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TO CALL THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
[Imam Dr. Basem Hamid of Pearland's Shadow Creek Muslim Community Center and Board Member for the countywide Minaret Foundation.]
>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR.
THIS MORNING OUR INTEREST DUCKS IS GOING TO BE DONE BY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 BECAUSE OUR ENVOKER, I GUESS IS THE APPROPRIATE TERM, IS OUT OF PRECINCT 2.
WE WILL ASK THAT THE IMAM STAY ON BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE A RESOLUTION HE WANTS TO RECEIVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT.
WITH THAT, I WILL PASS THE DUTIES TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR MAKING THE PROPER INTRODUCTION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
IT IS AN HONOR AND PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE IMAM DR. HAMID BASEM. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE COUNTY WIDE ORGANIZATION OF THE MINARET FOUNDATION.
AS A QUICK POINT, IMAM, WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL AND I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF RAMADA -- OF RAMADAN.
I FOLLOWED IN THE EXAMPLE OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND FASTED FOR A DAY. I WAS A HORRENDOUS COFFEE DRINKER AND I WAS VERY, VERY PROUD OF MYSELF THAT I DID NOT EAT OR DRINK ALL DAY. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE THAT I GOT FROM CELEBRATING RAMADAN ALONG WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. DR. HAMID GRADUATED FROM DAMASCUS AND HAS A MASTERS IN ISLAMIC STUDIES.
HE IS A PRACTICING NEUROLOGIST AND SPECIALIZING IN ABUSE.
HE IS ADD SHADOW CREEK MUSLIM COMMUNITY CENTER AND A BOARD MEMBER OF THE MINARET FOUNDATION THAT SEEKS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH MUSLIM ORGANIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. DR. HAMID FOUNDED THE INSTITUTE THAT IS DEDICATED TO EXPLORING THE INTERCESSIONAL HEALTH AND SPIRITUALITY. IMAM HUH -- HAMID HAS GIVEN THE INVOCATION FOR OTHER CITY COURTS.
HE SPECIALS -- SPECIAL -- SPECIALIZES IN NEUROLOGY AND PRACTICING SINCE 1995 AND SPEAKS FRENCH AND ARABIC.
DR. HAMID HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE PATIENTS CHOICE AND COMPASSIONATE DOCTOR AWARDS AND WAS NAMED ONE OF HOUSTON'S TOP DOCTORS IN 2014. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS FOUR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN. WITH THAT, DR. HAMID.
PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL INTRODUCTION.
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. JUDGE HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO START OFF TODAY'S SESSION WITH A PRAYER.
LET'S PRAY. I BEGIN WITH THE NAME OF GOD, MOST JUST, MOST MERCIFUL. AND WE WILL CLOSE OUT THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AND BEGIN WITH -- BEGIN THE SUMMER WITH A CHANCE OF HOPE AND PURPOSE FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD.
PLEASE BLESS OUR COUNTY'S LEADERSHIP AND THEIR STAFF AND GRANT WITH THEM CLARITY. ENLIGHTEN THEM SO THEY MAY KNOW HOW YOU WANT THEM TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR TASK.
GIVE YOU BLESSING IN ALL THEY DO.
THEIR THOUGHTS, WORDS, DECISIONS AND ACTIONS TOWARD THE STYLE AND HELP THEM STAY ON TRACK.
OH LORD, GIVE THEM THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT HELP THEM WITH IDEAS FOR A GREAT OUTCOME. HELP THEM TO WORK AS A WHOLE.
LET THEM MEET THE CHALLENGES WITH STRENGTH AND OPPOSITION WITH KINDNESS AND COMPASSION AND SADNESS WITH AN OUTSTRETCHED HAPPENED. HAND.
HELP THEM LIFT THE UNDER PRIVILEGED AND THE OPPRESSED.
HELP THEM TO LIFT THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO LIFT THEMSELVES AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES.
DO GOOD TO THE DOERS OF GOOD. HELP THEM THROUGHOUT THE REST
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OF THE YEAR TO DO GOOD AND UP LIFT OUR COUNTY AND UP LIFT OUR STATE AND TO BE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT OUR COUNTRYCAN BE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO
MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,
DR. HAMID. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, DOCTOR. JUDGE, DO YOU WANT US TO GO
[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]
STRAIGHT TO THE RESOLUTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
AND IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL TO HEAR FROM DR. HAMID.
DOCTOR, COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A RESOLUTION.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. WE HAVE A RESOLUTION TODAY WITH THE UIGHUR PEOPLE. THAT'S HOW YOU SPELL IT.
I MAY HAVE BUTCHERED THE PRONUNCIATION.
IN TERMS OF THE RESOLUTION I AM GOING TO READ IT AND WE HAVE THREE SPEAKERS WHO ARE HERE TO ASSIST AND TO TALK ON THE MATTER. ONE WHOSE FAMILY IS IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP. YASIMA WHO IS IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP. IT WAS PART OF THE FOUNDATION AND HERE. AND, JUDGE, I THINK WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL OTHER GROUPS THAT ARE TAPPING IN TODAY WITH REGARD TO THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MATTER INTERNATIONALLY. WHEREAS THE LARGEST MASS DETENTION OF PEOPLE SINCE THE HOLOCAUST IS TAKING PLACE IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE COMMUNITY FORCED INTO CAMPS.
THEY ARE USED AS SLAVE LABOR AND RAPED AND REEDUCATED TO CHINESE STANDARDS AND THEIR CULTURE IS ERASED.
THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE TRUMP AND BIDEN ADMINISTRATIONS BOTH HAVE LEAD THE WORLD IN DECLARING THESE ACTIONS BY THE PEOPLE REPUBLIC OF CHINA GENOCIDE AND IMPOSED SANCTIONS. CANADA, THE NETHERLANDS AND THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVE FOLLOWED THE LEAD OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN RECOGNIZING THE OPPRESSION AND GENOCIDE OF THE PEOPLE. HARRIS COUNTY PROUDLY TBOAS -- BOASTS THE MOST DIVERSE NATION INCLUDING THE MUSLIM PEOPLE WHO ARE RISING UP ON THIS INJUSTICE.
BE IT RESOLVED COMMISSIONER'S COURT STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE AGAINST THIS GENOCIDE AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT URGES OUR REPRESENTATIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE AND IN THE CONGRESS TO ENCOURAGE A CHANGE IN COURSE BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT WILL END THEY RAD YAGS OF THE UYGHUR PEOPLE. AND WITH THAT I THINK WE HAVE BOTH THE GOOD DOCTOR TO RECEIVE IT AND MAY WANT TO RECEIVE IT AND THREE SPEAKERS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, DOCTOR.
>> I WILL HEAR THE SPEAKERS AND THEN MAKE A REMARK
AFTERWARDS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,
WE WILL KEEP THEM ON THE LINE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COULD YOU PLEASE CALL UP THE SPEAKERS.
GO -- BOSHUR. CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
GOOD MORNING AGAIN MY NAME IS BASHUR.
I WAS BORN IN THE WESTERN PART OF CHINA.
AS WE LIKE TO CALL IT EAST KURDISTAN.
THE CHINESE TRANSLATE IT TO NEW FRONTIER OR A NEW ADDITION TO THE MAINLAND CHINA. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU GUYS ON BEHALF OF MY SISTER, PARTICULARLY, AND MY MOTHER THAT ARE CURRENTLY BACK HOME AND NOT ABLE TO CONTACT THEM FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, MY OWN MOTHER AND MY SISTER.
MY SISTER'S HUSBAND HAPPENS TO BE A DOCTOR AND HAS BEEN IN THE SO-CALLED RE-EDUCATION CAMPS FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS NOW. HE IS A DOCTOR AND HE DOESN'T NEED TO BE REEDUCATED. WE HAVE NOT GIVEN ANY SORT OF EXPLANATION AS TO WHY WAS HE TAKEN IN THE INTERMENT CAMPS.
WE HAVE NO FORM OF CONTACT FOR MY SISTER'S HUSBAND.
WE ARE LIVING IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND FREEDOM, AND WE TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED HERE IN THE STATES.
A SIMPLE PHONE CALL NOWADAYS, IT IS A TREMENDOUSLY DIFFICULT TO GET THROUGH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
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FROM MY OWN PERSONAL STORY I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK TO MY OWN MOTHER FOR OVER TWO YEARS.I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT IS GOING THROUGH THIS EXACT SITUATION. THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS WHETHER IT IS IN THE UNITED STATES OR IN NEW YORK OR WHEREVER FACING A SIMILAR SITUATION.
WE ARE BEING SYSTEMATICALLY FORCED TO GIVE UP OUR CULTURES AND OUR RELIGIONS TO BE ESSENTIALLY ASSIMILATED WITH THE HONG CHINESE. AGAIN, I WANT TO REALLY THANK THE ORGANIZERS AND THE COMMISSIONERS AND RECOGNIZE THE ATROCITIES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.
AND AGAIN I WANT TO EXTEND MY THANKS AND MY GRATITUDE FOR THE POWERS TO BE TO TAKE ACTION ON WHAT IS GOING ON.
AS WE SAID IN THE WESTERN PART OF COUNTRY AND THE DEMOCRACY, NEVER SHALL THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE JEWS AND THE NAZIS.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED RIGHT NOW.
IT IS BY THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.
AND AGAIN, WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF CASES.
I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT THEY CAN HEAR MY VOICE AND I REPRESENT AND I HAVE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT -- I HAVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON COMMITTEE AND I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I KNOW I AM OUT OF TIME, BUT
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT STORY. OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY. WE HOPE THAT THIS CAN BRING HELP TO THE ATTENTION THAT THIS ISSUE DESERVES.
GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, IMAM AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK UP FOR MY BROTHER WHO IS CURRENTLY HELD IN CHINA'S CONCENTRATION CAMP.
LET ME BRIEFLY INTRODUCE MYSELF.
I WAS BORN IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF CHINA.
I AM A GRADUATE STUDENT. I AM CURRENTLY LIVING IN NORTHEAST TEXAS. HERE I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR MY BROTHER WHOSE NAME IS OLIN AND HE IS A STUDENT OF SCIENCE AND MATH AND A BUSINESSMAN. I WANT TO CONTACT WITH MY FAMILY AND MY BROTHER -- I LOST CONTACT WITH MY FAMILY AND MY BROTHER FOUR YEARS AGO IN 2017.
EVER SINCE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONTACT ANYONE IN MY FAMILY, MY PARENTS, MY BROTHER OR ANY EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBER, ANYONE. I LOST CONTACT AND I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT MY FAMILY SITUATION I WAS ABLE TO KNOW THE ORGANIZATION IN CHINA'S CON SEN TRAITION CAMP.
CONCENTRATION CAMP. THERE IS A COMPUTER SCIENCE AT THE TOP LEVEL. AND HE IS IN THE SENSE AND HE WAS JUST A COLLEGE PROFESSOR. IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IN EARLY 2010 MY BROTHER AND I COLLABORATED WITH SOME OF THE COMPANIES LIKE MICROSOFT AND GOOGLE AND APPLE AND HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN OUR REGION AND BE ALSO LOCALIZED TECHNOLOGY IN OUR REGION TO HELP OUR PEOPLE AND ANY COMPUTER OR CELL PHONE LIKE THIS IN OUR OWN LANGUAGE. AND THIS WAY WE HAVE OUR
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OWN -- WE HELP OUR OWN PEOPLE AND WE HELP THE AMERICAN COMPANIES TO DO BUSINESS IN THAT REGION.>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> CHINA NEVER PRODUCED ANY CLAIM, ANY PROOF THAT HIS MISTAKE OR ANY WRONGDOING.
HE WAS JUST TAKEN TO CONCENTRATION CAMP WALLET -- WITHOUT ANY JUDICIAL PROCESS OR ANYTHING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY AND PROTEST AGAINST THE ACTIONS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT DOES TO MY BROTHER AND MY FAMILY AND THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE REGION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, SIR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, I HAVE TO STOP YOU.
I'M SORRY. YOUR TIME IS UP, BUT THANK YOU. IS THERE --
>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?
>> HELLO. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR TIME IS
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SOMRA AND I AM A POLICY ANALYST AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE ISSUES RELATED TO THE LEADER GENOCIDE FOR ALMOST A GOOD PART OF THE YEAR NOW. CURRENTLY IN CHINA UYGHURS ARE RESTRICTED AND HAVE NO FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND EXPRESSION.
SIMPLE ACTS SUCH AS GROWING OUT A BEARD AND WEARING A HUH -- HIJAB CAN LAND THEM IN INTERNMENT CAMP THAT'S THEY ARE IN PSYCHOLOGICAL, SEXUAL, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TORTURE.
THEY ARE BRAINWASHED TO BELIEVE THEIR RELIGION IS WRONG AND BEING A UYGHUR IS WRONG AND A CRIME.
IF THEY LEAVE THE INTERNMENT CAMPS THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO FORCED LABOR AND THEY ARE FORCED TO TOIL AWAY -- I'M SORRY. THEY ARE FORCED TO TOIL AWAY TO WORK AND PRODUCE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRODUCTS TO BENEFIT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND TO BOOST THE ECONOMY IN WHICH THEY ARE BASICALLY EXPLOITED AND HAVE NO PAIN.
THE PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION MEANS A LOT TO THE UYGHUR COMMUNITY. UYGHURS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WOULD KNOW WE SEE THEM AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR STRUGGLES AND THE PA IS SEG OF THE RES -- PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION WOULD SUPPORT HARRIS COUNTY'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES PARTICULARLY OUR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. THE PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION WOULD MEAN THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE AWARENESS AND SUBSEQUENTLY INCREASE PRESSURE IN GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS HORRIFIC ON GOING GENOCIDE AS WELL AS POTENTIALLY PUTTING A FINAL STOP TO IT.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO HEAR ME OUT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS
ITEM, LUCINDA? >> I CAN GO BACK TO DR. B --
DR. HAMID. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, PLEASE.
>> YES, GOOD MORNING, AGAIN. IN THIS MONTH OF RAMADAN AND IN THIS MOMENT IN TIME I CAN HEAR THE VOICES OF MY UYGHUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THEIR VOICES HAVE FALLEN ON THE EARS OF THE TRADE INTEREST.
IT IS A SIGNIFICANT TURNING POINT WHEN THE PREVIOUS LEADER OF THE STATE FINALLY RECOGNIZED WHAT WE ALL KNOW TO BE GENOCIDE COMMITTED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
IN MY INVOCATION I MENTIONED A VERSE AND WHAT I HAVE SEEN A LOT. DO GOOD AND THE GOD LOVES THE DOERS OF GOOD. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GREAT HARRIS COUNTY TO SHOW FOR WHAT IT STANDS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND I URGE YOU TO PASS THIS COMMISSION.
I THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE BUT A MILESTONE IN THE PATH TO ESTABLISHING JUSTICE AND TO SERVING HUMANITY.
THANK YOU ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
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SHOULD WE VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION, COMMISSIONER?>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WOULD PROBABLY MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE VOTE ON THIS. JUDGE, OUT OF MY FAITH AND TRADITION THERE IS A PASSAGE THAT SAYS GOD CALLS UPON US TO DO JUSTICE, LOVE, MERCY AND WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD.
ON PASSING THIS RESOLUTION WE WILL BE SEEKING JUSTICE AND LOVING MERCY. AND WE WOULD BE TREATING GOD'S FELLOW HUMANS WITH THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT THEY DESERVE.
THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. >> TOM RAMSEY: I SECOND THAT,
JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN
>> ANY OPPOSED? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. WE STAND WITH THE UYGHUR PEOPLE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I KNOW YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION AS WELL WE NEED TO GET TO SOON.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. WHICH ONE ARE YOU --
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ITEM 252 AND RECOGNIZING MS. GRACE
RODRIGUEZ. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS IS IN LIGHT OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND LOCALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE TIME TO RECOGNIZE A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH AND LIFTED OUR ECONOMY AND SAVED LIVES AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE BEAUTIFUL CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT MAKES US PROUD TO LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I'M EXCITED THAT GRACE RODRIGUEZ WILL BE RECEIVING THIS RESOLUTION.
GRACE IS OF FILIPINO DISSENT. SHE WORKS WITH DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND SHE IS A CO-FOUNDER OF A PHENOMENAL ORGANIZATION. IMPACT HUB HOUSTON MENTORING SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS TO MAKE POSITIVE IMPACTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. IMPACT HUB SUPPORTS EARLY-STAGE START UPS AND OFFERS MANY CULTURALLY DIVERSE PROGRAMS. GRACE HAS SERVED ON SEVERAL BOARDS IN HOUSTON AND WE WANT TO THANK HER FOR TAKING TIME TO BE A PART OF THIS OCCASION.
THE RESOLUTION I WANT TO SUBMIT, JUDGE, IS ONE THAT RECOGNIZES THE WEAK -- THE WEEK AS PACIFIC-ASIAN HERITAGE WEEK. WHEREAS IN 1977 THE FIRST 10 DAYS IN MAY WERE DESIGNATED AT PACIFIC-ASIAN HERITAGE WEEK.
REGULAR COOK NIGHS -- RECOGNIZING THE ROLE THAT PACIFIC-ASIAN AMERICANS PLAYED IN THE CREATION OF THE DYNAMIC AMERICAN SOCIETY WITH THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCIENCES, ART, INDUSTRY GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCE.
WHEREAS IN THE EARLY 1990S PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH DECLARED THE MONTH OF MAY AS THE FIRST ASIAN-AMERICAN ASIAN HAIR -- HERITAGE MONTH. DEMONSTRATING PASSION AND PURPOSE, IT IS HELPING BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR INNOVATORS AND CHANGE MAKERS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
AN EXAMPLE OF THE IDEALS INTENDED BY CONGRESS AND CELEBRATING WHAT IS NOW ASIAN-AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH. AND WHEREAS THROUGH IMPACT HUB, GRACE SUPPORTS EARLY-STAGE START UPS AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND WEALTH JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY PARTICIPATE IN THE INNOVATION ECONOMY.
AND WHEREAS PROGRAMS SUCH AS LATIN X ENTREPRENEURS AND FEMALE-FOUNDED BUSINESSES TO SEE IT MATCHING YOUNG UH -- ADULTS TO ELIMINATE SOCIAL ISOLATION.
THE BLACK MARKETING INITIATIVE TO INNOVATE SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENCOURAGE THEM DURING AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
GRACE MAKES A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT COMMANDS MS. GRACE RODRIGUEZ FOR IMPROVING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND BEING A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY SEE SHOULD
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REPRESENTS. GRACE?>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE HER ON THE LINE?
>> YES, MA'AM. MS. RODRIGUEZ, YOU ARE
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO RECEIVE THIS RESOLUTION AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY AND THE ASIAN-AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY.
I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER GARCIA REMEMBERS THIS, BUT I FIRST MET HIM AT CITY COUNCIL IN THE EARLY 2000'S WHEN I WAS WORKING FOR THEN MEMBER GORDON KLEIN.
I MOVED BACK FROM NEW YORK WORKING WITH THE ASIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND IT GAVE ME A CHANCE TO SEE HOW GORDON AND ADRIAN AND OTHERS CAN DRUM UP RESOURCES AND HELP PEOPLE IN TIMES OF DISASTER. AT THAT TIME WE WERE DEALING WITH HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA.
FAST-FORWARD OVER A DECADE AND THEY ARE STILL DOING THAT WORK AND THIS TIME ALONGSIDE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS THEY BROUGHT UP FROM JAMES RODRIGUEZ TO CHRIS BROWN AND TO ME. BY THAT TIME I WENT TO A HUB STARTED BY ENTREPRENEURS. IT IS A KEY TO THE INNOVATION CORRIDOR. EVEN AS WE HELP PEOPLE START TECH COMPANIES THERE ARE SO MANY ON THRAW PLAW INURE -- ENTREPRENEURS AND THAT'S WHY I WAS EXCITED WHEN I ASKED IF THEY WOULD LAUNCH IN THE IMPACT OF HOUSTON.
IT IS OUR CHANCE TO BUILD AN ECO-SYSTEM THAT PUTS EQUITY IN FROM THE BEGINNING RATHER THAN TRYING TO PATCH UP A BROKEN SYSTEM. WE LAUNCHED IN 2018.
I NAMED THE COLLABORATIVE LEGACIES AHEAD OF ME AND ORGANIZING FARM WORKERS AND THE LOCAL CHAPTERS JOINING FORCES FOR BETTER ACCESS. ASIAN AMERICANS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AND WORKING TOWARD A MORE JUST SOCIETY.
THEIR WORK INSPIRES ME THAT AS WE ENSURE PROGRAMS AND AS I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY AND WE GET HISTORICALLY OVER LOOKED AND MARGINALIZED.
THE SAME RESOURCES TO FAIL -- FAIL FORWARD AND WE HAVE ATTEMPTS TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER US SO WE CAN BE MORE SUCCESSFUL. THIS PAST YEAR ADRIAN HAS GIVEN US ALL 2020 VISION. IN THE PROFOUND WAYS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS -- HAS IMPACTED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND ACTIVELY WORK AGAINST RACIST HATE AND VIOLENCE.
MINE HAS BEEN AN ENTREPRENEUR -- ENTREPRENEUR SHIP. YOU CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO MAKE IT MATTER. WE CAN CREATE THE CHANGE WE WISH. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO BE RECOGNIZED DURING PACIFIC ISLANDER AND HERITAGE MONTH AND SPEAK MY TRUTH. THANK YOU ALL AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR YOUR ALLY SHIP AND A BETTER REACHING FOR US ALL. THE ASIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY
THANKS YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GRACE, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU. AND I DO REMEMBER.
YOUR TRAJECTORY HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL AND I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. IN FACT, I SAW A WRITE UP IN THE PAPER. I THINK IT WAS LAST YEAR.
WE WERE TRYING TO SURPRISE YOU, BUT THE OPPORTUNITY GOT PAST US. I DIDN'T WANT TO MISS IT.
I AM GRATEFUL WE WERE ABLE TO GET YOU.
PROUD OF YOU. CONTINUE TO DO WHAT YOU DO AND BECAUSE OF ALL YOU ARE DOING AND BECAUSE OF YOUR YOUR WORK SPECIFICALLY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO LEVERAGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR EXPERIENCES AND YOUR COUNSEL SO WE CAN BUILD A MUCH MAURY SILL YEBT ECONOMY -- MORE RESILIENT ECONOMY GOING FORWARD. PROUD OF YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING SO MANY SO
WELL. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: GRACE, HOLD ON. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS JACK CAGLE, AND I AM PROUDLY SECONDING THE MOTION OF MY COLLEAGUE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I'M VERY IMPRESSED AND APPRECIATIVE OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY AND ESPECIALLY IN PRECINCT 4. WHEN I READ THE RESOLUTION I ALMOST MADE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT ON THE FIRST QUOTE WHICH DEALS WITH THE 1977 DESIGNATION, BUT THAT WAS A CONGRESSIONAL QUOTE. SO IT WASN'T APPROPRIATE.
WE LEFT OUT K -- CUISINE. FOOD IS OFTEN WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER AND MY DAUGHTERS OFTEN GO TO A RESTAURANT OFF OF -- IT IS NOT THAT LITTLE, BUT A RESTAURANT, THE 1960.
WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE, BUT WITH MOST OF THE ITEMS AND WE
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APPRECIATE THE WARMTH AND THE EXPANSION OF THAT COMMUNITY.WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FILIPINO CHURCHES THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES IS A DEACON AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE MADE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHICH HELPS US TO BE THIS EXCITING PLACE TO WHERE WE MAY NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL THE WORLD, BUT THE WORLD HAS TRAVELED HERE AND WE CAN ENJOY IT TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND EFFORTS.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
I WILL GO BACK TO -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: KEEP ROCKING
GRACE. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GO BACK TO THE RESOLUTIONS UNDER COUNTY JUDGE.
THE FIRST IS ITEM 245. IT IS A RESOLUTION OFFERING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF DR. FLOYD JENNINGS. DR. FLOYD JENNINGS, LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST AND LAWYER, PHD, JD, CHIEF OF THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE.
HE LEAD HIS DIVISION IN A ZEALOUS REPRESENTATION OF INDIVIDUALS ACCUSED OF A CRIME GUARANTEED THE RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
HE JOINED THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE IN 2011 PROVIDING LEADERSHIP THAT WAS SUBSTANTIATED AS SUPERIOR. MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS REPRESENTED BY DR. JENNINGS DIVISION WERE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LIKELY TO RECEIVE DISMISSALS THAN PREVIOUSLY APPOINTED AND PRIVATE COUNCIL COULD PROCURE.
DR. JENNINGS ENCOURAGED COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS THAT RESULTED IN THE JUST AND RIGHT BELIEVE THAT INDIVIDUALS WERE RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND INTERNAL CONVICTIONS.
THE CONTINUED ADVOCACY-BASED DISMISSALS THAT RESULT IN LESS WASTE OF RESOURCES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AND COUNTY COMMITMENTS. CITIZENS WERE DIRECTED TO TREATMENT, PLACEMENT AND CARE OPTIONS.
HIS WORK HAD TO LESSEN THE STIGMA OF WORK-RELATED ISSUES AS WELL AS CITIZENS FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
DR. JENNINGS PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE AND LEADERSHIP. AND HIS ROLE IN THE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFERS SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF DR. FLOYD JENNINGS AND THANKED HIM FOR HIS SERVICE. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. YOU'RE ON MUTE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR BRINGING THE RESOLUTION FORWARD. I HAD THE HONOR AND PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH HIM WHEN I WAS WITH THE HAIR RIFF COUNTY SHERIFF'S -- HARRIS COUNTY HAIR RIFF'S OFFICE.
VERY THOUGHTFUL INDIVIDUAL. HE WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION OR AN OPPORTUNITY AND I TELL YOU THAT IT WAS ALWAYS A GOOD DAY WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO DR. J.
I AM AT A LOSS FOR WORDS DOING THIS RESOLUTION IN HIS MEMORY. GRATEFUL THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ALONGSIDE.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
I BELIEVE HIS WIFE AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE ARE ON THE LINE.
LUCINDA, IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM.
I HAVE HIS WIFE ON THE LINE. SHIRLEY JENNINGS.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE, MA'AM. >> YES.
THIS IS SHIRLEY JENNINGS. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THIS HONOR ON BEHALF OF DR. FLOYD JENNINGS. FLOYD RETIRED FROM PRIVATE PRACTICE AS A CONSULTANT JOINING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S TEAM. THIS IS HIS HOME AND HIS FAMILY AND HE LIKED TO WORK AND IT WAS MOST REWARDING.
AND MY THANKS GOES TO HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE TIME THAT YOU
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ALLOWED FLOYD TO WORK THERE. HE SO LOVED THE WORK AND THE CHALLENGE AND THE PEOPLE THAT HE MET.THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOD BLESS YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING HIM WITH US.
>> YES. >> JUDGE, WE COULDN'T REACH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I WANT TO MOVE TO ITEM 246.
IT IS A RESOLUTION AND APPROPRIATE WITH THE CELEBRATION OF DR. JENNINGS LIFE IT DECLARES THE MONTH OF MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY.
FOR MORE THAN A YEAR THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ALL OF US.
ISOLATION FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY, HEALTH CARE WORKERS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES HAVE CONTINUED TO WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC.
WHEREAS THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES FRONT LINE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS PROVIDING CARE FOR PEOPLE IN CRISIS AND OTHER HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS.
THE COURT RECOGNIZES THE COMMITMENT OF THE CRISIS LINE AND COVID-19 HELP LINE AND THE PROFESSIONALS THAT ANSWER CALLS 24 HOURS A DAY AND SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
THE COURT RECOGNIZES PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS AND COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER STAFF AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES HAVE PROMOTED THE CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION EFFORTS.
AND WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO ENHANCE THE COORDINATION OF CARE. AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DECLARES THE MONTH OF MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE
TO SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DO WANT TO THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY -- HEIRESS -- THE HEIRESS -- HARRIS CENTER WHO SET UP A HELP LINE.
IT IS IN ADDITION TO WHAT THEY CONTINUE TO DO AND THEY ARE INCREDIBLY RESOURCEFUL AND PRO ACTIVE IN SUPPORTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY , PARTICULARLY DURING THE PANDEMIC. I BELIEVE THERE IS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE HARRIS CENTER, LUCINDA?
>> YES, MA'AM. WE ARE TRYING TO GET UH HOLD OF MR. YOUNG AT THE MOMENT. I CAN GET SOMEONE ELSE ON THE
LINE RIGHT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU. AMANDA JONES, HARRIS CENTER.
GOOD MORNING. THIS IS AMANDA JONES, THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE HARRIS CENTER. THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO, FOR THIS RESOLUTION. UNFORTUNATELY MR. YOUNG IS HOPPING ON A PLANE RIGHT NOW. ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS CENTER, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU AND THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. IT IS TRULY AN HONOR WHERE OUR LEADERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE. OUR COMMUNITY HAD SO MUCH TRAUMA IT FACED NATURAL DISASTER AFTER NATURAL DISASTER. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES IN HARRIS COUNTY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, AMANDA.
>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION -- COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE THE MOTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
EYE -- ITEM 247 HAS DECLARED THE MONTH OF MAY ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. MAE IS ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN TEXAS AND HARRIS COUNTY RE-- RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE JOINING FORCES TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION OF SENIORS AND VULNERABLE ADULTS.
ELDER ABUSE CAN HAPPEN TO ALL LEVELS AND APPROXIMATELY ONE IN 10 AMERICANS 65 AND OLDER HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF ABUSE. LAST YEAR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES IN HARRIS COUNTY INVESTIGATED CASES OF ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF OLDER ADULTS OR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. LEANLINESS AND -- LONELINESS AND ISOLATION CAN MAKE PEOPLE MORE VULNERABLE.
THEY PROVIDE SERVICES TO VULNERABLE ADULTS THROUGH THE GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM AND THE ASSESSMENT CENTER.
WE PARTNERED WITH OTHER GROUPS IN TREATING AND PROCESSING CASES OF EXPLOITATION RESULTING IN THE SUCCESSFUL
[00:40:03]
PROSECUTION OF CASES IN HARRIS COUNTY.ABUSE HURTS AT ANY AGE AND ALL PEOPLE DESERVE DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY FREE FROM ABUSE.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT PROCLAIMS THE MONTH OF MAY 2021 TO BE ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO WORK TOGETHER TO HELP REDUCE ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ELDERLY OR HAVE DISABILITIES. THANK YOU TO MR. LEVINE AND HIS TEAM AND EVERYBODY WHO IS WORKING ON THESE INCREDIBLE PROGRAMS. ON THE ONLY SERVING OLDER ADULTS, BUT CHILDREN WHO ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE.
