Feb 22, 2022 Commissioners Court

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TODAY I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF PRESENTING A COUNTY WIDE RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF MILL -- MILTON C ALFORD. WE ARE BRINGING THE FAMILY

IN. >> A LITTLE SLOW.

94. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 94 YEARS OF AGE. THERE HE IS.

MILTON ALFORD, 94 YEARS OF AGE.

I HAPPEN TO HAVE IN MY HAND A PICTURE *6 -- A PICTURE THAT IS THE CREW OF FIRE HOUSE NUMBER 42 IN 1955 AND THERE IS A YOUNG MAN IN THIS PICTURE BY THE NAME OF MILTON ALFORD.

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THAT PICTURE, MR. ALFORD? YOU WERE A FEW YEARS YOUNGER IN 1955.

>> OH YEAH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THAT TO YOU. WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF RECOGNIZING HIM FROM PRECINCT 4 IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER ON OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY DAY WE CELEBRATE THERE.

HE CAME AND OUR FIRE CHIEF WAS ABLE TO BE THERE AT THAT TIME AS WELL. AND WE HAVE A BIT OF YOUR INSPIRATIONAL HISTORY. I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION.

THESE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY THAT ARE WITH HIM TODAY. WHEREAS MILTON C ALFORD,

[00:25:02]

GENE -- SENIOR WAS BORN IN TEXAS AND MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO BEFORE SETTLING IN HOUSTON WHERE HE WORKED AS A MAIL CARRIER. AND MR. ALFORD BEFRIENDED THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ENCOURAGING HIM TO MAKE A CAREER CHANGE. WHEREAS IN 1955 THE CITY OF HOUSTON ANNEXED THE COMMUNITY OF CLINTON PARK AND SELECTED 10 BLACK MEN FOR FIREFIGHTER TRAINING.

ON SEPTEMBER 20TH, 1955, MR. ALFORD COMPLETED HIS FIRE CADET TRAINING AND BECAME ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK FIREFIGHTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

MR. ALFORD WAS ASSIGNED TO STATION 42 WHERE HE WORKED FOR 10 YEARS BEFORE HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO STATION 1 WHERE HE WORKED AS A FIRE INSPECTOR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 1982 AFTER 27 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WHEREAS IN RETIREMENT MR. ALFORD ENJOYS SPENDING TIME WITH HIS TWO CHILDREN AND HIS TWO GRANDDAUGHTERS AND TWO GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. HE LOVES TO TRAVEL AND LISTEN TO MUSIC AND PLAY DOMINOES AND THAT IS 42, FOLKS, WITH HIS BUDDIES AND WORK ON CARS AND COOK HIS FAVORITE MEALS.

AND I LEARNED LAST WEEK EAT AS WELL, NOT JUST COOK.

WHEREAS MR. ALFORD BELIEVES THE WORLD IS MADE A BETTER PLACE WHEN WE GIVE BACK TO OTHERS AND ENCOURAGE OUR YOUTH TO BELIEVE IN THEIR DREAMS. COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY HONORS MILTON ALFORD AS ONE OF THE FIRST -- AS A TRAILBLAZER AS ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK MEMBERS OF THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. AND HE HAS A WIT.

I AM READY TO SEE WHAT HE IS GOING TO SAY TO US TODAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?

>> CAN I TAKE MY MASK OFF? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DEPUTY, WILL

YOU ADJUST THE MIC FOR HIM. >> HOLD ON.

LET ME TAKE THIS THING OFF. THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU ALL. THIS IS A GOOD CROWD HERE.

I'M MILTON AND MY SON EXPLAINED MY NAME AND ALL THAT. I SPENT 25 YEARS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I DIDN'T STKART IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. -- START IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I WAS CARRYING MAIL.

THIS LADY HAD A FIRE IN HER HOUSE AND I PUT THE FIRE OUT.

LATER ON I HEARD SOME GUYS SAYING WHO PUT THAT FIRE OUT? IT WAS THAT GUY DOWN THERE AT THE VOLUNTEER FIRE STATION.

THEY CAME DOWN TO THE VOLUNTEER FIRE STATION WHERE I WAS AND THEY FOUND OUT WHO I WAS.

THEY SAID HOW DID YOU PUT THE FIRE OUT? I SAID WITH THE WATER HOLE. HE SAID I HEARD THEY ARE GOING TO PUT BLACK FIREMEN IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WHY DON'T YOU TRY IT? I SAID I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. ONE NIGHT I WAS WORKING DOWN AT THE ASTRODOME -- CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME?

>> YES, SIR! >> OKAY.

AND I PASSED BY A MAN'S OFFICE.

HEY, COME HERE. HE CALLED ME IN AND HE SAID I'M GONNA PUT SOME BLACK FIREMEN IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT? I SAID, YES, SIR.

I PROBABLY WOULD. HE SAID WHAT YOU BEEN DOING? I SAID I HAVE BEEN CARRYING MAIL.

THAT WAS ABOUT 1:00 AT NIGHT. YOU KNOW WE WORKED ABOUT ALL NIGHT. I HAD TWO JOBS ALL THE TIME.

I HAD TO HAVE TWO JOBS TO MAKE IT.

TOUGH. ANYWAY, HE TOLD ME WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND SO I DECIDED TO GO INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

OKAY. COME TIME I WAS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND IT COMES TIME TO TEACH THE GUYS HOW TO DRIVE A TRUCK. I CAME INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND KNEW HOW TO DRIVE A TRUCK BECAUSE MY GRANDFATHER HAD A TRUCK. I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST DRIVERS TO DRIVE A FIRE TRUCK. AND BOY I FLEW DOWNTOWN IN THAT FIRE TRUCK, DING-A-LINGING.

THEY SAID WHERE IS HE GOING? THERE IS A FIRE DOWN THERE.

SOME PEOPLE CAME OUT -- MAYBE IT WAS CHANNEL 13.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS. THEY CAME BY AND THEY HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ME AND I TALKED WITH THEM.

ARE YOU NO THE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT? NOPE. WHERE DO YOU WORK?

[00:30:04]

THE POST OFFICE. YOU WOULD BE A GOOD FIREMAN.

I SAID, YEAH. I DECIDED LATER ON TO TAKE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I CAN LAY DOWN WHEN I GOT READY. WHEN I WAS CARRYING MAIL, MY HANDS GOT COLD AND MY FEET GOT COLD TOO.

IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT I DIDN'T GET COLD AND HOT UNTIL THERE WAS A FIRE AND THEN I WAS HOT.

ANYWAY, TIME ROLLED ON AND WE ALL STARTED PLAYING DOMINOES AND CARDS IN OUR LEISURE TIME.

OUR CAPTAIN WAS THE COOK. SO HE SAID, WELL, I'M GONNA DO THE COOKING. WHO ELSE KNOWS HOW TO COOK? SO WE HAD ANOTHER GUY AND HE KNEW HOW TO COOK.

HIS NAME WAS WILLIE. HE WAS A BIG MAN ALL THE TIME. HE GOT TO BE THE COOK AND I WAS THE DISHWASHER. WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR 10 YEARS. THROUGHOUT THE 10 YEARS I WENT TO HEADQUARTERS AND I CAN MAKE A COUPLE OF MOTIONS AND I WOUND UP BEING THE FIRE INSPECTOR.

I RETIRED BEING A FIRE INSPECTOR.

ON THE FIRE INSPECTING JOB -- THE BIG FIRE I WENT TO WAS IN EASTERN STATE AT A REFINERY. AFTER THAT I HAD TO WRITE THEM UP. SO ALL THESE PEOPLE I WROTE UP DIDN'T KNOW THE TICKET I GAVE THEM.

ONE DAY THE FIRE MARSHAL DECIDED TO GO WITH ME OUT THERE. WE WENT AND I POINTED OUT SOME HAZARDS I HAD SEEN AND THEY WERE STILL THERE.

THE FIRE MARSHAL HAD THE POWER AND HE JACKED THEM UP AND HAD THEM FIX THE FIRE HAZARD. [INAUDIBLE] WAS ON THE SCENE AT THAT TIME. I INSPECTED A THEATER AND FOUND SOME HAZARDS AND I WROTE THEM UP AND OLD MARVIN SHOWED UP. YOU CAN'T GIVE HIM A TICKET.

I SAID, WELL I AM NOT GIVING HIM A TICKET.

I AM GIVING A RECOMMENDATION TO DO WHAT WE DID.

HE SAID YOU ARE GONNA GET YOURSELF IN TROUBLE FOR DOING THAT. I SAID, WELL, OKAY.

I'M IN TROUBLE. ANYWAY, I WENT ON AND THEY DID WHAT I ASKED THEM TO DO AND THEY APPLAUDED ME FOR STRAIGHTENING UP THE THEATER AND SHOWING THEM THE HAZARD.

I WAS DIRECTED TO DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

I WOULD GO TO A PLACE AND I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR FIRE HAZARDS. IF I SAW A FIRE HAZARD I WOULD LET THE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT. NOW SOME OF THEM WERE KIND OF HARD HEADED AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX IT.

I SAID, WELL, THERE IS A BOOK OUT THERE AND I CAN SHOW YOU WHERE YOU HAVE TO FIX IT. WHO GAVE YOU AUTHORITY? OH, MAN. A LONG STORY.

ANYWAY, I ENJOYED IT AND THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH THEY ENJOYED WORKING WITH ME. I WORKED WITH THEM FOR 25 YEARS. I THINK I DID ALL RIGHT FOR

MYSELF. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATION. >> I COULD WRITE A BOOK ONE OF

THESE DAYS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SERVICE AND FOR

SHARING THOSE STORIES. >> ONE MORE THING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WANT YOU TO COME UP HERE AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH US.

>> PARDON? >> R. JACK CAGLE: ONE MORE

THING AND THEN A PICTURE. >> OKAY.

OKAY. ONE MORE THING.

OKAY. THE FIRE THAT THEY HAD IN CALIFORNIA, I SAID THIS BEFORE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN, THEY DID NOT START RIGHT WITH IT. YOU CAN'T FIGHT A FIRE GOING WITH IT. YOU HAVE TO GO AROUND IT AND GET IN FRONT OF IT. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MEN, THE CITY HAVE ENOUGH BULLDOZER THAT'S YOU -- BULLDOZER THAT YOU CAN MAKE A LEVY AROUND THIS FIRE.

THE FIRE CAN'T BURN DIRT. IF YOU PILE THE DIRT UP HIGH, THAT'S GONNA HELP YOU PUT THAT FIRE OUT.

[00:35:04]

IN CALIFORNIA, THAT'S WHERE ALL OF THE FIRES ARE AND THEY

DIDN'T DO IT RIGHT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. ALFORD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SK-FS TO THE CITY -- FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY, BUT ALSO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE NATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE THEM AFTER THE PICTURE.

MR. ALFORD NEEDS TO LEAVE. THANK YOU, TIFFANY.

[00:43:32]

>> HELLO? >> HELLO, SIR.

WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE ANYONE

ON MY SCREEN. >> YES, SIR.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE TAKING PICTURES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE SEE YOU. THANK YOU, MAJOR.

WE WERE JUST TAKING PICTURES WITH THE HONOREE.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

HOW CAN I HELP Y'ALL TODAY? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE THOUGHT MAYBE YOU WERE HERE TO SPEAK FOR MR. ALFORD.

BUT MAYBE YOU ARE HERE FOR A DIFFERENT ITEM.

>> I AM HERE FOR A DIFFERENT ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE WILL CALL YOU BACK, MAJOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE FOR ITEM 4?

>> WE DID HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER, BUT I WAS INFORMED

SHE LEFT WITH MR. ALFORD. >> LINA HIDALGO: IN THAT CASE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR SECOND RESOLUTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS RESOLUTION IS PRESENTED WITH A HEAVY HEART. AS A LIFE LONG POLICEMAN ANYTIME A CHILD IS TACKEN BY -- TAKEN BY VIOLENCE IT IS

[00:45:02]

PAINFUL. ALL LIFE IS VALUABLE IS -- ALL LIFE IS VALUABLE, BUT INNOCENT CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER BE CONNECTED TO A VIOLENT CRIME. TO THE FAMILY I READ THIS FIRST AS A FATHER AND THEN AS A COMMISSIONER.

THE RESOLUTION READS ARLENE ALVAREZ AT THE AGE OF 9 YEARS OLD WAS SHOT IN SOUTHEAST HOUSTON ON FEBRUARY 14TH.

IT WAS WHILE IN THE BACKSEAT OF HER PARENTS' VEHICLE ON THE WAY TO VALENTINE DINNER. SHE SUCCUMBED TO HER INJURIES THE NEXT DAY. WHEREAS ARLENE WAS A HAPPY CHILD WHO ENJOYED MAKING H*EUBG TO*BG VIDEOS AND LOVED TO CARE FOR HER YOUNGER SIBLINGS.

AND WHEREAS THE DEATH OF ARLENE HAS CAUSED INCALCULABLE AND UNIMAGINABLE LOSS FOR THE ALVAREZ FAMILY.

WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY HAS SEEN MULTIPLE TRAGEDIES RECENTLY WHEREIN GNAW SENT -- WHERE INNOCENT CHILDREN HAVE BEEN THE VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE, INCLUDING DJ DOUGASS, 11 YEARS OLD, DIAMOND ALVAREZ, 16 YEARS OLD AND ASHANTE GRANT, 9 YEARS OLD, WHO REMAINS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

THESE TRAGEDIES SHOULD SERVE TO STRENGTHEN THE RESERVE OF EVERY PERSON ENTRUSTED WITH PUBLIC OFFICE INCLUDING THE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT TO STEM THE TIDE OF GUN VIOLENCE.

THEY GRIEVE WITH THE FAMILY OF ARLENE ALVAREZ AND ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FAMILY THROUGH THEIR OFFICIAL GO FUND ME PROGRAM. IT WAS THE CASH APP AND IT IS DOLLAR SIGN NUMBER 1A, B, C. WE REACHED OUT TO THE FAMILY AND THEY WERE NOT AVAILABLE, YOUR HONOR, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WHETHER -- WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THIS, IT IS HARD TO COMPREHEND. SO TO THEIR FAMILY AND TO EVERYONE WHO KNEW ARLENE AND TO HER CLASSMATES, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THE FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY THEY COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, BUT GIVE CONDOLENCES FROM ALL OF US.

I HOPE WE START TO HAVE MORE MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE ABOUT HOW TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND OBVIOUSLY GUNS ARE A BIG PART OF IT. WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH EASY ACCESS TO GUNS PARTICULARLY ALL AT ONCE THAT CAN BE TURNED INTO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I APPRECIATE IT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT IS A HORRIFIC TRAGEDY THAT NO FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

I THINK ALL OF OUR COLLECTIVE HEARTS ARE BREAKING AS WE HEAR ABOUT THIS TRAGEDY AND OTHER FOLKS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES AND INNOCENT PEOPLE LET ALONE A NINE-YEAR-OLD AND THE CHILDREN YOU NAMED. IT IS JUST UNCONSCIONABLE.

THIS YEAR IS THE 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SANDY HOOK TRAN -- TRAGEDY. IT IS SHOCKING AND DISAPPOINTING TO SAY THE LEAST THAT IN THOSE 10 YEARS GUN LAWS IN TEXAS HAVE BECOME MORE RE-BGZ LAKED INCLUDING -- RELAXED INCLUDING THE RECENTLY PASSED LAW THAT THEY BEGGED THE LEGISLATE TAOURL -- THE LEGISLATURE NOT TO PASS.

IT BREAKS MY HEART, BUT I A YOU APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD AND WE STAND WITH THE FAMILY OF THE

LITTLE GIRL, ARLENE ALVAREZ. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND THE MOTION. DID WE PASS THE OTHERS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL SAVE IT FOR THE CONCEPT AGENDA --

CONSENT AGENDA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A COMMENT AND I THINK WE HAVE A SPEAKER.

I MAY BE WRONG. >> WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER FOR

THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE DO?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'LL LET THE

SPEAKER GO. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

TIFFANY. >> CON -- CONSTABLE JERRY

GARCIA SPEAKING IN PERSON. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELCOME,

[00:50:12]

CONSTABLE. >> THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY HERE FOR CARRY -- CARING ENOUGH TO BE HERE AND TAKING THE TIME TO COME.

DEAR AND HONORABLE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT, I HOPE YOU ARE ALL DOING WELL. AS YOU ALL KNOW SINCE DAY ONE OF MY APPOINTMENT LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN VERY VOCAL IN MY ATTEMPT TO BRING MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCES TO MY PRECINCT.

I HAVE BEEN VERY PASSIONATE IN MY EFFORTS TO THE POINT WHERE I ANGERED SOME PEOPLE. FOR MY ABRASIVENESS I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE. THE REASON I FIGHT SO HARD FOR MY CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS IS BECAUSE I CARE SO MUCH.

I SEE THEIR SUFFERING AND I CAN FEEL THEIR PAIN.

THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR MANY OF US.

I MYSELF FELT DEPRESSED AND I FELT PAIN AND GUILT.

AND THEN I BECAME ANGRY. KNOWING THAT ANGER WILL NOT HELP, BUT ONLY LEAD TO MORE PAIN AND SUFFERING, I PRAYED

AND -- >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME'S UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONTINUE.

>> GOD BLESSED ME WITH A CALMNESS IN MY HEART.

I HAVE CONSULTED WITH LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I HAVE CONSULTED WITH VICTIMS. I WAS WITH THE ALVAREZ FAMILY THIS WEEKEND. I HAVE CONSULTED WITH FAMILIES OF VICTIMS AND THEY ALL AGREE THAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY POLICIES IMPLEMENTED AND ADOPTED BY THIS COURT HAVE NOT BEEN OF BENEFIT TO THEM. MY HEART AND MY CONSCIENCE WILL NOT ALLOW US TO SIT QUIETLY WHILE OUR FAMILIES CONTINUE TO LOSE LOVED ONES DUE TO OUR FAILED POLICIES.

I AM ASKING EACH OF YOU HERE TODAY TO REVERSE COURSE.

MANY POLICIES ADOPTED AND IMPLEMENTED HAVE NOT BROUGHT PEACE AND COMFORT TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

ON THE CONTRARY THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY VIOLENT CRIMES AND MURDERS KWOPBT TO RISE -- CONTINUE TO RISE.

I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE. GOD HAS PLACED EACH OF US IN THESE POSITIONS SO WE CAN DO HIS WORK.

I AM HUMBLING MYSELF AND ASKING HIS FORGIVENESS AS I HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT HIS PEOPLE.

I HUMBLY ASK THAT EACH OF YOU DO THE SAME.

OF WE ARE HERE TO PROTECT HIS PEOPLE.

I PRAY, DEAR GOD, THAT YOU OPEN OUR HEARTS.

I PRAY THAT YOU OPEN OUR MINDS. I PRAY YOU OPEN OUR EYES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY I PRAY THAT YOU ALLOW US TO LOVE OUR PEOPLE IN THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU LOVE US.

BY LOVING OUR PEOPLE AS YOU HAVE LOVED US, WE WILL UNCONDITIONALLY BE INCLINED TO PROTECT THEM.

OUR PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING AND WE ARE IN A POSITION TO HELP

THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

CONSTABLE. >> IF WE SAVE JUST ONE LIFE WE WILL PLEASE GOD. SO PLEASE, I BEG THE COURT, TO PUT OUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND LISTEN TO OUR PEOPLE.

IT IS GOD'S WILL THAT WE PROTECT THEM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF

YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. WE WILL REMIND FOLKS THAT WE APPROVED $1.4 BILLION WITH A B FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, MORE THAN ANY COURT IN HISTORY INCLUDING A 5% RAISE FOR ALL DEPUTIES.

I JUST VISITED WITH ONE OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS FOR ONE OF THE FAMILIES WORKING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND TUBERCULOSIS.

GIVING MORE MONEY WOULD MEAN CUTTING HEALTH CARE FOR TUBERCULOSIS. I'M SORRY THAT YOU ARE PLAYING

POLITICS. >> I AM NOT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS A GREAT TRAGEDY IN THE LOSS OF THIS CHILD. I RECOGNIZE IT.

HOWEVER, I AM EMBARRASSED -- I AM EMBARRASSED THAT YOU LAID THIS NOT AT THE BOOTS AT THE GROUND AND THE DOOR OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS. IT IS THE GUNS THAT ARE DOING IT. IT IS NOT THE GUNS.

IT IS THE PEOPLE HOLDING THE GUNS AND WE NEED TO KEEP THE VIOLENT OFFENDERS OFF THE STREET.

AND JUDGE HIDALGO TO ACCUSE THIS MAN OVER POLITICS WHEN HE IS DOING THIS FOR A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY YOU ARE GUILTY

[00:55:05]

OF THE SIN HE ACCUSES YOU OF. THAT'S MY COMMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ME JUST AGAIN SAY THAT I'VE GOT MORE EXPERIENCE THAN ANYBODY ON THIS COURT IN DEALING WITH THE VICTIMS OF CRIME.

THIS RESOLUTION IT INTENDED TO TRY TO LIFT A FAMILY UP IN THEIR MOST DIFFICULT TIME. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT HER FATHER MUST BE GOING THROUGH. I HEARD THEIR WORDS AND IMAGINE WHAT THE MOTHER IS GOING THROUGH AT THIS TIME.

NO PARENT SHOULD OUT LIVE THEIR CHILD.

SO FROM -- I WILL -- I TRY NOT TO INVOKE GOD BECAUSE I AM FAR FROM PERFECT AND NOR DO I CLAIM TO BE, BUT I DO CARE.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS RESOLUTION IS LASER FOCUSED ON THE HEARTS OF HER FAMILY. COMMISSIONER KAY -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, GUNS DON'T WALK AROUND BY THEMSELVES, WITHOUT A DOUBT. I AM AFTER THE GUN AND THE PERSON HOLDING THE GUN. IT IS WHY I PUSHED FOR A WARRANT ROUND UP TO GO AFTER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELD THE GUNS.

THAT'S WHY THE MAJOR WAS ON BECAUSE WE WILL HEAR A REPORT ON THE SUCCESS OF THAT -- BELIEVE THEY ARE GOING ON THEIR THIRD MILLION CHARGE AND I BELIEVE OFFICERS WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE, BUT WE PUT MONEY INTO DIRECTLY GOING AFTER THE EVIL PEOPLE ACCUSED OF HOLDING THE HORRIFIC WEAPON OF MURDER. THE NUMBER THE JUDGE HAS LAID OUT I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS SHERIFF I AM PROUD OF THE 5% PAY SALARY, THE SALARY INCREASE THAT THE DEPUTIES WILL BE GETTING. IT TAKES A YEAR TO TRAIN -- TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN AN ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

A YEAR. WHILE THOSE ARE OUT THERE TODAY DOING THE JOB, I THINK IT IS TIME THAT WE VALUE THEM.

WE HELPED CONSTRUCT A MULTI-YEAR PLAN FOR PARITY FOR SALARY THAT I PROPOSE #ED -- THAT I PROPOSED AND -- I PROPOSED IN 2012 MAYBE. AND NOT A PEEP FROM THIS COURT.

AND IT IS NOT ALL DEPUTIES. THIS IS GOING TO ALL FRONT LINE DEPUTIES. WHAT HAVE ALL DEPUTIES GO THEN IN SOME FORM OR SHAPE? 2%.

AND NOT YEAR AFTER YEAR. THEY WERE GIVEN A 3% INCREASE THIS YEAR AND 2% TO FOLLOW NEXT YEAR.

MY GOAL IS TO WORK TO BUILD THAT TO RETAIN THE PEOPLE WE ARE HIRING BECAUSE WE HAVE A BIT OF A REVOLVING DOOR AND THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE CHALLENGES.

YOU HAVE A TRAIN UP A NEW GUY TO BE AS PROFICIENT AS THE PERSON WHO LEFT AFTER 10 YEARS.

AND THAT DOES CONTRIBUTE TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT. I WANT THE GUNS AND I WANT THE PEOPLE WHO HOLD THOSE GUNS. GETTING ONE IS SEMIGOOD.

IT IS GOOD TO TAKE THE GUNS OFF THE STREET AND THE SHOT

[01:00:02]

SPOTTER IN PRECINCT STWO IS PROVIDING -- 2 IS PROVIDING THAT, BUT IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE GET THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKING -- WHO ARE USING THOSE GUNS.

AND SO EVERYTHING I HAVE PUT BEFORE THIS COURT HAS BEEN TOWARD THE END GOAL OF KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE.

HAVING MONEY HAS NEVER KEPT ANYBODY SAFE.

WE PUT THAT MONEY TO WORK. BODY CAM VIDEO IS NEEDED FOR EFFECTIVE PROSECUTION. PROCESSING DIGITAL VIDEO OR DIGITAL EVIDENCE IS CRITICAL TO EFFECTIVE PROSECUTION.

THAT'S WHERE THIS MONEY HAS GONE.

GIVING DEPUTIES A BETTER OFFICE IN TERMS OF THEIR PATROL CARS, THAT'S WHERE THIS MONEY HAS GONE.

I SIMPLY WANT TO SAY I DIDN'T WANT TO OPEN UP ANYTHING OTHER THAN MY HEART TO THIS FAMILY WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AS IT SHOULD BE.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW IT IS THE LAST COURT BEFORE THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

IN MY YEARS OF POLITICS I FOUND THAT WHEN YOU ARE IN THAT SEASON SPRANG THINGS HAPPEN -- STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN. I WILL RESTRAIN MYSELF.

WE ARE NOW AN HOUR IN OUR MEETING.

WE HAD A RESOLUTION FOR THE GIRL SCOUTS AND IT WAS GOOD.

I WOULD HATE FOR US TO HAVE GOTTEN IN A HEATED DISCUSSION ABOUT OUR 5 SOL -- PHILOSOPHICAL OR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES OVER A RESOLUTION ON A YOUNG WOMAN.

THERE WERE TWO RESOLUTIONS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED I AM BLACK.

I RESTRAIN MYSELF GOING INTO A LONG DISSERTATION OF WHAT MR. ALFORD WENT THROUGH AND HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND STILL GO THROUGH. NOT JUST THIS ONE MONTH, BUT EVERY MONTH. WE HAD A RESOLUTION HONORING NETHALEYNE KENNEDY AND EVERYBODY SAYS THEY ARE FOR EQUITY, BUT DON'T ALWAYS PRACTICE IT.

SHE IS SUCH A GRACIOUS PERSON.

I WOULD HATE FOR US TO USE WHAT OUGHT TO BE A MOMENT OF PAYING HOMAGE TO A FAMILY AND SHOWING THEM THERE IS SOME EMPATHY FOR US TO GET IN OUR SPLIT CALLING -- POLITICAL DIFFERENCES. THERE WILL BE AMPLE TIME AFTER THE ELECTION. WE CAN MAKE THE CASE ON BOTH SIDES. I JUST HOPE ALL OF US.

CERTAINLY IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO RESTRAIN MYSELF THINKING OF THE HISTORY OF NATHALEYNE AND MR. ALFORD.

HE WAS SOMEWHERE AND SOMEBODY DOWNTOWN DECIDED LET ME COACH YOU ON HOW TO GET IN A LOT OF THINGS I COULD HAVE BROUGHT UP. A LOT OF THINGS WENT THROUGH MY MIND IN THE LIFE I HAVE LIVED.

I JUST ENCOURAGE ALL OF US WHEN WE HAVE AMPLE TIME OVER SOMEBODY'S LOSS OR DISCRIMINATION A PERSON HAS FACED IN THEIR LIFE TO AIR OUR DIFFERENCES.

WE CAN FIND A VENUE AND SCHEDULE A MEETING AND WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT. LET'S TRY NOT TO DO IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS INAPPROPRIATE.

THOSE WERE THE RESOLUTIONS. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, I HAVE ONE COMMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK IT IS GOOD THAT WE DO TAKE A MOMENT IN EACH COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO REMEMBER A VICTIM AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION.

THERE ARE FACES AND NAMES WITH THIS CRIMEDEMIC WE ARE IN.

THANK YOU FOR THE FACT THAT WE TAKE A MOMENT AND REMEMBER THE FAMILY. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR IS TO ENCOURAGE AND COMFORT THEM AS WELL.

I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE AND I WILL SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THAT IS IT FOR 9 RES -- FOR THE RESOLUTIONS. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

I AM GOING TO GO THROUGH THE ITEM THAT'S REQUIRE MINOR CHANGES AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE

[01:05:02]

SPEAKERS. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO

ASK. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEMS 10 THROUGH 12 ON PAGES 2 TO 3 UNDER COVID-19.

THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REQUESTS NO ACTION AS THESE THREE REQUESTS ARE ENCOMPASSED UNDER 395 ON PAGE 45.

ITEM 64, SUBMERGED STORM SEWER SYSTEM AGREEMENT, ENGINEERING REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEMS 82 TO 91, PAGES 9 TO 10, THE FINAL INVESTMENT MEMOS FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS, ENGINEERING HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION ON ITEMS 82 THROUGH 91.

