAVE BEEN TO AUSTIN AND REPRESENTED THE POSITION VERY WELL. THANK YOU.

[04:45:03]

YOU HAVE BEEN OUTSPOKEN. >> I AM HERE TO SERVE YOU AND

ALL OF THE VOTERS. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, ON THIS ITEM WILL THERE BE ANY ACTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. SO WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION

AND THE HCTRA ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID WE PASS THE EQUITY FRAME WHACKER -- EQUITY FRAMEWORK?

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE DISCUSS THE HCTRA ITEM?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ARE YOU

THERE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

I WANT TO TALK BEFORE I MAKE MY MOTION.

I WANTED TO SEE IF JOHN BLOUNT IS ON THE LINE.

>> I AM HERE, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JOHN CAN YOU EXPLAIN -- THE REASON I AM ASKING THESE QUESTIONS IS I AM TOLD YOU HAD A BIG POINT IN MAKING SOME OF THE DECISIONS AS WE LATED TO SOME OF THE PROJECTS IN THE BOND PACKAGE.

AND SO I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT PRECINCT 2 IS LOCATED ON THE COUNTY, BUT THEY HAVE SO FEW SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROJECTS COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

THESE SUBDIVISION PROJECTS ARE QUANTIFYING PROJECTS AND WE FOUND A GROUP OF HOUSES THAT FLOODED AND THEY WERE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE FLOOD PLAIN. IT WASN'T FLOODED BECAUSE THE BAYOU OR RIVER CAME UP. THE THOUGHT PROS IT IS IS -- THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS THIS BEING THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO DO THAT. I BET WHEN YOU LOOK AT AN ITEM YOU WILL HAVE A LOT MORE PROJECTS AND THE WATER COMES THERE. SO YOU HAVE FEWER SUBDIVISION THAT'S ARE AFFECTED BY DRAINAGE ISSUES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOTCHA. AND SO DID ANY OF THESE PROJECTS GET IDENTIFIED WITH THE PRY YOUR TAU --

PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK? >> THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

>> DID YOU REACH OUT TO THE PREVIOUS PRECINCT ADMINISTRATION TO IDENTIFY THESE PROJECTS IN THE PROBLEM

AREAS. >> WE PROVIDE ALL OF THE PRECINCTS AND WE ALSO PROVIDED TO ALL OF THE ENGINEERING COMMUNITYING IN CASE WE MISSED SOMETHING.

WE DID INSPECT OR 30,000 HOUSES.

WE WANTED TO CAPTURE THE HOUSES THAT FLOODED FROM THE SUBDIVISION VERSUS RIVER DRAINAGE.

>> ARE ARE THERE SUBDIVISIONS THAT ARE NOT ON THE LIST?

>> NOT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE.

WE SHOULD HAVE CAPTURED EVERYTHING FROM HARVEY THAT WAS OUTSIDE THE FLOOD PLAIN. WE DID STUDIES TO FIND OUT THEY WERE MAPPED OUTSIDE THE FLOOD PLAIN AND THEY SHOULD

HAVE BEEN IN THE FLOOD PLAIN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL RIGHT.

THAT KIND OF LEADS ME TO MY INTEREST IN MAKING SOME -- A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT TO THE ITEM, JUDGE.

IT IS ALL OF THE FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF THE PRECINCT.

IN 2020 WITH THE PANDEMIC, AND WE DID A MILLION LINEAR FEET.

[04:50:05]

SO MANY HAVE SAID WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT IN 10 YEARS.

WE TEND TO FLOOD QUITE A BIT. WE MADE THE LOCAL DRAINAGE A PRIORITY AND WE MADE SURE TO OVERLAP IT WITH WHERE THE FLOODING AND THE PROJECTS ARE IN MOST CASES.

I STILL THINK THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

NEXT TIME I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND THIS ITEM TO READ -- TO CREATE A NEW FUNDING FACILITY OF $150 MILLION MADE UP OF COUNTY ROAD BONDS OR HCTRA SURPLUS REVENUE TO FREE UP FLOOD CONTROL BOND CAPACITY CURRENTLY USED.

THE FLOOD CONTROL BOND CAPACITY WILL BE USING THE 2018 FLOOD BOND PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND WE HAVE TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE GLO. WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED I AM NOT ABOUT TO SELL OUT MY PRECINCT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS BEING DONE FAIRLY AND WE ARE BEING THOUGHTFUL ABOUT CHRONIC FLOODING AND THE FACT THAT PRECINCT 2 IS THE DOWNSTREAM OF THE COUNTY.

IT IS MONTGOMERY AND LIBERTY INCLUSIVE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THIS IS A PLACE TO START BECAUSE THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

SOME OF THE DELAYS IN THE PROJECT, I CAN'T DELAY THEM ANY LONGER. WE NEED TO GET STARTED.

