[Call to Order]
[00:00:06]
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. IT IS 10:08.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE JANUARY 11TH, 2022 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ORDER.
WE CAN GO AHEAD AND RECITE THE PLEDGE.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.
>> COMMISSIONER, YOUR MIC, PLEASE.
>> HEAVENLY FATHER ABOVE WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSING OF A NEW YEAR.
WE ASK THAT YOU ALLOW US ON THIS DAY AS WE GO IN THE BUDGET HEARINGS THAT WE BE WISE AND THAT WE BE DISCERNING AND WE HAVE A LISTENING EAR AND THAT WE LOOK TO THE LESSON OF THE GRASS -- GRASSHOPPER AND THE LESSON OF THE ANT AND THAT OUR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS WOULD SHOW BOTH HEART, COMPASSION AND MIND. WE ASK YOUR BLESSINGS UPON THESE PROCEEDINGS AND THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDERGO -- UNDERGOD.
INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> HAHN -- HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE. TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDERGOD.
ONE AND UNDO VISIBLE. AND INDIVISBLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A HEARING OF THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR 2022 AND 2023 BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON THE BUDGET.
WE WILL BE HEARING FROM DEPARTMENTS.
BUDGETING IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO AND THE PUBLIC MAY NOT FIND PARTICULARLY EXCITING.
IT IS A CENTRAL PIECE OF GOVERNING.
I ALWAYS SAY BUDGETS ARE ABOUT PRIORITIES AND PRIORITIES ARE ABOUT VALUES. WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE OUR BUDGETARY FLECTS THE PRIORITIES -- BUDGET REFLECTS THE PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY.
IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE INVESTED IN IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE INVESTED IN AREAS THAT ARE TRULY IMPORTANT TO FOLKS AND HAVE BEEN LONG OVERDUE.
LIKEN VIERN MENTAL PROTECTION -- LIKE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH, INVESTING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY AND POLICING AND PUTTING FAMILIES FIRST. ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT AND GIVE CREDIT TO THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT IS HOW MUCH THEY ARE FOCUSED ON ACCOUNTABILITY. DAVE AND HIS TEAM HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD TO WORK WITH DEPARTMENTS TO TRACK PERFORMANCE. ONE OF THE THINGS THEY ARE ASKING IS HOW WELL ARE DEPARTMENTS THEMENTZS -- THEMSELVES ASKING IS ANYONE BETTER OFF? IS ANYONE BETTER OFF THROUGH THE PROGRAMS AND THE OUTCOMES WE ARE DESIGNING? REALLY HONING IN ON WHAT IS BEING DONE AND IS IT HAVING AN IMPACT AND WHAT IS THAT IMPACT? I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM FOLKS THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THE DECISIONS WE MAKE ARE EFFICIENT AND THAT THEY ARE SMART AND THAT THEY ARE THOROUGHLY BACKED UP BY SPECIFICALLY WHAT THEY PLAN ON DOING AND HOW WE ARE GONNA MEASURE THE OUTCOMES. BEFORE WE BEGIN THE BUDGET
[Public Health Services]
HEARINGS WE HAVE TWO EMERGENCY COVID-19 ITEMS TO DISCUSS.I KNOW SOME FOLKS HAVE TO STEP OUT HERE IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE GET THROUGH THESE BEFORE THAT TIME. AS YOU GUYS KNOW, THE OWE MA CROHN VARIANT -- THE OMICRON VARIANT IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITY JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY AROUND THE COUNTRY.
OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS WE HAVE SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF CASES, A TSUNAMI OF CASES IN MY MIND.
THANKFULLY UNTIL NOW THAT HAD BEEN NOTHING MORE THAN THAT, CASES. WHICH THEMSELVES HAVE AN IMPACT. SO MANY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR ECONOMY ARE SICK AND IT IS IMPACTING THE ABILITY OF BUSINESSES TO STAY OPEN AND FOR SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AND FOR HOSPITALS TO BE PROPERLY STAFFED. BUT NOW THIS OMICRON VARIANT IS ALSO TAKING A TOLL IN THE HOSPITALS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF HOSPITAL BEDS. WE CROSSED THE THRESHOLD FOR THREAT LEVEL RED ON ALL METRICS INCLUDING HOSPITALIZATION. THAT IS 15% OF ICU BEDS RIGHT NOW ARE TAKEN UP BY COVID POSITIVE PATIENTS AND WE CROSS THE 15% THRESHOLD. AS OF MONDAY IT IS 18.1% OF BEDS IN. ICU WERE TAKEN UP BY COVID-19 PATIENTS. POSITIVITY RATE IS AT 35%, AND THE CASES CONTINUE TO CLIMB. THE TWO ITEMS ARE RELATED TO THAT. THE FIRST ITEM IS TO APPROVE
[00:05:04]
THE PURCHASE OF 65,000 -- UP TO 65,000 OR HOWEVER MANY WE CAN GET OUR HANDS ON, OF COVID-19 RAPID TESTS.AT THE LAST COURT WE VOTED TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR 55,000 TEST KITS BASED ON WHAT WAS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AT THE TIME. THIS NEWS WAS MET WITH ENTHUSIASM BY OUR SCHOOLS. THEY HAVE TAKEN UP THIS MAN -- MANTLE OF MAKING SURE THE KIDS ARE TESTED SO THEY CAN RETURN TO SCHOOL QUICKLY UPON BEING IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID-19. WE HAD ALL OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TAKE US UP ON THIS PROGRAM AND THEY ARE READY TO IMPLEMENT IT. IT IS IMPORTANT AND THEY TELL US THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT OUR SUPPORT.