IS JOEL LEVINE ON THE LINE, LUCINDA?
>> YES, MA'AM. I AM UNMUTING HIM.
YOU ARE UNMUTED, SIR. >> THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS AND.
I AM JOEL LEVINE, THE HEAD FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ADULTS FORMERLY HARRIS COUNTY PROTECTED SERVICES.
IN ADDITION TO SERVING VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND AT RISK YOUTH OUR DEPARTMENT PROVIDES SERVICES TO VULNERABLE ADULTS AND ELDERLY VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION. IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE AND COMPLEX CHALLENGES OF CASES INVOLVING ELDER ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS UH -- AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS SJACK IN 2017.
IT IS A CENTRAL LOCATION THAT HOUSES A MULTI DISCIPLINARY TEAM OF EXPERTS IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PROSECUTIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND GERIATRIC MEDICINES FOR SENIOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION. SINCE WE LAUNCHED THE PROGRAM WE HAVE SERVED 1,000 CLIENTS. WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES WITH SUCCESSFUL CONVICTION AND SAFER OUTCOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE SENIOR ASSESSMENT CENTER AND REALLY RESPONSIBLE SUCCESS IS OUR ADULT SERVICES DIVISION DIRECTOR. AND MS. BARBARA LOPEZ MANAGER OF THE SENIOR ASSESSMENT CENTER.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE UNENDING SUPPORT OF THE DISABILITY AND ELDER LAW DIVISION DIRECTOR AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE DOING THIS WORK WITH MS. ADRIANA FRAN CO WHO WILL BE SPEAKING NEXT. SHE IS THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM IN HARRIS COUNTY.
AND WE ARE PROUD OF OUR WELL-DEVELOPED STATE COUNTY COLLABORATION WITH APS FOR BOTH SJACK AND OUR DEPARTMENT'S PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND REMEMBER DR. DIRE. A RENOWNED CHAMPION FOR OLDER ADULTS AND A FORMER HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS BOARD MEMBER. DR. DIRE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING LAUNCH THE SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER.
THE ONLY SUCH TYPE CENTER IN TEXAS.
UNFORTUNATELY SHE PASSED LAST WEEK.
SHE WAS TAKEN FROM US MUCH TOO SOON.
FINALLY I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT DURING THE MONTH OF MAY AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PROTECT THE ELDERLY IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO
SPEAK THIS MORNING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CAGLE WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS ONE?
>> JUDGE, WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, LUCINDA.
>> YES, MA'AM. ADRIANNA FRANCO WITH ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS. I WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THIS RESOLUTION AND I WILL ECHO EVERYTHING MR. LEVINE JUST SAID.
WE ARE TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE A PARTNERING RELATIONSHIP WITH HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
WE REALLY DO WORK VERY COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER AND IT DOES TAKE A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH TO REALLY BRING AWARENESS TO THE ISSUE OF ADULT ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I WANT TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE YOU ALL HAVE BEEN SO HELPFUL AND NOT ONLY BRINGING AWARENESS, BUT CONTRIBUTING TO A LOT OF THE EVENTS THAT WE SOMETIMES HAVE WITHIN THE COUNTY. I REMEMBER YEARS BACK WHEN THE
[00:45:02]
COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS STILL A SHERIFF.HE IS THE ONE WHO WENT AND HELPED US OPEN ONE OF THE RESOURCE GROUPS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR AREA.
I WANTED TO REITERATE SOME OF THE NUMBERS.
IN PHYSICIAN WALL -- IN FISCAL 2020 WE COMPLETED INVESTIGATIONS ON OVER 86,000 CASES AND VALIDATED 52,000 CASES. AND THOSE VALIDATIONS, YOU KNOW, THE MAJORITY OF THE CASE THAT'S WE HAVE INVESTIGATED HAVE BEEN WITHIN THE HARRIS COUNTY AREA.
IT IS WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE 12 SURROUNDING COUNTY THAT'S WE INVESTIGATE ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION.
WE WILL TAKE THIS TIME IN THE MONTH OF MAY TO BRING AWARENESS AS TO THE ISSUES THAT ARISES FOR THE ELDER COMMUNITY. AND IN THE TIME OF COVID, ONE OF THE RISK FACTORS IS ISOLATION AND WITH COVID IT HAS IMPACTED THIS EVEN MORE. AND WE HAVE GOT TOGETHER TO TRY TO ADDRESS AND ALSO EVEN THERE IS SOME LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN INTEREST -- INTRODUCED AND THEY WILL TIGHTEN THE ACTIVITIES AND MAKE THEM CRIMINAL.
I WANT TO THANK THE MAYORS BECAUSE ON JUNE 15TH IT WILL BE WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY THAT WAS BROUGHT FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND AND WANTED TO INVITE EVERYBODY ON THAT DAY. THE MAYOR DECLARED HE WILL MAKE THE CITY PURPLE ON THAT DAY.
WE WILL BRING MORE AWARENESS TO ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WOULD BE GLAD TO MAKE THE MOTION. I THOUGHT I HAD SEEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKE A FLAG SO I PUT UP THE SECOND.
I DON'T WANT TO BUMP HIM IN THAT, BUT I THINK HE HAD I WILL SECOND OR MOVE WHATEVER COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA
AND SECONDED BY CAGLE. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION THE THINGS OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS DO IN SUPPORT OF OUR ELDERS. WHEN I GO IN THERE AND SEE OVER 20,000 FOLKS A YEAR MANY TIMES IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO COME TO THE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND THE ADULT EDGE -- EDUCATION CENTERS. THAT'S ANOTHER RESOURCE IN THE COUNTY TO SUPPORT THIS AND TO BE SURE THAT WE TOO ARE THE EYES AND EARS FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BE SURE THAT THERE ISN'T THIS ABUSE THAT WE SEE.
JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
WE DO HAVE QUITE A FEW MOTIONS TODAY, SO JUST BEAR WITH ME.
TWO MORE AND THEN WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHERS.
IT IS JUST -- FOR WHATEVER REASON THERE ARE SEVERAL TODAY. THIS RESOLUTION IS DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MAY 16TH AND THE 22ND AS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IS A VITAL PUBLIC SERVICE. THE MEMBERS OF THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TEAMS ARE READY TO PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING CARE TO THOSE IN NEED 24 HOURS A DAY AND SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND ACCESS TO QUALITY EMERGENCY CARE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVES THE SURVIVAL -- SURVIVAL AND RECOVERY.
MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND FIREFIGHTERS AND EDUCATORS.
SO MANY MORE. THE MEMBERS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TEAM WHETHER CAREER OR VOLUNTEER AND THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND KONLT -- CONTINUING EDUCATION TO ENHANCE LIFE-SAVING SKILLS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT PROCLAIMS MAY 16TH TO 22 LEFT-HAND 20 -- 16TH TO THE 22ND EMS WEEK AND CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU TO SO MANY FOLKS THAT ARE PART OF THIS EMERGENCY SERVICES TEAM.
HERE IT LISTS PARAMEDICS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THIS IS JUST -- IT TAKES A TEAM EFFORT.
THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO IS PART OF IT TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS
[00:50:01]
WE DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.
>> JUSTIN REID. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. ON BEHALF OF THE EMS PROFESSIONALS THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY, THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION. OUR CLINICIANS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES EVERY DAY ELEVATING THE CARE FOR THE PUBLIC. NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE WHETHER IT BE THE BI-ANNUAL THOUSAND-YEAR FLOOD EVENT, HURRICANE, PANDEMIC OR JUST A NORMAL TUESDAY, THESE MEN AND WOMEN WORK TIRELESSLY TO WORK FOR ALL.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING EMS STRONG.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WAS SIMPLY WANTING TO THROW THE MOTION UP. THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. WE UNDERSTAND EVERYONE
INVOLVED AND APPRECIATIVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA HAS MADE A MOTION. >> I'M SORRY, JUDGE.
BEFORE YOU VOTE, I DO HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.
GO AHEAD. AND I WILL TAKE THE SECOND
FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> CHRIS COLLIER, GO AHEAD
CHRIS COLLIER AND DIRECTOR OF RESPONSE HERE.
AS YOU KNOW WE WORK WITH MULTIPLE HEALTH CARE AGENCIES ACROSS THE HARRIS COUNTY AREA.
YOU KNOW US MORE FOR THE DISASTER RESPONSE SIDE AND YOU CAN SEE US IN HARRIS COUNTY DURING ACTIVATIONS.
WE ALSO WORK WITH EMS PROVIDERS AND I THINK IT IS NOT AS SELF-PROMOTING AS IT SHOULD BE.
I THINK THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY AREA HAS THE EMS SYSTEM AND I COULD SAY THAT WE LEAVE THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE NATION -- WE LEAD THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO INITIATIVES AND THE WAY THEY RUN THEIR SYSTEMS. THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THIS.
IF YOU ARE NOT ENGAGED WITH YOUR EMS PROVIDERS IN YOUR AREA, PLEASE GO AHEAD -- GO OUT.
THEY ARE DOING AMAZING WORK. THEY LEAD THE NATION AND WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. THANK Y'ALL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT TREK DOES.
>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THE MOTION UNDER MY AGENDA AND WE HAVE SEVERAL FROM OTHER MEMBERS OF COURT IS A VERY SPECIAL TO ME AND TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT AND RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS OF THE MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO ARE OPERATING OUR SITE AT NRG PARK.
THESE ARE CONTINUED EFFORTS AND I THINK THEY DESERVE A PAT ON THE BACK AND VERY MUCH WELL DESERVED.
NRG PARK WAS ESTABLISHED AS A FEMA VACCINATION CENTER UNDER THE UNIFIED COMMAND OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE NRG PARK EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROVIDED THE PRIMARY VACCINATION PERSONNEL RESOURCES LEAD BY DANNY K WONG, COLONEL UNITED STATES AIR FORCE COMMANDER 64TH EXPEDITIONARY MEDICAL OPERATIONS SQUADRON. WHEREAS OF THE 576,799 VACCINE DOSES BY HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH HAS ADMINISTERED TO DATE, 314,751 WERE GIVEN AT NRG IN 11 WEEKS UH -- ALONE.
IT PROVIDED VACCINES TO 194,191 PEOPLE.
A FIGURE REPRESENTING 10% OF THE TOTAL HARRIS COUNTY POPULATION THAT HAS RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE.
OF COURSE, THE 300,000 WILL BE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE.
THE NRG PARK VACCINATION SITE HAS BEEN DEEMED A NATIONAL MODEL FOR CONDUCTING MASS VACCINATIONS WITH FEMA HAVING CITED AND PUBLISHED OVER 18 BEST PRACTICES BASED ON THE VACCINATION OPERATIONS CONTINUED AT NRG.
AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES COLONEL DANNY WONG,
[00:55:01]
AIR FORCE COMMANDER, AND THE HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN UNDER HIS COMMAND FOR THEIR HISTORIC EFFORT MAKING HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19. COLONEL WONG IT HAS INCREDIBLE TO WATCH THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND IT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION OF COUNTY, CITY, STATE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS CONTINUE. THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN TICKING UP THIS WEEK PER THE PROVISIONS WE PASSED AT THE LAST COURT. AND WE ARE GONNA KEEP DELIVERING THE SHOTS TO OUR COMMUNITY CLOSER AND CLOSER TO A NEW DAY WHEN IT COMES TO THIS.I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT AND RECOGNIZE THE SACRIFICE THESE MEN AND WOMEN ARE MAKING. THEY HAVE BEEN THERE UNTIL 9:00 AT NIGHT. GO AHEAD.
>> COLONEL DAN WONG. GO AHEAD, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND DISTINGUISHED COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS COLONEL DAN WONG.
I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TODAY TO RECOGNIZE THE AIR FORCE TEAM. AS A COMMANDER IT IS AN HONOR FOR MY AIRMEN TO SERVE AMERICA.
SPECIFICALLY HARRIS COUNTY IN THIS TIME OF NEED.
I COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR BETTER PARTNERS THAN THE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS WITH WHOM WE HAVE WORKED WITH HERE ON SITE. WHETHER IT WAS HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON OR THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE CONSTABLES AND THE TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND THE NRG STAFF. ALL OF THE TEAMS WORKED SO WELL TOGETHER TO GIVE SAFE AND EFFICIENT SITE OPERATIONS.
WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE COMMUNITY VACCINATION CENTER WAS A REFLECTION OF THESE STRONG ORGANIZATIONS.
WE HAVE PROVIDED OVER 333,000 VACCINATIONS AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT OUR EFFORTS HERE HAVE HELPED REDUCE THE SPREAD OF THE PANDEMIC. AND WILL HELP OUR NATION RETURN TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND FOR HOSTING OUR TEAM IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMANDER, PLEASE CONVEY TO YOUR TEAM HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE AND WE JUST KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK AS THE JUDGE MENTIONED.
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL AND COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING.
>> YES, SIR, I SURE WILL. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THAT'S IT FOR THE RESOLUTIONS UNDER MY AGENDA.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I KNOW YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK I DO HAVE -- YEAH.
THIS IS 249. THE GEORGE FLOYD RESOLUTION.
JUDGE, MEMBERS WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET JUSTICE ORIE LEAVE FOR GEORGE FLOYD AND HIS FAMILY, BUT WE OWE IT TO HIM TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON A CASE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
MR. FLOYD WAS ACCUSED OF AND PLED GUILTY TO CHARGES OF THE SALE OF $10 WORTH OF CRACK IN 2004.
THE ONLY EVIDENCE IN THE CASE WAS THE TESTIMONY OF A POLICE OFFICER. WE NOW KNOW SO MUCH MORE ABOUT MANY CASES INVOLVING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THEY HAVE REVIEWED AND DROPPED HUNDREDS OF CASES LINKED TO THE OFFICER'S INVOLVEMENT IN TESTIMONIES.
THIS CASE IS A PRODUCT OF THE WAR ON DRUGS IN AMERICA AND CRIMINALIZATION AND MASS INCARCERATION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR. THERE ARE A LOT OF IMPLICATIONS FROM THIS CASE. MR. FLOYD DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO POST BAIL. HE ADD COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER THAT DID A REASONABLY GOOD JOB.
Y HAD NO SH -- WE HAD NO PUBLIC DEFENDER BACK THEN.
WE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT THE LAWYER ASKED OR THE COURT GAVE ANY MONEY TO INVESTIGATE THE CASE.
I JUST MAKE THAT POINT. TO STRESS THE ISSUE A HOST OF THOSE ISSUES ARE STILL GOING ON TODAY.
I WANT TO COMMEND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE FOR SEEKING A POSTHUMOUS PARDON FOR MR. FLOYD AND THE D.A.'S OFFICE FOR SUPPORTING THE EARTH -- THE EFFORT.
THIS IS WHY IT IS STRONG TO HAVE STRONG ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE ACCUSED OF A CRIME. WE CANNOT EXPECT TRUTH AND JUSTICE WHEN THE DECK IS STACKED IN THE FAVOR OF POWERFUL INSTITUTIONS. I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WHEREAS' AND I TRIED TO REDUCE THEM. HE WAS ARRESTED ON FEBRUARY 5TH, 2004. HE WAS ACCUSED OF DEALING WITH THE $10 OF CRACK. HE WAS ARRESTED IN THE THIRD WARD AT THE TIME. HE ENDED UP BEING SENTENCED TO
[01:00:03]
10 MONTHS IN STATE PRISON AND GOT OUT FOR TIME SERVED.ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO I THINK SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER WHO IS REPRESENTING HIM, ALLISON MATHIS, I THINK. THERE MAY BE FAMILY MEMBERS AS WELL. I'M SURE THAT WHEN MOVIES OR BOOKS ARE DONE ABOUT GEORGE FLOYD LIFE, HIS ENCOUNTERS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY AND PARTICULAR -- PARTICULARLY THIS ONE WILL BE WRITTEN ABOUT AND TALKED ABOUT AND THE IMPACT THAT IT HAD ON HIS LIFE.
I THINK IT IS THE VERY LEAST WE CAN DO AS A COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN ENCOURAGING THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLE AND THE GOVERNOR TO GIVE HIM A POSTHUMOUS PARDON.
WITH THAT I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. I WILL GO TO THE SPEAKERS LOAN
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA.
AND I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT OVER MY YEARS EITHER AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR AS A SHERIFF, AND AS SHERIFF IN PARTICULAR MANY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED TO SUBMIT LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO THE STATUTE THAT REQUIRES EITHER THE CHIEF OR THE SHERIFF FOR THE D.A. BE THE ONES TO REQUEST A PARDON
-- IN SUPPORT OF A PARDON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK YOU HAD TO HAVE THREE WRITINGS. RODRIGUEZ
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. AND WHEN THEY WOULD COME TO ME I WOULD BE VERY -- I WAS RELUCTANT BECAUSE I'M LIKE, WHERE AM I WITH THE LIMITED INFORMATION TO SECOND GUESS WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED INVOLVING OTHER ENTITIES? MOST OF THESE CASES IT DIDN'T INVOLVE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIFICALLY, BUT BECAUSE OF THE THREE WRITINGS THAT WOULD COME TO ME AND I WILL TELL YOU REGRETFULLY AND THAT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT GEORGE FLOYD DESERVES THIS PARDON.
THERE IS NO DOUBT. I'M GLAD THAT IN THOSE TIMES WHEN I HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT DOING SO, THAT TODAY I DO NOT. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. AS YOU KNOW THE D.A. HAS WRITTEN HUNDREDS OF LETTERS TO TRY TO FIND PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN CASES WHERE ONLY THE TESTIMONY OF THIS ONE OFFICER WAS INVOLVED. LOOK, I TAKE THE BLAME FOR WRITING THE STATUTE. IT SHOWS HOW IT CAN BE AN INEXACT SCIENCE. I AM NOT SURE THAT IN THIS CASE MR. FLOYD OR HIS ESTATE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY COMPENSATION. MY STAFF TOLD ME WHEN WE WROTE IT THAT I THINK WE COUNTED TIME IN STATE JAIL AND AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAME UP -- I WILL THINK OF THE PERSON'S NAME. IT USED TO HAVE TO HAVE A D.A.
SAY ACTUAL INNOCENCE. AND THERE WERE CASES WHERE THE COURT WOULDN'T DO IT. THE JUDGE WOULDN'T SAY IT, BUT THERE WAS ONE CASE WHERE IT WAS IN THE RECORD AND THEY WOULD SAY ACTUAL INNOCENCE. YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT MAYBE NEXT SESSION WE MAY TRY TO CLEAN UP THE STATUTE OUT.
IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT ANYBODY COULD GET COMPENSATION FOR TIME SERVED IN A COUNTY FACILITY.
GOVERNOR ABBOTT WAS THERE WHEN IT CAME UP.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DID A RULING AND THEY WOULDN'T PASS THE STATUTE OUT -- STATUTE, BUT THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS
ON THIS. >> YES, MA'AM, WE DO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE THE SPEAKERS.
>> ALLISON MATHIS WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.
I AM THE PUBLIC PUBLIC DEFENDER WHO DRAFTED THE
[01:05:02]
FILE. I THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR CONSIDERING THIS RESOLUTION TODAY.I JUST WANTED TO BRIEFLY SAY IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION THAT THE REASON WE HAD TO FILE THIS AS A POSTHUMOUS PARDON AS OPPOSED TO A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS IS BECAUSE HE IS DEAD.
THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN GET ANY KIND OF RELIEF OR CORRECT THE RECORD AS FAR AS MR. FLOYD IS CONCERNED.
THIS IS REALLY NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE.
NO MATTER HOW YOU FEMENT ABOUT HIS LIFE -- HOW YOU FELT ABOUT HIS LIFE OR DEATH. MR. FLOYD DOES NOT DESERVE THIS STAIN AND THE TAINT OF A WRONGFUL CONVICTION ON HIS RECORD. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO HE WAS.
ALL THAT MATTERS IS THIS WAS A WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND HE DESERVED TO HAVE THE RECORD RIGHTED.
AND SO DOES HIS FAMILY. THAT'S WHY WE ARE ASKING THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO GET BEHIND THIS TODAY.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR MEETING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE QUICK QUESTION, JUDGE.
MS. MATHIS, I KNOW THAT THE RECORDS SHOWS THAT THE D.A.'S OFFICE TRIED TO REACH MR. FLOYD.
I THINK IT WAS IN MARCH OF 2019 MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE HIS DEATH. IT WAS TO ALERT HIM OF THE GOINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION. ARE THERE OTHERS, OTHER PEOPLE, WHO GOT THE LETTERS. MAYBE THEY WOULD NOT KNOW THAT THE ADDRESS CHANGED. ARE THERE OTHERS AS WELL.
>> ABSOLUTELY. PART OF THE WAR ON DRUGS AND THE STAIN OF FELONY CONVICTIONS MAKES IT HARD TO GET AN APARTMENT OR STAY IN ONE PLACE TO KEEP A JOB.
PEOPLE WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS THAT WERE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED ON THE TESTIMONY AND THE OF A -- AFFIDAVITS THAT WERE PROVIDED BY THE OFFICER HAVE TO MOVE AROUND AND IT IS HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF WHERE THEY ARE.
WE KNOW THEY SENT OUTLETTERS AND WE HAVE HAD OUR INVESTIGATOR TRY TO FIND SOME OF THE PEOPLE WE THINK WHOSE CASES WERE MOST EGREGIOUS AND WE FOUND SOME OF THEM.
SOME OF THEM JUST KIND OF ARE LOST TO THE WIND.
IT IS A BIG SHAME. WE DO HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEEDED ON MR. FLOYD CASE NOW.
AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO UN-- UNDO A GOOD NUMBER OF THESE MOVING FORWARD. RODRIGUEZ
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A SEPARATE ISSUE, BUT HOPE YOU COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL. I READ ABOUT CALIFORNIA STARTING A HOLOCAUST REGISTRY, AS AN EXAMPLE AND THEY PUT ALL OF THE NAMES ONLINE OF PEOPLE WHO HAD INSURANCE POLICIES.
THINK OF FUNDING THE EFFORT BECAUSE I ASSUME THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF LETTER THAT'S WENT OUT AND WE NEVER ASKED FOR A REPORT ON THOSE WHO RESPONDED. I ASSUME IT IS REWARDING TO
WORK ON A CASE LIKE THIS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND I WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR OFFICE ABOUT THAT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,
MS. MATHIS. >> SHERADON TATE WITH THE GEORGE FLOYD FOUNDATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM SHARITA TATE.
I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGE FLOYD FOUNDATION, AND I AM A FAMILY MEMBER. I AM HIS FIRST COUSIN WHO WAS RAISED ALONG WITH HIM IN THE THIRD WARD AREA.
AND I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE NOW TO RIGHT THE WRONG THAT OCCURRED IN THIS WROJFUL -- WRONGFUL CONVICTION. I THINK HE DESERVES HIS PARDON THAT HE DID NOT COMMIT THAT CRIME AND IT SHOULD BE REPRESENTED. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THE TIME TO LET YOU KNOW I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR THE GRACE AND DIGNITY WHICH YOU CARRIED YOURSELVES IN THIS TRAGEDY. YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR HIS LEGACY AND THE WORK YOU ARE DOING WITH THE FOUNDATION. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME
[01:10:04]
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ANGELA HAMILTON WITH NOTHING BUT NET. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
I THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
IT IS -- JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION ABOUT MYSELF, FIVE DAYS AFTER GEORGE WAS MURDERED WE SHARE GREAT, GREAT-GRANDPARE.
THIS WHOLE THING TOOK ON A NEW LEVEL.
SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.
I LIVE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND I AM A NATIVE TEXAN.
AND I AM A MODERATOR OF OTHER EXTENDED AND CLOSE RELATIVES.
AS A DAUGHTER OF CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT, I GIVE MY FULL SUPPORT OF THE PARDON OF HIM. THERE WAS A LOT HE HAS DONE FROM THE THINGS I LEARNED WITH OTHERS THAT MIRROR HIM AND HIS LIFE THAT HE HAS DONE FOR MANY, MANY PEOPLE THAT WAS NOT EVEN CELEBRATED AND WAS UNSEEN.
THEY JUST DIDN'T KNOW. THE OTHER PIECE TO THAT IS STATISTICALLY, SENTENCING HAS BEEN HARSHER FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR THAN THOSE OF OUR WHITE COUNTER PARTS AND SO FORTH FOR IDENTICAL CRIMES. I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO USHER IN PROMISING CHANGE AND FAIRNESS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND IT WILL FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AND EVERYTHING I LEARNED IN THIS PROCESS AND I AM ALSO WE LATING IT BACK TO THE FAMILY.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, MS. HAMILTON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MY PLEASURE. >> CARL DAVIS WITH JACK YATES NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS.
COUNTY JUDGE AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS ASSEMBLED TODAY. I AM CARL DAVIS AND I AM REPRESENTING AN ALUMNI FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL.
I AM CALLING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION TO PARDON GEORGE FLOYD. GEORGE FLOYD WAS A PROUD ALUMNI OF A GREAT INSTITUTION. HE EXCELLED IN SPORTS, FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL. AND ALSO PLAYED IN THE FINALS WHEN THE PROUD ALUMNI TOOK PLACE, HE WAS ONE OF THE STAR PLAYERS IN THAT TIME. NOW IT IS TIME THAT HE -- WE CAN RIGHT A WRONG. SO MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE SUFFERED INJUSTICE. I THINK THAT WITH THIS RESOLUTION BEING PUT FORTH BY THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND LEAD BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THOSE WHO FIT WITHIN OUR HOPE, I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN A FAN -- UNANIMOUS VOTE IN THIS RESOLUTION AND BE THE BEACON LIGHT FOR OTHERS IN THIS TO RIGHT A WRONG. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I THROW MY SUPPORT FOR THIS RESOLUTION TO PARDON GEORGE
FLOYD. >> LINA HIDALGO: PLEASE STAY ON THE LINE. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING , MR. DAVIS.
I MISSYING YOU. IT IS GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE THIS MORNING. THIS IS KAY DEL.
THIS IS CAGLE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. AS THE PANDEMIC GETS PAST THAT, I'M SURE YOU WILL SEE ME AROUND AGAIN.
I HOPE THIS HELPS PASS THE PARDON OF GEORGE FLOYD.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CALLING AND SHARING YOUR
VOICE, BROTHER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR AWHILE AND I CALLED SO I COULD SEE HIM.
I WAS HEADED OVER AND THEY TOLD ME HE CHECKED OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE BACK IN
APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND CONGRATULATIONSES ON YOUR
[01:15:02]
>> TARA BROWN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> YES, HI. I JUST WANT TO SAY FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO SHARE IN THIS. I THINK THAT THIS IS A PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THE MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE IN GEORGE'S CASE. I WAS RAISED WITH HIM AND I KNOW THE PERSON HE WAS. HIS MOTHER AND MY MOTHER ARE SISTERS. AND SO WE WERE PRETTY MUCH RAISED IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD. WE WERE RAISED AS SIBLINGS.
I AM AWARE OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE COMMUNITY AND I AM AWARE THAT SOMETIMES GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE. I KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. ESPECIALLY WITH THE LEGACY THAT GEORGE IS NOW -- HAS NOW BECOME.
IT IS A CATALYST FOR THE SOCIAL JUSTICE CHANGE AND JUST EXPOSING SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED AS A MISCARRIAGE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
SO I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS PARDON.
I AM HOPEFUL THAT THIS WILL BE PUSHED FORWARD SO WE CAN CELEBRATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I REACHED OUT TO FRIENDS IN THE TEXAS HOUSE AND THE TEXAS SENATE. IF THERE IS TIME I ASSUME THERE IS SUPPORT COMING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE WE -- AND WE CERTAINLY KNOW HIS NAME.
>> I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THIS.
>> THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
THANK YOU. >> BISHOP JAMES DIXON WITH NAACP. PLEASE GO AHEAD, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING. I WANT TO SPEAK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. ONE OF THE POLITICAL ACTIVE ITEMS IS SUPPORTING A RESOLUTION IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT IS ON THE COURT RIGHT NOW , SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR THE POSTHUMOUS PARDONING OF GEORGE FLOYD WHO WAS CHARGED WITH A DRUG CHARGE YEARS AGO AND A CASE INVESTIGATED ON DISGRACED INVESTIGATOR GOINS.
I AM STANDING WITH THE INDIVIDUALS WHO CALLED AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE IN SUPPORT OF PASSING THIS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT RIGHT NOW IN HARRIS COUNTY TO COMPLETELY CLEAR GEORGE FLOYD RECORD.
WE CAN'T BRING HIM BACK, BUT THE DEATH GEORGE FLOYD EXPERIENCED REPRESENTS TO US MODERN DAY LYNCHING AND OPPRESSION. THANK GOD PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER AND SAID NO MORE OF THAT. GEORGE FLOYD IS THE EMBLEM OF WHAT SHOULD END IN AMERICA. I THINK COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS TAKING THE RIGHT STAND TO EXONERATE HIS RECORD POSTHUMOUSLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR TAKING THAT AGGRESSIVE ACTION.
I AM SHARING THAT AT THE SAME TIME ON BEHALF OF HOUSTON METROPOLITAN BAPTIST MINISTER'S CONFERENCE ALONG WITH THE HOUSTON NAACP AS WELL AS ONE FAMILY, ONE FUTURE.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? BISHOP, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND DR. GILBERT AND THE NAACP AND OTHERS.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SAY THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE CONVICTION OF GEORGE FLOYD.
ONE, THERE WAS NO PUBLIC DEFENDER.
HE A COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER. I DOUBT ANY MONEY WAS ASKED FOR TO INVESTIGATE THE CASE. NUMBER TWO, HE SAT IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL FOR 10 MONTHS AND DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO POST BAIL AND OFTENTIMES THE WAY IT WORKS, YOU SIT THERE LONG ENOUGH AND YOU PLEAD TO ANYTHING.
