[00:00:08]
>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING. IT IS 10:05 AND I AM CALLING THIS MARCH 22ND, 2022 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. I WOULD SAY COMMISSIONER CAGLE, BUT I SAW COMMISSIONER ELLIS WALK IN WITH OUR GUEST THIS
MORNING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE HAVE THE REVEREND DR. MARCUS COSBY WHO IS A SENIOR PASTOR AT WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
HE WAS A LEADER IN CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE CITY AND NATIONWIDE.
DR. COSBY IS BLESSED TO LEAD A CONGREGATION OF 15,000 PEOPLE.
REVEREND COSBY IS A NATIVE OF CHICAGO, BUT HE GOT HERE AS QUICKLY AS HE COULD. HE EARNED A MASTER FROM MOORE HOUSE SCHOOL IN ATLANTA AND A DEGREE FROM BAPTIST SEMINARY IN ILLINOIS AND A LIFE MEMBER OF THE NAACP.
PASTOR COSBY IS A DEVOTED TEACHER AND HAS A CLERGY TEAM AT WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH AND THEY ARE ALL OVER THE NATION AND THE REGION. THEY SERVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH COUNTLESS ACTS OF SERVICE FROM OFFERING CHILD CARE TO FOOD TK*EUTS -- DISTRIBUTION AND IMPLEMENTING A BOY SCOUT PROGRAM THAT FIELDS A HIGH NUMBER OF EAGLE SCOUTS.
DR. COSBY IS MARRIED TO HIS HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART, AUDREY MARIE COSBY, AND THEY HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS AND TWO SONS.
I AM JUST SO PROUD. I ASSUMED HE WAS COMING IN VIRTUALLY, SO TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH I WAS RUNNING LATE.
I WENT DOWNSTAIRS TO SPOT HIM TO TELL HIM HOW TO GET IN THE GARAGE TO PARK. I WANT TO MENTION ON A PERSONAL NOTE I MENTIONED TO HIM I WAS BIKE RIDING AND WEU -- WENT BY REVEREND LAWSON FOR HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY.
HE IS OVER 90, BUT THEY HAD A GREAT CELEBRATION AND OPENING OF THE CHURCH AND PASTOR COSBY GAVE OUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. PASTOR COSBY, THANK YOU FOR DOING HERE IN PERSON. IF YOU CAN JOIN US.
[Pastor Dr. Marcus D. Cosby of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston.]
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
LET'S PRAY TOGETHER. GOD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THIS DAY AND THE PRIVILEGE YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US AND TO HAVE STRENGTH TO MAKE IT TO THIS PLACE.
WE THANK YOU FOR THESE THAT SERVE US AND THANK YOU FOR THEIR A -- ACUMEN. WE PRAY YOU STRENGTHEN THEM TO DO THEIR BEST ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY.
WE PRAY FOR THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS SO THAT ALL PERSONS AND THE LEAST AND THE LAST AND LEFT OVER AS WELL AS THE POWERFUL AND FOREVER KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A PLACE HERE IN THE GREAT COUNTY. WE ASK NOW THAT YOU WILL FOREVER HELP US TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE CARED FOR THE LEAST.
IT IS THE WORK THAT SHALL BE DONE THESE DAYS.
H YOUR GLORY -- IN YOUR GLORY AND HONOR AND WE MAY LIFT HIGH AND JUSTICE ROLL DOWN LIKE WATERS AND A MIGHTY STREAM.
WE PRAY IN YOUR PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, KA*PER.
PASTOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: PASTOR, THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE'LL 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 INDIVISIBLE.
[Departments (Part 1 of 6)]
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE SEVERAL RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING. I FORGOT MY GLASSES SO BEAR WITH
[00:05:01]
ME. THE THE FIRST RESOLUTION IS A RETIREMENT AND THIS INCREDIBLE PUBLIC SERVANT HAS BEEN WITH HARRIS COUNTY FOR 18 YEARS. THAT IS MS. GAIL MILLER.WHEREAS MS. GAIL MILLER WILL RETIRE AFTER 18 AND A HALF YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COUNTY. MS. MILLER BEGAN HER CAREER AT HARRIS COUNTY IN PRECINCT 2 UNDER COMMISSIONER SILVIA GARCIA AT THE TIME WHERE SHE ROSE TO THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT DEPUTY COMMISSIONER. WITH A TUNNEL FERRY AND HOMELAND SECURITY FOR THE PRECINCT. SOME OF HER PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE IN SHELTER OPERATIONS ESPECIALLY DURING HURRICANE KATRINA AND HURRICANE IKE AND VARIOUS FLOOD EVENTS.
SHE IS ALSO PROUD OF TPWAOEG -- PROUD OF BEING PART OF THE SHIP CHANNEL COMPANIES THAT DEVELOP AND THEN BECAME THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL SECURITY DISTRICT. SHE IS PROUD OF THE WORK SHE DID THE TRANSITION IS A CONSTRUCTION GROUP DEDICATED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TOLL ROADS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
IN HER RETIREMENT, SHE INTENDS TO MENTOR YOUNG STUDENTS INTERESTED IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH. WOMEN IN SCIENCE ANDEN -- AND ENGINEERING AND TO INCREASE HER VOLUNTEER WORK WITH RESCUE ANIMALS. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY CONGRATULATES AND COMMANDS GAIL M MILLER FOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND OFFERS BEST WIGSES -- BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY RETIREMENT. IS SHE ON THE LINE? I THINK SHE DESERVES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WANTED TO COME AND THANK THE COURT FOR A RESOLUTION FOR MY TIME IN HARRIS COUNTY.
I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT I WOULD SAY AND DECIDED THAT PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT HAD A RIGHT, BE SINCERE AND BE BRIEF AND BE SEATED. WHEN I MOVED TO HARRIS COUNTY FROM BOSTON IN 2003. I WAS A CHEMICAL PLASTICS TRAINING AND HAVING DONE WORK WITH INSTRUMENTS I THOUGHT I WOULD DO SOME TEACHING AND CONSULTING.
A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME THERE WAS A NEW COMMISSIONER IN PRECINCT 2, SILVIA GARCIA, WHO WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTOOD THE SHIP CHANNEL INDUSTRIES AND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND THEM. SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THERE WAS A TUNNEL AND A FERRY.
IT SOUNDED INTRIGUING AND I BECAME AN EMPLOYEE OF PRECINCT 2. THE SECURITY DISTRICT WAS ALSO AN AMAZING PROJECT AND I REMEMBER SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA IN HIS PRIOR LIFE.
IN 2013 I TRANSITIONED TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND TOOK OVER THE TEAM DEDICATED TOLL ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WHEN I WAS THERE I TOOK OVER AND WAS THE ENVY OF MY NEW ENGLAND TREND. WE ARE EQUAL -- QUALIFIED PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS LIKE ME AND OUR DIVERSE COUNTY IS BEING HIRED TO POSITIONS OF MANAGEMENT, TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
FOR THAT THE COURT AND THE DEPARTMENTS WILL MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION.
IT HAS BEEN MY HONOR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.
ANYTIME I EVER CALLED COMMISSIONER GARCIA SHE WOULD BE LIKE HOLD ON. LET ME GET WITH GAIL.
I KNOW YOU ARE A TRUSTED RIGHT HAND TO HER.
JUST KNOW YOU HAVE TWO COMMISSIONER THAT'S WILL REFLECT ON YOU FONDLY FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE COUNTY.
>> APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL, GAIL.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF THERE WAS A ROLE FOR YOU TO FOLLOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I WAS JUST THINKING THAT PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU *FPL -- AND I AM
[00:10:07]
GLAD WE HAVE DONE MORE TO PROMOTE MORE WOMEN.>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AT STEM.
VERY IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES. I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO KEEP THAT UP. ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP YOU WITH THAT, THAT'S A GREAT AND HIGH CALLING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE.
YOU LEAVE A STRONG LEGACY AND YOUR COMMITMENT IS SO IMPORTANT.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE OUR COUNTY WHAT IT
IS TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION AND IT IS FOR SOMEONE WITH WHOM I HAVE WORKED CLOSELY.
CERTAINLY MY STAFF HAS DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
AND IT IS HELPING US COORDINATE WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY SHE IS RIGHT THERE FRONT AND CENTER AND IT IS PAM WELLS. PAM ANNOUNCED SHE WILL RETIRE ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST, 2022 AFTER 10 YEARS OF SERVICE TO REGION 4. THE REGION 4 EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER IS THE LARGEST OF THE SERVICE CENTERS IN TEXAS AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO 1.2 MILLION STUDENTS AND APPROXIMATELY 165,000 STAFF IN 47 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND 40 PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE SEVEN-COUNTY GREATER HOUSTON AREA.
DR. WELLS HAS BEEN AN EDUCATOR IN THE HOUSTON AREA FOR 47 YEARS. SHE BEGAN HER CAREER AS A TEACHER IN SPRING BRANCH ISD AND THEN SHE WAS A CAMPUS TEACHER AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR. AND THEN SHE WAS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT IN CYPRESS FAIRBANKS ISD WHERE SHE AND HER HUSBAND, JIM ARE THE NAME SAKES OF WELLS ELEMENTARY.
DR. WELLS HAS SERVED AS AN ADD -- ADJUCT PROFESSOR WHERE SHE RECEIVED HER DOCTORS AND MASTERS EDUCATION.
SHE WAS THE DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR IN 2015 AND HER ROLE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHE COLLABORATED WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE AND THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION, RE-- RESPONSE TO WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH CRISIS FOR THE SCHOOLS IN THE REGION. SHE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS 75 HONOREES WHO POSITIVELY IMPACTED THE DISTRICT THROUGHOUT THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE. SHE WAS SELECTED AS A MEMBER OF THE CENTER FOR HOUSTON'S FUTURE, 2014 BUSINESS AND SEUF -- CIVIC LEADERSHIP FOR -- FORUM. SHE WAS SELECTED AS THE NORTHERN BRANCH OF AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN.
IN 2022 SELECTED AS CRIMESTOPPERS OF HOUSTON'S RECIPIENT OF THE SAFE SCHOOLS AWARD.
CURRENTLY DR. WELLS' SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY EXTENDS TO HER APPOINTMENT AS TREASURER FOR THE URBAN SUPERINTENDENT ASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA -- ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA.
A MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON RESEARCH CON -- CONSORTIUM, THE EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE UNITED WAY EDUCATION COUNCIL AND HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY AND TEACHER ADVISORY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION TRUSTY. NEEDLESS TO SAY SHE HAS DONE A LOT. AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT COMMANDS AND CONGRATULATES PAM WELLS, DRD RETIREMENT AND EXPRESSES MUCH APPRECIATION FOR HER PARTNERSHIP, DEDICATION AND SERVICE FOR HER 47-YEAR TENURE IN EDUCATION IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE REGION. IS PAM WELLS ON THE LINE? HEY! I DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES. I'M SORRY.
I CAN'T SEE YOU GUYS. WELCOME.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE.
>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, JUDGE HIDALGO AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT IT IS AN HONOR FOR YOU TO RECOGNIZE ME.
IT HAS BEEN A JOY AND A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE FOR 47 YEARS AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATOR IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THE LAST 10 LEADING THE OUTSTANDING REGION FOR EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER TEAM. AS YOU SAID, REGION FOUR HAS A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH -- A COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH HARRIS COUNTY. I THINK THAT -- I THINK THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OR THE WAY WE WORK TOGETHER IS TO HELP SCHOOL
[00:15:04]
LEADERS TO PLAN FOR AND RESPOND TO CRISIS.IT STARTED WITH MARK SLOAN AND THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND AS YOU SAID MOST RECENT HRAE WE WERE WORKING WITH -- RECENTLY WE WERE WORKING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH TO PARTNER WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO PROVIDE MORE TESTING AND ALSO TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR VACCINATIONS. I WANTED TO COMMEND COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR SOMETHING MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW YOU DID AND I APOLOGIZE, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
SINCE I WILL COMPLIMENT YOU, I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND ME GOING OVER TIME. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE HOW MUCH YOU SUPPORTED THE SCHOOLS DURING THE PANDEMIC.
YOU ACTUALLY PROVIDED, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, ABOUT $32 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS AS THEY PURCHASED TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND HOTSPOTS FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SO THEY COULD CONTINUE TO LEARN DURING THAT TIME.
SO WE DO HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.
ALTHOUGH I'M RETIRING, I KNOW THAT PARTNERSHIP WILL NOT END.
ON BEHALF OF THE 1.2 MILLION CHILDREN IN REGION FOUR, I TRULY WANT TO THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR AS
WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. PAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU KNOW, IN MY PRECINCT WE NOW HAVE A PRE-K CENTER AND A COMMUNITY CENTER AND WE HAVE A MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM AS WELL. I AM VERY FOND BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATORS IN MY FAMILY. A PROFESSOR OF MATERIAL SCIENCE ALT -- AT RICE AND ANOTHER STUDENT WITH SUPPORT STAFF AT LONE STAR. THERE ARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDUCATORS AND A RETIRED PHYSICIST OUT OF A AND M.
SO WITH ALL OF THAT, I JUST SAY THAT I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO PREPARING YOUNG MINDS FOR AN INCREDIBLE AND UNPREDICTABLE FIGHT -- UNPREDICTAL -- IN -- UNPRE -- UNPREDICTABLE FUTURE.
WITHOUT YOU THE PANDEMIC WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.
YOU ALLOWED US TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE -- YOU KNOW, TO DO CRITICAL THINKING, IF YOU WILL.
AND SO I'M VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND I ALSO APPRECIATE HAVING WORKED WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS.
MY LIFE WITH HPD AND THE ANTI-GANG OFFICE.
SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR SO MANY YEARS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
HAVE YOU DECIDE WHAT YOU ARE DOING -- GOING TO DO?
>> I HESITATE TO SAY IT WAS 47 YEARS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU CAN DO MATH AND FIGURE OUT HOW OLD I AM.
I INTEND TO BE A GRANDMOTHER FIRST.
I AM NOT GOING TO END MY SERVICE.
AFTER THIS MANY YEARS I HAVE A PASSION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
I TRULY BELIEVE IT IS THE CORNER STONE OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU BOTH SAID ABOUT EDUCATION AND EDGE -- EDUCATORS OF OUR HEROS AND I WILL FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO
SERVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: PAM, I HAVE TO SAY I HAVE A MEMORY OF SO MANY NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS AND NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS WHERE YOU AND I WERE ON THE PHONE WITH SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE GET THESE COMPUTERS TO THE SCHOOLS? HOW DO WE GET THE WI-FI? HOW DO WE GET THE CHROME BOOKS AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS AND WHERE DO WE START? IT WAS JUST -- AND YOU HELD TOGETHER THE LOGISTICS AND KNEW EVERY DETAIL TO THE T. DID MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PERFECT, BUT WE DID SO MUCH. WE MET TO THE NEED, THE LARGEST EXTENT WE COULD AND ANY LIMITATIONS WERE THE SUPPLY ISSUES. SO THAT'S A TALL ORDER AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DID TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS HAD THE RESOURCES TO LEARN DURING THE PANDEMIC.
AND LET'S PLEASE GIVE DR. WELLS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE, WE HAVE ANOTHER
SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> MARK SLOAN OF HARRIS COUNTY OEM.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. IT IS A PLEASURE TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS MORNING AND DR. WELLS, THANK YOU FOR THE PARTNERSHIP WE
[00:20:05]
ESTABLISHED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS.THE COORDINATION BETWEEN YOU AND THE SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE PRINCIPALS IN THE ENTIRE REGION GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE TIMELY AND ACTIONABLE INFORMATION FOR THE SAFETY OF SO MANY STUDENTS. THERE WAS SO MUCH DISTRICT DISCONNECTION PRIOR TO OUR PARTNERSHIP OVER THE YEARS.
THE 3 A.M. AND 4 A.M. CALLS THAT WE HAD HELPED US BETTER COORDINATE AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
THANK YOU FROM OUR OFFICE, HARRIS COUNTY HOMELAND SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY RETIREMENT AND BEING A GRANDMOTHER.
IT IS A LOT OF FUN BEING A GRAND PARENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MARK. APPRECIATE IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A
RESOLUTION TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DO.
AND THE RESOLUTION IS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD.
IT HAS 9 WHEREAS' AND THEN IT SAYS BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY WILL PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF LGBTQIA PLUS INDIVIDUALS AND THEY CAN FEEL SAFE AND IMPOSE ACTIONS THAT NEGATIVE IMPACT THEIR WELL BEING. I WILL GIVE YOU THE SHORT OF IT.
IT IS OUR JOB TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN.
TRANSGENDER CHILDREN IN TEXAS ARE UNDER ATTACK.
LAST MONTH ATTORNEY GENERAL PAXTON DECLARED THE GENDER AFFIRMING SURGICAL PROCEDURES IN CHILDREN AND PRESCRIBING DRUGS THAT AFFECT PUBERTY ARE CONSIDERED CHILD ABUSE.
AND THEN GOVERNOR ABBOTT DIRECTOR TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES TO INVESTIGATE, QUOTE, ANY REPORTED INSTANCES OF THESE ABUSIVE PROCEDURES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AS OF LAST WEEK, TEXAS HAD OPENED 9 ALLEGED ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS OF MINORS RECEIVING GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTH CARE ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES. THIS IS A FIGHT GOVERNOR ABBOTT AND GENERAL PAXTON CHOSE TO BRING TO TEXAS.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO SO, BUT THEY CHOSE TO DO IT.
TEXAS DIDN'T ASK FOR IT. EVERY MAJOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS GENDER AFFIRMING CARE AND OPPOSES LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HINDER MEDICAL CARE FOR ANY YOUTH. TRANSGENDER CHILDREN ALREADY FACE GREATER RISK WITHOUT THESE UN -- UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENT ATTACKS. IN TEXAS 5% OF FOSTER YOUTH IDENTIFY AS TRANSGENDER COMPARED TO 1% NOT IN FOSTER CARE.
GOVERNOR ABBOTT AND GENERAL PAXTON SHOULD NOT HARM TEXAS FAMILIES AND CHILDREN SIMPLY TO GAIN POLITICAL POINTS.
HARRIS COUNTY WANTS TO ASSURE THESE YOUTH THAT THEY ARE VALUED AND BELONG IN OUR SOCIETY. NO YOUNG PERSON SHOULD HAVE THEIR IDENTITY TARGETED OR ATTACKED BY STATE OFFICIALS OR ANYONE ELSE. AT LEAST I HOPE THIS PASSES.
IN HARRIS COUNTY WE WILL SHOW THAT WE STAND WITH TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS AND THEN I HOPE IT WILL PASS UNANIMOUSLY, BUT I WILL
[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 4)]
MAKE A MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THIS, TIFFANY?
>> YES, MA'AM. THE FIRST IS JOHN ROSEN -- JOHN ROSENTHAL FROM THE TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.
I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR ME OKAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR.
>> I AM JOHN ROSENTHAL AND THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY. AND I CAME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING TO ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO ADOPT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE DIRECTIVE IS NOT ONLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND CRUEL, BUT IT DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION'S POSITION.
THE AMA SHOULD BE LOOKING TO CARE FOR TRANS YOUTH.
WHEN POLITICIANS OPPOSE THE THINGS THEY ADVOCATE FOR IT CLEARLY INDICATES THAT THOSE POLITICIANS ARE NOT ACTING IN THE INTEREST OF THESE CHILDREN. IT IS PURELY FOR POLITICAL GAIN
AND IT HARMS A FAMILY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN FINISH,
REPRESENTATIVE. >> I HAVE TWO MORE SENTENCES.
MY CONSTITUENTS ARE TRAUMATIZED AND AFRAID.
[00:25:03]
I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM. CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW WE HAVE THEIR BACKS. IT SENDS THAT MESSAGE SO PLEASE ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME FINISH.>> RODNEY ELLIS: REPRESENTATIVE, THANK YOU.
I GOT YOUR TEXT. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO
DIAL IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE. GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU.
>> GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU TOO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,
REPRESENTATIVE. >> NEXT IS TRACY SHAPB SPEAKING
I AM TRACY SHANNON AND HERE ON BEHALF OF URBAN CONSERVATIVES OF AMERICA AS WELL. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE.
THIS IS A CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ISSUE.
EVERY CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO UNBIASED HEALTH CARE THAT IS FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF POLITICAL AGENDA.
UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS NOT THE CASE.
CONCERNS ARE MOUNTING OVER THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS AND NO CONTROLLED TRIALS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF THESE PROCEDURES. THE CONTINUED SUPPORT ENDORSES THE MOST UNREGULATED EXPERIMENTATION OF CHILDREN IN MEDICAL HISTORY. LAW BOUGHT MES -- LABOTOMIES WERE CONSIDERED STANDARD CARE. UT SOUTHWESTERN SUSPENDED THEIR PROGRAM DUE TO GROWING CONCERNS OF THE EFFECTS OF SAFETY AND EFFICACY. WE MUST RETURN TO MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND LEAVE ADULT POLITICS ASIDE.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 7.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> HI, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY PRONOUNS ARE HE/HIM/HIS AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THE REST OF YOU. THIS HAS BEEN A HORRIBLE MONTH FOR TRANSGENDER AND NONBINARY YOUNG PEOPLE IN TEXAS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND SUPPORTERS. IT IS ALSO PART OF A PATTERN OF REPEATED POLITICAL ATTACKS AGAINST TRANSGENDER YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO LIVE AND BELONG HERE IN OUR STATE.
LAST NIGHT THE ACLU OF TEXAS SECURED YET ANOTHER COURT VICTORY FROM THE TEXAS THIRD COURT OF APPEALS THAT HAS BLOCKED GOVERNOR ABBOTT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES ORDER REQUIRING INVESTIGATIONS AND TARGETING OF FAMILIES OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH ACROSS THE STATE. THAT COURT ORDER PROVIDES MORE RELIEF FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER.
WE NEED EVERY BUSINESS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND OTHERS TO STEP
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I AM CURIOUS -- THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. WAS THAT A UNANIMOUS DECISION AT
THE THIRD COURT OR DO YOU KNOW? >> THERE WERE THREE JUDGES ON THE PANEL AND IT WAS AN UNSIGNED OPINION ON THE COURT THAT REIMPOSED A STATEWIDE INJUNCTION.
>> THAT IS IMPRESSIVE. I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT TO DO IT, BUT I KHR-RBG -- I CLERKED FOR THAT COURT AND IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE BEST APPELLATE COURTS IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE SO MANY ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASES GO TO THAT COURT.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 8, LOU WEEBER SPEAKING IN PERSON.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
I AM LOU WEEBER AND MY PRONOUNS ARE HE/HIM.
I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE BECAUSE OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS' NOMINATION.
HERE -- HEAR FROM THOSE WHO HAVE THE LEAST AND ARE THE LEAST POWERFUL. I THOUGHT THAT WAS AMAZING TO HEAR. THAT IS WHO IS MOST VULNERABLE RIGHT NOW. IT IS OUR TRANSGENDER YOUTH AS THEY COME UNDER ATTACK. BEING IF HARRIS COUNTY IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I AGREE WITH MRS. SHANNON BACK THERE SAYING THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE. MY EXISTENCE SHOULD NOT BE POLITICAL AND ME BEING ABLE TO MOVE THROUGH THE WORLD SHOULD NOT BE POLITICAL. IT IS A SCIENCE ISSUE.
LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS AND THE SCIENTISTS AND THE FAMILIES THAT WHO KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM AND THEIR CHILDREN.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
[00:30:02]
I HAVE WORKED WITH YOU IN THE PAST AND YOU HAVE BEEN A STEDFAST ADVOCATE FOR THE LGB -- FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.AND JUDGE HIDALGO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK THAT YOU AND SEVERAL OTHERS DID YEARS BACK. IT WAS PRIMARILY FOR THE TRANS COMMUNITY. IF NOT FOR YOUR WORK AND THE HELP WITH MY STAFF AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HAVE BEST PRACTICES IN A CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND FOR THOSE WHO WERE GOING THROUGH THE TRANSITION PROCESS, YOU WERE THE
TIP OF THE SPEAR. >> THANK YOU.
>> AND WE ENDED UP WITH BEST PRACTICES NATIONALLY AND WE WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THE POLICIES WE IMPLEMENTED.
AND ALL IN THE MEMORY OF NICKY AND SO THANK YOU FOR BEING ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER ON COMPLICATED ISSUES.
APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. >> I AM NOT RULING OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS HAVING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
I READ MY NOTES BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO AS MUCH DOWN THE MIDDLE AS I CAN. ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH ME ON EVERYTHING, BUT I REMEMBER BEING IN THE LEGISLATURE AND PUTTING IN A BILL TO INCLUDE IN OUR HATE CRIME STATUTE OUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
WHEN IT PASSED IN 01, I CAN'T REMEMBER ONE OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WAS SUFFERING FROM PARKINSON'S AND HE SAID I WILL HELP YOU BRING THE BILL UP, AND THEN I WILL VOTE AGAINST IT.
AND WHEN HE DID THAT MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE HAD ABOUT FOUR VOTED TO PASS IT, SO WE'LL SEE. AT LEAST I'M TRYING SO I AM NOT
GIVING UP. >> COMMISSIONERS RAMSEYS AND CAGLE I HOPE THEY WILL LISTEN AND MAYBE JUST KEEP AN OPEN MIND
AND AN OPEN HEART. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 9 SPEAKING IN PERSON.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU.
MY PRONOUNS ARE HE/HIM/HIS AND A TRANSGENDER MAN LIVING MY TRUTH FOR 11 YEARS. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY AND DISCUSS THE RHETORIC OUT OF AUSTIN THAT IS DISPENSING FALSE INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG.
LET ME REMIND THE COURT OF THE RECENT HISTORY THAT GOT US HERE.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY PAST JUNE 25TH, 2015 AND BY JULY 24TH, JUST 29 DAYS, THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT PICKED UP THE ORDINANCE, A SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE AND IT HAS TURNED INTO THE LEGISLATION WE HAVE TODAY.
THIS IS NOT A MORAL CRUSADE TO SAVE ANYONE.
IT IS POLITICS AT ITS WORST AND IT IS USING A VULNERABLE POPULATION AS COMMIT CAL FODDER -- AS POLITICAL FODDER.
I HAVE SEEN HURRICANES AND WATER CRISIS AND PANDEMICS AND WINTER STORMS WITH GREAT TENACITY THAT ALL RESIDENTS DESERVE THE SAME TREATMENT, PROTECTION AND PRIVILEGES.
LET'S KEEP THAT PERSPECTIVE AND LET THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY FIND PEACE WITHOUT BEING POLITICAL TARGETS.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> NEXT IS ASHLEY DELA GIACOMA.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
I AM PASTOR ASHLEY DE LA GIACMA. I SERVE THOSE OF KINDRED LUTHERAN CHURCH. IN CHRISTIAN CHURCH WE BELIEVE IN A GOD WHO IS AND A GOD WHO BECOMES ALL THAT IS DEEPLY HUMAN AND BECOMES MORE THAN THE GATE KEEPERS WANT TO ACCEPT AND BECOMES LOVE INCAR NET. THE LOVE EXPRESSED AT TABLES AND BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS WHERE NOT ONLY OUR BODY, BUT OUR SOUL AND THE CORE OF OUR BEING SEEMS TO BE AT STAKE. I BELIEVE GOD DELIGHTS WHEN WE
[00:35:03]
LIVE FULLY INTO WHO WE ARE CREATED TO BE, AND ALSO WHO WE ARE CREATED TO BECOME. PEOPLE THRIVE WHEN THEY ARE SUPPORTED TO BE THEIR MOST VIBRANT SELVES AND IN DANGER WHEN DENIED THE STEPS OF CARE. WHEN WE CAN ECHO THE AFIRMATION IN ANYWAY WE CANDY CLAIRE TRANS KIDS ARE WORTHY OF DIGNITY -->> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU CAN CONTINUE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> NEXT IS BERNIS FROM THE MA HOG GONE -- BERNIE MCFARLAND.
>> I AM WITH THE I AM A BLACK TRANS BINARY PERSON IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AND I WILL SHARE FACTS ABOUT TEXAS. TEXAS IS KNOWN AS THE TRANS MURDER CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
WE EXPERIENCE MORE DEATH ON TEXAS SOIL THAN ANY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WE ALSO SEE MORE VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE OF TRANS EXPERIENCE, RIGHT? IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE TEXAS A SAFE SPACE NOT ONLY FOR LGBT PEOPLE AS A WHOLE, BUT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE AND YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. EARLIER ONE OF MY PREDECESSORS TALKED ABOUT HOW A DIVERSE HOUSTON IS A MORE IMPORTANT HOUSTON IT IS FOR TRANS FAMILIES AND LGBT PEOPLE AND BLACK COMMUNITIES. WE WANT TO BE A MEMBER WHO SIGNS ON AND PASSES THIS MOTION. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO US.
YOU OFTEN SEE BLACK PEOPLE SPEAK ABOUT THESE AND I AM HERE TO LIFT UP AND BE AN ALLY AND LIFT IT UP TO YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
DID YOU WRAP UP? DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER SECOND OR
TWO, OR DID YOU MAKE YOUR POINT? >> YES.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT -- SO WE ARE THE FIRST BLACK TRANS FOUNDED PHYSICAL SPACE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING OUR MOST VULNERABLE TIME.
WE NEED YOU WHO ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAND IN THE REPRESENTATION OF US AND SPEAK WHEN WE ARE UNABLE TO TO BE THERE WHEN WE NEED YOU TO BE. SIGN ON, SUPPORT.
SUPPORT TRANS FAMILY AND TRANS YOUTH AND LGBT COMMUNITIES AS A WHOLE. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS REBECCA BRYANT SPEAKING IN PERSON.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM REBECCA BRYANT.
I AM A SEVENTH GENERATION TEXAN AND THE MOTHER OF A TRANS GIRL HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I KNOW IT IS HARD FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW A TRANS CHILD CAN EVEN EXIST.
BUT LIKE MANY THINGS, UNTIL IT IS YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE. TRANS PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS EXISTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO. LAST YEAR HAS BEEN HORRIBLE.
MY CHILD AND I SPOKE AT THE CAPITOL COUNTLESS TIMES TO FIGHT FOR HER RIGHT FOR LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL CARE AND ACCESS TO SPORTS AND THE RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS AS HER PARENTS.
WE ARE A LOVING HOME AND OUR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING AND THEY ARE FULL OF JOY AND MISCHIEF. IT IS UNTHINKABLE THAT ANYONE BELIEVES OUR CHILD SHOULD BE TAKEN AWAY FROM US.
THE THOUGHT OF CPS KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR KEEPS ME IN A STATE OF TERROR AND I HAVEN'T SLEPT IN WEEKS.
WE HAVE HAD TO EXPLAIN TO OUR YOUNG CHILDREN THAT A STRANGER MAY COME TO THEIR SCHOOL AND ASK THEM INVASIVE QUESTIONS.
I PICK THEM UP FROM SCHOOL AND HE SAYS I PRACTICE WHAT THEY SAY
IF THEY COME TO THE PLAYGROUND. >> THANK YOU.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE ONE MORE SENTENCE. WE HAVE HAD TO SECURE A LAWYER AND ARE NOW CONSIDERING FLEEING OUR HOME TO A STATE THAT DOESN'T TERRORIZE PARENTS WHO ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING AND DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO NAVIGATE AN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT LIFE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE KNOW HOW HARD IT WAS FOR TO YOU COME HERE AND SPEAK OUT PUBLICLY, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT.
THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS MANDY CHILDS.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM THE PARENT OF TWO TRANSGENDER YOUNG ADULTS AND IN FAVOR OF RESOLUTION NUMBER FOUR SUPPORTING TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE GOVERNOR IS DIRECTED TO INVESTIGATE PARENTS WHO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO THEIR TRANSGENDER CHILDREN IS HURT -- HURTFUL AND ONLY STIRS UP CONFUSION AND FEAR.
[00:40:03]
HARRIS COUNTY CAN COMBAT THIS TO MAKE SURE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE INCLUDING TRANSGENDER KIDS.ONE OF MY KIDS RECEIVED TRANSGENDER MEDICAL CARE AND IT SAVED THEIR LIFE. PROVIDING MY CHILD WITH A LOVING ENVIRONMENT THAT INCLUDES NECESSARY HEALTH CARE IS THE OPPOSITE OF CHILD ABUSE. WE ALL WANT OUR KIDS TO BE HEALTHY AND SAFE AND PARENTS OF TRANS KIDS ARE NO DIFFERENT.
TRANSGENDER KIDS ARE THE PROOF OF MIRACULOUS DIVERSITY OF CREATION AND SHOULD BE CELEBRATED.
I URGE YOU TO MAKE A STRONG STATEMENT THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS A SAFE PLACE FOR TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS EDEN TORRES SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR 15 YEARS.
I AM THE FOUNDER OF NATIONAL NONPROFIT THAT FOCUSES ON THE SREUGZ BUILT OF THE TRANS COMMUNITY.
I HAVE SEEN TRAUMA ON COUNTLESS TRANS KIDS AND PARENTS OF TRANS KIDS AND TRANS HUMANS ACROSS THE STATE.
AS WE FEEL THE UNEDUCATED OPINIONS ABOUT HEALTH CARE FOR KIDS. LIVES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED SO GREATLY AND WE HAVE MADE NATIONAL NEWS FOR BEING A TRANS -- TRANS PHOBIC STATE. THE FACT THAT PARENTS CAN POSSIBLY FACE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR UH TPEUFRPL -- FOR AFFIRMING THEIR CHILDREN. IF I DIDN'T HAVE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE I WON'T BE HERE. I WOULDN'T BE HERE.
IT SAVED MY LIFE. I KNOW TRANS KIDS WHO ARE THRIVING BECAUSE THEIR GENDER CARE AFFIRMS THEIR IDENTITY.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU FINISH? DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER SENTENCE?
>> I HAVE ONE MORE SENTENCE. I APPLAUD THE RESOLUTION THAT CALLS FOR TEXAS TO SET UP ALL TEXANS FOR SUCCESS.
>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH
FOR THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
AND I WANT TO NOTE THE KIND OF STRUGGLE AND I DON'T WISH IT ON ANYBODY THE PARENTS OF THE CHILDREN AND A TRANSGENDER MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY ARE HAVING TO SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO BECAUSE OF THAT ILL INFORMED COMMENTS AND LEGISLATION.
THERE CAN BE THINGS WE DISAGREE IN IN POLITICS, BUT TO PUT KIDS IN THE MIDDLE IS BEYOND THE PALE.
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY I AND -- I WON'T SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES, BUT VERY MUCH STAND WITH YOU GUYS.
I BELIEVE THE STATE SHOULD BE WELCOMING TO ALL CHILDREN INCLUDING TRANSGENDER WOMEN AND I WANT TO GIVE A NOD TO THOSE HERE WHO DECIDED NOT TO GO WITH THIS POLITICAL STUNT OF PROSECUTING PARENTS WHO -- WHY WOULD THEY PUT THEMSELVES THROUGH THIS HELL? WHAT IS IT THEY HAVE TO GAIN OTHER THAN THE BEST FOR THEIR KIDS?
>> I AM LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN THE STATE AND THEY ARE DOING THINGS OTHER THAN A RESOLUTION.
SOMETIMES YOU COME OUT A BIG WIN WE ARE WORKING TO DO BETTER.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
IS THERE A PREFERENCE? I WOULD BE HAPPY TO LEAVE THIS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. OKAY.
I WILL MOVE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THIS. IT WON'T BE BASED ON POLITICS.
IT WILL BE A MEMORY OF MY FATHER WHO WAS A PASTOR FOR 60 YEARS AND WATCHING HIM AND WHAT HE SAID AND HOW HE SAID IT.
IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF POLITICS, BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT MY PASTOR FATHER HAS BLESSED ME IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND I AM PROUD TO MAKE A MOTION. I WILL SAY AS A FOOT NOTE IN HISTORY, NOT YOUR FATHER, BUT THERE WERE PASTORS WHO USED THE BIBLE TO JUSTIFY MY ANCESTORS BEING IN CHAINS.
JUST A FOOT NOTE IN HISTORY. AND I DO THINK WE ALL HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. ANYWAY, WHEN WE USE RELIGION --
[00:45:02]
YOU KNOW, I WILL TAKE MY HITS. I HAVE DONE THAT FOR 30 YEARS.RARELY WILL I USE MY RELIGION TO JUSTIFY SOMETHING THAT IN MY HUMBLE OPINION IS PURELY POLITICAL.
I MAKE THE MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
>> NO. >> I AGREE WITH MS. SHANNON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM FOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SPOKE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I BELIEVE
[Departments (Part 2 of 6)]
YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO RESOLUTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE.
THANK YOU. THIS RESOLUTION IS ON BEHALF OF THE LATE JUDGE DEBORAH -- DEBRA IBARRA MAYFIELD.
I MAY NOT HAVE AGREED WITH HER POLITICS AND TOLD HER SO, BUT DO ADMIRE HER FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FOR A LIFE OF SERVICE. AND SO THIS RESOLUTION READS WHEREAS JUDGE DEBRA IBARRA MAYFIELD SERVING AS THE FIRST LATINA JUDGE IN THESE COURTS PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 47.
VERY YOUNG. AND WHEREAS AS REPORTED IN THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE, MAYFIELD WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPOINTED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY CIVIL COURTS IN 2011 AND RE-ELECTED IN 2012 AND 2014. THE FOLLOWING YEAR SHE WAS APPOINTED TO THE 165TH KWOURT BY GOVERNOR -- COURT BY GOVERNOR ABBOTT WHO NAMED HER TO THE 190TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT TWO YEARS LATER. MAYFIELD WAS THE FIRST IN HER FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE AND OFTEN CITED HER WORKING CLASS BACKGROUND. THE EDITORIAL BOARD IN A 2016 ENDORSEMENT SAID THE GRADUATE BROUGHT A REFRESHING OPENNESS TO THE BENCH. AND A HOUSTON LAWYER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS PREPARED AND FAIR. DEBRA LOVED BEING A JUDGE.
WHEREAS ROLAND GARCIA, A LAWYER WHO MET MAYFIELD WHEN SHE WAS A LAW STUDENT CALLED HER A PERSON OF DEEP FAITH AND GAVE BACK AS A JUDGE AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON.
SHE TOOK PRIDE FROM LAWYERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
THE HOUSTON LAWYER CHAPTER REFLECTS ON JUDGE MAYFIELD'S MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LAW INCLUDING HER PRESENTATION IN 2020 WITH JUDGE EDITH JONES AND JUDGE JENNIFER WALKER ELROD CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF WOMEN IN LAW.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HONORS THE LIFE OF DEBRA IBARRA MAYFIELD FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THE MOTION AND ADD A LITTLE EXTRA COLORED COMMENTARY. WHEN JUDGE EMMITT APPOINTED ME TO FULFILL THE TERM OF MY PREDECESSOR, AT THAT TIME THE TRADITION IN COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS THAT THE MEMBERS OF COURT WOULD TAKE TURNS AND MAKES THE NOMINATION FOR THE VACATED POSITION WHEN I BECAME COMMISSIONER.
THE COMMISSIONER AT THAT TIME FOUND JUDGE -- NOT AT THAT TIME, BUT FOUND DEBRA IBARRA MAYFIELD AND APPROACHED ME AND TRIED TO PERSUADE ME. THEY SAID TALK TO THE JUDGE BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION. EL FRANCO KNEW AT THE TIME THAT DEBRA IBARRA MAYFIELD WAS MY TREASURER.
AND SO WHEN I WAS ASKED IF MY FORMER TREASURER WOULD BE
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SPHAUPB THAT -- SOMEONE THAT I COULD SUPPORT TO REPLACE ME ON THE BENCH WHERE I HAD BEEN SERVING FOR THE PRECEDING 11 YEARS, I OF COURSE WAS DELIGHTED AND WILLING TO JOIN IN AND SUPPORT THAT. SO HER SERVICE TO THE MEXICAN-CONCERN BAR SEW -- BAR ASSOCIATION WHERE I WAS ON THE BOARD THERE, AND HER COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.THAT FAMILY NEEDS OUR EXTRA PRAYERS.
MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR THOSE WHO ARE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, AND SHE LEAVES BEHIND A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER WHO IS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM.
ERIC, HER HUSBAND, WILL NEED OUR EXTRA PRAYERS AS HE DEALS WITH THE LOSS OF HIS BEAUTIFUL BRIDE AND NOW HANDLING THAT ALONE.
THOSE WHO KNOW THE JOYS AND NEEDS OF THAT SHOULD APPRECIATE THE PRAYER. THE SERVICES WILL BE TOMORROW.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE ITEM?
>> NO, MA'AM. NOT FOR THIS ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE BARRIERS SHE BROKE AND HER INCREDIBLE LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
SO LET'S TAKE A VOTE. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED 1234* MOTION CARRIES
UNANIMOUSLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT. PRECINCT 2 BROUGHT THE ORIGINAL NOMINATION FOR HER TO SERVE AND AS A JUDGE OF THAT COURT I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE THEY BROUGHT THAT RESOLUTION TODAY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY OR COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S THE ONLY ONE I HAVE.
>> TOM RAMSEY: LET ME GO AHEAD AND DO MINE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THEY ARE RELATED.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ME JUST DO ONE MORE.
THIS RESOLUTION RE -- REFLECTS THE FACT THAT WE ARE FIGHTING FOR FUNDS THAT CONGRESS INTENDED FOR US TO HAVE.
IT WAS PASSED BY THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT OF 2018.
PER A LETTER FROM HUD ON FRIDAY THAT FIGHT CONTINUES.
THE LETTER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE GLO ACTION PLAN WAS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE, BUT DID NOT APPROVE THE PLAN'S IMPLEMENTATION. IT WARNED OF ITS CONCERNS WITH THE PLAN AND THAT IT WOULD BE MONITORING IT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW. WITH THIS HUD SIGNALED THAT IT IS ON OUR SIDE. WHAT ACTION IT WILL TAKE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED, BUT IT COULD INCLUDE CLAW BACKS TO THE STATE.
SO THE FIGHT CONTINUES. TODAY'S RESOLUTION CALLS ON THE GLO TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NEEDED TO GET ITS PLAN IN COMPLIANCE. WE ALL WISH THIS WAS OVER AND WE HAD THE MONEY IN OUR HANDS SO WE CAN PUT A NEEDED AND IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE AND FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS IN THE GROUND.
I AM PROUD OF THE ACTIONS WE AS A COUNTY HAVE TAKEN TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS OF FLOODING. I AM PROUD OF THE MAINTENANCE WE HAVE DONE. WITH THE RAIN WE HAD THIS MORNING, WE STILL HAVE NOT HAD -- I HOPE I KILL KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED ANY STRUCTURAL FLOODING.
I AM PROUD OF MY ENGINEERING TEAM AND THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE AND DIRECTOR RAMEN WAS A BIG PART OF THAT.
WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS.
SO THIS RESOLUTION -- AND LET ME JUST SAY THAT I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS WE ALWAYS HAVE OUR ISSUES WITH SITTING AT THE MEETINGS, BUT I AM GLAD I AM THERE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE PLAN AND I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR -- OR DR. PETERSON FOR LENDING HER VOICE. IT WAS EVEN BEFORE SHE LANDED IN HARRIS COUNTY AS DIRECTOR OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO RAISE CONCERNS WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS BUTTONED UP WELL WITH WHAT THEY ARE PUSHING. I ALWAYS TAKE MY ROLE THERE SERIOUSLY AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THESE ISSUES WITH EYES WIDE OPEN. AND THAT'S WHY THIS RESOLUTION READS WHEREAS CONGRESS APPROPRIATE -- APPROPRIATED
[00:55:03]
4.3 BILLION IN CGBD FUNDS IN 2018 TO ASSIST COMMUNITIES IN TEXAS IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HARVEY AND OTHER FLOODING ADVANCES IN THE LAST DECADE TO HELP MITIGATE AGAINST FUTURE DISASTERS POTENTIALLY SAVING LIVES, HOMES AND BUSINESSES.GOVERNOR ABBOTT SELECTED THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE THAT IN TURN SUBMITTED AN INITIAL ACTION PLAN INCLUDING A COMPETITION THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOCATED ZERO DOLLARS TO HARRIS COUNTY AND HOUSTON. THE JURISDICTIONS MOST SEVERELY IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HARVEY. AND WHEREAS AFTER BIPARTISAN UPROAR, THE GLO ADDED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD DISTRIBUTE 750 MILLION TO HARRIS COUNTY ALONE WITH THE FUNDS BEING SPENT IN THE COUNTY. INCLUDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WELL OVER 1.2 BILLION SHORT OF THE FAIR SHARE THE FUNDS THE TWO JURISDICTIONS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED.
WHEREAS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ISSUED A LETTER FINDING GLO IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 6 AND SECTION 109 OF THEIR PLAN SUBSTANTIALLY AND PREDICTABLY DISADVANTAGING MINORITY RESIDENTS AND COUNT TORE THE ATTEMPT TO FOCUS ON THE AIRS WITH THE GREATEST -- FOCUS ON THE AREAS WITH THE GREATEST NEED. AND WHEREAS HUD'S OFFER ISSUED A LETTER MARCH 18TH ACKNOWLEDGING THE SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF GLO'S ACTION PLAN AND THAT IS A PLAN EXPRESSING GRAVE CONCERNS OVER CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND ADD ADMONISHING GLO THAT IT WOULD MONITOR COMPLIANCE AND HAVE CORRECTIVE ACTION TOOLS AT ITS DISPOSAL INCLUDING CLAW BACKS FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANCE. AND WHEREAS WITH HARRIS COUNTY COMMENCING, IT IS HURRICANE SEASON SINCE HURRICANE HARVEY, HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE YET TO SEE ONE PENNY OF THE CBDG DOLLARS BEING UTILIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF MITIGATING THE FLOODING DISASTER FOR IMPACTED COMMUNITIES DUE TO THE ON GOING SPLIT TAU -- POLITIZATOI -- POLITIZATION.
THIS CALLS ON THE GLO TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE AND ENSURE HARRIS COUNTY AND ENTITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY INCLUDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND OTHER SURROUNDING CITIES RECEIVE THEIR FAIR SHARE OF CBDG DOLLARS. THAT'S THE RESOLUTION I HAVE.
I HAVE THE LETTER ISSUED BY HUD. LET ME JUST SAY THAT THIS IS IN SOLIDARITY OF EVERY ONE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.
REGARDLESS OF PRECINCT AND REGARDLESS OF PARTY AND REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED SINCE THE DAY I LANDED HERE THAT WE WOULD DO AND I WOULD DO EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DOLLARS THAT WE'VE GOTTEN AND WE SHOULD GET AND WE SHOULD GET OUR FAIR SHARE TO ADDRESS THE CHRONIC CHALLENGE THAT'S OUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE
FACED. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO
SECOND THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR SECONDING IT.
EVERYBODY ON THIS BOARDOR F SPEAKING UP.
I THOUGHT YOU HIT THE RIGHTBA LANCEEN AND WT RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE WHICH IS WHY WE HADRT BIPAISAN SUPPORT.
WHAT HUD FOUND IS WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW.
I WILL SAY IT PUBLICLY, THE GLOD DISCRIMINATE AGAINST COMMUNITIESES OFIT COLOR -- COMMUNIES OFRT COLOR.
IT IS IMPOANTOR TO GO BACK IN HISTY AND HUD WAS CREATED BY A TEXAN AND THAT WAS LBJ. THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS GIVEN SOME REAL MEANING, SOME REAL TEETH TO TITLE 6.
WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO DO A RESOLUTION IN TEXAS -- THANKING TEXAS HOUSES FOR THE COMPLAINT. I ASSUMED THEY HAD HELP DRAFTING THE LANGUAGE. IT IS A SHOUT ACROSS THE NATION AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT IT. I HOPE ALL OF US, WHATEVER
[01:00:02]
CONTEXT WE HAVE WITH THE GLO, ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE HEED.A NORMAL RECIPIENT PROBABLY WOULD AND MAKE SOME CHANGES SO WE DON'T RUN THE RISK OF A CLAW BACK AND MAYBE DELAYING SPENDING THE MONEY. I ALSO STATE THAT WHAT WE DID WAS WE HAD EQUITY GUIDELINES, BUT A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF PROJECTS IN THE AREAS WE THOUGHT WOULD QUALIFY.
LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES WERE DELAYED IN ANTICIPATION OF HAVING A GOOD SHOT AT GETTING A BILLION DOLLARS FROM GLO.
AND THEN WE GO TO THE TOLL ROAD AND I AM GLAD WE DID IT.
IT WAS THOUGHTFUL, BUT WE COULD HAVE STRETCHED THE MONEY EVEN FARTHER TO HELP US GET DOWN THE ROAD WITH OTHER ISSUES.
I'M GOING TO BE IN DC NEXT WEEK. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
I AM GOING UP FOR THE BIKING CONFERENCE, BUT I AM GOING TO SEE THE FOLKS AT HUD AS WELL. I HOPE THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE SOME FOOT NOTES FOR WHAT HUD DID BY THE WAY FOR THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION AND GLAD YOU PUT IT FORTH. GLAD TO VOTE FOR IT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO WAS PART OF GETTING THIS 750 MILLION HERE WHICH INCLUDES THE COLLEAGUES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TABLE AND TOKING A -- TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNMET NEED THAT IS OUT THERE AND STAND IN SOLIDARITY FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND FOR US FOR THE OTHER 250 MILLION.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO THAT.
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE, THAT WAS 304?
SO AS PRESENTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: CONNECT.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK ANYTIME YOU GET 750 MILLION AT LEAST COMMITTED AND WE WANT TO GET THAT MONEY IN THE BANK AND IS WORTHY OF A RESOLUTION. IT GIVES A BIT OF A BACKGROUND AND WE NEED TO PAUSE WHEN THINGS HAPPEN AND WE OUGHT TO SAY THANK YOU. THIS IS MY WAY OF CELEBRATING AND SAYING THANK YOU WHEN 750 MILLION IS COMMUNICATED.
THERE ARE SEVERAL IN THIS ROOM THAT KNOWS HOW HARD WE WORKED FOR OVER A YEAR, AND I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN IN HUD'S CAMP FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS NOW AS WE WORKED THROUGH ISSUES AND CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH ISSUES AND IT IS WHEREAS THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS PROOF OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS JUST HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT THEY HAVE INCLUDING THE PASSAGE OF A $2.5 BILLION BOND FOR RELIEF. HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS WERE THE ONLYUP GRO AND THEIR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROTECT OUR OVERN FOUR MILLIO RESIDENTS RECOGNIZE AND CONTINUE TO DO IN FLOOD CONTROL. I WANT TO CELEBRATE COMMISSIONER BUSH AND TEXAS LAND COMMISSIONER GENERAL GEORGE P BUSH AND RECOGNIZED THE FLOOD CONTROL EFFORTS.
THERE WERE MANY VOICES OUT THERE TELLING HIM NOT TO DO THAT, BUT HE DID IT. WHEREAS IN MARCH OF 2022, THE HARRIS TKPWAF ADVICE STOPB AREA COUNCIL OTHERWISE KNOWN AT HGAC REQUESTED THE 750 MILLION BE ROUTED TO THEM INSTEAD.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THAT'S NOT IN THE RESOLUTION.
I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. AN IRRESPONSIBLE SUGGESTION THAT WOULD HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
FLOOD CONTROL IN HARRIS COUNTY WAS THE ONLY ORGANIZED GROUP IN THIS WHOLE BIG MESS. THEY HAD A BOND ISSUE AND THEY HAD A PLAN TO SPEND THE MONEY. NO ONE ELSE DID.
THAT'S POLITICS. HUD APPROVED THE 750 MILLION BEING GIVEN TO HARRIS COUNTY AND EXCELLENT BIPARTISAN SOLUTION
[01:05:04]
THAT WE SHOULD ALL CELEBRATE. BE IT RESOLVED WE CELEBRATE THE ALLOCATION OF 750 MILLION IN FLOOD MITIGATION FUNDS TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I WILL VOTE FOR IT WITH A COUPLE OF CAVEATS, NOT CHANGES. AS I STATED EARLIER THESE ARE RESOLUTIONS. AND THE REAL ISSUE IS HOW WE RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT IF IT HELPS TO TURN A FEW CARTWHEELS, THAT'S NOT QUITE THE CASE AS I'M ASSUMING YOU KNOW.
THERE ARE A FEW HURDLES THERE. >> WE GOT BETTER NEWS THIS WEEK
THAN LAST WEEK. >> IN THAT SEPBGS I'LL LET IT GO FOR THE RECORD. I WANT TO MAKE THE CASE THAT IN ORDER FOR PEOPLE IN THIS REGION TO BE TREATED FAIRLY, THE BILLION WHICH IS RUSS POPPY AND HIS TEAM HAD US RELYING ON OUGHT TO COME TO HARRIS COUNTY AND THE BILLION OUGHT TO GO TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THE NUMBERS DICTATE IT.
THE MAIN THING I LIKE ABOUT YOUR RESOLUTION IS YOU DO PUT THAT WORD IN, IRRESPONSIBLE, AS IT RELATES TO HGAC.
AND I WENT TO THE MEETINGS ONCE OR TWICE WHEN YOU WERE THE JUDGE. I HOPE YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT TRYING TO GO AND CHANGE THAT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WORST STRUCTURE OF ALL SIMILAR ENTITIES IN THE COUNTRY.
CLEARLY WOO SHOW -- CLEAR -- CLEARLY WE SHOULD BE AT THE
TABLE PLANNING. >> THE SAD THING IS THE TIMING OF WHEN THEY DID IT. WHEN ALL OF THIS WAS IN A MATTER OF BEING DECIDED AND THEY PASSED A RESOLUTION, IT WAS -- THAT'S
PRETTY SAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE A FEW IDEAS UP MY SLEEVE. I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO POLITICS, BUT THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE STATE AND THE GLO ABOUT JUST OUT RIGHT DISCRIMINATIONS IUL RIDICOUS.
IF YOU HAVEN'T MET THE COMPLAINT ABOUT THEM GIVING MONEY -- YOUHA KNOW WT A SUNSET COMPLAINT IS? THEY SAID DON'T LET SUN SET ON YOU. AS A YOUNG KID I GOT THE HELL OUT. IF I WAS DRIVING BACK TO EVENINGS TO SEE FRIENDS I GOT THE HECK OUT OF IDA.
TO GIVE MONEY TO THAT COMMUNITY AND IGNORE PORT ARTHUR AND BEAUMONT? I MEAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALL CITIZENS OF THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.
THEY HAVE MORE WATER THAN US. I HOPE THE FULL FORCE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMES DOWN ON TEXAS IF THEY DON'T DO WHAT A NORMAL RECIPIENT WOULD DO OF THAT MONEY.
IT IS MAKING SOME CHANGES. THEY HAVE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES FOR US TO GET TO 750. DON'T GO TO THE BANK JUST YET.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WANT TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER CELEBRATE WHAT IS APPROPRIATE.
I DON'T WANT TO BE PITTED AGAINST THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. THAT'S WHY I STILL TAKE ISSUE WITH 750 AND IF THAT WAS MY MONEY IT WOULD BE A LOT OF MONEY. IT IS NOT MY MONEY.
BUT COLLECT -- COLLECTIVELY THIS COMMUNITY ASKED FOR OVER $2 BILLION OF OUR FAIR SHARE THAT WAS DEDICATED TO HOUSTON COUNTY PROPER. AND I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW WE WILL MAKE 2 BILLION PLUS. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANT.
>> WITH A AND M I SHOULD. >> THEY LAID IT OUT IN NICE
ANALYTICAL LANGUAGE. >> I WILL SECOND THE MOTION.
I THINK SOMETIMES IT IS GOOD TO HAVE CARROTS ALONG WITH THEIR STICKS. IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A POSITIVE MESSAGE GOING ALONG WITH THE STRONG MESSAGE AND OUR POSITIVE
[01:10:04]
FEE -- FEATURE. AND WE WILL SAY NICE THINGSABOUT YOU IF YOU HELP US OUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE GET MONEY
I WILL SEND A PICTURE SMILING. >> WE DON'T WANT TO SCARE HIM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> THAT'S AS PRESENTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> I AM GOING TO ASK --
>> COMMISSIONER YOUR MIC, PLEASE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST REALIZED THAT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DEPUTY? >> R. JACK CAGLE: CHIEF!
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAKE SURE YOU ADDRESS HIM PROPERLY.
AGO -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE ADDRESSED HIM SO IMPROPERLY SO MANY TIMES THAT IT IS A WONDER HE STILL TALKS TO ME. CHIEF ZITSMAN IS GOING TO DO DOUBLE DUTY ON THE RESOLUTIONS. THE FIRST ONE IS WHERE THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL TOUCH OF HUMANITY OF NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS. I DID HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING WITH HIS WIFE AND SHE IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL AND SEEKER -- AND SEEKING TO RECOVER.
IT TELLS HIS STORY. WHEREAS DEPUTY WILLIAM BELL IS A FAITHFUL PUBLIC SERVANTND A ASSIGNED TO THE PARKS AND THE COMMUNITY CENTERS, WHEREAS DEPUTY BELL AND JOINT CONSTABLE- PRE PRECINCT 4 CHANGING HIS T CAREERO PURSUE HIS PASSION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
WHEREAS DEPUTY BELL SUFFERED A MEDICAL CONDUCTING HIS DUTIES AT HAWKLY COMMUNITY CENTER.
THAT'S PART OF THE NEW PRECINCT 4.
THANKFUL LEAHY WAS FOUND AND ASSISTED BY A GOOD SAMARITAN.
A GOOD SAMARITAN. NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.
THEY WERE WILLING TO INTERVENE ON HIS BEHALF.
NOW THEREFORE AND IF NOT FOR THE GOOD SAMARITAN WE WOULD NOT HAVE DEPUTY BELL -- I MEAN WILLIAM BELL AT THIS TIME.
BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY EXTENDS OUR HEARTFUL PRAYERS AND WARMEST WELL WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND RETURN TO THE SERVICE WHICH IS HIS PASSION OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THIS.
I KNOW WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO MRS. BELL.
>> ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY, WE THANK YOU, SIR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, CHIEF.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: STAY PUT. THE NEXT PRECINCT FOR RESOLUTION AND WE HAD SOMEONE WITH OUR OFFICE OF VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, BUT IT MECHANICALLY ENDED UP FALLING THROUGH. CHIEF ZITSMAN HAS AGREED TO STAND IN TO RECEIVE OUR NEXT RESOLUTION HONORING OUR VIETNAM VETERANS. WHEREAS THE VIETNAM WAR HAS A LEGACY OF PAIN LEAVING SCARS THAT WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED IN OUR COUNTRY AS THIS WAR LASTED FIVE PRESIDENTS AND INVOLVED HALF A MILLION AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS.
MANY OF THOSE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS RETURNED HOME FROM THE HORRORS OF WAR AND FOUND A NATION OF SCORN AND ABANDONMENT.
WHERE OUR NATION IS BECOMING MORE AWARE OF OUR NEGLECT OF THE VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM WAR AND NOW SEEKING TO HEAL THE PHYSICAL WOUNDS APPROPRIATELY HONOR THEIR SERVICE AND ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT REPEAT THESE ERRORS WITH OUR CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS. WHEREAS A BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS IN 2017 AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TO OFFICIALLY HONOR VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM WAR WITH THEIR OWN DAY OF APPRECIATION SELECTING MARCH 29TH AS IT WAS THE DAY AMERICAN TROOPS DEPARTED FROM SOUTH VIETNAM.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT COMMEMORATES NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY ON MARCH 29TH, 2022 AND EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR THEIR HONORABLE SERVICE FOR OUR COUNTRY.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER
[01:15:08]
CAGLE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE IT ONE AT A TIME.
THE MOTION -- THE RESOLUTION ABOUT THE GOOD SAMARITAN MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THE
SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL MAKE IT
>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY COMMISSIONER -- SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND THEN THERE IS A RESOLUTION HONORING VIETNAM WAR VETERANS. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT SHOULD BE IT FOR OUR RESOLUTIONS. WE'VE DONE SEVERAL -- WE'VE GOTTEN SEVERAL REQUESTS -- LET'S TAKE PICTURES AND WE HAVE SEVERAL REQUESTS TO TAKE ITEM 146 UNDER DISTRICT ATTORNEY AS WELL AS THE SPEAKERS RIGHT AFTER THE RESOLUTIONS AND BEFORE THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS SO WE WILL START WITH THAT.
[01:28:00]
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH
[01:28:12]
COURT NOW. THERE IS ONE SPEAKER THAT REQUIRES AN INTERPRETER AND THE INTERPRETER NEEDS TO LEAVE BY NOON SO WE WERE ASKED TO TAKE THAT SPEAKER BEFORE WE TAKE THE D.A. ITEM. TIFFANY, DO YOU HAVE THE SPEAKERON THE LINE AND THE INTERPRETER? >> YES, MA'AM.
TEFRP -- INTERPRET -- INTERPRETER ALVAREZ, I'M GOING TO UNMUTE YOU NOW. ARE YOU, THERE INTERPRETER? INTERPRETER, CAN YOU LET US KNOW THAT YOU CAN HEAR US?
WHICH NUMBER SPEAKER -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH SPEAKER?
>> IT IS NUMBER 16, MARIA LARA. IT SEEMS LIKE THE INTERPRETER MAY BE HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH HER VOLUME.
WE MAY NEED TO COME BACK TO THIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET US KNOW WHEN WE NEEDFO TO COME BACK.
R NOW WE WILL TAKE ITEM 146 AND I WOULD LIKE ADMINISTRATOR BARRY, BUDGET DIRECTOR RAMOS AND PERHAPS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, IF YOU CAN GIVE US CONTEXT ON THIS ITEM.
>> CERTAINLY AND GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
>> THIS AGENDA ITEM TOUCHES ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ISSUES AND SOME OF THE BACKGROUND MATERIALS I HAVE SEEN CIRCULATING TOUCH ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ISSUES. AS YOU CONSIDER IT, I WANT TO PROVIDE YOU A CLEAR SET OF FACTS AND A CLEAR RECOMMENDATION.
THE FIRST FACT, IN NO WAY, IN NO SENSE, IN NO CAPACITY HAS THIS COURT DE FINISHEDDED THE -- DEFUNDED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
[01:30:03]
THE ANNUAL LIESED APPROPRIATION FROM -- ANNUALIZED APPROPRIATION HAS INCREASED 12 MILLION IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND IT HAS FUNDED A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC PROGRAMS ADDING PROSECUTORS FOR A NEW DISTRICT COURT AND ADDING PROSECUTORS FOR MANAGING EVIDENCE AND I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO COLLABORATE ON THOSE.THAT'S WHAT WE WILL KEEP DOING ON THE TOPIC OF THE OFFICES UN -- UNSPENT APPROPRIATION, WHAT SOME OF US CALL ROLL OVER.