WE WENT OUT TO SEE HOW MANY MORE TESTS WE COULD GET OUR HANDS ON. THE CALCULUS WE USED IS TO GIVE THE SCHOOLS -- THE NUMBER OF TESTS EQUIVALENT TO 5% OF THEIR TOTAL STAFF AND STUDENT POPULATION.
THE IDEA IS FOR THESE TESTS TO GO TO THE KIDS THAT HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH SOMEBODY POSITIVE FOR COVID AND FOR THAT REASON NEEDS TO ISOLATE. THE PROBLEM IS IN SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS, AROUND 10% OF THE TOTAL STAFF AND STUDENT POPULATION HAS SOMEHOW COME INTO CONTACT WITH SOMEBODY WHO HAS COVID-19. THE 5% NUMBER IS NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP THE KIDS CONSISTENTLY IN SCHOOL.
SO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIED AN ADDITIONAL 35,000 TESTS YESTERDAY -- OR ON FRIDAY.
THERE WERE ABOUT 48,000 TESTS THAT WERE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE WORK WITH PURCHASING AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
ANYWAY, YESTERDAY THEY CAME TO ME AND SAID CAN YOU PLEASE APPROVE THESE TESTS? I SAID, WELL, LET'S PUT IT ON THE AGENDA TOMORROW. THIS WAS YESTERDAY MORNING.
IT TURNS OUT BETWEEN FRIDAY AND MONDAY MORNING THE AVAILABILITY OF TESTS WENT FROM 50,000 TO 35,000 JUST IN ONE WORKING DAY. AND SO I FELT IF WE WAIT ANOTHER WORKING DAY WE WILL END UP WITH 20.
I APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF THE 35,000 COVID RAPID TESTS.
PUBLIC HEALTH BELIEVES WE NEED 100,000.
THEY ARE ASKING FOR APPROVAL TO PURCHASE UP TO $ -- 65,000 MORE TESTS. THEY DO NOT YET HAVE THEM IDENTIFIED BECAUSE WE PURCHASED ALL THAT WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THEM.
OBVIOUSLY IF THEY DON'T FIND THE 65,000 THE FUNDS WILL NOT BE SPENT. THAT IS THE REQUEST, MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF 65,000 RAPID ANTIGEN COVID-19 TEST KITS WITH FUNDING NOT TO EXCEED $1 MILLION 800, 045 IN COVID RECOVERY FUNDS. THERE IS A MOTION.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I I DID WANT TO GET CLARIFICATION FROM DAVE BERRY. MR. BERRY, ARE YOU ON THE
CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE CAN SEE YOU NOW. THANK YOU.
THESE FUNDS ARE COMING FROM THE COVID RESPONSE.
THIS IS NOT COMING FROM THE PIC FUND, CORRECT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THAT IS A CRITICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND THE LAST TIME IT CAME UP. WE WERE DRAWING FROM THE PIC FUND WHERE WE HAD 32 MILLION LEFT AND THIS IS COMING FROM THE COVID RESPONSE FUND AND HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE HAVE IN
THE COVID RESPONSE FUND? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I WILL GET IT FOR YOU
SHORTLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK IT
IS IN THE 60 MILLION RANGE. >> THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT.
I'LL GET YOU THE MOST CURRENT NUMBERS.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: ACTUALLY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO MY LEFT-HANDED ME A PIECE OF PAPER SAYS 65 MILLION PLUS.
WITH THIS COMING FROM THERE AND THERE IS ALSO A CHANCE -- A POSSIBLE CHANCE THAT WE COULD GET SOME REIMBURSEMENT
THE CHANCE THOUGH IS NOT 100%.
I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GREAT -- A GRAY AREA.
>> AND NOT ONLY WOULD IT NOT BE 100% CHANCE OF RECOVERING IT, BUT MY LAST FUNCTION WHEN I WAS SERVING ON THE HGAC WAS WE APPROVED AND I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE SAME SESSION BECAUSE HE WAS ON THE HGAC AT THE SAME TIME, WE WERE APPROVING FUNDING FROM IKE FUNDS SOME 10 YEARS AFTER IKE HAD COME THROUGH.
EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A CHANCE WE COULD BE REIMBURSED, IT WON'T BE QUICKLY. SOMETIMES THE REIMBURSMENTS TAKE AWHILE TO GO, BUT WE WILL PUSH FOR THOSE.
THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS I NEEDED ON THAT.
OF THESE TESTS, SECOND QUESTION, WE APPROVED A POLICY THAT WILL ALLOW OUR EMPLOYEES TO BE ABLE TO BE TESTED AND
[00:10:04]
THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS, WHILE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING THESE TESTS, WILL SOME OF THESE TESTS BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES? OR WILL WE JUST FUNNEL THEM OUT TO OTHER MEETING ENTITIES?>> IF DIRECTOR ROBINSON IS ON THE LINE I WILL LET HER ANSWER
THAT QUESTION. >> GOOD MORNING.
