WE'LL GET STARTED WITH THE PRAYER IT IS EVEN:07 AND I
[Pastor Dave Chavez of H.O.P.E. Haven Ministry in Houston.]
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WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS NOVEMBER 9TH, 2020 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO MEETING. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING.
TODAY WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE PASTOR DAVE CHAVEZ FROM HOPE HAVEN MINISTRY IN HOUSTON.
DAVE SERVED US IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY FOR FIVE AND A HALF YEARS. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS TODAY HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES AND HOW WE CELEBRATE AND APPRECIATE THOSE WHO RENDERED THEIR SERVICES TO US. IT IS IMPORTANT OUR INVOCATION BE MADE BY A VETERAN. HE EARNED HIS BACHELOR DEGREE IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP. HE SERVED IN THE MINISTRY AS A MISSION PASTOR AND OTHER POSITIONS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS. HE HAS BEEN WITH HO PSHES E HAVEN -- HOPE HAVEN SINCE 2010 WHERE THEY CO-DIRECTED MINISTERS TO THE HOMELESS IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON AND WE PARTNERED WITH THEM AS A COUNTY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
WITH THAT, PASTOR, PLEASE GIVE US OUR INVOCATION.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. WOULD YOU BOW WITH ME? FATHER GOD, WE COME TO YOU WITH THANKFUL HEARTS TODAY AND THANKFUL THAT WE LIVE IN A NATION WHERE WE CAN OPENLY PRAY. WITH THAT I JUST WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THOSE VETERANS SERVING AND HAVE SERVED AND PROTECT OUR FREEDOM AND PROTECT THE MANY FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE AND THAT WE ENJOY.
A SPECIAL BLESSING TO THEM AS THEY SERVE ABROAD AND AT HOME. KEEP THEM SAFE AS THEY MISS THEIR FAMILIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
A SPECIAL BLESSING OVER THIS COURT TODAY AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS AS THEY SERVE US HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
FATHER, I PRAY FOR UNITY AND FOR STABILITY AND STRENGTH AND COURAGE IN ALL OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES THEY GO THROUGH. I CONTINUE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR THEM AND THEIR SERVICE AND THEIR LEADERSHIP TO OUR COUNTY AND IT IS IN YOUR NAME I PRAY.
BEFORE WE MOVE O I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE EIGHT VICTIMS OF THE WEEKEND ASTROWORLD TRAGEDY AS WELL AS A PRAYER FOR THE FOLKS WHO ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL AND FOR THE FAMILIES THAT HAD THEIR -- HAVE THEIR HEARTS BROKEN RIGHT NOW.
FOR THE COMMUNITY, REALLY, THAT IS MOURNING.
LET'S JUST BOW OUR HEADS FOR A MOMENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THEY WERE SAVING UP FOR THE FATHER-DAUGHTER BONDING OPPORTUNITY THAT A FAMILY WAS GOING TO HAVE. IT WAS A HIGH LIGHT AFTER MANY YEARS OF CHALLENGES. IT IS AN UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY.
I KNOW THAT IT IS HARD FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE ON FROM THIS WITHOUT ANSWERS, SO WE ARE COMMITTED AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OF YOU ON UPDATES OF THE SITUATION AND THERE IS AN URGE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON.
WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AS WE SPEAK.
WHAT MIGHT BE THE PATH FOR AN OBJECTIVE, INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT AS TO WHAT HAPPENED.
I DO WANT TO SET AN EXPECTATION.
IT IS BETTER TO HAVE ANSWERS, THUR LOW ANSWERS -- THOROUGH ANSWERS, THAN THE WRONG ANSWERS.
ONE KEY PIECE OF IT, FOR EXAMPLE, IS THE TOXICOLOGY REPORTS THAT WILL TAKE WEEKS TO FIND.
WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERY AVENUE TO SEE WHAT IS THE BEST PATH FOR A TRULY OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT.
SO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PIECES OF THIS.
IN THE MEANTIME, I WAS JUST AT THE MEMORIAL OUTSIDE NRG PARK LAST NIGHT AND I WAS HEARTENED AMONGST ALL OF THE TRAGEDY TO SEE SUCH BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTES AND TO SEE THE CONSTANT STREAM OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THERE TO LAY FLOWERS AND TO OBSERVE AND TO REMEMBER. WE HEAL TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY. IT IS AN IMPORTANT EXAMPLE OF THAT. IN SOMEWAYS IT IS A SILVER LINING, AND I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME LOOKING AT THE ISSUE AND TALKING TO PEOPLE, AND I DO
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THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW EMPATHY AND THAT WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THE ISSUE, BUT WE ALSO LOOK AT WHAT CHANGES ALL THE TO BE -- OUGHT TO BE MADE GOING FORWARD AND BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE COUNTRY. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS ALWAYS A RUSH IN THE PRESS, NEED A STATEMENT, AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE SPEAK AND SAY THINGS THAT MAY HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. AT THE END OF THE DAY WE DO WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE. I'M GLAD MY YOUNGEST IS IN COLLEGE. I WAS JUST TALKING TO THE DEPUTY ABOUT -- HE SAW ME WITH MY SYRACUSE SHIRT ON.SHE WOULD BE RIGHT UP FRONT. MY SON WAS THERE WITH THREE OF HIS FRIENDS AND I'M GLAD THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW BAD IT WAS UNTIL THEY GOT HOME AND SAW THE NEWS COVERAGE.
I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE GET ANSWERS AND WE DO IT IN A TIMELY AND METHODICAL WAY AND NOT JUST RUSH.
>> TOM RAMSEY: COMING TO COURT THIS MORNING AND DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SEE A COUPLE HUNDRED TREES WITH GREEN RIBBONS HONORING THE FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL.
IT IS A TIME TO GRIEVE AND HONOR AND I KNOW THOSE PARENTS WILL WANT ANSWERS. AS YOU INDICATE, THE NEED TO BE CORRECT. I DO THINK THAT TIME HAS -- THERE IS A BIT OF A TIME OF THE ESSENCE.
I THINK THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS GRIEVING.
IT IS SHOCKING THE EBBING TENT OF -- THE EXTENT OF IMPACT IT HAS HAD ON OUR COMMUNITY AND EVERY COMMUNITY.
OBVIOUSLY OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THEM.
THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS. >> THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE VICTIMS AND THINKING ABOUT THEM.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FAMILIES AND ABOUT THE EVENT AND ABOUT THE TRAGEDY, AND NO EVENT THAT -- SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BY THE ARTS SHOULD END AS TRAGICALLY AS THIS ONE HAS. I WILL SUPPORT A FULL AND COMPLETE INVESTIGATION. IF SOMEONE HAS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, SO BE IT. WHEN YOU PUT ONE OF THESE EVENTS TOGETHER, HAVING DONE MANY OVER MY LIFE, YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO ALL DETAILS. AT SOME POINT, WE ARE IN CHARGE OF -- WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE OF SAFETY AND SECURITY LASS TO MAKE IT CLEAR -- HAS TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE PROMOTER THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF.
THEY ARE NOT THERE TO SELL TICKETS AND NOT THERE TO HAVE A RECORD CROWD AND NOT THERE TO MAKE IT EASY FOR PROFIT TO TAKE PLACE. THEY ARE THERE TO MAKE SURE THE EVENT HAPPENS SAFELY. THAT'S SOMETIMES IT IS DIFFICULT WHEN YOU ARE A PROMOTER, BUT YOU HAVE TO OWN YOUR OWN SPACE. TO THAT END, LET ME JUST SAY TO ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY THE EVENT, I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND WAYNE YOUNG, BECAUSE THE CENTER HAS BEEN PROVIDING COUNSELING AND OUT REACH.
713-970-7000 IS AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS TO TALK TO SOMEONE. I HAVE HAD SOMEONE ON MY TEAM THAT WAS THERE AND WAS TRAMPLED.
THANKFULLY HER BROTHER WAS ABLE TO GET HER OUT, BUT SHE IS -- SHE HAS BEEN AFFECTED. SHE HAS BEEN DEEPLY AFFECTED BY THIS. I ASKED HER IF SHE NEEDED SOMEONE TO TALK TO. SHE SAID, YES, AT SOME POINT I AM GOING TO NEED THERAPY OR COUNSELING.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS, DON'T HESITATE TO REACH OUT.
WHAT YOU SAW AND WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF, WHAT SOMEONE IN YOUR HOME MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY IS TRAGIC.
RODNEY, YOU AND I, LIKE OTHER COLLEAGUES, WE SHARE DADDYHOOD. WE TAKE FOR GRANTED AND WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND TO GROW AND TO EXPERIENCE THINGS, BUT THIS IS -- THESE KIND OF THINGS ARE ALWAYS -- AND ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS SEEN MORE DEATH AND MORE
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HUMAN DEVASTATION THAN I CARE TO THINK ABOUT, THOSE THINGS ARE ALWAYS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, UNFORTUNATELY, AND THIS PARTICULAR EVENT BRINGS AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON WHAT PARENTS WORRY ABOUT. REACH OUT.713-970-7000 IS THERE FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS TO TALK TO SOMEONE IF THIS EVENT HAS IMPACTED YOU AND TRAUMATIZED YOU IN ANY PARTICULAR WAY. DON'T TRY TO WORK THROUGH IT AND PROCESS IT BY YOURSELF. WE'RE THERE FOR YOU.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
LET'S RECITE THE PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDERGOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE.
TEXAS, ONE STATE. [INAUDIBLE].
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL BE TAKING ALL SEVEN ITEMS IN THE RESOLUTION SECTION OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING.
[Departments (Part 1 of 3)]
WE HAVE A LOT OF POSITIVE ITEMS. THE FIRST IS A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING JANICE JONES FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY.JANICE!. JONES RETIRED ON NOVEMBER 5TH, 2021 AFTER 34 YEARS OF OUT STANDING AND MARE FOR YOUS -- MERITORIOUS WORK. ON NOVEMBER 5TH, 1987, BEFORE THE CHANGE IN LEGISLATION BROUGHT CHILDREN'S PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNDER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE'S UMBRELLA IN 1995. SHE WORKED IN THE AREA OF CHILD WELFARE LAW MOST OF HER QUA -- HER CAREER AS A WORD PROCESSOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND OFFICE MANAGER AND COURT REPRESENTATIVE AND PARALEGAL FOR THE JUVENILE COURTS AND A COURT REPORT TIFF AND PARALEGAL FOR FAMILY COURTS. SHE HAS EARNED THE TRUST, ADMIRATION AND RESPECT OF HER COLLEAGUES AND CLIENTS WITH HER COMMITMENT TOWARD HER WORK.
HER COLLEAGUES LOOK UP TO HER AND ARE THANKFUL FOR HER HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. HER RETIREMENT SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO VOLUNTEERING AT HER CHURCH AND SPENDING TIME WITH HER BEAUTIFUL GRANDDAUGHTER. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT COMMANDS AND CONGRATULATES JANICE I.JONES.
FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND BEST WISHES FOR MANY YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. JONES. TIFFANY, IS SHE ON THE LINE?
>> YES, MA'AM, SHE IS ON THE LINE.
GO AHEAD, MS. JONES. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
I'M BLESSED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS A VIDEO OR A SOUND THAT MAY BE PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND. I THINK YOU ARE GOOD NOW.
GOOD MORNING. I'M BLESSED BY GOD TO HAVE WORKED WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THESE 34 YEARS AND SINCE 1987, JUDGE, YOU PROBABLY WEREN'T EVEN BORN YET. I'M BLESSED TO HAVE WORKED WITH A GREAT GROUP OF SPECIAL PEOPLE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WE WORKED REALLY HARD TO HELP THE CHILDREN OF HARRIS COUNTY TO GET OUT OF ABUSIVE SITUATIONS THEY CAN'T GET THEMSELVES OUT OF.
IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING AND AN HONOR TO WORK FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND TO WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK OVER SO MANY YEARS AND FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I KNOW COUNTY ATTORNEY MENIFEE IS ON THE LINE TO OFFER A FEW
JANICE, CONGRATULATIONS. IT IS YOUR GAIN AND OUR LOSS, AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE OTHER DAY.
I'M SUPER EXCITED FOR YOU MOVING FORWARD.
I KNOW YOU SAID YOU ARE OFF TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER AND TO VOLUNTEER IN CHURCH.
I KNOW YOU WILL DO THOSE THINGS AS WELL AS YOU SERVED
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THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND SERVED HARRIS COUNTY. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, WE ARE SUPER PROUD OF THE WORK JANICE DID FOR OUR COUNTY AND WE KNOW SHE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT LIVES MOVING FORWARD.CONGRATULATIONS, JANICE, AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR
>> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATION. >> JUDGE, WE HAVE A COUPLE
MORE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
GO AHEAD. >> IRM MA BENITEZ, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> MS. JANICE, YOU WERE AMAZING.
ANYTIME WE HAD A QUESTION IT WAS ALWAYS ANSWERED BY YOU.
ANYTIME ANYONE HAD AN ISSUE, YOU WERE -- WE WERE ALWAYS REFERRED TO GO ASK MS. JANICE.
MS. JANICE ALWAYS PROVIDED AN ANSWER AND WAS NEVER TOO BUSY TO ANSWER ANY OF MY THOUSANDS OF QUESTIONS I HAD.
MY COURT IS RAN THE WAY SHE TRAINED.
MY CALENDAR IS JUST LIKE HERS. SHE HAS BEEN AN AMAZING MENTOR.
I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH KIND WORDS ABOUT HER.
SHE IS JUST AN AMAZING WOMAN AND SHE WILL BE VERY MISSED.
NOW WHO AM I GOING TO ASK A THOUSAND QUESTIONS TO?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> UP NEXT IS VANESSA BRYANT.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE, MA'AM.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. GOOD MORNING, MS. JANICE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO YOU IS YOU HAVE BEEN -- IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE, A JOY AND A BLESSING TO HAVE WORKED WITH YOU DURING MY TIME AT HARRIS COUNTY. LIKE YOU ARE -- LIKE IRMA I DID EVERYTHING SHE SAID AND I'M GLAD YOU TOOK THE TIME AND THE PATIENCE TO HELP US WHEN WE HAVE HAD A QUESTION.
I KNOW I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU LATELY, BUT IT IS ONLY A SIGN THAT I HAVE BEEN LEARNING. ONCE YOU START LEARNING, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THAT PERSON MOST OFTEN.
THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS, BUT TODAY IS YOUR DAY AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE.
I WISH YOU HAPPINESS AND CONTINUING GOOD HEALTH AND TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AND ENJOYING YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER.
IT REALLY HAS BEEN A PLEASURE.
YOU STAY SAFE AND STAY WITH GOD BECAUSE YOU TRULY HAVE
BEEN A BLESSING. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU HAVE A LOT OF FANS. CONGRATULATIONS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, TIFFANY?
>> THAT'S ALL, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. ITEM 2 IS ONE OF -- A COUPLE OF RESOLUTIONS ON VETERANS DAY.
A NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS UNDERSCORES HOW IMPORTANT THIS DAY IS TO ALL OF US. VETERAN'S DAY IS OBSERVED ON NOVEMBER 11TH AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY THAT PIS TRIBUTE TO ALL -- THAT PAYS TRIBUTE TO ALL VETERANS.
WE HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES THERE ARE 17.4 MILLION VETERANS IN THE UNITED STATES BASED ON U.S. CENSUS STATISTICS.
AS HOME TO MORE THAN 180,000 OF THESE VETERANS, HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE LARGEST VETERAN POPULATION IN THE STATE.
IN AUGUST OF 2019 COMMISSIONERS' COURT ESTABLISHED THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DOUBLING THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET WHICH HAS SINCE EXPANDED THE COUNTY'S CAPACITY TO ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS AND TO ASSIST LOCAL VETERANS SPEAKING -- SEEKING COMPENSATION, MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL, INSURANCE AND OTHER BENEFITS. VETERANS MAKE UP 3.5% OF THE COUNTY'S POPULATION, BUT ACCORDING TO FORENSIC SCIENCE ACCOUNT FOR 11 DEATHS BY SUICIDE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
IN RESPONSE, THEY PROVIDE CRITICAL INTERVENTION FOR VETERANS WHO SAVE LIVES AND IMPROVE WELL BEING.
THERE WERE 24 CRISIS INTERVENTIONS CONDUCTED SINCE MAY OF 2021. FURTHER, BASED ON THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS, THE NUMBER OF CALLS RECEIVED INCREASED 210% SINCE THIS TIME IN 2020. WHEREAS INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE SWORN AN OATH TO DE -- DETECT AND DEFEND THIS COUNTRY. WE CAN NEVER REPAY OUR DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THOSES -- THOSE IN THE ARMED FORCE -- FORCES.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES NOVEMBER 11TH, 2021 AS VETERAN'S DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND HONORS THE SERVICE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERANS WHO CONTRIBUTE IMMENSELY TO OUR COUNTY AND TO OUR COUNTRY.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU.
I KNOW WE HAVE VETERANS HERE TODAY.
WE HONOR AND RESPECT AND REMEMBER YOUR SERVICE.
WE THANK YOU FOR IT. AND I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE
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FACT THAT MANY OF OUR NATION'S BRAVEST GO ON TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE HERE DIANA AND ELIAS WHO WILL SPEAK SOON AND THEY SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY.AND WE HAVE VETERANS WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH COUNTY LEADERSHIP. DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS SOME OF THE KEY LEADERS HAVE BEEN VETERANS IN OUR COUNTY LEADERSHIP. JOSH STUKEY IN UNIVERSAL SERVICES WAS A MEDIC AT THE UNCTION -- UNITED STATES ARMY. HE WAS LEAD IN THE COVID-19 RESPONSE AFTER DR. SHAW TOOK HIS JOB IN WASHINGTON STATE.
JOHN BLOUNT WHO HELPED SUCCESS A RETIRED COUNTY ENGINEER AND SERVED IN THE ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS IN ACTIVE AND RESERVE DUTY. RICK NORIEGA SERVED IN THE NATIONAL GUARD AND ARMY RESERVES.
DAVE LEWIS, OUR VETERAN SERVICES DIRECTOR, AIR FORCE COLONEL. DAVE LEWIS, SERVED ACTIVE DUTY FOR 29 YEARS. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SERVED IN THE U.S. NAVY AND ARMY INTELLIGENCE.
SO MANY FOLKS THAT WE HAVE. JONATHON STIVER, VETERAN OF THE U.S. ARMY AND HELPED WITH THE TASK FORCE OF THE COVID PANDEMIC. AUSTIN APPLETON, VETERAN OF THE U.S. ARMY AND JAKE FRIZZEL WHO IS WITH FACILITIES AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, HE IS A VETERAN OF THE U.S. ARMY.
THAT'S JUST SOME OF THE VETERANS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I KNOW A LOT OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS AND SO MANY OF OUR BRIGHTEST STARS IN THE COUNTY ARE ALSO -- ALSO SERVED OUR COUNTRY. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. WE'LL HEAR FROM OUR SPEAKERS.
DIANA AND ELIAS SANCHEZ ARE BOTH HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? JUST APPROACH THE PODIUM.
OH, GO AHEAD. YOU CAN'T HEAR ME ENOUGH? LET ME GET THE MIC CLOSER. IS THIS BETTER?
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, JUDGE.
AS A RETURNING VIETNAM VETERAN THIS WELCOMING IS QUITE A CULTURAL SHOCK TO MANY OF US. I AM HERE TODAY TO REPRESENT THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF VIETNAM VETERANS THAT NEVER DID GET ANY RECOGNITION. IN FACT, AMERICA, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON DOWN, OSTRACIZED US.
NOBODY WANTED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH US, THE VIETNAM VETERANS. SO I'M OVERWHELMED WITH GRATITUDE TO BE CALLED UP HERE , AND I SHARE A LOT OF GRIEF WITH MY FRIEND, A KOREA WAR VETERAN.
WE COME FROM TWO DIFFERENT WARS, BUT WE'RE HERE AND I'M
-- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME
IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. SANCHEZ, IF YOU HAVE MORE WORDS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS YOU WANT TO SAY?
>> WHEN WE WERE ON THE SHIP AND COMING THIS WAY, WE CONSIDERED OURSELVES BLESSED, MANY OF US LIKE ME.
WE WERE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE MY TWO ARMS AND MY TWO LEGS BECAUSE MANY OF US CAME BACK WITH A MISSING PART.
PARTS, NOT PART. SO I AM VERY, VERY GRATEFUL AND OVERWHELMED WITH GRATITUDE ABOUT ME BEING BLESSED AND WALKING. I CAN ONLY SAY THAT AMERICA, WHEN WE CAME BACK, WAS A VERY, VERY BAD, EVIL PLACE.
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NOBODY WANTED US. NOT EVEN THE VFW.NOT THE AMERICAN LEGION. WE WERE NOT IN A WAR.
THEY WERE IN A WAR. THEY WERE IN WORLD WAR II.
THAT'S A WAR. THEY CONSIDER -- THEY DIDN'T CONSIDER US TO HAVE BEEN IN A WAR.
WE MADE IT. I DID BECOME A VERY ANGRY YOUNG MAN WHEN I RETURNED. I TURNED THE ANGER INTO SOLITUDE, BEING ALONE, ENLISTING AT UT AUSTIN IN ENGINEERING AND FOCUSING ON ENGINEERING.
THAT'S WHAT I DID. I BECAME AN ENGINEER.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE. >> LET ME ADD, WHEN I GO TO WASHINGTON THE FIRST PLACE I GO WHEN I AM THERE IS THE VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL. THERE ARE 70,000 OF OUR CONTEMPORARIES ON THAT WALL. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ARE YOU SPEAKING AS WELL? THE CHAIR OVER THERE HAS A MICROPHONE.
THAT MAY BE EASIER. >> DO YOU WANT ME TO SPEAK?
>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR
THE RECORD? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> SAY YOUR NAME, PLEASE. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU,
COMMISSIONERS' COURT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE, JUDGE HIDALGO. THANK YOU FORGIVING GIVING -- FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE TODAY.
I AM A KOREA WAR VETERAN AND FOR MANY OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW , WE ARE STILL AT WAR WITH KOREA TO THIS DAY.
YES, A PIECE OF PAPER WAS SIGNED, BUT THAT'S IT.
WE ARE STILL AT WAR. VIETNAM, TERRIBLE.
THANK GOD WE'RE HERE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
I CAN SEE MY GOOD FRIEND, ADRIAN.
ADRIAN AND I GO BACK MANY YEARS, WHEN HE WAS A POLICE OFFICER. AND MY FRIEND, ELLIS, HELLO, RODNEY. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AND MOST OF ALL I NEED TO THANK GOD BECAUSE IT WAS GOD'S
DOING THAT I WENT -- >> HE CAN CONTINUE.
>> OKAY. I WENT AND CAME BACK.
FOR THIS I AM SO THANKFUL. TODAY I WANT TO THANK ANOTHER PERSON THAT IS HERE AND SHE HAS BEEN MARRIED 67 YEARS.
IF ANYBODY CAN PUT UP WITH ME FOR 67 YEARS, THAT'S A
MIRACLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE DESERVES
A MEDAL. >> ANYWAY, LISTEN, FOLKS, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM SO GRATEFUL AND I LEAVE YOU WITH THESE WORDS. WHEN I WENT INTO THE SERVICE AND I CAME BACK, I KEPT WONDERING WHY DID I GO? I VOLUNTEERED. MANY YEARS LATER I LEARNED WHY. I'M GONNA QUOTE A GREAT MAN WHO SAID, ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.
WITH THAT I LEAVE YOU AND SALUTE YOU AND GOD BLESS
AMERICA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ME JUST THANK YOU AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR NATION.
DR. SANCHEZ, I AM SO GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR CHANNELING THAT ANGER INTO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE.
NOT ONLY IN YOUR STUDIES, BUT YOUR WORK AT NASA AND THEN FINALLY YOUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH GATHERING OF EAGLES. GIVING OUR VETERANS A PLACE TO
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SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND DOING IT IN A PHENOMENAL WAY.YOU ARE FOCUSED ON STEM AND FOCUSED ON BRINGING MORE KIDS INTO THE ENGINEERING FIELD, AND YOU ARE DOING IT THROUGH THE LEVERAGE AND THE MEDIUM OF LIVING VETERANS AND LIVING LEGENDS LIKE YOURSELVES. I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU, VERY, VERY GRATEFUL. THANK YOU BOTH FOR ALL YOU DO
IN THE COMMUNITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THESE GUYS AND ALL OF THE GUYS DESERVE A STANDING OVATION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW THE CITY WILL DO A PARADE THIS YEAR AND I WAS CHATTING WITH THE MAYOR LAST NIGHT, AND I'M SURE YOU WILL ALL BE THERE AND WE WILL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
WE WILL SEE IF WE CAN BUS SOME PEOPLE IN.
I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT TRADITION.
THOSE OF US WHO CAN, STOP BY ON A BIKE OR SOMETHING OR PARTICIPATE. I'M GLAD THE CITY IS DOING THAT AND TRYING TO BOOST PARTICIPATION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY. THERE IS ANOTHER RESOLUTION HERE AND IT IS DESIGNATING WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1ST AS WORLD AIDS DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY.
WHEREAS IN 2021, RYAN WHITE A YOUNG HIV ADVOCATE OF NAME SAKE OF THE RYAN WHITE PROGRAM WOULD HAVE TURNED 50 YEARS OLD HAD HIV-RELATED ILLNESS NOT TAKEN HIS LIFE AT THE AGE OF 19. THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA 30,198 RESIDENTS ARE LIVING WITH HIV AND MORE THAN 6,000 ARE ESTIMATED TO BE UNAWARE OF THEIR POSITIVE HIV STATUS ON TOP OF THESE 30,000 -- 30,198.
IN 2019 OVER 1300 NEW CASES OF HIV WERE DIAGNOSED AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS ACCOUNTING FOR 1-THIRD OF ALL -- ONE-THIRD OF STIGMA NATIONWIDE. IT PREVENTS MANY PEOPLE FROM OBTAINING HIV MEDICAL CARE AND TREATMENT.
WORKING TO EXTEND EXPIM PROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND RE -- REDUCE HIV TRANSMISSIONS.
DESPITE THE FREE OR LOW COST HIV TREATMENT SERVICES LIKE THE RYAN WHITE HIV-SID -- AIS -- AIDS PROGRAM MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS AGO -- ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE.
THE FIRST FREE STANDING HIVAIDS FACILITY RECOMMIT FULLY TO PROVIDING THE LATEST TREATMENT AND HIGHEST QUALITY PATIENT CARE FOR ALL PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV.
HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM SERVES A QUARTER OF THOSE DIAGNOSED.
THE MESSAGE OF WORLD AIDS DAY IS TO SUPPORT THOSE GLOBALLY AND LOCALLY WHO LIVE WITH HIV AND CONTINUED PROGRESS IN BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RE -- RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT DESIGNATES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST AS WORLD AIDS DAY AND ASKS ALL TO PROTECT -- PROTECT THEMSELVES AND ENCOURAGES THOSE LIVING WITH HIV TO LIFE-EXTENDING HIV MEDICAL CARE. WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS ON THIS
ITEM, TIFFANY, IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM.
WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER. HE IS IN PERSON, ALLEN MURRAY FROM THE RYAN WHITE PLANNING COUNCIL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS ALLEN MURRAY AND THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE HOUSTON RYAN WHITE PLANNING COUNCIL.
IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO BE HERE THIS MORNING AND TO ACCEPT THIS WORLD AIDS DAY RESOLUTION.
ON BEHALF OF THE PLANNING COUNCIL I WANT TO GIVE OUR SINCERE -- SINCEREST THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THOSE RECEIVING THE RYAN WHITE FUNDING SERVICES. WE MADE GREAT ADVANCES IN SECURE -- IN CURE AND PREVENTION OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, BUT HIV-AIDS IS A SERIOUS THREAT ACROSS ALL POPULATIONS AND MORE SO IN UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES SUCH AS PEOPLE OF COLOR AND PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSGENDER.
THE SUPPORT IN FIGHTING THIS EPIDEMIC IS GREATLY APPRECIATED AND I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO LINA HIDALGO FOR HER CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND DEDICATION TO THE COUNCIL. WE HAVE AN EXEMPLARY COUNCIL IN HOUSTON AND IT IS NO SMALL PART DUE TO HER DEDICATION TO
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THE COUNCIL -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU
THIS MORNING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL. WE HAVE FANTASTIC PEOPLE AND FANTASTIC LEADERS. WE REALLY DO.
THAT'S WHAT HELPS BREAK DOWN THE STIGMA AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY GETS THE CARE THEY NEED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THOSE ARE MY RESOLUTIONS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DON'T SEE ANY OUT OF ORDER FROM YOU ON ON THE UH JN -- AGENDA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHOULD I WAIT?
I'LL WAIT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. MY FIRST RESOLUTION IS ALSO ON VETERAN'S DAY. I JUST DON'T THINK THERE IS ENOUGH RESOLUTIONS WE CAN DO FOR OUR VETERANS OR THAT WE CAN SPEAK OFTEN ENOUGH ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTION THEY HAVE MADE TO OUR NATION AND OUR COMMUNITY AND DR. SANCHEZ IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HE IS DOING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.
WE ARE GRATEFUL ON SO MANY FRONTS.
I AM WEARING THE PINS OF THE FIVE BRANCHES.
WHEN I WAS SHERIFF I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE TROOPS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE COULD REPRESENT THE BRANCHES THAT THEY SERVED IN. SO THESE WERE PINS WE HAD MADE AND NOW THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAN DISPLAY THEIR RESPECTIVE BRANCH.
IT IS INTERESTING. SOME GUYS CAN WORK TWO PINS.
I PUT ARMY AT THE TOP BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
I GOT LIKE THIS CLOSE TO ENLISTING AND WAS GOING TO BE A PART OF THE WARRANT OFFICER FLIGHT PROGRAM.
BUT IF NOT FOR A PHONE CALL FROM A HOUSTON POLICE RECRUITER I MAY HAVE MADE IT OVER TO SIGN MY PAPERWORK AND THE WREST -- AND THE REST IS HISTORY.
AND THEN THE MARINE CORP. THE MARINE CORP BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A MARINE. NO DISRESPECT TO ANY OTHER BRANCH, BUTS -- BUT THERE IS JUST SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT OUR MARINES. THEY ARE SEMPER-FI.
AND THEN THE NAVY BECAUSE IT ALWAYS RE -- REMINDS ME OF MY GOVERNMENT TEACHER. HE WAS A REAR ADMIRAL.
WHEN I SERVE OWED CITY COUNCIL WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH -- IT WAS THE HOUSTON MEDIA SOURCE. WE PUT HIM ON THE BOARD AND BILL WHITE CALLED ME UP AND SAID, ADRIAN, I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU FOUND THIS GUY, BUT HE IS GETTING THINGS DONE.
I SAID THAT'S HIS MILITARY BACKGROUND.
AND THEN THE AIR FORCE BECAUSE THE OLDEST BROTHER OF MY WIFE SCOIF -- SERVED IN THE AIR FORCE AS WELL AS ALL OF THE OTHER AIR FORCE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED OUR NATION AND PROVIDED THE AERIAL SUPPORT TO OUR GROUND TROOPS.
AND LASTLY, THE COAST GUARD. YOU GOTTA LOVE THE COAST GUARD. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THE FATHER AT MY CHURCH, BEFORE HE TOOK TO THE MIG -- MINISTRY SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD.
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY PATROL THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL ON A REGULAR BASIS.
SO WE THANK THEM FOR KEEPING US AND OUR WATER SAFE.
ALSO I WANT TO THANK VETERANS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOUCHED MY LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS. AND AS A COMMISSIONER THEY HAVE MADE AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT ON THE PRECINCT AND IN OUR REGION AS WELL. I WILL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE. THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 2021, THE NATION HONORS THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF ALL WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES. WHEREAS RENAMED AS VETERANS DAY, ARMISTICE DAY WAS ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 1919, MARKING THE END OF WORLD WAR I.
WHEREAS HARRIS CON -- COUNTY IS HOME TO 180,000 VETERANS AND THOUSANDS OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.
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VETERANS FACE CHALLENGES TRANSITIONING TO CIVILIAN LIFE INCLUDING ACCESS TO HOUSING, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND JOBS. WHEREAS IN AUGUST OF 2019 HARRIS COUNTY ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE VETERAN SCFS -- SERVICES DEPARTMENT, STUDY GROUP REPORT AND ESTABLISHED THE VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO MEET STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND IT IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO HELP WITH CLAIMS AND BENEFITS AS WELL AS CRISIS INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION SERVICES. WHEREAS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO VETERANS FACING CHALLENGES SUCH AS POST TRAUMATIC DISTRESS DISORDER, THEY CREATE -- OPERATION YELLOW BIRD CREATED BY THE UNITED STATES ARMY -- MARINE CORP VETERAN ERIC CARAZCO STARTED THE THRILLS NO PILLS PROGRAM OF OUTDOOR HIKING, BIKING AND CAMPING OFFERING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR COMRADERY, NETWORKING AND SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT AND GOOD LIVING.YELLOW BIRD VETERANS ALSO VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY.
THEY BUILD TRAILS FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING ACCESSIBILITY AT THE JIM AND JOANNE FAMILY PARK. THE GOAL IS TO ENRICH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND HELP VETERANS AND HELP WITH ANY OTHER TYPE OF DISTRESS THAT THEY MAY HAVE IN THE ARMED FORCES. WE HAVE DENISE SANDERS WITH OPERATION YELLOW BIRD THAT WILL ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION.
LET ME CLOSE WITH THIS. I HAVE A TON OF VETERANS ON THE PRECINCT 2 STAFF. I WANT TO THANK THEM ALL FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO OUR NATION AND TO OUR COUNTY AND TO OUR PRECINCT AND TO OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ARE GET IT DONE PEOPLE AND I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE THEM ON MY TEAM.
AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE DD RAMSEY VETERAN'S CENTER IS SUCH A TRUE DIAMOND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR US.
WE HAVE TAKEN THAT OPERATION TO IN -- INCREDIBLE HEIGHTS.
IT IS ONE OF THE FEW IF NOT THE ONLY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VETERAN CENTER IN A PRECINCT OFFICE THAT NOW WORKS TO PROVIDE OR CAN MEET THE STATE STATUTORY COMMISSION LEVEL OF SERVICE. SO VERY, VERY PROUD OF THAT.
OUR NUMBERS HAVE GROWN EXPONENTIALLY UNDER THE VETERANS WE ARE SERVING AND ALL OF THOSE FROM PRECINCT 2, WE DON'T TURN ANY VETERAN AWAY.
NO MATTER WHERE THEY COME FROM AND NO MATTER WHAT SIDE OF THE COUNTY, WE SERVE THEM ALL. WE DO IT SO WILLINGLY AND HAPPILY. LASTLY, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE AN EMPTY CHAIR IN THEIR HOME BECAUSE OF A VETERAN THAT IS EITHER -- WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, WHO IS MISSING IN ACTION, I WILL JUST SAY ONE OF THE MOST HUMBLING EVENTS I HAVE EVER ATTENDED IS THE POW/MIA CEREMONY.
IT IS ONE OF THE MOST TOUCHING, MOST RESPECTFUL, MOST SINCERE, MOST SERENE CEREMONIES THAT I EVER ATTENDED. AND IT ALWAYS RE -- REMINDS US THAT SOMEONE VOLUNTARILY SUITED UP -- MAYBE NOT DURING VIETNAM, DR. SANCHEZ, BUT VOLUNTARILY SUITED UP AND SHIPPED OUT AND DIDN'T MAKE IT BACK.
FOR THAT WE CAN NEVER FORGET AND WILL NEVER FORGET.
I INVITE EVERYONE OVER TO VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARK, A PARTNERSHIP I HAD WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND WE ARE LOOKING TO DO SOME INCREDIBLE THINGS WITH THAT PARK AND MAKE IT A TRUE HIGHLIGHT FOR OUR VETERANS THAT HAVE SERVED US.
I AM HONORED TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION.
DENISE, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> WONDERFUL.
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS?>> YES, I WOULD, ACTUALLY. FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THE GENTLEMAN, VIETNAM AND KOREAN WAR VETERANS, THANK YOU FOR PAVING THE WAY FOR THE REST OF US VETERANS AND GIVING US A BETTER WAY IN THE MILITARY AND BEING A VETERAN OF 31 YEARS THUS FAR AND COMMISSIONER I TOOK THAT WARRANT OFFICER PACKET SPEECH FOR YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN, FORGIVING US A BETTER WAY IN THE MILITARY -- FOR GIVING US A BETTER WAY IN THE MILITARY AND FOR GIVING US A WAY IN THE COURT. AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY TOWARD THE VETERANS IN YOUR COMMUNITY HAS ALLOWED US AT OPERATION YELLOW BIRD TO BUILD THE MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS. IT HAS BROUGHT A WHOLE NEW ACTIVITY TO EVERYONE IN THE AREA AND NOT JUST THE VETERANS. OUR MISSION IS TO COMBAT THE
HIGHWAYS -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DENISE,
THAT EXIST IN THE VETERAN AND FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITIES.
WE DO THAT THROUGH OUR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AS YOU HAVE SAID.
WE ALSO GET THAT SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMRADERY THAT WE MISSED AND ARE DRIVEN BY MISSION-ORIENTED PROJECTS SO IT HAS GIVEN THE TRAIL BUILDERS A NEW MISSION TO PUT THEIR EFFORTS INTO AND A NEW SENSE OF FAMILY WITHIN PRE SINK 2. THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONER, FOR THE SUPPORT THAT HELPED US ACHIEVE MILE -- MILESTONES IN OUR MISSION. WE COULDN'T BE MORE THANKFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE TRULY HOPE THOSE TRAILS ARE A SOURCE OF HAPPINESS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY ARE AND THEY WILL BE.
THANK YOU TO THE YELLOW BIRD TEAM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> HAVE I ANOTHER RESOLUTION -- I HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION AND IT IS FOR NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK.
>> WE WILL HAVE RUSTY ROBERTS SHARE A FEW WORDS.
THEY ARE CELEBRATING THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF RAISING AWARENESS OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES BY ALLOWING AN APPRENTICE TO EARN WHILE THEY LEARN AND PREPARING A PATHWAY ACROSS THE NATION.
WHEREAS THE APPRENTICE SHIP PROGRAMS ENABLE THEM TO TRAIN THEIR FUTURE WORKFORCE WHILE OFFERING CAREER SEEKERS AFFORDABLE PATHS TO SECURE HIGH-PAYING JOBS.
WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZES THE ROLE OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR WORKFORCE AND INCLUSIVE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE HISTORICALLY UNDER SERVED AND MARGINALIZED IN ADVERSITY AND PERSISTENT POVERTY AND INEQUALITY, THUS PROVIDING A PATH FOR ALL QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING WOMEN, YOUTH, PEOPLE OF COLOR, RURAL COMMUNITIES, INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO BECOME APPRENTICES AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE INDUSTRY. AND HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZES THAT REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP, A PROVEN TRAINING MODEL PROVIDES A PIPELINE THAT CAN TRAIN AND BUILD UP OUR WORKFORCE TO ADDRESS OUR NATION'S PRESSING ISSUES SUCH AS RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND MODERNIZING OUR CYBER SECURITY RESPONSE AND ADDRESSING PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AND REBUILDING OUR COUNTRY'S INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO WE HAVE RUSTY ROBERTS WH IS -- WHO IS A GRADUATE.
JUST WANT TO SHARE SOME PERSPECTIVES FROM HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL -- I WANT TO PUT AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON THE PART OF THE JUST AS INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS.
WHEN I WAS SHERIFF I WORKED WITH THE RAIL LINES AND SPOKE TO THE CEO AND SAID IF I CAN GET SOME FOLKS COMMERCIALLY CERTIFIED TO DO THE WELDING YOU NEED DONE ON THE RAIL LINES, WOULD YOU CONSIDER HIRING THEM? SO HE THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND CALLED ME BACK WEEKS LATER AND TOLD ME, YEAH. I THINK I WILL TAKE A CHANCE.
[00:50:04]
I SAID I'M NOT GONNA SEND YOU HORRIBLE INDIVIDUALS.I'M JUST GONNA SEND YOU SOME KNUCKLE HEADS.
PEOPLE WHO MAKE DUMB MISTAKES.
I SAID IF YOU GIVE THEM A CHANCE, IT WILL KEEP THEM FROM MAKING ANOTHER DUMB MISTAKE. HE DID AND THAT PROGRAM WAS SUCCESSFUL. PEOPLE WALKING OUT OF THE COUNTY JAIL, THEY WERE PRE-INTERVIEWED AND WERE WALKING INTO A $20 OR $25 AN HOUR JOB AT THAT TIME.