COURT PERFORMED THE POLICY IN 2021 AND IT WAS AT OUR RECOMMENDATION. THAT FREED UP $100 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY WHERE THE DEPARTMENT HAD NO CLEAR PLANS TO USE IT. SO INSTEAD OF DESTINATION UNKNOWN, IT CAN BE USED FOR EMERGENCIES AND FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY AND FOR OTHER USES.
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE GOT BACK 100% OF THEIR UN -- UNSPENT APPROPRIATION THAT WAS ALLOCATED TO AN OVER TIME PROGRAM THEY DESIGNED. AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE RECOMMENDATION IT IS ADVANCING ON ANOTHER PROGRAM.
AND ALL OF THESE NUMBERS, THEY ARE FACT THAT'S CAN BE VERIFIED IN THE COURT RECORDS. PHAEP -- HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT TO ANYONE INTERESTED. ATTORNEYING TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON THE AGENDA, ONE IS TO RESTORE BUDGET MAXES FOR ALL POSITIONS. AND MR. RAMOS AND I HAVE WORKED THROUGH THIS AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT LARGE DEPARTMENTS WITH THE HIGHER TURNOVER RATES MAY NEED ADDED FLEXIBILITY AND MR. RAMOS AND HIS TEAM HAVE WORKED WITH THE D.A. TO AUTHORIZE THIS REQUEST TO PROVIDE THEM THE FLEXIBILITY THEY NEED AND NO FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED HERE. THE SECOND IS FOR A 6.1 MILLION OUT OF CYCLE BUDGET INCREASE. WITHOUT OFFSETS.
AND THIS INCLUDES FUNDING ALL POSITION CONTROL NUMBERS AT THE OFFICE WHICH IMPLY THERE'S IS NEVER ANY VACANCIES THAT IS NOT THE CASE AND ALONG WITH 2.4 MILLION OF SALARY INCREASES, THEY ARE NOT CLEARLY SPELLED OUT IN THE REQUEST.
AND THIS 6.1 MILLION REQUEST IS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE 34ARPA CASE LOGS THAT ARE UNFUNDED AND UNFILLED INCLUDING 24 PROSECUTORS. AND I THINK EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY WE JUST APPROVED A BUDGET.
LIKE ANY HOUSEHOLD AND LIKE ANY BUDGET WE NEED A BUDGET THAT WE STICK WITH. IT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T TAKE UP SPENDING ITEMS AT ANOTHER TIME. THIS IS FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY 101. AND SO I WILL LET MR. RAMOS SHARE WITH YOU A LITTLE MORE ABOUT HIS TEAM'S DETAILED REVIEW AND THEN I WOULD LIKE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO SHARE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE LEGAL ASSERTIONS I HAVE SEEN IN THE BACK UP -- BACKGROUND MATERIALS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. BERRY. BRIEFLY WE HAVE SEEN AER POW POINT THAT WAS CIRCULATED THAT I BELIEVE THE D.A.'S OFFICE WILL SHARE WITH YOU LATER IN THE MEETING.
JUST TO CLARIFY ONE POINT, AS MR.HE BARRY NOTED TRE HAS BEEN NO DEFUNDING OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE.
BEYOND THAT WE ARE -- IT IS CLEAR THAT SB23 THAT SB23 DOES NOT JUST APPLY TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
IT APPLIES TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, QUOTE, WITH PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICING, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND ANSWERING CALLS FOR SERVICE. AND WHILE THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE THAT ENGAGES IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, THERE IS NO ARGUMENT THAT THE D.A.'S OFFICE ENGAGES WITH -- IN POLICING OR ANSWERING CALLS FOR SERVICE AND THEREFORE SB23, EVEN IF THERE WAS AN ELEMENT OF DEFUNDING WOULDN'T APPLY TO THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >> I BELIEVE THERE IS A -- GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MORNING JUDGE AND -- HELLO? >> THE FIRST TIME I NEEDED A MIC IN MY LIFE. THANK YOU.
GOT IT. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM DANA RAMOS AND THE NEW BUDGET DIRECTOR AND -- IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
THERE IS A POWER POINT IF ONE OD PUTTING IT UP.
THANK YOU. THIS WAS DISTRIBUTED TO YOUR
[01:35:03]
STAFF LAST NIGHT AND I WANT TO REITERATE THE POINTS THE ADMINISTRATOR LAID OUT. ONE UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT THERE IS NO DEFUNDING OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.WE HAVE MADE AS A JURISDICTION HISTORIC INVESTMENTS AND NOT JUST THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND ALSO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OVERALL TO ATTACK THIS BACKLOG AND GET CASES THROUGH AND FOLKS THROUGH THE SYSTEM. I WON'T BURY THE LEAD HERE.
I AM RECOMMENDING NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM.
AS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SAID THIS COURT APPROVED A BUDGET NOT FOUR WEEKS AGO OR THE BUDGET THE COURT APPROVED WENT INTO EFFECT NOT FOUR WEEKS AGO. IT IS, AS HE SAID, FISCAL 101.
THE BUDGET REFLECTS A PLAN AND WE SHOULD ALLOW THE PLAN TO BE IMPLEMENTED BEFORE WE MAKE WHOLE SCALE CHANGES.
WE WILL GO INTO THE MY KNEW SHAE TRANSACTIONS AND WHAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY LAID OUT. THIS REQUEST IS FOR A $6 MILLION UNBUDGEDDED -- UNBUDGETED SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST TO HER BUDGET. THAT IS FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND OPERATIONALLY UNNECESSARY AT THIS POINT.
YOU CAN BREAK DOWN THE REQUEST TO TWO SEPARATE BUCKETS.
ONE IS A $6.2 MILLION TO FULLY FUND ALL PREVIOUS POSITIONS AND MADE UP OF TWO PARTS. ONE IS 3.7 MILLION TO FUND UNFUNDED PCN'S. I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND AS OF LAST MONDAY HAVE AUTHORIZED HER TO FILL UP TO THE 50 POSITIONS THAT WERE UNFUNDED. WE WANT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO HIRE PROSECUTORS. WE WANT MORE BODIES IN SEATS THAT CAN GET FOLKS THROUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE FELT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH ATTRITION IN THE DEPARTMENT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE FLEXIBILITY TO HER AND HER STATUTE. HER AND HER STAFF.
ONE THING NOT SPELLED OUT IN THE RCA, BUT IT -- BUT IS VERY CLEAR IN THE LIST SHE SEPTEMBER OVER IS -- SHE SENT OVER IS 250 SALARY INCREASES TO HER STAFF. I WANT TO NOTE THAT THE NUMBER THE OFFICE REQUESTED DOES NOT REFLECT FRINGE AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT IS THE 1.3 MILLION THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE ON THE HOOK FOR. WE HAVE MORE -- WE HAVE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IN FUNDING NEW INITIATIVES AND THE TRIAGE PROJECT AND ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE INTAKE DIVISION AND EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT AND PAY INCREASES FOR ENTRY LEVEL ADA'S.
THESE WERE ALL APPROVED BY COURT.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. EVEN THOUGH WE HIRED FOR THOSE 50 POSITIONS THAT THERE ARE STILL UNFUNDED POSITIONS THAT
ARE VACANT. >> LINA HIDALGO: FUNDED OR
UNFUNDED? >> THERE ARE 50 UNFUNDED POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE GIVEN AUTHORIZATION FOR THE OFFICE TO HIRE FOR, BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL 24ADA POSITIONS FROM ARP -- ARPA POSITIONS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: FUNDED? >> FUNDED.
I WANT TO FLAG THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND A LOT OF CONFUSION AROUND THE ROLL OVER POLICY.
IN THIS CASE ALL 3.5 MILLION WHICH WAS THE ENDING BALANCE FOR FISCAL 21 WAS REAPPROPRIATED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR THE TRIAGE PROJECT. 1.2 MILLION OF THAT FUNDING IS ACTUALLY ON TODAY'S COURT. IT WAS REINVESTED INTO THEIR PROGRAMMING. I WILL STOP THERE AND TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR. THIS HAS BEEN A HEADACHE FOR ME SINCE MY DAYS AS SHERIFF. UNFUNDED POSITIONS AUTHORIZED.
HOW DOES THAT WORK? IF YOU ARE AUTHORIZING UNFUNDED POSITIONS, WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?
>> IN THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT -- JUST TO TAKE A STEP BACK, WE WORK WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S STAFF AND WE SET A LABOR BUDGET AND ASKED ALL AGENCIES AND NOT JUST THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO TELL US WHICH POSITIONS ARE FUNDED UP TO THE NUMBER OF THE APPROVED LABOR BUDGET.
THE OFFICE LISTED 50 POSITIONS. THEY WOULD NEED A SUPPLEMENTAL
[01:40:01]
ORDER TO FUND THOSE POSITIONS. IT IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN TO PICK AND CHOOSE BECAUSE THERE IS A HIGH ATTRITION RATE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH POSITIONS TO FILL.BECAUSE OF THAT WE HAVE GIVEN ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WE HAVE GIVEN OTHER AGENCIES THE FLEXIBILITY TO FILL THE POSITIONS AS LONG AS THEY CAME BACK ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS SO WE CAN REVIEW THE OVERALL LABOR EXPENSES TO KEEP THEM AT
THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL BUDGET. >> THOSE ARE THE AUTHORIZED, UNFUNDED AND YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE IS A ARPA APPROVED FUNDED
POSITION REMAINING UNFILLED. >> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID THIS COURT APPROVE INCREASING SALARIES FOR
THE ENTRY LEVEL PROSECUTORS? >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MUCH WAS THAT?
>> 582,000 OVER THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU KNOW IF THE D.A. PROVIDED [INAUDIBLE].
>> I BELIEVE THAT IS A QUESTION FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, BUT I
DO NOT BELIEVE SO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST CURIOUS. HOW DID YOU ALL HANDLE UNSPENT
APPROPRIATIONS IN MARYLAND? >> THERE WAS A FORMAL CARRY FORWARD PROCESS WHERE AGENCIES WOULD COME AND REQUEST ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IT WOULD BE FOR TIMING ISSUES.
THE INVOICE CAME AND IT WOULD BE AFFORDED.
LABOR CARRYOR FWARD WAS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
IF YOU ARE RUNNING A BUSINESS YOU DON'T SIGN UP TO HIRE A BUNCH OF NEW PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T HIRE PEOPLE LAST YEAR.F THERE IS AORMAL PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET OFFICE AND A BOARD OF ESTIMATES ANDVE COUNCIL TO APPRO IT.
BUT I WANT TO BE SPECIFIC THAT CARRYING FORWARD LABOR APPROPRIATION IS NOT GOOD FISCAL MANAGEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I PUSHED FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISE. HAVE THEY TAKEN EFFECT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE --
>> YOUR MIC, COMMISSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE PAY RAISE THAT I PROPOSEDY I THINK IT IS 3% IN THIS BUDGET AND 2% IN THE COMING BUDGET. HAVE THOSE PAY RAISES, HAS THAT FIRST PAY RAISE TAKEN EFFECT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CONSTABLE OFFICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE DISTRICT
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? >> WHAT I KNOW IS THE BUDGET TRANSFER HAS BEEN COMPLETED. I WILL CHECK WITH THE TEAM IF IT HAS GONE INTO EFFECT AND GET BACK TO YOU.
THE MONEY HAS BEEN MOVED TO FUND THEM.
>> AND HAVE WE MOVED THE MONEY AND HAVE THEY GONE INTO EFFECT FOR THE NEW HIRES FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? I KNOW THERE WAS A PRESENTATION THAT WAS MADE INDICATING THAT IT WAS TOUGH TO ATTRACT NEW TALENT. WE RAISED THE ENTRY LEVEL AND
HAS THAT GONE INTO EFFECT? >> I DON'T KNOW THE STATUS OF THE RAISES. AND THE FUNDING COVERED A MORE SENIOR POSITION AND IT COULD BRING IN NEW PROSECUTORS AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL. OUR INTENT IS IT COULD COVER ALL
NEW POSITIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WAS
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS -- SO FROM YOUR CHART HERE -- THE VISION IS GETTING A LITTLE BLURRY. IT IS ABOUT 100 MILLION? THE SEVEN MILLION THAT IS ARPA MONEY?
>> THIS WOULD BE OVER A 12-MONTH SHORT FISCAL YEAR, BUT WE WANTED TO SHOW APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISONS.
>> SO IN 12 MONTHS IT WOULD BENIGN 9 MILLION? WHEN THE ARPA MONEY IS GONE, THAT'S THE TRIAGE AND OTHER THINGS? WHAT DO WE DO?
>> PRIMARILY THAT IS TO FUND PROSECUTORS TO STAFF ADDITIONAL
[01:45:05]
COURTS TO ADDRESS THE BACKLOG. CERTAINLY THE -- AND I BELIEVE IT IS TYPICAL AND MY HOPE IS WE WORK THROUGH THE BACKLOG AND THAT IS THE GOAL. IF NOT WE WILL LOOK AT REALLOCATING IT. IT IS NOT SAVING US MONEY TO NOTGET THROUGH THE BACKLOG. >> WOULD THE D.A.'S BUBBLINGETT BE THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE MAKING AN EXCEPTION TO THE -- D.A.'S BUDGET BE THE PLACE WE ARE MAKING AN EXCEPTION FOR ARPA
MONEY AND SALARIES? >> THERE ARE OTHER CASES WHERE WE HAVE HAD TIME LIMB AT THE TIME -- TIME LIMITED POSITIONS.
WE ARE TRYING TO FUND AS FEW -- NEWCE PIE -- NEW PEOPLE THAT IS POSSIBLEN AND THEHAVE TO ASK THE COURT FOR MORE.OD
>> RNEY ELLIS: DIRECTOR RAMOS, J WE DIDUST PASS MONTH AGO.RI IN YOUR EXPEENCE -- I REMEMBEROR YOU FROM CALIFNIA. I REMEMBER IF I SAW YOU WORK IN CALIFORNIA. IF WAS MAINLY IN MARYLAND.
>> IN BALTIMORE CITY. >> HOW COMMON WAS IT THAT A MONTH LATER YOU HAVE TO CHANGE IT ABSENT A CRISIS OR SOMETHING?
>> ONLY IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES.
RODRIGUEZ -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WE MADE DECISIONS ON HOW MUCH MONEY WE CAN ALLOCATE.
I DID SEE PEOPLE COMING IN ASKING ABOUT THAT.
I FOR ONE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THIS PROCESS.
I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE POLITICAL IMAGINATIONS THAT WE ALL GO THROUGH, PARTICULARLY THIS TIME OF THE SEASON.
I THINK I CAN MAKE A REQUEST, BUT IT IS NOT OUT OF LINE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW OTHERS HANDLE THIS ISSUE OF EVERYBODY JUST PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA. WE CAN GO THROUGH THIS EVERY WEEK. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO VISIT ON IT. UNLESS WE WILL START MEETING TWO DAYS A WEEK, THERE IS A FINITE AMOUNT OF TIME IN THE DAY TO JUST GO THROUGH THE POLITICS. I WOULD LIKE YOUR REPORT ON THAT. IT IS JUST A REQUEST.
WE ARE ON A BUDGET ITEM WHICH IS SOMETHING IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE VOTED ON ONCE BEFORE. SO I WANT TO FIGURE OUT A PROCESS WHILE OTHER PEOPLE HANDLE THAT.
>> MY OFFICE CAN DO A RESEARCH AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
THANK YOU. THAT'S IT ON MY PART.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. I AM VERY CONCERNED.
I LOOKED AT THE PRESENTATION AND OBVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN PROUD TO SUPPORT ALL OF THE INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE. BUT THE PRESENTATION BRINGS UP TRYING TO PULL IT UP HERE, 4.6 MILLION-DOLLAR ROLL OVER THAT WAS TAKEN. WHAT WAS THE AMOUNT OF THE ROLL
OVER? >> THIS WAS AT THE TIME THE ROLL OVER POLICY WAS CHANGED. IT WAS 3.5 MILLION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WAS IT TAKEN? WHAT HAPPENED WITH IT AND WHO DETERMINED WHAT WOULD BE DONE WITH THAT ROLL OVER?
>> IT WASN'T JUST TAKEN. WHAT WE ASKED THE DEPARTMENT TO DO IS MAKE THE CASE FOR WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO USE THE MONEY FOR RATHER THAN HAVE IT REAPPROPRIATED WITH DESTINATION UNKNOWN. THE TOP CHOICE FOR USING THIS WAS A TRIAGED OVER TIME PROGRAM WHICH IS ON THE AGENDA FOR ANOTHER TRONCH TODAY. AND THE APPROPRIATION WAS RECOMMENDED AND APPROVED BY THIS COURT TO FUND THAT PROGRAM.
SO EFFECTIVELY NO MONEY, IF YOU WANT TO PUT IT IN QUOTES WAS TAKEN RELATIVE TO THE OLD POLICY.
IT WAS RETURNED TO THE OFFICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM THE D.A.
FOR THE RECORD THAT WAS NOT A UNANIMOUS BUDGET WE VOTED ON.
ONE. LAW ENFORCEMENT ASKED FOR A
[01:50:05]
CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THEY GOT 18% OF IT.WHEN YOU SAY WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS, WE DIDN'T, IN MY OPINION, LISTEN TO LAW ENFORCEMENTT THATHE D.A. IS A PART OF THAT. T WEALK ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY AND DOING A, BUDGETHOW RESPONSIBLE IS IT TO BORROW MONEY TO GIVE PAY RAISES SAID IT BEFORE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. TH IS NOTBL FISCALLY RESPONSIE. AS THE D.A. WILL SPEAK TO IN AHE MINUTE, I WILL ASK T QUESTION, WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR NOT APPROVING THIS? AND THE OTHER COMMENT I HAVE IS ON ROLL OVER. JUST BECAUSE WE SAY IT ISN'T SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO. THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE THAT GETS TO PARTICIPATE AND NOW WE CAN SAY IT WASN'T AND WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF EXERCISES WE CAN DO. AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WILL PARTICIPATE. I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THE MOTION THAT'S BEEN PUT ON THE TABLE.
AND THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE DO NOT
APPROVE THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON THAT POINT, DID ANY OF THESE ISSUES ABOUT 16 POSITIONS AND WAS THAT RAISED BY THE BUDGET PROCESS AND BY THE OFFICE?
>> NOT SPECIFICALLY. I MEAN, CERTAINLY THERE WAS A LARGE REQUEST FOR APPROPRIATIONS , BUT THERE WASN'T
A SPECIFIC REQUEST. >> IN THE 16 URGENT POSITIONS HOW MANY VACANCIES ARE THERE WITH THE D.A.'S OFFICE? YOU CAN SHIFT THEM AROUND. BUT FUNDED, WHAT IS THAT?
>> THE ARPA FUNDING THERE ARE 34 OF WHICH 24 ARE PROSECUTORS.
I THINK THERE IS A SMALLER NUMBER IN THE GENERAL FUND.
DO YOU HAVE THAT NUMBER? >> IT CHANGES.
THERE ARE ADA FUNDED POSITIONS READY TO BE FILLED.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 88? >> ADA, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. 88GOT --
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOTCHA. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW MANY VACANT POSITIONS ARE THERE AT A GIVEN TIME AND IN A GIVEN YEAR?
>> WE DID THE AVERAGE AND THERE WAS AN AVERAGE OF 50 VACANCIES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 50 OR 15. >> 50.
>> LINA HIDALGO: VACANCIES ? >> YES.
THE AVERAGE CARRYING BALANCE WAS 134.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MENTIONED A HIGH RATE OF TURNOVER.
DOES THAT STACK UP TO OTHER AGENCIES?
>> THE ATTRITION RATE FLUXUATES YEAR TO YEAR.
WE HAVE SEEN IT AS LOW AS 15 AND 16% AND AS HIGH AS 25% WITHIN
THE DEPARTMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH MEANS?
>> ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE IN THAT DEPARTMENT HAVE TURNED OVER
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING, IS THERE FORFEITURE MONEY?
HOW MUCH IS AVAILABLE? >> THERE IS 1.5 MILLION AVAILABLE IN THE ASSET FORFEITURE FOR A SPECIFIC
INITIATIVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ASSET FORFEIT -- FORFEITURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
LASTNA HIDALGO: AND QUESTION --
>> I'MMI SORRY 11.5 LLIONIN. >> LA HIDALGO: OFF THE TOP OF YOURHA HEAD, HOW MUCH S LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING INCREASED YEAR, THE LAST THREE YEARS COMPARED TO BEFORE? AND PARTICULARLY, HOW MUCH HAS FUNDING INCREASED AND COMPARED
[01:55:07]
TO THE TIME BEFORE 2019 AND 2020.>> 12 MILLION OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN THE INCREASE.
29 MILLION OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS.
THE RATE OF INCREASE HAS INCREASED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THE RATE OF INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR THE
D.A.'S OFFICE? >> YES I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I'M SURE IT IS OVER $100 MILLION OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS. WE CAN CHECK ON THE EXACT NUMBER
FOR YOU. >> WOULD YOU SAY IT IS ALSO AN
INCREASED RATE OF INCREASE? >> I WOULD HAVE TO VERIFY THAT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE ASSET FORFEITURE MONEY DID YOU SAY IT
IS 11.5 THAT IS REMAINING? >> THAT'S THE BALANCE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WHAT IS APPROPRIATE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? WHERE DOES THAT MONEY GO?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU CAN USE IT FOR OVER TIME AND YOU CAN USE IT PRIMARILY FOR EQUIPMENT. BUT THE RULE I I RECALL IS YOU CAN ONLY USE IT FOR SALARIES UP TO TWO YEARS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: UNDER STATE LAW?
>> I'M SORRY. >> MOVING BACK TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S QUESTION, THE DEPUTY WAS MARCH 12TH.
>> THE D.A. HAD TO IMPLEMENT A HIRING FREEZE.
OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE WANT OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.
DID YOU ASK HER TO DO THAT? WHY IS THAT HAPPENING?
>> THE D.A.'S HIRING FREEZE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BUDGET SENT OVER. AS OF LAST MONDAY WE AUTHORIZED THE 50 ADDITIONAL POSITIONS SO THAT THE OFFICE CAN MAKE GOOD ON THE OFFER LETTER THAT WAS SENT OUT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHY WOULD THERE BE A HIRING FREEZE?
I DON'T. >> I THINK THAT'S A QUESTION FOR
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL I WAS GOING TO SAY IS I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS CAN RESPOND TO WHATEVER ALLEGATIONS THERE ARE. I AM PUZZLED BY THE CLAIMS IN
THE POWER POINT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE THERE THINGS YOU CAN RECOMMEND THAT IT COULD BE USED FOR SO SOME OF THE MONEY IN THE D.A.'S BUDGET COULD BE USED FOR THESE ITEMS?
WHO REVIEWS THAT? >> WE CAN MAKE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESEARCH THE ELIGIBLE USES.
BUT THEY ARE UNDER THE EXCLUSIVE CONTROL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIAL.
AND FOR OVER TIME AND EQUIPMENT I WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT USING ONE-TIME BALANCES FOR ON GOING SALARIES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS IT PUBLIC? >> IT IS PART OF THE ANNUAL
BUDGET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHERE WOULD THIS ADDITIONAL MONEY COME FROM? I WANT TO KNOW ARE THERE ANY DEPARTMENT HEADS? DO THEY THINK THERE IS MONEY LAYING AROUND HERE? YOU AND WHEN THE DISCUSSION WAS HAD THEREAS W A SILENCE IN THE ROOM.
>> WE DON'TSP HAVE ECIFIC CUTS, BUTRE IF WE INCASE TO ONE AGENCY WE WOULD CUT IN ANOTHER OR IT WOULD BE CAPITAL PROJECTS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT FROM APPROPRIATIONS IN THE PAST?
WAS THAT COUNTY WIDE? >> YEAH.
I WAS BUDGET DIRECTOR AND THERE WAS A 5 MILLION ROLL OVER.
WE HIRE PEOPLE SO IT WASN'T USEFUL AND IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR IT TO GO BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM ASSUMING BASED ON THE INKRAOES OF PUBLIC SAFETY A -- INCREASE IN PUBLIC SAFETY IT WILL GO BACK TO PUBLIC
SPECIFICALLY THERE WERE 15 MILLION EARMARKED FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I THINK HE HAD A MOTION TO EARMARK FOR TECHNOLOGY. IT WENT INTO THE SUPPORTED FUND
[02:00:01]
THAT THIS COURT HAS MADE. >> TOM RAMSEY: A COUPLE OF QUICK POINTS. THERE IS NO BIGGER ISSUE THAN CRIME. THERE IS NOTHING WE SHOULD BE MORE FOCUSED ON THAN CRIME. WHEN I CONSIDER ALL OF THESE NUMBERS AND PERCENTAGES THAT I DEALT WITH ALL MY LIFE, NUMBERS AND PERCENTAGES AND WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE INCREASED FUNDING FOR THIS AGENCY OR THAT AGENCY, WE ARE NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THE INCREASE IN PERCENT AND CRIME.
WHEN YOU COMPARE TO THE PERCENT INCREASE AND CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY, WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THERE.
THAT'S ONE POINT I MAKE AND I CONTINUE TO BE AMAZED THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT NEW INITIATIVES OR THINGS WERE BROUGHT TO THIS COURT AND MONEY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.
IT IS INTERESTING WHEN THERE IS SPH-BG -- THAT WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING THAT THERE IS NOT FULL SUPPORT FOR, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT. WHEN THERE IS A NEW PROGRAM THAT WILL BE EXPERIMENTAL IN NATURE WE HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY FOR
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I LOOK FORWARD TO THE D.A. GIVING A PRESENTATION. I CIRCULATED OUT A MOTION.
WE HAD RUN IT BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE IT IS CORRECT AND INFORMED. I DO ASK THE D.A. LOOK AT IT AND SEE IF MY MOTION IS APPROPRIATE FOR WHAT IT IS THAT YOU ARE DESIRING. THE MOTION IS THAT I MOVE TO APPROVE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REQUEST FOR THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 6,000,170, 632 TO FUND ALL PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AMOUNTS AND ZEROED OUT BY THE BUDGET OFFICE TO BE RESTORED. THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IN ANY FORMAT I ASK THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY NOTIFY ME ON WHAT WE NEED TO CHANGE OR MODIFY ON THAT MOTION.
>> AND ONE COMMENT IF THE INTENT IS TO FULLY FUND T ADD 1.3 MILLION FOR FRINGE BENEFITS OR IT IS COMING BACK.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IN THE AMOUNT OF 6,000,170 AND 632 PLUS -- WHAT IS THAT NUMBER?
>> 1.3 MILLION OF FRINGE BENEFITS WAS LEFT OUT.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: 1.3 MILLION FOR FRINGE BENEFITS.
ALTHOUGH ARE YOU NOT A MEMBER OF COURT I ACCEPT THAT AS A
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASK WE REFER THAT TO THE BUDGET OFFICE TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
>> LET'S HEAR THE SPEAKERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MADE YOUR
MOTION SO I WAS MAKING MINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HEAR FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THEN TAKE ANY SPEAKERS AND CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION.
>> D.A. OGG SHOULD BE THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK SHE IS HERE, TIFFANY. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND MR. BARRY.
AND YOUR NAME, SIR? >> ANDREW RAMOS.
>> I NEVER MET MR. RAMOS. I DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS WORKING WITH, BUT I CAN ASSURE IT IS NOT MY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OR MYSELF. I AM KIM OGG, HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY. AS THE D.A. I HAVE A STATUTORY DUTY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE IN ALL CRIMINAL CASES IN HARRIS COUNTY. THAT'S ABOUT 100,000 NEW CASES A YEAR IN 41 COURTS AND 662,000 -- 662,501 CASES IN 16 JUSTICE COURTS. WE WORK WITH 13,000 POLICE OFFICERS REPRESENTING 87 DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND WE ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT OURSELVES. I WAKE TO A NEW WORLD WITH THE
COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE -- >> PLEASE CONTINUE.
>> THAT WE ARE NOT A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
INTERESTING OF ALL PEOPLE FOR HIM TO TAKE THAT POSITION.
I AM JOINED BY THE TOP OFFICIALS BY NEARLY 8 HUSBAND -- 800 AS
[02:05:13]
PROSECUTORS AND D.A. INVESTIGATORS AND FRAUD EXAMINERS AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATORS AND PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS. LET ME TAKE A MOMENT FOR THEIR DEDICATION OF PROTECTING SAFETY AND FIGHTING FOR CRIME VICTIMS IN COURT EVERY SINGLE DAY IN EVERY SINGLE CASE.AND PSYCH -- SEEKING JUSTICE. VIVIEN KING WHO AMONG OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES SERVES AS OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
MS. KING CAN AND WILL SPEAK TO THE DETAILS OF ANY OF THE BUDGET ISSUES AT HAND AND THE REASON WE ARE HERE TODAY IS DEFUNDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY MUST STOP.
I HAVE BEEN BEFORE THIS COURT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND EACH TIME MY MESSAGE IS THE SAME.
THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE MUST BE ADEQUATELY RESOURCED AND STAFFED TO SIMPLY DO OUR JOB.
IN FEBRUARY OF 2022 I ASKED FOR 82 ADDITIONAL PROSECUTORS AND 43 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF. THIS COURT VOTED INSTEAD TO FUND 25 PROSECUTORS AND ONE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR.
AND YOU, THE COMMISSIONERS, VOTED TO INCREASE STARTING SALARIES FOR OUR NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEYS -- ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND THOSE PROSECUTORS WORKING AT A COMMENCE RET -- COMMENSERATE LEVEL. INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THIS COURT'S BUDGET DIRECTIVE, THE NEW MANAGEMENT BUDGET OFFICE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE NEW COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, DAVE BERRY, DEFUNDED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY MUST STOP, B MR.ERRY.
THE DEFUNDING BEGANE WITH TH OFFICEF SEIZURE O $4.9 MILLION IN THE 2021 ROLL OVER FUNDS AND HAS BEEN T COMPOUNDED BYHE MANAGEMENT AND BUDGETAT OFFICES, TH'S A NEW NAME.
FAILURE TO PROVIDE FUNDS, THIS GOVERNMENTAL BODY VOTED ON IN FEBRUARY. THE RESULT OF THE DEFUNDING OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ARE THE FOLLOWING.
THERE IS NO FUNDING FOR THOSE WHOSE JOB IS TO OBTAIN 11,000 BACKLOGGED BODY WORN VIDEO CAMERA TAPES AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THOUSANDS MORE AT HPD.
THIS GOES TO OUR STRATEGY AND AN UH PEPLT -- ATTEMPT TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG. IS IT YOUR JOB TO FIRE EMPLOYEES AND REVERSE THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE BACKLOG? ANOTHER CONSEQUENCE. A BUDGET PASSED FOR MISDEMEANOR PROSECUTORS APPROVED BY THIS COURT ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2022 WAS REDUCED BY THE MANAGEMENT BUDGET OFFICE TO $581,538 PLACING OUR HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICERS IN THE UNTENABLE POSITION, COMMISSIONERS OF HAVING TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO GETS A RAISE. THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS COURT READY TO THE PUBLIC. WHAT THIS COURT TOLD THE PUBLIC ON FEBRUARY 8TH IN RESPONSE TO A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE SALARIES FOR STARTING POSITIONS IN MONTGOMERY, FORT BEND AND OTHER COUNTIES NEARBY WAS WE HAD TO BE, QUOTE, COMPETITIVE WITH MONT -- MONTGOMERY COUNTY RATES FOR ATTORNEYS.