BARBIE ROBINSON HERE. WE ARE UTILIZING THE CURRENT STOCK OF TESTS FOR -- AS WE MENTIONED TO THE COMMUNITY.
HRIM IS ALSO PURCHASING TESTS TO BE UTILIZED FOR -- IN CONCERT WITH THE CALL TO BE USED FOR EMPLOYEE TESTING.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY. I WOULD URGE THAT WE MAKE SURE WE TAKE CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES IN THIS AS WELL.
>> COMMISSIONER, JUST TO ADD TO WHAT DIRECTOR ROBINSON SAID, MY UNDERSTANDING WITH THESE SPECIFIC TESTS THAT ARE RAPID TESTS WERE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO THE COMMUNITY.
IF WE DO HAVE AN ON GOING TESTING PROGRAM, IT IS MANDATORY FOR SOME EMPLOYEES AND AVAILABLE FOR OTHERS.
THAT IS RUNNING THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH.
WE WILL MAKE A CALL TOWARD THE END OF THIS MONTH WHETHER IT WILL GET EXTENDED. THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE
AVAILABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: JUDGE?
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS COMPLEMENTS WHAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ALREADY DOING?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THE ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT'S CAN DO THIS WITHOUT US IS HISD AND KDISD.
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PROGRAMS. THE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO
NOT HAVE THEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO THEY DON'T HAVE THE COVID RESPONSE FUNDS LIKE WE DO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THEY DON'T HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT -- YOU KNOW, THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND, IT IS SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY THAT WE CREATED, CORRECT, DAVE? GIVEN JUST THE SPECIFICS OF THE WAY THE CARES DOLLARS CAME IN. WE DON'T WANT TO DIVERT THESE SCHOOLS FROM EDUCATING TO DOING THIS WHEN WE CAN SUPPORT THEM. WHAT I HAVE HEARD AND WHAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS HEARD IS THIS IS BIG SUPPORT
FOR THEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND THEY ARE GETTING ARPA FUNDING. I LIKE THE FACT THAT WE ARE PROVIDING GUIDANCE WHERE THERE IS A NEED, BUT THESE DISTRICTS ALSO HAVE ARPA FUNDING AND OTHER KINDS OF FUNDING THAT MAY HELP WITH THIS IF NEEDED. IF OURS GET COVERED, WHICH IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING OUT OF THE COVID RESPONSE FUND WHICH IT IS FUNDED, WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE THIS OVERCOMPLICATED EITHER. AM I TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE A 5% -- THERE WAS SOME CRY TEAR YAW THE SCHOOL -- CRITERIA THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE SELECTED UNDER? FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE, WHAT IS THE CRITERIA TO GET THE
TEST KITS? >> I WILL LET DIRECTOR ROBINSON ADD DETAIL, BUT ESSENTIALLY THEY ARE BALANCING THE AVAILABILITY OF TESTS WITH THE NEED.
IT IS A MATHEMATICAL EQUATION.
AND SO WHAT THEY LANDED TO BE ABLE TO COVER EVERYONE ACROSS THE BOARD IS WE HAD ENOUGH TESTS TO SAY EVERY DISTRICT WHO REQUESTED THE PROGRAM, WE WILL GIVE YOU AS MANY TESTS AS 5% OF YOUR TOTAL STEUFNT AND -- STUDENT AND STAFF POPULATION. EVERY DISTRICT RECEIVED A PROPORTIONAL NUMBER OF TESTS ACCORDING TO THEIR SIZE.
IT IS NOT ENOUGH ONLY BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TESTS.
>> TOM RAMSEY: BUT IT WAS OFFERED TO EVERY SCHOOL
DISTRICT? >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT.
HISD AND KDSD DIDN'T NEED IT. THEY IT HAD UNDER CONTROL.
THE OTHER DISTRICTS DIDN'T HAVE THE PROGRAM.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON, DID I MISS ANYTHING?
>> NO. AND JUDGE, I WOULD JUST ADD THAT WE HAVE ALSO WORKED WITH THEM ON REFINING THAT CRITERIA. IT IS CASES AND CONTACTS OF CASES. IT IS NOT EVERYONE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF TESTS OR THE -- OR A LOT OF TESTS AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS.
WE REALLY ASKED THEM TO FOCUS ON THOSE THAT ARE CONTACTS AND THOSE THAT ARE SYMPTOM -- SYMPTOMATIC.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE GUIDANCE THAT WHEN WE GIVE THEM THE TEST EVERYONE HAS A PROPORTIONAL AMOUNT.
THEY GIVE GUIDANCE ON HOW TO DISTRIBUTE AMONG THE STUDENT POPULATION GIVEN THE SUPPLY LIMITATIONS COMPARED TO DEMAND. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
[00:15:02]
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THE TEST FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, ARE THEY
THE PCR OR THE RAPID TESTS? >> SIR, AT THIS TIME THEY ARE
PCR TESTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY.