BUT I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE WHAT IS

BEING PROPOSED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND SCAWS ME, COMMISSIONER -- EXCUSE ME, COMMISSIONER BUT IT IS STRIKING POINTS TWO AND THREE IN THE CURRENT ITEM. WITH WHAT I JUST READ AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE EXISTING ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND COMMISSIONER, I HAVE WHAT I HOPE IS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO YOUR AMENDMENT.

I'LL SEND IT AROUND. IT IS TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL FUNDING OF FACILITIES OF 200 MILLION COMPRISED OF HCTRA'S SURPLUS REVENUE OR OTHER COUNTY RESOURCES TO SUPPORT COMPLETION OF PROJECTS THAT ARE PART OF THE 2018 BOND PROGRAM THAT REQUIRE TRANSPORTATION NEXT SUCCESS.

TRANSPORTATION NEXUS. BEFORE WE VOTE, COMMISSIONER I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A POINT AND ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

>> I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS BY THE WAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO, MR. BLOUNT AND MR. POPPY.

WAS THIS HARVEY BOND ISSUE THE FIRST TIME WE HAD EQUITY

LANGUAGE? >> YES, SIR.

>> IT WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT, BUT IT WAS IN THE BOND ORDER AND DIRECTING THE BALLOT. IS THAT -- RUSS POPPY IS THAT

YOUR RECOLLECTION AS WELL? >> AM I MUTED?

>> YES, YOU ARE. >> RUSS POPPY, EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR, YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ADVOCATED THAT OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE ADVOCATED ABOUT COST BENEFIT RATIO. I DIDN'T WANT GREENS AND HALLS TO BE LEFT ON THE BACK OF THE BUS SO TO SPEAK.

SO THE COMMENT WAS MADE EARLIER THAT YOU -- THAT THE COURT DECIDED TO START ALL OF THESE PROJECTS.

[04:55:05]

THE DEPARTMENT CAME IN WITH THE RECOMMENDATION.

I AM NOT AN ENGINEER AND I DON'T PROFESS TO BE ONE.

AS A POLICY MAKER IT IS PART OF THE BOND ORDER AND WE TRUSTED OUR EXPERTS TO MAKE SURE WE FOLLOW THROUGH ON IT.

>> I AM NOT TRYING TO POINT THE FINGER, BUT IF IT WAS IN THE BOND ORDER WHICH MEANT WOULD YOU COME BACK TO SPEND THIS MONEY, WOULD YOU HAVE AN EQUITY FRAMEWORK? AND THEN THEY CAME IN TO START THE PROJECTS AT THE SAME TIME AND RECOMMENDED THAT. THERE ARE TWO THINGS.

I WANTED THE DISPARITY STUDY AND I WANTED THE EQUITY.

YOU ALL THOUGHT WE HAD 2.5 BILLION PLUS A BILLION -- I MADE REFERENCE TO IT EARLIER. THAT'S WHAT LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE WE HAD ALL OF THE PROJECTS.

IS THAT CORRECT MR. BLOUNT AND MR. POPPY.

>> WHAT I WAS TOLD -- I WASN'T VOLVED IN THE DISCUSSIONS, BUT HUD -- BUT HUD ASSURED US WE WOULD GET THE BILLION DOLLARS YOU DISCUSSED EARLIER. AND THAT'S WHY THE FRAMEWORK WAS PUT TOGETHER TO INCLUDE THE PAPE -- THE PARTNERSHIPS.

>> RUSS IS THAT YOUR CONNECTION AS WELL?

>> WE CERTAINLY DISCUSSED IT, COMMISSIONER, AS YOU SAID, OR THE FRAMEWORK DISCUSSED. THE BILLION DOLLARS THAT CAME OUT FROM THE HOUSING PROGRAM AND THE CITY AND THE COUNTY WAS BASED ON AN EQUATION. IT WAS DRIVEN BY THOSE ENDURED BY HARVEY. IF YOU USE AN EQUATION TO DISTRIBUTE HOUSING FUNDS, WHY NOT USE A SIMILAR-TYPE EQUATION TO ADDRESS INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND THEN PROTECT THEM IN THE FUTURE ULTIMATELY AT THE STATE LEVEL

THE MECHANISM IS DIFFERENT. >> I AM ONLY GOING THROUGH THIS BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF ANYBODY IS WATCHING.

IF THEY ARE NOT ALL ASLEEP NOW THAT WE KNOW HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE. THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WITH A BILLION OR SO SHORT AND THIS DRAINAGE PROPOSAL IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO TRYING TO FEEL THAT GAP.

THIS WOULD BE 400 OR SO MILLION TOWARD THE 1.4 BILLION? 400, 500 MILLION?

