Oct 26, 2021 Commissioners Court

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I WANTED TO -- BOTH OF YOU MENTIONED CONSTABLE HERMAN.

THIS IS THE WORST PART ABOUT BEING A LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADER TO HAVE TO DELIVER THAT NEWS TO FAMILIES.

AND SO I WANTED TO THANK CONSTABLE HERMAN FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND HIS STRENGTH. WE SPOKE RIGHT AFTER I LEARNED

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ABOUT IT AND HE HAS BEEN REALLY HANDLING ALL OF THE DETAILS WITH INCREDIBLE CONCERN AND DELICATENESS.

I JUST WANT TO THANK HIM AND JUST LET HIM KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO PRAY FOR HIM AS WELL. IT IS A BIG BURDEN ON HIM AS WELL. THANK YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

ITEM 2 IS TO CONGRATULATE TROYCE CARTER.

TROYCE CARTER RETIRED ON SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2021 AFTER 31.5 YEARS OF SERVICE, WOW, WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRETRIAL SERVICES. ON MARCH 30TH, 1990 MR. HARRIS JOINED AS A PRE-TRIAL INTERVIEWER IN THE COURT OF INFORMATION DIVISION.

A FIFTH WAS PROMOTED AS A PRETRIAL OFFICER.

LATER HE ROSE TO SUPERVISOR AND ON JULY 7TH, 2018 HE WAS FURTHER PROMOTED TO A DIVISION MANAGER POSITION IN THE PRE-TRIAL SCREENING DIVISION.

HE SERVED IN THIS DIVISION UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT AT THE AGE OF 55. HE IS THE MOST TENURED EMPLOYEE OF HARRIS COUNTY PRE-TRIAL SERVICES.

HE HAS MANY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUE THAT'S WILL MISS HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRETRIAL SERVICES.

IN HIS RETIREMENT HE INTENDS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS WIFE AND HIS DAUGHTER. HE WILL SLEEP A BIT LATER AND EXERCISE AND TRAVEL AND HAVE TIME TO CATCH UP ON THE LIST OF TASKS FROM HIS WIFE. HE CAN ALSO CATCH THE ENDING OF LATE NIGHT COLLEGE AND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL GAMES WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT OVER SLEEPING AND WORKING.

COMMISSIONERS' COURT CONGRATULATES AND COMMANDS TROYCE L CARTER FOR HIS 31 WOIN 5 YEARS OF SERVICE.

-- 31.5 YEARS OF HIS SERVICE. DO WE HAVE MR. CARTER ON THE

LINE? >> YES, MA'AM.

YES, YOUR HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH A VERY, VERY PROFESSIONAL AND LOVING GROUP OF PEOPLE AT HARRIS COUNTY PRETRIAL SERVICES. IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN AND START ALL OVER, I WOULD NOT HAVE A SECOND THOUGHT TO DO IT. GOD BLESS HARRIS COUNTY AND GOD BLESS AMERICA. CONGRATULATIONS, TROYCE.

ALL THE BEST, MAN. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ANY REQUESTS FOR OUT OF ORDER. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. THANK YOU.

I WANT TO PRESENT A RESOLUTION TODAY RECOGNIZING NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION MONTH.

FIRST I WANT TO BEGIN WITH RECOGNIZION ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT SERVE THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE, AND IT IS AN HONORABLE, HONORABLE JOB THAT THEY DO AND THEIR WORK IS INCREDIBLE AND THEY HELP TO FIND NORMALCY IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WHO WERE IMPACTED BY THIS AND THEY WORK TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE. RESEARCH HAS TOLD US THAT WHEN CHILDREN WITNESS, THEY ARE APT TO BECOME FUTURE AGGRESSORS AND VICTIMS. WE APPLAUD THEM FOR ALL THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK. WITH THAT LET ME RECOGNIZE THAT THIS RESOLUTION READS IN 1987, EACH MONTH -- EACH OCTOBER RATHER WE CALL ATTENTION TO AND RE-- REDEDICATE OUR EFFORTS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT'S AFFECTS FAMILIES OF ALL ECONOMIC AND RACIAL LEVELS. AND WHEREAS ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, 40% OF TEXAS WOMEN AND 35% OF TEXAS MEN EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME.

UNFORTUNATELY ONE IN THREE TEENS WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE ABUSE FROM A DATING PARTNER.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL VIOLENCE OR STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN

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THEIR LIFETIME. IT IS A CONTINUOUS EFFORT AND 176 VICTIMS SEEK FAMILY VIOLENT SERVICES EVERY DAY IN TEXAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION AND OFFICE OF FAMILY SERVICES.

THE DAMAGE EXTENDS BEYOND THE DIRECT VICTIMS TO INCLUDE CHILDREN WHO ARE WITNESSES TO VIOLENCE IN THEIR OWN HOMES.

AND WHEREAS IN OCTOBER WE RECOGNIZE THE PROGRESS THAT HAD BEEN MADE BY THOSE DEDICATED IN SUPPORTING THOSE FREE OF FAMILY VIOLENCE. LOCALLY TEXANS WERE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR PURPLE ON GO PURPLE DAY.

ON OCTOBER 21ST AS A SIM -- CYMBAL OF -- SYMBOL OF PEACE, HONOR AND PERSONAL DEDICATION TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS SEEKING HELP CALL THE CONFIDENTIAL HOTLINE NUMBERS AT THE BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS.

713-473-2801 OR THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER AT 713-528-2121. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES OCTOBER 2021 AS NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MONTH AND RECOGNIZES THE VITAL ROLE THAT THE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAVE IN ENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. AND JUDGE, LET ME JUST ADD THAT THE BRIDGES -- THE BRIDGE IS AN INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATION SERVING COMMUNITIES IN PRECINCT 2 AND THROUGHOUT, BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE WORK THEY DO THEY PROVIDE 27,000 DAYS OF SHELTER TO ALMOST 1400 ADULTS AND CHILDREN. 1,559 CHILDREN HAVE RECEIVED CHILD CARE SERVICES. 250 WOMEN AND CHILDREN RECEIVE SERVICES THROUGH HOUSING. MORE THAN A THOUSAND NEW SURVIVORS ARE REGISTERED FOR SERVICES.

THEIR 24-HOUR HOTLINE RECEIVED 8,000 CALLS JUST IN 2020.

AND THEY RESPONDED TO 48 SEXUAL ASSAULT HOSPITAL CALLS.

THANKFULLY A DECREASE FROM 150 IN 20119DUE TO THE HOSPITAL -- 2019. NOT SO MUCH GOOD NEWS, BUT DUE TO THE HOSPITALS BEING CLOSED TO TRADITIONAL VISITORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. OVER 2500 ADULTS AND CHILDREN RECEIVED CONTINUOUS THERAPY. AND SO, AGAIN, TO THE BRIDGE, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND TO THE UH STEAMED HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT A MOTION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I SECOND THAT AND I THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THIS RESOLUTION. THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR MAYBE LONGER THAN THEY WANT TO ADMIT, THE DAYS GIANTS WALKED THE FACE OF EARTH AND WHEN I WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE LAW AND I WILL HONOR COUNCIL CHAMBERLAIN IN A LITTLE BIT I DID A LITTLE PRO BONO WORK FOR THE BRIDGE AS WELL AS OTHER

FOLKS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NICE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I SECOND IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. LEAN OPPOSED --

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE A SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM.

LEAN GO AHEAD. >> OLIVIA RIVERS WITH THE BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU, JUDGE, GARCIA FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COURT DURING THIS TIME.

MY NAME IS OLIVIA AND I SERVE AS THE CEO FOR BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE RESOLUTION. OCTOBER IS AN INCREDIBLE MONTH TO HOLD SPACE FOR THE MILLIONS WHO EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THIS COUNTRY. AND FOR OVER 30 YEARS THIS HAS BEEN A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN THAT HAS RAISED AWARENESS AND WORKED TO END THE STIGMA AND VIOLENCE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. AND SO THIS MONTH WE MOURN THOSE WHOSE LIVES WERE TAKEN BY THEIR ABUSERS AND WE HONOR THOSE AMONG US WHO CONTINUE TO SHARE THEIR STORY AND WE WANT TO THANK THE ADVOCATES AND LEADERS LIKE YOU WHO ENHANCE VICTIM SAFETY AND HOLD OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE.

I WANT TO SHARE SOME STATISTICS.

ONE IN FOUR WOMEN AND ONE IN SEVEN MEN WILL EXPERIENCE

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PARTNER VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFE.

ACROSS THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE 7 SHELTERS AND 20 AGENCY THAT'S PROVIDE FREE CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE ONE OF THEM AT

THE BRIDGE, BUT WE KNOW -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> HELLO? >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE LOST YOU FOR A SECOND.

>> OH KAY. OKAY.

WE WERE JUST SAYING WE ARE PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE SEVERAL SHELTERS, BUT HALF OF THE VICTIMS WERE DENIED SHELTER DUE TO LACK OF SPACE SO WE WANT TO IMPROVE THAT.

I WANT TO SHARE THAT IN 2020 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS RESPONDED TO OVER 218,000 INCIDENTS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE.

THAT WAS A 10% INCREASE FROM 2019.

AND OF THOSE CALLS 35,000 WERE AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.

AND WHAT WE SAW WAS THERE WAS AN 80% INCREASE OF ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHILE RESPONDING TO FAMILY VIOLENCE CALLS. WHEN WE FIGHT FOR INCREASED PROTECTIONS CENTERED AROUND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IT IS NOT JUST THE SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS, BUT THE INCREASED SAFETY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO SHOW UP EVERY DAY TO THE HOMES. LAST YEAR WE LOST 228 TEXANS KILLED BY THEIR INTIMATE PARTNER.

HARRIS COUNTY LEAD THE COUNT WITH 37 DEATHS.

THE YOUNGEST VICTIM WAS 14 -- >> MA'AM, THANK YOU, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OLIVIA IF YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF FINAL

REMARKS. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WHILE THESE NUMBERS ARE SOMBERING WE KNOW AS A COMMUNITY THAT WE CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS PREDICTABLE AND PREVENTABLE.

THANK YOU ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE A COUPLE HERE.

WE WILL START WITH A TRAGIC STORY OF A FIREFIGHTER AND LET ME GET INTO THE RESOLUTION OPERATOR HUGO ENRIQUE GUEVARA PASSED AWAY AFTER A BATTLE WITH COVID-19.

HE DIED IN THE FIRST LINE OF DUTY FROM THE CY-FAIR FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE BEGAN HIS CAREER IN 2009 AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CY-FAIR.

HE WAS A DRIVER FOR STATION 9 IN NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY.

DURING HIS 12 YEARS WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HUGO HAD A HELP -- REPUTATION FOR HARD WORK AND A POSITIVE OUTLOOK IN LIFE. AT AGE 19GUEVARA VOLUNTEERED FOR THE CY-FAIR FIRE DEPARTMENT.

HE SERVED WITH PRIDE AND GRAVE RE.

HE VOLUNTEERED TO PUT HIMSELF IN HARM'S WAY TO SAVE OTHERS.

HE IS A TRUE HERO AND HUGO GUEVARA WAS A LOVING FATHER AND SON AND WILL BE MISSED BY HIS MOTHER AND HIS MOTHER AND HIS SISTER, LISA GUEVARA AND HIS THREE CHILDREN, RYAN, KYLE AND ELIJAH. WHEREAS HUGO GUEVARA HAD A PASSION FOR MUSIC AND BASEBALL HE WAS A SOURCE OF POSITIVE ENERGY FOR HIS FRIENDS, FAMILY, CO-WORKERS AND COMMUNITY. HIS COMPASSIONATE, GIVING SPIRIT WILL BE SORELY MISSED AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT WE CELEBRATE HIS NOBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANYBODY ON THE LINE

FOR THIS RESOLUTION, CORRECT? >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

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

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND THEN ANOTHER RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING A SAD EVENT, BUT I THINK THE POINT OF THESE RESOLUTIONS IS TO TELL PEOPLE A STORY.

SOME DAYS THAT'S ALL I HAVE LEFT.

AND WE NEED TO HELP TELL THE STORY.

WHEN YOU TELL A STORY IT TELLS OTHER THINGS.

WHEREAS ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER D , 2021, AT 10:30 IN THE MORNING, MARTHA MEDINA, A 71-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER, WENT TO BUY BREAKFAST AT MCDONALDS IN THE WOOD FOREST NEIGHBORHOOD EAST OF HOUSTON. WHEREAS AFTER EATING HER BREAKFAST MARTHA LEFT MCDONALDS AND A MAN RAN UP AND SNATCHED HER PURSE. AS THE MAN PULLED HER TO TAKE HER BELONGINGS, SHE FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE MAN GOT INTO THE IMPALLA CAR AND AS HE TRIED TO ESCAPE RAN OVER MARTHA WITH HIS VEHICLE. WHEREAS THE MURDER OF MARTHA MEDINA HAS CAUSED DEEP OUTRAGE IN THE HIS SPAN NECK

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COMMUNITY -- HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN HOUSTON BECAUSE THE MAN WHO ATTACKED HER HAS A LONG CRIMINAL RECORD.

WHEN HE ROBBED MARTHA HE WAS OUT ON BAIL OF ANOTHER CASE OF MURDER DURING A ROBBERY IN THE SAME AREA OF THE CITY.

BEING THE PLANNER SHE WAS, MARCIA SELECTED AND PAID FOR -- MARTHA SELECTED AND PAID FOR A CEMETERY PLOT.

IT WAS NEXT TO A BUSY FREEWAY BECAUSE SHE WANTED IT TO BE CONVENIENT FOR LOVED ONES TO VISIT HER.

SOUNDS LIKE MY GRAND -- GRANDMOTHER.

SHE IS SURVIVED BY HER HUSBAND AND HER SON AND HER DAUGHTERS AND HER GRANDCHILDREN SHE WAS LOVED DEARLY BY ALL HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS. SHE WAS ALWAYS THERE WITH A FEW WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT IN TIMES WHEN THEY NEEDED IT THE MOST. SOUNDS LIKE SHE WAS A GREAT GRANDMOTHER. AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT MOURNS THE LOSS OF MARTHA MEDINA AND CELEBRATES THE LIVES SHE TOUCHED AND THOSE SHE LOVED IN HER COMMUNITY.

I THINK WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

TIFFANY. >> WE HAVE TWO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS SIGNED UP. LYNDSAY AND LOURDES MEDINA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS, COMMISSIONER.

IT IS VERY TRAGIC. DO YOU KNOW THIS PERSON PAID THEIR WAY OUT? I DID SEE THAT THE HOUSTON PRODUCT AND BAIL BONDS MEN ARE PUTTING LOWER BAIL.

AS LONG AS WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE VIOLENT CRIMINALS CAN PAY THEIR WAY OUT, IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

I WISH THE LEGISLATURE WOULD ADDRESS THAT.

I KNOW THEY PASSED SOME SORT OF REFORM.

PRESUMABLY THEY FIXED IT, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE.

WE HAVE THESE CRIMINALS SIMPLY PAYING THEIR WAY AND RESAID DO STRAIGHTING AND I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T THINK IT PASSED. THAT WAS THE CONCERN IS IT WAS A VENDOR BILL. JUST DON'T DO A CASH BAIL AT ALL. I AM GLAD SOMEBODY IS HERE

FROM THE FAMILY TO SPEAK. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS JUST A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AND I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR THAT.

GO AHEAD. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD. ONE SECOND.

I THINK YOUR MIC MIGHT BE OFF.

>> LYNDSAY AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF.

GOOD MORNING. I AM TESTIFYING IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF MARTHA MEDINA, ANOTHER SENSELESS KILLING AND LIFE LOST IN HARRIS COUNTY.

COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOT SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BROKEN HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT SPEAKING OUT AND TAKING A HARD STANCE AGAINST FELONY VIOLENT CRIME. THE MAJORITY ON THIS COURT ONLY SPEAK OUT ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME WHEN FORCED TO BY PUBLIC OPINION. SO MANY TRAGIC DEATHS ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REPETITIVE NATURE OF FELONY VIOLENT CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHEN CAN WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT THE VICTIMS ARE THOSE BEING KILLED AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THOSE COMMITTING THE MURDERS ARE NOT VICTIMS. THEY ARE CRIMINALS. I WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE VOICE FOR VICTIMS LEAK MARTHA MEDINA AND THEIR FAMILIES.

MY PRAYERS WITH -- ARE WITH THEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS LOURDES MEDINA AND I AM HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY MOTHER, MARTHA, MEDINA -- MARTHA MEDINA. SHOULD HAVE, COULD HAVE, WOULD HAVE WERE MEANINGLESS WORDS THAT DID NOT EXIST IN MY MOTHER'S VOCABULARY. FOR HER IT WAS A JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT DOING SOMETHING. HOUSTON WAS HER HOMETOWN, AND SHE IS SURVIVED BY MY FATHER, HER HUSBAND, AND MY BROTHER ADRIAN MEDINA AND MY SISTER AND MYSELF.

AS PART OF THE IMMEDIATE NUCLEAR FAMILY.

SHE HAD FIVE SISTERS AND ONE BROTHER.

MY PARENTS RAISED US ON A MODEST WAGE, BUT WE ALWAYS HAD OUR NEEDS MET. SHE WAS A HARD WORKER AND AN EXCELLENT HOME HOMEMAKER. MY MOTHER WAS EXTREMELY DISCIPLINED IN ON YOU SHE ADMINISTERED THE MONEY DESPITE ONLY HAVING A MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION.

SHE WAS A FRIENDLY AND COMPASSIONATE PERSON AND NURTURED -- MADE SURE TO NURTURE THE RELATIONSHIPS.

HER FAVORITE PASTIME WAS TO CALL PEOPLE AND CATCH UP WITH THEM. MY MOTHER WAS THERE --

>> I'M SORRY, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> GO AHEAD AND FINISH. >> MY MOTHER WAS ALWAYS THERE TO LEND AN EAR AND A FEW WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AT TIMES WHEN THEY NEEDED IT THE MOST. HER PASSION WAS HER FAMILY AND SHE REJOICED WHEN WE HAD FAMILY GET TOGETHERS.

THE LAST TIME WE HAD TOGETHER WAS TO CELEBRATE HER BIRTHDAY AND WE RENTED A HOUSE IN GALVESTON AND I AM GRATEFUL WE

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HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE IT WITH HER.

HER JOY WAS TO SEE HER CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN LIVING OUT OUR LIVES. WHEN WE WOULD ACHE SO WOULD SHE. SHE TRIED TO GET US OUT OF A ROUTINE AND IN MANY WAYS I FEEL LIKE MY SIBLINGS AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF HOLDING HER TORCH AND I HOPE ONE DAY WE ARE HALF OF A FRACTION OF THE PERSON SHE WAS.

IF I JUST MAY SAY A COUPLE WORDS IN SPANISH.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, LOURDES.

>> JUDGE, WE JUST GOT WORD THAT THERE IS ONE MORE FAMILY MEMBER THERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AND THEY WEREN'T -- WE WEREN'T ABLE TO GET THEIR NAME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? DO WE HAVE THE INTERPRETER?

>> NO, I CAN SPEAK ENGLISH. I JUST HAVE A LITTLE ACCENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT YOU SAID --

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SARA.

I AM SISTER TO MARTHA MEDINA. MY REASON TO BE HERE THIS MORNING IS BECAUSE I WANT JUSTICE FOR MY SISTER.

IT IS NOT -- IF I THINK ABOUT -- IF YOU THINK ABOUT YOURSELVES AND HAVING MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS AND AUNTS AND UNCLES AND ANYONE WHO HAVE BEEN A VICTIM LIKE MY SISTER AND WE KEEP PASSING THESE STUPID LAWS TO LET CRIMINALS OUT ON THE STREETS, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE IN THE SAME PATH. NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE.

PLEASE, HEAR OUR PLEA. IT IS AFFECTING NOT ONLY MY COMMUNITY, BUT ALL THE COMMUNITY IN HOUSTON.

EVERY DAY YOU SEE SOMETHING HAPPENING ON THE NEWS.

SO PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

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

I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOD BLESS AND YOU YOUR FAMILY AND CEASAR I WANT TO THANK YOU IN YOUR -- THERE YOU ARE.

CEASAR, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR LEADERSHIP WITH WORKING WITH THE FAMILY, AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICE. TO THE MEDINA FAMILY, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AND IT IS AGGRAVATING AND IT IS SENSELESS, BUT WE WILL NOT FORGET YOUR LOVED ONE. WE WILL NOT FORGET YOUR MOM OR YOUR SISTER. WE WILL NOT LINDH LINDH

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PUSH FOR A SYSTEM LETTING NON-VIOLENT FOLKS LANGE WISH THERE -- LANGE WISH THERE AND THE VIOLENT PEOPLE STAY THERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE IN THE POCKET OF THE BAIL BONDSMAN. THAT'S WHY THEY MAKE THE STIPPLES WHERE THE BAIL BONDSMAN MAKE THE MONEY.

PEOPLE GO OUT AND COMMIT THE CRIME AGAIN.

WE WILL KEEP SAYING THAT LOUD AND CLEAR.

WE CAN'T GET DISTRACTED WITH RHETORIC.

THERE IS A SYSTEM THAT IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO WORK BETTER. A LOT OF IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AT

THE STATE LEVEL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THIS -- [INAUDIBLE].

HE WAS ALREADY OUT ON BOND FOR ANOTHER MURDER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. BECAUSE HE IS ABLE TO PAY -- SO IT IS A MONEY-BASED SYSTEM AND HE COULD JUST PAY AND BE OUT AGAIN AND THEN HE WOULD PAGAN AND -- PAY AGAIN AND BE

OUT AGAIN. >> IF HE COMMITTED ANOTHER

CRIME [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO FIX AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE WAY TO END IT IS TO END CASH BAIL.

NOT LET PEOPLE PAY TO GET OUT.

I'M GLAD YOU GOT CEASAR HERE. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO VISIT WITH YOU ASIDE FROM THIS. WE FEEL YOUR PAIN.

THE ISSUE IS NOT US. WE CHANGED THE LAW SO WE DON'T HAVE CASH BAIL. IF SOMEBODY IS ACCUSED OF A CRIME AND YOU ARE A THREAT TO SOCIETY YOURSELF X REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE OR DON'T HAVE, STAY IN.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND WE NEED JUDGES TO KEEP PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS THAT DON'T BELONG ON THE STREETS.

A LOT OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE JUDGES AS WELL.

>> I AGREE. >> JUDGE, WE WERE ABLE TO REACH ONE MORE SPEAKER FOR THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. GO AHEAD.

>> SPEAKER NUMBER 4, ANDREW KAHN OF CRIMESTOPPERS.

YOU HAVE ONE MOMENT. >> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE COURT ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

I AM HERE TO SUPPORT MARTHA MEDINA'S FAMILY.

I HAVE WORKED WITH THEM AND IT IS AN ABSOLUTE TRAGEDY THAT

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FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE SHOULD HAVE NEVER, EVER HAPPENED.

I WILL ADVISE THE COURT RIGHT NOW THAT WE ARE UP TO 147 PEOPLE NOW MURDERED INCLUDING MARTHA MEDINA BY DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS AND IN THIS CASE A CAPITAL MURDER BOND. OUR HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY AND THEY ARE NOW PART OF AN ORGANIZATION IN WHICH SOMEONE ELSE WROTE OUT THEIR MEMBERSHIP FOR YOU.

CAPITAL MURDER IS THE ONLY OFFENSE IN WHICH A JUDGE ACTUALLY HAS DISCRETION NOT TO GRANT A BOND.

A BOND WASN'T GRANTED IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE AS IT WAS REQUESTED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, MRS. MEDINA

WOULD BE ALIVE TODAY -- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, ANDY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR. I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS TODAY.

WE HAVE FOUR RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE HEART WRENCHING TRAGEDIES AND EVOKE THE TEARS. WE WILL HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS ABOUT RETIREMENTS THAT ARE BITTERSWEET, BUT MY VERY NEXT RESOLUTION, JUDGE, IS ONE FOR REJOICING, AND IT IS THE FEEL GOOD RESOLUTION THAT WE HAVE TODAY.

THIS HAPPENS TO BE THE GERMAN HERITAGE MONTH AND WE HAVE A RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF THAT AND HONORING THREE CHURCHES THAT WERE PART OF THIS IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY EYE WHILE BACK AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE MADE IN THIS REGION. JUDGE I WILL READ, WHEREAS MANY GERMANS CAME TO TEXAS SEEKING A BETTER LIFE AND FREEDOM FROM RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION, GRACE ALONE, FAITH ALONE AND SCRIPTURE ALONE OR AS MARTIN LUTHER WOULD HAVE SAID, SOLO SCRIPTORA.

THE GERMAN COMMUNITY SETTLED IN SALEM LIEU -- LUTHERAN AND TRINITY LUTHERAN. SALEM LUTHERAN STARTED IN 1851 BY FELLOW IMMIGRANT PASTOR AND QUICKLY GREW TO AN ACTIVE CONGREGATION IN THE ROSEVILLE. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH FORMED EAST OF TOMBALL WITH PASTOR GW FISHER IN 1905.

THE CEMETERY HAS MANY HEADSTONES WRITTEN IN GERMAN.

AND TRINITY KLEIN LEET -- LUTHERAN STARTED IN 1874 WITH EIGHT MEMBERS AND TODAY HOSTS 3,000 WITH THE ORIGINAL CHURCH BELL FROM THE 1880S RINGING OUT ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

THROUGHOUT THEIR HISTORY THESE THREE CHURCHES HAVE BEEN CORNER STONES OF FAITH, FELLOWSHIP, EDUCATION AND CHARITY TO THE MANY GERMAN FAMILIES AND OTHERS WHO HAVE CALLED OUR COMMUNITY HOME. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HONORS THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY BY SALEM LUTHERAN, ZION LUTHERAN AND TRINITY KLEIN LUTHERAN CHURCHES AND I MOVE THAT RESOLUTION AND WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS FIRST.

>> FIRST IS SPEAKER NUMBER 8, JASON.

HE IS PASTOR AT SALEM LUTHERAN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I SAW YOU SKIP OVER THAT PRONUNCIATION.

>> I AM NOT GOING TO TRY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS SLACKER. I UNDERSTAND, PASTOR YOU USE THE NORTHEASTERN PRONUNCIATION AND NOT THE LOCAL PRONUNCIATION OF THE EASILY-SPELLED NAME.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THE NORTHEAST IS THE WAY IT GOES, BUT SCHLACKER IS HOW IT IS PRONOUNCED.

I AM AS GERMAN AS THEY COME AND BEEN SERVING HERE AT SALEM FOR SIX YEARS. WE ARE BLESSED TO BE IN THIS COMMUNITY. CERTAINLY WE CELEBRATE GERMAN HERITAGE AND THE ABILITY TO SERVE PEOPLE AND YOUNG PEOPLE. WE HAVE SCHOOLS AND CHILDHOOD AND I HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 70 YEARS.

THAT'S A LONGTIME TO BE IN THIS COMMUNITY PROCLAIMING JESUS AND WE ARE HAPPY TO DO IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM?

>> YES, MA'AM. WE HAVE NUMBER 7, KEITH -- AND I AM NOT GOING TO BUTCHER YOUR LAST NAME.

FROM TRINE KNEE KLEIN -- TRINITY KLEIN LUTHERAN.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU.

I AM THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL AT TRINITY.

I AM A STUDENT OF TRINITY. MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER STARTED

[00:45:04]

TRINITY AND GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS AT SALEM WHEN IT WAS STARTED 170 YEARS AGO. I WANTED TO THANK Y'ALL FOR RECOGNIZING OUR GERMAN HERITAGE.

WE HAVE BEEN A PART OF KLEIN SINCE 1874 WITH A CHURCH AND A SCHOOL. WE THINK WE ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KLEIN AREA AND STILL OFFER THE LOVE OF JESUS TO OUR KIDS EACH AND EVERY DAY.

I AM PROUD OF THE RICH HERITAGE WE HAVE AND HAVE BEEN HERE AS HEAD OF SCHOOL AND PRINCIPAL FOR 20 YEARS.

THANK Y'ALL FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.

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

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THIS. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

JOOK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY NEXT RESOLUTION IS RETIREMENT AND IT IS RETIREMENT LYNN CHAMBERLAIN AND SHE IS NOT AS YOUNG AS SHE LOOKS.

SHE WAS A YOUNG ATTORNEY WORKING FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OS AND I WAS A -- AND I WAS A YOUNG ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AND THE JUVENILE COURTS AND IT MADE MY LIFE WORK WELL. HER INTEREST WAS ABOUT THE KIDS FIRST. SHE WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE LAWYERS WHOSE JOB IT WAS TO NECESSARILY LET'S SEE HOW MANY KIDS WE CAN PUT SOMETHING ON THEIR RECORD AND WE CAN PUT IN JAIL. WHAT CAN WE COME UP WITH AS A SOLUTION TO MAKE THE LIFE OF THIS CHILD BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH IN JUVENILE COURTS.

IT IS CHILDREN. IT WILL GIVE THEM THE BEST CHANCE TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THAT'S THE MODEL OF WHAT A PROSECUTOR SHOULD BE IN A JUVENILE COURT.

THEIR GOAL IS TO NOT PUT THE NOTCHES ON THE GUN, BUT TO PUT KIDS IN THE PROCESS TO HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF SUCCEEDING IN LIFE. SHE IS NOW SERVING 49 YEARS.

I WORKED WITH HER AND WORKED OPPOSITE OF HER.

SHE USED TO WHEN SHE WOULD HAVE YOUNG LAWYERS COME IN THAT WOULD NOT LISTEN TO HER LEADERSHIP AND SHE WOULD PUT A BUG IN THE EAR OF THE JUDGES AND THEY NEEDED TO APPOINT ME AND OTHERS WHO WERE TRIAL LAWYERS LET THEM EXPERIENCE WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO HAVE A ROUGH AND TUMBLE LAWYER ON THE OTHER SIDE. SHE SAID IF YOU LISTENED TO ME, THAT OLD CAGLE WOULD NOT HAVE EXCLUDED ALL OF YOUR EVIDENCE. IT IMPROVED THOSE SHE WORKED WITH. COME ON DOWN HERE AND CHRISTIAN AND THOSE WITH YOU IN THAT OFFICE, COME ON DOWN YOU ARE LOSING ONE OF THE FINEST AND I KNOW YOU WILL SAY A WORD FOR HER. OCTOBER 31ST, 2021 AFTER 30 YEARS -- 29 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND MARE FOR YOUS SERVICE. LYNN STARTED WITH HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY PROTECT SHIV SERVICES WHICH IS A CHANGE OF THE LEGISLATION THAT BRINGS THEM TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. SHE WAS SWORN IN AS COUNTY ATTORNEY IN 1995 AND WAS AN OFFICIAL ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY SEPTEMBER 2ND 1995 AND THE PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND WHEREAS LYNN HAS WORKED IN CHILD WELFARE LAW MOST OF HER CAREER INCLUDING TWO STENTS FOR REGIONS 3 AND 6 AND IT IS AT TWO JUVENILE COURTS. THE DEPUTY MANAGER OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES GROUP AND SHE HAS HELD SEVERAL MEMBERSHIPS ON A STATEWIDE ESH Y -- ISSUE DEALING WITH CHILD WELFARE ISSUES AND THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S COMMISSION AS A COUNCILMEMBER. LYNN HAS SERVED AS MENTOR TO COUNTLESS ATTORNEYS WHO SERVED THE PUBLIC INCLUDING A HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE.

[00:50:04]

HAD TO THROW THAT IN. SHE IS A LOVING DAUGHTER, SISTER AND AUNT AND AN AVID QUILTER.

WE ARE GOING TO GET HER INVOLVED IN THE QUILTERS.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT COMMANDS AND CONGRATULATES HER AND EXTENDS BEST WISHES FOR YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK BEFORE YOUR RETIREE DOES?

>> I DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND JUDGE AND MEMBERS OF COURT.

THANK YOU FOR HONORING LYNN. YOU KNOW, YOU WERE TALKING EARLIER, COMMISSIONER ABOUT HOW MANY YEARS SHE HAS BEEN AT THE COUNTY OFFICE. WHEN WE WERE CHATTING I SAID, LYNN, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING WITH THE OFFICE? SHE SAID, YOU PROBABLY WEREN'T EVEN BORN YET.

I WAS BORN, BUT I WAS ABOUT 3.

BEFORE LYNN CAME TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SHE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STATE. AND SHE MANAGED OVER 10 COUNTIES SHE TOLD ME. SO COMING TO HARRIS COUNTY AND SHE SERVED UNDER FIVE COUNTY ATTORNEYS.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THEY ARE A PIVOTAL FIGURE AND IT IS THE BEST OUR COUNTY HAS TO OFFER. SHE SERVED ON THE STATE BAR COMMITTEES AND ALTHOUGH SHE IS GREAT AT COOL THINGS SHE IS NOT GOING HOME TO QUILT AND HELPING FOLKS --

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> I CAN CONTINUE? OH THANK YOU. SHE PLANS TO CONTINUE TO WORK DOING ADOPTIONS FOR FOSTER PARENTS.

SHE IS COMMITTED TO KIDS AND COMMITTED TO FAMILIES.

IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO PRACTICE WITH HER THE PAST 10 MONTHS. WE ARE SAD TO SEE HER GO BECAUSE WE ARE LOSING INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND IN ADDITION TO A GREAT PERSON, BUT THE COUNTY IS GREATER FOR HAVING HAD HER SERVE. WITH THAT I WILL BE QUIET AND

TURN IT OVER TO THE RETIREE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

WHEN I WALKED INTO THE OFFICES OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CHILDREN PROTECTIVE SERVICES OFFICES ON SOUTHWEST FREEWAY 29 YEARS AGO TODAY, I NEVER REALIZED THIS IS WHERE I WOULD BE.

I HAD NO IDEA I. I HAD WONDERFUL COLLEAGUES BOTH ON MY SIDE AND AGAINST ME.

GREAT JUDGES AND A WONDERFUL SUPPORT AT MY OFFICE.

THE COLLEAGUES ARE THE MOST DEDICATED PEOPLE I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH. AND IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE HARRIS COUNTY AND REPRESENT THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES TAKING CARE OF THESE

CHILDREN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIO.

BESIDES QUILTING ANYTHING ELSE ON THE PLAN?

>> A LITTLE TRAVEL. AND AS I REEDUCATE MYSELF

ADOPTIONS FOR FOSTER PARENTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEAUTIFUL.

BEAUTIFUL. CONGRATULATIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. CONGRATULATIONSES AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I'M SURE -- I KNOW YOUR IMPACT WILL CONTINUE TO BE FELT AS YOU MOVE ON TO YOUR NEXT PROJECTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER SIGNED UP FOR THIS

ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> FRANSHAW BROCK IN PERSON. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU

SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND

AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE MY NAME IS TIFFANY REEDY WITH THE CPS DIVISION.

AND DISABILITY ELDER. I ACTUALLY HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH LYNN. I WAS TELLING HER WALKING OVER THAT WHAT WE DO FOR A LIVING IS AN UNTHANKFUL POSITION.

WE ARE PROTECTING CHILDREN AND PEOPLE DON'T LIKE US VERY MUCH WHEN WE WALK INTO THE COURTROOM.

IT IS TRUE EVERYTHING COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS SAID TO HER. PERSONALLY I WOULD LIKE TO

THANK LYNN -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TAKE YOUR

TIME. >> SHE HAS BEEN AWESOME.

OUR LAWYERS LOVE HER AND WE WILL MISS HER AND THAT'S ABOUT

[00:55:02]

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY LOVE

YOU, LYNN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: REUP HER

CONTRACT! >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYONE ELSE

TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? >> I AM NOT SURE IF FRENSHAW

BROCK IS THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

>> THE LAST SPEAKER IS 85 VANESSA BRYANT AND SHE IS SPEAKING VIRTUALLY. MA'AM, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO? >> YES, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. GO AHEAD? HI. MY NAME IS VANESSA BRYANT.

OKAY. MY NAME IS VANESSA BRYANT AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR LYNN THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND -- MY NAME IS VANESSA BRYANT AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH LYNN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF -- A YEAR AND A HALF THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I AM REALLY GONNA MISS LYNN BECAUSE SHE HAS REALLY TAUGHT ME A LOT OF THINGS OVER HERE IN THIS COURT.

SHE IS A GOOD MENTOR AND SHE IS A GREAT TEACHER AND I APPRECIATE THAT. I THOUGHT AT ONE TIME SHE WASN'T GONNA RETIRE BECAUSE SHE WAS TRYING TO GET SOMETHING TOGETHER AND SHE CAME IN THE COURT AND SHE WAS LIKE, OH MAN, I FORGOT TO DO THIS.

REMEMBER WHEN YOU FORGET TO DO SOMETHING YOU CAN'T RETIRE AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR.

WHEN SHE DID THAT SHE CAME BACK AND FIXETT THE PROBLEM.

SHE SAID THEY ARE GOING TO GRANDFATHER ME IN.

I SAID, LORD SHE WILL BE GRANDFATHERED.

I LOVE YOU AND I WILL MISS YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE

SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: PICTURES

NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL TAKE SOME PICTURES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL CONTINUE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. FIRST LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING AS MEMBERS OF THIS BODY WE OWE A DUTY WE NEED TO BE RESPECTFUL AND HONEST WITH EACH OTHER.

[01:00:02]

SOMETIMES WE HAVE STRONG DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT DEEPLY-HELD BELIEFS. WE WILL NOT IMPUGN EACH OTHER'S CHARACTER AND WE WILL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH.

I BELIEVE A MEMBER OF THIS BODY HAS CROSSED THAT LINE THIS LAST WEEK. I'M TALKING ABOUT COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU MADE SEVERAL STATEMENTS TO THE PRESS AND SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WENT TOO FAR. YOU REALLY, REALLY CROSS ETD -- CROSSED THE LINE. YOU SAID THINGS ABOUT MEMBERS OF THIS BODY'S CHARACTER. YOU MADE ACCUSATIONS WITH NO BASIS. YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING THINGS ABOUT COMMISSIONER ELLIS, CALLING HIM CORRUPT WITHOUT PRESENTING ANY EVIDENCE. YOU SAID HE HAD ANGER MANAGEMENT ISSUES. YOU SAID A LOT OF OUTRAGEOUS THINGS ON THAT SHOW, BUT NOT ONE OF THEM WAS THAT THE REDISTRICTING MAP WAS DRAWN BECAUSE WE WERE SO MAD AT PRECINCT 3 AND FOUR FOR FUNCTIONING WELL THAT IT DRIVES US CRAZY. THAT ARGUMENT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE. I WANT TO ADDRESS IT BECAUSE IT CONTAINS AN AMPLIFIED ACCUSATION THAT OUR PRECINCTS DON'T FUNCTION WELL AND THAT IS AN INSULT TO ME AND TO MY STAFF. WE HAVE CONDUCTED A MILLION AND 200,000 LINEAR FEET OF DRAINAGE DISTRICTS.

THE MOST YOU CAN FIND EVIDENCE OF ANY DOCUMENTATION.

ON AVERAGE THE PRECINCT HAS DONE 400,000 LYNN YELL FEET -- LINEAR FEET AND WE ARE ON TRACK TO DO IT AGAIN.

WE CAN QUADRUPLE THE TRAILS MILES.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE 106 COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS GOING ON IN PRECINCT 2. SO MUCH SO THAT WE ARE CHALLENGING THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO KEEP UP WITH US. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT ME OR MEMBERS OF THIS COURT. LET'S SEE HOW MUCH I DON'T CARE. I HAVE SPENT NEARLY A MILLION DOLLARS -- 900,000 TO BE EXACT , OF MY PRECINCT 2 BUDGET ON OUR ACCESS TO HEALTH SMART PODS WHICH PROVIDES BASIC HEALTH SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN UNDER SERVED AREAS AND PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN GETTING VACCINES IN INTO THE ARMS OF PEOPLE. WE HAVE VACCINATED 13,000 PEOPLE. BUT OBVIOUSLY TO YOUR EARS THAT SOUNDS LIKE I DON'T CARE.