IT IS TOUGH WORK. I KNOW IT IS TOUGH WORK OUT THERE. IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT THEY WERE WALKING INTO A CUSHY ENVIRONMENT.
IT DID HELP TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND THE CYCLE OF THE CRIMINALLY INVOLVED AND IT MADE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER AND SAFE. RUSTY.
ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> YES, SIR.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD, MAN.
>> OKAY. I'M RUSTY ROBERTS, A RECENT GRADUATE OF THE APPRENTICESHIP READINESS PROGRAM MC3.
AT GRADUATION I HEARD COMMISSIONER GARCIA SPEAK AND I APPRECIATE HIS INSIGHT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORKING CLASS. THE CLASS IS HOSTED BY THE HOUSTON BUILD AND TRADE COUNCIL AND I WANTED TO GIVE A TESTIMONY ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE AND BEN PHYT FROM THE CLASS.
IT -- BENEFIT OF THE CLASS. IT WAS A THREE-WEEK, 120-HOUR READINESS PROGRAM AND GIVES US 14 DIFFERENT APPRENTICESHIPS AND 100% FREE TO ME. THEY COVERED 40 HOURS OF CONSTRUCTION MATH, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND INTERVIEW SKILLS. I GOT MY OSHA 10, CPR AND FIRST-AID CERTIFICATION. MOST IMPORTANTLY I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIONS AND HOW THEY BENEFIT THE WORKING CLASS. THEY NEGOTIATED WAGES AND BENEFITS THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY AVAILABLE, BUT SHOULD BE.
THIS CLASS HAS HELPED ME WITH MY APPLICATION WITH THE ELECTRICIAN APPRENTICESHIP AND I FEEL I AM MORE PREPARED THAN
OTHER APPLICANTS. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> I WANTED TO THANK THEM FOREGOING ABOVE AND BEYOND ON THIS CLASS AND THEY WERE WILLING TO STAY AFTER AND HELP US GET OUR MATH OR WHATEVER IT TOOK TO GET US IN THERE.
LAST WEEK I TOOK MY MATH TEST FOR THE ELECTRICIAN PAW SHIP AND THERE -- APPRENTICESHIP AND THERE IS NO WAY I COULD PASS IT WITHOUT THEIR HELP.
IT IS AWESOME WHAT THEY ARE DOING OPENING DOORS FOR PEOPLE. THE CLASS JUST PREPARES YOU TO , YOU KNOW, KNOW THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ATTITUDE OF THE UNION. THEY GET YOU READY FOR THE INTERVIEWS AND TEACH YOU ABOUT THE PROPER WAY TO WORK AND WHAT WILL GET YOU INTO THESE AWESOME JOBS.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THAT.
IT IS AN UH -- AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: RUSTY, CONGRATULATIONS, MAN.
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND WE WISH YOU ALL OF THE CONTINUED SUCCESS GOING FORWARD.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK PAUL FUENTE AND THE OTHER TRADE UNIONS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THIS WORK AND MAKING SURE THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO WORK HARD AND PLAY BY THE RULES, THAT THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN HONORABLE TRADE IS AVAILABLE TO YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. WANTED TO BRING TO COURT TODAY A RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE TAIWAN KNEES COMMUNITY.
THERE IS PROBABLY NO COMMUNITY THAT AMERICA HAS JOINTED A CLOSER PARTNERSHIP WITH. I THINK THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS IF YOU EVER WATCH THE LITTLE LEAGUES EVERY YEAR AND YOU SEE THE GREAT TEAMS THAT COME OVER FROM TAIWAN, THAT IS ONE SMALL INDICATOR.
LET ME GO THROUGH THE RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, HARRIS COUNTY'S TAIWANESE COMMUNITY CELEBRATED ON OCTOBER 10TH 2021 AND WHEREAS THE HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 AND 4 COLLECTIVELY HAVE THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF TAIWANESE-OWNED BUSINESSES WITHIN THE COUNTY AND THESE BUSINESSES CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO THE ROBUST ECONOMY OF THE COUNTY. WHEREAS THE DOUBLE 10 DAY IS A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE THE CULTURE AND REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES MADE TO CREATE A DEMOCRATIC CHINA.
AND THEY HAVE CLOSE ECONOMIC TIES.
HARRIS COUNTY'S STRONG ECONOMY IS ATTRACTING TAIWANESE INVESTMENT BANKS INCLUDING THE FIRST COMMERCIAL BANK AND CO-OPT BANK TO ESTABLISH BRANCHES IN THE AREA.
THE TAIWANESE POPULATION HAS CREATED A VIBRANT COMMUNITY
[00:55:04]
INCLUDING THE TAIWANESE SCHOOL OF LANGUAGE AND COMMUNITY CENTER IN AN EFFORT TO CULTIVATE AND SHARE TAIWANESE CULTURE. THE GOODWILL AND EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND TAIWAN CONTINUES FOR MEANINGFUL AND MUTUAL BENEFITS.THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CELEBRATES DOUBLE TEN DAY AND SUPPORTS A FREE AND INDEPENDENT TAIWAN. I THINK WE HAVE ROBERT LOWE HERE WITH US. HE IS THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE TAIPEI ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL OFFICE IN HOUSTON.
WITH THAT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK?
>> HELLO, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ELLIS AND RAMSEY AND CAGLE. GOOD MORNING.
LET ME SPEAK FIRST TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I WANT TO REPORT TO YOU THAT I WAS THE MEMBER OF A MARINE CORP IN TAIWAN AS WELL. YOU KNOW, TAIWAN IS A VERY -- THE MOST RESPONSIBLE AND STRONG PARTNER OF THE UNITED STATES IN ASIA. WE WILL STAND WITH THE UNITED STATES IN ASIA ALL THE TIME AND WE WILL FIGHT FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY OF ALL OF THE WORLD.
TODAY I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDLY RESOLUTION.
MY FOCUS AND MY MISSION IS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMICAL CULTURAL AND SCIENTIFICAL INCLUDING IN TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI AND OKLAHOMA. I WILL DO MY BEST TO PROMOTE ALL KINDS OF COOPERATION AND EXCHANGES IN THIS AREA SO WE HAVE A VERY BIG COMMUNITY. WE SUPPORT 30,000 TAIWANESE PEOPLE LIVING AND STUDYING AND WORKING IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IN HOUSTON. I WILL DO MY BEST TO PROMOTE EXCHANGE AND I WILL SAY YOU, COUNTY JUDGE AND THE GREAT TEAM OF COMMISSIONERS, YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO BE WITH TAIWAN. I KNOW THE COUNTY JUDGE HAS BEEN TO TAIWAN BEFORE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.
YOU WERE WORKING IN TANDEM. I THINK IT IS A GOOD TIMING FOR YOU AND YOUR GREAT TEAM TO BE WITH TAIWAN AGAIN SO YOU WILL SEE WHAT AND GOING ON THERE.
WE CAN PROMOTE MORE EX -- EXCHANGE.
JUST LIKE HARRIS COUNTY AND COUNTIES IN TAIWAN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DIRECTOR IF I CAN JUST SHARE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR YOUR WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BUILDING THOSE BRIDGES, AND I WILL SAY ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT BEEN TO TAIWAN, I DO WANT TO VISIT ONE DAY SOON.
RODNEY AND I DID SHARE AN INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, INTEL JEBT -- INTELLIGENT AND HARD-WORKING TAIWANESE PEOPLE I EVER HAD THE HONOR AND PLEASURE OF KNOWING AND WORKING WITH.
THAT WAS MS. HELEN CHANG. SHE WAS PROUD OF HER TAIWANESE BACKGROUND, BUT SHE WAS A PHENOMENAL AMBASSADOR TO THE REST OF THE WORLD IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
ALTHOUGH I HAVE NEVER BEEN, TAIWAN HAS TOUCHED MY HEART.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENT.
COME TO TAIWAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE BEEN AND IT WAS BEFORE I WAS IN OFFICE.
I THINK I HAVE BEEN ABOUT FIVE TIMES.
I THINK THE FIRST TIME WAS 1981 WITH THE LATE
[01:00:02]
CONGRESSMAN. WE WENT TO THE GRAND HOTEL AND IT WAS A TRADE CONFERENCE WHEN BILL CLINTON WAS GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS IN ABOUT 1984. I HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES.GREAT MEMORIES OF HELEN CHANG.
GOING TO TAIPEI AND ALSO GOING TO CHINA, MAINLAND CHINA WITH HER AS WELL, INCLUDING ON A VISIT WITH LEE BROWN AS MAYOR AND PLAYED A MINOR ROLE IN YAO MING COMING TO
HOUSTON. >> STILL VERY BEAUTIFUL.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH [INAUDIBLE]. SHE PASSED AWAY, BUT MARY LEE WAS MY VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR AND SHE AND GEORGE LEE --
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> WE WILL DO OUR BEST. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE PRIVILEGED TODAY TO HAVE SEVERAL RESOLUTIONS FOR OUR VETERANS AND THIS LAST WEEK IS ONE WHERE I GAINED A FEW POUNDS BECAUSE LAST THURSDAY WE DID A SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS TO WHERE THE CEREMONY THAT PRECINCT 2 REFERENCED WAS THERE AND PERFORMED BY ONE OF OUR LOCAL ROTC GROUPS, THE EMPTY TABLE CEREMONY, WHICH IS JUST SO POWERFUL AND -- POWERFUL AND POIGNANT.
WE DID A SALUTE TO OTHER VETERANS ON THE PRECINCT FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOUR AND WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH A NUMBER OF VETERANS THERE AS WELL AND VETERAN SERVICES WERE REPRESENTED THERE.
WE ALSO PLAYED WITH THE BRASS BAND A TRIBUTE TO THE SIX BRANCHES. WE NOW, HAVE I LEARNED HARRIS COUNTY, HAVE A VETERAN OF THE SPACE FORCE.
I THINK WE ARE SUCH A NEW BRANCH OF SERVICE THAT WE DO HAVE A VETERAN OF THAT DIVISION.
IT WAS NICE TO HEAR THE SONG WE PLAY IN HONOR OF OTHERS.
MANY OF OUR VETERANS SERVICE AFTER THEIR SERVICE AND TODAY'S RESOLUTION DEALS WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO HAVE SERVED US BEFORE THEY BECAME AN OFFICIAL VETERAN.
I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION, WHEREAS DURING NATURAL EMERGENCIES LIKE COVID, RESOURCES RUN THIN AND FOOD BANKS RELIES ON VOLUNTEERS HELP SORT, PACK AND DISTRIBUTE FOOD. HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4'S COMMUNITY CENTER WAS SELECTED AS A FOOD SORT WILLING SEN -- FOOD SORTING CENTER AND THE NATIONAL GUARD WERE DEPLOYED TO HELP THE FOOD BANK AND THE RISING DEMAND OF BEING LEFT HUNGRY IN A PANDEMIC. I AM PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD FOR STEPPING UP TO HELP IN THIS TIME TO UP LIFT OUR COMMUNITY.
WHILE SERVING THE TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ASSISTED 200 FAMILIES AND SORTED MORE THAN 500,000 POUNDS OF FOOD. WHEREAS BY RECOGNIZING THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD UNITS, HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANIES AND THE 337TH SUPPORT BRIGADE AND 36TH INFANTRY DIVISION.
AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS GABRIEL GARZA AND DAVID TRILLER AND JORDAN DRUBARE AND SPECIALIST SMITH AND O'NEIL AND CAPTAIN COSTA AND CAPTAIN LAM AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, OUR PRE SIKH -- PRECINCT 4 EMPLOYEE RETIRED AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT COLONEL PRIOR.
BE IF RE-- RESOLVED THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT ON THIS VETERANS DAY HONORS AND SALUTES THE SERVICE OF OUR GREAT VETERANS AND RECOGNIZES THE MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD FOR THEIR RESPONSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.
THAT IS OUR RESOLUTION FROM PRECINCT 4.
JUDGE, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS.
>> FIRST IS CORINA WITH THE TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.
[01:05:02]
PLEASE GO AHEAD, MA'AM. >> GOOD MORNING.
THIS IS CAPTAIN ACOSTA. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DR. SANCHEZ FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND SERVICE.
IT DOES NOT GO UN-- UN UNNOTICED AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE HOSPITALITY PROVIDED.
IT WAS A PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON. I AM FROM SAN ANTONIO,
BUTTON. >>ED -- BUT ENJOYED MY TIME HELPING THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS TERRELL LAMB FROM THE TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> HELLO. I AM CAPTAIN TERRELL LAMB FROM THE TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.
MY TEAM AND I WERE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS CALL BY MR. PRYOR. WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH MR. PRYOR BY PACKING AND DISTRIBUTING FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED. UNTO NART -- UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO MY TEAM BEING ON COVID ORDER AND COLLEGE CLASSES WE WERE NOT ABLE TO PHYSICALLY ATTEND IN PERSON AS WE INTENDED TO. IT IS GREAT TO SEE THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER FOR ONE ANOTHER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR RECOGNITION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS
FOR THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT SO MANY OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS THAT HELP WITH THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AS WELL.
SO I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
I BELIEVE THOSE ARE YOUR RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER.
[01:15:18]
[01:15:19]
THANK YOU. LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE[Speakers]
SPEAKERS AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A BREAK.TIFFANY, GO AHEAD. >> FIRST WE HAVE DARYLIN BUTLER FROM THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN PERSON.
>> GOOD MORNING. , GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. IN 1974 I BOUGHT A LITTLE HORSE PLACE IN NORTH HARRIS COUNTY.
I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THREE COMMISSIONERS OVER THESE 42 YEARS. WITH HORSES AT FIRST I WAS JUST A ROD IO -- RODEO, BUT THEN MY DESIRE FOR RIDING TURNED TO TRAILS AND I HAVE INTRODUCED PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS AND WE HAVE CLOSE TO 30,000 PEOPLE A YEAR THAT EXPERIENCED THE TRAILS THROUGH OUR PLACE.
AND HAULING FROM ALL OVER TEXAS, OUT OF STATE TO RIDE THE FABULOUS NORTH HARRIS COUNTY TRAILS TO GREEN -- GREEN WAY PARKWAY. IT IS LIKE NOTHING ELSE.
IT IS THE LONGEST LYNN -- LINEAR TRAIL IN THE U.S.
IF I'M PRETTY CLOSE ON MY GUESS OF 30,000 RIDERS, I WOULD GUESS THERE IS OVER 100,000 BIKERS AND JOGGERS.
DO WE KNOW? >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> CAN I CONTINUE?
>> IF YOU CAN FINISH YOUR LAST STATEMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE A
NUMBER OF OTHER SPEAKERS. >> THERE ARE OVER 100,000 BIKERS AND JOGGERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE USE OF THESE TRAILS. THE TWO MILLION PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN THIS PRECINCT OF REDISTRICTING, WE FEEL DISENFRANCHISED. YOU ARE THWARTING THE WISH OF THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR CACTUS JACK.
TOM, I KNOW YOU WILL PROBABLY DO A GREAT JOB.
I DON'T KNOW YOU, BUT I WATCHED IN THE LAST 40 IMREERS THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN -- 40 YEARS THE COMMISSIONERS OUT THERE MAKE A GREAT CHANGE AND NOT JUST TRAILS, BUT ROAD SERVICES AND CONSTABLE SERVICES AND I AM REALLY SO PLEASED AND SO ARE THE OTHER CONSTITUENTS.
THIS WAS KIND OF A GUT PUNCH TO US.
I JUST WANT TO PLEAD THAT THERE BE SOME KIND OF RECONSIDERATION. I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE COME BEFORE THE PUBLIC AND CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE THERE I TALKED TO ARE NOT HAPPY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 13 ON THE LIST, SUSAN COCHRAN AND SHE IS ALSO SPEAKING OF ITEM 13 UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
SUSAN KAUFMAN? >> I AM 13, BUT I AM
BARBARA -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE NEXT SO LET'S SEE IF THIS PERSON IS THERE AND THEN YOU WILL BE
NEXT. >> IT LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT HAVE LOST HER. WE WILL TRY TO GET HER BACK ON. NEXT IS BARBARA SLOTMAN SPEAKING ON ITEM 13 UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
>> BARBARA SCHLOTMAN. >> IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE WITH JACK CAGLE WITH HIS DEDICATED AND -- STAFF.
I AM HEART BROKEN HE WILL NO LONGER BE MY COUNTY COMMISSIONER. 3 AND 4 THERE IS COST AND TIME AND ENERGY. I KNOW MY COMMENTS WILL NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. MY ONLY HOPE IS THAT THIS REDISTRICTING PLAN WILL BE REVERSED AND THAT SOME DAY YOU WILL PUT COMMUNITY BEFORE SELF-INTERESTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> WE WERE ABLE TO GET NUMBER 13 BACK ON THE LINE.
SUSAN COCHRAN. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THIS IS SUSAN.
I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE.
IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT AN UNBIASED COMMISSIONERS' COURT WOULD WANT EVERY PRECINCT OF HARRIS COUNTY TO MAKE UP THE
[01:20:02]
BEST AND THE STRONGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS.THIS IS WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD ACCOMPLISHED FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE MAKE A DECISION THAT AFFECTS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE BY CHANGING WHAT IS WORKING WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING HARRIS COUNTY THE BEST AND THE STRONGEST IN TEXAS.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE QUESTION WHAT REASON COULD THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAVE IN MAKING A CHANGE THAT HAS AFFECTED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN SUCH A NEGATIVE WAY? IN CONCLUSION I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR HIS EFFORTS TO MAKE PRECINCT 4 THE VERY BEST IN HARRIS COUNTY.
I KNOW THAT AS HE CONTINUED -- CONTINUES IN PRECINCT 3 --
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> HE WILL ACCOMPLISH THE SAME THING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER RICKY BROOKS OF UNITED STEELWORKERS SPEAKING ON ITEM 101 UNDER IGA. HE IS SPEAKING IN PERSON.
>> GOOD MORNING. RICKY BROOKS, PROUD HARRIS COUNTY AND PASADENIAN. OPPOSING EXXON MOBILE GETTING ANY SPECIAL TAX TREATMENT OR TAXPAYER INCENTIVES FROM HARRIS COUNTY FOR CARBON CAPTURE PROG EXPWRECTS.
PROJECTS. HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD WORK WITH EMPLOYERS WHO TREAT WORKERS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND CREATE JOBS. THE COUNTY SHOULD MAKE SURE IT IS WORKING WITH THOSE EMPLOYERS AND WE ASK THAT HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STAND WITH THE WORKING PEOPLE AND ASK THEM TO CLEAN UP THEIR OWN HOUSE BEFORE THEY START ASKING YOU FOR TAXPAYER MONEY OR INCENTIVES PUTTING THE 600 PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AT THE BEAUMONT REFINERY AND GET A FAIR CONTRACT DONE.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 15, ROB BLOCH, SPEAKING ALSO ON ITEM
MY NAME IS ROB BLOCH. I AM A HUE -- HOUSTON FIREFIGHTER AND MEMBER OF LOCAL 331.
IT IS DIFFICULT, BUT WE CAN STILL GO TO WORK AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON. I WENT TO BEAUMONT TO WALK A PICKET LINE WITH BROTHERS AND SISTERS BLOCKED OUT BY EXXON MOBILE. AND THOSE MEMBERS NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO WORK, 100 OF THEM ARE CERTIFIED AS VOLUNTEERS AS FIRE, HAZMAT AND RESCUE CERTIFIED.
IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW THE PLAN IS BEING OPERATED WITH THESE PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS BEING LOCKED OUT OF THEIR WORKPLACE, BUT I'M WORRIED IT PUTS THE WORKERS IN THE PLANT AND NEIGHBORS IN DANGER. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL GREEN ECONOMY. IT IS A STRUCK -- I'M NOT SURE THE STRUCTURE YOU GOT HERE, BUT THEY SHOULD NOT USE MONEY TO [INADDABLE] AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS AND
USE YOUR LEVERAGE -- >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS MICKEY MOSLEY FROM UNITED STEELWORKERS AND SPEAKING ON ITEM 101.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY FLAME -- NAME IS NICKY MOSLEY AND HAVE LIVED IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS FOR 40 YEARS.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IT IS HAVING ON OUR COMMUNITY. $7.6MILLION PER WEEK HAS BEEN LOST IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE EARN AND SPEND IN THE COMMUNITY IT FLIPS EIGHT AND 9 TIMES.
WE ARE IN WEEK 28 OF THE LOCKOUT AND THAT IS AN ESTIMATED 2.12 MILLION AS OF TODAY.
THIS HAS CAUSED A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON ALL OF ITS MEMBERS THAT WORK AT EXXON MOBILE AND WE HOPE YOU PARTNER WITH GOOD, RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS PAUL HARPER WITH UNITED STEELWORKERS AND
SPEAKING ON ITEM 101. >> DISBORNG. GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK.
I AM PAUL HARPER AND I AM ONE OF THE 600 PLUS WORKERS IN BEAUMONT THAT HAS BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THEIR JOB SINCE MAY 1ST UNDER AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE LOCK DWROWT.
[01:25:04]
THIS -- LOCKOUT. THIS HAS AFFECTED ME AND MY FAMILY IN VARIOUS WAYS AND MY CO-WORKERS, THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. THEY HAVE PEOPLE IN THERE WORKING UNLIKE OUR EMPLOYEES. THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY IS AT RISK TOO. I AM HERE TO OPPOSE EXXON FROM GETTING SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR CARBON CAPTURE PROJECTS.HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD WORK WITH RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYERS TO TREAT WORKERS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
WE ARE ASKING THE HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO STAND WITH WORKING PEOPLE AND DEMAND THAT EXO -- EXXON MOBILE AND GULF COAST FAMILIES LEAN THANK YOU
FOR SPEAKING. >> NEXT WE HAVE A SPEAKER ON
WILL NEDLEY UNITED STEEL WORKERS AND GULF COAST EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER. I AM HERE TO SAY HAVE I WORKED FOR 40 YEARS AND RETIRED FROM SHELL, GOOD COMPANY TO WORK FOR. EXXON IS NOT.
AND THIS IS NOT A RED VERSUS BLUE AND NOT A RIGHT VERSUS LEFT. IT IS NOT A REPUBLICAN VERSUS DEMOCRAT. IT IS A JOBS ISSUE.
IT IS A WORKING PEOPLE ISSUE. THOSE WORKING PEOPLE DESERVE A GOOD, HONEST COMPANY TO WORK WITH.
THERE ARE MANY COMPANY THAT'S ARE INTERESTED.
WE SUPPORT CARBON CAPTURE. WE SEE THAT AS A FUTURE.
WE SEE IT AS A WAY TO GO FORWARD AND ADDRESS A LOT OF PEOPLE'S ISSUES. BUT WHEN YOU START OUT WITH SOMEONE YOU DON'T TRUST, IT IS HARD TO BUILD THAT TRUST.
THERE ARE OTHER COMPANIES OUT THERE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THIS. THERE WERE SEVERAL MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY. THAT'S WHERE I'M AT.
I APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S TIME AND EFFORT.
COMMISSIONER, NEXT TIME YOU ARE AT THE VIETNAM WAIL -- VIETNAM WALL, LOOK UP JOHN MEDLEY AND MY UNCLE RESIDES
THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP. I APPRECIATE YOU.
>> NEXT IS IN PERSON SPEAKER DAVID FRASON AND SPEAKING ON
I AM DAVID AND A CURRENT EMPLOYEE OF EXXON MOBIL FOR 14 YEARS. I WANTED TO GIVE UH BACKGROUND OF WHAT THIS LOCKOUT IS DOING TO FAMILIES.
IT IS AFFECTING ALL OVER 600 EMPLOYEE THAT'S HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT. WE ALL ARE FACING HARD TIMES AND NOT ABLE TO PAY BILLS AND LOOKING FOR THE UNION TO HELP US PAY OUR BILLS, AND IT IS AFFECTING THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE UNSKILLED, UNEXPERIENCED PEOPLE FILLING THOSE POSITIONS. IN A MOMENT OF CRISIS, WE ARE EXPECTING THOSE PEOPLE TO PERFORM LIKE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE. IT IS PUTTING US ALL IN DANGER. I HOPE YOU STAND WITH THE MEMBERS OF USW AND NOT STAND WITH EXXON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU THE.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 20, KEITH SUAREZ.
HE IS SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON 101.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT IN REGARDS TO THE GOVERNMENTAL 8 FARES ITEM.
AFFAIRS ITEM. IT IS MY OPINION THAT YOUR JOB AS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IS A JOB TO TAKE CARE OF OTHER PEOPLE AND THAT IS THE JOB OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: QUESTION. MR. BERRY, ITEM 101 IS LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS. I THOUGHT I REMEMBER READING SOMETHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA SOMETHING DEALING WITH CARBON CAPTURE. IS THIS THE ONLY AREA WHERE
THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED? >> NOT AWARE OF ANYWHERE ELSE.
I'LL HAVE SOMEONE ON MY TEAM DOUBLE CHECK.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> NEXT ON THE LIST IS SPEAKER 21, EMILY PAUL OF AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION AND SPEAKING ON 107 UNDER PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM EMILY PAUL, DIRECTOR FOR THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION BASED HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE FUNDING FOR AXIS HARRIS COUNTY.
THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION IS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH FOR ALL INCLUDING IDENTIFYING REMOVING
[01:30:03]
BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS INEQUALITY BY 2024.AXIS HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDED HOLISTIC CLIENT APPROACH IS EXCELLENT FOR OUTCOMES OF DISENFRANCHISED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. AXIS HARRIS COUNTY'S MOTTO WILL HELP THEM MAKE THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF THE VARIED RESOURCES AT ITS DISPOSAL. THIS INTEGRATED CARE COORDINATED STRUCTURE WILL COLLABORATE ON HEALTH DISPARITIES IN THE FEULT. -- IN THE FUTURE.
IT WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARD BRIDGING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES AND ENSURING ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY
PROCEEDS. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 22, MIKE NICHOLS OF COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, AND ALSO SPEAKING ON 107 UNDER PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. I'M ALSO SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE EXPENDITURE OF THE ACCESS -- FOR THE ACCESS FUND. I WANT TO SAY I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE CHOICE THAT THE COMMISSION MADE IN BARBARA ROBINSON. SHE HAS HUGE, HUGE EXPERIENCE. THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY A HOMELESSNESS ISSUE, BUT IT IS PART OF A SYSTEMIC OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD EQUITY INTO SERVICES OF HARRIS COUNTY AND AN OPPORTUNITY OF BUILDING THIS KIND OF EQUITY TO SAVE MONEY FOR HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, MIKE.
>> NEXT IS IN PERSON SPEAKER LAW KISHA DIXON SPEAKING ON 132 UNDER JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.
>> WAKEISHA DIXON. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF AN AGENCY SERVING HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS FOR 30 YEARS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
TODAY I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM 132.
FAR TOO MANY SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS HAVE FELT UNHEARD AND UNSUPPORTED IN THE COMMUNITY.
STATISTICS SHOW IN 2020 ONLY 23% OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS REPORTED THEIR INCIDENT NATIONWIDE.
THE INSTITUTION OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM WILL HELP AND AID TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS AND HOLD OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE. IT IS THE RESPONSE TO EVERY CHILD WHO HAS BEEN VIOLATED AND EVERY WOMAN THAT HAS BEEN VIOLATED AND EVERY MAN THAT HAS BEEN VIOLATED BY SEXUAL UH -- ABUSE. WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 476 AND I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE LIST OF CANDIDATES PRESENTED.
WE EACH COME WITH EXPERIENCE --
>> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> KNOWLEDGE, COMPASSION AND INTEGRITY TO LEAD THE CHARGE SET BEFORE US.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> WE KEEP SURVIVORS ALIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 24, BRENDA -- TURNING POINT AND SPEAKING ON ITEM 132 UNDER JUSTICE
ADMINISTRATION. >> GOOD MORNING.
I APPRECIATE THE COURT FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE.
I AM BRENDA SYKES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A RAPE CRISIS CENTER IN TEXAS. WE WORK WITH THOSE IMPACTED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE. FOR 30 YEARS WE WORK TO NAVIGATE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH VICTIMS IN HOPES FOR JUSTICE FOR THEM. SEXUAL ASSAULT IS UNDER REPORTED AND THE DYNAMICS THAT OCCUR IS REVICTIMIZING OUR CLIENTS. I AM ASKING THE COURT TO ACCEPT THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION -- IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM IN ALIGNMENT WITH SENATE BILL 476. 20% OF THOSE WE SERVE ANNUALLY ARE IMPACTED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND WE KNOW THESE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER THAN REPORTED.
AS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THIS SENSELESS VIOLENCE.
AGAIN, I AM ASKING THE COURT TO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 476, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SART TEAM FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 26, SONYA PERELLA FROM THE HOUSTON WOMEN'S CENTER ON 132 UNDER JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.
>> GOOD MORNING. JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS THE DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER.
THANK YOU FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU IN SUPPORT OF THE FORMATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRST EVER SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM OR SART.
THANK YOU TO THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR AMAZING WORK. THANK YOU ESPECIALLY TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HIS INCREDIBLE TEAM FOR THEIR CONTINUED COMMITMENT FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE STAKEHOLDERS IN SUPPORT OF THE SART.
[01:35:02]
SART WILL PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE WHEN IT COMES TO RESPOND TOGETHER NEEDS OF SURVIVORS AND REDUCING THE SILOED AGENCIES AND BRINGING THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY EFFORT.THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF SERT SERVING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE FOR YEARS WHETHER PEOPLE REPORT OR NOT OFFERING CRISIS INTERVENTION AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
WE HAVE BEEN PART OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SEXUAL ASSAULT STEERING COMMITTEE ALONG WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE GOING
TO BELONG. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 27, MARISSA HANSON SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 216 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2.
>> HI. MY NAME IS MARISSA -- WHERE IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA? CAN YOU RESTART IT? HI, MY NAME IS MARISSA HANSON.
I THINK THAT IT IS A WASTE OF TIME TO BE INVESTIGATING THE BAIL BONDSMAN WHEN REALLY IT IS THE BAIL REFORM THAT IS THE PROBLEM. WHEN YOU CREATE A LOWER BAIL REFORM, IT CREATES A -- THE BONDSMAN TO HAVE -- THEY HAVE A BUSINESS. THEY HAVE TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. WHEN THE BAIL IS SO LOW IT BECOMES COMPETITIVE. SO THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE BAIL REFORM. YOU KNOW THAT.
YOU ARE A SMART PERSON. I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT.
AND THAT IS THE ISSUE HERE. THAT'S THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHY CRIME IS RISING IN OUR CITY. RIGHT NOW I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU GUYS SENT A CLEAN UP CREW TO ASTROWORLD ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
WHY WAS A CLEAN UP CREW AT A MASS CASUALTY EVENT? YOU DO NOT SEND CLEAN UP CREWS TO A MASS CASUALTY EVENT.
A 9-YEAR-OLD CHILD IS IN THE HOSPITAL --
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> I AM IN A STROKE. WHY WAS A CLEAN UP CREW
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WHY WAS A CLEAN UP CREW THERE? IT WAS MASS CASUALTY EVENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS IN PERSON SPEAKER MARIO GARZA, ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 216 UNDER COMMISSIONER
MY NAME IS MARIO GARZA AND I AM PRESIDENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND ASSOCIATION. I WAS HERE IN JULY OF 2019 WHEN YOU GUYS FINAL LIDS -- FINALIZED THE O'DONNELL MATTER AND I SPOKE ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND BALANCE.
REAL QUICK I DONL GOT ONE MINUTE HERE -- I ONLY GOT ONE MINUTE WE ARE UP TO 147 MURDERS COMMITTED BY DEFENDANTS OUT ON BOND. KIM OTT'S REPORT 100% RECIDIVISM AND 50% FAILURE TO APPEAR AND 95% RE RE-- REOFFEND WITHIN ONE YEAR AND 119% WITHIN 180 DAYS AND 139% WITHIN 90 DAYS. THIS CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS THAT THE JUDGES WANT TO HIDE BEHIND, I MEAN THE FACT THAT THEY CAN'T DO CERTAIN THINGS ON BONDS, THAT'S A LIE.
THIS IS ALL PREDICATED ON A LIE.
THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS NEVER HELD THAT THE DEFENDANTS HAD A RIGHT TO BE FREED FROM A WEALTH-BASE DETENTION.
I WILL END WITH THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 28, JAKE SQUALASY SPEAKING ON 260 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.
I WAS JUST CALLING IN TO MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE ON ITEM 216.
I REPRESENT THE COMPANY THAT WAS RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD OF THE PARKING AND REVENUE CONTROL RFP.
I WILL REMAIN ON THE LINE IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT THE HEARING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. DOESN'T LOOK LIKE FOLKS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT IS IN PERSON SPEAKER ROBERT CHO SPEAKING ON ITEM
REPEAT THE NAME, TIFFANY? >> HE IS NOT ON THE LIST, JUDGE. HE SIGNED UPRIGHT BEFORE THE MEETING STARTED. HIS NAME IS ROBERT CHO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS HERE.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS BOB CHOTE AND THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN SHERIFF FOR PRECINCT 902.
I WANTED TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT LAST TUESDAY'S ELECTION DAY. I HAVE COMMENTS ABOUT EARLY VOTING TOO, BUT WITH ONLY A MINUTE IT IS A LITTLE TOUGH.
WE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES OF THE PRESIDING JUDGE AT THE POLLING LOCATIONS. THERE WERE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS PUT FORTH IN THE JUDGE'S MANUAL.
WE HAD EQUIPMENT ISSUES RANGING FROM STANDS THAT COULD NOT BE ASSEMBLED AND PRINTER THAT'S WHY JAMMED AND SCREENS
[01:40:03]
THAT WOULD NOT STAY ON TRACK WHILE VOTERS WERE VOTING.OUR PARTICULAR LOCATION WENT FROM SEVEN UNITS DOWN TO FIVE BEFORE 4 P.M. THE BALANCE -- BALLOT SCANNING SYSTEM WAS SLOW FOR LESS THAN 12% TURNOUT.
WE HAD A LINE OF FOUR OR FIVE TIMES THROUGH THE DAY AND WE HAD 455 VOTES TO OUR LOCATION.
THE STAFFING, CONFIRMATION WERE NOT SENT TO ANY OF MY EIGHT CLERK THAT'S CAUSED CONFUSION.
ONE PARTICULAR STAFF MEMBER MISSED OUT ON TRAINING BECAUSE SHE WAS WAITING TO RECEIVE CONFIRMATION.
LUCKILY I HAD OVER STAFFED. >> THANK YOU X SIR, YOUR TIME
IS UP. >> FINALLY I HOPE YOU HAVE A DE BRIEF AND INVITE ALL OF THE JUDGES AND SOME OF THE CLERKS SO WE CAN WORK OUT THESE ISSUES.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO
MUCH. >> NEXT WE ARE MOVING TO NON-AGENDA-RELATED SPEAKERS. SPEAKER NUMBER 2 JAROD
I CAME HERE TODAY TO ANNOUNCE --
>> LINA HIDALGO: GET A LITTLE CLOLSER -- CLOSER TO THE
MICROPHONE. >> WANTED TO -- I WANTED TO SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE, UNDERGOD, 1 UNION INDIVISIBLE. TODAY I AM PRESENT AND HERE TODAY TO ANNOUNCE I WILL SERVE MY CITY, STATE AND MY COUNTRY AT WHATEVER COST, LIFE OR DEATH, FOR THE BETTER AGENDA OF ALL OF AMERICA, BUT ALSO THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE COUNTY LEADERS. IT IS AN HONOR TO BE ALIVE TODAY AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
JAROD BRAZIL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS IN PERSON SPEAKER NUMBER 3, BRIAN DODSON.
>> YES. I AM BRIAN DODSON AND AN ADVOCATE IN WEST HOUSTON. I ASSISTED THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN MAKING AN APPLICATION IN THEIR 2020TEXDOT AND HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. THE CITY OF HOUSTON RECEIVED ABOUT $4 MILLION FOR THEIR -- FOR 13 PROJECTS IN THE LAST ROUND. THERE ARE -- THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 90% OF THE CONSTRUCTION FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE SIDEWALKS AND TRAILS.
THERE ARE CLUSTER FATALITIES THAT DO QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM. I RESEARCHED IT AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP THE COUNTY GET AN APPLICATION IN BEFORE THE DECEMBER 10TH DEADLINE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BRIAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: BRIAN, WOULD YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU STEP DOWN THE HALL AND VISIT WITH THE FOLKS IN PRECINCT 4 FOR A MINUTE. WE WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND HAVE SOMEONE REACH OUT TO YOU.
>> OKAY. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 4,
JUDITH MCLOCHLAN. >> HELLO, I AM JUDITH AND THE DIRECTOR OF A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION CALLED ONE CREEK WEST. WE REPRESENT RESIDENTS IN WEST Y -- HOUSTON, WEST OF THE RESERVOIR AND LARGELY IN THE UNINCORPORATED PART OF HOUSTON.
FOLLOWING ON BRIAN'S REMARKS WE DID HAVE A FATALITY ALONG THE ROAD WHERE WE HAD A LOT OF KIDS FROM THE SCHOOL COMPLEX WALKING AS WELL AS OTHER PEDESTRIANS.
THIS PROJECT WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE FUNDING HE IS TALKING ABOUT. WITH THE INCREASED TRAFFIC DENSITY WE ARE SEEING, THERE IS A REAL NEED TO HAVE SIDEWALKS BUILT IN WHERE THERE ARE NONE NOW AND WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. WE HAVE LAID OUT A PROGRAM PROJECT FOR THIS PART OF THE ROAD AND WE HAVE A LOCAL MUDD THAT IS WILLING TO PICK UP 10% OF THE PROJECT COSTS.
AS BRIAN SAID TEXDOT REQUIRE ITSELF -- REQUIRES IT TO BE IN ON THE 10TH AND WOULD LIKE TO GET IT ON YOUR AGENDA.
>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AGAIN ASK IT IS ON SCORE -- ON YOUR AGENDA AND MAKE SURE WE GET THE PROJECT DONE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> THAT WAS ALL OF THE NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS, BUT WE HAVE ONE AGENDA-RELATED SPEAKER WE WERE ABLE TO REACH RIGHT NOW. NUMBER 25, EMILY RHITEHU US IT T SPEAKING ON 132 UNDER JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO, EVERYONE.
I APPRECIATE YOU LETTING ME ADD SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS.
MY NAME IS EMILY AND I AM A CEO OF THE HOUSTON AREA
[01:45:03]
WOMEN'S CENTER AND I WANT TO SAY THAT HAWK IS HONORED AND PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE FORMATION.I WRAPT YOU TO KNOW -- I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE WILL HONOR THE SURVIVE'S RIGHTS THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS.
IT WILL SUPPORT THEM AS THEY NAVIGATE THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WILL HAVE FACILITIES FOR EXAMS AND MAKE TIMELY TRAUMA AND RESPONSIVE RESPONSE A PRIORITY AND IT IS IN THIS SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION THE PROCESS FOR INVESTIGATION FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT WILL BE RESPECTFUL TO SURVIVORS AND MINIMIZE THE REPETITION OF QUESTIONS.
THIS IS SOME OF THE WAY THAT SART WILL PLACE SURVIVOR NEEDS FIRST. IT IS LONG OVERDUE AND WE ARE DEEPLY 8 PREESH TIFF AND PROUD THAT HARRIS COUNTY SH -- APPRECIATIVE AND PROUD THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS MOVING IT FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ON HOW TRULY EXCITED AND THANKFUL WE ARE
THIS IS MOVING FORWARD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: EMILY, THANK YOU. THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING AND I CAN SEE YOUR RIGHT HAND PERSON, SONYA, HERE AS WELL. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAWKS CAPACITY, CAPABILITY, INTEREST, WILLINGNESS AND RELENTLESSNESS TO ALWAYS BE THERE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
SO VERY PROUD THAT HAWK IS A PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON YET ANOTHER CHALLENGE, BUT -- AND THANK
YOU SO MUCH. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
IT IS A COLLECTIVE EFFORT. WE LOVE THIS COLLABORATION TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SONYA. >> THAT'S ALL FOR THE
SPEAKERS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
WRY HAVE JUST A FEW -- WE HAVE JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE BREAK, POSSIBLY LUNCH. SO LET'S GO OVER THE CONSENT
[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]
AGENDA. LET ME GO OVER ANY NOTES AND CORRECTIONS. ITEM 23 ON PAGE 4 FOR PROFESSIONAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES THEY REQUEST NO ACTION BE TAKEN. SAME GOES FOR ITEM 24.NO ACTION ON ITEMS 23 OR 24. ITEM 167, RENEWAL OPTION WITH LAB LINKS. PURCHASING REQUEST NO ACTION BEING TAKEN. THAT'S ITEM 167.