THAT WAS SET BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SUPPORTED BY THIS BODY. IS IT THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT DESIRE TO ALLOW THE BUDGET OFFICE TO CHEAT OUR YOUNG LAWYERS WHO ENTERED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHAT WAS
[02:10:03]
PROMISED TO THEM? PROMISED AS COMPETITIVE SALARIES? IS THAT THIS COURT'S DESIRE? ON FEBRUARY 21ST, 202250 PREVIOUSLY APPROVED STAFF POSITIONS WERE DEFUNDED WITHOUT NOTICE AND WITHOUT COLLABORATION AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS UNABLE TO TIMELY BACK THE OFFERS WHICH WERE MADE TO APPROVE TO APPLICANTS REPORTEDLA THIRD OF THE POSITIONS. THIS WAS DONE WITH NO NOTICE.LITIGATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES WERE ZEROED OUT BY THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. I SEE THEY WERE RESTORED, BUT THAT WAS AFTER I WAS PUT ON THE AGENDA TO SPEAK.
IS IT THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT DESIRE TO PUNISH THE HARDEST WORKING AND THE MOST DEDICATED EMPLOYEES, SOME OF WHOM ARE HERE, BUT MANY OF WHOM ARE WATCHING TODAY.
IS IT YOUR DESIRE TO PUNISH THEM THROUGH SUDDEN AND ARBITRARY SALARY CAP THAT'S ARE PLACED ON EVERY SINGLE POSITION? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO THE CRIME VICTIMS? IT IS THE ACTUAL CONSEQUENCES? IT IS NOT TO THE EMPLOYEES.
IT IS TO THE PUBLIC.ND ACR TO THE IME VICTIMS IN THE PUBLIC? OUR LAWYERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH AN AVERAGE CASE LOAD OF 560 ACTIVE CASES WITH AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF BOND FORFEITED OR UNARRESTED FELONS OUT THERE.
AND THIS WILL BE CHALLENGEDDED EVEN MORE.
THEY WILL BE CHALLENGED JUST TO DO THEIR JOB.
THIS IS BAD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS IS UNJUST FOR CRIME VICTIMS WHO ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH CASE DELAYS AND LAB DELAYS AND BODY WORN CAMERA DELAYS AND EVERY DEN SEE -- EVIDENTIARY DELAYS AND CRIME LAB DELAYS. THE REASSIGNMENT OF PROSECUTORS OVER AND OVER BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MOVE THEM TO PLUG ANOTHER HOLE.
IT MEANS OUR AGENCY WHO IS JUGGLING FAR TOO MANY CASES FOR ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORST CRIME WAVE SINCE 1985. IT MEANS THE TERRIBLE SUFFERING WILL CONTINUE. IT MEANS POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE ALREADY RISKING THEIR LIVES AND GIVING THEIR LIVES WILL HAVE FEWER AND FEWER PROSECUTORS AVAILABLE TO FILE THEIR CASES AND GET DANGEROUS CRIMINALS OFF THE STREETS.
IT MEANS MORE AND NOT LESS BACKLOG.
DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY MUST CEASE.
WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS NOW THAT HAVE TO BE ANSWERED AND WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN, COMMISSIONERS? TP*EU FIRST QUESTION IS FOR THE BUDGET OFFICE.
WHERE DID THE $4.9 MILLION GO? WHAT WAS IT SPENT ON? WHERE IS THE MONEY FROM THE ELIMINATED 50 LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS GOING? EVERY DAY YOU DELAY ME IN HIRING LAWYERS WHO MUST BE TRAINED TO TRY SERIOUS CASES FOR THE PUBLIC. IT IS A DELAY THAT THE CRIME VICTIMS -- IT IS A DELAY TO CRIME VICTIMS. THE QUESTION IS ARE YOU GOING TO ALLOW THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT OFFICE -- I'M SORRY MANAGEMENT BUDGET OFFICE TO CONTINUE TO DEFUND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW? AND WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN? ON BEHALF OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND ON BEHALF OF THOUSANDS OF CRIME VICTIMS AND ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSTONIANS WHO WANT SAFE STREETS I URGE THIS COURT TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE ROLL OVER MONIES TAKEN AND FULLY AND PERMANENTLY FUND ALL OF THE APPROVED POSITIONS PERMANENTLY FOR A TOTAL OF $6.170632 MILLION TO THE DAO ACCOUNT.
[02:15:07]
WE WANT TO GET -- WE WANT TO YOU PERMANENTLY RESTORE ALL 50 POSITIONS. PERMANENTLY.UNFREEZE, PERMANENTLY, OUR EMPLOYEES' WAGES AND UNDER THE NEW MANAGEMENT BUDGET OFFICE, SPECIFICALLY THE COUNTY ADD -- ADMINISTRATOR, DAVID BERRY, ACCOUNT TO THE PUBLIC, WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? MR. BERRY, DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY MUST STOP.
WE HAVE BEEN TOLD A LOT OF THINGS ON THE BUDGET.
IT IS CONTINGENT ON FILLING THE POSITION.
WESS IUED RECRUITERS OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND WERU RECITED THE POSITIONS THAT WERE OVERNIGHT LIKE - SOMEE NIGHT -- JUST TAKEN OUT OF OUR BUDGET. A WE WERE TOLDN ENTITY THAT WAS PROMISED 7.2 MILLION AND BEFORE WE CAN BE FUNDED THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE THEIR STUDY.
WELL, THEIR STUDY IS BEING PREPARED BY THE CEO AND THE AUTHOR OF THE FISCAL CASE FOR DEFUNDING THE POLICE.
YOU HAVE TURNED THE HEN HOUSE OVER TO THE FOXES.
I IMPLORE THIS COURT TO DO YOUR DUTY TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND BY DOING SO, STOPPING THE DEFUNDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY. STOP IT TODAY.
THANK YOU. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, IT IS A PERFECT TIME TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: FOLKS, IT IS A COURTROOM SO WE NEED TO CONTINUE. MS. KING, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING
IF I MAY. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO GET INTO THE WEEDS IS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH US HAVING TO TURN PEOPLE AWAY IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, NEW PEOPLE.
I WANT TO ADDRESS ALSO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ELLIS, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE ARPA FUNDS, WE CAN'T EVEN FILL THE REGULAR FUNDS. AND THOSE ARE FOR THE ASSOCIATE COURTS THAT DO CAPITAL MURDERS. THOSE ARE PROSECUTORS PROSECUTING FOR 10 YEARS. NO ONE IS GOING TO QUIT THEIR JOB AND CLOSE THEIR BUSINESSES UP TO COME FOR TWO YEARS TO PROSECUTE CASES. THAT'S WHY WE CAN'T FILL THOSE POSITIONS. WE FILLED A FEW OF THEM FROM A FEW PROSECUTORS FROM THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS LIKE EL PASO.
BUT THE SPECIAL COURTS DEALING WITH THE REPEAT VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND NO ONE -- THEY DON'T WANT A TWO-YEAR JOB.
THEY WANT A PERMANENT JOB. ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE HAD WAS TO FILL THE ENTRY LEVEL. WE TRAIN THEM FOR SIX MONTHS AND THEY LEAVE AND GO TOMONT -- TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
WE THOUGHT YOU DID THAT. WE SUBMITTED HOW MUCH THAT COST FOR THE 127 POSITIONS. WHEN WE WENT TO DO THE PROPER PAPERWORK TO INCREASE THE POSITIONS WE SAW THAT WE ONLY HAD ENOUGH FUNDING BECAUSE THE MANAGEMENT AND THE BUDGET OFFICE CHANGED OUR NUMBER THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE COURT TO A LOWER NUMBER THAT WOULD ONLY FUND 109.
WE CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH WE ARE GIVING MONEY TO.
AND IT WASN'T MR. RAMOS BECAUSE I NEVER TALKED TO HIM.
I DID TALK TO MR. FAGEN AND HE SAYS YOU ONLY HAD 109 FILLED POSITIONS SO WE GAVE THE BUDGE OAT 109.
THE WHOLE PURPOSE WAS FOR RE-- FOR RECRUITING PEOPLE.
IF IT IS AN OFFER IT IS THE SAME LEVEL OF 66,000 AND WE WHETHER TRYING TO RAISE IT TO 85,000. WE CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE WHO WE WILL GIVE IT TO. AT ANY DAY AND TIME THERE ARE NOT PEOPLE THERE. IT IS TO THE FAIR TO REALLY TALK ABOUT THE ATTRITION RATE. PROSECUTORS COME AS A TRAINING GROUND. UNLIKE ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT THEY HAVE A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT. THEY COME IN AND WORK AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY AND THEN THEY ARE EXPERIENCED AND THEY MAY GO ON THEIR OWN.
THEY MAY GO TO CIVIL FIRMS OR GO TO PRIVATE PRACTICE OR THE PD'S OFFICE. WE ARE A TRAINING GROUND.
WE ARE DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE IN AND MOVE OUT.
AND ANOTHER THING THAT WAS MISLEADING ABOUT THE BUDGET WAS THE 24ADA POSITIONS. YOU DIDN'T APPROVE 24 ADA
[02:20:01]
POSITIONS. YOU THOUGHT YOU DID.WE THOUGHT YOU DID. IT WAS PUBLICIZED, BUT WHEN WE BENT -- WHEN WE WENT TO FUND IT, WE MADE A MISTAKE.
WE WERE NOT REALLY GIVING YOU THE MONEY 2 FOR4 POSITIONS.
IT WAS FOR THE 22 TEMPORARY POSITIONS THAT WE GAVE TO INTAKE THAT WAS BE PAID FROM THE PIC FUND FOR THE 15 PROSECUTORS ARE -- FOR THE WEEKEND SHIFT AND TH* ADMIN.
THA RZ WHAT THE -- THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR.
PROSECUTORS ARE WONDERING ABOUT THAT.
A LOT OF MISTAKES HAVE BEEN MADE.
I TALKED TO THETH PEOPLE THAT I KNEW, EOU THREE THAT I KNEW ABT THIS PROBLEM AND ASKED THAT WE FIX IT.
WE CAN'T GIVE OFFERS. IT TAKES THREE TO FOUR MONTHS TO RECRUIT PEOPLE. WE CAN'T GO IN AND PEOPLE ARE STARTING AND THERE IS NO MONEY THERE.
WE ARE PANICKING. OUR PEOPLE ARE PANICKING.
WE CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS. WE CAN'T LIVE WITH THIS MICROMANAGEMENT. WE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS BEFORE. ALL OF OUR POSITIONS MATCHED OUR BUDGET. WHEN WE GOT OUR POSITION CHANGE FORM -- I MEAN OUR POSITION WORKSHEET THIS YEAR THEY HAD ZEROED OUT THE POSITIONS. MANY OF THEM WERE STARTING THE NEXT WEEK. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OTHER THAN TO COME TO THE BUDGET OFFICE AND SAY PLEASE FUND THESE POSITIONS. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, I AM HEARING APPLES AND ORANGES AND I WANT TO KNOW VERY CLEARLY WHAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO USE? DID WE FUND 24 POSITIONS WITH ARPA DOLLARS IS SHE ALLOWED TO USE THE FUNDING FOR 24 POSITIONS? SECONDLY, I HAVE HEARD NO MENTION OF MY 288,000 I TRANSFERRED OUT OF MY BUDGET AND WHETHER THAT HAS BEEN APPLIED.
AND THEN THE QUESTION OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID IN TEFRPLS OF -- IN TERMS OF WHAT WE APPROVED AT COURT VERSUS WHAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS SAID IN TERMS OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE.
APPARENTLY SOME OF THE THINGS WE VOTED ON HAVE NOT TRANSPIRED AS
A LAST RECALL. >> HRAOUTLY 100 -- ABSOLUTELY 100% APPROPRIATIONS FROM THIS COURT WERE TRANSFERRED INCLUDING THE 288,000 TRANSFERRED AND THE ARPA FUNDS AND THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. FOR THE POSITIONS FUNDED BY ARPA, YES THEY ARE FUNDED AND AVAILABLE.
I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE RECRUITING CHALLENGES, BUT THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO BE FILLED. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE TOPIC OF THE POSITIONS THAT HAD BUDGETS SET TO ZERO.
IT HAS NOT BEEN REPRESENTED CORRECTLY.
WE HEARD FROM THIS COURT AND A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENT THAT'S THEY WOULD LIKE CLARITY IN WHICH POSITIONS COULD BE FUNDED PERMANENTLY AND WHICH WOULD BE UNFINISHED -- UNFUNDED.
IT WOULD ALLOW DEPARTMENTS TO SPECIFY WHICH POSITIONS WERE FUNDED SO WE WOULD HAVE IT ALL SPELLED OUT.
WE ASKED FOR A LIST OF POSITION THAT'S WOULD BE FUNDED UP TO THAT LIMIT AND THEY DID. TO TAKE SAY MONEY WAS TAKEN FROM THE POSITIONS, IT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.
DID I ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES -- >> COMMISSIONER BERRY --
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OLD -- HOLD A SECOND.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE 87,000 THAT WAS APPROVED FORLE ENTRY VEL ADA AND WITHSP ALL DUE REECT, VIVIEN, ATAT THIS TABLE. TH WAS NOT PART OF YOUR BUDGET. I HEARD YOU WERE HIRING NEW TALENT AND WE WORKED HARD TO FIND THE NUMBER OF WHAT WAS THE BEST IN TEXAS AND 87,000 FAR EXCEEDS ANYBODY'S FUNDING.
[02:25:09]
HAS THE 87,000 -- IS THAT -- IS THE NUMBER FOR 87,000 FOR ENTRY LEVEL ADA'S IS THAT -- HAS THAT HAPPENED?>> IT WAS PART OF THE APPROVED BUDGET.
AND IT WAS APPROPRIATED. UNDERSTANDING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS A DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THAT WOULD COST AS FAR AS EVERY POSITION BEING FILLED EVERY TIME, WE MADE AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THE POSITIONS THAT WERE SPECIFIED TO BE FILLED AND FUNDED. ALL THAT MONEY WAS APPROVED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I ASK A QUESTION OFF YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER? IT IS THE EMPTY, UNFUNDED POSITIONS. IT HAS TAKEN ME SOME TIME TO WRAP MY HEAD AROUND THAT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE IT STRAIGHT. WHERE DOES IT COME FROM AND WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF THEIR EXISTING AND UNFUNDED POSITIONS IN DEPARTMENTS OR IN THIS DEPARTMENT VERSUS OTHERS? WHY DO UNFUNDED POSITIONS EXIST IN LIFE?
>> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT IS SOMETHING I INHERITED AND THIS
COURT INHERITED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I INHERITED.
>> YES. AND I DON'T THINK IT IS GOOD POLICY WHEN REQUESTS COME TO COURT AS A COUPLE OF REQUESTS HAVE COME FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND MANY OTHER OFFICES AND SAY WE DON'T NEED FUNDING FROM THESE POSITIONS TO APPROVE IT WITHOUT VERIFYING FUNDING. LAST YEAR -- MORE THAN A YEAR AGO WE PUT IN A POLICY THAT GOING FORWARD THERE WOULD BE A FUNDING REVIEW. IT PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY TO THE DEPARTMENT AND AT SOME POINTS THEY MAY HAVE SLIGHTLY MORE PROSECUTORS AND THEY MAY HAVE MORE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS, RIGHT? IF YOU WERE TO SAY THERE IS A JUSTIFICATION THAT WOULD BE IT. AND IT WOULD PROVIDE YOU
ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY. >> YOU MEAN FLEXIBILITY HOW? SO IF YOU HAVE SOME UNFUNDED POSITIONS AND THE FUNDED ONES YOU KNOW THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE THE BUDGET FOR AND THEN YOU HAVE TO HIRE FOLKS ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT YOU RECRUITED, HOW DOES HAVING THESE UNFUNDED POSITIONS HELP? I AM NOT SURE I AM WRAPPING MY HEAD AROUND IT.
IT COULD BE BECAUSE THERE IS A VACANCY RATE EXCHANGE AND THEY WANT TO ADD MORE STAFF BASED ON THE AVAILABLE LABOR MARKET.
BASED ON WHO IS AVAILABLE. >> SO THEY TRANSFER THE FUNDING
TO ONE OF THE UNFUNDED POSITIONS >> THAT WAS THE POLICY AND THIS COURT APPROVED. IT WAS NOT TO DEFUND POSITIONS.
IT WAS TO HAVE A BUDGET AND TO ASK AGENCIES TO SPECIFY USING THE FUNDS WHICH POSITIONS ARE YOU GOING TO FILL? THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE.
THAT'S THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER. THERE WAS A PROCESS TO MOVE FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER SHOULD THE NEEDS CHANGE.
IMMEDIATELYNT WE SE PEOPLE OVER TO HELP WITH THATRK PAPERWO AND TRY AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND HEARING THERE WERE OFFERS MADE MR. RAMOS CAME TO THE DECISION, WELL, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T GET IN THE WAY. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM POSITIONS, BUT SPECIFYING WHICH ARE AT A GIVEN TIME. IF THAT CAUSES TOO MUCH
PAPERWORK, WE WILL BERE FLEXIBL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE WAS A JOB OFFERED AND IT WAS ASSIGNED TO A POSITION WITHOUT FUNDING AND EVERYBODY KNEW THERE WAS NO FUNDING.
EVERYBODY SAYS JUST ASSIGN IT TO ANOTHER POSITION SO YOU DON'T
HAVE TO TURN AWAY THE APPLICANT? >> THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WENT.
IF I CAN ADDRESS THAT. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT WE DID IN OUR INTERNAL OFFICE. NONE OF THEM DO.
THEY HADN'T BUDGETED IT. IT IS IN THE PRESENTATION.
IT HAD A BUDGET WHEN WE MADE THE OFFER.
WE KEEP NOTES ON THE SIDE. THIS PERSON WILL START FEBRUARY 21ST. WE KEEP NOTES ON THE POSITION.
THEY DID THEIR THREE-YEAR COMMITMENT AND THEY LEFT.
WHEN THE PERSON STARTED ON FEBRUARY 21ST, WE TRIED TO ENTER THEM AND THERE WAS NO BUDGET THERE.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHY. KNOW -- NO ONE TALKED TO US
[02:30:04]
ABOUT THAT. THERE ARE THREE PROSECUTORS PER COURT. EVERYBODY HAS A CASE LOAD.IF SOMEBODY LEAVES WE ARE TRYING TO FILL A SPECIFIC POSITION TO DEAL WITH A SPECIFIC CASE LOAD. IF NOT, SOMEONE ELSE HAS TO FILL TWICE AS MANY CASES AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.
WE ARE NOT MOVING ANYTHING AROUND OUR ORGANIZATIONAL CHART.
WE HAVE 41 COURTS. WE HAVE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF PROSECUTORS PER COURT. AS THEY, WE MAKE A NOTE THAT WE HAVE TO FILL THIS POSITION. IT MAY TAKE US THREE OR FOUR MONTHS TO FILL IT BECAUSE REMEMBER, -- EVERYBODY WE HIRE S NOT ENTRY LEVEL. WE HIRE EXPERIENCED PEOPLE TOO.
IT TAKES AWHILE FOR PEOPLE TO GRADUATE LAW SCHOOL AND PASS THE BAR. IT TAKES AWHILE SOMETIMES.
WE DIDN'T HAVE NOTICE ON THAT. IF I CAN SAY THIS, PLEASE, I DO WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR TRANSFERRING THE $288,000. IT DID GET TRANSFERRED.
THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY WHERE SEVERAL PIC FUND ADMINS WOULD BE FIRED AS OF MONDAY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA STEPPED IN AND TRANSFERRED MONEY FROM HIS BUDGET TO OURS IN WHICH WE WERE GRATEFUL. I WAS PANICKING.
I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO FIRE THOSE LADIES WORKING THE WEEKEND. THAT DID HAPPEN.
LET ME JUST SAY THIS FOR CLARIFICATION.
THERE ARE 91ARPA POSITIONS. IT IS NOT 24.
THERE ARE 91. THERE ARE INVESTIGATORS.
THEY ARE A WHOLE TEAM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 24 OF THE 91
ARE NOT FILLED? >> I AM NOT TALKING ARPA.
WE HAVE A LOT OF ARPA POSITION THAT'S ARE NOT FILLED.
ALL OF THE INVESTIGATOR ARPA INFORMATION -- POSITIONS ARE FILLED, BUT NOT ALL OF THE LAWYER --
>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST WANT TO GET THIS QUESTIONED ANSWERED.
THESE ARE THE BUDGET EXPERTS FROM MARYLAND AND PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERTS. PLEASE ENLIGHTEN US, WHAT IS THN THAT SOMEBODY MADE AN OFFER WHEN THERE WAS A NAME NEXT TO THE POSITION AND THAT ON FEBRUARY 21ST SUDDENLY THERE
WAS NO BUDGET THERE. >> LET ME JUST TRY TO BOIL THIS DOWN. THEY WERE ASKED WHAT DO YOU WANT TO FUND WITH YOUR BUDGET? IT WAS SENT BACK AND SOME WERE ZEROED OUT AND THAT WAS NOT COMMUNICATED INTERNATIONALLY AND
SO OFFERS WERE MADE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHO ZEROED
THEM OUT? >> IT CAME TO US 0ED OUT.
I'M SORRY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM ASKING
MR. BERRY. >> IT WAS SUBMITTED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND IF I CAN FINISH.
WHEN IT WAS CLEAR THERE WAS AN OPERATIONAL ISSUE WE WORKED TO RESOLVE IT. THIS ISSUE WAS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. WE PROVIDED MAXIMUMLE FXIBILITY TO FILL POSITIONS IN THE BUDGET. I HONESTLY DON'T SEE THE NEED
LITIGATE IT FURTHER HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> ON THE ISSUE OF THE -- WHAT IF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WAS INCORRECT. THEY DO WITH THE MONEY IF THEY CAN'T FILL THE SLOTS? AND WHAT IF YOUR ANALYSIS WAS WRONG AND THEY CAN FILLD MORE POSITIONS THAN THEY HA MONEY FOR. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GAVE TOO
MUCH OR GAVE TOO LITTLE? >> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE THERE ARE MORE POSITIONS FILLED. WE ARE TALKING A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SIT DOWN
AND HAVE A MEETING. >> I AM JUST CURIOUS.
YOU WENT THROUGH NUMBERS EARLIER DID YOU LOOK AT SIX YEARS AGO COMPARED TO THE LAST THREE YEARS? I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT WAS THE REQUEST IN WHAT THEY GOT WHEN I GOT HERE SIX YEARS AGO COMPARED TO WHEN THE JUDGE AND
COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- AIDE AID- >> LINA HIDALGO: UNFUNDED POSITIONS [INAUDIBLE] LET ME FUND THEM BASE THEY ARE NOT IN
THE BUDGET. >> AND WHILE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THAT, I BROUGHT OVER TO -- IF I CAN ADDRESS YOU, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM DIRECTING A QUESTION TO --
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST TRYING TO GET OUT -- TRYING TO SEE WHAT WAS THE REQUEST IN WHAT THEY GOT SIX YEARS AGO AND WHAT THEY GOT IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS?
>> I TKORPBT HAVE THE -- I DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION, BUT IT WAS 79 MILLION AND 83,000,099 AND 7 MILLION IS AR PAW -- ARPA.
[02:35:14]
>> IT LOOKS LIKE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.
JUST GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT WHAT IT WAS THE PREVIOUS TWO
YEARS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WANT TO KNOW THE NUMBER WITH NO ARPA MONEY.
WHAT IS GOING TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY?
>> FISCAL 19 TO 20, 89 MILLION. 20 TO 2,194,000,000 96000099000000.
AND TO BE CLEAR THE 50 POSITIONS WE HAVE AB -- WE HAVE AN EMAIL
AUTHORIZING THE HIRING -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE? WE HAVE SAT HERE PATIENTLY AND OF COURSE YOU SAT THERE AS A D.A. AND A FIRST ASSISTANT MAKING THE PRESENTATION. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU ALL WANT TO ADD IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION?
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS RA*D -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN YOU MADE THE PRESENTATION IT WAS A LITTLE SHORTER.
I THINK I SAID THIS BEFORE, BUT I WANT TO SAY THIS AGAIN.
ALL APPROPRIATIONS APPROVED HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE OFFICE.
THERE IS NO WITHHOLDING AND THERE IS NO UNDER THE TABLE.
I HAVE NO CLUE WHERE THAT IS COMING FROM.
THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO GET THE INFORMATION FROM EACH AGENCY.
BUDGET MAXES HAVE BEEN SET TO ZERO.
IT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO GIVE MORE FLEXIBILITY.
IT IS NOT DEFUNDING AND TAKING MONEY AWAY.
IT IS HAVING A SYSTEM FOR WHICH POSITIONS ARE FILLED AND ANY ISSUES THAT EXIST WE HAVE ADDRESSED.
THIRD POINT, THE ROLL OVER, MADAM DE SAYS WHERE HAS THAT GONE? 100% OFS THAT HABEEN RETURNED TO THEIR OFFICE AS APPROVED BY THE COURT.
AND AS INO MENTIONED ATHER TRONCH ON THIS AGENDA.LL THIS DOOR IS STI OPEN AND WILL REMAIN OPEN.
MULTIPLE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN OUT WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
IT IS OBVIOUSLY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S PEROGATIVE TO TAKE THAT MEETING. WE ARE HERE TO MEET ON ANY
ISSUES THAT CAN BE RESOLVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LAST THOUGHT.
WHAT WAS THE DATE WHEN WE SET THE TAX RATE?
>> SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE --
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE SETTING THE TAX RATE IT WOULD SET THE STAGE FOR HOW MUCH MONEY WE WOULD HAVE SPENT. DO YOU REMEMBER HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME IN TO SPEAK? AND HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAD TO
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THAT WAS THE NUMBER.
>> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT WE HAVE THE INTERPRETER BACK ON AND SHE HAS TO LEAVE IN A LITTLE BIT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, CAN WE TAKE THIS QUICK THREE MINUTES OR POSSIBLY ONE MINUTE. ALL RIGHT.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE THIS REAL QUICK FOR PURPOSES OF NOT TAKING AWAY THE OPPORTUNITY OF SPEAKER TO SPEAK.
>> INTERPRETER ALVAREZ, YOU ARE UN-- UNMUTED.
[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 4)]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> WE HAVE SPEAKER 16 MARIA LARA OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AND SPEAKING ON ITEMS 8 AND 9 UNDER QUO INDIVIDUAL 19. UNDER COULD -- COVID-19.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM MARIA LARA AND A PHEP OF TOP -- A MEMBER OF TOP AND WORRIED BECAUSE I HAVE TO APPEAR
[02:40:01]
IN COURT AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SITUATION.I AM A SINGLE MOM AND I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID-19.
>> I AM REPRESENTING SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION AND WE ARE ASKING FOR HELP TO GET MORE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THE RENT BECAUSE WE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION THAT WE WERE AFFECTED BY THE
PANDEMIA AND WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO.>> FOR HELP FROM THE COUNTY SO WE CAN GET SOME HELP TO PAY THE RENT. I HAVE AN EVICTION ORDER AND HAVE TO GO TO COURT AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.
IT EXPIRED. I DON'T HAVE ANYWAY TO PAY FOR
THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE I THINK SHE IS FOUR.
WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY REACH OUT FROM OUR OFFICES AND MAKE SURE -- THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROGRAMS THE COUNTY DOES HAVE. TELL HER WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY REACH OUT TO HER FROM ONE OF OUR OFFICES AND LET HER KNOW WHAT IS
>> WE WILL REACH OUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,
[Departments (Part 3 of 6)]
INTERPRETER. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, D.A. THANK YOU, CHIEF.
APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION. WE SHOULD NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR FROM OUR DEPARTMENTS. YOU ARE NOT THE FIRST DEPARTMENT TO COME HERE AND EXPRESS CONFUSION WITH ON YOU WE DO OUR BUDGET. UNLESS WE KNOW ABOUT T THERE IS NOT MUCH WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. NOW WE KNOW ABOUT IT AND WHAT I WOULD SAY -- WHAT I HAVE HEARD HERE PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO THE BUDGET WHEN YOU START WITH AN INADEQUATE AMOUNT OF BUDGET WHICH WE DID NOT FUND WHAT THE D.A. ASKED FOR, LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT, AND WHEN WE FURTHER DON'T FULLY FUND POSITIONS THAT THEY UNDERSTAND, UNLESS WE CAN GET SOME COMMUNICATION GOING ON CLEARLY WE HAVE A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM.
WE MAY NOT THINK WE DO, BUT I AM SITTING HERE OBSERVING AND WE HAVE A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM. WE HAVE TO DO BETTER IN TERMS OF HOW WE PLAN OUR BUDGET AND COMMUNICATE OUR BUDGET.
WHAT I QUICKLY WRAP UP IS THE D.A. DOESN'T USE TERMS -- I OBJECT SERVED THE D.A. AND WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT CHEATING AND BROKEN PROMISES AND SALARY CAPS AND CONSEQUENCES IF WE DON'T ACT, I AM NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THOSE CONSEQUENCES IN
THE MIDDLE OF A CRIME PANDEMIC. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE
[02:45:02]
ANY ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS AND THEN WE WILL VOTE ON THE ITEM.ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM, TIFFANY?
SPEAKER NUMBER 26, JASON OLIVER. HE IS SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM AND 297 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. JASON OLIVER? HE DROPPED. WE'LL TRY TO GET HIM BACK.
>> JUDGE, MAY I SAY ONE THING? I WANT TO MAKE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THE 24 POSITIONSGE WERE NERAL POSITIONS APPROVED FEBRUARY 8TH. NOTTELLING YOU THAT WE DID GET THE MONEY FOR CLEAR YOU TO BE REAL ABOUT THAT. IT IS NOT ARPA.
IT IS GENERALWA FUND. I NT YOU TO BE CLEAR. ABOUT
THAT >> I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE OUT.
>> THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: BEFORE THE D.A. GIVES US THE FINALUE ADDRE, I HAVE A QSTION.
WHAT HAPPENED TO FOLKS BEING PROSECUTORS FOR LIFE? YOU DESCRIBED A PROCESS WHERE WE BRING IN YOUNG LAWYERS AND TRAIN THEM FOR THREE YEARS AND THEN SEND THEM OFF TO GRADUATE TO WORK IN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE OR TO GO TO PRIVATE PRACTICE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH HAVING CAREER PROSECUTORS FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOUR OFFICE -- I THINK THE SALARY DOUBLES IN THE PUBLIC DEFEND EVERY'S OFFICE AND THEY GRADUATE TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS.
WHAT DO WE DO TO MAKE SURE OUR PROS -- OUR PROSECUTORS AND COMPETITIVE FOR THE BEST LAWYERS INSTEAD OF JUST BEING THE TRAINING GROUND OF LAWYERS FOR OTHER PEOPLE?
>> IN SHORT, THAT IS JUST A PORTION OF OUR LAWYERS WE ARE CAREER PROSECUTORS. MANY OF THESE ARE LEADERS.
THEY LEFT TO COME BACK TO PUBLIC SERVICES AND I DID.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE COMPETITIVE SALARIES AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE CASE LOADS THAT ARE REASONABLE. IT CAN'T BE THREE MILES FROM THE COURTHOUSE THAT HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED IN FIVE AND A HALF YEARS. YOU GOT THAT YOU -- YOU GOTTA HAVE A JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT WORKS.