ITEM 231 ON PAGE 27, IMPROVEMENT AT AIRLINE DRIVE, AFTER THE WORD RECEIVE ADD THE LANGUAGE AND FUNDED BY PRECINCT 2. ITEM 371 ON PAGE 42, CORRECTION, REMOVE THE 1 AND A COMMA AFTER IT.

THE COMMA AFTER 2 SO IT SHOULD READ COMMISSIONERS OF PRECINCTS 2 AND 3, RELATED TO REDISTRICTING.

ITEM 374 ON PAGE 42, PRECINCT 2 WITH -- REQUESTS NO ACTION ON THIS APPOINTMENT. ITEM 378, THE BROAD LEGISLATIVE ITEM, NO ACTION. ITEM 391 ADD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THAT IS THE JUDICIAL SEAT VACANCY AND THAT WILL BE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ITEM 392, BUDGET OF D.A.'S OFFICE PRECINCT 3 REQUESTS NO ACTION. DO FOLKS HAVE ANY OTHER CORRECTIONS? THOSE ARE ALL OF THE

[Appearances before court]

CORRECTIONS. I KNOW WE HAVE SOME OTHER SPEAKERS SO LET'S DO THAT BEFORE WE GO OVER THE CONSENT

AGENDA. >> FIRST IS SPEAKER NUMBER 6, RYAN OF COAL CREEK ESTATES. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO.

I AM RYAN SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF COAL CREEK ESTATES.

I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK REGARDING THE RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT CONSENT REGARDING THE TAX CREDIT DEALS.

IF TWO OR MORE DEALS ARE LOCATED WITHIN TWO MILES OF EACH OTHER, ONLY THE HIGHEST WOULD GET DONE.

THE RESULT IS THAT ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL [INAUDIBLE] HAS A POSSIBILITY TO GET DONE. BOTH DEALS HAVE THE SAME PROJECTED SCORE AND BOTH HAVE A RESOLUTION IN THE COUNTY.

OF I BELIEVE COLD CREEK IS THE ONLY BY CHOICE.

THEY ARE -- THEY HAVE RECEIVED OPPOSITION AND IF WE BUILD OUR DEVELOPMENT WE WILL PUT ANOTHER 65 TO $110,000 IN

TAXES INTO THIS. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> NEXT IS TORY SPEAKING ON ITEMS 5 AND 6 UNDER RESOLUTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. DEAR JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS -PL WHY TORY, EVICTION PRODUCTION SPECIALIST.

TODAY I AM HERE TO ASK YOU TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR EVICTION PREVENTION AND DIVERSE PROGRAMS AND ASK FOR ASSISTANCE IN MAXIMIZING THESE SERVICES IN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTROOMS. THEY HAVE COMMUNICATED THEIR SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH PROGRAMS. RECENT DATA SHOWS IT IS TO SURPASS PRE-PANDEMIC HISTORICAL AVERAGES AND PRE-PANDEMIC MONTHLY NUMBERS.

WE CANNOT LET THE PROTECTION END BEFORE THE AFFECTED POPULATION IS ASSISTED. I ASK YOU CONTINUE TO HELP MITIGATE THE PREVALENCE OF EVICTION ESPECIALLY BY FUNDING PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED IN THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE CORPS AND WE STAND IN SUPPORT FOR THE RESOLUTIONS FOR TAX CREDIT HOUSING PROJECTS THAT COMBAT SEGREGATION OF RACE AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS [INAUDIBLE].

>> NEXT IS GEORGE SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM NUMBER EVERY 7 EUPBD RESOLUTIONS. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HE IS HERE, TIFFANY.

HE IS WALKING UP TO THE MICROPHONE.

[01:10:01]

>> OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

SIR. WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD UH FOES FAIRBANKS CROSSING DEVELOPMENT AT ITS PROPOSED LOCATION.

THE FOLLOWING IS A QUOTE FROM A 2020 STUDY BY THE NATIONAL HOUSING CONFERENCE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND HOUSING COSTS ARE INEXTRICK PWHRAOE LINKED. THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BE IN A CAR DEPENDENT NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND IT CAN DEPOSIT 25% OF INCOME COMPARED TO 9% FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

UNQUOTE. TRANSPORTATION FOR FAIRBANKS CROSSING WOULD BE IN THIS 25% OF RANGE OF INCOME SINCE THEY WOULD BE CAR DEPENDENT. THERE IS NO NEITHER BY TRANSPORTATION. KROGER'S IS THREE MILES AWAY

AND CVS IS TWO MILES AWAY. >> THE FUTURE MAY HAVE LOW HOUSING COSTS, BUT THEY WILL HAVE --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

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

>> NEXT IS MARIANNE WEST SPEAKING ON ITEM 7 UNDER

RESOLUTIONS -PL. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND MS. HIDALGO. I APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO TALK. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OF US HERE. WE HAVE A MYRIAD OF REASONS TO UH -- OPPOSE FAIRBANKS CROSSING.

I WILL CONCENTRATE ON TRAFFIC.

I HAD AN EXPERIENCE 15 YEARS AGO WITH BEING PART OF THE OPPOSITION TO A SIMILAR PROJECT.

IT WAS DEFEATED BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE REASONS WE HAD THEN.

THOSE REASONS IN SOME CASES HAVE BEEN EXSAS GATE -- EXACERBATED IN THE PAST 15 YEARS.

TRAFFIC ON FAIRBANKS NORTH HOUSTON HAS INCREASED WITH THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER. PEOPLE ARE IN TRAFFIC FOR MINUTES AND MINUTES. ANOTHER REASON WE OPPOSE THIS, IF YOU LOOK AT THE PLAN THE ENTRANCE AND EXIT IS ON NORTH HOUSTON. IF THEY WANT TO GO TO -- THEY

HAVE TO TURN -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> GOSH, THAT SURE WENT FAST.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT IS JEFF BLACKWELL SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 7 UNDER RESOLUTIONS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND ATTENDING COMMISSIONERS.

I HEAR THE ECHO AND I BELIEVE YOU DO TOO.

I AM IN OPPOSITION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT AT FAIR -- FAIRBANKS CROSSING. THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS WHY I AM OPPOSED, BUT I WON'T GET INTO ALL OF THEM.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS BEING A DIRECTOR FOR MUD 23, WE DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO OFFER THIS PROJECT UTILITIES, WATER AND SEWER. I ASKED THE DEVELOPER, VALENTINE DE LEON, WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR THEM NOT TO DEVELOP THERE AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE STATED WAS THAT -- IF THEY COULDN'T GET UTILITIES.

WE VOTED AT THE LAST MEETING AND WE ARE IN OPPOSITION TO HTG DEVELOPING THERE. I BELIEVE ADJACENT COMMUNITIES

ARE THE SAME. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> NEXT IS HENRY WILLIAMS. HE IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 7 UNDER RESOLUTIONS.

>> YES, HELLO. I WILL TAKE MY TIME STARTING NIGHT. CAN YOU HEAR ME? I AM ALSO OPPOSED TO THIS DEVELOPMENT FOR MANY OF THE SAME REASONS EVERYONE ELSE. OBVIOUSLY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS A BIG PROBLEM. JUST LAST WEEK I HAD ONE OF THE MANY, MANY DUMP STRUCKS -- DUMP TRUCKS ON MY TAIL END TRYING TO GO FASTER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS WHAT I WAS AT. HIS FIRST CHANCE TO WHIZ AROUND ME AND THEN HONK AND SLAM ON HIS BRAKES.

THESE 50,000-POUND VEHICLES ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH ALL DAY LONG. I CAN'T IMAGINE A COMMUNITY BUILT THERE WITH BARELY ENOUGH ROOM TO BUILD A SIDEWALK WHICH WILL PROBABLY GO TO NO SIDEWALK.

IT IS A TERRIBLE LOCATION FOR A PLACE LIKE THIS.

DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE ACCESS, YOU TALK ABOUT

[01:15:04]

THREE MILES TO GROCERIES TWO AND A HALF FOR THE PHARMACY.

THESE THINGS ARE NOT WORKABLE FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD A

CAR. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR

CALLING. >> NEXT IS CHERYL WALLACE SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 7 UNDER RESOLUTIONS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> NO TIME FOR POLICE CENTURIES. PLEASANT TREES.

I AM OPPOSED TO THIS AS MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS BECAUSE WITHOUT AN INFRASTRUCTURE, NOTHING CAN SUCCEED.

YOU WILL HEAR THIS REPEATEDLY, INFRASTRUCTURE, INFRASTRUCTURE, INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE DO NOT HAVE IT. WE HAD A PRESENTATION BY THE PEOPLE DOING THIS WHO ADMITTED THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN CHECK THE BOXES OFF THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE REALISTIC.

WE NEED TO BE ON RECORD THAT SHOULD YOU GO FORWARD WITH THIS, THAT YOU ARE GOING FORWARD WITH INFORMATION THAT YOU KNOW IS INCORRECT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS JORDAN FINKLEMAN.

HE IS SPEAKING ON RESOLUTIONS.

>> HI, THIS IS JORDAN FINKLEMAN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUILT NEAR THEM, BUT IT IS BADLY NEEDED IN THIS AREA. THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTRIBUTE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT TO THE ECONOMY AND TAX REVENUE. I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY END MY MINUTE BY SAYING FAMILIES IN NEED ARE WILLING TO MAKE SACRIFICES. IF THEY ARE WILLING TO GO FARTHER LIKE THE GROCERY STORE AND THERE IS PLENTY OF PARKING. WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR

YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS BRANDY SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 7 UNDER RESOLUTION RESOLUTIONS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> SO IN RESPONSE TO WHAT HE JUST SAID, IT IS INACCURATE.

I DON'T THINK YOU GUYS HAVE PEOPLE BEATING YOU DOWN THE DOOR FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON FAIRBANKS.

IF ANY OF YOU DROVE DOWN FAIRBANKS OR IF THEY DID THEY WOULD REALIZE HOW IRRESPONSIBLE THE DEVELOPMENT IS IN THIS LOCATION. THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND NO SEWAGE. THE TRAFFIC IS RIDICULOUS.

NOBODY IS COMING TO YOU AND SAYING THE DESPERATE NEED OF HOUSING, BUT WE ARE HERE. ALL OF US ARE HERE.

ALL OF THESE VOTERS AND EVERYBODY.

THERE ARE 630 HOMES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE REPRESENTING THOUSANDS WHO DON'T WANT THIS HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE LIVED THERE EVERY DAY FOR 20 PLUS YEARS. YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THEY DON'T EITHER. THEIR SELECTION WAS BASED ON AN ALGORITHM ON A COMPUTER AND THAT'S IT.

NO FACTS. NO INPUT FROM US EVEN THOUGH WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE IT TO THEM.

I ASK YOU IF THE PASTOR IS CORRECT AND YOU ARE HERE TO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU LISTEN AND DO THAT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS JILL SOFFEY SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 7 UNDER RESOLUTIONS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. I AM ALSO IN OPPOSITION TO FAIRBANKS CROSSING. I AM A RETIRED TEACHER AND I HELPED TEACH AT DEAN ELEMENTARY.

THAT IS ONE OF THE FEEDER SCHOOLS THAT THIS IS GOING INTO. ALSO REID IS AN ELEMENTARY.

LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT IS AT BOTH SCHOOLS.

95% MINORITY. 85% ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. 6 OUT OF 10 STUDENTS ARE FAILING. THIS IS THE SCHOOLS THEY ARE PUTTING THEM INTO. THEY ARE ALREADY ECONOMICALLY ISOLATED, RACIALLY ISO LATED. ISOLATED.

ANALYSIS SHOWS WHEN YOU DO THIS YOU FURTHER THESE PROBLEMS. OUR KIDS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND THE FUTURE RESIDENTS, KIDS COMING IN ARE GOING INTO FAILING SCHOOLS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU

[01:20:03]

NEED TO PUT THIS SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE THEY HAVE THE

INFRASTRUCTURE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> THEY HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY

AND THE KIDS AREN'T FAILING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR

YOUR WORK. >> NEXT IS NUMBER 16, CAROL SPEAKING ON EYE -- ITEM 7 UNDER RESOLUTIONS.

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY FAMILY AND I MOVED TO WOODLAND LAKE LAST SUMMER.

THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL OASIS.

THERE IS A PEACEFULNESS HERE THAT IS NORMALLY FOUND IN THE COUNTRY IN THE SMALL CITIES. THE BEST PART OF LIVING HERE IS HOW SAFE IT IS. I CAN WALK MY DOG AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT 10 P.M. AND I FEEL PERFECTLY SAFE.

I HAVE NO HESITATION WHATSOEVER.

IT IS CALM AND QUIET AND I CAN HEAR THE OWLS IN THE TREES.

IT IS SO PEACEFUL HERE. AND THAT WAS NOT THE CASE IN MY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD. FOR 20 YEARS I LIVED FIVE MILES AWAY IN FOREST WEST NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ANTOINE AND PINEMONT. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW THE ANTOINE CORRIDOR IS A HIGH CRIME AREA.

OUR HOMES BACK UP TO THE APARTMENTS AND ON MANY NIGHTS I WOKE UP TO THE SOUNDS OF GUNFIRE ACROSS THE CREEK.

SO I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE EFFECTS THAT LOW INCOME DEVELOPMENTS AND ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORT IT CAN HAVE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE LIVED THERE AND I MOVED

AWAY FROM IT. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

>> NEXT IS DANIEL HENDRON SPEAKING ON ITEM 8 UNDER RESOLUTIONS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE APARTMENTS THIS MORNING AND SPEAK TO THE ISSUES IN THE SPRING AREA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. PRESENTLY THERE ARE NO AFFORDABLE PROPERTIES WITHIN A THREE-MILE RADIUS.

WE FEEL THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT WOULD PROVIDE UPWARD ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR RESIDENTS.

THERE ARE ABOUT 24,000 JOBS WITHIN A TWO-MILE RESIDENCE -- EXCUSE ME, RADIUS. REALLY WE WANT TO IMPACT HOUSEHOLDS. THIS WOULD BE A FAMILY-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT. YOU WOULD SEE TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM APARTMENTS. WHEN IT COMES TO THE BURDEN OF REPRESENT, IN ONE-BEDROOMS YOU CAN SEE A DISCOUNT FROM 850 TO $400 PER MONTH AND THREE BEDROOMS COULD BE ALMOST $1300 A MONTH VERSUS MARKET RATES. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, ARE YOU ABLE TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED?

>> [INAUDIBLE] FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES.

WE DON'T -- WE PERCEIVE CAPACITY BEING THERE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU COULD GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOUR MIC -- YOU ARE A LITTLE HARD TO HEAR.

>> MY UH POLL -- APOLOGIES. IT IS PART OF A MUD249 DISTRICT. WE HAVE SOUGHT AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY LETTER AND ANALYSIS FROM THEM.

WE WOULD NOT PERCEIVE ANY ISSUES IN RECEIVING THAT.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES SPOKEN ON THE PREVIOUS DEVELOPMENT, WE WOULD NOT ANTICIPATE ENCOUNTERING THEM

AT THIS LOCATION. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS TOM RAMSEY. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER.

>> TOM RAMSEY: DID YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE GETTING AHOLD OF ME? I HAVE NEVER TALKED TO YOU ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.

>> YES, SIR. I KNOW THERE WERE SOME OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE. PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

IN SAN ANTONIO THERE ARE MORATORIUMS ON COMMUNICATION WITH COUNCIL PERSONNEL AND THE LIKE.

THAT WOULD BE AN APOLOGY ON OUR PART FOR NOT REACHING OUT PREVIOUSLY, BUT IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS $NOT -- IT IS NOT ONLY FROWNED UPON, BUT IT COULD MEAN FOR IMMEDIATE

REJECTION OF THE RESOLUTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST SO YOU KNOW, NO ONE HAS TALKED TO ME AT ALL ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

>> YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? >> NOT ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 19, LEXY SWARSKY SPEAKING ON ITEM 21.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM A TAXPAYER IN HARRIS

[01:25:02]

COUNTY AND HERE TO REPRESENT THE OTHER TAXPAYERS WHO WOULD RATHER THEIR MONEY BE SPENT IN MORE EFFICIENT WAYS THAN MAKESHIFT PROJECTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID SUCH AS A MILLION DOLLAR HOSPITAL THAT TREATED ONLY ONE PATIENT.

A COVID OUT REACH THAT WAS GOING TO BE ASSIGNED TO A ONE-PERSON FIRM. IF THERE IS THAT MUCH MONEY TO THROW AROUND, PLEASE RETURN THE MONEY TO THE CONSTABLES.

MANY MORE LIVES WOULD BE SAVED BY PROTECTING POLICE PROTECTION AND HAVING THE JUDGES SHOW UP FOR WORK AND KEEP THE CRIMINALS OFF THE STREET.

THERE IS A SIMPLE CURE FOR COVID AND THAT IS IVERMECTIN AND THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNTY NEED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND LIFT RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE ON COVID.

QUIT SPENDING MONEY ON IT. PATIENTS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO

DOCTORS -- >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 22. SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 37

UNDER HR. >> I THANK YOU FOR MY TIME.

I WORKED ALMOST 11 YEARS AT THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT AS A PHARMACIST. WITH THIS TRANSITION THAT HARRIS HEALTH THAT IS HAPPENING ON MARCH 1ST, I AM VESTED ALREADY, BUT THREE YEARS AND TWO MONTHS AWAY FROM RETIREMENT. IT IS NOT JUST ME.

IT IS MANY OF US. WE WORK FOR THE PENSION THAT WE WERE PROMISED. I ACCEPTED VERY LOW PAY AT THE HARRIS COUNTY WITH THAT ENVIRONMENT JUST FOR THAT.

IT WAS A DESIRABLE PENSION THAT I WAS PROMISED.

I WANT THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO GRANDFATHER THE PENSION FOR ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES, PLEASE.

THIS REALLY AFFECTS ALL OF THE EPL EMPLOYEE -- EMPLOYEE ESPECIALLY THE WOMAN WHO DEPENDS ON THAT.

YOU CAN'T DEPEND ON YOUR HOUSE OR YOUR KIDS.

YOU HAVE TO DEPEND ON YOURSELF AND THE PENSION IS NEEDED.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 23, STEPHANIE FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 37 UNDER HUMAN RESOURCES.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DO WANT THE RECORD TO NOTE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE SENT AROUND A COUPLE OF MOTIONS THAT ARE RELATIVE TO RELATE TO THIS ITEM THAT HAD BEEN PROPOSED AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT

HAD BEEN PASSED AROUND. >> HELLO JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM ASSISTANT -- LET ME START OVER. I AM THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND ASSIGNED TO THE HEALTH SERVICES BUREAU FOR SIX YEARS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR 30.

I BELIEVED MY WHOLE CAREER I WAS A CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE PROTECTED AGAINST FORCED RETIREMENT.

THE HR DEPARTMENT OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT STATED TO EVERY HEALTH SERVICES EMPLOYEE WE ARE SEPARATED FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON FEBRUARY 28TH AND THE ONLY OPTION IS TO JOIN HARRIS HEALTH AND TAKE A LESSER PAYING POSITION AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THEY HAVE TAKEN THE FUNDING AND OFFERING US ENTRY LEVEL DETENTION OFFICER TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND CLERICAL STAFF. NEVER THIS 30 YEARS OF SERVICE HAVE I WITNESSED AND FELT SUCH DISRESPECT FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND CAN'T BELIEVE COMMISSIONERS' COURT WILL TAKE OVER AND PAY HARRIS HEALTH FOR THE SALARY AND RETIREMENT FOR TENURED EMPLOYEES. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO WORK FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT -- [INAUDIBLE].

>> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 24.

SPEAKING ON ITEM 37 UNDER HUMAN RESOURCES.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. I AM LYNNWOOD MONROE.

I HAVE COMMENTS ON THE AGREEMENT TO GIVE RETIREES MEDICAL BENEFITS TO CERTAIN EMPLOYEES.

I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THIS UP AND HELPING THESE EMPLOYEES. THE EMPLOYEES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE TRANSITION AND I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE AGREEMENT. ITEM 9 IN THE AGREEMENT GIVES THE INTENT AND IT TIES THE EMPLOYEES OF HARRIS HEALTH AND THEN ONCE THEY ARE THERE TO PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER THEM. ALL OF THESE EMPLOYEES HAVE GONE THROUGH AND NONE OF THEM TRUST THE AGREEMENT WILL

[01:30:02]

REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL 2035 AND ITEM 9 INDICATES THAT.

EMPLOYEES REQUEST THAT IF THIS AGREEMENT IS TRULY DONE AND DONE IN GOOD FAITH, ITEM 9 WILL BE REVISED AS THE

COMMISSIONER WILL -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 25, CYNTHIA COLE SPEAKING ON ITEM 37 UNDER HUMAN RESOURCES.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND HONORABLE JUDGE.

I AM SIN THEE -- CYNTHIA COLE.

I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE HAVE A SHOTGUN WEDDING, BUT NORMALLY IT -- IF THEY DO HAVE A SHOTGUN WEDDING, THE ONLY PERSON WHO BENEFITS IS THE ONE HOLDING THE SHOTGUN.

THE EMPLOYEES ARE NOT THE BEN GNAW FACTORS.

I HAVE A PLAN THAT WOULD ALLOW INDIVIDUALS GOING THROUGH THIS TRANSITION TO HAVE A TYPE OF LIAISON AND AMBASSADOR.

I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS PROPOSAL BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO NEED THIS IN RECORD TO -- IN REGARD TO THE TRANSITION. OMAR REID SAID THE DIS-- DISCIPLINE AT HARRIS IS A JUST AN ACCOUNTABLE SYSTEM.

IT IS NOT JUST AND ACCOUNTABLE.

PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON.

I PLEAD WITH YOU TO PLEASE RECONSIDER HOW THAT TRANSITION

TAKES PLACE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: QUICK QUESTION. YOU SAY HAVE A LIAISON.

CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT YOU MEANT?

I DIDN'T QUITE CATCH IT. >> WE HAVE SUBMITTED A COPY TO HAHN BELIEVE RA ADRIAN -- HONRABLE ADRIAN GARCIA'S COMMISSIONER AS A LIAISON TO THE COUNTY.

SOMEBODY WHO CAN NAVIGATE WHEN THEY ARE ON BOARD AT HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND THEY CAN HELP NAVIGATE UNDERSTANDING SOME OF THE POLICIES WITH THE LIAISON AND THE LIAISON CAN HELP THROUGH THE CHANGE AND THE PROCESS AND THE CULTURE.

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

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 26, HOUSTON COUNCILMEMBER ROBERT GUY YEA -- GULLEGOS ON COUNTY

ENGINEER. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCILMAN FOR DISTRICT I. I AM CALLING TO THANK OUR FRIENDS AT HARRIS COUNTY AND PARTICULARLY PRECINCT 2 AND ADRIAN GARCIA FOR THE WORK IN ITEM 69.

IT PROVIDED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND SIDEWALKS IN THE MANCHESTER COMMUNITY WHICH BOTH COMMISSIONER TKPWA -- GARCIA AND I SERVE AND REPRESENT.

THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SIX-FOOT WIDE AND NEARLY TWO-MILE LONG SIDEWALK ALONG MANCHESTER STREET FROM BROADWAY TO 97TH STREET IN THE MANCHESTER COMMUNITY. AN IMPORTANT LINK IN THE MANCHESTER COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF HOUSTON GREATLY VALUES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMISSIONER GAR SEE WRAU AND ALL COMMISSIONERS WHICH ALLOWS US TO PRIORITIZE NEEDS BY LEVERAGING RESOURCES TO BETTER THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

THE NEW SIDEWALKS PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED CONTINUOUS PATH OF TRAVEL FOR AREA RESIDENTS AND THE KIDS WHO TRAVEL TO AND

FROM JR HARRIS ELEMENTARY. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. COUNCILMEMBER, THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. THE MANCHESTER AREA WAS ALWAYS CHALLENGED BY RAILROAD CROSSINGS AND I AM PROUD OF YOU FOR ADVOCATING FOR THEM AND PROUD TO PARTNER AND LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING MORE TO SUPPORT OUR RESPECTIVE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS

TO YOU AS WELL. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.

TAKE CARE. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 27, WENDY MONTOYA OF THE COURT COMMISSION SPEAKING ON 376 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

HELLO, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THE AGENDA ONCE AGAIN TO SERVE OUR REGION FOR ANOTHER TERM. IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE HONOR AND PLEASURE TO WORK ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES TO KEEP THE PORTS -- A FEW QUICK HIGHLIGHTS.

WE HAVE MADE INVESTMENTS ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT

[01:35:02]

INCLUDING A NEW GRANT PROGRAM.

YOU SAW WE ORDERED THE FIRST CONTRACT TO WIDEN AND DEEPEN THE SHIP CHANNEL. WE ARE WORKING ON BECOMING CARBON NEUTRAL AND WE HAVE ADOPTED A POLICY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDED WORK THAT CAME OUT OF THE PORT DISPARITY STUDY.

AND THE CREATION OF THAT DIVISION AND THAT NEW POLICY PASSED UNANIMOUSLY WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

WE REMAIN THE BUSIEST WATERWAY IN THE NATION AND SO IN

SUMMARY -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER , CONTINUE WITH YOUR REMARKS, PLEASE.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY WE REMAIN THE BUSIEST WATERWAY IN THE NATION AND WE ARE WORKING REALLY HARD TO GO FROM GREAT TO GREATER WHILE BEING EXTREMELY COGNIZANT ON THE IMPACT ON ALL COMMUNITIES. I PROMISED WHEN I CAME BEFORE Y'ALL THAT I WOULD MAKE SURE -- WE TRIED TO GO FROM GOOD TO GREAT TO GREATER AND BE COGNIZANT OF THE IMPACT OF THE COMMUNITIES AROUND US. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY IN 2019 TO SERVE AND THANK YOU FOR THE REUH PHOEUPT -- REAPPOINTMENT.

THANK YOU AGAIN AND TO HAVE YOUR CONFIDENCE IS ASSUMING THE VOTE GOES, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO

SERVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I WANTED TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR FINE WORK. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SHE WAS AN EXCELLENT APPOINTMENT. WENDY, I AM GLAD YOU ARE MOVING FORWARD ON YOUR PLANS TO TRY AND BECOME CARBON NEUTRAL. ON THE BUSINESS EQUITY OFFICE I AM GLAD YOU CHAIR THE COMMITTEE THAT CAME UP WITH YOUR POLICY. I CONNECTED YOU A COUPLE DAYS AGO WITH A NEW CHAIR OF -- THE INCOMING CHAIR DECEMBER SIG -- THE DESIGNATE. YOU REALLY TOOK THE LEAD AND IT IS GOOD YOU HAVE THE PERSON REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE CEO. WE CALLED TO COMMEND THEM.

HOPEFULLY YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOME CYNERGY AND WHAT THE METRO HEALTH WILL DO AND THE PORT IS DOING AND WHAT WE ARE DOING AS A TREMENDOUS SENSITIVITY TO THAT ISSUE.

UNLIKE WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE PAST.

AND I HOPE MORE OF OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL STEP UP. THERE OUGHT TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CREATE A JOINT PROGRAM.

THEY DID IT 36, 38 YEARS AGO. ALTHOUGH WE ARE LATE TO THE GAME WE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE MISTAKES OTHER PEOPLE MADE ALONG THE WAY. I KNOW YOU CHAIR THE COMMITTEE , BUT TO WORK WITH THE FOLKS YOU KNOW ARE SENSITIVE ON THIS ISSUE AND IT MAKES SURE WE USE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THREE QUICK THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

B, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE DEEP DREDGE. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CORE OF ENGINEERS ON A REVERSE SIPHON TO HELP THE TUNNELS TO CON -- CONVEY A LOT OF STORM WATER OUT AND WILL HAVE A SECONDARY BENEFITS OF COMING INTO THE SHIP CHANNEL AND WILL ASSIST US WITH THE DREDGE AND THE WATER FLOW THAT COMES THROUGH. TO THE EXTENT YOU ARE HELPING UNDERSTAND THE BENEFIT OF A NATURAL SYSTEM THAT BOTH ALLEVIATES FLOODING, BUT ALSO CREATES THE DEEP DREDGE, THAT IS A WIN-WIN IN THAT CAPACITY.

THE THIRD THING IS WE NOTE YOU ARE ON THE AGENDA FOR APPROVAL AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT.

I AM READY TO SECOND THE NOMINEE AND MOVE FORWARD ON

IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL RIGHT.

I WILL ACCEPT THAT SECOND. JUDGE, THANK YOU, ARE AND I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR KIND WORDS.

THE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL, OFF THE CHART. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THE DISPARITY STUDY AND AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE NEW MWBE OPPORTUNITY THAT IS PRESENT AT THE COURT, THAT IN ITSELF IS HISTORICAL.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE WILLNESS TO SERVE -- WHIMMINGNESS TO SERVE.

-- WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. IT IS GREAT TO SEE A PRECINCT 2 PRODUCT SERVING AT ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST DYNAMIC PORTS IN THE WORD. CONGRATULATIONSES AND KEEP UP

[01:40:02]

THE GOOD WORK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU AND TO ALL OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THEIR WORK.