>> OVER 400 MILLION. >> SO THAT WOULD GET THE GAP DOWN SAY A BILLION OR LESS THAN A BILLION? THERE MAY BE OTHERS. I AM JUST TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. I SAW THE CHART WHICH I ASSUME EVERYBODY ELSE GOT THAT SHOWS A BILLION 672 WAS SPENT OUTSIDE THE BOND PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK.

AND UNDER THE BOND PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK IT DIDN'T FOLLOW THE MONEY. IT WAS NOT TIED TO THE MONEY.

THAT'S HALF THE MONEY ALREADY PROJECTS GETTING STARTED.

WHEN I MAKE REFERENCE TO CHASING FEDERAL MONEY I DON'T MEAN TO DE -- DEMEAN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MONEY, BUT IT MEANS THE POOR NEIGHBORHOODS GOT VERY LITTLE OF THIS 2.5 BILLION. IT IS SAYING WE WON'T HELP YOU.

WE EXPECT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO IT.

THEN IT PUTS US IN A POSITION WHERE YOU ARE HELPING US FILL THE HOLE. YOU WILL COME BACK IN JUNE

[05:00:01]

WITH OTHER SOLUTIONS AND IN NO WAY DO I WANT US TO MISS OUT ON WHATEVER WE CAN GET FROM THE STATE, FROM OUR STATE PARTIES. IT IS NOT THEIR MONEY.

IT IS FEDERAL MONEY. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS ALL WORKED OUT. I AM HEARING FROM SOME CORNERS, MAYBE WE OUGHT TO NOT GO BACK AND ASK HUD TO TRY TO PULL GLO'S CHAIN. IF WE DON'T DO THAT WE CAN'T JUST WAIT AND SAY GREENS AND HULLS IN PARTICULAR.

THAT'S WHY I AM PARTIAL TO IT.

I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING MR. BERRY AND MR. POPPY AND MR. BLOUNT, GOING FORWARD ANYTHING THAT COMES ON THIS AGENDA I WANT YOU TO DESIGNATE WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM NOW UNTIL JUNE WE CAN KNOW WHAT WE ARE SPENDING.

THEY SAY GO AND GET ME SOME MONEY FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION. I WILL HELP, BUT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TELLING THOSE FOLKS THAT WE THE COUNTY WILL NOT ADDRESS YOUR PROBLEMS. I LIKE THROWING UP THE ONE UPS. THE MITIGATION PROJECT DIDN'T FALL UNDER IT. EVERYTHING COMES UP OTHER THAN THOSE PEOPLE WHO FLOOD EVERY TIME.

I AM UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE IN MY JUDGMENT BY PUTTING THE EQUITY LANGUAGE IN A BOND ORDER WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE STARTED THESE PROJECTS. JUDGE, YOUR PREDECESSOR WAS THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE COUNTY.

I WON'T TAKE THE COMMITMENT FROM PEOPLE IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE FACTS. IT IS A HELL OF A DILEMMA AND I DON'T BLAME THOSE PEOPLE FOR BEING FRUSTRATED.

IF WE CAN'T FIND THE MONEY FOR THE TOLL ROAD AND WE CAN'T TAKE IT FROM PIC AND WE DON'T GET IT TO GLO.

WE DON'T PRESSURE HUD AND PRESSURE GLO WITH THE MONEY HUD GAVE THEM AND WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE VOTERS ON ANYTHING. YOU WILL HAVE A HARD TIME NOW THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN LAID OUT WHETHER IT IS ROAD BONDS OR FLOOD BONDS AND THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE GROWTH OF THE REGION. SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I HOPE THAT THE COURT WILL TAKE THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, BUT IT IS A HECK OF A PREDICAMENT TO BE IN.

I THOUGHT WITH THAT LANGUAGE IT WOULD BE SOLVED.

IF WE DON'T GET THE FEDERAL MONEY, PLUG IT IN.

YOU WILL BE MY AGE. WE ARE WAITING ON FEDERAL

MONEY. >> YOU LAID IT OUT WELL,

COMMISSIONER. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP. I CONSIDER IT THE FIRST STEP, BUT LET ME SAY WHAT I THINK I SAID THE LAST FIVE MEETINGS.

WE ARE GONNA DO EVERY PROJECT ON THE 2018 BOND ISSUE.

WE ARE GOING TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER EL SIS -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

[05:05:01]

I THINK -- I APPLAUD THAT ALL OF THE PROJECTS HAVE BEGUN BECAUSE WE ARE COMMITTED. I GATHERED A BUNCH OF MAYORS IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE JUST GOT $5 BILLION COMMITTED TO HARRIS COUNTY TO ADDRESS OUR -- IT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IN HARVEY IS HARRIS COUNTY. WOULD YOU EXPLAIN HOW THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE USED? THERE WON'T BE ANY OF IT SPENT IN BUFFALO. I WAS TOLD THAT THOSE DOLLARS WERE TO BE SPENT IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE UNDER SERVED OR IMPACTED. IT SEEMS VERY ODD TO ME THAT IT SOMEHOW GOES INTO THE GLO BLACK BOX WHICH THEY -- THEY GO IN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTED COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WE CAN'T GET A BILLION? THERE IS MUCH MORE IN THAT BLACK HOLE CALLED GLO.

