Jan 04, 2022 Commissioners Court

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, FATHER.

THANK YOU FOR COMING BY. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER TO

START THE NEW YEAR OFF. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I CAN ADD ONE EXTRA THING ABOUT THE FATHER.

OUR CHURCHES AFTER HARVEY DID A LOT OF WORK AND ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK.

THEY MINISTERED TO ME PERSONALLY BECAUSE PART OF MY LIBRARY THAT HAD A TREASURED VOLUME OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE

LITTER. >> HAD -- THE DIVINE LITERGY WAS LOST. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU GEE ON THE BOOKSHELF AND HE REPLACED MY ST. JOHN'S LITTER GEE. I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL.

WHEN THEY ADMINISTER TO FEEDING AND PROVIDING THINGS,

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THEY ALSO ADMINISTER TO THE WOUNDS OF THE MIND.

THAT WAS A HEALING FOR ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, FATHER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S RECITE KT -- 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 , UNDO VISIBLE -- UNDO VISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE TO THEE, TEXAS ONE STATE UNDERGOD, ONE UNDIVISIBLE.

>> I HOPE FOLKS HAD A RESTFUL HOLIDAY AND WHICH EVERYBODY HAD A WONDERFUL 2022, FULL OF BLESSINGS.

IT IS GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY BACK.

[Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

WE HAVE SIX RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING. THE FIRST ONE IS UNDER MY AGENDA AND THAT IS DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 5TH AS CERT RODEO DAY. THE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM, CERT, ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5TH, 2022, CERT RODEO WILL DRAW TEAMS FROM ACROSS TEXAS WHERE THEY WILL COMPETE IN PRACTICE EXERCISES DESIGNED TO ENHANCE MEMBERS' LIFE SAVING SKILLS OF MEDICAL PROCEDURES, TRIAGE.

THEIR ORGANIZATION WILL BE EVALUATED AND SCORED BY PROFESSIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS.

THROUGH CERT, A COMPONENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CITIZEN CORP THEY CAN HELP THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM AND TRAINING THAT CONSISTS OF AN EIGHT-WEEK DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COURSE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS. CITIZEN CORE PARTNERS ARE THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, CATHOLIC CHARITIES INTER FAITH MINISTRIES AND ROTARY CLUBS. ALL OF THEM HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING THE 15TH ANNUAL HARRIS COUNTY CERT RODEO POSSIBLE. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY DESIGNATES SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5TH, 2022 AS THE 15TH ANNUAL CERT RODEO DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND ASKS RESIDENTS TO PREPARE AND TRAIN TODAY WITH THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM PROGRAM.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE -- WE MAY HAVE MARK SLOAN, THE EMERGENCY COORDINATOR ON THE LINE TO SPEAK OF THE RESOLUTION.

>> I AM THE COORDINATOR FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, HAPPY NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION ON THE CERT PROGRAM.

IT SEEMS THAT IN JULY OF 2003 OUR FIRST CERT TEAM GRADUATED FROM PONDEROSA FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TODAY THERE ARE OVER 45,000 WHO COMPLETED THE TRAINING FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND OUR ADULT PROGRAMS. WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO HOST OUR 15TH CERT RODEO WHICH HELPS RESIDENTS BE PREPARED FOR THE VARIOUS EMERGENCIES THAT EXIST IN THIS PART OF TEXAS.

THEY LEARN TO TAKE CARE OF THEMENTZS AND PROTECT -- TEAR CARE OF THEMSELVES AND PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AS WE TURN TO A NEW YEAR, THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM HAS BEEN ACTIVATED, MARK, FOR HOW LONG AT THIS POINT?

>> WE HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED FOR COVID SINCE MARCH 2ND OF 2020. IT IS AN ON GOING PROCESS AND WE ARE HOPING WE CAN GEE TO A NEW STATE OF NORMAL -- WE CAN GET TO A NEW STATE OF NORMAL. AND THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT ALONG WITH THE WINTER WEATHER AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS DO HAPPEN TO US.

BUT WE ARE VERY GOOD AT IT. WE ARE ONE OF THE BEST PREPARED COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP, MARK. I WANT TO HONOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEW YEAR.

BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE WORK YOU ARE DOING, INCLUDING THIS, AND MAKING SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS PART OF THE FIRST RESPONSE TEAM. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

MARK, I WANT TO SEND MY APPRECIATION AND RESPECT AND GRATITUDE FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR THE WORK OF THE CITIZENS.

AS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY COUNCIL I WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE CERT TEAMS.

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ALWAYS VERY EXCITED AND JUST OVERWHELMED BY HOW MANY CITIZENS WE HAVE OUT IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE -- WHO ARE WILLING TO HELP THOSE IN EVERYONE'S MOST DIFFICULT TIME AND THEY WERE BORN OUT OF RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE ENGAGED ESPECIALLY AFTER THE ATTACKS OF 9/11 AND IT WAS ALSO -- THEY HAVE ALSO WORKED TO ADAPT AND IMPROVISE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES WHETHER IT IS A WINTER STORM OR A HURRICANE OR ANY OTHER PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCE, AND THEY GENERALLY THE SHERIFF WOULD HAVE CERT MEMBERS COME OUT AND WHEN OUR GUYS WERE HOLDING DOWN A CRIME SCENE AFTER A SHOOTING OR SOME HORRIFIC CRIME THE CERT TEAM MEMBERS WOULD COME OUT AND PROVIDE WATER AND SNACKS BECAUSE THE GUYS WOULD BE OUT THERE IN THE SUMMER.

ALL OF THE CERT TEAMS AROUND HARRIS COUNTY, THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

AGAIN, MARK, TO YOU AND TO YOUR TEAM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: MARK, TOM RAMSEY HERE.

APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR EFFORTS.

A QUICK STORY I WOULD TELL IS YOU RESPOND NO MATTER WHO CALLS. SO WHEN A SMALL CITY, AND THERE ARE 33 OF THEM IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND WHEN A SMALL CITY COMES WITH A CHEMICAL SPILL, THEY CALL ON A THURSDAY AND BY SUNDAY YOU HAD 90 VOLUNTEERS IN THE CREEK CLEANING IT UP.

I DON'T KNOW ANY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAS A BETTER RESPONSE EFFORT TEAM THAN WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR CERT.

LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SEE YOU AT

THE RODEO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MARK. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR

RESOLUTIONS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE, THANK YOU. I'VE GOT TWO OF THEM.

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH ONE THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR AND PERSONAL TO ME, AND I'LL JUST TELL YOU, JUDGE, THAT WE WALK THROUGH LIFE AND NEVER KNOW WHO WE'RE MEETING AND INTERACTING WITH AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE'RE BUILDING, BUT I'LL TELL YOU THAT MARY CHAMPION CLOSNER IS ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

WHATEVER WE HAVE WRITTEN ON THIS PROBLEM -- THIS RESOLUTION DOESN'T DO HER ANY JUSTICE.

I REMEMBER MEETING MARY, AND SHE WAS JUST A FIREBALL.

HENRY AND I AND OTHERS THROUGH THE LATINO PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION CAME TOGETHER AND MARY WAS LEADING WITH HER HEART AND GO OUT AND DO INCREDIBLE THINGS.

YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THAT SHE HAD A FULL TIME JOB BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WAS NEVER WITHOUT BECAUSE OF MARY.

IF THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING ON, MARY WAS THE ONE CRACKING THE WHIP AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND GETTING THINGS DONE. AND IF SOMETHING -- WE WANTED TO ORGANIZE AN EVENT OR A FUNDRAISER, THEN MARY WAS THE ONE MAKING SURE IT WOULD GET DONE AND DONE WELL.

SHE WAS RIGHT AT THE PERFECT CREASE BETWEEN BEHIND THE SCENES AND OUT IN FRONT. ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE NO MATTER WHOSE PROJECT IT WAS. NEVER CAN I REMEMBER MARY BEING CRITICAL OF ANYONE. SHE WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE BEST AND ALWAYS LOOKING TO BE SUPPORTIVE AND ENCOURAGING, MOTIVATING AND INSPIRING, OR AT LEAST THAT'S HOW I HAD ALWAYS HEARD YOUR WORDS TO ME.

AND SO, MARY, YOU HAVE BEEN A BIG, BIG PART OF MY LIFE.

THERE'S SO MANY CHILDREN THROUGH YOUR WORK AT JUVENILE PROBATION THAT HAVE BENEFITED FROM YOU.

YOU HAD A SPECIAL WAY OF CONNECTING WITH YOUR CLIENTS

[00:15:02]

AND YOU TOOK ON A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

YOU OPENED YOUR HEART AND YOUR HOME.

I THINK, LIKE ME, ON MANY OCCASIONS YOU GO FROM THAT SAYING THAT IF NOT BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THERE GO I.

AND SO YOU ALWAYS KNEW THAT THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO GO OUT AND DO MORE AND BE SUPPORTIVE. AND JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE LATINO COMMUNITY COULD NOT HAVE HAD A BETTER CHAMPION THAN MARY. ALWAYS LOOKING TO LIFT UP THOSE WHO WERE LOOKING TO SERVE REGARDLESS IN WHAT WAY.

ALWAYS LOOKING TO FIND THE BEST THE LATINO COMMUNITY WAS BRINGING FORTH AND SO 31 YEARS SHE HAS SERVED THIS COUNTY.

THE COUNTY IS MUCH BETTER BECAUSE OF YOU, MARY.

AND SO WE ARE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL.

NOW LET ME JUST MAKE SURE -- OH, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE FOUND THIS PICTURE. WE COULDN'T READ THE INSCRIPTION, BUT MAYBE YOU WILL REMEMBER THIS, MARY.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE IT FROM HERE.

I THINK SHE STARTED WORKING FOR THE COUNTY WHEN WE FOUND HER ON THE DOORSTEPS OF THE JUVENILE PROBATION BUILDING.

MARY, LIKE MANY, HAS ROOTS IN HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS SHE WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE TWO COLLEGE DEGREES AND STILL DEDICATE HER LIFE THROUGH HER WORK AT JUVENILE PROBATION.

IT READS, WHEREAS FOR OVER 30 YEARS MS. MARY CHAMPION CLOSNER WORKED WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT.

HER FOCUS HAS BEEN HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE REDIRECT THEIR LIVES TOWARD PRODUCTIVE GOALS AND ACTIVITIES.

COLLEAGUES KNOW MARY'S MANTRA, A LIFE IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE. AND A LIFE WITHOUT GOALS IS A TERRIBLE WASTE OF TIME. THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

BORN INNED DEN -- INNED DENBURG, TEXAS AND GRADUATING FROM EDCOUCH ELSA HIGH SCHOOL, SHE WORKED SEVERAL JOBS BEFORE ENROLLING IN COLLEGE COURSES. SHE PERSEVERED AND EARNED A BACHELOR OF ART IN PSYCHOLOGY AND A MASTER OF ART IN CLINICAL SOCIOLOGY FROM TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS MARY HAS BEEN A PILLAR -- A PILLAR OF SUPPORT FOR THE YOUTH OF HARRIS COUNTY, SHE AFFECTIONATELY CALLED EVERY YOUTH HER CHILD. HER EFFORTS WERE BOOSTED BY DEVELOPING CONNECTIONS WITH PARENTS AND BY FORMING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. AND WHEREAS A DEDICATED -- AND MAN DEDICATED DOESN'T DO IT JUSTICE.

A DEDICATED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, MARY HAS SERVED AS PAST PRESIDENT AND ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR OF HISPANIC WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE, PAST PRESIDENT OF BLUE LIGHT COUNCIL 18 AND PAST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE LATINO PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, LIFETIME BOARD MEMBER OF NATIONAL HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION AND OTHER NONPROFIT BOARDS. WHEREAS MS. CLOSNER RECEIVED AWARDS FOR HER ACTIONS AS ROLE MODEL, SHE RECEIVED THE KEY -- THAT'S WHAT THAT PICTURE IS. SHE IS RECEIVING THE KEY TO THE CITY EARLY IN HER CAREER. SHE ALSO RECEIVED THE HISPANIC EXCELLENCE AWARD AND NAMED THE LEAD OF THE UNITED AMERICAN CITIZENS WOMAN OF THE YEAR, INDUCTED INTO THE HISPANIC WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP HALL OF FAME.

SHE WAS ALSO NAMED OFFICER OF THE YEAR BY THE LATINO PEACE

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OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND RECEIVED THE NATIONAL HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD.

HER MOST RECENT CONTRIBUTION IS TO THE TEJANO CENTER.

WHILE SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HER DAUGHTER AND VOLUNTEER WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

MARY, I'M JUST SO HONORED. I REGRET THAT I HAVE THE HONOR TO BE IN THIS CHAIR TO SEE YOUR RETIREMENT, BUT I AM HONORED TO BE ABLE TO READ SOME OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

IT IS JUST A FEW OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

MY HEART IS A LITTLE HEAVY RIGHT NOW.

I WAS TELLING HENRY, I THINK THE DEPARTMENT WILL FALL APART WITHOUT MARY THERE. LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY COMMANDS MS. MARY CHAMPION CLOSNER ON YOUR WORK, YOUR CAREER AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WE WISH YOU THE HAPPIEST AND BEST RETIREMENT.

CONGRATULATIONS. PLEASE.

AND TELL US ABOUT THAT PICTURE.

>> I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT. >> WHO WAS THE GENTLEMAN

STANDING NEXT TO YOU? >> THAT IS BILL GUTIERREZ.

>> WOW. >> AND THAT WAS DURING THE -- THAT WAS IN THE 70S. I DIDN'T KNOW THE KEY, WHAT WOULD THIS OPEN? READY TO OPEN.

I WANT TO THANK YOU SO, SO VERY MUCH.

TOO, I WANT TO MENTION AND ACKNOWLEDGE TWO GREAT MEN.

I AM BI-LINGUAL AND BI-CULTURAL AND BY MYSELF.

AND I AM NOW RETIRED. I BETTER NOT SAY THAT.

TWO GREAT MEN I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THAT IS MR. GARCIA, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I LEARNED A LOT FROM JOINING THE ORGANIZATION, THE LATINO PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND THE CHIEF, HENRY GONZALEZ AND MR. GONZALEZ TOOK ME UNDER HIS WING AND MY FIRST ASSIGNMENT COMING FROM THE VALLEY, I

DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WARDS WERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: KEEP GOING.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WARDS WERE.

MY FIRST ASSIGNMENT IS THE FIFTH WARD.

I COME FROM THE VALLEY WHERE YOU HAVE TO CROSS A BRIDGE TO GET TO MEXICO. I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT HOUSTON OR THE WARDS. THEY SAID, THE FIFTH WARD, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS? I SAID, NO.

I MET MR. GONZALEZ. HE WAS ALSO A PROBATION OFFICER WHO IS NOW THE CURRENT CHIEF OF JUVENILE PROBATION.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I LEARNED A LOT.

THEY KIND OF GUIDED ME AND I LOOKED FORWARD TO MEETING STU.

I JOINED THE TWO GREAT MEN IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I AM BI-LINGUAL, BI-CULTURAL AND BY MYSELF, NEVER MARRIED.

I HAVE THREE FOSTER DAUGHTERS AND THAT WAS MY FAMILY.

COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART.

I MET YOU MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.

SO CLOSE. AID BEAUTIFUL.

>> YOU -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEAUTIFUL.

>> YOU KNOW HOW THAT IS. AND MS. VALLENZUELA.

I DIDN'T SEE HER FOR MANY YEARS UNTIL I CAME IN HERE AND THIS IS WONDERFUL. GOD BLESS EVERYONE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I PLAN TO CONTINUE EAST END.

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT EAST END.

I LOVE THE EAST END. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I CAN AND WHERE I AM NEEDED. AND I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MS. BARNES. SHE IS A PRINCIPAL AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM WHERE I WAS A PROBATION OFFICER FOR THE FEMALES.

THAT WAS ALSO A VERY GREAT EXPERIENCE, AND I ENJOYED WORKING IN THE SCHOOL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOD BLESS YOU. HAVE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[00:25:08]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, MARY.

SO, SO PROUD OF YOU. >> THIS IS MARY KAY.

73 AND THIS IS MARY KAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HENRY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS?

>> YES, THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT IS TRUE THAT IT IS WITH MIXED EMOTIONS I COME TO CELEBRATE THE RETIREMENT OF MARY CLOSNER.

I HAVE KNOWN MARY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE JOB WHEN WE PARTNERED COVERING THE FIFTH, SECOND WARDS AND THE JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICERS. MARY WILL TELL YOU THAT I TAUGHT HER HOW TO BE A PROBATION OFFICER.

I SERVED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH HER, BUT I CANNOT TAKE CREDIT FOR THE ATTRIBUTES THAT MADE MARY A GREAT JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER.

MARY'S COMPASSION WAS EVIDENT WORKING WITH KIDS AND FAMILIES. ALWAYS SHOWING CONCERN WITHOUT JUDGMENT AND EM PAW THATY IS A -- EMPATHY IS A TRAIT THAT LET HER HELP WITH THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS.

HER DEMEANOR PROVIDED THE SUPPORT, CONFIDENCE AND THE HOPE NEEDED TO GET THROUGH TOUGH TIMES.

MARY'S STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT ALWAYS MEANT SHE WAS GOING TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE SHE WORKED WITH. IT IS WITH THESE QUALITIES THAT MARY HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MARY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, HENRY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AS WELL. I'LL TELL YOU THAT YOU MAY HAVE TAUGHT HER HOW TO BE A PROBATION OFFICER, BUT I THINK MARY HAS TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE A COMMISSIONER AND MAYBE CONTRIBUTED TO YOU BEING THE --

>> SHE DEFINITELY HAS. I LEARNED MORE FROM MARY THAN

SHE EVER LEARNED FROM ME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AMEN.

CONGRATULATIONS. I HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION, JUDGE THE. JUDGE.

THIS ONE IS A LITTLE HEAVY TO START THE NEW YEAR WITH, BUT I WANT TO THANK A MEMBER OF MY TEAM FOR MAKING ME AWARE OF THIS. CHRIS SALDONA, ON MY TEAM, THE CAPITAL PROGRAM MANAGER, REACHED OUT AND MENTIONED THAT COMMANDER BOURGEOIS PASSED AWAY, UNFORTUNATELY ON DECEMBER 7TH. COMMANDER BOURGEOIS IS A MEMBER OF THE ELITE NAVY SEALS.

THEY WENT TO THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL.

DIDN'T KNOW HIM, BUT HE KNEW OF HIS DEATH AND FELT COMPELLED TO REACH OUT TO ME AND TO MAKE ME AWARE OF THIS.

I TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD JUST BE HONORED TO PRESENT A RESOLUTION ON HIS BEHALF. THIS COMMANDER IS ACTUALLY A PRODUCT OF KATY, TEXAS. LET ME READ THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT JUST HIGHLIGHTS HIS WORK, AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF ALL OF OUR LEADERS WHETHER THEY ARE PROBATION OFFICERS, WHETHER THEY ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OR WHETHER THEY ARE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS THAT JUST HAVE A PASSION TO SERVE AT THE GREATEST LEVELS AND DO IT WITH EXEMPLARY FASHION. IN THIS CASE WE HAVE A HARRIS COUNTY PRODUCT WHO WENT ON TO SERVE OUR NATION'S FINEST AS A MEMBER OF THE NAVY SEALS. WHEREAS COMMANDER BRIAN MICHAEL BOURGEOIS PASSED AWAY ON DECEMBER 7TH OF LAST YEAR AFTER SUCCUMBING TO INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING A TRAINING EXERCISE IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH HE WAS SERVING AS THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF SE EERKS L TEAM -- SEAL TEAM 8.

FROM LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA, BOURGEOIS MOVED TO TEXAS AND GRADUATED FROM TEXAS. HE GREW UP HUNTING AND FISHING AND A STANDOUT ATHLETE ON THE FOOTBALL TEAMS AND BASEBALL TEAMS. HIGH HAD A DESIRE TO SERVE AND A PASSION TO LEAD AND A TERMINATION -- DETERMINATION THAT DROVE HIM TO THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY.

UPON GRADUATION AND COMMISSIONING IN 2001, BRIAN WAS SELECTED AS A SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER WHERE HE SERVED FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

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HE WENT ON TO EARN HIS MASTER'S DEGREE IN DEFENSE ANALYSIS FROM THE NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL AND RECEIVED THE PAT TILLMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR HIS CLASS. EXERCISE ADD COMMANDER BOURGEOIS WAS KNOWN FOR HIS GRIT AND DETERMINATION AND EASY PERSONALITY AND ALWAYS A LEADER, BOURG, AS THEY CALLED HIM, SHOWED CARE AND CONCERN AND HELPED WHEN NEEDED.

HE SERVED OTHERS AND ENGAGED MEANINGFULLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS BRIAN'S PRIDE AND JOY WAS HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN, HE SPENT EVERY POSSIBLE MOMENT WITH HIS CHILDREN WHETHER IT WAS CHEERING AT SOCCER, BASEBALL, VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENTS OR HELPING WITH HOMEWORK, HE REMAINED A CONSTANT SOURCE OF STRENGTH IN THEIR LIVES AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE A REGULAR PRESENCE DESPITE THE HIGH OPERATIONAL TEMPO OF HIS PROFESSION.

BRIAN WAS IMMENSELY PROUD OF HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN AND NEVER MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THEM.

WHEREAS BRIAN IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, MEGAN AND FIVE CHILDREN, PARENTS AND EXTENDED FAMILY, HE WILL BE LAID TO REST AT THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY CEMETERY IN ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY HONORS THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF COMMANDER BRINE MICHAEL BOURGEOIS FOR HIS SACRIFICE AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY, THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES OF MESHING. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR BRINGING THIS AND A BIG DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR HIM AND ALL OF HIS FAMILY ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL ADMIT THAT NO ONE IS BIGGER FAN OF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL THAN I AM.

GROWING UP IN CROCKETT, TEXAS AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT IS, BUT I CAN STILL CALL MY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH AND MY LINE COACH. I HAVE AN OFFENSIVE LIENMAN HERE, GENE HAMPTON. AND JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO RECOGNIZE AN OUTSTANDING, AMAZING FOOTBALL TEAM THAT IS MADE UP OF INDIVIDUALS.

Y'ALL KNOW THE MOMENT YOU ARE IN THAT 60 YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL REMEMBER MANY THINGS OF YOUR LIFE.

THIS IS ONE OF THEM THAT YOU WILL LOOK BACK WITH GREAT, GREAT MEMORY. WE ARE SO PROUD OF THE KATY PAETOW PANTHERS FOR WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP A FEW WEEKS AGO. THAT'S MY FAVORITE THREE DAYS. I GET ON THE COUCH FROM THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND YOU'RE WATCHING SIX-MAN FOOTBALL TO 5A TO 6A. LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE'LL INVITE THE COACH AND I THINK WE HAVE THE PRINCIPAL HERE AS WELL. WHEREAS ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17TH, 2021, THE KATY PAETOW PANTHERS WON THE TEXAS 5A DIVISION 1 STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A 27-24 OVERTIME WIN OVER COLLEGE STATION.

THE PAETOW PANTHERS' FIFTH FOOTBALL SEASON WITH HIGH HOPES. COACH PREPARED THE PANTHERS WITH THE MOTTO, THE STANDARD IS EXCELLENCE.

WHEREAS THE PANTHERS WON 10 OF THE REGULAR SEASON GAMES AND QUALIFYING THEM FOR THE PLAYOFFS AND AFTER FOUR PLAYOFF VICTORIES, THE PANTHERS FOUND THEMSELVES FACED OFF AGAINST THE UNDEFEATED COLLEGE STATION COUGARS ON THE STATE FINAL IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS.

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS JERRY'S WORLD.

WHEREAS AFTER 60 MINUTES OF HEATED COMPETITION, THE TEAMS WERE EVENLY MATCHED AND CLEG STATION TOOK THE LEAD IN

OVERTIME AND THEN RUNNING BACK. >> CON -- THEN RUNNING BACK JACOB BROWN FOUND HAD END ZONE AND GAVE THE PANTHERS A FIRST STATE TITLE. WHERE BROWN WAS AWARDED OFFENSIVE MVP FOR HIS EFFORTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BALL, THE PANTHERS' SENIOR DEFENSIVE BACK KENDRA WEBB WON DEFENSIVE MVP HONORS AFTER FINISHING THE GAME WITH 9 TACKLES AND A GAME DECIDED INTER -- INTERCEPTION.

WITH THE EFFORTS OF THESE MEN THE TEAM AROUND THEM SLNS -- EXCELLENCE IS THEIR STANDARD. BE IT RESOLVED THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT CELEBRATES THE PAETOW PANTHERS ON THEIR TEXAS 5A DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP.

[00:35:02]

WELL DONE. COACH, WHY DON'T YOU COME AND UNIT -- AND INTRODUCE THE FOLKS WITH YOU.

EVERYBODY COME UP. EVERYBODY IS GONNA GET TO SAY A WORD. BY THE WAY, I HAVE MY PAETOW PANTHER TIE ON AND I UNDERSTAND IT PRETTY WELL

MATCHES THE COLORS. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE RECOGNIZED AND THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE OUR GROUP ON OUR ACCOMPLISHMENT. WE ARE VERY THANKFUL AND BLESSED. YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT INTO MAKING THIS HAPPEN.

WE CAN'T BRING EVERYBODY HERE, BUT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF OUR ADMINISTRATION AND OUR PRINCIPALS HERE AND OUR CAPTAINS AND SENIOR LEADERS WEBB, DUMAS AND JAMES BAILEY AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS RECOGNITION. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE HERE.

THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

CONGRATULATIONS, COACH. >> TOM RAMSEY: WELL DONE.

THESE ARE ALL SENIORS, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR. >> TOM RAMSEY: YOU HAVE SOME GOOD GUYS COMING UP BEHIND THEM? IS THAT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING.

>> YES, SIR. WE ESTABLISHED A GOOD PROGRAM. WITH GOOD PROGRAMS WE HAVE CONTINUED SUCCESS AND THAT'S OUR PLAN.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE ARE ALL EQUALLY REPRESENTED.

I THINK UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WE COULD HAVE CONVERSATION AND RICE AND TEXAS A AND M. WE COULD HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE NEXT LEVEL, BUT SO PROUD OF Y'ALL.

WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT TOOK TO DO THAT AND THE DISCIPLINE THAT IS THERE. JUST TO WATCH -- I WATCHED THE WHOLE GAME. TO SEE -- UNFORTUNATELY THEY DON'T SHOW EVERYTHING AT HALF TIME, BUT TO SEE THE NUMBER OF FOLKS INVOLVED FROM THE BAND TO THE CHEER SQUAD TO THE STUDENTS, THERE IS NOTHING THAT GENERATES A MORE POSITIVE COMMUNITY FEEL THAN WHAT HAPPENS THERE ON A FRIDAY NIGHT. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> THANK Y'ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM A PROUD GRADUATE FROM KATY ISD SO I AM BEAMING WITH PRIDE AND A GREAT GIFT FOR THE NEW YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, COACH, AND TO THE STUDENTS. YOU GUYS ARE LEADERS ALREADY.

GREAT ACHIEVERS. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL DO GOING FORWARD. WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF YOU AND ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY AND SOME OF YOU FORT BEND, BUT CONGRATULATIONS. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU.

>> COACH, I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT ONE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN.

BEING AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, USUALLY WE GET LEFT AT HOME.

GOOD YOU BROUGHT THAT. WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> WHEN YOUR HEAD COACH IS AN O-LINE GUY HIMSELF, YOU DO

THAT. >> THANK YOU.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COACH, LET ME SHARE WITH YOU A LITTLE -- COACH? LET ME SHARE MY 10 SECONDS OF GLORY.

COACH BILL YOLAND WAS OUT AT MY SCHOOL LOOKING TO RECRUIT OUR QUARTERBACK, DARRELL CLARK.

DARRELL WAS JUST A PHENOMENAL ATHLETE.

HE WAS ALL-AROUND JUST BASEBALL, TRACK, FOOTBALL, PLAYED BOTH ENDS OF THE FIELD.

WHILE HE WAS LOOKING AT DARRELL, MY COACH ASKED, WELL ANYBODY ELSE YOU WANT TO LOOK AT? HE SAID LET ME LOOK AT NUMBER 52.

SO THEY CALLED FOR ME. I PLAYED LINEBACKER.

SO HE COME -- I COME IN THERE AND HE SAYS THIS IS COACH AND HE HAS HIS CLIP BOARD. YOU'RE 52? I SAID YES, SIR. HE SAID I THOUGHT -- THANK YOU, SON. I WILL GO AND CHANGE.

I WILL RUN DRILLS. HE SAYS, NO, SON.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT. WELL, YOU LOOK GOOD ON FILM.

HE GOES, BUT YOUR 40 IS TOO SLOW.

I SAID I'LL WORK HARD. HE SAYS, WELL, YOU'RE TOO SHORT. WELL I'LL WORK AT IT.

WELL, SON, YOU ARE ALSO A LITTLE LIGHT IN THE YOU KNOW WHAT. HE SAID THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THAT WAS MY 10 SECONDS OF GLORY.

>> DID YOU TELL HIM YOU HAVE A BIG HEART.

>> I DID. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP OF THESE YOUNG MEN. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT EVERY COACH IN MY LIFE THAT I EVER PLAYED FOR, I I CAN STILL REMEMBER THEM AND I REMEMBER THEIR WORDS AND THEIR INSPIRATION AND WORKING OUT IN THE HOT OF THE SUMMER WAS JUST

[00:40:08]

PART OF GROWING UP. AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID, THESE EXPERIENCES ARE GOING TO CARRY YOU THROUGH LIFE.

