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* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

[00:00:01]

LEAN GOOD MORNING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD

MORNING. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 10:04 A.M. AND THIS JUNE 29TH MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOW CALLED IN SESSION. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR.

[Pastor David L. Smith of New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Houston.]

TODAY OUR PASTOR WILL BE INTRODUCED AND PRESENTED BY PRE SINK -- BY PRECINCT 2 AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND GOOD MORNING ALL DISTINGUISHED GUESTS. IT IS MY HONOR TO RECOGNIZE A MAN, A PREACHER, A FATHER, A HUSBAND, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY A FRIEND WHO HAS SERVED THE NORTHEAST COMMUNITY EXCEPTIONALLY WELL. PROUD OF HIS SERVICE.

GOT TO KNOW HIM WHEN I WAS ON HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL, AND WHILE HE WAS SERVING THE CITY AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME.

PASTOR DAVID SMITH ALTHOUGH HE IS THE PROUD PREACHER OF A PHENOMENAL CHURCH, HIS TRUE CLAIM TO FAME IS TO BE MARRIED TO THE FIRST LADY, LINDA. HERE ARE THE POINTS THAT DO A LITTLE JUSTICE IN DEFINING WHO THIS GENTLEMAN IS.

HE IS A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL FOR OVER 27 YEARS, NATIVE HOUSTONIAN, ATTENDED COLLEGE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES IN SOUTHEAST HOUSTON, FIRST PREACHED AT NEW BETH -- NEW BETHLEHEM IN APRIL OF 1992. RECOGNIZED AS GOSPEL'S 40 UNDER 40 IN HOUSTON AND NAMED AS AN HONORARY SHERIFF, WONDER WHO DID THAT, AND HIS FAVORITE MOTTO IS PROVERBS 29 -- CHAPTER 29 AND VERSE 18. FOR THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PARISH. AS I MENTIONED, HIS TRUE CLAIM TO FAME IS MARRIED TO HIS LOVELY WIFE, LINDA.

AND HE IS THE PROUD FATHER OF THREE DAUGHTERS.

PASTOR, I GIVE YOU ALL PASTOR DAVID SMITH.

>> GOOD MORNING. FIRST GIVING HONOR TO GOD TO THE LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST WHO IS MY SAVIOR AND HOLY SPIRIT AND COMFORTER. TO THE HONORABLE LINA HIDALGO AND IN RESPECT TO OUR COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR THAT INTRODUCTION. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EVERY HEAD BE BOWED AND EVERY EYE CLOSED AND EVERY HEART LIFTED UP. MOST HOLY, RIGHTEOUS AND EVER-LASTING FATHER, WE COME TO YOU THIS MORNING WITH A HEART OF THANKSGIVING. GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS YOU HAVE BESTOWED ON US FROM OUR EARLY LIFE UP TO THIS PRESENT MOMENT. GOD, WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU BECAUSE IF WE HAD A THOUSAND TONGUES, WE JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. NOT ONLY, GOD, DO WE THANK YOU, BUT, GOD, WE ARE DOING IT BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE.

YOU ARE ONLY NICE -- ONLY NIP -- OMNIPOTENT AND KIND AND LOVING AND MERCIFUL AND YOU ARE GRATEFUL.

WE SAY THANK YOU. WE COME ASKING YOU FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL SINNED AND COME SHORT OF YOUR GLORY. GOD, MAY WE COME BACK TO YOU IN REPENTANCE SO WE REPENT OF OUR SINS.

REPENT MEANS TO TURN AWAY FROM.

WHEN YOU TURN US AWAY FROM SIN, GOD, YOU WOULD TURN US TO SOMETHING GREATER AND SOMETHING BETTER.

GOD, WE COME THIS MORNING PRAYING FOR OUR COUNTY JUDGE.

WE COME PRAYING THIS MORNING FOR OUR COMMISSIONERS, AND WE EVEN COME PRAYING FOR THE AGENDA AND ALL OF THE PROPOSALS AND ALL OF THE FINANCIAL ASSETS TO BE ABLE TO HELP OUR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. GOD, WE COME PRAYING, AND THANK YOU, GOD, FOR HARRIS COUNTY FOR SUPPLYING COVID-19 VACCINES AND GIVING US HEALTH, GOD.

WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. FOR THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE, THANK YOU, GOD. THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND GIVING US PUBLIC HEALTH AND NOT ONLY THAT PROVIDING FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. AND THEN, GOD, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES OF HARRIS COUNTY. GOD WE JUST CAME TO SAY THANK YOU. BLESS THIS DAY AND BLESS THIS AGENDA. LET IT BE YOUR AGENDA.

YOUR AGENDA IS ALWAYS FOR THE PEOPLE.

WE COME TO SAY THANK YOU. LORD, WHEREVER I COME UP SHORT IF THIS PRAYER, I KNOW YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE. I THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.

I THANK YOU FOR THIS COMMISSION.

I THANK YOU, GOD, FOR THIS COURT, AND I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE GOING TO DO. IT IS IN YOUR SON JESUS' NAME I PRAY. THANK GOD AND AMEN.

[00:05:03]

>> LINA HIDALGO: AMEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AMEN.

THANK YOU, PASTOR. GIVE THE FAMILY OUR BEST.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> I WILL. THANK YOU FOR THE

OPPORTUNITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A REALLY BIG AND EXCITING DAY TODAY.

IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE SO MANY FOLKS.

LOTS OF ITEMS AND LOTS OF SPEAKERS.

ON TOP OF THAT WE HAVE A BIG COVID MILESTONE THAT WE HIT AND THE FIRST LADY AND SECOND GENTLEMAN ARE COMING INTO TOWN. I AM VERY EXCITED TO TALK TO THEM AND TO WELCOME THEM TO HARRIS COUNTY AND TO TELL THEM ABOUT OUR VACCINATION PROGRESS.

THEY ACTUALLY SENT A LIST OF THE DIFFERENT INITIATIVES THAT COUNTIES AND CITIES SHOULD UNDERTAKE TO PROMOTE VACCINATIONS. MOBILE SITES, DRIVING PEOPLE TO VACCINATION SITES AND HAVING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND VACCINATING STUDENTS. BASICALLY EVERYTHING THEY LISTED WE HAVE DONE AND THEN SOME.

SO I WILL BE EXCITED TO BRAG ABOUT THAT.

AND WE HAVE EXPERTS AS WELL FOR SEVERAL ITEMS. HERE IS WHAT I PROPOSE. I HAVE TWO PROPOSALS.

TO GET THROUGH THE ITEMS WE HAVE, THE EXPERTS WE'VE GOT TO SPEAK DURING THIS SIX HOURS AND ALSO BECAUSE I HAVE TO LEAVE FOR A FEW HOURS, A COUPLE HOURS TO GREET THE FIRST LADY AND THE SECOND GENTLEMAN, I PROPOSE THAT WE TAKE THE ITEMS WITH SPEAKERS ONE BY ONE AND THEN LEAVE THE OTHER ITEMS UNTIL THE END. STARTING WITH THE RESOLUTIONS.

I THINK WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS FOR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S ITEM. SO WE WILL TAKE THAT ITEM AND THE OTHER RESOLUTIONS AND SPEAKERS ON THE RESOLUTIONS.

THEN WE WILL TAKE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ITEM, THE FLOOD BOND FINANCING ITEMS WHICH AND INCLUDING THE INTERIM FLOOD DIRECTOR I KNOW THERE IS -- THERE ARE -- THOSE TWO GO TOGETHER. AND THE COURT BACKLOG ITEMS. AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE REST OF THE ITEMS. SO SPEAKERS WHEN WE GET THROUGH THE SPEAKERS WE WILL GO BACK TO THE REST OF THE AGENDA THAT IS DISCUSSION AND WITHOUT EXPERT TESTIMONY. HERE IS ANOTHER POINT, AND THIS I LEAVE UP TO THE COURT. WE HAVE LITERALLY A TWO-DAY AGENDA WITH THE VOLUME OF SPEAKERS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS TRAVELING TOMORROW ALL DAY.

WE CAN'T DO COURT TOMORROW. I PROPOSE THAT TODAY WE MAKE ALL SPEAKERS ADHERE TO A TIME LIMIT OF ONE MINUTE.

IT IS OF ONE MINUTE AS WE USED TO DO FOR NONAGENDA ITEM SPEAKERS AS OPPOSED TO THREE. THAT WAY WE CAN GET THROUGH

EVERYBODY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I'M FINE WITH THAT. I THINK AS MUCH AS WE CAN, BY THE WAY, OBVIOUSLY WE CAN TALK TO SPEAKERS WHEN THEY SPEAK AND WE ARE TAKING THE TIME OF OTHER SPEAKERS.

OUR TENDENCY IS TO JUMP IN, BUT SO MORE PEOPLE CAN TALK BEFORE MIDNIGHT, IN PARTICULAR, I ENCOURAGE US -- I WILL DO AS MUCH AS I CANNOT TO BE AS LOQUACIOUS, BUT SO WE CAN GET THROUGH AS MANY SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL BE HERE ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT.

I WILL. YOU GUYS KNOW I WILL.

BUT THE QUESTION IS WILL -- FEWER FOLKS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK IF EVERYBODY SPEAKS FOR THREE MINUTES OR THEY WILL GO TO SLEEP OR SOMETHING. IT IS UP TO THE COURT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE AND WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS REFERRING TO, IF SOMEONE IS SPEAKING AND WE THINK THERE IS PROBABLY MORE WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE INDIVIDUAL, THEN WE CAN ASK THE QUESTION AND IT WILL BE EXTENDED, IS THAT

CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: MEMBERS OF COURT CAN ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS OF SPEAKERS.

OF COURSE, I WILL BE LOOKING AT THE TIME AND RECOMMENDING THAT WE KEEP THE COURT MOVING. $MY JOB AS PRE -- IT IS MY JOB

AS PRESIDING OVER THE COURT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MOVING FORWARD I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF A LIMITATION.

I THINK MOST OF THE FOLKS WHO CAME TODAY WERE PREPARED FOR THE CURRENT RULE OF THREE MINUTES.

I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR OR JUST.

WE HAVE CONSTABLES THAT ARE HERE THAT ARE WANTING TO TALK AND OTHERS THAT ARE WANTING TO TALK AND TO CHANGE THE RULES AFTER THEY HAVE ALREADY COME AND DRESSED UP TO COME TO THE

PARTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL BE HERE ALL NIGHT AND ALL DAY. I AM THE YOUNGEST BY A LITTLE BIT SO YOU WILL HAVE ME HERE JUST FINE.

IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT, THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT.

WE WILL BE HERE ALL NIGHT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: BUT I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF GOING FORWARD SO WE LET PEOPLE KNOW --

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THREE MINUTES IS A GOOD AMOUNT NORMALLY, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD -- THERE ARE 17 PAGES OF SPEAKERS AND THREE MINUTES FOR ALL THESE WE WILL BE HERE ALL NIGHT. I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE WILL BE CALLING IN. WE HAVE 15 HOURS WORTH OF SPEAKERS. IF FOLKS WANT TO CALL IN --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M FINE EITHER WAY.

BASED ON MY LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN AUSTIN WHEN A HOT DAY COMES

[00:10:01]

UP LIKE THIS ONE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF SPEAKERS, WE ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, YOU CAN ALWAYS SUBMIT IT.

OBVIOUSLY IT IS EVERYBODY'S PREFERENCE.

IF SOMEBODY SAID WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY, AND IF YOU THINK THEY WERE PRETTY GOOD AT IT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY IT AGAIN, BUT YOU CAN. AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE BODY, IT IS POLITENESS AND ENCOURAGE US NOT TO WANT TO DO OUR CHEST THUMPING AND LET THEM GET THEIR POINTS ACROSS TO THE BODY OR TO THE PUBLIC. IT IS JUST A SUGGESTION, BUT IT IS ALL RIGHT. I AM THE OLDEST, BUT NOT QUITE. WE ARE ABOUT THE SAME AGE.

IT IS FINE WITH ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: HERE IS WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE. EVERYBODY WHO IS LISTENING AND WHO IS HERE TODAY, RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE 15 HOURS WORTH OF FOLKS. FROM EXPERIENCE, EVENTUALLY FOLKS HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO.

THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDS.

THEY HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER IT IS THEY WANT TO DO. IF YOU SAY SOMETHING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID BEFORE, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD SAY I AGREE OR JUST THINK ABOUT IT. LOOK, I'M HAPPY TO HEAR EVERYBODY AND I AM VERY, VERY -- I AM ALWAYS HONORED TO SEE PARTICIPATION AND WE WILL GET THROUGH TODAY.

SO THAT WAS THAT. LET'S START WITH THE

[Departments (Part 1 of 5)]

RESOLUTIONS. THE FIRST RESOLUTION IS UNDER MYRA AGENDA AND -- IS UNDER MY AGENDA AND THAT IS ITEM 414.

UNDER -- IT IS 414 UNDER COUNTY JUDGE.

JUST A MINUTE. MY INTERNET IS ACTING UP.

THIS IS A RESOLUTION NOMINATING JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY. IT IS EASY TO THINK JUST BECAUSE IT A FEDERAL HOLIDAY IT IS A COUNTY HOLIDAY, BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE. THERE ARE SEVERAL FEDERAL HOLIDAYS THAT THE COUNTY HAS NOT ADOPTED.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE DON'T OBSERVE IT.

EMPLOYEES DON'T HAVE THAT DAY OFF.

BECAUSE OF THE STEPS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TOOK WHICH ARE BIPARTISAN JUST RECENTLY, AND IT IS GOING TO BE A HOLIDAY FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND FOLLOW SUIT. I WILL JUST READ THIS RESOLUTION VERY BRIEFLY AND I THINK WE MAY HAVE -- LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THAT ITEM?

>> YES, MA'AM, WE DO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND JUDGE SINCE IT WAS BIPARTISAN ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL SENATOR CORNYN WAS SUBJECT TO IT, WOULD YOU OBJECT IF ME OR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BE ABLE TO SECOND YOUR MOTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, OF COURSE.

THANK YOU. WHEREAS PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN DECLARED THEY MANS PROCLAMATION WHICH DECLARED FREEDOM TO ALL STATES IN REBELLION AGAINST THE UNION IN 1863. IN 1865, TWO AND A HALF YEARS AFTER THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION WAS DECLARED GENERAL GORDON GRANGER AND HIS TROOPS ARRIVED IN GALVESTON IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE CIVIL WAR TO DELIVER AN ORDER THAT SAID THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS ARE INFORMED THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCLAMATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE OF THE UNITED STATES, ALL SLAVES ARE FREE. THIS INVOLVES AN ABSOLUTE EQUALITY OF PERSONAL RIGHTS AND RIGHTS OF PROPERTY BETWEEN FORMER MASTERS AND SLAVES AND THE CONNECTION HERETOFORE EXISTING BETWEEN THEM BECOMES THAT BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND HIRED LABOR. WHEREAS THE OBSERVE SENSE -- OBJECT -- OBSERVANCE OF JUNETEENTH, WHICH IS A BLENDING OF JUNE AND 19TH IS A CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN TEXAS INCLUDING PUBLIC READINGS OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION AND PARADES AND CONCERTS. WHEREAS AS ON JUNE 17TH, 2021, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE JUNETEENTH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE ACT. THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT BIPARTISAN EFFORT INTRODUCED BY SENATOR EDWARD MARKEY OF MASSACHUSETTS AND CO-SPONSORED BY SENATOR JOHN CORNYN IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY 12 DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN TEXAS MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTER IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND PASSED THE U.S.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ESTABLISHED JUNETEENTH AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY. BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE BY PROCLAIMS JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HARRIS COUNTY HOLIDAY TO APPLY TO ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES. THAT'S THE RESOLUTION.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND I SECOND IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY -- WE'LL TAKE THE SPEAKERS LUCINDA.

[00:15:05]

>> THANK YOU. DAVID SMITH.

GO AHEAD, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

HAHNABLE JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, I AGAIN THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND GIVE MY SUPPORT FOR THIS RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE JUNETEENTH AS A HARRIS COUNTY HOLIDAY TO APPLY TO ALL HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

NOT ONLY WAS THIS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, BUT PASSED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THIS RESOLUTION NOT ONLY DESIGNATED JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS, BUT TO ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHICH INDICATES EQUALITY AND THE VALUE OF FREEDOM FOR ALL. SO I AM IN FAVOR AND SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION AND GRATEFUL TO JUNETEENTH AS A COUNTY HOLIDAY IN COMMEMORATION AND OBSERVATION OF THE NATIONAL REMEMBER -- REMEMBRANCE OF THE END OF THE SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

GOD BLESS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> CARL DAVIS, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> COUNTY JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND GARCIA, CAGLE AND RAMSEY, I AM CARL DAVIS, A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL BOARD OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST CHURCH FOUNDED IN 1718 BY FREED SLAVES IN PHILADELPHIA BY BISHOP RICHARD ALLEN WHO WAS BORN A SLAVE IN 1760 AND KNOWN AS NEGRO RICKY. HIS SLAVE OWNER WAS ALSO CONVERTED AND ALLOWED RICHARD TO PURCHASE HIS FREEDOM IN 1783 AT THE AGE OF 23 FOR $2,000.

AFTER STARTING THE AME CHURCH RICHARD ALLEN AND OTHER CLERGY STARTED SPEAKING OUT AGAINST SLAVERY AND ORGANIZING VOLUNTEERS AIMED AT SOCIAL REFORM AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT.

HE HAD A VISION WHAT AMERICA COULD AND SHOULD BECOME, A PLACE WHERE THE PROMISE OF EQUALITY SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND THE CONSTITUTION WAS SIMPLY A SHINING STATEMENT OF A LIVING REALITY.

IT TOOK TEXAS SLAVES TO FINALLY REALIZE ON JUNE 19TH, 1865 THEY TOO CAN LIVE FREELY IN THIS COUNTRY WE CALL AMERICA. I TOO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION PUT FORTH BY JUDGE HUH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO SUPPORT THE JUNE NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE ACT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN AND SPONSORED BY MS. SHEILA JACKSON LEE AND SENATOR MARTIN PROCLAIMING JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. THANK YOU.

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

CARL. >> JAMES DIXON WITH THE NAACP. GO AHEAD, SIR.

MR. DIXON? BISHOP?

>> YES, I'M HERE. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE, SIR.

>> GOOD MORNING. YES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HONOR TO OUR HONORABLE JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND ALL WHO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY WITH US TODAY. I AM HONORED TO GREET YOU AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON NAACP AND AS A LEADER OF FAITH WHO PASTORS A CHURCH THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 1873 BY FORMER SLAVE REVEREND JACK YATES WHO WAS ALSO A PURCHASER UPON WHICH EMANCIPATION PARK NOW RESTS ALONG WITH RICHARD ALLEN AS OTHERS HAVE INDICATED. I AM HONORED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF SAW PORLT -- SUPPORTING THE NAMING OF JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I SAY DITTO TO THE REMARK THAT'S PRECEDE MINE.

LET ME TELL YOU WHY IT IS IMPORTANT IN HARRIS COUNTY.

HARRIS COUNTY AS WE KNOW HAS A RECORD THAT IS MET OF SOMETHING AND ALL OF US ARE NOT COMPLETELY PROUD OF.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM IN 2021. WE DO KNOW THAT WE STILL LIVE IN A TIME WHERE RACIAL TENSION AND RACIAL DIVISION EXISTS AND TO HAVE CONCILIATORY LEADERSHIP LIKE THOSE WHO REPRESENT HARRIS COUNTY ARE ON THE COURT TO MAKE THIS KIND OF PUBLIC STANDING. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE ETIFICATION OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE NAACP STANDS IN SUPPORT OF IT AND WE STAND IN SUPPORT IN THE FAITH COMMUNITY.

I URGE, JUDGE, YOU CONSIDER TWO THINGS ALONG WITH A RESULT OF A PASSING TO THE WILL THAT THERE BE A MAMMOTH EDUCATION IN HARRIS COUNTY REGARDING JUNETEENTH BRINGING HISTORIANS TO OUR COUNTY TO DEAL WITH IT AND LEARNING IS IMPORTANT WHEN

[00:20:03]

IT COMES TO LIBERATION. IF WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PATH WE ARE DESTINED TO REPEAT IT.

I ALSO URGE THAT YOU ALLOW US TO STAND WITH YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THERE IS A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THIS DAY.

IT SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED AND NOT KEPT UNDER SECRECY AND THE PRIVACY OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

I THINK THE COUNTY NEEDS TO SEE THAT, JUDGE, YOU HAVE TAKEN A STAND AND JUNETEENTH WAS ANNOUNCED TWO AND A HALF YEARS TOO LATE, BUT IT DID COME.

I THINK THIS DAY IS OVERDUE AND, JUDGE, YOU DESERVE THE CREDIT ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN THAT SHOULD HAVE STOOD YEARS AGO.

WE STAND WITH YOU AND TOGETHER WE SAY TOGETHER WE RISE AND DIVIDED WE FALL. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.

>> THANK YOU,. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA?

>> YES, MA'AM. I HAVE ONE MORE ON THIS ONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. >> TONYA DUBOIS.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.

JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL DAY AND THIS RESOLUTION.

JUST APPRECIATING THIS MOMENT. TEXAS WAS THE LAST FRONTIER FOR ENSLAVEMENT. AS MY ANCESTORS CAME ASHORE IN A SHIP BEING SMUGGLED IN FROM CUBA, I COME TO YOU AS A FIFTH GENERATION DESCENDANT OF THOSE PEOPLE, APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS FOR CREATING A HOLIDAY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY SO THAT SO MANY CAN ENJOY THE FREEDOM OUR ANCESTORS WERE FELT THE DAY THEY WERE FREED JUNE 19TH, 1865.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT CONGRESSWOMAN JACKSON LEE HAS DONE AND THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN GETTING THIS BILL PASSED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. WE APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS AND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE.

TO GET IT DONE AT THE HARRIS COUNTY LEVEL.

I SECOND WHAT BISHOP DIXON SAYS ABOUT EDUCATION.

THERE ARE SO MANY COMMUNITIES AND SO MANY PLACES WHERE UNION TROOPS, COLORED TROOPS, WENT TO ANNOUNCE FREEDOM TO ALL THOSE WHO HAD BEEN ENSLAVED. THOSE MOMENTS CANNOT BE ON SHELVES IN BOOKS, BUT NEED TO BE CELEBRATED AND SUPPORTED.

WITH THIS EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION HERE, FOR THIS RESOLUTION WE WANT TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE EMANCIPATION TRAIL THAT GOES FROM THE REEDY CHAPLAIN IN GALVESTON TO HARRIS COUNTY AND FINALLY INTO INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS WHICH IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUNICIPALITY IN TEXAS.

WE THANK YOU AND WE SUPPORT YOU ON THIS RESOLUTION AND COMMEND ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS TODAY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS.

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

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR

COMMITMENT TO HISTORY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR LEADING ON THIS ISSUE. I HOPE YOU TAKE BISHOP DIXON UP. I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE.

WE WOULD BE PROBABLY ONE OF THE FIRST GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES IN THE COUNTRY, LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES IN THE COUNTRY TO DO IT SO SWIFTLY. I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

IT WAS OVERDUE. IN EAST TEXAS, IT WAS ALREADY A HOLIDAY IN EAST TEXAS SO I AM GLAD WE ARE MAKING IT OFFICIAL NOW. THAT'S GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DON'T HAVE ANY OUT OF ORDER FOR ONE OR TWO.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

435 IS A RESOLUTION RELATED TO PATRICK AIKEN.

IT IS AN HONOR TO SIT HERE AND REMEMBER FOLKS THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY DIE IN VERY UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES AS NOTED IN THE RESOLUTION, I THINK IT IS GOOD TO REMEMBER, FOLKS. TO REMEMBER FOLKS.

THESE AREN'T STATISTICS. THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE.

WHEN YOU READ ON THE 6:00 NEWS THAT SOMEBODY JUST GOT KILLED, THAT SOMEBODY IS SOMEBODY. THEY ARE REAL PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE MOTHERS AND FATHERS AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

IT HURTS ALL OF US IF IT HURTS ANY OF US.

THE RESOLUTION IS WHEREAS PATRICK AIKEN WHO DIED ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 WAS KILLED WHILE OUTSIDE HIS APARTMENT WATCHING A TEXANS GAME BY A MALE AND FEMALE, THE MALE WAS OUT OF JAIL ON FOUR FELONY BONDS IN HARRIS COUNTY, THREE FOR AGGRAVATED ROBBERY WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, AND ONE FELONY EVADING ARREST CHARGE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BEING ON BOND FOR FELON IN POSSESSION OF A DEADLY WEAPON.

THE SAME PERSON HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN TWO UNRELATED CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ROBBERY COMMITTED

[00:25:01]

IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER OF 2020.

AND WHEREAS IN 2019 AND 2020 THE STATE FILED A MOTION FOR DENIAL OF BAIL AGAINST THE MALE SUSPECT AND WAS DENIED BOTH TIMES. BOND WAS REDUCED FROM 170 TO 130,000 FOR THE DEFENDANT DESPITE A HISTORY OF VIOLENT CRIMES WITH CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AGAINST A FAMILY MEMBER AND AGGRAVATED ROBBERY WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.

A HISTORY THAT CULMINATED IN THE MURDER OF PATRICK AIKEN.

THE DEFENDANT ACCUSED OF MURDERING PATRICK AIKEN DID SO WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF ATTEMPTED ROBBERY MAKING IT A RANDOM ACT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST AN INNOCENT VICTIM WHICH HAS BEEN TIME AND -- COMMONPLACE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

PATRICK WAS ONE OF OVER 400 HOMICIDE VICTIMS IN HARRIS COUNTY IN 2020. WHEREAS PATRICK WAS KNOWN FOR ALWAYS WEARING A SMILE, HE WAS A LOVING BROTHER, SON, UNCLE, FRIEND. PATRICK WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY, KIND MAN. AFTER GETTING HIS FIRST JOB SINCE COVID HE WAS MOST EXCITED NOT FOR HIMSELF, BUT THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUY HIS NIECE AND NEPHEW CHRISTMAS GIFTS. NEVER A DAY WENT BY THAT HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY WOULD NOT GET A CALL OR TEXT WITH WORDS OF SUPPORT, LOVE AND KINDNESS.

WHEREAS PATRICK WAS A DODING SON, PATRICK LOVED BEING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS ESPECIALLY HIS BIG SISTER THERESA AND THEY ALWAYS FOUND A WAY TO MAKE THEM SMILE.

BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT EXES TENDS -- EXTENDS CONDOLENCES IN CHANGES THAT MUST BE TAKE TONE PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND ENSURE OUR SAFETY.

I BELIEVE THERE ARE SPEAKERS, JUDGE.

>> IS THERE A MOTION. LUCINDA, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL

UP THE SPEAKERS? >> THIS PERSON IS IN PERSON CARAVAN -- CARA VAN. PLEASE WONK -- WALK UP TO THE

PODIUM. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM CARE UH V -- CARA VAN AND A RESIDENT IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR TW -- 22 YEARS. NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WANT TO VOICE THE CONCERN ABOUT THE VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR COUNTY AND THE LACK OF CONCERN BY THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT THE SENSELESS MURDER OF PATRICK AIKENS. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS SISTER, THERESA, AND THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY.

THEY GRIEVE THE LOSS OF PATRICK.

WHAT IS SO INFURIATING IS PA PATRICK WOULD BE ALIVE TODAY IF THE HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT JUDGE DID NOT RELEASE THE DEFENDANT THAT MURDERED PATRICK.

THIS PARTICULAR DEFENDANT WAS OUT ON SEVEN BONDS BEFORE BEING CHARGED WITH PATRICK'S MURDER.

120 HOUSTONIANS HAVE BEEN MURDERED OR KILLED BY A DEFENDANT OUT ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS, FELONY PR BONDS AND/OR BOND FORFEITURE. 85 OF THESE DEATHS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE 2020. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

UNTIL YESTERDAY THERE WAS SILENCE FROM MOST OF THIS COURT ABOUT THE SKY ROCKETING VIOLENT CRIME IN THIS CITY.

IT SEEMS HAVE YOU TURNED A BLIND EYE TO WHAT IS SO VERY OBVIOUSLY HAPPENING AND DESTROYING OUR CITY.

NOW YOU WANT TO ADDRESS IT. IN LIGHT OF YESTERDAY'S PRESS CON -- CONFERENCE ON PUBLIC SAFETY WILL THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT NOW SUPPORT BOND REFORM LEGISLATION THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR THE UPCOMING SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION? HOUSTON HOMICIDES ARE UP 42% OVER LAST YEAR AS I WRITE THIS 225 HOMICIDES HAVE OCCURRED IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR PER KPRC INVESTIGATION PUBLISHED ON JUNE 23RD. THE NUMBER OF PR BONDS GRANTED BY CRIMINAL COURT JUDGES MORE THAN QUADRUPLED FROM 2018 TO 2020. JUDGES MUST BEHELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALTERING FELONY BOND PRACTICES.

THIS IS KNOT AGO -- THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE NEED FELONY BOND REFORM IN THE SPECIAL SESSION. OUR OWN DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS GONE ON RECORD SAYING CRIME IS UP, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH BAIL. HOW CAN YOU AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER HEAR THAT AND NOT SUPPORT BOND REFORM LEGISLATION? AS A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY I FEEL FAILED BY THIS COURT. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE MUST BE KILLED OR VICTIMIZED BEFORE YOU LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND SUPPORT A LIFE-SAVING PIECE OF

[00:30:01]

LEGISLATION? WHY HAVE YOU REMAINED SILENT ON THIS ISSUE? MAYOR TURNER RECENTLY SAID IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT IT IS A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY.

IT IS NOT EVEN IN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF JUST LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT IS ALL OF US PLAYING A PART. I ASK YOU, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO PLAY YOUR PART TO PROTECT INNOCENT CITIZENS AND SUPPORT MUCH-NEEDED BOND REFORM LEGISLATION? AS A HOUSTONIAN, I AM WATCHING.

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

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, CAROL.

>> LYNDSAY ERINSTEIN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER'S COURT FORGIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY -- FOR GIVING ME ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WANTED TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE AIKENS FAMILY DURING A DIFFICULT TIME.

I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. VIOLENT CRIME IS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRIMES AND THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME IF I LIVE HERE WITH OTHER FAMILIES LIKE THE AIKENS. I WATCHED THE RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH HPD, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE MAYOR AND CHIEF SKINNER. THE EVENT SHOWS YOU ARE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISE IF VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR AREA AS ARE MOST CITIZENS. THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION ON TACK -- TACTICS BEING DEPLOYED TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME AND RECENTLY MANY OF YOU ARE BECOMING MORE VOCAL ABOUT THE RISE IN VIE -- VIOLENT CRIME LOCALLY.

I BELIEVE AFTER WATCHING COUNTLESS NEWS STORIES AND READING MANY NEWS ARTICLES THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST CRIME PROBLEMS IN HARRIS COUNTY IS THAT HABITUAL VIOLENT FELONS CONTINUE TO BE RELEASED ON MULTIPLE BONDS.

EVEN AFTER BREAKING THE TERMS OF THEIR INITIAL BOND OR SUB -- SUBSEQUENT BONTD -- BOND ISSUED IN HARRIS COUNTY.

LAW ENFORCEMENT IS WORKING HARD TO APPREHEND CRIMINALS, BUT SHORTLY AFTER APPREHENSION THESE VIOLENT, HABITUAL CRIMINALS ARE RELEASED ON LOW PR BONDS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE OUT ON BOND ALREADY WHICH CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY FOSTERING A HIGHER NUMBER OF VIOLENT CRIMES AND MURDERS. IF HUH -- HABITUAL VIOLENT CRIMINALS HAVE NO REPERCUSSION FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND CONTINUALLY RELEASED ON BOND, THE ESCALATION OF VIOLENT CRIME WILL CONTINUE AND THE DEVASTATION TO INNOCENT FAMILIES WILL CONTINUE. HARRIS COUNTY IS BORDERED BY COUNTIES MORE ACCOUNT BELIEVE JUDICIAL SYSTEMS. THE CONVICTED KNOW THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS. HARRIS COUNTY IS MORE LENIENT FOR BONDS AND VIOLENT -- THAN UH.

>> SEPTEMBER COUNTIES. ADJACENT COUNTIES.

IT IS MORE OF A DETERRENT THERE THAN IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE CAREER VIOLENT FELONS CONSIDER HARRIS COUNTY A SAFER PLACE TO COMMIT CRIMES. I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN BEING VOCAL WITH OUR ELECTED FELONY JUDGES LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY DOES NOT FAVOR ISSUING MULTIPLE BONDS TO THE SAME ACCUSED CRIMINALS TIME AND TIME AGAIN. IF A HARRIS COUNTY FELONY JUDGE ACCUSED OF A BOND VIOLATES THE BOND THE CONSEQUENCE SHOULD BE A DETERRENT TO COMMITTING ADDITIONAL CRIMES. WE ASK THAT YOU EACH CONSIDER SUPPORTING FELONY BOND REFORMER -- BOND REFORM LEGISLATION IN THE UPCOMING SPECIAL SESSION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN MAKING HARRIS COUNTY A SAFE

PLACE TO LIVE. >> THANK YOU.

>> CELIA BROWN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER'S COURT, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.

MY NAME IS CELIA BROWN AND I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR 30 YEARS. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE LACK OF CONCERN AND ACTION BY THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN 120 HOUSTONIANS KILLED BY DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS, PR BONDS AND THE LIKE.

THE MAJORITY OF THESE CRIMES HAPPENED IN 2020 AND 2021.

ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO VOTE OWED FELONY BOND REFORM, JUDGES HAVE TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO ALTER FELONY BOND PRACTICES THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE NEED STATEWIDE BAIL REFORM AND LEGISLATION LIKE HOUSE BILL 20.

HOUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE TOP PROSECUTOR IN OUR COUNTY, HAS GONE ON RECORD SAYING CRIME IS UP, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AND IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH BAIL.

HOW CAN YOU AS A COURT HEAR THAT AND NOT SUPPORT THE BILL REGARDING BOND REFORM? AS A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY, I FEEL FAILED BY THIS COURT.

HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST BE VICTIMIZED OR DIE BEFORE YOU LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND SUPPORT A LIFE-SAVING

[00:35:03]

PIECE OF LEGISLATION? WHY HAVE YOU REMAINED SILENT ON THE ISSUE? WILL YOU WAIT TO SPEAK WHEN SOMEONE YOU KNOW PERSONALLY IS IMPACTED FOR YOU TO DO SOMETHING? I URGE YOU TO TAKE ACTION NOW AND TO PROTECT YOUR CITIZENS AND SUPPORT THE HOUSE BILL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> TONYA MANCARIAS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL.

TONYA MANCARIAS, CEO OF CRIMESTOPPERS.

THANK YOU FOR HONORING THERESA AND HER FAMILY.

CRIMESTOPPERS WORKS TO ENSURE THE GREATER HOUSTON METROPOLITAN AREA AND WE HAVE DONE THIS ABOUT COMMISSIONERS CREATING INITIATIVES AND SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES. TWO YEARS AGO PRE-COVID WE BEGAN SOUNDING THE ALARM ON ISSUES WE NOTICED LEADING TO A SHARP INCREASE IN CRIME. I HOPE THIS WORK HAS NOT STRAINED A HISTORICALLY SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR COURT.

THE REALITY IS THE ISSUES OF ONE'S SAFETY QUICKLY BECOMES VERY PERSONAL AND VERY EMOTIONAL.

EVERY DAY WE ARE GETTING CALLS FROM PEOPLE LIKE THERESA WHOSE BEST FRIEND AND BROTHER, PATRICK, WAS KILLED BY SOMEONE WHO SHOULDN'T BEEN ON THE STREETS.

WE ALL AGREE PATRICK SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN KILLED, I FEAR WE DIFFER IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW DEFENDANTS LIKE PATRICK'S KILLER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MANAGED.

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CLARIFY THAT ISSUE.

LAST SESSION OUR TEAM ALONGSIDE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OG ADVOCATED FOR LEGISLATION OF BAIL ISSUE TIED TO THE RELEASE OF VIOLENT REOFFENDERS LIKE PATRICK'S KILLER AND ASKED TO DEAL WITH THE REPEAT AND VIOLENT DEFENDANTS ON A DAILY BASIS. JUDGE HIDALGO THEY HAVE SEPTEMBER SOMEONE TO UH THESE EFFORTS.

WILL YOU DO THE SAME DURING A SPECIAL SESSION? MANY OF US WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

WE ARE IMPACTED BY CRIME AND THE FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN AT HOME AND HAD THEIR TIED UP AND LOVED ONES SHOT AT AND SHOT AND KILLED AND ATTACKED RUNNING ERRANDS AND VICTIMIZED BY DEFENDANTS OUT ON MULTIPLE BONDS AND WHO REPEATEDLY BREAK THE BOND CONDITIONS AND EVADE ARREST AND DO NOT SHOW UP FOR HEARINGS AND ARE STILL, YET, ONCE AGAIN RELEASED ON BOND.

WE ALL WANT TO KNOW. AS I SAID BEFORE, TO SAY THE SPIKE IN CRIME IS MAINLY A FUNCTION OF COVID IS UNFAIR.

WE SOUNDED THE ALARM ON THIS ISSUE WELL BEFORE COVID BEGAN. TO SAY IT IS A FUNCTION OF GUNS ON THE STREETS IS UNFAIR.

TO SAY IT IS HAPPENING ACROSS ALL MAJOR CITIES IS UNFAIR.

ALL OF THESE STATEMENTS WHILE PARTIALLY TRUE LEAVE OUT THE LARGEST UNDERLING FACTOR, AND THAT'S THIS.

EXCESSIVE BONDS BEING REPEATEDLY GIVEN AND VIOLENT FELONY CASES CREATING CHAOS IN HARRIS COUNTY COURT.

IT IS TORMENTING OUR COMMUNITY , AND IT IS EMBOLDENING CRIMINALS. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT, JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF YOU COMMISSIONERS. DURING THIS SPECIAL SESSION JOIN US, THE COMMUNITY AND THERESA AND OTHER VICTIM FAMILIES AND THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND MANY OTHER LOCAL LEADERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPACE WORKING TO PASS LEGISLATION ON THIS ISSUE OR WILL YOU ONCE AGAIN SEND SOMEONE TO OPPOSE IT?

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

LOOK, I THINK -- I DON'T WANT TO DISRESPECT THE VICTIM THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT UP, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, BY GETTING INTO POLITICAL DEBATE HERE.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE FOCUSED ON TACKLING THIS ISSUE.

>> EMILY SMART. GO AHEAD.

>> I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I AM ASKING YOU TO VOTE FOR HB2. MY HUSBAND AND I AND MY FAMILY WERE HELD UP AT GUNPOINT AT OUR HOUSE ON SATURDAY.

THE MAN HELD A GUN TO MY HUSBAND ON THE OUTSIDE AND CAME INSIDE WHERE MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WERE.

THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT WE ARE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER LEGISLATION OR ANY KIND OF ACTION THAT HELPS PREVENT THIS HAPPEN TO US AGAIN OR SOMEBODY ELSE.

IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION AND NOT SOMETHING WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPERIENCE AGAIN. ANYTHING YOU GUYS ARE CONSIDERING WOULD HELP KEEP US SAFE AND OUR THREE SMALL CHILDREN, WE WOULD APPRECIATE.

THANK YOU. >> MELISSA SCHNITZER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. MY NAME IS MELISSA SCHNITZER.

[00:40:03]

I AM ADDRESSING THE COURT REGARDING PATRICK AIKENS.

HIS LIFE WAS TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT BY A DEFENDANT OUT ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS. I AM HEART BROKEN FOR THEIR SENSELESS LOSS. THE TIME IS NOW TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF FELONY BOND REFORM FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. I AM REACHING OUT FOR HELP, GUIDANCE AND ANSWERS TO THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM.

THE HOMICIDE RATE IN HOUSTON IS UP 44%, AND LAST YEAR OVER 400 PEOPLE WERE MURDERED. THE STATISTICS ARE STAGGERING. BEHIND THE STATISTICSS IN GNAW SENT VICTIM -- INNOCENT VICTIMS ARE TAKEN.

THERE IS A REVOLVING DOOR WHERE PEOPLE ARE RELEASED.

WE CAN'T ALLOW DANGEROUS PEOPLE ON THE STREETS POSING A KNOWN DANGER. IT TELLS CRIMINAL THAT'S THEIR FREEDOM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SAFETY OF INNOCENT LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF FELONY BOND REFORM AND TO KEEPING US SAFE. AND NOT LETTING THE LIFE OF PATRICK AIKENS BE JUST ANOTHER NUMBER, BUT A CATALYST FOR CHANGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

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

>> THERESA SECK IS IN PERSON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

WALK UP TO THE PODIUM. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM THERESA SECK. I AM THE SISTER OF PATRICK AIKENS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY. I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO SPEAK TO YOU UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

PATRICK AIKENS, MY BROTHER, WAS KILLED AND MURDERED 9 MONTHS AGO BY INDIVIDUALS ATTEMPTING TO ROB HIM AS HE WALKED OUTSIDE HIS GALLERIA AREA APARTMENT.

THESE INDIVIDUALS RAN AWAY WITHOUT TAKING ANYTHING OF MONETARY VALUE. INSTEAD THEY TOOK THE MOST PRICELESS THING, PAT'S LIFE. PAT WAS A KIND-HEARTED LOVING MAN WITH A GENTLE SPIRIT WHO LOVED HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL. HUE -- HE WAS A PERSON WHO MADE FRIENDS EASILY. HE DIDN'T DESERVE TO HAVE HIS LIFE TAKEN. AS YOU HEARD BEFORE, ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHICH HAS BEEN CHARGED IN MY BROTHER'S MURDER -- CURRENTLY HAS SEVEN OPEN FELONY CASES, FOUR OF WHICH WERE COMMITTED BEFORE HE MURDERED MY BROTHER.

ALL OF THESE CASES HAVE BEEN AND ARE CURRENTLY IN THE SAME JUDGE'S COURT THAT ENABLED HIM , THIS INDIVIDUAL, TO EXPAND HIS CRIMINAL RECORD. WHO THINKS THIS IS OKAY? I'M STILL WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME THE RATIONAL OF A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS THIS TO HAPPEN.

WHY WASN'T THIS INDIVIDUAL'S BOND REVOKED AFTER THE FIRST, SECOND THIRD OR FOURTH TIME? DOES IT ALARM YOU THAT THIS JUDGE WOULD -- WHO HAS BEEN ON THE BENCH FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS HAS GIVEN BOND TO EIGHT OFFENDERS WHO WERE CHARGED WITH MURDER WHILE OUT ON THOSE BONDS? THIS SOUNDS LIKE STRONG, RESTRICTIVE FELONY BOND REFORM THAT YOU SAY WE CURRENTLY HAVE? IT IS SAD AND UNFORTUNATE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY HAS TURNED INTO A PARTISAN ISSUE. I HEARD SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS USED TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM WITH THE FELONY BOND REFORM.

LET ME BE CLEAR. PAT'S DEATH WAS NOT AN EXAGGERATION OF THE DATA WHICH I HAVE HEARD YOU SAY.

AND THIS IS NOT AN EFFORT TO GET RID OF MR. -- MISDEMEANOR BOND REFORM. NO ONE IS SPEAKING AGAINST THAT. ALSO, I'M NOT HERE TO ADVOCATE

AGAINST FEDERAL BOND REFORM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I HAVE TO STOP YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE --

>> THERE IS A CONFUSING ISSUE AND LIVES ARE AT RISK.

RECONSIDER YOUR POSITION AND WORK TOGETHER TO STOP THIS

CYCLE. >> DO WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE MINUTES? THANK YOU.

>> PLEASE STOP DISMISSING THE -- DEFLECTING AND CONFUSING

[00:45:03]

THE ISSUE. LIVES ARE AT RISK RECONSIDER YOUR POSITION AND WORK TOGETHER TO DISRUPT THE CYCLE THAT ALLOWS VIOLENT OFFENDERS TO REUH FEBD -- TO REOFFEND -- TO REOFFEND WHILE OUT ON MULTIPLE FELONY BOND AND FOLLOW REGARDING THIS MATTER. IT IS NOT A GOOD LOOK TO BE AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, THERESA.

GIVE YOUR MOM OUR CONDOLENCES AS WELL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO YOUR FAMILY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING BY.

YOUR BROTHER IS IN ALL OF OUR HEARTS.

>> THANK YOU. MICHAEL FIELDS, GO AHEAD

PLEASE. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO AND GOOD MORNING MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I WANT TO START BY EXPRESSING MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE AIKENS FAMILY FOR THEIR LOSS.

I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY HOW THIS COULD BE A TIME WHEN YOU ARE CONFUSED AND WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON? HOW IS OUR SYSTEM THE WAY IT IS AND WHY DOES IT FEEL SO BROKEN? TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION I SAY TO YOU THIS: AS IMPORTANT AS IT IS TO GET THIS RIGHT, IT IS EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT NOT TO USE A SITUATION THAT IS AS TRAGIC AS THIS ONE IS TO ADVOCATE FOR SOMETHING THAT CAN'T BE DONE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

THIS IS A LEGISLATIVE ISSUE AND IT HAS TO BE TAKEN UP BY THE LEGISLATURE. THE BAIL REFORM EFFORTS WE HAVE SEEN IN HARRIS COUNTY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

IN FACT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF VIOLENCE, YOU CAN SEE THAT WOULD -- YOU CAN SEE WHAT CAUSED THE MOST RECENT INCREASE IN STATISTICS WAS THE PANDEMIC. THE MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM CON -- CONSENT DECREE WAS IN EFFECT FOR A YEAR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT. AND THE VIOLENT MURDER RATE STAYED THE SAME. AND IN FACT VIOLENT CRIME AS A WHOLE WAS GOING DOWN. SO THE QUESTION IS WHAT DO WE DO NOW TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS SYSTEM WORKS FOR EVERYONE? OBVIOUSLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING IS A PIECE, BUT SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT DID JUST RECENTLY IN ALLOCATING SOME 14 TO $15 MILLION TO MAKE CHANGES IN OUR SYSTEM TO INCREASE THE RESPONSIVITY AND THINGS THAT WILL INCREASE THINGS FOR OUTER COMMUNITY.

THESE THINGS I WOULD SAY DON'T HAPPEN IN A VACUUM.

THERE TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO CORRECT WHAT IS GOING ON IN A COMMUNITY BESET BY A PANDEMIC. LARGE SCALE UNEMPLOYMENT AND YOUNG PEOPLE JUST BEING STUCK AT HOME.

USING RESOURCES THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CAN REN -- CAN REENGAGE IN A COMMUNITY THAT THEY WERE BASICALLY KEPT AWAY FROM A PANDEMIC FOR OVER A YEAR AND MAKING SURE THAT GREEN SPACES AND PARKS AND SCHOOLS AND LIE -- AND LIBRARIES ARE HOPE TO GIVE PEOPLE SOMETHING TO DO. I KNOW IT SOUNDS SILLY AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF ALL THAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT IT IS NOT. BECAUSE THESE ISSUES ARE INNER RELATED. THEY ARE INTERTWINED.

SO PITTING ONE PERSON AGAINST ANOTHER IS NOT THE ANSWER.

MAKING SURE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> WE HAVE AN ADEQUATE

RESPONSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR TIME IS UP. Y'ALL, THIS IS NOT -- I'M NOT MESSING AROUND HERE BECAUSE WE WILL NOT GET DONE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE FIELDS, I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING OUT. WE ALL DO FEEL THE PAIN.

FOR THE LOSS OF MR. AIKEN AND ANYONE WHO IS KILLED AS A RESULT OF SOME PROBLEMS IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

LOOK, I APPRECIATE YOU AS A JUDGE, BY THE WAY, ON THE BENCH AS A REPUBLICAN, MY -- MIGHT I ADD, COMING OUT FOR THE MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM. EVERYBODY IS FOR REFORM, GENERALLY FOR ORGANS IT. FOR ORGANS IT.

IT IS A COMPLEX SUBJECT AND I WANT YOU TO TELL YOUR BROTHER BRETHREN AND SISTEREN AND THEY CAN'T TALK ABOUT SPECIFIC CASES, BUT THEY SHOULD HELP EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

I TOO, JUDGE, SHARE YOUR CONCERN ABOUT ANYONE THAT

[00:50:03]

WOULD USE THE PAIN OF A VICTIM ON ANY SIDE OF THIS ISSUE.

CERTAINLY -- I CERTAINLY COULD HAVE PARADED FOLKS TRAPPED IN THAT SYSTEM OF MISDEMEANOR BAIL WHICH WE DID REFORM TO COME HERE AND HAVE THEM GIVE THEIR FAMILY STORIES, BUT I CHOSE NOT TO USE THAT PAIN TO MAKE A POINT.

I THINK ON THE MERITS OF IT, IF WE HAVE AN INTELLECTUAL DISCUSSION WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AS A SOCIETY.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. I KNOW HAVE YOU A LOT TO DO.

TELL OTHERS TO SPEAK UP AND EDUCATE ALL OF US.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

JUDGE FIELDS. >> THANK YOU.

>> MICHELLE H -- HEINZ IS IN PERSON.

PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. JUDGE BEFORE THE SPEAKER ARRIVES CAN I CONFIRM THE NEXT ITEM WE WILL BE SPEAKING ON IS

ITEM 436 AND 437? >> LINA HIDALGO: THE TWO -- THE OTHER TWO RESOLUTIONS, LUCINDA, ON RUSS POPPY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S RESOLUTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. AND ITEM 454 AFTER THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUST GIVE ME ONE MINUTE HERE.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL GO OVER 436 AND 437 AND AFTER THAT 454 AND THEN WE WILL TAKE THE FLOOD ITEMS AND THE BACKLOG ITEMS.

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MICHELLE HEINZ AND M -- AND I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT FOR YEARS. MY HEARTACHENS FOR PATRICK AIKENS AND HIS FAMILY. HIS LIFE WAS CUT SHORT BECAUSE 28-YEAR-OLD DARREN CARROWAY'S FREEDOM WAS GIVEN PREENS DENSE OVER PATRICK AIKEN'S LIFE. DARREN CARROWAY REMAINED FREE ON SEVEN FELONY BONDS AND THEY WERE IN ADDITION TO OTHER CRIMINAL ACTS, AND THEY WERE COMMITTED IN SEVERAL COUNTIES. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHY THE JUDGE DECIDED TO IGNORE THE D.A.'S REQUEST TO REVOKE MR. CARRAWAY'S BOND. I WONDER WHY THE JUDGE DECIDED TO LOWER MR. CARRAWAY'S BOND TO $20,000.

I WONDER IF THE JUDGE THINKS ABOUT MR. AIKEN'S MURDER AND OTHERS OF THE VICTIM. IF SHE WERE TO SEND $1 TO PATRICK AIKEN'S FAMILY WOULD THINK ABOUT THE TRAGEDY AND GIVE MORE THOUGHT ABOUT RELEASING FELONS WITH BONDS.

EVERYONE IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT SENT TO TESTIFY AGAINST SB21 THE FELONY REFORM BILL.

THIS IS NOT A COUNTY ISSUE. IT IS A LEGISLATIVE ISSUE.

THEN SUPPORT FELONY BOND REFORM IF THAT WILL MAKE THIS WORK. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW HIM. HE IS THE CHIEF POLICY ANALYSIS -- ANALYST FOR JAD AND HIS GOAL IN LIFE IS TO ABOLISH ALL PRISONS. I AM BAFFLED WHY THIS COURT WOULD SENT AN ANTI-PRISON ADVOCATE TO SUPPORT THE TAXPAYERS ON A FELONY BOND BILL.

DURING HIS TESTIMONY HIS STATISTICS CONFLICTED WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY D.A. STATISTICS.

HE STATED FELONY BOND REFORM DID NOT CAUSE AN INCREASE CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY. CONSIDERING HIS TESTIMONY, ONE MUST ASSUME THAT HE MUST HAVE FELT REPEATEDLY RELEASING MURDERERS AND RAPISTS BACK TO THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T CONTRIBUTE TO THE INCREASE IN CRIME.

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT DR. SERON FEELS -- SEFFRON FEELS DIFFERENTLY AND HE AND THIS COURT WILL NOT OPPOSE BELL -- FELONY BOND REFORM. WE ARE NOT TALKING MISDEMEANOR BOND REFORM. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FELONY BOND REFORM THAT MAY BE BROUGHT UP IN THE UPCOMING SPECIAL SESSION. THESE CRIME STATISTICS SHOW WHY FELONY BOND REFORM LEGISLATION IS SO IMPORTANT SO MURDERERS LIKE PATRICK AIKEN DO NOT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

THE AMOUNT OF OFFENDERS CHARGED WITH NEW CRIMES OUT ON BOND HAS DOUBLED SINCE 2018. THE AMOUNT OF OFFENDERS ON MULTIPLE BONDS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE 2018.

OVER 120 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED OR MURDERED BY DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS, FELONY PR BONDS AND/OR BOND FORFEITURE.

OVER 85 SINCE 2020. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE VICTIMS ARE CLASSIFIED AS MINORITIES.

HOUSTON HOMICIDES ARE UP 44% FROM 2020'S ALREADY SIGNIFICANT RISE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL THE SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR YOUR POWERFUL VOICE ON BEHALF OF YOUR BROTHER. WE WILL NOT FORGET THAT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAVE TWO MORE

RESOLUTIONS. >> TOM RAMSEY: I DO, JUDGE.

[00:55:01]

THIS IS A REAL PLEASURE -- NOT THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT HAVE A RESOLUTION HONORING RUSS POPPY. THIS IS PERSONAL WITH ME.

I HAVE KNOWN RUSS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

HE HAS BY HIS LEADERSHIP AND HIS ACTION AND I OVER STATE IT AND SAY I THINK HE IS THE BEST HEAD OF HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT I KNOW OF. WITH THAT IN MIND I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION TO MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY.

WHEREAS RUSS POPPE GRADUATED DASH DOSH A GRADUATE -- A GRJ WET OF TEXAS A&M HAS BEEN HERE SINCE 1985 AND BEGAN HIS CAREER IN THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF ENGINEERING ALONG WITH HIS ABILITY TO LEAD MADE HIM A NATURAL CHOICE TO HEAD UP THE DISTRICT IN 2016 BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND WHEREAS RUSS LEAD THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT NOT ONLY THROUGH HURRICANE HARVEY, BUT ALSO THROUGH OUR RECOVERY FROM IT. RUSS REPRESENTED HARRIS COUNTY'S INTEREST TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS.

HE PERSONALLY LEAD DOZENS OF MEETINGS IN ALL 33 WATER SHEDS AND SIM PLAW FIGHTING -- SIM FLAW FYING COMPLEX FLOOD CONTROL ISSUES. THESE EFFORTS RESOLVED IT AND VOTERS RESOUNDING LEE -- RESOUNDINGLY APPROVE THE FLOOD CONTROL BOND. WHEREAS RUSS PRACTICED LEADERSHIP THROUGH INSPIRATION AND NOT INTIMIDATION AND THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP STYLE AND RUSS WAS ABLE TO BUILD THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT TO THE MOST REPUTABLE FLOOD CONTROL ENTITY IN THE UNITED STATES. RUSS ATTRACTED TOP TIER TALENT TO WORK FOR THE COUNTY AND BUILD A MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITY AND WHEREAS RUSS IS WELL RESPECTED BY HIS PEERS UNDER THE STUDY LEADERSHIP OF HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL LOST -- EVERY PROJECT IS ON SCHEDULE.

RUSS USED HIS DIPLOMACY FOR THE SAN JACINTO FLOOD PLAINING GROUP AND WHEREAS RUSS GIVES PRIORITY TO HIS FAMILY WHICH INCLUDES HIS WIFE, DESIREE, TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE THE CENTER OF HIS WORLD. RUSS WILL CONTINUE HIS COMMUNITY SERVICE AS A LONG-TIME MEMBER OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. RUSS IS ABLE TO BIKE THE HUNDREDS OF MILES OF HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS HE HELPED CREATE.

TRAILS HIS CHILDREN CAN ENJOY FOR DECADES TO COME.

AND DLFER BE IT -- AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED WE CELEBRATE RUSS PO -- RUSS POPPE FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS AND ACKNOWLEDGE HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR A MORE FLOOD-RESILIENT COUNTY. AND THAT'S MY MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. >> MARK SOLANO WITH BAYOU CITY INITIATIVE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI, EVERYONE. I AM MARK SOLANO.

I AM THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

I WAS PREPARED TO SAY A LOT OF GREAT THINGS ABOUT RUSS, BUT THEN I HEARD HE WAS AN AGGIE SO I WILL HAVE TO CUT IT BACK. I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR BEING A PERSON WHO CAN TAKE COMPLICATED THINGS AND DUMMY IT DOWN FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME. RUSS, YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB THESE YEARS WORKING FOR THE COUNTY.

WISH YOU THE BEST AND GOD SPEED.

THANK YOU. >> JENNY AMERICO WITH FIVE

ENGINEERING, LLC. >> HELLO TO THE COURT.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I AM JENNY WITH 5 ENGINEERING. I HAVE KNOWN RUSS FOR 20 YEARS SINCE OUR DAYS AT TEXAS -- TEXAS A&M.

WE ARE BOTH AGGIES. I AM PROUD TO CALL HIM MY FRIEND. HE IS A DEDICATED AND HARD-WORKING ENGINEER. THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP HE ACCOMPLISHED ALL OF THE THINGS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TALKED ABOUT. HE HAS EXACTING STANDARDS AND ENCOURAGED THE CONSULTING COMMUNITY TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGE AND THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THE DISTRICT.

HE HAS MADE HARRIS COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK. HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT FLOOD CONTROL ARE EVER LASTING AND WE WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH.

ALL OF US AT 5 ENGINEERING WISH HIM THE BEST IN HIS NEXT ENDEAVOR AND WE ARE VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> MICHAEL BLOOM WITH AMERICAN SAW SIGH AT THE OF CIVILLEN -- SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING.

THIS IS MICHAEL BLOOM WHO SERVES ON THE BRANCH OF

[01:00:07]

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

WE SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR PROPOSING IT. SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT IN 2016 HE HAS LEAD THE DISTRICT ADMIRABLY THROUGH ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGE -- CHALLENGING IN THE HISTORY.

HE BECAME DIRECTOR AFTER THE 2016 TAX DAY AND MEMORIAL DAY FLOODS. AS MENTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HELPED HIS TEAM -- HE LEAD THE TEAM TO DEAL WITH THE IMPACT AND THE AFTERMATH OF HARVEY.

IN ADDITION HE IS LEADING THE EFFORT FOR MAP NEXT WHICH IS BASED ON THE CHANGED RAINFALL STATISTICS KNOWN AS ATLAS 14.

IT IS A PROGRAM TO REMAP ALL OF THE FLOOD RISKS ACROSS THE COUNTY. AND ALSO AS MENTIONED PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT TO HELP THE BOND PROGRAM GET REVISED AND FINALIZED AND APPROVED. I THINK ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE HE SAW THE RAMP UP OF PROJECT SPENDING FROM $5 MILLION A MONTH TO $50 MILLION A MONTH. HE ALSO DEVELOPED THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE BOND ORDER.

ASE DOESN'T HAVE THE TIME FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE SUCCESSES, BUT THEY ARE NUMEROUS.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT HERE FOR THE COURT TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION OF RUSS POPPE. ON A PERSONAL NOTE I MET RUSS IN 2005 ON A STORM WATER QUALITY PROJECT.

IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO KNOW HIM THESE YEARS.

THANKS. >> DAVID WITH ACEC HOUSTON.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

ON BEHALF OF THE 245-MEMBER FIRMS IN HOUSTON WE WANT TO THANK RUSS POPPE FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE AND WISH HIM WELL IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS. HE AND HIS TEAM AT THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE GREAT STAFF DO EXCELLENT WORK EVERY DAY AND DEVOTE A LOT OF TIME WITH WORKING WITH ASCE HOUSTON. ALL THAT IS TO ENSURE WE DELIVER THE BEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS POSSIBLE FOR THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE REGION.

WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE THEIR PATIENCE AND TIME.

ACCE HOUSTON WANTS TO HELP HOW THEY CAN IN FUTURE SUPPORT, BOND ISSUES OR ANY OTHER WAY TO KEEP THE FLOOD REDUCTION AND EFFORTS MOVING FORWARD. WE ALL KNOW THE FUNDING EFFORTS THUS FAR IS A SMALL DOWN PAYMENT ON A LARGE CHALLENGE FOR THIS REGION. WE APPRECIATE -- WE EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION AND THANKS TO RUSS FOR HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO HARRIS COUNTY AND PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU. >> THOSE WERE ALL THE

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

I DO WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT TO RUSS AND A BIG THANK YOU.

I THINK ALL OF US ARE ENDEBTED TO YOU, RUSS FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND TO YOUR FAMILY AS WELL.

I KNOW OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS IT HAS BEEN A PARTICULARLY DEMANDING JOB. YOU HAVE IMN THERE DAY AFTER DAY THROUGH MASSIVE CHAL -- YOU HAVE BEEN THERE DAY AFTER DAY THROUGH MASSIVE CHALLENGES AND SO A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ECHO THAT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

RUSS, I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I MET YOU.

WE MIGHT HAVE MET IN A PREVIOUS LIFE, BUT ONCE I WAS COMING TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT YOU WALKED ME THROUGH THE COST BENEFIT RATIO ABOUT THE THIRD TIME.

I APPRECIATE SO MUCH ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S WHAT INSPIRED ME TO PUSH FOR THAT EQUITY LANGUAGE WE HAD ON THE COURT AGENDA I HOPE YOU USE YOUR SKILLS EFFECTIVELY IN YOUR NEW POSITION A -- AS YOU DID HERE. I KNOW IT IS A PASSION OF YOURS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BIKE RIDING WITH YOU.

YOU NEVER DID IT WHILE I WAS HERE.

I PULLED UP THAT PARK ITEM COMING UP NEXT AND NOT MANY TRAILS OUT THERE. I WANT YOU TO ENCOURAGE HIM TO DO THAT. SOMEBODY STOLE MY MOUNTAIN BIKE THE OTHER DAY, BUT I ENCOURAGE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN RAMSEY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APPRECIATE YOU, RUSS.

ANYBODY THAT STEPS INTO PUBLIC SERVICE IS A SPECIAL KIND OF

[01:05:01]

PERSON AND I APPRECIATE YOU DOING IT.

AND FOR DOING YOUR BEST [INAUDIBLE] NO PUBLIC INTENDED -- NO PU INTENDED, BUT TRYING TO GET THE GLO TO DO THE RIGHT THING IS TO BE COMMENDED. I THINK YOU PULLED THE RUG OUT FROM ALL OF US AND -- IT MADE THINGS MUCH MORE COME PLAW ITED -- COMPLICATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOUR FAMILY FOR LENDING YOU TO US. CAN YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THE POINT HERE IS I GUESS AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON RUSS POPPE. AT A MOMENT THAT WOULD BE A GREAT TIME FOR US TO CELEBRATE AND BE HERE RUSS HAD TO BE WITH THE CORP OF ENGINEERS MEETING ON OUR BEHALF, WHICH IS A GOOD THING, BUT THAT DEFINES RUSS POPPE.

THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT HOLLOW.

IT IS A SINCERE RECOGNITION OF HIS GOOD EFORTS Z -- EFFORTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: RUSS, THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

LET'S DISCUSS THE NEXT ONE, COMMISSIONERS AND WE CAN VOTE

ON ALL OF THE MOTIONS. >> TOM RAMSEY: OKAY, QUICKLY THERE IS A PARK OUT ON GRANT ROAD.

IT IS CALLED GRANT PARK. AND FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING IT IS TIME TO NAME THE PARK.

I THOUGHT, THERE IS ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THE PARK AND THAT WAS RUSS POPPE IN TERMS OF CREATING THE DETENTION AND A NICE AREA TO COME AND SO IT IS A WONDERFUL PARK IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN THERE.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS WILL TRY TO GET A BIKE WAY OUT THERE SOON. WE ARE WORKING ON IT.

I WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION TO NAME THAT PARK THE RUST POP -- THE RUSS POPPE PARK AND HONORING HIM.

THAT'S A PART OF MY MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

SECOND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE THREE MOTIONS.

NUMBER 435 IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

436, MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. 437 IS MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. ALL IF FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND THIS ONE CLOSING COMMENT.

IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT RUSS HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN TERMS OF MAKING ONE HARRIS COUNTY. I SAY THAT FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE SIX MAJORITY WATER SHEDS IN TERMS OF LOW TO MODERATE INCOME, IF YOU LOOK AT HALF OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DOLLARS SINCE 2000 HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE WATER SHEDS. HIS COMMITMENT TO 1 HARRIS COUNTY IS UNWAIVERING. WE WILL CONTINUE THE TRADITION. WE HAVE A GOOD ADDRESSING IN TERMS OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY IMPACTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. LET'S TAKE ABOUT THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THEN WE'LL TAKE THE FIRST SET OF ITEMS. LUCINDA, JUST SO YOU CAN PREPARE THE SPEAKERS, WE WILL

TAKE 454 AND THEN -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: AFTER THE CONSENT AGENDA CAN WE TAKE A 3-MINUTE BREAK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S DO THAT THEN.

CONSENT AGENDA. HERE ARE THE ITEMS THAT HAVE

[Additional Item]

MINOR CHANGES. ITEM 7, AMENDMENT AGREEMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE H MARK , THE QUARANTINE AREA FOR FOLKS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH COVID.

CSD IS REQUESTING NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM.

ITEM 23 ON PAGE 4, WE HAVE TO ADD ANOTHER ZERO AFTER L50 AND THE TRACK NUMBER. IT SHOULD SAY L500 INSTEAD OF L50. ITEM 172 HAS A CORRECTION.

WE SHOULD CHANGE FIRST TO SECOND AND ADD HIGHWAY DRAINAGE AND BRIDGE AFTER THE TERM "HEAVY." WE ALSO NEED TO CHANGE THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT FROM $205,000 TO $280,000. EYE TM -- ITEM 270.

INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM TODAY.

THAT'S ITEM 270 ON PAGE 29. ITEM 317 IS AN ACCIDENTAL DUPLICATION OF ITEM 316 SO NO ACTION IS REQUIRED --

[01:10:03]

REQUESTED ON 317. AND THEN 392 HAS A CORRECTION. THE CONTRACT VALUE SHOULD BE

$525,811, NOT $402, 511. >> WHAT ITEM IS THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 392 ON PAGE 44.

IT IS AN AGREEMENT WITH CASTELLO.

>> ITEM 406. WE NEED TO ADD THE WORD "LA." IT SHOULD SAY REDE LA. IT IS A SPANISH NAMED FIRM.

I WANT TO MAKE A NOTE -- THAT'S IT.

DID I MISS ANYTHING, JAMES? >> HAVE I ON MY NOTES -- I HAVE ON 462 THERE IS NO ACTION.