ITEM 259, REDUCE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO 925,$920.
-- $925, 920. THOSE ARE ALL OF THE
CORRECTIONS THAT I HAVE. >> JUDGE, IF I MAY, THERE WAS DISCUSSION OF ITEM 101 FROM SOME OF THE SPEAKERS.
I WANT TO CONGRESS OFFICIAL THAT THERE WAS ACTUALLY -- CONFIRM THAT THERE WAS ACTUALLY NO ACTION ON THIS
ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.
NO ACTION ON THE LEGISLATIVE ITEM.
THESE ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS ONE IS ITEM 244. AN AGREEMENT WITH HOLLAND SPECIAL COUNCIL. DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ITEM?
>> JUDGE 244 AND 245 DON'T REQUIRE TO GO BACK UNLESS THE
COURT WANTS TO DISCUSS THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL NOT BE TAKING THOSE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WHAT ABOUT 246? >> 246 NEEDS TO GO BACK.
WE NEED TO BRIEF THE COURT ON WHERE WE ARE ON THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LEAN 54? 254.
>> 254 NEEDS TO BE DISCUSS ETD -- DISCUSSED IN SCUTE SHIV
SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IS 246 IS ABOUT TEX-DOT AND 254 IS ABOUT THE JAIL.
263 IS A REAPPOINTMENT TO THE COUNTY FLOOD RESILIENCE TASK FORCE. THAT'S BY PRECINCT 4.
DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT, COMMISSIONER
IN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DO NOT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND WHAT ABOUT ITEM 264? COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID ANYTHING PENDING SHOULD BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. GENERAL STAFFING POLICY AND
[01:50:01]
MEASURES CAN OCCUR IN THE REGULAR MEETING.DO WE NEED TO TAKE THAT ITEM TO EXECUTIVE SESSION?
>> JUDGE, OUR OFFICE HAS TALKED TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE ABOUT THIS. IT IS ACTUALLY -- IT IS MIRRORED IN ITEM 254. SO WE WILL BE DISCUSSING IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. AS IT RELATES TO THE LAWSUIT.
THE COURT IS CERTAINLY AVAILABLE TO SPEAK IN OPEN COURT AS IT RELATES TO POLICY AND GENERAL DIRECTION, AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T GO INTO THE LAWSUIT ITSELF.
BY ALL MEANS YOU CAN DISCUSS IN OPEN COURT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND OBVIOUSLY THE PLAINTIFF IN THIS CASE SHOULD BE OFF LIMITS? DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PLAINTIFF?
>> YES, CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO ITEM 264 DOES NOT NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION?
IS THAT WHAT I'M HEARING? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THEN AFTER OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT WE WANT TO DISCUSS OUT HERE DEALING WITH I THINK THE SHERIFF HAS AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA WHICH THIS MAY INDIRECTLY RELATE TO, THAT WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THESE ARE THE THREE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS WE ARE GOING BACK FOR. 246, 254 AND 264.
HERE ARE OTHER ITEMS FLAGGED AND JUST SO WE CAN AGREE ON WHAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING. ITEM 11A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. I KNOW THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAS AN ITEM THERE AS WELL.
ITEM 12, THE EQUITY GUIDELINES, PRE SINKS 1, 3 AND 4 FLAGGED THAT ITEM. ITEM 13, A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PRE SINKS GIVEN THE REDISTRICTING. WE NEED TO DISCUSS AND THERE IS A PRESENTATION BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
ITEM 14, COMMISSIONER CAGLE YOU FLAGGED THAT.
DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? >> WE CAN VOTE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM 14?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS THAT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: REQUEST FOR THE APPROVAL OF THREE POSITIONS. IT IS BY THE COUNTY
ADMINISTRATOR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.
THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 107 WAS FLAGGED BY PRECINCTS 1, 2 AND 3 AND THAT IS THE A EXRK I -- AXIS DELIVERY HEALTH AND IT THERE IS A -- AND THERE IS A PRESENTATION. 125, A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR OFFICER POSITIONS AND WE HEARD OF PEOPLE NEEDING TO DISCUSS THAT SO WE WILL DISCUSS 125.
ITEM 132 PRECINCTS 2 AND 3 FLAGGED THAT.
DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 174, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU FLAGGED THIS ITEM.
IT IS A RENEWAL OPTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 175 IS -- WAS FLAGGED BYION -- BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AN AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 180, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND YOU FLAGGED THIS ITEM AID --
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 190 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AN AGREEMENT WITH ELMORE PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR OUT REACH SERVICES FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL
>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 214 COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU FLAGGED THIS ITEM. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION'S PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 216, PRECINCTS 2 AND 3 REQUEST A
DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 232, THE TRANSMITAL OF THE MY HOME IS HERE. I KNOW THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION SO WE WILL DISCUSS THAT ITEM.
THAT IS THE HOUSING STUDY. ITEM 233, A TRANS TRANSMITAL BY VETERAN SERVICES AND STATUS REPORTS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 247 AN MOU BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND JUSTICE RELATIONSHIP IN THEIR SAFETY AND FAIRNESS FOR EVERYONE INITIATIVE.
COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE BOTH FLAGGED ITEM 247.
>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 253, I KNOW ALL OF US WANT TO HEAR THIS UPDATE BY THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION. WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM 253.
FINALLY 262 IS ALSO RELATED TO THE ELECTION THAT JUST TOOK PLACE. THOSE ARE RELATED.
WHAT I HAVE IS ITEMS 11, 12, 13, 107, 125, 132, 174, 175,
[01:55:01]
180, 190, 214, 216, 232, 233, 274, 253 AND 262.THOSE ARE OUR DISCUSSION ITEMS.
>> JUDGE, FOR CLARIFICATION, SHOULD IT BE 247 OR 274?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ADDING 227 TO THE LIST WHICH IS A TRANSMITAL BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION FOR AN UPDATE OF THE $2.6 MILLION TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY ADDRESSING VIOLENT CRIME. I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE LIST. CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT YOUR
QUESTION? >> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE 274.
SHOULD IT BE 247? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
I MEANT TO SAY -- SO IT SHOULD BE 216, 227, 232, 233, 247.
I MUST HAVE READ THAT BACKWARDS, 253 AND 262.
>> AND THEN ONE MORE, HOW ABOUT ITEM 261?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT. 261 -- OH THE FIRE CODE CHANGES. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THAT UM BRIEFLY. BRING THAT UP BRIEFLY.
THAT'S GREAT WORK BY THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND THANK YOU
FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT IT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IT. LET'S RUN THROUGH THE LIST ONCE MORE. I KNOW WE ADDED SOME.
11, 12, 13, 107, 125, 132, 174, 175, 180, 190, 214, 216, 227, 232, 233, 247, 253, 261, 262.
THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS. ANY ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION?
>> NO, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 264 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND THE DISCUSSION
ITEMS JUST LISTED -- >> TOM RAMSEY: MAKE A MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
SO LET'S TAKE A BREAK AND MAKE IT OUR LUNCH BREAK AND THEN WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WORKS FOR YOU
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 12:05 AND WE WILL BE BACK
>>> IT IS 1 OOSM 07 AND COMMISSION -- 1:07 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
LET'S GO OVER THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. THE FIRST ONE IS THE COVID-19 ITEM AND THAT IS ITEM 11 AND WE HAVE SOME UPDATES. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE AT THE THREAT LEVEL ORANGE NOW WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.
OUR TREND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE. THAT SAID, THERE'S BEEN A CONTINUED SLOWING OF ICU POPULATION DECLINE.
IT MAY BE THAT GETTING TO YELLOW TAKES LONGER.
THAT'S SORT OF THE BEST CASE SCENARIO.
THE WORST CASE SCENARIO IS THAT WE BOTTOM OUT AND END UP SEEING A HOLIDAY SPIKE AND SOME JURY ZEKSES -- JURISDICTIONS HAVE BEGUN TO SEE THAT, AND THAT'S IN THE WEST IN PARTICULAR. SO WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON IT.
ALL OF THE DIFFERENT INDICATORS, ALL OF THEM ARE SHOWING DECELERATE -- DECELERATION.
WHAT THE SCIENTISTS EXPLAIN IS THAT OTHER CORONAVIRUS VIRUSES ARE SEASONAL AND IT COULD BE THIS IS SEASONAL TOO.
ANOTHER PIECE IS PEOPLE VACCINATED.
MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO AVOID THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PUSH OUT THE VACCINATION.
WE HAVE MORE ABOUT THE THIRD SHOT.
HARRIS PUBLIC HEALTH IS PROVIDING THE THIRD SHOT.
IT IS GUIDANCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OVER 65 AND PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND PEOPLE WHOSE JOBS PUT THEM AT RISK OF HIGH EXPOSURE.
BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE VACCINES THAN WE HAVE DEMAND FOR VACCINE, REALLY NOBODY IS BEING TURNED AWAY.
THEY ARE SENDING A MESSAGE IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY TO EVERYBODY WHO RECEIVED A VACCINATION TO EXPLAIN THE GUIDELINES AROUND THE THIRD DOSE AND WE ARE PROVIDING ALL 3 VACCINES FOR THAT FRRT -- FARCE THE FIVE TO -- AS FAR AS
[02:00:10]
THE 5 TO 11-YEAR-OLDS, WE STARTED SIGN UPS.WE DIDN'T DO A RANDOMIZED PROCESS.
BEFORE IT WAS SIMPLY YOU COULD GO ON AND PICK A TIME.
AGAIN, THE DEMAND IS LOW AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE 5 TO 11-YEAR-OLDS BECAUSE PARENTS PREFER TO HAVE THEIR KIDS VACCINATED AT THE PEDIATRICIAN'S OFFICE, IT MAKES SENSE, AND THE HOSPITALS, PARTICULARLY TEXAS CHILDREN HAVE PLENTY OF VACCINES, MORE THAN NEEDED TO VACCINATE EVERY CHILD OF THAT AGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AS OF YESTERDAY AT 2 P.M. WE HAD 400 UH POINTMENTS -- APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEK.
IT MAY BE THERE ARE MORE SINCE THEN AND IN ABOUT TWO OR THREE DAYS WE WILL KNOW THE CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF KIDS ACROSS ALL PROVIDERS 5 TO 11. THE IMMUNE RESPONSE OF CHILDREN AGE 5 TO 11 TO THE VACCINE IN TERMS OF 90% EFFECTIVENESS AND PREVENTING INFECTION IN THE FIRST PLACE.
AND THE KIDS' SITE HAS LESSER SIDE EFFECTS.
THEY WILL CUT A FEVER AND THE TIREDNESS THAT SOME OF US HAD. THEY GET IT MUCH LESS BECAUSE IT IS A THIRD RNA DOSE. SO ABOUT 150,000 CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY QUALIFY FOR THE VACCINE RIGHT NOW.
THOSE ARE THE UPDATES ON MY PART AND I KNOW DAVE HAS BEEN WORKING ON A TESTING STRATEGY FOR EMPLOYEES GIVEN THE
JUDGE, HAPPY TO WALK THROUGH THAT.
I'LL START WITH WHY AND THEN TALK ABOUT WHO AND WHAT IN TERMS OF THE PROPOSAL. TO START WITH WHY, I AT LEAST AND MANY OTHERS FEEL LIKE KEEPING EMPLOYEES SAFE IS ONE OF OUR MOST SERIOUS DUTIES. AS WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC I HAVE WATCHED THE NUMBERS OF THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY COVID.
WE HAD THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED AND MISSED WORK. HUNDREDS HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY ILL AND WE NOW HAVE 18 FACIAL TOOL TEES -- 18 FATALITIES RELATED TO COVID. THE OTHER WHY IS THAT MANY EMPLOYEES COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC.
THEY COME AND SEE US BECAUSE THEY NEED A PERMIT AND THEY COME TO SEE US BECAUSE THEY WANT -- BOUGH -- BECAUSE THEY HAVE JURY SERVICE. KEEPING THEM SAFE IS PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH THE COUNTY.
THOUGH THE NUMBERS HAVE OVERALL BEEN IMPROVING WHICH IS A GOOD THING IT MEANS MANY PEOPLE HAVE COME BACK TO WORK. SOME HAVE BEEN HERE ALL ALONG AND OTHERS ARE COMING BACK TO THE OFFICE AND OTHERS ARE DOING THEIR COUNTY BUSINESS THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN DOING.
WE ARE ALSO COMING TO A TIME WHERE PEOPLE MAY TRAVEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS. LET'S HOPE THAT DOESN'T INCREASE ACE -- CASES, BUT IT VERY WELL MAY.
WE HAVE SEEN THAT BEFORE. I THINK THE TIME IS RIGHT AND I WOULD RECOMMEND A TESTING POLL TEE FOR HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES. LET ME WALK THROUGH WHO THAT WOULD APPLY TO. WE ARE RECOMMENDING IT BE PUT IN PLACE BY ALL OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN COMMISSIONERS' COURT. WE WOULD ALSO OFFER THE PROGRAM TO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE COUNTY.
THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO OPT IN AND OUT.
I KNOW THE DISTRICT TORN -- THE DRIBBING ATTORNEY HAS HAD A SIMILAR PROGRAM AND I HEARD FROM OTHER OFFICIALS THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
MAYBE NOT ALL WILL, BUT I HOPE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.
IT WOULD APPLY TO FULLY VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES IF THEY HAVE EXPOSURE TO COVID AS DEFINED BY THE CDC, IF THEY HAVEN'T QUARANTINED AND NEED TO COME BACK TO WORK WOULD NEED A TEST BEFORE THEY DO SO. FOLKS NOT VACCINATED NEED A WEEKLY TEST BEFORE THEY COME BACK TO WORK.
AND IN AN EFFORT TO MINIMIZE THE BURDEN ON EMPLOYEES WE OFFER TESTS AT 20 DIFFERENT COUNTY LOCATIONS.
SO A BIG PORTION OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES CAN DO THE TEST AS THEY COME TO WORK ONCE A WEEK.
AND THOSE WOULD DON'T WORK AT A SITE WITH TESTING COULD
[02:05:02]
SCHEDULE A TIME TO COME TO THE SITES OR GET ANOTHER MC -- PCS TEST. IT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT AND WE WOULD NEED TIME TO STAND IT UP.THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY SO AGAIN TO THE POINT OF FOLKS COMING BACK FROM TRAVELS IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE THEY TAKE A TEST BEFORE THEY COME TO WORK.
FINALLY AS TO THE COST IT WILL DEPEND ON HOW MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS OPT IN. I'LL GIVE YOU THE MAXIMUM NUMBERS. WE START WITH A TWO-MONTH PROGRAM. SO BASICALLY TO THE END OF JANUARY. THE COST IS $2.6 MILLION PER MONTH IF EVERYONE OPTS IN. THAT WOULD BE 100% FEMA REIMBURSE -- REIMBURSABLE. NO NET COST TO THE COUNTY.
AND WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM FEMA IS IT IS 75% REIMBURSABLE DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY IS THE MOST LIKELY OUTCOME.
THAT'S IN TERMS OF THE UNREIMBURSABLE COSTS $600,000 THROUGH THE END OF JANUARY. AND AT THAT POINT WE WOULD EVALUATE TO SEE HOW THE PROGRAM IS WORKING IN LIGHT OF THE SITUATION. WITH THAT HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU FOR BRIEFING ME OVER THE WEEKEND ON IT.
DID YOU PAT -- PATENT IT AFTER SOME OTHER COUNTY OR CITY?
>> YES, AND THERE ARE MANY COUNTIES AND CITIES AND EMPLOYERS WITH OTHER POLICIES.
CITY OF HOUSTON, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS ONE THAT REQUIRES TESTING
OUT. >> DO THEY HAVE TO GO TO ONE
PLACE TO GET IT DONE. >> NO, THEY HAVE TO ARRANGE FOR THEIR OWN TESTS. WE MADE A MODIFICATION TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR THOSE WHO NEED A TEST.
BUT MANY WHO DON'T HAVE VACCINE MANDATES HAVE IMPLEMENTED A TESTING PROGRAM SIMILAR TO THIS ONE.
>> WHAT I AM GETTING AT IS ONE ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE, WHICH EVER THE CASE MAY BE TO NOT BEING AHEAD OF THE CURVE IS YOU CAN IMPROVE ON WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE AND MAKE SOME MODIFICATIONS BASED ON WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE HAS ALREADY BEEN
DOING IN THIS SPACE. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS FORWARD THINKING AND BRAVO AND IT IS ABOUT TIME. I WILL BE -- I HAD MY THREE VACCINES, BUT I TRAVELED A LITTLE BIT, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. I WILL GET MY TEST AND WHEN THEY ARE CONVENIENT, AS I MENTIONED, I KNOW WE WANT THE ONE THAT IS MOST ACCURATE, BUT THE LAST ONE I TOOK, THEY DID GO UP THE NOSTRIL -- OR MAYBE BECAUSE I HAD SO MANY I DIDN'T CRY. IS THAT THE MORE ACCURATE
ONE? >> WE DESIGNED THE POLICY AROUND THAT TEST, THE PCR TEST BECAUSE IT IS MORE ACCURATE.
THE ADVICE I GET FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS IF IF YOU'RE GONNA DO T USE THE MOST ACCURATE TEST.
THAT'S DIFFERENT FROM OTHER POLICIES WHO SAY LET'S USE THE FASTER TESTS SO WE GET THE RESULTS BACK FASTER.
WE THOUGHT YOU ARE BETTER OFF WAITING FOR EVERY DAY.
>> WHEN I TOOK US ON A ROAD TRIP THERE WAS A MOBILE VAN OUTSIDE CITY HALL IN BROOKLYN. I WENT IN AND THEY WANTED MY PHONE NUMBER AND I TOOK A TEST THAT WAS LESS INVASIVE.
HOW THEY WERE DOING IT, I NEVER GOT THE RESULTS BACK.
WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION TO GET IN SOMEBODY'S HOUSE, THEY HAD THE WRONG TEST AND SOMEBODY SUGGESTED TO GO TO WALGREENS AND TAKE A REAL TEST. I APPLAUD IT AND I AM IN
SUPPORT OF IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, TO FOLLOW-UP ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS' COMMENT, WE ARE GOING TO BASE THE COST AND THE PROCESS ON THE MOST AGO -- MOST ACCURATE TEST. WHAT ABOUT THE LAB RESULTS? HOW CONFIDENT ARE WE THAT WE WILL GET THE RESULTS BACK WITHIN A MANAGEABLE TIME FRAME? LET ME JUST SAY, THANKS TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WE HAD SEVERAL TESTS. THEY HAD RARELY COME IN IN THE
[02:10:08]
EXPEDIENT TIME FRAME I WAS HOPING FOR.I KNOW THAT'S NOT ON THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR LAB -- OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE LAB
RESULTS? >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE VENDOR WE WERE WORKING WITH, AND IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS MORE INFORMATION, BUT GETTING TESTS BACK IN 78 TO 42 HOURS.
IT IS NOT IMMEDIATE, BUT AGAIN OUR JUDGMENT WAS IT IS WORTH WAITING AN EXTRA 24 HOURS ON AVERAGE TO GET THE BEST TEST RESULT. I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO STEP BACK AND REEVALUATE THE VENDOR BECAUSE IT DOES PRESIDENT HELP US IF YOU HAVE WEEKLY TESTING IT TAKES FOUR OR FIVE DAYS TO
GET THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN THAT REGARD WHAT WILL BE THE MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IT. ARE WE STILL LETTING THEM COME TO WORK WHILE THEY ARE WAITING FOR THEIR RESULTS? AND IF THE RESULTS COME BACK AND THEY WERE POSITIVE FOR THE THREE DAYS THEY WERE AT WORK, THEN IT HAS POTENTIAL TO DISRUPT OPERATIONS. NUMBER ONE, WHAT IS THE THOUGHT PROCESS WITH THAT, AND THEN SECONDLY, P WHAT IF YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE THAT SAYS, I AIN'T GETTING TESTED.
>> IF SOMEBODY HAS HAD AN EXPOSURE, THEY NEED TO GET THEIR TEST RESULT BACK BEFORE THEY COME TO WORK, RIGHT? IF THEY HAVE NOT AND THEY ARE JUST GETTING REGULAR TESTING THEY CAN WORK WHILE THEY GET THE RESULTS BACK.
IT IS NOT PERFECT, BUT THE REALITY OF DOING WEEKLY TESTING. PEOPLE CAN'T MISS A COUPLE DAYS OF WORK EVERY WEEK WHILE WAITING ON THEIR TEST RESULTS. IN TERMS OF THE CONSEQUENCES, I THINK WE WOULD DEAL WITH IT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
WE PUT IN THE POLICY THAT IT IS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION. , BUT IT DEPENDS ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF WHY THEY MISSED THEIR TEST.
>> COMMISSIONER -- GO AHEAD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WOULD SAY DO WE HAVE THE LEGAL STANDING FOR THAT?
>> COMMISSIONER, IN TERMS OF AN EMPLOYEE TESTING PROGRAM WE DO. AS WAS POINTED OUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES WITHIN TEXAS THAT ARE DOING SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR TO THIS. WE CAN DO THAT.
IN TERMS OF ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE LEGAL ASPECTS, WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND GO INTO MORE DETAIL WITH THAT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE ARE TWO COMPONENTS OF THIS.
ONE OF WHICH I THINK IS EXCELLENT.
THE EXCELLENT COMPONENT IS MAKING AVAILABLE TO OUR EMPLOYEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TESTING.
WE WANT FOLKS TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IF THEY HAD EXPOSURE. WE HAD A PROBLEM GETTING SOME TESTING. I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE PROVIDE THE COMPONENT OF PROVIDING QUICK, READY, ACCESSIBLE TESTING TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
THE SECOND COME PONE INEPT WHICH IS -- COMPONENT WHERE WE MANDATE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE TO GET TESTED OR POTENTIALLY FACE REPERCUSSION, I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT.
I'M ALWAYS AN ADVOCATE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENCOURAGING OUR FOLKS TO DO THE BETH -- THE BEGS THING.
I AM TO THE FAVOR OF MANDATES OF ANY TYPE.
I ENCOURAGE US TO GO THOU SLOW BEFORE WE MAKE A MANDATE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE TO BE TESTED.
I AM WILLING TO MOVE ON THE FIRST PART.
LET'S MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
I WOULD LIKE A DIFFERENT VOTE AS WE GO FORWARD WITH A MANDATE. LIZ
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS INTERESTING, MR. BERRY, AND NOWHERE DOES IT SAY THE EMPLOYEE SHOULD TALK TO THE DOCTOR. I THINK YOU START THERE AND IT SHOULD BE A PART OF IT. WHAT OTHER THINGS YOU GET INTO IN MANDATE TESTING, I FOR ONE IN PRE -- PRECINCT 3 LISTEN
[02:15:02]
VERY WELL. AND WHEN EMPLOYEES TURNED UP WITH COVID OR THEY ARE SICK, WE ADDRESS IT WITHIN THAT UNIT. THUS FAR IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL THING. WE TRUSTED OUR EMPLOYEES TO DO THE RIGHT THING. WHEN YOU TRUST PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND NOT MANDATING TESTING, I THINK YOU END UP IN A BETTER PLACE. I THINK IT IS UNFAIR TO THE EMPLOYEES TO PUT THEM IN A POSITION OF CONSIDERING THEIR OWN HEALTH ISSUES AND NOT EVERYBODY IS CAPABLE OF IT.I'M VACCINATED, BUT I CAN LIST LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE, YOUNG LADIES, WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE CHILDREN HAVE LEGITIMATE, SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS. WHEN YOU START INTO THIS MANDATING, EITHER YOU GET TESTED OR YOU GO HOME.
OKAY, WELL THAT'S ONE CONVERSATION.
I THOUGHT WE HAD BEEN SO WELL UP TO THIS POINT ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED AND GIVE THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO GET VACCINATED, BUT PRECINCT 3 EMPLOYEES WILL NOT BE DOING THE MANDATING. I THINK I'M GONNA TRUST THEM.
WE HAVE DONE REALLY WELL UP TO THIS POINT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING DOWN THE ROAD.
I GUESS THE OTHER THING IS OUR EMPLOYEES ARE REALLY SMART.
EVERY EMPLOYEE IN THE COUNTY IS SMART.
WHEN 109 FOLKS SHOWED UP, NOBODY ASKED ME FOR MY VACCINATION CARD. NOBODY TESTED ME.
I THINK EVERYTHING TURNED OUT FINE.
EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN OPINION ON LARGE CROWDS.
EVERYBODY -- I EVEN HAVE A QUESTION, MR. BERRY, RELATED TO -- WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT GO AND MOW.
THEY ARE ON A MOWER ALL DAY. ARE WE TESTING THEM THE SAME AS SOMEBODY THAT WOULD BE IN A ROOM WITH A BUNCH OF PEOPLE? IT MAKES NO SENSE. EVEN THOUGH JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT DO IT, DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT.
I FOR ONE DO NOT LIKE THE POLICY.
I THINK IT'S ILL TIMED. I'M LIKE COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TESTING AND HAVING THAT OPTION. SOMETIMES IT HAS BEEN HARD TO GET TESTING, BUT I WOULD RATHER LEAVE IT UP TO THE
EMPLOYEE AND THEIR DOCTOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS JUST GOING TO SUGGEST THAT I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A POLICY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PULL IT OUT.
YOU CAN LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT YOU ARE FOR THE TESTING, SO WHATEVER IS EASIER JUST TO GET ON DOWN THE ROAD.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE TWO MOTIONS OR JUST --
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK I MADE A MOTION, BUT I DIDN'T HEAR A SECOND ON THE TESTING -- PROVIDING TESTING.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I SECOND THAT. >> COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE
MOTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE MOTION IS OF THE ITEM THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED BY THE BUDGET ADMINISTRATOR, AND I HAVE NOT SEEN THE WRITTEN FORM OF THE POLICY JUST YET, BUT TO THE PORTIONS WE WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE THE TESTING PROGRAM AS SUGGESTED BY THE BUDGET ADMINISTRATOR THAT WE GO FORWARD WITH PROVIDING THOSE RESOURCES TO OUR EMPLOYEES AS RIMMED -- AS RECOMMENDED AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IS THIS A
MOTION -- DID YOU GET THAT? >> TOM RAMSEY: I SECONDED IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND THERE IS A MOTION AUTHORIZING COVID-19 TESTING OF CERTAIN HARRIS TESTING EMPLOYEES.
IS THAT ALL YOU NEED? >> [INAUDIBLE]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMINGS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR
AND MOTION CARRIES. >> IF I CAN MAKE ONE COMMENT.
THE POLICY WON'T GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL NOVEMBER 29TH. AND WE WILL GET CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS OUT TO EMPLOYEES SO THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AND EXPECT IF ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE WATCHING THAT I OR SOMEONE ON MY TEAM WILL REACH OUT TO YOU AND DISCUSS WITH YOU WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY TWO POINTS.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED, IT IS THEIR DECISION TO COME FORTH AND SAY I HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND BE EXEMPT FROM
[02:20:04]
THE TESTING REQUIREMENTS. NOBODY WILL BE REQUIRING INFORMATION AS TO VACCINES, CORRECT?>> THAT'S CORRECT. THE MECHANICS WILL BE ESSENTIALLY AS THE SILVER STICKER PROGRAM.
REALLY YOU HAVE THE CHOICE IF YOU ARE VACCINATED OF DISCLOSING YOUR STATUS AND HAVING A REDUCEY TESTING REQUIREMENT OR IF YOU WANT THE WEEKLY TESTED YOU CANNOT
DISCLOSE. >> I BELIEVE MORE PEOPLE WERE WANTING SILVER STICKERS THAN STICKERS AMOUNT OF REMINDER ABOUT -- SO A REMINDER ABOUT THAT.
AND ONE MORE QUICK POINT AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
I READ SOMEWHERE -- I CAN'T I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO IT WAS WHO HAD A SIMILAR PROGRAM. THEY SAID THEY MADE -- TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT THEY MADE DOCTORS AVAILABLE IN CASE PEOPLE HAD QUESTIONS. I KNOW WE HAVE THE CLINIC NEARBY, BUT CONSIDER THAT. IT MAKES SENSE TO REMIND PEOPLE WHERE THEY CAN ASK QUESTIONS.
EVEN WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION OUT THERE, PEOPLE STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINE AND THIS MAY BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO SEEK THOSE ANSWERS.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES THE POLICY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT RELIGIOUS OR THOSE OTHER ISSUES, SOME OF WHICH MAY BE RAISED IF THEY HAVE A MEDICAL
REASON OR PREGNANCY? >> IN THE THE FIRST INSTANCE IF SOMEBODY HAS A MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS REASON NOT TO GET VACCINATED THEY CAN UNDERGO THE WEEKLY TESTING.
WE ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEEK A MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION FOR THE TESTING IF SOMEONE'S DOCTOR SAYS YOU CAN'T BE TESTED WE WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN I ASKED YOU ABOUT IT OVER THE WEEKEND, THEY WILL BE AWARE THEY CAN
RAISE THOSE OBJECTIONS? >> WE WILL CIRCULATE THE POLICY AND A SHORT FORM SUMMARY TO EVERYONE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ANY OF THE ENTITIES YOU LOOK AT, WHO -- DO THEY MAKE THE LIST OF WHO DOES OR DOES NOT PARTICIPATE? I WILL PARTICIPATE, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I AM GOING TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA OR COMMISSIONER CAGLE OR THE JUDGE'S OFFICE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BEFORE I WALK IN. IS THERE A DASHBOARD SO I KNOW
I NEED TO -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MEAN
WHICH DEPARTMENT? >> I DON'T SEE ANY ISSUES WITH JUST REPORTING WHO HAS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR SOME IT MAY BE A BADGE OF HONOR.
>> TOM RAMSEY: MOST WOULD BE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN PRECINCT 1.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR WORKING ON THAT.
>> JUDGE, I WANT TO POINT OUT ONE MORE THING.
THIS ITEM MAY COME BACK IN A DIFFERENT FORM FOR DOLLAR AMOUNTS IF THERE IS A FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE IN CASE ANYONE WAS WONDERING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT POSTED WITH A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT BECAUSE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS UNCLEAR HOW MANY DEPARTMENTS WOULD PARTICIPATE.
IT WILL PROBABLY COME BACK WITH A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT. I WANT EVERYONE TO BE AWARE OF
THE MOST IT WOULD BE IS LESS THAN THAT DEPENDING ON HOW
MANY PEOPLE PARTICIPATE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT ARE WE USING TO PAY THIS WITH, ARPA OR GENERAL FUNDS?
>> FOR THE REIMBURSABLE COSTS WE WOULD LIKELY USE THE PIC FUND ORIE SPAWNS SHIV RE-- OR RESPONSIVE RECOVERY FUND.
WE WANTED TO USE THAT IN JANUARY FOR THE 25%.
THAT WOULD LIKELY BE APPROPRIATE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT IS THE 600?
>> YEAH. AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY FEMA WILL REIMBURSE. THEY WANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL
PROGRAMS LIKE THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT DISCUSSION ITEM IS NUMBER 12 AND THOSE ARE EQUITY GUIDELINES AND THAT IS ALSO YOUR ITEM, DAVE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: REAL QUICK BACK ON 11, WE TALK ABOUT MOVING TO ORANGE. YOU SAID THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A TIMELINE FOR US TO MOVE TO YELLOW.
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR US TO MOVE TO YELLOW?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THE ONLY INDICATOR THAT HAS US AT ORANGE INSTEAD OF YELLOW IS THE ICU POPULATION.
IT IS 14 -- LET ME PULL IT UP.
IT IS 14.3% OF THE ICU POPULATION IS COVID CASES.
WE NEED TO GET TO 10 IN ORDER TO BE AT YELLOW.
IF THE TREND CONTINUE LYNN Y'ALLLY, WE -- LINEARLY WE WOULD GET THERE AT THE END OF NOVEMBER.
THE TRENDS ARE SLOWING DOWN AND MAY WELL BE BOTTOMING
[02:25:03]
OUT. THERE IS NO TELLING WHETHER THAT WILL BE THE CASE OR IF WE'LL SHOT BACK UP AT SOMEPOINT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND IT MAY BE SOMETHING WE NEED TO RAISE IN THE NEXT, I DON'T KNOW, COMMISSIONERS' COURT, BUT WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU EXERCISED THE EMERGENCY POWERS THAT YOU ARE UNDER?
>> LINA HIDALGO: PROBABLY THE NURSES? THE NURSES, RIGHT YEAH. THE NURSES SITUATION.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: BUT YOU BROUGHT THOSE TO A VOTE,
RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: AFTER THE FACT. WE HAD TO APPROVE IT QUICKLY SO THE NURSES WOULD GET HERE ON TIME, AND THEN WE DID A TRANSMITAL TO COURT. THAT'S WHAT WE DO FOR ALL OF THE USE OF THE EMERGENCY POWERS.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: DO YOU HAVE ANY INDICATION HOW LONG YOU WILL MAINTAIN THOSE EMERGENCY POWERS?
>> LINA HIDALGO: MY DISASTER DECLARATION, AND JAY CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IS TYPED WITH THE STATE'S DISASTER DECLARATION. IF THERE IS A DISASTER COVID EMERGENCY IN THE STATE THERE IS A EMERGENCY IN HARRIS
COUNTY. >> THAT'S CORRECT, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAD A SIMILAR CON VIER -- CON VEER -- CONVERSATION IN APRIL.
SOME PEOPLE SAID IT IS OVER AND WE ARE DONE.
AND THEN WE HAD THE WORST NURSING CRISIS WE HAD SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.
I HOPE IT IS DONE AND WE CAN MOVE PAST THESE CONVERSATIONS, BUT THAT WILL ALL DEPEND ON THE VACCINATION RATE, IS THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER. THAT'S WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT PEOPLE DO THEIR PART AND GET VACCINATED AND WE AVOID A WINTER WAVE AND WE ARE DONE WITH THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL AND WE CAN END THE EMERGENCY CAT GORRIZATION.
ALL OF US ARE TIRED OF THE COVID EMERGENCY.
AND THE JUVENILE FACILITIES ARE NEEDING NURSES RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE WORKING ON THE USE OF THE EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION FOR THAT. WE ARE PRESENTING THAT TO THE JUVENILE COURT. THAT WAS ITEM 11.
ITEM 12, DAVE, YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THE EQUITY
FRAMEWORK. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE TO START WITH THE COUNTY WIDE VISION THAT COMMISSIONERS' COURT ADOPTED LAST YEAR WHICH IS THAT HARRIS COUNTY WILL BUILD A MORE DYNAMIC, RESILIENT COMMUNITY WHILE BEING INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND TRANSPARENT IN ALL WE DO. ONE OF THE INITIATIVES I OUTLINED WHEN I WAS UH POINTED -- APPOINTED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WAS TO TRANSLATE THAT VISION INTO CLEAR GOALS AND ULTIMATELY A STRATEGIC PLAN, PERFORMANCE METRICS, THAT WE AS COUNTY STAFF CAN USE TO TRY TO ADVANCE THAT VISION OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND SERVE HARRIS COUNTY.
THE FIRST DELIVERABLES WERE THE COUNTY'S PRIORITY OUTCOMES WHICH THE COURT ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 14TH.
THOSE ARE MEASURABLE WAYS TO SEE IF WE ARE MAKING THE PUBLIC BETTER OFF. THOSE WILL BE AT THE CENTER OF OUR UPCOMING BUDGET PROCESS. WE ARE TRYING TO GUIDE DISCUSSIONS INTO DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS AND WHICH ADVANCE THIS COURT'S PRIORITY OUTCOMES.
THE SECOND DELIVERABLE ON THIS INITIATIVE WAS THE DEFINITION OF EQUITY AND EQUITY GUIDELINES.
THEY APPEAR IN THE COUNTY WIDE VISION AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THEM THROUGH A FRAME OF EQUITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MANY COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO HELPED PUT THIS TOGETHER. A FEW NAMES, KIM, TRACY, LAUREN CHANG, KAREN VASQUEZ AND AMBER.
THE RAW POSED DEFINITION -- THE PROPOSED DEFINITION DOES NOT CAPTURE ALL OF THE NUANCES, BUT ADVANCING EQUITY MEANS STRIVING FOR THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS DIFFERENT GROUPS. AND MOTT SIMPLY DELIVERING -- AND NOT SIMPLY DELIVERING THE SAME TREATMENT WITH FAIR, JUST AND EQUAL RESULTS. THAT'S A STARTING POINT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT FLOOD EQUITY AND TRANSPORTATION EQUITY AND HEALTH EQUITY AND OTHER SERVICES THE COUNTY PROVIDES.
WE HAVE SOME SPECIFIC STRATEGIES AND SOME EQUITY COMMITMENTS FROM MY OFFICE IN TERMS OF INCREASING EQUITY AND
[02:30:06]
ADJOINING THE ALLIANCE ON RACE AND EQUITY.THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WERE DIFFER -- DELIVERED.
IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT AND I AM HAPPY FOR -- HAPPY TO TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO COMMEND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND HIS TEAM INVOLVED IN THIS. I KNOW YOU LOOKED AT AUSTIN, SEATTLE, KING COUNTY, MADISON, WISCONSIN.
OBVIOUSLY THIS DOCUMENT IS A GUIDELINE OR A FRAMEWORK IN GET THRG SO NO MANDATORY ACTIONS CAN PROVIDE MORE TRAINING AND RESOURCES. WE'LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE GET TO IT. BUT CLEARLY GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES WHETHER THEY ARE ON OUR LEVEL OR SOME OTHER GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL TO A GREAT EXTENT CREATED THE INEQUITIES THAT EXIST TODAY. FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THE MATERIAL EQUITY AND IT IS NOT JUST A SICKED -- SIX-LETTER WORD, IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE GUIDELINES TO MOVE US FORWARD AND REMOVE THE INEQUITIES AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES INCLUDING THIS BODY. I COMMEND YOU FOR IT AND I HOPE IF TEXAS OTHER ENTITYIES LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND SAY JOB WELL DONE AND EMULATE IT.
I AM PROUD TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE EQUITY GUIDELINES.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GABLING? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER AND I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE. BUT WHAT IS THE APPLICATION OF THIS TOWARD COUNTY ITSELF, TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT? AS WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MAKING SURE WE ARE EFFECTIVELY SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, THERE ARE PEOPLE NOT FOLLOWING EQUITY GUIDELINES OF ANY SORT.
HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT OFFICES ARE ADHERING TO THIS POLICY?
>> IN TERMS OF WHAT DOES THIS CONCRETELY MEAN FOR SERVING THE PUBLIC, A FEW THINGS. AS WE TALK ABOUT WHERE MONEY GOES AND WHAT WHAT WE FUND, THESE GUIDELINES ARE A WAY TO START THE DISCUSSION AND TO FRAME THE DISCUSSION.
IT WILL BE SPECIFIC IN ANY CONTEXT WHETHER IT IS -- WELL AS I MENTIONED FLOOD EQUITY, HEALTH EBBING HUA -- EQUITY, IT GIVES AS YOU STARTING PLACE.
WE WILL SAY HOW LONG ALONG THE PATH IS THIS AS FAR AS HOW IT MEASURES AND HOW IT ALLOCATES RESOURCES AND HOW IT DOES ITS WORK. I CAM CON -- CAN'T CONTROL ALL OF THEM. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE HEADED OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 9 MONTHS OR SO.
>> AND YOU AS A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL ALSO
>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ECONOMICKER
RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: DAVE, I APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING TIME WITH ME FREQUENTLY ON THIS.
I THINK WE ARE TO SPEND MONEY OUT OF CERTAIN BUCKETS.
IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING CURRENTLY WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO WITH GUIDELINES SET BY THE COUNTY THIS IS RATHER AB -- ABSTRACT TO ME. DEVELOPING AN EQUITY AND MATURITY MODEL AND IDENTIFYING KEY EQUITY CAPABILITIES AND
[02:35:06]
PRACTICE AS AN EXAMPLE. I AM NOT VOTING FOR ANYTHING I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I AM FOR BEING SURE THAT WE TREAT PEOPLE FAIRLY AND EQUITABLE -- EQUITABLY AND MAKE SURE NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BEEN OVER LOOKED.I KNOW HUMANS DO THINGS SOMETIMES THAT DON'T NECESSARILY -- IT IS MORE PUNITIVE.