I SPENT 138,000 OF MY PRECINCT 2 BUDGET ON A PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITH THE JOBS AND HELPING THEM GET A PAYCHECK AND GET BACK TO WORK. OBVIOUSLY TO YOUR EARS AND TO YOUR MIND IT SOUNDS LIKE I DON'T CARE ABOUT PEOPLE.

I SPENT MORE THAN 700,000 OF MY PRECINCT 2 BUDGET ON SHOT SPOTTER. IT IS A STIPPLES THAT -- A SYSTEM THAT HELPS TO FIND THE PERPETRATORS OF GUN VIOLENCE AND KEEPING NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER.

IT HAS MADE ARRESTS AND UNDOUBTEDLY SAVED PEOPLE AND HAS KEPT PEOPLE SAFE. OBVIOUSLY TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING, I DON'T CARE. WE ARE SET TO DEBUT JAMES DRIVER PARK NEXT MONTH WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST ALL INCLUSIVE PARK FOR ANY KIDS WITH ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY.

[01:05:02]

OBVIOUSLY THE TRANTS LAYINGS -- THE TRANSLATION IN YOUR BRAIN IS I DON'T CARE ABOUT PEOPLE.

I HAD MY PEOPLE WORKING NIGHT AND DAY IN THE PANDEMIC AND WINTER STORM URI CONDUCTING FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE'S BASIC NEEDS WERE MET.

WE COULD HAVE SHUT THE DOORS, BUT WE DIDN'T.

OBVIOUSLY SOMEHOW YOU DIDN'T THINK WE CARED.

PRECINCT 2 HAS A BRABD -- BRAND-NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL THAT THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY BUILT TO ASSIST VETERANS WITH PTSD. OBVIOUSLY SOMEHOW YOU HEAR THAT I DON'T CARE. ONE WORD YOU THROW AROUND THAT -- THAT YOU LIKE TO THROW AROUND IS CORRUPT.

YOU HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS IS CORRUPT. NOTHING IS FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. BUT THAT HAS NOT STOPPED YOU FROM SPREADING MISINFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROCESS.

LAST THURSDAY WAS THE SEVENTH PUBLIC MEETING, SPECIFICALLY ON REDISTRICTING. THE MAPS HAVE BEEN MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S WOINS -- CON TEEN ATTORNEY'S WEBSITE. HERE IS AN EMAIL.

HERE IS AN EMAIL THAT YOU SENT OUT WHERE YOU ARE STOKING INTENTIONALLY AND PURPOSELY. STOKING THE FEARS WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY SUBSTANTIVE RATIONAL AND LEAVING PEOPLE TO IMAGINE THE WORST. SO MUCH SO THAT YOU LIED ABOUT BURNETT BAILUM PARK. PEOPLE WERE HERE WORRIED THAT IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN AND PEOPLE WERE LOSING THEIR JOBS. AND BURNETT BAILUM PARK HAS MOVED FROM PRECINCT 3. IF ANYBODY IS SHUTTING ANYTHING DOWN, IT IS YOU. HERE IS AN AD THAT YOU BOUGHT IN THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE YESTERDAY DOING THE SAME THING. WHY DID PEOPLE SHOW UP LAST THURSDAY UNDER THE IMPRESSION, AS I MENTIONED, THAT THE COMMUNITY CENTER WAS GOING TO BE CLOSED? BAILUM WASN'T EVEN CHANGED FROM PRECINCT 3, AS I MENTIONED. WHY WERE PEOPLE UNDER THE IMPRESSION -- LAW ENFORCEMENT -- IMPRESSION LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD BE AFFECTED WITH COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS THAT DO NOT IMPACT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ANYWAY.

AMBULANCE SERVICE, I AM NOT SURE WHERE THAT CAME FROM.

YOU ARE INTENTIONALLY SPREADING FEAR AND CONFUSION ABOUT THIS PROCESS WHEN IT CANNOT BE MORE CLEAR CUT.

YOU POSTED THE SHOW ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE WHERE MICHAEL BERRY SAYS PRECINCT 2 IS A WHITE WORKING CLASS DISTRICT.

DO YOU THINK PRECINCT 2 IS A WHITE WORKING CLASS DISTRICT? DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO TO PRISON OVER OUR USE OF A ARPA FUNDS, SAYING WE HAVE MISUSED THEM? YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN AT EVERY MEETING.

THEY HAVE BEEN THERE AT EVERY MEETING WHEN WE MADE DECISIONS ON ARPA FUNDS. YOU HAVE VOTED FOR NEARLY EVERY ARPA PROGRAM. MAYBE YOU'LL BE IN PRISON STRIPES TOO. SINCE YOU HAVE A HAND IN THE USE OF THESE FUNDS DON'T YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A DUTY TO CORRECT THE COURSE? IF YOU THINK YOU COULD LEAD PEOPLE -- IF YOU THINK USE COULD LEAD PEOPLE TO GO TO PRISON, WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? YOU SAID YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GO SILENT ON ADRIAN GARCIA IN -- AND THE SCHEMES HE'S GOT GOING ON IN THE EASTSIDE.

ELABORATE, PLEASE. YOU SAID, WE HAVE CUT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S BUDGET. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

IT IS ALSO FAR FROM THE FIRST DISHONEST STATEMENT ON HOW WE

[01:10:04]

FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT. ON JUNE 8TH, YOU ATTEMPTED TO INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION THAT SAID COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE BATTLING DEFUNDING.

YOU VOTED AGAINST YOUR OWN RESOLUTION WHEN THAT FALSE LANGUAGE WAS REMOVED. A JUNE 28TH OF THIS YEAR YOU TWEETED "CRIME AND MURDER CONTINUE TO RISE.

THE COURT DECIDES TO TAKE MONEY FROM CONSTABLES." ON JULY 8TH, YOU TWEETED " COMMISSIONERS' COURT DECISION TO TAKE AWAY MONEY FROM CONSTABLES MAKES NO SENSE" AND YET HERE WE ARE. JULY 17TH HOE POSTED ON -- HE POSTED ON FACEBOOK 10 TO 20 MILLION WAS TAKEN FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COURT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

I AM NOT GOING TO GET INTO AN ARGUMENT ABOUT WHETHER CHANGING THE ROLLOVER POLICY CONSTITUTED FUNDING BECAUSE IT DID NOT. FOR SOMEONE WHO GOES ON ABOUT EVERY MEETING ON HOW MANY YEARS OF THIS AS A CONSULT AT THE PRESENT TIME -- CONSULTANT AND HOW MANY YEARS OF WORKING WITH THE CITIES, MR. RAMSEY, I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE LEARNED BUDGETING JUST YET. THE ROLLOVER FUNDS WERE NEVER IN THE CONSTABLE'S DOLLARS BECAUSE THE FACT IS THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND THIS COURT ALWAYS HAD CONTROL OVER THOSE DOLLARS. WE DISCOVERED THE CONSTABLES ARE BEING TREATED VERY DIFFERENTLY IN THE WAY THEY WERE ALLOWED TO USE THEM. I PROVED THAT IN THIS COURT.

THE FACT IS THAT THOSE ROLL OVER DOLLARS OR FUNDS WERE IN A LEDGER NOT BEING USED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND THANKS TO OUR EFFORTS WHICH YOU FIRST VOTED FOR AND THEN AGAINST, THEY NOW WILL BE USED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND THEY ARE BEING USE -- USED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

THIS LINE THAT WE TOOK MONEY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH YOU HAVE USED OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

AND I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT I'M NOT GONNA TOLERATE IT ANYMORE. IT IS DISHONEST, AND SINCE THERE WASN'T AN ARGUMENT TO BE HAD ABOUT WHAT WAS DONE, THE ARGUMENT IS EFFECTIVELY OVER. IT IS PARTICULARLY OUTRAGEOUS TO SAY WE CUT THE D.A.'S BUDGET ALL THE TIME.

WE HAVE NEVER, NOT ONCE CUT HER BUDGET.

IT IS AN ABSOLUTE LIE. WE HAVE NO LEGAL ABILITY TO CENSURE A MEMBER OF THIS COURT, BUT WE CAN PASS RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING THE SEPTEMBER -- THE SENTIMENT OF THIS BODY. TO THAT REGARD I DO HAVE A RESOLUTION I WANT TO SUBMIT. IT READS, WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT, HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TAKE AN OATH TO ASSUME AN OFFICE WITH AWESOME LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDING MAKING LIFE OR DEATH DECISIONS ON MATTERS SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY AND THUS TAKE ON A HIGH LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ASSUME A DUTY TO USE THE PUBLIC OFFICE, GIVE IT TO THEM IN A MATTER -- IN A MANNER THAT FITS THE DIGNITY OF THE COURT.

ON ON THE OCTOBER 21ST, 2021 EDITION OF THE MICHAEL BERRY SHOW, COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY REFERRED TO HIS COLLEAGUE ON COURT, COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS AS CORRUPT RODNEY ELLIS. AND SAID COMMISSIONER ELLIS MUST HAVE ANGER ISSUES WITHOUT OFFERING SUB STAN -- SUBSTANTIVE OR CONGENITAL EVIDENCE FOR EITHER ACCUSATION. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST SEVERE ACCUSATIONS TO BE MADE AGAINST A PUBLIC OFFICIAL AS IT CHARMINGS A BETRAYAL OF THE PUBLIC TRUST AND HAS THE EFFECT OF DIMINISHING CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND SHOULD NEVER BE MADE WITHOUT STRONG EVIDENCE. WHEREAS THE ANGRY BLACK PERSON

[01:15:04]

IMAGE IS COMMONLY USED AGAINST AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO MISCHARACTERIZE THEIR ACTIONS AS UNNECESSARILY HOSTILE AND TO THEREFORE JUSTIFY ACTIONS AND ATTITUDES THAT RESTRAIN, DIMINISH OR FURTHER NEGATIVELY IMPACT BLACK PEOPLE.

AND WHEREAS ON THE SAME SHOW WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WOULD INVESTIGATE CERTAIN MATTERS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY OUT RIGHT LIED MENTD -- LIED. SAYING THEY CUT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S FUNDING ALL THE TIME.

DESPITE KNOWING THAT COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS NOT REDUCED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUDGET SINCE 2018.

AND IT HAS IN FACT INCREASED IT BY NEARLY $13 MILLION.

FITTING A PATTERN OF DISHONEST STATEMENTS IN REGARDS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS WHICH HAVE IN FACT -- IT HAS IN FACT CONSISTENTLY AND ACROSS THE BOARD BEEN INCREASED FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEREAS DURING THE OCTOBER 21ST, 2021 HEARING ON REDISTRICTING, HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS MADE A NUMBER OF ASSERTIONS ABOUT COUNTY SERVICES INCLUDING COMMUNITY CENTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INFRO TRUCK STURE -- INFRASTRUCTURE THAT DEMONSTRATED THEY HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO MISSED INFORMATION REGARDING THE HARRIS COUNTY REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

WHEREAS -- EXCUSE ME. WHEREAS THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION SHOWED THAT WHEN PUBLIC OFFICIALS MISUSE THEIR OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC TRUST INSTILLED WITH THE OFFICE TO SPREAD INFORMATION AND INTENTIONALLY SEW THE CORD OF DISTRUST TO SERVE THEIR OWN POLITICAL PURPOSES, THE CONSEQUENCES CAN BE DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE TO DEMOCRACY.

BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CONDEMNS TOM RAMSEY FOR THE ABOVE MADE STATEMENTS AS DISHONEST AND BENEATH THE DIGNITY OF THIS COURT.

AND IT CALLS ON COMMISSIONER'S TOM RAMSEY TO APOLOGIZE TO THE COURT PARTICULARLY TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHO TRUSTED HIM WITH THE PUBLIC OFFICE FOR MISUSING THAT OFFICE TO MAKE

THOSE STATEMENTS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> JUDGE, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS GOING TO DO WITH THIS ITEM. BUT I DID NOTICE FROM THE POSTING IT RELATED TO DECORUM AT COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

I HAVE BEEN IN POLITICS MAYBE LONGER THAN ALL OF THE TIMES WHAT HE HAD SERVED. I THINK I AM HITTING 40 YEARS HERE PRETTY SOON. AND I HAVE SEEN THE EBBS AND FLOWS. I HAVE PRETTY THICK SKIN.

I HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE WORST IN PEOPLE AND THE BEST IN PEOPLE. AND LIKE I HAVE SAID TO YOUR PRESENTED SEESER -- YOUR PRESENTED -- YOUR PREDECESSOR, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, PART OF THE CHALLENGE WAS, OR MY COLLEAGUES ARE ADJUSTING TO BEING IN A MINORITY.

THEY HELD UP AND SAID I THINK BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.

I PRIDED MYSELF ON TRYING TO USE HUMOR AND RARELY SINCE 19 83 I LOST MY COOL. WHATEVER IT IS I LET IT FLOW OFF LIKE WATER OFF OF A DUCK. I FEEL AWKWARD SECONDING THE MOTION, BUT MY STAFF GAVE ME SOMETHING TO ADD A PART.

THE ONLY WAY I WILL SECOND IT WITH A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

WHEREAS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE AN UNACCURATE STATEMENT OF CORRUPTION AGAINST COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HARD-WORKING DEPARTMENT HARD -- DEPARTMENT HEADS

[01:20:02]

SELECTED SINCE 2019 A SERIOUS ACCUSATION FOR WHICH THE COMMISSIONER OFFERED NOT EVEN AN INFERENCE OF EVIDENCE I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE OF US IN PUBLIC LIFE TO TRY TO DO IT IN PERSON IF YOU THINK YOU HAD TROUBLE ADJUSTING, FOR ME IT WAS TWO YEARS, BUT I THINK I KEPT MY COOL AND I MANAGED THE DEMEANOR THROUGH SOME VERY HOSTILE SITUATIONS. AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE SOME MOMENTS I THINK ABOUT, I MENTIONED ONE, BUT IT WAS A TIME WHEN I HAD FOLKS STACKED UP LIKE YOU ALL STACK THEM UP TO CALL FOR A MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM.

YOU CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH ME, BUT I ASSUME YOU POSTED SOME CONTRACTS COMING OUT OF PRECINCT 1 FROM THE PREVIOUS TWO WEEKS TO GET ME TO SHUT UP ON THAT ISSUE.

I'M THE LAST PERSON THAT SOMEBODY OUGHT TO INTIMIDATE TO SHUT UP. WHATEVER IT IS, SOMETHING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL COMES BACK AT ME.

I DON'T LOOK FOR A FIGHT, BUT I DON'T RUN FROM THEM.

YOU REMEMBER THAT INSTANCE. YOU MADE A MOTION AND IT WAS TWO SPECIFIC MINORITIES AND A WOMAN-OWNED FIRM.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. THE ISSUE WAS THEY DIDN'T WANT ME PUSHING FOR THAT DISPARITY. THAT'S THE WAY I READ IT AT LEAST. I WAS THINKING BACK TO WHAT OLD CARL PARKER WOULD DO. HE WAS A MASTER PULLING SOMETHING OUT OF A HAT. YOU MADE YOUR MOTION AND I MADE A SUBSTITUTE. MOST FOLKS WHO HAVE GONE -- ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD HAVE TAKEN THAT AS AN UH FRONT. I MADE A MOTION AND EVERYBODY IS SO COMMITTED TO MWBE'S. EVERY ITEM ON THE AGENDA WERE IT NOT AN MWBE FIRM. OF COURSE THERE WAS NO SECOND. MY POINT IS THAT WAS, I THOUGHT, RESTRAINT ON MY PART ABOUT AN ISSUE I FELT VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT. AND AS IT TURNED OUT IT WAS CORRECT. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND THE TOXIC NATURE OF POLITICS, THIS IS A TOUGH BUSINESS.

I THINK OF HOW WE COME PORT OURSELVES WE CAN ENCOURAGE AND DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM GETTING INTO A BUSINESS THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT, BUT YOU CAN PAY A HEAVY PRICE.

THAT'S WHEN YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON THE LINE.

WITH THAT, I WILL SECOND. >> I WILL ACCEPT THAT AS

AMENDED. >> THERE IS ALWAYS AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE BETTER WORDS.

I WILL SIT HERE AND SAY THERE IS PROBABLY BETTER WORDS THAT COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED.

WHEN I SAW THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND IT RELATED TO THE QUORUM, I THOUGHT, WELL, THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD PLACE TO GO IN TERMS OF WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.

WHEN I CONSIDER DECORUM AND IT IS KEEPING WITH GOOD TASTE AND I HAVE OBSERVED AND BEEN A PART OF THIS BOARD AND READING THE IPHONE IN PREVIOUS COURT MEETINGS WHEN EIGHT VICTIMS, RELATIVES WERE POURING THEIR HEART OUT, I BELIEVE THAT IS NOT IN GOOD TASTE. I THINK CALLING A COMMISSIONER A LIAR IN COMMISSIONERS' COURT -- I DON'T THINK THAT IS BEHAVIOR IN KEEPING WITH GOOD TASTE.

INFERRING FREQUENTLY THAT PEOPLE ARE RACIST, IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS IN KEEPING WITH GOOD TASTE.

CLAPPING AND TAUNTING COURT MEMBERS IN A WAY TO DISMISS OR

[01:25:04]

MOCK PEOPLE, I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER.

I WILL BE LIKELY ON THE WRONG END OF A 3-2 VOTE AGAIN, BUT I AGREE. DECORUM IN OUR COURT AND AMONGST OUR MEMBERS COULD AND SHOULD IMPROVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DEBATE THE ROLL OVER ISSUE CONSTANTLY WHEN IT FIRST CAME UP. I TOOK A POSITION AND I STILL HOLD THE SAME POSITION AND THAT'S A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WE HAD VOTED ON THAT AND I LOST ON THAT VOTE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS A DE FUNTD -- DEFUNDING OF THE CONSTABLES. I HOLD THE MINORITY VIEW THAT IT IS. I DON'T THINK THAT BREECHES THE QUORUM FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO HOLD THAT SAME VIEW THAT I HAVE HELD FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

AS TO COMMENTS MADE OUTSIDE OF HERE ON RADIO SHOWS, I BET I COULD GET Y'ALL ON THE MICHAEL BERRY SHOW TOMORROW IF YOU WANTED TO GIVE YOUR SIDE. NOT ME.

IF YOU CALLED HIM, I BET HE WOULD TAKE YOU TOMORROW.

I THINK IT IS A VERY BAD SLIPPERY SLOPE WHEN WE START TO BRING WHAT ANY ONE OF THE FIVE OF US SAY IN OUR MEETINGS WITH THE MEDIA AND IN OUR PUBLICATIONS AND START TO BRING THAT INTO THIS HORSESHOE , THAT'S AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SLOPE. MY GRAND DADDY USED TO SAY, BE VERY CAREFUL OF GETTING A WEAPON IN THE HAND OF A FRIEND THAT COULD EASILY BE TURNED AGAINST YOU WHEN IT COMES TO SITUATION SITUATIONS -- SITUATIONS LIKE THAT.

I FEEL LIKE THAT IS A VERY BAD PRECEDENT.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS THAT I CAN SAY, BUT I'M GONNA WRAP IT UP BY SAYING THAT I CAN NOT QUOTE AN IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF MY COLLEAGUE ACROSS THE HORSE -- HORSESHOE.

I LOUDLY OBJECT TO THIS PARTICULAR RES -- RESOLUTION BECAUSE I THINK IT IMPORTS INTO THIS HORSESHOE PERHAPS WHAT WE OUGHT TO ADDRESS OUTSIDE THE HORSESHOE.

I WILL DO MY BEST AS I THINK I ALWAYS HAVE OF WATCHING MY LANGUAGE WHEN I ADDRESS YOU HERE AND I THINK I AM PRETTY -- I TAKE A LOT OF CRITICISM FOR FAILURE TO BE FLAMBOYANT IN OTHER CIRCLES. MAYBE I SHOULD, MAYBE I SHOULDN'T, BUT I AM NOT SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE OF THE RESOLUTION CALLED TO QUESTION.

UNLESS, JUDGE, YOU WANTED TO ADD SOMETHING.

BECAUSE YOU AND I HAD A TIFF NOT TOO TERRIBLY LONG AGO WHICH I TOOK -- FOLKS KNOW WHEN I GET A LITTLE UPSET BECAUSE I WILL DROP INTO THAT RICE VOCABULARY.

I TOOK U -- TOOK EXCEPTION TO A STATEMENT YOU MADE.

I AM READY TO MOVE ON AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS A SECOND.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU, JUDGE, TO NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS OR TABLE IT BECAUSE I THINK IT IS BAD PRECEDENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION ON THE TABLE BY COMETIONER GARCIA -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

DID JAMES -- YOU ARE TAKING THE AGENDA? DID YOU CATCH THE EDIT THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE? ARE THERE SPEAKERS ON THIS MOTION?

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

>> FIRST WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 81, FORMER COMMISSIONER JACK NORMAN. HE IS SPEAKING ON THIS AND 326 AND 323. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, SIR.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM JACK NORMAN.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS A HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 FOR EIGHT YEARS.

DIVERTING ONE SENSE OF THE FLOOD BOMBS TO CEDAR BODY IS UNFAIR TO THE RESIDENTS IN THAT WATER SHED.

IT IS IN CLEAR BREECH OF FAITH FOR THOSE WHO VOTED FOR THE FLOOD BONDS. TO DO THIS AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF AN UNJUST REDISTRICTING PLAN THAT CRIPPLES COUNTY SERVICES IS A FURTHER INSULT TO THE PEOPLE.

THE SO-CALLED ELLIS PLAN PARTISAN SHIP.

YOU ARE ALL ELECTED IN THE PRECINCTS YOU SERVE.

THEY ONLY NEED SMALL ADJUSTMENTS.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY DISCUSSING COURT DO ERROR RUM.

THIS IS ABSURD. THE MOST IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT AMONG YOURSELVES. THEY ARE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE. BY DIVERTING FLOOD BONDS AND ADOPTING UN-- UNJUST LINES YOU ARE TELLING TAXPAYERS WHAT YOU THINK OF THEM. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR

YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR

[01:30:02]

CALLING IN AND FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 82, FORMER COMMISSIONER STEVE RADACK. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> WHAT IS THE PROPER DECORUM FOR COMMISSIONERS TO SUPPORT THE ELLIS MAP WHEN THERE IS AN AGENDA ITEM TO TRANSFER $190 MILLION TO A PART OF THE PRECINCT HE IS ABANDONING TO ANOTHER PART HE IS KEEPING. SAY A SUIT -- SUITCASE WITH $190 MILLION IS BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE CEDAR BAYOU AREA. IF YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE CALLED A CORRUPT MAP, THEN PERHAPS THE THREE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT DISTRIBUTING AGAINST 10S OF THOUSANDS OF COUNTY RESIDENTS.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT I AM VERY PROUD OF THE RELATIONSHIP I HAVE WITH L FRANK OWE LEE AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE AND SOMETIMES WE DISAGREE LOUDLY. BUT THE REALITY IS THAT'S BEING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. IT IS SPEAKING YOUR MIND PUBLICLY WHICH I THINK MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS LACK THE

INTESTINAL FORTITUDE. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER, WERE YOU DONE?

>> I THINK HE HUNG UP ALREADY. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD X COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS STEVE. >> I THINK HE IS GONE, JUDGE.

THAT'S ALL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I DID HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN SHORT NOTICE AND I STILL DON'T HAVE A WRITTEN COPY OF THIS MOTION, BUT DOES THIS VIOLATE SOME CONSTITUTIONAL HINDRANCE OF SPEECH-TYPE ISSUES? HAS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THIS FOR PROPRIETY WITHIN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OR ANY GOVERNMENT WITH REGARD TO SPEECH?

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, THERE IS NO FORMALIZED PROCESS BY WHICH YOU CAN CENSURE ANYONE, ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT.

SO RESOLUTIONS ARE ESSENTIALLY HONORIFIC OR THEY MAKE A STATEMENT OF THE COURT. THEY DON'T HAVE AN ACTUAL EFFECT ON ANYTHING. ON ANYTHING IN TERMS OF LIMITING SOMEONE'S ABILITY TO SPHEEK OR -- SPEAK OR NOT TO SPEAK. IT IS A STATEMENT OF THE COURT. THE NOTICE I THINK IS APPROPRIATE AS WELL. I THINK IT WAS SENT OUT TO ALL OFFICES. SO AT THIS STAGE WE DON'T THNG THERE IS ANY ISSUE HERE BECAUSE THERE IS NO ESSENTIAL PENALTY TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER

GARCIA -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I MEAN, WE SAW THE POSTING ON FRIDAY, BUT I DON'T THINK WE GOT THE ACTUAL MOTION UNTIL THIS MORNING WHILE YOU WERE SPEAKING.

WAS IT SENT BEFORE THAT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

I THINK WE SEPTEMBER IT THIS MORNING OR -- WE SENT IT THIS MORNING OR LAST NIGHT. IT WAS SENT THIS MORNING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HAVE I A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> I LOUDLY ON. I LOUDLY OBJECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. THOSE ARE ALL OF THE RESOLUTIONS. WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE SPEAKERS. THERE ARE A LOT OF SPEAKERS HERE TODAY. THE BULK OF THE SPEAKERS ARE ON THE TOPIC OF REDISTRICTING.

Y WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THERE -- I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION ON REDISTRICTING AND SOME WHICH IS SIMPLY NOT ACCURATE. IT IS SIMPLY NOT ACCURATE.

I WANT THE SPEAKERS TO HEAR THIS.

FIRST IT INVOLVES PRIMARILY THE ASSERTION THAT SOMEHOW THE PROCESS THAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE EVERY 10 YEARS IN ORDER TO REDRAW THE BOUNDARIES WILL LEAD TO A CUT IN SERVICES TO RESIDENTS. THIS IS A PROCESS THAT MUST TAKE PLACE. REDISTRICTING MUST TAKE PLACE BECAUSE POPULATION GROW DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT PRECINCTS. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT EVERY 10 YEARS THERE IS A CUT IN SERVICES.

UNEQUIVOCALLY THERE WILL BE NO GAP IN SERVICE.

I AM NOT SUPPORTING ONE OR THE OTHER AND I WILL LOOK FORWARD

[01:35:02]

TO REVIEWING. THERE IS NO MAP FOR MAINTAINING BRIDGES, ROADS AND POTHOLES AS PART OF THE REGULAR REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

ROAD MAINTENANCE FACILITIES ARE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THEY ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITH REDISTRICTING. THESE ARE BUILDINGS WITH EQUIPMENT. THEY ARE GONNA BE THERE IRRESPECTIVE OF THE LINES THAT ARE DRAWN.

PRECINCT CONFIGURATION WOULD NOT DISRUPT SERVICES RELATED TO ROADS AND BRIDGES. EVEN IF FOR SOME REASON THE NUMBER OF FACILITIES IN A GIVEN PRECINCT WERE TO BE UNEQUAL, THOSE CAN BE SET UP FAIRLY QUICKLY AS I UNDERSTAND. THIS IS IMPORTANT.

AMBULANCE SERVICES AND POLICE SERVICES HAVE NOTHING AND I MEAN NOTHING TO DO WITH PRECINCT MAPS.

THEY DON'T EVEN REPORT TO OUR ELECTED COMMISSIONERS.

OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FUNCTION INDEPENDENTLY OF COMMISSIONER PRECINCT BOUNDARIES AND COMMISSIONER PRECINCT MEMBERS. ANY CHANGES TO PRECINCT BOUNDARIES ARE ONLY REQUIRED BY LAW TO TAKE EFFECT NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1ST, 2023. WHICH MEANS THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME -- THERE IS MORE THAN A YEAR TO ENSURE THAT ANY CHANGES THAT ARE MADE ARE SMOOTH AND SEEMLESS.

THIS ISN'T AN OVER NIGHT THING.

I HEARD A LOT OF FOLKS REFERENCE BAILIN PARK.

A LOT OF FOLKS ARE BUSSED HERE AND SENIORS REFERENCING BAILIN PARK. NO COMMUNITY CENTER IS GOING ANYWHERE. REGARDLESS OF WHERE PRECINCT LINES ARE DRAWN, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE THESE FACILITIES.

I USE PARKS AND FACILITIES IN PRECINCTS I DON'T LIVE IN.

WE ALL DO. NOBODY CHECKS YOUR PRECINCT OF RESIDENCE TO LET YOU INTO A PARK OR LET YOU INTO A COMMUNITY CENTER. NOBODY NEEDS PERMISSION TO VISIT A COMMUNITY CENTER. ALL RESIDENTS HAVE ALWAYS AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE ACCESS TO ALL COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC FACILITIES REGARDLESS OF WHAT PRECINCT THEY LIVE IN. WHATEVER CLAIMS TO THE CONTRARY ARE FALSE. WE DON'T WANT TO USE THE WORD LIE. LET'S USE FALSEHOOD.

IT IS NOT TRUE THAT AMBULANCES HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS AND THAT YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN A CERTAIN PRECINCT TO USE A CERTAIN COMMUNITY CENTER OR THAT ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO SHUTDOWN A COMMUNITY CENTER BECAUSE OF THE LINES BEING RE -- REDRAWN. TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY CHANGES MADE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE WILL BE THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT THIS PROCESS WHICH FALSEHOODS HAVE BEEN RAISED TO THAT EFFECT. BUDGET TRANSFERS CAN BE MADE TO READDRESS ANY CONSTRAINTS THAT COME UP.

THAT'S WN OF THE -- THAT'S ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. IT IS SAD AND DANGEROUS WHEN SUCH FALSE -- FALSEHOODS ARE SPREAD AND I WANT TO SEE HOW THIS WORKS. IT BREAKS MY HEART SOMEBODY IS WASTING YOUR TIME AND IT IS OVER A COMPLETE AND UTTER FALSEHOOD AND IT IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING.

WE WILL BE HEARING SPEAKERS ON ALL KINDS OF ITEMS AND REDISTRICTING IS A BULK OF IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW ALL OF THE COMMENTS AND THE MAPS AND APPRECIATE ALL OF THE PARTICIPATION. THIS WILL BE THE 8TH OR 9TH MEETING WE HAVE ON REDISTRICTING ON TOP OF THE WEBSITE THAT HAS BEEN STOOD UP AND SO MANY CONVERSATIONS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DO WANT TO SAY I THINK I POSTED AN ITEM AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAY HAVE POSTED ONE ON THIS SUBJECT AS WELL.

LOOK, I DID PUT A MAP UP. I MENTIONED THAT, YOU KNOW, LAST WEEK THAT I WAS THE FIRST COMMISSIONER TO PUT ONE UP.

OTHER MAPS ARE GOING UP NOW. WE DID CALL FOR A COMPLETE MAP.

THAT MEANT LAST WEEK AND EVEN THE ONE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU PUT UP AND YOU PUT UP ANOTHER ONE SINCE THEN.

YOU KNOW, I FOLLOWED THIS A LONGTIME AND I KNOW THAT PRECINCT ONE WAS PACKED WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

THAT WAS BY DESIGN SO THAT THERE WOULD JUST BE ONE DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT. WHAT I ATTEMPTED TO DO WAS NOT PUT ALL OF THOSE GREAT DEMOCRATS IN ONE PRECINCT.

[01:40:06]

THIS COUNTY DOES HAPPEN TO VOTE MORE D THAN R, BUT SOMEBODY'S SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY CENTER OR WHATEVER WE DO IN MY JUDGMENT DOES NOT HAVE AS MUCH TO DO WITH THAT D AND R AS PEOPLE THINK. OVER MY YEARS IN POLITICS I HAVE SERVED WITH SOME GREAT D'S AND NOT SO GREAT D'S AND SOME GREAT R'S AND NOT SO GREAT R'S AS WELL.

ONCE A DECADE WE HAVE TO DO THIS.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU MADE REFERENCE TO GOING FROM EAST TO WEST AND I MADE THE COMMENT THAT NOBODY TALKED ABOUT IT WHEN PRECINCT 2 WENT FROM NORTH TO SOUTH.

I GOT TO LOOK AT THE MAP. I LOOKED AT IT EARLIER.

I DO THINK YOU GO FROM THE FARTHEST POINT NORTH TO THE FARTHEST POINT SOUTH. SOMETIMES I AM NOT THAT GREAT AT MAPS. I DW -- I DID NOT TAKE A POSITION AND THAT ISSUE ENDED UP IN COURT.

I WAS TALKING TO CONGRESSMAN -- CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE. SHE DID IT AGAINST THE COUNTY'S MAP. I WAS AGAINST IT AS WELL.

I DIDN'T TAKE A POSITION BECAUSE OF MY CLOSENESS TO COMMISSIONER LEE. I WOULDN'T TAKE THE POSITION YOU WANTED ME TO TAKE IN SUPPORT OF IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS WRONG TO PACK ALL OF THOSE D'S IN ONE PRECINCT. AND I FELT THAT WAY EVEN WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE. SOME PEOPLE ONLY WANT TO FOCUS ON THEIR GROUP, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

AND I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WAS A MISTAKE THROUGHOUT MY YEARS IN POLITICS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I HEARD YOU AND I WANT TO -- COULD YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT MORE ON YOUR CONCERN GOING SO FAR EAST TO WEST AS COMPARED TO THAT NORTH TO SOUTH? WAS THAT YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN

OR THE PARTISAN CONCERN? >> IT --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WAS NOT THE BIGGEST OR ONLY CONCERN.

BUT TO GO NORTH TO SOUTH IN A STRAIGHT LINE IS DIFFERENT FROM EAST TO WEST ALL THE WAY AROUND THE OUTER LIMITS OF THE

COUNTY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LIKE I DO.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU HAVE THE THUMB, BUT YOUR GAPS IN TERMS OF CENTRAL SERVICE ARE NOT THAT FAR FROM EACH OTHER.

AND I DO HAVE A FEW EXTRA THINGS TO ADD AFTER I GUESS THE SPEAKERS ARE DONE AND WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS A COUPLE OF COMMENTS TO WHERE I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH SOME OF THE COMMENTS OF THE JUDGE.

I HAD A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO THOSE I WOULD LIKE TO

ARTICULATE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I SUGGEST -- STRONGLY SUGGEST WE TAKE A BREAK JUST FOR 10 MINUTES? I NEED TO TIP OUT.

YOU THINK I AM VIOLATING THE PROTOCOL, BUT I NEED TO TIP

OUT OF HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHEN WE COME BACK I WILL BE ON THE FIFA EVENT IF YOU ARE OKAY MAYBE YOU CAN TAKE SOME OF THE SPEAKERS AND THEN JUST SO WE DON'T KEEP PEOPLE WAITING. AND THEN BREAK FOR LUNCH WHEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE BELIEVES IS APPROPRIATE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL MAKE THIS QUICK, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THERE WERE PUBLIC -- SEVEN PUBLIC MEETINGS, BUT THIS THING GOT SERIOUS AND TO YOUR CREDIT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU POSTED A COMPREHENSIVE MAP. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, LATER HE POSTED A COMPREHENSIVE MAP AND COVERED IT ALL.

I POSTED A MAP THAT DEALT WITH MY PRECINCT.

I WASN'T GOING TO PRETEND I KNEW EVERYTHING IN PRECINCT 2 OR 1. I COMMENTED ON MINE.

THOSE WERE OUT THERE AND IT BECAME CLEAR THAT WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT THROWING LINES ON THE MAP, MY ONLY POINT, JUDGE, WITH SOME CONVERSATION IS ONE OF THE MAPS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MAP WOULD MOVE 452,000 PEOPLE.

TO SOME EXTENT THAT IS A LINE ON A PAGE.

ON ANOTHER SIDE IT IS HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES DEALING WITH -- SO EITHER WE TRANSFER EMPLOYEES, WE TRANSFER FACILITIES. THERE IS SOME LOGISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. I HAVE SPOKE WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR THIS WEEK TOO AND WORKING THROUGH WHAT WILL THOSE LOGISTICS BE AND HOW WILL THAT WORK? I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO TALK THROUGH THAT AND NOT SAY, WELL, I ASSUME EVERYTHING IS JUST FINE.

SO THERE IS CONVERSATIONS TO BE HAD ON HOW SIGNIFICANT THE CHANGES ARE IN TERMS OF MOVING PEOPLE FROM ONE PRECINCT TO ANOTHER. WE CAN GET INTO THAT MORE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AGREE, BY THE WAY.

I HAVE ALWAYS ADVOCATED EQUITY IN WHATEVER WE DO.

WHEN LINES ARE CHANGING, OF COURSE YOU KNOW YOU ARE 100,000 OVER. SO YOU START WITH THAT.

I AM PULLING THE NUMBERS OR WHAT THE MOVEMENT WAS AS AN

[01:45:02]

EXAMPLE WHEN AREAS WERE ADDED TO PRECINCT 2.

TO SEE WHAT IT WAS A DECADE AGO AND NOW IN PREVIOUS YEARS. AND OF COURSE THERE IS NOWHERE NEAR EVEN IN PROPORTIONALITY TO THE NUMBERS AROUND THE STATE. WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL DISCOMFORT. I KNOW AS AN EXAMPLE AREA THAT'S CAME INTO PRECINCT 1 AND THE COMMISSIONERS ALWAYS WORKED IT OUT. I ADVOCATED THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO CONSOLIDATE TRANSPORTATION.

FOUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENTS DON'T MAKE SENSE.

YOUR PREDECESSOR WAS THE ONE, AND I WAS MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION I THINK, THAT MOVED TO THE COUNTY FLEET OPERATION. IT IS PROBABLY MORE CLIMATE -FRIENDLY AS WELL IN TERMS OF EFFICIENCY MEASURES.

I THINK WE ARE SORTING THAT OUT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, COMMISSIONER, IT IS -- IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DIFFICULT PROCESS.

GENERALLY IN AUSTIN I WAS ONE OF THE LAST THAT THEY WOULD COME TO WHENEVER WHO WAS IN POWER HAD THE MAPS.

I WAS ONE OF THOSE WHO ALWAYS ENDED UP ON THE WITNESS STAND.

CAN I SUGGEST WE JUST TAKE A --

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SINCE WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK, LET ME JUST SAY THIS AND THEN I DON'T WANT TO KEEP YOU UNCOMFORTABLE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I JUST SAY SOMETHING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT THAT THE REDISTRICTING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AMBULANCE OR POLICE. THAT'S TRUE.

I HAVE NOT SAID. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME FOLKS WHO HAVE COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS AND CONSTABLE PRECINCTS CONFUSED EVERY NOW AND THEN AND WE ALL DEALT WITH THAT WHERE WE GET THE PHONE CALL FOR A CONSTABLE OR WHATNOT. WHERE I'M DISAGREEING IS WITH REGARD TO THE CAPACITY TO RENDER SERVICES WITH THE CURRENT BUDGET STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE.

25% PER PRECINCT. I CAME IN HERE AND BROUGHT THE PICTURES AND THE MAPS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID THOSE WERE PRETTY COLORS ON MY PRESENTATION TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT WHEN YOU HAVE 2,700 MILES, 300 BRIDGES AND YOU ARE SERVING A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION AS NOBODY ELSE, THAT MAYBE OUR ALLOCATIONS OF FUNDING SHOULD BE BASED UPON THE NEED. JUDGE, YOU SAID THERE IS NO SCIENCE TO PROVE THAT IT COST MORE MONEY TO FEED THEM.

THERE -- IT WAS SOMETHING ON THOSE LINES.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE RESULTS TO COME BACK.

IF WE ADOPT THIS, AND I'M GONNA HAVE ADDED THE 2,000 MILES TO THE 2700 MILES THAT ARE GONNA COME OUT OF PRECINCT 3, AND I HAVE NOT CALCULATED ALL YET, BUT I THINK IT IS CLOSE TO ALMOST A THOUSAND MILES OUT OF PRE SINK 2 THAT ARE GONNA -- PRECINCT 2 THAT WILL BE ADDED TO PRE -- PRECINCT 4. IT IS DWEN 60 -- 65 TO 70% OF ALL OF THE ROAD RESPONSIBILITY WITH 25% OF THE BUDGET.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? HOW AM I GONNA HANDLE THAT? MY BUDGET CAN'T HANDLE TAKING ON THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING IN PRECINCT 2 AND THE PEOPLE IN PRE SINK 3 -- PRECINCT 3.