IT IS EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

462, DISCUSSION ON LAW LINK WENT -- DELINQUENT TAX ASSESSMENT IS NOT READY. THE DEPARTMENT IS REQUESTING NO ACTION AND WE DISCUSS IT AT A FUTURE COURT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU CATCH

THAT, JAY? >> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THEY -- THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

WE HAVE A THREE-WEEK BREAK, RIGHT? I REMEMBER WHEN THIS CAME UP THERE WAS SOME ISSUE ABOUT IF WE HAD TO VOTE ON IT BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T MISS THAT DATE.

>> NO. COMMISSIONER, WE ARE FINE WITH THAT. WE STILL HAVE A MONTH TO MONTH CONTRACT THAT IS STILL IN EFFECT.

THE THE BIG ISSUE IS SETTING THE RATE AT THE LAST MEETING WHICH WE DID. THIS CONTRACT SHOULD BE READY AND WILL BE READY BY THE NEXT MEETING.

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

NOW LET'S DISCUSS THE ITEM THAT'S NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEM 453, THE INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR FLOOD CONTROL. I PROPOSE THAT GOES TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. FOLKS GOOD WITH THAT? DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 4504 IN EXECUTIVE -- 454 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION. I DO NOT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M FINE. WE CAN DO IT HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 455, NAMING OF CHAD BURKE TO HOUSTON

SPORTS AUTHORITY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DON'T NEED

TO GO BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 456, TO

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO NOT NEED

TO GO BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOUSTON AREA

COUNCIL -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS AN

ISSUE -- NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: 458.

IT IS TAX ABATEMENTS IN PRECINCT 2.

DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR TWO TAX

ABATEMENTS FOR THIS COMPANY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DON'T NEED

TO GO BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN 459 IS AN AGREEMENT AND 459 IS SPECIAL COUNCIL SERVICES DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE?

>> JUDGE, WE DON'T UNLESS THERE ARE QUESTIONS THE COURT

HAS REGARDING THAT MATTER. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

ITEM 460 IS A BROAD ITEM ON CONTEMPLATED PERSONNEL MATTERS. IS THERE ANYTHING THERE, JAY?

>> NO. NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 461 IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT LEGAL STRATEGY RELATED TO THE DEFENSE OF SPECIFIC CASES.

>> JUDGE, THAT DOES NEED TO BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

ITEM 462 WE ARE TAKING NO ACTION ON, ITEM 462.

ITEM 463 IS A -- YES? WE DO NEED --

>> YES, I'M SORRY, JUDGE. YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WILL MENTION THIS LATER AS WELL, BUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY STRESSED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES THAT BEFORE WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO THE ROLLOVER WE MUST GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS ITEM 463 FOR THEM TO BRIEF US ON SOMETHING.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH, JAY. THREE ITEMS I WILL TALK ABOUT. 463 AND 472 AND 475, ARE THOSE -- DO THOSE QUALIFY TO BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? DO THEY MEET THE CRITERIA TO BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? HAVING DONE A FEW IN THE CITY IN THE CITIES I HAVE SEEN IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS RATHER GRAY IN TERMS OF WHETHER THAT SHOULD BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> SURE. I WILL SPEAK TO 472 AND 475.

[01:15:01]

BOTH ITEMS INVOLVE INVOLVE A RECLASSIFICATION OF A POSITION WHICH IS A PERSONNEL MATTER. AND THEN 475 DOES NOT NEED TO BE -- AGAIN, THE RESULT IS COMPENSATION.

IT IS PERSONNEL MATTERS SO IT IS APPROPRIATE TO SPEAK IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, THEY DON'T NEED TO BE -- PROBABLY DOES PRESIDENT NEED TO GO -- DOESN'T NEED TO GO BACK AND I WILL LET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ADDRESS 463.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY, JAY, WHAT WAS THE SECOND ONE?

THE LAST ONE? >> 475.

>> YES, MA'AM, 472 AND 475. AT THE ARE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION -- SLATED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION --

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK WE WILL NEED TO GO TO EXEC ON THOSE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IT IS THE DISCOMFORT OF DISCUSSING SOMEBODY'S PERSONNEL DETAILS IN PUBLIC.

I THINK -- >> TOM RAMSEY: THERE IS STRICT CRITERIA FOR IT TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING THE ATTORNEY.

IT IS TO BE SURE IT MAKES THE CRITERIA TO GO INTO -- NOT

BECAUSE I WANT IT TO. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE NOT GOING TO. I THINK -- WHY DON'T WE FINISH GOING THROUGH WHICH ONES WE NEED TO GO.

>> TOM RAMSEY: 463 WAS THE LAST ONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 463, THAT ONE I KNOW I SPOKE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT WE NEED TO GO BACK.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THAT IS APPROPRIATE ON 463?

>> SURE, JUDGE. THIS IS THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY. WE ARE DISCUSSING THE LEGAL INTERPRETATION OF A STATUTE OUT -- STATUTE AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES WHERE WE SUSPECT THERE WILL BE A DISPUTE. YOU CAN LOOK AT IT AS CONTEMPLATING LITIGATION OR YOU CAN LOOK AT IT AS IT IMPLICATES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND OUR DUTY UNDERSTATE BAR. IT IS CLEARLY LAID OUT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IN SECTION 551071 OF THE TEXAS

GOVERNMENT CODE. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST WANT TO BE SURE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO GO BACK ON ITEM 471 NAMING DR. HOLLOWAY AS CHAIR OF CSD FUND?

>> NO. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 472, I DON'T BELIEVE WE NEED TO GO BACK ON THAT ITEM. IT IS A REQUEST FOR THE DIRECTOR'S POSITION. ITEM 473 WE DO NEED TO GO BACK TO SCUTE SHIV -- EXECUTIVE SESSION.

IT IS A STRATEGY ON THE GLO DOLLARS.

AND ITEM 474 WE DO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND IT IS TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION AND OUR LEGAL STRATEGY AS A COUNTY ON THE QUESTION OF I-45.

EYE 10475 -- ITEM 475 IS THE COMPENSATION OF DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

I DON'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND I'M FINE WITH THE PROPOSAL AND DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS IT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU WOULD? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU HAD A A QUESTION ABOUT THAT ONE.

JAY WOULD YOU CLARIFY WHY IT IS OKAY TO GO BACK TO

EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 475? >> IT FALLS UNDER PERSONNEL EXCEPTION. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MENTIONED IT APPLIES HERE AS WELL. PERSONNEL MATTER AND IT IS INVOLVING COMPENSATION, ENHANCED COMPENSATION FOR TWO POSITIONS. IT FALLS UNDER THAT.

IT IS APPROPRIATE TO BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO HERE IS THE ITEMS WE NEED TO PULL FOR DISCUSSION IN CONCLUSION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, 4503, -- 453, 461, 463, ITEM 473, 474 AND 475. THOSES -- THOSE WOULD BE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, JAMES. HERE ARE THE OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION. DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS -- WELL, LET ME PUT THE BROAD COVID ITEM THERE WHICH IS ITEM 10. AND THEN ITEM 92, DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 92 ON PAGE 12? IT IS AN INNER LOCALE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BAY

TOWN? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 140 WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS WHICH IS

THE FLOOD BOND FUNDING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: EXCUSE ME

YOU DO NEED TO DISCUSS 92. >> CAN I ASK COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO TURN ON HIS MICROPHONE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M SORRY. I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS 92.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM 92.

WE WILL DISCUSS -- EXCUSE ME, ITEM 140 WHICH IS THE FLOOD BOND PROGRAM. DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS 178,

[01:20:01]

AN AGREEMENT WITH HOOD SOLAR ON I-45?

I AM TALKING TO VOTE ON IT. >> JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PULL 178 FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM 186 IS THE COMMERCIAL PAPER FUNDING FOR VOTING OPINIONS -- VOTING MACHINES. WE WILL DISCUSS THAT ONE.

ITEM -- CORRECT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> JUST NEED TO VOTE ON IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 189, IT IS A WORK GROUP -- A WORK GROUP TO REVIEW SECURITY-RELATED OPERATIONS SM -- OPERATIONS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I'M SORRY?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 189 ON PAGE 21.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES, I DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT. ITEM 191 WILL BE TAKEN WITH 140. THAT RELATES TO THE BOND PROGRAM SO WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE.

ITEM 197 IS A TRANSFER WE LATED TO THE CITE AND RELEASE PROGRAM. DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT

ONE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: WE DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 247 IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE JAIL RENOVATION PROJECT AND FINAL INVESTMENT?

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST HAD A QUESTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ITEM 267 AND WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS JAD'S CONVENING OF A TASK FORCE ON NON-CARCERAL FOR LITTLE BAKER. ITEM 268 IS ON THE CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG. WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE. ITEM 269, THE USE OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES TO ALLEVIATE THE BACKLOG, WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE. ITEM 382, DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THIS, AWARD FOR LANDSCAPE LLC?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 382? >> LINA HIDALGO: 382 ON 42.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST A QUICK COMMENT, JUDGE IF I COULD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 414 WE ALREADY --

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

I DID WANT TO DISCUSS 271. >> LINA HIDALGO: 271, SO THAT

WOULD BE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND DO YOU

HAVE 270 AS NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU ALREADY -- YES, WE DO HAVE 270 AS NO ACTION.

AND THEN WE WILL PULL 271 AS WELL.

THAT IS THE APPOINTMENT OF JAD AS CO CHAIR FOR THE JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE. NEXT IS 382 WE WILL DISCUSS BRIEFLY. 425, DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS 425, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? PAGE 47.

THAT IS DESIGNATED -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE WILL NOT BE DISCUSSING THAT

ONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I HAVE A QUICK MOTION ON THAT? 425?

>> YES, 425 YOU SENT A MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SENT A MOTION. I WILL LET IT GO IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE MOTION. IN -- IF NOT I WILL PULL IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL PUT IT FOR DISCUSSION THEN.

WE WILL DISCUSS 425. WE WILL DISCUSS 428, THE CHANGE OF THE NAME OF DIXIE FARM ROAD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST A QUICK MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS 428.

430 IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: 434.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, $16 MILLION. ITEM 440.

>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICK COMMENT ON THAT ONE IF I COULD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: A QUICK COMMENT ON 440.

OKAY. SO WE WILL DISCUSS THAT BOP.

THAT ONE. ITEM 441.

YES, WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE.

>> YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 442 IS COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S ITEM AND WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT, BUT BEFORE WE CAN WE NEED THE SCUT I'VE SESSION -- SCUTE SHIV SESSION ON THE OTHER --

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST TO TALK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM 480.

IS THERE ANYTHING I MISSED, FOLKS?

JAMES? >> YES, JUDGE.

ITEM 194, THAT'S INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS. IS THERE ACTION ON THAT ITEM?

[01:25:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION. >> AND HOW ABOUT ITEM 272? IT IS UNDER PRE-TRIAL SERVICES FOR TRANSMITAL OF THE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S A TRANSMITAL OF THE REPORT.

IT DOESN'T HAVE AN ACTION ITEM.

WE DID TALK TO PRE-TRIAL SERVICES ABOUT BRINGING ACTION ITEMS IN THE FUTURE. OKAY.

SO WE ARE GONNA HAVE TO TAKE ITEM 4502 -- 452 AS WELL, JAMES, BECAUSE IT IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT ONE IS LISTED AS WELL.

AND THAT WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN WITH ITEM 458.

>> 452 AND 458. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING ELSE

YOU NEED CLARIFICATION? >> NO, MA'AM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE TO CONSENT AGENDA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEMS 1 THROUGH 481 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ITEMS WE ALREADY VOTED ON -- ALL IN FAVOR I.

>> ANY OPPOSED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES. WE

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 11:40. COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK

IN SESSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

HANG ON ONE SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, FOLKS, COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. JAMES RNTION -- JAMES, YOU HAD

A CLARIFICATION QUESTION? >> I WANTED TO CLARIFY ITEM 454, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION ITEM IS ON THE

DISCUSSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, JAMES.

IT IS ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, WE HAVE SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE HERE AND I ASK THAT WE PICK UP THEIR AGENDA ITEM THAT'S THEY ARE WANTING TO TALK ON.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CONSTABLES HERE AND ALLOW THEM TO GET BACK TO THEIR DUTIES. WE ALSO HAVE THE D.A. HERE WITH A COUPLE OF ISSUES. SHE, HERSELF AND HER EXECUTIVE STAFF ARE HERE. I REQUEST AS WE TAKE MATTERS OUT OF ORDER THAT WE ALLOW THEM TO BE TAKEN OUT EARLY TO

GET BACK TO WORK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, AND IN A RELATED MATTER I ASK FOR 434 TO BE -- IF I CAN MOVE THAT ITEM UP AND VOTE ON IT NOW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO LET ME -- WE HAVE EXPERTS THAT I GAVE THEM A PARTICULAR TIME FOR ITEM 454.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, CAN I GET THROUGH THIS ONE FIRST?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S FINE.

I JUST THOUGHT WE HAD MADE A REQUEST TO HAVE THIS ONE MOVED

UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND 434, I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE UP WITH 268 AND 269.

WE CAN DO THAT IF YOU PREFER AND THEN GO TO 454.

I JUST DON'T KNOW IF THESE FOLKS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STAY ON THE LINE AND I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. SO WE'LL DO -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE TO YOUR POINT I THINK WE ALL HAVE FOLKS THAT NEED TO GO BACK TO THEIR DUTIES. THAT'S THE CHALLENGE.

LET'S GET THROUGH THESE AND AS SOON AS WE MOVE ON TO -- PAST THOSE TWO ITEMS WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON ITEM 442. LUCINDA, DO YOU HAVE THE SPEAKERS FOR 434, 269, 268, OR DO WE NEED TO GO TO 454?

>> WE HAVE 454 LINED UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, I THINK YOU AND I HAD A MISUNDERSTANDING THERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO WORRIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GET STARTED WITH 454 AND WE WILL TRY TO -- I WILL BE QUICK ON

[Executive Session (Part 1 of 3)]

MY PRESENTATION. 454 IS LISTED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT WE CAN KEEP IN OPEN COURT AS DISCUSSED.

WE HAVE ENORMOUS CHALLENGES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE CRUX OF THIS IS WE HAVE TO MODERNIZE OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE SO THAT WE CAN REALLY TACKLE THE CHALLENGES.

THE PROPOSAL IS TO CREATE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION THAT WOULD BREAK DOWN THE SIGH -- THE SILOS ACROSS DEPARTMENTS, AND IT WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO SERVING RESIDENTS, THE RIGHT HAND KNOWS WHAT THE LEFT HAND

[01:30:02]

IS DOING. WE HAVE ENORMOUS TALENT AND ENORMOUS ENERGY IN THIS COUNTY THAT WE ARE PROUD OF.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE TALENT AND THE ENERGY IN LEVERAGING EVERY TAX DOLLAR TO ENSURE THAT COUNTY SERVICES ARE AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE. IF ANYONE IS SURPRISED BY PLANNING TO CONSIDER A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS.

WE HIRE -- HIRED A CONSULTING GROUP AND THEY DID ALMOST A YEAR-LON -- LONG STUDY AS TO WHAT OPERATIONAL CHANGES HARRIS COUNTY NEEDED TO UNDERTOOK -- UNDERTAKE.

THIS IS THE MAJOR CHANGE THEY BROUGHT BACK THAT WE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH IN JANUARY. OUR STAFF HAD BEEN IN TOUCH ABOUT THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

EVEN BEFORE JANUARY AS THEY SENT US THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

THIS IS AN ON GOING DISCUSSION.

IT IS NOT A RADICAL IDEA. IT IS SOMETHING THAT ALL BUT ONE MAJOR TEXAS JURISDICTION HAS PUT IN PLACE.

IT IS A DUE DILIGENCE ISSUE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY BEHIND ON AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM. MEMBERS OF COURT WE HAVE ALL LIVED THIS. WHEN COMMISSIONER'S COURT SETS A PRIORITY, AN OBJECTIVE, THERE IS OFTEN NO CLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY, NO CLEAR REPORTING STRUCTURE, LONG PERIODS CAN PASS, BUT BEFORE ONE OF US SAYS, HEY, WHATEVER HAPPENED WITH SUCH AND SUCH THING WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO? THERE ISN'T A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT FORCES DEPARTMENTS TO WORK TOGETHER. INSTEAD THEY ARE REACTIVE.

IN THE WORDS OF THE EXPERTS THAT EVALUATE THE COUNTY THEY FEEL COMPELED NOT TO BE ACCOUNT -- ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ELECTIVE COMIGHTS -- COMMISSION AREA'S COURT, BUT FOCUSING ON THEIR EXCLUSIVE DEMANDS.

WE ARE ALL PULLING THE DEPARTMENTS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AND I AM GUILTY OF THAT TOO.

THE PROBLEM IS WE DON'T MOVE FORWARD.

PERFECT EXAMPLE THE LACK OF DIRECT INTEGRATION OF HEALTH SERVICES BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND HARRIS HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND COMMUNITY CLINICS. IT HASN'T HAPPENED.

WE HAVE MASSIVE HEALTH CHALLENGES AND THERE ISN'T AN INTEGRATION. IT IS HARD TO TRACK OUR WORK AND SHOW OUR WORK TO THE COMMUNITY.

HERE IS ANOTHER QUOTE FOR THE ANALYSIS.

THERE IS NO CLEAR COUNTY POLICY WITH RESPECT TO OPEN DATA. IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE CARRIED OUT BY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. ANOTHER POINT OF ACCOUNTABILITY WOULD ENSURE THAT PLANNING AND I'M PLAW NEN STATION -- AND IMPLEMENTATION ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE GOALS OF COURT. HERE IS SOMETHING INTERESTING. TWO INDEPENDENT OPERATIONAL REVIEWS CONDUCTED 20 YEARS APART, WE JUST CONDUCTED AN OPERATIONAL REVIEW AND ANOTHER ONE WAS DONE 20 YEARS AGO AND IT REACHED A SIMILAR CONCLUSION.

WE NEED REORGANIZATION TO REMEDY THE SAME ISSUES OF PROFOUND INEFFICIENCIES AND LACK OF COORDINATION.

THE SOLUTION IS CLEAR IN THE AGENDA ITEM THAT WE SUBMITTED. THE HIGH POINT IS THAT THERE WOULD BE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE COURT. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL BY THE COURT. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WOULD OVERSEE AND BE SUPPORTED BY SEVERAL DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS TO MANAGE THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE SPECIFIC AREAS. THEY WOULD WORK WITH EACH OF US, ALL OF US TOGETHER TO SET GOALS FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND THEY PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES FOR THOSE GOALS.

RIGHT NOW IT DOESN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE FIVE OF US ARE TRYING TO KEEP TRACK OF OVER 20 DEPARTMENTS.

THEY OPERATE UNDER A REPORTING STRUCTURE THAT HAS CLEAR POINTS OF COORDINATION WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MEASURABLE PERFORMANCE METRICS.

DRAWING ON KNOWLEDGE FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DATA POINT DEPUTIES AND MANAGING DIRECTORS ALL OF US ARE REALLY RELATIVELY NEW TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

FOR A VERY LONGTIME THE TENDENCY IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR MANY DECADES, FOLKS THAT END UP IN THESE DEPARTMENTS IS SOMEBODY WHO KNEW SOMEBODY WHO KNEW SOMEBODY WHO KNEW SOMEBODY. THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL BE IN CHARGE OF EVALUATING MAKING THE DECISIONS AS TO WHO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE AND OF COURSE COMMISSIONER'S COURT CAN HOLD THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNTABLE.

WE NEED TO TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF THE MA KNEW SHAW OF WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED FOR A BROADBAND TOWER.

WE JUST NEED TO DECIDE THAT WE NEED BROAD -- BROADBAND.

HERE IS AN INTERESTING ANALOGY I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE WITH

[01:35:03]

YOU ALL. YOU DON'T PICTURE A COMPANY THAT WOULD HAVE MORE THAN 20 DIFFERENT TEAMS OPERATING SEPARATELY AND REPORTING TO FIVE DIFFERENT BOSSES.

COUNTIES DON'T OPERATE THAT WAY.

WHEN YOU TALK TO OTHER COUNTIES, IN TEXAS, AROUND THE NATION, ABOUT THE DESCRUK -- STRUCTURE.

THEY ARE SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT WE DON'T HAVE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THE CITIES -- I MEAN YOU HAD A CITY ADMINISTRATOR, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

CITIES HAVE CITY ADMINISTRATORS BECAUSE IT IS JUST THE EFFICIENT WAY OF DOING THIS.

IF AND WHEN WE APPOINT A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GUARANTEE COLLABORATION ACROSS DEPARTMENTS ON HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE AND THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. WE CAN CURED -- COORDINATE IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC RESILIENCY AND INVESTMENT AND WE WILL HAVE A UNIFIED APPROACH IN PROVIDING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. A CONSISTENT LEVEL OF QUALITY THROUGHOUT ALL THE -- THROUGHOUT ALL DEPARTMENTS.

INCREASED EFFICIENCY. AVOID DUE PLIK KAW TIFF -- DUPLICATIVE ISSUES. THERE ARE SO MANY ASSET SYSTEMS DIFFERENT INTAKE SYSTEMS AND DIFFERENT WEBSITES. HARRIS COUNTY DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A CENTRALIZED WEBSITE RIGHT NOW.

WE PAY FOR ALL OF THESE LICENSES AND IMPLEMENTATION ON ALL OF THE LANGE -- LACK OF EFFICIENCY AND COORDINATION IS COSTING US MONEY. IT IS PASTIME TO CATCH UP WITH OUR GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND BRING IT TO THE 21ST CENTURY AND CATCH UP WITH THE 20TH CENTURY ON IT.

I AM PROUD TO PROPOSE THIS TODAY.

I AM ALSO PROPOSING DAVE BERRY AS THE INITIAL COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND HERE IS WHY.

HE HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB IN HIS TIME AS BUDGET MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR. TODAY HE IS BRINGING A SOLUTION ON THE BILLION DOLLAR BOND SHORT FALL THAT FOLKS DIDN'T THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY INITIALLY PROPOSED THE BOND PROGRAM. HE HAS DEALT WITH BUDGETING IN A SMART WAY. HE STEERED US THROUGH THE ISSUE OF -- HE STEARED US THROUGH THE ISSUE OF LAND OFFICE AND WORKED IN A BIPARTISAN WAY WITH EACHER US. I CAN SAY WITH CERTAINTY THAT NONE OF US HAVE GOTTEN ALL WE WANT, BUT WE ALL KNOW HE IS A SMART AND VERY, VERY THOUGHTFUL LEADER.

HE KNOWS THE BUDGET IN AND OUT.

WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING TIME OF TRANSITION WITH SO MANY DISASTERS AND SO MANY CHALLENGES AND SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY AND FEEL A SENSE OF URGENCY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND BELIEVE THAT HE IS CLEARLY THE RIGHT PERSON TO COMBINE THE NEW APPROACH WITH THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE HE HAS.

SO FOLKS RECEIVED A DETAIL INFORMATION AS TO HOW THIS WORKS. BUT THE MOTIONS WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY FOR -- TO UH POINT THE -- TO APPOINT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND TO ASSIGN A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND DEVELOP THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND PLAN AND BRING IT BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR APPROVAL.

TO FUND THE POSITION AND GRANT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO APPOINT AND DISMISS DEPARTMENT HEADS AND EMPLOYEES OF HIS OFFICE. IT WOULD BE RETAINING OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS FOR THE POSITION AND DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ASSIGN THE ATTORNEYS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POSITION AND DIRECT ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATE AREA EAST EFFORTS -- ADMINISTRATOR'S EFFORTS.

I WILL READ THEM THOROUGHLY, BUT HAVE I GONE ON LONG ENOUGH

AND YOU ALL HAVE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON IT.

NONE OF US SHOULD BE SURPRISED.

YOU MENTIONED THE COUNTIES IN TEXAS AND I KNOW ITEM 5 -- FIVE COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY WITH OVER THREE MILLION PEOPLE AND ALL HAVE THE SAME SYSTEM. TALK TO THE FOLKS IN L.A. AND COOK -- AND COOK AND SAN DIEGO AND MARE RAW MARE RAW POE -- MARE RAW COPE PAW CON -- MARE -- MARE RAW COPE PAW.

THOSE WHO DON'T ARE THE SMALLER ONES.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE. JUST THE FIEFDOMS WE HAVE AROUND HERE ARE NICE AND I DON'T THINK IT TAKES AWAY FROM ANYBODY'S FIEFDOM. YOU STILL HAVE A VOTE TOO TO HIRE OR FIRE WHOEVER THE PERSON IS WHO IS AN ADMINISTRATOR. IT FALLS IN LINE WITH EVERYTHING I STUDIED IN GRADUATE SCHOOL.

[01:40:02]

I TOLD YOU THAT I KNEW THIS WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO EVEN BEFORE WE STUDIED IT. I WAS BRINGING MYSELF TO HOW TO DEAL WITH IT. THE COUNTY SHOULD HAVE DONE IT 20 YEARS AGO. DAVE BERRY IS A GREAT CHOICE TO GET THIS STARTED. I DON'T THINK IT IS AN ISSUE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP FIVE COUNTIES, SAN DIEGO DID IT A VERY LONGTIME AGO. SO DID MARE -- MARE RAW COPE -- MARICOPA. SAN DIEGO AND MARICOPA WERE NOT. IF YOU LOOK AT 43% OF THE 1322 COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AFFILIATION. IT IS TIME FOR US TO DO IT AND I DO THINK FOR FAR TOO LONG YOU ELUDED THAT IT HAS BEEN A BUDDY-BUDDY SYSTEM AROUND HERE AND IT IS A CULTURE OF GO HELP YOUR FRIENDS IN A DEPARTMENT. AND I ALWAYS RECENTED THAT WHEN I GOT HERE: DON'T YOU HAVE A JOB WHERE YOU CAN GIVE MY FRIEND? MY COUSIN? I DO THINK THAT WE OUGHT TO MOVE INTO CONTEMPORARY TIMES.

JUST AS I FELT THAT WAY ON THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, BY THE WAY. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE

DISCUSSION. >> COMMISSIONER.

>> JUDGE, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA. LET ME BEGIN WITH DAVE BERRY.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HIS LEADERSHIP.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITIES.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE ON HIS LOOK AT COMPLEX FINANCIAL HEART -- MATTERS TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

FLOOD CONTROL IS ONE THAT WILL BE REFLECTIVE OF THAT.

I SEE THIS AS IN PART GOOD GOVERNMENT.

INSTEAD OF FOLKS HAVING TO FIGURE OUT WHO THEY CAN GO TO, THIS WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY ONE PERSON TO START THE JOURNEY AND RESOLVE PARTICULAR CHALLENGES OR QUESTIONS.

I DO COME FROM A STRONG CITY FORM OF GOVERNMENT HAVING BEEN ON HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL. THERE WERE TIMES I DIDN'T LIKE THE STRONG MAYOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

I DIDN'T THINK IT GAVE MY DISTRICT SUBSTANTIAL VOICE, BUT ALL I DID WAS ROLL MY SLEEVES UP AND WORKED AND ORGANIZED MY COMMUNITY AND BROUGHT ISSUES THAT MADE SENSE AND WE GOT THINGS DONE. I DON'T ENTIRELY -- I DON'T SEE THIS AS A DISRUPTION TO OUR SESSION STEM.

I WAS IMPRESSED BY THE PFM STUDY WE HAD.

WAS IT 50 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY? I THOUGHT WE HAD FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC

HEALTH. >> COMMUNITY SERVICES.

>> YEAH, COMMUNITY SERVICES. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THERE WAS THAT MANY MORE AND SO DEPARTMENTS COULD MERIT A LOT OF ATTENTION AND SUPPORT FROM A STRUCTURE OF THIS NATURE.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION. DOES THIS DILUTE THE ROLE OF A

COUNTY COMMISSIONER? >> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY NOT, AND NEITHER DOES THE ROLE OF THE JUDGE, I WOULD HOPE.

THE IDEA IS YOU DON'T HAVE JANICE MCNAIR OUT THERE CALLING SHOTS ON THE FIELD. NEITHER SHOULD WE.

NEITHER SHOULD I. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOT YOU.

AND THAT IS A DEAL BREAKER FOR ME.

I RAN FOR THIS ROLE TO FIGHT AND SUPPORT MY PRECINCT.

I DON'T NEED A BUREAUCRAT TO GET IN MY WAY.

I THINK I KNOW WELL WHAT MY PRECINCT NEEDS AND I AM WORKING ON THOSE ISSUES IN THAT REGARD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, AND TO THAT POINT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEAR THAT THIS WILL MAKE SURE SOMEONE CAN RUN THE DAY-TO-DAY MINUTIA, THE DETAILS IN THE WEEDS OF THE OPERATION.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE SAID WE WANT TO SEE A CONSISTENT COUONTY -- COUNTY WEBSITE? HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE SAID WE WANTED TO SEE A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DASHBOARD? WE SAY IT, BUT WE -- NONE OF THE 5 OF US -- CAN POSSIBLY RUN YOUR PRECINCTS OR MEET THE DUTIES I HAVE AND ALSO BE THERE SITTING WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND SAYING, HEY,

[01:45:03]

MAKE SURE YOU HIRED THE SUCH AND SUCH PERSON TO RUN DOWN THE WEBSITE AND MAKE SURE IT IS IN THIS OR THAT PLATFORM.

WE CAN'T. THAT'S WHY JIM CRANE HIRED DUSTY BAKER. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING.

IF WE DON'T LIKE THE COACH, IF WE DON'T LIKE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THEY REPORT TO US.

SO THAT'S WHAT IT IS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOTCHA.

I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT WE HAVE WORKED VERY AGGRESSIVELY TO RECRUIT TALENT TO HARRIS COUNTY.

WE HAVE ROBERTO TREVIN ONED -- LEADING THE TOLL ROAD.

WE HAVE GENERAL FOURIER -- GENERAL NOREAGA LOOKING AT THINGS WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT AND WORKING TO IMPROVE THAT ORGANIZATION. AND WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR A FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR AND COST SAVING PROJECTS LIKE YOU MENTIONED RELATED TO THE JAIL.

THE WORK WE ARE DOING WITH HOMELESSNESS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY, ALL CRITICAL AREAS. I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I'M LOOKING FOR A COLLABORATOR TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS ESPECIALLY THOSE WE GIVE PARTICULAR AUTHORITY TO.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ENGAGED AND HEARD FROM.

THERE WAS A HICCUP THAT GAVE ME A BIT OF CONCERN OF HOW WE ENGAGE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I SEE THE VALUE IN IT AND I WILL TRUST, BUT VERIFY.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUT THEM ON A REPORTING SCHEDULE TO SEE WHAT THE PROGRESS OF THOSE PARTICULAR ITEMS ARE. I SEE THIS AS ANOTHER WAY FOR ME TO BE FOCUSED AND ENGAGED WITH SERVING MY PRE SINK, BUT

WITH ANOTHER KEY STAKEHOLDER. >> ABSOLUTELY.

YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, A QUESTION POPPED IN MY MIND, A DISCUSSION I HAD WITH MY CHIEF OF STAFF, BRANDON. I WANTED TO MAKE THE POINT THAT WE ARE NOT GIVING UP ANY POWER.

SOMETIMES I GET AN IDEA IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

SOMETIMES I CALL A DEPARTMENT HEAD IN THE PRECINCT.

HE SAYS COMMISSIONER -- IT GETS CONFUSING.

I SAY, NO, IT DOESN'T GET CONFUSING.

I CALL WHO I WANT TO CALL AND WHEN I WANT TO CALL.

THAT'S WHY I PUT MY NAME ON THE BALLOT.

IT IS THEIR JOB TO TELL YOU I CALLED.

I AM NOT GIVING UP ANY POWER. I CAN SEE 43% OF THE COUNTIES HAVE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. 44% OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF AUTHORITY.

SO IT DEPENDS ON EACH COUNTY ON WHAT YOU DO.

WHAT I SHOULD HAVE ASKED THEM AND I BET THERE ARE MORE COUNTY COMMISSIONER FIRE -- FIRED THAN HIRED.

THE POINT I AM MAKING IS YOU DON'T GIVE UP POWER -- I MEAN IT IS THAT PERSON'S JOB TO FIND THE CONSENSUS, BUT LOOK THERE ARE TIMES THE JUDGE MAY REFERENCE TO THE COUNTY AND HARRIS HEALTH IS HANDLING THE JAIL ISSUE.

WE BROUGHT IT UP AND I THINK IT CAME UP BEFORE YOU AND JUDGE HIDALGO GOT HERE. I THINK AT THE TABLE THERE WAS A CONSENSUS. WHEN IT CAME UP, IT NEVER HAPPENED. AND THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON WHO DO YOU HOLD RESPONSIBLE? ONE DEPARTMENT SAYS ANOTHER PERSON IS WORKING ON IT.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THE SCHOOL BOARD RUNNING A SCHOOL SYSTEM WITHOUT A CHIEF OF STAFF OR SUPERINTENDENT.

>> THEY DO A GREAT JOB. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

[01:50:17]

CAGLE 1234*. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THE HONORED OPPOSITION AND I HAVE SEVEN POINTS I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A REPORT THAT I ISSUED AND THERE ARE SEVEN THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT. THE FIRST THING ARE THREE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AROUND THE HORSESHOE THAT I AGREED WITH. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IT IS ABOUT CONTROL AND POWER NOT ABOUT REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

IT IS THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE ISSUE.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHEN HE SAYS HE DOESN'T NEED A BUREAUCRAT TO TELL HIM HOW HE IS DOING HIS JOB.

WE ARE CREATING A BUREAUCRAT. I WILL TAKE THAT STATEMENT AND EXPAND UPON IT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WILL AGREE WITH YOU NOT GIVING UP ANY OF YOUR POWER.

WE MOST LIKELY WILL VOTE 3-2 ON WHO WILL BE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SO THREE OF US WILL CONTROL THE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE POWER WILL WILL BE INCREASED IN YOUR HOME INSTEAD OF DIFFUSED IN TERMS OF THAT. MY SECOND POINT IS --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU COULD VOTE FOR HIM.

JOCK

>> >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY SECOND POINT, JUDGE, IS WHEN WE HAD THE FLOOD BOND, WE HAD 23 WATER SHED MEETINGS WHERE WE WENT UT -- WENT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. WHEN YOU DID YOUR TRANSITION MEETINGS YOU HAD PUBLIC MEETINGS.

YOU RECENTLY CALLED UPON US TO HAVE MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS TO WHERE WE ENGAGED THE PUBLIC ON IMPORTANT MATTERS WITH REGARD TO I-45. BUT ON THIS MATTER WE HAVE AN AWARE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN THE EAVES AND FOUND OUT ON FRIDAY THAT IT WILL BE ON TODAY'S AGENDA.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING YOU ARE NOT COMING AFTER THE COMMISSIONER'S JOB. I WAS NOT CLEAR IN THE FIRST NOTICE, BUT YOU CLARIFIED IN THE SECOND NOTICE LOAN PLAP

>> LINA HIDALGO: HOW WOULD I DO THAT? I WOULD NEVER DO THAT, MY FRIEND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL, I HAD AN EXPERIENCE BEFORE WITH OUR ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING THERE. I THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. JUDGE, I THINK THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE THE SAME TREATMENT IN TERMS OF GETTING THEIR INPUT ON A MATTER LIKE THIS THAT WE TRY TO GIVE THEM ON OTHER SIGNIFICANTLY ALTERING AND IMPORTANT ISSUES.

SO ALTHOUGH I AGREE THAT WE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS, I DON'T KNOW THAT THE PUBLIC IS AWARE THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE TO INTERACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT. MY THIRD POINT IS THE 20 DEPARTMENTS. IN ESSENCE WHAT WE WILL DO IS TAKE THE 20 DEPARTMENTS AND TURN THEM INTO ONE.

AND IN YOUR REPORT THAT ONE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT AND DISMISS DEPUTIES, MANAGING DIRECTORS AND OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN WE ARE UPSET WITH SOMEONE NOW AND WE WANT TO FIRE SOMEBODY OR WE WANT TO HIRE SOMEBODY TO COME TO THIS HORSESHOE AND THERE IS A RECORD OF WHAT OUR INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS ARE WHEN WE WANT TO FIRE SOMEBODY OR HIRE SOMEBODY, BUT WHEN WE VOTE ON THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OH I DIDN'T -- [INAUDIBLE] THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DID THAT.

IF THERE IS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT WANTS TO COMPLAIN THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE UNELECTED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE IN OUR PRECINCTS AND YOU, JUDGE, TO THE ENTIRE COUNTY. BUT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAS NO DUTY EXCEPT TO THE MAJORITY, THE THREE THAT I -- MAY BE IN COURT. SO IN ESSENCE WE HAVE BECOME ISOLATED. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FIRED THEM. OR AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, SOMEBODY'S BUDDY GOT HIRED.

WELL, I WASN'T HIRED BY THEIR BUDDY.

I WAS HIRED BY THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.

AS LONG AS WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THEM THEY CAN DEAL WITH THE IMMUNITY IN THE DIVISION THAT THEY WANT TO.

[01:55:04]

I FIND IT INTERESTING AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THE ILLUSION, BUT IN "THE LORD OF THE RINGS" THEY WROTE ABOUT 9 RINGS GIVEN TO THE KINGS AND SEVEN TO THE GORES AND THREE TO THE ELVES.

THERE WAS ONE RING TO HOLD THEM AND ONE RING TO BIND THEM. WE WILL TAKE OUR 20 FOLKS THAT WERE OUT THERE THAT WERE REPORTING TO THE PUBLIC AND TO US AND WE WILL HAVE THEM BE BOUND BY THE ONE RING.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOOD , TRANSPARENT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT POLICY. THE REFERENCE TO OTHER PLACES, THE OTHER PLACES ARE CHICAGO, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY. THESE ARE COUNTIES THAT DON'T HAVE THE MASSIVE UNINCORPORATED AREAS THAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIVE IN A CITY HERE THAT DO LIVE IN THE CITY.

THOSE OTHER PLACES ARE PREDOMINANTLY DOMINATED BY A CITY. VERY SIMILAR TO DALLAS.

DALLAS DOESN'T HAVE A LARGE UNINCORPORATED POPULATION.

THEY HAVE AN INCORPORATED POPULATION.

OUR SERVICE REQUIREMENTS ARE UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OTHER PLACES. I MAKE AN ARGUMENT, JUDGE, THERE -- THAT WE DON'T HAVE MASS EXODUS OF PEOPLE GOING TO LOS ANGELES OR TO CHICAGO OR TO ORANGE COUNTY.

WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM THOSE PLACES COMING HERE.

MAYBE THE CONCEPT THAT THEY HAVE THE BETTER PRACTICES IS NOT PROVED OUT WITH THE WAY PEOPLE ARE VOTING WITH THEIR FEET. THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK AND BREATHE. PEOPLE ARE COMING HERE.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO KEEP THOSE THINGS THAT ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE TO COME HERE. MY 6TH POINT, JUDGE, DEALS WITH THE PUBLIC. AS YOU'RE AWARE WHEN WE SAW THIS, WE PUT IT OUT AND WE NOTIFIED FOLKS SAYING, LOOK, THERE IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE COMING UP IN COURT.

COME AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

WE HAVE 282 PEOPLE WHO TOLD US THEY ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS CHANGE. WE HAVE HAD FOUR TO REACH OUT AND TELL US THEY WERE IN FAVOR OF IT.

NOT THAT THIS IS VOTING, BUT THESE ARE FOLKS WHO TOOK THE TIME TO COMMUNICATE WITH US AND TELL US ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT GOES ON WHEN WE HIRE AND FIRE FOLKS AND IF WE CHANGE OUR GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE.

MY LAST POINT DEALS WITH THE NOMINY.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DAVE BERRY OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED THAT'S IN THERE. THIS IS NOT ABOUT HIM.

I THINK HE HAS TRIED TO WORK HARD, AS BEST AS HE COULD TO SERVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY BY WORKING WITH ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF COURT EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE TIMES WE DISAGREE. AND THERE ARE IMPORTANT TIMES THAT I THINK OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF FINDING THE SEEMS WHERE WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

OUR LAST BUDGET THAT PROVED WHAT COULD BE THE TAX RATES.

HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN COMING TO A RESOLUTION OF THAT.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT HIM IN A FEW MOMENTS.

JUDGE, I DO NOT BELIEVE ANYONE, NO MATTER HOW WELL MEANING THEY MAY BE SHOULD BE GIVEN A SUPREME CHANCELLOR-STYLE POWERS OVERALL OF THE OTHER 20 DEPARTMENTS IN THIS COUNTY. AND THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS, JUDGE AND I THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THE -- FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY -- HOPEFULLY I HAVE DONE SOME RESPECTFULLY, BUT MY SEVEN POINTS OF DISAGREEMENT

WITH THIS PROPOSITION. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND

THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANT TO AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE USED WORDS LIKE WITH IMPUNITY, SUPREME POWER, WALK US THROUGH A SCENARIO WHERE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR THINKS SOMEONE HAS WORN OUT THEIR WELCOME.

PRIOR TO WE DISMISSED A COUPLE FOLKS NOT HERE, BUT THEY ARE STILL ON THE COUNTY PAYROLL. WALK THROUGH A SCENARIO WHERE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR THINKS SOMEBODY NEEDS TO BE TERMINATED. DOES THAT JUST HAPPEN AND WE HEAR ABOUT IT NEXT DAY? HOW WOULD THAT EFFECTIVELY

WORK? >> LINA HIDALGO: THE IDEA IS

[02:00:02]

ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND COLLABORATION.

IT WILL HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND WHO IS AND IS NOT DOING THE JOB. WHEN WE GO AND SAY WE WOULD LIKE HARRIS HEALTH TO TAKE OVER AT THE JAIL AND THIS REQUESTY EVAPORATES, NOBODY EVER COMES BACK, WE HAVE -- WE DON'T HAVE CURRENTLY WHERE WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT BENCHMARKS FOR EACH DIRECTION.

WE WILL BE BETTER AWARE -- AND THEY MADE A POINT THAT WE WILL BE BETTER AWARE TO WHAT EXTENT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE MEETING THE VISION THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS MADE.

IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO IDENTIFY WHETHER THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE ACTUALLY NEEDING THE VISION. WHY? BECAUSE IF WE ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE DECISION THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MAKES WE WILL LOSE PES.

-- LOSE CONFIDENCE IN THEM. IF DUSTY BAKER PUTS A PLAYER THAT IS NOT PERFORMING AS HE SHOULD AND FAILING GAME AFTER GAME AND HE DOESN'T TRADE HIM WHEN HE HAS A CHANCE, JIM CRANE WOULD HAVE CALLED THE COACH ON IT.

WE ARE GOING TO CALL THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ON IT.

THE IDEA IS TO ALLOW -- THE REASON IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE HIRING AND FIRING AUTHORITY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, YOU MAY AS WELL NOT CREATE THE SYSTEM.

THEN THERE IS NO INCENTIVE FOR THE DEPARTMENTS TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTION IN THE MINUTIA THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SETS SM -- I WOULDS SURPRISED -- IT WOULD BE A PROCESS FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IF THEY ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND INEVITABLY THEY WOULD MENTION IT TO US AND WE WOULD SEE IF THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH IT.

THEY WOULD HAVE AN EAR TO THE GROUND TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE OR ARE NOT DELIVERING. IT WOULD BE PULLING FIVE DEPARTMENT HEADS IN FIVE DIRECTIONS AND THAT WE DO NEED TO SEE. WE ARE GAINING MORE IMPORTANT POWER AND WE ARE SEEDING THE MICROMANAGING.

WE ARE NOT SAYING -- I WANT AN UPDATED WEBSITE FROM JAD I WANT THE BACKLOG TO BE TACKLED.

YOU WANT JAD TO WORK ON SOMETHING ELSE AND YOU WANT JAD TO WORK ON SOMETHING ELSE.

WE NEED TO IN THIS HORSE -- HORSESHOE AGREE WHAT IS THE VISION? WHAT DO WE THINK JAD NEEDS TO PRIORITIZE? WE AGREE THAT THESE ARE THE PRIORITIES AND THEN THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL MAKE SURE THAT JAD GOES AND DOES THAT. SAME WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.

WE ARE ABLE TO MANAGE AT AN IMPACTFUL LEVEL AND NOT INY -- INEFFICIENT LEVEL. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION. AND JURISDICTIONAL MODELS, COMMISSIONER WAY -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IT IS BENCHMARKING. IT IS TARAN COUNTY AND DALLAS COUNTY. IT IS ALL OF THE LARGE COUNTIES EXCEPT TRAVIS HAVE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND AROUND THE COUNTRY AS WELL. IT DOES PRESIDENT MEAN WE WANT -- IT DOESN'T MEAN WE WANT TO COPY EVERYTHING THEY DO. WHEN YOU HAVE TWO REPORTS 20 YEARS APART AND TWO INDEPENDENT REPORTS SUGGESTING THE SAME AND YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE OTHER LARGE COUNTIES EXCEPT AUSTIN ARE DOING THIS AND THE EXPERTS IN THE NATIONAL CITIES AND COUNTIES DO THIS IT IS A NO-BRAINER.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT -- AT THE DIFFERENT EXAMPLES. WHAT DID THEY DO WELL? WHAT DID THEY NOT DO WELL? WE ARE PICKING SOMETHING THEY DO DO WELL AND IT DOESN'T MEAN L.A. AND COOK COUNTY DO EVERYTHING WELL. DID I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS. AND WE DO HAVE FOLKS -- THESE ARE THE FOLKS I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WERE AVAILABLE ALSO, Y'ALL, TO ANSWER QUESTION WHICH IS JASON GRANT IS AVAILABLE. THAT'S THE WORLD'S LEADING ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL CITY AND COUNTY MANAGERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THEY HAVE BEST PRACTICES FOR HOW IT WORKS.

AND THEN THE FOLKS FROM PF TIME IN CASE FOLKS HAVE

QUESTIONS. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO BE THE LAST TO SPEAK BECAUSE I WILL TRY NOT TO REPEAT WHAT I HEARD. I WILL TRY NOT TO SIT HERE AND BE ARGUMENTATIVE. I WILL BRING 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN TEXAS AND WORKING FOR 20 COUNTIES AND 50 CITIES SO I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF BEST PRACTICES.

[02:05:08]

I WON'T HAVE SEVEN POINTS BECAUSE MY FATHER SAYS THREE POINTS IF YOU WANT TO STAY ANYTHING.

THREE POINTS. PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY.

IF I FIND OUT ABOUT IT ON A THURSDAY AND WE ARE GONNA TALK ABOUT IT ON A TUESDAY THINKS THAT IS ENOUGH NOTICE, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH NOTICE. IF WE ARE GOING TO BE RESPECTED LEADERS WE SHOULD BE, WE NEED TIME.

IT IS NOT A LOT OF TIME. HAVING WORKED WITH THE CITIES AND COUNTIES IN TEXAS WE HAVE THINGS CALLED WORKSHOPS WHERE YOU GET IN A ROOM AND YOU INVITE PEOPLE.

WE HAD 22 WATER SHED MEETINGS BEFORE WE HAD A $2.5 BILLION BOND ISSUE. AND WE HAVE NO WORKSHOP? WE KNEW ABOUT IT, BUT MOST PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

THERE MAY BE SOME HYBRID OF THIS THAT WILL WORK.

I WILL BE OPPOSED TO THIS PARTICULAR MOTION THAT'S ON THE TABLE, BUT THERE MIGHT BE SOME HYBRID THAT WE COULD COME OUT. I ALWAYS WENT OUT OF A WORKSHOP THINKING DIFFERENT LEAN THAN WHEN I WENT IN.

WE ARE TAKING A VOTE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THE VOTE WILL BE. PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY WE GET AN F ON IN TERMS OF THIS ISSUE. I AM SO PROUD OF HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE SAYING, WELL, IF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY, YOU CAN GO AND GET A JOB THERE. WE HAD THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP FROM OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS OVER DECADES IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN FACT, THIS WAS A PREFERRED PLACE TO GO TO WORK. WE HAD 18,000 EMPLOYEES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE ARE DOING HERE THAT IS RIGHT.

SOME THINGS, OBVIOUSLY, WHAT YOU MENTIONED, WELL THAT DOESN'T WORK SO WELL. WELL LET'S FIX THAT, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO FIX THINGS AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE GOING TO THIS LEVEL.

THIS IS A MAJOR CHANGE FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

I KNOW A LOT OF THINGS IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE NOT BROKE.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES IN HARRIS COUNTY, CITIES I CAN NAME AND COUNTIES I CAN NAME.

WHERE DID THE RESOURCES COME FROM IN -- COME FROM? IT CAME FROM PREVIOUS COURTS AND PREVIOUS LEADERS AND PREVIOUS FOLKS IN THIS COUNTY.

BEFORE WE BREAK WHAT WE GOT, LET'S BE SURE WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING. IT LEADS THE SCOPE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES. EVEN THOUGH WHAT YOU PUT, WE CAN FINE-TUNE THAT, BUT WE WITH ONE MEETING AWAY FROM MAKING IT MORE DRAW CONE YEN. I DON'T KNOW WE ARE NOT GOING TO MEET A MONTH FROM NOW AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE POWER -- THAT'S HOW I RE-- REFER TO IT -- THE POWER GRAB. IT IS NOT WHATY -- NOT WHAT WE DO TODAY, BUT IT IS WHAT IS SETS UP FOR.

IT IS STEP ONE OF A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN A COUNTY WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF. I THINK PFM HAD A BIAS WHEN THEY CAME HERE. THEY ASSUMED EVERYTHING WE DO IN HARRIS COUNTY WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED.

WELL THAT WASN'T THE CASE AND WE KNOW THAT WASN'T THE CASE.

IS THERE THINGS HERE WE CAN IMPROVE? OF COURSE. DO WE NEED TO GO TO SUCH A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE WITH A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? I DON'T THINK -- I CERTAINLY AM NOT THERE YET.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MUCH MORE TIME SPENT, AT LEAST SOME TIME SPENT WITH THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY GOT.

BLESS THEIR HEARTS THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE CALLING IN AND EXPRESSING THEIR OPINION, AND THEN AFTER TODAY THERE WILL BE A VOTE. AND THEN IT IS OVER AND THEY WILL GO BACK. WE OWE THEM MORE THAN JUST A SINGLE DAY. WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A LITTLE TIME TO MEET WITH THE PUBLIC AND CONVINCE THE PUBLIC THAT, BOY THIS IS A GREAT IDEA RATHER THAN SAY, WELL, WE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY AND WE ARE GONNA VOTE AND THAT WILL BE IT. I JUST THINK IT IS RUSHED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WILL BREAK IN THE PROCESS OF FIX.

THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM HAPPY TO

[02:10:02]

HEAR -- [INAUDIBLE] I AM HAPPY TO HEAR -- FOLKS, I AM HAPPY TO HEAR FROM EVERYBODY TODAY AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING.

THE POINT OF THIS IS TO MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE TRANSPARENT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IT'S OPAQUE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS OPAQUE. THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR VISION IS FOR JUSTICE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR VISION IS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR VISION IS FOR ENVIRONMENT OR ENERGY TRANSITION, ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND FLOOD RESILIENCE. THEY DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THEY ARE A BILLION DOLLARS SHORT ON THE BOND.

THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM. A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME, COMMISSIONER. ON -- Y'ALL I KNOW EVERYBODY APPRECIATES WHEN YOU CLAP, BUT IT IS A COURT.

WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF DEBATES HERE AND WE JUST HAVE TO TRY TO KEEP IT DOWN. THE POINT IS, YES, I AM SO PROUD OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.

BUT WOULD IT HAVE TAKEN THREE, 500-YEAR FLOODS TO GET A FLOOD BOND, WHICH BY THE WAY IS NOT ENOUGH.

IF THERE HAD BEEN THIS HOLISTIC LOOK AT THINGS? NO. PEOPLE KNEW FLOODING WAS A PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTY. ALICE HAPPENED IN 2001.

BUT BECAUSE IT WAS A PAW -- PAROCHIAL SYSTEM IT WAS HUSH-HUSH. WOULD WE BE THE MOST DANGEROUS COUNTY IN TERMS OF CAR ACCIDENTS? NO. WE WOULD HAVE BUILT A WORLD CLASS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM LIKE THEY HAVE IN CITIES AND COUNTIES AROUND THE WORLD. WE ARE AHEAD IN CERTAIN THINGS. WE ARE A YOU PO BETTER HOUSE FOR -- POWER HOUSE FOR OUR OWN GAS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL PORT AND THE BEAUTIFUL TRAILS YOU ALL MAINTAIN AND WE HAVE DIVERSITY AND WE HAVE CULTURE.

BUT WE ARE BEHIND ON VERY SERIOUS THINGS, VERY SERIOUS THINGS. WE DON'T WANT TO BE THE NEXT DETROIT. WE WANT TO GET AHEAD.

WE CAN'T KEEP WITH THE OLD 8 -- THE OLD WAY OF THANK -- OF THINKING. IT IS A DEEP GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE CONVERSATION. I AM HAPPY TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC TODAY AND WE WILL ENGAGE IN THAT.

BUT WE HAVE TO MODERNIZE, MAN.

IT IS WONKY. I CAN'T RUN A RE-ELECTION ON THIS TOPIC. I DID IT FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT.

I RAN FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT BECAUSE I WANT US TO DO BETTER. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE ME TO EXPLAIN THIS? I CAN'T CUT AN AD WITH THIS.

THIS IS NOT FOR ME. THIS IS BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE THE COUNTY RUN BETTER. A POWER GRAB FOR WHOM IN -- FOR WHOM? ALL OF US WILL BE AT A HIGHER LEVEL. IT DOESN'T GIVE ME ANY EXTRA AUTHORITY. IT WILL STILL TAKE THREE VOTES.

HOW MANY DOES IT TAKE RIGHT NOW TO DISMISS A DEPARTMENT HEAD? THE SAME THREE.

I DON'T HAVE ANY GREATER VOTE OVER ANY OF Y'ALL.

WE ARE ALL THE SAME. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN I DO WANT TO GET TO THE

SPEAKERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MR. GRANT. IT IS INTERESTING PEOPLE AS YOU -- USED TO SAY IT IS A SHADOW GOVERNOR.

THEY ACTED LIKE WE ARE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY SAID LOWER YOUR PROFILE. I WAS TOLD THE MEETING NEVER LANDED -- NEVER LASTED OVER AN HOUR BEFORE IT GOT HERE AND BECAUSE I WAS ASKING SO MANY QUESTIONS AND TALKING TOO MUCH MAYBE THEY WOULD DRAG ON TWO HOURS.

IF ONE OF THESE MEETINGS LASTED AN HOUR I THINK ONE OF YOU WOULD HAVE A HEART ATTACK TRYING TO GET OUT OF HERE.

WE STRUCTURE THIS THE WAY WE WANT IT.

IT IS 44% OF THE 1300 COUNTIES.

THE DECISION WAS MADE AND IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO DISMISS A DEPARTMENT HEAD MOST ARE PRETTY GOOD THINKERS.

IF THE PRESIDENT OF A UNIVERSITY WANTED TO DISMISS A DEAN THEY WOULD HAVE SOME SENSE WHETHER OR NOT THE ITEM WOULD BE TO DISMISS THEM. THEY WILL HAVE THOUGHT ON HOW TO DO THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED IN 43% OF THE NATION'S COUNTIES OR THE 44% THAT GIVE THE ADMINISTRATOR SIGNIFICANT POWER. IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL

ENTITY. >> AGAIN I AM TRYING TO BE THOUGHTFUL IN THIS DECISION BECAUSE IT IS A MAJOR CHANGE.

I BELIEVE IT DOES AS YOU MENTIONED BRING US BETTER UH

[02:15:04]

LIPED WITH -- BETTER ALIGNED WITH GOOD GOVERNMENT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU WERE THE MAYOR OF --

>> TOM RAMSEY: SPRING VALLEY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND YOU HAD

A CITY ADMINISTRATOR. >> TOM RAMSEY: [INAUDIBLE]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY QUESTION IS YOU WERE THE MAYOR THERE.

WHERE WOULD YOU SAY YOU ARE AT RIGHT NOW? DO WE NEED THIS BASED ON YOUR -- I AM TRYING TO LEAN ON YOUR EXPERIENCE. DO WE NEED THIS OR NOT NEED THIS AS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF A MAYOR OF SPRING VALLEY.

HAVING HAD A CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND WE ARE CONTEMPLATING A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE, DO WE NEED IT OR NOT NEED IT?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T THINK WE NEED A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I AGREE WITH THE JUDGE -- I WILL ANSWER THE COMPLETE -- I DO THINK AS THE JUDGE HAS ELUDED TO SOME ISSUES WE NEED TO FIX.

WE DO NEED TO FIX THOSE. CITY GOVERNMENT AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, BOY THOSE ARE TWO REALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOT YOU. I WILL TAKE EXCEPTION THAT THEY ARE DIFFERENT. THEY ARE NOT VERY DIFFERENT.

I HAD TO ASK THE QUESTION BECAUSE AS THE MAYOR OF SPRING VALLEY YOU -- I UNDERSTAND YOU APPOINTED AND REAPPOINTED YOUR CITY ADMINISTRATORS. SO WHEN YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE BUREAUCRACY OUT OF THE WAY, YOU DIDN'T. SO I GOTTA BELIEVE THAT IT IS GOOD TO SOME EXTENT. I AM JUST TRYING TO FORMULATE

A THOUGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS AND IF YOU CAN START WITH JASON GRANT.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS WANTED TO HEAR FROM HIM, IF HE IS ON THE LINE AND THEN TAKE THE OTHER SPEAKERS.

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. HE IS NOT ON THE LINE YET.

IF I CAN TAKE ONE AND THEN I CAN FREE UP THE LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> THANK YOU. ROB HUNGATE.

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

THANK YOU -- CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GREAT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY.

I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU AND VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA ITEM 454 AND THE CREATION OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION.

OUR CURRENT SYSTEM OF FOUR ELECTED COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND ONE ELECTRICKED COUNTY JUDGE CONTINUES TO -- ONE ELECTED COUNTY JUDGE SERVES OUR COUNTY WELL.

ADDING AN UNY -- UNELECTED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY LAID OUT WOULD EMPOWER ONE SINGLE PERSON WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS.

PERSONALLY I SPENT A 35-YEAR BUSINESS CAREER ANALYZING WAYS OF STREAM -- STREAM LINING AND REDUCING COSTS AND EFFICIENTS RETURNING VALUE TO STAKEHOLDERS.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS NO DIFFERENT TO THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND CREATING ANOTHER SILO OF MANAGEMENT SAYING IT MAKES GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. IF THE VOTERS IN AN INDIVIDUAL PRECINCT DO NOT LIKE THE WAY THEIR COMMISSIONER IS LEADING THE COUNTY THEY CAN VOTE AGAINST THEM IN THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE. IF THE VOTER DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE WAY AN ADMINISTRATOR IS LEADING THE COUNTY THERE IS NO RECOURSE AT THE BALLOT BOX.

EVERY RESPONSIBILITY ON THE AGENDA IS BEING DEALT WITH.

I DEALT WITH MANY CONSULTANTS AND THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LANGUAGE. I CALL IT CONSULTANT SPEAK.

ONE WORD THEY USE OFTEN IS SILO.

THE GENERAL LANGUAGE IS THAT THIS WILL ADDRESS LONG-STANDING EQUITY ISSUES EXPERIENCED BY DIVERSE COUNTY. OUR CURRENT SYSTEM IS BOOTS ON THE GROUND. AND WE HAVE PRECINCT OFFICES TO SEARCH THE COUNTY. YOU CANNOT MANAGE THIS FROM A SILO IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. OUR COURT IS FULL TIME AND NOT OVERSIGHT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA BRINGS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THE MAYOR OF SPRING VALLEY.

HE WAS NOT A FULL TIME MAYOR. THAT'S WHY HE DID THIS.

LOS ANGELES, COULD COOK, MARICOPA, SAN DIEGO AND ORANGE HAVE THESE POSITIONS AND IT LEAVES HARRIS COUNTY AS THE LARGEST COUNTY WITHOUT ONE. THAT DOES PRESIDENT MEAN WE NEED -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE NEED ONE.

THOSE ARE NOT U.S. COUNTIES THAT SHOULD BE MADE EXAMPLES OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. IN CLOSING ADDING MORE LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT BURE -- BUREAUCRACY DOES NOT LEAD TO

[02:20:04]

MORE EFFICIENCY. HOW MANY MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CAN BE HIRED AND FLOODWATERS MITIGATED WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET OF THE NEW POSITION.

THEIR BUDGET WILL ONLY GROW OVER TIME.

AT A TIME WHEN OUR CITIZENS ARE RECOVERING FROM A PANDEMIC WHERE THEY WERE FORCED INTO UNEMPLOYMENT, BUSINESS ACTUAL -- FAILURES AND LOSS OF THEIR HOMES THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO ADD UNNECESSARY LAYERS TO OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE. PLEASE FOCUS ON THE BASICS OF

THE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS --

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> I MUTED HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> ROBERT CARENA, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. THANK YOU, JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

I WANTED TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION AGAINST THIS POSITION FOR ADMINISTRATOR. MANY OF HAVE YOU POINTED OUT SOME IMPORTANT FACTS AND I WANTED TO REITERATE ON THOSE.

IT WAS MENTIONED THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL HAVE HIRING AND FIRING AUTHORITY. AS A CONSTITUENT I DON'T THINK THAT IS IS A WISE THING ON Y'ALL'S PART.

YOU AS COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS ON WHO TO FIRE AND WHO TO HIRE.

I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE IF YOU ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, I THINK YOU SHOULD BE USING THAT UNDER ADVISEMENT AND NOT GIVING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO MAKE SUCH DECISIONS. THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO ON THEIR BEHALF. TO SPEND A $2 MILLION PROPOSED BUDGET TO CREATE THIS COMMISSION, THAT COULD BE USED SOMEWHERE ELSE. YOU STATED THAT THERE IS A BUDGET SHORT FALL OR THERE IS A BOND SHORTAGE.

YOU ARE TAKING $2 MILLION THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED SOMEWHERE ELSE AND WILL BE USING IT THAT EACH OF YOU AND JUDGE.

NOW, IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A POWER GRAB.

IT IS A POWER GRAB, BUT IT DEPENDS ON WHICH SIDE OF THE AISLE YOU ARE ON. IF YOU WANT TO ADMIT IT OR NOT, THAT'S UP TO EACH OF YOU.

FOR -- AS A VOTER, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE -- EACH OF THE VOTERS.

WHY NOT LET THE PUBLIC STATE THEIR OPPOSITION OR SUPPORT FOR THIS? I GET IT THAT WE VOTED YOU EACH IN TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS, BUT THIS IS THE KIND OF DECISION THAT I THINK ALL THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE A HEARING AND HAVE A SAY IN THIS MATTER.

ESPECIALLY SOMETHING THAT POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE AN INCREASE IN TAXES. YOU ARE PROPOSING A $2 MILLION INITIAL BUDGET, BUT WHAT IS TO SAY NEXT YEAR OR THE YEAR FOLLOWING THAT THIS BUDGET DOESN'T INCREASE, AND WE ALL KNOW THE BUDGET INCREASES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

YOU ARE PROPOSING AN AGENDA ITEM THAT YOU ARE PROPOGATING. WHAT IT IS IS JUST LYING TO THEMSELVES AND LYING TO THE PUBLIC.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE I HAVE JASON KRP

GRANT WITH I -- JASON GRANT. >> I AM JASON GRANT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.

AS STATED WE ARE AN INTEREST NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS ANY DUES YOU MAY -- ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE AND ANY INSIGHTS BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN. WE ARE ADDRESSING SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE HEARD ABOUT A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR THAT WOULD USURP POWER AND PLACE IT IN THE HANDS OF A NON-ELECTED BUREAUCRAT. THE COMMISSIONERS LOSE NO POWER IN THE HIRING OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BECAUSE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS BEHOLDEN TO THE POLICIES AND OUTCOMES ESTABLISHED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

AS A BUSINESS HIRES A CEO TO HIRE THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS

[02:25:08]

AND GOALS OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS MAKING SURE YOUR GOALS ARE MET. A JURISDICTION WITHOUT CLEAR EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY HAS A GREATER CHALLENGE IN UH -- ACHIEVING A HIGH LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS.

WITHOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE CREATES DE VIE SIS NIGH AND BLOATED BUDGETS AND INCONSISTENT SERVICE MODELS. ONE EXAMPLE TO POINT OUT, THERE IS OFTEN ECONOMIES OF SCALE ACROSS DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES. THEY WOULD OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO SHARE RESOURCES, BUT THEY ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

AND SO WE CAN FIND THAT IT CAN BE FOUND IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS NO EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT.

I ALSO POINT TO RESEARCH IN THE JOURNAL OF THE COUNTY OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY SHOWS COUNTIES WHO HIRE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PERFORM BETTER THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT. I SAY ALSO THAT THE FIRST PRIORITY ALWAYS IS TO MAKE SURE FROM THE ELECTED BODY THAT THE GOVERNMENT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S WHY POLICY DECISIONS, EVEN WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THE POLICY DECISIONS MUST RELY SOLELY WITH COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE HANDS OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

TO TAKE SURE THE PEOPLE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR HIRED ELECTIVES AND THE GOALS THEY SET.

THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FAILS TO MANAGE THE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, THEN THE ELECTED BODY MAY TERMINATE THEM AT ANYTIME. THAT'S WHY THERE IS NO USURP OF POWER BECAUSE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER HAS NO AUTHORITY TO CIRCUMVENT OR IGNORE THE POLICIES YOU ALL ESTABLISHED.

ACCOUNTABILITY THAT PEOPLE IS FAR GREATER AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CAN BE FIRED AT ANYTIME AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TO THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE THEY DON'T FEEL IS PERFORMING THEY CAN APPEAL TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND YOU ALL AS A BODY CAN DECIDE WHETHER THAT PERSON IS PERFORMING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> IF NOT MOVE ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

I AM A COMMISSIONER HERE. I THINK YOU WERE LISTENING TO MOST OF THE CONVERSATION. I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU A QUESTION. IS THERE A WRAP UP POINT YOU

WANT TO MAKE? >> YEAH.

I THINK MOSTLY I WOULD SAY HIRING A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS STRENGTHENING FISCAL PERFORMANCE AND CREATING CONSISTENT AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT FOR ALL THOSE SERVING IN THE COMMUNITY. SO THAT'S WHY AN MICA BASED ON WHAT HAPPENS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT IS ABSOLUTELY -- ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO AN EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE GOVERNMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD APPRECIATE AND I THINK ALL OF US IF YOU WOULD STAY ON THE LINE IN CASE MORE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS COME UP, MR. GRANT.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> HAPPY TO REMAIN ON THE LINE, FOR SURE.

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

>> THANK YOU. MICHAEL ADAMS WITH TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO. I'M DR. MICHAEL ADAMS AND I AM THE FORMER DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND I HAVE BEEN A PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND POLITICAL SCIENCE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT.

I LISTENED TO THE COMMENTS AROUND THE HORSESHOE, AND I THINK ALL OF YOU MAKE VERY SAL -- SALIENT POINTS.

WHY -- IN THE WORDS OF WOODROW WILSON, WE HAVE TO SEPARATE POLITICS FROM THE THE ADMINISTRATION.

THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD FOCUS ON THE TECHNICAL ASPECT. IN MY MANY YEARS OF TEACHING IS BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR TRANSPARENT PUBLIC INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE TECHNICAL AND ASPECTS OF IT.

WHOEVER YOU MAY HIRE AS A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THAT PERSON WOULD BE A DEGREED INDIVIDUAL AND SOMEBODY KNOWLEDGEABLE ON PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND WOULD HAVE AN ETHICAL STANDARD TO RISE ABOVE THE POLITICAL FRAY.

AND NOT ONLY HAS HARRIS COUNTY CHANGED FROM A ROAD AND BRIDGE KIND OF A POPULATION TO MORE THAN 4.5 MILLION.

AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF GOOD PUBLICITY.

THE ADDITION OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL PLAGUE

[02:30:02]

STUDENTS AND LEGISLATORS TO LOOK AT THIS AS A MODEL AND NOT SOMETHING THAT IS A LAUGHING STOCK OR AS WE USED TO SAY BEING THE SUCCESS -- CESS POOL OF GOVERNMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, DR. ADAMS. I MADE REFERENCE I LEARNED AT THE LBJ SCHOOL.

I SHOULD HAVE POINTED OUT GOING TO UT I COULD ONLY GET TWO DEGREES FOR WHAT YOU TAUGHT AT TEXAS SOUTHERN.

THANK YOU FOR CHIMING IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> CHARLES BLAINE WITH URBAN REFORM.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS CHARLES BLAINE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF URBAN REFORM.

I AM HERE TO OPPOSE THE CREATION OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. YOU SAID IF ANYONE IS SURPRISED BY THIS MOVE TO HIRE AN ADMINISTRATOR THEY HAVEN'T BEEN PAYING ATTENTION. THE REALITY IS THAT THIS PAST FEW YEARS OR THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN RIDICULOUS FOR EVERYONE ESPECIALLY RESIDENTS. THEY DEFINITELY WERE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO EIGHT-HOUR COMMISSIONER COURT MEETINGS.

SO THEY DON'T KNOW. WHAT YOU ARE DOING TODAY IS CONSIDERING THROUGH A MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION OF ONE OF THE LARGEST ENTITIES IN THE COUNTRY WITH LITTLE PUBLIC NOTICE AND LITTLE PUBLIC INPUT.

IF YOU TRULY FEEL WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS RIGHT, YOU WOULDN'T RUSH THIS THROUGH AND YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO SELL IT TO THE PEOPLE YOU WORK FOR. WILLING TO PUT AN ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION BUDGET BEHIND THIS THEN SPEND TIME TO TAKE IT TO THE VOTERS OR AT THE LEAST WILLING TO SPEND MONEY ON A SERIES OF TOWN HALLS AND A ROBUST CAMPAIGN TO EXPLAIN THIS ITEM TO THE PUBLIC AND GAIN FEEDBACK AND COMMUNITY BUY IN BEFORE APPROVING IT. POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THE JUDGE MENTIONED BEXAR COUNTY IN. 2011 WHEN BEXAR COUNTY WAS CONSIDERING THIS, DON LEE THE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS CONFERENCE ON URBAN COUNTIES SAID, AND THIS IS A DIRECT QUOTE FROM HIM, WHAT BEXAR COUNTY IS CONSIDERING IS SIMILAR TO WHAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN DOING FOR DECADES.

ALTHOUGH THE ROLE THERE ISN'T CALLED COUNTY MANAGER, BUT COURT COORDINATOR, BUDGET OFFICER.

THAT'S A DIRECT COURT. WE ARE SHIFTING AWAY FROM WHAT HAS MADE US A LEADER AMONG THE BIG COUNTIES IN TEXAS.

IF YOU WANT TO STREAM LINE GOVERNMENT DO SO AND WE SHOULDN'T CREATE A POSITION AND DON'T MAKE GOVERNMENT UNWIELDY. IF YOU ARE REALLY CONFIDENT IN THIS THEN TAKE IT TO THE COMMUNITY YOU WORK FOR AND SELL IT TO THE PEOPLE WHO PUT YOU IN THOSE SEATS.

DON'T STEAM ROLL IT THROUGH WITH LITTLE NOTICE AND LITTLE TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO DIGEST IT AND LITTLE EXPLANATION FOR MORE THAN A FEW SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.

I CAN PROMISE YOU MOST OF THE RESIDENTS YOU SERVE ARE NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND PAYING ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

JUDGE, YOU BROUGHT UP AN ANALOGY SO I WANT TO BRING UP ONE TOO. IMAGINE A COMPANY WHERE EMPLOYEES MAKE A MASSIVE STRUCTURAL CHANGE ON A TUESDAY AFTER ONLY ALERTING THEIR BOSSES ABOUT IT ON A WEDNESDAY. WITHOUT CONSIDERING IT WITH THEIR BOSS AND GETTING FEEDBACK.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE TODAY OR CONSIDERING DOING. THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY ARE YOUR BOSSES AND THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PROCESS. I HOPE THE PUBLIC PAYS ATTENTION FOR ANYONE WHO VOTES FOR THIS AND KNOWING THERE IS NO EARNEST ATTEMPT TO GET INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND EXPLAIN IT FOR THE PEOPLE YOU WORK FOR. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS.

YOU SAID IT YOURSELF. TWO PAPERS 20 YEARS APART SAID THIS WAS A GOOD THING. SO WHY CAN'T YOU HOLD OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS OR FEW MONTHS JUST TO GET PUBLIC BUY IN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JIM ROBERTSON.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

MY NAME IS JIM ROBERTSON AND I HAVE LIVED IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY FOR 32 YEARS. I'M SPEAKING REGARDING ITEM 434 ON THE COURT AGENDA. THEY DEAL WITH COST, TRANS PARENTS -- TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

COST, FIVE NEW HIGH-LEVEL POSITIONS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND FOUR DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS WILL BE ADDED TO HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN THIS NEW DEPARTMENT. THEY WILL BE PAID TO MANAGE FUNCTIONS CURRENTLY HANDLED UNDER EXISTING STAFFING LEVELS. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WOULD APPOINT DEPUTIES AND MANAGING DIRECTORS IN A YET TO BE DETERMINED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR AN ENTIRELY NEW DEPARTMENT WITH A YET TO BE DETERMINED NUMBER OF EMENT EMPLOYEES. OF EMPLOYEES.

WHAT IS THE PROTECT -- PROJECTED FUTURE OF THIS COST. TRANSPARENCY.

I ATTEMPT TO BE IN -- INFORMED AT THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ITEM AND IT IS THE FIRST TIME MANY WERE AWARE THAT AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT WAS HIRED FOR A TWO-YEAR STUDY COSTING $5 MILLION AND RECOMMENDED A MAJOR REORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. HOW HAS HARRIS COUNTY SHARED THIS. IT IS MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENT. THE RELEARNING OF AN ORGANIZATION OF GOVERNMENT FOUR DAYS BEFORE ACTION COULD BE TAKEN COMPLETELY LACKS IN TRANS -- PRANCE PAREN SEE.

[02:35:03]

WHAT KIND OF INPUT WAS GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH INTERVIEWS OR FOCUS GROUPS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS ? HOW MANY RESIDENTS WERE INVOLVED? HOW WAS INPUT INCORPORATED INTO THE STUDY? THE 6-PAGE RECOMMENDATION 20 DEPARTMENTS IS MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOWHERE ARE WE TOLD WHAT 20 DEPARTMENTS THESE ARE. IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY TO THE PUBLIC, WHY ARE THE DEPARTMENTS AND FUNCTIONS NEVER LISTED. THIS IS A MAJOR CHANGE IN HOW HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT WOULD OPERATE.

ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATION WITHOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FURTHER INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC IS A COMPLETE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY. ACCOUNTABILITY.

THEY ARE ELECTED AND THEIR STAFF IS ACCOUNT BELIEVE TO US. THEY CAN BE CONTACTED BY BY AN EMAIL OR WEBSITE. THEY -- THE PROS DEPARTMENT WILL BE MANAGED BY AN APPOINTED POSITION.

HOW IS THE REMOVAL OF CURRENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND MOVE OF DEPARTMENTS FROM A DISTRIBUTED TO A BUREAUCRATIC LINE GOOD FOR US AS RESIDENTS AND VOTERS.

FINALLY THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE -- FINAL -- FINALLY IS THE CHANGE LEGAL UNDER TEXAS LAW? WHY SHOULD NOT THIS MAJOR CHANGE BE SUBJECT TO VOTER APPROVAL? COOK CON TOO -- COOK COUNTY, ILL ILL AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA ARE MODELED I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT MY COUNTY TO BE MOD BELLED BY -- MODELED --

[INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> KATHERINE COLBERT WITH LEGAL VOTERS OF HOUSTON.

GO AHEAD. >> HELLO.

MY NAME IS KATHERINE COLBERT AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HOUSTON AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.

OUR NATIONAL AFFILIATE, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OUR STATEWIDE AFFILIATE HAVE ENDORSED FOLLOWING POLICY TO GUIDE GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS OF ADD STRAGS. ADMINISTRATION.

WE BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT BELIEVINGS -- BELIEVES AND ACTS IN PARTS -- PARTICIPATION OF ALL GOVERNMENT. THEY BELIEVE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES MUST PROTECT A CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO KNOW BY GIVING ADEQUATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED ACTIONS AND HOLDING OPEN MEETINGS AND MAKING PUBLIC RECORDS ACCESSIBLE, END QUOTE.

>> JUDGE, IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE DISCONNECTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. IF YOU CAN GET HER BACK RVEGHTS -- BACK WE CAN PUT HER BACK ON.

>> WE WILL TRY. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SARA CASPER. SHE IS IN PERSON.

IF YOU CAN PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SARA CASPER.

MY FAMILY MOVED HERE WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT IN PRECINCT 2 FOR 63 YEARS.

I AM HERE TO EXPRESS GRAVE CONCERNS REGARDING ITEM 454 AND THE CREATION OF THE NEW POSITION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I LEARNED OF THIS YESTERDAY MORNING THROUGH A FRIEND WHOSE PRECINCT COMMISSIONER ADVISED HER OF THE MEETING TODAY VEE -- VIA EMAIL LAST FRIDAY.

MY PRECINCT COMETION -- COMMISSIONER DID NOT AFFORD ME OF THIS COURTESY. WHEN I CALLED I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ON ITEM 454 AND SUGGESTED THAT I CALL THE OFFICE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE.

WHICH I DID AND UNFORTUNATELY, TO NO AVAIL.

THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL BE APPOINTED WITH A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT MADE UP OF FOUR PRECINCT COMMISSIONERS AND THE HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE I HAVE BEEN TOLD WITH THREE MEMBERS IN AGREEMENT THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL BE APPROVED OF I -- APPROVED.

I UNDERSTAND THERE WILL BE NO TERM LIMITS ATTACHED AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES, THOUGH THEY NOW CAN BE AMENDED BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY. IT GREATLY CONCERNS ME THAT WITH A 3-2 VOTE CITIZENS OF TWO ENTIRE PRECINCTS WILL LOSE THEIR DIRECT REPRESENTATION AND THEREFORE THEIR INPUT IN WHAT FUTURE POLICY CHANGES MAY OCCUR UNDER AN APPOINTED BURE CROW -- BURE CROW -- BUREAUCRAT.

I BELIEVE THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCH A RADICAL CHANGE AND SHIFTING AUTHORITY AWAY FROM OUR ELECTED PRECINCT COMMISSIONERS TO STREAM LINE OPERATIONS WILL RESULT IN THE CENTRALIZATION OF AUTHORITY WHICH TILL TAKE US IN THE -- WHICH WILL TAKE US IN THE DIRECT OPPOSITE POSITION OF

OUR ELECTED COMMISSIONERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

[02:40:02]

I DID HEAR A CONCERN ABOUT WILL THE PRECINCT COMMISSIONERS BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB? OF COURSE. ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

LET ME PRESENT ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING WE ARE WORKING ON THAT WAS LONG OVERDUE BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A HOLISTIC VIEW OF THINGS. AND IT IS DELAYED NOW.

THAT'S THE 3-1-1 SYSTEM. FOLKS IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY IF YOU FIND A POTHOLE YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOUR PRECINCT COMMISSIONER'S PHONE NUMBER IS.

AND IT IS THE PHONE NUMBER FOR 9 COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.

THOSE PRE SINK -- THOSE PRECINCT DISTRICTS ARE NOT EASY TO DETERMINE. THE BOUNDARIES ARE COMPLICATIONS IT IS NOT SIM -- SIMPLE TO KNOW WHICH PRECINCT YOU ARE IN. IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS YOU SEE A POT -- POTHOLE YOU CALL 3-1-1.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE CREATING. YOU CAN SAY IT IS AN UNDO OF CENTRAL POWER. NO.

IT IS EFFICIENCY. FOLKS WILL NOW -- WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON IS FOLKS CAN CALL 3-1-1 AND GOVERNMENT DOES THE JOB OF ROUTING THE REQUEST TO THE RIGHT COMMISSIONER AND THEN THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE CAN TAKE CARE OF IT.

OR IF THEY DON'T WANT TO BE WORKING DIRECTLY ON POTHOLES WHOEVER THEY CONTRACT ON FOR THAT.

IT IS THE SAME IDEA. IT IS SIMPLY ABOUT EFFICIENCY. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA?

>> YES, MA'AM. I HAVE MS. COLBERT BACK ON THE

LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> KATHERINE COLBERT. >> HELLO.

SORRY. MY PHONE DIDN'T WANT TO STAY CONNECTED. I'M ASSUMING --

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET ALT CLOSER TO THE MY -- TO GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE YOU SOUND A

LITTLE FARTHER AWAY. >> OKAY.

I WILL JUST START OVER. HELLO MY NAME IS KATHERINE COLBERT AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. OUR NATIONAL AFFILIATE, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OUR STATEWIDE AFFILIATE, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TEXAN DORSED THE FOLLOWING POLICY TO GUIDE GOVERNMENTS AT ALL LEVEL OF ADD STRAIGHT -- ADMINISTRATIONS.

QUOTE, WE BELIEVE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT DEPENDS ON INFORMED AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

THE LEAGUE FURTHER BELIEVES GOVERNMENTAL BODIES MUST PROTECT A CITIZEN SATISFIES RIGHT TO KNOW -- A CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO KNOW AND MAKING PUBLIC RECORDS ACCESSIBLE.

END QUOTE. IN KEEPING WITH THIS THEME, THEY BELIEVE THE PROPOSED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL MAKE GREATER THE EFFICIENCY AND TRANSPARENCY AND PLEASED TO PROPOSE THE ADOPTION OF THIS PROPOSAL.

AS YOU READ THERE WAS AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT CONDUCT AN OPERATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW OF HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT. IT IS RECOGNIZED AS A WAY OF GOVERNING, IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PRINCIPALS OF DEMOCRACY, END QUOTE. THEY ALSO POINT OUT THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF COUNTY WIDE APPROACHES AND STRATEGIES IT IS EDS TO SEE HOW POLICIES RELATING TO HOUSING, PUBLIC HEALTH AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CAN EXACERBATE INY -- INEQUALITY. THEY SKEET A CLEAR -- THEY SET A CLEAR VISION FOR THE GOAL. WE ARE SEEING THIS PLAY OUT IN THE FLOODING BOND ISSUE WHERE AREAS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE NOT GETTING THE PROPER FUNDING AND IT IS CAUSING A SCRAMBLE TO FIND FUNDS. DP -- IF WE HAVE A STREAM LINED APPROACH THERE WOULD BE LESS UNCERTAINTY IN AREAS.

ALL OF THE COUNTIES HAVE UPGRADED THEIR GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE BY CREATING A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

IN DOING A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH MANY SMALLER COMPANIES IN THE STATE HAVE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

ALTHOUGH THERE IS WORRY THAT APPOINTING A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COULD EFFECTIVELY REMOVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STRIP RESIDENTS OF THEIR ABILITY TO HAVE LOCAL REPRESENTATION THE OPPOSITE WILL OCCUR. THIS POSITION WILL NOT ELIMINATE THE ROLE OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

INSTEAD EVERYONE WILL HAVE COMMON GOALS AND STRATEGIES.

IT WILL PROVIDE A STRATEGIC VISION FOR ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY AND ALLOW FOR ALLOWING ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT. BUREAUCRACY DOES NOT ADD TO

[02:45:04]

EFFICIENCY. UNFORTUNATELY HARRIS COUNTY IS CAUGHT UP IN BUREAUCRACY AND DOES NOT RUN --

>> THANK YOU. >> IN CON -- CONJUNCTION WITH

OUR -- THANK YOU. >> LAWRENCE BECKWITH IS IN PERSON. PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

>> COUNTY JUDGE HUH DAHL -- HUH GAL GO AND COMMISSIONERS GARCIA, RAMSEY KAY GAL -- CAGLE.

MY STATEMENT IS TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO AGENDA ITEM 454. I GOT A LETTER FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE GATHERING 20 AGENCIES AND IT IS A SINGLE BUREAUCRATIC COUNTY AND A CITIZEN HAS A LOCAL COMPLAINT OR CONCERN FOR COUNTY SERVICES AND INSTEAD OF BEING ABLE TO CONTACT THEIR ELECTED COMMISSIONER THEY MUST BE MINDFUL OF THE NEXT ELECTION AND REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH THE CORRECT CHANNELS. CONSULTANT REPORTS SAY IT LACKSES TRANSPARENCY AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEANINGFUL PUBLIC INPUT AND PROVIDE LIMITED OPPORTUNITY FOR INPUT ON POLICY AND PROGRAMS. REALLY? THE PRAY -- THE PROPOSAL MENTIONS FLOOD CONTROL IN AN UNDEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION OF POWER.

IN WHAT WAY REGARDING FLOOD CONCERNS AND FLOOD CONTROL [INAUDIBLE] ON ELECTED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

AND SINCE THE ELECTION IS SIGNING UP FOR 100 ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AND POWERED A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND AN EXTRA LAWYER OF BUREAUCRACY. LET'S LOOK AT WHERE THE ELECTED OFFICIAL HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY A BUREAUCRAT.

AS AN ELECTION JUDGE [INAUDIBLE] EAGLE SPRINGS TELLING ME EAGLE SPRINGS SHUTDOWN VOTING BECAUSE THE VOTING MACHINES WERE NOT PLACED IN THE CORRECT ROOM.

ACCORDING TO THE INSPECTORS WHO CAME BY.

THE MICROMANAGEMENT OF THE MAY 1ST ELECTION UH POINTED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CAUSED DELAYS IN PEOPLE VOTING. IN WHAT WAY DID THIS BUREAUCRATIC TAKE OVER PROMOTE DO -- DEMOCRACY.

[INAUDIBLE] WHICH MEMBER OF YOUR STAFF IS UNAVAILABLE TO SPEAK WITH CONCERNED CITIZENS.

THIS AGENDA ITEM IS BASED ON A FOURTH PREMISE.

I KNOW ALL OF YOU COMMISSIONERS CARE ABOUT YOUR DISTRICTS AND CITIZENS. I LEAVE WITH YOU A QUOTATION FROM THE ECONOMIST AND ANTI-FASCIST IN HIS -- [INAUDIBLE] THE BELIEF IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE WIDESPREAD THAT IF THINGS ARE TO GET DONE THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES MUST BE FREE FROM THE FEDERS OF DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURE. I URGE YOU TO DISPERSE POWER AMONG LOCAL ELECTED INDIVIDUALS AND RETAIN POWER FROM THE HANDS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> ANNA PEREZ. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HUH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1 AND WORK IN PRECINCT 4. I HAVE IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN PRECINCTS 2 AND 3. I AM SPEAKING BECAUSE I AM OPPOSED TO THE CREATION OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, YOU WERE ELECTED TO MANAGE THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS RESIDENTS, A DUTY YOU PROPOSED TO HAND OFF TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. ARE YOU SAYING TO THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY THAT EACH OF YOU -- THAT EACH OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF EACH OF YOUR PRECINCTS YOU PROPOSE TO HAND OFF TO THIS ADMINISTRATOR TO NOT COME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS ISSUES AND FIND MUTUAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS? JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU REFERENCE AN EXAMPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH TAKING OVER MEDICAL ISSUES OF THE HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. WHY CAN'T HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH MEET WITH THE FOLKS OF THE JAIL AND WORK OUT A SOLUTION? HAVE YOU NOT TOLD THEM TO GET IT DONE? COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS THIS COMMISSION CAN HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF POWER. THEN WHY IS THIS POSITION NOT AN ELECTED ONE, BUT AN APPOINTED ONE.

JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU SAID WE WERE BEHIND ON MEETING ITEMS. I AGREE. THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, BUT THIS SHOWS A LACK OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS FROM THOSE WHO CANNOT DO THE JOB THEY WERE ELECTED TO DO AND THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE IN YOUR RESPECTIVE OFFICES ACROSS THE BOARD OF HARRIS COUNTY.

YOU SPOKE ABOUT MAKING CHANGES TO BETTER BE IN LINE FOR OUR

[02:50:04]

NEEDS. I ONS THAT -- I UNDERSTAND NOT EVERY ISSUE IS THE SAME OR IS OF THE SAME DEGREE OF INDENSITY SH -- INTENSITY OR THERE MAY BE A SERVICE OR PROGRAM MORE WANTED AND NEEDED AND IT VARIES.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE ALL ELECTED TO DO.

PLEASE START TALKING TO EACH OTHER AND NOT AT EACH OTHER AND COME TO RESOLUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS PROPOSAL AND STEP UP TO THE JOB YOU WERE ALL ELECTED TO DO FOR THE RESIDENTS IN YOUR PRECINCT AND ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> JENNY MORALES IN PERSON. PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

GEE -- >> I AM JIMMY MORALES.

I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT MY OPPOSITION ABOUT 454.

I STILL DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE REASONING FOR THIS.

IT SEEMS THIS POSITION WILL DIVERT THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. PERHAPS A $2 MILLION SCAPEGOAT.

WE SHOULD NOT PAY MORE TAX PAY WRIER MONEY TO -- TANGS -- TAXPAYER MONEY FOR A NEW OFFICE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WILL BE PASS ETD -- PASSED BY PARTY LINES. IT WILL BE MORE -- WE NEED TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT AND NOT POLITICALLY BIASED AND WORK ON BOTH SIDES AND HELP THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE.

WE SHOULD NOT ADD ANOTHER LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY.

WE NEED NOT TO ADD MORE RED TAPE TO OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. TAKING OUR CONSTITUENTS' COUNTY COMMISSIONER. THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY WILL NOT HAVE A SAY SO IN THIS ELECTION PROCESS FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER. IF YOU VOTE YES FOR ITEM 454, THEN YOU ARE THIS STEMS FROM A $5 MILLION STUDY TO HARRIS COUNTY BY PFM CONSULTING GROUP.

WHO ARE THEY? THEY ARE REGISTERED AS A FOREIGN ENTITY. LET ME REPEAT.

THEY ARE REGISTERED AS A FOREIGN ENTITY.

THIS CONSULTING FIRM IS RUN BY AN EXECUTIVE WHO ADVOCATES -- HE ADVOCATES FOR DEFUNDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE CAN JUST LOOK FOR THEIR EXAMPLE SHINING EXAMPLES OF HOW THIS WAS -- HOW THEIR BUREAUCRACY WAS IMPLEMENTED IN L.A. COUNTY AND COOK COUNTY AND LOOK AT THE ATROCITIES IT CREATED IN THE COUNTIES. PEOPLE ARE FLEEING THOSE AREAS BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT. THIS FIRM IS ALSO CRITICAL OF THE ABILITY OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

[02:55:02]

TO SERVE CONSTITUENTS. PFM ALSO FAVORS ELIMINATING THE COUNTY'S ROLL OVER PROGRAM.

AN INITIATIVE THAT ENCOURAGES PHYSICAL RESPONSIBILITY.

AS WE SAY, YOU INITIALLY PUT IN TWO MILLION AND THEN THE BUDGET WILL GROW AND GROW AND GROW.

AND THEY WILL BE IN CHARGE OF THINGS SUCH AS RISK MANAGEMENT, HIRING AND FIRING. DOES THAT MEAN THEY CAN ARBITRARILY GO AND START FIRING OUR SHERIFF, OUR CONSTABLES? I -- THIS IS A -- IT SOUNDS VERY TOTALITARIAN TO ME AND LEANING TOWARD MARXIST -- MARXISM. THE -- IT MUST HAVE COMMUNITY INPUT. WE NEED TO HAVE TOWN HALLS ABOUT THIS. FOR YOU TO DESTROY OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WITHOUT COMMUNITY INPUT IS JUST ABHORRENT. THANK YOU.

LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> JOHN SELMA, GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

I AM JOAN SELMA, A 55-YEAR RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND RESIDE IN PRECINCT 3. I REPRESENT MYSELF, BUT I KNOW NUMEROUS OTHERS WHO SHARE MY SAME CONCERNS.

I GREET YOU THIS AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY, CAGLE, ELLIS AND GARCIA.

I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN I HEARD IN HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, QUOTE, THE STATE WON'T LET US DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO, END QUOTE. THERE IS A GOOD REASON FOR THAT. WE ARE A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC AND NOT A DEMOCRACY AS JUST AS EVERYONE HAS BEEN TRAINED FOR THE LAST 100 YEARS IN THE COUNTRY TO SAY SINCE THE PROGRESSIVE SOCIALISTS AND, YES, THE MARXIST-TRAINED PEOPLE TO BLATHE RE OF THE -- BLATTER THE WORD FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA. WE ARE A REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC. WE ELECT PEOPLE TO REPRESENT US AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

YOU ON THE COURT TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. WHETHER YOU TOOK THEM SERIOUSLY OR SIMPLY MOUTH THEM TO GET ON WHY YOUR AGENDA WE DON'T KNOW. WE COME TO THE QUESTION DID SOME OF YOU ON THE DMITION AREA EAST -- THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AFTER BEING SWORN IN YOU ARE INCOMPETENT TO RUN THIS COUNTRY ON YOUR OWN TALENTS AND EDUCATION? DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO RETAIN YOUR POSITION AND HIRE SOMEBODY TO DO WHICH YOU ARE INCOMPETENT TO PERFORM? LET EVERYONE THOUGH -- KNOW THAT PREVIOUS COMMISSIONER'S COURTS HAD THE EXPERIENCE, THE SKILLS AND THE BRAIN POWER TO RUN THIS COUNTY, BUT IT IS TO BE SAID AFTER TAKING -- OR IS IT TO BE SAID YOU REALIZE YOU DIDN'T HAVE THOSE CAPABILITIES? ARE YOU WILLING TO SURRENDER YOUR PAY TO PAY FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO YOUR JOB? IF ANY ONE OF YOU HAS FANTASIES OF SEEKING HIGHER OFFICE, WHAT WOULD HIRING SOMEBODY TO DO YOUR JOB SAY ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO RUN THIS COUNTY OR THE COUNTRY? HIDALGO'S PLANS PUTS THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF AN APPOINTED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

THAT MEANS THERE IS NO ONE IN THIS COUNTY THAT HAS ANY SAY OF WHO THAT PERSON IS. REALITY, IT WILL ADD BUREAUCRACY AND NOT STREAM LINE PROCEDURES.

INSTEAD IT WILL BE SEEN AS A PROGRESSIVE MEASURE TO GIVE MORE AUTHORITY TO THE COUNTY JUDGE.

EXECUTIVE POWER IS TOTAL POWER AND SO IT IS STRIPPED FROM ANNE HARRIS BENNETT OUR REGISTRAR AND OUR ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE COUNTY CLERK THAT WAS GIVEN TO AN APPOINTED AND NOT AN ELECTED ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.

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

>> CELESTE LIGONA. >> THANK YOU.

I HAVE LIVED IN PRECINCT 4 FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

I AM HERE TO DISCUSS MY DISCONTENT WITH ITEM 454 WHICH ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO UH POINT A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

WHY SO THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER POSITION THAT LINA HIDALGO AND THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS WERE ELECTED TO PERFORM. THIS IS A DECISION THE

[03:00:02]

PROGRESSIVE LIBERALS OF THIS COURT,LY GNAW HIDALGO AND ADRIAN GARCIA AND RODNEY ELLIS ARE PUSHING THROUGH AND TAXPAYER MONEY PAID TO AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT COMPANY IS ASTONISHING AND WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE CONSTITUENTS IS NOTHING SHORT IN UNDER -- UNDERMINING THE PUBLIC WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE TRIED TANNED MIND THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THIS IS BAD POLICY AND A NON-ELECTED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IN CHARGE OF COUNTY-WIDE DUTY HAD WOULD GIVE THEM PERMISSION TO PICK -- TO TAKE MONEY FROM FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE PRECINCTS LIKE THOSE RAN FROM JACK CAGLE TO BUT IN PRE SINKS NOT RESPONSIBLE LIKE THOSE RAN BY RODNEY ELLIS AND ADRIAN GARCIA.

THE TEAM AND MONEY NEEDS TO BE SPENT ON REAL ISSUES AFFECTING HARRIS COUNTY AND NOT ADDING MORE POSITIONS LIKE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR THAT'S ARE NOT MEED -- NEED NEED NEEDED OR REQUIRED OR WANTED. IT IS RUN BY THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERALS COURT AND THIS IS UH GENERAL UH AND DRAW CONE YEN AND NOT TRANSPARENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> STACY FAIRCHILD WITH SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO.

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

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. THIS IS ABOUT AGENDA ITEM 454. FOR THE RECORD I AM STACY FAIRCHILD. I AM HERE THE WITH THE ONLY ORGANIZATION CODIFIED GEOGRAPHIC CODE.

WE LEARNED OF THIS ITEM OF 5 P.M. LAST FRIDAY AND A REPORT WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE TO US UNTIL THIS MORNING.

ALTHOUGH IT WAS PUBLISHED LAST NOVEMBER.

THIS IS HARDLY ENOUGH TIME TO READ A 162-PAGE REPORT AND UNDERSTAND THE FAR-REACHING RAMIFICATIONS.

ON BEHALF OF THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE I ASK YOU TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL FAIR AND EQUITABLE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CAN BE DONE TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT IT -- ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE ASK THE COURT TO COME TO ONE OR MORE OF OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS TO EXPLAIN IT TO US. WE ARE HAPPY TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING OR SET OF SPECIAL MEETINGS TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR SCHEDULE. WE ARE READY AND WILLING TO COLLABORATE WITH ALL COMMISSIONERS IN GETTING YOUR MESSAGE OUT IN AN EQUITABLE AND TIMELY MATTER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY

QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> IRIS GONZALEZ. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS IRIS GONZALEZ AND I AM THE COALITION DIRECTOR FOR FEAR, THE COALITION FOR EQUITY AND RESILIENCE. WE ARE WORKING ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND RESILIENCE.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT AND IT WILL CREATE A NEW LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND COORDINATION AND TRANSPARENCY THAT IS NEEDED TO SOLVE OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM.

WE WORKED WITH MANY COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND STAFF ON ISSUES LIKE FLOOD RESILIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE. TO TACKLE THE COMPLEX ISSUES WE NEED TO WORK AT HEALTH AND ENJOIN NEARING AND -- ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL.

IT UNDERSTANDS HOW SHOCKS LIKE DISASTERS, FLOODS, CHEMICAL SPILLS AND MORE ARE MULTIPLY YES, SIRS FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND. THE SOLUTION IS LOOKING AT HOW THE PUZZLE PIECES CONNECT AND A STRATEGIC WAY TO ADDRESS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. THAT'S WHY THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS SO CRITICAL AND NEEDED.

IN OUR WORK WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WE FIND THERE IS A CULTURE WHERE DEPARTMENTS DON'T TALK TO ONE ANOTHER AS MUCH AS THEY SHOULD OR IN THE WAYS THEY SHOULD TO MAXIMIZE THEIR IMPACT. THEY ARE SILOS AND MINDING YOUR OWN CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE.

THESE ARE HABITS ACCRUED OVER TIME, BUT UNDOING THESE PRACTICES WILL NOT HAPPEN ON ITS OWN.

WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL AND CONSISTENT AND STRATEGIC IN

[03:05:01]

OUR APPROACH. TO GIVE YOU EXAMPLES WE OFTEN HEAR THINGS LIKE, WELL, WE DON'T -- WE KNOW THE FACT THAT THE DEPARTMENT COLLECTS THE DATA, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO IT BECAUSE OUR DATA SYSTEMS ARE DIFFERENT.

OR RE -- WE ARE RESTRICTED BECAUSE WE USED TO DO THEM.

WE WILL OFTEN LEARN ABOUT SOME --

>> SOUNDS LIKE WE LOST HER CONNECTION.

WE WILL TRY TO REACH HER AGAIN.

>> THIS SHOULDN'T BE THE CASE AND I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER.

I ALSO KNOW IT IS A BIG JOB TO DO THAT KIND OF SILO BUSTING AND CONNECTED FOR A COUNTY OF OUR SIZE.

IT MAKES SENSE TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF SO MANY OTHER PLACES AND MODERNIZE OUR PRACTICE BY CREATING A NEW ROLE WITH A ROBUST BUDGET. A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS MAKING SURE WE ARE MARCHING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AND MAKE THE JOB OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT MORE IMPACTFUL.

IT WILL HELP YOU GOVERN AND SET GOOD POLICY AND YIELD BETTER RESULTS FOR ALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> MARY MY CASH DASH --

MICHAELS. >> I AM A CITIZEN OF TEXAS FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS AND A CITIZEN OF HOUSTON FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. I APPRECIATE THE COMMENT BY THE YOUNG LADY THAT JUST SPOKE AND I DO APPRECIATE THE CONCERN FOR MAKING A GOVERNMENT BUREAU AGENCY AND PUBLIC SERVANTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

HOWEVER, I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS MOVE PROPOSED BY OUR COUNTY JUDGE. I FEEL IF ENACTED THIS WOULD HAVE SEVERAL DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS.

FIRST IT WOULD PLACE A DISTANCE BETWEEN CITIZENS THEMSELVES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THEIR COMMISSIONER'S COURT, THEIR VARIOUS COMMISSIONERS.

I FEEL THAT WOULD REMOVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM MY ELECTED OFFICIAL. IT WOULD CAUSE AN IMPEDIMENT FOR REPRESENTATION. ADDITIONALLY I FEEL THAT TEXAS IN GENERAL, HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC THAT WAS DECLARED LAST YEAR AND WE STILL HAVE GREAT ECONOMIC STRIDE THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE. THE EXPENSE OF 5 MILLION AND THE EXPENSE OF AN ON GOING SALARY FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR IS UNCALLED FOR. I SUGGEST THAT THIS ISSUE BE TABLED AND HAVE A LOOK AT IT A YEAR FROM NOW AFTER OUR COUNTY AND OUR CITIZENS HAVE RECOVERED *6 FINANCIALLY OR ADD CHANCE TO RECOVER FROM THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC.

THIS IS A BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS.

BOTH OF THESE REMOVING ACCESS TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND FOR THEIR VOICES TO BE HEARD AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT, IT IS NOT WORTH IT. WE ARE A GOOD COUNTY AND RUN WELL. WE DON'T NEED, REGARDLESS THE STATEMENTS OF THE PREVIOUS YOUNG WOMAN WHO REPRESENTS NONPROFIT GROUPS, AND SHE WAS VERY WELL PRY PAIRED WITH -- PREPARED WITH HER ARGUMENT AND OTHERS OF THAT NATURE.

I DO NOT AGREE. I FEEL THIS IS A MISTAKE AND IT IS NOT URGENT. IT COULD BE TABLED UNTIL A YEAR FROM NOW AND REASSESSED AND RELOOKED AT.

IN ADDITION I FEEL THAT FIRM HAS BEEN HIRED --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. LINE

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> I MUTED THE SPEAKER.

TAMARA BELL. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM HERE TO SAY I OPPOSE THE CREATION OF AN EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR.

I LOOKED UP THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY AND LOOKED UP COUNTY JUDGE. COUNTY JUDGES ARE PRESIDING SUPERVISORS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THEY GOVERN COUNTY GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLICS, HOSPITALS AND BUILDINGS AND ZONING AND WASTE

[03:10:03]

WATER AND PERMIT AND WASTE WEAR AND -- WASTE WATER AND MORE SPECIFIC DUTIES AS LAID OUT BY TEXAS STATUTE.

COUNTY JUDGES MAY NOT BE A COMMISSIONER.

ACCOUNTABILITY. NUMEROUS OF YOU USE THAT WORD. ACCOUNTABILITY.

YOUR SPEECH, JUDGE, WAS ELOQUENT, IF IT WAS REAL.

THIS IS NOT ACCOUNTABILITY. YOU WERE IN A GUEST SPEAKER AND YOU COULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP.

BUT YOU DIDN'T. YOU HAD A REPORT IN NOVEMBER, AND YOU COULD HAVE SENT IT OUT, BUT YOU DIDN'T.

THIS IS A POWER GRAB AND VOTER SUPPRESSION AT ITS HIGHEST.

WE VOTE YOU YOU TO MAKE YOU ACCOUNTABLE TO US.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO RUN AND BE ACCOUNTABLE, DON'T DO IT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUN. I LIVED IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 20 YEARS. I I WOULD RUN THE OTHER WAY BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I KNOW YOU WILL PASS IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT ELECTION DAY LIKE YOU DID WITH TUNESIA AND YOU SNATCHED IT FROM THEM, SO YOU WILL SNATCH THIS. THIS IS WRONG.

YOU KNOW IT IS WRONG. YOU CAN GET A PERSON IN YOUR OFFICE TO DO WHAT YOU SAY. I AM NOT ABOUT TO SAY YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT HEALTH CARE. YOU ARE RIGHT AS HELL.

HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

YOU'RE RIGHT. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT.

YOU A -- YOU HAVE A STAFF THAT CAN DO THAT.

AND THEN TO THE BUDDY SYSTEM [EXPLETIVE].

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT CAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

THAT'S HOW YOU LIVE. THAT'S HOW YOU EAT.

YOU HAVE THE JUDGE CRAZY SCARED TO EVEN DO JUSTICE.

YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE COURT SINCE HARVEY.

WE HAVE CRIME RUNNING THROUGH THE STREETS.

AND LET ME TELL YOU IT IS [EXPLETIVE] THAT IS ON THE SHELF. YOU WILL TAKE THE CONSTABLE TO COME UP WITH THAT? THAT IS WRONG.

IT IS WRONG. YOU ALL KNOW IT IS WRONG.

YOU DON'T GIVE A DAMN. YOU DON'T CARE.

YOU ARE ONLY THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF.

YOU ARE NOT THINKING OF THE CITIZENS WHO YOU WORK FOR.

THEY DON'T WORK FOR YOU. YOU WORK FOR THEM.

PRETEND YOU CARE. YOU DON'T.

THIS IS LUNACY. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID ON A SUNDAY NIGHT AND YOU TALK ABOUT IT ON TUESDAY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> DAMION HERBIE, GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> HELLO. I VEE MEANTLY OPPOSE THIS.

THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

I WANT TO KNOW WHO APPROVED THE PRM CONSULTING RESEARCH GROUP AND SPENT $5 MILLION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY TAX DOLLARS TO RESEARCH THIS POSITION. CAN WE HAVE AN ANSWER RIGHT NOW, PLEASE, BEFORE WE TRY AND PROPOSE THE POSITION.

WHO APPROVED THAT? THAT IS INSANITY.

THAT IS OUR MONEY. THAT NEEDS TO GO INTO HARVEY.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T EVEN MOVED BACK INTO THEIR HOUSE SINCE HARVEY. WHAT HAVE Y'ALL DONE WITH MONEY? LIKE THE LADY WHO SAID BEFORE WHO WAS ON THE LINE, THIS IS VOTER SUPPRESSION.

THIS IS A POWER GRAB. MORE GOVERNMENT IS NOT THE ANSWER. YOU NEED TO GO ON A BUDGET DIET AND REDUCE GOVERNMENT. FIND A WAY TO BE MORE EFFICIENT. AND YOU NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE. IF YOU WANT THIS POSITION, IT SHOULD BE AN ELECTED POSITION.

LET THE VOTERS MAKE THE DECISION.

THIS IS A POWER GRAB. WHO IS GOING TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION. WHO APPROVED THE CONSULTING GROUP TO CONDUCT RESEARCH TO FIND OUT HOW TO SUPPRESS THE VOTERS? IS THAT YOU -- IS THAT THE JUDGE HIDALGO? DID YOU DO THAT? CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THE QUI -- CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THE QUESTION? IS ANYONE THERE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: FEEL FREE TO FINISH YOUR REMARKS.

>> I AM FINISHING MY REMARKS. THANK YOU.

I'M TALKING. I WANT TO KNOW WHO APPROVED -- THE $5 MILLION TO PRM, A GEORGE SOROS OPERATION FOR $5 MILLION OF HARRIS COUNTY TAX DOLLARS?

IS THERE ANYONE THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THERE IS SOME CONFUSION. HOW MANY VOTES DOES IT TAKE TO APPROVE A PFM STUDY. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY IT

[03:15:01]

PASSED WITH, BUT AT MINIMUM IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN THREE VOTES.

IT TAKES THREE VOTES TO DISMISS A DEPARTMENT HEAD.

THE PUBLIC CAN'T COME AND DISMISS A DEPARTMENT HEAD.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE THREE VOTES TO DISMISS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. IT IS THE SAME THING.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU HEARD THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T WANT A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I ASKED IF YOU WERE FINISHED WITH YOUR

REMARKS. >> WERE YOU AN INTERPRETER BEFORE THIS POSITION? WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE LAW SCHOOL? FIVE YEARS AGO?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: NEXT SPEAKER.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE A MUTE, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, IF PEA WANTS TO FINISH HIS -- IF HE WANTS TO FINISH HIS TIME WE WILLIS TONE HIS QUESTIONS.

THERE IS MISLEADING INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING. WHAT WE ARE DOING --

>> NO. THIS IS VOTER SUPPRESSION.

EVERYONE WHO HAS SPOKEN BEFORE ME -- THIS IS A POWER GRAB.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL JUST WAIT FOR HIS TIME TO EXPIRE,

LUCINDA. >> YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE QUESTIONS BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT IS TRUE.

YOU ARE GASLIGHTING THE HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS.

WHY DON'T YOU DO THIS? BRING IT TO A PUBLIC FORUM.

WE WILL BRING HARRIS COUNTY OUT TOGETHER AND WE WIT LISTEN TO YOUR PROPOSITION ABOUT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SINCE YOU FEEL IT IS MISINFORMATION. THAT'S WHY THE PEOPLE ARE UPSET. IF YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE IT IS MISINFORMATION, LET'S FIND OUT WHAT THE TRUTH.

LET'S HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY YOU TALK ABOUT.

I YIELD MY TIME. >> LAURA MORENO WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. GO AHEAD.

>> YES, THANK YOU. JUST WANTED TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS NEWLY PROPOSED POSITION.

WE BELIEVE ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP PROVIDE A MORE STREAM LINE, TRANSPARENT OPERATION IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT SERVES THE INTEREST OF CONSTITUENTS IS SOMETHING WE WOULD SUPPORT.

WE UNDERSTAND THE VOLUME AND SHEAR MASS OF DUTY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY THAT ARE NOW GREATER THAN EVER AND IT IS OUR OPINION THAT IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

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

SOME WERE IN PERSON AND DID NOT CHECK IN AT THE FRONT DESK. WE DO STILL HAVE JASON GRANT ON THE LINE. DO YOU STILL NEED HIM ON

THERE? >> LINA HIDALGO: LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE A FEW MORE SPEAKERS.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

LET'S JUST TAKE FOLKS IN THIS ORDER.

GO AHEAD, MA'AM. STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD. OH YOU NEED TO APPROACH THE PODIUM SO FOLKS CAN HEAR YOU ON THE LIVE STREAM.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

I'M A RETIRED ISD TEACHER AND A 35-YEAR RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. I AM HERE TO ADD MY ADAMANT OPPOSITION TO ITEM 454. THIS PROPOSAL WOULD CREATE THE NEW POSITION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SUPPOSEDLY TO CENTRALIZE AND STREAM LINE AUTHORITY.

THEY WOULD BE AN UNELECTED POLITICAL UH POINTY WITH A $2 MILLION BUDGET WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE VOTERS AND THE PRECINCTS AFFECTED BY DECISIONS.

DESPITE ASSERTIONS TO THE CONTRARY, THIS ADMINISTRATOR WOULD ABSORB POWER GIVEN BY THE PEOPLE TO THE ELECTED COMMISSIONERS OF THEIR PRECINCTS.

THE FULL EX-- THE FULL EXTENT OF THE POWERS ARE NOT YET CEMENTED IN WRITING IT IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING.

THE RECENT APPOINTMENT OF ANOTHER APPOINTEE BY THIS COURT CARRIED BY A 3-2 VOTE ALONG PARTY LINES.

A PATTERN IS EMERGING. THEY ARE LOSING THE AUTHORITY GRANTED TO THEM BY THEIR VOTERS.

DISCO LUTING THE AUTHORITY OF -- DILUTING THE AUTHORITY OF TWO COMMISSIONERS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS OCCURRING.

CENTRALIZING IS A POLITICAL EUPHEMISM FOR REPLACING LOCAL REPRESENTATION SO MORE DISTANCE AND LESS ACCOUNTABLE.

[03:20:04]

LOCAL REPRESENTATION WITH ITS ACCOMPANYING ACCOUNTABILITY IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR DEMOCRACY. CONTRARY TO WHAT WAS SAID EARLIER IN THIS MEETING, THIS IMPACT AND FAR-REACHING ACTION IS PROPOSED WITH MINIMAL PUBLIC NOTICE AND ALMOST NO PUBLIC INPUT AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY STATED IT DESERVES AN F FOR TRANSPARENCY, COMING FROM A TEACHER.

EXPANDING BURE ROCK -- BUREAUCRACY WILL CREATE LESS TRANSPARENCY. I DO NOT THINK THE PROPOSAL CAN SUPPORT THE SPOT -- SPOTLIGHT WE INTEND TO SHINE ON IT. AS THE SAYING GOES DEMOCRACY DIES IN DARKNESS. BRING ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

MA'AM, DID YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.

CAN YOU PLEASE -- WE NEED TO RECORD IT.

>> MARY SHAY, 35-YEAR RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE

SCHOOLS. >> LINA HIDALGO: PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.

>> MY NAME IS KIM SCOUT AND I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR 39 YEARS. I AM IN PRECINCT 1.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO BE HERE AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I WANTED TO OPPOSE THIS IDEA OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION.

I DO NOT THINK THAT IS NECESSARY AND YOU ALL WHO HAVE BEEN VOTED IN ARE TALENTED AND GIFTED AND HAVE THE COMPETENCIES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS GREAT CITY AND COUNTY. I ALSO THINK THAT $5 MILLION THAT WAS TARGETED FOR THIS CONSULTATION WAS COSTLY AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT THIS PARTICULAR GROUP DOES NOT ENCOURAGE THE CURRENT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT IS IN PLACE. THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO, FOR THE LETTER. I DID READ YOUR LETTER, AND I DID PICK OUT A LOT OF WORDS THAT I THOUGHT JUST NEEDED MORE CLARIFICATION. THEY FELT GOOD AND THEY READ WELL AND SO LIKE GROW AND PROSPER YOU HAVE TO HAVE EFFICIENCY AND IT MUST BE EFFECTIVE, RESILIENT, INNOVATION. THOSE ARE ALL GOOD-SOUNDING WORDS. I DIDN'T FIND A LOT OF HOW TO NUTS AND BOLTS WITHIN THIS LETTER.

I I DID WANT TO MAKE MENTION THAT AS FAR AS THE BENCH PARKING -- THE BENCHMARKING THAT WAS DONE WITH THESE OTHER COUNTIES, THOSE ARE TRULY PLACES WITHIN OUR COUNTRY THAT ARE SUFFERING WITH THE LONG CLOSURE AND OF THE ECONOMY AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THAT THEY HAVE THIS PERSON IN PLACE THAT IS CALLED THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THEY HAVE THAT PERSON IN PLACE AND THEREFORE AND BECAUSE OF IT WE HAVE THIS BETTER SERVICE. SO I'M OPPOSED TO THIS.

I KNOW YOU DID MENTION HEALTH CARE AND THAT IS A DIFFICULT AREA TO MANAGE. I AM A HEALTH CARE

PROFESSIONAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR

YOUR TIME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> WELL -- >> LINA HIDALGO: STATE YOUR

NAME AND AFFILIATION. >> MY NAME IS SKIP WARREN AND I LIVE IN SPRING, TEXAS. WHEN I GOT THE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED.

[03:25:06]

HERE WE ARE ROUND TWO. FEBRUARY OF 2020 Y'ALL TRIED TO DO AWAY WITH THE CONSTABLE CONTRACT PROGRAM.

AND NOW HERE YOU ARE COMING AT IT AGAIN IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND Y'ALL'S THINKING. MR. ELLIS, I AM DISAPPOINTED IN YOU. YOU DIDN'T SAY MUCH IN THAT MEETING. DO YOU RECALL WHAT I ASKED AT THE END OF IT? HERE IS A QUESTION I WANT TO ASK EVERY ONE OF YOU RIGHT NOW AND WE WILL START WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BLOOD? WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BLOOD, MR. RAMSEY? WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BLOOD, JUDGE?

>> RED. >> WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BLOOD

MR. GARCIA. >> RED.

>> WHAT COLOR IS YOUR JUDGE, MR. ELLIS.

I BELIEVE THEY CALL IT A RED-BLOODED AMERICAN.

I THINK WE ARE ALL IN THE RACE OF THE HUMAN RACE.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS MY GLITCH NOTEBOOK HERE. HE WAS A GREAT COACH OF TEXAS TECH.

I AM A FAITHFUL RED RAIDER. THIS RED RAIDER IS MOOD -- IS MADDER THAN HELL. I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING.

THERE BETTER BE SOME MORE THINKING TO THIS.

THIS IS WHAT Y'ALL DID IN FEBRUARY OF 2020.

JUDGE, YOU DIDN'T LISTEN AND MR. GARCIA, YOU DIDN'T LISTEN. YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO THAT SONG I REQUESTED Y'ALL TO LISTEN TO.

I GOT YOU ANOTHER SONG I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO.

MERLE HAGGARD SINGS IT. PART OF THE WORDS IN IT "I'M PROUD TO BE AMERICAN. IF YOU DON'T LOVE THIS COUNTRY, LEAVE IT." FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT SEEMS LIKE, MR. GARCIA, YOU WANT TO BE KING AND THE JUDGE WANTS TO BE QUEEN. THIS COUNTRY DOESN'T ALLOW THAT. WHAT I'M WILLING TO DO, AT MY EXPENSE, I'M WILLING TO MOVE Y'ALL TO A COUNTRY THAT HAS A KING AND QUEEN AND Y'ALL CAN GO THERE AND LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I'M SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK. I THINK THIS IS DISRESPECTFUL AND DISGRACEFUL TO THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN TEXAS.

I HOPE TO DIE IF TEXAS. BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE TO HAVE TO ARGUE SOME STUPID POINTS THAT Y'ALL HAVE BROUGHT UP. I THINK Y'ALL ARE A DIS --

DISGRACE TO THIS COUNTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE THIS IS LUCINDA.

TO CLARIFY THE SPEAKER THAT JUST SPOKE WAS ON ITEM 442.

THE SPEAKER SHOULD BE ADDRESSING 454.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE.

WE ARE ON ITEM 454 AND WE NEED TO TAKE THE SPEAKERS FOR THAT TO MOVE TO THE NEXT ITEM. YOU HAD A COMMENT AND I THINK -- YOU WERE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM AS WELL, MA'AM? I THINK THOSE ARE THE -- AND THE WOMAN IN THE RED.

SO THERE ARE THREE MORE SPEAKERS.

THE WOMAN AT THE PODIUM, THE TWO LADIES HERE ON THE -- ON THAT SIDE OF THE CHAMBER. THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS.

GO AHEAD. >> HELLO.

MY NAME IS MICHELLE HINS -- HEINZ.

I OPPOSE THE HIRING OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

I AM SHOCKED AND TROUBLED YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO UH POINT A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THE FACT THAT THIS WAS DONE QUIETLY AND QUICKLY WITHOUT ANY PUBLIC DISCUSSION OR CITIZEN INPUT WREAKS OF POLITICAL NEGLIGENCE AT BEST AND AT WORST. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A $7 MILLION POWER GRAB. THE UH POINTMENT OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SUPPORTED BY ONLY THREE MEMBERS OF THE FIVE-MEMBER COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND OPPOSED BY MOST HOUSTONIANS. NO ONE SHOULD BE GIVEN SUPREME POWER OVERALL OF HARRIS COUNTY.

ESPECIALLY NOT SOMEBODY WHO IS ELECTED BY THE CONSTITUENTS.

SADLY YOU PAID PMF $5 MILLION TO STUDY HARRIS COUNTY.

A FIRM THAT ADVOCATES TO DEFUNDING POLICE AND FAVORS ELIMINATING THE COUNTY'S ROLL OVER PROGRAM.

IT DOES NOT ENCOURAGE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

YOU ARE HIRING A -- YOUR HIRING OF PMF REMINES ME OF HIRING THE LEAD ANALYST OF JAD OF HE IS AN ANTI-PRISON ACTIVIST AND HE IS VOCAL ABOUT THAT AND HE PUBLICLY STATES HE WANTS TO ABOLISH ALL PRISONS. THIS TIME YOU ONCE AGAIN HIRED AN ACTIVIST, ONE THAT WANTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE TO HELP FACILITATE YOUR PROGRESSIVE NONTRANS -- NON-TRANSPARENT WISH LIST. IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL IN

[03:30:02]

HIRING A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR I HOPE THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO THE VOTERS OF THAT PRECINCT WILL NOT BE SEN TRAG LIESED AND MANAGED TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHICH MOST HUE -- MOST HOUSTONIANS THINK IT IS A CATASTROPHE.

I PLEAD FOR YOU TO CHANGE YOUR MIND ON HIRING A COUNTY ADD ELEVATOR. IF YOU VOTE FOR A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, YOU ARE VOTING FOR VOTER SUPPRESSION.

BEFORE CLOSING I WANT TO POINT OUT THE INYESTERDAYABLE -- THE INCREDIBLE GASP HEARD BY EVERYONE IN THIS AUDIENCE WHEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER RAM -- RAMSEY WERE FALSELY ACCUSED OF MISINFORMATION.

FOR SOMEONE WHO FALSELY SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT FELONY BOND REFORM ON A DAILY BASIS, IT IS PRETTY REPULSIVE.

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

>> JUDGE PLEASE NOTE THAT SHE HAS ALREADY SPOKEN BEFORE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. IT IS A DIFFERENT ITEM.

THANK YOU. >> HELLO THERE.

MY NAME IS CAVA VAN. I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN HARRIS COUNTY AND A MOM AND NEVER ATTENDED A COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING UNTIL TODAY.

AND NOW YOU GET TO HEAR FROM ME TWO TIMES.

I CAN NO LONGER STAND BY AND WATCH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MY BELOVED HOUSTON AND BE SILENT.

I AM REPRESENTING MY FAMILY AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUE THAT'S COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY THAT DO DO NOT SUPPORT THE IDEA OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

I FEEL THIS IS BEING RUSHED. I FEEL COUNTY JUDGES -- THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE'S DESIRE TO HIRE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS TRULY NOTHING MORE THAN A POWER GRAB.

IF PASSED I FEEL THIS ADMINISTRATOR POSITION COULD ABSOLUTELY VIOLATE THE PRINCIPAL OF SUBSIDARITY THAT SAYS CIVIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES SHOULD BE DEALT WITH AT THEIR MOST LOCAL AND IMMEDIATE LEVEL.

OUR ELECTED PRECINCT COMMISSIONER HAS HIS CONSTITUENT'S INTEREST AT HEART MORE THAN ANY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WOULD. OUR COURT ADD MINUTE KNISHES THOSE WHO CLEAN UP THE VOTING RULES AND THEN VOTES TO MAKE NON-ELECTED OFFICIALS IN CHARGE? IT COULD STRIP CONSTITUENTS OF REPRESENTATION AND SUPPRESS ONE'S VOTE. THIS POWER GRAB IS HAPPENING BY A COURT THAT ALREADY LIENS 3-2 AND DEFINITELY NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY ELECT THEIR COMMISSIONER TO REPRESENT THEIR BEST INTEREST. IF THIS NEW STRUCTURE TURNS OUT TO BE WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE COURT COULD BE CENTRALIZED AND MANAGED LIKE THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHICH IN MY OPINION IS NOT A GOOD THING. THE APPOINTMENT OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY THREE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT TO REALIGN THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS COULD REMOVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM MY ELECTED OFFICIAL AND STRIP RESIDENTS OF THE ABILITY TO HAVE LOCAL REPRESENTATION.

I URGE YOU AS A COURT TO WORK TOGETHER AND DISCUSS THIS AND WORK THROUGH ALL OF THIS INFORMATION BEFORE TAKING A VOTE. LET YOUR CONSTITUENTS DECIDE IF THIS IS WHERE THEY WANT THEIR TAX DOLLARS SPENT.

AND THEN LET THE COURT ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL VOTERS. YOUR APPROACH SEEMS LESS THAN TRANSPARENT AND THAT YOU ADDED IT TO THE AGENDA ON THURSDAY TO BE VOTED ON ON A TUESDAY DOES NOT SIT RIGHT WITH ME.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

I BELIEVE -- GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS ALEXI SWARSKI.

I AM AGAINST HIRING A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS HAS A LARGER POPULATION THAN THAT OF 23 STATES. IMAGINE IF EACH OF THOSE STATES HAD TO MAYORS FOR THEIR CITIES AND NO COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR COUNTIES AND INSTEAD A CENTRAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE STATE RAN EVERYTHING. THAT'S KIND OF WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING FOR THE SAME POPULATION.

MY FAMILY MOVED OUT OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON FIVE YEARS AGO AND TO THE COUNTY OF AN UNINCORPORATED AREA.

WE ASK WHY THE ROAD LEADING TO THE SUBDIVISION WAS IN SUCH TERRIBLE CONDITION AND MOST OF IT GENERALLY THE ROADS IN OUR PRECINCT ARE IN GREAT CONDITION.

WHY DOES JACK CAGLE ALLOW THIS ROAD TO BE SO TERRIBLE? IT HAS A DITCH ON EITHER SIDE AND ONE LANE ON EITHER DIRECTION AND TERRIBLE POTHOLES.

YOU HAVE A CHOICE OF RUNNING INTO THE DITCH OR RUNNING INTO A CAR COMING THE OTHER WAY OR GETTING YOUR CAR DAMAGED BY RUNNING OVER POTHOLES ALL THE TIME.

[03:35:02]

MY HUSBAND SAID THAT PART OF THE ROAD IS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I HAD AN UH-HUH MOMENT AFTER THE ROAD CROSSES THE BAYOU IT GOES FROM VERY GOOD CONDITION TO TERRIBLE CONDITION. THIS COUNTY NO LONGER MAINTAINS THE ROAD AND THE PART THAT IS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. IF THIS IS ALLOWED TO COULD THROUGH WITH A CON -- COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WE WILL NOT HAVE AS MUCH LOCAL CONTROL AND THERE WILL BE MANY OTHER SERVICES AS WELL AS THE ROADS THAT WILL BE IN TERRIBLE CONDITION. LOCAL CONTROL IS ALSO PART OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

THE CLOSER THE REPRESENTATION IS TO THE PEOPLE AND THE SMALLER THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE BETTER SERVICES THEY WILL GET.

THE $5 MILLION PAID TO THE JFM GROUP TO STUDY THE NEEDS OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE GIGANTIC WASTE THAT WOULD RESULT IN HAVING A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

$5MILLION COULD HAVE HELPED SO MANY PEOPLE IN REAL WAYS.

I WOULDN'T HAVE PAID THIS GROUP 50 CENTS FOR THEIR OPINION AS THEY RECOMMEND DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

THEY ARE NOT A GOOD SOURCE OF WISDOM.

TO IMPLEMENT A RADICAL RESTRUCTURING WITH VERY MINIMAL INPUT AND NOTICE TO COUNTY CITIZENS IS NOT RIGHT.

IF THIS PASSES I WILL CAMPAIGN AGAINST YOU JUDGE HIDALGO AND ANY COMMISSIONER THAT VOTES FOR THIS.

THANK YOU. LOON LEAN THANK YOU.

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

PLEASE NOTE THIS SPEAKER SIGNED UP ON NUMBER 442.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO SPOKE. LET ME BRIEFLY MENTION VARIOUS MOTIONS HERE. JUST TO BE CLEAR THIS IS SIMPLY -- IT IS A MANAGEMENT ADJUSTMENT.

IT IS ABOUT KEEPING THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT WELL OILED. THE COMMISSIONERS STILL HAVE THEIR TEAMS. THE DEPARTMENTS.

IT NOW MEANS YOU CAN HOLD THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE ACCOUNTABLE ON A POLICY LEVEL BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE A PERSON TO HELP US IMPLEMENT THAT. THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE THAN THE PRECINCT MANAGEMENT. IT IS NOT LIKE THE COMMISSIONERS AND I SUDDENLY REPORT TO A MANAGER.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

THIS HAS MOVED BEYOND A POLICY DISCUSSION INTO A RHETORICAL DEBATE. IT IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

IT IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH SO MANY ISSUES.

IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE. EVERY LARGE COUNTIES INCLUDING REPUBLICAN-LEAD COUNTIES AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE THIS SYSTEM. IN OUR STATE WE ARE THE ONLY ONE OF TWO OF THE EIGHT LARGEST COUNTY THAT'S DON'T HAVE THIS SYSTEM. IT IS NOT ANYTHING DIFFERENT OR ALIEN OR FROM THE DEMOCRATS. IT IS SIMPLY A BEST PRACTICE THAT WILL ENSURE THAT WE CAN GONCH -- GOVERN BASED ON BIG, BOLD POLICIES AND TACKLE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WE HAVE AS OPPOSED TO MICROMANAGE. IT GIVES US A BIG LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND IT WILL ALWAYS TAKE THREE VOTES TO MAKE DECISIONS. IT IS NOT LIKE BEFORE TODAY TWO COMMISSIONERS CAN DO SOMETHING BY THEMSELVES.

AFTER TODAY THEY TO LONGER CAN.

IT ALWAYS TAKES THREE VOTES TO DO THAT.

HERE ARE THE DIFFERENT MOTIONS RELATED TO THIS ITEM.

AND I AM PROUD TO OFFER THEM. I THINK FROMY -- FROM THE VERY BEGINNING IT CAME INTO OFFICE AND I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS. ONE OF THE ISSUES IS A SIMPLE LACK OF COORDINATION ON BASIC SERVICES AND BASIC FUNCTIONS THAT DON'T GET DONE BECAUSE THE LEFT HAND DOES PRESIDENT TALK TO THE -- LEFT HAND DOESN'T TALK TO THE RIGHT HAND. SOMEBODY WILL COORDINATE ALL OF THE SITES. IT DOES COME FROM A LOT, A LOT OF COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS INCLUDING THE DISCUSSION TODAY. HERE ARE THE MOTIONS I PROPOSE. TO APPOINT DAVID BERRY TO SERVE AS ADMINISTRATOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, WHILE RETAINING HIS POSITION OF THE COUNTY BUDGET OFFICER AND UNTIL REPLACEMENT IS HIRED ALSO RETAINING HIS POSITION AND DUTIES AS THE DIRECTOR OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT. TO ASSIGN THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND TRANSITION PLAN TO GUIDE THE REALIGNMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS UNDER THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND AN ASSOCIATE ORGANIZATIONAL AND REPORTING STRUCTURE CONSISTENT WITH BEST PRACTICES FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL WITHIN 45 DAYS. NOTE THIS WHICH HAS BEEN THERE ALL ALONG, THE ASKERRAL AND REPORTING STRUCK -- AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WILL BE INCLUDED ONLY FOR THE

[03:40:01]

PURPOSES OF INCREASING COORDINATION AND WILL NOT INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES AND THE FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFICES. CREATE AND FUND A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION AND DEPARTMENT TO COORDINATE AND OVERSEE THE ACTIVITIES AND THE FUNCTIONS OF COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THAT CURRENTLY REPORT TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. CURRENTLY REPORT TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. TO SUPERVISE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORTS AND CARRY OUT OTHER DUTIES AS ADOPTED BY THE TRANSITION PLAN. GRANT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO APPOINT -- THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT AND DISMISS ALL AUTHORITIES OF THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATOR AND ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTING TO THE COUNTY OF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR PER THE FORTHCOMING REPORTING STRUCTURE. APPOINTMENT DISMISSAL AUTHORITY WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE APPROVAL OF THE TRANSITION PLAN. SUCH AUTHORITY WILL NOT EX-- EX-- EXTEND TO THOSE APPOINTED BY COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPOINTMENTS MUST BE MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. DO WE NEED TO PAUSE FOR THE

SYSTEM TO COME BACK ONLINE? >> WE CAN STILL HEAR YOU,

JUDGE, WE JUST CAN'T SEE YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO YOU'RE

GOOD? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PROVIDE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH AN INITIAL BUDGET OF $2 MILLION. AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR -- WHY DON'T YOU FIX IT WHEN WE ARE ON BREAK SO WE DON'T HAVE THE BEEPING. THANK YOU.

AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO RETAIN AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT TRANSITION PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION AND UTILIZE SEARCH FIRMS TO ASSIST IN RECRUITING KEY POSITIONS UNDER THE NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ASSURE THE CREATION OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIONER AND THE STRUCTURE COMPLY WITH ALL ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDUCT A LEGAL REVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND TRANSITION PLAN BEFORE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SEEKS COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL DIRECT ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AND I'M -- IMPLEMENT AN ORGANIZATION WILL PLAN AND COUNTY MANAGENT AND FUNCTIONS UNDER THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION.

THOSE ARE THE MOTIONS THAT WERE CIRCULATED.

I WILL MAKE THE MOTION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILL MAKE THE SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 3-2. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

SO WE ARE AT A POINT TO BREAK FOR 10 MINUTES.

WHAT I PROPOSE IS WE BREAK FOR 10 MINUTES AND LUCINDA, WE WILL THEN TAKE THE ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD MENTIONED, 434, AND THAT IS ALL CONNECTED WITH THE OTHER BACKLOG ITEM. SO IT WOULD BE 434 AND 269 AND 268. THOSE ARE ALL RELATED ITEMS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE? THANK YOU. WE WILL BREAK UNTIL 2:10.

WE WILL BREAK UNTIL 2:10. THANK YOU, LUCINDA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT IS 2:17 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I KNOW YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK ON THIS SO WE'LL TAKE -- FOLKS, COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WROAL -- WE'LL TAKE THREE

[Departments (Part 2 of 5)]

ITEMS TOGETHER. 434, 268 AND 269 ARE ALL RELATED TO THE BACKLOG ISSUE WHICH IS A MAJOR ISSUE AT THE COURT. THE CRIME CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING IN THE COUNTY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

MICROPHONE. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I'M VERY EXCITED BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY OUR CITIZENS, WE HEARD FROM THE FAMILY OF A VICTIM OF VIOLENCE AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN IMMENSELY CONCERNED ABOUT.