THE PRESSURE HAS GOT TO COME DOWN HARD.

IT HAS TO COME DOWN HARD FROM THE RIGHT AND COME DOWN FROM THE LEFT AND BE LEFT HERE HOLDING THE BAG FOR A BUREAUCRAT WHETHER THEY ARE IN AUSTIN OR WASHINGTON, WE NEED TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON. SO THIS -- WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY IN NO WAY MEANS WE ARE GONNA TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF OF TRYING TO GET MONEY. THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO. THE OTHER THING IS JUST SO YOU KNOW I STOOD AT THIS TIME YESTERDAY IN THE BACKYARD OF A LADY ON MASON ROAD. SHE HAS BEEN FLOODED ON TAX DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, HARVEY AND 20 OTHER EVENTS.

NO ONE SHOULD THINK THE OTHER FLOODING -- THE ONLY FLOODING GOING ON IS ON THE EASTSIDE. WE HAVE PLENTY OF FLOODING GOING ON ON THE WEST SIDE. THE OTHER INTERESTING THING IS YOU ARE HAVING A BOND ELECTION.

IT IS HAVING A BOND ELECTION ON SATURDAY.

YOU AND I BOTH HOPE THE BOND PASSES.

IT IS MATCHING FUNDS. THE CHRONICLE HAS DONE AN EXTREMELY POOR JOB OF DESCRIBING THIS.

WHAT YOU DESCRIBED YOU LAID IT OUT AND IT IS THERE.

WE ARE ON TRACK AND WE ARE ON POINT FOR THEM TO START THIS ISSUE AND CREATE CONCERN AMONG PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY I WAS IN THAT LADY'S BACKYARD.

SHE SAID, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE VOTED FOR THAT IN GOOD FAITH. WE FLOODED.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER POPE -- ANY OTHER HOPE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY PLACE TO GO.

I SAID, MA'AM, WE WILL STAY ON IT.

I THINK WE GOT A CONSENSUS OF FIVE COMMITTEE PEOPLE TO GET THIS DONE AND I WANT TO BE SURE WHEN WE ARE COMMUNICATING THAT THAT WE DO THAT. AND NOW WHILE I AM TALKING WHEN PEOPLE START TALKING ABOUT WHO HASN'T DONE WHAT, THEN SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GO DOWN TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND ASK WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN HALLS AND GREEN IN THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FORGETTING THAT WATER FROM THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS INTO THE CREEK.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME KIND OF QUESTIONS ASKED THEM. THERE IS A LOT MORE GOING ON IN THE CITY LIMITS OF HOUSTON THAN THERE IS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY WHEN IT COMES TO FAIRNESS. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT FAIRNESS. LOOK AT THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS

[05:10:03]

AND UNDER SERVED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

WHY IS THERE BAR DITCHES IN ACRES HAUL? WHY ARE THE ROADS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE? THAT WASN'T MY DECISION. THAT WAS SOMEBODY AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HOLD THEM TO ACCOUNT. WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GOING BACK AND FIXING YEARS OF PROBLEMS, WHY DON'T WE GET THE CITY OF HOUSTON AT THE SAME TABLE? THERE IS ONE THING I AM TIRED OF, I HAVE BEG -- BEEN TO FIVE CITY OF HOUSTON CIP MEETINGS IN MY BRIEF TENURE AS COMMISSIONER. IT IS SAD TO SEE PEOPLE COME AND TOLD THE SAME THING THEY WERE TOLD FOR 10 YEARS AND NOTHING GETS DORN -- GETS DONE.

MY PATIENCE HAS RUN OUT WITH EVERYBODY ELSE'S.

WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AND TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE SAID WE WILL DO. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT OUT

THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THREE QUICK POINTS, JUDGE. NUMBER ONE, YES, THE MONEY IS HERE. LET'S USE IT NOW.

LET'S NOT LET IT SIT IN THE BANK.

LET'S PUT IT TO WORK. YES.

TWO, WE'RE GONNA GET OURSELVES INTO THE SAME PROBLEMS YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT WHEN WE SAY HALLS AND GREENS AND WE CUT OUT THE LMI AND THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE SAN JACINTO RIVER. THIS WHOLE COUNTY IS IN IT TOGETHER. THERE ARE THREE WATER SHEDS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT TWO.

THREE. SOME OF THE POOREST PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY LIVE OFF THE SAN JACINTO WATER SHED AND WE DON'T NEED TO CONTINUALLY LEAVE THOSE OFF.

