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* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

[00:00:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 10:02. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS AUGUST 10TH MEETING OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS? RODRIGUEZ

[Senior Rabbi David Lyon of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston.]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE RABBI LYONS WHO SERVES THE BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION. IT IS THE INNER FAITH MINISTRIES OF GREATER HOUSTON AND AN ADVISER OF THE HOLOCAUST HOUSTON. HE IS ALSO ONE OF THE THREE AMIGOS, THE NEWEST MEMBER BY THE WAY, ALONG WITH REVEREND LAWSON. HE IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CCAR BOARD, THE CENTRAL CONFERENCE OF AMERICAN RABBIS.

99.1FM EVERY SUNDAY MORNING AT 6:45 A.M. OR HIS PODCAST HEART-TO-HEART WITH RAN BY LYO -- WITH RABBI LYON.

HE IS ALSO AUTHOR OF THE BOOK "GOD OF ME IMAGING.

GOD THROUGHOUT LIFETIME" AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

HE IS A GOOD FRIEND AND HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS. WELCOME, RAP BY.

RABBI. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU TO JACK CAGLE FOR HIS WARM PHONE CALL THIS MORNING. WE ARE EMBARKING ON A TIME OF YEAR THAT SIGNALS THE END OF VACATIONS AND THE RETURN TO SCHOOL AND THE BEGINNING OF WORK SCHEDULES FOLLOWING VACATIONS WITH FAMILIES. THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE HIGH HOLY DAY SEASON.

WE THOUGHT WOULD BE WITHOUT MASKS THIS FALL, BUT NONE OF US EXPECTED WHAT WE CONTINUE TO ENDURE.

SO AS COMMISSIONERS' COURT TAKES PLACE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND THE COMMISSIONERS WE APPRECIATE THE WEIGHT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE CARE WHICH YOU WILL FULFILL THEM.

WE GAIN STRENGTH FROM YOU. YOU GAIN STRENGTH FROM YOUR DEEP SENSE OF DUTY TO ALL OF US.

THE COMMUNITY OF COUNTY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.

YOU FIND INSPIRATION FROM YOUR RESPECTIVE FAITH.

YOU HEAR GOD'S CALL TO ALL OF US FOR COURAGE, HONESTY AND SERVICE. WE WERE ALL TAUGHT FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE AND THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE THAT SAYS YOU SHALL NOT RENDER AN UNFAIR DECISION. DO NOT FAVOR THE POOR OR SHOW DEFERENCE TO THE RICH. JUDGE YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEING FAIRLY. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. SO WE HUMBLY ASK GOD TO BLESS COMMISSIONERS' COURT ON THIS DAY.

GOD, GUIDE COMMISSIONERS' COURT WITH INSIGHT INTO THE WEIGHTY TASKS THEY WILL ADDRESS.

INSPIRE THEM TO FIND THE WAY FOR ALL PEOPLE TO RISE ABOVE THE FRAY. CHARGE THEM TO SEE ALL YOUR CHILDREN AS WORTHY INHERITORS OF YOUR GRACIOUSNESS.

THEN WILL THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY BE CONFIDENT FOR ALL GOOD PEOPLE FOR WHAT THEY NEED AND FOOD AND MEDICINE BEING NOURISHING AND SUSTAINING.

LET EDUCATION, SECURITY AND FRIENDSHIP BE PLENTIFUL.

AND LET GRATITUDE AND FAITHFULNESS FILL THEIR HEARTS AND SOULS EVERY DAY. GOD BLESS THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT UNDER THE WISE LEADERSHIP OF JUDGE LINA HIDALGO. TOGETHER, MAY WE HONOR YOUR HOLY NAME, OH GOD, WITH THE JUDGMENTS AND THE DECISIONS.

MAY IT GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH NOW AND ALWAYS.

AMEN AND AMEN. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME THIS

MORNING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, RABBI. IT WAS AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU

WITH US. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS TOM RAMSEY. I WANTED YOU TO KNOW I WILL BE TRAVELING TO ISRAEL IN NOVEMBER.

THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPOTS ON PLANET EARTH.

I WILL REMEMBER YOU IN PRAYER WHEN I'M THERE.

>> WONDERFUL. TRAVEL SAFELY WITH MY BLESSING FOR A SAFE JOURNEY THERE AND A SAFE RETURN HOME TO US.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: RABBI, THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I WANT TO GIVE MY THANKS TO YOU THAT THIS WAS A THOUGHTFUL PRAYER. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I TOO HAVE HAD THE HONOR AND THE PLEASURE OF VISITING ISRAEL SEVERAL TIMES AND LEARNED A GREAT DEAL.

OBVIOUSLY WALKING IN OLD JERUSALEM IS VERY POWERFUL FOR A KID WHO HAD TO GO TO BIBLE STUDY AND HEAR ALL OF THE STORIES AND BE ABLE TO TOUCH THOSE SACRED PLACES

[00:05:01]

PERSONALLY. THANK YOU.

SHALOME -- SHALOM. WRY ARE -- WE ARE KEEPING THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, RABBI.

IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU. >> THANK YOU.

HAVE A GOOD DAY, EVERYBODY AND GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE TO DO FOR OUR SAKE. WE APPRECIATE IT.

BYE-BYE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE NO

[Departments (Part 1 of 6)]

RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER.

NEITHER DOES COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS RESOLUTION YET REMINDS US WHY EVEN DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE YOU AND I WERE WEARING A MASK. IT HAS CLAIMED YET ANOTHER LIFE AMONG THE MANY OTHERS. BECAUSE THIS ONE IS ATTACHED TO OUR GOVERNMENT AND WORK FAMILY HERE IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THIS INDIVIDUAL AND VICTIM TO COVID-19.

WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH LIFE YOU TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE AND MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE AND GET TO WORK WITH A LOT OF PHENOMENAL PEOPLE. I HAD THE PLEASURE WHEN I SERVED AS SHERIFF TO BE ABLE TO SWEAR IN THIS YOUNG MAN WHO BEGAN HIS LIFE OF SERVICE. AND SO WITH THAT I KNOW HIS FAMILY WILL BE JOINING US TODAY.

HIS BRIDE, IN PARTICULAR. I WANT TO READ THIS RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING NOT JUST THIS LIFE, BUT THE LIVES OF ALL WHO ARE IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW STRUGGLING AND WHOSE FAMILIES ARE WORRIED AND SICK AND PRAYING FOR THE HEALING OF THEIR LOVED ONE. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LOST TO THIS PANDEMIC, FOR THE SURVIVORS WHO WILL HAVE AN EMPTY CHAIR ON THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS AT THEIR DINNER TABLE, HOMES WHICH WILL BE MUCH MORE QUIETER THAN THEY WERE BEFORE BECAUSE THEY LOST A VOICE TO THIS PANDEMIC.

SO THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS, AFTER A BRAVE BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19, HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY SHAUN WATERS PASSED AWAY ON AUGUST 21ST, 2021.

WHEREAS DEPUTY WATERS JOINED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN 2010.

MOST RECENTLY HE WAS ASSIGNED TO DISTRICT PATROL IN WEST HARRIS COUNTY. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAYS AS A PATROL FIELD TRAINING OFFICER THE DEPUTY SET THE FOUNDATION FOR MANY DEPUTIES' CAREERS.

WATERS HAD A GREAT PERSONALITY. HE WAS A GREAT FIELD TRAINING OFFICER. DEPUTY WATERS WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DEPUTIES MENTORING THEM AND GUIDING THEM TO BECOME OUR AGENCY'S FUTURE LEADERS. AND WHEREAS DEPUTY WATERS STARTED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DURING A HIRING FREEZE AND WORKING PART-TIME AS A DETENTION OFFICER AND WAS LATER HIRED FULL TIME, HIS WIFE SHARED THAT WHILE CONDUCTING FIELD TRAINING FOR PROBATION OFFICERS, HE ENCOURAGED THEM TO STRIVE FOR THEIR BEST TO GIVE THEIR ALL.

HE WORKED TO SERVE AND PROTECT , AND WHEN WORKING WITH TRAINEES, INSTILLED THE VALUES OF INTEGRITY AND DEDICATION TO THE COUNTY AND TO FAMILY. AND WHEREAS SHE SAID HER HUSBAND, SHAUN, HAD A WANT TO ADVANCE AS A SUPERVISOR, LIEUTENANT OR HIGHER POST SOME DAY.

AND WHEREAS, ORIGINALLY FROM CHICAGO, WHEN THEY MOVED TO HOUSTON, THE COUPLE BOTH SERVED WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND WHEREAS DEPUTY WATERS IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, DAUGHTER AND SON, SHAUN WATERS THE SECOND. BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HONORS THE DECISION OF HARRIS COUNTY AND AGAIN LET IT BE SAID THAT WE KEEP THEM ALL IN OUR

[00:10:03]

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ESPECIALLY OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE WEARING THE UNIFORM OF A HOSPITAL SCRUBS AS THEY CALL THEM, THOSE WORKING IN OUR MEDICAL FACILITYIES -- FACILITIES. WE KNOW YOU WANT A NORMAL WORKLIFE AND WE KNOW YOU WANT TO WORK A LITTLE LESS.

UNFORTUNATELY THIS PANDEMIC IS STILL WITH US AND WE KEEP YOU IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. TO THE ENTIRE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I SAY GOD SPEED WITH YOU FOR THIS DIFFICULT TIME WE ARE IN IN LOSING YET ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR BROTHERS TO THIS PANDEMIC. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

DO WE HAVE THE SERGEANT ON THE LINE?

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE HIS WIFE ON THE LINE.

I'M GOING TO UNMUTE HER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LEAK

TO SECOND THAT MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> MS. WATERS, YOU ARE UNMUTED.

>> ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY, THE WATERS FAMILY, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR HONORING MY HUSBAND, SHAUN WATERS.

SHAUN LOVED BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT AND DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOD BLESS YOU.

WE ARE KEEPING YOU IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE STRENGTH THAT SO MANY HAVE SPOKEN TO ME ABOUT YOU. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH. JUST KNOW THAT YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

>> THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.

JUST KNOW YOU'RE IN OUR PRAYERS.

>> THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND JUDGE, I KNOW EARLY IN THE MORNING IT WAS A SLIP OF THE TONGUE WHEN YOU ASKED THE QUESTION IF WE HAVE THE SERGEANT ON THE LINE, BUT I FEEL LIKE WE DO HAVE HIM ON THE LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, NO. MS. WATERS IS SERGEANT WATERS. HE WAS A DEPUTY AND SHE IS

SERGEANT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A CONFUSION? I THINK HE IS ON THE LINE.

IN MY CONFUSION IN TERMS OF I THINK THAT BY HONORING HIM TODAY THAT WE ARE PERPETUATING HIM ON THE LINE AS IT WERE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: TO THAT POINT, MS. WATERS NOT ONLY FOR SHARING YOUR HUSBAND WITH US, BUT FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN YOUR DEPARTMENT.

WE APPRECIATE YOU AND OUR HEARTS ARE WITH YOU AND WITH YOUR SON. THANK YOU.

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

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES, JUDGE. I WANT TO HONOR DONOVAN O'KEEFE CARTER. HE IS ANOTHER VICTIM, ANOTHER PERSON WHO PASSED AWAY TRAGICALLY.

HIS STORY IS COMPELLING. I WILL GET RIGHT INTO THE RESOLUTION. IT READS WHEREAS DONOVAN O'KEEFE CARTER WAS SHOT ON JULY 4TH, 2020, MURDERED WHILE RETRIEVING HIS PHONE FROM HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE.

DONOVAN HAD BROKEN UP A FIGHT EARLIER IN THE DAY.

YES, HE WAS A PEACE MAKER. THE DEFENDANT WAITED BEHIND A TREE TO AMBUSH AND MURDER DONOVAN CARTER.

WHEREAS THE DEFENDANT'S CRIMINAL HISTORY BEGAN AT THE AGE OF 16 WITH A FELONY CHARGE FOR AGGRAVATED ROBBERY IN 2017 THE DEFENDANT WAS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY OF A BUILDING AND A FELONY IN 2019 AND IN 2020 THE DEFENDANT BONDED OUT THAT DAY.

FIVE DAYS LATER THE DEFENDANT WAS CHARGED AGAIN WITH A FELON IN POSSESSION OF A WEAPON. FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK POSTED BAIL. AFTER CHARGES -- AFTER BOTH CHARGES THE D.A. FILED A MOTION TO REVOKE BOND BASED ON THE CRIMINAL HISTORY. BOTH TIMES THEY WERE DENIED.

IN THE SAME MONTH THE DEFENDANT POSTED BOND FOR ANOTHER FELONY WHILE THE BURGLARY AT THIS TIME IN FORT BEND COUNTY. 90 DAYS LATER THE DEFENDANT WAS ARRESTED AGAIN FOR FELON IN POSSESSION OF A WEAPON AND FOR MURDER OF DONOVAN CARTER. WHEREAS DONOVAN WILL BE MISSED BY HIS LOVING FAMILY AND FRIENDS, REMEMBERED BY HIS FAMILY AS A HAPPY YOUNG MAN WERE A GREAT DRIVE.

HE IS A GRADUATE OF A AND M UNIVERSITY WITH A BACHELOR'S

[00:15:03]

DEGREE IN CONSTRUCTION SCIENCES.

DONOVAN WAS ALWAYS A GREAT STUDENT.

HE WAS OFTEN ON THE DEAN'S LIST DURING HIS TIME IN COLLEGE. WHEREAS DONOVAN WAS A GROWING PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY. HE FINISHED EVERYTHING HE STARTED. HE WAS A LITTLE LEAGUE COACH.

HE BOUGHT SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THEM AND WAS A WARM AND WELCOMING PRESENCE FOR THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HIM IN THEIR LIFE. DONOVAN HAD ALREADY HELPED TO CREATE A BETTER COMMUNITY AND HAD THE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX TO DO BETTER THINGS. WHEREAS DONOVAN HAD JUST TURNED 26 AND SHOWED A WORLD OF PROMISES.

HIS FUTURE WAS TAKEN FROM HIM.

HIS FAMILY AND HIS COMMUNITY BY A SENSELESS CRIME.

SADLY DONOVAN WAS ONE OF 400 HOMICIDE VICTIMS IN HARRIS COUNTY IN 2020. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND THE FRIENDS OF DONOVAN CARTER AND RESOLVES THAT CHANGES MUST BE UNDERTAKEN TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND ENSURE OUR SAFETY.

DONOVAN WAS SUCH A JOY TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO CELEBRATE FOLKS LIKE HIM.

I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE THAT KIND OF DEGREE IN CONSTRUCTION SCIENCES. WE DO NEED IT.

WE REMAIN INSPIRED I THINK BY HIS TESTIMONY OF HIS LIFE.

I THINK HIS MOM AND HIS SISTER ARE ON THE LINE TO SPEAK.

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 5)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS HIS FAMILY ON THE LINE?

>> YES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY MY NAME IS JACQUELINE CARTER. I AM DONOVAN CARTER'S MOTHER.

FIRST OFF, I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO THANK HPD.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. AND THE DETECTIVE.

THANK YOU FORGETTING THAT MONSTER OFF THE STREETS.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. I SPOKE WHEN I WENT TO THE CAPITOL I SPOKE ON VICTIMS OF CRIME.

I SPOKE ON THE PERSON THAT MURDERED MY SON.

NOW THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK UPON THE JUDGE BECAUSE I FEEL THAT SHE IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SON.

SHE TOOK AN OATH TO PROTECT AND SERVE AND DO JUSTICE.

MY SON DIDN'T GET NO JUSTICE. THEY LAID HIS CRIMINAL RECORD ON YOUR DESK, AND I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW IF SHE LOOKED AT IT, THE ASSISTANTS LOOKED AT IT.

WHO LOOKED AT IT? HE SHOT -- HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GONE A LONGTIME AGO. HE WILL GET WHAT IS COMING TO HIM, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE JUDGE? WHAT ABOUT THE JUDGE THAT LET Y'ALL POLICE OFFICERS AND Y'ALL DISTRICT -- DETECTIVES WORK HARD TO GET THESE CRIMINALS OFF THE STREET. THE JUDGE SAID COME IN FRONT OF THESE CRIMINALS AND THEN THEY JUST LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THAT DAY AND A COUPLE DAYS LATER WHEN HE GOES TO COURT. NOW HE DONE ALREADY HAD THREE, FOUR FELONIES. HE GOT GUN CHARGES AND ALL THAT AND YOU HAD THE AUDACITY TO LET HIM GO? WHERE WAS HIS ANKLE MONITOR? WHERE WAS THAT? WHERE WAS ALL THAT? I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHO IS BEHIND YOU? IT DON'T TRICKLE DOWN -- IT STARTS FROM THE JUDGE AND HER ASSISTANTS AND ON AND ON AND ON.

THEY NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DO.

NOT JUST THAT A MURDERER, MONSTER THAT KILLED MY SON.

YOU TALK ABOUT RESTITUTION, I BE DEAD AND GONE.

WHAT ABOUT NOW? WHAT ABOUT THAT $25,000 WE SPENT -- WE SPENT ON HIS FUNERAL.

I'M STILL TRYING TO PAY FOR A HEADSTONE AND I'M TRYING TO GET AN ORGANIZATION WHAT IS IN THE TOOLBOX FOR A FOUNDATION.

WHAT ABOUT EVERYTHING HE TOOK FROM ME? THEY TOOK MY SON'S WEDDING, MY GRANDCHILDREN, ME SEEING HIM GET TO 30, HIS WIFE. THEY RIPPED MY FAMILY APART AND YOU SITTING AROUND PROBABLY DOING THE SAME THING. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE WITH THESE JUDGES AND BE REMOVED.

ANYBODY THAT TRICKLE BEHIND HER THAT IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB BECAUSE SOONER OR LATER -- I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY IS

EVEN SAYING ANYTHING. >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING THIS MORNING.

AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR SON'S STORY.

[00:20:01]

I WAS JUST HEARING COMMISSIONER RAMSEY READ EVERYTHING AND IT REALLY DOES BREAK YOUR HEART.

OIL -- I'M SO SORRY FOR BOTH OF YOUR LOSS AND KNOW WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TACKLE CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE

CAN. >> OKAY.

OKAY. WE HAVE NATASHA BURKE.

>> HELLO. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> I JUST WANT TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT MY MOM SAID. ACCOUNTABILITY.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER.

DONOVAN O'KEEFE CARTER WAS EVERYTHING AND MORE.

WHEN YOU HEARD DONOVAN, YOU HEARD NOTHING BUT POSITIVITY.

HE WAS A HERO. SOMEONE YOU MADE IT YOUR BUSINESS TO BE AROUND WHEN HE ARRIVED BECAUSE YOU KNEW IT WAS NOTHING BUT A GREAT TIME THAT LIES AHEAD.

DONOVAN WAS THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO WOULD STOP TRAFFIC ON A BUSY HIGHWAY TO SAVE A DOG, AND THAT WAS SIMPLY HIM.

DONOVAN IS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDED.

HE WAS A BOTTLE OF SUNSHINE ON A RAINY DAY.

HE WAS THE BANDAGE TO A BROKEN HEART.

TO HAVE HIS LIFE TAKEN THE WAY IT WAS IS SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE. THE BREATH TAKEN OUT OF MY BODY WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS HE WOULD NEVER RETURN.

I SAY WHY? IT IS A QUESTION WE ARE ALL LEFT WITH. WHY SOMEONE WHO IS LOVED AND A LEADER. SADLY WE MUST GO ON.

HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE DONE WITH CRIMINALS WITH A LENGTHY BACKGROUND. I TRULY BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART THE -- HAD THE RIGHT DISCIPLINARY ACTION BE TAKEN THE FIRST TIME AROUND WE WOULD HAVE DONOVAN HERE THIS DAY.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, NATASHA FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.

ARE YOU IN SCHOOL? >> NOT AT THE MOMENT, BUT I

WILL BE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD.

WELL GOOD LUCK TO YOU. WE FEEL YOUR PAIN AND WE ARE

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I TOO WANT TO ADD MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY FOR YOUR LOSS. WE ARE SADDENED AND KNOW THAT YOUR FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH SOMETHING INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT. LET ME JUST SAY THAT I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.

JUST KNOW THAT THERE IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT BEING TAKEN FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

WE'RE KEEPING YOU IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ARE THE RESOLUTIONS WE HAVE OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING.

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER FOR THAT ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. GO AHEAD.

>> OKAY. THIS SPEAKER IS NUMBER 52 ON THE LIST, LYNDSAY AROWSTEIN. PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LYNDSAY AROWSTEIN.

I AM TALKING ON THE TRAGIC MURDER OF DONOVAN CARTER.

I EXPRESS MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.

DONOVAN CARTER'S MURDER IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HUMAN TRAGEDY IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN AVOIDED IF THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT ASSESSED THE CRIMINAL HISTORY OF A SERIAL VIOLENT CRIMINAL AND DECIDED TO RELEASE A MURDERER TO THE COMMUNITY ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS. I UH DASH DOSH I APPLAUD COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO SEND SOCIAL WORKERS TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THAT'S COULD POTENTIALLY FREE UP PLAW -- LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO RESPOND TO CRIMES FASTER.

I ASK THAT THE -- THAT RESPONDING QUICK TORE VIOLENT CRIMES PREVENT VIOLENT CRIME? WILL FREEING UP LAW ENFORCEMENT TO QUICKLY ARRIVE AFTER AN ARMED ROBBERY OR MURDER HAPPENS PREVENT THESE TRAGIC EVENTS? HARRIS COUNTY HAS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM OF HABITUAL VIOLENT FELONS BEING RELEASED INTO THE COMMUNITY TIME AND TIME AGAIN. IT IS BY SOME OF OUR ELECTED FELONY JUDGES AND APPOINTED MAGISTRATES ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS. MURDERS AND ARMED ROBBERS ARE VIOLENT, DANGEROUS CRIMINALS THAT SHOULD BE INCARCERATED PRE-TRIAL TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

A CURRENT NARRATIVE FROM SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS SEEMS TO BE THAT NO ACCUSED CRIMINAL REGARDLESS OF HOW VIOLENT THE ACCUSED CRIMINAL IS OR HOW MANY CRIMES THE CRIMINAL HAS COMMITTED SHOULD BE JUDGED PRE-TRIAL.

IT IS A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY AND PUTS CITIZENS AT UNNECESSARY RISK. HABITUAL VIOLENT FELONS ARE TERRORIZING OUR COMMUNITY, ASSAULTING, ROBBING AND

[00:25:01]

MURDERING HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS.

ALL WHILE CONTINUALLY GETTING RELEASED INTO THE COMMUNITY ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS. WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? HOW MANY CHANCES SHOULD ONE GET? HOW MANY BONDS SHOULD BE ISSUED UNTIL IT IS CLEAR THAT BONDS ARE NOT WORKING FOR A PARTICULAR DEFENDANT? CURRENT VIOLENT CRIME RATES ARE NOT DOWN IN HARRIS COUNTY AS WE HAVE BEEN LEAD TO BELIEVE IN THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT. VIOLENT CRIME IS UP.

THESE CRIMES ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS.

PEOPLE. HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS ARE THE VICTIMS OF THESE VIOLENT CRIMES BEING COMMITTED BY VIOLENT FELONS. SOMETIMES OUT OF JAIL ON THREE, FIVE, SEVEN, TEN BONDS AT ONCE AND SOMETIMES EVEN MORE. SPEAK OUT AGAINST ACCUSED HABITUAL VIOLENT FELONS BEING CONTINUALLY RELEASED ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION COULD PREVENT SENSELESS MURDERS OF HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS LIKE DONOVAN CARTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS

MORNING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM, BUT STILL TRYING TO REACH HER.

I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE REACH HER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTED TO SECOND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S RESOLUTION SO WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND VOTE ON THESE TWO.

THE FIRST IS ITEM 389. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL SECOND COMMISSIONER'S -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MOTION AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY CAGLE.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK WE

HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

TIFFANY. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS BREA MCCOY. I AM ALSO ONE OF THE FOOTBALL MOMS MORE DONOVAN CARTER'S LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM, THE LONE STAR TEXANS. I WANT TO PIGGYBACK OFF WHAT MY FAMILY SAID ABOUT HIM. HE WAS A GREAT MAN.

TO JUST SEE HABITUAL CRIMINALS CONTINUOUSLY GET SLAPS ON THE WRIST, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED A VERY LONGTIME AGO IF THE JUDGES WOULD HAVE DONE WHAT THEY WERE EXPECTED TO DO. IT'S A TRAGEDY FOR OUR FAMILY TO LOSE SOMEONE OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE THESE HABITUAL CRIMINALS TO STOP GETTING SLAPS ON THE WRIST AND BEING LET FREE BECAUSE IF IT WOULD HAVE -- IF THEY WOULD HAVE DONE WHAT WE EXPECTED THEM TO DO, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.

>> UH-HUH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.

AND NOW I WILL SECOND THE MOTION, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS THE SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ANY OTHER --

>> JUDGE WE WERE ABLE TO REACH THE FINAL SPEAKER FOR THIS ITEM, NUMBER 53 ON THE LIST, REIS -- CRYSTAL CARTER.

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

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY APOLOGIES FOR NOT BEING ON EARLIER. I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID. IN LIGHT OF DONOVAN CARTER, HIS CHARACTER AND JUST WHAT TYPE OF LOSS WAS EXPERIENCED BY HIM BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM US.

NOT JUST FROM US, HIS FAMILY, BUT FROM US THE COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY OF YOUNG, BLACK MEN WHO HAVE JUST BEEN DEVASTATED BY THE LOSS OF DONOVAN. I KNOW EVERYONE WOULD SPEAK OF THEIR FAMILY AS, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE BEING A REALLY AWESOME PERSON, BUT DONOVAN REALLY BROUGHT LIGHT TO EVERY SITUATION HE WAS EVER IN. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF DONOVAN, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY PICTURES WHERE HE IS JUST SMILING THAT SMILE THAT LIGHTS UP A ROOM.

DONOVAN WAS A MENTOR TO YOUNG MEN, TO YOUNG BOYS, TO THE FOOT -- TO THE FOOTBALL TEAM. I AM A GROWN 37-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN RUNNING A COMPANY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. I THINK THAT DONOVAN BROUGHT SO MUCH TO MY LIFE AND BROUGHT SO MUCH -- I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM HIM. I UNDERSTAND HOW, YOU KNOW, IN OUR SYSTEM, WE ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A SHOT AT LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND THINGS OF THAT SORT. I GET THAT.

BUT I HAVE SEEN ARTICLE, AFTER ARTICLE AFTER ARTICLE OF

[00:30:01]

PEOPLE BEING GRANTED BAIL AND BONDED OUT AFTER MULTIPLE -- AFTER MULTIPLE INFRACTIONS. WHEN I FIRST HEARD OR WHEN I FIRST SAT IN OUR FIRST HEARING OF DONOVAN -- THE SUSPECT ACCUSED OF TAKING HIS LIFE, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS -- HE HAD BEEN LET OUT FOUR TIMES IN AS MANY MONTHS AND HAD HARRIS COUNTY KEPT HIM ONE OF THOSE FOUR TIMES THAT HE HAD BEEN LET OUT, MY COUSIN WOULD STILL BE HERE.

HIS LITTLE LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAM MEMBER S WHO STILL HAVE THEIR COACH. HE WOULD STILL BE A PROUD MEMBER OF HIS ALUMNI CLASS. DONOVAN WENT THROUGH A LOT OF CHALLENGES AND HE ALWAYS CAME OUT SMILING.

HE ALWAYS CAME OUT WITH THE ABILITY TO HELP SNUN -- SOMEONE ELSE. I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT THE LIVES THAT WERE LOST, THE IMPACT WAS SO HUGE BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS ORDINANCE AND WE HAVE THIS THING THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND IT IS NOT FAIR.

IT IS NOT FAIR TO THOSE OF US WHO ARE LOSING AMAZING PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF THESE MULTIPLE BONDS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

[Departments (Part 2 of 6)]

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, LATER ON IF WE CAN WHEN WE GET TO THE PROPER AREA OF THE AGENDA, I WOULD LIKE TO GET A STATUS REPORT ON THE PORTAL THAT I MADE A MOTION ON FOR HOW THE DOCKETS ARE RUNNING.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ABSOLUTELY. I KNOW WE HAVE THE ITEM FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR THEIR DASHBOARD, AND WE ALSO HAVE AN ITEM FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING FOR THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS. EITHER ONE OF THOSE, IF JIM AND THE FOLKS CAN BE AVAILABLE TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THE DIFFERENT PIECES RELATED TO THIS BROADER ISSUE OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND THE BACKLOG AND REALLY GETTING TO THE ROOT OF WHAT IS AN ISSUE WE CAN HELP ADDRESS BESIDES TACKLING THE BACKLOG. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK WHEN WE GET TO THE LEGISLATIVE SECTION WE CAN TALK A BIT AS WELL AS WHAT WE ARE FOR. THIS IS A CASE OF SOMEONE BEING RELEASED ON CASH BAIL. I PERSONALLY FOLLOW THE MODEL OF SEVERAL STATES ENDING CASH BAIL.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN OBJECTIVE CRITERIA ON MAKING THE DECISION THAT'S NOT BIAS, BUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN AUSTIN IS A VENDER BILL. THIS PERSON WOULD NOT HAVE AN IMPACTED BECAUSE THEY PAID. WE'LL GET TO THAT WHEN WE GET

TO THE LEGISLATURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO THOSE ARE ALL OF THE RESOLUTIONS.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT WE REQUESTED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER. ONE IS THE VIOLENCE INTERUMS -- INTERRUPTION PROGRAM AND THE OTHER IS THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM WHICH IS ITEM 4 UNDER COVID.

WE WILL GET THROUGH THOSE REAL QUICK AND THE SPEAKERS.

VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM, THAT IS TWO ITEMS, ITEM 352 UNDER PURCHASING IS THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO BRING THE TEAM THAT'S WILL DO THE HEART PROGRAM -- THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAMS AND ITEM 3 SHIV -- 38 SHIV --

387 PRECINCT ONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL BRING THEM AT THE SAME TIME. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY. EVERYBODY DESERVES TO BE SAFE. THAT'S WHY I'M PROPOSING THESE TWO PROGRAMS. ONE IS GUN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM MOVING FORWARD TO LAUNCH A A MORE TARGETED FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM.

THESE ARE PROVEN INITIATIVES THAT REVIOLENCE AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER. THE INITIATIVES WILL BE LEAD BY A NEW DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES WITHIN THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I APPRECIATE SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND HIS STAFF AND THE WORK THEY PUT INTO THIS.

JUDGE, I APPRECIATE THE INPUT FROM YOUR TEAM AND OTHER STAFF WHO STEPPED UP TO HELP AS WELL.

WE VOTED ON THIS, BOTH ITEMS, ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

INSTEAD OF RUSHING TO PUT STUFF ON THE AGENDA WE WERE

[00:35:03]

FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ONE OF A SELECT GROUP OF JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY PICKED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAB FROM HARVARD TO HELP US LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE COUNTRY. CHIEF FENNER, THE SHERIFF, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WERE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY. WE ARE GOING TO COMMISSION $11 MILLION OF -- TO BOTH PROGRAMS. I WANT TO BRING TWO EXPERTS ON THE LINE.

THEY HAVE A QUICK SLIDE PRESENTATION THEY PRESENTED TO THE POLICE CHIEF ON SUNDAY AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON, IF YOU ARE THERE AND CHIEF LEE I KNOW YOU HAD A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT, BUT I HOPE YOU ARE ON THE LINE AS WELL.

DIRECTOR -- DON'T ASK ME HOW TO LET YOU IN.

I HAVE NO IDEA. >> I'M GOING TO GET HER THE SCREEN AUTHORITY. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO REACH

CHIEF LEE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE DON'T HAVE HIM, I WILL HAVE A SUBSTITUTE.

I KNOW CHIEF LEE HAD A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT.

HE IS TRYING TO HOP IN ON THE PHONE.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO PULL UP THE PRESENTATION NOW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MAY BE FAR FROM THE MIC.

JUST SO YOU KNOW THAT COMMENT SOUNDED QUITE DISTANT.

>> OKAY. I WILL MOVE FORWARD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SEE IT NOW.

>> IS THIS BETTER, JUDGE? CAN YOU HEAR ME BETTER?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> GREAT.

SO GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEY.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THESE TWO IMPORTANT KNISH -- INITIATIVE THAT'S HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH WILL USE TO REDUCE THE VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I DON'T KNOW IF ASSISTANT CHIEF MIKE LEE WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS INDICATED, HE HAS BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN LEADING AN EFFORT TO ESTABLISH THESE PROGRAMS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT GUN VIOLENCE HAS INCREASED IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE SEEN INCREASES IN CRIME.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR ALL OF THE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX.

IT FOCUSES ON ADDRESSING THE KNOWN FACTORS THAT INCREASE OR DECREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF VIOLENCE.

SEEING VIOLENCE AS AN ISSUE WE KNOW VIOLENT BEHAVIOR ARISES FROM MANY CONTEXT, ENVIRONMENTAL, SYSTEMIC AND SOCIAL PRESSURES. GUN VIOLENCE CORRELATES WITH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH INDICATORS SUCH AS GENERATIONAL POVERTY, UNINSURED RATES, LACK OF ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, PERVASIVE UNDER EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC INSECURITY. NEXT SLIDE.

NATIONALLY AMERICAN POLICE OFFICERS MAKE MORE THAN 10 MILLION ARRESTS EACH YEAR. LESS THAN 5% OF WHICH ARE FOR SERIOUS VIOLENT CRIMES. AN ANALYSIS BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION PROJECT ESTIMATED THAT BETWEEN 21 AND 38% OF CALLS CAN GO TO COMMUNITY RESPONDER TEAMS INSTEAD OF USING LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES.

THIS WOULD FREE UP OFFICERS' TIME FOR DANGEROUS CRIMES WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY BRINGING THE APPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORT TO THOSE CALLS AND RESPONSES NOT RELATED TO SERIOUS VIOLENT CRIMES. SO WE ARE REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES LIKE THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO WANT TO USE EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER. FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY THERE ARE HEALTH-BASED INITIATIVES THAT HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE.

SOME INCLUDING THE ONES LISTED HERE ON THIS SLIDE.

IN TERMS OF IMPUGN -- GUN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION IN SOUTH BRONX THERE WAS A 60% DECREASE IN SHOOTINGS AND 30% REDUCTION IN GUN INJURIES. IN INDIANAPOLIS, AFTER ONE YEAR OF IMPLEMENTING THEIR PROGRAM THEY SAW 0% REINJURY RATES IN INDIANAPOLIS. AND IN JUNE OF 2021, THE SOUTH

[00:40:01]

BALTIMORE AREA MARKED A FULL YEAR WITHOUT ANY HOMICIDES IN PART THANKS TO ITS SAFE STREETS PROGRAMS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE SEEN ALSO HOW EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY RESPONDER PROGRAMS CAN BE.

A DENVER-BASED COMMUNITY RESPONDER PROGRAM THAT STARTED IN 2020 IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IT RESOLVED A TOTAL OF 748 INCIDENTS THAT INVOLVED NO FORCE, ARREST OR JAIL.

THE AVERAGE RESOLUTION TIME IS SIX MINUTES SHORTER THAN WHEN POLICE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SIMILAR INCIDENTS.

AND WE KNOW THAT TREATMENT INSTEAD OF ARRESTING PEOPLE IS EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM.

THE LAW SIS -- LAW ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN SEATTLE CONNECTS PEOPLE TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES INSTEAD OF PROSECUTING THEM.

WHAT THEY SAW IN THE PROGRAM WAS 58% LESS LIKELIHOOD OF INDIVIDUALS TO BE REARRESTED THAT A CONTROL GROUP WHO WENT THROUGH NORMAL CASE PROCESSING.

IN HARRIS COUNTY, PEOPLE WITH MORE THAN FIVE PREVIOUS BOOKINGS WERE THREE TIMES LESS LIKELY TO BE BOOKED AGAIN THAN PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT DIVERTED. ALL OF THESE MODELS ARE IMPORTANT AND INFORM THE WORK WE HAVE DONE TO CREATE THE TWO PROGRAMS THAT ARE BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR CONSIDERATION.

NEXT SLIDE. AS A BACKGROUND, YOUR COURT APPROVED JUNE 9TH OF 2020 EARMARKING OF 25 MILLION FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM DIVERSION PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE OVERALL HEALTH AND SAFETY. AT THE SAME TIME THE COURT VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DIRECT APARTMENTS TO LOOK INTO CREATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN A COMMUNITY RESPONDER PROGRAM. THE DESIGN GROUPS THAT WERE INVOLVED FOR THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION GROUP, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AND NATIONAL PLANNERS INCLUDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO DIRECTOR STEVEN WILLIAMS AND HIS TEAM FOR THE SUPPORT HE HAS PROVIDED IN THIS WORK.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH TWO NATIONAL EXPERTS IN PARTICULAR. THE HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, HAVI, AND THEY WERE WORKING TO SUPPORT AND LOOK AT THE FEASIBILITY -- CONDUCTING FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENTS AND HELPING US TO LEARN FROM OTHER CITIES WHO HAVE IMPLEMENTED AND ARE IN THE PRO IS SUCCESS OF -- PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THESE PROGRAMS. A LITTLE ABOUT THE HAVI, THEY ADVANCE EQUITABLE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS. IT IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION THAT INCLUDES THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND 39 VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES INCLUDING 18 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. HE IS BASED IN CHICAGO AND HE IS A LEADING NATIONAL EXPERT IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION WITH OVER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD SUPPORTING VIOLENCE AND OUT REACH IN THE COUNTRY. HE HAS DONE TREMENDOUS WORK IN PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS. WHAT IS BEFORE AND PROPOSED BEFORE COURT TODAY IS A START WITH THE COMMUNITY RESPONDER TEAM AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM.

THESE APPROACHES COMPLEMENT EXISTING STRATEGIES INCLUDING THE EFFORTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL COMMUNITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THESE PROGRAMS, AS WAS MENTIONED, WILL STAY WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IN A NEW DIVISION ENTITLED COMMUNITY HEALTH AND VIOLENT PREVENTION SERVICES.

WE WILL BE EXPANDING FUTURE PROGRAMS AS IT MAKES SENSE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING NOT JUST WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, BUT WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO DO THIS IMPORTANT WORK.

I DON'T KNOW IF UH SIS ASSISTANT CHIEF LEE WAS ABLE TO JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT THE HEART PROGRAM.

COMMISSIONER EL -- THE HART PROGRAM, COMMISSIONER ELLIS IF THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE TO SPEAK , I CAN CLOSE ABOUT TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PROGRAM INTERVENTION PROGRAM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> CHIEF LEE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GOING TO LET YOU WALK THROUGH IT. WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE FROM THE

SHERIFF'S OFFICE? >> WE ARE TRYING TO RE-REACH

HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE --

>> OKAY. WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM.

IT IS A COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTION TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE USING PUBLIC HEALTH TECHNIQUES, TECHNIQUES THAT

[00:45:01]

OPERATE OUTSIDE AND COMPLEMENTS LAW ENFORCEMENTS EFFORTS. THE PROGRAMS WORK ON AN INDIVIDUAL AND POPULATION LEVEL TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE BEFORE IT OCCURS AND STOP FURTHER VIOLENCE BY INTERRUPTING ON GOING CONFLICTS.

IT INCORPORATES THE COMMUNITY-BASED AND HOSPITAL-BASED VIOLENCE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING FOUR SIGNATURE COMPONENTS.

FIRST USING QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS AND LOW ITION -- LOCATIONS MOST IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE AND CONDUCTING OUT REACH TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED OR ARE AT HIGH RISK OF BEING INVOLVED IN A VIOLENT ENCOUNTER THROUGH CREDIBLE MESSENGERS AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND -- IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS.

CARE COORDINATION TEAMS THAT HELP RESIDENTS MEET THE BASIC NEEDS AND ADDRESSES THE RISK FACTORS FOR VIOLENCE.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE COMMUNITY WIDEN GAUGE MEANT TO PRO AGO -- WIDE ENGAGEMENT FOR CLEAR MESSAGES ABOUT THE ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE AND GUN SAFETY AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY COHESION. JUST A LITTLE ABOUT THE CREDIBLE MESSENGERS, THOSE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO UNDERGO RIGOROUS TRAINING TO BE CERTIFIED AS VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROFESSIONALS. THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCES AND THEY CAN RELATE TO THOSE WE ARE TRYING TO REACH IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY WILL UNDERGO RIGOROUS TRAINING ACROSS AREAS SUCH AS CONFLICT MEDIATION AND DE ESCALATION, GROUP PHO SILL STATION -- FACILITATION SKILLS, TRAUMA AND ANGER MANAGEMENT AND MORE.

NEXT SLIDE. IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM WE AIM TO OPERATE IN ONE TO TWO COMMUNITIES AND ONE HOSPITAL SERVING HIGH VOLUME INJURY PATIENTS.

IT WILL AIM TO SERVE 150 TO 200 INDIVIDUALS.

COORDINATION CARE TEAMS WILL BE A MAJOR PART OF THIS PROGRAM. A MAJOR PART OF THE WORK THAT PUBLIC HEALTH ENVISIONS OF GOING FORWARD FOR OUR SERVICES. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO LINK PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES AND INTERVENTIONS THAT CAN CHANGE THEIR LIFE TRAJECTORY. THOSE CARE COORDINATION TEAMS WILL BE ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE RESOURCES SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EMPLOYMENT JUST TO NAME A FEW. NEXT SLIDE.

LIKE I SAID, WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE BEARING THE GREATEST BURDEN OF GUN VIOLENCE INCLUDING SOME COMMUNITIES IN HOUSTON. WE ARE USING DATA ON GUN SHOOTINGS AND INJURIES AND DEATHS TO DETERMINE THE BEST LOCATION TO BEGIN AND EXPAND THE PROGRAM.

JUST TO ILLUSTRATE THIS MOVEMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS AND STRATEGIES AS PART OF A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE IN COMMUNITIES WE ARE GROWING A LIST ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE INVESTING IN THESE TYPES OF STRATEGIES. MANY OF THESE STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS ARE HOUSED WITHIN PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS SOME VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS WELL.