LIFE ISN'T EASY AND IT IS NOT ALWAYS FUN, BUT A GOOD FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE AND AN INCREDIBLE WIN LIKE YOU'VE HAD WILL HELP YOU SEE A LOT OF THE VARIOUS CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND WILL HELP YOU MAKE SOME WISE DECISIONS.

WE WISH YOU THE BEST. >> TOM RAMSEY: COACH, DID

Y'ALL WIN DISTRICT? >> WE DID.

IT WAS ACTUALLY A TRI-CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YOU DIDN'T GO UNDEFEATED?

>> WE LOST ONE. WE WERE TRI-CHAMPS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WELL DONE. >> THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATION. >> TOM RAMSEY: GOT ANOTHER ONE HERE. WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE I THINK SOMEONE -- A GROUP THAT WE TALK A LOT ABOUT, BUT IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO PAUSE AND PARTICULARLY THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO HAVE A WORD ABOUT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

LET ME GET INTO THE RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS EACH YEAR ON JANUARY 9TH WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATE -- APPRECIATION DAY TO HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYS THOUSANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND WORKING NOW -- FOR THE SHERIFF AND THE PATROL. THE CONSTABLES WHO WE DEPEND AND OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE STAFF AND THE FIRE MARSHAL AND OTHERS. WHEREAS IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL ATTACKS ON OFFICERS FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CONSTABLES MOST NOTABLY THE DEATH OF DEPUTY KAREEM ATKINS IN OCTOBER OF 2021.

WHEREAS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET THE COUNTY HAS , THE BRAVERY OF THOSE WHO SERVE SHOULD BE HONORED FOR THEY ARE OUR PROTECTORS AND ENDURE THINGS THAT THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SERVED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD NOT FATHOM. WHEREAS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS GO TO A JOB WHERE THREATS OF VIOLENCE ARE A DAILY OCCURRENCE AND LOSS OF LIFE IS AN OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD, THEY SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BY ALL FOR THEIR COURAGE. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CELEBRATES NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE CALLING IN AT LEAST.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM. FIRST IS RAY HUNT FROM THE POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AS DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER'S UNION AND A POLICE OFFICER FOR THREE DECADES WE WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR ACKNOWLEDGING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION. THIS RESOLUTION IS REALLY APPRECIATED ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN MORALE IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW. IT IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT NEW OFFICERS DUE TO THE DAILY SECOND GUESSING AND SPLIT-SECOND DECISIONS OF OFFICERS BY THE MEDIA AND SOME WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A POLICE CAR.

HIGHLY RESPECT BRIAN WRIGHT'S STATEMENT THAT OFFICERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE PERFECT ON THE FIRST DAY AS A POLICE OFFICER AND TO IMPROVE EACH DAY FORWARD.

THIS IS SAD LEA TRUE SINCE WE ALL KNOW -- SADLY KNOW THIS IS TRUE AND EXPECTED. WE THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN IN LAWEN -- AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, RAY. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS CONSTABLE MARK HERMAN, PRECINCT 4.

>> GOIRNG. HAPPY NEW -- GOOD MORNING, HAPPY NEW YEAR. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CON -- CONSISTENCY AND MESSAGING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND NOT JUST TODAY, BUT SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONER. THIS RESOLUTION IS MUCH APPRECIATED BY ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE WHAT RAY HUNT SAID, IN A DAY WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS DEMONIZED BY MANY AND BY MEDIA BECAUSE OF A BAD BATCH OF OFFICERS. I CAN TELL YOU 100% CERTAINTY THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS 99.9% GOOD COPS.

THEY DO MANY GOOD THINGS ON A DAILY BASIS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND MAKE HARRIS COUNTY WHAT IT IS. ALL OF OUR CITIZENS ARE BEHIND US AND THEY DO SUPPORT US. EACH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY HAS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. I MYSELF IN PRECINCT FOUR HAVE 500,000 FOLLOWERS. PEOPLE DON'T FOLLOW YOU IF THEY DON'T LIKE YOUR AGENCY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WANT TO

[00:45:04]

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR DOING THIS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I CAN TELL YOU A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE ARE LISTENING --

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, CONSTABLE.

>> THANK YOU, MARK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MARK, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE GREAT WORK OF THE FOLKS IN THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE FOR DAY IN AND DAY OUT STANDING IN THE

GAP. >> YES, SIR.

THANK Y'ALL. GYRE NEXT IS --

>> NEXT IS HEINZ MARTICHEK. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.

HONORABLE JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM WITH THE COMBINED LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS OF TEXAS. I AM HERE FOR HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY CONSTABLE ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS THE CLEET HARRIS COUNTY WHICH IS THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU. DEPUTIES, CONSTABLES AND DETENTION OFFICERS, ANYONE INVOLVED IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND FIRST RESPONDERS. WE UH PRIESH EAT -- WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. THE COUNTY HAS MANY CHALLENGES REGARDING TRULY ADEQUATE STAFFING OF THE AGENCIES.

I RECENTLY STATED FOR PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS IT HAS BEEN A KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD KIND OF A PROBLEM.

I HOPE YOU DON'T FOLLOW THAT PATTERN IN THE FUTURE.

I HOPE WHEN THE SHERIFF AND THE CONSTABLES COME YOU WILL FIND THE MEANS TO PROVIDE THEM WHAT THEY NEED TO ADEQUATELY DELIVER LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WHOM

THEY HAVE SWORN TO PROTECT. >> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING WITH ALL OF YOU IN THE FUTURE REGARDING THE DECISIONS. LET'S HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR AND STAY SAFE. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, MARK.

>> THOSE RAWLT SPEAKERS -- THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH FOR THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, TIFFANY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS ONE MORE ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I CAN JUST SPEAK ON THE PREVIOUS RESOLUTION. COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD.

I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT FOR SOME REASON I WAS REFLECTING A LOT AND SOME MEMORIES I WAS HAVING, MAYBE I WOULD BE RECOGNIZING SOMEBODY LIKE MARY TODAY, BUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY. YEARS BACK, WHEN I WAS WORKING PATROL, YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW PEOPLE. WE HAVE PUT SO MUCH ON THE SHOULDERS OF PATROLMEN, WE ARE ASKING THEM TO BE PSYCHOLOGISTS. WE ARE ASKING THEM FOR MARRIAGE COUNSELORS. WE ARE ASKING THEM TO BE EXPERTS IN EVERY DISCIPLINE OF SOCIETY AND LIFE, AND THEY ARE JUST -- AND WE TELL PEOPLE IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. AS A RESULT, IT IS NOT ALLOWED AND I THINK THE OFFICERS OF TODAY BUILD THE RELATIONSHIPS WE WANT THEM ALL TO HAVE. BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT IF YOU DO IT STRATEGICALLY, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THE POLICE EXPLORERS THAT I WAS PROUD TO USHER INTO THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO ARE NOW -- THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE, KIDS, WHO WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND NOW THEY ARE PATROLLING THE STREETS OF HARRIS COUNTY. I WAS HONORED TO HOST THEM THE OTHER NIGHT. I AM PROUD THEY QUONTED -- THEY CONTINUED TO SERVE AND THEY DID IT AT AN EARLY AGE.

IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE LOST SOMEONE IN THE LINE OF SERVICE.

THE MOST PAINFUL AND THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENT ANYBODY HAS, MARK WENT THROUGH AND SHERIFF GONZALEZ WENT THROUGH IT, BUT IT IS THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU GET THAT CALL THAT YOU NEVER WANT TO GET. AND THEN YOU HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO GO SPEAK TO A WIFE, A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND CHILDREN ABOUT THE SACRIFICE THAT THEIR LOVED ONE HAS MADE. AND SO FOR ALL OF THOSE VARIOUS EXPERIENCES AND IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE JOB AND I REMEMBER MY BROTHER PINNING MY BADGE ON ME WHEN I GRADUATED

[00:50:04]

THE ACADEMY. I REMEMBER MY FIRST ADDRESS TO A GRADUATING CLASS WHEN I WON MY ELECTION TO COUNCIL AND TO THE COMMAND OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, EVERY ONE OF THOSE EXPERIENCES HAD BEEN JUST THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE AND I AM PROUD OF EVERYBODY WHO WEARS A BADGE AND CARRIES A GUN AND RUNS TO EVERYTHING THAT MOST RUN FROM. GOD BLESS EVERYBODY.

HAPPY LAW ENFORCEMENT DAY. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> TOM RAMSEY: I HAVE ONE OTHER RESOLUTION AND THIS IS QUAILLY IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT -- THIS IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT.

LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION AND I WILL HAVE A REMARK OR TWO.

WHEREAS EACH YEAR ON JANUARY 11TH WE RECOGNIZE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS.

IT IS TO BRING TO LIGHT THE PLIGHT OF THOSE ENDURING THE SCURGE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PROMOTES NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY THROUGH THE WEAR BLUE DAY CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGING ALL TO WEAR BLUE TO BRING AWARENESS TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

WHEREAS, ACCORDING TO CRIMESTOPPERS AND UNITED AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING THERE ARE CURRENTLY NEARLY 80,000 SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN TEXAS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

ONE IN FOUR GIRLS AND ONE IN SIX BOYS WILL BE SEXUALLY EXPLOITED BEFORE THEY ARE 18 YEARS OLD.

WHEREAS HUMAN TRAFFICKING HAS BEEN ON THE RISE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND MOST NOTABLY SEX TRAFFICKING THE SOLICITATION OF MINORS ROSE AND THE TRACK WAS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH AND THAT WAS AN INITIATIVE THAT WE PUT FORTH IN THE COUNTY AND CITY. BUT ARRESTS ARE BEING MADE.

WHEREAS WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL, AND THEY AREN -- THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS THAT THE PURSUIT OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND HAPPINESS AND I DON'T THINK QUOTING OUR CONSTITUTION -- I THINK IT GIVES A SENSE OF PURPOSE. I THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS HAD IN MIND. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KINDS OF VICTIMS IN AMERICA. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE, AWHILE BACK, HAD HAD A RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED -- ACTUALLY IT WAS AN AGENDA ITEM BROUGHT BY PRECINCT 1.

AT THAT TIME WE HAD SOUGHT TO ALLOW SOME OF US IN THE OTHER PRECINCTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANTI-HIM TRAFFICKING ENDEAVOR -- HUMAN TRAFFICKING ENDEAVOR THROUGH THE NTZ.

AT THE TIME THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID WE COULDN'T DO THE ME TOO AND JOIN IN AT THAT TIME.

IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT AS OF YET THAT APPROVAL HAS NOT COME THROUGH. I JUST WANTED TO LET THE COURT KNOW THAT ON THE CUSP OF THIS RESOLUTION THAT I'M GOING TO BE BRINGING IN OUR NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT A MECHANISM THAT WILL ALLOW AT LEAST PRECINCT 4 TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANTI-TRAFFICKING PROGRAM.

THAT'S ONE OF THOSE PROMISES THAT WERE MADE THAT WE ARE GOING TO KEEP. I JUST WANTED TO -- ON THE CUSP OF THIS, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT -- BECAUSE WE HAD -- I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I BOTH SAID WE WERE GOING TO MATCH WHAT WAS IN THE OTHER PROGRAM.

WE WEREN'T ALLOWED TO DO SO ON THAT DAY.

I EVEN THINK THE JUDGE'S OFFICE PONDERED WHETHER THEY WERE NOT. THEY WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE THE FUNDING TO COMBAT THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ESPECIALLY AS IT OCCURS WITH REGARD TO OUR SPORTING FACILITIES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. JAKE JACK AND THANK YOU FOR

THE RESOLUTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ARE ALL

OF THE RESOLUTIONS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE HAVE

ONE MORE? >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SO SORRY. GO AHEAD.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MEMBERS OF COURT MAY OR MAY NOT REMEMBER ONCE UPON A TIME I DID A LITTLE LEGAL PRACTICE IN THE REALM OF CONSTITUTION LAW. THAT'S ONE OF THE LITTLE ASPECTS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO US TODAY THAT WE RECOGNIZE IN PRECINCT 4 THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY.

[00:55:02]

THAT RESOLUTION THAT WE ARE PUTTING FORWARD IS THAT ON JANUARY 16TH, 1786, THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTED THE BILL FOR ESTABLISHING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN VIRGINIA WHICH WAS AUTHORED BY THOMAS JEFFERSON.

THE SAME AUTHOR OF THE WORDS QUOTED IN THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESOLUTION FOR THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WITH REGARD TO THE LIFE, LIBERTY AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. WHEREAS THIS ACT BY VIRGINIA WAS THE INSURANCE SPROGS FOR THE GUARANTEE OF -- THE INSPIRATION FOR THE GUARANTEE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM THAT WE FOUND IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.

AND WHEREAS THE FOUNDING OF THE BRITISH COLONIES IN OUR NATION CAME FROM THOSE FLEEING PERSECUTION AND FROM OFTEN STATE CHURCH. THE CAGLES AND THE DENTZ, MY MOTHER'S FATHER, CAME TO ESCAPE PERSECUTION IN THEIR ORIGINAL COUNTRIES. THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHARED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

EVERY YEAR SINCE 1993 HAS WITNESSED THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HERALD JANUARY 15TH TO RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. AND GLOBALLY THE RIGHT TO RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IS REGRESSING WITH INCRIMINATION AND PERSECUTION AND GENOCIDE THAT PUTS A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY ON US TO UPHOLD THIS RIGHT.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE FEDERAL LEADERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL LEADERSHIPS IN PURSUING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR ALL PEOPLES AS WE COMMEMORATE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY ON JANUARY 16TH, 2022.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, FOR SUBMITTING THAT. IT ACTUALLY REMINDS ME THAT TODAY MEMBERS OF THE SIKH COMMUNITY CAN PRACTICE IN THEIR TURBINES AND ARTICLES OF FAITH.

ONE OF THE DISTRICT TOIRN -- DISTRICT ATTORNEYS LEAD ASSISTANT D.A. WAS MY GENERAL COUNSEL AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND HELPED CONSTRUCT WHAT WE CALLED THE RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY. NOW IT ALLOWS PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN UNIFORM, AND IT WAS -- AND JIM MATHSERFULLY -- MASTERFULLY VIEWED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AS A WAY TO CONSTRUCT THE POLICY.

IT TOOK AWAY -- IT TOOK AWHILE, BUT HE WAS PHENOMENAL IN GETTING IT DONE. IT BROUGHT OTHERS TO SERVE AND NOW FOLKS FROM ALL FAITHS CAN SERVE THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN REALLY NOW -- AND REALLY NOW ANY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION. NEW YORK HAS LOOKED TO GET OUR POLICY. VERY, VERY PROUD OF THAT.

THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU MENTIONED DEPUTY DAHLIWAHL. AND MY HEART FEELS HEAVY.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ANY OTHER RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE SOME PICTURES AND THEN WE'LL TAKE OUR SPEAKERS.

[01:04:18]

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MAY BE ON MUTE.

[Appearances before court]

OKAY. TIFFANY, DO YOU HAVE SPEAKERS

ON THE LINE? >> YES, MA'AM.

THE FIRST SPEAKER IS TAMARA HANSON AND SHE IS SPEAKING ON

135 UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S START HEARING FROM SOME SPEAKERS AND WE'LL TAKE A BREAK AT NOON.

THANK YOU, TIFFANY. GO AHEAD.

GO AHEAD. >> HELLO.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

I AM KASEY GRAY AND FROM WEST TEXAS.

I AM RUNNING FOR DISTRICT 81 FOR STATE REP.

[01:05:04]

JUST RANDOMLY WAS HERE AND HAD THE URGE TO SPEAK AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION ON BOURGEOIS AND I WAS RANDOMLY HERE. I WANT TO GIVE THAT THANKS WHO SERVE AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE WHEN ELECTED OFFICIALS VIOLATE THEIR OATH. THE OATH VIOLATIONS PUT OUR BRAVE BROTHERS ON THE LINE AND THEIR LIVES GET TAKEN EARLY BY THEIR FAMILIES. I AM GLAD I STOPPED BY TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE AND WHAT DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP LEADS TO. I WILL WORK TIRELESSLY TO ENSURE THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS IN MY WEST TEXAS COMMUNITY.

I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH USING TAXPAYER MONEY TO DEFEND CRIMINALS WHO HAVE VIOLATED THEIR OATH TO OFFICE AND I TRULY PRAY FOR HARRIS COUNTY THAT YOU GUYS GET THIS UNDER CONTROL. I'M JUST HERE AS A SPECTATOR SO ON THE SURFACE IT SEEMS BAD.

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

>> I HOPE FOR THE BEST. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> MARISSA HANSON SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 135 UNDER

COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU RAN UNDER TRANSPARENCY AND I WANT TO INFORM YOU THAT THIS WEEK THERE IS GOING TO BE AN ARTICLE COMING OUT WITH THE TRANSPARENCY OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING WITH OUR COVID RELIEF FUNDS AND ARPA FUNDS AND HOW YOU HAVE BEEN USING IT WITH OTHER VENTURES AND USING HOUSTON HAS YOUR LITTLE TESTING LAB.

WE KNOW ALL ABOUT YOU AND WE KNOW EVERYTHING AND IT IS GOING TO BE COMING OUT THIS WEEK.

I JUST WANT TO INFORM YOU THAT.

USING TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS FOR YOUR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IS NOT GOING TO BE TOLERATED. I PROMISE YOU THAT.

AND BY THIS WEEK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO KNOW WHO YOU REALLY ARE AND THERE IS GOING TO BE TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT GET TO ME. YOU REFUSE TO LISTEN TO YOUR OWN CONSTITUENTS. I JUST WANTED TO INFORM YOU OF

WHAT IS COMING THIS WEEK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAK ESH -- SPEAK SPEAKER NUMBER 11.

SPEAKING ON 138 UNDER JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM TONYA JOHNS AND I AM A JUDGE AND HERE IN MY OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE AND STATUTORY COURTS AT LAW AND ASKING IF YOU WILL RESPECTFULLY CONSIDER ALLOWING THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE TO REMAIN A PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL AS A VOTING MEMBER AND SERVE ALONGSIDE OUR PRESIDING JUDGE. WE SERVE THE STAKEHOLDERS AND AS A JUDGE ENGAGED IN GOING TO WORK DAILY AND COLLECTIVE VOICES ARE ESSENTIAL TO POLICY MAKING AND THE IMPLEMENTATION. REGARDLESS OF THE VOTE, I WILL REMAIN READY AND WILLING TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE CONTINUES TO BE PROGRESSIVE, HOLISTIC AND EFFICIENT IN OUR COUNTY.

THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO, AND COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

WHEN WE GET TO THAT ITEM I WILL ASK YOUR QUESTION.

I KNOW DAVE BERRY AND THE JAD FOLKS ARE LISTENING SO I WILL BE SURE TO COVER THAT WHEN WE GET TO ITEM 138.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 13.

MONIQUE JOSEPH SPEAKING ON 143 UNDER TRAVEL AND TRAINING.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MONIQUE JOSEPH AND A CLIENT ADVOCATE WITH RESTORING JUSTICE.

EVERY DAY WE WORK TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH CLIENTS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR DESIRES AND THE BARRIER THAT'S KEEP THEM FROM THRIVING.

ONCE WE HAVE UNDERSTANDING AND A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WE CAN THEN START JUMPING HOOPS AND NAVIGATING THE BARRIERS TOGETHER. THIS COURT IS DECIDING HOW TO DEAL WITH THE INFLUX OF MOTHER, FATHERS, SONS AND DAUGHTERS AND OUR NEIGHBORS IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.

THE CONTRACT WOULD ENSURE MORE ABUSE BY OVER LOADED ATTORNEYS AND LESS ACCESS TO FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SPORTS WHICH IS CRITICAL WHEN TRYING TO REBUILD LIFE AFTER INCARCERATION. I KNOW YOU MAY BE NERVOUS TO PUT YOUR NAME ON A POLICY THAT THE MEDIA CAN TWIST AND TURN AGAINST YOU AND BATTLE THE SAME TO END JIM CROWE AND LYNCHING AT A TIME WHEN STATES LOOK AT THE POLICIES LAWS KEPT US SAFE. EVERY DAY WE WORK HARD TO REDUCE INCARCERATION BY ADDRESSING REAL ISSUES AND NOW THIS COURT IS WORKING TO EXPAND INCARCERATION FOR THE

FACADE OF SAFETY AND JUSTICE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 14, MIKE LEE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPEAKING ON ITEM 238 UNDER TRANSMITALS.

[01:10:02]

WE MIGHT HAVE LOST HIM AND WE'LL TRY TO GET HIM BACK ON THE LINE. WE ARE MOVING ON.

MIKE LEE? OKAY.

SPEAKER NUMBER 15, STEVEN WILLIAMS OF THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT SPEAKING ON ITEM 238 UNDER TRANSMITS -- TRANSMITALS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.

I WANT TO COMMEND THE COUNCIL FOR DEDICATING RESOURCES TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE USING PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH ON BEHALF OF OUR RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE GRATEFUL AND EXCITED OF THE SELECTION FOR THE COMMUNITY INTERRUPTION PROGRAM.

OUR HOUSTON HEALTH PROGRAM IS LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTNERING TO CARRIED NATE THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. AND WE ARE EXCITED TO COLLABORATE WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO REP PLAW -- REPLICATE THE BEST STRATEGIES AND THE HEALTH ALLIANCE. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD PRELIMINARY MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH HARRIS COUNTY LEADERSHIP ON WHAT THESE WOULD LOOK LIKE ONCE LAUNCHED AND WE FULLY SUPPORT THE ITEMS DISCUSSED TODAY AT

COMMISSIONERS' COURT. >> THANK YOU.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 16, ALEC ION STEEN -- ALEC EINSTEIN SPEAKING ON 237 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THIS IS ALEC AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. I REALLY WANT TO APPLAUD THE COUNTY ON HAVING THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST TEXDOT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD SEE THE CONTINUE WEDNESDAY TO DO EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO FIGHT FOR A BETTER PROJECT ON THE NHHIP. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PROJECT NOTICE PLACEMENT WITH BETTER COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND ALL THAT. AGAIN, I DO THANK THE COUNTY FOR WORKING ON THIS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THEM RESUMING THIS LAWSUIT AND GETTING TE -- TEXDOT TO PROPOSE A BETTER PROJECT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 17, MELISSA MARTINEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 257 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> OKAY.

HI. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS MELISSA MARTINEZ. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS MELISSA MARTINEZ RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4.

ONE I AM ASKING HARRIS COUNTY TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT TO OUT SOURCE PRE-TRIAL JAIL DEFENDANTS TO LOUISIANA? WHY, THERE IS A REPUTATION OF BEING ABUSIVE.

THERE IS A CRISIS ON OVER CROWDING AND JAIL POPULATION DUE TO THE NEW CASE FILINGS FILED BY THE D.A.

THIS IS AN EMERGENCY AND I WOULD LIKE THE COURT TO ADDRESS A SOLUTION BY DE POPULATING THE JAILS AND ON TOP OF ANOTHER CRISIS OF COVID CRISIS.

IT IS NOT OKAY TO MOVE ACROSS STATE LINES.

CLOSE TO 500 PEOPLE. SECONDLY I SUPPORT THE LAWSUIT AGAINST TEXAS DOT TO KEEP THE LAWSUIT ON TRACK AND REMOVE THE ACTION WHEN IT EXPIRES. CAGLE, I HOPE YOU SUPPORT THE DIVERSION FROM THE TEXAS DOT EXPANSION.

THE LAWSUIT REPRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS WHO DEMAND TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM TEXDOT AND INVALIDATES HOUSTONIAN EXPERIENCE.

I HAVE FAITH IN YOUR OFFICE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CHOOSE

MINDFUL -- MINDFULNESS. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 18 MICHAEL MOORE SPEAKING UNDER THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.

>> I AM MICHAEL MOORE REIS -- MORRIS AND I WANT TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE FOLKS CALLING IN ON BEHALF OF THE INMATES BEING SHIPPED OUT TO LOUISIANA.

I THINK THAT IS SICK AND THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAY IN HARRIS COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTEM. THEY SHOULD NOT BE SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND THE MAIN TOPIC I AM SPEAKING ABOUT IS NNHIP AND I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF HIS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE TO MEET WITH CONSTITUENTS ON THIS MATTER. IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND SEE WHAT THE STATUS OF THE STAY IS AND WHAT NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN GOING WITH TEXDOT IF 234EU AND ADDRESS A FEW THINGS FROM DECEMBER'S MEETING FROM COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND CAGLE SAYING TEXDOT IS SEWING CREATIVITY DASH -- SHOWING CREATIVITY.

THASES -- THAT'S NOT TRUE. PEOPLE WITH NO IMPACTED

RESIDENTS IN YOUR PRECINCT -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LESS SUPPORT AND STAYING OUT OF IT, IF YOU WILL.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE GOING BACK TO SPEAKER 14, MIKE LEE.

FRANK WEBB WILL BE SPEAKING FOR HIM.

[01:15:02]

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HUH DAHL -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAM AND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS. WE DEFINITELY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE CALLS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING HANDLED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT COULD BE BETTER SERVED BY MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. WE THINK THIS WOULD BE A BETTER SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND BETTER FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AGAIN, WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY AND HOPING TO LAUNCH A PEW LET IN MARCH AND WE APPRECIATE JUDGE HIDALGO YOUR AND THE COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM. WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE IT A HUGE SUCCESS. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 12, LORI BATELLO ON ITEM 138 UNDER JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, I AM CALLING IN TO ASK THAT THE SEAT ON THE CJCC NOT BE ELIMINATED.

I SAW THAT JAD SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL TO GET THIS COUNCIL WORKING MORE EFFECTIVELY AND ONE OF THOSE INCLUDES REMOVAL OF SOME SEATS ON THIS BOARD. EARLIER JUDGE TOMMY JONES SPOKE TO YOU AND ASKING THAT THE SEAT FOR THE CRIMINAL COURT AND IT IS 1C ON THIS COUNCIL NOT BE REMOVED.

WE HAVE HAD CHRIS IN THAT ROLE FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS AND HE HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB. HE HAS PARTICIPATED AND HE AGREES THAT A SMALLER COMMITTEE IS LIKELY NEEDED SO THAT MORE THINGS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED.

REMOVING THE DEFENSE BAR SEAT AND THAT IS NOT THE ANSWER.

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

>> PLEASE KEEP OUR SEAT. THANK YOU.

SAME QUESTION FOR DAVE BERRY AND THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION FOLKS TO TOUCH BASE WITH YOU SO WE CAN DISCUSS THAT WHEN THE ITEM COMES UP. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 19, ATIV KUMAR SPEAKING ON 257 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> YEAH. HI, HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE. THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I JUST JOINED NOW SO I AM NOT SURE IF Y'ALL HAVE COVERED THIS. I AM CALLING IN REGARDS TO THE I GUESS LAWSUIT OR THE STAY IN BETWEEN COMMISSIONER'S COUNTER -- COURT AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

WOULD SOMEONE BE ABLE TO AN UPDATE ON HOW THAT IS GOING? IS THAT NOT HOW THIS WORKS? ANYBODY THERE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE DISCUSSING THIS ITEM LATER. RIGHT NOW WE ARE JUST TAKING

PUBLIC COMMENT. >> OH, OKAY.

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

GO AHEAD. YOU STILL HAVE TIME.

>> I JUST WANT TO USE THE REST OF MY TIME THEN TO SUPPORT THE COURT'S LAWSUIT AGAINST TEXDOT AND ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO KEEP THE LAWSUIT ON TRACK AND RESUME THE ACTIONS ONCE THE STAY EXPIRES LATER THIS MONTH. I'M GLAD THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE

ENGAGING IN GOOD FAITH. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> JUST WANTED TO --

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

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 20, DANIEL COHEN OF INDIVISIBLE HOUSTON SPEAKING ON 257 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO THE COURT TODAY.

I SUPPORT THE LAWSUIT AGAINST TEXDOT THE I-45 PROG JICT IS -- PROJECT. IT IS A REP PETITION OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY WHICH IS CONCRETE GETS LAID SO THE DEVELOPERS CAN MAKE MONEY AND BIG OIL CAN LIVE WHEREVER IT WANTS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND MAKE MONEY BECAUSE CARS TAKE GASOLINE AND GASOLINE NEEDS OIL. THIS IS A HISTORY OF HOUSTON AND A HISTORY OF THE CITY THE WAY THINGS HAVE GONE DOWN.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT. WE ARE AN INNOVATIVE CITY AND WE NEED TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT HOW WE TREAT ONE ANOTHER INSTEAD OF SLAPPING HIGHWAYS DOWN THAT DESTROY HOMES,

[01:20:04]

SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES AND PARTICULARLY DIVIDE PEOPLE BASED ON HOW MUCH MOIN IS IN THEIR POCKET AND -- HOW MUCH MONEY IS IN THEIR POCKET AND THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN.

I SUPPORT THE LAWSUIT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 22, SOPHIA SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 257 UNDER EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS SOPHIA AND I AM A PRECINCT 1 RESIDENT AND A CLIENT OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

I AM HERE DEMANDING THAT THEY CANCEL THE LA SALLE CONTRACT TO OUT SOURCE PEOPLE TO LOUISIANA.

I WORK DIRECTLY WITH FOLKS WHO WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS PLAN, PEOPLE LEGALLY INNOCENT AND SITTING IN JAIL MONTHS ON END AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AND LOSING THEIR JOBS AND RESOURCES DUE TO COURT BACKLOGS AND UNAVAILABLE BEDS AND TREATMENT FACILITIES, ET CETERA.