HE PLED GUILTY. THOSE ISSUES ARE STILL GOING TODAY AND I APPRECIATE YOU AND I KNOW YOU WILL BE OUT THERE ACTIVELY MAKING THE CASE TO EXPAND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S
[01:20:02]
OFFICE AND HAVE AN ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND DO DASHBOARDS TO SEE IF PEOPLE ASK FOR MONEY TO DO PEOPLE'S CASES. WE WILL MAKE THIS RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF MR. FLOYD. HOPEFUL LEAL THE STATE WILL GIVE HIM THIS POSTHUMOUS PARDON.SAME THING IN 20034 IN -- 2004 , IN FEBRUARY ARE GOING ON IN
MAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: DON'T JUMP OFF. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS A
COMMENT FOR YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: BISHOP, TOM RAMSEY. APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO AND APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO ON SUNDAY.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO MONDAY TO SATURDAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND CAGLE AS WELL.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
BISHOP, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADING OF THE NAACP AND PROVIDING A VOICE -- AN ELOQUENT VOICE TO SO MANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. YOU AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS OVER DIFFERENT MATTERS.
THIS IS AN AWAKENING FOR US FOR CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAD WITH SO MANY OVER MY YEARS. AND RAISING CONCERN AND ISSUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE VERY MUCH RESEMBLING ALL OF THE THINGS THAT GEORGE WENT THROUGH.
OUR WORK IS NOT DONE. I THINK AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME WE NEED TO RECONVENE AND CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT MORE REFORMS ARE IN FRONT OF US TO SUPPORT JUSTICE AND TRANSPARENCY. AGAIN I WANT TO THANK YOU.
YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE AND YOU HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT -- JUST ASK YOU TO REGULATE BECAUSE WE NEED YOU FOR A LONGTIME, MAN.
THANK YOU, BISHOP. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: BISHOP, EARLIER THERE WAS A RESOLUTION WE PASSED AND I COOPERATE HELP BUT CITE MICAH 6. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US BUT TO DO JUSTICE, LOVE, MERCY AND WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD AND I THANK YOU FOR CALLING US TO DO THAT TODAY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: BISHOP, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO AND YOUR ELOQUENCE. AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED, IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND POWERFUL.
GO AHEAD, LUCINDA. >> YES, MA'AM.
JUAN DICKERSON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> HELLO. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE.
I AM THE CO-FOUNDER -- ONE OF THE CO-FOUNDERS OF 88 CHUMP.
I PRAY THAT THIS PARTY WOULD GET EXERCISED ON HIS BEHALF AND MANY OTHERS. IT HAS PLAGUED THE COMMUNITY FOR YEARS FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM AT THE HANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. NOT ONLY WITH THE KILLING, BUT THE UNJUSTLY PARDON WE ARE FIGHTING FOR RIGHT NOW.
HERE IN HOUSTON TEXAS IT IS SAD THAT WE ARE STILL FIGHTING FOR REPARATIONS ON BEHALF OF YOUNG, BLACK MEN.
AND I PRAY THAT EVERYONE CONTINUES TO FIGHT AND CONTINUES TO GET OUT AND PREACHING AND EVERYONE CAN JUST GET ALONG. MOST IMPORTANTLY THAT WE CAN ALL BE ON ONE ACCORD AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST IN GOD'S EYES. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I MOVE ADOPTION.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I MAY ASK A PERSONAL INDULGENCE FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA IN A MOMENT.
AS MY COLLEAGUES KNOW, I SERVE -- SERVED BEFORE BECOMING A PUBLIC SERVANT HERE ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT AS A JUDGE. JUSTICE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. IN DISCUSSING THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WITH SEVERAL FOLKS THERE WERE TWO QUESTIONS.
WHY BOTHER? THERE ARE 9 CONVICTIONS AND THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE 9 AND WHY SHOULD WE CARE? WHY BOTHER BECAUSE THIS OCCURRED IN 2004.
CAN'T WE JUST MOVE ON? I THINK THAT ONE OF THE CORNER STONES OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY
[01:25:08]
ATTORNEY AND CAUGHT HIM AFTER HOURS AND VISITED WITH ME FOR A FEW MINUTES. CAN WE DO THIS POSTHUMOUSLY.JUDGE, THE WHY BOTHER IS BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT OR IT IS NOT. AND IF IT IS CORRECT, IT'S CORRECT. IF IT IS WRONG IT IS WRONG.
THIS IS A WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND THE D.A. JOINED IN ON THIS AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY JOINED ON THIS AND WE SHOULD JOIN IN ON THIS. THE INDULGENCE I ASK OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, BUT BEING THAT I AM A REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE COURT, IT MAY HELP IF I AM THE ONE WHO MAKES THE SECOND.
I DON'T WANT TO CUT SOMEBODY OUT OF THAT CORNER IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT. IT IS EITHER RIGHT OR NOT.
I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE OTHER EIGHT CAUSES -- CASES.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS ONE.
ON THIS ONE I WOULD BE WILLING TO MAKE A SECOND IF MY
COLLEAGUES WOULD ACCEPT THAT. >> BE HAPPY TO.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT WITH
AND COMMISSIONER, JUST BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WHAT WOULD HELP MORE THAN ANYTHING WHEN THE CASE CAME UP MANY YEARS AGO FROM TEXAS TECH WHAT HELPED MORE THAN ANYTHING IS MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AGREED WITH ME.
WE HAD SOME SIMILAR RESOLUTION AND THEY VOTED FOR IT, BUT THEY ALSO IN THEIR OWN WAY QUIETLY CALLED PEOPLE IN POWER THAT THEY WORK WITH. NOT THE ONES THEY DIDN'T WORK WITH. SO FOR THAT'S WHAT -- WHAT THAT'S WORTH -- THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLE CAN DO IT.
THERE MAY BE PEOPLE ON THE BOARD YOU CAN CALL QUIETLY.
OR IF YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, JUST DO THAT. JUST BASED ON HAVING GONE THROUGH THIS BEFORE WHEN GOVERNOR PERRY THOUGHT HE COULDN'T GRANT A POSTHUMOUS PARDON AND PRESIDENT CLINTON DID IT DISWIES -- TWICE. I THINK WE ASKED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I THINK THEY SAID FIRST YOU CAN DO A POSTHUMOUS PARDON AND THEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DID IT, AND THEN THE AG. IT WAS A BIG DEAL TO GET THE POSTHUMOUS PARDON BACK THEN. IF YOU CAN MAKE THE CALLS THAT WILL BE A BIG DEAL AS WELL AS THE SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR BRINGING THIS. IT IS SO TRAGIC, BUT PART OF DOING HIM JUSTICE IS LIFTING THIS UP.
NOT JUST THE PARDON, BUT THE FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN THESE MISTAKES AND CALLING ATTENTION TO THEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DO THINK WE SHOULD SEE IF THERE ARE RESOURCES FOR OTHERS. MOST FOLKS WHEN YOU ARE IN THAT WORLD I THINK YOU DO CHANGE ADDRESSES QUITE A BIT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY. AND WE HAVE TO WORK SO THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT CERTAINLY THERE NEEDS TO BE A SYSTEM SO THAT IF IT DOES WE CAN RIGHT THE WRONGS.
I THINK IT IS A BRILLIANT IDEA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS NEXT.
WHICH ARE YOU LOOKING AT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE RESOLUTION ITEM 7 -- NUMBER 7.
ANYBODY WHO WEARS A UNIFORM IS SERVING US IN SO MANY WAYS.
PAST DISCUSSIONS ASIDE, THERE ARE THOSE WHO YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR BECAUSE THEY STEPPED IN WITH A PROMISE AND A HOPE TO CONTRIBUTE AND DIDN'T GET TO CARRY OUT A FULL CAREER LIKE I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE AND SO MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD WE WERE
[01:30:04]
AT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL CEREMONY.IT WAS VERY ON POINT WITH THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES OF SO MANY. ON MANY OF THOSE OCCASIONS OF THE NAMES THAT WERE READ WHETHER FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEY WERE TAKEN FROM US VIOLENTLY.
IT IS PEOPLE THAT MOST OTHERS RUN FROM.
AND THIS PAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN PAINFUL ALL THE WAY AROUND.
ESPECIALLY AMONG OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
THEY KNEW THEY HAD TO KEEP THEM OUT AND THEY KNEW THEY HAD TO BE THERE AND TO KEEP US MOVING FORWARD.
AND YET ANOTHER YOUNG LIFE WAS TAKEN BY THIS HOUR -- HORRIBLE VIRUS AND SO I JUST WANT TO UH PLOWED YOU, JUDGE FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE. YOU WORKED TIRELESSLY TO DO WHAT CAN BE DONE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR COUNCIL AND YOUR DIRECTION TO SAVE LIVES.
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED.
UNFORTUNATELY WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SAVE THIS ONE.
THIS ONE IS THAT OF ALEX -- ALEXANDER GOSH.
HE WAS A 34-YEAR VETERAN OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I KNOW HE WAS HOPEFUL AND PRAYING THAT HIS SON WOULD HAVE A CAREER AND LINK AS WELL.
THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS AFTER A GREAT BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19 DEPUTY ALEXANDER GOSH PASSED AWAY 2021.
WHEREAS ALEXANDER GOSH FROM CYPRESS, TEXAS WAS BORN ON JANUARY 9TH, 1989. TO CHRIS AND SARA.
ALEX WAS A 2007 GRADUATE AND ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY WHERE HE GRADUATED WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE. PURSUING HIS LOVE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT HE JOINED THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN 2012. HE WAS ASSIGNED AS A DEPUTY WHERE HE WAS INVOLVED IN HIGH-WATER RESCUE AND SPECIAL RESPONSE GROUPS AND THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF OWES -- SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS MOURNING THE DEATH OF HIS MEMORY.
HE WAS 32 AND A 9-YEAR VETERAN FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SHERIFF GONZALEZ SAID WE ARE DEVASTATED AND SADDENED BY ANOTHER LOSS OF LIFE AND REMINDED OF THE DANGERS OF THIS TERRIBLE VIRUS.
HE HAD A SERVANT'S HEART. HE CAME FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY. HIS FATHER IS A RETIRED SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPUTY. HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS AHEAD OF HIM. HIS FATHER RETIRED LAST YEAR AFTER SPENDING 34 YEARS WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
AND HE WAS HUNTING AND FISHING AND PARTICIPATED IN HERO RUNS AND THE SPAR 10 RACE AND WHEREAS ALEXANDER IS SURVIVED BY HIS PARENTS, CHRIS AND SARA AND HIS SISTER KATHERINE.
HIS GRANDMOTHERS AND MARGARET AND THE THIRD INSTRUMENT AS WELL AS NUMEROUS AND UNCLES AND COUSINS.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT HONORS THE LIFE OF DEPUTY ALEXANDER GOSH AND THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. GOD BLESS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE LINE?
>> YES, WE DO. CHRIS GUSH, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
[01:35:02]
>> FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COURT FOR RECOGNIZING MY SON. HE WAS DEDICATED TO HIS JOB.
HE WOULD SHARE HIS STORIES WHEN HE CAME HOME FROM WORK AND WE ARE GOING TO MISS THAT.
ALEX ALSO LEFT US A LETTER AND WE -- HE LEFT EVERYONE A LETTER AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ THAT.
BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD. AND THEN HE ADDRESSED HIS FAMILY. TO MY FAMILY IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART AS I WERE -- AS I WRITE THIS LETTER.
I SOLEMNLY HOPE IT IS NEVER READ.
I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FROM MY CHILDREN AND MY BLUE FAMILY. DO NOT CRY FOR I AM WITH THE LORD'S EMBRACE AND MY STRUGGLE IS OVER.
TO MY BLUE FAMILY, KNOW I STAND WITH YOU AND I AM STILL BY YOUR SIDE EVERY TIME YOU GO TO A CALL OR BREECH A DOOR OR SAVE A. I AM WITH YOU AND I WILL GIVE YOU MY STRENGTH. TO MY MOTHER AND FATHER, I KNOW I HAVE BEEN A PAIN, BUT I KNOW YOU LOVE ME UNCONDITIONALLY. MY ONLY HOPE IS YOU ARE PROUD OF ME. TO MY SISTER, YOU JOINED THE BLUE FAMILY IN SPITE OF ME TRYING TO STOP YOU.
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AND DON'T LET ANYONE STAND IN YOUR WAY.
IN SO MANY WAYS YOU ARE STRONGER THAN I CAN BE.
TO MY CHILDREN, YOU HAVE HELPED ME TO BECOME THE MAN I HAVE BECOME. YOU HAVE SEEN SIDES OF ME NO ONE ELSE HAS SEEN AND I AM PROUD TO CALL YOU MY FAMILY.
IT IS MY WISH FOR EVERYONE TO STAND TALL AND FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. I KNOW IT IS A LONG AND WEARY FIGHT, BUT YOU ARE STRONG AND CAN HANDLE ANY AND ALL THINGS. DO NOT CRY FOR ME.
HONOR MY MEMORY AND FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.
I WILL SEE YOU ALL AGAIN ONE DAY.
UNTIL THEN, HOLD THE LINE. LOVE ALEXANDER DAVID GUSH, BADGE NUMBER 2809. UNIT 45, DAVID 21.
AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COURT AND HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EVERYTHING TO HONOR MY SON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR TO MEET YOU LAST WEEK. YOUR SON SETS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE. I CAN TELL WHAT KIND OF A PERSON HE WAS FROM THE LETTERS , THE WORDS IN THE LETTERS AND THE FACT HE DECIDED TO DEDICATE HIS LIFE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR RAISING AN IN -- INCREDIBLE MAN.
I AM HONORED TO KNOW YOU ALL AND YOUR SON'S FAMILY.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, THANK YOU. CHRIS, FIRST OF ALL, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT HELPS TO SOFTEN THE PAIN NO DOUBT YOU FEEL THAT WE DO THE BEST TO RAISE OUR KIDS THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY AND THE BEST POSSIBLE EXAMPLE. WE ARE ALWAYS STRIVING FOR THEM TO DO BETTER THAN US. CHRIS, THAT LETTER REALLY INDICATES THAT YOU RAISED A GREAT MAN.
ALTHOUGH HE CITED MATTHEW, I THINK SECOND TIMOTHY 4:7 IS AN APPROPRIATE ONE. BECAUSE THAT LETTER INDICATES THAT HE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AND HE FINISHED HIS RACE AND WITHOUT A DOUBT HE KEPT THE FAITH.
GOD BLESS YOU, CHRIS AND YOUR FAMILY.
AND I KNOW WE WILL NEVER FORGET IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER
CAGLE. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THAT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS. HE IS A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. I COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE PROUD IF I WAS A FATHER THAN TO HEAR MY SON SAY WHAT
[01:40:02]
HE DID. TO QUOTE MATTHEW AS A CALLING AND TO BE A PEACE MAKER, WHAT A LEGACY FOR THE BLUE.WHAT A LEGACY IN LEADERSHIP AND SO WE WILL REMEMBER HIM AND REFERENCE HIM AGAIN WHEN WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS IN THE FUTURE KNOW YOUR SON DID WELL.
AND KNOW YOU AS A FATHER DID WELL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? SCRAK JACK IN A FEW MOMENTS --
>> R. JACK CAGLE: IN A FEW MOMENTS WE WILL VOTE ON RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND THE OFFICERS WHO FELL IN THE LINE OF DUTY LAST YEAR.
AND I KNOW THIS IS TENDER, BUT WE WILL HONOR THIS DEPUTY NEXT YEAR WHEN WE DO THIS AGAIN. PHILOSOPHERS DEBATED WHAT IS BETTER AND WHAT IS WORSE. FATHERS SHOULD NOT BURY THEIR SONS. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS A BEAUTY THAT IS THERE WHEN YOU ARE ABLE AS AN OLDER MAN TO REST YOUR HEAD KNOWING YOUR SONS LIVED HONORABLY IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY. I THINK BOTH OF THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR BOTH THE FATHER AND THE SON AND BOTH OF THEIR SERVICES IN THIS SITUATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE END.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND WHAT A WONDERFUL FAMILY. WE ALL SHARE THE PAIN THEY FEEL. THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER
SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? >> NO, MA'AM, WE DO NOT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? OR COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I'M SORRY.
HAVE YOU ONE MORE RESOLUTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE, THANK YOU. EXCUSE ME, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND I HAVE ONE MORE RESOLUTION AND THIS GENTLEMAN TOO WAS A GIANT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I HEARD OF HIS PASSING AND BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HE HAS DONE AND HIS WALK OF LIFE AND HIS FEROCIOUS TENACITY TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER AND FIGHT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO VOICE THIS RESOLUTION IS A HUGE HONOR FOR ME TO PRESENT. WE DO HAVE THE SPOUSE OF THIS GENTLEMAN THAT WILL BE ACCEPTING THIS AND IN SHORT ORDER IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW RICK, THEN YOU MISSED AN EXPERIENCE AND YOU MISS THE EXPERIENCE OF KNOWING HIM AS A PERSON AND YOU MISS THE PERSONS AND MISS AN UNQUENCHABLE FIRE THAT HE HAD AND HE ALWAYS HAD SOMETHING IN THE FOREFRONT OF HIS MIND THAT HE SAW THAT WAS RIGHT AND IT NEEDED ATTENTION.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING TO HIM AND WORKING WITH HIM ON MANY OCCASIONS OVER MY YEARS. AND RECOGNIZE THAT ALTHOUGH HE HELD NO GOVERNMENT OFFICE HE WAS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND HE DID SO MUCH FOR SO MANY. IN THIS RESOLUTION, IT RECOGNIZE -- RECOGNIZES A YOUNG MAN THAT WAS BORN IN LAW RARE DOUGH -- LAREDO, TEXAS IN 1948.
HS FAMILY MOVED -- HIS FAMILY MOVED TO CORPUS CHRISTIE WHERE HE GRADUATED FROM MILLER HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN WENT ON TO ACHIEVE HIS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN BUSINESS IN KINGSVILLE, TEXAS. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS TWO SONS.
[01:45:06]
ONE OF THEM IS NAVY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER RICHARD JASON AND MICHAEL ALONG WITH HIS WIFE OF 27 YEARS.LISA ALCANTAR. HE IS A GRADUATE OF THE COLLEGE OF LAW. AND IN 1981 HE WAS LICENSED AS AN ATTORNEY AND ENJOYED 40 YEARS OF PRACTICE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. AND THEN HE JUST GAVE HIMSELF ENTIRELY 100% WAS INVESTED IN THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS. IT IS THE LARGEST CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN AMERICA AND WHILE IN WORK -- WORKING AND CONTRIBUTING YOU VOLUNTEER AND HE DID IT WITH A PASSION.
AND ULTIMATELY HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF HIS COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT OF BLUE LIGHT DISTRICT 8, THE NATIONAL OTHER LEAL COUNCIL -- LEGAL COUNCIL AND AT THE CONVENTION IN DALLAS HE WAS ELECTED THE 46TH NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION AND, GET THIS , HE -- HIS SERVICE IS UNIQUE. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON TO SERVE TWO TERMS , BUT RICK SERVED THREE TERMS AND SERVED FROM 1998 TO 2002 AND WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND GEORGE W BUSH.
AND AGAIN, HE DID SO MUCH. THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS WE JOIN THE LEAGUE OF LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS AND MOURNING THE DEATH OFENEN RE-- OF ENRIQUE "RICK" DOVALINA.
HE WAS THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF BLUE LIFE.
HE WAS AN ENACTED CIVIL RIGHTS AGO TAU VET -- ADVOCATE AND SERVED AS THE LEGAL COUNCIL IN HIS 40-YEAR MEMBERSHIP IN THE LEAGUE. BRINGING ABOUT POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE. WHEREAS WHILE PRESIDENT RICK PUBLISHED THE BLUE RIGHTS CIVIL LIGHTS AND PROMOTED THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A PRESENCE IN EACH STATE CAPITAL AS A LOBBYING FORCE, HE WORKED WITH PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH ON MANY CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES AND LATER STOOD IN SOLIDARITY WITH PUERTO RICO IN THEIR STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS.
AND WHEREAS RICK WAS KNOWN BY COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS FOR HIS BIG HEART IT WARRANTED INTAU ELECT AND A UNIQUE WAY OF UNDERSTANDING THE PLIGHT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE AND SHARING WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP.
WHEREAS HE ALSO SPENT DECADES WORKING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF HISPANICS IN THE COMMUNITY BY SERVING AS A BOARD MEMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION ON CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND SET JOBS FOR PROGRESS, MAKING SURE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF LATINO LEADERS HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE. WHEREAS RICK IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, LISA AND HIS CHILDREN RICHARD AND MICHAEL.
HE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED BY HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND ACROSS THE U.S. AND PUERTO RICO.
IT IS RICK AND HIS SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. GOD BLESS YOU, RICK AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE.
HE SACRIFICES -- SACRIFICED SO MUCH AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO
[01:50:04]
>> I WORKED WITH A CONGRESSMAN AND AT THE MOMENT'S NOTICE HE WOULD SHOULD UP. I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT
FORWARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA IS
MRS. DOVALINA ON THE LINE? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HONORING MY HUSBAND.
WHEN HE WAS IN THE ROOM YOU KNEW HIS PRESENCE WAS THERE.
THANK YOU. >> GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY, LISA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE OF YOUR HUSBAND.
I GOT TO KNOW HIM AND IT WAS KNOWN AS MABA AND HISBA.
THE RESOLUTION THAT I APPRECIATE IS THE REFERENCE OF A UNIQUE WAY OF UNDERSTANDING.
THAT'S SO APPROPRIATE. THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE THAT YOUR HUSBAND HAS RENDERED TO OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
WE DO MANY THINGS AS COMMISSIONERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF HARRIS COUNTY.
AND A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I GET A PHONE CALL FROM DR. HOLLOWAY.
SHE SAID, COMMISSIONER, I NEED YOU TO COME OVER AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO COME OVER AND GIVE THE KEYS TO A NEW HOME. I'LL WORK THAT IN AND FIGURE IT OUT. THAT WAS THE BIGGEST DEAL I HAVE SEEN HAPPEN SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON COURT.
WHAT A WONDERFUL THING OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT DOES. I THINK IF WE DON'T PAUSE AND TAKE A MINUTE AND SEE THE DIRECT IMPACT WE ARE HAVING ON PEOPLE'S LIVES, I GOT THERE EARLY AND I MET BILL AND SUSAN HARRISON. BILL HARRISON WAS AT STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL WHEN THEY WON STATE IN 1978.
HIS WIFE, SUSAN, WAS AN ART TEACHER FOR MANY YEARS.
SHE GAVE US A PICTURE I NOW HAVE FRAMED IN THE OFFICE.
THE STATE OF TEXAS AS ONLY AN ART TEACHER CAN DO IT.
AND JUST THEIR HEART AND THEIR LEVEL OF APPRECIATION AND IT WAS FLOODED MANY TIMES. THEY -- WERE IN -- WERE IT NOT FOR THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE FACT THAT WE INITIATED, WE WORKED WITH THEM AND THEY ARE IN A BEAUTIFUL TWO-BEDROOM HOME ON THE LOT THAT HAS FLOODED MANY TIMES. THIS IS A TWO AND A HALF FEET. IT LOOKS LIKE A BEACH HOUSE IN GALVESTON, BUT IT IS SO WELL DONE.
THE LATTICE WORK AROUND THE FOUNDATION AND AROUND THE HOUSE, IT CAN NEVER FLOOD AGAIN.
THEY ARE LIVING ON A LOT THAT IS HOME TO THEM AND BEEN HOME TO THEM AS THEY SIT ON THEIR BACK PORCH AND LOOK AT THE TREES AND THEY THINK ABOUT THEIR LIFE.
I WANTED TO BE SURE AND CALL ATTENTION TO THAT AND THIS RESOLUTION GOES AS, WHEREAS DURING HURRICANE HARVEY WILLIAM AND SUSAN GARRISON'S HOME ENCOURAGED SUBSTANTIAL PAYMENTS FROM THE STORM'S SUBSEQUENT FLOODING.
MRS. GARRISON AND MR. GARRISON WERE IN NEED TO RECOVER FROM THEIR DEVASTATING LOSS. THEY ARE PARTNERING WITH THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE AS PART OF THE PROJECT RECOVERY HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. IT BENEFITS THROUGH FUNDING AND THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS GRANTED TO THE GLO. THEY HOPE TO HELP 200
[01:55:04]
HOMEOWNERS LIKE THE GARRISONS THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 30 MILLION IN HURRICANE HARVEY FUNDS. WE THANK WILLIAM AND SUSAN GARRISON FOR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND EXTENDS CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THEM FOR A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE. IN THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED HOME. AID JUDGE, IF WE COULD -->> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF WE COULD, I I WAS MAKING A MOTION ON HIS LIFE. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON THAT BEFORE WE MOVE ON. MOVE FOR THE RESOLUTION.
>> SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HELD UP
THE SECOND, BUT I WILL DEFER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S FINE.
YOU CAN SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION TO CELEBRATE MR. DOVALINA'S WIFE.
>> >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR BRINGING THAT RESOLUTION TO COURT.
ARE THERE SPEAKERS ON THAT ITEM?
>> I DO NOT THINK SO, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO MAKE A VOTE ON THIS U.N. WITH.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER ITEM?
>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH. QUICKLY LET ME RECOGNIZE AN INCREDITED ONLY YOUNG LADY. THE CLASS OF 74 TO RECOGNIZE INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SOMEONE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LET ME ALSO SAY THAT MY THREE CHILDREN HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON. THEY ARE ALL MARRIED TO A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.
I LEARNED TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT MANY DAYS.
IT IS NO SURPRISE TO -- THAT THIS INCREDIBLE YOUNG LADY HAS SOARED TO THE TOP OF THE ACADEMIC AND LADIES COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL WORLD. THE COMMUNITY REALIZED THE LEAD LOCATION ON MANY MORNINGS AND WOKE TO THE SOUND OF DRIBBLING SHOTS OFF THE BACKBOARD AND REALIZED THEIR YOUNG NEIGHBOR WAS AT IT AGAIN.
WHEREAS THE NATIVE HOUSTONIAN INVITED THE MOTTO OF EAGLES EXEMPLIFY EXCELLENCE. SHE NEVER MADE MORE THAN AN "A" ON ANY SUBJECT AND PLAYED ALL FOUR YEARS ON VARSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL. HER 1 THROUGH -- 134-GAME CAREER SAW 2,567 POINTS AND 305 CAREER ASSISTS AND SHE WAS FIRST TEAM ALL DISTRICT ALL FOUR YEARS AND NAMED ALL STATE FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS.
RANKED AS ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP 15-POINT GUARDS IN THE CLASS OF 2018, JOANNE WAS RANKED NUMBER 56 OVERALL BY ESPN. WHEREAS JOANNE KNEW SHE PLAYED -- WANTED TO PLAY COLLEGE BALL REALIZED A GOAL WHEN SHE SIGNED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LONG HORNS IN THE PAL -- FALL OF 2017 AS A JUNIOR JOANNE STARTED ALL 31 GAMES AND IT IS A SECOND HIGHEST AVERAGE IN SCHOOL HISTORY. JOANNE'S TALENT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PROPELLING THE LADY LONG HORNS TO AN ELITE 8 APPEARANCE WITH A TEAM HIGH OF 13.9 POINTS.
WHEREAS SHE WILL GRADUATE EARLY AS A JUNIOR WITH A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE BOASTING A 3.7GPA AND A TWO-TIME ACADEMIC ALL BIG 12 FIRST TEAM HONOREE AND A FOUR-TIME MEMBER OF THE BIG 12 COMMISSIONER'S HONOR ROLE JOANNE WILL FINISH AS A BIG 12 CONFERENCE SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR. BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT EXTENDS BEST WISHES TO JOANNE ALLEN TAYLOR IN THE UPCOMING WNBA DRAFT AND CONGRATULATES THE REMARKABLE YOUNG WOMAN WHO HAS MADE HER MARK AND LEFT BIG FOOTSTEPS FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW HER ON THE COURT.
[02:00:02]
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> JUDGE WE HAVE HER ON THE LINE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. LET'S HEAR FROM HER.
>> JOE -- JOANNE ALLEN TAYLOR.
>> CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD,
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING ME WITH THE RESOLUTION I AM REALLY BLESSED.
IT IS FUNNY BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND MY VILLAGE HAS BEEN SUPPORTED AND IT IS BEHIND ME? EVERY THING I CHOOSE TO PUT MY MIND TO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.
AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING WITH YOU SOON. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR HOMETOWN TO NOT ONLY PLAY BASKETBALL,
BUT DO ENGINEERING. >> THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I DID A YEAR AT SI FALLS.
GO EAGLES. >> WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER ON
THIS ITEM AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> JONATHON UNDERWOOD. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO.
MY NAME IS JONATHON UNDERWOOD AND I AM THE OWNER OF WOOD BASKETBALL ACADEMY. THANK YOU FOR HONORING JOANNE TAYLOR. ONE OF OUR MEMBERS WHO CONTINUES TO EXEMPLIFY THE CORE VALUES OF THE PROGRAM.
JOANNE HAS ACHIEVED MANY ACCOLADES ON AND OFF THE COURT AS WELL AS IN THE CLASSROOMS AND ALWAYS MAKES AND TAKES TIME TO GET BACK TO OUR YOUTH.
ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG GIRLS. SHE GIVES THEM WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND DIRECTION AND IS A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR THEM. I KNEW JOANNE MOST OF HER LIFE. I KNEW SHE WOULD MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON EVERYONE SHE COMES IN CONTACT WITH.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR RECOGNIZING HER AND HER ACHIEVEMENTS. I KNOW SHE IS HUMBLE AND DOESN'T REALIZE ALL SHE HAS DONE, BUT I LOVE -- I LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM HER AND I WAS ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO WAS WOKEN UP TO SEE HER DEDICATION AND HER WILL TO SUCCEED. NOT ONLY ON THE COURT, BUT I AM HUGELY PROUD OF HER FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE CLASSROOM. I KNOW EVEN AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER MAJOR IN COLLEGE SHE STILL HAS NOT MADE LESS THAN AN "A." TO MANAGE THAT AS WELL AS BEING A COLLEGIATE ATHLETE AND A HIGH-LEVEL COLLEGIATE ATHLETE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GO IN THE 2022 DRAFT, WE ARE JUST EXTREMELY PROUD OF HER AND EVERYTHING THAT SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED. WE KNOW THERE IS WAY MORE TO COME. I JUST THINK SHE IS A GREAT INDIVIDUAL THAT I HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONGTIME NO MATTER WHAT OR WHO IS AROUND HER. THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH FOR THIS BLESSING AND THIS HONOR FOR HER AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR I HAVE TWO MOTIONS AND THE FIRST DEALS WITH NATIONAL NURSE'S DAY.