AND WHAT IS THE TURN AROUND ON RESULTS?
>> SEVEN -- 72 HOURS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER -- CAN WE ACCELERATE THAT OR WORK WITH THE LABS TO GET THOSE RESULTS BACK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE?
>> SIR, WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TO TRY TO ACCELERATE THAT TIME FRAME. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THAT IS AN AMOUNT OF TIME -- YOU KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN AN UP TAKE IN DEMAND FOR TESTING AND RESULTS.
SO THAT IS ALSO IMPACTING THE CAPACITY OF THE LABS.
WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO IMPROVE THE TIME FRAME.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF YOU CAN GIVE US A REPORT BACK BY NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT MEETING ON THE STATUS OF YOUR EFFORT IN THAT REGARD. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO AS A COUNTY IS JUST MAINTAIN SERVICES TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN AND PROVIDE MINIMAL DISRUPTION AS POSSIBLE.
ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE EMPLOYEES CAN HAVE THEIR TESTS DONE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME MAKING SURE WE GET THE RESULTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
>> AND SIR MAY I ADD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COURT AND THE PUBLIC, THE LABS ARE ALSO IMPACTED BY COVID IN MUCH THE SAME WAY OUR HOSPITAL PERSONNEL AND OTHER STAFF ARE IMPACTED. THEY ARE EXPERIENCING STAFF SHORTAGES BECAUSE STAFF ARE GETTING COVID, AND THEY ARE OUT FROM WORK AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, THE EXISTING LAB CAPACITY. JUST BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE TEST DOESN'T EXPAND THEIR CAPACITY TO RUN MORE TESTS.
WE ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH THEM TO FIGURE THAT OUT AND
IMPROVE THAT AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.
EVEN IF YOU THINK ABOUT -- I THINK WE ARE ALL STILL LEANING ON THE SAME LABS AS A REGION. IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CAPACITY OUT THERE THAT WE CAN BRING TO THE TABLE THAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE DEDICATED JUST TO THE COUNTY OPERATIONS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
AND I DO WANT TO SAY THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO LEAVE IN 15
MINUTES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A QUICK FOLLOW-UP TO THE QUESTION OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DIRECTOR. IF WE HAVE THE 72-HOUR TESTS AND I KNOW A LOT OF THAT IS DUE TO THE ROUTINE TO WHERE SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES ELECT TO HAVE REGULAR TESTING DONE.
AND A TWO -- 72-HOUR TURN AROUND MAY NOT BE A BIG ISSUE. THE TESTS WE ARE SECURING HERE, THE 65,000 TESTS, THOSE ARE THE RAPID RESPONSE TESTS AND IT TAKES 15 MINUTES, RIGHT?
>> YES, SIR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THAT GOES BACK TO WHERE COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I ARE ON THE SAME PAGE. CAN WE HAVE RAPID RESPONSE TESTS MADE AVAILABLE TO OUR EMPLOYEES? IF YOU HAVE A FRONT LINE PERSON WHO IS WORKING A RECEPTION DESK OR HANDLING MONEY AND WAITING 72 HOURS TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE POSITIVE IS NOT WHAT WE WANT TO DO. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO -- IF THEY HAVE A QUICK SYMPTOM TO BE ABLE TO GO BY AND GET TESTED AND KNOW IN 15 MINUTES THEY ARE ALL RIGHT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ONE THING THOUGH, EVEN WITH THE KIDS, ANYONE WHO IS SYMPTOMATIC, IF THEY GET A NEGATIVE, WE SEND THEM A PCR TEST. NOBODY WITH SYMPTOMS SHOULD RELY ON A NEGATIVE FROM A RAPID TEST.
THAT'S BEEN DOCUMENTED ALL OVER THE PLACE THAT THESE ARE NOT AS ACCURATE AND THERE ARE FALSE NEGATIVES.
THE SCHOOLS REQUIRE ANY KID WHO HAS COME INTO CONTACT, LIKE IN THE SAME CLASSROOM BASICALLY TO LEAVE.
MANY OF THESE KIDS DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS AND THEY ARE QUITE ALL RIGHT. YIERNG THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.
I THINK THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.
MAYBE DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND DAVE CAN SEE TO WHAT EXTENT WE CAN USE SOME OF THESE RAPID TESTS FOR EMPLOYEES.
IT DOES MAKE SENSE. IT IS LIKE THE HEALTH WORKERS -- THE STUDENTS AND THE FRONT LINE WORKERS AND THAT'S THE PRIORITY OF THE FOLKS FOR THE LIMITED SUPPLY
OF TESTS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ARE YOU THINKING OF ADDING A FEW TESTS TO BRING TO
OUR EMPLOYEES? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH.