THAT'S A MIGRATION OF 450,000 PEOPLE IN A POPULATION OF 210,000. WITHIN THIS DISCUSSION WE COULD WORK IT OUT WHERE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE SERVICES TO DO THAT, THEN THAT WOULD BE A POSITIVE THING.

JUDGE, WHEN YOU SAID THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO, IT IS, BUT WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY DISCUSSION OF LET'S RENDER SERVICES TO BE ABLE TO HELP. IF I'M GOING TO BE DOING THE FAR EAST AND THE FAR WEST AND THE FAR NORTH, THE OUTER LIMITS OF THE COUNTY, I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT IF WE MADE IT WHERE IT IS EASIER WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONTIGUOUSNESS TO HANDLE THOSE AREAS AND MAKE SURE NONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES BECOME THE VICTIM OF OUR BUDGETING PROCESS. BUDGET DOESN'T COME UNTIL MARCH. ARE WE GONNA DO A MID-TERM BUDGET ASSIGNMENT WHEN WE MAKE THESE TRANSFERS OF FOLKS? I THINK THAT THE STATEMENT THAT WE COULD IN THE FUTURE DO THIS, BUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS TRADITIONALLY SAID NO MATTER WHAT THE DEED IS, WE'RE GONNA GIVE 25% PER PRECINCT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. I AGREE WITH THE QUESTION OF

[01:50:02]

THERE NEEDS TO BE CAPACITY TO RENDER THE SERVICES ADEQUATE TO THE SCIENCE OF WHATEVER MAP ENDS UP HAPPENING.

I SAW SOME NEW MAPS COME IN. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THERE IS EVEN MORE CONFIGURATIONS THAT CAN BE ATTEMPTED.

I WANT TO MAKE TWO POINTS. ONE IS, AND I THINK -- I KNOW YOU HAVE SAID Y'ALL HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH.

I IMAGINE YOU ARE IN TOUCH, BUT I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SAID THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN I GOT A CALL FROM A COMMISSIONER WANTING TO DISCUSS I SAY IN CASE I HAVE FORGOTTEN, LET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY KNOW I SAID DON'T TALK TO ME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM NOT IN TOUCH WITH ANYBODY.

I FEEL VERY MUCH ON AN ISLAND WITH THIS.

IT WOULD BE EASIEST FOR ME, RIGHT, IS IF AT LEAST THREE OF THE COMMISSIONERS CAN AGREE ON A MAP.

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN WORK THAT OUT IS AT THE TABLE WHICH IS WHY HAVING SO MANY ITERATIONS OF THE MAPS IS HELPFUL.

I HOLD OUT HOPE THAT THAT IS A POSSIBILITY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE MAP OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS DOES HAVE THE SUPPORTING DATA ATTACHED. NONE OF THE OTHER MAPS HAVE THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE DATA ATTACHED RODRIGUEZ --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WENT TO THE MAP MAKERS AND PAID TO DO

IT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME FINISH MY COMMENTS. I DO THINK -- WE DO NEED THE DATA FOR ALL OF THE MAPS. I THINK I HAVE IT.

I JUST SAW IT SO I THINK THEY JUST SENT IT OUT.

WE DID HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUNDING ALLOCATIONS AND WHAT IT CAME DOWN TO IS THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT UNINCORPORATED AREAS NEED MORE FUNDING BECAUSE THERE IS NO CITY THERE. THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS NEED MORE FUNDING BECAUSE THE ROADS SEE MORE WEAR AND TEAR. AND THEN THE ARGUMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. WHILE WE FIGURE OUT AND KIND OF AN UNBIASED WAY TO SEE HOW THEY STACK UP LET'S DO IT 25, 25. IF THERE ENDS UP BEING A PRECINCT -- AND I AM NOT SAYING THAT THERE WILL BE, BUT IF THERE IS A PRECINCT THAT HAS THE BULK OF THE LAND AND HAS THE BULK OF THE ROAD SPACE AND HAS THE BULK OF THE SORT OF -- IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND I WOULD HOPE -- YOU KNOW, THREE FOLKS AGREE THEN THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT, BUT IF THERE ISN'T AGREEMENT AMONG THREE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT THERE BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT, WELL, WHAT WE WILL DO TO MAKE SURE THE RESOURCES ARE THERE.

COMMUNITIES ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND NOTHING DO DO WITH AMBULANCES AND NOTHING TO DO WITH BLESS.

WITH POLICE. I THINK THE CONSOLIDATION COMMISSIONER ELLIS BRINGS UP IS A GOOD ONE.

IF WE HAVE UNTIL 2023 TO FIGURE IT OUT, COULD WE NOT GET ON TRACK FOR 2023 TO ENSURE THAT AT THAT POINT THERE IS GOING TO BE A MORE ONCE AND FOR ABOUT ENSURING

EVERYBODY HAS THE RESOURCES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IN AN

EQUITABLE WAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: SEEING AS I CAN'T TALK TO ANY OF YOU ALL, I WANTED TO PUT OUT ON THE TABLE IF I AM OUT VOTED, I AM OUT VOTED.

IF THERE IS THREE, THERE IS THREE.

IF SOMEBODY NEEDS MY VOTE, THAT'S THE CONVERSATION I

WOULD LIKE TO HAVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, I JUST CAN'T TO -- WANT TO ADD THAT THE PRECINCTS WITH THE MOST CITIES SHOULDN'T ALSO BE PENALIZED BECAUSE IF NOT FOR THE PRECINCT, THOSE CITIES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO A LOT OF THE PROJECT THAT'S THEY NEED.

PROJECTS THAT THEY NEED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK AT

THE ISSUE OF EQUITY BROADLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THAT'S THE CHALLENGE. EVERYBODY WAS ARGUING AND WE LANDED AT 25/25. AS SOMEBODY THAT LOOKS OUT FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY I WANT TO KNOW IF THE PRECINCTS HAVE GOING TO HAVE SUCH DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL MAKE UPS AS SOME OF THE MAPS DO THAT THERE IS A CLEAR PATH FOR HOW WE ARE GOING TO ARRIVE AT THAT EQUITY AND I LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS'

IDEA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT EQUITY AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID. WHEN I GOT HERE -- WHEN I GOT THE NOMINATION, AND WHEN IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR I WAS COMING, AN ITEM WAS PUT ON THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA TO REDUCE THE ROAD ALLOCATION FORMULA FOR PRECINCT 1 EVEN MORE UNTIL -- AND TO MY PREDECESSOR'S CREDIT AND I SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER LOCK ABOUT IT.

I LOOKED AT THE AGENDA AND WE WERE BATTLING IT OUT AND I LOOKED AT THE AGENDA AND SAID WHAT IS THIS? AS SOON AS I WIN IT IS ON THE AGENDA.

HE SAID, YEAH, IT WAS GOING TO BE LOWER THAN THAT.

[01:55:04]

I TRACED THE HISTORY. INITIALLY WHEN THIS FUND WAS CREATED FOR THE TOLL ROAD, IT WAS 25/25/25/25.

DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. ASK JOHN BLOUNT.

IF I HAVE TO BRING HIM BACK AS A CONSULTANT OUT OF RETIREMENT I WILL DO IT. THEN SOMEWHERE IT CHANGED.

I WAS TOLD AT ONE POINT WHEN I WAS RAIDING CANE ABOUT THAT, THERE IS OTHER STUFF FOR YOU. WE WORKED THINGS OUT AMONG THE COMMISSIONERS AND HARRIS HEALTH, MOST OF THOSE ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THE JAIL, MOST OF THOSE ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THEY SAID WE DON'T WANT THE JAIL. WE WOULD LIKE TO LET YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE SOME OF THAT.

I PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR PRECINCT GOT MORE OUT OF IT THAN THIS PRECINCT GOT.

I WANT AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION.

WE COULDN'T AGREE ON IT SO THE COMPROMISE WAS THE NEXT ROUND BEING DISTRIBUTED SPLIT IT 25/25 INTO ALL FOUR PRECINCTS UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT. THEN WE COMMISSION SOMEBODY, SOME THING OR SOME DEPARTMENT TO COME BACK WITH SOME EQUITY AND TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS. THEY HAVEN'T COME BACK YET.

WHERE WE ARE HEADED WITH THE NEW STATE LAW IT IS PUTTING A LOT OF PRESSURE ON US TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE. IT IS A CHALLENGE TO BRING IN THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE. IT IS NICE AND EVERYBODY IS HAPPY. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT EVERY OTHER URBAN COUNTY IS DOING. THAT'S NOT DOING THE UTILIZATION SYSTEM WHERE EACH PERSON HAS THAT LITTLE PIECE OF THE PIE. EVEN IF IT IS PARKS AND OTHER SPACES. JUST THE IDEA OF FIVE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. THE COUNTY HAS ONE AND EACH OF US HAS ONE. AT SOME POINT THAT CONVERSATION WILL BE ON THE TABLE.

I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR IT SINCE I GOT HERE AND CLEARLY SINCE THE NEW CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP, JUDGE HERE, ON THE COURT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE ON THE TABLE. WE HAVE TO DO THIS REDISTRICTING. IT COMES UP ONCE A DECADE.

I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT HAS BEEN THE 1970S.

WE REDISTRICT IN OTHER AREAS, CONSTABLES AND JP'S.

PART OF MY RUSH TO GET THIS OVER WITH IS IT IS JUST NOT FAIR AND AT SOME POINT WE WILL GET SUED IF WE KEEP IGNORING THE FACT THAT SOMEBODY WILL HAVE A MILLION PEOPLE AND SOMEBODY I THINK AS LOW AS 100,000.

THERE IS AN EQUITY DISCUSSION THERE AS WELL IN TERMS OF RESOURCES OR SECURITY IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN WE GO TO BREAK I HAVE A QUESTION FOR JAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I FORGOT I NEEDED A BREAK.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I ASK THIS QUESTION OF CHRISTIAN AND NEIL MAY WANT TO PITCH IN ON THIS. EVERY TIME WE HAVE A COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND WE HAVE HASHED OUT OUR ISSUES IT RESETS THE CLOCK TO WHAT I CALL THE BARNEY 5 -- BARNEY FIFE MOMENT TO DISCUSS IT WITH ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE COURT.

BECAUSE WE HAD DISCUSSIONS AND BECAUSE THE CARD HAS BEEN PUT ON THE TABLE, WHEN WOULD I BE ABLE TO, IF PRIOR TO THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT, AND LAST WEEK I VISITED PRIOR TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DIDN'T VISIT WITH HIM THIS LAST WEEK BECAUSE I UNDERSTOOD FROM CHRISTIAN THAT WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH ANOTHER

COURT MEMBER -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: SAY THAT AGAIN. I DON'T THINK THE CLOCK

STOPS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS WHAT MENIFFEE SAID. IT COULD BE BENEFICIAL.

IT MAY BE COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I SAT DOWN WITH THESE DATA NUMBERS THAT WE NOW MAYBE HAVE TODAY AND TALK ABOUT THIS TO SEE IF THERE IS A REALM WHERE IN THE WORLD OF THE 3/2 THERE MAY BE A COMPROMISE THAT WOULD WORK TO WHERE I WOULD NOT NEED -- I WOULD -- INSTEAD OF OBJECTING LOUDLY I COULD JUST OBJECT SOFTLY. MY QUESTION IS IF I WAS TO SIT DOWN WITH ONE OF THESE OTHER COLLEAGUES, IS THAT STATEMENT, HAVE Y'ALL HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT TO MAKE SURE, THAT WOULD BE A CORRECT STATEMENT WHERE I COULD SIT DOWN WITH THE MAPS AND WE CAN LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND TALK ABOUT WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THESE AREAS? WHAT WOULD THE COST BE WITH REGARD TO THE SERVICES THAT WOULD BE RENDERED.

I THINK I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA FROM PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COMMENTS AROUND THE BENCH AND JUST BEING NEIGHBORS OVER ON THIS SIDE WITH WHERE PRECINCT 3 IS AND I THINK I WOULD LIKE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH PRECINCT 2 AND MAYBE WE CAN COME UP WITH THAT THING THE JUDGE WAS

[02:00:02]

LOOKING FOR WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE FOR ALL ESPECIALLY IF WE CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND NOT HAVE THOSE FOLKS THERE AND NOT HAVING OUR PARKS BE UNDER SERVED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND/OR OUR ROADS OR COMMUNITY CENTERS. THE QUESTION AGAIN IS WHEN MAY I SIT DOWN AND SPEAK WITH ANOTHER PERSON OTHER THAN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? I HAVE TALKED ABOUT -- TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT NO OTHER COURT MEMBER.

>> COMMISSIONER, IF I COULD, LET ME CONFER WITH CHRISTIAN, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I WILL TALK TO NEIL AS WELL.

IF YOU CAN GIVE AS YOU FEW MINUTES, WE WILL GIVE YOU AN

ANSWER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE GOING

TO BREAK, I THINK. >> WE WILL HAVE AN ANSWER

AFTER BREAK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE, IF I COULD, I WANTED TO SAY THIS SO EMPLOYEES CAN HEAR.

WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE, MUCH LIKE WHEN I BECAME SHERIFF, THERE WAS NOT WHOLESALE CHANGE.

IN OPERATIONS. I THINK I KEPT HALF OF THE PREEXISTING COMMAND STAFF WHEN I CAME IN AS SHERIFF.

WHEN I CAME IN AS COMMISSIONER , IT WAS ALMOST VIRTUALLY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE EXECUTIVE STAFF, VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE.

BARTSON COMMUNITIES PRINCE PLEA -- PRINCIPALLY SERVED BY PEOPLE STILL THERE. AND I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN WHAT I WROTE. IT DOES PRESIDENT NEED FIXING. AND SO I WILL JUST -- I JUST WANT EMPLOYEES TO FEAR LOUDLY THE -- AT LEAST THIS COMMISSIONER REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE LINE ENDS UP.

IF I GET EMPLOYEES FROM THE OTHER AREAS, THAT IS NOT MY PRIORITY. MY PRIORITY IS I HOPE YOU ARE JUST DOING A GOOD JOB AND CONTINUE TO SERVE PEOPLE AND DO IT WELL. I JUST DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR TO KEEP INSERTING THEM INTO THIS DISCUSSION.

ULTIMATELY IT IS UP TO THE PEOPLE HERE WHO WILL MAKE THE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR FATE. I KNOW MY INTEREST WILL BE TO MAKE SURE THAT SERVICES AND OPERATIONS CONTINUE TO BE AT THEIR OPTIMUM LEVEL AND AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE WORKING HARD AND DOING A GOOD JOB, I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH IT.

I WOULD JUST -- JUST FOR THE SAKE OF THE REDISTRICTING AND STUFF, LET'S NOT INSERT QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES. I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR FOR THEM. HAVE I A COMMITMENT TO -- I HAVE A COMMITMENT TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND HAVE NO --

THAT'S NOT MY PROPERTY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL TAKE THAT AS A COMMITMENT I WON'T HAVE PAYROLL ISSUES IF I HAVE

EXTRA SERVICE AREA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUE OF EQUITY.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT EQUITY FOR ME ALSO MEANS THAT I'M SPENDING ABOUT 50 MILLION IN CITIES WITH NO COUNTY ROAD MILES. IF NOT FOR THE PRE SINK'S PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT AND THE COUNTIES, THOSE CITIES WOULD GO WITHOUT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE

GLOBAL IN OUR THINKING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AGREE WITH YOU. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I THINK I SAW THE PAPER EARLY THIS MORNING AND I THINK THEY ALL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I MENTIONED POLICIES PROCEDURES AND THAT MEANS CONSOLIDATING TO MAKE MONEY.

BEFORE I GOT HERE -- I TAKE THAT BACK.

THE COUNTY HAD NEVER SUBMITTED MONEY ON THE ROADS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. IT DID DO ROADS IN OTHER CITIES. IT CAME BACK BECAUSE OF THE TAX BREAKS WE GIVE. PROPERTIES INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AND OBVIOUSLY THEY PAY TAXES TOO.

AND HE DID IT AROUND THE SUPER BOWL.

HE DID IT AROUND THE STADIUM. I EXTENDED THAT WITH THE UNIVERSITY CORRIDOR. I KNEW I WAS TREADING LIGHTLY.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HAD BIG NAMES TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF IT. THERE SHOULD BE EQUITY EVERYWHERE AND IN TERMS OF WHERE WE SPEND OUR FLOOD CONTROL DOLLARS. I MEAN, THAT'S WHY I PUSHED

[02:05:02]

FOR THE GUIDELINES IN THAT $2.5 BILLION PACKAGE.

ALL OF THE MONEY WAS BEING SPENT IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT FLOODED THE LEAST. ANY FLOODING IS BAD.

YOU GET ME? WE WERE CHASING FEDERAL MONEY. LOOK, ANYTHING I WANT TO SAY, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DON'T MIND SAYING IT RIGHT HERE.

IN TERMS OF REDISTRICTING ON THESE ISSUES.

I'M GOING TO BE SHOCKED. THEY SAY IF YOU CAN'T TALK, TELL ME. YOU GET ON THE ISLAND BECAUSE I FORGET WHO I TALK TO. APPARENTLY I DON'T TALK TO ANYBODY. I JUST DON'T WANT TO FORGET SOMETHING AT MY AGE. I KNOW YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

THE LEGISLATURE EXEMPTED ITSELF FROM OPEN MEETINGS.

I CAN BIND UP MY VOTES. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL. I CAN WALK AROUND THE TABLE TO GET THEM. YOU DID TOO.

SOMETIMES WHEN I WAS BOARD I WOULD WATCH.

YOU DON'T DO THAT. IF Y'ALL SAY YOU CAN, COME ON. I WOULD LOVE TO DO SOME

TALKING. >> THE ONLY TIME I UNDERSTOOD WHEN THE CLOCK IS RESET IS WHEN WE DISMISS THE ITEM.

WE VOTE ON IT UP OR DOWN. >> I WENT TO PUBLIC LAW SCHOOL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 12:13. WE WILL TAKE A 10-MINUTE BREAK AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE WILL TAKE FROM HERE AND I WILL BE GREETING THE FIFA FOLKS FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS.

AND THEN THE LUNCH BREAK WILL TAKE PLACE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WILL TAKE THE -- WE WILL TAKE A 15-MINUTE BREAK AND THEN TAKE SPEAKERS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN A LUNCH BREAK WHEN YOU SEE FIT.

IT IS 12:15 AND WE ARE IT IS NOW 12:39 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT AT THIS TIME IS BACK IN SESSION.

AT THIS TIME WE WILL START TO TAKE THE SPEAKERS WHO HAVE

SIGNED UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER CHAIR, CAN I SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU MAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU LIKE MY BLING? THIS IS A WORLD SERIES -- YES, HOUSTON ASTROS! GO STROS! GO STROS! THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE BEEN BLINDED ALL MORNING FROM THAT

LITTLE EXTRA BLING THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WISH IT WAS A REAL ONE, BUT IT IS NOT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A QUESTION OF MY COLLEAGUES SINCE WE ARE ABOUT TO NOW TAKE OUR SPEAKERS.

DO YOU ALL HAVE AN OBJECTION THAT WE TAKE THE SPEAKERS WHO

ARE HERE IN PERSON FIRST. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NOT AT ALL.

[Speakers]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TIFFANY, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE SPEAKERS WHO ARE HERE, IN PERSON FIRST.

SO IT WILL ALLOW THE FOLKS HERE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR SAY AND THEN DEPART AND AS WE START TO GET CLOSER TO THE END OF THOSE THAT ARE HERE IN PERSON, WE CAN START DIALING UP FOLKS. I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT OUR RULES ARE, ONE, IF THERE IS MORE THAN 25 PEOPLE SIGNED UP, THAT EVERYONE GETS ONE MINUTE.

IF YOU HAVE LESS THAN 25 PEOPLE SIGNED UP, YOU GET THREE MINUTES. IN THIS INSTANCE WE WERE CLOSE TO 97 THE LAST TIME I CHECKED THIS SHEET OF PAPER.

THIS SAYS THAT WE HAVE 85 ON AGENDA-RELATED AND SIX ON NON-AGENDA RELATED. SO MY MATH IS GOOD THAT MEANS ONE MINUTE PER SPEAKER AND. AND A SECOND THING I WOULD LIKE TO TELL FOLKS IS THAT IF IT IS A MATTER THAT IS AN AGENDA ITEM WE CAN TECHNICALLY ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE SPEAKERS, BUT THE NORMAL PROTOCOL IS TO LET THE PUBLIC SAY WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY AND AT THE END OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT WE WILL RESPOND. IT DOES NOT PREVENT ANYONE FROM ASKING A QUESTION THEY HAVE, AND IF IT IS NOT ON AN AGENDA ITEM, WE NORMALLY REFER YOU TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WHO WE ARE MISSING JAY, BUT WE HAVE NEIL IN THE BACK TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS BECAUSE WE ARE BOUND BY THE RULES THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DISCUSS AT COURT A NON--AGENDA ITEM -- NONAGENDA ITEM HERE. IT DOES NOT MEAN WE CANNOT ADDRESS IT OR SPEAK WITH SOMEONE THAT HAS A QUESTION AFTERWARDS ONE ON ONE, BUT NOT FROM THE HORSESHOE.

AND WITH THAT IN MIND, IS OUR FIRST IN-PERSON SPEAKER GOING

TO BE NUMBER 9, MR. YOUNG? >> NO, SIR.

[02:10:06]

HE ACTUALLY ASKED TO BE VIRTUAL A FEW MINUTES AGO.

THE FIRST IN-PERSON SPEAKER WILL BE DAVID GARCIA OF

CHEETAH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. GARCIA.

>> YES, SIR. MY PLEASURE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM DAVID GARCIA, THE DIRECTOR OF CHEETAH AND THE DESIGNER OF THE HART PROJECT WHICH IS NOW A PROJECTED ART PROPOSAL. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO FOR THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AS IT IS NOW EASIER TO WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE JUST AHEAD OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEHIND BOTH AUSTIN AND DALLAS IN ABILITY TO DRAW THESE COMPANIES.

THIS IS PARTIALLY BECAUSE THEY DEFINED THE PIPELINE YEARS AGO. THROUGHOUT OUR PROPOSAL WE WILL TRAIN OUR DISVENGED YOUTH TO WORK TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY THROUGH JOBS. THEY HAVE SUCCESSFUL TRACK RECORDS AND DOING SO IN SIMILAR WORK.

WE NEED TO DRAIN OUR OWN. BUSINESSES ARE REALIZING THAT TOTAL MOTIVATION AND INNOVATION REQUIRE ADAPTABILITY THROUGH CREATIVITY AND PURPOSE AND TO BUILD A HIGHER PERFORMING COMPANY CULTURE.

THEY WILL HELP TO DELIVER THE CREATIVE CLASS WORKER THAT IS ESSENTIAL TO HARRIS COUNTY BUSINESSES --

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU DID IT IN A MINUTE.

GOOD JOB. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

DAVID. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT IN-PERSON SPEAKER FROM THE LIST I SEE IS PRO -- PRICILLA CRUZ. AND THEN AFTER HER THE NEXT IN PERSON I SEE IS MARISSA HANSON.

YOU MAY PROCEED. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND -- WELL JUDGE HUH -- HIDALGO IS NOT HERE.

I AM PRICILLA CRUZ. WE ARE WORKING TO HELP YOUNG ADULTS, DESIGNERS, WRITERS, PRODUCERS AND MURALISTS WHO MAKE UP THE CREATIVE CLASS OF WORKERS TO SECURE RESOURCES SO THEY MAY CONTINUE TO PRODUCE THEIR WORK.

THE CREATIVE CLASS IS RECOGNIZED AS WORKFORCE THAT PRODUCE CRITICAL ELEMENTS TO HELP THRIVE ABOVE OTHER CITIES. HAVE I BEEN COLLABORATING WITH MR. GARCIA AND CHEETAH FOR OVER A DECADE, VIDEOTAPING VOLARY CHEFS -- CULINARY CHEFS AND ARTISTS TO BROADCAST ON PUBLIC TELEVISION AND WE ARE SUPPORTERS OF THE PROGRAM THAT CAN BREAK THE POVERTY BY PROVIDING RECESSION-PROOF JOBS THROUGH THEIR PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL TRAINING.

WE ASK THAT YOU HELP CHEETAH BY COMMUNICATING WITH BOSTON CONSOLIDATING GROUP SO THAT THEY MAY BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR PROCESS AND WE HOPE HARRIS COUNTY IS WILLING TO

WORK WITH -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARISSA HANSON AND THEN AFTER HER WILL BE GINA HICKS AND AFTER GINA HICKS IS -- IT WILL BE CHARLES SIM -- CHARLES SIMMONS.

>> IS THIS ON? MY NAME IS MARISSA HANSON.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ABOUT CORRUPTION. CORRUPTION IS KNOWING THAT 13-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN ARE BEING TRAFFICKED ON OUR STREETS THAT YOU WALK ON CORRUPTION IS HOLDING OUR CONSTITUENTS' TAX PAYING DOLLARS OF ARTWORK IN STORAGE UNITS.

CORRUPTION IS SPENDING $17 MILLION ON MEDICAL TENTS YOU GUYS TAKE DOWN WEEKS LATER.

CORRUPTION IS USING TAXPAYERS DOLLARS FOR -- TO GIVE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS TO FRIENDS OF YOURS.

CORRUPTION IS GIVING CONTRACTS TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONATED TO YOUR ELECTIONS. CORRUPTION IS NOT BEING HONEST.

GIVING $11 MILLION TO PEOPLE ON YOUR --

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THAT IS CORRUPTION. CORRUPTION IS ALLOWING --

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GINA HICKS AND THEN AFTER GINA HICKS WILL BE CHARLES SIMMONS AND AFTER CHARLES SIMMONS IS JOAN

SELEMAN. >> I AM A RES -- SAY YOUR

NAME. >> GINA HICKS AND A COUNCILMEMBER WITH THE CITY OF KATEY.

THE GREATER KATEY AREA IS A GROWING COMMUNITY WITH A COMMON INTEREST. THE PROPOSED REDISTRICTING MAP FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS PRESENTS GREAT CONCERN AS IT DIVIDES A COMMUNITY, SPLITS OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN THE COUNTY AND DISRUPTS A PROCESS THAT IS ALREADY IN MOTION.

KATEY HAS A NUMBER OF PROJECTS OF FLOODING AND ROADWAY EXPANSION AND CONSISTENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WE NEED

[02:15:01]

TO SEE THROUGH AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WITH ONE PRECINCT, COMMISSIONER. A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS CRITICAL DIVIDING HALF OF KATEY TO A COMMISSIONER WHO HAS TO BALANCE KING WOOD AND BAY TOWN DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. WE NEED ONE REPRESENTATIVE FOR KATEW ISD AND ONE FOR THE NEIGHBORING HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITIES THAT IMPACT OUR CITY AND 1 COMMISSIONER TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE RAPID GROWTH IN ALL OF KATEY.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

COUNCILMEMBER. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. ARE THINGS GOING WELL IN THE

CITY OF KATEY? >> YES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NUMBER 28.

CHARLES SIMMONS AND AFTER CHARLES IT IS MS. JOAN SOLMA AND LAMAR STRICKLAND AND SY SAUCE.

CHARLES SIMMONS? CHARLES SIMMONS? ALL RIGHT. NEXT SPEAKER IS JOAN SULMA.

JOAN SULMA? JOAN SULMA? THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LAMAR STRICK LAND -- STRICKLAND.

IS LAMAR STRICKLAND HERE? OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SY SOLACE AND AFTER THAT IS JACOB LIMITECK.

AND THEN AFTER THAT WILL BE WESLEY WESLEY IF THEY ARE IN THE HALLWAY AND GEORGE STRAKE IF THEY ARE IN THE HALL --

HALLWAY. >> I AM SUZANNE GNAW SOLACE AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. WE HEARD ARGUMENTS OF THE ELLIS PLAN AND HAVE NOT HEARD A GOOD REASON FOR IT.

WITH 30 YEARS ON-THE-JOB WHY DID COMMISSIONER ELLIS DEVISE THIS PLAN? DOES TIM PROVE THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS IN HIS OWN PRE SINK? NO? IT MAKES SERVICES WORSE FOR RESIDENTS IN PRE -- PRECINCT 3 AND 4 REGARDLESS OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING BECAUSE OF THE LARGENESS OF THE GEOGRAPHY OF THIS PLAN. HOW ABOUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN POLICING? CAN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND LOOK AT THIS MAP AND SAY WITH A STRAIGHT FACE THAT THIS HUGE GEOGRAPHY WILL MAKE PRECINCT 4 SAFER? NO.

WHAT ABOUT JUDGE HIDALGO'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE? WILL IT ALLOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE TO RESPOND? NO. YOU ARE SETTING COMMISSIONER CAGLE UP FOR FAILURE AND THE PLAN IS TO MAKE HIM LOSE THE 2022 RE-ELECTION OR TO REPLACE HIM WITH A DEMOCRAT.

WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS PLAYING A POLITICAL GAME.

DRAWING THE LINES OF THE REDISTRICTING ALONG TO YOUR

FAVOR FOR THE -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> THAT'S ALL YOU ARE DOING.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JACOB PRIMITECK AND THEN WESLEY WESLEY AND AFTER IS GEORGE ST TRAKE AND THEN IT IS KATHLEEN WALL.

>> I HAVE BEEN GETTING OUT AND I WOULD LIKE TO -- AS FOR THE GRACE OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO PLAY -- [INAUDIBLE].

FORTUNATELY -- I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS ART -- [INAUDIBLE] AND KING STREET IS HAVING A CELEBRATION COME AUGUST -- OCTOBER 30TH AND THEN THEY ARE ASKING FOR THINGS TO BE DONATED TO THEM. I HOPE WE CAN DONATE --

[INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JACOB, WE NEEDED THAT.

WE APPRECIATE YOU. >> ONE THING, WHILE YOU ARE -- YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE BANE OF -- [INAUDIBLE].

THE BANE OF JUSTICE AND THE BANE OF THE --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HAVE A SEAT PLEASE, SIR.

WESLEY WESLEY AND THEN GEORGE STRAKE AND THEN KATH LYNN WALL -- KATHLEEN WALL. WESLEY WESLEY?

GEORGE STRAKE? >> TOM RAMSEY: GEORGE IS

GONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: KATHLEEN IS GONE AND OUR NEXT IN-PERSON SPEAKER THAT I HAVE LEST --

LISTED -- >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, SORRY TO INTERRUPT. WE HAVE A SPEAKER WHO SIGNED UP AFTER THE MEETING STARTED CINDY SEGAL.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL CALL HER IN JUST A SECOND SHE IS RIGHT HERE. IS DARLENE KING AVAILABLE?

[02:20:04]

I DON'T CEDAR LEAN -- I DON'T SEE DARLENE KING.

MARION MARTINEZ? MARIE GARCIA? I THINK SHE ALREADY SPOKE. PAUL CURRY? PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT. ONE MINUTE, PLEASE.

AND THEN AFTER THAT I WILL TAKE THOSE WHO ARE HERE IN THE ROOM. IF YOU WILL START ROUNDING UP

THE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS. >> WILL DO.

>> MY NAME IS PAULA CURRY AND I AM REPRESENTING -- [INAUDIBLE]. I'M NOT SURE.

I AM NOT SURE WHERE I WILL ASK FOR THIS KIND OF HELP.

I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING I DO NOT TAKE THESE ACCUSATIONS LIGHTLY. FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS I HAVE BEEN STALKED, HARASSED, FOLLOWED, INTIMIDATED.

I HAVE HAD MEN WATCH ME IN MY BEDROOM AND MY BATHROOM AND TELL ME WHAT I'M DOING AND WHAT I HAVE ON.

THEY HAVE ENTERED INTO MY APARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I WAS NOT THERE AND MY PHONE HAS BEEN TAKEN OVER.

THEY WILL NOT ME CALL OR MAKE POLICE REPORTS.

THEY ARE IN POSSESSION OF MY GARAGE DOOR OPENER AND HAVE A TRACKER ON MY CAR AND THEY HAVE PUT CAMERAS IN MY HOME AND DAMAGED MY PROPERTY. THIS IS WELL OVER FOUR YEARS AND IT IS CONTINUOUS. I DID GO TO CITY COUNCIL.

I AM NOW FIGHTING EVERY GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT IT IS

THAT IS ATTACKING ME. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WILL

FOLLOW -- >> TOM RAMSEY: WE WILL FOLLOW BACK UP WITH YOU. IS THIS A GOOD PHONE NUMBER WE CAN REACH YOU AT? WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU

TODAY. >> ALL RIGHT.

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

ALL RIGHT, MS. SEGAL, STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU

REPRESENT. >> MY NAME IS CINDY SEGAL AND I AM REPRESENTING MYSELF, BUT I AM THE FORMER MAYOR OF BEL-AIR. WHEN I TOOK AN OATH OF OFFICE WHEN I FIRST BECAME MAYOR I TOOK AN OATH OF OFFICE TO PROTECT THIS -- THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENS OF BELLAIR WHETHER THEY VOTED FOR ME OR DID NOT VOTE FOR ME. I WANT TO POINT OUT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ELLIS, YOU BOTH REFERRED THIS MORNING TO PROJECTS YOU HAVE GOING IN CITIES WITHIN YOUR PRECINCTS.

THOSE CITIZENS IN THOSE CITIES ARE PAYING DOLLARS TO THE COUNTY. SO IT IS NOT LIKE YOU ARE DOING THE CITY ANY FAVORS. YOU KNOW, I AM ALSO A CPA IN MY DAY JOB. IT IS IMPORTANT WE GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK AND TO DO -- YOU KNOW, TO HAVE AND DELIVER THE SERVICES IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE MANNER.

SO I ASK THAT YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AND VOTE FOR A PLAN THAT WILL DO THAT AND EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ALL OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS, FOR ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY IN THE BEST WAY. NOT BECAUSE OF POLITICAL REASONS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT IS IN PERSON THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME?

SIR? >> SO, MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] AND I COME REPRESENTING THE 2.7 MILLION LATINOS EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THEM ARGUE I DON'T REPRESENT THEM, BUT I WILL LEAVE THAT FOR ANOTHER TIME.

I JUST WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE WHAT REDISTRICTING WAS MEANT FOR. IT WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED TO REALLY REPRESENT THE COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORT US.

I JUST GOT AN EMAIL -- SCREENSHOTS OF AN EMAIL SENT OUT IN THE NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY THAT SAYS A LOT OF THING, BUT NOTHING AT THE END.

IT SAYS REDISTRICTING MAY CHANGE THE SERVICES OF THE ROADS AND MAY DO THIS AND DO THAT.

IT WILL, BUT IT COULD DO IT IN A WAY SO THAT OUR PEOPLE AND OUR COMMUNITIES ARE BETTER REPRESENTED.

I JUST WANTED TO COME AND TAKE MY MORNING TO REMIND YOU GENTLEMEN OF THAT. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION IN ORGANIZING COMMUNITIES BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS WHAT REDISTRICTING DOES AND WHAT DISTRICTS DO AND I HOPE YOU LISTEN.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COURT? COME DOWN AND STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT.

>> LAMAR STRICKLAND. SHORT HISTORY HERE.

EARLY IN THE 1900'S RED LINING WAS A RACIST POLICY TO SEPARATE RACISTS. FAIR HOUSING ELIMINATED THOSE PROBLEMS. WE HAD A RACIST SEGREGATION AS A RULE UNTIL WRIGHT'S LAWS CANCELED IT.

[02:25:03]

IT IS DISTRESSING THAT ONCE AGAIN PROPOSED MAPS ACCOMPANYING NUMBERS SHOW THAT THE UGLY, RACIST HEAD IS ONCE AGAIN RISING TO A PROBLEM. THE RULES ARE RACIST.

COMMUNITIES DO NOT NEED TO BE DIVIDED UP ACCORDING TO RACE.

THAT'S VERY APPARENT. MR. ELLIS' HAS DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF BLACKS IN HIS. MR. GARCIA, SIMILARLY.

I WOULD ADVOCATE THAT YOU, GENTLEMEN, STRONGLY CONSIDER KEEPING IT EQUAL ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER IN-PERSON SPEAKERS? DO YOU WISH TO SPEAK? COME ON DOWN AND STATE YOUR

NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT. >> I AM REVEREND MOODAM.

I AM A POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE BAPTIST MINISTERS AND I WANT TO SPEAK [INAUDIBLE] TODAY.

I AM HERE BECAUSE SOME THINGS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT ARE GNAWING ON ME. HISTORICALLY FOR ANYONE TO SIT ON THIS COURT I HAD A FIGHT A LONGTIME AGO ON RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION IN HARRIS COUNTY.

BLACKS AND HISPANICS HAD TO GO TO THE ROLL CALL AND THEY SAID GO CLEAN THOSE [EXPLETIVE] OFF THE ROAD.

HAD THINGS GOING ON AND BLACKS COULDN'T PATROL AND NONE OF THE OTHER SUPERVISORS ARE LEFT AND WE FOLLOWED -- WE FILED A LAWSUIT AND WE WON THE FIRST OF A KIND IN 1998.

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HE DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD ONE MINUTE.

HE THOUGHT THERE WAS THREE. CAN YOU WRAP IT UP IN A

SENTENCE? >> I WILL WRAP IT UP NOW.

I AM ALARMED BY THE FACT THAT ADRIAN MOVED ALL OF THE BLACKS OUT OF HIS AND INTO THE -- INTO YOUR PRECINCT.

WELL, I REMEMBER, ADRIAN, THAT WE WOULD -- THAT WE HELPED YOU GET ELECTED. YOU WOULDN'T HAVE GOT TO BE HERE. I AM VERY ALARMED ABOUT THAT.

WE ARE NOT GONNA STAND BACK AND SEE THAT HAPPEN.

THAT'S THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO SHEILA.

THEY MOVED THE BLACKS OUT OF THERE AND CREATED THEIR OWN -- I THINK THAT IS UNFAIR. LET THE PEOPLE ELECT WHO THEY

WANT TO ELECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. TIFFANY, WHO ARE IS OUR FIRST

ONLINE SPEAKER? >> FIRST WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 9, WAYNE YOUNG OF THE HARRIS CENTER.

>> I WILL TRY AND GO FAST. YOU HAVE AN ITEM I WANTED TO COMMENT ON. THE HARRIS CENTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND WE TAKE OUR MISSION SERIOUSLY. THIS PROJECT YOU ARE GOING TO BE CONSIDERING WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION AND RESPONSES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE -- BOTH LAY PEOPLE AND NON-SPECIALIZED HEALTH CARE WORK EVERIES OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE VARIOUS PRECINCTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THIS INVESTMENT WITH ARP FUNDS AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR

CONSIDERATION OF THIS ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MEGAN JASPER ONLINE.

>> YES, SIR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU MAY PROCEED. ONE MINUTE, PLEASE.

>> THIS IS MEGAN JASPER AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY MONSTER LIBERTY AND A MEMBER OF THE YELLOW ROAD TO TEXAS WOMEN'S REPUBLICAN GROUP.

I AM HERE TODAY TO TALK TO LINA HIDALGO ABOUT FEEDBACK ON HER HANDLING OF COVID IN SCHOOLS.

CURRENTLY I HAVE BEEN -- OR I HAVE BEEN TRACKING COVID CASES IN ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY'S SCHOOL DISTRICT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. ALL OF THE COVID RATES ARE UNDER .1%. THEY HAVE BEEN THAT WAY FOR SIX WEEKS. I ASK HER TO REVISIT WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO AND LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND LET THOSE KIDS BE MASK OPTIONAL. THE FORCED MASK AND MASK OPTIONAL ARE TRENDING AT THE EXACT SAME RATE.

NO ONE IS DOING BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.

[02:30:02]

I THINK THIS ALSO -- THIS HAS BECOME A POLITICAL THING AND MILLER HOUSE IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE HIS MIND.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 13, FOR -- TORIA FINCH.

IS MS. FINCH AVAILABLE? >> YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU MAY PROCEED.

>> THANK YOU. THIS IS JUDGE FINCH AND TALKING ABOUT ITEM 20 ON THE AGENDA.

WE MAINTAIN 100% OF AN AVERAGE CLEARANCE RATE AND THAT MEANS WE ARE DISPOSING OF MORE CASES THAN WHAT WE ARE FILING.