AND SO THESE ARE JUST A LIST OF OTHER PLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE DOING THIS WORK AND RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF IT. IT IS GOING TO PROVIDE STRATEGIC INTERVENTION OF OUR EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROGRAMS AND REDUCE AND PREVENT VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITIES. THEY ARE PROVIDING US WITH ADDITIONAL TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX TO ADDRESS THE VIOLENCE AND CREATE SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE CAN'T RELY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO DO EVERY JOB AND PREVENT EVERY PROBLEM.

THESE ARE THE PROGRAMS NECESSARY TO ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO FOCUS ON THE VIOLENT CRIMES AND TO CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

NEXT SLIDE. AND IN TERMS OF NEXT STEPS BASED ON TODAY'S VOTE, IF YOUR COURT APPROVES THESE PROGRAMS, WE ARE READY AND PREPARED TO HIRE A DIVISION DIRECTOR TO RUN THIS DIVISION AS WELL AS THE PROGRAM SITE MANAGERS TO HELP SUPPORT THE RUNNING OF THESE PROGRAMS BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER AND ALL OTHER STAFF POSITIONS, OUR GOAL WOULD BE TO HAVE THOSE IN PLACE BY OCTOBER AND NO LATER THAN THE END OF NOVEMBER SO THAT WE CAN LAUNCH THESE REALLY IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL PROGRAMS. SO WITH THAT I WILL STOP.

IF ASSISTANT CHIEF LEE JOINED US TO TALK ABOUT THE HART

PROGRAM. >> CHIEF LEE, YOU ARE

[00:50:01]

UNMUTED. >> ALL RIGHT.

GOOD MORNING. THIS IS CHIEF LEE.

GLAD I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CHIEF, THANKS. THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

THANK YOU FOR SKIPPING OUT OF YOUR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT.

>> YEAH. COOPERATE MISS THAT.

COULDN'T MISS THAT. I AM LOOKING AT THE SLIDES HERE. ARE THEY GOING TO FORWARD THEM

OR DO YOU WANT ME TO -- >> WE HAVE THEM UP ON THE

SCREEN. >> OKAY.

JUST QUICKLY TO TELL THE COURT AND THE AUDIENCE LISTENING THAT AS LAW ENFORCEMENT WE ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED THIS. IS A LONG LONGTIME COMING. I KNOW IN MY 31 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE MIDDLE OF SITUATIONS AND STANDING IN A POLICE SCENE AND WONDERING WHY WE ARE OUT THERE AS LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE OVER THE YEARS ARE BLESSED IN HARRIS COUNTY. OVER THE YEARS WE INVESTED A LOT STARTING WITH THE NPC, THE NEURO PSYCHIATRIC CENTER.

SINCE 1999 LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TAKEN WELL OVER 100,000 PEOPLE IN CRISIS. INSTEAD OF JAIL THEY WERE TAKEN TO THE NPC. WE WERE BLESSED SEVERAL YEARS BACK TO HAVE THE HOUSTON RECOVERY CENTER.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TAKES PEOPLE BY THE THOUSANDS A YEAR.

THEY USED TO GO TO JAIL FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION.

WE HAVE OUR CO-RESPONDER TEAMS. THESE ARE CRITICAL. THIS CAN'T BE OVER LOOKED.

THESE TEAMS WILL BE NEEDED. THE CO-RESPONDER TEAMS AT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAVE INVESTED.

THEY ARE RIDING IN THE POLICE CAR WITH A TRAINED DEPUTY AND AN OFFICER RESPONDING TO THE MOST CRITICAL OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CALLS. THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THAT FACTOR OF SOMEONE BEING A DANGER OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. WE KNOW THIS HART PROGRAM IS NOT A CALL THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE.

THEN WE HAVE INVESTED IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF IN OUR CORE WHICH IS THE REMOTE PROGRAM FOR DEPUTIES.

WE HAVE 200 DEPUTIES NOW INCLUDING CONSTABLES THAT CARRY IPADS THAT DIRECTLY CONNECT WITH ADMISSIONS IN THE FIELD WITH THE HARRIS CENTER. WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS OUT THERE. THE ONE PIECE THAT IS MISSING IS THIS HART PROGRAM. THAT'S WHERE RIGHT NOW -- RIGHT NOW WHEN CITIZENS CALL 9-1-1, AND THIS IS HISTORIC SINCE 9-1-1 WAS CREATED, WHEN YOU CALL YOU HAVE THREE OPTIONS. YOU HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, EMS AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IF IT DOESN'T FIT INTO ONE OF THOSE, I CAN TELL YOU THE DEFAULT -- [INAUDIBLE] AND WE OFTEN FIND OURSELVES IN SITUATIONS THAT THE PERSON MAYBE NEEDED A MEDICATION FILLED. MAYBE IT WAS A FAMILY ISSUE THAT THEY DIDN'T NEED LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT THEY NEEDED SOME TYPE OF SUPPORT SERVICES.

THIS IS WHERE HART WILL FIT IN.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK ALREADY.

WE WILL TRIAGE THESE CALLS IN THE DISPATCH CENTER.

THE CALLS WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND ROUTED TO THESE HART TEAMS. THEY WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH OUR EQUIPMENT. THEY WILL HAVE A POLICE CONTACT WITH OUR RADIO SYSTEM AND MBT SYSTEM.

WE WILL SEND THE CALL SLIP TO THEM.

NOW WHEN PEOPLE CALL 9-1-1 THEY HILLARY SPOPPED.

IT IS A -- THEY WILL RESPOND. IT IS A MORE APPROPRIATE RESPOND. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS 110% SUPPORTIVE OF THIS CONCEPT. NEXT SLIDE? DON'T SEE THE SLIDE MOVING, BUT I WILL JUST WRAP MY PART UP BY SAYING THAT -- GO AHEAD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE IS NO SLIDE.

THE LAST ONE CAME UP. >> JUST WRAPPING IT UP.

IT WAS A SLIDE SHOWING YOU HOW THE CALLS WOULD COME IN.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES GOING ON FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW TO WORK THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF HOW IT IS GOING TO WORK. WE ARE EXCITE I HAD -- WE ARE EXCITED NOW THAT DIRECTOR ROBINSON IS HERE AND WE ARE READY TO GET THIS THING MOVING.

WE ARE EXCITED TO GET THIS PILOT ROLLED OUT THIS FALL.

AS LAW ENFORCEMENT WE WERE WAITING FOR THIS DAY TO COME.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME OTHER FOLKS THAT WILL SPEAK ON THE GUN VIOLENCE PROGRAM. WE HAVE SERGEANT WILLIAMS WITH OUR COMMUNITY POLICING TEAMS. THOSE ARE TEAMS OF DEPUTIES ALL IN ALL FIVE DISTRICTS THAT ARE REALLY TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADDRESS THE VIOLENT CRIME THAT IS IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITIES AND ESPECIALLY OUR MINORITY COMMUNITIES. I KNOW SERGEANT WILLIAMS AND HIS TEAM HAVE ALREADY -- THEY ARE AWAITING THE PROGRAM.

[00:55:01]

THEY WILL BE A GREAT FIT FOR THAT GUN VIOLENCE INTERRUPTER PROGRAM. I CAN SEE THEM WORKING HAND IN HAND AND DOING SOME OF THE SAME WORK BY ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY AND ENGAGING THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP AND THERE BY -- THEREBY BUILDING TRUST. WE RESPOND TO SHOOTINGS AND WE RESPOND TO THE HOSPITALS AND IT IS ALL JUST ABOUT INVESTIGATING. IT IS NOT ABOUT BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT FUTURE VIOLENCE. EXCITED ABOUT THAT PROGRAM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CHIEF, I WANT TO THANK YOU.

OF COURSE I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THE CHIEF IS SUPPORTIVE AND SO IS THE MAYOR. OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A SEPARATE 9-1-1 SYSTEM FROM THE CITY. THAT'S A SEPARATE ISSUE THAT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU TALKED ABOUT.

THAT'S JUST THEM. IT WILL BE THE CITY AS WELL.

CHIEF, I APPRECIATE YOU MAKING THE SUGGESTION TO GO SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE TO BUILD TRUST IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, AND YOU ARE TRYING TO PREVENT THE VIOLENCE BEFORE IT COMES ABOUT.

SOMEONE MADE THE REFERENCE, I THINK IT WAS BARBIE.

OFTEN TIMES THESE ARE PEOPLE IN AND FROM THE COMMUNITY AND HAS PROBABLY LEARNED A LOT AND MAY TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND.

CHICO IS AN EXAMPLE. HE CAME OUT OF THE WORLD AND TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND AND GOT A PHD AND ONE OF PREMIERE EXPERTS IN THE COUNTRY. KNOW THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL MONEY BEING PROPOSED THAT MAY COME DOWN THE ROAD. I THINK THIS PUTS US AHEAD OF THE CURVE AND IN A BETTER POSITION TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM. HOPEFULLY WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING, AND DAVE BERRY, IF YOU ARE AROUND, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COMMENT ON THAT. CHIEF, UNLESS YOU HAD SOMEONE

ELSE THAT YOU WANT TO TALK. >> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE OTHER

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 5)]

PEOPLE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SIGNED UP FOR THE

ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET'S DO THAT BEFORE WE GO TO THE MONEY GUY.

>> UP NEXT IS NUMBER 39 ON THE APPEARANCES LIST, FRANK WEBB FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. YOU ARE UN -- UNMUTED.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO SPEAK.

I AM THE PROJECT MANAGER AND WORK FOR ASSISTANT CHIEF MIKE LEE. I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT OUR EXCITEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR HART.

AS THE CHIEF MENTIONED WE BELIEVE IT IS GONNA BE A MORE APPROPRIATE, EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL AND OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE-TYPE ISSUES LIKE JUVENILES, TRUANCY, PANHANDLING.

DISORDERLY INTOXICATION, THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT AND WE APPRECIATION ALL OF THE WORK EVERYONE IS GOING -- DOING IN THE COUNTY AND LOOK FORWARD TO IT COMING ABOUT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DID WANT TO ASK, IN MY TALKING POINTS I THINK IT SAID 1% OF THE CALLS THAT GO TO 9-1-1 FOR YOU ALL INVOLVE VIOLENCE? WAS IT 1% OR 2%?

>> I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXACT PERCENTAGE, COMMISSIONER, BUT I KNOW IT IS FAIRLY LOW. A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CALLS WE CURRENTLY ANSWER REALLY DON'T NEED A POLICE RESPONSE.

THEY ARE A MORE SOCIAL WELFARE-TYPE CALL WHERE THERE IS NO CRIMINAL ELEMENT AND NO VIOLENCE.

WE BELIEVE THESE CALLS WILL BE BETTER SUITED FOR THIS HART

TEAM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MY STAFF IS HOLDING UP THE ONE FINGER SO I THINK IT IS 1%.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO CHIEF REID AS WELL.

TO CHIEF LEE AS WELL. ONE MORE SPEAKER?

>> WE HAVE A FEW MORE SPEAKERS, ACTUALLY.

UP NEXT IS KATHY YOST FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

YOU ARE UN -- UNMUTED. >> THIS IS KATHY YOST.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME INTO HARRIS COUNTY. I WORK FOR CHIEF LEE AND ROGER RAZZO. WE ARE HAPPY TO BRING THIS RESPONSE GROUP TO HARRIS COUNTY AND ASSIST OUR RESPONDER THROES YOU YO -- THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY AND BRING THAT WORK AND HELP TO NOT ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT FIRE AND EMS AS WELL. THEY DEFINITELY NEED IT AS A UNITED FRONT AND WE ARE EXCITED TO START DE PLYING -- START DEPLOYING THESE RESOURCES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DO WANT TO KNOW THIS IS A SUPPORT IN ADDITION TO AN INCREASE -- A HISTORIC INCREASE JOINING

[01:00:03]

COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT IS WELL BEYOND WHAT PREVIOUS COURTS HAD DONE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. YOU JUST MADE THE POINT I WANTED TO ADD TO. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO SEPARATE THE ISSUES THAT WE REALLY NEED, THE BADGES AND THE GUNS TO RUN TOO.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE NOT -- THEY ARE NOT DANGEROUS PEOPLE, BUT JUST SICK TO GET THE ATTENTION THEY NEED. I ALSO WANT TO ASK DR. ROBINSON ON THAT LIST -- OR DR. ROBINSON? DIRECTOR ROBINSON. ON THAT LIST YOU HAVE OF THE CITIES THERE IS SOME VIOLENCE DESTRUCTION PROGRAM.

THE CITY OF HOUSTON ALSO HAS THE MAYOR -- IT IS NO LONGER MATE YES, SIR'S ANTI-GANG OFFICE, BUT -- THE MAYOR'S ANTI-GANG OFFICE, BUT IT IS SOMETHING ELSE.

YOU HAVE DIRECTOR GONZALEZ WHO WAS THE PERSON WHO LEAD THE GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION TEAM IN 95, MAYBE 2,000.

IN 95 OR MAYBE 2000. IT WAS UNPRECEDENTED IN THE TIME BECAUSE WE DID USE THE SOCIAL SERVICE INTERVENTION CONCEPT AT THAT TIME. WE WERE ABLE TO IMPACT GANG-RELATED HOMICIDES BY 60% IF NOT MOREOVER THE THREE YEARS THAT WE IMPLEMENTED THE PROGRAM.

THEY WORKED WELL WITH LAWEN MORSE -- WORKED WELL WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS WOULD BE THE PERFECT ENTITY TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE INCLUDED BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE APPROACH THAT IS NECESSARY AND THEY FOLLOW ALL OF THE BEST PRACTICES AND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION AND PREVENTION AS WELL AS ENSURING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE LIFESTYLE HAVE THOSE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO HELP THEM FIND A BETTER OPPORTUNITY AND A BETTER DIRECTION THAN WHAT THEY MAY BE CAUGHT UP IN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE IN ADDITION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. >> JUDGE, THE NEXT SPEAKER IS GABRIELLA SOLIS. YOU ARE UNCOMMUTED.

>> HI. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. I JUST -- I AM THE PROJECT LEADER [INAUDIBLE] WHERE RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WAS EMBEDDED IN THE COUNTY SINCE 2019 NOW AND SUPPORTED MULTIPLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES SUCH AS THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IN ADDITION TO OUR SUPPORT WE WANTED TO SHARE THAT WE ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE OUR SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY THROUGH HART IN THAT WE INVITED THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR ALTERNATIVE 9-1-1 EMERGENCY RESPONSE IMPLEMENTATION COHORT.

EARLIER THIS YEAR AFTER SEEING A NATIONAL MOVEMENT TOWARD SETTING UP THE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THERE WAS VERY LITTLE AVAILABLE.

WE SAW A LOT OF INTEREST AND WE RECEIVED 35 APPLICATIONS AND ONLY EXTENDED THE COHORT SPOT TO FIVE.

HARRIS COUNTY BEING ONE OF THEM.

OUR GOAL IN THE COHORTS IS TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT REALTIME IMPLEMENTATION COACHING AND CREATING A PEER ENVIRONMENT WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS MOVING TOWARD ESTABLISHING THESE TEAMS FOR THEIR COMMUNITY. HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE PART OF A TEAM OF OTHER CITIES WHO ARE ACTIVELY IMPLEMENTING THEIR OWN VERSION. I WANT TO ADD THAT I WAS INSPIRED AND IMPRESSED WITH THE INTER AGENCY COLLABORATION.

I TALKED TO A LOT OF OTHER CITIES AND GOVERNMENTS MOVING FORWARD AND I HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THAT IN HARRIS COUNTY. SINCE THE INCEPTION OF HART, THE SHERIFF SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS AN AMAZING PARTNER.

WE ARE LOOKING TO SAW SUPPORT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND LOOKING TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS THEY

[01:05:03]

TACKLE THE IMPORTANT ISSUE OF GETTING THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO THE RIGHT TIME IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS DONNY WILLIAMS, NUMBER 43 FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. YOU'RE UNMUTED.

>> GOOD MORNING FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR TIME. MY NAME IS SERGEANT DONNY WILLIAMS. IT CONSISTS OF 10 DEPUTIES TWO IN EVERY DISTRICT. WE WANT TO GIVE OUR SUPPORT AND BESTOW THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO THIS NEW MIND-SET OF PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH MORE THAN RELYING ON THE LEGAL APPROACH.

WE KNOW HOW TO REMEDY CRIME IN CERTAIN AREAS, BUT OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO BRING IN RESOURCES TO GET THE KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES AND GIVE THEM HOPE THAT THEY CAN MAKE PROGRESS. IT IS A NEW, HEALTHY MIND -- MINT -- MIND-SET. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR TIME. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE WITH ALL OF THE

SPEAKERS FOR 387 OR ONLY 352? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S COVER BOTH OF THEM SINCE WE ARE TAKING THEM TOGETHER.

>> OKAY. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 45, REGINALD GORDON OF UNITED IN PEACE, OG1.

GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

IT IS SO VERY IMPORTANT. I REALLY WANT TO PUSH THE ISSUE ON WHY I THINK THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS AND HARRIS COUNTY.

IN 1982 I STARTED A PROGRAM. I WAS RELEASED FROM THE PRISON PROGRAM IN SCARED STRAIGHT. THEY OPERATE AN OUT REACH IN OG1. OG1 IS PREVENTION BEFORE RETENTION. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH SHERIFF ADRIAN GONZALEZ IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. I WAS THE COMMUNITY LIAISON AND WE WORK WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK AT A CHARTER SCHOOL THAT THEY CONSIDERED AT THE TIME. I STARTED A PROGRAM WITH 18 DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IT IS WHAT YOU CALL THE COMMUNITY. THEY ARE DEALING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE. IT IS ALSO IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND WE STARTED THE INTERVENTION PROGRAM AND WE WERE TEACHING COGNIZANT INTERVENTION.

WE WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND PREVENT THE GUN VIOLENCE INTEREST ROPINGS PROGRAM.

IT IS BOOTS ON THE GROUND COMMUNITY AND IDENTIFYING THE HOTSPOTS AROUND THE CITY FOR PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE.

THEY CAN IDENTIFY WITH THE PEOPLE AND CAN BUILD A RELATIONSHIP AND DO RETALIATIONS BEFORE THEY COME BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. I ALSO, LIKE I WANT TO SAY HERE, FAMILY, COMMUNITY -- TO BUILD FAMILIES WE MUST START WITH THEM. DOING PARENTING WORKSHOP AND EDUCATING PARENTS ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN THEIR KIDS ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE GANG LIFESTYLE.

I'M A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WITH GANG INTER -- INTERVENTION. I WORK WITH A TEAM OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE TRAINING TO BE RECOVERY COACHES THAT HELP LIVE THE EXPERIENCE AND BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.

WE HAVE TEAMS OF PEOPLE READY TO MAKE THIS GUN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IN THE CITY. WE KNOW WE WILL DO THE WORK FOR PEOPLE AND I SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM AND HOPE EVERYBODY GETS ON BOARD TO VOTE THIS PROGRAM TO WHERE WE CAN INITIATE THIS PLAN ALL OVER THE CITY.

>> HELLO, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 46, ABDUL HALEEM MUHAMMAD. ACTION IN PEACE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I COME BEHIND REGIONAL GORDON

[01:10:07]

WITH UNITED IN PEACE. I WANT TO COMMEND THE COUNTY FOR TAKING UP THIS VERY VALUABLE PROGRAM THAT IS MUCH NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER RAD KNEE ELLIS -- COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS FOR TAKING PART IN THE PLAN WE DEVELOPED TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND PUTTING IT IN EFFECT SO WE CAN HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL WORK ACROSS THE COUNTY. I WANT TO REMIND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER THAT'S IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS THYME WILL MIGRATE -- CRIME WILL MIGRATE TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS AND PEOPLE DO PAY HARRIS COUNTY TAXES.

WE WILL PREVENT CRIME AND INTERVENE SO WE DON'T HAVE OUR JAILS FILLED UP. THIS CANNOT SUCCEED.

IF WE DON'T GET THE PEOPLE DOING WORK LIKE THE REGIONAL -- LIKE THE REGINALD GORDONS AND THEY ARE ALREADY DOING THIS BUT ARE BUILDING THIS THING OUT AND HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS AND HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE VERY NECESSARY SO WE CAN REDUCE THE CRIME AND THE VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE THE CHIEF OF POLICE COLLECTIVE HEALING INITIATIVE.

TRAINING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS SPOKEN AT THE POLICE ACADEMY AND SERVED ON THE MAD ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE COMMISSION AND THE PLAN WAS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION.

THEY FILED A GRANT WITH THE CDC AND WE WANT TO COMMEND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR TAKING THIS MATTER UP SO WE WILL HAVE A PLACE WE CAN CENTRALIZE OUR ACTIVITY AND WE CAN SAVE LIVES AND SPARE LIVES. THEY DID A STUDY AND SHOWED 10% OF CRIMES CAN RESULT IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK TO OUR BUDGET. THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

POLICING IS ABOUT PREVENTION AND NOT REALLY APPREHENSION AND DETENTION. IF WE CAN DO THIS AND INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY WITH THOSE WOULD HAVE ALREADY DONE IT AND FORTIFY THEM WITH THE PROFESSIONALS -- [INAUDIBLE] WITH OUR CITY GOVERNMENT -- WITH THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HANG ON A SECOND, SIR. COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A COMMENT FOR YOU. JEW

>> RECENTLY I HEARD YOU WANTED TO KEEP A SHOVEL IN PEOPLE'S HANDS. THAT'S A PARAPHRASE OF WHAT I THINK YOU SAID. IS THAT CLOSE ENOUGH?

>> THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH, COMMISSIONER.

WHAT I SAID WAS WE WOULD RATHER HAVE OUR YOUNG MEN AND OTHERS LAYING REBAR INSTEAD OF LAYING OUR CHILDREN TO REST.

RATHER THAN POURING DIRT ON THE CASKET.

WE WANTED TO GO INTO THE JAIL.

THERE IS A SAFETY AND JUSTICE CHALLENGE ALONG WITH THE, YOU KNOW, BLACK PEOPLE MAKE UP 18% OF THE POPULATION, BUT 42 TO 50% OF THE JAIL POPULATION. HOW DO WE STOP THAT DISPARITY AND THE OVER CROWDING OF OUR JAIL? HELP THEM TO GET LIFE SKILLS AND MANAGE THE TRAINING AND ALL THEY NEED SO WHEN THEY GET OUT THEY DON'T GO BACK IN THERE. I AM TALKING ABOUT LOW-LEVEL OFFENDERS. THE VIOLENT ONES WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY SERVE THEIR TIME AND THEN GET REFORMED WHEN THEY COME BACK OUT ON THE STREET.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. A LOT OF THIS PROGRAM SOUNDS GOOD TO ME. BUT A LOT OF IT INVOLVES A MONEY INVOLVES COMING OUT OF LOCAL PROGRAMS.

[01:15:01]

THE VENDORS ARE NOT FROM HERE.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT MAYBE WE CAN RESTRUCTURE AND REPACKAGE THAT WE ARE DOING WELL.

SOME OF THE MINISTRIES YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH AND SOME OF THE MINISTRIES JERRY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AND THE SOBERING CENTERS AND UH LOCAL OF -- AND A LOT OF THESE THINGS. MUCH OF THIS I'M IN GRYPT -- AGREEMENT WITH, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE NEED TO FARM OUT TO OUT OUT OF STATE ORGANIZATIONS TO DO.

HAVE YOU SEEN A GAME PLAN FOR HOW OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY PROVIDERS ARE GOING TO BE ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS.

ACTUALLY WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS IT IS NOT SO MUCH THAT WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE OUTSIDE, BUT IT IS REALLY -- WHEN I LOOK AT IT , IT IS A CONGLOMERATION OF BEST PRACTICES.

WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AREAS IN LOS ANGELES OR BALTIMORE OR CHICAGO OR NEW YORK. WE HAVE TO DO IT OURSELVES.

WE ARE DOING SOME OF THE WORK.

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS WHEN THIS PROGRAM IS FULLY BUILT OUT THAT THEY WOULD CONTRACT OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY DOING THE WORK LOCALLY.

IF THERE IS STAFF THAT IS ON THE COUNTY LEVEL THAT IT BE BUILT IN. MOST OF THE WORK BEACON TRACTED OUT TO THE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS WHO ARE ALREADY DOING IT REALLY LITERALLY FOR FREE OR WITH LITTLE OR NOR RESOURCES. I AGREE CONCEPTIONULELY -- CONCEPTIONALLY. IF YOU CAN WORK WITH THEM I THINK WE CAN HAVE A WINNING COMBINATION TO MAKE SURE THE RESOURCES ARE SPENT HERE LOCALLY AND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING THE WORK ARE REWARDED FOR THEIR FAITHFUL SERVICE OVER THE YEARS.

>> THANK YOU. >> REMEMBER THAT OLD SONG -- I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. IT GOES LIKE A SMILE ON YOUR FACE. JUST BE CAREFUL.

WE PUT TOGETHER A GREAT PROGRAM AND I HOPE IT HAS THE SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO CAN SUPPORT IT.

I APPRECIATE IT. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD AND WE ARE GOING TO INVOLVE LOCK ACTORS.

WE BENEFIT FROM THEIR SUCCESSES AND WE BENEFIT FROM THEIR FAILURES. I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.

YOU WILL BE INVOLVED. I APPRECIATE YOU DIALING IN TO SAY IT. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR FRIENDS AT THE CITY AS WELL AND OTHER CITIES.

THE MAYOR TOLD ME IT WAS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

OF THE CITIES AND THE COUNTIES AND A LOT MORE AND IT IS A GOOD START. BE CAREFUL FOR THOSE -- [INAUDIBLE] WHO ARE SMILING WITH A NICE VOICE.

THANK YOU FOR DIALING IN. >> THANK YOU.

AM I TO RESPOND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: HE IS SAYING I'M EVIL IN HIS OWN KIND WAY WHILE HE IS SMILING.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> I WILL LEAVE THAT TO YOU ALL TO SORT OUT THERE, BUT I WILL SIMPLY SAY LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW, WE GOT TO COME TOGETHER TO GET THIS DONE.

FIND MUTUAL GROUND AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

AND I HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND THAT WE WILL GET IT DONE. I LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING OUR COUNTY AND OUR CITY TO BE THE SAFE AND PROSPEROUS PLACE WE

CAN BE IF WE WORK TOGETHER. >> OKAY, JUDGE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS 47. KATHY FROM THE HOBBY.

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

I AM JUST HERE AS A RESOURCE AND AS A VOICE TO SUPPORT THESE SORTS OF COMMUNITY -- PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY-BASED INTERVENTIONS. I AM KATHY AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION WHICH IS HAVI WHICH WAS INTRODUCED EARLIER IN THE PRESENTATION. WE ARE IN FACT A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS ATRIX -- WE ARE TRYING TO HELP THOSE AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO ARE TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION

[01:20:01]

THAT HELPS TO ADDRESS THE INCREASING AND ON GOING COMMUNITY VIOLENCE THAT FOLKS ARE WRESTLING WITH.

THAT QUESTION OF LOCAL VERSUS NATIONAL IS KEY AND CENTRAL TO THE WORK WE DO. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TEACHING SOMEONE TO FISH OR FISHING FOR FOLKS AND WE ALL ABOUT TEACHING FOLKS TO FISH AND REALLY MAKING SURE WE HELP TO IDENTIFY THE EXISTING RESOURCES AND CAPACITY AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMISSIONERS' CONCERN OF FOLKS COPPING IN AND DOING THE -- FOLKS COMING IN AND DOING THE WORK.

THEY WORK TO IDENTIFY PATIENTS AT RISK.

IT IS A PREVENTION MODEL FOR FOLKS WHO SURVIVED A VIOLENT CRIME. WE WANT TO ADDRESS ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES TO HELP THE CONTINUE BIOGSES AND THE THRIVING FOLKS WILL HAVE AS THEY LIVE THEIR LIVES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE WERE THANKFUL TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND HIS TEAM WHO REACHED OUT TO US AND IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL WORKING WITH THEM.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND AND WORK WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE TO CONSULT AND HELP RESEARCH AND UNDERSTAND WHAT FOLKS ARE LOOKING TO DO IN HOUSTON.

THE BEST WAY TO DO THEM PRIMARILY -- WE ARE A MEMBER-BASED ORGANIZATION. WE HAVE 40 MEMBER SITES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ANOTHER FOURTH -- ANOTHER 40 EMERGING WE ARE WORKING WITH. AND WE DON'T HAVE A HUGE TRACK. WE USE LOCAL EXPERTS AND WORK WITH A WHOLE HOST OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE INTERVENTION PROGRAM. THEY COME DOWN TO WHATEVER COMMUNITY NEEDS US AND THEY ARE ON THE GROUND AND WE HELP TO TRY TO BUILD PROGRAMS. WE ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR THINK THROUGH WITH FOLKS AND IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS THUS FAR.

I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF AND US AND SAY I LOOK FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY SEEING THIS PROGRAM GROW IN HARRIS

COUNTY. >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> THERE ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS

ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, ONE

[Departments (Part 3 of 6)]

LAST POINT TO REITERATE WHAT YOU SAID, SIX OUT OF EVERY $10 THAT WE SPEND OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND GOES TO PUBLIC SAFETY LAW ENFORCEMENT INCLUDING THE COURTS AND THE JAIL. YOU NOTED EARLIER WE HAVE INCREASED THE BUDGET OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE. IT HAS GONE UP EVERY YEAR SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE. IT WOULD NOT COME FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDS AS THEY -- AS DAVE BERRY CAN ATTEST TO.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOTAL AMOUNT IT IS 1.5% OF THE ANNUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BIGETT.

ENFORCEMENT BUDGET. I APPRECIATE WHAT OUR SHERIFF AND HIS TEAM ARE COMING OUT IN SUPPORT OF.

IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE THE CRIME PROBLEM THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT, I THINK WE -- IT IS AN IMPORTANT COME PLAW MEANT. COMPLEMENT.

I KNOW MR. BERRY IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET IMPLICATIONS. I DON'T WANT TO SKIP OVER THAT. THEN I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR

ADOPTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY HAS A QUESTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: A COUPLE OF COMMENTS, JUDGE, BEFORE MR. BERRY GETS INTO SOME OF THE NUMBERS. I GUESS THE FIRST QUESTION IS DID WE HAVE CONVERSATION WITH WAYNE YOUNG AT MENTAL HEALTH?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, WE DID. DR. ROBINSON IS THERE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE JD IS A DOCTORATE.

IN FACT, YOU CAN REFER TO ME AS DOCTOR ELLIS IF YOU WANT

TO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE COMMISSIONER FITS YOU BETTER. NOT DOCTOR.

I DON'T THINK I WOULD TRUST YOU WITH ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS

MEDICAL. >> YES, SIR.

WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH WAYNE YOUNG AND THEY ARE A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES THAT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. WE ARE LOCK STEP.

WE HAVE DONE SOME DESIGN THINKING WORK AROUND THE FOLKS THAT NEED RESOURCES THAT ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. I'M EXCITED THAT WE HAVE THE SAFETY NET DEPARTMENTS ON BOARD.

[01:25:01]

>> I WAS WANTING TO CLEARLY COMMUNICATE BECAUSE I USE THE TERM COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST USED, ONLY -- COMPLEMENTARY.

I THINK IT DOES COMPLEMENT OUR MOBILE CRISIS OUT REACH FOLKS.

I THINK THAT INCLUDES IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN 21 TEAMS. IT ALSO COMPLEMENTS THE CRISIS INTERVENTION RESPONSE TEAM.

THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM AND THE MOBILE CRISIS OUT REACH IS THERE ARE EXISTING INTER LOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY. THERE IS GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CITY. WHATEVER FUNDS AND WHATEVER WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH THIS, IT LOOKS LIKE AN OUT GROWTH OF THOSE WITH A BIT OF A HEALTH ANGLE TO IT.

THE HEALTH SIDE HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF FOCUS RECOGNIZING FOREVER -- RECOGNIZING FOR OVER YEARS THAT THEY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CRIMES. WE ARE MAKING SURE THE MONIES AND THE DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON THE MOBILE CRISIS OUT REACH WHICH INCLUDES 21 TEAMS AND THE CRISIS INTERVENTION RESPONSE TEAMS THAT INCLUDES 18 TEAMS AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION , BUT SINCE NEITHER ONE OF THOSE WERE -- I DON'T THINK IT WAS REFERENCED IN THE CONVERSATION I HEARD TO THIS POINT.

THE FINAL POINT I WANT TO MAKE AND I THINK IT WAS ELUDED TO EARLIER SAID JD VALDEZ WAS SHOT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE KROGER PARKING LOT. HE WAS LAYING IN BED IN THE HOSPITAL AND FORTUNATELY IT LOOKS LIKE HE WILL RECOVER.

THEY ASKED HIM THIS PARTICULAR THING.

HE SAID THERE ARE VIOLENT OFFENDERS OUT THERE THAT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO ADDRESS. IT ADDRESSES NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT IN TERMS OF VIOLENT -- VIOLENT OFFENDER WHEEZE STILL HAVE A BIG PROBLEM.

THE MURDER RATE IS UP AND WE NEED INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS THE MURDER RATE AND I ALSO SAY DONOVAN O'KEEFE CARTER WHO WE JUST HONORED TODAY, HE PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN -- THAT OUTCOME WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CHANGED WITH THIS EITHER. IT IS BOTH AND.

IT IS NOT ONE. AS WE LOOK AT RESOURCES AND I AM GLAD WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW MUCH MONEY WE SPEND ON LAW ENFORCEMENT. THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THERE IS ALWAYS MORE RESOURCES WE CAN APPLY TO IT.

THIS IS PART OF THE HEALTH SIDE.

THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO DO IN TERMS OF GETTING ADEQUATE RESOURCES FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAVE SIX POINTS. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS SINCE WE RECEIVED IT ON THE REGULAR AGENDA WHICH I'M GRATEFUL IT WAS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA AND NOT ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL EMERGENCY AGENDA.

SO IT G -- SO IT DID GIVE US A FEW EXTRA DAYS OF HEADS UP EXTRA WORK ON THIS. NO ONE HAD REACHED OUT TO THIS SO WE CAN GET A LONGER VETTING OF THE PROGRAM.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ASPECTS OF THIS THAT ARE GREAT.

I LIKE THAT WHEN SOMEONE DIALS 9-1-1 THERE IS A FOURTH OPTION AS TO HOW THEIR CALL CAN BE HANDLED.

I AM ALL IN FAVOR OF TRYING TO BEEF UP AND CONTINUE WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT TO THIS PROGRAM.

I WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE DIVERSION CENTER THAT WE HAVE WITH THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER, AND THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND BROADEN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM.

I HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE HISTORICALLY FOR TRYING TO INCREASE THE BENEFITS THAT WE GIVE IN TERMS OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND THOSE WITH CRIMINAL ISSUES ARE IN THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM. PARTS OF THIS PROGRAM SEEMED TO MESH WITH THAT. WITH REGARD TO THAT CONCEPT, THE JOIBT PROCESSING -- THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER WORKS

[01:30:01]

WELL. NUMBER TWO, THE PRO PROGRAM THAT'S -- THE TWO PROGRAMS THAT WERE DISCUSSED WITH THE CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM AND THE MOBILE CRISIS PROGRAM AND I KNOW A NUMBER OF OUR CONSTABLES HAVE PROGRAMS IN PRECINCT 1 WHERE THEY HAVE THE ADDED RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES, BUT THEY NEED MORE.

IT APPEAR THAT'S THIS PROGRAM MAY ASSIST THOSE PROGRAMS AND MENTIONED BY THE CHIEF EARLIER IS THE SOBERING CENTER.

I ADVOCATED WE NEED A SOBERING CENTER ON 1960 WHICH IS SPLIT BETWEEN PRECINCTS 1, 4 AND 2 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE.

THAT IS A HEAVILY -- IT IS AN AREA THAT NEEDS A SOBERING CENTER AND IT CAN PROVIDE A LOT OF BENEFIT.

INSTEAD OF HAVING THE SOBERING CENTER DOWNTOWN TO WHERE YOU HAVE TO GO FOR THIS PROCESS. OUR RAPID RESEARCH WE TRIED TO DO TO FIND OUT WHAT ALL IS IN THIS PROGRAM AND WHERE IT IS GOING. I'LL LIST A COUPLE THINGS I AM NOT A FAN OF. FIRST OF ALL THE REFERENCES TO THE BEST PRACTICES. WE ARE USING THE MODEL IN CHICAGO. WASHINGTON DC AND L.A. AND BALTIMORE AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FOLLOW THEIR MODEL.

I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS AND WHAT WORKS BEST FOR US AND THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING -- PROBLEMS. FROM WHERE HE WENT TO WHERE HE IS, I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY HIS PROGRAM AND I THINK HE IS CLEAR AND APPARENTLY AND IN MY NEXT LITTLE POINT IS LOCAL. WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT LOCAL PROGRAMS BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER FUNDED AND THEY ARE UNDER UTILIZED. WE WILL TRY TO WORK WITH THE NON-PROFITS TO ASSIST THEM TO PULL TOGETHER AND PULL THEIR RESOURCES. PART OF WHAT THIS PROGRAM SEEMS TO BE IS HOW DO WE TIE PEOPLE TOGETHER? PART OF IT IS LET'S ADD A WHOLE NEW REALM OF AGENCY AND DEPARTMENTS AND WHATNOT. I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF CREATING MORE BUREAUCRACY. I'M IN FAVOR OF LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO ASSIST THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY DOING THE WORK THAT ARE HERE. PART OF MY PROBLEM WITH RECORD TO THIS PROGRAM IN OUR LIMITED TIME I HAVE HAD IS IT IS NOT REALLY CLEAR HOW WE ARE GOING TO UTILIZE OUR EXISTING AND AS THE MINISTER SAID, PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY DOING IT AND DOING IT FOR FREE. WE NEED TO HELP THEM AND FUND THEM, BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW THIS PROGRAM INTERFACES AND TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THESE FOLKS WHO HAVE THEIR HAND TO THE PLOW AND BEEN UNCOMPENSATED AND OVER WORKED AND UNDERPAID ALL THIS TIME TO ASSIST WITH REGARD TO THESE OTHER INTERVENTIONS THAT I THINK THAT ARE A GREAT PART TO THE PROGRAM. I'M ALSO VERY CONCERNED, AND THIS IS MY 6TH POINT, AS TO WHERE IN ALL THIS DO THE CONSTABLES FIT? WHERE IS THE D.A.'S OFFICE.

I DON'T SEE HOW AND I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO CHECK WITH MY CONSTABLES AND WITH MY D.A.'S BECAUSE WE HAD A QUICK RUSH ON ALL THIS. WHERE DO THEY FIT INTO THIS PROGRAM? IT MAY BE AN AVENUE OF WHAT MAY BE OCCURRING IN HERE. OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ALL OF OUR TOOLS NEED TO BE SURE THAT THEY ARE ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN WE HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS. I'M A LITTLE BIT STRUCK BECAUSE WE RECEIVED THE CONSTABLE'S ROLL OVER BUDGET AND IT WILL COST $11 MILLION AND I AM TO THE EXACTLY SURE WHERE THE 11 MILLION WILL GO TO.

[01:35:07]

IF I AM VOTING FOR CERTAIN PARTS, LET ME VOTE FOR THE FOURTH RESPONSE PART. LET ME VOTE FOR THE PARTS OF THE PROGRAM THAT DEAL WITH THE BEEFING UP OF THE MENTAL HEALTH. LET ME VOTE TODAY FOR THE PARTS -- TO THE EXTENT WE CAN SEE THEM AND TO WHERE WE ARE ASSISTING OUR LOCAL FOLKS. BUT LET ME VOTE AGAINST WHERE PEOPLE ARE FLEEING THERE TO COME HERE AND THEY ARE FAILING IN SERVING THEIR PUBLIC AND PROTECTING THEIR PUBLIC.

AND THOSE ARE MY SIX POINTS, JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, WE HAVE COMMISSIONER BARRY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT A CHANCE FOR COMMISSIONER GAR

SEE -- GARCIA TO SPEAK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. LET ME JUST SAY THAT THAT I DON'T THINK I HAVE SEEN ANYTHING SPEAKING AGAINST -- AM I CORRECT THAT THERE IS AN RFP OUT AND JUST AS WE HAVE NATIONAL ENGINEERING FIRMS COMPETING FOR OUR BUSINESS, THEY GET TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY PARTICIPATE AND REACH OUT THROUGH THE RFP PROCESS AND THEY SUBMIT A PROPOSAL AND IF IT WORKS, IT WORKS. MUCH TO MY CHAGRIN, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALL OF OUR BUSINESS GO TO THE LOCAL FIRMS. IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK OUT THAT WAY. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS ELUDED TO, SOMETIMES LOCAL ENTITIES DON'T COME WITH EXPERTISE.

THIS IS AN OPEN RFP. IT IS NOT EXCLUDING ANYONE FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.

IS THAT FAIR, JUDGE? SECONDLY, I THINK IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE INVESTING IN THIS. LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND I WAS ONE OF THOSE IN A PATROL CAR YEARS AGO SAYING I'M NOT SURE WHY I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO COME HERE TO HANDLE THIS.

SO JUST AS CHIEF LEE TOUCHED ON, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DIVEST LAW ENFORCEMENT OF PARTICULAR ISSUES THAT CAN BE BETTER HANDLED BY OTHER PROFESSIONALS.

WHAT WE WILL SEE IS A RETURN OF INVESTMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS IS GOING TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND MUCH MORE PROMPTLY AND MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY FOR THOSE TRUE CRIME-CENTER ETD -- CENTERED MATTERS THAT CURRENTLY CITIZENS ARE WAITING HOURS JUST TO GET A REPORT THERE.

THIS WILL GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK TO THE OLD DAYS WHICH IS PATROLLING THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT BEING CALLED AND WHEN PEOPLE NEEDED YOU AND WHEN THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY OR WHEN YOU GET OUT THERE TO REALLY GET BACK TO THE COMMUNITY-OR YEPTED POLICING.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD PROGRAM. WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE REASON LAW ENFORCEMENT IS RUNNING FROM CALL TO CALL IS BECAUSE WE HAVE PUT SO MUCH ON THEIR PLATE TO DEAL WITH AND TRY TO FIX WHEN IT IS TRULY OUTSIDE OF THE REALM.