I MEAN, LOOK, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE DO SOMETHING TO
MAKE SURE -- >> YOUR MIC, COMMISSIONER.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO THINK THROUGH WHAT WE CAN ADD TO THIS TO ENSURE THAT WE
[00:20:06]
CAN KEEP SOME DEGREE OF RAPID RESULTS FOR OUR STAFF AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. AT LEAST A GOOD INDICATION OF WHETHER WE NEED TO GO TO A PCR TEST OR NOT.I WOULD BE OPEN TO THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LET'S BOOST THE RAPID RESULT TESTS. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WE NEED FOR EMPLOYEES, MAYBE ANOTHER 5,000, AND MAYBE IT AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES. WHOEVER MADE THE MOTION, I KNOW THIS WAS PROPOSED BY THE JUDGE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SUPPORT THAT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MAY ASK, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THE PCR IS MORE ACCURATE?
THAT IS CORRECT, RIGHT? >> YES.
IT IS. AS THE JUDGE LAID OUT, IF YOU ARE SYMPTOMATIC AND YOU GET A NEGATIVE RESULT ON A RAPID TEST, WE WANT TO DIRECT YOU TO TAKE THE PCR TEST SO WE CAN HAVE -- WE WILL KNOW WITH CERTAINTY IF A PERSON HAS
COVID. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WITH THE PROTOCOLS WE PUT IN PLACE -- WE CAN CHANGE THEM, BUT THE PROTOCOLS THEY PUT IN PLACE, WHICH CAST ARE WE ASKING OUR EMPLOYEES TO TAKE, THE PCR OR THE RAPID TEST?
>> RIGHT NOW IT IS THE PCR. I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD THAT WE CAN WORK TO COORDINATE ON GETTING THE RAPID TEST AND UTILIZING THE SAME CRITERIA PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO THE
RESULTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE DIFFERENCE WITH THIS IS THE KIDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL UNTIL THEY HAVE A NEGATIVE TEST.
THE EMPLOYEES KEEP WORKING. IT IS NOT LIKE THEY DON'T WORK FOR 72 HOURS WHILE THE RESULT COMES BACK.
>> THAT'S NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE, JUDGE.
FOR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF THAT MAY BE TRUE, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT MY ROAD CREWS AND MY COMMUNITY CENTER OPERATIONS.
I'VE GOT A LOT OF FRONT LINE STAFF THAT -- YOU KNOW, FOR MY OPERATIONS AND IT IS HARD TO SHUT THINGS DOWN.
I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO THEY TAKE OFF LIKE MINE? IF THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS, WE LET THEM TAKE OFF. THEY TAKE THE TEST.
IF THE TEST TELLS THEM THEY ARE NOT NEGATIVE, THEN THEY KNOW THEY MAY REALLY HAVE THE FLU.
IT DOES STILL EXIST. THEY MAY HAVE A COLD OR SINUS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE ARE WE ADVOCATING A CHANGE FROM PROTOCOL OF THEM TAKING -- YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE THE RIGHT TEST AVAILABLE?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: EXACTLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: SAY OUT OF THE REQUEST OF APPROVAL TO PURCHASE UP TO 65,000 RAPID ANTIGEN COVID-19 TESTS WITH FUNDING NOT TO EXCEED 1 MILLION 845, 000 IN COVID RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUNDS AND 5,000 OF THOSE TESTS BE EARMARKED FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. THEY WILL FIGURE OUT HOW WE DISTRIBUTE THESE. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH REPITOUS IN THE WORLD TO CHANGE THE PROTOCOL FOR EMPLOYEES TO USE
THESE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE NOT TAKING AWAY FROM WHAT WE HAVE NOW.
WE TOLD THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WE WILL MAKE THEM AVAILABLE AND WE WILL DO THAT. IF WE CAN GET THEM TO OUR
EMPLOYEES -- >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND.
>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WAS GOING TO MAKE A POINT THAT THE RAPID TEST IS NOT AS ACCURATE, BUT ASK YOU TO ENCOURAGE OUR OTHER PARTNERS BOTH THE STATE AND OTHER CITIES TO LOOK AT DOING THIS AS WELL.
IT IS A GOOD THING WE ARE DOING IT AND I GET A LOT OF CALLS FROM SOME OF THE OTHER PARTNERS AT THE CITY IN PARTICULAR WHEN THEY HAVE A GOOD IDEA AND ASK US TO PARTNER. I WANT TO RECAP FOR THEM.
WE WERE OUT AT BOCA ELEMENTARY, WHICH IS UNINCORPORATED, SO IF IT IS US OR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. OUT IN CYPRESS THAT HAS PROBLEMS WITH VIOLENCE AND IT IS A GOOD THING WE DID THAT AND APPLAUD THE COUNTY FOR MAKING THIS STEP, BUT ENCOURAGE OUR PARTNERS, THE STATE AND CITIES TO TAKE SOME OF THE MONEY AND DO IT AS WELL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY. THE NEXT ITEM IS ABOUT NURSES. PUBLIC HEALTH IS REQUESTING THE COURT APPROVE ANOTHER ROUND OF SURGE NURSING STAFF FOR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES ALL THE REQUESTS MADE BY HARRIS HEALTH AND THE PORTIONS OF THE REQUEST MADE BY OTHER HOSPITALS THAT SET TRACK AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT DEEMED APPROPRIATE. THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE NURSING STAFF ONCE AGAIN BE MANAGED BY SET TRAK THAT WILL WORK WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE TO ENSURE MAXIMUM FEMA
[00:25:04]
REIMBURSE -- REIMBURSE BUILT. THE AVAILABILITY OF NURSES IS AN ISSUE CURRENTLY. WE DISCUSSED WE WANTED THEM TO GET AHEAD OF THE CHALLENGE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE THE POINT RATHER THAN WAIT UNTIL IT BECOMES MORE OF AN ISSUE.RIGHT NOW WE SEE THE ISSUE. THE REASON FOR THE INCREASE IS TWO-FOLD. THERE IS STAFF BURNOUT.