YOU HAVE A REASON TO PUNISH MAYBE CERTAIN AREAS AND I THINK THERE ARE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
ONE PERSON'S EQUITY IS ANOTHER PERSON'S DEMONSTRATION.
IT DOES NOT ALLOW SOMETIMES A BIGGER PICTURE IN TOARMINGS OF OVER LOOKED NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED AND THE DETAILS GETTING INTO IT.
I NEED A LOT MORE INFORMATION BEFORE I WOULD VOTE FOR IT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS GOING TO SAY I AM GLAD YOU MADE REFERENCE TO THE DISPARITY STUDY.
WHEN I GOT HERE THE COUNTY WAS PROUD OF WHAT IT THOUGHT IT WAS DOING. WHEN WE COLLECTED THE DATA WE ALL SAW THAT THERE WAS ROOM FOR CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT AND SINCE WE ARE ON THE BROAD ISSUE OF EQUITY GUIDELINES, I WILL PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA TO HELP US BE MORE OF A LEADER ON THESE EQUITY ISSUES. I SUGGEST WE PUT UP MONEY FOR THE DISPARITY STUDIES AND THEY AGREE TO IMPLEMENT GUIDELINES IF THE STUDY SHOWS THERE ARE INEQUITIES.
FOR WOMEN, IT IS MY GUT SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE THAT SAYS IF WE HAD COLLECTED THE DATA WE PROBABLY WILL SHOW EVENING AMONG THE DEPARTMENT SAIDS THERE ARE TREMENDOUS IN -- INEQUITIES OF WHAT WE PAY. I THINK IT HAS BEEN SO INGRAINED FOR WOMEN REGARDLESS OF RACE OR ANYTHING ELSE, THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM. IT IS A CHANCE TO COME OUT OF THE MIDDLE AGES. I HOPE YOU SPEND MORE TIME WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND OTHERS, BUT AT THE END OF THE PROCESS I THINK YOU WILL BE SHOCKED.
I KNOW I WAS. I THINK ALL OF US ON THE COURT AT THE TIME WHEN THE STUDY CAME OUT WE WERE ALT SURPRISED -- A LITTLE SURPRISED AT THE NUMBERS.
>> I WILL BACK UP ON THE OFFER.
HE HAS BEEN MORE THAN OPEN WITH ME ON THE DETAILS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: AM I TO UNDERSTAND, DAVE, THAT WE ARE GOING TO REVIEW AND MODIFY COUNTY PRACTICES? WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH HIRING? ARE WE GOING TO DELVE INTO CERTAIN ISSUES WITH REGARD TO EMPLOYEES? HOW DO WE MECHANICALLY MODIFY
OUR HIRING? >> I THINK AND THIS IS ONE OF THE CONCRETE COMMITMENTS. I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IS TO DO MODIFICATIONS.
THINK OF OUR EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK.
THEY BROUGHT A MOTION TO LOOK AT NATURAL HAIR DISCRIMINATION AS A TOPIC THAT COULD BE ADDRESSED IN OUR HANDBOOK.
IT IS TO REVIEW POLICIES WITH AN EYE TO ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE INEQUITABLE OR HINDERING OUR GOALS TO PROMOTE -- PAW -- PROPOSE MODIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION.
>> AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN OBSERVATION THAT WHEN IT COMES TO PRECINCT 4 MY CHIEF OF STAFF SITTING BE -- BEHIND US OVER HERE, I THINK MY TOP 12 EMPLOYEES, I THINK EIGHT OF
[02:40:05]
THEM ARE WOMEN, AND WE BASE WHAT WE PAY OUR STAFFERS INTERNATIONALLY BY TAKING THE AVERAGE OF WHAT YOU PAY YOUR STAFFERS AT THE SAME LEVEL. WE MAKE SURE NOBODY IS GETTING UNDERPAID OR OVERPAID WHEN THOSE CONSIDERATIONS ARE IN PLACE. WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE CITY OF SEATTLE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE ARE LARGER THAN SEATTLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THERE TO COME HERE. I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF US ALWAYS FEELING LIKE WE HAVE TO DO WHAT SEATTLE DOES JUST BECAUSE -- I DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAVE TO DO WHAT SEATTLE DOES.I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FRIENDLY AND WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANYONE NO MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM AND NO MATTER HOW YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR AND NO MATTER HOW YOU SPEAK WHETHER IT IS WITH A TEXAS ACCENT OR AN ACCENT FROM ANYWHERE ELSE THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND FAIRNESS NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, PERIOD.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
ONE THING I APPRECIATE ABOUT THIS ON THE ONE HAND IT IS INTERNAL. THERE WERE POINTS THAT COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND ELLIS IN PARTICULAR BROUGHT UP.
ON THE OTHER HAPPENED YOU -- ON THE OTHER HAND YOU ARE LOOKING EXTERNALLY AND SUPPORTING HEALTH AND SUPPORTING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORTING SERVICES AND RESOURCES AND WE WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT EXTENT THE POPULATION AT LARGE HAS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THAT.
IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
AND NOT JUST EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SERVICE WHICH IS VITAL, BUT EQUITABLE OUTCOMES. WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE PRIORITY OUTCOMES, PART OF THE GUIDELINES IS TO ALWAYS DIG AGGREGATE BY RACE, ETHNICITY AND ZIP CODE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON AND TO USE THE INFORMATION AS THE COUNTY
DECIDES HOW TO SERVE PEOPLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE OF THE THINGS -- AND I READ THAT. EQUITY IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE SAME OUTCOMES, BUT THE SAME -- IT IS ABOUT THE SAME OUTCOMES AND NOT NECESSARILY DELIVERING THE SAME TREATMENT AND THE SAME RESOURCES. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE CONTEXT AND WHO IS THE KEEPER OF PEOPLE HAVING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH. IF IT IS NOT ELSE I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE. THEY ARE IDENTIFY WILLING CURRENT STATUS ACROSS KEY EQUITY CAPABILITIES.
IS THAT EVERY CAPABILITY LOOKING OUTWARDLY?
>> THERE ARE MODELS OUT THERE AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO COPY WHAT A JURISDICTION IS, BUT LOOKING AT HIRING PRACTICES, HOW ARE THEY DOING FOR HIRING RESULTS? YOU ALSO LOOK EXTERNALLY. HOW ARE THEY DOING IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING THE POPULATIONS THEY SERVE AND PROVIDING SERVICES THAT ARE NOT THE SAME FOR EVERYONE, BUT ARE SUITED TO TRY TO ACHIEVE EQUAL OUTCOMES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND NOT JUST COPY AND PASTE SERVICES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THIS PANS OUT. I'M GLAD WE ARE LOOKING AT
IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WAS IMPRESSED BY THIS, BEN -- AGAIN, THE SIX COMMITMENTS FROM JUNE OF 2022. THE DASHBOARD AND THE COUNTY EQUITY AND HIRED POLICY. I THINK IT IS THOUGHTFUL AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW IT WORKS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WAS SHOCKED BY THE GENDER GAP IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE GENDER WAGE GAP IN HARRIS COUNTY WAS 20% IN 2019, LARGER THAN COMPARABLE URBAN AREAS.
12% IN COOK COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY 8%.
I'M GLAD WE HAVE PARITY ACROSS MEMBERS OF COURT.
[02:45:06]
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND WE HAVE TO BE DELIVER -- DELIBERATE ON THAT. WHEN I CAME TO THIS OFFICE, WHEN I INHERITED WAS MY FEMALE BUS DRIVERS OF WHEN YOU HEARD THE DISCUSSION AS TO WHY AND THEY ARE THE CARE PROVIDERS.
WE HAVE TO BE DLIR RAT AND -- DELIBERATE AND INTENTIONAL IN LOOKING FOR ALL AREAS. THASES WHY IT IS IMPORTANT -- THAT'S IT HAS TO START FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ON
DOWN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND METRICS ARE IMPORTANT. MOST PEOPLE ARE PROUD IN WHAT THEY THINK THEY DO. WHEN IT IS TRANSPARENT AND THERE IS A DASHBOARD IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU MAKE A MOTION?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE TO ADOPT THE HARRIS COUNTY --
>> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION I HAVE IN DIRECT OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO FULFILL THE INITIAL COMMITMENTS INCLUDED IN THE GUIDELINES.
>> >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL OPPOSED?
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVE AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THE NEXT DISCUSSION ITEM IS ITEM 13 AND THAT IS ALSO A COUNTY ADMINISTRATION ITEM.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND I I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS IS A DISCUSSION ITEM. I FEEL IT IS APPROPRIATE IF ANYONE WANTS TO MOVE TO DIRECT US TO STUDIES AND BRING BACK PLANS FOR FURTHER POTENTIAL ACTION IN THE FORM OF A WORK GROUP THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, BUT WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR ANY MAJOR DECISIONS TODAY.
THERE ARE TWO PARTS. ONE IS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION AS REQUESTED AT THE OCTOBER 28 SPECIAL MEETING AND THE OTHER IS AN ML -- MARK OU -- MOU FOR COMMISSIONERS SIGN FOR NEW PRECINCT MAPS. I WILL LET JAY START WITH THE MOU AND THEN COME BACK TO THE PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU, DAVE. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THE MOU, I WANT TO PREF -- PREFACE.
THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE COWER ACTION COLLECTIVELY.
IT IS IN CORPORATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT.
AND IT CAME ABOUT BASED ON INDIVIDUAL CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH DIFFERENT MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IN HOW BEST TO WORK THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT. IT IS TO HELP SMOOTH OUT THE TRANSITION. THE IDEA IS WE RECOGNIZE THE PROCESS BY WHICH TO TRANSITION FROM -- WITH THE NEW LINES AND THE OVERALL LEVEL OF CHANGE THAT WILL OCCUR WHETHER IT IS CONCESSIONARY AGREEMENTS, ROADS, PERSONNEL, DEPLOYMENT ORDEALS WITH ASSETS SHIFTING FROM ONE PRE SINK TO -- PRE SINK TO ANOTHER REQUIRES TIME.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT. I WANT EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND THE REASON IT IS ON THE AGENDA TO GIVE THE COURT A CHANCE TO COLLECTIVELY HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT.
AS YOU KNOW, THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT LIMITS YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS. WE WANTED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION SO YOU CAN ALL WORK THROUGH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. IT SAYS TWO BIG NICKS -- BIG THINGS. IT EFFECTIVELY ALLOWS THE CONTINUATION OF SERVICE EMPLOYEES AND ASSETS TO K EXIST -- IT CREATES A BASELINE OF THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW LINES. IT SAYS WE WILL TAKE THAT.
AND SERVICING AS WE HAVE. IT ALLOWS FOR INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS TO WORK OUT SEPARATE AGREEMENTS TO OPERATE
[02:50:09]
AND IT IS OVER A MUCH LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IS WE WANT -- WE KNOW THIS TRANSITION PROCESS WILL BE MUCH LONGER THAN THAT.
TO GET THINGS FULLY ON THERE. IT IS MEANT AS A DOCUMENT FOR THE THE FIRST 90 DAYS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS CONTINUATION AND MOVEMENT AMONG EACH OTHER AS YOU GET SETTLED IN THE NEW LINES. AGAIN, THAT IS A REFLECTION BASED ON THE CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
IN THE COURT FEELS LIKE THEY SHOULD BE LONGER OR SHORTER WE CAN CHANGE THAT. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE FOUR MEMBERS OF THE COURT OR THREE MEMBERS OF THE COURT CAN DECIDE THIS. THIS REALLY ONLY WORKS IF ALL OF YOU SIGN ON. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SIGN ON, IT DOES PRESIDENT BIND YOU. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION -- THAT'S WHY I SAID IT DOES PRESIDENT REQUIRE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE OF IT IS DESIGNED TO CREATE A BASELINE AND IT IS SET FOR 90 DAYS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS LIKELY AND IT ANTICIPATES MULTIPLE WHAT WE CALL SIDE AGREEMENTS AND IT REQUIRES ONCE YOU ARE ALL IN IT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE COMMITTED TO IT FOR THE 90 DAYS.
IT IS NOT GOING TO ALLOW A SITUATION WHERE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE CAN END THE AGREEMENT. THAT'S THE SPIRIT BEHIND IT.
WE HOPE THAT EVERYONE CAN COME TOGETHER AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE -- AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TRANSITION PROCESS.
>> AND IF THERE IS ANY QUESTIONS AT ANYTIME I AM
HAPPY TO ANSWER. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE A
PRENUPTUAL? >> SURE, WE CAN CALL IT THAT OR A POST-NUPUAL. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COURT TO SORT OF ESTABLISH SOME REALLY BASIC GROUND RULES IT IS TO MAKE THE PROCESS A LITTLE EASIER.
>> YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> WE TALKED SOME AND MR. BERRY AND I WERE HAVING CONVERSATIONS.
DAY ONE WE BEGAN THE POINT OF CONVERSATION AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HIS STAFF, OUR SENIOR PEOPLE WILL BE MEETING THIS WEEK AND IT IS TARGETED ON THE DETAILS OF TRANSITION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN QUICKER THAN THAT IN TERM OF GETTING THE LEADERSHIP IN PRECINCT 2 WITH THE LEADERSHIP IN PRECINCT 3 WITH THE ACT OF SERVING CON -- CONSTITUENTS. THAT'S JOB ONE.
OF COURSE, MY DAY JOB AND TAKING THE 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE CURRENTLY IN OUR PRECINCT, THAT'S WHAT WE DO.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND I ARE INVOLVED IN SEVERAL VENUES.
SOME ARE EASY AND SOME ARE NOT SO EASY.
AS I TOLL JAY, IF THERE IS EQUIPMENT THAT IS GOING TO BE LOCATED FROM PRE SINK 3 TO PRECINCT 4, OF COURSE WE HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE. THAT'S A PART OF WHAT WE ARE DOING ANYWAY. IF I AM MOVING EMPLOYEES IRK HAVE TO TELL SOMEBODY. I THINK OUR PROTOCOLS IN TERMS OF BEING SURE WE COMMUNICATE ON WHAT WE DO AND WHEN WE DO IT THERE HAS BEEN NO FEET DRAGGING ON OUR PART COLLECTIVELY. JUST THAT DATE OF JANUARY 31ST, 2022 IS A MEAN NOTHING DATE.
IT MAY HAPPEN IN DECEMBER. IT MAY HAPPEN IN MARCH.
[02:55:05]
THAT TRANSITION AS WE KNOW IS GOING TO TAKE -- APPROPRIATELY GONNA TAKE TIME AND SO WE PLAN ON DOING IT.I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS DOES ANYTHING OTHER THAN AFFIRMS MAYBE IN A VERY BROADWAY WHAT WE NEED TO DO, BUT THE DEVIL WILL BE IN THE DETAILS. BELIEVE ME, THERE ARE A LOT OF DETAILS WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH AND I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO BE ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
I SENSE AMONG THE COMMISSIONERS WE ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND IT IS NOT A MATTER OF, WELL, I REALLY LOVE JOHN PAUL LANDY SO YOU CAN NEVER COME AND GET JOHN PAUL LANDY. WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THOSE IN A GOOD WAY. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS MEANS OTHER THAN LTS -- LET'S JUST DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
I THINK YOU ARE CORRECT. THIS REALLY JUST AFFIRMS IS WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY DOING AND THAT'S ALL IT IS DOING.
NORMALLY YOU CAN BLAME THE LAWYERS AND WE LIKE TO DO MOU'S WE ARE ALL INDIVIDUALLY ELECTED.
FOR THE MOST PAR EACH OF YOU HAVE AREAS AND CONSTITUENCIES THAT ARE SOME OF THE LARGEST AREAS AND ARE BIGGER THAN MANY CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT IS A MEANS TO CODIFY WHAT YOU ARE DOING WHICH IS WORKING COOPERATIVELY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT AS IT RELATES TO WHETHER IT IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THE WORK I WILL BE COORDINATING WITH HIM OR WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON YOUR FRONT AND I THINK IT IS COMMISSIONER CAGLE THAT SAYS THE POINT IS TO MAKE SURE CITIZENS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND WE ARE FOCUSING ON MAKING THIS TRANSITION SEEMLESS.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT THIS IS NOT ANYBODY'S FIRST RODEO. PRECINCT 2 IS UNDER WAY AND IN TRANSITION 10 YEARS AGO. AND WE TO BE -- AND WE TOOK ON AN AREA THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY THIS PRECINCT 4 AND WE WORKED HARD TO SERVICE FOLKS OUT THERE AND WHEN I CAME IN WE WORKED TO UP OUR GAME FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
I HOPE THIS WILL SET ANY CONCERNS AND ANXIETY TO REST BECAUSE I CONSIDER ALL HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS OUR FOLKS AND THAT THEY ARE WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT'S MY COMMITMENT.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED.
WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE.
AT LEAST IN THE LIFETIME -- YOU'VE BEEN AROUND A LITTLE BIT THERE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
SO YOU HAVE SEEN THIS A COUPLE TIMES AT LEAST.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT ALL WORKS OUT AND THERE IS A COMMITMENT TO A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND THAT'S WHERE I STAND. THANK YOU.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I'M SORRY. IN TERMS OF I GOT YOUR BACK, MR. BERRY, I WILL SAY THIS. I DON'T THINK THERE HAS EVER BEEN A REDISTRICTING THAT HAS MOVED 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
THE SCOPE OF IT, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE, I AGREE WITH. THE SCOPE OF IT, THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE HISTORICAL THINGS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WHAT I -- YES?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREEMENT WITH THE STATEMENT THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. WE HAD TWEAKS IN A PRECINCT, BUT HISTORICALLY THE VOTE ON PRECINCT CHANGES WERE UNANIMOUS. YOU CAN LOOK AT THE RECORD FROM THE TRIAL FROM 10 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS THE COMMISSIONER OF 1 THAT DREW THE LINE OF WHAT HE WANTED AND EVERYBODY ELSE WORKED AROUND HIM.
AND IT WAS A 5-0 VOTE, UNANIMOUS.
THIS IS HISTORIC BECAUSE WE FLIPPED TWO PRE SINKS BECAUSE SOMEBODY -- SOMEBODIES DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO COMPROMISE.
YOU ARE JUST ACCUSTOM TO THE 3-2 AS OFTEN AS YOU GET IT.
HOW DARE WE FORCE YOU TO COMPROMISE WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING AT THE INTEREST OF THE TAXPAYERS.
[03:00:02]
HAVING SAID THAT, I I AM COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT NOBODY SUFFERS AND WHATEVER PART OF THE COUNTY IS PRECINCT 4 THAT YOU DECIDE TO DRAW THE LINE TO.I THINK THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERRING WILL ENSURE I DO WHAT MY PASSION IS WHICH IS SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY WHETHER THEY BE IN THE PRECINCT FORMERLY KNOWN AS 4 OR THE PRE SINK NOW -- PRECINCT NOW KNOWN AS 4.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUND LIKE EVERYBODY IS WORKING FOR THE CONSTITUENCY TO BE TAKEN CARE OF, BUT THE FORMALITY OF APPROVING THIS AGREEMENT WILL HELP CONVEY TO THE CONSTITUENTS THAT WE'VE GOT ALL OF THESE PARTS AND THIS IS THE TIMELINE. IF THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING ANY BAY, IT SEEMS TO ME WE SHOULD PUT IT ON PAPER
SO WE HAVE THAT FORMALIZED. >> YOUEN CAPSULE LATED EXACTLY
WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM CONCERNED AS TO THE TIMELINE. IT SEEMS TIGHT.
BUT WHEN YOU SAY IT COULD BE EXTENDED.
>> IT CAN. I USE THAT DATE PARTIALLY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SAID.
WE NEED A 90-DAY PERIOD, BUT THE INTENTION WAS WE COULD EXTEND IT OUT AS LONG AS WE NEEDED.
IF THERE IS ANOTHER DATE THE COURT WOULD LIKE OR PREFER I AM HAPPY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO RUN THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR I CAN DO THAT AS WELCH WHATEVER THE COURT WANTS. THAT WAS THE INTENTION OF BRINGING IT. THIS WAS NOT VIEWED -- I DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO VIEW THIS AS A FINISHED DOCUMENT AS IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS ALL FIVE OF YOU AGREE TO IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT ULTIMATELY THE ACTIONS OR INACTIONS THAT WE TAKE HERE WILL TRANSLATE OUT AND WHETHER IT BE FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES OR PERSONAL PREFERENCES, WE SET THAT TONE.
I WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO USE THE DATE YOU HAVE BECAUSE OF MY FEAR THAT IF IT'S CHANGED PEOPLE MAY READ MORE INTO THAT RATHER THAN IT IS MORE OF A CHANGE.
IT IS JUST A SUGGESTION. THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING UP.
SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE, THINGS TEND TO SLOW DOWN BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND THEN PICK UP AGAIN AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. SO WHETHER IT WAS -- IF YOU MADE IT FEBRUARY OR MARCH, I JUST THINK WHEN YOU CHANGE IT, IF SOMETHING COMES BACK AND YOU HAVE CHANGED THE DATE PEOPLE WILL MEED MORE INTO THAT BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS WE TAKE. I'M NOT HUNG UP ON IT.
I MENTIONED THAT TO MR. BERRY.
JUST KNOWING FROM MY EXPERIENCE NOT JUST HERE, BUT EVEN WITH THE STATE THINGS SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND PEOPLE GET A LITTLE RELAXED ON READING EMAILS OR MAYBE EVEN RETURNING PHONE CALLS IN THE HOLIDAYS.
YOU ADD TO THAT A PANDEMIC AND PEOPLE START GETTING ON THE ROAD. I DON'T KNOW.
IF ANYTHING WE SET THAT TONE. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN EXAMPLE LIKE L.A. COUNTY OR COOK COUNTY WHERE THEY HAVE DONE THE POLITICAL MAKE UP AND MAKING SHIFTS SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO WHEN THINGS CHANGINGED IN THE COUNTIES.
I WAS JUST LEERY IN THAT THINKING THAT IT WON'T BE JANUARY 31ST. IT MIGHT BE FEBRUARY THE 48TH OR MARCH 30TH OR WHATEVER IT IS.
MY FEAR IS WHEN YOU CHANGING THAT DATE.
RKT R -- THAT CREATES MORE ANXIETY.
>> MY POINT IS WHAT IS THE EARLIEST DATE FROM WHERE WE STAND WE CAN ENVISION MORE TRANSITIONS TAKING PLACE.
I THINK IF IT IS THE WILL OF THE COURT IT IS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL PRECINCT. I SEE NO ISSUE OF PUTTING A DATE MARCH 31ST, CALL IT AN OUTSIDE DATE.
AND IF TWO PRECINCTS REACH AN ARRANGEMENT BEFORE THAT, THEY CAN GO AHEAD WITH THE TRANSITION.
IF THE COURT'S VIEW IS THEY WOULD RATHER NOT EXTEND IT, THE TWO PRE SINKS CAN WORK OUT A TRANSITION PLAN IF THEY COME TO A MEETING OF THE MINDS. THERE IS ONE PLACE WHERE THERE
[03:05:04]
IS A PARK AND I MAY HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION. WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A PROBLEM THERE. CITY WOULD BE LEERY OF PICKING AN ASH -- -- TRARY DATE AND HAVING TO MOVE IT.>> I AM HAPPY TO MOVE IT TO WHATEVER DATE.
THAT DAILT -- THAT DATE WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE IT WAS THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE. IF IT IS MARCH OR MAY OR EARLY
SUMMER. >> I AM NOT TRYING TO GO THAT
FAR. >> AND PART OF IT IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS 2.4 MILLION PEOPLE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY AND ISSUES RELATED TO THOSE EMPLOYEES. PART OF IT IS TO CREATE A DOCUMENT THAT GAVE THEM A CERTAIN SENSE AND REGARDLESS OF THIS ASPECT OF THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS, THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS ARE WORKING VERY DILIGENTLY TO TRY TO SORT THROUGH ISSUES. I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING ON THAT AND THIS IS TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC FACING DOCUMENT AND GIVE THE EMPLOYEES CLARITY AND IT PROVIDES A GENTLE STRUCTURE AND LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS VERY MUCH WORKING AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS PROCESS.
>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DISTRACTIONS AND THOSE THINGS WE CALL PRIMARIES IN MARCH. I JUST ASSUME YOU SAY THE END OF MARCH. IF SOMETHING IS MOVED -- IF I WAS 1 OF THE -- IF I WAS ONE OF THOSE EMPLOYEES AND GOD FORBID YOU MOVE IT TWO TIMES OF.
>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A COMMENT AND I WOULD ASK IF WE CAN GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION TOO AND WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO COME BACK BEFORE WE FINALIZE IT.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CHANGING THE DATE.
I DO WANT CLARIFICATION THOUGH , NOTHING BY US SIGNING ON TO THIS AGREEMENT WILL CHANGE ANY POSTURE WITH REGARD TO
LITIGATION. >> IT DOES PRESIDENT CHANGE
ANYTHING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR ON THE RECORD.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION AND THEN WE CAN FINISH THIS DISCUSSION.
>> MY PLAN IS TO FIRST GO THROUGH TWO PAGES ON THE TRANSITION PROCESS AND SEE IF THERE IS FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I DO THINK AND PART OF THE REASON I WANTED TO PUT THE ITEM ON IS THERE ARE ISSUES THAT INVOLVE MORE THAN TWO OF YOU AND DUE TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT IT. IF YOU GO TO THE FIRST PAGE HERE. I VIEW MY ROLE AND THE COUNTY'S ROLE AS A FACILITATOR IN THE PROCESS.
THE LION'S SHARE WILL BE AT THE PRECINCT LEVEL.
IF YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.
THESE ARE GUIDING PRINCIPALS I HAVE GIVEN TO MY TEAM AND GONE OVER 10 YEARS AGO AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THROUGH SIMILAR TRANSITIONS. THIS IS MY GUIDANCE TOME EMPLOYEES. ONE, CONTINUITY OF SERVICES IS A TOP PRIORITY. THE OTHER IS DOING RIGHT BY EMPLOYEES AND I THINK HAVING GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH THEM WILL BE REALLY KEY AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
MY EXPERIENCE GOING THROUGH TRANSITIONS IS THAT IF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE TIMELINE PROCESS THEY CAN DEAL WITH IT, BRUT THE UNCERTAINTY -- BUT THE UNCERTAINTY CAN BE CHALLENGING. TODAY WE ARE IN BUSINESS AS USUAL UNTIL WE DO OTHERWISE. WE DO HAVE TIME FOR TRANSITION. WE DON'T HAVE TO RUSH IT.
WE HAVE SIX TRANSITIONS. THEY ARE ALL IMPORTANT TO WORK THROUGH. AND THEN MY FINAL THOUGHT IS IF WE CAN HAVE FEWER CHANGES THAT IS CLEAR TO THE COUNTY STAFF AND TO THE PUBLIC. I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN WORK TOWARD ONE DAY WHERE EVERYTHING HAPPENS OR A COUPLE DATES. AND THAT IS HELPFUL AS MY TEAM DOES THEIR WORK AND AS THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS WHAT IS GOING ON. NEXT PAGE PLEASE.
[03:10:01]
AND THIS IS -- I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF IT, BUT THIS IS THE WORK THE COUNTY STAFF IS DOING AND AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.IT IS CLARIFYING WHICH ASSETS WILL BE IN WHICH PRECINCTS OR WHICH ARE IN WHICH PRECINCT. THAT'S PRETTY CLEAR.
YOU MAY HAVE PARKS THAT CROSS COUNTY LINES AND ROADS ON THE EDGE OF A PRECINCT. WHAT I HAVE HAD TEAMS DO IS GIVE A LIST OF ASSETS AND THE GOAL IS TO WORK THROUGH THOSE WITH THE VIEW OF FINALIZING AN ASSET LIST.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE MEMORANDUM AND IT IS IDENTIFYING ANY NECESSARY CHANGES. IN GENERAL HARRIS COUNTY IS THE PARTY AND SO IT SHOULD WORK.
ALSO WE ARE WORKING THROUGH WHAT THE COMMUNICATIONS LOOKED LIKE BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNALLY.
THE NUMB RESOURCES TEAM AS WE GO -- THE HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM AND FINALLY A BUDGET AND FRAMEWORK -- A BUDGET AND FINANCE FRAMEWORK, WHAT IS THE CUTOFF AND HOW DO WE DEAL WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, GRANTS? WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE VARIOUS COMMISSIONER STAFF AND PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER ABOUT HOW THAT PROCESS WOULD ACTUALLY WORK.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE ON THE TRANSITION.
HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE PAGES OR IF THERE IS ANY
FURTHER DISCUSSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU STEPPED OUT, BUT I SUGGESTED 30 DAYS IN MARCH.
I DON'T THINK THERE ARE 31 IN MARCH.
>> THERE ARE 31 DAYS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE END OF MARCH BECAUSE I'M AFRAID IF WE CLUB IN THE JANUARY DATE, I
WOULD SUGGEST THAT I THINK. >> I WOULD SUPPORT THAT AND I WILL ALSO MAKE SURE IF WE ARE READY TO MOVE, LET'S GET IT DONE IF WE WORK OUT SOMETHING CAN THAT BE MEME RAG LIESED?
MEMORIALIZED? >> THESE ARE INDIVIDUAL.
THE MOU AGREEMENTS ARE REALLY --
>> THIS IS A GUIDING DOCUMENT.
WE CAN MAKE THE TRANSITION HAPPEN SOONER RATHER THAN
LATER THAT WOULD BE BEST. >> I DIDN'T WANT TO PLUG IN
>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE STOPPED THE PRESENTATION
HALFWAY THROUGH. >> WE CAN KEEP GOING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS FOR QUESTIONS.
YOU ARE GOING TO GO ON WITH THE PRESENTATION?
>> YEAH. THE NEXT TOPIC I WAS ASKED TO COME AROUND AND TALK ABOUT CONSOLIDATION OPTIONS.
YOU CAN GO TO PAGE 5 THERE. WE CAN START WITH WHERE ARE WE TODAY IN TERMS OF WHAT IS DECENTRALIZED AND THERE IS A CONTINUUM HERE OF WHAT IS REALLY DONE PLM -- ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY AT THE PRE SINK LEVEL AND WHAT IS DONE COUNTY WIDE. OBVIOUSLY PARKS, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNITY CENTERS, THEY ARE DONE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE PRECINCTS.
THAT IS MOSTLY DECENTRALIZED. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS MOSTLY COUNTY WIDE. THAT IS DONE THROUGH DEPARTMENTS LIKE COMMUNITY SERVICES AND LIKE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAME WITH FLOOD CONTROL.
SO THOSE ARE THE EXTERNAL SERVICES.
EXTERNAL CASING SERVICES THE COUNTY PROVIDES INTERNAL FACING SERVICES. INTERNAL FACING SERVICES, PROCUREMENT IS COUNTY WIDE. ALMOST ALL OF THE PROCUREMENT SERVICES. OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES ARE HUMAN RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND FLEET ARE MOSTLY DECENTRALIZED.
[03:15:02]
THAT'S TO SAY THAT THE PRECINCTS HAD THEIR OWN OPERATIONS THEY ARE NOT CENTRALIZED WITHIN ANY AGENCIES. YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, PLEASE. I HAVE ON HEAR WHAT ARE THE CURRENT EFFORTS? MORE CURED MAGES OR SEN -- COORDINATION OR CENTRALIZATION.INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UNDER GENERAL NORIEGA'S LEADERSHIP WE WERE MOVING TOWARD A MORE STANDARD AND CENTRALIZED I.T.
PROJECT AND WITH THE SECURITY REVIEW.
WE WERE WORKING ON COUNTY WIDE DATA POLICIES EXPECT TO BRING A COUPLE ITEMS ON THAT. AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS BEEN PERFORMING FOR I.T., FOR EXAMPLE, FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION. I THINK COUNTY WIDE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AROUND OTHER TOPICS ARE A GOOD IDEA.
WE SHOULD HAVE COUNTY WIDE DATA DEVELOPMENTS AND WE CAN DEVELOP A ROAD MAP TO INCREASE STANDARDIZATION AND CENTRALIZATION. HAVING EACH AGENCY GO AND DO THEIR OWN THING IS LEADING TO SOME REAL INEFFICIENCIES.
IT IS A SIMILAR STORY ON HUMAN RESOURCES.
WE HAVE TAKEN STEPS PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. WE CAN CONSIDER THEM TAKING ON MORE DEPARTMENTS OVER TIME AND DEVELOPING A ROAD MAP TOWARD A MORE HR SYSTEM. IN FLEET WE ARE UNDERGOING A REVIEW RIGHT NOW. I THINK ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE MORE CENTRALIZATION CAN MAKE SENSE.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR VEHICLES ACROSS DIFFERENT AGENCIES. THEY WILL BRING IT BACK TO PRESENT TO COURT ON NOVEMBER 30TH.
AND ON PROCUREMENT, OCTOBER 26TH, WE GOT INSTRUCTION FOR A BROAD REVIEW OF POLICIES.
I THINK WE CAN CONDUCT ADDITIONAL PROCUREMENTS COUNTY WIDE. THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN COMBINE AND GET MORE BUYING POWER.
I DEFINITELY THERE IS A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY HERE.
NOW TURNING TO EXTERNAL FACING SURFACES.
ON THE TOPIC OF CUSTOMER CALLS AND DISPATCH, THE MAIN INITIATIVE IS SETTING UP THE 3-1-1 TECHNOLOGY.
THERE IS ONE NUMBER FOLKS CAN DIAL IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA AND BE CONNECTED TO COUNTY SERVICES.
I THINK THE TECHNOLOGY PART TO BE COMPLETE, THERE IS POTENTIAL TO DO WORK ON THE BUSINESS PROCESS.
WHEN SOMEONE CALLS 3-1-1 HOW DO WE TRACK IT AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING A RESPONSE.
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CALL CENTERS.
MANY 3-1-1 OPERATIONS OPERATE IN THAT WAY, TO TAP INTO COUNTY SERVICES. WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY TAKERS YET, BUT I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS SUGGESTED TO DO A PILOT WITH THE SHERIFF'S DISPATCH. I DON'T THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THE COURT CAN MANDATE, BUT I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA IN TERMS OF OTHER USES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS IT A LOT OF MONEY?
>> IN THE SCHEME OF A $2 BILLION COUNTY BUDGET, NO.
IN THE SCHEME OF FINDING WAYS TO ADD NEW PATROL OFFICERS, I THINK IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE FROM THE INITIAL
NUMBERS I HAVE SEEN. >> COMMISSIONER, YOUR MIC.
JACK -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: TO BE CLEAR THOUGH YOU SAID YOU CAN MANDATE ON CONSTABLES WHEN THEY ARE SEEKING THE BODIES THAT ARE WITHIN THEIR ZONE?
>> WE ARE -- IF SOMEONE WANTS TO ADD ADDITIONAL RESOURCES,
[03:20:02]
THIS COURT CAN TAKE THE POSITION WHERE WE CAN GRANT NEW MONEY. I THINK THAT WILL BECHALLENGING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM NOT ADVOCATING, JUST ANSWERING THE QUESTION.
THE ONLY POWER WE HAVE IS THE POWER OF THE PURSE STRINGS ONE OF THE REASONS IT WORKS WELL IN THE PRECINCTS, I THINK AND THE PEOPLE WILL BE DOING THE SERVICING.
WE ARE ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THEY HAVE A CENTRALIZED -- AND ANYBODY THERE -- THAT THINKS THEY ARE GREAT IN SERVICING THE CALLS MAY WANT TO DO A STUDY ON THAT ONE. JUST BE SURE THAT THE SERVICE EXPECTATION AISLE PED -- EACH OF THE PRE SINKS HAS IS HIGH AND OWE -- OKAY WE CAN SAVE SOME MONEY, BUT ARE YOU STILL ABLE TO SERVICE THE CONSTITUENTS LIKE YOU DO
AND TO THAT POINT, COMMISSIONER, CONSOLIDATION CAN MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS. THERE IS A CONTINUUM OF COORDINATION, CONSOLIDATION. HAVING THE ABILITY TO TALK TO PEOPLE NEAR WHERE YOU NEED HELP MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
I ALSO THINK HAVING A MORE UNIFIED WAY INTO ASKING FOR HELP COULD ALSO MAKE SENSE. THE TWO AREN'T MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. SO ON PARKS AND TRAILS, THIS IS SOMETHING PRIMARILY IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE PRECINCTS, A COUPLE OF IDEAS FOR CONSIDERATION IS DOING WORK ON GREEN SPACE AND THAT MAY YIELD SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT WHERE THE COUNTY SHOULD BE INVESTING.
IF WE HAVE COUNTY WIDE PROGRAMS THEY CAN BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE PRECINCTS, BUT IT WOULD TAKE A BROADER VIEW OF NEED AROUND THE COUNTY.
ON TRANSPORTATION, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A COUNTY WIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN. WE HAVE A PLAN SET UP FOR THOSE GOING TO THE PRE SINK WHETHER IT IS VISION ZERO SAFETY INVESTMENTS, BE IT A BETTER AND SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOLS. THAT'S A TEMPLATE THAT WE CAN REVIEW AND REFINE AND POTENTIALLY EXPAND.
THE OTHER IDEA IS INCLUDING SOME INFORMATION ABOUT PRE SKINK -- PRECINCT INVESTIGATIONS IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE HESITANT TO PROMISE PROJECT THAT'S MAY BE WELL OUT IN THE FUTURE AND PUBLISH THEM BECAUSE THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHEN THEY WILL COME TOGETHER.
WE COULD CONSIDER IS THERE SOME BASIC INFORMATION THAT WILL GO ON THE CIP OR THE GENERAL ALLOCATIONS OF FUNDS.
FINALLY ON COMMUNITY CENTERS, A POSSIBLE NEXT STEP COULD BE WE HAVE DEPARTMENTS THAT USE COMMUNITY CENTERS AS VENUES TO PROVIDE SERVICES. I THINK THERE IS MORE WORK THAT COULD BE DONE THERE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING MORE OUT OF FACILITIES TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.
RECOGNIZE -- RECOGNIZING THAT THE PROGRAMMING ISN'T THE SAME ACROSS THE COUNTY. IT IS NOT STANDARDIZED, BUT ARE THERE WAYS THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS COULD LEAN INTO THE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND USE THEM AS A WAY OF BETTER
SERVING THE PUBLIC? >> SO THE FINAL PAGE OF THE PRESENTATION AND AND POINTS FOR DISCUSSION, AND I'M SURE WE WILL HAVE MORE DISCUSSION, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THERE IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF CHANGE AT THE COUNTY ABOUT OUR ARPA INVESTMENTS AND CHANGING HOW WE DO BUDGETING AND FISCAL YEAR CHANGE AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE.
I THINK WHAT WOULD BE USEFUL IS SOME GENERAL DIRECTION FOR THE COUNTY STAFF OF WHAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST.
I WOULD HESITATE TO MAKE ANY LARGE AND IMMEDIATE CHANGES WITHOUT A PLAN IN THE WORKS. ANOTHER POINT HERE AND I THINK THIS GOES TO -- IT GOES ACROSS THE BOARD IS WHEN -- WHEN CONSOLIDATION SAVES MONEY, THERE IS A CARROT THAT IS ALLOWING THE PRECINCTS TO KEEP THE SAVINGS AND INVEST IT IN SERVICES I CAN TALK TO OTHERS AND I HAVE SEEN SOME
[03:25:04]
SUCCESSFUL CONSOLIDATION EFFORTS.IF YOU DO THE HARD WORK OF SAVING THE COUNTY MONEY.
SORRY COMMISSIONER? >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU SUGGESTING WE GO BACK TO ROLL OVER?
I WILL FINISH AND THEN BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCES THERE. MAKING MAJOR CHANGES, IF THERE ARE SUPPORTS WOULD BE A MULTI EFFORT.
I DO THINK IF WE EXPAND THEM IT CAN HAPPEN ON A SHORTER TIMELINE. AND THEN THE FINAL POINT HERE IS THAT MANY OF OUR INTERNAL COUNTIES AND SERVICES WHETHER IT IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OR HUMAN RESOURCES ARE ALREADY ON A PATH TO PARTIAL CONSOLIDATION.
THE OPTION IS TO ACCELERATE AND STRENGTHEN THAT PATH.
I DO THINK THOUGH THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE QUALITY OF THOSE SERVICES IS REALLY HIGH AND WE HAVE THE KEY STAFF IN PLACE BEFORE WE START EXPANDING THAT.
ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED IN LOOKING AROUND IS WHEN YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD SERVICE PEEL WANT TO BE A PART OF IT.
IF YOU HAVE A MEDIOCRE SERVICE AND PUSH CONSOLIDATION IT YIELDS BAD OUTCOMES. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS ON THIS AND INVITE DISCUSSION IF WE CAN GET SOME DISCUSSION ON WHERE TO TAKE THE TOPIC.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: DAVE, YOU MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES OR ELUDED TO IT, YOU ARE HEADING TOWARD YOUR BUDGETING SEASON.
WE ARE IN A TRANSITION SEASON HERE.
THERE ARE DOLLARS AND YOU HAVE THESE OTHER TRANSITION ISSUES. I HOPE THAT WHATEVER PLANS WE WANT TO DO, THAT YOU DEFINE THAT IN TERMS OF A BUDGET.
WE DON'T WANT TO SAY WE DIDN'T BUDGET PRESIDENT YOU ARE TRYING TO ADJUST THE BUDGET YEARS.
WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. WE SHOULD GET SOME DIRECTION AND A ROAD MAP TOWARD CONSOLIDATION.
ABSOLUTELY WE NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO DO THAT WELL, AND TO GET OFF THE DIME WE NEED AS COUNTY STAFF TO BE POINTED IF
A PARTICULAR DIRECTION. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BUDGETING CHALLENGED -- CHALLENGE? FROM MY EXPERIENCE IT USED TO BE THE BUDGETING CHALLENGE IS NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY.
>> I WAS GONNA SAY -- >> SAYING NO TO PEOPLE WITH GOOD IDEAS IS A HARD PART OF THE BUDGET.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE TWO SETS OF QUESTIONS.
ONE IS AS EVERYBODY THINKS ABOUT THE DATE.
I WONDER IF IT MAKES SENSE FOR THERE TO BE LIKE AN EARLY TRAIN AND A LATE TRAIN KIND OF A THING.
IF FOLKS CAN COME TOGETHER AHEAD OF JANUARY 31ST, THE BIG WAVE OF CHANGES HAPPENS JANUARY 31ST AND THEN THE LATE TRAIN HAPPENS MARCH 31ST.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS I I UNDERSTAND THIS AD HOC GOING ON, BUT I AM MINDFUL THAT IT WILL LEAD TO CONFUSION AND THAT'S MY THOUGHT. WE ALL RECEIVED -- MAYBE IT IS JUST MY OFFICE, BUT WE RECEIVED A PHISHING EMAIL THIS WEEK AND IT CAME FROM SOMETHING LIKE PCH.HCTS -- WE
[03:30:06]
STILL THREE YEARS IN, EVERYBODY HAS A DIFFERENT WEBSITE AND A DIFFERENT URL AND WE CAN'T POINT PEOPLE TO HARRIS COUNTY.GOV AND I UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS ARE CHANGING AND HOWEVER PEOPLE ARE WORKING IT OUT, THIS IS WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE THE SYSTEM SO WE CAN KEEP THE DISPATCH CENTERS AND PEOPLE KNOW WHAT NUMBER TO CALL. IT IS SO WE ARE TO THE STUCK WITH THESE PHISHING PRONE WEBSITES.I WOULD SAY IN THE AVENUES THAT ARE -- I FORGOT HOW YOU PUT IT. MOSTLY DECENTRALIZED AND ALREADY IN PROCESS. THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND 9 I.T., TO THE EXAT THE PRESENT TIME FLEET -- EXTENT THAT FLEET IS PART OF IT. TO PUT THAT DEADLINE ON THAT TOO SO THAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS -- EVERYBODY WILL BE AT THE TABLE ANYWAY AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS CAN HAPPEN AND THAT CAN GET DONE AND YOU KNOW THAT THAT IS THE DIRECTION WE ARE MOVING INTO WHICH WILL HELP WITH THE BUYING POWER. AS A SEPARATE MATTER I KNOW THERE HASN'T BEEN A DECISION AS TO HOW THAT CAN BE IMPROVED. THERE ARE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE PROJECTS THAT ARE ON GOING.
I THINK THAT CAN BE A WORKING GROUP FOR LATER.
AT LEAST ON THOSE ISSUE, PUTTING A DATE ON IT AND MAKING IT PART OF THE PROCESS IS IMPORTANT.
IN ADDITION TO 3-1-1 WE ARE WORKING ON A COMMON SERVICES PORTAL ON THE HARRIS COUNTY WEBSITE.
EVEN IF ONE LAYER BACK YOU ARE GOING TO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRECINCTS AND THERE IS ONE PLACE THAT PEOPLE CAN GO AND SAY HERE ARE THE SERVICES AT HARRIS COUNTY.
TO YOUR POINT, CERTAINLY HAVING A ROAD MAP AND A DIRECTION IT IS VERY DOABLE. I THINK FULLY GOING LIVE ON COUNTY-WIDE I.T. BEING CONSOLIDATED IT WOULD TAKE
MORE TIME THAN THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR THREE YEARS. AND IN HOWEVER MANY MONTHS ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, ALL OF THIS CAN BE SHOVE -- SHUFFLED.
I SAID THIS SEVERAL TIMES THAT I LOST TRACK.
IF I WANT TO GO RUNNING AT COUNTY PARK I WILL LOOK UP WHERE THEY ALL ARE AND I CAN'T -- I KNOW EVERYBODY'S WEBSITE AND I CALL YOU ALL DIRECTLY.
, BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS YOUR PHONE NUMBER.
I DON'T BUY THAT IT IS ENOUGH TO SHUFFLE ALL OF THIS, BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO WORK ON THE ECONOMY OF SCALE AND THE EFFICIENCY. AND PATCHING UP SECURITY BREECHES WE MAY HAVE BECAUSE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE JUST OUTDATED. I WOULD SAY LET'S PICK A LATER DATE AND LET'S MAKE THIS ONE WITH BIGGER CHANGES.
>> ON THE WEBSITES, IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN I GO TO SOME COUNTIES I HIT SOMETHING AND I SEE EVERYBODY.
I ASSUME I CAN PULL UP THAT PERSON AS WELL.
DO WE DO THAT? >> WE DO A LITTLE BIT OF IT.
YOU CAN GO TO THE HARRIS COUNTY WEBSITES AND IT MAY ROUTE YOU SOMEWHERE ELSE. A LITTLE LIKE THREE ON ONE.
YOU HAVE A COMMON ENTRY POINT.
I THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME IF THERE IS ONLY ONE. IT SEEMS LIKE EVEN IF THERE IS NOT ONLY ONE, I JUST NEVER CHECKED.
I CAN FIND HOLLY MITCHELL AND I CAN SEE THE OTHERS ON THERE AS WELL. YOU PULL UP THE L.A. SITE AND
[03:35:06]
I CAN HIT THOSE OTHER SUPERVISORS.WE DON'T DO THAT? I JUST DON'T PULL THE ITEMS UP. YOU CAN'T GO IN AND FIND
CAGLE, ELLIS -- >> YOU CAN FIND LINKS TO THE WEB PAGES. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SERVICE LINES. A LOT OF PEOPLE GO TO THE COUNTY WEBSITE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO FIND HELP WITH SOMETHING. TO BE ABLE TO SAY HERE ARE THE
SERVICES THE COUNTY PROVIDES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE WE LIVE, FOR EXAMPLE.
>> THEY DON'T CARE WHICH DEPARTMENT THE SERVICE RESIDES IN. THEY KNOW WHAT THEY WANT AND THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO FIND THEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SHOULD BE CGO HARRIS CON PEA.GOV.
COUNTY.GOV. IT IS SIMPLY AN ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE, BUT SAME FOR THE HR QUESTIONS AND THE FLEET OF THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND THE TECH AND THE CUSTOMER CALLS.
THE CUSTOMER CALLS IS PART OF IT.
I USED TO LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED.
MAYBE I WAS MISINFORMED, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHICH PHONE NUMBER TO CALL AND EVERYONE KNOWS 3-1-1.
IT STILL GOES TO YOUR SUPER EFFICIENT TURN AROUND SERVICE CENTER, AND YOU CAN STILL SHOW UP WITH YOUR CAR WITH YOUR NAME ON IT. IT JUST MAKES LOGICAL SENSE FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO CALL ONE NUMBER.
>> I KNOW I WAS ASKING BRANDON AND IT WAS A CHALLENGE TO GET ME -- TO GET ANYTHING DONE ON THE WEBSITE.
I WAS ON UNIVERSAL SERVICES. I DON'T KNOW.
MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE I DIDN'T ACT NICE.
IT WAS DIFFICULT GETTING MY STUFF CHANGED.
FOR SOME REASON -- I THINK I PULLED OFF.
WE HAD TO HIRE A SEPARATE VENDOR.
I MAY HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND, BUT THAT WAS MY CHALLENGE GETTING TO MY PREDECESSOR'S STUFF OFF AND GET MINE ON. THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMEWAY TECHNOLOGY CAN SORT THAT OUT WHERE IN YOU WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT YOUR STUFF IN THERE AND TECHNOLOGY SHOULD SEND YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO IS -- TO GO. AM I MISSING SOMETHING? MAYBE WE CAN ASK UNIVERSAL SERVICES PEOPLE HOW DO YOU DO
THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO AGREE ON THE DATE AND I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE BIGGER CHANGES AND I ASK WE AGREE TO GET THESE OTHER BIGGER CHANGES DONE WITH THE BIGGER CHANGES SO WE CAN HAVE ONE WAVE OF CHANGES. IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN -- YOU SAID MARCH 31ST AND THAT'S WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA
STEPPED OUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD JUST HATE TO GO IN AND START WITH JANUARY 31ST.
>> TOM RAMSEY: WHEN DO YOU NEED YOUR BUDGET DECISION?
>> IT WILL BE 7-MONTH UPCOMING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ALLOWS US TO MOVE AS QUICK A PACE AS THE BORDERS CHOOSE TO MOVE.
TO ME IT MAKES NO MATTER WHAT THE DATE IS.
TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN CLEAR, JAY, THERE ARE NO OPEN MEETINGS ACT VIOLATIONS IF I AM TALKING ABOUT A BORDER EXCHANGE WITH ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES AS LONG AS I DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH ANYBODY ELSE, CORRECT
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU SUGGESTING DON'T PUT A DATE IN
AND WE SIGN THE AGREEMENT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE SHOULD BE A TERMINATION DATE BECAUSE ONE OF THE CLAUSES THAT JAY PUT IN THERE DOESN'T LAST FOREVER.
[03:40:05]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WHAT WOULD THAT DATE BE? MARCH 31ST IS FINE WITH ME.
BUT I'M PLANNING ON BEING DONE LONG BEFORE THEN.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DO TOO. THAT'S ONE AREA I WAS THINKING THE THREE OF US -- WHICH IS A MINOR ISSUE.
>> TOM RAMSEY: MARCH 31ST MAKES SENSE, BUT EVERYBODY HAS THE HEADS UP THAT DAVID WILL NEED BUDGET INFORMATION, COST INFORMATION AND CHANGES, WHATEVER THE CHANGES ARE
JANUARY 31ST. >> RODNEY ELLIS: EITHER THAT, AND IF IT IS NOT DONE WE HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AT SOME POINT. I THINK IT CAN BE WORKED OUT,
BUT IF NOT -- >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S THE
BUDGET. >> JUDGE, IF THE CONSENSUS IS MARCH 31ST, I AM HAPPY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE AND RESEARCH WITH THE FIVE OF YOU THAT WORK IF THAT IS THE GENERAL
CONSENSUS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES THAT GIVE ANYBODY HAFT BURN? HEARTBURN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS A GOOD QUESTION.
HOW WOULD THE BUDGET WORK? >> HISTORICALLY THE PRECINCT BUDGETS IN MOST -- NOT ALWAYS, BUT THE PRECINCT BUDGET HAS BEEN 25, 25, 25, 25 IN TERMS OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND IDENTICAL OR VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL IN GENERAL FUNDING.
IF WE STICK WITH THE PRINCIPAL IT REDUCES THE BUDGET ISSUE.
TO THE EXTENT WE HAVE PRE SINKS AND CUTOFFS FOR WHO IS PAYING FOR WHAT, THERE IS SOME ARRANGEMENTS THAT MIGHT INVOLVE THE EXCHANGE OF MONEY REACHED AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE WOULD NEED TO ADOPT FOR COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT WOULD BE THE MOTION ON THE MOU?
>> TO MOTION IS NEEDED. THIS IS JUST A DISCUSSION ITEM AND THEN I WILL RECIRCULATE FOR EVERYONE'S SIGNATURE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK WE NEED A MOTION THAT WE AUTHORIZE OURSELVES THE MOU SO WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM OF A ROLLING QUORUM AFTERWARD. I MOVE THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE COURT TO ENTER THE MOU AS PROPOSED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WITH THE DATE OF MARCH 31ST.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ITEM WOULD WE MAKE THAT MOTION UNDER? IT IS LISTED AS A DISCUSSION -- IT IS LISTED AS APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
I ASK AS YOU DRAFT THIS YOU PUT IN THE DIFFERENT PIECES, THE DIFFERENT PIECES WE TALKED ABOUT SO IT CAN BE CIRCULATED OR WE HAVE ANOTHER MOTION. WE ARE MAKING CHANGES -- IF WE DON'T MAKE THE CHANGES NOW WE ARE NEVER GOING TO MAKE THEM, AND I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS THE WAY IT IS BEING DISCUSSED. I JUST DON'T.
WE NEED IT IN AN MOU OR A SEPARATE MOTION.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT ALLOWS FOR IT.
>> I GUESS FROM A CLARIFICATION PERSPECTIVE, I AM NOT ENTIRELY SURE. THE MOU IS JUST FOCUSED ON I GUESS THE SHORT-TERM ISSUE AND RELATED TO THE TRANSIT BETWEEN THE PRECINCTS. THE SECOND PIECE DAVE HAS OUTLINED WITH RELATION TO CONSOLIDATED SERVICES WOULD BE SOMETHING OUTSIDE THIS DOCUMENT TO COME BACK WITH A PLAN OR A SET OF DEFINED PROPOSALS YOU COULD BRING BACK IF YOU WANTED TO USE THAT AS A DATE.
MY RECOMMENDATION IS IT WOULD BE OUTSIDE THIS PARTICULAR
DOCUMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU ARE
[03:45:04]
GOING TO DRAFT T MAYBE YOU CAN DRAFT THAT AS WELL.THERE ARE OPERATIONAL CHANGES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.
DAVE MENTIONED THE 25/25/25. THAT'S HOW IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN. AND WE ARE CREATING A PRECINCT.
>> THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN DRAFTED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT HAS THE WRONG DATE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S THE ONLY THING BEFORE WE GO FOOFERRED. WHERE YOU WANT TO EXERCISE YOUR POWERS IS TOWARD THE BUDGET MANAGER AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE AS OPPOSED TO THIS PARTICULAR
DOCUMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE IT FROM JAY. I THINK YOU ARE SAYING THE SAME THING, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE TO CALL A COMMISSION ON THE
ITEM ON THE TABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT. I AM NOT READY TO VOTE FOR IT. IT SOUND LIKE WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK. I AM NOT READY TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITHOUT THE OTHER DISCUSSION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS AN ITEM ON THE TABLE AND WE SHOULDN'T STEP AWAY FROM THE TABLE WITH A MOTION ON THE
TABLE. >> I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE
DID MAKE A MOTION, RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: MOVE THE TABLE THE MOTION SO WE CAN TAKE A BREAK.
IS THERE A SECOND? IT IS TO MOVE THE QUESTION AND WHETHER WE WANT TO POTTY NOW OR POTTY AFTER THE VOTE.
>> I -- I AM PART OF ALL OF THIS TO THE EBBING TENT MY SUPPORT IT MAY BE AN ABSTENTION ON ALL OF THE PIECES. LET'S VOTE AND I WILL ABSTAIN. THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER -- DID KEY MAKE THE MOTION WITH THE WRONG
DATE? >> JUDGE, I MADE THE MOTION THAT WE ADOPT THE RECOMMENDED ORDER -- OR AGREEMENT THAT WAS PROPOSED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MODIFYING THE DATE WHICH WOULD BE UNDER ITEM B TERMS OF MOU FROM JANUARY 31ST TO MARCH 31ST.
>> SO HANG ON A SECOND. THE MOTION WAS TO AUTHORIZE THE COURT AS PROPOSED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND I WILL ADD TO THAT WITH A MODIFIED DATE.
>> IT CHANGED FROM JANUARY 31ST UNDER ITEM B
TO MARCH 31ST. >> WITH A DATE CHANGE FROM JANUARY 31ST OF 2021 AND IT WAS TO ENTER INTO AN MOU AND ASK BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH A DATE CHANGE UNDER ITEM B FROM JANUARY 31ST 2021 TO MARCH 31ST 2022. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED.
>> I. >> THE MOTION CARRIES I HAVE TO TAKE THE BREAK. WE WILL BE BACK AT
>>> IT IS 4:18 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE WERE ON ITEM 13 AND I
APOLOGIZE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COULD YOU WALK THROUGH SOME OF THE AREAS WHERE WE COULD TRY TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO BRING BACK TO THE COURT TO CONSOLIDATE OF
OUR FUNCTIONS. >> LET ME THROW FOUR IDEA OUT AT YOU AND YOU CAN CHOOSE HERE.
PICK WHICH ONE. I THINK ON CUSTOMER SERVICE WE
[03:50:01]
HAVE THE TECH -- TECHNOLOGY FOR 3-1-1, BUT FULLY IMPLEMENTING IT WOULD BE A BIG SET AND HAVING A COMMON WEBSITE AND PORTAL SERVICES. THAT WOULD BE ON CUSTOMER SERVICE. I THINK ON I.T., THE PLACES TO FOCUS ON MY MIND WOULD BE CENTRALIZE COMMON DATA MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY. WE DON'T NEED TO CONSOLIDATE EVERY HELP DESK RIGHT NOW, BUT I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE. ON TRANSPORTATION, I MENTIONED THIS -- AND ALL OF THESE ARE MENTIONED IN THE PRESENTATION. I AM JUST PICKING OUT WHAT IS MORE ACTIONABLE. WE'LL LOOK AT OUR EXISTING PROGRAMS. THE TRANSPORTATION MONEY IS GOING TOWARD GOOD PROGRAMS. ON THE TOPIC OF FLEET, I THINK ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO START MOVING DOWN A PATH TOWARD MORE COORDINATION AND CENTRALIZATION. WE CAN DEVELOP A PILOT PROGRAM COUNTY WIDE AND TAKE A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.THOSE ARE A FEW WHY THE -- FEW IDEAS OF WHAT MIGHT BE
ACTIONABLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MADE A MOTION THAT YOU COME BACK WITH SOMETHING TO HAVE IT GO INTO PLACE MARCH -- JANUARY 31ST, THE DATE WE INITIALLY HAD ON THIS -- ON THE OTHER ITEM, COULD YOU DO THAT? OBVIOUSLY IF YOU COULDN'T YOU WOULD COME BACK AND TELL US. IF I MADE A MOTION YOU COULD COME BACK BY JANUARY 31ST?
>> I THINK IT IS DO OOBL -- DOABLE.
THERE MAY BE ONE OR TWO THAT WOULDN'T BE DONE IN TIME, BUT WE COULD LET YOU KNOW. I THINK IT IS DOABLE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S MY IMPRESSION.
OBVIOUSLY MEMBERS OF THE COURT WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO FLUSH IT OUT. I'M ASSUMING YOU WOULD PULL TOGETHER A WORKING GROUP SO OUR STAFFS ARE INVOLVED IN THE
PROCESS. >> I THINK IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO HAVE A WORKING GROUP THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSALS WITH BEFORE WE BRING THEM TO COURT FOR A VOTE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE THAT YOU COME BACK WITH SOLID PROPOSALS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THESE FOUR AREAS, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ONE DOMAIN INCLUDED, I.T. WHICH IS DATA MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION AND VISION ZERO.
FLEET FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES BY JANUARY 31ST.
>> DO YOU WANT THIS? >> I'M NOT GONNA TRY.
>> SOME OF IT WE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR SOME TIME.
>> I'LL TAKE MARCH 31ST. JANUARY 31ST?
SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES --
>> JUDGE, IS THIS MOTION NUMBER 2 FOR ITEM 13?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SO THE MOTION CARRIES 4-1. AUTHORIZE THE COURT TO GIVE AN M WORK U WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH A DATE
CHANGE. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS JUST TO
COME BACK. >> THE WAY I INTERPRETED IT IS BRING BACK ACTUAL PROPOSALS TO GET THESE THINGS DONE BY
JANUARY 31ST. >> WE WILL VOTE ON THAT THEN.
>> IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO VOTE ON IT THEN --
IF THIS IS TO COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE'LL VOTE ON ON JANUARY 31ST, THAT'S WHAT --
>> THAT'S WHAT THE MOTION IS. YOU WANT TO CHANGING YOUR
I GET ANOTHER SHOT AT IT JANUARY 31ST.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND IT IS WORKING IN THEORY.
PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON 3-1-1. >> ALL OF THESE ARE STARTING IN SOME FORM OR FASHION. ONE OF THE THINGS I GOT OUT OF THE DISCUSSION IS PUTTING THEM AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU NEED RESOURCES SO YOU CAN START IMPLEMENTING IT ON JANUARY 31ST.
>> GIVEN THE OF -- THE SCOPE OF THIS I WILL BRING THINGS AS
SOON AS THEY ARE READY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO OUR
[03:55:03]
RECORD IS CLEAR I AM IN FAVOR OF THE 3-1-1 AND A COUPLE OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS, BUT AGAINST WHAT THE PACKET IS GOING TO BE WITHOUT SEEING WHAT IT WILL BE.>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL MAKE NOTE OF THAT, OR DID YOU WANT
TO VOTE ON EACH SEPARATELY? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM FINE WITH JUST SAYING NO UNTIL WE GET A RECOMMENDATION BACK.
I AM IN FAVOR OF THE 3-1-1. >> LINA HIDALGO: I APPRECIATE YOUR GUYS' WORKING ON THIS. THANK YOU, DAVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS ITEM 13 OF ITEM 107 AND THAT IS ACCESS HARRIS SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL.
AND THERE IS A PRESENTATION. >> HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> JUDGE, COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS BARBIE HARRISON HERE. I AM HERE TO PRESENT THE A KRRK CESS HARRIS COUNTY AND I AM LOOKING FOR FUNDING TO LEAD THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE A SCRRK CESS HARRIS SERVICE PROJECT. ON JULY 20TH, 2021 THEY APPROVED AN ACTION. THIS ACTION WAS TAKEN BY YOUR COURT IN RECOGNITION THAT THROUGH AN INTEGRATED AND HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SERVICE DELIVERY, WE CAN SUPPORT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THAT HAVE MULTIPLE NEEDS ACROSS THE SAFETY NET SYSTEMS TO NOT ONLY ACCESS THE SAFETY NET, BUT GET OUT OF IT TO IMPROVE WELL -- WELL-BEING.
THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE INTEGRATIVE DELIVERY SERVICE FOR INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF SERVICES ACROSS THE COUNTY SYSTEMS AND THE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS. WE ARE SERVING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND THEY ARE SHARED POPULATIONS IN NEED OF SERVICES ACROSS OUR SYSTEMS. IT WAS FRAGMENTED IN THAT IT WAS NOT INTEGRATED.
THEY DO NOT COLLABORATE TO SUPPORT CLIENTS WITH NEED ACROSS MULTIPLE PROGRAMMING. THE STAFF DO NOT SHARE DATA WITH THESE SHARED CLIENTS AND AS A RESULT INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE CLIENTS.
THE FUNDING IS NOT GRADED OR BLENDED TO SUPPORT COLLABORATION AND WHAT WE EXPERIENCE OR WHAT WE SEE IS COURT OUTCOMES. NEXT SLIDE.
>> THIS IS THROUGH THE CURRENT SYSTEM.
INDIVIDUALS ARE IN NEED OF SERVICES ACROSS THE SAFETY NET CONTINUUM. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO NAVIGATE THESE SERVICES IN A LINEAR FASHION AND OFTEN SHARING THE SAME INFORMATION OVER AND OFF AGAIN IN ORDER TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM'S END SERVICES THEY NEED.
FURTHERMORE OUR PROGRAMS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO VIEW CLIENTS IN A HOLISTIC WAY. AND THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE SERVICES IN THEIR TOTALITY TO DELIVER THEM ACROSS THE SAFETY NET CONTINUED. NEXT SLIDE.
IT IS AN INTEGRATE #ED SAFETY NET SYSTEM.
IT IS THROUGH A PERSON CENTERED APPROACH THROUGH THE INTEGRATED CARE TEAMS THAT UTILIZES THE ENABLING TECHNOLOGY WITH ACCESS TO A SERVICE PORTFOLIO WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO BRAID AND BLEND OUR FUNDING AND RESOURCES.
THE TEAM IS MADE UP OF FRONT LINE STAFF IN COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE SHARED GOALS, COORDINATED GOALS AND COORDINATED CARE PLANS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SHARED ACROSS OUR SYSTEMS. THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK HOLISTIC 3 THROUGH ANSWER I BELIEVING -- THROUGH ENABLING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CLIENTS AND THEIR NEEDS AND THE SERVICES THROUGH A DATA HUB.
THE SOLUTION BLENDS AND BRAIDS OUR FUNDING TO ACHIEVE BETTER SERVICE INTEGRATION. NEXT SLIDE.
HERE ARE OUR FIVE OVERARCHING OBJECTIVES TO IMPROVE SUFFICIENCY AND DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO COORDINATE AGENCIES, SERVICES AND REDUCE DUPLICATION AND INY -- INEFFICIENCIES. IMPROVE DELIVERY EFFORTS THAT RESULT IN SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT IN THE SERVICE PROCESS THAT ULTIMATELY ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO GET OUT OF THE SAFETY NET.
AS WELL AS TO CREATE AN INTEGRATED DATA SHARING SYSTEM
[04:00:03]
ACROSS AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS. NEXT SLIDE.THESE ARE THE FIVE KEY COMPONENTS.
THE SAFETY NET COLLABORATIVE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE THAT IS MADE UP OF THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE SAFETY NET SYSTEMS. THE INTER DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION TEAMS THAT IS OUR FRONT LINE STAFF THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY CARE COORDINATION AND THE PLANNING AND THE GOAL SETTING TO SUPPORT THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE ARE SERVING AS WELL AS THEN -- THE ENABLING TECHNOLOGY AND INTERVENTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ARE PART OF THE CARE COORDINATION TEAM AND ENTRY POINT INTO THE NO WRONG DOOR APPROACH. AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS TO HELP SUPPORT US IN EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MODEL AND THE OUTCOMES WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.
NEXT SLIDE. IN TERMS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE, THE SAFETY NET COLLABORATIVE IS THE BODY THAT IS PROVIDING THE LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNMENT FOR THIS INITIATIVE. IT IS MADE UP OF THE LEADERSHIPS OF THE SAFETY NET DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE COUNTY AS WELL AS THE LEADER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT. IT PROVIDES HIGH LEVEL DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP AND IT INCLUDE UNDER THE HEALTH SERVICES PILLAR PARIS -- HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AS WELL AS HUMAN SERVICES FOCUSING ON THE RESOURCES AND THE SUPPORTS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, OUR JUSTICE PARTNERS, HARRIS COUNTY SUPERVISION AND CORRECTION, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF OWES -- SHERIFF'S OFFICE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION, PAROLE, DIVISION RE-- REGION 3 AS BELL AS THE SUPPORT AGENCIES OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE AND COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THE BUDGET OFFICE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR THE ANALYST'S OFFICE AND REPRESENTATION FROM YOUR OFFICE. NEXT SLIDE.
HERE ARE THE PROPOSED LAUNCH DATES FOR POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED THROUGH ACCESS HARRIS COUNTY.
THE SAFETY NET COLLABORATIVE. WE HAD TWO MEETINGS TO DATE AS WELL AS AN EXECUTIVE ZIP -- DESIGN THINKING WORKSHOP WHERE WE DISCUSSED THESE CONCEPTS OF SHARED POPULATIONS AND BETTER WAYS TO COORDINATE THEIR CARE.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE WORK WE HAVE DONE, WE PRIORITIZED THESE FOUR COHORTS, THE VIOLENT PREVENTION PROGRAMMING WHERE IT WAS LAUNCHED BASED ON THE DIRECTION THE COURT IS PROVIDING. HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITH CO-OCCURRING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.
9 RE-ENTRY POPULATION OF ADULTS EXITING JAIL AND TRANSITIONAL YOUTH WHO ARE AGING OUT OF THE SYSTEM.
NEXT SLIDE. WE ARE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO REQUEST PERSONNEL FROM NOVEMBER OF 2021 THROUGH FEBRUARY OF 2022. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE REQUEST IS APPROXIMATELY $389,000 WITH $293,000 OF THAT BEING REQUESTED FROM THE ARPA FUNDING.
AND THEN APPROXIMATELY $95,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
WE ARE REQUESTING THESE FUNDS TO SUPPORT 12 POSITIONS AND FIVE OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE FUNDED THROUGH ARPA AND 7 OF THE POSITIONS THROUGH GENERAL FUND.
THIS FUNDING REQUEST ALSO INCLUDES NON-LABOR EXPENSES WITH ESSENTIAL ONE-TIME COSTS PRIOR TO THE FIRST COHORT LAUNCHING. NEXT SLIDE.
THIS NEXT SLIDE IS AN AFRICAN PRO VERB THAT SYMBOLIZES WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO ACHIEVE IN THE ACCESS INITIATIVE.
WHEN SPIDER WEBS UNITE, WE CAN UNITE.
THIS ILLUSTRATES OUR SAFETY NET SYSTEMS AND THE CHALLENGEDS WE OFTEN FACE AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH FUNDING AND HAVING GAPS IN OUR SYSTEMS WITH LIMITED INFORMATION BEYOND OUR INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS. AS WELL AS LACK TO ALL OF THE SERVICES WE NEED.
HOWEVER, THROUGH THE ACCESS MODEL -- THROUGH THE AC KRRK ES -- ACCESS MODEL WE ARE BRINGING THE LINE ON RECIDIVISM, ECONOMIC INSTABILITY AND
[04:05:01]
MULTI-GENERATIONAL POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS AND HOPELESSNESS. OUR GOAL IS TO EFFECTIVELY DELIVER SERVICES SO PEOPLE CAN GET OUT OF THE SAFETY NET AND BE STRONGER MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY.NEXT SLIDE. TODAY WE ARE REQUESTING YOUR APPROVAL OF TWO SPECIFIC ACTIONS AND THAT'S APPROVAL OF THE STAFFING REQUEST AND AUTHORIZING OUR EFFORTS TO ENGAGE IN A TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT.
WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU, JUDGE, FOR ANY
QUESTIONS YOU ALL MAY HAVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
WE HAVE COORDINATED HARRIS HEALTH AND HARRIS CENTER INTO THIS. IS THIS ALSO EVERYBODY TIED IN ALONG WITH JUVENILE PROBATION AND THE COURTS AND THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
EVERYBODY IS ON BOARD WITH THIS APPROACH SPH.
>> YES, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THEN I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE FOUR COMMUNITIES THAT THE DATA IS JUMPING OFF THE MAP ON, I GUESS IS A WAY TO SAY IT.
WHAT IS THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S COMMITMENT?
>> I THINK YOU ARE REFERRING TO THE COHORT AROUND VIOLENCE PREVENTION. AND AS YOU ARE ALL AWARE, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF WALKING THE COURT, SO TO SPEAK AND SHARING WITH EACH OF YOUR OFFICES THE PROPOSED NEIGHBORHOODS WE SELECTED FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE VIOLENT PREVENTION COMMUNITY MESSAGE PROGRAMMING.
WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND WITH OUR FINAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK. IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT CONTRIBUTING SOME STACK OF RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE CARE AND COORDINATION FOR THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION WORK IF A NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS SELECTED.
THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER WITH SHARING THE CRIME DATA WITHIN THE CITY TO HELP OUR DATA-DRIVEN INFORMATION TO HELP THE CITY.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE TO DATE, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FORMAL REQUEST OF FUNDING THROUGH MY CHANNEL AT THIS
STAGE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOTCHA.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. FIRST OF ALL, I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE AT IN TERMS OF CREATING ACCESS TO HARRIS COUNTY AND BRINGING IT TO THIS POINT.
IN SUCH SHORT ORDER, I WANT TO COMEPPED YOU FOR -- COMMEND YOU FOR THAT AND FOR YOUR TEAM.
I WANT TO RESPECTFULLY MAKE SURE THAT YOU -- IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO WORK WITH THE CITY, BUT EVERY CONVERSATION I'VE HAD WITH STEVEN WILLIAMS IS THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DOES PRESIDENT HAVE ANY MONEY AND THEY CONTINUALLY MADE ASKS OF US.
I WOULD JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE NEED TO COLLABORATE, BUT THAT MEANS WE NEED TO COLLABORATE ON ALL FRONTS.
AND IF YOU'LL MAKE THE ARGUMENTS THAT SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE OUR CLIENTS AND THAT MAY BE TRUE ON ONE DIMENSION, BUT THEY NEED TO BE A FULL PARTNER IN OUR EFFORTS.
THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE ARE REALLY GOING TO MOVE THIS FORWARD SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE AT WITH THIS.
JUST TO MOVE THE BALL, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE
ADOPT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL SECOND,
BUT HAVE I A QUESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN CAGLE AND THEN RAMSEY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DIRECTOR ROB -- ROBINSON I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU PUT IN ON THIS AS WELL.
FROM THE RESEARCH MY STAFF GAVE ME, THE LEADERS IN THIS SPACE AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, YOUR FORMER HOME COUNTY, SONOMA COUNTY AND ORANGE COUNTY.
I KNOW CALIFORNIA IN PARTICULAR HAS A HOMELESS PROBLEM OF PEOPLE IMPACTING AREAS EVEN MORE SO THAN WE DO. I'M WONDERING HOW OUR RESOURCES COMPARE TO WHAT THEY'RE SPENDING.
IN SONOMA AND ORANGE AND I DIDN'T MENTION L.A. COUNTY.
WHAT ARE WE SPENDING IN COMPARISON TO THEM?
[04:10:01]
I KNOW WE HAVE TO GET STARTED SOMEWHERE.I KNOW FROM THE DATA MY STAFF GAVE ME THAT YOUR COLLABORATIVE MODEL IN SONOMA COUNTY SUCCESSFULLY MOVED 30% OF RESIDENTS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING FROM A TEMPORARY HOMELESS SHELTER IN 10 MONTHS AND THAT SURPASSES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE PLACEMENT RATE WHICH IS 8%.
I'M CURIOUS HOW IS OUR INVESTMENT AND TO FOLLOW-UP ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO REACH OUT TO OTHER CITIES IN OUR COUNTY IN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON. FROM WHAT WE SPEND ON THE FOLKS THAT FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY, CURRENTLY WE SPEND 8,000 TO 28,500 FOR THE TARGET POPULATIONS.
YOU MIGHT JUST APPROACH THOUGH EVEN AT WHATEVER LEVEL IS TO SEE IF WE CAN GET SOMEBODY IN.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AGREE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS OUR SPENDING COMPARED TO OTHERS IN THE COUNTRY?
>> I WILL DEFER TO MY BOSS AND WE ARE AT THIS JUNCTION AND I BELIEVE SHOO WHOA MAKE THE -- SHOULD WE MAKE THE FULL INVESTMENT IN THIS APPROACH AND MODEL OF CARE, IT WOULD BE PROPORTION GNAT TO THE SIZE OF OUR COUNTY, AND I WOULD BE REMISS IN MENTIONING LOS ANGELES COUNTY SIM PLAWMENTING THIS -- IMPLEMENTING THIS MODEL AS WELL AS LAS VEGAS AND UPSTATE NEW YORK. THIS MODEL IS BEING APPLIED ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I DO NOT HAVE THE DATA AS FAR AS THEIR SPEND, BUT WE ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT SAN DIEGO COUNTY DID 10 YEARS AGO TO BUILD THIS TECHNOLOGY. THEY ONLY HAD IT IN A SINGULAR AGENCY AND NOW THEY ARE MOVING TO THE APPROACH WE ARE PROPOSING TO IMPLEMENT WHICH IS ACROSS SAFETY NET SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES. YOU CAN'T JUST THINK OF THE POPULATION FROM THE SINGULAR SERVICE MODEL.
I WOULD SAY SHOULD WE MAKE THE FULL INVESTMENT WE WOULD BE PROPORTIONAL TO THOSE OTHER MODELS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: IN OUR LIST OF OTHERS WE LOOK AT TO DO THINGS, I HAVE A LITTLE MORE CONFIDENCE IN SAN DIEGO THAN I DO IN LOS ANGELES OR NEW YORK, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.
I AM SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM IN MAJOR PART BECAUSE I LIKE THE CONCEPT OF A PERSON COMES INTO OUR SYSTEM.
THEY DON'T NEED TO BE REPLICATING THROUGH THE SILOS AND REPEATING THEIR STUFF. THAT'S A PART OF THE PROGRAM THAT I LIKE. WE TRY TO HAVE A SIMILAR SYSTEM TO THAT IN PRECINCT 4. IF YOU CALL IN IT IS THE JOB OF THE DEPARTMENT TO PLUG YOU IN WHERE YOU SHOULD GO INSTEAD OF HAVING EVERYONE GET PASSED AROUND.
I LIKE THIS. YOU ARE BRINGING IT TO THE SERVICE REALM AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THAT ONE-STOP SHOPPING OF THEY ARE NOT SHOPPING, BUT IT IS ONE-STOP FOR NEED AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET PASSED AROUND FROM BUREAUCRACY BUCKET AND FROM ONE TO THE NEXT.
I AM SUPPORTING THE PROGRAM IT -- PROGRAM.
IT HAS TO FOCUS ON ZIP CODES AND WE TALKED ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY. I AM LEARNING NEW GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY TEAR TOES THESE -- TERRITORIES AND WE WILL NEED TO REENGAGE ON THAT, LET'S MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON ALL OUR CITIZENS THAT WILL NEED THIS ONE STOP AND CALL FOR HELP.
>> IF I MAY, I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS REFERRING TO THE DIRECTION THE COURT GAVE WITH RESPECT TO THE VIE LENGTHS PREVENTION -- VIOLENCE PREVENTION COHORT.
FOR THAT COHORT WE IDENTIFIED TWO NEIGHBORHOODS AS A PILOT, BUT FOR THE OTHER COHORTS WE ANTICIPATE FOR THE TRANSITIONAL, AGING, HOMELESS POPULATION, THEY WILL BE FROM ANY PART OF OUR COUNTY. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY
THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: I UNDERSTOOD WHEN WE WROTE THE PROGRAM OUT THAT THIS WOULD BE FOCUSED ON DRATSING CRIME.
ON ADDRESSING CRIME. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF THIS I DON'T KNOW THAT THE PROGRAM DOES.
I AGREE WITH CHICKS -- I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
I DONE -- I DON'T THINK THE METRICS ARE CLEAR IN TERMS OF OUTCOMES. THAT SEEMS VAGUE TO ME.
WE HAVE THESE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE WILL HELP WORK TOGETHER
[04:15:03]
BETTER, BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR ON THE METRICS.I THINK OUR NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN HARRIS COUNTY IS CRIME.
AND THOUGH THIS MAY BE A GOOD PROGRAM, I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT PRIMARILY BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE CRIME ELEMENT AND THE METRICS AREN'T CLEAR TO ME IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE MEASURING AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO GET OUT OF THIS INVESTMENT AND WE WILL CONDUCT AN RFP SAW LESS STATION -- SOLICITATION FOR ENABLING TECHNOLOGY.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS MOVING DOWN THE ROAD, BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT IT AT THIS POINT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MY UNDERSTANDING, TO CLARIFY A COUPLE OF THINGS, THIS ITEM IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM, CORRECT?
>> YES, MA'AM. THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM HAS A COMPONENT TO IT WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING AS PART OF THE INITIATIVE THAT WE WOULD BRING TO THE OTHER THREE COHORTS AND WE WOULD ALSO BRING TO THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMMING. THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMMING IS SEPARATE AND APART BASED ON THE DIRECTION
YOU ALL PROVIDED. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS THE VIOLENCE AND ERUPTION WORK.
MONTHS AGO WE APPROVED THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TEAMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION WORKED TO TRY TO STOP THE TIT-FOR-TAT KIND OF A THING.