THIS IS A SPECIAL HONOR FOR ME.
MY GRAND MOTHER, GWEN DO LYNN -- GWENDALYN DENT.
WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG SHE HAD FLAMING AUBURN HAIR AND A FIERY TEMPER. WHEN I GO AND SEE MY GRANDMA, MY GRANDPA WOULD WAIVE ME OFF IN THE GARDEN AND SAY YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S IRISH IS UP. WE NEED TO COME OVER HERE.
WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, SHORTLY AFTER WORLD WAR I SHE HAD ENLISTED AND HAD BEEN TRAINED AS A NURSE.
IN THOSE DAYS IF YOU WERE A LADY OF MORALS, AND MY GRANDMOTHER WAS OF STRICT MORALS YOU HAD TO BE TOUGH AS IRON IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH FOLKS IN THE NURSING PROFESSION. NURSES PUT UP WITH A LOT AND THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO STAND IN FRONT AND OFTENTIMES FOLKS HID BEHIND THEIR SKIRT WHEN SOFTNESS HEALED THE COUNTRY.
[02:05:02]
AND MY GRAND -- GRAND MA, WHEN SHE TOUCHED YOU, YOU COULD FEEL THE HEALING IN HER HANDS.HER FAITH WAS UNSHAKEABLE. AND SO IT IS WITH PRIVILEGE WE BRING THIS MOTION. NATIONAL NURSE'S DAY IS ACKNOWLEDGED ON MAY 6TH, AND WHEREAS NATIONAL NURSE'S DAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF NATIONAL NURSING WEEK WHICH WAS FIRST OBSERVED IN THE UNITED STATES IN OCTOBER OF 1954. PROCLAIMED BY PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN IN 1984 TO MARK THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE'S PIONEERING WORK IN THIS ROLE.
WHEREAS AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE WAS DUBBED "THE LADY WITH THE LAMP" BECAUSE OF HER HABIT OF MAKING ROUNDS AT NIGHT.
SHE WAS WELL KNOWN FOR CARING FOR SOLDIERS IN THE CREMEAN WAR. SHE WAS A SOCIAL REFORMER AND STATUS STITION. THANKS TO HER STRICT USE OF HAND WASHING, SHE AND HELPERS REDUCED THE DEATH RATE FROM 42% TO 2%. USHERING THE NURSING PROFESSION WE KNOW TODAY. WHEREAS THE YEAR 2020 WAS DESIGNATED AS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE NURSE AND MIDWIFE WELL BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO HIGHLIGHT THE COMMITMENT OF NURSES TO ALL PATIENTS.
SINCE THAT DESIGNATION, THE NURSING PROFESSION HAS EXPERIENCED THE UNPRECEDENTED, CATASTROPHIC IMPACT OF A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC. HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN CARING FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FOR MORE THAN A YEAR FROM COVID-19 WITH HUMILITY, KINDNESS AND STRENGTH WHICH IS GREATLY APPRECIATED THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DECLARES MAY 6TH, 2021 NATIONAL NURSE'S DAY AND MAY 6TH THROUGH 12TH AS NATIONAL NURSES WEEK. WITH DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO ALL OF THOSE WITH VITAL WORK IN THE HEALTH CARE AND THEIR COMPLA ORDINARY -- EXTRAORDINARY DEDICATION TO KEEP CONSTITUENTS HEALTHY IN AND OUT OF EMERGENCIES.
AND YOUR HONOR, WE HAVE MAUREEN PADILLA WHO IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO RECEIVE THE RESOLUTION.
>> WONDERFUL. LET'S HEAR FROM MS. PADILLA.
>> MS. PADILLA, YOU ARE UNMUTED.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT. I SINCERELY THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THE -- FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF NURSING. THIS LAST YEAR WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING YEAR THAT MOST HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS HAVE EVER FACED. AND IT WAS THE TOUGHEST YEAR I FACED IN MY 32 YEARS OF NURSING.
THE PANDEMIC CREE ALLOTTED -- CREATED SITUATIONS THAT MANY OF US HAVE NEVER SEEN IN OUR CAREERS, BUT AFFORDED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARPEN OUR INNOVATION SKILLS AND FIND NEW WAYS TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE FOR OUR PATIENTS.
PATIENTS ARE HOSPITALIZED BECAUSE THEY NEED SPECIALIZED CARE AND 24-HOUR NURSING CARE.
THEY ARE AT THE BEDSIDE AROUND THE CLOCK AND SPEND THE MOST TIME AT A PATIENT'S SIDE. DESPITE THE UNKNOWN OF THIS COVID VIRUS AND DESPITE THE FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED TO AND TAKE HOME TO LOVED ONES NURSES SHOW UP AND PROVIDE THE CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS NEEDED OF -- NEEDED.
WE ARE IN MIDDLE OF CELEBRATING NATIONAL NURSING WEEK. WE ARE CELEBRATING FLOR -- FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. THIS RESOLUTION IS TIMELY.
THANK YOU FOR THE RES -- FOR THE RECOGNITION AS A RESOLUTION FOR NURSES. I AM HONORED TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM NURSES AND ALL NURSES THAT WORK WORK ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I PROUDLY
MAKE THE MOTION, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. EXPHITIONER CAGLE -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DO YOU HAVE ONE MORE RESOLUTION?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DO, YOUR HONOR.
THIS IS A BITTERSWEET RESOLUTION AND AS WE HONORED THE OFFICER EARLIER TODAY AND WE ARE AWARE OF MIKE KNOX LAST YEAR HAVING LOST HIS SON IN THE LINE OF DUTY, HE WILL ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM WE ARE ABOUT TO RECOGNIZE HERE. JUDGE, WE HAVE JUDGE TED PO AND CONGRESSMAN TED PO ON THE LINE TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION HONORING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK.
THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO PLAYED THE -- PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS.
IN 1962 PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY PROCLAIMED MAY 15TH AT NATIONAL POLICE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY AND DESIGNATED THE WEEK IN WHICH MAY 15TH FALLS AT NATIONAL POLICE WEEK. AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR
[02:10:01]
GREAT NATION ARE HOLDING CEREMONIES TO HONOR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LOU -- LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ARE THEIR TIRELESS DEDICATION AND REMEMBER THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY. AND WHEREAS WE TAKE TIME TO PAUSE AND PAY RESPECTS TO THE 2020 TEXAS FALLEN OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND WHEREAS 75 POLICE OFFICERS FROM THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS HAD THEIR LIVES CUT SHORT IN 2020, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FATALITIES IN THE NATION.WHEREAS THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF THESE 75 OFFICERS , TEXAS OFFICERS WILL BE HONORED DURING THE SEVENTH ANNUAL POLICE MEMORIAL CEREMONY ON THE MORNING OF MAY 17TH, 2021. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY POLICE OFFICERS REFLECTS ON THE SACRIFICE OF THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN ON HARRIS COUNTY AND THE STATE OF TEXAS. WE HAVE JUDGE PO TO RECEIVE THIS RESOLUTION. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT MENTION THAT THIS WAS A PROGRAM THAT JUDGE PO BEGAN BECAUSE IT WAS TOO BIFF -- TOO DIFFICULT FOR FOLKS TO GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR THE NATIONAL DAY.
HE STARTED IT IN TEXAS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
WHEN HE RETIRED FROM CONGRESS, HARRIS COUNTY PICKED UP THE CEREMONY. WE IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE CARRYING FORWARD THE TEXAS VERSION OF THIS.
JUDGE POE WILL BE MODERATING THE CEREMONY WE WILL HAVE ON THE 17TH. AND WITH THAT, JUDGE, I TURN
IT OVER TO JUDGE POE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. COMMISSIONERS' COURT ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE PEACE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THE ONES WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY PROTECTING THE REST OF US I ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET THAT THE PEACE OFFICERS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE A CUT ABOVE THE REST OF US AND PROTECTING AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY, THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND HARRIS COUNTY ESPECIALLY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
BEFORE, JUDGE POE GETS OFF THE LINE, I WANT TO SAY IT IS GREAT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AND STILL REMEMBER YOU AS MY DISTRICT JUDGE AND THE MAN WHO REFUSED TO UNMASK THE LONE RANGER. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE. LOVE YOU AND ALL OF THE BEST.
JUST ENJOY THE MEMORIES WITH JIM AND MARTHA AND HAVING A WONDERFUL DINNER. GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AND
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE REC COG -- RECOGNIZING THE THEIR SACRIFICE AND THE SACRIFICE OF THEIR FAMILY.
I AM IN AWE OF THE WORK THESE FOLKS DO.
WE CAN'T POSSIBLY DO JUSTICE TO WHAT THEY DO, BUT I KNOW THEY DON'T DO IT FOR THE RECOGNITION.
THEY DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL FOR THE RESOLUTIONS. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS TIME FOR A BREAK, BUT I DO WANT TO -- I AM HOPING WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE HERE FOR JAMES' BENEFIT. ON ITEM 247 THE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY FOR ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION THERE IS A TYPO, THE FIFTH CLAUSE SHOULD READS AS FOLLOWS: HAS PARTNERED IN THE TREATING, ASSESSING AND PROTECTING OF ELDER VICTIMS. THE -- IT SHOULD SAY PROTECTING INSTEAD OF PROSECUTING.
JAMES, IF YOU WILL JUST PUT THAT ON THE LIST OF -- FOR US TO VOTE ON WITH EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
SO IT IS 12:15. LET'S TAKE A 15-MINUTE BREAK AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE GOING BACK INTO SESSION.
[Appearances before court]
WE ARE TAKING THE SPEAKERS, LUCINDA.IF YOU WOULD CALL THEM UP. >> YES, MA'AM.
JULIA ORDONA WITH TEXAS HOUSERS.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS JULIA ORDONA.
I AM CALLING ON BEHALF -- I WORK WITH TEXAS HOUSERS.
I AM CALLING TO SUPPORT THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE.
WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONTINUED DISINVESTMENT OF LOW INCOME AND LARGE NATIONALIZED COMMUNITIES -- AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES ON THE EASTSIDE OF HOUSTON DUE TO
[02:15:01]
THE MISUSE OF THE $2.5 BILLION FLOOD BOND.WHILE EXISTING PROJECTS WERE RENT EQUITABLE, IT IS OBVIOUSLY -- OBVIOUS THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK WAS OVER LOOKED WHEN SHIFTED TO THE PROJECT FUNDING.
WE ASK OURSELVES WHY WILLOW CREEK WATER SHED IS FUNDED AT 110% WHILE GREENS BAYOU FUNDING IS 20% OF THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENT. TO TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS REVERSELY, THE FUNDING GAP IN CYPRESS CREEK BAYOU ARE -- [INAUDIBLE]. AND THE FUNDING GAP FOR THE BAYOUS ARE 75 AND 63% RESPECTIVELY.
WE ARE PERPLEXED [INAUDIBLE] FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ALLOCATED THE FUNDS IN SUCH A MANNER AND HOW THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN.
THIS $1.5 BILLION WAS MISUSED TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT WERE NOT ORIGINALLY INCLUDED IN THE SCOPE OF THE SCOPE OF THE FLOOD BOND.
BY SPENDING INAPPROPRIATELY THE COUNTY IS DEPLETING THE COMMUNITY IN THE ONLY THING THAT WILL BENEFIT THEM.
THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT SACRIFICE ZONES.
WE KNOW EVERY DOLLAR SPENT IN LOW INCOME AREAS IS MORE EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING DISASTER IMPACTS THAN DOLLARS SPENT IN MORE AFFLUENT AREAS. [INAUDIBLE] ARE COMING AND WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF EVERY RESIDENT IN THIS COUNTY.
WE ASK THE COMMISSIONERS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE LACK OF FUNDING TO COMPLETE THE FLOOD IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MOST DISINVESTED WATER SHED THAT ARE CONSISTENTLY SHORTCHANGED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
JULIA, THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT TO JOIN US ON THIS MEETING AND REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LENDING YOUR VOICE.
I'M PROUD OF THE PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING, BUT YOUR POINTS ARE STILL IMPORTANT TO BE HEARD.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,
BEN BROADWAY WITH NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO START A TWO-MINUTE 30-SECOND TIMER. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR LETTING ME SPEAK AND JUDGE HIDALGO FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. I AM HERE -- I AM A RESIDENT OF THE NORTHEAST AND I HAVE BEEN HERE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS SINCE 1983. THROUGH HURRICANE ALICIA AND EVERYTHING ELSE. THROUGH RITA, THROUGH THEM ALL, THROUGH HARVEY, THROUGH THEM ALL.
I HAVE BEEN IN THIS AREA AND WE HAVE DRASTICALLY NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS. THEY STARTED THE IMPROVEMENTS AND THEN THEY STOPPED. I AM A VISH ACTUALLY -- VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND PERSON AND I AM TERRIFIED OF WATER COMING IN AND NOT KNOWING WHERE TO GO AND NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO. BECAUSE THE FUNDING WAS PUT SOMEWHERE ELSE. WE NEED TO ASK FOR MR. POPPY AND MATT'S RESIGNATION. WHEN THEY MISPLACED THE FUNDS THEY DRAMATICALLY PUT LIVES IN DANGER.
AND NOW HERE I AM AGAIN FACING ANOTHER HURRICANE SEASON AND IT IS SCARY TO KNOW WHAT IS COMING OUT OF IT? WHAT WILL HAPPEN? WILL I LOSE MY FAMILY MEMBERS? WILL I LOSE MY NEIGHBORS ? WHAT'S NEXT? IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE FUNTDING -- FUNDING FOR THE HALLS WATER SHED AND THE GREENS WATER SHED AND THE HUNTINGTON WATER SHED.
I WANT TO SAY WITH HARVEY A FRIEND OF MINE LOST FAMILY MEMBERS THAT I KNEW AND VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY WERE LOST DURING HARVEY, BUT SOMEONE DECIDED TO PUT THE FUNDING SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I WOULD LIKE THE COURT TO LET ME KNOW OR EVEN JUDGE HIDALGO, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THAT WAS YOUR FAMILY, IF THAT WAS YOUR FRIENDS. GOING DOWN THE WATER.
BEFORE I PURCHASED MY HOME IN 2019 HERE IN THIS AREA -- I
[02:20:08]
SAID 8019, MY HOME FLOODED AND I AM NOT ON A FLOOD PLAIN TELL ME, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN I AM NOT IN A FLOOD PLAIN, BUT MY HOME FLOODED AND THEY ARE USING MONEY TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR.I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR ONE BIT.
AND WE ARE WORKING TO TRY TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND LET THEM KNOW WHERE TO GO. THANK YOU.
GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO THANK MR. BROADWAY AND MR. BEUFORD.
YOU RAISE A GOOD POINT AND AT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN JUNE, FLOOD CONTROL AND THE BUDGET OFFICE WAS TASKED WITH COMING BACK WITH A PLAN TO SHOW THE INEQUITY GUIDELINES.
THEY STARTED IT BEFORE THE FRAMEWORK WAS ADOPTED AND I HAVE TAKEN A POSITION THAT EITHER IT MEANS WE HAVE TO FIND THE FUNDING OR THAT -- THAT WE THOUGHT WAS COMING FROM THE STATE AND IT MAY NOT BE COMING OR WE HAVE TO FIND OTHER COUNTY RESOURCES OR SLOW DOWN SOME PROJECT THAT'S HAVE BEEN STARTED AHEAD OF THOSE IN LOWER INCOME AREAS.
IF IN THE EVENT WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO VOTERS I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE ALWAYS FLOODED AND ALWAYS BEEN NEGLECTED. I WON'T REHASH IT HERE, BUT I HEAR YOU AND I HOPE ALL OF US ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT HEAR YOU. SPH -- I HOPE THEY REALIZE THEY CAN INFLUENCE IN AUSTIN AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN THE RESOLUTIONS. THEY OUGHT TO DO IT QUIETLY OR PUBLICLY. ALL OF US ARE PUSHING TO GET RELIEF. IT IS AN UNUH TENABLE POSITION TO BE IN. I HOPE WE HAVE A SOLUTION AND IF NOT I WILL SLAY STUFF ON THE TABLE TO VOTE ON THAT MAY NOT BE AS WELL THOUGHT OUT. I THINK IT IS JUST INEXPLICABLE TO LEAVE HALLS AND GREENS.
THERE WAS SO MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THEM.
AND THEY ARE VIRTUALLY ALL IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THEY HAVE CHALLENGES WITH INEQUITIES SERVICES OF THE COUNTY I HEAR YOU AND I WILL DO ALL WE CAN AND HOPEFULLY IT HAS THE SUPPORT OF ALL OF US ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE WORKING TO FIND A SOLUTION AND WE ARE AS APPALLED AND READY TO CHANGE THIS. WE ARE WITH YOU AND WORKING TO FIX THIS. WE'LL GET THERE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS TOPIC?
>> NOT ON THIS TOPIC. DO YOU WANT ME TO CONTINUE
WITH THE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TO DISCUSS LINE NUMBER 185, 212184 I GREATLY OPPOSE IT AND I AM DISAPPOINTED IT IS BEING CONSIDERED WHEN IT WOULD GREATLY IMPACT OUR WORKING CLASS HOMEOWNERS.
MY QUESTION TO THE COURT IS WHAT IS THE INCENTIVE FOR INCREASING THE TRUE -- TRUANCY.
WE ARE PENALIZING HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP THEIR HOMES. UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAS AN ASTRONOMICAL IMPACT ON OUR MINORITY COMMUNITIES.
INSTEAD OF INCREASING THE PENALTY, WHAT ABOUT LOOKING INTO BETTER WAYS TO COLLECT FROM THE HOMEOWNER BY ALLOWING EARLY PAYMENT PLANS? WE SHOULDN'T BE TALKING ABOUT INCREASING THE PENALTIES. IT SHOULD BE THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND THE METHOD THEY OBTAIN COLLECTION VENDORS.
THIS IS A DISSERVICE TO OUR HOMEOWNERS AND WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. THAT'S HOW THEY ARE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES IF THEY ARE ABLE TO GET ON COMMON SENSE PAYMENT PLANS. AS AN ADVOCATE AND BLACK FEMALE ATTORNEY I AM CONCERNED THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS NOT
[02:25:04]
ADD -- ADHERENT TO STANDARDS LIKE MY LAW FIRM WHO CAN HANDLE THE COLLECTION PROCESS.I APOLOGIZE THAT I DIDN'T MENTION I AM A LAWYER AND I HAVE A LAW FIRM. THERE ARE FIRMS LIKE MY FIRM WHO CAN HANDLE THE PROCESS FOR THE COUNTY.
HOWEVER, THE LOCAL FIRMS ARE NOT BEING -- THEY ARE NOT GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS.
WE HAVE HAD THE SAME VENDOR FOR 30 YEARS.
THE BEST WAY TO COLLECT ON THE DELINQUENT TACTIONS -- TAXES IS TO INCREASE THE PENALTY. I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER USING LOCAL LAW FIRM, LIKE MY LAW FIRM, TO HANDLE THE COLLECTIONS. USING THE SAME VENDOR WE GET THE SAME RESULTS. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON CONTRACT FOR 30 YEARS WITHOUT HAVING TO REBID GROWING UP I WAS TAUGHT THAT AND THE MONEY IS GOING TO THE VENDORS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE
HIDALGO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> BRIAN BOYD.
GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY, MY DECEASED PARENTS WHO WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM OF OWNING A HOME.
I ASK YOU TO PLEASE NOT ALLOW AN INCREASE IN A DELINQUENCY FEE ON OUR PROPERTY. IT WILL PUT OUR FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES WITH TAX BURDENS IN A BAD SITUATION.
THE ONLY PEOPLE BENEFITING FROM THIS OVER THE YEARS THAT I HAVE SEEN IS SAMPSON. THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE NOT BEING REPRESENTED PROPERLY IN MY OPINION. AND FINALLY IT LANDS IN THE PROPERTY FOR SALE SITE WHICH TO ME IS NOTHING BUT A LAND GRAB AND IT IS IN THE BEST PLACE WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT CAN ALSO INCREASE THE EXPEDITED PROPERTY. IT GIVES THEM NO INCENTIVE TO BE FAIR. JUDGE, JURY, EXECUTIONER.
I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO VOICE MY OPINION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
I DO WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS IS NOT AN INCREASE IN THE FEE. IT IS AS LOW AS WE CAN GET T BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO WORK ON AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS ARE CLEAR THAT IT IS NOT AN INCREASE.
IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO LOWER IT AS MUCH AS WE CAN AT THE CURRENT MOMENT AND WE WILL KEEP WORKING.
>> ELIZABETH MARTIN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH MARTIN AND I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND HAVE SPOKEN OUT ABOUT 185 IN THE PAST. AS A WBE MYSELF I BELIEVE THE COUNTY HAS MOVED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH THEIR NEW PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS FOLLOW THROUGH TO THE TAX COLLECTION SERVICES.
LAST TIME I SPOKE OUT ABOUT THE DEPLORABLE SERVICES BEING OFFERED TO CREATE A SICKLE -- CYCLE OF POVERTY FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND I URGE YOU TO RESEARCH SOME OF THE ILLEGAL AND IMMORAL PRACTICES THE CURRENT COLLECTOR HAS ENGAGED IN. I HOPE YOU DO THAT AND HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW BY NOT COLLECTING TAXES IN A TIMELY MANNER THEY ARE CREATING A SINKING SHIP FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. AND YOU ARE CULPABLE BY NOT STOPPING IT OR AT LEAST ADDRESSING IT.
LOOKING AT THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS WILL HELP SO MANY CONSTITUENTS. HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE WE HAVE HAD ANOTHER IN PLACE. WHERE IS THE COMPETITION TO DO THEIR JOBS CORRECTLY? HOW MANY LAWYERS ARE KNOWN BY THEM? WHY DO WE MAKE THE RICH, RICHER. GET SOME WOMEN AND GET SOME MINORITIES AND GET HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS OUT THERE TO BID ON THIS CONTRACT AND CLEAN UP THE CONTRACT OF DELINQUENT TAXES WE FACE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER AMBER BOYD TRIGGERED SOMETHING WITH ME. SHE SAID TO FOLLOW THE MONEY.
THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TAUGHT. MAYBE WE NEED JOURNALISTS TO COME OUT HERE AND FOLLOW THE MONEY.
WHERE IS ALL OF THE MONEY GOING? I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND I APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO.
I URGE YOU TO LOOK AT EXPANDING THIS.
LOOK AT THE PRO -- PROCUREMENT.
[02:30:02]
THERE ARE SO MANY COMPANIES THAT DESERVE A CHANCE AND WE CANNOT KEEP FUNNELING OUR MONEY INTO MONOPOLIES.THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU WANT ME TO KEEP THE SPEAKER ON THE
LINE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAD A QUICK QUESTION ON SOME OF OUR CONTRACTS THAT WE HAD VOTED TO BRING IN HOUSE. SOME OF THE CONTRACTS WE VOTED TO LEAVE WITH THE PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.
I'M ASSUMING THIS IS STILL WITH THE PRIVATE CONTRACTOR? THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR OUR ATTORNEY OR FOR JAY.
WE CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT DETAILS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE HAVE BEEN TALK TALKING WITH -- TALKING WITH OUR VENDOR AND OUR INTENTION IS TO REMAIN WITH THE VENDOR FOR THE TIME BEING. UNDER A MODIFIED ARRANGEMENT.
WE ARE HAPPY TO GIVE YOU THE DETAILS.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: JACK I WILL BE HAPPY TO RESERVE FOR LATE
YOU ARE -- LATER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF I MIGHT? I MAY ASK MR. BERRY WHO HAS SIGNED UP ON THIS MATTER. OBVIOUSLY IN TERMS OF THE CONTRACT WE CAN TALK ABOUT THEM IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND MAKE THEM PUBLIC AT SOME POINT.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION WHICH I ASSUME YOU KNOW, STATE LAW IN TEXAS IS FAIRLY UNIQUE.
PROBABLY IN THE 80S, A LAW WAS PASSED IN TEXAS SO ONLY IF A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY SIB -- SUB CONTRACTED THE TAX COLLECTION TO A FIRM YOU CAN GET UP TO 15% THEY CAN ADD A 15% PENALTY ON IT. BACK WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL MAYOR KATHY WHITMEYER READ THE LAW AND WAS SOMEWHAT OFFENDED BY IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SPLIT WAS. AND THEN A GOVERNMENT -- THE POINT IS IT IS A VENDOR BILL. I THINK THIS COURT WENT ON RECORD ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE IT, SO AT LEAST IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A HIGH FEE, A PENALTY, TO COLLECT TAXES WE CAN DO IT AS WELL. AT LEAST WE WOULD SPEND THE MONEY ON SOME GOVERNMENTAL SERVICE.
FOR 30 YEARS HARRIS COUNTY HAS SUB CONTRACTED THIS OUT TO THE SAME FIRM. THE COURT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO OR SO ASKED FOR THE TOLL ROAD COLLECTIONS IN HOUSE.
SO FAR WITH THE TOLL ROAD DOING THEIR OWN COLLECTIONS, THE NUMBERS ARE UP. I GOOD -- I GOT IT SOMEWHERE IN MY NOTES WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GOBBLE THE FOOD DOWN.
IT, WOULDED FAIRLY WELL TO HAVE MOVED IT IN HOUSE.
THE LAUPER MITTS AN -- THE LAW PERMITS AN ADDITIONAL 20% TACKED ON. THE LAW TAX ON ANOTHER 20% AND HARRIS COUNTY HAD A BILL PUT IN WHICH HAD A HEARING TO CAP THAT AT 50% STATEWIDE. WE MOVE THIS TO REDUCE THE FEE TO 15% -- 15% ADDITIONAL PENALTIES THAT THE PRIVATE FIRM GETS AND WE TRIED TO MAKE THAT STATEWIDE.
IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS AND IF YOU GIVE ME A SECOND I WILL MOVE IT TO 10% WHEN THIS ITEM COMES UP TODAY.
BUT IF THAT IS NOT GONE PHO HAPPEN -- NOT GONNA HAPPEN, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS DONE THE BEST THEY COULD ON NEGOTIATING AN AGREEMENT.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ITEMS WE WILL WALK THROUGH THAT WILL BE PUBLIC. ONE ITEM THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IS THE MWBE GOAL. I'M GONNA MAKE THE MOTION.
IT OUGHT TO BE BROUGHT IN HOUSE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE LATE THIS YEAR WHO NEVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE LATE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS A VENDOR BILL.
PEOPLE MAKE MONEY AND THEY KEEP THAT LAW FROM BEING CHANGED IN TEXAS. CAN YOU KIND OF WALK US
[02:35:02]
THROUGH -- WHATEVER WE SAY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHEN THIS IS VOTED ON IT WILL BE PUBLIC ANYWAY.WHERE ARE WE NOW AND WALK US THROUGH WHATEVER IT IS JUST IN CASE MY MEMORY DOESN'T SERVE ME CORRECT.
I THINK IT IS A 43, 45% PENALTY ADDED ON AND THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS NOW, THE VENDOR ONLY MAKES MONEY IF YOU ARE LATE. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO NOT INCENTIVIZE THEM? WALK US THROUGH THAT.
THAT WE WILL HAVE TO DO IN PUBLIC AT SOME POINT.
WE WILL DO IT NOW SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SIGNED UP, JUDGE, IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT ARE YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I HATE BEING KIND OF NOT SUPER CLEAR ABOUT THIS. MY CONCERN IS THAT WE ARE IN NEGOTIATIONS. EVERYBODY KNOWS THE PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS OF THIS CONTRACT.
WE JUST HAVE TO BE -- IN ORDER TO GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO GET, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE TO CONTINUE THE NEGOTIATIONS.
THAT'S WHY I AM BEING SORT OF BROAD IF MY COMMENTS.
MAYBE YOU CAN GUIDE US AND INFORMING FOLKS.
YOU AND JAY KNOW WHAT CAN BE SHARED FOR NOW.
WE DON'T WANT TO ENTER COMMENTS THAT CREATE A
PROBLEM. >> JUDGE, DO YOU WANT TO WALK THROUGH A FEW OF THE HEADLINES YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON?
>> YEAH, I'LL WALK THROUGH A COUPLE OF THEM.
I WANT TO BE GENERAL ON IT. FOR TWO REASONS.
ONE, THE ITEM THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US IS REALLY ABOUT SETTING THE RATE. IT IS NOT ABOUT ANY CONTRACT TERMS. SINCE THEY ARE CONNECTED AND AS MUCH AS I CAN DO AND THE RATE DOES NOT TELL THE STORY.
THE BIGGEST ISSUE AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS LAID OUT WAS THAT THE IS THE WAY THE STRUCTURE IS RIGHT NOW.
WHEN THIRD PARTIES COLLECT TAXES THEY ARE ABLE TO ASSESS -- EXCUSE ME. UP TO 20% PENALTY FEE FOR DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION. THAT UH -- THAT APPLIES THE MOMENT THOSE DELINQUENT PROPERTIES ARE TURNED OVER.
WHETHER IT IS PRE-LITIGATION AND POST LITIGATION THOSE FEES ARE FIXED. IT IS ABOUT 5% OF THE TOTAL OF THE TAX ROLL IS WHAT ENDS UP GOING OVER.
IT MAY BE A LITTLE LESS THAN THAT.
THAT IS AN OPTION THAT DOES NOT EXIST AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS POINTED OUT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
THAT IS A RATE WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CHARGE.
WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING AND WE CAN GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT THIS IS -- ONE IS WE WANT TO CONTINUE ON CREATING A MAXIMUM PENALTY THAT CAN BE CHARGED OF 15% UNDER CHAPTER 33.
SO THAT THE CAP WOULD BE 33 -- IT WOULD BE 15%.
BUT IN EXCHANGE FOR THAT THE VENDOR HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE SOME PARTNERING WITH US TO CREATE A FUND THAT WOULD BE MANAGED BY A NONPROFIT AND THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO GO TOWARD DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS. I THINK DAVE CAN WALK THROUGH SOME OF THE FINANCIALS. WE INTEND TO CONTINUE WITH THAT. IT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT, BUT NEVER ENFORCED. WE INTEND TO CONTINUE WITH THAT CONVERSATION AND MAKE SURE WE GET THAT.