MUCH OF THE SAN JACINTO WATER SHED RUNS THROUGH COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 AND IF IT DOESN'T RUN THROUGH IT IT RUNS RIGHT TO IT AND DUMPS IT ON THE DOORSTEP.

WE NEED TO USE THREE WATER SHEDS IN OUR LANGUAGE AND FORGET THE THIRD. THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN AND FLOODED TAX DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, HARVEY, AND THEN IN BETWEEN. AMELDA AND OTHER TIMES AS WELL. THOSE FOLKS DO NOT NEED TO BE FORGOTTEN. C, I AGREE -- I ALMOST WANT TO SAY AMEN WHEN OUR COLLEAGUE WHO IS THE SON OF A BAPTIST PREACHER WAS PREACHING NEXT TO ME ABOUT HOW BE WILL GET ALL OF THIS STUFF DONE. WHAT WAS COMMITTED TO BE DONE NEEDS TO BE DONE. AMEN.

THE DESPAIR IN OUR VOICES DOES NOT NEED TO BE SO BAD BECAUSE WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THERE IS NO PROJECT THAT IS BEHIND.

THERE IS NO PROJECT UNDER THE OLD CRITERIA OR THE NEW CRITERIA. EVERYTHING IS STILL ON TIME.

WE JUST NEED TO DO OUR HOMEWORK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDING WILL BE THERE WHEN THE PROJECTS ARE RECKONED.

NOBODY IS IN THE ZONE OF DANGER BECAUSE EVERY PROJECT IS STILL ON TIME. IN FACT, PART OF THAT TIMING CRITERIA WAS ONCE UPON A TIME WE WOULD BE ON A 10-YEAR SPAN TO GET ALL OF THIS STUFF DONE, AND WE NOW COMPRESSED THAT TO A FIVE-YEAR UNDERWAY SPAN. THAT'S SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT MOVING US TO THE 10-YEAR MODEL TO THE 5-YEAR MODEL.

I AM APPRECIATIVE THAT WE CAN GET TO THE FIVE-YEAR MODEL TO THE 10 NF YEAR MODEL. WE ARE STILL ON TIME.

WE JUST NEED TO DO OUR JOBS TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY WILL BE THERE WHEN THE PROJECTS ARE READY.

THOSE ARE MY THREE QUICK POINTS.

THE FIRST BEING, YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

THANK YOU. WELL THIS IS HELPFUL.

YOU GUYS I THINK HAVE A DEEPER SENSE OF THE -- WE ARE DOING ALL OF THESE DRAINAGE PROJECTS.

LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION FIRST.

YOU MADE THE PROMISE TO US AND I MADE THE PROMISE TO THE PUBLIC THAT THEY WILL BE SPED UP AND DONE IN THREE YEARS AS OPPOSED TO FIVE YEARS. IS THAT STILL THE CASE?

>> YES, JUDGE, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

ORIGINALLY IT WAS FIVE YEARS. WE ARE BREAKING THAT DOWN.

12% OF THE PROJECTS ARE READY MEANING THE PLANS ARE SITTING THERE. IF WE START THEM AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE MOVING FASTER AND FASTER.

[05:15:01]

WE HAVE INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE THAT USES FRIESE AND NICHOLS TO HELP. WE EXPECT 50 TO 80% OF THE PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

IT IS MOVING FAST. >> DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHEN -- IS IT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE THREE

YEARS THAT WERE PROMISED? >> YES, MA'AM.

WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE SENT IT OR -- WE SENT IT OVER AND IT WILL BE DONE AND IT WAS THE LAST PROJECT BEING DONE -- I DON'T REMEMBER THE DATE, BUT WE HAD THE DISCUSSION.

IF THERE IS ANY DELAY PART OF THE PROJECT WILL BE DONE AND IT MAY BE A DELAY WITH RIGHT OF WAY UTILITIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING NOW IS WE ARE STARTING PROJECTS AND PHASING THEM SO WE CAN START THEM EARLY AND GET THE WORK DONE -- IF WE CAN GET HALF OF THE PROJECT DONE WE CAN PROTECT HALF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I WILL SAY OF THE 12 PROJECTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE, 56% ARE IN THE TOP TWO QUARTILES OF THE INDEX.

THAT'S A MUCH HIGHER PERCENTAGE IN THE ENTIRE CATALOG OF PROJECTS. WE DID PRIORITIZE THOSE AREAS

IN THE HIGHEST AREAS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S GREAT TO KNOW. THE OTHER PIECE IS WE ARE SAYING USE THE HCTRA FUNDS OR THE ROAD AND BRIDGE FUNDS AND WE ADD BOTH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS' EDITS AND THEIR HOPE IS GLO AND TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT BEFORE WE HAVE TO USE THE G LRK O WOULD HELP US. IF THEY DON'T, THEN WE WILL LOOK AT THE HCTRA FUNDS FIRST AND THEN LOOK AT THE ROAD AND BRIDGE FUNDS. AM I UNDERSTANDING IT

CORRECTLY? >> YES, JUDGE.