THIS INNOCENT CHILD WHO WAS SHOT LAST APRIL BY A RANDOM SHOOTER ACCORDING TO HIS FATHER REMAKES INJURED -- REMAINS INJURED, BUT PRESENT HERE TODAY. WITH THIS TYPE OF FUNDING AND UNFUNDING, IT ALLOWS THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT OFFICE TO USE THE MONEY YOU ALLOCATED FOR US UNTIL WE GO THROUGH THE RIGAMAROLE TO GET IT FUNDED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT GIVING US THE FULL 95 MILLION. THIS IS PIECING IT OUT LIKE YOU WOULD DO WITH A TEENAGER ON AN ALLOW YENS -- ALLOWANCE.
IF WE WERE NOT ABSOLUTELY FRUSTRATED AND DEVASTATED BY THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION, BUT THE ACTIONS OF THE BUDGET OFFICE, I WOULDN'T BE HERE. 2 PLUS 2 DOES NOT EQUAL 5.
WE ARE THE TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE HAVE BEEN DEFUNDED. IT MUST STOP.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MADAM D.A., I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR YOU, BUT I WANT TO GET WITH MR. BERRA ASK -- I DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON THIS ITEM BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE WHAT I AM VOTING FOR ORGANS.
I -- OR AGAINST. WE HAVE HAD PRIVATE DISCUSSIONS AND I WANT TO DO MY BEST TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.
I HAVE HEARD -- THIS REMINDS ME OF CONVERSATIONS WE HAD WITH THE SHERIFF. I WANT TO DO MY BEST TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS, MADAM D.A., I WILL ASK THAT INSTEAD OF FORCING THIS ITEM TODAY. I RESPECT YOU AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR GUYSND A GALS GETHE T RESOURCES TO DOT WHAWE NEED YOU
[02:50:06]
TO DO.ER THE ARE THINGS I HAVE HEARD I THAT WANT TO VISIT. IF WE CAN WORK WITH THAT.>> I WILL BE HERE. WE GO BACK A LONG WAY AND I RESPECT YOU TOO.A AS THE SHERIFF OF VERY UNDER FUNDED SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT I'M CERTAIN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT JUST WHAT I AM PAYING MY EMPLOYEES, BUT WHAT IT DOES TO THEOT PUBLIC. MAYBE SOME OF HAVE YOU N PRACTICED HERE. WE NEED THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT HELP. I UNDERSTAND YOU WANT TO DELAY THIS VOTE. THAT'S REALLY BETWEEN YOU ALL.
WE NEED HELP. STOP THE DEFUNDING OF LAW
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS SPEAK.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT MR. BERRY TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, MR. BERRY.
>> I MEAN, FIRST OF ALL EVERY PENNY OF THE $106 MILLION ON AN ANNUAL LIESED BASES IS AVAILABLE TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
AND EVERY POSITION THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE WITH IS SRAEUBLG. -- AVAILABLE.
MR. RAMOS IS AVAILABLE TO MEET WITH THE D.A., MS. KING.SH
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, THANK YOU.
E MENTIONED AND I WANTED TO FOLLOW BACK UP ON THIS, SALARY CAPS. EVERY POSITION HAS A CAP, BUT IS THERE ANY OTHER ARBITRARY CAP BEING PUT ON THEIR SALARIES?
BEYOND BUDGET. >> THE ANSWER IS NO, COMMISSIONER. IN MANAGING THE LABOR BUDGET THERE IS A NUMBER IN THERE, BUT IF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OR ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE RANGES IF THEY HAVE THE BUDGET, THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE CERTAINLY OPEN TO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS ASKED FOR TIME TO DO A MEETING. I SUGGEST WE DO THAT.
IF APPROPRIATE I MAKE A MOTION TO DO THAT IF THAT'S NECESSARY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST HOLD THE ITEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST HOLD THE ITEM.
THAT WAS A MOTION AND I WILL MAKE A SUBSTITUTE TO THE MOTION UNLESS YOU WANT TO PULL THE MOTION DOWN.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DO NOT WANT TO PULL THE MOTION DOWN.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEN I MOTION THAT WE HOLD THE ITEM TO GIVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO MAKE REFERENCE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I CALLED A QUESTION ON MY MOTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I CALLED A QUESTION TO ME -- TO MINE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: LET ME FINISH MY SENTENCE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: GO AHEAD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE THE MOTION. I THINK THIS IS AN IMPERATIVE ISSUE. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRIME-DEMIC HAS IT HAS BEEN CALLED.
THE D.A. NEEDS HELP. THE -- AND THE LONGER THE DELAY GOING TO OUR D.A. AND OTHERS IT WILL PROLONG THE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING IN THE STREETS. SO I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST WE MOVE FORWARD TODAY WITH THE MOTION PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED.
>> WE HAVE A SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,
[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 4)]
TIFFANY. >> SPEAKER 26, JASON OLIVER IS SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM AND 297 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. GO AHEAD. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> HI. I AM JASON OLIVER AND I AM A PRECINCT 4 RESIDENT AND I AM HERE TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO AGENDA ITEMS 146 AND 297. I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUT AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST CHOICE OF USING OUR FUNDS IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU ALL ANDT HAVE A GREA
[Departments (Part 4 of 6)]
DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: AS I SAID EARLIER, I SUPPORT COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S MOTION.
MY CONCERN WITH THEN DELAY, I HAVE SEETOO T MANY THINGS BE SENTO THE COUNTY. ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE DELAY IS ANOTHER WAY TO NOT DO. IT IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT WE WILL DO IT. TO SAY WE WILL HAVE MEETINGS AND THEN COME BACK AND DO NOTHING, I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT WE
SHOULD DO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, YOU MAY
[02:55:12]
NOT BE AWARE WHEN YOU VOTED A BUNCH OF STUFF THAT CAME OUT OF THE WORK MEETINGS I HAD. DIGITAL EVIDENCE IS A PART OF THAT. IT WAS HELPING TO RESOLVE A TITLE THAT WAS CAUSING TEMPORARY PROBLEMS. WHEN I ASK FOR A DELAY TO MEET, IT IS FOR WORK.IT IS TO WORK ON THE MATTER. THE ASSISTANT D.A.'S HAVE A MAJOR FAN IN ME AND PROBABLY EVERYBODY ELSE.
I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF. I UNDERSTAND THE WORK THEY GO THROUGH. THIS IS PROBABLY NEW FOR YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I HAVE WALKED INTO THE INTAKE MANY A TIME OVER THE YEARS TO FILE CHARGES.
IT IS NOT BETWEEN 8 AND 5, BUT BETWEEN 2 AND 3 IN THE MORNING.
I CAN UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITY. WHEN WE HAD THE FIRST ISSUE WITH THE D.A. TO RE -- TO RESOLVE THAT, I SUPPORT OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND I SUPPORT THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE, BUT I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR BECAUSE I -- AS I I HAVE SAID BEFORE, I AM NOT A FAN OF BUREAUCRACY.
I LIKE EXPEAKED YEN SEE. EXPEDIENCY.
I WANT TO GET DOWN TO A FEW DETAILS.
I AM HEARING APPLES AND ORANGES TODAY.
UNFORTUNATELY I AM HEARING TWO SETS OF FACTS AND I WANT TO UNDERSTAND IT CLEARLY. I KNOW I VOTED FOR THINGS.
I VOTED FOR ARPA. I VOTED FOR AN $87,000 BASE SALARY INCREASE FOR NEW ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
I HAVE TRANSFERRED OVER $288,000 OUT OF MY BUDGET.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS IN FRONT OF US.
I AM NOT COMFORTABLE HEARING TWO SETS OF FACTS AND I RESPECT BOTH MR. BERRY AND THE D.A. AND I WANT TO GET -- I WANT TO HAVE MY OWN PRIVATE DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU.
>> WHAT I AM VERY EXPERIENCED AT, COMMISSIONER, IS LISTENING.
I LISTENED TO LAW ENFORCE PH*EPBT WHEN THEY PUT A -- LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN THEY PUT A BUDGET OUT THERE AND I FUNDED -- I SUPPORTED FUNDING THE WHOLE THING.
WHEN THE D.A. COMES AND ASK FOR SOMETHING IN AN EMERGENCY, I LISTEN. MY EXPERIENCE THROUGH MY MANY YEARS IN PUBLIC SERVICE HAS BEEN TO LISTEN.
I LISTENED ANDRD HEA AND THE D.A. NEEDS HELP AND NEEDS HELP
NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE SHOULD MOVE.
ON >> AND I JUST WANT TO THROW SOMETHING OUT. I THINK THEREIN ARE SOME THGS PEOPLE DISAGREE ON. I THINK EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE TWO PEOPLE AT THIS TABLE, AGREE EVERY PENNY APPROPRIATED TO THE D.A. SHOULD BE AVAILABLE, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE FLEXIBILITY TO FILL THE POSITIONS THEY HAVE WITHIN THEIR BUDGET.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT IS ALREADY THE CASE, BUT IF THERE ARE ISSUES, I AM HAPPY TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE A MEETING AT ANYTIME.
IF YOU WANT TO DIRECT US TO ENSURE ALL OF THE BUDGET IS AVAILABLE AND THEY HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR POSITIONS BETWEEN NOW AND TAKING THIS UP AGAIN WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO
THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MAKE THAT
MOTION THEN. >> LINA HIDALGO: FOLKS, THIS IS A COURT PROCEEDING AND EVERYBODY IS HAVING THEIR TURN TO SPEAK.
IF YOU SIGNED UP TO SPEAK YOU WILL HAVE YOUR TURN TO SPEAK AND THAT'S IT. RIGHT NOW IT IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS' TURN TO SPEAK AND EVERYBODY ELSE NEEDS TO RESPECT
THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION, BUT I DO WARRANT TO -- I DO WANT TO SAY ORIE KWREUT RATE -- OR REITERATE THAT WE MADE A DECISION ON HOW MUCH MONEY WE COLLECTIVELY WILL HAVE TO SPEND.
WE KNOW POLITICS AND WE KNOW THE SEASON WE ARE IN.
I GET THAT. AS A COURTESY TO A COLLEAGUE, IF YOU WANT A COUPLE WEEKS OR A WEEK OR A MONTH OR WHATEVER, I
[03:00:02]
WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SECOND THAT PHOEBGS.SECOND THAT MOTION. YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
IT IS FUN TO BRAG ABOUT THE MONEY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WON'T HAVE TO SPEND, BUT IT IS NOT FUN TO DECIDE HOW YOU ALLOCATE THOSE RESOURCES. THAT NUMBER IS SHRINKING.
THAT'S OKAY. IT MAY GET PEOPLE UPSET, BUT
THAT IS FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION IS
TO DIRECT -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE LAST COMMENT WAS DIRECTED TO ME AND MAY I RESPOND?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S WHY I PRESENTED A BUDGET, AN ALTERNATE BUDGET. I HAD NO ANTICIPATION WHAT MY BUDGET COULD PROPOSE. WE COULD HAVE GRANTED EVERY REQUEST OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE 18 MILLION WE OWED THEM FOR THEIR PAY PERIOD AND HAD 42 MILLION LEFT OVER TO GO INTO THE PIC FUND. YOU SAY I DIDN'T SHOW YOU HOW,
BUT I DID. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE WE SUPPOSED
TO CLAP NOW OR LATER? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU CAN.
>> MY MOTION WAS TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT BUDGET TO ENSURE THAT ALL APPROVED APPROPRIATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S USE AND TO ASSURE THAT THEY HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN FILLING THE PROES WITHIN THEIR ALLOCATED BUDGET.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THAT IT COMES WITH IMPLEMENTING THE PAY RAISES AS VOTED ON. YOU HERE IS WHAT I HAVE.
TO DIRECT THE OF MANAGEMENT -- DIRECT THE OFF OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET -- TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO ENSURE THAT ALL APPROVED POSITIONS -- EXCUSE ME, TO ENSURE ALL APPROPRIATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE D.A.'S USE AND THEY HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN FILLING POSITIONS WITHIN THEIR BUDGET AND ENSURE THAT THE PAY RAISES THAT HAVE BEEN VOTED ON HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED. IS THAT -- DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT? I WILL SAY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT IS AS A COURTESY TO YOU, BUT I THINK IT IS CLEAR WHAT BUDGET HAS PRESENTED. SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND IS THERE A SECOND?
>> IS THAT A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO MY MOTION?
FOR CLARIFICATION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN CALL IT WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. IF WE MIGHT BEFORE IE HAVE TO B, EXCUSE IT IS THAT TIME.ON I AM SECDING THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
>>LG NO. >> LINA HIDAO: I AMMO IN FAVOR
SO THAT TION CARRIES 3-2. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GOING TO
TAKE A BREAK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I MOVE MY
MOTION SINCE IT WASN'T CLEAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE VOTED ON THE
SUBSTITUTE MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I ASKED THE QUESTION WAS IT A SUBSTITUTE MOTION?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: MY ANSWER WAS YOU CAN CALL IT WHATEVER YOU
WANT TO CALL IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU GAVE ME THE CHOICE. I DIDN'T CALL IT A SUBSTITUTE.
I AM READY TO VOTE ON MINE NOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A
SUBSTITUTE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO PHOEBGSED BY COMMISSIONER -- SO MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM COMING BACK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL TAKE A BREAK.
WE DO HAVE THE SPEAKERS TO GO THROUGH STILL.
[Appearances before court (Part 4 of 4)]
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:20 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE WILL TAKE SPEAKERS, BUT WE WILL START WITH THIS FAMILY. ARE THEY HERE? THANK YOU. WHICH SPEAKER IS THAT,
COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> JUDGE, I BELIEVE IT IS SPEAKER THREE, NONAGENDA,ED FROM RIG -- FREDERICK LANGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 3, NONAGENDA. >> HELLO, EVERYONE.
[03:05:30]
I HAVE COME HERE TODAY TO SPEAK WITH THE COMMISSION.THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME. ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS FOR MY FAMILY. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED.
WE HAVE FOUGHT AND FOUGHT AND FOUGHT.
WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT. WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP.
IT IS TOO IMPORTANT AND I HAVE TO SUPPORT MY CHILDREN.
I LOVE MY CHILDREN. I'M FRUSTRATED.
I CAN'T -- I HAVE NEVER DIVERTED FROM THIS.
MY WIFE AND I WORKED TIRELESSLY TO FEED AND HOUSE OUR CHILDREN.
WE HAVE BEEN HOMELESS FOR 15 YEARS AND WE HAVE CONTINUED TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND IN A TEAM EFFORT.
BUT WE ARE FRUSTRATED. I WANT TO MEET WITH EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME HERE.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU, BUT WE HAVE BEEN HOMELESS.
AFTER WE WERE IN AN APARTMENT WE WERE FINALLY PUT INTO AN APARTMENT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SURVIVE TP-BLLY.
SURVIVE FINANCIALLY. I NEVER RECEIVED MY CLAIM MONEY FOR MY OWN HEAD INJURY THAT WAS SEVEN YEARS AGO AND NOW MY DAUGHTER HAD ON MARCH 26TH OF 2021 WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD.
MY BABY. THANK GOD WE ARE BOTH ALIVE AND WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE THIS AND THEY WERE -- THE MEDICAL CARE WAS ABLE TO PUT HER BACK TOGETHER AGAIN AND SAVE HER LIFE AND THANK YOU, JESUS FOR THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO THOUGH. THAT'S IT.
I AM SO FRUSTRATED. THE COMMUNITY NEEDS HELP, MY DAUGHTER NEEDS TRAVEL. WE HAVE ISSUES.
WE HAVE NO VAN RAMP. WE NEED THESE SUPPORTS.
I'M AT A LOSS. I AM SO INCREDIBLY UPSET.
THERE ARE CONSTANT SCAMS. THAT'S ALL.
THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE. I JUST WANT A BETTER LIFE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, WE HAVE KEVIN IN MY OFFICE WHO IS GOING TO WORK WITH BRETT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE IF SOMEONE CAN DR. HOLLOWAY'S OFFICE CAN ASSIST IN THAT.
I KNOW HE IS FROM PRECINCT 2, BUT SINCE I UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT OF THE DEAF COMMUNITY, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LEAD ON THAT IF NO ONE OBJECTS TO TRY TO HELP.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SURE. AND I WOULD SAY THAT OBVIOUSLY WORK WITH KPHEUGTSER GAR -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I'M SURE YOU WILL, AND SEE WHAT RESOURCES MAY BE FROM THE CITY OF PASADENA THERE IS AN ADDRESS HERE THAT SAYS PASADENA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT PASADENA?
>> PASADENA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT LOOKS LIKE
PRESTON AVENUE. >> A GO FUND ME ACCOUNT WAS SET UP TO -- FINALLY WE ARE IN A SAFER PLACE NOW IN OUR NEW HOME.
WE WERE GIVEN KEYS TO A NEW MOBILE HOME AND THAT WAS FOR A MUCH SAFER PLACE FOR MY DAUGHTER, BUT I JUST HAVE EVERYONE ALL OVER THE WORLD AND NEVER HEARD BACK.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT MY DAUGHTER IN THE HOME AND I WANT TO HAVE, YOU KNOW -- IT IS NOT FAIR THAT THESE RESOURCES ARE OFTEN GIVEN TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARING.
I JUST FEEL THAT THE DEAF COMMUNITY IS NOT RECOGNIZED.
I NEED TO HAVE FAITH AND NEVER GIVE UP.
LOS ANGELES -- >> LINA HIDALGO: MR. LANGE, THANK YOU TO YOUR FAMILY AND FOR YOUR PERSEVERANCE FOR BEING HERE AND HELPING US UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES YOU ARE FACING.
I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT IS THE PRECINCT YOU LIVE IN, HIS OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU AS WELL AND AS YOU CAN SEE THE VARIOUS MEMBERS OF COURT WANT TO SUPPORT IN THAT
[03:10:04]
EFFORT. WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS AND WE WILL BE SURE TO FOLLOW-UP AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILLCONTINUE TO REACH OUT. >> GOD BLESS YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL TAKE
OTHER SPEAKERS. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 17 SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 16 UNDER COVID-19.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> SINCE 2018 IN HARRIS COUNTY WE ASSUMED AN INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT CENTRALIZATION AND A GROWTH IN BUREAUCRACY. IT HAS COINCIDED WITH AN INCREASE IN CRIME AND CONFIDENCE AND CORRUPTION.
COVID EXACERBATED THIS DUE TO THE INFLUX OF FUNDING AND EXPANDED AUTHORITY UNDER THE GUYS -- GUISE OF EMERGENCY.
IT MUST INCLUDE AN IMPROVE PH-PBT -- AN IMPROVEMENT TO THE INTERNAL CONTROLS BY RETURNING TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ELIMINATING BUREAUCRACY. THIS IS DUE TO OUR SYSTEM OF PATRONAGE THAT APPOINTEES WERE BEHOLDEN TO THEIR PATRONS.
THIS IS A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT FOR EVERYTHING FROM CRIME TO ELECTIONS AND NOW AN INVESTIGATION INTO BID RIGGING FOR EMPLOYEES. THEY HAVE HAD THEIR ROLLS AND AUTHORITY LIMITED THAT THEN LIMITS THEIR ABILITY TO CASH --
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 18 SPEAKING ON ITEM 16 AND 235.
>> THOMAS JEFFERSON SAID WHENEVER YOU DO SOMETHING ACT AS IF ALL THE WORLD WERE WATCHING. CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE TO HAVE THE MONEY THEY PAY IN TAXES TO BE SPENT HONESTLY USING COVID AS A COVER FORGIVING $11 MILLION OF THE TAXPAYERS MONEY TO POLITICAL CRONIES AND MANIPULATING THE STANDARD PROCESS TO GIVE IT TO AN UNQUALIFIED COMPANY IS A SHAM. AS WAS $97 MILLION SPENT ON A HOSPITAL THAT DID NOT TREAT ONE PATIENT.
THEY WERE ELECTED TO HONESTLY AND FAIRLY GOVERN AND NOT USE THE OFFICE IN AN ILLEGAL MANNER. PATRICK HEALY SAID THE LIBERTIES OF A PEOPLE NEVER WERE NOR NEVER WILL BE SECURE.
THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE RULERS MAY BE CONCEALED FROM THEM.
I CALL FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY AND WE NEED SPHUPBG TO RUN -- WE NEED SOMEONE TO RUN AND IS AN HONEST PERSON.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 19, MARISSA HANSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 16 UNDER COVID-19. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> SINCEHE T ELECTION ADMINISTRATORY BHER OWN ADMISSION COMMITTED A FELONY BY VIOLATING SECTION05 66.3 AND 65.002 OF THEAS TEX STATE ELECTION, LAWWHY HAVEN'T YOU INSISTED R HERESIGNATION BE EFFECTIVEIA IMMEDTELY?SH E BROKE. THE LAWOU SHLDN'T SHE RESIGNME IMDIATELY?E THER IS A RULE OF LAW.
DODE YOU NOT ABI BY IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: GOTH AHEAD.
IS IS YOUR TIME TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS.
GO AHEAD. >> I AM ASKINGN. YOU A QUESTIO SHE BROKE THE LAW. SHOULDN'T SHE RESIGN.
>> WE HAVE IN-PERSON N SPEAKER THAT'SEED TO LEAVE.
>> FIRST IS RICHARD WHOPE IS SPEAKING IN RSON.
[03:15:04]
>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. BARRY? >> JUDGE MR. BERRY AND WILLAMENA AND RICHARD BERRY HAD DIFFICULTD GETTING DOWN HERE AND HA TO RESCHEDULE A COUPLE OF TIMES. I KNOW THEIRAL ONE MACHINE WILL RUN RE QUICK. I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ASK THEM TO SPEAK FULLY SO THAT ONCE THEIR ONE-MINUTE IS DONE BECAUSE OF THEIR DIFFICULTIES OF GETTING HERE THAT LET ME ASK MY QUESTION IN ADVANCE OF SAYING DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING IN ADVANCE TO SAY?
>> MY NAME IS WILLAMENA -- WILLAME 5* BERRY.
APRIL 22ND, 2020 ONLY SON WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY A HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF. HE STATED HE WAS ON A STAKEOUT LOOKING FOR A MURDER SUSPECT OUT OF MESQUITE, TEXAS.
JOSH WAS HOUSE SITTING FOR ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS.
HE WAS NOT ONLY -- HE WAS NOT ONLY -- EXCUSE ME.
THE DEPUTY SHOT AND KILLED THE WRONG PERSON.
VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM OUR HOME SURVEILLANCE CAPTURED THE DEPUTY LEAVING THE SCENE AT THE SHOOTING.
OUR SON [INAUDIBLE]. CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN AND THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE CALLED ON BOTH THE D.A. KIM OGG AND SHERIFF TKPWOPBS TONS TO SHOW BOTH INTEGRITY AND COURAGE IT WOULD TAKE TO BRING JUSTICE. THEY COMPARED THE CASE [INAUDIBLE] AND IT IS TIME FOR THESE COVER UPS OF MOSTLY BLACK AND BROWN MEN OF COLOR. THE DEPUTY KILLED TWO PEOPLE.
CAUGHT BEATING A MAN IN HANDCUFFS AND TERRORIZING MY SON
AND AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
MY NAME IS RICHARD BERRY. JOSHUA JOHNSON WAS MY SON.
IT I MAY TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO TELL YOU ABOUT SOME DETAILS ABOUT THE REPORT. THE HARRIS COUNTY DISPATCHER'S REPORT PAGE 39, THERE WAS NO 9-1-1 AUDIO TRAFFIC RELATED TO THIS INCIDENT. INTERNAL AFFAIRS, PAGE 16, THE FIRST MISSOURI CITY OFFICER TO THE SCENE, AJ RODRIGUEZ, WAS TOLD TO LEAVE AT 6:26. JOSHUA WAS SITTING IN HIS CAR AND BLEEDING TO DEATH. HE WAS REQUESTED -- RODRIGUEZ WAS REQUESTED TO COME BACK AT 9:29.
CASE SUPPLEMENT NUMBER 29, H29, THE FIRST OFFICER WAITING IN HIS CAR, OFFICER SMITH STATED THAT HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND NOT OBEYING ANY COMMANDS. AT LEAST THREE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE REPORT HE SAID TO BE UNRESPONSIVE.
THEY WERE LATER SAYING HE WAS RAISING HIS LAND -- HIS HAND.
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, PAGE 3.
ONE HAND WITH A CELL PHONE WITH THE LIGHT ON, BUT WOULD NEVER
[03:20:03]
SHOW BOTH HANDS SIMULTANEOUSLY WHICH WAS GIVEN TO THE GRAND JURY. REPORT PAGE 51, OFFICER B HOWARD STATED HE LOOKED AROUND THE STREET LOOKING FOR HIS SECURITY CAMERAS AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO SECURITY CAMERAS.HE EVEN LISTED OUR HOME AND ADDRESS HAVING NO SECURITY CAMERAS. I HAD THREE.
THERE ARE SIX CAMERAS IN THE WHOLE BLOCK.
WHATEVER OUR CAMERAS CAPTURED, LEAVING THE SCENE AND STAYING FOR FIVE MINUTES AND RETURNING WITHOUT ANY MEDICAL OR PROPER BACK UP. THE BB GUN THAT JOSH WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE -- TO HAVE HAD WAS FOUND IN THEIR DIFFERENT PLACES. THE FLOORBOARD, THE PASSENGER SEAT AND UNDER HIS LEG IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.
SWORN STATEMENT PAGE NUMBER TWO, THE GUN WAS FOUND UNDER THE SUBJECT'S LEG. INTERNAL AFFAIRS PAGE 2, DEPUTY REMOVED A HANDGUN FROM THE FLOORBOARD OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
OFFICER ATTORNEY GENERAL PAGE FOUR SERGEANT OBSERVED THE CLOAK-STYLE PISTOL ON THE FRONT WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M RODNEY ELLIS.
THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. >> YOUR MIC COMMISSIONER.
>> I AM RICHARD BEARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
I AM RODNEY ELLIS AND WE ARE ALL SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
CONGRESSMAN GREEN HAS DONE A GREAT JOB.
HE DID REACH OUT TO ME A COUPLE TIMES TO TALK ABOUT THIS CASE.
DO YOU KNOW IF A REQUEST HAS GONE IN TO ASK THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO REVIEW THE CASE? ARE YOU THEIR LAWYER? DO YOU ALL HAVE A LAWYER REPRESENTING THE FAMILY?
>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE WHAT I WILL DO IS -- I CAN'T DO IT TODAY, BUT IF YOU LEAVE A NUMBER WITH MY STAFF I WILL CALL YOU, OKAY?
>> MY NAME IS JAMES HUDSON AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE FAMILY AND KNOWN THEM FOR 30 YEARS. THE GRAND JURY CAME BACK WITH A BILL OR NO BILL SAYING THEY WERE NOT GOING TO INDICT THE DEPUTY AND OUR FAMILY MET WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION AND MEMBERS OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND THAT MEETING AND DEMANDED ANSWERS. THEY KEPT STAYING OVER AND OVER WE CANNOT GIVE YOU INFORMATION AND WE WILL REFER YOU TO THE REPORT. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WE WILL REFER YOU TO THE REPORT. THEY GAVE US THE REPORT.
600 PAGES OF THE REPORT. TODAY WE ARE GOING TO BE GIVING 30 OF THOSE PAGES TO THIS COMMISSION AS WELL AS THE MEDIA.
ONCE YOU READ THIS REPORT YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY WE SAY THAT THE KILLING OF JOSHUA JOHNSON WAS A COVER UP.
I CAN SAY THAT IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON.
WE ARE OF A PARTICULAR FAITH AND WE HAVE PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY ON THIS PANEL. WHEN YOU SAY VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING OR VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE INTEGRA -- INTEGRITY TO GO UP -- TO STAND UP TO BAD. THE DEPUTY WAS A BAD POLICE OFFICER AND WE BELIEVE IF YOU READ THIS REPORT THAT WE ARE GONNA GIVE YOU AND WE ARE ASKING YOU NOT TO BASE THIS ON POLITICS. DON'T BASE IT ON POLITICS, POWER AND PROMOTIONS, JUST PEOPLE YOU PROMISE TO PROTECT AND SERVE, THAT YOU HAVE DONE TO THE LEAST OF THEM YOU HAVE DONE TO ME.
THIS IS THEIR ONLY SON THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY.
WE ASK YOU READ THESE DOCUMENTS IS BASE IT OFF THE CONTENT.
THESE ARE SWORN STATEMENTS AND YOU WILL SEE STATEMENTS FROM THE OFFICER THAT'S ARE TRYING TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.
THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY TO BACK THEM UP.
THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE SAYING. THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE CRYING
[03:25:02]
OUT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY ASKING FOR JUSTICE, BUT WHO IS GOING TO BACK US UP. VOTE FOR ME.WE ARE PRO POLICE AND AGAINST CRAM.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE POLICE COMMITS THE CRIME 1234* I AM PRO POLICE AND I KNOW WE NEED POLICE OFFICERS.
MY WHOLE FAMILY IS PRO-POLICE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE THEM.
THERE ARE BAD POLICE OFFICERS AND THERE ARE GOOD POLICE OFFICERS. THAT'S JUST THE BOTTOM LINE.
WHEN YOU READ THESE DOCUMENTS YOUR COURAGE AND YOUR INTEGRITY IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE. I AM SO GLAD THAT GOD LEAD US HERE. I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT DON'T HAVE INTEGRITY.
>> THANK YOU. >> AND ALSO NONAGENDA SPEAKER
NUMBER 9, DAVID HENSON. >> [INAUDIBLE]
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR COMING BY AND WE ARE ALL GOING TO FOLLOW-UP. THERE IS ONE MORE SPEAKER.
I COULDN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAID. >> NOT A PROBLEM.
I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP WITH WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HERE WERE TALKING ABOUT. WE NOT ONLY BELIEVE --
>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> DAVID HENSON. I AM ONE OF THE SPOKESPERSONS AND HERE TO SUPPORT JUSTICE FOR JOSHUA AS WELL.
WE NOT ONLY BELIEVE, BUT WE HAVE PROOF THAT -- YOU KNOW, EVIDENCE WAS INSCONCED BY THE D.A. IN FRONT OF A GRAND JURY THAT WOULD HAVE CONVICTED OFFICER TUTRAN OF THE MURDER OF JOSHUA JOHNSON.
HIS FATHER JUST READ SOME OF THE DISCREPANCIES IN THE REPORT, BUT ONE OF THE DISCREPANCIES HE DIDN'T MENTION WAS THE ACTUAL -- THE PERSON THAT ACTUALLY DID THE BALLISTIC REPORT STATED THE VEHICLE THAT TUTRAN WAS DRIVING HAD TO BE MOVED SEVERAL FEET TO MATCH HIS -- TO MATCH HIS STATEMENT OF SAYING WHERE HE SHOT JOSHUA AT. THERE WAS NO RESIDUE ON JOSHUA.
HE SAID JOSHUA WAS RIGHT THERE AT HIS WINDOW WHEN HE SHOT HIM.
THERE WAS NO RESIDUE ON HIM AND THE BALLISTIC REPORT SHOWS HE WAS 20 TO 30 FEET AWAY WHEN HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED AND MURDERED. THIS IS ROUGH.