THE POPULATION CRISIS IS SELF-INFLICTED AND THIS PLAN WILL FURTHERREN TRENCH THE -- FURTHER ENTRENCH THE COURT BACKLOG AND FURTHER SEPARATING THEM FROM THEIR LOVED ONES AND THEIR LEGAL TEAMS. IN THE MIDST OF THE OMICRON SURGE THIS IS ALSO DANGEROUS. WE KNOW THE PLAN IS IN MOTION AND GIVEN THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY THE COUNTY MAY HAVE STARTED MOVING PEOPLE. WHEREVER WE ARE IN THE PROCESS WE DEMAND NOT ONE MORE PERSON IS TRANSPORTED AND THE COUNTY MAKE IMMEDIATE PLANS TO RETURN THOSE MOVED.

OUR COUNTY HAS THE POWER AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO --

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

>> CURBING NEW RS A -- NEW ARRESTS.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. I ALSO SUPPORT THE LAWSUIT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM AS FRUSTRATED AS ANYONE ON THIS SITUATION. WE ARE REALLY BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE BECAUSE THE STATUS QUO IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

NOBODY THINKS IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO TRANSFER THE INMATES, BUT WE CANNOT HAVE THE OVER POPULATION THAT IS CURRENTLY THERE. IT IS SIMPLY NOT AN OPTION ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS.

WHAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO DO IS BRING THE JAIL POPULATION DOWN WHILE PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER, EVERY PLAYER IN THE SYSTEM FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT TO THE D.A. TO THE JUDGES, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO DO THEIR PART.

I HOPE THAT THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING TOGETHER.

TRUST ME, IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DO WITH PRIDE AND I MADE SURE THAT IN THE CONTRACT THERE IS A PROVISION THAT SAYS AS SOON AS THERE IS ROOM IN OUR JAIL, WE WILL BRING THOSE PEOPLE BACK. EVEN IF IT MEANS WE HAVE TO PAY THE REST OF THE YEAR TO LA SALLE.

I DID ASK TO MAKE SURE THE CONDITIONS ARE AS GOOD AS THEY CAN BE. THERE SIMPLY IS NOT ANOTHER

OPTION RIGHT NOW. >> AND WE HAVE SENT A DEMAND LETTER THAT OUTLINES OTHER WAY TO DE POPULATE THE JAIL BASED ON OTHER EXPERIENCES. WE ASK YOU PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AS WELL AS THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO -- THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS.

I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT THIS WAS NOT SHERIFF GONZALEZ'S PREFERRED RECOMMENDATION. HE HAS ACTUALLY HESITATED TO GET TO THIS POINT. UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF SO MANY OTHER MOVING PIECES AND LACK OF MOVING PIECES WE ARE AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT. TRUST ME, IT WAS NOT THE PREFERRED APPROACH, BUT IT IS ONE REGRETFULLY NECESSARY, AND IT IS ONE THE SHERIFF PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT IN AND DID IT AS A LAST MEASURE, LAST RESORT AT THIS POINT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS. TRUST ME, WE ARE ALL LOOKING

AT THIS. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. I THINK THE CONVERSATION SHALL CONTINUE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THE JAIL POPULATION HAS STAGNATED AROUND 8,500 WHICH IS WITHIN THE AMOUNT OF FOLKS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

EVEN WITHIN THAT STRUCTURE, I'M NOT QUITE UNDERSTANDING THE NEED FOR THIS MOVE WHEN THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO DECARCERATE AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

WE ASK TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION WITH MORE

COMMUNITY INPUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 24, LINDA MORALES SPEAKING ON ITEM 273 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THIS IS LINDA MORALES WITH THE GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION OF THE AFLCIO.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK OF A FAIR CHANCE HIRING POLICY FOR WORKING PEOPLE APPLYING FOR JOBS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE SUPPORT APPLICANTS BEING JUDGED ON QUALIFICATIONS AND THEIR ABILITY TO DO THE JOB. WE BELIEVE A FAIR CHANCE POLICY REMOVES INITIAL BARRIERS AND ONE MAY FACE A CONVICTION AND ENABLES APPLICANTS TO BE JUDGED ON THEIR MERITS. UH -- ACCORDING TO THE

[01:25:02]

NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT PROJECT ONE IN THREE YOUTH AND ADULTS HAS A RECORD THAT CON SHOW UP ON AN EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECK. THOSE WITH RECORDS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF CLOAR WHO ALREADY FACE OTHER OBSTACLES SEEKING WORK. WE SUPPORT THE PERSON'S MERITS AND NOT PAST MISTAKES. THANK YOU ALL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, LINDA.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 25 STACY SPEAKING ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM STACY AND I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM 274.

I AM CURRENTLY A CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT OF LAW NUMBER 3. I AM A 27-YEAR CRIMINAL ATTORNEY THAT IS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE.

THE PRIMARY IS MARCH 1ST. THE VISITING JUDGE HAS BEEN SITTING ON THIS SINCE THANKSGIVING.

THERE IS SEVEN WEEKS BEFORE THE MARCH 1ST PRIMARY.

I AM ASKING THAT THIS PROPOSAL BE TABLED UNTIL THE PRIMARIES ARE OVER AND THERE IS A CANDIDATE FOR EACH SIDE.

NO MATTER WHO WE SUPPORT IT SHOULD BE BY THE VOTERS AND NOT INFLUENCED BY THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 26, JACK MORMAN ON 275 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT GIVES AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND PROTECTS THEM FROM ARBITRARY AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND UNWISE AGENDA DERIVATIVES THAT SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING. CRIME IS OUR NUMBER ONE CRISIS AND SB23 PROTECTS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FROM HAVING THEIR BUDGETS CUT WITHOUT -- [INAUDIBLE] SUPPORT ROLL OVER FUNDING TO DEFUNDED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH SKY ROCKETING CRIME AND MURDER RATES AND THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CRIME TO VICTIMS. THIS WOULD ONLY BE FAIR SINCE THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS KEPT THEIR ROLL OVER FUNDS WHILE TAKING THEM FROM EVERYONE ELSE.

THANKS AND I HOPE WE ALL TAKE THE LEAD OF COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY ON THIS ISSUE.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 3 UNDER NONAGENDA RELATED, JACOB CLEMENTEGE SPEAKING IN

PERSON. >> [INAUDIBLE].

HI THERE, GUYS. I AM DISABLED AND THIS IS A LETTER THAT I RECEIVED FROM A WOMAN WHO IS A RETIRED NAVAL

OFFICER. >> DEAR JACOB, WE HAD SUCH A NICE TIME MEETING YOU AT MINUTE MAID PARK.

YOU COULD BE THE BEST GREETING PERSON FOR YOUR BELOVED ASTROS. I LIKE THE T-SHIRT YOU GAVE US. I SINCERELY HOPE YOU HAD A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS. WE SHARED A BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY HERE IN CARROLLTON. I ENCLOSED A SPECIAL GIFT FROM GORDON, HIS NAVY RETIREMENT COIN.

IT IS PRESENTED AS A GIFT TO INDIVIDUALS HE ADMIRES, A TRUE MILITARY TRADITION. ALL THE BEST TO YOU IN THE NEW YEAR. MEREDITH AUSTIN.

>> THE SAINT ST. JOSEPH CLUBHOUSE IS HAVING A FUNDRAISER. IT HELPS MEMBERS WITH DAILY LIVING TASKS. THEY ARE SEEKING TO HELP BY GETTING FUNDRAISERS TO HELP WITH THE COST TAKING PLACE.

THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 6 TO 9 P.M. AT THE CITY ORCHARD. THE DATE IS FEBRUARY 10TH. MLK MASS, JOIN US JANUARY 16TH OF 2022 AT 3 P.M. FOR A SPECIAL MASS HONORING THE BIRTHDAY OF REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR. THE MAIN SELL -- SELL BRENT.

>> AND JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS , WHAT I ALSO WANT TO MENTION IS THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FILM FESTIVAL IS TAKING PLACE FD TO THE 6TH AND THAT FILM FESTIVAL THEY ARE GOING TO

[01:30:02]

TALK ABOUT EQUALITY OF WOMEN IN SPORTS AND MINORITIES IN SPORTS. THAT IS GONNA BE FEBRUARY 3RD TO THE 6TH IN DISCOVERY PARK.

BYE. GO ASTROS!

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

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NORTHBOUND FOUR.

STEPHANIEVILLE -- STEPHANIE VILLANUEVA.

>> HI. CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? HI. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE, SHE/HER/HER, PRECINCT 3. ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 30TH, 2 SWLR 2 -- 2021 THERE WAS A PETITION WITH 200 SUPPORTERS TO ALL FIVE OF YOUR OFFICES. BUT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RESPONSE TO THAT PETITION YET.

THE PETITION CALLS ON THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO PASS A RESOLUTION FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL.

CAN YOU GET US A RESPONSE TO OUR PETITION? A STAFFER FROM THE JUDGE'S OFFICE TOLD ME THE OFFICE HAS SEEN THE PETITION, BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RESPOND BECAUSE OF HOW IT HAS BEEN FOR ALL OF YOU.

WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE AN ANSWER FROM THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS ON WHERE YOU STAND ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE RESOLUTION. WE HAVE WRITTEN THE RESOLUTION AND WE ARE OPEN TO MAKING CHANGES.

DO SUMMARIZE THE PAST TWO COMMISSIONERS' COURT MEETINGS YOU HEARD FROM A UP IN OF INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR A RESOLUTION FOR PUBLIC CITIZENS [INAUDIBLE]

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

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

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER FIVE FROM HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC PUBLIC DEFENDERS. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU -- I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. I JUST WANT TO VOICE MY OPINION ON PLEASE AND PLEASE AND PLEASE: I JUST WANT HARRIS COUNTY TO PLEASE NOT SEND NO 500 PRE-TRIAL INMATES TO SOME DEADLY PLACE IN LOUISIANA.

I BELIEVE WITH THE SPREAD OF COVID AND SEPARATING FAMILIES IS NOT THE BEST IDEA AND THESE ARE PEOPLE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. IT MAKES EVERYTHING IN THEIR LIVES MORE MISERABLE IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, GETTING THEM -- HAVING THEM NOT BE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND HAVING THEM SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 6. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD. >> YES.

MY NAME IS THEOTIS BUTLER AND I WANT TO BRIEFLY COMMENT ON THE CANDIDATE ESPY YEN -- ESPIONAGE AND THE ON GOING SCANDALS TO ELECTION FRAUD, RESEARCH, DATA COLLECTION AND TRANSPARENCY AND REPORTING ON CANDIDATE PROFILES CAN GLEAM DEEP ANALYSIS AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ELECTIONS. ARMED WITH THIS DATA CONSUMERS AND STAKEHOLDERS CAN MAKE SMARTER, LOGICAL AND BETTER INFORMED DECISIONS. CANDIDATES WILL BE TO LIMIT VISIBILITY OF THE PROFILE FROM RESEARCHERS AND SYSTEMS. KEY TAKE AWAYS, RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION OF CANDIDATE PROFILES AND PUBLIC REPORTING OF SAID PROCESS AND HARRIS COUNTY CAN BE THE LEADER IN THE FRONT.

LASTLY, SOCIAL MEDIA DATA MINING SOLUTIONS IS USED FOR

HR APPLICATIONS. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 8, STEVEN HESS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, MY NAME IS STEVEN HUSS AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. I AM SPEAKING AGAINST THE LA SALLE CONTRACT TO TRANSFER HARRIS COUNTY INMATES TO LOUISIANA. WE BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE CRIMINALIZATION AND DECARSERATE OUR JAIL. IT DOES NOT KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE. POLICING FURTHER HARMS OUR COMMUNITY BY SPREADING COVID-19 AND BRINGING PEOPLE IN CONTACT WITH JAILS. WE DEMAND THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND HOUSTON POLICE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENTERING THE JAIL BY REDUCING ARRESTS AND STOP QUALITY OF LIFE WITH ARRESTS AND ENFORCE WARRANTS AND TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND PROBATION VIOLATIONS AND FINANCIAL VIOLATIONS IN THE CRIMINALIZATION OF -- END THE CRIMINALIZATION OF

[01:35:02]

HOMELESSNESS BY SWEEPING ENCAMPMENTS AND FORCING EVICTIONS AND REFUSE TO COLLABORATION WITH ICE TO ARREST AND DETAIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STOP RESPONDING TO NONEMERGENCY CALLS. HALT ALL --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> HOUSTON COUNTY AND -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> AND -- >> HE HAS BEEN MUTED.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 9, ASHLEY WYNN.

SHE IS SPEAKING IN PERSON. >> HELLO, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS ARC -- ASHLEY WYNN AND A CLIENT AT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO THE LA SALLE JAIL TRANSFER.

I WORKED WITH MANY OF MY CLIENTS WHO ARE INCARCERATED THEMSELVES AND MANY WHO HAVE NOT SEEN ATTORNEYS IN 9, 10 MONTHS AND I BELIEVE THAT MOVING THEM 8 HOURS AWAY WILL FURTHER EXACERBATE THE CRISIS AND THE COURT BACKLOG.

ADDITIONALLY MY LAST POINT IS IF WE WERE TO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY WE SHOULD BE RECONSIDERING MOVING PEOPLE DURING A PANDEMIC ESPECIALLY GIVEN HOW CONTAGIOUS WE HAVE SEEN THE OMICRON VARIANT IS. THANK YOU.

AGAIN, WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERY OPTION.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NOB -- NONAGENDA SPEAKER GARY LINEN AND DUE TO ADA ACCOMMODATIONS HE WILL RECEIVE TWO MINUTES INSTEAD OF ONE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. GARY LYNN?

>> YES. I AM GARY.

I AM GARY AND I WOULD LIKE -- AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ADVOCATE MORE AND EXPANDING FEDERAL [INAUDIBLE] TO ALLOW MORE AREA IN HARRIS COUNTY TO PROVIDE MORE EQUAL ACCESS FOR DISABLED USERS.

AS A WHEELCHAIR USER MYSELF I HAVE TO GO TO WALMART AND [INAUDIBLE] TO PICK UP MY RIDE.

I MISS THE SERVICE AREA BY THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE.

I AM OFTEN LEFT WAITING FOR MY RIDE ON A HOT OR COLD DAY.

I HAVE WAITED TWO HOURS SOMETIMES WHEN I COULD BE WAITING IN MY OWN HOME AND ALL OF THE MONEY IS EXTRA MONEY THAT THEY CAN COME A LITTLE FURTHER TO PICK ME UP AT MY

FRONT DOOR. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: GARY, THIS IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW BACK UP WITH YOU ON THIS ISSUE. I AGREE WITH HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS. I LOOKED INTO THIS IN SOME DETAIL A COUPLE THRIE -- COUPLE THREE YEARS AGO.

I OBJECT SERVED SOMEONE SITTING OUT IN THE HOT SUN FOR MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF HOURS WAITING ON A METRO LIFT.

AND THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. THAT JUST SHOULDN'T HAPPEN IN

ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. >> CAN I JUST REPLY BRIEFLY IF

YOU DON'T MIND? >> TOM RAMSEY: PLEASE.

>> YES. AND I HAVE ENDURED A PERSON WHO IS LEGALLY ADVISED. THE DRIVER THOUGHT HE WAS GOING HOME [INAUDIBLE] AND HE WASN'T GOING HOME.

[01:40:04]

HE WAS WALKING TO HIS HOME DOWN THE ROAD AND THE DRIVER -- DRIVER STOPPED AND ASKED HIM WHERE IS HE GOING.

THE GUY SAID, I'M WALKING TO MY HOME IN THE DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND THE DRIVER WAS NICE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE MAN TO GET BACK ON THE BUS AND BROUGHT HIM TO HIS DOOR. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT'S DANGEROUS TO HAVE PEOPLE GOING THERE AND WALKING HOME FROM THE BUS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED TO BE LEFT WALKING

ALONE. >> TOM RAMSEY: GARY, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE EFFORT TO CALL IN. WE WILL FOLLOW BACK UP WITH YOU AND GET MORE OF THE DETAILS.

THANK YOU. GYRE I APPRECIATE --

>> I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 11, DONNA MURPHY. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

MY NAME IS DONNA MURPHY AND ADVOCATING AT THE IMMIGRATION, RACE, POVERTY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. WITH PHYSICIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS AT THE OUTSET OF THE PANDEMIC THAT LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERSHIP TAKE ACTION ON DE POPULATING OUR JAILS AND DETENTION CENTERS. I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE ASKING HARRIS COUNTY TO CANCEL THE LA SALLE CONTRACT.

I KNOW ICE CLOSED THE CONTRACT WHEN THEY CONTACTED A PHYSICIAN WHO PERFORMED FORCED STERILIZATION.

IT IS A SELF-INFLICTED CRISIS CREATED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY THROUGH NEW CASE FILINGS THIS YEAR.

I OPPOSE USING COUNTY RESOURCES TO FURTHER SEPARATE FAMILIES WHOSE LOVED ONES ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT.

I BELIEVE PAYING TO HOUSE DEFENDANTS OUTSIDE HARRIS COUNTY WILL WORSEN IT IS INDO -- INDIGENT CRY SIS --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> AND INSTEAD WE ADDRESS POPULATION CRISIS.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 12.

>> HI THERE. I AM A MEDICAL STUDENT AT BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. I AM CALLING IN TODAY TO ASK THE COMMISSIONERS LOOK AT THE MEDICARE FOR ALL COMMISSIONERS' COURT RESOLUTION THAT IS A SYMBOLIC RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A NATIONALLY FUNDED SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE AND HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT ARE UNINSURED. IT IS A HUGE BURDEN ON THOSE WHO ARE UNINSURANCE ETD -- UNINSURED AND THE PATIENTS WHO ARE INSURED. WE HAVE COUNTY HOSPITALS AND COUNTY CLINICS THAT SERVICE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED AND THE COSTS ARE SPREAD AROUND. IT BASICALLY IT IS A HUGE MESS. IT WOULD BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AND BETTER IF EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY WAS INSURED AND THE QUICKEST WAY TO GET THERE IS TO HAVE A SINGLE PAYER MEDICARE FOR ALL SYSTEM.

AGAIN, WE ARE ASKING -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 13, COLLEEN HOOPFORD. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU FORGIVING ME YOUR TIME.

I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY HUSBAND.

HE IS AT YOUR SAN JACINTO LOCATION.

HE HAS FILLED OUT SEVERAL GRIEVANCES BEGGING TO SEE THE DOCTOR AND HE IS BEING DENIED BY YOUR MEDICAL STAFF.

THEY ARE AWARE OF HIS CONDITION, AND THEY REFUSE TO GET HIM TO A HOSPITAL. MY HUSBAND IS A VETERAN.

HE DOESN'T DESERVE THIS. HE DESERVES TRUE MEDICAL ATTENTION. DOES HIS LIFE NOT MEAN ANYTHING TO ANYONE? THIS IS CRUELTY AND IT MUST STOP ON BEHALF OF HIM AND THE OTHER INMATES.

THEY DON'T DESERVE TO DIE IN YOUR JAIL.

I'M NOT READY TO BE A WIDOW. PLEASE HELP HIM.

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

[01:45:06]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MA'AM, THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU, OKAY?

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU

FOR CALLING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLING. IERM SO SORRY.

DASH DASH I'M -- I'M SO SORRY.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 14 ROBERT KRIRKS ADENA -- ROBERT CARDENA. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS' COURT. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. ONE IS DO THEY HAVE PLANS TO ACTIVELY PURSUE THE SHOTS FIRED TECHNOLOGY? IF SO IS THE PLAN TO I'M PLAW -- IMPLEMENT THAT IN THE FUTURE? IF NOT, WHY NOT? ALSO ARE THEY ACTIVELY PURSUING STRONGER LAWS AGAINST CELEBRATORY GUNFIRE AND IF NO, WHY NOT? AND IF I MAY HAVE A FOLLOW-UP IF THERE IS A RESPONSE TO

THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. I WILL PASS IT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND MY STAFF WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU AS

WELL. >> OKAY.

I HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR -- DO YOU HAVE CONTACT

INFORMATION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY WILL CALL YOU. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 15, LAUREN GANT. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

MY NAME IS LAUREN GANT AND AN ORGANIZER WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH CARE JUSTICE GROUP.

I AM HERE TO ASK YOU TO CHAMPION OUR RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MEDICARE FOR ALL. IN A FEW SHORT MONTHS A PETITION URGING YOU HAS BEEN SIGNED BY 200 HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS WE RECEIVED POSITIVE RESPONSES AND WE HOPE YOU WILL CHAMPION EYER RESOLUTION. AND ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDST OF A COVID PANDEMIC. IT WILL GREATLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR US AND IT WILL BE A BIG STEP IN WORKING TOWARD AN EQUITABLE AND ALL INCLUSIVE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. GYRE JUDGE, THOSE ARE THE -- JUDGE, THOSE ARE THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH.

[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN BRIEFLY GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK SO WE KNOW WHAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING. THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS ARE ITEM 252 WHICH IS APPOINTING THE HARRIS COUNTY CIRCLE COMMISSION. ANYBODY HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? 253, A SERIES OF DEPLOYMENTS OF THE HOUSTON CHANNEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

254 IS AN APPOINTMENT TO THE COMMUNITY FLOOD RESILIENCE TASK FORCE AND 255 AN APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

THAT'S PRECINCT 3. >> I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK ON

THAT ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO WE WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 255, 256 --

>> AN AGREEMENT -- 256 IT DOES NOT NEED TO GO BACK UNLESS THE

COURT WANTS TO DISCUSS. >> LET'S MEET TO DISCUSS THIS

SPECIAL COUNCIL SERVICES. >> 257 IS -- I BELIEVE IT DOES HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THAT IS THE TEXDOT

LITIGATION. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> 274 HAS TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THAT IS AN APPOINTMENT FOR A JUDICIAL SEAT VACANCY.

COURT LAW NUMBER THREE. 276 AND DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, A NEW JURY ASSEMBLY ROOM? I KNOW THERE IS A NEGOTIATION POINT THERE, JAY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE NEED TO GO BACK ON 276.

>> WE WILL LEAVE 276 ON THERE BECAUSE WE ARE DETERMINING OUR NEGOTIATION POSITION. HERE ARE THE OTHER ITEMS THAT FOLKS HAVE FLAGGED. ITEM 13.

THAT IS A CONTRACT WITH UT HEALTH FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND -- THE COVID-19 COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER GRANT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ITEM 14 ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THAT. I HAVE A MOTION RELATED TO TESTING. ITEM 20 COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

[01:50:06]

ITEM 41 IS IMPROVEMENTS IN MCGREGOR WAY.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU FLAGGED THAT ONE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WILL BE BRIEF.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 116 WHICH IS PHYSICIAN FOR THE HEART PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REQUESTED THAT WE DISCUSS THAT. 135, THAT IS THE POLICY FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES. COMMISSIONER CAGLE FLAGGED

THAT ONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST NEED TO

VOTE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS? AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO THAT WAS ON ITEM 135. I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION PASSES 3-2. I DO WANT TO MENTION THE POLICY WE ARE VOTING ON TO BE CLEAR BECAUSE OF A SPEAKER COMMENT. THIS ONLY APPLIES WHEN THERE IS NO WRONGDOING. IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE COMMON THAT LITIGATION IS BEING WEAPONIZED AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS IN A WAY THAT MAY DRIVE THEM FROM GOVERNMENT AND SO PROSECUTORS AND CIVIL LITIGATORS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS FROM GOVERNMENT BY FORCING FOLKS TO PAY LEGAL FEES THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD AND IN INSTANCES WHEN THERE IS NO WRONGDOING AND AGAIN I AM STRESSING WHEN THERE IS NO WRONGDOING. THE POLICY THAT WE JUST VOTED ON IS AND HAS BEEN HARRIS COUNTY POLICY AND IS A POLICY IN MANY GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. IN FACT, IN SOME PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMPANIES. WE ARE VOTING BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE EMPLOYEES AWARE WHO MAY FIND THEMSELVES IN THIS SITUATION THEY CAN AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE EXISTING POLICY. I WANT TO MAKE TWO THINGS VERY CLEAR. NUMBER ONE, THIS IS ALREADY HARRIS COUNTY PRACTICE IRRESPECTIVE OF VOTES YES OR NO BECAUSE THIS IS THE LAW. IT IS HAPPENING THIS WAY.

IT WAS HAPPENING THIS WAY AND IT WILL CONTINUE HAPPENING THIS WAY. THAT'S POINT NUMBER ONE.

POINT NUMBER TWO IS THIS IS ONLY APPLICABLE IN INSTANCES WHERE THERE IS NO WRONGDOING. THAT'S VERY, VERY CLEAR IN THE POLICY, LESS THERE BE ANY MISINFORMATION SPREAD OUT

THERE. >> WAS THAT AS PRESENTED?

>> CORRECT. >> THANK YOU.

>> ITEM 138. >> JUDGE, I JUST NEED TO VOTE ON THAT. THERE ARE NO CONSTABLES ON THIS AND WE HEARD FROM TWO SPEAKERS, BUT THEIR GROUPS WERE NOT INCLUDED. I DON'T NEED TO HAVE A BIG DEBATE. I JUST NEED TO VOTE NO.

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY I HEARD SOME OF THE TESTIMONY.

I HAD A FAMILY ISSUE TO DEAL WITH THIS MORNING.

WE CAN ALWAYS ADD PEOPLE TO IT, BUT I KNOW WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT. IF THERE ARE CHANGES THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BRING TO THE TABLE, OBVIOUSLY ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO COME CAN COME. IT WAS SO LARGE IT WAS SIMPLY UNMANAGEABLE. I MOVE ADOPTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I SUPPORT THE ITEM, BUT I DO HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE ON THIS.

I WANTED TO -- I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO STIMULATE SOME GUIDING PRINCIPALS AS WE LOOK TO RECONSTITUTE IT.

I AGREE THAT IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY LARGE AND IT IS HARD TO GET EVERYBODY AT THE SAME TIME AND AT THE SAME PLACE. BUT -- AND WE STARTED THERE.

WE ARE MAKING CHANGES TO THE COMMENTS OF THE TESTIMONY.

WE'LL SEE HOW THINGS PROGRESS AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY'S INTERESTS AND CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED.

THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO MAKE THIS MOTION.

MY MOTION WOULD READ I MOVE WE ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL THAT INCLUDES DECREASING THE MEMBERSHIP FROM 35 TO 17 VOTING MEMBERS AND THE PROPOSED BY LAWS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE COUNCIL'S MISSION, VISION, GUIDING PRINCIPALS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY JUSTICE AND SAFETY GOALS THAT INCLUDES INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY,

[01:55:04]

REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME. AND I FURTHER MOVE FOR THE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH COMMITTEES TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE VISION OF THE CJCC AFTER THE STRATEGIC PAYING PROCESS.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE AS MY ALTERNATE ON THE CJCC, CHARLES MCCLELAND, FORMER HPD'S CHIEF AS MY ALTERNATE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A GOOD MOTION AND I SECOND IT.

I WOULD ALSO TALK ABOUT THE SMALLER MEETINGS AND ONLY TWO COMMISSIONERS CAN GO AND WE STILL OUGHT TO DO THAT.

LOOK, I JUST ADD -- NOT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, BUT TO MAKING SURE THAT WITH THE SUBCOMMITTEES, IF WE WANT TO APPOINT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT NECESSARILY ON IT THAT WE CAN DO THAT AS WELL. IT IS PART OF JUST UNDERSTANDING AND IF WE WANT TO MAKE SOME CHANGES DOWN THE ROAD, I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT AND YOU WERE HERE AND YOU WERE SHERIFF WHEN THE FIRST ONE WENT THROUGH.

I WAS GOING TO COME AND THEY SAID WE HEAR YOU.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME. YOU SENT ENOUGH LETTERS.

IT WAS SMALLER THEN. I THINK IT WAS MY IDEA TO MAKE IT AS LARGE AS WE MADE IT. IT IS JUST SO LARGE IT IS UNIMAGINABLE. IF WE NEED TO GO BACK UP AND WE DON'T WANT TO HURT ANYBODY'S FEELINGS AND THEY DID AS BEST THEY COULD TO COME UP WITH BEST PRACTICES, BUT WE

CAN MAKE CHANGES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DID WANT TO HEAR FROM JAD OR DAVE ABOUT THE TWO POINTS WE ARE RAISING.

I HEAR COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT THAT SEATS CAN BE ADDED. I'M FINE WITH T BUT I WANT TO HEAR SINCE THE TWO JUDGES CALLED IN.

I SAID I WOULD BRING IT UP. CAN YOU GUYS JUST BRIEFLY ANSWER THE QUESTION AS TO THE JUDGES THAT CALLED IN?

>> HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME? ACTING DIRECTOR FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

YES. WE ACTUALLY SPOKE TO EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS CURRENTLY ON THE -- BASICALLY IT IS MADE UP OF THE COUNCIL. AND THIS WAS -- I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THEY WERE NOT ALONE. THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT ALONE AS WANTING TO STAY ON AS MEMBERS.

EVERYBODY AGREED IT WAS TOO LARGE.

WHEN IT CAME TO AS WHETHER THEY WOULD STAY AS VOTING MEMBERS, THAT'S WHEN YOU SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTING TO STAY ON. THE CHALLENGE WE HAD WAS IF WE SAID YES TO ONE PERSON THAT WANTED TO STAY ON WE HAD TO SAY YES TO THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO STAY ON.

WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN BACK TO THE 35 MIBS.

MEMBERS. WE INCLUDED ALL OF THOSE WHO WANTED TO STAY ON ON PAGE 6, AND IT INCLUDED THE JUDGE WHO SPOKE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE BAR WHO SPOKE.

WE ALSO HAD THE PRESIDING JUDGE AND JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND IMMIGRATION EXPERT. WE HAD A COUPLE OF MENTIONS IN TERMS OF THE CON -- CONSTABLE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE.