IN LARGE PART IN THE PAST WE DID NOT HAVE A POLICY AND NOW WE HAVE ONE. WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THAT.
I CAN GO INTO MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS.
BECAUSE OF THE CONTRIBUTION AND DAVE CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT
WHAT THE COUNTY CAN DO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK MY THOUGHTS ARE MADE CLEAR. I DON'T WANT TO BLOW IT UP.
I AM PREPARED TO LET THE AGREEMENT GO FORWARD THAT I WASN'T -- I DIDN'T FEEL THAT GOOD ABOUT IT, BUT THEN I WAS TOLD THEY WOULDN'T DO THE NWBE GOALS.
WHEN SOMEBODY HAD A CONTRACT FOR 30 YEARS WHAT MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE IS TO TAKE IT IN HOUSE AS WE DID FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO GET THE TAX AND WE WILL WALK
[02:40:04]
THROUGH THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND AGAIN PUBLICLY.THE FIRM WOULD BE WISE TO TAKE THAT 30% GOAL AND YOU ARE NOT CERTIFIED WITH THE CITY. I KNOW THAT.
YOU ARE NOT SITTER -- CERTIFIED WITH THE STATE.
I KNOW THAT. NOT YOU, THE FIRM.
I AM TELLING THEM SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS, BUT TAKE IT AND GET ON DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS A GOOD DEAL.
EVEN WHEN WE SAY 15%, THAT'S ABOVE, IF I AM CORRECT, THE 21%, IS THAT RIGHT, THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY GET ANYWAY? UNDER THE CURRENT CONTRACT IT IS ABOUT -- I GUESS IF YOU LAY JUNE 16TH, IS THAT WHEN IT KICKS IN? IT IS TO ABOUT 45%? AM I RIGHT? IS IT THE END OF THE YEAR? YOU OWE A THOUSAND DOLLARS AND BY THE END OF THE YEAR IT IS 1,450 AND IT KEEPS GOING UP. I AM JUST TRYING TO DO IT FROM MEMORY. THEY WOULD BE WISE TO TAKE THAT END GOAL. THEY WOULD BE WISE TO TAKE IT
AND GET ON DOWN THE ROAD. >> DAVE, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD BEFORE WE CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKERS?
>> JUST ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
FOR REAL PROPERTY, 15% IS THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE BEEN AT.
IT WAS PREVIOUSLY AT 20. >> I THINK THERE WAS AN EL -- ELLIS MOTION IF I AM NOT MISS -- MISTAKEN.
>> THAT IS KREJT -- THAT IS CORRECT.
>> THE PENALTY FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN
AT 20%. >> PART OF THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO REDUCE THAT AND IN ADDITION THERE WOULD BE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION TO A RELIEF FUND AND I THINK THE COUNTY COULD ALSO CONSIDER -- COULD CONTRIBUTE.
AND -- I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I HOPE THE COUNTY WILL MATCH WHAT THE FIRM IS PUTTING UP.
AND IT IS -- THE MATCH WOULD BE HELPING TO REDUCE THE ADDITIONAL PENALTY THAT IS GOING TO THE PRIVATE FIRM INSTEAD OF US FINANCING THAT OFF THE BACKS OF PEOPLE WHO -- THE UNFORTUNATE POSITION AND MOST IN PRECINCT 1 AND 2 BY A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OVER THOSE 14,418 IN PRECINCT 1 AND 11,728 IN PRECINCT 2 AND 4900 IN PRECINCT 3 AND 5500 IN
PRECINCT 4. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN THE ADDED PORTION IS WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK -- IT IS NOT A PERFECT SOLUTION I DON'T THINK.
IT IS BETTER -- IT IS OBVIOUSLY BETTER THAN WE HAD LAST YEAR. AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE WON'T WORK WITH MEMBERS OF COURT TO IMPROVE IT, BUT YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE SO LONG.
IT IS ENSHRINED IN LAW AND IT IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO
REFORM. >> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO GIVE THE SPEAKERS SINCE THEY SIGNED UP A TASTE, AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WE CAN HEAR FROM THE
SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S FAIR.
GO AHEAD, LUCINDA. >> YES, MA'AM.
ABEL GARCIA. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET ME SET MY CLOCK FOR THREE MINUTES. FIRST OF ALL, I AM ABEL GARCIA, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY CONTRACT IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.
I CAME IN 1967 WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SIX YEARS OLD AND GOING ON 7 AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS 13 YEARS OLD. I GOTTA TELL YOU THAT I'M IMPRESSED, ESPECIALLY TOUCHED COMMISSIONER, ELLIS, WITH -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WITH YOUR HUMBLE BEGINNING AND THE JOBS YOUR MOM AND DAD HAD AND SAME WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
JUDGE WAS STILL 25 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS HOPING YOU WOULDN'T GET TO ME.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE WAS 25 YEARS OLD? SHE WAS 25 YEARS OLD AND RENNE CAR NATEED.
RENNE CAR NATEED. >> YOU WERE IN THE FUTURE, JUDGE. MY QUESTION IS THIS BECAUSE I CAME AS A PORT PERSON AND GREW UP LIKE YOU DID, COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND GARCIA, WE ARE GOING TO POSTURE IT.
THIS PARTICULAR FIRM WHICH I HAVE TROUBLE PRONOUNCING.
I HAVE WRITTEN IT DOWN, BUT CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG.
THERE IS NO GARCIA OR MARTINEZ OR GUTIERREZ OR WILLIAMS.
[02:45:03]
THERE IS NOTHING IN THAT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE ARE 24,000 ATTORNEYS PLUS 24,000 ATTORNEYS IN HARRIS COUNTY OF WHICH THERE IS 4800 PLUS MINORITY ATTORNEYS.I DID A SEARCH AND IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO FIND THOSE PEOPLE. I WOULD SAY FIRE LINEBARGER.
THEY HAVE BEEN HERE TOO LONG. THEY HAVE 50 OFFICES IN THE UNITED STATES. DO YOU THINK THEY FEEL THE PAIN WE FEEL HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS? I HAVE RENTAL PROPERTIES BY THE WAY.
LAST TIME I WASN'T PREPARED, BUT I AM PREPARED THIS TIME.
I HAVE REAL PROPERTIES IN THE WONDERFUL COMMUNITIES OF FIFTH WARD, KASHMIR GARDENS. 1,000 SQUARE FOOT HOUSES I BOUGHT IN 2007 AND REMODELED THEM.
IT WAS SECTION 8 FOLKS. I HAD FROM THE FIRST TIME A 14-YEAR RENTER IN ONE OF THOSE THOUSAND-SQUARE FOOT HOUSES AND I HAVE NOT RAISED THE RENT IN 10 YEARS.
HOWEVER, THE COUNTY RAISES TAXES.
THE 1,000-SQUARE FOOT HOUSE IN KASHMIR GARDENS, THE TAXES ARE THE SAME AS A 3,000 PLUS HOUSE. IT MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER.
HOW CAN I POSSIBLY LIVE THERE.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHERE YOU GREW UP IN THE NORTH SIDE, THERE WERE A LOT OF NEIGHBORS I'M SURE THAT CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO LIVE THERE. OUR CITY HAS BEEN GENERAL FRO -- HAS BEEN GENTRIFIED. I LIVE IN A BUDGET AND YOU LIVE IN A BUDGET. INCREASE TAXES? LET'S THROW SOMETHING TOTALLY UNUSUAL.
I GOT MY TAX BILL AND WILL TAKE 25%.
I DESERVE 25%, RIGHT? AND SO WE NEED TO BEGIN TO TAKE BOLD ACTIONS, NOT CONVERSATION AND DO BOLD ACTIONS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I WANT YOU TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD AND DO SOME BOLD THINGS AND REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY BETTER, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, ABEL. GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. GARCIA, YOU WERE SHOWING ALL OF THE LOVE TO MY DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES OVER HERE, BUT I'M THE ONE WHO PUT MYSELF THROUGH COLLEGE AS
A WOOD BUTCHER. >> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS, SIR. I LIVE PROBABLY IN YOUR
DISTRICT IN SPRING, TEXAS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DELIGHTED TO
SERVE YOU. >> AND I WANT YOU TO CONTINUE TO DIG THOSE CHANNELS SO MY HOUSE DOESN'T FLOOD NEXT TO CYPRESS CREEK, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
>> MICHAEL BROWN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
THANK YOU -- >> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.
I HAVE MY OWN BUSINESS. I WILL ECHO THE THOUGHTS OF THE PREVIOUS CALLER. MY CONCERN IS REALLY THE NWBE. PRPK INAUDIBLE [INAUDIBLE]. IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE PROPER PROCUREMENT TO INSTALL IT. LINEBARGER HAS, YOU KNOW, PUT THE NWBE GOAL ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON CONTRACT.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE TOO MUCH OF AN ISSUE MEETING THOSE GOALS.
ONE OF THOSE GOALS I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.
TO ME THAT IS NONNEGOTIATABLE.
I RECOMMEND THE EQUITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY OF THIS CONTRACT.
IN ADDITION TO THE MWBE GOAL, MAYBE WE LOOK AT BREAKING THE CONTRACT UP INTO FOUR CONTRACTS SOMETHING OTHER THAN HAVING THIS ONE CONTRACT AND HAVE, YOU KNOW INPUT.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.
THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,
MR. BROWN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> JAY CORANNO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE UH HALL GO. I AM A LOCAL ATTORNEY IN
[02:50:02]
HOUSTON, TEXAS. THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT PENALIZING PEOPLE WOULD MAKE THEM COMPLIANT.THE BUSINESS SITUATION IF IT IS A PARKING TICKET OR MOVING VIOLATION WHERE YOU ARE TRYING TO DETER BEHAVIOR.
THEY WANT TO PAY THEIR TAXES AND PAY THEIR MORTGAGE IF THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE POPULATION IS BEING TARGETED BY THIS.
THEY ARE BE PAINED ON THEIR PAYMENTS AND TAXES AND ADDING THESE PENALTIES WHICH AS WE ALL KNOW WHETHER IT IS 15% OR 20% ENDS UP WITH THE FEES AND THE TAXES TO BE ADDED ON.
IT IS 40 TO 45% IN A 12-MONTH PERIOD AND THE HOMEOWNER HAS NO INCENTIVE TO PAY IT OFF BECAUSE THEY ARE SO BEHIND THE 8 BALL ON THAT. WITH RESPECT TO THE ONE FIRM HANDLING THIS WHEN THIS RELATIONSHIP WENT ON FOR 30 YEARS IT SEEMS IT DIDN'T CHANGE, BUT THAT IS EXACTLY WHY THE CHANGE IS NECESSARY. THERE IS NO CASE LAW OR STATUTORY LAW THAT REQUIRES ONE RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE VENDOR AND CONTINUE IT WITHOUT SOLICITING IT.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF LAW FIRMS AND PLENTY OF OTHER BUSINESSES THAT WOULD WANT TO BE A PART. HAVING MULTIPLE VENDORS AND DIGGING OUT CONTRACTS TO SEE WHO BRINGS OUT THE BEST RESULTS. THE CURRENT VENDOR IS ABOUT SIX MONTHS BEFORE THEY WILL EVEN NEGOTIATE WITH HOMEOWNERS ON A PAYMENT PLAN. HOW IS THAT THE BENEFIT OF ANYBODY OTHER THAN THE VENDOR AND THE FACT THAT THE TAXES AND THE INTEREST AND PENALTIES CONTINUE TO ACCRUE DURING THAT PERIOD. THERE IS ONLY ONE VENDOR THAT HAS ANY INSEN -- INCENTIVE TO WORK IT OUT.
IT IS THEIR BENEFIT TO LET THE TAXES TO ACCRUE.
IT IS BEYOND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WHERE WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE IT REALLY DOES MOVE THE NEW THOUGHTS AND NEW IDEAS AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AND CONSIDERED SO WE BREAK THE 30-YEAR, YOU KNOW, ENSHRINED LAW WHICH IS NOT EVEN A LAW ITSELF THAT IT APPEARS TO BE.
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,
COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MAKE A VALID POINT. I WANT TO STRESS THAT THE NOTION YOU MADE BY INCREASING PENALTIES ON SOMEBODY WILL MAKE THEM COMPLY. THAT IS NOT THE CASE.
IT REALLY IS AN AWFUL STATE LAW.
WHEN I GOT STARTED IN POLITICS AND FOUND OUT ABOUT IT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SLEEZIEST PORK BARREL LEGISLATION I HAD EVER SEEN. THE COUNTY DECIDED IN 2019 TO MOVE THE TOLL ROAD VIOLATION FEES, THE COLLECTION OF THEM, IN HOUSE, INSTEAD OF USING A PRIVATE FIRM, THE SAME FIRM.
AND THAT CHANGE HAS LEAD TO A 12% INCREASE IN THE RESOLUTION OF VIOLATIONS. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REDUCED THE TOLL ROAD VIOLATION FEES BY 45% AND INCREASED TRANSPARENCY AND MODIFIED THE PAYMENT PLAN AND IMPROVED CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THE TOLL ROAD VIOLATIONS.
IT CAN BE DONE. WE WERE TOLD THE SKY WOULD FALL, BUTS -- BUT THE COURT VOTED TO DO THAT IN HOUSE.
IT MADE ME LOOK AT THIS PART A BIT CLOSER WHEN IT CAME UP.
I KNOW YOU TAKE THE POSITION, WELL IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAND IT OUT IN HOUSE WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IT TOO.
COMPETITION IS A GOOD THING. WE WOULD HAVE VARIOUS CONCERNS.
WHOEVER SIGNED THIS CONTRACT, 20, 30 YEARS OR WHENEVER IT WAS WITH SOME KIND OF A PROPRIETARY AGREEMENT ON THE SOFTWARE OUGHT TO BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE YOU CREATED A MONOPOLY THERE AND WE HAVE TO BREAK IT.
IT WILL COST MONEY TO DO THAT.
I APPRECIATE YOU CHIMING IN. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MY PREFERENCE IS TO BRING IT IN HOUSE.
I GET IT. IF IT IS BEING DONE BY A PRIVATE FIRM I WANT IT TO COMPLY WITH THE MWBE GUIDELINES. THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT CLAIMED TO HAVE A BETTER RECORD FOR MINORITY WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
I HAVEN'T HEARD A WORD ABOUT THAT SINCE WE DID A DISPARITY STUDY AND THE NUMBERS ARE TRANSPARENT NOW.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> CRAIG HENFIL.
GO AHEAD. >> TO THE MEMBERS AND THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
[02:55:02]
TIME. I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM 185.I DON'T WANT TO BE LEAGUER THE POINT.
ECONOMICS TEACHES US THAT COMPETITION, AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST MENTIONED, IT IS GOING TO BE THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO GET THINGS DONE. I'M NOT -- I THINK WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE MISSING ON THIS POINT IS I AM NOT HERE TO DOWN THE URPT K VENDOR -- THE CURRENT VENDOR.
THEY HAVE MADE A CONTRACT, BE IT 30 YEARS, BUT I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME COMPETITION.
THAT'S GOING TO HELP THE COUNTY AND IT IS GOING TO HELP THE RESIDENTS. IT IS GOING TO HELP EVERYONE ELSE TO WHERE WE WILL BE ABLE TO TEACH SOMETHING MORE EFFICIENT. BEING ABLE TO HAVE DIVERSE LAW FIRMS. I DO THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT. IF IT IS GOING TO STAY IF PRY -- PRIVATE HANDS, I THINK FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT AND EFFICIENCY WE SHOULD KEEP THAT IN MIND ON HOW WE CAN DO THIS BETTER AND HOW EVERYONE CAN BE SERVICED BETTER IN THE PROCESS. THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU. ALLISON BOYD, GO AHEAD,
I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT, OKAY, IF YOU ARE PAYING YOUR TAXES LIKE I WAS SSMENTS I -- I WAS PAYING THEM, A CERTAIN AMOUNT EVERY MONTH AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY JUMPED UP TO ALMOST $500 A MONTH.
I TRIED TO NEGOTIATE THEM AND THEN HARVEY HIT AND THE PANDEMIC. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE PUNISHED. I FEEL LIKE WE ARE BEING PUNISHED BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T PAY THEM THEY WANT TO TAKE YOUR PROPERTY. I AM FLABBERGASTED.
WHAT ARE PEOPLE TO DO IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE PROPERTY.
AT LEAST PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO PAY THEIRS LIKE I AM WHO ARE REALLY, REALLY TRYING TO GET THEM PAID.
THEY ARE MAKING IT UNAFFORDABLE TO EVEN TRY TO PAY IT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME COME ON AND STRESS THAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS ON AGENDA-RELATED
IT IS A FASCINATING -- NOT FASCINATING, BUT A CHALLENGING TOPIC AND I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY SPEAKING.
I WANT FOLKS TO KNOW WE ARE WORKING HARD AT GETTING A BETTER SITUATION FOR THE COMMUNITY.
WE'LL KEEP -- PARTICULARLY DURING A PANDEMIC.
IT IS COMPOUNDING TO 40% IS UNTENABLE.
WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND WE WILL KEEP DOING THAT PRESIDENT LET'S TAKE THE NON-AGENDA-RELATED SPEAKERS.
WE ARE TRYING TO GET THEM ON THE LINE RIGHT NOW.
THANK YOU. DARLENE KING, GO AHEAD,
PLEASE. >> THANK YOU FORGIVING ME A CALL THIS AFTERNOON. I AM NOT COMPENSATED FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY PROPERTY OF 37,379 SQUARE FEET.
IT IS 14,000 SOME ODD SQUARE FEET THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTEMPLATED FOR. I HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH MR. STRICKLAND AND MS. SHANNON WATSON, I BELIEVE.
AND THIS MATTER IS NOT RESOLVED.
I THINK A MEETING WOULD BE IN ORDER WITH MR. MAC -- MAKAFEE? MENIFEE?
IS THAT POSSIBLE? >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, WE WILL MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW-UP WITH OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
WE WILL PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH THE RIGHT OFFICE.
>> OKAY. WELL, WILL THAT BE TODAY OR
[03:00:02]
TOMORROW OR THIS WEEK? HELLO?>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HEAR BACK FROM US SOON. CAN I HAVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COMMIT TO REACH OUT TO MS. KING?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> R MICHAEL LEE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. DEAR COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN.
TWO WEEKS AGO I PRESENTED INVOICES FOR $29,700 FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
THIS IS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES TO CORRECT DEFECTS IN FLOOD CONTROLS DRAINAGE ON THE STREET.
FLOOD CONTROL USED A DESIGN TO CORRECT ERRORS IN THEIR DESIGN AND PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT DESIGN THAT PROVIDED FOR A CONSTRUCTION CHANGE OVER TO EM BELL -- TO EMBELLISH THE COUNTY $54,000. FLOOD CONTROL NEVER SOUGHT PERMISSION TO USE THEIR DESIGN WHICH IS A VIOLATION OF ETHICS. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO YEARS. I REQUESTED A MEETING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
FLOOD CONTROL AND A COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUED IT TIMELY.
FLOOD CONTROL STILL DOES PRESIDENT HAVE A POLICY ON A CITIZEN TO APPEAL A DESIGN DECISION MADE BY FLOOD CONTROL. BY ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE -- I ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE SIX MONTHS AGO IN COMMIS -- IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND STILL NO POLICY TO PROTECT CITIZENS. THIS POLICY SHOULD INCLUDE AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD. THIS POLICY WILL PROTECT OTHERS FROM FLOOD CONTROL'S ABUSE WHERE THEY CAN EXTORT $30,000 FROM A SENIOR CITIZEN TO CORRECT THE DEFECTS IN THEIR ENGINEERING DESIGN. I AWAIT YOUR FEEDBACK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS JUST TELLING MR. LEE WE WILL MAKE SURE SOMEONE CIRCLES BACK WITH HIM.
ALLEN DE LEON WITH MOVE TEXAS.
I AM THE ORGANIZER OF MOVE TEXAS.
I AM TESTIFYING TODAY OVER A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT HAS LONG BEEN NEGLECTED IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IT IS THE RIGHTS OF OUR JAIL POPULATION. WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IT IS THE COURT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ASSESSOR. IT MAINTAINS THE VOTE AND THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES SAYS ATTENDEES HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE. YOU DO NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE. IT CONSTITUTES WELL OVER 75% OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY INMATES. THEIR ABILITY IS CUT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF ACCESS. WE NEED A SHERIFF WHO WILL CHAMPION NOT PENDING LEGAL REFORMS, BUT EXPAND THE VOTING RIGHTS. A SHERIFF WHO WILL OPEN THE DOORS TO THE FACILITIES AND ESTABLISH [INAUDIBLE] AND EXECUTE PLANS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD ALLOW JUSTICE INVOLVED RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN AN ELECTION.
THIS IS A MATTER I WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS FOR THE COUNTY.
>> I AM GOING TO MUTE THE INTERPRETER FIRST.
INTERPRETER, YOU ARE UNMUTED. .
>> DAYSY -- DAISY OSORIO WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.
[03:05:02]
>> LAST WEEK WE FOUND OUT THAT SHARE -- SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ WILL TAKE A VETERAN ROLE SO THE ROLE FOR SHERIFF WILL BE COMPLETELY VIA CAN'T. I -- VACANT.
>> MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO SELECT WHO WE WOULD CHOOSE TO
>> AS A MOTHER AFFECTED BY THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM, A SYSTEM OF ABUSE AND POVERTY FROM LATINO FAMILIES WE THINK IT IS TIME TO REIMAGINE THE PUBLIC SAFETY.
>> WHO WILL WORK WITH US AND SUPPORT US AND PROTECT US.
SOMEONE WHO WILL FIGHT FOSS -- FIGHT FOR THOSE VULNERABLE AND
>> POLICE VIOLENCE HAVE BEEN AGAINST COLOR -- AGAINST
>> LAW OFFICIALS NEED A CONNECTION WITH COMMUNITY.
>> IS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH AND THEY SHOULD MAKE IT A PRIORITY.
>> IT INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY.
>> COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO OUR PEOPLE.
>> THAT'S EVERYTHING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU ALL.
>> INTERPRETER, PLEASE STAY ON THE LINE.
>> MYRIAM GUERRA WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.
>> YES, I AM HERE TO REPRESENT THE ORGANIZATION AND TO SPEAK ABOUT THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SHERIFF.
[03:10:14]
HAVE SOME TYPE OF SECURITY MERE -- HERE IN TEXAS.>> THANK YOU. >> INTERPRETER, PLEASE STAY ON
>> THANK YOU. >> BERNICIA HERNANDEZ WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> TODAY WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR VOICES BEING HEARD.
>> EVERYTHING BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING WITHOUT ANY GOOD -- WITHOUT ANY GOOD IMPORTANCE IN THE FAMILY STAYING TOGETHER.
>> THAT'S ALL. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND BEING HERE WITH US.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> INTERPRETER, PLEASE STAY ON
>> JOSATINA WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.
>> HELLO. I AM SCWRKS -- JOSEPHINA AND A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION TOPS.
>> TODAY WE ARE VERY WORRIED DUE TO THE POSITION -- THROUGH THE REASON THAT SHERIFF GONZALEZ IS LEAVING HIS
>> WE DON'T KNOW WHO WILL BE TAKING HIS NEW POSITION.
FOR ME AND MY COMMUNITY, MY MIGRANT COMMUNITY, THIS IS A
>> DUE TO THE PAST YEARS WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PARTICIPATION BY THE LOCAL POLICE AND COOPERATING WITH IMMIGRATION. CAUSING FOR A LOT OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS TO END UP IN DETENTION OR ARREST.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE IN SEPARATIONS FROM
>> WE WOULD LIKE THE NEW SHERIFF TO BE ELECTED GUY OUR
[03:15:04]
>> BECAUSE WE NEED IT TO BE SOMEBODY WHO WILL SUPPORT US
>> WE DON'T WANT TO RUN RISK AND CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR
>> ANTI-IMMIGRATION LAWS THAT PROFIT FROM HOLDING US IN
>> WE NEED A LEADER WHO WILL HELP BUILD A COMMUNITY PROGRAM SO EVERYONE HAS THE COMMUNITY.
>> EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A SECOND CHANCE.
>> ENJOYS THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS AND LEADS WITH HATE OR
>> WE WANT A LEADER WHO IS FAIR NO MATTER RACE OR
>> WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT IS ALL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK MY
VOICE. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER, JUDGE, REQUESTED AN INTERPRETER AS WELL.
THEY ARE FROM THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.
>> MY NAME IS CARMEN AND I AM PART OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZATION PROJECT AND I AM PART OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES. >> āŖ ASSIGNMENT FOR THOSE WHO GO TO THE BELLY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
>> SOMEONE WHO IS DIGNIFIED TO REPRESENT US, SOMEBODY WHOSE VALUES REPRESENT US AND WHO IS NOT AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR.
>> ASSIGNED TO POSITIONS OF POWER, WE WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO IS -- WHO IS POSSIBLE TO BE OF THE FEMININE RACE -- I'M SORRY OF THE FEMININE SEX.
>> IS A WOMAN OF THE COMMUNITY AND IF POSSIBLE IT WOULD BE BETTER IF IT WAS A WOMAN OF COLOR.
[03:20:14]
JAIL BE ABLE TO VOTE JUST LIKE THEY DID WITH SHERIFF GONS.SHERIFF GONZALEZ. UNFORTUNATELY HE IS LEAVING AND WE WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY WHO IS WITH HIS SAME VALUES.
>> HEARING ME OUT TODAY. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND
LONG LIVE THE COMMUNITY. >> INTERPRETER, PLEASE STAY ON THE LINE. MARINA SANCHEZ WITH TEXAS
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MARINA SANCHEZ AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION TOPS.
>> WITH YOU THE WORE SEE -- THE WORRISOME OR THE WORRY WE HAVE IN THE MIGRANT. COMMUNITY.
>> GONZALEZ IS LEAVING HIS POSITION AND LEAVING IT VACANT AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHO WILL BE TAKING HIS PLACE.
>> NUMBER ONE IN DEPORTATION DUE TO COLLABORATION OF POLICE AND
>> THIS IS WHY OUR COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A RIGHT TO ELECT WHO IS OUR NEXT CHAIR. SOMEBODY WITH OUR COMMUNITY
>> THE HARRIS FAMILY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SHOULD PRIORITIZE THE LOCAL NEEDS AND LIMITED PARTICIPATION WITH PROGRAMS OR PRACTICES BY FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS.
>> DETENTION APPLICATIONS LIKE THE MANDATE OF LAW FB4 WHICH IS A MANDATE FROM -- A TEXAS MANDATE, MY APOLOGIES.
>> POSITION AGAINST COLLABORATING WITH THE IMMIGRATION LAWS AND I'M GRACIOUS PROGRAMS AND OPT OUT OF PARTICIPATING LAWS THAT ALLOW THE PRESENCE OF THE IMMIGRATION PROGRAM TO BE
>> THE SHERIFF SHOULD END ALL CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS EXISTING AND NOT EXISTING FORMAL OR INFORMAL WITH THE
[03:25:18]
>> THE NEXT SHERIFF SHOULD COMMIT TO PRIORITIZING SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY AND GENERATE TRUST IN THE MIGRANT COMMUNITY INSTEAD AND THEIR DEFENSE TO STOP WITH THE DEPORTATION OF SEPARATION OF FAMILIES AND CUTTING TIES WITH THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
>> MY HUSBAND WAS ALMOST DEPORTED.
THANK GOD HE WAS ABLE TO COME BACK HOME TO US.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE IN JAIL BEING
>> SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A MIGRANT ROLE IT PREVENTS THEM FROM COMING HOME TO THEIR FAMILY.
IT IS IMPORTANT WE AS A COMMUNITY TAKE PART IN ELECTING THE NEXT SHERIFF OF HARRIS COUNTY.
>> ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS WITH YOU TODAY.
HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL ELECT A GOOD SHERIFF FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPANISH SPEAKERS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU TO THE INTERPRETER.
>> KRISTEN CABALLERO WITH TEXAS APPLE SEED.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, THIS IS KRISTEN CABALLERO WITH TEXAS APPLE SEED AND RIGHT TO JUSTICE COALITION. WE ECHO THE SEPTEMBER MEANTS -- SENTIMENTS OF OTHER SOCIAL ADVOCATES IN APPOINTING A SHERIFF COMMITTED TO POLICIES PRINCIPAL THAT'S MAKE HARRIS COUNTY HEALTHIER AND FAIR AND EQUITABLE INCLUDING AND NOT LIMITED MORE TRANSPARENCY AND ENGAGEMENT AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS AND RACIAL JUSTICE.
THIS IS A CRITICAL MOMENT AND ASK YOU SET AN EXAMPLE.
PLEASE REFER TO THE LETTER THAT THE RIGHT TO JUSTICE COALITION SENT YOU ON THE THIRD AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT TEXAS APPLE SEED.
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND WE DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD TO MORE TRANSPARENT PROCESSES FOR SELECTING A NEW SHERIFF.
AND ONCE AGAIN WE URGE YOU TO APPOINT SOMEONE THAT WILL FAIRLY REPRESENT AND BE COMMITTED TO IMPROVING HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JACOB CLEMENTEK WITH FOR LIFE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> AS YOU KNOW, I AM PRO LIFE LAST SATURDAY, MAY THE 9TH, THEY HAD IT AT CHURCH AND PREACHING [INAUDIBLE] RODNEY ELLIS. [INAUDIBLE] PLAYING PIANO.
[INAUDIBLE] WHICH IS LOCATED I BELIEVE ON -- I BELIEVE IN PRECINCT 4, COMMISSIONER JACK KAY KEL -- COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE'S PRECINCT. I HAVE A THING THAT TELLS YOU ON THE TALK WHO IS AN HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ORCHESTRA PROGRAMS. AND KRISTEN MCGEE AND HOW SHE STUDIED AT U OF H AND TALK ABOUT THE LOVING CHOICE PREGNANCY HEALTH CENTER. WHAT I ALSO WANTED TO GET INTO IT IS BISHOP -- I MEAN CARDINAL DINARDO ON THE TEXAS
[03:30:10]
GIVE A TALK ABOUT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND THEY ARE DEALING WITH CHARITY FOR THE DISABLED AND FOR PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES AND ALSO HELPING US BY CONSTRUCTING WHEELCHAIR RAMPS FOR THOSE PEOPLE IN NEED TO GET THEM UP FROM THE STREET LEVEL AND TO THEIR HOMES. THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.I AM A THIRD DEGREER AND WE BELIEVE IN PATRIOTISM AND WHILE I AM GOING TO HAVE THE HONOR OF MEETING AT THE COUNTRY CLUB PARTY, GET TOGETHER, AT -- THIS THURSDAY EVENING, COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA IS GOING TO BE THERE.