THE DEEPENING AND WIDENING AND SKILLFULLY NAVIGATING ALL OF THE KWHALT -- CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED TO MAKE SURE OUR COURTROOM IS COMPETITIVE. A MOTION BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR?

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

>> MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, TIFFANY?

>> YES, MA'AM. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 29, STEPHANIE WITH COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS SPEAKING ON ITEM 394 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL COVID 19 ITEMS. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.

>> THANKS FOR THE TIME TODAY. I WANT TO OFFER MY SUPPORT FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE EMPLOYEE TOWER PROGRAM THAT STARTED IN PRECINCT 2. I WORKED FOR THE COALITION OF THE HOMELESS AND RESPONSE ONLY FOR CONTINUING -- RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS.

THE PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW BARRIER ACCESS [INAUDIBLE] ADDITIONALLY CONNECTING THE PROGRAM WITH CAREER AND RECOVERY PARTICIPANTS HAVE MUCH-NEEDED WRAP AROUND SERVICES INCLUDING ACCESS TO HOUSING.

PEOPLE WANT TO WORK ON THESE THINGS.

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

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: STEPHANIE, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXTRAORDINARY WORK WITH THE COALITION.

HOMELESSNESS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE VERY, VERY CHALLENGING ISSUES. I WAS WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS SHELTERS AND I REALIZE WITH A LITTLE MORE STRATEGY AND SCIENCE BEHIND IT THAT WE COULD DO SOME PHENOMENAL THINGS AND IT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE.

THE WORK TO DE ACTIVATE THOSE IS NOT EASY.

IT REQUIRES CON CONSTANT WORK AND IT REQUIRES A BIT OF A CARROT. EMPLOYEE -- AND THEY HAVE ALLOWED US TO WORK TO ENGAGE FOLKS WHO IS INTERESTED AND WILLING TO PUT IN A LITTLE SWEAT EQUITY.

AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE FOLKS I HAVE MET, IT IS INCREDIBLE TO SEE THE EXCITEMENT AND THE MOTIVATION AND THE ENERGY AND THEY PROVIDED HUMAN CAPITAL BACK TO THOSE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY WERE SLEEPING OUTSIDE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, BUT I AM PROUD THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE COUNTY ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT A GOOD CAPTAIN AT THE HELM. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE VOTE AND THIS WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE LIVES AND GET FOLKS OFF THE STREETS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THERE.

IT IS A PLACE TO DEAL WITH THAT AND IT WAS COST PROHIBITIVE AND INEFFECTIVE AT BEST.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK BEING DONE.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO MOVE THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 1, WALTER CRAWFORD, JUNIOR SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF HARRIS COUNTY ON WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN USING HARRIS HEALTH FACILITIES FROM MY EXPERIENCE. AS YOU CAN SAY, THIS IS HOW

[01:45:02]

REALITY WORKS. LET ME START WITH MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE RESIDENT PHYSICIAN TRY VU. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO ME.

I WAS REQUESTED TO SEE HIM ONCE A MONTH AND LITTLE WAS ACCOMPLISHED. SEVERAL VISITS HE HAD NOT EXAMINED ME TO A POINT TO DOCUMENT THAT I HAD A HEART CONDITION. AFTER DIRECTLY POINTING THIS MEDICAL CONDITION OUT, HE DECIDED TO PULL MY SHIRT UP AND LISTEN TO MY HEART AND OF COURSE THIS WAS IN FRONT OF OTHER PATIENTS IN THE AREA. THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY MISS STEP. ON ONE VISIT HE CAME IN AND ASKED ME FOUR QUESTIONS AND THEN LEFT THE ROOM.

AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES A NURSE CAME IN AND ASKED WHAT I WAS STILL DOING THERE. I TOLD HER I WAS WAITING FOR THE DOCTOR. SHE STATED THAT I HAD A FULL

PHYSICAL BY THE DOCTOR. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> CAN YOU ENTER THIS INTO THE

RECORD, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR COMING BY. WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER TWO, JACOB CLEMENTAGE.

AND DUE TO A DISABILITY SHE WILL RECEIVE TWO MINUTES.

>> I NEED A READER. HERE SHE COMES.

>> I WILL WORK FOR NRG PARK DURING THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW. ALL COMMISSIONERS ARE MY BOSSES. I WANT TO MENTION TO YOU ALL MATTRESS MAC HAD A 41ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

I HEARD JACK CAGLE WISHED HIM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON FEBRUARY 11TH. I INVITE YOU ALL TO WISH HIM AND HIS WIFE, LINDA, A HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

SINCE THIS IS RECOGNIZED AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH I WILL MENTION AN ARTICLE BY TEXAS RIGHT TO LIFE WHICH TALKS ABOUT HOW THE SCOURGE OF ABORTION HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE ACTION AGAINST THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

A PRESS RELEASE BY BLACK PASTOR COMMUNITY -- I'M SORRY, WILLIE DAVIS TALKING ABOUT HOW THERE IS AN INCREASE IN CRIME BECAUSE OF THE -- WHAT IS THAT? POLICY. MY ACTIONS ON THE COURT WILL

BE READ AND HAPPY LENT. >> I AM GOING TO GET --

>> OKAY. YOUR TIME IS RUNNING.

>> ON IS THAT TEXAS RIGHT TO LIFE ARTICLE IT TALKS ABOUT HOW GREAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE.

BUT IT SAYS I AM GOING TO [INAUDIBLE] ABORTIONS ARE RACIST SUCH AS MARGARET SINGER.

SHE WANTED TO EXTERMINATE THE POPULATION AND SO SHE WROTE IN A LETTER TO CLARENCE GAMBLE. WHILE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY, I HAVE 51 SECONDS LEFT.

THE ARTICLE BY THE BLACK PASTOR WILLIE DAVIS HE TALKS ABOUT THE POLICY SET FORTH BY THE COURT IN THE PAST AND THE MEMBERS ON THE COURT WAS TERRIBLE BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT THAT [INAUDIBLE] AND IT IT WAS NO GOOD.

THAT IS PASTOR WILLIE DAVIS AND HE KNOWS HIS STUFF.

I I HAVE 112THS LEFT SO -- I HAVE 11 SECONDS LEFT SO TAKE

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

>> AND I VOTED TODAY. WE NEED TO VOTE.

>> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER THREE ART SMITH SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME I WANTED TO BRING TO THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT THAT THERE IS SOME ORGANIZED CRIME THAT IS TAKING PLACE AT HCAD.

THERE IS SOME FUNNY BUSINESS TAKING PLACE AT HCAD.

THE REASON I SAY THAT IS ROBERT WILLIAMS WAS ABLE TO PUT HIS NAME ON SOME PROPERTY THAT HE DOES NOT OWN AND INSIDE HCAD IT DOES NOT SHOW NO RECORD OF HOW HE GOT IT THERE. HIGH WIFE WAS PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHO HAS BEEN EVICTED WITHOUT HAVING HER DAY IN COURT. JUDGE WILLIAMS AND JUDGE KOVAK ARE THE TWO INDIVIDUALS IN COURTS 2 AND 3.

[01:50:02]

WILLIAMS IS TRYING TO [INAUDIBLE] THAT SHE TKUSZ NOT OWN AND IT IS IN THE FIRST COURT OF APPEARS.

HAD SHE NOT HAD THE -- >> I'M SORRY YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> AND BEING ABLE TO PUT IN HIS NAME --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

>> THIS WILL BE BULLDOZED THIS WEEK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 4.

SPEAKING IN PERSON. >> HELLO MY SUBJECT IS THE TRESPASSER RUTH WILLIAMS COMMITTING PROPERTY FRAUD WITH A SYSTEM TO HCAD. SHE DON'T HAVE ANY PROPERTY IN HER NAME. HER LATE HUSBAND DON'T HAVE PROPERTY IN HIS NAME AND SHE HAS BEEN TRYING TO RECEIVE MONEY INSTEAD OF THE PROPERTY AND COMMIT THIS DEMOLITION WITHOUT BEING THE OWNER. SHE HAD ATTORNEYS COME OUT TO THE PROPERTY THAT I AM IN POSSESSION WITH WITH A HAMMER AND PUTTING UP NOTICES. AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO HIT ME WITH THE HAMMER AND MY HUSBAND.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH ENOUGH CRIME IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR HER TO BE COMMITTING FRAUD WITH PROPERTY SHE DON'T OWN WITH THE SYSTEM HCAD. THAT SYSTEM COULD HAVE TURNED OUT REAL BAD. MY HUSBAND WAS SAYING IF YOU HIT MY WIFE WITH THAT HAMMER THERE WILL BE REAL PROBLEMS ON THIS PROPERTY. WE ARE LOSING AUGUST -- A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR HER TO BE COMMITTING CRIMES AND LYING TO THE COURTS.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL SHE IS SENDING -- THESE PEOPLE --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> AND COMMIT A REAL CRIME SO WE ARE REACHING OUT SO WE CAN

STOP THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS IN THE COURTS. SOMEBODY ON THE STAFF WILL TALK TO YOU. I DON'T WANT YOU THINK WE CAN CONTROL IT. IF IT IS IN THE COURT, NOT THIS COURT, BUT THE OTHER COUNTS.

>> I AM BRINGING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT. A CRIME IS IN HCAD AND THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME BY COMING TO THE PROPERTY WITH HAMMERS IN THEIR HAND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> [INAUDIBLE] YOU SAY YOU ARE AGAINST VIOLENCE AND HAVE ALL OF THIS -- IDEAS OF STOPPING THE VIOLENCE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE BRINGING UH

VIOLENT SITUATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I GOT YOU.

WE JUST DON'T WANT TO -- >> [INAUDIBLE].

I GUESS SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO GET KILLED BEFORE Y'ALL WILL COME OUT. [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR COMING BY.

WE WILL HAVE THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU GUYS. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 6, STEPHANIE VILLANUEVA. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: STAY AROUND SO THAT FOLKS CAN REACH YOU. ONE MOMENT, TIFFANY.

OWE COULD I. GO AHEAD -- OKAY, GO AHEAD.

>> STEPHANIE, GO AHEAD. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HEY, Y'ALL. I AM NOT SURE IF YOU OR YOUR STAFF HAVE READ THE REPORT, BUT IT IS VERY SPECIFIC TO INSURANCE. JUST IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC IN HARRIS COUNTY, THERE WERE 2,500 DEBTS ASSOCIATED WITH A LACK OF HEALTH INSURANCE.

THAT IS 59% OF ALL COVID-19 DEATHS IN THE COUNTY AND WE ARE THE COUNTY WITH THE 6TH LARGEST NUMBER OF COVID-19 DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH LACK OF HEALTH INSURANCE. TEXAS AS A WHOLE IS NUMBER U.N IS -- NUMBER ONE. THIS REPORT IS BY FAMILIES USA AND IT IS SPECIFIC TO HAVING NO HEALTH INSURANCE.

I KEEP HEARING ABOUT VIOLENCE AND CRIME, BUT WE DO HAVE AN EVEN BIGGER PUBLIC HEALTH AND UNINSURANCE CRISIS.

I JUST WANTED TO COME HERE TODAY AND ASK YOU TO PLEASE PASS THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MEDICARE FOR ALL ACCOUNT OF 2021 AND AFFIRM ASKED TO HELP WITH HUMAN RIGHTS.

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

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

CALLING. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 8, MACKENZIE MOPIN. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. MACKENZIE, ARE YOU THERE? WE MIGHT HAVE LOST HER. WE WILL COME BACK TO HER.

NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 10, IRA DENVER OF MEDICARE FOR ALL. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM ALSO WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY COALITION FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL.

[01:55:02]

I AM CALLING TO REQUEST THAT YOU EXHAUST A RESOLUTION, A SIMPLE ACT. ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESS ENACTING MEDICARE FOR ALL THAT WOULD BENEFIT ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY. THERE IS A PODCAST, AND AN INTERNET TALK SHOW AND YESTERDAY THEY ADD GENTLEMAN ON WHO HAS HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH ACA AND STILL CANNOT AFFORD THE HEALTH CARE HE NEEDS.

HE NEEDS COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSAL MEDICARE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO

REACH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE WE TAKE THE BREAK. I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR. CAN SOMEONE -- THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER RADACK IS SIGNED UP TO STPAOEBG AND HE IS -- TO SPEAK.

HE IS NOT TALKING TO US TODAY?

>> COMMISSIONER, HE -- WE TRIED TO CALL HIM SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HE WASN'T AVAILABLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT ITEM 374 AND MAKING SURE IT IS LISTED AS NO ACTION.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE TEAM HAS THAT MARKED.

JAMES, 374 IS NO ACTION. COMMISSIONER EL -- ELLIS, I DIDN'T WANT TO MEET YOU FOR OUR DISCUSSION ITEMS. HERE ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. 372, APPOINTMENT OF CHRISTINE SMITH TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION. DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? 373, AND THERE -- THIS IS THE ONE THAT IS -- NEVER MIND. 373.

>> JUDGE, BEFORE YOU MOVE ON FROM 372, WHAT IS THE ACTION ON THAT? IS IT TO --

>> LINA HIDALGO: APPOINT CHRISTINE SMITH TO THE HARRIS

COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 373, MR. FASTINO BENEVIDAS FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD PLAIN REGULATION.

DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU DO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: 373 WILL BE -- WE WILL RETAIN IT IN THE CONSENT AGENDA.

375 IS THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. DE REAL TO THE HARRIS CENTER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SON SENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: 376 WE VOTED ON. THAT WAS THE REAPPOINTMENT OF WENDY. THRAOEF 79 -- 379, SKAOUT -- EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM FOR AN AGREEMENT OF HARRIS COUNTY [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY ATTORNEY. DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE FROM THE

COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? >> JUDGE, THIS IS CHRISTIAN.

WE DON'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL LEAVE IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

380. AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND STEVENS REID AND ARMSTRONG FOR SPECIAL COUNCIL SERVICES. MR. MENEFEE, DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE?

>> NO. THIS IS AN MWBE ON THE SAME MATTER OF 379 SO WE DON'T NEED TO GO BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 391, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S ITEM ON THE JUDICIAL SEAT VACANCY AND I SUSPECT WE NEED TO GO TO

EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL FLAG THAT ONE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. THAT MEANS 391 IS THE ONLY EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM. NEXT IS THE REGULAR AGENDA.

ITEM 8 WAS FLAGGED. THAT IS THE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE MULTI-FAMILY APARTMENTS.

WE WILL DISCUSS THAT ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON NUMBER 7, IF WE COULD PUT THAT ON FOR JUST A LITTLE SUGGESTION --

DISCUSSION, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

NUMBER 7. >> THAT'S WHERE WE HAD ALL THE SPEAKERS. I HAD A QUESTION ON THAT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SAME HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE SAME ONE. WHICH IS ITEM 8? IT IS A DIFFERENT PROPBLG SKWREBLGT? WE -- PROJECT. WE NEED TO DISCUSS SEVEN AND

EIGHT? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT. SEE, I THOUGHT SEVEN WAS EIGHT. GOT IT.

WE ARE DISCUSSING ITEMS 7 AND --

[02:00:02]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST PUT ALL OF THEM.

SHE CAN TALK ABOUT ALL OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PULL 5 THROUGH 8 WHICH ARE ALL OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ITEMS. ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN WE HAVE -- SOME FOLKS FLAGGED 10, 11 AND 12, BUT THOSE ARE NO ACTION SINCE ITEM 395 COVERS THEM.

ITEM 13, TWO POSITIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACCOUNT A. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT HAPPENED TO ITEM 10?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ARE FLAGGED FOR -- THEY REQUEST NO ACTION BECAUSE THEY ARE UNNECESSARY GIVEN ITEM 395 WHICH ENCOMPASSED ALL OF THOSE.

DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 13? THAT WAS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 4.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 16, PRECINCTS 3 AND 4 FLAGGED ITEM 16.

DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS IT? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 18, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 18?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NEED TO DISCUSS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 19 COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 20.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NEED TO DISCUSS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 21 IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM.

ITEM 23? COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND RAMSEY BOTH FLAGGED ITEM 23. IT IS THE GENERAL FUND FOR SHERIFF, CONSTABLE AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 33, PAYMENT FOR 2022 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES.

SEVERAL MEMBERS WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM.

ITEM 35, BUDGET TRANSFERS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM? JACK SKRABG --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHICH NUMBER?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 35. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DID NOT

SEE THAT ON MY LIST. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PUT IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. 37 WE NEED TO DISCUSS.

THAT'S THE HARRIS HEALTH TAKING OVER THE JAIL CARE ITEM. ITEM 54, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU FLAGGED THIS ITEM. M -- MERCER BOW TAN NICK --

BOTANI GARDENS. >> BRIEFLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 66, TERMINATING THE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR NRG FOR USE OF THE JURY.

SPACE FOR JURORS KPHEULGS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU OF THE FAMILY OF THE OFFICERS. I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY INVOLVED WITH THE CLOSURE OF THE PARTICULAR FACILITY AND GLAD TO MOVE IT CLOSER TO TOWN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. WE WILL PUT IT BACK ON THE CONCEPT AGENDA. CONSENT AGENDA.

69, AN AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS CHILI.

OH THIS IS THE MANCHESTER -- THIS IS VERY -- DO YOU NEED TO

DISCUSS IT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SAID MY PEACE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT GOES BACK ON THE CONCEPT AGENDA.

158, AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE HARRIS CENTER AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED

THIS ITEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

I WOULD. >> LINA HIDALGO: 170, ADDITIONAL PIC FUNDING. THIS IS THE INTAKE POSITIONS FOR THE D.A. COMMISSIONER ELLIS REQUESTED THIS BE DISCUSSED. ITEM 221.

A RENEWAL OPTION WITH SMALL PLACES FOR HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 277 EXCEPTION FOR SAFE BOATS INTERNATIONAL COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 327. DISCUSSION ON -- DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A SPECIAL EVENTS TASK FORCE.

328, AN UPDATE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING COST SAVINGS,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES AND I

THINK WE WILL HAVE GOOD NEWS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

TRANS -- TRANSMITTAL OF THE ARPA FUNDS COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES LEAN --

>> LINA HIDALGO: 382, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A MAC. WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT.

383 COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DISPROPORTIONATE

REPRESENTATION AT HGAC. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 384 EUGS -- COMMISSIONER EL -- ELLIS

[02:05:08]

EMPLOYER PAID HEALTH COVERAGE AND 385, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY APPOINTMENT.

[Departments (Part 2 of 5)]

389. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE WAY THE LETTER IS DRAFTED I CAN'T SUPPORT THAT.

DO YOU WANT TO JUST VOTE ON IT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. THAT IS 389 AND A LETTER TO HUD. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> NO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO NOTE THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF DIRECT ALLOCATION WHICH I THINK WAS PART OF THE LETTER. IT IS THE ADD INS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. THE TONE IS -- JUDGE, IF I MIGHT. THE TONE IS JUST VERY CLEAR.

I HAVE NOT BEEN SHY ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE FACT THAT WE WILL GEO LOAD AND HDA, KR -- HDAC --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAD A LETTER THAT SAID GIVE US DIRECT ALLOCATION. IF WE HAVE A LETTER THAT DOESN'T CALL NAMES AND POINT FINGERS OF PEOPLE IN THE ELECTION SEASON I CAN JOIN THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, BUT IT IS JUST STATING A

RECORD OF FACT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM IN

FAVOR OF DIRECT ALLOCATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE OPPOSED TO THE LETTER, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

WHAT IS YOUR VOTE? >> TOM RAMSEY: NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

390 COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU REQUESTED THIS ITEM BE DISCUSSED. FUNDS FOR A PRECINCT

TOGETHER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 393, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS

ABOUT THE ROLL OVER. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 394. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE

EMPLOY TO EMPOWER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SAID MY PEACE. I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. AND THEN 395, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS THE VARIOUS EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A NOTE HERE. DAVE, DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS

ITEM 35? >> IF YOU CAN JUST HOLD IT UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY. I HAVE THEM IN MY OFFICE FOLLOWING UP ON A COUPLE OF DETAILS.

I HOPE WE WILL BE DONE BY THE END OF THE DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND 395, IT IS NOT REFLECTED THERE, BUT I NEED TO DISCUSS THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU ARE FOR PRECINCT 2, BUT I NEED TO DISCUSS IT AS WELL.

[Additional Item]

>> LINA HIDALGO: 395, GOT IT. HERE ARE THE ITEMS MARKED FOR DISCUSSION. 391 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

5 THROUGH 8, AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT.

13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 33 , 35, 37, 54, 158, 170, 221, 277, 325 -- EXCUSE ME, 277, 327.

I MISS SPOKE. 328, 332, 382, 383, 384, 385,

390, 393, 394 AND 395. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 394 WENT TO

CONCEPT -- CONSENT? >> LINA HIDALGO: 394,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PUT 394 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

TPHEULG ELSE? ANYTHING ELSE?

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> SWRUPBLG, IF YOU CAN -- JUDGE EXEMPT 35 FOR THE TIME BEING.

YOU DIDN'T LIST IT IN THE DISCUSSION ITEMS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT I DID.

>> ITEM 35 IS IN CONSENT -- IT IS IN THE DISCUSSIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 391 AND 5 THROUGH 8 AND 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 30, 35, 37, 54, 158, 170, 221, 277, 327 AND 328, 3032, 382, 3083, 383, 384, 395.

[02:10:08]

GREAT. ALL RIGHT.

IT IS 12:22. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A MOTION ON

THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

WE DON'T HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

>> JUDGE THAT'S FOR THE CONSENT ITEMS EXCEPT FOR THE

DISCUSSION ITEMS CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 1 THROUGH 395 WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF ITEMS VOTED ON AND THE DISCUSSION ITEMS GIST LISTED.

JUST LISTED. THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. SOUNDS LIKE JAMES YOU DON'T

HAVE FURTHER CLARIFICATION. >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE QUESTION IS DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE LONG LUNCH BREAK NOW OR LATER? SO IT IS 2:23 AND WE WILL BREAK -- OKAY.

WE WILL BE BACK AT 1:30. IT IS 1:33 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. LET'S START WITH ITEMS 5

[Departments (Part 3 of 5)]

THROUGH 8, THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ITEMS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED DR. HOLLOWAY TO COME ON AND IF YOU WOULD, DR. HOLLOWAY, JUST WALK US THROUGH FIRST OF ALL THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR REGION.

IF THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS PASSED SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS FOR THESE FOUR PROJECTS, IS IT NEEDED FOR ALL FOUR? 4% OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN HARRIS COUNTY OR SUB SAW -- SUBSIDIZED HOUSING IN HARRIS COUNTY IS I THINK IN 23, 25%.

>> SURE. I WANTED TO SPEAK FOR 9 RESOLUTIONS AND TO TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE PRESENTED MY HOME IS HERE REPORT AND IT SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER SCORES THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE COUNTY AND A STRATEGY DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTICULARLY FOR PEOPLE AT 60% OF PEOPLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL YEARS WE HAVE TO MAKE UP. COMBINED WITH THAT IS THE 3,000 AFFORDABLE HOUSING RENTAL UNITS WE LOST AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE HARVEY THAT WE ARE STILL IN NEED TO MAKE UP AND OUR HARVEY GRANT IS A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF WAY THERE. THAT IS NOT TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE PUNISHING THE UNITS LOST.

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I WILL CAP STONE THAT WITH THE INCREASE OF RENTAL PRICES AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME THAT AND THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT IS ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ACCORD THE HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR THE ENTIRE STATE. IT IS A VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE PROCESS. 9% TAX CREDITS AND 4% TAX CREDITS ARE A LITTLE LESS COMPETITIVE, THOUGH COMPETITIVE NONETHELESS. THAT APPLICATION PROCESS IS AN ON GOING APPLICATION PROCESS. THE 9% IS A ONE-TIME ALLOCATION AWARD PER YEAR AND THAT'S THE PERIOD WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW. MANY OF THE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ARE LOOKING TO THE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM BECAUSE IT ALLOWS FOR THE REDUCTION OF THE RENTAL COSTS BECAUSE THEY ARE ADJUSTED BECAUSE OF THE TAX CREDITS. IN ORDER TO SUBMIT A

[02:15:03]

COMPETITIVE APPLICATION IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE DEVELOPERS -- IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE DEVELOPERS ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AND ONE FORM IS TO RECEIVE THE RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT. THE RESOLUTIONS AWARDED THROUGH MUNICIPALITIES GARNER 17 POINTS TOWARD A DEVELOPER'S APPLICATION AND THAT IS COMBINED WITH THE OTHER FACTORS THAT THE TDC ANALYZES P WHO WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING AN AWARD. THE APPLICATIONS BEING SUBMITTED TO YOU PWROEU -- BY AND LARGE ARE SUBMITTED BY DEVELOPERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICES AND SUBMITTING THEIR PACKAGES TO THEM AND WE WILL RECEIVE THEM. WHAT WE DO TO ENSURE WE ARE NOT MISSING APPLICANTS IS CROSS-REFERENCE THE APPLICANTS WE RECEIVE THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S STAFF. IT IS LOOKING AT THED FROM SHEET THAT ARE FOR THE APPLICANTS INTERESTED IN THIS TAX RE-- TAX CREDIT. AND OF THE APPLICATIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY, ABOUT 15 WERE IN OUR SERVICE AREA.

SO WE ANALYZED THE 15 AGAINST OUR CRITERIA.

THE CRITERIA WE USE IS ALIGN #ED -- ALIGNED WITH THE LOCAL PROEFP THAT IT IS BEING CONSIDERED IN THE TAX CREDIT DEVELOPMENT BROUGHT ONLINE. THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH OUR CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND FAIR HOUSING COMPETITIVE PLAN.

THOSE ARE THE LOCAL CRITERIA THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT BY THE PROJECTS THAT COME TO US. WE HAVE THE CRY TEAR TKWRAU AND -- CRITERIA AND WE PRESENT THAT FOR APPROVAL.

WE ARE BASICALLY LOOKING AT THE CRITERIA AND MEASURING AGAINST -- MEASURING THE APPLICATION AGAINST THE CRITERIA AND DETERMINING WHETHER THEY ARE MEETING THE CRITERIA OR NOT. SOME OF THE CRITERIA WE USE IN THIS ANALYSIS IS ONE LOCATION IN HARRIS COUNTY POVERTY CONCENTRATION AND FAMILY CONCENTRATION IF IT IS IN THE FLOOD PLAIN AND A FEW OTHERS IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT -- OR COMMUNITY OUT REACH.

WHEN WE COMPLETE THAT ANALYSIS WE WILL SEE IF IT IS WITH THE CRITERIA WE DEVELOPED OR NOT. THE FOUR APPLICATIONS, WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS THEY MET THE CRITERIA WE ESTABLISHED LOCALLY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT.

THE OTHER CHARACTERISTIC OF THE APPLICATIONS WE SUBMITTED IS THAT THEY ARE ALL LOCATED IN THE ETJ.

AS A RESULT OF THAT, THEY ALSO HAVE TO MIRROR THE SAME PROCESS THEY ARE DOING WITH US WHAT -- WITH US WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S ETJ. ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS WERE TAKEN UP AS ONE ACTION RECENTLY AT THE CITY COUNCIL AND RECEIVING UNANIMOUS SUPPORT.

THE 17 POINTS GARNERED BY EACH APPLICANTS IS DIVIDED ACROSS THE TWO MUNICIPALITIES. HARRIS COUNTY WOULD OFFER 8 AND A HALF POINTS AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON OFFERS THE BALANCE TO GET TO 17. THE CAVEAT IS IF ONE RESOLUTION DOES NOT RECEIVE A MU -- MUNICIPALITY AND NULL AND VOIDS WHAT IS RECEIVED. THAT'S SOMETHING THE DEVELOPER WOULD NEED TO CONSIDER. IF A DEVELOPER DOES NOT RECEIVE A RESOLUTION IT DOESN'T PROHIBIT THEM FROM CONTINUION -- CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE APPLICATION, BUT IT MAKES IT LESS COMPETITIVE AND I MENTIONED A COMPETITIVE PROCESS.

>> MANY OF THE THINGS THAT WERE VOCALIZED, THOSE ARE ALL CRITERIA THAT ARE PART OF THE REGULAR TDCHA'S REVIEW PROCESS. THE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE MEASURED AGAINST THOSE WILL SEE IF THERE IS A POINT HERE, POINT THERE, TWO POINTS THERE.

SO WE DON'T MIRROR THAT ANALYSIS LOCALLY.

IT WILL BE TAKEN UP BY THE REVIEW.

I CAN STOP THERE AND ANSWER ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: A COUPLE OF POINTS AND A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ONE I WANT TO STRESS TO MY COLLEAGUES IS THAT THESE ARE RESOLUTIONS, UNLIKE THE VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS WE HAD THIS MORNING.

I KNOW WORDS DO MATTER, BUT IT IS EASIER TO PASS FOR A RESOLUTION HONORING INDEPENDENCE DAY OR HISPANIC

[02:20:04]

HISTORY MONTH OR BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

FAIR HOUSING OR EQUAL HOUSING, THESE ARE RESOLUTIONS THAT WILL LEAD TO SOME HOUSES. I WANT TO STRESS THAT POINT.