THIS IS A THIRD ITEM SEPARATE AND WITHIN IT.
ONE OF THE POPULATIONS IS VIOLENT PREVENTION.
THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR.
TODAY YOU ARE NOT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE HOMELESSNESS OR THE FOSTER KIDS OR THE THIRD ONE.
YOU ARE DO -- ARE YOU DOING ONLY THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
ONE? >> TODAY WE ARE REQUESTING THE FUNDING FOR THAT TEAM THAT WOULD COORDINATE THE CARE.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO CREATE VIOLENT PREVENTION PROGRAMMING WITH A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH THAT PERPETUATED THE FRAGMENTATION THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS. SO WHAT WE HAD DONE IS WE SAID, HEY, WE ARE GOING TO CREATE THESE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND HAVE A SEEMLESS APPROACH.
SO THESE FOLKS THAT WERE ABLE TO SUPPORT AND INTERRUPTING VIOLENCE, THEY WERE ABLE TO BRING THE OTHER SERVICES AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO MAKE THOSE LIFE SHIFTS AND TRAJECTORY SHIFTS. TODAY IT IS JUST FOR THE VIOLENCE CARE COORDINATION TEAM AND THE KEY ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF TO STAND UP AND ACCESS HARRIS COUNTY.
IT IS TO ADDRESS THE STAFFING FOR THE REST OF THE COHORTS.
>> AND THIS IS UNSPENT FUND THAT ARE GETTING REALLOCATED, PLUS SOME ARPA DOLLARS FOR THE TEMPORARY POSITIONS, CORRECT? I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM CONSISTENT IN THE FUNDING
ALLOCATION. >> IF I MIGHT JUMP IN, OUR PRINCIPAL HAS BEEN ONE-TIME FUNDS FOR ONE-TIME COSTS AND RECURRING FUNDS FOR RECURRING COSTS.
AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON WORKED WITH MY TEAM WITH HER TEAM TO MAKE SURE THIS PROPOSAL MET THAT TEST.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN
FAVOR? >> CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE
MOTION FOR CLARIFICATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE ADOPT AS PRESENTED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 4-1.
THANK YOU, DIRECTOR AND TO YOUR TEAM AS WELL.
125 AND THAT IS SHERIFF'S REQUEST FOR 100 DETENTION OFFICER POSITIONS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU
FLAGGED THIS ITEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST WANT TO CONFIRM -- I CERTAINLY SUPPORT THIS, BUT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR THE RECORD, MR. BERRY, EVERYTHING THE SHERIFF BROUGHT TO THIS COURT IN THE LAST YEAR RELATED TO THE JAIL, HAVE WE VOTED TO SUPPORT THAT?
>> I WOULD CERTAINLY SAY SINCE THE START OF THE PHYSICIAN -- FISCAL YEAR, THAT IS MARCH 1ST, EVERYTHING HAS
BEEN GRANTED IN FULL. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS A CONSISTENT THING THIS COURT HAS DONE TO SUPPORT THE SHERIFF AND THE EFFORTS OF ADDRESSING ISSUES IN THE JAIL? THAT IS -- I THINK THAT'S A KEY POINT THAT IT IS IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE SHERIFF AND HIS
[04:20:09]
EFFORTS IN THE JAIL AND WE HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT STELLAR SUPPORTERS OF THE SHERIFF. AND THEN ON THE BUDGET SIDE YOU INDICATED THAT THE FUNDING OF A HUNDRED OFFICERS IS GOING TO BE PAID FOR THROUGH OVERTIME?>> THAT'S CORRECT. DUE TO THE LOWER STAFFING LEVELS, THE DISCUSSION WE HAD WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS THAT HIRING THESE PEOPLE WILL ESSENTIALLY OFFSET OVERTIME HOURS ONE FOR ONE. AND SO THERE IS VERY
LITTLE -- >> TOM RAMSEY: HAVING RUN A BUSINESS FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVING PEOPLE GET USED TO OVERTIME AND MOVING PEOPLE FROM USED TO OVERTIME TO NO OVERTIME, THAT'S AN INTERESTING PROCESS AND I CAUTION YOU TO BE SURE THAT THOSE DOLLARS DO IN FACT THE COST. THAT'S NOT A LITTLE BIT OF
CHANGE. >> AND TO BE CLEAR, I DON'T EXPECT IT TO REDUCE OVERTIME TO ZERO, BUT IT WOULD REDUCE
IT. >> TOM RAMSEY: BUT YOU'RE SAYING IT WILL COVER THE COST FOR A HUNDRED OFFICERS IS WHAT
YOU'RE SAYING? >> THAT'S THE COMMITMENT I GOT FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THEY AGREED TO PROVIDE REGULAR
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I'M SORRY, I DO WANT TO ADD THAT IT IS POSSIBLE -- I THINK GROWING -- GOING BACK TO UNDERSTANDING OUR OPERATIONS EVERY ORGANIZATION WILL HAVE SOME DEGREE OF OVERTIME.
MAKING A POINT THAT IT WON'T REDUCE IT, IT SHOULDN'T REDUCE IT BECAUSE HONESTLY THERE ARE UNPLANNED EVENTS THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO. HOWEVER, AS A CASE IN POINT, WHEN I CAME IN AS SHERIFF IN 2009, I INHERITED A $40 MILLION OVERTIME BUDGET. IT TOOK ME ABOUT THREE YEARS, I THINK, BUT WE ULTIMATELY GOT IT CLOSE TO FOUR MILLION.
THAT WAS THROUGH HIRING DETENTION OFFICERS AND PLACING THEM IN THE KEY OVER TIME HOTSPOT AREAS.
WE WILL PAY THE COST OF THE HIRING IN AND OF ITSELF TO A CERTAIN DEGREE. HOWEVER SH ONE THING THAT I -- HOWEVER, ONE THING I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE DOES HAPPEN IS THAT WE WORK WITH THE SHERIFF TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A PLANNED PROCESS TO PROMOTE HIS STAFF AND THAT'S ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION. BUT IT IS INCLUSIVE OF THE STAFF THAT WORKS IN THE JAIL. AND THAT WE DO PLAN FOR MAKING SURE THERE IS UPWARD MOBILITY FOR HIS STAFF IN THE JAIL AND TO OTHER AREAS OF OPERATION. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMIES.
NO ONE -- I HOSPITAL SAY NO ONE.
VERY FEW WILL MAKE DETENTION OPERATIONS THEIR FULL CAREER, AND THOSE NO THAT -- THOSE THAT WANT THAT SHOULD BE SUPPORTED, BUT MANY SEE THE JAIL OPERATIONS AS A PATHWAY TO OTHER AREAS OF THEIR CAREER AND WE HAVE TO APPROACH THAT METHODICALLY AND THAT IT REQUIRES A CALENDAR OF KNOWING WHEN THE SHERIFF WILL GIVE THE SERVICE -- THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS, AND KNOWING WHEN THE TRANSFERS WILL OCCUR AND BEING ABLE TO PLAN FOR THEM. IN YEARS PAST THIS BODY WOULD TRY TO CREATE -- FOR EXAMPLE, TO TRY TO PUT A CAVEAT THAT YOU WILL NOT TRANSFER THESE POSITIONS.
IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO SET THOSE KIND OF RESTRICTIONS ON AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS MADE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT -- THAT HAVE CAREER ASPIRATIONS. WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR IT SO THAT THE BUDGET OFFICE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS TAKING
PLACE. >> CERTAINLY AT A HIGH LEVEL.
AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO COME BACK WITH AN UPDATED STAFFING PLAN AND BUDGET FOR THE JAIL.
[04:25:07]
WE HAVE THAT EXTRA COST AT THE JAIL.THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ITEM COMING ON NOVEMBER 30TH. I THINK WHAT WOULD MAKE SENSE IS TO INCLUDE IN THAT STAFFING PLAN AND BUDGET UPDATE WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS FOR MOBILITY WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION OVER THE COMING YEARS.
THAT DOES FACTOR INTO THE STAFFING PLAN.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APPRECIATE THAT.
WHATEVER I CAN DO TO BE HELPFUL.
IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IN YEARS PAST IT WAS ALWAYS A HINDRANCE WHEN THERE WAS A THOUGHT OF PEOPLE -- THOUGHT OF A SECRET MOVEMENT OF THE PEOPLE.
PART OF THE MORALE IS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND THAT CAN BE DONE AS LONG AS IT IS PLANNED. I THINK THAT WILL GO A LONG
WAY IN MANY REGARDS. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THERE IS AN OLD ADAGE, A STITCH IN TIME SAVES 9.
SOMETIMES, ALTHOUGH IT MAY COST A LITTLE MORE ON THE FRONT END, IF WE WERE JUST TO TAKE A COLD, CALCULATED CASH COST, IT IS CHEAPER THAN DOING THE WRONG THING IN TERMS OF BOTH HARM TO THE FELLOW CITIZENS AND THE RISK AND EXPOSURE TO LAWSUITS ON THE BACKSIDE.
I BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE UNDERSTAND TO BE THE NEED OF THOSE WE ARE ASKING TO MAN THESE JAILS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES IN THAT FACILITY, SO WE ARE NOT TRAPPING OUR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE DETENTION OFFICERS AND TO WHERE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BUSINESS. THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, JUDGE, GOES -- THIS GOES TO ITEM 264, WHICH IS THE ONE THAT I PRESENTED AND WE WON'T NEED TO TAKE THAT UP IF WE ARE ADOPTING 125, BUT THE TRAGEDY OF 264 IS POIGNANT TO ME BECAUSE I AM VERY CLOSE TO A YOUNG MAN ON THE SPECTRUM.
WHEN I HANG OUT WITH HIM, PEOPLE SAY ARE YOU HIS FATHER? I I SAY YES, I AM.
IT IS DIFFICULT FOR HER TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE I DIDN'T MEET HIM UNTIL I AM 6, BUT THAT IS HER PROBLEM.
YES, I AM. I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO DETAIL BECAUSE I KNOW OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS ENCOURAGED US NOT TO DO THAT. WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE OFFICERS WHO ARE PROTECTING SOCIETY AND THAT MEANS WE ARE TAKING CARE OF SOCIETY, AND WE NEED TO ALSO BY TAKING CARE OF THE OFFICERS AND PROVIDING ADEQUATE RESOURCES FOR THE OFFICERS, WE WILL BE TAKING CARE OF THOSE WHO ARE IN THEIR CARE. SO, JUDGE, I WILL MAKE THE MOTION FOR 125 SO THAT MY DEPUTIES THAT I CARE ABOUT THAT ARE OUT THERE WILL BE SAFE AND SO WILL MY LITTLE BUDDY IF HE ENDED UP IN A SITUATION WILL BE SAFE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST QUICKLY, I THINK THE NUGGET I HEARD FROM MANAGEMENT AND FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON STAFFING AND AS YOU WORK WITH THE SHARE -- SHERIFF, HE WILL DECIDE WHAT HE IS GOING TO DECIDE, BUT YOU ARE GETTING GOOD MANAGEMENT INPUT. THIS IS GREAT INPUT IN TERMS
[04:30:03]
OF DON'T PUT SOMEBODY -- DON'T REQUIRE THE DETENTION OFFICERSTAY THERE FOR 10 YEARS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S
RIGHT. >> TOM RAMSEY: THERE OUGHT TO BE A HEALTHY ROTATION. IT IS YOUR MONTH IN THE JAIL, WHATEVER. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD KNOW THAT. THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT INPUT BACK TO THE SHERIFF AND HOPEFULLY WITH THIS SUPPORT, WITH THE HUNDRED OFFICERS NOW HE HAS A CHANCE MAYBE TO
CREATE A GOOD ROTATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THAT WAS 125. NEXT IS 132 AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT IS THE SART TEAM.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE CAN SAY THAT WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF 264 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WHAT MAY BE ADDRESSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. IN TERMS OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF 264, THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: NOTED. >> IS THAT A NO ACTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 132. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT THE OTHER DAY WHEN I ATTENDED THE CRIMESTOPPERS GALA WITH MY COLLEAGUES, I MADE A COMMENT TO MICHELLE HEINZ WHO APPROACHED ME. WE ADD NIGHTS CON -- CONVERSATION THAT I HAD SEEN ENOUGH SHIPPING TRAGEDY, MORE THAN I CAN REMEMBER. I WILL NEVER FORGET MY FIRST CALL AS A ROOKIE WAS A SEXUAL ASSAULT.
WE GOT A CALL ON A SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM.
I JUST COULDN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
I WAS A YOUNG KID. I WAS 19 YEARS OLD.
I JUST COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT GOES INTO A PERSON TO DO THAT TO ANOTHER PERSON. ESPECIALLY SOMEONE AS VULNERABLE AS THE VICTIM I WAS DEALING WITH.
IF THAT WASN'T BAD ENOUGH, TO SEE OTHER VICTIM HAD -- VICTIM THAT'S ARE IMMENSELY VULNERABLE BECAUSE THEY ARE CHILDREN. THE LIST GOES ON.
I HAD MY HOUSEBROKEN INTO AND MY CAR BROKEN INTO, MY TIRES STOLEN FROM MY CAR, A RADIO TAKEN OUT OF MY CAR.
I UNDERSTAND BEING A VICTIM. CRIME KNOWS NO STRANGER.
I AM SO PROUD OF THIS AND MY COLLEAGUES, THERE IS ONE CRIME THAT IS SO VIOLATING AND IT IS HORRIBLE NO MATTER WHO THE VICTIM IS WHICH IS A SEXUAL ASSAULT.
WHATEVER WE CAN DO TORQUES NUMBER ONE, BRING PEACE OF MIND TO THE VICTIMS THAT WE WILL DO ALL WE HUMANLY CAN TO BRING THEM CLOSURE TO THE EXTENT CLOSURE CAN BE HAD.
GIVE THEM JUSTICE AND DEAL WITH THE INTERPRET TRAITOR -- WITH THE PERPETRATOR AND MAKE CHEM KNOW THAT IT WILL NOT BE IN OUR SYSTEM AND COMMUNITY TO FALL TO.
THAT TENDS TO HAPPEN IN YOU -- HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE 36 CITIES AND A COUNTY LIKE OURS. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO THANK THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S SEN TORE -- CENTER TO TAKE THIS ON WITH US.
THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG EXTENT.
MY MOTION IS TO APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT -- TO APPROVE AND SET SART TO BE IF COMPLIANCE WITH SENATE BILL 476.
[04:35:03]
I INSTRUCT THIS NEW S ARC RT TO BEGIN DEVELOPING DIRECT SEXUAL RESPONSE PROTOCOLS AND TO REPORT BACK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON PROGRESS IN ORDER TO DELIVER THE FINALIZED PROTOCOLS TO THIS COURT WITHIN ONE YEAR'S TIME.THE REASON THAT IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE CONSISTENCY IS SO CRITICAL TO MAKE SURE VICTIMS CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT LEVEL RESPONSE TO EXPECT. THESE PROTOCOLS ARE CRITICAL TO ENSURE THAT THEY NEED -- THEY MEET THE OPTIMIZATION THRESHOLD AN ORGANIZATION WOULD SUPPORT.
IT CREATES MODEL POLICIES SO THAT AGENCIES WOULD ADOPT THEM. THIS IS THE SAME THEMING.
SAME THING. I MADE MY MOTION AND I AM EXCITED. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO WORKED WITH THE VICTIMS. THERE ARE VERY FEW AREAS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT I I DID NOT WANT TO WORK IN.
MOTION MADE. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WANT TO SECOND THAT MOTION. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I SAW THE VERY DARK SIDE OF THIS. WHEN WE TRIED TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE AND BY THE WAY WE HAD 25 PEOPLE WE BROUGHT CHARGES OUT AGAINST. I WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO SANDRA J NELSON. WE CRITICIZE THAT EVERY NOW AND THEN THEY GET A GOOD BILL RIGHT AND THIS IS A GOOD BILL. SANDRA J NELSON SPONSORED BILL AND I AM PROUD TO SECOND THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON ITEM 174 I WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW DO WE
GET THE AMWE ESTABLISHED? >> I KNOW THAT DWIGHT IS ON THE LINE. THIS IS FEDERAL MONEY SO THERE WAS SOME SENSITIVE ISSUES THERE.
I DID ASK IF IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM.
THEY SAID IT WOULDN'T BE IF WE EKED TENDED THE -- IF WE EXTENDED THE CONTRACT FOR SIX MONTHS.
I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT THESE CONTRACTS BE EXTENDED FOR SIXES MONTH -- SIX MONTHS AND THEN COME BACK.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IF FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THAT WAS 174. 175 IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST HAD A QUICK -- THIS WAS EVALUATED AND A SELECTION WAS MADE IN APRIL, AND WE ARE JUST NOW ACTING ON IT. MY QUESTION IS WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR US TO GET TO THIS POINT? SOMETIMES WHEN THINGS GO WRONG SOMETHING IS WRONG.
IF THERE IS SOME OTHER REASON, DWIGHT, WHY DID THIS SELECTION TAKE PLACE IN APRIL AND WE ARE JUST NOW SEEING IT?
>> COMMISSIONER, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WAS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE VENDOR AND CUSSING -- AND DISCUSSION BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE VENDOR AND WORK THROUGH THE LEGAL ASPECT. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IS WHAT TOOK SO LONG. I CAN GET MORE DETAILS.
>> TOM RAMSEY: IF YOU'RE GOOD WITH IT, I'M GOOD WITH IT.
>> YES, SIR. NOTHING WENT HAYWIRE.
IT JUST TOOK LONGER ON THE NEGOTIATION SIDE.
I DON'T THINK THERE WAS AN ISSUE, BUT I WILL FOLLOW-UP
WITH IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 180.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
[04:40:05]
SIMPLY WANT TO INVITE, EVERYONE, ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY, TO RODNEY CHAMBERS PARK TO JAMES DRIVER PARK AND TO NORTH SHORE PARK TO CLEAR LAKE PARK.YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE HOUSTON ZOO ANYMORE TO GO AND SEE LIGHTS AT CHRISTMAS. THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WILL BRING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND TREES AND DECORATIONS TO PRECINCT 2, TO THESE PARKS AND I JUST WANT TO INVITE EVERYBODY AND A EARLY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON TO EVERYONE. I'M A KID AT HEART ON CERTAIN THINGS. CELEBRATING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS ONE OF THOSE. I REMEMBER STRINGING POPCORN AS OUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS BECAUSE WE WERE A HUMBLE BUNCH. I ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD GETS TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON AS THEY SEE FIT.
IT IS GREAT TO BRING THINGS THAT WILL ATTRACT PEOPLE TO EAST HARRIS COUNTY -- EAST HARRIS COUNTY -- EAST HARRIS COUNTY HAS THINGS FOR PEOPLE TO SEE.
I WANTED TO INVITE EVERYBODY. THAT'S MY MOTION.
>> TOM RAMSEY: WHEN DO YOU TURN THE LIGHTS ON?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL FIND OUT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S EXCITING OF I WAS PLAYING CHRISTMAS MUSIC THIS WEEKEND SO I'LL BE THERE.
IS THAT A MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A
SECOND IN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 190 IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
THIS IS ON COMMUNITIEN -- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON FOOD
A SIMPLE QUESTION. WE ARE ENGAGING PUBLIC RELATIONS FOLKS. WE MISSED EACH OTHER YESTERDAY, BUT WHY NOW? IS THERE SOMETHING STRATEGIC ABOUT HIRING THIS FIRM AT THIS PARTICULAR PLACE AND TIME?
>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS ALLEN BLACK FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. IN 2019 PURCHASING AND FLOOD CONTROL ISSUED A BROAD RFP FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES.
NEED AND SCOPES WERE NOT AS WELL DEFINED THEN AS THEY ARE NOW. WE DID HAVE FIRMS AND STILL HAVE FIRMS THAT ARE PROVIDING SERVICES UNDER THOSE AGREEMENTS. HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WELL AND DEFINE THOSE SERVICES AND THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONTINUES BECAUSE OF THE BROAD BASE AGREEMENT AND SINCE IT HAS BEEN MISSED MULTIPLE TIMES WE FELT IT WOULD BE TO PURCHASE A NEW RFP.
THERE IS BETTER OVERLAP, BUT THIS ALLOWS US TO ZERO IN BETTER ON THE SPECIFIC SERVICES WE WANT.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUICK QUESTION. WHAT IS THE DATE ON THAT? DECEMBER 11TH IS WHEN THE LIGHTS GO ON.
DECEMBER 11TH. EVERYBODY IS INVITED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS 214. COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION TEXAS CHAPTER AND THEY WON THEIR PROJECT OF THE YEAR IN 2021 TO THE HOUSTON BIKE INITIATIVE.
IT WAS A INITIATIVE THAT WAS A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT BETWEEN PRECINCT 1 AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
THIS IS THE FIRST NETWORK OF STREET BIKE WAYS THAT TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF BIKE WAYS IN HOUSTON IN 2018.
THEY JUMP STARTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAFER BIKE LANES IF 2018 WITH A $10 MILLION COMMITMENT.
WE DID MIDTOWN, DOWNTOWN, NORTH SIDE, STREETS INCLUDING KELLY STREET, LIONS, AUSTIN, GRAY, HUTCHINS AND THE CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRM AND THE BIKE INITIATIVE FOR THIS AWARD.
I BECAME A COMMISSIONER FOR THE HANDSHAKE.
I GAVE THE CITY A D AND THEY GAVE THE COUNTY A C.
[04:45:01]
I SAID I WILL PUT UP 10 MILLION IF YOU WILL COMMIT YOUR 1.1 MILLION A YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS TO DO IT IN PRECINCT 1. FUNDING PARTNERS FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COUNCILMEMBER CISNEROS AND EAST DOWNTOWN TURFS. OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A SHOUTOUT. PRECINCT 4 HAS INVESTED UH -- A LOT IN THE TRAILS AND THEY HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF THE PARK TRAILS. THIS IS MAKING IT SO YOU CAN DO WHAT I DO. WE ARE GOING SO LATE I DON'TTHINK I WILL BE RIDING BACK. >> TOM RAMSEY: HAVE YOU RIDDEN
THESE TRAILS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE.
SOME OF YOUR TRAILS AS WELL, BUT IN THE CITY LIMITS ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE A RIDE THIS WEEKEND AND I WANT TO INVITE YOU. THAT IS THE PARK TO PORT RIDE TO THE PORT OF HOUSTON AND BACK ALONG THE BAYOU GREEN WAYS. I HAVE TO SHOUT OUT TO ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. JOHN BLOUNT, IT WAS STARTED UNDER HIS WATCH OF HE AND HIS TEAM DEVELOPED A PROCESS TO IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT AND THE DIVISION TO MANAGE AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND AGENCY COORDINATION. IT IS VERY TRICKY.
ALTHOUGH THE COUNTY PUT UP A BULK OF THE MONEY THEY TOOK MOST OF THE HEAT. NOW I CAN SEE PEOPLE ON THEM ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT.
THEY DID THE DESIGN MODIFICATIONS.
THEY WERE TRACHG ENGINEERS -- TRAFFIC ENGINEERS AND IT INVOLVES THE DESIGN BASED ON COMMUNITY FEEDBACK.
JONES AND CARTER OF MANAGING FROM DESIGN TO CONSTRUCTION.
THE CONTRACTORS AND METRO AND TE AND DOT STEPPED IN HELPING WITH MOD CAUCASIAN -- WITH MAUD PHO LOCATIONS -- MODIFICATIONS. EVEN THIS THE -- EVEN IN THE CITY WHERE THEY DON'T USE THE BIKE LANES, IT IS LIKE A BENCH IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE. IT CHANGES THE REGION AND I WANTED TO SHOUT OUT AND MY STAFF MEMBERS, OF COURSE.
WE HAD TO TAKE A LOT OF HEAT, BUT WE DONATED THE $10 MILLION. WITH THAT COMMITMENT THE CITY HAS TO USE IT OR LOSE IT IN THAT YEAR.
IT TOOK ABOUT 18 MONTHS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I USE THEM.
I TOOK A RIDE TO A COMMUNITY EVENT AND I TOOK THE LOOP INTO DOWNTOWN. EVEN THOUGH IT IS THOUGHT A PART OF THE TRAIL PER SAY IS A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT.
IT IS HARD GOING SOUTH, BUT GOING NORTH IT IS A LOT
EASIER. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND WHEN YOU PUT IN THE SAFE LANES THEY ARE TREMENDOUS TRAFFIC CALM WILLING. CALMING.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU TOOK A LINE OUT OF IT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DID. >> TOM RAMSEY: WHEN YOU START TO TAKE THE LINES OUT THE TRAFFIC SLOWS DOWN AND MAYBE EVEN DRIVES TRAFFIC TO OTHER PLACES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE LEARNED A LOT ALONG THE WAY.
THEY WANTED THE ARMADILLOS AND THEY ARE NICE AND CUTE, BUT YOU DON'T FEEL SAFE. IF YOU HIT THE CONCRETE BLOCKS YOUR CAR WILL ONLY HIT IT ONE TIME.
I DIDN'T KNOW IT BEFORE I CAME HERE.
I WAS IF ST. LOUIS A COUPLE DAYS.
IT WAS A CITY BUILT TO A MILLION PEOPLE AND THEY ARE DOWN TO 300,000, BUT THE WIDE STREETS TELL US TO TREAT IT LIKE A FREEWAY. IT IS AMAZING THAT IF YOU NARROW THE ROAD IT CALMS PEOPLE DOWN.
I WAS GOING TO SAY ON HEALTH AND FITNESS WITH OBESITY BEING THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH, WE HELP SET THE TONE ANDEN -- AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE. IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO EAT BETTER. I GET A LOT OF EXERCISE.
[04:50:07]
20% OF LOSING WEIGHT COMES FROM THE BIKE RIDING.80% IS WHAT WE EAT. THANK YOU.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT LEAN IS THAT --
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT A MOTION COMMISSIONER ELLIS
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS JUST --
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS JUST BRAGGING RIGHTS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WELL EARNED.
ITEM 216 IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THIS IS ABOUT BAIL BOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE IT IS APPARENT THAT WE -- COMPARATIVE, RATHER, THAT WE ARE BRINGING AS MUCH TRANSPARENCY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
WE DID IT WITH THE COURTS. THERE IS A MOTION HOW THEY ARE MOVING THE DOCKETS AND THAT IS THE VICTIM'S DAY IN COURT.
IF THEY ARE ALLEGED THE TRANSIT IS TRUE, THAT'S THEIR DATA TO SERVE THE SENTENCE. AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE BAIL SYSTEM IS IMPACTING THE THINGS WE SEE HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MY STAFF BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HEARD.
I THINK IT WAS THERESA TALKING ABOUT NOT KNOWING HOW SOMEBODY CAN BE OUT ON BAIL AND THEN TAKE HER LOVED ONE.
I HAD NOT PAID ATTENTION TO THIS.
YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS SHERIFF, THE SHERIFF SITS ON THE BAIL BOARD. I WANTED TO CONNECT ALL THE DOTS AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE CONNECT THE DOTS WHEN WE TALK BRRRR OUR CRIMINAL JUS -- JUSTICE SYSTEM. SO AS A RESULT THERE IS NO -- NOWHERE NEAR AS MUCH TRANS -- TRANSPARENCY AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMEONE WHO HAS COMMITTED A HORRIBLE OFFENSE HAS PUT A $500,000 BOND AND ALLOWED THE PERSON TO PAY 2% OF THE 500,000 COULD GET OUT OF OVER 24 MONTHS.
PAST PRACTICES WAS 20% I THINK.
PEOPLE HAD TO PAY DEBT UP FRONT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND THAT AND WE CONNECT THE DOTS. MY MOTION IS TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP A DASHBOARD TO MAKE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO BAIL BONDS IN HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDE -- INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE AMOUNT OF THE BOND ISSUED AND THE IDENTITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR THE FIRM SECURING THE BOND AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND TO ALSO REQUEST THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GIVE THE ENTITY THAT COULD REQUIRE THE PERSON SECURING THE BAIL BONDS TO DISCLOSE THE AMOUNT PAID SUCH AS PAYMENT PLANS MADE ON SUCH PAYMENTS. I THINK THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY TO UNDERSTAND THE QUESTIONS OUR VICTIMS ARE SO OFTEN ASKING. AND MY FRIEND SAYS THEY ARE OUT ON THREE -- NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE BONDS.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.
AND THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING UNDERSTAND SOME QUESTIONS ON HOW SOMEBODY COULD BE MAKING A DECISION ON
[04:55:05]
PUBLIC SAFETY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND IN ADDITION TO SECONDING THAT, COMMISSIONER I THINK IT IS A GOOD POINT AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP.
I ENCOURAGE JAD TO FIND A WAY TO PROMOTE THE DASHBOARDS.
ETT ALSO GET NUMB WHEN WE LOOK AT THEM.
SOMETIMES THINGS CAN ONLY HARM PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE 2 BILLION PRIZE IN THE U.S. -- ONLY TWO COUNTRIES STILL USE PRIVATE BAIL COMPANIES.
THE UNITED STATES AND THE OTHER ONE IS THE PHILIPPINES.
>> THESE UNRELATED BAIL COMPANIES TAKE A PERCENTAGE, EVEN FOR A VIOLENT FELON, AND I THINK IT IS 10%.
THAT PRACTICE MEANS WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS CAN BUY THEIR WAY OUT OF JAIL EVEN WHEN THEY ARE ACCUSED OF REPEAT VIOLENT OFFENSES. THEY WILL GET A PIECE OF JOURNALISM WALKING THROUGH A LOT OF THESE OORNG -- ARRANGEMENTS. IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS A 2021 WERE VIOLENT CASES WHERE THEY PAID WELL UNDER THE STEN -- THE 10% WHICH WAS THE NORM FOR THE TOTAL BOND TO BE RELEASED. THESE BAIL COMPANIES HAVE RELEASED MORE CONDITIONS SO THEY CAN KEEP MAKING A PROFIT AFTER MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM.
IN HARRIS COUNTY SINCE WE IMPLEMENTED MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM AND MISDEMEANOR DEFENDANTS HAVE GONE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED. DEFENDANTS PAID BOND COMPANIES $4-POINT POWER MILLION. SINCE 2018 THE BAIL BOND COMPANIES HAVE EARNED LESS THAN A MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY ON THE LOW-LEVEL MISDEMEANOR CASES WE NEED A SYSTEM BASED ON SAFETY AND NOT MONEY.
CASH BAIL DOES NOT MAKE PEOPLE SAFER.
IN NERNL -- IN NEW JERSEY, THE APPEARANCE OF TRIAL AFTER BAIL REFORM ARE BETTER TO THE RATES BEFORE REFORM.
IT BASS A D.A. -- IT WAS A D.A. THAT LEAD TO APRIL INCREASE IF PRE-TRIAL RELEASE AND NO CHANGE IN COURT APPEARANCE RATE OF DEFENDANTS.
IN TEXAS THEY WOULD THAT CHARITABLE BAIL FUNDS NEED TO REPORT ON WHO THEY BOND OUT OF JAIL.
SOMETHING THEY COULD HAVE DONE AND I WONDER WHY NOT.
I APPLAUD YOU FOR DOING IT. THE BAIL BONDS MEN DON'T WANT TO SEE AFFECTED BAIL RE -- BAIL REFORM, BUT IT MAKES OUR
COMMUNITY SAFER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND LET ME ADD, I DON'T LIKE WHEN FOLKS TRY TO BLANKET INDICT ANY GROUP. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I AM NOT SAYING THAT ALL BONDS MEN -- I WORK WITH SOME WHO ARE DILL JEPT. -- DILL -- DILL JEPT AND -- DILIGENT AND PRACTICAL. AND OTHERS ARE CAUSING HARM TO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS HOW IT IS IMPACT -- IMPACTING THE WORK OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS TRYING TO
ACCOMPLISH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY FUEL A LOT OF THE MISINFORMATION IT IS NOT BY ACCIDENT.
WE CAN SEE THE FOLKS ON THE BOTTLE TOM OF THE RUNG.
TTS BACKED BY -- IT IS BACKED BY MULTI-COMMISSIONS.
>> TOM RAMSEY: SOMETIMES ALL THEY HAVE IS A STORY.
THERESA, IF YOU REMEMBER THERESA, TALKED ABOUT HER BROTHER AND WE PASSED A RESOLUTION HONORING PAT.
PAT WAS MURDERED BY SOMEONE THE L.A. RECOMMENDED NO -- THE D.A. RECOMMENDED NO BOND. I ADD ONE MORE ELEMENT COULD
[05:00:13]
BE -- IN TESMS OF -- IN TERMS OF CASUAL, AND THAT IS WHERE THE D.A. RECOMMENDS NO BOND AND A JUDGE IGNORES IT.WE OUGHT TO KNOW THAT. THE FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW THAT. AND THE JUDGES NEED TO BE AWARE THAT -- AWARE THAT THEIR NAMES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
PAT WOULD BE ALIVE TODAY IF THEY SAID NO BOND OF.
THIS PERSON SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE STREET.
IN HONOR OF PAT AND HIS SISTER, THERESA IF WE CAN ADD
THAT ELEMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SUPPORT
THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SUGGEST YOU ADD THE D.A. MADE THE RECOMMENDATION AND THE PERSON GOT OUT AND COMMITTED A CRIME IN ALL FAIRNESS.
IF WE ARE PUTTING RECOMMENDATIONSES PUT THEM ALL. LEAN LOON GO DEBT THAT --
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU NEED IT OR NEED IT RE-READ?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK AND JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP A DASHBOARD TO MAKE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO BAIL BOND IN HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE OFFENSE CHARPED AND THE AMOUNT -- CHARGED AND THE AMOUNT OF BOND ISSUED AND THE INDIVIDUAL SECURING THE BOND AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DATA. IN ADDITION TO ASK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL -- THEY COULD #R* REQUIRE THE AMOUNT THE DEFENDANT PAID AND ANY CONDITIONS SUCH AS PAYMENT PLANS THAT WERE MADE ON SUCH PAYMENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AS WELL AS DATA ON CASES WHERE THE L.A.
-- WHERE THE D.A. RECOMMENDED NO BOND AND BOND WAS GRANTED ANYWAY AND IN CASES WHERE THE D.A. MADE A RECOMMENDATION AND THE PERSON PAID THE BOND ANYWAY.
IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
DID YOU GET THAT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IN LIGHT OF THIS DISCUSSION, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD BE FULLY APPROPRIATE TO BE HERE, BUT I DO THINK AS WE ARE TRACKING THE DATA WITH RECORD TO THE VICTIMS OF THOSE WHO ARE OUT ON BOND IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE DISCUSS IN OTHER VENUES EQUITY AND DIVERSITY. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE VICTIMS OF PEOPLE OUT ON BOND, THE 149 PEOPLE MURDERED BY THOSE OUT ON BOND, BLACKS 78, HISPANICS 44, WHITES ARE 20 AND OTHERS ARE 7. THAT I THINK IS A TERRIBLE NUMBER. IT REFLECTS PEOPLE THAT ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY THE VICTIMS OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN TRACK THE DATA OF WHO IT IS THAT IS BEING -- WHO ARE THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS IN THIS ZONE AND I ASK THAT PERHAPS WE HAVE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS DATA THAT WE CAN TRACK AND POTENTIALLY ADD IN AS WELL SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS THE DECEMBER -- DESPERATE -- IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY -- OF THE VICTIMS. THE IMPACT OF THE VICTIMS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASSUME IT WILL SHOW BY THE WAY IF SOMEBODY WAS OUT ON CASH BAIL, RIGHT, COMMISSIONER?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WOULD GO INTO THE CATEGORY OF OTHER
RELEVANT INFORMATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND I THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THIS ONE.
[05:05:01]
>> TOM RAMSEY: WE USED 2.6 MILLION TO ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME. AND WANTED TO SEE IF WE ARE OKAYS -- OKAY WITH THE ADDRESS OF VIOLENT CRIME.
>> THIS WAS AN UPDATE BECAUSE THE PROPOSALS ARE STILL BEING DEVELOPED. WE WILL BE LOOKING AT VIOLENCE PREVENTION AT THE BACKLOG AND SO BY DECEMBER 30TH WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING THAT MEETS THE TOP OF THE LIST.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. NO ACTION ON THAT ONE.
232. THIS IS THE KINDER INSTITUTE STUDY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS FLAGGED T BUT I KNOW FOLKS HAVE A PRESENTATION AS WELL.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. I WANT TO LET THEM PRESENT
IT. >> ARE THE SPEAKERS ON THE
LINE? >> DR. HOLLOWAY IS ON THE LINE AND I GAVE YOU PRESENTER PRIVILEGES.
>> GOOD EVENING. I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE STRATEGY RESULTS ARE BEING RELEASED.
THIS WAS AN INTENSIVE ENDEAVOR TO PROVIDE A SNAP SHOT AND PROFILE OF THE EXPERIENCE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
WHAT IT IS GOING TO BECOME IS AN ACTION-OR YIPT -- ACTION-ORIENTED DOCUMENT. IT UTILIZES PUBLIC AND PROPRIETARY DATA AS WELL AS SURVEY DATA FROM THE VOICES OF OUR RESIDENTS. IT IS WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IN A STATE COMMUNITY AND IT ROY -- IT PROVIDES US WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT'S ARE STEMMED FROM THE ANALYSIS.
IF YOU INDULGE ME I BELIEVE THIS EFFORT REQUIRES SOME THANK YOUS. FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE JUDGE AND THE COURT FOR ALLOWING US THE INITIATIVE TO MOVE FORWARD. AND ALONG THOSE LINES, THE FUNDERS OF THE STUDY INCLUDE -- INCLUDE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS ENDEAVOR.
WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT STUDY TEAM THAT WAS COMMISSIONED TO THIS STUDY. [INAUDIBLE] FROM RICE UNIVERSITY. ALONGSIDE THEM WE HAD ROBINSON AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FIRM FOR UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT BOSTON. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STUDY TEAM, WE ALSO HAD OUR HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICHMENT -- WHICH MEANT MANY MEMBERS WERE PART OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND HELPED WITH THE ENDEAVOR OF THE STUDY. [INAUDIBLE] UNDERSCORED THE FOCUS AND HOW WE WENT ABOUT TO ADOPT THIS ANALYSIS.
WE STARTED OFF WITH HIGH LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING OF ALL INVOLVED. LARNLLY WE KNEW THAT -- LARGELY WE KNEW THE STUDY WOULD BE EXPANSIVE BECAUSE IT WOULD FOCUS ON NOT ONLY WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING CURRENTLY, BUT PROJECTING OUT FOR 10 YEARS OUR FUTURE NEEDS.
WE CAN MAKE SMART AND INFORMED DECISIONS.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE A STUDY AND [INAUDIBLE] AND ENGAGED THE STAFF AND FUTURE DECISIONS AND IT HAS AN ENGAGEMENT IN OUR PRESENCE. AS WITH A STUDY OF THIS MAGNITUDE, IT WILL BE HAVE VARIOUS DIFFERENT DATA SOURCE THAT'S WOULD INFORM THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
IT IS VERY MUCH DATA DRIVEN APPROACH.
[05:10:05]
WE WANTED TO INCLUDE THE POLICY AND PROGRAM SO THERE IS AN ELEMENT TO DOCUMENT AND NOT JUST A PLAN OR ANALYSIS.WE LOOK AT THIS AS BEING A SIGNIFICANT TOOL NOT ONLY FOR HARRIS COUNTY, BUT OUR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WORK ALONGSIDE US IN BUILDING AND INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND IN THE COUNTY.
THIS STUDY CAN DEFINITELY PROVIDE THE RESOURCES THAT OUR STAKEHOLDERS CAN USE AS WELL. I WILL PROVIDE A FEW HIGH-LEVEL DATA POINTS TO SHARE WITH YOU.
I AM JOINED BY LUIS FROM THE KIN -- FROM THE KINDER INSURANCE -- INSTITUTE. AND I WILL HAND IT OFF TO HIM. WHY DOES THIS STUDY MATTER? ONE OF THE AREAS WE ARE FOCUSING ON IS THE AREA OF HOUSING IN THE COUNTY. WHAT WE RECOGNIZED IS HALF A MILLION INDIVIDUALS IN HARRIS COUNTY EXIST ON A COST PER SPEC TIFF. DASH DARR PERSPECTIVE -- PERSPECTIVE. THEY PAY MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING EXPENSES.
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS ELEVATE AND ILLUMINATE THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS IN TERMS OF NUMBERS, BUT ELEVATE THE CHALLENGES THIS POSES FOR THOSE WHO FIND THEMSELVES.