I AM SURE HE WILL REPRESENT HARRIS COUNTY QUITE WELL.
I'M GOING THERE BECAUSE I HAVE SOME -- A BOOK THAT WAS AUTOGRAPHED BY THE WRITER OF THE BOOK AND IT IS A STORY OF
HOW PETER'S COMMUNITY WAS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> HERE IS MY JOKE -- THE JOKE IS THIS --
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M AFRAID YOU ARE OUT OF TIME, BUT THANK
I ALWAYS LIKE TO TELL A GOOD JOKE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT TIME. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE
SPEAKERS FOR TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.
LET'S GO THROUGH THE -- WHAT WILL BE THE DISCUSSION AGENDA
[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]
AND THEN WE CAN TAKE A BREAK FOR LUNCH.IF FOLKS WOULD LIKE. LET ME GO OVER THE ITEMS THAT NEED MINOR CHANGES. ITEM 10 ON PAGE 2 IS NO ACTION SM -- NO ACTION. ITEM 20 ON PAGE 4, NO ACTION.
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AND SAME WITH ITEM 36 ON PAGE 6, CONVEYING EASE MEANT FOR WOODRIDGE VILLAGE.
NO ACTION ON THOSE THREE ITEMS. ON PAGE 18, 144 WE NEED TO CHANGE 8 TO 7.
SO IT SHOULD BE 7 TRACKS INSTEAD OF 8 TRACKS.
162 ON PAGE 20, I KNOW FOLKS ARE PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THIS SO NO ACTION ON THE JUROR PARTICIPATION PLAN. I EXPECT WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING NEXT TIME. ITEM 167 ON PAGE 20 THERE IS A CORRECTION. THE AMOUNT IS 1 MILLION 992, $801. THAT WOULD BE THE CORRECT AMOUNT. IT IS A LITTLE LESS THAN WHAT
IT SAID ON THE AGENDA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, ON THAT ITEM I PREVIOUSLY WANTED TO DISCUSS IT, BUT MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED AND THAT CAN GO BACK TO THE
CONSENT AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT.
277. THERE IS A CORRECTION THERE.
WE NEED TO ADD AT THE END THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE, THE GOAL OF THE ADDITIONAL EFFORT ASSOCIATED WITH A -- WITH THE BUFFALO BIO AND TRIP BY -- BUFFULO -- BUFFALO BAYOU IS TO HAVE ALTERNATIVES THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL SUPPORT AND PROVIDE ANCILLARY POSITIVE IMPACTS ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL MOBILITY. THOSE ARE THE CHANGES.
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FLAGGED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT I HEARD JAY MENTION WE SHOULD GO ON ITEM 185 THE TAX COLLECTION FEES. LET'S PLAN TO GO TO EXECUTIVE
SESSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I MOVE THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK SO THE DEPARTMENT
HEADS ARE FREE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
LET ME GO OVER WHAT THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE REAL QUICK. THEN WE SHOULD MOVE IT BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK. THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ONLY FOR ITEM 185 TO DISCUSS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH OUR ATTORNEY. I WENT OVER THE CORRECTIONS.
AS FAR AS THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS: ITEM 2, THE TRANSMITAL BY THE
[03:35:08]
COMMISSIONER'S COURT ANALYST OFFICE OF A MEMO, THE MONTHLY MEMO ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF COVID VACCINATIONS.ITEM 6 IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM.
ITEM 124, THE DISCUSSION ON THE NEW -- THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ROLL OVER REQUEST. AND LET ME KNOW IF FOLKS DON'T ACTUALLY NEED TO DISCUSS THESE.
ITEM 125, APPROVAL RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE VEHICLE FLEET. ITEM 144, IT SAYS DR. HOLLOWAY REPORTS THIS NEEDS TO BE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.
JAMES, I FLAGGED THAT FOR YOU, BUT WE NEED TO SPELL IT OUT DURING THE VOTING SO LET'S FLAG 144 FOR DISCUSSION.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 147.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU NEED THAT FOR DISCUSSION? ITEM 161 IS FUNDING -- AN AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR I.T. ITEM 167 WE DISCUSSED THAT WILL NOT BE -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE FLAGGED IT, BUT HE IS UNFLAGGING IT SO THAT WILL BE PART OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ITEM 185 IS THE ONE WE ARE TAKING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ITEM 232 AGREEMENT OF RECONSTRUCTION FOR HOMES.
DOES THAT NEED TO HAVE DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER
>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 273 IS LITIGATION -- APPROVAL FOR LITIGATION ON THE VOTING LAWS.
ITEM 276 IS ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE TRIBUTARY.
I SUPPOSE WE ARE DISCUSSING THAT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
AND ITEM 278 IS AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
WE ALSO NEED TO HOLD FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS 268 AND 269.
BOTH ARE PUBLIC HEARINGS SO WE WILL HAVE TO HOPE -- OPEN AND HOLD THE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS. THAT SHOULD BE IT.
DID WE MISS ANYTHING? >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE YOU ADDED THE CORRECT LANGUAGE ON 276. WITH THAT ADDED LANGUAGE WE DON'T NEED TO -- IT CAN REMAIN ON CONSENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL PUT 276 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE SO 276 AND THE COMPANION ONE FOR PRECINCT 4 WHICH IS EITHER 275 OR 277.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: 277. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT IS THE
STUDY FOR THE TUNNELS. >> YES.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHICH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT THOSE TUNNELS ARE GOING TO BENEFIT ALL FIVE OF US. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUDGETS TO START THAT TO GET THE NEXT PHASE DONE.
THAT'S WATER THAT IS NOT GONNA GO INTO PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 2 BY BEING BYPASSED THROUGH THE TUNNELS ON THE
REVERSE SIDE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WOULD JUST SAY IF YOU DON'T MIND, JUDGE, AT SOME POINT THE TUNNELS ARE DUG WE NEED TO LOOK FOR THE LENS OF EQUITY.
THE TUNNELS COULD BE DONE ON OTHER BAYOUS AS WELL.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES.
>> TOM RAMSEY: TOTALLY AGREE. THAT'S RIGHT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I WASN'T GOING TO COMMENT ON THIS, BUT SINCE IT WAS BROUGHT UP, I -- I'M NOT GOING TO GET IN THE WAY OF THIS, BUT I WILL WANT TO SEE THE ENGINEERING STUDIES TO CONFIRM THAT THERE IS NO ADVERSE IMPACT TO PRECINCT 2 BECAUSE THOSE TUNNELS FROM WHAT I CAN TELL STOP AT A VERY INTERESTING POINT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY CITIES DON'T FLOOD AWAY AND THAT MY NEIGHBORHOODS DON'T BECOME SUBJECTED MORE TO BUYOUTS. I WILL BE WATCHING THIS CAREFULLY SO I WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO BE AWARE.
>> TOM RAMSEY: GOOD POINT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: BUT WE SHOULD VOTE ON THEM, COLLEAGUES AND I HOPE MR. POPPY, EVEN AFTER THEY PASS -- AFTER THEY PASS, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THEM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS AN EXAMPLE UNDER THE BIDEN INSTRAW TRUCK TOUR PLAN -- INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN BECAUSE THESE ARE SHOVEL READY WE DON'T LOSE A FEE CUSS ON EQUITY -- FOCUS ON EBBING EBBING -- EQUITY. THE SAME CAN BE MADE FOR OTHER
[03:40:01]
AREAS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT RUN AT THE SAME COST BENEFIT ISSUE. MR. POPPY, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT LATER, BUT I AM CONTENT TO LET THE ITEMS PASS.>> JUDGE AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION FOR JAMES AND THE COURT, THE ADDED LANGUAGE APPLIES TO BOTH 276 AND 277? I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT JAMES WAS AWARE THAT IT
IS FOR BOTH ITEMS. >> THAT WAS MY QUESTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL OF
THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 282 -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WITH EXCEPTION OF THE ITEMS VOTED ON AND THE DISCUSSION AND EXECUTIVE SESSION AND PUBLIC
HEARING ITEMS JUST LISTED? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> JUDGE, THIS IS JAMES. JUST TO GET A CLARIFICATION, DID YOU WANT TO ADD IN THE -- ADD IN 247 WHEN YOU MADE THE
CHANGE WITH THE RESOLUTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
IT SHOULD SAY PROTECT. >> THAT ITEM WILL BE PUT ON.
AND I HAVE A QUESTION REGARDING 127.
IS THERE ACTION ON THAT ITEM? THAT'S FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE HARRIS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA ON PLATFORM. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO.
DO FOLKS HAVE ANY ACTION ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CHECKING.
SO THAT PUTS US AT ALMOST 2:00.
I PROPOSE WE BREAK UNTIL 2:30. THEN WE CAN CONTINUE WITH OUR
DISCUSSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT IS ENOUGH TIME FOR ME, JUDGE. I HAVE A GREAT LUNCH.
I AM TRYING TO WIN THAT POT FROM CAGLE AND RAMSEY WHEN WE
GET OUT OF HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 1:58 AND WE WILL BE BACK AT 2:30. YOU MIGHT STILL WIN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2: 33 AND WE ARE BACK IN SESSION.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VACCINATIONS IN HARRIS
COUNTY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I PULLED THAT ITEM AND I WANTED TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF ZIP CODES AND WE ARE NOT MAKING HEADWAY IN GYP CODES -- ZIP CODES. 16 IS PRECINCT 1.
THEIR SEEN IS MOSTLY PRECINCT 2.
THESE ARE TWO PRE SINKS AND -- THAT I PROPOSE WE LOOK AT A VERY, VERY TARGETED APPROACH FOR THOSE TWO ZIP CODES TO SEE IF CAN'T GET MOVING THOSE ZIP CODES ALONG AND ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THAT REGARD, JUDGE.
I I WOULD LIKE TO REACH OUT TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND SEE IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO GET THOSE ZIP CODES AT THE RIGHT PLACE. THEY ARE JUST TWO STUBBORN AREA THAT CONCERN ME THAT NEED TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE HAVEN'T THUS FAR DONE YET IN HOPES OF MOVING THE AREA ALONG. I WOULD LIKE YOUR
CONSIDERATION ON THIS. >> MAYBE WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER, OUR OFFICES AND THERE ARE TWO PARTICULAR ZIP CODES. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE BAND WIDTH. SO IT IS TWO ZIP CODES YOU
>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: OBVIOUSLY I WILL HELP AS WELL, MY TEAM WILL. AND WHEN I LOOK AT THE NUMBERS PRECINCT ONE IT IS 31.6% AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU HAVE FOUR -- YOU HAVE A 107% INCREASE AND ALL OF US ARE
[03:45:10]
HOVERING AROUND THERE. I GUESS 3 IS 35.7 AND 4 IS 33.9. I AM GONNA -- NRG IS REMAINING OPEN AND THE NUMBERS ARE UP AND EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT AND IT IS ADVERTISED. I THINK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUTA THOUSAND, IS THAT RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: AVERAGING ABOUT A THOUSAND LAST WEEK AND THE WEEK PRIOR.
I AM TOLD THE RECENT DAYS IT WAS UPWARDS OF 2,000.
WE'LL SEE HOW LONG THAT LASTING -- LASTS.
RYAN IS IN THE PRO IS SUCCESS OF THE -- PROCESS OF TRAVIS SCOTT PARTNERSHIP. WE GOT HIM TO GIVE US SOME PARTICULAR -- TICKETS AND HE ADVERTISED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THERE THERE WAS PARTNERSHIPS WITH DISNEY ON ICE AND WHATNOT. WE HAD OTHER DONATIONS.
IT HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF PLAY. THEY ARE RUNNING ADS IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS THAT THE YOUNG KIDS USED.
TO PROMOTE THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FEELS FUNNY
SAYING THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU AND I ARE THE TWO YOUNGEST OF THE CREW NOW.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. I GUESS THEY SHOULD ASK US WHERE TO RUN IT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
THE UP TICK IS CORRELATED WITH OUR PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS.
WE'LL SEE WHETHER IT KEEPS UP, BUT I HAVE ASKED RYAN AND HE IS WORKING HARD AND WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICES TOO ON GO AND DO WHAT YOU CAN DO THAT IS CREATIVE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN VERY OPEN.
LOOK, I WENT TO THE WINE -- I DON'T DRINK, BUT I WENT TO THE WINE TASTING AT THE RODEO THE OTHER NIGHT TO SIT WITH HIM, AND IT WAS LATE WHEN I GOT THERE AND HE WAS GONE.
I WAS ASK -- I WAS GOING TO ASK HIM CAN HE GIVE A SIP TO THOSE WHO TAKE IT. I GUESS WE'LL GET THERE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAD A QUESTION?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I READ ONE OF THE ARTICLES ABOUT HOW OUR BOBBLEHEADS WERE CAUSING A STIR.
DID WE GET BOBBLEHEADS OR WERE THEY TALKING ABOUT IT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW.
I NEED TO GET WITH RYAN. I DON'T KNOW.
I DID SAY IF THEY ARE THAT POPULAR AT THE GAME, THEY MUST BE POPULAR FOR THE VACCINE. THE ONE THING WE COULDN'T PULL OFF WAS THE MUSIC. OUR MILITARY PARTNERS SAID IF PEOPLE HAVE AN ISSUE TO HONK. THEY SWITCHED THE TOLL ROAD SIGN AND IT SAYS VACCINE WAIT TIME IS ZERO.
AND SO WE ARE TRYING OUR ABSOLUTE BEST.
>> WE ARE USING OUR BUSES TO GET PEOPLE FROM POINT A TO POINT B. THERE DOES APPEAR TO BE A BRICK WALL AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THAT.
MAYBE WHEN WE MOVE OUT OF THE CURRENT ALERT AND I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING ON THAT. THERE IS HESITANCY GETTING OUT AND GETTING THE VACCINE. ANYTHING WE CAN DO IN A REWARD WAY. YOU AND I TALK -- TALKED ABOUT THAT. YOU GET THE VACCINE AND YOU CAN TAKE THE MASK -- MASK OFF.
I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULDN'T SAY THAT.
I THINK THE CDC IS SAYING THAT.
THERE IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT IF YOU GO AND GET YOUR VACCINE YOU CAN LOSE THAT MASK.
THERE MAY BE THINGS TO INCENTIVIZE THEM AT THIS POINT TO TRY AND GET THROUGH THE BRICK WALL AND GET PEOPLE OUT
THERE VACCINATED. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL GIVE THAT FEEDBACK TO THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOLKS.
IT IS STILL ON GOING AND THEY CAN CHANGE THE MESSAGE AND THEY HAVE BEEN DOING MESSAGE TESTING.
I BET THEY ARE TESTING THAT ONE, BUT I WILL PASS IT ON.
IT IS A GREAT POINT AND IT IS TRUE.
IT IS HAVING THE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MY STAFF IN PARTICULAR.
I GOT A -- I GOT IT SET UP WITH SAINT PATRICK'S CHURCH
[03:50:01]
AND THEY STARTED ON MOTHER'S DAY.THERE ARE THREE SUNDAYS WE WILL BE TARGETING AND SO I APPRECIATE THEM WORKING ON THAT DAY.
YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH FATHER THOMAS AT HOLY NAME.
SAINT PATRICKS AND HOLY NAME ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME BY AND I CAN'T REMEMBER IT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT IT WASN'T A BAD NUMBER FOR A MOTHER'S DAY THAT PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO LEAVE CHURCH AND GET SOMEWHERE TO EAT.
I WATT -- I WAS PROUD TO SEE OUR TEAMWORKING.
I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLIC HEALTH AND VENDORS AND MY STAFF. SHE WAS THERE WITH A HUGE SMILE AND APPRECIATE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO BE CREATIVE AND UNFORTUNATELY AT A PRICE. IT WAS SUNDAY AND THEY WERE
WORKING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ANOTHER QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU OR LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
I KNOW THEY PUT OUT AN MO ON WHETHER WE COULD REQUIRE EMPLOYEES TO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.
I THINK IT IS EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW AS I UNDERSTAND IT BASED ON GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S ORDER WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT. I KNOW I HAVE UNDERLING CONDITIONS. I AM IN A CLASS THAT IS HIGH RISK OBVIOUSLY. WHAT IS THE LAW?
>> THE AM LIST'S OFFICE, THEY ARE STILL RUNNING IT DOWN.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? >> SURE.
WE HAD DONE SOME INITIAL ANALYSIS.
PRIOR TO GA35 THERE WAS A FEDERAL -- THERE IS A PROTECTION TO ALLOW US TO DO THAT AS AN EMPLOYER.
UNFORTUNATELY IT IS RESTRICTED AND I KNOW WE SENT OUT A MEMO FROM OUR CHIEF PRIVACY OFFICER TO BE THE OFFICES AND THE DEPARTMENTS AND WORKING WITH THE -- AND WE ARE STILL LOOKING TO GET SOME CLARIFICATION FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WELL. RIGHT NOW UNFORTUNATELY IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE CAN REQUIRE IT.
IN LARGE PART WE CAN'T ASK FOR PROOF OF IT.
IT IS REALLY A POWER PERSUASION TO GET FOLKS TO BE VACCINATED AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR
EMPLOYEES. >> AND IT IS THE GOVERNOR'S
A LOT OF THE AUTHORITY THAT THE JUDGE WAS GIVEN WAS CLAWED BACK, UNFORTUNATELY. IT HAS LIMITED HER ABILITY TO DO THAT. AND SO IT IS AT THE HANDS OF
THE GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW. >> AND HAVE WE -- IS IT POSSIBLE, JUDGE TO JUST SPECIFICALLY WRITE A LETTER AND ASK? THE REASON IS I WOULD HATE TO LOSE SOME EMPLOYEE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO KEEP THEIR JOB. AND NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE A POLICY WHERE YOU WILL COME BACK TO THE OFFICE AND YOU
NEED TO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY LAST WEEK.
WHEN PEOPLE SAY WELL HOW WOULD WE COME BACK IN, RIGHT? IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEREVER THERE ARE CUBE -- CUBICLES AND THE PEOPLE NOT VACCINATED AND THE PEOPLE VACCINATED AND EVERYBODY STILL HAS TO WEAR MASKS BECAUSE THESE GUYS DIDN'T GET VACCINATED.
EVEN IF WE CAN'T REQUIRE ANYTHING CAN THERE BE A WAY THERE IS A RETURN TO NORMALCY, AT LEAST FOR THE FOLKS WHO HAVE THE VACCINE. THE QUESTION IS JUST I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS RUNNING IT DOWN. I HAVE YOUR SAME QUESTIONS,
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE OTHER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COUNTIES SOME OF THEM MAY HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS. SO AT LEAST IF SOMEBODY DOES GET IT BECAUSE SOMEONE CAME IN , I WANT TO KNOW THAT AT LEAST WE WANTED TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO TELL PEOPLE TO GET THE SHOT.
[03:55:02]
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE NORMALCY.
I KNOW THOSE OF US WOULD HAVE BEEN VACCINATED, AS TIME GOES BY, IT IS A LOT SAFER. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MY QUESTION MAY RELATE A LITTLE MORE TO THE GENERAL COVID ITEM. THE COMMENT THAT WAS MADE WITH REGARD TO THE CLAW BACK OF SOME OF THE EMERGENCY POWERS RELATES TO OUR LIBRARIES AND OUR SCHOOLS NOW THAT ARE STARTING TO LET OUT. I KNOW THAT WE HAVEN'T HIT ORANGE YET, BUT I WAS HOPING THAT MAYBE IF YOU STILL HAD THOSE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT EMERGENCY POWERS YOU HAVE REMAINING, BUT MAYBE YOU CAN COME UP WITH A PLAN TO LET SOME OF THE KIDS GO TO THE LIBRARIES IF THEY HAVE THEIR SPACING OR 50% OR WHATEVER THE RULES IN PLACE PREVIOUSLY FOR RESTAURANTS AND OTHER PLACES, THAT WE COULD CREATED SOMETHING IN BETWEEN UNTIL WE GET UNTIL OUR ORANGE SO THAT OUR KIDS CAN UTILIZE OUR LIBRARIES.
I KNOW WE ARE WAITING FOR ORANGE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL BE IN THE FIVE-PART METRIC SYSTEM.
I GUESS THAT IS A QUESTION FOR JAY.
DOES THE JUDGE HAVE THE AUTHORITY UNDER HER EMERGENCY POWERS TO CREATE AN INTERIM UP TO ORANGE PLAN FOR ALLOWING FOLKS TO COME IN -- INTO THE LIBRARIES FOR OUR KIDS WITH THE APPROPRIATE SPACING, ET CETERA?
>> COMMISSIONER, OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE JUDGE'S OFFICE AND THERE ARE POLICIES SHE CAN IMPLEMENT FOR ALL COUNTY FACILITIES AS A WHOLE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL GET THAT TO HER AND HER TEAM AND THAT IS A QUESTION FOR, I THINK, BY THE NEXT MEETING OR SO THE JUDGE WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS. WE BELIEVE WE CAN -- THAT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES STILL VERY MUCH WITHIN HER POWERS TO
DO THOSE THINGS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGING -- JUDGE, TO THE EXTENT WE CAN BE HELPFUL, LET US KNOW, BUT I DON'T WANT TO VIOLATE THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT TO CONTACT WITH YOU DIRECTLY. I CAN'T GO SOMEWHERE WITHOUT SOMEBODY ASKING ME WHEN CAN MY KIDS G TO THE LIBRARY? ESPECIALLY NOW THAT SCHOOL IS OUT IN MANY PLACES THERE IS
THAT ADDED NEED. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT DEMOGRAPHICS OR MOVE
ON? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE TWO ZIP CODES GET SOME UNPRECEDENTED ATTENTION SO THAT WE COULD GET THEM OFF THE
STUBBORN LIST. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.
IF FOLKS HAVE ANY OTHER THAT'S NEED TO BE IDEALLY WITHIN THAT LIST, BUT OBVIOUSLY IF YOU FIND SOMETHING LET ME OR PUBLIC HEALTH KNOW. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ON YOUR
NOTE, SKIPPING TO ITEM 6 -- >> SORRY TO INTERRUPT.
FOR ITEM NUMBER 2 IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY CHANGE TO THE ITEM OR APPROVED AS PRESENTED?
>> LINA HIDALGO: APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE ARE THREE IMPORTANT UPDATES TO DO WITH COVID.
THE FIRST ONE IS WE HAVE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DOWNWARD TRENDS. THE UPPED CATERS -- INDICATORS, MOST OF THEM ARE LOOKING BETTER.
THE STUBBORN ONE IS THE POSITIVITY RATE THAT NEEDS TO GET TO 5 AND IT IS AT A 9. AT SOME POINT ON FRIDAY THREE OF THE FOUR INDICATORS WERE AT ORANGE.
THE FOURTH HAS TURNED TO RED AGAIN THIS WEEK SO IT IS MINIMAL AND IT LOOKS WHETHER THE CASES ARE TRENDING UP OR DOWN. AND THAT IS THE AVERAGE INCREASE. EVERY DAY WE HAVE UPWARDS OF 400 NEW CASES. GENERALLY THE CHANGE FROM WEEK TO WEEK IS IN THE TWO-CASE INCREASE ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE RATE OF CHANGE IS SO TO SPEAK.
I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE TEXAS POLICY LAB AND OUR UT HEALTH EXPERT THAT YOU HEARD FROM. THE THING WE WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF IS WHERE IS THE BASE WE ARE HITTING? THE CASE IS -- THE CASES ARE GOING BACK UP AND NOW THEY HAVE GONE DOWN. THE BASE IS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE
[04:00:01]
PREVIOUS BASE BEFORE THE OTHER PEAK WE HAD IN DECEMBER.THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE IS WATCHING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD. ARE WE BEGINNING TO GO AND GET BETTER OR ARE WE JUST CONTINUING TO HAVE THIS RETURN TO BASE OR RETURN TO ABOVE BASE AND THEN WE START BACK UP. ALL OF THAT WILL DEPEND ON THE VACCINES. AS YOU KNOW THE FDA GAVE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR KIDS 12 TO 15 TO RECEIVE THE PFIZER VACCINE. WE ARE EXPECTING A CDC PANEL TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THAT. IT COULD BE AS SOON AS THIS WEEK. THE POINT IS AS FAR AS HARRIS COUNTY IS CONCERNED, WE ARE COMMITTED AND READY TO DELIVER THE VACCINES TO THE 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS.
ANY CHILD 12 AND UP WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE VACCINE WITH PARENTAL CONSENT. WE ARE READY AS SOON AS THAT HAPPENS TO MAKE THUR THAT NRG IS -- MAKE SURE THAT NRG IS EQUIPPED AND WE ARE FIGURING OUT WAYS TO PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE 16, 17 AND 18-YEAR-OLDS.
WE ALREADY HAVE THAT MECHANISM.
AND ONCE WE ARE ABLE TO GET TO 12 WE CAN DO THAT EVEN MORE.
REALLY, ALL WE ARE WAITING ON IS THE FINAL SIGNOFF FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN AND SO HAVE I.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE ARE READY TO GO AS SOON AS IT HAPPENS. THE FINAL POINT IS ON THESE DISCUSSIONS AND IT IS A BIT OF A DIFFERENT MOMENT IN THE PANDEMIC WHERE EVERYBODY QUALIFIES FOR THE VACCINE.
WE ARE FAR FROM HERD IMMUNITY, BUT THE QUESTION IS ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE? AND WHAT ARE WE LEARNING SPHASHES -- AS FAR AS WHAT HAPPENS TO THE COMMUNITY? WE ARE WORKING TO LOOK AT OUR THREAT LEVEL SYSTEM AND I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED. I AM EXPECTING TO LOOK AT AND MAKE POSSIBLE UPDATES WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.
AND THAT TIES BACK TO THE LIBRARIES.
THEY ARE TIED TO ORANGE. THE HOUSTON ONES ARE SO CLOSE AND THEY PLAN ON OPENING THEM FOR PICK UP ONLY HERE IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO. AND I WOULD THINK WE ARE IN A SIMILAR TIMELINE LOOKING AT HOW THINGS ARE AND WHEN WE MIGHT GET TO ORANGE. JUST GIVE ME -- I THINK JAY WAS CORRECT IN LET US SEE, YOU KNOW, HOW THIS BASE WHETHER IT COMES DOWN LOW OR SOMETHING HAPPENS, I DON'T THINK IT WILL AND FINISH THESE CONVERSATIONS AND THEN I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED, BUT I SUSPECT BEFORE THE NEXT COURT WE CAN SAY WE DID A PERIODIC REVISION AND HERE IS WHAT CAME OUT OF IT.
I DO THINK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AWHILE THERE ARE INTERESTING FACTORS THAT ARE CHANGING AND WE ARE JUST RUNNING THEM DOWN. SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE AS FAR AS MY UPDATE. DID YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> JUDGE, IS THERE ANY ACTION ON THAT ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION, JAMES.
ITEM 124, THE ROLL OVER REQUEST.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I THINK I AM ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT HELD THAT ONE. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE BUDGET OF MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THE THOROUGH JOB THEY DID. I KNOW IT WAS DIFFICULT.
I THINK THEY LOOKED AT EVERY DEPARTMENT'S REQUEST WITH A FOCUS ON THE OVERALL MISSION AND THE VISION AND GOALS OF THE COUNTY AND FOCUSING ON EBBING QUO -- EQUITY AND TRANSPARENCY. IT INCLUDES CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND SOME OF THE UPGRADES TO TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT. NO DEPARTMENT RECEIVED EVERYTHING THEY ASKED FOR. I THINK IT WAS A GOOD PLAN.
THEY FOCUSED ON MENTAL HEALTH BEDS AND A LIBRARY ID CARD.
I DO THINK THEY HAVE A CRITICAL JUNCTURE IN TERMS OF US MAKING OUR BEST SHOT AT TRYING TO GET FEDERAL FUNDS.
I THINK THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.
HE CALLED LAST THURSDAY AND HE SAID CAN YOU SPEAK BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY. THEY HAD A LOT GOING ON.
[04:05:07]
WE HAD A LOT OF HELP FROM FLOOD CONTROL AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND TRYING TO MAKE A CASE TO HAVE CONGRESS TO THE GLO AND WE CAN HAVE THE EXTRA 9 MILLION.I THOUGHT OUR E -- EGOS WERE BIG.
IT WOULD MAKE THE CASE TO ME THAT WE NEED HELP IN TERMS OF FEDERAL RELATIONS. THE MONEY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SPENT OUT OF HIS BUDGET WOULD HELP ME.
I CALLED YOUR PERSON OVER THE WEEKEND AND EACH TIME I HAVE TO SAY, I'LL GET BACK TO YOU. THERE IS A CONTRACT FOR $175,000. I THINK IT WAS TIME TO REVIEW THAT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. YOU WERE THE ONE TO HOLD IT.
I SENT AROUND AN AMENDMENT. I THINK THE HALF MILLION DOLLARS FROM INTER GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, WE NEED ADDITIONAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AS A COORDINATED EFFORT BETWEEN IGA AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT IN PARTICULAR AND FLOOD CONTROL. I MUST SAY THAT DAVE BERRY AND THESE -- AND HIS SHOP WAS HELPFUL IN TAKING THE GOOD, BUT SOMEWHATTEN -- SOMEWHAT ENGINEERING COMMENTS I GOT FROM FLOOD CONTROL SO SO I CAN TALK TO MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE.
I TALKED WITH MATT CHASE AND HE SUGGESTED A FEW FIRMS. I PLAN TO GO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO, OR IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT WEEK OR LATER ON THIS WEEK AND MATT CHASE DID SEND OVER THE COMMENTS THAT WAS A ROLE CALL. SOMEBODY WHO HANDLES THE EQUITY COMMITTEE. IT IS SHAW VARIED -- CHAVEZ RF RODRIGUEZ, JULIE CHAVEZ-RODRIGUEZ.
THEY WANT TO HAVE A MEETING TO SEE WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT FROM THE COST BENEFIT AND RATIO BUSINESS.
WHY DO WE HAVE A SHORT FALL WITH THE EQUITY? WE PASSED THE EQUITY GUIDELINES.
IF THEY SAY GO UP THERE AND DO A VIRTUAL MEETING IF THEY L MEETING -- IF THEY ARE MEETING IN PERSON.
IF THEY SAY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY I AM GOING.