THIS IS REAL WORLD. IT IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT IF YOU TRY AND PUT SUBSIDIZED HOUSING IN ANY NEIGHBORHOOD.

MOST OF US, BY THE WAY, IN SOME SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, GOING BACK TO JENNY MAY AND FANNIE MAE AND I POINTED OUT WHEN MY DAD GOT HIS HOUSE AFTER SERVING THIS COUNTRY HE COULD ONLY LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WAS LEGAL FOR HIM TO LIVE IN WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF THE DISPARITIES WE STILL LIVE WITH IN THIS COUNTRY TODAY. I WAS A LITTLE TROUBLED BY THE TRADITION THAT YOU MADE REFERENCE TO WHERE WHEN PEOPLE ARE FLYING -- APPLYING FOR THE CREDITS THEY GO TO THE COMMISSIONER. I ASKED YOU DURING THE BREAK WHAT IF A COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE DIDN'T FIND IT.

NOT BECAUSE THEY PUT IT IN FILE 13, BUT WHAT IF THEY DIDN'T PASS IT ON. LIKE I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON IT.

I ASSUME THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD HAVE SOME CRITERIA.

I GUESS WHEN THEY COME TO MY OFFICE I AM NOT AN EXPERT.

I SEND IT TO YOU ALL. I HOPE FOLKS IN THIS BUSINESS KNOW THERE IS A DEPARTMENT. THAT'S WHERE THEY OUGHT TO GO. OR IT COULD BE STOPPED RIGHT THERE. I DO WANT YOU TO COMMENT ON THE ITEM I THINK I PUT ON THE AGENDA.

I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT KW*PBG -- I THINK THE VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS, BUT WE WOULD NO LONGER GIVE EACH COMMISSIONER THE ABILITY TO STOP REVIEWING AN APPLICATION.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK THE DISCUSSION WAS SOME -- WHAT PERCENT OF OVERALL IS IN PRECINCT 1, 2, 3 AND 4, IF YOU KNOW? OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD I WAS THINKING 40/20 WITH, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT. I I CAN SHARE THE OLDER MAP WITH YOU AND WE ARE LOOKING TO UPDATE THAT AS WELL.

>> THAT WAS 2017, 2018. >> 2020.

>> IT IS MORE RECENT THAN I THOUGHT.

IT IS A GOOD THING AND I AM GLAD THIS COURT VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. I DON'T THINK ANY ONE OF US SHOULD UNILATERALLY DECIDE THAT ALL OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS TO GO IN A CERTAIN AREA, EVEN IF THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

THANK YOU, DR. HOLLOWAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE FOUR ITEMS THAT ARE HERE. AS I WAS LISTENING THERE ARE A FEW F'S, 3/4F'S I WANT TO ADDRESS.

THE FIRST IS THE FABLE THAT HAS BEEN SPREAD THAT THOSE -- OR THAT I HAVE DENIED THESE APPLICATIONS AND THAT'S NOT TRUE. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM THAT WERE APPROVED IN THE OLD PRECINCT 4, AND WE'VE GOT ONE ON THE AGENDA TODAY FROM THE CURRENT PRECINCT 4.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS TRUE IS WE USED TO HAVE FAITH IN EACH OTHER AND IN OUR PRECINCTS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE ALWAYS DONE IS GONE TO THE STATE REP WHO REPRESENTS THE AREA WHERE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT IS IN AND SAID IS THIS A GOOD LOWATION -- GOOD LOCATION OR A BAD LOCATION? THEY ARE A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE GROUND WITH REGARD TO THESE LOWATION -- LOCATIONS.

HE SENT A LETTER SAYING HE SUPPORTED THIS ITEM AND I HAVE MOVED FORWARD IN BEING SUPPORT WITH IT.

I SUPPORTED OTHER STATE REPS REQUESTING THESE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS COME IN. HISTORICALLY WE USED TO HAVE FAITH IN EACH OTHER. WE DON'T ANYMORE.

IN ACCOUNT TPA, I DON'T THINK -- IN FACT I DON'T THINK IT WAS A UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION.

THE ONE WHERE WE WOULD TINKER IN 50E67 -- EACH OTHER'S PRECINCTS GOES INTO WHY I WANTED TO FLAG ITEM NUMBER 7.

WE SAW A LOT OF FRUSTRATION OUT HERE BY A LOT OF FOLKS WHO APPARENTLY HAVE NOT BEEN HEARD IN THIS PROCESS.

APPARENTLY THERE IS COMPETING PRECINCT 1 PROJECTS.

YOU HAVE THE ITEM NUMBER 5 AND ITEM NUMBER -- I GUESS IT IS 8? NO.

IS -- IT IS 7. THEY ARE COMPETING PROJECTS.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF FRUSTRATED PEOPLE WHO CAME DOWN AND

[02:25:03]

EXPRESSED THEIR FRUSTRATION. WHEN IT COMES TIME TO VOTE BECAUSE WE NO LONGER HONOR WHAT THE COMMISSIONER OF THE PRECINCT WANTS, WE JUST VOTE ON IT 3-2 OR WHATEVER IT IS, AND I WILL BE AGAINST MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT ONE BECAUSE I HEARD THE PEOPLE WHO CAME HERE TODAY.

WITH THE REGARD OF PRECINCT 3, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT ONE UNTIL THE COMMISSIONER HAS HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT AND VET IT.

IN TERMS OF THE FIRST ONE IT IS A FABLE THAT WE DENY THEM.

I HAVE ONE ON THE AGENDA AND YOU CAN VOTE AGAINST IT IF YOU WANT. THE PRECINCT MOTION 4 IS FOR ITEM NUMBER 6 AND THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE A LETTER FROM THE STATE REP WHO BELIEVES THAT IS A GOOD LOCATION AND IT

SHOULD BE THERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND, TEXAS IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THERE IS A PROVISION FOR THE STATE REP TO DO A LETTER. THE PROVISION USED TO BE FOR THE STATE REP AND THE STATE SENATOR TO DO ONE.

AND YOU GET POINTS FOR IF *R -- FOR IT.

IT P HAS -- IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHO IS CLOSE TO THE GROUND. IT IS ALL ABOUT POLITICS.

THAT LETTER WAS HIJACKED IN THE HOUSE, BUT TRUST ME IT IS ALL ABOUT POLITICS. NOWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY THEY DO THAT. THAT'S PART OF THE REASON PRECINCT 1 HAS 83 PROJECTS IN THE LAST STUDY.

PRECINCT 2 HAD 54. 27%.

PRECINCT 3, 31. 16%.

SOME OF THEM OBVIOUSLY ARE SMALLER OR LARGER.

PRECINCT 4, 31 PROJECTS AND 16%.

MOST OF THE PROJECTS YOU HAVE 20 DO AN ANALYSIS, BUT MOST OF THEM IN PRE -- PRECINCTS 3 AND 4 IS FOR SENIOR HOUSING OR VETERAN HOUSING. AS MUCH AS I AM FOR THAT, THE NEED IS NOT JUST FOR SENIORS AND VETERANS.

COMMISSIONER, I'LL TAKE THE HEAT.

EVEN IF IT MEANS THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE ANGRY WITH ME AND I LOSE THEIR SUPPORT. AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SUCH A CHALLENGE IN THIS COUNTY IN PARTICULAR.

I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE ALL FOUR.

IF IT DOESN'T PASS, SO BE IT, BUT I WILL MAKE THE POINT THAT THE SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN FAIR. IF YOU DO A LITTLE RESEARCH AND I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY, NOT POLITICAL, TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU. IT DOESN'T MAKE ME FRIENDS, BUT WE NEED HOUSING IN THIS COUNTY.

PEOPLE ARE COMING ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THAT LACK OF HOUSING NOT ONLY LEADS TO HOMELESSNESS, BUT IT LEADS TO A HOST OF OTHER PROBLEMS. GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE END UP BEING STUCK IN POVERTY BECAUSE OF THAT LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I JUST WANT TO APPEAL TO YOU.

UNLIKE THE RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE EASY TO PASS, WORDS DO MATTER. ALL RESOLUTIONS ARE IMPORTANT. THIS LEADS TO HOUSING NOT JUST THAT WE ARE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: CAN I SPEAK? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: I REVIEWED WHAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED AND IN PARTICULAR ITEM NUMBER 8.

I RECEIVED LITTLE INFORMATION ON THIS.

I AM NOT AGAINST AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH DR. HOLLOWAY ON THE MATTER AND I AM SUPPORTIVE. WHAT I AM AGAINST IS SOMEONE THAT HASN'T DONE THEIR HOMEWORK AND HASN'T ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY. I DON'T KNOW ANYONE THAT HAS ENGAGED AT THIS POINT. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE HAS ENGAGED. UNDERSTANDING THE BASIC PARAMETERS, IF THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO GET SOMETHING DONE, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE COULDN'T TREAT IT LIKE AN URGENT NEED AND AT LEAST HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

I WILL MEET WITH ANYBODY, ANYTIME, ANY PLACE.

I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS WILL ATTEST TO IT.

CALL ME. LET'S GO LOOK AT IT ON THE GROUND. TO SIT IN SAN ANTONIO AND TELL ME, WELL I DON'T -- I SUBMITTED MY APPLICATION AND THAT'S IT AND THEN GIVE US TWO TO THREE DAYS, THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE. I AM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT AGAINST POOR EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE DEVELOPERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE WE APPROVE ALL FOUR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 5 -RBGZ -- 5, 6, 7 AND 8.

[02:30:03]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I REQUEST WE PARSE THEM.

I AM IN FAVOR OF TWO AND AGAINST TWO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE WILL START WITH ITEM 5.

IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 5? >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR OF ITEM 5.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? ARE YOU IN FAVOR COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> I SAID I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SOME -- IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM 6?

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

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED 1234* MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM 7? >> SECOND.

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

ALL IN FAVOR? I.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR IT PASSES 3-2.

HOW ABOUT NUMBER 8? ALL IN FAVOR?

OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

THANK YOU. I DO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO SPOKE. IT IS A TOUGH ISSUE.

IT IS A TOUGH ISSUE AND I KNOW THE COMMISSIONER WILL WORK ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT WE DO HAVE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS. IT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET TO SOLVE, BUT IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FED FAST ADVOCACY ON THIS. AND FOR KPROR -- YOUR SAW -- SUPPORT. I SECONDED EACH OF THESE BECAUSE I SUPPORT THEM AND I HEAR YOUR COMMENTS AND YOU ARE ON POINT. I WANT TO ASK DR. HOLLOWAY -- THE ONE THING ABOUT THIS PRODUCT IS IT IS BRINGING A VALUE. WE TALK I HAD ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS THAT ARE HOMELESS AND WITH THIS PANDEMIC THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT COULD BE HOMELESS IF NOT BY CERTAIN INTERVENTIONS BY THE COURT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC IS WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PRODUCT OUT IN THE SPACE, BUT I STILL DO NOT LIKE THAT S*UFP -- SUCH AN IMPORTANT ASSET TO OUR COUNTY IS ALWAYS MISCONSTRUED AS SOMETHING IT IS NOT.

IS THERE A WAY -- AND LOOK, I DO BELIEVE IN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND THAT THE DEVELOPERS NEED TO BE ENGAGING FOLKS AND HEARING WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

MY ATTITUDE IS IF I HAVE TO GO TO THE MEETINGS, THEY DO TOO.

IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO APPROACH THIS JUST SO THAT FOLKS DON'T HAVE TO SEE THIS COURT AS THEIR LAST RESORT? IS THERE ANYWAY FOR US TO HOLD FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE SO ITEMS DON'T GET TO THIS BODY UNLESS THEY IS A -- THEY HAVE HAD X NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS? IS THERE ANYWAY TO WORK TO DO A BETTER EDUCATION ABOUT WHAT THE PRODUCT IS.

THERE IS A MISSION UNDERSTANDING -- THERE IS A MISUNDERSTANDING OF WHETHER IT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR GOVERNMENT HOUSING. RIGHT NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT IN THE VEIN THAT IT IS DONE THE WAY IT IS ALWAYS DONE AND IT IS DONE THE WAY THE LAW ALLAH -- THE WAY THE LAW ALLOWS IT TO BE DONE. IF THERE IS BETTER EDUCATION AND BETTER AWARENESS, IT WOULD BE THE LAST RESORT FOR A LOT OF THINGS. WE ARE CHALLENGING THE DEVELOPERS TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL ON PROMOTING THE PRODUCT AND WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE AND WHAT IT IS NOT GOING

TO BE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THAT IS A STRONG AND VALID POINT.

HOW DO WE EXPAND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR IT TO BE A DEEPER EXPERIENCE AND WE ARE GIVING THE OPINION FOR PEOPLE TO VOCALIZE THEIR OPINION. WHAT YOU SEE IN THE PROGRAM IS GOVERNMENT HEARINGS. AS LONG AS WE HAVE EVIDENCE THAT WE HELD A PUBLIC PROGRAM IT MAY NOT BE CONVENIENT FOR

[02:35:04]

THOSE WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE AND IT DOESN'T NULL AND VOID THEIR VOICE. IF YOU ARE TRUE -- TRULY TRYING TO SERVE A COMMUNITY, YOU SHOULD HEAR FROM A COMMUNITY ON WHAT THEY NEED AND HOW IT CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE FINAL DESIGN. IT IS MORE THAN A PUBLIC HEARING. IT IS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY AND YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHO IS THE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY. YOU GO TO THE MORE OBVIOUS GROUPS AND GET TO THE STRONG ADD -- ADVOCATES AND BRINGING THEM TOGETHER TO HAVE A DIALOGUE.

YOU HAVE TO CHECK THAT BOX, BUT THAT PUBLIC HEARING ISN'T PRESENTING ANYTHING NEW. SO YOU LOOK AT THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS. IF THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT US ANYTHING HOW TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO VIRTUALLY. YOU KNOW YOU ARE HOLDING AN IMPORTANT MEETING MAYBE THE LOCATION IS PROHIBITIVE FOR SOMEBODY TO PARTICIPATE. SHOULD YOU HAVE IT IN A VIRTUAL SETTING TO A YOU LOU PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE AND VOICE THEIR CONCERN. SO ENCOURAGING DEVELOPERS AND EVEN COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS AND USING THEIR TOOLS TO GET VOICES IS NOT SOMETHING WE ASK A LOT OF.

WE CAN HELP PULL TOGETHER A LIST OF AREA ORGANIZATIONS AND ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED CAN CONTACT US AND SAY THIS IS A GOOD FIRST POINT OF CONTACT IN UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.

THERE ARE WRITTEN FORMS AND SNAIL MAIL AND MAKING SURE THERE ARE SEVERAL AVENUESER WHEN INFORMATION IS COMING IN AS THEY ARE PLANNING THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK IT GIVES PEOPLE AT LEAST THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE AND ADDRESSES ALL ISSUES AND CONCERNS.

PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO KNOW THEY ARE HURT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: VALID POINT.

DR. HOLLOWAY, I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW IF YOU TALKED TO YOUR PEERS AT THE CITY. IT IS INTERESTING.

I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THE PUSH BACK AT THE CITY.

JUST LOOKING AT BEST PRACTICES WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT GOES ON AROUND THE COUNTRY. AND THE SECOND PART IS I AM CURIOUS ON WHY 42% OF THE PROJECTS WOULD BE IN PRECINCT 1 AND 27% IN PRECINCT 2. JUST A GUESS.

I'LL TAKE THE HEAT TO GO AND DO IT, BUT IS IT A MATTER -- I CAN REMEMBER CONTROVERSY WHEN THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO PUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY THE GALLERIA.

IT WAS A HUGE CONTROVERSY WITH HUD.

WHY IS IT -- I WOULD TAKE THE HEAT.

I GET ANGRY BECAUSE I DO THE ENGAGEMENT I THOUGHT THE DEVELOPER SHOULD HAVE DONE, BUT I KNEW WE NEEDED.

>> YOUR FIRST QUESTION IS OPPOSITION AS A CITY COUNCIL FOR THE RESOLUTIONS. FROM WHAT I GATHERED THERE WAS NO OBJECTION, HE WAS OPPOSED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T RECEIVE A WAIVER. THERE WASN'T ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT. NUMBER 2 IF I VENTURE A GUESS AS TO WHY THERE IS A CONCENTRATION IN PRECINCT 1, WOULD THINK IT IS PROBABLY CLOSER TO AMENITIES AND CLOSER TO THE CITY AND CLOSER TO JOB CENTERS AND THERE IS A SPECIAL MISMATCH THAT IS EVIDENT IT IS IN THE OUTER REACHES OF THE COUNTY. IF YOU GO CLOSER TO THE CITY YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE SERVICES A LITTLE MORE READILY. YOU CAN SEE IT IN MAJOR CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE THERE IS MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

[02:40:05]

CLOSER TO THE CORE OF THE CITY THAN THE OUTER REGION.

>> THE LAST IS A REQUEST FOR YOU AND/OR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO TRY AND HELP THE PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO HAVE TAKEN AND IT IS IN THE OTHER AREAS WHERE WE USE

IT WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. >> IT IS IN TERMS OF DEALING WITH THE ISSUE OF CRIME. FOR SOMEBODY THAT IS REPRESENTED IN THE URBAN AREA AND THEY HAD A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS IN AN URBAN AREA.

PARTICULARLY WITH THE ARPA FUNDS.

EVERYBODY IS READY TO GRAB MORE FUNDS.

ONE OR TWO IS ACCEPTING MORE MORE OF THIS VERY NECESSARY AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE I WILL PUT A RESOLUTION UP, BUT I WANT IT MORE THAN THE PRETTY

WORDS. >> AND COMMISSIONER, IF I MIGHT. , WHEN YOU ARE INVESTING IN OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE MAKE SURE WE DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN HOUSING OR LAND THAT COULD BECOME HOUSING.

YOU CAN START WITH THE HOUSING AND BECOME THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> I TPH*EUPBG OF FLOOD CONTROL -- I THINK OF FLOOD CONTROL BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT BUYOUTS.

WHERE ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO LIVE IF THERE ISN'T ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. YOU SAY AFFORDABLE, ARE BUT IT

IS TEACHERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS NOT LOW INCOME. AFFORDABLE IS NOT LOW INCOME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DR. HOLLOWAY, DO YOU HAVE OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD WHAT THE NEED IS IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT $10,000 A YEAR OVER 10 YEARS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT DEVELOPING HOUSING WE DON'T JUST LOOK AT THE HOUSING UNIT IN ISOLATION OF THE OTHER AMENITIES THAT NEEDS TO BE IN PLAYINGS -- IN PLACE.

WHEN WE COME IN WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING DOLLARS WHAT IS AVAILABLE? IS IT A MULTI-FAMILY CENTER WE BUILT. AND ARE YOU KEBLGT -- CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE JOBS? THOSE ARE THE VIEW POINTS WE ARE DISCUSSING WITH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SAYING WE NEED TO WORK COLLECTIVELY TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY DYNAMICS WITH HOUSING AND ISOLATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: VERY GOOD POINT -FRBGTS COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW THE CHAIR OF METRO MADE A COMMENT TO ME THAT THERE ARE PROVISIONS WHERE METRO DOLLARS CAN BE LEVERAGED IF IT IS NEAR A TRANSIT CENTER OR A PARK AND RIDE.

I ASKED HIM TO LOOK INTO ON ONE OF OUR BICYCLE RIDES.

I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK AT THAT. WE WENT OUT THERE WHERE THE DETENTION PONDS ARE. TELL US IF THERE IS SOMETHING TO THAT. I KNOW THERE IS A TIME CRUNCH ON THIS AND THE DEVELOPERS ARE FIGHTING ONE ANOTHER.

AND THEY ARE ON A COMPETING PROJECT AND IT GOES BACK TO THIS REGION, BUT I KNOW IT IS A TIME CRUNCH.

[02:45:02]

I HEARD YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, I WAS GOING TO OFFER -- IN MY WORK WITH MANY CITIES AND COUNTIES, WHERE WE HAVE FEDERAL FUNDS AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET TAX COLLECTION WE HAD MORE THAN AN ADD IN THE NEWSPAPER.

WE HAD DOOR HANGARS. WE WENT TO CHURCHES ON SUNDAY. WE DID A ROBUST PROGRAM.

IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING, THEN WE NEED TO APPROACH IT IN A SERIOUS MANNER.

IT IS TIME TO GET SERIOUS. OBVIOUSLY I KNEW IT WAS MOVING

AT CITY HALL. >> THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME KNOWING. THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS. I CAN HELP, BELIEVE IT OR NOT. WE CAN HELP IN THE AREA.

WE HAVE TO KNOW THE SCHEDULE. IF THERE IS A GREAT PROJECT PROPOSED FOR THE AREA, LET US GET INVOLVED AND IGNORE OUR RESOURCES WE BRING TO THE TABLE AND TO GET PEOPLE ON BOARD AND MAKE THEM AWARE OF WHAT IT IS AND IT ISN'T.

I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE YOU DIDN'T KNOW. IT IS USUALLY MORE DIFFICULT

TO JUSTIFIED -- TO JUSTIFY ONE. >> I WORKED LAST YEAR IN TRYING TO GET A ROUTE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

LET'S JUST NOT ASSUME, BUT HAVE A GOOD PLAN AND EUBGZ --

AND EXECUTE THE PLAN. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AROUND THE COMMUNITIES THAT TAKE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND I DO WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT THE STUDY TPOUPBGD $38 BILLION -- FOUND $38 BILLION IS WHAT WITH THE REGION NEEDS. IF WE DON'T GET THAT DONE IT IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE CLIMBING UP A BIG HILL AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO NOT TAKE THIS ADDITIONAL STEP. WE ARE GOING TO PUSH ON ALL COMMUNITIES TO MEET THIS NEED.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 13. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU

FLAGGED THIS ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DID.

WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHICH ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 13. >> TOM RAMSEY: CAN I OFFER A

COMMENT, PLEASE? >> AS WE ALL HAVE OUR CONTINUING EDUCATION, ARE YOU BRINGING THEM ON BOARD TO HELP US CROSS OUR T'S AND DOT OUR I'S.

>> YES. AND MAKING SURE WE ARE OVERSEEING AND MANAGING THE PRAOPLS.

>> DID -- THE PROGRAMS. >> DID WE SUBMIT A REPORT IN AUGUST OF 202 UN-- 2 HAVE -- 2021 AND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

OUR FIRST. >> I DON'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF

MY HEAD. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A PLAN. DO WE HAVE THAT?

>> YES. WE SUBMITTED THE FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT AT THE END OF JANUARY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS SO IMPORTANT PARTICULARLY AS EASY LOOK AS WE GO DOWN THE PATH. I DON'T THINK THIS CAN BE A CONSULTANT. I THINK IT SHOULD BE A COUNTY EMPLOYEE. I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT WE

[02:50:05]

PASS THIS AND WE NEED TO CROSS OUR T'S AND DOT OUR I'S.

IT NEEDS TO BE HERE AND NOT ON SOME OTHER AREAS.

>> MOTION BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

THIS IS OUT OF ARPA FUNDS AND ONLY FOR THE LENGTH OF --

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THOUGHT I MADE THE MOTION?

I'D -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES 4-1.

>> JUDGE THAT WAS AS PRESENTED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S PRESENTED.

ITEM 16 COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE FLAGGED THIS TESTING

POLICY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE POLICY THAT REQUIRES OUR EMPLOYEES OR MANDATES OUR EMPLOYEES EITHER HAVE PROOF OF STATUS AND FAILURE OF THAT THEN THEY HAVE TO GET TESTED WEEKLY,

CORRECT? >> THAT IS KREUBGT.

THAT IS CORRECT JACK SKWABG --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

I -- I MEAN NO. >> NO.

EYE -- ITEM 18. PIC FUNDING FOR CONSTABLE 1.

KPWHEUGSER CAGLE -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I NEED TO CONFIRM.

IT SAYS IT IS COMING FROM THE PIC, BUT IS IT COMING OUT *FT R AND R -- COMING OUT 69R -- COMING OUT OF THE R AND R.

I KNOW THERE IS THE PIC AND THEN THE 70 MILLION THAT IS

THE RECOVERY FUND. >> LET ME DOUBLE CHECK.

>> I JUST NEED THE CONFIRMATION.

>> WE WILL VOTE ON IT LATER. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 19. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

A MILLION-DOLLAR TRANS TPERZ TO THE -- TRANSFER TO THE

SHERIFF. >> COMMISSIONER YOUR MIC

PLEASE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

I WAS TOUCHING ON IT EARLIER WHEN THE MAJOR WAS ABOUT TO BE ONLINE AND GOING TO THE POINT WE STARTED THIS TWO MONTHS AGO

NOW, THREE -- EXCUSE ME? >> MAY WAS THE FIRST FUNDING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. AND THE RESULTS I HAVE BEEN TRACKING HAVE BEEN IMMENSELY IMPRESSIVE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN, MAJOR.

I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF HOW THIS FUNDING HAS WORK #ED -- HOW THIS FUNDING IS TAKEN OFF THE STREETS FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

>> I WANT TO THANK JUDGE HUH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND ELLIS FORGIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY -- FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AND THEIR SUCCESSES. FIRST OF ALL IT STARTED OUT AS A BACKLOG OF CASES. WE HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF CHILD ABUSE CASES. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE WE COULD HAVE KIDS RECEIVING THE INJUSTICE.

WE ARE GETTING THEM TRIAGED AND THERE IS A LOT OF LOW-HANGING FRUIT. IF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THEM, BUT WITH THE CONSTRAINTS WE ALWAYS HAVE IT WASN'T A POSSIBILITY. WE HAVE REDUCED THE BACKLOG AS MUCH AS 50% AND VIOLENT CRIME IS NOTHING.

CHILD ABUSE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO INVESTIGATE.

AN INVESTIGATOR WILL CLEAR AN INNOCENT PERSON WHO HAS BEEN FALSELY ACCUSED SAY U.S. -- SAY CHILD CUSTODY FOR SOMEBODY

[02:55:07]

WHO HARMED A CHILD, SEXUALLY, PHYSICALLY,ETT -- ET CETERA.

WE HAD A SPIKE WITH COVID AND SOME OF OUR UNITS WERE AFFECTED BY THAT. WE WORKED OUTSIDE THE BOX AND WE HAVE A LIST OF PERSONNEL WHO WANT TO TRANSFER TO CIB.

THEY CAME UP WITH A GREAT IDEA.

LET'S USE SOME OF THEM TO WORK ON THE BACKLOG.

WE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON THE BACKLOG AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DISRUPT PROLIFIC VIOLENT OFFENDERS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTIPLE VIOLENT CRIMES. WE HAD DISRUPTED WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT YOU GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY AND WE DEFINITELY HAD THE ABILITY TO REDUCE THE VIOLENT CRIME. WE PARTNERED WITH SOME TFO'S FROM THE FBI. THAT HAS BEEN AMAZING.

I APPRECIATE WHAT Y'ALL HAS DONE.

WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS I KNOW THE FIGURE $5 MILLION HAD COME UP AND I AM CERTAIN WE CAN USE THE OTHER 2 MILLION IS YOU AND YOU WOULD GET A GOOD BANG FOR THEIR BUCK, IF YOU WILL. THAT'S A FREE OVERVIEW AND

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH AND APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO KEEPING ALL OF US SAFE. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A SECOND TO HEAR THE SUCCESS THUS FAR. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO INVESTING IN YOUR WORK AND PROVIDING YOU WITH A STRUCTURE TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A FOCUS.

$LIKE A WATER FAUCET THAT NOBODY EVER TURNS OFF.

DURING A TWO-YEAR PANDEMIC EVERY CHARGE HAS BEEN FILED AND THEY A YOU -- THEY ACCUMULATE IT.

I WILL BE VISITING WITH YOU AND THE SHERIFF AND I AM PROUD OF THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. WE ARE ALREADY STARTING TO SEE POSITIVE THINGS IN RELATION TO THE CRIME RATE.

WE CAN USE MORE OF IT, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE DISRUPTION YOU ARE DOING IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE

NUMBER. >> THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS AND I AM IMPRESSED WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND IMPRESSED WITH YOUR TECHNOLOGY SKILLS. I HAVE TO TAKE A ROAD TRIP MYSELF. I DON'T THINK I COULD GET INTO THIS MEETING IF I WAS IN A CAR, BUT THANK YOU FOR THE

WORK YOU ARE DOING. >> WELL, THANK YOU.

SKWAEU I AM -- >> I AM USING MY LAPTOP AND I COULD GET ON IT ANYWHERE. I AM HAPPY AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. ON THE WARRANT SIDE OF IT, I HAD SENT A PROPOSAL OVER TO THE OFFICE OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT. IT WAS A WAY TO BEEF UP OUR WARRANT UNIT AND I WOULD BE GLAD TO VISIT WITH YOU ALL ABOUT IT OFF LINE. IT IS NOT REALLY COMPLEX, BUT IT WOULD ADD MUCH-NEEDED PERSONNEL TO THE DIVISION.

THAT'S ONE OF THE KEY AREAS WE NEED HELP.