I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS GOING TO GET CHOKED UP, BUT THIS IS ROUGH. THE FACT THAT WE LOOK AT YOU GUYS -- WE DON'T WANT YOU GUYS TO BE AFRAID OF US.
I GREW UP IN THESE SAME NEIGHBORHOODS AND NEVER HAD ANYBODY THAT LOOKED LIKE ME POINT A GUN AT ME.
I AM NOT SAYING ALL OFFICERS ARE BAD.
FIVE TIMES WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER THE OFFICER PULLED A GUN ON ME AND WE WEREN'T DOING ANYTHING. WE COUNT ON YOU GUYS TO HOLD THESE GUYS TO INTEGRA FEE. WE ARE ASKING FOR SOMEBODY WITH INTEGRITY TO LOOK AT THIS EVIDENCE.
WE KNOW THAT IT WILL RESULT IN THE CONVICTION OF A BAD OFFICER.
THAT'S ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR. INTEGRITY.
>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY
TIFFANY? >> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS
WITH THE BERRIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO THANK THE FAMILY. I KNOW THEY HAD TO WAIT AND I EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES FOR YOUR LOSS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
>> AGENDA RELATED SPEAKER NUMBER 2 DAVID WELCH SPEAKING ON ITEMS 17 AND 235. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
I AM DAVE WELCH AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSTON AREA PASTOR COUNCIL. HAVE I BEEN WITH THIS COURT A NUMBER OF TIMES. SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING FOR THE NEED OF INTEGRITY IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM.
THERE HAS BEEN A LAWLESSNESS FROM ITS INCEPTION.
IT HAS BEEN A BASIC FUNCTION OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM.
IT IS A CATASTROPHE IN THE GOVERN -- GOVERNECE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. IT HAS TO CHANGE.
WE CALL FOR AN OVER SIGHT OF THE NEXT ELECTION PROCESS.
THE ADD -- THE ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED AND NOT DICTATE THE TERMS OF HER OWN DEPARTURE.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE ARE CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS OF THE CURRENT ELECTION PROCESS TO BE DONE AND DIRECTLY TO THE HIJACKING OF THE ELECTION
PROCESS. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS
UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 21 SPEAKING ON ITEM 17 AND 235.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. IF THE COURT'S ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM WORKED CORRECTLY EACH OF YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR BIG PACE
[03:30:02]
HANDOUT CALLED COMPETITION -- COME PEW -- COMPOSITION OF OVERSIGHT TEAM. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT IMPROVEMENTS NEED TO BE MADE IN THE ELECTION PROCESS WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND TWO THINGS. ONE, NO SINGLE PERSON WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE UH COMPREHENSIVE DETAILED PATH FORWARD BECAUSE NO ONE PERSON HAS ALL OF THE SKILL SETS DESCRIBED ON THE ONE-PAGE HANDOUT. NUMBER TWO, NO ORGANIZATION WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE UH COMPREHENSIVE PATH FORWARD UNLESS THAT ORGANIZATION ALSO HAS ALL OF THE SKILL SETS SET FORTH IN THE HANDOUT. I INVITE YOU TO PLEASE STUDY THE HANDOUT AND LET IT HELP IN YOUR DELIBERATIONS ONHE T TWO AGENDA ITEMS, 17ND A 235. OFOU CRSE, I WILL BE HAPPYO T ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THE HANDOUT AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR>> THANK YOU. >> THANK, YOUALLEN.
>> NEXTEA IS SPKER NUMBER 22,NA LISSA OF ENGAGE SPEAKING ON 17 UNDERY COUNTADMINISTRATION. YOU HAVE ONEE. MINUT
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >>OU THANK Y.
GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.AM I SPEAKING O ON BEHALFF THEON ACTI.
WE ARE DEDICATED TOE] TALKING TO VOTERS [INAUDIBLE] IT IS S NOT A TIME TOPLIT SIZE THE ISH -- TO POLITICIZE THE ISSUE.] THE KOUPB TEEN -- THENS COUNTY COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THATRS EDUCATES VOTE AND THETH FAMILIARITY AND EON ADVANCE OF THE ELECTI PERIODS.
THE COUNTY CANHA [INAUDIBLE]. >> TNK YOU, MA'AM.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 23 SPEAKING ON 17 AND 235.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> BEFORE WE GET STARTED.
I WOULD LIKE A VERIFICATION OF MR. LANE.
DID HE NEED A RAMP BUILT FOR HIS FAMILY? [INAUDIBLE]. I AM A HARRIS COUNTY RES -- RESIDENT. I HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIAR FACES HERE. [INAUDIBLE].
SADLY IN OUR LAST ELECTIONS HARRIS COUNTY HAS HAD LESS THAN ADMIRAL CONDITIONS AND IT AFFECTED THE PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE PR-PBG -- [INAUDIBLE] AND MY MESSAGE --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND TAX ASSESSOR OFFICES WHO ARE TRAINED AND EQUIPPED AND EXPERIENCED TO LET THEM HAVE THEIR JOBS BACK AND HAVE THEIR DUTIES AND LET'S WORK TOGETHER.
THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 24.
TONYA, PERDILLA OF GREATER HOUSTON SPEAKING ON 17 UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM WITH POSITIVE WOMEN'S NETWORK AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 17.
AS A PARTNER OF YOUTH IN ACTION, WE TAKE ELECTION MATTERS SERIOUSLY. WE DEDICATE COUNTLESS HOURS TO EDUCATING AND TURNING OUT VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THERE WERE MANY CHALLENGES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION. WHILE THERE ARE SOME THAT MAY CHOOSE TO USE THE MOMENT TO TAKE POLITICAL HITS, WE THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECENTER THIS CONVERSATION ON WHERE IT MATTERS THE MOST. THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY COME UP WITH PROMOTIONS. TO END I PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING.
THE COUNTY SHOULD DEVELOP AN ELECTION PLANNING PROCESS THAT IMPROVES COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN AN EFFORT TO POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE REGIONAL VOTER OUT REACH AND
[03:35:02]
EDUCATION AND THERE BY -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
YOUR TIME IS UP. KWRO*EU THANK YOU.
HAVE A -- THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS CHARLES CRUZ SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEMS 17 AND 235. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> I STICK AROUND WHEN THINGS GET BAD.
I HAVE SERVED FOR SEVERAL TERMS AS AN EARLY VOTE ELECTION JUDGE.
I ACCUMULATED WEEKS AND WEEKS AND WEEKS FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE AND AFTER MANY ELECTIONS I SENT MESSAGES SAYING I NEED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS. WE CAN IMPROVE ON PLANNING AND DELIVER A BETTER, CLEANER, SAFER ELECTION FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. IT HAS FALLEN ON DEAF EARS.
IF WE IMPROVE THE PLANNING WE CAN DELIVER A BETTER ELECTION.
WE NEED TO SECURE THE ELECTION LOCATION, THE POLLING LOCATIONS AND DONE WELL IN ADVANCE DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION LIKE JUST HAPTD -- JUST HAPPENED. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO GO INTO IT AT FURTHER DETAIL AND AT ANOTHER TIME, BUT WE DELIVER SAFE ELECTIONS, CLEAN AND FAIR ELECTIONS.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 27, MIKE NICHOLS OF COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS SPEAKING ON 231 UNDER COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS MIKE NICHOLS AND THE CEO OF COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS. I WANT TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION AND THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR THEIR ON GOING SUPPORT AND THE HOUSING PROGRAMS TO END HOMELESSNESS.
WE ARE EXCITED BY THE RESULTS THAT SHOWS A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING ON THE STREETS AND A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO ARE SHELTERED. WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE WAY HOME SYSTEM HELPING MORE THAN 7,000 PEOPLE IN THE LAST YEAR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE THING I WANT TO SAY IS THANK YOU FOR THAT. I HOPE ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS CAN GIVE YOU THE DETAILS WHEN SHE GETS HER OPPORTUNITY TO
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU, MIKE.
>> THANK YOU. >> WE LOOK FORWARD TO GIVING YOU
THE EXACT NUMBERS TODAY. >> LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 42, DANNY G WHO IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 235 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.
>> YES, MA'AM, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO THE COURT IF THEY WOULD PLEASE TRY TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF MS. LONGORIA BEFORE THE JULY DATE. THERE IS NO REASON TO LET HER CONTINUE ON WITH THE RUNNING OF THE ELECTIONS BECAUSE SHE PROVED SHE IS NEGLIGENT AND UNABLE TO DO IT PROPERLY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 30, REGINA DONE -- DUNCAN OF HARRIS COUNTY. SHE IS SPEAKING ON 231, PRECINCT 2. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON. I WAS CALLING -- I WAS STEPPING IN TO TALK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS WE HAVE SEEN IT OVER THE LAST SEVEN TO FIVE YEARS AND I HAVE BEEN HEARING THAT WE SUPPORT THAT AND WE HOPE THAT IT MAY ADDRESS SOME OF THE NEEDS REGARDING ADDICTION THAT HAVE LEAD THEM TO WHERE THEY ARE AND IT CAUSED TRASH AND OTHER POSSIBLE HEALTH ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
APPRECIATE YOU CALLING IN. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 31. SPEAKING ON ITEM 231 UNDER COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS' COURT. DON'T KNOW IF THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS HAS BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE A BRIEFING ON THE RECENT RESULTS FROM THE COUNT. BUT THIS IS THE FIRST REFLECTION TO SEE IN -- TO SEE IF THE JOINT CITY AND COUNTY AND COVID HOUSING PROGRAM. WE KNOW THE PROGRAM HAS HOUSED
[03:40:03]
7,000 INDIVIDUALS. WE CAN HOUSE A LOT OF FOLKS, BUT DOES THAT MEAN IT IS HAVING AN IMPACT.THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES AND IT SHOWS IT HAS A HUGE IMPACT. IT IS DECREASING HOME -- HOMELESSNESS BY 20%. IT IS HARD TO DECREASE HOMELESSNESS 20% NORMALLY, BUT TO DO IT ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC IS TRULY NOTEWORTHY. AND ON BEHALF OF MAYOR TURNER WE WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY FOR ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY.
THIS IS TRULY A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MARK, CONTINUE.
THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YES, THANK YOU. THE COUNTY LOOKS AT THIS AS ONE OF THE FLAGSHIP INITIATIVES WITH THE COUNTY.
I KNOW YOU FEEL YOU COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT.
THIS IS TRULY A JOINT PROGRAM. I THINK THE SUCCESS THE PROGRAM HAS HAD SPEAKS OF GOOD GOVERNENCE WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED.
NOT JUST MAKE IT A MILLION PRIORITIES, BUT A TOP PRIORITY.
I CAN TELL YOU IN SPEAKING WITH MANY OF YOUR OFFICES AND HERE AT THE CITY, WE ARE NOT JUST CELEBRATING SUCCESS.
WE KNOW THAT MORE MUST BE DONE. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE FUNDS THE COUNTY PUT UP TO ENHANCING EFFORTS.
THE CITY IS ALSO PUTTING UP EQUAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS TO ENHANCE THE EFFORTS SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO LEAD THE NATION IN REDUCING HOMELESSNESS AND REALLY WORK ON DE COMMISSIONING ALL OF THE ENCAMPMENTS IN BRINGING DOWN OUR LEVELS TO RECORD LOWS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MARK, THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU. YOU HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR A LONGTIME. I WANT TO APPLAUD THE WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING ALL ALONG. AND I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE MY STAFF AND YOU TWO GUYS WERE WORKING TOGETHER AS YOU WORK TO BRING THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TOGETHER TO BETTER COORDINATE AND I HAVE BEEN TRACKING THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORK BEING DONE TO GET FOLKS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CASE MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN AFFECTED WITH.
I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU.
YOU HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND YOU HAVE BEEN DOING IT IN GOOD ORDER AND BY YOURSELF.
I'M GLAD THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE WORKING BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE AND I'M LOOKING AT HELPING MORE PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR LIVES AND GET THEM BACK ON A BETTER TRACK.
SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU AND MAYOR TURNER.
IT IS A PROUD PARTNERSHIP WE ARE IN AND SUCCESSFUL FROM WHAT WE CAN SEE. I KNOW THERE IS MORE TO COME, BUT AS YOU SAID REDUCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC. THAT'S A TALL ORDER.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU GUYS HAVE DONE TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE. I WANT TO MENTION THE AMOUNT OF INTERNAL COORDINATION JUST IN THE COUNTY BETWEEN YOUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE CSD AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND THEN THE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND THE COORDINATION WITH THE AMAZING LEADERSHIP AT THE COALITION HOMELESS AND ALL OF THE AGENCIES, OVER A HUNDRED AGENCIES, IT SOUNDS SIMPLE AND IT IS VERY, VERY CHALLENGING. WHEN WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME
PAGE, AMAZING THINGS CAN HAPPEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 29 FROM COALITION OF THE HOMELESS SPEAKING ON ITEM 231.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
THIS IS ANNA ROSH WITH THE COALITION OF THE HOMELESS.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE MAYOR ON US BEING ABLE TO HAVE SUCH A SUCCESSFUL HOMELESS COUNT. ON THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 2 TPAOURTH, 3,2 -- 3,23 PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THAT'S A 19% REDUCTION IN HOMELESSNESS.
ONE IN 8 H EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
[03:45:03]
30% WERE HOMELESS FOR THE FIRST TIME.WROE -- WE BELIEVE IT HELPS TO KEEP OUR NUMBERS DOWN IN 2021, MORE THAN 6600 PEOPLE WERE HOUSED THROUGH THE LOCAL HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEMS AND 50% OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE LIVING IN AN UNSHELTERED LOCATION PRIOR TO BEING HOUSED
INCLUDING THE VERSION -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 32, FELICIA BRUSARD SPEAKING ON ITEM 31. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE HIDALGO AND EACH COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MET WITH EACH OF YOU WHO LISTENED TO THE MISSION OF COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE FUTURE OF COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WE COME TO YOU NOW AND JUST ASK AGAIN FOR CONTINUED CONVERSATION FOR THE CURRENT CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO REBUILD OUR CAMPUS. WE HAVE BEEN IN HOUSTON SERVING 18 TO 24-YEAR-OLD HOMELESS YOUTH FOR 40 YEARS NOW.
AND WE ARE USING THE NOW DILAPIDATED FACILITIES.
OUR REDEVELOPMENT WILL ALLOW US TO ACCOMMODATE 50% MORE HOMELESS YOUTH. WE ARE AT KAPTS -- WE ARE AT CAPACITY EVERY NIGHT. WE NEED FACILITIES THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MINISTER TO THEIR NEEDS.
WE OFFER MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC CARE ON OUR CAMPUS AS WELL AS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTS AND JOB TRAINING AND A HOST OF OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE CARE SERVICES. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY AND THANK YOU FOR HOW HAVE YOU SUPPORTED US AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 33, LESLIE BOURNE OF COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS SPEAKING ON 231.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> HI, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE TIME TODAY TO TALK ABOUT COVENANT HOUSE.
I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND COVENANT HOUSE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS. WE ARE CONSIDERED [INAUDIBLE] AND WE HAVE ABOUT A HUNDRED KIDS ON OUR CAMPUS WITH A WAITING LIST OF TURNING KIDS AWAY. I KNOW THE OTHER NIGHT WE HAD 40 KIDS ON OUR WAITING LIST. WE ARE HAVING TO TURN THOSE KIDS AWAY. WE ARE IN THEID MTKEPL -- MIDDLE OF AAM CPAIGN. THAT IS TO REDEVELOP THE CAMPUS ANDT IIS 4 A7-MILLION DOLLAR CONSTRUCTION BUDGET W ANDE NEED AT LEAST ANOTHERMI 10 LLION TO GETTO US UN GRODWORKING BY THIS SUMMER.WE AREPR SO APECIATIVE OF THECO UNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ALL OF YOURRT SUPPO THAT YOU HAVE BEEN
GIVING USE WITH THNEWS THAT YOV SEE.>>
ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 34K 231.- SPEAKING ON YOU HAVE ONE
>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TOO SPEAK YOU TODAY ON BEHALF OFNT COVENA HOUSE, TEXAS. I HAVE BEENVO ACTIVELY INLVED AT COVENA HOUSE FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND ON THEHT BOARD FOR EIG OF THOSE YEARS.OU HARRIS CNTY HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OFE COVENANT HOUSIN THE PAST.
IU HUMBLY ASK YO TOAI STEP UP AGN ANDOV REDEVELOP THE CENANTUS HOUSE CAMP NEAR THE INTERSECTION NEAR MONTROSE.
EACH YEAR COVENANT HOUSE SERVES AT RISK YOUTH AND PROVIDES OVER 30,000 NIGHTS OF SHELTER. THERE ARE SERVICES RANGING FROM A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP.
THERE ARE NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND THINGS LIKE PERSONAL HYGIENE AND LAUNDRYY FACILITIES ALL THE WA TO HEALTH CARE AND OUR ON SITE CLINIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL COUNSELING AND LIFE SKILLSOR TRAINING. MOST IMPTANTLY THEY MEET THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE OFFERING THEIR LOVE AND
ACCEPTANCE -- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS
UP. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I
HOPE YOU SUPPORT COVENANT HOUSE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 35, JENNY RAMSEY ON 231. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
MY NAME IS JENNY RAMSEY AND I AM WITH THE CHILD VIEW HEALTH AND APPROVAL COALITION. AND I WOULD LIKE TO BRING SOME POSITIVE ATTENTION TO THE RELATIONSHIP THAT IS MADE WITH
[03:50:02]
THE COMMISSIONER'S STAFF AND HARRIS COUNTY ENTITIES.OUR COMMUNITY LIAISON AND SEVERAL OTHER HARRIS COUNTY INDIVIDUALS HAVE STEPPED UP THEIR GAME FOR US.
IT IS DEFINITELY DECREASED WHERE IT USED TO BE IN EXCESS OF 20 PEOPLE UNDER OUR BRIDGE HERE AT CHANNEL VIEW AND SHELTON ROAD.
WE ONLY SEE FOUR REGULAR THAT'S ARE RESISTANT TO MOVING ON.
I NOTICED SOME OF THE TRANSIENTS ARE SCATTERED AROUND AND SLEEPING AT CHURCHES AND CAMPING AT ABANDONED HOMES AND LOTS.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 36, KATHY CROUCH OF SURGE HOMELESS SERVICES SPAOEBGZING ON 231.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. 11 YEARS AGO THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE HOMELESS TOTALED 8500.
OUR COUNTY AND CITY COULD HAVE GONE THE OTHER WAY THAT MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE WITH MEMBERS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE INCREASING DRAMATICALLY, BUT WE DIDN'T.
THE RECENT COUNT WAS 3200 PEOPLE.
A 63% REDUCTION OVER THE LAST 11 YEARS.
SO THAT DECLINE HAS REALLY BEEN THE RESULT OF A DETERMINATION OF HARRIS COUNTY, THE CITY AND CENTRAL HOUSTON AND THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS.
TO FIGURE THIS OUT AND REALLY TRY TO MAKE THE EXPERIENCE NONOCCURRING. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SUSTAINED EFFORT TO REDUCING HOMELESSNESS.
THANKS VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 37 SPEAKING ON ITEM 231.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR THE -- FOR THEIR PRIOR SUPPORT AND FORGIVING PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
BRIEFLY I WANT TO SAY THAT INVESTING IN COVENANT HOUSE IS A BEST WAY TO COMBAT YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
I WAS INSPIRED BY THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE AND IN PARTICULAR LISTENING TO THE RESIDENTS GIVE THEIR STORIES.
WITHOUT COVENANT HOUSE THERE -- COVENANT HOUSE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO COLLEGE AND THEY MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO FIND HOUSING, TO BE INDEPENDENT AND TO FIND WORK.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF WORK THAT COVENANT HOUSE HAS BEEN DOING FOR DECADES AND WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT.
THEY NEED MORE HELP AND THEY NEED MORE FUNDING AND I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO SPEAK MORE. THANK YOU.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 38, MIKE HOLLAND. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU AND COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE AND ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
I AM MIKE HOLLAND, THE BOARD CHAIR FOR COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS AND A LONG-TIME PARTNER AND EMPLOYEE OF MERICK.
YOU MAY KNOW SAM MERICK. JUST WANTED TO REINFORCE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM THE FOLKS REPRESENTING COVENANT HOUSE. WE ARE IN A $47 MILLION CAMPAIGN. WE WOULD LIKE FOR TO YOU PARTNER WITH US AND THE CITY. WE HAVE A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND THE COMMITTEE HAS COMMITTED $23 MILLION OF PRIVATE DONORS WHO ARE ASKING US TO PARTNER WITH THE PUBLIC AGENCIES AND THOSE THAT DESIGNATE OUR TAX MONEY.
WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A ONE-TYPE CAPITAL ASK AND SEE IF YOU CAN HELP US GET SHOVELS INTO THE GROUND IN THIS CASE AND GET THIS FACILITY GOING SO WE CAN HELP MORE HOMELESS YOUTH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. >> THANK YOU.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 39, JOHN BASIL SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE, SIR. >> HELLO.
MY NAME IS JOHN BASIL, THE SOCIAL SERVICES COORDINATOR AND CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS AND WE WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS IN ATTEMPTING TO QUALIFY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS FOR HOUSING USING THEIR HMIS SYSTEM.
HOUSING FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS GENERALLY MUST MEET TWO
[03:55:01]
REQUIREMENTS. THE LANDLORD MUST ACCEPT HOUSING VENTURES AND THE LAND ACCEPT UTILITIES.THERE ARE TWO APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT'S MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS AND BOTH IN MY OPINION ARE POORLY MAINTAINED AND UNSAFE FOR THE RESIDENTS. WE REQUESTED AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF PAYING FOR AOU FILL TEES -- FOR UTILITIES BE WORKED OUT SUCH AS VOUCHER THAT'S WOULD HELP THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY CONCERN WE HAVE. ANOTHER CONCERN WE HAVE IS THAT THERE AREN'T ANY EMERGENCY SHELTERS.
WE REQUEST THAT HARRIS COUNTY PARTNER WITH THE SALVATION ARMY OR SIMILAR ENTITY TO ESTABLISH A SHELTER IN NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO L
SPEAK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>>INA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 40, TODD BENNETT. HE IS SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> VERY GOOD. TODD PWAU -- BENET.
I HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR FIVE YEARS AND CHAIR OF THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. YOU HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES AND THE NEED FOR SUPPORT TO GET SHOVELS IN THE GROUND TO REBUILD OUR CAMPUS. I WILL KEEP MY COMMENTS BRIEF AS YOU HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES ALREADY ON THE NUMBER SERVICES WE PROVIDE. I GOT INVOLVED IN THE COVENANT HOUSE OF TEXAS FOR WO* REASONS -- FOR TWO REASONS.
I BELIEVE THE KWOF -- THE COVENANT HOUSE OF TEXAS IS ABOUT A SHAPBD -- IS ABOUT A HAND UP AND NOT A HAND OUT.
AND SECONDLY I THINK WE STAND IN THE BREECH.
WE STAND IN THE BREECH BETWEEN THE CHALLENGES OF THESE YOUNG FOLKS AND BECOMING PART OF THE PROBLEM.
WE NEED A VERY NEEDED SERVICE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE ABSOLUTELY THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE COURT --
>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> AND WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOU CONTINUE TO DO SO.
THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 41, ADOLPHOUS, SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.
>> THIS IS ADOLPHOS S. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS, RAMSEY, CAGLE , ELLIS, GARCIA AND I HAD A MEETING WITH ALL Y'ALL LAST JULY AND IT WAS A PLEASURE MEETING ALL OF YOU. I WANT TO SAY I AM PRAYS FOR ALL OF Y'ALL. CASH DASH I WANT TO SAY I AM PRAYING FOR Y'ALL. Y'ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.
I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS. KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.
I AM FROM EAST TEXAS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS FROM CROCKETT. I AM PRAYING FOR CROCKETT.
YOU USED TO PLAY ME IN FOOTBALL AND SO MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN THE UNFORTUNATE DEVASTATE WITH THE TORNADOES.
THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH. I THINK I HEAR THE NARRATOR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> HOPE TO SEE Y'ALL AGAIN SOON.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 43, KURT BONSAL OF THE PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE'S OFFICE SPEAKING ON 306 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
THIS IS KURT BONN -- BONSAL. I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AND TOUCH BASE ON THESE PLATE READER CAMERAS AND TELL YOU HOW MUCH THEY WOULD BENEFIT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOLLOW-UP TIMES AND REDUCING COSTS AND MAKING LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS MORE EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE BY PROVIDING NETWORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO SOLVE THESE CRIMES AND HAS CAPABILITIES TO DO SEARCHES LOOKING FOR THE SUSPECT VEHICLES. OUR AGENCY IS PARTNERING WITH OTHERS THAT USE THE SYSTEM AND RECOVER STOLEN VEHICLES LATELY.
IT GIVES US ACCESS TO THESE LICENSE PLATE READERS.
IT WOULD REDUCE THE FOLLOW-UP TIMES BY THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATING THESE CASES. AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. I APPRECIATE THE COURT'S TIME.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 44, DANIEL GARZA ON 306 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME. I AM THE PATROL COMMANDER WITH
[04:00:05]
THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE. IT DEFINITELY WOULD SAVE ON MAN POWER HOURS. OUR AGENCY HAS PROOF TO BE AN INVALUABLE TOOL. RECENTLY WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE A MISSING AND ENDANGERED PERSON DIAGNOSED WITH DEMENTIA.AND THROUGH THIS PROGRAM WE WERE ABLE TO RECOVER WITHIN HOURS OF RETURNING HOME SAFELY I. I FOUND SOME INTERESTING DATA PUT OUT IN 2021. THE DEPARTMENT HAD 37 HR-PBLGS -- LICENSE PLATE READERS AND SCANNED 3.5 MILLION PLATES A MONTH. WITH THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO RECOVER ONE TO THREE-STONE VEHICLES A YEAR TO UP TO 62 WITH A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AND A HALF REMAINING.
>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S TIME. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 1, JACOB CLEMENTAGE SPEAKING IN PERSON.
>> HELLO. [INAUDIBLE] WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING [INAUDIBLE] THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY.
AND I AM GOING AROUND AND AT ANY RATE -- WELL, GOING TO TALK ABOUT TWO OPPOSITE SPECTRUM OF WOMAN AND THEN] INAUDIBLE IT WAS NOT ANY GOOD AND IT WAS UNDESIRABLE PEOPLE.
AND IT WAS PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND WE [INAUDIBLE].
SHE WENT TO MEDICAL SCHOOL IN THE EARLY 50S AND WAS UH AGAINST ABORTION. DR. JEFFERSON [INAUDIBLE] WELL, MY TIME IS UP. BYE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> CAN I HAVE THE CUP BACK?
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A NICE CUP.
>> MY CUP R RUNETH OVER. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 7. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> HI. I AM MICHELLE STAFF I AM CALLING ON COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO TO ENDORSE THE MEDICARE FOR ALL ACT. WE THE PEOPLE NEED HEALTH CARE AND NOT HEALTH INSURANCE. IT IS 23*R -- FOR THEIR EDUCATION AND THEIR HEALTH. HARRIS COUNTYAC FING AAN PDEMIC.
NOW IS AIM TE FOR A STAND FOR THE MOREN THA,0 13500LD CHIREN
[04:05:05]
THAT ARENS UNIURED.IT IS TIME TO SET THEAR STANDD FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS.NO W IS THE TIME TOEN -- TO ENDORSE HR76. THANK YOU.>> NEXT ISDA NONAGEN SPEAKER NUMBERPH 11, STEANIEA. VILLANUEV YOUMI HAVE ONE NUTE. GOEA AHEAD, PLSE.
>> HEY, Y'ALL, CANME YOU HEAR ? HELLO?
>> W YES, MA'AM,E CAN HEAR YOU.T >> GRE.
SO MY NAME IS STEPHANIEVA VILLANUE.
MY PRO NOUNS ARE SHE/HER/HERS. P COMMITY. I AM ALSO CALLING FOR THES' COMMISSIONER COURTOF IN SUPPORT IMMEDIATE DAYCARE --R MEDICARE FOALL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A SINGLERE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CA SESSION STEM. SO MEDICARE FOR ALL WAS NOT ONLY THE MASSIVE HEALTH DISPARITY, BUT IT WOULD COVERG GENDER AFFIRMIN SECURITY AND REMOVE BARRIER TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
WITH MEDICARE FOR ALL, LGBTQ PLUS PEOPLE CANNOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST OR DENIED HEALTH BENEFITS.
MEDICARE FOR ALL WOULD BE A MAJOR INTERVENTION WHERE
1.3 MILLION IN THE U.S. -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
YOUR TIME IS UP. FORSE SUPPORT THE MEDICARE ALL RESOLUTION. THANK YOU. Y
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANKOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 12, IRA DENVER FORVE MEDICARE FOR ALL.
HA YOU ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LIKE THE PREVIOUS TWO SPEAKERS I AM ALSO URGING THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION YOU HAVE ON YOUR DESK IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESS ENACTING MEDICARE FOR ALL UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT HARRIS COUNTY AND IN PARTICULAR NEEDS. WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST UNINSURED RATES IN THE COUNTRY AND WE ALSO HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO GO FUND ME TO TRY TO AVOID BANKRUPTCY.
THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE SAYS THAT HARRIS COUNTY -- HARRIS COUNTY COULD HAVE AN ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF $9 BILLION A YEAR IF WE CAN GET CONGRESS TO
ENACT THE LEGISLATION. >> THANK YOU.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 13 JULIA SWAN. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI THERE.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE FOR ACTUALLY TAKING A STAND AGAINST CORRUPTION AND CALLING OUT LINA HIDALGO FOR HER LIES CONSIDERING THE ELEVATE STRATEGIES MISS APPROPRIATION OF TAXPAYER FUNDS. LINA HIDALGO HAS BEEN DISASTROUS FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND HAS SKY ROCKETING CRIME.
SHE HAD AN UNSCIENTIFIC COVID POLICY AND THE LATEST ELECTION FIASCO HAS SHOWN SHE IS NOT FIT TO SERVE.
I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR MY COMMISSIONER, ADRIAN GARCIA, WHEN WILL YOU PUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS ABOVE PARTISAN POLITICS. YOU CAN ANSWER MY QUESTION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE THOSE ARE ALL OF THE
SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, TIFFANY. WE DID HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS STEP OUT. I SUGGEST WE TAKE OUR BREAK NOW BEFORE WE GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA.
LET'S TAKE A 15-MINUTE BREAK UNTIL 3:40.
[Departments (Part 5 of 6)]
E >> LINA HIDALGO: WE SHOULD GO THROUGH THCONCEPT AGENDA, BUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS NOT BACK.
PERHAPS WE CAN START GOING DOWN SOME OF THE ITEMS? CORRECTIONS, GOOD IDEA. LET'S START THERE.
[04:10:09]
IT IS 3:46 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.AIM 8, 61 AND 88, 91 AND 93 AND PAGE 12, 97, 98 AND 100.
ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN THE ENGINEERING SECTION THERE ARE TYPOS IN THE USES OF THE TERM "FORMALLY." WE NEED TO REMOVE THE TERM "FORMALLY" AND REPLACE IT WITH FORMERLY ON THOSE ITEM HAD. PAGE 13 AND ITEM 111.
CHANGE THE 2 IN PRECINCT 2 TO A 3 AT THE END OF THE AGENDA ITEM'S WORDING. Y 117 ON PAGE 14, NO ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN ON THAT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEM.