AND SO I HAVE BEEN WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE EMPOWERING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND OUR COURTS AND OUR DEPUTIES TO HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO BETTER PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. AND SO TODAY I AM PROPOSING $14.8 MILLION IN UNALLOCATED FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 FOR TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS THAT WILL PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY. THE FIRST PRIORITY WILL BE

[03:45:04]

INVESTMENT IN SYSTEM THAT'S WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF TAKING A HUGE CHUNK OUT OF THE BACKLOG IN OUR COURT SYSTEM.

A BACKLOG OF GUYS AWAITING TRIAL AND FREEING UP LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS TO GO AFTER THE ONES THAT HAVE YET TO BE CAUGHT. THIS WILL BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANOTHER ITEM THAT WE EXPECT TO BE -- OR IS ON THE COURT. AND IN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO HAVE THE SAME SYSTEM OF BODY CAMERAS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT IS IT MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A LOT, BUT IT IS A GAME CHANGER.

HAVING A UNIFORM OFFENSE REPORT AND SAYING THE SAME BODY CAMERA TECHNOLOGY AFTER HEARING FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES HER OFFICE FACES IN GETTING ALL OF THAT DATA AND HOW IT SLOWS DOWN AND THEIR ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY AND TIMELY PROSECUTE BAD GUYS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ADDRESS THIS.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 86 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY JUST HOW MUCH IT WILL HELP JUST AMONG HARRIS COUNTY AGENCIES.

IT IS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ADDRESSED THE COMMENTS AT PREVIOUS TIMES THERE ARE 86 OR 87 DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

MANY ARE USING DOZENS OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS AND AS A RESULT IN ANY GIVEN CASE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS ARE SPENDING HOURS UPON HOURS AND SOMETIMES DAYS DOWNLOADING DIFFERENT MEDIA PLAYERS AND WORKING THROUGH DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGICAL KINKS. THIS IS NOT EFFICIENT.

WITH THE TWO LARGEST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND EIGHT OF THE LARGEST ON THE SAME SYSTEM WE WILL COMPLETE PURCHASING POWER THAT WILL INCENTIVIZE OTHER AGENCIES TO JOIN IN WITH THE SYSTEMS INCREASING EFFICIENCY ACROSS THE BOARD. THE LESS TIME OUR AGENCIES ARE SORTING THROUGH MESSY TECHNOLOGY, THE QUICKER THEY CAN BRING CHARGES AND CASES TO TRIAL.

BEYOND THOSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COUNTY MAKE GREATER INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY LIKE SHOT SPOTTER THAT WE ARE DOING IN PRE SINK 2. SHOT SPOTTER AS THE -- IN PRE SINK 2. SHOT SPOTTER A THE GOOD D.A.

AND I WERE IN THE GANG UNIT, IT WAS A TECHNOLOGY AND IT WAS MORE COSTLY THEN AND TODAY AND CUMBERSOME.

SO SHOT SPOTTER IS A TECHNOLOGY THAT DETECTS GUNSHOTS AND ROUTES THE INFORMATION DIRECTLY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT DISPATCH. EVEN THE LOCATION OF THE SHOT AND TYPE OF GUN BEING USED. I INVESTED MY OWN PRECINCT BUDGET ON THIS PILOT PROJECT AND WE HAVE SEEN PHENOMENAL RESULTS. IT HAS RESULTED -- RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF DANGEROUS CRIMINALS AND SHUTTING DOWN A DRUG OPERATION. LET'S SEE WHERE ELSE WE CAN PROVIDE THIS SERVICE. I WOULD SAY TO ANYONE ELSE THAT THINKS WE ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND WE ARE PUTTING THIS MONEY TO WORK ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. AND SO WITH THAT THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND THE BACKLOG IN THE CASES, I HEARD IT FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND I HEARD FROM OUR PARTNER ADAMANTLY SPEAK TO THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE MOVING AND BRINGING OUR SYSTEM UP TO SPEED AND MOVING THOSE CASES AS FAST AS POSSIBLE THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

THESE 14.8 MILLION WILL GO A LONG WAY IN ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE SYSTEMS. WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO, BUT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO HAVE THOSE GOOD, PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS THAT WILL DEFINE THE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROCESS AND DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO EMPOWER THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN HARRIS COUNTY. THAT'S MY ITEM, JUDGE AND I AM

EXCITED TO PRESENT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

[03:50:01]

ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL, DELIBERATIVE APPROACH.

YOU WERE KIND ENOUGH TO INVITE ME TO A NUMBER OF THE MEETINGS WITH THE D.A., POLICE CHIEF AND OTHERS.

THIS IS NOT THE TOTALITY OF IT.

IT IS TOUGH TO FIND A SOUND BYTE.

I AM PROUD TO SECOND YOUR MOTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER KAY -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IS THIS ON 434 ONLY? IS THAT THE MOTION? DOES IT INCLUDE 269 AS WELL?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK SO. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE

SEPARATE MOTIONS. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO WE ARE NOT

269. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 434 AND 442

ARE THE ITEMS. >> TOM RAMSEY: AT THIS POINT THESE THOUGHTS IN TERMS OF DASH DOSH I LIKE THE -- I LIKE THE BODY CAMS. WE ARE, IN PRECINCT 3, ABOUT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME SHOT SPOTTER BILLS.

WE WILL WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE BECAUSE Y'ALL HAVE DONE SOME PRELIMINARY WORK THERE. THE $16 MILLION, WHERE IS THAT COMING FROM? IS THAT GENERAL FUND? WHERE ARE THE DOLLARS COMING FROM?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'LL LET MR. BERRY TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> IF I RECALL THE MOTION THAT I HAVE SEEN, IT IS FROM THE ROLL OVER FUNDS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ADVANCED ON THE OLD ROLL OVER POLICY AS WELL AS OTHER COUNTY RESOURCES IF PROP -- APPROPRIATE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS A TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT WE MAY WANT TO USE THAT FINANCING. VERY MUCH INCREMENTAL AND THIS IS ON TOP OF THINGS AND WE ARE BRINGING NEW MONEY TO THE

TABLE. >> THAT WAS MY QUESTION.

THE DOLLARS ARE COMING OUT OF THE ROLL OVER DOLLARS THAT WERE MOVED IN THE PREVIOUS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DID YOU -- I THINK I KNOW THE CONSTABLE CONTRIBUTED WITH THE ROLL OVER DOLLARS. DID YOU WORK WITH THE CONSTABLE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE MIGHT DO?

>> IN PART THE -- THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS. BODY CAMS ARE ALMOST ON EVERY CONSTABLE'S BUDGET.

THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PURCHASE AND WHO TOOK THAT AND CENTRALIZED IT AS AN EXAMPLE. SHOT SPOTTER TECHNOLOGY, WE NEEDED IT MORE PLACES. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT SHOT SPOTTER EFFECTIVELY. ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE DONE WITH WHAT I HAVE HEARD TO THE BUDGET HEARINGS AND FINDING WAYS TO BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE TWO THOUGHTS ON THIS.

THE FIRST ONE IS I THINK THESE ARE GREAT INITIATIVES AND I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THEM. THE QUESTION IS HOW TO PAY FOR THEM. I THINK WE HAVE OTHER MEANS OF PAYING FOR THEM, BUT I CANNOT AND DO NOT WANT TO VIOLATE IN WHAT I HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT IS BELIEVING.

IF BE TAKE MONEY FROM CONSTABLES IT IS A BUDGETARY DUCKS. BUDGET REDUCTION.

THERE IS A ROLLOVER SYSTEM. I KNOW WE HAD RHETORIC THAT SAYS IT IS NOT BEING USED. WE HAVE THE SAME THING WITH THE PICK FUND. WE ARE WAITING ARE TO THE NEXT HURRICANE AND WE ARE TAKING WHAT IS LEFT OVER BECAUSE IT IS AVAILABLE TO US. MANY IN OUR HOME BUDGET, IF YOU PAY YOUR BILLS ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH AND YOU HAVE SOMEBODY COME AND DO YOUR BUDGET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH AND THEN SAY OH LOOK AT THIS MONEY SAT HERE YOU DIDN'T PAY BILLS FOR AND TAKE IT OUT.

WHEN THE END OF THE MONTH AND IT IS TIME TO PAY NEXT MONTH'S BILLS YOU WON'T HAVE THE MONEY THAT'S THERE.

I KNOW SOME OF OUR CONSTABLES ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT WE APPROVED CONSTABLE KEITH TO HAVE 15 POSITIONS WHEN THERE WAS A ROLL OVER FUND HE COULD USE TO FUND THOSE POSITIONS.

ONCE WE TAKE THE ROLL OVER FUNDS AWAY HE CAN'T HAVE THE 15 POSITIONS. THAT WAS HIS SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND THE VERNACULAR HE WAS GOING TO USE.

[03:55:02]

SB20 IS IF WE HAVE A RE -- REDUCTION ORIE ALLOCATION -- OR REALLOCATION AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I AGREE BECAUSE I AM SUPPORT HIGH -- SUPPORTIVE OF THE INITIATIVES.

I DON'T WANT IT TO HAVE A REALLOCATION FROM OUR CONSTABLES TO ANOTHER WORTHY CAUSE.

I DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR A REALLOCATION.

SCHWA I PROMISED -- >> I PROMISED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY I WOULD DRAW. THERE IS A DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSAL TO INVEST THE $14.8 MILLION ON TECHNOLOGY.

I SEE THAT AS A COMMITMENT TO TACKLE THE BACKLOG AND THAT'S HOW WE PRESENTED IT -- SHERIFF GONZALEZ EXCUSE ME YESTERDAY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AND THAT WOULD BE THE CONTEXT I RECOMMEND WE TALK ABOUT IT IN.

IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ROLL OVER, WE NEED TO TAKE ITEM 4,631ST AND CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEYS -- 463 FIRST AND CONSULT WITH THE TORNS FIRST.

WITH THE ATTORNEYS FIRST. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M FINE WITH THAT. IT IS WHERE THE FUNDS ARE COMING FROM WHICH THREW US BACK IN THE DISCUSSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT DO YOU SAY WE TAKE THE SPEAKERS ON YOUR ITEM AND DISCUSS THE OTHER TWO ITEMS RELATED TO THE BACKLOG AND SPEAKERS RELATED TO THOSE ITEMS AND THEN WE CAN TAKE A VOTE EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT JUST SO WE CAN FINISH THIS DISCUSSION WITHOUT WADING INTO THE CONVERSATION -- [INAUDIBLE]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MAY I MAKE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT ALONG THE LINES WE SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE BUT WE FIND FUNDS

OTHER THAN FROM THE ROLL OVER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'LL LEAVE THAT TO THE BUDGET DIRECTOR TO DECIDE WHETHER THAT IS

POSSIBLE OF. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT WOULD

CERTAINLY CLEAN IT UP. >> I THINK IT IS UP TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. WE CAN IMPLEMENT IT EITHER WAY. SO FROM MY PERSPECTIVE I DON'T

SEE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU WOULD SAY THAT IT WOULD COME FROM A SOURCE OTHER THAN THE ROLL OVER, I WILL SECOND IT. I GUESS COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ALREADY SECONDED IT, BUT I WOULD MAKE IT A BIPARTISAN AND SECOND IT IF IT -- IF IT COMES FROM A SOURCE OTHER THAN A

ROLL OVER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BERRY, I DON'T WANT TO CROSS THE LINE OF ISSUES TALKED ABOUT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I DO WANT SOME SENSE OF THE IMPACT OF IT. IT IS NOT AS THOUGH THERE IS MONEY JUST LAYING AROUND. WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF IT? I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IMPACT -- MAYBE WE WILL SAVE THAT UNTIL

WE ARE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> THAT MAKES SENSE,

COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THERE ANY ITEMS -- ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM, 434, LUCINDA?

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

LET'S BRING UP 268 AND 269 JUST SO WE CAN FINISH THAT TOPIC REAL QUICK OF THE BACKLOG.

SO 268 IS A TRANS MISS TALL BY J -- TRANSMITAL BY JAD AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF ALLEVIATING THE CASE BACKLOG.

JAD HAS SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS AT NRG AND VISITING JUDGES AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR TEMPORARY STAFFING FOR THE CRIMINAL COURTS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

I BELIEVE THE MOTIONS HAVE ALL BEEN CIRCULATED, BUT I CAN ALSO READ THEM TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

SO LET ME JUST GO OVER THE MOTIONS REAL QUICK.

EVERYBODY READ THE REPORT? JIM, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD, LET ME KNOW. WE'LL HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.

THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE A BUDGED UP TO $600,000 FROM AN PROP -- APPROPRIATE SOURCE BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO EXPAND THE WORK FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS AND DISTRICT CLERK AND FACILITIES AND MANAGEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO FINALIZE AND TRANSMIT A FINAL PLAN AND BUDGET TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON JULY 20TH, 2012 WITH A GOAL TO BEGIN EXPANDED IMPROVEMENT.

VISITING THREE JUDGES AND SUPPORT STAFF WITH A PRIMARY PURPOSE TO PRIORITIZE THE MOST SERIOUS CRIMINAL CASES IN THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG OF A PROPOSED BUDGET AND PROJECT PLAN FROM THE DISTRICT COURTS THAT COVERS GOALS, TIMELINES, STAFFING AND SPACE NEEDS FOR THE THREE VISITING JUDGES AND HAS BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY JAD AND BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT IN ADVANCE. TO DIRECT THAT JAD AND BUDGET

[04:00:01]

MANAGEMENT WORK WITH THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ANY OTHER RELATIVE DEPARTMENTS TO EVALUATE THE REMAINING 268 FOR TESTIMONY -- TEMPORARY STAR -- STAFFING AND RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL BACKLOG AND RETURN WITH A PROPOSED BUDGET, TIMELINE, STAFFING AND EVALUATION PLAN AS TO EACH FOR POSSIBLE PAW PROFESSIONAL BY -- TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT BY JULY 20TH, 2021. COMMISSIONER GAY GEL AND THEN -- CAGLE AND THEN GARCIA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON 268 AND 269, IT IS NOT A PERFECT PLAN, BUT IT IS WORK -- WORKABLE, BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFICIENCY IN IT. IF YOU WANT A QUICK TRIAL YOU NEED A JUDGE TO PRESIDE WHICH WE ARE ADDRESSING THAT AND ADEQUATE DEFENSE COUNSEL TO MAKE SURE ADEQUATE DEFENSE IS GOING ON AND ADEQUATE PROSECUTORS TO MAKE SURE THE SYSTEM GOES THROUGH. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO GET TO TRIAL. IF THEY ARE OVER WORKED AND IN CONFLICTING LOCATIONS, THEN IT IS LIKE AN AUTOMOBILE MOTOR.

THE MOTOR NEEDS OXYGEN AND GAS.

IF YOU HAVE TOO MUCH GAS AND NOT ENOUGH OXYGEN IT WON'T RUN AND TOO MUCH GAS -- TOO MUCH OXYGEN AND NOT ENOUGH GAS IT WON'T RUN. YOU NEED IT TO GET YOUR CASES THROUGH. MY PROBLEM WITH THIS PLAN IS THAT ON 268 AN COMMISSIONER'S COT IS BACK IN SESSION.

[*A portion of this item is unavailable*]

COMMISSIONERY.AMSE FOLKS, WE ARE BACK IN SESSION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS SAID AND CONFER WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON THAT.

THE ONE POINT I WOULD MAKE THHA WVE A FARE ARBITOR BEING JAD THAT WE SHOULD APPROACH THIS ISSUE URGENTLY NAMELY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

SO MY COMMENT HERE IS LET'S DO IT AND LET'S DO IT NEATLY WITH A HIGH DEGREE OFCYRGEN. THEY HAVE DONE THEIR STUDIES AND NOW IT IS TIME TO GET THINGS FUNDED AND GET THE D.A.'S FOLKS IN THERE AND THE JUDGES IN THERE AND OTHER FOLKS WILL GET THEM RUNNING WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF

URGENCY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO STRESS THAT IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE THE D.A.

WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO OPERATE THE TURTSHAT WE ARE ALSO FAIR AS YOU MADE REFERENCE TO AND BALANCED ON THE INDIGENT DEFENSE SIDE. INCLUDING THE WAY WE DO IT.

WE KNOW THE PD OFFICE MAY BE 11% OF THE CASES.

HOPEFULLY THE JUDGES WILL DO A MAC AND BALANCE ON ALL SIDES.

AND WHEN JAD IS COMING UP AND EVEN WITH THESE ADMINISTRATOR JUDGES, THE THOUGHT WAS WHEN WE CLEAR THE BACKLOG IT IS NOT THAT EASY TO STOP SOMETHING YOU START.

I GET THAT. AND WHO WOULD DO IT? IT WOULD TAKES SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR.

A LOT OF THIS IS TO CLEAR OUT CKE LOG.

HOPEFULLY WITH ALL OF THE THINGS WE WILL DO, OBVIOUSLY WE ARE GOING TO GET BAY TO -- BACK TO SOME NORMALCY OF

REDUCED CRIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO MAKE ONE POINT WHICH IS TO ASK THE TEAM TO LOOK AT CHARTS TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF THE BACKLOG FROM 2017 TO NOW.

THEY CAN'T GET THE DATA FROM BEFORE 2019.

NOW 2019 IS VERY HIGH. THAT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

YOU CAN ONLY GUESS THAT HARVEY -- BUT THE FACT THAT WE CAN'T EVEN GET ACCURATE DATA GOING BACK TO 17 WE REALLY NEED ALL O THE STAKEHOLDERS. IT IS NOT ONLY TO THTSCOUR, BUT THE D.A. AND THE SHERIFF ET CETERA.

WE NEED OEM GIVE THE INFORMATION TO JAD SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND SEE THE SOLUTION.

HOW QUICKLY ARE YOU GOING TOIM PLEMENT THIS AND HOW QUICKLY ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE A BACKLOG? WE WILL NEED TO KNOW IF WE CAN PIVOT OR NOT.

I ASK JAD AND BUDGET THAT YOU AVOID ANY KIND OF MISUNDERSTANDING OF WHAT DATA WAS REQUESTED AND WHAT DATA WAIVRECEED. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ITEMIZE.

[04:05:01]

THEY ARE JUST NOT RECEIVING THE INFORMATION FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OR THE DISTRICT COURT'S OFFICE.

WHOMEVER HAS THE DATA EITHER DOESN'T HAVE IT OR NOT INOVG IT. WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION A LOT. THAT'S WHAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR JAD TO SAY WE NEED TO BUILD THESE TABLES AND HAVE THIRMINATION. IT HAS BEEN REQUESTED AND WHERE IS WHAT WE HEARD BACK OR DIDN'T HEAR BACK.

FOR A MAJOR INVESTMENT LIKE WTHISE NEED TO KNOW WHETHER WE ARE DOING IS WORKING. DIICULT FOR ME TO GET MYF BRAIN AROUND WHY WE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

I KNOW THAT BACK WHEN I WAS SERVING IN THE COURTS THAT WAS SOMETHING AS WE AND ALL OF THE JUDGES HAD L LK OOKED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE CASE LOG? NOT HEAT TRE WAS A COMPETITION AND NOBODY WANTED TO BE THE PERSON ON THE BOTTOM. HE OR SHE THAT HAD THE BIGGESTCE KNEE. SCREUT ME -- SCRUTINY.

IT WAS USED IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.

WHY WE DON'T HAVE THIS INFORMATION NOW I DON'T

UNDERSTAND. >> LINA HIDALGO: HLYEFULSO MEBODY HAD THE INFORMATION AND HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

I KNOW IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE WITH INFORMATION REQUESTS.

IN IS A BIG ISSUE -- THISS BIG ISSUE.

WE DON'T WANT TO GET STUCK IN A HE SAID-SHE SAID ON DATA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF JAD CAN'T GET IF O THE SOON TO BE ADMINISTRATOR CAN'T GET IT, WE OUGHT TO HAVE A SESSION JUST

ON WHY IS IT WE CAN'T GET IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE TO HAOWT THEY NEED AND DID STHEYEND THE REQUEST FOR WHAT -- TO GET AN ANSWER BACK YES OR NO.

JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE SO WE DON'T FALL INTO THAT TRAP

AGAIN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS PUBLIC DATA AND SHOULD BE COLLECTED AND POSTED.

WE CAN WALK DOWN TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND SAY PRINT ME OUT THE CASE LOAD FOR EACH COURT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 17 WAS A GOOD YEAR, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO LOOK AT WHEN THE CRIME LEVELS WERE EVEN H OHER THE NUMBERS. OTHUGHT TO BE THERE.

THEY CAN'T THROW THEM AWAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT. IF WE GO BACK TO 2 WRR -- 2016

WE MAY GET A BASE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF YOU GO

BACK TO 2008 OR 2009 -- >> YOUR MIC, COMMISSIONER.

DR>> AIAN GARCIA: YOU SHOULD GO BACK TO 2008 AND 2009.

THAT'S WHEN THE JAIL WAS OVERCROWDED BY 2,000 PEOPLE AND WE ARE SENDING THEM TO PRIVATE PRISONS IN LOUISIANA AT A TUNE TO 20 MILLION A YEAR.

PRESUME WHREE -- PRESUMABLY IF THE JAIL HOUSE WAS FULL AND OVERCROWDED IT IS BECAUSE THE CRIME -- CRIME RATE WAS A DRIVING PART OF THAT. I THINK LOOKING AT THAT IT WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW ALL OF THAT IS GOING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IN CLOSE I WILL SAY IF THE QUESTION IS ASKED AND SOME DEPARTMENT WON'T GIVE IT UP, AS A POLICY MAKING BOARD THE ONLY POWER WE HAVE AND TIE SOME METRICS TO THEIR BUDGET TO GET IT. I CAN'T FATHOM SOMEBODY NOT

GIVING IT UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: T26T'8 AND THEY ASKED ME TO RE-READ THE MOTION BECAUSE OF THE FEED WAS OUT. I AM GOING TO READ THE MOTION FOR 269 AND THEN WE CAN TAKE THE SPEAKERS FOR THESE ITEMS SINCE THEY ARE ALL ON THE SAME 69 IS THE PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF THE ASSOCIATEJU DGES.

SO THAT IS VERY EXCITING. IT IS ANOTHER BIG THANK YOU TO JAD FOR WORKING ON THIS AND ITEM 268.

THE MOTIONS HERE WOULD BE TO CREATE SIKDZ ASSOCIATE -- SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGE POSITIONS AND APPROVE A -- AN INITIAL BUDGET OF $2.5 MILLION TO COVER A ONE-YEAR ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S PROGRAM FOR THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS.

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE HAS BEEN TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE BACKLOG OF THE DISTRICT URTS PENDING CONFIRMATION OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM THE DISTRICT COURTS TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. THE LOCAL RULES ONCE THEY ARE ESTABLISHED INTENDED GOALS AND OUTCOMESHEOR T PROGRAM.

IT IS ACHIEVING THE STATED GOALS DURING THE FIRST YEAR.

TO ASSIGN THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH JAD, THE D.A. ANDEN YIN -- AND ENGINEERING AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO EVALUATE AND AS SOON AS PRACTICE PARTICULARLY FEASIBLE -- PRACTICALLY FEASIBLE RETURN

[04:10:02]

WITH A TIMELINE AND BUDGET FOR ANY ADDITIONAL SPACE AND ARMPORY STAFFING NEEDS TO SUPPORT THE ONE-YEAR ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S PROGRAM. AT THE END OF ONE YEAR FROM PROGRAM INITIATION COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL CO AIDERPPROVING ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM BASED ON THE CRIMINAL COURT CASE BACKLOG.

LUCINDA, CAN YOU PLEASE PULL IN THE SPEAKERS?

>> YES, JUDGE. WE ONLY HAVE D.A. KIM OGG AND SHE SHOULD BE IN PERSON ON ITEM 268 AND 269.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT I AM KIM OG WITH HARRIS COUNTY CTSTRI ATTORNEY.

BY S ITUTE AM THE TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTY. I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THE TIME THAT HE SPENT WITH OUR OFFICE AND OUR LEADERSHIP INVESTIGATING HIHOELF W TO BETTER MOVE THIS BACKLOG AND THE LEIPER HE HAS SHOWN ON ITEM 434 IS TO BE COMEPPEDDED -- TO BE COMMENDED.

THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE DELAY IN TRIALS IS BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE. SO CREATING A UNIFORM BODY CAM SYSTEM WILL GREATLOVIME THE SYSTEM.

BUT FROM THERE THE SEEMS TO BE A REAL DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND SOUND OPERATIONS. SO I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN WHICH HAS BEEN VOICED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ALSO COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RAMSEY ABOUT HOW ITEMS 268 AND 269 ASE PRENTED IN THIS COURT.

BALINE JUST SO YOU KNOW FROM US WHAT THE STATISTICS ARE THAT WE SHOW. ADDITIONALLY I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THESE STATISTICS WITH JRK -- WITH JAD HAS SAID 10 YEARS OF CASE INFORMATION AND SO WE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS NOW OR LATER ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED, BUT RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 147,200 CRIMINAL CASES PENDING.

APPROXYATEL 98,803 OF THOSE GECHARS ARE PENDING ON THE TS, 22 DISTRICT COURTS ANDNALUR THRENIJULE COURTS.

YOU WILLEOTIC THAT THAT 41 COURTS OUR PROSECUTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR STAFFING DAILY ALONG WITH A 24/7 INTAKE DIVISION. OF COURSE THE OFFICE OF GENERAL LITIGATION AND MANY OF THE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE HOLD. NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS HALF A MILLION CASE THAT'S COME THROUGH TTI JUSCE COURTS.

WE DIRECTLY SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND CRIMINAL CASES. AND WHERE DO THOSE CRIMINAL CASES COME FROM? THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.

WE A CALLING -- THE DIRICT ATTORNEY'S -- CRIME IS COMMITTED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO VIOLATE THE LAW INTENTIONALLY AND KNOWINGLY AND RECKLESSLY AND THEY MUST BEHELD ACCOUNTABLE IN OUR SOCIETY I WE ARE TO LIVE FREELY.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MADAM, D.A., TELL US ABOUT THE POINT YOU WERE JUST MAKING. THERE WERE 98,000 CASES THAT ARE ODD AND THE OTHER 44,000 DON'T JUST SIT IN THE DRAWER.

THEY ARE REAL MURDERER AND RAPISTS AND FUGITIVES.

WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HEARING THE CASES NOW.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO TALK ABOUT IT LATER.

BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE ALL OF THOSE CASES BECAUSE WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THE JUSTICE -- THAT JUSTICE I DONE IN EVERY SINGLE ONE. AND IN SHORT THAT TAKES PEOPLE. SO YESTERDAY DURING A 24-HOUR PERIOD WE SAW 267 CASES ON THE PATH OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THEY PROCEED -- PROCEEDED TO THE TRIAL COURTS.

[04:15:02]

THAT IS AN AVERAGE DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

WE ARE FOLLOWING ABOUT 90,000 CASES A YEAR AND IT IS FEWER THAN AT THE HEIGHT OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FILING IN THE EARLY 201 ONE'S AND 20 -- 201 ONE'S, 2012.

THEY ARE BACK UP WITH CASE PENDING IN THE COURTS.

AND WHAT KIND OF PHASES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 1,800 CAPITAL MURDERS AND MURDERS.

TH LOST LOVED ONES TO CRIMERSAT AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR THEIR DAY IN COURT. THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONETO BE HELDNTCCLE. OF THE 147,200 PENDING CRIMINAL RASES WE NODE -- CRIMINAL CASES WE KNOW 8500 ARE IN JAIL AND 5500 ARE WAITING PRE-TRIAL AND OTHERS ARE BEING HELD FOR OTHER ONRES AND BY OTHER COUNTIES. EVERTHDAY AT THIS CASE COUNT IS CHARGED WITH SERIOUS WH WE NEED ARE FASTER TRIALS. WE NEED TO CLEAR OUR DOCKETS.

EDLOGG THE IDEA OF ADDITIONAL COURTS, BUTRT COU WITHOUT A PROSECUTOR WON'T WORK IN AN EMPTY COURTROOM.

A CLERK, A JUDGE AS PROPOSED BY THE JTICE AUS-- JTICE ADMINISTRATION DENARTMT WOULD PRESIDE OVER NOTHING.

OUR PROSECUTORS CAN'T BE IN COURT A, COURT BT COURC AT THE SAME TIME. THE -- WE NEED PEOPLE SO SERVE TO TRY CASES AND HOLDORSW INDIVIDUALS ACCOUNTABLE OR LET THEM GO. BUT WE ALSO NEED PROSECUTORS TO WORK THE DAILY DOCKET. WE CAN'T BE IN THREE PLACES AT ONCE. OUR LAWYERS HANDLE HUNDREDS OF CASES. SOMETIMES IT IS 800 AND 900.

OF COURSE PRIVATE OFF FENDERS WILL BE AFFECTED.

THERE ARE RESOURCES FOR INDIGENT DS,ENSE BUT NOT PROSECUTION. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I WAS HERE TO ASK YOU FOR MORE PROSECUTORS.

WE MIGHT BE READY NOW. IF YOU WAIT ACCORDING TO THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT'S RECOMMENDATION YOU WILL HAVE COURTS AND NO ONE TO STAFF THEM.

I CAN'T HIRE EXPERIENCED LAWYERS TODAY AND GIVE THEM THE EXPERIENCE THEY NEED TO TRY THE SERIOUS CASES THAT HAVE TO BE TRIED. WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT KIDS WITH JANNTS D WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT CRIMINAL MISCHIEF CASES. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AGGRAVATED RAPES, ROBBERIES AND MURDERS.

WHILE THIS BODY IS RIGHT TO CONSIDER HELPING TS BACKLOG, THIS HAS GOT TO BE DONE AND OPERATION -- IN AN OPERATIONALLY SOUND WAY. OTHERWISE IT IS NOT SOUND.

IT IS A BAD PLAN. THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT, I'M NOT SURE WHY THEY ARE TELLING YY T DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION, BUT THE DISTRICT CLERK KEEPS THE R OORF CASES.

WE KEEP RECORDS OF CASES. WE HAVE NUMBERS.

WWHATTCA GET IS HOW MANY KNOW THEY SUPERVISE PRE-TRIAL SERVICES AND 4,000 DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE ON ANKLE MONITORS OUT ON BAIL IN OUR COUNTY.

THEY ARE CLEARLY HIGH RISK OFFENDERS THAT THEY DEEMED LOW RISK BAIL AND THLD WOU LIKE WATCHED.

WE URGE THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT TO HANDLE THOSE ISSUES WHILE THEY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE THE BACKLOG. I CAN GIVE UH CLUE, BUT THERE ARE NO STUDIES BEHIND JAD'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

THEY ARE JUST RECOMMENDATI I'M NOT SURE. I KNOW WE HAVE GIVEN THEM THE INFORMATION THEY NEED AND WE PROVIDED THE DISTRICT COURTS WITH THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTOR THAT'S WE WOULD NEED TO REALISTICALLY HANDLE CASES. WITH 268 AND 269, YOU CAN'T HIRE PROFESSIONALS ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.

I CAN'T HANDLE PART-TIME PROSECUTORS.TH ESE ARE PEOPLE'S DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE BEEN RAPED.

THESE ARE PEOPLEES H THAT BHAVEEEN BROKO IAND

[04:20:01]

INVADED. EVERY SINGLE CASE REFLECTS PEOPLE. AND IT TAKES PEOPLE IE REVW IT ACE PROSS THOSE CASES. SO OUR BACKLOG RONUCPR OGRAM WHICH THIS BODY HAS APPROVED HAS GIVEN ME THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH PROSECUTORS AT NIGHT AND ON THE WEEKENDS TO RE-REVIEW NONVICTIM CASES FOR SOLUTIONS. BUT WHAT WOO -- BUT WHAT WE CAN'T TELL YOU IS BY A DEFENSE CATEGORY WHAT OUR RESULTS ARE. WE HAVE TO TELL YOU THE CASE BY CASE BY CASE. WE CAN EDGE CASE THROUGH THE CASE DISPOSITIONS AS THE NUMBERS COME DOWN.

WE APPRECIATE -- I APPRECIATE THIS BODY TAKING UP THE CAUSE OF CRIME VICTIMS A T SURGING CRIME.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S FORMER SHERIFF IS VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT IT. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAVING SAT ON A BENCH UNDERSTANDS THE WORKING -- THE IOERATNAL WORKINGS. I URGE THE MEMBERS OF THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT PLANS THAT JUST LEAVE OUT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF FUNDING.

IT IS AN ASSUMPTION THAT JUST WON'T FLY AND UNFORTUNATELY IT CHALLENGES THE PUBLIC SAFETY RATHER THAN HELPS .

SO THE NEW FUNDING THAT IS COMING FOR UNIFORM BODY CAM AND PERHAPS OFFENSE REPORTS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL REALLY SPEED THIS ALONG, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERIO OF MY PHONE CALL THAT SAID WE WERE LEFT OUT OF THE FUNDING.

THE DISTRICT COURTS INCLUDED US, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT DIDN'T SEE FIT TO INCLUDE US IN THE BUDGET. IT JUST WON'T WORK.

WEHERE MOVING PARTY IN A CRIMINAL CASE.

WHILE WE DON'T REPRESENT THE CLIMATE -- WE REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF LIVING IN A SAFE AND FREE SOCIETY.

WE HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNT -- ACCOUNTABLE.

WE DO JUSTICE IN EACH CASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE ARE A LOSSOF IUES TODAY WE DISAGREE ON, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE IS A POINT OF DISAGREEMENT, MADAM D THE ITEM IS CLEAR. IT SAYS COMMIT THE FUNDING RIGHT NOW -- TO GIVE THE VISITING JUDGES ON BOARD AND THCIASSOATE JUDGES ON BOARD AND AEDNOWLGES THAT IT DOESN'T OFFER FUNDING RIGHT NOW FOR THE COURTS, THE EXISTING COURTS, BAILIFFS, ET CETERA, THE SHERIFF OR THE D.A. OR OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS.

AND IT SAYS FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH THEY NEED TO MAKE THIS WORK AND COME BACK. WE ALL AGREE THAT WE NEED TO GO AND GET THIS BALL ROLLING. I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THIS SHOULDN'T E ST BROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM WHETHER IT IS FOR THE JUDGES -- THE JUDGES AND THE -- WHATEVER IT IS WE NEED TO SEE THE PROGRESS METRICS.

I WILL BE ASKING FOR THESE CHARTS.

I GOT A MESSAGE FROM JIM AND NOW IT IS PULLED TOGETHE BUT I NEED TO KNOW WE HAVE THIS DATA AS WE INVEST THE FUNDS.

WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT YOU NEED TO WORK WITH THEM ON THE

PROPOSAL. >> WE JUST CAN'T GET THE CART BEFOREORHE HSE. AND SO WE CAN'T BE DELAYED IN OUR FUNDING BECAUSE IT TAKES US MONTHS TO RECRUIT, HIRE,

TRAIN AND THEN KEEP IT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: PLEASE WORK WITH JAD. WORK WITH BUDGET.

I MEAN, ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TIME.

IT SAYS BRING IT BACK BY AUGUST2 AND JULY 20TH.

THAT GIVES UH NTH TO WORK IT. WE AGREE THERE IS AINISE VIOLENT CRIME THAT IS HITTING HARRIS COUNTY.

WEVEEL WE NEED TO BE SMART AND TOUGH WHEN IT COMES TO TACKLING VIOLENT CRIME. WE AGREE THAT AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS US HERE IS THE BIG BACKLOG.

EVERY OTRIR JUSDICTION HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE BACKLOG WITH COVID, BUT WE HAD HARVEY AS WELL.

I TH HK AVE A GOOD SHOT AT TAKING A SHOT AT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR THE VICTIMS AND FOR THE ACCUSED AND FOR EVERY TO HAVE TRUST IN THE SYSTEM. IF WE GET THE SYSTEM MOVING AGAIN AND WE ARE THUR -- THOROUGH.

THIS IS STEP ONE. THE OTHER STEPS ARE LISTED.

I S WGEE MOVE TO THE OTHER ITEMS.

[04:25:01]

WE STILL HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON.

IT I THINK WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE, MADAM D.A.

>> IT IS A TIME PO PSAL FOR JAD, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY DON'T RECOMMEND FUNDING.

E >> WEXPECT THE PROPOSAL BY JULY 20TH AS IS MARKED IN THE MOTIONS. MADAM D.A., THANK YOU FORN COMING. I IMAGINE YOUR OFFICE HAS FORM SATEDOME STAFFING PLAN A COURT WOULD REQUIRE.

>> WE SUBMITTED IT TO CLAY BOWMAN AT THE DISTRICT COURTS. YOU JUST CAN'T RUN MULTIPLE DOCKETS. EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE L TRIAAT NRG AND A REGULAR DOCKET IN THE DISTRICT COURT A A YOUDD AN ANCILLARY JUDGE. OUR CASES ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. I CAN'T PICK UP MS. KING'S MURDER CASE. THEY DON'T KNOW AND HAVEN'T WORKED WITH ME. THE CASES AREN'T

US UNIQUE.EABLE AND THAT MAK >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOT YOU.

THANK YOU.>> YHANKOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICK COMMENT, JUDGE.

ALONG THOSE LINES, ONE THING THAT WAS SAID CLEARLY, TEMPORARY STAFF DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD B TELLING THE D.A. TO HIRE TEMPORARY STAFF. SHE NEEDS TO HIRE STAFF.

IF THEY TRANSITION IN AND TRANSITION OUT, THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. BUT TELLING HER TO HIRE TEMPORARY STAFF BEULD LIKE COMING FROM ANY KIND OF PROFESSIONAL -- YOU ARE NOT GOING TO FIND PEOPLE COMING TO WORK TEMPORARILY IS THE POINT.

IF WE WERE BOTH TEMPORARY IT WENOW WE WILL HREE MO NEEDS COMING DOWN THE PIPE. VEI HA A LOT OF BACKLOG TO ITAL WH. I SUSPEC TTHATHAT WOULD BE EASY TO MANAGE GOING FORWARD. IF WE HAD TOO MANY RACEHORSES INVOLVED WE COULSITRTION IN TIME.

I THINK I HEARD THE D.A. SAY TEMPORARY MAKES NO SENSE AT

ALL. >> WE COULD PUT TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT. IKST LE WITH THE ISSUE OF THE JURY DUTY WHETHER IT IS NRG AND IT IS A JURY ASSEMBLY -- HECK, THE ISSUE WITH WHETHER WE REBUILD THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER, ALL OF IT REQUIRES THE STAKEHOLDERS TO TH ON E SAME PAGE.

THE D.A. -- YOU SUBMITTED THE PLAN, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE NEED IT TO COME WITH -- YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THE JUDGES WORKED ON AND WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING IS FOR THE THREE ENTIES, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND BUDGET TOGETHER COME WITH A PLAN BECAUSE TO THE EXTENT YOU SAY I SUBMITTED ONE AND THEY SAY WE STILL NEED TOT UN IDOWN, WE ARE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I AM FULLY BEHIS THIPROPOSAL AND WILL DO EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT SUCCEED. MY CONCERN IS WE CREATE THESE COURTS AND SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND FIVE VISITING JUDGES AND THREE MORE NOW TWO MORE THE COUNTY CLERKS A WORKING ON AND THE NEW COURT CREATED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND THEN WE END UP WITH EVEN MORE CASES BECAUSE WHAT WE NEED TO YO IS U HAVE TO TACKLE THE BACKLOG AND YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THE CLEARANCE WEEED TO MAKE SURE THIS IS WORKING BEFORE WE GIVE FOLKS THE RESOURCES TO GET -- TO GROW AND GROW AND GROW. THE D.A. AND GAD CAN -- AND JAD CAN FIGURE OUT WHICH IS TEMPORARY AND WHICH IS PERMANENT IT IS A SORT OF INCENTIVE FOR ALL OF THE YONEED TO SHOW US YOU ARE SAYU USING THE RESOURCES AND IT IS ACTUALLY MAKING THE BACKLOG MORE EFFICIENT.

WE CAN'T MAKE IT ALL PERMANENT AND THEN CA ATE SYSTEM THAT

CREATES MORE BACKLOGS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HEAR THE D.A. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WERE GOOD WITH SMALLER MEETINGS. I THINK THEY OUGHT TO VISIT AND SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE SURE BOTH SIDES ARE TALKING.

[04:30:14]

I SUGGEST YOU TAKE THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I SUGGEST

TEMPORARY OVER PERMANENT. >> WE DIDN'T SAY TEMPORARY

EVERY EVERYTHING ELSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEW COURT IS ONE YEAR. IT IS TEMPORARY BY

DEFINITION. >> PROFESSIONALS DON'T LEAVE

THEIR JOB FOR TEMPORARY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT COMES ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE, I GET IT.

I THINK IF YOU ALL TALK I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA CAN

DO IT AND WE HEAR YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU -- THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THESE

ITEMS, LUCINDA? >> WE DO NOT, BUT I WAS INFORMED FROM JIM BETKEY, THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES IF YOU WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO UNMUTE HIM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS.

WE CAN MOVE ON. >> R. JACK CAGLE: BRIEFLY.

ARE YOU THERE SPH. >> YOU -- HE SUN MUTED -- HE

IS UNMUTED. >> I AM MLS W WITH THE

COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: TWO

QUESTIONS. >> YES, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ONE BACK IN THE DAY WHAS I A JUDGE WE POSTED MY NUMBERS E MONTH.

WHY ARE WE POSTING NUMBERS FOR OUR JUDGES NOW? SECOND QUESTION AND WE WILL DEAL WITH THE D.A. IN A

SECOND. >> ABSOLUTELY.

THE NUMBERS FOR THE COUNTY COURTS WERE RECENTLY ADDED.

ARE YOU CORRECT, MR. CAGLE. THEY WERE THERE FOREVER.

IT WAS TAKEN DOWN WITH THE O'DONNELL LITIGATIONIDND D NOT GET BACK TO POSTING THEM AGAIN.

WE HAVE HAD THAT REPORTING FOR YEARS.

WE WILL UPDATE IT MONTHLY. IT WILL TRANSITION TO A WEBSITE THAT IS UPDATED DAILY AND EVENTUALLY NEAR REALTIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DOES IT GO BACK PAST 2019.

>> IT DOES NOT, BUT LAST NIGHT WE GAVE YOU THE NUMBERS TO 2017. WHEN WE GO BACK THAT FAR THERE WERE ABOUT 15,000 CASES PENDING IN THE CRIMINAL COURTS. I AM ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS. 20,000 ARE NOW BACKLOGGED.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE COURT WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE CREATION OF UN CRIMINAL COURT LAW 16.

AT THAT TIME WE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COURT AWE WE RE ADAMANT AND CLEA THAT THE ADDITION OF ONE COURT WAS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE BACKLOG ISSUE.

IT WOULD SLOW THE GROWTH AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

SO IT WAS FLAT UNTIL HARVEY TOOK PLACE.

THE COURTS WERE DISPLACED. FAST-FORWARD TO 2020 AND THE PANDEMIC AND THERE WERE FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON OPERATIONS AND IT GREW EVEN MORE.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE MORE TO CUT INTO THAT BACKLOG.

WE ALL THINK OF CRIMINAL CASES, BUT THERE ARE COSTS ASSOCIATED IN CIVIL CASES AND FAMILY AND JUVENILE AS WELL.

THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS IMPORTANT TO HARRIS COUNTY AND I AM HAPPY TO WORK WITH THE COURT AND JAD AS WILL OUR YAG -- JUDGES TO GET THROUGH THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAD ANOTHER QUESTION AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FORGETTING THAT POSTED.

YOU TOLD ME YOU WOULD GET IT POSTED BEFORE OUR NURT T AND YOU HAVE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I WAS GOING TO FUSS AT YOU LATER ON, BUT NOT IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY. YONCU GOT IT DONE, THANK YOU. I THINK TH COURT HAS A RIGHT

[04:35:01]

TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. AND NUMBER TWO, I HAD NUMBERS IN MY DOCUMENTATION THAT IF WE WERE TO ADEQUATELY STAFF A COURT TO PROSECUTE THAT WE NEEDED 29 ADDITIONAL D.A.'S IN THE DISTRICT COURTS. HOW MANY ADDITIONAL D.A.'S DO YOU CONTEMPLATE NEEDING FOR WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH THE CRIMINAL COURTS IN THE COUNTY?

>> WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU, BUT IT DEPENDS ON THE ADDITIONAL JUDGE RESOURCES WE HAVE.

IF THEY ARE NOT DOING MUC WE MAY NOT NEED IT, BUT WE WILL GET THOSE NUMBERS BACK TO JAD LYOB WITHIN THE NEXT

WEEK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO MAKE A REQUEST. THIS IS OUR NEXT SESSION AND THREE WEEKS BEFORE WE COME BACK.

IF IN TWO WEEKS YOU CAN GIVE US A REPORT ON HOW MANY D.A.'S AND SUPPORT STAFF FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE WE NEED TO RUN THESE ADDITIONAL WEEKS AND WE CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO INTERFACE ABOUT THAT. I WOULLI FOR YOU AND CLAY TO GET TO MY OFFICE AND I'M SURE THE REST OF US WOULD LI TO HAVE IT AS WELL THAT REPORT A WEEK BEFORE THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT SO WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT.

WOU D YODO THAT FOR ME? >> HAPPY TO DO THAT.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR CLAY, BUT I'M SURE HE CAN DO THE S

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I BET YOU CAN ENCOURAGE HIM STRONGLY.

THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WORK WITH JAD ON THAT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN THE LOOP.

>>HEND T D.A. C'TEN TANGOR THIS.THIS.AN EVEN WHEN IT WAS GOING ON. THE PLAINTIFFS HAVE THE DATA, WHY CAN'T THE PUBLIC GET IT. WHY WOULD IT GO BACK UP?

>> CIOMISSNER ELLIS, I CAN ADDRS THAT.

THAT WAS AN OVER SIGHT ON OUR OFFICE'S PART.

WE HAVE SHARED IT BEFORE AND WE CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO GIVE IT TO THE PLAINTIFFS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT IS A NOMAKING AVAILABLE THAT WERET

WERE MAKING AVAILABLE? >> NO, SIR.

WE ARE MAKING AVAILABLE MORE INFORMATION NOW AND WE WILL

CONTINUE TO DEVELOP MORE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE PUT IT ON THE DASHBOARD. MAYBE SO PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND

IT. >> YES, SIR.

THAT'S OUR INTENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE TO REREAD THE MOTIONS BECAUSE THE CAMERA WENT DOWN.

268, APPROVE A BUDGET UP TO 600,000 DOLLARS FROM AN APPROPRIATE SOURCE DETERMINED BY BUDGET MANAGEMEEX TPAND JURY OPERATIONS AT NRG STADIUM AND ASSIGN BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK, THE DISTRICT CLERK, JAD AND FACILITIES AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENT AND E OVETBUDG ON JULY 20TH, 2021. APPROVE FUNDING FOR THREE VISITING JUDGES AND NECESSARY SUPPORT STAFF AND A PRIMARY PURPOSE R THE MOST SERIOUS CRIMINAL CASES IN THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS AND SIGNIFICANTLY KEY DEUCE THE BACKLOG AND A PROPOSED BUDGE SKEET PROJECT PLAN FROM THE COURT THAT COVERS GOALS, TIMELINE, STAFFING AND SPACE NEEDS FOR THREE VISITING JUDGES AND REVIEWED AN APPROVED BY JAD AND BUDGET WO WITH THE DISTRICTE.RK ATTORNEY AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO EVALUATE THE REMAINING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ITEM 268 FOR TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT STAFFING AND RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOGS AND WHERE APPROPRIATE RETURN WITH A PROPOSED BUDGET TIMELINE AND STAFFING AND EVALUATION PLAN FOR POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON JULY 20TH, 2021.

IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM WOULD 68?

>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. JAMES, DO YOU NEED TO ASK A QUESTION BEFORE I ASK MY QUESTION?

>> THERE WAS THE VERY LAST LINE ON THAT MOTION THAT YOU READ EARLIER, BUT YOU DIDN'T READ AGAIN.

>> YEAH. SOMEHOW IT DIDN'T MAKE IT ON MY -- THANK YOU. THE LAST ONE IS THAT BUDGET

[04:40:04]

MANAGEMENT AND JAD WORK WITH THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS AND COUNTY CRIMINAL COUR AND FACILITIES AND PROPERTY MAINE NAAND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO DEVELOP OSPRED BUDGET AND PLAN TO ENSURE NIGHT AND WEEKEND COURT IS AN OPTION FOR ANY JUDGES, ADVICE -- VISITING JUDGAS OR SOCIATE JUDGE THAT'S WOULD LIKE TO HOLD COURT IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEST PRACTICES FOR POSSIBLE APPROVAL ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON AUGUST 10TH, 2021.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE INCLUDE THE D.A.'S OFFICE THAT HAS TO PROSECUTE THE CASES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS SO YES,

THE D.A.'S OFFICE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NUMBER TWO I WOULD LIKE A CLARIFICATION FR THE BUDGET OFFICE.

DAVID, ARE YOU THERE? >> YES, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IN THE JUDGE'S MOTION SHE STATED IT WOULD BE DETERMINED FROM SOE WHIN HER SERVICE -- HER OFFICE. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

IT WOULD NOT INCLUDE A ROLL OVER FROM ANOTHER ONE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENTEN TAU SEES. ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES.

AM I CLEAR WHERE THIS RELEVANT FUNDING WOULD BE?

>> MAYBE I CAN CLEAR UP WHERE THE ROLL OVER SITS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN CONFUSION ON THE QUESTION I ANSWERED E ALIERS WELL. WE HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF AWARDING ROLL OVER BUDGET TO THE DEPARTMENTS. WE WENT THROUGH A PROCESS OF FORWARHENG BUDGET FROM PRIOR YEARS.

WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DEPARTMENTS MAKING PROPOSALS FOR US, TO US. AND IN THE CASE OF THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFFS THEY MADE PROPOSALS AND WE TH PROPOSE -- PROPOSALS WERE FUNDED.

THERE IS NO OTHER ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTS OTHER TTHHOSE PROPOSALS AND THOSE NEEDS E AT WAPPROVED.

SO I GUESS IN MY MIND WE WILL NOT TAKE MONEY AWAY, BUT THERE IS NO MONEY IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET OR SHERIFF'S BUDGET THAT WE WOULD TAKE BACK.

WE WENT OVER THE ROLL OVER PROCESS.

I HOPE THAT HELPS ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

>> FOR A RICE GRADUATE THAT WAS A LOT OF WORDS WHICH I CAN APPRECIATE. IF I CAN MAKE IT NONRICEY FOR A MOMENT THE ANSWER IS NO. IF I VOTE FO ITHIS WILL NOT VOTE FOR A REALLOCATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDS.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND ARERE NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS WE ARE TAKING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE WERE THE MOTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: [INAUDIBLE]

>>. IN FAVOR? I >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> JUDGE SO COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTED TO ADD THE D.A., BUT YOU SAID IT ALREADY HAD ANY OTHER REEL -- RELEVANT --

>> LINA HIDALGO: TO WORK WITH THE CRIMINAL COURTS AND COUNTY COURTS AND D.A. AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS.

>> SO WE WILL TAKE IT AS YOU READ IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN THE NEXT -- THE MOORON F ITEM 269. THE MOTION IS TO CREATE SIX ATSOCIE JUDGE POSITIONS A APPROVE A BUDGET OF $2.5 MILLION FROM AN APPROPRIATE SOURCE DETERMINED BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO COVER YON -- ONE YEAR FOR CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING A BACKLOG IN CRIMINAL PEING CONFIRMATION OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN A COPY OF THE ASSOCIATED CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT RULES WHEN ESTABLISHED. ASSOCIATE TI FLIOR INITIATING AND IMPLEMENTING THISAMROGR AND ACHIEVING THE GOALS AND OUTCOME -- OUTCOMES FOR THE YEAR.

WORKING WITH THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT, THE JAD AND D. AND ENGINEER -- ENGINEERING AND ANY OTHERRE LEVANT PARTNER TO EVALUATE AND AS SOON AS FEAREBLE TURN TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT WHEN THE PROPOSED TIMELINE AND BUDGET FOR STAFFING NEEDS TO SUPPORT THE ONE-YEOC ASSIATE JUDGES PROGRAM. AT THE END OF ONE YEAR COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL CONSIDER ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

IT IS BASED ON ITS IMPACT ON THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT

[04:45:01]

CASE BACKLOG. >> IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> JUDGE, WE ARE GOING TO ADD THAT INFORMATION OF THE D.A. IN THESE COURTS BASED ON OUR CONVERSATION AND WILL COME BACK IN THREE WEEKS ON THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: AS SOON AS IS PRACTICE PARTICULARLY --

PRACTICALL Y FE.SI >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM BIRD DOG -- BIRD DOGGING THIS BECAUSE I KNOWHE PRESSURE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THEY HAVE TO START HIRING.

I'M GONNA VOTE FOR T BUT I WANT THOSE REPORTS.

I AM POINTING AT THE CAMERA OVER THERE.

I WANT THE REPORTS IN TWO WEEKS.

>> I. >>HIINA DALGO: MOTION

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> SO JUDGE, SO FOR ITEM 269 THAT WAS UNANIMOUS, 5-0 AND 268 THAT WAS ALSO UNANIMOUS

5-0. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT,

JAMES. >> SOUNDS LIKE THE MY CRAW --

MICROPHONE MAY BE OFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS OFF.

THAT'S 268 AND 269.WE HAVE 4: -D WE HAVE THE FLOOD ITEMS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM NOT SURE WHAT THESE FOLKS IN THE YELLOW OUTFITS ARE HERE FORE -- ARE HERE FOR, MAYBE THE FLOOD ISSUE. THEY HAVE BEEN HERE A

LONGTIME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO YOU FOLKS ARE HERE ON THE FLOOD BOND FINANCIN IS THAT RIGHT? I HAD THAT -- WE JUST HAVE SO MANY TTEMSO PULL OUT AND DISC AND WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK AND WE HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. HERE IS WHAT I PROPOSE.

HERE IS WHAT I PROPOSE. I PROPOSE THAT WE DEAL WITH THESE FLOOD ITEMS SO WE COULD DISCUSS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FLOOD CONTROL AS WELL AS B23.

THAT WAY WE CAN PULL THAT ITEM -- PULL THOSE RELATED TO THAT. AND THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FLOOD CONTROL AND SB23 AND THEN COME BACK AND TAKE THE SPEAKERS ON THE FLOOD CONTROL ISSUE AND THEN WE COULD GET TO THE OTHER ROLL OVER ITEM THAT HAS SO

MANY SPEAKERS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I LOVE THESE PEOPLE IN THE FRONT ROW.

THEY ARE SWEET AND THEY LAUGH AND THEY HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR AND EVERYTHING, BUT CAN WE TAKE THE CONSTABLES AND GET

THEM OUT OF HERE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIO I JUST -- I DIDN'T PACK -- TO BE HONEST I FOUGHT FOR THE ISSUE AND I DIDN'T ASK THEM TO COME.

I WILL TAKE SOME OF THE HEAT. WE KNOW HOW SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE ENCOURO ED TCOME. I JUST THINK THEY -- THESE FOLKS HAVE COME ON THIS ISSUE ON FLOODING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF WE TAKE THE CONSTABLES --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE CON -- SOMEBODY THAT CAN COVER THEIR DUTIES WHILE THEY ARE HERE. WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT MANY FOLKS THAT COME IN DURING A PANDEMIC ON THEIR OWN.

THAT'S WHY I WOULD LIKE TO LET THEM COME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT I WAS SAYING IS THE CONSTABLES HAVE TO DO WITH THE ROLL OVER SO WE HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE CAN HEAR FROM Y'ALL AND THEN GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOU HAVE SPOKEN. HOW ABOUT WE DO THAT.

WE'LL TAKE THE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE FOR ITEMS 140, 191 OR 453. THAT WAY THEY CAK SPE.

THEN WE CAN GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND CLEAR UP THE DIRECTOR AS WELL AS THE ROLL OVER AND COME BACK AND DEAL WITH THE ITEM THAT HAS GOT A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE EDSIGN UP FOR. LUCINDA, CAN YOU PLEASE DO THAT? CALL UP SPEAKERS ON 140, 191

OR 453. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU DON'T HAVE FOLKS ONLINE YET CAN START WITH THE FOLKS ON PERSON.

>> THAT'S THE FIRST WE ARE STARTING WITH.

GEORGE PECKAM, IF YOU WILL APPROACH THE MIC, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS GEORGE PKAM.

>> HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS TO REDUCE FLOODING IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL NEEDS TO REDUCE FLOOD CONTROL IN HARRIS COUNTY AND A

[04:50:02]

WHOLE LOT MORE FUNDING. FLOODING AFFECTS EVERYONE.

COMMISSIONERS WE APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD ENABLE FUNDS THAT THE -- THAT ARE NEEDED AND REMOVE THE RE -- THE RESTRAINTS IN THE BOND. I WAS BORN IN HOUSTON, SAME YEAR AS YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

YELLOWSTONE AND SCOTT STRE IT FLOODED AND MY PARENTS MOVED. SINCE THAT TIME THEY HAVE GROWN EXPONENTIALLY AND FLOOD CONTROL HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH THE INCREASED DEVELOP -- DEVELOPMENT AND POPULATION GROWTH. CYPRESS CREEK IS THE HEART OF NORTHWEST CNTY. WHEN FLOODING OCCURS THEY ARE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. THE LOWER INCOME AND THE EL -- ELDERLY SUFFER THE MOST. PLEASE PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THE EVERYONE -- FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND PEOPLE UNDER SERVED.

THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IS PLEASE RESTORE THE ROLL OVER BUDGET MONEY FOR THE LAW EMFOENT AGENCIES.

CONSTABLES SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

REDUCING FUNDING WILL REDUCE THE SAFETY OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS N BETTER SAFETY AND SECURITY. I AM APPALLED BY WHAT I HEARD FROM KIM OG. I HOPE YOU ARE TOO AND GET WITH IT. THANK YOU.

>> FRANK ADOMATIC SPEAKING ON 140 AND 191.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM FRANK ADOMATIC, ENGINEER AND PRESIDENT OF THE HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION IN SPRING, TEXAS.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON CERTAIN HAIR RS COUNTY FLOOD VIC -- HARRIS COUNTY AND THE FLOOD CONTROL BONDS AND TOLL ROADS. OUR HOME ADJACENT TO LOWER CYPRESS CREEK, WE LOST EVERYTHING.

WE SOLD OUR PROPERTY AS IS TO INVESTORS AND WE MOVED TO HIGHER GROUND. OUR IMPACT REPRESENTS 28% OF THE VOTERS IN THE 2.5 BILLION BOND ELECTION, YET THE INACTIONS OF HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL, WE HAVE RECEIVED ZERO TANGIBLE BENEFITS IN THE MAIN CHANNEL SINCE HARVEY. FLOOD CONTROL HAS SPENT MILLIONS ON PROPERTY ACQUISITION, BOUNDLESS *6 -- BOUNDLESS ENGINEERING AND CHANNELING THE ROSE -- RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY BY PLANNING AND NOT FUNDING THE DETENTION PONDS AND NOR FULFILLING THEIR BASIC RESPONSIBILITY OF MAINTENANCE OF OUR MAIN CREEKS WATERWAYS AND BRIDGES. HCTRA CLEAN -- CLEANED OUT SILT AND DEBRIS FROM UNDER THE TOLL BRIDGE AT CYPRESS CREEK.

FLOOD CONTROL HAS YET TO CLEAR OUT 15 PLUS YEARS OF DEBRIS, SILT FROM THE I-45 BRIDGE. AND REDESIGNED THE BARRIER ABOVE THE BRIDGE. THE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTIONS HAVE CAUSED 85% OF LANDS TO FLOOD WITH 18 INCHES OF WATER.

OUR HOA HAS FLOOD MITIGATION SOLUTIONS AND ARE BEING DISMISSED THROUGH SURROGATE SOLUTIONS WE ASKED FOR.

IMMEDIATELY CLEARED THE BRIDGE , OBSTRUCTION AND RETURN THE I-45 BRIDGE TO THE ORIGINAL CONDITION.

TWO, IMMEDIATELY BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE DETENTION PONDS. 26,000 ACRES ALONG CYPRESS CREEK. DOUBLE THE EXISTING PLAN TO 50,000 ACRES AND DIRECTIONAL GROWING THE GRAVITY DRAINING.

NUMBER FOUR, REPLACE THE I-45 CENTER THREE-FOOT CONCRETE ROSE BARRIER TO A DESIGN OF MAXIMUM FLOOD AND REMIT GATE

[04:55:08]

FROM THE EASTSIDE TO I-45 OF CYPRESS CREEK.

IN CONCLUSION -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COLUDE?CLUSION -- MAY INC >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE OUT OF TIME. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. >> ARTHUR KELONG.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.

I LIVE IN NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY IN PRECINCT 4 IT INCLUDES CYPRESS CREEK, THE LARGEST WATER SHED IN HARRIS COUNTY AND I AM WITH REBUILDING HOPES FLOODED FROM HARVEY THROUGH CHURCHES AFFILIATED WITH HOPE DISASTER RECOVERY. AS A LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF 45 YEARS IN HARRIS HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD MITIGATION HAS REMAINED A STEP CHILD WITH LITTLE ANNUAL FUNDING COMPARED TO NEW ROADS AND LAND DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. IN 2018 THE COUNTY-WIDE BOND WAS APPROVED BY VOTERS. SINCE THEN WE LEARNED THAT THE MONIES WERE CONTINUED ON STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP THAT HAS NOT YET COME TO FRUITION. CURRENT FLOOD BOND MONIES WERE RELEASED FOR THE REPAIRS. NOTHING TO ADDRESS REDUCTION AND SURFACE WATER FLOODING AND HIGH-RISK LOCATIONS SUCH AS CYPRESS CREEK. THE WATER SHED IN THE COUNTRY -- IN OUR COUNTY THAT HAS HAD SEVEN CATASTROPHIC FLOODS SINCE 2001. TO DATE CYPRESS CREEK RECEIVED LESS THAN 2% OF THE NEEDED FUNDS.

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT ACCEPTABLE.

WE FEEL OUTRAGED JUST LIKE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WHEN THE NEED WAS OBVIOUS. EVEN A BLIND HAWK COULD HAVE SEEN THAT. WE MADE REQUESTS TO REVERSE THEIR INITIAL DECISION. TODAY WE ARE ASKING FOR SIS CAN'T FUNDING -- SIGNIFICANT FUNDING TO MITIGATE AND REDUCE SURFACE WATER FLOODING KAW MESS -- KAW MENS RETE WITH -- CEMMENSERATE WITH THE VOTER POPULATION.

WE NEED FUNDING TO SAVE LIVES AND FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

FLOOD CONTROL MUST BECOME ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. I ALSO SUPPORT USING TOLL ROAD FUNDS TO PAY FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND AN ALTERNATE STEP TOWARD THIS EFFORT. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

TO SPEAK TODAY BEFORE YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> CAROLYN RIVERA, NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE, PLEASE

APPROACH THE PODIUM. >> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN CALL THE FOLKS WHO ARE HERE AND JUST ASK THEM TO STATE THEIR

NAME.>> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND WE WILL JUST DO THE SAME THING.

FROM YOUR LEFT T STHATIDE IF THAT IS OKAY WITH YOU GUYS.

CAN YOU. IT IS DOING JOINT VEER ACTUAL -D IN- JOINT AND VIRTUAL. THANK YOU FORBEARING WITH US.

FRI BEAH WITUS. >> I AM OWTA R BLESS AND I AM -- RITA ROBLES AND A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK TODAY.

THE NAC WHICH STANDS FOR THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE HAS ASKED FOR A FEW DEMANDS AND I AM GOING TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE FIRST ONE. HARRIS COUNTY COOOD NTROL DISTRICT HONOR THEYQU REQUIREMENTS OF THE 2018 FLOOD BOND. THE FLOOD BOND -- THE FLIED CONTROL -- THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT MUST FUNDLL A PROJECTS BEGINNING WITH PROJECTS IN THE BIPOC COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE SEEN HISTORIC DISINVESTMENT AND WHICH ARE THE POOREST AND MOST IMPACTED AREAS.

IT INCLUDES THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF HOUSTON.

IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY FUNDS SHOULD BE MOVED FROM TSOJEC IN THE WEALTHIER AREAS TO THE PROJECTS IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON. I WAS LOOKING AT THE MAP IN THIS BROCHURE AND I'M PRETTY SURE Y'ALL HAVE SEEN IT.

[05:00:01]

[INAUDIBLE].ITOWS SHING YOU EAF FUNDING FOR ALAROFS.NAUDIBLE] LESS THAN 10% -- TTD LE CYPRESS CREEK 12% CEYOR % AT 0AND SON BAYOU AN 8E ISYOU ZERO.ANRPENTER' VINCE BAYOU IS 8%. OA AREWHERE.

AND SANACIVER IS 154. TOSS AREREHE AA THAT'S

K>> INOW YOU OMVE CE LELTIP.IMI EEVE BPRTHE TIDENTH R E A FEW YEWS NOUN DER ANNALEZ AND HOPEFULLY AS SOON AS EMPANDIC HAS ALC WILL B TABLEO HAVE MORE MEETINGS. EVERY ONE OF YOU IS INVITED TOC.

WE WOULD LOVE AK S TO ALLOF BUL WGO OVER A ALA LLD UP I

[05:05:53]

>> IF IT CONTINUES IN HER COMMUNITY.

>> SHE SUFFERED FROM A MENTAL STRESS AND SHE WANTS SOME SOLUTION AND SHE KNOWS IT IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM.

>> ATTENTION TO THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND

SPANISH SPEAKING. >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> SHE JUST WANT TO KNOW TO BE

TRANSPARENT WITH THE FUNDS. >> AND NOW I WILL SPEAK ON MY BEHALF. I AM CARMEN AND I SERVE WITH THE CLIMATE JUSTICE ORGANIZERS FOR SEAR, THE ENVIRONMENT FOR QUALITY AND EQUITY. IT IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT CAME TOGETHER AFTER HARVEY TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND RESILIENCE.

TODAY WE STAND WITH MEMBERS OF THE NORTHEAST ACTIVE COLLECTIVE ON THE FRONT LINES OF OUR FLOODING CRISIS IN HARRIS COUNTY. SEARS WILL USE ALL AVAILABLE FUNDING TO DELIVER ON OUR PROMISE TO THE BOND PROJECT.

WE SUPPORT THE USE OF MOBILITY FUNDS FOR FLOODING MITIGATION AND SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A NEW FLOODING RESILIENCE.

WE ALSO HAVE TO NAME A HISTORIC FAILURE OF FLOOD PROTECTION IN WAYS. THEY ARE STILL MORE PREPARED THAN THEY WERE THREE YEARS AGO.

THEY NEED RELIEF AND THEY NEED IT NOW.

FOR THEM IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE CLOSE THE GAP IN THIS PARITY FOR THE LONG-TERM. TO DO THAT, WE FIRST NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE AND THEN CREATE NEW TOOLS FOR SOLVING. IT SEEKS TO REBUILD THE IN -- INEQUITIES. A DOCUMENT OF UNDERSTANDING IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM BEYOND THE 2018 BOND. A BOND OF THIS SIZE WAS HISTORIC FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND INTEREST -- INTEREST -- INTEREST -- INTRODUCING THE PRIORITIZATION.