AND WE INVEST INTO AREAS OF THE SYSTEM THAT HAVE BEEN AND SINCE WE GAVE IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS THE ONLY THING WE THOUGHT ABOUT INVESTING INTO, BUT THIS IS GOING TO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THOSE OTHER SYSTEM AND THAT CAN HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND IT WILL HAVE A SUCCESSFUL OUTPUT.

I HAVE SEEN IT. I HAVE DONE IT.

I KNOW IT CAN WORK WHEN DONE WELL.

I ASKED DIRECTOR VICTOR GONZALEZ BECAUSE WE WERE AHEAD OF OUR TIME WHEN WE WERE DOING THIS OVER THERE.

[01:40:03]

WE DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS THAT WE HAVE NOW AND WE CAN DIRECT MUCH MORE SAW SINKLY -- SUCCINCTLY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE A COUNTY WIDE STRATEGY THEN, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO DO IT. IT HELPED REDUCE HOMICIDES SPECIFICALLY AND THAT'S THE AREA THAT WE TRACKED.

AND IT WAS IN SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS GANGS.

IT WAS IN COORDINATION WITH PROBATION AND COORDINATION WITH PAROLE. NOW THAT WE HAVE COUNTY LEADERSHIP HOPEFULLY WE HAVE FIVE COUNTY LEADERS SUPPORTING THIS, BACK THEN THERE WAS A DIRECTOR WHO I WAS TRYING TO GET, YOU KNOW, THE ATTENTION SUPPORT FOR IT, AND IT WAS DIFFICULT, BUT WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO DO IT, IT WORKED.

THIS IS A LONGTIME COMING AND I'M EXCITED WE HAVE SOMEONE LIKE GREG ROBINSON HELP US LEAD THE CHARGE.

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YES, IT IS OUR PROCESS. WE MAY HAVE TO HELP SOME OF OUR LOCAL ENTITIES WHO ARE NOT 501C3'S ESTABLISH ONE.

THERE ARE A FEW PLACES I CALL AROUND THE COUNTRY AND USUALLY THE ISSUE COMES UP AND THEY MAY HAVE TO PARTNER WITH THE OUTFIT. IT PASSED FAN -- UNANIMOUSLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. COMMISSIONER RADACK AT THE TIME SAYS IT COMES BACK WITH THE RECOMMENDATION.

OBVIOUSLY I COULDN'T CROSS THE LINE ON TALKING TO ALL OF OUR OFFICES, BUT WE DID VOTE ON IT. WE DIDN'T SAY WHERE IT WAS GOING TO COME FROM. WE DID COMMIT 25 MILLION DOLLARS. I REMEMBER ASKING YOU, WHAT IS THE NUMBER? I WAS THINKING YOU WOULD SAY 10. IT IS A DOWN PAYMENT.

OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY. IN THE OTHER AREAS WE ARE LOOKING AT WE WERE NOT DOING MUCH OF IT IN OUR REGION.

IF YOU DON'T SUPPORT IT TODAY OR IF IT DOES PASS DOWN THE

ROAD. >> IF YOU REMEMBER YOU EARMARKED $25 MILLION FOR INNOVATIVE AND REFORM INITIATIVES. THIS WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE INITIATIVES THAT THESE TWO PARAMETERS WOULD MEET.

WE KNEW THIS PROGRAM WAS IN DEVELOPMENT.

THAT AMOUNT WOULD COVER BOTH PROGRAMS FOR THE BALANCE OF THE FISCAL YEAR. IT IS COVERED BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN. IF IT IS CONTEMPLATED YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.

AND FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.

AND YOU KNOW, I SAY I DO THINK THERE IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S WORDS AND A HIGH PROBABILITY OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND TO

[01:45:09]

THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN FREE UP CAPACITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ADDRESS OTHER NEEDS AND THE EXTENT WE CAN REDUCE THE DRAIN ON THE JAIL AND THE COURT SYSTEM WHERE WE ARE INVESTING HUGE SUMS OF MONEY. THIS SHOULD BE -- THERE SHOULD BE A RETURN THERE. WE HAVE NOT EVALUATED THAT.

IT IS TOO SOON TO HAVE A FISCAL OBJECTIVE.

I AM OPTIMISTIC AND KEEP EVALUATING THE ALTERNATIVE.

>> I KNOW YOU ARING LOOING THROUGHOUT -- I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO LEVERAGE AS MANY OF OUR RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE. IT WOULD SEEM A VERY APPROPRIATE THING TO LEVERAGE EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM AND IT SEEMS WITH 21 TEAMS THERE IF THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PROGRAM, DID YOU EVER CONSIDER DOING THIS UNDER THAT -- UNDER THAT PARTICULAR GROUP RATHER THAN CREATE A WHOLE NEW PROGRAM WITHIN THE HEALTH MANAGED BY DIFFERENT FOLKS? DID YOU CONSIDER THAT?

>> I ASKED THAT QUESTION. I WOULD INVITE DIRECTOR ROBINSON OR SOMEONE IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO SHARE THE RATIONAL OF BEING LOCATED IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

THAT'S CERTAINLY A QUESTION I ASKED.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE ARE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP.

THE ISSUES ARE MULTI-FACETTED.

IT IS BRINGING A GROUP OF INTEGRATED TEENS AND TRYING TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGEDS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE REOCCURRENCE OF WHETHER IT IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THE CALLS WE ARE RESPONDING TO OR THE TEAMS WE ARE RESPONDING TO ARE NOT JUST MENTAL HEALTH CALLS.

THEY ARE ALSO SORB SERVICES CALLS.

THEY ARE WELFARE CALLS. THEY ARE EDUCATION AND TRUANCY ISSUES. THEY ARE BROADER ISSUES AND WHERE IT IS THE OVER ARCHING CHALLENGE IT IS FROM THE HARRIS CENTER AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ARE BROUGHT IN TO SUPPORT THEM AS WELL.

>> I FIGURE SINCE THEY WERE HANDLING IT NOW WORKING WITH THE GOVERNMENT LAB AND THE FOLKS WHO CAME IN TO HELP US, BUT WE WERE CHECKING THE ITEMS FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND I THINK IT IS A PRETTY GOOD RECOMMENDATION.

>> JUDGE, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS BEING IN PUBLIC HEALTH WHEN THEY ARE GIVEN THE OPTION DO YOU NEED -- I DON'T KNOW HOW -- MAYBE THEY CALL IT SOCIAL SERVICES.

WHERE PART OF MY PROBLEM IS I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING AND IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

IS THERE A RUSH ON THIS? WOULD THERE BE ANY PROBLEM? I THINK THAT THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT POTENTIALLY WE COULD HAVE A FINAL VOTE ON, BUT I AM FEELING A LITTLE RUSHED WITH REGARDS TO SPHG -- TO FIGURING OUT WHERE THE I'S ARE BEING DOTTED AND THE T'S ARE BEING CROSSED.

GIVING AN OPTION AND BEEFING UP THE RESPONSE TO FOLKS AND BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S GARCIA'S DAYS HE SAYS WHY AM I HERE HELPING THIS PERSON. I'M FEELING RUSHED OVER HERE AND THESE ARE BIG NUMBERS. THIS IS $11 MILLION.

THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR ME. WHEN YOU HAVE AN RFP -- I AM NOT SURE HOW THIS RFP PROCESS IS.

A LOT OF OUR GUYS CAN'T COME UP WITH THE 6.2 MILLION DOLLAR RFP. AND MAYBE WE WILL SAY IF YOU

[01:50:07]

HAVE A BIDDER ON THIS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE HAS TO BE LOCAL IF THAT'S THE WAY IT WILL GO UNDER THE RFP.

I HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK -- I DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DE TALLETS BECAUSE I AM -- DETAILS BECAUSE I AM FEELING RUSHED. ALL OF THESE THINGS WE CAN BE IN AGREEMENT WITH. IT IS HARD TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING WHEN THE WINDOW IS LATE WEDNESDAY TO TODAY TO GET INTO SOME OF THE DETAILS. THE CONCEPTS THOUGH ARE CONCEPTS THAT WE ARE -- THE GOALS OF LET'S REDUCE CRIME BY TRYING TO ADDRESS THEM IS NOT SO MUCH REDUCING CRIME, BUT LET'S ADDRESS SOCIAL NEEDS WITH THE SOCIAL SYSTEM.

LET'S ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL NEEDS WITH THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM AND NOT DIVERT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS THEIR HAPPENED -- WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS THEIR HAND HELD, LET'S SEND THE PROFESSIONAL HAND HOLDERS. I DON'T MEAN THAT IN A DEROGATORY SENSE, BUT SOMETIMES THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED IN YOUR MOMENT OF CRISIS IS TO HAVE SOMEONE THERE THAT IS THAT HEART AND THAT EAR TO HELP YOU OR TO HELP THAT LOVED ONE WHO IS A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR A DANGER TO OTHERS. I'M VERY SENSITIVE TO THAT.

I DID SPEND SEVEN MONTHS WORKING IN ONE OF OUR PROBATE COURTS WORKING WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH DOCKET.

SO I'M EXTREMELY PERSONALLY SENSITIVE TO THOSE WHO ARE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES AND A DANGER TO OTHERS AND HOW THE JAILS ARE THE WORST PLACE TO GIVE SOMEONE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT WHEN THEIR CRISIS IS -- THEY HAVE GOTTEN OFF THEIR MEDICINES. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN HAVE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT ON.

I WOULD LIKE TIME TO GET INTO THE NUMBERS AND ADD A SUGGESTION OR TWO THAT ALL OF US WOULD AGREE WITH.

BECAUSE OF HOW WE HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE THAT ADDING A COMPONENT OF BIDDING ON AN RFP AND IF YOU HAVE A COMPONENT WHETHER IT IS LEGAL OR NOT I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE ALL LIKE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD SAY TO MY COLLEAGUE, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT, BUT I THINK THERE IS URGENCY.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROGRAM.

WE ARE WELL AFTER MOST OF THE MAJOR REGIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU RAISE THE ISSUE OF MWB COMPONENT.

I REMEMBER BACK SOME YEARS AGO WHEN I TRIED TO DO THAT AT ONE POINT YOU PUT ITEMS AND CONTRACTS THAT PRECINCT 1 RECOMMENDED BACK ON THE AGENDA TO RECOMMEND SOME OTHER FIRMS IF YOU REMEMBER THAT. TO BE HONEST, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL EVER GET THERE. WE STUDIED IT FOR A YEAR.

I WAS RUSHING MY STAFF. JUST PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.

BEFORE THE FOCUS GOES OFF OF LOOKING TO ALTERNATIVES.

THEY ARE COMING OUT OF A LAB IN HARVARD.

I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION. THAT WILL BE AT THE

APPROPRIATE TIME. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- JUDGE -- I I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS SINCE I WAS SHERIFF. I DIDN'T HAVE THE SUPPORT OF

COMMISSION AREAS COURT -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: ROD SINCE YOU

WERE A COUNCILMEMBER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WAS SUPPORTING THE GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION TEAM.

AS SHERIFF I WAS LOOKING FOR THE FRAMEWORK TO DO WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING. QUITE FRANKLY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH OF A VISION AND -- SO THE -- BUT LOOK.

IN ALL FAIRNESS, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS THROUGH THE CARES FRAMEWORK WHICH OUR OFFICE PARTICIPATED IN.

THIS IS THROUGH THE OFFICES AND I WAS DOUBLE CHECKING BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS DONE WITHOUT HAVING ANYBODY INVOLVED AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I WAS TOLD THAT LANDON REID WAS YOUR REP ON THE WORK GROUP ON THIS.

[01:55:07]

I THINK YOUR OFFICE HAD A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN AND GIVE FEEDBACK ON. I SAY THAT WE ARE RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO HAS BEEN ARGUING FOR YEARS.

THEY WILL MAKE -- THEIR WORK IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY.

I DON'T WANT TO USE THAT WORD, BUT TO MAKE THEIR WORK MUCH MORE STRATEGIC BY FOCUSING ON THE THINGS THAT NEED THEIR ATTENTION. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CALL FOR VOLUME THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT GETS TODAY AND LOOK AT THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES THAT ARE -- YOU KNOW, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE WHY LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD BE PUSHED IN THAT DIRECTION.

WHEN YOU REALLY LOOK AT THOSE CALLS THAT CAN TAKE LAW ENFORCEMENT OUT OF THE EQUATION.

THERE ARE CALLS WHERE FAMILIES AREN'T ASKING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DISCIPLINE KIDS. I REMEMBER THOSE HAPPENING.

DEPUTIES BEING CALLED TO CALLS OF THAT NATURE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GIVE US A RETURN ON INVESTMENT BY LOOKING AT THOSE CALLS THAT CAN'T BE HANDLED BY SOMEONE ELSE. GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO PATROL AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND MORE PROMPTLY AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE MUCH MORE RAPIDLY THAN HAVING ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS TURN INTO CASES AND REPORTS THAT SOMEBODY HAS TO LOOK THROUGH.

THAT'S WHY YOU ARE HEARING THEM SAY WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO. IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE RIGHT AREA AND IT DOES CREATE A RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR LAWEN -- FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOUR OFFICE WAS PRESENT IN THESE CONVERSATIONS. AND SO I -- YOU KNOW, I'M THROWING ALL THAT OUT THERE TO SAY THERE IS NO REASON FOR YOU

TO VOTE AGAINST THIS TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DO ENCOURAGE US TO VOTE ON THIS.

WE ARE COMING ON TO A BREAK. I WILL JUST MAKE --

>> JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS APPARENT I DON'T HAVE THE VOTE TO POSTPONE IT FOR TWO WEEKS. CAN I BEG OF YOU TO GO AFTER THE LUNCH BREAK AND LOOK AT IT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY AND VOTE FOR IT AT THE END OF THE DAY? THERE IS SO MUCH HERE THAT I WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF.

YOU GUYS HAVE DEALT WITH ME. I DON'T LIKE VOTING FOR THINGS AND THEN FINDING OUT WHAT IS IN THEM.

I KNOW THAT IS POPULAR IN OTHER PLACES OF THE COUNTRY.

THAT'S THE BEST PRACTICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

BUT CAN YOU GIVE ME AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY TO LOOK AT SOME OF THIS SO I CAN AT LEAST DO A RISK ANALYSIS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT I'M READY TO GO AHEAD AND GO FORWARD WITH

THIS? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, CAN WE BRING IT UP AT THE END OF THE DAY?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE DO A I'M -- A TIME CERTAIN? THIS IS A LOQUACIOUS GROUP OF INTELLECTUALS.

IF IT IS MIDNIGHT -- I THOUGHT YOU WERE READING IT YESTERDAY. WE WERE WAITING ON YOU.

CAN WE DO A TIME CERTAIN? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO NOT BE HERE ADMIT NIGHT. IS THIS ALL RIGHT, CACTUS? HOW ABOUT 3:00, 4:00, 5:00? I ASSUME WE ARE TAKING A LUNCH

BREAK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 4:00, 5:00

SOUNDS FINE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW ABOUT 4:00 UNLESS WE FINISH EARLIER AND WE'LL MAKE IT THE LAST ITEM. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH

THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO MAKE A QUICK POINT ON THAT AS YOU REVIEW IT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. TWO POINTS ON THE VIOLENCE WHICH SOMEBODY RAISED ON THE QUESTION OF VIOLENCE AND HOW THIS HELPS. I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THERE IS URGENCY AND I RECOGNIZE THE URGENCY, NOT

[02:00:01]

JUST THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR WELL OVER A YEAR, BUT TO ME WHAT FACILITATES URGENCY IS THE INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME AND THE RECOGNITION THAT IT TAKES A MINUTE TO STAND UP THE PROGRAM.

SO IT WON'T BE OPERATION -- OPERATIONAL FOR A MONTH OR SO. THAT'S ONE PIECE.

THE OTHER PIECE IS WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE HEART PROGRAM.

AND THAT'S FREEING UP LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR VIOLENT RESOURCES. AND THERE IS THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PORTION AND THAT GETS SPECIFICALLY TO GUN VIOLENCE AND THAT I AM PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGED BY.

THE GOAL IS SOMEBODY WHO IS INVOLVED IN GUN VIOLENCE YES, YOU WOULD CUT THE CYCLE RIGHT THERE.

THESE TEAMS WOULD FIND THAT PERSON.

FIND THE COMMUNITY AROUND THEM AND STOP THE GUN VIOLENCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS. THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, BUT THE KEY PIECES IN -- IT HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED AND MY READ OF THIS IN THE PRESENTATION THAT DIRECTOR ROBINSON SHOWED IS IN THE COMMUNITIES THERE HAS BEEN A DECREASE OR AN INCREASE IN THE VIOLENT CRIME RATE.

I WANT TO SUPPORT THIS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT ACTION THAT WILL NOT ONLY HELP WITH THE ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY IS IT WILL FREE UP FOR VIOLENT CRIME, BUT IT WILL PREVENT AND STOP VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY AS WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A FEW MORE HOURS AND THEN VOTE, ANOTHER THING TO THROW OUT THERE AND ON BEHALF OF MY DRIVE, CHIEF FENNER, WHO HAS BEEN AWESOME IN HELPING ME ON SOME CRITICAL CRIME ISSUES IN MY PRECINCT, AND I WILL BE BRINGING FORTH IN INITIATIVES HERE SOON ONCE WE GET SOME OF THE DETAILS WORKED OUT. ON BEHALF OF MY FRIEND, WHAT IS THE TARGETED DATE FOR WHEN SOMEONE CALLS 9-1-1 WE HAVE FOUR OPTIONS RATHER THAN THE CURRENT THREE? WHEN DO WE THINK WE ARE GONNA HAVE IT UP TO THE POINT WE CAN HAVE FOUR OPTIONS WHICH BY ALL ACCOUNTS IT WILL HELP AS MUCH AS ANYTHING IN TERMS OF POLICE RESOURCES.

DO WE HAVE A DATE ON WHEN THAT MIGHT BE?

>> COMMISSIONER, BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

TO MAKE SURE IT IS DONE RIGHT, IT WILL TAKE TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF WE VOTE ON IT TODAY, IT WILL BE TWO

WEEKS EARLIER. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A

QUESTION ON THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WASN'T ASKING A SILLY QUESTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I WAS SERIOUS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS SERIOUS. THE SOONER WE VOTE, THE SOONER

IT GETS DONE. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A DATE AND I THINK CHIEF FENNER WOULD AGREE WITH THAT AND SHERIFF GONZALEZ WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

IT WOULD BE REAL NICE TO KNOW A DATE AND NOT A FLIPPANT MAYBE SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE.

CAN WE HAVE A REALISTIC DATE? TAKE A LITTLE TIME.

WE HAVE SOME TIME. LET'S GET A REALISTIC DATE SO THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS WILL KNOW WHEN HELP IS COMING. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: TWO POINTS, COMMISSIONER.

ONE, REMEMBER, THE CITY AND COUNTY ARE NOT ON THE SAME 9-1-1 SYSTEM. WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA CAME IN OFFICE HAS PUSHED ON 3-1-1.

IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE YET. THIS WILL BE FOR US, UNINCORPORATED. THAT'S A SEPARATE DISCUSSION.

IT WOULD BE GOOD, BUT IT WILL COST MONEY.

IT DOES COST MONEY TO GO AND DO IT.

I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING AND FAIR QUESTION.

THE SOONER WE GET STARTED, THE SOONER WE GET IT DONE.

IN TERMS OF THE WAY OF FUNDING IT MAY BE A SOURCE AS WELL.

OBVIOUSLY IN TERMS OF THE START UP AND WE'LL -- THE SOONER WE GET IT GOING THE SOONER WE CAN GET GOING.

>> TOM RAMSEY: INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT IT FOR A YEAR, I FEEL SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE A GOOD ASPECT ON THE DAY.

I UNDERSTAND FINE-1-1 -- 9-1-1, I KNOW THERE ARE MORE THAN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. THERE ARE A LOT OF AGENCIES

[02:05:03]

OUT THERE WITH THEIR OWN 9-1-1.

IT WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW WHAT AND IF IT IS ONLY IN A CERTAIN AREA IT WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW THAT SO WE CAN COMMUNICATE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN THE CALVARY IS COMING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK AND, BARBIE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS AN EXACT DATE IT WILL BE HERE, BUT WE WILL WORK ON BARBIE'S ESTIMATE OR YOU KNOW WE HAVE UNTIL 4, BUT I WANT TO CLARIFY ONE POINT WHICH IS WHEN YOU CALL 9-1-1 IT IS NOT LIKE YOU GET THE FOUR OPTIONS.

PRESUMABLY THAT HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES, AND THEN FOLKS WILL BE ABLE TO REFER TO THIS ADDITIONAL RESOURCE.

I DON'T WANT TO CREATE AN IMPRESSION THAT YOU CAN CALL AND -- ANYWAY, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEAR WITH WHAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED WHICH IS AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE AND HOW IT WILL WORK SO WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME

PAGE. >> WE HAVE PEOPLE CALLING 9-1-1 WHEN THEY SHOULD BE CALLING 3-1-1.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE AT TWO HOURS.

IT SOUNDS LIKE WE WILL TABLE THE VOTE ON THIS ITEM UNTIL 4:00. I PROPOSE WE TAKE A QUICK 10-MINUTE BREAK AND THEN TRY TO GET THROUGH SOME MORE OF THE AGENDA. MAYBE WE WILL BE DONE BEFORE 4:00. THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE.

IT IS 12:08 CALL.

IT IS 12:34 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE HAD JUST TABLED THE ITEM FOR 4:00 ON THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION ITEM UNDER PUBLIC HEALTH.

THERE WAS ANOTHER ITEM I WAS HOPING TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER WHICH IS THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT IT THIS MORNING. I KNOW THEY ARE WAITING TO SEE IF IT WILL PASS. THAT IS ITEM 4 UNDER THE COVID ITEMS. IT IS A REQUEST TO APPROVE -- THERE IS AN ACTUAL EDIT ON THE ITEM.

IT SHOULD SAY SUPPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $32 MILLION 52THOUSAND AS OPPOSED TO 60. FUNDED BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN. THIS ITEM WOULD ESSENTIALLY SEND $30 MILLION TO SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH A RANDOMIZED, BUT WEIGHTED SELECTION PROCESS.

IT WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE LIFT FUND WHICH IS A NONPROFIT ENTITY THAT SERVES AS A BANKING-LIKE ORGANIZATION WITH A NATIONAL REPUTATION. AND IT BUILDS ON THE LESSONS LEARNED THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS LEAD.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU --

[INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR MIC IS NOT -- I CAN CALL YOU AS WELL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. IT HAS A WEIRD SOUND TO IT.

YOU CAN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

LET ME DIAL YOU. TURN YOUR SOUND AND YOUR MIC

OFF OR IT WILL ECHO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF IT IS HIS ITEM I CAN WALK OUT OF MY OFFICE IF YOU WANT TO COME DOWN HERE SINCE IT IS YOUR ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HI, COMMISSIONER.

I HAVE YOU HERE. I THINK IT WORKED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I AM EXCITED ON THIS ITEM BECAUSE WE HAVE WORKED TO PUT THE MONEY TO WORK IN HELPING THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY AS WE OFTEN REFER TO THE SMALL BUSINESSES LEADERS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THEY ARE THE BACKBONE AND WE NEED TO HAVE THEIR BACK. I AM EXCITED TO PUT THIS MONEY TO WORK IN A MEANINGFUL WAY THAT KEEPS PEOPLE'S DOORS OPEN AND KEEPS EMPLOYEES ON THE PAYROLL AND CURBS THE UNEMPLOYMENT BIND AND MAKES SURE THAT THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE MICROBUSINESSES CONTINUE TO CONSIDER OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN HARRIS COUNTY AND I APOLOGIZE THE SOUND IS THROWING ME OFF. I AM TRYING TO DO A FEW THINGS

[02:10:03]

HERE. THE BOTTOM LINE TO THIS, JUDGE, IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN HITTING THE MARK ON DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING. WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE PRE CICILY IN THE -- PRECISELY IN THE SENSE THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE THE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN/ GRANT PROGRAM.

IT ALLOWED THOSE WHO WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T REALLY CONSIDER SMALL BUSINESS TO APPLY.

THE REALITY OF IT IS 94% OF THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE RECEIVED ONE OF OUR GRANTS AND 10 OR LESS EMPLOYEES.

88 OF THE BUSINESSES THAT HAD RECEIVED ONE OF OUR GRANTS DID HAVE LESS THAN A MILLION IN ANNUAL EARNINGS.

AND 43% OF THOSE THAT HAD RECEIVED OUR GRANT HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED ANY OTHER FEDERAL OR STATE FUND.

ARE -- FUND. I AM EXCITED THAT THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN HELP CARRY THE BUSINESSES.

I DO WANT TO PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION WE ARE GIVING LIFT IS TO DO THE COMMUNITY OUT REACH.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM.

PRECINCT TWO HAS BEEN ON THE LOWEST SIDE OF ALL FOUR PRECINCTS IN TERMS OF DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T LEAVE IT JUST TO THE EQUITY GUIDELINES THEMSELVES. OBVIOUSLY THAT IN ITSELF IS NOT GIVING ALL OF PRECINCT 2 THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR THESE DISBRANTS -- GRANTS. THERE IS A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED DOOR KNOCKING AND THE STRATEGIC APPROACH AND THEY ARE NOT MEMBERS OF CHAMBER. I WANT TO MAKE SURE LIFT FUNDS KEEPS THAT IN MIND AND HAS A PARTICULAR STRATEGY TO GO OUT -- [INAUDIBLE] THEY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS. THEIR STUDIO TODAY IN PRECINCT 2 IS ONE -- IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPRESSIVE ONE.

I AM LOOKING FOR TO SEEING A BETTER OUT -- BETTER OUTPUT.

I WOULD MOVE ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER.

DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS OR QUESTIONS ?

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 5)]

YEA WE -- >> YEAH, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER.

NUMBER 1 ON THE LIST, ANGELIQUE WITH IMPACT STRATEGIC CONSULTING. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO AND THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT STRATEGIC CONSULTANTS. IT IS AN EMERGENCY MANAGE MEANT RECOVERY FUND THAT HAS 14 YEARS EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE A LOCAL AND NATIONAL FOOT -- FOOTPRINT.

OUR CURRENT PERFORMANCE IS HOUSTON, THE GLO AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND WE ARE HARRIS COUNTY BASED.

I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 14 AS IT APPEARS ON THE AGENDA. I AM HERE TO SHARE THE BENEFITS OF CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MCE, MWBE WITH A BILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDS FLOWING THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY. AND TO CONSIDER THE UNCONSCIOUS BIAS THAT CONTINUES TO LIMIT THE SUCCESS OF MWBE AND CONTRACT AWARDS WITH THE COUNTY.

WE APPLAUD THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT ARE CONTINUOUS -- CONTINUOUSLY DOING WORK TO HELP THE STATE

[02:15:03]

WITH THE PANDEMIC. WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT HOW THE DECISIONS ARE TO USE NON-PROFITS ON THESE TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES IS BEING MADE AND WHY.

HOW IS THE ADMINISTRATION OF THESE PROGRAMS BEING EVALUATED TO DETERMINE THAT THEY ARE BEST SUITED TO ADMINISTER THEM. GIVEN THE FOCUS OF THE COUNTY, HOW IS THIS RFP SHARED WITH SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE. WHO ARE THE CURRENT PARTNERS PARTICIPATING WITH THE FIRM. HOW ARE THE THREE ORGANIZATIONS SELECTED TO PROVIDE THIS TO THE COUNTY.

WERE THEY GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE THREE FIRMS THAT WERE SELECTED TO DO THE BID? WHY ARE THE SMALL BUSINESSES NOT INCLUDED IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND IT WILL SERVE THE ECONOMY AND PROVIDE A LOCAL HIRE AND ALLOW BUSINESSES LIKE OURS TO THRIVE. THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE WAYS THAT HARRIS COUNTY COULD TRULY ADDRESS THE BUILD BACK ECONOMY THAT IS NEEDED FOR FIRMS LIKE OURS WITH THE CAPABILITIES AND THE CAPACITY. AGAIN, WE SL THE BACKGROUND IN THIS INDUSTRY. WE ARE HEADQUARTERED IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HAVING PARTICIPATED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN RECOVERY DOLLARS INCLUDING WORKING WITH OUR FUND ON SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE EERILY SIMILAR TO THOSE BEING PRESENTED TODAY AND REPRESENT TO THE COUNTY AN ACTUAL OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AND FURTHER THE RELATIONSHIPS OR SMALL BUSINESSES. WE WILL EVALUATE THE BENEFIT OF CREATIVITY AND UTILIZING THE SMALL BUSINESS WITH THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND IT WILL ALSO ALLOW IT TO DEVELOP

THE RELATIONSHIPS. >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, ANGELIQUE.

[Departments (Part 4 of 6)]

YOU HAVE AN AWESOME FIRM THERE.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WAS THIS PUT OUT FOR RFQ? HOW IS THIS SELECTED IN TERMS OF LIFT FUND VERSUS MAYBE IMPACT?

HOW DID THIS GET SELECTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: DO EITHER OF

YOU WANT TO GO OVER THAT? >> JUDGE, I CAN SPEAK ON MY END. IT DID NOT COME THROUGH MY OFFICE. I THINK MAYBE THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OFFICE THAT WORKED TO SELECT THE FIRMS BECAUSE THEY WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> I AM HAPPY TO GIVE AN OVER VIEW OF THIS.

SO BECAUSE THIS IS FEDERAL FUNDS THROUGH ARPA AND BECAUSE THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE RELIEF PROJECT WE DID NOT GO THROUGH THE FULL RFP PROCESS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO GET IT DONE QUICKLY. THEY DID BRING TO THE COMMITTEE AND THERE WERE THREE TO GET PROPOSALS FROM AND REVIEWED THE PROPOSALS AND THE COMMITTEE DECIDED TO AWARD IT TO LIFT. AS TO THE TOPIC OF MWBE'S THEY FEEL USING A NONPROFIT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THIS KIND OF A PROGRAM AND BECAUSE THEY ARE NON-PROFITS THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY CERTIFIED AS MWBE'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE OWNERSHIP THE SAME WAY THE BUSINESS DOES.

WE WILL CONSIDER THAT THERE IS A STRONG PRESENCE OF COLOR.

>> I CHECKED WITH MY TEAM AS WELL AND I THINK EACH REPRESENTATIVE OF COURT -- EACH MEMBER OF COURT HAD A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE ARPA

COMMITTEE. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

I'M SORRY. THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH MEMBER OF COURT. AND IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WAS COMMISSIONER CAGLE THROUGH?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I'M SORRY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WAS MY

QUESTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM. I KNOW I TALKED TO THEM A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN THEY CAME THROUGH AND I AM PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED WITH THE SCORING CRITERIA THAT THEY

[02:20:04]

CAME UP WITH. I WAS LOOKING AT IT HERE AND YOU CAN GET UP TO 150 POINTS OWNERSHIP AND 12% FOR BEING AN MWBE AND 6% FOR VETERAN OWNERSHIP.

PREVIOUS FUNDING 30 POINTS MAX WILL BE AWARDED TO APPLICANTS THAT RECEIVED NO PREVIOUS LOCAL OR FEDERAL FUNDING AND SOCIAL VULNERABILITY. THEY WILL RECEIVE MAXIMUM POINTS AND THAT WILL HELP SOME OF THE ISSUES YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. EMPLOYMENT 30 POINTS.

BUSINESSES WILL RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM POINTS AND INDUSTRY PRIORITIZATION IS 30 POINTS. 30 POINTS WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT HAD BEEN HARDEST HIT.

I HOPE THAT HELPS WITH THE ISSUE YOU RAISED IN MAKING SURE THEY ARE GETTING OUT IN YOUR PRECINCT.

AND IN ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE.

I AM PROUD TO SECOND THAT MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, HOW IS MY MIC NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: CRYSTAL CLEAR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GREAT. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL ABOUT THE COST OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

IT IS IN LINE WITH THE OTHERS WE HAVE DONE.

IT IS IN LINE WITH WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND I AM MOST EXCITED THAT IT HAS A COMMITMENT TO OUT REACH.

I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT GOING BACK TO DIRECTOR ROBINSON IS THAT WE DO MAKE SURE TO KEEP IN MIND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN ALL THE THINGS WE DO AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING OUT REACH TO THE VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THAT SECOND, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: VERY GOOD PROGRAM, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THIS IS WELCOME NEWS.

THERE IS MORE IN PRECINCT 3 THAN ANY OTHER PRECINCT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE GOOD OUT REACH PER THE CRITERIA COMMISSIONER ELLIS WENT THROUGH.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT PRECINCT, BUT WE SHOULD REACH THE MOST NEEDY AND THE MOST QUALIFIED OF THOSE TERMS. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE

RIMENTS OF THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IT WAS A CLOSE TIE THERE BETWEEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW WE WILL HEAR FROM THE REST

[Appearances before court (Part 4 of 5)]

OF THE SPEAKERS BEFORE MOVING TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

CAN YOU BRING UP THE SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THE

NON-AGENDA ITEMS. >> OKAY.

WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER THREE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. MY NAME IS DEIJA ROLLINS AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK IN FRONT OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE. I AM REPRESENTING TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. I AM A HOUSING JUSTICE ORGANIZER TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD WITH THE RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. WE AT TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT BELIEVE WE NEED DIRECT ASSISTANCE INSTEAD OF THESE LOTTERY SYSTEM PROGRAMS. THE REASON BEING FOR THAT IS THAT LOPPED LORDS -- LANDLORDS ARE NOT APPLYING FOR THIS PROGRAM.

THOSE TENANTS UNDER THE LANDLORDS CANNOT APPLY FOR RECEIVE DIRECT ASSISTANCE. EVEN AFTER A LANDLORD IS APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM THEY ARE STILL CHARGING LATE FEES AND INTEREST TO THAT TENANT THAT IS SEPARATE FROM THE RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THEY ARE BEING CHARGED $200 TO $300 LATE FEES AND INTEREST FEES.

LANDLORDS ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER REASONS TO INCLUDE TENANTS INCLUDING PARTICIPATING IN ILLEGAL LOCKOUTS THAT ARE NOT LEGAL. AS WE KNOW IT IS A LOTTERY SYSTEM. REALLY THE LOTTERY SYSTEM IS UNEFFECTIVE AND THEY NEED ASSISTANCE THE MOST.

THOSE THAT NEED THE ASSISTANCE MORE THAN SOMEONE WHO SAY IS

[02:25:03]

JUST A MONTH BEHIND ON THEIR RENT, SOMEONE WHO IS THREE OR FOUR MONTHS BEHIND ON THEIR RENT WITH CHILDREN ARE NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE THE AFFECTED UH -- ASSISTANCE THEY NEED.

AND WE ARE NO STRANGER OR BLIND TO THE FACT THAT LOTTERY SYSTEMS VERY MUCH PROMOTE SYSTEMIC RACISM.

THE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE OF HOUSTON AS A WHOLE ARE AFFECTED BY SUCH A LOTTERY SYSTEM.

THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT IS DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INSTEAD OF THIS LOTTERY SYSTEM.

THAT ONLY TARGETS MORE WELL OFF PEOPLE THAT ARE OF CAUCASIAN DO -- DECENT AND DON'T PROTECT THE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF SOMEONE FROM BUDGET OR FOLKS ADMINISTERING CAN FOLLOW-UP WITH THIS SPEAKER.

NUMBER ONE, THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IF THE LANDLORDS DON'T SIGN UP, THE TENANTS CAN SIGN UP.

OF COURSE, THE GROUP WORKS HARD TO GET THE LANDLORD IN THERE TOO SO THE LANDLORD CAN ALSO GET THE HELP.

AND THEN AS TO THE SELECTION, IT IS A WEIGHTED SYSTEM SO THAT IT IS NOT SIMPLY A LOTTERY.

IN FACT, IT PRIORITIZES PEOPLE MOST IN NEED.

DID I GET THAT RIGHT? >> YES, YOU DID, JUDGE.

WE WILL BE HAPPY TO FOLLOW THAT AND HELP FOLKS WHO HAVE

TROUBLE WITH THE PROGRAM. >> FOR THE NEXT SPEAKER I WHIP -- I WILL UNMUTE THE INTERPRETER.

INTERPRETER, YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. ALL RIGHT UH -- ANNA TABORA SPEAKING UNDER ITEM 5 OF COVID-19.

GO AHEAD. >>

>> MY NAME IS ANNA TABORA. I AM CALLING BECAUSE I NEED GREAT HELP.

>> IT HAS BEEN A GREAT HELP THAT LINA HIDALGO PROVIDES AN ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

IN REGARDS TO COVID WITH THE VACCINE, I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THAT SHE CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR DIFFERENT WAYS TO ASSIST US AND GUIDE US AND HELP US.

TO SPEAK AND PROVIDE US WITH HELP ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, THE LATIN COMMUNITY.

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT AND I HOPE SHE CONTINUES TO DO

SO. >>

>> YES, DO I HOPE SHE CONTINUES TO SPEAK ALTERNATIVES AND DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP US AND HELP THE REST OF US.

>> YES BECAUSE IN REALITY IT HAS BEEN A GREAT HELP.

EVERYTHING THAT SHE DOES, EVERYTHING SHE HAS HELPED US WITH, LIKE FOR EXAMPLE WITH THE RENT AND ALL OF THAT, IT

HAS BEEN A GREAT HELP. >>

[02:30:06]

>> I HOPE TO RECEIVE GOOD NEWS ON BEHALF OF HER.

I HOPE TO RECEIVE GOOD NEWS REGARDING OUR WHOLE LATIN

COMMUNITY. >> I'M SORRY.

WAS SHE FINISHED? >>

>> I THINK SHE GOT DISCONNECTED.

>> THIS IS THE INTERPRETER SPEAKING.

I DOUBLED -- I DOUBLE CHECKED TO SEE IF SHE WAS STILL ON THE

LINE AND THERE WAS NO ANSWER. >> THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KOREAN -- CORINA GUTIERREZ SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM AND SHE WILL ALSO NEED THE INTERPRETER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >>

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CORINNA GUTIERREZ.

OVERALL WHAT WOULD BE THE TOPICS WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS

TODAY. >>

>> TODAY I HAVE SOME DOUBTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE GOVERNMENT COULD SUPPORT US DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WITH TODAY AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INVITE US INTO.

>> SITUATION IS, TO GET INFORMATION.

>> PROVIDING US THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE.

>> GOVERNMENT HAS HELPED US IN THE PAST.

>> THAT THEY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US.

>> THE SITUATION WITH THE PANDEMIC.

>>

WITH THE NEW VIRUS. >>

>> THE NEW VIRUS GOING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I BELIEVE IT IS NOT JUST US, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF FAMILIES -- THAT ARE STRUGGLING THROUGH THIS SITUATION.

>> SUPPORT US IN ANYWAY POSSIBLE.

>> PARTICULARLY VERY APPRECIATIVE.

APPRECIATIVE OF THEIR ASSISTANCE, BUT I BELIEVE IT

IS NECESSARY. >>

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIND A WAY TO ASSIST US.

>> HERE AND TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> SPRN SPEAKING --

>> I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THE

ELDERLY. >>

>> CONSIDERING THERE ARE PEOPLE DUE TO DISABILITIES THEY DON'T HAVE THE BENEFITS SUFFICIENT TO LIVE.

>>

[02:35:16]

CONSIDERING THIS IS THE MOST POWERFUL COUNTRY THAT WE ALL SHOULD FEEL VERY SAFE AND PROUD TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> SUPPORT EACH OTHER MUTUALLY AND TO MAKE ALL OF OUR LIVES

BETTER HERE. >>

>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY, BUT TO THANK YOU FOR

THIS OPPORTUNITY. >>

>> THAT YOU HAVE ALLOWED US TO EXPRESS OURSELVES, ALL OF US.

>> EFFORT FOR ALL OF THE -- FOR ALL OF US IN THE UNITED STATES , CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR OUR WELL BEING AND OUR HEALTH.

>> THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS INDICATED FOR US.

>>

BLESS AMERICA. >> LINA HIDALGO: GRACIAS.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 8 ON THE LIST, BETTY GOMEZ OF HOME COALITION SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM AND SHE WILL ALSO BE USING THE INTERPRETER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >>

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >>

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS BETTY GOMEZ AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD WITH BLESSING US WITH ANOTHER DAY AND BLESSING ME WITH ANOTHER DAY AND BLESSING YOU WITH ANOTHER DAY, TODAY, TOMORROW AND ALWAYS.

HOPING THERE WAS A WAY THAT YOU COULD HELP US THROUGH THE SITUATION. HOPEFULLY BECAUSE RECENTLY I HAD MY DAUGHTER. SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR SIX

DAYS. >>

>> WELL, RIGHT NO I THE THING IS MY THREE CHILDREN AND I, WELL, WE WE HAVEN'T BEEN FEELING WELL.

WE HAVE A COLD, BUT DON'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL FRIDAY.

RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE NEED IT. >>

>> WELL, YES, JUST IMAGINE, I MEAN THE CHILDREN HAVE STARTED SCHOOL AGAIN AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PURCHASE ANYTHING FOR SCHOOL. WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR HELP.

I MEAN, WE STILL NEED ASSISTANCE FOR RENT.

ASSIST US. I DON'T HAVE A SOCIAL

[02:40:01]

SECURITY. I AM UNDOCUMENTED AND -- YEARS AND UNTIL NOW I HAVEN'T HAD THE NEED TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE FOR RENT UNTIL NOW THE WAY THAT IT IS.

>>

>>

CLARIFICATION. >>

>> MAY GOD BLESS YOU TODAY, TOMORROW AND ALWAYS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU MENTALLY AND I HOPE THERE IS A WAY YOU CAN HELP US BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN LIFE, MORE THAN ANYTHING WITH OUR HEALTH. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. GRACIAS.

PERHAPS THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT CAN FOLLOW-UP WITH

THE SPEAKER. >>

>> HELLO? >>

>> THE INTERPRETER WILL REPEAT.

>>

WE CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER? >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 10 ON THE LIST, DORA HERNANDEZ SPEAKING ON THE SAME EYE -- ITEM AND SHE WILL ALSO BE USING THE INTERPRETER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >>

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DORA HERNANDEZ.

>> TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION FOR ALL OF THE ASSISTANCE WE HAVE RECEIVED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> SEEING NUMBERS THAT ARE I IMAGINE IN CODE RED AND WE ARE ALSO SEEING A NEW VIRUS DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

>>

>> A FEW MONTHS AGO WE WERE STARTING TO FEEL LIKE AND WERE HAPPY AGAIN BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE WE WERE DEFEATING THIS VIRUS, STARTING TO OVERCOME IT.

WORK WAS STARTING TO FLOW BACK IN AGAIN.

>> EVERYTHING IS REGRESSING. EVERYTHING IS GOING BACK.

WORK HAS SLOWED DOWN ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MY HUSBAND. MY HUSBAND NO LONGER HAS AS MANY HOURS AS HE USED TO HAVE.

HE HAS VERY LITTLE HOURS AND WE ARE WORRYING ABOUT THE SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO RENT.

[02:45:02]

>> WE HAVE TO FOLLOW AND WE ARE ACTUALLY HAPPY TO FOLLOW THOSE RULES. WE ARE GLAD TO FOLLOW THESE RULES AND WE ARE HAPPY TO OBEY THEM.

SITUATIONS LIKE THE KIDS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN WE HAVE TO BUY SUPPLIES FOR AND THESE THINGS WE NORMALLY WOULD BE ABLE TO MANAGE AND HANDLE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF WORK WE CANNOT.

>> EVERYONE IS PUTTING IN THEIR LITTLE PART TO COOPERATE AND TO HELP. THERE ARE PEOPLE FOLLOWING RULES AND ADHERING BY THE RULES AND OBEYING WHAT IS BEING MANDATED. OTHERS ARE OUT THERE DOING THE WORK FOR OTHER PEOPLE THAT CAN'T BE OUT.

IT IS JUST NOT AS EASY TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE ALL THE BILLS.

I GET SOME PEOPLE ARE ASSISTING WITH THE BILLS.

I LIKE TO THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS IN MY MIND EXTRAORDINARY FOR ALL OF THE HELP IN ALL OF THE WAYS THEY HAVE HELPED US.

I JUST WANTED TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION AND SAY THAT I AM VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE HELP AND EVERYTHING THEY HAVE DONE. I AM VERY FAITHFUL IN THIS.

>> THE WISDOM AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO HELP US. WE NEED A LOT OF HELP.

>> OVERCOME THIS AND WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.

I DO BELIEVE AND AM VERY GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

GRACIAS. >> INTERPRETER, I'M GOING TO

MUTE YOU NOW. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 12 ON THE LIST, VERNON MOORE OF HOME COALITION VOLUNTEERS SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM. GO AHEAD.

>> HELLO? >> YES, SIR.

GO AHEAD. >> [INAUDIBLE].

HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, SIR. GO AHEAD.

>> OKAY, JUDGE. WE WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT SPEAKER AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH HIM.

UP NEXT IS NUMBER 15, REBECCA MIRANDEZ AND SHE IS SPEAKING ON NUMBER 6 UNDER COVID-19. GO AHEAD, REBECCA.

>> I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BECKY LANDIS AND THE CEO OF THE BEACON. THEY ARE A NONPROFIT IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON THAT PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO MAKE HOMELESSNESS RARE, BRIEF AND NONREOCCURRING.

WE ARE A LONG-TERM PARTNER IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE NOTICE.

AMONG OTHER SERVICES WE HAVE A DAY SHELTER THAT HAS HOT MEALS AND ACCESS TO LAUNDRY AND SHOWERS FOR THOSE ON THE STREETS. MOST IMPORTANTLY WE SERVE AS A PRIMARY ENTRY POINT TO THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

PROVIDING HOUSING ASSESSMENTS TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL SO THEY CAN MOVE TOWARD SECURING A SAFE HOME.

[02:50:01]

WE HAVE SERVED AS THE FRONT DOOR TO A HOUSING SOLUTION FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE BEACON IS A PARTNER AGENCY IN THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP. IT IS A BRIDGE TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC OR LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS. WE DO THIS WITH A SKILLED TEAM OF HOUSING NAVIGATORS AND WORKING WITH 11 OTHER SERVICE PROVIDE -- PROVIDERS AND UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS.

OUR JOINT EFFORTS ARE WORKING AND OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS THE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN HOUSING ALONG WITH WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THE BEACON STANDS READY TO WORK WITH CHIP 2.0.

THE MORATORIUM WILL BE LIFTED IN THE FALL AND OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE CHALLENGED TO AVOID A FOURTH WAVE OF THE DELTA VARIANT. GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND INTO HOUSING WILL BE AS CRITICAL AS EVER.

HOUSING IS HEALTH CARE. PROVIDING FOR A SAFE HOME HELPS THOSE MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS LIVING WITHOUT A HOME. THE HOUSING SOLUTION'S FURTHER CHECK OF COMMUNITY SPREAD. OUR GREATER HOUSTON HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM IS RENOWNED FOR EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THEY ARE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS TO THESE SOLUTIONS.

THE ONE ON ONE SERVICES ARE PROVEN STRATEGIES.

THEY HAVE NAVIGATED 220 INDIVIDUALS AND THE HOUSING -- AND THE PROJECTS IN ITS 10-MONTH PERIOD SO FAR HAS SERVED WELL BEYOND THE GOALS FOR THAT PARTICULAR TIME FRAME. WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE PLAN TO CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK. I ASK YOU APPROVE ITEM SIX AND I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME

TODAY. >> REBECCA, BEFORE YOU GET OFF THE LINE I WANT TO FIRST SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND SO MANY VICTIMS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE THE CLOTSEST AND THAT IS COMING FROM THE COMMUNITY DIRECTLY INCREASING. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN GENERAL. GOD LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE HEART YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE AND FOR ALL YOU DO UNDER THE MOST INCREDIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES AND REMEMBERING WHAT YOUR FACILITY WENT THROUGH DURING DURING THE WINTER FREEZE. FOR YOUR WORK I WANT TO UH PLAYED YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE A HUGE PART OF THE EQUATION OF WHAT IS MAKING THE EFFORT SUCCESSFUL AND HELPING US DO WHAT WE CAN TO END HOMELESSNESS.

I WISH WE CAN END IT AND YOU ARE MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE AND IT IS BRINGING A VISIBLE CHANGE TO MANY

NEIGHBORHOODS. >> OUR TEAM APPRECIATES THE KIND WORDS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 14 ON THE LIST, ANDRES RODRIGUEZ WITH HOME COALITION VOLUNTEERS SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HOW ARE YOU DOING? MY NAME IS ANDREAS RODRIGUEZ. I HOPE THAT THE AMAZING COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SPOKE BEFORE ME WERE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR POINTS CLEAR. THOUGH THE CURRENT PROGRAMS ARE IF PLACE AND WE APPRECIATE THEM, WE KNOW THEY ARE NOT PERFECT. THE HARRIS COUNTY FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL PROGRAM IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO HELP 20,000 PEOPLES. WE KNOW 20,000 FAMILIES IS NOT ENOUGH, ESPECIALLY IN ONE OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY. THE PROGRAMS -- AGAIN, THOUGH WE APPRECIATE THEM, THEY ARE NOT AS INCLUSIVE AS THEY CAN BE. SOMETIMES EVEN PEOPLE WITH DOCUMENTS AND WITH LEGAL STATUS CANNOT APPLY BECAUSE

[02:55:03]

THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR LICENSE YET.

THEY CANNOT APPLY AS WELL. WE WANT TO HELP MORE FAMILIES AND BE MORE INCLUSIVE TO THOSE WHO REALLY DO HAVE THOSE TYPE OF PROGRAMS. THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS STILL GOING ON AND YOU CAN APPLY.

I TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT GOT OUT OF THE RED PAINT AND ARE BEING THREATENED WITH THE LANDLORD TO BE EVICTED.

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT, SO I AM HELPING TO NAVIGATE THE THREATS FROM THEIR LANDLORDS WHEN THEY CANNOT PAY RENT. THE MORATORIUM WAS NOT WORKING. PEOPLE WERE GETTING EVICTED AND HARASSED BY THEIR LANDLORDS.

ANYWAYS, I JUST WANTED TO END IT WITH WE STILL NEED THESE PROGRAMS. COVID IS STILL NOT OVER.

WE WILL PUMP MORE MONEY IN, BY TROT -- BUT TRY TO MAKE THEM A LITTLE MORE INCLUSIVE. SO YEAH.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MIKE NICHOLS WITH COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS AND SPEAKING ON ITEM 6 UNDER COVID-19.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

I'M MIKE NICHOLS, PRESIDENT AND CEO.

CEO OF THE COALITION OF THE HOMELESS.

WE ARE PART OF THE HOME -- HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEMS TO TRY TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. BEFORE I SPEAK ON THIS ITEM I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE FOR THE WAY THEY ARE HANDLING BUDGETING AND THE FISCAL POLICY AND THE TRANSPARENCY YOU ARE ALL DOING.

ALL OF THE FOLKS AT HARRIS COUNTY DEEPLY APPRECIATE THIS KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY AND WE ARE ENDEBTED TO YOUR WORK.

IT IS REALLY A GROUND-BREAKING PROJECT THAT FOLKS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING AT. THEY ARE GIVING THE RELIEF PLAN TO 65 MILLION FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THE CITY OF HOUSTON PUT IN 40 AND COUNTY 18.

THEY WENT TO THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY TO RAISE 7 MILLION FOR A TOTE -- TOTAL OF 65 MILLION.

MORE THAN 2700 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY HOUSED AND 2400 HAVE BEEN FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS AND A TOTAL IMPACT OF 4,000 PEOPLE SERVED.

HUD IS LOOKING AT THIS AND HOW YOU ARE DOING THIS.

THEY WILL COVER THE COUNTY'S PORTION OF THE FIRST OF THREE YEARS. AS INDICATED ON CHIP 1.0 WE ENVISION CHIP 2.0 TO BE A JOINT EFFORT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. IT MAKES IT REALLY, REALLY EFFECTIVE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY WELL TIMED BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING DIMINISHED SINCE JULY 1ST. IT IS AS IMPORTANT NOW AS IT WAS EVER. EVEN IF WE WEREN'T IN ANOTHER COVID SURGE IT WILL BE FELT FOR YEARS TO COME AND WE NEED TO HELP THE INDIVIDUALS AND THE FAMILIES THAT FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS. A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SUFFERING HOMELESSNESS ARE BLACK OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN. WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE BEING HURT DISPROPORTIONATELY BY COVID. WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS EQUITY ISSUE AND CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH IT.

A LARGE PROPOSAL IS UNDERDEVELOPMENT FOR THE LATE ET CONSIDERATIONS AS A FULL TACTIC --

>> HELLO, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, THANK YOU.

MIKE, FIRST AND FOREMOST I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR

[03:00:07]

LEADERSHIP AT THE COALITION. YOU HAVE BEEN DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB AND WE APPRECIATE HAVING SOMEONE WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE LEADING THE ORGANIZATION AND FOR THAT REASON YOUR EARLIER WORDS ARE QUITE VALUABLE COMING FROM SOMEONE LIKE YOU WHO LEAD ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE CORPORATIONS IN THE COUNTRY. SPECIFICALLY IN OUR REGION.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THOUGHTS ON THE FISCAL MANAGEMENT THAT WE ARE INSTITUTING IN THE COUNTY.

I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND THANK YOU.

WE PUT TOGETHER A VISION AND YOU HAVE PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON IT. YOU ARE EXECUTING IT INCREDIBLY WELL AND IT HAS BEEN A WELL APPRECIATED AND CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING.

>> WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR HELP SPECIFICALLY AND THE COMMISSION OF THE JUDGE OVERALL.

>> THANK YOU. >> IF YOU -- THANK YOU, MIKE.

>> UP FUENTAS SPEAKING UNDER ITEM 6.

GO AHEAD. >> I AM JOE FUENTAS.

ON BEHALF OF SPRING BRANCH'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE CEO, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK REGARDING THE SUPPORT.

IT IS AND OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP CLIENTS WHO NEED MEDICAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES. THEY RECEIVE THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE AT ONE LOCATION OR MINIMAL LOCATIONS.

IT HELPS WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND THERE ARE TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS SHOWING UP ALT -- SHOWING UP AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. THE PROGRAM SERVES THE UNIQUE MAKE UP OF FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THEY ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND THEY HAVE A PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUE. THEY REQUIRE PSYCHIATRIC CARE INCLUDING MEDICATION CONCILIATION.

MEANING IT MAY NOT BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE HOUSING OPTION WITHOUT THE NEEDED SUPPORT OR FACILITY.

OUR ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS CHIP 2.0 AND THE RECOMMENDED FIRST YEAR BUDGET OF $5 MILLION. AND IT IS A HOUSING MODEL THAT IS UNAVAILABLE WITH THE PROGRAM AS A WHOLE.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF THE PROGRAM.

REGARDLESS OF THE FUNDING SOURCE IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE. THEY WANT A PLACE TO STORE THE MEDICATION AND AS WELL AS THE COVID-19 MITIGATION PRACTICES. [INAUDIBLE] SUCH AS HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION. IT INCLUDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE SYSTEM TO ENSURE ESSENTIAL HOUSING PLACEMENT AND HYPERS TEG -- PERCENTAGE OF CLIENTS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO A CHANCE TO EXPAND.

THANKS TO THE COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER'S JUDGE TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR CHIP 2.0. THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JOE, TOM RAMSEY HERE.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AT SPRING BRANCH.

YOU MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE AND WE UH PLESH EAT YOUR EFFORTS.

APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU.

>> APPRECIATE. IT.

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

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 18, KELLY YOUNG FROM CAREER AND RECOVERY

[03:05:05]

RESOURCES SPEAKING ON ITEM 6 UNDER COVID-19.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS KELLY YOUNG AND THE CEO OF CAREER AND RECOVERY RESOURCES. THANKS TO CHIP 1.0 WE ARE CURRENTLY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING SERVICES TO A TOTAL OF 350 INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PREVIOUSLY HOMELESS AND LIVING IN ENCAMPMENTS. I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE $5.5 MILLION IN SUPPORT OF HOUSING.

AND IT IS FOR THOSE WHOSE LIVES ARE INTERRUPTED BY VIOLENCE, DEBILITATING HEALTH CONDITIONS, UNDER EMPLOYMENT, BAD CHOICES AND YES SERIOUS MISTAKES.

I KNOW THERE IS NO FRESH START OR SECOND CHANCE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD. WE HAVE THIS MOMENT IN TIME WHERE THE RE-- RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE AND THE NEED IS MIGHTY. IT IS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE KNOW HOW PROVING IT CAN BE DONE WITH THE COALITION OF THE HOMELESS AND THE PARTNERS OF MY ORGANIZATIONS KEEPING THEM HEALTHY AND HOLDING UP OUR COMMUNITY. I AM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SMART STEWARD SHIP OF DOLLARS AND TO PRODUCE ACTUAL OUTCOMES.

LIKE OTHER BUSINESSES AND ENTITIES, MY OUTCOME IS RISK MANAGEMENT IN COMPLIANCE AND ENSURING THAT EXPECTATIONS ARE MET. THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF GOOD GOVERNMENT, EXCELLENT SYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND CREATES NON-PROFIT -- AND IN SUPPORT OF HOUSING SERVICES.

IT IS IN THIS MOMENT IN RECEIVING THE 1200 EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHERS THAT IS A TURNING POINT OF ONE MILLION MORE DCIAL FUNDING. ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

IT IS THIS ADDITIONAL PIVOT POINT THAT PROVES CHIP 1.0 IS A SUCCESSFUL APPROACH TO HELP INDIVIDUALS LIVE FULL AND DIGNIFIED LIVES. THAT WE COMMIT TO AN INVESTMENT AND NOT A CHARITABLE DONATION.

LASTLY, COMMISSIONERS IT IS ALL OF YOU THAT HAS GIVEN ME HOPE THAT THE WORK I DO IS NOT IN VEIN AND WE CAN SUPPORT THE HOUSING INVALENTINE TORE AND SUPPORT -- INVENTORY AND NOW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE A BETTER, HEALTHIER, MAURY SOURCEFUL -- MORE RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITY.

I WATCH EVERY DAY PEOPLE MAKING A CHOICE TO CHANGE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT IT STOPS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO OFFER. WE MIGHT BRIDGE THAT GAP.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

YOU ARE NOT APPRECIATED ENOUGH FOR THE WORK YOU DO TO THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY

AND HAVE A LOVELY DAY. >> TOM RAMSEY: TOM RAMSEY HERE AND SERVED ON THE BOARD OF CAREER RECOVERY FOR 15 YEARS WITH MY GOOD FRIEND. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING THE

TRADITION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> UP NEXT IS NUMBER 19, BARBIE BASHEER SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.

>> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS AFTERNOON. I AM GOING TO ECHO THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF THE COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE COME BEFORE ME. TODAY I AM BARBIE BESHEAR AND I SERVE ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE WAY HOME.

I SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE INVESTMENT IN HOUSING THAT SUPPORTS THE MOST VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS AND THE FAMILY.

SPECIFICALLY TO EXPAND THE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

THESE SERVICES ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING TRAUMA, VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS.

THEY HAVE INTENSIFIED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I AM HEARING MORE EGREGIOUS AND TRAUMATIC STORIES THAN I EVER EXPERIENCED. ORGANIZATIONS CONTINUE TO SEE AN INCREASE FOR CALLS IN SHELTER AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. BEING TURNED AWAY AT HIGHER RATES THAN EVER DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND. THERE ARE MORE THAN 400 FAMILIES AWAITING ACCESS TO HOUSING.

WE ARE ON THE RIGHT COURSE FOR ENDING HOMELESSNESS AND A KEY ASPECT TO OUR SUCCESS OF MEETING THAT GOAL IS OUR ABILITY TO MAC MYSELF EVERY DOLLAR AVAILABLE TO SAFELY

[03:10:01]

HOUSE THE VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT INVESTMENT CONTINUED WITH THE COURT OF SERVICES REDUCES THE USE OF PUBLICLY FUNDED CRISIS SERVICES INCLUDING JAILS, HOSPITALS AND THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS. IT IS GOOD USE OF RESOURCES THAT INCREASES THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

AS THE DELTA VARIANT CONTINUES TO SPREAD, THE REALIZATION THAT THE EVICTION MORATORIUM AND THE DOMESTIC HOMICIDES CONTINUE TO RISE, YOUR COMMITMENT TO ALLOCATING THESE RESOURCES ENSURES THAT IT IS A SOLUTION TO INCREASING SAFETY FOR FAMILIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO THIS CAUSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, BARBIE.

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 20. WILLIAM YOUNG SPEAKING ON THE

SAME ITEM. >> THIS IS WAYNE YOUNG AND THE CEO AND COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE I APPRECIATE COMMENTING ON CHIP 2.0. WHILE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE AN ADVOCACY POSITION, HOWEVER, I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO SPEAK TO THE UTILIZATION AND IMPACT OF THE THINGS WE ARE CONSIDERING. AS IT RELATES TO THE HARRIS CENTER WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AND WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN CHIP 1.0 INCLUDING THE UTILIZATION OF THE BEHAVIOR RESPONSE TEAM TO PROVIDE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TO THOSE HOUSED AND BECAUSE OF BEHAVIORS AND A CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCE THAT THEY MAY NOT DEAL WITH RIGHT AWAY.

THEY ARE CONTINUING TO CONTEMPLATE THE EXTENSION OF THOSE TEAMS AND FURTHER THE SERVICES THAT SUPPORTS MORE INDIVIDUALS AND PROVIDES BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS THEY NEED AND ON GOING OUT REACH. SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS MAY NOT RECOGNIZE THE NEED.

AND SO WE ARE THERE TO BE PRESENT SO IF THEY DO EXPERIENCE CHALLENGES WE ARE READILY AVAILABLE.

AND THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED ON THIS PROJECT ARE IDENTIFIED AND PRIORITIZED THROUGH THE COALITION AND THE OTHER HOMELESS SERVICE DELIVERY PARTNERS.

THEY ARE COMING INTO THE SYSTEM AND ARE PRIORITIZED TO THE OVERALL SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE WE TARGET THE LIMITED RESOURCES WHERE IT MAY HAVE THE MOST IMPACT.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THOSE COMMENTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

I KNOW YOU ARE NOT ADVOCATING FOR T BUT RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF IT. WE APPRECIATE YOUR WEIGHING IN. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING WITH THE COALITION AND ALL OF THE EFFORTS TO IMPACT HOMELESSNESS IN A POSITIVE WAY.

MENTAL HEALTH IS A BIG PART OF THE EQUATION THAT AFFECTS HOMELESSNESS. WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVE.

YOUR THOUGHTS AND WHETHER THIS WILL HELP YOU AND THE WORK YOU DO AND TAKING SOME DEGREE AND PRESSURE OFF THE ORGANIZATION. AND THE WORK YOU ALREADY AND

YOU NEED TO BE WORKING IN. >> I DID HEAR THAT CONVERSATION. I WAS LISTENING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE COMMENTS. THAT WORK IS ALREADY UNDERWAY WITH HPD ON A LIMITED BASIS. IT IS MY EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL BE KIND OF INTENTIONALLY INVOLVED AND ENGAGED AND INTEGRATED THE CARE COORDINATION TEAMS AND WE WILL BE A PART OF THAT SUPPORT IS AND DOING AN OUT REACH ON THEM. REALLY AS YOU KNOW AND POINTED OUT ALREADY CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT AND HOMELESSNESS CREATED A TRI-FECTA OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND BEGAN TO CO -- CO HUA LESS TOGETHER.

[03:15:06]

IT WAS THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HOMELESS SYSTEM.

FIGURING OUT HOW TO BRAVE THE FUNDING AND IT IS PART OF MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE IT WORK AND I WOULD BE REMISS AS PART OF THE DIVERSION CENTER. WE HAVE PUT IN A COMPONENT THAT PROVIDES A REST AND REHABILITATION OPTION.

THERE IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY WHERE WE CAN LEVERAGE THE CHANGE AND HOPEFULLY TRANSITION INTO SOMETHING THAT IS MORE PERMANENT AND ON GOING HOUSING IN THAT MOMENT OF

CRISIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

CAN'T SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH OF YOUR STAFF AND ALL OF THE RESPECTED WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

IN SPITE OF ALL OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE, THANK

YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AND THANKS FORGIVING ME A CALL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID RAISE THAT YOU ARE SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE OF THE HOLISTIC

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. >> I AM FAMILIAR WITH THAT AND I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THAT. I AM ALWAYS CAREFUL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS ARE MORE LOOKLY TO BE A VICTIM OF A CRIME THAN A PERPETRATOR OF A CRIME.

I AM ALWAYS CAUTIOUS ABOUT OVERLAPPING THAT.

IT GETS WOVEN INTO THAT, BUT I THINK THE PROGRAM IS AIMED AT REDUCING ANY CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND HELPING WITH THE SMALL AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES.

I KNOW YOUR BOARD MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RAIDING THE ISSUE WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR. I APPRECIATE THE SENSITIVITY.

I KNOW I WILL FIND SOMEWAY THAT WE GET AN ANNUAL REPORT ON IT. I WILL BE SENDING YOU SOMETHING AND YOU DON'T SPEND NEARLY THE MONEY WE SPENT.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS. >> THANK YOU.

>> I AM PROUD OF THE PERCENTAGE AND FOCUS AND HOPE TO PROVIDE YOU THE INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU. >> WAYNE, TOM RAMSEY HERE.

THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHT YOU HAVE PROVIDED FOR THE LAST 24 TO 48 HOURS AS WE SCRAMBLED TO GET A SENSE OF THIS.

YOU'RE A REAL TEAM PLAYER. THE CRT GROUPS, I KNOW THEY WILL COMPLEMENT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE WITH THE OTHER THINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT.

>> THANK YOU. >> UP NEXT IS JULIA SWAN SPEAKING UNDER COVID-19. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE.

I AM HERE FOR CIVILIAN'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY HAVE PASSED IN A 4-1 MAJORITY, BUT IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REASSESS I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT AND I URGE YOU TO HEED MY WORDS. I APOLOGIZE IF THIS IS NOT THE CUSTOMARY ROUTE. I AM NOT ON THE HARRIS COUNTY PAYROLL. I DON'T KNOW THE INS AND OUTS. PLEASE BEAR WITH ME WHILE I GIVE MY PEACE TODAY. WHAT IT ATTEMPTS TO DO IS HAVE

[03:20:08]

HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYERS FIND AN EFFORT TO GO TO CIVILIAN'S DOORS ASKING FOR THEIR PRIVATE HEALTH INFORMATION AND DEW POINTING IT. THEY ARE PROMOTING A PROCEDURE THAT HAS SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS SUCH AS BELLS PALSY AND MISS -- MISCARRIAGE AND DEATH.

THE PROMOTION OF A PRODUCT [INAUDIBLE] SO WHY IS THE COST ON THE TAXPAYERS? THIS MONEY WOULD BE BETTER SPENT ON COMMUNITY GARDENS AND EXERCISE FACILITYIES AND 100% WILL MAKE THE COMMUNITY MORE RESILIENT.

FOR ANYONE AT THIS POINT WHO IS STILL -- WHO STILL INTENDS TO APPROVE THE FULL BUDGET, I UNDERSTAND YOU THINK THIS IS JUST ABOUT HIRING A CONTRACTOR FOR PUBLIC OUT REACH.

I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER TO TAKE EVERYONE'S STATEMENTS AT FACE VALUE. THEY ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. THEY ARE POLITICAL CONSULTANTS. THEY HAVE NO BACKGROUND IN HEALTH SCIENCE. THEY ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. I AM NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT LEFT VERSUS RIGHT. I AM HERE FOR GOOD VERSUS EVIL.

THERE IS MUCH BETTER USES FOR THIS MONEY.

SO PLEASE KEEP THE STRATEGIES AS FAR AWAY FROM THE HEALTH AND CONSULTING CONVERSATION AS POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 22, DONNY WEISMAN.

HE IS SPEAKING ON NUMBER 8 UNDER COVID 19.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

THE EXPERIENCE I HAVE REGARDING POTENTIALLY THE AGENDA CORRECTLY IT IS FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES OF THE CDC TO BASICALLY DICTATE OR GUIDE WHAT OUR POLICIES ARE GOING TO BE IN THE COUNTY. AS THE SCIENCE COMES OUT MORE AND MORE DOCTORS, YOU KNOW, ARE SHARING REVELATIONS IN WHAT THEY ARE UNCOVERING IN THEIR LABS AND SHOWING THAT THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN ARE CAUSING MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

WE SHOULD HAVE MORE OF A LOCAL APPROACH INSTEAD OF COUNTING ON THE GOVERNMENT'S MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER AND WHAT WOO -- AND WHAT WE WOULD DO IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 I THINK THERE IS A LOT GOING ON WITH THESE MEASURE THAT'S WE ARE DOING THAT ARE OVER -- OVERREACHING THE BROWN -- BOUNDARIES OF POWER WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN KEY POSITIONS HERE. MY OTHER CONCERN IS THE ISOLATION FACILITIES TO BE BIMENT.

THAT'S NOT A NECESSARY OR GOOD THING TO DO.

I KNOW THERE ARE HIGH NUMBERS GOING INTO THE HOSPITAL.

THERE ARE A HIGH NUMBER OF INFLEW -- INFLUENZA AND THAT IS WEIRD BECAUSE IT DOES PRESIDENT WORK LIKE THAT.

DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT. A LOT OF THE SCIENCE IS BEING DEFIED BY THE CDC, FOR EXAMPLE AND THAT CLAIM IS BACKED UP BY OTHER EXPERTS COMING OUT. I THINK THE FUNDING IN GENERAL FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF, I FEEL LIKE IT IS GOING TO DO MORE HURT AND IT FEELS LIKE A SET UP FOR MORE LOCK DOWNS COMING IN THE FUTURE. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A NECESSARY ROUTE TO GO. AND IT IS TOUCHING ON THE RISE OF CRIME GOING ON. IF WE WANT TO GET TO THE ROOT

[03:25:09]

OF THE PROBLEM IT IS MORE PEOPLE BEING RELEASED ON

BOND. >> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 23. SPEAKING ON ITEM 8.

>> WE ARE MOVING TO THE NEXT SPEAKER.

SPEAKING ON ITEM 8 UNDER COVID-19.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. DO WE NOT WANT TO FOLLOW THE CDC CO -- COVID AND RESPONSE PLAN ANYMORE.

THE CDC RESPONSE PLAN HAS BEEN A DISASTER FOR HOUSTON FOR A YEAR. IT DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR LOCAL DATA, ACCEPT LOCAL FEEDBACK AND IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY TREATMENT OPTIONS BESIDES HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH.

WE -- COVID INFECTED PATIENTS [INAUDIBLE] WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. THE THE FIRST PRIORITY OF ANY PANDEMIC RESPONSE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SHOULD BE PROVIDING EARLY OUT PATIENT TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR AFFECTED RESIDENTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CASES WHICH WILL DEVELOP TO REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION. THE CDC PLAN MAKES NO ACCOUNT FOR THIS. IT IS A PROBLEM. THE CDC DOES NOT PROVIDE SPECIFIC NUMBERS OF NEW CASES AND NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS SPECIFICALLY WHICH ARE BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS AND INFECTED WITH COVID-19 AND REQUIRES NATURAL IMMUNITY.

HESITANT HOUSTONIANS NEED THIS INFORMATION TO RESOLVE IT FOR OURSELVES WHICH IS OUR RIGHT TO DO.

HOUSTON HAS THE BEST DOCTOR PRACTITIONERS IN THE WORLD.

WE SHOULD BE USING THEM AS A ROUND TABLE TO ASSESS RELEVANT DATA AND FORMULATE LOCAL STRATEGIES FOR TREATMENT AND PRECAUTIONARY RECOMMENDATION. NOT MANDATES, BUT RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF HOUSTONIANS.

HOUSTON CAN DO BETTER THAN THE CDC HAS BEEN DOING FOR US.

WE SHOULD AT THIS POINT NOT EXTEND THE CDC AGREEMENT, BUT INSTEAD USE THE MONEY FOR OUR OWN EXPERTISE TO MAKE OUR OWN LOCAL RESPONSE THAT WILL SERVE THE COMMUNITY FOR THE BETTER.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

>> THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 25, JULIE MALAMA SPEAKING ON ITEM 12 UNDER COVID-19.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO.

MY NAME IS JULIE AND A WEEK AGO I ALONG WITH SIX OTHER FRUSTRATED ELEMENTARY PARENTS STARTED A PETITION TO ADVOCATE FOR LOCAL TEXAS SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO MAKE MASKING DECISIONS DURING THIS COVID-19 SURGE.

THE PETITION WAS DELIVERED WITH MORE THAN 15,000 COMMENTS. BEFORE I CAN'T I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO KEEP OUR FAMILY SAFE THUS FAR. I UNDERSTAND YOUR HANDS ARE TIED BY YOUR GOVERNOR. WE STAYED HOME AND KEPT OUR CHILDREN MASKED AND CANCELED VACATIONS AND PUT SOME FAMILY GATHERINGS AHEAD OF VACCINES. THE ELDERLY AND THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED. OUR CHILDREN GAVE UP 18 MONTHS OF THEIR CHILDHOOD FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

AND NOW WE ARE BEING ASKED TO PROTECT THEM AND WE ARE CHOOSING TO STICK OUR HEADS IN THE SAND AND DO NOTHING.

IN YOUR WORDS, JUDGE HIDALGO, THERE IS TIME FOR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. WE ARE ASKING THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO REQUIRE ALL CITIZENS TO WEAR MASKS.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO TAKE ALL LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE GOVERN TORE MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO READ A FEW STATEMENTS FROM OUR PETITION. AS A PARENT OF AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD WHO WILL UNDERGO BYPASS SURGERY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS IT IS TERRIFYING TO THINK SHE WILL BE RETURNING TO SCHOOL IN A FEW WEEKS EXTREMELY VULNERABLE.

I AM A TEACHER AND WILL NOT TEACH WITHOUT A MASK MANDATE.

I HAVE AN 82 YEARLY MOTHER. PLEASE ALLOW TEACHERS TO REQUEST STUDENTS TO WEAR MASKS.

I AM A NEW MOM OF A SIX-MONTH-OLD BABY AND

[03:30:02]

TEACHER. I AM PUTTING MYSELF IN DANGER EVERY DAY AND MY BIGGEST WORRY IS GIVING MY BABY COVID.

I HAVE LOST MANY FRIENDS TO HAVE VIRUS.

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP MY CHILDREN SAFE UP UNTIL NOW, BUT THIS NEW STRAIN IS FRIGHTENING.

WHAT IS A CHILD'S LIFE WORTH? OBVIOUSLY NOT MUCH TO THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS. AS A PEDIATRICIAN I ASK YOU TO TAKE THIS STEP TO PROTECT OUR KIDS AND KEEP OUR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FROM BEING OVERWHELMED.

I AM A PHYSICIAN WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND A CONCERNED MOTHER WITH A SON. I CAN'T SEND MY SON IN -- SON TO SCHOOL WITHOUT A MASK MANDATE.

I AM A MOM TO TWO GIRLS 818 MONTHS -- 18 MONTHS OLD AND EIGHT-YEAR-OLD. AT WORK I FOLLOW STRICT MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING TO PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHERS.

I KEPT MY GIRLS ISOLATED TO PROTECT THEM AND KEEP THEM FROM SPREADING COVID. WE HAVE ONLY SEEN OUR EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS A HANDFUL OF TIMES AND IT IS TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

RIGHT NOW OUR CHILDREN ARE MOST VULNERABLE AND WE ARE DOING NOTHING TO PROTECT THEM.

OUR KIDS SACRIFICED TWO YEARS OF THEIR EDUCATION AND NOW WE HAVE TURNED OUR BACKS ON THEM.

WE ARE BEGGING THE COURT TO TAKE EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES BUYING IGNORE -- BY IGNORING THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS.

>> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 26, ANDREW PATTERSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 12 UNDER COVID-19.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

COMMISSIONERS, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ANDREW PATTERSON.

Y -- I WISH TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COURT AN ISSUE IS THAT -- AN ISSUE THEY MAY NOT BE AWARE OF IN THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD REACTION TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PUSHING PEOPLE TOWARD TAKING THAT TO PROTECT EVERYBODY ELSE AND NOT THE SAME MENTALITY AS PREVIOUSLY STATED. THE PROBLEM IS PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE A REACTION TO COVID-19 IS THAT THE VACCINE FUND HAS BEEN SEPARATED. SO COVID-19 IS NOT ONLY UNDER THE COURT JURISDICTION, BUT A SEPARATE ENTITY AND NO RECOURSE TO ALLOW THE COURT TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER OR NOT THE DEPARTMENT -- MAKES THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT ANYBODY IS COMPENSATED. THAT'S AN ISSUE YOU NEED TO ADDRESS TO MAKE SURE THE BRANCH WORKS APPROPRIATELY.

THE CDC IS NOT DOING ANYTHING. THE OTHER ISSUE I ASK THE COURT TO CONSIDER IS THE USE OF COMMERCIAL DRONES AND THE USE OF INFRARED LIGHTNING OR INFRARED CAMERAS AT NIGHT.

TO BE USED FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET LOST OR HAVE AM KNEE -- AMNESIA OR LOST IN THE WOODS.

WHETHER IT IS THE -- I FORGET THE GROUP THAT GOES OUT AND FINDS PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE LOST.

TO USE THE DRONES TO HELP PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY AND PROTECT THEMSELVES AS WELL AS THE POLICE OFFICERS IS IT -- AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE POLICE WITH THE S.W.A.T TEAM TO MAKE SURE NO OFFICER IS EXPOSED TO UNNECESSARY HARM ORDAININGER OR ANYBODY ELSE AS A MATTER OF FACT.

ANYWAY, I DO APPRECIATE IT AND I KNOW THE COURT HAS A LOT TO DO SO I WILL CUT IT SHORT AND LET SOMEBODY ELSE SPEAK ON IT AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 27, ABLE MOLANO.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GAMP, EVERYONE.

I WANTED TO ALSO -- GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

I WANTED TO SAY THAT I FEEL LIKE THE HARRIS COUNTY AS A WHOLE, WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO BASICALLY COME TO TERMS WITH THAT -- YOU KNOW, COVID IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY. IT WILL LAST A LIFETIME AND POSSIBLY BEYOND THAT. THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ME SAID THE VACCINES ARE -- SOME 40,000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM

[03:35:04]

THE VACCINE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS RIGHT TO MANDATE ANYTHING. EVERYBODY SHOULD BE KEEPING THEMSELVES SAFE. I DON'T BELIEVE IN THE MANDATES OR -- YOU KNOW THE CDC HAS CONTRADICTED MUCH OF WHAT HE SAID IN THE PAST. FIRST FAUCI SAID THE MASKS DO NOT WORK, THAT WE CAN STILL SPREAD THE VIRUS AROUND AND EVEN AFTER TAKING THE VACCINE WE CAN STILL SPREAD THE VIRUS. IT IS TRANS MISSABLE EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR VACCINE.

I AM HOPING THAT HARRIS COUNTY AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COURT DO THE RIGHT THING AND DON'T INFRINGE ON PEOPLE'S RIGHTS.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT GAVE US THE OPTION TO BE VACCINATED AND TO BE SAFE. WE CANNOT LIVE THIS WAY FOREVER, THE SHUTDOWNS AND THE POP UP HOSPITALS THAT COST $14 MILLION TO THE HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYERS THAT WAS NEVER USED. AND TO MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ONE ISSUED OR BUILT.

I THINK WE CAN BETTER ALLOCATE THAT MONEY TO PROGRAMS THAT HELP CHILDREN WITH THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES OR SOMETHING BETTER.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE -- >> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 28 GWEN DO LYNN FREEMAN -- AGAIN -- GWEN DO LYNN FREE -- FREEMAN.

>> I WANT TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE REPLANT MEANT. I AM NOT EVEN SURE IF IT INVOLVES MY PROPERTY. CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN TO ME

WHAT REPLAT IS? >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTIEN JIR -- COUNTY ENGINEER TO GET BACK WITH YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY FROM MY OFFICE

CALL HER. >> OKAY.

THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 29, ZOE MIDDLETON FROM STOP TEX-DOT AND SPEAKING ON ITEM 175 UNDER TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY.

GO UH HE, PLEASE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO. [INAUDIBLE] A MEMBER OF TEX-DOT. A RELATED ITEM IS I THINK 400. AS YOU KNOW YESTERDAY THE INTER GOVERNMENTAL PANEL PRODUCED A REPORT ON -- [INAUDIBLE] DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW AND THAT'S WHY IT IS COMING UP WITH THE LOCAL AGENCIES BECAUSE TEX-DOT WON'T DO. [INAUDIBLE].

WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT INVESTMENT.

AND FINALLY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU MENTIONED TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY AND MOVING VEHICLES INCLUDING FREIGHT TO MORE ROADWAYS. THAT'S THE OPPOSITE OF SAFETY. AND WE CAN EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF SAFETY INCLUDING AIR QUALITY WHICH IS ONLY GOING TO WORSEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 30, MOLLY COOK WITH STOP TEX-DOT. SHE IS ALSO SPEAKING.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THIS IS MOLLY COOK.

[03:40:02]

YOU KNOW THEM FROM MONTROSE PRECINCT 1.

I JUST WANT TO GO OVER SOME OF THE SAME STOUR -- THE SAME STUFF AND THROUGH OTHER OUTLETS.

WHY WAS THIS QUESTION MOVING THE FUNDING ENTIRELY OR KEEPING THE PROJECT AS THE ONLY CHOICE.

IT MAKES NO SENSE. AND THEY ARE SPLIT UP DEX -- TEX-DOT IS WORKING WITH IMPACTED COMMUNITIES.

THEY HAD THE OPTION TO PRESENT ALL OPTIONS.

THEY DID NOT. THEY WIDDLED IT DOWN TO FOUR THAT WERE ALL TERRIBLE. AND THE BOUGHT -- BOTTOM LINE IS THERE WERE DECADES AND DECADES OF EXPERIENCE.

WE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WILL DO THE WORK LAST SATURDAY. YOUR VOICE MATTERS.

IT WILL WORSEN THE FLOODING IN AIR QUALITY.

YOU HAVE TO INCREASE THE INTERVENTIONS -- THE FREEWAYS ARE WIDER AND RELIEVE CONGESTION.

IT IS SAFEST IN THE UNITED STATES AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, BUT SOME OF THE STUFF YOU SAID -- THEY NEVER ASKED FOR CLARIFICATION ON THINGS. THEY HAVE A LONG-TERM TRACK RECORD OF BEING ONE OF THE LARMINGEST KILLER -- THE LARGEST KILLERS IN THE STATE. WE HAVE TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE IT IS OUR LIFE ON THE LINE.

THEY DON'T TRACK THE OUTCOME OF PEOPLE THEY KNEW ON ANY SORT OF LONG-TERM SCALE. THAT IS BAD BEHAVIOR FROM AN AGENCY USING PUBLIC DOLLARS. THEY ARE SPEAKING UP AS WELL.

YOU ARE HEARING FROM COTTAGE GROVE RESIDENTS.

ALL OF THE OPTIONS THAT TEX-DOT IS EXPLORING WILL HARM THEIR COMMUNITY. INSTEAD OF PROVIDING HEALING TO COMMUNITIES. AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO MY COMMENTS AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO

OPPOSE -- >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MS. MOLLY. SHE AND I MAY DISAGREE WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT SHE WAS PLEASANT TO ME AND REACHED OUT AND SHOOK MY HAND. IT WAS A DELIGHT TO ACTUALLY MEET YOU, MS. MOLLY AND THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO US AGAIN.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER ON ITEM 75 UNDER TOLL ROAD.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS MORE. I WILL BE BRIEF BECAUSE I AM AT WORK WHICH REMINDS ME ALL OF THE THINGS TEX-DOT HAS DONE DURING THE WORKING HOURS. PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THIS FREEWAY ARE WORKING ONE, TWO, THREE JOBS AND CAN'T MAKE TO GIVE THEIR VOICE. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS SPOKEN UP. WE SAW WHY THEY DON'T WORK.