[03:00:01]

WE HAVE FUGITIVE WARRANTS AND PEOPLE ARRESTED OUTSIDE OUR JURISDICTION WE HAVE TO GO AND GET OR OUT SOURCE RESOURCES TO PICK UP AND BRING BACK TO US. THAT TAKES AWAY FROM OUR ABILITY TO ADDRESS LOCAL WARRANTS.

WE HAVE UTILIZED THIS OVER TIME FUNDING AND DOING WARRANT ROUND UPS AND DOING THE VARIOUS OPERATIONAL PLANS AND IDENTIFYING THROUGH OUR DIVISION AND TARGETING THEM AND ARRESTING THEM. [INAUDIBLE].

>> RODNEY ELLIS: NOW WE ARE LOSING YOU.

>> WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO IS THE WAY WE WANT TO DO IT.

[INAUDIBLE]. SORRY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE'LL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

THANKS TO THE TROOPS FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE UH TIME TO SHARE WITH US THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND THE SUCCESS YOU ARE HAVING.

WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU OUR GRATITUDE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: MAJOR, THIS IS TOM RAMSEY.

I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW YOU HAVE GIVEN US A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT BOOTS ON THE GROUND CAN DO.

I THINK THAT HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT REQUEST BY THIS COURT TO GET SOME BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE CASE THAT WITH THAT WE CAN MAKE A

DIFFERENCE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MAJOR. KEEP IT UP.

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 19? MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS ON ITEM 19.

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

DO WE HAVE THE ANSWER YET ON ITEM 18?

>> WE ARE STILL CHASING IT DOWN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE GOT THE ANSWER ON 20 WHICH IS WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM AND WE ARE FINE WITH THAT.

WE WERE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE SMART PODS IN PRECINCT 4 AND SOME OF THEM TRIED TO HELP US CRACK THE CODE AND SO THANK

YOU. >> THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE IS WHY DIMA? THEY WERE GIVEN THE CONTRACT I GUESS IN JULY OF 21. THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT WAS HELD BY UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON PUBLIC HEALTH WE MADE THE CHANGE IN JULY A YEAR AGO. WHY DIDN'T WE GO BACK OUT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.

IT WAS NOT HELD BY U OF H. IT WAS HELD BY UHP, UNITED HEALTH CARE PARTNERS. JUST TO CLARIFY THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: IS THERE A

REASON WE DIDN'T GO FOR RFP? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COUNTY ATTORNEY. BARBIE ROBINSON.

AT THE TIME THE DEPARTMENT ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SERVICE OPERATIONS. IT WAS TO CONTINUE THE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. WE CONSULTED WITH PURCHASING WHO GAVE US A DIRECTION THAT WE COULD SELECT A PROVIDER TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES. I DON'T KNOW IF DWIGHT, YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT. WE KNEW THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WHICH THEY DID AND THEN TO STAND UP TO THE SERVICES SO THERE WOULDN'T BE A BREECH IN THE CONTINUITY OF THE OPERATION.

>> WE DID SPEAK WITH THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION IN REGARDS TO AN RFP AND THEY WERE GOING TO START THAT WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BIDDING IT RIGHT NOW. WE WANTED TO RENEW THE CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR TO GIVE US THE ABILITY TO GET THE NEW SERVICES IN PLACE. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON

THAT. >> THANK YOU, DWIGHT.

>> YES, SIR. >> IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER

[03:05:02]

GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

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

NEXT IS ITEM 21 WHICH IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM.

WE DID SPEAK WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND THE INDICATORS CONTINUE TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE SHOULD BE AT ORANGE ANYTIME NOW.

IF IT IS NOT TOMORROW IT SHOULD BE WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS. THE DECREASE HAS SLOWED DOWN.

WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE LIKE MONDAY OR TODAY, BUT NOW IT IS TAKING A COUPLE MORE DAYS. ONE THING PEOPLE HAVE ASKED, WAS IT RED AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? RED IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT RED WAS WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE VACCINES AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TREATMENT.

WE ARE STILL IN A SITUATION WHERE COVID IS JUST AN INCONVENIENCE. THE REASON IS WE HAVE NOW HAD A COVID WAY AND WE ARE IMPACTING THE HEART ATTACKS AND THE STROKES AND THE GALLBLADDER ISSUES AND THEN WE KNOW THAT COVID IS SOMETHING WE CAN JUST LIVE WITH.

SO TO THE EXTEND THEY ARE VACCINATED WE WILL GET THERE SOONER. WHAT RED MEANS NOW IS PEOPLE ARE UNVACCINATED AND PARTICIPATE IN LARGE EVENTS WE ARE VULNERABLE TO ANOTHER WAVE LIKE THE ONE WE JUST GOT OUT OF. WE ARE SENDING THE NURSES BACK OUT. FEBRUARY 19TH WAS THE DAY THE 500 PLUS NURSES ENDED THEIR CONTRACT WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND WE SHOULD BE GOING TO ORANGE VERY SOON.

THAT IS THE LATEST ON THE NURSING STAFF.

AS FAR AS THE RAPID TEST KITS THEY GOT 63 OF THE 68,000 THEY PURCHASED. THEY WILL BE TKREUPBT -- DISTRIBUTING MORE TO THE COMMUNITY.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: TWO QUESTIONS, ONE IS I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED AND WHAT DOES THE NEW

RED MEAN? >> LINA HIDALGO: INITIALLY RED MEANT EVERYBODY STAY HOME. ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, MAYBE MORE THAN THAT, RED IS FOR THE UNVACCINATED TO AVOID ALL GATHERINGS. AND WE DISCUSSED SHOULD THE THREAT LEVEL SYSTEM BE DIFFERENT? THAT'S SOMETHING THE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS AND NUMBERS PEOPLE ARE EVALUATING. RIGHT NOW THE ANSWER IS NOT JUST YET. IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE THERE IS A, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, RED ALERT.

YOU ARE TURNING A NEED AND THAT IS A RED ALERT FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO ASK THE QUESTION AND WE HOPE THERE ISN'T ANOTHER ONE.

THAT'S WHAT I MEAN, COMMISSIONER, CAGLE.

THAT'S NOT THE SITUATION ANYMORE, BUT THE POPULATION THAT IS UNVACCINATED IS ASKED NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN

GATHERINGS. >> SO THE RED ALERT IS FOR THE

UNVACCINATED? >> LINA HIDALGO: I MEAN, EVERYBODY IS ASKED TO WEAR A MASK.

THERE IS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VACCINATED.

YOU CAN READ IT. FOR EACH THREAT LEVEL FOR SELF-MONTHS THERE IS DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN

VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE SECOND QUESTION GOES TO THE EMERGENCY --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE SECOND QUESTION GOES TO THE EMERGENCY POWERS. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY POWERS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOSH, I DON'T REMEMBER.

WE MAY HAVE TO CHECK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I THINK IT WAS THE NURSES. >> I DON'T THINK IT WAS THIS

ROUND. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS THE

RAPID TESTS. >> IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL WEEKS.

THE PROCESS WE HAVE BEEN USING IS AT ANY MOMENT -- AT ANY POINT IN WHICH THE JUDGE'S EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION IS

[03:10:04]

USED WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE WHERE WE DO AN EVALUATION AND WE SUBMIT -- WE WORK WITH PURCHASING AND THEN WHEN IT IS APPROVED IT APPEARS AS A TRANSMITTAL ON THE

COURT'S AGENDA. >> AND THE DECISION WE MADE BACK IN THE DAY AND I THINK IT IS STILL APPROPRIATE IS TO CONTINUE THE PROVISION UNTIL -- AS LONG AS THE GOVERNOR CONTINUES HIS. AND I THOUGHT WE USED IT FOR THE NURSES FOR THE JUVENILE FACILITIES, BUT MAYBE I'M

WRONG. >> WE CAN GO BACK AND CHECK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF WE DIDN'T SIGN IT -- REMEMBER IT WAS A FRIDAY AND I SAID WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY? THEY SAID BETWEEN LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING WE ALREADY LOST 20,000 TESTS. AND SO WE DO THAT EVERY DAY WE WILL HAVE NO TESTS LEFT FOR US.

I REMEMBER THAT NOW. IT WAS TWO MONTHS AGO JUST

ABOUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN A LONG ROAD TO GET TO THIS POINT. I CAN'T SAY THE LAST TIME WE GOT TO ORANGE, AND FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TRULY AROUND THE CLOCK.

I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU. THERE WAS NOT A PLAYBOOK FOR THIS PANDEMIC. THINGS WERE DEALT WITH LIKE TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAKS OR OTHER THINGS OF WHICH THERE WAS A LOT OF CAPACITY FOR. AS YOU TOUCHED ON, WE DID NOT HAVE A VACCINE. WE DID NOT HAVE TESTING YOU AVAILABLE. IT IS AN UNCHARTERED PATH TO DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC. YOU DID IT FABULOUSLY.

I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THERE IS A LOT OF NOISE ABOUT WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN AND WHAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. UNDOUBTEDLY YOU ALONG WITH THE FRONT LINE THEY HAVE CREDIT FOR THE UNKNOWN NUMBER OF LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN SAVED AS A RESULT.

I SAY IT BECAUSE PRECINCT 2 HAS AMONG THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE.

SO WHEN I WORK ON THINGS LIKE THE SMART PODS AND OTHER INITIATIVES I KNOW HOW VULNERABLE THEY ARE.

DURING THE PANDEMIC I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TOLERATING ME.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR -- YOU TOO WERE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK. THANK YOU.

>> LET ME COMMENT TOO, JUDGE. AS WE ARE GOING INTO OUR THIRD YEAR OF BEING IN THE PANDEMIC, I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE SCHOOL LEADERS WHO HAD TO MAKE DECISIONS AND THEY HAD TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND THEY DID.

THEY READ THE JOHN HOPKINS REPORT AND THEY LISTENED TO THE CDC AND THEY LISTENED TO THEIR OWN DOCTORS.

WHETHER IT WAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB NAVIGATING EVERYTHING WHETHER IT WAS COLOR-RELATED OR NOT COLOR-RELATING AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO AND HOSPITAL DO AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD COVID DO AT SOME LEVEL HAVE PROTECTION.

I WOOS TALKING -- I WAS TALKING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT AND KNOWING WHEN TO MAKE DECISIONS RELATED TO MASKS AND WHETHER THEY COULD BE TOGETHER. OUR CONSTITUANTS HAVE DONE AN

AMAZING JOB ON THEIR OWN. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM? NO ACTION ON ITEM 21. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 23.

COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND RAMSEY BOTH FLAGGED ITEM 23.

[03:15:07]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. I AGAIN WANTED TO TOUCH ON THE WORK OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IN THE SAME VEIN HOW OUR MEDICAL STAFF HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND SO HAVE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

OUR PATROLMEN, THERE WERE TIMES THEY COULD FINISH THEIR SHIFT, BUT THEY COULDN'T GET HOME BECAUSE THERE WAS A RISK OF -- THEY HAD TO TAKE PRE -- PRECAUTION.

COMING UP WITH HOTEL SPACE WAS A DISRUPTION TO THEIR DAILY LIVES AND THEIR FAMILY LIVES. THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH THIS HISTORIC PAY RAISE. THIS IS A HISTORIC PAY RAISE.

NEVER HAVE THE DEPUTIES GO THEN A CON -- CONSECUTIVE PAY YEAR AFTER YEAR. TO GET THEM TO A 5% SALARY INCREASE AND THAT IT WOULD ALSO BENEFIT THOSE ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES LIKE OUR DETENTION STAFF IS EXCITING FOR ME.

IT IS EXCITING BECAUSE WHEN I WAS A SHERIFF I ADD SAW INDICATED -- I ADVOCATED FOR A PAY RAISE AND GOT NOTHING.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

THEY REMAIN UNDER A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE.

YOU AND WE WANT TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THEIR FAMILY THAT'S WE ARE THANKING THEM AND WE APPRECIATE THEM.

AND THEY RUN TO THINGS MOST RUN FROM.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: THE COMMENT I HAD RELATED TO THIS ITEM REALLY GETS BACK TO THE DISCUSSION WE HAD IN THE BUDGET.

WHEN WE MADE THE DECISION NOT TO FUND 82% OF WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS ASKING FOR AND I DEFINED LAW ENFORCEMENT AS SHERIFF, D.A., CON -- CONSTABLES AND THE FIRE MARSHAL. THAT WAS NOT GOOD.

TO FOLLOW THAT MISTAKE IT IS BORROWING MONEY THAT WAS MEANT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE TO GIVE PAY RAISES IS A REALLY BAD IDEA.

I CANNOT FOR ONE SUPPORT THE CONCEPT OF BORROWING MONEY TO

GIVE PAY RAISES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT K -- THAT WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY CAME MY WAY, THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND THE REQUESTS THAT CAME IN IT WAS $200 MILLION. WE MADE A DECISION NOT TO DO THAT. I AM PROUD TO SECOND THE MOTION. DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION? PEU WILL SECOND IT -- I WILL

SECOND IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I FLAGGED THIS ITEM AS WELL. WHEN YOU BORROW MONEY TO PAY A SALARY THAT THAT IS A DANGEROUS, SLIPPERY SLOPE.

I HEAR WHAT MY COLLEAGUE SAID ABOUT 200 MILLION, AND I THINK IT IS CLOSER TO A BILLION. IT COULD BE IN THE TAX SPENDER'S POCKET. WE'LL GO WITH 200 MILLION.

WE CAN DO THIS AND FUND THIS AND MAKE THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF WHAT WE AGREED TO DO IN 2018 BY PUTTING IN SOME OF THE NEW EXPANSION. I AM IN FAVOR OF THE RAISE.

I AM IN FAVOR OF THE 82%. BUT I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF BORROWING MONEY TO MAKE A SALARY.

I WILL BE A NO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: TO MAKE A POINT BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT, THIS IS NOT A RESOLUTION.

THIS IS TO GIVE THEM THE MONEY.

I AM PROUD TO SECOND THE MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR OF ITEM 23?

>> LINA HIDALGO: PROUDLY SUPPORTING A 5% INCREASE TO OUR FRONT LINE WORKERS. ITEM 33, COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND GARCIA. THIS IS ABOUT THE ANNUAL

>> NO. >> NO.

[03:20:01]

MEMBERSHIP DUES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW WE HAVE A BROAD ITEM TO DISCUSS AND WE HAVE BEEN IN HERE A LON -- LONGTIME. APPROVE ALL MEMBERSHIP DUES

EXCEPT DUES TO HGAC. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE IT NOW. ITEM 383 IS THE HGAK ITEM AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE FLAGGED THIS ONE AS WELL.

ED 383 IS REGARDING DISPROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION AT THE HGAC IT GOES ALONG WITH ITEM 33.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, I WAS GOING TO ASK I THINK IT IS THE ADMINISTRATOR TO WALK US THROUGH WHAT OPTIONS WE HAVE AND WE DISCUSSED IT QUITE A BIT.

AND IT IS SOMETHING WE AGREE ON.

I CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER INSTANCE WHERE WE ARE WELL OVER HALF OF THE POPULATION, 65.8% OF THE POPULATION IS CONSTITUTED BY HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THEN FOR THE CITY TO GET 1.9% OF THE MONEY WE TALKED ABOUT THE REPRESENTATION ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND I WANT A SENSE FROM IT IS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ON ANY PROGRESS YOU ALL ARE MAKING ON LOOKING AT OPTIONS. I HAVE A MOTION.

WHAT I WILL DO IS MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. IT IS FOR THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES IN THE EQUITABLE WAY THAT REFLECTS THE JURISDICTIONS. I CAN'T THINK OF ANYWHERE ELSE WHERE YOU WOULD HAVE A MORE UNREPRESENTED GOVERNING BOARD AND AND I KNOW IF WE OPTED TO PULL OUT OF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, I THINK THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE TO AGREE TO SET UP AN ALTERNATE ENTITY AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? WOULD THEY STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO DRAW THE MONEY IN? I KNOW YOU ARE STILL LOOKING AT IT, BUT WHAT ARE YOU

FINDING OUT? >> SO THIS PROCESS STARTED AND WE WERE LOOKING AT IT AND THEY RAISED A CONCERN ABOUT THE HGAC MEMBERSHIP AND THE CORRESPONDING MPO.

THE TRANSPORTATION PORTION OF HGAC ABOUT, I GUESS, SIX MONTHS AGO HGAC WENT THROUGH A PROCESS BY WHICH IT WAS GOING TO LOOK AT THE VOTING REPRESENTATION FOR THE RYE -- REGION. THEY SET UP A COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HE TRIED TO LEAD THE ORGANIZATION TO A DIRECTION TO REFORM THEIR BY LAWS.

UNFORTUNATELY THEY DECIDED NOT TO CHANGE THEIR VOTING STRUCTURE. IT EFFECTIVELY REMAINS THE SAME. THE COURT HAS THREE OPTIONS.

ONE WOULD BE UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, IT COULD TAKE A VOTE AND REMOVE ITSELF FROM HGAC.

IT PRESENTS A PROBLEM. AS YOU CORRECTLY STATED, IN ORDER TO CREATE A NEW COG THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON THAT. AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THAT WOULD HAPPEN AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A LARGER EFFORT THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOME ADVOCACY TO DO SO WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. AND THEN EVEN IF THAT WERE TO BE CREATE ETD -- CREATED, THE MECHANISM BY WHICH THE FUNDS FLOW ARE THROUGH THE STATE TO THE COGS.

AND SO WHILE WE WOULD BE -- THERE MAY BE MEMBERS OF GREATER REPRESENTATION THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT WE WOULD GET A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF DOLLARS FROM STATE DOLLARS.

[03:25:05]

THE PROCESS IS CHALLENGING FOR THE COUNTY.

I THINK THE FIRST STEPS IS TO WORK WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE CONCERNS AND WE HAD -- THE CITY OF HOUSTON REACHED OUT AND THEY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE REPRESENTATION OBVIOUSLY, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE WERE LOOKING AT. WE MET WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE AND THE COURT ANALYST OFFICE AND STARTED REVISITING THE PROCESS ON WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE.

IT WAS A DETAILED MEMORANDUM DISCUSSING THE ISSUES AROUND REPRESENTATION. I WISH THERE WERE EASIER ANSWERS AND WE WILL CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD ON THIS, BUT LEAVING THE COG PRESENTS A SET OF PROBLEMS. IN MANY CASES IT IS AS DIFFICULT FOR US AS STAYING IN

THE COG. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE HAVE TWO REPRESENTATIVES ON THE CITY AND TWO ON THE COUNTY ON A BOARD OF 42 OR 43? DO YOU RECALL OFFHAND?

>> I BELIEVE THAT'S RIGHT. KATIE SCHWARTZ FROM THE ANALYST'S OFFICE I BELIEVE IS ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MS. SHORT, ARE YOU THERE? MAYBE SHE IS COMING ON. IT IS FOUR SLOTS.

>> I BELIEVE IT IS 37. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 37 PEOPLE AND FOUR SLOTS ON THE BOARD. WE WERE IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK AND I KNOW I RAN INTO ONE OF OUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES AND I ASKED THEM TO DO RESEARCH ON WHETHER OR NOT IT IS TRIGGERED BY THE CENSUS. THE REPRESENTATION HERE IS MORE EGREGIOUS. YOU SIMPLY LOOK AT AND -- LOOK AT THE MAKE UP OF THE GOVERNING BOARD.

>> I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO LOOK AT IF THERE IS A LITIGATION OPTION. I KNOW JUDGE HIDALGO YOUR PREDECESSOR TALKED ABOUT IT. SOMETHING WENT AWAY.

AND WE ARE GOING AROUND AND AROUND IN CIRCLES WHATEVER WE DO WE NEED TO BE IN LOCK STEP WITH THE CITY.

THE OTHER MOTION WHICH I AM SENDING AROUND, ONE ON 33 AND I MOVE WE APPROVE THE PAYMENTS OF ALL ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES EXCEPT FOR THE DUES TO THE HOUSTON GAL REUS STOPB -- GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL. I WOULD LIKE A SENSE OF HOW FAR THE CITY IS WILLING TO GO.

I HAD INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MAYOR ABOUT IT.

THEY GOT THE ONE -- THE 1.9% IF UH -- IF APPROVED.

AT SOME POINT WE SHOULD MAKE A DECISION THAT WE WILL DO SOMETHING. GOING AROUND AND AROUND, I DON'T VOLUNTEER TO GO TO THE MEETINGS.

I THOUGHT YOU WERE GIVING ME SOMETHING.

AND THEN TO GO TO A AMERICA WITH LITTLE INPUT.

IT HAS TO CHANGE SOMEHOW. IF ALL ELSE FAILS IS THERE A LEGISLATIVE OPTION? AT LEAST WE SHOULD ADVOCATE FOR IT. WHETHER IT IS A LEGAL OPTION AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING THROUGH THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WHERE YOU REVIEW A VERSION AND A REPRESENTATION OF THE BODY AND YOU CAN PULL OUT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED. IF NOT, THEN, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST PASS ANOTHER RESOLUTION AND PUT SOME NICE WORDS IN IT. SEND THAT OVER THERE.

>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR THOSE ITEMS.

>> I WILL SECOND THE MOTION ON 33 AS TO ALL ITEMS THAT ARE

[03:30:05]

THERE AND THEN I WILL MAKE A MOTION AND I WILL HAVE A SECOND TO HUNDRED THE HGAC SO IT IS FUNDED ON SEPARATELY.

>> ON 33, YOUR MOTION ON 33 IS THAT WE APPROVE THE REQUESTED ITEMS ON 33 EBGSZ SEPTEMBER FOR HGAC.

I WILL SECOND THAT AND THEN AFTER THAT I WILL MAKE A MOTION ON THE HGAC ITEM SEPARATE.

YOU MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE EVERYTHING AND I WILL SECOND THAT. WE ARE ALL ON AGREEMENT ON

THAT. >> THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, TO APPROVE ALL OF THE PAYMENTS ON ITEM 33 EXCEPT FOR THE MEMBERSHIP FEE TO HGAC. IS THERE A SECOND?

>> I SECOND THAT. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOUR CONNECTION IS NOT -- CAN YOU HEAR US, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? I AM GOING TO CALL HIM.

HI, COMMISSIONER. CAN YOU PUT YOURSELF ON MUTE ON THE COMPUTER AND I WILL PUT YOU OVER HERE ON THE PHONE.

>> I GOT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE VOTING ON THE MEMBERSHIP, ALL OF THE FEES EXCEPT HGAC.

ELLIS MADE THE MOTION AND CAGLE HAD THE SECOND.

ARE YOU IN FAVOR? >> TOM RAMSEY: THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD, WHAT IS THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES ABOUT

PAYING DUES? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVEN'T DETERMINED THE FATE OF THE HGAC.

>> TOM RAMSEY: GOT IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE CONSEQUENCES ARE YOU HAVE TO GO TO ALL OF THE MEETINGS.

LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON ALL OF THE AGENCIES AND ALL OF THE FEES AND THE DUES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HGAC.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I.

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

IS THERE A MOTION TO PAY THE FEES FOR HGAC?

>> I MOVE WE PAY THE FEES FOR HGAC.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT ARE THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF NOT

PAYING THE FEES? >> I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DON'T PAY OUR FEES IN TERMS OF POSITIONS.

DO WE LOSE OUR ROLES ON THE BOARD? NOW THEY WILL DO EVERYTHING WITHOUT US BEING IN THE ROOM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT?

>> GIVE ME A MOMENT AND I CAN ANSWER THAT.

WE -- I CAN GIVE YOU THE EXACT RAMIFICATIONS, BUT WE HAVE A

FEW MONTHS TIME. >> SO IF WE DON'T PAY IT TODAY THERE IS NO CONSEQUENCE, BUT AT SOME POINT THERE IS A

CONSEQUENCE? >> CORRECT.

>> IF YOU WANT TO ROLL OVER AND SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR NO MONEY, VOTE TO PAY THE DUES NOW?

>> THE STORY IS AWESOME WHERE YOU CONVINCED PEOPLE OUT OF THE GREAT ARGUMENT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND YOU DID. IF WE SAY THERE IS NO WAY WE WILL CONVINCE ALL OF THESE AREA FOLKS TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE WITH US I AM NOT THERE YET.

>> JUDGE? >> AND I WOULD LIKE TO GO OFF OF THAT COMMENT MY COLLEAGUE MADE OVER THERE.

I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THEM. I THINK THIS IS A BAD DECISION ON THEIR PART OF NOT ALLOCATING WHAT SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO US. DO WE PICK UP OUR MARBLES AND GO AWAY OR TRY TO WORK WITH THEM.

I DON'T APPROVE WITH WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE GLO.

I AM A FAN OF DIRECT ALLOCATIONS.

[03:35:01]

>> JUST TO MAKE MY CASE TO VOTE AGAINST, YOUR MOTION WOULD BE THE DEADLINE IS JUNE. I WAS TOLD THEY WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY PAY THE DUES. FROM MY STANDPOINT, IF YOU WANT TO SHOW THAT YOU WANT SOME DIALOGUE AND YOU WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE I PULLED IT OFF THE AGENDA WHEN IT CAME UP LAST YEAR. I THINK WE PAID IT A MONTH LATER. FROM MY STANDPOINT I WILL JUST VOTE NO ON PAYING IT NOW AND CROSS THE BRIDGE BEFORE THE

JUNE DEADLINE. >> IF ANY MEMBER IS SIX MONTHS IN UH REARS, THEN THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD MAY DECIDE TO SUSPEND VOTING PRIVILEGES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE GET A COMMITMENT FROM YOU GUYS TO BRING THE DUES ITEM BACK BEFORE WE ARE IN ANY SORT OF UH REARS OR ANY TYPE OF ISSUE FOR THE COUNTY?

>> WE CAN DO THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY ASK OF THE BUDGET OFFICE IS TO LOOK AT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

I AM NOT OPPOSED TO HGAC, BUT I FEEL THE CAL -- CALCULATION IS OFF. AND IT IS THE VOICE WE HAVE AND DON'T HAVE AND MY ASK IS TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO

NEGOTIATE OUR DUES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ARE YOU BACK ON THE COMPUTER? WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE COMPOSITION BOARD OR THE COMMITTEE. AND IT IS THE WAY -- IT IS THE FACT THAT I MADE A MOTION GIVEN THAT HUD HAD DISUH -- DISAPPROVED STKPW-RBGS L -- GLO'S PLAN.

AND IT WAS UNTIL HUD AND GLO GOT TOGETHER AND WE KNOW WHERE THAT ENDED UP. AND THE COMPETITION BOARD WAS AIMING TO ACHIEVE AND THAT WAS A MORE REFLECTIVE REPRESENTATION FOR OUR AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE DUES ARE CALCULATED. IT WAS A SIMPLE 4% FOR RESIDENTS. I THINK IT IS FURTHER MAKING MY CASE THAT SINCE WE DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER OF SEATS AT THE BOARD AND WE ARE PAYING A POTENTIALLY DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF DUES IN REGARDS TO OUR VOTING PRESENCE AND I WOULD SIMPLY ASK THE -- I AM NOT OPPOSED TO PAYING THE DUES. WE HAVE LOOKED AT AND UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF GETTING OUT. I JUST WANT TO TRY TO FIND AN

EQUITY IN TERMS OF OUR DUES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT YOU WILL BE THE CHAIR.

AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PAYING THE DUES MYSELF. WE NEED TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT IT AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN. WHEN IT CAME UP BEFORE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WHICH EVER HURRICANE IT WAS AND THEN AND UNDER THE ROTATION IT WAS PROBABLY TIME AND SO HE BECAME THE CHAIR IT WENT AWAY. THE ISSUE OF TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION IS BIGGER THAN THAT.

WHAT ARE THE DUES? 240?

>> 190,000. >> RODNEY ELLIS: $190,000 A YEAR? THAT'S NOT THE REAL ISSUE.

IT IS 9 MILLION. THEY WILL HAVE FEDERAL FUND MITIGATION ABATEMENT AND NOTHING FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

[03:40:03]

IT INCLUDES THE OTHER CITIES. >> WHETHER IT IS THE LEGAL ROUTE AND IF THERE IS SOME CHALLENGE THROUGH THE SENSES OR AT LEAST MAKING THE -- I WOULD SAY IF YOU BECOME CHAIR AND I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE WITH ME.

I TAKE THE SAME POSITION IF I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

IF IT IS THE MOST EGREGIOUS TPAORPL OF REPRESENTATION -- FORM OF REPRESENTATION OR LACK OF REPRESENTATION IN THE COUNTRY, I JUST WANT US TO PURSUE THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO KEEP BEATING A DEAD HORSE SO TO SPEAK.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE OR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IF YOU HAVE A WAY OF PERSUADING THEM, PLEASE, GET AFTER IT.

I THOUGHT THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU ARE THE CHARGE OF AND FOR THE MAYOR TO GO OVER THERE AND MAKE THE CASE AND THEY DON'T GET FUNDING THEN WE HAVE TO PICK UP -- WE WILL STILL GET

THE HEAT ON US FOR THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THE CITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY VOTED WITH ME TO DELAY THE GLO

FUND. >> IF IT IS DELAYED UNTIL JUNE, AND I AM NOT EVEN SAYING THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHEN YOUR TERM BEGINS.