THE HARRIS COUNTY ASSOCIATION AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WANTED SIX ADDITIONAL MEMBERS IN ADDITION TO WHAT THEY ALREADY HAD. IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF VOTING MEMBERS. ACROSS THE BOARD WE FEEL THE REASON WHY PEOPLE WANTED TO STAY AS VOTING MEMBERS IS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEIR PERSPECTIVES ARE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. AND THAT'S WHERE THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE COMES IN. WHAT I WOULD SAY IS GIVE US A SHOT. GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF THIS WORKS, IF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS WORK.

WE DO A GOOD JOB AT STRATEGIC PLAN AND WE DO A GOOD JOB ON A MISSION THAT FOCUSES ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND ADDRESSING THE ISSUES WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH NOW.

AND IF PEOPLE STILL FEEL LIKE THEIR PERSPECTIVES ARE NOT BEING INCLUDED, THEN LET'S REVISIT.

THIS IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE THE LAST TIME WE REVISIT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COUNCIL. IT HAS HAD QUITE A FEW TRANSITIONS. I WOULD SAY TO THE SPEAKERS THAT GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY. WE WANT TO REACH OUT TO YOU.

THERE WERE ALSO OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY WHO WERE NOT PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL WHO WANTED TO BE PART OF THE VOTING STRUCTURE.

[02:00:04]

WE HAD TO ALSO TELL THEM NO. JUST GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE WILL BE REACHING OUT TO YOU AND INCORPORATING YOUR FEEDBACK IN ALL OF THE WORK. WE NEED EVERYBODY TO HANDLE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE CURRENTLY FACE RIGHT NOW.

THAT WOULD BE OUR RESPONSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IF I MIGHT, I ONLY HEARD ONE OF THE JUDGES SPEAK AND I CALLED MY STAFF BECAUSE I KNOW THAT JUDGE FAIRLY WELL.

SHE WAS IN MY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WHEN I WAS AT THE CAPITOL. I WANT TO CALL TO PERSONALLY RECAP ASSUMING WE GET OUT AT A REASONABLE HOUR TODAY.

I WANT TO STRESS THAT MY SENSE FROM WHAT I READ ABOUT THESE ENTITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY IS REALLY TO TRY AND INVOLVE A CONSENSUS. SO YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO VOTE, BUT YOU HAVE TO. TO BE HONEST, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THAT IT WOULDN'T BE BINDING ANYWAY.

IT WILL GO TO THIS ENTITY OR SOME OTHER ENTITY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS. SO IT REALLY IS A WAY OF PULLING STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER, BUT NOT SO LARGE YOU ARE RELUCTANT TO HAVE A MEETING. AND IT WAS A MISTAKE ON MY PART TO PUT THE THREE OF US ON IT, OR TO PUT ALL OF US ON IT, BY THE WAY. IT TURNED INTO SOMETHING OTHER THAN AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A CONSENSUS.

THAT'S WHY COMMISSIONER GARCIA , IT IS JUST THE TWO OF US WITH SOME OF THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS.

WE COULDN'T GO WITH THAT SMALL, BUT THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO DO THAT. WE CAN ALWAYS CHANGE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MAKE -- WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE TWO MEMBERS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND GARCIA TO BE THE COURT REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE CJ KRERKS C. I MOVE TO -- CJCC AND LIKE TO AMEND ALTERNATES AND THE ALTERNATE WILL NOT HAVE VOTING AUTHORITY ON MATTER THAT'S COME BEFORE THE CON -- COUNCIL EXCEPT THE ALTERNATES APPOINTED BY MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT. SO THOSE ARE THE TWO MOTIONS.

THE LOGISTICAL OPERATIONAL DETAILS I KNOW IS JAD AND EVERYONE IN THE WEEDS. I AM JUST FOLLOWING EVERYBODY'S LEAD. THAT'S MY MOTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: QUESTION. ON THE -- WHEN DO THE TERMS CURRENTLY EXPIRE OF THOSE THAT ARE ON THIS COMMITTEE? I THINK I HAVE BEEN ON IT AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GO TO ONE BECAUSE THEY KEEP CANCELING THE MEETINGS.

I THINK YOU'RE ON THERE TOO, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T THINK WE SET UP A TERM.

DO YOU WANT TO SUGGEST ONE? I DON'T THINK WE SET A TERM.

DO YOU WANT TO SUGGEST THE TERMS?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TERM IS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO THESE HAVE TERMS?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT WERE THE TERMS WHEN COMMISSIONER

RADACK SAT ON IT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE MAY STILL BE ON IT. DON'T REMIND HIM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN ALWAYS SAY A TWO-YEAR TERM.

DR. CORREA, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THIS?

>> SO RIGHT NOW THE COUNCIL MEMBERS DON'T HAVE TERMS. THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE TERMS IS THE -- I'M JUST VERIFYING, IS THE CHAIR. RIGHT NOW THE COUNCIL MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE TERMS IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: PRORE -- PRORELY I -- PROCEEDURALLY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- I KNOW THERE IS A DESIRE TO KICK ME OFF THE COUNCIL BECAUSE I MAY NOT SHARE THE PERSPECTIVES OF SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES AROUND THE HORSESHOE, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE WAS A TERM, THAT IT WASN'T BEING

SHORTENED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T -- I MAKE THE MOTION TO REVAMP IT AND PUT ALL OF US ON IT.

I GUESS WHEN I DID THAT, THAT ENDED THE OTHER TERMS. BUT THERE WAS NO LANGUAGE ON IT.

THEY OUGHT TO LOOK AROUND AND SAY MAYBE IT IS A TWO-YEAR TERM OR ONE-YEAR TERM. I DON'T REALLY CARE.

I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT TO BE HONEST.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MAYBE WE PASS THIS AND THEN YOU COULD GO -- I KNOW EVERYBODY IS FLUID ON IF A TERM NEEDS TO BE ADDED YOU CAN SEE IF IT CAN BE ADDED AND YOU CAN PROPOSE IT BACK IN COURT. IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

I SERVED FOR A YEAR AND FRANKLY I PASSED ON TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I THINK YOU GUYS -- I HOPE

[02:05:04]

THIS WILL BE IN GOOD PROGRESS FOR THIS GROUP.

IT CERTAINLY WAS UNWIELDY. I HEAR THE CONCERNS FROM THE JUDGE, ESPECIALLY JUDGE HENSON.

I TRUST THESE FOLKS WILL CONTINUE WITH THE ENGAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE IT IS AS EFFICIENT A GROUP WE CAN MAKE IT. ANYWAY, WE VOTED ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND ON MY

MOTION? >> DO YOU MIND REPEATING FOR

CLARITY? >> LINA HIDALGO: MY MOTION IS THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS -- EXCUSE ME.

TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND GARCIA TO BE THE COURT REPRESENTED MEMBERS TO SERVE ON CJCC AND MOVE TO AMEND THE SECTION ENTITLED "ALTERNATES" SO THE ALTERNATE WILL NOT HAVE VOTING AUTHORITY ON MATTERS THAT COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL EXCEPT THOSE ALTERNATES APPOINTED BY MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

AND DO YOU WANT TO COME BACK WITH TERM LIMITS OR DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY A TWO-YEAR TERM JUST SO THERE IS ONE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: A TWO-YEAR TERM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL JUST SAY -- I'M SORRY, JAMES.

NOMINATE ELLIS AND GARCIA TO BE COURT MEMBERS TO SERVE ON CJCC FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM. THE ALTERNATE WILL NOT HAVE VOTING AUTHORITY ON EARTH MAS THAT COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL EXCEPT THOSE ALTERNATES APPOINTED BY MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.

>> I. >> OPPOSED.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ALL RIGHT, NEXT IS ITEM 139.

THAT IS COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE BOTH FLAGGED THE ITEM ON ELECTRONIC AND ALCOHOL MONITORING.

143, VARIOUS OUT OF TEXAS TRAVEL AND TRAINING REQUESTS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: WOULD LIKE TO

TALK ABOUT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: 152.

A GRANT FROM THE TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. 180 IS A RENEWAL OPTION OF THE CITY OF SPRING VALLEY. FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IT IS TO HOUSE INMATES IN THE

HAIR RUSS COUNTY JAIL. >> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST NEED TO

RECUSE MYSELF. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECOND BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR.

SO THE MOTION PASSES 4-0. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY RECUSES

HIMSELF FROM THIS VOTE. >> YOU ABSTAIN?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, ABSTAIN.

ITEM 185 IS AN AGREEMENT WITH SECURES TECHNOLOGY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT CAN GO BACK TO CONSENT AGENDA.

OUR QUIS WERE ANSWERED. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL KEEP 185 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. 208, NEGOTIATIONS OF MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR FACILITY MAIBT NENS AND -- MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION. GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DISCUSS 208. AND THEN THERE IS 215.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: 215 MAY GO BACK TO CONSENT AGENDA.

OUR QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED ON THAT.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALSO HAD QUESTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M GOOD. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S OUR NEW LOCAL PROCUREMENT MODEL AND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO WORKED ON IT. IT IS BACK ON CONSENT AGENDA.

218 IS APPROVAL OF PROJECT SCHEDULED FOR

ADVERTISEMENTS -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT CAN ALSO GO BACK ON CONSENT AGENDA AND I WANT TO THANK SHANE FOR ANSWERING MY STAFF'S QUESTIONS WE HAD ON THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 218 IS BACK ON CONSENT AGENDA.

225, APPROVAL FOR COURT MEMBERS TO SIGN A LETTER IN SUPPORT OF DIRECT ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE.

226. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON 225, DID WE GET THAT ALL WORKED OUT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I BELIEVE SO.

GEEK JACK THEN THAT CAN GO ON --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THEN THAT CAN GO TO CONSENT AGENDA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS GOING TO CONSENT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: HAS THAT BEEN MODIFIED?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. LET'S MAKE SURE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PUT IT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE LAST VERSION I SAW I'M OKAY WITH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS ALL OF THE OPTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 226 IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE HARRIS CENTER ON THE SMART POD INITIATIVE IN

PRECINCT 2. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LOVE

TO TALK ABOUT THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: 227, DISCUSSION OF HOMICIDES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND 228 IS ON THE PROJECTS IN THE FLOOD BOND BEING

COMPLETED. >> TOM RAMSEY: PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 229, A REQUEST FOR AN UPDATE ON HOSPITAL RESOURCES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IF I CAN MOVE THAT -- WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR GENERAL COVID IF WE CAN MOVE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL MAKE SURE WE DO THAT, 229.

[02:10:06]

AND THEN 237 A PRESENTATION BY CSD ON THE COMMUNITY -- EXCUSE ME THE HARRIS COUNTY EARNED LEGITIMACY COHORT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO WALK THROUGH THAT BRIEFLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 238 IS THE SIX-MONTH UPDATE ON THE VIE LENS AND HEART INITIATIVES. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU ASKED

FOR THIS. >> TOM RAMSEY: BRIEFLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 242, COMMISSIONER CAGLE YOU FLAGGED

ITEM 242. >> R. JACK CAGLE: BRIEFLY 242, WE HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THE TIME THAT IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO FILE A DISCLOSURE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FILED HIS.

I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND FILE MINE AFFIDAVIT OF SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST ON THE ITEM. JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WAS A TRANSMITAL THAT MINE IS NOW OF THE RECORD AND HAS BEEN FILED AS WELL. THAT WILL PROBABLY GO ON THE NEXT AGENDA FOR A TRANSMITAL. I ABSTAINED ON THAT VOTE AND SO I AM SUBMITTING THE -- MY UPDATE.

ALTHOUGH, I THINK THIS IS THE BELT AND SUSPENDERS.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DIDN'T THINK WE NEEDED MORE THAN AN ABSTAIN, BUT I WANTED TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF PRECINCT

3. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

THAT IS A TRANSMITAL AND IT GOES BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. 243 IS TRANSMITAL BY COUNTY CLERK ON A NOTICE TO ISSUE BONDS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO DISCUSS THAT. LEERCH --

>> LINA HIDALGO: 260 IS THE OTHER ONE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ITEM 260 THROUGH 266 ARE ALL ITEMS THAT WERE PUT ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AND EMERGENCY AGENDA AND WE HAD FLAGGED THOSE AND SINCE HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH DR. HOLLOWAY AND ALTHOUGH I REALLY THINK THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE MORE TIME THAN JUST 72 HOURS TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES BECAUSE HER HARD WORK AND MY STAFF'S HARD WORK AT THIS TIME WE WILL ALLOW THIS TO GO BACK TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. WE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN WE DO THINGS LIKE THIS, WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

LIERN LIEN PUTTING 2 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: PUT TWOG 60 -- 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265 AND 2 SECONDS 6 BACK ON

THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 273 IS THE FAIR CHANCE POLICY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DISCUSS 273 AND 275 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE BUDGETARY IMPACT OF SENATE

BILL 23. >> TOM RAMSEY: PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME GO OVER ANY CORRECTIONS REAL

QUICK. >> WOULD YOU MIND REPEATING WHAT THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE SO WE HAVE IT CLEAR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL DO THAT AS WELL.

I WILL DO BOTH OF THOSE. THANKS.

>> JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> ON ITEM 275 I JUST WANTED TO LET THE COURT KNOW THAT IF THE CONVERSATION DOES GO INTO QUESTIONS RELATED TO LEGAL ANALYSIS, THAT IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO BE DONE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT

THAT PART. >> TOM RAMSEY: WE WILL BE 80,000 FOOT ON THAT. WE ARE NOT GONNA GET THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL GO OVER THE ITEMS AND THEN TO CORRECTIONS. HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. YOU KNOW WHAT? LET'S DO THE CORRECTIONS FIRST BECAUSE THAT MIGHT CHANGE.

ALL RIGHT. HERE ARE THE CORRECTIONS.

THE CORRECTIONS ARE ITEM 114, NO COST VACCINATION SERVICES.

THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION.

ITEM 144 ON PAGE 19, THAT'S IN TEXAS TRAINING.

SHERIFF REQUESTS NO ACTION. >> AND THAT'S FOR 31.

>> THAT IS TRAVEL 31 AND STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS.

ITEM 272AMICUS BRIEF, DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION. OKAY.

HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, 270 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 255, 257, 274 AND 276.

[02:15:10]

>> JUDGE, HI. ON ITEM 272, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS REQUESTING NO ACTION ON THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE ON 275, I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT. 275.

TOM YOU CAN TALK ABOUT HERE STILL.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM PUTTING 275 ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA.

SO HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

255, 257, 274, 275 AND 276. HERE ARE THE OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS. 13, 14, 20, 41, 116, 139, 143, 152, 208, 225, 226, 227, 228, 22 TBHIERN -- 229, 237, 238,

243. >> AND 273?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 273 AS WELL AS 275.

WHICH WAS ALREADY LISTED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.

DO YOU NEED CLARIFICATION ON OTHER ITEMS, JAMES?

>> YES, 112, THAT'S THE LEGISLATIVE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM.

>> ALL RIGHT. BACK TO THE ITEM 252, THAT ONE YOU SAID TO PUT ON THE CONSENT.

IS IT FOR ACTION CONCERNING THE EMPLOYMENT OF ZOE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS TO APPOINT TO THE HIS STORE --

HISTORICAL COMMISSION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 1 THROUGH 276 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND THE

DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED. >> MAKE A MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY RAMSEY AND SECOND BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

WE ARE AT 12:23. I PROPOSE WE TAKE A SHORT LUNCH BREAK UNTIL 1:00 AND WE WILL RETURN AND CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA. SO WE WILL BREAK UNTIL 1:00.

THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GET STARTED.

WE ARE STARTING WITH A PUBLIC HEALTH ITEM.

IT IS 1:04 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE WILL START WITH ITEM 13 WHICH IS THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER GRANT. COVID COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER GRANT. COMMISSION ESH RAMSEY -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD A QUESTION AND IS PUBLIC HEALTH

ON THE LINE? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM NOT SURE --

>> I'M SORRY. YOU SAID PUBLIC HEALTH.

I'M SORRY. YES, PUBLIC HEALTH IS ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IN THE PROPOSAL WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EVALUATION, HIRING UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER TO DO AN INVESTIGATION ON SURVEY DATA.

MY QUESTION IS WHERE DID THEY -- WHERE DID THIS DATA COME FROM AND WHO COLLECTED THE DATA?

>> I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. I WAS TRYING TO UNMUTE.

BARBIE ROBINSON. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF COLLECTING THE DATA AS PART OF OUR WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.

SO AS WE COLLECT THE DATA THROUGH OUR WORK, WE WILL BE SHARING THE DATA WITH UT HEALTH.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS AN IN HOUSE COLLECTION OF DATA?

[02:20:04]

>> YES, SIR. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND WHAT'S YOUR -- IT LOOKS LIKE -- DOES UT PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU ON THE -- OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE GOING TO EVALUATE THE DATA, SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY INTERESTED IN WHERE THE DATA IS COMING FROM AND THE QUALITY OF THE DATA.

SO THEY ARE ALL GOOD TO GO WITH HOW YOU ARE COLLECTING

DATA AND WHERE? >> YEAH.

WE ARE IN THE PRELIMINARY -- FACES -- PHASES OF THE WORK.

AND WE CAN COME BACK AND REPORT ON DATA INTEGRITY AS WE MOVE FORWARD. WE SEE THIS AS TYPICAL, ROUTINE WORK DONE OUT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WHERE WE HAVE AN EVALUATION COMPONENT OF THE WORK AND AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE WORK AND COLLECT INFORMATION AND DATA, WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EVALUATOR TO DESIGN THE EVALUATION AND LOOK AT THE INTEGRITY OF THE DATA SOURCES THAT WE ARE USING. I GUESS --

>> I GUESS I JUST NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHO IS COLLECTING THE DATA AND HOW IT IS BEING COLLECTED.

DATA COLLECTION WILL BE EVERYTHING IN TERMS OF WHAT WE GET OUT OF IT. I WROTE -- I WOULD WANT TO WAIT UNTIL I KNEW MORE ABOUT HOW THE DATA WAS BEING COLLECTED. LOAN LEAN I SUGGEST --

>> LINA HIDALGO: I SUGGEST WE WAIT AND VOTE ON THIS UNTIL COMMISSIONER GARCIA RETURNS. I WILL MAKE A NOTE.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAD YOUR QUESTION ON 229 ABOUT HOSPITALS. WE HAVE LORI UPTON FROM SETTRAK ON THE LINE. EVEN THOUGH THE NEXT ITEM IS THE BROAD ITEM, LET'S START WITH YOUR HOSPITAL QUESTION TO SET THE STAGE. THE CASES ARE THROUGH THE ROOF. THE CHARTS ARE HAVING TO BE REDRAWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN BECAUSE THE SCALE IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD THEM. HOWEVER, THE HOSPITALIZATION NUMBERS ARE LOWER THAN YOU WOULD THINK GIVEN THE CASES.

THAT SAID, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE AND WE DO HAVE SOME HOSPITALS NEEDING ADDITIONAL STAFF JUST BECAUSE OF STAFF ILLNESSES. WE CAN GO THROUGH WITH THE

REST OF THE COVID ITEMS. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO.

ACCORDING TO OUR HOSPITAL DATA THAT WE COLLECT DAILY, OUR NUMBERS ARE DRASTICALLY INCREASING AND OUR GENERAL ADMISSIONS. DECEMBER 28TH THERE WERE 799 PATIENTS CONFIRMED COVID POSITIVE AND ADMITTED IN HARRIS COUNTY. BY JANUARY 3RD, THE NUMBER ROSE TO 1313. OUR ICU'S ARE ALSO INCREASING AT A DOUBLING RATE OVER THE LAST WEEK.

DECEMBER 28TH, THE SAME TIME PERIOD, WE HAVE 175 COVID POSITIVE ADMISSIONS. AND BY JANUARY THIRD, 276.

NOW, IF WE LOOK AT THE UT COVID-19 MODELING CONSORTIUM, BASED ON THE REPRODUCTION NUMBER OF 1.88 AND OUR CURRENT 14-DAY TREND, THEY ARE EXPECTING A 283% INCREASE WITH HOSPITALIZATION PROJECTIONS EXCEEDING 4,000 BY JANUARY 11TH. YOU DID MENTION THAT STAFFING IS BECOMING AN ISSUE MORE AND MORE OF OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE BEING PULLED DUE TO POSITIVE INFECTIONS.

THE STATE OF TEXAS RELEASED 972 NURSES FOR OUR 25-COUNTY REGION. OF THOSE 972 WE HAVE 356 TO HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITALS. THIS IS ABOUT 36% OF THE TOTAL STAFF THAT WAS ALLOTTED TO US.

THAT DOESN'T QUITE MEET THEIR NEEDS.

ALL OF THE HOSPITALS IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED STAFF TO LAST YEAR, THEIR TOTAL REQUEST IS 1,257.

SO TAKE AWAY THE 356 THAT ARE BEING FILLED BY THE STATE AND THAT LEAVES THE DELTA OF 898 NURSES AND RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT -- OR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITALS. HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT WAS ALLOCATED WITH THE MOST OUT OF ALL OF THE

HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITALS. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.

I JUST WANT TO PROVIDE CONTEXT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE HOSPITALS. I HAVE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS GOTTEN UP AND LOOK AT CTRACK. THIS MORNING I CHECKED AND

[02:25:02]

THERE IS 1,397 SUSPECTED IT OR CONFIRM -- SUSPECTED IT OR CONFIRMED PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITALS.

THERE ARE 6,901 PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITALS FOR -- THAT'S THE TOTAL. COVID IS INCLUDED IN THAT.

THE NUMBER OF BEDS THAT IS REPORTED IS 14,869 BEDS.

THARS A DELTA OF -- THAT'S A DELTA OF OVER 7,000 BEDS.

DR. PORSA AND I HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION ON THIS ISSUE.

I THINK YOU WOULD FRAME OUR PROBLEM TODAY IS NOT A COVID PROBLEM. IT IS A STAFFING PROBLEM.

AND WE NEED TO FOCUS ON WHAT THE PROBLEM IS IN TERMS OF GETTING RESOURCES THERE. SO I'M ONE THAT IF WE ARE GONNA -- IF THE ISSUE IS WE -- MOST OF THE 8,000 BEDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TODAY IN HARRIS COUNTY, A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THEM DON'T HAVE STAFFING FOR.

WHETHER THAT IS NURSING AND IT IS GETTING THOSE UP TO PAR.

IT IS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAL CARE. I THINK PEOPLE COME HERE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. IT IS A BIG DEAL WHEN WE HAVE A STAFFING ISSUE OF THIS NATURE HERE IN THE COUNTY.

I WANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THAT AND GET RESOURCES THERE.

IS MR. BERRY ON THE LINE? THIS IS PARTICULARLY RELATED TO OUR RESERVES. WE NEED TO TAP INTO THOSE POTENTIALLY. DO WE NODE THAT?

>> I CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER.

>> IT IS HARRIS COUNTY OVER THE SUMMER AND THERE WAS SUCH A DEMAND FOR NURSES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THEY WERE LEAVING HERE. BECAUSE OF COVID THEY WERE BURNED OUT AND THEY WERE QUITTING.

IT IS PARTLY THEIR REASONS AND BECAUSE IT IS SO TRANS MISSABLE -- TRANSMISABLE AND WE HAVE A NURSING CONTRACT READY TO GO. WE CAN DO IT EVEN FASTER THAN WE DID IT IN THE SUMMER. WE ALL HEARD THE STORY.

REMEMBER THE MILITARY VETERAN WHO HAD SOMETHING COMPLETELY TREATABLE AND WASN'T ABLE TO GET A BED AND THERE IS THE EXPLOSION OF COVID. LORI, PLEASE JUMP IN.

I AM COUNTING ON THEM TO LET US KNOW WHEN THE HADN'TS -- WHEN THE HOSPITALS NEED US TO BRING RESOURCES AND KEEP THE HOSPITALS FROM BEING STRETCHED THIN.

IT IS SO PATIENTS DON'T END UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND WEAR THE MASK SO HOSPITAL WORKERS DON'T END OUCH WITH THE VIRUS.

>> WHAT ARE OUR RESERVES IN HARRIS HEALTH?

>> IT IS ABOUT SIX MONTHS OLD IN FRONT OF ME.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM TO GET YOU A NUMBER.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IF YOU CAN TRACK THAT DOWN.

>> AT THE END OF JULY AS WE REVIEWED THIS AND IT IS JUST OVER A BILLION DOLLARS AND I WOULD SPEAK FOR THEM THAT THAT

[02:30:06]

IS AVAILABLE. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SAY THAT YOU CALLED DR. PORSA AS WELL.

AND MY CONVERSATION WITH HARRIS HEALTH SAYS SO MANY OF HIS WORKERS HAVE COVID. IT IS NOT LIKE I ASSUMED THOSE AIRPLANES WERE CANCELED BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH AIRPLANES. IT IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF HAVING BEDS. THEY CANCELED THE AIRPLANES BECAUSE NOBODY WAS FLYING. THEY DIDN'T HAVE FOLKS TO CHECK IN PEOPLE AT THE TICKET COUNTER.

EVEN AROUND OUR OFFICES AS I NOSE AROUND, YOU CAN SEE A FEW CLOSED DOORS. ALL OF THEM IN THEIR WITH THEIR MASK ON OR MAYBE SOMEBODY -- SOME ARE OUT WITH COVID. THAT'S THE CASE IN MY OFFICE.

I THINK IT IS A COVID PROBLEM.

I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THE THINGS WE KNOW WILL WORK. PUT THIS THING ON.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND AS DR. PORSA AND I AGREED, HE IS TALKING ABOUT 700 BEDS AND HE IS ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMED AND COVID IS THE CAUSE OF THAT. I AGREE WITH THAT.

THERE IS 8,000 BEDS OUT THERE AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET SOME. THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR NURSING HELP AND NOT JUST IN THE HARRIS HEALTH, BUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: LORI, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? I KNOW YOU HAVE ANOTHER

COMMITMENT. >> YES.

IF I CAN JUST SAY I AGREE THAT THE BEDS ARE NOT THE ISSUE.

WE NEED THE STAFF AND THE HOSPITALS NEED THE STAFF TO CARE FOR PATIENTS. WE HAVE A LOT OF HOLDS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THERE IS A GENERAL HOLD FOR OVER 350 PATIENTS HOLDING IN ER'S WAITING FOR A BED WHERE THERE IS NO STAFF TO TAKE THAT PATIENT.

SO ANYTHING THAT YOU ALL CAN DO, WE STAND READY TO HELP

YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: LORI, YOU ARE IN TOUCH WITH DIRECTOR ROBINSON, CORRECT? AND AS SOON AS YOU HAVE CONCRETE NUMBERS YOU KNOW

WHERE TO ROUTE IT THROUGH? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO AMELIORATE THE SITUATION.

ON THE BROADER TOPIC, THE ONLY THING TO ADD IS, YOU KNOW, WE SAW IN SOUTH AFRICA, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAD A WAVE.

THEIR HOSPITALIZATION DIDN'T GET AS HIGH AS PREVIOUS WAVES. THAT SAID, THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM US IN JUST THAT THERE IS -- THE SITUATION, THE CONTEXT IS DIFFERENT. THE UK, A SIMILAR THING.

THE VACCINATION AND BOOSTER RATE IS MUCH HIGHER.

THERE ISN'T A DIRECT COMPARISON.

WE CAN'T PREDICT THE FUTURE AS TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH OUR HOSPITALS. AS LORI SAID, IF YOU PROJECT IT OUT, IT LOOKS PRETTY BAD, BUT MAYBE BECAUSE OF THE VACCINATION RATES AND IF PEOPLE ARE CAUTIOUS ENOUGH, OUT WITH THE MASK WEARING, COMMON SENSE THINGS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO AVOID SO MUCH SPREAD THAT WE WILL PUT TOO MUCH STRAIN IN OUR HOSPITALS. THAT'S REALLY THE CALL TO ACTION IS FOR THE COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO GET THEIR VACCINE AND TO GET THEIR BOOSTER AND TO WEAR THE MASK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THIS VARIANT IS VERY TRANS MISSABLE AND A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF A BIG NUMBER IS A BIG NUMBER.

WE HAVE SO MUCH SPREAD, EVEN IF A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THOSE FOLKS END UP IN THE HOSPITAL IT STILL TAKES UP OUR BEDS.

LET'S HOPE WE DON'T GET THERE.

WE HAVE THREE INDICATORS AT RED.

THE ONE IN ORANGE IS THE HOSPITAL POPULATION.

THAT'S 12.6% AS OF YESTERDAY. WHEN WE WERE AROUND 40% IS WHEN WE START DIVERTING EVEN A LITTLE BEFORE THAT, OTHER CASES. IF WE GET TO 20 WE WILL BE AT RED. HOPEFULLY WE WON'T GET THERE.

THE FINAL POINT IS THE TESTING QUESTION.

I I KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN THE NEWS OF TESTING SHORTAGES, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING A TEST.

I WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH HAS PLENTY OF TESTS AVAILABLE.

WE ARE RIGHT NOW AT 80% CAPACITY.

THERE ARE APPOINTMENTS THAT FOLKS CAN GO TO.

THEY ARE WORKING ON THE WAIT TIMES.

AS OF YESSED THEY SAID IT WAS AT MOST 45 MINUTES FROM THE MINUTE YOU GET THERE TO THE MINUTE YOU LEAVE WHICH IS ADEQUATE. OF COURSE, THEY WILL TRY TO MAKE IT FASTER. AND THEN THEY ARE READY TO OPEN UP ADDITIONAL TESTING IF ADDITIONAL TESTING IS NEEDED.