PAGE 28 AND ITEM 222. CHANGE WEST PRINT PUBLICATION TO LEXUS NEXUS DIGITAL AND PRINT. ON 291, OMB REQUESTED NO FURTHER ACTION BECAUSE OF THE DESIGNATED WORK GROUP RESOLVED THE ISSUE SINCE IT WAS POSTED ON THE AGENDA.
THAT WAS 292 -- EXCUSE ME. 291.
AND THAT'S IT. DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE HOW LONG HE WILL BE? WELL, LET'S START GOING DOWN THE NON-EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION ITEMS. THE ONES THE MEMBERS PRESENT HAVE CURRENTLY ASKED TO DISCUSS.
THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE ITEM 10 ON PAGE TWO.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REQUESTED THAT WE DISCUSS THAT ITEM.
>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. WE NEED --
>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. WE NEED COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO DETERMINE WHAT GOES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THERE IS ACTUALLY 8, 9 AND 10 AND 11 AND WHAT I JUST WANT TO BE SURE OF IS THAT THE ISSUES THAT THOSE HAD -- I THINK IT HAD TO DO WITH FUNDING, STATE FUNDING AND FEDERAL FUNDING AND RECONCILING THOSE. ARE WE CONFIDENT THAT WE'VE GOT THAT WORKED OUT NOW BETWEEN THE FOLKS THAT ARE RECEIVING SO WE
DON'T HAVE THAT AGAIN? >> I WILL LET HER RESPOND AND IF
I'M HERE. THIS IS LEAH BARTON.
YES, THE ISSUE WE FACED ACROSS THIS PROGRAM IS THE FACT THAT TREASURY GAVE ALOE -- ALLOCATIONS OF FUNDING FROM STATES, COUNTIES AND CITIES FOR THE SAME PROGRAM.
AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO COLLABORATE LOCALLY AND CREATE A COMBINED CITY/COUNTY PROGRAM, BUT IT WAS INEVITABLE SOME WOULD APPLY TO BOTH THE LOCAL PROGRAM AND THE STATE PROGRAM.
WE ARE GETTING A DATA FEED FROM THE STATE TO SEE WHO THEY HAVE AWARDED FUNDS TO AND WE HAVE ACTIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESSES UNDERWAY FOR CASES WHERE THAT DUPLICATION DID OCCUR.
>> ARE YOU THE ONE HANDLING THIS, LEAH?
>> YES, SIR. >> TOM RAMSEY: I'M GOOD.
IF LEAH IS ON IT, I'M GOOD. >> WITH A LOT OF HELP FROM JANET
GONZALEZ AND OMB AND OTHERS. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THIS THE PROGRAM WHERE THEY GAVE US ADDITIONAL MONEY ADDITIONAL JURISDICTIONS DID NOT USE?
>> YES. IT IS FROM THAT ADDITIONAL REALLOCATION AND WE JUST RECEIVED THE GREAT NEWS THAT WE WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER 8.9 MILLION REALLOCATED FROM
OTHER JURISDICTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IN TOTAL HOW MUCH IS THAT? IS THAT 16 IN TOTAL WE ARE GETTING IN ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE?
>> 17.5. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU HAVE A SENSE WHILE WE ARE WAITING THAT ANYMORE WILL COME?
[04:15:20]
AND SO WE WILL KEEP REALLOCATING.>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS BASED ON THE JURISDICTIONS IN THE STATE
OR THE REGION OR NATIONALLY? >> TOM RAMSEY: GOOD JOB.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THE NEXT IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM. I DO HAVE A MOTION FOR YOU GUYS.
I HOPE OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE GETTING A MUCH-NEEDED RESPITE. THERE HAS BEEN A DECLINE IF CASES AND THERE IS A VARIANT OBVIOUSLY THAT FOLKS ARE AWARE OF FROM THE NEWS, BUT IT IS NOT CAUSING RIGHT NOW IN OUR HOSPITALS MAJOR ISSUES. IF THERE IS A QUESTION WE CAN LOOP IN DIRECTOR ROBINSON. I KNOW YOU SAW THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATE TER BERRY ABOUT ANYONE ENTERING A COUNTY BUILDING WEAR A MASK AND DO THE FEVER SCREENING.
I MOVE THAT COMMISSIONERS' COURT UNTIL COMMISSIONER GARCIA GETS HERE. THAT'S WHAT I HAVE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: FOUR SETS OF QUESTIONS. THE TP*EURBS, WE ARE -- THE FIRST, WE ARE YELLOW NOW, BUT WHEN WILL WE NOT HAVE A COLOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS LEVEL GREEN AND WE NEED A DECREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND CONTINUED DECREASE IN POSITIVITY AND DECREASE RATE IN CASES AND I WILL SAY, COMMISSIONER, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE EFFECT THE LATEST WAVE HAVE AND WILL HAVE AN
UPDATE MAYBE NEXT COURT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MAYBE NEXT
COURT WE WILL BE AT GREEN? >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL BE AT GREEN, BUT I WILL SEE WHAT WILL BE NEEDED FROM THE FRAMEWORK. I AM PULLING THIS UP RIGHT NOW.
BASICALLY IT WOULD NEED TO BE THE HOSPITAL USAGE WOULD NEED TO BE BELOW 5% OF THE ICU POPULATION AND THAT WOULD BE A WEEKLY BASIS. THOSE ARE THE INDICATOR THAT'S ARE NOT AT GREEN YET. HAVE THINGS SHIFTED ENOUGH AND THAT IS A DISCUSSION WE ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL THE GUYS FROM CDC -- WELL, YOU CAN FOLLOW-UP. THAT'S THE CDC AND THE PRESIDENT'S DECLARATION? DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR -- ON
THAT? >> TOM RAMSEY: ANECDOTALLY.
WE JUST HAD A GREATOD REOND A SEEING THE CROWDS THAT ARE OUT THERE, PEOPLE ARE EXERCISING JUDGMENT - DIS-CE DISRNMENT ON THEIR OWN. OBVIOUSLY A LOT MORE DID.
MY QUESTION HAS TOTH DO WI CAPACITYS ISSUEWE WHEN ARERE STRICTINGE PEOPLGOING TO THELI BRARY AND HOW MANY PEOPLE INTO ACO LOT OF UNTYIE FACILITS ANDNT THE COUY CLERK'S OFFICE.LO A T OF THOSE I THINK WE TO BE SURE THAT -- WELL, I THINK IT IS TIME TO OPEN UP. A I LOT OF THATS AROUND NECK-- DOUGH ANECDOTAL. THEREER IS A GOOD EXPIENCE INOL THE SCHOS AND THE EVENTS IN A THE AREAND OPENING IT UP TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICEUL AND GOING INTOPEOPLE PAYING THEIRHO TAXES AND ALL TSN KIND OF THGS. C
>> R. JACKAGLE: I'ME STILL ON THFIRST OF THE FOUR, BUT ARE
[04:20:03]
WE ALSO TESTING THE TESTING OF OUR EMPLOYEES?O:>> LINA HIDALG THERE IS A CARVE OUT FOR THE JAIL AND THE COURTHOUSES. THAT IS ASKING OF THE JUVENILE
PROBATION. >> AND THEN ISU HAVE THREE OTHER BJECT AREAS, BUT DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION ON THE SPECIFIC PART?
>> ON THE TESTING, WILLON THE -- AND IF YOU D'T KNOW, MR. BERRY DOES. WILL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTEY REIMBURSE PEOPLE IF TH ARE TESTED?
>> DO YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TOHE THAT?
>> I THINK T ANSWER IS YES, BUT THERE IS A DEADLINE.
LET ME TRACK THAT DOWN FOR YOU. >> FIND THAT.
AT LEAST TO THE EXTENT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED, I WOULD PREFER IF NONE OF YOU ARE VACCINATED I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOU ARE BEINGU. TESTED, TO BE HONEST WITH YO WILL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE THAT LATITUDE IF IN THAT DEPARTMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED AND SOME REASON TO NOT BE VACCINATED. WILL THERE BE A REQUIREMENT TO BE TESTED AND WILL IT BE REIMBURSED? FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, JUDGE, I WILL SAY THAT I URGE TO YOU CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE. SEE WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING.
IF FORMER PRESIDENT OBAMA CAN GET IT, AND I AM OLDER AND I MADE IS -- MADE IT SO FAR AND I WOULD LIKE NOT TO GET IT.
I'M SURE YOU ALL HAVE SOME RESOLUTIONS AND SOME WOULD BE GLAD I AM GONE, BUT IF PEOPLE ARE NOT TESTED, I FOR ONE -- AND Y'ALL ARE INVITED TO MY HOME ANYTIME YOU WANT, BUT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED, AND YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TESTED YOU ARE NOT GETTING IN MY HOME UNLESS YOU HAVE A RELIGIOUS REASON FOR NOT GETTING VACCINATED. SO DO WE HAVE AN ANSWER ON THAT?
>> I AM CHECKING ON THE REIMBURSEMENT DEADLINE.
WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, EVEN THE ORIGINAL POLICY, IT WAS THEIR OPTION. THEY COULD IMPLEMENT THEIR OWN HR POLICY. I DID CONFER WITH DIRECTOR ROBINSON IF THE NUMBERS GO BACK UP AGAIN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THAT'S THE KEY POINT.
MAYBE A YEAR AGO TODAY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE ARE OUT AND ABOUT AND IT IS OVER AND IT IS DONE AND I WAS SAYING, WELL, I JUST HOPE IT IS NOT LIKE THE LAST WAVE.
I AM HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF -- I HOPE IT IS NOT DEJA VU, BUT IT IS THE I HOPE IT IS NOT LIKE THE LAST WAVE.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE KNOWS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO HOLD OUT FOR AND IT DOESN'T AFFECT OUR HOSPITALS. IT IS UNTIL JULY 1ST OR ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE THAT IT IS REIMBURSABLE.
EARLIER I WAS TALKING WITH THE CAMERA CREWS IN THE BACK WITH THE VIRTUAL EQUIPMENT UP HERE. ALTHOUGH THE PRECINCT 4 GEEKS GUYS ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB AND IT BLOCKS THE BEAUTIFUL FACES OF PRECINCTS 1 AND 2 FROM BEING FROM THE CAMERA CREW AS MUCH IN THE BACK CORN EVERY. WHEN DO WE DO -- GO TO WHERE WE DON'T HAVE THE VIRTUAL COMPONENT TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND WE GO PWAING TO REGULAR -- GO BACK TO REGULAR COURT WHERE IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK OR ADDRESS THE COURT YOU WILL BE UTILIZING THE PODIUM AND WE WILL HAVE EVERYONE COME LIKE REGULAR COURTTH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME DISCUSS THAT WITH E PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM. OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD I FEEL IT HAS ALLOWED FOR MORE PARTICIPATION WHICH IS A GOOD THING. I WOULD BE LOATHED TO GET RID OF IT. MAYBE WE MOVE THE SCREEN YOU, BUT IT IS SOMETHING I WILL BRING UP TO THEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM IT IS WORTH FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, IT DOES INCREASE THE LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION AND I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY IT, BUT I WILL BE WATCHING IT VIRTUALLY AS WELL BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS -- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE AND THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY THE PLACE YOU GO AND DO THAT. YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR POINT AND
[04:25:01]
THAT'S WHAT IT IS ABOUT. ALTHOUGH MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT A PLACE WHERE WE GET INTO A GIVE AND TAKE. I FOR ONE WILL DO THAT.IF THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT CAN DO THAT I WILL TAKE COPIOUS
NOTES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO IT IS ALLOWED? WE CAN DO VIRTUAL?
WE CAN DO VIRTUAL FOREVER? >> IT IS NOT VIRTUAL FOREVERNG.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I AM TALKING ABOUT COMMENTI.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS THE DECISION OF THE COURT.
>> IT IS WHAT THE COURT WILL ALLOW.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT IS GOOD AND I
ENCOURAGE IT. >> WHAT THE COURT CANNOT DO IS RESTRICT IT TO VIRTUAL ONLY. NOW THAT WE ARE IN FULL OPEN MEETINGS MODE YOU MUST HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN PERSON. THE CHOICE TO HAVE PEOPLE COME VIRTUALLY IS SOMETHING THE COURT DECIDES COLLECTIVELY.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE CAN VOTE TO GO TO REGULAR -- MAYBE IT IS MY BIAS FROM BEING A JUDGE, BUT I LIKE SEEING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING TO ADDRESS US AND TALK TO US.
THERE IS A COME PENNANT -- COMPONENT TO THAT VERSUS SOMEBODY THAT IS A VOICE OVER A TV SCREEN.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM A LITTLE LOST.
I THOUGHT PEOPLE COULD -- >> YOUR MIC, COMMISSIONER.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THOUGHT FOLKS CAN COME IN PERSON.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: MY QUESTION IS ARE WE GOING TO A POINT WHERE WE NO LONGER HAVE THE OPTION OF VIRTUAL APPEARANCE, THAT EVERYONE, JUST LIKE IN A REGULAR COURT OF LAW PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, YOU CAME TO COURT TO ADDRESS THE COURT.
OUR COURTS HAVE ZOOM MEETINGS, BUT AT SOME POINT THEY WILL REVERT BACK TO REGULAR COURTROOMS AND WILL WE REVERT BACK TO A REGULAR COURTROOM OR WILL WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A VIRTUAL COME POEPB TPHEPT? COMPONENT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF THERE IS A MOTION, I WOULD VOTE TO KEEP THE VIRTUAL COMPONENT BECAUSE I REPRESENT A SIDE OF THE COUNTY THAT HAS MINIMAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY OPTIONS FROM MY CONSTITUENTS FROM BEING ABLE TO SPEAK ON ANY ISSUES THAT THEY MAY BE CONCERNED ABOUT OR WANT
TO ADVOCATE ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM MY VANTAGE POINT WE WAOEPBT TO -- WE WENT TO THIS SITUATION -- FIRST WE WENT VIRTUAL BECAUSE IT WAS REQUIRED.
WE WERE VIRTUAL, EVEN IF SOME OPTED NOT TO BE VIRTUAL, YOU GOT ME? GLAD YOU TWO BOYS STAYED SAFE, AND ASSUMING YOU MADE IT I WOULD SAY I TOLD YOU SO, BUT WE DIDN'T GET TO THAT POINT. BUT IF THERE ARE SOME EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES I WOULD VOTE TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION.
IF THERE IS A MOTION AND ONE IS APPROPRIATE I WILL VOTE TO DO BOTH. I AM 67 AND ABOUT TO TURN 68, I AM A PATIENT GUY AND I HAVE DONE THIS A LONGTIME.
YOU KNOW, I THINK IF IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH, UNLESS SOMEBODY HAS A CHALLENGE. IF THEY HAVE A CHALLENGE I WOULD BE THE FIRST TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION.
IF IT IS 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON AND WE CAN GET TO THE AGENDA, I DON'T KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT UP SOME RESOLUTIONS TOO.
WHEN WE GET TO WHERE WE VOTE ON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, MEETING TWICE A MONTH AND IT IS 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE MOST PRODUCTIVE WAY TO MAKE A DECISION. I'M JUST SAYING.
IS A MOTION APPROPRIATE TODAY OR WOULD THAT HAVE TO BE A SEPARATE
ITEM? >> WE WOULD NEED TO DO IT ON ANOTHER DAY, JUDGE. NOT APPROPRIATE TODAY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THERE IS SOME HYBRID.
I FOR ONE KNOW WHERE OTHERS ARE. IF SOMEBODY IS ANGRY I WILL DO IT. I JUST DON'T THINK THIS IS A PRODUCTIVE WAY TO MAKE DECISIONS.
LOOK. I COME FROM A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE SOMEBODY ARE EXHAUSTED AND RARELY WOULD I LOSE MY COOL IN 28 YEARS. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF TIMES I GOT CLOSE. WHEN YOU GO THIS LATE IN THE DAY IT TENDS TO HAPPEN. YOU MAY NOT CAST THE BEST VOTE.
YOU MAY BE IN A MIND, BUT NOT YOUR RIGHT MIND.
PRESENT COMPANY EXCLUDED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SOUNDS LIKE YOU AND MAY -- YOU AND I MAY AGREE ON A FEW THINGS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT PAINS ME. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO THAT'S THE QUESTION AND I DIDN'T KNOW -- IT MAY BE UNDER THE PER VIEW, JUDGE, OF YOUR DECISION MAKING OF HOW TO CONDUCT THE COURT, BUT I THINK I AM WITH MY COLLEAGUE THAT IT IS EASIER TO HAVE FOLKS COME AND SAY THEIR PEACE AND THEN US MOVE TO BUSINESS.
[04:30:06]
WE'LL ADDRESS THAT LATER. >> IF SOMEONE HAS A DISABILITY.
>> IF IT IS A REMOTE SIDE OF TOWN TO ALLOCATE SOME TIME, BUT, Y'ALL ARE AN INTERESTING GROUP, BUT IT GETS LESS INTERESTING.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE THIRD OF THE FOUR AREAS DEALS SIMILARLY TO THIS BROAD DISCUSSION THAT DEALS WITH THE EMERGENCY POWERS.
THE GOVERNOR VOTED THAT WE WILL KEEP THE EMERGENCY POWERS FOR THE JUDGE AS LONG AS THE GOVERNOR HAS THE EMERGENCY POWERS. THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO CONVENE A MEETING IN 72 HOURS AND THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT IN SESSION. THE GOVERNOR HAVING EMERGENCY POWERS MAKES MORE SENSE THAN FOR US AND AN EMERGENCY MEETING CAN BE CONVENED WITHIN 72 HOURS NOTICE.
I AM NOT MAKING A MOTION YET, BUT UNDERNEATH THE BROAD COVID DISCUSSION, I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER THAT WE DON'T NEED THIS POLICY OF KEEPING THE EMERGENCY POWERS OF THE COUNTY JUDGE IN PLACE AS LONG AS THE GOVERNORS BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER A DIFFERENT SET OF RULES. WE ARE HERE EVERY TWO WEEKS AND WE CAN BE HERE IN 72 HOURS. WHEREAS THE LEGISLATURE, THEY MEET EVERY OTHER YEAR INSTEAD OF EVERY OTHER WREAK AND THEY ARE
NOT IN SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN REHASH THIS EVERY TIME AND WE TALK ABOUT IT EVERY COURT AND WHY SOMETIMES WE DON'T HAVE 72 HOURS.
GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULDN'T WE HAVE THE ABILITY -- MAYBE THIS IS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
IF WE WANTED TO CHANGE THAT WE COULD CHANGE THAT.
>> AS IT RELATES TO THE EMERGENCY POWERS?
YES, YOU CAN CHANGE THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHY NOT JUST DO IT IN A BLANKET WAY TO LIMIT IT AND THREE VOTES ON THE COURT CAN DO THAT. I FOR ONE IF SOMETHING GOES ON I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TRACK SOMEBODY DOWN THAT IS MINDING
THE SHIP SO TO SPEAK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 4TH AREA
IS A QUESTION FOR JAY. >> YES, SIR.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: HOW MUCH HAVE WE PAID TO ELEVATE STRATEGIES ?
>> AT THIS TIME WE HAVE PAID $1.4 MILLION.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: OF THE $1.4 MILLION WE PAID TO ELEVATE STRATEGIES HOW MUCH HAS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
RECOVERED? >> WE HAVE RECOVERED ABOUT -- A LITTLE OVER $200,000 ALREADY. WE HAVE ANOTHER HALF MILLION DOLLARS WE EXPECT TO GET VERY SOON THAT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED OUT AND WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL HALF A MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE EXPECT TO GET AS WELL. WE ARE ACTIVELY AND THERE HAS BEEN COOPERATION WITH THE VENDOR AND WE SHOULD BE GETTING 100% OF ALL OF THE.THAT IS IN FACT DUE THE COUNTY.
>> NOW, WHEN YOU SAY 100% OF THE MONEY DUE TO THE COUNTY --
>> CORRECT. >> -- LET ME REPHRASE THAT SLIGHTLY. OF THE MONEY PAID IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SEEKING TO GET EVERY PENNY PAID OUT PAID BACK.
>> EVERYTHING IS THAT DUE BACK TO THE COUNTY.
THERE ARE ITEM THAT'S WERE ACTUALLY DONE.
THE VENDOR WAS UNDER A CONTRACT FOR 30 DAY IS -- FOR 30S DAYS AND INCURRED EXPENSES. THAT MONEY WOULD BE DUE TO THEM AS WOULD ANY OTHER VENDOR. SHORT OF THAT WE ARE GETTING 100% BACK. THAT'S OUR GOAL AND THAT'S OUR POSITION AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE AIMING TO DO.
SO FAR WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THERE IS -- THAT WE SHOULD GET -- WE SHOULD BE SUCCESSFUL AT IT.
>> YOU ARE ANSWERING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I AM ASKING.
LET'S PHRASE IT DIFFERENTLY. WE PAID X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS.
ARE WE GOING TO GET KP-BGS -- X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS BACK?
>> WE WILL GET X MINUS A CERTAIN AMOUNT.
WE WILL NOT GET 100%. IF THEY ARE UNDER CONTRACT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THEY INCUR LEGITIMATE EXPENSES WHICH THEY WOULD BE ENTITLED TO. WE CANNOT DENY THEM THAT AMOUNT.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. THOSE ARE PIE QUESTIONS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE BROAD COVID
[04:35:02]
ITEMS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE SKIPPED OVER OVER THE -- WE SKIPPED OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA.LET'S GO BACK UP TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS 289 IS APPOINTMENT OF RHONDA SMITH TO THE HGAC. DOES ANYONE NEED TO GO TO
EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? >> NOPE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 290. RENEWAL BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY
AND NEIL RATCLIFF. >> WE DON'T NEED TO GO BACK UNLESS ANYONE HAS ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ANYONE NEED TO GO BACK?
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: 282 -- NO.
292. FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WANTS TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE TUNNEL SYSTEM.
>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 29O T-- 292.
295. PROFESSIONAL SOFSS -- PROFESSIONAL SEVEN-DAYAS FORECTS AGREEMENT.
>> WE DON'TTO NEED GO BACK UNLESSNE SOMEO HASFI SPECIC QUESTIONS.TH IS IS THE SAMEAC CONTRT THAT WAS BROUGHTOU PREVISLY. WE HAD CHANGEST' AND THAS WHY IT
IS T BACK ONHE AGENDA.>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.ES DOHA ANYONE VENS QUESTIO FORUT EXECIVE SESSION.O.
>> N L YEAH.HIDALGO: E -- OH WE WILL GO BACK TO THE COVID ITEM.
WE NEED TO MAKE T A MOTION ONHA ITEM TAPPROVE THE ORDERDI RESCINNGRD THE OTHER OER. N EXECUTIVEOING TO SESSION ON 295. 296?UN SPECIAL COCIL SERVICESTI IN CONNECON WITH TCEQ ITEM. Y DO EITHER OFOU TONS EXECUTIVE QUESTIO ?
>> NOT UNLESS THERE AREES SPECIC QUTIONS.RC
>> ADRIAN GAIA: I MAY WANT TO DOES NEED TO BE
>> RODNEY ELLI THAT IS 296?O: >> LINA HIDALG WE WILL KEEP 296. 301,LD REAPPOINTMENT OF GERA WOMACK TO THE HOUSINGY AUTHORI. ANYBODNEED TO GOIO TO EXECUTIVE
>> SECOND.T >> RODNEY ELLIS: IIS ALL RIGHT ON CONSENT AGENDA. NEXT ITEM, 10 WE DISCUSSED AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED IT. ITEM 16, LET'S GIVE YOU THE MOTION REAL QUICK SO I DON'T FORGET.
THE MOTION ISRT THAT COMMISSIONERS' COU APPROVE THE MARCH 18TH, 2022 ORDER SIGNED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE AND RESCINDING AN ORDER SIGNED ON MAY 25TH, 2021 REQUIRING ANY PERSON ENTERING A COUNTY OWNED OR OPERATED BUILDING BE SUBJECT TO FEWER SCREENING AND REQUIRED TO MAKE -- TO WEAR A MASK.
>> MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONERCO ELLI.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: A MMENT BEFORE I VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS.
THERE ARE, TWO, FOUR, SIX, EIGHT, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 WHEREASES. IN THE PARAGRAPH THAT SAYS THE FINDINGS AND THE RECITATIONS AND THE PREAMBLE FOUND TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT I WANT TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE ORDER RESIPPEDDING THE -- RESCINDING THE PRIOR ORDER, BUT I AM NOT NECESSARILY SAYING THAT I FIND ALL OF THE RECITATIONS IN THESE WHEREAS' ARE TRUE AND CORRECT. JAY AND JAMES, IF I CAN PUT AN ASTERISK THAT I AM VOTING TO RESCIND, BUT NOT AFFIRMING THE
WHEREAS'. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE WE CAN
TWEET IT OUT AND KEEP GOING. >> IT WILL BE IN THE AUD -- IN
THE AUDIO. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO 16 DOES PRESIDENT NEED TO BE CALLED FURTHER.
>> DO YOU WANT TO COAT FOR THAT SOME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY EL DIS.
>> I AM IN FAVOR, BUT FOR MY CAVEAT ON THE WHEREAS'.
>> LINA HIDALGO: KPWHEUGSER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: YES, SAME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION
PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >> WITH AN ASTERISK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 17 AND THAT GOES ALONG WITH 235.
THEY ARE BOTH FOR THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
[04:40:05]
18 DISCUSS POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE USE OF METRO TRANSFER.DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: PLEASE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 46, JOINT PARTICIPATION IN OUR LOCAL --
>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 139, APPROVAL OF FUNDING TO PAY FOR JAIL MEDICAL TRANSFER, COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: PLEASE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 140. FUNDING FOR PART OF THE INMATE POPULATION. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 146 WE DISCUSSED. 176, AN UH -- AWARD WITH 3 PLUS 1 COMPANY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 179.
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SKAL BOARD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 204. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST NEED TO
VOTE.: >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.
>> ADRIAN GARCIASECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED. >> NO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
THAT WILL BE ALREADY VOTED ON. ITEM 212, AN AGREEMENT WITH VARIOUS RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE THROWN RICE UNIVERSITY IN THE MIX AND I BROUGHT MY RICE OWLS STATUARY TODAY BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BEAT TEXAS A&M IN BASEBALL TODAY, THE PROCEEDS IN HONOR OF CRIMESTOPPERS SO THOSE WHO WANT TO GO AND WATCH THAT GAME, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE THROWN INTO THE MIX IT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY AS LONG AS IT IS BELOW $4900.
I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE ENOUGH STUDIES AND WE CAN VOTE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD IT AND DISCUSS IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 231, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 235, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THAT WILL GO ALONG WITH ITEM 17, ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR. 245.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE NEED TO DISCUSS UNLESS WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT. IT IS THE NAME OF THE JUDGES ON
THE DASHBOARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HOLD IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 257, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: 239.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 239? >> LINA HIDALGO: EXCUSE ME, 293.
THIS IS A REQUEST OF DAVE BERRY. >> IY REQUEST -- I REQUEST 60
SECONDS AND 102NDS. >> LINA HIDALGO: 294 COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND RAMSEY. 297, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: 304 WE ALREADY VOTED ON. 306 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T NEED TO DO -- 297 EITHER.
TAKE 297 AND 306 AND PUT THEM ON CONSENT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION ON 297.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS.
ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS YOU NEED CLARIFICATION ON, JAMES?
>> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME GO BACK OVER THE LIST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.
EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS 282 -- I'M SORRY, 292, 296 AND THE
REGULAR AGENDA ITEM -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: DID YOU SAY 296? I THOUGHT WE DID NOT NEED TO
TAKE THAT BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA DID HAVE A QUESTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: 296 IS GOING
[04:45:01]
292 AND 296, EXECUTIVE SESSION. REGULAR AGENDA IS 17, 18, 46, 139, 140, 176, 179, 212, 231, ARE 235, 245, 257, 293, 294, 297 AND 306. IS THERE A MOTION? WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS VOTED ON AND THE DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED? MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSE STPHED PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
LET'S START WITH 17 THAT GOES WITH 235 AND THAT IS ON THE
ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO START?
>> SURE. >> WE WERE TASKED LAST COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND BRING A TH-RD PARTY TO LOOK AT THE LAST ELECTION AND PUT FORWARD SOME RECOMMENDATIONS. WE HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK ON THAT INVOLVING PARTICIPATION. A PART OF THAT WILL BE SURVEYING AND TALKING TO PRECINCT JUDGES AND ELECTION WORKERS AND FOLKS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE ELECTION.
WE ARE ALSO INVOLVING THE EA'S OFFICE.
MOVING FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN AND HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHING NEXT COURT IF THINGS LINEUP AD JUDGE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, HAVE WE PUT AN RP FOR THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
>> MEANING IS THERE A SEARCH UNDERWAY?
>> I DON'T KNOW OF ONE. THERE ARE FIRMS AVAILABLE SHOULD THE ELECTIONS PWOEURD WANT TO DIRECT THAT.
>> WHO WOULD BE RESPONSE ALONG FOR DOING THAT?
KWRAO*EU I -- >> I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER FOR
THAT. >> BASICALLY THEY WOULD START
THE PROCESS TO NAME A SUCCESSER. >> SO WE ARE WAITING FOR THE ELECTIONS BOARD TO -- THE COMMISSION TO REQUEST THAT?
>> THAT'S A LITTLE UNCLEAR TO BE HONEST BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER DONE A REPLACEMENT. SO THERE HAS TO BE A MEETING
BEFORE WE START THE PROCESS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS ANSWER. I URGE THAT WE MOVE THAT PROCESS ALONG. I DON'T WANT TO BE IN AUGUST LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT OR INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES.
I WOULD ASK -- I AM NOT SURE WHO WOULD LEAD THAT, BUT WE NEED TO GET THAT OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
HOPEFULLY IT WILL ALLOW FOR TRANSITION.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING ON THE NEXT COURT RELATED TO THIS.
I AM NOT SURE HOW THAT DEVELOPS. I KNOW WE HAVEN'T DONE THIS
BEFORE. >> TO BE CLEAR THE PROCESS NEEDS TO BE STARTED BY THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION AND THEN THE COURT
WILL THEN FUND THAT PROCESS. >> DOES THE COMMISSION HAVE
>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE PREACHING TO THE CHOIR.
YOU ARE PREACHING TO THE CHOIR. YEAH.
THE COMMISSION NEEDS TO MEET AND WE NEED TO FIND A TIME.
I KNOW FOLKS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHERE TO APPLY AND
WHICH SEARCH FIRMS WE CAN USE. >> MY OFFICE HASN'T HAD A SEARCH, BUT WE CAN IDENTIFY HR AND A COUPLE OF FIRMS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE DO NOT NEED TO BE INTERVIEWING AFTER MAY, AFTER THE MAY ELECTION. WE NEED THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND SO I RESPECTFULLY URGE SOME EXPEAKED YEN -- SOME EXPEDIENCY ON GETTING CANDIDATES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR TO SHARE LESSONS HR*ERPB -- LEARNED.
[04:50:03]
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AGREE. IT IS I OUTLINED AT THE LAST MEETING, NUMBER ONE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTION COMING UP GOES WELL AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED, ET CETERA. AND THEN WHAT CAN BE DONE BETTER AND THEN FIND A REPLACEMENT. ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I AGREE WITH YOU. >> ONE MORE COMMENT IN MY UPDATE IS THAT I DISCUSSED WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A PROGRAM FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES HELP ON ELECTION DAY.