SOME HOSPITALS ARE REPORTING UP TO 20% TURNOVER FROM BURNOUT AND THERE IS STAFF ILLNESSES WITH COVID.
A COUPLE OF HOSPITALS ARE REPORTING UP TO 10% OF STAFF OUT SICK DUE TO COVID. YOU COUPLE THAT WITH 18% OF COVID -- OF ICU BED NEEDING POSITIVE COVID PATIENTS AND IT IS A PERFECT STORM. RIGHT NOW WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS BRING THESE NURSES TO THE REGION QUICKLY, FASTER THAN WE DID OVER THE SUMMER, TO AVOID SITUATIONS LIKE THE MILITARY VETERAN WHO UNFOR THE -- UNFORTUNATE LEA DIED BECAUSE THERE WASN'T STAFFING OR A BED AVAILABLE.
I BELIEVE HE HAD A GALLBLADDER ISSUE OR SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY TREATABLE, BUT WAS DISPLACED BY THE COVID PATIENTS AND THE STRESS IT CREATED IN THE SYSTEM.
THE REQUEST IS FOR AN AGREEMENT -- TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT NOT TO EXCEED $40 MILLION WITH ANGEL STAFFING. AN AGREEMENT NOT TO EXCEED $1.5 MILLION WITH SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL COUNCIL.
AND 41.5 MILLION DOLLARS PER MEDICAL -- FOR MEDICAL STAFFING AND THE NUMBER OF NURSES HERE IS 664.
THE NURSES WOULD GO TO ALL KINDS OF HOSPITALS IN THE REGION. SAINT LUKE'S HARRIS HEALTH, HCA, HOUSTON METHODIST AND VARIOUS HOSPITALS AND VARIOUS METHODIST HOSPITALS. SAINT ST. JOSEPH'S SAINT LUKE'S. TEXAS CHILDREN AND THE WOMEN'S HOSPITAL OF TEXAS. THAT'S THE REQUEST.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> JUDGE, SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER AND
THEN I WILL TAKE THE SPEAKER. >> TOM RAMSEY: WHERE ARE THE DOLLARS COMING FROM ON THIS? THE FUNDING?
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT YET IDENTIFIED.
DAVE, WILL YOU TAKE THIS QUESTION?
>> YES. AND IN THE REQUEST FOR COURT ACTION, IT IS IDENTIFIED, BUT NOT ON THE AGENDA ITEM.
THIS IS AMERICAN RESCUE DOLLARS.
I CAN LET YOU KNOW THAT THESE WILL BE FEMA REIMBURSABLE.
WE HAVE TO CONFIRM THAT LATER IN TERMS OF WHETHER THEY WILL IN FACT COVER IT. BUT AN OPTION IS, AND YOU BROUGHT THIS WHEN WE DISCUSSED THIS AT THE LAST MEETING, YOU MENTIONED WE GOT A BILLION DOLLARS OF RESERVES IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. WHY WOULD WE WANT TO PAY THAT AND PURSUE THE ARPA FUNDING? WHY WOULDN'T WE WANT TO TAP INTO THOSE RESERVES FOR THOSE TYPES OF THINGS?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MAY BE ON MUTE, DAVE.
I THINK -- WELL, OBVIOUSLY ONLY PART OF THESE WOULD GO TO HARRIS HEALTH, RIGHT? I THINK THAT'S A REASONABLE QUESTION. THE COUNTY I KNOW GOT A LARGE ARPA ALLOCATION AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT GOT A SMALLER ONE. LOOK, I THINK IT WOULD NOT BE AN UNREASONABLE STRATEGY GOING FORWARD.
FROM WHERE WE ARE NOW, MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO USE THE ARPA FUNDING IN THE INTEREST OF TIME.
HAPPY TO TAKE THAT UP WITH HARRIS HEALTH MANAGEMENT
FURTHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST CURIOUS, IS THE STATE PUTTING ANY MONEY IN FOR NURSES? I READ SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
ARE THEY PUTTING MONEY INTO NURSES? THAT'S ONE PORTION. THE OTHER PART IS WHY WOULDN'T WE PITCH IN TO THE CITY? SAME QUESTION AS BEFORE.
WE CAN ASK THEM -- PARTICULARLY IF IT IS REIMBURSABLE IF THEY WILL SPLIT IT WITH US.
I GET CALLS ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR GOOD IDEAS ASKING IF I WOULD MAKE THE CASE TO SPLIT FROM THE COUNTY OR FROM MY FUNDS. I AM JUST RAISING THE ISSUE.
I'M PROUD TO DO IT, AND IT IS -- AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, BUT IT IMPACTS ALL OF US.