THE TRAFFIC HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

AND THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. WE HAVE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD LIVE ALONG THE FREEWAY AND SHE IS BEING KICKED OUT OF HER DREAM HOME THAT SHE SAVED UP FOR BECAUSE OF TEX-DOT.

I AM AN IMMIGRANT AND I CHOSE HOUSTON, BUT THEY -- BUT THESE THINGS MADE ME LEAVE HOUSTON. I CAN ONLY DRIVE THERE.

THERE WAS A TIME IN MY LIFE I COULDN'T AFFORD A CAR AND I MOVED OUT OF HOUSTON BECAUSE OF THAT.

TEX-DOT IS NOT DOING MEANINGFUL INPUT AND THEY ARE

[03:45:01]

NOT LISTENING TO THESE VOICES.

THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TRIED AND WE WILL STOP THAT FREEWAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 32, SEAN MURPHY. HE IS ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 175 UNDER TOLL ROAD. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK AND THANK YOU TO THE CALLERS BEFORE ME. I AM TAKING TIME OUT TO VOICE MY DISAPPROVAL OF THIS. I WANT TO THANK JUDGE JUDGE HIDALGO AND RODNEY ELLIS FOR BEING THE REAL LEADERS.

ON A NATIONAL LEVEL YOUR PROFILE IS REALLY APPRECIATED FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING TO HELP HOUSTON STONN ADVANCE PAST THE 1950S AND TO THE KIND OF INNOVATION THAT WE DESERVE IN THIS AREA. I LIVED ALONG 288 AND MOVED AWAY BECAUSE OF THE NOISE. TEX-DOT TOOK DOWN THE TREES AND THEY WERE PLANTED THERE 30 YEARS AGO.

THEY ARE VERY WELL KNOWN FOR BREAKING THEIR PROMISES TO THE RETES DENTS DOSH -- TO THE RESIDENTS IT WENT UP TO 70 DECEMBER BELLS AND I NEEDED TO -- 70-DECIBELS AND I NEEDED TO BUFFER MY HOUSE AGAINST THE NOISE.

IT IS A LITTLE SILLY TO BE BUILDING THE 1950 STANDARDS.

WE DID NOT SEE THE SCIENCE SHOW THE TEXAS RIDERSHIP ON THESE ROADS INCREASING. IT IS NOT INCREASING AT ALL.

AS A MATTER OF FACT WE NEED OPTIONS IN ORDER TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND THIS GREAT CITY. WE NEED OPTIONS THAT ARE ALTERNATIVES TO THE CAR. IMAGINE GREEN BOULEVARD WITH BUSINESSES AND A SEA OF CARS. IMAGINE A FUTURE WHERE A PERSON FROM DALLAS CAN SIMPLY TAKE A HIKE DOWN TO HOUSTON AND GO DOWN TO THE AIRPORT OR GALVESTON INSTEAD OF RISKING THEIR LIVES ON 10-LANE HIGHWAYS.

IMAGINE A TRULY MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION THAT TAKES 10 TIMES THE VOLUME AND NEVER HAVE TO BE EXPANDED AGAIN.

IMAGINE FALLING ASLEEP SAFELY ON YOUR COMMUTE INSTEAD OF FEARING FOR YOUR LIFE YOU MAY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.

IMAGINE THE HABITAT THAT CAN BE RESTORED INSTEAD OF PAVED OVER. IMAGINE A HOUSTON WHERE THE NEXT TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY THAT IS USED IS AN OUTDATED 1950S. THANK YOU TO JUDGE HIDALGO FOR MAKING THAT CASE FOR US. IMAGINE HOUSTON ACHIEVING THE GREENEST CITY IN THE WORLD AND SEEING THE -- POLLUTION CAPITOL OF THE WORLD. IT IS NOT THE KIND OF HOUSTON THAT WE WANT TO LIVE IN. AND IT IS THE SAME TEX-DOT THAT CONSIDERS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND SAW THAT WE WANT THE VISION FROM THE MAYOR AS A STARTING POINT AND NOT AN EXPANDED HIGHWAY LIKE THIS. IMAGINE IF WE HAD A TEX-DOT THAT LISTENED TO OUR COMMENTS INSTEAD OF GIVING LIP SERVICE.

IMAGINE IF WE HAD A TEX-DOT NOT EMBEDDED WITH OIL.

>> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WE WERE ABLE TO REACH NUMBER 23ZUNIGA. SHE IS SPEAKING ON COVID ITEM NUMBER 8. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, HELLO. I WANTED TO ASK FOR COMMISSIONERS TO TURN ON THEIR CAMERAS.

I THINK IT IS A LITTLE DISRESPECTFUL NOT SHOWING YOUR FACES. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR FACES. I DO AGREE WITH MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TALKED SAYING THAT MANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE NOT DONE THE CORRECT THING. YOU HAVE NOT REALLY LOOKED AT HOW THIS IS AFFECTING PEOPLE. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK FOR THE RECORD, THE COMMISSIONERS TO TURN ON THEIR CAMERAS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY, MA'AM, WHAT WAS YOUR

QUESTION? >> I WANT THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO TURN ON THEIR CAMERAS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK EVERYONE IS HAVING TECHNICAL

DIFFICULTIES. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 33.

[03:50:07]

AARON ERICKSON WITH STOP TEX-DOT I-45 AND SPEAKING ON ITEM 175 UNDER TOLL ROADS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

MY NAME IS ERIN ERICKSON AND I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM 175 OF THE NHHIP. AND SPECIFICALLY ON THE UTP SURVEY. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS AND REITERATE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN SAID, BUT HAVING THE SURVEY ONLY ONLINE FAILED IN EVERY WAY TO BE A TOOL FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGE NENT.

I ASSISTED A RESIDENT WHO HAS BEEN IN AN AFFECTED AREA THIS WEEKEND TO FILL OUT HER SURVEY BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE INTERNET AT HER HOME. SHE WAS COMPLETELY CUTOUT FROM THIS PROCESS BECAUSE IT WAS SILOED WITHIN ONE PLATFORM OF ENGAGEMENT. FOR ME AND FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES TEX-DOT VIEWS IT AS A JOKE AND IT IS EMBLEMATIC WITH HOW TEX-DOT WILL BE WITH THE PROJECT AND THAT'S DEEPLY ALARMING. I DON'T SEE HOW THEY ARE PUTTING SOMETHING OUT FOR COMMUNITY FEEDBACK THAT ONLY EXISTS ONLINE. THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE LEFT OUT OF THIS SURVEY IS UNJUST.

IT WAS FLAWED OUT OF NEGLIGENCE AND I HOPE FURTHER ENGAGEMENT CAN TOUCH ON ALL PLATFORMS AND CAN BE A TOOL WHERE THOSE IN POWER CAN LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO SPEAK OUT HOWEVER THEY CAN SPEAK OUT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 34. MICHAEL MARITZ AND HE IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 175 ON TOLL ROAD.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HEY, GOOD AFTERNOON, Y'ALL. THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. I WANT TO ECHO WHAT ERIN AND OTHERS HAVE SAID. AS YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THIS SURVEY EVEN STARTED OBVIOUSLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH HARRIS COUNTY'S LAWSUITS WHICH THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING THE COURAGE AND THE WHEREWITH ALL TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT ALSO THE CIVIL RIGHT COMPLAINT. IT IS GROUNDS FOR THE REASONS AND DISCRIMINATORY MEANS AS MUCH AS THE SURVEY WAS PERFORMED. AS YOU KNOW OR MAY NOT KNOW FRANKLY, THIS PROJECT IS AT THE NEXT SUCCESS OF ALL OUR SOCIETY FACES. THERE IS AN INCOME INEQUALITY. WE KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE CAR DEPENDENCY IS. THEY KNOW IT IS A MEANS TO CONSISTENT EMPLOYMENT AND NOT HAVING THAT IS AN INHIP -- AN INHIBITOR TO POVERTY. WE KNOW THE CONSENSUS TRACK IN THE RIGHT OF WAY AND NEAR THE RIGHT OF WAY ARE SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF HOUSEHOLD VEHICLES IN THE WHOLE REGION AND IN SOME INSTANCES 40% OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE I-45 CORRIDOR DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE.

THIS IS IMPORTANT. THERE IS A VEHICLE SAFETY COMPONENT. ITEM 175 IS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE COUNTY SPENDING MONEY TO PERFORM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

THAT IS A MUST. WE KNOW TEX-DOT IS LETTING US DOWN. THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO DO THE THINGS HAVE YOU DONE AND NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE COUNTY TO CONTINUE TO STEP UP.

THE COMMUNITY IS GONNA TELL A DIFFERENT STORY THAN WHAT TEX-DOT WAS SAYING. IT IS OUTDATED AND SO PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AS YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR.

THANKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE 15 MORE SPEAKERS, TWO MORE ON THIS ITEM.

THE QUESTION IS DO WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM AND TAKE A LUNCH BREAK, OR DO WE LISTEN TO ALL THE 15 THAT

ARE LEFT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP GOING IF WE CAN. I COULD USE A DIET ANYWAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY NODDING.

WE WILL KEEP GOING WITH THE SPEAKERS AND I MAY JUST BE EATING OVER HERE ON THE SIDE. GO AHEAD, TIFFANY.

[03:55:03]

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 35 AND HE IS ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 175 UNDER TOLL ROAD. GO UH HE, PLEASE.

DO -- GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM 175.

I AM ASKING THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY AND METRO SINCE ABOUT 2019 ON THE UNITED STATES I.T. PROJECT. THAT'S THREE ROUNDS OF MEETING S AND THE DETAILED DESIGN WORK.

I CAN SAY FROM ALL OF THAT WORK THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE THAT CAN REDUCE FLOODING AND CAN MAKE THE FREEWAY SAFER AND THAT CAN ELIMINATE BOTTLENECKING AND INCREASE CAPACITY AND CAN MAKE TRANSIT BETTER.

IT CAN DO THAT WITHOUT THE IMPACTS ON OVER 300 HOMES WITH BETTER LOCAL STREET CONNECTIONS AND SAFER FRONTAGE ROADS. AND THAT IS WHAT THE CITY ASKED FOR. IN THE MAYOR'S LETTER AND THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTY RESOLUTION CALLED FOR AND THAT'S WHAT METRO SUPPORTS. NONE OF THAT WORK SAID THERE SHOULDN'T BE THE PROJECT. THERE ARE WAYS TO MAKE THIS BETTER AND THERE ARE WAYS TO STUDY THE OTHER OPTIONS.

THAT'S FUND MEN -- FUNDAMENTALLY -- THIS IS AN ASK FOR TEXDOT TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS.

THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS AND IT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT DELAYING THE SCHEDULED PROCESS. I THINK IN ADDITION TO THAT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THERE IS A CONNECTION TO LOCAL STREET CONNECTIONS AND IT IS NOT JUST KEEPING WHAT WE HAVE AND NOT JUST TRYING TO PRESERVE THE CURRENT CONNECTIONS, BUT MAKING THE CONNECTIONS WORK BETTER FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND THE FREEWAY.

AND WHAT WE HAVE LINED UP NOW IS WORK TO CONTINUE TO DO TO LOOK AT THE FRONTAGE ROADS AND LOOK AT THE WHEELER AND THIRD WARD AREAS. I KNOW THAT THE COUNTY'S FUNDING OF THIS WORK AND THE CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND METRO WHICH HAS BEEN ONE OF THE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AND SO I THINK ENGAGING ON THE I-45 PROG -- PROJECT IS USEFUL AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT WORK AND THERE IS A LOT THAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE PROJECT. WITH THAT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANYBODY HAS.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT I ASKED YOU TO COME SO NOBODY GETS ANGRY. CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF IMPENDING DEADLINES? I KNOW THERE IS ANKER GENESEE TO DO SOMETHING AND TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS.

AND THIS IDEA TEXDOT TELLING US, JUST TRUST US AND WILL -- IT IS -- CAN YOU TALK ON THOSE TWO SUBJECTS? IT IS IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW THE CONTRACTING WILL BE DONE. IT IS A WHOLE SERIES OF INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS. SO THERE IS TEX-DOT WILL HIRE ENGINEERS AND CONTINUE TO BE IN CONTROL OF THE DESIGN ALL THE WAY TO 100% CONSTRUCTION. AND IT IS BID OUT TO CONTRACTORS. SOME OTHER PARTS OF THE PROJECT ARE DESIGN BUILT WHICH MEANS TEX-DOT HIRES A CONTRACTOR DESIGN FIRM. IN THOSE PROJECTS THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PROJECT THAT GO INTO THE CONTRACT WHICH HAPPENS FAR BEFORE THE DESIGN IS AT 100% ARE ESSENTIALLY MEMORIALIZED IN A CONTRACT.

AND THERE IS LESLIE WAY ON THOSE -- LESS LEEWAY ON THOSE PROJECTS TO MAKE CHANGES AND THEY ARE MOVING THROUGH CD'S.

SO SOME OF THE KEY DEADLINE THAT'S ARE COMING UP FROM TEX-DOT SIDE IS WHEN THEY DO CONTRACTS.

[04:00:03]

ONCE A SECTION OF HIGHWAY GOES UNDER CONTRACT A LOT OF THE ASPECTS OF THE DESIGN ARE SET AND THEY BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE WITHOUT MODIFYING THE CONTRACT.

IS TEX-DOT SETTING THE BIDDING SCHEDULE AND THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTING SCHEDULE? I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MOVE AHEAD WITH SEGMENT 3 BUT ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD ON THAT. SEGMENTS ONE AND TWO, THE AREAS NORTH OF DOWNTOWN ARE STILL A COUPLE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD ESSENTIALLY IT IS TEXDOT SETTING THE SCHEDULE FOR THE PROJECT. IT IS NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS DICTATING THE SCHEDULE OTHER THAN THE CURRENT ON GOING INVESTIGATION.

DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? JUST MENTION THE SPENDING YOU WERE CONTRACTED TO DO.

THE CITY, THE COUNTY -- WE CAN'T -- WE WANT TO REMIND

FOLKS OF YOUR ROLE. >> WE WERE ORIGINALLY HIRED UNDER A CONTRACT WITH HOUSTON PARKS BOARD WITH FUNDING THROUGH HOUSTON ENDOWMENT WORKING WITH OTHER HOUSTON DEPARTMENTS TO GET POSSIBLE ALTERNATE DESIGN IDEAS.

I WILL NOTE THAT THE COUNTY PRECINCTS WERE INVOLVED IN THAT EARLY ON, AND WE HAD A LOT OF CONTINUED COORDINATION WITH THE COUNTY THAT LEAD TO THE COUNTY COMING ON BOARD, WHICH LEAD TO THE COUNTY SITTING AT THE TABLE AS A MEMBER OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON THIS PROJECT.

METRO HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED FROM THE BEGINNING.

OUR WORK WAS ACTUALLY TO FACILITATE THINGS THAT WERE INDEPENDENT OF THE TEXT.COM MEETINGS.

AND THEN RESPOND WITH YTD -- IDEA THAT'S ARE RESPONSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO GO WITHAL OF -- WITH ALL OF THOSE ALTERNATIVES AND GET THE PUBLIC OUTCOME.

ULTIMATELY WHAT WAS IN THE COUNTY'S -- [INAUDIBLE]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU ALL DO A MONKEY POLL OR A MONKEY

SURVEY? >> WE TRIED TO DO AS MUCH OUT REACH AS WE COULD. INCLUDING WHERE YOU LET PEOPLE SAY WHAT IS ON THEIR MIND. AND ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST ROUND. WE TRIED TO HAVE AN OPEN OUT REACH WHERE EVERYTHING WAS ON THE TABLE.

PEOPLE COULD BRING UP ANY CONCERNS THEY HAD AND PEOPLE CAN BRING UP ANY IDEAS THEY HAD AND WE DIDN'T TELL THEM ANYTHING WAS OFF LIMITS. AND THAT I THINK THAT LEAD TO A BETTER DISCUSSION AROUND THE PROJECT.

AND THEN IN THE LATER ROUNDS WE DID DO SURVEYS.

BUT LIKE I SAID, WE WERE OFFERING IT ON 20 DIFFERENT DESIGNS. WE THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND THE PROJECT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GIVE US THE DETAILED FEEDBACK ON THE PROJECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I TOURED ONE OF THE PROJECTS IN 100-DEGREE WEATHER. AND I WENT TO THE ATLANTIS MAX FACILITY. I WOULD THANK -- THINKING ABOUT WHAT I SAW WHEN I WAS THERE.

ARE YOU TOO YOUNG, BUT IT "BRASS MONKEY" WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE. IT WAS A RED DRINK, A SUGARY DRINK. MAYBE THAT IS OLD SCHOOL BRASS MONKEY THAT STOPPED ME FROM DRINKING IT.

OR MAYBE IT WAS THE GRASS. I SHOULD SAY GRASS MONKEY INSTEAD OF BRASS MONKEY. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I THINK YOU HAVE A

QUESTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A QUICK CLAIRE GNAW LOCATION AND THEN A -- A QUICK CLARIFICATION.

WHEN YOU SAID THE COUNTY PRECINCTS WERE INVOLVED WITH Y'ALL, PRECINCT 4 WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT.

I WAS CONSISTENT IN SAYING THIS IS THE PROJECT AND IT IS A PROJECT THAT SHOULD GO FORWARD WITH THE METRO LINES THAT ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOR THE MASS TRANSIT.

I DISAGREE WITH THE LAWSUIT AND WITH THE OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT. MY QUESTION IS TODAY ON TODAY'S AGENDA, YOUR OFFICIAL IF IT IS APPROVED WILL RECEIVE

[04:05:02]

A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE HAVE PAID, YOU AND YOUR FIRM, FOR YOUR WORK CONCERNING THE I-45 PROJECT?

>> I BELIEVE THE LAST ROUND WAS AROUND 250,000.

AND THAT WORK IS FOR DOING THE DETAILED WORK ON THE STREETS AROUND THE PROJECT FOOT -- FOOTPRINT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT CONFIGURATIONS THAT ARE BEING REBUILT WHERE THEY CROSS THE HIGHWAY.

HOW ARE WE SURE THAT IT TIES INTO THE STREETS AROUND IT.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE IT TIES INTO THE PEDESTRIAN BIKE FACILITIES? HOW DO WE MAKE SURE IT MAINTAINS ACCESS TO THE IMPORTANT FACILITIES LIKE THE JAIL AND THE COUNTY JUSTICE COMPLEX? AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR THAT MATTER? THERE ARE SOME CIG CAN'T CHANGES THAT REPLACE THE CURRENT SAN JACINTO RAMP. HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT AS THIS PROJECT IS BUILT IT TIES IN WELL TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND IT. WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE PRECINCTS BEING INVOLVED A LOT OF THAT INVOLVEMENT HAS BEEN ON THAT KIND OF A DETAILED WORK.

IT IS THE QUESTION OF HOW DO WE MAKE SURE TO COORDINATE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE LOCAL STREETS AS WELL AS THE LOCAL PROJECTS AROUND IT AND MAKE SURE IT ALL FITS

TOGETHER. >> SO TO BROADEN OR MAYBE TO NARROW THE FOCUS AND BROADEN THE SCOPE WITH REGARD TO I-45 AND THE SURROUNDING STREETS, TODAY'S PROPOSAL IS A HALF MILLION AND YOU HAVE 250 FROM THE COUNTY PREVIOUSLY.

DO YOU KNOW OFFHAND HOW MUCH YOU RECEIVE CONCERNING I-45

AND THE ENDOWMENT? >> THERE ARE NO METRO -- AND

IT IT IS AROUND 750. >> IF TODAY IS APPROVED IT WILL BE 1.5 MILLION TOTAL FOR YOUR SERVICES RELATED TO THE PROJECT AND THE SURROUNDING PROJECTS? AND THAT WORK WITH THE COUNTY HAS BEEN PERFORMED.

SO AN HOURLY CONTRACT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON 175,

TIFFANY? >> MA'AM, 1 MORE.

SPEAKER NUMBER 36, ASHLEY JOHNSON, SHE IS ACTUALLY SPEAKING ON ITEM 175 AND ITEM 403 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS ASHLEY JOHNSON. WE ARE WITH LINK HOUSTON.

IT IS SO ALL PEOPLE CAN REACH OPPORTUNITIES.

WE WILL ADDRESS ITEM 403 IN THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

WE UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS REGARDING THE COMMISSION'S THREAT TO PULL THE PROJECT AND FUNDING FROM THE REGION.

IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND NOR DOES IT REFLECT WHAT THE LOCAL OFFICIALS INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY HAS ASKED THE STATE TO CONSIDER. THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONCLUDED YESTERDAY INCLUDING A TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT QUESTION. LINK HOUSTON IS DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THIS PROCESS TO WORK TO DEVELOP PROJECTS THAT GENUINELY REFLECTS THE DESIRES SO THE PROJECT BENEFITS ALL.

IT DEMONSTRATES A LACK OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT IDENTIFIED BY PERSONS, ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OPPOSED BY DESIGN. FURTHERMORE THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE MAKING STRIDES TO MOVE TOWARD A SHIFT IN MOBILITY WITH PLANS UNDERWAY TO INVEST AND EXPAND IN PUBLIC TRANSIT AND IMPLEMENT BIKE AND TRAIL PLANS AND BETTER FLOOD CONTROL RESILIENCE AND SERIOUS VISION ZERO.

THEY DO NOT ADEQUATELY ALIGN WITH ANY OF THESE INITIATIVES. TO ANYONE WITH CONCERNS IN FUNDING, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY GENERALLY AGREE THAT THE REGION NEEDS A PROJECT. IT INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO NEED

[04:10:01]

PUBLIC TRANSIT. THE NEW VISION FOR THE PROJECT MUST TAKE LESS RIGHT OF WAY AND PRESERVE THE COMMUNITY SO THAT A PRONG JECT CAN BE -- PROJECT CAN BE REALIZED FOR A SAFER USE OF CARS. THE ENGAGEMENT CONDUCTED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS A NO BUILD OPING.

NO BUILD OPTION. THERE IS A QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT.

THE HOMES, BUSINESSES AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE ADJACENT COMMUNITIES MATTER JUST AS MUCH AS THE ONES IN OTHER COMMUNITIES ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION.

AS THE COURT DELIVERS AN ADOPTION CONSIDERING THE PROJECT WE URGE YOU TO STAND FOR A PROJECT THAT BENEFITS ALL PEOPLE AND PARTICULARLY PROTECTS LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO BEAR THE BRUNT OF PAST EQUITABLE PROJECTS AND IMPACTED BY THE PROJECT AS IS CURRENTLY DESIGNED. THIS ONE MORE IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK MULTI TRANSPORTATION LEADERSHIP AND

MORE EQUITABLE -- >> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> WITH BETTER RELIABILITY ON TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE DO NEED A REAL QUICK BREAK SO WE CAN CONTINUE WITHOUT A LUNCH BREAK. LET'S BREAK UNTIL 2:45 AND

THEN WE WILL KEEP GOING. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A QUORUM. IT IS 2:45 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT WILL CONTINUE AT THIS TIME.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> NECK IS -- NEXT IS NUMBER 37, JOHN BLALOCK AND SPEAKING ON 208 UNDER COUNTY LIBRARY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS JOHN BLALOCK. I AM A TRUSTY ON THE BOARD OF THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY HERE AT SEA BROOKE.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO COME BEFORE YOU TODAY.

I AM HERE TO TRY TO HONOR ONE OF OUR FORMER MEMBERS AND HIS WIFE BY NAMING A ROOM IN THEIR HONOR AND THAT ROOM BEING THE TEEN ROOM. IT IS JIM AND PAT HAIR -- JIM AND PAT HARGROVE WHO WERE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

JIM WAS A PRESIDENT OF THE ALLIED BANK AND PAT WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE THEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER, JIM FONTAINO. HE APPROACHED THE HARGROVES IN THE EARLY 80S ASKING IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THE COUNTY MIGHT DO FOR THE CITY OF SEA -- SEA BROOKE AND THEIR FIRST THOUGHT WAS A LIE BREAK -- LIBRARY.

IT WAS GOING TO BE A LIBRARY SYSTEM WITHOUT A MEETING ROOM THAT THE HARGROVES FELT WAS A NEEDED THING IN ADDITION TO A LIBRARY IN OUR AREA. COMMISSIONER FONTANO POINTED OUT HIS BUDGET DIDN'T PROVIDE FOR THAT AND TO DO THAT WOULD REQUIRE PROBABLY IN EXCESS OF ANOTHER 100,000.

THAT WAS AT THAT TIME. MR. HARGROVE FORMED UP THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY AND GOT LOCAL CITIZENS, MYSELF BEING ONE OF THEM AND PROCEEDED TO FORM UP THE FRIEND GROUP WHO THEN THROUGH MR. HARGROVE'S EFFORT MANAGED TO PULL OFF TWO LARGE FUND RAISING EVENT, BOTH WERE COUNTRY AND WESTERN.

HE DID THIS BY NOT ONLY GETTING THE PEOPLE TOGETHER, BUT THE FACILITY TOGETHER AND SPONSORS TOGETHER AND ENTERTAINERS TOGETHER AND THROUGH THOSE TWO EVENTS WE WERE ABLE TO EXCEED THE $100,000 REQUEST THAT WAS MADE TO US. LIKE I SAID HE FORMED UP THE FRIENDS GROUP. HE WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS ORGANIZATION AND REMAINED SUCH FOR 10 YEARS.

THROUGH THAT EFFORT HE DID MANY FUND DRIVES THROUGH EFFORTS LIKE SPAGHETTI DINNERS AND BOOK SALES, ET CETERA.

THROUGH THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HONOR HIS AND HIS WIFE'S HONOR BY NAMING TEAM ROOM IN THEIR HAHN -- HONOR.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING FOR THE MEMORY AND THE LEGACY AND WORK OF COMMISSIONER FONTINO. I WILL BE IN TOUCH AND WE'LL

[04:15:09]

VISIT SOME MORE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 38, MARY APP KOHLER AND SHE IS SPEAKING UNDER 209 UNDER COUNTY LIBRARY. GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON -- I'M SORRY.

GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO YOU TODAY. MY NAME IS MARIANNE KOHLER AND PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY HERE IN SEA BROOKE. I AM HERE WITH A REQUEST FROM OUR FRIENDS BOARD TO ALLOW US TO RENAME THE BOOKSTORE IN HONOR OF ONE OF OUR LONG-TIME BOARD MEMBERS AND VOLUNTARY -- VOLUNTEER MARTHA DANIEL. MARTHA LOVED LIBRARIES.

SHE VOLUNTEERED AT THE LIBRARY IN JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL. AFTER HER RETIREMENT OF A VINCE PAL, SHE -- PRINCIPAL, SHE VOLUNTEERED IN THE LIBRARY. MARTHA JOINED THE LIBRARY BOARD IN 19905. 1995.

SHE SERVED AS SECRETARY AND AS PRESIDENT AND HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE BOARD MEMBER IN OUR FUNDRAISERS AND THE OTHER ACTIVITIES. IN 2008 OUR LIBRARY WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR BY HURRICANE IKE.

AND IN 2011 OUR NEW LIBRARY WAS OPENED.

MARTHA WAS HAPPY TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW LIE BREER BOOKSTORE. SHE -- THE NEW LIBRARY BOOKSTORE. SHE WORKED SEVERAL SHIFTS AND OTHERS IF NEEDED. SHE HELPED OUR BOOKSTORE EARN $11,000 FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LIBRARY THE VERY FIRST YEAR THAT IT WAS OPEN. TODAY AT 94 YEARS OLD SHE CONTINUES TO WORK TWO SHIFTS AND SUBSTITUTES WHEN SHE IS NEEDED. SHE HELPS COLLECT BOOKS TO DONATE TO THE SEA BROOKE ROTARY FOR THEIR BOOKS FOR THE WORLD PROGRAM AND SHE PUTS A LOT OF TIME IN THAT.

IT IS NOT JUST CHOOSING BOOKS WE MIGHT NOT WANT TO SELL IN THE BOOKSTORE, BUT BOOKS SHE THINKS WILL BE A BENEFIT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WILL RECEIVE THEM FROM ROTARY.

WE CAN THANK MARTHA DANIEL WITH THE SUCCESS OF OUR BOOKSTORE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HONOR HER CONTINUED COMMITMENT BY NAMING THE BOOKSTORE IN HER HONOR.

THAT IS MY REQUEST FROM YOU GUYS TODAY.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M

GLAD TO ANSWER THEM AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR WORK AND HER WORK.

IT IS MEANINGFUL TO HEAR ABOUT IT.

WE'LL MAKE SURE SOMEBODY FOLLOWS UP WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 44, ROBIN CROSSLAND. SHE IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 367 UNDER PURCHASING. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. HELICOPTER SERVICES INK INK WOULD -- HELICOPTER SERVICES INC. WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION DIS -- DISCREPANCIES FOR REPAIR PARTS, LABOR AND RELATED ITEMS AND MAINTENANCE OF SHUTDOWN HELICOPTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE DISCLAIMER SAYS YOUR SIGNATURE ATTESTS TO YOUR OFFER TO PROVIDE GOODS AND SERVICES IN THIS BIT ACCORDING TO THE PUBLISHED PROVISION AND CERTIFY THAT ALL STATEMENTS MADE BY YOU ARE TRUE AND COMPLETE AND CORRECT. THERE IS A CONTRADICTION ON THE PROPOSED WINNING BID. SIGNED A SEPARATE INDEPENDENT BID COVER SHEET SHOWING A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $200,000.

THE PRICE AND DELIVERY SHEET INFORMATION SAYS $126,000.

ADDITIONALLY ALONG WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WEBSITE SHOWS THE $200,000. SO WE ASK WHICH NUMBER IS TRUE AND COMPLETE AND CORRECT? PARAGRAPH 4 OF THE SPECIFICATION INSIDE THE BID STATES AT NO COST THEY WILL CERTIFY THE PERSONNEL PARTS AND EQUIPMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HANGAR TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION MEYNT NEAPS AND -- MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICE.

THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OR -- THE SHERIFF'S PROCESS IS A CONTRACT AND YOU CAN PERFORM THE LOCATION IN ORDER TO SEE

[04:20:05]

THE NECESSARY TITLE. SHOULD THE LOCATION BE AGREED UPON, IT NEEDS TO BE NOTED THAT THEIR FACILITY IS 21NAUTICL MILES FOR THE ROADS. THIS LOCATION WILL ADD APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OR LESS TIME ON THE HELICOPTER TO FERRY THEM. PLUS 1.5 HOURS DRIVE TIME FOR SOMEONE TO GO AND PICK UP THE PILOT AND RETURN THEM TO BASE. THIS HAS TO BE REPEATED ONCE WE MAKE IT COMPLETE. 35 WORK ORDERS IN MARCH OF 2020 TO FEBRUARY OF 2021, AND THIS WOULD TRY AN GEU -- TRIANGULATE, THE ADDITIONAL SERVICE HOURS AND THE PERSONNEL RESOURCES AND BASED ON CONSERVATIVE NUMBERS PROVIDED IN AN EMAIL EARLIER IT WOULD ADD AN EXTRA 31,600 IN EXPENSES TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

WE CALCULATED THE OPERATING COSTS CONSERVATIVELY AT $37 AN HOUR. THE PILOT AND DEPUTY'S SAL RAY IS $30 -- SALARY IS $30 AND THE OPERATING COST FOR THE VEHICLE AND THAT'S HOW WE ENCAPSULATED --

>> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

IS IT SOMETHING YOU CAN LOOK INTO?

>> I CAN FOLLOW-UP AS FAR AS THE ITEMS THAT I BROUGHT UP.

I AM -- I HAVE NOT SEEN THESE REQUESTS AND CRITICAL CONCERNS BROUGHT UP BY HSI, BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO LOOK INTO THEM AND PROVIDE THE INFORMATION FOR WHOEVER ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SEE

IT. >> PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE

IS AN ISSUE. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 55, ARVA AND SHE IS SPEAKING ON 399 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION AND 406.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HUH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I AM AAR -- ARVA HOWARD AND ASK YOU TO APPOINT.

INTEGRITY AND A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW AND IMPARTIALITY AND PATIENCE TO NAME A FEW.

WITHOUT QUESTION MS. EVANS POSSESSES THESE QUALITIES IN ABUNDANCE AS REFLECTED H HER SERVICE -- IN HER SERVICE AND EXPERIENCE AS AN ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL AND HER PROMOTION TO SPECIAL PROSECUTOR AND AN ETHICS ATTORNEY, HEARING EXAMINER, MEDIATOR AND HER EXTENSIVE PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE. WHAT ELEVATES MS. EVANS ABOVE ALL OTHERS ARE THE ADDITIONAL QUALITIES THAT SHE POSSESSES THAT ARE BEYOND BEING A GOOD JUDGE.

IT WILL MAKE HER A GREAT JUDGE.

HER ABILITY TO SERVICE THE LAW FOR OTHERS IS PUNCTUATED BY HER SERVICE TO THE RED CROSS, HER CHURCH'S LEGAL MINISTRY AND HER CIVIC CLUB AND EVEN SERVING AS A JOB FOR MOB TRIALS AND MENTORING LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS.

SHE GENUINELY LOVES PEOPLE AND HER UNDYING FAITH IN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL ENSURE THAT TRUE JUSTICE WILL BE RENDERED IN HER DECISIONS. IN THE BIBLE, THE BOOK OF LAW VIT -- LEVITICOUS SAYS YOU SHALL DO NO INJUSTICE IN COURT. YOU SAT NOT BE PARTIAL TO THE POOR OR DEFER TO THE GREAT, BUT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL YOU JUDGE YOUR NEIGHBOR. THAT SCRIPTUREEN CAPSULE LATES THE JUDICIAL EVANS. I AM HONORED TO RECOMMEND HER AS JUDGE OF THE CIVIL COURT AT LAW NUMBER 1.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. ARVA, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHY YOU

NAMED TWO COMMISSIONERS? >> I NAMED ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA. FORMER CITY COUNCILMEMBER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL RIGHT. THAT'S GOOD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. YOU WOULD MAKE A GREAT JUDGE

TOO. >> I DON'T THINK SO.

BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AND THANK

YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS CAGLE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

I APPRECIATE THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

[04:25:07]

TIFFANY. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 56, RASHAD CAVES SPEAKING ON 399 AND 406 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

I AM RASHARD CAVES WITH -- AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS INCLUDING YOU, JUDGE TO OUR ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING WHICH WE HAVE MEETINGS ON THE THIRD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH WHICH IS ON THAT TUESDAY AND I REALLY JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT.

WE KNOW WE ARE VERY ACTIVE WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO HVAC DURING ELECTION TIME, BUT WE WANT TO ENGAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE PERCEIVE THAT WE ARE JUST TALKING ABOUT ONLY SUPPORTING PEOPLE THAT ARE BLACK INTO POLITICAL OFFICES AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE. IT IS A DEDICATED ORGANIZATION TO SERVE EFFECTIVE PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES AND FACILITIES THAT ARE DISENFRANCHISED AND UNDER SERVED.

BASICALLY THEY ARE MARGINALIZED IN COMMUNITIES.

RJ HAS SUPPORTED THAT. RJ HAS CARRIED THAT AND NOT BEING A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION BUT BEING AN ACTIVE CITIZEN IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO MAKE THIS COMEUTION -- COMMUNITY AND COUNTY A BETTER PLACE. I SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND I SPEAK FOR MY ORGANIZATION AND I SPEAK FOR MY COMMUNITY THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND HARRIS COUNTY POSITION ONE BE GIVEN SWIFTLY TO MRS. LOFTON EVANS AND WE APPRECIATE IT AND THANK

YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR

CALLING IN. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 57, DR.

CARLA BRAYLEE AND SPEAKING ON 399 AND 406 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO. GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS ELLIS, GARCIA, CAGLE AND RAMSEY. I AM HONORED TO SPEAK.

I AM SCAR LAW BRAYLEE. PARTICULARLY RELATED TO INEQUALITY AND SERVE WITH THE CHIAS CHAIR OF THE TEXT -- VICE CHAIR OF THE TEXAS DEMOCRATIC BODY.

I HAVE KNOWN AUDREY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

BUT THE LAST THREE YEARS IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS REQUIRED I WAS ABLE TO WORK CLOSE WITH HER AND SERVE IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES.

INCREASING VOTER TURNOUT. SHE IS TRULY A PUBLIC SERVANT AND SHE MODELS THE PHILOSOPHY THAT PUBLIC SERVICE IS NOT AN OPTION, BUT A WAY OF LIFE. HER LEADERSHIP IS EXEMPLIFIED ACROSS POLITICAL PARTIES, RACE, GENDER, GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS AND SEXUALITY. ALL THAT SHE HAS DONE, IT IS GROUNDED IN HER PASSION FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND EQUITY FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS. SHE HAS PROVEN IN SO MANY WAYS TO BE DEDICATED TO THE LEADERSHIP THAT SHE MANAGED TO TURN A POLITICAL LOSS INTO A BIGGEST WIN AND SO MANY OTHERS NOW WIN BECAUSE OF HER DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO UP LIFTING OUR COMMUNITY. SHE IS A WISE MOTHER AND WHILE THOSE ARE HER PRIMARY ROLES SHE HAS COORDINATED AN IMMOVABLE NUMBER OF EVENTS WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SHARED HER STRATEGIC EXPERTISE WITH POLITICAL CANDIDATES AND EVEN SAD VAW INDICATED FOR -- AND EVEN ADVOCATED FOR THE IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING. SHE IS NOT AFRAID TO BE INNOVATIVE AND DOING THE WORK OF -- DOING THE WORK TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES. I AM TESTIFYING FOR SOMEBODY THAT WOULD BE IN A POSITION THAT WOULD ALLOW HER TO ADMINISTER JUSTICE. THERE ARE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTIC THAT'S MAKE UP A GOOD JUDGE BASED ON TEMPERAMENT. SHE MANAGED TO LEAD A HIGH-PROFILE TYPICAL ORGANIZATION WITH VARIOUS PERSONALITIES AND OBLIGATIONS WITH MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. I CAN BET YOU THAT THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS AND VARIOUS CANDIDATES FROM EITHER PARTY HAVE EXPERIENCED HER HIGH LEVEL OF RESPECT.

SHE LISTENS AND SHE HAS A SOLID FOUNDATION AND UNDERSTANDING AND HAS A STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF FAIRNESS.

SHE NOT ONLY MENTORS, BUT IS DEDICATED TO THE COMPANY OF

[04:30:05]

TROUBLEMAKERS WHO SEEK JUSTICE.

IN THIS ERA OF JIM CROWE 2.0, WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ONLY DEDICATED TO JUSTICE THROUGH ADVOCACY, BUT PEOPLE

WILLING TO -- >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU STEPPING UP. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 54, CAROL G ROBINSON, ATTORNEY AT LAW SPEAKING ON 399 AND 405 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE JUDGE AND THE CON CASH DASH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

I'LL BE QUICK. I'LL BE HONEST.

I'M A LAWYER AND I SERVE ON THE STATE BAR BOARD.

DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE I ENDED UP PRACTICING LAW AGAIN AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I I CAN TELL YOU WHEN YOU ARE AN ADVOCATE BEFORE THE COURT IS YOU WANT SOMEBODY SITTING ON THE BENCH WHO WILL BE FAIR. NOT SOMEBODY THAT WILL ALWAYS AGREE WITH YOU. DOESN'T GUARANTEE YOU ARE GONNA WIN, BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO LISTEN TO YOUR ARGUMENT AND HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE PROCEDURES BEFORE THE COURT AND THEY RUN A FAIR AND ORDERLY PROCESS.

I AM CALLING FOR THE APPOINTING OF MS. EVANS.

SHE IS A LAWYER WHO PRACTICED BEFORE THE COURTS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT THE DAY-TO-DAY REALITY OF ENSURING THE INDIVIDUALS PREPARED BEFORE HER, THE PLAINTIFF AND THE DEFENDANTS AND THE ATTORNEYS WHO REPRESENT THE CLIENTS AND THEY WILL MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE JUDICIAL PROCESS FAIRLY. YES SHE IS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND HAS DONE A BROAD NUMBER OF THINGS.

AS A LAWYER WHO PRACTICES BEFORE THE COURT, WHAT WE NEED IS A JUDGE SITTING ON THE BENCH WHO UNDERSTANDS THE CIVIL PROCEDURE AND UNDERSTANDS THE PRACTICING REMEDY CODE AND UNDERSTANDS THE JURISDICTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND WHO WILL BE FAIR TO BOTH SIDES OF THE BAR WHO COME BEFORE HER TO PRESENT A CASE AND PRACTICE NOT JUST IN FRONT OF CIVIL COURTS OF HARRIS COUNTY, BUT ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT MATTERS.

IT IS A FAIR AND OPEN AND JUST MIND AND SOMEONE WOULD UNDERSTANDS THE LAW AND WILL MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A STAFF RESPONSIVE TO THE PARTIES BEFORE THE COURT.

I AM ENCOURAGING THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO APPOINT AUDREY EVANS -- AUDREY LAWTON EVANS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANKS FOR CALLING IN, BUDDY.

GOOD TO HEAR YOU YOUR VOICE. >> GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE.

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

MUCH FOR CALLING IN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, DR. ROBINSON. TELL THEM JD IS A A DOCTOR.

DR. ROBINSON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CORONAVIRUS, DR. ROBINSON?

>> BE CAREFUL -- [INAUDIBLE]. SAY THAT AGAIN.

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

BYE-BYE. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 58, ERIC MCGEE, ALSO SPEAKING ON 8 TESTIMONIES -- ITEMS 399 AND 406 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE ASKED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AUDREY LAWTON EVANS. I AM ERIC MCGEE AND WITH THE LAW FIRM IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF THAT LAW FIRM BEFORE. I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MS. AUDREY LAWTON EVANS BECAUSE I HAVE KNOWN HER FOR 20 YEARS.

WE STARTED OUR CAREERS TOGETHER, AND I WORKED CLOSELY WITH HER AND HAVE SEEN HER NOT ONLY IN A PERSONAL SETTING, BUT BECOME CLOSE FRIENDS WITH MS. LAWTON OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS. I CAN'T ECHO ENOUGH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS WHO SPOKE ON HER BEHALF.