THAT'S THE PCR TEST WHICH IS MORE ACCURATE, BUT TAKES LONGER. THEN THERE IS A QUESTION OF THE RAPID TESTS. THEY ARE LESS ACCURATE, BUT THEY ARE STILL USEFUL. THERE ARE A SHORTAGE OF THOSE

[02:35:02]

NATIONALLY. DIRECTOR ROBINSON WORKED HARD FOR US TO GET AHOLD OF THE TEST, THE RAPID TESTS THAT ARE OUT THERE BEFORE OTHER JURISDICTIONS DID SO WE CAN HAVE SOME. AND THEN THEY HAVE A PLAN TO DISTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOOLS. THAT'S SOMETHING I APPROVED LAST WEEK OR TWO WEEKS AGO SO WE CAN GET THEM HERE BEFORE THEY WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE. THERE IS A MOTION I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING THAT WILL ALLOW US TO PAY FOR THOSE TESTS. WE SORT OF RESERVED THEM, BUT WE HAVEN'T PAID FOR THEM. I WILL LET DIRECTOR ROBINSON EXPLAIN THE LOGIC BEHIND THEM AND I BELIEVE THE STAFF HAS CALLED YOUR GUYS' OFFICES TO EXPLAIN THE LOGIC.

DIRECTOR ROBINSON, IF YOU WILL GO AHEAD AND EXPLAIN THAT

STRATEGY. >> YES.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE WORKED DILIGENTLY WHEN WE SAW THIS LATEST WAVE IMPACTING THE COUNTY TO BY PROACTIVE AND IDENTIFY SIX COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE THE RAPID AN TAU GENERAL TEST KITS -- THE ANTIGEN TEST KITS.

WE HEARD BACK FROM TWO COMPANIES.

ONE OF THOSE COMPANIES HAD A TWO TO THREE-MONTH BACK ORDER, TO THE JUDGE'S POINT TO THE DEMAND FOR THE TEST.

ONE COMPANY HAD 55,000 TESTS AVAILABLE AND WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE THOSE TESTS, AND NOW WE NEED TO PAY FOR THEM.

WE DEVELOPED THE STRATEGY FOCUSING ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT DO NOT HAVE A ROBUST TESTING STRATEGY IN PLACE. WE KNOW IT IS TWO PARTS.

IT IS GETTING VACCINATED, BUT ALSO MITIGATING WITH TESTING AND ISOLATION. AT THIS POINT WE ARE SERVING THOSE CLINICS THAT SERVE CLINICS SO THEY CAN HAVE

ACCESS TO THESE RAPID TESTS. >> I'M CURIOUS, WHICH TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS -- DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONES DON'T HAVE THE

CAPABILITY? >> IT IS ACTUALLY NOT TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. IT IS TWO COMPANIES THAT SELL THE RAPID TESTING THAT WE HEARD BACK FROM IN TERMS OF TRYING TO IDENTIFY THOSE COUNTIES.

SOME HAVE TESTING PROGRAMS. HISD HAS A TESTING PROGRAM.

THERE ARE OTHER DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THAT WE ARE ASSESSING AND WE HAVE COME UP WITH A METHODOLOGY AND A PLAN AS TO HOW WE WILL DISTRIBUTE THE TESTS TO THE

SCHOOL DISTRICTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD BE CURIOUS WHICH SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE THEY.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THE LOGIC HERE IS, OF COURSE, TO KEEP THE KIDS AND THE -- THE KIDS IN SCHOOLS. SO THEY CAN GET A QUICK TEST IF THEY ARE NEGATIVE AND THEY CAN GO BACK TO CLASS AND ALSO TO TRY TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, CORRECT? GYRE THAT IS CORRECT. SORRY.

I MEANT TO GET TO THAT POINT. THE STRATEGY, OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL AND TO MITIGATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF OUR WORK TO GET THEM VACCINATED.

THERE ARE CERTAIN AGE GROUPS THAT CAN'T BE VACCINATED.

WE ARE WORKING AS QUACKLY AND DILIGENTLY AS POSSIBLE.

THE POINT IS TO GET KIDS IN SCHOOL BY GIVING THEM RESULTS

AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE. >> SO AS YOU VET THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, I WOULD THINK THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD BE AT THIS POINT TWO YEARS IN. THEY WOULD BE PRETTY KNOWLEDGEABLE ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT AND DO TESTS.

ARE YOU SAYING SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM

OF TESTING? >> SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE REQUESTED AND ASKED FOR SUPPORT.

AND SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO AIM TO ACHIEVE.

IT IS NOT THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO TESTING.

BUT ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES TO THESE TYPES OF TESTS IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE NATIONALLY SO WE MOVED QUICKLY TO SECURE 55,000 TESTS. WE WANT TO SUPPORT THOSE DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE KITS RIGHT NOW AT THE LEVEL WE NEED THEM. WE WANT TO SUPPORT AND AUGMENT

THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND AT WHAT POINT DO WE HELP THEM WITH THE PCR TEST? PUBLIC HEALTH IS ALSO WORKING -- AND HAS BEEN WORKING TO PARTNER ON THE PCR TEST. IF A KID COMES BACK NEGATIVE WITH THE RAPID TEST, BUT THEY STILL HAVE SYMPTOMS, AT THAT POINT IT IS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE A PCR TEST.

WE ARE TRYING TO BE SMART ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE KNOW THESE RAPID TESTS ARE GOOD ENOUGH, BUT THEY ARE A LITTLE LESS ACCURATE THAN THE OTHER ONES.

>> AND JUST WANTED TO ADD, JUDGE, THE DISTRICTS ARE KATY

[02:40:02]

AND ISD THAT HAVE THEIR OWN TESTING PROGRAMS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DIRECTOR ROBINSON, WHICH -- I KNOW I CALLED YOU, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE ANSWER WAS.

IS THE PREDICTION THAT THE NUMBERS -- THIS SURGE WILL HAPPEN FOR AWHILE AND THEN TAPER OFF IN EARLY OR LATE FEBRUARY? WHAT IS THE BEST GUESS?

>> I THINK IF WE ARE LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, SOUTH AFRICA AND THAT TREND, WE ARE LOOKING AT 6 WEEKS.

I BELIEVE WE ARE FOUR WEEKS INTO IT.

SO WE ARE HOPING TO SEE AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND INTO THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY THAT THIS WAVE IS TAPERING OFF.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO MENTION, JUDGE, BECAUSE I WAS NOT HEAR FOR THE SPEAKERS, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF MARTY LANGFORD, THE FIREFIGHTER, SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

I WAS TOLD HE WAS COMING. THE FIREFIGHTERS AND THE POLICE UNION CONTACTED ME. I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED IT TO YOU. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I TOLD YOU OR NOT. I WAS ON A BIKE WITH YOUR COUNTERPART IN THE CITY WHEN I CALLED YOU OVER THE WEEKEND.

I KNOW A LOT OF THIS STARTED WITH THE RODEO.

IT WAS WHETHER OR NOT I WOULD ADVOCATE THAT WE DO TESTING AT THE NRG SITE. AND I THINK WE HAVE THESE COMPANIES WHO MUST DO IT FOR POLICE AND FIRE NOW.

AND THEY MUST GET REIMBURSED BY THE FEDS.

I DON'T THINK THEY ARE DOINGS IT FOR FREE.

I I DON'T THINK THEY ARE DOING IT FOR FREE.

I TALKED TO THE NRG PEOPLE. IF THEY CAN AND IT DOES NOT IMPACT WHAT THEY DO, IT IS EVERYWHERE, RIGHT? AND THAT WOULD BE LIKE SEVERAL SUPER BOWLS.

IF I WAS GOING TO GO, I WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO HAVE THE OPTION OF BEING TESTED BEFORE THEY WALK IN THERE.

AND WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

>> YES, SIR. WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT.

WE GOT THE INFORMATION AND THE TEAM IS RESEARCHING AND WE'LL GET BACK TO YOU ALL WITH RESPECT TO STRATEGY AND

RECOMMENDATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS TRYING TO DO MY BIKE RIDE WITH THE CITY HEALTH DIRECTOR, HE KEPT GETTING CALLS FROM HIS BOSS. HE COULDN'T ENJOY THE RIDE THE WAY I DID BECAUSE THE CITY SITES WERE BACKED UP.

WE HAD TO DETOUR AND PASS BY THE ONE DOWNTOWN WHICH WAS THOUGHT QUITE -- THE WAIT WAS NOT AS LONG, BUT IT LOOKED LIKE PEOPLE WERE OUT THERE FOR A GOOD HOUR WAIT OR SO.

IS IT POSSIBLE OR SHOULD WE LOOK AT SETTING UP SIGHTS AGAIN? I KNOW THE CITY IS DOING ITS DEAL. SHOULD WE GO AND LOOK FOR FUNDING AND FIGURE OUT ALL OF THESE -- SOME OF THESE SMALLER COMPANIES HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA ONE PERSON IS TALKING WITH YOU AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, I DON'T THINK YOU ARE GONNA MAKE ANY MONEY OFF OF IT. YOU NEED TO GO WHERE THERE IS A BIG ENOUGH CROWD. THEY PAY FOR SECURITY AND EVERYTHING. I THINK THE CITY PAYS FOR THE SECURITY AND WHOEVER THOSE COMPANIES ARE THEY GET REIMBURSED FOR THE TEST THEY DID.

I HOPE YOU WORK IT INTO THE EQUATION.

ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS DID HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE FOR FOUR HOURS. THEY WANTED TO GO TO DINNER, BUT DECIDED I NEEDED TO LOSE WEIGHT ANYWAY.

>> AND DO YOU WANT TO COVER THAT, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, HOW WE HAVE MORE SITES ON STAND BYE?

SITES ON STAND BY? >> WE ARE STRATEGIC AND INTENTIONAL IN HOW WE LOOKED AT THE PROCESS AND WHAT THE TRIGGERS ARE WITH RESPECT TO OPENING ADDITIONAL SITES.

WE ARE PREPARED AND WE HAVE OUR STAFF ON STAND BY READY TO IMPLEMENT MORE SITES AS THE NEED AND IF THE NEED DEVELOPS TO DO SO. WE ARE MONITORING THAT

CLOSELY. >> YOU ARE WORKING WITH

DIRECTOR WILLIAMS AS WELL? >> WE ARE.

>> I AM TRYING TO ENJOY MY BIKE RIDE AND THEY ARE

TALKING. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET US KNOW IF YOU HEAR OF ANYWHERE ELSE IT MAY BE NEEDED.

I AM PROUD OF THE WORK YOUR TEAM IS DOING, DIRECTOR ROBINSON. WE WILL TRY TO STAY ONE STEP AHEAD. HOPEFULLY WE WON'T GET THERE, BUT IF THE HOSPITALIZATIONS -- THEY ARE NOT TRENDING IN A

GOOD DIRECTION. >> AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE ARE WORKING TO ADD A NEW FEDERAL TESTING SITE AS PART OF THE NEED FOR MORE EXPANSIVE TESTING.

WE ARE WORKING MULTIPLE ANGLES AND BEING STRATEGIC AND INTENTIONAL. WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING ALL

OF THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO THE MOTION IS TO TRANSFER $605,000 FROM THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY FUND TO PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR

[02:45:02]

THE PURCHASE OF RAPID AN TAU GENERAL TESTS -- ANTIGEN TESTS. IS THERE A MOTION? MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DIDN'T

CATCH COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU DIDN'T CATCH COMMISSIONER CAGLE BECAUSE I AM STILL TRYING TO WRAP MY HEAD AROUND WHEN DID WE KNOW OF THIS REQUEST?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS CAME THROUGH MAYBE LAST WEEK,

RIGHT, DIRECTOR ROBINSON? >> YES.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY THROUGH THE WHOLE HOLIDAYS AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE THIS REQUEST TO THE JUDGE LAST WEEK. WE HAD TO IDENTIFY A RESOURCE.

AS I SAID WE WERE BEATING THE PAVEMENT AND EVERYBODY WAS TRYING TO FIND TESTING KIT RESOURCES.

WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY TWO RESOURCES, BUT ONE OF THOSE COULD NOT DELIVER FOR TWO OR THREE MONTHS.

THIS PARTICULAR RESOURCE HAD 55,000 KITS ON HAND AND WE MOVED IMMEDIATELY TO SECURE APPROVAL FROM THE JUDGE TO

HOLD THOSE FOR US. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST WE HOLD THIS PARTICULAR MOTION UNTIL A LITTLE LATER IN THE DAY. I WANT TO LOOK AT IT A LITTLE

CLOSER. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

WE WILL COME BACK TO THE MOTION ON ITEM 14.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BEFORE YOU GOT HERE WE WERE GOING TO VOTE ON ITEM 13. THAT'S THE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NM IN FAVOR. I AM IN FAVOR.

IT PASSES 4-1. THAT WAS 13 AND THEN COMING

BACK TO 14. >> FOR 229 IS THERE ACTION? THAT THAT WAS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S ITEM?

>> TOM RAMSEY: NO. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CHECKING.

ITEM 20, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THE NAVIGATION BOULEVARD

PROJECT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANTED TO BRIEFLY SPEAK ON THIS BECAUSE I AM EXCITED. STAFF SERGEANT GARCIA BRINGS A LOT OF HISTORY TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE LATINO COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR. AND JUST VERY GRATEFUL TO THE PARTNERSHIP BY THE BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP AND MOVING THIS PROJECT FORWARD. THIS IS PERSONAL TO ME AND THE STAFF CAR -- SERGEANT GARCIA, ALTHOUGH NO RELATION, HE DID HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FATHER-IN-LAW WHO SERVED IN KOREA AND HIS GODFATHER WAS THE GODFATHER TO ONE OF MY BROTHER-IN-LAWS. AND THEN THERE IS ANOTHER GROUP THAT IS DOING A MURAL OF STAFF SERGEANT GARCIA IN SAINT MARY AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE FAMILY TO COME AND PARTICIPATE IN THE INAUGURATION OF THE MURAL.

YOU WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE THE TRAIL SYSTEMS AND TO JUST BRING ART AND OTHER AMENITIES TO THE COMMUNITY.

THIS WAS SPECIAL BECAUSE OF WHO IT REFLECTS AND FOR SOME WHO MAY NOT REMEMBER, SOME OF THE REWARDS, STAFF SERGEANT GARCIA TOOK A MACHINE GUN NEST BY HIMSELF AND ENDURED A GREAT, GREAT AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE AND TO SAVE HIS COLLEAGUES AND TAKE ON THE ENEMY.

WHEN HE RETURNED HOME AFTER RECEIVING THE MEDAL OF HONOR HE WAS AT A LOCAL DINER. I BELIEVE IT WAS -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS SUGARLAND. HE IS IN UNIFORM.

THE OWNER OF THE DINER TAKES IT BACK TO HIM.

HE SAID THERE IS A SIGN OUTSIDE.

NO DOGS OR MEXICANS ALLOWED. SO I BELIEVE HE WAS THROWN IN JAIL FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT OR RESISTING ARREST, SOMETHING CRAZY. BUT THANKS TO THE WORK OF BLUE, BLACK AND OTHERS, THOSE CHARGES WERE DROPPED.

IT REMINDS US AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE

[02:50:04]

MADE A WAY TO ADDRESS THOSE INJUSTICES.

BUT THERE IS A MUCH, MUCH DARKER TIME IN OUR HISTORY.

AND A MILITARY HERO LIKE GARCIA HAD TO ENDURE SOME OF THAT WHILE IN UNIFORM. THAT'S THE CONNECTION TO ME.

AND THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT AND I WANTED TO SPEAK ON IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT US AND YOU HOPE YOU WILL LET US KNOW SO WE CAN ALL BE THERE FOR THE

INAUGURATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> AS PRESENTED.

>> MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 41. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO JUST GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO MY TEAM ON THAT ONE. IT TOOK A LONGTIME TO GET THE WORK OUT WITH THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

IT WAS UNCOMERN TO DO -- UNCOMMON TO DO STREET PROJECTS ALTHOUGH THEY DID THEM IN OTHER CITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. PRECINCT 1 WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO A SIGNIFICANT LEVEL. THIS PROJECT IS $15 MILLION PR -- FROM PRECINCT ONE. TWO MILLION WILL COME FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHO COMMITTED TWO MILLION AND 4.7 MILLION -- THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON IS PUTTING IN TWO MILLION AND WE ARE PUTTING IN 15 MILLION FROM THE COUNTY AND THE CITY IS PUTTING IN 2.7 MILLION. IT WILL BE IMPRESSIVE, A 10-FOOT SIDEWALK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET.

IT TOOK A LOT OF PARTIES TO GET INVOLVED.

EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY BENEFITS AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTY. WE ARE DOING IT AROUND THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. WE ARE DOING THIS AND MORE AROUND TEXAS SOUTHERN AS WELL.

I WANTED TO SHOUTOUT TO MY TEAM AND MOVE ADOPTION.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: CURIOUS, HOW

LONG DID IT TAKE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: A LONGTIME BECAUSE OF FOOTBALL GAMES. WE ARE NOT THROUGH WITH IT

YET. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST TO GET THE

AGREEMENT WORKED OUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT TOOK AWHILE. YOU DO THESE PROJECTS AND WE COMMITTED $15 MILLION TO TSU AND $15 MILLION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND WHEN YOU START DOING THE PLANS, THE PRICE TAG FOR THE UNIVERSITY WENT UP TO 20 SOME ODD MILLION. I WAS IN A JAM.

WHAT I DID WAS CALL OVER AND TELL THE CHANCELLOR THAT IT WAS A GREAT PRESS CONFERENCE AND I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH, BUT I HAVE A CHOICE EITHER YOU HAVE TO GET THE CITY TO COME UP WITH THE OTHER 4-POINT SOME ODD MILLION OR 5 MILLION OR YOU CAN DO IT. OR I HAVE TO CUT THE PROJECT BACK TO ABOUT 5 MILLION AND IT IS UP TO YOU.

SHE COULDN'T GET ALL OF IT IN THE STU, BUT 2 MILLION FROM THE UNIVERSITY. THAT'S WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG.

IF SOMEBODY IS NOT IN OFFICE AND WE ARE OUT THERE DIGGING AND SPENDING $15 MILLION AND PEOPLE ARE ANGRY WITH US AND HAVE TO PUT 15 MILLION BECAUSE YOU CAN'T COMPLETE IT.

TSU DIDN'T HAVE A POLITICAL CLOIT.

CLOUT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I AGREE WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE WITH THE CITY.

IT SHOULDN'T BE THIS COMPLICATED.

YOU WALK IN WITH 15 MILLION AND THAT OUGHT TO BE -- MORE

THAN PRIMING THE PUMP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IN THE PAST WE WEREN'T DEALING WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THE ONLY TIME THAT STARTED HAPPENING WAS TO KEEP ME FROM GETTING THERE. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN COMMISSIONERS' COURT WAS IN SUPPORT OF NRG, BUT THAT WAS WORKING THE POLITICS. I HAD TO BE SMART ENOUGH TO SAY I WILL DO STREETS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD INSTEAD OF FOR THE SUPER BOWL. THAT WAS THE MAIN POINT TO

MAKE. >> TOM RAMSEY: WE MAY BE FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU. I THINK THERE ARE MANY MORE CITY OF HOUSTON AND COUNTY PARTNERSHIPS WE SHOULD BE

DOING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WILL JUST SAY, TAKE A LOOK -- BECAUSE THIS IS COMMENDABLE WORK HERE AND IT DOES TAKE SOME TIME TO ALIGN ALL THE STARS, BUT LOOK AT OUR PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO SOME SIDEWALKS AND I HAVE A FEW OTHER PROJECTS IN THE CITY AS WELL.

THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM HAS RESOLVED A LOT OF THE CHAOS, IF YOU WILL, AND THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE COORDINATION.

I LOOKED AT THAT BECAUSE I WAS NOTICING ALL THE WORK YOU WERE

[02:55:01]

DOING WITH THE CITY AND THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO SHARE THE WEALTH. WE WORK HARD WITH OUR PERIPHERY -- PERIPHER IAL CITIES AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON AS WELL. RODRIGUEZ IT AS --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A BIT COMPLICATED.

INSTEAD OF BEING A TWO-WAY IT IS A THREE-WAY.

EVEN IF WE DID IT IN -- AND THE CITY DID IT, SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH THAT.

WE HAD TO GET EVERYBODY TO SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

GAWK JACK -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: STREET PROJECTS WERE STARTED IN PRECINCT 4 BEFORE YOU GOT HERE. ONE WAS HANLIN ROAD AND SWOUN -- ONE ON ANTOINE. AND THEN CLOCKS AND ASSOCIATES WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HELPING US WITH THE HANLIN PROJECT AND SOMEBODY SAID HOW DARE WE IMPROVE THEIR DRAINAGE AND ROADWAY BECAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN MORE PEOPLE WOULD MOVE IN. SO WE ENDED UP HAVING THAT ONE HIT THE ROCKS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THEY BACKED OUT.

ANTOINE IS STILL SORT OF FLOATING OUT THERE A LITTLE BIT, BUT NEW ONES WE WERE ABLE TO GET DONE AND IT WAS A SUCCESS. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PHASE 2. THOSE IN THE LOCAL CONTRACTS IS PROBABLY SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ALREADY HAS THOSE.

THEY TOOK ALMOST AS LONG TO PUT THE CONTRACT TOGETHER AS IT DID TO DO THE ENGINEERING. THAT STARTED -- I GET THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING THE COMMENTS, BUT BEFORE YOU GOT HERE. TWO OF THE THREE GOT WASHED AWAY INTO THE MIRE OF TRYING TO DEAL WITH THAT PARTNER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JOHN BLOUNT WAS HELPFUL.

GIVING HIM KUDOS FIGURING OUT HOW TO DO THE INTER LOG -- THE INTER LOCAL. WE MADE A COMMITMENT THAT YOU HAVE TO USE IT OR LOSE IT WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME OR I WOULD PUT THE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THAT WAS AG NUDGE -- NUDGING. AND IF THE CHANCELLOR DIDN'T PUT HER 2 MILLION IN, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SMALLER PROJECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 116, COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS A REVIEW OF WHAT I THINK WAS STARTED IN THE HART PROGRAM.

MY QUESTION WAS WE HAVE A CORE PROGRAM GOING WHICH IS LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING WITH MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS AND RESPONDING TO NEEDS. ARE WE COMPLEMENTING WHAT CORE IS DOING WITH THE HART PROBLEM. THAT IS MY GENERAL QUESTION. I WOULD LIKE TO BE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE DUPLICATION AT THIS POINT.

MS. ROBINSON, ARE YOU THERE? >> YES, SIR.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CORE

PROGRAM? >> YES.

SO OUR EFFORTS, WE HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL AND REACHED OUT AND CONTINUE TO DO OUT REACH TO OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND OUR PARTNERS TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT HART TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE NOT DUPLICATING THE EFFORTS.

WE KNOW THERE IS GREAT WORK HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO HAVE THIS BE ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS FOR ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE.

AND SO I'M CONFIDENT THAT THIS PROGRAM IS NOT DUPLICATING ANY EFFORTS THAT ARE IN EFFECT RIGHT NOW.

AND WE CONTINUE TO PARTNER AND HAVE OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS AN AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM.

AND I KNOW IT IS DIFFERENT AND THE FOCUS WITH HART WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LEVERAGING OUR RESOURCES AND WE ARE NOT WASTING. I NOTICED IN THE BACK UP WE ARE BRINGING IN DIMA CONSULTING.

ARE THEY HELPING WITH TRAINING?

WHAT IS THEIR EXPERTISE? >> DIMA CONSULTING HAS A ROBUST BACKGROUND AND EXPERTISE IN WORKING WITH THE POPULATIONS WE ARE HOPING TO ADDRESS THROUGH THIS ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE MODEL. SO THEY ARE GOING TO -- THEY HAVE EMT EXPERIENCE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXPERIENCE AND COMPREHENSIVE WRAP AROUND EXPERIENCE AND THE EMERGENCY

[03:00:02]

RESPONSE EXPERIENCE IN DISASTERS AS WELL AS EMERGENCY CRISIS RESPONSE. AND SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THEM COMING IN TO HELP SUPPORT IMPLEMENTING AND ADMINISTERING THE HART PROGRAM IN COORDINATION WITH OUR PUBLIC PARTNERS. LEAN LEAN COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK AND TIME YOU PUT INTO THIS.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES.

I WANT TO WELCOME LUPE WASHINGTON IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I THINK SHE IS A VERY CAPABLE LEADER FOR THIS PROGRAM.

I KNOW THE CITY IS LOOKING AT WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH AN EYE TOWARD DETERMINING HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PUT INTO SOME PROGRAMS AS WELL. I KNOW YOU ARE STARTING OFF ON SUNNY SIDE AND CYPRESS STATION. I AM IMPRESSED AND MY STAFF AND I WILL DO ALL WE CAN TO HELP MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL -- A GOOD BEGINNING AND WE MADE A COMMITMENT WITH A DOLLAR AMOUNT TO DOING A PROGRAM LIKE THIS ON THE DAY OF GEORGE FLOYD FUNERAL WAS HELD. AND I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT RESPONSE TO THE UP TICK THAT WE ARE SEEING IN VIOLENCE.

I COMMEND YOU FOR LOOKS -- FOR LOOKING AT BEST PRACTICES IN THE COUNTRY. KEEP IT UP AND KEEP US UPDATED. I MOVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECOND BYE GARCIA. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THAT WAS 116. AND THE NEXT ITEM IS 139.

COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE REQUESTED DISCUSSION ON THIS

ITEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: MY QUESTIONS, AND AS I CHECKED WITH PRE TWRIEL -- PRETRIAL I THINK WE ARE TRYING TO MONITOR ROUGHLY 3700 FOLKS.

THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE. WE HEAR STORIES ALL THE TIME ABOUT PEOPLE CUTTING THE MONITOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS.

SO WE ARE SPENDING MORE MONEY TO DO MORE MONITORING, BE THAT , YOU GUESS, SHOULDN'T WE BE LOOKING AT PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MONITORING THE MONITORS? I DON'T KNOW THAT WE ARE GETTING WHAT WE SHOULD OUT OF THIS. MY CONCERN IS THERE IS SOMEBODY FEELING SAFE BECAUSE THERE IS A MONITOR BEING PLACED ON A VIOLENT OFFENDER. THEY FEEL, WELL, WE ARE FINE AND WE HAVE A MONITOR ON THEM.

WHAT WE KNOW IS NOTHING HAPPENS IF THEY CUT THE MONITOR OFF. WATER THAN SAYING WE WILL APPROVE MORE MONITORS WITHOUT ANY SENSE OF WHAT ELSE WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING TO MONITOR IT, I THINK IT WOULD BE

FOOLISH. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND FINALLY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

JAKE JACK I HAD -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAD A LENGTHY CHAT WITH OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF PRETRIAL SERVICES. AND WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE DATA GATHERING THAT SHE IS ENGAGED IN TRYING TO GET US TO THE NEXT STEP SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. ABLE TO CONFIRM 3700 AND 3800 PEOPLE ARE ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING ITSELF.

OF THAT NUMBER KNOW, THOSE WHO ARE CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER AND MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER AND HOMICIDE ARE 284. SO WE HAVE 284 FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH VERY SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST THEIR NEIGHBORS. SOMEBODY DIED, AND THEY ARE ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING AND THAT IS GREAT CONCERN TO ME.

WE DO NOT YET KNOW AND THEY ARE PULLING THE NUMBERS AND THEY HAVE TO DO IT MANUALLY HOW MANY ARE GUILTY OF -- THOSE WHO WERE CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT.

THAT'S NOT PART OF THE 284. THAT'S A DIFFERENT NUMBER THAT IS ADDED TO THAT. IN TERMS OF ALERTS, AT THE -- THEY ARE DEALING WITH 500 ALERTS A DAY ON THESE ELECTRONIC MONITORS. THE PROBLEM IS, AN ALERT DOES NOT MEAN SOMEBODY VIOLATED THE TERMS OF THEIR ELECTRONIC MONITORING AGREEMENT. SOMETIMES IT IS A BATTERY THAT WENT OFF OR ANY NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT A VIOLATION. BUT ANYTIME YOU HAVE AN ALERT YOU HAVE TO INVESTIGATE IT AND YOU NEED PERSONNEL TO

[03:05:02]

INVESTIGATE THE ALERTS. AT THIS POINT IN TIME WITH REGARD TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TOTAL THAT PRE TRIOL SERVICES -- PRETRIAL SERVICES HAS IN THEIR NUMBERS IT IS 30,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE UNDER THIS PER VIEW.

HALF OF WHICH PRE TRIOL -- PRETRIAL DOESN'T HAVE ANY SAY OVER. 15,000 ARE ON A COMPLETE PERM -- PERSONAL BOND. THE ONLY DUTY PRETRIAL HAS ON THAT IS TO CREATE PAPERWORK AND FILES AND DO STUFF.

NOW IT IS AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND IT IS THEIR JOB TO NOTIFY PEOPLE WHEN THEIR COURT DATE IS, BUT THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM OR ANY TRACKING.

IT FALLS OVER TO THE COURTS. I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THE DIFFICULTY WILL BE ALLEVIATED SOMETIME IN APRIL TO MAY IS WHEN WHAT IS PUT IN MANUALLY THAT WILL GO INTO THE SOFTWARE AND IS BEING IMPLEMENTED AND IT HAS A MARCH DATE AND THEY ARE ANTICIPATING TO MAY AND IT WILL BE EASIER FOR US TO HAVE OUR DASHBOARDS AND THE OTHER WAYS OF BEING ABLE TO MONITOR AND KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS SITUATION OF THE -- THE SCWAITION -- THE SITUATION OF WE ARE PUTTING THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING ON AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CLEAR IF WE ARE PUTTING DANGEROUS PEOPLE OUT THERE, 284 OF THEM, SOMEBODY HAS BEEN DEAD THAT THEY ARE APPROPRIATE AND WE AREN'T OVER USING THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING ON THE OTHER SIDE. TO TOUCH ON WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID, MAYBE WE SHOULD INVEST IN THOSE WHO ARE WORKING THE MONITORS THAN HAVING US TO CONTINUALLY HAVE FOLKS SAY OH WE WILL PUT A MONITOR ON IT AND IT WILL BE OKAY. I THINK WE CAN GET, I THINK THE TERM IS, BETTER OUTCOMES IF WE HAVE PERSONNEL WORKING WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING AND THEY ARE NOT HURTING THEIR NEIGHBORS AND THEY ARE FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH COMPLIANCE OUT THERE THAN USING THE BAN DADE OF LET'S PUT A -- AN ELECTRONIC MONITOR ON YOU AND THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HAS SOMETHING BAD AND TRAGIC HAPPENED? OR DID A BATTERY GO OUT?