HE MAY CHANGE HIS MIND. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON WOULD DO, BUT THIS IS A SMALL THING TO JUST DELAY IT. I AM NOT SAYING PICK UP YOUR MAR -- MARBLES AND GO HOME. PUT THEM IN THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION STRATEGY. OR IF NOT, SOMEBODY WILL BE IN THESE SEATS HAVING THIS DISCUSSION WHEN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY IS 80% OF THE POPULATION INSTEAD OF WHERE IT

IS NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I DO THINK WE NEED A PLAN. I THINK I SAID A FEW MONTHS BACK THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE AGENCY IN TEXAS THAT IS MORE DYSFUNCTIONAL THAN THE GLO AND THAT IS HG ARC C.

I STILL THINK I HAVE WORKED WITH THEM FOR DECADES.

THEY ARE DYSFUNCTIONAL. IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN AND IT DOESN'T START WITH NOT PAYING THE DUES. IT STARTS WITH PUTTING SOMETHING ON PAPER THAT WILL DEFINE HOW WE ADDRESS OUR ISSUES AND A SOLUTION OR TWO PUT OUT THERE.

I THINK I HEARD COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAY GET A PLAN TOGETHER

AND THEN EXECUTE THE PLAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: TOM, THE SECOND MOTION -- IF YOU SECOND THIS ONE I WILL VOTE AGAINST IT. THAT WAS -- THE SECOND MOTION

IF I MIGHT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SEND IT AROUND AND IT MAY NOT GET TO YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WHERE YOU ARE, I WILL DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO EXPLORE OPTIONS TO MAKE SURE HGAC IS DISTRIBUTED TO STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES IN AN EQUITABLE WAY THAT REFLECTS THE NEEDS OF THE JURISDICTION. THAT IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING ON THE BOARD. TALK TO THE MAYOR.

TALK TO THE CITY. IF YOU WANT TO ADD TO IT, I WANT TO MOVE THE BALL AND PUT IT ON SOMEBODY INDIVIDUALLY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL SECOND THAT AND THERE ARE OTHERS IN THE REGION THAT ARE IN HGAC. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO THINKS THAT ABOUT HG ARC C. HGAC.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU CATCH THAT, JAMES?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSION -- MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED -- YES?

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IN THIS YOU USE THE WORD EQUITABLE AND EQUITABLE IS A TERM THAT MEANS ANOTHER SUBSET OF ISSUES. WOULD YOU MIND CHANGING THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHOULD WE

READ IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO EXPLORE OPTIONS TO MAKE SURE HGAC DISTRIBUTES FEDERAL RESOURCES IN A FAIRWAY THAT REFLECTS THE NEEDS AND THE POPULATIONS OF ITS JURISDICTION.

>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY

[03:45:01]

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GO BACK TO 35 -- WE ARE NOT READY FOR IT, DAVE?

>> DID WE VOTE ON 33. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 33 AND 383

WE DID 383. 389 IS -- 389 WE HAVE DEALT WITH. IF -- IT WAS DURING THE

RESOLUTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES.

OKAY. >> I AM READY ON ITEM 18.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GO TO ITEM 18.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A QUESTION.

>> YES AND THIS 250,000 IS WREPLED TO COME OUT OF THE REGULAR PIC FUND. THE REASON IS WE BELIEVE THERE IS A GOOD CASE FOR FEMA REIMBURSEMENT AND WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING THOSE EXPENSES IN THE PIC FUND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT BRINGS THE REGULAR PIC FUND TO WHAT

AMOUNT? >> THE CURRENT BALANCE IS ABOUT 36 MILLION AND THEN THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION THAT'S WILL TAKE IT DOWN FURTHER.

I WILL SAY THIS THOUGH, FOR THE PORTION NOT REIMBURSED IT WILL MOVE THE EXPENSE FROM THE PIC TO THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FEMA-RELATED EXPENSES AND THEY WILL END UP IN THAT RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND IF THEY ARE NOT REIMBURSED BY FEMA.

>> AND REFRESH MY MEMORY. I DON'T HAVE IT AT MY FINGERTIPS. HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKING

ABOUT? >> $250,000.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY. PURSUE THAT REIMBURSEMENT, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- YES,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK WE MAY HAVE AN ITEM ON THIS LATER, BUT I WANT TO CHECK ON WHERE WE ARE AT WITH GETTING OUR REIMBURSMENTS.

>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

IS THERE AN ITEM ON 18? >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 37, RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS FOR HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE EMPLOYEES.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAD TWO MOTIONS TO GO WITH THIS. WE CIRCULATED THEM THIS MORNING. I THINK LYNNWOOD MA -- MAROE TALKED ABOUT IT. ONE IS TO EXTEND THE DATE FROM MARCH TO MAY TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR THE TRANSITION.

THE SECOND ONE THAT HAS BEEN CIRCULATED.

I THINK IT IS TPAEL GOOD -- FEEL GOOD LANGUAGE.

THE IDEA IS THEY WANT THE EXTRA COMFORT THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO TREAT THEM DIFFERENTLY THAN WE TREAT

EVERYBODY ELSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS GOING TO ASK SHANE AND WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF THIS MOTION AND ARE

THERE CONCERNS ABOUT IT? >> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM

DR. PORSA ON THAT. >> I WILL GO FIRST.

SHANE AND I REVIEWED. THERE IS NO CONCERN WITH THE MOTION AS WRITTEN. ONE THING I WANTED TO STRESS AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS LISTENING IS THAT THE PLAN IS FOR HARRIS HEALTH TO TAKE OVER ON MARCH 1ST.

WE WOULD BE GIVING AN EXTRA TWO MONTHS IF THEY WERE WEIGHING OPTIONS. THE TRANSITION OCCURS ON MARCH 1ST WHICH MEANS FOLKS NOW WORKING FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE NEEDS TO FIND A POSITION AT HARRIS HEALTH.

IF THE COURT WANTS TO GIVE A COUPLE EXTRA MONTHS FOR THOSE WHO ARE AT THE FENCE TO ACCEPT A POSITION, NO EXCEPTIONS

THERE. >> WHAT WOULD HAPPEN BETWEEN MARCH 1ST AND MAY 1ST?

>> IF A HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE WAS STILL WEIGHING WHETHER TO GO OVER OR NOT AND STAYING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THEY COULD HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME.

THEIR JOB IS NOT GUARANTEED FOR THEM STARTING MARCH 1ST. HARRIS HEALTH HAS TO RUN SKWRAE KWROE MEDICAL. NO OBJECTIONS TO THE RETIREE HEALTH CARE -BGS -- HEALTH CARE, BUT I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO BE CONFUSED. THAT IS HAPPENING ON MARCH 1ST. THAT'S WHAT THE COURT

[03:50:01]

APPROVED. >> THE JOB MAY GO AWAY.

IT MAY NOT BE ANYTHING TO APPLY FOR.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT CONFUSED.

>> YOU PUT IT MORE DIRECTLY THAN I DID.

>> HAVE I BEEN KNOWN TO DO THAT -- I HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO DO THAT. I'M SURE IT IS NOT YOUR INTENT USING WORDS TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE WE ARE DOING SOMETHING

WHEN WE ARE NOT. >> THESE TWO MOTIONS WERE GIVEN TO ME BY LYNNWOOD. THESE WERE HIS PROPOSALS TO MAKE IT A SMOOTHER TRANSITION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THEY RECOGNIZE THEY LOST THE VOTE LAST COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THIS IS TO MAKE THE TRANSITION

SMOOTHER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD SUPPORT THE ITEM, BUT I HAVE TO HEAR FROM DR. PORSA.

I DON'T WANT TO TALK PAST HIM. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?

>> YES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I BELIEVE THE PERSON WHO PROPOSED THESE TWO COMMENTS IT IS ANYTHING BUT.

IT WOULD ABSOLUTELY MAKE THE TRANSITION MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

AS OF MARCH 1 THERE IS ONE GROUP OF EMPLOYEES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DELIVERING THE MEDICAL CARE.

THAT IS HARRIS HEALTH EMPLOYEES.

IF THEY WANT TO GIVE A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE RETIREMENT PLAN I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THAT.

TO SAY THAT SOMEHOW THE EMPLOYMENT STATUS IS GO GOING TO MOVE FROM MARCH 1 TO MAY 1, THAT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DETRIMENTAL. 13 EMPLOYEES AT THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE MEDICAL DIVISION HAS NOT APPLIED FOR THE POSITION WITH HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

THEY HAVE APPLIED AND HAVE AN OFFER PENDING.

IT MAKES FOR INTUITIVE SENSE FOR ME AND --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DR. PORSA CAN I JUMP IN? THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE TRANSFER DATE.

IT HAS TO DO WITH THE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR ELECTIONS. THA*SZ WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS -- THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS MOTION TO DO.

>> IN TERMS OF WHAT, COMMISSIONER?

SKWRAOBG -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: IN TERMS OF DECIDING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

I COULD BE MISUNDERSTANDING THE MOTION.

I KNOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO REARGUE THE ORIGINAL MOTION, BUT THEY RECOGNIZE THAT DID NOT OCCUR AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO BUY SOME TIME FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, CAN I ASK DR. PORSA AND HIS TEAM TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

LOOK AT THIS EYE TPEPL -- THIS ITEM AND SEE IF THERE IS WORK POLT HREURBING -- WORK POLISHING THAT CAN BE DONE THAT DOESN'T GIVE DR. PORSA HEARTBURN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HE MAY NOT HAVE SEEN IT.

>> I HAVE SEEN IT AND I HAVE SEEN THE LANGUAGE.

AS LONG AS THE ISSUE IS FOLKS DECIDING WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH REGARD TO THE RETIREMENT, THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM.

>> THAT'S CLEAR. THE POINT IS IT DOESN'T READ THAT WAY ON HIS FACE. IF YOU CAN JUST TINKER WITH

IT. >> IF YOUR TEAM WRITES UP THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU WOULD SUGGEST AND IF HE WANTS TO PRESENT IT, I WOULD ASK WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

>> WE CAN -- WE CAN GIVE DR. PORSA THE JOB TO WORK ON THIS, I WOULD ASK THAT WE DELAY THIS UNTIL AFTER WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND GIVE DR. PORSA TIME TO WORK ON IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAKE IT THE LAST ITEM AND FIGURE OUT THE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES. I'M ALREADY -- I'M ALL RIGHT,

[03:55:03]

BUT IF THERE ARE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES WE WOULD WANT TO

KNOW BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT. >> I CAN ANSWER THAT NOW.

THERE IS EFFECTIVELY AN END DATE WHERE TO KEEP PARTICIPATION THEY WOULD HAVE TO ACCEPT HARRIS HEALTH.

EXTENDING THAT I DON'T SEE A CHANGE.

TO -- FOR NOSE WOULD HAVE BEEN -- AUTHORIZE -- FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE 10 YEARS, THE COST TO THE COUNTY WOULD BE $150,000. THAT WOULD RISE TO A MILLION DOLLARS PRESUMABLY EVERYONE STAYS.

THAT'S THE RANGE OF FINANCIAL IMPACT.

COULD HAVE BEEN LESS IF WE WENT WITH FIVE YEARS, BUT OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO GO WITH 10.

IT IS FAIR FOR FOLKS. >> THE MILLION IS FOR PARAGRAPH OR ITEM 9, RIGHT? JUST HOW -- JUST NOW WE WERE DISCUSSING SECTION 5, CORRECT?

>> YES. >> AND I DON'T THINK IT HAS A FISCAL IMPACT. IT IS ABOUT THE TRANSITION.

>> I THINK WE ALL FIGURED THAT THE INVESTING WILL COST SOME MONEY. COULD YOU RUN DOWN AS WELL THE QUESTION THAT SIM THEE YAW COLE ASKED WHETHER THERE COULD BY A POINT OF CONTACT? IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THAT? IT IS SOMEONE TO FACILITATE THE TRANSITION. SORT OF LIKE A LIAISON AND ASSIGNED TO THEM AS A LIAISON.

>> AND OBJECT SKWRUSLY -- OBVIOUSLY THE BEST THING IS TO HAVE SKPHUPB -- SOMEONE FROM MY OFFICE TO CALL OVER.

IF IT IS THE TRANSITION WE CAN WORK --

>> YEAH. RUN IT THROUGH WITH DR. PORSA AND KEY -- WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT.

>> WE WILL BE BACK AT THE END OF THE DAYS WITH ANY TWEAKS.

>> THAT WAS ITEM -- >> 37.

>> NEXT IS 54. MERCER PARK BOTANIC GARDENS.

KPHEUGTSER CAGLE -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT THIS IS A PRECINCT 4 ITEM INVOLVING A PARK BETWEEN PRECINCT 1 AND 3. NONE OF WHICH IS IN THE NEW PRECINCT 4. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED OUT AND CONTINUE TO BE WORKED OUT. I JUST BLESS THE TWO OF YOU AND WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD THAT WHATEVER THIS ITEM IS, IT IS NO LONGER IN THE NEW FORM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS A

BEAUTIFUL PARK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I PLAN ON PASSING A RESOLUTION FOR THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS YOU HAVE

DONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A

MOTION ON 54? >> SO MOVED.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> I WILL LET THE TWO OF THEM

MOTION IT AND SECOND IT. >> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 158 IS ABOUT THE C WORK R-RBG E -- THE CORE PROGRAM.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST WANT TO SAY THEY ARE DOING GREAT WORK. WE WANT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO WITH CORE, PARTICULARLY AS WE LOOK AT ISSUES RELATED TO CRIME. IT IS TO HIGHLIGHT THE GOOD JOB WE ARE DOING AT CORE AND HOW WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO FIND IT. JUST A SHOUTOUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 158. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOVED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES

UNANIMOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE TAKE A BREAK?

>> IT IS 3:35 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. I THINK WE WERE ON 170.

IS THAT RIGHT? >> CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE

[04:00:03]

RECOMMENDATION? >> THERE ARE TWO REQUESTS HERE. ONE IS FOR $245,000 OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

THIS IS TO COVER THE FINAL PAYROLL IN PHYSICIAN RAL YEAR -- FISCAL YEAR 22 AND THEN THEY EXTENDED THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT ITEM AND WOULD RECOMMEND IT.

THE NEXT IS TO REVISIT THE SHORT BUDGET AND ADD MORE STAFF TO THE INTAKE DIVISION. OUR RECOMMENDATION IS NOT TO APPROVE THAT ITEM. SINCE IT JUST PASSED, WE'LL

STICK WITH THAT. >> AND THEN YOU WORK WITH THAT OFFICE OBVIOUSLY. I KNOW THEY ARE WORKING WITH PFM TO MAKE SOME SKEUGSS DOWN THE ROAD -- SOME DECISIONS DOWN THE ROAD BASED ON WHAT WE FIND OUT.

JUDGE, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $245,000 TO COVER THE FINAL FISCAL YEAR 22 PAYROLL AND NEGATIVE BALANCE FOR 22 TEMPORARILY FUNDED INTAKE POSITIONS. I THINK I SENT IT OVER, DIDN'T

I? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS WRITTEN. IT IS WRITTEN FOR THE FIRST

PART OF THE MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, TO APPROVE $245,000 TO COVER THE PAYROLL NEGATIVE BALANCE FOR 22 TPEPL POUR RAERL -- TEMPORARILY FUNDED POSITIONS.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHAT IS YOUR VOTE?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. MOVING ON TO PAGE 22 -- EXCUSE ME TO ITEM 221 ON PAGE 26. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I KNOW THIS IS AN ITEM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO START ON MARCH 1ST, BUT HOPING WE CAN HOLD IT.

SINCE THIS PROGRAM HAS BEGUN WE DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION A -- ON WHAT IT HAS DONE. WE TRIED TO WORK IT UP ON THE WEBSITE AND SINCE WE NOTICED IT GOT ON THE AGENDA, THE WEBSITE FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED ARE NOT UPDATED AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET ON. STILL HAS THE MAPS ON IT.

WE HAVE SOMEBODY ON THE COMMITTEE AND SO I WOULD REALLY LIKE A CHANCE TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT TO HAVE SOME DATA BEFORE WE VOTE TO RENEW FOR ANOTHER

YEAR. >> AND THIS IS COMING OUT OF CSD. I WANT TO KNOW THE IMPACT OF IT. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF EXCITEMENT WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE

-- >> SEEMED LIKE A GREAT PROGRAM. WE JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY

DATA ON IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT PEOPLE ON THE LAMB AND EXPECTING IT.

DR. HOLLOWAY, CAN YOU GIVE US SOME REACTION?

YOU MIGHT BE MUTED THERE. >> THE AMENDMENT WE ARE REQUESTING TO VENDORS AND THERE WERE SIX TOTAL VENDORS.

TWO HAD YET TO EXTEND THE BALANCE OF THEIR FUNDS.

SO EXTENDING THE TERM OF THEIR CONTRACT AND NOT ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THEIR BUDGET.

ONE OF THE VENDORS WILL BE EXTENDING IT.

THEY CAN LOCATE THEIR SHOP AND THEY CAN PROVIDE FRESH FRUIT AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. I AM WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AND SMALL SPACES HAVE PROVIDED AN ALTERNATIVE LOCATION.

THE AMOUNT WE ARE ASKING FOR TO APPROVE IS THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT THAT IS ALLOCATED TO HIM.

THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO START.

ALL OF THE OTHER VENDORS ARE EXPECTED TO DEPLETE WHAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED. AND WE ARE GOING TO EVALUATE ALL OF THE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE TO EVALUATE THEM SOMEWHAT UNIQUELY BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE HEALTHY FOOD AND FINANCING DIFFERENTLY BEFORE WE RECOMMEND ANY ROUND TWO LEVELS OF FUNDING. THIS ISN'T A NEW ALLOCATION.

[04:05:02]

IT IS THEIR EXISTING ALLOCATION.

>> SO IF IT IS NOT EXPENDED YET THERE IS NO TIME SENSITIVITY OF WAITING A FEW WEEKS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LOOK, KWR*RPBG -- I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I THINK THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WAS INITIATED AND THEN ASKED THE DEPARTMENT WHAT MAKES SENSE.

WHEN I TALKED TO DR. HOLLOWAY ABOUT IT YESTERDAY, I DID SAY IF I -- IF THE WAY IT WAS CON FIGURED DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, RECONFIGURE IT. WE KNOW THERE ARE FOOD DESERTS IN LARGE PARTS OF THE COUNTY. THERE AND A -- THERE IS A NEED FOR IT. IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

I WOULD HATE TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE WE TOLD SOMEONE THEY ADD CONTRACT AND VOTED TO GIVE IT TO THEM.

SOUNDS LIKE SOME OF THE DELAYS THERE WAS ISSUES WITH GETTING SPACE I THINK FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT THEM AT A DISADVANTAGE.

I HAVE NOT EPT K -- KEPT UP WITH IT.

IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH DELAYING THEM FOR TWO WEEKS? I DON'T WANT FOLKS OUT THERE ANTICIPATING IT AND WE ARE HOLDING IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND IT CREATES PROBLEMS.

>> IS IT POSSIBLE TO EXTEND IT ONE MONTH WITHOUT EX -- EXPENDITURES BECAUSE IT ENDS FEBRUARY 28TH OF THIS YEAR. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT IT UNTIL THE NEXT MONTH, YOU CAN EXTEND IT FOR ONE

MONTH -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM NOT TRYING TO LOOK AT IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE FROM DR. HOLLOWAY, ARE THERE ANY UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: EXTEND IT FOR A MONTH AND LOOK AT IT AND

THEN COME BACK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT WORKS. I WOULD HATE FOR US TO DELAY IT AND THEN FIND OUT LATER THAT SOMEBODY HAD A PROBLEM GETTING STARTED AND WON'T GET STARTED BECAUSE IT WAS EXTENDED FOR A MONTH. DR. HOLLOWAY, YOU ARE THERE

FOR IT AND NOT US. >> THERE ARE TWO PROGRAMS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. THE LITTLE RED BOX HAS STARTED. THEY JUST HAD A LATER START.

THEY ARE EXTENDING FUNDS. IT IS A MATTER OF EXTENDING THE CONTRACT. SMALL SPACES -- THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A HOUSE WITH A LITTLE RED BOX?

>> IT IS ON GOING. >> WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS -- WHAT I GET, COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS YOUR POINT ON EVALUATING BEFORE WE RENEW IT.

HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A RENEWAL.

IT IS SIMPLY FINISHING THEIR INITIAL SCOPE OF WORK, RIGHT?

>> IF AND WHEN YOU RECOMMEND A RENEWAL YOU WILL BRING BACK THE EVALUATION, BUT THERE WAS 100,000 FROM A -- FROM THEIR ALLOCATION AND THEY NEED HOW MUCH MORE TIME TO FINISH THE SPEND SO THEY CAN FINISH THE PROGRAM SO WE CAN EVALUATE IT AND DECIDE WHETHER TO RENEW IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IT WAS A PILOT PROGRAM.

I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE IT RESPECTIVELY.

IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS A 2-YEAR-OLD WEBSITE THAT DOESN'T WORK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TIMELINE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DO THAT INSTEAD OF THE ONE-MONTH THING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST WORRIED, COMMISSIONER THAT WITH LITTLE RED BOX, IF THEY MADE COMMITMENTS TO DO THIS, THESE ARE START UPS. I GUESS I SHOULDN'T TELL THEM I DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE. MAYBE I SAW IT ON THE AGENDA.

LITTLE RED BOXES IN MY HEAD. I CALL IT A LITTLE RED HOUSE A MINUTE AGO. I KNOW THEY ARE START UPS.

IT WAS A PILOT PROGRAM. AND WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING IN THE HEALTHY FINANCING SPACE. IT IS A MILLION DOLLARS FOR

THE WHOLE PROGRAM? >> IT IS A LITTLE OVER $500,000 THAT WAS IDENTIFIED FOR THIS FIRST ROUND.

>> THERE IS A MILLION AND A HALF OUT THERE WE NEVER GOT AROUND TO. MAKE SURE THE METRICS ON THAT, BUT I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD. THAT'S WHY I AM TRYING TO MOVE

FORWARD WITH IT. >> I GUESS YOUR OFFICE IS CHARGED WITH THE EVALUATION OF THE PILOT?

>> WE WILL CONDUCT THE EVALUATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT WAS DONE BY COMMITTEE. WE ASK THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT ASSISTED IN THE GUIDELINES FOR THIS INITIATIVE

TO BE PART OF THE EVALUATION. >> EXCUSE ME.

SKAUS ME. EXCUSE ME.

[04:10:04]

SOMEONE WAS DISRUPTING THE COURT.

GO AHEAD. >> I'M SORRY.

IT WAS FORMED TO DEVELOP THE GUIDELINES AND THE DIFFERENT STAFF THAT COMPRISED THE COMMITTEE.

YOU WOULD ASK THEM TO BE PART OF THE ANALYSIS AS WELL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS A PILOT AND WE WILL BEGIN AN EVALUATION I AM HAPPY TO SECOND IT.

RO* -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IT STARTED BEFORE YOU GOT THERE SO YOU INHERITED THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION? THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM GOING TO BE A NO.

IT IS NOT THAT I AM AGAINST THE PROGRAM.

I JUST LIKE HAVING MY DATA. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 4-1.

>> AS PRESENTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

ITEM 277. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SAFE

BOATS. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS LIKE THE LITTLE RED HOUSE COMMISSIONER WAS TALKING ABOUT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THIS 277? >> TOM RAMSEY: 277.

I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY SAFE BOATS INTERNATIONAL IS A SOLE

SOURCE. >> ACTUALLY SAFE BOATS THE COMPANY -- SAFE BOATS HAD A PROCURE MEANT TO BUY THE -- PROCUREMENT TO BUY THE BOATS. WE ARE ASKING FOR THE REPAIR PARTS AND THE WARRANTY SO THAT NO OTHER MANUFACTURER CAN WORK ON THE BOATS. THIS IS A REQUEST AND AN EXEMPTION TO BUY THE PARTS AND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO BE USED BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT TO MOVE IT?

>> TOM RAMSEY: MOVE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

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

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

YOU CAN'T BE IN HERE HARASSING MY STAFF.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO SIT HERE YOU ARE WELCOME TO BE IN COURT, BUT YOU CAN'T BE HERE HARASSING THE STAFF.

I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO RESPOND.

I AM SAYING THIS ENTIRE -- BE QUIET.

THIS ENTIRE COURT JUST WATCHED THIS WOMAN WALK OVER AND HARASS SOMEBODY. I DID NOT ASK YOU TO SPEAK.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO SIT THERE QUIETLY YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY. ARE YOU GOING TO SIT THERE AND NOT HARASS MY TEAM? THANK YOU.

WE ALL WATCHED MY STAFF MEMBER ASK YOU TO STOP AND WE WATCHED YOU CONTINUE UNTIL THE DEPUTY HAD TO ESCORT YOU OUT.

DID WE ALL WATCH THIS OR DID WE NOT? DID YOU SEE THAT? EVERYBODY IS NODDING.

SHE STOOD THERE AND SHE WAS ASKED TO STOP AND A DEPUTY HAD TO ESCORT HER OUT AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT WATCHED THAT HAPPEN THAT ARE NODDING THEIR HEADS.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SIT THERE QUIETLY, BUT I WANT EVERYBODY FOR THE RECORD TO RECOGNIZE WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

WE'LL CONTINUE. 327.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: 327 IS ONE I NEEDED TO GET AHOLD OF BEFOREHAND. I THINK MY CONCERN IS I READ THIS CHRONICLE ARTICLE ABOUT THIS TASK FORCE.

THE TASK FORCE IS A JOINT TASK FORCE BETWEEN -- ACCORDING TO THE CHRONICLE ARTICLE, THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON IT.

I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS A COUNTY TASK FORCE OR A PRECINCT 2 TASK FORCE AND WHAT THE BINDING EFFECT IF ANYTHING IS ON THE COUNTY. I PUT THIS ON IN A LITTLE BIT OF A RUSH TO GET IT ON HERE. ARE WE UNDER ANY OBLIGATION UNDER THIS TASK FORCE? DOES IT EXPAND OUR RESPONSIBILITY? I COMMEND COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO GET OUT THERE AND I AM NOT TRYING TO CURTAIL ANY COURT FROM BEING INVOLVED. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE SURE IT BINDS THE REST OF US. WE DIDN'T ADOPT OR DO THIS TASK FORCE. JAY, THIS IS YOU OR CHRISTIAN

[04:15:03]

TO TELL US WHAT THE STATUS IS.

>> I THINK JONATHON IS ON. >> I AM ON COMMISSIONER.

OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND NOTHING THEY WOULD DO WOULD BIND THE COUNTY WITHOUT IT COMING BACK TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR A VOTE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AS I RECALL THIS, I THINK I SECONDED THE MOTION. I KNOW THE MAYOR CALLED ME ABOUT IT AND THE POLICE CHIEF CALLED ME ABOUT IT.

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A CITY/COUNTY TASK FORCE OF

STAKEHOLDERS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DID WE VOTE

ON THIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE VOTED ON

IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU SURE? I DON'T REMEMBER VOTING ON

THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE VOTED ON THIS. AND IT WAS TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND ANY RELEVANT DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIFY STAKEHOLDERS TO LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES GOING FORWARD. WE VOTED ON IT.

I JUST HAPPEN TO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.

I AM INVOLVED AND YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO BE INVOLVED.

WE DID VOTE ON THIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COULD YOU GET ME THE VOTING HISTORY ON THAT?

>> SURE. WE CAN GET THAT MOTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS RESPONDING TO THE CHRONICLE

ARTICLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT HERE WHEN WE VOTED ON THIS AND TRY -- WHICH I

REMEMBER THE DATE ON IT. >> NOVEMBER 15TH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT P WAS A UNANIMOUS -- IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE. JONATHON?

>> IT WAS NOVEMBER 15TH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THAT WITH THE FOUR OF US AND AN ABSTENTION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. IT WAS UNANIMOUS VOTE.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE TRANSCRIPT.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

DISCUSSION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ARE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WE NEED TO DO AND WE ARE NOT BOUND BY SOMETHING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS ALL ADVISORY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON 327.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE, 328. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON THE LAST ONE I WILL MAKE THE COMMENT THAT WE DID ASK THE FIRE PHA*R SAL'S OFFICE -- FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE THEY SENT A 10-STEP FLIER THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD DEAL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT 328? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO.

IT IS THE LAST ONE. WHEN WE ASK WHAT THEIR OFFICE IS DOING AND I KNOW THE FIRE MARSHAL PRACTICES WHEN SOMEBODY ASKS A QUESTION THEY SEND 2 TO EVERYBODY AND THEY SENT AS YOU 10-STEP FLIER WHICH I THOUGHT WAS PRETTY COOL. GOOD JOB, FIRE MARSHAL.