I WOULD LIKE TO LET IGA AND FLOOD MANAGEMENT CONTROL.
L.A. I THINK I WAS TOLD HAS -- THEY SAID THEY HAVE 10 ENTITY THAT'S COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER.
THEY PAY EACH OF THOSE WHO WORK FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THE COMPARABLE ENTITY TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. SOMEBODY DOES THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOMEBODY IS LOOKING FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.
I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION WHICH I WILL SEND AROUND AT THE PROP PREP TIME TO -- APPROPRIATE TIME TO USE HALF MILLION ROLL OVER FUNDS TO GET FEDERAL HELP FOR REPUTATION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN GARCIA AND
THEN CAGLE. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I HAD SOME LENGTHY CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR FRIENDS IN AUSTIN. I I WAS PRETTY CLEAR ON THE DISAPPOINTMENT WE HAD ON OUR END.
I AM WORKING WITH THE JUDGE'S OFFICE TO GET SOMETHING DONE BETWEEN THE GLO AND HUD. THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITY THERE. THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW IS CRACKED OPEN AND JUST SO YOU KNOW I AM WORKING THROUGH THE JUDGE'S OFFICE AND TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE.
I I WILL BE THE PERVERBIAL SQUEAKY WHEEL.
I WAS TOLD THERE WAS $3.5 BILLION COMING TO HARRIS
[04:10:01]
COUNTY. THE FACT THAT WE ONLY ARE LOOKING FOR $800,000 TO $900,000 IS NOT AN UNREASONABLE ASK. THEY NEED TO GO BACK AND TO THEIR MATH. THEY ARE OFF TARGET AND OFF BASE. WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THEIR CRITERIA AND HUD'S CRITERIA AND WE MAY MAKE PROGRESS ON THAT. THAT'S THAT SIDE OF IT.I FOUND OUT FROM CONGRESSWOMAN FLETCHER COB HELPFUL.
TO BE HELPFUL. WE WENT OVER THESE THINGS AND I'M SURE ALL OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL FOLKS ARE COMING BACK AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OF US.
THOSE ARE INDIVIDUAL CONVERSATIONS WE CAN HAVE WITH FOLKS TO BE SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS LINED UP WITH THE APPROPRIATE CHAIRS. WITH WITH ITEM WE -- WITH THE ITEM WE ARE O I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE DAVID BERRY'S WORK AND I THANK HIM FOR CALLING ME FREQUENTLY AND GIVING ME INSIGHT. WE DIDN'T DO THIS IN THE DARK. I APPRECIATE HIS PARTICULAR RESPONSE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. I HAVE TO SAY THAT EVEN WITH ADDRESSING THE REQUEST MADE THERE IS 10 MILLION OR SO OF MONEY TAKEN OUT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DEFUNDED FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THIS ROLL OVER.
WE WANT TO BE SURE WE PAY ATTENTION GOING FORWARD.
I QUR -- I CONSIDER THAT MONEY IN THE BANK WE CAN USE TO ADDRESS LAW ENFORCEMENT GOING FORWARD.
IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE WE WILL DO WITH THE MONEY, AS YOU SUGGESTED IN YOUR MOTION, RELATED TO I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE AN EXPENSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I MENTIONED TO YOU I DID CALL JIA BEFORE CALLING YOU AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE ABOUT APPROACHING THE JIO BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT IT IN COURT.
IT WAS 4POINT SOMETHING BILLION.
WE DID GET ABOUT A BILLION EACH.
>> TOM RAMSEY: IT WAS A BALANCE -- A BILLION ON
HOUSING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THE CITY GOT A BILLION. THE WASHINGTON REPRESENTATIVE -- REPRESENTATION -- I WILL LOOK UP THE HEARING, BUT ONE OF MY STAFFERS SAID, OKAY.
HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY ANOTHER 900 MILLION.
WE WERE ROUNDING IT OFF TO A BILLION TO THE CITY AND THE COUNTY OUT OF 3.5. I WAS AT A LOSS.
WITH ALL OF THE ENGINEERING THEY SENT BIG REAMES OF PAPER ONE MINUTE THEY HAD THE CLOCK OUT AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD FIVE MINUTES AND THEN SOMEBODY ASKED A QUESTION.
IF WE GOT A BILLION FROM THE CITY AND A BILLION FOR THE COUNTY I HAD A 4.2. OUR AIRING -- OUR ARGUMENT IS YOU GOT IT FROM CASTELLO. YOU WOULD THINK SOMEBODY WOULD WANT TO PROTECT FLOOD MITIGATION MONEY THE VERY HOUSING THAT THEY INVESTED IN.
YOU GOT ME? THEY SAY WHAT ELSE, RODNEY?
I'M THINKING -- >> WELL THAT WAS A QUESTION THAT I HAD FOR GLO. YOU SET ASIDE WHATEVER WORDS YOU WANT TO USE, A BILLION FOR HOUSING AND FOR THE COUNTY.
A BILLION IN HOUSING FOR THE CITY.
SO THERE IS A BILLION FOR THE COUNTY AND A BILLION FOR THE CITY AND THEN SPREAD THE REST OF IT OUT AMONG 50 COUNTIES THAT ON NESTLE WON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE MONEY ANYWAY.
>> AND YOU CAP IT AT 100,000 OR 100 MILLION PER PROJECT IN A PLACE AS BIG AS WE ARE. THAT'S ABOUT -- THAT'S A BIG
DEAL. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND
THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I WAIL -- I WILL JUST SAY THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE FIGURE THIS OUT, BUT COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I'M DOWN TO MAKE THE TRIP WITH YOU. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
[04:15:01]
THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY.WE HAVE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW. L.A. COUNTY, WHEN I WAS GOING UP THERE QUITE A BIT, PREVIOUSLY AS SHERIFF, I WAS OFTEN TOLD HOW L.A. COUNTY HAD THE SINGULAR BIGGEST PRESENCE IN DC AND ACTIVELY PURSUED EVERY DEPARTMENT FOR FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND COLLABORATIONS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY OUGHT TO BE DOING AS WELL. WE CAN PROVIDE THEM WITH GOOD -- IT IS MORE URBAN THESE DAYS THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
WE CAN PROVIDE THEM A LOT OF EDUCATION IN TERMS IT IS LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REFERRED TO, THE COOKIE CUTER APPROACH.
WE HAVE TO BRACKET OUT THE COMMUNITIES LIKE HOURS WITH KEY INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE THE PORT AND THE REFINISH RES.
AND MAKE SURE THE FUNDING FORMULAS ARE COMPARABLE TO THE TERRITORY AND THE LOCAL ECONOMIES.
UNLESS YOU ARE UP THERE WORKING IT AND I DON'T SEE HOW ONE PERSON CAN WORK THAT AGENDA.
I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE BE CLOSE WITH OUR
FEDERAL AGENCIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
THERE ARE TWO SETS OF ISSUES BEFORE US RIGHT NOW.
ONE OF WHICH IS A ROLL OVER. IN A GENERAL CONTEXT.
THE OTHER IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION WITH REGARD TO
INTER GALACTIC SERVICES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THOUSAND.
PARDON ME. IT IS THEIR ROLL OVER THAT WE ARE WANTING TO PUT INTO THIS USE FOR THEIR DEPARTMENT.
AM I UNDERSTANDING THAT CORRECTLY?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: CORRECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PUTTING ASIDE MY ISSUES OF THE ROLL OVER I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO BE SECONDED OR VOTED ON, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO DEAL WITH IT SEPARATELY AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO USE THEIR FUNDS AND I AM SUPPORTED BY THAT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I CAN, I WILL TAKE YOUR SECOND AND MEET MY MIC. I I WILL MAKE THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THIS IS THE MOTION TO USE UP TO $500,000 FOR ADDITIONAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ASSISTANCE AS A COORDINATED EFFORT BETWEEN IGA AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND FLOOD CONTROL. MOTIONS BY -- MOTION LIE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND NOW THERE IS THE ITEM ITSELF.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS A COUPLE OF POINTS ON THAT. I AM STILL AGAINST IT AND I DON'T THINK IT IS GOOD POLICY TO TAKE THE ROLL OVER AS WE HAVE DONE. IT IS A DONE DEAL AND WE HAVE ALREADY DONE IT. AND WE ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH THEM. AND THEY WERE OKAY WITH WHAT IS GOING ON. I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE THAT WE ARE TAKING BASICALLY $10 MILLION OUT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL OF HOW WE DRESS THAT. AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T SPEND ELSEWHERE IS AND MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT TAKING AWAY FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ARENA.
I RESPECTFULLY AND WITHOUT SAYING IT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ROLL OVER DISCUSSION, MR. BERRY HAS DONE A FABULOUS JOB. IF I COULD JUST SAY A POLITE NO ON THE DISCUSSION, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BY DOING SO WE COMMEND THE HARD WORK MR. BERRY HAS DONE AND
[04:20:03]
COME UP WITH A WORKABLE SOLUTION WITHIN THAT FRAMEWORK. I JUST DISAGREE WITH THE FRAMEWORK. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, CAN I GET SOME CLARIFICATION?
>> YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON THE TWO POINTS THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND CAGLE HAVE TOUCHED ON AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY USED THE TERM "DEFUND" AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE INDICATED THAT MONEY DEDICATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, DID WE DEFUND ANYTHING THAT WAS IN A CONTRACT OR BEING SPENT FOR ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION OR PURPOSE? DID WE STOP ANYTHING FOR MOVING FORWARD HAVE WE CANCELED ANYTHING OR
ACCURATELY DEFUNDED ANYTHING? >> I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE.
IN FACT WE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASES AND LET'S GET IT IN THE REGULAR BUDGET.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. I WANTED TO GET CLARITY.
WE HAD DEFUNDED SOMETHING AND I DON'T REMEMBER VOTING ON THAT. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING
THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO SEMITICS, BUT WHEN A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY HAD IN THEIR ROLL OVER ACCOUNT AND THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS REFERRING TO, WHEN THESE AGENCIES HAD $10 MILLION AND IT IS ROLLED OVER FOR PURPOSES SOME CALL IT DEFUNDING.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: APPARENTLY YOU ARE, BUT IT IS NOT ACCURATE SO CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT.
>> TOM RAMSEY: WELL, WE AGREE TO DISAGREE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS A QUESTION OF DO UNBUDGETED DOLLARS BELONG TO SOMETHING. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DEPARTMENTAL ROLL OVER
REQUEST? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OH YEAH.
AND BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE ON THIS I DID WANT TO APPLAUD MR. BERRY FOR HIS HELP WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OWES -- WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND MAKING SURE WE ARE PUTTING RESOURCE THAT'S WILL HELP ADDRESS THE COMMITMENT AND DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF CRIME.
I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THESE ITEMS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THESE PARTICULAR ITEM. AND FOR THAT REASON I WILL MOVE ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO COMMEND DAVE.
IT IS VERY THOUGHTFUL AND IT WAS WELL DONE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW THE SHERIFF IS TRYING TO LEAVE US AND WE ARE HAPPY FOR HIM AND HIS NAME BEING TOUTED BY THE MOST POIRFUL PERSON -- THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD AND I WANT TO ALSO THANK HIM FOR HIS COMMITMENT IN MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE PARTNERING SOME OF THESE RESOURCES ARE IN THE OVER TIME PACKAGE WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER. I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I WAS A HOUSTON COP AND THEY PUT TOGETHER THE 655 PROGRAM.
IT ENDED UP WITH HOUSTON BEING THE LARGEST CITY IN AMERICA AND THOSE OVER TIME DOLLARS WILL GO A LONG WAY.
[04:25:07]
AND SO I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING DANGEROUS PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. THAT'S WHERE INSTEAD OF, YOU KNOW, BEING PROBLEMATIC WE ARE PUTTING RESOURCES AT A REAL PROBLEM AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT THAT.>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP THAT EFFORT.
I MEANT WHAT I SAID. THEY ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM AND WE'RE UNFORTUNATE TO LOSE HIM.
YOU MADE A MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I SEE COMMISSIONER
ELLIS HERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND LEANING LEAN A SECOND ON THE MOTION FOR THE ROLL OVER REQUEST RECOMMENDATIONS. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: UH POTES -- OPPOSED?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I WOULD ADD I WANT TO THANK MR. BERRY WORKING HARD WITH EVERYBODY ON THE CONTEXT OF THE NEW REMOVAL OF THE ROLL
OVER. >> LINA HIDALGO: AGREED.
ITEM 125, RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE VEHICLE FLEET.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK YOU FLAGGED THIS ONE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. THANK YOU.
ON THIS ITEM I WANTED TO SEE IF I COULD GET THE GENERAL YOUR YEA -- NORREAGA ON THE LINE AND TALK THROUGH A COUPLE OF THESE PARTICULAR ITEMSS IN TERMS OF THE PHENOMENAL WORK IN TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO OUR COUNTY RESOURCES AND HOW WE APPROACH THINGS.
ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> I AM UNMUTING HIM NOW.
GENERAL? >> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER I'M HERE. AIDE AIDE --
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GIVE US A SYNOPSIS ON HOW THIS FLEET OR CORRECTIVE ACTION YOU ARE TAKING -- FIRST OF ALL HAVING BEEN THE SHERIFF AND HAVING A BIG FLEET AND HAVING TOLD THIS SHERIFF'S OFFICE WOULD HAVE THEIR FLEET CONSOLIDATED BECAUSE THEY WOULD SAVE MONEY AND DO ALL KINDS OF GREAT THINGS. CAN YOU TELL US HOW THIS HAS EVOLVED IN WHAT YOU ARE FINDING?
>> AS YOU ARE AWARE, WE HAD SEVERAL AUDITS OF FLEET BY THE BUDGET OFFICE. THERE ARE DIFFERENT OTHER REPORTS THAT IMPACT FLEET. IT IS A VERY BIG PORTION OF THE OPERATION FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES.
WE REALIZE THERE ARE SOME EFFICIENCIES.
WE ALSO RECOGNIZE IN TERMS OF RESILIENCE AND IN TERMS OF THE WAY THINGS ARE MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR THE PURPOSES OF AIR QUALITY AND FUEL USAGE AND A LOT OF OTHER MOVING PIECES. WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT IS RECOMMENDED OF EQUAL MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUPS TO GET A BETTER GRASP OF THE PURPOSES OF RECORD KEEPING AND PURCHASING AND SO FORTH AND HOPEFULLY BRING SOME PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS STORE -- FOR WHAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND WORKING WITH A WORKING GROUP AND SEEING IF WE CAN REALIZE SOME GREATER EFFICIENCIES AND COST SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY. I'D AID THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT WORK. I THINK ONE OF THE DISTURBING FINDINGS OF THE AUDITOR'S REPORT WAS IT IS ESTIMATED.
WE DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE 5,000 VEHICLES THAT THE COUNTY OWNS. IS THAT ACCURATE?
>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS
[04:30:07]
LAID OUT IS THE NUMBERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND THE REGISTRATION AND THE VEHICLES THAT WE OVERSEE IS A BASIC, FUNDAMENTAL INVENTORY OF EACH OF THE VEHICLES TO THE VCN AS A STARK PLACE. THAT'S LIKE GROUND 0.AND THEN WORKING FROM THERE WE WILL BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO THE COURT WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AND WORKING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE TO SEE HOW WE CAN DO THINGS MORE
EFFICIENT --Y -- EFFICIENTLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I STILL WANT TO THANK YOU FOR DRAFTING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
ALL THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GOING TOWARD THESE FINDINGS THAT THE GENERAL WAS TOUCHING ON REGARDING THE AUDITOR'S REPORT. I APPRECIATE THAT.
WHY IT WAS EVER A GOOD IDEA TO PUT A FLEET OPERATION JOINTLY INTO AN I.T. OPERATION IS A THOUGHT TO BE UNDERSTOOD.
THE REALITY OF IT IS, AGAIN, I WENT THROUGH THIS ALMOST LITERALLY MY FIRST WEEK AS SHERIFF WHEN I WAS TOLD THIS WILL SAVE MONEY AND DO ALL KINDS OF FANTASTIC THINGS.
COME TO FIND OUT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE AN AUDIT A LONGTIME AGO. THE OTHER SIDE OF IT TOO, WE HAVE TOO MANY DEPUTIES DRIVING VEHICLE THAT'S ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND THIS WORK WILL GO A LONG WAY IN MAKING SURE WE ARE NOT UNNECESSARILY PUTTING DEPUTIES IN HARM'S WAY AND DRIVING ANTIQUATED VEHICLES.
AND THEN, JUDGE, WITH ALL THAT YOU AND I HAVE WORKED ON AND ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY WERE FOUND -- THE JUDGE ALSO FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVEN UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS IN PRECINCT 2 THAT ARE OVER THE RECOMMENDED LIFE SPAN AND SIX OR MORE THAT ARE PAST THAT AGE -- THAT WILL PASS THAT AGE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. OF THOSE SEVEN, SIX ARE SINGLE ALL TANKS WHICH MEANS THEY ARE DELICATE AND THEY COULD START LEAKING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND WHILE WE NEVER LOOKED AT THIS. AND I THANK THEM FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP TRYING TO PUT THIS IN A BETTER PLACE.
I MOVE ON THE EYE -- ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT TO HOLD US UP. GENERAL, MY OFFICE HAS BEEN LOOKING AT TRYING TO DO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
IT WOULD MAKE SENSE. ARE WE HAVING THOUGHTS OR WOULD WE GET THERE AT ONE POINT?
>> I THINK SO. THE RECOMMENDATION CALLS FOR A MID-TERM PLAN THAT ALLOWS AN ADDITIONAL STUDY THAT YOURSELF AND THE COURT APPROVED. I WOULD SAY THERE IS A REPORT WITH A NONPROFIT THAT WILL GIVE US SOME RECOMMEND -- RECOMMENDATIONS ON ELECTRIC HYBRID FOSSIL FUEL VEHICLES.
IT MAY BE THE BEST OVER LAY. WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID SAY IS THE NUMBER OF MILES ON THE SHARED VEHICLES.
[04:35:01]
I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE DID A GREAT JOB THE WAY WE CAN CYCLE THROUGH THE INVENTORY AND STAY ON TOP OF THAT.TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER ON THE FUEL USAGE AND WHAT THAT MAKE UP WILL LOOK LIKE, THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL ALLOW US TO REALLY AND WHAT WILL BE THE BEST FORMULA FOR THE NUMBER OF MILES PRAFLED -- TRAVELED AND THE KIND OF VEHICLES THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING. I BELIEVE YOU CAN GET THERE.
>> I KNOW I HAVE THE LEAST NUMBER OF BUSS AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING. LET US KNOW SOON OR WE WILL
GETTING OUR ARMS WRAPPED AROUND OUR FIRM DISPOSITION AND HELPING BUDGET MANAGEMENT LEARN MORE ABOUT ACTUAL SPEND AND WHAT COURSE OF ACTION MOVING FORWARD.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
THAT GIVES REAL IN -- INSIGHT TO WHAT WE ARE DOING.
WHEN WE GET OUR VEHICLE INVENTORY UP TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE -- WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT THE VEHICLES GO OUT TO WHEREVER THEY CAME FROM AND NOT TO THE GENERAL FUND.
SPECIFICALLY INTO IT. THAT WOULDEN -- THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE THOSE PEOPLE WHETHER IT IS IN THE PRECINCT OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR SOME OTHER LOCATION, BE SURE THAT THE DOLLARS ARE RELATED TO THE REIMBURSEMENT AND WHEN WE SELL A VEHICLE IT WILL GO BACK TO THAT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FUND. IS THAT YOUR PLAN RIGHT NOW.
I ASSURE YOU WE TAKE ALL OF THE PARTS AND WE HAVE A NICE UP TICK AND WE ARE DEMONSTRATING OUR SELL BACK OF VEHICLES, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
IT TAKES IT A LITTLE OUT OF MY LANE WHERE THE MONEY GOES TO.
OUR FUNCTION HERE IS TO GET THEM OUT OF THE PARKING LOTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE MONEY WILL COME BACK TO THE COUNTY AND HOW IT SPENDS IS A LITTLE OUT OF OUR LANE.
>> AND I'M SURE DAVID BERRY IS LISTENING AND WE CAN HAVE A SEPARATE CONVERSATION THERE. AS WE LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS ON OUR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS AND THAT'S A WELL DEFINED PROCESS IN TERMS OF MITIGATION AND IN TERMS OF GETTING THE RIGHT TANKSES IN THERE.
WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, LET'S DO IT. WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT DISASTERS AND WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE CAN GET FUEL AND IT IS OUR ABILITY TO GET FUEL. IF WE GO ELECTRIC VEHICLE WHAT'S THAT MEANS IN A DISASTER AS WELL.
AND IF WE DO BETTER FOR MANAGING THE FLEET WE NEED TO KEEP A CLEAR EYE AND A KICKOFF ON THE HURRICANE SEASON THIS WEEK WITH OUR FOLKS MAKING SURE WE HAVE OUR ASSETS AND RESOURCES PROPERLY PLACED. EVERYTHING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE IMPACTS THE RESPONSE TO A NATURAL DISASTER. KEEP THAT IN MIND.
>> YES, SIR, ACKNOWLEDGED AND I CONCUR WITH YOUR OBSERVATION IN TERMS OF REDEN -- REDUNDANCY IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCIES. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH AN
[04:40:03]
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ON THE EVALUATION OF EACH OF THOSE TANKS TO DECIDE WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH EACH ONE OR IF THEY ARE TOO FAR GONE ORIE PARABLE OR WHAT WILL BE THE RIGHT RECOMMENDATION FOR EACH OF THOSE ASSETS.WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH WE WILL HAVE A REVERSAL OF A CONCEPT OF OUR OWN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO HELP US VET THROUGH SOME OF THE SCENARIOS YOU ARE SPEAKING TO SO WE CAN BE PREPARED GOING INTO THE NEXT HURRICANE SEASON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE AMOUNT OF COUPLE THINGS BEFORE I FORGET. MR. BERRY, MAKE SURE YOU ARE CHECKING THE BUBBLE GUM AND SCOTCH TAPE LINE ITEM.
I KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO SAVE A TON OF MONEY IN THAT REGARD. WHEN I REPLACED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MY FLEET, THOSE GUYS WITH -- WERE DRIVING WITH HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARDS. THEY WERE USING DUCT TAPE AND BUBBLE GUM TO KEEP THE VEHICLES MOVING FORWARD.
I KNOW THERE IS A LINE ITEM THERE.
>> WE CALL IT SCOTCH TAPE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON MY MOTION TO ADOPT THIS RECOMMENDATION BY THE BUDGET OFFICE I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A REPORT BY JUNE 2 FINETH TO KEEP THE RECOMMEND LAYINGS -- THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON TRACK.
>> THE MOTION IS A RECOMMENDATION AND WE RECEIVE AN UPDATE BY JUNE 29TH. AND THANK YOU, GENERAL NORREAGA AND I AM GLAD WE ARE DOING IT WITH CONSISTENCY.
>> THANK YOU, GENERAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A
MOTION AND IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THE NEXT IS 144 WHICH IS THE AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN PROJECTS. WE NEEDED TO CHANGE EMINENT DOMAIN FOR 7 SIMPLE TRACKS IN ASSISTED OF 8.
DR. HOLLOWAY, WAS THERE SOMETHING YOU NEEDED US TO DO
HERE BESIDES THE EDIT? >> NO, THAT IS ALL WE NEED TO
MAKE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS JUST IT. IT IS A CORRECTION.
IT SHOULD SAY SEVEN AS OPPOSED TO EIGHT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN
>> LINA HIDALGO: IN I OPPOSED? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
147, RENAMING A MEETING ROOM. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE -- LOOK, GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL BY ITSELF.
IF IT IS NOT MS. HUGLER, IT IS SOMEBODY ELSE.
IN THIS CASE IT IS BECK RE-- BECKY BERRY.
I WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER SUPPORT OF THE ATASCOCITA LIBRARY. SHE BEGAN TO WORK BACK THEN TO ORGANIZE AND CREATE A PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE ATASCOCITA LIBRARY. SHE HAD PROGRAMS, COMPUTERS AND MODERNIZING AND STREET SIGNAGE AND ON GOING BOOK SALES AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS AND LITERACY INITIATIVES.
IT BEGAN AT 1700 AND SHE REACHED 16,000 BY 2020.
DURING COVID SHE LEAD A PROGRAM TO CONTINUE MOST PROGRAMS ONLINE AND CURBSIDE SINCE 2007 SHE WORKED TO PROMOTE THE EXPANSION OF THE FACILITY AND IN 2019 WE APPROVED A CAPITOL -- CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR A
[04:45:01]
LARGE MEETING SPACE AT THE LIBRARY.SHE WAS ALSO THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY AND VOLUNTEERS AT THE MEMORIAL HERMAN NORTHEAST HOSPITAL. I I WANT TO SAY WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVING ENGAGED, COMMITTED NEIGHBORS LIKE MS. BERRY AND SO PROUD OF HER GIVING OF HERSELF AND HER PASSION SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM.
IT IS EDUCATION AND IT OPENS THE WORLD FOR OUR CHILDREN.
IT IS A PLACE OF COMMUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT.
SHE HAS LITERALLY BEEN A FORCE OF NATURE ALL BY HERSELF WORKING TO GET NEIGHBORS ENGAGED ON THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES. FOR THAT REASON, THIS ITEM IS TO RENAME THE ROOM -- THE NEW MEETING ROOM THAT SHE ADVOCATED FOR IN HER HONOR. SO, MS. BERRY, CONGRATULATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE WITH US TODAY, BUT I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AND TO THE NEIGHBORS AND -- TO THE NEIGHBORS WHO KNOW AND LOVE MS. BERRY, THANK HER AND CONGRATULATE HER. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS
WITHOUT HER ADVOCACY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WILL PROBABLY SECOND THAT. IN FACT, THAT LIBRARY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME WAS IN PRECINCT 4.
I GOT TO TALK -- TALKED ABOUT ALEXANDER THE GREAT AT ONE POINT IN TIME. I AM HAPPY TO JOIN YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ON THIS RESOLUTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. BERRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 161.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS ITEM IS TO MAKE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO MAKE BUDGET TRANSFERS NECESSARY TO MOVE I.T. OPERATIONS TO THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE. AS I UNDERSTAND, THERE ARE OVER TWO MILLION IN COSTS, BUT MY QUESTION IS WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM? WE WANT TO CONFIRM IT EXISTS.
AND I WILL MOVE THE LINE ITEM TO THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I THINK THERE IS A QUESTION TO GO BACK IN TIME A LITTLE BIT WHICH IS WHEN THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR WAS SET UP THERE WERE A NUMBER OF BUDGET TRANSFERS FROM THE COUNTY CLERK. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, I THINK THAT IS UNFINISHED WORK. HAPPY TO DIVE INTO THAT AND WE WILL DO IT WITH THE TAX OFFICE AND THE COUNTY CLERK.
REGARDLESS I THINK OUR RECOMMENDED COURSE OF ACTION IS TO APPROVE THIS MOU. THE WORK IS IN THE BUDGET BECAUSE IT IS NEEDED AND WE CAN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS WE CAN LOOK AT PART OF IT.
>> WE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO TRANSFER THE ELECTION RELATED I.T. OPERATIONS MY RECOMMENDATION IS AUTHORIZING US TO DO THE WORK. THAT'S FINE.
BUT WE WANT TO DO THE WORK. MAYBE IT IS 1.6 MILLION AND MAYBE IT IS 2.4. WE WANT TO DO THE WORK.
>> DO YOU NEED CLARIFICATION, JAMES?
>> YES. >> IS THERE AN INITIAL REQUEST STILL ON THE TABLE? IS THE UPDATE ETD MOTION
[04:50:05]
DECIDED? >> IF THE PREVIOUS MOTION WORKS FOR MR. BERRY IT IS TO AUTHORIZE BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO MAKE BUDGET TRANSFERS NECESSARY TO MOVIE LEAKS-RELATED I.T. TO THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.
MY SUGGESTION IS TO APPROVE IT AS SUGGESTED.
I GUESS YOU CAN TREAT THAT AS A SEPARATE MOTION WHICH IS FOR US TO COME BACK AND DO THE BEST WE CAN TO PAY FOR THIS
MOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL MOVE
>> LINA HIDALGO: QUESTION COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM ALL RIGHT WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES RENDERING THESE SERVICES. I THINK THEY HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE CAPACITY TO DO IT.
ARE WE VOTING ON THE WAY 161 IS NOW OR SHIFTING IT OUT OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND OVERRULE TO THE ELECTION ADD STWRAITER R -- ADMINISTRATOR? I WOULD BE AGAINST THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. DAVE AND COMMISSIONER IT IS
AS PRESENTED, CORRECT? >> MY UNDERSTANDING IF IT WORKS IT SOUNDS LIKE TWO SEPARATE MOTIONS.
LET'S GET UNIVERSAL SERVICES ENGAGED TO DO THE WORK FOR THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. SEPARATELY I THINK MY OFFICE NEEDS TO GO BACK AND SIT DOWN WITH THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE TAX OFFICE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE IS NEEDED.
DO YOU NEED A MOTION FOR THE SECOND PIECE?
>> THE ONE THE COMMISSIONER READ WORKS FOR US.
>> LET'S VOTE AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. THAT IS 161 AS PRESENTED.
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER, I'M SORRY TO DO THIS AGAIN, BUT COULD YOU READ THE SECOND MOTION?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE TO AUTHORIZE BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO MAKE BUDGET TRANSFERS NECESSARY TO MOVE ELECTION-RELAD I.T. OPERATIONS TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, ARE WE VOTING TO AUTHORIZE THEM TO MAKE THE TRANSFERS OR AUTHORIZING THEM TO REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO US? I'M COMFORTABLE WITH LETTING THEM REVIEW IT, BUT NOT THE BLANKET AUTHORIZATION.
SHOULD WE SAY TO MAKE CHANGES?
>> WE ALWAYS GET BUDGET TRANSFERS APPROVED SO THAT IS
FINE. >> IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK ANYWAY. ESSENTIALLY WE SAVE I THINK --
I THINK WE WILL SAVE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T HAVE THE MOTION IN FRONT OF ME AND SO IT IS HARD.
I AM TRYING TO CATCH IT ON THE FLY AND SO IT ALMOST SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE PRE-AUTHORIZING IT.