IT IS MORE AFFORDABLE IN HOLES THAT THEY LEFT 30% OF THEIR HOUSING. IT INCLUDES HOTTER -- IT INCLUDES MORTGAGE AS WELL. SOMEBODY WILL HAVE THE WHEREWITH ALL TO HAVE EXPENSES OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSING EXPENSES. THAT INCLUDES SAVINGS AND THAT INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND OTHER AMENITIES. FRN -- [INAUDIBLE] TO INVEST IN THESE OTHER EXPENSES AND THEN GET LOST.
AS WE MOVE TOWARD THE COST BURDEN ELEMENT OF THE SLIDE YOU CAN SEE HOW PAYING FOR SOMEONE'S HOUSING AND SHELTER TAKES AWAY FROM THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR RESOURCES OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND THE LIKE.
IF BE WANT PEOPLE TO USE IT FOR A MERE -- MYRIAD OF WAY TO USE -- [INAUDIBLE] MORE THAN THEY SHOULD ON THEIR HOUSING.
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE SEE IT AS VERY IMPORTANT STUDY FOR US. WE LOOKED AT SPECIFIC BANDS THAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE BREAK DOWN OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US IN AFFORDABILITY. WE ARE TRANSLATING THAT TO BE ABOUT DTS 20 -- $20,000 A YEAR.
IT WAS ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE. WE DID NOT HAVE MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS HERE. THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE MOST COST BURDENED. THE NEXT WAS 30 TO 60% -- AND THAT IS FAMILIAR TO US. IT IS THE TYPICAL AVERAGE SALARY OF SOMEBODY WHO MAY BE AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.
[INAUDIBLE] THE NEXT BAND IS 60 TO 80%.
THAT IS ABOUT $24 AN HOUR AND THE SALARY OF A CASE MANAGER.
AND BETWEEN 0 TO 80% ARE THE FOCUS OF THE AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGE WE UNDER -- UNDERSCORE --
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THIS THE ANNUAL INCOME ROUGHLY?
>> 80% IS 50 TO 74 PER THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR.
[05:15:05]
AND 80 TO 120. 75 PLUS.WHAT WE ARE NOTICING IS BECAUSE THERE IS LIMITED SUPPLY OF HOUSING IN HI, THEY ARE COMPELLED TO MOVE UP THE SPECTRUM OF COST PER HOUSING UNIT.
THE UNITS ARE BEING PULLED FROM THE LOWER INCOME BRACKET. YOU CAN SEE THAT PHENOMENA MOVING UP BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM.
IT MEANS THEY ARE EATING INTO THEIR INCOME TO PAY MORE OF THEIR INCOME OF THAT'S ANOTHER CHALLENGE WE ARE SEEING.
OTHER ISSUES WITH AFFORDABILITY IS THE SPATIAL MISMATCH. MORE OF THE UNITS HAVE NECESSARY AMENITIES AND THEY ARE NOT THERE.
WE LOOK AT JOB CENTERS NOT BEING AROUND OR IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE UNITS. TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CHILD CARE NOT BEING AVAILABLE. MEDICAL SEVEN-DAY FORECAST -- MEDICAL SERVICES NOT BEING AVAILABLE TO THE RESIDENTS IN THE PORTABLE -- IN THE AREA OF PORTABLE HOUSING.
THAT THEN AGAIN MOVES PEOPLE TO THE HIGHER COST MARKETS.
WHERE THEY ARE MORE PRO LIVE -- PROLIFERATE.
AND WE EXPECT AND PART OF THE STUDY WAS THROUGH OUR COVID OR KA KRRK ES -- OR OUR CARES ACT DOLLARS.
IT WAS NOT ONLY ON HOUSING, BUT THE PRESENCE THAT WE ARE REVEALING ARE MORE COST BURDENED.
WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE IMPACT THAT THE PANDEMIC IS HAVING. RISING COST IN RENTAL UNITS AND RISING COST IN SINGLE-FAMILY HOME SALES.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE STUDY IS NO LONGER LOOKING AT OUR CURRENT NEED, BUT PROJECTING OUT FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS. WE HAVE FOCUS ON THE RETRO HOUSING MARKET AS WELL AS THE OWNER OF THE HOUSING MARKET.
WHAT WE NEED NOW IS IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE NEED LATER TO PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.
WE EXPECT TO SEE AN INCREASE IN OUR POPULATION IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS PARTICULARLY IN THE LOWER WORKING CLASS SEGMENT OF OUR POPULATION AND THERE BY REQUIRING ANOTHER HOUSING UNIT. LOOKING AT A DOABLE SLIVER WE ARE RECOGNIZING THAT 20,000 UNITS PER YEAR FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS NEED TO BE PROVIDED AND CREATED IN ORDER TO MEET THE EXISTING AS WELL AS THE PROJECTED GROWTH IN OUR POPULATION WITHIN THIS SEGMENT AND UP UNTIL ABOUT 60.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE SEEING OUR RECOMMENDATION TAILORING AROUND FOR OWNERS AND REPRESENTERS AND THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE POPULATION. WE LOOK AT WHAT OUR FUNDING SOURCES AND THEIR -- AND HEIRESS COUNTY IS CONTINUING TO INVEST IN THIS VEIN. WE NEED TO LEVERAGE ADDITIONAL SOURCES AND WE NEED TO BRING ADDITIONAL -- [INAUDIBLE] AND CREATING FINANCE PACKAGE THAT'S CAN INCREASE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS.
AND LOOKING AT DIFFERENT MECHANISM THAT'S CAN COVER THE PEOPLE NEEDING HOUSING UNITS. ONE OF THE LAST IS A GROWING NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THERE IS A VARIETY OF PARTNER THAT'S NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT THAT WILL REALIZE SUSTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE HARRIS COUNTY -- [INAUDIBLE].
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD DO ALONE.
WE WILL LOOK TO FORMULATE THOSE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AS WELL. AND WE CAN SEE POLICY ADVOCACY BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABILITY IN THE HOUSING MARKET. WE WILL TRANSITION TO --
[05:20:03]
[INAUDIBLE] MOVING FROM THIS PART TO THE NEXT.>> THANKS, DR. HOLLOWAY. GOOD EVENING TO OUR HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE.
I THINK THERE IS SILVER LININGS IN THIS DATA DR. HOLLOWAY WAS TALKING ABOUT.
WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD ROBUST SUPPLY OF MEDIAN HOUSES WITH INCOME AND THAT'S BEEN HISTORICALLY WELL HERE IN THE COUNTY. WE DO SEE A LOT OF SHORTAGES IN THE HOUSEHOLD THAT'S NEED AFFORDABLE HOMES UNDER 60% AND THAT CREATES SOME BOTTLE NECKS. WE ARE PROJECTING WE WILL NEED 120,000 HOUSING UNITS BECAUSE -- BASED ON THREE-FOURTHS OF THE HOUSES NEEDED CONCENTRATED ON PEOPLE EARNING UNDER 60% OF THE MEDIAN HOUSING INCOME WHICH EQUALS $35,000 A YEAR. THIS IS BASED ON JOB PREDICTIONS FROM OF OUR CURRENT WORK.
WE HAVE LEAD AN EXTENSIVE AND INCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT PROPERTY
HERE. >> IS THE PRESENTATION STILL
UP? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT UP
ANYMORE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN LOOK
AT YOU ALL. >> DO YOU STILL NEED --
>> I CAN CONTINUE TO PRESENT. >> CAN YOU SEE THAT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN SEE IT NOW.
>> THROUGHOUT THE LAST 18 MONTHS, YOU KNOW, THE STUDY TEAM LEAD AN EXTENSIVE AND EXPHEUPT -- COMMUNITY INCLUSIVE PROJECT. IT WAS A DIFFICULT TIME WITH THE PANDEMIC, BUT WE DID SHIFT GEARS AND RESORTED TO DIFFERENT STRATEGIES. OUR TEAM WAS LEAD BY PARTNERS AND ABLE TO ENGAGE 227 COMMUNITY EVENTS.
MOST OF WHICH WERE VIRTUAL. WE HELD A SERIES OF A HUNDRED INTERVIEWS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND EXPERTS IN THE REGION. WE HAD THREE ROUNDS OF FOCUS GROUPS WITH A THIRTD -- THIRD BEING IN SPANISH.
OUR CAMPAIGN IS PROVIDING A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR TELEVISION ADS AND RADIO SPOTS AND DIGITAL ADS AND TARGETED SOCIAL MEDIA BASED ON ZIP CODES WE WERE TRYING TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS FROM. AND THERE WERE 2300 RESIDENTS ENGAGED ON THE TOPIC OF HOUSING.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.
AS WE ALL KNOW WE LIVE AND NEED A HOME FOR REFUGE.
ALL THESE EFFORTS COALESCE COLLECTING 17,500 SURVEYS.
IN THE SPAN OF A YEAR WE HAD A BIG BOOST FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHO HELPED OUT IN THE EFFORT AND GAVE US A GOOD AMOUNT OF SUPPORT HERE. WE CREATED A COMMUNITY OF AMBASSADORS AS THE COUNTY GOES FORWARD ON HOUSING INITIATIVES THERE IS A NETWORK THAT ACTIVATED IN THE FUTURE YEARS AND MONTHS AHEAD. THERE IS ALSO A WEBSITE THAT I WILL SHOW AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
THE FULL STUDY IS UP AS OF TODAY SO YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE REPORT UP ONLINE. AND WE HEARD THAT MORE RESIDENTS CARE MOST DEEPLY ABOUT THEIR HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND SAID HOUSING MEANS MORE THAN FOUR WALLS FOR FOLKS. IT MEANS PEOPLE PRIORITIZE SEVERAL KEY FACTORS AND I LISTED THEM ALL FOR YOU.
THERE ARE ABOUT FIVE. FIRST AND FOREMOST, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS RANKED AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. PEOPLE FELT COMFORTABLE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND IN THEIR HOME.
THE DEFINITION OF SAFETY THE WAY IT CAME OUT IN THE SURVEY IS PEOPLE WERE FEE -- FOCUS MOTHER'S DAY THAN JUST CRIME.
[05:25:03]
IT WAS CHEMICAL HAZARDS AND UNSAFE ROAD AND SIDEWALK CONDITIONS PARTICULARLY NEAR THEIR HOME.NUMBER TWO, DISASTER RESILIENCE, PEOPLE WERE QUITE UNEASY FOR THE NEXT BIG HASES -- HAZARD.
PEOPLE FEEL SENSITIVE TO BEING EXPOSED TO THE DANGERS AND A THIRD FELT THEY WERE FACING ISSUES WITH HARVEY REPAIRS.
SO MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE AROUND HOUSING.
NEARLY TWO-THIRDS SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES TO THEIR HOME. PRIORITY NUMBER FOUR WAS WALK ABILITY. THIS NUMBER WENT HIGHER WHEN WE ASKED THEM TO RANK WHAT THEY FELT TODAY.
PEOPLE REALLY GRAVITATED TOWARD THAT AND FIFTH AND NOT LEAST WAS NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES.
RESPONDENTS FELT THEY WANTED CLOSER PROXIMITY TO PARKS, COMMUNITY CENTERS AND THE EVERYDAY SEVEN-DAY FORECASTS THAT WILL HELP THEM WHICH IS GROCERY STORES AND CHILD ELDERLY CARE CENTERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES AND JOBS THAT RESONATED IN THE SURVEY. MANY OF THE CHALLENGES ARE MONUMENTAL. YOU WILL SEE A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES THAT GIVE AN INSIGHT TO THE CHALLENGES GOING FORWARD. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A TASK THAT HARRIS COUNTY CAN TAKE ON ALONE.
THEY ARE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY.
WE HAVE ONE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THERE ARE 34 CITIES IN THE COUNTY. 400 PLUS PURPOSE DISTRICTS.
WE HAVE A GENEROUS FILL AN -- PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY AND HELP MOVE THE BALL FORWARD. THE VALUE GOES IN STRATEGY HAD THAT WERE FORMED IN THIS STUDY.
WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT WAS ESTABLISHED BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT IN 2020.
THERE ARE FOUR CORE VALUES THAT WERE ESTABLISHED IN THIS STUDY TO SERVE AS A GUIDE FOR FUTURE POLICY PROGRAMS OF THE PAST. I AM I AM NOT GOING THROUGH EVERY SINGLE ONE BECAUSE THERE IS QUITE A BIT HERE.
I WILL READ OFF THE MAIN VALUES HERE.
VALUE NUMBER ONE IS ABOUT INVESTING IN HOUSING FOR ALL THROUGH PRESERVATION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION AND INVESTMENTS THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITIES. A LOT OF THE INVESTMENTS CENTER ON -- IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE PRESERVATION WE WANT TO LOOK AT BEING INTENTIONAL WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT IS NEAR GOOD HOUSES AND SCHOOLS. VALUE NUMBER 2 IS PARTNERING WITH PARTNERS WITH GOOD HOUSING SYSTEM.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STRATEGIES UNDER EACH GOAL.
GOAL NUMBER TOUCHES ON CREATING MIXED INCOME HOUSING COMMUNITIES AND MIXED USE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WHERE THERE IS ACCESS TO JOBS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND AMENITIES. WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT WE DO WITH TRANSIT ORIENTED OPPORTUNITIES AND WHERE THERE IS EXISTING HIGH TRANSIT FACILITYIES AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FAR REACHES OF THE COUNTY THAT IS FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OR THINKING OF THE PUBLIC LAND THAT IS OWNED CLASSILY TO WHERE WE HAVE HARRIS COUNTY TRANSIT SERVICES. WOO ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN -- WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN REDUCE EXPENSES FOR FAMILIES. VALUE NUMBER 3 IS ADVANCING EQUITY AND RESILIENCE IN ALL HOUSING EFFORTS.
GOAL NUMBER 9 WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE ADAPT TO HAZARDS AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS A LOT ABOUT HOW WE BRING FORTH MAURY SILL YEPT --
[05:30:01]
MORE RESILIENT HOUSING TO CREATE FLOOD RESILIENT HOMES AND WHAT COUNTY ENGINEERING IS THINKING AS WELL AS AN ON GOING EFFORT. HOW DO WE MAKE IT MORE ADAPTIVE TO THEN -- TO ENVIRONMENT.AND VALUE NUMBER FOUR IS GOVERNMENT SPECIFIC AND WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT LOCAL REFORMS THE GOVERNMENTS CAN BE A GOOD STEWARD AND A GOOD PARTNER WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES.
A LOT OF US CAN THINK ABOUT HOW WE LOOK AT REFORMING THE LOCAL LAND USE CODES THAT COULD SUPPORT THE HOUSING NEED. THESE ARE IN DEPTH PROCESSES, BUT HOW DO WE MAKE IT EASIER FOR DEVELOPERS TO BUILD MORE DIVERSE TYPES OF HOUSING THAT CAN PROVIDE MORE HOUSING AT DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS FOR RESIDENTS THINKING GRANNY FLATS, COTTAGE COWER, MULTI PLEXES AND INCREASING THE MENU OF HOUSES WE ARE ABLE TO BUILD.
AND EXPLORING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FURTHER WITH THOSE PARTNERS. WE INVITE YOU TO CHECK IT OUT AT HIGH HOME IS HERE.ORG. RICE UNIVERSITY IS PROUD TO BE A PARTNER IN PUTTING THE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE TOGETHER ON OUR HOUSING FUTURE. WE WELCOME EVERYONE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ACCESS THE FINAL REPORT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH DR. HOLLOWAY IN THE NEXT WEEKS AND MONTHS TO BRAP -- WRAP UP THE ELEMENTS IN THE PROJECT AND MAKE SURE WE ARE AT THE TABLE TO LISTEN TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, I KNOW IT TOOK A BIT OF TIME. I WANT TO CHALLENGE BOTH OF YOU, PARTICULARLY THE KINDER INSTITUTE TO ASK OUR FRIENDS AT CITY HALL TO TAKE 30 MINUTES AND ASK THE GOVERNING BOARD AND THE CITY TO FOCUS ON THIS AS WELL.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CALL THE OTHER CITIES.
ON KNOW THEY ARE FUNDING THEIR DISCUSSIONS AND MAYBE INVESTING A COUL HUNDRED MILLION IN THE PRESERVE AND CONSTRUCTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHICH STILL WON'T BE ENOUGH. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO GET FEEDBACK FROM 17,000 RESIDENTS AND DO WHAT OFTEN TIMES MOST REPORTS THAT I KNOW ABOUT END UP ON THE SHELF SOMEWHERE. YOU PUT THEM IN A COLORFUL BINDER, BUT MAKE IT ACTIONABLE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU JUST AS YOU USE THE SOCIAL MEDIA, GO AND VISIT WITH THE EDITORIAL BOARD, MAKE SOME NOISE ON THIS REPORT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A LOT OF SENSITIVITY HISTORICALLY TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES IN OUR REGION. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COMMENTED ON THINGS LIKE THE STATE POLICY WHERE THEY MAKE IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ANY OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS OTHER THAN WHERE THEY ARE ALREADY CONCENTRATED. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET OUT AGGRESSIVELY. IT MAKES THE CASE WITH ALL OF THE OUT REACH YOU DID THAT AT SOME POINT IF WE CAN'T GET THE MONEY FROM OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS COUNTING THE ARPA MONEY, DO WE GO TO THEM AND ASK? ARE YOU WILLING TO INVEST IN THE LOCAL DOLLARS, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE CASE FOR IT. THIS IS IMPRESSIVE.
I STOPPED MY CLOCK, BUT THAT IS ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
ASK THEM TO DO THAT AT THE CITY AS WELL AND OTHER CITIES. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES TO DO THE BIG HUGE SCHPELE HAS BEEN CAN PEM DUCK. WE DEVELOPED A ROLLOUT PLAN FOR THE STUDY AND WE PLANNED ON ROLLING IT OUT UNTIL PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF HEARING WHAT WE ARE DOING AND TRYING TO GET DONE. ONE OF THE AREAS WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THESE MICROPRESENTATIONS TO OUR PRECINCTS AS WELL, BUT TO OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND STAKEHOLDER GROUPS WE KNOW ARE WORKING HAPPENED IN HAND --
[05:35:01]
HAPPENED IN -- HAND IN HAND WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.AND THE COMMUNITIES, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE PARTICIPATION IS FORMULATED AT -- AS A STRATEGY. I CONCUR WITH YOUR REMARKS ABOUT IT NOT BEING A STUDY PLACED ON THE SHELF.
IT IS GOING TO BE AN ACTIVATION PLAN FOR US AND WITH THE ACCESS OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR HOUSING WE SEE THIS AS BEING A NICE UH -- NICE ALIGNMENT THAT WE CAN START SOME ACTION TOWARD BECAUSE OF WHAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR US TO DO AND THE FUNDING SOURCES AVAILABLE TO US.
THE MORE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE AND CAN PUT IN OUR PRESENTATION IN FRONT OF A WILLING AUDIENCE WE HAVE A TEAM READY TO DO SO. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I ECHO THE REMARKS OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS. DON'T LET THE PLAN SIT ON THE SHELF. YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED 20,000 UNITS A YEAR IS THE NEED. DID I UNDERSTAND THAT RIGHT?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO 20,000 A YEAR. I THINK YOU NEED TO START WITH WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW? ARE WRY DOING 5,000 A YEAR, ARE WE DOING 4,000 A YEAR? I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SAY THIS IS WHERE WE ARE AND CHALLENGING A FEW FOLKS OUT THERE -- I HAVE SEEN A FEW PRESENTATIONS EVEN IN UNINCORPORATED HEAR REIS COUNTY OF -- HARRIS COUNTY THAT WOULD COME AND DEVELOP WHAT THEY CALL LOW TO MODERATE INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THINKING IN TERMS OF DEVELOPING AND OTHER THINGS.
IT IS NOT YOUR GRANDFATHER'S OLD UNITS WE SOMETIMES TALK BAD ABOUT. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF THINGS THAT CREATED DEVELOPERS -- THAT CREATIVE DEVELOPERS ARE DOING. IF THEY NEED A GOOD REASON TO DEVELOP IT IS A GOOD REASON TO DEVELOP.
I THINK WE KNEE -- WE NEED TO ADD IF HOW MUCH WE ARE DOING.
MAYBE YOU PUT IT IN HERE AND I MISSED IT.
IT IS A LOT OF MONEY. I WOULD SAY WE NEED 20,000 A YEAR AND WE ARE CURRENTLY GENERATING 4 OR 3.
PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE SIM DASH -- TO THE
SUMMARY. >> WE ARE AT ABOUT --
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WE HAVE AM SIS THAT TALKS ABOUT -- ANALYSIS THAT TALKS ABOUT WE ARE MEETING WITH THE FUNDING SOURCES WE HAVE ACCESS TO AND AN AUGMENTATION OF FUNDING SOURCES MADE AVAILABLE TO US THROUGH PANDEMIC-RELATED FUNDING. I THINK WHAT WE ALSO, TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER, IT WOULD BE BEST TO LOOK AT WHAT OUR REGULAR INVESTMENT IS [INAUDIBLE] OUTSIDE OF THIS SIGNIFICANT INFUSION OF FUNDS THAT WE HAVE.
WHAT IS THE NORM AND WHAT DOES IT AFFORD US THE ABILITY TO DO AND HOW CAN WE LEVERAGE THAT? A SIGNIFICANT COME PONE INEPT -- A SIGNIFICANT COMPONENT IS LEVERAGE -- [INAUDIBLE] AND FAMILY HOUSING CAN BE QUITE COST PROHIBITIVE IF NOT EXPENSIVE. IF YOU BRING SOURCES TO THE MIX WE CAN SEE OUR DOLLARS GO FURTHER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THERE WAS A COMMENT BY --
>> RODNEY ELLIS: LEWIS -- LUIS.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY TO ANSWER COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S QUESTION, RURPTLY IN THE -- CURRENTLY IN THE COUNTY IN RECENT YEARS AFTER THE CRISIS WE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 25,000 UNITS A YEAR TO 38 ON A HIGH NOTE.
THE PROBLEM IS WHAT AFFORDABLE FLESH HOLD THEY ARE COPPING ONLINE. WHAT WE ARE FLAGGING HERE IS WE NEED 20,000, BUT WE NEED ABOUT 15,000 OF THOSE TO BE AFFORDABLE FOR HOUSEHOLDS EARNING UNDER 60% OF OUR MEDIAN INCOME. IF WE CANDY COMPRESS SOME OF THE COMPRESSION WE ARE SEEING IN THE HOUSING SUPPLY NUMBERS. WE HAVE GOOD QUANTITY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE WERE ABLE TO BUILD CERTAIN AREAS, BUT LOOKING CLOSER AT THE NUMBERS AND WHERE THAT HAPPENS IS GOING TO BE CRUCIAL THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ON -- ON THIS TOPIC AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A QUESTION, ON THIS POINT, WHY THE $20 BILLION, $30 BILLION ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IF IT SEEMS LIKE WE JUST NEED TO SHUFFLE RESOURCES AROUND?
[05:40:03]
TO BE HONEST I JUST SKIMMED THROUGH IT.I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH IT, BUT I WILL.
DID YOU UNDERSTAND MY QUESTION?
>> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT AGAIN? >> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DOES IT SAY WE NEED ABOUT A 20 OR 30 BILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IF WE ARE ALSO -- I AM ALSO HEARING YOU SAY THAT IT IS NOT A MATTER OF MORE HOUSING, BUT DIFFERENT KINDS OF HOUSING?
>> AND THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
THE REASON IS THAT TYPE OF HOUSING WILL COST US MORE MONEY IF IT WILL PENCIL OUT. IT REQUIRES A DEEPER SUBSIDEE. IT REQUIRES BEING ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER MORE CREATIVE FINANCING AND CAPITAL STACKING AND THAT DRIVES UP THE COST OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND THAT'S WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO PROJECT AND SEE AND COMPARE HOW MUCH THIS WILL COST IN COMPARISON TO THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES WE HAVE HAD TODAY THAT BE CAN IDENTIFY A FUNDING SHORT FALL IN THOSE NEXT 10 YEARS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
LUIS AND DR. HOLLOWAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. LIKE HAS BEEN SAID, DON'T LET IT SIT ON THE SHELF, BUT ALSO IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDER UNDERSTAND -- UNDERSTAND WHAT STRATEGIES CAN WE TAKE TO IMPLEMENT YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS? DR. HOLE LAW -- DR. HOLLOWAY AND I SPOKE AND HOW DO WE DEFINE AFFORDABLE HOUSING? RIGHT NOW WE ARE DEFINING IT AGAINST WHAT THE MARKET FOR REAL ESTATE IS WHICH RIGHT NOW HARRIS COUNTY IS A HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET.
BUT THAT ISN'T AFFORD TO BELIEVE TO THE -- AFFORD ONLY TO THE FOLKS WITH THE MEDIAN INCOME YOU CITED.
HOW DO WE CLOSE THE GAP AND PROVIDE THIS? AND THEN IN TERMS OF MAYBING A GOOD NOISE, AND I WANT TO SAY IN THE SPIRIT OF CONGRESSMAN LUIS, THE GOOD TROUBLE IN CREATING POLITICAL WILL -- IT IS EASY TO DO WITH PROPERTY TAX CUTS. IT IS HARD TO DO AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY REGRETFULLY ALWAYS MISUNDERSTANDS IT AS PUBLIC HOUSING.
IT CREATES AN ADD -- ADVERSE TENSION IN THE COMMUNITY AND THAT'S UNFAIR FOR THE WORKFORCE THAT NEEDS THIS PRODUCT. SO JUST CONTINUE TO HELP US, BUT EXCITED ABOUT YOUR WORK AND YOUR STUDY.
I AM LOOKING FOR STRATEGIC STEPS TO, ONE, DO IT.
AND MAKING SURE WE ARE LEVERAGING WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY AND RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
THE LEVERAGE OF THE HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THEN WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO BRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE POPULOUS THAT NEED IT? AND NOT CLAIM WE ARE DOING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND BUILDING $250,000 HOMES WHICH IS AFFORDABLE COMPARED TO THE MARKET, BUT NOT UH AFFORDABLE TO THOSE WHO NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
-- >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS A WAY TO USE TRANSIT FUND TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CUES TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO USE WHAT SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS SAY. THAT MAY BE TRUE.
I FORGET TO BRING IT UP. SOME OF THAT MONEY IS IN TRANSPORTATION. IF WE TAKE A PARK AND RIDE SITE, YOU DON'T WANT IT WHERE PEOPLE DON'T LIVE.
I HAVE BEEN TOLL THERE ARE AVENUES FOR SOME OF THE
[05:45:02]
TRANSIT FUNDS THAT CAN BE USED FOR ACQUISITION OR TAKE LAND THEY ACQUIRED AND YOU HAVE LAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.PLEASE LOOK INTO THAT. >> THAT'S A GREAT POINT AND THAT IS ONE RECOMMENDATION THAT IS COVERED HERE.
WE SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PARK AND RIDES AND TRANSIT CENTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
IT IS PUBLICLY OWNED LAND AND IT IS A RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE WHEN YOU DEVELOP AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR ANY HOUSING ON METRO'S PUBLICLY OWNED LAND, THAT'S REVENUE THEY CAN USE. THEY CAN KEEP OWNERSHIP OF IT AND THEY CAN SUBSIDIZE AND BORROW FROM THOSE GROUND LEAVINGS TO FINANCE MORE INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXPAND TRANSPORTATION SERVICE. THERE ARE A LOT OF FINANCING IDEAS ON THIS. A LOT OF OTHERS ARE IN THIS REGARD. WE WILL SEE MORE HERE IN
HARRIS COUNTY. >> COMMISSIONER WE ARE AWARE THAT THE FDA PROVISIONS AND WE ARE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE FDA OR WITH THE METRO IN REGARDS TO JOINT DEVELOPMENT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HOPE THIS IS A -- I TRUST -- I REALLY BELIEVE THIS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT STARTING POINT.
TO PIN DOWN THESE NUMBERS IS A BIG DEAL.
LOAN LEAN THIS IS A -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS A TRANSMITAL AND I PROPOSE A BRIEF BREAK AND WE CAN COME AND WRAP IT UP. IT IS 6:15 AND LET'S RETURN AT 6:30. 6:30.
I WILL >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 6:31 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
NO ACTION FOR 232 AND ITEM 233 IS A TRANSMITAL BY THE VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. DO THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION THE VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT?
WONDERFUL. >> HI, COMMISSIONER.
I DO NOT HAVE A FORMAL PRESENTATION.
I JUST WANT TO TALK AND HIGHLIGHT SOME ISSUES FOR YOU ALL. WE DID PUT A REPORT TOGETHER.
FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE 180,000 VETERANS THAT LIVE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT IS 1% OF AMERICA'S VETERANS LIVE WITHIN A 25-MILE RADIUS OF THIS HORSE -- HORSESHOE.
11% OF TEXAS VETERANS RESIDE RIGHT HERE.
SO A COUPLE THINGS I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU.
WHEN I TOOK THIS JOB I MADE A COUPLE OF COMMIT MENS -- COMMITMENTS TO THE COURT. FIRST OF WHICH WE NEED TO REBUILD OUR CLAIMS CAPABILITY.
STATUTE -- STATITORIL DPR -- STATUTORY -- STATITORILY WE HAVE BEEN OVER RUN IN THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT AND WE BRING IN $50 MILLION FROM WHAT OUR CLAIMS DEPARTMENT HANDLES.
SO THAT IS A BIG DEAL OF I ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT IN OUR REPORT THAT OUR CLOSEST PEER COUNTY IS BEXAR COUNTY.
WE HAVE 180,000 AND THEY HAVE 162,000.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE V.A. STATISTICS ON WHO BRINGS WHAT FEDERAL DOLLARS, COLLECTIVELY WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT'S DO IT. WE BRING IF ABOUT $900 MILLION OF FEDERAL DOLLARS. THAT IS MOSTLY TAX DEDUCTIBLE AND THAT GIVES PEOPLE A CHANCE TO BUY HOUSING AND THAT GIVES PEOPLE A CHANCE TO DO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS.
IF YOU LOOK AT BEXAR COUNTY THEY BRING IN $1.5 BILLION IN CLAIMS AND BENEFITS. MY ASSESSMENT IS WE ARE LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE. WE NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT AND BRING IN DOLLARS. THE EARNED BENEFITS INTO OUR COUNTY. THAT'S A BIG DEAL.
MY SECOND COMMITMENT WAS TO GET AFTER WHAT I CALL THE BIG THREE CHALLENGES. THAT'S VETERAN SUICIDE, THAT'S HOMELESS VETERANS AND THAT'S JUSTICE INVOLVED VETERANS.
BEFORE I GO TOO FAR DOWN THAT PATH I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE ALLOW HOLLYWOOD TO PAINT RAY -- PAINT A PORTRAIT OF VETERANS.
95% OF OUR VETERANS TRANSITION WITH FEW TO NO ISSUES.
[05:50:02]
MY GOOD FRIEND IS DOING GREAT AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIM BEING A STATISTIC. SHE CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY AND DOING GREAT THINGS AND THAT'S WONDERFUL.WE CAN SEE THEM ALL OVER HARRIS COUNTY.
IT IS THAT 5% BE WORRY ABOUT. WHEN THEY STRUGGLE THEY ISOLATE. IT IS A SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION FOR YOU. WE ARE BUILDING OUT THE SENSORS IN THE COMMUNITY, IF YOU WILL, AND THE SURVEILLANCE MECHANISMS. I CREATED A FORMER RECONNAISSANCE TEAM. THEY ARE WORKING WITH M KRRK OT -- MCOT AND AND WE LOST A LOT OF CAPACITY IN OUR 501 CONSIDER THREE ORGANIZATION. WE DIDN'T ANTICIPATE THAT.
MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE. WHAT WE ARE FINDING ARE THE VETERAN-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS THAT USED TO GRAB HOMELESS VETERANS AND GET THEM BACK ON THE PATH AND WE NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. WE ONLY STOOD WITH THAT TEAM SINCE MAY. THEY ARE DOING GREAT WORK.
THEY ARE SEEING ALL KINDS OF INTER VEPTIONS AND ALL KIND OF -- INTERVENTIONS AND IT IS FROM CSD AND WE ARE IN THE CLEAR AND RUNNING FULL SPEED NOW.
WE SCR -- WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM AND IT IS TO HIRE GOOD PEOPLE AND GET OUT OF THEIR WAY.
I AM PLEASED TO HAVE A WONDERFUL TEAM.
ON BEHALF OF THE 180,000 VETERANS HARD CHARNLING AND GO -- HARD-CHARNING AND GO -- HARD-CHARGING AND GOING GREAT. WE ARE DOING THINGS THAT NOBODY ELSE IN THE COUNTRY HAS EVEN THOUGHT OF YET.
WE ARE OUT IN FRONT OF THAT AND DOING GREAT.
ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK COMIGHTSER -- COMMISSIONER
GARCIA FOR HIS SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ELLIS AND THEN GARCIA.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
MY BROTHER JUST RETIRED. WHAT HE ALWAYS SAYS IS THEY JUST WANT SOMEBODY TO LISTEN TO.
THAT IS TWO AND A HALF HOURS NORTH OF HERE.
I KNOW WE HAVE A LITTLE DIFFERENT SITUATION HERE, BUT AS YOU WORK WITH THE DOCKS AND WORK -- DOC AND THE FOLKS THERE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN. MOST OF THE TIME THAT'S WHAT A GOOD VET WOULD LIKE IS SOMEONE TO LISTEN TO THEM.
>> GREAT POINT, COMMISSIONER. THE TWO THINGS WE HEAR FROM VETERANS IS I WAS LOST. WHAT I HEAR FROM ALMOST EVERY VETERAN IS I MISS THE COMRADERY.
THEY WANT TO TALK IT OUT AND WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER. THAT'S OUR MOTTO.
FEIGNED THOSE DASH AD FIND THOSE WHO -- FIND THOSE WHO ARE LOST AND GIVE THEM COMRADERY.
ONLY 27% OF ELIGIBLE VETERANS UTILIZE THE V.A.
FOR OUR HOMELESS POPULATION, WE ARE RELYING ON HARRIS HEALTH AND THE HARRIS CENTER TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT I BELIEVE WE SHOULD RIGHTFULLY TRANSFER OVER TO THE V.A.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR SPEARHEADING REVAMPING WHAT WE DO OVER THERE AND HELPING US BRING IN SOME QUALITY FOLKS. 27% OF THE POPULATION USE THE V.A. SYSTEM. MY DAD WAS RETIRED AND THAT WAS THE SOURCE OF INSURANCE. HE COULD GET IT AND THE DOCTORS WOULD GIVE US REAL GOOD CARE.
THE INNINGS FOR THE -- THE INSURANCE FOR THE FAMILY WHEN I WAS GROWING UP. VETERANS MAKE UP 3 POIP 5% -- 3.5% OF HARRIS COUNTY. A HARRIS COUNTY VETERAN DIES
OF SUICIDE EVERY SIX DAYS? >> EVERY SIX DAYS.
>> AND OVER 2,000 VETERANS PASS THROUGH THE JAIL ANNUALLY WITH AN ARCHL STAY OF 90 DAYS -- WITH AN AVERAGE STAY
[05:55:04]
OF 90 DAYS. THAT MAKES THE POINT THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. COALITION OF THE HOMELESS ESTIMATES BETWEEN DWELL -- 1200 AND 1400 SUFFER HOMELESSNESS IN THE COUNTY. I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING ABOUT THE HIV EFFORT WITH OUR NUMBERS BEING SO BAD.I HOPE THIS ONE-TIME MONEY WE CAN DO WITH SOME STUFF, THE ONE-TIME STUFF TO HELP WITH THE DEBT.
>> THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL. AND WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE GOOD FOLKS IN THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT AND AT THE JAIL WITH THE STARS AND STRIPES AND BROTHERS IN ARMS PROGRAMS. THE IMPORTANT THING IS ONCE WE GET THEM THE CONTINUITY TO GET OUT AND BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY GET OUT. OTHERWISE WE ARE RIGHT BACK IN. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I KNOW YOU KNOW THAT. THE V.A. IS SPENDING MONEY TO DO THAT, BUT WE ARE NOT GETTING AT THE CORE ISSUE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THINK ABOUT THE STRATEGY AND VETERANS GO GOING TO VETERAN'S HEALTH INSTEAD OF THE V.A.
IT IS COMPARABLE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO THAT AND INCENTIVIZE THEM GOING TO
THE V.A. >> IN MY HUMBLE OPINION THAT'S A FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY AND FUNDED TO DO THAT.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS CONNECT THE VETERANS WITH A SIMPLE PROCESS. IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE, WHICH MOST ARE, THEY CAN GET THEIR CARE FROM THE V.A.
>> MY SUGGESTION IS EVEN IF WE HAD TO PAY FOR T IT WOULD SAVE
IT IS A COST AVOID LENS MODEL -- AVOIDANCE MODEL AND THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU AND THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING AT OUR SERVICE AND THE SERVICE OF OUR NATION AND THE SERVICE OF OUR VETERANS.
IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THAT THERE IS -- WELL, JUST LIKE WE HAVE HERE IN OUR COURT SYSTEM, THEY HAVE A MAJOR BACKLOG, WE MAY GET THEM THERE, BUT THE RISK IS THEY WON'T BE SERVED
IN A TIMELY MANNER OF. >> WHEN WE HELP THE VETERAN GET ENROLLED IN THE V.A. SYSTEM IT BRINGS ADDITIONAL DOLLARS IN THE V.A. SYSTEM. I AM THINKING WHEN THEY DO THAT RIGHT. WE WANT TO FILL IN THE GAPS AND NOT REPLICATE VETERAN SERVICES TO FILL IN THE GAPS.
THERE ARE GREAT POCKETS OF EXCELLENCE IN THERE THAT WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO DEVELOP SOME COOPERATION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT SOUNDS LIKE WE NEED TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THE DELEGATION. I WOULD ASK -- I DON'T KNOW IF THIS ITEM ALLOWS FOR IT BUT I THINK WHAT WE NEED IS A MOTION -- MAYBE NOT EVEN A MOTION, BUT A COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T VIOLATE OPEN MEETINGS, MR. MENIFEE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SIGN OFF ON A JOINT LETTER FROM US TO OUR FETED -- FEDERAL DELEGATION GETTING THEM TO RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGEDS WE ARE FACING AND -- CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING AND MAYBE ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT. I THINK THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN RAISING AWARENESS. I KNOW OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS KNOW THERE ARE CHALLENGES THERE, BUT IT DOES PRESIDENT HURT TO KEEP SOUNDING THAT BELL AND KEEP RAISING ATTENTION ESPECIALLY WHEN VETERANS MAKE UP A BIG NUMBER
OF THE LOCAL SUICIDES. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS A LOT OF ATTENTION TO BE HAD.
DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO YOU?
>> COMMISSIONER, I TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF CONGRESS TWICE ON THIS EXACT ISSUE. I THINK HAVING A COUNTY THE SIZE OF OUR COUNTY ROLL IN AND ENGAGE THOSE FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS AND TO BE ABLE TO SAY, LOOK -- AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THE REAL ISSUE IS TO ME.
YOU NEED A 9-1-1 CAPABILITY JUST LIKE YOU NEED ONE FOR A HOUSE FIRE. HOW MANY FIRES DO WE PREVENT BY HAVING BUILDING CODES AND DOING SAFETY INSPECTIONS.
THE WHOLE GOAL IS TO SHIFT IT LEFT.
[06:00:04]
HOW DO WE SHIFT IT LEFT? WE GET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LET ME KNOW WHEN SOMEBODY IS COMING TO HARRIS COUNTY.I WOULDN'T DREAM OF SENDING SOMEBODY TO KOREA OR SAUDI ARABIA WITHOUT A SPONSOR. WHY SEND THEM TO HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY WITHOUT A SPONSOR? YOU SHIFT THEIR HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO A ZIP CODE.
YOU KNOW THEY ARE COPPING HERE.
I WANT TO MEET THEM AT THE DOOR.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT RE-- REMINDS ME THAT IT IS ACTIVE IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE. I WOULD LIKE TO WITHDRAW MY MOTION AND MAYBE WORK WITH YOU AND DRAFT THAT LETTER AND GET IT FROM MY COLLEAGUES. I THINK WE CAN HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS IN THAT LETTER TO ASK FOR AND RAISE ATTENTION TO. AND I THINK THAT WILL HELP
YOUR ADVOCACY GO A LONG WAY. >> AND THERE IS ALREADY LEGISLATION IN THE PIPELINE. IT IS NOT IN THE PIPELINE, BUT PASSED TO VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
AND WE WANT TO GET AT THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THAT A MOTION IS NOT APPROPRIATE NECESSARILY ON A TRANSMITAL, BUT WE CAN REFER TO YOU AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON OUR BEHALF TO OUR FEDERAL COUNTER PARTS TO GIVE THAT INFORMATION AND REQUEST YOU BRING BACK AT OUR NECK MEETING ANY REPORT YOU -- NEXT MEETING ANY REPORT YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED? IS THAT APPROPRIATE, JAY? LET ME DO A REFERRAL OVER AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON THAT WITH YOU AS WOULD I.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS MY TURN ON THE OTHER STUFF, BUT WANT TO INTERJECT ON THE REFERRAL AND THEN WHEN IT IS MY TURN I HAVE SOME STUFF. IS IT.
>>> TURN? OKAY -- IS IT MY TURN? OKAY. A GENTLEMAN FROM MY AUXILIARY, VFW POST COMMENTED ABOUT HOW THEY NEGLECTED TO CONSIDER WHERE OUR VETERANS WERE IN THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF SERVICES WE MAY WANT RENDERED. IF YOU COULD PROVIDE US SIMILAR TO GREETING HIM AT THE DOOR WHEN THEY COME, DO YOU HAVE A HEAT MAP THAT CAN TELL US WHERE THEY ARE NOW TO THE EX -- EXTENT YOU CAN SEEK THE HEAT MAP SO YOU CAN SERVE THEM. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE.
IT IS NICE HAVING THE BOOTH IN THE BACK SO THEY CAN GET THE SERVICES. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GOOD ABOUT BEING THERE AT THOSE EVENTS.
IT WOULD HELP US TO KNOW WHERE THEY L -- WHERE THEY ARE.
>> I KNOW THE V.A. BREAKS IT DOWN BY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. ACS MAY HAVE DATA ON ZIP CODES. I MAY HAVE TO GET THAT.
I THINK IT IS A CAPITAL IDEA TO LOOK AT WHERE OUR PAID VETERANS LIVE AND WHERE WE SEE THE SUICIDE CLUSTERS.
THAT MAP HELPS US IDENTIFY WHERE TO PUT THE RESOURCES.
THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA THAT THE LETTER IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE IT GETS US TO GET IT IN A NICE NUTSHELL.
IT IS LIKE THE ELEVATOR SPEECH.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I SUBJECT PROBABLY YOU BE THE ONE TO TAKE IT ON. MAYBE YOU GET WITH THE COLONEL AND GO TO WASHINGTON OR IF YOU GO TO THE VETERAN'S DAY THING. I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT YOU GET SO MANY LETTERS. PEOPLE SAY DID YOU GET MY LETTER AND I SAY YES. FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE WILL TAKE IT ON. IF YOU GET TWO, ONE FROM EACH PARTY IT WOULD HELP. THAT IS MY SENSE ON LOB BEING TO GET IT DONE. SENSE ON LOBBYING TO GET IT DONE. YOU PUT A NICE PICTURE AND COLOR, BUT THE ONE ON ONE OF WALKING UP THERE OR HIM BRIEFING THE ISSUE WITH YOU OR WITH SOMEBODY THERE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU AND YOUR
TEAM ARE DOING. >> THANK YOU ALL.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY.
>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. AM I PUTTING TO BE REFERRED OR
[06:05:01]
NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION.
ITEM 247 AND PRE SINKS 3 AND 4 FLAGGED THIS ITEM.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST NEED TO VOTE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 253.
AND THEN 262 SHOULD GO TOGETHER.
THAT IS DISCUSSION OF THE NOVEMD ELECTION.
IS THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR ON THE LINE?
>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR -- SORRY FOR MY CASUAL APPEARANCE.
WE ARE STILL HERE AT UTC WRAPPING UP THE COUNT FOR THE ELECTION. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE AN UPDATE. ON ELECTION DAY WE SAW 114,000 PEOPLE VOTE. THAT'S GREATER THAN IN 2017, THE LAST COMPARABLE ELECTION THAT WAS 89,000.
EARLY VOTING WE SAW 63,000 PEOPLE VOTE.
3,000 THROUGH DRIVE-THREW -- DRIVE-THRU VOTING.
AN INCREASE OF 46,000 VOTERS FOR EARLY VOTE SCG MAIL IN VOTING -- AND MAIL IN VOTING 50,000 PEOPLE VOTED BY MAIL SO FAR WHICH IS WELL AND ABOVE THE 14,000 PEOPLE IN 2017 AND 50,000 MAIL BALLOTS IS ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE, THE HIGHEST TOTAL ODD YEAR MAIL IN BALLOTS.
OVERALL WHAT THAT SAYS IS WE SAW A 52% INCREASE IN THE WRONG NUMBER OF VOTERS AND 39% TURNOUT.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AND GO INTO THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION. PEOPLE WAITED NO MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES. WE RESPONDED TO 8,000 CALLS FROM THE JUDGES AND THE VOTERS OVER THOSE TWO WEEKS OF EARLY VOTING. WE BASICALLY DROP OFF FOR OUR JUDGES EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A LONG NIGHT FOR THEM AND FOR US SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO CARRY ITEMS. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE GOT FROM OUR GUNNELS.
IT IS A -- FROM OUR JUDGES AND WHATEVER THEY CAN DO TO BRING IT BACK IS HELPFUL. NO SECRETS, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF LEARNED LESSONS AS WELL.
PRIMARILY ON ELECTION NIGHT, THE GLITCH THAT KNOCKED OUT OUR POWER SOURCE, NOT GOOD. IT HAPPENED BEFORE OUR LOGIC AND ACCURACY TESTING STARTED FOR THE NIGHT.
SO WE DID A WHOM -- A WHOLE SAFETY REBOOT.
IT TAKES TWO HOURS AND BOY DID IT TAKE EVERY BIT OF THE TWO HOURS. AFTER THAT AND ONLY AFTER THAT ARE WE ABLE TO START PROS -- PROTS SUCCESSING THE EARLY VOTES. EVEN THOUGH WE HAD OUR USB OF EARLY VOTES WE COULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER THE SAFETY REBOOT.
I KNOW YOU ALL RECEIVED THE FEEDBACK AND BY COMMERCIAL GRADE THERE IS UNINTERRUPTED POWER SOURCES SO IF AND WHEN THE GLITCHES HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE IT IS THE BEST MACHINE YOU CAN BUY. THEY HAVE SOME COMMERCIAL GRADE AND DROP OFF A LONG LINE FOR THE JUDGES AND MAKING SURE THEY BRING ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT BACK.
AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE YOU TALKED ABOUT AND PERHAPS THERE CAN BE TRACKERS AND SCANS AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES BACK SO WE CAN TRACK IN REALTIME WHERE ALL OF THOSE CRITICAL RESOURCES ARE ACROSS THE COUNTY.
THE BIGGEST LEARNED LESSON FOR ME, JUDGE, IS I KNOW ONE YOU MENTIONED AND SOME OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS IS BEING BETTER ABOUT KIND OF TELLING FOLKS WHAT IS GOING ON IN A TIMELY MANNER AND PRESS CONFERENCES AND PRESS RELEASES AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE BANNERS.
NOT EVERYONE USES SOCIAL MEDIA SO A BIG LEARNED LESSON ON HOW WE PUT THE WORD OUT. I WANT TO MAKE MYSELF
[06:10:02]
AVAILABLE TO YOU FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON ELECTION NIGHT.>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
MS. LONGORIA, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.
THIS IS A CHALLENGE, I KNOW. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD OUR NEW SECURE PAPER-BASED VOTING MACHINES.
I DECIDED TO DO THE DRIVE BY VOTING IN YOUR PRECINCT, COMMISSIONER GORE -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I JUST WANTED TO TRY IT. IT WAS INTERESTING.
I WAS WAITING FOR THE PIECE OF PAPER TO COME OUT.
IT WAS INTERESTING. MY STAFF DID A COMPARISON TO OUR OTHER LARGER COUNTIES IN TEXAS INCLUDING DALLAS, BEXAR COUNTY AND TRAVIS AND EACH FINISHED THE VOTE TALLY BY 2 A.M. HARRIS COUNTY EVEN WITH THAT GLITCH, THE FINAL UNOFFICIAL TALLY WAS PUBLISHED AT 8:30 A.M. THAT IS A GOOD THING.
I AM HOPING THAT WHEN WE COME INTO THIS NEXT CYCLE WITH THE PAPER THERE AND A LONGER BALLOT, THAT YOU ARE DOING AS MUCH TRAINING OR WHATEVER HAS TO BE DONE.
I KNOW IT IS PROBABLY A CHALLENGE GETTING WORKERS AND EVEN WITH THE PAY RAISE. I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE INITIATIVES THAT CAME OUT OF MY OFFICE TO RAISE THE PAY.
BUT IT IS STILL A CHALLENGE. AND IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AS WELL, BUT IF THERE IS MORE MONEY THAT NEED TO BE PUT IN TRAINING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN FOR RECORD-BREAKING PARTICIPATION.
I JUST SAW SOMETHING THAT POPPED UP THAT DESPITE ALL OF THE RESTRICTIONS DISKURNLING PEOPLE -- DISCOURAGING PEOPLE OF REGISTERING, TEXAS SURPASSED 17 MILLION VOTERS, REGISTERED VOTERS. WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL COME OUT OR NOT, I DON'T KNOW. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING YOU CAN IN TERMS OF TRAINING AND HAVING THE PERSONNEL AND IN GENERAL THAT'S WHERE WE WILL PROBABLY EVEN BE -- EVEN WHEN IT IS A NONPRESIDENTIAL YEAR.
WHEN THINGS HEAT UP AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SERIOUSLY CONTESTED RACES, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING
EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. >> WE ARE CAUGHT IN A TOUGH SPOT AND WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE WITH COVID AND RESPECT THE COUNTY AS -- THE COUNTY'S POLICIES AND KEEP PEOPLE MEETING. YOUR STAFF -- ALL OF YOUR STAFFS HAVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO MAKE THE LOCATIONS AVAILABLE IN EACH OF YOUR PRECINCTS TO DO IN-PERSON VOTING SO WE CAN CONTINUE THAT.
I STARTED TO TALK WITH MY STAFF TO DO WOULDN'T US WITH -- CONTINUOUS TRAINING. WE HAVE FIVE ELECTIONS COMING UP AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINING AND GETTING HANDS ON EXPERIENCE. LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR POINT OF OFFERING THAT AND BECOMING COMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW
SPACES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU KNOW WITH THE SPACE RESTRICTION CAN THEY GO TO NRG OR CAN THEY HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN TO DO IT OUTSIDE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. I EUND AND IT MAY HAVE -- I UNDERSTOOD AND IT MAY HAVE CHANGINGED NOW, BUT WE COULD NOT OFFER MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE CONGREGATING AT ONE TIME IN A COUNTY FACILITY. I MIGHT HAVE THAT WRONG.
I KNOW WE JUST MOVED TO ORANGE. IF WE ARE OUT OF THERE, I AM HAPPY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SPACES BIG ENOUGH TO OFFER THE
TRAINING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO IT OUTSIDE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR IT. I'M JUST ASSUMING AT LEAST WHEN MY KID WERE DOING IT ONLINE, I DON'T THINK ME WERE GETTING AT -- I DON'T THINK THEY WERE GETTING AS MUCH.
I THINK Y'ALL LIKE THIS DEAL. YOU CAN POP ON HERE.
MR. AYER AND MR. BERRY DON'T LOOK HAPPY AT 6:00, 7:00 AT
NIGHT. >> FOR THE RECORD, I'M SMILING
UNDER MY MASK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL SEE THE OTHER SIDE WHEN HE CAN'T WEAR HIS MASK ANYMORE.
I LOOK AT THE OUTSIDE OPTION IF YOU HAVE TO OR DO IT IN A
NON-COUNTY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I MEAN RIGHT NOW IT IS AT CAPACITY, BUT YOU TOUCHED BASE WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE RESTRICTION THAT'S PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING YOUR COUNTY IN
A TRAINING FACILITY. >> WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. WE WANT TO GET PEOPLE IN FOR
TRAINING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
I WOULD LIKE TO FOR THE RECORD NOTE BECAUSE WE HAD THE ELECTION AND WE KNOW IT WASN'T A BIG ELECTION.
[06:15:04]
WE KNOW WE HAVE THE BIG ONES COMING.THERE IS A PRIMARY IN A FEW MONTHS AND NOVEMBER OF 2022.
WE ALL KNEW THIS WAS COMING. I WILL CONSIDER WHAT I -- I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A ROOT CAUSE.
THEY VOTED TO TAKE AWAY THE DUTIES RELATED TO ELECTIONS FROM A DULY ELECTED COUNTY CLERK AND TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. THAT'S MY OPINION, BUT I THINK THAT IS SHARED BY MANY. THINGS ARE WORKING FINE AND NOW WE HAVE GONE TO ANOTHER SYSTEM AND I THINK CLEARLY THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS. ONCE THAT DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, MONEY STARTED FLOWING. EXAMPLES INCLUDE 54 MILLION SPENT ON THE NEW MACHINES. NOW, I LIKE THE MACHINES.
I LIKED WHAT THEY DID. IT IS A PAPER BALLOT.
I THINK WE HAVE OTHER MACHINES LIKE THAT IN TEXAS, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAD THE PROBLEMS WE DID.
I KNOW THEY'RE THERE OF IN JANUARY OF 2021 WE IMPROVED FOR TECH TRANSITION AND 1.1 MILLION ON TECH TRANSITION AND 2.1 I.T. SUPPORT AND 500,000 FOR TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND EA STARTING BUDGET WAS 14.6 MILLION.
THAT BRINGS US TO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
NOVEMBER 2ND THE ELECTION WAS A SMALL AND OFF YEAR.
THE ELECTION WAS 8%, 227,000 GIVE OR TAKE, OF REGISTERED VOTERS SHOWING UP AT THE POLLS OF THESE VOTERS.
ONLY HALF VOTED ON ELECTION DAY.
113,000. HERE IS A LISTING OF THE PROBLEM AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
THESE JUDGES TELL US WHAT GOES ON AND WE NEED TO HEAR THAT AND UNDERSTAND THAT. IN THE MORNING THERE WAS A MINOR POWER OUTAGES, YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATED, MAYBE NOT.
ACCORDING TO "THE CHRONICLE" THE POWER OUT SEG -- OUTAGE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR WITH TESTING.
VARIOUS CENTERS WE HEARD REPORTS OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS NOT ABLE TO CURBSIDE VOTE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE -- UNAVAILABLE. ONE DISABLED VOTER WAS TOLD TO TRY ANOTHER POLLING LOCATION. MANY STAFF WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE EQUIPMENT THAT LEAD TO CONFUSION AND UNNECESSARY WAIT TIMES FOR VOTERS ON JANUARY 26TH EA LONGORIA SAID THIS HAS BEEN A THOROUGHLY VETTED AND I'M VERY CONFIDENT IN THE MACHINES WE HAVE SELECTED AND THEY HAVE EVERYTHING WE HAVE ASKED FOR. AS YOU MENTIONED, 8,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE. ON ONE HAPPENED YOU CAN SAY WE FIELDED THOSE CALLS, BUT THAT IS A LOT OF CALLS FOR SERVICE.
THAT IN ITSELF IS AN INDICATION OF THE ISSUES.
HER REPORT OF LOGIC AND ACCURACY TESTING TOOK LONGER THAN USUAL AND DAY OF TESTING DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL EVENING DUE TO THE POWER MISHAP. SOME VOTERS WERE IN LINE UNTIL 8 P.M. DESPITE THE SMALL TURNOUT.
COMMUNICATIONS WERE RELATED TO DELAYS FROM LONGORIA AND EA'S OFFICE WAS LIMITED TO SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, TWEETS AND FACEBOOK. BY 1 A.M. ONLY 60% OF THE VOTES HAD BEEN COUNTED. MOST COUNTIES WERE DONE AND HAD COMPLETED THE COUNT. THAT'S UH -- THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE CHRONICLE. THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH LANES AND LINES. THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE CHRONICLE ARTICLE. I TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO SAT IN THAT LINE FOR 1 HOUR. PREVIOUS THINGS WE CAN MEET REGIONALLY AND DROP THEM OFF, SEEMED LIKE A BETTER CHAIN OF CUSTODY THAN WHAT WE EXPERIENCED THAT NIGHT.
AT LEAST ONE PERSON SAID SHE WAS WAITING FOR A JANITOR TO UNLOCK A CLOSET. THAT WAS AT 7 AM.
THAT BRINGS UP ALL KINDS OF ISSUES ON A CHAIN OF CUSTODY.
THE RESULTS WERE NOT IN UNTIL 8:30 ON WEDNESDAY, AS BEEN NOTED, SIX HOURS AFTER EVERY OTHER CITY.
[06:20:08]
I THINK THIS WARRANTS AN IN DEPTH LOOK.I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE NP. INDEPENDENT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN SAY EA, YOU GO AND GO -- YOU GO AND DO AN AUDIT OF YOURSELF. IT NEEDS TO BE AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT. THESE PROBLEMS WERE SIGNIFICANT. WE HAVE A HUGE ELECTION DOPPING UP. ELECTION COMING UP.
WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT. I AM SUGGESTING WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND NOT THE EA HERSELF.
WE AN INDEPENDENT COME IN HERE TO COME AND LOOK AT THESE ISSUES BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM.
>> MAY I RESPOND? I DON'T KNOW IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER AT ALL, BUT WE HAD SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE COME AND THEY WERE WITH US THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD REPORT ANY ISSUES. THEY UNDERSTAND THE POWER ISSUES THAT BLEW UP ON THE BACK UP POWER SOURCE.
I WELCOME IT. I WAS OUT ON ELECTION LINE AND HEARING FROM THE JUDGES TO HEAR FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES.
I HAVE MADE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO ANY PRESIDING GUNNELS WHO WANT 20 -- PRESIDING JUDGES WHO WANT FEEDBACK.
I'M WITH YOU AND IT IS ONE THING TO SAY SOMETHING HAPPENED, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING OUT THERE AND HEARING FROM THE PRESIDING JUDGES.
YOU'RE RIGHT. THEY ARE LIKE GOALS.
WE HAVE FIVE ELECTIONS COMING UP AND WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO THANK THOSE PRESIDING JUDGES AND ALTERNATE JUDGES AND CLERKS FOR COMING OUT AND WORKING AND MAKING THEM FEEL MORE PREPARED ABOUT THE NEXT COMING ELECTIONS AND GETTING THEM AS MUCH HAND ON TRAINING AS WE
CAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
MS. LONGORIA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
IF THERE HAD BEEN NO HITCHES IN THE ELECTION WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE YOU ON THE CALL THIS LONG.
NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU COULD BE -- YOU COULD HAVE PREDICTED A POWER OUTAGE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. I WOULD ASK A COUPLE THINGS.
ONE IS THAT IN THE FUTURE, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO COMMUNICATE AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH FOLKS TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE STRUGGLES AND CHALLENGES ARE.
I THINK THAT WILL HELP EASE SOME STRESS, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE CANDIDATES. SECONDLY, I KNOW YOU HAVE WATCHED ELECTIONS AND I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH MR. HOLLINS IN THE LAST ELECTION AND YOU WERE A CANDIDATE IN THE ONE PREVIOUS AND IT HAD SOME PROBLEMS ITSELF. JUST TO REFRESH MY MEMORY, DID COMMISSIONERS' COURT EVER DEMAND AN AUDIT OF PREVIOUS ELECTIONS WHERE THERE WERE PROBLEMS OR DELAYS? I KNOW SOME OTHER ELECTIONS DIDN'T HAVE FULL RESULTS UNTIL THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING. I DON'T KNOW WHO CAN ANSWER THAT. HAVE WE EVER HAD AN AUDIT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? DO YOU KNOW?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T REMEMBER ONE.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU MAY. >> TOM RAMSEY: I REMEMBER AN
ELECTION BEING THIS BAD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY WERE
WORSE. >> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T THINK
SO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANTED TO ASK THE QUESTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
HANG IN THERE. WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO BE
HELPFUL, KEEP US POSTED. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
I WILL SAY IRONICALLY WE WERE ON ON THE PHONE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALL NIGHT AND GET YOU ARE -- GETTING ADVICE AND THEIR RESOURCES AND THEY THANKED US FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS WE FINISHED ELECTION NIGHT EARLIER AND GOT THOSE LAST RESULTS IN EARLIER THAN HAD EVER BEEN DONE.
FROM MY UNDERSTANDING PREVIOUS ELECTIONS, PERHAPS LEADERSHIP DECIDED TO GO TO SLEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT INSTEAD OF MAKING SURE THE JOB WAS COMPLETE.
I AM THANKFUL TO DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WHO STAYED UP AND SAID THEY ARE GETTING THE JOB DONE NO MATTER HOW LONG IT
TAKES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON THE RESULTS, SO IT IS THE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS THAT CAME IN AT 8:30. IN THE PAST THEY HAVE COME IN EARLIER THAN THAT? I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND FULLY THE TIMELINE COMPARED TO NORMAL ELECTIONS.
>> YES, MA'AM. WHEN YOU SEE 100% OF PRECINCTS
[06:25:02]
REPORTING, IN THE PAST, EVEN ON ELECTION NIGHT, YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN 99% OR POINT SOMETHING REPORTING FOR THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. THEY ARE RESOLVING THE ISSUES. THE OFFICIAL RESULTS DO NOT HAPPEN BY LAW UNTIL ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER.THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON WITH CENTRAL COUNT TODAY AND TOMORROW TO GET THE FINAL OFFICIAL CANVASSED ELECTION
RESULTS TO YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE ONE WE DID GET, THE UNOFFICIAL IN THEORY IN THE FUTURE, WE WANT TO AND ARE ABLE TO IN THEORY GET THOSE OUT AT NIGHT AS
OPPOSED TO THE NEXT MORNING? >> YES.
AS A POLICY NOW IN THIS EA OFFICE, LITERALLY WE WILL NOT SLEEP, WE WILL NOT SHUTDOWN CENTRAL COUNT AND WE WILL NOT FINISH THE NIGHT UNTIL ALL BOXES ARE IN.
THAT WAS NOT A POLICY OF PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS.
I FEEL AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE ALL ASKING ME FOR.
WE SHOULD NOT GO TO SLEEP UNTIL ALL VOTES ARE COUNTED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I HEARD IT RIGHT, I THINK YOU SAID THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SAID THE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS CAME IN EARLIER THAN THEY DID IN THE PAST.
I THINK I HEARD THAT. I ADD -- I ADMIT I WAS DOING A
LITTLE MULTI TASKING. >> THAT'S SOMETHING THEY SHARED WITH ME OF I TRIED TO GO BACK AND TIME STAMPING MYSELF AND CHECKING, BUT AS WE WERE ON THE PHONE THEY GAVE US
A PAT ON THE BACK FOR THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN IS THE OFFICIAL CANVAS? IT HAS TO BE THAT CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS WITH THE ELECTION AND WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN WE WILL HAVE THE
OFFICIAL CANVAS? >> THE DEADLINE FOR THE CANVAS IS -- LET ME CHECK MY CALENDAR HERE SO I DON'T TELL YOU THE WRONG DATE. THE OFFICIAL CANVAS DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 15TH. WE HAVE CENTRAL COUNT COMING BACK TOMORROW AND FINGERS CROSSED MY TEAM CAN GET EVERYTHING DONE AND WE WILL HAVE IT EARLY AND OUT BY THE 12TH. 15TH IS THE DEADLINE FOR
THE FINAL COUNT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH AND MOST IS FROM THE ELECTION JUDGES. IT IS WORTH A REVIEW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE THE WORD, BUT AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF IT. WE CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND IDENTIFYING WHO THAT WILL BE.
THAT WOULD BE BY A MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WONDER WHO WOULD DO IT. I APPRECIATE YOU RUNNING DOWN WHAT HAPPENED. WE FOE WE ARE CAPABLE OF HAVING A VERY SMOOTH, VERY LARGE ELECTION.
WE DID THAT IN 2020. THERE IS NO REASON WE SHOULD GO BACK FROM THAT. I THINK WE SET THE STANDARD AGAINST OUR OWN STANDARD. IF THE WAY TO DO THAT IS A TOP TO BOTTOM REVIEW OF ALL OF THE PIECES, WHAT ADDITIONAL DO YOU NEED AND YOU CAN PRESENT IT TO US AS THOROUGHLY AS POSSIBLE.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR YOU TO DO THAT AND FOR US TO ACCOMPLISH? DO YOU NEED OUTSIDE SUPPORT? THE INTENT WAS TO HAVE A VERY SMOOTH ELECTION.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE, MISS LONGORIA, BECAUSE OF THE POWER OUTAGE CAUSED THE NEED TO RE -- RESTART ALL OF THE COMPUTERS, THAT'S WHERE THE TWO-HOUR DELAY KICKED IN AND IT HAD A RIPPLE EFFECT.
THE RE-- RESTART AS I UNDERSTAND IS A BEST PRACTICE. AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE VENDOR, HART, AND BY UNIVERSAL SERVICES.
I THINK IN DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR OFFICE, THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION FOR A CONSUMER GRADE SYSTEM PURCHASED BY THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. IS THAT ACCURATE?
YOU'RE RIGHT. JUST TO WALK EVERYONE THROUGH THAT DECISION AGAIN, WE HAD OUR CENTRAL COUNT UH JUDE EATING -- ADJUDICATING MAIL BALLOTS.
WE HAD SIX POLL WATCHERS. WE WELCOMED THEM IN.
BY THE TIME WE GOT STARTED ON THE LOGIC AND ACCURACY -- THERE ARE THREE MANDATED BY LAW.
ONE HAPPENS MANY MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO MAKE SURE IT IS SET. AND ONE HAPPENS ON ELECTION NIGHT BEFORE TABULATING THE RESULTS AND ONE THAT HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TABULATING THE RESULTS SO WE CAN VERIFY CHANNELLY THAT THE HARDWARE -- VERIFY ESSENTIALLY THAT THEY
[06:30:03]
ARE WORKING PROPERLY. IT LEAD YOU UP, I THINK THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE SHARING, SIR, IS THAT AT 2 OOCHT 30 IN THE AFTERNOON AS THEY WERE STARTING UP THE COMPUTERS FOR THE LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST OUR BACK UP POWER SOURCE WE HAD EVERYTHING PLUGGED INTO PER THE BEST PRACTICES AND LAW, SOMETHING GLITCHED. WE HAVE REQUESTED FROM OUR ELECTRICITY VENDORS ON SITE A REPORT OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THE POWER AND FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE GLITCH OR SURGE OR WHATEVER IT IS. SOMETHING KNOCKED OUT BOTH OF OUR COMPUTERS. IT IS A TWO-HOUR START UP PROCESS. I HAD A DECISION TO MAKE.EITHER WE COULD CONTINUE THE LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST AT THE SAME TEAM THE COMPUTERS WERE BOOTING UP AND THE RISK IT RAN US IS IF WE DID BOTH OF THOSE IN TANDEM, IF IN THE START UP OUR COMPUTER STALLED OUT WE WILL TO THE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCEPT ANY ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE ENTIRE NIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE MEANT THE ELECTION SOFTWARE WAS CORRUPTED OR AFFECTED BY THE POWER GLITCH OR SHUTDOWN AND IT WOULD HAVE IMPAIRED OUR ABILITY.
OUR VENDORS ON SITE THE VECT -- SECRETARY OF STATE SUGGESTED WE DO THE FULL REBOOT TO MAKE SURE THE ELECTION HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE WAS IN TACT AND ABLE TO CALCULATE THE ELECTIONS AND TABULATE WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT. THAT'S A STANDARD I WAS WORKING TOWARD, ACCURACY AND NOT SPEED.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOT A DOUBT OF THE ABILITY FOR THE MACHINE TO TABULATE. IT TOOK TWO HOURS.
AND THEN EVERYTHING STARTS -- THEN HAVE YOU THE LOGIC AND ACCURACY WHICH TAKES LONGER THAN PREVIOUS MACHINES.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS TALKING ABOUT OTHER NIGHTS AND IT WAS A DIFFERENT MACHINE. DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING AT SHEETS AND SHEETS AND REAMES AND REAMES TO MAKE SURE THE MACHINES ARE TABULATING CORRECTLY.
AND THEN IT TAKES TWO HOURS TO PLUG IN THE USB'S FOR THE EARLY VOTE AND TRACK THEM AND DO THAT CHAIN OF CUSTODY SO THAT AGAIN THERE IS NO SHADOW OF A DOUBT ON HOW WE PROCESS THE ELECTION. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE POWER OUTAGE, BUT -- WHATEVER IT IS WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
WHAT IT WAS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THERE A RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE I GUESS IT IS YOUR BACK UP SYSTEM WITH A COMMERCIAL GRADE SYSTEM?
>> YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I GUESS YOU WILL BRING US AN ITEM AT SOME POINT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS RISES TO THE LEVEL OF A FULL INDEPENDENT REVIEW.
IF WE GET INTO THE BUSINESS OF SPENDING MONEY ANYTIME SOMEBODY HAS A POLITICAL DIFFERENCE AND WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW WE CAN DO AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF WHY THE EQUITY GUIDELINES WERE NOT FOLLOWED.
WE CAN DO AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF WHY THE DISPARITY STUDY CAME BACK SHOWING MINORITY OF WOMEN GETTING SUCH A SMALL BIT OF THE BUSINESS. I MEAN, IF US DISAGREE WITH SOMEBODY POLITICAL -- POLITICALLY, I GET IT.
I DON'T THINK WE WILLY NILLY DECIDE TO SPEND THE MONEY.
AND I WANTED TO MAKE A POLITICAL POINT.
I CAN COME UP WITH A WHOLE LIST AND WE GO BROKE.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I DIDN'T BRING IT BECAUSE OF A POLITICAL POINT, COMMISSIONER. I BROUGHT IT BECAUSE ELECTION JUDGES REACHED OUT TO ME. IF YOU WANT TO IGNORE WHAT ELECTION JUDGES SAID THAT NIGHT, GO AHEAD.
BUT I WOULD THINK THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR WOULD CARE ENOUGH TO LISTEN TO THE ELECTION JUDGES WHEN THEY SAY THE PROBLEMS -- IT IS REAL PROBLEMS. IT GOES BEYOND A POWER OUTAGE.
IT IS HOW THEY WERE ORGANIZED.
LISTEN, FOLKS, WE HAVE A BIG ELECTION COMING UP.
WE HAVE A PRIMARY IN THE SPRING.
WE WILL HAVE THE GENERAL. THIS ISN'T POLITICAL.
THIS IS LISTENING TO OUR ELECTION JUDGES.
WE WILL HAVE A HARD TIME RECRUITING ELECTION JUDGES IF WE CAN'T CONVINCE THEM THAT WE THOUGH -- THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING. RIGHT NOW BE HAVE A HUGE CREDIBILITY GAP WITH OUR ELECTION JUDGES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COULD ADMINISTRATE -- ADMINISTRATOR LONG GOR -- LONGORIA AND IT IS HOW YOU ARE REVIEWING
[06:35:10]
EVERYTHING AND IT MAY BE USEFUL TO HAVE SUPPORT THAT THE ATTORNEY CAN -- I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF THAT I DO WANT TO KNOW IF YOU FEEL ANY ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED.I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING SO SERIOUS AND YOU DID THE RIGHT THING BY AIRING ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION. IF THERE ARE COMMUNICATION ISSUES THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS.
JUST LIKE WE SAID THERE WAS A TWO-HOUR DELAY AND THAT WAS COMPOUNDED TO A RIPPLE EFFECT.
THERE IS A CONCERN THAT IT IS A SMALL ELECTION SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR A LARGER ONE. SO WANT TO MAKE SURE ANY KINKS ARE WORKED OUT. SOUNDS LIKE IF YOU CAN JUST COME BACK TO US AS FAR AS HOW HAVE YOU ASSESSED EVERYTHING SO THAT ALL OF US CAN REPORT BACK TO ELECTION JUDGES, ET CETERA THAT THIS HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY EVALUATED AND IF
YOU NEED SUPPORT LET US KNOW. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU SAID YOU REACHED OUT TO RUSH UNIVERSITY TO ASSIST WITH THE SURVEY?
>> YES. TOO YOU, JUDGE -- TO YOU, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS, I MYSELF WAS THERE PRESENT ON THE SUPPLY HANDOUT. I WALKED UP AND DOWN THE LINE OF CARS TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK. ANYONE WOULD HAS REQUESTED A MEETING WITH ME IN PERSON I AM HONORED AND I WILL GIVE MY TIME ONE ON ONE. WE ARE WORKING WITH RICE UNIVERSITY THAT THEY CAN ANALYZE THE FEEDBACK FROM THE JUDGES. I ALSO MADE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO BOTH PARTIES IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO HOST A TOWN HALL WITH ME TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK. IT IS CRITICAL TO GET THE FEEDBACK. I WOULD LOVE TO COME BACK WITH LESSONS LEARNED AND HOW WE CAN KEEP IMPROVING IN THE FUTURE ELECTIONS. THOUGH IT WAS LOW TURN OUT IT WAS 700 LOCATIONS SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR.
AS Y'ALL ASKED WE WERE MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE RESOURCES WE WERE USING AND KNOWING WE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME BUDGET AS LAST YEAR. NO ONE WAS ASKING FOR THE LAMBORGHINI, BUT MAKING SURE WHEN WE ARE SERVING 700 LOCATIONS REGARDLESS OF THE TURNOUT THERE ARE 700 JUDGES WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE TRAIN APPROPRIATELY AND RECRUIT APPROPRIATELY AND SUPPORT APPROPRIATELY AND ON ELECTION NIGHT GET PROCESSED APPROPRIATELY.
I GUESS WHAT I'M ASKING IT SOUNDS LIKE WHERE Y'ALL MIGHT BEHEADED IS ABSOLUTELY I WILL GET WITH YOUR STAFF AND OFFICES. I HAVE BEEN DOING ONE ON ONE MEETINGS AND YOU ARE HEARING FROM THE ELECTION JUDGES.
I CAN INCORPORATE IT INTO ACTION ITEMS FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE RUNNING SMOOTH.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS MAY SOUND STRANGE FROM ME BECAUSE I AM PHILOSOPHICALLY OPPOSED TO THE EA'S OFFICE.
I VOTED AGAINST THOSE ISSUES. I BELIEVE THE TWO DULY ELECTED INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE THE ONES HANDLING IT.
HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE NEEDING FUNDING FOR THIS RICE SURVEY, I WILL VOTE FOR THAT SO THAT THAT DOES NOT COME OUT OF YOUR
REGULAR BUDGET. >> THAT IS KIND OF YOU, SIR.
I BELIEVE BOB SNYDER RICE WAS ABLE TO GET FUNDING FROM RICE FROM HIS STUDENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO COME BACK WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THAT FEEDBACK AND WHAT IT
WOULD TAKE TO MAKE IT FASTER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE SCOPE AND THE CAPACITY OF THE SURVEY, THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT AND THAT IS THE PROCESS.
>> HOW ARE YOU IMPLEMENTING THEM AND HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT
ASSESSING THAT? >> THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING ALL
OF THE QUESTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GET SOME
REST. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON THOSE ITEMS. THE FINAL ITEM -- WELL, WE HAVE THE TWO EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON THE LAST ITEM?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE DATE FOR WHEN WE CANVAS THE VOTE IS COMING UP QUICK.
I ASK YOUR OFFICE NOTIFY US SOON SO WE CAN GET -- MAKE
[06:40:06]
ARRANGEMENTS. IT IS DIFFICULT WHEN WE MAKE PLANS AND THEN WE GET A NOTICE OF OH YOU NEED TO SHOW UP TOMORROW. LET'S GET THAT DEAL REAL QUICK.>> LINA HIDALGO: I'LL TALK TO MY STAFF ABOUT IT.
THEY DID TEXT ME AND SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON IT.
I HEAR YOU. I WOULD ALSO LIKE NO KNOW WHEN I HAVE TO BE HERE. THERE IS ONE MORE ITEM THAT I WANT TO MENTION GIST BRIEFLY AND IT IS ITEM 261.
IT IS A SMALL, BUT IMPORTANT STEP WE ARE TAKING TO KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE. DURING THE WINTER STORM IF YOU RECALL FIRST RESPONDERS RESPONDED TO HUNDREDS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CALLS.
IN ONE CASE A FAMILY OF SIX ADULTS, A FIVE-MONTH-OLD AND TWO MOREL WERE HOSPITALIZED AFTER BRINGING GAS GENERATORS INDOORS IN AN APARTMENT. THERE WILL BE A SIMILAR SITUATION EVEN WHEN THERE IS NOT A WINTER STORM.
ANYTIME PEOPLE BRING IN OUTDOOR APPLIANCES THERE COULD BE THIS THREAT. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE IN LIGHT OF THE WINTER STORM AND YOU ALL HAVE HAD THIS QUESTION ASKED AS WELL.
SO MUCH IS OUT OF OUR HANDS. IT IS AT THE STATE LEVEL.
THIS IS ONE PIECE. THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL CANNOT REGULATE CARBON MONOXIDE MONITORS IN SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, THEY CAN DO SO FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING AND SCHOOLS AND WHERE WE CAN SEE THIS ISSUE IN APARTMENTS.
RIGHT NOW THE FIRE CODE REQUIRES CARBON MONOXIDE DETENTION IN UH PAR MENTS THAT ONLY HAVE -- APARTMENTS WITH GAS APPLIANCES. OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE BRINGING GAS APPLIANCES INSIDE WERE THE ISSUE.
THIS IS AN ITEM THAT THE FIRE MARSHAL HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ON.
I AM THRILLED ABOUT IT AND I STILL THINK THAT WE SHOULD LOOK INTO IT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I AM ASKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COVER SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES WITH OUR FIRE CODE AND NOT JUST MULTI-FAMILY CODES. THAT WILL KEEP PEOPLE SAFER IN OUR COUNTY. RIGHT NOW THE BUILDERS CAN SIMPLY USE A BROADER FIRE CODE THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE CARBON MONOXIDE STANDARD. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS AND I AM
VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, YOU JUST JOGGED A MEMORY. I JUST GOT A CALL FROM A SENIOR CITIZEN THAT SPENT 3,000 GETTING HIS HOME FIXED.
I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE STILL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HEM REIMBURSE PEOPLE ON FIXED NMS. FIXED INCOMES. HE HAS THE RECEIPTS FROM THE DAMAGES. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND A GOOD PLACE TO KNOW THAT. I AM NOT SURE WHO MIGHT KNOW.
IF YOU CAN LET ME KNOW AND I CAN TELL THE COMMUNITY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULDN'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, COMMISSIONER, BUT I WILL HAVE MY TEAM CIRCLE BACK.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF THERE ARE ANY SAY THE RESOURCES STILL AVAILABLE. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY, BUT
IF THERE IS -- >> TOM RAMSEY: I WAS OUT AND MEETING WITH THE FOLKS AND TOURED AND WALKED THROUGH AND Y'ALL HAVE BEEN OUT THERE. THEY ARE WILLING TO DONATE LARGE NUMBERS OF HEATING UNITS AND AIR CONDITIONING UNITS.
IF WE IDENTIFY A NEED, THEY WILL PROVIDE THEM.
THAT'S ACROSS THE COUNTY. THAT'S NOT JUST IN ANY ONE AREA. IF YOU HAVE NEEDS FOR THAT, LET US KNOW. THEY ARE WILLING TO HELP.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT MAY EVEN BE PART OF THAT -- PART OF WHAT FOLKS DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR AIR CONDITIONERS SO MAYBE WE CAN GET SOME DONATED. GREAT.
IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A
SECOND? >> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS NOT HERE.
>> WE CAN VOTE WHEN WE COP BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE WERE JUST VOTING ON THIS CARBON MONOXIDE MONITOR ITEM FOR THE MULTI-FAMILY UNITS.
WE WERE ASKING FOR A MOTION WHICH COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT'S IT FOR OUR REGULAR
[Executive Session]
AGENDA ITEMS. NOW WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON TWO ITEMS, 246 AND 254.THAT'S ON TEXDOT AND THE JAIL LITIGATION TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS AND WE W
[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]
[06:45:15]
>> WE WILL RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRE CODE.
THAT WAS THE MOTION. I HADN'T VOTED ON BEFORE.
MOTIONED BY ANYTHINGSER ELLIS AND -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
ANYTHING ELSE FOR YOU OR TIFFANY?
>> JUST ITEMS 246 AND 254. >> NO ACTION ON EITHER ITEM.
>> ALL RIGHT. JAY IS READY FOR HIS BAG.
TTS 8:21
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.