AND THERE ARE PARTNERSHIPS THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ELUDED TO. THEY ARE HAVING BOND ELECTIONS TO PARTNER WITH US. THE ENTIRE 550 MILLION WOULD ASSUME THERE ARE NO PARTNERSHIPS.

THERE ARE PARTNERSHIP FUNDS COMING AS WELL.

>> DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> YES, ONE OTHER POINT. I FOUND OUT SOME INFORMATION THAT I FRANKLY DIDN'T KNOW. ONE OF THE IF NOT THE HIGHEST RISK AREA THE CORE OF ENGINEERS IDENTIFIED IN THE U.S. IS THE AREA BELOW ADDICKS AND BARKER.

WE GO IN AND FIX A FEW GATES. THAT'S NOT A COMPLETE FIX.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT LOSING ADDICKS AND BARKER AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE THE WATER WOULD BE A RIVER FROM 290 DOWN TO 59 THAT WOULD WASH THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RISK AND WHERE WE NEED TO THINK THROUGH, IT IS IMPORTANT AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE SAID EARLIER WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME FLOOD PLAIN TOGETHER. WE ARE ALL IN A BIG BOAT.

THERE IS RISK ON THE EASTSIDE. THERE IS BIG RISK ON THE WEST SIDE. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP, BUT WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS A FIRST STEP FOR MOST OF US.

>> DAVE, YOU ARE COMFORT WBL WITH THIS? -- COMFORTABLE WITH THIS? DOES IT MESH WITH THE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE BUDGET SHORT FALL?

>> YES, JUDGE. >> JAMES, ARE YOU CLEAR -- IT IS ON PAGE ONE OF THE BACK UP.

AND I HAVE GOTTEN BOTH OF THEM WRITTEN OUT AND I CONFIRM AND THE PROBLEM IS TO SCRAPE THE EXISTING POINTS TWO AND THREE AND REPLACE POINT NUMBER TWO WITH A FOLLOW-UP.

[05:20:03]

TO FREE UP FLOOD CONTROL BOND CAPACITY.

IT IS CURRENTLY USED FOR THE SUBDIVISION PROGRAM.

THE FLOOD CONTROL BOND CAPACITY WILL BE ALLOCATED BY UTILIZING THE 2018 FLOOD BOND PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA.

AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS ADDED CREATE AN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FACILITY OF 200 MILLION COMPRISED OF HCTRA SURPLUS REVENUE. AND IT IS WITH THE REQUIRED TRANSPORTATION NEXT SUCCESS. NEXUS.

>> IT SHOULD SAY COUNTY RESOURCES INSTEAD OF

REVENUES. >> AND COUNTY RESOURCES DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA, DAVE, WHAT THAT MIGHT END UP BEING.

>> I THINK THE RESOURCES COULD BE HCTRA RESOURCES.

THERE ARE BONDS AND OUR THOUGHT IS WE WILL PRESENT

OPTIONS ON THE DETAILS. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

MEGS -- MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SINCE IT PASSED I DON'T WANT TO MESS IT UP. I WANT TO THANK DAVE BERRY'S TEAM. THEY PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO IT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND I WANT TO STRESS THAT ON MY SIDE OF THE AISLE AND PUSHED IT AS HARD AS I CAN.

I HAD A PRETTY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMISSIONER. CERTAIN STUFF PASSED I WAS PUSHING. I SEE PRESIDENT BUSH OR KARL ROVE AND WE REALLY DO HAVE A GOOD PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP AND EVEN POLITICALLY WE DISAGREE. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RUSS POPPY CAN TALK ABOUT THIS.

THEY DIVIDED IT UP INTO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR TRAUNCHES SO UNLESS WE GOT 10 OF THEM IT WOULD BE HARD TO GET THAT BATED. I AM STRESSING THAT.

THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT WAS THE PERSON THAT HELPS YOU WITH ISSUES AT WASHINGTON. I WAS THINKING YOU TAKE THE 11 15 WAIVER AS AN EXAMPLE. I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT -- I THINK I SAID IT AT THIS COURT.

AND THEN I AM TOLD, WELL, NOW MAY NOT BE THE TIME.

I THINK THIS WAS HELPFUL AND I KNOW IT IS LATE IN THE DAY.

RICK CAMPBELL SAYS HE DOESN'T WEAR A TIE BECAUSE IN HIS CORPORATE WORLD SOMEBODY TOLD HIM THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR HIM WON'T TELL THEM -- TELL HIM WHAT THEY REALLY THINK IF HE LOOKS FORMAL WITH A TIE ON.