IT SEEMS LIKE I AM WASTING THE COURT'S TIME TO GO THROUGH ALL OF HER ACCOLADES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ENGAGEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

I WILL TELL YOU MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH MS. LAWTON IS

[04:35:03]

NOT ONLY WERE WE COLLEAGUES AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, BUT WE WERE TRIAL PARTNERS AND I HAVE THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF NOT ONLY WORKING WITH HER AND DRAFTING PLEADINGS AND WORKING THROUGH MOTIONS AND ATTENDING HEARINGS, BUT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING HER AND SEEING HER WORK ETHIC AND DEDICATION TO THE CITIZENS OF TEXAS ON BEHALF OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. I KNOW THIS IS FOR THE CIVIL COURT AT LAW, IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU NEED FROM ME CONCERNING MS. LAWTON EVANS, YOU HAVE 100% VOTE FOR HER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE IS NOT ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW AND

HAD TO STEP ASIDE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD X

COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS GOING

TO STEP IN AS A DEAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS TRYING

TO GET A BITE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I GOT A BITE IN MY EIGHT-MINUTE BREAK, JUDGE.

AFTER THIS LAST SPEAKER I FEEL COMPELLED TO TALK ABOUT THIS COURT. THIS PARTICULAR COURT IS ONE I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING IN FROM 2000 TO 2011 AND IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ME WAS RICHARD HILL WHO SERVED BEFORE ME WITH DISTINCTION IN THE SAME COURT.

BOTH OF OUR POUR -- PORTRAITS ARE HANGING IN THE COURTROOM.

THOSE OF US WHO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS JUDGES ARE SERVANTS AND CARETAKERS FOR A TIME.

THE GOAL YOU HAVE IS WHEN YOU SERVE FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME AND WHEN YOU LEAVE THAT YOU HAVE HONORABLY HELD THE CRITERIA AND THE STANDARDS OF BEING A JUDGE, OF TREATING THE PUBLIC REQUEST FAIRNESS AND BEING JUST AND HAVING RESPECT FOR THE PROCESS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS CRITICAL FOR A JUDGE IS TO HAVE REAL COURTROOM EXPERIENCE.

ALTHOUGH COUNSELOR EVANS HAS NOT PRACTICED IN FRONT OF ME, MEMBERS OF HER FIRM, THE PRACTICE IN THE CIVIL COURTS CAME AFTER I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING IN A NEW VENUE.

HER FIRM HAS MAINTAINED THEMSELVES WITH EXCELLENT DECORUM AND WITH SKILL AND THAT IS NECESSARY FOR A JUDGE TO PRACTICE LAW. REAL TRIAL EXPERIENCE IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR A TRIAL COURT JUDGE.

AND A TRIAL COURT JUDGE ALTHOUGH WE WILL IN THE FALL HAVE A POLITICAL EXPERIENCE TO WHERE THE R'S WILL SUPPORT THE R'S AND THE D'S WILL SUPPORT THE D'S.

TODAY IN THE POOL OF WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR THE MAJORITY, THEY WILL ENDURE FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF TIME.

AND A GOOD TRIAL COURT JUDGE WHEN THEY WALK OUT ON TO THE BENCH DON'T HAVE AN R EMBROIDERED ON THE BLACK ROBE NOR A D. IT IS A BLACK ROBE SHOWING THEY ARE KNEE TRAIL AS TO THE FOLKS.

IT IS THEIR JOB TO CALL THE BALLS AND THE STRIKES AND TO BE THE UMPIRE AND NOT A PARTICIPANT IN THE GAME.

ALL THAT I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR CANDIDATE IS ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT IN MY PARTY AND I AM NOT MAKING FUTURE COMMENTS WITH REGARD TO WHAT WE DO, BUT ALL I HEARD ABOUT THIS CANDIDATE IS THEY HAD GREAT EXPERIENCE.

I KNOW THEIR FIRM WHICH WAS AN EXCELLENT FIRM AND THAT THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT BECAUSE OF THE EXPERIENCE WILL CALL BALLS AND STRIKES AND NOT BE A PARTICIPANT IN THE GAME.

THAT IS ADMIRABLE AND I KNOW WILL SPEAK ABOUT THIS IN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, BUT FOR SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE LEGACY OF THIS COURT BECAUSE IT WAS ONE I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING IN I WILL AD MY WEIGHT TODAY AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MAJORITY WILL DO, BUT I KNOW THIS CANDIDATE, AMONG THOSE THAT WOULD BE IN THE POOL THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT, WHAT UPHOLD THE DIGNITY OF THE

COURT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM READY TO MAKE A NOMINATION UNLESS FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA. I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S COMMENTS. MAYBE HE QUILL -- HE WILL VOTE

[04:40:03]

FOR HER IN THE GENERAL. IT WILL BE IN PRIVATE, OF COURSE. I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY IF

YOU WANT TO DO IT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE -- IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE AT LEAST WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER AND CAGLE AND I LANDED AT THE SAME CONCLUSION WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT IT AND THAT IS MS. LAWTON EVANS IS EXTREMELY QUALIFIED. SHE HAS THE EXPERIENCE OF A TRIAL LAWYER AND GENERAL COUNCIL.

SHE HAS THE BACKING -- SHE HAS THE COMMUNITY BACKING.

ITEM 406 ON 48, THEY ARE RELATED TO THE JUDICIAL SEAT.

AND IS PROUDLY MOVE AUDREY LAWTON BE MOVED TO THE HARRIS

COUNTY CIVIL COURT AT LAW. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA DO YOU

WANT TO SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO.

I WAS HOPING TO MAKE THE NOMINATION, BUT I WILL HAPPILY MAKE THE SECOND. AND I WILL SAY I HAD THE PLEASURE OF VISITING WITH HER AS WELL.

AND WAS IMPRESSED WITH OUR CONVERSATION.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE SAID SHE WILL PROTECT THE LEGACY OF THE COURT AND WILL MAKE SURE FOLKS WITH PARTICULAR ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE LITIGATED WILL HAVE SOMEONE THAT WILL BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL. HAPPY TO MAKE THE SECOND TO MAKE THE HONORABLE AUDREY LAWTON THE CHOICE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WON'T SAY MUCH.

IT HAS BEEN A LONG DAY, I WILL ADMIT.

I KNOW AUDREY LAWTON FOR A LONGTIME.

I THINK SHE WILL BE -- WILL DO A GREAT JOB.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY'S WORDS AND THE FACT THAT THERE IS COMMISSIONERS CLAMORING OVER THE NOMINATION SPEAKS TO YOUR WORK AND LEGACY AND -- AND HOPEFULLY I AM CONFIDENT YOU WILL DO A FANTASTIC JOB AS JUDGE. LET'S TAKE A VOTE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE LISTED AS MOVING SO WE CAN DO A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDEDMM- COISSIONER ELLIS YOU SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIO. >> JUDGE FOR CLARITY THIS IS

ITEM 399 AND ITEM 406? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S CORRECT. THEY ARE FUNCTIONALLY IDENTICAL. ANYTHING ELSE MR. MENEFEE WE

NEED TO DO ON THIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF APPROPRIATE I TOLD HER I WOULDN'T CALL IN TO SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT MAYBE LATER ON TODAY WE WILL BE HERE AWHILE AND MAYBE -- [INAUDIBLE]. MAYBE SOMEBODY CAN REACH OUT TO HER AND LET HER KNOW TO CALL IN IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S KEEP GOING WITH THE SPEAKERS.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 1 UNDER NON-AGENDA RELATED,

DERRICK FORD. >> HELLO.

>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO, GOOD AFTERNOON.

HI, JUDGE. HI, COMMISSIONERS.

I AM CALLING ON MY OWN BEHALF.

WHAT I AM CALLING ABOUT IS I WOULD LIKE FOR -- OR TO TRY TO GET YOU TO ENCOURAGE METRO TO SETTLE ITS AFFAIRS.

IN 2019 AND ON JANUARY 14TH METRO DID RECEIVE A DEMAND LETTER CERTIFIED MAIL.

IT IS 8/10/21 AND IT IS NOW CAUSING THE COURTROOM SYSTEM.

I HAD BEEN READY FOR A TRIAL DAY FOR SOME TIME.

I AM READY TO START WORKING AND I CANNOT -- I WOULD LIKE TO GET IT RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IF WE CAN GET IT RESOLVED THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

THANK YOU -- >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 4 UNDER NON-AGENDA RELATED KYLE HANDS AND HE IS WITH MEDICAL RESOURCE GROUP.

[04:45:05]

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON.

CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME OKAY? >> YES, SIR.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS TYLER AND I AM CALLING FROM MEDICAL RESOURCES. WE ARE A VIRTUAL MANAGEMENT CARE TECHNOLOGY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMPANY. FIRST OFF THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

THE REASON I AM CALLING IS THERE IS SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATION AND YOU -- AND CAPABILITIES WITH BIOTECH AND I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS. AND THE PRESIDENT OF HARRIS HEALTH PUT OUT ON THE OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR 2020 AND 2021. AFTER UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM STRUCTURE THERE IS SIGNIFICANT VALUE WE CAN CREATE AND PROVIDE NOT ONLY TO THE COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEMS AND THE CONSTITUENTS AND THOSE SERVING -- OR SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC DISEASES. I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND TO PRESENT AND TO INFORM THE COURT ON HOW WE COULD BE OF VALUE. THE MAIN PRIORITIES ARE BROKEN DOWN AND BUILT AROUND THESE ISSUES.

ACCESS TO CARE, MEN TELL WELL -- MENTAL WELL BEING AND CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, OBESITY, CANCER AND MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH. IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE IN THE SOCIAL DETERMINERS OF HEALTH WHICH ARE ECONOMIC STABILITY, EDUCATION, SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT AND TO HELP IN HEALTH CARE OR THE LIVINGEN VIERN MEANT.

WE DEVELOPED A PLATFORM THAT INTEGRATED WITH TELE MEDICINE AND REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING AND SEVERAL OTHER VIRTUAL CARE SERVICES AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS ASSESSMENTS.

THIS WAS ALL COVERED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT IS ALREADY FUNDED. NOT ONLY ARE THERE VALUE-BASED INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, BUT THERE ARE BILLABLE CODES WITHIN OUR PLATFORM. THERE ARE 50 DIFFERENT BILLABLE CODES WE CAN BILL AND THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN ASSIST IN LOWERING THE HEALTH CARE COSTS. AND SO WE CAME UP WITH A PROGRAM CALLED THE CITY AND COUNTY HEALTH REFORM COALITION. WE PULL TOGETHER PEOPLE FROM THE HEALTH SYSTEM AND THE COUNTY TO --

>> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> TO --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, SIR.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROCESS IS TO TO -- TO DO A FORMAL PRESENTATION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOLLOW-UP SINCE IT IS A LEGAL CHALLENGE HE MADE REFERENCE TO. THAT WOULD BE THE BEST ROAD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. WE HAVE TO STOP ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AT THE TIME LIMIT. THANK YOU.

>> I'M SORRY? >> LINA HIDALGO: I SAID WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, ARE YOU CALLING THE NEXT SPEAKER? YOU MAY BE ON MUTE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE FUTURE JUDGE ON THE LINE AS WELL, JUDGE. MAYBE IT IS FROZEN UP FOR

TIFFANY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, WE WILL WAIT AND SEE AND LET ME JUST START PULLING UP THE CONSENT

AGENDA. >> JUDGE?

[04:50:01]

THIS IS LUCINDA. WE HAVE JOSHUA HOLCOMB WITH J

AND H TREES. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> HAPPENING ON. WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTIES AND I UH POLL GAZE FOR THAT. -- I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

[Departments (Part 5 of 6)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM GOING WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA.

AND YOU GOT THE REQUEST TO CALL THE NEW JUDGE?

>> WE DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: HERE ARE THE ITEMS WITH MINOR CHANGES OR NO ACTION.

LET ME JUST MAKE SURE. >> JUDGE, YOU ARE MUTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ITEM 4, I ALREADY MENTIONED THIS, BUT JAMES I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE IT DOWN WHICH IS THE AMOUNT IS $32 -- IT IS ITEM 4 ON PAGE 2.

IT IS $32, 052, 000 AS OPPOSED TO $32, 060, ZZZ.

OOO. >> AND THEN ON PAGE TWO AND ITEM SEVEN, THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON THIS ITEM. ON PAGE THREE AND ITEM 11, NO ACTION. PAGE 3 AND ITEM 14 THERE IS A CORRECTION. WE NEED TO CHANGE 3 TO 2 IN REFERENCE TO THE NUMBER OF THE COUNTY COURTS EMERGENCY

RESPONSE DOCKET. >> JUDGE, THIS IS -- I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT THIS IS DWIGHT WITH PURCHASING.

ON ITEM 11, IT IS A TRANSMITAL.

IS IT OKAY FOR THE TRANSMITAL TO HAPPEN SO I CAN GET THE COUNTY CLERK TO SIGN THE ORDER ABOUT AN AGREEMENT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NORMALLY DON'T TAKE ACTION ON

TRANSMITALS? >> I AGREE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD GO THROUGH AS A NORMAL AGENDA ITEM.

I WANT TO KNOW IF JAMES UNDERSTANDS THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 11 IS SIMPLY AS PRESENTED.

IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A VOTE. >> CORRECT, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A TRANSMITAL.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DID HAVE A QUESTION OR TWO FOR DWIGHT ON 11. WE HAVE SOME MEDIA INYEAR -- INQUIRIES AND WANT TO FOLLOW-UP WITH A QUESTION OR

TWO. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE AGENDA WOULD BE FINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS OKAY. SINCE DWIGHT IS HERE AND -- IT'S FINE. GO AHEAD.

>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE DID HAVE WAS WHO IS ON THE RFP

COMMITTEE? >> IT WAS MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DID WE HAVE ANYBODY FROM PRECINCT 4?

>> NO, SIR. THERE WAS THREE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE AND TWO OR THREE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH GROUP WHEN WE DID THE INITIATIVE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SINCE THIS IS A TRANSMITAL, IF WE VOTED NOT TO TRANSMIT IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING OR DOES IT MEAN SOMETHING? IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE TODAY BECAUSE IF THERE IS -- IF I HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR COMPANY AND ISSUES RAISED WITH ME ABOUT IT IS THIS A DONE DEAL OR IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO STAY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

>> THIS JOB WAS PRESENTED, COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO SAY TWO COURTS AGO FOR AN AWARD. THIS IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM.

IT IS AN AGREEMENT WITH THE VENDORS.

THIS IS FOR JAY ON THE SCREEN.

[04:55:02]

>> I VOTED AGAINST THIS LAST TIME UNDER -- I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REURGE THE VOTING FOR THE SECOND TIME.

WE ARE NOT FOLLOWING RONT'S RULES OF ORDER.

>> IF AT THE NEXT MEETING YOU WANT TO BRING AN ITEM BACK UP AS A SEPARATE ITEM RELATED TO THIS, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO.

BUT THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE ON IT TODAY.

THE ITEM AS CONSTRUCTED IS AN INFORMATIONAL.

>> IS THIS THE ITEM THAT WE DISCUSSED.

THERE IS NO LACK OF PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTISE IN THE COUNTY. WE DO HAVE AN ISSUE IN THE CHAIN OF COMMUNITIES. THIS HAS AN ITEM THAT I HAVE BEEN -- I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WENT THROUGH A SELECTION COMMITTEE. WE HAVE TO GET TO THE COMMUNITIES WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINATION INFORMATION BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN SENDING OUT THE MASS INFORMATION OF SAYING, HEY, COME ONE, COME ALL AND GET THE VACCINE.

WE HIT THE LIMIT ON DIMINISHING RETURNS AND WE HAVE TO GIVE OUR BEST SHOT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS GET THE VACCINE WE HAVE TO, HAVE TO, HAVE TO GET INTO THESE COMMUNITIES AND UP OUR EFFORTS AND TRY TO GET THAT VACCINE

UP. >> I CAN'T VOTE AGAINST IT AGAIN. IT IS ALREADY VOTED ON.

>> YOU CAN'T OUT VOTE IT AGAIN. >> WELL, WE ARE NOT GOING TO

VOTE AT ALL. >> THERE IS NO VOTE TODAY.

I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

>> IT IS THE TRANSMITAL OF THE 10,973.

>> AND THE REASON IS ONE THING.

THE DISCUSSION WE HAD AT THE LAST COURT THAT I CIRCLED BACK ON IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A PHASED APPROACH TO THIS PROGRAM. AND SO I DID WANT TO CLOSE THE LOOP WITH YOU ON THAT WITH YOU ALL.

WHAT THEY WILL DO IS HAVE A 30-DAY -- TO WHERE IF THE OFFICIAL WAS NOT REPORTING TO THE STANDARDS THEY CAN CAN SELL THE -- CANCEL THE PROJECT.

THAT'S WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST QUARTER.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO RAISE MY OBJECTION THAT THE EXPERIENCE IS ALL POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND NOT HEALTH CAMPAIGNS.

I STILL DON'T LIKE IT. I GOT OUT VOTED AND I DON'T GET TO VOTE TODAY. FROM THERE, JUDGE, WE CAN MOVE

ON. >> TOM RAMSEY: ITEM 7 WAS PULLED, JUDGE, IS THAT RIGHT? NO ACTION?

NO ACTION ON 7? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME SEE.

ITEM 7 REQUESTS NO ACTION BE TAKEN.

ITEM 11 IS SIMPLY A TRANSMITAL. SO THERE IS NO ACTION EITHER

WAY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THE POINT HERE COMMISSIONER IS THE KINDS OF FIRMS THAT DO THIS KIND OF OUT REACH, IT IS GRASSROOTS OUT REACH. IT IS THE SAME OUT REACH YOU DO WHEN YOU DO POLITICAL OUT REACH.

IT IS A CAMPAIGN THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO TO GET PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED. DO WE SAY WE WILL ELIMINATE THE FIRMS THAT ARE ABLE TO DO THIS AND QUALIFIED TO DO THIS BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS? THE FLIP SIDE IS THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE FACT OUR VACCINATION RATE IS STUBBORN AND WE NOW HAVE THE HIGHEST HOSPITALIZATION INCREASE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PAN DEPP MICK. LOOK, I HOPE -- I HOPE THAT THIS WILL DO WHAT IT IS INTENDED TO DO.

WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH JURISDICTIONS ALL-AROUND THE COUNTRY AND ALL OF US ARE ASKING WHAT IS THE SOLUTION HERE? WHAT CAN WE DO? NOBODY HAS THE ANSWER. I CAN'T SAY THAT IT IS BASED

[05:00:02]

ON WHAT THE PREVIOUS PANDEMIC HAS SAID WORKS.

ALL WE KNOW IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO IS BLUNT FORCE APPROACH AND IT REACHED THE LIMITS OF EFFICACY AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TO DO A GRASSROOTS NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD APPROACH AND I HOPE IT WILL YIELD SOME GOOD RESULTS. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THIS 30-DAY PROVISION SO THAT WE SEE IS IT YIELDING POSITIVE RESULTS?

>> JUDGE, THIS IS TIFFANY. I'M SORRY.

I LOST THE CONNECTION EARLIER.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THE REMAINING SPEAKERS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME FINISH THIS DISCUSSION, TIFFANY.

WE ARE HAVING A DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM AND THEN WE'LL TAKE

THE REMAINING SPEAKERS. >> OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ITEM 11, A TRANSMITAL. DWIGHT OR DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? OKAY.

SO ITEM 7 IS NO ACTION AND ITEM 11 IS A TRANSMITAL.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> JUDGE, CAN I JUMP IN FOR A SECOND? ITEM 11 IS NO ACTION OR IS IT GOING TO BE CONSIDERED WITH THE REST OF THE CONCEPT

ITEM -- CONSENT ITEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, JAMES, WHAT I HEARD DWIGHT SAY IS WE CAN'T TAKE NO ACTION BECAUSE IT IS A TRANSMITAL. NOBODY IS VOTING FOR ORGANS IT.

WHEN YOU SAY IS IT GOING TO BE CONSIDERED, I THINK WHAT THE COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS BRINGING UP IS HE IS NOT TRYING TO VOTE FOR IT. CAN YOU CLARIFY THAT SIMPLY LEAVING IT ON THE AGENDA MEANS WE ACCEPT THE TRANSMITAL WHICH WE NEED TO DO AS A MATTER OF COURSE, BUT GENERALLY WE DON'T VOTE YES OR NO ON TRANSMITS -- TRANSMITALS.

>> SO I WILL ASK FOR JAY'S COMMENT AS WELL.

IF IT STAYS ON THE AGENDA AS A TRANS MISS -- TRANSMITAL IS THAT THE FINAL END OF THE VOTE FOR THE CONSENT VOTE TO BE ON THERE? THAT'S WHAT DWIGHT IS LOOKING

FOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU'RE ON

MUTE, JAY. >> SORRY TAB THAT.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. WHAT DWIGHT IS LOOKING FOR IS A SIGNATURE FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

IT IS BEING TRANSMITTED. IT'S BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE

COURT, THE DOCUMENT. >> WITH THE CONSENT VOTE.

>> CORRECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM NOT

CONSENTING. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHEN WE VOTE ON TRANSMITALS, THEN JAMES INTERRUPTS AND SAYS THAT WAS A TRANSMITAL AND DOESN'T REQUIRE A VOTE.

AND NOW YOU ARE SAYING THE OPPOSITE AND SAYING YOU NEED TO -- NEED US TO VOTE ON THE TRANSMITAL.

I CAN SEE DWIGHT SHAKING HIS HEAD.

IT HAPPENED BEFORE WHERE WE PULL UP A TRANSMITAL ITEM AND YOU SAY NO, YOU DON'T VOTE ON THAT.

>> THE JUDGE IS 100% CORRECT. WE DO NOT NEED TO VOTE ON TRANS MISS TALL ITEMS AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE WE LUMPED THEM IN WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THEY ARE ON THE AGENDA AND NO ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN.

AND IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE COURT.

YOU CAN'T GO AHEAD AND SIGN. >> I'LL PUT A STAMP ON THERE

THAT SAYS ACCEPTED. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS OUTSIDE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. IT IS NOT UNDER ANY VOTE.

SIMPLY GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> WE WILL MAKE THAT TRANSMITAL SO THERE IS NO CONFUSION BETWEEN THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THE TRANS MISS TALL -- AND THE TRANSMITAL ITEM IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. ALL RIGHT.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> OKAY.

NEXT IS NUMBER 5 UNDER NONAGENDA RELATED.

[Appearances before court (Part 5 of 5)]

JOSHUA HOLCOMB FROM J AND H TREES.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

THIS IS JOSH HOLCOMB WITH J AND H TREES.

I AM FROM VIRGINIA AND BROUGHT DOWN HERE.

THE PRINCIPAL KEPT ME OUT OF SCHOOL IN 9TH GRADE.

HE SAID I HAD A BREECH OF CONTRACT [INAUDIBLE].

I MADE THE TOP TREE SERVICE AND COULDN'T COMPREHEND WHAT I READ. I MAKE THE BEST TREES EVER.

JUST FOR ONCE I [INAUDIBLE] I HAVE BLUE SHIELD/BLUE CROSS.

THEY TOOK MY PRESCRIPTION AT WALMART AND THE MEDICATION

[05:05:03]

RIGHT HERE, LET'S SEE. IT STARTS WITH A D.

DIBAMPROES. I GOT IT AT WALMART AND I STARTED READING THAT NIGHT AND IT SAYS -- IN TWO YEARS OF AGE IT IS DEADLY. IT CAN KILL ADULTS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS AND CAUSES LIVER FAILURE.

[INAUDIBLE] BOTH COUNTIES WORK TOGETHER.

I'M FREAKING OUT. I AM TRYING TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AND THEY ARE TRYING TO KILL ME.

I NEED SOME HELP. I CAN'T COME PRE -- COMPREHEND WHAT WHAT I READ. IS ANYBODY THERE? THE DOCTORS ARE GONNA KILL ME.

HELLO? >> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. WE WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU AND WE WILL HAVE STAFF REACH OUT, OKAY?

>> CAN Y'ALL CONTACT ME AND THAT WAY I CAN WRITE IT DOWN?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Y'ALL HAVE A BLESSED DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK AUDREY EVANS IS ON THE

LINE. >> MS. EVANS, YOU ARE

UNMUTED. >> HELLO?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, TO BE -- I WILL SEE IF THEY CAN WORK OUT THE VIDEO TO BRING YOU ON, AUDREY.

I THINK IT WAS MR. HOWARD THAT WENT THROUGH YOUR RESUME.

I JUST SAID YOU WENT TO LOYOLA FOR UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL AND THURGOOD MARSHAL. I'M SURE YOU WERE LISTENING.

WHEN I TOLD YOU IF I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS APROPOS UNTIL YOU GOT IT, WELL YOU HAVE IT NOW.

WE ARE HONORED TO LET YOU SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A JUDGE TO BE SWORN IN PRETTY SOON.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I KNOW WHAT IT FEES LIKE -- FEELS LIKE TO BE IN DRAFT DAY. I AM HONORED TO BE THE NEXT JUDGE. TO THE HONORABLE COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO AND TO MY COMMISSIONER OF MY PRECINCT 1, COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS, TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, COMMISSIONER/JUDGE CAGLE WHO HAPPENS TO BE A FORMER JUDGE OF THE VERY COURT I HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR AND I INTEND TO MAKE YOU PROUD.

TO THE TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP OF HARRIS COUNTY, OUR ESTEEMED HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY AND TENACIOUS COUNTY CLERK, I THANK YOU AND LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING WITH YOUR ADMINISTRATION. TO THE OTHER COURT JUDGES AT LAW, JUDGE KOVACH, JUDGE WILLIAMS, I PROMISE TO DO MY PART TO MAKE SURE THE HARRIS COUNTY CIVIL COURT AT LAW REMAINS EFFICIENT AND ADMINISTER JUSTICE IN THE MOST FAIR AND IMPARTIAL WAY. TO MY HISTORY AND LEGACY WHO ARE WATCHING TODAY, MY 90-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER, MY MOTHER, MY TWO BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED DAUGHTERS, SYDNEY AND SHELBY AND MY LOVING HUSBAND CAREY AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, JAN, YOU CAN NOW CALL ME JUDGE PRECIOUS.

PRECIOUS IS MY NICKNAME. AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST TO MY FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS WHO ARE TEXTING ME AT THIS VERY MOMENT, I THANK YOU. THREE YEARS AGO I LOST BOTH MY GRANDFATHER AND MY FATHER. THEY WERE MY BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS AND FIERCEST SUPPORTERS.

TODAY IS DEDICATED TO THEM. BECAUSE OF THEM I AM.

I SAID ALL OF THAT TO SAY I ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT AS JUDGE OF THE NEXT CIVIL COURT LAW NUMBER ONE AND NOW TIME TO GET TO WORK. THANK YOU AND I AM VERY

HONORED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CONGRATULATION.

I'M GLAD YOU DID MAKE REFERENCE TO YOUR DAD.

I TOLD YOU THE OTHER DAY HE WAS SLY -- HE WAS VERY HELPFUL TO ME EARLY ON IN MY CAREER. THEY ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND

WE ARE AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANT TO -- JUDGE LAWTON EVANS I WANT TO OFFER MY

[05:10:07]

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AS WELL AND YOU ALREADY PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND YOU ARE OFFICIALLY ON THE BALLOT AND

WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE FUN.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FORGETTING EVERYBODY'S NAME.

EVERYBODY IS JUDGE. >> RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JUDGE CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT. THIS OPPORTUNITY OF SERVICE WILL BE TRANSFORMATIVE TO YOUR LIFE.

JUST REMEMBER, IT IS YOURS FOR A SEASON.

ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT. I MISS MY DAYS SERVING IN CIVIL COURT NUMBER 1. I INHERITED AND DEVELOPED A STAFF THAT MADE ME LOOK REALLY GOOD, AND I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO INHERIT SOME OF THE SAME FOLKS I INHERITED.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REMEMBER THAT THOSE WHO CONTROL THE PAPER CONTROL THE WORLD. AS YOU PRESIDE, CALLS THE BALLS AND STRIKES. WE USED TO HAVE AN OLD ADAGE IN THE COURT WAS THE GOOSE GANDER RULE.

THE SAUCE THAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS THE SAME SAUCE THAT IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER. CALL THEM TIGHT, CALL THEM LOOSE, JUST CALL THEM THE SAME FOR BOTH SIDES AND I KNOW YOU WILL DO THAT. BLESSINGS TO YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, I'M SO GLAD OUR NEW JUDGE WAS ABLE TO CALL IN. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS BEFORE WE CONTINUE WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> THAT WAS ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ACTUALLY WE ARE STILL ON THE CORRECTIONS SO LET ME FINISH

[Departments (Part 6 of 6)]

GOING THROUGH CORRECTIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE ANYMORE. THERE AND -- THERE IS ONE ON PAGE 29. INSERT VIRTUAL INSTEAD OF CONFERENCE AND 4,WOG -- 4,184 SHOULD BE 4,150.

>> ITEM 320 THERE IS A TYPO AND WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WORD

MARCH TO MARSH. >> AS IN WILLIAM MAR -- WILLIAM MARSH YOU HAVE THE. WILLIAM MARSH UNIVERSITY.

JUST NEEDED TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THE SMALL SCHOOL RIGHT.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT. >> SORRY, COMMISSIONER.

LEANING

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT LOOKS LIKE ITEM 417 ON PAGE 49, REQUEST NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.

>> TO GO BACK TO 14 I BELIEVE YOU MADE A CORRECTION AND YOU ARE CHANGING THE FUNDING FOR THREE COUNTY COURTS TO ACTUALLY CHANGING IT TO 24 ADDITIONAL COUNTY COURTS.

>> THAT'S FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKET.

>> JUDGE, ARE YOU REFERENCING ITEM 49 -- I MEAN 417 ON PAGE

49? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER. PAGE 49 AND 417 AND IT IS A

REQUEST FOR NO ACTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: I AM GETTING MORE INFORMATION AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT NEXT TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT. LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ON EXECUTIVE SESSION, DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MCCLOUD AS THE NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO MAKE SURE 189 IS ON THE

NONCONSENT? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL GET TO IT. I AM STARTING WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION. DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE JUDICIAL SEAT? NO BECAUSE WE JUST DID THAT ONE.

WE DON'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 398 OR 399 WHICH IS THE NEW JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT.

ITEM 400 ON PAGE 47, DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE

[05:15:03]

SESSION ON THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE GULF COAST PROTECTION

DISTRICT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE THAT ONE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEM 401, COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 REAPPOINTING MAJOR JOSEPH ROBERT ELLIS TO THE

HOUSING AUTHORITY. >> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T NEED

TO. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 401.

402 IS ABOUT THE GULF COAST PROTECTION DISTRICT.

WE CAN TAKE THAT ONE UP WITH 400 WHEN WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO TALK ABOUT THAT APPOINTMENT.

ITEM 403, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, A DISCUSSION ABOUT I-45 AND TXDOT. DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE

SESSION ON THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

I THINK WE CAN COMBINE IT WITH ANOTHER ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 404, APPOINTMENT BY MY OFFICE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

I DON'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I HAVE A QUESTION ON ALEX.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: HE DIDN'T CATCH THE MISSPELLING OF WILLIAM MARSH UNIVERSITY.

I HAVE A LITTLE GRIEVANCE AGAINST HIM, BUT I WILL LET IT

GO THIS TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THAT, COMMISSIONER. ITEM 405 WE DO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ITEM WHICH IS ON LEGAL ISSUE RELATED TO THE O'DONNELL CONSENT DECREE.

ITEM 406 IS AGAIN THE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT.

NO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE.

AND ITEM 407, CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AND PERSONNEL MATTERS. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING, JAMES OR

MR. MENIFEE? >> THIS IS OUR CATCH ALL, BUT

WE DO NEED TO GO BACK ON 419. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME GET THERE. 409 DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO FILL THIS SPOT ON THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION? IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT.

410 IS AN APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS ?

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T NEED

TO GO BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: 416, COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF ACCELERATED BENEFITS FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

I DO THINK WE SHOULD GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE. AND YOU SAID 419?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT ONE IS

-- >> RELATED TO THE COUNTY

TAKING LEGAL ACTION OF GA-38. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT.

LET ME FLAG THAT ONE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT 419. IT DOES NOT SAY IN THE NOTICE IT WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE COUNTY ATTORNEY CAN REQUEST IT TO GO

BACK. >> YEAH.

IT DOESN'T, BUT IT IS MADE CLEAR IT WILL BE DISCUSSED.

I AM FINE WITH IT. >> COMMISSIONER, 407 IS STILL A CATCH ALL THAT ALLOW IS US TO DO THAT TOO.

IT IS A SIMILAR THING. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY

ISSUES THERE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH 407 IN PLAY, I'M OKAY WITH 419 GOING BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL KEEP 407 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND TAKE 419 UNDER THAT.

STARTING WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE AGENDA, THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 4 WAS FLAGGED, BUT WE PASSED IT. THAT IS A SMALL BUSINESS FUND. ITEM 5 IS THE EXPANSION OF THE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 5?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MOVE TO AMEND THE FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 30 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AND ASSOCIATED ADD --

ADMINISTRATIVE FEES. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUESTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, YOU KNOW, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER MY CONCERN OF THE OUT REACH BEING DONE IN PRECINCT TO -- PRECINCT 2 TO MAKE SURE FOLKS

[05:20:04]

ARE BEING ENGAGED AND INFORMED. IS THIS GOING TO COME WITH -- I KNOW WE ARE WORKING WITH TRUSTED NONPROFITS, BUT THEIR CLIE YEN -- CLIENTELE LIST IS FINITE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A CHARGE THAT IS EITHER ADDING MORE MONEY SO THERE IS AN OUT REACH COMPONENT, BUT NOT ELEVATE.

I WANT -- I AM CONCERNED THAT -- WHY IT IS THAT IN SPITE OF ALL WE ARE DOING AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS DOOR KNOCKING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, BUT DO I NEED TO ASK -- OR RATHER MOVE FOR AN AMENDMENT TO ADD ANOTHER MILLION SO WE CAN PUT IN AN RFP FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT TO THIS? I WILL BE SAYING THIS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. I DID SAY IT FOR SMALL BUSINESS. PRECINCT 2 CONTINUESS IN SPITE OF HAVING A COMPARABLE POPULATION, IT CONTINUES TO BE ON THE SHORTENED OF THE ENROLLMENT.

I GUESS I MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO ADD A MILLION AND PUT AN RFP OUT FOR COMMUNITIEN -- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

>> COMITIAL -- COMMISSIONER I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT -- I KNOW IN THE FIRST WEEK THERE WERE 158,000 A APPLICATIONS.

I THINK THEY ARE UP TO 175 NOW.

IF WE DO THIS WE WILL DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF CURRENT SUPPORT. I WOULD SAY WRY SHOULD CALL THEM -- WE SHOULD CALL THEM. I WILL CALL THEM WITH YOU.

I DON'T WANT TO COMMIT ON SOMETHING THAT WOULD MISLEAD YOU. IF WE GET A BREAK LET'S BUZZ THEM. YOU AND I KNOW THEM VERY WELL. I AM FOR THE APARTMENT, BUT WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET'S HOLD IT UNTIL BE CAN MAKE THE

CALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I ALSO ASK AS YOU DIG INTO THAT, I KNOW THAT THE HEART OF THE SUCCESS OF THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS BEEN THE COMMUNITY OUT REACH. I ASSUME THE COMMUNITY OUT REACH THAT WAS DONE ON THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS BEING MIRRORED FOR THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

CAN WE EXPECT THIS PROGRAM TO HAVE THE SAME? I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE RUNNING THIS ONE AS WELL.

DOES THERE NEED TO BE AN ADDITIONAL OUT REACH

COMPONENT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHILE DAVE IS COMING ON IT WAS MADE CLEAR THAT ON THE SMALL BUSINESS THAT PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD COVER THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE OUT REACH THAT MADE ME COMFORTABLE WITH IT. I'M NOT HEARING THE SAME THING ABOUT DIRECT ASSISTANCE I WANT TO MAKE SURE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION WILL COVER AND WE'LL FIND OUT WHEN WE SPEAK TO THEM, BUT I JUST CAN'T ASSUME THAT EQUITY BY ITSELF WILL ADDRESS THIS AND I WANT TO HAVE COMFORT IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A STRATEGIC AND INTENTIONAL APPROACH OF

ENGAGEMENT. >> I THINK IT IS ACCURATE.

I KNOW IF WE PUT THIS EXTRA 30 MILLION IN IT WILL DOUBLE THE INVESTMENT SO WE GET TO 40,000 HOUSEHOLDS.

I THINK THEY WILL PULL THEM OUT OF THE FOLKS -- I HATE FOR YOU TO PUT IT ON THERE AND THEY SAY WE CAN'T WORK THAT.

WE MIGHT WANT TO CALL THEM AND ASK.

HOW CAN WE AMEND IT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS THIS EQUITY.

I THINK WE CAN WORK IT OUT. I I JUST DON'T WANT TO GUESS.

MY STAFF IS TELLING ME THEY DIDN'T KNOW.

>> JUDGE, I CAN SEE LEAH BARTON ON THE LINE.

I'LL UNMUTE HER. LEAH?

>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

TO JUDGE UH HIDALGO'S WE HAVE NAVIGATING AGENCIES ENGAGED IN OUT REACH, THE SAME AS WHO DID THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE OUT

[05:25:02]

REACH AND ARE ENGAGED ON THIS PROGRAM AND WE HAVE RECEIVED ALMOST 180,000 APPLICATIONS. DOUBLING THE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM WOULD MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO REACH 40,000 PEOPLE. THE PROJECT TEAM HAS 40,000 HOUSEHOLDS AND THE PROJECT TEAM HAS BEEN DISCUSSING WHETHER SOME INCREMENTAL OUT REACH MAKES SENSE TO EXTEND INTO SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE HIGH VULNERABILITY AND WE DO HAVE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS ALREADY READY AND WAITING TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE.

>> ARE THERE ENOUGH HOUSEHOLDS IN PRECINCT 2? I KNOW PART OF WHAT YOU DID WITH THE RENTAL PROGRAM AND IS THERE A DISPARITY THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE UP WITH ADDITIONAL

OUT REACH? >> I BELIEVE WE CAN USE THE CURRENT POOL, BUT IT IS OPEN TO ENGAGING WITH PRECINCT 2.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD THIS ITEM UNTIL WE HAVE THE CALL SO WE DON'T TAKE MORE OF THE TIME.

BUT THANK YOU FOR THAT, LEAH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE GONNA

HOLD THIS ONE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH, FOR

THE TIME BEING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL TRY TO

CALL HIM TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'LL KEEP IT ON THE LIST. ITEM 6 WAS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, IT IS 4:00.

SINCE WE TALKED ABOUT HOLDING ITEMS TO GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE.

GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE, I GUESS IT IS TIME TO VOTE.

SINCE I WAS ALLOWED A 7-MINUTE BREAK AND A 10-MINUTE BREAK TO

DO THE DUE DILIGENCE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE A

GREAT STAFF, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: I MOVE BOTH OF THOSE ITEMS. THOSE L THE ITEMS -- THOSE ARE

THE ITEMS RELATED -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND IN HONOR OF WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, IF I THOUGHT I HAD A CHANCE I WOULD HAVE ASKED TO HOLD IT UNTIL NEXT

COMMISSIONERS' COURT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD SAY IF HE DOESN'T GET HIS QUESTION ANSWERED, I WOULD SAY WE OUGHT TO MEET AGAIN IN A COUPLE DAYS.

I'LL SHOW UP. IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR THE 175,000 PEOPLE WHO APPLIED. I THINK WE CAN GET THE ANSWER TODAY. IF NOT, WE CAN JUST MEET

AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IN KEEPING WITH THE TIME, COMMISSIONER ELLIS YOU ARE MOVING ITEM 352 UNDER PURCHASING AND 387 UNDER YOUR AGENDA AND BOTH RELATED TO THE VIOLENCE INTERUMS -- INTEREST ROPINGS --

INTERRUPTION INITIATIVES. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> TOM RAMSEY: DO WE HAVE A DATE WHEN THE 9-1-1 WILL BE READY?

I -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD PLUG IN A DATE. THEN SOMEBODY SCOLD -- CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT WAS THE ANSWER I GOT.

MS. ROBINSON, DIRECTOR ROBINSON MAY BE ON THE LINE.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IT TAKES TIME TO STAND UP AND BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE OPERATIONAL COMPONENTS TO RUN THESE PROGRAMS. SO WE ASK ALL OF THESE OPERATIONS A OPERATIONAL IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU SAID YOU WILL CALL A COUPLE OF PLACES IF YOU CAN CATCH THEM AND SEE -- THAT WAS YOUR OFFICE -- YOUR ANSWER EARLIER.

COMMISSIONER, MAYBE YOU STEPPED OUT, BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID EARLIER. YOU WERE GOING TO CALL.

>> THE TIMELINE TO GET STAFF ON BOARD AND TRAINED THE STAFF AND CONDUCT THE OUT REACH AND IDENTIFY LOCATIONS FOR THE TEAMS AND THE PROGRAMS TO BE USED DASH TOSH TO BE HOUSED.

TO BE HOUSED. THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO BEGIN AND WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO EXPEDITE ROLLING THESE PROGRAMS OUT. IF WE WANT A FAST TRACK WE ARE WILLING TO PUT MORE MONEY IN AND MAYBE WE CAN DO IT

FASTER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST TO ENSURE THERE IS CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN YOUR TEAMS AS

THIS IS BEING DEVELOPED? >> YES, SIR.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS BASED ON THE ABILITY

[05:30:02]

TO ENGAGE AND RELATE AND BUILD TRUST WITH DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

AND UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND DON'T FORGET TO REACH OUT TO THE DIRECTOR AT THE CITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT WE TALKED ABOUT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

IT SEEMS TO ME THE SITUATION IS QUITE URGENT.

IF IT IS A QUESTION OF FUNDING I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK INTO THAT. I HATE FOR YOU TO DELAY THE VIOLENCE PROGRAM ON NECESSARILY.

>> I THINK OUR GOAL WAS TO TRY TO BALANCE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS. WE ANTICIPATE IN TERMS OF THE TIMELINE FOR HIRING, I THINK WHAT WE TRIED TO DO IS PUT FORWARD IN THE HIM LINE FOR ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS TO BE UP AND RUNNING. WE CAN HAVE COMPONENTS OF PROGRAMS AND IF NOT ALL OF THEM UP AND RUNNING.