ADDITIONALLY WE ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS THE DISCOVERY PROCESS AND THE ISSUES AND THE DELAYS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING.

MORE IMPORTANTLY I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE NRG SITUATION. ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE HAVE TO KNOW IS THERE ARE SEVEN BOARDROOM THAT'S ARE UTILIZED BY 80 COURTS IN THE COUNTY. THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS REPRESENT 20% OF THOSE COURTS.

WE ARE ASKING WE CONTINUE TO DO MORE AND WE APPRECIATE WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE NRG AND WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO EXPAND THE OPERATIONS. ON NOVEMBER 8TH WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY RELEASE DOCKET THAT WILL START THANKS TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT THAT WILL WORK AS A JURY TRIAL IMPACT COURT. WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE COURTS RECEIVE PANELS TO ENSURE THE COUNTY RECEIVES A POSITIVE RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT --

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

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RICK OR PATTY MONTROY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU

REPRESENT. >> MY NAME IS PATTY MONTROY.

I AM CALLING ITEM NUMBER 136. I SUPPORT COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HIS REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION ON BOND PROGRAM PROJECTS IN THE CEDER BURROW WATER SHED AND REASSESSING FUNDS FOR PRECINCT 2. THE WATER SHED HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY 32 OF THE 46 HISTORICAL FLOOD EVENTS SINCE 1979. MORE RECENTLY, THE WATER SHED HAS EXPERIENCED NEIGHBORHOOD-WIDE FLOODING FROM ROUP CAL -- TROPICAL STORM IMELDA AND HURRICANE HARVEY IN 2017 AND THE OCTOBER HALLOWEEN EVENT IN 2015.

THE HOMES AND THE BUSINESSES EXPERIENCE FLOODING FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES AND OUT OF BANK FLOODING FROM INSUFFICIENT CHANNEL CAPACITY AND INSUFFICIENT DRAINAGE CAPACITY AND AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

MANY FLOODED HOMES AND BUSINESSES RESULT FROM STORM WATER THAT COULD NOT REACH THE BAYOU AND SPREAD ACROSS THE NEIGHBORHOODS. IT DOES NOT TAKE A TROPICAL STORM OR A MAJOR EVENT TO FLOOD --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE A COUPLE MORE WORDS YOU WANT TO WRAP UP WITH?

>> IF I MAY. TYPICALLY A HARD WILL BACK UP OUR SEWER AND OUR BUILDING. WE ARE LOCATED IN THE MAIN DRAINAGE DITCH ON THE EAST END OF HERSN -- HESHEY STREET -- HERSHEY STREET. IT IS SO GREAT THAT IT HAS AND IS ERODING INTO THE DITCH. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, PATTY.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS REGINA DUNCAN.

IF YOU ARE THERE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM REGINA DUNCAN, THE GENERAL MANAGER FOR HARRIS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT THAT SERVICES THE SUBDIVISION AND I AM CALLING REGARDING ITEM 136, SUPPORTING ADRIAN GARCIA FOR THE FUNDS TO HELP WITH THE REPROGRAMMING OF FUNDS FOR THE FLOODING.

SINCE 1999 WE INCREASED DEVELOPMENT 1,000 TO 1200 NEW HOMES HERE. THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE GROWTH IS STILL GROWING. AND IT HELPS WITH THE REDIRECTING OF THE FLOODWATERS.

WE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF INFILTRATION AT THE STATIONS EVERY TIME IT RAINS HELPING GETTING THE FLOODWATERS WHERE THEY BELONG WILL DEFINITELY HELP IMPROVE THE BUDGET FOR

THE DISTRICT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU

VERY MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU

FOR CALLING, REGINA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ROGER GILLERY. IF YOU ARE THERE, STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU ARE WITH AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> MY NAME IS ROGER GILLERY. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COURT FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I WISH YOU ALL GOD SPEED. I'M CALLING IN REFERENCE TO BARRETT STATION, THE COMMUNITY IN BARRETT STATION WHERE IT FLOODS REAL BAD AND IT HAS BEEN DOING THAT FOR DECADES.

I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS AND GREW UP THERE AND MY PARENTS HAVE A

[02:35:03]

HOME THERE AND LOTS OF MY RELATIVES.

EACH TIME IT RAINS IT FLOODS PRETTY BAD AND THE PROPERTIES ARE DESTROYED DUE TO THE HIGH WATER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ROGER, ANY OTHER REMARKS?

>> NO, SIR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU

VERY MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ROGER THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY ON BARRETT DIGGING DITCHES IN THE AREA AND WORKING ON PROJECTS OUT THERE AND BRINGING IN THAT AND THAT IS AN EFFORT WE ARE STEDFAST

BEHIND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SIR, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SANDRA

FRANK. >> MY NAME IS SANDRA FRANK AND I LIVE AT -- IN ARCADIA GARDENS AT 509 CYPRESS AVENUE. I HAVE BEEN LIVING THERE SINCE I WAS A CHILD. IT WAS MY PARENTS' HOME.

I CAN REMEMBER ALWAYS -- IT DOES PRESIDENT EVEN HAVE TO BE A REAL BAD RAIN, BUT IT FLOODS AND WE HAVE HAD TO FIX OUR HOME, OUR DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT FLOODS ALL THE TIME.

SO WE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THAT FLOODING.

WE COULD SWIM OFF THE ROAD. THAT'S HOW BAD IT IS OUT

THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SANDRA, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THAT'S PRECISELY WHY WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT AREAS THAT HAVE HOMES AND BUSINESSES GET THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO KEEP THEM FROM FLOODING. THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

WE WILL STAY AT THIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DONNA ZURAVED. IF YOU ARE THERE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE. >> COMMISSIONER, NEXT UP WE ARE GOING TO TAKE NUMBER 19LUSE LOPEZ.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M SORRY. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS,

PLEASE. >> YES.

THANK YOU. MY NAME IS LUSE LOPEZ.

THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ME INPUT IN ON THIS. I AM VERY CONCERNED OF THE CLOVER LEAF AREA. I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 38 YEARS. I TOOK OVER THE FAMILY BUSINESS. [INAUDIBLE] THE CULVERT IS BROKEN AND THE DRAINAGE IS NOT THE BEST AND KIDS PLAYING IN THE WATER DON'T KNOW OF THE DAMAGE.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE DRAINAGE AND TRASH AND WATER -- DOING A LOT OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE FLOODS AND I THINK THE DRAINAGE WILL HELP THEM A LOT.

IF Y'ALL COULD, YOU KNOW, HELP US ON THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MS. LOPEZ, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

THIS IS WHY THIS ITEM IS IMPORTANT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING HOMES AND BUSINESS THAT'S EXIST TODAY AND DON'T HAVE ANY SUPPORT RIGHT AT THE

MOMENT. >> YES, SIR.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DONNA ZURAVEK. IF YOU ARE THERE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO MAKE

YOUR COMMENTS. >> DONNA WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN WE TRIED TO REACH HER, BUT WE HAVE NUMBER 21 ON THE LINE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. HOLDER, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS AND STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT

PLEASE. >> OKAY.

THIS IS RONNIE HOLDER AND I REPRESENT FOR CLOVER LEAF.

HELLO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING FOR US. OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS VERY OLD. IT IS A VERY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE TO DO SOME STUDYING TO TRY TO GET OUR DITCH WATER TO THE CARPENTER STYLE AND DIAL 100 AND THAT IS IN MY BACKYARD.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE INFRO STRUR -- THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LIVED OUT THERE FOR 64 YEARS AND A LOT OF THE CULVERTS ARE LIKE AN 18-INCH CULVERT.

WE NEED TO DO A STUDY TO K SEE IF WE NEED TO ENLARGE CULVERTS

[02:40:02]

IN THE DRIVEWAYS. ANY BONDS OR ANY GRANTS YOU

CAN GIVE -- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Y'ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU.

COMETION -- COMMISSIONER WE WILL HAVE TO JUMP AROUND.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

ARE YOU STILL THERE? >> YES, I'M STILL HERE,

COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: RODNEY, QUICKLY, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT BOARD.

THAT'S WHY THIS ITEM IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

WE ARE GOING TO KEEP ON WORKING ON IT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO PARTNERSHIP AS MUCH AS I CAN WITH YOU ALL. Y'ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY.

I KNOW YOU ARE VERY BUSY. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I UNDERSTAND

WE NEED TO JUMP? >> YES, SIR.

WE NEED TO JUMP AROUND. THE NEXT SPEAKER WE HAVE ON THE LINE READY TO GO IS SPEAKER NUMBER 33, LARRY

ROSE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. ROSE, IF YOU WILL PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.

>> I'M LARRY ROSE AND I'M A RESIDENT OF THE MYER LAND.

I WANT TO TELL COMMISSIONER GARCIA HELLO THIS MORNING.

OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS -- GOOD TO SEE YOU.

OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR LIVES DISRUPTED WITH DECISIONS AND THE ELLIS PLAN IS DISRUPTIVE.

DISRUPTIVE PLANS NEGATIVELY IMPACT COMMUNITIES AND SHOULD BE REJECTED. THE ELLIS PLAN DIVIDING MYER LAND WOULD PUT US IN PRE SINK 2 IS AN EXAMPLE OF DISRUPTION TO THOSE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST.

MOVING 29 PARKS FROM PRECINCT 3 AS CALLED FOR IN THE ELLIS PLAN THEY IMPACT THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

WHAT MAKES SENSE IS MOVING IT TO PRE SINK 2 AND LEAVING CYPRESS IN PRECINCT 4 AND KATEY IN TACT AND IN PRECINCT THROUGH. IT ACCOMPLISHES THE CENSUS NEEDS AND IT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT REASON TO ADOPT THE RAMSEY PLAN AND NOT THE ELLIS PLAN.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

DOCTOR. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, LARRY. APPRECIATE YOU CALLING IN.

TOM RAMSEY HERE. >> TOM, GOOD TO SEE YOU AND I

HOPE THE ASTROS PREVAIL -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO STROS!

IS NUMBER 34 OUR NEXT SPEAKER AVAILABLE?

>> NO, SIR. 36 IS THE NEXT ONE WE HAVE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. STEVEN WARNETTE, PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT.

>> I AM KEITH WARNETTE AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 4.

I AM ONE OF MR. CAGLE'S CONSTITUENTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE REDISTRICTING PLAN.

I HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE MAPS AND LOOK AT THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLES THE LAST FEW DAYS.

TO ME IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE ELLIS MAP DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR RAPPING AROUND THE COUNTY.

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION.

THE CON FIG -- CONFIGURATION IS ONE THAT MR. CAGLE IS MIRRORING DOESN'T SEEM TO BE EQUITABLE EITHER.

I WOULD THINK THE ENWRIGHT OR THE USE OF A NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE WOULD BE THE BEST SOLUTION.

THERE IS ONE OTHER COMMENT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AND THAT'S ABOUT THE AD THAT MR. RAMSEY PUT IN THE NEWSPAPER.

IT IS VERY DISTURBING TO ME TO SEE HIS VIEWS --

>> THANK YOU, SIR YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING.

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

OUR NEXT SPEAKER, WHAT NUMBER?

>> WE NEED A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO GET ANOTHER SPEAKER ON THE

LINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT.

>> I JUST GOT ONE. NUMBER 38 IS ON THE LINE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WAYNE, THIS IS COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO MAKE A COMMENT AND PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT.

>> MY NAME IS WAYNE BERENT. I AM REPRESENTING MYSELF.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU MAY PROCEED.

>> THREE POINTS, WHY THE RUSH TO HAVE THE MEETING AND VOTE IN SUCH A SHORT TIMELINE? NUMBER 2, THE PROPOSED LARGE SCALE REDISTRICTING FOR MR. ELLIS IS BAD FOR BUSINESS AND MAY DROP REVENUES OF ATTRACTIVENESS OF LIVING AND WORKING IN HARRIS COUNTY. SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IS HAPPENING IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

THEY NEED CONTINUITY OF LOCALLY-BASED MANAGEMENT.

ELLIS' REDISTRICTING BRINGS SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION FOR 25% OF THE COUNTY'S POPULATION AND WITH SO MANY PEOPLE BEING AFFECTED, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SLOW GROWTH FOR ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY. WITH INFLATION RISING AND NEGATIVELY AFFECTING BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES IT IS NOT THE TIME TO MAKE BIG CHANGES THAT WILL CREATE FURTHER UNCERTAINTY. I PREFER MR. RAMSEY'S

[02:45:03]

REDISTRICTING PLAN. IN THE EVENT OF A CRISIS, SAY A HURRICANE, POWER OUTAGE OR ET CETERA PREPARATION RESPONSE WILL BE STRETCHED TOO THIN FORCING PRECINCT 4 PRESENT DAY QUALITY. THERE IS TOO MUCH DISTANCE TO

COVER -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WOULD BE NUMBER 39. ARE THEY AVAILABLE OR IS THERE A DIFFERENT SPEAKER THAT'S NEXT?

>> WE ARE JUMPING TO 34, KAYLA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SPEAKER 34, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO

MAKE YOUR COMMENTS. >> HI.

I AM KAYLA ALICE AND I AM CALLING ON BEHALF OF PRECINCT 2. AS A LONG-TERM RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2 I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS' MAP WOULD SUPPORT ALL RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

IT IS CONFUSING FOR MANY CONSTITUENTS AND RESIDENTS IN PRECINCT 1 AND PRE SINK 2 OF HOW THE MAP IS CURRENTLY MADE. WHEN RESIDENTS HAVE COMPLAINTS THEY DON'T KNOW WHO TO CALL. THE MAJORITY OF PRECINCT 2 HANDLES DISTRICTS -- DISTRICT 36 AND TRICT 129.

AS A PREVIOUS CANDIDATE FOR 129 I TALKED TO A LOT OF RESIDENTS IN THE AREA. AT COMMISSIONERS' COURT THEY DO A FABULOUS JOB AT GETTING INFORMATION OUT AND DISSEMINATING IT TO THE RESIDENTS.

THEY DO A FABULOUS JOB AS FAR AS --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHAT IS THE NUMBER OF OUR NEXT

SPEAKER? >> I NEED A FEW MINUTES.

WE ARE GETTING VOICEMAIL FOR A LOT OF THE SPEAKERS SO WE ARE HAVING TO TRY TO MOVE ON. I HAVE 37 ON RIGHT NOW.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT. BRENDA THOMPSON, YOU ARE NEXT.

IF YOU WOULD STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT.

>> MY NAME IS BRENDA THOMPSON AND I REPRESENT CITIZENS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY. I WANTED TO JUST TAKE THE TIME TO VOICE MY OPINION ABOUT THE REDISTRICTING AND TO LET THE PANEL KNOW THAT I AM NOT INTERESTED IN DILUTING THE VOTE FOR A MINORITY VOTE. I REALLY WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE PANEL ON WHAT PLANS YOU ALL HAVE TO ENSURE PROPER REPRESENTATION OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE STATE OF TEXAS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, BRENDA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO IS OUR NEXT SPEAKER.

>> NUMBER 39, SEAN GANES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SEAN GANES, YOU ARE NEXT. STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.

>> AGAIN, MY NAME IS SEAN GANES AND THE DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT CHAIR FOR 0324 IN HARRIS COUNTY AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S PRE -- PRECINCT. I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MAP THAT REFLICTS THE POLITICAL -- REFLECTS THE POLITICAL REALITY THAT HAS FILLED EVERY COUNTY-WIDE EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL DEMOCRAT AND VOTED FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE.

[INAUDIBLE] IN 2011 THE REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONERS' COURT BLOCKED HARRIS COUNTY TO ENSURE WHITE AND REPUBLICAN CONTROL OF THE RAPIDLY DIVERSE AND CLEARLY DEMOCRATIC COUNTY. THE VOTERS HAD DIFFERENT INTENTIONS AND BUST -- BUSTED THE JERRY MANNEDDER WITH THEY LIGS OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND JUDGE HIDALGO UPSET THAT VICTORY. THIS MAP SHOULD REFLECT THE POLITICAL MAKE UP OF HARRIS COUNTY, A COUNTY THAT BIDEN

WON 56% OF THE VOTE. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS AND WE WANT TO

THANK YOU AND -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 41. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. JAMES FULL -- FULCOM, YOU ARE NEXT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO

MAKE YOUR COMMENTS. >> THIS IS JAMES FULCOM.

I AM AN INDEPENDENT REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 3. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE MAPS THAT COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS

[02:50:03]

PRESENTED. IT WILL DO A LOT OF EMPHASIS AWAY FROM 3 AND 4. I HOPE THEY WILL ARRIVE AT A UNIFIED AND FAIR ALIGN ALIGNMENT -- ALIGNMENT OF THE LINES. I HOPE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT WILL GET BACK AND WORK ON SOME OF THE MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF THE DRAWING OF THE MAP, LIKE ALL OF THE CRIME THAT IS OCCURRING IN THE COUNTY.

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY TO THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND GOOD LUCK WITH THESE MAPS THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JIM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JIM.

RODNEY ELLIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS WHAT

NUMBER PLEASE? >> NUMBERS 44 AND 45.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NUMBER 44, PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> YEAH, HIGH. I AM ROBERT CALLAHAN AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE PRE SINK MAPS.

AT THIS TIME WE HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH CHAOS IN OUR LIVES AND IT WOULD BE UNFORGIVABLE FOR YOU TO ADD EVEN MORE CHAOS TO OUR LIVES AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WITH MASSIVE CHANGE TO PRECINCT BOUNDARIES. WITH THE CURRENT PRECINCT BOUNDARIES DEMOCRATS EASILY CONTROL THE COUNTY.

IF YOU MAKE BIG CHANGES ARE YOU NOT DOING IT TO HELP RESIDENTS IN ANY MATERIAL WAY.

YOU ARE DOING IT TO ENHANCE YOUR OWN PERSONAL FORTITUDES.

THUS WE REALLY DEMAND AS THE VOTERS AND THE CITIZENS DEMAND AND DESERVE A STABLE GOVERNMENT.

AND FOR THIS CHANGE NOT TO BE VERY DISRUPTIVE.

THANKS A LOT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. SPEAKER NUMBER 45, VICTORIA ROGERS, YOU ARE OUR NEXT SPEAKER.

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS. >> MY NAME IS VICTORIA ALYCIA ROGERS AND I REPRESENT MYSELF, A CITIZEN THAT HAS LIVED IN HOUSTON, TEXAS HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

I AM OPPOSED TO THE MAPS AND THE REDISTRICTING MAPS.

I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS ON THE TABLE THAT IT SHOULD BE GIVING PRIORITY TOO.

I BELIEVE THE MAPS WILL COST US CITIZENS LIKE MYSELF, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS HIGHER FAXES -- HIGHER TAXES.

I BEG FOR YOU TO LOOK OUT FOR US CITIZENS AND LOOK OUT FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS INSTEAD OF I'M -- IMPOSING THE REDISTRICTING TO BETTER YOURSELVES THAT'S MY THOUGHT.

>> WHO ARE OUR NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ?

>> NEXT WE GO TO 47 AND 49. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PLEASE REPRESENT -- PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE FOR COMMENTS.

>> I REPRESENT MYSELF. HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS MADE COMMENTS ABOUT RESIDENTS THAT RESIDE WITHIN THE BOUNDARY. THAT LEAVES THOSE OF US WHO ARE IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY TO RELY ON YOU FOR THE SERVICES. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S PROPOSED REDISTRICTING UNDERSTANDS THE NEED FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS. IT SLAIRS THE DUTIES AMONG EACH COMMISSIONER. INSTEAD OF FORCING MOST OF US INTO A SINGLE COMMISSIONER AND RELYING ON IT MEANS MANY NEEDS WILL GO UN-- UNMET. ALLOWING A COMMISSIONER TO SERVICE THE NEEDS OF THAT COMMUNITY WHERE MOST SERVICES WILL BE NEEDED TO PROVIDE BENEFIT FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THE ECONOMY AND THE COUNTY. FUNDING BASED ON MILES OF

ROADS -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

WAS THAT 49 IS THE NEXT ONE? >> YES, SIR.

REBECCA, ARE YOU OUR NEXT SPEAKER.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS. >> MY NAME IS REBECCA AND I LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED PRECINCT 3 AND I OPPOSE RODNEY ELLIS' MAP. SINCE HE TOOK OSTLES COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY HAS BEEN A MAN OF ACTION.

ANYTIME MY COMMUNITY HAS NEEDED SOMETHING DONE HE HAS GOTTEN IT DONE IMMEDIATELY. IT IS POLITICAL JERRYMANDERING FOR A PROGRESSIVE PURPOSE. I VOTED FOR TOM RAMSEY AND NOT RODNEY ELLIS. I WANT TO SPEAK TO -- I HOPE

[02:55:05]

RODNEY ELLIS IS A GOOD MAN, BUT I DO BELIEVE THIS MAP IS CORRUPT. I PERSONALLY WITNESSED CORRUPTION FROM HIS TEAM IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WHEN I SAW HIS TEAM PLACE ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN MATERIALS IN VOTING BOOTHS. I WANT TO TRUST RODNEY ELLIS, BUT I HAVE A HARD TIME DOING THAT WHEN I SEE THAT KIND OF CORRUPTION. WHEN I SEE HIS COMMUNITY WITH INCREASED CRIME AND INCREASED BLITE --

WHO ARE OUR NEXT TWO SPEAKERS ?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

THANK YOU. >> I HAVE NUMBER 52 AND NUMBER

55 ON THE LINE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 52 AND --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: 52 AND 55. SALLY, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS. >> I STRONGLY SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' REDISTRICTING MAP.

HE IS PROMOTING COHERENCE IN DISTRICTS SO PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS ARE GROUPED TOGETHER.

FOR FAR TOO LONG WE HAVE BEEN DIVIDED AND IT IS HIGH TIME THAT WE HAD A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY REMAINING ON THE COURT. I ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT ALL OF WEBSTER SOUTH BELL IN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 2.

MAKING IT ANOTHER COMMUNITY OF COMMON INTEREST.

KEEPING MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN A SINGLE PRECINCT IS A KEY GOAL OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND WE NEED TO HONOR THAT.

I STRONGLY SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' REDISTRICTING MAP. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KAY SHEPHERD AND IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND

WHO YOU REPRESENT. >> HI, I AM KAY SHEPHERD AND I REPRESENT MYSELF. I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I AM HIGHLY IN SUPPORT TO COMMISSIONER RAD KNEE ELLIS -- RODNEY ELLIS AND HIS PROPOSED MAP.

I AM THANKING HIM TO FIGHT FOR THOSE WHO NEED MORE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE IT IS LONG OVERDUE. I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT HE IS A GREAT PERSON AND I HAVE KNOWN HIM ALL MY LIFE AND WHAT HE IS DOING IS GREAT IN MY COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS

RODNEY ELLIS AND I WANT TO -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO YOU HAVE

OUR NEXT SPEAKER? >> NEXT IS NUMBER 54 ON THE

LINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MARLON -- [INAUDIBLE] IF YOU WILL TAKE YOUR RADIO AND TURN IT OFF,

PLEASE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE CAN HEAR YOU, BUT THERE IS BACKGROUND

NOISE. >> I AM IN PRE SINK -- PRECINCT 3 AND RECHTING A -- REPRESENTING A THOUSAND FOLLOWERS. A 20-YEAR MEMBER OF NOT AGAIN COUNTRY FUND REPRESENTING 20 YEARS OF IMPORTANT WORK WITH PRECINCT 3 IN PROJECTS AND OTHER INITIATIVES.

I J VAS A -- JUST A MINUTE SO I WANTED TO SAY WHEN JUDGE HIDALGO OPENED UP THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES IT IS TRANSPARENT AND OPEN TO ALL CITIZENS. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD ESTABLISHMENTS THAT TAKE AWAY THE COUNTY CLERK.

WE HAD A COUNTY ADMINISTRATION POSITION ESTABLISHED FOR COMMISSIONERS. AND NOW WE ARE DEALING WITH REDISTRICTING AN ISSUE THAT IMPACTS ALL HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ESPECIALLY 3 AND 4 FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

>> THANK YOU X SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> TOM RAMSEY: MARLON, THIS IS TOM RAMSEY AND THANK YOU FOR

CALLING IN. >> TOM, CAN I FINISH ONE THING SINCE WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SOUND?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST WRAP UP THE SENTENCE, SIR.

>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO. I ASK THAT Y'ALL DO A FAIR, CONTINUOUS PLAN THAT DOES -- THAT IS EFFICIENT AND SMART AND EFFECTIVE FOR ALL PRECINCTS INCLUDING 3 AND 4, AND I ALSO WANT TO COMEPPED COMMISSIONER -- COMMEND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR HIS WORK ON FLOOD CONTROL AND NOT HINDER HIM, BUT ALLOW HIM TO GO FORWARD EFFECTIVELY.

WE APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHO IS OUR NEXT SPEAKER?

>> NUMBER 56. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS AMY MANN. STATE MAJOR NAME AND WHO YOU

[03:00:01]

REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.

MANAGES -- MS. MANN ARE YOU THERE?

>> OKAY. SOUNDS LIKE SHE DROPPED.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE.

WE WILL TRY TO GET HER ON THE LINE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK. >> HELLO I AM GREG NADY AND I AM AN INDIVIDUAL IN KATY, TEXAS.

I OPPOSE THE REDISTRICTING PLAN PROPOSED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I SUPPORT THE CAGLE PLAN FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS. GIVEN THAT GOVERNMENT WORK IS INHAIRPTLY SLOW -- INHERENTLY SLOW I BELIEVE KEEPING THE PRECINCTS CLOSE SHOULD BE A GUIDING PRINCIPAL.

THE CAGLE PLAN ACCOMPLISHES THIS GOAL.

MY COMMUNITY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH PRECINCT 3 FOR TWO YEARS ON A HIKE AND BIKE FOR A PROJECT.

WHEN PREPARING FOR A GRANT APPLICATION, CHANGING THE PRECINCT BOUNDARIES RIGHT NOW WILL START THIS PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN WITH A NEW COMMISSIONER AND LIKELY KILL THE APPLICATION. IT WILL BE A NIGHT -- NIGHTMARE TO ADMINISTER. PEOPLE IN KATY LIKE ME WILL DRIVE THREE TIMES THE MILEAGE TO THE COMMISSIONER SERVICE STATION CREATING CARBON FOOT PRINTS FOR CONSTITUENTS AND THE STAFF TRYING TO COVER THE PRECINCT.

IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

WHO IS OUR NEXT SPEAKER? >> SPEAKER NUMBER 60.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CANDICE WEBBER, ARE YOU OUR SPEAKER -- OUR NEXT SPEAKER. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE TO MAKE

YOUR POINT. >> MY NAME IS CANDICE WEBBER AND I AM THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND I WANT TO MAKE THAT A VERY IMPORTANT POINT OF MOVING FORWARD WITH DRAWING MINDS. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT AND THAT IS THE CORONAVIRUS AND HOW WE CHANGE OUR ENVIRONMENT AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE RATE OF VACCINATIONS AND THE RATE OF GETTING OUT.

I SUPPORT ELLIS' MAP BECAUSE IT FOCUSES ON TRANSPARENCY AND KEEPING PEOPLE CLOSE. WE NEED TO STAY CLOSE AND PEOPLE DO NOT SUFFER DISPARITIES.

I AM SPEAKING FROM THIS POINT BECAUSE I AM A NURSE AND DEALING WITH THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

ONCE AGAIN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. WHO IS OUR NEXT SPEAK SNEER.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO GET 56 BACK ON THE LINE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NUMBER 66, LESLIE WALLACE?

>> 56. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OH 56, AMY MANN. PLEATS STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM AMY MANN AND JUST A CITIZEN.

I LIVE IN THE COPPERFIELD AREA.

I JUST WANTED TO OPPOSE THE PROPOSED ELLIS MAP BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT PLACES AN UNFAIR BURDEN AND JEOPARDIZES THE CITIZENS -- OR THE SERVICES TO ALL OF THE CITIZENS IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. [INAUDIBLE]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MOVE THAT PHONE A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOUR

MOUTH, PLEASE. >> PARDON?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S BETTER.

>> OKAY. DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S FINE.

I THINK WE CAUGHT MOST OF IT, IT JUST STARTED TO FADE OFF AT THE END. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT.

HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 63

AND 64 ON THE LINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 63 AND 64.

SPEAKER NUMBER 63, DIANE MORRIS, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US

YOUR INPUT. >> MY NAME IS DIANE MORRIS.

I LIVE IN THE SOUTH BELL AREA FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE. I HAVEN'T HEARD ALL OF THE PROCEEDINGS, BUT I ASK FOR A PLAN THAT SERVICES ALL THE COMMUNITIES WELL. IT SEEMS LIKE THE ELLIS PLAN DOES NOT DO THAT. THERE WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH SERVICES FOR DISTRICT AREA 4. I JUST FEEL LIKE THE ELLIS PLAN WOULD NOT HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

I ASK YOU DO A FAIR DISTRICTING.

[03:05:01]

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

SPEAKER NUMBER 64, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR INPUT.

>> I AM DOUGLAS GAZELLE AND I REPRESENT MYSELF AND LIVE IN PASADENA. I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 1992.

I SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MAP AND PLEASED WITH THE HIDALGO-LEAD COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

FOR 10, 20, 30 YEARS WE HAVE HAD JERRYMANDERING AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS TAKEN SOME COMMON SENSE STEPS.

UNITING CERTAIN PARTS INTO A SENSIBLE COMMUNITY PRINCE WOOD AND OTHER PLACES WOULD BE A COMMON IDEA.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU.

>> 66 AND 67 ARE ON THE LINE. >> SPEAKER 66, LESLIE WALLACE. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR

THOUGHTS. >> I REPRESENT MYSELF AND I AM A JUNIOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND REGISTERED TO VOTE IN PRECINCT 4. I SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE NEW PLAN. IN 2011 THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY DREW PRECINCTS TO THEIR FAVOR SO THEY COULD CONTROL THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOREVER.

THANKFULLY THE VOTERS REJECTED THE RACISM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND ELECTED JUDGE HIDALGO AND ADRIAN GARCIA.

UNDER THE PRE SINKS THE REPUBLICANS DREW THE MAPS TO HAVE CONTROL OVER 75% OF THE PRECINCTS -- EXCUSE ME, THEY DREW THE MAP SO WHITE VOTERS CAN HAVE CONTROL OF THE -- OF 75% OF THE PRECINCTS WHEN THEY ARE 30% OF THE COUNTY.

THEY JERRYMANDERED IT. THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE.

NOW THE MAP WILL BE REFLECTIVE OF THE PARTISAN MAKE UP OF THE COUNTY. REPUBLICANS DON'T LIKE IT NOT TO GO THEIR WAY, SO THEY CHANGED THE RULES TO BAN DRIVE-THRU VOTING AND THEY DREW THE MAP OF 2011.

>> THANK YOU X SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 67.

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT, PLEASE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE HOUSTON IN ACTION UNITY MAP. IN PARTICULAR PRECINCT 3.

THE UNITY MAP PROPOSAL ENSURES KEY COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST WITH LARGE ASIAN-AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATIONS ARE CONTAINED ENTIRELY IN PRECINCT 3 INCLUDING COMMUNITIES SUCH AS ASIA TOWN, BAY LEAF, GULF TON, SPRING BRANCH AND BELAIR AND THE MEDICAL CENTER.

THE ASIAN CITIZEN VOTING AGE POPULATION WOULD BE 14 AND A HALF PERCENT. GIVING THE POPULATION THE ABILITY TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF OUR CHOICE.

UNDER THE CURRENT MAP IT IS SPLIT BETWEEN PRECINCT 3 AND 1 AND UNDER THE UNITY MAP IT IS PRE SINK 3.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP IT WITHIN HOUSTON UNITED INCLUDING THE MEMORIAL VILLAGE AND WEST UNIVERSITY.

THESE FLOODING CONCERNS ARE UNITED WITH THE BARKER

RESERVOIR. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO ARE OUR

NEXT SPEAKERS ? >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 68.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. MARCELL MCCLINTON, YOU ARE THE NEXT SPEAKER. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR

THOUGHTS. >> SURE, THANK YOU.

I AM -- I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF.

BRIEFLY WANTED TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR THE MAP HE PROPOSED AND HE DEMONSTRATES THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS A FAIR MAP AND I SUPPORT IT ANDY HOPE YOU ALL VOTE TO PASS IT PRESIDENT THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO ARE OUR

NEXT SPEAKERS PLEASE? >> SPEAKER NUMBER 70.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SPEAKER NUMBER 70 A FRIEND OF THE COURT CARL DAVIS. STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR

THOUGHTS, SIR. >> I AM CARL DAVIS AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE AME CHURCH GOVERNING BODY OF THE GREAT DENOMINATION FOUND -- FOUNDED BY BISHOP RICHARD ALLEN. I AM HERE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SEEN RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AS AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO -- FOR SO MANY YEARS.

TODAY IS ON BAD FOUNDATION AND I SAY NO MORE.

NO MORE. EVERY 10 YEARS THIS COUNTRY TAKES A CENSUS OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS COUNTRY.

[03:10:01]

THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES SHOW THE POPULATION TO BE THE BASIS OF SHARED POLITICAL POWER AND NOT WEALTH OR LAND.

TODAY PEOPLE OF COLOR WHICH NOW MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF CITIZENS IN AMERICA SHOULD AND WILL HAVE A VOICE AND A SEAT AT THE TABLE. FOR TOO LONG THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED BY PRECINCT BROWN TREES -- BOUNDARIES THAT DENY PIPET -- DENY REPRESENTATION OF OUR COMMUNITY. BOUNDARIES PROPOSED --

>> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP --

>> REFLECTED -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

EL FRANCO WOULD BE GLAD YOU CALLING ME LEE.

I USED TO SLEEP AT HIS HOUSE ALL THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, CARL.

>> NEXT WE WILL TAKE SPEAKER 69 AND THEN DO 71 AND 72.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SPEAKER 69, STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR

THOUGHTS. >> HI.

I AM LACEY BRUNNER. I AM NOT REALLY REPRESENTING ANYONE BUT MYSELF. JUST WANTED TO I ASK -- SAY THAT THE PRECINCT CHANGES AND THE REDISTRICTING THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DRAW THROUGH RIGHT NOW WOULD CREATE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR CITY. I THINK IT WOULD CREATE PRECINCT 4 HAVING TO MAINTAIN MORE PARKS AND ROADS AND BRIDGES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS AND IT IS NOT OKAY TO PUT THAT ON PRECINCT 4 AND NOR IS IT OKAY FOR ONE PRECINCT TO TAKE PRECEDENT OVER OTHER PRECINCTS. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS 71, RAY SHACKLEFORD. STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS RAY SHACKLEFORD.

I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE.

THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS AND IT IS FILLED WITH JERRYMANDERING. I THINK ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS TO LOOK AT IS MAKING SURE WE KEEP TOGETHER HISTORICAL COMMUNITIES WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS.

THE URBAN LEAGUE REPRESENTS A LOT OF COMMUNITIES, THOSE PUSHING AGAINST FOR THE BILL TO PASS AND YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT VOTER SUPPRESSION AS WELL AS REDISTRICTING.

THE MAP WE REVIEWED MAINTAINS THE BEST INTEGRITY WHEN IT COMES TO HISTORICAL COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS SHARED INTEREST. THOSE ARE PROPOSED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. WE WANT TO SPEAK IN FAVOR TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE MOST EQUITABLE FUTURE GOING

FORWARD. >> THANK YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE IT. >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 72, JOEY DAVIS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US

YOUR INPUT. >> I AM JOY DAVIS AND I REPRESENT THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AND I AM A PRECINCT 1 CONSTITUENT. I SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MAP. ONE OF THE MAIN ARGUMENTS I HEAR FROM THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE MAP IS INCREASE IN THE DIVERSE DEMOGRAPHICS. YOU CANNOT RUN FROM CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS. THIS IS WHERE OVER CENSUS -- OUR CENSUS DATA RE -- REFLECTS.

WE SHOULDN'T EXCLUDE THE CHANGES THAT HELPS PEOPLE BE INCLUDED. THE CENSUS GROUP IS 95% OF GROWTH WAS LEAD BY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

I QUOTE, FIGHTING FOR LOST DOMINANCE.

MY RESEARCH SAYS IT IS THE DECLINING MAJORITY THAT ACTS AGGRESSIVELY AND OFTEN IMAGINING THAT IT MUST PREEMPT A RISING MINORITY. DECLINING MAJORITY DON'T WANT TO YIELD THEIR STATUS. THIS TURNS IT INTO A STRUGGLE OF POWER AND DOMINANCE WITH ELEMENTS OF THE MAJORITY --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

JOCK

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO ARE OUR NEXT SPEAKERS ?

>> 73 X, 74 AND 75. >> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MILE-PER-HOUR TO GIVE US -- ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR

THOUGHTS. >> THIS IS ERIKA NELLIS.

I REPRESENT MYSELF AS A CONSTITUENT.

I SUPPORT THE RAMSEY CAGLE PLAN.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE THE SERVICES IN CATY PARK

[03:15:03]

REDUCED. HAVE I GRANDCHILDREN THAT ARE -- I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN PLAYING AT KATY PARK AND THAT'S MY CONCERN. THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SPEAKER 74 WILLIAM BLAIR, YOU ARE NEXT.

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR INPUT. >> I AM WILLIAM BLAIR AND 74.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS I ASK YOU WITHDRAW WHEN YOU SAY YOU ARE PUTTING CITIZENS FIRST. IT IS SERVING ON PAPER.

EXPANDING TO SERVE THE FAR WEST AND NORTH AND STRETCHING ONE COMMISSIONER'S RESPONSIBILITY ACROSS 60 MILES. SERVE ALL HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND GROSSLY EXPANDING ONE THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE. YOUR CLAIMS IT WOULD BE A REDUCED BUDGET ACROSS AN -- A SERVICE AREA THIS IS UNFAIR AND UNSAFE. QUIT THIS JERRY JERRYMANDER -- JERRYMANDERING THAT IS GOING ON.

THAT'S IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 75, JIM CASH PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT.

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> HAVE I GREAT CONCERNS -- I HAVE GREAT CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT COMMISSIONER EL LESS' -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS' REDISTRICTING PLAN WILL DO. IT WILL REDUCE THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF GREATER GOOD WE HAVE.

IN THE END IT WILL BRING CORRUPTION, GREED AND DESTRUCTION TO HARRIS COUNTY. THIS COUNTY IS TOO GREAT TO LET IT GO DOWN THE TUBES BECAUSE OF A JERRYMANDERING REDISTRICTING PLAN THAT I AM 100% AGAINST.

I HOPE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL NOT PASS THIS AND COME UP WITH A MORE REASONABLE PLAN AND PREFERABLY SOMETHING SIMILAR TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S PLAN.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKERS 76 AND 77

ON THE LINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NUMBER 76, JAMES ALEXANDER, YOU ARE THE NEXT SPEAKER.

STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> MY NAME IS JAMES ALEXANDER AND I REPRESENT HOUSTON AREA LIVE STEEKERS -- STEAMERS. WE ARE A CLUB THAT TAKES PART OF ZUGA PARK. I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS REGARDING COMMISSIONER ELLIS' PLAN FOR REDISTRICTING.

I THINK IT WILL HAVE A SEVERE NEGATIVE IMPACT FOR THE FUNDING FOR THE PARK AND THE ROADS AND WHAT WILL BE THE LARGE LEE UNINCORPORATED DIRECT WHICH WOULD BECOME NUMBER FOUR. IT IS UN-- UNFAIR AND WILL TAKE MONEY FROM THE PARKS AND THE ROADS AND THE BRIDGES AND IT WILL HAVE A DEFINITE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JAMES.

APPRECIATE WHAT Y'ALL DO OUT THERE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SPEAKER 77, PLEASE STATE DWROR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR

THOUGHTS. >> THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS LEANNA BROWNLEY. I AM AGAINST THE ELLIS PLAN AND SUPPORT THE CAGLE RAMSEY PLAN.