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE FULL OF IT, YOU NEED TO TELL US.

I THINK WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE BECAUSE PEOPLE CONTINUE SAY NO. I HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE SO LONG I AM NOT IN THEIR POSITION. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I TOLD MR. MICKEY LELAND. I COULDN'T DO WHAT THEY WANTED ME TO DO. THIS IS NOT AN EASY FIND.

[05:25:01]

A BILLION 4 IS LAY -- IS NOT LAYING IT OUT THERE.

THE CITY ON SOME OF THESE, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED THE LOCAL MATCH, WELL WE DID AN EQUITY FRAMEWORK AND THE CITY DIDN'T. CAGLE, THE REASON I KEEP MAKING REFERENCE TO GREENS AND HALLS IS THOSE THAT TODAY OUT THE MOST WHEN THIS BOND ISSUE WAS COMING UP.

I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS, HAVING BEEN ON THE BALLOT MORE TIMES THAN ANYBODY SITTING HERE NOW AND HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN MOST BOND ISSUES IN THE HISTORY OF HOUSTON I KNOW WHO VOTES FOR BOND ISSUES. IF MY NUMBERS WERE HIGH THEY USE ME AS ONE OF THE PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND MAKE A CASE.

SCHOOL BOND CASES IN PARTICULAR.

THAT'S WHERE THEY HAVE THE MOST.

I REMEMBER COMMISSIONER LEE ASKED ME TO BE QUIET.

I WAS AGAINST IT. I WAS FOR THE ASTRODOME.

I JUST DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR EITHER ONE.

THE JAIL PASSED AND THE ASTRODOME FAILED.

YOU GO ME? I MAKE THE POINT WHEN YOU GOT TO GET THE VOTES, IF ALL ELSE FAILS AND YOU HAVE TO GET MONEY, IT IS USUALLY IN MY PRECINCT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHEN THE VOTES GO PAST THE COUNTY WIDE BOND ISSUE.

YOU GO AND ASK THE FOLKS. THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT WHEN WE GET HERE. 1.4BILLION DOLLARS AROUND HERE. I DON'T WANT US TO GO AND THUMP OUR CHESTS. WHAT WE DID TODAY WAS TO GET SOME TOLL ROAD MONEY. I WAS TRYING TO PUT THE EXTRA MONEY IN A LOCK BOX. WE HAVE EYES ON IT TO DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH IT. FOR THE SAKE OF GETTING PAST IT. I WORKED OUT A COMPROMISE WITH MY COLLEAGUE. WE HAVE AN UPHILL CLIMB.

IF YOU HAVE CLOUT WITH THE GLO, IF YOU CAN GO GET A

HUNDRED 10 TIMES IT IS DONE. >> TOM RAMSEY: HERE IS WHAT I KNOW ABOUT FOLKS. WE NEED TO GET A BIG OLD LIGHT AND I NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE G LRK O MONEY -- GLO MONEY IS GOING TO. IF IT IS NOT GOING TO HARRIS COUNTY, I DON'T HAVE A CLUE HOW ANY OTHER COUNTY CAN COME CLOSE TO WHAT WE'VE GOT. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND I I WILL TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION.

IF THEY ARE PLAYING STATEWIDE POLL -- POLITICS, I HATE IT.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE MONEY NEEDS TO GO WHERE THE DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED AND THE DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED IN HARRIS COUNTY. IF THEY WANT TO WRITE ABOUT SOMETHING, I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DON'T WRITE ABOUT THAT.

THEY SHOULD WRITE ABOUT THE BILLION SOMETHING DOLLARS IN AUSTIN THAT'S BEING DIVVIED UP AMONG COUNTIES THAT MOST OF THEM DON'T NEED IT. HARRIS COUNTY IS SITTING HERE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF IT. I UNDERSTAND WHAT'S BEING SAID HERE. THIS IS THE START AND WE HAVE

TO FIGURE IT OUT. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND TRYING TO MOVE THIS -- MOVE THIS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. YOU'RE CORRECT THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A WAY THAT THE AREAS THAT ARE CHRONICALLY ON THE SHORTENED AND WITH THE DAMAGE, WITH THE EQUITABLE DAMAGE GET THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THE FUNDING TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES. I REALLY BELIEVE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT, SIGNIFICANT DEMONSTRATION OF BEING RELENTLESS ON OUR PART -- ON MY PART IN PARTICULAR.

PRECINCT 2, I JUST CAN'T GET OVER THE FACT HOW SOLDOUT PRECINCT 2 WAS BEFORE I GOT HERE AND I WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT TO CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE.