WE WANTED TO ALLOW SOME LATITUDE IN TERMS OF THAT DEADLINE THAT WE ARE PUBLICLY COMMITTING TO.

>> SO IT IS MAY OF 2022. WORST CASE, BEST CASE, MAYBE

THE END OF THE YEAR? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE MAY HAVE LOST HER. AND MORE HELPS, THEN COME BACK

AND ASK FOR IT. >> YES, SIR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR EITHER PROGRAM, VIOLENCE INTERRUPTER

OR ALTERNATIVE RESPONDER. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAVE THE PRETTY POSTER YOU WERE IN FRONT OF EARLIER NEXT TO ME WITH THE GRAPHICS ABOUT THE ADDED HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE TO THE MATRIX -- NOT METRICS, BUT MATRIX, AS IN THE MOVIE.

WERE THE -- WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME I HAD TO LOOK AT IT I WILL VOTE NO, BUT I WILL ASK COUNSELOR ROBINSON TO GIVE ME A CALL BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH HER AND HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS SO THE NEXT TIME THIS COMES UP I MAY BE ABLE TO JOIN MY COLLEAGUES AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID HE SPENT THE LAST YEAR STUDYING IT AND WORKING ON IT AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK ON IT FOR FOUR DAYS AND I DON'T HAVE THIS TALENT OF PULLING TOGETHER ALL OF THAT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

I WILL BE A NO TODAY, BUT I DO LIKE THE GRAPHIC.

I THINK IT IS A NICE GRAPHIC. >> WE ARE COMMITTED AND WILLING TO PROVIDE A WORKSHOP AND A PRESENTATION TO YOU AND YOUR TEAMS AND WE WILL SEND OUT A NOTE TODAY TO GET ON

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

COUNSELOR. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL BE VOTING NO AND THE SAME CONDITIONS.

WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU GOING FORWARD.

I JUST DON'T THINK IT IS READY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL BE VOTING IN FAVOR SO THE ITEM CARRIES. THANK YOU ALL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, KEEP IT UP.

I WANT TO GET A PICK -- PICTURE OF IT.

LEAN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE WE HIT 4:00. LET'S JUST CONTINUE GOING DOWN THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 5 ON PAGE 2 WE WILL DISCUSS PER COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S REQUEST.

ITEM 6 ON PAGE 2 AND -- IS THE HOMELESS -- HOMELESSNESS.

DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM? I'LL KEEP IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE HAD A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS ON THAT ONE.

NEXT IS ITEM 7 WHICH WE MENTIONED WILL BE NO ACTION.

ITEM 11 WE ALSO DISCUSSED IS NOT -- IT IS THE TRANSMITAL.

ITEM 12 IS MY BROAD COVID ITEM AND I HAVE A QUICK UPDATE I WILL PROVIDE YOU GUYS. ITEM 13 IS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TRANSITION PLAN.

WE DO NEED -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I

THINK WE NEED TO VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON ITEM 13?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WAS THERE A

MOTION FOR THAT ITEM? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA DO YOU WANT TO MOVE IT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'LL MOVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOVED BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOLD ON, JUDGE. I THOUGHT MR. BERRY HAD A COMMENT HE WOULD ADD TO THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, MR. BERRY.

>> SURE. I DO HAVE ONE SUGGESTION

[05:35:02]

CHANGE. IF YOU LIKE I CAN READ THE

PROPOSED MOTION, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: GO FOR IT.

>> A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE OFFICE OF CON TEA ADMINISTRATION TRANSITION PLAN SUBMITTED INCLUDING THE ASKERRAL STRUCTURE AND THE ABILITY OF THE ADD -- ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE FOOT -- FOOT NOTE 1 IS ADDED TO HCTRA ON PAGE 3. MEANING THE HIRING AND FIRING OF HCTRA'S DIRECTOR BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REQUIRES RATIFICATION BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

IS THIS AN AMENDMENT OR ROLLED INTO IT? OKAY. THAT'S FINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT'S WHERE HCTRA REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE -- SCUTE ME, THROUGH COMMISSION -- EXCUSE ME,

THROUGH COMMISSIONERS' COURT. >> AND FOR CLARIFICATION, IT BO STILL REPORT THROUGH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, BUT HIRING AND FIRING IS SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION BY THE COURT AS ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER POSITIONS ARE FLAGGED.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES DID YOU CATCH THE MOKES -- THE

MOTION? >> THE MOTION IS CLEAR.

BUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND ELLIS SECONDED IT AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON IT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE ON IT.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WE DISCUSSED IT BEFORE AND I WAS OPPOSED THEN AND I AM OPPOSED NOW.

I WON'T BURDEN THE PUBLIC WITH ANOTHER LONG AND LENGTHY SPEECH IN OPPOSITION. I WANT TO BRING THAT SPEECH FORWARD TO TODAY WHEN I VOTE NO.

RODRIGUEZ

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND JUDGE I AM VOTING NO, BUT UNDERSTAND I AM SPENDING A LOT OF TIME WITH DAVID BERRY. I HAVE GIVEN HIM A LOT OF GOOD CON TAINTS -- CON TABLGHTS TO -- COB TACTS TO HELP HIM THROUGH THIS. WE NEED TO TAKE OUR TIME AND WORK THROUGH THE DETAILS OF IT. I WILL BE VOTING NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND I WANT TO THANK DAVE AND THE TEAM FOR THE PRESENTATION, ESPECIALLY THE EARLY INITIATIVES THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED.

I THINK THEY ARE APPROPRIATE. FOR EXAMPLE, MORE EFFICIENCY AND COST SAVINGS AND GENERALLY HAVING CLEAR INFORMATION AS TO THE COUNTY SERVICES. I'LL BE IN FAVOR.

THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. THANK YOU, DAVE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WON'T BE LABOR IT, BUT I WANT TO THANK MR. BERRY AND THE OFFICE AS WELL ON THIS. I THINK SOME OF THE DISCUSSION TODAY IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW MICROMANAGING LEADS TO NO MANAGING.

THERE IS NO WAY WITH ALL OF THESE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WE CAN AS A GOVERNING BOARD KEEP UP WITH EVERY NUANCE OF WHAT GOES ON IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. IT PUTS A LOT OF BURDEN ON YOU, MR. BERRY AND YOUR TEAM. I THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER ARSES -- OURSELVES POLICY-MAKING BOARD.

WE ARE THE LEGISLATIVE ARM OF THIS COUNTY SSMENTS -- COUNTY. IN SOME COUNTIES AT THE CALL THEM COUNTY LEGISLATORS. I BET IF I -- IF YOU DIG IT UP THAT'S WHAT IT WAS INITIALLY. WE HAVE GONE BEYOND THE POINT -- IN THE OLD DAYS WE ARE JUST BUILDING ROADS.

WE GOT TO FOCUS ON MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

MICROMANAGING EVERYTHING TODAY AS WONDERFUL AS IT IS, THERE IS NO WAY WE WILL KEEP UP WITH IT.

IT LEADS TO INACTION. I WANT SOMEBODY TO BLAME AND THAT'S YOU, MR. BERRY AND THAT'S YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> TOM RAMSEY: TO ADD TO THAT, THE CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH DAVID ON THIS TOPIC, I HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED AND TRUST A LOT OF OUR DIRECTORS IN THE DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE GREAT DECISIONS.

WE DON'T WANT EVERY DECISION TO BE PUSHED IN OUR DIRECTOR'S OFFICE. WE WANT TO LEAD AND NOT WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO MAKE A DECISION.

MY TAKE AND MY CONCERNS, COMMISSIONER, IS ALONG YOUR LINES. I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE WILL BE NO ACTION BECAUSE NO ONE IS WILLING TO MAKE A DECISION BECAUSE THEY WILL ALL BE WAITING ON TIME WITH MR. BERRY TO WORK THROUGH THE DETAILS. WE SHARE A COMMON CONCERN FROM

[05:40:04]

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S A GOOD POINT, COMMISSIONER. TO ME IF SOMEBODY IS GOVERNING BY FEAR AND INTIMIDATION ORIE LUCK TENT -- OR RE -- RELUCTANT TO HIRE CAPABLE PEOPLE AND JUST YES MEN AND YES WOMEN THAT IS THE CASE.

I AM CONFIDENT HE CAME IN NOT BECAUSE HE WAS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY, BUT HE DID VERY WELL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

THAT'S THE KEY TO LEADERSHIP. I'M SURE HE DID IT AT YOUR COMPANY. I I DID IT AT MINE.

I HIRED PEOPLE AND WHEN THEY MESSED UP, THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHAT A STRONG ADD -- ADMINISTRATOR

DOES. >> IF I MIGHT QUICKLY, I THINK HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE NO FEAR OF MICROMANAGEMENT BY THE HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHICH IS ME. EVEN IF I HAD THAT INSPIRATION , THAT ASPIRATION WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY I WORK. COMING FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR YOU SET HIGH GOALS AND YOU FIND PEOPLE TO EXECUTE THEM.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF PLATING TRUST IN ME.

ION THOUGH YOU DON'T THINK -- EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T THINK THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS A GOOD IDEA, I APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU SPENT. I TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND

INCORPORATE IT INTO MY PLAN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: FROM A SUPREME BUREAUCRAT, I'M SURE YOU WILL EXCEL AT BEING A

SUPREME BUREAUCRAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO SAY THAT YOU WERE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR COMING IN AS BUDGET DIRECTOR. YOU TOOK OVER AN OPERATION THAT NEEDED A LOT OF ATTENTION. IT GAVE ME ALL THE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WILL DO WELL AS AN ADMINISTRATOR.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO EVEN COMMIT TO THE COUNTY IN THAT ROLE YOU WERE IN AND YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DO WHAT YOU DID THERE AND YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM 14 ON PAGE 3.

THAT'S ON THE BACKLOG. I DO THINK WE SHOULD DISCUSS THAT ITEM BECAUSE SEVERAL MEMBERS WERE K -- WERE REQUESTING UPDATES. ITEM 175 IS THE AGREEMENT WITH HV. I WILL NOT TRY TO PRONOUNCE THIS AGAIN. DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS THIS

ITEM? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST TO VOTE.

WE HAD THE DISCUSSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOVED BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 180, COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU FLAGGED THIS ON THE FLOOD

CONTROL BONDS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO WANT TO

DISCUSS IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 188 IS THE NEXT ONE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM? I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS YOU HAD --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M WORKING UP SOMETHING SINCE THIS SPECIAL SESSION MAY GO A LITTLE LONGER AND IN TERMS OF THE BAIL ISSUE, I KNOW WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE I ADVOCATED DOING NEVER SEEING THE LIGHT OF DAY. THEY PASSED A BAIL REFORM TO DO AWAY WITH CASH BAIL. ILLINOIS PASSED THE SYSTEM.

I THINK MITCH MCCONNELL'S STATE, KENTUCKY AND MAYBE NEW YORK, BUT I THINK IT DOES MAKE SENSE INSTEAD OF SPENDING TIME ARGUING ABOUT A SYSTEM WHERE SOMEBODY HAS MONEY THEY GET OUT. I SAW SOMETHING ABOUT THE DURST CASE WHEN I PEEPED AT IT EARLY THIS MORNING.

I'LL COME BACK WITH SOME RECOMMENDATION THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATE THIEF -- APPRECIATIVE.

I MAY ASK YOUR OFFICE IF YOU CAB FIGURE OUT THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. SOMETHING THAT IS NOT TILTED TOWARD HELPING THE BAIL INDUSTRY WHICH IS MOST OF WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY WROTE THE BILL.

AND OF COURSE WE HAD NO FELONY BAIL REFORM HERE.

THERE WAS A LAWSUIT. WE HAD MISDEMEANOR BAIL

[05:45:03]

REFORM. I WANTED TO RAISE THAT -- TRY TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE POLITICAL REALM.

I KNOW AS PEOPLE LEAD TO THE ELECTIONS IT IS A HOT BUTTON.

I HAVE BEEN IN IT A LONGTIME AND I KNOW HOW FOLKS PLAY THE GAME. THERE ARE POLICY ISSUES I COME UP WITH. HERE TRYING TO FIND CONSENSUS OF SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE AND NOT JUST MAKING SPLIT -- POLITICAL POINTS. I APPRECIATE ANY INPUT MEMBERS MAY HAVE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> SO IS THERE ACTION ON THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS 188.

189, TRANSMITAL OF THE UPDATED MEMO RESPONDING TO THE REQUEST. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. SO --

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL DISCUSS IT.

ITEM 192 THERE WAS A REQUEST BY PRECINCT 3 AND 4 TO DISCUSS

ITEM 192. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I PREVIOUSLY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS POSITION, BUT WE HAD APPROVED THESE POSITIONS IN OUR BUDGET THAT WE PASSED IN MARCH.

AND ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD AT THIS TIME.

I WOULD MAKE A CAUTIONARY COMMENT AND THAT IS EXPANDING HER GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES AND WITH THAT I'M DONE.

>> I WANT TO STRESS THAT TO THE EXTENT THIS COURT IS REALLY COMMITTED TO AND WITH THE NEXT COURT I WILL ASK THE DEPARTMENT TO COME UP WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WE DIDN'T DO MUCH ON THE ECONOMIC GOVERNMENT.

BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE A REAL COMMITMENT AND EQUITY OUGHT TO BE A PART OF IT. I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE AND THEY NEED TO DO AND SOMETHING COMMISSIONER GARCIA BROUGHT UP AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS BROUGHT UP AND THE SHIP CHANNEL WITH NOT THE MWBE PARTICIPATION.

WE NEED TO PUT THIS IN ORDER AND WE WANT THEM TO DO IT AND THEY CAN'T DO IT QUICK ENOUGH FOR ME.

THE DISPARITY STUDY CAME OUT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO AND THERE IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MINORITY-OWNED

BUSINESSES ARE A PRIORITY. >> MY ONLY COMMENT WOULD BE IF SHE HAS TO WAIT A MONTH OR TWO TO GET THE VERY BEST PEOPLE, DON'T GO HIRE THE FIRST EIGHT PEOPLE THAT WALK IN THE DOOR AND THEY NEED TO GET PEOPLE IN THERE THAT NEED TO GET WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I WOULD INTERVIEW LONG AND

HIRE SLOW. >> AND WITH THIS FOCUS ON EQUITY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AROUND THE COUNTRY GOOD PEOPLE

KNOW THE DEMAND. >> WE WON'T NEED TO DISCUSS

ITEM 192. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 219, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU FLAGGED THIS OFFER --

>> THE SHERIFF REACHED OUT ON THIS ITEM.

I DON'T THINK I NEED TO PULL IT.

WE CAN VOTE ON IT UNDER CONSENT.

I JUST HOPE WE CAN FIND SOME WORE -- WORTHY CHARITIES IN PRECINCTS 3 AND 4. WE HAVE PLENTY OF THEM.

THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY ON THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE DOGS IN THERE, BUT NO K9S FOR COPS IN THERE. OTHER THAN THAT I'M GOOD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO APPLAUD SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND SOON TO BE DIRECTOR GONZALEZ. THIS IS VERY THOUGHTFUL USE OF SEIZED ASSETS. I REMEMBER WHEN I DONATED TO

[05:50:11]

CRIMESTOPPERS. THERE WAS SOME INTERESTING DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT ITEM. , BUT I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF GONZALEZ ABOUT THINKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND GIVING TO VERY GOOD AND NEED-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

AS WE TALK ABOUT LOOSE AND STRAY ANIMALS IN THE COMMUNITY AND RECOGNIZING OUR HUMANE SOCIETY CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH AND LOOKING AT AREAS WHERE THE DOGS ARE AND OTHER ANIMALS ARE BEING KEPT IN HORRIBLE CONDITIONS AND THEY ARE DOING AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF PHENOMENAL WORK AND HAS DONE IT WITH VERY LITTLE RESOURCES IN CONTRAST WITH K9 FOR COPS.

I WANT TO APPLAUD SHERIFF GONZALEZ FOR HIS VERY NOT -- VERY THOUGHTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE COUNTRY CAN EXPECT

FROM THE LEADERSHIP. >> AND I WOULD SAY THE SAME WHEN I SEE IT OUT OF PRECINCT 4.

I AM SUPPORTING IT AS IT IS. IT IS ALL GOOD STUFF, BUT IT

IS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I GET IT.

FOR NOW WE'LL PUT IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ITEM 232 AND PRE SINKS 3 AND 4 BOTH FLAGGED THIS ONE.

IT IS AN ELECTIONS-RELATED MATTER.

DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS MUTED. SECOND LEASE

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS ITEM 232.

ACCOMMODATING MATERIALS FOR ELECTIONS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 241 IS A TRANSMITAL AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF REPORTS FROM VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PROGRAMS.

>> I THOUGHT WE VOTED ON THAT AT 4:00.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE VOTED ON -- I FORGOT TO PULL THIS ONE. JAMES, I FORGOT THIS ONE,

DIDN'T I? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECOND -- SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

>> WHAT IS THE MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: 241.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JAMES, ARE YOU GOING TO TELL US WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE BECAUSE IT IS A TRANS MISS TALL.

>> IT IS TRANSMITAL. UNLESS THERE IS A AN ACTION YOU NEED TO REFER TO COMMITTEE, YOU DON'T NEED TO

DO ANYTHING. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS LIVING

PROOF. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE JUST WANTED TO SEE IF HE WAS LISTENING.

YOU NEED TO GET SOME OF THESE GRAPE.

>> THE JUDGE WAS 100% RIGHT ON THIS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DIDN'T CATCH THIS BEFORE. IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S FINE. THIS IS ALL TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT JAMES. THAT BEING SAID, 241 WE DON'T -- IT IS HERE NOR THERE. 271.

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AUDITED CLAIMS. COMMISSIONER KAY -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE YOU FLAGGED

THIS ONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, THERE IS AN ITEM ON THAT TO PAY PFM THAT IS BURIED WITHIN TOME OF THE APPROVALS AND I MOVE WE APPROVE ALL OF THE ITEMS IN THE AUDITOR SECTION, BUT NOT THE PORTION OF THE PFM.

IF I CAN MOVE THAT AND WE CAN VOTE ON THAT AND THEN SOMEONE

ELSE MAY WANT TO MOVE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU SECONDING MOW MOTION OF APPROVING -- MY MOTION OF APPROVING EVERYTHING BUT PFM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU CATCH

THAT MOTION? >> NO, MA'AM WHICH ITEM ARE WE

ON. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 271 ON PAGE 34. IT IS THE AUDITOR SECTION.

THE MOTION IS I MOVE TO APPROVE THIS ITEM WITH THE

[05:55:04]

EXCEPTION OF THE PFM REPORT. THE PAYMENT TO PFM.

BURIED INTO IT, IN THE BACK, THERE IS A PAYMENT ITEM OF PFM. I THINK WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT EVERYTHING BUT THAT ONE SECTION IS GONNA BE THERE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED

ALL OF THOSE ITEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES THAT

MAKE SENSE TO YOU, JAMES? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE WILL NEED

TO TAKE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE PFM ONE. FOR NOW WE ARE VOTING ON ALL OF THE PORTIONS OF THE ITEM EXCEPT FOR THE PFM PORTION.

DOES THAT WORK, JAMES? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY CAGLE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE AUDITED CLAIMS RELATED TO

PFM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH WAS ONLY HIDDEN IN THIS DOCUMENT

WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WASN'T TRYING TO BE PRAJORATIVE. IT IT IS A TONAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ARE YOU GOOD WITH THE MOTION,

JAMES? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO, NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THAT MOTION CARRIES 3-2. SO THAT WAS 271 ON PAGE 33.

LET'S MOVE TO 8 TESTIMONY 335.

THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH PFM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: ONE COMMENT, JUDGE AND I WILL BE OPPOSING, BUT I WANTED THE COURT TO KNOW THAT I DID HAVE A BRIEFING BY PFM. IN THAT BRIEFING THEY INFORMED ME THAT A REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE CONSTABLES RELATED TO THEIR REVIEW WAS NOT GOING TO BE REVIEWED AND INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. THEY HAD NOTHING RELEVANT THAT THE CONSTABLES HAD TO OFFER. IF THEY ARE GOING TO DO THAT KIND AND THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER.

DON'T WASTE THE D.A.'S TIME IF THAT'S THEIR ATTITUDE.

THEY HAVE THEIR MIND MADE UP AND THEY ARE NOT LISTENING TO ANYBODY AND MAYBE NOT THE D.A.

>> I REMEMBER AT ONE POINT. DOES ANYONE, JIM OR DAVE --

>> JUDGE, I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO -- I THINK P PFM IS GOING TO PRESENT TO THE ENTIRE AND THEY TOTALLY DISREGARDED ANYTHING THE CONSTABLES HAVE TO SAY.

THIS IS WHAT I WANT YOU TO SUBMIT.

THEY PROVIDED INPUT. THERE IS NOTHING THAT IS

VALUED. >> IT IS ONE THAT THE CONSTABLE WROTE AS OPPOSED TO A REPORT THAT PFM WOULD WRITE BASED ON ASKING FOR INFORMATION FROM A CONSTABLE.

>> THE CONSTABLE PROVIDED THE INFORMATION AND THEY DIDN'T

HAVE ANYMORE VALUE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HEAR

BOTH SIDES. >> TOM RAMSEY: YOU HAVE ONE

SIDE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE CONSTABLES WOULD STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO PRESENT WHATEVER IT

IS THEY WANT TO. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THAT'S WHERE -- I MEAN I'M SURE JIM AND DAVE ARE LISTENING AS OPPOSED TO -- ANYWAY, I WILL ASK IF THEY HAVE SPOKEN TO EACH OTHER -- ULTIMATELY WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO A

[06:00:03]

SOLUTION AND NEXT STEPS ON THE CHALLENGES.

THANK YOU FOR RAISING THAT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND I

WILL CIRCLE BACK. >> THAT WAS MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. SO WE VOTED ON 335.

352 WAS FLAGGED. 387 WAS ALSO FLAGGED AND THAT IS ALSO -- THAT IS THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM WE VOTED ON. 392 IS BY COMMISSIONER OF PRE SINK 3 -- PRECINCT 3. REDUCING THE INCOME TAX

PENALTY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS AN ISSUE I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I PUT AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST. I KNOW COMMISSIONER BERRY REIS WORKING ON A -- MR. BERRY IS WORKING ON THIS, BUT THE MORE I DIG INTO THIS THE WORSE IT GETS.

IT IS PREDATOR -- PREDATORY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE DO TO PEOPLE LATE ON THEIR TAXES. IT IS INCREDIBLY UNAGO -- UN UN-- UNACCEPTABLE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR TIMELINE IS BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE RELATED TO SOFTWARE AND OTHER THINGS. WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO CHARGE WHAT WE DO TO PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT PAYING FOR TAXES.

THIS IS NOT ANYWAY A COUNTY SHOULD BE OPERATED IN TERMS OF WHAT THESE FOLKS ARE HAVING TO PAY.

WHEN THEY ARE HAVING TO PAY 50% MORE ALMOST AT THE END OF ONE YEAR, THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT.

I KNOW WE'RE WORKING ON T BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS FAST ENOUGH. I WISH WE WOULD PUT A HIGHER PRIORITY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN LOWER THIS TO FOLKS TO PEOPLE THAT CAN LEAST AFFORD IT ARE THE ONE THAT'S ARE BEING ATTACKED. THIS IS THE WORST KIND OF THING I HAVE SEEN IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE LATE ON THEIR TAXES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BEFORE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RESPONDS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU.

WE HAVE MADE SOME PRAGUE GREETS -- SOME PROGRESS.

WE CUT IT FROM 20% TO 15% AND THAT'S PROGRESS.

IT IS STILL TOO HIGH. IT WORKS AND I KNOW I SAID IT IN PRIVATE AND IT IS 10% THAT THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY AND THAT'S 10% AUTOMATIC. AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR THAT'S 10 PLUS 12 AND THAT'S 22 COMPOUNDED AND THAT'S ROUNDED OFF. AND THEN COME JUNE FIEF TEENTH, NOT -- JUNE 15TH, NOT ONE YEAR LATER, BUT SIX MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD, YOU THROW IN WHAT WAS 20% PLUS LEGAL FEES. THAT'S NOT MUCH TO FIGHT OVER COMPOUNDING I THINK MR. BERRY KEEPS GOING.

AT LEAST THE 1% KEEPS GOING AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE, I WOULD SAY POLITICALLY THE LAW OUGHT TO BE CHANGED.

YOU KNOW WHEN I HEARD IT -- WHEN I WAS A COUNCILMEMBER IN 84 AND THAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING I THOUGHT OF, THE VENDOR GOT THE BILL PASSED. ONLY IF YOU HIRE AN OUTSIDE LAW FIRM COULD YOU COLLECT THE ADDITION ON TOP OF IT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, LOOK, I WOULD LIKE MR. BERRY TO COMMENT AND GIVE US SOME OPTIONS AND HOPEFULLY COME BACK WITH SOMETHING AND IT DOMES UP AND -- IT COMES UP AND IT DIES OUT AND IT WAS ONE OF THE FEW THINGS WE AGREED ON. WE'LL BRING THE TOLL ROAD IN THE HOUSE AND THEN YOU SAY THE SKY WILL FALL.

[06:05:07]

>> THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A CLEAR TIMETABLE TO ADDRESS THIS PREDATORY TAXING OF FOLKS THAT ARE LATE ON THEIR -- ON THEIR TAXES. IT IS ALL AROUND SOFTWARE AND OTHER ISSUES. AND WE CAN GET SOME SANITY

BACK INTO THIS. >> AND A TIMETABLE LIKE YOU WERE SAYING EARLIER ON THAT OTHER ITEM.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE IN THE PUBLIC.

WE GET A SENSE OF WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT IS THERE. THIS IS GOING WITH A GREAT VENDOR, BUT THREE DECADES. MR. BERRY?

>> WE CAN GIVE YOU AN UPDATE AND THERE ARE REALLY THREE PARTS OF THIS. ONE IS A PENALTY AND WE CAN GET THEM INTO THE PLANS BEFORE THEY ARE DO LINK WENT.

DELINQUENT. I THINK THIS DISCUSSION AND

OTHERS IS MOTIVATION. >> MR. BERRY, ANYTHING WE CAN DO IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS TO GET IN A PAYMENT PLAN.

WHATEVER WE CAN THROW INTO THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS SO THEY DON'T GET TO WHERE IT DOUBLES AND TRIPLES QUICKLY.

>> I WANT TO RAISE THIS POINT IF I MIGHT.

IT IS FOR THE VENDOR TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PAY ON TIME.

THEY CAN'T MAKE ANY MONEY AND I MENTIONED THIS BEFORE.

I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER USE.

WE NEED TO GET OFF OF WHAT WE ARE ON.

WE WILL HAVE PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOUSES THAT NEVER DREAM THEY END UP IN THIS POSITION. BUT A PARADIGM SHIFT NEEDS TO COME ABOUT. THERE IS AN AWFUL PREDICAMENT AND, YOU KNOW, -- YEAH, JUDGE, IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT A SOFT -- SOFTWARE AND WE ARE DOING A GREAT DEAL OF THIS AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY WHO CELEBRATE THIS ALGORITHM THAT THEY USE WORKS. THE REALITY OF IT IS AND PEOPLE HAVE NOT MOVED FROM THEIR HOMES AND IT CREATES A CHALLENGE FOR THEM ARE SO INCREDIBLY HIGH AND AT A RATE OF 10% EVERY YEAR. AND IF FOLKS DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROTEST, THEN THEY DO GET IN UH REARS.

AND THIS OTHER SOFTWARE NOW CATCHES US.

WHEN WE'RE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION I WANT TO CONTEMPLATE ANOTHER DISCUSSION. THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE

PROBLEM EXISTS. >> I WANT TO JUDGE --

[06:10:03]

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION.

AND THEY ARE MAKING THE MOTION AND SO I WANT TO SUGGEST THIS AS A MOTION THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COMES BACK WITH A PLAN TO MOVE DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION IN HOUSE TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A YEAR TO DO IT AND I DON'T WANT THIS TO KEEP DRAGGING.

IT HAS BEEN DRAGGING SINCE THE ISSUE CAME UP AND WE MOVED TO THE HOUSE. THAT WAS QUICK.

IT WAS JUST LIKE THAT. THE MOTION WAS MADE AND IT WAS DONE. I GOT CALLS AND THE SKY WAS FALLING AND THE SKY WAS FALLING, WELL THE SKY DIDN'T FALL. IF IT WAS 45 DAYS TO COME BACK AND SAY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE AND IT TAKES A DECADE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD SECOND THAT IF IT MEANS COMING BACK AND THERE IS A DAY WE CAN BRING IT TO THEM.

>> AREN'T YOU ALREADY WORKING ON A PLAN.

>> THE PLAN WE ARE WORKING ON NOW, COMMISSIONER IS TO PUT THE TAX OFFICE OFFER OUT FOR RFP.

THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO HAVE COOPERATION -- ALLOW US TO HAVE OPTIONS AND ONCE WE HAVE A STABLE PATH REPLACING THE SOFTWARE TO BRING IT IN HOUSE AND HAVE AN RFP FOR THE

SERVICE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN LIVE WITH EITHER OF THOSE OPTIONS. I DON'T WANT IT TO DRAG ON.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. THE LATEST NOTES I HAVE IS WE GIVE A DRAFT OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO REVIEW BY AUGUST 30TH. WHY DON'T WE BRING YOU AN UPDATE BACK ON THIS EFFORT SHORTLY THEREAFTER? I WOULD SAY THERE IS A QUESTION OF WHO PAYS, RIGHT? THE COUNTY -- SO THERE ARE TWO THINGS GOING ON HERE.

ONE IS RIGHT NOW TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR COLLECTIONS, RIGHT? IF WE WANT TO PAY SOMEONE TO DO IT THAT'S A FINANCIAL ISSUE.

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF WHO WILL PAY.

IF WE WANT TO REDUCE THE BURDEN, THEN WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO PAY WHETHER IT IS PAYING LINEBURGER OR BRINGING

HIM IN HOUSE. >> I AGREE WITH THAT.

THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED THE LEGISLATIVE ROUTE AS WELL.

IT IS A PREDATORY PRACTICE AND IT HAS GONE ON WITH LITTLE DISCUSSION. MAYBE IT IS SOMETHING OFF THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE. ONCE YOU GET IT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS IT IS KIND OF HARD TO STOMACH THEM, TO BE

HONEST WITH YOU. >> I THINK THERE IS WORK BEING DONE ON THIS, BUT, JAY, MAYBE THIS IS FOR YOU, MR. MENIFE.

I WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AS TO REMEDIES ABOUT H CAT -- HCAT. THAT'S WHERE THE PROBLEM IS ROOTED AT. I THINK WE HAVE VOTED ON SEVERAL PLANS, MAYBE THE SAME PLAN THREE OR FOUR TIMES.

WE ARE BUILDING A PROGRAM AT THE ROOT OF WHERE THINGS HAPPEN. AND AT THE ROOT PEOPLE'S PROPERTY TAXES AND AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE DO LING WEAN -- DELINQUENCY IS AT HOW MUCH PEOPLE CAN PAY FOR A HOME

[06:15:02]

WITHOUT IMPROVEMENTS THAT KEEPS BEING UH PRAISED AT -- UH PRAISED AT HIGHER LEVELS, 10% EVERY YEAR.

WITH A COMPLICATED PROTEST PROCESS TO IT.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT IF WE DON'T ALSO TALK ABOUT THAT, WE ARE NOT REALLY FIXING NILG -- FIXING ANYTHING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I GET, THAT COMMISSIONER, BUT THERE ARE

TWO SEPARATE ISSUES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY ARE

JERMAINE -- GERMAIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THE AGE PROCESS IS EVER CORRECTED, PAYING A 40% PENALTY ON YOUR TAXES EVEN IF YOU ONLY OWE $200 IS JUST PREDATOR

PRACTICE. >> ONE CAUSES THE OTHER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BERRY, I WILL WAIT UNTIL YOU COME BACK, SAY TWO WEEKS AND I THINK AT SOME POINT WE NEED A TIMETABLE. I GET IT ON THE HCAT ISSUE, BUT THAT HAS BEEN AROUND AS WELL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. LINEBARGER GOT THEIR HOOKS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THEY GAVE THE VOTE.

BOTH OF THESE THINGS ARE ROOTED AT THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE ARE SO MANY LOOPHOLES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS WRITTEN AT THE LEGISLATURE. IT HAS BEEN PASSED AND AS A CONSEQUENCE OUR HANDS ARE SEMITIED.

>> WE'LL PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO COURT.

LET'S DO THAT IN SEPTEMBER. SEPARATELY I THINK WE CAN'T GET ALL OF THE OFFICES TOGETHER AND IS THERE MORE WE CAN DO TO GET AHEAD OF THE PROBLEM? THAT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD DISCUSSION AS WELL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE RELATED TO HARPO.

IN SEPTEMBER WHEN THE -- MR. BERRY YOUR OFFICE POSTED OR I POSTED OR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AN ITEM BROAD ENOUGH, A 40% PENALTY ON WHATEVER IT IS THAT IS A PREDATORY PRACTICE.

IT WASN'T RIGHT WHEN THE CITY DID IT IN 1984 AND WHOEVER WAS WITH THE LAW FIRM THEY SPLIT THE FEE WITH THE CITY AND THEN THEY WENT TO AUSTIN AND CHANGED THE LAW SO THEY COULDN'T SPLIT THE FEE. AND IT WOULD -- INSTEAD OF IT JUST BEING A VENDOR BILL. MR. BERRY I HOPE YOU DO

RESEARCH ON IT. >> REMEMBER YOU SAID WHAT WAS THAT MOTION WE PASSED BACK IN THE DAY? I THINK THEY FOUND IT. IT BASICALLY SAID TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE NEED TO JUST BE CLEAR AS TO WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE. IT DISWREASES -- IT ADDRESSES THE COMMISSION COMMISSIONER'S TIMELINE AND TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT IS WHAT CAN WE DO ON THE PAYMENT PLAN AND SUPPORT EARLY ON THE APPRECIATION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE HCAT ISSUE WHO TAKES THAT ON? ON WHAT WE CAN DO, THERE IS A SPECIAL SESSION ON THE HCAT ISSUE. WE ARE JUST TRYING TO DIG OUT -- WHAT CAN WE DO ON THE HCAT ISSUE.

>> I DON'T KNOW. >> IF THAT'S ENOUGH TIME IN SEPTEMBER, AT LEAST WE GOT SOME SENSE ON THE HCAT ISSUE

ON WHAT WE CAN DO. >> AND WHAT IS THE HEART OF

[06:20:01]

THE MATTER? >> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE COUNTY STAFF IS FOLLOWING UP ON COMMISSIONER COURT'S MOTION. THIS IS A BROAD TOPIC.

AND THEY WOULD GO IN AND TRY AND LOWER THE FEE.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WAS SUCCESSFUL IN THAT AND CREATING A FUND FOR THE TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE.

THERE IS ANOTHER MOTION TO GO DOWN THE PATH OF HAVING A SOFTWARE RFP THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY GIVE US A MORE COMPETITIVE PROCESS IN THE FUTURE.

AND THAT'S WHERE I NOTICE THAT THE OFFICE WILL BE PERFORMING THE RFP AT THE END OF AUGUST. I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WHILE IT CAN AND SHOULD GO FASTER.

WE ARE FOLLOWING UP ON BOTH OF THOSE MOTIONS.

>> JUDGE, IF I CAN JUST -- ONE LAST THING I WANTED TO SINCE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY RAISED THIS, BUT THE ONE THING I WANT TO MENTION IS THE 40% FEE YOU HIGHLIGHT AND I THINK MY QUESTION I TALKED ABOUT AS WELL, THE SYSTEM ITSELF IS STRUCTURALLY DESIGNED TO ALLOW THIRD PARTY VENDORS TO COLLECT MORE THAN A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY CAN.

BY DEFINITION YOU HAVE A BIGGER ISSUE WHEN YOU HAVE THIRD PARTY VENDORS DOING YOUR DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION.

THE TAXPAYER SIMPLY PAYS MORE.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO COLLECT AS MUCH AS A THIRD PARTY VENDOR WOULD.

TRAVIS COUNTY HAS IT IN HOUSE AND A DO LINK -- DE LINK WENT DELINQUENT TAXPAYER WOULD PAY LESS.

IT IS BECAUSE OF HOW THE SYSTEM IS STRUCTURED.

I AGREE WITH A LOT THAT HAS BEEN SAID HERE, BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE SYSTEM ITSELF IS DESIGNED IN A WAY TO, A, GIVE MONEY AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO FACTOR IN AND WE WANT TO CREATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. AND WE WILL WORK WITH THE COUNTY ADD STREIGHTER WITH ANY -- THE COUNTY

ADMINISTRATOR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER, BUT I THINK THE DELINQUENCY RATE IN TRAVIS COUNTY IS LOWER BECAUSE THEY DO MORE THINGS FOR FOLKS WOULD PAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE AS MUCH INCENTIVE WHEN YOU ARE

LATE. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

BECAUSE OF HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS THE COUNTY CAN ONLY GET 15%, BUT IT IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC 15%.

THAT 15% ONLY FIXES UPON AFTER A LAWSUIT IS FILED RATHER THAN 15% IS IMMEDIATELY DONE AT THE TIME.

THE BEST EXAMPLE IS THE TOLL ROAD COLLECTION.

AS MR. BERRY SAID THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO DO IT AND WE WILL GIVE THE COURT THE FLEXIBILITY ON THE CALL IT WANTS TO MAKE. LEAN SO --

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM, BUT DAVE WILL BE BRINGING SOMETHING BACK. ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT ITEM IS 408 AND THAT IS THE TRANSMITAL OF THE UNIVERSAL JUDICIAL DABBING -- DASHBOARD AND WE DISCUSSED TALKING ABOUT THAT WITH THE OTHER JUDICIAL ITEMS. 420, COMMISSIONER CAGLE FLAGGED THAT ITEM. IT IS EXPANDING THE VACCINATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM BEYOND THE PUBLIC HEALTH SITE. I'LL LEAVE IT THERE SINCE COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS NOT PRESENT.

NEXT WOULD BE -- I GUESS CLARIFICATION AND A MOTION, BUT WE ARE MISSING A COUPLE OF MEMBERS.

WHY DON'T WE BREAK -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DID YOU NEED

SOMETHING? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ABOUT TO VOTE ON EVERYTHING SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE ALL ARE PRESENT. I DON'T SEE COMMISSIONER

[06:25:03]

CAGLE. LET'S JUST RECONVENE IN FIVE MINUTES. IT IS 5:00.

LITIGATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'RE GOOD.

IT IS 5:12 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

THERE WAS JUST ONE MORE ITEM YOU FLAGGED AND IT IS ITEM 420 ABOUT EXPANDING THE VACCINE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE COULD GO INTO A LONG DISCUSSION AND IF YOU ARE NOT MEETING WITH ANYONE ELSE, WE CAN MEET, BUT I THINK YOU EXERCISED YOUR EMERGENCY POWERS TO DO TWO MILLION OF THAT. I THINK IT IS 100 BUCKS PER SHOT. I GUESS IF YOU HAVE THE TWO-SHOT SYSTEM THEY GET 200 BUCKS OR WHATEVER THE PROGRAM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THAT IS, BUT I JUST HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT WITH PAYING PEOPLE TO GET SHOTS. IT IS REMINISCENT OF UNSAVE VOR RE-- UNSAVORY THINGS IN THE PAST.

PEOPLE WERE PAID TO GIVE BLOOD.

I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF PAYING PEOPLE FOR THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL JUST MOVE IT IF IT MAKES IT BETTER GANG GANG INSTEAD OF GETTING INTO THE --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: INSTEAD OF GETTING INTO IT, THERE ARE SOME AGREEMENTS, BUT AS FAR AS THE PACKAGE I AM VOTING NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: FAIR ENOUGH AND I UNDERSTAND, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. WE DISCUSSED IT BEFORE AND IT IS A CHALLENGING ISSUE, BUT IT IS RELATED TO WHAT I SAID EARLIER ABOUT GRASPING AT STRAWS HERE.

WHAT MORE CAN WE DO? WE DID EVERYTHING UP UNTIL THIS, AND AT THIS POINT I MADE THAT EMERGENCY PURCHASING DECISION TO HURRY UP AND GET THIS STUFF OUT THE DOOR QUICKLY. AND THEN THIS ITEM IS SIMPLY TO SEE WHETHER IT IS FEASIBLE TO HAVE INCENTIVES OUTSIDE PUBLIC HEALTH. BUT I WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT THAT THERE IS A CHANCE IT IS NOT OPERATIONALLY FEASIBLE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE CAN DO A LOCAL LOTTERY, LET'S DO IT.

IT IS WORKING IN MISSOURI. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON THIS ITEM IT IS JUST TO CONFIRM THE TWO MILLION, CORRECT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THE TWO MILLION HAS BEEN DONE IN THE TRANSMITAL AND BEING PREPARED FOR THE NEXT COURT. IT WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DONE BY THE FRIDAY SUBMISSION DEADLINE.

THAT TRANSMITAL WILL BE AT THE NEXT COURT.

THIS IS TO SAY IT CUFFS HARRIS -- COVERS HARRIS COUNTY. WHETHER THEY GET THEIR SHOT AT PUBLIC HEALTH OR WALGREENS OR METHODIST OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

IF THERE IS A WAY WE CAN EXPAND IT TO THE NONPUBLIC HEALTH SITE. AND THAT IS DOING THE MATH AS TO HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YET TO BE VACCINATED AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST BASES. THAT'S WHAT THIS ITEM IS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ARE THOSE BEING INCORPORATED IN THE

PROGRAM? >> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THE QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA IF SOMEBODY GETS THE VACCINE IN A POD CAN THEY GET THE INCENTIVE? THE ANSWER SHOULD BE YES,

RIGHT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S WHAT

I'M HOPING THE ANSWER IS. >> JUDGE, YES, WE CAN BUILD THAT COMPONENT IN. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE CONTROL OVER THE ADMINISTRATION OF SERVICES AT THOSE PODS.