I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR NATALIE FOR TAKING MY CALL ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. APPRECIATE THAT.

AND WE TALKED EXTENSIVELY ON -- AND EVERYTHING COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY TOUCHED ON IS ACCURATE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF DANGEROUS AND VIOLENT PEOPLE ON ELECTRONIC MONITORS.

AND THE DEPARTMENT AND WHOAFULLY UNDERSTAFFED ON MONITORS. IN THE MEETINGS COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ELUDED TO THAT HE AND I HAVE BEEN SITTING IN ON, THIS WAS ONE OF THE SUBJECTS, ONE OF THE TOPICS OF DISCUSSION IN THOSE MEETINGS. WE ARE STILL GOING TO NEED TO INVEST IN THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IN SPITE OF AGREEING THAT WE SHOULD PUT OUR MONEY ELSEWHERE.

AS YOU KNOW, JUDGE, IT IS THE JUDGE'S DISCRETION AND DECISION TO USE THOSE ELECTRONIC MONITORS.

AS LONG AS THE JUDGE CONTINUES TO LEAN ON THE DEVICES AS PART OF THEIR JUDICIAL DISCRETION, THEN THE DEPARTMENT HAS TO OBLIGE AND SO THERE ARE TWO PATHS THAT WE SHOULD TAKE.

ONE IS SUPPORT THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.

AND THEN SECONDLY WORK WITH THE DIRECTOR TO HELP HER FIND THE STAFF THAT SHE NEEDS, BUT AS WE HAVE BEEN HEARING TODAY, THE SUPPLY CHAIN ON STAFF WHETHER IT IS NURSES OR ELECTRONIC MONITORS OR OUR OPERATIONS, IT IS DIFFICULT RIGHT NOW. AND SO MY FIRST -- MY MOST SPECIFIC COMMENT IS THAT NATALIE I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOU ARE A HUGE, HUGE BREATH OF FRESH AIR. WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS

[03:10:03]

ENCOURAGE A MORE STRUCTURED APPROACH WITH THE MOST VIOLENT THAT ARE ON THESE MONITORING. THE DIRECTOR AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT A STRATEGY FOR THAT. MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN DISCUSS ON THE CJCC. LARGELY FOR THOSE WHO ARE THE ELECTRONIC MONITORS, THERE IS NOT MUCH OF A CHALLENGE THERE.

I WAS CONCERNED, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE THAT NOTHING WAS HAPPENING, BUT SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN.

I WAS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO INSERT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN A PART OF THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW, IF YOU WILL, OUT THERE. THERE WAS CONCERN THAT JUDGE JOHNSON EXPRESSED ABOUT MAKING ARRESTS FOR A BAD BATTERY.

THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M AFTER. THERE IS A STRATEGIC WAY TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO MAKE THEM A PART OF THIS PROCESS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE MOST DANGEROUS AND THE MOST VIOLENT AND TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY ESPECIALLY FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND AGGRAVATED ROBBERY AND ASSAULT AND FAMILY OF VICTIMS OF MURDER.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK ON THAT.

DIRECTOR, I WANT TO THANK YOU -- I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR WORK AND TAKING MY CALL ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. I HOPE YOUR NEW YEAR'S WAS GOOD IN SPITE OF ALL THAT -- WE STAYED ON THE PHONE FOR A COUPLE HOURS. WE WALKED THEM THROUGH ALL THIS. WOULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF IF I GOT ANY OF OUR DISCUSSION INACCURATE AND WHERE COULD WE BE OF MOST SUPPORT TO YOU AND HELPFUL TO YOU?

>> THAT'S ACCURATE. WHEN WE START LOOKING AT THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING, IT HAS TO BE A STRATEGIC APPROACH AND A SYSTEM APPROACH TO LOOKING THE -- LOOKING AT THE RESOURCES AND HOW THEY ARE UTILIZED.

ALTHOUGH THE JUDGE IS THE DECIDER OF WHAT CONDITIONS ARE USED, AS A SYSTEM WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHERE DO WE WANT TO PUT OUR RESOURCES AND HOW DO WE WANT TO USE THEM? WHAT WE ARE INTENDING TO DO, WE ARE INTENDING TO DO TWO THINGS. ONE, PRETRIAL HAS REQUESTED TO APPEAR BEFORE A STANDING COMMITTEE THAT OVERSEES THE 15/17 HEARING WHICH IS THE INITIAL APPEARANCE FOR ANYONE COMING INTO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THAT PRETRIAL CAN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION. THAT'S ONE WAY WE CAN CURB THE USE TOWARD TARGETING OUR RESOURCES TOWARD THOSE HIGHER RISKS AND HIGHER SCALE SCORES FOR THE PRE TRIOL UH -- PRE-TRIAL ASSESSMENT. AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SECOND QUARTER TO START THAT PROCESS AND HOPEFULLY BE FINISHED BY THE THIRD QUARTER.

JUST WHAT DIRECTION AS A COMMUNITY DO WE WANT TO GO WITH THE USE OF THE RESOURCES IN PRETRIAL -- IN THIS DEPARTMENT. I KNOW WHERE I WANT MY VISION, BUT EVERYONE HAS TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE IN ORDER TO USE OUR RESOURCES IN A MORE SUPPORTIVE AND MORE STRUCTURED APPROACH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

DIRECTOR, MICHALIDES, WELCOME TO HOUSTON.

NOT BEING IN OHIO IT IS PROBABLY -- SHE WAS PROBABLY HAVING A GOOD TIME IN NEW YEAR'S EVE INSTEAD OF BEING IN THE SNOW SOMEWHERE. I THINK YOU STATED IT ACCURATELY. THE JUDGES DO DECIDE.

WHEN I CHATTED WITH YOU ABOUT IT, I THINK THE JUDGES HAVE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU AND YOU DECIDE WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE CJCC OR SOME OTHER GROUP FROM OUR SIDE TO MEET WITH SOME OF THE SCWUJ -- JUDGES IF WE CAN HELP.

THE NUMBERS ARE GOING FROM 145,000 A MONTH IN THE OFFICE OF 2020 TO NOVEMBER OF 2021, THAT WAS BIG JUMP IN TERMS OF FULL DISCLOSURE, I DON'T DRINK SINCE I GOT DRUNK FRESH MAN YEAR IN NEW ORLEANS. I HAVE NOT HAD A DRINK SINCE LABOR DAY OF 1973. I DO NOT DRINK.

THE LEGISLATE TIRE -- LEGISLATURE RUNNING JOKE WAS

[03:15:04]

THE MAD MOTHERS WILL GET ME TO CARRY THEIR BILLS BECAUSE I HAD NO SENSITIVITY TO THE ISSUE SINCE I CAN'T HANDLE ALCOHOL. I DON'T TOUCH IT.

I KNOW WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE THEM THE OPTION OF THE DEAL WHERE YOU COULDN'T TURN YOUR CAR IN.

I DON'T THINK IT EVER PASSED IN TEXAS.

I'M NOT SURE IF IT DID OR NOT.

TO SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY, THE 4.5, $6 MILLION, WE HAVE TO MAKE A CASE TO OUR PARTNERS THAT WE WON'T HAVE MONEY TO DO SOMETHING ELSE THEY WANT TO DO IF EVERYBODY JUST KEEPS ORDERING A MONITOR. MAYBE FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY SAY WE DON'T NECESSARILY NEED THE MONITOR.

I THINK WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

I DON'T THINK YOU THOUGHT WE WOULD FUND IT WITH VACANT POSITIONS AND LEAVE THAT IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IF IT IS UNDER STAFFED IT IS INCREASING.

WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF ONE BUCKET AND NOT HAVE IT IN ANOTHER BUCKET.

WELCOME TO HOUSTON. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAGLE AND

THEN RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ONE OF THE OTHER FEATURES OF THIS IS WE HAVE MORE EXPENSE WITH THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING IF I UNDERSTAND MY CONVERSATION WITH THE DIRECTOR CORRECTLY. THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE BACKLOG OF CASES. WHEN YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE ORDERING THESE AND YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY WOULD HAVE ATTRITIONED OFF BECAUSE THEY HAVE CONVICTED AND GONE TO JAIL AND THEN BACK TO SOCIETY, THE MORE THAT INCREASES AND SO TO THE EXTENT OF GETTING THE JURY TRIALS ROLLING AND TO GET HELP WITH THE BACKLOG GONE WILL ALSO HELP TAKE SOME OF THIS EXPENSE OFF OF THE TABLE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE HIDDEN EXPENSES.

THAT'S THE COST OF THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING WHILE PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR THEIR TRIAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER? >> TOM RAMSEY: WELCOME TO

HOUSTON, DIRECTOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: MY STAFF GOT GREAT CONFIDENCE BASED ON WHAT I HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

TALKING ABOUT MORE FOCUSED, STRATEGIC APPROACH.

I LOOK FORWARD TO APPROVING THIS KNOWING THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE AND WE'VE GOT AT LEAST A SOLUTION AT HAND.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE GONNA DO TO HELP US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IT IS WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU ON BOARD. I KNOW MY STAFF IS ENJOYING WORKING WITH YOU AS WELL. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS.

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

DIRECTOR HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE YOUR LAST NAME?

>> IT IS MICHALIDES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WITH THAT TEXAS DRAWL WE GO TO MICAH. WE BRING THE AH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS 143. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED A LOT IN TERMS OF FUNDING FOR OUR PRISONER TRANSPORT.

IT HAS BEEN SAID AND I AGREE THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH THE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING CAUGHT UP WITH. MY SIMPLE REQUEST HERE AND THIS IS DIRECTED A BIT TOWARD MR. BERRY WHO IS WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF. WE NEED A PLAN ON A PIECE OF PAPER. WE KNOW WE GOT A PROBLEM THERE. WE ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT WE CAN ALMOST AT EVERY MEETING WHETHER IT IS PAY ADDITIONAL OVERTIME OR TRANSPORTING PRISONERS TO ANOTHER LOCATION, WE ARE TRYING TO STAY AHEAD OF IT.

AT SOME POINT WE ARE GOING TO NEED A PLAN ON A PIECE OF PAPER WITH NUMBERS AND A BUDGET AND WHAT WE CAN DO GOING FORWARD. RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN A HEAVY REACTIVE MODE. I KNOW WE ARE GOING INTO THE BUDGET CYCLE. THIS IS MORE THAN A BUDGET ISSUE. IT ENDS UP BEING WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THE JAIL PLAN. I DON'T THINK, DAVID, DO YOU HAVE A PLAN ON THE SHEET OF PAPER TO THIS POINT?

IS THERE ONE IN THE WORKS? >> WHAT WE HAVE COMMISSIONER IS A DRAFT OF THE PLAN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WE

[03:20:05]

HAVE A NUMBER OF BUDGET REQUESTS TARGETED AT ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE MADE SOME CALL THEM TEMPORARY -- ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS TO THE END OF THIS YEAR OF THE I ANTICIPATE EXTRA COSTS NEXT YEAR WITH THE OUT SOURCING CONTRACT WHICH NONE OF US WANTED TO DO, BUT WERE FORCED INTO IT FOR STAFFING NEEDS AT THE JAIL.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

WITH THE JUDGE THERE'S IS THE PRESSURE AND THERE IS THE COVID AND ALL OF THESE ISSUES YOU ARE TRYING TO BALANCE AT SOME POINT HOPEFULLY WE CAN SEE A PLAN WE CAN SEE HOW TO

BEST SUPPORT. >> WELL, AND COMMISSIONER I WOULD ADD SIMILAR TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S POINT ABOUT PRE TRIOL SERVICES -- PRETRIAL SERVICES COSTS, THE COSTS WE ARE INCURRING THERE ARE IN A -- AS A RESULT OF BACKLOG AND WE NEED TO GET TRIALS MOVING.

WE SEE IT IN SEVERAL PLACES IN THE BUDGET SEASON.

CLEARING THE BACKLOG IS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT FOR POLICY REASONS AND ETHICAL REASONS, BUT IT IS A MAJOR FINANCIAL

TOLL RIGHT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

AND I DID NOTICE THE LETTER THAT THE FOLKS THAT CAME TO SPEAK WERE TALKING ABOUT. I'M SURE YOU GUYS RECEIVED IT TOO. THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON THE DIFFERENT PLAYERS IN THE SYSTEM.

I MEAN, IT JUST IS ANOTHER CALL THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO DO THEIR PART. DAVE, YOU'LL LET US KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE THIS IN WRITING FROM THE SHERIFF?

>> WELL, IT WILL VERY MUCH BE PART OF THE BUDGET HEARINGS AND DEVELOP -- DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.

THIS IS A VITAL PRIORITY, BUT WE ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO AFFORD IT AND BALANCE IT AGAINST OTHER PRIORITIES.

I THINK THAT'S THE PLACE FOR AN UNDERTONE FOR THE FINANCIAL

JAIL TO BE RESOLVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY RAMSEY ON 143 AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I.

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

152. COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM WALK US THROUGH THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO LIKE TO GET A SENSE OF WHY IT HAS TAKEN SO LONG.

I KNOW COMMISSIONERS' COURT WENT ON RECORD IN SUPPORT OF A MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL SYSTEM AND EVEN THE PREVIOUS COURT EXPRESSED INTEREST MOVING AWAY WHERE THE JUDGES WERE PICKING THE LAWYERS. AND WHERE DO WE GO NEXT? HOW MANY ARE PARTICIPATING NOW, AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET THERE? I THINK IT INCREASES OUR CHANCES OF GETTING SOME MONEY FROM THE STATE IF WE MOVE FASTER. IF MR. HARTMAN CAN COME ON THE

LINE? >> YES.

CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

I AM TO ADDRESS YOU AND TO ADDRESS COMMISSIONER ELLIS' PARTICULAR QUESTION IN REGARDS TO THE MAC OFFICE.

TIERS TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS -- FIRST, TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AS FAR AS THE MAC OFFICE AND WHY IT HAS TAKEN TIME FOR US TO BE OPERATIONAL, IT HAS BEEN A FEW REASONS.

ONE OF WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY GETTING ACCESS TO THE DATA WE NEED GIVEN THAT WE IDENTIFY WITH THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO APPOINT COUNSEL IN THIS TRANSFER FROM A COURT-APPOINTED SYSTEM TO A MAC APPOINTED SYSTEM.

>> DO YOU MIND TURNING YOUR CAMERA ON?

>> SURE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU MAY JUST WALK THROUGH I THINK THIS IS YOUR ONE-YEAR OR 13-MONTH ANNIVERSARY. SO I WANTED TO GET SOME SENSE -- OBVIOUSLY THEY MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE STATUTE OUT. STATUTE.

I AM BECAUSE IT PASSED IT -- WELL, TWO-THIRDS OF THE JUDGES I KNOW HAVE TO AGREE IN ORDER TO DO IT.

IN 13 MONTHS YOU HAD DATA ISSUES.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T TAKE ANOTHER 13 MONTHS TO GET

TO THOSE NOT INCLUDED. >> SURE.

YES, COMMISSIONER. DATA COMMISSIONERS GAVE US THE

[03:25:04]

DATA NEEDED TO AUTOMATICALLY ASSIGN CASES TO ATTORNEYS.

IT DID HAPPEN AND THEN FROM THERE WE WENT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION STAGE WHERE WE WORKED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO HELP US INCLUDE THAT AND CHANGE FM SYSTEMS. THE DPRKS M SYSTEM -- THE FM SYSTEMS WERE USED BY THE JUDGES. WE NEEDED ACCESS TO DO THE SAME. I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT AS OF DECEMBER 27TH -- NOW, WE WERE OPERATIONAL THE BEGINNING -- BEGINNING ON JULY 15TH.

AS FOR SERVICES AND MANAGING APPOINTMENTS AND BECAUSE WE WERE DOING IT MANUALLY, WE HAD TO TRANSITION COURTS MONTHS AT A TIME. AS OF DECEMBER 27TH, WE ARE NOW IN ALL 16 COURTS OF LAW.

>> WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE CASES RIGHT NOW ARE YOU PICKING THE LAWYERS AS OPPOSED TO THE JUDGES PICKING THE

LAWYERS? >> AS OF NOW WE ARE MANAGING THE CASE APPOINTMENTS FOR ALL 16 CRIMINAL COURTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS CRIMINAL COURTS.

>> THE 16 CRIMINAL COURTS OF LAW.

GIVEN THE GRANT REQUIREMENTS EXIST BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THE TIBC IT IS THE MAC CASES.

>> AND HOW MANY DO WE HAVE IN TOTAL?

SIX FELONY -- >>

>> YES. SIX IN CRIMINAL COURTS OF LAW THAT MANAGE THE MISDEMEANOR CASES AND 23 MANAGING THE FELONY CASES AND THREE COURTS MANAGE THE JUVENILE CASES.

>> SO YOU ARE AT 16 NOW. >> YOU ARE IN ALL 16.

>> AS OF DECEMBER. >> DECEMBER 27TH WE ARE IN ALL 16. PRIOR TO THAT WE WERE IN

FIVE. >> SO FOR A WEEK YOU HAVE BEEN -- PRIOR TO A WEEK AGO YOU WERE IN FIVE AND NOW YOU HAVE 16. WHETHER -- WHEN DO WE GET TO

THE OTHER 23 AND THE THREE? >> THE OTHER 23 AND THE THREE -- WELL, THE OTHER 23 AS TO THE FELONY, JUST TO GIVE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, WE WERE APPROVED ON JULY 7TH TO BE APPOINTED -- WELL, TO DELEGATED TO APPOINT FELONY CASES. WHAT WE NEED NEXT AS FAR AS THE FELONY PIECE WOULD BE OUR GRANT APPLICATIONS WHICH IS THE JUDGES TO SIGN OFF ON DELEGATING THAT AUTHORITY FOR THE MA -- THE MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL CASES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULD YOU NEED ANOTHER ACTION FROM THIS BODY? TO ASK FOR THE GRANT FROM THE STATE DO WE AS A COMMISSIONERS' COURT, DO WE

HAVE TO VOTE ON IT AS WELL? >> MY ANTICIPATION AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH TIBC IS ONCE THERE IS A GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO TIBC AND WHETHER IT IS FUNDING FELONY OR JUVENILE WE WOULD BRING THE MATTER IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO HOPEFULLY EXIST IN THE CURRENT GRANT. AT THAT TIME, YES, WE WOULD

BRING THE MATTER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT A RESOLUTION FROM COMMISSIONERS' COURT IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAN?

>> YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

AND THEN WITH THE JUVENILE JUDGES, WHERE ARE WE ON THAT?

>> THE JUVENILE COURT JUDGES, WE ARE WAITING FOR THE FIRST STEP. THE FIRST STEP IS ACTUALLY GETTING THE APPROVAL. UNLIKE THE FELONY COURTS WE DO NOT HAVE APPROVAL BY THE JUVENILE BOARD THAT INCLUDES THE JUVENILE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES TO MANAGE THE JUVENILE CASES. WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS INCLUDING AND NOT LIMITED TO JUDGES COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY SO WE CAN GET AN IDEA WHAT AN EFFICIENT SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE AS OPPOSED TO BRINGING ALL THE IDEAS IN WITHOUT SOME TYPE OF THOUGHTFUL INTEGRATION.

AND WITHOUT A DISRUPTION IN THE CURRENT DISSERTATION.

THE NEXT STEP IS JANUARY 26TH.

WE INTEND TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD FOR ACTION.

WE DID PRESENT ON DECEMBER 8TH AS AN OVER VIEW OF WHAT THE MAC OFFICE INTENDS TO DO AND INTENDS TO ADD TO THE REPRESENT -- REPRESENTATION OF OUR YOUTH.

ON JANUARY 26TH WE ARE ASKING FOR ACTION AND AS FOR APPROVAL MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE WAY THE BOARD CONDUCTS BUSINESS IS IN FEBRUARY THERE WILL BE RENDERED A DECISION AS TO WHETHER THEY WILL MAKE THE APPROVAL AS TO WHETHER WE WILL BE MANAGING AND ADDING TO OUR OFFICE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S FROM THE TIBC, FROM THE STATE?

>> THAT IS FROM -- AIMS, COMMISSIONER?

I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WILL THE STATE MAKE A DECISION IN FEBRUARY?

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO GO TO THE STATE BY MARCH.

WE WORKED ON A PROPOSAL. THAT'S A SEPARATE PROCESS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. WE FIRST NEED APPROVAL FROM THE DEFENSE BOARD SO WE CAN GO TO THE STATE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO -- SO MY FRUSTRATION IS IT

[03:30:04]

HAS TAKEN SO LONG. I THINK THAT'S BY ZINE.

BY DESIGN. NOT ON YOUR PART.

BUT NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO THIS.

MY OFFICE WILL WORK IT UP OR YOU WORK IT UP ON THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT I WILL HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR US TO VOTE ON. IF CAN FAIL OR PASS SAYING THIS BODY GOES ON THE RECORD IN SUPPORT OF BOTH THE MAC, THE 23 AND THE 3. SO THEN IT IS CLEAR IF SOMEBODY IS NOT FOR IT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS THAT IT IS THEM. IT IS NOT THIS BODY.

I KNOW IN OTHER COUNTIES, TRAVIS COUNTY AS AN EXAMPLE, IT DID -- AT LEAST IN ONE OTHER COUNTY I WAS TOLD BY THE STATE INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION, THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT DID VOTE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN A SMALLER ONE. I'M NOT SURE.

THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT VOTED FOR IT BEFORE THE JUDGES DID.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR.

THIS IS JUST TAKING SO LONG. I KNOW WE MADE A COMMITMENT ON THIS AFTER MR. FLOYD FUNERAL AND TO GET THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE UP TO 50% OF THE CASES.

WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THAT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM GOING ON RECORD ASKING YOU TO DO IT OR MY STAFF WILL DO IT IF NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT WE VOTE ON THAT AND WE ARE FOR ORGANS -- FOR OR AGAINST IT. THE WAY WE ARE GOING, ALL THE MONEY WILL BE GONE FROM THE STATE.

THANK YOU. >> IENDZ.

UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ITEM 152. ALL IN FAVOR?

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

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 208, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT IS A QUESTION ON ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY.

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

ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM I UNDERSTAND THERE IS ABOUT 24 DIFFERENT CONTRACTS THAT WILL BE ROLLED UP TO THIS ITEM.

IN THEORY IT IS TO PROVIDE SOME ROTATING ACCESS TO SOME OF THE FIRMS. I THINK MOST OF THESE ARE GOING TO BE SMALL FIRMS. SO IN ORDER TO SEE THE WORK BEING DONE AND THE ROTATION BEING UTILIZED I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM. AND THEN I MOVE TO REQUEST A QUARTERLY UTILIZATION REPORT FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY THE SELECTED FIRMS FOR PROFESSIONAL, ARCHITECTURAL AND/OR ENGINEERING SERVICES OR FACILITY MAINTENANCE REPAIRS AND REHABILITATION FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I'LL SECOND THAT.

THAT IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE MONITORED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THAT IS ITEM 208.

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

>> SO JUDGE, IS THE INITIAL WORDING ON THE AGENDA ALSO APPROVED, OR IS IT JUST THIS -- IS THE WORDING ON THE

AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: PLUS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S REQUEST FOR A QUARTERLY REPORT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 225. THAT IS THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK AND I KNOW EVERYONE WANTED TO LOOK AT THE WORDING. DID EVERYONE RECEIVE THE WORDING THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER IS THERE A MOTION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

SECOND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 225 AND ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT IS THE REQUEST FOR DIRECT ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RAMSEY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AND THAT OF YOUR STAFF.

I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM AS WELL FOR COORDINATING WITH THE OFFICES. WE NEED TO GET MONEY DIRECT -- DIRECTLY TO THE PROBLEMS AND WE WANT WHO IS THE BEST EQUIPPED AND BEST PREPARED TO PUT IT TO WORK AND WE NEED IT YESTERDAY. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT ON THAT PARTICULAR ITEM.

THANK YOU. >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR MIC. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU AND I TESTIFIED AWHILE BACK --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DIDN'T WE GO TO WASHINGTON TOGETHER?

JAKE JACK WE WENT -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WENT

[03:35:01]

SOMEWHERE. NO! IT WAS TSU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP. MR. BERRY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PUSHING OUR ADVOCACY FOLKS IN DC TO GET ON.

I KNOW YOU HAVE AN ITEM AS WELL TO PUSH FOR IT.

AS I SAID MANY TIMES, IT IS UNCOMMON FOR COUNTIES TO GET DIRECT ALLOCATIONS. IT IS MORE COMMON FOR CITIES BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE OF A PRO -- PROFILE.

JUDGE, THAT'S WHY YORE MEETINGS IN -- YOUR MEETINGS IN DC ARE IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US.

A LOT OF LITTLE BIT TEE COUNTIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA THAT WAS CONGRESSMAN QULIE -- CLYBURN.

THEY WORKED THAT OUT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THAT

CASE IN WASHINGTON. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS JUST IN EVERY SINGLE MEETING. ONE THING THAT IS PROPOSED FOR US IS PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS THE COUNTY OFFICIAL EARLY ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND ON A BIPARTISAN EFFORT, I WANT TO MENTION YOU ALL AND SO IS MITCH MCCONNELL.

YOU ALL HAVE TO USE YOUR -- WE ARE WORKING ON OUR SIDE.

IT IS USUALLY THE OTHER SIDE, RAMSEY, AND THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT. IT AVOIDS THE FIGHTS DOWN THE

ROAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT MOTION HAS PASSED. NEXT IS ITEM 226.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH ONE? >> LINA HIDALGO: THE SMART POD PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HARRIS CENTER.

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

I WANTED TO JUST SPEAK TO HOW EXCITED I AM ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. WHEN I MET WITH THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE NO ONE KNEW WE WOULD HAVE THE PANDEMIC SOON KNOCK ON OUR DOORS. I SAW THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THE COLLEGE HAD COME UP WITH. I GOT IT AND I BOUGHT INTO IT. I BOUGHT TWO PODS AND DEPLOYED THEM AT JAMES DRIVER PARK IN PASADENA.

WE WERE INTENDING TO DEPLOY THEM FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ACCESS AND THE PANDEMIC OBVIOUSLY SURPRISED US ALL.

THE ADAPTABILITY OF THE PODS PROVED THEIR WORTH.

THEN WE ADAPTED WHAT WE WERE GOING TO INITIALLY DO TO COVID RESPONSE. WE STARTED DOING TESTING THERE AND STARTED DOING THE VACCINES.

IT GIVES YOU IN THE SENSE THAT YOU ARE IN A CLINIC AND A MEDICAL FACILITY. THEY HAVE AIR FRESHENER CHAMBERS IN THERE. AND WE HAVE KEPT THEM BUSY EVER SINCE THEY FIRST MADE THEIR ARRIVAL IN PRECINCT 2.

I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR ROBINSON BECAUSE NOW THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS A SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE NOW.

THEY H HELPING -- THEY ARE HELPING WITH THE VACCINES.

THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR IS WITH THE HARRIS CENTER.

I ALWAYS GO BACK TO ONE OF THE FIRST TRIPS I MADE AS COMMISSIONER AND THAT WAS TO JOPLIN, MISSOURI.

AND ABOVE ALL THE OTHER RECOVERY WORK I SAW, THE ONE THING THAT STAYED WITH ME IS I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I SAW A SIGN THAT SAID PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES PROVIDED. YOU LOOK AROUND THE LARGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS AND THE THIRD LARGEST IN AMERICA.

WE HAVE THE WORLD RENOWNED MEDICAL CENTER HERE.

WHERE DO WE SEE WHERE PEEM -- PEOPLE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WE SEE SO MANY LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AT THE JAIL THAT ARE RECIPROCAL WITH THE ILLNESS. I AM EXCITED THAT THIS POD WILL BE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

I WANT TO THANK MR. YOUNG FOR HIS SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT AND IT WILL BE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY SO PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHALLENGES WILL KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMEONE THERE WITH COMPASSION AND SKILL AND TALENT.

IT IS TO HELP THEM AND WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING THIS ONE

[03:40:06]

OUT AT THE GYMS DRIVER INCLUSIVE PARK.

THE JAMES DRIVER INCLUSIVE PARK.

I WANT MR. YOUNG TO THINK ABOUT COLLABORATING WITH THE ANNEXES AND OUR HEALTH CENTERS SO THAT IT CAN BE OUT THERE LIKE IT WAS IN JOPLIN. IF YOU NEED IT AND IF YOU THINK YOU NEED IT AND YOU THINK YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS IT, THERE IS A DOOR YOU CAN KNOCK ON AND PEOPLE THERE WILL BE ABLE TO DIRECT YOU. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM FOR ALL THEIR WORK ON THIS.

AGAIN, IT IS ALL OF OUR -- IT IS THANKS TO THE EFFORT WE ARE DOING TO BRING GREATER ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE OF ALL FORMS TO THE CITIZENS OF PRE SINK 2 IN EAST COUNTY, HARRIS, TEXAS. SO MOVED.

>> MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY EL -- ELLIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ITEM 227, COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS ANOTHER YEAR PASSED AND I HATE TO START OFF REFLECTING ON HOW MANY MURDERS HAVE BEEN IN THE COUNTY.