IT WAS SINCE BEFORE THE BOND WENT TO ORDERS.

THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK WAS THAT NO TOOL BEFORE MAY USE A SOCIAL SCIENCE AND THE CDC SOCIAL VALIDITY.

WHAT WE SEE NOW WITH THE SHORT FOLD AND WHAT WATER SHEDS ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND IS THAT THE TOOL HAS FLAWS.

IT DOESN'T FULFILL THE PROMISE OF EQUITY.

WE NEED BETTER TOOLS AND WAYS BE AS USUAL AND WE WILL KEEP FALLING INTO THE SAME PATTERN OVER AND OVER.

AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT WHEN IT RAINS LIKE THIS, I AM ON THREE CHAT GROUPS.

YOU CAN SEE AND HEAR THE LEVEL OUT SAID -- OUTSIDE.

[05:10:05]

IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

THEY START POSTING PICTURES WHEN THE HOUSES ARE FLOODED AND WHEN THE KIDS ARE WORKING. IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND A NEW FLOOD RESILIENCE PROBLEM AND TOOLS TO ACHIEVE EQUITY AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THE MOST IMPACTED TO COME UP WITH THE BEST SOLUTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

ATTENTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> YES, HELLO. I AM WITH THE NAC.

WE ARE GOING TO GET DOWN TO THE BASIS OF THE STORY.

IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF HOUSTON WE FLOOD.

WE FLOOD VERY BAD. AND THIS YEAR ALREADY WE ARE LOOKING DOWN THE BARREL OF A LOADED GUN.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF WHEN YOU WENT HOME YOUR HOMES WERE BURIED IN TWO FEET OF WATER? FOUR FEET OF WATER? YOUR KIDS AND YOUR GRANDKIDS HAD TO WALK THROUGH WHAT OUR FAMILIES HAVE TO WALK THROUGH? I WANT TO ASK FOR MR. MAZID'S RESIGNATION AND MR. ALLEN BLACK'S RESIGNATION BECAUSE THEY MISPLACED OUR FUNDS. Y'ALL FUNDS WERE NOT PROBABLY MISPLACED, BUT OURS WERE. OUR FAMILIES HAVE TO FACE THIS. EVERY TIME IT RAINS A LITTLE BIT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THEY FLOOD.

I WORRY AND I HAVE STRESS ABOUT MY HOME FLOODED -- FLOODING. 3-1-1 IS A JOKE.

WHEN A VISION IMPAIRED OR BLIND PERSON RELOCATES WE REGISTER AND NOTHING GETS DONE.

WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR OURSELVES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE WE ARE FROM. WHERE YOU ARE FROM YOU MAY NOT HAVE TO DO THAT, BUT WHERE WE ARE FROM WE DO BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN OFFICE. NOT NECESSARILY YOU, BUT THE PEOPLE FOLLOWING BEHIND YOU. THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS WE FACE IN THE NORTHEAST. WHEN IT FLOODED WITH HARVEY WE HAD DUMP TRUCKS TRYING TO EVACUATE OUR LOVED ONES AND OUR FAMILIES. HOW DID YOURS VAC -- EVACUATE? PROBABLY IN CARS.

GREENS BAYOU WAS OVER FLOW -- OVER FLOWED.

OUR WATER SHEDS WERE OVER LOOKED.

WERE YOURS? THAT'S ALL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE YOU GET AWAY FROM THE MIC, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS.

AS I MENTIONED WITH MS. ROBLES, A PORTION OF THAT NORTHEAST AREA THAT YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS COME FROM IS IN MY PRECINCT. AND I HAVE BEEN VERY ADAMANT THAT WE REALLY NEED TO WORK HARD TO BRING AS MUCH INVESTMENT INTO THAT AREA. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GIVES ME A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN IS HAVING TO DO A BUYOUT PROGRAM. THEY WERE BUYING PEOPLE'S HOMES AND WE ARE LOCATED IN THE SAME AREA AND OUTSIDE THE FLOOD PLAIN. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS TO DO. BY THE SAME TOKEN I WOULD RATHER SEE THESE PROJECTS GET DONE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER SO WE DON'T HAVE TO ASK YOU TO SELL YOUR HOME OR FORCE YOU TO SELL YOUR HOME. AND THEN THE POINT YOU MAKE ON YOUR VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE BEING A FLOOD VICTIM AND DEALING WITH THAT ALONG WITH YOUR IMPAIRMENT. JUST KNOW THAT EVERYBODY'S WORDS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT YOU BRING A NEW DIMENSION INTO THE KEY -- TO THE EQUATION AND WORKING A SET PRIORITY AND CHALLENGE AREAS. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME AND

[05:15:09]

VISIT. IT IS LATE AUGUST.

I WANT TO UNVIET YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBOR SH -- INVITE YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS TO COME TO JAMES DRIVER PARK.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR? >> NO, BUT I CAN'T FIND.

IT. >> IT IS NEAR LITTLE YORK AND 59TH. WE WILL BE HAVING A RIBBON CUTTING VERY SOON. THAT WILL BE A STATE-OF-THE-ART PARK FOR PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES, AND YOU MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM BEEP BALL.

>> YES, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE WILL HAVE A BEEP BALL FIELD AND LOVE TO HAVE YOU OVER AND HIT SOME BALLS AND HAVE SOME FUN. I WILL WORK THROUGH RITA TO MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION GETS OUT, BUT LOVE TO HAVE YOU OVER AND COME AND ENJOY THE PARK. THANK YOU.

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

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SIR, BRIEFLY, I DO I DO KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO GO TO YOUR HOME WHEN THERE IS TWO FEET OF WATER IN IT. DURING HARVEY I HAD TWO FEET OF WATER IN MY HOUSE. SO I DO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. AND IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION, FOR THE LIGHT RAIN THAT'S COME, LIKE SOMETHING THAT WE HAD TODAY, OUR STREETS FLOOD.

DURING HARVEY, I CAN UNDERSTAND, BUT IN A SMALL, LOCAL RAIN, A HEAVY RAIN OUR YARDS FLOOD.

IT COMES UP TO THE HOMES SO THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO FACE WITH A LIGHT RAIN. NOT A RRN.

NOT A HURRICANE. NOT A TROPICAL STORM.

JUST A HEAVY RAIN AND WE GET WATER IN OUR HOMES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS ONE THING I WANT TO ADD AND THAT IS WE'RE NOT -- I STRUGGLE WITH THIS BECAUSE WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS AND WE SO -- WE SHOULD CELEBRATE THE PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING. WHAT TODAY WILL HOPEFULLY WILL PASS WAS WELL DONE ABOUT THE PROPOSAL AND WAS THE FACT THAT WE WILL BE MAKING SURE THAT THE EQUITY THAT WAS PROMISED ACTUALLY HAPPENS. OF COURSE FOR ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO TRULY BE SAFE WE NEED FURTHER INVESTMENTS AND THAT IS PART OF THE CHALLENGE.

I FIND IT IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THAT ONCE THESE PROJECTS ARE DONE AND HOPEFULLY WE GET THE $750 MILLION FROM GLO THAT SUDDENLY NOBODY WILL FLOOD AGAIN. WE ARE STILL PROBABLY GONNA HAVE THAT ANXIETY. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE AN INNER DEPARTMENTAL WORK GROUP GOING ON RIGHT NOW AND LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THE SOLUTION THAT'S WILL MAKE US TRULY FLOOD RESILIENT IN THE LONG-TERM. THIS IS A LONG-STANDING PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED FOR A LONGTIME.

WE ARE TACKLING IT, BUT FOR THE SHORT-TERM AND FOR THE LONG-TERM AND APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.

WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKERS WHO ARE HERE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS.

MY NAME IS BILLY JACOB VARA AND I AM ALSO A RESIDENT OF THE LAKEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON.

AND I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF NOT ONLY -- I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FROM THE TOLL ROAD REVENUE ON TO THE FUNDING FOR BAYOU PROJECTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE BEEN IN LAKEWOOD FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 YEARS AND WE HAVE BEEN FLOODED THROUGH ALLISON AND ALSO THROUGH HARVEY WHICH HARVEY WAS THE WORST. KEEP IN MIND THAT I LOST FIVE OF MY RELATIVES IN THE FLOOD OF HARVEY.

ONE AUNT, ONE UNCLE AND FOUR -- I'M SORRY, FOUR SECOND COUSINS. IT IS STILL HARD TO TALK ABOUT. THEY WERE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM HARVEY AND DHE -- THEY WERE CROSSING A FLOODING.

THEY WERE CROSSING THE BAYOU WHEN THEY WERE SWEPT AWAY AND

[05:20:05]

DROWNED TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM HARVEY.

WE DO NOT WANT A REPEAT OF THAT, OF ANY LIVES LOST, ESPECIALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY OR ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

DEALING WITH PTSD I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES EVERY TIME IT RAINS. I WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN IT RAINS AND I ALWAYS GET UP AND SIT AT THE EDGE OF MY BED. WHEN I PUT MY FEET ON THE FLOOR THERE IS WATER THERE, BUT REALLY THERE IS NOTHING THERE, BUT DRYNESS. WHO KNOWS WHAT THE NEXT YEAR OR NEXT HURRICANE FLOOD SEASON WILL BRING.

IN ADDITION TO THAT I DON'T THINK ANYTHING CAN BRING BACK MY RELATIVES, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE A LESSON LEARNED TO EVERYBODY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO NOT ONLY HAVE FUNDING, THE RIGHT FUNDING AND FAST FUNDING FOR BAYOU PROJECT, BUT ALSO TO HAVE RESILIENCY WHICH A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED AND OVER LOOKED AND DISINVESTED AND WE NEED TO MAKE IT A TOP PRIORITY. TO ADD FURTHERMORE IN CLOSING, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT TO HAVE MAC Z'S RESIGNATION FOR HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT EQUITY, FAIRNESS AND COMMON SENSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE FOLKS WE RECEIVED WORD FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND I HAVE TO LEAVE AT 4:40.

THAT WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE AIRPORT AND IT HAS BEEN FLEW -- FLUID BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF IDEAS. WE STILL NEED TO VOTE ON THE TECHNOLOGY ITEM. WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS. WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON ANOTHER ITEM, BUT CAN'T HAVE THAT DISCUSSION UNTIL WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WHAT I PROPOSE IS WE COULD -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE COULD PRESIDE OVER COURT FOR THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS ON FLOOD CONTROL AND EVEN FOR THE PRESENTATION FROM BUDGET MANAGEMENT.

I HAVE REVIEWED IT IN DETAIL FROM BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND FLOOD CONTROL AND HOPEFULLY I WON'T BE GONE TOO LONG.

IF YOU ARE DONE WITH THAT, I ASK YOU BREAK BECAUSE I DO WANT TO BE PRESENT FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION ON THE ROLL OVER. SO JUST KEEP THE DISCUSSION TO THIS ITEM AND WE CAN VOTE ON IT WHEN I RETURN.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE MY VOTE TO BE LOGGED.

I DO PLAN TO VOTE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WE WON'T HAVE ANY VOTES, BUT LISTEN TO PUBLIC.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PUBLIC COMMENT.

IS THAT OKAY? >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> YOUR MIC IS TURNED OFF, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HE IS ASKING WHEN WE WILL TAKE THE ROLL

OVER QUESTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT IS ALL

RIGHT WITH YOU -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD THINK WE WOULD WANT A VOTE ON THE MATTER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: NOT TO VOTE, BUT LET THEM TESTIFY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT CLARITY ON WHAT IS THE BUGGY AND HORSE OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE ITEM.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COMPLETELY CLEAR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO BE PRESENT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION

FOR THE DISCUSSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE NEED YOU

TO BE PRESENT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: HAVE THEY GIVEN YOU AN INDICATION HOW LONG THEY NEED YOU?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD SAY AT MOST A COUPLE HOURS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MAY I SUGGEST WE DO --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU NEED TO BE THERE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE TAKE THESE SPEAKERS AND MAYBE OUR OTHER SPEAKERS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA SO WE CAN CONTINUE WITH ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, BUT I WOULD ASK WE TAKE A 5-MINUTE BREAK BEFORE WE FIRE BACK UP AGAIN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WORKS. WE WILL DO THAT AND LUCINDA IF YOU CAN JUST KEEP TRACK OF WHICH SPEAKER FOR WHICH ITEMS WE HAVE TAKEN UP SO WHEN I COME BACK --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE WILL BE NO VOTES AND NO EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT WE WILL HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN'T HAVE THE DISCUSSION ON THE ROLL OVER BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION BEFORE THAT. SO JUST SAVE THOSE SPEAKERS FOR ITEM 45 -- WHAT IS THIS? ITEM 442 PLEASE UNTIL WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND I WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH DAVE

AS TO WHAT THE SITUATION IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: PLEASE GO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GET US MORE MONEY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE ON TIME FOR OUR BREAK ANYWAY.

SO LET'S BREAK FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL 4:45 AND WHEN WE RETURN COMMISSIONER CAGLE WILL PRESIDE OVER THE MEETING.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

[Appearances before court]

[05:25:07]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NOW HAVE A SCORE -- QUOR -- WR -- QUOROM. WE ARE ALMOST DONE WITH THE NAC AND THEN ANOTHER MAN HERE FOR THE AGENDA.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME SO WE CAN HAVE A RECORD OF YOU.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS IN HERE WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED

-- >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO YOU MIND

TELLING US YOUR NAME? >> I DON'T --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NEED IT FOR THE RECORD.

>> IT IS BETTY GREGORY. I HAVE BEEN DOING WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING TODAY FOR A LONGTIME.

I HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERING FORECLOSE TO 40 YEARS.

FOR CLOSE TO 40 YEARS. WHAT I HAVEN'T HEARD TODAY IS

A PRAYER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DID START WITH A PRAYER IN THE VERY BEGINNING.

YOU MIGHT HAVE SNUCK IN LATE. MY APOLOGIZE FOR

INTERRUPTING. >> THAT'S GOOD.

THAT'S GOOD. I DIDN'T COME IN HERE WHEN IT STARTED. I STILL THANK GOD FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE FLOODING. THE FLOODING CAUSESSEN -- CAUSES ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND I SOUGHT TO PUT THAT AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA AND SOUT -- SOUGHT TO BRING BACK SOMETHING BARACK OBAMA STARTED WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE GRATEFUL IS BECAUSE OUR AREA WE ARE INTERESTED IN THEEN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT FLOODING WAS HERE. I WAS HERE WHEN CARL WAS HERE. MANY MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT CARL, BUT I HEARD YOU TALK ABOUT -- I THINK IT WAS IN 2001 AND HURRICANE ALLISON. ALL OF THE HURRICANES WE HAVE HAD SINCE THEN AND HOW HORRIBLE IT HAS BEEN RECENTLY HERE. ONE OF THE THINGS I AM EXTHREEM -- EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT IS THAT WE KEEP SAYING WHY CAN'T WE GET MONEY FROM A RAINY DAY FUND.

IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A RAINY DAY IN FEBRUARY, WE DIDN'T HAVE A RAINY DAY. WE ALWAYS HAVE A RAINY DAY.

I LIVE ON THE CORNER FIRST AND MEDICAL -- MELBURN.

THAT'S WHERE 16 AND 59 CONNECTS.

IF IT RAINS 10 MINUTES IT IS A FLOOD IN MY HOUSE.

IF YOU TURN RIGHT THERE IS AN UNDER PASS -- [INAUDIBLE]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THEY GAVE ME THE JOB OF TELLING ME THEIR

TIME IS UP. >> MY TIME IS UP.

YES, I WILL WIND THIS UP AND SAY -- BECAUSE I GOT A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE BACKING ME UP. IT IS A RAINY DAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. ARE YOU NEXT, SIR? IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME FOR US.

>> MY NAME IS BEN HIRSCH AND WITH NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE. I WILL KEEP IT REALLY BRIEF BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A LONGTIME.

I AM REALLY PROUD OF EVERYONE WHO IS HERE TODAY AND I JUST

[05:30:02]

WANT TO SAY A FEW THINGS. PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SACRIFICE HUGE PORTIONS OF THEIR DAY JUST TO GIVE FEEDBACK AND MAKE SURE THAT PROMISES ARE KEPT TO THAT.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THE STRAIGHTEST AND THE FASTEST WAY TO GET BETWEEN TWO POINTS IS A STRAIGHT LINE.

WE ARE NOT GETTING THE EQUITY THAT VOTERS VOTED FOR, AND WHILE I SUPPORT THE CREATION OF AN ANNUAL TRANSFER I THINK HARRIS COUNTY DOES NEED TO KEEP ASKING FOR MONEY FROM THE GLO. THE WAY TO GET TO EQUITY IS TO MOVE MONEY FROM WEALTHY AREAS TO POOR AREAS.

THAT'S WHAT EQUITY NEEDS. YOU HAVE TO TAKE AFFIRMATIVE STEPS TO ADDRESS HISTORICAL INJUSTICE.

SOMETIMES THAT MEANS THAT PEOPLE THAT USUALLY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT, PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME ARE NONE -- ARE GONNA HAVE TO WAIT. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN REALLY SAY YOU ARE DELIVERING ON THE EQUITY PROMISE.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY. AND SO I THINK EVERY SUGGESTION YOU ARE GONNA HEAR TODAY FROM FLOOD CONTROL IS A GOOD SUGGESTION, AND IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

PEOPLE HERE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK AND YOU NEED TO TAKE SOME POLITICAL RISK. YOU NEED TO TAKE SOME POLITICAL RISK TO DO SOME THINGS THAT ARE UNPOPULAR.

THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THIS COURT THAT OPPOSE EQUITY.

THEY DON'T SUPPORT IT AND THEY NEVER SUPPORTED IT AND THEY ARE NEVER GONNA SUPPORT IT. I TALK TO YOU GUYS BECAUSE YOU MATTER HERE. YOU CONTROL THE COURT.

DO WHAT IS RIGHT. TAKE THE RISK.

MOVE THE MONEY FROM THE WEALTHY AREAS TO THE POOR AREAS. THAT'S HOW WE WILL GET TO EQUITY. EVERYONE NEEDS PROTECTION.

NO ONE SHOULD COME HOME TO TWO FEET OF WATER IN THEIR HOUSE.

BUT NO ONE HAS TO IN THE LONG RUN.

WE KNOW WHO TAKES THE LONGEST TO RECOVER.

THAT'S THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SYSTEMATICALLY DENIED BY FEMA, PEOPLE WHO ARE SYSTEMATICALLY DENIED BY THE INSURANCE MARKET AND PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD THE INSURANCE MARKET AND THERE IS HIS STORE -- HISTORICAL RACISM AND ECONOMIC RACISM THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU ABOUT.

PEOPLE THAT DON'T BELIEVE IT WILL NEVER BELIEVE IT.

DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND MOVE THE MONEY.

>> MR. CHAIR? THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND I APPRECIATE MAJOR -- APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.

YOU KNOW THE -- AND WE DO NEED -- YOU'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT THE JO HERE ON -- AT THE GENTLEMAN ON MY LEFT THAT HAS BEEN LEADING THE FIGHT ON EQUITY.

FAIRNESS, CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT, BUT FAIRNESS SHOULDN'T BE YOU KNOW A BAD, FOUR-LETTER WORD.

BEING FAIR HOSPITAL BE A FOUR-LETTER WORD.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WAY I HAVE BEEN UNDERSTANDING THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE GLO, THE GLO OWES US A BUNCH OF MONEY. IF IT WAS IN YOUR POCKET OR MY POCKET IT WOULD BE A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT A COUNTY THAT COLLECTIVELY, ALL OF THE CITIES IN THE COUNTY AND THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY WHERE YOU COLLECTIVELY PUT TOGETHER WHAT WE ALL HAVE ASKED FOR. WE ASKED FORECLOSE TO I THINK $4. FOR CLOSE TO $4 BILLION.

COMPARE 750 AGAINST ALL THOSE NEEDS THAT IS 17% OF WHAT WE

REALLY NEED. >> THEY OWE YOU THAT MONEY AND IT IS TERRIBLE THAT THEY DIDN'T GIVE HARRIS COUNTY MONEY. THERE IS $2.5 BILLION THAT YOU ALL CONTROL WITH COMPLETE AUTONOMY.

AND THAT IS THE MONEY THAT YOU SHOULD MOVE RIGHT NOW.

AND THE 750 SHOULD COME AND IT IS AB -- ABHORRENT THAT IT DIDN'T COME AND WE WILL KEEP REQUESTING THAT MONEY.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER $2.5 BILLION YOU CONTROL YOURSELVES AND YOU SHOULD MOVE THAT MONEY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW OTHERS ARE SPEAKING, BUT WE GET IT. WHICH IS WHY I USE WHATEVER COLLEGE I HAVE FOR THE LANGUAGE JUDGE HIDALGO'S LEADERSHIP, THEY CAME UP WITH SOME BETTER LANGUAGE THAN I THOUGHT OF AT THE TIME. YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE -- IT IS EASY TO GET HERE. I KNOW HOW AUSTIN OPERATES BECAUSE I I WAS THERE 26 YEARS.

WHETHER YOU HAVE TO DRIVE UP OR GET IN THE BUS, JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE TALKING TO THE LEGISLATORS IN BOTH PARTIES, CALL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. I I -- I ASSURE YOU THAT WHATEVER THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE CAME UP WITH, THEY RAN

[05:35:03]

IT BY THE GOVERNOR. JUST PUT THAT PRESSURE ON HIM. I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE BEING FORTHRIGHT WITH THIS.

I WON'T SAY I NECESSARILY AGREE THAT EQUITY MEANS TAKING SOMETHING FROM ONE SIDE OF TOWN AND PUTTING IT IN THE OTHER. WHAT IT DOES MEAN WHEN IT RELATES IS WHEN YOU ARE SPENDING THE MONEY THAT IS COMING IN, YOU HAVE TO COMMIT MORE OF IT TO AREA THAT'S HISTORICALLY HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED.

WE HAVE TO GET UH -- WE HAVE TO FIGHT THE FEDERAL APPORTION MEANT. MOST OF THE FLOOD MONEY DOES NOT COME FROM US. THAT $2.5 MILLION IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO WHAT HAS BEEN SPENT.

IT IS MAINLY CORE OF ENGINEERS AND IT IS A PROBLEM AROUND THE COUNTRY ON DISASTER RECOVERY THAT EVEN THE EXPERTS AND THE CORE OF ENGINEERS AGREE. HOW DID THEY COME UP WITH THE COST BENEFIT RATIO? YOU HAVE TO PROTECT YOUR AIRPORT. I GET THAT.

THE PROBLEM IS WHEN YOU PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THE ONE I LIVE IN NOW AS OPPOSED TO THE ONE I GREW UP IN. IT IS UN, YOU KNOW, CHRISTIAN, UNJEWISH, UNMUSLIM, WHATEVER IT IS IT GOES AGAINST EVERY RELIGION I HAVE LOOKED AT ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

THAT OUGHT TO CHANGE. AND THEN WHEN THE MONEY DOES COME, FOR THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE TO COME BY DESIGN IT IS WRONG AND YOU SHOULD FIGHT AGAINST IT.

YOU COME TO US BECAUSE IT IS EASY.

I AM NOT SAYING CALL IN THERE.

THEY HAVE ZOOM MEETINGS YOU DO THAT AND PUSH THE FEDERAL PEOPLE IN BOTH PARROTS. THEY -- BOTH PARTIES.

THEY TALK ABOUT EQUITY AND THEY THEED TO CHANGE THE -- THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE FORMULA.

ALL OF US NEED TO BE WILLING TO PAY FOR WHAT YOU WANT.

FEDERAL MONEY COMES FROM SOMEWHERE.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE RAINY DAY FUND AND THAT'S THE STATE.

THEY PUT OUT A TWEET AND ENABLED THE FUNDS.

STATE DIDN'T PUT A DIME OUT THERE.

THEY ARE TAKING MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY DIDN'T PUT ANY OF THEIR MONEY IN THERE.

BUT THANK YOU. YOU JUST MAKE SURE Y'ALL TAKE THE HEATER -- THE HEAT OTHER PLACES.

WE'RE GLAD YOU ARE HERE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU INSPIRED

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I THOUGHT YOU WERE TRYING

TO GET RID OF US. >> IT DIDN'T WORK.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I HAVE 45 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN DESIGNING AND DOING FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS.

THE BIGGEST CULPRIT OF NOT ADDRESSING LOW TO MODERATE INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS IS THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THEY NEED TO DO BETTER THAN THEY DO BECAUSE IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY -- OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS IN THE BAYOU. WE HAVE A $2.5 BILLION BOND ISSUE, THE LAST TIME WE CHECKED.

THEY DIDN'T. THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FORGETTING THE WATER TO THE BAYOU IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THEY DON'T DO IT. BE SURE IF -- IN ADDITION TO WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, GO TO AUSTIN.

YOU NEED TO RING SOME BELLS IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON, IF YOU KNOW

WHAT I MEAN. >>

>> WE SAY AT THE NAC, THE WATER DOES PRESIDENT -- DOESN'T KNOW WHOSE PIPE IT IS IN.

THE WATER DOESN'T KNOW IT IS IN THE CITY'S PIPE.

THE WATER DOESN'T KNOW IT IS THE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

THE WATER JUST KNOWS DOWNHILL.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO THANK YOU, BUT HAVE I TO GET ALL OF THESE OTHER FOLKS OUT OF THIS ROOM.

SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER YOU INSPIRED MY COLLEAGUES THAT MAKING THESE GOVERNMENT COMMENTS WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN PUBLIC RIGHT NOW. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE RIGHT ALONG. MA'AM, WHAT IS YOUR NAME

PLEASE? >> I AM PART OF THE NAC AS

WELL. >> BEFORE WE CAME IN TODAY WE TALKED ABOUT A COMMON THING THAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SWITCH BACK ON THE GOVERNMENT -- PUNISH -- PUSH BACK ON THE ENEMY OR CRITIQUE THE ELEVATED AND IN-- AND INEQUITABLE AREAS IN THE NORTHEAST. THERE IS A BLAME GAME AND A PASS AROUND THE AND A DISTRACTION.

I WANT TO PUSH BACK ON A LOT OF THINGS WE HAVE HEARD IN OUR 9 HOURS WAITING HERE TODAY. WE AGREE THAT THERE IS AN

[05:40:01]

ISSUE THAT GIVES MONEY. YOU TOOK OUR TAX MONEY AND SAID THE TAX MONEY WOULD BE SPENT EQUITABLE.

YOU DIDN'T SAY WE WILL USE THAT MONEY ALONG WITH FEDERAL MONEY THAT ALREADY HAS TO BE SPENT IN LOW INCOME AREAS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE WE ARE SPENDING MONEY EQUITABLY.

WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE TAX MONEY.

EQUITY MEANS YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT FROM THE RICH AREAS TO THE POOR. THEY TOOK MONEY FROM EVERYWHERE AND PUT IT INTO THE RICH AREA.

WE ARE SAYING REALLOCATE WHAT YOU DID WRONG AND TAKE IT AND PUT IT IN THE POOR AREA. LIKE JUDGE HIDALGO SAID EARLIER, EQUITY MEANS NOT JUST DOLLARS, BUT TIMELINES.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE RIGHT NOW AND EVERY YEAR MATTERS. SAYING WE ARE ON TRACK FOR A 10-YEAR PLAN DOESN'T REALLY -- IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.

WE WANT GLO TO GIVE THIS MONEY AS WELL.

I ARGUE THAT YOU HAVE A BIT MORE POWER OVER THE CITY THAN WE DO. CAN YOU ALSO -- WE COME HERE OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS AND YOU WILL HELP US ADVOCATE THE PUBLIC WORKS AND CITY OF HOUSTON FLOOD GATES AND THAT HASN'T MATERIALIZED. IF YOU DO GET THIS FLOW OF MONEY I THINK IT IS FLOOD CONTROL THAT WILL SPEND THOSE DOLLARS. YOU SPENT A LONGTIME EARLIER PRAISING RUSS POPPE. WE HAD MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH RUSS POPPE AND WHEN WE SAID WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE MONEY BEING SPENT EQUITABLY THEY OFFERED TO TAKE US ON A FIELD TRIP TO -- WHERE THEY ARE SHOVELING DIRT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND THAT'S AN INSULT TO THE DANGER OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME OF TALKING ABOUT MURDERS AND HOMICIDES AND THAT'S SERIOUS, BUT BILLY TOLD YOU HOW HE LOST FIVE FAMILY MEMBERS. WE LOST TWO MEMBERS OF OUR GROUP IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF LIFE AND DEATH IN THE SAME WAY AND IT IS NOT BEING TALKED ABOUT.

IT IS AWESOME YOU ARE BUILD -- BUILDING A PARK, BUT TALKING ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH AND THERE IS A LEISURE PARK TO PLAY GAMES DETRACTS FROM WHAT WE ARE SAYING.

WE NEED A COMMITMENT OF HOW YOU WILL PROTECT OUR LIVES AND OUR PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY. THANKS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. WHO IS NEXT?

>> AND WHAT IS YOUR NAME? >> GOOD EVENING.

I LIVE IN NORTH NORTHEAST -- NORTHEAST HOUSTON COUNTY.

I AM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE.

IT IS IMPROVING SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND EDUCATING OUR NEIGHBORS ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED.

AND IN 2018 A HISTORIC FLOOD BOND WAS PASSED THAT INCLUDED EQUITY. PROMISED EQUITY.

EQUITY THAT WAS NOT DELIVERED.

WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THIS COURT THAT ACTIVELY OPPOSE THIS EQUITY. EQUITY MEANS SYSTEMATIC, FAIR, JUST AND IMPARTIAL TREATMENT OF OUR INDIVIDUALS WHO BELONG TO UNDER DESERVED COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN DENIED SUCH TREATMENT. TODAY WE HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY DISINVESTED. WE DEMAND THE EQUITY THAT WAS PROMISED. WE WANT TRANSPARENCY.

WE WANT TO YOU STOP THE DISCRIMINATION.

ARE OUR COMMUNITIES CONSIDERED EXPANDABLE? WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TREATED LIKE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS.

WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF SMELLING STAGNANT WATER WITH HEALTH HAZARDS AND NOWHERE TO GO.

THE DETENTION POND HAS HOLES IN THE GROUND THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD WATER AND KEEP US FROM FLOODING.

WE CONTINUE TO FLOOD. JUST FROM HEAVY RAINS.

REALLOCATING MONIES FROM THE WEALTHY AREAS AND TO FINISH THIS ENORMOUS GAP IN FLOODING.

START WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT EQUITY DEMANDED.

IFN -- INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS INJUSTICE EVERYWHERE.

LAST MONTH I WENT TO AUSTIN. WE WENT AND LOBBIED THE LEGISLATURE. I HAVE BEEN TO WASHINGTON, D.C. WE LOBBIED THE SENATE.

AND WE STILL HAVE NOT GOT ANYTHING.

WE CONTINUE TO GO AROUND IN CIRCLES.

AS SOMEONE ELSE SAID EARLIER, WE EVEN TALKED WITH HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD DISTRICT ON A REGULAR CONSISTENT BASIS.

THEY DANCED AROUND THE QUESTION.

WE ARE SICK AND TIRED AND THAT'S WHY WE CAME HERE TODAY. THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD

[05:45:09]

DISTRICT WE KNOW DOES NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF EQUITY.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE CALLING FOR POPPE'S JOB, YOU PRAISED HIM AND THAT'S YOUR FRIEND. THEN WE WANT MAZITI AND BLACK BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF EQUITY BECAUSE WE ARE TIRED OF THAT. THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT. NEXT?

>> COME ON DOWN. >> WE ARE IN THE CYPRESS CREEK MEN'S GROUP AND I HAVE A HAND TO THE COMMISSIONER I WILL GIVE WITH THE BAILIFF. I HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR YOU TODAY, BUT IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE AFTER I SAT HERE IN THIS COURT ALL DAY I AM LIVING IN MARS AND NOT HARRIS COUNTY.

THIS PRESENTATION I HAVE -- THE HANDOUT I HAVE GIVEN TO YOU WAS PUT TOGETHER AFTER HARVEY BY THE GREATER HOUSTON FLOOD MITIGATION CONSORTIUM AND IT HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT NUMBERS ON IT. YOU CAN SEE THAT PRIOR TO HAIR -- PRIOR TO HARVEY CYPRESS CREEK HAD $14 MILLION INVESTED IN FLOOD MITIGATION. FLOOD MITIGATION IS BYPASSING THE CREEK AND DETENTION ON THE CREEK.

WE HAD NONE OF THAT. AND WE STILL HAVE NONE OF THAT TODAY. SO THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT TO COME UP TO CYPRESS CREEK AND TAKE SOME OF THE WEALTH AWAY FROM US TO PUT INTO YOUR FUNDING FOR -- WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. WE CAN'T SHARE WITH YOU.

BUT WE WILL MAKE YOU THIS OFFER.

WE WILL MAKE YOU THIS OFFER. >> ACCORDING TO OUR CHART WE HAVE 14 MILLION AND GREENS THE 16 MILLION.

BETWEEN -- WHY DON'T YOU JOIN US AND WE CAN STORM THE BARRICADES AND KICK DOWN THE POLITICIANS AND GET SOME MONEY TO DO THIS? WAS THAT A YES I HEARD? I DON'T KNOW. IN ANY EVENT WHAT I WAS TRYING TO TELL COMMISSIONER'S COURT WAS THAT WE LIVE IN THE UNINCORPORATED PART OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AND SEE WHO GOT MONEY BRAISES -- BRASE496 MILLION AND SIMMS BAYOU IS 411 MILLION.

THEY ARE ALL AFFILIATED WITH MUNICIPALITIES OF THEY ALL HAVE SOMEBODY GOING TO BAT FOR THEM.

THEY HAVE SOMEBODY THAT POUNDS THE TABLE FOR THEM.

WE ARE OUT IN NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY AND WE HAVE ONE ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMISSIONER TRYING TO ADMINISTER AN AREA THE SIZE OF FORT WORTH. IT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE.

WE HAVE 100HOA'S ESD'S DEPUTIES CONTRACTS AND MANY ARE NOT EFFICIENT. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD DISAGREE. THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES.

WE NEED FUNDING FOR THE DE -- FOR THE DETENTION THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. WE NEED 26,000 ACRES.

WE WEREN'T GIVEN MONEY IN THE FLOOD BOND.

WE WERE STARTING FROM WAY BEHIND.

ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS? I DIDN'T THINK SO.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE YOU NEEDED TO SAY? ALL RIGHT.

>> NEXT? STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE.

>> WAS HERE ABOUT -- MY NAME IS VEER -- VERONICA AND I AM A RESIDENT OF THE NORTHEAST. HAVE I A STORY THAT IS A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED. WHEN I WAS OVER HERE MY HOUSE

FLOODED FROM HARVEY. >>

[05:50:09]

>> MY HOUSE WAS FLOODED AND LOST EVERYTHING I OWNED.

>> GROUP THAT IS LIKE MY FAMILY THAT SUPPORTS ME.

>> TIME AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON THE 24TH OF MAY WHEN WE HAD THE BIG, HEAVY RAINS OF THE UNNAMED STORM.

AFTER THE 24TH OF MAY RAINS.

>> GROUP OVER HERE WITH THE YELLOW SHIRTS, THEY ARE THE ONLY GROUP THAT HAS COME TO STYLLY -- TO ACTUALLY HELP

ME. >>

>> THIS GROUP DOESN'T GET MONEY FROM TAXES.

THIS GROUP DOESN'T GAIN MONEY FROM INSPECTION STICKERS.

THEY ONLY WORK OFF DONATIONS. >>

>> IF THIS GROUP HAD THE SAME POWER THAT THE COUNTY HAS, THIS GROUP WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX ALL OF THE DITCHES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS THE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND

REPAIRS. >>

>> I COME HERE ASKING YOU GUYS FOR HELP.

HELPING NOT ONLY ME, BUT THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN HOUSTON THAT NEED HELP.

I AM SPEAKING FOR THEM AS WELL.

>> REALLY HARD WITH COVID. I HAD TO SELL MY CAR TO PAY RENT AND I APPLIED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE FROM HARRIS COUNTY AND WAS REJECTED. I'M NOT REALLY HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT, THOUGH. I AM HERE TO ASK EVERYBODY FOR HELP AND ASSISTANCE THAT WE DESERVE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN TO MY HOUSE AND BELONGINGS AND FAMILY THAT HAPPENED WITH THE HEAVY RAINS FROM MAY

24TH. >>

>> I WENT TO A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING AT THE SAN JACINTO COUNTY MEETING CENTER. THE MAIN TOPIC WAS DRAINAGE.

I KNOW THEY RECEIVED HELP AND SPREAD IT ACROSS ALL OF THE

OTHER COUNTIES AS WELL. >> DISMISSION --

[05:55:13]

COMMISSIONER? >> I'M SORRY I DIDN'T HAVE MINE ON. I ASKED SHE STAY BEHIND TO LET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TALK TO HER TO MAKE SURE THE PROGRAMS SHE WAS APPLYING FOR WERE ADEQUATELY ADMINISTERED.

SO IF SOMEONE FROM THE BACK ROOM OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CAN TALK TO HER I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M GONNA -- ENGLISH AND SPANISH. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? MAJOR NAME WASN'T -- YOUR NAME WASN'T LISTED SO I WANT TO GET

YOUR INFORMATION. >>

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE -- YOU LIVE IN PRECINCT 2 -- WE PUT A LOT OF ATTENTION -- DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

NORMALLY THE PRE SINK HISTORICALLY -- PRECINCT HISTORICALLY AVERAGES 300,000 LINEAR FEET OF DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE.

WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO A -- 1 MILLION 200,000 FEET.

NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE YOURS DON'T FLOOD BECAUSE THE WATER SPREADS IN THE COMMUNITY AND IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE FLOODED. THANK YOU.

>> DONE IMMEDIATELY, BUT WE DO PAY ATTENTION TO THEM AND

FOCUS ON THEM. >>

>> WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY GET YOUR INFORMATION AND GET THE

DETAILS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?

>> I AM KEN WILLIAMS AND I AM THE RECENTLY ELECTED CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL RESILIENCE TASK FORCE. I AM HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS PUT FORTH BY FLOOD CONTROL AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO ICE -- TO USE A MOW TILL TEE -- MOBILITY FUND TRANSFER BOND PROGRAM.

WE MET WITH BOTH GROUPS AND WE FELT LIKE WE UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THEIR -- WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING AND WE WANT

[06:00:04]

TO SUPPORT THAT. WE BELIEVE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO DELIVER EQUITABLE FLOOD MITIGATION TO THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY.

WE WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNICATIONS SO WE CAN HELP TO ENSURE EQUITABLE OUTCOMES BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

WE HOPE THIS WILL BE HELPFUL TO ESTABLISH INNOVATIVE AND DATA-DRIVEN APPROACHES TO FLOOD MITIGATION IN THE FUTURE. WE WANT TO FOSTER A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH NOT ONLY FLOOD CONTROL, BUT VARIOUS OTHER DEPARTMENTS AS WELL. IT IS A NEXT STEP TOWARD EQUITABLE FLOOD RESILIENCE IN OUR COUNTY.

SO WE WANT TO SUPPORT THAT AS OUR -- AS I STATED PREVIOUSLY. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AS HAS BEEN STATED HERE. THAT BEING SAID I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY FLOOD

RESILIENCE TASK FORCE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING TO THAT. THE FUNDING COMING FROM TOLL ROAD ASSOCIATION FOR FUNDING IS OF A COUPLE OF POTS.

THE FIRST POT COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND I SECONDED WHICH WAS $230 MILLION THAT WAS GIVEN TO EACH OF YOUR COMMISSIONERS TO UTILIZE FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ROADS IN OUR PRECINCTS.

HAVING ADEQUATE DRAINAGE TO YOUR ROAD IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT TO OUR ROADS. THAT'S WON COME PONE -- THAT'S ONE COMPONENT. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL OR ANNUAL FUND THAT WILL BE FOUR PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR ROADS BUT DEALS WITH THE ATLAS 14 CRITERIA AND THE OTHER CRITERIA YOU HEARD AND GOOD ROADS NEED GOOD DRAINAGE THAT HELPS PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

ANOTHER PRECINCT 4 STARTED THE TITLE AND I THINK THE COMMISSIONERS AND MY COLLEAGUES ADOPTED IT, BUT WE STARTED A PILOT IN PRECINCT 4 THAT IF YOU BUILD A NEW ROAD IT HAS TO HAVE 25% MORE DRAINAGE.

STS LIKE -- IT IS LIKE THE BOY SCOUT AND THE GIRL SCOUT ON STEROIDS YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE IT HAS BETTER DRAINAGE SO WE DON'T HAVE THE PROBLEM OF INADEQUATE DRAINAGE BECAUSE THOSE THINGS GO FORWARD. THIS IS A GOOD PROGRAM THAT WE WILL ADOPT. IT IS NOT PERFECT, BUT IT IS A WAY TO ALLOW US TO USE OUR MOBILITY FUNDS TO IMPROVE THE MOBILITY WITH REGARD TO THE DRAINAGE COMPONENT AND TO THE ROADS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE WITHIN OUR SERVICE.

I THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD A COMMENT HE WANTED TO MAKE. IS THAT OUR LAST SPEAKER ON THE ISSUE? SIR ARE YOU ON THIS ISSUE OR A DIFFERENT ONE? OKAY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.

HAVE Y'ALL MET AS A GROUP YET?

>> YES. >> TOM RAMSEY: GOOD.

STAY ENGAGED. I SERVED ON A PREVIOUS STORM WATER GROUP, SOMETIMES THE MEETINGS GOT FAIRLY GENERIC.

WE LOOK FOR YOUR CONTINUED INPUT.

[06:05:01]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE SPEAKER THAT'S ARE ONLINE, BUT I WASN'T AWARE. I'M SORRY FOR STARTING ON THAT, BUT WHILE WERE YOU HERE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS DID YOU HAVE A QUICK COMMENT BEFORE WE TAKE THE ONLINE SPEAKERS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND VISIT WITH YOU AT SOME POINT AS A PERSON WHO PUSHED TO GET SOME EQUITY LANGUAGE INCLUDED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EQUITY IS MORE THAN A SIX-LETTER WORD.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AND WE HAVE A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO. THANK YOU.

I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE TASK FORCE. IT IS GOOD TO HAVE PER -- PERSPECTIVE OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY LEVEL AND HELP US ENSURE THAT WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OR NOT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LUCINDA?

OH HOLD ON. >> I WAS GOING TO SAY THANKS TO ALL OF Y'ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND I AM FROM TRINITY GARDEN. THAT'S NORTHEAST HOUSTON AS

WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: LUCINDA? >> YES, SIR.

IF OKAY WITH YOU, IS IT OKAY I READ OFF THE IN PERSON NAMES ON THE LIST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT MISSING ANYBODY?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE LOOKING THROUGH THE COURTROOM AND IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE HERE THAT NEEDS TO SPEAK? NO? WELL, WE HAVE JACOB, BUT I DON'T THINK HE IS SPEAKING ON THIS ISSUE.

HE IS SPEAKING ON SOMETHING ELSE.

OTHER THAN JACOB WE ARE GOOD IN THE COURTROOM.

I MEAN, YOU CAN READ THEM, BUT THERE IS NO HUMAN HERE TO BE

ABLE TO RESPOND TO IT. >> VERY WELL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO MISS ANYBODY.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

THE NEXT PERSON IS BENTON BRYANT.

GO AHEAD PLEASE, SIR. >> YES.

I AM BENTON BRYANT AND I HAVE LIVED IN PRECINCT 4 SINCE WE MOVED TO HOUSTON IN 1984 AND I HAVE SEEN QUITE A BIT OF FLOODING AND OTHER THINGS. I REPRESENT OUR TEXAS LEGACY PROPERTIES AND THERE ARE 38 OF US HERE.

WE SUPPORT THE MOBILITY FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO FLOOD CONTROL AND OF COURSE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME OF THE MONEY SPENT OUT HERE ON CYPRESS CREEK. THAT'S STILL AN ISSUE IN THIS AREA. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR EVERYTHING THEY ARE DOING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THE OUTCOME IS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I WANTED TO BRIEFLY SAY THAT I SUPPORT OUR POLICE AND I SUPPORT THE MONEY RESERVED FOR THAT.

>> WE PUT YOU DOWN FOR FLOOD CONTROL, BUT WE WILL RECORD YOUR COMMENTS FOR THE ITEM NUMBER 442.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> OKAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: LUCINDA? >> YES, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO IS OUR NEXT ONE?

>> BILL SAINT CLAIRE. >> YES I AM BILL SAINT CLAIRE AND I REPRESENT THE CYPRESS CREEK FLOOD CONTROL COALITION TODAY. WE ARE A NON-PROFIT WHO OVER 20 YEARS WAS ADVOCATING FOR FLOOD MITIGATION WITHIN THE CYPRESS CREEK WATER SHED IN NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY.

THIS IS THE LARGEST FLOOD DRAINAGE AREA AMONG THE 23 WATER SHEDS IN HARRIS COUNTY. OUR MEMBERS INCLUDE 28 COMMUNITY WATER DISTRICTS AND OVER 51HOA'S -- 51HOA'S AND HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES, CHURCHES AND INDIVIDUALS.

WE SAW -- WE SUPPORT THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET DEPARTMENT PLAN TO REALLOCATE FUNDS FROM THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY TO CLOSE THE $1.4 BILLION FUNDING GAP FOR THE 2018 BOND PROG YECT. PROJECT.

ALL NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION TO REDUCE FLOODING AND A RECENT

[06:10:02]

STUDY SHOWS NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION GENERATED A NEED FOR 14 BILLION OF FLOOD MITIGATION WORK.

THIS MONEY WAS NEVER SET ASIDE SO REALLOCATING THE MONEY NOW FROM ROAD CONSTRUCTION TO FLOOD MITIGATION IS NECESSARY. THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, MR. SAINT CLAIRE.

LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE MORE SPEAKERS ON THE SUBJECT IN.

>> YES, SIR. TONYA RICHARDSON WITH LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU FOR HANGING IN THERE FOR ME.

I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 AND A PARTICIPANT OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HOUSTON'S RISING STARS PROGRAM. SOME OF US FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND FLOODING IN HARRIS COUNTIEN AND GAUGING LOCAL EXPERTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

IT IS APPARENT THAT GREENS AND HOLMES BAYOU HAS SEEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST IMPACT FROM THE RECENT FLOODING AND RECEIVED THE LEAST AMOUNT OF FLOOD MITIGATION FUNDING COMPARED TO OTHER BAYOUS. LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES IN THESE BAYOUS SUFFER THE MOST WHEN WEATHER DISASTERS STRUGGLE FOR LONGER TO RECOVER.

I HAVE VOLUNTEERED IN FLOOD REPAIR CONSTRUCTION AND SEEN THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO HOME. FLOOD DAMAGE IS NOT EASY TO FIX AND CAN LEAVE RESIDENTS IN UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS FOR YEARS. IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND IT IS PROGRESS. ADDITIONAL FUNDS SHOULD BE SPENT IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES OF FLOOD MITIGATION IN GREENS BAYOUS. PLEASE CONSIDER A MORE EQUITABLE APPROACH TO FLOOD MITIGATION FUNDING.

CONSIDER ACCELERATING PROJECTS IN GREENS AND HALLS BAYOU TO HELP ALL OF YOUR VOTERS AND HELP CLOSE THE HISTORIC GAP OF ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING.

>> THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LUCINDA?

>> YES, SIR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO DO WE

HAVE NEXT? >> MICHELLE WITH BAYOU CITY WATER KEEPER. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GONG -- GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

WATER SHED SPECIALIST FOR BAYOU CITY WATER KEEPER.

WE ARE A LOCAL ORGANIZATION THAT USES POLICY TO PROTECT THE WATERWAYS AND PRESERVE WET LANDS FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND ACROSS THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.

WE ARE HERE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE AND COMMUNITIES THAT REGULARLY FLOOD IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY MUST USE ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND FUNDING TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISE OF THE FLOOD BOND.

AND THAT INCLUDES USING MOBILITY FUNDS FROM FLOOD PROTECTION AND SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE NEW TRUST.

MORE WORK IS NEEDED AND WE URGE THE COUNTY AND ALL OF US TO EMBRACE A COMMON VISION THAT NO MATTER A ZIP CODE AND NO MATTER WHO WE ARE, EVERY PERSON IN THE COUNTY MUST HAVE ACCESS TO FLOOD PROTECTION THAT WORKS.

THE MAIN TOOL WAS CREATED BY THE DISTRICT.

IT SHOWS THAT THE FRAMEWORK IS NOT WORKING AND COMMUNITIES MOST AFFECTED BY FLOODING WERE LEFT BEHIND AGAIN.

WE MUST FIX THE FRAMEWORK OR FIND TOOLS THAT WORK BETTER.

TRANSPARENCY IS NEEDED AS THE COUNTY DESIGNS A PROCESS THAT FULFILLS THE VISION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY WHERE NO ONE IS LEFT IN HARM'S WAY. WE KNOW THAT THE EXISTING FRAMEWORK IS NOT WORKING, BUT WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT WORKS AND HOW IT IS APPLIED. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE SO COMMUNITIES -- AFFECTED BY FLOODING AND THE ADVOCATES CAN EFFECTIVELY BE A PART OF THIS PROCESS AND MAKE SURE IT DELIVERS ON ALL OF ITS PROMISES OVER THE LONG-TERM.

STRENGTHEN TOOL TO MAKE SURE EQUITY IS ACHIEVED AND WORK WITH COMMUNITIES MOST AFFECTED BY FLOODING TO CREATE THE BEST SOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> THOSE WERE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. IS IT SAFE TO ASSUME WE ARE

GOING TO SPEAKER NUMBER 1? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES.

THAT WOULD BE A VERY SAFE ASSUMPTION.

WE WILL HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 1 AT THIS TIME.

>> TRYING TO GET THEM ON THE LINE.

HANG ON A MOMENT. I AM GOING TO UNMUTE THE INTERPRETER. INTERPRET PER, YOU ARE

[06:15:01]

UNMUTED. >> THANK YOU.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES.

JUST A MOMENT. I JUST LOST THAT CALLER.

INTERPRETER, CAN YOU MUTE YOURSELF, PLEASE, UNTIL I GET ANOTHER PERSON. THANK YOU.

>> SORRY, COURT MEMBERS. WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE SPEAKERS ON THE MIND. JAG

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE COULD GET JACOB HERE TO SPEAK WHILE ARE

YOU ROUNDING THEM UP. >> YES, PERFECT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JACOB, WHY DON'T YOU TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY IN THREE MINUTES OR LESS.

GO TO THE MICROPHONE AND TELL US YOUR NAME.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. [INAUDIBLE].

OKAY. MY NAME IS JACOB.

JAM

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU NEED TO SAY YOUR NAIL.

YOUR NAME. >> I SAID IT.

BOND, YOU KNOW. JAMES BOND?

>> THIS IS ABOUT THE ROLL OVER.

IT IS THE FEE YEAHS -- THE FIASCO OF THE COUNTY MINISTER,

WILL HERE GOES. >> YOU GET THE POINT.

YOU NEED TO -- THEY NEED FUNDING.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT P I MEAN, THESE MINORITY COMMUNITIES, THEY NEED IT.

WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE. I AM TALKING OF THE FIASCO LIKE THOSE CASE THAT HAVE DEFUNDED THE POLICE.

I MEAN HOE OHIO -- I MEAN HOW BOGUS CAN YOU GET? THEY CAN ENFORCE SECURITY, BUT PEOPLE MARGINALIZED LIKE ME CAN'T AFFORD SECURITY. I HAVE -- OH COME ON.

YEAH. OKAY.

AT ANY RATE, WHAT I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THE FLOODING AND THE GRASSROOTS, THEY NEED TO COME HERE AND COMPLAIN AND THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE FIRST, BUT IT ALSO GETS REPLACED FIRST. ABOUT THAT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, YOU DON'T FIX WHAT'S NOT BROKEN AND YOU DO NOT TRY TO IMPROVE THE WILL. INCORPORATED CITIES AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS, BUT THAT IS NO GOOD BECAUSE THEY MAY BE LOSERS. THE ADMINISTRATION, THEY SENT MONEY TO THOSE PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY AND IT IS JUST NO GOOD.

WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY? ALSO I HAVE --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU'RE OUT OF TIME, JACOB.

>> CAN I ASK YOU QUESTIONS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU CAN HAND IT TO THE BAILIFF, BUT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO KEEP IT TIGHT UNLESS ONE OF THESE GUYS OVER HERE WANTS TO OPEN IT UP.

THEY ARE SMILING AT YOU. JACOB, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HAND WHAT YOU HAVE TO THE BAILIFF.

LUCINDA, DO YOU HAVE A SPEAKER FOR US NOW?

>> I DO. INTERPRETER, IF YOU CAN PLEASE

UNMUTE YOURSELF. >> I UNMUTED MYSELF.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHICH SPEAKER NUMBER.

>> NUMBER 3, LIDIA RODRIGUEZ. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>>

MY NAME IS LIDIA RODRIGUEZ. >>

[06:20:09]

>> I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION HOME COALITION.

>> AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS DISCUSS HOW THEY WILL USE THE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ARPA.

>> TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OUR COMMUNITY IS CURRENTLY

SUFFERING. >> ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESOLVED IS THE FLOODS SINCE WE ARE CURRENTLY

IN HURRICANE SEASON. >>

>> AND WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE ARE NOT

PREPARED. >> HAVE NOT GOTTEN HELP SINCE HARVEY.

>> AND NOW SINGS WE HAVE MONEY WE SHOULD USE THE MONEY FOR

FLOOD MITIGATION. >> I JUST ASK YOU BE CLEAR ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO BE DISTRIBUTED.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> >> ADRIAN GARCIA:

SPANISH]. >> WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION HOW WE USE THOSE DOLLARS HOW WE CAN HAVE MAXIMUM IMPACT IN NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE YOURS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> IT HELPS US ON THIS END IF YOU TELL US THE NUMBER OF SPEAKER SO WE CAN FIND IT ON OUR LIST JUST A LITTLE QUICKER.

>> YES, SIR. GOING TO UNMUTE NUMBER 1,

ON -- ANDRES RODRIGUEZ. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.

>> HELLO? >>

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ANDRES RODRIGUEZ.

>>

HOME COALITION. >>

>> AND TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE FEDERAL FUNDS TO THE COUNTY -- FUNDS THE COUNTY WILL BE RECEIVING.

>> USED FOR THOSE HAVING TROUBLE WITH PAYING RENT AND

MORTGAGES. >> PLN --

>> I AM A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND SEEN AND HEARD THOSE

ISSUES FIRSTHAND. >>

>> THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE FOR ALL

REASONS. >>

>> AS YOU KNOW THE EVICTION MORATORIUM HAS BEEN EXTENDED

FOR ONE MORE MONTH. >>

>> AND THOUGH I WAS NOT 100% AFFECTED, SOME PROTECTION IS

BETTER THAN NONE. >>

>> THAT WILL MOVE SOME OF THE FUNDING TO HELP WITH RENT AND

MORTGAGES. >>

>> WITH COVID STILL BEING A THREAT TO SOME LIKE IN THE FREEZE WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE PEOPLE FIGHTING TO SURVIVE MULTIPLE DISASTERS WITH HURRICANE SEASON UPON US.

[06:25:11]

>> LOSE THEIR SHELTERS AND IT IS CRITICAL FOR THAT NOT TO HAPPEN.

>> AND IT IS YOUR DUTY TO COME UP WITH PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

>> POWER AND MAKE A CHANGE TO GET US CLOSER ON -- CLOSER TO

EQUALITY. >> NOW THE QUESTION WE WANT ANSWERED IS WHAT IS YOUR PLAN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?

>> I JUST GOT A MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A QUOROM. DO WE NEED TO STOP?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU PUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON FOR A MOMENT? HE'S ON THE LINE NOW.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS IT JAY THAT'S ONLINE WITH US?

>> JAY MY UNDERSTANDING IS TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC THAT IF YOU BEGIN WITH THE QUOROM, I BELIEVE I HAVE MY COLLEAGUES CIRCLING IN THE HALLWAYS COMING IN AND OUT AND WE DO NOT NEED TO MAINTAIN A PHYSICAL QUOROM IN THE COURTROOM AS LONG AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE AND WE DON'T VOTE ON ANYTHING. AM I IN ERROR IN MY INTERPRETATION OF THE QUOROM RULES WITH RECEIVING PUBLIC COMMENT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU, JAY.

MR. AYER? >> HE IS ON THE LINE AND SO IS SCOTT LAMOND. HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO UN --

UNMUTE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. LAMOND?

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> I APOLOGIZE.

I'M SORRY. FOR SOME REASON I WAS STUCK ON MUTE AND I COULDN'T UNMUTE. THAT'S CORRECT.

AS LONG AS WE DON'T VOTE ON ANYTHING WE SHOULD BE OKAY AS LONG AS YOU ARE JUST HEARING. I BELIEVE THAT IS CORRECT.

I'M GONNA VERIFY SO WE CAN KEEP GOING.

>> IF YOU CAN VERIFY THAT REAL QUICK.

WE BEGAN PUBLIC COMINT WITH A -- COMMENT WITH A QUORUM.

I HAVE TWO COLLEAGUES ON THE FLOOR AND AVAILABLE IF WE NEED TO BRING THEM IN. I THINK THESE ARE THE SAME RULES THAT APPLY TO THE LEGISLATURE.

SO AS LONG AS WE DON'T TAKE A VOTE ON ANY ISSUE THAT WE ARE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT WHILE SOMEONE SLIPPED DOWN THE HALL TO POWDER THEIR NOSE OR WASH

THEIR HANDS. >> THAT SOUNDS RIGHT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL GIVE UH MOMENT BEFORE WE TAKE UP

THE NEXT -- >> GIVE ME ONE MOMENT AND I CAN VERIFY SO WE ARE ON -- HOLD ON ONE MOMENT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. AND IF IT HELPS THESE ARE THE RULES WE FOLLOW IN BUDGET HEARINGS.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE ONE MEMBER OF COURT PRESENT WHEN WE START THE BUDGET HEARINGS, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE ANNOUNCED MEETINGS.

AS LONG AS NO ACTION WAS TAKEN RECEIPT OF TESTIMONY COULD

OCCUR. >> COMMISSIONER KAY DISBEL -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE THAT IS THE COURT RULES AND WE HAVE NOT CHANGED THAT. I JUST WANTED TO VERIFY.

THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ANYTIME MY COUNTY ATTORNEY WANTS TO CHECK SOMETHING OR SHE, WHOEVER THEY HAVE SITTING IN THAT SEAT YOU ARE IN, I WILL PAUSE TO MAKE SURE WE STAY ON THE TRUE AND NARROW.

IT HAS BEEN COUNTY PRACTICE THAT AS LONG AS WE BEGIN THE PROCEEDINGS WITH A CORE -- QUORUM IT DOES NOT NEED TO REMAIN A QUORUM FOR THE RECEIPT OF TESTIMONY.

WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THAT OUT OF COURT EFFICIENCY.

[06:30:01]

WITH THAT HAVING BEEN SAID, THANK YOU MR. AYER AND LUCINDA, WHO IS OUR NEXT SPEAKER?

>> YES, SIR. NUMBER 4, RITA STEVENSON WITH

THE ULTIMATE DAISY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST SO THE RECORD IS CLEAR WE HAVE A QUORUM AGAIN, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A QUORUM FOR THE REPEAT OF TESTIMONY.

BUT WE HAVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND MYSELF. MS. STEVENSON?

>> YES. GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME FOR ON THIS FORUM AND BE INCLUDED IN THIS. THANK YOU.

I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK -- OR TO ASK FOR MORE PROGRAMS TO BE DEVELOPED FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAD BUSINESSES BEFORE COVID.

BECAUSE OF COVID IT HAS CAUSED A STRAIN.

I WAS -- I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COVID.

I LOST MY MOM DURING COVID. WE HAD TROUBLE GETTING MEDICATION AND RENT PAID. THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS THAT IT JUST SEEMED LIKE IT WAS COMPILED.

IT WAS ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER.

HELP WAS HARD TO GET. I JUST WANT TO SEE THE MONEY BE ALLOCATED FOR THE PEOPLE. IF I MAY SAY SO, THE LITTLE PEOPLE BETTER IT IS NOT SO HARD FOR US.

THERE ARE SO MANY STIPULATIONS PUT ON THINGS.

IT SEEMS HARD. IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT IS A QUICK REMEDY TO WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH.

HOW WILL THE MONEY HELP THE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LUCINDA?

>> NUMBER 6, JASON OLIVER. HE IS SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 1 AND 442, BUT I KNOW WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SPEAK ON THAT

ITEM YET. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. OLIVER

-- >> HI.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. OLIVER WE ARE HOLDING 442 FOR A

LITTLE LATER. >> THAT'S FINE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU WILL JUST GIVE US YOUR COMMENTS ON ITEM NUMBER 1 WE WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> THAT'S FINE. GOOD EVENING.

PRECINCT 3 REGARDING AGENDA ITEM 1 I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A NEED FOR -- A FOCUS ON A SUBSET OF OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT CONSISTS OF INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND SMALL ARTS USING OUR FUNDS TO PROVIDE GRANTS FOR THE PUBLIC ART PROGRAM AND ARTISTS WHO ARE INVITING AS A WAY TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY AND HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY THE SHUTDOWN OF THE ECONOMY ALONGSIDE THE SERVICE ECONOMY WHICH MANY ARE WITH THEIR CREATIVE WORTH. HOUSTON COUNTY IS MORE THAN JUST HOUSTON. AND HOUSTON FUNDING HAS TO DO WITH OCCUPANCY TAXES. THE USE OF THESE FUNDS IS IMPORTANT IN SUSTAINING QUALITY OF LIFE.

I HAVE A BRIEF NOTE AND I DON'T NEED TO READ THAT, BUT THANK YOU ALL AND I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

THIS IS TOM RAMSEY. WE WILL BE REACHING OUT TO

YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE NEXT SPEAKER?

>> NUMBER 35. TRICIA POLLARD.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM FORMER CITY COUNCILMEMBER TRICIA POLLARD AND SERVED IN THE TRANSPORTATION POLICY COUNCIL. I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR 45 YEARS AND AND BEEN ON SIKDZ -- SIX GRAND JURIES. I HAVE ENJOYED OUTSTANDING POLICE PROTECTION FROM BEL-AIR PD.

STILL I LIVE IN FEAR NOW I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED IN THE INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME COUPLED WITH A LACK OF CONCERN

[06:35:01]

AND ACTION BY OUR HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

AT LAST COUNT THERE WERE 121 HOUSTONIANS KILLED BY THOSE PEOPLE RELEASED ON FELONY BONDS.

THE MAJORITY HAPPENING IN 2020 AND 2021.

MAVERICK JUDGES HAVE TAKEN IT ON THEMSELVES TO ALTER JUDGE PRACTICES. SHE KEPT LETTING PEOPLE LOOSE WHOSE CRIME ESCALATED UP TO MURDER.

WE NEED STATEWIDE BAIL REFORM AND LEGISLATION LIKE HB20.

OUR D.A. IS ON THE RECORD SAYING CRIME IS UP.

WE NEED PROTECTION FROM OUR OWN JUDGES.

WHAT A SORRY STATE WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

HOW CAN YOU HEAR THIS IS -- AND NO SUPPORT.

ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT IDENTIFIED AGAINST HB20. TESTIFIED AGAINST IT! THIS IS SHAMEFUL. YOU HAVE FAILED US AND WE LIVE IN FEAR. WE HAVE BEEN BETRAYED BY THIS COURT. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE MUST BE VICTIMIZED OR KILLED BEFORE YOU LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND SUPPORT A LIFE-SAVING PIECE OF INFORMATION. ARE YOU WAITING UNTIL YOU ARE PERSONALLY AFFECTED TO DO SOMETHING?

I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT HB20. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS GOOD TO

HEAR YOU -- HEAR FROM YOU. >> LIKEWISE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I'LL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

>> GOOD TO HEAR YOU GOOD NIGHT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO IS NEXT?

>> WE WILL SKIP TO 46. JOSE SOLIS WITH BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES.

>> I AM JOSE SOLIS AND PART OF BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP.

THAT IS THE ORGANIZATION REORGANIZING BUFFALO BAYOU AND I AM TALKING ABOUT 425, THE PROPOSAL TO CONVERT PROPERTY BETWEEN SALMON, SAN JACINTO, CONGRESS AND THE BAYOU INTO A PARK, REMEMBER -- REMEMBRANCE PARK.

WE ENDORSE THIS PROJECT. WE ARE WORKING ON A PROJECT THAT RUNS THROUGH THE EXISTING SITE.

AND THIS WOULD BE A GREAT BENEFIT.

WE THINK ADDITIONAL DESTINATIONS ALONG THE BAYOU ENHANCE THE BAYOU EXPERIENCE. IT BENEFITS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. WE LIKE THE IDEA OF COMMEMORATING AND PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE AT THE SITE IN TERMS OF A THEME FOR THE PROJECT.

THE SYMBOLISM IS POIGNANT. WHICH IS WHERE THE CITY OF HOUSTON WAS FOUNDED. THE LOCATION IS ACTUALLY ALSO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS ONE BLOCK FROM WHERE JOE TORRES WAS MURDERED. HE WAS A VIETNAM VETERAN BEATEN BY SEVERAL CITY OF HOUSTON POLICE OFFICERS IN 1977 AND DUMPED IN THE BAYOU ADJACENT TO THIS SITE.

EQUITY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS AND ALL OF THOSE ISSUES AND THE PHYSICAL LOCATION IS IMPORTANT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HARRIS COUNTY IF THEY DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT IN TERMS OF ITS DESIGN AND HOW IT FITS INTO THE OVERALL DOWNTOWN CONTEXT AND IT WORKS FOR DOWNTOWN SO WE ARE ENDORSING THIS PROJECT. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

PLEASE LET ME KNOW. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A

[06:40:01]

QUESTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST A COMMENT TO THANK YOU. I WAS IN MY OFFICE TRYING TO GET THAT LUNCH. THANK YOU FOR CHIMING IN AND COMMISSIONER AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I KNOW WE SIGNED UP, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO LET MICHAEL MURPHY WITH THE MASH GROUP JUST DO HIS SLIDE PRESENTATION, LUCINDA, IF THAT IS POSSIBLE. I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE LATE, BUT SINCE WE ARE HERE AND KEPT GOING WHEN HE COMES ON IF YOU CAN, LUCINDA, LET HIM POP IT UP AND SO HE CAN SHOW THEM WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. THANK YOU.

>> FOR WHICH ITEM, COMMISSIONER?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: FOR 25. 425.

>> MY SUGAR LEVEL WATTS GOING DOWN -- MY SUGAR LEVEL WAS

GOING DOWN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS HE

CALLING IN. >> THEY'LL WORK IT OUT.

IF YOU JUST LET ME KNOW. >> WE DID TRY TO REACH HIM AND

HE DID NOT ANSWER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE WILL ANSWER NOW. I TOLD HIM TO GO TO SLEEP.