WE ARE NOW ON -- >> LINA HIDALGO: 328 AND THAT

IS THE COST SAVINGS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE HAVE COUNSELOR ROBINSON? WOULD YOU FLIP TO PAGE 7 OF YOUR REPORT? SHE PUT TOGETHER A REPORT FOR US AND I APPRECIATE IT, BUT IF YOU GO TO PAGE 7 --

>> SIR, FOR TODAY'S PURPOSES I ACTUALLY PREPARED -- I GAVE YOU THE FULL REPORT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT I PAIRED IT DOWN TO THREE SLIDES. AND SO I DON'T BELIEVE -- MAYBE WE DO. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU CAN GO TO THE LAST SLIDE.

THIS SLIDE, SIR? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO.

THE ONE I AM LOOKING AT SAYS THE SUMMARY.

>> OH, THE SUMMARY SLIDE. YES, SIR.

I DID INCLUDE IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WAS THE SECOND BULLET POINT ON THE SUMMARY PAGE THAT SAYS COMPARED WITH THE INITIAL NIR -- PIC FUNDING IT HAS BEEN

REDUCED 76%. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

IF I CAN GO TO SLIDE 1 I CAN SHOW THAT TO THE ENTIRE COURT. SIR, THIS IS BASED ON YOUR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. YOUR COURT-APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COVID DIVISION ON AUGUST 24TH, 2021. OUR GOAL WAS TO CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE RESPONSE TO THE ON GOING PANDEMIC.

$HARD TO RESPONDS TO THE -- IT IS HARD TO RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC IN AN INCIDENT COMMAND STRUCTURE.

IN ESTABLISHING THIS DIVISION WE WANTED TO ALLEVIATE PRESSURES ON THE COUNTY'S PIC FUND AND UTILIZE THE GRANT FUNDING WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RUN OUR

[04:20:02]

ON GOING OPERATIONS. THIS SLIDE DEPICTS OUR AVERAGE RUN RATE WITH RESPECT TO THE TWO-MONTH PIC REQUEST.

WE WERE AVERAGING 18.9 MILLION EVERY TWO MONTHS WHICH IS 9.9 MILLION PER MONTH. AND AS YOU CAN SEE FOR THIS SLIDE FROM SEPTEMBER OF 2021 THROUGH FEBRUARY OF 2022, OUR AVERAGE MONTHLY RUN RATE ON THE PIC IS $3 MILLION.

WE REDUCED THE RELIANCE ON THE PIC FUNDING AND WE ARE WORKING -- THE MAJORITY OF THE COSTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE COVID DIVISION IS PERSONNEL AND WE MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN REDUCING THE PERSONNEL THAT WE ARE CHARGING TO THE PIC FUND AND MOVING THEM OVER TO THE GRANT FUNDING IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN OUR OPERATIONS.

THIS IS WHAT THE SLIDE REFLECTS AND REFLECTS THE 76% REDUCTION IN THE PIC FUNDING YOU REFERENCED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE GOOD NEWS TO ME IS WHEN THIS WAS PROPOSED I HAD MY DOUBTS. YOU MAY HAVE PROMISED -- YOU MADE A PROMISE TO SAVE US MONEY OVER A 6-MONTH PERIOD OF TIME. AND WE HAVE PUT THIS ON THE CALENDAR TO CHECK TO SEE WHERE WE WERE.

YOU KEPT YOUR PROMISE. WE ARE DOWN 76 LESS EXPENDITURES. GOOD JOB.

>> THANK YOU. THE STAFF HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. WE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS AND NOT JUST STANDING UP THE DIVISION, BUT MAKING SURE WE ARE REDUCING THE COSTS. I WILL SAY THAT TESTING IS A COST THAT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE GRANT FUNDS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US. WE CONTINUE TO WORK FOR OTHER SOURCES, SO WE WILL SEE SOME EXPENDITURES OUT OF THE PIC FUND RELATIVE TO TESTING COSTS.

>> KEEP LOOKING INTO HOW WE CAN SAVE THE PIC FUND.

HURRICANE SEASON IS COMING. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND TO YOUR TEAM. WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, NO ACTION ON ITEM 328?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NO ACTION. EXCEPT FOR A TRANSMITTAL MAYBE OF THE REPORT. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE AN ACTION. YOU YOU CAN'T VOTE ON IT.

I HAVE THE FULL REPORT. LET'S PUT IT INTO THE RECORD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO SAY ANYTHING FOR THAT TO BE

ADDED TO THE RECORD? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JAMES WHAT

DO WE NEED TO DO? >> I DEFER TO JAY, BUT WE CAN ACCEPT IF JAY IS OKAY WITH IT THE BACK UP.

BUT NO ACTION -- >> YEAH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM HANDING THE FULL REPORT TO JAY.

LET THE RECORD REFLECT I AM HANDING THE FULL REPORT TO

JAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A GREAT

REPORT. >> ARE WE ACCEPTING THE REPORT

OR NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: ACCEPTING THE REPORT. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS ITEM 332 AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHICH NUMBER?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 332 AND IT IS THE ARPA ADMINISTRATION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. IF I CAN GET MR. BERRY TO GIVE US A QUICK UPDATE WITH WHERE WE ARE AT AND WHAT WE HAVE COMMITTED TO AND HOW MUCH WE HAVE LEFT.

>> SURE AND I WILL DIVIDE THESE INTO A COUPLE OF PIECES. FIRST IS DIRECT ACTION AND RELIEF. IT IS $60 MILLION OF DIRECT FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

AND 40 MILLION IN THE WORST OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS EXECUTED ON THE LARGELY COMPLETED AND GENERALLY RE -- GENERALLY WE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO.

WE OBVIOUSLY ARE BRINGING PROGRAMS FORWARD NOW AT A STEADY PACE. IN THE LAST MONTH WE HAVE SEEN THE PROGRAM COME FORWARD AND ACCESS HARRIS TECHNOLOGY AWARD AND CHIP 2.0, THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS.

AND IT IS THE EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND.

I THINK WHAT WE ARE STILL WORKING ON IN THE BACKGROUND, WHAT I CHARACTERIZE IS THE LONGER TERM INVESTMENTS.

IT IS IN HEALTH HOUSING AND JOBS.

ON THE HOUSING PORTFOLIO WE HAVE AN RFP OUT FOR CONSULTANTS AND WE ARE SEEKING A FEW ADDITIONAL STAFF TO I'M PHRAU MINT -- TO IMPLEMENT THAT PROGRAM.

IT IS ROUGHLY THE SAME SPOT ON WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE BROUGHT ON THE EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVES AND THE

[04:25:02]

EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND IS GETTING THAT GOING.

WE HAVE MORE PROGRAMS AND MORE INVESTMENTS THAT WOULD COME FORWARD. I WANT TO THANK THE TEAM AND MANY, MANY OTHERS AROUND THE COUNTY WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS EFFORT. WE HAVE VERY FEW STAFF AND THEY ARE PUTTING IN THE EXTRA HOURS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND

I AM GRATEFUL FOR THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO, MA'AM.

NO ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION

ON ITEM 332. >> SO WE WILL JUST ACCEPT IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AB SEPTEMBER THE TRANSMITTAL.

ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL. 382, COMMISSIONER ELLIS YOU --

THE MAC. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS TO SHOW I AM IN SUPPORT OF RESOLUTIONS. IT IS TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR US AND IT IS ONE OF THE STEPS.

JUDGE, THE BOARD WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION THAT IT SUPPORTS A MAC AND I BELIEVE IT DOES.

IT IS A MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL.

THE THREE JUDGES WOULD HAVE TO VOTE.

I THINK THE LAW REQUIRES TWO OUT OF THE THREE.

I KNOW THE STATE COMMISSION WOULD PREFER THE PRESIDING JUDGE SUPPORT AS WELL. THIS PUTS US ON RECORD.

I KNOW WE HAVE SPOKEN IN SUPPORT OF IMPROVING THE INDIGENT DEFENSE SEUSZ -- SYSTEM IN THE PAST.

THIS IS OUR PART REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE OTHERS DO.

WE KNOW KIDS WHO STAND ACCUSED AMONG THE MOST VULNERABLE.

HARRIS COUNTY RELIES ON THE SYSTEM OF PRIVATE ATTORNEYS.

WHAT THIS DOES IS SET UP AN OFFICE FOR SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE JUDGE. HEARING THE CASE WOULD DECIDE WHO WOULD HEAR IT. THEY WILT -- THEY WILL BE OPERATED WITHOUT TRAINING AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND SUPPORT STAFF. IT MAY NOT PUT YOU IN THE BEST INFORMATION FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT AND I HAVE A RESOLUTION I SENT AROUND AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANYMORE QUESTIONS.

IF NOT I MOVE ADOPTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU WANT MY VOTE, WHICH YOU MAY NOT, GET RID OF THE WHEREAS'S AND GO TO THE RESOLVED AND I CAN

SUPPORT THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S FINE.

I TELL YOU WHAT, I WILL ADD ONE OTHER WHEREAS, I WILL AGREE THAT WE SUPPORT A MAC FOR THE JUVENILE SYSTEM AND I WELL ADD THIS ONE, WHEREAS EVEN IF WE DON'T GET STATE

FUNDING WE OUGHT TO DO IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE MOTION WILL BE, BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT SUPPORTS AN APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM FOR A MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL FOR CASES 314, 315. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR.

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

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND EVEN IF IT TAKES US SO LONG TO GET OUR ACT TOGETHER TO PUT IN AN APPLICATION, I THINK THE NEXT ROUND IS JUNE, I WILL COME BACK AND ADVOCATE THAT WE DO IT AS A PILOT EVEN IF WE HAVE TO DO IT WITH AR PJ A

MONEY. -- WITH ARPA MONEY. >> FOR THE RECORD, ALL OF US -- ALL THAT YOU READ. IT IS -- THERE ARE NOWHERE ASS,

>> NOWHERE WHERE AS AND IT SAYS THE MOTION IS RESOLVED?

>> DOES HE NEED ADOPTED? >> ITEM 384 COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> AND IF JAD IS ON THE LINE I WANT THE DIRECTOR TO BE ALERTED THAT I ASKED A QUESTION.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE MONEY. SO THE FIRST ON THAT ONE AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW. YOU WERE AROUND WHEN THE BILL PASSED, BUT IS THE MAC DIRECTOR AVAILABLE? I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE LANGUAGE IS SUFFICIENT AND WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE WHEN THE OTHER TWO ENTITIES

VOTE. >> I WILL LOOK INTO THAT,

COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU YOU CAN ANSWER THAT? I COULDN'T HEAR YOU.

>> I WOULD WANT TO -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. HARTLEY,

[04:30:05]

ARE YOU AROUND? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. SO WE CHANGED THE LANGUAGE A LITTLE BIT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SUFFICIENT FOR THE STATE INDIGENT COMMISSION ASSUMING THE OTHER TWO ENTITIES VOTE TO ESTABLISH A JUVENILE MAC.

>> ASSUMING THERE IS APPROVAL IN THE ASSIGNING, THAT ALONG WITH THE RESOLUTION WOULD BE SUFFICIENT AND I WOULD BE SURE WHEN AND IF THAT OCCURS TO PLACE IT ON THE AGENDA AGAIN SO WE KNOW THAT THERE AREN'T ANY TYPE OF --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL MAYBE IF YOU WOULD WHEN WE TAKE A BREAK YOU CAN CALL AND FIND OUT. WHAT I AM DOING IS INTENTIONAL.

YOU HAVE BEEN THERE HOW LONG? >> AS OF OCTOBER 13TH IS WHEN I WAS APPOINTED, BUT BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21ST,

200 JUAN -- 2001. >> RODNEY ELLIS: EVERYBODY IN THIS BODY IS IN SUPPORT OF A MAC.

AND HERE WE ARE A YEAR AND SOME MONTHS LATER AND WE ARE ABOUT -- WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A MISDEMEANOR MAC.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON A FELONY MAC AND THERE WAS AGENTS -- THERE WAS LITTLE PROGRESS ON THE JUVENILE MAC.

I HOPE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT OPERATIONS IN YOUR OFFICE.

I WON'T BRING IT UP NOW. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUFF IS DONE -- I DON'T WANT IT TO COME BACK.

YOU FIND OUT IF THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE WOULD REQUIRE US TO DO IT AGAIN AND IF SO I CAN VOTE ON MY ORIGINAL MOTION.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS BODY IS IN SUPPORT OF IT. AND IF THE OTHER TWO STEPS DON'T COME ABOUT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BULLETS STOP WITH THOSE STEPS. IS THAT ALL RIGHT? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE DONE OUR PART SO I CAN CALL AND SAY WE HAVE DONE OUR PART.

>> AND I HOPE YOU ARE VISITING WITH THE JUDGES TO GET THE OTHER STEPS IN PLAYINGS. I -- IN YOUR PLACE.

JUDGE, I KNOW YOU COMMITTED, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR. THE OTHER ITEM, ANNA, I AM

ASKING FOR A DASHBOARD -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S 385.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON 385, ON THE JUVENILE APPOINTMENTS JUST AS WE HAVE DASHBOARDS FOR THE OTHERS.

IT IS A STRAIGHT FORWARD MOTION.

I MOVE TO INSTRUCT THE SKWRUS -- THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT COURTS TO ADD JUVENILE TKAU LINK WEPB SEE -- DELINQUENCY CASES FOR THE INDIGENT DASHBOARDS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE WHILE PROTECTING CONFIDENTIALLY AND RESPONDENTS.

AND THERE IS A REASON I AM MAKING A MOTION.

THERE IS STILL A TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY -- IN MY JUDGMENT ANY AUTHORITY TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS BASED ON SOMETHING IN THE LAW.

IT WAS A COMMITTEE THAT WAS CREATED AND I KNOW THERE ARE CONFIDENTIALLY ISSUES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CASES FOR JUVENILES, BUT I THINK IT CAN BE WORKED AROUND WITHOUT DISCLOSING THE PERSON'S NAME. I AM TRYING TO GET WHO HAS HOW MANY CASES AND WHO THEY ARE. NOT WHO THEY REPRESENT.

I KNOW IN 2020 ONE ATTORNEY WAS APPOINTED TO 91 JUVENILE CASES AND APPOINTED TO 264 FELONY CASES.

91 JUVENILE CASES IS WITHIN AND OTHERS ARE NOT.

AND WHEN THE FELONY CASES ARE CONSIDERED TOGETHER THE LAWYERS HAD A WORKLOAD OF TWO TO FOUR LAWYERS AND THAT LEADS TO EUFRPB -- LEADS TO INEQUITABLE OUTCOMES FOR THE PERSON BEING REPRESENTED. I KNOW OVER WORKED ATTORNEYS LEAD TO WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS FOR NOT INVESTIGATING EVIDENCE AND LACK OF PREPARATION FOR TRIAL.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DEFENSE LAWYERS SHOWS TOO HIGH OF A LOAD INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD THE ATTORNEY WILL

[04:35:01]

GET A PLEA DEAL INSTEAD OF ADVOCATING FOR THEIR CLIENT.

THE NUMBERS WE ARE SHOWING DOES NOT SHOW THEIR PRIVATE PRACTICE. WE CAN LOOK AND SEE IF WE CAN TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT. I KNOW THERE IS A STATE STATUTE OUT THAT MAKES THEM DISCLOSE WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE PRACTICE COMES FROM PRIVATE CASES AS OPPOSED TO

COURT-APPOINTED CASES. >> SKPHEUGS -- COMMISSIONER

ELLIS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. CORREA, YOU SOUND REALLY FAR. WE REALLY CAN'T HEAR YOU.

>> THIS IS ANNA CORREA, JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: BARELY. I HAVE YOUR NUMBER.

LET ME CALL YOU. IT IS REALLY VERY, VERY

QUIET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE ONE DAY YOU DECIDE TO WORK AT HOME, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

DO YOU HAVE IT? COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS CALLING YOU, BUT YOU MAY TRY THE OUTSIDE VOICE.

YOU AND TURN YOUR MIC OFF ON THE COMPUTER.

>> THIS THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE WILL GLADLY COMPLY WITH THE OPTION AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY INFORMATION WE HAVE IS DONE CORRECTLY. AND WE WANT TO DO A GUIDE SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW TO UTILIZE THE DASHBOARD.

SO WE WILL GLADLY WORK ON THIS.

WE DO HAVE OTHER OUTSTANDING ITEMS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON, BUT WE WILL GET IT GOING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. CORREA, IF THERE IS SOMETHING I AM NOT THINKING ABOUT, I JUST THOUGHT ABOUT IT, BUT I KNOW THERE IS A STATUTE OUT THAT SAYS YOU HAVE TO SHOW WHAT PER -- WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR PRACTICE IS COURT APPOINTMENTS.

PEOPLE INTERPRET THEM IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

SOME LIST A PERCENTAGE BASED ON HOW MUCH THEY MADE A YEAR.

I AM NOT SURE HOW THEY DO IT. IF YOU FIND AN AVENUE, LET ME KNOW IF I NEED TO PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

MY STAFF TELLS ME YOU NEEDED A VOTE ON THIS MOTION SO YOU DON'T RUN INTO THE CONFIDENTIALLY ISSUE.

>> YES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUTH.

WE WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF THE KAFT -- CONFIDENTIALLY.

WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING CORRECTLY AND WE WANT TO PROVIDE THE COURT AND THE PUBLIC WITH DASHBOARDS THAT COVER ALL OF OUR BASES AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

WE JUST NEED TO TOUCH BASE WITH THE REL VENT -- RELEVANT PARTIES AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO A GUIDE SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROPERLY USE THE DASHBOARD AS WELL.

I CAN'T TELL YOU WHEN THEY WILL BE DONE, BUT WE WANT TO

WORK THROUGH THOSE AS WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THAT POINT , MR. BERRY, ACCESS IS IMPORTANT.

AND JUST AS THERE WERE ITEMS TO SUPPLEMENT STAFF, IF WE HAVE TO OUT SOURCE IT, YOU KNOW, AFTER MR. FLOYD FUNERAL WE VOTED ON THIS INDIGENT DEFENSE MATTER.

IT IS JUST TAKING TOO LONG. I DON'T WANT TO PUT PEOPLE IN THE POSITION WHERE THEY CAN HIDE BEHIND -- NOT YOU, DR. CORREA, BUT SOME OF THE OTHER ACTORS IN THE SYSTEM, WAITING UNTIL WE CAN GET THE DATA.

EVEN IF WE HAVE TO TAKE ARPA MONEY TO OUT SOURCE IT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO SPEND IT WITHIN TWO YEARS, BUT IT FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH THOSE EQUITY ISSUES, FAIRNESS ISSUES WE SAY WE BELIEVE IN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS DONE. I AM JUST KIND OF GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH WAITING ON THIS.

THERE IS STATE MONEY WE COULD HAVE GONE AFTER AND WON'T GET WHILE WE ARE WAITING. I WANT ALL OF THE DATA AND MY INTENT IS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE SYSTEM.

I MAKE THE MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET THE MOTION?

>> YES, ESSENTIALLY WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA SO AS PRESENTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS MOTION 385.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I AND AN EMPHASIS ON WHAT MY COLLEAGUE SAID AS TO PROTECTING CONFIDENTIALLY. CAN I HAVE CLARIFICATION ON

ITEM 170? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, JUST WANT TO RECORD COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S VOTE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IT WAS I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR ON 385 SO IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 170, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES.

[04:40:01]

I WANTED CLARIFICATION AND I ASKED JAMES, WHEN WE VOTED ON 170 I THOUGHT WE WERE VOTING ON IT AS WAS PRINTED, BUT APPARENTLY THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT AND WE GOT THE AMENDMENT AFTER WE VOTED ON IT.

JAMES BELIEVES WE VOTED ON THE AMENDMENT THAT ELIMINATED THE ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS THAT WERE IN THE ORIGINAL PRINTED

MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: I READ THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS THE FIRST HALF AS I STATED. UP UNTIL THE COMMA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE MOTION I MADE WAS IN LINE WITH WHAT

MR. BERRY WAS RECOMMENDING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: TO BE CLEAR, WE DID NOT VOTE ON FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF 288,000 IN THE

SHORT FISCAL YEAR. >> CORRECT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THOSE ARE D8 POSITIONS IS MY

UNDERSTANDING? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL MOVE THE SECOND HALF OF ITEM 170.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM OPPOSED AND THE MOTION FAILS 2-3.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. ON ITEM -- WE SORT OF SKIPPED

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 1 of 2)]

ITEM 384, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 384?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE HEALTH COVERAGE ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. IF SHANE WILL COME ON.

>> YES, SIR. THIS IS SHANE THE DIRECTOR OF

HUMAN RESOURCES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

I KNOW ALL OF US HAVE READ PRESS ACCOUNTS FROM TIME TO TIME WHERE THE INSURANCE CARRIER IS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH VARIOUS ENTITIES AND WE HAVE TO SWITCH DOCTORS.

I KNOW I HAVE DONE IT AT LEAST ONCE.

I HAVE RUN INTO SITUATIONS WHERE MY DOCTOR, WHO I FEEL GOOD ABOUT OR I WOULDN'T GO TO HIM, SUGGESTS CERTAIN TESTS AND THEN I UH FEEL -- I APPEAL THREE OR FOUR TIMES TO BE ABLE TO TAKE IT AND IT WORKED OUT. HOW MANY OTHER EMPLOYEES RUN INTO THAT SITUATION? ALTHOUGH IT WORKED OUT FOR ME, I AM TOLD THERE IS AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY ENTITIES THAT REVIEWS THESE REQUESTS.

I ASSUME SOMEBODY IS ON A COMPUTER.

I WOULD HATE TO FIND OUT RIGHT BEFORE MY FUNERAL I WOULD HAVE JUST TAKEN A TEST TO SAVE MY LIFE AND YOU ARE OVER HERE PASSING RESOLUTIONS IN MY HONOR, BUT COULD I HAVE GOTTEN A TEST TAKEN. I KNOW A KWOUPL OF PEOPLE -- A COUPLE OF PEOPLE ON MY STAFF WHO RAN INTO SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE SAME LINES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I AM WONDERING IF YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME SENSE OF WHAT PROBLEMS WE HAVE AND DO WE HAVE A HOTLINE? OTHER THAN SOMEBODY CATCHING ME OR COMING TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT SAYING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSURANCE CARRIER AND IT IS CIGNA MIGHT I ADD.

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE. THEY SAY CIGNA AND SAINT LUKE'S FAILED TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.

70,000 PATIENTS LOST COVERAGE.

I WOULD HATE TO FALL INTO THAT DURING A PANDEMIC AND UP TO 2, 499 HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH GROUP MEMBERS AFFECTED BY THE TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT. I THINK IT IMPACTED 43,000 CURRENTS MEMBERS. I WANT A SENSE OF HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE. THEY CAN GO AND SEE WHAT THE MARKET WILL BEAR. EVEN IF WE HAVE TO PAY MORE PEOPLE AND EVEN WHEN WE HAVEN'T GIVEN A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT WE OUGHT TO AT LEAST MAKE SURE THEY HAVE DECENT HEALTH CARE. I HAVE THE GOVERNMENT AS A BACK UP. I CAN SWITCH MY PRIMARY CARRIER, BUT I WORK HERE AND I AM PAYING FOR THE INSURANCE.

I AM GENUINELY CONCERNED. I WANT SOME THOUGHTS ON WHAT

[04:45:07]

WE CAN DO. >> YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE SAINT LUKE'S AND BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.

THERE ARE 24 MEMBERS THAT HAVE USED THEM IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS AND HAD TO FIND CARE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I KNOW THE COMMUNICATION IS OPEN.

IT IS TAKING LONGER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE INDEPENDENT PARTY DOING REVIEWS ON IMAGING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE CAN DEFINITELY TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OPTIONS ON THAT.

IT IS A PRE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WHERE THEY ARE REVIEWING CERTAIN HIGH-TECH IMAGES.

WE CAN LOOK AT PHASING SOME OF THAT OUT SO YOU DON'T RUN INTO ISSUES WITH THAT. THE OTHER THING WE ARE WORKING ON IS THE OCA IS BENDING THE COST CURVE.

JUST GOT BACK IN MARGE AND IT IS MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS IN CASE WE WANT TO CHANGE COURSE AND WE WANT SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP EMPLOYEES AS THEY DEAL WITH IT.

MANY TIMES THEY GET THE PHONE CALL AND THEY SAY, WELL, YOU CAN'T COME HERE ANYMORE. YOU HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. THEY NEED ADVOCATES.

THERE WILL BE MORE AND MORE HAPPENING.

BLUE COOS -- BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHELLED IS FIGHTING WITH -- BLUE SHIELD IS FIGHTING WITH SOMEBODY.

>> YES, SIR. I TALKED TO DAVID ABOUT THAT.

MAYBE HAVING A CUSTOMER SERVICE UNIT IN OUR BENEFITS SECTION AND THEY CAN ANSWER NOT JUST THESE QUESTIONS, BUT ANY TYPE OF QUESTION. I WILL WORK WITH HIM AND BRING BACK MAYBE A RECOMMENDATION ON HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THAT AS

WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SHANE, IF THERE IS SOMEWAY WE CAN COLLECT THE DATA PARTICULARLY ON PEOPLE WANTING THESE MRI'S AS AN EXAMPLE.

MOST WOULD JUST KEEP APPEALING AND THEN LATER ON IF THERE IS SOMETHING THERE, IT IS TOO LATE.

YOU GOT ME? IS THERE A DATA BECAUSE OR CAN WE ASK OUR CURRENT CARRIER -- I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE TURNED DOWN WHEN THEIR DOCTOR RECOMMENDED THAT THEY GET SOME TESTS. THEY KNOW.

AND THEN HOW MANY TIMES DID THEY APPEAL IT AND WHAT CAME OUT OF IT? LIKE IN MY CASE, I APPEALED IT THREE TIMES. AND THEN THEY APPROVED IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THAT TENACITY TO KEEP PUSHING. YOU GOT ME? I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON HOW IT WORKS, BUT I THINK I GOT A PRETTY GOOD DOCTOR. IF HE SAYS I OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING, I ASSUME MY FAMILY MEMBERS WILL GO TO HIM -FPLTS MY WIFE'S. IN MY WIFE'S CASE I WOULD GO AND SAY COULD YOU HAVE FIGURED IT OUT? I HATE TO BE IN A POSITION, WELL, YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY WOULDN'T LET YOU GET THE TEST I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD HAVE GOT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT DATA. IF THEY DON'T HAVE IT, I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO KNOW I WANT TO KNOW AND THEN ASK WHY DON'T

THEY HAVE IT. >> I CAN PROVIDE THE MONTH OF DECEMBER FOR YOU, BUT I WILL GET A WHOLE YEAR TO SEE HOW IT IS OVER A WHOLE YEAR. I WILL PROVIDE THAT

INFORMATION TO YOUR OFFICE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE ARE DUE THIS SUMMER TO CONSIDER GOING

OUT TO COMPETITIVE BID? >> WE HAVE ANOTHER YEAR WE CAN ENTER INTO. IF WE WERE GOING TO MAKE ANY CHANGE OF COURSE, THIS IS A BIG PLAN AND WE HAVE 43,000 MEMBERS. IF WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE COURSE WE WANT TO GET STARTED IN THE SUMMER.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE FULL COVERAGE FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHOEVER IT IS WE HAVE AS A PROVIDER CAN PROVIDE FULL COVERAGE.

>> YES, SIR. >> THERE IS ONLY A HANDFUL THAT CAN COVER THE SIZE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

BLUE CROSS IS ONE OF THEM. >> AND SHANE -- JUDGE IF I MIGHT? SHANE, I REALLY WANT YOU AND

[04:50:02]

DWIGHT TO -- IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A COMPETITIVE PROCESS FOR THIS TO WORK ON A PLAN FOR MWBE PARTICIPATION.

THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ARGUMENT AS TO WHETHER BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD, WHOEVER IT HAS BEEN AND THERE IS A WAY THAT CAN GET IT INCORPORATED. THAT'S BEEN A LONG-TIME FRUSTRATION. MAKE SURE TO GIVE IT THOUGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW THE COUNTY AND THE CITY MAKE SEPARATE DECISIONS I ASSUME, S -- SHAIN OR DWIGHT, AND END UP WITH THE SAME CARRIER. I WANT YOU TO SEE IF THE LAUPER MITTS IT. SEE IF THE LAW PERMITS IT.

YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK AT SPREADING THE REST.

IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

TWO BIG PLAY KWREUR -- PLAYERS TEXAS AND FLORIDA ON THE OUTSIDE. EVERYBODY IS IN.

BUT IT IS SHARING THE RISK. IF THE LAUPER MITTS IT YOU SHOULD LOOK. WE ARE A MAJOR CARRIER.

I KNOW IT IS THE COMPETETOR -- COMPETITIVE PROCESS, BUT WE GET WHAT WE PAY FOR BY AND LARGE.

AND MAYBE WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO PAY MORE MONEY TO GIVE EMPLOYEES THE OPTION. YOU NOTICE THE PEOPLE TO SPEAK UP ARE THE TWO OLD *ETS -- OLDEST MEMBERS.

EASY THINK OF THE YEARS BEHIND ME, TOM, AND THE FEW AHEAD OF ME. WE SHOULD LET THOSE WHO WANT TO PAY MORE HAVE THE OPTION TO DO THAT.

I THOUGHT I HAD THE BEST PLAN, BUT ON THIS MWBE . LOOK AND SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING. I WANT MWBE'S IN THERE WHO ARE ACTIVE AND REALLY DOING SOMETHING.