WHY WOULDN'T WE? I WANT TO THINK IN TERMS OF LEVERAGING. I APPRECIATE THE MONEY WE GOT
[00:30:02]
FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, BUT THAT'S TWO YEARS AND IT'S ALL GONE. OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW FROM THE ARPA, PEOPLE ARE GOING AND LOBBYING FOR MORE REQUESTS -- THERE ARE FAR MORE REQUESTS THAN DOLLARS.WOULD IT MAKE SENSE TO AT LEAST MAKE THE POINT TO LEVERAGE WITH THE CITY OR THE STATE -- OR CITIES.
IT IS A PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE. I NORMALLY DON'T SEE THEM COMING UP WHEN WE SET OUR TAX RATE WITH IDEAS ON HOW WE WILL COME UP WITH MORE REVENUE. THAT'S MY QUESTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW WE DID RECEIVE FUNDS -- WE DID RECEIVE SOME NURSES FROM THE STATE.
THE REGION RECEIVED ABOUT 900.
THESE REQUESTS ARE ALREADY -- IT IS AFTER ABSORBING, THEY RECEIVED 300 OR SO THAT CAME TO HARRIS COUNTY.
OVER 300. AND THE STATE HAS SAID THEY ARE NOT SENDING ANYMORE, END OF STORY.
AS FAR AS THE CITY, DAVE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THAT
QUESTION? >> I HAVE NOT HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY ABOUT [INAUDIBLE].
I THINK IT IS -- GO AHEAD, BARBIE.
>> I WAS GOING SAY STEVEN WILLIAMS AND I TALK DAILY AND WE HAD A CONVERSATION REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR -- THIS MOST RECENT ASK FOR FUNDING FOR NURSES.
THEY DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDING READILY AVAILABLE.
THERE ARE BUCKETS OF MONEY FROM WHAT WAS COMMUNICATED TO ME AND IT IS NOT THE SAME BUCKETS IN THE DEPTH OF THE BUCKETS. NOT HAVING THE RESOURCES TO FUND THAT AND OF THE PERSPECTIVE THAT WITHIN STATE LAW WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INDIGENT CARE.
WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
AND THE IMPACT OF COVID ON THAT SYSTEM ACROSS WHETHER IT IS A PRIVATE HOSPITAL OR A PUBLIC HOSPITAL HAS IMPACT ON OUR PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TRYING TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES FROM THE COUNTY'S PERSPECTIVE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DIRECTOR ROBINSON, DO YOU KNOW IF AROUND THE STATE OR AROUND THE COUNTRY IF OTHER COUNTIES ARE
DOING THIS AS WELL? >> YES, THEY ARE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: CURIOUS, ANY DATA IN PARTICULAR?
>> I DON'T HAVE -- IF YOU MEAN WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTUAL ALLOCATIONS, IT IS -- I DON'T KNOW THE DOLLAR FIGURE.
I DO KNOW OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND COUNTIES ARE HELPING TO SUPPORT AND FUND THOSE TYPES OF RESOURCES RECOGNIZING THAT IT IS INHERENT IN OUR RESPONSIBILITIES WHERE THERE IS A PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM FOR THEM TO STEP IN AND TRY TO
SUPPORT THE ENTIRE CONTINUUM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GOING TO SUPPORT IT AND IN FACT I WILL MAKE THE MOTION.
BUT I CAN THINK -- AND IT IS A GOOD THING WE DO IT, BUT I CAN COME UP WITH A LIST OF PLACES WHERE PRECINCT ONE HAS STEPPED OUT OF THE LANE TO DO THINGS THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY DONE, OR THINGS THE COUNTY HAS DONE. JAKE JACK LET ME JUMP --
>> R. JACK CAGLE: LET ME JUMP IN HERE BECAUSE I HAVE TO TAKE OUT. AND I WILL BE BACK VIRTUALLY.
MY APOLOGIES. THESE ARE ARPA FUNDS THAT ARE FEDERAL FUNDS AND THEY WERE GIVEN TO US FIGURING OUT THE BEST WAY TO PROMOTE THE COMMUNITY.
I AM FINE WITH USING THESE ARPA FUNDS.
AMERICAN RESCUE FEDERAL DOLLARS.
IT IS FOR THIS PURPOSE OF THE NURSING.
I DO ASK IS WHEN THIS CAME UP BEFORE THAT WE DO ASK OUR PARTNERS THAT IF THEY GET REIMBURSEMENT OR IF THEY GET PAID FOR USING THE NURSES THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED TO THEM, THAT THEY REIMBURSE US. THAT'S ALL THAT I ASK.
THEY DON'T NEED TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF THE COUNTY PITCHING IN AND HELPING OUT. THIS IS A, IN MY OPINION, A LEGITIMATE USE OF THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT HAD BEEN PUT THAT OUR CARE TO TAKE CARE OF NURSING.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS POINTED SOUT WE TALK ABOUT -- POINTETT OUT IS THE PERCENTAGE NFT BEDS.
THERE IS CAPACITY IN THE HOSPITAL, BUT THEY CAN'T GET NURSES TO FILL THE CAPACITY. I AM IN FAVOR OF THAT.