AS I SAID, LOOK, TO TRY TO WORK OUT THESE DETAILS WITH COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS DOES REQUIRE A BIT OF BACK -- BACKBONE. THERE WASN'T ONE BEFORE I GOT HERE, BUT THERE IS ONE NOW. I JUST APPRECIATE MR. BERRY

[05:30:02]

FOR WORKING WITH US. WE NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AT A MEETING. I THINK WE GOT EVERYTHING WORKED OUT AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK WITH MY STAFF AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR LISTENING TO OUR DETAILS AND MAKING AN ARGUMENT AND FINDING SOME MIDDLE GROUND TO HELP US ALL OVER.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BUSH FAMILY AS WELL. I WILL PUT MY COMMUNITY ALONGSIDE YOU WITH THE COMMISSIONER THAT THAT'S NOT MISS -- THAT'S NOT HIS MONEY. THAT'S HARRIS COUNTY'S MONEY.

AND WE HAVE TO GET THAT MONEY TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED.

IT -- WHO NEED IT. THAT MONEY NEEDS TO COME DOWN HERE AND NEEDS TO COME DOWN HERE LIKEESTER YEAR -- LIKE YESTER YEAR. I WILL DO MY PART, BUT I THINK THIS WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE -- WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FIX ALL WRONGS, BUT WE HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT DENT AND WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THEY CHRONICALLY FLOODED THE VICTIMS -- CHRONIC FLOOD VICTIM ARE GOING TO GET SHOVELS IN THE FROWNED IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. I AM SO PROUD OF THAT.

THANK YOU ALL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I WORKED WITH YOU BECAUSE I THINK YOUR PRECINCT WAS NEGLECTED. YOU SO HAVE GOTTEN MORE OF THESE DRAINAGE PROJECTS. I AM NOT AN ENGINEER.

I WAS JUST ON THE SLIDE ROUTINE.

THAT TEXAS SPEED RULE AND I KNOW YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF I WAS -- WHEN I WAS IN AUSTIN, PEOPLE AT THE LAND OFFICE CARED MORE ABOUT WHAT A HOUSE MEMBER OR STATE SENATE, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OR GOVERNOR.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THE GOVERNOR CONTROLS IT.

IT IS ON YOUTUBE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

AT SOME POINT WE HAVE A LITTLE INFLUENCE WITH HUD, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO GO AND MESS THAT UP.

I WOULD ASK HIM TO REACH IN AND SEE, BUT I WOULD SAY TIME IS OF AN ESSENCE. IF OUR MEMBERS ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE POSTED IT IS HOUSTON COUNTY.

THERE ARE FAR MORE LMI AREAS IN TEXAS THAN THERE ARE AREAS WITH WEALTH. FEAR WOULD BE OTHER SMALLER COUNTIES WOULD DO MUCH MORE THAN DEAL WITH GENERATIONAL POVERTY THAN WE ARE GONNA BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH IF THINGS GO THE WAY I THINK THEY ARE GOING.

RUSS POPPY, ARE YOU WELCOME TO CHIME IN PRIVATELY OR PUBLICLY. BUT TIME IS OF ESSENCE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THIS IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE IS CREATIVITY AND NO FUN TO BE IN THIS POSITION, BUT I'M PROUD OF THE WAY WE ARE TACKLING IT.

THANK YOU. I BELIEVE THE ONLY TWO ITEMS LEFT ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.

>> JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> 8, 1785 AND -- 17, 85 -- THEY HAVEN'T BEEN VOTED ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S SEE. OH, RIGHT.

WE WILL VOTE ON THE ITEMS THAT WE DIDN'T ALREADY VOTE ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: EXCEPT

EXECUTIVE ITEMS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO ITEM 110 IS THE BUILDING

[Executive Session]

CONSOLIDATION PROJECT AND WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH ATTORNEYS.

271 IS ON THE PURCHASE OF A CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

IT IS AN AGREEMENT WE NEED TO DISCUSS WITH OUR ATTORNEYS AND ITEM 272 IS A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT IN COATS VERSUS HARRIS COUNTY SO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH OUR ATTORNEYS. FOLKS, DO YOU HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION? EYE 10110, 27 -- 110, 271 AND 272.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? IT IS 5:TO 1 AND COMMISSION -- IT IS 5:21 AND COMMISSIONER'S

[05:35:05]

COURT ARE BACK IN SESSION. WE HAD THREE ITEMS WE

[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]

DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THE FIRST ONE IS ITEM 110. SO FOR THIS ITEM WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED.

>> MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT IS -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO WE NEED TO TAKE UP THAT 271 WITH THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. SO ITEM 271, WE NEED TO APPROVE THIS ITEM SUBJECT TO -- THE MOTION IS SUBJECT TO FINALIZATION BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO AUTHORIZE THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE OF SALE AGREEMENT PER THE DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE CONFIDENTIAL

INVESTMENT MEMORANDUM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND FINALLY THERE IS ITEM 272 THE COATS LAWSUIT.

THE MOTION HERE WOULD BE TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED

IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> I.