HE IS IN BOSTON, BUT WE KEPT GOING IN THE JUDGE'S ABSENCE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DO YOU HAVE MS. -- NUMBER 47 OR DEBORAH

BLALOCK SLOAN. >> I HAVE NUMBER 48, YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT. LET'S HEAR FROM MY UH POINTY

-- MY APPOINTEE. >> SHE DROPPED.

JUST A MOMENT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: HARRIS

COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION. >> NUMBER 48 DID DROP OFF THE LINE AND WE'LL TRY TO REACH HER BACK AGAIN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO DO THAT I WILL SHARE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT DEBORAH BLALOCK SLOAN WAS HELPFUL. A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO WE DISCOVERED A SLAVE GRAVE CEMETERY IN THE BACK OF ONE OF OUR PARKS THAT WAS FORGOTTEN. IT WAS JUST FOR THE GOEN -- FORGOTTEN. SHE HELPED US RESEARCH IT AND FIND OUT THE STORY AND GET A PLAQUE TO PUT ON THERE.

I AND A COUPLE OF OUR EMPLOYEES ON PAST JUNETEENTHS GO OUT THERE AND READ THE STORY OF WENT ON THERE.

THAT PARTICULAR CEMETERY IN TEXAS HISTORY IS INTERESTING.

THERE IS SEGREGATION IN THE CEMETERY, BUT NOT THE WAY WE THOUGHT OF IN THE 50S AND 60S.

THE SEGREGATION THERE IS IT IS ALL THE CATHOLICS WERE BURIED IN THAT CORNER. THE METHODISTS WERE BURIED IN THIS CORNER AND THE LUTHERANS ARE OVER THERE.

THE GERMAN SETTLERS IN THAT ERA DIDN'T BELIEVE IN SLAVERY AS MUCH, BUT I THINK -- THEY WANTED TO BE BURIED WITH PEOPLE OF THEIR SAME FREIGHT -- FAITH, BUT THEY DIDN'T CARE WHAT COLOR OF SKIN THEY WERE.

IT IS AN INTERESTING PIECE OF HISTORY AND DEBORAH SLOAN HELPED US DIG INTO AND PRESERVE AND GETTING OUR PLAQUE. THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND A COMMON GRAVE THAT EVERYBODY FROM THE EXPLOSION WAS PUT INTO. IT WAS A POWDER MILL.

IT WAS A GUN POWDER THAT EXPLODED.

>> WHICH PARK? >> SPRING CREEK PARK.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PARK. IT IS PART OF OUR GREEN WAY TRAIL. EVERYBODY WHO DIED IN THE EXPLOSION WAS PUT IN A COMMON GRAVE.

THE GERMANS AS WELL AS THE BLACKS, THE SLAVES, THE TECHNICAL SLAVES, ALTHOUGH GERMANS DIDN'T THINK OF THEM MUCH THAT WAY IF I UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY, IN THE SAME COMMON GRAVE. IN THE 70S A MONEY YMENT WAS -- MONUMENT WAS PUT UP HONORING THE GERMANS WHO DIED IN THE EXPLOSION. ONE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY PARK ATTENDEES WAS IN THE FRONT OF THE PARK AND PUT UP A CROSS TO HONOR THE SLAVES IN THE SAME COMMON GRAVE SO BOTH SETS OF DE -- DESCENDANTS OR ANCESTORS WERE HONORED IN THE PARK.

>> I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW WHERE THESE SLAVES ARE AT.

>> IT IS A SLAVE GRAVE CEMETERY IS WHAT THEY CALL

IT. >> DEBORAH SLOAN COULD TELL

[06:45:03]

YOU ABOUT IT, BUT SHE AND JENNIFER WAGNER DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH. THEY FOUND THINGS BACK FROM WHEN THE SAW WAS IN THE REGION.

IT IS A UNIQUE PART OF TEXAS COUNTY HISTORY.

>> I SPENT THE WEEK IN GALVESTON.

I DID RIDE THE EMANCIPATION TRAIL BACK.

I ROAD IT ON A BICYCLE. >> THE ONE WITH THE MOTOR

ASSIST? >> THE CONGRESSWOMAN HAD THE MOTOR ASSIST, BUT I DID THIS THE WHOLE WAY.

I STAYED FOR THE WEEK AND ANTHONY GRIFFIN SHARED WITH ME THE STORY OF MR. CUNEY. IT IS FASCINATING.

DID WE GET HER BACK? >> YES, BUT THEN SHE JUMPED -- SHE FELL OFF AGAIN. BUT I DO HAVE ANOTHER

SPEAKER. >> GLADYS HOWSO.

>> YES, HELLO, EVERYONE. I WAS CALLING TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS WITH HIS ASSISTANCE --

>> I'M SORRY. I'M GOING TO -- YES, I'M GOING TO INTERRUPT YOU FOR A SECOND.

I'M SO SORRY. I FORGOT TOINT DEUCE.

IT IS CALL -- I FORGOT TO INTRODUCE YOU IT IS CALLER NUMBER 2, NONAGENDA RELATED. YOUR TIME WILL START OVER.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. GO AHEAD.

>> YES. >> I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHO ATTEMPTED TO TRY TO HELP ME WITH THE MATTER. AND I WANT TO THANK ELIZABETH DOSS. SHE DISCLOSED SOMETHING I WAS UNAWARE OF. BACK IN 20 SUN 6 I HAD A POSITION PAPER TO ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

IT IS ABOUT CREATING AN AMBUDSMAN DEPARTMENT SO THE TAXPAYER S WHO NOT HAVE TO BE IN -- TO BE INTIMIDATED AND HAVE A LEGITIMATE VOICE TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF AND TAXPAYERS WOULD CARE FOR COURT.

IT IS IN THE NORTHEAST AND NORTH WEST AND SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST. LONG STORY SHORT, MY POSITION PAPER SHARED THE MOST REASONABLE AND ECONOMIC ROUTE REPRESENTING THE TAXPAYERS IN IN HARRIS CONY TOO.

HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO MISS WORK LIKE I HAD TO SIT THROUGH THIS -- WAITING ON MY TURN TO SPEAK SINCE 10:00 TODAY.

I HOPE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL GO BACK TO HEARING CITIZENS FIRST BECAUSE WE HAVE JOBS TO DO.

YOU ALL AS COMMISSIONERS ARE ALREADY AT WORK.

I THINK THAT WAS A BAD DECISION TO MAKE US WAIT ALL DAY LONG BEFORE WE CAN SPEAK. I WOULD LIKE THE COMMUNITY AGAIN TO RESUBMIT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT THE COMMISSION PAPER SO 3 MILLION WILL NOT BE SPENT ON ONE PERSON BY JUDGE HUH TALL GO. THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS FOR THE CITY AND THE CON -- COUNTY. JUST GIVE THEM A CHANCE.

DO I HOPE AND PRAY THE COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER'S

[06:50:08]

COURT WILL NOT PROVE ONE PERSON TO TAKE OVER THE

THINKING -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT BEEPING MEANT THAT YOU WERE OUT OF TIME.

ARE YOU DONE? I THINK I HEARD YOUR MESSAGE

THERE. >> OKAY.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH,

COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. MS. LUCINDA WHAT NUMBER AND

WOULD DO WE HAVE NEXT? >> NUMBER 48 IT IS DEBORAH

BLACLOCK SLOAN. >> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT YOU TRYING TO GET YOU ON AND SAYING GOOD STUFF JUST SO YOU

KNOW. >> WELL, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. GOOD EVENING TO EVERYONE ON THE CALL. I'M GLAD TO BE PART OF THE MEETING. TALKING ABOUT JUNETEENTH, COUNTS ME IN. THAT HOLIDAY IS SPECIAL FOR TWO REASONS, IT IS MY MOM'S BIRTHDAY AND NUMBER TWO THE SLOGAN SAYS WHEN WE REMEMBER, RECOGNIZE AND RESPECT THE LABOR OF THOSE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.

FINALLY AND I ALWAYS LIKE TO INTRODUCE MYSELF AS A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN AND 6TH GENERATION TEXAN.

JUNETEENTH WAS NOT IN MY HISTORY BOOKS IN HOUSTON.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE EDUCATE PEOPLE TO JUNETEENTH BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO BLACK FOLK.

I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS WOULDS -- THAT THIS WOULD PASS. IT IS LONG OVERDUE AND THAT IS THE END OF MY SPEECH. THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DEBORAH BLACKLOCK SLOAN IF YOU CAN REACH OUT TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE.

HE IS FASCINATED BY SPRING CREEK PARK.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY WE HAVE THERE AND MAYBE HE WANTS TO RIDE HIS BIKE AND WE CAN GIVE HIM A PASSPORT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY EL -- RODNEY ELLIS AND JUNE 19TH IS MY BIRTH'S BIRTHDAY AS WELL.

WE WILL PLAN A RIDE. I HAVE RIDDEN IT.

IT WILL COOL OFF IN ANOTHER TWO MONTHS.

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO DO IT EARLIER WE WILL DO IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT. AND I HAVE THE HISTORY OF THE

SEEM -- CEMETERY ON MY DESK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAIL IT TO

ME. >> I CERTAINLY WILL.

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

VERY MUCH. >> I WON'T BRING MY GUY ON.

HE WAS IN HIS CAR AND HE LEFT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS HE READY?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE COULDN'T SEE THE SLIDE ON HIS PHONE.

I WILL HAVE HIM PRESENT AT THE NEXT COURT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO IS NEXT?

>> THOSE WERE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH.

THE ONLY SPEAKERS L -- LEFT ARE FOR ITEM 442.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THE JUDGE BELIEVED SHE MIGHT BE BACK AT 6:45. LET ME TURN TO ALEX HERE.

IS THAT STILL A FAIRLY GOOD GUESTIMATE OR PUSH FOR 7 IN

TERMS OF A RECESS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE MAKE IT SEVEN WE DON'T HAVE TO RUSH WHAT SHE IS DOING?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WILL RECESS AT THIS TIME UNTIL 7:00 AT WHICH TIME I WILL COME BACK.

IF WE DON'T HAVE AN ETA ON THE COUNTY JUDGE AT THAT TIME WE WILL RECESS FURTHER. AT THIS MOMENT, THE COUNTER -- THE COURT WILL STAND IN RECESS.

I HAD SEVERAL REQUESTS I DO THIS SO I HAVE TO HIT THE GAVEL AND SAY COURT IS IN RECESS UNTIL 7:00.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 8:12 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE GOT THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EXCEPT 442. AND THERE IS THREE VOTES THAT

[Departments (Part 3 of 5)]

WE HAVE KIND OF PENDING RIGHT NOW WHEN I LEFT THAT WE HAD THE DISCUSSION OPEN. ONE IS 434 AND THE FLOOD BOND 490 AND 491. 434, TECHNOLOGY EYE -- ITEM,

[06:55:03]

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND AS WE SAID YESTERDAY, THIS IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR CONSTITUENTS BY USING STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY TO HELP OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS DO THEIR JOB.

MY MOTION IS THE COUNTY MAKE $14 MILLION TECH -- TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS THAT HELPS WITH PUBLIC SAFETY USING UNTUT LIES -- UNUTILIZED FUNDS FROM THE FISCAL 2021 BUDGET AND OTHER SUITABLE RESOURCES. INVESTMENTS SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FIRST FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS LIKE BODY WORN CAMERA AND OFFENSE REPORTING SYSTEMS AND MAKE ME -- LET ME MAKE MY OWN EDITS -- EDIT, OFFICER REPORTING SYSTEM THAT'S RELIEVES BACKLOGS IN CRIMINAL COURTS AND ON TECHNOLOGY THAT ENHANCES PUBLIC SAFETY.

I FURTHER MOVE THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT WORKING WITH OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS PROVIDE A QUARTERLY UPDATE ON THIS INITIATIVE.

I FURTHER MOVE TO DIRECT THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH THE PARAMETERS IN THE USE OF THE FUNDS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE MR. BERRY HERE LIVE.

IF I CAN ASK HIM A QUESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, UNIFORM, YOU MEAN CONSISTENT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: UNIFORM OFFENSE RECORDING SYSTEM.

IT IS ACTUALLY THE POLICE REPORT.

WHEN WE SAY -- WHEN THE -- WHEN A VICTIMIZATION HAS OCCURRED IT WILL BE ONE REPORTING SYSTEM ACROSS -- WELL BETWEEN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, IDEALLY HPD AND THE

CONSTABLE'S OFFICES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. BERRY?

>> YES, SIR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION TO YOU IS NOT THAT COMPLICATED.

WHEN WE SAY UNUSED FUNDS FROM LAST YEAR, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT GONNA USE FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE MARSHALL, CONSTABLES, SHERIFFS OR ANY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITY.

CAN YOU ASSURE ME THAT -- IF I VOTE FOR THIS AND I WANT TO, THAT I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR US TO UTILIZE THE FUNDS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO ANY OF THOSE ENTITIES?

>> COMMISSIONER JUST TO CLARIFY, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT FUNDS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THEIR BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M TALKING ABOUT FUNDS THAT WERE -- IF THIS SAYS THAT WE ARE GOING TO UTILIZE -- USING UNUTILIZED FUNDS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND WE HAVE A SEMANTIC DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT A ROLLOVER IS A UTILIZED OR UNUTILIZED ASSET. I I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF I SAW AUTHORITY THIS -- AND I SAUCE SUPPORT THE SUBJECT MATTER -- THAT I AM NOT VOTING TO UTILIZE FUNDS THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN A ROLL OVER ACCOUNT OF OUR CONSTABLES FOR ONE OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, FORGIVE -- NOT A LONG ANSWER, BUT A COMPLETE ANSWER. FOR THE UNUSED FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET REFERENCED IN THE MOTION, WE WENT TO DEPARTMENTS WHERE THEY COULD SAY HERE IS MY PROPOSAL TO KEEP THAT.

MOST OF THOSE -- 90% WERE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES.

MANY AMOUNTS WENT BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND AND THEY ARE NOT IN A DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVEN'T TAGGED THEM AS PARTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

MY ANSWER IS THAT WE WOULD USE I THINK THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS OUTLINED IS CONSISTENT WITH MONEY THAT WAS UNUSED BUDGET FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES LAST YEAR. BUT THOSE FUNDS AREN'T SPECIFICALLY IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET.

THEY ARE PART OF THE GENERAL FUND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, TO MAKE SURE I GET IT, HALF OUR

[07:00:03]

BUDGET GOES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IF THE MONEY WENT BACK INTO THE GENERAL FUND, I HATE TO DISAPPOINT MY COLLEAGUE, BUT IF HE HAS BEEN VOTING ON ITEMS AND THE MONEY HAS COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, ARGUABLY, SOME OF THAT WAS THAT MONEY. THERE IS NO BOX THAT SAYS THIS AND THAT. IT WENT THAT THE GENERAL FUND. OR CAME OUT OF MIGHT I ADD.

>> AGREE -- AGREED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS ITEM STAYS UNUTILIZED. BECAUSE IT SAYS UNUTILIZED IT APPEARS TO BE A FLAG TOWARD WHAT HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM ROLL OVER ACCOUNTS AND THAT'S WHERE I AM HANGING UP.

IF IT IS FROM THE GENERAL FUND I DON'T THINK I'D HAVE A PROBLEM. BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO SAY IT WAS FROM THE UNUTILIZED FUNDS THAT IN ESSENCE TIE ITSELF TO OUR DISCUSSION WHERE WE HAVE SERIOUS SEMANTIC CAL DISCUSSIONS. I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ABOUT THIS IN A LITTLE BIT, BUT IF YOU SAID IT IS GOING FROM THE GENERAL FUND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. IF WE WILL USE THE LANGUAGE OF UNUTILIZED FUNDS IT SEEMS TO TIE IT TO THE ROLL OVER DISCUSSION OR ROLL OVER FUNDS THAT WERE PULLED OUT OF CONSTABLES AND PUT INTO THE GENERAL FUND.

THAT'S WHEN WE USE THIS LANGUAGE.

IF YOU GET RID OF THE WORD UNUTILIZED FUNDS AND JUST SAY GENERAL FUND, THEN I'M PROBABLY OKAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LOOK, EVERY YEAR WE GO THROUGH A BUDGETING PROCESS. WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGETING PROCESS EVERY YEAR WE ARE NOW IN A NEW -- WE ARE IN A NEW SLATE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNTY.

THE BUDGET OFFICE WENT THROUGH A BUDGETING PROCESS AND THEN WE STARTED THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

THOSE FUNDS ARE NOW IN THE GENERAL FUND AND THIS IS A MOTION TO TAKE A PORTION OF THE GENERAL FUND AND APPLY IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY.

>> IF YOU TAKE THE UNUTILIZED LANGUAGE OUT AND JUST SAY

USING GENERAL FUNDS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY MAY WELL BE FROM THOSE FUNDS. IT IS ALL MIXED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THERE A PROBLEM USING GENERAL FUNDS?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: TO BE CLEAR, WHEN WE SAY GENERAL FUNDS, WE ARE NOT GONNA RELITIGATE THE BUDGETARY DECISION THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO NOT OPEN THE DOOR WITH THIS MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHERE IS THIS MONEY SITTING AT

CURRENTLY? >> THE MONEY THAT WAS NOT SPENT IN FISCAL YEAR 21 AND WAS NOT ALLOCATED THROUGH EITHER THE BUDGET PROCESS OR THE, CALL THE -- CALL IT IS ROLL OVER REFORM PROCESS IS IN THE GENERAL FUND.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO I WILL ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT. >> TOM RAMSEY: WE ARE GONNA HAVE A MUCH LARGER DISCUSSION, BUT I SIMPLY WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE BUDGET, THAT HAPPENED AT ONE POINT. THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE ROLL OVER HAPPENED AFTER THAT. THE BUDGET PROCESS HAPPENED IF THIS TIME AND THE ROLL OVER HAPPENED IN ANOTHER TIME.

GENERAL FUND MAKES IT ACCEPTABLE TO ME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE MOTION WILL READ USING GENERAL FUNDS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: USING GENERAL FUNDS REMAINING FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND OTHER COUNTY RESOURCES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: EXCUSE ME? >> NO OBJECTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THAT WAS A SECOND BY

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, CORRECT. DAVE, YOU GUYS HAD A PRESENTATION ON FLOOD CONTROL.

DO YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT REAL QUICK?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND YOUR MIC MAY NOT BE ON, MR. BERRY.

THERE YOU GO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS SHOULD BE FOR ITEM 140 AND 181. 140 AND 191.

>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I AM ALLEN BLACK AND THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

[07:05:01]

I BELIEVE THERE ARE SLIDES TO SHOW AS WELL.

>> I AM GETTING THEM UP FOR YOU.

ONE MOMENT. >> GREAT.

THANK YOU. BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK , FIRST, THE COMMUNITY FLOOD RESILIENCE TASK FORCE FOR THE TIME THEY DEDICATED TO US TO COORDINATE AND COLLABORATE ON WHAT WE ARE HERE TO PRESENT TONIGHT AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO DAVE BERRY AND HIS TEAM OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND PETER KEY.

WE HAVE BEEN MEETING DAILY ON THIS SLIDE.

THE FIRST 11 SLIDES OF THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE LARGER PRESENTATION SENT OUT TO ALL COURT MEMBERS YESTERDAY, AND IT STARTS WITH A LITTLE RECAP.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. WHILE ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT IS TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION OUR MISSION IS OBVIOUSLY MUCH GREATER THAN THAT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT INVESTMENT IN FLOOD RISK REDUCTION AND EFFORTS HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH INVESTMENT IN OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE.

FOR EXAMPLE SINCE THE 1980S, THE COUNTY HAS INVESTED ALMOST TWICE AS MUCH MONEY IN THE TOLL ROAD SYSTEM AS IN FLOOD CONTROL. IT FUND -- FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED ON THE EQUITY-BASED PRIORITY FRAMEWORK ADOPTED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. WE DID ALL OF THIS STILL WITH THE EXPECTATION OUR FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS WOULD PITCH IN TO EFFECTIVELY DOUBLE THE TWO AND A HALF BILLION APPROVED BY VOTERS. IN MARCH COURT WAS PRESENTED WITH AN UPDATE ON OUR PROGRESS. WE'VE DONE PRETTY GOOD, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK BY SECURING $1.25 BILLION IN PARTNER FUNDING. WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO STILL. AS DIRECTED BY COURT, THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT I COORDINATED ALMOST DAILY TO PROVIDE A PLAN TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY FOR THE PROJECTS IN THE BOND PROGRAM.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS MAP SHOWS THE -- HOW THE $5 MILLION BREAKS OUT ACROSS THE COUNTY WATER SHEDS.

THE DARKER WATER SHED HAS A CONCENTRATION IN SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE AREAS. OTHER WATER SHEDS STAND OUT THANKS TO THE CORP OF ENGINEERS UNDERWAY FOR DECADES. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT OUR ORIGINAL PLAN OUR APPROACH IN 2018 TO DOUBLE THE VOTER APPROVED VOTING IT WAS CLEAR WE NEEDED TO ASSESS THE ISSUES THAT WERE A PED MEANT TO OUR SUCCESS. FIRST AS YOU KNOW NEARLY HALF OF THE ASSUMED PARTNER FUNDING HAS NOT MATERIALIZED.

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY FAR DIFFERENT THAN OUR EXPECTATION OF HOW FEDERAL DOLLARS WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED.

SECOND, NEARLY EVERY DOLLAR OF THE CURRENT BOND CAPACITY HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO A SPECIFIC PROJECT LEAVING US LITTLE TO NO ROOM TO MANAGE ANY CHANGE. FINALLY, THE PRY YOUR TAU -- THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK WHICH SINCE ITS PASSAGE HAS GUIDED EFFORTS DOES NOT CONTROL BETTER FUNDS ARE APPLIED AND IT ORIGINALLY RANKED ONLY THOSE PROJECTS THAT HAD NOT YET BEEN INITIATED.

IT EX-- IT EXCLUDED PROJECTS ALREADY UNDER WAY.

RECOGNITION OF THESE ISSUES INFORMED THE RECOGNITION OF WHAT WE ARE HERE TO PRESENT TODAY.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THIS CHART PICKS UP ON THE CONVERSATION IN MARCH. ON THE LEFT IS THE TALL BLUE BAR. THIS IS THE FULL $5 BILLION BOND PROGRAM. WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE BOND THE $1.2 BILLION IN SECURED PARTNERS AND SOME OTHER ELEMENTS WERE -- WE'RE LEFT WITH THE 1.3 BILLION FUNDING DISCUSSED IN MARCH. SINCE THAT CONVERSATION WE FOCUSED ON MORE CERTAINTY TO WHENEVER OUR PARTNERS DO NOT SHOW UP. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

GRAPHICALLY THIS IS HOW THE PLAN LOOKS.

WE START BY CONTINUING TO SPEND THE $2.5 BILLION APPROVED BY VOTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. TO DATE NO PROJECT HAS BEEN DELAYED DUE TO THE LACK OF A PARTNER.

WE ALSO HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING AND DEMANDING PARTNER FUNDING. THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE. THE CDBD IS 750 MILLION OR HOPEFULLY MORE. THEY WILL RECEIVE A BILLION DOLLARS FOR PROJECTS NATIONWIDE.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT A LOT IN CONGRESS HAS SEEN MOVEMENT AND THE WATER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES ACT GETS THE CORP OF ENGINEERS SOME FLEXIBILITY WITH THE BENEFIT COST RATIO ON A FEW PILOT PROJECTS.

[07:10:03]

WE ARE TRACKING ALL OF THIS AND MORE CLOSELY.

WE ALSO MUST HAVE AN ALTERNATE PLAN TO ASSURE THE CERTAINTY WHICH IS WHY WE RECOMMEND ESTABLISHING A FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST. THE FIRST DEPOSITS INTO THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST IS THE EXISTING MOBILITY FUNDS APPROVED BY COURT WHICH CAN BE USED ON BOND PROJECTS PROVIDED THERE IS A CLEAR NEXT SUCCESS -- NEXUS TO MOBILITY.

WE WILL USE THE EXPRESSION NEXUS TO MOBILITY.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, IT STARTS WITH THE FACT THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE DRAINAGE FROM OUR HIGHWAYS AND STREETS ACROSS THE COUNTY ARE DRAINING WATER INTO CHANNELS THAT IS FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT MAINTAINED. THAT'S ONE.

THINK ALSO OF THE RESILIENCE BROUGHT TO A COMMUNITY WITH A FLOOD RESILIENCE PROJECT THAT IMPROVES REGIONAL DRAINAGE AND WILL REDUCE IF NOT SOMETIMESY LIMB -- ELIMINATION DURING A STORM AND AFTER THE STORM SPEEDS UP RECOVERY BY HELPING RESIDENTS GET OUT AND TO GET SUPPLIES AND GET BACK TO THEIR JOBS. WE ALSO RECOMMEND FUTURE ANNUAL MOBILITY TRANSFERS WITH THE SAME REQUIREMENT.

THE PURPOSE IS TWO-FOLD. FIRST IT CAN BE USED TO ASSURE EVERY PROJECT CONTINUES WITHOUT DELAY.

BUT WE WOULD RATHER HAVE THE PARTNER FUNDING.

THE NEED FOR FLOOD CONTROL GOES BEYOND THE BOND PROGRAM.

THESE DOLLARS COULD BE USED FOR OTHER FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS AFTER THE BOND PROGRAM IS COMPLETE.

THE TRUST SETS THE STAGE FOR A NEED THAT FAR EXCEEDS WHAT THE BOND PROGRAM CAN DELIVER. FUNDING IS ONLY ONE PART OF THE STRATEGY THOUGH. WE MUST CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE OUR FOCUS ON AN EQUITABLE APPROACH TO THE PROJECT DELIVERY ACROSS THE COUNTY AND THROUGH THE BOND PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. IT GOVERNS THE ORDER AND WE EXPAND ITS USE TO COVER ALL WATER SHED SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND NOT JUST THOSE FUNDED BY THE 2018 BOND PROGRAM TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED EQUITABLE INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST. AND WE WILL GUIDE THE ALLOCATION FUNDS WITH A FEW CRITICAL CHECKS AND BALANCES.

THEY MUST HAVE A CURRENT NEED TO REACH DIRECTION.

IT WOULD HAVE TO BE CHECKED AND DEFENSIBLE.

AND FINALLY MOST IMPORTANTLY IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SUFFICIENT FUNDS IN THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST FOR ALL HIGHER RANKING PROJECTS TO ALSO COMPLETE THEM.

THIS APPROACH ASSURES THAT THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT RANKING HIGHEST IN THE FLAME WORK. ALL PROJECTS WILL BE UNDER THIS PLAN. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO HERE ARE THOSE KEY RECOMMENDATIONS.

FIRST WE CONTINUE TO AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE ALL PARTNER FUNDING, BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF DELAYING OR REDUCING ANY OF OUR PROJECTS. SECOND, WE MUST CONTINUE THAT BIPARTISAN PUSH TO THE GLO SO THEY DELIVER AT LEAST 750 MILLION FUNDS AND PREFERABLY MORE.

THIRD, DIRECT THE FUNDING TO A FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST TO BE USED ONLY AS NEEDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FRAMEWORK TO ASSURE EVERY PROJECT IS BUILT WITHOUT DELAY.

ALSO LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR WORK AFTER THE BOND.

COURT, WE RECOMMEND APPROVING AND DIRECTING NEW FUNDING TO THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND WE EXPAND THE FRAMEWORK TO INCLUDE ALL WATER SHED SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND UTILIZE IT TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR FUNDS FROM THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST. WE MAKE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ACHIEVE CERTAINTY AND RESULTS.

FUNDING IN AN EQUITABLE MANNER AND LAYING THE GROUNDWORK AFTER THE BOND. SO NOW LET'S GET BACK TO THE $1.3 BILLION PARTNER FUNDING GAP THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN MARCH. THAT'S IT ON THE LEFT AND IN RED. THE BLUE RECTANGLES SHOW HOW WE HAVE BEEN CHIPPING AWAY THROUGH ADDITIONAL PARTNERS AND COST EFFICIENCIES AND THROUGH ACTIONS APPROVED BY COURT IN APRIL SUCH AS THE TRANSFER OF THE $230 MILLION

[07:15:02]

FROM HCTRA DIVIDE -- DIVIDED EQUALLY ACROSS THE COUNTY.

AND AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THOSE SUBDIVISION PROJECTS ARE A PART OF THE BOND PROGRAM AND THE PARTNER GAP FROM THOSE PROJECTS WERE INCLUDED AT A $1.3 BILLION GAP. THAT LEAVES US WITH A $951 MILLION FUNDING NEED TO WORK AGAINST FOR TODAY'S CONVERSATION. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

HOW DO WE GET THERE? AS THE ACTUAL COSTS HAVE BEEN INCURRED OVER THE BOND PROGRAM, WE HAVE MANAGED TO SAVE UP A CONTINGENCY, $8 MILLION.

WE ADD THAT AS WELL AS THE $115 MILLION COURT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED TO REPLENISH THE BOND FUNDING THAT WAS COMMITTED TO THE SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROJECTS.

THERE IS ALSO $200 MILLION IN COUNTY RESOURCES APPROVED BY COURT IN APRIL. NEXT WE ARE EXPECTING CONTRACTUAL AND LEGISLATIVE REIMBURSMENTS ON THE ORDER OF $166 MILLION THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE BOND PROGRAM.

SOME OF THAT COMES THROUGH OUR PPA'S THROUGH THE CORP OF ENGINEERS AND OTHER FUNDS SUCH AS STATE REIMBURSMENTS OF LOCAL MATCH DOLLARS WHICH THE STATE LEGISLATURE APPROVED IN 2019. THAT PUTS OUR CURRENT FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST AT $ 489 MILLION WHICH IS WHY WE ARE RECOMMENDING ANNUAL MOBILITY TRANSFER TO TOTAL AROUND $343 MILLION BETWEEN NOW AND FY2030.

ADD THAT UP AND WE ARING LOOING AT A FLOOD RESILIENCE

TRUST OF -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT YEAR?

>> EXCUSE ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE 833?

>> IT IS ALL IN. IT INCLUDES THE ANNUAL

TRANSFERS THROUGH FY2030. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET

IT. >> IN 2030 IT WILL BE 830.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MUCH IS IT RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT NOW WITHOUT STARTING THE MOBILITY TRANSFERS WE ARE

AT $489 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANNUALLY IS

HOW MUCH AGAIN? >> APPROXIMATELY 40 MILLION.

AND THE NEXT SLIDE I WILL GET TO IN A MOMENT WILL SHOW HOW THAT LOOKS IN TERMS OF DRAW DOWN, BUT I'M ALMOST DONE ON THIS SLIDE. YOU RECALL THAT I MENTIONED THAT MOBILITY-RELATED FUNDS MUST BE SPENT ON PROJECTS WITH THE CLEAR NEXT SUCCESS TO MOBILITY.

OF THE FUNDS MENTIONED HERE 65% OR 543 MILLION COME WITH THE REQUIREMENT. WE TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY.

WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO MAP OUT A PATH SO WE CAN USE THOSE WHERE APPROPRIATE AND ONLY WHERE APPROPRIATE.

SAVE THOSE REMAINING FUNDS FOR USE ONLY WHEN THERE IS NO

OTHER OPTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF THE BOND PROGRAM HAS A 10-YEAR LIFE SPAN IF WE HAVE A 900 -- WHAT IS IT? $951MILLION SHORT FALL,

RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AT WHAT POINT -- DO YOU CUT THAT $951, WHAT YEAR? 2030?

>> WITHOUT ANY PARTNER FUNDING, THAT'S WHAT THE GAP IS $951 MILLION. WE ESTABLISHED 489 MILLION AND THE TRANSFERS WOULD ADD THAT UP TO $833 MILLION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO WE STILL NEED FOUR MORE YEARS TO BREAK

EVEN. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS FROM

THE GLO? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I MAY, THAT IS JUST TO BUILD OUT OUR PROJECTS, CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE BOND PROJECTS. WHERE IS THE BUDGET LINE FOR

MAINTENANCE? >> MAINTENANCE IS INCLUDED IN OUR ANNUAL PROPERTY TAXES. THAT IS NOT INCLUDED AS A CAPITAL EXPENSE AS PART OF THE BOND PROGRAM.

AIM

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HAVE I BEEN TOLD IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO MANAGE THE NEW INSTRAW TRUCK TOUR WE WILL -- INFRASTRUCTURE

WE HAVE ONLINE. >> THAT'S PART OF THE NEXT RECOMMENDATION IN SEPTEMBER THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT -- IN FACT, WE WILL HAVE AN UPDATE NEXT MONTH ON OUR ASSET MANAGEMENT EFFORT THAT WILL LEAD IN THE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS IN SEPTEMBER. DAVE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD

ANYTHING? >> NO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND NOW IN TERMS OF THE MOBILITY NEXUS WHICH IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM WHO WILL VAIR -- VERIFY AND TRACK THIS IS THE ONE? I'M TOLD TEX.DOT AND FEDERAL

[07:20:03]

AUTHORITIES ARE READY TO AUDIT OUR EXPENDITURE.

HOW WILL WE VERIFY THAT THE PROJECTS WE ARE SPENDING ON DO

MEET THE MOBILITY NEXUS? >> THAT IS A PROCESS WE ARE WORKING ON CLOSELY WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT.

WE WILL LAYOUT WHAT THE PROCESS IS.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT INCORPORATING APPROVAL THROUGH THE AUDITORS AND MAKE SURE WE

CHECKED THE APPROPRIATE BOXES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WILL THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY BE INVOLVED?

>> IT HAS BEEN COORDINATED ON THE TRANSFERS AND I BELIEVE THEY CAN BE INVOLVED WITH THAT CHECK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A DOWN GRADE ON THE BONDING OVER THE TOLL ROAD.

IF THIS ISN'T DONE ACCURATELY THEN THERE COULD BE A DOWN GRADE ON THE BOND RAILT -- BOND RATING ON THE TOLL ROAD.

>> THAT'S NOT A QUESTION I CAN ANSWER, BUT MAYBE DAVE WILL BE

ABLE TO. >> EXCUSE ME, DAVE, CAN YOU

PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM? >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A WAY TO TURN THE MICROPHONE ON?

>> I STAYED VIRTUAL FOR TOO LONG.

>> COMMISSIONER, A COUPLE ISSUES IF YOU DON'T MIND ME SEPARATING THEM OUT. ONE IS THE MOBILITY ISSUE.

THAT IS A STATUTORY ISSUE AND WE WANT TO BE READY.

IF THEY SAY I WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THESE FUNDS AND WE HAVE AN IRON CLAD CASE.

THAT WOULD ABSOLUTELY INVOLVE FLOOD CONTROL, COUNTY ATTORNEY

, BUDGET MANAGEMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT ABOUT

THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY? >> WE COULD INVOLVE THEM, BUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT MORE TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS TAKEN OUT AND ENSURE THAT THERE IS MONEY IN THE SYSTEM TO MAINTAIN AN EXCELLENT TOLL ROAD SYSTEM.

COMING UP WITH A 40 MILLION TRANSFER IS SOMETHING WE WORKED THROUGH WITH OUR FINANCIAL ADVISER, MR. TREVINO AND SAYING THIS FITS THE OVERALL PLAN.

IF WE WERE STUDYING A TOTAL MOBILITY TO THE TOLL ROAD WHICH WE ARE DOING, THAT'S WHAT WE USE FOR THE MOBILITY NEXUS. IN MY MIND WHEN IT IS INVOLVING THE TOLL ROAD WHETHER IT IS FINANCIALLY OR HYDROLOGICALLY IT WOULD INVOLVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN TERMS OF -- WELL, AT ONE POINT BECAUSE I KEEP HEARING AND THIS IS WHY I AM BRINGING IT UP, BUT IT IS PROVIDING AN ENTITY, CORRECT? THAT'S WHERE WE ARE GETTING MONEY FROM? IT IS MENTIONED WAY DOWN THE LINE. THE ONLY WAY I CAN SUPPORT THIS IS THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY IS A PARTNER AT THE TABLE. THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

THE SECOND THING IS HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY'S DEBT SERVICE WE TALK ABOUT THE STATE MAKING A GRAB AT THE SYSTEM, BUT WE HAVE TO SHOW

DEBT. >> HOW DOES THIS IMPACT THE

DEBT SERVICE? >> THAT GOES TO THE QUESTION OF THE BONDHOLDERS. DEBT SERVICE GOES FIRST.

THE WAY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION IS THIS IS AFTER THAT SERVICE. WE PAY YOU FIRST.

WE UNDERSTAND THE COVERAGE RATIOS AND THE THINGS WE WORKED ON WITH HCTRA. THIS IS VERY MUCH SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT LIQUIDITY AND COVERAGE RATIOS AT THE TOLL

ROAD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF A BOND RATING DOWN GRADE.

THE COMMENT HAS BEEN THAT IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL, BASICALLY.

I AM GOING TO NEED SOME ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID THAT, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHO WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IF IT HAPPENS.

>> FIRST OF ALL I DON'T THINK -- IT IS A BIG DEAL AND

[07:25:01]

IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE A STEWARD OF.

AS THE BUDGET DIRECTOR, THE BUCK STOPS HERE.

DID I PROMISE A DOWN GRADE WOULD ABSOLUTELY -- ABSOLUTELY NEVER HAPPEN? NO.

THE WHOLE REVENUE COULD DECLINE.

THERE ARE FACTORS WE DON'T CONTROL.

WILL WE BE STEWARDS OF IT AND COMMUNICATE AND COLLABORATE WITH THE TOLL ROAD SO THEY HAVE THE MONEY THEY NEED TO PLANE -- MAINTAIN THEIR SYSTEM?

ABSOLUTELY HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TALKED ABOUT THE DEBT SERVICE AND TALKED ABOUT THE BOND RATING.

THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY WILL BE AT THE ACTIVE TABLE.

IT IS NOT AT THE LITTLE KIDS TABLE, ABOUT YOU THE BIG BOYS TABLE ON VERIFYING THE PROJECTS TO WHICH THIS MONEY

WILL GO TO. >> THEY CERTAINLY WILL BE WITH

YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WITH THAT, JUDGE, I MAKE A MOTION TO VALUE -- EVALUATE THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND PUT IT FROM THE FOUR PRECINCTS AND THE JUDGE'S OFFICE AND BRING FORWARD A MODIFIED FRAMEWORK FOR THE UTILIZATION OF THE FLOOD MITIGATION TRUST

FUND. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE I WOULD

LIKE TO SECOND THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER GARCIA RAISED A GOOD POINT EARLIER THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT OUT. FOR THE LAST, I GUESS, AT LEAST 15 YEARS, MAYBE 20 YEARS DUE TO OUR TAX RATES, WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING 120 MILLION ROUGHLY PER YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS 15 OR 20 YEARS.

I KNOW THE AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING TO FLOOD CONTROL IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE OF THE TAX BASE USED TO BE HIGHER.

AND THEN WE STARTED GETTING FEDERAL GRANTS IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT HAS BEEN GETTING FEDERAL GRANTS.

WE MOVED A BIG CHUNK OF OUR PERCENTAGE AWAY FROM FLOOD CONTROL AND OVER TO THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

IT CEASES TO GET THE GRANTS. THE FLOOD CONTROL WERE GETTING GRANTS. WE REALLOCATED SO THE TAX RATE WILL STAY THE SAME. SINCE THEN WE GOT SOME CHANGES. IT GETS SOME BOOSTS AND SO WE ARE NOT FUNDING FLOOD CONTROL NOW TO THE SAME LEVEL WE HAD BEEN 15 YEARS AGO BECAUSE WE HAD REDUCED THAT PERCENTAGE OF THE TAX BASE DUE TO FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN AT THAT TIME.

THAT FEDERAL MONEY ISN'T HERE ANYMORE.

THAT WAS THE DISCUSSION I HAD HEARD FROM RUSS' PREDECESSOR AND I AM HAVING A GOVERNOR PERRY MOMENT.

MIKE TELIT TAUGHT ME THAT. I HAVE FLOATING AROUND HERE AT THE TIME WE TALKED ABOUT THE BOND FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL ABOUT HOW WE HAVE A LITTLE ISSUE HERE.

FOR A LONGTIME WE SPLIT THE $120 MILLION.

HALF TO GO TO MAINTENANCE WHICH WAS RAISED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE OTHER HALF THE NEW PROJECT.

WE SAW SOME PRAGUE -- PROGRESS.

IT SERVED THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF ALL DEMOGRAPHICS THEY FELT A PROJECT THAT YOU AND I WERE DOING A RIBBON CUTTING.

WHEN HARVEY HIT, THE FIRST STAGES OF THAT HAD DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB. IT USED TO BE WHEN THE SKIES WOULD SNEEZE THEY WOULD BE -- INUNDATED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SOMEBODY JUST DID.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN THE SKIES SNEEZE THEY WOULD BE INUNDATED, BUT IN HARVEY THEY DID WELL.

THAT WAS BECAUSE OF CAPITAL PROJECT -- PROJECT THAT'S WAS DONE AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO PROGRESS THAT ON THEM.

[07:30:03]

THE POINT COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE IS WITH THESE NEW PROJECTS COMING ONLINE, THE ALLOCATION OF 60 TO NEW STUFF TO 60 TO MAINTENANCE WILL SHIFT.

WHERE THE RUN -- WHERE THE 120 THAT CAME FOR US TO IMPROVE, AND WE INCREASED IT A LITTLE BIT TO COVER THE BOND, BUT NOT A BIG AMOUNT. IT MAY BE 150 FOR FLOOD CONTROL OUT OF THE LAST BOND APPROVAL, BUT THE PERCENTAGE SHIFT OF 50/50 WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO BE CHANGED SO THAT WHEREAS WE WERE PUTTING 60 IN THE MAINTENANCE WE MAY NEED TO START PUTTING 90 IN THE MAINTENANCE.

IS THAT A FAIR DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS?

>> IF I COULD PUT A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT, RUSS SAID IF WE STAY ON THE SAME MAINTENANCE TRACK IT IS 30 MILLION.

IF WE WANT TO TAKE IT UP A NOTCH IT IS 60 MILLION.

IF WE REALLY WANT TO GET TO THE PREMIUM MAINTENANCE WHICH WE REALLY SHOULD BE IT IS 90 MILLION.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TO HIS QUESTION I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WILL WE HAVE TO GO TO MAINTENANCE ASSUMING THIS TRANSACTION HERE HAPPENS.

>> YOU'RE WHAT -- YOU'RE ASKING WHAT WILL WE HAVE TO GO

TO -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT WILL WE

NEED TO MAINTAIN -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WERE GETTING 120 MILLION A YEAR. I THINK WE WILL GET 150 MILLION A YEAR. DAVE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? THE INCREASE IS SMALLER THAN THAT. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT PROJECTION. WE HAVE BEEN DOING HALF FOR MAINTENANCE AND WE COULD HAVE CUT BACK, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO. HALF FOR MAINTENANCE AND HALF FOR NEW PROJECTS. THE 50/50 SPLIT MAY BE A 60/40 SPLIT. 60 FOR MAINTENANCE AND 40 FOR NEW PROJECTS. RELYING ON THE BOND.

AND THEN AT THE END THE BOND TRUST FOR DOING NEW PROJECTS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK THE BOND TRUST IS ALL ONE THING

NOW, RIGHT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE BOND TRUST IS A BACKSTOP WHY THE EVENT OUR PARTNER DOES NOT COME THROUGH. IF OUR PARTNER COMES THROUGH WE WILL BE SITTING ON THE TRUST FUND THAT THEN WE CAN PUT INTO NEW PROJECTS AND HOPEFULLY FINDING NEW PARTNERS

FOR THE PROJECTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THE QUESTION THAT COMES UP IN THE COMMUNITY AND OF COURSE IT MAY BE ANECDOTAL AND THEY JUST HAPPEN TO WALK BY THE ONE THAT WILL BE MOWED THE NEXT DAY. DO YOU AGREE WE CAN BUILD

THESE PROJECTS? >> YES, JUDGE.

AND WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE DESCRIBED ON THE SCALE STARTING TO SLIDE THE OTHER WAY IS ENTIRELY WHAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING AND THE

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL CONTINUE THE POINTS COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS MAKING. WE MUST HAVE HCTRA INVOLVED.

THIS IS HCTRA FUNDS. ONE DAY SOMEBODY WILL KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND WE ARE GOING TO BE ABSOLUTELY TRANSPARENT AND CLEAR THAT THE MONIES ARE GOING TOWARD THE TRANSPORTATION NEXUS. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SOLID PLAN. THE QUESTION WAS ASKED TO ME WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON TRANSPORTATION.

25% ON AVERAGE IS DRAINAGE RELATED.

JUST THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ROADS THAT WE HAVE BUILT IN OUR PRECINCTS AND HCTRA AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN THE LAST 30 YEARS. I AM PRETTY SURE NOT ALL THAT HAS BEEN MITIGATED. THIS IS PROBABLY APPROPRIATE IN THE CONTEXT OF WE NEED TO GO BACK AND IN TERMS OF BEING SURE WE CREATE THE RESILIENCY THAT WE NEED BACK IN THESE --

[07:35:05]

RELATED TO THE ROAD. THE FUND MAKES A LOT OF SENSE IN TERMS OF TIEING IT BACK TO THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE OF IT. I REMEMBER DOING PROJECTS WITH HCTRA AND FLOOD CONTROL AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE GAVE AN ACCURATE SUMMARY OF THAT MAINTENANCE DETAIL.

DOING WORK WITH TEXDOT AND THE TOLL ROAD THROUGH THAT PERIOD OF TIME, THEY CERTAINLY DID DEFINE IT AS AN APPROPRIATE TOLL ROAD PROJECT. I CHALLENGE ANYBODY IN THE ROOM TO FIND A ROAD THAT DOES -- DOESN'T TIE TO SOMETHING IN THE TOLL ROAD SYSTEM. THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A VERY LOW STAN -- STANDARD BY WHICH TO DECIDE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND. WE HAVE BEEN INVESTING THROUGH HCTRA WITH THE BASIC CRITERIA THAT AS LONG AS IT CONNECTS TO THE TOLL ROAD SOMEPLACE, WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.

WE HAVE 40 YEARS OF DOING THAT AND THIS LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD PROCESS. WE MUST DOCUMENT THIS.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

THIS WILL SOUND VERY STRANGE TO SOME PEOPLE THAT MAYBE THEY DON'T LIKE TOLLS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I WOULD HATE TO SEE HARRIS COUNTY IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A TOLL ROAD SYSTEM.

I WOULD HATE TO DO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IN ANY CASE WITHOUT THE TOLL ROAD SYSTEM. I'M GONNA BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS. I THINK THERE ARE ALWAYS DEBATES ON THIS AND I WILL NOT LET THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION BE THE ENEMY OF A GOOD IDEA. THAT'S WHERE I'M COMING FROM.

I LIKE THE CONVERSATION WE ARE HAVING ON MAINTENANCE.

I KNOW ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS -- YOU'RE GETTING FREQUENT UPDATES WHICH I LIKE ON THE NUMBER OF BARN DITCHES YOU ARE CLEANING OUT YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT.

THAT'S DOUBLED OR TRIP -- TRIPLED -- --

>> TRIPLED. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO WE ARE ALREADY DOING SOME LEVEL OF MAINTENANCE.

WE ARE IN PRECINCT 3 AS WELL AND IT TIES BACK TO THIS.

I THINK THERE IS PROBABLY A HEALTHY LOOK AT ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS AND WE CAN TAKE THEM IN CONCERT WITH AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS HOW MUCH IS IT GONNA TAKE TO MAINTAIN ALL THESE NEW, GREAT FACILITYIES WE ARE BUILDING AND AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA REFERRED TO, STEP IT UP.

WE ARE HITTING THE TOP LEVEL IN TERMS OF MAINTENANCE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND ECONOMICKER CAGLE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE OF THE PREVIOUS CHARTS YOU GAVE US, YOU ARE SHOWING THE BLOCKS OF FUNDING.

I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY SINCE HARVEY HAS COME IN FROM THE STATE. NOT THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT HOW MUCH MONEY HAS COME FROM THE STATE OF

TEXAS SINCE HARVEY? >> I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DOLLAR AMOUNT I WILL HAVE TO GET THAT TO YOU.

THE MONEY THAT COMES FROM THE STATE COMES FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT POCKETS, IF YOU WILL.

FIRST IS WHAT IS CALLED FEMA-PA.

THOSE ARE DAMAGES THAT WE SUSTAINED.

THERE IS A 10% LOCAL MATCH. FOR THOSE FIRST INITIAL DAMAGES THE STATE ACTUALLY REIMBURSED US FOR OUR SHARE OF

THE LOCAL A -- LOCAL MATCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU CAN LET US KNOW AT THE NEXT COURT, JUST SEND IT TO US IN ADVANCE, I WANT TO TO SEE WHAT THE STATE HAS GIVEN.

IT IS GOOD TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR FLOOD ISSUES IN OUR REGION, BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW, WELL WHAT DID WE TAKE THE HEAT ON, NOT JUST WHAT WE GOT FROM HELL P -- FROM HELEN, FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHAT DID WE PUT IN. FOLKS BRAGGED ABOUT A RAINY DAY FUND. WELSHING THE RAIN CAME.

WHAT WAS STATE MONEY? I AM TRYING TO MAKE A POINT THAT WITH THE FLOOD RESILIENCY TRUST WE HAD TAKEN MONEY THAT WE COULD HAVE USED ON OTHER PROJECTS FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS, BUT BECAUSE THE GLO PUT THE CREWS TO US WITH MONEY THAT WAS NOT THEIRS. IT WAS FEDERAL MONEY.

WE HAD TO CREATE THIS TRUST TO MAKE IT UP IF WE DON'T GET

[07:40:03]

IT. THAT'S THE MOST COLORFUL

LANGUAGE THAT I MIGHT USE. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND EARLIER WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE PUT IN THE MAINTENANCE, OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN ONLY DO WHAT THE COURT GIVES YOU. IS IT FAIR TO SAY WE WERE NOT

ADEQUATELY MAINTAIN SNG. >> YES, COMMISSIONER.

>> WHEN YOU COME BACK WITH THE RECOMMENDATION AND WHEN THE QUESTION WAS ASKED WHERE -- WHAT WILL IT TAKE OR WHAT ADEQUATE MONEY DOES IT TAKE TO MAINTAIN THIS MONEY? AND IF WE CAN'T TAKE THAT MONEY FROM -- WE CAN'T TAKE THE TOLL ROAD MONEY FOR MAINTENANCE, CAN WE? CAN WE USE THAT FOR MAINTENANCE?

>> IT WOULD BE A CHALLENGE. THIS IS BOND FUNDING.

IT DOESN'T SOLVE OUR PROBLEM. >> I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT I AM NOT POINTING A FINGER TO ANY INDIVIDUAL.

WE UNDER FUNDED AND IT WAS BASED ON WHAT WE WOULD FUND THEM. YOU WERE PRY -- PRIVATELY

SAYING 10 BILLION! >> THAT WASN'T PRIVATE.

I SAID IT IN PUBLIC. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD HAVE

SECONDED IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE TALKED ABOUT IT. WE DIDN'T HAVE A CONSENSUS.

WE WOULD SPIN IT OVER. >> EVEN IF WE DO THIS, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK ALL OF THE PROBLEMS WHERE THEY EVER GET TO WHERE THEY ARE. I DON'T THINK THE GOOD LORD OR ANYBODY THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE FIVE MILLION PEOPLE LIVING HERE. SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE PUT TOLL ROADS AND WE PUT HOUSES IN, THEY WERE OVER RICE PATTIES. I WANT TO STRESS THAT EVEN IF WE DO ANYTHING AND THE AMBITIOUS PLAN WE PUT FORWARD IS STILL NOT ENOUGH I WANT PEOPLE TO THINK 20 -- WHATEVER YEAR IT WAS 2030? ANOTHER ONE COMES ALONG AND THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES COMING UP.

IF WE DON'T MAINTAIN WHAT WE ARE BUILDING NOW, OUR SUCCESSES WILL BE IN A WORSE POSITION.

WE ARE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL.

WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE MONEY FROM THE GLO.

I APPRECIATE THE WAY YOU CRAFTED IT.

WE EXPECTED $1.1 BILLION IF MY MATH IS RIGHT, FOR THE COUNTY. 1.1BILLION FROM THE CITY.

IF WE GET THE 750, THANK YOU, BUT WE DON'T STOP THERE.

WHERE IS THE REST OF IT? AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO DO WHAT WE ARE IN CHARGE OF DOING IF THE CITY DOESN'T GET ITS MONEY AND HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. AND EVEN WITH ALL OF THAT IT STILL WON'T BE ENOUGH. HERE IS MY QUESTION.

SINCE ALL WERE NOT INCLUDED I WANT TO YOU ELABORATE ON HOW THAT PROCESS WILL WORK. THAT WAS ONE OF THE KEY

RECOMMENDATIONS. >> YES, SIR.

WE ACTUALLY HAD ALREADY DONE IT AND COMPLETED IT.

>> ORIGINALLY WHEN THE FRAMEWORK WAS DEVELOPED IT WAS INTENDED TO SERVE ONE PURPOSE, TO DETERMINE THE ORDER UPON WHICH THE REMAINING PROJECTS THAT HAD NOT BEEN INITIATED, THE ORDER WE WOULD START THOSE.

THE SCORING CRITERIA IS STILL VALID.

SO UPON THE REQUEST OF COURT WE HAVE NOW SCORED ALL OF THE REMAINING PROJECTS THAT WERE NOT PREVIOUS SHE SCORED.

WE HAVE ALL 162 PROJECTS RANKED THROUGH 1 TO 162.

WE HAVE EFFECTIVELY APPLIED THAT CRITERIA TO EACH ONE OF THE WATER SHADE-SPECIFIC PROJECTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND QUESTION AND THEN I HAVE ONE AFTER THAT. WHAT ARE THE ONE OFF PROJECTS WE HAVE DONE THAT WERE NOT IN THE 160 WE TALKED ABOUT IN HARVEY SO WE MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHAT THEY WERE AND WHAT THEY

COST. >> THOSE WERE THE ZO2

[07:45:02]

PROJECTS, THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS WHERE WE WERE SEEKING OUT AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING IN SOME OF THE MUNICIPAL PARTNERS.

WE ARE SCORING THEM ON THE SAME PRIORITIZATION PROJECT.

>> I AM TALKING ABOUT AN ADJACENT COUNTY.

WAS THAT 10 MILLION? >> IT WAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 10 MILLION ON THE ACQUISITION.

THERE WAS A VEGETATION PROJECT.

YOU ALSO HAD THE ONE -- THERE WAS SOMETHING LIKE THE VEGETATION PILOT PROJECT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I KNEW WHAT THE PROJECTS WERE THAT WERE NOT PART OF THE 160.

>> I APOLOGIZE, COMMISSIONER. I AM HAVING TROUBLE REMEMBERING WHAT THAT WOULD BE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: MITIGATION? >> CORRECT, THE MITIGATION BANKS ARE ON THE BOND PROGRAM.

THOSE ARE WHAT WE CONSIDER WATER SHED SPECIFIC -- EXCUSE ME COUNTY WIDE PROJECTS. THEY CREATE -- WET LAND MITIGATION CREDITS WHAT WE USE TO GET PERMITS FOR ALL OF THE REMAINING BOND PROJECTS AND FOR THE IMPACTS ON WELLNESS.

YOU MAY BE REFERRING TO THE ACQUISITION WE MADE SOUTH OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I BELIEVE FOR A WET LANDS MITIGATION

BANK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LAST POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS WE DID TALK ABOUT CONSIDERING TO ADVOCATE TO THE GLO. THE OTHER PART IS ADVOCATING FOR HUD. THERE HAS BEEN AN IMPACT ON GLO, I HOPE. I ALSO THINK THAT KNOWING WE HAVE A FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION THAT IS KEEN ON THE ISSUE OF EQUITY. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ADVOCATE FOR HUD IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND MAKE SURE THEY EXERCISE OVERSIGHT ON THE MONEY THEY FOUGHT FOR IN THE BIPARTISAN WAY TO GET IT TO US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN I ENCOURAGE US TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND CONTINUE WITH THE DAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF 7:50 -- IF 750 COMES IT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE [INAUDIBLE] A PORTION OF THAT.

WE ALSO KNOW THIS IS THE QUESTION THAT I DON'T KNOW WHICH OF YOU WOULD KNOW THE ANSWER, BUT THERE WAS A PRESS RELEASE -- THANK YOU. IF WE GET THE 750 FROM THE GLO ON THE SCREEN THAT IS BEFORE US WHICH IS THE LAST BAR THAT HAS THE 833, THE 750 WOULD GO AGAINST THAT AT THE END OF THE PROJECT. NUMBER 2, ALSO GOING AGAINST THAT WOULD BE POTENTIALLY THE 500 MILLION THAT THE GLO DID A PRESS RELEASE SAYING THEY WERE GIVING TO THE HGAC TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO US IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND SO OUR RELATIONS WITH THE HGAC MAY NOT BE THE BEST AT THESE TIMES. I THINK IT WOULD BE A FAIR DESCRIPTION. DO WE KNOW WHAT THE STATUS IS OF OUR ALLEGED 500 MILLION IN THE HANDS OF THE HGAC? OUR FEDERAL FUNDS WENT TO THE GLO AND THEN THE NEXT ROUND OF OUR FEDERAL FUNDS WENT FROM THE GLO TO THE HER G -- TO THE HGAC THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO COME TO US.

DO YOU KNOW OR CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THE PROCESS IS FOR GETTING THAT 500 MILLION THAT THAT WAS PUT IN THE PRESS RELEASE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COME TO US THROUGH THE HGAC?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. BASED ON MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROCESS, FIRST OF ALL THE ORIGINAL ACTION PLAN ONLY HAS 209 MILLION TO HGAC. GLO WILL HAVE TO UH-HUH -- TO AMEND THE ACTION PLAN TO PUT THE BALANCE OF THE FUNDS INTO THAT POT. THAT WILL THEN PUSH IT UP CLOSER TO 500. I AM NOT AWARE OF THE TIMETABLE HGAC WILL TAKE TO ROLL OUT THOSE FUNDS, BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE NEXT CONVERSATIONS WE WILL BE

HAVING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH OF THE 500 SHOULD COME TO HARRIS COUNTY THROUGH

THE HGAC? >> LINA HIDALGO: NOT LIKELY

ALL OF IT. >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA --

[07:50:01]

>> CAN YOU TURN YOUR MIC ON, PLEASE.

>> IT WAS ALLEN. >> LINA HIDALGO: HE WAS JUST SAYING IT WOULD BE SPECULATION BECAUSE HGAC HAS 13 COUNTIES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALLEN, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

ONE IS THAT IS IT NECESSARY TO PUT THE 40 MILLION ANNUALLY OF HCTRA TRANSFER INTO TRUST AND IF WE DON'T WHAT RISK DO WE HAVE IN COMPLETING THE BOND PROGRAM?

>> THE ANSWER SOMEWHAT IS IN THE LAST SLIDE AND SOME OF Y'ALL TURNED TO AND THAT'S THE S-CURVE WHERE WE SHOW THE PROJECTED DRAW DOWN BASED ON THE -- THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST IS NOT STRAIGHT LINED AND IT IS AT AN ANGLING -- ANGLE GOING UP. GO TOWARD THE END.

IT IS ALMOST THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A RED AND BLUE LINE. IT IS PAGE 11.

THAT SHOWS OUR DRAW DOWN VERSUS THE INCREASE IN CASH AND THE TRUST. ALSO ASSUMING ZERO PARTNERS.

AND NOW TO THE 750 MILLION -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TO THE 750 MILLION THE FIRST SHOWED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COLLECT -- COLLECTIVELY -- IT IS ON ONE OF YOUR FIRST SLIDES.

>> THE FIRST IS JUST THE BOND PROGRAM.

THE NEED IS MUCH GREATER THAN THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS A $5 BILLION REQUEST BY US, HOUSTON AND ALL OF OUR CITY PARTNERS CORRECT?

>> THE 5 MILLION IS A HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL PROGRAM, BUT THE CITY IS SEPARATE FROM THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOE KAY. OKAY.

YOU ARE HELPING ME MAKE MY POINT.

THE 750, AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, WOULD HELP US WITH THE 830. IT WON'T BECAUSE IF GLO MAKES US SHARE THE 750, THEN IT REALLY DOESN'T -- IT REALLY ISN'T ALL OUR MONEY POTENTIALLY.

I'VE BEEN SAYING THAT I DON'T WANT TO BE PITTED AGAINST THE CITY, BUT THE GLO IS GOING TO DO PRECISELY THAT.

THEY WILL SAY HERE IS 750 AND THEN THEY WILL STEP BACK AND SAY, HOUSTON, PASADENA, SPRING VALLEY, Y'ALL GO TO HARRIS COUNTY. THEY HAVE 750 AND ASK THEM FOR SOME MONEY. THAT'S WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

SO THE 750, INSTEAD OF LOOKING LIKE 90% OF WHAT OUR STRATEGY IS BECOMES LESS THAN 17% OF THE NEED.

THE WATERWAYS GOES THROUGH ALL OF THE CITIES AND ALL OF THAT. I GET IT.

BUT IF WE ARE FORCED TO SHARE THAT MONEY, THEN THAT 750 GETS REAL, REAL SMALL. WE MAY NOT HAVE 750 TO DROP IN THE BUCKET. IS THAT A FAIR ASSESSMENT?

>> WHAT OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH GLO HAS BEEN SO FAR IS A METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION TO BE DEVELOPED BY HARRIS COUNTY.

SOME OF THE STRATEGY WOULD NEED TO BE ADVISED BY COURT.

>> BUT THEY ARE SAYING YOU WILL BE THE NEW GLO AND IT WILL BE UP TO YOU TO DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY WITH THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT THIS 750 IS GETTING REAL SMALL.

WHILE OUR NEEDS REMAIN LARGE, THE RESOURCES ARE BECOMING SMALLER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS WE ARE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL, WE ARE ROBBING PETER IN PRECINCT 2 WHO NEEDS ROAD REPAIRS TO FUND FLOOD CONTROL.

I WANT TO RE-READ MY MOTION BECAUSE I MADE A SLIGHT EDIT TO IT. MY MOTION IS TO DIRECT BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO EVALUATE THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND

[07:55:05]

WITH INPUT FROM COURT MEMBERS HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY TO BRING FORWARD A MODIFIED FRAMEWORK FOR THE UTILIZATION OF THE

TRUST FUND. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: LET'S BE CLEAR.

WE HAVE A BASIC PARAMETER. ONE, THE GLO SAID, HARRIS COUNTY YOU WILL GET 750 MILLION.

ALL OF THESE OTHER CITIES, THEY MAY HAVE A PROJECT HERE AND A PROJECT THERE. I THINK THE PRESSURE IS GOING TO REMAIN. IF THEY BRING ANY STRINGS ON THAT 750 IT WILL BE WORSE THAN WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT. THAT IS ONE THING.

>> THAT'S THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE.

>> THE FOCUS NEEDS TO STAY ON THAT.

THAT 750 IS TO HARRIS COUNTY -- BECAUSE WE DO BENEFIT EVERY ENTITY IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A COUNTY WIDE BOND PROJECT.

THE SECOND THING IS JUST REMEMBER THAT I'M VOTING FOR THIS BECAUSE THIS SOMETHING WE HAVE NEEDED IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR 40 YEARS. I CAN'T TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF TIMES MEETING WITH FLOOD CONTROL JUST AS SOON AS WE HEAR SOMETHING FROM THIS AGENCY AND THIS AGENCY AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. WITH A RESILIENCY FUND ONCE WE MUSCLE THROUGH THIS BOND, THAT WILL REMAIN.

AND WHEN WE ARE GOING AFTER THE FUTURE PROJECTS, THEN WE DON'T HAVE TO SIT AROUND HERE IS AND WAIT FOR YEARS FOR SOME FEDERAL AGENCY TO RESPOND. WE'VE GOT A WAY TO SUPPORT THAT. OUR BACKDROP -- THIS HAS BEEN NEEDED FOR YEARS. I KNOW WE ARE USING WHAT HAPPENED WITH GLO AS THE PREMISE FOR STARTING THIS.

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN NEEDING FOR A LONGTIME.

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA, AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE GONNA NEED IN THIS COUNTY FOR AS LONG AS WE ARE TRYING

TO GO FLOOD CONTROL. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG DAY.

THE CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH THE MAYOR AT LEAST, HE IS

NOT INTERESTED -- >> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER.

WE MIGHT BE GETTING INTO MATERIAL THAT IS BETTER FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND IF FOLKS WANT TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS AFTER, I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION.

DO YOU NEED ANYTHING IN ADDITION TO THE MOTION?

ALLEN OR DAVE? >> AND I THINK YOU CIRCULATED, JUDGE, BUT A MOTION TO ADOPT THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS IN

THE PLAN PRESENTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION. I WILL ASK SOMEBODY TO MAKE THAT MOTION THAT THE COURT ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PROVIDED IN THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT COURT LETTER UNDER ITEM 191 AND THE ACCOMPANYING PRESENTATION.

I WANT TO MAKE JUST A COUPLE OF POINTS WHICH IS I'M GLAD YOU IDENTIFIED THE HICCUPS IN THESE INITIAL PROPOSALS.

WE CAN'T JUST LOOK AT THE START TIME.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHEN THE FUNDING IS COMMITTED.

THE VALUE OF COLLABORATION IS VERY CLEAR IN THIS CONVERSATION. I ESPECIALLY APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION THIS $2.5 BILLION AND THE MATCHING FUNDS ARE NOT GOING TO MEET ALL IT NEEDS. AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY FLOOD TASK FORCE WAS THERE TO TURN A CORNER AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE HIS MOTION.

WAS THERE A SECOND -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS RAMSEY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND SOMEONE MADE THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION 1234* I READ IT EARLIER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKES THE SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF BOTH

MOTIONS ? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: BOTH MOTIONS

CARRY UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE, AND BOTH THOSE

MOTIONS ARE FOR 140 AND 191. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S

CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE SEVERAL EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. IT IS UP TO THE COURT. WE DEFINITELY NEED TO DISCUSS THE ITEM ON 23 AND SINCE WE ARE ON THE TOPIC OF FLOODING WE OUGHT TO DISCUSS THE INTERIM FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR. THERE ARE TWO OR THREE ITEMS I-45 AND LEGAL STRATEGY WITH RESPECT TO 1983 CASES AND SDBG QUESTION THAT EVERYBODY HAS WELL AS COMPENSATION FOR

[08:00:02]

ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES -- OR COURT ADMINISTRATORS.

THIS IS THE QUESTION FOR THE COURT.

DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK JUST ON THE 323 AND THEN COME BACK OUT

OR COME BACK OUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I MAKE MY MOTION ON 425? I CIRCULATED IT EARLIER ON ADDITIONAL LAND ON THE REMEMBRANCE PROJECT? I THINK I SENT A MOTION AROUND EARLIER.

THIS IS TO TAKE THE LAND ACROSS THE STREET.