FUNDING IS LIMITED WHICH MEANS ROADS AND BRIDGE MAINTENANCE WILL SUFFER. DURING THE STORM EVENT THERE IS NO WAY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO SUCH A LARGE AREA. MEANING REPAIRS WILL BE AFFECTED. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS DRAINAGE PROBLEMS HUNDREDS OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THEIR FAMILY.

FOR THOSE VOTING CONSIDER THE IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO US.

THANK YOU. >> WHO ARE OUR NEXT SPEAKERS

? >> WE NEED A FEW MINUTES.

WE ARE GETTING VOICEMAILS. >> WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 3

UNDER NONAGENDA ON THE LINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: STATE YOUR

[03:20:03]

NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS. MR. GIVVENS.

>> SOUNDS LIKE HE WAS DISCONNECTED.

GIVE AS YOU FEW MINUTES. GIVE US A FEW MINUTES.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO GET THREE CONNECTED AGAIN.

WE WILL TRY AGAIN. MR. GIBBONS, ARE YOU THERE?

>> I AM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHO YOU REPRESENT AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> HELLO. THIS IS PHILIP GIBBONS.

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, GOOD AFTERNOON RATHER AND JUDGE. I AM REPRESENTING HARRIS COUNTY UTILITY DISTRICT 15. IT IS A MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF HARRIS COUNTY.

HAVE I BEEN BEFORE YOU BEFORE.

HARD TO BRING UP AN ESH Y REGARDING -- ISSUE REGARDING A MISS CLASSIFICATION OF MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICTS AND NON--GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. AS WE SUBMIT OUR APPLICATIONS IN JANUARY WE SELECTED THE OPTION OF A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY AND THEN AFTER A TELEPHONE CALL WE ARE NOT A GOVERNMENT ENTITY FROM THE CON TEEN ATTORNEY'S -- COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. [INAUDIBLE].

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> HUH? >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AND IF YOU -- AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP OUT THERE, BUDDY.

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

VERY MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER, THOSE ARE THE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT IN MIND WE WILL GO AHEAD AND TAKE A -- WE HAVE NO MORE FOLKS HERE IN THE COURTROOM AND IF THAT'S ALL THE VIRTUAL FOLKS WE WILL TAKE OUR LUNCH BREAK AT THIS TIME. WHAT TIME DID THE JUDGE INDICATE SHE WOULD BE BACK? 2:30?

WE WILL RECONVENE AT 2:30. >> COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU

SPECIFY THE TIME RIGHT NOW? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE TIME RIGHT NOW IS 1:55 P.M. WE SHALL RECONVENE AT 2:30 P.M.

[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 3:00 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. ONE IS A REQUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION. THAT'S MY ITEM.

I DON'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

IT WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION.

SO WE WILL PUT THAT ONE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

AND WE HAVE THE MOTION, RIGHT?

ITEM 320? >> FOR 320 I DO NOT HAVE THAT

MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY WILL GET IT TO YOU. THE MOTION IS THAT JORGE GARCIA AND CALVIN SEYMORE BE UH POINTED AS MEMBERS OF THE

COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION. >> WHAT NUMBER IS THAT?

>> THAT IS 3:20 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT IS 321.

PRECINCT 4 FOR THE REAPPOINTMENT OF JOHNSON -- FOR HARRIS HEALTH. AND THEN 322 WHICH IS

[03:25:02]

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL ITEM. COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> JUDGE, YEAH, UNLESS THERE ARE SPES -- SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THERE IS NO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I REMEMBER THERE BEING AN ITEM ABOUT A SETTLEMENT. DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE

SESSION ON 329? >> NO.

THAT CAN BE DISCUSSED IN OPEN COURT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. >> 329?

YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WON'T GO BACK ON 329?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL NOT. THESE ARE THE ITEMS REQUESTED

TO BE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO

PULL 146. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION ON THAT JUST SO YOU KNOW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS THE REAPPOINTMENT OF KING HILLIARD TO THE BOARD.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COVID ITEMS -- CORRECT.

IT IS A NO ACTION. GOING OVER THE REST OF THE ITEMS ITEM 8 IS THE ALMOST $9 MILLION PROPOSAL ON MENTAL

HEALTH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO NEED TO HOLD THE ITEM. I AM EXCITED WE ARE DOING IT AND THANK MY COLLEAGUES IN ADVANCE FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION ON THIS ITEM. BUSINESS IS IMPORTANT.

AS I HAVE SAID THIS MORNING, HAVING THE EPICENTER OF MEDICINE IN OUR BACKYARD BEING THE MEDICAL CENTER, IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT PEOPLE ALSO DON'T KNOW THAT WE PROVIDE SOME OF THE BEST MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE COUNTRY. AND SO I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS. THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE STRESS AND THE ANXIETY HAS CAUSED.

BUT ALSO THIS WILL BE -- I TRY TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THIS DONE AND I WILL SHARE -- DIDN'T HAVE THE SUPPORT FOR.

THIS IS -- I'M EXCITED THAT THIS HAS FINALLY COME TO THE TABLE AND IT WILL BE A PHENOMENAL THING FOR US TO

DO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CHICKS -- ECONOMIC COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR HAVING A PRESS CONFERENCE AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXPRESS A THANK YOU FOR WHAT THEY DID AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO VOTED FOR IT. EVERYBODY SAYS THEIRS IS THE BEST IN THE NATION. EVERYWHERE I SERVE, WHATEVER CAME UP IT WAS ALWAYS THE MODEL FOR THE NATION.

I DID ASK MR. YOUNG AND SO A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THIS INSTITUTE OUT OF CALIFORNIA AND I CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF TO MAKE REFERENCE TO. IF THEY ENCOURAGE OTHER COMMUNITIES BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE AT SOME POINT THEY WILL KEEP IT GOING WE HAVE TO DECIDE WE WILL FUND

THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LASTLY I WANT TO THANK WAYNE YOUNG AND THE FOLKS AT THE HARRIS CENTER. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND THE CARE YOU GIVE SO MANY. AGAIN, VERY EXCITED TO SEE

THIS FINALLY ADDED. >> LINA HIDALGO: I ECHO THE THANK YOU TO WAYNE YOUNG AND THE HARRIS CENTER.

NO I THE ARPA COMMITTEE WORKED ON THIS.

A LOT OF THE INITIATIVE HAS TO DO WITH OUT REACH.

IT IS ABOUT DE STIGMATIZING THE MENTAL HEALTH.

I WAS READING SOME MATERIALS THAT SAYS ONE IN THREE AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO NEED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DON'T SEEK THEM. ONE IN 10 HISPANICS AND ONE IN 12 ASIAN. AND SO THAT MEANS THERE ARE SOME RESOURCES THERE THAT WILL BE UNDER UTILIZED BECAUSE OF STIGMA AND LACK OF AWARENESS. I THINK IT IS A SMART PROGRAM. I DID ASK WHO WAS GOING TO BE DOING THE OUT REACH AND TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE MESSAGE. WE HAVE ALL DISCOVERED THAT THE COUNTY HAS A GAP TO MEET IN ALL OF THAT.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE MR. BERRY AS THIS ROLLS FORWARD IT IS A ROBUST AND THOROUGHLY MEASURED -- IT SEEMS TO REALLY LEAN ON THE OUT REACH COMPONENTS.

SO MAKING SURE IT IS NOT, YOU KNOW, LET'S PUT OUT THE SOCIAL

[03:30:02]

MEDIA POSTS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS, WHATEVER IT IS, AND I'M ASSUMING IT WILL GO THROUGH AN RFP AND THE PROGRESS WILL BE EVALUATED. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT

GETS DONE. >> YES.

AND THE EVALUATION IS VERY MUCH A PART OF THE PROPOSAL SO

WE WILL BE ABLE TO -- >> YEAH, WE WILL BRING THE OUT REACH IDEAS THAT ARE THOROUGH BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO LEAN ON THAT WHEN REACHING PEOPLE. I'M JUST THINKING BACK, FOR EXAMPLE, AT SOME OF THE RECOVERY PROGRAMS NEEDED AND OUT REACH WAS NOT DONE APPROPRIATELY.

THERE WERE OTHER INDISTANCES. INSTANCES.

IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM AND I AM HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THAT WAS FOR ITEM 8?

>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DID WE GO OVER THE CORRECTIONS AND WHAT WAS GOING TO -- WE HAVE NOT YET VOTED FOR ALL ITEMS ON THE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. WE WILL VOTE ON ALL ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA IN A MINUTE, AFTER WE AGREE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. AND THE CORRECTIONS, LET ME STOP AND DO THAT NOW. ITEM 16 DOES HAVE A CORRECTION. IT IS TO REPLACE THE WORD "TO" WITH THE WORD" FROM" SO IT READS FROM THE COVID RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND. THAT'S A TRANSFER REGARDING OVER TIME FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

ITEM 146 AS I MENTIONED, NO ACTION.

THAT'S ALL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO SHALL I MOVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO DETERMINE WHAT ELSE WILL GO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 8 HAS BEEN PULLED, BUT WE APPROVED IT. ITEM 16 LASS ABOUT REQUESTED -- HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR DISCUSSION.

IT IS A MILLION DOLLAR TRANSFER FOR AN OVERTIME

INITIATIVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND HIS TEAM FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK IN GENERAL AND IN LIGHT OF THE HORRIBLE TRAGEDY THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN PRECINCT 4 CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, WE WANT TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ALL THEY DO AND PUTTING THEIR LIVES AT RISK EVERY SINGLE DAY AS THEY SUIT UP, DESCRAP -- SUIT UP, STRAP UP AND THEY SHOW UP FOR WORK. THIS INITIATIVE GIVES CLOSURE TO VICTIMS WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THEIR SITUATION WITHOUT ANY REAL HOPE, SEXUALLY ABUSED TEENS, THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH IS UN-- UNSUCCESS SPIC -- UNSUCCESS EXPECTING INITIATIVES AND THE HARRIS COUNTY BACKLOG WAS REDUCED BY 40% AT 225 INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH FELONY CRIMES AS A RESULT OF THE FIRST MILLION THAT WEN VESTED IN -- THAT WE INVESTED AND THE SECOND MILLION WILL ALSO HAVE SIMILAR RESULTS.

AS YOU RECALL IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR WE APPROVED TO PROVIDE UP TO THREE MILLION STAR -- TARGETING VIOLENT CRIMES.

THE INITIAL ONE MILLION WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE COVID RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND AND NOW THEY ARE READY FOR THE SECOND MILLION AND WE WILL HAVE MORE TO COME BEHIND THIS. THE SIGNIFICANCE IS THERE IS ALWAYS A LOT TO DO. I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE THAT THERE IS ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY TO GET THE JOB DONE IF YOU DON'T COUNT ON SLEEPING. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, IF THEY JUST HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF INCENTIVE, THEY DON'T MIND LETTING THEIR DAYS GO A LITTLE

[03:35:02]

LONGER AND THAT'S WHAT THIS HAS HELPED US TO DO.

IT IS TO PROVIDE THE INCENTIVE TO WORK ON THEIR DAYS OFF AND MAYBE WORK AN EXTRA HALF SHIFT , BUT IT UH -- IT ALLOWS THEM TO GET WORK DONE ON A DAY THEY NORMALLY WOULDN'T FINISH.

THE RESULT OF THIS IS BEYOND MY ANTICIPATION.

I KNEW IT WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS AND AGAIN I WANT TO THANK CHIEF LEE AND CHIEF TOPEKA.

IN PARTICULAR I WANT TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN ON PATROL AND IN THE INVESTIGATIVE BUREAUS FOR THEIR WORK AND IT HAS BEEN DONE WITH THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE.

I AM TRYING TO FIND THE SHORT HERE.

LET'S SEE. THERE IS GOOD DATA HERE, JUDGE. I'LL JUST TELL YOU THAT THE ABILITY FOR US TO STRATEGICALLY PUT OVER TIME INTO CERTAIN RESOURCES, I KEEP TALKING ABOUT MAYOR LAW -- LANIER AND HIS 655 INITIATIVE.

HERE IS WHERE WE ARE AT. IN TERMS OF CASE BACKLOG, PRIOR TO THE INITIATIVE THE ADULT SEX CRIMES UNIT HAD 417 CASES AND BY THE END THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT IT DOWN.

ON THE CHILD AS YOU BECAUSE CASES -- CHILD ABUSE CASES 742, THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT IT DOWN BY 28%.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT IT ALMOST IN HALF. VIOLENT CRIME, THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT IT BY 90%. THE VICTIM RESPONSE SIDE OF THIS IS THAT IT WAS TAKING UP TO 21 MONTHS TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE CONTACT AND RESOURCES TO THE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. AND IT CUTS VIOLENCE IN HALF.

CHILD ABUSE NEARLY 40% AND VIOLENT CRIMES BY 60%.

AND SO THIS IS -- THIS WAS JUST EXCITING TO SEE THE RESULTS. IN TERMS OF OUTSTANDING WARRANTS AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND 600 MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY WARRANTS AND THIS IS BASED ON ACTUAL WARRANTS BECAUSE SOME INDIVIDUALS WOULD HAVE MORE THAN ONE ACTIVE WARRANT. OUT -- 37 NEW MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY CHARGES WITH THE WARRANT EXECUTION.

THROUGH THE INITIATIVE, THE COUNTY HAS SEEN FASTER CASE CLOSURES AND INCREASED EFFECTS AND THE LIST GOES ON.

I APPLAUD THEM FOR BUILDING A -- AN INITIATIVE AND WE CAN TRACK THE RESULTS OF THE VENT AND IT IS BEING DELIVERED AND I WISH ALL OF THIS TO PREVENT ALL CRIME FROM HAPPENING UNFORTUNATELY, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT ON TAKING THESE FOLKS OFF THE STREETS VICTIMS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.

WE HAVE CHIEF LEE ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT NOW WE ARE JUST LISTING WHAT OUR ITEMS ARE.

THEN LET'S AGREE ON WHAT WE KILL DISCUSS.

GO AHEAD, CHIEF LEE. >> THIS IS THE INVESTIGATIVE BUREAU AND CHIEF LEE MAY NOT BE ON RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR

[03:40:06]

LETTING ME LEAD THIS GROUP AND GIVING US THE ABILITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF BEING ABLE TO BRING CLOSURE TO THE CHILDREN OF THESE CRIMES.

WE DID GET TO A GOOD MANY. YOU HAD FORENSIC INTERVIEWS DONE AND THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF FOLLOW-UP WORK AND SUBPOENAS FOR MEDICAL RECORDS AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHY THE CLOSURE RATE IS NOT QUITE AS HIGH IN THOSE AREAS.

YOU CAN GET A CHARGE FILED AND AN ARREST QUICKER.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE COURT MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN. THE DETAILS ON THIS PROGRAM ARE OUTSTANDING SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS TOM RAMSEY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. >> HELLO.

>> TOM RAMSEY: KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND WE WILL TRY AND

KEEP THE FUNDING COMING. >> THAT'S MUSIC TO MY EARS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THE WORK.

IT IS SMART AND IMPACTFUL WITH THE DIFFERENT CONSTABLE PRECINCTS. THANK YOU.

>> THEY HELPED US OUT ON THE WARRANT END AND ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE END. THESE ARE TWO OF THE AREAS THAT HAVE SEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.

IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CAN WE MOVE

ON THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

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

THANK YOU. DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 17? IT IS APPROVING 22 INTAKE POSITIONS FOR THE D.A. YEAH?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW WE WON'T MOVE ON THIS ONE, BUT SIMPLY TO SAY I WANT TO THANK MADAM D.A. FOR HER WORK AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CONTINUE THEIR WORK UNDISRUPTED SO THIS ITEM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A NICE, LOW -- LOAD FOR THE WORK AND EXTEND THE POSITIONS WE PROVIDED HER OFFICE. LEAN CAN IT REMAIN ON THE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN IT REMAIN ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 18.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST NEED TO MOVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA AND I AM IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 19 IS MY BROAD COVID ITEM AND I WILL GIVE UH VERY BRIEF UPDATE. ITEM 20, AN UPDATE ON THE COLONEL CASE BACKLOG. WILL IT HELP DAVE TO WALK US THROUGH VERY BRIEFLY IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH THAT? OKAY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

AND IT TIES IN WITH THE SHERIFF'S ITEM.

PERHAPS YOU CAN JUST COVER BOTH OF THEM, DAVE.

THE PROGRESS AND THE OPPORTUNITY.

ITEM 27. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU

FLAGGED THIS ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: BRIEFLY I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR CRACKING THE CODE ON THIS ONE. AWHILE BACK WE SAID WE WOULD PUT $60 MILLION IN FLOOD-RELATED PROJECTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT FROM WHERE IT WAS AND TO THE PRECINCT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS CRACKED THE CODE AND HAS A REQUEST IN AND WE WILL FOLLOW YOUR FOOT PATH AND HAVE OURS IN VERY SHORTLY AFTERWARD. THANK YOU FOR FIGURING OUT HOW TO CRACK THE CODE. I'M IN FAVOR.

I WILL SECOND IT, ACTUALLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IS IT OKAY FOR ITEM 27, BUDGET TRANSFER TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO

REMAIN ON THE AGENDA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES YAK

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES WITH A NOTATION I SECONDED IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE SECOND WILL BE BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. ITEM 136.

CEDAR BAYOU WATER SHED. WE WILL FLAG THAT FOR

DISCUSSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN 149 IS A LAND ACQUISITION.

IT IS SINGLE FAMILY NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST TO SAY THAT I AM EXCITED THAT WE ARE

[03:45:02]

GETTING MORE AND MORE PRODUCT ON THE GROUND FOR SINGLE-FAMILY NEW CONSTRUCTION AND WANT TO THANK DR. HOLLOWAY AND HER TEAM FOR MOVING IT ALONG.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT SK -- SEE IT ACCELERATED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, BUT I AM GLAD TO SEE PROGRESS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT CAN STAY

ON THE CONSENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS 149. ITEM 161.

AND THAT IS STORAGE SPACE FOR VOTING EQUIPMENT.

PRECINCTS 3 AND 4 FLAGGED THIS ITEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK WE JUST NEED TO VOTE ON THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2. SO 161 HAS BEEN VOTED ON.

NEXT IS ITEM 264. AN AWARD FOR DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE SOUTH ZONE OF PRECINCT 2.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU FLAGGED THIS ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. I JUST WANT TO CHECK AND HAVE MS. CHANG IF WE CAN HAVE HER ON THE LINE.

THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS NOT ACHIEVING OUR INTENDED MWBE GOAL. I THINK THE INITIAL GOAL WAS SET AT 14% WHICH IS KIND OF LOW AND THEN THE ACTUAL IS AT 9%. I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT FROM MS. CHAN HOW ARE WE GOING GO ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE TRACK THIS. I DON'T LIKE SEEING THIS COME ON THE AGENDA WITHOUT IT ACHIEVING ITS GOAL, BUT I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE POLICIES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED SO IF SOMEONE CAN SPEAK ON THIS FOR US.

264. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF WE DON'T HAVE MS. CHAN ON THE LINE, WE CAN COME BACK TO IT WHEN IT IS TIME TO DISCUSS IT. WE WILL PUT IT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA, COMMISSIONER GARCIA IF THAT'S OKAY. ITEM 303.

THAT IS DMITION -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 323 GOES WITH 136. IT IS ON THE CEDAR BAYOU WATER SHED SO THAT IS MARKED FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM 329 IS THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT.

JAY SAID HE CAN WALK US THROUGH IT IN OPEN COURT.

AND 336 IS THE REDISTRICTING ITEM AND WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THAT AND ITEM 338 IS ALSO A REDISTRICTING ITEM AND WE NEED TO DISCUSS. THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE AGENDA. THE DISCUSSION ITEMS SO EVERYBODY HAS THEM ARE ITEM 8 -- EXCUSE ME, 8 ALREADY PASSED. ITEM 16 PASSED.

SO THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE ITEM 19, 20, 136, 264, 303, 323, 329, 336 AND 338. DO YOU NEED CLARIFICATION? THERE IS NO ACTION ON THE LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS ITEM.

>> I DO WANT CLARIFICATION ON ITEM 1 AND 6.

I KNOW Y'ALL MENTIONED THE SOLUTION WAS GONNA MERGE.

WAS NUMBER 6 GOING TO BE CONSIDERED A NO ACTION OR WILL I HAVE THE SAME ITEM FOR 1 AND 6?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK IT IS A NO ACTION ON NUMBER 6 AND NO ACTION ON NUMBER ONE IF THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> AND THEN ITEM 143. I'M SORRY.

THAT'S THE ONE YOU SAID WAS NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> ITEM 320 IS THE EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE ONE I GAVE YOU THE MOTION FOR.

THE MOTION IS THAT THE UH POINTMENT --

>> I'M SORRY AND 337. >> LINA HIDALGO: 337? THAT WAS ALREADY DISCUSSED AND VOTED ON.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE VOTED ON

[03:50:01]

THAT WITH THE RESOLUTIONS. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. IS THERE A MOITIONZ -- MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 13 -- 1 THROUGH 339 EXCEPT FOR THE ITEMS ALREADY VOTED AND THE ONE LISTED FOR DISCUSSION.

>> I. >> AND IS 136 THE ONE THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTED A SECOND ON -- WANTED A SECOND

ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, YOU CAN JUST MARK IT -- NO. 136 IS NOT THE ONE HE WANTED A

SECOND. >> OH 27.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 127? >> JUST 27.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER WANTED A SECOND ON THE BUDGET

TRANSFERS ITEM. >> I HAVE THAT AS 136.

OKAY 27. >> LINA HIDALGO: APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZED BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND -- YOU CAN MARK MR. CAGLE AS A SECOND

FOR THAT ONE. >> AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA

FIRST. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE OTHERS IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED 1234* MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S GO BACK AND DISCUSS THE ITEMS. 19.

GOOD NEWS ON THE PROGRESS HERE. IN TOTAL WITH SET TRACK'S OVERSIGHT AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDED FUNDING FOR 602 SURGE NURSING STAFF OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. WE STARTED AUGUST 28TH AND THEY DE MOBILIZED LAST WEEK. YEAH IT WAS THE END OF LAST WEEK. THE MAJORITY OF NURSES FINISHED THEIR CONTRACT ON THE 21ST.

WE EXTENDED 59 NURSES AT ST. JOSEPH'S AND SAINT LUKE'S THROUGH THE 24TH. DESPITE THE EXTENSION WE KILL STAY ON THE $30 MILLION AND THE HOSPITALS ARE COMFORTABLE AND THEY ARE ABLE TO GO BACK TO THEIR USUAL STAFFING CON -- CONTRACTS AND STILL HAVING TO CONTRACT OUT SOME NURSES, BUT IT IS NOT THE SURGE CONTRACT. SET TRACK AND THE NURSE'S OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

JAY IS NODDING WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN SO WE CAN GET REIMBURSED BY FEMA FOR THIS FUNDING. COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY. THEY ALL AGREE WITH THIS -- THAT THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE SUPPORT FOR THEM.

INDICATORS ARE LOOKING VERY, VERY GOOD.

THE ONLY INDICATOR THAT IS HOLDING US BACK RIGHT NOW IS THE HOSPITAL POPULATION NEEDS TO GET TO 15% OF THE HOSPITAL POPULATION BEING COVID POSITIVE AND WE ARE AT 18.

I ANTICIPATE 15 EARLY NEXT WEEK.

THAT'S IN LINE I THINK WITH WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE SEEING THE HOSPITALS AND HOPEFULLY THIS IS THE LAST SPIKE WE HAVE BECAUSE OF THE VARIANT, BUT THAT WILL DEPEND ON THE VACCINATION RATES.

WE ARE PROVIDING THE BOOSTER SHOTS AT HARRIS COUNTY SITES UNTIL -- UNTIL THIS WEEK IT WAS JUSTIFIESER AND NOW WE CAN DO J AND J AND MODERNA. IT IS FOR THE FOLKS THAT QUALIFY. THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS ADMINISTERING.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, OBVIOUSLY THE HOSPITALS HAVE NOT HAD THE NURSING STAFF THEY NEED AND COVID HAS I'M PABSTED ALL OF THAT. NOW THAT HOPEFULLY THIS IS GOING THE RIGHT DIRECTION DO HOSPITALS HAVE NEEDS OUTSIDE OF COVID? ARE THEY SHORT PEOPLE? HAS COVID PUT THEM IN A POSITION THAT THEY CAN'T RESPOND TO NORMAL HEALTH CARE ISSUES?

HAVE YOU HAD ANY SENSE OF THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: MY SENSE IS THEY ARE STILL HAVING TO ISSUE SOME CONTRACT NURSES.

THE PROBLEM IS A LOT OF THE NURSES ARE TIRED.

THEY ARE BEING PAID TO TAKE THE SURGE CONTRACTS WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN. WITH THE POPULATION GOING DOWN NOW CLOSE TO 15% THEY'VE GOT MORE ROOM TO MANEUVER.

>> TOM RAMSEY: ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP THEM IN THE RECOVERY? I THINK ALL HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED IN TERMS OF IMPACT AND THE ONLY THING TO

DO IS TO BE AWARE OF IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH THE CEO SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE NURSING CON TRANGT -- CONTRACT.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE GOOD AND THEY ARE GRATEFUL.

I WILL DOUBLE CHECK AND GIVE THEM A CALL.

[03:55:02]

THE SENSE IS THAT RIGHT NOW THEY ARE -- WHAT WE DID WAS

WHAT THEY NEEDED. >> AND WI -- AND I WILL JUST COMMENT ON THE ENCOURAGING TONE YOU HAVE GIVEN ON VACCINATIONS. YOU HAVEN'T DEMANDED.

YOU HAVE JUST GIVEN GOOD, BASIC REASONS TO DO IT.

THAT'S A GREAT APPROACH. IN OTHER REASONS THEY BEGIN TO DICTATE AND YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY -- IT IS A GOOD THING TO MARY -- TO HEAR AND BE THE GOOD SOURCE OF IF YOU NEED IT, EVERYBODY NEEDS IT, GO AND GET IT.

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

THAT'S MY REPORT. THAT'S MY REPORT ON THE COVID

PANDEMIC. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO WE ARE GOING TO ORANGE NEXT WEEK YOU THINK?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK SO. THEY ARE DRAWING THE PROJECTIONS AND IT LOOKS LIKE AS SOON AS MONDAY.

IT DEPENDS ON THE CURVES. THEY ARE LOOKING VERY POSITIVE. IN TERMS OF THE CONSISTENCY OF THE DECLINE OF THE HOSPITAL POPULATION.

IN FACT, AT THIS RATE WE WILL HOPEFULLY QUICKLY PROGRESS DOWN THE REST OF THE INDICATORS.

AND THAT HAS SLOWED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

WONTS -- ONCE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE KIDDOS TO GET VACCINATED THAT WILL HELP AS WELL FOR THOSE WHO CAN

TRANSMIT THE VACCINE. >> ANY ACTION ON THAT ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION. ITEM 20.

IT IS THE UPDATE ON THE BACKLOG.

IF YOU CAN WALKING THRUST THE PROGRESS.

>> YES. THE SAME WAY WE HAVE A COVID-19 THREAT LEVEL DASHBOARD, THE BUDGET IS PREPARING A REGULAR MONTHLY COURT ON THE BACKLOG THAT KEEPS TRACK OF THE MOST IMPORTANT METRICS.

I'LL GIVE YOU A RUN DOWN OF THAT AS WELL AS THE STATUS OF THE VARIOUS COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONS THAT COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS APPROVED.

IN TERMS OF THE OVERALL NUMBER OF CASES IN BACKLOG, THAT NUMBER REMAINS RELATIVELY FLAT AT 19,000 FELONY CASES AND 24,000 MISDEMEANOR CASES. A NUMBER OF OTHER TRENDS APPEAR TO BE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS THE INVESTMENTS THIS COURT HAS MADE ARE GETTING IMPLEMENTED.

ANOTHER METRIC WE TRACK IS THE PERCENTAGE OF BACKLOG CASES DIS -- DISPOSED IN A GIVEN MONTH.

IT IS 13% FOR MISDEMEANOR CASES AND 10% FOR FELONY CASES. THE JUDGES ARE ABLE TO MOVE THROUGH THAT BACKLOG AND THAT'S AT LEVELS THAT ARE UP TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS. EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A SMALLER BACKLOG THEN AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SOME CONSTRAINTS IN THE COURT. THAT'S HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. IN TERMS OF CLEARANCE RATES, THE FELONY COURTS ARE UP TO A CLEARANCE RATE OF 111%.

17 JUDGES HAVING CLEARANCE RATES OF 100%.

THE CRIMINAL COURTS -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S 24,

25? >> I'M SORRY?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE DISTRICT CRIMINAL JUDGES AT 17 OF 25?

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS IN THAT RANGE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS THE PRE-PANDEMIC CLEARANCE RATES?

>> AS A PERCENT TO BACKLOG CASES EXPOSED -- DISPOSED WAS

14 AND NOW WE ARE 13%. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO THE

EQUIVALENCE IS 130 TO 111. >> I ONLY HAVE BACK TO JANUARY OF 2021 SO I DON'T HAVE PRE PANDEMIC.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW IS IT TO COLLECT THE DATA? WE PULLED IT A COUPLE YEARS AGO TO SEE IT.

DID JAD PULL THAT? >> THE FOE -- PHOTO MINISTER HAS BEEN GREAT IN PULLING THE MATERIAL.

THERE ARE WAYS TO MAKE IT MORE SEEMLESS AND INTEGRATED, BUT

THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD PARTNERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK FOR THEM IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE CAN PULL TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE TWO OR FOUR YEARS AGO. SO PRE-HARVEY AS AN EXAMPLE.

>> I THINK IT IS WORTH REMARKING THAT THIS BACKLOG HAS BEEN FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING, SINCE HURRICANE HARVEY. WHILE I THINK A NUMBER OF THINGS ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION HERE, FIRST OF ALL IT IS NOT A PROBLEM SNY -- ANY ONE ENTITY WILL SOLVE AND IT WILL TAKE TIME TO GET THROUGH IT.

[04:00:02]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH ANY BACKLOG IT TAKES A TIME TO DIG OUT. IF THE RATES ARE HIGHER FOR WHAT'S GOING OUT THAN WHAT'S COMING IN, IT IS WITH REGARD TO THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND THEY SHOULD GO ON THE ABILITY TO SHOW THAT RATE. I AGREE THAT THE PRE-HARVEY RATE IS WHAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND TELL THE JUDGES THEY NEED TO DO BETTER THAN THAT TO GET RID OF THE BACKLOG.

I AGREE. >> JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO CONTINUE WITH THE UPDATE ON THE VARIOUS INITIATIVES?

>> LINA HIDALGO: Y WHY, PLEASE.

>> EXPAND -- YES, PLEASE. >> EXPANDED JURY OPERATIONS.

WE CAN HAVE SEVEN JURIES A DAY INSTEAD OF FOUR TO DO EXPANDED OPERATIONS AT NRG. LAST MONTH WE SAW 13 AND A HALF VERSUS 11.2 IN THE PRIOR MONTH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SORRY, DAVE. WHEN DID YOU START THE

SEVENTH? >> IT WAS, I BELIEVE, TWO MONTHS AGO. THE 482ND DISTRICT COURT, THIS IS THE NEW COURT ATED, THAT -- ADDED, THAT COURT IS WORKING EFFICIENTLY WITH 133% CLEARANCE RATE LAST MONTH AND THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH THE OLDEST BACKLOG CASES.

THOSE TWO ARE FULLY IMPLEMENTED AND WE HAVE FIVE OTHERS THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS WORKED THROUGH AN EVIDENCE BACKLOG. THEY ARE NOW ON BOARD AND THEY ARE STARTING THEIR WORK. WE HOPE TO START SEEING RESULTS IN NOVEMBER. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAD SEVERAL NEW POSITIONS APPROVED.

THEY FILLED FIVE OF THE SEVEN POSITIONS.

THE EMERGENCY RE-- RESPONSE DOCKETS, THEY ARE FELONY COURTS. THOSE ARE ONLINE NOW AND THEY HAVE HELD FOUR TRIALS. THEY HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN UP AND GOTTEN GOING AND WE ARE NOT SEEING THE FULL BENEFITS FOR THOSE IN TERMS OF THE CLEARANCE RATES.

THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS ARE SET TO KICK OFF IN NOVEMBER OF 2021. IT TAKES TIME TO HIRE PEOPLE AND GET THEM TRAINED UP. THE POINT IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS GOING FORWARD AS DESIGNED.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY RECEIVED APPROVAL TO BRING ON SOME ADDITIONAL STAFF TO REVIEW EVIDENCE.

THEY HAVE QUITE A BACKLOG OF EVIDENCE TO REVIEW.

THAT WAS APPROVED LAST COURT. THEY ARE TARGETING TO HAVE THE FULL TEAM ON COURT. AND IT WILL BE LIGHTER ON THE HUMAN EFFORT. AND THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES PROGRAM, THE SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES ARE FULLY APPROVED AS WELL AS THE STAFF AND THAT HIRING IS UNDERWAY.

AND THEY ARE SLATED TO START --

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SAYS THESE ARE FUNDED JANUARY 5TH.

IF THEY WERE FUNDED SOONER WOULD THEY BE ABLE TO START?

>> I BELIEVE THE CONSTRAINT IS THE HIRING PROCESS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, I REMEMBER MAYBE IT WASN'T THE LAST MEETING, BUT MAYBE THE MEETING PRIOR TOO.

MEETING PRIOR TO, AND WE HAD A DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE DOCKET WEBSITE THAT THE COURTS HAVE CREATED.

THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT HAS GIVEN US A FULL PICTURE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. CAN YOU GIVE US A MONTHLY UPDATE AS TO THE PROGRESS OF THOSE COURTS? IN LOOKING AT IT, IT IS VERY HARD TO MEASURE MOVEMENT.

I MADE THE COMMENT THAT IF THAT SITE ITSELF DOESN'T GIVE US THE FULL PICTURE, MAYBE WE SHOULD CONSIDER DOING A SEPARATE SITE. I DON'T MIND ANALYZING THE DATA, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET A MONTHLY REPORT AS TO THE PROGRESS COMING OUT OF FELONY COURTS.

>> AND I KNOW THE COURT ADMINISTRATORS ARE WORKING ON IMPROVING THE WEBSITE. WE WILL ADD THAT TO OUR MONTHLY REPORT WHICH IS BRINGING GREATER TRANSPARENCY

TO THE SYSTEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, THAT WAS THE UPDATE I HAD.

I WILL ADD ONE OTHER POINT. AT THE LAST MEETING COMMISSIONER GARCIA CREATED A FACILITIES WORKING GROUP TO

[04:05:01]

LOOK AT ISSUES ACROSS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR TRIALS MOVING FORWARD. THERE ARE A LOT OF PARTIES TO THAT AND WE HAVE A FIRST MEETING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 29TH. IT IS IN THREE DAYS.

AT THE TOP OF THE LIST IS FINDING A SOLUTION FOR JURY OPERATIONS. ONCE THE RODEO STARTS UP AT NRG, WE WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE FACILITY.

I HOPE TO HAVE SOLUTIONS TO THAT VERY SHORTLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE ARE MANAGER REQUEST FORMS FROM THE DISTRICT CLERK. YES.

THE ONLY ACTION IS EXTEND POSITIONS WITH ASSOCIATION TO

NRG. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT ALREADY IN THE -- DO WE NEED TO MAKE A SEPARATE MOTION?

>> IT WOULD BE APROPOS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO I THINK WE WOULD BE GOOD. I AM LOOKING AT THIS CHART ON PAGE -- ARE THERE PAGE NUMBERS OR NO PAGE NUMBERS? I CAN'T TELL. ANYWAY, THE THIRD PAGE OF YOUR REPORT THE ONE THAT HAS NUMBER OF CASES AND BACKLOG.

YOU SAID IT REACHED A PLATEAU.

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHEN WE WILL START TO SEE THE

DECREASE? >> I CERTAINLY HOPE VERY SOON AS WE SEE THESE DOCKETS COMING UP.

I WOULD BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT NEXT MONTH, BUT WE'LL SEE.

WE WILL BE BACK WITH THE REPORT.

LEAN ITEM 13 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 136 AND

THAT GOES WITH 323. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THIS IS WHERE WE ADD CUMBAYA MOMENT , BUT I DO NOT HAVE ONE WITH

PRECINCT 2 ON THIS ONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT THIS BACK IN 2019 BECAUSE MY COMMITMENT COMING INTO HAS BEEN TO KEEP HOMES FROM REPEATED FLOODING.

THAT'S BEEN PRIORITY 1 FOR ME.

I HAD ISSUES WITH WHAT FORMULA MAY HAVE BEEN USED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THE FORMULA BEING FLAWED.

LIKE MY CONCERN ABOUT MY ROADWAY CONDITIONS, BUT WE DID A STUDY THROUGH DTS TO EVALUATE IT SCIENTIFICALLY AND A REPORT CAME BACK CONFIRMING THEY HAVE AMONG THE WORST ROAD CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTY. THIS IS SIMILAR.

THE PROJECTS I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT HERE ARE PROJECT THAT'S ARE IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND RECENTLY COMPLETED WATER SHED STUDIES IN THE RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE STUDIES.

I SUPPORTED THE BOND PROJECT, BUT WE HAVE TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE I REMAIN ADAMANTLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHRONIC FLOODING PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED.

AFTER TROPICAL STORM IMELDA, I WASN'T DURING THE ROLE IN HARVEY, BUT WHEN I WENT OUT AND MET WITH FOLKS AFTER IMELDA AND SURVEYED THE AREA OF DAMAGE IT WAS PAINFUL.

I MET PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT EVEN FINISHED REMODELING FROM HARVEY OR JUST FINISHED REMODELING.

PEOPLE STILL HAD THEIR RENTED RV'S IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES THAT THEY WERE REMODELING AND THEY WERE HIT AGAIN.

YOU MATED -- YOU MADE ISSUE RESONATE THAT WE HAD TO DO THINGS FASTER. PEOPLE WANTED RELIEF SOONER RATHER THAN LATER AND THAT'S THE INTENTION OF THIS EFFORT.

[04:10:06]

ONE OF THE KEY POINTS. WHAT WE KNOW IS 154,000 HAVE FLOODED. AND 70% WERE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE 100-YEAR FLOOD PLANK. AND 2,934 HOMES WERE FLOODED IN THIS PRECINCT 2 PROPOSED PROJECT AREA.

ALLEN,Y CAN SEE YOUR IMAGE THERE.

-- ALLEN, I CAN SEE YOUR IMAGE THERE.

ALLEN, HAVE I A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

NUMBER ONE, THE RECOMMENDED PROJECTS HAVE A HIGHER SCORING AVERAGE THAN THE SEVEN-SEATER BAYOU PROJECT.

IS THAT AN ACCURATE STATEMENT?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THAT IS ACCURATE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU JUST TOUCHED ON IT, BUT DOES THE EXISTING BOND PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA CONSIDER FLOODED HOMES AND STRUCTURES LOCATED OUTSIDE THE HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD

PLAIN FOR RANKING PURPOSES? >> NOT FOR RANKING PURPOSES.

NO, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DOES THE EXISTING BOND PRIORITIZATION CONSIDER INSUFFICIENT NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE STRUCTURES CAPACITY FOR RANKING PURPOSES? NO, IT IS NOT IN LOCAL

NEIGHBORHOODS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, ALLEN. SO LET ME SAY AGAIN ORB -- OR SAY THAT NO BOND PROJECTS FROM THE CEDAR BAYOU WATER SHED WILL BE REMOVED. IS THAT ACCURATE, ALLEN?

>> THEY WILL NOT BE REMOVED, BUT THE FUNDING WILL BE

REDUCED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND WE HAVE SEEN HER GLO CAN LEAVE US -- I HATE TO SAY HIGH AND DRY BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO BE LEFT, BUT THE GLO HAS LEFT US HIGH WITH THE CAPACITY TO GET VERY WET.

THE REALITY IS WE CAN'T COUNT ON THE GLO TO PROVIDE US THE FUNDING ON WHICH THIS PROJECT WAS LARGELY BASED ON.