WE CAN EXPAND AND MAKE SURE THE POD SITES ARE INCLUDED AS

WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT GIVES ME SOME COMFORT. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE FOR ITEM 420 WHAT IS THE MOTION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHOULD I MOVE ON THE ITEM SO COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY CAN VOTE ON IT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS MOTION TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC HEALTH TO EXPLORE THE FEES -- THE FEASIBILITY, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

[06:30:01]

>> NO. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES THE ITEMS THAT FOLKS HAD FLAGGED. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS AGENDA. RIGHT NOW DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS. IT IS ITEM 400 AND -- 400 AND 402 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. 403 EXECUTIVE SESSION ON TXDOT. 405 AND -- 405 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION O'DONNELL CONSENT DECREE AND 407 AND 419 ON GA-38 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND 416 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SALARY.

THEN FOR NORMAL DISCUSSION IT IS ITEM 5 ON THE RENTAL -- EXCUSE ME, THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, ITEM 12 ON THE COVID PANDEMIC, ITEM 14 ON THE BACKLOG, ITEM 180 ON THE FLOOD CONTROL, IMPROVEMENT REFUNDING BONDS, ITEM 189 ON THE DEBTS REPORT FROM THE ANALYST'S OFFICE AND 408 ON THE JUDICIAL DASHBOARD. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?

>> WAS ITEM 6 ON THE DISCUSSION AS WELL?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS THE HOMELESS SUPPORT OF HOUSING.

I DON'T THINK SO. DID WE VOTE ON THAT? I THINK FOLKS WERE FINE ON THAT ONE.

NO NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM, JAMES.

WE NEED A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 1 THROUGH 420 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND THE ITEMS JUST LISTED. MOTION BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

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

LET'S START HERE AT THE TOP. THAT'S ITEM 5.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ARE YOU READY FOR THAT ONE? THAT'S THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE ITEM.

YOU AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS WERE GOING TO DISCUSS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T HEAR YOU.

MY STAFF WAS TALKING TO ME. I'M READY TO MOVE ON IT AND

HAPPY TO MAKE THE MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS

PRESENTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY FOR ITEM 5, THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE

ITEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR ALLOWING ME TO DO SOME --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE GOT SO BUSY.

I SAID TALK TO HIM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO THINK MR. MENIFE FOR TAKING MY CALL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON ITEM 12 I WILL BE VERY BRIEF.

SINCE WE LAST MET THE COUNTY'S THREAT LEVEL WENT FROM ORANGE TO RED BECAUSE WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS. OF CONCERN IS THE RATE OF INCREASE. WE START IN THE LOWER THRESHOLD SO WE HAVE MORE OF A BUFFER THAN IF WE HAD THIS RATE OF INCREASE IN DECEMBER OR IN JULY.

THE RATES WE HIT ARE FAST EITHER.

ARE FASTER. WE HAVE THIS ACTION -- WE HAVE THIS ACCELERATION. RIGHT NOW WE CAN SEE THAT INCREASE IN ALL THREE COUNTS. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN AN INCREASE IN VACCINATIONS PARTICULARLY IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATIONS AND THE HISPANIC POPULATION.

HOPEFULLY THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN BUILD ON IN THE OUT REACH PROGRAMS AND THE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND GET THE NUMBERS FURTHER UP. THEY ARE CHALLENGING NUMBERS.

WE HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS AND WHAT I HEAR IS PRO FOUND

[06:35:17]

CONCERN THAT WE ARE FLIRTING WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF OVER WELL PING THE -- OVERWHELMING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THERE IS A STAFFING SHORTAGE. THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO ALLOW THE STATE TO COORDINATE THE PROVISION OF NURSES.

THEY HAVE THE PURCHASING POWER TO BRING US MORE NURSES.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP US OUT.

WE ARE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BE FULLY STAFFED.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE NRG SHELTER.

WE ARE WAITING TO SEE IF IT IS NECESSARY.

AS OF RIGHT NOW IT HASN'T BEEN.

WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR HEALTH PARTNERS ON THE SITUATION.

>> AS YOU LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHIC IT WORKS BY AGE AND WOULD YOU CONSIDER -- I WILL START WITH GREATER THAN 18 AND WE WON'T GET INTO HIGH SCHOOL, BUT WHERE ARE THE GREATEST AREAS OF FOCUS AND CONCERN IN TERMS OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND FOLKS NOT VACCINATED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I MAY HAVE TO FOLLOW-UP ON THAT ONE WITH YOU. WE HAVE IT ONLINE, BUT IT WILL TAKE A MINUTE TO PULL IT UP. I WILL SAY THAT IT IS PRETTY STEADY. THE PERCENTAGE OF UNVACCINATED GETS HIGHER. AND THAT MAKES SENSE.

THE OLDER KID ARE AT HIGHER RISKS AND IT IS NOT NECESSARILY ONE OF THOSE THINGS -- NOT ONLY IS IT OLD, BUT THE HIGH TRANS MISS BUILT AT SCHOOLS AND LEADING TO PEOPLE BEING HOSPITALIZED. WE HAVE A LOW UP TICK RATE RIGHT NOW AMONG THE YOUNGEST FOLKS.

LET ME SEE IF I CAN PULL THIS UP REAL QUICK AND I WILL GET IT TO YOU IF I HAVE IT. OTHERWISE I WILL HAVE TO

FOLLOW-UP. >> TOM RAMSEY: WE CAN TALK

LATER TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO FOLKS HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS? WE'LL KEEP WORKING ON THIS.

THIS IS ALL ON READY HARRIS BUT THE PERCENT TESTIMONYING -- BUT THE PERCENTAGE -- IT IS LOADING.

I'LL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER SO I DON'T KEEP EVERYONE. THAT WAS ITEM -- THE BROAD

COVID ITEM. >> IS THERE ACTION ON THAT

ITEM, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION, JAMES. NEXT IS ITEM 14.

THAT'S ON THE CASE BACKLOG. THESE ARE THREE PROPOSALS FOR ADDITIONAL JUDGES FOR THE COUNTY COURTS, THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL STAFF AND FUNDING FOR THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES AND PROCESS BODY CAM EVIDENCE.

WE HAVE TO TAKE IT ON ITEM 408.

WHAT IS THE STATUS AS THE JUDICIAL DASHBOARD AND WE NEED

TO BE AWARE OF THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO --

>> JUDGE, I CAN ADDRESS THE TOPIC OF THE DASHBOARD.

I AM HAVING TO REPORT THAT THEY PUBLISHED A PUBLIC-FACING DASHBOARD WITH THEIR TRIAL AND BACKLOG INFORMATION.

[06:40:01]

THE DISTRICT COURTS HAVE PREPARED ONE AND SHARED AN INTERNAL VERSION. SO I THINK THAT'S ENCOURAGING WORK. BOTH J ARC D AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND MY TEAM HAVE BEEN DOING SOME WORK IN DEVELOPING SOME ADDITIONAL DASHBOARDS WHICH I THINK COULD BE INTERNAL AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE INTERNAL DATA IS

WORKING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU SAID THERE IS NOW A PUBLIC FACING DASHBOARD?

>> THE DISTRICT COURTS WERE MEETING TODAY AND WILL APPROVE PUBLICATION. I DON'T HAVE THE STATUS ON THAT, BUT I HOPE IT IS ON TRACK.

THEY SHARED AN INTERNAL COMMISSIONERS' COURT STAFF.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ANY REASON WHY ONE BODY WAS ABLE TO MOVE

FASTER THAN THE OTHER? >> I DON'T KNOW,

COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO THEY ARE VOTING TODAY, SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL HEAR SOME ANSWERS ON THAT. AND ARE THEY VOTING ON THE RULES FOR THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES TODAY?

>> I DO NOT. I KNOW THAT IS STILL PENDING.

>> MY REVIEW OF THAT INITIAL EFFORT ON THE DASHBOARD IN A WORD IS AWFUL. IT IS VERY GENERIC.

IT DOESN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING. IF THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PUT NUMBERS OUT THERE THAT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING, YOU MIGHT CALL THAT SUCCESSFUL. I DON'T.

YOU CAN'T TELL WHICH COURTS ARE DOING WHAT.

I WANT TO TELL A LOT MORE ABOUT WHAT JUDGES ARE DOING AND WHAT JUDGES ARE NOT DOING.

THAT DASHBOARD DOES NOT DO THAT.

THERE IS MORE INFORMATION -- >> IF THERE IS MORE INFORMATION THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE I WOULD BE HAPPY TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THERE.

IT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR THEM TO HAVE THE DASHBOARDS AND MAINTAIN THEM AND WE CAN WORK ON GETTING MORE THERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST TO BE CLEAR I AM ON THE SAME PAGE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS ON. THE WHOLE IDEA IS TO TO SEE HOW THE DOCKET IS MOVING BUT IF ONE JUDGE IS WORKING THEIR TAIL OFF AND THE OTHERS ARE NOT THAT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND. I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE BE ABLE TO MEASURE BY COURT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT WE

ARE LOOKING AT. >> AMEN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO ECHO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

WHO DESIGNED IT? WHO DESIGNED THAT DASHBOARD?

>> THE COURT ADMINISTRATION MADE THESE DASHBOARDS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF THEY CAN'T DO IT, MAYBE THEY SHOULD PASS IT ON TO JAD OR WHOEVER HAS THE GRAPHIC STUFF THAT

WILL MAKE IT EASY TO DISCERN. >> UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS YOUR THRAWL AND MAYBE THEY CAN HELP OUT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THE QUESTION I HAD ON ITEM 14 IS THE INVESTMENT OF 890,000 THAT WE REFERENCED IN TERMS OF BRINGING THESE COURTS ONLINE. DO WE HAVE A CLEAR EXPECTATION OF WHAT WE ARE HOPING FOR IN TERMS OF THE COURTS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING -- WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO TO GET IT RUNNING AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE? I'M ASSUMING WE HAVE SOME LEVEL OF EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT WE WILL GET FOR AN $890,000 INVESTMENT.

[06:45:05]

>> ABSOLUTELY. WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THE NUMBER OF CASES OF TRIALS SCHEDULED FOR EACH OF THESE

COURTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE SEEMS TO BE CERTAIN STREAMS AND AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK WE WILL HAVE A USER FRIENDLY, YOU KNOW, HERE IS THE DECISION

, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. >> I THINK THE RIGHT ANSWER -- I APPRECIATE THE COURT'S WILLINGNESS TO MOVE FORWARD IN PUBLISHING THE DASHBOARDS. THE BEST ANSWER IS FOR THEM TO DO IT. I'LL HAVE SOMEBODY FROM MY TEAM TO COORDINATE AND GET FEEDBACK ON THOSE DASHBOARDS.

AND THEN WE'LL SIT DOWN AND WORK WITH COURT ADMINISTRATORS TO IMPROVE THEM. I UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO SEE MORE, BUT I THINK IT IS A POSITIVE STEP THAT THEY PUBLISHED THESE. LEAN OKAY

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. THIS IS THE ONE, DAVE, THAT WE WILL RELY ON FOR YOU TO SEE IT THROUGH.

IT IS CLEAR WHAT WE ALL NEED AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY DYE -- DE -- DESERVES AND WE NEED TO GET IT DONE.

>> UNDERSTOOD. AND WE HAVE BEEN BRINGING AN ITEM EVERY TWO WEEKS WITH AN UPDATE.

I EXPECT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND IT WILL SHIFT FROM ONE OF THE -- WHAT ARE THE INVESTMENTS WE ARE MAKING TO WHAT ARE THE RESULTS WE ARE SEEING? THIS SHOULD BE ON THE AGENDA REGULARLY.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE MR. BETKEY IS AVAILABLE AND GENERAL NOREAGA AND EVERYBODY HAS QUESTIONS FOR THEM.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GENERAL NOREAGA, IF WE CAN MAKE SURE -- I'M ASSUMING, GENERAL, THAT YOUR OFFICE IS HELPING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE

PORTAL? >> YES, SIR, WITH THE AGENDA ITEM FROM LAST COURT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH JAD, WITH THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPMENT. AND SO WE IMMEDIATELY CAME UP WITH THE MILESTONES IN THE PROJECT PLAN AND THE DATES.

AS OF YESTERDAY ALONG THAT TIMELINE WE MET WITH JAD AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT STAFF.

IT QUAYS -- IT WAS TO PREVIEW AND VET THE DIFFERENT DESIGNS. NOW WE ARE IN THE KIND OF DATA THAT JAD IS WANTING TO CONNECT AND TO BE ABLE TO PUBLISH, AND THEN WE WILL GO THROUGH THE QUALITY ASSURANCE CHECKS.

AND WE WOULD BE OUTWARD FACING THE LAST WEEK OF AUGUST AND I BELIEVE MR. BETKEY IS ON BOARD WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE CON AT THE PRESENT TIME -- IN CHARGE WITH THE CONTENT ASPECT.

>> I DO WANT TO CLARIFY ONE THING IF I MAY.

I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD HAVE COMPETING PUBLIC-FACING DASHBOARDS. THOSE TWO OFFICES HAVE WORKED TO CREATE SOME AND I BELIEVE THERE IS FEEDBACK WE CAN PROVIDE THEM AND IF THEY NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL. MY HOPE IS THAT CAN BE OUR PUBLIC FACING DASHBOARD AND J ARC D AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES, WE CAN DO ADDITIONAL DATA ANALYSIS.

I DON'T THINK HAVING MULTIPLE DATA DASHBOARDS --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DAVE, I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I WAS EXPECTING UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO MAKE SURE IT WAS WHAT THEY WERE WORKING ON. I NEVER THOUGHT OF AN INTERNAL PORTAL. THE INTENT OF MY MOTION WAS BY UNIVERSAL SERVICES. AND BECAUSE THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH SOME -- SUPPOSED PROBLEMS WITH SOME PUBLIC-FACING DASHBOARDS PREVIOUSLY AND THEY WERE CREATED OUTSIDE OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

THAT WAS MY INTENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE PROTECTING OUR STAFF. AND SO I -- I'M GLAD YOU

[06:50:01]

BROUGHT THIS UP. THAT'S WHAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES

MANAGED TO DO. >> MY POINT IS THAT IF THE MANAGER THEY HAVE HAS PUBLISHED THEIR OWN DASHBOARD WE DO NOT NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER DASHBOARD.

I'M HAPPY TO VISIT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE INTENT IS TO UNDERSTAND. THE INASSISTANT IS -- THE INTENT IS NOT TO TELL A STORY TO THE PUBLIC AND THAT'S A

PROBLEM. >> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN PARALLEL HERE AND WORKING WITH THE COURTS TO PUBLISH THEIR OWN DASHBOARDS. I KNOW GENERAL NOREAGA WERE WORKING ON A BACK GROWN OF OPTIONS.

BACKGROUND OF OPTIONS. I I DON'T THINK WE WILL CALL THAT OFF, BUT IF WE CAN WORK WITH THE COURTS TO GET THEIR OWN DASHBOARDS AND HAVE THEM PUBLISH THE INFORMATION DIRECTLY I THINK THAT'S THE IDEAL OUTCOME HERE.

AND I ASSUME THAT THE RIGHT PROTOCOLS ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE RIGHT PROFESSIONALS TO PUT THE RIGHT VEHICLE UP SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN READ ACCURATE AND TIMELY INFORMATION.

AND SO IF WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THE COURTS THE AUTHORITY TO DO THEIR -- I'M JUST ASSUMING THEY ARE DOING IT BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY, I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE INFORMATION BEING GIVEN AND WHEN IT IS UPDATED. IS IT UPDATED IN REALTIME AND IF YOU CAN'T READ -- I WAS ASSUMING WHEN I SAID THERE WAS A PUBLIC-FACING DASHBOARD. IF WHAT HE IS DESCRIBING IS ACCURATE AND ALREADY WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I CAN TAKE A PAGE OUT OF WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID EARLIER TODAY, IT IS HIS RESPONSIBILITY. THEY ALL WORK FOR YOU NOW.

FIX IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS CLEAR WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

SO THOSE WERE ITEMS 408 AND 14.

WE WILL MOVE ON THEM AS PRESENTED, FOLKS?

>> AND JUDGE, WHEN YOU SAY AS PRESENTED IT IS FOR ACTION ON THE CRIMINAL CASE AND YOU ARE BASICALLY TAKING OUT THE

POSSIBLE PORTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

ITEM 14 AND 408 WAS THE TRANSMITAL.

14 IS ACTION AS PRESENTED. IS THERE A MOTION BY

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

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

ITEM 180, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL RIGHT. THIS WAS APPROVED WITH SOME OF THE BONDS WE PASSED IN 2018. I THINK IT IS WISE AT THIS POINT TO DISCUSS WHAT KIND OF TERMS WE MIGHT BE LOOKING AT IF WE WERE FOR WHATEVER REASON TO GO TO THE TOTAL NO NEW REVENUE FOR PROPERTY TAXES. WE HAVE QUESTIONS FOR MR. BERRY THAT INCLUDE IF WE WENT TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE WHAT WOULD THE IMPACT BE ON THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT'S MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS? THAT'S MY FIRST QUESTION.

THE SECOND QUESTION IS WITH THAT -- WHAT I THINK WILL BE A BIG DECREASE ACCORDING TO MY OFFICE'S ESTIMATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS, WOULD WE BE ABLE TO EXECUTE ALL OF THE PROJECTS WE COMMITTED TO IN THE 2018 BOND

[06:55:01]

ELECTION? THIRDLY, WOULD THERE BE ANY IMPACT TO OUR BOND RATING AND WHAT WOULD IT BE? WHAT KIND OF IMPACT WOULD THIS HAVE ON OUR FUTURE TAX RATE FOR THE TAX SERVICE. AND LASTLY, WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT ON FUTURE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS IF ANY.

>> I'M TAKING NOTES. I THINK I'LL HIT THEM ALL.

AS TO THE QUESTION OF FLOOD CONTROL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS REVENUES, TO YOUR POINT WE ARE ISSUING NEW DATA AND WE WILL HAVE TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE ON THOSE BONDS.

IF WE REPORT ABLE TO SET THE TAX RATES TO COVER THAT DEBT SERVICE IT WILL HAVE TO COME OUT OF THE M AND O RATE.

BASED ON THE ORIGINAL PROJECTIONS WE PRESENTED YESTERDAY IT WOULD BE $10 MILLION.

SO IT WOULD BE $10 MILLION SHORT ON FLOOD CONTROL M AND O BUDGET, IF WE WERE TO COVER THE FLOOD CONTROL NO NEW REVENUE RATE. I THINK YOUR NEXT QUESTION IS WHAT WOULD THE CONSEQUENCE OF THAT BE EITHER FOR EXECUTING ON THE CAPITOL PROJECTS. THE SHORT ANSWER IS SOMETHING WOULD HAVE TO GIVE. THE FLOOD CONTROL IS FULLY BUDGETED. EITHER WE WOULD SEE CUTS IN STAFF AUGMENTATION AND IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE BOND PROGRAMS OR CUTTING THE NEEDED MAINTENANCE ON THE FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH WE ALL KNOW IS PROBABLY UNDER FUNDED AS IT STANDS. WE NEED TO DO MORE THERE.

AND THEN YOU ASKED ABOUT IMPACT ON THE BOND RATING.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE COST TO BORROW.

WE PLACED THE FLOOD CONTROL BOND FOR A 2.3% COST OF BORROWING WHICH IS OUTSTANDING.

I THINK IT IS A TEST MEANT TO OUR COUNTY'S STRENGTH.

TO MAINTAIN OUR TERMS, AND I AGREE THAT THEY DESERVE CREDIT FOR THE CREDIT RATING. TO MAINTAIN THAT WE HAVE TO RAISE TAXES AND IT WOULD BE A THREAT IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT. I THINK YOUR NEXT QUESTION IS FUTURE TAX RATES. OBVIOUSLY THE WAY RESET -- I WON'T SAY OBVIOUSLY. IT IS PRETTY COMPLICATED.

THE WAY WE SET TAXES IS YOU ARE SETTING A NEW MARKER FOR FUTURE YEARS, RIGHT? TO THE RATE WE DECREASE THE REVENUE RATE IT MAKES IT HARDER TO RAISE THE RATE IN THE FUTURE FOR A PROJECT. I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN YOUR LAST

QUESTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU TOUCHED ON IT A BIT. THAT IS THE IMPACT TO FUTURE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS. I THINK IT GOES TO WE HAVE A LOT OF INVESTMENTS AND HAVINGS THE BEST -- AND HAVING THE BEST COST OF BORROWING. AND IS THERE ANYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW AS WE ARE GETTING READY FOR THE FUTURE.

>> AND I THINK THIS IS -- THESE BONDS HAVE BEEN APPROVED MULTIPLE TIMES, RIGHT? IT IS REALLY COMING BACK TO APPLICATION. SO WE ARE ENTERING INTO THESE BONDS THAT ARE ALREADY APPROVED.

IT IS VITAL WE WORK OUT A SOLUTION AND SET THE TAX RATE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO ASK MR. BERRY, SO IN TERMS OF MY GENERAL REVENUE, I THINK WE WENT THROUGH THIS EARLIER. 60% GOES INTO PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE COURTS RUNNING THE JAIL AND SO FORTH.

SO TO THE EXTENT WE HAVE A REVENUE SHORE TESTIMONYING AND IF WE BEGIN TO DEFUND THE GOVERNMENT, WE ARE GOING TO

[07:00:01]

HAVE TO CUT BACK ON THE SPENDING IN THE AREAS PUBLIC

SAFETY. >> I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, BUT I WANT TO CHECK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SEE IF HE IS OKAY WITH ME ANSWERING IT.

GIVEN THE AGENDA ITEM OR IF THERE IS ANOTHER PLACE WE CAN DISCUSS IT. ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT?

>> YEAH, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND RESPOND.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF WE CAN'T FUND OUR ADOPTED BUDGET WITH TAXES, THERE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE REDUCTIONS IN CUTS. I DON'T SEE WHAT MAKES UP 60% OF OUR BUDGET COULD BE IMMUNE FROM IT.

SO THERE WOULD BE HARD DECISIONS.

>> I KNOW WHAT WE LOOKED FOR IN MY EXPERIENCE CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY LOOK FOR EFFICIENCIES.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS OF ROLL OFFICERS AND I GUESS YOU CAN GO TO THE ROLL OFFICERS -- ROLL OFFICERS. ROLL OVERS.

>> IF WE ARE STRONGER ON OUR BUDGET WE WILL HAVE TO PUT EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE. IS THERE A WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM? BUT FOR A BIG SHORT DPAL, YOU KNOW SH -- FOR A BILL SHORT FALL EVERYTHING IS -- FOR A BIG SHORT FALL EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE.

I AM GRAZING ISSUES. THERE ARE EFFICIENCIES WE CAN LOOK FOR. YOU CAN ALWAYS DO -- SOMETIMES TO JUST GET OUT OF A POLITICAL MEAT GRINDER SO TO SPEAK, PEOPLE GO TO ACROSS THE BOARD CUTS WHICH I ALWAYS THOUGHT WAS PRETTY CRAZY. IT IS LIKE THE MEAT APPS.

GET THE PORK AND GET ERVEG. GET THE PORK AND GET

EVERYTHING. >> I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE THAT AS LONG AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BONDS IN GENERAL OR ENDEBTED NIECE -- ENDEBTEDNESS , IN THE GENERAL BUDGET DISCUSSION I THINK IT IS BETTER OFF TO GO AHEAD AND POST SOMETHING FOR THE NEXT AGENDA SO THAT DAVE CAN GO

INTO DETAIL. >> MAKE SURE WE GET IT.

DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT BLIND CITED -- BLIND SIGHTED.

>> LOON -- >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED?

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THAT WAS 180. NEXT IS ITEM 189.

YOU FLAGGED THAT ONE? >> YES, JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND I HAVE A REPORT ON HOW TERRIBLY DEADLY 2020 WAS. REGARDLESS OF COST.

IT DOES PRESIDENT MAKE THE HEADLINES -- IT DOESN'T MAKE THE HEADLINES, BUT 2020 WAS BOUGH REEF MEANT IN OUR -- BEREVEMENT IN THE TOP STORIES.

MULTIPLE CAUSES AND PEOPLE WHO DIED FROM OTHER CAUSES COULD BE CONSIDERED COVID -- I MEAN, PEOPLE DIE OF DIFFERENT THINGS AND NOT JUST ONE THING. AND SO MY QUESTIONS ARE -- I HAVE SOME OF THESE FOR THE ANALYST'S OFFICE, BUT WHAT CHALLENGES DOES THE ANALYST'S OFFICE FACE IN COMPILING THIS REPORT AND HOW CAN YOU BE SURE THAT THIS IS NOT DUE TO POPULATION GROWTH, OR IS IT? WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THIS DATA IN HOUSE? IS IT SAFE TO SAY THAT 2020 WAS NOT ONLY MORE DANGEROUS FOR OUR ELDERLY, BUT FOR ALL AGES? AND THEN I WANT TO POSE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS TO DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

I UNDERSTAND THAT PUBLIC HEALTH HAS A PRELIMINARY

[07:05:02]

REPORT ON CAUSES OF DEATH. DIRECTOR ROBINSON WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE WHEN DETERMINING CAUSE OF DEATH WHEN MULTIPLE CAUSES ARE INVOLVED IN A DEATH? HOW DO VARIOUS JURISDICTIONS CLASSIFY THEM? IS IT SAFE TO SAY THAT EVEN WHEN SOMEONE DYES -- WHEN SOMEONE DIES WITH THERE ARE NON-COVID RELATED REASONS OTHER THAN SUICIDE THAT COVID COULD HAVE BEEN A FACTOR.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A FULL PICTURE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN 2020 IF THAT IS EVEN POSSIBLE.

AND WHAT CAN THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT DO TO GIVE A FULLER PICTURE GOING FORWARD. I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE WE UNDERSTAND THIS, JUDGE, BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE WORK WE ARE DOING ON SO MANY FRONTS. AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ENCOURAGING THINGS OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MORE SHOULD WE BE DOING ON ALL FRONTS TO KEEP OIR COMMUNITY AS SAFE AS -- OUR COMMUNITY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

IF I CAN ASK KATIE TO RESPOND TO MY QUESTION AND THEN ASK DISTRICTER ROBINSON TO RESPOND -- DIRECTOR ROBINSON

TO RESPOND. >> SORRY ABOUT -- SORRY ABOUT THAT. KATIE WITH THE ANALYST'S OFFICE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS REPORT AND THE GREAT REQUEST. TO SPEAK TO YOUR FIRST QUESTION REGARDING CHALLENGES OUR COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF RECORDS FOR MAINTAINING DEATH CERTIFICATES IS THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. THEY ARE ONE OF 6 ENTITIES THAT MAINTAIN THIS DATA AS WELL AS FIVE OTHER CITIES.

WHEN WE WORKED WITH YOUR OFFICE TO PRODUCE THIS REPORT WE TOOK TWO APPROACHES AFTER REALIZING THE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES AND PIECING TOGETHER THE DATA LOCALLY WE STARTED TO PRIORITIZE OUR REQUEST WITH THE STATE AGENCY. IT IS THE SIX ENTITIES THAT MAINTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING DEATH CERTIFICATES DIFFERENTLY. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CARRY AND MAKE APPLES TO APPLE COMPARISONS.

I WOULD SAY THE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE IS THAT THERE IS NOT A LOCAL LEADER IN THE STATE. THE STATE IS YOUR CENTRAL REPOSSIBLE TORE FOR -- CENTRAL REPOSITORY WITH THE LOCAL PARTNERS. WE HAVE SINCE HAD A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM AND WE ARE HAPPY TO GET THE DATA AND ARE ABLE TO GET IT OVER. OUR FIGURE IN THE REPORT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN POPULATION AND WE SAW THE INCREASE FROM 2019 TO 2020 WHEN YOU ACCOUNT FOR POPULATION. IT WAS A DRAMATIC INCREASE DESPITE THAT -- OR FROM 2019 TO 2020.

ANOTHER WAY OF THINKING OF IT IS FOR THE SAME PERIOD THE POPULATION INCREASED .62%. THE NUMBER OF TOTAL DEATHS INCREASED 22%. THE INCREASE OUT PACED -- OUT PACED POPULATION GROWTH FOR SURE.

IN TERMS OF BRINGING THE DATA IN HOUSE I THINK WE SEE A GREAT DEVELOPMENT ON TODAY'S COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA.

I BELIEVE IT IS ITEM 202. IT IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH ITEM THAT QUA -- THAT REQUESTS THE MOU AND THE STATE AGENCY THAT MAINTAINS THE DATA IT RECOMMENDS THE PUBLIC HEALTH MOU TO GATHER COLLECTIVE DATA ON A REGULAR BASIS SO THAT WE ARE -- SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ANALYZE IT LOCALLY.

I WILL LET DIRECTOR ROBINSON SPEAK TO THAT FURTHER, BUT

[07:10:01]

THAT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT DEVELOPMENT AND I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS FAR AS MAINTAINING LOCALLY. AS FAR AS 2020 BEING A DEADLY YEAR, WE KNOW THEY WERE HARD HIT AND FOR ALL AGES -- ALL AGE GROUPS OVER THE AGE OF 15 EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN

DEATHS OF MORE THAN 15%. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW.

WOW. WOW.

>> FROM 2019 TO 2020. IT WAS A TRAGIC YEAR FOR THE COUNTY AND CERTAINLY DEMONSTRATED THE DATA.

IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO WORK ON YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND EXCITING TO SEE THE WORK BEING DONE IN THIS SPACE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER HIGHLIGHTED -- ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF THE RACIAL GROUPS? WE G -- WE DID SEE SOME RAW NUMBERS OF DEATH.

WE SAW IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY FROM 2019 TO 2020 A 46.6% INCREASE IN DEATHS FOR -- DEATHS.

FOR NON-HISPANIC A 22.6% INCREASE.

WE SAW DRAMATIC INCREASES IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES ACROSS

THE COUNTY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT LEAVES ME SPEECHLESS. REALLY APPLAUD IT.

>> SORRY. SORRY.

I TOOK A BREAK AT THE WRONG TIME.

I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND THE WORK OF THE COUNTY ANALYST'S OFFICE. ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS DOING SURVEILLANCE WITH THE DATA PRESENTED BY THE ANALYST'S OFFICE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PUT OUTLOOKING AT THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH. WE PLAN TO ISSUE THIS REPORT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE DATA COMPLIMENTED WHAT WAS DONE BY THE ANALYST'S OFFICE. WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THE MOU AND COLLECT IT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THAT GIVES AS YOU ROBUST LOOK. AND WITHIN THE LAST FIVE DAYS WE RECEIVED THE WHOLE COMPLEMENT OF DEATH DATA FOR 2020 AND SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT ANALYSIS FURTHER AND SHARE THE DATA WITH THE COURT ONCE WE COMPLETE THE ANALYSIS. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT IN 2020, BASED ON OUR PRELIMINARY DATA THAT COVID-19 WAS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH WITH 2,626.

WHEN ADJUSTED FOR POPULATION IN AGE, BLACKS HAVE THE HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO AGAIN SHARING THESE KINDS OF DATA ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THROUGH A SUMMARY MEASURE. WE THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE COURT IS AWARE OF THE STATISTICS AND CAN MAKE POLICY DECISIONS AND APPROPRIATIONS BASED ON THE PRIORITIZATION OF INTERVENTIONS AND SERVICES TO ADDRESS THEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW. THANK YOU, DRECKER -- DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YOU JUST CLEARED A QUESTION FOR ME. CAN I ASK YOU IF YOU HAVE IT AT THE TOP OF YOUR MIND WHAT PERCENTAGE -- WHAT IS OUR VACCINATION RATE FOR ONE VACCINE AND THEN FOR DOUBLE DOSES OR FULLY VACCINATED? DO YOU KNOW THAT?

>> I DO NOT HAVE THAT NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I BELIEVE THE JUDGE MAY HAVE THOSE DISCO THIS STICK --

THOSE STHAW THIS STICKS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, DO

YOU HAVE THAT? >> FOR THE ELIGIBLE POPULATION ONE DOSE, THAT'S A POSITIVE STATISTIC IN THE VACCINATION REALM IT IS WELL OVER 60%. IT IS 65 OR CLOSE TO 67% AND MAYBE EVEN 68. FOR THE ELIGIBLE POPULATION FULLY VACCINATED IT IS AROUND 55ISH PERCENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: FOR THE OVERALL POPULATION FULLY

VACCINATED IS 40, 45. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S PHENOMENAL. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER

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

[07:15:01]

JUDGE. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR KATIE.

I HAVE THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SHEET IN FRONT OF ME.

IN THE SECOND ROW OF QUESTIONS I HAVE THREE THINGS I AM LOST IN THE SHEETS AND IT LOOKED LIKE FROM 2019 TO 2020 ALL CATEGORIES SAW A 50% INCREASE IN DEATHS, YET THE GREATEST CAUSE FOR DEATH RANKED IN THIS ORDER.

NUMBER ONE ACCIDENTS, NUMBER TWO CANCER, NUMBER THREE HOMICIDE AND 4 WAS SUICIDE AND FIVE WAS CONGENITAL MALL FORMATION AND SIX WAS HEART DISEASE.

I NOTED THOSE SIX CATEGORIES AND THIS IS WHERE I GET LOST.

ON THAT SECOND ROW 2015 TO 2019 THEY SAY THE TOP CAUSES OF DEATH HAVE NOT CHANGED SINCE 2015.

I GUESS IT HAS NOT CHANGINGED FROM 2015 TO 2019?

OR IS IT 2015 TO CURRENT? >> SURE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I BELIEVE YOU ARE READING THE PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT ON CAUSES OF DEATH. I'LL DEFER TO DIRECTOR ROBINSON. OUR REPORT DID NOT REVIEW CAUSES. THE DATA WE COLLECTED WAS AGGREGATE DATA THAT DID NOT BREAK DOWN THE TOTE -- THE

TOTAL NUMBERS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO THE FIRST QUESTION IS ON THAT SECOND ROW WHERE IT SAYS LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH, AND IT SAYS THE FOUR LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IS THAT 2015 TO 2019 OR TO CURRENT?

>> I BELIEVE IT IS 2019 BECAUSE I BELIEVE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE FULL DATA SET FOR 2020.

I'LL CONFIRM THAT WITH THE STAFF, BUT THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. THEN WE HAD ACCIDENTS AND CANCER AND HOMICIDE AND SUICIDE AND CONGENITAL MALL FORMATION AND HEART DISEASE. THOSE ARE THE SIX TOP CAUSES.

MAYBE I AM NOT MOVING THROUGH YOUR DOCUMENTS PROPERLY, BUT WAS COVID THE AND I KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT OF THE CDC AWHILE BACK. IF YOU HAD HEART DISEASE AND COVID YOU DIED OF COVID, BUT IF YOU HAD HEART DISEASE AND THE FLU YOU DIED OF HEART DISEASE.

SO IT WAS DIFFERENT FOR COVID THAN OTHER DISEASES OUT THERE. WAS ANY OF THAT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION? IN TERMS OF THIS AND IS COVID THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR HARRIS COUNTY? WAS HOMICIDE THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN HARRIS COUNTY? OR DO I NEED TO TALK TO YOU LATER ON TO SORT THIS OUT BECAUSE I AM LOOKING AT A

CHART ACROSS THE TABLE? >> I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE TALKED OFF LINE AND WALKED YOU THROUGH THE REPORT. I KNOW WE SENT IT KIND OF LATE. WE WERE TRYING TO BRING IT AS A COMPLEMENTARY REPORT SO YOU CAN LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE

CAUSES OF DEATH. >> I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

WITH ALL OF THE STUFF THAT IS ON THE DOCKET TODAY, MAYBE I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO GET AS FAMILIAR WITH IT ALL DIRECTLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS INTERESTING UNDER THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH RACE AND ETHNICITY IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH. IN OTHER WORDS BLACK MALES ARE BEING MURDER -- MURDERED MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN OUR

SOCIETY RIGHT NOW. >> I WANT TO MAKE A CLARIFYING STATEMENT. IN TERMS OF A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH COVID WAS NUMBER THREE. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FROM 2015

[07:20:01]

TO 2019, THOSE ARE DIFFERENT DATA POINTS IN TERMS OF THE

LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH. >> THIS OTHER THING THAT IS CALLED THE NOTABLE TRENDS AND THAT'S WHERE I HAD A LITTLE CONFUSION AND MY TEAM MAY BE CROSS MATCHING THE STATS AND ALL, BUT I WILL WIND UP BY SAYING I THINK THIS IS USEFUL INFORMATION AND I AM GLAD YOU ARE DOING THIS EVERY YEAR AND THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES ARE BEING KEELED -- BEING KILLED AT A MUCH GREATER RATE THAN

ANY OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP. >> IT WOULD BE GREAT TO WALK YOU THROUGH THIS TEAM. THEY ARE IMPORTANT AND COMPELLING AND WE WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE OVERALL POPULATION VERSUS BREAKING THE DATA DOWN AND IDENTIFYING THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH BY RACE AND ETHNICITY. IT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE

REPORT. >> I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR ASKING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT THESE STATISTICS ARE MUCH MORE THAN STATISTICS IT IS ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIVES. THAT'S WHY REMOVING INWEBBING TAU TEE -- INEQUITIES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO.

WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT THAT CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND CONTINUE TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON EQUITY. THERE SHOULD BE A REASON WHY PEOPLE OUT YOUR WAY ARE NOT APPLYING.

WE TAKE THAT TO THE PROCESS. IT IS GOOD TO DO THIS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. I APPRECIATE EVEN ON SHORT NOTICE ADDING SOME TEXTURE TO IT.

IT IS GOING BACK THE EQUITIES A LOT OF IT IS LACK OF HEALTH CARE. THEY HAVE 16 MILLION IN THAT STUDY. IF THEY HAVE AN EQUITY LENS THAT THEY ARE LOOKING THROUGH ON HOW THEY DO IT.

OR IF WE EVER DRAW DOWN THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE MONEY.

I APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS COMPELLING INFORMATION.

A 46% INCREASE IN HISPANIC FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT? THAT SHOULD CAUSE US TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN 2019 AND 2020? THAT WOULD MEAN -- I WOULD THINK WE NEED TO LOOK BACK AT LEAST FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THAT , AND OBVIOUSLY MONITOR THIS ANNUALLY GOING FORWARD. THAT ONE-YEAR INCREASE OF 46, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD PUT IN A CRISIS MODE IN TERMS OF DEALING WITH IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING. IS THERE SOMETHING THERE WE ARE MISSING IN TERMS OF THE DETAILS? OBVIOUSLY THIS BEGS THE QUESTION.

WE NEED TO DO MORE. HISPANIC DEATHS ARE UP 46% AND MOVE ON. NO.

THAT CAUSES US TO DIG MUCH DEEPER INTO THAT.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2019 TO 2020.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I WILL JUST TELL YOU THIS IS WHY I WAS RAISING THE ISSUE OF NEEDING -- SHOULD WE BE IMPLEMENTING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES ON ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND ALL OF OUR EFFORTS? I INSTINCTIVELY BELIEVE IS THAT THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS MORE WHEN THEY ARE BEING

[07:25:03]

EFFECTIVELY ENGAGED. NOT BY SOCIAL MEDIA AND NOT BY EMAILS. WHEN THERE IS A TRUSTED MESSENGER IN FRONT OF THEM. ON THE OTHER SIDE TOO THIS COUNTY HAS BEEN VERY HOSTILE TOWARD THE UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY. WE WENT THROUGH -- I'M NOT TRYING TO BE POLITICAL, BUT IT IS TRUE.

WE WENT THROUGH A NATIONAL VOICE OF INCREDIBLE RHETORIC AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS THAT DOESN'T ENCOURAGE CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT. SO WHEN YOU HEAR ME PUSHING ON THESE OUT REACH PROGRAMS AND ARE WE PUTTING -- ARE WE DOING WHAT WE CAN? ALL OF THIS HAS A RIPPLE EFFECT TO CHANGING THE NARRATIVE OF WHAT WE JUST HEARD. I APPRECIATE YOUR SENSE OF

CONCERN. >> TOM RAMSEY: WHEN WE KNOW MORE ABOUT THE DETAILS THAT WILL GUIDE US.

>> SO THAT IS THE LAST ITEM ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.

[Executive Session]

THAT WAS JUST A TRANS -- TRANSMITAL SO WE DON'T NEED TO

TAKE ACTION. >> ACCEPT IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE WORD WE WERE LOOKING FOR.

THANK YOU. LET ME JUST LIST OUT ALL OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS AS A REMINDER.

ITEM 400 AND 402 IS A PERSONNEL MATTER AS FAR AS THE AFFIRMATIVE. ITEM 403 IS RELATED TO TXDOT, THE I-45 PROJECT. ITEM 405 IS RELATED TO THE CONSENT DECREE TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEY.

ITEM 407 AND 419 ON POSSIBLE LITIGATION AND ITEM 416, A PERSONNEL MATTER ON SL -- SALARY AND BENEFITS.

ALL RIGHT. IT IS 6:14 AND LET'S MEET AT 6:20 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. AID NICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 7:36 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN COMMISSION. WE ARE MAKING A POINT TO APPOINT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE GULF COAST PROTECTION DISTRICT. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO NOMINATION COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?

>> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND ITEM 403 THERE IS NO ACTION.

ON ITEM 405 THERE IS NO ACTION.

ON ITEM 407 WHICH GOES WITH 419, WE NEED A MOTION TO PERMIT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO FILE A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE ENFORCEABILITY OF GA-30.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

AND THEN ON ITEM 416 WE NEED A MOTION TO ESTABLISH A COMPENSATION AT $385,000 A YEAR PLUS CAR AND PHONE ALLOW -- ALLOWANCE FOR THE POSITION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> NO.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS NOT ABOUT DAVID.

IT IS ABOUT THE POSITION. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

JAMES, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AM I MISSING ANYTHING?

>> NO, MA'AM, NOT FOR ME. >> I THINK YOU ARE FINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA AND TIFF.

>>> -- TIFFANY ARE DONE WITH THE SPEAKS -- SPEAKERS.

CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

RODRIGUEZ -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD US WE COULD HAVE GOT N -- GOTTEN OUT OF HERE

[07:30:01]

EARLIER. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS NOT UNTIL

TOMORROW. >> LINA

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.