I AM IN FAVOR OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT REVIEWING AND
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT SAYS AUTHORIZE BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO MAKE TRANSFERS NECESSARY TO APPROVE ELECTION OF-RELATED ITEMS.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: DOES THAT SOUND GOOD NOW, COMMISSIONER
GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WORKS
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> . >> MOTION CUSTOMER -- MOTION
CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 185 IS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEM 232, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY
FLAGGED THAT ONE. >> TOM RAMSEY: IF DR. HOLLOWAY IS ON THE LINE, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A LOT OF TIME.
MAYBE SHE CAN BRIEF ME OR BRIEF MY OFFICE.
I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE GARRISONS IN THAT HOME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING AND WHAT IS PLANNED? WE ARE GETTING MANY DOLLARS IN.
SOME ARE HARVEY RELATED AND SOME MAY BE CARES ACT MONEY.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE SPECIFICALLY WHAT WE ARE DOING ON THE GROUND WITH HOUSING AND HOW THE DOLLARS ARE GETTING THROUGH FEDERAL OR THROUGH FOR THE RECOVERY MONEY AND HOW IT IS RESULTING IN NEW HOUSING IN HARRIS COUNTY.
[04:55:03]
THAT'S MY QUESTION. I DON'T NEED FULL ANSWERS TODAY. I WOULD JUST LIKE AN UPDATE -- KIND OF A FREQUENT UPDATE IN TERMS OF WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING AND WHAT ELSE IS PLANNED IN TERMS OF THE DOLLARS.AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SPH -- AND I DISCUSSED EARLIER WE HAVE A BILLION DOLLARS IN HOUSING DOLLARS IN HARRIS COUNTY. HOW ARE WE SPENDING THAT MONEY? THROUGH THIS GROUP OR THROUGH THE OTHER GROUPS, I LIKEN THE ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE BILLION DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE ON HOUSING.
THAT'S MY POINT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THIS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A REPORT TO SPEAK OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE THUS FAR WITH THE HARVEY RESPONSE PROGRAM. AND TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE CONTEXT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROGRAMS IN THE DISASTER RECOVERY OR THE PROJECT RECOVERY.
THERE ARE PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN FIT DIRECTLY OUR RES -- RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE HARVEY NATURAL DISASTER. PEOPLE ARE BEING REIMBURSED BY EXPENSES AND RESIDENTS ARE HAVING CONSTRUCTION HALTED INCLUDING THE GARRISON FAMILY WE MET A COUPLE FRIDAYS AGO AND WE ARE LOOKING AT REBUILDING LOST HOUSING STOCKS. THERE IS THE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY PROGRAM. SO COME PRIZING ALL OF THEY -- COMPRISING ALL OF THESE THINGS, REALLY IT IS THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WE RECEIVE -- IN RESPONSE TO HARVEY.
WE ARE FOCUSING ON OUR COMMUNITY LAND TRUST WHICH IS PUTTING IT INTO A TRUST TO MAINTAIN THE AFFORDABILITY AND MAINTAINING HOME OWNERSHIP AND THEN WE ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WE CAN ENGAGE IN USING OTHER DOLLARS THAT ARE NOT FEDERAL.
SO DISASTER RECOVERY DOLLARS. THOSE FUNDS WILL DEFINITELY BE ABLE TO LOOK AT COMBINING FEDERAL DOLLARS AND TRY TO INCREASE THEM ACROSS THE COUNTY.
MOST OF THOSE FUNDS HAVE BEEN RELEGATED TO PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO EITHER THE HOMELESS POPULATION AND/OR OUR RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID.
THAT IS OUR UTILITY RELIEF AND OUR EFFORTS IN THE PROGRAMS. THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT WILL BE AT DIFFERENT WAYS TO INVEST THE FUNDS TO IMPROVE THE -- IMPROVE TO THOSE WHO WERE IMPACTED BY COVID AND WE ARE LOOKING AT IT IN A BROADER SENSE. HOWEVER, THIS IS IN A SUMMARY OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME MORE SPECIFIC DATA ACROSS THE HARVEY PROGRAMS AND SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES WE WERE ENGAGED IN WITH SOME OF THE OTHER FEDERAL DOLLARS.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DR. HOLLOWAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING WITH YOU ON THE SPECIFICS.
I THINK YOU HAVE PROVIDED A GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF THAT.
WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THOSE SPECIFIC KIENTD OF -- SPECIFIC KIND OF DETAILS. IT IS A LOT OF DOLLARS WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING. AND WE CAN SORT THROUGH THAT AND GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THAT.
THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A CHART WOULD BE A NICE THING. WHERE THE MONEY HAS GONE TO AND HOW MUCH IS GONE. A CHART WOULD BE GOOD.
>> HAVE I ONE AVAILABLE. I HAVE ONE AVAILABLE.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM 273, REQUEST BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON THE COUNTY VOTING LAWS. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO
ADD ON THIS? >> I WANTED TO OPEN UP AND I WILL BE BRIEF. THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND MEMBERS OF COURT FOR ENTERTAINING OUR AGENDA ITEM.
WE ASK FOR THE AUTHORITY TO DRIVE THE EFFORTS TO OPPOSE ANY AND ALL ELECTION BILLS THOSE THAT ARE HARMFUL TO RESIDENTS. THE CURRENT VERSION AS YOU KNOW, OTHER ELECTION BILLS CHANGE THE RULES FOR VOTING.
[05:00:05]
IT ELIMINATES THE LATE-HOUR VOTING AND PLACES RESTRICTIONS ON THE POLLING MACHINES USED AT POLLING SITES.HARRIS COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTIES IN OUR GREAT STATE. OUR COUNTY'S OFFICE FOR ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AND THE EXPERT ON VOTING MATTERS HAS REPEATEDLY STATED THAT THESE BILLS ARE HARMFUL.
WE HAVE SEEN INITIAL MODELING INDICATING THAT REMOVING THE VOTING OPTIONS THEY MADE AVAILABLE IN 2020 AND EARLY INDICATIONS WOULD DECREASE THE POLLING MACHINES IN MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS. IF THESE PROVISIONS ARE SIGNED INTO LAW HARRIS COUNTY MUST BE INVOLVED IN THE LEGAL BATTLES THAT WILL SPAWN FROM THEM. THERE WERE LAWSUITS FILED IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA WHEN THE LEADERS OF THOSE STATES PASSED SIMILAR RESTRICTIONS. IT PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF VOTERS AGAINST STATES CHANGING RULES IN A WAY THAT IS DISCRIMINATORY. OUR GOVERNMENT HAS A HISTORY OF PASSING THOSE LAWS. THEY PASS LAWS THAT DON'T DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE. THE DEFENDERS OF THESE BILLS ARGUE THAT THE BILL IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT TARGET AFRICAN-AMERICANS OR HISPANIC PEOPLE.
IT IS AN ANTIQUATED WAY TO ASSESS IF VOTING LAWS ARE DISCRIMINATORY. COURTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE SUPREME COURT, SAID VOTING LAWS THAT ARE RACE NEUTRAL ON THEIR FACE CAN BE DISCRIMINATORY.
THAT WAS THE VIEW WHEN THE COURT OF APPEALS IN TEXAS FOUND VOTER ID LAWS WERE RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY.
THAT SAME YEAR THEY DOPPED -- THEY FOUND THE LAWS TARGETED AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND THAT'S WHAT WE -- THE STEPS WE SHOULD TAKE WHEN WE SCRUTINIZED THE BILLS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW. WE ARE ASKING FOR AUTHORIZATION TO FILE LAWSUITS ON ANY SUBSEQUENT LITIGATION THAT COMES AS THEY MAKE THAWR WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IF THEY ARE INDEED PASSED.
I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON THAT MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU FLAGGED THE ITEM IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I DID. I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHEN WE ENGAGE ON THESE BILLS, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS IN THERE. THEY MAY NOT BE ALL BAD OR ALL GOOD. HAVING SOME LEVEL OF IDENTIFICATION TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE GETTING -- THE SWROAT -- THE VOTER THAT'S VOTING IS THE VOTER THAT'S VOTING. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WITH MAILING OUT BALLOTS INDISCRIME NETLY.
THERE ARE CERTAIN PARTS WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO AND BE SURE THAT WHEN WE GET TO THEY SELECTION WE CAN BE ASSURED THAT WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE KNOW TO DO FOR A SECURE ELECTION AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO VOTE.
IN THE LAST ELECTION THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO MAIL OUT BALLOTS TO A BUNCH OF PEOPLE. WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE LAST ELECTION THERE WAS A LOT OF CONTROLS IN PLACE.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PRACTICAL VOTING.
THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME KIND OF IDENTIFICATION RELATED TO VOTING. PRACTICAL ISSUES RELATED TO THAT. HOPEFULLY WHEN WE SEE THAT COME OUT IT -- THE ANSWER COULD BE I AM NOT FOR ANY KIND OF ELECTION CHANGE, WELL THAT IS ONE POSITION.
I JUST THINK THERE IS MERIT IN SOME LEVEL OF SECURITY.
[05:05:01]
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU.
MR. MENNIFEE, THANK YOU YOUR LEADERSHIP.
YOU ARE FOLLOWING A RICH TRADITION OF LAWYERS -- I LOVE THE QUOTE I SAW WHEN THEY SAY TEXAS IS CRYING ABOUT THE ELECTION PROCESS. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
UNLIKE GETTING A VACCINE OR GETTING ON AN AIRPLANE WE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE.
EVEN IN THE CASE OF MY ANCESTORS AND YOURS IT IS A LITTLE LATE, BUT IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.
I UH PLEUD -- I APPLAUD YOU FOR BEING PREEMPTIVE.
YOU TAUGHT TO GET OUT THERE EARLY.
IT IS HARD TO GO UP AGAINST THE RESOURCES OF THE STATE.
IT IS A TOUGH BAT -- BATTLE AND ONLY SUSM -- SUCH A CASE IN A STATE THAT WAS SO RACIST COULD HE HAVE WON A CASE THAT WAS A PRECURSOR TO BROWN VERSUS BOARD OF EDUCATION.
I APPRECIATE IT. JUDGE, I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE MAYOR OF HOUSTON FOR MAKING THE CASE THIS IS BAD FOR BUSINESS AND PULLING OUT. IT WAS A DIFFICULT THING TO DO AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO. IF WE GO DOWN FIGHTING, AT LEAST WE WILL GO DOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY AND I AM
PROUD TO SECOND THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: MOST OF US HAVE ENGAGED IN THIS DISCUSSION, YOU AND OTHERS ON SOCIAL NEED -- MEDIA.
SOME ARE CALLING FOR VOTER INTEGRITY TO MAKE SURE MY VOTE IS MY VOTE. THE OTHER IS VOTER SUPPRESSION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMEBODY DOESN'T DILUTE MY VOTE OR DOESN'T HAVE THE RIGHT OR OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE. I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE RHETORIC AND THE BOMBAST AND THE OTHER ISSUE THERE'S.
I DON'T SEE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO JACK IN THE BOX-STYLE VOTING. I DON'T SEE A RIGHT TO UNSOLICITED VOTING BY MAIL. EVERYBODY HAS A MAILBOX AND CAN VOTE BY MAIL. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THEIR MAILBOX TO DO IT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WILL VOTE NO. THERE ARE FOUR OF Y'ALL THAT CAN MAKE SOME SPEECHES ON IT AND I COULD SEE A FEW DISSCRET VOTES. BUT I WILL NOT AUTHORIZE INDIS-- INDISCRIME NENT VOTES.
I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS MADE HIS SPEECH YET, BUT AFTER WE HAVE ALL HAD OUR, LET'S VOTE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I WILL MAKE MY SPEECH. FIRST OF ALL, IT IS INTERESTING THAT WHEN THIS WAS FILED, WHEN THE BILLS WERE FILE -- FILED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ELECTION FRAUD.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE INDICATED THAT THE ELECTION WASN'T SECURED. AND THEN IT MAKES ME THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WORKED ON DURING THE PANDEMIC TO GET BOOKS BY CURBSIDE YOU CAN GO TO THE PHARMACY AND GET PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION CURBSIDE.
YOU CAN GO TO THE BANK AND GET YOUR MONEY CURBSIDE.
AND IF YOU ARE SO INCLINED TO, THERE IS PLACES WHERE YOU CAN GO AND GET YOUR MARGARITA OR DABBING REBY -- DABBING RE-- DABBING CAREER BY CURBSIDE. THESE BILLS ARE TARGETING CURBSIDE VOTING. WHICH WAS UNHEARD OF UNTIL
[05:10:06]
HECHE REIS -- UNTIL HARRIS COUNTY PUT IT ON THE MAP.IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS TARGETED TO THE COUNTY FOR THE INNOVATION THAT WE LOOKED AT. CHRIS HOLLIS -- HOLLINS WAS ABLE TO SEE IT AND WE CAN PRESERVE OUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN AS MANY WAYS WE CAN AND AS MANY WAYS WE COULD.
I MOF -- I MOVE ON THIS AS I DID INITIALLY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A
MOTION -- >> JUDGE THE ITEM IS AS
PRESENTED, CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT, AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE SECOND.
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IF FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK MR. MENEFEE. THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.
I AM SO PROUD OF THE BUSINESS LEADERS THAT HAVE SPOKEN UP AND THE BIG COMPANIES AND THE SMALLER COMPANIES.
I JUST GOT A LETTER FROM THE ALLEY THEATER AND THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS THAT YOU CAN'T PUT THEM ON THE TABLE OF PARTISAN POLITICS AND SACRIFICE THEM AND EVEN IF IT IS A WATERED DOWN SACRIFICE YOU ARE OPENING TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE DOORS. WHETHER IT WAS INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL THEY DRAFTED THE BILL AND YOU ARE HARD-PRESSED TO TRY AND WADE INTO VOTING IN VOTER AGO TESS -- ACCESS WITHOUT GETTING INTO RACISM AND JIM CROWE.
IT IS A SHARE -- IT IS A SCARY THING.
THERE IS NO NEED FOR IT. NO DEW POINTED MASSIVE -- NO DOCUMENTED MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD.
REPUBLICANS USED DRIVE-THRU VOTING MORE THAN ANY OTHER AREA THIS PAST MAY. WE SHOULD INGNAW -- INNOVATE.
I AM IN FOR THE FIGHT. EVEN IF WE LOSE AS A LEGISLATURE -- NUMBER ONE THIS IS NOT A VOTER ID, AND NUMBER TWO, WE ALL KNOW THIS IS JUST A POLITICAL RED MEAT.
YOU YOU CAN'T GET POLITICAL RED MEAT ON THESE THINGS.
THANK YOU, MR. MENEFEE. NEXT IS ITEM 278.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. YOU MAY BE ON MUTE.
YOU ARE A LITTLE FAR SO I CAN'T TELL IF YOU WERE
SPEAKING OR NOT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I SHOW FOUR -- I THINK I GOT MY -- MINE ANSWERED ON THE LAST ONE.
I'M GOOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MOVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION BY COMETIONER EL -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> . >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEMS 260 AND 69 WE SHOULD TAKE SEPARATELY BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING.
SO 268. A PROPOSED REINVESTMENT ZONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF POTENTIALLY GRANTING TWO TAX ABATEMENTS FOR HALDOR TOPSOE AND HALDOR TOPSSO/-- SPPS -- A/S.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? LUCINDA?
[05:15:02]
>> NO, MA'AM, THERE IS NOT ANY SPEAKERS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS, ANY
DISCUSSION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON THE ITEM. I MOVE TO CLOSE THE HEARING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW FROM THE DEPARTMENT THEY DO NOT REQUEST ANY CALL FOR A VOTE BECAUSE IT ISMENT TON AN -- IT IS MEANT TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANTED TO ASK COMMISSIONER GARCIA IF HE
IS COMFORTABLE WITH THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY STAFF WILL BRING A REQUEST FOR THE NEXT COURT TO TAKE ACTION ON THE CREATION OF THE REINVESTMENT ZONE. THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED HEARING ZONE ON 268, THE DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY IS ADJOURNED AT 4:06 P.M.
>> JUDGE THIS ITEM IS NO ACTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. NEXT IS PUBLIC HEARING FOR 269 AND THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON PAGE 32.
I OPENING HEARING TO HEAR PROPOSED REVISIONS TO HARRIS COUNTY REGARDING LICENSING OF JUNK -- JUNKYARD YARDS AND WRECKING AND SL VEG YARDS IN UH READY TO DENSE OF 396.042 OF THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THIS
ITEM -- OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? >> JUDGE, THERE ARE NO
SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO COMMEND MR. MENEFEE'S OFFICE AND ALL OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE WORKED ON THIS. THESE ARE VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH NEEDED REGULATIONS WE HAVE NOT HAD IN QUITE SOME TIME. RECOGNIZING THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT AND WITHOUT THE RIGHT REGULATIONS THEY CAUSE SO MUCH HARM IN NEIGHBORHOODS EXPES SPECIALLY GASH -- AND ESPECIALLY -- I AM JUST GRATEFUL TO MR. MENEFEE AND HIS TEAM AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WORKED ON THIS TO GET US MUCH-APPROVED REGULATIONS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND COMMISSIONER -- BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL APPROVE -- ALL IN FAVOR REGARDING LICENSING OF JUNKYARDS.
ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING. >> THE ITEM IS APPROVED AS
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THIS WILL ALLOW EFFECTIVE ABILITY FOR
COMMUNITY MEMBERS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AFTER THE
PUBLIC HEARING. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THOSE ARE THE ITEMS AND WE ONLY HAVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE TUNNEL ISSUE, IF BRETT POPPY IS AVAILABLE, I WANT TO BRING THAT UP.
IF HE IS NOT HERE I WILL LET IT WAIT AND POST IT FOR THE
NEXT COURT. >> I DO SHOW HIM ONLINE YOU
ARE UNCOMMUTED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS THE ITEM WE VOTED ON WHERE COMMISSIONERS CAGLE -- THE UNDERGROUND TUNNEL. RUSS, IF YOU ARE THERE, I ASKED YOU ABOUT THIS THE OTHER DAY AND I WANT A SENSE --
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SHOULD BE 276 IF FOLKS ARE WATCHING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT OTHER AREAS IN THE COUNTY WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE REMEDY FOR FLOODING.
AND WITH AN EYE TOWARD THE EQUITY GUIDELINES IF WE WERE TO DO THEM, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T RUN INTO THE SITUATION WE ARE IN NOW WHERE WE HAVE, ALL OF US, CERTAIN AREA THAT'S HAVE BEEN GNAW DWHRECTED HISTORICALLY BEEN NEGLECTED? I DIDN'T TELL YOU I WOULD ASK, BUT IT HIT ME WHEN THE ISSUE CAME UP.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU KEEPING ME ON MY MY TOES.
JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, RUSS POPPY.
WE ARE DOING OUR SECOND FACE OF THE TUNNEL EVALUATION STUDY. WE ARE NEARING THE COMPLETION OF THE STUDY. WE SHOULD BE SCHEDULING BRIEFINGS SOON WITH OUR FINDINGS.
[05:20:06]
WE DID LOOK AT THE NEED ON MULTIPLE WATER SHEDS INCLUDING HALLS AND GREENS AND WE WILL PRESENT THE INFORMATION AS WE BEST SEE IT. AND MOST CERTAINLY ALL OUR CRITERIA. WHICH MAKES THE MOST SENSE TOADVANCE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW WOULD
THEY BE RANKED? >> THERE ARE MULTIPLE CRITERIA IN THE RANKING, BUT IT INCLUDED THINGS LIKE SOCIAL
VULNERABILITY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T END UP IN A POSITION WE WERE IN NOW WHERE WE STARTED FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE LEFT BEHIND. HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE PUT TUNNELS IN ONE AREA THE ARGUMENT WAS MADE BY MICHAEL LEGAL -- MY COLLEAGUES EARLIER.
>> AND YOU'RE RIGHT. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHERE WE DISCHARGE THESE. THEY ARE BIG TUNNELS.
EVERYTHING FROM WATER QUALITY ISSUES AND IF THE WATER IS THERE TOO LONG IS IT APPROPRIATE TO LET IT DISCHARGE THE NEXT TIME WE GET A RAIN? WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE THINGS AND WHERE DO YOU DISCHARGE THE TUNNELS TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T INCREASE SOMEBODY'S FLOOD RISK DOWNSTREAM. THE PORT OF HOUSTON, THAT'S ONE OF THEIR CONCERNS. WE HAVE TO TAKE THEM INTO
CONSIDERATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THE EQUITY ISSUES AND WE TREAT IT MORE THAN JUST A SIX-LETTER WORD AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN GARCIA.
>> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THAT'S ALL GOOD QUESTIONS. WE MET AND IF -- AND IT WAS CONGRESSWOMAN LIZ -- LIZZY FLETCHER.
THE QUESTIONS YOU ARE ASKING WILL BE ANSWERED WITH THE CORE LEVEL REPORT. UNTIL YOU HAVE A CORE LEVEL REPORT YOU DON'T HAVE EVERY DETAIL.
ALL THOSE QUESTIONS WESTBOUND -- ALL THOSE QUESTIONS CAN BE ANSWERED UNTIL YOU HAVE A CORE LEVEL REPORT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND WE THINK THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL. THIS IS CERTAINLY BETTER THAN CHEL -- CHANELIZING BUFFALO BAYOU.
IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL FOR EVERY WATER SHED IN HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY TO GET SOME RELIEF, THERE HAS TO BE A TUNNEL SOMEWHERE. OBVIOUSLY COMING OUT OF THE CORE TWO BIG RESERVOIRS FOR A PLACE TO START AND IT SHOWS RELIEF IN HUNTING I THINK THERE IS A GOOD OPTION EASTSIDE AND WEST SIDE. ALL OF THE WATER ON THE WEST SIDE ENDS UP ON THE EASTSIDE. IF THERE IS A STRATEGIC WAY WE CAN GET TO THE GULF WITHOUT FLOODING NEIGHBORHOODS.
IT WOULD BE A KEY CONSIDERATION OF THAT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, JUDGE, JUST TO RESPOND, OBVIOUSLY IF I WENT TO CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON-LEE OR CONGRESSWOMAN SILVIA GARCIA AS WELL AS CONGRESSWOMAN FLETCHER AND ALL OF THEM KNOW CORE NOT BECAUSE OF RULES THEY FACE, BUT IT IS SLANTED TOWARD COST BENEFIT RATIO AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE AS WE TRY TO STRIVE TO CHANGE THAT WE DON'T JUST DO WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE.
>> TOM RAMSEY: YOU AND I ARE ON THE EXACT SAME PAGE ON COST BENEFIT. I AM MORE ABOUT FLOODED HOMES RATHER THAN THE PRICE OF THE HOMES THAT ARE FLOODING.
WE HAVE TO GET THAT RIGHT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SUPPORT ALL EFFORTS TO DO IN HARRIS COUNTY WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AND THAT'S THINKING MORE
[05:25:04]
COMPREHENSIVELY AND SMARTLY HOW TO MITIGATE FLOODING.WE ARE KNOWN AS THE PLACE THAT CAN BE COUNTED ON TO FLOOD IN ANY GIVEN YEAR. I SUPPORT EFFORTS TO DO THIS.
HOWEVER, I DON'T SUPPORT EFFORTS THAT WILL BRING ANYMORE OF A NEGATIVE IMPACT TO EAST HARRIS COUNTY.
WE ALREADY STRUGGLE ENOUGH. PRECINCT 2 WAS UNDER RESOURCED OVER THE YEARS. IS I NEED -- I NEED MORE RESOURCES SOONER RATHER THAN LATER TO DEAL WITH THE RECENT CHALLENGES MUCH LESS SOMETHING THAT COULD BRING ANOTHER MAN-MADE CHALLENGE. I SUPPORT THE CONCEPT AND I WILL BE LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE AND IT DOES NOT BRING MORE RUNOFF TO MY AREA THA -- THAT DOESN'T HAVE A PARTICULAR ANSWER TO. SECONDLY, I'M GLAD THAT WE ARE GOING TO THE COURT. IF IT IS ANY INDICATION WHAT THE COURT HAS DONE ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN WE HAVE TO TRUST, BUT VERIFY WHAT THEIR LOOK WILL LOOK LIKE.
AND THEN LASTLY I NEED TO BE SURE THAT THIS TUNNEL DOESN'T CREATE COMPLICATIONS WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IN HARRIS COUNTY EITHER THROUGH -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DOLLARS DON'T GET CO-MINGLED. IF THIS IS SOMETHING WE QUILL -- WE WILL DO IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM FOR GETTING GLA FUNDING FOR HARVEY AND IT IS NOT GOING TO COMPLICATE THE EFFORTS THE COASTAL SPINE OR ANY OTHER CHALLENGES BY MAKING AND CREATING OUR SNEADS -- NEEDS AND PRIORITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY.
IS THERE ANY CONCERN TO THAT. >> ALL GOOD POINTS AND THOSE ARE ALL THINGS WE HAVE TO WORK ON WITH THE CORE.
THE CORE IS ACTUAL LOO -- ACTUALLY ONE OF THE PARTNERS ON THE COASTAL SPINE CONCEPT. IT WILL BE INTEGRATED DEFINITELY. WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IS IF YOU DESIGN THE OUTLOOK STRUCTURE CAN IT REDUCE THE SEDIMENT LOADING IN THE SHIP CHANNEL IN -- CHANNEL? YOU CAN INCREASE THE VELOCITY AND GET THAT SEDIMENT MOVING FARTHER DOWN YOU MAY NOT HAVE TO DREDGE AS OFTEN.
THOSE ARE THINGS WE ARE CERTAIN ON.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. I WILL BE LOOKING TO THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT TO LOOK AT NO
IMPACT IN PRECINCT 2. >> UNDERSTOOD.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING SAID AND I WILL I WILL BE ASKING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED TO ME WHEN THIS ISSUE COMES UP. I'M SURE IT WILL BE RUN DOWN.
MAKING SURE IT IS NOT MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES DRIVING THIS FORWARD.
THAT SHOULD BE IT FOR THE ITEMS --
>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON THAT LAST COMMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS EXCITING.
INSTEAD OF HAVING TO INCREASE CAPACITY ON THE SURFACE AND THE DAMAGE THAT COULD BE ERODED, DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL -- WHAT IS THE OLD ADAGE? EVERY DROP OF WATER ON THIS SIDE OF THE GREAT DIVIDE ENDS UP IN THE OCEAN AT SOME POINT? IT CAN GET THERE ROLLING ACROSS THE TOP OR PERHAPS WE CAN BRING IT UNDERNEATH WHERE IT DOESN'T HAVE THE ADD ADDED CAPACITY OF HAVING TO RIP UP THE RIGHT OF WAYS.
THE SURFACE LEVEL WE WOULD NEED AND THIS IS WHAT WE ASK THE COURT TO LOOK AT IS WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF
[05:30:06]
THAT SAME FLOW ACROSS THE SURFACE AND THE DAMAGE AND THAT IS A NEW WAY OF THINKING FOR THEM IS TO LOOK AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE AS BEING A COST SAVINGS AS OPPOSED TOFLOWING IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM GLAD FOLKS ARE LOOKING INTO THAT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> JUDGE, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS TO BE VOTED ON. ITEM 2, 147 AND 232.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND -- WELL, 185 FOR SURE IS THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM. AND THEN 147 IS THE DORK
>> IS THE YES, AT -- ATASCACITA.
>> GARCIA MOTIONED IT AND I SECONDED IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. JAMES, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO VOTE ON ALL OF THE ITEMS WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON EXCEPT FOR THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> YES, MA'AM.
147 AND 232. >> LINA HIDALGO: GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND SECONDED BY CAGLE.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE HAD SO FEW SO IT IS ODD THIS TIME. THE ONLY ITEM LEFT IS 185 AND
[Executive Session]
THAT'S ON THE TAX COLLECTION. IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR A BREAK.WE COULD CATCH UP AT 4:25. IT IS 4:22.
WE WILL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER LINE IN A FEW MINUTES.
WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS.
>> COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
WE NEED A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF ORDERS -- EXCUSE ME.
PENALTY OF UP TO 15% FOR COSTS FOR DELINQUENT COSTS FOR THE TAX CODE FOR HARRIS CON -- COUNTY DBA HARRIS HEALTH.
YOU FOLKS ARE ON MUTE. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> LINA HIDALGO: DOES SOMEONE WANT TO SECOND THE MOTION?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I KNOW THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND CONVEY IS THAT THERE WILL BE AN EXPECTATION WITH ANY CON TRAPTER THAT THE FIRM -- CONTRACTOR THAT THE FIRM FOLLOW THE MWBE POLICIES WE ADOPTED FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS.
ANYTHING I AM MISSING, FOLKS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE 9 MINUTES LATE. IF WE STOPPED AT 5:00 I WOULD
HAVE WON. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK ARE YOU ON MUTE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WAS ABOUT TO SAY 5:10.
WOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I CAN'T SEE WHAT YOU ARE HOLDING, BUT I WISH I COULD. IT LOOKS GREAT.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MY TEAM, BECAUSE I KEPT SAYING STUFF WHEN MY TINY RED LIGHT WAS ON AND I WASN'T SEEING IT. THEY MADE ME THIS NICE LITTLE BOX THAT SAID "ON AIR". IT IS ON AND IF YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED -- IT IS A GOOD THING THAT I DON'T USE STREET LANGUAGE TOO MUCH BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOU WOULD HAVE PICKED UP A BUNCH OF IT OVER AT THE TIME.
THIS KEEPS ME HONEST HERE. IT IS A BIT -- [INAUDIBLE]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO GET YOU ONE MADE, COMMISSIONER,
WITH "HI THERE." >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM CURIOUS
-- >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL DAY YOU HAVE BEEN POLITE AND COURTEOUS.
YOU HAVE NOT INSULTED ME ONCE WHICH YOU ARE PRONE TO DO.
AND THEN RIGHT THERE AT THE END AT 5:11 YOU FALL OFF THE
WAGON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE JUDGE DIDN'T GIVE HIM HIS NAP TIME, JACK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S ADJOURN BEFORE IT GOES DOWNHILL.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE BAD WORDS
YOU ARE SAYING. >> TOM RAMSEY: I'LL SHARE WITH
YOU LATER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL
SO MUCH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DIDN'T SAY
THEM TODAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD NIGHT.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE WE ADJOURNED?
[05:35:02]
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME CHECK WITH THE LAWYERS AND THE CLERK. ARE YOU GOOD?
>> I'M GOOD, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. IT IS 5:11 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.