THERE WAS A PHILOSOPHICAL FEELING THAT WE WOULD COUNT ON THE GLO TO MAKE THE WHOLE BOND PROGRAM WORK THE WAY WE THOUGHT IT WOULD WORK OUT. IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. WE COUNTED ON A SIGNIFICANT INFLUX FROM THE GLO FOR THE 2.5-ING ABOUT -- $2.5 BILLION

NEED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO NO BOND PROJECTS WILL BE REMOVED. OWL OF THE CEDAR BAYOU PROJECTS HAVE BEEN INITIATED AND THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP IS TO PERFORM A PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING STUDY.

THE TWO PROJECTS ARE IN FINAL DESIGN PHASE AND WE WILL BE FUNDING -- WE WILL HAVE FUNDING FOR COMPLETING CONSTRUCTION. WE ARE PERFORMING REMAINING PRELIMINARY STUDIES FOR POTENTIAL FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT FUNDING COMING OUT OF THE BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL. IS THAT ACCURATE, ALAN?

>> GENERALLY, COMMISSIONER, YES.

THAT IS ACCURATE. WHAT WE ARE ANTICIPATING IS PURSUING FUNDING THROUGH THE NATIONAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICES, WATER SHED AND FLOOD PLANE PROTECTIONS PROGRAM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S WHY I FULLY SUPPORT THIS.

MY PRIMARY FOCUS HAS BEEN STRUCTURAL FLOODING AND CHRONIC STRUCTURAL FLOODING. AS I MENTIONED, VISITING RESIDENCES HOMES AND REPEATEDLY FLOODED.

AND YET -- I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM FOR DRILLING INTO THE

[04:15:04]

FORMULA THAT HAS BEEN USED. THE FORMULA WAS FLAWED.

IT DID NOT FOCUS ON HOMES THAT FLOODED THAT WERE OUTSIDE THE 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN. AND SO BY DRILLING DOWN INTO THIS, THIS NEW PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING. WE WILL FOCUS ON AREAS THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX AND IT WILL HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF HOMES FLOODED AND IT WILL HAVE AREAS WITH MINIMAL OR INSUFFICIENT NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE STRUCTURE CAPACITY. THAT MEANS WE ALLOWED DEVELOPMENT TO OCCUR WITHOUT THOUGHT OF HOW TO GET WATER OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SO MUCH RE-- REPEATED FLOODING. IT IS THE FACT THAT THE WATER HAS NO PLACE TO GO. SO THE DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE IN MY OFFICE IS SO CRIT -- CRITICAL.

THE 1,000,00200,000 OF LINEAR DRAINAGE IS FUNDAMENTALLY BASED ON THIS. WE HAD TO DO THAT AND MAKE A COMMITMENT TO DO IT AND DO IT AGGRESSIVELY.

OTHERWISE HOMES WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY FLOOD AGAIN WITH A -- NOT WITH A TROPICAL TROPICAL STORM AND NOT WITH A HURRICANE, BUT WITH A TORRENTIAL RAIN.

WITH THE LAST TORRENTIAL RAINS WE HAVE NOT HAD ONE STRUCTURAL FLOODING. IF HARVEY WERE TO COME BACK, THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING WE WOULD CONTEND WITH.

LET ME EXPLAIN WHY THESE PROJECTS ARE IMPORTANT.

2,494 HOMES WERE FLOODED DURING HARVEY.

APPROXIMATELY 3,697 HOMES WILL BENEFIT FROM THESE PROJECTS COMPARED TO THE LIMITED NUMBER OF STRUCTURES THAT MAY BENEFIT FROM THE CEDAR BAYOU PROJECT THAT IS APPROXIMATELY 400.

FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT, JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES, WE WILL BE GETTING 3600 -- ALMOST 3700 HOMES WILL BENEFIT VERSUS THE 400 THAT ARE LIKELY TO BENEFIT. AND THEY QUILL -- THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT AND NOBODY WILL BE LEFT OUT.

THE CEDAR BAYOU PROJECTS WERE PLACED ON THE BOND PROGRAM MOSTLY TO BENEFIT SOME DEVELOPER.

SOME DEVELOPER IN THE FUTURE. I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE'S HOMES THAT EXIST TODAY.

I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE HOMES THAT PEOPLE HAD TO MUCK AND GUT DURING HAVER -- HARVEY AND MELVIN.

IF A DEVELOPER WANTS TO COME IN IN THE FUTURE, GOD BLESS THEM AND WE WILL THINK ABOUT THAT, BUT IT IS HARD TO PUT MONEY WITHOUT A FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT BEHIND IT.

WE JUST OWN MORE LAND TO ME THAT IS WASTEFUL SPENDING T COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO COIN YOUR LOIN THAT'S WASTE --

WASTE -- WASTEFUL SPENDING. >> THEY WILL REMOVE 1400 HOMES FROM THE 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN AND THEY RANK HIGHER BASED ON THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT'S PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA COMPARED TO THE PROJECTS THAT RANK ALMOST A FULL POINT BEHIND. NESS -- THESE PROJECTS WILL HAVE A FOCUS ON A GREATER NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES AND WILL BE DELIVERED FASTER. THAT'S THE OTHER THING.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, EARLY ON AND I APPLAUD HIM, TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND BECAUSE MOTHER NATURE MAY OR MAY NOT COME TO

[04:20:02]

PASS FOR 15 YEARS. SHE IS LIKELY TO KICK THE DOOR IN AND THESE PROJECT IS -- PROJECTS CAN BE DONE IN THREE

TO FIVE? >> 2 TO 5.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN TWO TO FIVE YEARS WE CAN PROVIDE RELEASE TO CITIZENS RATHER THAN 10 OR 15 YEARS OUT.

AND LASTLY I WANT TO THANK ALLEN AND HIS TEAM FOR -- ALAN AND HIS TEAM FOR HELPING TO IDENTIFY THE QUALITY PROJECTS THAT HELP THE VULNERABLE AND UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS THE PURPOSE AND THE THOUGHT BEHIND THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, JUDGE. WHEN YOU AND I FIRST SPOKE ABOUT THIS IN 2019 I RESPECTED AND APPRECIATED YOUR CONCERNS THEN. THAT'S WHY WE WAITED AND SUPPORTED THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ON DOING THE 10 WATER SHED STUDIES. AND REALLY MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. I AM NOT GOING TO SIT BACK AND NOT FIGHT FOR MY COMMUNITY. I WANT TO FIGHT FOR PEOPLE'S HOMES TODAY. I DON'T WANT TO WORRY AND LET A DEVELOPER COME IN AND WORRY WHETHER THERE IS FLOODING ISSUES. AND SOME UNFORESEEN FUTURE.

THAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR THIS ITEM AND I AM OPEN FOR ANY

QUESTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAVE WHAT MY COLLEAGUE REFERS TO IS A SET OF PRETTY PICTURES I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS. BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE MICROPHONE I WILL STAY SEATED.

THE FIRST SLIDE I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW IS THIS ONE OF THE AREA WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. THIS IS CEDAR BY -- THIS IS CEDAR BAYOU. I WANT TO BEGIN NOT WHERE I DISAGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE. I WILL BEGIN WITH WHERE I AGREE WITH THEM. I DON'T DISAGREE THAT WHEN WE DID THE BOND PROGRAM THERE WERE CERTAIN AREA THAT'S MAY HAVE NEEDED MORE. IN FACT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID SEVERAL TIMES WE NEEDED TO GO FOR A $10 BILLION BOND AND NOT A $2.5 BILLION BOND AND I WAS OUT VOTED ON THAT.

THAT IS THE WAY IT WAS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, WE NEVER MADE THE MOTION. THERE WAS NO VOTE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NO MOTION? WELL, I WAS OUT DISCUSSED ON IT. WITH REGARD TO THAT, AND I HAVE MADE PRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND I NEVER KEPT THAT AS A QUIET. I THINK WE NEED ROUGHLY $30 MILLION TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE REGION.

AND IF WE HAD GONE OUT FOR A $10 BILLION BOND WITH THE LEVERAGE THAT THEY COULD GET CLOSER TO THAT SWROIN -- TO THAT ZONE. AND THERE IS A PUSH TO DO A $1 BILLION BOND. AND CHICKSER -- AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I STOMPED OUR FEET AND SAID NO AND WE GOT A 2.5. THAT WAS THE DISCUSSION AND WHAT RESULTED. THE HOPE IS THAT WITH THE 2.5 WE COULD LEVERAGE THAT OUT TO SIX OR 7 WITH OTHER PARTNERS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESS THE PASSION IN THE REGIONS YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED I HAVE NO DISAGREEMENT AT ALL.

I APPLAUD YOU FOR CARRYING FOR THOSE FOLKS AND CARRYING FOR THAT PASSION. WHERE I DISAGREE IS THE NEED TO MEET THAT NEED AND HOW TO GO ABOUT IT.

I THINK OUR BONDING PROCESS IS SACRED AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HONOR THAT PROCESS AND TO MAINTAIN THE BOUNDARY LINES THAT WE MAIN -- MAINTAINED WITH REGARD TO THE PUBLIC.

ONE OF THE THINGS AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I AM PAYING EXTRA ATTENTION TO THAT IS MOST OF THE MAPS THAT WERE PROPOSED, THIS IS GONNA BE A REGION THAT I WILL BE LOOKING

[04:25:04]

AT THE FOLKS IN THE EYE AND SAYING, YOU KNOW, YES THERE WAS A BOND AND THERE WERE FUNDS AND YOUR NEW COMMISSIONER IF ANY OF THE MODELS PASS IN THE ELLIS PLAN AND A NUMBER OF THESE OTHER PLANS, THIS WILL BE IN PRECINCT 4. I WILL BE THE ONE DELIVERING THE MESSAGE. I WILL BE THE ONE TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING.

WHEN WE DID OUR BOND PROGRAM AND, JUDGE, YOU WERE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND I SAW YOU THERE.

AND MAKING SURE YOU WERE INFORMED AND YOU WERE PRESENT. IN THE 23 WATER SHED HEARINGS WE HAD TABLES SET UP. WE LAID OUT WHAT THE PROJECTS WERE GOING TO BE AND WE ALLOWED THEM TO DISCUSS THEM.

SOME WERE IN PRECINCT 4 AND SOME BLENDED BACK AND FORTH.

THE BOND WILL INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO BOND PROJECTS IN THE REPORT AND THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH THE BOND. THE PROJECTS LISTED FOR THE PUBLIC WERE THESE PROJECTS HERE.

WHAT IN ESSENCE IS GOING TO OCCUR IS WE WILL REMOVE THE FUNDING AND SEND IT TO ANOTHER WATER SHED.

I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANDY DIDN'T THINK LEGALLY -- AND I DIDN'T THINK LEGALLY WE COULD DO THAT AND IF THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT THAT THIS WAS LEGALLY APPROPRIATE OR NOT. WHEN I SAY A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, THE CURRENT COUNTY ATTORNEY IS UNANIMOUS THAT IT IS OKAY. AND I AM OF THE OPINION THAT IT IS NOT OKAY. WE HAVE A FRENGS OF OPINION AS TO -- WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AS TO IF THIS IS APPROPRIATE. I AM TALKING PROPER PROCEDURE. AT THE END OF THE DAY WITH THIS DISCUSSION WHAT WILL OCCUR IS EITHER WE WILL LEAVE THE FUNDING THAT THE PUBLIC SAW THAT WAS GOING TO GO INTO THESE PROJECTS WHICH WAS $255 MILLION FOR THIS WATER SHED. JUDGE, I HAVE PEOPLE FROM SIGH -- FROM CYPRESS CREEK WHO CALL US, WRITE US, TELL US THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH. I HAD PEOPLE FROM OTHER AREAS TELL US THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH IN THE BOND.

WE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS WHO FELT LIKE THEY NEEDED MORE.

BUT IN THE BOND WE TOLD EVERYBODY HOW MUCH EACH WATER SHED WAS GOING TO GET. THE VOTER APPROVED -- WE WANTED THE WHOLE COUNTY TO BE A PART OF THE PROGRAM AND THIS WATER SHED WAS APPROVED AND PROMISED $255 MILLION AND WHAT IS BEFORE US TODAY IS TAKING $190 MILLION OF THOSE FUNDS OUT. I HEAR MY COLLEAGUES SAYING DOES PRESIDENT MEAN WE WON'T DO THEM -- DOESN'T MEAN WE WON'T DO THEM SOME DAY. WE HILLARY MOVE THEM AND IT -- WE WILL REMOVE THEM AND IT WILL BE $64 MILLION FOR THIS WATER SHED THAT IS LEFT. I WANT TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE REPRIORITIZATION SCHEDULE, THERE IS A LOT OF DRAMA AND A LOT OF PEOPLE UPSET AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CAME DOWN AND PROMISES WERE MADE AT THAT TIME TO THE PUBLIC. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I PULLED THAT TRANSCRIPT AT THE TIME. YOU HAD PRETTY STRONG LANGUAGE FOR ANYBODY SAYING THEY WERE GONNA TAKE MONEY FROM SOMETHING THAT WAS PROMISED. AND JUDGE, YOU WROTE A LETTER TO THE LEGISLATURE. YOU SAID LET'S START WITH THE

[04:30:02]

UNEQUIVOCAL TRUTH THAT EVERY PROJECT ON THE 2018 FLOOD BOND PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED. HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS BEEN CLEAR IN ITS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THERE IS MORE LANGUAGE THAT'S THERE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY VOTED FOR THIS BOND AND IN THIS ALLOCATION AND THE SOLUTION TO THE VERY REAL NEED IDENTIFIED IN PRECINCT 2 AND ALONG CYPRESS CREEK AND IN GREENS FALLS AND WHITE OAK AND OTHER PLACES. THE NEED IS REAL, BUT THE SOLUTION TO THE NEED IS NOT TO MOVE FUNDS THAT WERE PROMISED TO ONE WATER SHED. AND MOVE THEM TO ANOTHER WATER SHED. I APPLAUD WITH THE NEEDS.

BUT I DISAGREE WITH SOLVING -- WITH THE APPROACH TO SOLVING

THAT NEED. >> SOMEWHAT COMPLETELY DIFFERENT? A LITTLE BIT.

SAME ISSUE. IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR MY STAFF GOT WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL AND SAID WE HAVE A PROJECT THAT WILL PROBABLY NOT GET DONE AND THE MERITS OF IT ARE NOT THERE AND IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK OUT.

I SAID GREAT. WE HAVE PEOPLE FLOODING PRE SINK 3 -- PRECINCT 3. I SAID CAN WE USE THAT MONEY FROM THAT PROJECT IN THE SAME WATER SHED? THE ANSWER WAS, NOPE, CAN'T DO IT.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE MONEY FROM A CANCELED PROJECT AND PUT IT IN THE RESILIENCY FUND AND THAT'S OUR NEW STANDARD.

WE HAVE TO BUILD UP THE RESILIENCY FUND.

YOU USED THE TERM FOR EQUITY REASONS.

FOR RESILIENCY FUNDS WE CAN USE THOSE DOLLARS.

SILLY ME. I SAID IF THAT'S THE RULE, I DIDN'T BLOW A FIT. I DIDN'T JUMP UP AND DOWN AND USE MY 45 YEARS OF ENGINEERING TO DEBATE WITH HIM.

I SAID, OKAY. YOU ARE FLOOD CONTROL.

I ASSUME THE RULES ARE THE SAME FOR EVERYBODY.

AND THEN WE CAME BACK AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT PROJECT DEEMED NOT -- IT DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY MERITS SO IT WAS BEING CANCELED. I SAID SURELY WE CAN SPEND THAT MONEY IN THE WATER SHED BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF FLOODS. I WAS TOLD AGAIN, NO, JUDGE, WE ARE GOING TO CANCEL THE PROJECT AND PUT THE MONEY IN THE RESILIENCY FUND WHERE, I GUESS IT IS FROM AN EQUITY STANDPOINT AND ACROSS THE COUNTY NEEDS.

IT WOULD BE USED. I GUESS WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE SHOULD BE GOOD FOR THE GANDER.

I DIDN'T PRESS FLOOD CONTROL. I DIDN'T SAY THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

LET'S USE IT IN THE WATER SHED.

THAT SEEMS TO BE THE NEW STANDARD.

PEOPLE DON'T LIKE FOR ME TO BRING UP PAST EXPERIENCE.

I WORKED FOR THE 20 COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

THERE IS ONE THING I LEARNED FROM WORKING WITH 50 CITIES AND 20 COUNTIES AND HAVING DONE HUNDREDS OF BOND PROJECTS AND BEING ON THE ENGINEERING SIDE OF IT.

BOND COVENANTS MEAFORT. EVERY TIME I ASK A CITY ATTORNEY OR A COUNTY ATTORNEY, OKAY, GIVE ME SOME GUIDANCE ON THE BOND. THEY DIDN'T GIVE AN ANSWER.

YOU KNOW WHO THEY CALLED? THEY CALLED A BOND ATTORNEY.

IN SOME CASES THEY CALLED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES DEAL WITH BONDS IN THE STATE AND IF THERE ARE THOSE KINDS OF QUESTIONS.

I'M NOT SURE IF I OF THAT HAPPENED HERE.

[04:35:06]

CLEARLY I AM POINTING OUT AN INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN PRECINCTS. I MEAN, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THINGS A CERTAIN WAY AND IF WE ARE -- IF WE CAN LOOK AT PROJECTS AND FIND MORE JUSTIFIED PROJECTS WITHIN THE SAME ZIP CODE OR PRECINCT AREA.

IF THAT'S A NEW RULE, THEN I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE. I HAVE BEEN MISLED AND WE NEED GOOD CLARIFICATION. IT IS NOT THIS IN PARTICULAR.

IT IS THE INCONSISTENCY THAT IS DIFFERENT BASED ON WHAT THE

PRECINCT IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I REMEMBER WHEN THE HARVEY BOND ISSUE WAS COMING UP.

IT SEEMED LIKE TWO WATER SHEDS GOT THE MOST ATTENTION WERE GREENS AND HULLS OVER THE EQUITY ISSUE.

WHEN I WAS HERE THERE WERE TWO TOUCH POINTS I THOUGHT I HAD LEVERAGE ON. ONE WAS THE DISPARITY STUDY AND ANOTHER WAS AN EQUITY GUIDELINE.

WE CAME UP WITH LANGUAGE THAT DIDN'T PASS UNANIMOUSLY, BUT I HAD THE SUPPORT OF YOUR PREDECESSOR BECAUSE GREENS AND HALLS ARE THE TWO MOST NEGLECTED.

I DO REMEMBER A DISCUSSION ABOUT 10 BILLION.

YOU MADE A MOTION AND I SECONDED IT.

IF YOU WERE TO MAKE ONE IN TWO WEEKS I WILL SECOND IT.

I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT BE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

WHAT I DO KNOW ABOUT IS THE BOND MEASURE.

I DO REMEMBER ASKING INSTEAD OF THESE MEMOS AND CHARTS AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEETINGS, WHY DON'T WE DO IT THE WAY I SAW IT WHEN I WENT ON CITY COUNCIL.

YOU HAD TO LAYOUT WHAT WAS FOR PARKS AND WHAT WAS FOR LIBRARIES. BEING VERY SPECIFIC.

CACTUS, I THINK I EVEN WENT TO YOU.

I HADN'T DONE MUCH WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IF I WAS QUIET I COULD GET MORE WORK.

YOU GOT ME? MOST COUNTIES I GO TO, THEY SPELL IT OUT. YOU GOT ME? I WAS TOLD WE RUSS POPPY IN FACT.

PART OF THE PROBLEM IS IF YOU PLUG IN X AMOUNT IN THE INDENTURE AND IN THE BOND DOCUMENTS, SO IT IS ALL THERE, BUT WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO GO OVER AND GO UNDER? I SAID WHAT DO CITIES DO? SURE THEY CAN'T ALWAYS PREDICT.

LAWYERS CAN CRAFT A LANGUAGE. I DID IT ON THE INVESTMENT BANKING SIDE, BUT I AM A LAWYER.

THAT WAS DISMISSED. THEY WANTED THESE BROAD CATEGORIES BUT THE BIGGEST FIGHT WAS OVER GREENS AND HALLS. AND RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE STARTED ALL OF THESE PROJECTS AND WE WERE CHASING OTHER MONEY FEDERAL AND STATE WHEN THE BENEFIT TO COST RATIO CAME IN, WE HAD ALREADY CHANGED WHAT WE WERE DOING BECAUSE GREENS AND HALLS WON'T GET THEIR MONEY.

WE ARE HOPING WE CAN GO AND TAKE MONEY FROM THAT TOLL ROAD FUND TO MAKE UP FOR THAT. THAT WAS A CHANGE.

WE HADN'T HAD THAT MONEY AND WE WERE NOT GONNA DO WHAT WE COMMITTED TO DO. NOT ONLY WITH THESE PAPER CHARTS THAT WERE PASSED OUT AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

AND I THINK THOSE CHARTS REFLECTED THE PEOPLE WHO WERE MORE VOCAL. UNFORTUNATELY THE ONES WHO TEND TO BE MORE VOCAL ARE THE ONES WHO ARE MORE ORGANIZED.

IN ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS THEY TEND TO BE A BIT MORE AFFLUENT AND HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO IT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, LOOK, I APPLIED -- I APPLAUD YOU FOR SPEAKING FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO REALLY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. THAT'S WHAT THE WHOLE EQUITY FRAMEWORK WAS ABOUT. JUDGE, WHEN YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA GOT HERE A BIT AHEAD OF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IT DID TAKE A LONGTIME TO COME UP WITH WHAT THE LAPPING WEDGE -- LANGUAGE WAS.

AND THEN THERE WAS A PUSH TO START THE PROJECTS AND WE COME UP WITH THE EQUITY GUIDELINES AND WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE ANALYSIS TO COME BACK AND SEE HOW MANY PROJECTS WERE

[04:40:06]

DONE OUTSIDE THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK WE ADOPTED.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS UNANIMOUS.

WE ADOPTED IT. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR PROPOSAL FOR FIVE REASONS.

I HAD 10, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU FIVE.

NUMBER ONE, YOUR PRECINCT HIRED THIS MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL. IT IS TO REVIEW AND IDENTIFY YOUR PROJECTS TO SEE WHICH ONES MADE THE MOST SENSE YOU HAD STAFF AUGUST MEN -- AUGMENTATION TO DO IT.

YOU DIDN'T JUST DO IT YOURSELF.

YOU BROUGHT IN SOMEBODY TO DO IT.

NUMBER TWO, THIS PROPOSAL WITH THE -- WILL COMPLETE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORTS ON EACH ONE.

YOU WILL ALLOCATE FOR 17 PROJECTS AT THE SAME COST.

NUMBER THREE -- TRYING TO KEEP MY COUNT.

ACCORDING TO BAKER INTERNATIONAL, THIS PROPOSAL WAS PROJECTED TO BENEFIT OR SAVE 1200 STRUCTURES.

SCHAVED BY THE PROJECTS ON THE SEEN -- SEEN YOU BAYOU.

NUMBER FOUR, FLOOD CONTROL IS ESCORTING NEW PROPOSED PROJECTS AGAINST ALL BOND PROJECTS.

THE NEW PROPOSED PROJECTS SCORED HIGHER IN PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK WITH 6.43.

ONE MORE. NUMBER FIVE, THE TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION FOR THESE PROPOSED PROJECTS WILL BE ONE YEAR EARLIER THAN THE OTHER PROJECTS.

I DID MY FIVE. THIS IS NOT WHY I AM GOING TO VOTE FOR IT, BUT I REALIZE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHAT YOU JUST SAID. BY DOING THIS IT DOES OPEN THE DOOR IF SOME OTHER COMMISSIONER COMES IN AND CAN MAKE THEIR CASE. I GET THAT.

BUT I WOULD SAY THIS. I WOULD PREFER TO GO DOWN FIGHTING TO DO THE EQUITABLE THING AND TO DO THE RIGHT THING THAN TO SAY I'M GONNA DO IT BECAUSE SOME COLLEAGUE MAY BE ABLE TO RAISE THE ISSUES THAT SOME OTHER COMMUNITY WILL BE UPSET ABOUT. 2.5BILLION WITH A LACK OF FEDERAL MONEY WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET AND A LACK OF STATE MONEY. THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO APPLICATIONS AND THEY ARE CHASING MONEY -- THEY ARE AWARDING MONEY NOT EVEN BASED ON CRITERIA. IT DOESN'T EVEN SAY BENEFIT COST RATIO. TWO ROUNDS AND WE HAVE NADA.

DOES MY MEMORY SERVE ME CORRECT, ALAN?

>> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER. YOU ARE CORRECT.

WE HAD FOUR PROJECTS THAT WERE REJECTED DUE TO LOW BENEFIT

COST RATIO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS NOT IN THE FORMULA, CORRECT? THEY DIDN'T SAY WE ARE GONNA USE COST BENEFIT RATIO CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. THEY SCORE BASED ON A SEPARATE SET OF METRICS AND ASK FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COST RATIO, BUT ALSO OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO JUSTIFY A PROJECT FOR BENEFIT COST RATIOS LESS THAN ONE AND WHICH WE DID.

THE PROJECTS ARE STILL REJECTED.

>> THE BROADER POINT IS THERE WILL BE OTHER PROJECTS WHERE WE WILL NOT HAVE THE MONEY WE THOUGHT WE HAD.

AT SOME POINT ALL OF US CAN ROLL UP THE SLEEVES AND GET SOME GUTS AND BACKBONE. WE CAN TELL PEOPLE WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT RESPECTFULLY AND POLITELY AS WE CAN.

I PROUDLY SECOND THE MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? AND TO THE LAST POINT WE HAVE ABOUT 5.5 BILLION PROGRAMS IN THE BOND BUDGETS. WE ONLY HAVE 2.5.

DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE. JUST AS WAS SAID AND AS I POINTED OUT, THIS ISN'T JUST PICKING OUT -- I REALLY HAD NO IDEA SPECIFICALLY WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD THIS WOULD GO TO, BUT THE FUND MENTAL IDEA, I DON'T CARE IF PEOPLE VOTED FOR ME OR NOT. I DO CARE ABOUT THEIR HOMES.

I DO CARE ABOUT SENIOR CITIZENS IN MUCK AND GUT.

[04:45:06]

THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE TO THIS EFFORT.

IT IS TO PUT THE MONEY THAT WE DO HAVE, TO PUT IT TO WORK IN ACTUAL HOMES. I APOLOGIZE, BUT I CANNOT RATIONALIZE THAT WE WILL SPEND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY, LARGELY WHERE PEOPLE DON'T LIVE.

AND SO I APOLOGIZE TO MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WHERE THEY LIVE TODAY. DO YOU HAVE A FRAMEWORK THAT

HAS BEEN THOUGHT THROUGH? >> SO I CAN START AND DAVE CAN JUMP IN, WE ARE WORKING ON SOME DRAFT FRAMEWORK IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL PROJECTS IN THE BOND PROGRAM THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED FOR SIMILAR EVALUATIONS.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT FINALIZED AND I HAVE ROUTED THAT FOR INTERNAL COMMENT. THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME ON THAT AND IT IS TO WORK ON A FRAMEWORK VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT HAS BEEN APPROACHED HERE AND LOOK AT THINGS ON PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING. THAT'S WHERE SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES START GETTING EXPENSIVE.

SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES START GETTING SPENT.

THAT'S THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK WITH MORE TO COME ON THAT

LATER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ALAN, DID I UNDERSTAND YOU TO SAY YOU ARE WORKING ON A FRAMEWORK TO SHIFT FUNDS FROM ONE WATER

SHED TO ANOTHER WATER SHED? >> SORRY, COMMISSIONER.

I WAS NOT CLEAR. WHAT I INDICATED WAS A FRAMEWORK TO OFFER EACH OF THE PRECINCTS A SIMILAR OPPORTUNITY FOR PROJECTS WITHIN THEIR PRECINCT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE START DOING THIS, THEN WHAT WOULD PREVENT SHIFTING FROM WATER SHEDS FROM ONE COMMISSIONER TO

ANOTHER COMMISSIONER? >> I IMAGINE THAT IS PART OF THE CRITERIA THAT WOULD NEED TO BE INCLUDED.

PERHAPS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO COURT FOR

DISCUSSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ACCEPT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO SUCH. THAT'S NOT MY INTENTION.

I'M NOT TRYING TO READJUST ORIE PROGRAM ANYTHING IN YOUR AREA. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT MY PERSON. IF YOU WANT TO OFFER A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SUPPORT THAT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IT MAY BE THAT THIS WILL BE MY PRECINCT SOON. THANK YOU FORE -- THANK YOU

FOR THAT ASSURANCE. >> TOM RAMSEY: DOES IT BOTHER ANYBODY AT THE TABLE THAT A COMMISSIONER GOES TO THE STAFF AND ASKS THE QUESTION AND YOU GET TWO VERY DIFFERENT ANSWERS? DOES THAT BOTHER ANYBODY?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I ASKED THE VERY SAME QUESTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID SIX MONTHS AGO AND I WAS TOLD THAT

I COULD NOT DO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

I'M TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT SHOULD BOTHER ALL OF US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HERE IS WHAT I UNDERSTAND AND DAVE CAN STEP IN. THERE WERE TWO PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 3 WHERE -- THAT PROPOSED -- THERE WAS A LIST OF PROJECTS AT SOME POINT. WAS IT A BACK UP TO THE BOND?

WHERE WAS THIS LIST? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS POSTED WITH THE BOND AND POSTED WITH THE DISTRICT BEFORE THE PEOPLE WENT TO VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS CLEAR THAT WHEN PEOPLE VOTED, WHEN WE ALL WENT TO THE VOTING BOOTH THE LIST WASN'T THERE.

WE VOTED ON LEGAL LANGUAGE. I CERTAINLY WAS OUT THERE SAYING HERE IS A LIST. THR -- THERE IS NOT AN ORDER, BUT THERE IS A LIST OF PROJECTS TO GET DONE.

THERE WERE TWO PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 3 THAT WERE ON THE LIST. IN THEORY THEY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN DONE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS BY THE TIME THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, THE LAND THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN USED FOR FLOOD CONTROL WOULD -- WAS NO

[04:50:04]

LONGER AVAILABLE. AND IT WILL REDUCE FLOODING.

IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO SPEND MONEY ON A PROJECT THAT IS NO LONGER GOING TO REDUCE FLOODING.

THE DIFFERENCE IS THE CEDR BAYOU PROJECTS -- THE CEDAR BAYOUS PROJECTS WOULD REDUCE FLOODING.

THEY WOULD REDUCE FLOODING FOR ABOUT 400 STRUCTURES AS OPPOSED TO 1600 IN COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S PROPOSAL. THE STRUCTURES IN CEDAR BAYOU SCORED LOWER ON THE PRY YOUR TAU -- PRY YAW TAU SWRAITION -- PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. THE OTHER THING THAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT CEDAR BAYOU IS THAT THE PROJECTS ARE -- WE ALL HAVE HEARD BACK IN THE 40S AND IF WE HAD ALL OF THAT WE WOULDN'T FLOOD THE WAY WE DO IT.

THAT WASN'T DONE. NOBODY SAW IT THROUGH.

AND LET'S DO WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE BACK THEN AND LET'S PLAN AHEAD. IT IS NOT THE ONLY PROJECT THAT IS DOING THAT. IT IS A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE AND THE BOND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN $2.5 BILLION.

I WASN'T HERE. IF IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIVE, 10, 20 TIMES THAT. THAT'S PART OF THE WORK THAT IRT IS DOING. THEN YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE LIMITATIONS TO WHAT EXTENT YOU CAN SERVE COMMUNITY THAT'S HAVE URGENT NEEDS. YOU HAVE LIMITED BAND WIDTH TO DO THE FORWARD-THINKING PLANNING THAT WAS BACK IN THE DAY. WHERE I COME AT THIS IS I BELIEVE HAVING A SPINE -- I HAVE BEEN PUSHING TO GET THE WORK DONE AND THE QUESTION IS WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO BE TRULY RESILIENT. NO MORE BUSINESS OF EVERYTHING IS A 500-YEAR FLOOD UNTIL WE HAVE IT EVERY YEAR.

I TRUST THEY ARE MOVING QUICKLY AND DAVE IS ON THIS AND ALLEN IS MOVING ON THIS. -- DAVE IS ON THIS AND ALAN IS ON THIS. AND I AM GREATER CONCERNED AND MY PRIORITY IS TWO FOLD. ON THE ONE HAND IT IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN ADEQUATE ASSESSMENT.

OF WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO BE TRULY RESILIENT.

SOME IS WORKING WITH MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

WE HAVE TO SWALLOW BITTER PILLS.

WE HAVE TO HURRY UP AND GET THAT DONE.

WE HAVE TO GET THE PROJECTS DONE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

IT IS SPEED ON WHAT HAS ALREADY PASSED.

I AM CONCERNED THAT I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA SHARES THIS CONCERN. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR ONE COMMISSIONER TO SECOND GUESS HIS PROJECT.

I AM VERY CONCERNED AND I SHARED THIS BEFORE THAT IF WE CRACK OPEN THE BOND LIST, THE SPEED FACTOR IS COMPLETELY LOST. I DIDN'T DRAW IT UP.

IT IS NOT PERFECT. IT IS TOO SMALL FOR ONE.

IT IS NOT PERFECT. SOME PROJECTS ARE UNFAIRLY BEGUN AND OTHERS ARE NOT. IF YOU WANT TO CRACK IT UP

[04:55:02]

ON -- IT OPEN AND SEE WHAT YOU WANT TO TRADE IN FOR ONE PROJECT OR ANOTHER, I AM NOT GONNA STAND AGAINST IT, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE IS A RIGHT ANSWER.

WHAT WE NEED IS MORE MONEY. MY PERSPECTIVE IS THAT IT WILL BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO BEGIN THIS DISCUSSION AND THE DISCUSSION DOESN'T STOP AT PRECINCT 2.

THE BEST I CAN PROPOSE -- THERE ARE THREE THOUGHTS.

I AM CURIOUS TO HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES.

I KNOW IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND RAMSEY AND CAGLE LOOK AT THEIR PRECINCTS YOU WILL FIND DURING THIS PROJECT -- I DIDN'T REALIZE WE WERE LOOKING AT DRAINAGE.

I CAN THINK OF ONE FOR YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

CASHMERE GARDEN. WE HAVE THIS GREAT DETENTION BASIN AND AN AMAZING PROGRAM AND SOME OF THE THINGS WILL BE SOLD BECAUSE THE CITY HASN'T DONE THE WORK ON CASHMERE GARDEN. I WOULD SAY TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE DRAINAGE PROJECT AND PUT IT IN CASHMERE GARDEN.

YOU DO THAT AND YOU ARE GONNA FIND CYPRESS CREEK IS IN BOTH OF YOUR PRECINCTS AND THEN YOU WILL DASH -- IF I FIND YOU SOME TOO THEY WILL SAY WE SHOULDN'T DO THIS FORWARD-THINKING PLANNING AND INSTEAD WE SHOULD WORK ON THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE FLOODING NOW AND SO THEN WE ARE SLOWING DOWN PROGRESS. IF THAT IS AN OPTION YOU WANT TO GO TO, AT THAT POINT IT IS THE WILL OF THE COURT.

THE OTHER OPTION IS COULD WE WAIT UNTIL WE GET THE GLO FUNDING? IS THERE A WAY IN WHICH WE CAN DO BOTH? THE 9 CLEAR CREEK PROJECTS AND THE 17 PROJECTS COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID IF WE JUST WAIT TO CONFIRM THAT WE HAVE THE GLO FUNDING AND THERE IS A LITTLE LEEWAY THERE. I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE 2019.

IT IS NOT NEW. THE THIRD IDEA IS COULD WE FUMED -- FUND THE PROJECT IN A CEDAR BAYOU THAT SUPPORTS AND IMPACTS PEOPLE AND NOT THE PLANS OF THE FUTURE.

IF WE DO THAT EVERY MEMBER OF COURT HAS AN INCENTIVE TO SWITCH UP THEIR PROJECT. I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS, COMMISSIONER. I ASK WE CARVE OUT A CREATIVE SOLUTION UNLESS COURT AGREES THAT EVERYONE IS JUST GOING TO GO AND RELITIGATE THE BOND. I DON'T SAY IT NEGATIVELY.

I DISAGREE WITH THAT APPROACH, AND THE LIST IS IMPERFECT, BUT I DID PROMISE THE PROJECTS WOULD GET DONE AND NOT FUNDING

THEM, WE ARE NOT DOING THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ME SAY THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION AND PRIMARILY WHAT YOU TOUCHED ON. CRACKING OPEN THE PROJECT LIST SHOULD BE DONE. IT MADE A HUGE IMPRESSION ON ME HOW 70% OF THE HOMES THAT ARE FLOODED HAVE NO PROTECTIONS ON THIS BOND PROJECT.

AND SECONDLY THAT WE CAN DO IT FASTER THAN WHAT IS CURRENTLY PROPOSED. IF WE WANT TO ADOPT A CRITERIA OF SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, THEN I WILL VOTE TO OPEN IT UP. I THINK THAT IS PRACTICAL FOR OUR CITIZENS. THEY WANT TO SEE THINGS CHANGE TODAY AND NOT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE.

THEY WANT TO SEE IT TODAY. SO SOONER RATHER THAN LATER AND MORE THAN WE ARE CURRENTLY GETTING AND HOMES OUTSIDE OF THE 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN THAT WE ARE PLANNING FOR, ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY.

IS THE WAY WE OUGHT TO BE GOING.

THAT'S THE FALL AND HOW THIS PROGRAM WAS PUT TOGETHER.

THEY PUT TOGETHER A NICE NUMBER AND THERE WASN'T A REAL STRATEGY FOR HOW THIS WOULD BENEFIT FROM COUNTY LINE TO COUNTY LINE. I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE BEST OF THIS PROGRAM FOR THE CITIZENS THAT CURRENTLY LIVE

IN THEIR HOMES TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, AS YOU SAID, I WAS HERE WHEN IT WAS

[05:00:03]

DRAWN UP AND WHAT I DID WAS RELY ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXPERTS IN FLOOD CONTROL. I HAD THE SENSE THAT THERE WAS A BIT MORE POLITICS GIVE AND TAKE GOING ON.

I MADE GREENS AND HALLS A PRIORITY.

I WOULD SAY TO YOU THAT WE OUGHT TO BE CAREFUL.

IF THERE ARE CHANGES, IT OUGHT TO BE WITH SOME VERSION OF SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT WHICH IS WHAT STARTED WITH YOUR PRECINCT BRINGING IN OUTSIDE EXPERTISE. I ALREADY SAY TO YOU WE ARE CRACKING OPEN. ON NO LIST DO WE HAVE THE PROJECT OUT YOUR WAY. IT WAS $17 MILLION? THERE WERE NO SHEETS OF PAPER ANYWHERE OR FOR THE VEGETATION PROJECT OUT YOUR WAY. THIS IS A BIGGER FIGURE, BUT IT WAS CRACKED OPEN. BY THE WAY, I WENT ALONG WITH THEM BECAUSE I COULD COUNT. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES 3 BECOMES 5. I WOULDN'T SAY -- I AM NOT FOR THE SYSTEM THAT EACH COMMISSIONER AS I SAID MANY TIMES, JUST HAD THIS FIEF WHERE THEY CAN DO WHERE THEY WANTED TO DO. ONE THING YOU DID WHEN YOU GOT HERE, JUDGE, IS SPLIT THE 2.5 BILLION FOUR WAYS.

TO SOME PEOPLE EQUITY MEANS WE GET EQUAL AMOUNTS.

IF YOU DON'T TAKE IT TO YOUR ACCOUNT, SOMEBODY THAT WAS LEFT ON THE BACK OF THE BUS FOR 30 YEARS.

I FOR ONE IF YOU CAME IN WITH PROPOSALS AND IT DIDN'T FIT INTO THE EQUITY, TO ME AT -- IN SOMEWAYS THIS PROPOSAL IS A RESULT OF THAT OLD ATTITUDE, EVERYBODY CHASES THE BENEFIT OF THE COST RATIO. I DON'T KNOW THAT STORY, BUT THE NUMBERS DEFY LODGE -- THE NUMBERS DEFY LOGIC.

