Jun 29, 2021 Commissioners Court

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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.]

>> 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.

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>> 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

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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)]

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.

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>> 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

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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

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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]

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]

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]

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]

>> 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

$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]

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]

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)]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

>> 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]

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]

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]

>> 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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)]

>> 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]

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]

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]

>> 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*]

>> 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

>> 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]

>> 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.