>> 425. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SENT MY MOTION AROUND. MY STAFF IS LOOKING FOR IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU ARE HOLDING THAT UP AND A COMMENT THAT THE GEOGRAPHY OF THAT BEAUTIFUL PARK INCLUDES A REGRETFUL PIECE OF HOUSTON HISTORY RELATED TO THE MURDER. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OUR

PRECINCTS CAN WORK TOGETHER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR, VERY MUCH SO. A BIG PART OF THAT -- I DIDN'T LAY IT OUT IN THE MOTION, BUT OBVIOUSLY I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH JON BLOUNT.

I MENTIONED IT TO THE MAYOR, BUT A KEY WOULD BE GETTING THAT STREET -- NARROWING IT OR CLOSING IT SOMETIMES.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TAKEN THE LAND WHERE -- WHAT WAS OVER THERE? IT WAS THE COFFEEHOUSE.

YOU HAVE RIDDEN YOUR BIKE. WE COULD DO AN AMPHITHEATER-TYPE DEAL, BUT VERY MUCH SO. AND THE MAYOR EXPRESSED SOME INTEREST IN IT. OBVIOUSLY THE OTHER PLOT OF LAND, IF WE CAN'T DO IT THERE I AM FOR DOING SOMETHING THAT FALLS IN LINE WITH THE PROJECT.

THAT OTHER BUILDING WHERE THE CAR COMES OUT.

IF YOU DON'T SEE T COMMISSIONER CAGLE -- IF YOU DON'T SEE T IT IS TO DESIGNATE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT

PROPERTY -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY JUST HANDED IT TO ME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS THE PARKING LOT WHERE THE CARS WERE COMING OUT AND WE WERE GOING TO TEAR THAT DOWN. THAT IS WHERE THE TRIAL

SERVICES IS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NOT TO GET INTO YOUR BUSINESS ON HOW YOU RUN OR DO THINGS, BUT WE HAVE SORT OF A STANDING AGREEMENT WITH FLOOD CONTROL THAT THE PROPERTIES THAT FLOOD CONTROL ACQUIRES -- PRETTY SURE PRECINCT 2 DOES THIS TOO -- CAN'T BE UTILIZED -- CAN BE USED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

I AM FINE, BUT YOU MAY BE COVERED FOR WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO. IF YOU MAKE THIS A PARK IT IS

A RECREATIONAL PURPOSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHERE THE PARKING LOT IS NOT FLOOD CONTROL.

THE PART WHERE THE STREET IS AND GOING DOWN, THAT'S FLOOD CONTROL. BUT I'M ALSO -- WHEN YOU WALK OUT OF THE BUILDING THE PIECE OF LAND THAT HAS A CAR STICKING OUT OF THE BUILDING --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OH YEAH. I PARKED THERE FOR YEARS AS A

LAWYER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT PART I

WANT TO INCLUDE AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND

YOUR MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU ACQUIRING IT? HOW DOES THAT --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL TEAR THE BUILDING DOWN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE OWN THAT BUILDING WHERE THE CAR

IS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DIDN'T KNOW WE OWNED THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU WILL NEED

TO SHOW ME THE BUILDING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU MIGHT GET PEOPLE WHO ARE HISTORICAL FOR YOU TO TEAR IT DOWN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WILL BE TORN DOWN.

MR. BLOUN, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THAT MORE THAN 50 YEARS OLD?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT WERE YOUR PLANS ON THIS LAND BY THE

WAY? >> AS FAR AS THE -- IT IS A PARKING GARAGE, AND A CAR IS STICKING OUT.

THE PLANS WERE TO TEAR IT DOWN BECAUSE IT DOES NOT MEET ADA STANDARD AND -- STANDARDS AND CANNOT BE MODIFIED WITHOUT

TEARING IT DOWN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS

TIGHT. >> AND THERE IS NO ACCESS FOR PEOPLE TO WALK UP THE RAMP. THEY HAVE TO WALK UP NEXT TO

CARS COMING DOWN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY PARKING SPACE WAS ON THE ROOF. I DID THAT MANY TIMES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE TOOK THE OLD D.A.'S BUILDING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SO WE OWN THIS BUILDING?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MAKE THE MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS JUST TRYING TO POINT OUT THAT I DIDN'T NECESSARILY KNOW YOU HAVE TO COME THIS ROUTE FOR IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DO. >> JUDGE FOR CLARITY, THIS IS JAMES, CAN THE ACTUAL MOTION BE READ FOR CLARITY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU STOPPED ME WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE

OF READING IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO YOU WANT ME TO READ THE MOTION I GOT FROM TOM RAMSEY? HERE IT IS. I MOVE TO DESIGNATE HARRIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL PROPERTY BOUNDED BY CONGRESS ON BANON STREET AND BUFFALO BAYOU INCLUDING BLOCK 413 AND 22 OF THE SOUTH SIDE OF BUFFALO BAYOU SBBB SUBDIVISION TO BE A GREEN SPACE.

[08:05:01]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND ADD ANY OTHER LAND I WANT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND ANY OTHER LAND THAT THE COMMISSIONER WANTS TO PAY FOR OUT OF HIS BUDGET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU GOT THAT, JAMES?

>> I GOT T BUT NOT THE LAST PART.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE MOTION AND WHO MADE THE SECOND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'LL SECOND IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANTED THIS ONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND IT WAS UNANIMOUS.

HERE IS THE THING. WE HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 453 ON THE INTERIM FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT

[Executive Session (Part 2 of 3)]

APPOINTMENT. ITEM 461 ON LEGAL STRATEGY FOR 1983 CASES. 463 ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SB23 ON CURRENT POLICY AND 473 ON THE SDGB AND 474 ON I-45 AND 475 ON COMPENSATION OF DISTRICT COURT AND COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATORS. ARE YOU GUYS ON BOARD WITH GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ALL OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION

ITEMS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES THAT INCLUDE BEING ABLE TO DISCUSS OUR STRATEGY AS IT RELATES TO

-- >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

THAT IS THE CDBG. >> ONE LAST ONE ON 459 I KNOW IT HAS BEEN APPROVED, BUT WE DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN

EXECUTIVE SESSION TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO 459 IS AGREEMENTS FOR THE LITIGATION FOR SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR LITIGATION. JOCK JOCK ARE WE GOING

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE WE GOING IN THE BACK OR JUST USE THIS

HORSESHOE? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS SET UP BACK THERE. WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

SO WE ARE GOING ON 453, 459, 461, 463, 473, 474 AND 475.

IT IS ON LEGAL STRATEGY AND CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS.

THANK YOU. IT IS IT IS 11:07 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE NEED TO DISCUSS WHAT WE WENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON.

STARTING WITH 453. WE NEED A MOTION TO APPOINT ALLEN BLACK TO SERVE AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS KOPP -- HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

ALLEN BLACK WILL REMAIN A REGULAR EMPLOYEE WHICH WAIL -- WHICH WILL PROTECT HIS BENEFITS AND APPROVE AN INCREASE IN HIS SALARY TO $318,801.60 FOR THE PERIOD HE SERVES AS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND A $425 MONTHLY CAR ALLOWANCE TO CONDUCT AN EXPEDITED SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FLOODED -- BY HUMAN RESOURCES.

AND AUTHORIZED THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH AN AUTHORIZED EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM TO SUPPORT THE EXPEW DIETED -- EXPEDITED SEARCH OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? PASSES. THANK YOU TO RUSS POPPE.

>> UNANIMOUS? >> LINA HIDALGO: UNANIMOUS, JAMES. THE NEXT ITEM THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS ITEM 409 -- EXCUSE ME.

459. 459.

ON THIS EYE TESM -- ITEM -- IT IS JUST -- IT IS 459 AND I SIMPLY NEED TO MOVE THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 461 IS NEXT.

HERE WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LEGAL STRATEGY DISCUSSING DASH DOSH DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE -- DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. ALL IN FAVOR?

[08:10:02]

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: PASSES.

>> CAN YOU MAKE SURE ALL THE MICROPHONES ARE ON?

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 463, NO ACTION.

THAT WAS SIMPLY A DISCUSSION ITEM.

ITEM 473, NO ACTION. IT WAS A DISCUSSION ITEM.

474, SAME. NO ACTION.

ITEM 475 WE NEED A MOTION TO ADJUST THE SALARIES OF CLAY BOWMAN, THE DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR AND ED WELLS, THE COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATOR TO $126,000 PER YEAR BASED ON THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION STUDY.

MOTION BY CAGLE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IF FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

THOSE ARE THE ITEMS WE TOOK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

AND NOW WE NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 442 NOW THAT WE HAVE

[Departments (Part 4 of 5)]

TALKED ABOUT SB23 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IT IS YOUR ITEM.

THAT'S THE ROLL OVER ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: GETTING TO THAT PAGE, JUDGE. APOLOGIES.

YOUR HONOR IN MARCH WE APPROVED THE BUDGET.

THE CONSTABLES SUBMITTED BUDGETS AND THEY HAD ROLL OFFICERS THAT WAS THERE. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLLOVER BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS ADOPTED DURING MY TERM OF SERVICE AS AN INNOVATION FOR ASSISTING IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. BEFORE WHEN I WAS A JUDGE SERVING THE PUBLIC EVERY YEAR WE WOULD DO EVERYTHING WE COULD TO SPEND EVERYTHING IN THE BUDGET BECAUSE IF WE DIDN'T SPEND OUR WHOLE BUDGET WE GOT WHACKED THE NEXT YEAR.

THE ROLL OVER CAME INTO PLACE AND IT WAS A FINANCIAL TOOL THAT WAS A VERY BENEFICIAL ONE BECAUSE IF I HAD AN EXPENDITURE THAT I WANTED TO MAKE THAT I THOUGHT WOULD HELP ME AND ASSIST ME BACK IN MY FORMER DAYS, THIS WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME AS A JUDGE, I COULD GET THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, EITHER THE COPY MACHINE OR THE COMPUTER OR WHATEVER IT IS. I COULD HOLD BACK SO WE CAN GET THE COPY MACHINE -- I AM BEING FACETIOUS, BUT BASICALLY BY GETTING THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THEY CAN CARRY THEIR SAVINGS FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE THOSE THINGS THEY NEEDED TO DO.

THIS YEAR OUR CONSTABLES SUBMITTED BUDGETS WITH ROLL OVER AND I KNOW SAY DO YOU HAVE ROLL OVER TO PAY FOR THAT? AND MANY TIMES WE WOULD DENY THEM THE BUDGETARY FUNDS BECAUSE THEY HAD ROLL OVER FUNDS THEY COULD DRAW FROM. I KNOW BACK WHEN SHERIFF GARCIA CAME TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT THERE IS PROBABLY A COUPLE TIMES THERE WAS SOMETHING HE WANTED AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE THEN WOULD SAY, WELL, USE IT AS A ROLL OVER. NOT TO BE MEAN OR ANYTHING, BUT THAT IS JUST WHERE THE PROCESS AND THAT FLOWING OF A BUDGETARY PROCESS THAT WAS THERE.

I FEEL, JUDGE, THAT THAT WAS A GOOD APPROACH FOR FINANCE AND AN ENCOURAGEMENT FRUGALITY AND IT ENCOURAGED ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS TO MANAGE MOST EFFECTIVELY CLOSEST TO WHERE THE EXPENDITURES WERE DONE. I AM NOT HERE TO REARGUE THE ROLL OVER DEBATE BECAUSE I LOST THAT DEBATE.

I HAVE BEEN VERY CONSISTENT IN TERMS OF SAYING THAT I THINK WAS THE BEST PRACTICES THAT WE COULD HAVE HAD BECAUSE I HAD LIVED IN THE WORLD BEFORE ROLL OVER AND THAT WAS A REFORM

[08:15:02]

THAT WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT I WAS NOT THAT BIG OF A FAN OF IT. AFTER I SAW HOW I THOUGHT IT WORKED I BECAME A BELIEVER IN IT.

OUR COURT COMING IN WANTED TO GO BACK TO THE OLD WAY.

AND I GET THAT. THAT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE.

BUT WHEN WE CHANGED ONE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND CHANGED IT AFTER THE BUDGET PROCESS, I DON'T THINK IT WAS FAIR TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN PARTICULAR AS WELL AS FAIR TO OTHERS.

JUDGE, TO SAY THAT -- AND WE HAVE ALL HAD RHETORIC ON THIS. TO SAY THE ROLL OVER FUNDS WERE SQUIRRELED AWAY OR THEY WERE ON A SHELF BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T SPENT IS LIKE COMING TO ME AND SAY, HEY, CAGLE, YOU PAY YOUR BILLS MONTH -- MONTH TO MONTH AND I AM COMING IN ON THE THIRD WEEK OF THE MONTH AND GEE YOU HAVE MONEY YOU SAVED UP AND YOU TAKE IT AND SPEND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE AND NOW I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO PAY MY BILLS WHEN THE NEXT MONTH ROLLS AROUND. I DON'T THINK IT IS OKAY TO TAKE PEOPLE'S SAVINGS ACCOUNT AWAY FROM THEIR IN THE PROCESS. AND WE HAVE OUR OWN SAVINGS ACCOUNT. WE HAVE OUR PIC FUND AND WE WOULD BE UPSET IF SOMEBODY SAID GEE THAT MONEY YOU HAVE OVER THERE WAITING FOR THE NEXT HURRICANE IS WASTEFUL AND IT IS NOT BEING USED. IT IS BEING USED.

IT IS ALLOWING US TO BE READY FOR A CONTINGENCY THAT COMES UP. I FEEL THE ROLL OVER FUNDS WERE BEING USED BY OUR CONSTABLES AND SHERIFF AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES BECAUSE THOSE WERE FUNDS WHEREAS TO IF SOMETHING WENT DOWN THEY COULD RELY UPON IT TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE COVERED.

THEY HAD SAVED IT BY NOT SPINNING IT ON THE EASY THING OF THE TAXPAYERS, BUT THEY HAD HELD IT BACK AND USED IT.

I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO WILL COME IN AND SAY THEY HAVE A NUMBER -- I BELIEVE THERE IS AT LEAST TWO WHO SAY THEY NEED SOME ROLL OVER FUNDS THAT THEY WERE NOT RECEIVED. JUDGE, I AM GOING TO -- I KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS GIVEN US THE OPINION THAT WHEN WE REMOVED THE ROLL OVER FUNDS THAT IT DID NOT VIOLATE US AND I WOULD SAY WHETHER OR NOT -- WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THE FUNDS AWAY. THERE IS A SIMPLE ONE THAT SAYS IF CONSTABLE, SHERIFF FIRE MARSHALL IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS ROLL OVER FUNDS, WE GIVE IT BACK TO THEM.

IT IS A SIMPLE MOTION AND I THINK THAT IS THE FAIRWAY TO TREAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT. WHETHER OR NOT SB23 APPLIES WE WILL STILL DO IT, I BELIEVE AND IF IT APPLIES WE WILL HAVE SOME CONSEQUENCES AND IT WON'T BE DECIDED BY US OR BY OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY. IT WILL BE DECIDED BY THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE AND COMPTR WHETHER IT APPLIES OR NOT.

EVEN IF IT DOESN'T APPLY I DON'T THINK IT IS A FAIR THING TO DO AND WE SHOULD REFUND THEIR ROLL OVER AND GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS ONE MORE TIME THIS NEXT YEAR.

WE HAVE DISAGREEMENT ON THAT AND I GET IT.

I WANTED TO MAKE MY ARGUMENT FOR OUR CONSTABLES AND OUR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE COUNTY THAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO RELY ON THE BUDGETARY PROCESSES WE DID AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE TREATED THEM APPROPRIATELY IN THIS PROCESS.

JUDGE, I HAVE MORE TO SAY, BUT IT IS 11:19 AND I WILL LET THOSE WHO ARE WANTING TO SPEAK SAY THEIR PEACE AT THIS TIME.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I SECOND THAT MOTION, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW WHAT EXTENT IT IS USEFUL TO HEAR FROM DAVE, BUT PERHAPS WE CAN JUST HEAR FROM SOME OF THE SPEAKERS AND SO FOLKS CAN GET STARTED AND THEN WE CAN GET A SUMMARY AS TO WHAT HAPPENED THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

LUCINDA, WHY DON'T YOU CALL THE SPEAKERS AND WE WILL START WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS OBVIOUSLY.

[08:20:04]

>> I'M NOT SURE IS CONSTABLE SHERMAN EAGLETON STILL THERE.

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY GOOD AFTERNOON, BUT WE HAVE BEEN HERE ALL DAY. WHAT SHOULD I IS A? WHAT SHOULD I SAY? GOOD NIGHT? I WANT TO THANK YOU FORGIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS COURT ABOUT MY FINANCIAL SITUATION.

WHEN I FIRST TOOK OVER THE OFFICE THE VOTER THAT'S PUT ME IN OFFICE THEY WERE ASKING ME ALL OF THESE THINGS I WANTED TO DO. WHEN I TOOK OVER PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE OFFICE WE WERE TOP HEAVY AND ON DEMAND.

AND I USED THAT WHEN I CAME TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

FOR FOUR YEARS I WAS IN OFFICE AND I HAD MONEY TO COVER THOSE POSITIONS. AND WE SAT DOWN WITH OUR STAFF AND LOOKED AT THE BUDGET AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO COVER MY LABOR. AND I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED KEVIN OVER AT THE BUDGET OFFICE.

I SAID, KEVIN, YOU GAVE ME MY BUDGET, BUT I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN MY BUDGET TO COVER MY LABOR.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THESE GUY THAT'S ARE WORKING FOR ME? KEVIN'S ANSWER TO ME IS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU, CONSTABLE.

WE WENT BACK AND FORTH AND BACK AND FORTH.

HE SAID IF YOU CAN'T RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM YOU ARE GONNA HAVE TO SPEAK AND I APPRECIATE YOU REACHING OUT TO ME.

I DIDN'T LET YOU KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND YOU CONTACTED ME AND YOU SAID YOU WOULD WORK WITH ME.

I APPRECIATE IT AND I WILL TAKE YOUR SUGGESTION AND DO SOME OF THE THINGS WE DISCUSSED AND HOPE WE CAN WORK THIS OUT IN THE FUTURE. I DON'T WANT TO LAY ANYBODY OFF. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I KNOW WE HAD OUR DIFFERENCES AND ON MARCH 18TH WE SAT DOWN AND MET AND BROKE BREAD AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD MEETING. DON'T YOU THINK SO? WHEN WE WERE SITTING IN THAT MEETING WE DISCUSSED A FEW THINGS. I TOLD YOU ABOUT MY SHORTAGE ON THE BUDGET. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW I WOULD MAKE ENDS MEET. WE DISCUSSED A FEW OTHER THINGS AND YOU TOLD ME I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT. AM I CORRECT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S CORRECT.

>> WE ALSO MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE SOME OF THE ROLL OVER MONEY FROM SOME OF THE OTHER CONSTABLES MAY COME OUR WAY IF I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY MY BILLS.

I FELT REALLY GOOD AFTER THAT MEETING.

I'M ASKING YOU, ARE YOU STILL GOING TO STAND UP?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY. LOOK, CONSTABLE, AND I REACHED OUT TO YOU AS WELL BECAUSE I REACHED OUT TO THE BUDGET OFFICE AS WELL. WHAT I SAID AT OUR LUNCH WAS THAT IF YOU HAD THINGS BUDGETED, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM. BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN WE TALKED THAT YOU SAID YOU WERE HAVING PROBLEMS PUTTING GASOLINE IN YOUR PATROL CARS. THAT WAS -- HOLD ON A SECOND.

THAT WAS UNCONSCIONABLE TO ME.

BUT THE KEY WAS BUDGETED. YOUR BUDGETED POSITIONS.

WE TALKED WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE.

MR. BERRY WILL GET A CHANCE, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU HAD BUDGETED POSITIONS AND YOU HAD FUNDED BUDGETED POSITIONS, IT IS ONE THING TO SAY POSITIONS, BUT FUNDED BUDGETED POSITIONS THEN THE OFFICE SHOULD WORK WITH YOU ON THIS. I THINK THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS ON -- OPINIONS AS TO THE STATE OF YOUR BUDGET.

I ASKED THE BUDGET OFFICE TO WORK WITH YOU.

THE JUDGE AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT YOUR SITUATION AND I DON'T KNOW. WE WILL FIGURE OUT HOW THINGS DEVELOP. THAT'S MY COMMENT TO THEM.

I GOT YOUR EMAIL AND YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW -- YOUR EMAIL SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF HAVING -- NOT HAVING MONEY FOR IT, BUT YOU'VE -- YOU FILLED THOSE POSITIONS ANYWAY.

I ASKED THE BUDGET OFFICE, WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THE WORK

[08:25:02]

WITH THE CONSTABLE? THAT WAS MY DIRECTIVE TO THEM. WE HAVE A BUDGET ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT RAISES A PREDICAMENT.

WHETHER IT IS A CONSTABLE OR DIRECTOR YOU HAVE TO BE FAIR.

DASH THEY ARE VERY DEDICATED TO HOW IT WORKS.

I DON'T GET EVERYTHING I WANT EITHER.

I HAVE ASKED THEM TO SEE IF THERE ARE WAYS TO WORK WITH YOU AND SEE THAT IF YOU HAD BUDGETED POSITIONS I THINK WE WILL GET INTO A POINT OF ROLL OVER AND SALARY.

WHEN HE WAS A NEW COMMISSIONER AND I WAS A SHERIFF, IT WAS REAL CLEAR THAT THE RULE WAS MADE OR THE RULE WAS DEFINED THAT ROLL OVER WOULD NEVER BE USED OR AUTHORIZE TO BE USED FOR SALARY POSITIONS. THAT WAS ALMOST THE GOLDEN RULE AS IT RELATES TO THE ROLLOVER.

EVEN WHEN I WANTED TO USE MY ROLLOVER, I DIDN'T GET TO USE IT FOR WHAT I WANTED TO USE IT IF IT WAS NON-SALARIED POSITIONS. THAT'S BEEN MY ISSUE WITH THE ROLLOVER. AND MY QUESTION TO MR. BERRY AT A LATER TIME IS WHAT WAS THE DEFINED GUIDELINES? I THINK WHAT WE ARE FINDING IS THE GUIDELINES WERE IN BETWEEN A PERSON'S EARS, MEANING THE PREVIOUS BUDGET DIRECTOR AND ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS SOME OF YOU GOT SOMETHING OUT OF YOUR ROLLOVER AND THE OTHER ONE DIDN'T GET THE SAME THING OUT OF THE ROLLOVER. THAT WAS ALWAYS MY PROBLEM THAT THERE WAS NOT A UNIFORM, CLEARLY DEFINED SET OF RULES.

MY COMMITMENT IS WITH YOU TO DO WHAT I CAN AND TO WORK WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE TO ADDRESS YOUR CHALLENGES.

>> YES, SIR. AND I'M GLAD YOU SAID THAT YOU DO IT FOR ONE, YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOR ALL.

I'M NOT THROWING MY COLLEAGUES UNDER THE BUS BECAUSE WE ALL STAND HERE TOGETHER. YOU CAN SEE THEM STANDING HERE WITH ME NOW. ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES WAS IN THE SAME POSITION I WAS IN. YOU GOTTA FIX THIS PROBLEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WAS HIM COMING IN AND TAKING OVER HIS

OFFICE. >> NO, SIR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT CONSTABLE

GARCIA? >> ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHICH ONE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> CONSTABLE SANLIN HAD THE SAME SITUATION.

POSITIONS WERE TAKEN AND HE COVERED IT WITH THE ROLLOVER.

WHEN HE GOT HIS FUNDING IT WASN'T COVERED IN THE LABOR.

YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH IT. US CONSTABLES TALK AND WE STAND TOGETHER. I DIDN'T COME HERE TO FIGHT.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY CONSTITUENTS AT HOME THAT I

CAN'T SERVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I GOT YOU.

I DON'T REMEMBER ALL OF THE DETAILS.

I WILL LET THE CONSTABLE AND THE -- SURE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: CONSTABLE, BEFORE YOU GO.

I'M NEW TO THE COURT SO I DIDN'T GET TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ROLLOVER DISCUSSIONS BEFORE, BUT THIS IS WHAT I HAD OBSERVED ABOUT THIS. I WILL CALL IT A TRANSITION.

BEFORE WE HAD -- WE GOT A NEW BUDGET OFFICER THIS YEAR.

WE DID THE BUDGET. THE BUDGET OFFICER SAT DOWN AND Y'ALL HAD YOUR CONVERSATION.

YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHEN YOU HAD THE CONVERSATION WITH THE BUDGET OFFICER THAT THE ROLLOVER WAS GOING TO BE DONE AWAY WITH. WHEN YOU DID THE BUDGET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT. IN YOUR OTHER THREE BUDGETS YOU DID WITH ANOTHER BUDGET OFFICER IN THOSE YEARS, WERE YOU ABLE TO MODIFY YOUR BUDGET OR WERE YOU BUDGET MODIFIED OR IS THIS THE FIRST TIME THIS IS HAPPEN SNG.

>> THIS IS THE -- HAPPENING? >> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS IS HAPPENING. I ALWAYS HAD MONEY TO COVER

THE POSITIONS. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO YOU USED ROLLOVER MONEY IN THE PAST TO COVER THOSE POSITIONS ?

>> THOSE POSITIONS I WAS USING ROLLOVER MONEY TO PAY FOR WAS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND I GOT PERMISSION TO USE THAT MONEY THROUGH THE BUDGET OFFICE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CONSTABLE, HOW MUCH WAS IN THE ROLL OVER?

>>

>> THEY TOOK THAT MONEY AND PAID FOR SOME CARS THAT I HAD ORDERED. CERAMIC YOU HAD ABOUT 300,000?

>> ABOUT 300. I WOULD HAVE HAD MORE THAN THAT HAD YOU GUYS PAID US FOR THE OVERTIME?

>> WHAT YOUR SHORTFALL?

>> YOUR SHORTFALL WAS MORE THAN YOU HAD ÃEXACTLY.

[08:30:02]

SO YOU COULDN'T SAY YOUR PROBLEM WAS BIGGER

>> I HAD A SMALLER PROBLEM BUT NOW IT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM.

>> I AM NOT HERE TO ARGUE WITH THE COURT.

I AM HERE FOR SOME HELP.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT IT >> IN ADDITION TO THAT YOU GAVE ME SOME ÃI'M GOING TO WORK WITH YOU ON THAT BECAUSE YOU SAID YOU WILL WORK WITH ME. I JUST HOPE THAT WE CAN RESOLVE

THIS MATTER >> AND THAT'S, THERE ARE 2 DIFFERENT THINGS ONE THING IS, I AM CURIOUS TO HEAR THE SITUATION IS. AND DAVE, YOU HAVE TO CORRECT ME. WE HAVE A BUDGET PROCESS FOLKS RECEIVE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE REQUEST THEY MAKE 100 PERCENT 98.3 PERCENT. 100 PERCENT.

FOR THE MOST PART THEY GOT A HUGE PERCENTAGE BREAD EVERY YEAR WE HAVE BEEN HERE WE HAVE INCREASED THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET. PERSONALLY I APPRECIATE THE WORK EACH OF YOU DO WHEN I APPRECIATE THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP I HAVE WITH EACH OF YOU.

YOU KNOW THAT. AND I APPRECIATE THE SERVICE OF EACH OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK IN YOUR DEPARTMENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC ESPECIALLY. THERE WAS THIS ACCOUNTING PRACTICE OF THE ROLLOVER THAT WAS DETERMINED IT WAS NOT A GOOD PRACTICE AND INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA BUT I WAS PERSUADED THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THESE FUNDS.

FOLKS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY THERE WAS AN OPEN PROCESS WHERE THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WERE INVITED TO APPLY FUNDS FROM THE ROLLOVER AND IT WAS MADE CLEAR YOU WILL APPLY AND IT WAS NOT A CONFUSING MESSY PROCESS BUDGET MANAGEMENT WILL REVIEW IT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS IN COURT WILL APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> CAN I SAY SOMETHING JUDGE? I AM AWARE OF THAT BUT YOU SAID WHEN YOU APPLY IT CANNOT BE A REOCCURRING EXPENSE.

LABOR IS A REOCCURRING EXPENSE.

>> LET ME FINISH MY POINT, FOLKS WERE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE ROLLOVER AND RECEIVED A HIGH PERCENT OF THE ROLLOVER ON AVERAGE 91 PERCENT OF THE ROLLOVER WAS GRANTED AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT WE JUST MADE A $60 MILLION INVESTMENT WITH THE DOLLARS FOR THE COURT SAID DOLLARS THAT WILL COME TO STAFFING ON TOP OF THE INCREASE YEAR AFTER YEAR WE HAVE GIVEN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ON TOP OF THE FUNDING WE HAVE DONE FOR VIOLENT CRIMES AND WHATNOT YOU KNOW THERE ARE MORE IN THE WORK SO I DON'T SEE WHAT MERITS THIS SITUATION.

TO YOUR INSTITUTION SPECIFICALLY CONSTABLE AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO HEAR IT AND I WILL ASK YOU TO CLEAR UP ANYTHING I SAID THAT IS OFF.

CONSTABLE, YOU MADE A REQUEST FROM YOUR ROLLOVER AND YOU HAD UNFILLED, UNFOUNDED POSITIONS AND YOU FILLED THOSE AFTER-THE-FACT SO THE PROBLEM IS IF WE ALLOW FOLKS TO FILL UNFOUNDED POSITIONS AND HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED AND RETROACTIVELY SAY I WANT YOU TO MAKE THEM PERMANENT THAT MIMICS ÃSETS A TERRIBLE PRECEDENT. THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THAT NOBODY WAS ASKED TO ÃPEOPLE THEY HAD ON BOARD IT WAS FOLKS WHO HAD UNFUNDED AND UNFILLED POSITIONS THAT FILLED THEM WITH NO THEY WERE UNFUNDED AND THEY HAD NOT BEEN GRANTED THE FUNDS TO FILL THEM AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO BE DISCIPLINED WITH OUR BUDGET GUIDELINE WITH CRIME GOING UP OR CANNOT AFFORD TO

[08:35:06]

HAVE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. WE HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY ON TACKLING THE RISE IN VIOLENT CRIME WE HAD A PICK FUNDS WE DON'T HAVE A SEPARATE PICKED FUND FOR EACH DEPARTMENT.

I WOULD APPRECIATE >> I UNDERSTAND I MAY HAVE BEEN MISLED A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE HAD THAT MEETING COMMISSIONER I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FILLING THESE POSITIONS AND THEY TOLD ME NOT TO FILL THEM AND I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU

WOULD HELP ME >> I DID NOT MEAN TO GIVE YOU THAT IMPRESSION BECAUSE I REMEMBER I SAID VERY CLEARLY, BUDGETED POSITIONS.BUDGETED POSITIONS.YOU HAVE BUDGETED POSITIONS WE ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP YOU FROM FILLING THOSE

GREAT >> MY QUESTION TO THE COURT YOU ARE GOING TO WORK WITH ME. MY GOING TO HAVE TO LAYOFF SOME

PEOPLE? >> I KNOW YOUR NUMBERS AND I KNOW WE SAID THOSE WORK ON A FORWARD PROCESS AND IT'S NOT ACCURATE AND IT'S WRONG TO SAY THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INCREASE WE GET GIVING YOU SO AS I SAID THE OTHER DAY CONSTABLE HI HAVE DUG INTO YOUR NUMBERS AND OFFERED MY TEAM TO WORK WITH YOU ON A PROPOSAL GOING FORWARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO BUT WE CANNOT SAY WE HAVE A PROCESS TO GO THROUGH THE ROLLOVER AND THEY GOT 90 PERCENT OF WHAT THEY WANTED AND NOW WE HAVE TO GIVE THE NINE PERCENT THAT WAS REJECTED BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE FILL UNFOUNDED POSITIONS WE CAN'T SET THAT PRECEDENT IT WOULD LOSE ALL CREDIBILITY WITH OUR BUDGETING SO I WILL JUST SAY WHAT I TOLD YOU THE OTHER DAY I OFFERED MY TEAM TO WORK WITH YOU ON A PLAN MOVING FORWARD I CANNOT SUPPORT AN IDEA TO RETURN FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED NOW THEY WENT THROUGH A VERY THOROUGH PROCESS BECAUSE

>> AND MY COMMITMENT WAS TO HIT THE BUDGET OFFICE IF THERE WERE PROBLEMS, THE FIRST TIME I WENT THROUGH MY BUDGET PROCESS HAVING BEEN THROUGH CITY COUNCIL, AND THAT PROCESS, HAD I NOT HAD THAT AS A PART OF MY EXPERIENCE I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN LET DOWN A VERY BAD ROAD THANKFULLY HAD THAT EXPERIENCE I DID NOT CHOOSE THAT ROUTE AS A BUDGET DIRECTOR THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS GIVING ME AND AS A RESULT OF THAT I FIRED HIM BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT THE WAY WE WERE GOING TO DO A BUDGET FOR THE LARGEST DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY.

TO THAT END I DID ASK THE BUDGET OFFICE IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL BUT THIS IS BACK TO THE POINT THE JUDGE WAS MAKING WAS AN UNBUDGETED POSITION THAT YOU FEEL SO I WILL ASK THE BUDGET OFFICE TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND OFFER YOU THE SUPPORT WE CAN OFFER YOU BASED ON WHAT THE

[08:40:02]

POLICY WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS SO I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT. BUT THAT WAS MY DIRECTIVE TO THE BUDGET OFFICE TO SEE IF WE CAN FIND WAYS TO RESOLVE THIS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SLIGHTLY AMEND MY EMOTION IT WAS TO GIVE BACK THE ROLLOVER FUNDS I THINK WE MAY HAVE A PROBLEM IF THEY WERE RESTORED TO CONSTABLE Ã SAYING HE NEEDS 400 TO NOT FIRE THE FOLKS WHO ARE WITH YOU NOW THE ROLLOVER IS GOING TO BE HOW MUCH?

>> WE ONLY NEEDED 300 SOME BUT ANOTHER POSITION THAT YOU TOOK

FROM ME, [INDISCERNIBLE] >> I AM JUST TRYING TO FIND A NUMBER THAT YOU NEED MAYBE THE BUDGET OFFICER KNOWS WHAT THAT IS. DO YOU KNOW THE NUMBER? WE HAVE TO HAVE A LAYOFF IN THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE

>> 1200 38,000. >> 439.

>> 439? I WOULD AMEND MY EMOTION THAT THE ROLLOVER BE PROVIDED AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ROLLOVER BE ADDED TO THE CONSTABLE'S ACCOUNT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE ANYBODY OUT.

>> I THINK THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION AS WE GO FROM ONE WAY OF DOING THINGS TO A NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS SO WE NEED TO BE

FLEXIBLE AS WE SORT THIS OUT >> AND YOU RAISE A GOOD POINT ABOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS WHEN WE HAVE HAD A CHANGE IN THE TRANSITION.

>> THE CHALLENGE IS THERE UNFILLED POSITIONS SO ANYONE CAN FILL THEM.

>> I THOUGHT WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE STILL ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> I RECOGNIZE THERE MAY BE A SENSE THAT THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION BUT THE POINT IS, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT TIME SOMEBODY SAYS I GOT CONFUSED AND I HIRE THESE PEOPLE AND NOW YOU ARE FORCING ME TO LAY THEM OFF I WE ARE GOING TO SAY WE PROMISED WE WOULD NEVER DO THIS AGAIN IN THE SITUATION ON JUNE 26 OR WHATEVER TODAY IS IN THAT'S WHY CONSTABLE WE SPOKE FOR A PATH FORWARD. I'M JUST REPEATING WHAT WE DISCUSSED AND I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO THE DETAILS.

WE HAD A NOTE. DID I MISSTATE ANYTHING?

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I TALKED ABOUT AT LENGTH AND THESE WERE CONVERTED OVER AND WHEN THE ROLLOVER ISSUE CAME IN AND I EXPLAINED FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THAT TOOK PLACE WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT WAS GOING TO BE GONE I WAS IN A SIMILAR SITUATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN FUNDING THOSE POSITIONS FOR THREE YEARS AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN THOSE POSITIONS PRAY THEY WERE FUNDED WITH ROLLOVER AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT AND WE HAD A LONG DRAWN OUT PROPOSAL AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD A COPY OF IT AND ROLLOVER IS GONE BUT WE WILL GO AHEAD AND IT WAS FUNDED OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

[08:45:06]

>> I REMEMBER NOW IN MY COMMENT WAS TO USE YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO USE YOUR ROLLOVER THOSE POSITIONS THE CONTRACT WENT AWAY I WAS CURIOUS WHY IS ONE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE WHEN A CONTRACT GOES AWAY THEY ARE PUT INTO A BUDGET BUT YOURS WORK AND THAT WAS THE CORRECTED MEASURE AND REASONING FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PUT IN THAT POSITION TO BEGIN WITH BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE BUDGETED POSITIONS ON THE CONTRACT WENT AWAY THE STANDARD PRACTICES MET, MOVE THOSE POSITIONS OFF THE CONTRACT

>> I REMEMBER THAT CONVERSATION.

>> WHEN I DO APPRECIATE IT AND >> AND THAT WASN'T THIS YEAR.

THAT WAS THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

>> CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WHY DON'T WE JUST GO AND, ARE YOU GUYS SPEAKING?

I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE Ã >> THANK YOU.

>> EVERYTHING I HAVE WRITTEN DOWN HAS GONE BY THE WAYSIDE IN THERE IS SOME GROUNDWORK SET THAT I DON'T NEED TO GO OVER.

WE TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DOWN OUR CONCERN IS THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO SERVE AND THAT'S WHERE MY CONCERNS COME IN, THAT'S HOW I GO FORWARD AND HOW I NEED TO DO A LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MY PRECINCT.

I AM BLESSED I DON'T HAVE TO LAY OFF PEOPLE THAT'S A GOOD THING BACK THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MISCOMMUNICATION AND MISUNDERSTANDING.

I HEARD THE WORD RHETORIC USE AND YOU SAID DEFUNDING.IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY WEEK THERE'S DISCUSSION ARGUMENTS AND DEBATES BETWEEN THE COURT MEMBER SAID NONE OF THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO ME THE REALITY IS I HAD $52 MILLION LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME AND THIS TIME I HAVE 40ILLION PER IF YOU TAKE M NONLABOR COSTS I HAVE A DEFICIT WHICH CORRELATES INTO 22 POSITIONS OF OFFICERS AND THOSE POSITIONS WHAT I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THEY WERE CREATED OUT OF MY MIND AND SOME OF THE FRUSTRATION YOU ARE HEARING FROM US IS I DIDN'T GO TO BED AND COME UP WITH THESE NUMBERS AND I SAT HERE IN GOOD FAITH EVERY YEAR I SPOKE TO YOU MANY TIMES COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND WE PRESENT THOSE POSITIONS WERE APPROVED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE AND THEY WERE VOTED OFF BY THIS COURT TO GRANT ME THOSE POSITIONS. I HAD SEVERAL AND I KNOW THERE IS A DEBATE IF IT SHOULD BE FUNDED WITH ROLLOVER AND I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU, IT SHOULDN'T.

WHEN I TALKED ABOUT THAT THE COMMENT WAS NOBODY SHOULD HAVE THE POSITIONS FUNDED THROUGH ROLLOVER AND WE ARE GOING TO FIX THAT AND I AGREE WITH IT. I AM PERFECTLY FINE WITH A BASELINE BUDGET AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE MONEY TO FUND THOSE POSITIONS SO I CAN CARRY ON AND IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE HAVE FOR THE PRECINCT IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOWN ON THE FIRST SCRIMMAGE THE SAME QUESTION, SO WHEN YOU SAT DOWN FROM THE ORIGINAL BUDGET DISCUSSION YOU DID NOT NOW ROLLOVER WAS GOING AWAY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT COMMISSIONER ON MARCH 1 THE BUDGET GOES INTO

[08:50:03]

EFFECT IT WAS MARCH 9 WITH THE ROLLOVER BEING TAKEN AWAY AND AFTER THAT WE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS WITH MR. BARRY AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE PIPELINES YOU HAVE PURCHASE ORDERS ALREADY ESTABLISHED FOR THINGS OF THIS NATURE, THOSE WERE THE WHAT WE PRESENTED TO THE BUDGET OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO SAY THESE THE PIPELINES WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REOCCURRING MEANING THE SALARIES WOULD NOT BE COVERED THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE COVERED THROUGH ROLLOVER. LIKE I SAID IF YOU ARE FOR IT OR AGAINST IT I UNDERSTAND IT. WHAT I WOULD HAVE COME TO THIS COURT I WOULD'VE PRESENTED MY BUDGET TO HAVE MY BUDGET REFLECT THAT INCREASE SO I COULD FILL THOSE 22 POSITIONS I HAD $8.7 MILLION TAKEN FROM EMI ROLLOVER AND THOSE POSITIONS I AM TALKING ABOUT LIKE I SAID TO THE TUNE OF 2.4 THAT'S WHAT I WOULD'VE SET MY BUDGET AT.

>> SO YOU REQUESTED 1.34 MILLION OUT OF THE 9.5.

THAT'S THE THING, THERE IS A PROCESS AND IF THEY OFFER YOU 9.5 AND YOU REQUEST 1.3 WE CAN'T COME BACK SIX MONTHS LATER AND SAY I WISH I REQUESTED MORE.

WE ARE GIVING SO MUCH FUNDING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THIS IS ONLY GOING TO GROW FROM HERE AND WE ARE COMMITTING MORE AND MORE EVERY YEAR AND MASSIVE INVESTMENTS WE GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE TO APPLY TWICE FOR THE BUDGET AND ROLLOVER IF YOU DON'T APPLY FOR MORE WHEN YOU WERE GRANTED 95 PERCENT, BECAUS WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYING THEY WISH THEY HAD APPLIED FOR MORE. THAT'S A BAD EXAMPLE BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO COME BACK LATER IN THE YEAR BUT WE COULD HAVE HAD PRETRIAL SERVICE. FOLKS COMING IN AND SAYING NEVERMIND I DIDN'T REALIZE I COULD APPLY FOR MORE SO NOW I

WANT MORE. >> THAT'S WHERE SOME OF THE CONFUSION IS AND YOU ARE CORRECT I WAS GIVEN 94 PERCENT OF WHAT I WROTE MY PROPOSAL FOR THOSE WERE ITEMS THAT WE HAD PURCHASE ORDERS ISSUED THOSE ARE THINGS WE SAID THESE ARE IN THE PIPELINE THAT'S WHAT I CALLED THEM WE WERE TOLD THEY COULD NOT INCLUDE SALARIES AND NONLABOR COSTS FOR PERSONNEL AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHALLENGE IS NOT IF IN MY OPINION WE THINK IT'S GOOD OR BAD IT WAS THE TRANSITION IT WAS THE ABILITY TO SAY OKAY YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE 22 POSITIONS WE NEED YOU TO BE ABLE TO PREPARE FOR THAT BECAUSE I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU I COULD HAVE, I HAVE MY ROLLOVER FUNDED I THINK THAT WAS THE WORD BEING USED THOSE POSITIONS AND RIGHT OR WRONG IN THE PAST IT HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY DONE IN THIS COUNTY THAT THOSE POSITIONS WERE FUNDED COMMISSIONER GARCIA I KNOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND STUFF AND I THINK YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT WHILE WE WOULD SIT HERE WE WOULD ADDRESS THIS AND I HAVE NO REASON OTHER THAN TO TELL YOU WHAT FACTUAL WAY IT HAPPENED AND EVERY YEAR I WOULD SAY MY BUDGET IS NOT MEETING MY MANPOWER I WAS TOLD DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT AND YOU HAVE A SUBMISSION ROLLOVER TO HANDLE IT AND ITS TAXPAYERS MONEY AND WHO AM I TO ARGUE AND WHY SHOULD I ASK FOR AN INCREASE IN MY BUDGET WHEN I HAVE A ROLLOVER TO SUFFICE FOR THAT?

>> AND CONSTABLE, I TELL YOU WHAT, I HAVE TO FIRE BILL JACKSON. BECAUSE THIS WAY OF BUDGETING IS WRONG. YOU ARE MAKING A CASE THAT THERE WAS A ROLE FOR YOU IF THERE WASN'T A ROLE FOR PHIL OR SHERMAN. THE POLICY WAS ALWAYS, I THINK MAYBE CONSTABLE YOU WERE TOLD YOU CAN USE IT FOR SALARIES.

AND THIS IS THE THING THAT DROVE ME CRAZY.

[08:55:04]

THAT SOME OF YOU GOT TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHERS.

AND THAT HAS CREATED THIS AMBIGUITY ABOUT HOW WHAT YOU KNEW IT WHAT YOU THOUGHT AND THE MISCOMMUNICATION WAS PROBABLY FROM THE PREVIOUS BUDGET OFFICE IN TERMS OF HOW ROLLOVERS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE USED AND MAYBE YOU GOT MORE FLEXIBILITY THAN EVERYONE ELSE. I DON'T KNOW BUT I KNOW WHAT I WAS TOLD AND IT WAS A STRICT RULE NOT TO BE USED FOR SALARIES NOT TO BE USED FOR REOCCURRING EXPENSE EXPENSES IF YOU WANTED A PATROL CAR A TACO THAT WOULD BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION EVEN THAT, GIVEN CONSIDERATION CONSISTENTLY SO YOU MENTIONED NOW YOU HAD 22 POSITIONS THAT WERE PART OF YOUR ROLE OVER AND I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY THE REMARKS DURING THE BUDGET HEARING BUT YOU SAID MY SALARY LINE ISN'T MEETING MY ACTUAL LINE WE SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT THEN THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS OFFKILTER AND IT'S LIKE WHAT HE INDICATED HE LOST A CONTRACT, ANY OF YOU WHEN YOU LOSE A CONTRACT YOU ARE POSITIONS GET ABSORBED INTO YOUR DEPARTMENT? I HAVE HEARD THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

BUT APPARENTLY IT WASN'T FOR PHIL SO SOMETHING WAS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THIS PROCESS AND I REMAIN COMMITTED TO TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT WE HAVE A MIDYEAR COMING UP AND THE BUDGET DIRECTOR SAID WE DON'T KNOW THE REVENUES ARE GOING TO BE SO I AM COMMITTED TO TRYING TO GET US ALL BACK ON TO THE RIGHT LEDGER AND THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT EVERYONE SEES AND NOT PICK FAVORITES AND THAT WE WORK AS A TEAM AND THAT WE TRIED TO GET EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE SO I REGRET THAT THIS IS HAPPENED AND THIS IS HAPPENING BUT THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE POLICY BEING Ã AND NOT A POLICY THAT THIS COURT SHOULD HAVE VOTED ON AND COMMITTED TO WRITING WITH CLEAR GUIDELINES SO WHEN YOU COME TO THE BUDGET HEARINGS IT'S ALL APPLICABLE AND EVERYONE GETS IT SO ANYWAY.

I REGRET THAT THIS HAPPENED. REGRET IT'S HAPPENING TO CONSTABLE ÃI REGRET IT HAPPENED TO PHIL WE WERE ABLE TO CATCH THAT EARLY ON BEFORE WE GOT INTO THIS ROLLOVER SITUATION IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF FAIRNESS ON HIS PART AND WE SPOKE THE OTHER DAY AND SHE SAID WE CAN'T USE IT FOR SALARIES SO I WAS HEARING WHAT I HAD KNOWN IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS SO AGAIN, I GUESS AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THE JUDGES ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.HAT THE BUDGET DIRECTOR SAID WE NEED TO MAKE THE PROCESS BUT THE PROCESS, WHEN THIS PANDEMIC STARTED I HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM I DON'T KNOW. WE ALL LOSE BUDGET SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS YEAR IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE BUT I WOULD ASK THAT WE LET THE MIDYEAR OCCUR SEE WHAT THE REVENUE PROJECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE AND I'M COMMITTED TO BEING FAIR WITH EVERYBODY BUT IN TAKING THOSE TECHNOLOGY EXPENSES I REMEMBER YOU HAVE SOME ON YOUR BUDGET AND IT'S OFF YOUR BUDGET YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR THAT OR UPGRADE IT OR REPLACE IT IT'S IN A DIFFERENT PLACE BECAUSE AS A BODY WE WANT YOU

[09:00:01]

TO HAVE THAT TECHNOLOGY WE GOT TO BE THE BODY DIRECTING THE PURCHASE OF ÃSO THE OTHER THINGS YOU ALL HAVE HEARD MY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHATEVER THE HELL IT WAS, THAT PIECE OF CRAP BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU GUYS UNSAFE SO WE ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE THAT SYSTEM AND MONEY IS GOING TO THAT SO WE ARE TRYING TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT BIT Ã WITHOUT THAT BEING ON YOUR SHOULDERS SO IF YOU WOULD GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE BUDGET DIRECTOR WANTS FIGURE THIS OUT. THAT DOESN'T GIVE YOU ANY BREATHING ROOM BUT LET ME JUST SIT DOWN WITH THE BUDGET DIRECTOR BECAUSE WHATEVER HE JUST GAVE HIS SHOCKING ME BECAUSE I HAD HEARD A DIFFERENT NUMBER WHICH WAS NOT AS BAD.

I HAD HEARD 112,000 BUT NOW YOU ARE SAYING 439,000 SO LET ME WORK WITH THE BUDGET DIRECTOR AND I WOULD ASK COLLECTIVELY LET'S SEE WHAT THE MIDYEAR LOOKS LIKE AND IT'S ALL ON THE TABLE FOR EVERYBODY NOT JUST YOU BUT THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE REALITY IS WE HAVE A VIOLENT CRIME SITUATION THAT WE HAVE TO GET UNDER CONTROL. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING PART OF THE OVERTIME PROGRAM THAT IS BEING DONE IN COORDINATION WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A PART OF THAT.

>> WE WOULD AGREE COMMISSIONER THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST 40 YEARS IT AFFECTS ALL OF US I AM IN THE SAME TOWN HALL MEETINGS THAT YOU ARE SO ONCE AGAIN I THINK THE FRUSTRATION I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO WORKING WITH US AND FRUSTRATION AND WHAT I AM ASKING THE COURT TO BE ABLE TO SAY I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANY MALICE ACROSS THE BOARD BUT THE WAY IT WAS TIME THE WAY IF WE COULD HAVE COME OUT AND SAID THIS IS WHAT'S ABOUT TO COME DOWN LET'S ASK FOR THIS IT WAS KIND OF JUST BACKWARDS AND THE WAY THAT IT OCCURRED SO WE WERE PLAYING CATCH-UP IN WHAT I AM WORRIED ABOUT IS IF YOU BELIEVE IT OR NOT I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GO TO MY COMMUNITY AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SAY OKAY THIS WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THIS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND I UNDERSTAND BUT I AM KIND OF ÃIT TAKES A WHILE TO GET THINGS GOING WE CAN'T HIRE PEOPLE OVERNIGHT AND WE GO THROUGH A TWO MONTH TRAINING TIME AND IF IT'S THE INITIATIVE AND THEY PUT IN 23,000 HOURS LAST YEAR I DON'T HAVE THAT MANPOWER TO DO A LOT OF THAT IT WAS SHIFTED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND HER EXECUTION WAS NOT BEING USED I WAS ABLE TO COMBINE SEVERAL DISTRICTS AND THINGS SO AS TIME GOES IT'S GOING TO HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE THAT I SERVE AND AS I AM GETTING PEPPERED WITH THIS OUTCOME WE DON'T SEE YOUR CARS HERE HOW COME YOU CANT HELP US? HOW COME WE ARE NOT DOING THE CLASS ANYMORE, I NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRY TO GET A GRASP ON IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY FOR THIS IF I NEED TO CONVEY TO PEOPLE THIS IS NOT AN OPTION HERE ANYMORE SO MIDTERM IS GREAT BUT I JUST HOPE THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO GO INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YES CONSTABLE DON'T DO AWAY WITH THIS I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE.

>> EVERYBODY HAD TO DO THE ROLLOVER PROCESS NOT JUST YOU ALL EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND THEY DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE THIS LEVEL OF MISUNDERSTANDING HYGIENISTS, IT IS A NEW TIME WE HAVE A NEW BUDGET DIRECTOR WE HAVE NEW SYSTEMS I MAKE THE OFFER WHATEVER SUPPORT FROM THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT TO THE

[09:05:03]

DIFFERENT CONSTABLE OFFICES PERHAPS BEFORE THE BUDGET WAS MORE CASUALLY DONE MAYBE THAT'S THE ISSUE THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SAY IT'S VERY CLEAR THE LAST BUDGET SEASON THOSE WHO DID NOT PRESENT 1/3 PROPOSAL DID NOT GET IT FUNDED THIS IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR CAREFULLY THE BUDGET SEASON WITH US AND TO PUT TOGETHER THE PROPOSAL YOU RECEIVE 100 PERCENT CONSTABLE IF YOU KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING WE ALL TALKED ABOUT THE ROLLOVER SITUATION WE ALL TALKED ABOUT THE PROCESS. WE HAD BUDGETED AVAILABLE TO HELP WE JUST CAN'T RELITIGATE THESE THINGS AND I DON'T THINK WE CAN COMMIT FUNDS RIGHT NOW FOR THE MIDYEAR PROCESS BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND THERE ARE SO MANY NEEDS PERHAPS THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN DO THAT CUTS ACROSS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

PERHAPS THERE IS A DIFFERENT INITIATIVE BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY SO MANY FUNDS.I DO WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED HERE SPECIFICALLY IN YOUR SITUATION BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS HE DID NOT HAVE A FUNDING PRACTICE OF POSITIONS DURING THE ROLLOVER. CAN YOU CLARIFY THIS WHAT HAPPENED HERE? I DID NOT DIG INTO IT.

>> FROM MY REVIEW OF THE BUDGET IN THE PAST THERE HAS BEEN A PRACTICE OF HAVING TO USE ROLLOVER TO FUND FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING THERE AT THE TIME SO WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT GOING ON IN THE PAST AND IT WASN'T A MATTER HAVE

>> WHAT ABOUT THE 22 POSITIONS?

>> WE WILL HAVE TO FLIP BACK.

>> CAN A STAFF MEMBER HELP?

>> THE ROLLOVER WAS NOT USED AND WE ARE NOT IN THE HABIT OF USING THE ROLLOVER THE HABIT MEANING WHEN THE POSITIONS ARE FILLED WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE USED ROLLOVER MONEY TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS WHAT DAVE IS REFERRING TO THEY WERE VACANT SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO TAP INTO THE ROLLOVER MONEY FOR THAT.

>> IF THEY WERE VACANT THOSE ARE WHAT YOU MAKE DURING BUDGET.ND IF THERE IS A BUDGETING MISTAKE WE HAVE EVERY DEPARTMENT IN FRONT OF US SAYING I DID REALIZE AND NOW I NEED HOWEVER MANY MORE POSITIONS.

>> THIS IS A DIFFERENT LOOK. THIS IS A DIFFERENT COURT, THIS IS A DIFFERENT BUDGET OFFICE, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT AS I SAID IT WAS BACKWARDS AND IF WE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT I WOULD HAVE PUT IT AT

MY BUDGET >> WHY DON'T WE HAVE EVERY DEPARTMENT HERE WITH THE SAME SITUATION.

>> I CAN NOT ATTEST I DON'T KNOW THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COURT OR THE BUDGET OFFICE OR ANYBODY ELSE I CAN JUST TELL YOU THAT I WAS TOLD TIME AND TIME AGAIN DON'T PISTOL OFF THE COMMISSIONERS BY ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL BUDGET.

IT DOESN'T FIT MY BASELINE YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT ROLLOVER TO BE ABLE TO FUND THAT IT'S ALL TAXPAYER MONEY

>> I HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN VERY CLEAR DON'T BE BASHFUL REQUEST WHICH YOU NEED AND I SAID THAT ALL THREE I WOULD SAY THE LAST TWO BUDGET SESSIONS I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE FIRST ONE BUT I SAID EVERY SINGLE BUDGET SESSION, TO EACH OF THE PRESENTATIONS AND OVERALL, AND EVERYONE HAS NODDED AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS WOULD ALWAYS SAY AROUND HERE USED TO BE THAT YOU COULD NOT ASK BECAUSE YOU WORRY ABOUT MAKING US UPSET.

BRING THE PROPOSALS. AND SO IF WE GIVE YOU THE

[09:10:04]

OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY IF WE GIVE THE MEMO PERHAPS SHE WOULD HAVE APPLIED FOR THE POSITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED I DON'T KNOW. SO WE CAN'T ASSUME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED BUT AT WHAT POINT DO WE SET A PROCESS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT PROCESS?

>> JUDGE I AM ALL FOR MOVING FORWARD IN AT YOUR ALL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SET.

>>. [INDISCERNIBLE]

>> >> THERE YOU GO.

>> IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SET THE GUIDELINES AND I UNDERSTAND THAT GOING FORWARD, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. THERE WAS NOT A DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN A BUDGET AND A ROLLOVER THE $54 MILLION THAT WAS AVAILABLE TO ME TO BE ABLE TO RUN AND MANAGE MY DEPARTMENT WAS ACCESSIBLE TO ME AND I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP THIS IS THE STUFF CONVEYED TO ME AND THEN WE WENT AND VOTED ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THE COMMISSIONERS TO ADOPT THESE POSITIONS THERE WAS A LOT OF MISCOMMUNICATION AND ALL I AM ASKING FOR, YOU GIVE ME A BOTTOM LINE BUDGET AND THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANYBODY MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THAN ME.

IT WAS JUST A TRANSITION BUT I AM LOOKING AT IS HAVING A SHORTAGE OF FUNDS TO FILL THE POSITIONS IN ME HAVING TO DETERMINE WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT DO YOU BASED ON THOSE

POSITIONS. >> I NEED CLARITY.

THE POSITIONS OF THE CONSTABLES REFERRING TO WHERE THEY BUDGETED POSITIONS OR WERE THE , LIKE WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, WHERE THEY JUST ON FILLED, UNFUNDED.

[INDISCERNIBLE]? >> COULD YOU PLEASE FLIP THE SWITCH?

>> PRAY TIME THEY HAD BEEN UNFUNDED AND UNFILLED POSITIONS ITSELF I CAN GATHER WHAT THE CONSTABLE WAS SAYING, HE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO ADD TO HIS BUDGET TO BE ABLE TO FUND THOSE ON A RECURRING BASIS. BUT THEY WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY AND HAS BUDGET ARE WE SAY THE SAME THING?

>> THEY WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY FUNDED AND WHAT I AM SAYING THERE IS THAT THAT GIVES ME MY 54 THAT FUNDS EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE BECAUSE I AM NOT ÃTHUS THE PRACTICE FOR MANY YEARS PRIOR TO THAT THAN I COULD HAVE THE FUNDING OR MY POSITION.

SUE MAYHEW HAD 22 BODIES PEOPLE THAT WERE EXISTING.

SO THEY WEREN'T ACTUALLY FUNDED YET.

THEY WERE UNFILLED >> THAT'S TERMINOLOGY THAT WAS INTRODUCED UP HERE A FEW MINUTES AGO THE FACT THAT WE SAID THEY WERE BUDGETED OR THEY WERE FUNDED.

I AM NOT THE BUDGET DIRECTOR. I UNDERSTAND.

I OPERATE THE SECOND LARGEST CONSTABLE'S OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES. I MANAGE THE BUDGET, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BUDGET I JUST NEEDED THE INFORMATION TO BE FACTUAL BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE COME TO YOU WITH AN ADJUSTED BUDGET AND I UNDERSTAND.

I NEED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO YOU BECAUSE THE PRACTICES IN THE PAST, RIGHT OR WRONG, PERHAPS IT WAS CONSIDERED AVAILABLE AS PART OF THE BUDGET IT'S AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION IS SOMETHING THAT PUTS ME IN A BIND AND IT PUTS YOU IN A BIND AND ALL I AM ASKING FOR IS THAT I HAVE MY BASELINE ADJUSTED SO I CAN IMPLEMENT SOME OF THESE

PROGRAMS >> SO NOW YOU HAVE HIRED 22 FOLKS FOR THOSE POSITIONS.

>> I HAVE NINE AND TOMORROW OR SIX OR WHATEVER IT IS I AM IN THE PIPELINE WITHIN A MONTH THOSE WOULD BE FILLED I WON'T FILL ANY MORE THAN WHAT I HAVE MONEY FOR

>> I THINK MISTAKES ARE MADE AND WE CAN'T SET THIS PRECEDENT

[09:15:04]

AND WE CAN'T HAVE IT ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY IT'S A MYSTERY THAT WE DON'T HAVE A LINE OF EVERY DEPARTMENT HERE WITH THE SAME CONCERN AND ON TOP OF THAT THE FUNDINGS INCREASED EVERY YEAR ALL THE TIME WE HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE WERE GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS YOU HAVE TO GIVE SOMETHING YOU CAN'T SAY THAT AND I NEED TO HAVE IT RIGHT NOW OR I'M GOING TO ARGUE YOU ARE DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

>> YOU SAY I HAVE HAD 2 OPPORTUNITIES I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT. I SEE ME HAVING ONE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROPOSAL WHICH YOU FUNDED 97 PERCENT.

THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU ARE CLAIMING I DID NOT HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY WAS THE BUDGET PROPOSAL ITSELF IN OTHER WORDS WHEN I CAME AND ASKED I WOULD HAVE ASKED FOR 38 MILLION OR WHATEVER IT WAS TO PAY MY SALARY.

>> WE ARE GIVING YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME WITH ANOTHER PROPOSAL AND SAY WE WILL EVALUATE THAT AND SEE.

WHEN THERE IS A DEADLINE FOR SOMETHING THERE'S A PROPOSAL IF IT'S A GRANT APPLICATION OR A BUDGET APPLICATION WHATEVER IT IS IF IT'S A PRESENTATION ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO MEET IF YOU SENT IT IN WRONG WE CANNOT HAVE EVERY DEPARTMENT SAY I AM SORRY I MISUNDERSTOOD AND I AM ENTITLED TO THESE POSITIONS RIGHT NOW AND I AM GOING TO TELL THE COMMUNITY I NEED THEM RIGHT NOW. WE ARE NOT SAYING I'VE ABSOLUTELY NOT YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE THESE WE ARE SAYING NOT ONLY ARE WE INCREASING THE BUDGET LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET WENT UP WE JUST PUT IN $50 MILLION TO TAKE THE TECHNOLOGY OFF YOUR SHOULDERS AND YOU CAN BRING IN A PROPOSAL BUT WE CANNOT PROMISE WE'RE GOING TO FUND IT BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO COME UP WE ARE WORKING ON ANOTHER IDEA THAT COVERS EVERYBODY WHERE TOSSING IDEAS AROUND IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RESOURCES ARE GOING TO BE WE HAVE MANY OTHER NEEDS STARTING WITH FLOOD CONTROL TO EARLY EDUCATION SO IT SOUNDS A LITTLE LIKE HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TO YOU AND WE CAN'T. I THINK WE ARE DOING IT AND GIVING IT AND OFFERING TO HELP WE ARE OFFERING ANOTHER CHANCE TO APPLY. IF WE DO THIS IN ANY DEPARTMENT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR CAN COME BACK AND SAY I'M SORRY I DID NOT GET IT. I AM ENTITLED TO THIS.

OR ELSE. TO MAKE YOU ARE USING WORDS LIKE ENTITLED AND THINGS OF THIS NATURE I GUESS THAT'S THE FRUSTRATING PART I AM NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING SPECIAL.

I THINK IT'S UNFAIR FOR YOU TO SAY THAT I AM REQUESTING SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT THAN EVERYBODY ELSE.

I AM LOOKING AT ONE SITUATION NOT THE PROPOSALS, WE GOT WHAT WAS ON THE PIPELINE AND I AM LOOKING AT BASICALLY COMING IN PROPOSING A BUDGET ONCE A YEAR AND TAKING THE ADVICE OF THE PROFESSIONALS HAVING THIS BODY OF VOTE ON THAT THAT HAVING THE WRONG INFORMATION TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO YOU.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR SITUATION IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE MADE UP YOUR MIND AND I UNDERSTAND AND THAT'S FINE I NEED TO PREPARE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE I NEED TO GO TO AND SAY WE ARE NOT DOING THIS. MY DEPARTMENT WILL WORK BUT BECAUSE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WE HAVE OUT THERE AND IN THE CONFINES OF THE COURT I AM OKAY WITH THAT I JUST NEED TO KNOW

WHERE I STAND ON THIS >> AND I CAN TELL YOU SOME DEPARTMENTS REQUESTED MORE THAN THE ROLLOVER THAT THEY HAD PRAYED 100 PERCENT OF THEIR ROLLOVER SOME DEPARTMENTS

REQUESTED BUDGET INCREASES >> THAT WAS THE CHALLENGE I GOT WHAT I ASKED FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING WAS IN THE PAST IT WAS USED FOR PERSONNEL. THAT WAS WRONG BUT THAT WAS THE WAY IT WAS SET AND NOW THAT'S WHERE I AM MISSING AND I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND THE MEN AND WOMEN ARE BACK HERE AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT BECAUSE WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

THEY ARE DIFFERENT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN BUDGETS.

>> LET'S GRANT EVERYONE WHAT THEY WANTED SIX MONTHS AGO

[09:20:06]

WHICH EVERY DEPARTMENT'S GOING TO BE ASKING FOR THE SAME THING SO WHAT I'M SAYING IN TERMS OF CLARITY FOR MY PART, WE CANNOT RELITIGATE SOMETHING FOR REASONS.

MAYBE AN EMAIL GOT MISSED SOMEWHERE MAYBE YOU NEEDED TO SPEND A BIT MORE TIME ON THE BUDGET I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH BECAUSE OTHER FOLKS WERE ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT BUT I HAVE BEEN PART OF MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE COUNTY BUT THE POINT IS, WE FIND OURSELVES HERE AND WE CAN'T SIMPLY GIVE TO EVERYBODY HERE WHAT THEY WISH THEY HAD ASKED FOR BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THAT FOR EVERY DEPARTMENT AND I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME AS BEING RESPONSIBLE. I WOULD LOVE TO SAY YES TO EVERYBODY WE COULD WALK OUT HERE GIVE EACH OTHER A HUG AND WE WOULD HAVE FINISHED 30 MINUTES AGO.

I FEEL CERTAINLY I'M GOING STRONG BUT WE STARTED OVER 13

HOURS AGO BUT >> I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BUDGET AND POLICIES AND IT'S NOT A GOOD POLICY ARE RESPONSIBLE POLICY FOR ME TO SAY LUSCIOUS TAKE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS OF WHAT WAS UNDERSTOOD AND NOT UNDERSTOOD AND GO BACK IN TIME AND GRANT WHAT FOLKS WISH THEY HAD REQUESTED AND I WOULD SAY LOOK THURSDAY ÃIF I'M IN YOUR SHOES I WOULD SAY THERE'S TIGHT BUDGETING IN THE COUNTY THERE HAS BEEN MAJOR YOU CAN SAY CONSTABLE I HAVE OBTAINED AN INCREASE IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET FOR THE LAST THREE BUDGET CYCLES WE JUST OBTAIN THIS BIG WIN WITH TECHNOLOGY AND WE ARE GOING TO PROPOSE OTHER THINGS I'M GOING TO FIGHT AS BEST AS I CAN. SOON A VESSEL AM GOING TO HAVE TO APPROACH IT. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE OF BLACK AND WHITE, THE INCREASES LET'S BE REAL.