I WOULDN'T SUPPORT IT IF THEY DIDN'T SUPPORT THE OTHER TWO THAT I MADE REFERENCE TO. JUST BECAUSE I VOTE FOR THEM, DOESN'T MEAN I SUPPORT THEM. RESPECTFULLY, I SEE IT WAS A THOROUGH ANALYSIS TO GET TO WHERE WE GOT ON THESE.

LOOK, I WOULD SAY TO YOU JUST AS SHE SAID -- YOU WENT OUT WITH THE LISTS OR WHATEVER, BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE REALLY LOOKED AT THE SLIPS OF PAPER? WE GO TO THE MEETINGS AND THAT WAS VERY MUCH INSIDER BALL. OTHER THAN A GIVEN NEIGHBORHOOD, MOST FOLKS WHO WENT IN THERE TO VOTE HAD LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IT WAS.

WE MADE COMMITMENTS TO THEM AND WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN AND A RECORD-SIZED BOND PACKAGE.

WE WILL DRAW DOWN FEDERAL MONEY.

I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A CLEAR IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I WOULD NOT GO IN THERE WHOLESALE AND BUST IT ALL UP. I WOULD PUT MORE ENERGY IN THERE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE EXTRA MONEY COMES FROM. I MAY BE ONE OF THOSE YELLING FROM THE RAFTERS. DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH

THE GLO. >> AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I CAN PIGGYBACK ON YOUR TIME FOR A SECOND.

THE THIRD PLACE -- THE THIRD WAY THAT THIS HAS BEEN CRACKED OPEN IS GLO. THIS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE GLO WOULD MATCH US WITH $3 BILLION.

AND SO THIS WAS CRACKED OPEN EARLIER THIS YEAR.

SO WE HAVE A $5.5 BILLION PROGRAM AND 2.5 TO WORK WITH.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS NOT CRACKED OPEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER KAY -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS ABOUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE. JUDGE, I FRANKLY LIKE DISCIPLINE. WE START TALKING ABOUT WE ARE GOING CRACKING OPEN STUFF, I THOUGHT WE HAD -- WE NEED TO HAVE SOME DISCIPLINE IN TERMS OF I CONSIDER FLOOD CONTROL -- NOW, WE TELL FLOOD CONTROL WHAT POLICIES WE WANT TO DO OR NOT DO. IF WE SET UP A RESILIENCY FUND AND IF PROJECTS FOR WHATEVER REASON GET CANCELED OR NOT DONE BY MERIT AND THEY GO TO THE FUND AND THEY GO INTO THE FUND. I HAVE PROJECTS, THE TWO PROJECTS I TALKED ABOUT AND THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT ON SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY, 1,203 HOMES IS NOT A SMALL NUMBER.

WE DO HAVE PROJECT THAT'S WILL HELP PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY IF WE

[05:05:08]

ARE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND I WILL USE THE WORD BE KIND FLEXIBILITY AND I HAVE TALKED TO HALOM AND HE SAID IF I ASKED THAT QUESTION TODAY I WOULD PROBABLY GET A DIFFERENT ANSWER. UNFORTUNATELY I ASKED IT SIX MONTHS AGO. THERE MAY BE A DIFFERENT ANSWER NOW AS FAR AS DIFFERENT POLICY.

I HAVE JAYAIR SAYING NO PROBLEM WITH THE BOND COVERAGE. THAT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

>> NO. THAT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

ABSOLUTELY. >> TOM RAMSEY: I AM JUST

ASKING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAD ONE POINT AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS RAISED THE SECOND ONE I WILL BRIEFLY TOUCH ON. JUDGE, I THINK CRACKING THE BOND WILL HURT US. THEY ARE COUNTING ON US TO FULFILL OUR COMMITMENTS. WE LAID OUT AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE, THE LIST OF PROJECTS WE WERE GOING TO DO AND NEAR LIEU ALL OF THE WATER SHED FOR ADDITIONAL PROJECT THAT'S COULD COME INTO THE FUTURE. AND IT FILES A DISTRICT WITH THE COURT AND IT FILED WITH THE COURT.

THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE IN OTHER PLACES.

IF THE PUBLIC HEARS THEY CRACKED THIS BOND, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE LACKING THE CREDIBILITY THAT WE NEED.

WHEN YOU SAID TWO YEARS AGO THAT EVERY PROJECT WILL BE DONE, YOU STAKED OUR COLLECTIVE REPUTATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WILL FULFILL THE OBLIGATIONS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND THEY WERE MAKING SURE EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE DONE. MAYBE THEY DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE RIGHT PROJECTS. I GUARANTEE WE NEEDED MORE MONEY IN CYPRESS CREEK AND I GUARANTEE YOU WE NEEDED MORE MONEY IN OTHER AREAS. WE NEEDED TO STAY THE COURSE.

WE NEED TO STAY THE COURSE. MY SECOND POINT COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PART NR WITH THE CITY OF -- PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO HELP THE FOLKS THAT WERE FLOODED AND THOSE AREAS.

THAT WAS NOT ON THE BOND PROGRAM.

WE HAVE IN FLOOD CONTROL WHEN WE APPROVE THEIR RATE THAT THEY RECEIVE ROUGHLY 60 MILLION A YEAR FOR MAINTENANCE AND 60 MILLION FOR NEW PROJECTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT OUT OF THAT REGIONAL BALANCE OF WHAT WAS COMING OUT OF THAT TO GIVE MORE MONEY TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO DO THE PROJECTS HE NEEDS TO DO AND THEN WE CAN

CRACK THE BOND. >> AND THAT COMPROMISE WAS ONE THAT I WAS -- I WOULD RATHER SEE US FINED THAN GET THE MONEY WE NEED. WE DIDN'T LIKE IT ALL, BUT WE STUCK TO THE COURSE. WHATEVER WE VOTED ON, WE WILL

STAY THE COURSE. >> CAN YOU WORK WITH OUR OFFICES IS SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO FUND THIS? I DO SEE A DIFFERENCE -- THERE IS THE PARTNERSHIP FUNDING THAT WAS AVAILABLE. I DON'T REMEMBER THE VEGETATION ITEM. I BELIEVE IT WAS A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT. IF THE COURT DECIDES TO RELITIGATE, I DON'T THINK IT IS THE BEST IDEA.

I DON'T THINK IT IS CAT TAU GOR RICKLY -- I MEAN, IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION. IF WE CAN'T GET A CHANCE TO SEE IF THERE IS A CREATIVE SOLUTION FOR THIS WHERE WE CAN ADDRESS THE DRAINAGE NEEDS WITHOUT OPENING OURSELVES UP TO RELITIGATE THE ENTIRE BOND PROJECT.

I'M AFRAID IT WILL SETBACK OUR TIMELINE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SOLUTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I THINK I INIAD A CASE FOR -- I THINK I MADE A CASE FOR HOW LONG THIS PROGRAM WAS.

[05:10:06]

I THINK I MADE A CASE FOR HOW POORLY THIS THING WAS PUT TOGETHER. 70% OF THE HOMES ARE ON THE 500-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN. AND NOW THE HOMES THAT HAVE FLOODED AND ARE NOT -- IF AND WHEN GLO COMES THROUGH WE GET MONEY FOR THIS AND I WANT THIS GIVEN IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

I WILL LOSE THE VOTE, BUT I AM WILLING TO PUSH IT.

I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT I AM FIGHTING FOR THEIR HOMES RIGHT NOW. GOD FORBID WE GET ANOTHER RAIN AND THESE HOMES FLOOD, I WILL LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THE LACK OF SUPPORT IS AT IT BLOWS MY MIND HOW THIS THING WAS PUT TOGETHER AND MY TEAM WHO JUST SPENT A LITTLE TIME ON IT AND BROUGHT IN THE OUTSIDE ZONE AND BROUGHT IN GOOD ENGINEERING AND HAD THE PROJECTS REVIEWED AND REALIZED WHAT THE FORMULA WAS ON EQUITY AND THEN ON PRACTICALITY.

AND SO I AM WILLING TO ASK FOR NO ACTION ON THIS.

IT WILL GET SUPPORT NOW THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT THIS PROGRAM WAS POORLY PUT TOGETHER WITH A FLAWED FORMULA AND WILL APPROACH IT DIFFERENTLY.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING WE CAN -- I DON'T KNOW THE TIMELINE FOR YOUR PROGRAM, BUT IF IT IS A TIME LIPE THAT ALLOWS FOR US TO SEE IF WE WILL GET THE MONEY, THAT GIVES US THE CHANCE TO SAY, OKAY, WE COULD VOTE AT THE NEXT COURT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS NO TIMELINE THESE PROJECTS AREN'T

PROGRAMED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A DESIGN -- WHAT I'M SAYING IS I THINK THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR -- MAYBE THEY NEED TO -- I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORD IN YOUR MOUTH. YOU JUST SEEM TO BE GOOD AT PULLING RABBITS OUT OF HATS. ALL I'M SAYING IS PERHAPS THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR -- AND I CONFESS THAT I AM JUST THINKING THIS MORNING ABOUT HOW TO SQUARE THIS IN MY MIND

-- >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, I THINK ARE YOU ASKING A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE IMMEDIATELY TO KEEP THINGS ON TRACK THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS REFERENCING THAT IT IS NOT 100 -- IT IS NOT GOING TO BE SPENDING $181 MILLION TOMORROW.

IS THERE SOMETHING TO KEEP IT ON TRACK? THAT'S ONE QUESTION, DAVID. AND THE OTHER QUESTION IS HOW MUCH MONEY IS IN THE RESILIENCY FUND NOW ANYWAY? THAT'S KIND OF WHAT THE BOND WAS SET UP FOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT I AM SAYING IS IF COMMISSIONER GARCIA CAN -- TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN COME TO THE NEXT COURT TO YOUR POINT AND YOU NEED A COMMITMENT. I UNDERSTAND.

THIS IS NOT NEW. YOU HAVE BEEN BRINGING THIS UP SINCE EARLY 2019. THAT YOU GUYS SEE.

PERHAPS THEY ARE MORE ROOM FOR CREATIVITY HERE.

THE GLO WILL SAY YAY OR NAY BY JANUARY OR MAY OR WHATEVER AND WE KEEP THEM GOING. WE WILL HAVE TO RESHUFFLE THEM ANYWAY IF WE DON'T GET THE GLO MONEY.

WE KNOW WE NEED TO FUND THESE BECAUSE THEY SCORE HIGHER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE. WE WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT AND WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GET THE OTHER MONEY.

CAN WE HAVE A CHANCE TO COME UP WITH A POTENTIAL SOLUTION

[05:15:06]

THAT ALLOWS US TO NOT RELITIGATE THE PROGRAM.

I UNDERSTAND YOU THINK IT IS A WORTHY GOAL TO RELITIGATE THE ENTIRE PROGRAM. I'M HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU. IF YOU THINK THAT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE PROPOSED WE CAN PUT AN ITEM TO THAT EFFECT, COMMISSIONER ALSO IN THE FUTURE.

AND I MIGHT BE AND PERHAPS YOU AND I CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON THAT. I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT'S THE BEST MOVE TO -- I UNDERSTAND IT IS FLOODLESS, BUT SPEED IS OF THE ESSENCE. EVERYBODY HAS LIMITED TIME, EVERYBODY, FLOOD CONTROL AND OUR STAFF.

I WOULD RATHER THEY SPEND THE TIME FIGURING OUT WHAT THE NEXT PLAN IS AS OPPOSED TO THE CURRENT PLAN.

THAT'S JUST ME. IF OTHER FOLKS DISAGREE, YOU

KNOW, MAYBE I'M WRONG. >> I THINK THIS IS A VERY CHALLENGING QUESTION BECAUSE WE ARE STARTING WITH THE ISSUE THAT THERE ISN'T ENOUGH MONEY.

I AM PERSUADED THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE GOOD PROJECTS.

YOU LOOK AT THE BENEFITS PER DOLLAR AND THEY RANK VERY HIGHLY AND IT CAUSES ME TO REFLECT ON THE LIST WE HAVE AND SAY WE NEED TO DO MORE. THEY DON'T WANT TO CAT TAU GOR RICKLY REOPEN THE BOND PROGRAM.

SO IS THERE A WAY -- WE DON'T YET HAVE IN HAND THE MONEY TO FINISH THE PROGRAM WE HAVE. IS THERE A WAY TO IDENTIFY AN INCREMENTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDING TO GET THESE PROJECTS STARTED? AT LEAST SORT OF A DESIGN INITIAL PHASE WHILE WE WORK ON THE BALANCE OF THE FUNDING. IT MAY NOT BE AN ANSWER THAT EVERYONE LOVES, BUT IT MIGHT BE A WAY THAT IF THERE IS NOT SUPPORT TO OPEN THE BOND PROGRAM TO THE TUNE OF $190 MILLION, BUT I CAN HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA WITH CLEAR URGENCY THAT I WANT TO GET MOVING ON THESE PROJECTS.

MAYBE THAT'S A MIDDLE GROUND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL WORK WITH THAT. THE ONLY THING I WANT, MR. BERRY, IS THAT THE GOAL THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE REFERENCED EARLIER WAS A PAINFULLY SLOW CODE BREAKING PROCESS. THESE HOMES ARE AT RISK TODAY. I NEED A COMMITMENT FROM YOUR OFFICE THAT THEY WILL NOT BE OVERLY MOLASSESSED AS WE GO FORWARD. THERE IS A SENSE OF URGENCY AND I AM PUTTING IT IN FRONT OF YOU THAT WE HAVE TO ACT ON THIS. THE WHOLE PROCESS WE HAVE DONE IS SIMPLY TO UNDERSTAND AND NOW THAT I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF HOMES THERE IS 60% LESS WITH MORE FUNDING BEING SPENT AND IT IS JUST FRUSTRATING AND IT IS WASTEFUL

SPENDING. >> WE GO BACK TO WHAT EQUITY IS, RIGHT? SOME -- IN SOME BASIC SENSE IT IS ALIGNING DOLLARS TO NEED. IT IS WORKING TOWARD EQUAL OUTCOMES, RIGHT? AND I THINK WE ALL LEARNED THAT WHEN WE DO ANOTHER FLOOD BOND WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF THAT, OF PROVIDING DOLLARS AGAINST NEED.

THAT MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR TO ME AND TO OTHER STAFF THAT WE NEED MORE THAN A LIST OF PROJECTS.

WE NEED AN APPROACH THAT WILL HELP THE HIGHEST BENEFIT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE BROADER ISSUE IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHEN RUSS POPPY AND OTHERS WOULD PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA EVERY COUPLE WEEKS AND WE WOULD HAVE A BIG DISCUSSION ABOUT THE EQUITY GAPS. AND THEN WE WOULD FIND OUT BECAUSE ALL OF THESE PROJECTS WERE STARTED, MANY OF THEM DIDN'T GO THROUGH THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS CONTINGENCY FUND.

BECAUSE THERE WAS AN INTERIM PERSON, I LAID OFF FOR AWHILE.

Y'ALL HAVE SEEN ME GO ON A WARPATH.

I KNOW THE LEVERAGE OF GREENS AND HALLS.

IT GOT US A VERSION OF THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK AND I GOT THE

[05:20:02]

BEST LANGUAGE I COULD GET TO PUT ON THE BALLOT.

EVERYTHING -- EVERYBODY IS FOR EQUITY UNTIL YOU SPELL IT.

IT IS A GREAT WORD. IT WAS IN PLACES WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT SHOWS UP. WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE GUIDELINES AND WE ARE BACK IN THE WAY OF THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. IT IS ALL SLANTED TOWARD THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE ALWAYS BENEFITED.

AND WE ARE DIGGING A DEEPER HOLE IF WE DON'T GET THE MONEY WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR AND YOU LEAD TWO BIG ONES.

THAT I DO REMEMBER. GREENS AND HALLS.

WE WILL STAY DRY TOGETHER OR WE CAN ALL DROWNED AND WE WILL COME UP WITH SOME VERSION OF EQUITY LANGUAGE.

YOU ARE TELLING THE PEOPLE ALONG GREENS AND HALLS TO ENROLL -- REMEMBER THAT BOND? WE CAN ALWAYS GRAB SOME MONEY TO DO IT. IS DON'T GO TO MY PRECINCT.

THEY FLOOD EVERY TIME -- SOME OF THESE ARE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS WHY I THINK MAYBE TAKING A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. PART OF THE REASON WE ENDED UP IN THE SITUATION -- PART OF THE REASON.

PART OF THE REASON WAS BECAUSE THE BOND WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH AND PART OF THE REASON IS WE ARE KICK -- KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD ON THE GLO MONEY, ON THE MONEY WE WERE SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND US NOT BEING SURE WE WOULD RECEIVE THAT.

I TAKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT THAT WE CAN'T JUST GO BACK TO KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

AND MAYBE THAT GIVES EVERYBODY TIME TO REFLECT ON IF EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE RELITIGATED.

I EXPRESSED HOW I FELT ABOUT IT.

CAN YOU WORK ON A PROPOSAL FOR NEXT WEEK SO COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA, WE CAN REACH A RESOLUTION?

>> AND SOME OF THESE ISSUES WE WON'T RESOLVE IN TWO WEEKS BECAUSE IT IS SUCH LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY.

WHAT I THINK IS DOABLE IS TO WORK ON THE PROPOSAL TO GET THESE PROJECT THAT'S COMMISSIONER GARCIA OUTLINED MOVING. IS THERE A WAY TO GET THEM MOVING WITH FUNDING WHILE WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON GLO FUNDING OR OTHER FUNDING? WE CAN'T -- I MEAN, STAFF -- AT SOME POINT WE NEED CLEAR DIRECTION.

IF MONEY IS PROGRAMED TO ONE SET OF PROJECTS WE WILL PROCEED WITH THOSE PROJECTS, RIGHT? WE CAN SAY WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SOME FUNDING AND IT HAS COME WITH THE COSTS OF URN CERTAINTY.

DOSH DSH UNCERTAINTY, BUT -- UNCERTAINTY, BUT WE CAN GET SOME OF THE PROJECTS MOVING. THAT'S ALL I KNOW WHAT TO DO.

IF THERE IS NOT -- IF WE ARE NOT READY TO MOVE $191 MILLION, IS THERE AN AMOUNT TO GET THEM GOING?

>> AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYING IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO THAT -- I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IN TERMS OF MAKING A JUDGMENT AT SOME POINT THAT GIVES STAFF DIRECTION HERE IS THE CHALLENGE. NOTHING WOULD BE WORSE THAN TO START THE PROJECTS AND -- YOU KNOW WE HAVE THE FACILITY ISSUES AND WE HAVE FEDERAL JUSTICE AND EVERYONE NEEDS A NEW BUILDING SO WE DECIDE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE MEANTIME NOBODY CAN GET IN THE BUILDING.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT JUDGMENT CALL.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A TWO OF-PATH -- TWO-PATH PRO POSSIBLE -- PROPOSAL. PERHAPS THERE IS SOMETHING FOR

[05:25:03]

YOUR CONSIDERATION -- IF WE RECEIVE THE GLO FUNDING, THEN WE WOULD HAVE THE LEEWAY TO DO THIS AND THIS AND THIS.

WHICH ALLOWS THE DRAINAGE PROJECTS.

NOBODY IS LEFT BEHIND. THEY ARE YOU ARE REFUTE BELLY

LOW -- IT IS VERY CLEAR. >> JUDGE, I AM GOING TO ASK FOR A NEW ACTION ON THIS ITEM, BUT I WILL WANT TO ASK FOR -- I'M AFRAID IF WE LEAVE IT IT WILL SOUND VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE STARTED OFF AT. I WANTED TO SUBSTITUTE MY MOTION FOR DIRECTING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO BEGIN SOME PROJECT AS IDENTIFIED BY THIS FRAMEWORK SCORING CRITERIA AND THE PROJECTS THAT SCORE HIGHER THAN THE EXISTING PRIORITIZATION THAT YOU HAVE THAT FACT IN 30 DAYS.

THAT'S MY MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND

IT -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> YOUR MIC.

>> ARE YOU CLARIFYING WHICH ITEM THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 136. IT IS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR

ITEM 136. >> IT IS FOR BOTH ITEMS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. --

>> YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU HEAR

THE LANGUAGE FOR THE MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION IS TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE TO WORK WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO COME BACK WITH FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROJECTS THAT SCORE -- THAT IS A HIGHER PRIORITIZATION -- SCORE AND RANKING THAN -- AND ARE OUTSIDE THE 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN AND TO COME BACK WITH A FUNDING STRATEGY AND PLAN WITHIN 30 DAYS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND THAT.

CAN YOU MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE GRAMMATICAL ERRORS IN THERE? MAYBE THROW IN A COMMA.

WE DON'T WANT A RUN ON SENTENCE.

>> WE WILL GO BACK OVER AND LISTEN IN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL ASK MY STAFF FOR THE MOTION.

ALL FOUR PRECINCTS. >> NUMBER ONE IS THERE MAY BE A BETTER PROJECT OUT THERE THAN THOSE IN THE BOND PROGRAM. AND NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE LEANED HEAVILY, AS I THINK MOST PEOPLE DO, ON FLOOD PLAINS FOR DEFININGY NEED -- DEFINING NEED.

MANY ARE NOT ON THE FLOOD PLAIN.

I THINK WE NEED TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF STEERING MONEY IN THE DIRECTION OF ADDRESSING THOSE TWO ISSUES.

AM I CATCHING YOUR DRIFT? >> AND IF YOU HAVE TO GET SOME OUTSIDE EXPERT AND JUDGE I JUST LAID OFF ON MY TIRADES ON GREENS AND HALL SINCE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING FOR A NEW FLOOD CONTROL PERSON. IT WILL BE THERE.

WE ARE NEVER GONNA PASS ANYTHING IF I AM HERE AND I HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON ANYTHING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR THAT, BUT I SUGGEST YOU GET IT TO OUR OFFICE AT LEAST FOUR OR FIVE DAYS -- GIVE US FIVE DAYS BEFORE COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

WE ARE BUSY THREE DAYS BEFORE GETTING READY FOR COURT.

IF YOU COULD GET IT TO US A WEEK BEFORE COURT SO OUR STAFFS CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO DIGEST IT AND LOOK AT IT BEFORE WE ALL GET SWAMPED WITH COURT BUSINESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THEY GET IT TO US IN 30 DAYS WE DON'T

HAVE TO VOTE ON IT. >> WE WILL NEED THE 30 DAYS TO DO THE WORK, BUT WE WILL GET IT TO YOU WITHIN THEN.

[05:30:10]

>> IT IS A CRITERIA FOR MONIES TO GO INTO THIS RESILIENCY FUND. I WAS TOLD PROJECTS -- YOU KNOW, MONEY YOU DON'T NEED, THEY ARE CANCELED FOR GOOD REASONS AND WE CAN ALL OPERATE ON THE SAME TIMES.

>> I THOUGHT THE MAIN REASON FOR THE RESILIENCY FUND ON GREENS AND HALLS IN PARTICULAR. WE JUST STOPPED AND THEY PULLED THE RUG. THERE WAS A BIG REASON FOR THE RESILIENCY FUND. YOU GOT ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL SEE IF YOU CAN COME AND PULL ANOTHER RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT. I TAKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT THAT KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD IS NOT WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE. THANK YOU FOR RAISING THIS,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO DO

A RESOLUTION IN HIS HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, BEFORE WE GO ON SINCE WE HAVE ALAN, ALAN IF YOU CAN COME BACK O I THINK WE VOTE OWED THIS, BUT I WANT TO RAISE A CONCERN THAT I'VE GOT BECAUSE WE DID HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE USE OF THE WORD "CHROMINGS." "CORRUPTION." YESTERDAY MORNING ALL OF OUR OFFICES GOT AN EMAIL RELATED TO ITEMS 214 AND 215.

THIS IS MAKE SOMETHING SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS TO YOUR OFFICE, ALAN. THE RUMOR ON THESE PARTICULAR ITEMS HAVE BEEN CIRCULATING PRIOR TO YESTERDAY.

I HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND DISMISSED THEM UNTIL I GOT THIS ITEM. IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN EVERYBODY'S INBOX AND IT IS PRUDENT THAT WE TAKE AN ACTION. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW CREATE A SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR YOUR OFFICE AND ON WHAT IS RECOMMENDED AND NOT RECOMMENDED. THE NAME OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF IS ON THIS EMAIL AND YOUR REPUTATION AS STOUTH -- AS SUCH. THE DISCUSSION WAS TO CREATE A -- OR MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS A MORE TRANSPARENT SELECTION COMMITTEE THAT INCLUDES EVERYBODY AROUND THIS TABLE AND -- I DON'T LIKE ALLEGATIONS BEING MADE ABOUT ANYBODY. I DON'T LIKE THEM BEING MADE ON STAFF. IF THESE ITEMS END UP COMING BACK AND HAUNTING US IN SOMEWAY, IT WOULD BE A SAD DAY FOR US, ESPECIALLY IF WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT THIS SQUARELY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM LEFT.

MAYBE MY IN-- INBOX IS SO FULL WITH THE ELLIS PLAN.

ARE WE VOTING ON THIS TODAY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD THEM AT LEAST.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE EMAILS AND SEE THEM AT LEAST.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GET YOUR EMAIL DIRECT.

>> MIGHT I SUGGEST, I HAVE SPOKEN WITH ALAN ABOUT THIS AT LENGTH. I DO THINK EVERYTHING IS ON THE UP AND UP HERE, BUT IF THERE IS CONCERN I WOULD BE HAPPY TO REFER THESE PARTICULAR ALLEGATIONS TO INTERNAL AUDIT TO TAKE A LOOK TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS

NOTHING SUBSTANTIVE IN THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I STILL WANT TO LOOK AT THE SELECTION COMMITTEE PROCESS ON THIS.

[05:35:06]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I JUST WANT TO KNOW THE MWBE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A PROBLEM IF WE HOLD IT?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I SAW THE EMAIL TOO, COMMISSIONER.

IT IS THE KIND OF ACCUSATIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO BE CONCERNED. DAVID LOOKED INTO IT AND I THINK ALLEN DID TOO. I THINK IT IS WORTH CROSSING OUR T'S AND DOTTING OUR I'S. SO GOOD CATCH.

>> JUDGE, IF I MAY? THIS IS DWIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> I THINK I PASS BACK TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE THE ACTUAL POLICY THAT ALLOWS US TO ADVERTISE THESE PRONG JECTS AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

THAT'S WHY THEY ARE THERE NOW.

WE MISSED THE COURT DEADLINE. DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP THE JOB FOR ADVERTISING AND THEN WE WILL PICK AND -- PICK IT UP AND THEN READVERTISE IT WHEN WE DETERMINE WHAT TO DO?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S WHAT I REQUEST, DWIGHT.

IT IS NOT ON YOU OR YOUR OFFICE, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE A DEEP EVERY -- DEEPER DISCUSSION.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL PULL OUT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS PRETTY STANDARD PROTOCOL, BUT MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE PROTOCOL.

IT IS WORTH PAUSING TO BE SURE.

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

DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS WONDER FIGURE WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A

BREAK. >> JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S BREAK UNTIL 5:25.

>> JUDGE? I GUESS WHEN WE COME BACK?

>> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 5:32 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE ARE GOING TO ITEM 264.

>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. I JUST NEEDED CLARIFICATION.

WHAT WAS THE ITEM Y'ALL WANTED TO HOLD?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 214 AND 215. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION

RID. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S NO ACTION. WE WANT TO HOLD 214 AND 215

AND NO ACTION. >> THE 136 AND 322 WERE THE

MOTION YOU MADE EARLIER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS 264.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU FLAGGED THIS ONE.

DO WE HAVE MS. CHAN ON THE LINE?

>> HELLO COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, MS. CHAN. ITEM 264 HAS GOALS ARE ARE NOT BEING MET. YET, THIS ITEM IS STILL ON THE AGENDA. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU STILL DO NOT HAVE ANY POLICY THAT'S WOULD CREATE THE ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM TO OUR PROGRAM.

IS THAT KIND OF THE REASON WHY THIS GOT ON THE AGENDA?

>> NO, SIR. THESE WERE ACTUALLY REVIEWED FOR WMBE GOALS AND THE UTILIZATION PLAN WAS DETERMINED TO MEET THE UTILIZATION GOALS.

I HAVE DWIGHT ON THE LINE TOO SINCE HE WAS THE ONE WHO REVIEWED THESE TWO SPECIFIC PROJECTS.

WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT HOW WE ARE COUNTING GOALS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM TOLD -- JUST TO MAKE SURE I GOT MY INFORMATION CORRECT. I'M TOLD THAT THERE IS A 14% GOAL, BUT THE ACTUAL UTILIZATION IS 9%.

>> COMMISSIONER, IF I MAY, I CAN ADDRESS THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE COMING UP. THERE'S TWO PRONG -- PROJECTS HERE. BOTH OF THEM MET THE GOAL.

I THINK THE CONFUSION IS COMING IN IS FOR ONE OF THE PROJECTS THE PRIME CONTRACTOR IS AN MWBE AND THEY ARE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE WORK -- SELF-PERFORM WORK 25% AND GO TOWARD THE GOAL. THAT'S THE COMMUNICATION AND I AM NOT SURE IF THAT'S THE ISSUE COMING THROUGH.

THAT'S THE 9% ONE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE WAY THE DOCUMENTS WERE WRITTEN UP IS WE ALLOW UNDER THE CURRENT POLICY THAT CRIMES CAN BE COUNTED UP TO 25%.

THAT MAY BE THE DISCONNECT. I I WILL BE GLAD TO REVISIT THOSE. I AM GOING TO PASS THAT OVER TO THEM. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT

THAT IF YOU LIKE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY STAFF JUST CLARIFIED THAT SOME OF THE MWBE'S ARE NOT CERTIFIED

OR PENDING CERTIFICATION. >> CORRECT.

[05:40:03]

THAT'S ON THE ONES YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

FOR ONE OF THE VENDORS THAT HAD THE TWO PENDING AND THREE THAT WERE MWBE'S CERTIFIED AND THE PRIME SUBCONTRACTOR WHO IS A CERTIFIED MWBE, SO THEY MEET THE GOAL -- THEY CAN GO UP TO 25% OF THE WORK AND THEY ARE SELF-PERFORMING 85% OF THE WORK. THEY ARE MEETING IT AT 85% OR

BELOW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW FOR MWBE'S WHO ARE NOT CERTIFIED TO BE

COUNTED AS OUR GOAL? >> NO.

THEY ARE NOT BEING COUNTED, COMMISSIONER.

THEY ARE LISTED AS ANOTHER VENDOR, BUT NOT COUNTED TOWARD THE GOAL. THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.

THE PRIME CONTRACTOR WAS COVERING 25% OF THE GOAL AND THEN YOU HAD TWO FOR ANOTHER PERCENTAGE OF THAT GOAL.

THE PRIME IS ABLE TO COUNT TOWARD THE GOAL AND THE THREE THAT ARE NOT -- THE THREE THAT ARE ARE COUNTED, BUT THE TWO THAT WERE LISTED AS NOT CERTIFIED, THEY WERE NOT COUNTED TOWARD THE GOAL. THEY ARE JUST PERFORMING

CONTRACTING ON THE PROJECT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE MISS MISCOMMUNICATION IS COMING

IN. >> I DIDN'T GET A QUESTION SO I WOULD HAVE TRIED TO ANSWER IT AS BEST AS I COULD.

I THINK I'M DOING IT CORRECTLY, BUT IF I'M NOT, HAVE YOUR STAFF FEEL FREE TO GET WITH ME AND IF THERE IS AN ERROR OR CONCERN I WOULD BE GLAD TO ADDRESS IT WITH YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM CURIOUS, DWIGHT, ARE YOU ALL SHOWING -- I KNOW MR. BERRY TOLD ME YOU WERE GOING TO SHOW THE MWBE PARTICIPATION AND THE BACK UP ON THE AGENDA ITEM, ARE WE

DOING THAT YET? >> THE RCA SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE MWBE. THAT WAS SOMETHING WE WERE WORKING ON. IT MAY NOT BE ON THIS COURT.

MOVING FORWARD WE WILL PUT AN MWBE GOAL ON THE AGENDA ITEM TO SHOW THEM WHAT THE GOAL WILL BE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH DETAIL OTHER THAN WHAT THE GOAL WILL BE. WHATEVER THE COURT'S DESIRE IS IF WE CAN INCLUDE THAT ON THERE.

AND YOU ARE MOVING TOWARD THE DASHBOARD THAT IS COMING

SOON? >> YES, SIR.

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU KNOW THAT BROAD LIST OF PRINCIPALS WE ADOPTED? I WANT TO GIVE YOU ENOUGH TIME, BUT I WILL BE ASKING SOON. I'LL LET IT ROLL UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT IT WILL BE A NEW YEAR'S SURPRISE SO TRY TO

GET IT DONE. >> YES, SIR.

WE ARE ON TRACK TO GET YOU A PROM DESIGN -- A PROGRAM

DESIGN DOCUMENT TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA, ON THIS ITEM? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M GOOD WITH THIS ITEM. DWIGHT I WILL BE GETTING ON THE CALL WITH YOU AND MS. CHAN.

I THINK THERE IS A QUESTION ON THE PROCESS OF THIS.

I WANT TO GET WITH THE BOTH OF ON YOU A CALL WITH MY TEAM AND

LOOK AT THIS. >> YES, SIR.

I WILL BE GLAD TO JUMP ON THE CALL.

>> SAME. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF YOU NEED A MOTION I WILL MOVE ON THIS

ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION -- MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 303, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, I AM PULLING THAT ONE.

IT NEEDS MORE WORK SO I WILL PULL IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 329. IS THAT'S THE OPIOID SET --

SETTLEMENT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

I WILL MAKE THIS BRIEF BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS LATE.

WE ARE HERE TO SEEK APPROVAL WITH A SETTLEMENT OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND ITS AFFILIATES IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPIOID LITIGATION. THE COUNTY FILED SUIT AGAINST A NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS INCLUDING J AND J.

I'M SURE YOU HEARD ABOUT PURDUE'S BANKRUPTCY.

J AND J IS THE OTHER BIG DEFENDANT.

THEY ARE TRYING TO REACH A TEXAS-WIDE SETTLEMENT THAT WOULD BRING $290 MILLION INTO TEXAS.

HARRIS COUNTY WOULD GET A DIRECT SHARE OF THAT.

THAT'S $4 MILLION, 3.9 MILLION, BUT IT WOULD ALSO GET TO SHARE IN SOME OF THE MONEY THAT IS SET ASIDE FOR OPIOID UH -- UH BOITMENT COUNCILS AND HARRIS HEALTH WILL SHARE IN THAT PROGRAM. THERE IS ABOUT $180 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR THOSE COUNCILS. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT A NATIONAL SETTLEMENT THAT WAS BEING DISCUSSED IN THE MEDIA.

WE THINK THIS IS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR A NUMBER OF

[05:45:01]

REASONS. IT GIVES US THE MONEY -- IF YOU APPROVE IT TODAY IN THE NECK 30 DAYS -- IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS. THE OTHER IS THAT IT IS GUARANTEED. IT HAS BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION.

BECAUSE WE GET THE MONEY IN 30 DAYS, J AND J GOES BANKRUPT IN A FEW YEARS AND THAT WON'T AFFECT US.

AND IT IS CONTROLLED BY A LOCAL JUDGE AS OPPOSED TO A FEDERAL JUDGE IN OHIO THAT IS OVERSEEING THE NATIONAL LITIGATION HERE. WE SPOKE AT LENGTH WITH THE OUTSIDE COUNCIL IN THIS CASE. AND THEY BELIEVE THIS WAS A VERY GOOD DEAL FOR THE STATE. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS HAVE APPROVED THE SETTLEMENT.

BEXAR COUNTY'S COMMISSIONERS' COURT DID IT TODAY.

WE REQUEST THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT REQUEST IT TODAY.

IF YOU HAVE A MOTION OR IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE A MOTION, BUT HAVE I A PROPOSED ORDER THAT -- I HAVE A PROPOSED ORDER THAT WE SUBMITTED THE ITEM.

I THINK THE MOTION WOULD JUST BE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT WITH JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND CERTAIN AFFILIATES WITH CONNECTION WITH THE OPIOID LITIGATION AND TO APPROVE A RELEASE OF ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY'S CLAIMS AGAINST JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND THE AFFILIATES LISTED IN THE ORDER. I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. IF THERE ARE QUESTION THAT'S REQUIRE LEGAL ADVICE WE CAN DISCUSS THOSE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ON THE CONTENT OF THE SETTLEMENT I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE

NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GREAT JOB. THANK YOU.

>> GREAT JOB TO THE OUTSIDE COUNCIL WHO DID THE HEAVY

LIFTING. >> LINA HIDALGO: A QUICK ONE.

YOU MENTIONED THE 184 MILLION WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAMS. WHAT ABOUT THE 39 MILLION THAT GOES TO THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS?

>> YEAH. THE 3.9 MILLION THAT WE ARE GETTING, THAT'S A FRACTION OF THE 39 MILLION GOING TO THE SPLIT CALLING -- POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE NOT GETTING ANYTHING BEYOND THE

3.9. >> OUT OF J AND J, NO.

THE WAY IT IS SET UP -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER THIS, BUT THE LAST YEAR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE NEGOTIATED WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE TEXAS TERM SHEET AND IT BASS ESSENTIALLY AN AGREEMENT ON HOW MONEY WOULD BE DIVIDED AROUND THE STATE. THEY HAVE CASES AGAINST ALL OF THESE DEFENDANTS. AND THEY FEEL THEY CAN SETTLE WITH THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS AND WE WOULD HAVE A SYSTEM FOR DIVIDING UP THE MONEY. A PERCENTAGE WILL GO TO THE OPIOID ABATEMENT COUNCIL. THE 39 MILLION IS THE 15% AND WE GET A FRACTION OF THAT BAYSED ON THE POPULATION.

BASED ON THE POPULATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW MANY ARE COMPETING FOR THE 184 MILLION?

>> IT IS ANY ENTITY THAT HAS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM.

AND THERE IS A STATUTE OUT THAT WAS PASSED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT EXPLAINS HOW THE GRANT PROGRAMS ARE GOING TO BE SET UP. IT HASN'T BEEN SET UP BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST SETTLEMENT THAT TEXAS HAS REACHED.

AND THE COUNCILS WILL WORK ON THEIR PROCEDURES FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO APPLY FOR FUNDS. WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO EDUCATE THEM ON THAT.

THE HOSPITAL DISTRICTS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUNDS. THEY ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF ABATEMENT PROGRAMS. THE PROCESS WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE YOU HAVE AN ABATEMENT PROGRAM AND YOU CAN GO TO THE COUNCIL AND REQUEST A GRANT AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO

DISPERSE THAT GRANT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S EXCITING. GREAT.

THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SETTLEMENT WITH JOHNSON & JOHNSON?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THE AFFILIATES AS THE RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGAINST JOHNSON & JOHNSON AS LISTED IN SETTLEMENT.

MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 336 AND 338 BOTH ARE ON REDISTRICTING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THAT'S THE LAST ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE.

ANY COMMENTS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO.

I WAS JUST THINKING WE MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THE

ASTROS GAME. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

WE MIGHT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SINCE WE ALL MADE SPEECHES EARLIER, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT AT THIS STAGE IS I FIRST OF ALL NEED TO REPORT THAT I HEARD BACK FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND ALTHOUGH I HAD ONE OPINION THAT WAS EXPRESSED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH A MEMBER OF COURT AND GRAB THE ELBOWS AND SCRIBBLE IT ALL OUT. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID, NO, CAN'T DO THAT.

[05:50:01]

>> I THINK IT IS QUITE A FACT INTENSIVE INQUIRY.

IT DEPENDS ON THE SPECIFIC MATTERS AT HAND AND HOW THESE ITEMS ARE BEING NOTICED. I THINK THE RELEVANT CONSIDERATION HERE IS ALSO UNDERSTANDING FROM WHOMEVER YOU WANT TO SPEAK WITH WHETHER IF THEY WANT TO PRESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH ANOTHER MEMBER OF COURT THEY ALSO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH YOU.

I THINK IT IS -- I THINK YOU CAN --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL I CAN TALK TO SOMEBODY IF I WANT TO TALK TO SOMEBODY, BUT I CAN SEE THAT THERE IS SOME -- WHEN YOU ARE ON THE TWO-SIDE OF A 3-2 VOTE I CAN SEE MERITS IN HAVING DISCUSSIONS ON THE UNITY MAP.

I THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS PROPOSED STUFF FOR US TO CONSIDER. I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS PROPOSED STUFF FOR US TO CONSIDER AND I THINK THERE MAY BE ROOM SOMEWHERE OUT THERE TO WHERE INSTEAD OF THE PLAN B WHICH A WEEK OR TWO WAS THE WAY WE WERE GOING AND IT WAS ALL WHAT WE DID WITH THE TAX RATE AND WE WERE AT LEAST WITH THE RESOLUTION THAT WE COULD ALL BE HAPPY WITH OF SORTS.

THERE MAY BE SOME OF THAT MIDDLE GROUND.

TO THAT EX -- EXTENT, JUDGE, I WOULD SAY THAT I THINK THAT THERE IS ROOM TO DISCUSS. I MEAN THERE IS -- WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR, I GUESS IS LET'S START WITH A STARTING POINT OF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND WHAT MUST HE HAVE.

I THINK MY CONCERNS, AS I HAVE SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN REDUNDANTLY AND REPETITIVELY, I WAS QUITE CLEAR IN THE 20 MINUTES -- AND BY THE WAY, THANK YOU.

YOU GAVE ME 20 MINUTES OF UN -- UNINTERRUPTED TIME TO LAYOUT WHERE I WANTED TO GO AND WHAT MY CONCERNS WITH.

WHAT MY CONCERNS WERE. YOU ALL GAVE ME THE RESPECT TO LAYOUT WHERE I WAS COMING FROM AND I APPRECIATED THAT A WHOLE LOT. MORE THAN A WHOLE LOT.

I APPRECIATED IT VERY, VERY MUCH.

WITHIN THAT REALM THOUGH AND WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE MAYBE SAID EARLIER TO WHERE WE GET A LITTLE FUNDING MAYBE TO GO WITH SOME OF THE ADDED RESPONSIBILITY, I THINK THAT THERE IS ROOM TO WORK. AND I HAVE BEEN OUT SMARTED MANY A TIME, BUT I HAVE BEEN RARELY OUT WORKED.

I WILL DO MY BEST TO SERVE WHOEVER IT IS THAT'S WITHIN THE REALM. I DO THINK THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT MASSIVE CHANGES I DON'T FEEL ARE WHAT'S FAIR TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE SOME OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE SAID PEOPLE HAVE VOTED ON THE 5 OF US.

WE WERE ALLY LEBLGHTED -- WE WERE ALL ELECTED BY A POPULATION. MAKING BIG CHANGES I THINK THWARTS WHAT THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR.

WITHIN THE REALM OF MAKING THE CHANGES THAT ARE NECESSARY MY PROPOSED MAP WAS A POPULATION-ADJUSTED STATUS QUO. COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S IS A POLITICAL MAP ADJUSTED PER STATUS QUO IN TERMS OF POLITICAL POWER AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MAP WAS ONE THAT WAS DESIGNED IN HIS MAP 2. IT WAS DESIGNED WITH MORE OF HOW DO WE MAINTAIN SOME SERVICE THAT'S OUT THERE.

I THINK THAT WITH THE UNITY MAP BEING ADDED TO THE MIX, HERE WE HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROPOSITIONS.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT AND APPRECIATION FOR THE VERY FIRST ONE OUT OF THE BOX TO LAYOUT SOMETHING TO DISCUSS AND OFTEN TIMES THE ONE THAT PUTS OUT SOMETHING FIRST, THAT'S THE THING THAT EVERYBODY DOESN'T LIKE A LOT OF TIMES AND SO THANK YOU, AGAIN, COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR TAKING THE LEAD AND PUTTING SOMETHING OUT THERE.

DIDN'T LIKE IT, BUT I VERY MUCH APPRECIATED THAT YOU WERE THE FIRST ONE TO LAYOUT A PROPOSITION.

WITH THAT, JUDGE, I'M WILLING TO SIT HERE AND LISTEN AND TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING WITH MAYBE A COMBINATION OF THE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THE UNITY MAP AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I AM ON A TWO SIDE OF A 3-2 VOTE. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE. GIVE ME WHAT I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO IT AND LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH. AGAIN, I THINK -- SORRY.

I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MAP DID GET EVERYBODY OFF THE DIME AND GOT THEM IN THE BALLGAME.

SO THAT PART OF IT -- IT SERVED THE PURPOSE.

[05:55:05]

I WANT TO BE JUST AS BRIEF AS I CAN BE.

THIS UNITY MAP IS INTERESTING.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE PUT EFFORT INTO THAT. THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS IN TERMS OF PRECINCT 3, COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND THE UNITY MAP TALKED ABOUT THAT.

AND I'M CERTAINLY AN ADVOCATE OF KEEPING KEISD AND SPRING BRANCH ISD IN PRECINCT 3. THAT'S KIND OF A START.

IF THOSE TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THEY WERE REFERRED TO IN THE UNITY MAP AS COMMUNITIES OF SERVICE.

AND I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, JUDGE.

THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME IN TERMS OF THE CONTEXT AND THE COMMUNITIES OF SERVICE. IT IS NOT A PURELY POLITICAL THING. IT IS ACTUALLY ADDRESSING MY BIGGEST CONCERN IN THIS WHOLE DEAL.

HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY? SO THE UNITY MAP HAS MERIT.

OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE PORTIONS OF THAT THAT I THINK IS PROBLEMATIC, BUT A COMBINATION OF THE MAP THAT INCLUDES SPRING BRANCH AND KATY SPP ISD. THE GARCIA MAP NUMBER 2.

THE GARCIA MAP NUMBER TWO. LET ME MAKE SURE I GOT THAT RIGHT. THE GARCIA MAP IT IS ALL OF SPRING BRANCH ISD AND IT INCLUDES THOSE.

THAT'S PRETTY CLOSE TO WHAT YOU PUT OUT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT IS YOU AND I'S TAKE ON PRECINCT ONE'S IDENTITY. IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR GARCIA 1 AND LOOK AT RAMSEY'S DEMONSTRATION, WE ARE SPOT ON.

WE'RE PRETTY CLOSE IF NOT SPOT ON ON 2.

HERE YOU AND I ARE MATCHING UP ON 2, 1 AND NOW YOU HAVE -- YOURS IS A BIT DIFFERENT AND THERE IS SOME TWEAKING THERE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THAT. AND ON YOUR ONE -- SO YOUR ONE AND MINE GOT POSTED LAST NIGHT.

AND THERE IS ROOM THAT YOU AND I AND THE OTHER COMMISSIONER CANS FIGURE OUT. THERE IS -- COMMISSIONERS CAN FIGURE OUT. I THINK IT GIVES A PLACE TO START BECAUSE IF YOU AND I ARE IN AGREEMENT ON YOUR PRECINCT ONE AND WE ARE ON 3, THE ONLY THINGS YOURS DOESN'T HAVE, I'M NOT IN MY PRECINCT. I KNOW THAT WAS -- OKAY.

PUT ME IN MY PRECINCT. WHEN YOU ADDRESS THE SPRING BRANCH, I HAVE TO BE IN MY PRECINCT BECAUSE I'M IN THE SPRING BRANCH. IF YOU LOOK AT THE SPRING BRANCH, THAT WOULD ACCOMPLISH I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS IN THE ELLIS MAP. I DIDN'T TOTALLY THROW OUT THE ELLIS MAP. THERE ARE CERTAIN PARTS OF THAT THAT ARE ALL SPRING BRANCH AND ALL KATY SPP ISD.

YOU HEARD ME SAY THAT THREE TIMES.

INCLUDING ME AND MY PRECINCT. AND WE ARE GETTING PRETTY CLOSE TO WHERE I'M GOOD. THERE ARE DETAILS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING SURE EVERYTHING IS TAKEN CARE OF.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IT WOULD BE -- YOU HEARD THIS BEFORE.

WEST VIEW, BELAIR AND THERE MAY BE REASONS THAT WOULD FIT WELL IN THE PRECINCT. WHAT I FOUND WORKING WITH THESE MAPS FOR THE LAST 10 DAYS AND WHEN YOU TRY AND MAKE ALL OF THESE NUMBERS WORK THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER ONE TO CONSIDER AT SOME POINT. I HAVE LAID OUT AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR IMPORTANT THINGS. BY DOING FROM -- BY DOING THAT YOU ARE ADDRESSING MY DEFENSE NEED THAT I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN FACILITIES SO WE CAN SERVE PEOPLE. WE DO THE KATY AND SPRING BRANCH AND PUT ME IN MY PRECINCT.

SO A COMBINATION BETWEEN THE RAMSEY 2 WHICH I PUT UP LAST

[06:00:01]

NIGHT, THE GARCIA 1, YOU CAN GET AN IDEA OF MAYBE WHAT WE

CAN WORK ON FOR PRECINCT 3. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND JUDGE, IN LIGHT OF THAT IN TERMS OF SERVICE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE RAMSEY 1 AND YOU LOOK AT THE GARCIA -- I MEAN THE RAMSEY 2 AND THE GARCIA 1 THERE IS THIS FINGER THAT GOES FROM PRECINCT 4 OUT INTO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S AREA WHICH HE'S GOT A BIG SERVICE CENTER RIGHT OFF CLAY ROAD OVER THERE THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE. I THINK HE WOULD BE SERVING A LOT OF THAT AREA. IT IS NOT ALL OF THAT AREA.

I AM TALKING ABOUT THE AREA HE MARKED OFF ON HIS BATH.

YOU LOOK AT THE RAMSEY MAP AND WE HAVE OUR MAJOR SERVICE CENTER UP THERE THIS TOMBALL THAT CAN HANDLE IT.

AND IF WE USE THE BORDERS BETWEEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND PRECINCT 4 ON THIS MAP, IT MAKES MORE SENSE IN TERMS OF SERVICE WHERE HIS MAJOR ROAD CAMPS ARE AND WHERE PRECINCT

4'S MAJOR ROAD CAMPS ARE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF I REMEMBER THERE WAS A DISCUSSION LAST TIME, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND YOU BROUGHT UP THIS POINT OF A STATUS QUO MAP AND YOU ASKED FOR TWO MAPS. IS THAT THESE MAPS -- I GUESS I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WENT OVER THIS EARLIER TODAY.

>> NO. WE JUST DID THE SPEAKERS,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WOULD YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT THE -- WHERE YOU WERE COMING FROM

WITH THIS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SURE.

I JUST SIMPLY WANTED TO TAKE A LOOK AND -- MR. ANGLE, I JUST -- I REQUESTED MR. ANGLE TO DO TWO MAPS.

ONE WAS BASED ON WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE PROPOSED, HIS MAP THAT HE DID NOT DRAW. WE DETERMINED THAT AT THE LAST MEETING. AND THEN WHAT A STATUS QUO MAP WOULD LOOK LIKE. YOU PROVIDED THAT.

THAT'S GARCIA ONE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS REFERRING TO.

AND THEN I ASKED FOR WHAT A CORE DEMOCRATIC MAP WOULD LOOK LIKE. AND WHAT THE DATA BEHIND ALL OF THAT WOULD LOOK LUKE -- WOULD LOOK LIKE.

THAT'S THE SECOND MAP I REQUESTED.

I WILL JUST GO BACK TO MY ORIGINAL QUESTION ABOUT THE MAPS THAT YOU HAVE DRAWN FOR ME, THEY DIDN'T MEET THE EIGHT-POINT CRITERIA THAT THIS COURT PASSED.

>> IN MY VIEW THEY DO FROM THE STANDPOINT OF HOLDING COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST TOGETHER.

THE STATUS QUO MAP DOESN'T -- IT DOESN'T REALLY FULLY REFLECT THE POLITICAL CHANGES IN THE COUNTY OVER THE DECADE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE COUNTY HAS BEEN CARRIED BY DEMOCRATS CONSISTENTLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL ELECTIONS.

AND SO A 2-2 MAP WHILE A POLITICAL STATUS QUO.

AND THEY WOULD LIKELY ELECT TWO REPUBLICANS AND TWO DEMOCRATS. THAT PROBABLY IS THE ONLY THING IN THE TWO MAP THAT'S IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE CRITERIA AND IT DOESN'T QUITE REFLECT THE DEMOCRATIC NATURE OF THE

COUNTY IN THE LAST DECADE. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST A COUPLE.

UNDER COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S MAP, WHAT WOULD BE THE THE MAKE UP OF THAT IN TERMS OF VOTING PATTERNS?

2-2? >> WELL, IT WOULD BE PROBABLY 2.5. YOU RUN A RISK IN THE CAGLE MAP OF LOSING DISTRICT 2. IT LEAVES IT VERY, VERY VULNERABLE. IT IS NOT A STATUS QUO MAP.

YOU WOULD HAVE A VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANCE OF IT BEING 1-3, ONE DEMOCRAT AND THREE REPUBLICAN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON A GOOD DAY --

>> YEAH. IF YOU --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU ARE HAVING TO --

>> IF YOU HAVE HAVING TO CALCULATE WHAT YOU THINK HAPPENED IN A NORMAL CYCLE YOU RUN A RISK OF THAT MAP RESULTING IN A THREE-REPUBLICAN AND ONE

DEMOCRAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WHAT ABOUT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MAP?

LIKELY TO BE A 2-2 MAP. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW IT IS LATE AND WE WANT TO GET TO THE GAME SO I AM NOT GOING TO GO

[06:05:03]

THROUGH THE PRESENTATION I WENT THROUGH BEFORE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: COULD I ASK A QUESTION? I THINK IT IS TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE ONE OF -- AT THE ONE I POSTED, THE RAMSEY 2 DEMONSTRATION MAP, I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT THAT MAKES -- THAT IS MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN MY CURRENT

PRECINCT. >> THAT'S CORRECT, BUT IT STILL LIENS REPUBLICAN. STILL LEANS REPUBLICAN.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE CAN LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND ONCE YOU GET IN IT, THE JOURNEY LEADS

WITH YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DID NOT PUT A PARTISAN MAP OUT THERE.

THE CRITERIA THAT I WAS GIVEN IS AROUND COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST. I WILL SAY IT FOR A FIFTH TIME, SPRING BRANCH AND KATY ISD, HOW YOU ALL ATTACH OTHER COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

MY PRECINCT MAKES MORE SENSE WITH KATY AND SPRING BRANCH IN THERE PARTICULARLY THAN ANYBODY'S ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST GOING FORWARD AND COMPLEMENTS THE FACILITY SITE. THERE MIGHT BE WAYS TO ADJUST THAT. I DON'T WANT THAT DISMISSED AS A PURE PARTISAN BECAUSE IT IS NOT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT TO ARGUE THE POINT, BUT -- SO WHEN I TAKE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES AND PUT THEM TOGETHER, SOMEHOW THERE IS A TENDENCY TO TRY TO DISMISS THAT AS PARTISAN. WHEN YOU DON'T PUT THEM TOGETHER, THEN THAT'S IN SOME PEOPLE'S MIND NON-PARTISAN.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF GENERAL COMMENTS.

ONE, I HAVE ASKED BASED ON THE INPUT THAT I HAVE GOTTEN.

I ASKED MY STAFF TO WORKUP SOME IDEAS AND ASK FOR SOME ADDITIONAL MAPS. WE WILL JUST SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE. I HOPE OTHERS ARE DOING THAT AS WELL. I DO THINK WE NEED TO NOT KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD. I HOPE TO COME IN ON THURSDAY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

I DO WANT TO SAY THIS. PEOPLE VOTED ON THE BASIS OF WHAT THEY COULD VOTE ON. WHEN WE SAY THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR US, THEY VOTED IN THE PRECINCTS THEY COULD VOTE IN.

THOSE LINES WERE DRAWN TO ACCOMPLISH A CERTAIN PURPOSE.

AND THEY DID. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF CHOICES. AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT AS COMFORTABLE AS THESE SEATS ARE, THESE ARE NOT OUR SEATS. THEY REALLY DO BELONG TO THE PUBLIC. OLD BRANDON HICKS WHEN I TELL THE STORY, I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER I PULLED MY FAMILY TOGETHER AND SAID I AM GOING TO RUN FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER WHO IS IN COLLEGE DAUGHTER SAID WHAT IS THAT? I EXPLAINED IT TO HER AND SHE SAID THAT IS NICE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

SHE SAID WILL WE KEEP OUR NICE OFFICE IN THE CAPITOL? I SAID, WELL, NO, BECAUSE IT IS NOT OUR OFFICE.

I WANT TO DISAVOW THAT NOTION.

SHE SAID WILL WE KEEP OUR NICE APARTMENT IN THE HIGHRISE? I SAID, NO. I WON'T BE IN AUSTIN.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT AS WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS CAMP OR THAT FACILITY, THAT MAKES THE BROADER DISCUSSION IMPORTANT ABOUT WHY DO WE DO THINGS ON ALL OF THE MAPS? PRECINCT ONE, I TEH GREAT -- IT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT BECAUSE THERE IS A CURVE AROUND AND I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ONE OF YOUR PRECINCTS TO JUST TAKE A BREAK.

I JUST WANT TO STOP. IF I AM GOING SOMEWHERE IN MY PRECINCT AND I WANT TO STOP AND GET A SNACK, I HAVE TO RUN THROUGH ONE OF YOUR PRECINCTS WITH THE NARROW LINES THAT I HAVE. ALL OF THE CAMPS ARE OUT SOMEWHERE. ALL OF THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT IN WHATEVER WE DO. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE PRINCIPAL FOR ME SHOULD BE TO REFLECT THE VALUES, THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OUT THERE.

AND YOU CAN DECIDE IT BY A MONKEY POLL IF YOU WANT TO.

YOU MARRIED -- YOU HEARD MY LINE, THE DRINK, THE BRASS MONKEY, MAKE YOU ACT LIKE A MONKEY? YOU CAN GO AND TALK TO PEOPLE ON THE STREET.

BUT HOW THEY VOTE IS SOME INDICATION OF HOW THEY FEEL.

THAT'S ABOUT AS SCIENTIFIC AND ACADEMIC AND AS MUCH REAL WORLD AS YOU CAN COME UP WITH.

IN THIS COUNTY FOR TWO DECADES THEY HAVE TENDED TO VOTE DEMOCRATIC. OTHERS MAY DANCE AROUND WHAT THEY DO WITH THEIR MAPS AND TALK ABOUT A HIGH SCHOOL OR AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE QUALITY OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS,

[06:10:01]

UNFOFORT NATALIE, IS A -- UNFORTUNATELY, IS A POLITICAL PROCESS WHEN THE DECISION IS MADE.

IT IS NOT A -- IT IS BASED ON PEOPLE'S VALUES AND TO SOME EXTENT THEY EXPRESS AND WE EXPRESS OUR VALUES BY WHICH EVER GROUP WE TEND TO UH FELL EAT -- AFFILIATE WITH.

I WILL COME UP WITH ANOTHER VERSION AND I HOPE YOU ALL DO AND I HOPE WE CAN ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND GET SOMETHING DONE

ON THURSDAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, TOWARD THAT END IF I CAN MAKE A REQUEST OF MR. ANGLE, IF YOU CAN CREATE A G/R MAP THAT WOULD BE -- ON THE R SIDE WOULD BE RAMSEY'S MAP IN TERMS OF THE BORDER WITH ME -- WITH MINE AND THEN THE G SIDE BEING WHAT IT IS THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD LIKE TO HAVE WHERE OUR BORDERS MERGE AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MAPS THAT THROW IN AND OUT -- THAT FLOW IN AND OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A G/R MAP. SO THAT IS ACCORDING TO RAMSEY 2 AND A BORDER WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA BEING -- MAYBE NOT DIRECTLY WHAT HE HAS GOTTEN IN THESE OTHER MAPS.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A TWEAK OR TWO AS THE POPULATION GETS ADJUSTED, BUT TO BE THE MAP HE IS MOST COMFORTABLE IN TERMS OF HIS SURFACE CRITERIA ON THE EASTSIDE.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR IT WOULD BE THE RAMSEY 2 AND THE GARCIA

1? >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THEY ARE FAIRLY SIMILAR WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I AM NOT TRYING TO CUT COMMISSIONER ELLIS OUT. SINCE I AM IN THE MIDDLE, CAN I HAVE WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS WANTING OR NOT WANTING, AND WHAT WE CAN DO WITH REGARD TO THE RAMSEY 2 ON THAT BORDER, I THINK WE MAY HAVE A GOOD SPOT FOR

DISCUSSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST TO HELP WITH MY FRAME OF MIND AND TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHAT I'M GONNA BE ZEROING IN ON NOW THAT I HAVE TWO MAPS AND NOW THAT EVERYBODY'S GOT A MAP SUBMITTED, AT LEAST FOR MY PURPOSES, I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS FAIR TO ASK, BUT THE STATS -- THE STATUS QUO MAP THAT I REQUESTED AS A RESULT OF COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S DISCUSSION IS THERE -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS IS. DO WE SAY, OKAY, EVERYBODY, I AGREE THIS IS A STATUS QUO MAP? OR DO WE JUST TAKE AN INFORMAL POLL AROUND THE TABLE TO SAY WE AGREE THAT THE -- WE AGREE WITH THE STATUS QUO MAP?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK WE CAN AGREE THAT YOUR MAP IS THE POLITICAL STATUS QUO. I THINK THE MAP I PROPOSED WAS A POPULATION, SMALLEST TWEAK YOU CAN WITH REGARD TO POPULATION. I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE OR ANYTHING. I THINK WHAT MR. ANGLE SAID IS CORRECT THAT THE GARCIA 1 WAS THE POLITICAL STATUS QUO.

IT CHANGES THE BORDERS A PARAMOUNT, BUT IT KEEPS THE

POLITICS THE SAME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND DO YOU

AGREE WITH THAT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK IT DOES KEEP THE POLITICS PRETTY CLOSE.

THE GARCIA 1 KEEPS THE POLITICS CLOSE.

I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR THAT I FEEL THAT THE POPULATION BEING KEPT THE CLOSEST TO THE WAY IT IS CURRENTLY IN TERMS OF A POPULATION AND IN FACT MY POPULATION ADJUSTED STATUS QUO MAP ACTUALLY IMPROVED PRECINCT 2'S PERFORMANCE.

IT STILL KEPT YOU, WHAT MR. ANGLE SAID -- NOT COMMISSIONER -- YOU CALLED IT ON THE EDGE OR -- --

>> YEAH. ON THE FRINGE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON THE FRINGE.

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY, CLEARLY STATUS QUO DEFINED AS TWO DEMOCRATS AND TWO REPUBLICANS. THAT'S WHAT THE GARCIA MAP WOULD DO. IN TERMS OF STATUS QUO AND LOOKING AT THE OVERALL COUNTY, THE OVERALL COUNTY IS MORE

DEMOCRATIC THAN 2. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TO BE CLEAR, I DID ASK FOR A POLITICAL STATUS QUO.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULD THAT BE

MINE? >> 3-1, THE ELLIS MAP WOULD MORE REFLECT OVERALL WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY.

[06:15:05]

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT WAS THE QUESTION I ASKED AT THE THURSDAY MEETING. ARE WE SHOOTING FOR A 3-1, OR ARE WE TALKING ABOUT A 2-2? IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A 2-2, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT TWO SAY DEMOCRATS PRE SINKS -- PRECINCTS AND TWO REPUBLICANS AND WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SAFE IS. OR DO WE TALK ABOUT TWO -- ONE IS IN PLAY OR WHATEVER? I THINK WE DO NEED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION BEFORE WE CAN GET ANYWHERE CLOSE TO A MAP THAT MAKES SENSE TO US. IF WE ARE ALL WORKING FOR DIFFERENT ENDS, WE ARE NOT GONNA GET THERE.

WE'LL END UP APPROVING THE MAP ON THURSDAY AND THAT IS A BIT RUSHED. IF WE ARE WORKING TOWARD A 2-2, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, STATUS QUO, THEN THAT WOULD NOT TAKE THAT LONG TO GET THERE. IF WE ARE WORKING TOWARD SOMETHING OTHER THAN A 2-2, THAT'S PROBABLY GONNA TAKE -- WELL, I'M NOT SURE WE GET THERE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT? IT DEPENDS ON HOW ONE DEFINES STATUS QUO. WHEN I MAKE REFERENCE -- SOMETIMES SNB MAKES A -- SOMEBODY MAKES A REFERENCE TO STATUS QUO AND YOU TALK ABOUT THE POLITICAL OR THE VOTING PATTERNS IN THE COUNTY. WHAT ARE THE VOTING PATTERNS

IN THE COUNTY? >> IT HAS BECOME MORE

DEMOCRATIC OVER THE DECADE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS IT FAIR TO SAY IN A COUNTY WITH 4.8 MILLION PEOPLE, THREE DEMOCRATIC PRE SINKS AND I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE JUDGE.

SHE IS AT LARGE. THREE DEMOCRATIC PRECINCTS WOULD REPRESENT THE POLITICAL STATUS QUO?

>> IN MY OPINION, YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE TALK ABOUT STATUS QUO IN TERMS OF WHAT WE HAVE NOW, WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF ARGUMENT ABOUT THAT.

IT IS 2-2. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE THAT OUT. OBVIOUSLY WHAT HAPPENS DEPENDS ON THE QUALITY OF THE CANDIDATE.

YOU ALL ARE HERE SO YOU ARE VERY CAPABLE CANDIDATES OF LUCK. CANDIDATES.

LUCK, SOMETIMES THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT AS WELL. I WOULDN'T ARGUE ABOUT WHAT THE STATUS QUO IS IN TERMS OF WHO IS HERE NOW.

WE CAN ALL COUNT. I WOULD GO INTO A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW PEOPLE VOTE IS SOME INDICATION OF THEIR

PREFERENCES. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE STATUS QUO MAP SO TO SPEAK HAS BEEN DRAWN AND IT IS GARCIA 1?

>> STATUS QUO DEFINED AS WHAT WOULD RE -- RETAIN TWO DEMOCRATS AND TWO REPUBLICANS ON THE COURT.

IN MY VIEW THAT'S WHAT THE GARCIA MAP WOULD DO.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THE STATUS QUO THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA PUT TOGETHER MAKES PRECINCT 2 A MUCH MORE DEMOCRAT PRECINCT.

SO IT IS NOT EXACTLY THE PRECINCT THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS NOW. I WOULD CALL IT ENHANCED.

IT IS NOT WHAT HE HAS NOW. YOU ARE TAKING A PRECINCT 2 AND LOOKING AT HOW PEOPLE VOTE AND OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS EITHER WE ARE GOING TO COME BACK HERE THURSDAY AND DECIDE THAT WE ARE GOING TO NOT PUT MUCH VALUE IN WHAT I CONSIDER COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST SUCH AT KDISD AND SPRING BRANCH ISD AND THERE IS A GEOGRAPHIC CONTENT THAT MAKES SENSE THAT I THINK COMPLEMENTS SOME OF THE POLITICS OF IT ALL. IF WE COME BACK HERE ON THURSDAY WITH THE INTENT OF CREATING THREE DEMOCRAT PRECINCTS AS OUR CONSULTANT IS TELLING US TO DO, THAT WOULD

BE A PROBLEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SUGGEST THAT IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHY OUR GOVERNMENT REQUIRES US TO DO THIS, BECAUSE THE POPULATION WENT UP.

IT IS A -- IF THE POPULATION HAD GONE DOWN AND WE ARE DRAWING THE LINES, I WOULD SEE YOUR POINT.

I'M SAYING YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IT IS A COUNTY OF 4 POWN -- 4.8 MILLION PEOPLE AND MORE PEOPLE COMING IN.

[06:20:03]

YOU HAVE TO REFLECT IN TERMS OF STATUS QUO -- WE HAVE TO

PUT THEM SOMEWHERE. >> TOM RAMSEY: THE INTERESTING THING IS PRECINCT 3 IS THE ONE THAT GREW THE MOST.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 100,000 PEOPLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IS GREW THE MOST.

>> RODNEY ELLIS:

WITH ME. >> TOM RAMSEY: MAYBE, MAYBE NOT. THEY MAY AGREE WITH ME.

AND THAT WOULD BE THE ONE IMPACTED THE MOST, COMMISSIONERS, CLEARLY. YOU HAVE TO SAY -- EVERYBODY IS AGREED TO SAVE 2 AND EVERYBODY HAS AGREED TO SAVE 1. REALLY YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE PRECINCT 4 AS SAFE AS YOU CAN.

WHAT WE RAY -- WHAT WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT AND I HAVE BEEN THE MOST VOCAL ON THE COURT, THE ONE THAT IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED MOST AND -- IS THE ONE THAT GREW THE MOST AND HAD THE MOST POPULATION.

IT WILL BE RECONFIGURED AS OUR CONSULTANT HAS SAID TO BE A DEMOCRAT PRECINCT. I HOPE WE CAN DO BETTER THAN

THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT WAS ONLY UNDER THE PLAN I SUBMITTED. THE FACT IS I TOOK INTO ACCOUNT -- I THINK IT MAY BE OLD SCHOOL, BUT I WAS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT SENIORITY. LOOK, ONE OF THE -- THE DEFINITION WE HAD IN OUR PRINCIPALS WE VOTED ON FOR COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST IS COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST ARE TALKING ABOUT POSSIBLE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PRINCIPALS OF THIS PRINCIPAL. AND THERE IS SOCIAL AND GEOGRAPHIC POPULATION OF AREAS CONSIDERED.

COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MATTERS OF SHARED PUBLIC POLICY CONCERNS OF URBAN AND RURAL AND AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL AND MEDIA MARKET OR TRADE AREAS AND SHARED SUCH AS EDUCATION AND TRANSPORTATION.

WE MADE IT BROAD ENOUGH, WHAT WE ALL AGREED TO.

I WILL SAY I HEARD A LOT OF THE COMMENTS ABOUT THE NEED FOR MORE COMPACTNESS. YOU KNOW, I TRIED TO GROUP COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AS I DEFINED THEM AS BEST I COULD.

OTHERS MAY HAVE OTHER IDEAS ON IT.

I WILL JUST SAY SEND THEM TO THE MAP MAKER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. WHEN THEY COME BACK, GIVE US THE MAKE UP. THERE IS NO GUESSING.

NOT ONLY WAS I FIRST AND COMPLETE, BUT WE LAID EVERYTHING OUT. THERE IS NO GUESSING.

IT IS NOT BASED ON WHAT RODNEY THOUGHT.

WE HAD THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS THERE.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING AND THAT'S WHY I POSTED THIS ITEM TODAY SO WE CAN HAVE MORE OF THIS DISCUSSION IN PUBLIC AND

YOU DID AS WELL. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND THAT'S WHY I PUT THIS OUT IN TERMS OF THE MAP.

I AM REFERENCING THE UNITY MAP THAT WAS SUBMITTED.

TAKING THE GOOD INPUT THAT WE HAVE IN THE PROCESS AND TRYING TO BE SURE ALL OF THAT IS ON THE TABLE, BUT WHEN OUR CONSULTANT IS COMMITTED TO THREE DEMOCRAT PRECINCT --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S WHAT I HEARD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS BASED ON WHAT I IS A -- ASKED

THOM -- >> TOM RAMSEY: YOU ASKED THE QUESTION AND THE QUESTION WAS IN YOUR OPINION THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE OF HARRIS COUNTY IS THREE DEMOCRAT PRE

SINKS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: BASED ON THE

VOTING. >> YES.

BUT THE MAP I CON FIGURED IS DONE FOR THE COMMISSIONERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF VALUE TO THE ENGAGE -- ENGAGEMENT THAT EVERYONE HAS DONE, BUT THE COALITION OF COMMUNITY GROUPS HAS DONE.

IS IT POSSIBLE -- AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS YOUR ROLE OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ROLE AS MAPS ARE SUBMITTED AND IT SOUNDS LIKE PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON OTHERS FOR THESE FOLKS TO BE GIVEN A HEADS UP OR JUST GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY OKAY BASED OFF OF RAMSEY WOP -- RAMSEY 1 OR RAMSEY 2.

ONE OF THE THINGS I FIND INTERESTING IS THIS CONNECTION HERE. IT KEEPS THE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST TOGETHER, BUT IT DOSES -- IT DOES SO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. I WONDER WHY THEY DID THAT.

PERHAPS THERE IS A COMMUNITY RIGHT HERE THAT FEELS STRONGLY

[06:25:03]

ABOUT STAYING TOGETHER. OR PERHAPS IT WAS AN ARTISTIC LICENSE. I DON'T KNOW.

IT IS UNIQUE THAT THESE FOLKS HAVE REPRESENTATIVES IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND HAVE COME TOGETHER.

I WONDER IF AS YOU DRAW UP MAPS TO GIVE THEM A HEADS UP AND SAY, HEY, BUILDING OFF OF RCF3, -- THE GARCIA 3 AND THE RAMSEY 3 AND ELLIS 3, OR WHATEVER EACH SUBMIT, DO THEY

HAVE ADDITIONAL INPUT. >> JUDGE, WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT I HAVE LOOKED CLOSELY AT THAT AND TRIED -- I HAVE TAKEN SOME INFLUENCE OVER IT. IT IS NOT JUST THAT MAP, BUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SUBMITTED -- AND IN LOOKING AT IT WHAT I HAVE TRIED TO DO IS TO CON FIGURE THE MAPS AS REQUESTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THAT WAS MY ROLE TO DO THAT. I TRIED TO PROVIDE BACK TO THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT WHAT THEY ASKED FOR.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SO WHAT IS THE NUMBER THAT IS TRYING TO BE ACHIEVED? I COULD SIT HERE AND WEAR EVERYBODY OUT ON GEOGRAPHIC AND IT IS ALL OF WHAT YOU MENTIONED RELATED TO SCHOOLS AND OTHER KINDS OF INTEREST, LEGITIMATE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IF THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS HOW THEY VOTED IN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NUMBER IN THE PRECINCT TO MATCH THAT, IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE -- REAL NICE TO KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER IS SO WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE SHOOTING FOR SO I AM NO

SHOOTING IN THE DARK. >> THAT IS A DECISION FOR THE

COURT. >> I AM NOT SHOOT FORGET A NUMBER. I AM NOT SHOOTING FOR A NUMBER. IT IS WHAT THE BREAK DOWN

MIGHT BE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, OBVIOUSLY THIS COURT WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

IT APPEARS PRETTY CLEAR TO ME WHAT DECISION THE COURT MADE A DECADE AGO. THAT DECISION WAS TO HAVE THREE DISTRICTS THAT WERE STRONGLY GONNA VOTE FOR REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONERS. IN SOMEWAY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO WITH THE PROPOSAL IS UNDO WHAT I WOULD REFER TO AS A SENSE OF THE PAST. THAT WAS NOT THE MAKE UP OF HOW PEOPLE ARE VOTING IN TERMS OF PATTERN HERE.

I WASN'T HERE AND I WOULD SAY OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS IT HAS BEEN THAT MUCH. WE HAVE TO SORT THAT OUT THAT EACH PERSON WILL DECIDE WHERE THEY FALL.

I HAVE BEEN CANDID. I DO WANT TO ASK OUR LAWYER A FEW QUESTIONS AT SOME POINT ABOUT BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE WHERE DO MOST PEOPLE END UP WITH MAPS SHOT DOWN IN COURT BY WHATNOT TO DO? I WATCHED A LITTLE OF THE COURT MEETING IN DALLAS THE OTHER DAY, AND I JUST ASKED THAT FROM HAVING TO GO UP TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT UNDER OATH IN 1984 AND BEING ON THE STAND.

WHAT IS MOST LIKELY TO BLOW THIS UP? I HAVE NO IDEA WHOSE POSITION OR WHEN OR IF IT WAS JUST A UNANIMOUS POSITION. BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE WHAT

SHOULD WE AVOID. >> BASED ON WHAT I HEARD SO FAR, AND AT LEAST UP UNTIL THIS MOMENT, THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS DRAWING THE LINES ON THE BASIS OF RACE.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS STRUCK DOWN AND SO CONTINUING THE LINES BASED ON THE RACE OF THE CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON OF MY EXPERIENCE THE MAPS ARE STRUCK DOWN. PART OF WHAT I AM HERE TO DO IS MONITOR THE COURT AND STEP IN OR SPEAK UP IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN. UP TO THIS POINT PEOPLE HAVE POKED US FOR NON-MOTIVATION REASONS.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF US I INCLUDED TO HAVE A POLITICAL JERRYMANDERING STANDARD. THAT WAS A CASE TO THE SUPREME COURT OUT OF TEXAS AND THERE IS ONE OUT OF WISCONSIN AND PENNSYLVANIA TO PUT GUARDRAILS OF POLITICS BEING PART OF IT.

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THE U.S. SUPREME COURT PUT THAT TO BED AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE YOU MENTIONED IT AT THE LAST MEETING.

THERE ARE NO GUARDRAILS TO PARTISAN SHIP AND THE RULES THAT APPLY ARE TO HAVE THIS DEBATE IN THE PUBLIC WHICH IS WHY YOU HAVE SEEN US HESITATE TO GIVE INTER PERSONAL COMMUNICATION OUTSIDE THIS ENVIRONMENT.

I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE MOST PLACES AROUND THE COUNTRY, WHETHER WHETHER IT IS HISTORICALLY OR THROUGH THIS CYCLE, WHAT HAS BEEN THE PRIMARY MOTIVATOR -- I GUESS IT IS A GUESS BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHAT GOES THROUGH THE MINDS OF PEOPLE THAT SIT AROUND IN A HORSE -- HORSESHOE. WHAT HAS BEEN THE DRIVING

FACTOR? >> SINCE THEY HANDED OUT THE DECISION IN THE 1960S, BUT THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH EVERY STATEWIDE REDISTRICTING PLAN HAS BEEN STRUCK DOWN ON THE BASIS OF BEING RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY.

NO TEXAS PLAN HAS PASSED FEDERAL COURT REVIEW YET.

WE WILL SEE. THE LITIGATION IS UNDERWAY FOR THE LATEST ITERATION OF MAPS. IT IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON TO

BE STRUCK DOWN. >> WHAT ARE MOST OF THESE BODIES LIKE US MAKING THESE DECISIONS ON THE BASIS OF?

>> PARTISAN SHIP PRIMARILY WHICH THE PRIM -- SUPREME COURT NOTED IS NOT JUST BIG CONCERN, BUT A LEGITIMATE CONCERN AND ONE OF THE THINGS YOU PUT IN YOUR REASONS COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND ELECTION RESULTS WHICH CLAIMS PARTISAN SHIP, BUT THERE ARE RACE THAT'S ARE NONPARTISAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT LOOKS LIKE WE NEED TO LOOK AT MORE MAPS.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE ASKED FOR SOME MORE AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS -- I AM NOT SURE THERE IS ANY CONSENSUS.

BUT I WILL GO BACK AND WATCH THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE REDISTRICTING AND I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY FOR THEIR INPUT, WE'LL FIGURE THIS ONE OUT. ALL RIGHT.

I WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION QUICK FOR DAVE.

I GOT A MEETINGS FROM ONE OF THE JUDGES ON THE COURT BACKLOG ITEM THAT THE EMERGENCY DOCKETS ARE SUPPOSED TO USE THE SAME JURORS AS THE STANDARD ONES.

THEY ARE NOT AS EFFICIENT AS THEY NEED TO BE.

IT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN LOOK INTO.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE, LUCINDA?

>> YES, JUDGE. SO WHAT IS THE ACTION FOR 336

AND 338? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION.

>> NO ACTION. AND I WANTED TO GO BACK TO ITEM 20. I KNOW YOU SAID APPROVED AS PRESENTED. WAS THERE GOING TO BE A VOTE

ON THAT ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ONE?

>> NUMBER 20. >> LINA HIDALGO: GIVE ME A MOMENT, PLEASE. NUMBER 20, YES, APPROVED AS PRESENTED. THERE IS NO ACTION.

THAT'S THE ITEM ON THE CASE BACKLOG.

THERE IS NO ACTION THERE. >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> CAN YOU TURN YOUR MIC ON, PLEASE.

>> IT IS TO APPROVE THE $61,880.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED IT.