I DON'T WANT SOMEBODY IN THERE BECAUSE THEY LOBBIED OR THE PROCESSION WAS THEY KNEW SOMEBODY DOWNTOWN.

YOU GOT ME? WHETHER IT IS AN MWBE OR THE OTHER SYSTEM, THE NON-MWBE'S, YOU GOT ME? SO THEY CAN GROW AND PROSPER. I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW IN SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES WHO BY LAW HAVE TO DO RACE NEUTRAL MEASURES, LIKE IN CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON STATE.

THEIR NUMBERS ON MWBE'S ARE BETTER THAN HOURS AND THEY CAN'T GET THERE AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN WHEN YOU DO IT WITH A -- AN AGENDA-BASED PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MWBES

IN THERE NOW DID AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION

ON THIS ITEM RIGHT NOW. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 390. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I WANTED TO OFFER THIS ITEM JUST TO POLISH UP WHAT WE HAD ORIGINALLY DONE AT PREVIOUS COURT.

THIS IS SIMPLY TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL FOR AN ALLOCATION OF $85,000 FROM THE PRECINCT 2 BUDGET TO PRECINCT 2GETHER FOR A MURAL PROJECT HONORING HOE SAYS CAMPOS -- JOSE CAMPOS TORRES ON COMMERCE STREET 77002.

THE CONTRACT FOR THIS IS BEING DRAFTED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND A COMPLETED CONTRACT BROUGHT BACK TO THE COURT FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

THAT'S MY MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND IT AND COMMISSIONER I WAS AT A MEETING WITH YOU WITH THE FAMILY THE OTHER DAY AND IT IS IMPORTANT.

IF YOU RUN A LITTLE SHORT, I DON'T MIND HELPING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WILL BE A GREAT EVENT AND KUDOS TO YOU FOR DOING IT.

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

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

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

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> AS PRESENTED ON THE

AGENDA? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED 393, BUT I AM TOLD THIS MUST BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

CAN WE DISCUSS IT AS PRESENTED?

>> IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WE CAN AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK AND

HAVE A CONVERSATION. >> TOM RAMSEY: WILL YOU EXPLAIN WHY THAT CAN'T BE DISCUSSED?

>> IT CAN, COMMISSIONER, BUT WE RECENTLY RECEIVED IN CORRESPONDENCE THAT COULD INDICATE THERE IS POTENTIAL

[04:55:01]

LITIGATION INVOLVED AND SO WE WANT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION FIRST IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND IF THE COURT WANTS TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT, THEY ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH. THAT WASN'T CLEAR.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY -- SORRY, THIS IS JON.

THIS OCCURRED DURING TODAY'S COMMISSIONERS' COURT SESSION WHICH IS WHY WE FLAGGED IT JUST NOW.

THERE WAS NO AVAILABILITY TO GIVE NOTICE ABOUT THAT CORRESPONDENCE. WE ARE HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE CAN DISCUSS THE PARAMETERS ABOUT WHAT THE OPEN-COURT DISCUSSION WOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND FINALLY 395 AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND CAGLE BOTH FLAGGED THIS

ITEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST SIMPLY, JUDGE, I AM OVER THE MOON ON THIS.

I JUST CAN'T CONGRATULATE YOU, AND THANK YOU AND A -- AND AS I SAID AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING, I WAS A YOUNG MAN AND LISTENING TO DR. STEVEN KHRAOEU -- CLYBURG AT A FIRST LISTENING SESSION AND IT HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS WHEN HE SAID IF PUBLIC EDUCATION DOESN'T IMPROVE THE INTELLECTUAL CHALICE WE WILL NEED TO BE A RELEVANT ECONOMY WILL HAVE TO BE I'M -- EUPBL -- IMPORTED.

THAT ITSELF IS NOT A BAD THING, BUT WHEN WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE IMPORTATION RATHER THAN GROW IT AND FACILITATE IT, THAT JUST CONCERNED ME.

AND THEN GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL I ATTENDED HAD 2500 FRESHMAN GRADE CLASS, AND WE WERE GRADUATING FROM THE CLASS FOUR YEARS LATER PROBABLY ABOUT 75.

THAT'S WHAT GOT ME ENGAGED IN RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF AN EDUCATION. AS A POLICEMAN IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY PATROL CAR I SAW THE EFFECTS OF NOT GETTING -- NOT INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN TO READ BY THE THIRD GRADE LEVEL. DOING MENTOR SHIP AFTER SCHOOL AND THAT'S WHY WHEN I WAS A SHERIFF WE ARE AMAZED.

THEY APPROACHED ME ABOUT ENDORSING EARLY TO RISE.

I WANT TO USE SOME FRENCH WORDS, BUT I WAS LIKE, HECK YES! I GOT BEHIND IT AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN IT DIDN'T COME TO FRUITION. WHEN YOU SPOKE ABOUT THIS AT THE FIRST STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS I WAS SO, SO PROUD AND SO EXCITED. THIS PANDEMIC HAS GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF A LOT OF THINGS, BUT I'M GLAD WE ARE HERE FINALLY TO GET IT DONE. I REMEMBER I CAME IN AS COMMISSIONER AND I WON'T GO INTO A LEGAL OPINION I GOT, BUT I WAS FRUSTRATED. THANKFULLY WE FOUND WAYS TO CREATE AN S.A.T. AND AR -- ACT COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM.

THEN WE GOT OUR STUDY ZONES WITH THE WI-FI SO THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES. NOTHING MATTERS MORE THAN CREATING A REAL ENVIRONMENT AND A QUALITY ENVIRONMENT.

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL.

I AM GRATEFUL WITH THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE SCHOOL OF

[05:00:02]

SUCCESS AND FOR OPENING UP A PRE-KSTEM ACADEMY AND IT IS IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD STEM ACADEMY.

IT IS IN THE WAS STAOE -- CASTILLO BUILDING.

THAT IS A GREAT THING AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT.

HOWEVER, THE BRAND ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT. IT IS CRITICAL.

AND I WANT TO THANK MY MOM. I AM A KID WHO DIDN'T GROW UP SPEAKING ENGLISH. MY BROTHERS AND SISTER ALL BORN IN MEXICO CITY. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE GOT HERE, MAN. MY MOM FIGURED IT OUT.

I WANT TO THANK HER. HER AND MY DAD WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE TWO POLICEMEN AND A MUSICIAN AND AN ARTIST, A CPA, A LAWYER -- BUT THE ODDS WERE AGAINST US.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING OUR PROFILE SHOULD HAVE HAD US WEARING ORANGE JUMP SUITS. I WANT TO THANK MY MOM -- MY MOM BECAUSE I STILL HAVE HER, BUT BOTH MY PARENTS BECAUSE MY BUDDIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD SAY IF YOU WANT TO FIND ADRIAN, LOOK UNDER A CAR BECAUSE MY DAD HAD ME DOING TUNE UPS AND BRAKE JOBS AND OIL CHANGES.

THAT'S HOW HE KEPT ME OUT OF TROUBLE.

KIND OF LIKE YOUR DAD WITH MOWING THE LAWNS.

JUDGE, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PROUD I AM YOU STAYED THE COURSE AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS TIRELESSLY.

THE PANDEMIC GOT IN THE WAY A LITTLE BIT.

, BUT -- BUT I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THESE EFFORTS ALTHOUGH THEY DON'T COVER EVERYTHING -- THE OPTION IS DOING NOTHING. JUDGE, I WANT TO SAY I'M PROUD TO -- IF I CAN MAKE THE MOTION I WOULD BE EXCITED TO.

I AM JUST OVER THE MOON. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MY COMMENTS ON THIS, I DON'T WANT TO COMMENT IF IT IS A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING.

ANYTHING WE DO FOR THE KIDS IS A GOOD THING.

MY CONCERN IS THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT HOUSE TO DO THIS GOOD WORK IN. WE HAVE 29 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE HARRIS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WERE A BIDDER TO BE ONE OF OUR VENDORS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE ARE APPROVAL $8 MILLION. THE TOTAL IS 10 MILLION PLUS 100,000 FOR THE STAFFING THERE.

I WILL VOTE NO NOT BECAUSE I THINK EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN OR THE NEXT GENERATION IS A BAD THING.

I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR JOB IS.

OUR JOB IS TO TAKE CARE OF SOME BASICS.

WE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE BASICS AND THIS IS NOT OUR JOB.

THIS IS NOT OUR WHEEL HOUSE IN TERMS OF FUNDING CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. THAT IS THE WHEEL HOUSE OF THE DULY-ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD. ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THE EXCITEMENT MY COLLEAGUE GARCIA HAS GIVEN AND ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY I HAD AS A YOUTH, THIS IS A PROGRAM WHICH I CANNOT SUPPORT OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY FUNDS AT A TIME WHEN WE NEED TO BE TIGHTENING OUR BELT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO SAY I SUPPORT IT AND I COMMEND YOU. AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED. IN FACT, 68% OF MOST COUNTIES NATIONWIDE ARE USING ARPA DOLLARS ON PROGRAMS THAT

[05:05:04]

SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILY. IT IS A SMART INVESTMENT.

WE RO -- RE-- WE ARE DOING IT WITH ARPA MONEY.

IT SETS THE STAGE AND IF WE CAN CONTINUE TO FUND IT, THE EARLY AWARDEES WILL IMPACT 23,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IT IS A PWREUL KWAEPBT -- BRILLIANT THING TO DO.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH A COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE GROUP. IT WAS COUNTY LEADERSHIP THAT BLOCKED IT AND THEY WERE WILLING TO TAKE THE HEAT AND GO OUT AND ASKED US TO FUND IT ON A LOCAL LEVEL.

I KPHEPD YOUR -- I COMMEND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE WORK YOU PUT IN ON THIS COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS.

I KNOW IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS IS IT GAVE PEOPLE A HEAD START AND SOME OF US DID OKAY. I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.

UNLESS YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION --

>> JUDGE, SARA MICKELSON IS ON THE LINE AND I WOULD LIKE YOU

TO SAY HELLO. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN FROM MS. MICHAEL SON.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST WANTED TO ADD A COMMENT.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING THAT SHOULD BE DONE, BUT I DON'T THINK THE COUNTY SHOULD BE DOING IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MS. MICHAEL SON.

I ASKED FOR THIS MORNING. IS SHE ON THE LINE?

>> I AM ON THE LINE. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR VOLUME IS A LITTLE LOW SO IF YOU CAN

SPEAK UP IT WOULD BE GREAT. >> HI, EVERYONE.

HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND GLAD TO BE HERE.

I'M GLAD THE ARPA FUND GOT TO YOUR STAFF.

APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY HELLO AND ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF I MIGHT? IT IS GLAD TO KNOW IT IS MICHAEL SON AND NOT MICKELSON.

WALK US THROUGH IT BRIEFLY. WALK US THROUGH WHAT IS IN

THIS. >> HAPPY TO DO SO.

I THINK MY ANCESTORS DIDN'T GO TO EARLY LEARNING AND THAT'S WHY THEY SPELLED THE LAST NAME WRONG.

JUST KIDDING. JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE.

THERE ARE TWO AND THREE DIFFERENT, BUT COMPLEMENTARY AND THE FIRST IS TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND THEN IT IS A PROGRAM CALLED UPWARDS WHICH PROVIDES COACHING TO THE RETURN BACK AND FORTH CONVERSATION AND THEN TO OTHER SERVICES THEY NEED. IT IS IMPORTANT EVEN MORE SO NOW AND MATERIAL RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE MATERIAL HARDSHIPS THAT THE FAMILIES HAVE EXPERIENCED IN COVID-19.

YOU WILL SEE THE ALLIANCE THERE TO ADD 200 SLOTS.

IT IS A PROGRAM CALLED SAFE BABIES AND FOCUSED ON CHILD WELFARE. IT UNFORTUNATELY LIKELY CAUSED MORE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND LOTS OF STRESS.

>> IT WILL BRING TOGETHER FOSTER PARENTS AND BIRTH PARENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS AROUND BEING GREAT PARENTS TO BABIES AND TODDLERS AND A PATH TO

[05:10:02]

UNIFYING FAMILIES AGAIN OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

LOTS OF GREAT WORK TO SUPPORT THE 23,000 KIDS AND FAMILIES

IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MS. MIKELSON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU FOR BREAKING DOWN WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON. I WANT TO KNOW THE VALUE OF THIS. ASSUMING THIS WORKS WELL AND ASSUMING IT STRENGTHENS THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS -- BY DOING THIS WHAT MORE CAPACITY ARE WE CREATING? AND I SAW THE NUMBER OF 300 AND MORE CHILDREN I THINK IT IS WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND RECEIVE THE CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. WHAT DOES THE 300 MEAN IN TERMS OF OUR ECONOMY. IN TERMS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY. WHAT DOES THE 300 MEAN?

>> I AM HAPPY TO TRY TO ANSWER THAT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I THINK OUR WIDE ARRAY OF SUPPORT ON KIDS AND FAMILIES INCREASES POSITIVE OUTCOMES AND DECREASING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS. THAT IS GETTING KIDS IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS AND ALL OF THESE DO.

IT IS EITHER THROUGH THEIR FAMILIES OR THE PROGRAM THROUGH THE ALLIANCE. THEY THINK WHAT WE WILL SEE IS FOR THE 23,000 FAMILIES INVOLVED.

LIKELY TO SEE THE KINDER TKPWAOR -- KINDER -- KINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAMS. THEY ARE FOCUSED ON GETTING FAMILIES CHILD CARE AND INCREASING THE CHILDHOOD SLOTS IN THE KOUPB -- COUNTY.

WE KNOW THEY DO BETTER AT WORK WHEN THEY KNOW THEIR CHILD IS IN A HIGH QUALITY PLACE. IT WILL INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PROGRAMS YOU CAN SEE THE SHORT AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES. THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM, BUT UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL SCALING THROUGH PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AS WELL.

THESE PROGRAMS WILL HAVE BETTER EVIDENCE WHETHER THEY WORK AND WE WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT OUR APPROPRIATE ROLE IS FOR SUPPORTING THE FAMILIES OF HARRIS COUNTY.

>> I DO WANT TO SAY THIS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RAMSEY OUR EDUCATORS LIKE OUR DEPUTIES ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY. THEY ARE WORKING IN TOUGH CONDITIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS TO ME EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT OUT -- OUGHT TO BE INVOLVED.

EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT. TO HAVE THE PARENTS THAT HAVE ENROLLED INTO THE UNIT, THEY ARE BESIDE THEMSELVES TO BE ABLE TO BRING THEIR BABIES TO THE CLASS.

THE WAITING LIST IF -- THE WAITING LIST IS ENORMOUS.

[05:15:01]

HOW CAN WE NOT DO THIS IS MY THOUGHT? THAT'S MY FRAME OF THINKING. THE OUT -- OUTLOOK OF THE PROGRAM WILL TOUCH AND CHANGE AND VERY LIKELY SAVE LIVES.

I READ NAMES THIS MORNING THAT ARE ATTACHED UNFORTUNATELY TO ARLENE ALVAREZ'S LIFE AND I WOULD LIKE TO NOT RECITE NAMES.

I JUST THINK THERE IS TOO MUCH VALUE -- THIS HAS A PHENOMENAL MULTIPLY YES, SIR ATTACHED -- MULTIPLIER ATTACHED.

I THANK THE EDUCATORS AND THE ENTITIES FOR WHAT THEY DO.

THIS IS OUR EFFORT TO SAY WE WANT TO HELP YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HOPE STEPPING UP WILL IMPACT 23,000 CHILDREN AND PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WILL SERVE AS A CATALYST TO GET OTHERS WHO VOTED FOR OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO VOTED AND WHO DIDN'T.

THE REASON SO MUCH MONEY IS GOING TO OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE THIS IS BECAUSE THIS ADMINISTRATION OPTED TO DO DIRECT ALLOCATIONS. IF IT HAD GONE TO A STATE LIKE OURS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU MAKE A VALID POINT.

IF OUR PREDECESSORS MADE INVESTMENTS LIKE THIS LONG BEFORE WE GOT HERE SOME OF THOSE ISSUES WE ARE DEALING WITH TODAY IN ALL LIKELIHOOD WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH. YOU HAVE TO TRY IT ALL.

IF WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST WORKED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED BY NOW. I APPRECIATE CONGRESSWOMAN JACKSON LEE AND CONGRESSWOMAN GREEN AND CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA AND CONGRESSWOMAN FLETCHER, LOCAL FOLKS IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT STEPPED UP AND VOTED FOR THIS. ALL RIGHT.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GAR SEE JAW AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS ITEM 395 AND I AM IN FAVOR.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: 3-2? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WAS THIS UNANIMOUS? I'M SORRY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 3-2. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO WORKED SO HARD ON IT AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THIS UNFOLD AND WHAT THE EVALUATION SHOWS. WHETHER IT IS THE LOW INCOME KIDS THAT CONTINUE AFFORD CHILD CARE OR THEY CAN AND THERE ARE NO QUALITY SLOTS. THIS IS A NEED THAT HAS TO BE MET AND THE TRUTH IS NOBODY ELSE IS MEETING IT TO THE EXTENT IT NEEDS TO BE MET. I AM PROUD TO STEP IN AND HOPE TO DO MORE. LETS OWE -- LET'S GO BACK UP.

I WANT TO THANK THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. OBVIOUSLY WE COULDN'T BE DOING

[Departments (Part 4 of 5)]

IT WITHOUT THE FUNDING. ITEM 35, DAVE, I BELIEVE APPROVAL AS PRESENTED, CORRECT?

>> YES, WE ARE GOOD ON THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS AUTHORIZE BUDGET TRANSFERS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

IS THERE A MOTION. >> ON -- SO MOVED.

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

ARE YOU READY TO DISCUSS 37 OR SHOULD WE DO IT AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION? THAT'S HARRIS HEALTH.

>> I THINK AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION IS PREFERRED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS GOING TO ASK IF KENNETH HAS AN

ANSWER ON THE MAC ISSUE. >> DO YOU HAVE AN ANSWER ON

THE MAC QUESTION? >> HI, COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

SORRY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IT, BUT I WAS REVIEWING MY NOTES FROM PAST DISCUSSIONS.

[05:20:01]

MY UNDERSTANDING IS FOR THE LANGUAGE ITSELF IN THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION WOULD BE OKAY HOWEVER, TO MEET REQUIREMENTS THE RESOLUTION HAS TO BE PAIRED WITH A GRANT THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED. IN ORDER FOR A COMPLETE GRANT IT HAS TO BE APPROVED AND HAVE A LETTER OF SUPPORT.

WITH THE COMPLETED GRANT ALLOCATION AND THEN THE RESOLUTION WOULD SATURDAY TIBC REQUIREMENTS FOR THEM TO BRING THE APPLICATION TO THEIR DOOR WHICH WILL BE PROJECTED IN

JUNE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE QUESTION IS OUR RESOLUTION SUFFICIENT FOR OUR PART?

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I HAVE AN ANSWER, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

MR. HARDIN WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH TIBC.

MY STAFF WAS ABLE TO REACH REACH JET.

HE SAID THE LAPPING WEDGE IS GOOD -- LAPPING WEDGE IS GOOD. MR. HARDIN, WE NEED OTHER PARTS, BUT AS FAR AS OUR PART WE ARE GOOD ON THIS LANGUAGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. HART ON THE OTHER PARTS I KNOW THE BOARD TO JUDGE CHAIRS WILL BE DONE.

IN TERMS OF THE JUDGES I HOPE YOU ARE ADDRESSING THAT CONCERN. IF NOT I WANT TO KNOW WHERE TO POINT THE FINGER. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING A

LONGTIME. >> YES, SIR.

WE ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS.

WE HAVE BEEN AND WE PLAN TO CONTINUE TO DO SO WE WANT REMAIN IN CONSTANT TPHAOUPB -- COMMUNICATION TO MAKE SURE

THEY ARE INFORMED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: VISIT WITH THEM. THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR OFFICE. THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE TELLING ME. I AM PUTTING IT ON THE AGENDA TO LAY IT ON THE TABLE ON WHY WE CAN'T HAVE A JUVENILE MAP.

>> I AM AWARE AND WE HAVE ADDRESSED ISSUES.

IF THERE ARE ISSUES I AM NOT AWARE ABOUT, I WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK IT OUT. WE CAN WORK ON SOME FORM OF RESOLUTION WITH THEM AS WELL. WE HOPE IT WILL CONTINUE IN

[Executive Session]

THE FUTURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE TWO ITEMS TO TAKE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ITEM 391 REGARDING THE JUDICIAL SEAT VACANCY.

THAT IS A PERSONNEL MATTER. AND ITEM 393 REGARDING THE ROLL OVER POLICY AND THAT IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF LITIGATION. PERHAPS WE MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IN SOME FIVE MINUTES? OKAY.

IT IS 4:TPEUFRT -- 4:58 AND WE ARE GOING TO EXCUSE --

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> ARE WE READY?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 5:34 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 2 of 2)]

, ON ITEM 391 I WANT FOLKS TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE OUR COMMITMENT THAT WE WILL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT AT THE NEXT COURT. WE ARE CONSIDERING CANDIDATES, ONE BROUGHT FORTH TODAY, AND OTHERS ARE POTENTIALLY BEING BROUGHT FOR THE AND I AM COMMITTED TO MAKING A DECISION AT THE NEXT COURT. ON ITEM -- --

>> IS THAT NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION.

ON ITEM 393, NO ACTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON 393 AND SIMPLY STATING THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT. MR. MENEFEE IS COMMITTED TO LOOKING AT THE BUDGETS THIS YEAR FOR THE CONSTABLES AND TO SEE THAT MONEY THAT MIGHT BE LEFT OVER AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND IF THEY NEED TO BE SPENT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR OR HR -- WITH THEY CAN RETAIN THOSE FOR USE AND IF THEY DID THAT, WOULD THAT VIOLATE IT? MR. MENEFEE IS LOOKING INTO THAT AND THE DETAILS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FISCAL YEAR AND HOW IT IMPACTS THE CON -- CONSTABLES IN AND PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF

SENATE BILL 23. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY COMMENT IS THE SAME THAT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE IS A SENATE BILL 23 OR NOT, THAT THESE FUNDS THAT ARE IN THE ROLL OVER ACCOUNTS PREVIOUS OR ANY FUTURE POSSIBLE ROLL OVER ACCOUNTS BELONG TO THE CONSTABLES AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE FREE TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THEM TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY AS INDEPENDENT ELECTED

[05:25:02]

OFFICIALS. PERIOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. OTHER THAN THAT, THERE IS NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM. ON ITEM 37, BEAR WITH ME.

[Departments (Part 5 of 5)]

IT IS A LITTLE LONG. THE MOTION IS TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE AGREEMENT BEING PRESENTED ON COURT. PARAGRAPH 2, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE EMPLOYEES IN DEPARTMENT 542 HEALTH SERVICES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COUNTY RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS IF, A A -- A, THEIR RETIREMENT DATE IS ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 28TH 2022, B, A MINIMUM OF 10 YEARS HARRIS COUNTY SERVICE AS OF FEBRUARY 28TH, 2022 AND THEY SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT WITH HARRIS COUNTY ON MARCH 1ST, 2022, D, EMPLOYED BY HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM OR THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AS OF THE DATE SPECIFIED BY HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM OR THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, BUT NO LATER THAN MAY 1ST, 2022, OR E FOR EMPLOYEES ON LEAVE AS OF MAY 1ST, 2022 AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR APPROVAL THE LEAVE STATUS EXPIRES.

AND THEY MEET ALL OTHER CONDITIONS OUTLINED HERE IN.

THESE EMPLOYEES ARE REFERRED TO AS GRANDFATHERED EMPLOYEES. FOR AVOID -- AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EMPLOYEES ON LEAVE AS OF MAY 1ST, 2022 ARE TO HAVE NO GAP IN EMPLOYMENT FOR PURPOSES OF RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS AND THEY BEGIN EMPLOYMENT WITH THE HEALTH SYSTEM OR THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR LEAVE EXPIRES. PARAGRAPH 3 IS TO BE DELETED IN ITS ENTIRETY. PARAGRAVE 9, -- PARA-- PARAGRAPH, 9, MAKING CHANGES TO HEALTH BENEFITS INCLUDING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE PREMIUM CONTRIBUTION RATES OR DISCONTINUATION OF HEALTH BENEFITS.

HOWEVER, ANY CHANGES MAY NOT BE DESIGNED TO OR OTHERWISE OPERATE TO IMPACT GRANDFATHERED EMPLOYEES ALONE. SUCH THAT GRANDFATHERED EMPLOYEES ARE SINGLED OUT AND/OR INTENTIONALLY TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER HARRIS COUNTY RETIREE.

PARAGRAPH 10, ALL HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES ARE AUTHORIZED TO DO ANY AND ALL THINGS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORDER.

AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE FORE GOING HARRIS COUNTY UNDERSTANDS THAT HARRIS HEALTH IS OBLIGATED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE CORRECTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES AS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE MARCH 1ST, 2022 AND CANNOT HOLD OPEN CORRECTIONAL HEALTH POSITIONS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK PROCEDURALLY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND MY PRIOR MOTION.

I THINK PROCEDURALLY YOU WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND MY PRIOR MOTION. THIS IS THE ONE WITH DR.

AS A FRIENDLY, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL

ACCEPT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS ACCEPTING THE MOTION I JUST READ TO REPLACE THE

MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS A SLIGHT MODIFICATION OF WHAT WAS PROVIDED TO US INITIALLY BY LYNNWOOD MAROW. I DON'T THINK WE HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH HIM, BUT I DON'T THINK THIS CHANGES THE INTENT OF THE MOTION SO I WILL ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ANY THOUGHTS ON THE LIAISON? >> WE WILL NEED TO WORK ON IT, JUDGE. WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT I AM HAPPY TO COMMIT TO DESIGNATE A POINT OF CONTACT FOR FOLKS WHO ARE TRANSITIONING AND HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT YOU ARE -- ABOUT THEIR SALARY AND BENEFITS.

IF THERE IS MORE WE WILL HAVE TO COME BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THAT MAKES -- THAT'S WHAT I HEARD CYNTHIA ASK FOR, BUT PERHAPS CHECK WITH HER.

>> SOUNDS GOOD. WE'LL DO THAT AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING MORE WE THINK WE SHOULD DO WE WILL COME BACK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAKE SURE YOU WALK THEM THROUGH IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS THE OTHER ITEM.

>> JUDGE, JUST FOR CLARITY, I NEED TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS. THE MOTION YOU SENT WAS I MOVE TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE AGREEMENT BEING PRESENTED ON COURT. DOES THAT INCLUDE THE OTHER --

THE ORIGINAL -- >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THESE ARE AMENDMENTS TO THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT PRESENTED ON COURT.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE AMENDMENTS, BUT HE INSTEAD

ACCEPTED THESE AMENDMENTS. >> SO THE ITEM IS APPROVED

WITH THESE AMENDMENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

AND THAT'S IT. I DON'T THINK THERE ARE ANY OTHER ITEMS. AM I MISSING ANYTHING?

>> [INAUDIBLE] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO REVISIT ITEM 170. THAT IS THE D.A.'S ITEM.

[05:30:10]

AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS KNOWS I HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE D.A. AND OTHER PARTNERS IN RELATION TO TRYING TO HELP FOLKS MOVE FORWARD. I ALWAYS WANT TO TRY AND KEEP MY WORD. I DON'T REMEMBER SOME OF THE DETAILS THAT I'M BEING REMINDED OF, BUT I WANTED TO PUT THIS SECOND POSSIBLER OF THIS REQUEST -- THE SECOND PORTION OF THIS REQUEST, I WANTED MR. BERRY TO PULL THAT FROM MY BUDGET. DOES THAT REQUIRE A MOTION?

A BUDGET TRANSFER? >> I THINK A BUDGET TRANSFER

WOULD NEED TO BE APPROVED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE A BUDGET TRANSFER OF 288,000 FROM MY BUDGET TO THE DISTRICT

ATTORNEY'S BUDGET. >> I THINK IT IS ESSENTIALLY REPLACING THE SOURCE OF FUNDS FROM THE PIC TO COMMISSIONER

GARCIA'S PRECINCT BUDGET. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRECEDENT, BUT I GUESS THAT IS A PRECEDENT FOR YOUR SAKE, KPHEUGSZ -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO SET A PRECEDENT WHEREBY A DEPARTMENT COMES AFTER THE BUDGET SEASON REQUESTING SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT APPROVED, BUT IF THE PRECEDENT AND EUGS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA COVERS IT, THAT'S PER ROG TKPWRAU -- HER

ROG TKPWAU TIFF. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I TRIED TO BE A BROKER OF PROGRESS AND COLLABORATION.

I AM BEING MADE TO UNDERSTAND THAT I MADE CERTAIN COMMITMENTS AND I WANT TO KEEP MY COMMITMENTS.

I DON'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS AS SUCH, BUT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF WHETHER IT IS AS I RECALL IT OR NOT, I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO DO THAT FROM MY BUDGET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR?