* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning. [00:00:06] >> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. IT IS EVEN:06 AND I WILL CALLING THIS MARCH 8, 2022 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER CAGLE. [Missionary Nathan Day of Euro Team Outreach.] >> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING. TODAY WE HAVE NATHAN DAY WHO IS A MISSIONARY WHO IS FROM UKRAINE. HE WAS ORIGINALLY IN COLORADO WITH HIS WIFE WHO HAPPENS TO BE A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN. HE BEGAN HIS MINISTRY WORK IN UKRAINE IN 2004. THEY ARE PART OF THE EURO TEAM OUT REACH. THEY EVACUATED UKRAINE AND THEY ARE STAYING FAMILY -- THEY ARE STAYING WITH FAMILY HERE IN HOUSTON AND THE OTHERS ARE TRYING TO GET OUT OF UKRAINE. WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD WE FELT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO EXPERIENCED IT FIRST HAPPENED -- FIRSTHAND OPEN US UP. PASTOR DAY, ARE YOU THERE? >> YES, I'M HERE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE LEAD US IN OUR INVOCATION. >> ALL RIGHT. HEAVENLY FATHER, LORD UKRAINE IS ON OUR MINDS AND IT IS ON OUR HEARTS. I THINK WE ARE ALL WITNESSING SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ONLY READ ABOUT IN THE HISTORY BOOKS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS A LOT IN OUR WORLD, BUT TODAY IT IS HAPPENING IN A PLACE THAT HAS BEEN PEACEFUL FOR GENERATIONS. IT IS JARRING AND IT IS UNSETTLING AND IT IS HEARTBREAKING. LORD, WE KNOW IT BREAKS YOUR HEART TOO BECAUSE YOU'RE THE FATHER OF US ALL AND WE ARE ALL YOUR CHILDREN NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE OR WHERE WE WERE BORN OR WHAT STATION WE OCCUPY IN LIFE. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM PEOPLE ALL-AROUND THE WORLD. THERE IS ONE BRIGHT SPOT TO THIS DARK SITUATION AND IT IS THAT WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE REACHING OUT TO HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS AND EVEN IF THEY ARE NEIGHBORS HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION THAT IS GOING TO BE TALKED ABOUT HERE AT THE MEETING AND THANK YOU FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND STANDING WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THAT AND PRAY THAT YOU WOULD SHOW US ALL THAT THERE IS SOMETHING MORE WE CAN PERHAPS BE DOING TO SUPPORT UKRAINE AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE AND SUPPORT THE REFUGEES. LORD, ULTIMATELY WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE EQUATION IS NOT WHO IS ON UKRAINE -- WELL, THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE EQUATION IS NOT -- IS HARRIS COUNTY STANDING WITH UKRAINE? IS AMERICA STANDING WITH UKRAINE? IS EUROPE STANDING FOR UKRAINE? THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IS ARE YOU ON THE SIDE OF UKRAINE? WE KNOW IF GOD IS FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? LORD, WE PRAY YOU BE WITH UKRAINE. WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD STRENGTHEN THE PEOPLE THERE AND GIVE THEM HOPE. GIVE THEM STRENGTH AND GIVE THEM SUPPORT AND GIVE THEM GUIDANCE. WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UKRAINE AND THE VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE STEPPING UP TO DEFEND THEIR HOMELAND. LORD, WE PRAY FOR THE RUSSIANS AND WE PRAY FOR THE RUSSIAN THAT'S ARE AGAINST THE WAR. WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THEIR EFFORTS TO PROTEST AND TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO STOP THIS NEEDLESS CONFLICT. AND WE PRAY FOR THE RUSSIANS FOR THE WAR. I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT IS. OBVIOUSLY PUTIN AND HIS LEADERS. WE PRAY YOU WOULD FRUSTRATE THE EFFORTS OF RUSSIA AND RUSSIA'S ALLIES TO ATTACK UKRAINE, TAKE OVER UKRAINE, DESTROY UKRAINE, AND LORD WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD ULTIMATELY BRING PEACE AND PROSPERITY [00:05:04] BACK. LORD, WE PRAY ALL OF THESE THINGS? JESUS' NAME -- LORD, WE PRAY ALL OF THESE THINGS IN JESUS' NAME. >> PASTOR, THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU FOR THAT SINCERELY HEART FELT PRAYER. I JUST WANT TO SHARE AND APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE UH -- ABROAD. THIS WAR IS PERSONAL BECAUSE MY LATE BROTHER MARRIED A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY FROM THE UKRAINE. I HAVE A NEPHEW WHO HAS OUR BLOOD IN HIS VEINS, AND SO I KNOW THAT HE IS CONCERNED BECAUSE HIS GRANDPARENTS ARE STILL THERE AND THEY ARE IN THE CONFLICT AREA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYER. I COULD FEEL IT AND I HOPE THAT IT IS FELT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE FELT. AS YOU MENTIONED, I TOO WANT TO SAY THAT I AM PROUD OF THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE WHO ARE STANDING UP AGAINST AND PROTESTING THIS WAR. I HOPE THAT THE GOOD LORD GIVES THOSE THAT NEED THE POWER TO PUT THIS TO REST AND MOVE US IN A BETTER DIRECTION. THANK YOU FOR THAT PRAYER. IT IS FAMILY FOR ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: PASTOR, THIS IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT ON SUNDAY MANY, MANY CHURCHES COMMITTED TO PRAYER AND THAT IS UNCEASING. WE KNOW THE HORROR OFS -- THE HORRORS OF WAR. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO GOD'S INTERVENTION AT SOME POINT. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PASTOR, AS YOU KNOW ITEM 4 HAS A RESOLUTION. WE ASK YOU STAY BY CLOSE SO WE CAN HAVE YOU RECEIVE THAT RESOLUTION HONORING THE UKRAINIANS. DON'T GO TOO FAR AWAY. >> I'LL STAY PUT. >> PASTOR YOU KNOW THIS, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT ARE STANDING WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE. I VISITED ONE OF THE GATHERINGS IN SUPPORT OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AND I SAW SO MANY PASSIONATE RESIDENTS AND MANY WITH FAMILY IN THE UKRAINE. MANY RUSSIANS OPPOSED TO THE INVASION AND SO MANY PEOPLE COMING BACK AND OFFERING SUPPORT. I ALSO VISITED SEVERAL CHURCHES WHERE WE PRAYED FOR UKRAINE. I KNOW THERE IS THE POWER OF PRAYER AND THERE ARE SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY PRAYING FOR YOUR PEOPLE AND SENDING THEM STRENGTH, SUPPORTING THEM AS BEST THEY CAN AND I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE SO MANY UNITED IN SUPPORT OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE THERE. THEY ARE VERY, VERY STRONG PEOPLE. WE SO APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US THIS MORNING. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S RECITE THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDERGOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE. TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDERGOD. ONE AN INDIVIDUAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE SIX RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER TODAY. WHEN 10:30 COMES AROUND WE WILL HAVE TO STOP WHATEVER OTHER RESOLUTION WE ARE IN AND JUST AT THE NEXT ONE MAKE SOME TIME FOR REPRESENTATIVE GARNET COLEMAN WHO I KNOW HAS A VERY, VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE THIS MORNING AND WE DO WANT TO HONOR HIS DECADES OF SERVICE. I DON'T HAVE RESOLUTIONS OUT [Emergency/Supplemental items] OF ORDER. WE'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S RESOLUTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE THE LIFE OF ANOTHER MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY. I ACTUALLY LIVED IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON, AND I THINK SHE IS A [00:10:02] PRECINCT 4 CONSTITUENT AND I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HER LIFE AND I THINK WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE TO ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION IN HER HONOR. THIS RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE THE LIFE OF PALOMA VASQUEZ FOUND MURDERED BY MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS IN HER HOME IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON ON FEBRUARY 26TH, 2022. WHEREAS PALOMA HAD MOVED TO HARRIS COUNTY LAST YEAR SEEKING SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITY, LIVED RECENTLY IN PASADENA IN PRECINCT 2, AND WHEREAS PALOMA WAS A TRANSGENDER WOMAN, AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY TRANSGENDER WOMEN OF COLOR FACE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATES OF VIOLENCE. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HONORS THE LIFE OF PALOMA VASQUEZ AND BE IT RESOLVED IT IS DEDICATED TO MAKE AVAILABLE MEASURES TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY AGAINST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS LIKE TRANSGENDER WOMEN OF COLOR. THAT'S MY RESOLUTION. I THINK WE HAVE ANDREA MOLINA WITH THE ORGANIZATION. POR FAVOR. >> >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT. DID YOU MENTION -- DO WE HAVE AN INTERPRETER THAT CAN COME? >> THE INTERPRETER IS ON THE LINE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT. LET ME MAKE SURE THE INTERPRETER IS READY. INTERPRETER, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> I AM. I'M READY. >> LINA HIDALGO: INTERPRETER, I AM GOING TO ASK THE SPEAKER TO START OVER AND YOU LET HER KNOW WHEN YOU NEED HER TO STOP. >> YES. I WILL -- I WILL JUST INTERRUPT HER. >> LINA HIDALGO: PLEASE START AGAIN. >> KILLED IN HOUSTON BECAUSE THE LIFE OF TRANS WOMEN DO NOT MATTER. >> SPEAKING SPANISH]. >> PALOMA, LIKE MANY OTHER WOMEN, RAN AWAY FROM THE VIOLENCE IN LATIN AMERICA WITH DREAMS IN HER HEART. >> >> SHE CAME TO THE CITY FULL OF DIVERSITY, FULL OF DREAMS. UNFORTUNATELY SOMEBODY TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO END THOSE DREAMS. >> >> TODAY WE CONTINUE MOURNING THE DEATH OF PALOMA AND MANY OTHER WOMEN WHO WERE IGNORANT -- WHERE IGNORANCE HAS AFFECTED THEIR LIVES. >> >> HOPEFULLY THIS WILL END THE VIOLENCE AGAINST OTHER WOMEN IN THIS CITY. >> >> WHERE THE SYSTEM WILL NEVER REST UNTIL THEY FIND THE MURDERERS OF OUR TRANS WOMEN IN HOUSTON. >> WHERE THE CITY OFFERS BETTER SERVICES AND TO TRANS WOMEN AND WOMEN SO THEY CAN HAVE A BETTER TYPE OF LIFE. >> HAS THE OBLIGATION TO TRANS WOMEN AND ALL IN THIS CITY. >> [00:15:02] MAY BE ME. >> SPR-PB SPEAKING SPANISH >> THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THIS RESOLUTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE ALWAYS WILL HAVE YOUR BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION. TRANS PEOPLE ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND ESPECIALLY TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR. AND WE NEED TO STAND FOR THEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PERPETRATOR HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. ANYBODY WITH ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHO P MAY HAVE COMMITTED THIS MURDER, THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME FORWARD WITH THE AUTHORITIES. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THIS VICTIM AND HER LOVED ONES, BUT ALSO IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO ALL STAND WITH THE TRANS COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR COMING AND FOR SHARING THOSE WORDS. DO WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION OR JUST THAT ONE? CORRECT? OKAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES. TYPICALLY WE TAKE TIME, JUST AS WE JUST DID, TO RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGE A VICTIM OF CRIME, AND WE'RE IN A SEVERE CRIME PANDEMIC IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT TODAY I WANTED TO HONOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES. THIS IS KIND OF UNUSUAL IN THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL HAPPENS TO BE UNDERCOVER. THE NAME IS NOT LISTED ON HERE. BELIEVE ME WHEN WE LOOK AT THE RESOLUTION AND WE GIVE IT TO THE PERSON, THEY WILL GET IT. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE DIFFICULT JOB AND THE GRUELING AND UNIMAGINABLE ROUTINE OF SOME OF OUR UNDERCOVER OFFICERS THAT ARE OUT THERE PROTECTING US DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THEY TRULY ARE HEROS WALKING AMONG US THAT WE ARE HARDLY AWARE OF. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO PAUSE AND REFLECT ON THAT. WHEREAS IN FEBRUARY OF 2018, AN UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATOR WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE'S OFFICE PRECINCT 5 MAJOR OFFENDERS UNIT WHO MUST REMAIN ANONYMOUS, WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN RESCUING A 16-YEAR-OLD FEMALE HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM ACTING ON A TIP FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES. THIS INVESTIGATOR LEARNED THAT THE VICTIM WAS A 16-YEAR-OLD RUN AWAY WHO WAS BEING HELD AGAINST HER WILL. THE TIP SAID THE GIRL WAS BEING DRUGGED AND RAPED BY MULTIPLE MEN AT THE DIRECTION OF THE TRAFFICKER. WHEREAS THE INVESTIGATOR FOUND WHERE THE VICTIM WAS BEING HELD ASSISTED IN RESCUING HER AND APPREHENDED THE TRAFFICKERS. DURING THE OPERATION ONE OF THE SUSPECTS FLED ON FOOT AND WAS PURSUED BY THE INVESTIGATOR. THE SUSPECT WAS APPREHENDED BY THE INVESTIGATOR AND THE VICTIM WAS RESCUED. THE SUSPECT WAS ULTIMATELY CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SEXUAL PERFORMANCE BY A CHILD. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED VIDEOTAPED SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS AND SOME OF THE JOHNS WERE IDENTIFIED AND ALSO ARRESTED AND WHEREAS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS THE INVESTIGATOR CONCERNED FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE VICTIM NEVER CEASED. HE MADE SHER -- SURE SHE RECEIVED THE PROPER SOCIAL SERVICES, COUNSELING AND MEDICAL CARE OFTEN ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORTATION, MEALS AND NEW CLOTHING HIMSELF. HE CONTINUED TO CHECK ON HER WELL BEING AND ULTIMATELY HELPED HER ENROLL IN A GED PROGRAM AND WHEREAS IN DECEMBER OF 2021, THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO TESTIFY AGAINST THE TRAFFICKER. THE INVESTIGATOR REMAINED AT HER SIDE AS SHE TESTIFIED AND GAVE HER VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT. THE TRAFFICKER WAS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IF PRISON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD. WHEREAS THE INVESTIGATOR ALSO HELPED THE VICTIM, NOW 19, REUNITE WITH HER FAMILY, SEEK FURTHER EDUCATION, GAIN EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN IN CONTINUED COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES. THE INVESTIGATOR CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE THE VICTIM AND HELP KEEP HER ON A TRACK TO SUCCEED. THIS SUCCESS STORY IS A RESULT OF AN INVESTIGATOR NOT ONLY DOING HIS GREAT POLICE JOB, BUT ALSO HAVING COMPASSION FOR THE VICTIM AND ALLOWING HER TO BENEFIT FROM THE MANY SERVICES IN PLACE FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY CELEBRATES THE HEROICS OF PRECINCTS 5 [00:20:03] CONSTABLE INVESTIGATOR. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY. CAPTAIN TURNER, WOULD YOU STEP FORWARD AND I KNOW YOU KNOW WHO IT IS. >> YES, SIR, I DO. >> AND YOU HAVE REMARKS AND WE WILL BE GIVING THIS RESOLUTION. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND TO THE COURT. THIS DEPUTY IS A TREMENDOUS DEPUTY. HIS INVESTIGATIONS ALWAYS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FROM HIM AND FROM ALL OF US. IT IS RARE THE UNDERCOVERS GET RECOGNITION. TO DO THIS MEANS A LOT AND IT MEANS A LOT FOR HIM. AND HE WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO EXPRESS HIS GRATITUDE. THANK YOU FROM PRECINCT 5 AND I CAN'T SAY HIS NAME, BUT FROM THE INVESTIGATOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY A DEEP -- UNANIMOUSLY. [Departments (Part 1 of 4)] DEEP GRATITUDE TO THIS INVESTIGATOR. COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE THREE THAT RUN THE GAMUT OF EMOTION. THE FIRST IS ONE OF SADNESS 11-YEAR-OLD DARIUS DARNELL, DJ, DUGAS WAS SHOT IN FEBRUARY OF 2022 WHILE RETRIEVING HIS JACKET FROM HIS MOTHER'S CAR. DARIUS WAS BELOVED BY HIS FAMILY, HIS PARENTS AND HIS TWO OLDER SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS AND NUMEROUS AUNTS, UNCLES AND COUSINS. HE WAS AN HONOR ROLE STUDENT AND PARTICIPATED IN BAND PLAYING PERCUSSION IN GO LINA PARK. HE LOVED PLAYING BASKETBALL AND DANCING. THE LIFE OF DARIUS WAS STOLEN FROM THIS WORLD TOO SOON IN A SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE. THE 19-YEAR-OLD MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN THIS HORRIFIC CRIME HAS AN EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL HISTORY AND FREED FROM JAIL ON THREE FELONY BONDS AGGRAVATED ROBBERY WITH A DEADLY WEAPON AND FELONY THEFT AND A BOND FOR EVADING ARREST. THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF DARIUS AND RESOLVES THAT CHANGES MUST BE UNDERTAKEN TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I DON'T SEE ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. IS THAT RIGHT? >> WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS, YOUR HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM BURNETTA FRANCIS. I AM THE MOTHER OF DARIUS DUGAS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MY SON'S LIFE. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR TO SAY. BUT I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO JUST KNOW THAT DARIUS WAS THE TYPE OF CHILD THAT MY ALARM WOULD GO OFF AT 6:30 EVERY MORNING, BUT HE DIDN'T NEED THE ALARM. HE LOVED SCHOOL AND HE LOVED TO BE AROUND PEOPLE. AT 11 YEARS OL HE WAS MY BABY -- OLD, HE WAS MY BABY BOY, BUT HE WOKE EVERYONE UP. HE WAS THE TYPE OF CHILD BY THE TIME I WOKE UP HE HAD -- HE WOULD LAY HIS SISTER'S CLOTHES OUT FOR HER SO ALL SHE WOULD HAVE TO DO IS ROLL OVER AND PUT HER STUFF ON. HE WAS A HELPING CHILD. HE WAS VERY LOVING. HIS SMILE, HE WAS HAPPY. I HAVE A TIME STAMP ON MY PHONE AT 5:41. WE WERE AT MY GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE WITH THE FAMILY AND HAVING A GOOD TIME. BASICALLY WE WERE ENJOYING THE FAMILY WITH MY GRANDPARENTS AND MY KIDS AND IT WAS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL DAY. I HAD TO MAKE A CALL BECAUSE MY SON WAS A VICTIM OF GUN VIOLENCE. I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS, BUT I JUST DON'T WISH THIS ON ANYONE, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS LIFE AND I DO INTEND ON DOING MY PART TO MAKE SURE THAT HIS NAME LIVES ON IN A POSITIVE WAY. THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOD BLESS YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRENGTH IN COMING AND SHARING YOUR -- THESE WORDS WITH US. IT IS TRULY HEARTBREAKING TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. WE DO ENDEAVOR TO CALL THIS OUT. A PERPETRATOR WITH A WEAPON THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD AND PAID BOND SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES. OUR HEARTBREAKS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A COUPLE [00:25:05] MORE RESOLUTIONS, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DO, YOUR HONOR. THE SECOND ONE IS THE ONE THAT OUR PASTOR WHO WAS ON THE PHONE EARLIER, I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE HIM BACK ON THE LINE, MS. WILLIAMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER WHY DON'T WE GIVE HIM TIME TO GET ON THE LINE AND IN THE MEANTIME I -- I JUST SAW REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN COME BACK. DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WORKS PERFECTLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELCOME REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HOPE IT IS OKAY TO SIT YOU BY. THERE ARE NEW CHAMBER THAT'S WILL BE A BIT MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL OF US, BUT WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. AS YOU REMEMBER FROM MY DAYS IN THE LEGISLATURE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS, BUT THIS ONE HAS SPECIAL MEANING FOR ME. LEE BROWN TOLD ME ONCE WHEN HE WAS MAYOR HE WAS GIVEN AN HONORARY DOCTRINE. OF COURSE HE IS DR. LEE BROWN, THE PHD WHEN THEY GAVE HIM THAT DEGREE, IT WAS AN HONOR TO CALL HIM OUT ON WHAT PEOPLE HOPED HE WOULD DO. WHEN YOU GET AN HONORARY DOCTORATE, THAT IS IN REC COG -- RECOGNITION OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. THIS RESOLUTION, MY FRIEND, IS IN HONOR. [INAUDIBLE]. IT SAYS WHEREAS REPRESENTATIVE GARNET COLEMAN HAS DEDICATED 30 YEARS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. HIS MEANS OF -- DARN IT. NO WONDER I DON'T DO THESE RESOLUTIONS VERY OFTEN. REPRESENTATIVE GARNET COLEMAN HAS DEDICATED 30 YEARS TO THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. HIS EFFECTIVE MEANS OF AUTHORING AND CRAFTING PEOPLE-CENTERED LAWS HAS MADE A LASTING IMPACT THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE FELT LONG AFTER HIS DEPARTURE ON THE TEXAS HOUSE FROM DIRECTING AND FUNDING AND ISSUES AROUND HEALTH CARE AND HIGHER EDUCATION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LGBTQ PLUS RIGHTS AND BEYOND. COMMUNITIES OF TEXAS HAVE HAD THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVED BY REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN. REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING LEGISLATION PASSED THAT SIMPLIFIED ACCESS TO THE CHILDREN'S MEDICAID PROGRAM WHICH HELPED PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO MORE THAN 600,000 WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT HE ALSO HELPED SECURE AN INCREASE OF 161.5 MILLION FOR AT RISK CHILD CARE SERVICES AS WELL AS CO-AUTHOR A BILL AND WE CALL IT CHIP IN TEXAS THAT MAKES LOW COST HEALTH INSURANCE AVAILABLE TO 400,000 TEXAS CHILDREN. AND HELPS TO GIVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE TO FOSTER CHILDREN. DUE TO HIS EXPERTISE HE WAS SELECTED BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO WORK ON A WORKING GROUP OF LEGISLATORS TO HELP CRAFT AND PASS THE PATIENT PROTECTION AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. AND WHEREAS REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN HAS PROVIDED MILLIONS IN FUNDING TO THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CANCER, HIV AIDS AND MENTAL HEALTH OVER THE DECADES HE SECURED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDING FOR TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A AND M UNIVERSITY AND MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUGHTON AND OTHER -- UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND OTHER PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES TO BE TIER1 UNIVERSITIES. HE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO USHER IN POLICY THAT'S WOULD FURTHER BAIL REFORM SKPEUPL PROVE SAFETY IN JAILS AND HONOR THE LIKES OF SANDRA BLAINE BY PROVIDING POLICE OFFICERS WITH DE ESCALATION TRAINING. HE EVEN HELPED TO USHER IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE HISTORIC THIRD WARD TO GROUPS LIKE MIDTOWN -- THE MIDTOWN TAX INCREMENT ZONE WHICH HAS ACTED LIKE A LAND FOR US IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. COLEMAN HAS DILIGENTLY DEFENDED THE SACRED RIGHT OF VOTERS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS AND HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO PRO LGBTQ -- LGBTQ PLUS PEOPLE SINCE THE LAW BEGAN IN THE 1990S. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT REPRESENTS GARNET COLEMAN FOR 30 YEARS OF BRINGING THE LEGISLATIVE KNOW HOW AND JUSTICE LAW IN ORDER TO BEST SERVE THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS. WE WISH YOU THE BEST IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE AND WILL BE ADOPTED ON THIS DAY. I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF HIS FORMER COLLEAGUES AND FORMER EMPLOYEES WHO SIGNED UP, COLLEAGUES I COULDN'T STOP THEM FROM DIALING IN AND COMING. WE ARE JUST SO PROUD OF YOU GARNET. I REMEMBER YOUR PARENTS [00:30:04] HELPING ME THE FIRST TIME I RAN FOR OFFICE. I GUESS YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN HIGH SCHOOL BACK THEN OR MAYBE EVEN YOUNGER. YOU CAME AFTER SOME POWERFUL FOOTSTEPS, BOTH YOUR MOM, YOUR DAD, YOUR GODFATHER AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY. YOU HAVE FAR EXCEEDED WHAT ANYBODY THOUGHT YOU WOULD DO, INCLUDING BACK WHEN YOU WERE AN INTERN AND I WAS A STAFFER FOR OUR FRIEND NICKY LAYMAN. WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THIS TO YOU. I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SIGNED UP. I THINK CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE WAS FIRST. SHE WAS TRYING TO FIND A BREAK AT A COMMITTEE MEETING TO DIAL IN. WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE. REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN, MAN, I LOVE YOU. READING JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS JUST MAKES MY CHEST AND MY HEART SWELL BECAUSE WHEN COMMISSIONER EL -- ELLIS USED THE PHRASE "PEOPLE-CENTERED LEGISLATION" YOU HAVE TOUCHED, CHANGED AND UNDOUBTEDLY SAVED LIVES BY THE LEGISLATION YOU CRAFTED AND WERE ABLE TO PASS. AND FOR SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS A PRECINCT WHO HAS AMONG THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FAMILIES WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE AMONG THE HIGHEST RATES OF DIABETES AND ASTHMA AND CANCER, I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT I WILL MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 2 KNOW THEY OWE AN INCREDIBLE DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO REUPT -- REPRESENTATIVE GAR -- GARNET COLEMAN. YOUR LEGISLATION WILL LIVE ON IN THE LIVES OF MANY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN, WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO BE A PART OF THIS RECOGNITION OF YOUR SERVICE. NOW AS BEING ON THE VIRTUAL OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, I HAVE TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR WORK INER TMS OF WHEN YOU DISAGREED YOU DID SO WITH DIGNITY ANDUM DECOR. YOU REACHED ACROSS THE AISLE ON THOSE THINGS THAT WERE JOINTLY ERE. P YOURASSION FOR THE PEOPLE WAS CONTAGIOUS, AND I WANT TOK SAY THANYOU FORRV THAT SEICE. AND THANK YOU TOO FOR THE TIME WHEN'S I KNOCKED ON YOUR OFFICE TRYING TO GET A FEW THINGS I THOUGHT WERE APPROPRIATE. YOU NEVER TURNED ME AWAY. IHA WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TT AS WELL. I KNOW THERE MAY BE AN ARM WRESTLING MATCH OVER HERE TO DO THE SECOND. BUT IN HONOR OF HOW YOU HAVE ALWAYS REACHED ACROSS THE AISLE IF MY COLLEAGUES WOULD DEFER, I WOULD HAVE THE SECOND BE FROM THIS REPUBLICAN IN HONOR OF THE RECOGNITION OF YOUR WORK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I NORMALLY WOULD, BUT NOT TODAY. >> TOM RAMSEY: REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN, YOU LEAVE A WONDERFUL LEGACY. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I WAS AT THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION AND YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT IS REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN THIS AND REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN THAT. WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IS BEYOND DESCRIPTION. ALL THESE OTHER THINGS MENTIONED. BUT JUST KNOW YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE AT THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION COUNTY THAT'S WILL MISS YOU AND MISS YOUR LEADERSHIP AND JUST APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND TRYING TO FIND SOLUTIONS THAT MATTER TO PEOPLE. REPRESENTATIVE, I ONLY WISH WE SPENT MORE TIME TOGETHER IN THE ELECTED OFFICE. I KNOW YOU WILL STAY INVOLVED AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR WHAT WE HAVE TRIED TO DO. I APPRECIATE YOUR COUNSEL AND YOUR INCREDIBLE LEADERSHIP. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO BEFORE WE TAKE WE TAKE OUR SPEAKERS ? >> JUST THAT IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE PEOPLE AND TO BE IN GOVERNMENT. AS MUCH AS IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULDN'T WANT TO DO THESE DAYS, THE GOOD FAR OUTWEIGHS THE NEGATIVE. AND IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN ARM WRESTLE, IT IS JUST AN ARM WRESTLE. THE GOOD THAT COMES FROM THE COLLECTIVE WORKS OF EVERYONE IS OF GREAT VALUE. [00:35:02] >> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE. WE WILL TAKE -- [INAUDIBLE]. [Appearances before court (Part 1 of 3)] >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL TAKE THE SPEAKERS, TIFFANY. >> COMMISSIONER, CONGRESSWOMAN JACKSON LEE'S STAFF IS TRYING TO GET HER. AS SOON AS WE GET HER WE'LL PUT HER THROUGH. FIRST WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE ANNA HERNANDEZ. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM DELIGHTED TO JOIN YOU TODAY TO HONOR CHAIRMAN GARNET COLEMAN. I HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF SERVING WITH CHAIRMAN COLEMAN IN THE TEXAS HOUSE FOR THE PAST 16 YEARS. HE HAS BEEN A LOYAL FRIEND AND AN ABSOLUTE STATESMAN. HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND BECAME KNOWN AS A CHAMPION FOR WORKING FAMILIES, FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. I FIND IT FITTING THAT HE WOULD BE HONORED TODAY ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AS CHAIRMAN COLEMAN HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN. I AM GRATEFUL FOR HIS HELP OVER THE YEARS. THERE ARE MANY TIMES I WOULD GO TO HIM ON HOW TO NAVIGATE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. HIS RESPONSE IS ALWAYS, I GOT YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN COLEMAN. YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR COMMUNITY DILIGENTLY AND WITH PASSION. ALTHOUGH HE IS STEPPING AWAY FROM THE STATE LEGISLATE -- LEGISLATURE I KNOW HE WILL CONTINUE IN OTHER WAYS. I AM SAD YOU WILL NO LONGER BE OUR COLLEAGUE, BUT GRATEFUL FOR THE 31 YEARS OF SERVICEO T THETA STE. WE LOVE YOU FOR THAT. LOVE YOU,T. GARNE >> THANK YOU,NT REPRESEATIVE HERNANDEZ. >>OU THANK Y, ANNA.HA >> TNK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TURNER. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING ME CALL AND SPEAK ON THE RESOLUTION FOR HONORING A GREAT FRIEND AND A GREAT TEXAS LEADER, REPRESENTATIVE GARNET COLEMAN. AS YOU HEARD ALREADY, THE IMPACT THAT GARNET HAS HAD ON SO MANY ISSUES IN OUR STATE IS NOTHING SHORT OF EXTRAORDINARY. LOOK AT HEALTH CARE AS ONE ISSUE. EVERY MAJOR HEALTH CARE POSITIVE INITIATIVE IN THE LAST GENERATION HAS GARNET COLEMAN'S FINGER -- FINGERPRINTS ON IT. HE LEAD THE WAY ON THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROGRAM, THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE POLICIES THE 1115 WAIVER. AND GARNET IS ONE OF A FEW STATE LEGISLATORS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO HELP CRAFT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT THAT HAS DONE MORE TO ADVANCE HEALTH CARE ACCESS THAN ANYTHING SINCE THE CREATION OF MEDICARE. I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU ALL SITTING IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CHRIS, THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD? >> HE HAS BEEN AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR HOUSTON FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND HE HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE MENTOR AND TEACHER AND FRIEND TO ME. AND WE ARE GOING TO MISS HIM DEARLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING IN, MR. CHAIRMAN. >> NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE JEAN WU SPEAKING IN PERSON. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELCOME REPRESENTATIVE WU. >> CHAIRMAN IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I AM JUST GOING TO ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAY, BUT I WILL SAY THIS GARNET WAS MY -- SAY THIS. GARNET WAS MY CHAIRMAN FOR ONE SESSION. HE WAS MY FRIEND AND MY MENTOR AND I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM HIM. I LEARNED ABOUT MELT CARE. -- HEALTH CARE. I LEARNED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. WE BONDED ON THE HEARINGS, BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FROM MY PERSONAL CAREER AND MY PERSONAL GROWTH IS HE TAUGHT ME IT IS OKAY TO BE ANGRY. IT IS OKAY TO BE MAD FOR YOUR PEOPLE. IT IS OKAY TO HAVE RIGHTEOUS INDIG NATION WHEN YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR PEOPLE'S CIVIL RIGHTS. IT IS OKAY TO BE RAGING MAD WHEN YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR YOUR PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO JUST VOTE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THAT WILL STAY WITH ME MY ENTIRE CAREER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR COMING, REPRESENTATIVE WU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE. >> NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALMA ALLEN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, COURT. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. [00:40:04] AND MY THIRD GREATEST STUDENT, RODNEY ELLIS. AND THE MAN OF THE HOUR, GARNET COLEMAN. I WON'T FORGET THE MORNING YOU SHOWED UP AT MY HOUSE AT 6:00 IN THE MORNING AND WE HAVE BEEN TPREPBSDZ -- FRIENDS EVER SINCE. HE HAS GUIDED ME IN MANY, MANY WAYS. WE WILL MISS THE ANALYSIS HE DID ON EVERY MEETING AND KEPT US ALTOGETHER. WE BUILT A COMRADERY AND I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR ALL OF THE THINGS HE HAS DONE. HE HAS BEEN WITH ME SINCE 2004 UP UNTIL TODAY. THANK YOU GARNET. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE. WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, DR. ALLEN. THIS IS YOUR STUDENT. HE IS SITTING BESIDE ME AND KEEPING ME CALM. HE HAD ME TEARING UP. REPRESENTATIVE, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. >> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANKOU Y. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER JIM DONE HAM. JIM DUNHAM. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, IT IS AN HONOR TO BE ASKED. LET ME SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT GARNET COLEMAN. SMART, INTAU ELECT, COMPASSION, CARING, STRATEGIC, TACTILE, DRIVE, PERSISTENCE, COMMITTED, TENACIOUS, STUDIED, PERSPECTIVE, HEART AND MIND, FUNNY, GROUNDED, SELF-LESS, MENTOR, CONSCIENCE AND A TRUE FRIEND. GARNET TOLL MAN -- GARNET COLEMAN WALKED THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW DEATH ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, I CAN TELL YOU THAT. THERE IS ONE THING I TELL PEOPLE WITH POLITIC THERE'S IS LOTS OF SPIN AND THERE IS A LOT OF PERSUASION. IT IS POLITICS. I REMEMBER COUNTLESS TIMES SITTING NEXT TO GARNET ON THE FLOOR AND ASKING HIM WHAT I SHOULD DO AND HOW SHOULD WE SPEND THIS AND THAT. GARNET WOULD SAY, HOW ABOUT WE JUST TELL THEM THE TRUTH? THAT'S HOW GARNET WOULD BRING YOU BACK AND GROUND YOU. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS DO THE RIGHT THING AND TELL THE TRUTH. MY LIFE IS MUCH BETTER FOR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THE HOUSE. THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JIM. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY? >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I HIT TWO ROADS IN THE WOOD AND I WAS STANDING BY GAR -- GARNET COLEMAN AND I CHOSE THE PATH WITH GARNET AND IT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER ED MARTIN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO, GARNET. IT IS A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO SAY WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY ABOUT YOU AND ALL OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER. IN 1991 MY GOOD FRIEND KEITH WADE CALLED ME AND SAID HAVE I A GUY THAT IS GOING TO WIN THE SPECIAL ELECTION. MY COUSIN GARNET COLEMAN. THE LAST 30 YEARS THEY CONTINUED TO MAKE THE CORRECT CHOICE. WE HEARD ABOUT A LOT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS. WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON SO MANY POLITICAL CAM -- CAMPAIGNS. BUT THOSE CAMPAIGNS AND HIS WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE, THEY WERE ALL DONE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE WE ARE WORKING FOR. SOME PEOPLE DO POLITICS AND SOME DO POLICY. GARNET AND I HAVE ALWAYS AGREED THAT THE BEST AT POLITICS AND THE BEST AT POLICY IS WHEN YOU WORK TOGETHER. WHEN WE DO THAT, THAT'S WHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR PEOPLE AND OUR POLITICS IS ALL WHAT IT SHOULD BE IN A DEMOCRACY. THA*RZ WHAT -- THAT'S WHAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU WHETHER IT IS ON THE CAMPAIGN OR THE HOUSE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR YOU ALL OVER THIS -- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY TO WRAP UP? >> JUST THAT THE HRELG TKPWAU SEE, THERE -- LEGACY, THERE ARE PEOPLE IN STATE GOVERNMENT AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, EVERYWHERE WHO WORKED AND LEARNED FROM GARNET. WE WILL CARRY THE LEGACY ON. I KNOW WE ARE TOO BECAUSE WE ARE ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD. >> NEXT IS PHILIP MARTIN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME AND THE FAMILY. A YOUNG CHIEF OF STAFF IN 2007 AND I THINK YOU NUDGED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND TAUGHT ME HOW TO THINK WHICH IS INVALUABLE. YOU SET ME IN THE COURSE OF LIFE I AM IN NOW. EVERYONE I GET TO WORK WITH AND HIRE, YOUR LEGACY WHICH IS A MONUMENT OF COMPASSION, HARD WORK AND LOVE IS GOING TO BE CARRIED ON FOREVER. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU DO NEXT. I WILL BE THERE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. [00:45:01] >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, PHILIP. >> NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ARMANDO WALLEY. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. I MUTED THE WRONG LINE. STATE REPRESENTATIVE, GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND JUDGE HIDALGO. I WANTED TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS ON MY CHAIRMAN GARNET COLEMAN. HE IS LIKE A MICHAEL JORDAN AND TOM BRADY OF LEGISLATIVE POLITICS. HE IS GOING OUT ON A HUGE WIN. WHETHER WE GOT MONEY FOR U OF H $40 MILLION THIS PAST SESSION, TSU AND TRB'S $100 MILLION THIS PAST SESSION, THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON MEDICAL SCHOOL DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT GAR -- GARNET COLEMAN. THE MONEY WE PUT IN A COUPLE SESSIONS AGO DOESN'T GO IN WITHOUT GARNET COLEMAN. THE A AND M DOLLARS DON'T GO IN WITHOUT GARNET COLEMAN. I AM JUST SO PROUD TO BE HIS FRIEND AND SO PROUD TO CALL HIM A MENTOR. IT IS SOMEBODY I TRY TO EMULATE MY WORK. AND HONESTLY HE HAS AFFORDED ME TO THE POSITION AND GUIDED FOR ALL OF THE WORK HE HAS DONE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE. HE WAS JUST SAYING THAT SOMEBODY WILL HAVE TO PICK UP THAT LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP AND I THINK IT WILL BE YOU. >> THAT'S CORRECT THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING VERY MUCH. REPRESENTATIVE, MY FRIEND, MY DEAR FRIEND, COMMISSIONERS' COURT, I STEPPED AWAY FROM CHAIRING THE CRIME SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE ISSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE AND DEALING WITH POLICING ACROSS THE NATION TO REALLY TALK ABOUT A FRIEND, A NEIGHBOR, A PERSONAL THAT I KNOW AS A GET IT DONE AND DO IT. REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN, I THANK YOU FOR INVESTING YOUR HEART AND SOUL. BUT I THANK YOU MOST FOR YOUR DAD, YOUR MOM, YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THE WHOLE FAMILY THAT HAVE SACRIFICED FOR THIS COMMUNITY. I PAY TRIBUTE TO YOU BECAUSE YOU NEVER STOPPED WORKING. AS JOHN LEWIS SAYS, YOU NEVER GAVE UP, YOU NEVER GAVE IN AND YOU NEVER GAVE OUT. YOU PROVIDED US WITH A WIDE HEALTH HEALTH CARE AND NOT ONLY FOR THOSE IN TEXAS, BUT THE NATION. WE OWE YOU A GREAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE. YOU WILL NOT BE STEPPING AWAY FROM THE FIGHT. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A FIGHTER. YOU WILL ALWAYS STAND FOR JUSTICE. YOU WILL NEVER STOP. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP. CONGRESSWOMAN, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? YOU CAN CONTINUE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, SHEILA JACKSON LEE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, CONGRESSWOMAN. CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE, THIS IS JACK CAGLE. I AM MISSING YOU ALREADY, MY FRIEND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE MAY HAVE RUSHED BACK. >> I THINK SHE DISCONNECTED, COMMISSIONER. >> NEXT IS SENATOR BORIS MILES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THANK COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR HONORING A TRUE FRIEND OF MINE, A CHILDHOOD FRIEND FROM JUNIOR HIGH, A LEGEND. SOMEONE WHO IS TRULY, TRULY, TRULY IDENTIFIED AS A PUBLIC SERVANT. GARNET AND I GO BACK TO OUR EARLY TEENS. HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LEADER FROM THAT FIRST DAY MEETING HIM. HE HAS BEEN A LEADER. GARNET, YOUR WORK IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE WILL BE LEGENDARY. WE HAVE BIG SHOES TO FILL THAT YOU ARE GOING TO LEAVE FOR US IN THE WAY OF URBAN AFFAIRS AND PARTICULARLY IN THE WAY OF MENTAL HEALTH. WE WILL TRY TO CARRY ON AND PUBLIC HEALTH YOU ARE A GIANT. YOU HAVE DONE GREAT THINGS AND YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED. MOST OF ALL, BROTHER COLEMAN, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU, MAN AND WE WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU AS WELL AS YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR THE PEOPLE. YOU HAVE TRULY BEEN ANMP EXALE AND MENTOR FOR THE TRUEAN MEING OF THE WORD PUBLIC SERVANT.K THANYOUSE FOR YOUR RVICES. >> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SENATOR, ANYTHINGDD YOU WANT TO A, YOU CAN CONTINUE.WA >> I JUST NTED TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE LOVE HIM H AND WE LOVEIS FAMILY AND WE LOVE THE COMMITMENTSDE THAT HE HAS MA AND THE SACRIFICES FOR THE PEOPLE AND HE IS THE EPITOME OF PUBLIC SERVICE, RODNEY. GARNET, YOU GO, BROTHER. [00:50:03] YOU ROCK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, SENATOR. >> NEXT IS FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER PETE LANEY. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING. THIS IS PETE. WHEN I GAME SPEAKER OF MACON COUNTY OF AFFAIRS. YOU SAID WHY DID I DO THAT BECAUSE YOU HAD ONE COUNTY. I SAID THAT MEANS YOU HAVE 253 MORE TO GET UH -- GET ACQUAINTED WITH. IN THE NEXT SESSION WE SAID I WILL DO SOMETHING ELSE. I WANT TO BE THERE. HE LIKED THE COUNTY AFFAIRS BECAUSE HE WAS THERE UNTIL NOW. NO OTHER COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN THAT I HAD -- I HAD FEWER COMPLAINTS FROM THE CONSTITUENTS AND FROM THE MEMBERS AND I THINK HE DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF REPRESENTING HIS CON STIFF WEPB -- CONSTITUENCY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. YOU CAN CONTINUE, MR. SPEAKER. >> OKAY. THE -- YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE MAIN THING. HE WAS JUST A VERY LOYAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR ANYONE TO CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THAN HE DID WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANYTHING. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR ME AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR COMMENTS WHEN YOU GET ON THE OUTSIDE AND LOOKING IN AND TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. >> YOU BET. >> NEXT IS ANTHONY HAYLEY. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, HAHN -- HONORABLE COURT. MY NAME IS ANTHONY HAYLEY AND I WOULD LIKE TO PIE TRIP -- PAY TRIBUTE TO GARNET COLEMAN. JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU WOULD NOT KNOW THIS, BUT IN 1991 I WAS REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN'S FIRST CHIEF OF STAFF. I BELIEVE GARNET WAS 29 AND I WAS 28. GARNET WAS MEMBER 150 OUT OF 150 HOUSE MEMBERS. NOW CHAIRMAN COLEMAN RETIRES AS THE FIFTH SENIOR MEMBER OF THE TEXAS HOUSE. AGAIN, GARNET IS NUMBER 5 OUT OF 150 MEMBERS. THE TEXAS HOUSE IS A BODY WHERE SENIORITY AND CHAIRMANSHIP COUNT FOR A LOT. MEMBERS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN SUCCEED BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE LONG PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE AISLE AND THE EXPERIENCE OF HOW THE BODY WORKS TO GET THINGS DONE LIKE BRINGING HOME BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR HEALTH CARE, HIGHER EDUCATION -- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT'S RODNEY ELLIS. YOU CAN FINISH. IF YOU WOULD LIKE. >> THANK YOU, FORMER SENATOR AND COMMISSIONER. AND MANY OTHER PUBLIC POLICY AREAS. GARNET'S COUNCIL WAS THOUGHT TO BE TO HIS LEFT AND FAR RIGHT. GARNET'S BREADTH EXTENDED WELL BEYOND HARRIS COUNTY TO ALL 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS. FROM THE SMALLEST TO THE LARGEST. GARNET IS A PLAYER. HE SERVED AS C AHAIRMAN AND AS A STATE BUDGET WRITERER UND MULTIPLE SPEAKERS BOTH DEMOCRATIC ANDN. REPUBLICA HE WORKEDRN WITH GOVEORSAN FROM NE RICHARDS TO GREG ABBOTT AS WELL.AS OF SUCCESSLEGACY ETHICAL AND EFKNOWLEDGEABLE AND FECTIVE. POLICY MAKER ITHE EARNED THE RECOGNION GRANTED BY THIS DISTINGUISHED COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS ALL OF WHICH BENEFITED IMMENSELY FROM HIS WORK. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT, MY FRIEND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. LOAN -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MR. HAYLEY. >> NEXT IS CARL DAVIS SPEAKING IN PERSON. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM CARL DAVIS, A MEMBER OF THE AME GENERAL BOARD. I COME TODAY TO COMMEND YOU ON RECOGNIZING AN OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANT, MY FRIEND STATE REPRESENTATIVE GARNET COLE MAN WHO IS DESERVING OF THIS HONOR. I HAVE KNOWN REPRESENTATIVE [00:55:01] COLEMAN MOST OF MY LIFE AND HAS WATCHED HIM GROW INTO A WORLD CLASS LEGISLATOR WHO MADE AN IMPACT IN THIS STATE AND IN THIS CITY ON HEALTH CARE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COUNTLESS OTHER ISSUES THAT AFFECTS THE LIVES OF THE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON AND THE STATE OF TEXAS. HE IS A PROUD PRODUCT OF THE THIRD WARD, TEXAS. AND THE SON OF THE LATE DR. JOHN B COLEMAN AND MRS. GLORIA COLEMAN WHO I KNOW ARE SO PROUD OF ALL OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. LONG AFTER HE IS GONE LEGISLATORS ARE GOING TO BE FACED WITH TOUGH DECISIONS AND THEY WILL SAY -- THEY WILL ASK THEMSELVES WHAT WILL GARNET DO? I WANT TO PUBLICLY SAY JOB WELL DONE. >> THANK YOU, CARL. >> NEXT IS DANIEL KEYS WHO IS SPEAKING IN PERSON. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THERE IS A GIANT IN THE ROOM FOR HEALTH CARE. THERE IS A GIANT IN THE ROOM FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE. THERE IS A GIANT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND THIS GIANT HAS THE NAME OF GARNET COLEMAN. MR. COLEMAN HAS LIVED HIS LIFE IN SERVICE TO THE 147TH DISTRICT AND TO THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND HE HAS MADE SURE THAT EQUITY PREVAILED IN ALL COMMUNITIES FOR WOMEN, FOR CHILDREN AND FOR EDUCATION AND FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS GIANT LEAVES A LEGACY THAT WILL FOREVER BE CHAIR -- CHERISHED. I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE HONOR THAT THERE IS A LEGACY THAT WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FROM MYSELF, REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN, FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND HAVE SACRIFICED FOR THIS GREAT STATE OF TEXAS. >> AMEN. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS. IT IS WELL-DESERVED, [Departments (Part 2 of 4)] REPRESENTATIVE, ALL OF THE PRAISE AND MORE. WE HAD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. FOR THE SECOND CAN WE LIST BOTH COMMISSIONER -- LIST ALL OF THE MEMBERS. THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON COULDN'T COME ON THE LINE, BUT SHE CALLED EARLY AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE THIS UP, BUT IT SAYS -- I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS. MY DEAR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE GARNET COLEMAN HAS THE HEART OF A PUBLIC SERVANT AND HEALTH CARE AND MEN TELL HEALTH CARE AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND HIS TIRELESSED DICATION TO THE CONSTITUENTS OF 147. GARNET'SLO LIFE NG PASSION -- I DON'T KNOWTA HOW TO KE THIS THING UP. KAU GET MEYO A -- CAN U GET ME A DIFFERENT -- I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. LOGARNET'S LIFE NG PASSION FORBL SHAPING PUIC POLICY HAS MADEAL A GENERATION IMPACT ONRO POPULATIONS ACSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS A LOW COST HEALTH INSURANCE BY LOBBYING FOR HEALTH CARE ACT.FFORDABLE IT HELPS CREATE THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM. YOU TELL MS. T THAT I READ IT ALL. GARNET, SERIOUSLY, IT IS AN INDICATION OF HOW MUCH YOU ARE RESPECTED BY YOUR COLLEAGUES AND ALL OF US IN TEXAS. WE THANK YOU AND WE LOVE AND YOU WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE. >> JUDGE FOR CLARITY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKING THE MOTION AND THE ENTIRE BODY SECONDING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S HOW WE SOLVED THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE A PICTURE WITH REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN AND THEN WE HAVE TWO MORE RESOLUTIONS. [01:02:09] >> DO WE HAVE OUR PASTOR BACK ON THE LINE. >> YES, SIR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF PREPARED COMMENTS I CAN MAKE, BUT I THINK IT WOULD JUST REITERATEWH AT EVERYONE HAS ON THEIR MIND, WHAT THEY HAVE READ AND AND IHEY HAVE SEEN, WILL LET THEN RESOLUTIOSPEAK T FOR ITSELF ATHIS TIME. WHEREAS WE HAVE WITNESSED IN RECENTES WEEKS THE GREATTOF VIOLATION PEACE IN EUROPEWA SINCE WORLD R II WITH THEIO UNPROVOKED INVASN OF A PEACEFUL DEMOCRACY, UKRAINE, BUT AN AGGRESSOR'S FATE, F RUSSIA. WHEREAS MANY OTHE WORLD'S NATIONS JOINTLY DENOUNCED THEE BARBARIC ACTIONS OF THE STAT AND IMPOSED A CRIPPLING OF THE FINANCIAL ABILITY TO WAGE WAR. WHERE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH DEEP UKRAINIAN ROOTS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREETS OF HOUSTON TO PROTEST THESE VIOLENT ASSAULTS ON THEIR FAMILIES AND TO MY COLLEAGUES, I AM AWARE OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO SPEAKS UKRAINIAN, AND THAT IS OUR VERY OWN JUDGE CORDUVA WHO IS ONE OF OUR JP'S AND THIS IS VERY PERSONAL TO HER. SHE LEARNED UKRAINIAN AT THE SAME TIME SHE LEARNED TO SPEAK ENGLISH. WHEREAS RETPHOUPBGED -- RESPOUPBED SPEAKER SAYS FEAR AS TWO MEANINGS, FORGET EVERYTHING AND RUN OR FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE. WHEREAS UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY THROUGH -- THOUGH A COMEDIAN BY TRADE HAS SHOWN TO BE THE MOST COWER -- THE MOST COURAGEOUS LEADERS, THAT OF LIKE REAGAN AT THE RUSSIAN WALL. HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HEARS THE CALL OF PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND URGES PEACE IN UKRAINE. AND AN IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF VIOLENCE BY RUSSIA. WE STAND WITH THE UKRAINIAN RESIDENTS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HERE BY THIS BE INCLUDED ON THIS CHICKS -- ON THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT, MARCH 8TH, 2022. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. WE WILL HEAR FROM OURYO SPEAKER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PASTOR, ARE U ON THE LINE THERE? >> YES, I AM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE VIRTUALLY GOING TO HAVE YOU ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. DO YOU HAVE ANY KHEPBTS FOR US -- COMMENTS FOR US, SIR? >> I GUESS I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY ON BEHALF OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE WHICH MEANS WE THANK YOU SINCERELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? >> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO RETURN TO TAKE ON VOTE ON IT. COMMISSIONER CAGLE? [01:05:03] >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY LAST RESOLUTION AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE EMOTIONS IS ONE THAT WILL MAKE US SMILE. IT WILL ALLOW US TO BE PROUD OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THOSE WHO ARE SERVING US IN OUR COMMUNITY. I CAN SAY A LOT ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE AND THEIR GOLF TOURNAMENTS AND ALL OF THE OTHER STUFF THAT THEY DO TO BOTH LIFT ONE ANOTHER AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, BUT I AM GOING TO GO TO THE RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. WHEREAS THE WISDOM OF THE PROVERBS HONORS THE WORK AND DETERMINATION OF WOMEN IN CHAPTER 31 VERSE 16 SAYING SHE CONSIDERS THE FIELD AND BUY ITSELF. OUT OF HEFR EARNINGS -- HER EARNINGS SHE PLANTS A VINEYARD. HER ARMS ARE STRONG FOR HER TASKS. SHE SEES THAT HER TRADE IS PROFITABLE AND HER LAMP DOES NOT GO OUT AT NIGHT. VERSE 31 SAYS HONOR HER FOR ALL THAT HER HANDS HAVE DONE AND LET HER WORKS BRING HER PRAISE IN THE CITY GATE. WHEREAS WTS HOUSTON IS THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF A PIONEERING FEMALE PROFESSIONALS ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY ACROSS THE WORLD. WHEREAS WTS WAS ORGANIZED IN 1977, ORIGINALLY CALLED WOMEN'S TRANSPORTATION SEMINAR TO TURN THE GLASS CEILING TO A CAREER PORTAL THAT ATTRACTS AND SUSTAINS AND CONNECTS AND ADVANCES WOMEN'S LIFE-LONG CAREERS AND TRANSPORTATION. WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY IS AMONG E MANY CORP PRAET AND PUBLIC -- CORPORATE AND PUBLIC AGENCY SPONSORS FOR THISWO NDERFUL ORGANIZATION, HERALDING THE SUCCESS AND BECOMING AN INDUSTRY LEADER THAT CANNOT BE OVER LOOKED. AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT ANDEM THE COMMORATION OFST WOMEN'S HIORY MONTH HONORS THE STEDFAST WORK AND THE PROFESSIONALISM OF WTS HOUSTON AND THE WOMEN EMPLOYED BY THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A PERSONAL NOTE AND SAY I ADORE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. IN PRECINCT 4, MY CHIEF OF STAFF AND THE HEAD OF MY ADMINISTRATION ARE BOTH IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DO FOR ROADS AND WHATNOT. HAVE I ONE OF THEM RIGHT HERE AND THE OTHER ONE IN THE BACK. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT MEMBERS OF WTS WHO WE ARE HONORING, THEY ARE WOMEN IN TRANSPORTATION. SO I APPRECIATE THAT. WITH THAT I MAKE THE MOTION, YOUR HONOR. >> THANK YOU. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER [Appearances before court (Part 2 of 3)] CAGLE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WE WILL TAKE ANY SPEAKERS. >> FIRST IS SUZANNE GNAW SET OF WTS SPEAKING IN PERSON. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND COUNTY JUDGE. HAPPY WOMAN'S DAY AND WOMEN HISTORY PHOFPLT I AM SUZANNA SET AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE WTS HOUSTON CHAPTER. WITH ME HERE WITH A FORMER BOARD MEMBERS. THERE IS ALSO A PAST PRESIDENT AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON CHAPTER HERE, KAREN COOPER SMITH. IT IS MY HONOR TO ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE WTS HOUSTON CHAPTER. WTS MISSION ATTRACT, SUSTAIN STRENGTHEN THE INDUSTRY. THE HOUSTON CHAPTER WAS FOUND IN 2006 AND CURRENTLY HAVE 150 MEMBERS WITHIN OUR CHAPTER. WE PROVIDE MONTHLY LUNCHEON AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOFT SKILL PROGRAMS. WE PROFIT WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS GIRL START TO PROMOTE THEM IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. A PRIMARY GOAL IS TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIP TO HIGH SCHOOL, TRADE SCHOOL -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONTINUE. >> THANK YOU. UNDER GRAD AND GRADUATE STUDENTS. WE UH -- AWARDED $20 THOUSZ SCHOLARSHIPS TO SIX STUDENTS. THE WTS HOUSTON CHAPTER THANKS HARRIS COUNTY AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF WTS AND ITS MISSION OVER THE YEARS. THANK YOU ALL. CONGRATULATIONS, THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS CASSIE LEVY. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM CASSIE LEVY, THE SECOND GENERATION OWNER OF A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OWNING 100 PROPERTIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH TO THE WOMEN WHO SERVE THE CITY, STATE AND COUNTY AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I AM A RETIRED CITY EMPLOYEE AND BANK MANAGER. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS WHO HAS BEEN UH SPORT -- SUPPORTIVE TO THE SORORITY WHICH IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ORGANIZATION WITH 10 CHAPTERS IN THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY AREA. I MOVE THIS COURT ADOPT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ORDER AND PROPOSE BI-LAWS TO ESTABLISH THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION THAT EACH COURT MEMBERS SUBMIT TO THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. IT IS TO BE VOTED ON AS -- AT [01:10:05] THE APRIL 5TH COURT. WE WILL CELEBRATE OUR DELTA DAYS AT CITY HALL NEXT MONTH. A WOMAN'S COMMISSION IN HARRIS COUNTY GIVES US A CHANCE TO CONVENE WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES AND BACKGROUNDS AND PERSPECTIVES. THEY HELP THE COUNTY BEST ADDRESS THESE DISPARITIES. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S ALL OF THE RESOLUTIONS. WE SHOULD TAKE PICTURES AND WE SHOULD PASS THE RESOLUTIONS, BUT TWO COLLEAGUES ARE MISSING. WHY DON'T WE TAKE AN EARLY BREAK THEN. WE WILL RETURN AT 11:30. >> R. [Appearances before court (Part 3 of 3)] >> LINA HIDALGO: AS WE HAVE DONE BEFORE WE WILL TAKE THE REMAINING SPIKERS TO ALLOW THEM TO ADDRESS THE -- SPEAKERS TO ALLOW THEM TO ADDRESS THE COURT. TIFFANY, WE'LL TAKE THE SPEAKERS. >> NUMBER 5, JULIA ORDONA SPEAKING IN PERSON UNDER ITEM 6 OF COVID-19. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: MS. ORDON A? OH SHE IS IN PERSON. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER. I AM JULIA H -- ORDONA. I AM HERE FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY PROVIDING DIRECTION, FUNDING AND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR HOUSING STAU PWEUPLT. HOUSING STABILITY. THERE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES PROGRAMS WORK IN TANDEM. NAVIGATORS SUCH AS THE ALLIANCE AND THE PRESENCE OF LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES DURING THE EVICTION DOCKETS HAS BEEN A CRUCIAL PART IN ASSISTING LANDLORDS AND UH TENNANTS -- AND TENANTS NAVIGATING THE VIOLENT PROCESS OF EVICTIONS. WITHOUT THE COUNTY'S FUNDING AND SUPPORT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. WE DON'T SEE THESE SUCCESSES TRANSLATED TO EVERY COURT BECAUSE THE OWE NUSS OF UTILIZING THEM FALLS ON THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. THE TREASURY REALLOCATION COULD GO A LONG WAY IF STRATEGICALLY UTILIZED. WE HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND FUND EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES PAST THE PANDEMIC. WE ASK FOR YOUR COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY TO PUSH FOR STRONGER -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AS WE CONTINUE TO LIVE THROUGH THESE TURBULENT TIMES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. THANK YOU FOR PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS. WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST STARTED, HARRIS COUNTY WAS IMMEDIATELY FOR THE CDC ISSUE AND THE MORATORIUM TO ISSUE OR ENCOURAGE THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE NOT TO HOLD EVICTION HEARINGS. I AM PROUD OF THE LEADERSHIP WE PROVIDED. I AM GLAD THE CDC WEIGHED IN. NOTHING WORKS BETTER THAN FIGURING OUT HOW TO HELP LANDLORDS AND TENANTS STAY IN THEIR HOMES. HAVE I A A QUESTION -- I HAVE A QUESTION. WERE YOU ABLE TO TRACK WHICH OF OUR JUSTICES OF THE PEACE PERFORMED THE BEST? >> IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING INTO. SINCE WE STARTED THIS AT THENN BEGIING OF THEWE PANDEMIC HAVE BEEN RTUALLY OBSERVING AND UNFORTUNATELY A FEW OF THE O JUSTICESF THE PEACE NEVER STREAMED THEIR COURT. THAT IS ONE OF THE A BARRIERS. WERE SLOWLY LOOKING INTO MOVING INTO THE COURTROOM, BUT WE ARE TRACKING HOW THESE PROGRAMS ARE UTILIZED AND WHICH COURTS ARE UTILIZING THE ALLIANCE AND THED LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES ANHOW THEY ARE UTILIZED AND TO WHAT DEGREE. AND WE DO SEE THESE SUCCESSES ARE THERE. THE WAY THEY ARE UTILIZED IS VERY STRATEGIC AND THE FUNDING THAT YOU ARE ALL PROVIDING IS SO IMPORTANT. WE CANNOT WASTE THESE MONIES. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THE FUNDING IS THERE AND IT IS BEING PROVIDED, THESE PROGRAMS ARE ALSO BEING UTILIZED TO THE BEST OF ITS PROCESS SO THESE TENANTS AND THESE LANDLORDS AND THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE CAN HAVE THIS HELP. IN UTILIZING NAVIGATORS AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES WE ARE SEEING LESS CASES GET TO THE HEARING STATE. WE WILL HAVE LESS CASES THAT THE JUDGES WILL HAVE TO HEAR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING A REPORT. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS. [01:15:01] >> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE YOU COMING AS WELL. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ANY POLICY CHANGES THAT YOU ALL THINK WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO. I JUST APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN DO ANYTHING TO INCENTIVIZE THE OTHER COURTS TO LIVE STREAM. MAYBE IT IS THE JUDGE'S DECISION. I DON'T KNOW. I KNOW WHEN THE ISSUE CAME UP AND WHEN THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION CAME IN, WE DID CANCEL ONE OF THE CONTRACTS THAT SOME JP'S WANTED TO KEEP. I THINK WE MADE THE MOTION FROM MY OFFICE. I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT OTHERS WE CAN FOCUS ON AS WELL. SO WE CAN TAKE SOME OF THE FEES -- THE PROGRESSIVE FEES THAT ARE ON PEOPLE. THERE IS A REASON WHY MANY PEOPLE ARE BEHIND. THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. IF YOU ADD MORE FEES ON, I DON'T THINK IT INCENTIVIZES THEM TO PAY. IT MAKES IT MORE LIKELY THEY WILL END UP ON THE STREETS. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WHAT TEXAS HOUSE HAS GIVEN US. >> AND WE ARE CURRENTLY PUTTING OUT A LIST OF JP BEST PRACTICES AS TO WHAT THEY CAN DO AND CURRENT THINGS IF THE LAW AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE DO SUGGEST THEY DO. AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE UNDERSTAND NEED FUNDING AND MAYBE SOME LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS. WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO WORK WITH EACH OF YOU. AND SEEING HOW WE CAN SUPPORT TENANTS AND LANDLORDS AND HOUSING STABILITY. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 6, ERIN PODIA SPEAKING ON ITEM 6 UNDER COVID-19. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI. I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALLOWING ME BACK IN FRONT OF YOU AGAIN. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HELPED ME OUT LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CONFEDERATE FLAG ISSUE AT NRG PARK, IF YOU REMEMBER THAT. I AM ACTUALLY CALLING TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT THE PREVIOUS PERSON WAS TALKING ABOUT AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH RENT IN HOUSTON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. WHEN COVID STARTED WE HAD SOME MANAGEABLE RENTS. I MOVED HERE TO BE CLOSER TO MY KIDS AND THEN COVID HIT AND I ENDED UP STAYING HERE. THE HOUSING COSTS HAVE SKY ROCKETED. I THINK WE HAD A 26% INCREASE AND THIS YEAR ANOTHER 18%. AND THE SALARIES HAVEN'T INCREASED. I HAD MY LANDLORD THAT WANTED TO RAISE MY RENT $700 ON MY RENEWAL. AND I'M WONDER FIGURE THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. MR. PORTER? >> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU GET YOURHO TUGHT OUT VERY QUICKLY? >> IT JUSHADTH ANOER 15 TO SECONDSAT TO STE THAT I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN FRONTTO OF HOUSN CITY COUNCIL AND A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE INTERESTED IN AN IDEA I BROUGHT UP ABOUTTI AN ALTERNAVE TO DEPOSIT. IT WORKS LIKE THE BAIL SYSTEM IN THAT IF SOMEONE IREQUIRED TO HAVE A $2,000 DEPOSIT THEN YOU HAVE THEM PAY $200 AND THEY WILL COVER THEM ON THE DEPOSIT TO OFFSET THE UP FRONT COSTS OF MOVING INTO A RENTAL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY CALL YOU. I DO RECALL YOU ON THAT CONFEDERATE FLAG ISSUE. WE DID THAT QUIETLY, BUT WE ARE GOING TO CALL AND SEE IF YOU CAN HELP US GET RID OF SOME CONFEDERATE POLICIES AROUND HERE. I'LL CALL YOU. >> YEAH. I APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS DEL TEEN -- DELFINA TORRES ON COUNTY ENGINEER. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM DELFIN TORRES. I LIVE ON THE NEAR NORTH SIDE. I COME TO YOU TODAY ABOUT THE PROPOSED [INAUDIBLE]. THE PRINCIPAL AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAS COME TO ME SAYING THE PLAN WOULD BE REALLY HARD FOR HER PARENTS' PICK UP AND DROP OFF AND SPECIAL EVENTS. AND NOW THAT I HAVE REVIEWED THE PLANS, IT WOULD ALSO TAKE AWAY SOME OF MY PARKING SPACE ON DESIGNING CURBS AND SIDEWALKS. SEVERAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES HAVE REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL OF YOUR COMMISSIONERS. I I HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL SHOWING WE ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THE BIKE LANE. THEY COULD MAYBE REDIRECT THEM TO HOGAN WHERE IT WOULD NOT IMPACT THREE SCHOOLS AND SMALL BUSINESSES. AND BACKING UP TRAFFIC EVEN MORE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. [01:20:02] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, DEL. THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR CONCERNS. THERE IS A LOT OF WORK BEING DONE TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS SAFELY BEING DONE. IT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VISION ZERO INITIATIVES. AND THEN IT IS ALSO RECOGNIZING THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A HIGH NUMBER, ABOUT 20% OF THE EQUIPMENT AREA, THE NEAR NORTH SIDE COMMUNITY ARE HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAVE ZERO VEHICLES. AND SO I RECOGNIZE THE CHANGES THAT THIS WILL BRING TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT OUR ENGINEERS AND THE MANAGEMENT DIRECT HAVE BEEN PROVIDING EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. AND THUS FAR THE FEEDBACK WE'VE GOTTEN OVER THE YEAR THEY HAVE BEEN ENGAGED WITH EXTENSIVE ONE ON ONE'S THAT THERE IS STILL A GREAT DEGREE OF SUPPORT. I HEAR YOUR CONCERNS, DEL, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING SURE THIS IS DONE WELL AND SO IT PROVIDES MINIMAL ADVERSE IMPACT TO YOU AND TO ANYONE. ALSO WE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH HISD AND THEY HAVE PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 9, TREVOR REICHMAN SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 54 UNDER COUNTY ENGINEER. >> THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME. I AM TREVOR REICHMAN. I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THIS AND OTHER FUTURE MODAL STREETS IN HOUSTON. I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE SOME OPPOSITION TO PROTECTED IT -- PROTECTED BIKE LANES WHICH IS SURPRISING THAT THIS BIKE LANE WON'TY LAME -- WON'TY LAME -- WON'T ELIMINATE A SINGLE CAR LANE. I OBJECT SERVE THE TRAFFIC FROM MY PORCH AND I LOOK FORWARD THETR SEET GOING FROM A FREE FOR ALL TO A CIVILIZED ANDAN ORGIZED NEIGHBORHOOD STREET THAT IS SAFE AND EQUITABLE FOR ALL USERS INCLUDING LOWER FOOTPRINT AND MORE HEALTHY MODES OF TRANSPORTATION AND ALSO STUDENTS WHO MAY WANT A SAFE ROUTE TO SCHL BY BIKING OR WALKING TO SCHOOL. THANK YOU.IA >> ADRIAN GARC: TREVOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING. I DID WANT TO ASK YOU, YOU DID SOME OF THE TRAFFIC STUDIE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT? >> NO I'D -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. IT WAS DONE BY OUR GUYS ? >> THE NEAR MANAGEMENT E DISTRICT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ARYOU FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE DATA? >> YEAH. THE NEAR NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT HAS BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT AND INCLUSIVE. I WENT ON A BIKE RIDE EXPLORING THE DIFFERENT PATHS AROUND THE CITY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. >> I THANK THEM FOR THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I GUESS I WAS HOPING YOU COULD RECITE, BUT DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR, THAT THERE HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY 2500 CRASHES RECORDED IN THE GENERAL AREA OF WHERE THIS BAKE LANE -- BIKE LANE WOULD GO? >> CRASHES WITH CYCLISTS? >> NO. JUST CRASHES IS WHAT I HAVE IDENTIFIED. MY POINT TO IT IS BY PROVIDING THE LANES WE HOPE TO MINIMIZE -- SOME OF THE CRASHES ARE PROBABLY PEDESTRIANS AND BIKE KHR*EUSS. >> I AM NOT CERTAIN OF THE EXACT NUMBERS. I CAN'T CLAIM EITHER WAY TO KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE. >> GOTCHA. I FOUND IT HERE. THERE WERE -- LET'S SEE. THERE WERE 31 BUYS -- 31 BICYCLISTS AND 51 PEDESTRIAN CRASHES IN THE STUDY AREA, 33 BUYS -- BICYCLIST CRASHES AND 66 PEDESTRIAN CRASHES. I RIDE THROUGH THE AREA EXTENSIVELY ON MY BIKE. >> I HAVE SEEN YOU A COUPLE TIMES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I KNOW THIS WILL PROVIDE A GREAT DEAL OF SUPPORT. YOU MENTION THE KIDS, AND IN THE OLD DAYS IT WAS COOL TO RIDE YOUR BIKE TO SCHOOL. OF COURSE, THERE WERE LESS VEHICLES ON THE ROADS BACK THEN. THAT'S NOT THE CASE TIED. WE DO NEED THAT INFRASTRUCTURE. THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS JUSTIN DOKE OF SUPPLY AND LABOR LLC SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 54 FOR [01:25:03] COUNTY ENGINEER. >> HELLO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM JUSTIN DOKE, AN OWNER OF RED OWNED EQUIPMENT I WANTED TO SPEAK ON MY SUPPORT AND MY UNBELIEVABLE EXCITEMENT FOR THIS STREET IMPROVEMENT. WE WATCHED THE STREET -- IT IS A FAST STREET. IT IS DANGEROUS. WE SEE BICYCLISTS AND KIDS GOING DOWN THE STREET ALL DAY LONG. I MOVED TO HOUSTON IN 2018 AND I WATCHED, SINCE THESE BIKE HIGHWAYS HAVE BEEN BUILT, AND THE COLLABORATION WITH ALL OF THE AGENCIES HAVE WORKED, AND WE WATCHED THE NUMBER OF BICYCLISTS AND THE AGE CATEGORIES AND THE HEALTH CATEGORIES JUST GROWING ACROSS THE ENTIRE PATHWAY SYSTEM. AND BECAUSE WE ARE BY THE PARK WE CAN SEE TRAFFIC COMING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND CONNECTING TO THE BYWAY SYSTEMS. IT IS IMPRESSIVE. I AM SPEAKING ON MY EXCITEMENT AND I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH THE AGENCIES WHO HAVE MET WITH US AND SHOWED US THE PLAN. EVEN EVERYTHING TO WHERE THE TRASHCANS ARE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND SPEAKING IN SUPPORT. IT IS GREAT TO HEAR THOSE SUPPORT THE PROJECTS AND I DO HEAR DEL AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT RIGHT. THE ONLY WAY TO CONTINUE TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT AND OTHERS LIKE YOU CONTINUE TO VALIDATE THE NEED FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS TO MAKE SURE WE DOHE TM RIGHT AND DOHE TM WELL SO ITVI PRODES THE TYPE OF AMENITYT YOU WANTHE COMMUNITY. TO HAVE HAVING GROWN UP ON THE NEAR NORTH SIDE, I THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. >> LINA HIDALGO: APPRECIATE IT. >> NEXT IS REBECCA RAYNA SPEAKING ON 54 ON COUNTY ENGINEER OF NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. SHE IS NOT ON THE LIST BECAUSE SHE JUST SIGNED UP. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME SPO -- TO SPEAK. I WANTED TO SPEAK ON OUR EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS AND THE IDEA ORIGINALLY CAME OUT IN 2010 WITH OUR NORTH SIDE LIVABLE CENTER STUDY. WE HAD NUMEROUS COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND IDENTIFIED EQUIPMENT AS THE HEART OF THE NORTH SIDE. DURING THAT TIME WE APPLIED FOR A TIP GRANT WHICH WE RECEIVED IN 2015. AND IN 2019 AS WE STARTED PLANNING AND ENTERING INTO THE PROCESS OF MAKING THIS A REALITY, WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF OTHER CITIES THAT HAD PLANNED EQUIPMENT. DUE TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S INTEREST WE CREATED A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP. IT IS ALLOWING US TO CREATE WHAT IS GOING TO BE A REMARKABLE AND SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THAT AREA. WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND IT IS EVEN THROUGH -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> MY TEAM IS -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONTINUE. >> WE HAVE BEEN GOING BUSINESS TO BUSINESS AND MEETING WITH BUSINESS OWNERS AND SHOWING THEM THE PLANS OF HOW IT WILL AFFECT THEIR PROPERTY. IT IS GOING TO BE REMARKABLE. WE CONTINUE WITH THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE PARENTS AT THE SMART PARK TO SORT OF HAVE CO -- COVID SPACE. WE HAVE RESPONSES FROM THE BUSINESSES AND THE RESIDENTS WE TALK TO. AND IT IS SOMETHING WE NEVER HAVE AND IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY NICE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. >> REBECCA, THANK YOU. IT -- THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. JUST TO CONFIRM THE AMOUNT OF THE 101 ENGAGEMENT DONE IN THE COMMUNITY AND OF THE SUPPORT. I'M SURE FOLKS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS, BUT THE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PROJECT. IS THAT AN ACCURATE STATEMENT? >> YES. AND WE WANT TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE AND WE HAVE ENGAGED AND WE WERE AT HER PLACE OF BUSINESS. WE WERE AT HER SON'S PLACE OF BUSINESS SPEAKING WITH HER. RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS THAT WE CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THESE CONCERNS AND DEALING WITH THEM TO ENSURE -- [01:30:02] I KNOW EVERYBODY -- EVERY PARTNER ON THE PROJECT IS COMMITTED TO MAKE THIS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL. THANK YOU, REBECCA. AND THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO HOST THE TOUR DE NORTH SIDE. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT RIDE. >> WE'RE EXCITED. I'M SURE YOU WILL BE UP IN FRONT, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: REBECCA, THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS AND I WILL BE THERE AS WELL. COMMISSION OTHER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS. I THINK WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE MORE MANAGE MEANT -- MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS. IT IS AMAZING HOW CYCLING HAS TAKEN OFF AND WE THINK OF ONE OF THE MAJOR CAUSES OF DEATH IN OUR REGION IS OBESITY. I KNOW THE RULE IS 80/20. IT IS 80% OF WHAT WE EAT AND 20% OF WORKINGUT O. IT IS HARD TO CHANGEHE T EATING PART. WE HAVE TO GETKS FOL OUT THERE TIAND ACVE. IF PEOPLE HAVE ELECTRIC ONES EY CANN SEE BE CASHARE THE ROADOP AND MORE PELE CAN PARTICIPATE. THEY HAVE ENGAGEMENT AND SOME ARE MORE DELAYED. THEY CLOSE THE AUSTIN BIKE WAY. ONE ELECTED SAYS THERE ARE CONCERNS AND YOU NEED TO CHANGE IT. I SAID YOU PAY FOR IT. YOU CHANGE IT. ONCE IT IS THERE AND PEOPLE DO ENJOY IT AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. >> AND I WILL SAY WE MET WITH ALL OF THE PRINCIPALS AND ONE OF THEM DID COMMENT THAT A LOT OF THE KIDS DON'T HAVE A BIKE. SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNCIL AND WORKING ON POSSIBLY MORE BIKES TO THE AREA -- TO THE CHILDREN IN THOSE SCHOOLS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND LET'S -- >> ADRIAN GARCIAAND LET'S WORK ON GETTING THOSE KIDS SOME BIKES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AROUND TSU UNIVERSITY THEY GIVE KIDS A DISCOUNT. SOMETHING THEY WILL ANNOUNCE SOON AND I DON'T WANT TO STEAL THEIR THUNDER. WE PUT COUNTY MONEY IN TO SUBSIDIZE B CYCLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CASTILLO GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU AGAIN, REBECCA. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THIS IS VERY EXCITING. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 11, CANDICE KEPPER SPEAKING ON ITEM 152 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. GO AHEAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, THANK YOU. AND IF I CAN JUST TAKE A MOMENT BEFORE WE MOVE INTO THIS TOPIC BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS THE PRIMARY TOPIC OF DISCUSSION THIS MORNING AND WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM OUR ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR IN AWHILE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM THE SPEAKERS, BUT I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE HEARD PERSONALLY FROM PRECINCT CHAIRS AND ELECTION JUDGES THAT ARE VERY US FROM STRAEULTED. VERY FRUSTRATED. VOTERS FROM BOTH PARTIES ARE FRUSTRATED. THEY FEEL THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SUPPORTED APPROPRIATELY. TO BE CLEAR THE ELECTION WAS THROWN INTO CHAOS THE MOMENT SB1 PASSED THE LEGISLATURE. AND TO BE CLEAR -- THERE ARE UNFORCED ERRORS THAT IRRESPECTIVE OF ONE PARTY'S EFFORTS TO WEAKEN TRUST IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHICH HAD HAPPENED EVER SINCE DONALD TRUMP'S BIG LIE HAS CONTINUED -- WE ARE IN A COURTROOM. YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE YOUR TIME TO SPEAK. AND YOU NEED TO RESPECT EVERYBODY'S TIME TO SPEAK. OKAY? IRRESPECTIVE OF THE EFFORTS -- IRRESPECTIVE OF THE EFFORTS OF ONE PARTY TO THROW INTO QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM NOT JUST HERE IN TEXAS, BUT THROUGHOUT THE NATION, WE CANNOT AFFORD AND PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF THAT, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE UNFORCED ERRORS. IT IS SIMPLY NOT APPROPRIATE. IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH ADMINISTRATIVE -- ADD STROEUT D.A. -- ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA AND EXPRESSED MY DESIRE FOR LEADERSHIP. I HAVE THREE PRIORITIES AND IT GOES TO THE COMMENTS JUST MADE. FIRST IS WE NEED TO PROTECT CONTINUITY AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTIONS COMING UP. WE HAVE AN ELECTION HERE ON MAY 7TH. WE HAVE A RUNOFF ON MAY [01:35:03] 24TH. WE HAVE ANOTHER RUNOFF IN JUNE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS CONTINUITY. THAT'S PRIORITYBE NUMR ONE. THE SECOND PRIORITY, MIND, IS TO WORKE WITH TH ELECTIONS COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION IS COME PRIZED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THEAI PARTY CHR FROM EACH PARTY.TY THE COUN CLERK AND THE DISTRICT CLERK AND MYSELF TO WORK WITH THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION TO FIND, NEW LEADERSHIPBUTOR ONLY AFTER A THOUGH SEARCH. ONLY AFTER A THOROUGH SEARCH. THE OTHER POINT IF WHAT I HOPE TO BEGIN TO ACHIEVE HERE TODAY IS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ISSUES THERE WERE. AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO. AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN SHY ABOUT PROVIDING RESOURCES TO OUR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT. IT IS ONE OF THE -- CERTAINLY FOR ME IT IS ONE OF MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITIES AND I MADE IT CLEAR AT EVERY TURN AND I WILL NOT BE SHY IN IDENTIFYING WHAT RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY. IT IS VITAL, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE PAN TKORING -- PANDORIG THAT HAS TAKEN HOLD THAT THE VOTERS UNDERSTAND THAT WHILE SEVERAL ASPECTS OF ELECTION FROM SO MANY RESTKWREBGTED -- SO MANY REJECTED MAIL BALLOTS TO A SLOW VOTE COUNT. AND WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE FULL COUNT, ONE CERTIFIED AND THAT WILL HAPPEN LATER THIS WEEK IS NOT ACCURATE. SO WE DON'T NEED TO GO THERE BECAUSE THAT TEARS DOWN TRUST IN THE ELECTRIC FOR RAL -- IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM. THERE ARE THINGS MORE IMPORTANT -- AGAIN EACH PERSON -- WE WILL HEAR FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE TODAY AND FOR THE SAKE OF THIS TOPIC, I URGE RESPECT AND FOR EVERYBODY WHO SPEAKS. EACH PERSON WILL HAVE THEIR MOMENT TO SPEAK. THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAN TRYING TO SCAPEGOAT OR SCORE POLITICAL POINTS. OR TO SUGAR COAT A PROBLEM. THAT IS THE RECOGNITION THAT DEMOCRACY IS UNDER ATTACK NOT JUST HERE, BUT ABROAD. WE ALL NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE SMOKE OF PARTISAN POLITICS, THAT WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE STRONGER WHEN MORE PEOPLE PARTICIPATE REGARDLESS OF PARTY. WHEN PEOPLE MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD WHEN ELECTIONS ARE SAFE AND WHEN ELECTIONS ARE SECURE AND WHEN IT IS EASY TO PARTICIPATE. I ASK WE KEEP TODAY'S DISCUSSION TO GET AT THE TRUTH RATHER THAN PANDER TO PARTISAN POLITICS. SO I'M GONNA MAKE THAT STATEMENT. I ASK THAT PEOPLE REFRAIN FROM BEING DISRESPECTFUL TO EACH OTHER. EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK. EVERYBODY HAS THEIR MINUTE AVAILABLE AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION AFTER THE SPEAKERS AND WE WILL HAVE SOME MORE SPEAKERS OF COURSE. COLLEAGUES ARE WELCOME TO SPEAK AND WE WILL HEAR FROM THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AT A LATER TIME. WITH THAT LET'S TAKE OUR FIRST SPEAKER, TIFFANY, IF YOU WILL GO AHEAD. >> FIRST FOR THIS ITEM IS SPEAKER NUMBER 11, CANDICE KEPPER. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO YOU. I'M CALLING ABOUT THE RECENT PRIMARY ELECTION. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE MAY BE A REPLACEMENT IN ORDER. THIS IS AN UNELECTED POSITION THAT I READ MAKES 190,000 A YEAR. I AM CALLING FOR THE FIRING OF ISABEL LONGORIA AND THE ELIMINATION OF THE POSITION. LEAVE IT TO ELECTED PEOPLE. THIS COMMUNITY ORGANIZER HAS NO EXPERIENCE RUNNING AN ELECTION AND IT WAS -- SHE WAS COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT. RETURNS WERE NOT REPORTED BY THE DEADLINE. I VOTED IN THE SAME PLACE FOR 36 YEARS. THE PRECINCT JUDGE THERE TOLD ME IT WAS THE WORST RUN ELECTION SHE EVER PARTICIPATED IN. SHE HAS DONE DECADES OF PRECINCT JUDGING. HALF OF THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY MACHINES WERE DOWN. IN -- THIS IS FOUR HOURS, FIVE HOURS LATER AND NO TECH PERSON ARRIVED. THE DEADLINE WAS NOT MET FOR COUNTING THE VOTES. CLEARLY THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN OTHER PARTS OF TEXAS. AND -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. EYE -- >> OH MY GOSH. YOU LET THE OTHER PERSON TALK MIFOR LIKE 10 NUTES. >> THANKE YOU, YOUR TIMIS UP. >> THE SPEAKER HAS BEEN MUTED, JUDGE. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 12, TARA BUELLA AND SHE IS SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN AUTHORITY, THE PEOPLE REJOICE, WHEN THE WICKED MAN RULES, THE [01:40:02] PEOPLE GROWN. WE ARE HEARING THE GROANING OF THE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY. DEMOCRAT POLICIES ARE A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH FAILURE LOGISTICALLY AND MORALLY. UNDER DEMOCRAT RULE BE SEE INFLATION, GAS PRICES AND CRIME AND MURDER AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. AND NOW WE SEE AN UTTER FAILURE OF THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE AND APPOINTMENT. I AM ALSO EXTREMELY DISPLEASED WITH THE FACT THAT JUDGE HIDALGO IS TRYING TO DISTANCE HERSELF FROM THIS OFFICE AND APPOINTMENT WHEN SHE LOTTED THE PRAISE OF MS. LONGORIA ON TWITTER SAYING THIS POSITION WILL BUILD THE PROGRESS IN OUR ELECTION SYSTEMS AND MAKE SURE WE REMAIN NATIONAL MODEL FOR ELECTIONS. THIS MODEL IS A FAILURE. OF THE 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS 124 HAVE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS. ZERO OF THESE HAD THE ISSUES WE HAD AS HARRIS COUNTY AND BLAMING THIS EXTREME FAILURE ON SB1 WILL NOT WORK. THIS COURTROOM IS RIDDLED WITH SIN UNDER THE GUISE OF DECORUM. REPENT. GIVE IT BACK TO THE PRECINCTS AND DISSOLVE THE OFFICE. >> TOM RAMSEY: DO YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE ELECTION? IF YOU CAN GET THAT TO THE OFFICE -- TO MY OFFICE, IF YOU WOULD. >> YES, SIR. >> TOM RAMSEY: I APPRECIATE IT. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 13. TOV SCOTT SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU FOR OFFERING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. PLENTY HAS BEEN SAID AND WILL BE SAID TO EVIDENCE THE INCOMPETENCE IN CONDUCTING THE 2022 PRIMARIES. FROM MISSING DEADLINES TO MISSING BALLOTS THE EVIDENCE IS INDISPUTABLE. AS A CANDIDATE FOR HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE INDICATORS OF WASTE. THIS IS ALSO AN ATTEMPT TO COMBAT ANY ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THE UNELECTED AND AT THIS UNACCOUNTABLE, UNELECTED OFFICE OF ELECTIONS. ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. SORRY. IN 2018 IT COST 3.4 TO RUN AND 2,006,000,000. THESE ARE NET OF GNA THAT EQUATES TO A $ -- 282% INCREASE. LET ME PUT IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY. IN 2018 IT WAS $1.48 PER REGISTERED VOTER AND 2022 IT IS $5.48 PER VOTER. THIS IS A 270% INCREASE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> REVENUE IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE MISMANAGEMENT OF OUR RESOURCES IS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS DOROTHY HABLISKI SPAEBGING IN PERSON ON THE SAME -- SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE. THE FIRST THING I NEED TO SAY IS DUE RESPECT. I THINK A CERTAIN PERSON IN ROOM DID NOT GIVE DUE RESPECT TO A POLICE OFFICER BEAR READ SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD. >> DOROTHY HIBILINSKY. AND YOU KNOW WHO I AM TALKING ABOUT YOU KNOW. YOU KNOW. I HAVE BEEN WORKING THESE POLLS AND ELECTIONS FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS. I HAD TO SIT BY AND WATCH IN HORROR AS OUR FREEDOMS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM US AS THE STEALING OF THESE ELECTIONS AND THE DISRUPTION AND THE CHAOS AND THE LOSS OF COMPLETE INTEGRITY. WHEN THIS LAST ELECTION OCCURRED AND I SAW WHAT HAPPENED IT MADE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. WE THE PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THIS. WE -- ON YOU FREEDOM IS BEING STOLEN AND OUR RIGHTS FOR A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION ARE INBEG STOLEN AND WE KNOW WHO IS DOING IT AND WE KNOW YOU ARE STEALING MONEYTH FROM ETA XPAYERS. WE ARE NO LONGER GOING TO STAND BYSI AND BE LENT. WE ARE NO LONGER GOING TO BE NICE GUYS ANYMORE. HAD IT. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.HI >> LINA DALGO: THANK YOU.>> MA'AM,. YES?O: >> LINA HIDALG COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS A COMMENT FOR YOU.IN >> TOM RAMSEY: AGA, YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND THE POLLS. >> YES. >> TOM RAMSEY: ANY INFORMATION RELATED TO THE ELECTION IF YOU CAN GET THAT TO MY OFFICE, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. >> FANTASTIC. I TRIED TO GET UH -- AHOLD OF AUSTIN DURING THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED AND PEOPLE CALLING ON ME BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN QUIET. NOTHING IS GETTING DONE. OUR VOICES ARE NOT BEING HEARD. >> TOM RAMSEY: GET IT TO MY OFFICE PLEASE. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 16 ALEXIS SWARSKY SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> YES. I AM LEXI SWARTZKY. ISABEL LONGORIA IS THE LEAST QUALIFIED PERSON THAT INTERVIEWED FOR THE JOB AND WAS HIRED. I HOPE YOU TAKE MORE CARE THAN YOU DO A COMPREHENSIVE SEARCH. [01:45:01] HIRE THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THE JOB. SHE HAS MORE EXCUSES THAN A 16-YEAR-OLD MISSING CURFEW, BUT ISN'T EVEN AS BELIEVABLE. AS AN INSULT TO ALL OF THE ELECTION JUDGES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SHE BLAMES SO MANY PROBLEMS ON REPUBLICAN JUDGES AND DEMOCRAT JUDGES PLAYING PRANKS ON ONE ANOTHER. THIS IS JUVENILE. FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY AND ALLOWS FOR THE FREE AND JUST SOCIETY WE WANT TO LIVE IN. COUNTING OUR BALLOTS AND GIVING AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT ARE PART OF A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION. WE SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THE VOTE WAS PROCESS ETD AND -- PROCESSED AND COUNTED. THERE ARE EFFECTIVE ELECTION LAWS INY -- IN PLACE, BUT ISABEL LONGORIA CHOSE NOT TO ENFORCE THEM. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 17, LADONA BURKE HAOEUPLER LUPEK SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHE IS MAKING HER WAY, TIFFANY. >> OKAY. I HAVE BEEN AN ELECTION JUDGE FOR 30 YEARS. AND THIS IS THE ELECTION THAT I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH SUCH A MESS. I CALLED AT 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 AND THEY TOLD ME EVERY TIME THAT THEY WERE EXPEDITING THE MACHINES TO OUR PLACE. THEY WERE NEVER DELIVERED AND SET UP AS THE ORIGINALS. AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT AT 12:00 OUR SCANNER WENT DOWN SO WE COULD NOT COUNT BALLOTS. THAT WAS NEVER, EVER REPLACED. THE DEMOCRAT WHO CALLED AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE HER AND I WORKED EARLY VOTING TOGETHER AND GET ALONG WELL CALLED AT THE EXACT SAME TIME AND SHE RECEIVED ONE AT 1 P.M. I NEVER DID RECEIVE ONE. AT A QUARTER TO -- AT A QUARTER TO 5, THEY SHOWED UP WITH A SCANNER FOR THE DEMOCRATS AGAIN. AND THEN I ASKED WHERE IS OURS? WE STILL DON'T HAVE ONE. >> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND I WILL DO ONE MORE THING. AT 4:00 THEY CALLED ME TO RECUSE ME FOR TWO HOURS. IT WAS TAKING TWO HOURS TO VOTE. NO MACHINES. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 18, TOM ZAKES SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. WE HAVE MET, BUT IT HAS BEEN AWHILE. I AM TOM ZAC ES AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ELECTIONS SINCE 1988 AND A PRECINCT CHAIR WHEN RUNNING FOR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. I AM NOT HEREAN TO SAY YBODY SHOULD BE FIRED ORIE SIGN ORRE QUARTED, BUT I CAN PRETTY WELL GUARANTEE YOU IF THEEL GENERAL ECTIONS RUN LIKE THE PRIMARY WAS B THE COUNTY WILLE RID -- RIDICULED AND SUED ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE CLOSECI RACES. MY PRENCT HAD SIX VOTING BOOTHS ASSIGNED FOR ONE PARTY AND 9 FOR THE OTHER. WE HAD CONNECTION ISSUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROOM AND EQUIPMENT APPROXIMATE THAT MEANT SIX BOOTHS WERE NOT USABLE. THE TECHNICIAN THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THINGS WAS TOO THIN AND WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO US DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE EQUIPMENT. THE MACHINES THAT DID WORK JAMMED OFTEN. OF 40 VOTERS I HAD 12 JAMS. EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T JAM, WE WERE BEING CALLED OVER TO HELP VOTERS LOAD THE PAPER INTO THE MACHINES. SO PLEASE DO WHAT IT TAKES TO FIX THE ISSUES. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE RUNOFF IN MAY. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> TO BE CLEAR -- >> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, WE MUST STOP YOU AT TIME. WE HAVE TO STOP EVERYBODY UNLESS A MEMBER ASKS YOU TO CONTINUE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SIR, IF I CAN JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTIVE PRESENTATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 19, JAMES HONEY SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I WAS AN ELECTION JUDGE FOR THE RECENT EARLY VOTING AND FOR ELECTION DAY. FOR THIS ENTIRE ELECTION WE HAD THE SAME 35DUOS. IN EARLY VOTING WE HAD THREE CONTROLLERS. AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE DAYS EVERY MORNING BEGAN WITH A CLIFF HANGAR OF US TRYING TO GET THE DUOS TRYING SET UP TO GET ONE SET UP BEFORE 7 A.M. MOST OF THE TIME IT TOOK FIVE TO 10 BOOT ATTEMPTS TO GET A LINEUP. AT EIGHT MINUTES PER BOOT, MOST OF THE HOUR WAS SPENT REBOOTING THEM OVER AND OVER [01:50:02] AND OVER. WE USUALLY GOT ONE UP BEFORE 7 AND WOULD CONTINUE BOOTING ANY INOPERATIVE LINES THEY SUCCEEDED. MS. LONG -- MS. LONGORIA VISITED THE SITE AND I TALKED TO HER. ALL THAT THE USER HAS IS A POWER BUTTON THERE IS NO REASON TO BE FINICKY. SHE SAID THEY WERE NOT FINICKY, BUT RATHER SENSITIVE. IT IS OBVIOUS MS. LONGORIA IS IN OVER HER HEAD AND SO IS THE PERSON WHO HIRED AND CHAMPIONED HER. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 20, MARISSA HANSON SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> THIS STACK OF PAPER IS ACCOUNTS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE RAN INTO ISSUES DURING THE PRIMARY ELECTION JUST ON ELECTION DAY. I AM HERE TO DEMAND EITHER THAT ISABEL LONGORIA TENDS HER RESIGNATION OR BE FIRED FROM HER POSITION AS ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR. SHE HAS BLOWN THROUGH OVER $30 P-L -- $30 MILLION OF OUR TAX PAYING DOLLARS MONEY AND SHE HAS RUN THE MOST CORRUPT ELECTIONS I HAVE EVER SEEN. THE ADMINISTRATOR'S UNLAWFUL ACT INCLUDE INTENTIONALLY, WILLFULLY AND KNOWINGLY FAILING TO ALLOCATE EQUIPMENT. NOR DID SHE PROVIDE PAPER BALLOTS THAT ARE CAPABLE OF PRESERVING THE VOTES -- THE VOTE'S INTENT AND FAILING TO OPERATE THE CENTERS. HER ACTIONS HAVE VIOLATED OUR CONSTITUENT STATUTORY RIGHT TO A SAFE AND ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT ELECTION. SHE IS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> TOM RAMSEY: FINISH UP, MARISSA. >> SHE IS IN VIOLATION OF 66.053 OF THE ELECTION CODE WHICH IS A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR. SHE IS IN VIOLATION OFEC STION 65.002 OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE. SHE IS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 31.005 OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.ND ONE CAIDATE'S VOTES FLIPPED FROM 1219 TO 1133 WHEN ALLER 100% VOTES WE COMING IN. HOW DO VOTES FLIP?NG THERE ARE STAFFIPA ISSUES. THERE ARE PER JAMS. THERE ARE PRECINCTS THAT BALLOTS WERE CAST ACCORDING TO THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR WHERE THERE WERE NO REGISTERED VOTERS. BIANCA GARCIA'S VOTE SHED BY 7,300. PLEASE TELL ME HOW THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU JUST AWARDED $1.7 MILLION TO HART INNER CIVIC. AND THEN NOT TO INCLUDE THE 54 MILLION YOU PAID FOR THE NEW VOTING MACHINES. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING, AND IF YOU DO NOT FIRE OR ISABEL LONGORIA RESIGN, YOU ARE SUBVERTING THE RIGHTS OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS. WE ARE SEEING WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY UNDER A DEMOCRAT RULE. WE ARE -- PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING FROM LOW SOCIAL STANDING ARE LOSING -- THEY CAN'T EVEN PAY FOR THEIR GAS. THE GROCERIES AND INFLATION IS OUT OF CONTROL. AND YOU CONTINUE TO SUBVERT YOUR CONSTITUENTS' RIGHTS FOR AN ELECTION, A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION. I JUST NOTICED THAT MS. LONGORIA HAD GONE INTO OUR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY FUND FOR $3.3 MILLION 11 MONTHS AFTER THE MAY 20 ELECTION TOOK PLACE. THAT MEANS THE ELECTION COST 33 MILLION IN 2020. PLEASE TELL ME WHERE THAT MONEY WENT. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN ACTUAL AUDIT CONDUCTED ON THE WHOLE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS KIND OF MONEY TO BE BLOWN THROUGH AND US TO HAVE AN ELECTION TAKE PLACE LIKE THIS. THIS IS SO CORRUPT. I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY EXCEPT YOU SHOULD BE RESIGNING. MS. LONG -- LONG TKPOR -- LONGORIA SHOULD BE RESIGNING AND THE DEMOCRATS IN THIS ROOM SHOULD RESIGN FOR YOUR CORRUPTION. IT IS DISGUSTING. THERE IS A BIPARTISAN LAWSUIT TAKING PLACE BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A RIGHT OR LEFT ISSUE. THIS IS A RIGHT FROM WRONG ISSUE. AND RIGHT NOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS BEYOND REPAIR. THERE IS NOTHING THAT MS. LONGORIA CAN DO TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. AND IF YOU -- I'M SURE THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO FIND SOME LOOPHOLES AROUND, -- AROUND THIS, BUT IT IS UNACCEPTABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE DO HAVE A [01:55:01] LOT SPEAKER SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FURTHER -- >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 21. RAWLEY CRUZ SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM RAWLEY CRUZ AND I WANT TO INSIGHT INTO WHAT MY DAY LOOKED LIKE BEING AN ELECTION JUDGE AT MY LOCATION. THE NIGHT BEFORE WE SET UP. THE NEXT DAY WE WERE ABLE TO TURN ON THE MACHINES. OUR SCANNER DIDN'T WORK RIGHT OFF THE BAT. EVERY VOTE THAT CAME IN WE HAD TO PUT INTO THE EMERGENCY SLOT. SO AT THE END OF THE NIGHT OUR ENVELOPE FOR THE EMERGENCY BALLOT SLOT WAS NOT EVEN BIG ENOUGH TO COLLECT ALL OF THEM. WHEN WE HAD TO CALL FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT WE WERE ON THE PHONE UPWARDS OF 30 AND 45 MINUTES. WE HAD A WHOLE LINE OF VOTING MACHINES GO DOWN. THE BARRETT T DRIVE, IT FAILED COMPLETELY. WHEN WE WENT TO DELIVER ALL OF THE INFORMATION TO THE DROP OFF LOCATION WE HAD ISSUE THERE'S AS WELL. THE IPADS WERE DOWN AND THEY WERE WRITING STUFF DOWN ON PIECE IS OF PAPER -- PIECES OF PAPER. THEY LET THEM KNOW, HEY -- SORRY. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU AND WE WILL HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HART -- I SHARE THE QUESTIONS ARE YOU ASKING IN TERMS OF THE MACHINESO SWE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM HART CALLING IN. LATER >> NEXT SPEAKER 22, BOB CHOTE SPEAKING ON ITEMS 152 AND 153 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> ON THURBS -- THURSDAY, MARCHD I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM A FELLOW ELECTION JUDGE TO TELL ME, QUOTE, I HAVE DECIDED I WILL NOT PRESIDE AGAIN WHILE I AM STILL WORKING. TOO MUCH OF A TIME COMMITMENT FROM ME. THIS LONG-STANDING SERVANT WORKED HIS FIRST ELECTION IN 1974 WHILE HE WAS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HAS WORKED ON AND OFF, MOSTLY ON I CAN ATTEST, SINCE THE MID1990S. MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY. ISABEL LONGORIA'S POOR MANAGEMENT UNDER YOUR WATCH DID THAT AFTER YOU STOLE THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM TWO DULY ELECTED WOMEN OF COLOR. WE WERE HERE EARLIER COMMENDING WOMEN. HOW DARE YOU? LAST, IS THERE A REASON WHY THE REPUBLICAN MAIL BALLOT COUNT WAS ZERO FOR TWO DAYS DURING EARLY VOTING WHILE THE DEMOCRAT COUNT WAS 1813 AND 355 FOR THOSE SAME DAYS. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> FROM THE MOVIE "A FEW GOOD MEN," YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 23 FROM THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT SPEAKING ON ITEM 52 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU. AT THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT WE WORK WITH PARTNERS ON THE ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINE. AND WE HEARD TWO MAIN BUCKETS OF ISSUES AFFECTING HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS IN THIS ELECTION. ONE IS REPORTS THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED OF VOTERS BEING TURNED AWAY FROM POLLING PLACES DUE TO A LACK OF DEMOCRATIC POLL WRORBGER -- POLL WORKERS AND A BREAK DOWN IN DEMOCRATIC MACHINES. WE HEARD FROM THREE POLLING PLACES AND ONE OF WHICH VOTING ONLY CONTINUED FOR DEMOCRATIC VOTERS BECAUSE REPUBLICAN -- >> >> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, YOUR CONNECTION IS CUTTING OUT. >> IT LOOKS LIKE HE GOT DISCONNECTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET US KNOW WHEN HE IS BACK ON THE LINE. LET'S GO ON. >> KENDRA DEAN SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> HI. I AM KENDRICK DEAN AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ELECTIONS LAST WEEK WHICH WAS A TOTAL DISASTER. LET ME TELL YOU. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I CAN DISCUSS ABOUT IT, BUT IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN ONE MINUTE. HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE COULD DO. WE CAN ISABEL LONGORIA. LET'S NOT SUSPEND HER KEF GNAT -- DEFINITELY NOT SUSPEND HER WITH PAY. ALSO, WE COULD DO A SEARCH. WE COULD DO A SEARCH RIGHT NOW AND HIRE ME. I PROMISE YOU I WILL NOT [02:00:03] ACCEPT NO MONEY, NONE OF THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY. I WILL WORK FOR FREE. I WILL SAVE Y'ALL A LOT OF TAXPAYER MONEY AND I WILL CLEAN UP THIS MESS, I PROMISE. THERE YOU GO. THAT'S HOW YOU CAN FIX THIS. THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SALINE LEAN THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SALINE LEAN. THANK YOU. >> JAMES SLATTERY, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, THANK YOU. SO AS PART OF THE ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINE WE RECEIVED MANY OF THE SAME REPORTS OTHERS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. AT LEAST THREE POLLING LOCATIONS WE HEARD OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY VOTERS BEING TURNED AWAY BECAUSE OF A LACK OF DEMOCRATIC POLL WORKERS AND A LACK OF WORKING DEMOCRATIC PARTY MACHINES INCLUDING IN ONE POLLING PLACE WHERE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS WERE ONLY ABLE TO CONTINUE BECAUSE ELECTION JUDGES FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SCROLL -- VOLUNTEERED TO HELP. THE OTHER ISSUE WE SAW WITH HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS WAS A CATASTROPHE WITH THE VOTE BY MAIL SITUATION. THANKS TO SENATE BILL ONE'S VOTER ID REQUIREMENT, AT ONE POINT OVER 170 TIMES MORE VOTERS VOTE -- VOTING BY MAIL BY THIS ISSUE ALONE THAN THE LAST MARCH MID-TERM. AND THERE IS A SIMILARLY HIGH JUMP IN THE REJECTION RATE FOR BOTH BY MAIL APRIL FLAW LOCATION -- APPLICATIONS AFFECTING POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF TEXAS SUPPORTERS. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> NEXT IS CHRIS DANIEL. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> WELL, I'LL START WITH SOMETHING POSITIVE. I WAS A CONSTITUENT OF SILVIA GARCIA AND MS. LONGORIA HELPED ME WITH SEVERAL CONSTITUENT SERVICES AND DID AN EXCELLENT JOB AT THAT. HOWEVER, IT IS A MISTAKE TO HIRE SOMEONE FOR A JOB THAT THEY ARE NOT TRAINED TO DO, MUCH LIKE HIRING AN ACCOUNTANT TO RUN THE LARGEST JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF TEXAS WITH ZERO LEGAL EXPERIENCE. IT IS NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT FIVE SEPARATE ELECTIONS WITH MAJOR ISSUES INCLUDING ONE ELECTION WHERE THERE WAS ONLY ONE RACE ON THE BALLOT. YOU ARE SEEING A REPEAT OF INCOMPETENCY. THE -- DEMAND HER RESIGNATION OR FIRING BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT. THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE IN MY MIND. THIS IS A COMPETENCY ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THE CONFIDENCE IN THE VOTE RESULTS AND THE VOTERS' WILLINGNESS TO ACTUALLY GO TO THE POLLS AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS. IF THEY HAVE ANY SENSE WHATSOEVER THAT THE ELECTIONS ARE TAINTED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, STRICTLY BECAUSE OF INCOMPETENCE, THIS HAS TO STOP AND IT NEEDS TO BE HANDLED IMMEDIATELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM. DO YOU WANT US TO CONTINUE WITH THE OTHER SPEAKERS? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKERS AND THEN WE WILL MAKE SURE THIS IS THE FIRST ITEM WE TAKE UP AFTER DETERMINING WHAT THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE. >> OKAY. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 27, MONICA RODRIGUEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 158 UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, ONE MOMENT. I'M SORRY. SAY THAT AGAIN. >> WE HAVE AN EXTRA SPEAKER. >> SHE SIGNED UP AND SHE WASN'T CALLED. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. WE WILL HEAR FROM BEVERLY ROBERTS. GO AHEAD, MA'AM. IS THIS ON THE ELECTION ITEM. >> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> SHE IS LATER ON THE LIST, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE STILL HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS LEFT. GO FOR IT. >> I'LL TAKE MY MINUTE. >> THERE ARE TWO AGENDA ITEM THAT'S AFFECT ELECTIONS SO A NUMBER OF FOLKS SIGNED UP FOR THE SECOND ONE. >> OH, OKAY. I MUST HAVE DONE THAT BY MISTAKE. I AM BEVERLY ROBERTS SPEAKING ON THE ELECTION LIKE ALL THE REST. I HAVE BEEN WORKING AS A CLERK FOR OVER 20 YEARS. THIS TIME WE HAD BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN ONE ROOM, AND WE ALL DID JUST FINE. FIVE OF OUR MACHINES FAILED TO WORK. ALL OF THEIRS WORKED. IT TOOK US UNTIL 2 IN THE AFTERNOON TO GET HELP. THEY DISCERNED THAT TWO OF OUR MACHINES WERE TOTE -- TOTALLY DEFUNCT AND SHUT THEM DOWN AND DIDN'T BRING US MORE. WE FUNCTIONED WITH EIGHT OF THE 10 MACHINES. WE JUST FELT LIKE THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE THAT WE COULDN'T FUNCTION FULL -- AT FULL CAPACITY. AND THEN AT THE END WE HAD A LONG LINE OF PEOPLE WAITING TO VOTE BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE ALL OF THE MACHINES THAT WE NEEDED. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, BEVERLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, DO YOU WANT US TO GO AHEAD AND CALL THE SPEAKERS FOR 3 WR-R -- 305? IS THAT THE ITEM SHE SPOKE ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S DO THAT. THAT WAY NO ONE IS CONFUSED. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 54, TAMARA BELL SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 305 UNDER SUPPLEMENTALS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. L [02:05:08] >>INA HIDALGO: SHE IS HER WAY, TIFFANY. >> LAKE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM I WAS COMPELLEDER TO COME DOWN HE TODAY U BECAUSE I WAS SOPSET AT THE WAY YOU ALL DID THIS ELECTION. FIRST OFF, IF YOU WILL REMEMBER WHEN YOU HIRED HER,E I CAME HERE AND I SPOKAND I TOLD YOU ALL DON'T DO THAT. IT WAS THE WRONG THING TO DO TAKING THIS FROM TAU KNEE SHAW -- TANEISHA WHO THE CITIZENS ELECTED WAS WRONG. YOU DIDN'T LISTEN. SO -- TO SIT HERE AND BLAME THE MACHINES WHICH YOU USED THREE TIMES FOR THREE ELECTIONS IS A BUNCH OF BS. NOT ONLY AM I GLAD YOU SAY SHE HAS TO GO IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT. WE HAVE THREE ELECTIONS COMING UP REALLY SOON AND YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU PUT COMPETENCY BEFORE PARTY. YOU ALL DON'T DO THAT. YOU NEVER DO THAT. EVERYTHING THEY SAID ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS, IT DID HAPPEN. NONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINES WORKED FOR OVER AN HOUR THAT MORNING. HAVE YOU PROBLEMS AT THOMPSON. AND THEN WHEN YOU SELECT WHICH POLLING PLACES YOU DIDN'T USE THE PRECINCT CHAIRS ELECTED FOR YEARS. YOU PUT ELECTIONS IN THAT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND THEY DIDN'T CARE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND YOU CANNOT CONTINUE TO DO THIS BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT ONLY PUTTING IN JEOPARDY THIS ELECTION, BUT THE ELECTION PROCESS AND THE PUBLIC'S WILLING TO PARTICIPATE. WHEN YOU SAY 10,000 I'M GONNA COUNT THEM. NOTHING COME OUT WITH FOUR EVEN ZEROS, NOTHING. YOU CAN ADD IT OVER AND OVER AND IT DON'T WORK LIKE THAT. EXACTLY 6,000, EXACTLY 4,000, THAT'S [BLEEP]. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 57, MICHELLE HEINZ SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. >> HELLO, I AM MICHELLE HEINZ. MY SON WHO HAS A VERY RARE JENNETTE SYNDROME HAS VOTED MANY TIMES. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN VOTING IN THE PRIMARY HIS RIGHTS WITH THE AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT WERE VIOLATED. THE POLL WORKER'S ACTIONS WERE UNDIGNIFIED AND POTENTIALLY SUPPRESS SEUF. I HOPE AND PRAY THE POLL WORKER'S ACTION WAS DUE TO A LACK OF TRAINING AND NOT BLATANT DISCRIMINATION. WHEN VOTING IN THE PRIMARIES MY SON ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE UNTRAINED POLL WORKERS DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SIGN HIM AS A VOTER NEEDING ASSISTANCE. AFTER 20 MINUTES AND THREE ATTEMPTS THE POLL WORKER FIGURED IT OUT. MY SON WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIND SOMEONE TO ASSIST HIM INSTEAD OF ME. YET BY LAW MY SON IS ALLOWED TO CHOOSE THE PERSON HE WANTS TO ASSIST HIM WHILE VOTING. THEY WRONGLY CLAIMED TWO PEOPLE MUST STAND WITHIN TWO FEET OF MY SON WHILE VOTING. THEY LISTENED TO EACH WORD HE SAID AND WATCHED EVERY ONE OF HIS VOTES. HE WAS NOT GIVEN ANY PRIVACY AND HIS VOTES WERE NOT CONFIDENTIAL. THE POLL WORKERS REFUSED TO ALLOW MY SON TO BRING A LIST OF NOTES WRITTEN ON PAPER. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> OTHER VOTERS ARE USING NOTES. MY SON HAS A DISABILITY -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR SIGN IS UP. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, MICHELLE. >> NEXT ON THIS ITEM IS CYNTHIA COLE. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS' COURT. CYNTHIA COLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LOCAL 1550. I WILL BE FRANK. I AM CALLING ON BEHALF OF THIS SB1. YOU HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE RESOURCES TO WORK WITH BECAUSE SB1 PUT THE KAU -- CABOSH ON PEOPLE BEING TREATED FAIRLY. WHAT I AM CALLING ON LET'S LET DUE DILIGENCE WORK AND LET THE SEARCH WORK. ETT EMPLOYEES WHO WORK HARD AND WORK FOR THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE TO NOT SUFFER AND LOSE THEIR JOBS. I AM ASKING THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING PUT INTO THE SAME CATEGORY AS WHATEVER THE LEADERSHIP WAS DOING. ALSO TECHNOLOGY WORKS UNTIL IT DOESN'T. WHY -- WHILE EVERYBODY WANT TO TALK THE TRUTH THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER THIS IS THE FIRST TIME USING THE MACHINES AND LET IT HAPPEN AND THEN LET'S DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT IT INSTEAD OF POINTING THE FINGERS AND POKING HOLES. I AM PROUD OF THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND PROUD OF THE JUDGE. FOR ALL OF YOU IN THE ROOM, BACK OFF. >> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THOSETH ARE ALL OF E SPEAKERS FOR THE ELECTIONS ITEMS. NOW WE WILL MOVE BACK TO SPEAKER NUMBER 27, MONICA RODRIGUEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 158 UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY TO EVERYONE. I AM CALLING TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 158, THE CREATION OF A WOMEN'S COMMISSION TO SERVE AS AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AND I CAN ATTEST TO THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ADVISORY BOARD TO ADVOCATE ON [02:10:02] BEHALF OF WOMEN IN YOUR COUNTY. THIS BODY WILL BE VALUABLE AS A DIRECT LINE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE PROBLEMS WOMEN IN YOUR COUNTY ARE FACING ESTABLISHING A WOMEN'S COMMISSION IS A NECESSARY STEP TOWARD EQUITY AND PARITY FOR WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WHAT BETTER DAY TO DO IT THAN TODAY THE PROPOSED COMMISSION OF 9 MEMBERS WILL PRODUCE REPORTS AND ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT RELATED TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND HELP OUTCOMES OF WOMEN OF ALL RACES, ETHNICITIES AND INCOME LEVELS IN HARRIS COUNTY. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT THIS BODY APPROVE THE CREATION OF A WOMEN'S COMMISSION IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR DIALING IN. THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 26, ANNALISE SPEAKING ON 158 UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY. I AM ANNALISE GUSTILLO AND HERE TO SUPPORT THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION AND THE PROPOSED BILAWS. IT HAS POTENTIAL BY CONNECTING WITH THE WOMEN OF HARRIS COUNTY AND MAKING PUBLIC RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN OF ALL RACES, ETHNICITIES AND BACKGROUNDS. AS I DISCUSSED IN COURT WITH YOU, HARRIS COUNTY IS MORE THAN 25% NATIONAL AVERAGE OF WOMEN'S PAY. BASED ON RESEARCH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTE OF WOMEN'S GENDER AND SEXUALITY THE COMMISSION CAN ADDRESS THESE INJUSTICES IMPACTING THEM ACROSS THE COUNTY. THROUGH THE EQUITY ORIENTED APPROACH THEY CAN ANALYZE THE SPECIFIC FACTORS AND MINIMIZING THE BARRIERS FACED BY WOMEN. THE COMMISSION HAS GREAT POTENTIAL AND APPROVE THE BY LAWS. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. GEE -- >> ELIZABETH GREGORY SPEAKING ON ITEM 158 UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AGAIN. AND SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED NEW COUNTY COMMISSION ON WOMEN WHICH CAN HIGHLIGHT THE INEQUITIES HERE AND PROPOSE NEW POLICY INTERVENTIONS AND BRING GREATER PROS -- PROSPERITY TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. OUR DATA INDICATE THE WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE FOR -- 44% MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN POVERTY THAN MEN HR*UPBG -- LINKING TO LOWER WAGES AND A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN, THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW. THE RATE IS HIGHER THAN COMPARABLE COUNTIES. 29% OF HOUSTON COUNTIES ARE HEADED BY A SINGLE MOM AND MANY ARE STRUGGLING. LOWER WAGES FOR MEAN -- FOR WOMEN MEAN FEWER RESOURCES FOR THE FAMILY. THEY ALSO INCREASE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THEY CAN OFFER WOMEN AND FAMILIES MORE SUPPORT. EXPANDED GOOD, AFFORDABLE CHIDE CARE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE THAT CAN ALLOW WOMEN TO ACCESS THE COMING INFLUX OF INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS. THANK YOU FOR MOVING US FORWARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS TAKASHA FRANCIS OF THE HOUSTON DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS SPEAKING ON ITEM 150 UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS. I URGE YOU ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY TO ADOPT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ORDER UNDER ITEM NUMBER 58 TO ESTABLISH THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION AND BREAK THE BIAS. ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ENSURES YOU IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS THAT ARE FAIR AND EQUITABLE AND GENDER EQUAL AND FREE OF BIAS AND STEREOTYPE AND DISCRIMINATION. AND IT WILL CREATE A WORLD WHERE THE DIFFERENCE IS VALUED AND CELEBRATED. AN AFRICAN PROVERB SAYS IF YOU WANT TO GO FAST, GO ALONE. IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, GO TOGETHER. SO LET'S GO TOGETHER BY ESTABLISHING THE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION AND APPROVING THEIR PROPOSED BY LAWS. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 31, MAXIMA CORTEZ OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 218 UNDER PURCHASING. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. CAN YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? >> YES. >> ALL RIGHT. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT MORE SO I JUST REITERATE TO YOU ALL WHAT I SAID LAST TIME I WAS HERE. I REQUESTED THE [INAUDIBLE] CONTRACT. I KNOW I HEARD -- YOU HEARD I DON'T TAKE PRIDE IN THIS AND THERE ARE OTHER WAYS. I ASK YOU TO UPHOLD AND INCREASE AND MAKE MANDATORY TO DO CITE AND RELEASE. THE OLD WORLD WAYS ARE NOT WORKING ANYMORE. YOU ARE THROWING MONEY AND [02:15:02] ADDING MORE TO POLICE. THERE IS MORE VIOLENCE AND STUFF LIKE THAT ARE HAPPENING. THE WAYS OF THE OLD WORLD AREN'T WORKING ANYMORE. WE ARE IN A NEW WORLD. THERE IS COVID AND ISOLATION AND DISEASE. THERE IS CLIMATE CHANGE. THERE IS POLLUTION INCIDENTS. I WAS A CONTRACTOR AT THE JPORT FACILITY. THERE WAS SMOKE EVERYWHERE. WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. >> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND PLEASE USE THE COMMUNITY FOR POLICYMI WRITING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CONG DOWN. IN TERMS OF CITE AND RELEASE, I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF HAS IMPLEMENTED A CITE AND RELEASE INITIATIVE AND HAS BEEN TKHOG FOR SOME TIME. WHAT ARE THE OTHER IDEAS YOU MAY HAVE BECAUSE WE ARE VERY OPEN. >> YES. SO THE REASON I MENTIONED THAT IS IT HAS ONLY BEEN SINCE 2001 AND THERE HAS BEEN 146 CITATIONS. THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOW NUMBER. I DON'T KNOW. JUST LOOKING AT THE DASHBOARD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 2001? >> I'M SORRY, 2021. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL LOOK INTO IT. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND 1 OF THE THINGS THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM YEARS BACK IS THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE INCARCERATED IF THE COUNTY JAIL TODAY ARE VIOLENT OFFENDERS. AND SO IT IS VERY, VERY HARD AND WE ARE TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE OVER USE OF THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM BECAUSE IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE. WE ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN MIND AND WE WILL DEAL WITH THIS PARTICULAR CHALLENGE. I WILL VISIT WITH THE SHERIFF TO SEE IF THOSE NUMBERS ARE ACCURATE ON CITE AND RELEASE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THIS. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 32, NICKY LOU ELLEN OF TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE SPEAKING IN PERSON ON 218 UNDER PURCHASING. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES. >> I AM NICKY LOU ELLEN FOR TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE. THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE AGAINST TRANSPORTING 500 PEOPLE FROM HARRIS KOUPB TOO TO LA SALLE THE ONLY RESPONSE WAS THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO. WHEN SHERIFF GONZALEZ REQUESTED YOU SIGN A CONTRACT WITH LA SALLE YOU UNANIMOUSLY AGREED. CURRENTLY THE JAILS ARE STILL OVERCROWDED WITH 9,000 PEOPLE. 51% ARE BLACK AND 78% OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. CLEARLY THIS SYSTEM CRIMINALIZES BLACK PEOPLE AND THOSE WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES USBECAE THERE IS NOTHING YOU FEEL YOU CAN DO ABOUT PROBLEM THEN HERE ARESO LUTIONS. ON PEOPLE ARE LOCKED UP DRUG CASES AND OVER 7,000LE PEOP HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION.TO WE WANT YOU GIVE THEM CARECA AND NOT GES. WE DEMAND YOUE CITE AND RELEAS ALL ELIGIBLE MISDEMEANOR A AND B OFFENSES. THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO, BUT YOU CHOOSE NOT TO PUT TIME, MONEY ORIE SOURCES TO THIS ISSUE.Y THERE ARE CURRENTLOVER 7,000 PEOPLE IN PRE-TRIAL WHO ARE LEGALLY INNOCENT -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> BUT ARE EXPOSING THEM TO COVID, TRAUMA, LOSS OF INCOME -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ON MARCH 4TH, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU VOTED -- >> NOBODY IS FREE UNTIL EVERYBODY IS FREE. >> AND THOSE WOMEN PUT THE MONEY INTO PRACTICE -- IT IS TIME FOR YOU AND ALL COMMISSIONERS TO NOT ONLY SPEAK OF FREEDOM -- >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM. >> BUT PUT WHAT YOU SAY INTO PRACTICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO STOP YOU. THANK YOU. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: I APPRECIATE COMMENT. WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP EVERYBODY AT TIME. AND LOOK, I KNOW IT IS A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T MAKE THE SHERIFF DO SOMETHING. WE CAN'T MAKE THE D.A. DO SOMETHING. WE CAN'T MAKE INDIVIDUAL JUDGES DO SOMETHING. WE ARE FIGURING OUT WHAT IS WITHIN OUR PER VIEW. WE CONTINUE TO DIG. MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING WE ARE NOT SEEING. SO FAR I CAN TELL YOU -- >> [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, YOU HAD YOUR TIME. OKAY. >> ON. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. TIFF -- TIFFANY, LET'S CALL UP THE NEXT SPEAKER. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 33, DANEISHA SHEPHERD UNDER TRANSMITTALS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN AND CITIZEN, FOR THE RECORD AS A RESIDENT OF PRE -- PRECINCT 1, I AM TO BE [02:20:02] SEARCHED AND ARRESTED [INAUDIBLE] THIS IS ALARMING TO SEE THE DISPARITIES AND THE PROFILING DATA REPORT BETWEEN THOSE WHO ARE STOPPED AND THOSE WHO ARE ARRESTED. I KNOW THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT -- [INAUDIBLE] RACIAL DISPARITIES, THEY -- [INAUDIBLE] RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHEN AND HOW ARE THESE THINGS GOING TO BE USED AS AWARENESS AND EXAMINATION FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHANGE? IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST KNOW THESE THINGS ANYMORE. I AM HOPING TO SEE AN OUTLINE OF WHAT CHANGES WILL BE MADE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 34, LAURA GALLIER SPEAKING ON ITEM 262 AND 263 UNDER TRANSMITTALS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU. MY NAME IS LAURA GALLIER AND I LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1. MY CONCERN IS THE RACIAL DISPARITY IN POLICING IN HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE, SPECIFICALLY BLACK DRIVERS IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE BEING PULLED OVER, SEARCHED AND ARRESTED AT RATES WELL IN EXCESS OF THEIR PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. BLACK DRIVERS ARE PULLED OVER AT A HIGHER RATE AND THEY EXIST IN THE DRIVING POPULATION. THE STATISTICS ARE FROM THE COURT. BLACK DRIVERS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY SEARCHED WHEN THEY ARE PULLED OVER. THE HARRIS COUNTY IS 20% BLACK AND INCREASING TO 49% OF TRAFFIC SEARCHES ARE CONDUCTED ON BLACK DRIVERS WHICH IS 250% OF THE BLACK PORTION OF THE POPULATION. SEARCH RATES FOR BLACK DRIVERS ARE EXCESSIVE IN THE OTHER PRECINCTS ALONG -- AS WELL. BLACK DRIVERS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY ARRESTED WHEN PULLED OVER IN PRECINCT 1. 50% OF TRAFFIC STOPS RESULT IN ARRESTS INVOLVE BLACK DRIVERS. THE DATA SHOWS -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 35, NIA BUCKLEY SPEAKING ON 262 AND 263 UNDER TRANSMITTALS. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, MY NAME IS NEA BUCKLEY. AS YOU PRAYED FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE WAR IN UKRAINE I HOPE YOU KEEP THE SAME ENERGY AND COMPASSION FOR BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS IN HARRIS COUNTY WHO CONTINUE TO SUFFER MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY THROUGH THE RACISM. AS IT RELATES TO THE RACIAL PROFILING DATA REPORTS IN 262 TO 266, THE DATA SHOWS THAT MEMBERS BLACK COMMUNITY ARE MORE LIKELY NOT ONLY TO BE STOPPED, BUT SEARCHED AND ARRESTED THAN WHITE FOLK. I FEAR FOR MY COMMUNITY AND MY FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY. THE DECLARATION THAT WAS MADE IN 2020 MUST BE FOLLOWED BY THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND STRATEGIC. IT IS BEING IGNORED AND RACISM IS NOT BEING TREATED AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS LIKE Y'ALL DECLARED IN 2020. AND THERE IS MORE INVESTMENT IN POLICE THAN IN COMMUNITY. Y'ALL NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS A NON-AGENDA RELATED SPEAKER. FIRST IS JACOB CLEMENTEGE SPEAKING IN IN PERSON. >> HELLO, FOLKS. JACOB CLEMENTEGE AND HERE GOES [INAUDIBLE] DISABILITY HAD IMPLORE THAT HLS AND R, HUE -- HOUSTON LOVE -- [INAUDIBLE]. AT THE SOFS LEVEL. ON THE -- ON THE SERVICE LEVEL. ON THE SERVICE LEVEL I WAS A BATHROOM ATTENDANT AND CUSTODIAN OF KEEPING THE GENTLEMAN'S ROOM CLEAN. ON THE SERVICE LEVEL I MONITORED THE COMPACT -- THE TRASH COMPACTERS AND PUT WASTE IN THE PROPER PLACE. YESTERDAY WAKED -- I WALKED DOWN THE OFFICES AREA. I WANT TO SAY THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK [INAUDIBLE] AND THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY IN THE FACILITY AND Y'ALL ARE THE PEOPLE THAT CONTROL IT. I THANK YOU. AS YOU CAN TELL I HAVE MY [02:25:05] UNIFORM AND NRG PARK UNIFORM SHIRT AND MY PASS WHICH HAS PARK AND NRG ON IT. I HAVE MY BUTTON AND NRG CENTER PARK NAME BADGE. NOW ALSO WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS [INAUDIBLE] -- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> OH. YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT MY WOMEN'S HISTORY? >> NO. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER TWO, DANETRA MITCHELL. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. SOUNDS LIKE SHE WAS DISCONNECTED. WE'LL TRY HER BACK. NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER SPEAKING IN PERSON. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> HI I AM MICHAEL STENBRIDGE. LIVE BETWEENAK LEVIEW DRIVE BRIDGE AND BELTAY W 8N OTHE BAYOU. WELOATED REPETITIVELY. IT IS1 EE0000005. IT WAS TO WIDEN THE BAYOU ANDTH EY AREIN WIDENG LAKEVIEWDR IVE AND WIDENING B HUGE,IG,BI G, LOTS OF WORK DOWNLL ON WAST REET PROJECT. THE WATER IS GOING TO FLOW US.WN DOWTREAM TO WE ARE SCARED.AM I O [BLEEP]FF. MY C WIFE, SHEAN'T SWIM ANDDA MY UGHTER CAN'T SWIM ANDUN I AM EMPLOYED.D WE NEEHELP.D WE NEETHISED BAYOU WIDEN. WIDENEDUG IS NOT BEIN AND KEPT ANDOT MOWED AND NHING IS BEING DONE. IT LIKE THEYM WENT UP STREAUPOF INSTEAD DOWNSTREAM UP.P THEY LEAFROGGED US AND WEOD WILL FLO AGAIN. MAYBE WE HIRE AAM LAWYER. I NEED TO D IT NOW, MR. CAGLE.DA >> LINA HILGO: THANK YOU -RS. WE WILL CIRCLE BACK. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 36 UNDER AGENDA RELEDTI FROM THE POSIVE WOMEN'S NETWORK SPEAKING ON 262 AND 263TA UNDER TRANSMITLS. HAVE YOU ONEAD MINUTE. GO AHE, PLEASE. >> HI. AS IT RELATESIN TO RACIAL PROFILG AND DATA REPORTING IN 262-266, I AM ALARMED ABOUT THE DISPARITIES THAT EXIST BETWEEN THOSE THAT ARE STOPPED AND THOSE THAT ARE ARRESTED. TWO, AS ANMA AFRICAN-AMERICAN WON THIS IS CONCERNING TO ME. THE DATA SHOWS THAT I AM MORE LIKELY NOT ONLY TO BE STOPPED, BUT SEARCHED AND ARRESTED THAN MY WHITE COUNTERPARTS. COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO EXAMINE RACIAL DISPARITY TO THE COUNTY I AM HOPING TO SEE AN OUTLINE OF WHAT CHANGES WILL BE MADE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. FAIRNESS MUST BE PARAMOUNT IN ORDER TO BUILD TRUST IN THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AS IT RELATES TO PUBLIC SAFETY. MINORITIES CANNOT FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEING UNFAIRLY TREATED. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKER WOOSY WERE ABLE TO -- SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TOOU REAC. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK Y SO MUCH. [Departments (Part 3 of 4)] SO THOSE WERE ALL THE SPEAKERS. LET ME MAKE MINOR CORRECTIONS ON THE VARIOUS ITEMS AND THEN WE WILL DISCUSS THE CONSENT AGENDA. WE WILL NEED COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO DISCUSS THE CONSENT AGENDA SO LET ME KNOW IF WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK. ITEM 7 ON PAGE 2 WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WORD AGREEMENTS TO AN AGREEMENT AND DELETE AND WITH BAKER RIP PLEA IN THE -- BAKER RIP -- RIPLEY IN THE AMOUNT OF $6.8 MILLION. AND ITEM 42 ON PAGE 6, PRE -- PRECINCT 3 IS CHANGED TO PRECINCT 4. PAGE 15, THE LEGISLATIVE UH [02:30:03] GENERAL -- AGENDA ITEM, NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM. ITEM 194, THE REMONITORRING SERVICES ON PAGE 24, WE NEED TO REDUCE THE RENEWAL OPTION AMOUNT FROM 13 MILLION 178, 461 TO 7 MILLION. ITEM 210, DR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ON PAGE 25, PURCHASING REQUESTS NO ACTION BE TAKEN. ITEM 232 ON PAGE 28, PURCHASING REQUEST NO ACTION. THAT'S IT, JAMES. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR OTHER CORRECTIONS? >> NO, MA'AM. NOT AT THIS TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. THE REST ARE THE CONSENT AGENDA. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK. MAYBE WE TAKE THE LUNCH BREAK NOW -- WELL, I KNOW PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR THE ELECTIONS DISCUSSION. LET'S TAKE A QUICK BREAK AND THEN WE'LL TAKE LUNCH LATER. LET'S TAKE A 15-MINUTE BREAK AND WE WILL BE BACK AT 1:15. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 1:18 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. LET'S GO THROUGH THE CONCEPT AGENDA -- THE CONSENT AGENDA. STARTING WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 281. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS CIVIL COURT LAW NUMBER 4 AND WE NEED TO TAKE THIS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND IT GOES ALONG WITH ITEM 33, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. EXCUSE ME, ITEM 283 ON PAGE 33. BOTH ARE RELATED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY CIVIL COURT LAW NUMBER 4 VACANCY. ITEM 282, DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO APPOINT LATRICE BAVIN? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WILL JUST BE RA -- THAT WILL BE A MOTION AS ON THE AGENDA. 283 IS THE JUDICIAL VACANCY. BOTH 283 AND 281 ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEM 284, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THE REAPPOINT APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY. >> NO NEED TO GO BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 285. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON NEED TO GO BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO NEED TO GO BACK. ITEM 286. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD JUST BE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: LLOYD CHRISTIANSON AS FIRE MARSHAL. I KNOW WE ARE ALL VERY PROUD TO DO THAT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE THE MOTION RIGHT. REAPPOINT LORI CHRISTIANSON FOR A TWO-TERM PERIOD BEGINNING TODAY MARCH 8, 2022. I'M SO SORRY. LET ME START OVER. I MOVE TO REAPPOINT LORI CHRISTIANSON AS HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM BEGINNING TODAY, MARCH 8TH, 2022 AND ENDING ON MARCH 8TH, 2024. IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY CAGLE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE ARE ALL INCREDIBLY PROUD AND GRATEFUL FOR CHIEF CHRISTIANSON AND EVERY ONE OF HER TEAM MEMBERS. 287 I KNOW TKAEUFP BETTER -- DAVE BERRY. >> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 287 IS A PERSONNEL MATTER. 288 WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. 289, COUNTY ATTORNEY. DO WE NODE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 289? EXCUSE ME, 292. THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, 292? >> NO, JUDGE. UNLESS ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: 292? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: 293, DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE PEER FIRM. >> NOT UNLESS THERE IS COMMITTEES -- QUESTIONS. IT IS A WOULDN'T WEIGHINGS OF THE MWE CONTRACT ASSOCIATED WITH IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: 294? >> SAME ISSUE. IT IS A SPECIAL COUNCIL WE USE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. WE DON'T NEED TO GO BACK UNLESS ANYONE HAS SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO MEMBERS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS SPERBLG -- [02:35:07] SPECIAL COUNCIL? OKAY. AND THERE IS ONE MORE -- THAT'S NOT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM. ALL RIGHT. THOSE ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. THE NON-EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 8, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU FLAGGED THIS ONE. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTING SERVICES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ONE MOMENT, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ON PAGE 2 AND ITEM 8. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. WE JUST NEED TO VOTE ON IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. WE ARE GETTING TO WHERE WE ARE DOING SO MANY THINGS IN THE ARPA FUNDS I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MINDFUL OF IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES ON ITEM 8. ITEM 14 WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS. HAVE I A BRIEF UPDATE AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTS TO DISCUSS IT AS WELL. ITEM 25, COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY BOTH FLAGGED ITEM 25. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON 25 I SUBMITTED A PROPOSED MOTION AROUND THAT WE BY FOR -- BIFORCATE AND WE TAKE THE FAIR CHASE AND FAIR POLICY OUT. I WILL MOVE THE ITEM WITHOUT THE FAIR CHANCE PROVISION IN TERMS OF ITEM 25 AND THEN IF WE CAN HAVE A SECOND VOTE OF THE PROVISION WE RECENTLY PUT IN. >> TOM RAMSEY: I SECOND THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE VOTING ON THE ITEM AS PRESENTED EXCEPT FOR THE FAIR CHANCE POLICY, CORRECT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU FOR IT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE SECOND ONE YOU WOULD SAY YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE ARE ALL IN FAVOR OF COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S MOTION UNANIMOUSLY. IS THERE A MOTION FOR THE FAIR CHANCE POLICY ON ITEM 25? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED. -- OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR OF THE FAIR CHANCE POLICY AND IT CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 26, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP POLICY FOR HARRIS COUNTY WORKFORCE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. A LOT OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES DO THIS AND I AM GLAD TO BE LOOKING FOR THE BEST -- MOTION CARRIES 3-2. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND QUICKLY ON THE SIDE, I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS SHERIFF I HIRED GABBY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW GABBY. BUT GABBY WAS ONE OF OUR NATIONAL DACA OR DREAMER LEADERS AND I ASKED HER TO GIVE ME A HAND AND IT TOOK A LONGTIME TO GET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT I COULD HIRE HER. SHE HAD DACA. I THINK THIS POLICY WILL GO A LONG WAY IN RESOLVING QUESTIONS ON HOW WE CAN BRING IN TALENT FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DID A RESOLUTION FOR PEOPLE OF UKRAINE AND I RESOLVE TO HELP. >> LINA HIDALGO: 126 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT. >> JUST A BRIEF CONVERSATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH ONE? >> LINA HIDALGO: 126 ON PAGE 15. ITEM 137, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, TRANSFERRING POSITIONS TO HRRM. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST A QUICK QUESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 140 ON PAGE 17. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL DELAY IT FOR TWO WEEKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST AM HOPING THE FOLKS IN WEST U WILL ADOPT THE ATLAS POLICY. I WILL HAVE A QUIET CONVERSATION WITH THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HOPE THEY GET THERE. I HOPE WE WILL ALL USE THE INFLUENCE WE HAVE. [02:40:02] YOU KNOW WHAT? JUST HOLD IT. I WANT ENGINEERING TO SAY WHEN IT COMES UP HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE ADOPTED ATLAS14. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL DISCUSS 140. 152 ON PAGE 18. WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS. ITEM 153. >> TOM RAMSEY: CAN WE DISCUSS 305 WITH THAT, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, OF COURSE. >> CAN WE GO BACK TO -- IS ITEM 126 ON THE DISCUSSION? I THOUGHT YOU SAY 136. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 126. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DID SAY 136 AND WE MEANT 126. >> 126 IS ON DISCUSSION. 137 IS ON DISCUSSION? >> LINA HIDALGO: 126 IS ON DISCUSSION. 137 IS ON DISCUSSION. 140. I WILL GO BACK OVER THEM AT THE END. >> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: I R-LSZ I KEEP -- I REALIZE I KEEP MIXING UP THE NUMBERS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 140 I THOUGHT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WANTS TO HOLD IT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO DISCUSS IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: 152 WE WILL DISCUSS ALONG WITH 305. ITEM 153 TO ACCEPT THE POLLING LOCATIONS ON THE MARCH 7TH GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: HAVE I A QUESTION WHICH WAS WHETHER OR NOT KNOTTING -- NOTTINGHAM IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST FOR THE EARLY VOTE. I SEE IT IS. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT IS ALSO INCLUDED ON ELECTION DAY. OTHER THAN THAT I'M FINE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTTINGHAM PARK WAS INCLUDED ON BOTH. IF I CAN GET CONFIRMATION FROM THE OFFICE I DON'T NEED A DISCUSSION. IT APPEARED TO BE LISTED IN THE MATERIAL FOR EARLY. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT IS THERE ALSO FOR A GENERAL. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, THAT ITEM ALSO LISTS THE APPOINTMENT OF ISABEL LONGORIA AS CENTRAL COUNTING STATION MANAGER. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE -- LET'S DISCUSS 153 THEN. LET ME FLAG THAT FOR DISCUSSION. ESSENTIAL COUNT MANAGER. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S WHAT IS LISTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: 158 IS THE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION AND THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION'S BY LAWS. DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? >> NOPE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 203. COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THIS IS AN AWARD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. ITEM 207. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: PAGE 25. EYE -- ITEM 218, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, AN RFP FOR A REVIEW OF JAIL OPERATIONS FOR HARRIS COUNTY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I CALLED THE SHERIFF'S UNION TO SEE WHAT THEY FELT ABOUT THIS AND THEY WERE QUITE ADAMANT THAT THEY WANTED BOOTS AND NOT STUDIES. I JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AMN IFAVOR. TION CARRIES 3-2. ANDAVE WE WILL WORK WITH THE SHERIFFMO ON RE RESOURCES. WE GAVE THEM ADDITIONAL G FUNDINAND ADDITIONAL STAFFAN DOL TECHNOGY, ET CETERA. THANK YOU.IS FORS AN AGREEMENT POLICY ADVISERS FORRLY -- FO TLIAISON OFHE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. R >>. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS >> LINA DALGO: 242. PERSONSIBILITY FOR PROCURING ENERGY AND 247.EE WE DO ND AN UPDATE ON GLO, IVPARTICULARLY GEN THE LATEST NEWS. 248, AN UPDATE ON TEXDOT ANDE IT WOULD BGOOD TO HAVE UPDATES ON BOTH OFE THOSE. DO WNEEDE TO GO TO EXECUTIVOT SESSION ON BH OF THOSE TOPICS, JAY? 247 AND 248?K >> YES, I THINWE DOO IF YOU TALK ABOUT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM GOING TO VEMARK THOSE FOR EXECUTI SESSION TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS. AND THEN THERE IS 278, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.TH >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS IS A TRANSMITTAL SO THERE IS NO VOTE OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES, BUT THIS DOES INCLUDEHE SOME STUFF INVOLVING T O'DONNELL CASE AND IF I HAD A VOTE I WOULD HAVE VOTED [02:45:01] AGAINST IT, BUT THIS IS A TRAPBGS MITT TALL. BUT THIS IS AUD TRANSMITTAL. THAT CONCLES MY COMMENT.IL >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WL RECEIVE THE TRANSMITTAL AS STANDARD. 289 COMMISSIONER CAGLE AN APPROVAL OF A $15 AN HOUR AND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT MOVE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IIS ON PAGE 33. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK YOU WANT TO VOTE NO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 289 IS THE -- YES, WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER, YOUR MIC AID JAY, THIS IS SPECIFIC TO ARPA. BUT I THOUGHT WE HAD PASSED AN EEFFORT TO REQUIRE ALL CONTRACTS TO COM WITH A $15 AN HOUR MINIMUM WAGE. >> RIGHT. WE DID ON ISSUES RELATED TO USE OF COUNTY FUNDS AND COUNTY DOLLARS. THAT WAS INCLUSIVE TO THAT. AND THERE ARE SOME RESTRICTED GRANT FUNDS WE CAN'T DO THAT WITH. THIS IS NOT ONE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE MOVED FORWARD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PERFECT. I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU REMEMBER THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY? >> I BELIEVE IT DID. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE YOU FORGOT YOU VOTED NO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LET'S HOLD. NOT HOLD, HOLD, BUT PUT IT ON THE DISCUSSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WOULD BE 289? AND THEN THERE IS 295 IS THE REPORT BY THE COURT-APPOINTED MONITOR. AND THEY ARE ONLY AVAILABLE -- THEY ARE IN FLORIDA. IT ONLY BETWEEN 2 AND 5. SO I WILL DO MY BEST TO REMEMBER THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL PUT IT HERE IF I CAN REMEMBER. >> LINA HIDALGO: 299 IS AN AIR MONITORING SERVICES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 301 COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY FLAGGED THIS ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NEED TO DISCUSS. >> LINA HIDALGO: 304, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 305 WE ARE GOING TO TAKE UP WITH THE OTHER ELECTIONS ITEM. WE HAVE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE AGENDA. LET ME GO OVER THE VARIOUS DISCUSSION ITEMS. EXECUTIVE SESSION IS ITEM 247 ON GLO, 248 ON TEXDOT, 281 AND 283 BOTH ON THE JUDICIAL VACANCY. 287 ON HUMAN RESOURCES COMPENSATION POLICIES AND 288 ON THE CYBER SECURITY. REGULAR AGENDA, ITEM 14, 126, 137, 140, 152 WHICH GOES ALONG WITH 305, 153, 203, 207, 236, 242, 247 AND 248 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, 289, 295, 299, 301, 304 AND AGAIN 305. AM I MISSING ANYTHING? >> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, FOLKS, ARE WE GOOD? IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 306? WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ITEMS ALREADY VOTE OWED AND THE DISCUSSIONS BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S START AS PROMISED WITH THE ELECTION-RELATED ITEMS. THAT WILL BE 3 INJURE 5 -- THAT WILL BE 305 ALONG WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR ITEM. DO WE HAVE ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA ON THE LINE? >> HERE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I KNOW FOR FOLKS TO WORK ON GETTING THE HART REPRESENTATIVES AND LET US KNOW, PLEASE, TIFFANY, WHEN THEY ARE ON THE LINE. >> THEY'RE ON THE LINE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. GO AHEAD, ADMINISTRATOR. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY AND I KNOW WE ALL HAVE MANY QUESTIONS. GO AHEAD. >> GOING TO READ A SHORT STATEMENT AND THEN ANSWER QUESTIONS. START AT THE TOP, TODAY I AM SUBMITTING MY RESIGNATION EFFECT -- EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST. IF THERE IS A MAIN OFFICER IN THE MAY/JUNE ELECTION AND [02:50:02] ALLOWS THEM THE TIME THEY NEED TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. I REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE OFFICE AND THE COMMISSION AND HOPE TO AIM IN DEFEATING RHETORIC TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL ELECTIONS IN THE FUTURE. ULTIMATELY THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AND CONDUCT ELECTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE VOTERS. I DIDN'T MEET MY OWN STANDARD NOR THE STANDARDS BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT IN DOING SO. THROUGH THIS TRANSITION WE NOW HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A HARD, BUT NECESSARY CONVERSATION IN ORDER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS FOR THE FUTURE ELECTIONS AND FURTHER BOLSTER THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION. BUT I ALSO FEEL COMPELLED TO ADD CONTEXT TO THE MOMENTS THAT BROUGHT US TODAY. SINCE THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BAD FAITH ACTORS WORKED TO UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS. ACROSS THE COUNTRY WE SAW REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CAST DOWN ON VOTES IF THEY WERE NOT COUNTED WITHIN 24 HOURS AND THAT RHETORIC CONTINUED LOCALLY WITH THE 24-HOUR RULE IN TEXAS WEAPONIZED AND THREATENS THE PRINCIPAL OF ACCURACY OVER SPEED. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED THESE ATTACKS OUR PROCESS AND THE CIVIC INSTITUTIONS MAXIMIZES A SHORT-TERM POLITICAL GAIN AND SACK -- SACRIFICES THE LONG-TERM TRUST. AND THE CHECKS AND BALANCES OF THE CANVASSING PROCESS SHEDS LIGHT ON ANY ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS. THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE PROCESS, TO DECLARE FAILURE BEFORE THE PROCESS IS EVEN COMPLETE SAID A DISSERVICE TO VOTERS. IT ASSUMES THAT ANYTHING THAT OCCURS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT DOESN'T MATTER AND THE CANVASSING PERIOD IS THE MOST CRITICAL PART OF OUR ELECTION PROCESS. IN ADDITION, THE RESTRICTIVE VOTING LAWS OF SENATE BILL 1 ARE A RESULT OF HARRIS COUNTY. THE MOST DIVERSE IN THE STATE THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROCESSES LIKE DRIVE-THRU VOTING AND 24-HOUR VOTING AND ACCESS TO MAIL IN BALLOTS. THE ISSUES ARE NOT UNIQUE. COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE FACE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH STAFFING AND IMPLEMENTING USE. HOWEVER, THE ATTACKS ON HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUE BEYOND THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 1 AND INTO THEY HR-BGS -- INTO THE ELECTION. IT STARTED THE MOMENT THIS OFFICE WAS FORMED AND CONVERSATIONS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS AND INVEST RESOURCES AND MAKE OUR ELECTIONS BETTER. INSTEAD OF WORKING TOGETHER TO FIX ISSUES THESE ACTIONS FURTHER DIVIDE AND ELIMINATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT. IT DOESN'T EXCUSE ANY MISTAKES MADE, BUT TO IGNORE THE CULTURE LEADS TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND AN ATTACK ON OUR DEMOCRACY SUBMITS A CRUCIAL VARIABLE ON THIS PROBLEM. WITH THAT I AM OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: MEMBERS? I CERTAINLY HAVE MEMBER, BUT -- YES, GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR THAT. I MAY DISAGREE AS TO THE CAUSES THAT YOU EXPRESSED, BUT I WANT TO ASK SOME TECHNICAL QUESTIONS IF YOU DON'T MIND. >> SURE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THEN HAVE I A PREPARED COMMENT I WILL MAKE IN A LITTLE BIT. MY FIRST TECHNICAL QUESTION GOES TO THE BALLOTS. THEY ENDED UP BEING TWO PAGES IN SIZE. I WENT THROUGH ALL OF THE MACHINES WHEN THEY WERE BEING VETTED AND VEXED. YOU AND I WATCHED A NUMBER OF THEM. IT SEEMS TO ME WE WERE PROMISED WE CAN HAVE OUR ENTIRE BALLOT ON ONE PIECE OF PAPER. IT WAS ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES THIS SYSTEM HAD OVER THE OTHER SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WOULD REQUIRE MULTIPLE PIECES OF PAPER. BEING ON ONE PIECE OF PAPER HAD SEVERAL ADVANTAGES, EASE OF USE, LOWER COST SO YOU ARE NOT PAYING FOR AS MUCH. CAN YOU TELL US HOW MUCH EXTRA IT COST US TO HAVE THE TWO PAGES INSTEAD OF ONE PAGE? THIS IS PROPRIETARY PAPER. AND SECONDLY, CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US WHY THIS WAS CONFIGURED IN A WAY IT WASN'T A ONE PAGE? I VOTED HRAOEUB EVERYBODY -- I VOTED LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE DID AND WONDERED WHY IT COULDN'T BEACON FIGURED ON ONE PAGE. >> HART MAY HAVE TO ANSWER MORE OF THE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND I WILL HAVE MY STOVE -- MY STAFF LOOK UP THE COST FOR THE PAPER. I DON'T BELIEVE THE MACHINES WERE EVER MADE TO JUST BE ON ONE SHEET CONTINUOUS PAPER. I UNDERSTAND IT WOULD CREATE A ROLE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE IN THE MACHINES. NOT ONLY TWO PIECES OF PAPER, BUT THE BALLOT IS TO TWO LONGER SHEETS OF PAPER. THAT IS A DECISION WE MADE MANY MONTHS AGO TO MAKE SURE THAT FOR VOTERS AND FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU VOTE IN ENGLISH AND ANOTHER LANGUAGE IT PRINTS A LINE OF TEXT SO VOTERS WHO SPEAK IN OTHER LANGUAGES HAVE THE TRANSPARENCY TO SEE IN ENGLISH AND THE LANGUAGE THEY CHOSE TO SPEAK IN WHICH ALSO INCREASES. [02:55:01] IF YOU DECIDE TO UNDER VOTE A RACE IT IS THE BEST PRACTICE WE ADOPTED IN HARRIS COUNTY YOU SHOULD SEE THAT RACE AND HOW YOU MADE NO SELECTION INSTEAD OF SOME COUNTIES DECIDING NOT TO SHOW THE RACE AT ALL. IT WOULD SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF THE BALLOT, BUT PEOPLE COULDN'T CHECK AND SAY, OOPS, I DIDN'T MEAN TO VOTE THERE OR I DIDN'T MEAN TO VOTE THERE. THERE ARE POLICY DECISIONS THAT WILL INCREASE TRANSPARENCY FOR VOTERS, BUT I WILL LEAVE IT TO THE CAPACITY OF THE SEASON -- OF THE MACHINE TO PRINT ONE LONG PAGE. >> I WASN'T QUESTIONING ONE LONG PAGE. IT WAS WHERE IT RUNS ACROSS THE PAGE IN TERMS OF YOUR FORMATTING AS OPPOSED TO MULTIPLE LINES THAT WERE MAYBE LONGER. I THOUGHT MAYBE THEY COULD DO IT WITH MULTIPLE COME -- COLUMNS ON ONE PAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO DESIGNED THE LAYOUT. WAS THAT US? WAS THAT HART? WAS THAT SOMEBODY ELSE? IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT? THE SECOND IS SOMEWHAT RELATED TO THESE MACHINES, I MEAN THE PAPER. I THINK THE NUMBER I WAS GIVEN WAS THAT THERE THERE WAS 140 VOTERS WITH THE WRONG SIZE PAPER FOR THEIR SECOND PAGE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING. HOW DO YOU HAVE DIFFERENT SIZED PAPERS? AND HOW DID THAT OCCUR MECHANICALLY TO WHERE WE HAD THE 140 VOTERS WITH TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF PAPER? >> ON THE FIRST I DO APOLOGIZE, SIR AND I WILL HAVE TO DEFER TO HART ON WHAT THE LIMITATIONS ARE REGARDING BALLOT SIZE AND HOW TO CONSTRUCT IT. ON THE BALLOT PAPER I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. I KNOW THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS SUED US AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS. WHAT I CAN SAY TO MAKE SURE I AM BEING CAREFUL IN THIS ANSWER IS THAT PAPER SIZE WAS PROVIDED TO A JUDGE AT SUPPLY HANDOUT AND IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WE HANDLED PROMPTLY. THE JUDGE BORROWED PAPER FROM THE OTHER PARTY AT THE SAME POLLING LOCATION. I AM NOT HAPPY THAT ANY VOTER HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE SHORT PAPER AND WE HAVE A SHORT PAPER IN STOCK AND WHAT WE HAD FOR THIS ELECTION, BUT ISOLATED INCIDENTS ARE NOT -- IT IS JUST MAKING SURE WE ARE PUTTING IN CONTEXT THIS ONE LOCATION THIS REFERENCE TO ALL OF THE VOTERS THAT WE STILL HAVE THEIR VOTES. >> ON THE ISSUE OF THE VOTES THAT WERE THE 10,000 VOTES THAT WERE DISCOVERED LATER. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE REASON WE DISCOVERED THEM IS BECAUSE WE DID RECEIVE NOTICE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYING, HEY, THERE IS A DISCREPANCY IN YOUR NUMBER COUNT. HOW MANY EXACTLY WERE THERE? WE WERE HEARING THE NUMBER 10,000. I THINK ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT HOW IT SEEMS ODD WHEN YOU ARE AN ACCOUNTANT TO HAVE THE PRECISE NUMBER OF 10,000. HOW MANY EXACTLY WERE THERE? >> I AM GETTING MY STAFF TO PULL THAT UP. I WOULD SAY 10,000 IS A BROAD NUMBER. I KNOW 6,000, I BELIEVE -- EXCUSE ME I AM SCROLLING MY NOTES. IT WAS 6,000 -- LET ME GET TO IT. 6,000 DEMOCRATIC AND 4,000 REPUBLICAN AND I AM HAVING MY STAFF PULL UP THE EXACT NUMBERS OF WHAT THEY WERE. THEY DID NOT END IN 000. THEY ENDED IN ANOTHER COUPLE DOZEN. SO 000 WAS ONLY FOR THE PURPOSES OF BEING CLEAR AND CONCISE WITH THE PRESS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU CAN GET US THAT EXACT NUMBER SO WE ARE ALL TALKING IN THE SAME LANGUAGE. AND WE KNOW ABOUT THEM BECAUSE THE PROTOCOL THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE NOTIFIED US, HEY, YOU ARE SHORT THE 10,000, CORRECT? >> YES, AND NO. THE ELECTION NIGHT RECONCILIATION PROCESS IS SOMETHING DONE FOR DECADE THAT'S WE CONTINUE TO DO AND HONESTLY WE ARE DOING NOW AS WE LEAD UP TO THE CANVAS. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WITH SENATE BILL 1 THEY CREATED THIS ELECTION NIGHT SNAP SHOT WORK -- WORKSHEET IF YOU WILL FOR COUNTIES TO FILL OUT. IT IS NOT NEW TO DO ELECTION NIGHT RECONCILIATION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS ONE INSTANCE WHERE SB1 I SAY ALL PARTIES HELPED IN CATCHING THE DISCREPANCY. >> I WOULD SAY THAT I KNOW ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS ACROSS TEXAS SHARED THAT THE SNAP SHOT HAS LET'S CALL IT MANY WEAKNESSES IN HOW IT IS CREATED OR HOW THE NUMBERS ARE GENERATED. LIKE ANYTHING RECONCILIATION IS IMPORTANT AND WE RECOGNIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECONCILE AND BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC. [03:00:04] >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A COMMENT TO MAKE WHEN WE ARE DONE WITH OUR QUESTIONS AND SO I DON'T HAVE ANYMORE QUESTIONS OF OUR EA AT THISIM TE. THANK YOUO SMUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS DAN THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ANDHE TN COMMISSIONER RCGAIA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MS. LONGORIA, I WANTED TONK THA YOU FORR YOU SERVICE. I KNOW THIS WASOU A TGH DECISION Y FOROUO T MAKE, AND I KNOW YOUDO WILL AS MUCH AS YOU N DURING THISIT TRANSION TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND WEER DO EVYTHING WE CAN SO THAT PEOPLE GET TOE EXERCIS THEIR RIGHT TO I ALSO KNOW THAT EVERYBODY INXA TES -- EVERYBODYIS IN HARRUN COTY DOESN'T WANT EVERYBODYOT TO VE.TI SOMEMES IN POLITICS YOU WANTID YOUR SE TO VOTE AND NOT THE OTHER SI TO VOTE.VE I HA NEVER BEEN TEMPTED TO TAKE THAT POSITION. F I WANTOLKSEA TO HAVE AN SYE -- HAVIT EASY TO VOTE FOR ME ORGANS ME -- OR AGAINSTR ME OR FOMY PARTY ORGANS -- OR AGAINST IT. HEYOU SPOKE OF T 10,000UN VOTES FOD AFTERTH YOU SHUTDOWN E PROCESS COMPLETED THE -HOUR COUNT COMPLETED BY LAW. IS IT COMMON THATFO VOTES ARE UND AFTER THE FACT? >> YES.N THIS ELECTIO CYCLE WE WEREN'T THE ONLY COUNTY AF FIND THINGS TER THE 24-HOUR REQUIREMENT A REQUIREMENT THATSAN 30 YEARS OLD D DOES NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INCREEDES NUMBER OF VOT AND TECHNOLOGICAL S STANDARDS IN THETATE. OVER THE PAST SEVERALYO ADMINISTRATIONS U CAN SEE 2018 AND 2019 AND 20A THAT THERE WAS VERY LARGENU DIFFERENCE IN THE MBER OF VOTES COUNTED ON ELECTION NIGHTNV VERSUS WHAT WAS CAASSED. IT IS TPH*T -- NOT GOOD. I WILL SAY I AM PROUD THAT ME AND MY ADMINISTRATION WERE A TRANSPARENT ABOUT ITND NOTIFIED THE PUBLIC IMMEDIATELY AND INCORPORATED THE SEN -- CENTRAL COUNT COMMITTEE WAS RAD -- RADICALS TRANSPARENCY. IT INOT NEW THAT THIS HAPPENED, BUT THAT THE PUBLIC HEARS ABOUT ITE AND IT IS LOOPED INTO TH SYSTEM. >> I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD COACH FOR RECORDKEEPING HERE. AT LEAST WE DIDN'T IN THE PAST. BUT COULD SOMEBODY GO BACK AND CHECK AND SEE WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN THE PAST AND SOMEBODY LOOK AND VERIFY EVEN IF THE NUMBER IS NOT AS LARGE, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN PREVIOUS CYCLES. >> YEAH. I'M HAPPY TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT MY TEAM CAN PUT OUT TO ILLUSTRATE THE NUMBERS. THE EASIEST WAY IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE RECORDS IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE FINAL UNOFFICIAL REPORT ON ELECTION NIGHT, THE NUMBER THERE COMPARED TO THE FINAL CANVAS A WEEK OR TWO LATER, THAT'S WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE MAJOR VOTE DIFFERENCES. >> THE SENATE BILL WENT INTO EFFECT DECEMBER 1ST AND YOU MADE A REFERENCE IN YOUR OPENING COMMENTS. JUST IN YOUR OWN WORDS, GIVE US SOME SPECIFICS ON HOW SENATE BILL ONE CREATED HURDLES FOR THIS ELECTION CYCLE. >> A COUPLE THINGS. I THINK FROM THE BEGINNING THE PROCESS WAS RUSHED. THERE IS A LACK OF GUIDANCE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION FROM THE STATE. WE HAD TO START PRINTING TRAINING MANUALS WHEN WE RECEIVED GUIDANCE WHEN WE RECEIVED THE IMPACT. THESE NEW LAWS HURT VOTERS. WE SAW LEADING UP TO THE PRIMARIES AND THE MULTIPLE ELECTIONS IN THE YEAR WE ARE SEEING AND HAVE SEEN MAIL BALLOT REJECTIONS THAT LEAD TO 30% GREATER VOTES BEING REJECTED AND A REFOCUSING OF STAFF ATTENTION TO THE -- NOT ONLY TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES AND EDUCATE OURSELVES AND PUT THEM IN PLACE WITH LITTLE GUIDANCE OR LITTLE REALTIME GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE, BUTS THE -- BUT THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH TO PIVOT OUR RESORS TO HELPING VOTERS WHOSE -- OUR RESOURCES TO HELP VOTERS FOR THE MARCH PRIMARIES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THE STATE PASSED A LAW TO SUPPRESS THE ELVOTE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COME ON. >> RODNEY LIS: I AM MAKING MY COMMENTS NOW. IF SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO TALK, TALK AND THEN I WILL SPEAK AFTERWARDS. I AM TALKING NOW. DID THE STATE PROVIDE ANY RESOURCES TO HELP EDUCATE PEOPLE ON HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ELECTION? >> THE STATE DID NOT PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION. THE STATE DID EVERY WEEK PROVIDE ONE-HOUR CLASSES THAT OUR STAFF COULD ATTEND AND WEBINARS AS THEY WERE COMPLETING TASKS, BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE WAS NO FUNDING TO COUNTIES TO DO ANY KIND OF STATEWIDE EDUCATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN YOUR POSITION DOWN THE ROAD, I WANT TO SAY I PLAN TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA SO ON THE LOCAL LEVEL WE WILL PAY TOO -- TO MAKE SURE WHETHER THEY WANT TO VOTE ON [03:05:02] THE D SIDE OR R SIDE WE SHOULD PUT AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW HOW IT WORKS AND THE MACHINE WORKS. I WANT TO TREAT THIS AS THOUGH IF I WAS LIVING IN JIM CROW, MISSISSIPPI OR ALABAMA INSTEAD OF JIM CROW TEXAS I CAN HELP PEOPLE VOTE. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT OTHER THE COUNTIES IN TEXAS HAD A JOINT PRIMARY? >> IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE -- SOMETHING THAT I BROUGHT UP A COUPLE WEEKS AGO OR A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AS WE WERE PLANNING THE PRIMARIES. A JOINT PRIMARY SAYS THE REPUBLICAN AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTIES SHARE CHECK IN EQUIPMENT AND SHARE VOTING EQUIPMENT AND SHARE THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND IT ALLOWS US TO ADD MORE LOCATIONS AND AS YOU SAW I CAN DECIDE IF IT IS A SPLIT OR JOINT PRIMARY. IN EARLY VOTING WE DID A JOINT PRIMARY. THERE WERE LITTLE TO NO ISSUES WITH PROCESSING VOTERS AND WITH SHARING THE EQUIPMENT WITH ANYTHING. ONE -- ON ELECTION DAY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DID NOT WANT TO JOIN THE PRIMARY SO THERE WAS A SPLIT PRIMARY. THAT MEANS EACH LOCATION IS SPLIT DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN AND EACH SIDE OF THE ROOM. THEY HAVE DIFFERENT EQUIPMENT. THEY HAVE DIFFERENT MACHINES. THEY HAVE TO BE PROGRAMED SEPARATELY. SO EVEN IF THE EQUIPMENT HAS ISSUES DURING THE EARLY VOTING, THERE IS PLENTY OF EQUIPMENT TO SHARE AND GO AROUND DURING THE ELECTION DAY. AND THEY ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED. IN ADDICTION IT IS THE PARTY THAT'S DECIDE THE LOCATIONS, THE VOTING LOCATIONS AND IT IS THE PARTY THAT'S DECIDE THE STAFFING OF THE LOCATIONS. AND IT IS ONLY OUR OFFICE THAT THEN KAOEUPBTD OF -- THAT SUPPLIES SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPORT. >> WHAT DID THE OTHER URBAN COUNTIES DO? >> I BELIEVE DALLAS WAS ABLE TO GET A JOINT PRIMARY AND OTHER COUNTIES WERE SPLIT PRIMARIES. I WILL HAVE TO LOOK THAT UP. >> YOU MENTIONED ON ELECTION DAY RECRUITMENT OF WORKERS. WALK US THROUGH THAT A LITTLE SLOWER. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. I DON'T WANT TO POINT THE FINGER, BUT WHAT HAPPENED? >> I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE CRITICAL THINGS WE SEE. ELECTIONS TAKE A LOT OF DEDICATION. WE WERE FULLY STAFFED FOR EARLY VOTING PRIOR TO THE START OF THE EARLY VOTING. THAT 90 JUDGES AND 90 ALTERNATE JUDGES AND FULLY STAFFED WITH CLERKS. IT WAS DELIVERED BY 12:15 ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH. THE POLITICAL PARTIES WERE CHARGED WITH STAFFING FOR ELECTION DAY. OUR OFFICE ASSISTED WITH PROVIDING SUGGESTIONS, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL OF OUR SUGGESTIONS WERE ACCEPTED. EARLY VOTING STARTED ON FEBRUARY 14TH. FEBRUARY 16TH. SO TWO DAYS AFTER EARLY VOTING STARTED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD 146 VACANCIES AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAD 23 VACANCIES. AT THAT POINT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ASKED FOR HELP TO CONTINUE THEIR STAFFING AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SAYS WE THINK WE CAN CLOSE OUT THE 23. A WEEK LATER THEY HAD 104 VACANCIES AND THEN THEY THEIR WHOA -- NARROWED IT DOWN AND THAT'S WHEN BOTH PARTIES SAID SEND US YOUR NOMINATIONS. ON FEBRUARY 25TH, JUST BEFORE SUPPLY HANDOUT THERE WERE 23 VACANCIES AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAD SEVEN VACANCIES. HARRIS COUNTY NOMINATED 700 JUDGES AND WE FILLED 120 REPUBLICAN POSITIONS FEBRUARY 16TH ONWARD. ANY ONE OF -- ANY ONE OF THOSE WAS PLACED IN THREE DAYS. THAT'S REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION. THROUGH THIS PROCESS WE HAVE CALLS TO WORK ON THE PROCESS. EVERY WEEK ONE PARTY STRUGGLED TO DUPLICATING RECORDS WHICH AFFECTED OUR RECRUITMENT SYSTEM. THEY APPOINTED JUDGES FROM THE OPPOSITE PARTY AND CONFUSING THE PROCESS. AND THEY WERE PRESENTED TO OUR OFFICE BY BOTH PARTIES. LONG STORY SHORT, RECRUITMENT IS DIFFICULT AND WE DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT THE POLITICAL PROCESS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DO PAY THESE WORKERS? >> WE DO. THE COURT VOTED TO PAY PRESIDING JUDGES $20 AN HOUR AND ALTERNATE JUDGES AND CLERKS $17 AN HOUR. AS WELL HIGH SCHOOL CLERKS WHO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY REFUSED TO USE HIGH SCHOOL CLERKS, BUT [03:10:03] THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHOSE TO USE THE HIGH SCHOOL CLERKS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE THERE CRIMINAL PENALTIES IF THEY MAKE A MISTAKE, THESE ELECTION WORKERS ? >> UNDER SENATE BILL 1, IT IS TRUE THAT AS DEFINED AS ELECTION OFFICIALS THESE PRESIDING ALTERNATE JUDGES AND CLERKS, IF THEY MAKE A SIMPLE MISTAKE, THEY COULD BE, RIGHT, HAVE CRIMINAL PENALTIES IMPOSED ON THEM. IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS SOME OF THEM EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT. THE USUAL PRESIDING JUDGES DIDN'T WANT TO BE THE PRESIDING JUDGES THIS TIME AROUND BECAUSE THEIR LOCATIONS WERE NOT SELECTED BY THE PARTIES AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WORK UNLESS IT WAS AT THEIR USUAL LOW KAEUG -- LOCATION. IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE. >> I GOT CALLS ABOUT ELECTION PLACES CHANGING. WAS THAT A DECISION YOU MADE OR WAS IT A COMBINATION OF YOU AND THE PARTY? WHO MADE THE DECISIONS? >> PER CONTRACT THEY SELECT THE LOCATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE PARTIES DO? >> THE PARTIES DO. WE WORKED WITH THEM IN ADVANCE ON MAKING SELECTIONS, BUT ULTIMATELY ANY CHANGES TO LOCATIONS HAS TO BE APPROVED BY BOTH PARTIES AND THEY DID MAKE CHANGES UP UNTIL A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE SUPPLY. >> SO BOTH PARTIES HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER? >> BOTH PARTIES HAVE TO APPROVE ANY ELECTION DAY LOCATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT I WANT TO WALK THROUGH MAIL IN BALLOTS IN GENERAL TERMS. HOW MANY MAIL IN BALLOT APPLICATIONS DID YOU RECEIVE THIS CYCLE? HOW MANY DID YOU INITIALLY DENY, AND HOW IS THIS NUMBER COMPARED TO PRIOR ELECTIONS ? I JUST WANT TO YOU WALK THROUGH THE MAIL BALLOT DILEMMA. >> THE MAIL BALLOTS, I THINK WE ULTIMATELY GOT UPWARDS OF 60,000 OR MORE. APPLICATIONS, 9 AND 27% OF THE APPLICATIONS AND 11% OF THOSE TOTAL APRIL PHRAU -- APPLICATIONS WERE ID ISSUES RELATED TO SENATE BILL NOW. SENATE BILL 1. I KNOW WE SEPTEMBER OUT 50 -- WE SENT OUT 50,000 MAIL BALLOTS AND WE WERE STILL GETTING THE FINAL NUMBERS. YESTERDAY WAS THE DEADLINE FOR PROCURING AND IT LOOKS LIKE 20,000 OF THE MAIL BALLOTS WERE REJECTED. WE ARE LOOKING AT 30,000 MAIL BALLOTS THAT WERE GOING TO BE ACCEPTED AND COUNTED AS THE FINAL COUNT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THOSE FOR SENATE BILL, LOOKS LIKE IT DID WHAT THEY WANTED IT TO DO. IT MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE. >> UNDOUBTEDLY SAY SENATE BILL 1 HAS MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO APPLY TO VOTE BY MAIL AND VOTE BY MAIL AND INCREASED -- I MEAN, BEFORE SENATE BILL 1, THE REJECTION RATE OF MAIL APPLICATIONS WAS UNDER 1% AND NOW IT JUMPED TO IT LOOKS LIKE TWRO 5 -- 25 AND 30%. WE WILL KNOW MORE ON THE FINAL COUNT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE ELECTION RESULTS, AND WALK US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF THE ELECTION RESULTS AND WHAT DID YOU FACE AS A RESULT OF SENATE BILL 1? >> YEAH. I WILL SAY WE LEARNED FROM NOVEMBER AS THE COMMISSIONERS DIRECTED US TO ON A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE, WE MADE SURE THAT WE HAD EARLY VOTE RESULTS OUT AT 7:10 P.M. WITHOUT A QUESTION OF A DOUBT. THEY WERE OUT SHORTLY AFTER 7 P.M. THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AS WE HAD THE FOUR DROP OFF LOCATIONS FROM NOVEMBER TO NOW, THE ANYTHINGSERS -- COMMISSIONERS SAID INSTEAD OF DOING ONE WE DID FOUR. IT DID DO AS THE COURT INTENDED. IT MADE THE DRIVE TIME FOR JUDGES SHORTER. IT MADE SURE NO JUDGE HAD TO WAIT 45 MINUTES AT THE ABSOLUTE PEAK, BUT IT MEANT THAT MY STAFF WAS SPLIT ACROSS THE FOUR LOCATIONS. WE SHORTENED THE NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT THEY BROUGHT BACK TO US TO HAVE THEM COUNTED AND HAVE THE RECORDS BROUGHT BACK TO US. IF WE DIDN'T BRING THEM BACK, ULTIMATELY WE RELEASED RESULTS EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR. AS WE WERE RECORDING THE RESULTS AND WELL AHEAD I SHARED I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE STAFF CAPACITY FROM 12 P.M. MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. THAT'S WHEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MADE IT CLEAR THEY WANTED US TO COUNT CONTINUOUSLY AND THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT BREAKS FOR MY STAFF OR MYSELF AND WE WOULD WORK CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IT LEAD TO 1 A.M. THEY WERE TABULATED AND MY STAFF TRYING TO COMPLY WITH THIS 24-HOUR [03:15:08] CONTINUOUS COUNT WHICH DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE HUMAN CAPACITY TO STAY THAT LONG. >> WHAT WAS THE ISSUE ABOUT THE LAWSUIT THAT STOPPED THE COUNT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS? WE TALKED ABOUT OPERATING THROUGH THE NIGHT AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SAID THEY WANT CAN'T US WITH OPERATION AND AS WE WERE NEARING 7 P.M. ON ELECTION NIGHT, WE FINALLY -- OR THE NEXT DAY, WE GOT A GOOD GROOVE AND WE WERE GETTING IN THE RESULTS AND WE WERE GETTING IN THE BUCKETS PROCESSED AND BOTH PARTIES WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM UNTIL IT WAS RESOLVED. WE COULD HAVE KEPT COUNTING. IT THREW A WRENCH IN THE SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH THE LAWSUITS, LITERALLY AS THE DEADLINE IS LOOMING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MS. LONGORIA, IT HAS BEEN A WILD RIDE FOR ALL OF US INCLUDING YOU AND YOUR TEAM. I THINK YOU ARE PART OF WHAT WAS HELD AROUND THE COUNTRY -- I GOT NOTES FROM PEOPLE ON THE SOUTHERN TIP OF AFRICA ABOUT THE ROBUST ELECTION PROCESS THAT YOU WERE PART OF AND YOU WERE WORKING THERE INITIALLY TOO WHERE -- TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY. IT MAKES A POINT THAT IN THIS BUSINESS ONE MINUTE ONE IS UP AND THE NEXT MINUTE ONE IS DOWN. I HOPE YOU DON'T LOSE YOUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND FOR THE FOLKS WHO WORK UPBGD -- UNDER YOU, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO ALL WE CAN, EVEN IF WE DISAGREE POLITICALLY, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY I COME FROM A BACKGROUND WITH A DAD WHO HAD TO PAY A POOR TAX AND PAID IT. IT WASN'T MUCH. BUT AN AVERAGE TEXAN, WHAT IT WAS FOR HIM TO PAY, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE IT AS EASY FOR EVERYBODY TO VOTE FOR ORGANS US. THANK YOU. >> IF I MIGHTDD A,ING SIR, ON -- IF M IIGHTDD A, SIR,OR F MY TEAM WHOS IWATCHINGOV, ER THIS YEAR ANDAL A HF OF HAVING AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE WE INCREASEDNO TURUT IN THMAY AND NOVEMBER LOCAL TIELECONS. WE CONTINUE DRIVE-THRUIN VOTG EVEN WITH THE ELECTION LAWSIM PLEMENTED AND WE CONTINUESE NDING MAIL BALLOTAP PLICATION THAT'S INCREASEDTH E PERCENTAGE OFBA MAIL LLOTVO TERS TO 30% OF ELECTIONS ANDEX HOSTED PANDED HOURSDI AND WE D VOTING IN THE JAIL. WE INCREASED THE VOTER ONREGISTRATI FOR THE FIRST E TIMEVER,0 TO ADD 1100 PEOPLEHE TO T VOTER ROLES. --AND UPLT GNAT ANDLY ULTIMATE TO YOUR POINT W, EVEN IFE DID AN EARLY VOTETI ON ELECON DAY, UNDERSTAND L THAT WEOST THE FAITH OF THEND VOTERS ATH MORE IMPORTANT AN ME ORIN ANY ONE PERSON THIS I OFFICE, ITS TO MAKE SURE THE FAITH OFNU ELECTIONS CONTIEVE PAST WHATER MIGHT BE PLAYING OUT.Y: >> TOM RAMSE LET ME JUST SAY T THAT FACTS AREO THE PARTISAN. FACTS ARE NOT PANTK TKORING -- PAN ORING. WHAT WE WILL DEAL WITH IN THE COMING DAYS ARE FACTS. WE WON'T GO INTOS THE DISAGREEMENTTHAT THE EA WILL HAVE TO SORT THROUGH IN TERMS OF WHAT ISTA SAYING, BUT IT IS IMPORNT TO UNDERSTAND FACTS. 20110 IN THEHE MID-TERM -- 2010 IN T MID-TERMS ANDOK THE AVERAGE TIME IT TO TO DO THE COUNT WAS SIX OR SEVEN HOURS. AND FOR US TO TAKE 30 HOURS WITH WHAT WE DID THAN THE THREE PREVIOUS MID-TERMS IS SHOCKING. SO I WILL START WITH -- HOW DO YOU RECONCILE GOING LIKE THREE TO FOUR TIMES WHAT IT WAS DONE UNDER THE ELECTIONS -- THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE TAX ASSESSOR, HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THAT? >> I AM HAPPY TO PULL UP THE TIME STAMPS ON THE PAST ELECTIONS. I AGAIN HILLARY KWREUT RATE. I AGAIN WILL REITERATE. WITH ANY PAPER BALLOT MACHINE COMES THE NEW AUDITING PROCESSES TO MAKE SURE THE VOTERS' VOTES ARE COUNTED PROEP -- APPROPRIATELY AS FAR AS THE NEW ELECTION LAW THAT'S [03:20:03] WE HAD TO COPE WITH. THERE ARE DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THIS ELECTION THAN PAST ELECTIONS. >> TOM RAMSEY: THE OTHER ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLES CLEARLY DOCUMENTED THERE. THE SECRETARY OF STATE ACTING UNDER SENATE BILL 1 IS THE ONE THAT FOUND THE 10,072 VOTES THAT MADE YOUR OFFICE AWARE OF IT AND THAT WAS FRIDAY NIGHT. ON SATURDAY NIGHT YOU ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITHOUT TELLING THE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRS TP*R. YOU MADE NOTICE -- FIRST YOU MADE NOTICE OF THAT, AT LEAST THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING. WHEN WE CONSIDER THOSE KINDS OF DETAILS, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE ELECTION IN LIGHT OF THOSE. THE OTHER THING I HAVE A HARD TIME RECONCILING IS WE HAVE PROBLEMS -- WE HAVE PEOPLE WORKING ELECTIONS FOR DECADES. DECADES. THESE ARE EXPERTS. THESE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. AND THEY ARE NOT OUT THERE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING -- AND LET ME SAY THIS ON THE PARTISAN SIDE. YOU CAN TALK TO THE DEMOCRAT CHAIR AND YOU CAN TALK TO THE REPUBLICAN CHAIR AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THEY WERE WORKING WELL TOGETHER. SO THIS DE VIE -- SO THIS DIVISIVE TALK THAT I AM SICK AND TIRED OF LISTENING TO, IT IS NOT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OUT THERE CREATING PROBLEMS. IT IS BASIC LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ON HOW TO RUN AN ELECTION. HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WE HAVE LISTED TODAY. I -- THE WRONG BALLOTS AND THE WRONG SIZE THAT. THAT'S THE BALLOT. THAT'S IT. FORTUNATELY HE KEPT HIS NUMBER AND WE WILL DIG DEEP INTO THAT AND THE COST TO DO THIS, BUT THE ELECTION COSTS HAVE GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED SO HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THE NUMBERS OF APPROXIMATE -- THE NUMBERS OF PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD IN THIS ELECTION AND AS WE DISCUSSED MANY OF THESE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. THE BASICS WORKED OUT, BUT ANY JUDGE WILL TELL YOU THAT WE DON'T HAVE THOSE BASICS WORKED OUT. >> I WILL TRY AND TACKLE AS MANY POINTS AS I CAN, SIR. AS WE CREATED THE SYSTEM, THERE ARE AN ADDITIONAL 300 EMPLOYEES BETWEEN THE TAX OFFICE AND THE COUNTY CLERK OFFICE. MORE IMPORTANTLY FULL TIME EMPLOYEES FROM THE OTHER OFFICES THAT BY THEIR STANDARDS WERE COMPELLED TO HELP DURING EARLY VOTING ELECTION DAY. THAT'S NEGATIVE 300 PERMANENT EMPLOYEES WE HAD TO HELP FOR EXAMPLE ON ELECTION NIGHT TO STAFF THE ELECTION NIGHT DROP OFF AND TO PROCESS THE ELECTION NIGHT EQUIPMENT. AND CONTEMPLATING THE REST OF THE LOCATIONS AS YOU AND THE REST OF THE COURT TKREBLGT -- DIRECTED ELD -- DIRECTED ME TO DO. ANY QUESTION THAT CAME TO OUR OFFICE WE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY, ESPECIALLY THE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE FOLKS WHO BELIEVE THEY HAD RECEIVED AN INCORRECT BALANCE HROLT -- BALLOT. PEOPLE ARE GETTING USED TO THE PRECINCTS AND THE DISTRICTS THEY LIVE IN. I KNOW PERSONALLY FOR YOU, SIR, AS YOU TEXTED ME ABOUT THE VOTERS, I ALWAYS RESPONDED PROMPTLY AND I ALWAYS INVESTIGATED THEM PROMPTLY. YOU ASKED ME TO CHANGE THE VOTING LOCATIONS TO MAKE SURE NOTTINGHAM PARK WAS INCLUDED AND WE RECOMMENDED THAT TO THE PARTIES AND MADE SURE THAT WAS INCLUDED. I TAKE VOTER CONCERNS EBGSZ TRAOEPLLY -- I TAKE VOTER CONCERNS EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY. WE MAKE SURE THEY ARE TAKEN CARE OF IN THE SYSTEM. I WILL SAY BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND THIS ELECTION WE IMPLEMENTED EVERYTHING Y'ALL ASKED US TO DO. WE HAD MORE IN-PERSON TRAINING. WE HAD MORE TRAINERS AND WE PREPARED JUDGES AS BEST WE COULD. WE CALLED JUDGES AND WE EMAILED JUDGES TO THE POINT WHERE THEY PROBABLY GOT SICK OF US TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS THEY [03:25:01] GOT NOTIFICATIONS ON HOW TO PROCESS VOTERS ON THINGS THAT WERE CHANGING QUICKLY. IT WAS THE FIRST ELECTION AND WE IMPLEMENTED AND WORK WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE ON THE BEST PRACTICES FOR TWO PIECES OF PAPER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VOTER'S VOTES WERE TAKEN CARE OF AND LOGGED APPROPRIATELY AND NOW WE HAVE THE BEST PRACTICES TO IMPLEMENT FOR THE BEST COMING ELECTIONS. JEW -- >> I WILL SAVE MY REMARKS FOR LATER. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> COMMISSIONER LONGORIA LET ME JUST THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. HAVING BEEN IN A SIMILAR ROLE AND TRYING TO STEP IN AND START SOMETHING FROM THE GROUND UP IS NOTED. I REGRET THAT THESE ARE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO CONFRONT. I REMAIN GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO AT LEAST GIVE IT A SHOT AND DO YOUR VERY BEST. WITH THAT BEING SAID, LET ME ASK THE PROCESS OF ENGAGING THE RESPECTIVE PARTIES, HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU MEET WITH THE PARTY CHAIRS, WITH BOTH PARTY CHAIRS AND WHEN DID YOU BEGIN THAT PROCESS? >> I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT MONTH. I STARTED TO MEET WITH THE CHAIRS WEEKLY. WE FINALIZED A CONTRACT FOR THE END OF THE YEAR AND WE WERE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT LOCATIONS AND TALK ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND TALK ABOUT THE REST OF THE PROCESS WEEKLY AND I DID MY BEST TO UPDATE THEM DAILY AS THERE WERE THINGS COMING UP. THINGS MOVE FAST IN ELECTIONS, BUT I MADE MYSELF CONSTANTLY AVAILABLE AND ANSWERED EVERY CALL AND EVERY EMAIL. I HOPE, THAT THEY SENT ME TO MAKE SURE WE WERE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION. >> GOOD DEAL. AND THEY CONTINUED TO THE ELECTION? >> YES. THEY CONTINUED TO THE ELECTION. AND WE HAD ONE LAST WEDNESDAY AND WE WILL HAVE ONE UNTIL TOMORROW UNTIL THE PARTIES TELL ME THEY WANT TO STOP HAVING THE MEETINGS. WE HAVE TO PIVOT TO THE RUNOFF ELECTIONS. >> GOOD DEAL. >> WHEN DID YOU HAVE ANY IDEA THERE WOULD BE A CHALLENGE WITH STAFFING. >> I TRIED MY BEST TO FORECAST THE STAFFING NEEDS AND I KNOW IT IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO FORECAST AHEAD OF TIME AND ASK FOR THE RESOURCES. SO AS WE LEAD UP TO ELECTION DAY AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE DROP OFF LOCATIONS WE WERE ABLE TO RECRUIT, I BELIEVE 200 OR SO VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH THE LOCATIONS AND AS MY STAFF WAS EXHAUSTED IT WAS EVIDENT THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A VERY LONG ELECTION NIGHT FOR MYSELF AND MY STAFF. RAID >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND IN TERMS OF THE STAFFING SIDE OF THE EQUATION, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS EA -- THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EA, OF YOUR OFFICE, AND HOW MUCH OF THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EITHER PARTY? >> IF YOU ARE REFERRING TO THE JUDGES, SIR, AS WAS NEGOTIATED IN THE CONTRACT, EARLY VOTING IS THE PER ROG TKPWAU -- EARLY VOTING IS THE PREROGATIVE OF THE EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY OF THE PARTIES. I KNOW THE PARTIES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE PRIMARY AND WITH IT BEING SO PRIMARY AND POLITICAL AND FOCUSED THEY LIKE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE RECRUITMENT. THEY DID THEIR BEST TO SUPPORT THEM AND PROVIDE NOMINATIONS AND PROVIDE THE STRUCTURE FOR RECRUITING. ULTIMATELY IT IS ON THE PARTIES TO RECRUIT AND REPLACE UNTIL THEY ASK US TO HELP THEM IN WHAT THEY CONSIDER THE EMERGENCY PERIOD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT CHALLENGES DOES NOT HAVING ENOUGH ELECTION JUDGES FOR EITHER SIDE -- RATHER, WAS THERE PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE LACK OF ANY ELECTION JUDGES ON EITHER SIDE AND IF THERE WAS, WHERE WAS IT MOST EXPERIENCED? >> I THINK AS I SHARED BEFORE COMING INTO ELECTION DAY THERE WERE MORE REPUBLICAN JUDGES WHO HAVE NOT BEEN PLACED IN DEMOCRATIC JUDGES LEADING UP TO ELECTION NIGHT -- EXCUSE ME ELECTION MORNING. WE IN THE PARTIES CALLED THE ELECTION JUDGES THAT -- FOR [03:30:02] EXAMPLE IF YOU WERE A REPUBLICAN JUDGE, BUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE IS A DEMOCRATIC JUDGE PLACED AT YOUR LOCATION TO ASK THEM AND SAY CAN YOU SET UP AT LEAST ONE MACHINE FOR VOTING, JUST LIKE EARLY VOTING, CAN YOU HELP RUN THE OTHER SIDE? CAN YOU MAKE SURE THE VOTERS GET TO VOTE. MOST SAID YES AND SOME SAID NO. IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING TO HAVE TO RUN THOSE TWO SITES. WHAT IT MEANT IS PEOPLE HAD TO SHOW UP AT A LOCATION AND IT WOULD ULTIMATELY BE ON THE JUDGE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY COULD SET UP THE SECOND HALF OF THE ROOM. IT IS MUCH LIKE EARLY VOTING IN THAT YOU CAN HAVE JUDGES SERVING AND HELPING VOTERS REGARDLESS OF THE PARTY. IT DID LEAD TO A COUPLE OF LOCATIONS WHERE THE JUDGES JUST DIDN'T FEEL THEY COULD SET UP THE EQUIPMENT AND THEY WEREN'T WILLING TO HELP THE OTHER VOTERS. IN TERMS OF THE MACHINES, DID HART -- WAS HART PROACTIVE IN SAYING WRAOE ARE -- SAYING WE ARE GOING TO HAVE STAFF AVAILABLE TO YOU? WAS THERE -- WHAT KIND OF ENGAGEMENT DID WE GET FROM HART, RATHER THAN JUST BUYING THE MACHINES. WAS THERE AN EFFORT TO ASSIST OR TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO ANYTHING? >> FROM THE BEGINNING AS PART OF THE CONTRACT WITH HART WE HAVE AN ON SITE HEART CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN AND IN ADDITION TO OUR TECHNICIANS CAN TROUBLESHOOT AND FIX THE MACHINES AND GET INTO THE GUTS OF THE MACHINES THAT OUR TECHS CANNOT. WE HAVE ALSO HAD -- I BELIEVE THEY ARE PROJECT MANAGERS OR ADVISERS ESSENTIALLY THAT WE ARE HERE EVERY DAY FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND HAS BEEN HERE ON SITE FOR THE VOTING PERIODS TO SREUSZ US IN REALTIME -- TO ADVISE US IN REALTIME PROCESSES OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OUR TECH -- TECHNICIANS COULDN'T ANSWER. IN ADDITION ANY PROBLEMS WE BRING THEM AND WHAT THEY CALL KIND OF AFTER ACTION REPORTS, IF YOU WILL, FROM EACH ELECTION, THEY TAKE BACK AND LOOK FOR PATTERNS AND RETURN THOSE SOLUTIONS. HART IS ON SITE AND IT DOES PROVIDE THE RESOURCES TO US. WE WORK WITH THEM ON THE BEST PRACTICES OF THE TWO PAPER BALLOT SYSTEMS AND EVEN HOW TO INSTRUCT VOTERS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND GOING BACK TO THAT POINT BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER WHO MENTIONED IT -- NOT TODAY, BUT PRIOR. I DO RECALL THAT OUR BALLOT WAS ON ONE SHEET OF PAPER. WHEN DID WE KNOW THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT? I KNOW I FOUND IT -- I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED WHEN I WAS GIVEN -- I WAS TOLD TO PICK UP TWO SHEETS OF PAPER. >> SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WE FIGURED OUT WHO WOULD BE ON THE BALLOT, THOSE GEE -- THOSE JUDICIAL CANDIDATES. IT IS HARD TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY RACES YOU WILL HAVE. THAT'S WHAT LENGTHENS THE BALLOT TO THE POINT THAT WE WHOA NEED THREE, EIGHT AND A HALF BY 11 PIECES OF PAPER. THAT'S WHY I WAS TRYING TO GO TO TWO LEGAL SIZES OF PAPER. IT WAS THE FEWEST PIECES OF PAPER A VOTER COULD HAVE AND STILL HAVE THEIR CONSISTENTLY THERE. WE ADVISED THE PARTIES MONTHS AGO AND WE ADVISED OUR STAFF TO START PLANNING AND WE TRIED OUR BEST TO GET THAT COMMUNICATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC. >> THE TRAINING -- WERE THERE TRAINING SESSIONS CONDUCTED FOR -- I KNOW I WENT TO A TRAINING SESSION FOR MY ELECTION JUDGES -- OR THE ELECTION JUDGES IN PRECINCT 2, BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT AND WAS THERE ANY -- ALL OF THE MACHINES WERE THERE. WAS THERE SUPPOSED TO BE ANY OTHER FORM OF TRAINING PROVIDED BEYOND THAT? OR IN RETROSPECT SHOULD THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER TRAINING PROVIDED OTHER THANHA TT TUSARDAY ELECTION JUDGE'S TRAINING. IS THATHE T ONLY ONEHA TTAS W HE? >> WE HADEN DOZS OFIN TRAINGS AND WEED SCHULED THEM AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SOME DURING THE DAY S ANDOME DURING THENI EVENG AND SOMEWE EKDAYS AND SOMEG DURINTHE DSWEEKEN. SOME ONLINE ANDIN SOME PERSON. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE AFTERY' ALL'S RECOMMENDATION IN THEVE NOMBER ELECTION FOR EVERYONE C TOOME TOON IN-PERSG TRAININ WHERE WETI HAD MULPLE TRAINERS B TOREAK INTORO SMALL GUPS AND GIVE ANYHO JUDGE W WANTED IT NIAN OPPORTUTY TO TOUCH THEIN MACHES AND SET UP THEIN MACHES AND BREAK DOWN THEIN MACHES AND ASK ABOUT THEES PROCS OFF SROELT -- O [03:35:03] VOTING.ED I FIR OURNA TRAINING MAGER ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRAINING WHICHR COMMISSIONE ELLIS SAIDT WAS NOT UP TO PAR. RISK THATCOULDN'T THAGAIN. WIIN THREE DAYS MY DIRECTOR OVERHAULED THENG ENTIRE TRAINI ILSYSTEM AND I WL SAY I DID NOT RECEIVE Y NEGATIVE FEEDBACK IOM CAN REMEMBER FR TRAINING. I THINK PEOPLE APPRECIATED THE TRAINING PROCE. I SAY I TAKE IT VERYTO SERIOUSLY THE POINT WE MAKE DRASTIC C KWHAEUPBG --HANGES IN THE STAFF TO MAKE SU THE STANDARDS WERE MET.GA >> ADRIAN RCIA: THANK YOU FOR THAT. I KNOW AFTER THE ELECTIONU I FORWARDED YO, ONE OF MY ELECTION JUDGES WHO WAS W VERY FRUSTRATEDITH THE SHUTDOWN OF THE ELECTIONA AND SHE MENTIONED COUPLE OF THINGS. I HOPE YOU HAVE SPOKEN WITH HER AND WHAT WAS THE GIST OFWH HER FRUSTRATION AND AT PART OF THAT, I GUESS, WOULD YOU SAY YOU OWNED OR WAS A RESULT OF SB1 IF ANY. >> I'M SORRY, SIR. I HAVE SPOKEN TO QUITE A NUMBER OF JUDGES. IF YOU ALLOW I WILL HAVE MY STAFF PULLED UP THER CONCERNS SPECIFICALLY OIF YOU CAN REMIND ME. I DON'T MEAN TO BE GLIB, BUT IT IS HARD TO KEEP TRACK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE WAS -- I DON'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS. I FORWARDED THE VOICEMAIL TO YOU. YOU CAN GIVE ME THE BRIEFING LATER. JUST MAKE SURE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS AT THE BASIS OF HER FRUSTRATIONS AND CONCERNS THAT NIGHT. LASTLY, I KNOW I TALKED TO MY STAFF AND I KNOW THIS IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUT I KNOW THERE WAS A NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAVING SENT OUT HIS OWN MAIL BALLOTS AND THEY WENT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID THEY ARE NOT TO RECEIVE MAIL BALLOTS OR IT WAS THE APPLICATION OF THE MAIL BALLOTS. THEY RECEIVED SEVERAL THOUSAND. THE SECRETARY OF STATE POSITION WAS THAT THE MAIL BALLOTS OR ANY MAIL BALLOTS RECEIVED OR THE MAIL BALLOT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WOULD BE REJECTED. AS A RESULT THEY WERE FORWARDED TO HARRIS COUNTY AND I'M ASSUMING WE ACCEPTED THEM. IS THAT ACCURATE, MS. LONGORIA? >> YES. JUST TO RECAP, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SENT OUT MAIL BALLOT APPLICATIONS AS MANY CANDIDATES DID. THEY DIRECTED THE RETURN ADDRESS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHERE BY LAW IT IS TECHNICALLY SUPPOSED TO BE THE EARLY VOTING CLERK. THE SECRETARY OF STATE UP UNTIL THIS ELECTION CYCLE HAD A POLICY AND IT WAS TAKEN DOWN TO THE WEBSITE SAYING ANYTHING SENT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD BE SENT TO THE VOTER WITH A REMINDER TO SEND IT TO THE EARLY VOTING CLERK. THEY FORWARDED IT AND DECIDED TO ACCEPT THOSE. THEY CAME IN BATCHES OF HUNDREDS AND SOME AFTER THE MAIL IN BALLOT APPLICATION DEADLINE. AND BECAUSE THEY HAD RECEIVED IT BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE, WE WERE TO PROCESS THEM AFTER THE APPLICATION DEADLINE AND STILL ACCEPT THEM. IN THE SPIRIT OF HELPING VOTERS WE DID THAT, BUT IT ADDED A CRUNCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JAY, ARE WE IN JEOPARDY OF HAVING ACCEPTED INVALID BALLOTS? APPLICATIONS? >> NO. AS EA LONGORIA SAID, THAT WAS DONE AT THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE. THE ACCEPTANCE WAS INDEED VALID. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO THE MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION IN SPITE OF IT GOING TO THE WRONG ADDRESS IS STILL A VALID MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION? >> YES. IT WAS BY A DIRECTIVE -- IN FACT, ISABEL MENTIONED THE SPECIFIC PROVISION. IT WAS REDIRECTED BY A -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING. IS IT LEGAL? >> I CAN'T MAKE A DETERMINATION ON THAT RIGHT NOW AND WE CAN LOOK AT THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET TO. AND THEN LASTLY I WILL JUST SAY TO THE QUESTION OF VOTER SUPPRESSION OR NOT, I KNOW WHEN I WAS BLOCK WALKING AND TALKING TO VOTERS ON SEVERAL [03:40:01] OCCASIONS I MET WITH A -- WITH SOMEONE WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE FILLING OUT THEIR MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION. WHEN I ASKED WHY -- THIS WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THE -- THE PHRASE USED WAS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I PROBABLY WON'T VOTE. ONE PERSON SAID BECAUSE I LIKE TO VOTE BY MAIL AND I DON'TS -- AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY IS TELLING SENIOR CITIZENS DO NOT GIVE PEOPLE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, AND NOW I AM BEING ASKED ON A MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION TO PUT IN PERSONAL INFORMATION. AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. THIS IS SORT OF THE COMMENTARY COMING FROM SOME OF THE FOLKS I MET BLOCK WALKING. I JUST BEGGED HER -- BEGGED THEM TO PLEASE VOTE. WE WOULD DRIVE THEM AND WE WOULD DO EFRBG. AND WE WOULD DO EVERYTHING. YOU CAN PUT YOUR SENATOR HAT ON. EVERY LAW HAS AN INTENTION CASH -- HAS AN INTENDED PURPOSE. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER SUPPRESSION IN AND OF ITSELF WAS THE INTENTION, BUT I WAS HEARING IT AS A RESULT. IT WAS MAYBE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE. WE'LL DEBATE WHETHER IT WAS INTENDED OR NOT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THE BUCK STOPS WITH YOU AND THAT ULTIMATELY WHEN IT DOES, CERTAIN DECISIONS ARE MADE WITH THE RIGHT INTENTION OF MAINTAINING A FOE -- A FOCUS. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON MAIN -- ON MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR SERVICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: EA LONGORIA, JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND I THINK MOST WERE COVERED BY MY COLLEAGUES. ONE I'M WONDERING, AT SOME POINT YOU SEEM TO BELIEVE THE COUNT WOULD BE DONE BY 7. IT WAS WITHIN THE 24-HOUR TIME FRAME. WHEN DID YOU DETERMINE THAT ACTUALLY WAS THE TIPPING POINT. WHAT CHANGED? >> WE WOULD HAVE ISSUES WITH STAFFING AND JUST WITH MEETING THE DEADLINE. THAT'S AS THE SPIRIT OF MY STAFF AND PUSHING THROUGH I THINK SOME INCREDIBLE PHYSICAL BARRIERS TO MAKE IT THROUGH 24-HOURS AS WE CAME OUT THE NEXT DAY ON THURSDAY MORNING AND I WAS HOPEFUL AND IT WASN'T UNTIL 6 P.M. WHEN WE GOT THE LAWSUIT THAT THE CENTRAL COUNT COMMUNITY DECIDED TO PAUSE AND WALK OUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON WEDNESDAY? >> I UH POLL. ON WEDNESDAY -- I APOLOGIZE. WEDNESDAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU SAID I DO PLAN TO FINISH BY 7. ARE YOU SAYING IT IS A -- IT WAS A LAWSUIT? >> IT IS ONE OF THOSE THAT UNTIL 6 P.M. ON FRIDAY HAD EVERY HOPE OF FINISHING AT 7 P.M. AND THINGS STARTED KA CASCADE -- CASCADING FROM THE LAWSUIT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHEN WERE YOU ABLE TO RESUME THE COUNT AFTER THE 6 P.M. PAUSE? >> I THINK WE RESUMED SHORTLY AFTER 7, 7:30. I WILL HAVE TO LOOK FOR THE EXACT TIME, JUDGE, JUST BASED ON THE LAWSUIT AND HOW I WAS IN THE HEARING TRYING TO DISCUSS WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE. THERE ARE 7 ON THE D SIDE AS YOU MENTIONED. HOW WAS THAT DEFICIT OF ELECTION JUDGES HANDLED? DID YOU HAVE BACK UP STAFF TO STEP IN? WAS THIS THE FIRST TIME THAT THERE IS SUCH A DEFICIT OF ELECTION JUDGES? >> YOU CAN BUMP THEM UP IN [03:45:18] THAT LOCATION TO TAKE OVER THE LOCATION. IT IS HARDER THAN A SPLIT PRIMARY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE ADD SPLIT PRIMARY? >> I DON'T HAVE INFORMATION, BUT I'M HAPPY TO LOOK IT UP FOR 2018 FOR SPLIT PRIMARIES AND WHAT THEY MAY HAVE DONE FOR THE STAFFING DEFICITS BACK THEN. >> DO YOU KNOW WHY THAT THAT WAS? >> I DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFFING COMPARED TO PREVIOUS PRIMARIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE TWO-PAGE BALLOTS, AND MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR HART, WHAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS USED THESE MACHINES AND HAVE A TWO-PAGE BALLOT. LET ME ASK YOU THIS. WITHOUT THIS ISSUE OF ONE OF THE PAGES -- THE TWO-PAGES GETTING SEPARATED AND THE JUDGES NEEDING TO USE THIS EMERGENCY RESEPTA -- RECEPTICAL, WHEN WOULD YOU HAVE TO TURN AROUND THE NON-EMERGENCY BALLOTS. >> IN 2021 IS A COMPARISON WE STAYED UP AND WE HAD IT DONE BY 8 A.M. AND IT WAS THE SECRETARY OF STATE REPORTED WAS THE FASTEST THAT THEY COULD REMEMBER HARRIS COUNTY EVER FINISHING A COUNT OF THAT MAGNITUDE. >> SO YOU ARE ATTRIBUTING THE DELAY TO THIS TWO-PAGE BALLOT SITUATION OR -- I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM HEAR -- HEARING YOU CORRECTLY. >> IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE BUCKET HAD, IT IS THE TWO PAGES. IT CREATED -- IT IS DETERMINING HOW TO PROCESS THEM ON BEHALF OF THE VOTERS AND AS WE EXPRESSED TO COURT IT IS FASTER FOR THE JUDGES TO GET TO THE DROP OFF LOCATIONS, BUT IT PARSED OUT MY STAFF TO THE DROP OFF LOCATIONS AND IT CREATED -- YOU HAVE TO MOVE THOSE BOXES FROM THE DROP OFF LOCATIONS TO THE CENTRAL WAREHOUSE LAYERED WITH AGAIN THE SENATE BILL 1. IT JUST ADDS THE LAYERS. >> OBVIOUSLY WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE PRESUMABLY -- WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE BALLOT AND IT WILL TAKE TWO PAGES. IF THAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE DELAY, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE DO GOING FORWARD WHAT ABOUT THE TRAINING? I HEAR YOU THAT YOU HAD SOME ON THE WEEKENDS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. I CAN'T TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF JUDGES I HEARD FROM AND MANY SPOKE TODAY THAT SAY THEY JUST DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAD ENOUGH TRAINING. IS THERE SOMETHING YOU THINK COULD HAVE BEEN DONE DIFFERENTLY? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS AT THE CORE OF THAT DIS-- DISCREPANCY. AND THERE WAS TRAINING ON THE VOTING MACHINES. ANY NEED BACK WITH HINDSIGHT BEING 20/20. >> I THINK IT IS A PUSH AND PULL OF THE COUNTY. IT IS WHERE JUDGES SPECIFICALLY TOLD US TO BE BETTER TRAINED AND WE FOLLOWED EVERY ONE OF THOSE THINGS. MORE LOCATIONS AND MORE TRAINING AND ONLINE AND IN PERSON. THEY CAN GIVE YOU EMAILS AND HANDY MESSAGES. CAN WE ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS? I DO FIND IT HARD, BUT I WELCOME ANY RECOMMENDATIONS Y'ALL HAVE ON HOW WE CAN INCREASE THE TRAINING PAST THE ALL OUT FULL FORCE WE DID. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME ASK THAT OF HART THEN. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING WE HAD [03:50:08] THE TWO CHOICE MACHINES BECAUSE OF THE STATE LAW. THERE WERE TWO MACHINES WITH A PAPER BALLOT THAT COULD BE SELECTED AND WHAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS USED THESE MACHINES AND THE TWO-PAGE BALLOT AND WHEN DID YOU TELL HARRIS COUNTY THAT A TWO-PAGE BALLOT WAS GOING TO BE NEEDED? >> JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US HAVE THIS DISCUSSION. THE ANSWER TO YOUR FIRST QUESTION, THE ONLY OTHER COUNTY THAT SERVES A TWO-PAGE BALLOT FOR SOME OF THE PAL -- BALLOT STYLES IS TARRANT COUNTY. TARRANT COUNTY HAD SOME OF THE BALLOT STYLES AND SOME OF THE VOTERS HAD UP TO TWO PAGES. BUT NOT ALL OF THE VOTERS. HARRIS COUNTY IS THE ONLY COUNTY IN THE STATE THAT HAD THE LENGTH OF THE ELECTION AND THE NUMBER OF CONTESTS SUCH THAT EVERY VOTER NO MATTER WHAT PRECINCT OR WHAT BALLOT STYLE DID HAVE A TWO-PAGE BALLOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT ABOUT OUTSIDE OF TEXAS? >> I AM NOT AWARE OF THAT INFORMATION, BUT I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO GET IT AND SHARE IT WITH THEOU CRT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS POIMRTANT TO KNOW. NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW HEOTR JURISDICTIONS SUCCESSFULLY RUNLE ECTIONS WITH THESEAC MHINES WITH TWO-PAGE BALLOTS. WHENID THIS COME UP?WH EN I WENT TO LOOK WHERE ARE SELECTED I DID THROUGH ANDEV I WAS NER TOLD WE WOULD NEED TWO PAGES. >> IT BELIEVE IIS PART OF THE ROPROPOSAL PCESS.IT AND IS 11 INCHES LONG ANDHE 14 INCS LONG.T I DON'KNOW THAT THERE WAS AND IK WOULD ALSO AS THE ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIAPU FOR HER INT ON WHEN WE WERE N DESIGNING -- WHEHER TEAM WAS DESIGNING THE LLOT FOR THIS PRIMARY ELECTION,T AT WHAT POINDO WE KNOW THATON NUMBER OF CTESTS WOULD REQUIRE THE USE OF TWO PAGES.OF IN EARLIES IT Q ANSWERING YOURUESTION>> ABOUT TIMING. AND LET ME --SI I KNOW COMMISONER GARCIAFO HAS QUESTIONS R YOU AS WELL. LET ME JUST ASK YOU COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS. ON THIS TOPIC OF USING A NEW MACHINE WITH A PAPERLI BALLOT, IT SOUNDS KE THE TWO-PAGE THING IS VERY RARE. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS CERTAIN H CONTESTS AND WE WILLAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW COMMON THAT IS AND THEY ARE MUCH SMALLER THANIN WE ARE. WHAT KD OF TRAINING HAVE YOU SEEN DONE IN OTHER COUNTIES WHEN THEY GO FROM A MACHINE WITHOUT A PAPER BALLOT TO A MACHINE WITH A PAPER BALLOT WHERE THEY HAVE TO PRINT IT. >> FOR VOTERS IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AS ANY JURISDICTION FROM PAPERLESS VOTING TO DEALING WITH PAPER BE IT ONE PAGE OR TWO OR HOWEVER MANY. ETHERE HAS BEEN A LEARNING CURV ACROSS THE STATE. WHETHER THEY USE HART OR ANYBODY ELSE'S EQUIPMENT. SO THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT EFFECTIVE TRAINING, SOME OF THE BEST PRACTICES WE HAVE SEEN INVOLVE AN INCREASED FOCUS ON SMALL GROUPS WITH HANDS ON TRAINING ON THE EQUIPMENT AND AEA LONGORIA POINTED OUT THEY HAPPENED IN HARRIS COUNTY. I DON'T HAVE PERSONAL EXPOSURE INTO THE NUMBER OF SESSIONS AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTENDED EACH SESSION. SO FARCE I KNOW SHE DID FOLLOW ALL THE BEST PRACTICES. THOSE WOULD INCLUDE IDEALLY NO MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE IN A SESSION. EVERY INDIVIDUAL SESSION DOES ROLE PLAYING AND DOES HANDS ON WITH THE EQUIPMENT AND HOW TO OPEN THE POLLS AND HOW TO HELP A VOTER WHO NEEDS HELP EITHER INSERTING THE PAPER ORIE TRAOEFING THE -- OR RETRIEVING THE PAPER OR INSERTING THE PAPER INTO THE SCANNER AND THEN OF COURSE CLOSING THE POLLS AT THE END OF THE NIGHT. DIFFERENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR DIFFERENT JOBS WITHIN THE POLLING PLACE. IT IS HARD FOR A COUNTY THE SIZE OF HARRIS TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES ON SUCH A SCALE. [03:55:05] AND IT WAS ONE COMMENT THAT WAS MADE AND ATTENDEES AT THE SESSIONS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND IN PERSON AND/OR I MAY HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD OR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH THE EQUIPMENT. AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT A BEST PRACTICE WOULD BE NOT JUST TO GIVE THE WORKERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEAL WITH THE EQUIPMENT, BUT ACTUALLY MAKE THAT PART OF THE REQUIRED TRAINING PROCESS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS FOR THE -- THAT'S FOR THE JUDGES. HOW ABOUT THE VOTERS? HAVE YOU HAD AN ISSUE WITH TRANSITIONING. AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT TEXAS REQUIRES EVERY COUNTY TO HAVE A PAPER BALLOT IN 2026. HAVE YOU SEEN ISSUES AND IF SO HAVE THEY BEEN ADDRESSED ON THE VOTER SIDE OF THINGS? >> YES. JUDGE AS I MENTIONED BEFORE THIS IS A LEARNING CURVE THAT EVERYBODY IN THE STATE IS GOING THROUGH BEGINNING A YEAR OR SO AGO AND MAYBE A LITTLE MORE WHEN THE COUNTIES STARTED TRANSITIONING FROM ELECTRONIC VOTING TO THE PAPER-BASED VOTING IN LINE WITH LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS. SOME. -- SOME OF THE BEST PRACTICES WE HAVE SEEN INVOLVED INTENSE -- THE TERM IN THE INDUSTRY IS CALLED VEO, VOTER EDUCATION AND OUT REACH. THE INTENSE VEO CAMPAIGNS CAN INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM A RADIO ADVERTISING, TV ADVERTISING. WE HAVE SEEN -- WELL, IN FACT, NOT TO GET TOO FAR OFF TOPIC, BUT I WANT TO HOLD HARRIS COUNTY UP AS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE BEST PRACTICES WHEN YOU LAUNCHED YOUR PRIOR SYSTEM. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU GUYS REMEMBER OR WHAT ROLES YOU WERE IN AT THE TIME, BUT WHEN HARRIS COUNTY LAUNCHED THE SYSTEM THAT WAS RECENTLY REPLACED IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COUNTY RAN A COUNTY-WIDE CAMPAIGN THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT IN ITS MEDIA REACH. MULTI-LANGUAGE AND ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF REACHING VOTERS AND EXPLAINING. NOW IT IS 15 AND 20 YEARS LATER. IT IS DIFFERENT USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO HELP EVERY VOTER UNDERSTAND WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE THEY GET TO THE POLLING PLACE. WE WERE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO WORK WITH THE ELECTIONS OFFICE ON ANY OF THOSE KINDS OF PROGRAMS AND BE AS HELPFUL AS WE CAN PROVIDING CONTENT AND MATERIALS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE OR WHAT HAVE YOU IF THE COUNTY CHOOSES TO PURSUE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: PEYE -- I DO WONDER AND PERHAPS YOU CAN FOLLOW-U WITH WHAT TYPES OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION RESOURCES YOU CAN COMMIT TO HARRIS COUNTY TO HELP US WITH THIS TRANSITION. WHY WERE THERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VOTING MACHINES THAT DAY? WE HEARD FROM SO MANY JUDGES AND I HAVE SOME NUMBERS HERE. MANY DOZENS, 144 TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS REQUESTED ON ELECTION DAY. THE JUDGES SPEAK OF THEIR SCANNERS MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE VERY START. WHY IS THAT? >> WELL, TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE THAT'S WERE REPORTED IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE WE NEED -- ONCE THE ELECTIONS OFFICE COMPLETES THE PROCESS, THEN THEY WILL SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH US THAT THIS WAS WHAT WAS REPORTED. THEY WILL GIVE US ACCESS TO THE DEVICES TO SEE IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG OR IF THEY NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR ADJUSTED OR IF IT WAS POTENTIALLY A TRAINING ISSUE. LIKE MAYBE SOMETHING WAS REPORTED THAT WAS A PROBLEM BUT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. THE COUNTY OWNS ABOUT 14,000 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. AND IF YOU ARE GOOD AT MATH AND YOU DO BACK OF THE ENVELOPE MATH, IF 50 OR 100 OR 200 OF THEM WERE REPORTED AS HAVING ISSUES THAT'S LESS THAN A ONE AND A HALF PERCENT FAILURE RATE. WE ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT. WE WANT IT FOR A ZERO PERCENT ISSUE RATE ON THE FIELD. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT 98.5 PERCENT OF THE SYSTEM THAT'S WITH -- THAT WERE DEPLOYED WORKED EXACTLY AS PLANNED. HRAOPB -- >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> I DON'T MEAN THAT AS AN EXCUSE. NOBODY HERE OR AT THE COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE WANTS TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF IT IS OKAY IF THINGS GO WRONG. WE CERTAINLY WANT TO PREVENT THAT IN ADVANCE AND DEAL WITH IT IMMEDIATELY AT THE TIME IT HAPPENS. I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT IN PERSPECTIVE IF 98 PLUS PERCENT OF THE EQUIPMENT WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND AS [04:00:01] EXPECTED, THEN WE CAN ISOLATE THE FOCUS AND INTENTION ON OUR RELATIVELY SMALL PORTION OF DEVICES THAT MIGHT NEED SERVICE. >> ONE MORE QUESTION FOR ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA BEFORE I PASS IT ON AND THAT IS ON RESOURCES. WE HAVE NOT BEEN SHY SAYING WHAT IS NEEDED. SOME SAY THERE ARE TOO MANY RESOURCES AND SOME THINK THERE ARE TOO FEW RESOURCES. WHAT IS YOUR TAKE IN TERMS OF WHAT IS NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY RUN THE ELECTIONS BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE, ADMINISTRATE -- ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. AS WE TALKED ABOUT CANDIDLY OVER THIS YEAR ADJUSTING TO A NEW ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE AND THOSE NEEDS, I THINK WE HAVE ALL HAD A VERY HONEST VIEW OF WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN THE ELECTIONS. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT IS COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RAMSEY WHO QUOTED THE INCREASE IN THE COST OF ELECTIONS AS I PRESENTED TO YOU IN SEPTEMBER AND THERE WAS THE PER-HOUR RATE THAT WAS $10 AND 12 TO $20 AND 17 AN HOUR AND THAT LEAD TO THE LARGEST INCREASE PERCENTAGE-WISE AND AS WE HAVE HAD TO ADAPT AND LEARN WHAT IT COSTS TO RUN AN OFFICE AND THE MEDIA OUT REACH, WE HAD A MILLION PLANNED TOWARD OUT REACH FOR VOTERS AND THEN WE ADVISE TO ACTUALLY RUN THE ELECTIONS AND PAY FOR THE WORKERS AND THE LOCATIONS TO RUN THE ELECTIONS. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE HARD DECISIONS THAT HAD TO BE MADE. MOVING FORWARD AS WE SAW FROM FPM, A SPACE THAT CAN BE USED FOR ALL OF THESE FUNCTIONS. PEOPLE, STAFF, SO MY STAFF DOESN'T HAVE TO STAY UP FOR 48 HOURS TO COMPLETE THESE TASKS. I HOPE WE CAN COME BACK TO PERHAPS A COUNTY-WIDE PROGRAM WHERE THE COUNTY OFFICES CAN DONATE OR AGREE TO COVER THE COMP TIME FOR 10 OR 12 HOURS TO HELP US RUN ELECTIONS. IT IS ALL COMING DOWN TO PEOPLE AND TO YOUR POINT, JUDGE, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT TRAINING AND OUT REACH IT IS THE LEAD UP TO ELECTION DAY MUCH LIKE A CAMPAIGN THAT YOU CAN STEP UP. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AND RECOMMEND A YEAR-ROUND SYSTEM OF RECRUITMENT AND GETTING PEOPLE USED TO RUNNING ELECTIONS AND HAVING THEM FEEL SUPPORTED SO IT IS NOT JUST A MAD RUSH TO ELECTION DAY OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. A COUPLE OF FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS AND THE JUDGE MADE ME THINK OF A COUPLE THINGS. LET ME START WITH HART FIRST. DO YOU THINK -- LOOK, THESE MACHINES ARE YOUR BRAND. DO YOU THINK YOU DID ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOUR BRAND BY INSISTING THE AMOUNT OF TRAINING AND DO YOU THINK YOU DID ENOUGH? OR DID YOU WAIT TO BE ASKED TO PROVIDE? >> COMMISSIONER THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT, MANY OF US WISH WE HAD DONE MORE TO PUSH THE COUNTY TOWARD MORE AGGRESSIVE TRAINING SCHEDULES AND WE ARE PROUD OF OUR BRAND. WE ARE -- WE TALK VERY FREQUENTLY ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE HIGHEST CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RATING AMONG OUR COMPETITORS. WE HAVE MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY FOR A YEAR OR MORE AND REALLY SINCE THE COUNTY DECIDED TO PURCHASE THE SYSTEM. HELPING WITH DEPLOYMENT AND HELPING TRAIN THE TRAINERS AND DOING ALL OF THE ASSISTING AS NECESSARY. SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS HAVE TO BE DRIVEN BY THE COUNTY. YOU DON'T WANT HART OWNING AND TOUCHING PROCESSES WHERE WE NEED TO BE INDEPENDENT AND REMOVED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BUT IN HIND -- IN HINDSIGHT YOU WISH YOU HAD DONE MORE. WE -- >> WE WOULD LOVE TO SAY THAT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE WERE IN A POSITION REGARDLESS OF HIND SIDE OR NOT TO TELL THE COUNTY [04:05:02] HOW TO OPERATE THEIR ELECTIONS -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT HOW TO RUN THE ELECTIONS. I AM SAYING THESE ARE NEW MACHINES AND THIS IS A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS. PAPER IS NOW A PART OF THE MECHANISM. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD MACHINES FOR KWAOEULT SOME -- FOR QUITE SOME TIME, THESE MACHINES WERE GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT. I HAD RAISED ISSUES ABOUT PROTECTING A PERSON'S SCREEN FROM BEING SEEN. THE WAY THE SCREEN STANDS UP, YOU CAN WALK UP AND JUST INADD SRER AT THE PRESENT TIMELY -- AND INADVERTENTLY SEE HOW PEOPLE ARE VOTING. I AM SIMPLY TALKING ABOUT ENSURING -- GAUSS -- MS. LONGORIA MENTIONED THAT SOME OF THE MACHINES HAD TO BE REBOOTED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER, UP TO ABOUT AN HOUR. WHAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THAT? IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE -- ALTHOUGH THERE WERE TECHNICIANS AVAILABLE, SOMETHING WAS STILL NOT FUNDAMENTALLY WORKING PROPERLY. I AM TRYING TO -- IS THAT ONE HOUR REBOOTING AND FRUSTRATION, IS THAT NORMAL FOR YOUR MACHINES ? IS THAT ACCEPTABLE FOR YOUR MACHINES? >> GREAT QUESTION AND THE ANSWER IS NO AND NO. WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT AT ALL. WHICH IS WHY WE WORK WITH THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ADEQUATE SPARES ON HAND. AS SOMEBODY MENTIONED EARLIER IN TODAY'S MEETING, ELECTRONICS WORK UNTIL THEY DON'T. AND OCCASIONALLY IF SOME TINY PERCENTAGE OF THE SYSTEMS DON'T WORK AS PLANNED, THAT'S WHY PART OF THE PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING. IF YOU TRY TO REBOOT A SYSTEM MORE THAN ONCE AND IT IS NOT BOOTING, THEN LET'S GIVE UP ON TRYING TO REBOOT IT. LET'S PUT A REPLACEMENT MACHINE IN THERE. IT SHOULD TAKE MINUTES AND NOT HOURS, WE BELIEVE AND DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM THAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AFTER THE ELECTION. PART OF THE PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING AND THE COUNTY REQUESTED IT IN THE PROPOSAL WAS ADEQUATE SPARES TO MAKE SURE THAT IF SOME SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SYSTEMS DON'T WORK ON ELECTION DAY THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO REPLACE THEM ON THE FLY. THERE IS NO INTERRUPTION SERVICE. WE BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTY NEEDS AND I INVITE ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA TO CHIME IN ON THAT. I HOPE SHE AGREES WITH THAT. IN TERMS OF HOW THE SYSTEMS TKPWETT TO WHERE THEY WERE -- TO WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED TO BE, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES MAYBE FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS OR THE COUNTIES THAT MIGHT BE USE -- USABLE IN HARRIS COUNTY. YOU ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY AND YOU HAVE UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS. IT REQUIRES AN IN DEPTH PROCESS TO HAVE ALL OF THE SYSTEMS READY TO GO AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APPRECIATE THAT. THERE WASNE O REPUBLICAN --T A LEAST ONE REPUBLICANOT VING SITET THATHEES PALTINIANS -- THAT THE MACHINES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING.TH EREA WERE LOT OF FOLKS THATWE RE FRUSTRATEDSE BECAU THEN THEY HAD TO FINDT THE NEXOS CLEST POLLING SITE WANT YOU TO FLAG ALSOTE I REPEADLY BROUGHTTH UP E ISSUEMB OF THE NUER OF SCANNERSD THAT WOULBE AVAILABL BECAUSE I ONE, YOUO ARE GOING THAVE W TO VOTETING IN LINE AND TWO YOUPE WOULD HAVE OPLEG WAITININ LINE TO SCAN.ED I REPEATLYE BROUGHT UP TH ISSUE OFE PUTTING DOUBL RSCANNERS AT OU ELECTION SITES.T MS. LONGORIAOLD ME THEY HADEY SPARES IF TH WOULD GO DOWN, BUT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TO N DOUBLE UP IFECESSARY. IUS THINK THIS IS OBVIOD THAT WE SHOULTHINK ABOUT HAVING URDOUBLE SCANNERS AT O VOTING CENTERS. JAY, AND MAYBE THIS IS PROBABLY BETTER SUITED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. [04:10:04] YOU TELL ME. BUT ON THE ISSUE OF DO WE HAVE ANY ACTION WITH HART ON PERFORMANCE? DO WE HAVE INSURANCE? IS THERE ANY REFUND THAT WE OUGHT TO BE T LOOKING AT BECAUSE OFHE NUMBER OF TECHNICAL FAILURES WE D EXPERIENCED ON ELECTIONAY? AND BEFORE YOU ANSWER THAT, IN GOT A SECOND LEGAL QUESTIO FOR YOU. I SAW A INTERVIEW WHERE MS. LONGORIA MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS PRANKS BEING PLAYED BY EACH PARTY ON EACH OTHER. NOW UNDERSTANDING THAT THOSE PRANKS DID OCCUR AND WERE THROWING THE SYSTEM OFF LINE, IS THAT A CRIMINAL ACT? >> ON THE ISSUES RELATED TO HART, WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT. IDD DON'T THINK IT IS ANYTHING WE CAN ARESS TODAY. ON THE SECOND MATTER, YOU KNOW, THAT IS A DIFFERENT -- THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT IS OUTSIDE OUR PER VIEW AS CIVIL ATTORNEYS. I CAN'T DETERMINE THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK WE OUGHT TO ASK THE QUESTION AND SEE IF THAT'S ACCURATE OR NOT. >> WE WILL LOOK AT IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE LAST QUESTION I GOT FOR YOU IS GOING BACK TO THE ISSUE OF TWO PAGES THAT WE HAD TO INSERT INTO THE MACHINE, I JUST RECALL THAT WHEN I SCANNED MY BALLOT AND GOT MY SHEETS BACK, ON ONE PAGE IT WAS PROBABLY AN 8TH -- 1/8TH THAT HAD PRINT ON THE PAGE. ON THE OTHER PAGE IT WAS MAYBE A THIRD OF THE PAGE. WHY WOULD I NEED TWO PIECES OF PAPER FOR THAT LITTLE PRINTING? >>Y DON'T KNOW THE -- I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION AND I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT TO SEE WHAT BALLOT STYLE YOU MAY BE REFERRING TO TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY CONTESTS ARE ON THAT BALLOT AND HOW MUCH PAPER IT WOULD REQUIRE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I VOTED DURING THE EARLY VOTE, BUT I JUST REMEMBER LOOKING AT THAT THINKING WHY WOULD I NEED TWO PIECES OF PAPER FOR THIS LITTLE INFORMATION ON EACH PAGE? IT IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT BOTH OF THOSE PAGES COULD FIT ONE PAGE. WHO WOULD BE RESPONSE -- RESPONSIBLE FOR CONFIGURING THE BALLOT WOULD FIT ON ONE PAGE? >> DURING THE ELECTION SET UP, THE BALLOT IS DESIGNED WITHIN CERTAIN PARAMETERS AND THAT IS DONE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL. WHAT ARE YOU DESCRIBING IS A GREAT QUESTION. I AM NOT AWARE OF A CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TWO PARTIAL PAGES OF CONTENT THAT WOULD HAVE EASILY FIT ON ONE. PERHAPS WE CAN FOLLOW-UP ON THIS CALL TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BALLOT STYLE. IN FACT, YOU MIGHT SHARE WHAT PRECINCT ARE YOU IN TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE BALLOT STYLE YOU HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED. I AM NOT AWARE OF THAT ISSUE. IT IS THE FIRST WE ARE HEARING OF IT. WE NEED TO GATHER MORE DATA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 207. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I WANT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE A MOTION THAT I SENT AROUND TO YOU GUYS. I WILL BRING IT UP LATER IN THE SPIRIT OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WENT WRONG AND MOVE FORWARD. AND THAT IS TO ENGAGE A THIRD-PARTY CONSULT AT THE PRESENT TIME THAT WILL REVIEW ELECTION OPERATIONS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND ENHANCE THE REMAINING ELECTIONS AND UPDATES SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON A MONTHLY BASIS AT MINIMUM AND RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED AS APPLICABLE. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS A QUICK QUESTION. WHEN YOU SOLD US THIS EQUIPMENT AND YOU SAY YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE EQUIPMENT WE HAD BEFORE THIS, WITH THE PRIOR SYSTEM? >> YES, SIR. >> TOM RAMSEY: DID YOU ANTICIPATE ANY INCREASE IN [04:15:07] TIME TO VOTE WITH THE NEW SYSTEM COMPARED TO THE OLD SYSTEM? >> YES, SIR. PART OF OUR PROPOSAL AND THE RESPONSE TO THE COUNTY INCLUDES A DESCRIPTION -- IT WENT FROM A ONE-STEP PROCESS TO A TWO-STEP PROCESS. IT IS NOW MAKE YOUR CHOICES AND PRINT YOUR BALLOT. WE HAVE MADE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR AS PART OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROCESS. >> AND MY SECOND QUESTION IS DID YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE THREE TIMES AS LONG TO COUNT THE BALLOTS UNDER THIS SYSTEM AS COMPARED TO THE OLD SYSTEM? >> I DON'T KNOW IF WE TRIED TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH LONGER IT WOULD TAKE, BUT WE CERTAINLY WOULD KNOW JUST BASED ON OTHER JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY AS THEY MOVE FROM ELECTRONIC TO PAPER-BASED VOTING. I HOSPITAL SAY BY DEFINITION. DUPLICATION OF THE BALLOTS MEANS THE MANUAL PROCESSING OF THE BALLOTS THAT WERE UNSCANNABLE. THOSE WOULD RUN THE PAPER-BASED ELECTIONS HAS SOME DEGREE OF MANUAL PROCESSING THAT HAS TO HAPPEN. BECAUSE IT IS DAMAGED OR FOR WHATEVER REASON THAT'S WHAT IT IS FOR. DEFINITELY PROCESSING -- THE MANUAL PROCESSING REQUIRED AT HEADQUARTERS OF ANYTHING UNSCANNABLE IS ADDITIONAL TIME IN THE OVERALL ELECTION MANAGEMENT PROCESS. AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THE DATA WE HAVE FROM THE COUNTY AND FRESH DATA COMING IN ALL THE TIME. THERE IS ROUGHLY 0.4% OF IN-PERSON BALLOTS CAST DURING THE EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY. IT COMBINES ALL IN-PERSON VOTING THAT REQUIRED SOME SORT OF A MANUAL PROCESSING BACK AT HEADQUARTERS. 99.6% OF IN-PERSON BALLOTS WERE CAST WITH NO ISSUES AND SCANNED JUST FINE. WE ARE WORKING FOR TRENDS THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEMS THAT ELECTION WORKERS ARE HAVING WITH THE EQUIPMENT. BUT WE HAVE -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE THAT 99.6% OF THE BALLOTS CAST IN PERSON WERE CAST SUCCESSFULLY. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK WOULD YOU HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED ELECTION JUDGE THAT'S DISAGREE WITH YOUR ANALYSIS THAT IT WAS 1% PROBLEM. WE HAD MANY MORE PROBLEMS THAN THAT. >> I'M SORRY. I'M JUST BASING THAT ON THE MATH OF THE NUMBER OF BALLOTS THAT NEEDED TO BE PROCESSED BACK AT HEADQUARTERS DIVIDED BY THE TOTAL ANYBODY OF IN-PERSON BALLOTS CAST. I DON'T DISPUTE THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHER HEADACHES THAT JUDGES AND POLL WORKERS DEALT WITH THAT DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU HAVE A COMMISSION ON -- QUESTION ON THIS POINT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. WHEN WILL WE GET THE NEW TALLIES WITH THE 10,000 VOTES INSERTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO TACK ON TO THAT THE CURED BALLOTS. THERE IS THISH EYE OF THE -- THE ISSUE OF THE REJECTED MAIL BALLOTS. WHAT IS THE NUMBER OF THE PROVISIONAL AND THE CURED MAIL BALLOTS ON TOP OF THE 10,000 THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE -- WE WILL HAVE TO ADD TO THE FINAL TALLY. >> IRONICALLY CENTRAL COUNT IS MEETING RIGHT NOW AND I AM KEEPING AN EYE ON THE 10,000 BALLOTS. WE RECEIVED SO MANY IS -- WE RECEIVED SO MANY. THEN THEY ARE MEETING FOR THE FINAL COUNTS. >> DO YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATE ON THE NUMBER OF PROVISIONALS TO THIS LAW? >> THEY ARE DOING IT RIGHT NOW. THEY ARE TALLYING THE NUMBERS. I BELIEVE IT IS PROBABLY OVER 2,000. >> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS ARE AWARE THAT THE COUNT IS GOING TO CHANGE LIKELY TODAY BECAUSE OF THE 10,000 THAT WE ARE -- THAT WERE UP LOADED AND AGAIN BECAUSE OF THOUSANDS OF REJECTED MAIL BALLOTS THAT HAD TO BE CURED AND POSSIBLY -- THE HOWEVER MANY PROVISIONALS. SO THEN THE FINAL TALLY WILL [04:20:03] NOT BE DONE UNTIL TOMORROW? WEDNESDAY? >> YES, MA'AM. AND I APPRECIATE -- TO CLARIFY FOR FOLKS NEW TO THE ELECTION PROCESS IT IS CALLED THE CANVAS PERIOD. IT TAKES BETWEEN 10 AND 14 DAYS FOR THE PRIMARY. IT IS ACTUALLY A SHORTER CANVAS PERIOD. OTHER ELECTIONS IT IS 14 DAYS. AND THIS IS THE TIME WE GET THE LATE MAIL BALLOTS AND PROCESSING THE PROVISIONALS TO CREATE THE FINAL REPORT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. >> GIVE US A SENSE OF THE NATURE IN TARRANT COUNTY. THEY HAVE TWO PAGES AS WELL? >> THEY ARE TWO-PAGE BALLOTS AND SOME VOTED ON ONE BECAUSE OF PURE CONTEST. RO*D -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M ASSUMING WHEN YOU PUT IN YOUR BID, AS I RECALL, MY BALLOT, EVEN IN THE RACES WHERE THEY WERE UNCONTESTED THE NAME WAS STILL, THERE RIGHT? THEY WERE ON THERE AND THEY WERE PRINTED ON THE PAGE. SO COULD YOU HAVE SUM MYSELFED -- SUMMISED IN THIS COUNTY THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO USE TWO PAGES? IF THEY LISTED EVERYTHING, EVERYBODY RUNNING FOR JP JUDGE, WHATEVER, COULD YOU FIGURE OUT THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE TWO PAGES ? I AM JUST ASKING YOU FIRST AND THEN I WILL PROBABLY ASK MS. LONGORIA. >> YES, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF PAGE SPACE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CONTESTS. IT IS ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT OUR BALLOT DESIGN INCORPORATES OUR INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES FROM LOTS OF STUDIES TO MAKE IT AS VOTER FRIENDLY AS POSSIBLE. THERE ARE OTHER DESIGN APPROACHES DESIGNINGED FOR COMPRESSION -- FOR COMPRESSING IT INTO A SMALL AMOUNT OF SPACE POSSIBLE. THEY ARE TYPICALLY CONTRARY TO WHAT I WOULD CALL VOTER FRIENDLINESS. FOR EXAMPLE, WE MAKE SURE OUR FONT SIZE IS NO LESS THAN A MINIMUM SIZE SO IT REMAINS LEGIBLE. WE PRINTOUT A CONTEST WHERE A VOTER DIDN'T MAKE A CHOICE. IT SAYS NO SELECTION MADE. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO NOTIFY THE VOTER WHEN THEY ARE REVIEWING THE BALLOT. >> OH MY GOSH I DIDN'T REALIZE I SKIPPED THIS CONTEST. I DID INTEND TO VOTE IN THIS RACE. I AM GLAD SOMEBODY LET ME KNOW. THERE ARE OTHER BALLOT DESIGN PRINCIPALS SAY FIGURE THE VOTER DIDN'T VOTE IN THIS CONTEST, THEN DON'T PRINT ANYTHING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM ONLY ASKING BECAUSE I THINK A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD ASSUME IT IS A TWO-PAGE BALLOT IN HARRIS COUNTY. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY CAME TO THAT CONCLUSION AND IF YOU LOWER THE FONT SIZE, PEOPLE LIKE ME NEED THE BIG FONT. I CAN PUT MY GLASSES ON AND FIGURE IT OUT. YOU GOT ME? PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW IT WILL TAKE TWO PAGES. IS THAT FAIR? >> ONCE THEY USE THE SOFTWARE TO DO THE BALLOT LAYOUT OF WHEN THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED SO THEY WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THAT WAS THEIR REQUIREMENT. >> AND WE WORKED WITH HART FOR THE BALLOT CALCULATOR AND WE KNEW MANY MONTHS OUT. IT WAS ENOUGH TO CALCULATE WELL IN ADVANCE AND CALCULATE WE NEED THE LONG BALLOT PAPER. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE SITUATION IF IT WAS THE 8 AND A HALF BY 11 AND THREE SHEETS OF PAPER. KEEPING WITH THE BEST PRACTICES OF SERVING VOTERS AS YOU DIRECTED ME TO AND MAKING SURE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN BEFORE A RECOMMENDATION TO PICK HART. >> I KNOW -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE WE PICKED THEM, BUT SO THEY KNOW. >> I APOLOGIZE, YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: UNLESS WE CREATE ONE NEW COURT. SO IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD GUESS THAT WHOEVER WAS SUBMITTING KNEW IT WOULD TAKE TWO PAGES. I NOTICE YOU DO COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA. DO YOU DO ANY BIGGER THAN US? THE ONLY ONE BIGGER THAN US IS L.A. COUNTY. DO YOU DO MACHINES FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY? >> YOU ARE OUR BIGGEST CUSTOMER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT ABOUT STATES? I GUESS WE ARE BIGGER THAN ABOUT 15 OR SO STATES. DO YOU DO WASHINGTON STATE? DO YOU DO A STATE-WIDE BALLOT BIGGER THAN OURS? [04:25:03] >> WE DO TWO STATE-WIDE BALLOTS AND YOU ARE BIGGER THAN BOTH OF THOSE STATES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW-UP ON A POINT. AS YOUR BIGGEST CLIENT WE SPEND $54 MILLION AND 12,000 MACHINES AND 11, ONE-YEAR RENEWALS. ARE YOU BASED IN TEXAS AND YOU HAVE SIX COUNTIES IN TEXAS. I THINK Y'ALL HAVE A VESTED INTEREST ON SUPPORTING THIS AS WELL AND FIGURING OUTOW H TO MAKE THISOR WK SMOOTHER I ASSUME ATHE T PLACE YOU ARE MAKINGHE T MOST MONEY. I GUESS THERE A ANDDI BIDNG PROCESS. WI NO STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING, WHEN WE GO TO THE FALL, THAT WOULD BELL A CHAENGE WELL. AT LEAST WE WON'T HAVE ISSUE OF THE PARTIESG AGREEIN FOR A JOINT. PRIMARY WITH NO STRAIGHT TICKET MYVOTING, PAPERWO DIDN'T RK AND30 IT WAS MINUTES BEFOREY EARLVOTING WAS ITI WAITED UNL THE LAST DAY. I WAS THINKING ABOUT LEAVING.T I DON'THINKY THEY -- THE DIDN'T RECNIZE ME MASK ON.E BUT SOMEBODY RECOGNIZEDE. MY VOIC HE POINTEDHAD- OUT THAT'S THERE.NLY NAME YOU HAVE A VESTED INTERESTHI TO FIGURE TS OUT AS WELL. THIS WAS NOT I AM ALL FOROICE. DON'T KNOWED -- I BEWOULD HAVE BEEN ANY TTER. SOME CRITICISMS, BY THE WAY. I WANT TO STRESS THAT MS. LONGORIA BIT THE BULLET, BUT I THINK YOU -- I HAVE LOOKED AT THE CORPORATEK STRUCTURE AND I THINI KNEW YOUR CE -- YOUR CEO. I SUGGESTWH YOU ALL FIGURE OUT AT YOU CAN ADD TO THIS TO MAKE SURE YOUR BIGGEST CLIENT DOESN'T END UP BEING ONE OF THE BIGGEST HEADACHES. >> TOTALLY AGREE.NG AS I SAID AT THE BEGINNI AND AS WE SAID CONSISTENTLY, WE ARE ABSOLUTELY B COMMITTED TO WORKING SIDEY SIDE WITH THE COUNTY TO IDENTIFY ALL OF THE GAPS AND PUT TOGETHER PLANS AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO ADDRESS THOSE GAPS AND IT WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY TO IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES PRIOR TO THE NOMBER ELECTION. AS I BELIEVE SOMEBODY POINTED OUT, THE GOOD NEWS IS THE NEXT THREE ELECTIONS IN THE COUNTY ARE SMALL ENOUGH TO WHERE WE ANTICIPATE THEY ARE SMALL ENOUGH TO BE ON ONE PAGE. GETTING READY FOR NOVEMBER WILL REQUIRE NEW PROCESSES AND NEW COMMUNICATIONS FOR SURE. AND WE ARE ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR CONTROL TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU SELL THESE MACHINES ABROAD? DO YOU SELL THEM TO MEXICO OR ANYWHERE OR ONLY DOMESTIC? >> UNITED STATES ONLY. WE ARE IN 19 STATES IN THE UNITED STATES AND OVER A HUNDRED COUNTIES IN TEXAS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN LOOKING AT THE MARKET AND BEST PRACTICES, NOT NECESSARILY TO EMULATE THEM, BUT SOMETIMES SO YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM MISTAKES OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MADE. WITH THE MOTION THE JUDGE IS SUGGESTING, I THINK YOU ALL -- WHEN YOU TRY TO DESIGN A MACHINE TO GET OTHER CLIENTS DOWN THE ROAD, SOME OF THESE THINGS YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SALE, BUT YOU KNOW CUSTOMER SATISFACTION COMES IN WITH THAT. I MEAN, YOU ARE MOVING AROUND THE COUNTRY MORE THAN WE DO AND YOU TALK TO FOLKS WHO ARE BUYING MACHINES. IN TERMS OF SOME OF THESE CHANGES THAT MAY NOT BE UNIQUE TO TEXAS, I HOPE YOU ALL WILL PLAY A ROLE IN THAT. >> WE ARE COMMITTED TO SHARING ANY BEST PRACTICES WE CAN THAT WE THINK MIGHT BE HELPFUL FOR THE COUNTY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS AND THEN WHEN EVERYBODY IS DONE WITH THEIR QUESTIONS I DO HAVE A WRAP UP COMMENT I I WANT TO MAKE. MR. STOCKWELL, BACK TO THE STYLE OF THE BALLOT AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS HONING IN IN THAT SAME AREA THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT AND THAT IS THE STYLE OF THE BALLOT WHICH IS HOW DO YOU FORMAT IT IN SUCH A WAY TO WHERE WE CAN GET IT TO ONE PAGE. NOW, WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN YOU ARE VOTING YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THE FONTS THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO READ, BUT I CAN ALSO UNDERSTAND WHEN IT IS PRINTED OUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE SAME READING TPOPBGT. [04:30:10] YOU CAN FORM IT TO WHERE IT IS COLUMNS OR YOU CAN HAVE YOUR ROWS WHERE YOU USE THE WIDTH OF THE PAGE OR YOU CAN USE YOUR MARGINS AND THE BOTTOMS. WITH THIS ONE WE MADE THE CONCERN ABOUT THE MARGINS AND I HEARD TAILS OF FOLKS THAT WOULD USE THE HAND SANITIZER AND THEN WITH THE HAND SANITIZER IT WOULD SMUDGE THE INK. AND SO WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL TO TELL PEOPLE TO USE THE HAND SAN -- SANITIZER AFTER THEY VOTE INSTEAD OF BEFORE THEY VOTE SO WE DON'T SMUDGE THE STUFF. I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY A LITTLE WHILE AGO THAT THE TPOFPBT IS -- THE FONT IS SOMETHING WE CONTROL. THIS IS SOMETHING DONE BY THE EA'S OFFICE? >> NO, SIR. THE EA'S OFFICE DOES THE BALLOT PROGRAMMING THEY BASICALLY DEFINE AND POPULATE WHAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF WHERE THINGS -- THEY CAN'T NECESSARILY SAW RINK -- SHRINK THE FONT SO IT FITS ON ONE PAGE. SOME OF THAT IS HARD CODED INTO THE SYSTEM. THERE ARE DIFFERENT ROLES IN THAT FUNCTION. >> I AM INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE GOING FORWARD YOU WORK WITH OUR EA OR OUR CLERK'S OFFICE IF WE GO BACK TO THE CLERK SYSTEM TO GET US TO WHERE WE HAVE ONE PAGE BALLOTS. I THINK THAT'S REAL IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THAT. NUMBER TWO, HOW MUCH EXTRA DID IT COST US? YOU HAD THE PROPRIETARY PAPER AND WE HAVE TO PAY YOU FOR THE PROPRIETARY PAPER. I ASSUME OUR PAPER COST WAS DOUBLED BY HAVING TWO PAGES. HOW MUCH WAS THAT NUMBER? I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW. I CAN FIND OUT AND SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH THE COURT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY $5 A SHEET? I AM NOT SURE WHAT THAT COULD BE, BUT IF YOU CAN LOOK THAT UP. MAYBE THE EA HAS IT. MY THIRD QUESTION I HAD HERE MAY ACTUALLY BE -- IT IS ACTUALLY FOR THE EA AND THAT IS WHAT ROLE DID UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAVE IN THIS, AND DO YOU IN YOUR EXPERIENCE THINK WE CAN -- BACK WHEN THIS WAS IN THE OLD CLERK'S OFFICE AND THE TAX ASSESSORS YOU POINTED OUT YOU HAVE THE LABOR POOL YOU CAN DRAW FROM TO BRING IN. WE HAVE A LABOR POOL OF TECHNICAL PEOPLE THAT MAY BE IN OUR EVEN VERSE SAL -- THAT MAY BE IN OUR UNIVERSAL SERVICES. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WOULD PROHIBIT US FROM TAPPING INTO THE LABOR POOL FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES? AND I HAVE THREE OF THE FINEST GEEK SQUADERS TO HELP US RUN OUR COMMISSIONERS' COURT EVERY WEEK THAT THE ENTIRE COUNTY BENEFITS FROM, AND I'M SURE THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS SOME OF THAT AS WELL. >> YOU MIGHT REMEMBER, ON THAT POINT, THE COUNTY CLERK HAS AN INDEPENDENT TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, BUT WE MOVED FROM THE BEGINNING UNDER UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND GRANTED UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO HELP US. WE WORK HAND IN HAND. THEY HELP US IMPLEMENT THE CAMERAS HERE. I KNOW IN THE WEBSITE WE HAVE A WEBSITE REDESIGN COMING THAT WE WERE HOPING TO UNVEIL IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS. THEY ARE WORKING WITH US CLOSELY AND YES OWE -- ON ELECTION NIGHT WHEN THE INTERACTIVE LOCATION PORTION WENT DOWN THEY ARE LOOKING INTO WHAT CAUSED THAT AND LOADING IT IN THE FUTURE. WE WORK WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND WE COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO CREATE AS MANY EFFICIENCIES AS POSSIBLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WERE THEY ABLE TO HELP WITH THE TPEBG -- TECHNICAL ISSUES WHEN WE HAD A DEVICE DOWN? WERE THEY ABLE TO ASSIST? >> UNDERSTOOD. I DON'T THINK THEY ARE TRAINED ON THE MACHINES. THEY DO MORE THE INTERNET, IPADS, E POLL BOOKS AND THAT KIND OF CONNECTIVITY. IF THAT'S YOUR DIRECTION I AM HAPPY TO EXPLORE WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES IF THEY CAN HAVE TRAINED TECHNICIANS ON THE MACHINES TO HELP US WITH HOT HOTSHOT TEAMS THAT IS AN AREA WE CAN USE IMPROVEMENT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN YOU HAVE A MAN POWER NEED THAT OCCURS ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO NECESSARILY HAVE A BUNCH OF FOLKS THAT TWIDDLE THEIR THUMBS WHEN IT IS OFF SEASON. WHAT WE MAY WANT TO DO EXPLORE WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE -- I REMEMBER IN AN ELECTION MY CLERKS DISAPPEARED BECAUSE THEY WERE PULLED TO RUN THE [04:35:01] ELECTIONS. YOU POINTED THAT OUT WITH REGARD TO MAN POWER. WE DIDN'T DO COURT ON THOSE DAYS THAT REQUIRED A CLERK. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF THE CLERK SYSTEM. IN TERMS OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND PROVIDING THE SERVICES ON THAT DAY TECHNICAL HOTSHOTTERS, WE MAY WANT TO DO A SIMILAR THING WHERE WE TRAIN THEM AND THEY AID US SO WE ARE NOT RELYING ON JUST TECHNICAL SISTERS WHO HAVE TO BE THERE FOR JUST -- TECHNICAL ASSISTERS WHO HAVE TO BE THERE JUST TWICE A YEAR. THE TAXPAYERS CAN GET THE BENEFIT OF THEIR EXPERTISE, BUT THE RESIDUAL EXPERTISE ON OTHER MATTERS ALONG THE WAY. >> IF I MIGHT, SIR, I THINK THIS SAN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO BUST ONE OF THE BIGGEST MYTHS ABOUT ELECTIONS. IT IS ACTUALLY A YEAR-BUSINESS. WE TALK ABOUT YEAR-ROUND TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT. OUR TECHNICIANS WHEN THEY ARE NOT HOTSHOTTING OUT IN THE FIELD, THEY ARE REVIEWING THE EQUIPMENT AND FIXING THE EQUIPMENT AND PREPARING IT FOR THE NEXT ELECTION WHICH AS YOU SAW NOW IS SEVEN ELECTIONS IN ONE YEAR. THERE IS NO DOWNTIME FOR US. BUT POINT WELL TAKEN ON HOW WE CAN LEVERAGE ON FINDING PEOPLE CAPACITY YEAR-ROUND. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, YOU HAD PUT A MOTION HERE. I CURRENTLY HAVE A MOTION IN 305. IS THIS MODIFYING WHAT I HAVE HERE? IS THIS IN PLACE OF WHAT I HAVE HERE? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. THAT'S MY PROPOSAL UNDER YOUR ITEM AS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND I GUESS BEFORE WE GET INTO THE MOTIONS AND THE DISCUSSION ON THOSE, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE NEW MACHINES. WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THE NEW SYSTEM. WHA*Z THE -- WHAT IS THE NEW SYSTEM? WE HAVE AN UNELECTED ADMINISTRATOR. THAT'S THE NEW SYSTEM. WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE MACHINES. I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY DILIGENT WHEN WE ASSESS AND EVALUATE AND FACTOR IN ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED. WHAT WAS IT ABOUT CHANGING THE WAY WE USED TO DO IT WITH THE TAX ASSESSOR AND THE COUNTY CLERK WHO LAST TIME I CHECKED ARE STILL THERE AND HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AS DISCUSSED EARLIER. AND GOING FORWARD IF WE ARE SO MAYBE BLINDLY COMMITTED TO THIS NEW SYSTEM AS OPPOSED TO WORKING FINE WITH OUR OLD SYSTEM, THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT I WOULD BE PUTTING IN THE CATEGORY OF BEST PRACTICES. I WILL SAY THIS, JUDGE, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT SERVES ON THE ELECTION COMMISSION. CLEARLY AS BEEN SAID, YOU GOT ON IT. YOU NEED TO OWN WHAT HAPPENED. AND YOU GOTTA OWN WHAT THE FIX IS GONNA BE. AND I DON'T REALLY HAVE -- IT IS NOT CLEAR TO ME HOW OFTEN THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION HAS EVEN MET BECAUSE THAT WAS THE GOVERNING BODY TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR WHO CLEARLY HAS HAD IN THIS SYSTEM. I WILL JUST USE THE SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM HAS HAD PROBLEMS. THE FOUR OR FIVE THINGS IN YOUR MOTION THAT ARE -- THAT ARE -- THAT ARE IN MY MOTION THAT AREN'T IN YOURS DEAL WITH AN AUDIT OF THE CURRENT ELECTION. WE HAVE TO AUDIT WHAT WE HAVE DONE. THE OTHER THING THAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE TALK ABOUT THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AND WHO WILL LEAD THIS GOING FORWARD. IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR MOTION AND I AM CERTAINLY NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. WE NEED TO BE SURE TO BRING IN THE SEBGTD -- TO BRING IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO MONITOR WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE CURRENT COUNT AND ALSO AND LOOKING AT THE MOTION AS DISCUSSED WE NEED TO CONSIDER IN A 9-1-1 FASHION GETTING THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK AND THE TAX ASSESSOR BACK IN THE GAME [04:40:06] AND GET THEM MORE INVOLVED WITH NOT ONLY WHAT HAPPENED, BUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING GOING FORWARD. THE LAST THING IN MY MOTION -- IT IS NOT IN YOUR MOTION, BUT IT IS THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR REFERENCED MANY THINGS RELATED TO STAFF IN TERMS OF HEART ATTACKS AND ASTHMA ATTACKS -- I MEAN, AS A PERSON THAT LISTENS, I'M HEARING SEVERE AND SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO EMPLOYEES AND WHETHER IT IS THE HR INVESTIGATES OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY INVESTIGATES, WE NEED SOMEBODY TO DIG INTO THAT AND WE UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE ISSUES IN TERMS OF THOSE IMPACTS TO THE EMPLOYEES. SO I WOULD NOT BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION YOU PUT ON THE TABLE AND IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THINGS THAT I HAVE GOT IN THE MOTION I PUT OUTLAST FRIDAY. LEANING -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT YOUR MOTION BECAUSE IF NOT I WILL MAKE THE MOTION. I WOULD SAY THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN TEXAS IT IS CLIFF VOTER SUPPRESSION. I WOULD CALL THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IN, BUT YOU WANT AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY AND BRING THEM IN. YOU WANT TO MAKE THAT CHANGE TO YOURS, I MIGHT BE FOR SOME OF IT. IT WON'T BE BRINGING IN THE STATE. THE STATE HELPED CREATE A BIG PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM, BUT IT CREATED A BIG PART. JUDGE I WILL MAKE YOUR MOTION AND SECOND YOUR MOTION. I WILL MAKE THE MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND I SECOND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE WE VOTING ON THIS ONE OR VOTE ON YOURS FIRST? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL, I THINK SINCE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE SINCE FRIDAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE THE MOTION AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM OPPOSED. THE MOTION FAILS 3-2. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MAKE YOUR MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR -- >> JUDGE, WOULD YOU MIND -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT ME TO READ IT. >> YES, PLEASE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO ENGAGE IN THEURTD -- IN THIRD-PARTY CONSULTANT THAT WILL REVIEW ELECTIONS AND OPERATIONSO T ENHANCE THEFF EECTIVENESS AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE REMAINING 2022 ELECTIONS AND HEOTRWISE PROVIDE SUPPORT AS NEEDED. UPDATES SHOULD BEVI PRODED ON A MONTHLY BASE --IS BAS AT MINIMUM. STAKEHOLDERS SHOULD BE INVOLVED AS APPLICABLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: BEFORE WEVO TE ON THIS, I HAVE ANT COMME EEI HAVE BN WANTING TO .IF I MAYE JUDG WHEN YOU READ YOUR OPENING STATEMENTL BEFORE AL OF THE DCUSSION WHEN WE BLAMED SB1,E, AND I SAY W I MEANYO YOU. UP BLAMED TRUMAND YOU BLAME S PARTISANHIP, YOU MADE THE COMMENT THATE SHOULDN'T W QUESTIONHAT WENT INTOES THE PROCS BECAUSET IF WE DID THA IT WOULD TEAR DOWN TRUST.TH THE THING AT TEARS DOWNPO TRUST ARE LLS THAT DON'T OPEN, EQUIPMENTHAT YOU CAN'T PICK UP, LONG NES, DELAYS AND EVEND IF THEY WERE FOUN, BUT 10,000 BALLOTST THAT WEREN'THERE WHEN THEYED WERE SUPPOS TO BE THERE, THOSE T ARE THE THINGSHAT CAUSE US TO TEAR DOWNE TRUST. WHAT WHAD, AND I WANTHA TO TALK ABOUT WT WE GOT AND G WHERE WE NEED TOO. WHAT WE HAD WAS A LARGE FOCOUNTY. WE HEAR LKS BLAMING WETY HAVE A BIG COUN AND THIS IS THE REASON WE HAD THEHA PROBLEM. WELL WE VE HAD A BIG COUNTY FOR A LONGTIME. IT HAS GROWN SOME INVE THE LAST FOUR, FI, SIX YEARS, BUT IT HAS NOT GROWNE EXPONENTIALLY IN THLAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS. WE HAVE HAD TWO COMPETENT AT THEIR JOB. I CAN SAY THAT AND I AM A REPUBLICAN AND THEY WERE BOTH DEMOCRATS. THEY WERE GOOD AND RESPONSIBLE AT THEIR JOB. AND THEY HAD EFFICIENCIES EA LONGORIA SAID THEY HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF DRAWING ON THEIR LARGE STAFFS WHEN IT WAS THE RUBBER MET THE ROAD. WHAT WE DID HAVE WAS A FEW GLITCHES. I REMEMBER THE MEED -- MEDIA, AND THEY ARE NOT HERE, BUT [04:45:05] JUST A COUPLE OF FAITHFUL ONES CRITICIZING STAN STANNER BECAUSE IT TOOK SIX HOURS TO GET THE RESULTS IN AND THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE PART OF WHAT WE WERE PROMISED WAS THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO -- IT WAS SIX THUNDER SHOWERS IN 2020 AND SIX HOURS IN 2018, BUT IN 2022 IT TOOK 29 HOURS. SOME SAY THAT IS ARCHAIC TO GET IT DONE IN 24 HOURS. WE USED TO DO IT IN SIX. WE CAN DO IT IN SIX. WE WERE CRITICIZED FOR DOING IT IN SIX WHEN IT WAS A DIFFERENT PARTY RUNNING THESE OFFICES. WE WERE PROMISED THAT BY GOING TO THIS THAT IT WOULD BE A BETTER PRACTICE. THAT IT WOULD BE FASTER. THAT IT WOULD BE SMOOTHER. THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER. THERE WAS SOME TALK ABOUT IT BEING CHEAPER, BUT I WILL COMMEND COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT HE NEVER PROMISED IT WOULD BE CHEAPER. HE SAID IT WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE AND COMMITTED TO COMMITTING MORE RESOURCES TO IT AND HE COMMITTED TO THAT AGAIN IN TERMS OF THE EXPENSES. AND WE HAVE INCREASED OUR EXPENSES. THAT IS THE THING THAT HAS REALLY GROWN. PART IS THE LABOR AND PART IS THE FOLKS OUT THERE, BUT PART IS WE HAVE A WHOLE NEW DEPARTMENT WHEREAS WE USED TO DRAW FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR STAFF AND THE CLERK STAFF. WE HAVE CREATED A WHOLE THIRD WING TO MANAGE OUR ELECTIONS. AND JUST BY CREATING ANOTHER WING AND BUREAUCRACY IS GOING TO INCREASE THE COST IN ADDITION FOR THE FOLKS TO BE ON THE SPOT AND TO DO THEIR JOB. WHAT DO WE GET? INCREASED COSTS. WE GOT THE SAME MACHINES AS A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTIES, HUNT, PHASE, CORREAL, TARRANT, THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WE HAD. THE OUTCOMES WERE DIFFERENT. WE HAD BIG BUDGETS TO HANDLE THIS. WHAT WE GOT WAS THAT WHEREAS WE USED TO COMPLAIN HERE ABOUT IT BEING AFTER MIDNIGHT TO GET THE TALLY RESULTS IN, WE ARE NOW WAITING UNTIL MIDNIGHT THE FOLLOWING DAY TO GET THE TALLY RESULTS IN. AS MR. SLAT -- SLATTERY WHO REPRESENTS A GROUP THAT IS NOT ALWAYS FRIENDLY TO SOME OF THE SAME VIEWS AS ME POINTS OUT WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE. WHEN FOLKS SHOWED UP TO GET THEIR MACHINES, THEY WERE NOT THERE. THEY HAD OTHER ISSUES AND PROBLEMS AND THEY WEREN'T THERE. AND SO WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE POLLS OPEN BECAUSE OF DISCOURAGEMENT OF OUR VOLUNTEER BASE OR OUR VOLUME RUN TIER BASE WHO ARE -- VOLUNTEER BASE WHO ARE NOT PAID BECAUSE OF THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND THEN THE MACHINES WE TALKED ABOUT. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? IT HAS BEEN TOSSED OUT IF WE GO TO A JOINT PRIMARY THAT CAN SOLVE THE ISSUE. IT WON'T SOLVE THE ISSUE WHEN'S IT COMES TO THE BIG GAME IN NOVEMBER. THERE WON'T BE JOINT PRIMARIES AT THAT TIME. THE PRIMARY, EVEN THOUGH EACH IS JOINT AND SMALLER, AND BECAUSE WE HAVE DISTRUST IN THE SYSTEM, IF THE REPUBLICANS WERE IN THE ACSENDANCY AGAIN IN THIS COUNTY I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR THE DEMOCRATS SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO BE RUN BY REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THEIR PRIMARY. I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR TO ASK THE REPUBLICANS TRUST DEMOCRATS TO BE IN CHARGE OF THEIR PRIMARY. THIS IS NOT AN EVIL THING FOR SOMEONE TO WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN PARTY'S PRIMARY. WE CAN SAY THAT, YES, AT THE EFFICIENT. IF I AM IN CHARGE IT MORE EFFICIENT FOR ME TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PRIMARY AND MINE. BUT THAT'S NOT FAIR. I WOULD ALSO ARGUE ANOTHER EA IS NOT THE SOLUTION. ONE OF THE THINGS -- SHE SAID IN A VERY NICE WAY. THANK YOU, EA LONGORIA. SOME HAD THE NARRATIVE THAT WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE CREATION OF THIS DEPARTMENT AND HAD BEEN CONSISTENT WITH IT WANTING TO GO AWAY FROM THE BEGINNING. THAT IS ME. I WILL OWN THAT. I DID TO THE FEEL THIS WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO TAKE THIS AWAY FROM DULY-ELECTED OFFICIALS. IF YOU LOOK AT MY RECORD I HAVE VOTED AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED OF WHERE I WAS AWARE OF IT, THAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY THE EA AERBGS -- E ARC'S OFFICE. IT IS NOT THAT I DON'T LIKE HER I PERSONALLY GET ALONG WITH HER. THIS IS NOT THE ROUTE TO RUN ELECTIONS. WHAT WE HAD WAS THE RIGHT SOLUTION. PART OF WHAT IS NOT A MOTION NOW, BUT IN PART OF THE MOTION VOTED DOWN BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS LET'S GIVE THE JOB [04:50:04] BACK TO THE DULY-ELECTED COUNTY CLERK WHO IS REALLY ONE OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED PEOPLE IN RUNNING ELECTIONS. SHE IS NOT IN MY PARTY. GIVE THE JOB BACK TO ANNE BENNETT. I KNOW, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF YOU SAID IT ONCE YOU SAID IT A DOZEN TIMES. WE HAD JIM CROW LAWS AND SO WE HAD TO TAKE THE POWER AWAY FROM THESE TWO BLACK WOMEN. GIVE THE POWER BACK TO THESE TWO BLACK DEMOCRAT WOMEN BECAUSE THEY CAN DO THE JOB AND THEY HAVE PROVEN IT. THEY CAN GET US READY FOR THE FALL WHEN THE BIG GAME IS GOING TO HAPPEN, OR WE CAN CONTINUE TO BLAME TRUMP AND THE OTHER PARTY'S PARTISAN SHIP. THANK YOU. THAT'S MY COMMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW WE HAVE YOUR MOTION AND WE VOTED -- HAVE WE VOTED ON THAT YET? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN MAKE MY COMMENT AFTER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET'S VOTE BECAUSE I DO ALSO HAVE A SECOND MOTION BASED ON SOME OF THE COMMENTS I MADE EARLIER TO FOLLOW YOURS AS WELL, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE FOLLOW-UP MOTION THAT I WANT TO MAKE AND I THINK MY TEAM IS SENDING IT OUT TO EVERYONE. MY MOTION READS TO MOVE TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO REVIEW THE ISSUES REFERRED TO AS PRANKS TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY MAY BE CONSIDERED CIVIL OR CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS OF LAW. TO REVIEW IF THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE MAIL BALLOT APPLICATION THAT'S WERE INITIALLY SENT TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE BY THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, BUT WERE REDIRECTED TO THE -- TO HARRIS COUNTY WAS LEGAL TO DO AND TO REVIEW IF THERE ARE ANY LEGAL AND/OR FINANCIAL REMEDIES AGAINST HART OR PERFORM -- PERFORMANCE DEFICIENCIES ON ELECTION DAY. >> TOM RAMSEY: CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION? MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY? >> YES, SIR. >> TOM RAMSEY: ARE WE INTO AN AREA OF LAWSUIT HERE? IS THIS THE AREA THAT MR. MENEFEE SAID YESTERDAY? IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF THE ISSUES MAYBE COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS REFERRING TO ARE ON THE SAME LIST AND IT IS INVOLVING A LAWSUIT. HAVE WE CROSSED THE LINE? >> NO, WE HAVE NOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU CROSS IT WHEN WE FILE THE LAWSUIT? MY DRAW DEGREE SAYS YOU CROSS THE LINE IN A LAWSUIT WHEN YOU FILE SOMETHING. JUST ASKING FOR INFORMATION. I DON'T SEE HOW THAT IS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THREE PARTS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS THREE MOTIONS. ONE AND TWO I CAN SUPPORT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL LET THE RECORD RE-- REFLECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. DO YOU HAVE THE MOTION, JAMES? >> NOT YET. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> EYE -- I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND IT CARRIES 3-2. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND I WANT TO ADD OF THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE. THE ADMINISTRATOR, MS. LON -- LONGORIA, HAS HAD THE PERSONAL COURAGE TO RESIGN HER POSITION. WHEN THE ELECTED OFFICIAL OVER SAW A DEBACLE ELECTION NEVER HEARD HIM OFFER TO STEP DOWN. AS A CONSEQUENCE IT TOOK YEARS -- IT TOOK A COUPLE YEARS FOR AN ELECTION TO HAPPEN BEFORE THERE WAS ACCOUNTABILITY. THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY HAPPENING TODAY BY PERSONAL CHOICE AND THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED DIFFERENTLY BY A VOTE OF THE COMMISSION. THERE IS MORE ACCOUNTABILITY IN WHAT WE HAD TO WORK WITH PRIOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? [04:55:03] >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THE COMMENTS. I WANT TO COMMEND EUGS SAW BELL LONG -- ISABEL LONGORIA FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE AND FOR THEM TO CONTINUE TO DO A JOB. OBVIOUSLY THIS OFFICE HAS HAD A LOT MORE SCRUTINY THAN THEY HAD IN THE PAST. NO NEED TO RELITIGATE ISSUES, BUT SOMEBODY TEXT ME TO SEE IF THEY ARE STILL COUNTING THE VOTES IN THE RACE AND THE HOUSE MADE THE DECISION ON THAT SEAT. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. YOU -- I AM CONVINCED THAT WE MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. WE PAID FOR THOSE ELECTION WORKERS AND I PUT IT ON THE UH GENERAL STKAU. IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN IT WAS A UNANIMOUS. THERE WAS EVEN AN ARGUMENT ON THE SECOND. IT DOES DRIVE UP THE COSTS NOT KNOWING THAT SOMEBODY SOMEBODY COULD BE CRIMINALLY LIABLE FOR WORKING IN AN ELECTION. IT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T DO FOR THE MONEY. IT IS JUST A PASSION THAT BOTH PEOPLE HAVE DONE FOREVER. I WANT TO POINT OUT AS A FOOT NOTE IN HISTORY WE APPOINTED YOU. WE MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE BY CREATING THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. I KNEW WE WOULDN'T HAVE A VOTE ON THE PERSON WAS PICKED, BUT THAT'S WHAT THE STATE LAW REQUIRES. AND THE STATE OF TEXAS DID PUT THE VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE YOU PAID YOUR POOR TAX. IT MIGHT MAKE SOMEBODY FEEL BAD WHEN YOU GO BACK THROUGH HISTORY, BUT THAT'S WHY THEY DID IT. THAT'S WHERE YOU WENT TO PAY YOUR POLL TAX AND YOU WOULD REGISTER VOTE THERE. THOSE IN MY FAMILY THAT PAID IT CERTAINLY DIDN'T WANT TO -- EVEN IF THEY HAD THE MONEY FOR A POLL TAX. PEOPLE TEND TO BE BETTER FOCUSED AND MAYBE WHEN WE SET IT UP WE SHOULD HAVE HAD A DISCUSSION ON WHETHER OR NOT WE MOVED EVERYBODY OVER PEOPLE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY COULD DO THE PRIMARY JOBS OF THE OFFICES. I AM NOT BLAMING THEM. WANTING TO KEEP AS MANY EMPLOYEES AS THEY COULD. LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY. I AM GOING TO ENSURE IF PEOPLE VOTE D OR R OR INDEPENDENT OR HOW THEY VOTE. THEY WILL HAVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS THEY CAN AND WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE CONFEDERATE-TYPE POLICY THAT'S THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE IS PUTTING IN PLACE, AS MUCH WAS WE CAN DO THAT THE LAUPER FITS I WILL ADVOCATE WE MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMOCRACY. FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO PRAY OVER THE LACK OF DEMOCRACY IN UKRAINE, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE LACK OF DEMOCRACY RIGHT HERE. DON'T JUST PASS A RESOLUTION AND PRAY OVER IT. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND IF I CAN JUST FOLLOW-UP JUST BY I WANT TO TAKE A QUICK SECOND TO THANK ALL OF THE ELECTION JUDGES REGARDLESS OF PARTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU ENJOY DOING AND MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH THIS ELECTION IS REDEFINE DEBACLE. AND NOW WE REALLY KNOW WHAT A TKAU -- A DEBACLE IS. THAT'S ONE. TWO, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SUPPRESSION THIS ELECTION WAS THE PURE DEFINITION OF SUPPRESSION. IT SUPPRESSED EVERYBODY. THERE WASN'T ANY OF THE -- THE CONSTANT REFERENCE OF CONFEDERACY. IT WASN'T THAT. IT WAS EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY WAS SUPPRESSED. AND I AM STILL GOING TO BRING IT UP AND I STILL THINK WE NEED TO LOOK INTO IT. THE NEWSPAPER REPORTED, THERE WEREMP ELOYEES IN THE EA'S OFFICE HAVINGST AHMA ATTACKS, EXHAUSTION,AK BREING DOWN BECAUSEY THEHADN'TPT SLE AND ALMOSTRT HEA ATTACKS. I AMOM RECMENDING HR LOOK AT [05:00:01] THAT B ANDE SUREN' WE DOT HAVEEM PLOYEE ISSUES THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU CAN DIRECT THAT --TH I MEAN EY HEARD YOU, COMMISSIONER.>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HAVE A BREAK H DOWN INERE DON'T HAVE LUNCH. >> EYE --IS ITEM 152 THEREAC ANY TION>>. LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOTED POST FOR ACTION.T SO IIS 3:47.TA LET'S KE A BREAK >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. IT IS 4:34 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IF SESSION. LET'S START WITH THE [Departments (Part 4 of 5)] NON-EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. FIRST IS ITEM 14. THAT IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM. WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEE THE INDICATORS DECLINE WHICH IS GREAT. HOPEFULLY WE WILL REACH YELLOW IN A COUPLE OF DAYS OF AND I HAVE HAD ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE NEW CDC GUIDELINES ON MASKING. I WILL HAVE MORE UPDATES AFTER THAT. THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAD. COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANTED TO ASK IF THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS TO WHERE THEY REMOVED THE MASK MANDATES AND THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF SPOKE WITHOUT A MASK AND CALLED ON THE NATION TO GET BACK TO NORMAL, IF THAT HAD ANY IMPACT ON WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO DO WITH YOUR EMERGENCY POWERS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM TALKING TO THEM LATER THIS WEEK ABOUT THE MASKING. I KNOW THE GUIDANCE HAD CHANGED AND CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE BEHIND THE TIMES WITH THIS. LET ME CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU AFTER I TALK WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM. AS FAR AS THE EMERGENCY AUTHORITY, MY POSITION CONTINUES TO BE WHAT IT HAS BEEN WHICH IS SO LONG AS THE GOVERNOR HAS THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION, I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THIS. I HOPE, COMMISSIONER, I REALLY HOPE THAT THE WAY WE SAW -- THE WAVE WE SAW WAS THE LAST ONE. WE WILL SEE OTHER WAYS, BUT IT WILL NOT IMPACT OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, BUT SOMETHING WE LIVE WITH. I DON'T THINK ANYONE KNOWS IF THAT IS THE CASE. WE MAY HAVE ENOUGH VACCINATIONS AND WE MAY HAVE ENOUGH WIDELY AVAILABLE TREATMENT. WE STILL HAD THE HOSPITAL HOSPITALS TACKS -- TAXED. WE HAVE ANOTHER WAVE THAT HAS THE HOSPITALS ON EDGE THEN WE MAY NEED THE AUTHORITY HAS -- AS WE HAVE. I HOPE THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I THINK THAT'S A CHANCE AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE BANKING ON. THAT WE ARE IN A PLACE WHERE WE ARE -- AND IT WILL BE SORT OF AN INCONVENIENCE AS OPPOSED TO SOMETHING THAT IMPACT HAD OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER REQUEST ON THE ITEM? NO ACTION, JAMES. AND NEXT IS ITEM 126. BUT ACTUALLY THE BOND MONITOR IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL 5 P.M. WHICH IS 23 MINUTES FROM NOW. SO LETSY -- LET'S SKIP OVER TO THAT ITEM. IT IS THE REPORT ON THE O'DONNELL MONITOR. >> WHICH NUMBER? >> LINA HIDALGO: 295. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 295. >> PROFESSOR THOMPSONON IS THE LINE,GE JUD. >>INA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, SOPROFESR TOM MA SON.>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THE PROFESSOR MUTED. >> SHE CAN UNMUTE A HERSELFND ON. HER VIDEO SHE MAY HAVE STEPPED AWAY FROMCO HER MPUTER. TAKENNEY ELLIS: WE HAVE A LITTLE >>I HI. JUST TEXTEDTH HER. IS IS ANNA CORREA. I JUST TEXTED HER.EF SO HOPULLY SHE WILL BEG JOININN. US VERY SOO >> LINA HIDALGO: AS SOON AS WETO THE MONIR ON THE LINE WE WILL GET IN THE T MEANTIME WE CANALK ITEM 126 AND [05:05:06] COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THIS IS THE TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT. >> TOM RAMSEY: MQUESTION, JUDGE, WAS SIMPLY WHY IS THE TAX? ABATEMENT NECESSARY I GUESS WE DON'T DO THAT MANY, BUT WHY IS IT NECEARY IN THIS CASE? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR DEEO. THIS ITEM IS NOT A TAX WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND WE ARE NOT INVOLVED INBE THIS. THIS IS CAUSETH WE ARE A MEMBER OF E FOREIGN TRADE ZONE, OF THE TERZ24. AND BECAUSE WE ARE A MEMBEOF THE TERZ24, THE STATUTE OUT -- THE STATUTE REQUIRES US TO OFGIVE A BLESSING TO THE CITY HOUSTON FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO ENTER INTO A TAX ABATEMENT. SO THEY ARE A PARTY TO THE TAX ABATEMENT. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO TAKE THE ACTION. F >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOUOR THE GREAT WORK ON THAT. MIGHT I -- COMMISSIONER? I WAS GOING TO SAY THEY WERE ASKING US FOR AN ABATEMENT, BUT THEY DID NOT MEET THE GUIDELINES FOR US TO GIVE A TAX ABATEMENT. IF YOU WOULD JUST WALK THROUGH THAT A BIT. WHY GIVE AN ABATEMENT? THEY WANT TO SAVE SOME MONEY. IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING IF YOU HAVE A SENSE TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE COUNTY GIVE ABATEMENTS. WE DON'T GIVE THEM AS OFTEN AS THE CITY DOES, BUT WALK THROUGH THE POLICY. I AM KIND OF PROUD OF THAT. IT WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS WE PUT ON THE AGENDA. WE NEED SOME STANDARDS IF WE ARE GIVING SOMEBODY A TAX BREAK. >> YES, SIR. HARRIS COUNTY UPDATED SOME POLICY ON THE TAX ABATEMENTS. IT INCLUDED HIGHER LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BUSINESS FOR THE TAX ABATEMENT. IT INCLUDES WORK FOR MINIMUM WAGE STANDARDS OF $15 AN HOUR. AND REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE AT A HIGHER LEVEL. WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO REVIEW THE POLICY EVERY TWO YEARS. AND WHEN WE WORKED WITH THE BUSINESS THAT IS SEEKING THE TAX ABATEMENT, THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS FOR US. AND SO THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO RELY ON THE POLICY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT UNLESS THEY MET THE POLICY REQUIREMENTS, WE WOULDN'T BE FORWARDING THAT REQUEST ON TO THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT. >> AND WAS THERE SOME ISSUE ABOUT THEM BEING IN LITIGATION? WAS IT US WITH OR SOME OTHER ENTITY SUING THEM? >> IT WAS THE OTHER LITIGATION THEY WERE IN AND IT WAS WITH -- I BELIEVE IT WAS WITH THE HARRIS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT. IF THEY WERE LITIGATING ON THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT WAS A CONCERN WE HAD. THEY WERE SEEKING A TAX ABATEMENT FROM US. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS IT IS A GREAT BUILDING. IF WE GET A TAX ABATEMENT OVER HERE I WON'T VOTE FOR IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I WOULD ASK YOU TO AS WE ARE TALKING THE OTHER DAY AND YOU CAN GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT TO REALLY BE A CONTEMPORARY TAX ABATE -- TAX ABATEMENT POLICY. AND I THINK WE HAVE DONE OKAY WITH OUR FIRST FIRST ATTEMPT AT IT. THE TAX ABATEMENTS ARE UTILIZED BY A COMPANY AND THEN 10 YEARS LATER THEY SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THEN THEY GO TO THE NEXT BEST DEAL AROUND THE COUNTRY. >> EXACTLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHILE IN THOSE 10 YEARS -- I WONDER IF THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO APPROACH THAT WILL GIVE A TAX ABATEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO LOOK AT IT AND SEE IF THERE IS A MUCH MORE CONTEMPORARY TAX ABATEMENT POLICY THAT WE CAN -- THAT WE CAN HAVE BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS JUST -- AND, LOOK, [05:10:06] WHEN THEY CREATE 125 JOBS THEY GENERALLY LEAVE THEM OFF THE LEDGER BEFORE THEY GET HERE AND THEN THEY MIRACULOUSLY FIRE 125 PEOPLE. AND I DON'T WANT TO INDICT EVERYBODY, BUT IT DOES HAPPEN. AND THEN LASTLY TO ENSURE WHERE WE HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME THAT WE ARE DOING AN UH -- AN AUDIT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE GETTING OUT OF THE ABATEMENTS. A. >> YES, SIR. AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT OVER THE SUMMER AND WE WILL LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES AND BENCHMARKING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION TO SEE WHO DOES THE BEST WORK ON THAT. >> YOU KNOW YOU HAVE GOOD IDEAS FROM WHAT YOU DID IN TRAVIS COUNTY. I KNOW IT IS LATE IN THE DAY, BUT SEND US A REPORT ON HOW MANY TAX ABATE -- TAX ABATEMENTS. I CAN THINK OF A FEW. >> WE WERE GOING TO DO ONE WITH EXXON, BUT IT DIDN'T QUALIFY. WE DID A 280 AGREEMENT WITH EXXON. THEY USED THEIR MONEY TO BUILD THE COUNTY ROADS AND THEN ON THE INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF THE ROADS WE SPLIT IT HALF THE COUNTY AND HALF TO PAYOFF THE BONDS THEY ISSUED TO BUILD OUR ROADS. SO THEN THAT WAY THEY COULD PUT THEIR ROADS IN NOW OFF OF THEIR CAPITAL AND THEN TAKE THE PAYMENT OF THEIR BONDS THAT THEY ISSUED FOR THAT OVER TIME. THE CITY IS A 280 AGREEMENT AND THE COUNTY IS A 281. THEY FRONT LOADED THE CAPITAL TO BUILD THE ROAD THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS. AND THEN OUT OF THE INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF THE AREA BECAUSE OF THE ROAD GOING IN AND DEVELOPMENT GOING IF SPLIT THE INCREASE OF THE VALUE FOR 10 YEARS OR FOR HOWEVER LONG THE AGREEMENT WAS. SO THEY GOT PAID BACK WHAT THEY SPENT ON THE ROAD SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO BUILD THE ROAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST CURIOUS, HOW MUCH ARE THEY SAVING FROM THE CITY? >> I WOULD LIKE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION ON THAT. THAT AGREEMENT WAS ACTUALLY NOT WITH EXXON ITSELF. IT WAS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND EXXON IS LOCATED IN THE DISTRICT. I DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS ON THAT, BUT I CAN GET THAT FOR YOU AND WE WILL BE SURE TO PUT A REPORT TOGETHER ON ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE WHETHER THEY ARE TAX ABATEMENT, WHETHER THEY ARE FOREIGN TRADE ZONE, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE. THESE HCIB PROGRAMS, AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THAT TO YOU ALL IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS IF THAT'S OKAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COVENTRY IS THE ACTUAL COMPANY WE DEALT WITH WHICH IS THE DEVELOPER IN THE AREA. EXXON WAS STARTING TO APPLY AND THEY DID NOT APPLY BECAUSE THEY HAD TO REVEAL UH THE OF INFORMATION ABOUT HOW MANY EMPLOYEES THEY WERE BRINGING. AND THEY DIDN'T WANT THEIR PROPRIETARY INFORMATION GETTING OUT THERE. AND SO THEY BACKED OFF OF REQUESTING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST CURIOUS, HOW MUCH WILL THEY SAVE BY NOT PAYING THE CITY? >> I DON'T HAVE THOSE DETAILS, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU COULD HAVE HAD IT RIGHT THERE. >> I WISH I DID. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MONITOR IS ON THE LINE NOW. SO PERHAPS WE APPROVE -- >> TOM RAMSEY: MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES ON 126. AND NOW LET'S GET MONITOR THOMPSON ON THE LINE. IT IS FOR ITEM 295. >> AND WE HAVE BRANDON GARRETT AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: WONDERFUL. PROFESSOR, GO AHEAD. >> BRANDON, DO YOU WANT TO GO? >> SURE. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS. SANDY MAY BE ABLE TO STAY ON LONGER THAN I KA -- THAN I CAN. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US PRESENT TO YOU FOR THE O'DONNELL DECREE. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT KIND OF A DAY YOU HAVE HAD AND SAT THROUGH MANY HOURS OF HARD WORK. AS YOU KNOW OUR ROLE IS WHOLLY [05:15:01] INDEPENDENT OF MANY OF THE PARTIES. OUR JOB IS TO REPORT TO THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE PROGRESS OF THE CONSENT DECREE. WE WERE APPOINTED BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW MISDEMEANOR BAIL WAS FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL AFTER YEARS OF LITIGATION THAT WE TOOK NO PART IN. OUR WORK REFERS TO MISDEMEANOR WAYSES AND THE PRE-TRIAL PROCESS IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE COMPLETED TWO YEARS OF WORK IN THE ROLE. THE PARTY ENVISIONED A SEVEN-YEAR TERM BECAUSE THERE IS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. SECOND AT THE BAIL HEARINGS THERE IS PUBLIC REPRESENTATION AND DISCOVERY AND OTHER DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS AND MAKING THE BAIL HEARINGS FAR MORE ROBUST THAN THE MISDEMEANOR CASES. THURD THE CONSENT TKAU KWRAOE -- THIRD, THE CONSENT DECREE INCLUDING AN EXCITED -- AN EXCITING AND NEW SYSTEM OF COURT NOTIFICATIONS. AND IT CALLS FOR CERTAIN OUTSIDE EVALUATIONS AND PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE DATA PORTAL. SO IN OUR LATEST REPORT. IT IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR THREE PRIOR REPORTS IT IS ARRESTED FOR MISDEMEANORS THAT IS DE KLAIN -- DECLINED A GREAT DEAL WITH A SLIGHT UP TICK POST PANDEMIC IN 2 WR-R 2 -- 2021. THE PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR MISDEMEANORS WITH NEW CHARGES FILED IN ONE YEAR HAS STEADY DECLINED. IN 2015 THE EXAMPLE WAS 11,088 PERSONS AND IN 2020 IT WAS 8,647 PERSONS. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THESE POSITIVE RESULTS, BUT THEY CERTAINLY SHOW THAT THE REARRESTS ARE NOT MORE COMMON AFTER THE O'DONNELL REFORMS BEGAN. THERE ARE ALSO 15,000 FEWER PEOPLE IN THE JAIL OVER THE COURSE OF EACH YEAR ON MISDEMEANORS. AND THERE HAVE BEEN IN 2015. THIS DROP IS DUE IN PART TO THE OVERALL DROP IN MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS. BUT IT IS LIKELY PARTICULARLY DUE TO THE CONSENT DECREE THAT GRANTS MOST A RIGHT TO RELEASE WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF MONEY. UNDER O'DONNELL AND RACIAL DISPARITIES BETWEEN KNOWS -- THOSE WHO DID AND DID NOT GET RELEASED, QUICKLY AFTER THE FORMS WERE ADOPTED THERE WAS A GROWING TREND WHERE MOST CASES ARE DISMISSED. MOST RECENTLY CONSISTING OF 68% OF THE CASES DISPOSED OF IN 2019 AND 2020. THE NEW CHANGES AFFECT MULTIPLE STAGES OF THE PROCESS OF THE MISDEMEANOR CASES. SOME OF THE CHANGES ARE STILL ON GOING. WE HAVE SEEN OVERALL COST SAVINGS FROM THE O'DONNELL CHANGES AND OUR MOST RECENT REPORT DIGS IN DEEPER THAN WE HAVE INTO THE COST SAVINGS AND THE NEW COSTS, OF COURSE. IT RESULTS IN LARGE SAVINGS DESPITE THE ADDED COSTS. WE ESTIMATED THE ANNUAL AVERAGE SAVINGS OF $6 MILLION PER YEAR UNDER THE CONSENT DECREE INCLUDING REDUCED COST FOR ARREST, BOOKING, PRE-TRIAL SCREENING AND BOND HEARINGS AND PRE-TRIAL DETENTION. THE SAVINGS TO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE FAR LARGER INCLUDING LOST WAGES AND THE LIKE, WAGES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST IF THE PEOPLE WERE DETAINED AT PRE-TRIAL. IT IS AN ESTIMATED $60 MILLION PER YEAR. THAT COST WORK IS STILL ON GOING AND THERE ARE ADDITIONAL COSTS WE ARE EXAMINING INCLUDING COST TO VICTIMS AND THE BENEFITS OF CERTAIN DIVERSION PROGRAMS. WE EMPHASIZE IT IS A LONG-TERM UNDERTAKING WITH TWO YEARS BEHIND US. OTHERS ARE STILL IN PROGRESS. THE COURT APPEARANCE PROVISIONS AND THE ELECTRONIC COURT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM WHICH IS ON A LARGE SCALE SUCH MISDEMEANOR SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED AND WE ARE REVIEWING HOW IS THIS GOING AND THERE IS ADDITIONAL PROGRESS INCLUDING RESPONSES TO SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUTSIDE VENDORS REGARDING INDIGENT DEFENSE. AND THERE IS A PUBLIC DATA PORTAL TO TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE SYSTEM. THE COUNTY MADE PROGRESS WITH THAT AND WE HOPE IT IS READY SOON. THAT'S OUR BIG PICTURE. THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT. WE THANK YOU AND ALL OF THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS WHOSE HARD WORK HAS MADE THESE REFORMS POSSIBLE. AND WE WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK YOUANCE -- I THINK YOU ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS I WANTED TO ASK, BUT I WANTED TO STRESS IF CASE SOME OF US DIDN'T CATCH. IT HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE WE SAVED AS A RESULT OF THE O'DONNELL SETTLEMENT? YOU SAID SIX MILLION. MY FIGURES SAY 6.6 MILLION PER YEAR. >> IT IS AN AVERAGE OF 6.6 MILLION PER YEAR SINCE IT WAS -- SINCE THESE REFORMED WERE IMPLEMENTED. THAT'S BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR AND WE HAVE GOOD COST ESTIMATES FROM THE MAIN ELEMENTS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY GOOD NEWS. THE SAVINGS ARE 10 TIMES THAT IN TERMS OF THE COSTS THE OLD SYSTEMS ARE IMPOSING ON [05:20:11] FAMILIES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T HEAR THE NUMBER, BUT YOU COMMENTED ABOUT WHERE WE WOULD BE IF WE DIDN'T DO A MISDEMEANOR JAIL. WHAT IS THE ESTIMATE ON HOW MANY MORE FOLKS WE HAVE IN JAIL IF WE HAD NOT DONE THE O'DONNELL SETTLEMENT FOR MISDEMEANORS? >> IT IS ABOUT -- IT HAS GONE UP AND DOWN. THERE ARE A FEW MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS AS WELL, BUT IT IS ABOUT 15,000 OR FEWER PEOPLE IN THE JAIL FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. THE STAYS ARE SHORT, BUT THERE IS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE. >> YOU MENTIONED IT, BUT WHAT IMPACT HAS MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM HAD ON NEW CHARGES AND REARREST RATES? -WE- SKRAEU WEEE S NO CHANGE. THEAM SE RATE OF PEOPLE ARRESTED, BUT FEWER PEOPLE OVERALL. FEWER PEOPLEIN COMG BACK INTO THE SYSTEM.WE SAW AN UPIN TICK THE AARRESTND AFTER THE PANDEMIC.IT DIPPED A LITTLEBU BIT, T GENERAL FEWERAN MISDEMEOR ARRESTS ANDEA FEWER RRRESTS. >>TH AND BY E WAY, I AM RODNEYLI ELS. I KNOW -- IN CASE YOU DIDN'TH CATCTHE SOUTHERNM DRAW, I A ISRODNEY ELL. >> WE HAVE VIDEO.OD >> RNEY ELLIS: OKAY. JUST IN GENERAL TERMS I KNOWNY THAT A FORM B OF BAIL HASEEN A P SCAPEGOAT FOREOPLEN' WOULD DOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT REAL REFORM.T ANY COMMENYOU ANDOK I KNOW YOU ARE LOING AROUND THESE COUNTRY ABOUT THE ISSUES ABOUT BAIL REFORM ANDIN THE UP TICK CRIME. >> CRIME TRENDS HAVE BEEN COMPLICATED. WE HAVE RECORD NUMBERS OF SHOOTINGS. AND ARE LOOKING FOR CAUSES OF THE UP TICK IN SHOOTINGS. THE BAIL REFORM IN HOUSTON IS A MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM. THESE ARE MISDEMEANOR CASES. NOT ALL ARE LOW-LEVEL. SOME ARE REPEAT DUI CASES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES. BUT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DIFFERENTAL ECOSYSTEM IN OUR CRIMIN SYSTEM. THE WHOLE MISDEMEANOR SPACE. I DO THINK THERE HAS BEEN CONFUSION AROUND BAIL REFORM. THE BAILBO REFORMS ARE TO THE JUST AUT WHO IS IN AND WHO IS OUT. IT IS ABOUT SUPPORTS LIKE COURT APPEARANCE SUPPORTS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE SUCCEED IN THEIR CASES. IT IS ABOUT HAVING MENTAL HEARINGS WHERE YOU CAN -- HAVE BAIL HEARINGS WHERE THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN. AND WE HAVE SEEN CASUAL REPORTING WHICH IS OUTSIDE OUR SCOPE, BUT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT CASES SAYING THEY ARE OUT ON BAIL. THAT ILLUSTRATES SOME OF THE DEFECTS OF THE CASH SYSTEM. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS NOT A SYSTEM FOCUSED ON A CASH BAIL SYSTEM. INSTEAD THERE IS A CAREFUL INYEAR REINTO -- CAREFUL INQUIRY INTO PUBLIC SAFE TEA AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT AS AN IMPROVEMENT IN A MISDEMEANOR SPACE. THERE HAS BEEN NO REFORM LIKE THAT. I NEED TO LOG OFF IN A SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?EE SRABG -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE THR FAIRLY QUICK QUESTIONS. I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME THE HUNDRED AND 9-PAGE REPORT. DO YOU HAVE DATA ON WHAT BONDS AND -- HO -- ON BONDS AND FORFEIT -- FORFEITURES? >> I HAVE TO LOG OFF IN A SECOND. WE KNOW THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE IN THE PAST AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS ON HOW WELL IT WAS REPORTED. WE DON'T SEE MUCH CHANGE IN RECENT YEARS. OVERALL THERE WAS A DECLINE. BUT WE KNOW THE DATA HAS NOT BEEN RELIABLE. THERE IS A NEW SYSTEM FOR EVEN DEFINING WHEN SOMEONE CAN FAIL BOND AND FOR WHAT COUNTS AS AN [05:25:03] INEXCUSABLE NONUH -- NON-APPEARANCE. IT WENT INTO PLACE A YEAR AGO. H AND NOW WE ARE JUST LOOKING AT THE DATA FOR THE FIRST YEAR UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM. WE ARE NOT SURE IF IT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE OLD SYSTEM, BUT WE ARE STARTING TO DIG INTO IT. THERE IS CONCERN BASED ON THE OLD DATA, BUT WE KNOW IT IS NOT -- IT DOESN'T REFLECT THE TRUTH AS FAR AS FAILURES TO APPEAR OR THE FAILURES OF THE BOND. >> CAN WE GET THAT FOR YOU? >> WE REPORT ON IT. AND IN PAST REPORTS AS WELL. >> DO YOU HAVE MISDEMEANOR DEFENDANTS THAT THEN BECOME CHARGED WITH FELONIES? >> WE SEPARATE THAT IN OUR ANALYSIS AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN CHANGES OVER TIME IN THOSE PERCENTAGES EITHER. >> HOW MUCH MONEY DID THE COUNTY PAY FOR THIS REPORT? >> THEY DON'T PAY ANYTHING FOR A REPORT. WE HAVE A YEARLY BUDGET. >> HOW MUCH IS THAT? >> $200,000. WE ARE INCREDIBLY CHEAP. YOU CAN SEE OUR STATEMENTS OF WORK ON THE WEBSITE AND WE SUBMIT BUDGE -- BUDGETS TO YOU. I HAVE TO LOG ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, PROFESSOR. ANY OWE QUESTIONS? I BELIEVE WE HAVE PROFESSOR THOMPSON ON THE LINE STILL IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN. >> I CAN TRY TO ANSWER IFYT I CAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T HAVE ANHING. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A TRANSMITTAL SO WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON IT. THAT WAS ITEM 295. LET'S GO BACK TO 137, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 12 POSITIONS FOR HRM. >> TOM RAMSEY: THE QUESTION HERE AS I UNDERSTAND IT THE COUNTY HR IS GOING TO HELP DIRECTLY WITH PUBLIC HEALTH. IS THAT GENERALLY IT? AND YOU EXPECT THERE TO BE SOME TKEURBT -- DE TP-RBT SEES. -- DEFICIENCIES. YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO TRANSFER ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE DOING THIS TO HR IN GENERAL. YOU WOULD THINK THAT WHEN YOU CONSOLIDATE THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN EFFICIENCIES AND EITHER THERE IS POSITIONS OPEN AT THE OVERALL HR. THAT'S A SIMPLE QUESTION AND I DON'T KNOW WHO CAN ANSWER THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, ARE YOU ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION? >> YES, I AM. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE [INAUDIBLE]. OH. HOW IS THAT? IN THIS CASE, DIRECTOR ROBINSON VISITED WITH OUR OFFICER AND THEY FELT IT WAS STILL NEEDED. THERE IS A LOT OF HIRING AND RECRUITING AND RETENTION TO DO IN PUBLIC HEALTH RIGHT NOW GIVEN EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH THE PANDEMIC. I AM OPTIMISTIC IF WE SEE MORE DEPARTMENTS TO CHOOSE TO MOREOVER -- TO MOVE OVER TO A MORE CENTRALIZED POLICY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT WAS MY ONLY QUESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. APPROVED AS PRESENTED? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM 137. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? CARRIES FAN -- UNANIMOUSLY. 140, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. IF THE DEPARTMENT WAS ON THE LINE I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO ANSWER A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. I THINK THIS WAS DR. HOLLOWAY? WHICH ONE WAS IT? DR. HOLLOWAY, ARE YOU THERE? DOC? >> HELLO? >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. HOLLOWAY, THIS IS -- >> HI, GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS AND GOOD EVENING, JUDGE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS THE ITEM AT WEST UNIVERSITY. [05:30:07] I THINK YOU WERE REACHING OUT OR THE MAYOR WAS REACHING OUT TO THE OFFICIALS TO SEE IF THEY WOULD ADOPT THE ATLAS14 STANDARDS AND CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE? MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE ASKED FLOOD CONTROL. HOW MANY JURISDICTIONS HAVE ADOPTED IT? IT BLURS AFTER AWHILE. >> IT WOULD BE THE COUNTY ENGINEER. THEY ARE MAINTAINING THE VIN -- THE INVENTORY OF THOSE ADOPTING ATLAS. AND OUR PROJECT IS A DR PROJECT. WE WENT THROUGH THE COMPETITIVE PROCESS. AND IT WAS TO ALLOW US TO SUBMIT THE PRAGUE -- THE PROCESS FOR APPROVAL. WE CAN ADD ANY LANGUAGE WE WILL PUT IN THE AGREEMENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH ATLAS. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP OF WHAT WOULD BE THREE STEPS, IF YOU WILL, TO FINALIZE THE PROJECT. FIRST TO GET APPROVAL FROM GLO. THAT'S THROUGH COURT ACTION AND THEN THE APPROVAL RECEIVED FROM GLO AND WHATEVER STIPULATIONS THEY MAY PUT ON THE PROJECT AND THEN IT WOULD BE RETURNING BACK TO COURT WITH AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DR AND HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND WEST UNIVERSITY FOR THIS DR PROJECT. RODRIGUEZ. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHO -- WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS HOLD IT FOR TWO WEEKS TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS. I THINK HE TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE A CITY ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO ADOPT THE STANDARDS. MILTON MIGHT BE ON THE LINE. I THINK HE SAID -- THERE YOU ARE, DOCTOR. >> GOOD EVENING. MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND JUDGE, ARE YOU RIGHT. 17 JURISDICTIONS OUT OF 34 AGENCIES HAVE ADOPTED THE MINIMUM STANDARD REGULATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I THINK YOU TOLD ME FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH SMALLER CITIES THAT IT MAY TAKE TWO OR THREE MONTHS. IS THAT RIGHT? WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T LOSE THE ABILITY TO PROGRAM THE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ADOPT THE STANDARDS. I GUESS MAYBE THIS -- DR. HOLLOWAY YOU WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE THREE-MONTH TIMELINE IF IT TAKES THAT LONG? >> YES. WE RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON THE COME PLAY YENS. IT -- THEY ARE WORKING ON THE COMPLIANCE. WE ARE MONITORING THE TIME FRAME AND WE HROPBT LOSE THE -- WE DON'T LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT WE HAVE ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS FOR THE REINVESTMENT IF NECESSARY. AND THERE ARE OTHER PROJECTS WE CAN INVEST IN. THEY CAN COMPLETE IT IN TIME BEFORE THE END OF THE GRANT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THE 17 ADOPTED, DO WE HELP THEM FROM COUNTY ENGINEERING OR CSD FOR THAT MATTER IF THEY NEED HELP FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO LET THEIR CONSTITUENTS KNOW WHY THEY ARE BEING ASKED TO ADOPT ATLAS STANDARDS. >> COMMISSIONER, THE ANSWER IS YES AND WE OFFERED SOME OF THE OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT THEY HAVE NOT ADOPTED YET TO PROVIDE SUPPORT. WE HAVE A CONSULTANT THAT IS HELPING US AND WE OFFERED THE CONSULTANT SUPPORT TO OUR AGENCIES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MIGHT JUST SEND US A LIST. I HAVE LOOKED AT IT BEFORE, BUT WHO THE 17 CITIES ARE. I HOPE ALL OF US WILL DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO GO AHEAD AND ADOPT THE STANDARDS AS WELL. >> YES. WE WILL SEND A COPY TO ALL OF YOUR OFFICERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THEY TWO TALLIES, MILTON? >> YES, JUDGE. THE DETENTION DEPARTMENT IS PART OF IT. THE MINIMUM STANDARD THAT WE HAVE SET UP BACK IN MAY 2020 IT INCLUDES AND [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE SAME 17 CITY THAT'S HAVE ADOPTED -- OR HAVE MORE CITIES ADOPTED THE DETENTION REQUIREMENTS? >> THE 17 CITIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOAT IT -- GOT IT. WE NEED TO WORK ON THAT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN GARCIA. >> TOM RAMSEY: HAVING HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES AND MANY OF OUR CITIES, I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE THERE WAS THAT MANY. I WILL PUT THAT IN THE CATEGORY OF LEADERSHIP. OUR ABILITY TO PARTNER WITH THOSE CITIES AND COUNTIES. [05:35:03] I KNOW ONE CALLED ME TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ATLAS 14. IT IS INTERESTING THAT AS WE EVALUATE THE WATER FROM ONE COUNTY TO THE OTHER THAT WE HAVE ONE STANDARD AND I CONSIDER ATLAS 14 AND THE DETENTION A HIGHER STANDARD AND YOU HAVE A LOWER STANDARD AND IT MAKES NO SENSE FOR US TO GET THAT IN THE SAME CONTEXT I WOULD SAY THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY NEED TO CONTINUE. AND MILTON, WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS CONVERSATION KPWRET -- YET, BUT LET'S BE SURE THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY ARE ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO THE DETENTION REQUIREMENTS AND THE OTHER PERTINENT FLOOD CONTROL ISSUES. WE ARE PRETTY CLOSE, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT IS EXACTLY THE SAME. IT IS GOOD CONVERSATION AND WE SHOULD. >> YES, COMMISSIONER. I WILL BE IN CONTACT. WE HAD A PROCESS TO ADOPT AND AT THIS POINT THE CITY ADOPTED THE DETENTION BASE, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION. WE WILL STREAM LINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE SO WE ARE SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE. >> SO WE HOLD IT FOR TWO WEEKS. >> I HAD ASKED DR. HOLLOWAY WHETHER THERE WAS ANY HARM IN APPROVING THIS. HOW DID YOU CATEGORIZE THIS? THIS WAS JUST A REPORT OR I FORGET HOW YOU MENTIONED. AND THERE WAS NO OBLIGATION OF FUNDING. WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDATION? ARE WE -- BECAUSE TWO WEEKS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE ENOUGH TIME TO HOLD IT. IT IS TO ENSURE THAT THE CITIES ADOPT THE MINIMUM STANDARDS. >> IT ALLOWS US TO SUBMIT THE APPROVAL BY THE GLO. RIGHT NOW THERE IS NOT AN APPROVAL FROM THE GLO AND A COMMITMENT OF FUNDS. IT WILL ALLOW IT TO BE REVIEWED AND IN THE INTERIM IF WE WERE TO WAIT FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE BRINGING IT BACK TO ANOTHER COURT CYCLE, IT WOULD AT LEAST HAVE THE -- IT WOULD ALLOW US TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THEM AND GET A COMMITMENT ON MAKING SURE THEY ARE PLANNING ON COMPLYING. IF WE COME BACK WITH A GRANT OR A CONTRACT ANDN AAGREEMENT WITH USND A WESTNI UVERSITY IN THAT CONTRACT WEAN C ADDHE T STULATION THAT THERE WILL BE A COMPLIANCEDU PROCED BETWEEN WEST UNIVERSITY A ANDTLAS. WE HAVE AE COUPLOF DIFFERENTOP PORTUNITIES. LE>> AT AST FOR ME SINCE WILL BE IN MY PRECINCT, IT IS NOT NOW,AN BUT I WT THEM TOOW KN I DON'T WANTE PRESSUR TOGH SI -- TO SAY WE MOVED IT FORWARD. I WANT THEMEF TO KNOW BORE WE MOVE IT.NT I WA TOLE BE VERY CAR THAT E THEYXPECT IT TO ADOPT ATLAS 14.IN >> LA HIDALGO: FOR NOW TOT, HOLD I NO ACTION? >>OM THEY WILL CE BACKME WITH SO LANGUAGEOD. >> RNEY ELLIS: IN TWO WEEKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON 140.S ITEM 152 INEXTAL WHICH WE READY TOOK UP ALONG WITH ITEM 305.E ITEM 153, THTI POLLING LOCAONS FOR THE MAY 7TH LOCATIONS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE HOLDING OUT FOR AN ANSWER. IT T APPEARED IN READINGHIS T THAT IT WAS --HAT WE HAD AT NOTTINGHAM PARK FOR EARLY VOTE, BUT IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE NOTTINGHAM PARK WAS THERE FOR ELECTION DAY. WERE TRYING TOHA GET CONFIRMATION TT WE HAVE -- THERE IS OUR EA. >> JUST AS A NOTE FOR EVERYONE, ALL EARLY-VOTE LOCATIONS ARE AS WELL FOR THE CONSISTENCY OF VOTERS. [05:40:02] ALL EARLY LOCATIONS DOUBLING ASY -- LOCATIONS DOUBLE AS ELECTION DAY LOCATIONSAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: TH'S PROBABLY WHY IT WAS NOT STATED IN THE ELECTION DAY SECTION. JUST AS YOU CAME ON I GOT THE NOTE. I'M FINE WITH THE ITEM AS PRESENTED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY QUESTION ON THE ITEM HAD TO DO WITHE IN LIGHT OF THE CHANGES MAD THE CENTRAL COUNTY MANAGER FOR THE MAY -- THE MAY 7TH ELECTION IS IDENTIFIED AS EA LONG TKPWOR -- EA LONGORIA. THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME AT THIS POINT. SHOULD IT BE SOMEBODY ELSE IDENTIFIED AS A STATION MANAGER FOR THAT ELECTION? >> IF YOU ARE ASKING ME, SIR, I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND. USUALLY THE CENTRAL COUNTING MANAGER IS THE EARLY VOTING CLERK OR THES ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR BECAUSE IT IMY JOB TO PULL OUT THE RECORDS WHICH IS THE DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICANS TO REVIEW. AND SO IT IS LARGELY INFORMATIVE, BUT YOU COULD TALK TO THE PARTIES IF YOU WANTED THEM TO ASSIGN SOMEONE ELSE. IT WOULD BE SOMEONE IN MY OFFICE REGARDLESS. BUT TO BE CLEAR I AM HERE THROUGH JULY 31ST. I RETAIN THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE. ME.RODNEY ELLIS: AT LEAST FOR YOU ONLY HAVE ONE EA AT A TIME. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: PASS HAD -- PASSES 4-1. AND NEXT COMMISSIONER GARCIA UNCHARTED TERRITORY LLC. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT QUICKLY THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON IS MOVING FORWARD OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. IN THIS REGARD WE ARE REFERRING TO IT AS THE PRECINCT 2 WORKFORCE LAB PARTNERSHIP. IT IS A CERTIFIED MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND ACCREDITED LEGAL PROFESSIONAL AND ADOBE CERTIFIED WEB DEVELOPER. THIS IS EXCITING BECAUSE THIS ECONOMY HAS -- WITH THE PANDEMIC IT HAS DEMONSTRATED WHERE THE VULNERABILITY IS IN OUR ECONOMY. A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE DISPLACED IN THE SERVICE SECTOR. WE TALK ABOUT RESILIENCY IN TERMS OF FLOODING AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON RESILIENCY WITHIN OUR WORKFORCE. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE. I WANTED TO THANK TICO IN MY OFFICE FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS. VERY EXCITED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO PROVE THAT TODAY. >> SO MOVED. CONGRATULATIONS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY ON ITEM 203. THE NEXT IS ITEM 207, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. I WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS BECAUSE THIS CONTRACT WAS FOR -- RATHER 43 BIDS WERE RECEIVED OF WHICH 16 VENDORS WERE RECOMMENDED FOR AWARD. EIGHT OF THOSE 16 QUALIFY AS MWBE. THREE HAD PREVIOUS CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY AND 9 OF THEM ARE NEW VENDORS TO THE COUNTY. OF THE 27 THAT WERE NOT SELECTED THEY WERE DETERMINED TO BE -- RATHER, THEY WERE ELIMINATED BECAUSE OF BILL RIGHTS AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES. I WANTED TO JUST DOUBLE CHECK BECAUSE THERE WAS -- IT WAS INTERESTING THAT SOME FIRMS WHO HAVE DONE SOME OF THIS WORK CURRENTLY DID WORK FOR THE COUNTY WERE NOT CONSIDERED AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE UNDERSTANDING THIS. I DON'T KNOW IF MS. RAMIREZ IS STILL ON THE CALL. [05:45:06] THIS IS NUMBER 207. >> COMMISSIONER IF I MAY --S >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DWIGHT, DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTON THIS? >> ORIGINALLY THIS WAS BID IN LATE OCTOBER AND EARLY NOVEMBER. THERE WAS NOT AN MWBE GOAL ON IT BECAUSE WE ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES. THIS WILL COVER A LOT OF THE STAFFING FOR THE FEDERAL WORK BEING DONE THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH AND OTHERS. THERE WASN'T A SPECIFIC GOAL IN MIND. WHAT WE DID AND WE CAN PROVIDE YOU THE CRITERIA AND THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS. WE LOOKED AT THE NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT EACH ONE BID AND WE COMPARED THE CATEGORIES TOGETHER AND PROVIDED THEM TO THE STAFFING, OF ALL OF THE VENDORS THROUGH EACH DEPARTMENT AND IT IS ON THOSE FOUR OR FIVE CRITERIA. IT WASN'T THAT WE ELIMINATED THEM FROM THE PAST TRYING TO GET NEW VENDORS. WE WENT THROUGH AND FOUND THOSE WHO HAD THE BEST GLOBAL RATE. IT WAS THE NUMBER OF OFFERINGS THEY PROVIDED TO THE COUNTY. AND THEN THEY LOOKED AT EACH CATEGORY AND FIGURED OUT WHO HAD THE BEST RAEURB -- RATIO OF VENDORS. THERE WASN'T A SPECIFIC GOAL TO AN MWBE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL VISIT WITH YOU ON THIS LATER. I'M NOT SURE HOW TO INTERPRET WHAT YOU JUST SAID. WE DIDN'T HAVE A GOAL, BUT WE SELECTED MWBE'S. >> THERE WASN'T A GOAL SPECIFICALLY. THESE ARE PRIME CONTRACTORS AND NOT NECESSARILY SUBS. THERE WASN'T A SUB OPTION. WE HAD SEVERAL OF THE VENDORS THAT WERE MWBE'S THAT HAD THE BEST BILLABLE RATES AND OFFERED A LOT OF THE CATEGORIES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. I GOT IT NOW. THANK YOU, DWIGHT. I WILL CIRCLE BACK AROUND TO GET AND YOU OTHERS CONNECTED SO THEY CAN HAVE THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DWIGHT, IS THIS -- IS THIS A STAFFING SERVICES 1234* IS IT I'M -- STAFFING SEVEN-DAY FORECAST -- STAFFING SERVICES? IS IT IMPERATIVE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS? >> THEY HAVE A LOT OF THEIR PROJECT THEY WANT TO UTILIZE FIRMS LISTED ON THE CONTRACT. SO IF WE CAN MOVE THOSE, I THINK THEY ARE USING ARPA AND OTHER FUNDING. WE WANTED TO CAPTURE THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS SO THEY CAN USE IT FOR ALL OF THE PROJECTS. THE SOONER WE CAN DO IT THEN DR. BROWN AND MS. ROBINSON'S TEAM CAN UTILIZE THE CONTRACT. PREVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE FEDERAL GUIDE HRAOEUPBTS AND THERE WAS -- GUIDELINES AND THERE WAS NO AVENUE TO DO THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULD THIS BE ALL RIGHT IF WE HOLD THIS UNTIL THE END OF THE AGENDA AND ASK -- >> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR ROBINSON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS LIKE LUNCHTIME AROUND HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ASK HER AND SEE IF THERE IS A RUSH TO DO IT. COULD IT WAIT TWO WEEKS? I SEE IT IS ONE YEAR WITH FOUR -- ONE YEAR RENEWALS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LET ALL OF THESE FOLKS KNOW AND THE CONTRACTORS KNOW WHAT THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT ARE SO BEE -- ENGAGEMENT ARE SO WE DON'T STEP INTO ANY LEGAL CHALLENGES AND TO THE DEPARTMENT AND TO MR. RAMIREZ THE OTHER DAY. BUT IF THERE IS NO BIG RUSH -- IF THERE IS A RUSH I WOULD SAY -- I AM JUST ASKING DIRECTOR ROBINSON. >> CAN WE FIGURE OUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS YOU ARE HAVING AND SO MAYBE I CAN ANSWER THEM WITH YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN WE COME OUT OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MAYBE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE DIRECTOR IS NEVER BASH -- BASHFUL. LET US KNOW IF IT IS POSSIBLE. WE WILL DISCUSS THAT AT THE END OF COURT. 236. COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE YOUR MIC IS OFF. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DECIDE WE WILL HOLD THAT FROM DISCUSSION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE ALREADY HAD GRANT WRITERS. I THINK IF WE HAVE THE SHERIFF OR SOMEONE FROM HIS OFFICE ONLINE MY QUESTION COULD BE ANSWERED BY THEM IN A MOMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE SOMEONE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ANSWER A QUESTION ON 236? >> MICHAEL LANHAM IS ON THE LINE, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF HE [05:50:02] IS THE RIGHT PERSON. >> KPH-GSER -- COMMISSIONER MICHAEL LANHAM AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AT THE -- AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I CAN TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: HOW MANY GRANT WRITER DOES WE HAVE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? >> WE HAVE THREE GRANT WRITING STAFF AND ONE MANAGER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO FOCUS ON WHAT YOU THINK IS POTENTIAL FEDERAL GRANTS YOU NEED A SPECIFICALLY YEA SON TO GET? SPECIFICALLY -- SPECIFIC LIAISON TO GET? >> WE ARE ADVISED ON ALL GRANT RELATED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TO SECURE A CONGRESSIONAL EARMARK ON GRANT FUNDING IN EXCESS OF A MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE WOULD USE TO HELP BUILD A SWIFT WATER TRAINING FACILITY AND POSSIBLY OTHER TRAINING FACILITIES AT OUR ACADEMY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WAS THE CRUX OF THE QUESTION I WANTED TO ASK. IS BY RENEWING THIS CONTRACT, IT IS GOING TO PAY FOR ITSELF. IF THEY GET US A MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF AND I WILL MOVE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE ON 299 AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? I'M SORRY. IT WAS NOT 299. THANK YOU. IT IS ON ITEM 236. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS ITEM 242. COMMISSIONER TKPWARZ SEE YAW AND -- COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND RAMSEY ABOUT THE AGGREGATOR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK WE ARE IN A VERY, VERY INCREDIBLE PLACE. I WANT TO BASICALLY THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR PUTTING ME ON THE PUBLIC POWER POOL. HAD I NOT ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THERE WAS ANY MWBE PARTICIPATION AND PURCHASING THEY SAID NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY DO I ASKED ABOUT PURCHASING CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THEY SAID THAT'S NOT WHAT WE DO. AND THEN THEY ARE RUSHED TO TRY TO LOCK US INTO A 10-YEAR DEAL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND GOT US TO THIS POINT. WE ARE BASICALLY SET TO CREATE OUR OWN AND HELP FACILITATE THE PURCHASING OF ENERGY CREDITS WE CAN POTENTIALLY SELL TO OUR OWN COMMUNITY AT A MUCH BETTER DEAL AND IT IS CLEAN ENERGY AT THAT. I AM EXCITED. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF BUDGET WITH DETERMINING WHETHER IT IS FEASIBLE TO ESTABLISH AN AGGREGATOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROCURING ENERGY FOR THE COUNTY. THE IDEA OF BEING THAT OTHER ENTITY MADE BE INTERESTED. INTERESTED IN JOINING US AS WE IMPLEMENT OUR NEW ENERGY STRATEGY. I AM NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT ENTITIES LOCALLY. I AM TALKING STATEWIDE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW FEASIBLE IT IS TO GET IT STARTED ON A RELATIVELY SHORT TIMELINE. IT GIVES US PHENOMENAL CLOUT TO BE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY NEGOTIATE WITH OUR RETAIL PROVIDERS. THAT'S THE INTENT BEHIND THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, JUDGE, AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT. THIS IS PROBABLY, FOR ME, BEEN A MISSION SINCE, I THINK -- THE FIRST NACO MEETING IS, WHAT, JANUARY, FEBRUARY? >> YEAH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT WAS THAT MEETING IN 2019 I SAW WHAT L.A. COUNTY IS GOING. I CAME BACK GOING, MAN, THAT'S WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE DOING. THROUGH TWISTS AND TURNS OF FATE. >> OBVIOUSLY CLEAN ENERGY [05:55:03] WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS. AND RELIABLE ENERGY WE EXPERIENCED LAST YEAR IN THE STORM. BEING SURE IT IS NOT ONLY CLEAN, BUT IT IS RELIABLE AND IT IS NOT A JUDGMENT OTHER THAN ASK THAT NEXT QUESTION OR WHOEVER WE GET TO DO THIS NEEDS TO BE SHUSH IT IS RELIABLE. >> I WILL BRING THE RESOLUTION. >> AS PRESENTED COUNSELOR? >> AS PRESENTED. >> AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ITEMS 247 AND 248 ARE NOW TO BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. EM 289, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY QUESTION S BEEN ADDRESSED AND WEAN C MOVE ON IT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTIONN O289? >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDEDY BCOMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALLN IFAVOR? >>. I >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTIONAR CRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 299,OM CMISSIONER GARCIA. AID 8 THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANTED TO SPEAK ON THIS BRIEFLY. THIS ALLOWS POLLUTIONTR CONOL TOER ENT INTOAG AN REEMENT WI ORSAT A FOR MONITORN I SEABROOK FRIENDSHIPK. PAR IT IS PAID FORTH BY E GRANT WE RECEIVEROED FM THE AMERICAN ISCHEMTRY COUNCIL FOUNDATION I WANTTH TO ANK DR.IN BAB AND ACC FORNG BRIING THISH HIG QUALITY P AIROLICYLY ANASIS TO THE PRECINCT.I WANT TONK THA THEM FOR ALLOWING US TO T PLACEHE MONITOR INDS FRIENHIP PARK.LE TST ME JU SAYS , IT IONE OF THE MANY EVENTSND YOU A I HAD TO DEALWI WITH TH CHEMICALRE LEASES, BUTS IT WAONE THAT EDHAPPENPL AND PEOE SOME SEABOK WERE COMPLAINING OF HEADACHESES AND RPIRATORY ISSUES.EI THR EYES WEREG. WATERIN W ITAS INSO COMPARIN TO WHAT EAWE ARE RDING IN LA THIS WILLOL NOW RESVE THAT.AI AGN, I WANT TO THANK YOUUS BECAE YOU ARE ALWAYSPP SUORTING MY CONSTITUENTS. W THISILL BE VERY WELL -- WELLEL -- WCOMED IN SEABROOK. IT ISE ONE OF THMOST MONITOREDTH AREAS IN E STATEWE AND D STILL NEEMORE.TI WE SLL NEEDBL MAURY LIAE -- MORE RELBLEBE MONITORS CAUSE THEY AREOT ALWAYS THATAB RELILE. >> TOMAMSEY: I I SKWRAS -- WAS GOING I REMEMBER WHEN WE PURCHASEDL SEVERA IN THE 90S AIR MONITORINGA AND THAT'S PRETTY GOOD DEAL.SL OBVIOUY THE PRICE HASDO GONE WN. IT IS. A GOOD DEALDR >> AIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. I MOVE ON THE ITEM AS >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. MOTIONED BYR COMMISSIONEE GAR SE-- GARCIAD AND SECONDEBYSI COMMISONER ELLIS. ALL THOSE >> I.AVOR? >> LINA DALGO: ANY OPPOSED? U PASSESNANIMOUSLY.MM 301 COISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAD AF COUPLE OQUESTIONS ON THIS ONE.Y >> RODNEELLIS: SURE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I READTE WITH INRESTD THE PROPOSEART LOANT AGREEMENAND IT LOOKS SIMILAR NTTO THE AGREEME I APPROVEDAR ON JANUY 30TH OF 2018. THE 2018 W ART AGREEMENTASLA FOR TWO RGED SCULPTURES ANND STATUES.WOODEN AND THEN IT WAS A LOT MORE PIECES THAN THAT. I HAPPENR TO HAVE A LETTEOM I GOT FRNC SENATOR BETTEOURT AND HE GOT IT FROM A PIAAT REQUEST TH DEALT WITH THE LAST BATCH OF UFF THAT I APPROVED UP. IT WAS $129,000UN FOR THE [06:00:01] COTY, NEW ROOF, $330,000. CONDITIONINGR 29,000, NETWORK, 58,000, FIRE ALARM SYSTEM 19,000 AND A RAIN GUTTERND NEW ACCESS GATE FOR A TOTAL OF $326,000.AG THE PRIVATE REEMENT IST -- THE FIRSAGREEMENT IS A TPRIVATE ENTITY ANDHIS ONE ISMP WITH YOUR CAAIGN.OO I TRIED TO LK IT UP AND I WHERE IT WAS AMREPORTED ON YOUR CPAIGN. CAN YOUED TELL ME WHAT HAPPEN WITH THE $326,000 AND WHAT IS THE STORY ON THE O I AGREEDFO ON BEFORE BEREE I AGREE ON THNEW ONE OR NOT AGREE ON THE NEW ONE?LI >> RODNEY ELS: HERE IS WHAT I WILL TELL YOU. I KNOW YOU AND SENATOR BETTENCOURT PROBABLY HAVE A A PROBLEM WITHFRICANJA ART. >> R. CK CAGLE: THAT'S RIDICULOUS.Y: >> TOM RAMSE IF IT --LI >> RODNEY ELS: IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER THIS IS ART FROM A CONVALESCENHOME. IT WASNE NOT IN MY COMMISSIOR PRECINCT. THE OFFER WAS MADE TOE DONATE IT TO THCOUNTY. SINCE IT WASN'T MY PRECINCT IDO SAID, WELL, I N'T WANT TO GO ATTHROUGH THAT. TAX BREAK YOU GET IF YOU DONATE IT? I THINK IT WAS 10,000, $20,000. SO WHILE YOU ARE RE --OR REVIEWING MY REPTS,LL SOMEWHERE YOU WI SEE 10 OR 20. I AM NOT SE WHICH ONE. I SAID I WILL JUST GE YOU WHAT YOU WOULD GET IN THE TAX T BREAK AND I WILLAKEIT THE ART AND PUT THROUGHOUT MY HAPRECINCT. YOU MAY VE A PIECE OF IT IN YOUR OFFICES BECAUSE BILL PICKED THE PIECE. AND FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME IT WAS IN THE BUDGET OFFICE. IT WAS IN THIS BUILDING. IT WALKED AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT IS. OUT AN AND BECAUSE I HAVE SOME VERY NICE ART, THIS IS NOT ART I MAY WANT TO KEEP IN TH L OFFICE. IF IIKE MY SUCCESSOR AND IF I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ENJOYED THE ART, IT IS UP OFOUGHOUT VARIOUS PLACES THE COUNTY. I THINK MIGHT SOME --E I THINK SOME MIGHT BND AT THE PUBLIC DEFEER'SAY OFFICE NOW. SOME M BE IN OTHER COUNTY OFFICES. LOOK BETTER THAN SOME OF THE STUFF IN I YOUR OFFICE, BUT ITS NOT REALLY MY TASTE. IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGHFI MY REPORTS YOU MAY ND SOME FROM WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL WHEN I BOUGHT ART BACK THEN. OR YOU MAY FIND PURCHASES OF HEART THROUGHOUT THE YEARS WN I WAS IN THE SENATE. I THINK YOU MIGHT FIND ONE FROM A NICE GALLERY IN GALVESTON. I MAY HAVE PAID $10,000, $15,000 OFF THE CAMPAIGN. THE PERSON DECORATED MY TIRE OFFICE AT THE CAPITAL FOR ABOUT THREEOU YEARS AND THEN SAID Y NEED TO BUY A PIECE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DECORATE YOURIK OFFICE. IF YOU WOULD LE TO VOTE AGAINST IT, VOTE AGAINST IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I VOTED FOR THE AFRICAN ART BEFORE, THE TWO STATUES AND THE 11 PORTRAITSO . >> RODNEY ELLIS: DME A FAVOR. DON'T VOTE FOR THIS AND GET MY MISSING ART. AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I WILL MAKE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: NOTIONED MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS ON 301. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.PP >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OOSED? >> NO. >> A NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: IM IN FAVOR OF 301 AND IT PASSES 3-2. 304 AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE BOARDING HOME REGULATIONS.WA >> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST NT TON TAKE A MINUTE AND BRAG O OEUR FIRE -- BRAG ON OUR FIRE MARSHAL AND HER -- SHE ESSENTIALLY IDENTIFIED A SERIOUS, DANGEROUS SITUATION OUR ELDERLY CITIZENS WAS INVOLVED WITH. SHE LITERALLY SAVED PEOPLE'S LIVES. IT WAS A PERSON OR PERSONS OPERATING SOMETHING ILLEGALLY. AND THERE ISOU A LOT MORE THAT WE KNOW ABT. ALL OF US HAVE ROW -- ROBUST COMMUNICATION TEAMS. IT IS KEEPING PEOPLE WITHIN OUR PRECINCTS WHETHER THEY ARE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS OR OTHERS. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING. IF YOU SEE ACTIVITY GOING ON NEXT DOOR AND A BUNCH OF PEOPLE COMING AND GOING, IT [06:05:03] MAY BE SOMEONE OPERATING AN ILLEGAL WHAT WE CALLED AN OLD FOLKS HOME. SOME OF THE BISMAL CONDITIONS THESE PEOPLE WERE PUT IN IS BEYOND BY UNDERSTANDING. I DON'T KNOW WHERE -- IF THERE WAS EVER REASON TO HAVE A ILJAIL, IT WOULD BE TO HAVE A JA TO LOCK THESE KIND OF PEOPLE UP. ON THE CASE OF JUST GETTING THIS BOARDING HOME WHEN AND WHERE AND HOW THEY REPORT, I THINK THIS IS GOOD INFORMATION. I THINK THE FIRE MARSHAL HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB AT PULLING THIS TOGETHER. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING RELATED TO SOME OF THESE TYPES OF HOME , THAT IS JUST A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO US TO USE OUR PULPITS AND OUR TEAMS AND STAFF TO GET THE WORD OUT THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONERTH GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ANK YOU, JUDGE. I TOO AM PROUD OF THIS BECAUSE THE SHERIFF AND I WERE SPEAKING AND WE GOT TOGETHER AND SET THESE REGULATIONS. I AM PROUD OF THE WORK MY TEAM AND I WORKED TO BRING TOGETHER. AND I AM PROUD OF CHIEF CHRISTIANSON FOR HER LEADERSHIP IN ENFORCING THESE REGULATIONS. WITH THE LAST EVENT THAT HAS OCCURRED WE WILL NEED TO SEE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. AND PROBABLY THE HAZMAT SUITS. THE BEDBUGS WERE HORRIBLE AND SO WE -- THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. NOW WHAT WE DID TALK ABOUT IS -- AND YOU'VE GOT THE LARGEST BULL PIT HERE AND THAT IS TO REALLY WAKE THE COMMUNITY UP TO REPORT THESE LOCATIONS. SO FAR PROBABLY THE LAST THREE OR FOUR MONTHS, I THINK WE HAVE HAD LIKE THREE INVESTIGATIONS. THIS LAST ONE HAPPENED IN THE OLD PRECINCT 2 AREA. IT IS A BIG ISSUE, JUDGE. AND WHAT SHE DESCRIBED TO ME WAS IN DEPLORABLE, UNSANITARY -- I MEAN YOU -- YOU JUST CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THESE FOLKS WERE LIVING IN. THEIR MONTHLY RENT WAS $900. $900. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHERE WAS IT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS IN THE CARLSBAD AREA. AND HOW SOMEBODY COULD GIVE OUT THE $900 IS ONE THING. BUT THE FACT THAT THEY WERE TAKING THAT KIND OF MONEY -- I MEAN, YOU WOULD THINK SOMEBODY WOULD BE GIVEN $100 TO LIVE IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THEY ARE TAKING $900 AND SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE IN THERE. JUST IF THE -- JUST IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS THIS IS THE THIRD EVENT THEY HAD TO RESPOND TO. I WANT TO THANK THE FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE WORK HERE AND HER TEAM ARE DOING. TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SPEAK TO OUR COUNTY TO MAKE THEM AWARE THAT THERE IS THIS SITUATION AND DIRECT THEM TO -- >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS PERSON THAT WE FOUND THIS IN -- THIS PERSON HAS OTHER FACILITIES. IT IS LIKE PULLING A THREAD OUT OF A SWEATER. YOU PULL IT AND DON'T KNOW WHERE IT STOPS. THERE ARE INVESTIGATORS AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER REASONS.F >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THE OTHER SIDE OIT IS THERE ARE A LOT OF WELL-INTENDED PEOPLE DOING IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO MAINTAIN AND CLEAN AND KEEP UP THESE FACILITIES. AS A RESULT IT GETS INTO -- THERE IS ONE RUN BY A MINISTRY OR TKHOEUFP OR SOMETHING. A MINISTRY OR CHURCH OR SOMETHING. AND IT IS HORRIBLE. I NEED YOUR HELP, JUDGE, TO [06:10:08] GET OUR COUNTY TO UNDERSTAND THIS AND RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS OUT THERE. IT IS HORRIBLE. AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF FOR BRINGING IT TO MY ATTENTION AND THE WORK BY -- I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WHO GOT INVOLVED. JOEL LEVINE AND OTHERS WERE PART OF THE WORK TEAM ALONG WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I AM GLAD -- NOT GLAD THAT WE HAVE TO USE IT, BUT GLAD WE HAVE THE PROPER FRAMEWORK TO -- >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE THE CAPACITY? IF WE PROMOTE THIS AND GET A TON OF QUESTIONS DO WE HAVE THE CAPACITY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PROBABLY NOT. IF WE ARE FALLING INTO THESE, IMAGINE HOW MANY EXIST. >> TOM RAMSEY: IF I CAN HELP GUIDE US, JUDGE. IF WE GET THE WORD OUT AND THE BEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN IS WE START GETTING PHONE CALLS. THEN OBJECT KWHRUS -- THEN OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE RESOURCES, BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO TRY AND FIND OUT WHERE THESE ILLEGAL FACILITIES ARE OPERATING. >> LINA HIDALGO: AS PRESENTED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS JT A DISCUSSION. >> CAN WE GO BACK TO 207? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 297? >> 207. DIRECTOR ROBINSON IS ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON 304, NO ACTION IS ACTUALLY, RIGHT? TO CONCLUDE? >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON 304. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND JUST SO WE -- ALL RIGHT. GOING PWA -- GOING BACK TO 207, DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND GO AHEAD. >> GOOD EVENING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY ATTORNEY, BARBIE ROBINSON DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH. I KNOW THERE WAS A QUESTION ON THE URGENCY FOR THIS ITEM. FOR THE COVID GRANT AS WELL AS THE OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR REFUGEE PROGRAMMING TO PROCURE FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAMS. AND SO TO ACCESS THE APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS ON THE PIC FUND AND CONTINUE TO USE GENERAL FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE PROVIDERS SUCH AS DENTISTS AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS FOR OUR OTHER PREVENTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE PROGRAMMING. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE THESE INDIVIDUALS OVER UNDER THE FEDERALLY PRO CAUSED STAFF -- FEDERALLY PROCURED STAFFING AGENCIES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: BARBIE, THIS IS THE $33 MILLION ITEM, RIGHT? >> I BELIEVE SO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT WE WERE WONDERING WAS -- AND I GIVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA CREDIT FOR CATCHING IT. I DIDN'T CATCH THIS ONE. HE WAS RAISING THE ISSUE OF MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES. IF THIS IS A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT , MARCH 8TH TO FEBRUARY 28TH NEXT YEAR, WITH FOUR ONE-YEAR RENEWALS, THE QUESTION IS IF WE DELAY IT TWO WEEKS -- I JUST LIKE TO KNOW SINCE WE HAVE NO MWBE POLICY WHEN THIS WAS AWARD AWARDED -- AWARDED AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT SAID THE NUMBERS WERE BETTER THAN THE CITY'S NUMBERS, BY THE WAY. I AM JUST WONDER FIGURE THIS WAS DELAYED I DON'T WANT TO GET LOCKED INTO ONE-YEAR RENEWALS WITH WHAT I AM ASSUMING FAIRLY WEAK MWBE PARTICIPATION. IN PART BECAUSE THERE WAS NO GOAL. THAT'S THE QUESTION. IS THERE A PROBLEM IF WE DON'T PASS IT TODAY? >> WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SOME TIME, AND I THINK IT IS A MATTER OF BUDGET POLICY WITH RESPECT TO OUR CONTINUED USE OF GENERAL FUND AND PIC FUNDING TO HAVE CONTINUITY IN OUR OPERATIONS, BIT I DEFER TO DWIGHT IN TERMS OF THE ONE-YEAR RENEWAL PIECE OF IT. OUR GRANT WILL SUNSET IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. I GET YOUR POINT AROUND THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR THOSE RENEWALS. IT IS AN URGENT SITUATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR SOME TIME AND I RECOGNIZE ARE YOU BALANCING THAT POLICY DECISION WITH OUR OPERATIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CAN WE APPROVE ONE YEAR WITHOUT THE THREE YEARS AND MAKE THAT A SUBSEQUENT DECISION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IT DOES NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AGAIN? >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> IT IS NOT A RENEWAL PROJECT. IT IS ALWAYS AWARDED FOR ONE YEAR. WE HAVE TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR RENEWAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK [06:15:05] THAT'S WHAT DAVE IS TRYING TO GET AT. >> IT CAN STIPULATE ANY RENEWAL CAN COME BACK TO COURT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS THEIR MONEY, RIGHT? THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT HAS GOTTEN SOME LAWYERS TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER OR NOT IT IS LEGAL TO ADD FOR A FUTURE AWARD WHAT HAS YOUR TRACK RECORD BEEN FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT? THAT'S THE LANGUAGE I SAW BEFORE THE LAST COURT. >> THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT. WE SHOULD HEAR BACK IF NOT BY THE NEXT MEETING THEN THE ONE AFTER. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF WE APPROVE AND SAY ANY OTHER RENEWAL CAN COME BACK TO COURT, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS APPROPRIATE MEASURE TO SAY -- >> IT COMES BACK EACH YEAR REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU MAKE THE MOTION. WE HAVE TO BRING IT BACK EACH YEAR FOR RENEWAL. IT IS NOT A GUARANTEED FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT. IT IS A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT. THERE ARE EIGHT MWBE FIRMS ON AS PRIME CONTRACTORS. 50% ARE MWBE'S. I THINK THAT IS A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF PARTICIPATION AS LONG AS WE USE THE FIRMS. >> TKPOEU -- DO YOU WANT TO MOVE IT AS PRESENTED? >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND -- IS THERE A SECOND. >> >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IF FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> AS PRESENTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO JUDGE, DWIGHT AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND MS. RAMIREZ, OBVIOUSLY YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU MEET WITH THESE VENDORS. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE ARE COMING UP. YOU GOT ME? MAKE SURE YOU ARE FAIR WITH THEM AND YOU LET THEM KNOW, BUT IT IS A NEW DAY FROM WHAT IT WAS IN THE PAST. >> THEY ARE TRYING TO HAVE SOMETHING FIGURED OUT BY NEXT WEEK. WE WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE A REMEDY FOR THIS MOVING FORWARD. [Executive Session ] >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL WE HAVE LEFT ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. THESE ARE ITEMS 247 ON GLO AND 248 ON I-45 AND 281 AND 283. 287 ON HUMAN RESOURCES COMPENSATION AND 288 ON CYBER SECURITY. IT IS 5:51 AND WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. ON ITEM 247, NO ACTION, JAMES, ON THAT ITEM. ON 248, NO ACTION. ON 281 IS THERE A MOTION THAT MARIE AYALA BE APPOINTED TO THE JUDICIAL SEAT? >> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THAT'S 281 AND 283. THEY ARE ON THE SAME TOPIC. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. CONGRATULATIONS. >> YOUR HONOR, APPROACH THE -- >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE COURT, I WANT TO THANK THE TRUST YOU PLACED IN ME TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY WITH HONESTY AND FAIRNESS IN AND TEG TKPWRAU TEE. I -- AND INTEGRA FEE. I ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT AND WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> DID YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE GUESTS? >> I THOUGHT THEY WERE PROTESTERS. >> AS I -- I HAVE MY HUSBAND WITH ME, TRAVIS AND MY MOTHER, CONNIE AND MY FATHER RUDY AS WELL. CONGRATULATIONS, MOM AND DAD. YOU DONE GOOD. >> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATION. WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND APPRECIATE YOUR TAKING THIS ON , JUDGE AYALA. THAT WAS 281 AND 283. ON 287, IS THERE A MOTION -- TWO MOTIONS. PHA* -- THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE BE RECLASSIFIED TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 5 MARCH 26 OF 2022. >> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THE [06:20:02] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF JUVENILE -- BE CLASSIFIED TO A DIRECTOR 2 MARCH 26, 2022. >> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 288, NO ACTION ALTHOUGH I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- YEAH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. IF YOU HAVE YOUR NON-UNIVERSAL SERVICES WEBSITE TO PLEASE CONSIDER WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO HAVE THOSE UNDER THE PLATFORM OF THE COUNTY. RIGHT NOW THERE IS THE NEXT THREATS AS IT RELATES TO CYBER SECURITY AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE IN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND MY SITE WAS HACKED AND THE COUNTY WAS HELD OVER A BARREL AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER THE PROTECTION AND THE SECURITY AND I HAVE NOT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP AND I WOULD JUST ASK OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO UNDERSTAND THE TIME WE ARE IN AND ENCOURAGE A QUICK CALL TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO MOVE YOUR PLATFORM OVER BEFORE WE FIND OURSELVES EMBARRASSED AND WITHOUT A LOT MORE MONEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, CAN I ADD TO THAT? ANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS -- AND THE OTHER DEPARTMENTSOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS SHLD DO IT OR WE ARE PUTTING OUT A NOTICE OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE MULTI FACTOR UH THEN TAU -- AUTHENTICATION IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERY DEPARTMENT. AND WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE. WE KNOW THE HOLDOUTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, WE DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> ALL OF THEM HAVE ADOPTED MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION. >> ANYTHING ELSE? JAMES? COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A PLEASURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IT IS 7:05 AND COURT IS NOW * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.