I THINK IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT EVERY ONE OF THOSE REPRESENTS A PERSON AND I KNOW EVERYBODY ON THIS COURT IS CONCERNED ABOUT NUMBER. IT IS 610 AND PROBABLY THE HIGHEST IT HAS BEEN IN 30 YEARS.

THAT INCLUDES THE HOUSTON UNINCORPORATED AREA AND THE OTHER CITIES. EVERY ONE OF THOSE 600 INCLUDES A STORY. THE MOST RECENT HAPPENED IN UMBLE. A DAD TOOK HIS DAUGHTER TO CHUCK E CHEESE. HE WAS CARRYING THE BIRTHDAY CAKE IN FROM THE PARKING LOT AND SOMEONE DROVE BY AND SHOT AND KILLED HIM AS HIS SIX-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAITED INSIDE CHUCK E CHEESE. THOSE ARE HORRIFIC -- IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ANYWHERE. I'M NOT SITTING HERE SAYING WE HAVE IT FIGURED OUT AND KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

WE CAN'T LET THE YEAR GO PAST AND SAY WHATEVER WE CAN DO, OUR POLICIES WHATEVER WE CAN DO FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I KNOW WE ARE TRYING NEW AND DIFFERENT -- WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE MURDER RATE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE JUDGES AND WE KNOW THE JUDGES IN 150 CASES HAVE RELEASED THE VIOLENT OFFENDERS THAT HAVE GONE ON AND MURDERED PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO I THINK GETTING -- GIVING VOICE TO IT AND I THINK THIS COURT HAS TALKED ABOUT IT MORE THAN ANY OTHER BODY IN THE AREA. I THINK WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT. THESE ARE SOBERING NUMBERS THAT WILL GO INTO THE BUDGET CYCLE THIS YEAR.

I AGREE WITH THE THOUGHT IN TERMS OF BEING CREATIVE, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE INTENTIONAL. THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE HURT THE MOST WITH THESE MURDERS ARE THE UNDER SERVED.

AND SO OUR BEST THOUGHTS AND OUR BEST IDEAS AND THE BEST ABILITY AND THE FOCUS ON THOSE AND BEING STRATEGIC AS WE TALKED ABOUT ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET THE NUMBER DOWN.

THAT IS WAY HIGH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

I DIDN'T WANT TO START THE YEAR WITHOUT AT LEAST SAYING WHAT THE NUMBER IS AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND IT AFFECTS SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT MARKER, IF YOU WILL, OUT THERE. THE VICTIMS OF HOMICIDE DO DESERVE ALL OF THE ATTENTION AND THE ADVOCACY AND ALL OF THE SUPPORT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

AS I HAVE TOLD PEOPLE, I HAVE SEEN TOO MUCH UP AND CLOSE AND PERSONAL TO LAST ME A LIFETIME.

A LOT OF THE VICTIMS I DEAL WITH I REMEMBER.

SOME OF THEIR FAMILIES I STILL STAY IN TOUCH WITH.

THIS IS A CHALLENGE. I WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN HELPING US CRAFT APPROACHES THAT GET US CLOSER TO A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL FOLKS ESPECIALLY -- LOOK,

[03:45:02]

EVERY LIFE IS VALUABLE. THE ONES THAT HAVE -- YOU KNOW, THAT WAKE YOU UP AT NIGHT SOMETIMES ARE THOSE THAT ARE ELDERLY AND THOSE THAT ARE EXTREMELY YOUNG.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE WAS AN OP-ED FROM "THE CHRONICLE" THAT TALKS ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE BRINGING UP WHICH IS EACH OF THESE PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE, RIGHT? IT IS NOT JUST A NUMBER THAT WE SAY WE HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF HOMICIDES AND THAT'S IT.

EVERYBODY HAD A STORY. I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO THIS.

I'M PROUD OF THE BILLING WE PUT INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT IS MORE THAN ANYBODY EVER INVESTED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT INCLUDING THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF.

THE OTHER HUNDRED MILLION ON TOP OF THAT WITH SO MANY OTHER INITIATIVES. WE ARE DO DOING THE TRADITIONAL STUFF AND THE CREATIVE STUFF THAT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO WORK AND PARTNERING WITH ORGANIZATIONS.

WE SAW -- WE SUPPORTED A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INITIATIVES AND SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS DOING GOOD WORK. I WANT TO CALL OUT MOMS DEMAND ACTION AND EXCITED TO WORK WITH THEM.

YEAH. THIS IS GOING TO BE A KEY FOCUS AND A KEY -- THIS HASN'T SPARED OUR COMMUNITY AND WE WISH IT HAD. THIS CRIME UP TICK THAT'S HITTING THE NATION IS HITTING US.

WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO SIT HERE.

BE WILL CONTINUE -- WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER EACH OF THEM HAVE STORIES.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: [INAUDIBLE] INSTITUTE FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVISES -- NOT FINANCIAL, BUT FORENSIC SCIENCE ADVISES THAT THE NUMBER FOR LAST YEAR WAS ACTUALLY 687 WITH SOME CASES PENDING SO THE NUMBER MAY GO UP. AND TO WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID WITH REGARD TO THAT'S A NUMBER, BUT THE NUMBER BE LIES PEOPLE AND LIVES AND STORIES.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT NEW AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, BUT SOMETIMES THE BASICS JUST NEED TO BE DONE TO WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND WE ARE DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO STOP PEOPLE FROM HURTING THEIR NEIGHBORS AND KILLING THEIR NEIGHBORS.

WE, BY BY FOCUSING ON BASICS CAN DO IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR MAKING A POINT THAT IN ADDITION TO THE TRADITIONAL THINGS WE TRY -- TRIED FOR 400 YEARS WE HAVE TO BE SMARTER AND CREATIVE AND TRY ADDITIONAL THINGS AS WELL AND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TRY TO LOWER THE RHETORIC. IT IS OBVIOUSLY THE SEASON AND IT GETS HOT AND HEAVY AND NOT SCAPEGOAT ANYTHING AND FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET THOSE NUMBERS DOWN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I'M COMMITTED TO DOING THAT

WORK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS A DISCUSSION ITEM SO THERE IS NO ACTION ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

ITEM 228 IS NEXT UP. IT IS ALSO COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY'S ITEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH, THIS IS AN OLD TOPIC. AGAIN, JUST BEGINNING THE NEW YEAR WITH THE COMMITMENT THAT THOSE PROJECTS WE LISTED IN 2018 BOND ISSUE WE WOULD DO. THERE'S BEEN CONVERSATION NOW WITH MY NEW PRECINCT, I FIND MYSELF IN AN INTERESTING POSITION AND NOW I HAVE CEDAR BAYOU IN MY PRECINCT THAT WASN'T THERE A FEW MONTHS BACK.

I'M WORKING WITH FLOOD CONTROL.

I KNOW THE CEDAR BAYOU PROJECTS WERE LISTED IN THE BOND ISSUE. I'M SITTING HERE SAYING WE DIDN'T REALLY CHANGE ANYTHING IN TERMS OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THE BOND ISSUES. CERTAINLY THOSE PROJECT THAT'S ARE NOW IN MY NEW PRECINCT AND PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE BAYOU, I WANT AN EARLY COMMITMENT TO THIS.

AND WE WOULD DO THE PROJECTS WE HAVE LISTED IN THE 2018 BOND ISSUE INCLUDING THOSE ON THE CEDAR BAYOU WATER SHED.

[03:50:02]

SO THAT WOULD BE MY REQUEST FOR A MOTION.

CAN I GET A SECOND? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WOULD BE A SECOND SINCE I HAVE A NEW PRECINCT I WANT TO MAKE SURE

WE WILL BE FINE THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WOULD BE OKAY WITH IT JUST NOT REFERENCING ANY PARTICULAR WATER SHED. SO AS YOU KNOW MY PERSPECTIVE IS WE OUGHT TO HONOR AS BEST WE CAN THE PROMISE WE MADE TO COMPLETE ALL OF THEM. SO I WOULD JUST TAKE OUT ANY

REFERENCE TO ANY WATER SHED. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S FINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE WHAT I SUGGEST.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND THAT AND I APPRECIATE THAT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE HAVE TO FINISH ALL THE PROJECTS. BOTTOM LINE.

WE HAVE NOT STOPPED HONORING THAT AND IN SPITE OF BEING GLO, AS THEY SAY AND SO I AM COMMITTED TO FINISHING ALL OF THE PROJECTS AND OBVIOUSLY I WANT TO DO MORE FOR THE 70% THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A PROJECT , BUT IF YOU SUPPORT THE

JUDGE'S THOUGHT I SECOND IT. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT WOULD READ AS PRESENTED EXCEPT FOR WE WOULD DELETE INCLUDING ET

CETERA, ET CETERA. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION --

>> JUDGE IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK WE

PUT IN PLACE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE WORST

FIRST FRAMEWORK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND I AM COMMITTED TO DOING THAT.

IF I SEE ONE WE ARE NOT DOING, I WILL BE ONE OF THE VOCAL VOICES FOR RAISING THAT POINT.

I AM COMMITTED TO COMING UP WITH THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT.

IT IS ONE THING TO JUST SAY WE WILL DO IT, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IF WE DON'T GET THE MONEY FROM THE FEDS, WE DON'T GET THE MONEY FROM GLO, THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IT.

OBVIOUSLY THE BUDGET FOLKS HAVE BEEN YEA 8 TIFF, BUT -- CREATIVE, BUT EVEN THERE IS A COST TO THAT.

THAT'S MONEY THAT WON'T BE THERE TO DO OTHER THINGS.

IT IS NOT LIKE THERE IS MONEY LAYING AROUND HARRIS COUNTY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THESE PROJECTS ARE CONTINUALLY WORKED ON.

AS I WORK WITH FLOOD CONTROL AND OTHERS I WANTED TO START THE YEAR WITH A COMMITMENT THAT OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO GET SOME GLO MONEY AND OTHER PARTNERSHIPS TO KICK IN, BUT TO THE PEST OF OUR ABILITY IN TERMS OF THE 2018 BOND, THAT

IS A COMMITMENT WE MADE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THAT ENDS AFTER THE WORDS DISTRICT BOND PERIOD.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SORRY. SECONDED BY CAGLE.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

ITEM 237. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS IS THE PRESENTATION BY THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE EARNED LEGITIMACY COHORT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO TAKE A FEW

MINUTES TO LOOK AT IT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO FORGIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON BY BEING INVITED AND BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS INAUGURAL TRAINING.

WHAT THIS TRAINING WAS ABLE TO DO WAS TO BRING SOME STAFF MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTY INTO A COHORT AND WORKING ALONGSIDE OTHER COHORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SPECIFICALLY FROM DETROIT, FROM SALT LAKE CITY, FROM MINNESOTA AS WELL AS COLLITAN COUNTY AND DEVELOPING TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS THAT CAN IMPROVE THE ABILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO ENGAGE WITH OPPORTUNITY THAT'S HAVE LONG BEEN MARGINALIZED.

I PROMISED COMMISSIONER ELLIS THIS WOULD BE A QUICK PRESENTATION. PART OF THE 10-WEEK PROGRAM WAS TO DEVELOP THESE SKILL SETS WITHIN THE COHORT PARTICIPANTS THAT WE HAD REPRESENTING HARRIS COUNTY.

AND WE HAVE JOHN GARCIA AND GADESHA WHO WILL PRESENT THIS PRESENTATION. PART OF THE TRAINING WAS TO MAKE SURE WE DELIVERED A PRESENTATION THAT UNDERSCORED WHAT THE LEARNING WAS AND THE IMPACT OF THE LEARNING TO THE COHORT. FROM A LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE WE LOOK FORWARD OF BEING ABLE TO SHARE THE SKILLS AND THE MIND-SET THAT SURROUNDED THIS TYPE OF TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THAT FIND THEY WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS AS THEY WORK ON IMPROVING THEIR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH MANY OF THE COMMUNITIES WE IMPACT ON A REGULAR BASIS THROUGH THE WORK WE DO.

I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE JOHN GARCIA WHO IS

[03:55:04]

MY STRATEGIC ANALYST FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES PARTNERSHIP AND GADEISHA TERRELL. THEY WILL DELIVER THE

PRESENTATION. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE INTRODUCTION. I AM JOHN GARCIA WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

MY PRONOUNS ARE HE/HIM AND I AM JOINED BY MY COLLEAGUE WHO

WINT INTRODUCE HERSELF. >> I AM GADEISHA TERRELL WITH THE ELIGIBILITY SPECIALISTS WITH THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT. MY PRONOUNS ARE SHE/HER.

>> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THE EARNING LEGITIMACY COHORT PROGRAM, COMMISSIONER'S COURT GRANTED APPROVAL OF PARTICIPATION IN FALL OF 2021 AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST FEW MONTHS WE ENGAGED IN SEVERAL WORK -- WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS AND COMMUNITY IDEATION SESSIONS TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO EARN LEGITIMACY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE CONCEPT OF TRUST IS LOST BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUENTS PARTICULARLY AND MARGINALIZEED OF THE INTENT WAS TO LOOK AT THE REASONS BEHIND THE LOSS OF TRUST.

WE INTEND TO USE THESE CONCEPTS AS SKILLS LEARNED IN THE PROGRAM TO DEVELOP A NEW WAY OF THINKING OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COUNTY PROGRAMS. AND AS WE WILL DISCUSS LATER, ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE SEEN THIS DETERIORATION OF TRUST IS USING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS A CHECK BOX. HOPEFULLY THE CONCEPTS AND THE SKILLS WE LEARNED IN THE TRAINING WILL BE ABLE TO MORE FULLY ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC AND CHANGE THE CHECK BOX INTO SOMETHING MORE ENGAGING. I WILL PASS TO KADECIA.

>> THANK YOU, JON. OUR PROJECT FOCUS IS TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITIES AND WE HOPE TO CONNECT WITH THESE COMMUNITIES SO THAT THEY FEEL HURT AND SUPPORTED AND OUR GOAL IS TO CULTIVATE A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH HISTORICALLY UNDER INVESTED COMMUNITIES BY LISTENING AND LEARNING AND INCORPORATED WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED THROUGH INITIATIVES. NEXT SLIDE.

>> THIS IS THE CORE TEAM THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER FROM HARRIS COUNTY. I WAS THE GOVERNMENT LEAD FOR THE GROUP AND LINDA HUDSON WAS THE COMMUNITY LEAD.

YOU WILL SEE THE TOP ROW OF PARTICIPANTS.

YOU HAVE LA TOYA AND DESI AND JENNIFER AND TANESHA.

DIANA AND STACI LOFTON. BRIAN ZULUGA WAS IN THE PROCESS AND HE WAS THELY YIE SON.

SHOUTOUT TO HIM AND I THINK HE IS WATCHING AND TAKING NOTES.

I APPRECIATE THAT AND APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK

WITH THE TRAINING. >> AS YOU CAN SEE, THE VALUES FOR BUILDING LEGITIMACY IS BASED ON FIVE ENTITIES.

IT IS TAKING MEASURES TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE SAME OPPORTUNITY AND FOR US AS AN AGENCY TO HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS AND LACK THERE -- THERE OF. WE HAVE SHOWN THE COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS WE ARE HUMBLE AND OPEN MINDED TO PROGRESSIVE CHANGE. AFTER EMBRACING AND LEARNING MIND-SET FROM COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS AND CO-IDEATION SESSIONS WE HOPE TO LOOK INTO SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES MOVING FORWARD. NEXT SLIDE.

HERE WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THE SKILLS LEARNED IN THE COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS WE ACCOMPLISHED THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND I WILL PASS THEM TO JON.

>> AS KADECIA WAS SAYING THIS IS A SAMPLE OF THE SKILLS WE FOCUSED ON THROUGHOUT THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS AND HOW WE KIND OF THINK ABOUT APPLYING IT MOVING FORWARD.

ONE OF THOSE SKILLS IS ENABLING US TO LEARN ABOUT THE PERSPECTIVES. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, THE ARPA FUNDS REQUIRE THE ENGAGEMENT AND THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE CAN APPLY THE CONCEPTS AND THE SKILLS AND WE ARE ACTUALLY APPLYING IT TO THE DAY-TO-DAY WORK. THERE ARE ASSETS AND HOW IT LEADS TO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT PAIRS WELL AND VERY MUCH WITH OUR RECENTLY COMPLETED

[04:00:04]

10-YEAR HOUSING STUDY THAT WE JUST PRESENTED TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT A COUPLE CYCLES AGO.

THAT'S EXCITING. AND THEN CO-CREATING SOLUTIONS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ASKING FOR A FEEDBACK ON INITIATIVES. NOT ONLY DO WE THINK THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, BUTTON GAUGEMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE NEVER -- WHENEVER WE ARE APPLYING THE PROGRAMS AND THE PROGRAMS ARE COMING IN WE HAVE THE PROPER INGAGE -- THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT FROM STAFF AS WELL.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE BY THIS CHAOS OF A BOARD, THIS HAS TRULY BEEN A STRUCTURE OF BRAINSTORMING TO DIVE DEEPER INTO BUILDING LEGITIMACY WITHIN THE HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THIS INTERACTIVE TOOL AND COLLABORATIVE TOOL WE HAVE BEEN GRACIOUSLY UNDERSTAND GOING LEARNING FROM THE CENTER OF PUBLIC IMPACT HAS ALLOWED US TO DISSECT THE GOVERNMENT INTO FOUR KEY COMPONENTS AND HOW THEY CONNECT TO EACH OTHER AND THEIR IMPACT AND INFLUENCE. THIS TOOL HAS ALLOWED US TO MAP OUT AND HOST IMPACTFUL CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OTHER AND THE COMMUNITY AND MOVING FORWARD FROM THE LISTENING SESSIONS. NEXT SLIDE.

>> AND SO FROM THAT ANALYSIS THAT KADECIA EXPLAINED, WE WERE ABLE TO BEE AWARE THAT POLICY AFFECTS PERSONS IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE POLICY MAKERS HAVE THEIR PARTICULAR AFFECT AND FROM THERE WHICH COMMUNITIES WE WANT TO ENGAGE WITH. AND FROM THAT WE SELECTED TWO GEOGRAPHIC AREAS. IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY GROUPS WE WANTED TO ENGAGE WITH UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS AND INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

AND SO FROM THESE GROUPS WE HAVE THESE COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS AND CO-IDEATION SESSIONS.

WE CAME UP WITH -- THESE ARE THREE OF THE MANY INSIGHTS THAT WERE DEVELOPED ALONG WITH IDEAS THAT CAME FROM THE GROUPS. THEY REALLY FOCUSED ON WHAT WERE THE CAUSES OF AS MENTIONED BEFORE, THE DISTRUST THAT HAS DEVELOPED BETWEEN CONSTITUENT GROUPS AND GOVERNMENT. ONE WAS BASED ON IDENTITY AND HOW THE IDENTITY AFFECTS HOW THEY INTERACT WITH GOVERNMENT. AND THE SECOND ONE INVOLVES TRANSPARENCY AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE RELATIONSHIP.

AND THE THIRD ONE IS RELATED TO INVESTING EXHIBITING -- ECONOMICALLY ACROSS THE COUNTY.

IDEAS THAT CAME FROM THE SESSIONS INCLUDING RENTERS' WORKSHOPS AND ADD VAW KEY -- ADVOCACY ON A STATE LEVEL ON HOUSING AND INTERSECTING ISSUES.

AND PARTNERING WITH OTHER SYSTEMS AND LEVERAGING THE RESOURCES IN NEW WAYS THAT ARE PART OF THE RESOURCE THAT'S ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEM.

NEXT SLIDE? >> WE WOULD LIKE TO THAJ JUDGE HUH DALT -- WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK JUDGE HIDALGO FOR ALLOWING US TO PARTICIPATE AND WE WOULD LOVE TO PRESENT ANY PROPOSALS ANY QUESTIONS FOR MYSELF OR JOHN WE WAS IT

VIRTUAL? >> IT WAS ALL VIRTUAL.

WE WERE ABLE TO SEE ALL OF -- SEE OTHER CITIES WE WEREN'T ABLE TO DO THOSE VIRTUALS. AND WE CAN HAVE A FEW RESIDENTS COME TO THE AGENCY WHO ARE EITHER UNDOCUMENTED AND THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET OR COMPUTERS.

>> WAS THIS A GRANT? DID WE PUT MONEY UP OR DID

THEY GIVE UP A GRANT? >> WE WERE IN DIALOGUE WITH THE CPI. THIS WAS AN INAUGURAL TRAINING THEY OFFERED. THERE WAS A COST, BUT THEN IN OUR CONVERSATIONS THEY OFFERED US PARTICIPATION AT NO COST.

AND SO THE FEE WAS WAIVED. I WOULD SAY THE FEE IT $10,000 TO PARTICIPATE. IN ADDITION TO WAIVING OUR

[04:05:02]

FEE, THEY HAD ALSO INCLUDED A $1,000 STYE -- STIPD DISPERSED -- STIPEND DISPERSED.

WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT AND DISPERSE IT TO

MEMBERS. >> HOW MUCH DID YOU GIVE OUT IN STIPENDS? WAS IT 1,000 IN TOTAL OR 1,000

PER PARTICIPANT? >> WE WERE GIVEN 1,000 TOTAL TO BE DISPERSED ACROSS -- I AM GOING TO LEAN ON JOHN AND

KADECIA FOR THAT. >> IT WAS GIVEN OUT IN GIFT CARDS. I DON'T HAVE A TOTAL ON THAT AND I CAN GET BACK TO THAT, BUT I BELIEVE WE HAVE BROUGHT ON 10 AND 15 PARTICIPANTS IN TOTAL FROM THE PROCESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL. IT WILL BE EXCITING TO SEE

WHAT ELSE COMES OUT OF THIS. >> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR ALLOWING US TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.

KNOW THAT THIS IS A RESOURCE WE CAN SHARE WITH OTHER

DEPARTMENTS OF THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU.

ITEM 237 IS A TRANSMITAL AND DOESN'T REQUIRE A VOTE.

ITEM 238 WAS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND HE STEPPED OUT. WE ARE COMING UP ON OUR BREAK

ANYWAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH, WE WANT

THAT BREAK. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GET BACK AT I GUESS 3:05 AND WE WILL CONTINUE WITH ITEM 238.

IT IS 2:52 AND WE ARE BREAKING UNTIL 3:05.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. IT IS 3:07 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE WERE DISCUSSING ITEM 275 -- NO. EXCUSE ME.

ANOTHER ITEM COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU WERE ABOUT TO JUMP INTO 238, BUT GOING BACK TO ITEM 14. ITEM 14 WAS THE MATTER WHICH FOUR OF MY COLLEAGUES VOTED ON AND I ASKED FOR YOU TO VOTE FOR ME TO LOOK AT. THAT'S THE ITEM OF THE MOVING OF ABOUT $600,000 OUT OF THE PIC FUND TO PAY FOR TESTING TO GO TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. WE DID RECEIVE SOMETHING FROM YOUR OFFICE FROM ALEX GIVING US SOME HEADS UP THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING BE DONE WITH THE EMERGENCY POWERS.

DWRM GOING -- I AM GOING TO VOTE NO ON THIS BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I AM IN FAVOR OF ACQUIRING THE TESTING, THIS IS COMING OUT OF THE PIC FUND AND WE ARE GOING TO BE GIVING THESE TESTS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE THEIR OWN TAX BASE AND THEIR OWN TAXING ABILITY.

AND FOR THERE TO BE A TRANSFER FROM ONE TAXING ENTITY TO ANOTHER TAXING ENTITY IF THERE WAS A MECHANISM IN PLACE FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PAY FOR THESE I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF IT, ALLOWING US TO BE THE MIDDLE PERSON, BUT FOR US TO PURCHASE THESE AND THEN TO GIVE THEM TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN TAXING IN-- ENTITIES I AM GOING TO

VOTE NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: JUST SO YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AND MY PERSPECTIVE IS IT MAY BE REIMBURSABLE AND THEY WILL MAKE ON MAKING IT REIMBURSABLE AND WITH THE COMMITMENT TO TESTING HOPEFULLY THAT BODES WELL FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, A LOT OF THEM ARE NOT ABLE TO ACQUIRE THESE TESTS RIGHT NOW. IF WE CAN HELP GIVE THEM THE TESTS THAT WILL HELP. BUT I TAKE YOUR POINT.

THE MOTION IS TO TRANSFER $605,000 FROM THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY FUND FROM PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

FOR RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS. >> I MOVE IT.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FEVER? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 3-2. SO WE WILL GO BACK --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF IN THE FUTURE A PROGRAM WAS SET UP UP TO WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL AGREE TO REIMBURSE US WITHOUT A FEMA REIMBURSEMENT I WOULD BE FOR THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD THINK IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THOSE KIDDOS BACK IN SCHOOL WE SHOULD DO IT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

NEXT IS 238 AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED IT.

IT IS AN UPDATE ON THE HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION

[04:10:02]

PROGRAM. >> TOM RAMSEY: A QUICK QUESTION. I LOOKED AT THE BACK UP MATERIAL ON THIS. IS HPD AND THE CONSTABLES

PARTNERS IN THIS AS WELL? >> I WILL SHARE WHAT I KNOW -- OH. I WILL SHARE WHAT I KNOW, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THAT IS THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND IF YOU RECALL I HAVE -- I HAD ENCOURAGED THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO REACH OUT TO THE ANTI-GANG OFFICE AS WELL AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS ALSO A PART OF SHERIFF GONZALEZ'S VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION COMMISSION.

I AM FAIRLY CONFIDENT AND DON'T WANT TO SPEAK OUT OF TURN, BUT I BELIEVE THE CONSTABLES MAY HAVE BEEN INVITED. I MAY BE WRONG.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I KNOW THEY WERE RECENTLY INVITED TO CORE SO I AM WONDERING IF THEY ARE INVITED TO --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHEN SHERIFF GONZALEZ PUT TOGETHER THE MICROPHONES AND THE VIOLENCE REDUCTION INITIATIVES I KNOW THE CONSTABLES PARTICIPATED IN THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DOES DAVE OR DIRECTOR ROBINSON HAVE

ANYTHING TO ADD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD COME BACK THIS QUICK.

>> NO, I'M HERE. I WOULD HAVE TO LET DIRECTOR ROBINSON SPEAK TO THIS. I KNOW SHE WAS JUGGLING MANY

THINGS. >> LINA HIDALGO: MY UNDERSTANDING, COMMISSIONER, IS THIS IS A BIT OF A PILOT.

SO WHOEVER IS -- IF FOLKS ARE INCLUDED TO THE EXTENT IT IS SUCCESSFUL ONCE IT EXPANDS, PRESUMABLY IT WILL BOOT EVERYONE. I THINK THE SPIRIT IS THAT, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY OTHER FOLKS SHOULD BE CONSULTED TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS FEASIBLE AT THIS STAGE AND THE GOAL OBVIOUSLY IS FOR THIS TO BE A VERY MUCH COUNTY WIDE

INITIATIVE IF SUCCESSFUL. >> I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT. WE ARE GETTING STARTED AND WE WILL LEARN SOME LESSONS ALONG THE WAY.

I MOVE IT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

GEEK JACK THAT WAS A TRANSMITTAL --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WAS A TRANSMITTAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM.

>> WE ARE JUST ACCEPTING IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL. THANK YOU.

243, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THIS ONE, JUDGE, IT IS A TRANSMITTAL AS WELL, BUT IT DID NOT HAVE ANY MINORITY OF WOMEN-OWNED PARTICIPATION INVOLVED IN THE SIDE FOR LAWYERS. ONE CAME UP BEFORE, AND WE DID MAKE SURE INVESTMENT BANKERS ARE SENSITIVE TO THE MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS. I ASKED PAMELA CHANG'S DEPARTMENT TO COME UP WITH SOME LANGUAGE FOR US HOPEFULLY TO VOTE ON AND I AM ASKING FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A LANGUAGE WHERE WE PASS A SENSE OF COURT RESOLUTIONS SAYING THAT WE WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE.

SO THEY KNOW BEFORE THEY GO TO THIS ENTITY THAT THIS COURT CREATED I THINK IN 1990 AND 1991 AND THEY WERE SENSITIVE TO IT. AND I ALSO WANT HER TO FIND OUT WHO THE OTHER ISSUERS ARE SO THAT SOMEONE WOULDN'T DECIDE TO GO AND ISSUE -- DO CONDUIT FINANCING THROUGH THEIR COUNTY'S CIVIL ENTITY AND A CITY OF HOUSTON ENTITY OR ONE IN TARANT COUNTY. I HOPE THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT TO AVOID BEING INCLUSIVE. AS GREAT AS THE MEDICAL CENTER IS, THERE IS SOME LANGUAGE THEY WILL KNOW IN ADVANCE.

I KNOW THEY MADE THE CHANGE AND THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT.

I WAS TOLD THAT, BUT I PRE FER THEY DON'T -- PREFER THEY DON'T SCRAMBLE WHEN THE TRANSCRIPT COMES UP AND THEY CATCH IT AND KNOW IN ADVANCE. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE ISSUING AUTHORITY TO HAVE SOME POLICY, IF YOU WILL.

I WANT YOU TO FIGURE IT OUT. AND IN SUCH A WAY THEY ENGAGE IN SHOPPING IN THE PROCESS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. IT DOES.

WE WILL WORK WITH MS. CHAN'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THIS GETS

[04:15:04]

ON THERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THANK YOU ALL. I KNOW ANOTHER ONE CAME UP INVOLVING BANKERS. YOU SOLVED IT BEFORE WE VOTED ON IT. BUT WHEN THIS ONE CAME AND WE HAPPENED TO CATCH IT, I FIGURED IF THERE IS A POLICY, EVERYBODY KNOWS IN ADVANCE SO THEY ARE NOT SCRAMBLING AT THE LAST MINUTE. THAT'S ALL, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THIS IS ALSO A TRANS MISS TALL.

WE -- TRANSMITTAL. WE WILL JUST ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

273 AND THAT'S THE FAIR CHANCE POLICY.

COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE WANTED TO DISCUSS IT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: MY CONCERNS WITH THE POLICY, I CAN UNDERSTAND THE SPIRIT OF IT, BUT I THINK IF THE 15,000 PLUS HARRIS COUNTY EM PLOWIES -- EMPLOYEES WHO PROVIDE -- WHO DEPEND ON US TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKPLACE, AND ANYTIME WE CAN I THINK REMOVING THE QUESTION IN TERMS OF DOING A BACKGROUND CHECK AND HAVING THAT INFORMATION FIRST OF ALL -- THEY CAN STILL DO A BACKGROUND CHECK AND LOOK AT THIS AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT WAS SOME KIND OF A WHITE COLLAR CRIME OR IT WAS NOT REALLY -- IT HAPPENED YEARS AGO. WE ARE GOING TO OVER LOOK -- WE ARE GOING TO OVER LOOK THAT.

TO SAY YOU CAN'T KNOW OR ASK THAT QUESTION BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO HIRE HIM, I THINK THAT COULD HAVE SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. SO I'M GONNA AIR ON THE SIDE OF A SAFE WORKPLACE FOR THE PEOPLE HERE AND I WILL NOT BE

SUPPORTIVE OF THE POLICY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. MENIFEE OR JAD, I THINK I CAN SEE HIM ON THERE TO WALK THROUGH IT.

I THOUGHT HE DID PERSONALLY A MASTERFUL JOB ON IT.

I KNOW THERE ARE FUN 50 CITIES AND COUNTY THAT'S HAVE -- THERE ARE 150 CITIES AND COUNTIES WITH POLICIES 38 STATES. WHEN I LOOKED AT IT, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT HE AND HIS TEAM LOOKED AT EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY AND MADE A DECISION ON THE POLICY FOR US. IF YOU DECIDE IT IS ADOPTED, THEN YOU WON'T DO IT AND THAT'S FINE.

AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL YOU HAVE THAT OPTION.

WE WILL DISTRIBUTE A LIST OF THE OFFICIALS WHO DO OR DON'T FOR THAT MATTER. I WOULD LIKE TO WALK THROUGH THE POLICY SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHAT IS IN IT.

>> SURE, COMMISSIONER. I GUESS THE BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE POLICIES, THE REASON WE ARE DOING THIS, IS BECAUSE THERE IS A STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH HAVING A CRIMINAL RECORD. FOLKS CAN BE ARRESTED FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS AND CONVICTED FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

AND THE POINT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE IS FURTHERING THE STIGMA. BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS A CRIMINAL RECORD THEY MAKE THE WORKPLACE LESS SAFE.

MOST OF US HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A THEFT OR CONVICTED OF SOME CRIME THAT IS IN NO WAY VIOLENT. IT DOESN'T IMPACT IN ANYWAY PUBLIC SAFETY. WE HAVE DRAWN THE POLICY UP TO THAT IN A WAY THAT ENSURES THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE IS 37 STATES THAT HAVE ENACTED FAIR CHANCE POLICIES AND OVER 150 COUNTIES AS THE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED. AND THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE THAT IN ANYWAY IMPACTS THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE WORKPLACE. THESE ARE STATES RUN BY GOVERNORS OF BOTH PARTIES. THESE WERE ISSUED IN MANY INSTANCES BY REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS.

THE BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE POLICY IS, ONE, IT ADVANCES THE BOTS. IT PROHIBITS ABOUT ASKING ABOUT CRIMINAL HIS STWREE ON THE P -- HISTORY ON THE APPLICATION. IT PROHIBITS IF THE CHARGES WERE DISMISSED, SEALED, EXPUNGED OR NO JAIL TIME UM POSED. THREE, IT ALLOWS THE DEPARTMENTS TO DO A CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK AND CONSIDER THE RESULTS OF THE CHECK, BUT ONLY AFTER A CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. YOU ARE NOT HIRING ANYBODY.

YOU ARE MAKING A N COULD DECISIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. YOU ARE NOT GIVING SOMEONE A JOB, BUT IT IS ON THE CONDITION OF THE CHECK YOU RUN. AND FOUR, IT PROHIBITS BLANKET DISQUALIFICATION OF AN APPLICANT BECAUSE THE APPLICANT HAS A PREVIOUS CONVICTION.

YOU ARE DIRECTING DEPARTMENTS TO DOING INDIVIDUALIZED

[04:20:02]

ASSESSMENTS AND MAKE A GOOD FAITH DETERMINATION BASED ON NUMEROUS FACTORS AS TO WHETHER THE THING THE INDIVIDUAL MAY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF WILL IMPACT THE JOB THEY ARE APPLYING FOR. WYNN -- ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION IS WE WORK WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DAVE BERRY AND HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND I SUGGEST WE WILL BE COLLABORATING IF IT IS ADOPTED BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

THAT'S THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF WHAT THE POLICY DOES.

HIGHLY UNCONTROVERSIAL IN MY OPINION.

IT IS SOMETHING DONE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

THE MAIN THING IS IT DECREASES RECIDIVISM.

WE HEAR FROM FOLKS IN THE COURT ABOUT RECIDIVISM IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE KNOW THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR FOR DECREASING RECIDIVISM IS ENSURING THERE IS GAINFUL, STABLE EMPLOYMENT. THIS IS DESIGNED TO GIVE FOLKS A CLEAR OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKPLACE SO THAT WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE WITH JOBS AND LESS PEOPLE RETURNING TO JAIL OR PRISON. IT IS NOT GOING TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE.

I ARGUE IT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. MENEFEE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. IF I UNDERSTAND THIS RIGHT, THIS IS TO NOT DISCOURAGE PALM FROM APPLYING AND -- BUT IT DOES ALLOW THE HIRING AUTHORITY, IN THAT CASE THE PRECINCT IN THIS EXAMPLE, TO DO A BACKGROUND CHECK.

ONCE A SCON DECISION -- ONCE A CONDITIONAL OFFER IS MADE IF ANYTHING COMES UP IN THEIR HISTORY YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH, YOU CAN MAKE A DECISION TO CONTINUE WITH THE HIRING,

IS THAT ACCURATE? >> YEAH.

YOU CAN MAKE A DECISION TO CONTINUE WITH THE HIRING AND YOU CAN MAKE A DECISION TO MOVE ON, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS WELL AS TO WITHDRAWAL THE OFFER?

>> YES, SIR. THAT'S RIGHT.

THE REASON WE PUT IT AFTER THE CONDITIONAL OFFER IS BECAUSE THIS IS BEST PRACTICE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

WITH STUDY AFTER STUDY, WHEN YOU PUT IT UP FRONT, THE EMPLOYER DOESN'T REALLY GIVE A FAIR CHANCE TO THAT INDIVIDUAL. IT IS EASIER TO CROSS SOMEONE OFF THE LIST WHEN YOU HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE BACKGROUND AND HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO IFNT -- INTERVIEW THEM AND CHAT WITH THEM.

BY DOING IT LATER YOU GIVE THEM MORE OF A FAIR OPPORTUNITY IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS SOMEONE WHO HAS GIVEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES OPPORTUNITIES AS A MEMBER OF COUNCIL AND AS THE SHERIFF AND AS A COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD POLICY.

I THINK IT IS STRUCTURED THE RIGHT WAY, AND I THINK IT ALLOWS SOMEONE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE DOES DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE AND HOPE THERE IS MORE THINKING IN THAT DIRECTION THAN NOT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

WORK. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> WELL I WILL JUST ADD I APPRECIATE THAT, COMMISSIONER.

WE WERE SURGICAL IN OUR APPROACH.

ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION IS THERE ARE CERTAIN OFFICES AND POSITIONS EXEMPTED FROM THE POLICY.

THERE IS CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITION WHERE YOU CAN BE DESIST QUALIFIED -- DISQUALIFIED BECAUSE OF A PRIOR CONVICTION. WE ARE NOT GOING TO PUT A QUESTION OF CRIMINAL HISTORY. THERE ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE POSITION THAT'S HAVE UNSUPERVISED INTERACTION WITH CHILDREN AND THE EL -- ELDERLY AND INVOLVING CHEMICALS, SO THOSE FOLKS WILL BE SCRUTINIZED AND THE POLICY

WILL NOT APPLY. >> I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND RAMSEY HAVE A COMMENT. I WANT TO POINT OUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS IS NOT NEW.

THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT 20 YEARS OF RESEARCH ON THIS.

THIS HAS BEEN DONE IN SO MANY PLACES.

IT IS NOT THAT YOU DON'T ASK ABOUT THE BACKGROUND.

IT IS THAT WHEN YOU PUT THE BOX UP FRONT, PEOPLE JUST DON'T APPLY. THERE IS DATA ON HOW MUCH IT DEPRESSES THE APPLICATION AND OF COURSE IT IS USUALLY BLACK MEN MORE THAN ANY OTHER GROUP WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THIS AND THEY HAVE LESS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THAT BRINGS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY DOWN. SO THERE IS A -- I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT WE ARE LEANING ON A LOT OF RESEARCH HERE AND IT IS NOT THAT YOU NEVER KNOW OR CAN NEVER CONSIDER THE HISTORY.

IT IS SIMPLY THAT YOU DON'T CONSIDER IT UNTIL THE END AFTER YOU HAVE DECIDED, OKAY, I WANT TO OFFER THIS PERSON A POSITION BASED ON THEIR QUALIFICATIONS.

THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT AT THAT POINT MOST TIMES EMPLOYERS GO FORWARD WITH THE OFFER EVEN AFTER THEY KNOW ABOUT THE RECORD BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AS BIASED.

[04:25:02]

THEY HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO GIVE FOLKS A FAIR HEARING ON THEIR QUALIFICATIONS. THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT.

IT COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GLAD YOU POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS EITHER FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW AND LEGALLY MANDATED BACKGROUND CHECKS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN JOBS.

AND MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE POPULATION OF TEXAS, 14 MILLION PEOPLE, HAVE SOME STATE CRIMINAL HISTORY.

PDC RELEASED APPROXIMATELY 15,000 INCARCERATED PEOPLE EACH YEAR. A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF THEM ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND INCREASINGLY HISPANIC.

BLACK PEOPLE CONSISTED OF 13% OF TEXAS RESIDENTS, BUT 23% OF PEOPLE IN COUNTY JAILS AND 33% IN STATE PRISONS.

BY BANNING THE BOX IT JUST GETS YOU PAST THE INTERVIEW AND IT ENCOURAGES YOU TO GO AHEAD AND DO AN INTEREST VAW.

INTERVIEW. IN NORTH CAROLINA ONE COUNTY NEARLY TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS WHO WERE RECOMMENDED FOR HIRE AFTER IMPLEMENTING A BAN THE BOX CONCEPT. IT GETS YOU PAST SQUARE ONE AND THEN A DECISION IS MADE SO YOU CAN LOOK AT THE HUMAN BEING. I THINK YOU STATED IT PRETTY CLEARLY, MR. MENEFEE. #*Z A JOB IS ONE OF THE BEST VIOLENCE PREVENTERS I CAN THINK OF.

A GOOD ECONOMY ADDS TO IT, BUT GIVEN THOSE PEOPLE -- GIVING THOSE PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE. I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT IT AND I AM GLAD YOU AND YOUR TEAM PUT SO MUCH WORK INTO IT, MR. MENEFEE. I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE ALONG THIS PATH FOR CITIES AND COUNTIES AND STATES.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL. THIS IS A BIG STEP, AND I HOPE

IT IS NOT THE LAST ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WAS ON THE BOARD OF CLEAR RECOVERY FOR 20 PLUS YEARS. WHAT WE WOULD DO IS GO DOWN TO THE GREYHOUND STATION AS THEY WOULD LET PEOPLE OUT OF PRISON AND WE WOULD FIND PEOPLE THERE AND BRING THEM AND GIVE THEM COUNSELING AND WE WOULD GIVE THEM ENCOURAGEMENT AND GIVE THEM DIRECTION, AND WE WOULD FIND THEM JOBS.

BUT EVERY TIME VERN, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW VERN, BUT EVERY TIME WE MADE A PHONE CALL IT WAS FULL DISCLOSURE ON BACKGROUND, HIS STWREE -- HISTORY AND THE FULL 9 YARDS.

I HAPPEN TO THINK THAT EMPLOYERS ARE FAIR AND EMPLOYERS LIKE TO KNOW UP FRONT AND EMPLOYEES LIKE TO KNOW FROM DAY ONE. SO I'M SITTING HERE SAYING I TRUST PEOPLE TO ASK THAT SECOND QUESTION, WELL, YOU GOTTA -- YOU GOT A CRIMINAL RECORD HERE.

WHAT'S THE STORY? TELL YOUR STORY.

I HAVE LOTS OF GREAT EXASM -- EXAMPLES THROUGH THE YEARS HOW PEOPLE FOUND GREAT EMPLOYENT IN, BUT BY FULLY DISCLOSING FROM DAY ONE. THAT'S WHERE I AM COMING FROM AND I THINK THAT'S A GOOD APPROACH.

GET IT ON THE TABLE EARLY AND LET'S TALK THROUGH IT.

MR. MENEFEE, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

I WILL JUST SAY IN PRECINCT 2 WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED TO EMPOWER AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GOING COUNTY WIDE.

AND WE ARE WORKING WITH CAREER RECOVERY TO PROVIDE THOSE THAT ARE HOMELESS AND THAT VALUE WHO THEY ARE.

AND YOU VALUE THEM TO WORK AND IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL. IT IS THE TIP OF THE SPEAR FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM. WE ARE ABLE TO PUT PEOPLE IN PERMANENT HOUSING AND SO MUCH SO AND WE HAVE RUN OUT OF PRODUCT TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS.

IT IS BEING VERY, VERY PRODUCTIVE AND AS THE SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY I WAS HOLDING JOB FAIRS IN THE COUNTY JAIL WORKING TO CONNECT FOLKS. TRUST ME.

THE JOBS BEING MADE AVAILABLE WAS MOSTLY FOR THOSE WITH STRONG BACKS AND STRONG ARMS. A LOT OF WOMEN STEPPED UP WITH

[04:30:02]

TOOK THOSE JOBS. FROM I HEAR MR. MENEFEE SAYING IS THIS DOES NOT PREVENT ANY FULL DISCLOSURE, BUT IT DOESN'T DISCOURAGE ANYBODY WHERE YOU CAN HAVE FULL DISCLOSURE. I THINK THAT'S A REAL KEY ELEMENT. YOU MAY NOT ENCOURAGE THE TRUTH AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

IT IS BY HAVING TO CHECK THE BOX, IF YOU WILL.

AGAIN, I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS POLICY BEING PROPOSED.

I THANK YOU, MR. MENEFEE, FOR IT AND FOR THE FOLKS WHO I HAVE PROVIDED OPPORTUNITY TO IN MY CAREER, NONE OF THEM LET ME DOWN AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT, BUT I AM ALSO GRATEFUL BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF GOOD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE. JIERK JACK WHEN COMMISSION --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SHERIFF GARCIA WE HAD A ROBUST WORK PROGRAM AND THAT IS HARDER TO ENGAGE IN AND A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS HAVE GONE DOWN, BUT WE HAD FOLKS WHO WOULD -- ESPECIALLY FEMALE PRISONERS WHO WOULD WORK IN OUR PARKS.

WE WOULD GET SKILLS. I REMEMBER GETTING A LETTER FROM ONE OF THEM AFTERWARDS TALKING ABOUT HOW LIFE CHANGING AND INFORMATIVE IT WAS THAT THEY LEARNED THE LIFE SKILL WHILE WORKING IN OUR PARKS AND HOW TO LANDSCAPE.

THEY WERE WORKING WITH A LANDSCAPING COMPANY AND HOW THAT WAS A WONDERFUL THING. IT WAS FULLY DISCLOSED.

WHAT YOU DESCRIBED, JOB FAIRS IN THE JAIL IS FULL DISCLOSURE. WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH REGARD TO PICKING UP FOLKS AT THE BUS STATION IS FULL DISCLOSURE. I AM A OFFICIAL BELIEVER THAT -- I AM A FIRM BELIEVER THAT WE NEED TO HELP THOSE TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE. BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE LESS LIGHT AND NOT DISCLOSING THINGS PROMOTES PUBLIC GOODWILL. I THINK MORE TRANSPARENCY AND MORE OPENNESS AND MORE DISCLOSURE AND DISCUSSION IS THE PROPER DIRECTION TO HELP PEOPLE IMPROVE THEMSELVES AND NOT A POLICY OF DISTRUSTING OUR EMPLOYEES AND THEN TRYING TO TRICK THEM INTO SOME SORT OF AN OFFER THAT MAYBE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DONE ALONG THE WAY.

I BELIEVE IN MORE LIGHT AND NOT LESS LIGHT AND I WILL BE

VOTING AGAINST THE POLICY. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 3-2. I AM IN FAVOR.

THAT WAS 273. THE FINAL ITEM BEFORE EXECUTIVE SESSION IS 275. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE DISCUSSED THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT SECTION OF OPEN MEETINGS ACT ARE WE GOING BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON.

>> I BELIEVE IT WAS COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHO MADE THAT REQUEST. MY ASSUMPTION IS AS LONG AS IT IS GOING BACK FOR CON SUM STATION -- CONSULTATION WITH THE ATTORNEYS RELATED TO THE FESS SPIC -- SPECIFICS OF THE LAW AND HOW IT APPLIES, THAT'S OKAY.

I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTED TO HAVE A LARGER DISCUSSION ABOUT IT. I THINK TO USE YOUR PHRASE, AN 80,000-FOOT DESCRIPTION OF IT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: RIGHT. >> THAT WOULD MORE

APPROPRIATELY BE DONE HERE. >> AND TO ADD ON TO THAT, THERE WERE SEVERAL QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COURT FROM SB23 AND THE LEGAL DEFINITIONS WITHIN THE LAW.

WE RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THERE MAY BE FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION TO ENSURE THAT THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW PREVAIL. SO WE HAVE CLEAR BEALE OF EXECUTIVE -- CLEAR BILL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER

THOSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE].

EVEN IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE 80,000-FOOT DISCUSSION BEFORE WE HAVE IT, WE SHOULD KNOW THE PARAMETERS OF WHAT MAY BE SAID AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO THE LITIGATION.

>> SO, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

BASED A MY UNDERSTANDING AND THE GENERAL POINTS HE WANTS TO MAKE, I THINK WE WILL BE FINE THERE HERE IN OPEN COURT.

TO THE EXTENT THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INTERPRETATION OF VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF SB23 AND HOW IT WILL IMPACT THE BUDGET FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE, WE WILL TAKE IT BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[04:35:02]

WE HAD SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS BEFORE AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL GO -- DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION ON THAT ITEM, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? WHY DON'T WE BRING UP COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHAT YOU NEEDED TO, AND IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY CAN STOP US IF THERE IS AN ISSUE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH. WE ALL KNOW WHAT SENATE BILL 23 IS. IT HAS TO DO WITH BUDGETS.

IT HAS TO DO WITH LAWEN RS TO MEANT -- LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT HAS TO DO WITH CUTTING LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS.

THE IMPORTANT THINGS GOING FORWARD AS WE GET INTO THE BUDGET WHICH WE WILL START NEXT WEEK IS THE DEFINITION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, KNOWING WHAT THE BUDGET WAS LAST YEAR AS WE ANTICIPATE THE BUDGET THIS YEAR IT IS JUST AN END OF THE YEAR, BEGINNING OF THE YEAR REMINDER THAT WE ARE GOING TO BUDGET DISCUSSIONS OVER THOSE PARAMETERS IS PRETTY MUCH STATING THE OBVIOUS AS WE GO THROUGH THE DETAILS OF WHAT EACH ONE OF THESE AND DOES IT APPLY TO THE D.A. AND DOES IT APPLY TO THE FIRE MARSHAL. ALL OF THOSE ARE EXECUTIVE SESSION CONVERSATIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT IT APPLIES TO.

DOES IT INCLUDE THE ROLL OVER DOLLARS THAT WHERE SOME PEOPLE SAY IS IN THE BUDGET, NOT IN THE BUDGET? THOSE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TO -- MAY BE BETTER SERVED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

MINE WAS MORE OF A -- WE ARE ABOUT TO GO INTO A BIG -- A LOT OF DETAIL ON BUDGETS. THERE IS LAW ENFORCEMENT INCLUDED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT BUDGETS.

JUST KNOWING THAT IS OUT THERE AND THE RAMIFICATIONS OF SENATE BILL 23 AND HOW THEY MAY IMPACT THE BUDGET, THAT WAS MY MAIN POINT TO HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD THAT I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.

I'M GOING TO BE THINKING ANYTHING WE INCREASE, WE HAVE TO BE EVEN MORE THOUGHTFUL BECAUSE IN THE FUTURE THERE IS NO WAY TO ROLL THAT BACK WITHOUT THIS KICKING IN.

SO THAT WILL HAVE TO NOW BE A CONSIDERATION FOR ME WHICH IS VERY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. YOU KNOW, OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN HERE, LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS HAVE GONE UP YEAR AFTER YARY.

I MENTIONED A -- YEAR AFTER YEAR, I MENTIONED A BILLION DOLLARS, THE MOST COMMITTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT SPENDING AND THAT'S WITHOUT STATE INTERVENTION.

I THINK IT IS IRONIC THAT THE STATE ATTITUDE IS LOCALITIES CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT UNTIL THE STATE DISAGREES AT WHICH POINT WHETHER IT IS REGULATION OR COVID OR TAXES OR WHETHER IT IS THE ENVIRONMENT OR GUN SAFE TEA OR WHATEVER IT IS.

GUN SAFETY, WHATEVER IT IS. THIS PROVIDES THE OPPOSITE EFFECT WHICH IS TO THINK TWICE ABOUT ANY BUDGET INCREASE.

IT IS DISAPPOINTING BECAUSE IT GOES BACK TO THE PANDERING.

BOY, WHEN I WAS SHERIFF WOULDN'T I LIKE THIS COURT TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

DIDN'T HAVE IT. IN FACT, "THE CHRONICLE" REMARK IS WE HAVE ALREADY GIVEN YOU MONEY.

AND SO IT IS NICE TO HAVE A SUPPORTIVE COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF US. MY TAKE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT IF WE GIVE, HOW DO WE TAKE BACK. IT IS NOT THE ROLL BACK OF THE FUNDING. HOWEVER, I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL, THEN ADA EDWARDS, WHEN WE WERE ALL POUNDING OUR CHESTS BECAUSE WE WERE GIVING HPD THE LARGEST PAY INCREASE IN THE HISTORY AT THAT TIME AND THE COUNCILMEMBER WAS SAYING WHAT DO WE GET FOR THAT? YOU WAS SAYING, WELL, YOU WILL GET A PAY RAISE AND IT IS THIS PERCENT MORE. WE WERE INCREASING THE DEPARTMENT'S OVERALL BUDGET. THERE IS MORE PATROL CARS AND EQUIPMENT. SHE SAID, THAT'S NOT WHAT I AM ASKING. SHE SAID WHAT ARE WE GOING TO GET FOR THAT. I FINALLY GOT IT.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE WISE, STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT. JUST LIKE I HAVE DONE WITH ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS WITH SHOT SPOTTER IN MY PRECINCT.

[04:40:02]

IT HAS ALREADY NETTED ARRESTS AND IT ALREADY SHUTDOWN MAIN GROW MARIJUANA OPERATIONS. IT HAS GIVEN CITIZENS THE RELIEF THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR.

BUT THAT INVESTMENT STRATEGICALLY FORCE MULTIPLIED THE MEN AND WOMEN ON THE GROUND AND ALLOWED THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

WE HAVE SEEN SHERIFF GONZALEZ PUT VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION INITIATIVES TOGETHER AND TARGETED MICROZONES ON HOTSPOTS. THESE ARE THE TYPES OF INVESTMENTS WE NEED TO MAKE AND THE TYPE OF INVESTMENTS I WILL BE MAKING ALL DAY LONG. TO MAKE ARBITRARY INCREASES WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THE QUANT PHO LOCATION -- QUANTIFICATION OF WHAT THE CITIZENS WILL GET IS LIKE WHAT WE WERE SAYING WITH THE ELECTRONIC BRACELETS, IT COULD BE A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. I WOULD RATHER HAVE STRATEGIC, WELL-THOUGHT THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. AS I SAID EARLIER, HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT ENGAGED WITH THE VIOLENT, DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS WITH THE ANKLE BRACELETS, IT IS KEY I WOULDN'T MIND BRINGING A PROPOSAL TO THE TABLE TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT THERE. IF THERE ARE WAYS TO AMPLIFY SHOTS FIRED, I WOULDN'T MIND MAKING AN INVESTMENT THERE.

WE ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH ABANDONED BUILDINGS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER.

WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM MAKING AN INVESTMENT THERE.

MY TAKE IS NOT SO MUCH ON THE FACT THAT WE WILL BE INCREASING BUDGETS AND LIKE I SAID, WE PUT SO MUCH ON THE SHOULDERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT, MAN, THEIR RAID EYERS -- THERE USED -- RADIOS, YOU USED TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE RADIO WAS WORKING BECAUSE IT WAS SO QUIET.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE TODAY. THE RADIOS ARE PARAKEETS AND THEY ARE NONSTOP. THEY KEEP CHIRPING ALL DAY LONG AND ALL NIGHT LONG AND THEY KEEP OUR DEPUTIES WORKING HARD. I WOULD LIKE TO FIGURE OUTWEIGHS THAT -- OUT WAY THAT'S OUR INVESTMENTS WILL ONE DAY GIVE THEM THE QUIET THAT WE USED TO HAVE IN THE OLD DAYS. SO I'M MORE ABOUT MAKING THOSE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS AROUND WELL-STRUCTURED PROGRAMS THAT ARE DIRECTED AND DIRECTED AT THE RIGHT PROBLEMS THAT OUR COMMUNITY FACES AND BRINGS A REAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SHARE BOTH CONCERNS.

AS IT RELATES TO THIS LEGISLATION FOR THE STATE TO DICTATE THAT, IF YOU EVER WANT TO MOVE SOME MONEY FROM ONE CATEGORY TO ANOTHER ONE YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS TO DO IT. IT WILL GIVE ME PAUSE ANYTIME YOU MAKE IT AN INVESTMENT BECAUSE RARELY DOES ANYBODY COME IN AND SAY I HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY.

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE SOME OF MINE AND PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE? WHAT I DO AGREE TO IS THE NEED TO BE STRATEGIC. AS AN EXAMPLE, WE SPEND MORE THAN ANY OTHER CONSTABLES THAN ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT LIMITED RESOURCES AND YOU ARE TRYING TO DECIDE WHERE DO YOU GET THE BIGGEST BANG IN TERMS OF REDUCING CRIME, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

MY FEAR IS UNDER THIS LAW IF YOU PUT IT IN ONE PLACE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'M NOT SURE YOU CAN MOVE IT.

THAT DOES MAKE IT A CHALLENGE.

FROM THE VANTAGE POINT OF SOMEBODY WHO WILL TAKE THE HEAT IF YOU EVER HAVE TO COME UP WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, NOT EVERYBODY WILL DO THAT. THERE IS A TENDENCY I HAVE SEEN IN MY 30 SOME OFF YEARS OF GOVERNMENT THAT USUALLY PEOPLE WILL PUT THEIR HEAD IN THE STAND AND SAY CUT SOMETHING ELSE. WHEN YOU HAVE TO ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES, THE MINUTE I HAVE A CHANCE TO BE FINANCE CHAIR IN THE LEGISLATION THEY WERE AGREEABLE PEOPLE WHEN IT CAME

[04:45:06]

TO THEIR DISTRICT OR PROGRAM. YOU NEVER WOULD GET OUT OF IT. THAT'S THE CHALLENGE WITH THE LEGISLATION. I BELIEVE WITH THE SMART INVESTMENTS WE HAVE MADE, AT SOME POINT THE CRIME STATS ARE GOING TO GO DOWN. IT WILL STILL BE A CHALLENGE TO INVEST IN THINGS LIKE HOW DO YOU GIVE SOMEONE GUNS? NOBODY IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

CREATORS OF A HIGH CRIME RATE AND EASY ACCESS TO GUNS.

YOU WANT TO PUT MONEY INTO IT AND WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT THAT? YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE RULES WHERE EVERYBODY HAS ONE. I JUST THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG CHALLENGE FOR US. WE WILL HAVE PENSION ISSUES COMING UP. THE CITY IS NOW, BUT WE MAY GET THERE. CHALLENGE WTZ HEALTH CONTRACT. AN EXAMPLE -- DON'T WANT TO GET OFF ON A TANGENT, BUT WE HAVE INVESTMENTS DOWN THE ROAD AND THIS EARMARK WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO CREATES A BIG PROBLEM. WE TALK ABOUT THE FLOOD PROJECTS. SOMEBODY BETTER TALK ABOUT HOW ARE YOU GONNA PAY TO MAINTAIN THEM.

WE STILL WATER GRASS TWO TIMES A YEAR AND THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE WATER. THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS, BUT WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT. I GUESS THAT'S WHY WE GOT THE

UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS UP HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS A DISCUSSION ITEM, AND THERE IS NO ACTION.

[Executive Session]

IN THAT CASE, THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS ARE 255, 257, 274 AND 276. THOSE HAVE TO DO WITH LITIGATION, NEGOTIATION AND PERSONNEL.

IT IS 3:48 AND WE ARE GOING STRAIGHT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT IS 4:50.

[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

ITEM 255, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR MICROPHONE, COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE APPOINT -- IF I CAN GET THERE.

TOMORROW, MARIE BELL TO THE BOARD OF THAT HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAKES THE MOTION AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?