IT HAS BEEN INSURANCE IT'S BEEN MEDICAL COSTS PAY RAISES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE ALL OF THAT IS PART OF THE INCREASE IS NOT NECESSARILY CONSTABLE, YOU CAN EXPAND AND DO THIS BEST NOT WHAT IT IS THAT SOME OPERATING INCREASE AND I NOW I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT I NEED TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK AND SAY THESE POSITIONS ARE NOT BEING FUNDED. WE USED IT LAST TIME I DID NOT SAY D FUNDED I SAID THEY ARE NOT BEING USED IN THIS BUDGET MEANING THAT I HAD SIMPLE IN MY MIND, 52 MILLION AND 44 MILLION AND IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT I JUST WISH THAT WE WOULD'VE HAD TAKEN IT SLOWER AND TALKED ABOUT IT AND GIVEN US A FOREWARNING SO WE COULD HAVE ADJUSTED EVERYTHING WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE I AM NOT SAYING YOU ARE NOT DOING WHAT'S RIGHT AND RESPONSIBLE I JUST THINK THAT I FEEL LIKE YOU ARE PUTTING THIS BACK SAY I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT I FEEL ENTITLED I DON'T LOOK AT IT THAT WAY THERE'S MISTAKES MADE IN THE BUDGET OFFICE AND MISTAKE SPEED BY THIS COURT THAT APPROVE THAT BUDGET I AM NOT BLAMING ANYBODY I THINK IT IS A COMMUNICATION GAP THE WAY THINGS WERE RUN IN THE FUTURE I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

>> IF >> APPLICATION FOR WHAT?

>> I HAVE MADE VERY CLEAR REQUEST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND DO NOT BE BASHFUL IF YOU NEED SOMETHING.

>> I SAID ALL ALONG WHATEVER PROPOSAL YOU NEED BRING IT OVER IN THE PAST IT HAS BEEN DON'T BE SCARED I NOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS SAID IT BECAUSE HIS OWN WAY OF SAYING THAT WHERE HE TELLS US VERY CLEARLY AND ELOQUENTLY IN THE PAST IT'S YOU'RE GOING TO GET IN TROUBLE BUT WE HAVE ALL SAID IT.

YOU HAD SOMETHING.

>> CONSTABLE, I WILL SAY IT AGAIN, I'M COMMITTED TO TRY TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND LOOK FORWARD I AM TAKEN ABACK THAT

[09:25:04]

THERE WAS THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A LACK OF CLARITY ON THE STATUS BECAUSE IT WAS A BIG CONVERSATION IT WAS A BIG DISCUSSION.

>> WAS IT BEFORE OR AFTER?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHEN WE VOTED ON IT BUT TOM VOTED ON IT AND CAME BACK AND ASKED TO VOTE ON AGAIN BECAUSE HE SUPPORTED IT THE FIRST TIME AND THEN CAME BACK AND SAID HOW I CHANGED MY MIND I DON'T SUPPORTED, SO WHATEVER THAT VOTE WAS TAKEN IT WAS CLEAR AND BECAUSE OF THE CONCERN THAT'S WHEN THE BUDGET OFFICE STARTED TO SEE PROPOSALS AND STARTED TO FEEL PROPOSALS FOR REQUESTS AGAIN SURE ROLLOVER SO THERE WAS SOME CLARITY AS TO WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT I WILL SAY IT AGAIN, I THINK THE LACK OF POLICY WAS THAT SOME OF YOU HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO USE ROLLOVER FOR SALARY AND SOME OF YOU HAD NOT AND I THINK BECAUSE OF THAT INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE, THAT HAS CREATED SOME OF THIS PROBLEM.

IF SO, I'M COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH YOU AND SEEING IT RESOLVED IN HIGH WILL STATE AGAIN I DID NOT LIKE THE ROLLOVER POLICY THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE BUT IT WAS SAID TO ME AND INDIVIDUALLY IT WAS SAID AT THIS TABLE THE ROLLOVER IS NOT TO BE USED FOR SALARIES IS NOT TO BE USED FOR REOCCURRING EXPENSES THE BUDGET OFFICE MAY HAVE GONE BACK AND TOLD PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY AND INDIVIDUALLY WHAT THEY COULD DO THAT'S BAD PRACTICE WHATEVER GOT US INTO THIS MESS NUMBER ONE EVERYBODY STARTED TO REQUEST THAT ROLLOVER 91 PERCENT OF THE PROPOSALS THAT WERE MADE GOT APPROVED AND I THINK THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES THAT YOU WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE WE WERE TALKING THE CONSTABLE SAID I WAS TOLD YOU CAN'T USE ROLLOVER SO SHE SUFFERED UNDER THAT POLICY AND I GUESS THAT WAS A PRACTICE AND APPARENTLY IT WAS A POLICY FOR CONSTABLE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE POLICY WAS FOR ANYONE ELSE SO THERE WAS SOME BAD PRACTICE ON HOW THAT ROLLOVER POLICY WAS EXECUTED I WILL WORK WITH YOU TO THE EXTENT THAT I CAN BUT FIND SOME WAY TO RESOLVE IT AND I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER BUT I AM WILLING TO ROLL MY SLEEVES UP AND WORK WITH THE JUDGE AND WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES AT WORK WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE BUT TO THE JUDGES POINT AND BECAUSE OF THIS CONVERSATION FROM MARCH 2020 I HAD A FORWARD LOOK AT THE ECONOMY I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BOTTOM LINE WOULD BE BUT WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT REALITY OF THE PANDEMIC IS AN EXAMPLE OF VIOLENCE AS A RESULT OF WHAT THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED AND WHEN I HIT THE STREETS IN 1980, WE WERE DEALING WITH.

[09:30:02]

[INDISCERNIBLE] AT THAT TIME THE CRIME RATE WENT THROUGH THE ROOF AND WE LOST ABOUT SIX POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. AND I AM COMMITTED TO UNDERSTANDING OUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ALSO INCLUDE FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

>> LET ME QUICKLY RESPOND I VOTED AGAINST IT THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE PUT ME IN THIS ROOM THE CATEGORY OF CONFUSED.

THIS IS THE MOST CONFUSING THING I HAVE EVER BEEN A PART OF, YOU HAVE A BUDGET DISCUSSION IN ONE MONTH AND YOU DON'T EVEN BRING UP ROLLOVER IN ANY WAY AND YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT OFFICER INVOLVED AND DAVID SAID, LATER LET'S DO AWAY WITH ROLLOVER.

THAT HAPPENED AFTER THE BUDGET IF YOU HAD REVERSED THAT IF YOU HAD HAD THE ROLLOVER BEFORE YOU HAD THE BUDGET WE WOULDN'T BE HERE UNTIL 12:30 AM.

>> WE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT I BEG TO DIFFER BECAUSE THE PROPOSAL THE CONSTABLE SUBMITTED SPOKE TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLLOVER OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE SURPLUS THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS HOW THE USE OF THOSE RESOURCES WAS EXECUTED INDIVIDUALLY BY THESE OFFICERS.

I THINK WE CAN FIND SOME EXAMPLES OF THE INCONSISTENT ALLOWANCES BASED ON THE PREVIOUS BUDGET OFFICER.

>> CONSTABLE I FEEL LIKE I'LL YOU AN APOLOGY.

WE'VE KEPT YOU HERE ALL DAY UNTIL 12:32 AM.

THAT'S NOT IN THE AFTERNOON FOR ANYONE WHO PLAYS THIS, THAT'S MIDNIGHT 32.AND WE HAVE BEEN BEATING UP ON YOU BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD 52 OR $54 MILLION THAT WE WERE GOING TO TAKE 8 MILLION OF THAT AWAY FOR YOU AND NOW YOU ARE STANDING HERE BEGGING US TO LET YOU HAVE SOME OF THAT MONEY'S YOU CAN HIRE SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT YOU HAVE PUT ON YOUR BUDGET FOR AND WE ARE TELLING YOU YOU SCREWED UP BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T LOOK INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL TO KNOW THAT WE WERE GOING TO CHANGE THE RULES OF THE GAME ON YOU.

AND I APOLOGIZE.

>> IS THAT THE CASE? THAT THE RULES OF THE GAME CHANGE?

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE MADE CHANGES TO THE ROLLOVER SO IN THAT SENSE, YES, THE ROLES HAVE CHANGED.

PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS I UNDERSTAND I THINK IT'S PRECISELY THE CONFUSION THAT FOLKS IN THIS ROOM HAVE IS THE REASON WE NEED TO CHANGE ROLLOVER BECAUSE THE USES WERE INCONSISTENT AND WHAT YOU COULD DO WITH IT WAS INCONSISTENT.

IT HAS BEEN SAID BEFORE AND I KNOW IT'S LATE, IT WASN'T A MATTER OF SOMETHING SIMPLY Ã THERE WAS A PROCESS WE WENT THROUGH IF YOU HAVE A ONE-TIME EXPENSE THAT'S A SUITABLE USE OF ROLLOVER YOU CAN APPLY AND IN GENERAL PEOPLE ASK WHAT THEY NEEDED FOR I APPRECIATE THAT HE DID NOT ASK FOR EVERY DOLLAR HE ASKED FOR WHAT HE NEEDED. WHAT WE DID NOT ADDRESS IS SOME CONFUSION THAT SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY COULD USE ROLLOVER TO ADD PEOPLE TO BE HONEST, I HAD NO CLUE THAT ANYONE THOUGHT THAT TO ME IT WAS VERY CLEAR AND IN THE PAST MAYBE HE HAD THOUGHTS HE WOULD THIS YEAR USED ROLLOVER TO FUND PEOPLE SO WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE NO ONE HAS HAD TO LET PEOPLE GO BECAUSE OF ROLLOVER I UNDERSTAND THE COMMENTS IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF ROLLOVER. JUST TO BOIL IT DOWN.

NOBODY HAS HAD TO LET ANYONE GO WE HAVE FUNDED THE REQUESTS IN A FAIRWAY AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT HOW WE SHOULD WORK GOING FORWARD. NO ONE SHOULD HIRE ANYONE THAT

[09:35:02]

THEY CAN'T COVER WITH THEIR RECURRING BUDGET.

WE WILL NEVER HEAR ANYTHING DIFFERENT FROM ME OR MY OFFICE.

WE ARE VERY CONSISTENT IN WHAT FOLKS WANT TO PUT IN A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THEIR STAFF WITH THE RECURRING BUDGET WE WILL HAPPILY HAVE IT CONSIDERED AT THE RIGHT TIME AND IF WE HAVE ADDITIONAL REVENUE THAT'S THE WAY THIS OUGHT TO WORK.

THAT'S THE WAY IT WILL WORK.

>> AND YOU NEED TO BE INVOLVED WITH EACH OF THE

>> IF THEY WANT TO MAKE ANY PROPOSALS GOING FORWARD AND

>> WE CAN CERTAINLY COMMIT TO EVALUATE IT

>> AND I MEAN THE CONSTABLE, WE HAVE A DEDICATED TEAM WORKING WITH THEM AND THEY HAVE OUR FULL SUPPORT AND I THINK COURT SHOULD VOTE ON AND TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, IT WON'T BE AN EASY VOTE BECAUSE THERE ARE LOTS OF PRIORITIES BUT THERE SHOULD BE A PROCESS AND WE WILL HELP EVERY OFFICE FOLLOW IT.

>>. [INDISCERNIBLE] CERAMIC AFTER WE SET THE TAX RATE WE CAN SEE WHAT RECURRING REVENUE FOR PEOPLE IS AVAILABLE AND THAT'S THE TIME WE CAN CONSIDER FUNDING ADDITIONAL STAFF.

>> ROUGHLY?

>> SEPTEMBER. I THINK WE OUGHT TO HEAR FROM EVERYBODY ELSE. SOON I THINK YOU.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY SOME OF YOUR STAFF AND YOUR OFFICE HAVE SAID WE ARE HERE TO GET OUR ROLLOVER BACK, WE ARE.

OUR ROLLOVER WAS TAKEN AND WE UNDERSTAND WE ARE OKAY WITH THAT I LOVE THESE GUYS, THEY ARE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND DASHES MY BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER AND I WANT TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST OF THE COURT AND I KNOW YOU NEED TO ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY THIS QUESTION BUT I AM WILLING TO GO OUT ON THE STREET AND GET HIS HALF $1 MILLION.

HE MADE A MISTAKE AND USUALLY FOR COMPASSION WE TALK ABOUT THE CRIME RATE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND HARRIS COUNTY IS ON A TEETERING POINT OF COLLAPSING WAS CRIMINAL ELEMENT.

THERE ARE MORE CRIMINALS ON THE STREET NOW THAN I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY 36 YEARS AND IT'S A LOT INVOLVED WITH THAT.

I GET IT. WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THE LINE WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND THE REST OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP DOING OUR JOBS AND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE ON A PATH THAT WILL HELP A LOT AND WE UNDERSTAND WE WANT TO WORK BUT ALL OF US ARE HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE CONSTABLE AND THAT'S ALL. WE SAT HERE ALL DAY WE WAITED UNTIL THE LAST GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WE LOVE OUR JOB WE LOVE SERVING THE COURT AND IF WE HAVE TO GO OUT ON THE STREETS TO GET THE MONEY I WOULD ASK THAT IF IT'S POSSIBLE OR LEGAL TO DO THAT THAT PLEASE CONSIDER YOU DON'T HAVE TO DECIDE NOW IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS IF YOU COULD BUT I COULD GO OUT WITH MY FRIENDS AND GET HALF $1 MILLION AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE SHERMAN LAY OFF DEPUTIES SOON IF THE CONCERN IS WE SPOKE.

>> I'M DONE WITH THAT.

>> >> I HAVE AN ASSUMPTION THAT WILL BE TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH. I LEFT OFF WE HAD AN AGREEMENT.

I'M SORRY. YOU HAVE TO LET ME KNOW IF ACTUALLY YOU ARE NOT ON BOARD, CONSTABLE WITH MY OFFER AND IF A SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND.

>> WHY ARE WE SAYING WE NEED TO GO TO THE STREETS?

>> I DON'T WANT TO SEE HIM LAY OFF TWO PEOPLE.

>> THIS IS WHAT GETS ME. WE ARE WORKING SO HARD FOR EVERYBODY AND I DON'T, I JUST DON'T.

[09:40:04]

I DON'T UNDERSTAND. THOUGHT I HAD A CONVERSATION.

MAYBE I'M MISSING SOMETHING.

>> JUDGE, CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THOSE GUYS.

AND AGAIN, YOU ARE GETTING THE EMPATHETIC SIDE OF ME ON THIS MATTER BECAUSE I REMEMBER HOW I REMEMBER WHAT I WAS TOLD AND THEN I KNEW WHAT WAS BEING DONE AND SO THE RULES WERE APPLIED DIFFERENTLY AND THAT'S REGRETFUL.

THAT'S THE PRACTICE AROUND HERE AND WITH THE HELP OF MR. BARRY WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BE CONSISTENT AROUND HERE.

IT'S WHY IT WAS EASY TO ADDRESS CONSTABLE'S PROBLEM BECAUSE IF THE RULE HAD ALWAYS BEEN LOSE A CONTRACT YOU GET THE POSITION BUT THAT IS NOT THE WAY HE WAS TREATED AND THAT WAS WRONG.SO I AM LOOKING TO FIND A PATH GOING FORWARD AND AS I SAID I'M COMMITTED TO TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO ADDRESS THIS.

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWERS BUT I'M COMMITTED TO SITTING DOWN TO SEE WITH THE PATH FORWARD LOOKS LIKE.ND I JUST APPRECIATE YOU. THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

THANKS FOR HIM DURING THE DAY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN ON THE STREETS THEY'RE THE ONES DOING THE HEAVY LIFTING AND WE RESPECT THAT.

>> I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, MY OFFER OF HELP DOESN'T COUNT.

>> I THINK IT DOES, JUDGE PRAYED FOR MCKAY AND JUST FLOOR THAT WE HAVE A CONVERSATION AND SUDDENLY Ã

>> I CAME HERE TO THANK YOU. SOON MIKE YOU HAVE YOUR COLLEAGUE SAYING WE NEED TO GOT TO THE STREETS AND NOW THE COMMUNITY, YOU JUST WATCH WHAT'S GOING TO COME UP THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO SAY YOU ARE SPREADING THIS IDEA IN ORDER TO FIND SOMETHING WE HAVE TO PUT OUT A COLLECTION PLATE

>> CAN YOU PLEASE MOVE YOUR MICROPHONE SCREAM IF THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU.

>> I HAVE SOME MONEY >> I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

THE ANSWER I AM PRETTY SURE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH JEALOUS YES WHILE YOU'RE AT IT AND GET SOMETHING TO EAT.

SOON IF THE ANSWER IS YES. BUT LET'S NOT GO THERE YET.

THAT'S A NOBLE GESTURE AGAIN LET ME GET WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE SEE WHERE THIS GOES. WHO KNOWS, I MAY TAKE YOU UP ON THAT OFFER. LET'S NOT GO THERE BUT I

APPRECIATE >> I DID NOT MEAN THAT IN A BAD WAY I KNOW PEOPLE WOULD GIVE MONEY IF WE NEED IT.

AND I MADE A MISTAKE. I'M SITTING BACK THERE I KNOW SHERMAN AND I WANT TO TELL YOU I WOULD LOVE TO WORK FOR THIS GUY THAT'S THE KIND OF GUY HE IS.

HE'S A GREAT GUY AND I WANT COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE WE TALKED ON THE PHONE AND WHEN I HUNG THE PHONE UP MY WIFE SAID WHO WAS THAT? AND SHE SAID YOU WERE VERY RUDE AND I SAID I WASN'T TRYING TO BE RUDE I WAS JUST BEING DIRECT. AND SHE SAID I KNOW YOU BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW YOU AND SHE SAID THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT SO I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU I MADE A MISTAKE I DID NOT MEAN TO END

THE CONVERSATION THAT WAY >> YOU TELL HER THANK YOU.

BUT IT DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU I WAS HERE IN SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES BUT I WILL BE VERY BRIEF BACK ON JANUARY 7 I REQUESTED A COUPLE OF POSITIONS THREE OF WHICH WERE FOR A HOMELESS OUTREACH

[09:45:01]

TEAM AND THAT WAS DENIED AND HISTORICALLY MY PRECINCT HAS BEEN NEGLECTED UNDERSERVED AND OTHER PROTECTED AND WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY HERE IN COMMISSIONERS COURT AND IT'S PART OF THE COUNTIES MISSION STATEMENT AND I AM FIGHTING FOR MY RESIDENCE AS CITIZENS AND I MET WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA A GREAT MEETING AND I HAVE A MEETING WITH EVERYBODY ELSE HERE SCHEDULED SOON AND FROM HEARING WHAT IS GOING ON I KIND OF KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND I APPRECIATE IT'S ALL I AM ASKING IS PLEASE IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER THE POSITIONS OF THE PRECINCTS I AM AT NUMBER EIGHT WHEN YOU THINK OF DOLLARS PER PERSON IN MY PRECINCT SO PLEASE I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY A LOT PLEASE TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION IF YOU REVIEW OUR BUDGET IN SEPTEMBER. THAT'S ALL I ASK.

WE ARE ALL HERE BECAUSE GOD HAS PLACED US IN A POSITION TO HELP AND IF WE HAVE COMPASSION IN OUR HEARTS AND LOVE IN OUR HEARTS AND DO THE RIGHT THING I THINK EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OKAY SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AND SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I AM ÃWELCH CHAPLAIN IN PRECINCT 5 AND I AM HERE REPRESENTING HUNDREDS OF PASTORS AND CHURCHES AROUND THE COMMUNITY WHO WORK REGULARLY WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 14 HOURS TODAY AS WELL TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THESE CONSTABLES ARE NOT STANDING ALONE I WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR, I HAVE LISTENED TO EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID TODAY I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH OUR CONSTABLES WHO ARE CAPABLE AND GIFTED AND HAVE BEEN SERVING FOR 30+ YEARS AND ARE COMMISSIONERS TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED I THINK IS VERY OBVIOUS BUT I NEED YOU TO BREAK DOWN THE COMMUNICATION AND HOW THE BUDGET PROCESS WAS GIVEN TO THESE COMMISSIONERS THESE CONSTABLES IN PRESENTING THEIR BUDGETS AND THEN THE RULES WERE CHANGED I THINK THAT'S ON RECORD AT THIS POINT VERY CLEARLY.

THAT'S NOT DISPUTABLE. THAT'S EVIDENT THE PROCESS OF HOW THIS OCCURRED THAT THE BUDGETS THAT HAD THESE FIGURES CALCULATED INTO THEM BEFORE AND THEN WE CHANGE THE RULES SO NOW THEY ARE ADDRESSING THAT AND WE ARE TRYING TO FIND THIS BALANCE RIGHT NOW AND OUR ENTIRE DAY IN YOUR ENTIRE DAY HAS BEEN FILLED WITH STORIES OF THE FACT THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS IN A CRISIS OF LAWLESSNESS THAT IS EXPLODING ALL AROUND US AND THIS IS NOT A MOMENT TO UNDERMINE LAW ENFORCEMENT SO I'M CHARGING YOU IS ARE COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON BEHALF OF THOUSANDS OF PASTORS AND PARISHIONERS AROUND THE COMMUNITY WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY EVERY DAY THEY CARE ABOUT THE HURTING AND THE BROKEN AND ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED FOR A STATE OF LAW WHERE WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT SUPPORTED AND POLICIES THAT ARE CLEAR SO WE ARE ASKING YOU TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN BUT THE FUNDING IS GIVEN ADEQUATELY. WE UNDERSTAND LIMITATIONS.

NOBODY IS DISPUTING THAT BUT WHAT'S CLEAR IS THAT THEY WERE GIVEN A PROCESS IT WAS CHANGED AND THEY WERE BLAMED WHEN THEY CAME BACK TO TRY TO CORRECT IT. I HAVE HEARD THAT FIRSTHAND TODAY SO I AM JUST ASKING YOU AND APPEALING TO YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THOSE I REPRESENT AND THE DEPARTMENTS WE WORK WITH TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE DOING OUR FIDUCIARY DUTY TO MAKE THINGS CRYSTAL-CLEAR I THINK THAT THEY PROCESS THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO ELIMINATE THE ROLLOVERS THAT'S NOT WE CAN DEBATE THAT SEPARATELY AND SO PLEASE WE NOW WHAT WE HEARD TODAY AND WHAT'S CLEAR AND EVIDENT THEY DESERVE SUPPORT AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR COMING DOWN IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN WE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU AND I HOPE YOU ALSO TOOK AWAY THAT THE PREVIOUS BUDGETING PROCESS WAS ALSO A MAJOR PART OF THE

PROBLEM >> UNDERSTOOD.

I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE IS A COMMUNICATION GAP I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU ALLUDED TO I THINK THAT'S SELF-EVIDENT.

[09:50:06]

THAT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. DON'T PUNISH OUR OFFICERS.

>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE IN PERSON?

>> LUCINDA, WILL YOU CALL UP THE SPEAKERS WHO ARE CALLING IN PLEASE?

>> YES MA'AM. MELISSA MILTON.

>> MELISSA MILTON. I WILL TRY HER BACK IN A MOMENT. FRANK MCLEAN.

>> THAT'S ME. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES SIR. SOON I THANK YOU.

>> LISTEN WITH RESPECT I AM JUST A CITIZEN AND LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I HEAR. AT THE END OF THE DAY I HEAR THE POLICE OFFICERS DUTIFULLY AND RIGHTFULLY SUSTAINING COMMISSIONERS COURT AT THE END OF THE DAY THE COURT IS THREATENING THE CITIZENS BY NOT PROVIDING NECESSARY FUNDS OF THE POLICE OFFICERS NEED TO DO THEIR JOB.

THIS YEAR. WITH VIOLENCE HIGHER THAN IT HAS BEEN IN 30 YEARS THIS IS NOT A TIME TO HAVE A DISPUTE OR DEBATE OVER A BUDGET SITUATION DO THAT NEXT YEAR.

THIS IS NOT THE YEAR TO BE DOING THAT IT'S A GOOD TIME TO BE A CRIMINAL THIS YEAR BECAUSE WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THE BUDGET DISPUTE HAS BASICALLY THREATENED CITIZENS.

THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT WAS 79.

>> I WILL ANNOUNCE THE NUMBER MY APOLOGIES.

NUMBER 88 NORMAN WARWICK, GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. I HAVE PROBABLY HEARD MORE NUMBERS IN MY HEAD AND I REALLY WANT TO IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO GO TO SLEEP TONIGHT BUT THE ONLY THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS I HAVE LIVED IN THIS COUNTY FOR 45 YEARS AND HYO WAS HAVE SUPPORTED OUR CONSTABLES AND OFFICERS AND I WOULD STILL CONTINUE TO GO ALONG WITH WHATEVER THE ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE DECIDED IS BEST FOR THE AREAS THAT I LIVE IN AND THAT'S REALLY ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY IT'S VERY CONFUSING SITTING HERE ON THE PHONE, IT'S AMAZING I HAVE LEARNED A LOT JUST LISTENING SO I WILL LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY AND THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR US BUT I WILL CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR WHOEVER AND I THINK YOU MAYBE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE POLICIES ARE AND HOW IT'S GOING TO COST US THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO APOLOGIZE BECAUSE WE ARE SKIPPING BACK AND FORTH AS WE ARE GETTING CALLERS AT THE LAST MINUTE.

JOSCGARZA NUMBER 74. GO AHEAD PLEASE.

IT'S BEEN A GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.

HELLO.

>> YES GO AHEAD.

>> SO FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAVE NO REASON TO APOLOGIZE FOR US TO BE ON THE PHONE AT ONE OF THE MORNING BECAUSE I FIND IT VERY CRAZY THAT HALFWAY THROUGH THE MEETING THE JUDGE SEES FIT TO LEAVE TO GO TO THE ASTROS GAME AND THEN COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT SAVING MONEY AND GOD KNOWS HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WERE JUST SPENT AND WASTED BY GOING BACK AND FORTH AND KEEPING THE COURT OPEN UNTIL 1 AM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT FAIRNESS AND HOW WE CARE ABOUT THE CITIZENS IN A COMMUNITY BUT YET WE ARE STILL PLAYING THIS GAME AT ONE OF THE MORNING AND IT'S ASININE.

I THINK WE SHOULD DO BETTER WE ELECTED YOU ALL TO DO BETTER NOT TO GO TAKE A PHOTO OFF AND COME BACK AT YOUR CONVENIENCE AND KEEP ALL OF US WAITING FOR 14 OR 15 HOURS. HAVE A JOB,

[09:55:04]

I HAVE A LIFE. AND WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT DEFUNDING THE POLICE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM POLICE OFFICERS.

THE ONLY REASON I CAN THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS WANTS TO TAKE MONEY WAYS TO HINDER INVESTIGATIONS DEALING WITH HIS ART COLLECTION OR MAYBE HE WANTS CHAOS ON THE STREET MAYBE YOU WANT ANOTHER CHICAGO ART DETROIT OR NEW YORK.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE TO KEEP HAVING THE SAME CONVERSATIONS OVER AND OVER AND A YEAR AGO COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU FILE TO NOT HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS ANYMORE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YOU TRY TO FIND LOOPHOLES TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT IT'S TIME TO INCREASE THE BUDGET SO WE DON'T HAVE 100 MURDERS A WEEK AND SO WE DON'T HAVE THE CHAOS THAT WE ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW. I HAVE HAD TO COME TO THIS COURT BEFORE TO EXPRESS MY OPINION AND I STATED THAT IF IT CONTINUES I WILL FIGHT TO VOTE ALL OF YOU OUT OF OFFICE.

I WILL FIND PEOPLE TO REPLACE YOU.

I WILL RALLY AGAINST YOU ALL. YOU SERVE THE PUBLIC, YOU SERVE ME. YOU ANSWER TO US.

I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SPENT GOING BACK AND FORTH TODAY JUDGE HAD ALL GO. I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE CASE STUDY IS FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS.I WANT TO KNOW THESE THINGS. 20 OF YOU ALL HAVE AN ANSWER FOR YOUR ACTIONS TODAY? THAT IS A QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU.

>> I CANNOT HEAR I AM WAITING TO TRY TO CONNECT SOMEBODY.

HANG ON JUST A MOMENT. NUMBER 100 RICHARD PRICE.

>> YES MA'AM. YOU MAY GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE FUNDING THAT IS BEING HELD UP ALTHOUGH I DO BELIEVE THAT SOME RETRAINING AND REFOCUSING MAY BE NEEDED BUT I WHOLEHEARTEDLY DID NOT BELIEVE IN DEFUNDING THE POLICE AS AN OPTION ESPECIALLY WITH CRIME ON THE RISE AROUND HARRIS COUNTY AS A WHOLE, DEFUNDING THE POLICE IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO SO WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR OFFICERS HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SAFELY CONDUCT THEIR BUSINESS AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, I HAVE THREE CALLERS AND WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO CALL OTHER SPEAKERS.

>> SO YOU ARE SAYING YOU ARE ABOUT TO PUT SOMEONE ON THE LINE?

>> NOT YET. I DON'T HAVE ANYBODY YET.

>> WELL WE ARE CLOSE TO THE TWO HOUR MARK SO WOULD HELP FOR US TO TAKE A BREAK OR DO YOU WANT US TO STAY ON AND WAIT?

>> CAN YOU GIVE ME JUST A MINUTE?

>> WHAT'S THE PROCESS REQUIRE >> AS ONE PERSON SPEAKS.

[INDISCERNIBLE] SOMETIMES SHE DOESN'T GET THEM SO.

[INDISCERNIBLE] >>

>> THEY ARE HANGING UP ON US.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS FIGURING.

>> I'M NOT SURE THAT'S A COUNTY ATTORNEY ANSWER.

[10:00:06]

>> NOW YOU GUYS ARE THINKING TWICE.

[LAUGHTER] >>

>> COMMISSIONER, >>

>> ONCE WE CALL THEM UP WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> STILL NOT GETTING AN ANSWER JUDGE SO UP TO YOU.

>> HOW ABOUT WE START DISCUSSING THE AGENDA? DO WE JUST LOSE COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> COULD SOMEONE GET ÃOKAY. LET'S BREAK FOR FIVE MINUTES AND WE WILL START TAKING THE AGENDA.

WE WILL BE BACK UP.

>> THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.ANY OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE PICKED UP?

>> WE HAVE ONE. NUMBER 128.

GLORIA RODRIGUEZ. GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> GYES. I DON'T WANT TO DEFUND THE OFFICERS I THINK I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS A GOOD IDEA GARCIA AND HIDALGO HAVE JUST BEEN LYING.

THEY ARE LYING MANIPULATORS. AND THEY ARE LETTING RON ELLIS LEAD AND LOSE THE ELECTION HE HAS HIS NONCRIMINAL ISSUES HE HAS TO DEAL WITH. SO I AM AGAINST DEFUNDING THE POLICE OFFICERS WE JUST NEED TO GET HIDALGO AND GARCIA OUT OF OFFICE.

>> HELLO?

>> THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA I AM STILL IN OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOODBYE.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH.

I CAN INTERRUPT IF WE GET ANOTHER ONE.

>> PLEASE DO WE WILL START GOING THROUGH DISCUSSION ITEMS. JUST LET ME KNOW.

>> ARE GOING TO HOLD OFF ON VOTING?

>> I AM HERE VIRTUALLY.

>> SO COMMISSIONER.

>> I AM HAVING DINNER. AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR DESSERT.

>> SO COMMISSIONER YOU HAD A MOTION.

AS AMENDED AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD MADE THE SECOND

>> I DO NOT I AM NOT CLEAR ON WHAT THE MOTION IS SO IF IT COULD BE READ FOR THE COURT RECORD I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

>> YES LUCINDA?

>> SHOULD WE VOTE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THROUGH ALL THE SPEAKERS?

>> FAIR ENOUGH WE CAN SAVE IT FOR THE LAST.

SMITH ASKED THE WHOLE QUESTION. ARE WE DONE TRYING TO REACH PEOPLE?

>> IT'S 1:15 AM. YOU ARE NOT GETTING A LOT OF FOLKS ANSWERING THE PHONE.

>> I THINK SHE HAS TO CALL.

>> LEGALLY WE HAVE TO CALL THEM.

AND MAYBE WE HAVE TO HOLD THE ITEM IF WE CAN'T

>> IF YOU REACH SOMEONE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL SAVE THAT MOTION FOR LAST AND JAMES YOU CAN REMIND ME.

>> YOU UP ME TO READ THE MOTION?

>> THAT MOTION IS THE FUNDING FROM THE ROLLOVER BUDGETS THAT HAVE BEEN REMOVED WE FULLY RESPOND ÃRESTORED ALL LAW

[10:05:03]

ENFORCEMENT INCLUDING CONSTABLES THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE FIRE MARSHAL AND WE AMENDED IT AS TO HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 WITH THE AMOUNT BE RESTORED AND BE ADDED TO THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WOULD REQUIRE TO BE $439,000.

>> DOES THAT WORK JAMES?

>> YES.

>> WE WILL VOTE ON THAT LATER.

>> SO WE HAD ITEM 10 ON PAGE 3 THAT'S THE COVID ITEM.

THUS NO ACTION.

>> IN THE INDICATION ON WHEN WE WILL ÃIN YELLOW?

>> SO THE CASE COUNT IS GOING UP AGAIN SLIGHTLY.

IT HAS KINDLY BEEN Ã HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY COMING DOWN IF THEY CONTINUE TO COME DOWN IT COULD BE A MATTER OF WEEKS BUT REALLY THERE IS NO TELLING IT WILL ALL DEPEND ON THE VACCINATION RATE OF THE VARIANT. WE ARE LOOKING VERY GOOD, A BIG DAY TODAY, OR YESTERDAY I MENTIONED 50 PERCENT OF ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS HAD AT LEAST ONE SHOT AS 60 PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE SHOT SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS. AND 60 PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

ITEM 92, AND INTERLOCAL. [INDISCERNIBLE] COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> >> THANK YOU, JUDGE GREAT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WAS NOT REQUIRED TO GET AUTHORIZATION TO DISCUSS AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT. THIS IS AN INTERESTING ITEM, JUDGE GREAT BUT THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WAS BRINGING THE AGREEMENT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR A VOTE AND BRINGING THE AGREEMENT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR ABOUT WHEN THE AGREEMENT IS DRAFTED THIS IS AN ADDED STAFF THAT MAY REQUIRE MORE RESOURCES FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND LIKELY CAN DELAY OUR PROJECT ALSO BY HE WAS ADVISED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT THIS IS WHAT IS NEEDED SO ARE YOU THERE? SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GO WAKE UP JERRY.

>> THIS IS SCOTT LEMOND, I AM HERE.

>> OKAY A YOUNG GUY YOU ARE AWAKE.

>> YES SIR.

>> HERE IS MY QUESTION. IS THIS A REQUIREMENT OR JUST A PRACTICE AND SECONDLY CAN WE COME UP WITH SOME BLANKET AUTHORIZATION TO DISCUSS AGREEMENTS WITH OTHERS AGENCIES PERHAPS LIKE WE DO WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS THAT WE PROVIDE A BLANKET AUTHORIZATION BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, IT'S A LITTLE RIDICULOUS THAT WE SHOULD BE DRAFTING AND INTERLOCAL TO DISCUSS AND INTERLOCAL WITH THE CITY.

>> COMMISSIONER I WILL ANSWER THAT BY SAYING IT IS A PRACTICE BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT IS NOT TECHNICALLY A CONTRACT. HOWEVER, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DOES LIKE TO LOOK OVER ALL AGREEMENTS AND THERE MIGHT BE SOME OBLIGATION OR SOME LIABILITY ON THE COUNTY IS NOT TYPICALLY THE CASE WITH THAT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BUT WE COULD PROBABLY COME UP WITH A SHORTER WAY OF DOING THINGS AND CERTAINLY WE CAN WORK WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS OR TO COME UP WITH A SHORTENED PROCESS OF

[10:10:01]

WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING AND CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, I THINK YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU IN THE PAST ARE NOT BEING REQUIRED TO DO SO THROUGH THIS PROCESS BUT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAD BEEN AND THIS APPARENTLY WAS BASICALLY PUT ON YOU BECAUSE THEY GOT TO DO IT, WHY DON'T YOU DO IT IS THAT WHERE WE ARE AT? SUMMA THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

SO COMMISSIONER CAN WE, CAN I ASK YOU TO WORK WITH THIS PROCESS TO COME UP WITH A BLANKET AUTHORIZATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY WE WILL DO THAT AND GET WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. [INDISCERNIBLE]

>> AND IF YOU COULD ENGAGE MILTON ON MY STAFF TO WORK WITH YOU ON THAT AS WELL.

>> YES SIR. NOT COMMISSIONER, YOU WANTED FLOOD CONTROL INVOLVED IN THAT AS WELL?

>> THIS WILL HELP EXPEDITE OUR PROJECTS OVER THERE AS WELL SO SCOTT DO I NEED TO PUT THIS TO A MOTION?

>> NO COMMISSIONER WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE EXCUSE ME I HAVE COLLAR 215 ON THE LINE.

SHAKEEL HEART GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> AND THAT SHE DISCONNECTED.

>> LET US KNOW.

>> AND THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT APPLIES TO 92 THROUGH 98 TO GET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO COME UP WITH AN AUTHORIZATION THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF HOW CUMBERSOME THIS CAN COME

>> ITEM 140 IT'S A FLOOD CONTROL ITEM.ITEM 178 AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH.

[INDISCERNIBLE] I CAN EVER GET THAT RIGHT.

>> QUICKLY I GOT SOME CLARIFICATION ON THIS EARLIER THIS LOOKS LIKE IT'S FAIRLY LOCAL IN TERMS OF EXTREMES AND SUCH EVEN THOUGH IT IS RELATED IT'S KIND OF BACK IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WAS MY QUESTION.

>> WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT.

>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION MAMA AS WELL, JUDGE.

AND I'M NOT SURE WHO ANSWERS US, WHO IS GOING TO BE THE PROJECT MANAGER ON THIS? OBVIOUSLY I PREFER THAT WE BE THE PROJECT MANAGER ON THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THE PAST.

>> LET ME SEE IF I HAVE THAT HERE

>> YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT?

>> WE HAVE TO WAIT JOHN.

>> SORRY I AM NOT, THIS IS SOMETHING THE TOLLROAD WORKED ON SO I AM NOT AWARE OF WHAT THE PLAN IS ON THAT.

>> SO BEFORE WE AUTHORIZE IT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, CAN WE GET THAT QUESTION ANSWERED? IT'S PRETTY CRITICAL.

>> I AM PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT.

>> I AM GOING TO HOLD THIS ITEM >> ANY ISSUES WITH THAT?

>> IT'S NOT MY ITEM SO I AM NOT FAMILIAR IF THERE IS AN ISSUE.

>> CAN WE GET THEM ON THE LINE?

>> OKAY PERFECT.

>> NO ACTION ITEM 178.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO MAKE THE, THAT I WAS GOING TO VOTE

[10:15:03]

AGAINST THIS ITEM NOT BECAUSE I HAVE AN ISSUE BUT BECAUSE I AM SUPPORTIVE OF TRYING TO ENCOURAGE TEXAS DOT INTO BEING OUR PARTNER BECAUSE THIS IS NOT FORWARDING THE PARTNERSHIP RELATIONSHIP. THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE 215 ON THE LINE.

>> GO AHEAD PLEASE. SHAKEEL HEART.

>> HELLO.

>> GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> WITH WHAT EXACTLY?

>> YOU HAD SIGNED UP FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT ON ITEM 442.

>> I AM NOT AWARE OF SIGNING UP FOR AN ITEM.

I SIGNED UP TO SAY WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULDN'T G FUND POLICE OFFICERS BUT I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR A PARTICULAR ITEM I AM NOT AWARE OF THAT. SUE MAY VERY WELL WE WILL TAKE

YOUR COMMENTS GREAT >> WELL PRETTY MUCH I FEEL LIKE WE SERVE OUR COMMUNITY I AM SURE EVERYBODY IS APPRECIATIVE OF THE CONSTABLES BECAUSE OF THE TIME AND ENERGY THAT WE PUT INTO OUR CITIZENS SO I FEEL LIKE BY DEFUNDING THEM WE LOSE OFFICERS WE WON'T BE ABLE TO PERFORM BECAUSE IT WILL BE SHORTSTAFFED PRETTY MUCH. AND THEN EVERYBODY WILL HAVE THE SAME REACTION THAT THEY HAVE ABOUT CONSTABLES THAT THEY

HAVE NOW. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ANY TIME.

>> ANYONE ELSE? LUCINDA? CEMEX THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

>> LET US KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE BECOMES AVAILABLE.

186 IS COMMERCIAL PAPER FUNDING >> YOU THAT ONE.

>> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE ON IT.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND GARCIA.

ALL INFAVOR ? AYE.

OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES THREE-TO GRADE 189 SECURITY-RELATED OPERATION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY

>> JUST QUICKLY I WOULD NOT SUGGEST YOU DO IT TONIGHT BUT IF YOU EVER WALK AROUND DOWNTOWN NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE SECURITY IS VERY BAD SO IN THIS CONCEPT OF LOOKING AT SECURITY YOU NEED TO LOOK AT ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS DOWN HERE I HAD ONE OF MY STAFF JUST WALKED TO A RESTAURANT AND HE WAS ACCOSTED NOT ASSAULTED BUT ACCOSTED BY SOME STREET FOLKS WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING THIS WOULD NOT BE AN ENCOURAGING PLACE TO WALK DOWN THE STREET AND IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON SO THAT WOULD BE A PART OF IT I WOULD VOTE.

>> I RECEIVED A MEMO AND I THINK THERE WAS A COMMENT ON IT OR AN INTERPRETATION OF IT FROM A STAFFER OF MINE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ANY THIRD PARTY PARTICIPATION SHOULD BE LIMITED TO ENHANCE OR SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING TASK FORCE I AM NOT SURE THAT THE REQUESTED, I THINK THIS IS A WORKGROUP SO I THINK THE CONCERN OF THE CONSTABLE CAN BE INCORPORATED SINCE WE ARE NOT TAKING ANY ACTION BEYOND AUTHORIZING A WORKGROUP.

>> THEY ARE IDENTIFYING WHAT WORK HAS BEEN DONE IF YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN IT.

>> SURE I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

>> CAN YOU HELP THEM FIGURE OUT THE.

[INDISCERNIBLE]? >> IF HE USES THAT WHENEVER THERE HE JUST HAS TO PUSH A BUTTON.

CIVIC I THINK THE PLAN WOULD BE THAT CONSTABLE ÃINCLUDED IN

[10:20:01]

THE WORKGROUP IT WOULDBE SEPARATE FROM .

[INDISCERNIBLE] >> THE EXISTING GROUP INCLUDES 40 DEPARTMENT SO GET AN OUTSIDE SECURITY REVIEW.

>> DO YOU NEED A MOTION? JUDGE, DO YOU NEED A MOTION?

>> WE WILL JUST TAKE IT WITH THE ITEMS TOGETHER.

>> WILL THAT BE AS PRESENTED?

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR MICROPHONE MIGHT BE OFF.

>> AND DAVE YOU GUYS CAN FIGURE OUT IF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S QUESTION FALLS IN THE SCOPE AND IF NOT, WHERE ELSE THAT CAN GO.

OKAY. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW JAMES?

>> YES. 191 WE APPROVED 197

>> THAT WAS MINE.E JUST NEED TO VOTE ON IT.

>> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED?

>> ITEM 247.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND WE ARE GOING TO SPEND OVER 300 BILLION DOING JAIL RENOVATIONS AND WE NEED TO DO THAT THIS IS NOT IN OPPOSITION TO THAT DO WE KNOW THAT IF ÃIS INVOLVED IN THIS I KNOW WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME POINT TO TAKE OVER THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THERE ANYTHING HERE THAT WOULD IMPACT WHAT HARRIS HEALTH IS PLANNING ON DOING?

>> DAY DO YOU KNOW? SUMMA THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT AND HE WILL SEE NOT PRESENTED FOR FINAL APPROVAL TODAY BUT INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT RENOVATING THE SPACE.

>> IS A 31 MILLION OR 300 MILLION? SUMMA GIVE 300.

>> THERE ARE 2 NUMBERS.

>> 31 MILLION IS THE AMOUNT BEING REQUESTED FOR APPROVAL TODAY THUS THE FIRST PACKAGE OR PHASE OF AN OVERALL RENOVATION

PROJECT. >> AND JUDGE IF I COULD ADD TO THIS THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY IS AT RISK OF NONCOMPLIANCE SO THIS FUNDING IS CRITICAL TO MAKE SURE NOT TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN JUDGE AND IT HAS A SENSE OF URGENCY AND

>> SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND DO FOLKS NEED TO VOTE ON THAT? WHY DON'T WE JUST VOTE WITH THE OTHER ITEMS?

>> I HAVE A SPEAKER PRE- >> LAWRENCE GASTONIA NUMBER 246. GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ITEM YOU ARE CONSIDERING TAKING AWAY THE $8 MILLION OF THE PRECINCTS BUDGET I DON'T UNDERSTAND TO ME THAT REPRESENTS THE COMMISSIONERS ARE NOT BEING FAIR WITH THE MONEY I DON'T SEE WHY PRECINCT 5 HAS TO LOSE THE MONEY BECAUSE THEY MADE EFFORTS TO CONSERVE THE MONEY I THINK IF YOU WILL TAKE THIS MONEY YOU ARE GOING TO PUT LESS DEPUTIES ON THE STREET TO PATROL AND IT WILL AFFECT US IN MY OPINION THIS IS A FORM A DEFUNDING THE POLICE BECAUSE RELATED TO SENATE BILL 23 THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS HAS RULED THAT YOU CAN'T DEFUND THE POLICE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S HAPPENING.AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE ADDING A ADMINISTRATION POSITION WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT.

TO ME THE FRANCHISED VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY WE DON'T HAVE A SAY IN IT THOSE OF THE ISSUES I HAVE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE HEARD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING.

[10:25:01]

>> THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER. AND, GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> WHICH NUMBER?

>> SORRY NUMBER 224.

>> >> WE WILL TRY HER AGAIN IN A

BIT. >> ITEM 267 IS THE CONVENING OF

ÃFOR PROGRAMS GARCIA >> ON THIS ITEM I HAVE A MOTION.

>> YOU ARE AND MUTED.

>> I HAVE A MOTION.

>> LUCINDA.

>> THAT'S NOT ME. >> SOMEBODY IS NOT MUTED.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR PUBLIC HEALTH TO HIRE A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE TO LEAVE THE EFFORTS HOWEVER THEY WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH A BUDGET MANAGEMENT OFFICE THIS WOULD BE A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT AS I UNDERSTAND IT.THERE REMAIN A ÃMAY NOT NEED TO BE HIRING A NEW PERSON IF THERE IS ÃWE WILL ADDRESS IT WITH THE BUDGET BUT IT WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE PHYSICAL STABILITY OF THE FACILITY AND STUDY OF THE COST IMPLICATIONS OF CONVERTING BAKER INTO THE NAVIGATION TRANSITION CENTER AND THIS WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND THERE IS AN EXCITING THING TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND ALL THAT STUFF ALMOST THE FIRST MONTH IN OFFICE WAS THE IDEA OF USING THE OLD ÃAS A RESPITE ALMOST TRANSITION CENTER INSTEAD OF TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT EARLIER OF OPENING THE COUNTY JAIL AND FOLKS WHO HAD A ANYWHERE USA ADDRESS WOULD GO OUT TO THE STREETS TO THE DOORSTEPS OF BUSINESSES THEY WERE CONGREGATING AT GO BACK TO PARKS GO BACK TO BRIDGES GO TO THE STREET CORNERS AND COME RIGHT BACK TO US SO THE IDEA WAS TO CONVERT THAT FACILITY AND DO SOME WRAPAROUND SERVICES SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE AND GET THEM INTO A BETTER PATHWAY INSTEAD OF A REVOLVING DOOR COMMISSIONERS COURT CONDUCTED A STUDY IN THE STUDY CAME BACK P GAL WOULD COST 30,000,002 ÃTHE ENTIRE COUNTY JAIL AND HOW LONG ARE YOU ASKING FOR?

>> WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD WE HAVE BAKER THAT'S AVAILABLE TO US AND BECAUSE OF THE PHENOMENAL WORK SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND HIS TEAM HAVE DONE TO CALCULATE THE COUNTY JAIL AND THE SAFEWAY THIS PARTICULAR BUILDING WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO CASE MANAGE AND ENGAGE THOSE WITH A CITY ADDRESS IN A MORE CONSTRUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL WAY.SO ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM I MOVE THAT LITTLE BAKER THE FUTURE USE TASK FORCE BE LED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND TO AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC HEALTH TO REESTABLISH THE TASK FORCE TO REPRESENT ÃTHE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND OTHER COUNTY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS NECESSARY TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED APPROACH TO SERVING TARGETED POPULATIONS TO CHARGE THE TASK FORCE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN TO UTILIZE THE FACILITY.

[INDISCERNIBLE] AT 130 IN THE MORNING PUBLIC HOUSING ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF POPULATIONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND POPULATIONS EXPERIENCING REENTRY AND THE Ã

[10:30:01]

SYSTEM IN A MANNER THAT INCORPORATES SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT'S NEEDS AND IN TERMS OF LIMITED TRAINING AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND TO AUTHORIZE PROCUREMENT OF OUR CONSULTING SERVICES TO ASSIST IN THIS CHARGE IN COORDINATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES TO WORK WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP THE NECESSARY, TO DO THE NECESSARY PLANNING OF STAFF REQUESTS FOR THIS FACILITY THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION.

SUE MCKAY SECONDED. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

[INDISCERNIBLE] >> QUESTION, JUDGE.

FOR MY COLLEAGUE, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WERE LOOKING AT PORTIONS OF THIS FACILITY IS A MEDIUM SECURITY JAIL AND WE KNOW THAT WHEN IT'S A USE IT OR LOSE IT WHEN THEY DECOMMISSION PART OF IT, YOU CAN'T GET IT BACK.

AS PART OF YOUR MOTION CONTEMPLATING THAT THEY LOOK AT THE PORTIONS THEY DON'T USE FOR THIS TO BE FIT IN THAT MEDIUM SECURITY JAIL BECAUSE THAT WASN'T CLEAR IF THAT'S PART OF THE STUDY, I AM 100 PERCENT IN. ASSUMING THE CHALLENGES, TO DO THAT, IT'S EXPONENTIAL.ND SO THE IDEA IS TO WORK WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO FIND EQUITABLE SOLUTIONS TO WORK WITH ÃTHEY'RE LOOKING FOR TRAINING SPACE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR EMERGENCY CAPACITY SO TO BRING IT UP TO A LEVEL THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, IT WOULD COST A GREATER AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> AND THIS IS PLAINLY THAT THEY LOOK AWARE OF THE SO IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

>> I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS NOT BEING JAIL SPACE.

THE WHOLE THING ON THIS WAS AN NEEDS TO BE NON-INCARCERATED.

>> SORRY, GEORGE. >> HE'S TALKING ABOUT Ã

>> I HAVE A SPEAKER.

>> LET'S FINISH THE VOTE ON THIS REAL QUICK.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED?

NO. >> THE MOTION CARRIES.

>> I'M IN FAVOR OF WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO BUT WE DON'T WANT TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE SHIPPING PEOPLE HAVE OUT-OF-STATE AGAIN AND AS WE START PICKING THESE FOLKS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT ARE VIOLENT CRIMINALS WE WILL NEED TO HAVE A PLACE TO PUT THEM IN THIS THE REASON WHY. I AM IN FAVOR OF THE CONCEPT.

>> REMEMBER IS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE SHERIFF OR AN EMERGENCY CAPACITY. IF WE DO COME OUR POPULATION DOES GROW, OSHA USE ÃSOON MY THINKING.

>> GO AHEAD LUCINDA.

>> SPEAKER 237. TIMOTHY ÃGO AHEAD BILLY

>> I WAS JUST. [INDISCERNIBLE] MONEY IN I WAS JUST WONDERING WHY YOU WERE AND FEELING TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH CITIZENS TAKING $8 MILLION WILL PUT US IN EFFECT THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY THIS IS A FORM OF DEFUNDING THE POLICE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T TAKE ÃTHE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS RULED THAT YOU CANNOT DEFUND THE POLICE AND. [INDISCERNIBLE] ALSO, WHY ARE YOU ADDING A COUNTY COMMISSIONER POSITION WHAT WILL

[10:35:03]

THAT PERSON BE DOING AND WHY? ISN'T THAT YOUR JOB AS JUDGE AND. [INDISCERNIBLE] THAT'S ALL HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THANK YOU. ASSUMING THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR NOW.

>> OKAY. THE NEXT ONE WAS 268 AND 269 WHICH WE ALREADY DISCUSSED. 271 WAS NEXT COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THE COCHAIR OF THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOUR MICROPHONE MIGHT BE OFF.

>> I WANT TO HOLD THIS ITEM IF I COULD GET WITH HER AND WANT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE TO WORK THROUGH WHAT SHE EXPRESSED IF THERE IS NOT ANYTHING URGENT WITH THIS I'D LIKE TO HOLD IT.

>> I SUPPORT HOLDING IT. ALSO APPARENTLY BY ADDING TO THE GROUP YOU WILL HAVE A TIE. USUALLY WILL HAVE ODD NUMBERS.

>> SO NO ACTION ON ITEM 271. ITEM 3 DUE TO TEXAS LONG LANDSCAPE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> YOUR MICROPHONE MAY BE OFF.

>> THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF ACQUIRING SOME LAND OUT NORTHWEST THERE WILL BE A PARK AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE FOLKS AWARE OF THAT.

>> THANK YOU. ASSUMING THAT ONE IS AS PRESENTED, JAMES. ITEM 425, WE VOTED ON, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> SORRY. I HAVE A SPEAKER.

>> GO AHEAD. NUMBER 243.

OUR MONDA .

[INDISCERNIBLE] AGNEW GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> WE WILL CALL HER BACK.

>> OKAY THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD TAGGED ITEM 430.

>> A LITTLE BIT BASED ON CONVERSATION ABOUT ÃJUST WITH THE FLOOD BOND ISSUES AND ALL THINGS RELATED TO OUR ABILITY TO FINANCIALLY PLAN FOR THE FUTURE I GOT THESE QUESTIONS FOR A COMBINATION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BUT WHAT IS THE CURRENT CAPACITY OF THE KELTY AND HOW MUCH MORE CAN BE ADDEDWITHOUT IMPACTING Ã?

>> I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT NUMBER BUT I WILL GIVE YOU TWO WAYS TO THINK ABOUT IT SO WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION.

THE COUNTY CAN ÃCERTAINLY WE CAN BORROW THAT MONEY A VERY ATTRACTIVE COSTS. IN THE CAPITAL MARKETS.

THE OTHER QUESTION IS WHAT CAN WE BORROW AND NOT INCREASE OUR DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE AND WHAT I CAN SAY IS THE TAX RATE HAS BEEN GOING DOWN WHICH IS A SIG , IT'S A GOOD SIGN WE HAVE HAD MORE MONEY TO INVEST IN OPERATIONS THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THERE TO DO AN ADDITIONAL BOND ISSUANCE WITHOUT HAVING TO RAISE THAT RATE BUT ONE OF THE MOVING PIECES AND THERE'S AN ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA SO TO REALLY

[10:40:07]

GET A SPECIFIC ANSWER WE WOULD NEED TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH EACH PRECINCT TO UNDERSTAND THE TIMING OF THE BOND ISSUANCES.

>> AND THERE IS SOME LEGISLATION THAT HAS PASSED SOME OF IT RELATES TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS.

SO HOW DOES THAT LEGISLATION IMPACT OUR CURRENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANS AND WILL ANY PROJECTS THAT WILL NOT Ã REQUIRE PHOTO APPROVAL, DO THEY NOW?

>> I WOULD HESITATE TO BE DEFINITIVE WITHOUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO BUILD NEW BUILDINGS INCLUDING A CASE-BY-CASE ANALYSIS ABOUT IF WE WOULD NEED TO GET VOTER AUTHORIZATION.

IN THE PAST WE HAVE NOT HAD TO USE THAT'S A POTENTIAL CHANGE.

>> WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS.

>> WHEN YOU GET THOSE ANSWERS, CAN YOU PROVIDE THE REPORT ON

THAT? >> WHAT'S THE STATUS OF ODDS THAT WERE LAST ÃBONDS APPROVED BY VOTERS LAST IN 2007?

>> SO, THERE ARE. DO YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THEM?

>> WHAT ARE THE >> CERTAINLY, VEHICLES IS ONE AND AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE ARE MOVING TO HAVING A VEHICLE CIP THAT GETS US ON A PROPER FLATLINE AND

>> I WAS JUST THINKING, THE NEXT TIME WE GO TO THE GESTURE

GET SOME ILLEGAL ADVICE >> AND I GUESS MY LAST QUESTION IS, BASED ON FLUID LAWS IN EFFECT WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT, WE SHOULD BE GOING OUT FOR ANOTHER AND AS A RESULT, WHEN SHOULD WE START PLANNING? PUTTING THIS THE VOTERS HAVING THAT CONVERSATION IN THE AMOUNT WE WOULD BE ASKING FOR. POTENTIALLY.

>> IS A FEW STAGES OF PLANNING ONE IS COMING UP WITH A PORTFOLIO AND THAT IS WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING NOW

>> THAT WOULD BE STEP ONE AND I THINK START HAVING SOME DISCUSSIONS AND GIVE OURSELVES BONUSES TO USE HIS US ON THE BALLOT AND THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE FIVE MORE ITEMS.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER.

>> ITEM 430. IS THERE ANY ACTION? ? GO AHEAD LUCINDA.

>> WAYNE JAMES ITEM 87. GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>>. [INDISCERNIBLE] I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> I'M SORRY YOU ARE NUMBER 87 ON OUR LIST.

>> OKAY.

[10:45:05]

>> DID YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THE COURT? SYSTEMIC ADDRESS THE COURT AT TWO IN THE MORNING YOU'RE CALLING PEOPLE?

>> YES WE ARE.

>>. [LAUGHTER]

>>. [LAUGHTER] OKAY.

WELL I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS YOU GUYS GO TO BED THINK ABOUT IT TOMORROW.

>> I GOTTA CATCH UP WITH YOU GUYS YOU GOT A HEAD START ON ME. WHY DON'T WE MEET AT A BAR SOMEWHERE AND TALK THIS OVER. [LAUGHTER] THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. [LAUGHTER] I'M A PRETTY OLD GUY THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

>> ARE WE TRYING TO SLIP SOMETHING THROUGH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?

>> I HOPE YOU GUYS CHECK YOUR POCKETS BEFORE YOU LEAVE DOWN THERE. [LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU FOR PICKING UP.

>> OKAY YOU HAVE A GOOD ONE. CALL ME BACK SOMETIME DURING THE DAY, YOU KNOW? I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE UP DURING THE DAY BUT IF YOU DO, CALL ME BACK.

>> OKAY. ITEM 428 HAVE WE VOTED ON THAT ONE? NEXT FOR 40 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS THE MICRO-CHIPPING OF HARRIS COUNTY

PETS. >> I LIKE THE FACT THAT WE ARE DOING THAT OTHER PRECINCTS ARE DOING THAT.

>> THAT'S GREAT NEWS. I DON'T 441.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THIS ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.

>> THAT'S FINE.

>> SO NO ACTION ON THAT ONE JAMES.

>> AND 440 IS AS PRESENTED AT 441 IS NO ACTION.

>> 442 WE DISCUSSED WITH NO ACTION.

454 WE DISCUSSED. 480 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY

>> THIS IS A GOOD THING TO DISCUSS IT TWO IN THE MORNING.

T'S GOOD THAT WE SPENT WITH THE CITY DID AND IT'S A GREAT EVENT SINCE MOST OF THAT WILL BE IN HARRIS COUNTY

>> WE WILL TAKE THAT UP WITH THE OTHER ITEMS.

NOW WE HAVE TO TAKE >> JUDGE? JUST TO BE CLEAR DID YOU SAY 442 IS NO ACTION MARK

>> 442 SORRY I THOUGHT THAT WAS DISCUSSION.

>> THAT ONE WE NEED TO VOTE ON AT THE END.

AND I GOT CONFUSED AND SO NOW WE NEED TO TAKE THE PUBLIC

[Public Hearings]

HEARINGS HERE WE ARE TAKING ITEM 452 AND 458 TOGETHER STARTING WITH 452. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL GO INTO A PUBLIC HEARING ON 452 REQUEST BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF GRANTING 2 TAX ABATEMENTS AND MY MISPRONOUNCING THIS? AND NEW CONSTRUCTION OF MANUFACTURING FACILITIES ON A 24.325 ACRE TRACT LOCATED ON 10010 PASADENA TEXAS 77 507 AND CONNECTIONS WITH A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JANUARY 2021 OR JANUARY 21, 2025 ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?

>> THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS SIGNED UP.

[10:50:01]

>> ANY DISCUSSION?

>> 'S. THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 452 IS CLOSED IT IS 1:58 AM ON JUNE 30.

[Executive Session (Part 3 of 3)]

>> NOW WE TAKE ITEM 458 AND HERE

>> COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL GO INTO PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 458 REQUEST BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO GRANTING THE ROAD TO TAX ABATEMENTS ÃNEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE PASADENA

INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT >> 10010 PASADENA TEXAS 77507 IN CONNECTION TO A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JANUARY 1, 2020 AND/OR TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? SINCE THERE ARE NO COMMENTS, ANY DISCUSSION?

>> FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OF HARRIS COUNTY THESE ARE THE PROJECTS THE FIRST AGREEMENTS UNDER THE NEW HARRIS COUNTY TAX ABATEMENT POLICY GUIDELINES THESE ITEMS ARE GOING TO BRING 30 NEW FULL-TIME PERMANENT POSITIONS FOR THE HYDROPROCESSING CATALYSTS PROJECTIN 45 FOR THE ÃPROJECT BUT REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE , WE'RE GOING TO HIRE AT LEAST 50 PERCENT OF ÃAT THE PROJECT LOCATION FOR THE RESIDENCE OF HARRIS COUNTY, THIS WILL BE AUDITED ANNUALLY THEY WILL UTILIZE PARTICIPATION FOR THE HYDROPROCESSING CATALYST PROJECT THROUGH CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS WHEN POSSIBLE THIS SHOULD ALSO BE INTENTIONAL THE FACILITY MAY REQUIRE SPECIALIZED CONSTRUCTION HOWEVER PREVIOUS ABATEMENT WAS TERMINATED DUE TO NOT MEETING THE JOB CREATION REQUIREMENT THE FUNDS WERE RECAPTURED BUT I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE JUST ONE EXAMPLE FOR OTHER INTERVIEWS OUT THERE LOOKING TO BRING INVESTMENTS AND AS A RESULT JOBS TO THE AREA WE NOW HAVE GOOD GUIDELINES TO HELP GUIDE AND ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO LOOK AT HARRIS COUNTY I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HARRIS COUNTY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS COME OVER AND BUILD AN EMPLOYEE SO TO THAT END I HAVE 2 MOTIONS THE FIRST IS TO FIND THAT THE TERMS OF THE PROPOSALS CONFORM TO THE GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR GRANTING TAX ABATEMENT AND A REINVESTMENT ZONE THERE WILL BE NO SUBSTANTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE PROVISION OF THE SERVICE AND THE PLAN USED THE PROPERTY WOULD NOT CONSTITUTE A HAZARD TO PUBLIC SAFETY HEALTH OR MORALS IS SICK IT IS TO GRANT 2 ÃÃFOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OF SOME FACILITIES IN THE PASADENA INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT ONLY 24.325 ACRE TRACT LOCATED AT 10010 BAYPORT ROAD PASADENA TEXAS IN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT NUMBER TWO IN CONNECTION TO A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JANUARY 1

[10:55:01]

2022 AND/OR TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JANUARY 1, 2025. THANK YOU.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> SORRY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

>> THE PUBLIC HEARING >> WHAT I WAS DISTRACTED WITH WAS THE NAME IT'S 2:04 AM IN THE MORNING AND I WAS TRYING TO RECALL WHO CALLED DOOR WAS I THINK HE WAS ONE OF THE NORDIC HEROIC CHARACTERS OF THE MIDDLE AGES I KNOW THAT CS LEWIS MADE A REFERENCE TO HIM IN ONE OF HIS BOOKS ABOUT TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS THAT HAL DOOR WAS FAMOUS FOR.

>>. [INDISCERNIBLE] 'S HIM IF THE PUBLIC HEARING ÃREQUESTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

>> >> 2:04 AM.

>> TO BE CLEAR, COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION WAS FOR ITEM 458.

>> 452 458.

>> >> SO THAT PUTS US AT THE NEXT ITEM. SO WHERE DOES PUBLIC HEARINGS LISTEN TO, ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REACH ANY.

[Departments (Part 5 of 5)]

>> LET'S GO BACK TO THE MOTION.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD A SECOND.

ON ITEM 452. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

>> WAIT >> I DON'T THINK YOU ARE IN FAVOR? THIS IS THE ROLLOVER.

>> >> JUDGE, CAN YOU REREAD THAT FOR CLARITY ONE MORE TIME?

>> I THINK WE JUST SENT IT TO YOU JAMES BUT

>> WE HAD HERE A MINUTE AGO.

>> I THINK WE ALL NEED TO MAKE SURE TO TEXT EACH OTHER

>> THERE IS COFFEE IN MY CUP.

>> >> ITEM 442 FOR THE ROLLOVER BUDGETS THAT WERE REMOVED AND EQUALLY RESTORED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLES, THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FIRE MARSHAL AND ADDITIONALLY SPECIFICALLY INCREASE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 BUDGET BY 439,000 FOR THIS YEAR AND THE FUTURE BUDGET.

>> THERE IS A MOTION BY THE COMMISSIONER, SECOND BY RAMSEY, ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

>> THE MOTION FAILS, 3-2 IS THERE A MOTION FOR ANY ITEMS WE HAVE NOT VOTED ON?

>> I NEED A MOTION.

>> COMMISSIONER MADE A MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

SHE HAVE ANY CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS?

>> I HAVE A SPEAKER ON THE LINE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

>> GO FOR IT.

>>. [INDISCERNIBLE]

>> IT'S 2 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND YOU ARE ASKING US TO SPEAK. SERIOUSLY? ADRIAN GARCIA A YEAR AGO YOU POSTED THAT YOU WOULD NOT CHALLENGE THE CONSTABLES AND NOW YOU ARE.

AND DORA? HERE YOU ARE.

[11:00:07]

THIS IS NOT OKAY. AND I WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR TODAY AND AT 211 IN THE MORNING YOU'RE GOING TO CALL ME? LIKE SERIOUSLY? THIS IS NOT OKAY.

YOU CANNOT ADJUST THE CONSTABLES OH MY GOSH.

THIS IS NOT OKAY. YOU ARE TRYING TO DEFUND THE CONSTABLES BEFORE ABBOTT HAS A SAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH.

>> JAMES?

>> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY ITEM ÃTHAT MOTION FAILED.

SIMILAR THAT'S CORRECT. SPENT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY

>> I AM HERE.

>> ARE YOU GOOD?

>> TO 10 AM.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.