NUMBER 2, THE VENDOR WE UNDERSTAND WAS THE VENDOR RECOMMENDED THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, THROUGH SETRAC, SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL EMERGENCY AND I THINK THAT IS A TRUSTED VENDOR, A STATEWIDE VENDOR.
I KNOW WE HAVE A SPEAKER WE NEED TO HEAR FROM, BUT I KNEAD
TO GO -- I NEED TO GO. >> DO YOU WANT ME TO SECOND
YOUR MOTION? >> I CAN MOTION IT AND I CAN SECOND IT AND THEN I NEED TO TAKE OFF.
I DON'T KNOW IF I I CAN -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND
IT AND THEN HEAR THE SPEAKER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO IS
SPEAKING ON THIS? >> MARISSA HANSON.
[00:35:04]
>> R. JACK CAGLE: BUT I HAVE TO VOTE.
WE CAN'T VOTE UNTIL THE SPEAKER SPEAKS.
YOU CAN SAY -- I WILL COME BACK LATER AND WE CAN VOTE AND I CAN LEAVE? ALL RIGHT.
ROD ROID WILL SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> JUDGE, FOR THE RECORD CAN YOU REPEAT THE MOTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION IS TO ENTER INTO A NOT TO EXCEED $40 MILLION AGREEMENT WITH ANGEL STAFFING AND THEY NOT TO EXCEED 1.5 MILLION AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNSEL, SETRAC, FUNDING NOT TO EXCEED $40 BUN -- $41.5 MILLION FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL STAFF JIG SO AS IS --
[Appearances before court]
>> SO AS IS? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO, DO YOU BELIEVE THE VACCINES WORK?
DO YOU BELIEVE THEY WORK? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT'S YOUR
I AM ASKING YOU A QUESTION. CURRENTLY, WE ARE SEEING THAT EVERYWHERE THAT HAS MANDATED THE VACCINE, EVERYONE IS GETTING SICK. DOCTORS ARE TELLING ME THAT EVERYONE THAT HAS BEEN VACCINATED IS SICK WITH OMICRON. EVERYONE THAT I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN VACCINATED IS CURRENTLY SICK WITH OMICRON.
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY CYCLES THE PCR TEST HAS TO BE RAN BEFORE YOU GET A POSITIVE? 40.
40 TIMES. DO YOU KNOW THE TEST YOU BROUGHT TO THAT SCHOOL YESTERDAY, IT CAME FROM BILL GATES. ACCESS BIO, WE KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM. THE PUBLIC IS STARTING TO WAKE UP TO WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING TO US.
YOUR TIME AS A FREE WOMAN IS NUMBERED.
I ASSURE YOU THAT. THE PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THIS, THEY ARE GOING TO JAIL, JUST AS YOU ARE.
YOU KNOW, I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN CONTINUE ON TORTURING PSYCHOLOGICALLY OUR CHILDREN.
THE MASKS, THEY DON'T WORK. YOU SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE CDC RIGHT NOW. DO YOU NOT? LOOK AT ME. I AM SPEAKING TO YOU.
GET OFF YOUR PHONE. JUDGE, HIDALGO, YOU UNDERSTAND -- JUDGE JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU UNDERSTAND YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.
IT IS CRIMES AGAINST HOUSTON MAN TEE.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE AMOUNT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE YOU HAVE INFLICTED ON OUR CHILDREN? THE MASKS AND THE HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN, IT IS INCREDULOUS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.
WE KNOW ABOUT THE MONEY. WE KNOW EVERYTHING.
WE KNOW ALL OF IT. YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS HAPPEN FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING TO US, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH THE COUONTY -- COUNTY AND HOW YOU HAVE BEEN BANKRUPTING US.
THE STRATEGY WILL END SHORTLY, VERY, VERY SHORTLY.
WE SEE IT AND WE FOLLOWED THE MONEY AND WE KNOW EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED. YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE COUNTY IS WAKING UP TO WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO US. WE SEE THAT YOU GUYS DID THE REDISTRICTING TO RAISE TAXES ON US.
WE KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE KNOW ABOUT OPERATION LOCK STEP. WE KNOW ABOUT ALL OF IT.
YOUR TIME IS NUMBERED. YOUR TIME IS NUMBERED AS WALKING AS A FREE WOMAN AND THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, PFM, ARNOLD VENTURES, I MEAN, I WOULD TELL YOU TO RESIGN RIGHT NOW IF YOU KNEW WHAT WAS BEST FOR YOU.
YOU SHOULD RESIGN. YOU REALLY SHOULD.
YOU CAN'T CONTINUE UP WITH THIS FARCE.
THE AIRLINES, THE HOSPITALS, THE SCHOOLS, ALL OF THOSE MANDATES, EVERYONE IS GETTING SICK.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL. LINE LEAN I WISH MICHAEL --
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WISH MY COLLEAGUES WERE THERE TO HEAR ALL OF THAT. WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE BUDGET HEARINGS. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC ITEM ON
THE BUDGET HEARINGS. >> JUDGE, I WAS ABOUT TO
ASK -- >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME ADJOURN THE EMERGENCY MEETING.
IT IS 10:47 A.M. AND THE EMERGENCY MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.