WE ARE MEETING TO SEE WHAT THE NEED IS, BUT EXPECT THAT TO COME TO COURT IN TWO WEEKS. WE SIGNED UP TO WORK THE LATE SHIFT SO THERE WILL BE A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I CAN FINISH UP MY POINT HERE, THE OTHER THING FOO -- THE OTHER THING TOO AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED A MOTION, BUT RELATED TO THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE BALLOT BEING PRINTED ON ONE PAGE *RBGS -- I AM I AM NOT SURE IF I NEED TO MOTION FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO START THE PROCESS OF PROGRAMMING. SOMEBODY LET ME KNOW IF I NEED TO MAKE AN EMOTION ON THAT. NOT THAT WE'LL NEED IT IN MAY, BUT IT WILL BE GOOD TO GET STARTED.
DO WE NEED A MOTION? >> COMMISSIONER, I THINK THE ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA SHOULD COMMENT ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THE PROGRAMMING IS DONE THROUGH OUR OFFICE FOR THE ELECTIONS MACHINES.
WE ARE IN A BIT OF A CATCH 22 AND WE JUST CONDUCTED THE LOGIC AND ACCURACY TESTS. IF WE MADE ANY CHANGE TO THE BASE PROGRAMMING IT CAN'T BE DONE FOR MAY 7TH.
BUT FOR MAY 7TH AND 24TH AND THE 18.
IF YOU ARE QUESTIONING HOW TO DO THAT AHEAD OF NOVEMBER I WILL TASK OUT AND GET A TIMELINE ON WHEN THAT PROGRAMMING NEEDS TO
START. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FAIR ENOUGH FOR MAY, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING KEEPING US FROM WORKING NOW TO
NOVEMBER? >> NO, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.
I WILL SIT DOWN AND GET THE EXACT TIMELINE FOR YOU BY NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND DEFINITELY SOONER ON WHAT THE
TIME HRAOEUP IS TO LOOK AT THOS. >> WE TALKED ABOUT AN IN-HOUSE PROJECT MANAGERAC TO T AS A POINT PERSON THEREA IS SOFTWARE REBOOT OR A HARDWARE PROGRAMMINGES REDIGN.
IS THAT ALLOF PART THE SAME THING WE ARENG TALKI ABOUT?
>> YOUME LOST ON WHICH HARDWARE ORE, SOFTWAR BUT I KNOW YOU ARE
KIND OF -->> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM TOLD THERE IS A SOFTWARE HARDWARENG PROGRAMMI REDESIGN THATAR IS NECESSY TPO*R THEPA ONE-GE- BALANCE -FOR THE ONE-PAGEES BALLOT PROCS ANDDE IN ORR TOS HAVE -- THIIS IN A O COUPLEF PLACES. THE IDEA WAS TOAS HAVE SOMEONE L UNIVERSA SERVICES ACT WITH THE VENDORS.
ISTH THAT SOMETHING AT? IS NEEDED
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD A W HART AND THEYH FEEL THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES MIGHT HAVE --
>> I WILL HAVE SOMEONE FROM MYUT OFFICE REACH O TO YOU AS WELL.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I ANSWERED ACCURATELY.
>>D COMMISSIONER ELLIS ANTHENLE COMMISSIONER CAG.S:
>> RODNEY ELLI ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR, WAS THERE SOME ISSUE ABOUT TWO PAGES BECAUSE THEIF BALLOT WAS SO LONG AND YOU PUT IT ON ONE PAGE IT IS HARD TO SEE IT?AD
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MINISTRATOR, MY EXPERIENCE WAS MY BALLOT WAS PRINTED OUT ON TWO PAGES. THE THING I FOUND INTERESTING ON BOTH PAGES THE TPOPT WAS SMALL SO IT WAS HARD TO READ.
NUMBER TWO, THE FIRST PAGE ONLY HAD A QUARTER OF THE PAGE
[04:55:06]
PRINTED. THED REST OF THE PAGE WAS EMPTY AN THEN THE SECOND PAGE HAD THE REMAINING PART OF MY BALLOT.THAT WAS THE QUESTION OF GETTING EVERYTHING ON ONE PAGE.
SO THE PRINT WAS SMALL TO BEGIN WITH AND THE THING I FOUND INTERESTING WRAS -- WAS MY BALLOT PRINTED A THIRD TO A QUARTER OF THE PAGE. THAT WAS THE ONLY INFORMATION ON
THE FIRST PAGE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT SOME RACES WERE THERE, BUT THEY WEREN'T CONTESTED.
I REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I RAN, IT WAS MY RACE AND THE GENERAL.
SOME RACE WAS PUT AT THE BOTTOM SO YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THAT. SEEMS LIKE IT WAS STILL THERE AND I WAS DOING SOMETHING. MY MACHINE JAMMED AND SO I WAS EMBARRASSED AS I WAITED FOR THEM TO GET IT TO WORK.
DO YOU KNOW? >> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ANSWERS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, REGARD -- REGARDLESS WHETHER OR NOT YOU MADE A DECISION THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN ENTIRE FIRST PAGE. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FULL AND THEN DEPENDING ON WHERE ARE YOU AND WHERE YOU LIVE.
ONE-THIRD OR ONE-FOURTH IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK INTO.
THE PRIMARIES IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN THERE WERE NOT MANY UNKWAN TESTED -- MANY UNCONTESTED.
THERE IS MORE LEEWAY TO MARK IS UNCONTESTED AND THEY PUT THEM AT
THE END OF THE BALLOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAD A FEW UNCONTESTED. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SENATOR MILES. I AM LOOKING AT HOW YOU SHORTENED THE BALLOTS. THEY PUT IT AT THE END, BUT OBVIOUSLY IF PEOPLE ARE WAITING LONGER THERE ARE MORE THINGS TO DO. THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHY THEY COULDN'T VOTE FOR PEA AND I WAS AT THE END.
I COULDN'T SAY I DON'T NEED ONE THIS TIME, BUT I HOPE YOU'RE THERE NEXT TIME. YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT ON THE BALLOT, THE THREE OF YOU ARE.
BUT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN SEE IT IF THERE IS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHAT IS PRINTED AND WHAT YOU LOOK AT.
WE ARE ARE TALKING ABOUT FLOATERS AND MAYBE KEEP CLEANING THE GLASSES AND THEIR EYES ARE OLD AS OPPOSED TO THE GLASSES BEING DIRTY. CAN WE START THE PROCESS -- WE MEET TWICE A MONTH. I'M SURE YOU HAVE A NOTICE FOR THE ELECTIONS BOARD TO MEET. THAT'S THE JUDGE AND THE TAX ASSESSOR. THERE ARE TWO PARTIES.
WE'LL APPROPRIATE THE MONEY. DO WE HAVE A CONSULTING FIRM OR A HEAD-HUNTING FIRM ON BOARD THEY CAN USE NOW? IF THERE IS SOMETHING BROAD ENOUGH TO MAKE A MOTION CAN WE START THAT ASSUMING THEY OPT TO USE IT?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE A TALENT PERSON.
>> WE PREPARED FOR THIS SITUATION.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FIRMS THAT WENT THROUGH A BID PROCESS.
I ASKED OUR TALENT OFFICERS TO DISCUSS WHETHER IT MIGHT BE A FIT. COURT COULD FUND THAT AND WE COULD BRING AN ITEM. THEY NEED TO* -- TO WORK FOR THE ELECTIONS BOARD. WE CAN HELP WITH THE CONTRACT, BUT THE ELECTIONS -- THEY NEED TO BRING CANDIDACY.
>> DID WE NOT USE ONE OF THOSE LAST TIME? I JUST DON'T REMEMBER. WE NEED TO CONVENE THE MEETING.
IS THERE ANYTHING COURT CAB DONE MEETING?
>> WE WILL BRING WHAT THE RIGHT AUTHORIZATION LOOKS LIKE.
WE'LL GET IT LINED UP SO WHERE WE CAN -- THE ELECTIONS BOARD
[05:00:02]
CAN PRESS GO. I'LL MAKE SURE WE HAVE ANUPDATE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE NOT THE ONLY COUNTY. I THINK DALLAS COUNTY IS LOOKING. I KNOW COMMISSIONER PRICE CALLED ME -- WHICH REMINDS ME TO FINISH THE CALL.
AND THEY ARE LOOKING AS WELL. I SAW THE PRESS RELEASE ON BURNOUT AMONG PEOPLE IN ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA'S POSITION AROUND THE COUNTRY. AND THEN IT IS OUT OF FEAR OF ATTACKS ON THEM AND THE HOOPLA AROUND THE BIG LIES SO TO SPEAK.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET PREPARED. IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER. DO YOU REMEMBER IF IT WAS 18 OR 85% OF THE PEOPLE? I THINK I SENT IT TO YOU.
>> POSITIONS ACROSS THE NATION HAVE OR ORIE SIGN BECAUSE OF -- OR WILL RESIGN BECAUSE OF POLITICAL ATTACKS ON THEIR FAMILY OR THE GENERAL CLIMATE AROUND ELECTION AND LACK OF
ELECTION SUPPORT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IF THE BOARD ASKS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MR. BERRY AND MS. LONGORIA WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO THAT FOR THE RUNOFFS GAUSS -- BECAUSE OF WHO BEARS RESPONSIBILITY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE PROCESS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW AND MR. BERRY IF THAT IS A PROBLEM LEADING UP TO THIS ONE.
THERE WILL BE A BIGGER CHALLENGE IN THE FALL WHERE HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE A LARGER TURNOUT. THERE WILL BE MORE ON THE BALLOT AND IS THERE ANY OTHER ELECTIONS COMING UP BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER? ANY CITY OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS?
>> AS A RECAP, MAY 7TH IS THE -- IT IS A COMBINATION.
THE LOCAL WHICH IS THE NONHSD, THEY HAVE ONE, BUT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LOCAL CITIES AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AS WELL AS HOUSE DISTRICT 41 SPECIAL ON MAY 24TH WHICH. JUNE 18TH IS THE RUNOFF FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS FROM MAY 7TH AND THEN LEADING TO NOVEMBER.
I WANT TO THANK AGAIN THE BUDGET OFFICE AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AND THEY ARE PUSHING ME AS WE ARE ROLLING THROUGH THESE ELECTIONS ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I WILL SAY MY INTENT IS TO HELP PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS AND NOT JUST DEALING WITH THE MAIN, BUT PLANTING THE SEED.
WE ARE KEEPING THE LONG-TERM GOALS IN PLACE REGARDLESS OF THE
LEADERSHIP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WILL WE PAY THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES THAT WE WILL ASK TO STEP IN TO DO THIS?
>> YES. WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WHETHER IT IS COMP TIME OR EXTRA TIME.
IT MAY DEPEND ON THE EMPLOYEE. IT WOULDN'T BE A VOLUNTEER
ACTIVITY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN I GOT A CALL TO FILL SOME SLOTS, I ASKED THE EMPLOYEES IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO IT AND SOME DID. WE WANT TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR LEGAL CHALLENGES IN AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE SOMEBODY GOES AND DOES THAT AND IS HAULED BEFORE A GRAND JURY SOMEWHERE OR INVESTIGATED THAT THAT'S NOT A DETERRENT FOR PEOPLE DECIDING TO
DO THAT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND
COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> TOM RAMSEY: I SHARE CONCERNS THAT HERE WE SET TWO WEEKS AFTER WE HAD THE DISCUSSION.
I CAN SAY WE HAVE DONE HARDLY ANYTHING.
JAY, HOW OFTEN HAS THE ELECTION COMMISSION MET?
>> THE ELECTION COMMISSION HAS NOT MET SINCE APPOINTING --
>> THAT'S JUST A QUESTION, A POINT OF REFERENCE.
AS WE DISCOVERED AND DISCUSSED, WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE ELECTION COMMISSION MEETS. THAT MEETING SHOULD HAVE BEEN SET AND HAD BEFORE EVEN THIS ONE.
[05:05:05]
I THINK FOR US TO EXPECT ANYTHING DIFFERENT AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND TERMINATE THE CURRENT ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AND GET ON WITH THE SOLUTION.ONE OPTION WE HAVE AND WE HAVE OPTIONS IF THE ELECTION COMMISSION EVER MEETS. IT IS TO DO A TRIED AND TRUE.
YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTY CLERK AND YOU LOOK AT THE TAX ASSESSOR.
THEY EVEN HAD HELP DURING THAT PERIOD.
THERE MAY BE LESSONS LEARNED FROM HOW WE USED TO DO IT.
BUT EVEN ON AN INTERIM BASIS IF WE BRING TANEISHA WHO HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS, WE NEED TO TREAT THIS LIKE A PROBLEM THAT IS URGENT AND WE ARE NOT DOING THAT.
WE ARE ACTING AS EVERYTHING IS JUST FINE AND IT IS NOT.
I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MAY 7TH ELECTION.
THOSE ARE THE CITY THAT'S -- THOSE ARE THE CITIES THAT NO ONE CAN NAME. THOSE ARE MUDS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS HAVING -- THEY NEED IT TO BE DONE.
WE NEED TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE IT IS DONE CORRECTLY.
I MAKE THAT MOTION SIMPLY STATED THAT WE TERMINATE THE CURRENT ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND BRING IN TANEISHA.
I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HER DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS, BUT BRING HER IN AND ASK HER IF SHE CAN HELP ADDRESS THE MANY, MANY ISSUES THAT I WILL NOT GO THROUGH AND LIST. I THINK WE HAVE WELL DOCUMENTED THE THINGS FROM THE LAST ELECTION.
YOU CAN CALL AN AUDIT ANYWAY YOU WANT TO CALL IT.
I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THE COUNTS THAT WE ARE CALLING GOOD ARE IN FACT GOOD. ANYBODY WE CAN BRING IN TO DO THAT, I THINK WE SHOULD. I THINK THE ELECTION COMMISSION, WHEN THEY MEET, WHENEVER THAT IS, NEEDS TO BRING IN SOMEONE TO GIVE THE VOTERS THE ASSURANCE THAT WHATEVER IS BEING DONE IS CORRECT. I STILL NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT BRING IN A THIRD PARTY MEANS. THE COMMISSION IS NOT TALKING ABOUT IT AND VERY MUCH A CONCERN AND FRANKLY WE ARE NOT DOING MUCH TO DRESS -- TO ADDRESS THE UNION AND WE WILL TAKE A SECOND.
>> THE FIRST DEALS WITH A MOTION OF PRECINCT 3.
AND I WILL BE SECONDING IT FOR THESE PURPOSES.
THIS IS AN OFFICE THAT WOULDN'T EXIST.
WE HAVE TWO FEMALES THAT ARE CONFIDENT IN DOING THEIR JOBS AND HAPPEN TO NOT EVEN BE AT MY HEART.
I THINK THEY CAN DO THE JOB AND SHOULD DO THE JOB AND THAT POSITION HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FROM WHEN THIS FIRST CAME UP WITH PRY DAY NIGHT'S -- FRIDAY NIGHT'S NOTICE TO BEING ADOPTED ON AN ELECTION DAY. IT IS THE SAME AND BECAUSE OF THAT I SECOND THE NOTION OF PRECINCT 3.
IF THEY HAVE THE ARMY OF THE FOLKS, ONE OF THE ASPECT THAT'S IS ON UH GENERAL -- THAT IS ON AGENDA ITEM 17 IS OTHER EMPLOYEES FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
THIS IS THE WAY THAT YOU LEVERAGE THE ARMY THAT IS REQUIRED. WE EITHER HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE A STANDING ARMY WE PAY FOR OR WE CAN USE THE EXISTING ARMY WE HAVE. SO WHEN IT IS ELECTION NIGHT ALL HANDS ARE ON DECK AND YOU BRING THEM IN.
THE ADVANTAGE OF THE CLERK'S OFFICE IS THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE. THEY WERE ALL THERE.
[05:10:01]
WHEN THEREAS WN AELECTIONND A I WAS A CIVILUD JGE, I KNEW NOTO T SCHEDULE CASES ANYWHERE NEAR THAT PERIOD OFE. TIM ALL MYLO EMPYEES WOULD BE SERVING THE COURT T FORHAT PERIOD OF TIMEKE TO MATH SURE E ELECTION OCCURRED.I LIKE SEEINGUG THE SGESTION. I DON'T THINK F I VOTEDORSI A NGLE ITEM ANDN' IT DOEST HAVE ANYTHINGIT TO DO WH WHO IS SITTINGOF IN THE FICE.EN THE TIREED OFFICE NES TO GO A AWAYND WE WILL PUTN IT BACK I THE HANDS OF THE DULY ELECTEDS FOLKTHAT ARELE RESPONSIB FOR THE PUBLIC.AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS CURRENTAD CLERK HAS H EXPERIENCE INND ELECTIONS A WOULD HELP USS IN THIPROCESS.ND
I SECO THE MOTION.NE >> RODY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE MOTION. I THINK WE MADE THECI CORRECT DESION AND PROUD TO HAVEFO ADVOCATED R ANAD ELECTIONS HAVE JOINEDWHO OTHER COUNTIES WHO EXPERIENCEDSA SOME OF THE ME DELAYS A WE HAD. THEYRE NOT NEARLY AS W LARGE AND ITASN THE RIGHT DECISIO WHEN WE CREATED IT.
I AM PROUD WE DID IT. INSTEAD OF MAKING A MOTION TO SUGGEST WE HAVE A VOTEWH ON IT.
I THINK AT IS GOING ON HERE IS MY COLLEAGUES WANTED TO IGNORER THE FACT THAT THEI PARTY PLAYED A ROLE IN TRYING TO DELAY THE VOTE COUNT. BY FILING A FRIVOLOUS LAWSUIT.
BE THAT ASCA IT MAY, I THINK THE SE HAS BEEN MADE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT WHEN A DECISION IS MADE TO PICK AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND THEY PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO IT.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE THEM THE ADEQUATE SUPPORT.
YOU HAD A HOST OF THINGS HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME.
VOTER SUPPRESSION HAD A BIG IMPACT ON WHAT HAPPENED.
1600 BALLOTS WERE NOT READ CORRECTLY.
IN THE MARCH PRIMARY 23,TEXANS HAD THEIR MAIL IN BALLOTS THROWN OUT AND BECAUSE OF THE NEW ID REQUIREMENTS FROM SENATE BILL 1, IT MEANS MORE THAN 99% OF THE REJECTIONS WERE BECAUSE OF STATE LEGISLATION. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT MOST WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR, BUT I THINK WE DID THE RIGHT THING.
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO VOTE AGAINST THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY --
>> JUDGE FOR CLARITY WHAT IS THE MOTION?
AS PRESENTED ON 235? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OF COURSE I SHARE THE URGENCY ON THIS.
WE SHOULD SET OUT TO WHAT WE TRIED TO DO BEFORE.
MAKE SURE THE TRANSITION IS SMOOTH.
YOU CAN'T DO THAT IF YOU GET RID OF WHOEVER IS HEADING THE ORGANIZATION. THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM OPPOSED
AND THE MOTION FAILS 3-2. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALMOST THOUGHT
WE HAD A THIRD VOTE THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS 17 ALONG WITH 235. NEXT IS ITEM 18 AND COMMISSIONER
ITEM 17 AND 235 WERE FOR THE SAME MOTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THAT'S CORRECT.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: MAY I ASK FOR CLARIFICATION? BY MY VOTING FOR -- WE DIDN'T VOTE ON 17 AT ALL.
WAS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO DO OR JUST DISCUSS IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE BERRY HAD AN UPDATE.
>> MINE WAS JUST A DISCUSSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.
ITEM 18, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST WANT TO -- IT IS A BIT OF AN UPDATE, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE WHEN I SAW THE METRO DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.
I KNOW WE ARE ALL WORKING HARD IN A FOCUSED WAY AND IN A TRANSITION BETWEEN PRECINCTS AND I THANK ALL OF Y'ALL FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. MY SIMPLE STATEMENT ON THIS ONE IS BECAUSE IT IS ADJUSTED AS WE DID, THIS COMING YEAR I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 60% MORE ROADS THAN I WAS LAST YEAR.
[05:15:03]
I HAVE HAD A BRIEF CONVERSATION WITH MR. BERRY AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THAT TO AT LEAST BE ON THE TABLE GOING FORWARD.MAYBE IT IS NOT IN THE CONTEXT OF METRO FUNDS AND HOW WE DIVY THOSE UP. IT COULD BE.
WHEN YOU HAVE THAT MUCH MORE WORK TO DO AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR, I WOULD BE NEGLIGENT NOT TO BRING THAT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COURT. I HAVE DIRECT RESPONSE BUILT FOR 60% MORE ROADS THAN I DID IN MY PRAOEF -- PREVIOUS PRECINCT.
IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT AND AS WE WORK THROUGH HOW WE CAN BE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES PROPERLY ASSIGNED, AND THEN I THINK IT IS THERE. I WOULD LIKE SOME CONSIDERATION ON THE NUMBER OF MILES OF ROAD THAT I HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO TAKE CARE OF AS WE CONSIDER THIS AND MAYBE THERE IS FUTURE
CONSIDERATION AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD JUST ASK -- BEFORE YOU GOT HERE I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR FUNDING FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS THAT I HAVE.
EXCEPT FOR THE ONES YOU MAY HAVE GOTTEN FROM ME, YOURS ARE IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION THAN THE ONES I GOT.
I WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT THE ROAD CONDITION REPORT OR STUDY BECAUSE IT VALIDATED THAT PRECINCT 2 ROADS ARE THE WORST IN THE COUNTY. I WOULD RATHER TALK ABOUT FUNDING ALLOCATION FROM A ROAD CONDITION STANDPOINT AND NOT
JUST A MILEAGE STANDPOINT. >> I COULD HAVE BOTH OF THOSE
CONVERSATIONS. >> AS I SAID FROM THE MOMENT I GOOD HERE, I MAY LOOK MORE AT EQUITY AS OPPOSED TO JUST WHO HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF ROADS. AND A LOT OF THAT IS BY DESIGN YOU DECLARE SOMETHING A ROAD AND PRECINCT 1 WAS TRULY A STEP CHILD. BEFORE YOU GOT HERE AT LEAST THEY WOULD SPEND SOME MONEY IN CITIES OTHER THAN THE ONE BEING THE COUNTY SEAT WHERE MOST OF THE MONEY COMES FROM.
I THINK WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS ON HOW MUCH MONEY WE WILL HAVE TO SPEND, THAT'S THE APPROPRIATE TIME YOU CAN HAVE ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND NOT JUST TRYING TO MOVE THE CHAIRS AROUND ON THE SHIP. I WOULD SAY THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND THE REVENUE FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED EQUALLY AMONG THE FOUR PRECINCTS WITH EACH RECEIVING 25% OF THE TOTAL REVENUE AND I HAVE ALWAYS ADVOCATED FOR THE EQUITY REPORT TO COME OUT AND SEE WHAT IT SAYS. MY GUT WILL SHOW THAT ONE AND TWO WILL BE THE ONES NOT GETTING AN EQUITABLE AMOUNT.
WHEN YOU DO IT IT IS 25, 25, 25, 25 AND SIMPLY LOCKS IN WHATEVER INEQUITIES ARE THERE. SO AT LEAST THEY DON'T GET -- YOU DON'T ADD TO THE INEQUITY, BUT YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP -- YOU DON'T MAKE AN AFFIRMATIVE EFFORT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE INEQUITY. I WOULD MAKE THAT MOTION AT THIS
TIME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BEFORE YOU ARRIVED THIS IS HOW WE WOULD END UP AND SO HERE WE GO.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS, MOTIONED AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE I WILL MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
MAYBE 50/50. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 46 COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I AM SIMPLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WITH THE CITY OF GALENA PARK. I WANT TO THANK MAYOR MOYA FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY. THIS IS THE -- LET'S SEE.
THIS IS THE 300,000 DOLLAR CONTRIBUTION THE PRECINCT IS MAKING FOR THE DESIGN AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS AND
[05:20:02]
BIKE LANES AND THE TOTAL PROJECT WILL BE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS AND THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFORM HOLLAND AVENUE TO A TRUE MULTI-MODAL CORRIDOR. GALENA PARK HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS FOR YEARS. AND PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL.I'M GLAD WE ARE FINALLY GETTING THERE.
I WANT TO THANK MAYOR MOYA FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND THIS WILL ADD A MILE OF SIDEWALKS AND SIX-FOOT SIDEWALKS AND BIKE LANES.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF GALENA PARK.
AND I KNOW THESE LANES AND THE SIDEWALKS WILL BE WELL RECEIVED
BY THE CONSTITUENTS. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND IT. ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET KIDS OFF THE STREETS, SAFE SIDEWALKS ARE A GOOD THING.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
ITEM 139, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS REALLY 139/140. THE SIMPLE PLAN I NEED TO PUT OUT THERE, WHAT IS THE PLAN GOING FORWARD? I KNOW WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE ARE HAVING TO OUT SOURCE OUR POPULATION AND OUR JAIL IS OVERCROWEDED.
IS THERE ANYBODY WORKING ON A LONG-TERM PLAN FOR THIS? I DON'T THINK BE CAN ASSUME THAT IT IS GOING TO GET BETTER.
WE CAN ASSUME IT IS GOING TO GET WORSE.
HAS ANYBODY WORKED WITH YOU, MRM PLAN?
>> THERE IS A MEETING TO SAFELY GO OVER THE JAIL POPULATION.
I AM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS EASY, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT. WE ARE DOWN ON THE FIFTH FLOOR AND MEETING WITH FOLKS FROM THE BUDGET OFFICE ABOUT PLANS FOR THE JAIL AND RECRUITING AND RETENTION AND THERE IS A PROJECT UNDERWAY. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THE MAGIC EFFORT, BUT THERE ARE NO EFFORTS --
>> DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA WHEN WE COULD HAVE CONCEPTUAL IDEAS ON
WHEN IT MIGHT BE DONE? >> THERE ARE CONCEPTUAL IDEAS NOW. WHEN WE CAN COMMIT IT TO PAPER, I I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC DATE OTHER THAN I THINK IT IS URGENT.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE BOTH OF THESE.
BUT WANTED TO SEE IF THERE IS A PLAN.
>> PLEASE KEEP ASKING. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT IS 139. AND 140.
ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
JAY YOU HAVE A COMMENT ON THE COVID MOTION?
>> YES. ON THE MOTION ITSELF THERE WERE A COUPLE OF TECHNICAL ERRORS. ASKING IF WE CAN RESCIND THE
MOTION WE JUST MADE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.
>> I WILL COME BACK TO THE NEXT MEETING WITH A CLEAN -- CLEANED UP VERSION MINUS THE NUMEROUS WHEREAS CLAUSES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. SO IT WOULD JUST BE SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE. IT IS A MOTION TO RESCIND THE
MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: BUT THE POLICY
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION TO RESCIND --
>> YES. MOTION TO RESCIND THE UPDATE OF THE MASK AND SCREENING ORDER THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PASSED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, JAY.
176, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: FOR TECHNICAL PURPOSES YOU WILL BRING IT BACK TO GET RID OF [INAUDIBLE].
WE ARE GETTING RID OF THE ORDER SO WE CAN HAVE A ORDER AND GET RID OF THE ORDER THAT IS CLEAN AND CLEAR.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: PUT YOUR MASK ON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 176.
>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY. WE ALL RECEIVED ONE BID AND THERE WERE 40 FIRMS STRESSED IN INTEREST.
WHEN I SEE 40 FIRMS I MIGHT SUBMIT AND ONLY ONE DOES SUBMIT.
I THINK IT IS WORTH DOING HOMEWORK ON THIS IN TERMS OF WHY DIDN'T WE GET MORE THAN JUST ONE BID? DWIGHT, IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT ON THAT.
>> WE DID A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO GET INPUT FROM
[05:25:02]
THE COMMUNITY AND WE ENDED UP GETTING THREE SUBMITTALS.AT THAT POINT WE WENT BACK OUT AND DID A REQUEST TO GET AN IDEA OF THE PRICING RANGE. THAT VENDOR DID SOME OFFERS AND IT WAS ABOVE OUR BID LIMIT. THAT'S WHEN WE PUT THE RFP OUT TO OBTAIN THE SERVICES WE WERE LOOKING FOR.
WE HAD 20 OR 30 DOWNLOAD THE BID.
ONLY ONE OF THE THREE SUBMITTED BACK THE RFP.
I HAVEN'T GOTTEN FEEDBACK ON WHY THEY DIDN'T SUBMIT.
THAT'S WHERE WE STAND. WE DID GO THROUGH A THREE-STEP PROCESS BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO ESTABLISH THE ACTUAL SCOPE.
AGAIN I CAN'T COMMENT ON WHY THE OTHER TWO VENDORS DID NOT SUBMIT
THE RFP. >> IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WOULD
HAVE TO HAPPEN NOW? >> I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO MR.
BERRY'S OFFICE. >> [INAUDIBLE].
THAT RFP WILL GO OUT -- [INAUDIBLE].
>> CAN YOU SPEAK IN THE MIC, PLEASE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: A LITTLE CLOSER MAYBE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS SOMETHING WITH THAT MIC.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T THINK IT IS WORKING.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. FIRST DAY JITTERS.
COMMISSIONER, THIS CONTRACT THERE IS A TIGHT SENSE OF NATURE TO IT. WE HAVE USED UP THE TWO EXTENSION YEARS AND I BELIEVE WE ARE REQUIRED TO GO TO BID AND WE WILL DO TWO EXTENSE YEARS -- TWO EXTENSION YEARS.
THERE IS A TIGHT SENSITIVITY TO IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION ON THE ITEM?
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONEDY B COMMISSIONER ELLISND A SECONDED BYOM CMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL INOR FAV?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYOS OPPED?
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR ANDIO MOTN CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 179IS, COMMSIONERA. GARCI
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS I SAIDRE PEATEDLY D WHEN WEID THE JAMESIV DRER INCLUSIVE PARK AP FLAGSHI PARK FORVE INCLUSI AMENITIESPE R OPLE OF ALL ABILITIES AGES IT WAS HOW WORK ON FUTUREWO PARKS ULDEF PROVIDE AN FORT OFE INCLUSIV THISAM IS ANOTHER EXPLE. I WANT TO THANK MYRE PARTS DICTOR AND -- SANDLER AND JOSE JIMENEZ.
IT AM EXCITED ABOUTHIS ONE IN, PARTICULARJUDGE, BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST PLAYGROUND WITHEN INCLUSIVE AMITIESRO IN THE SEABOK PARKS COMPLEX ANDD WE ARE EXCITETHAT IT WILL BE OPENNG BY THE BEGINNI OF SUMMER AND IT WILL -- ACTUALLY THIS IS THE FIRST PLAYGROUND IN THE SEABROOD SPORTS COMPLEX A IT WILL BE THE THE FIRST ONE WE PUT WITH INCLUSIVE AMENITIES.
IT WILL BE VERY ACCESSIBLEO AND VERY AVAILABLE T THE SURROUNDINGRE NEIGHBORHOODS. WE A WORKING TO MAKE OUR PARKS A DESTINATION FOR OUR RESIDENTS. VERY EXCITED AND I WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF SEABROOK FOR THEIRRA PARTNERSHIP IN COLLABOTION ON
THIS AND MANY OTHER PROJECTS. >> SO MOVED.NE
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIOD BYSE COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND CONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?
>>T I. >> LINA HIDALGO: THA IS 179.
I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIESOM UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU, CMISSIONER GARCIA. ITEM 212, COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST NEED TO VOTE. I GAVE MY COMMENTS.?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT NUMBERIT >> R. JACK CAGLE: 212.
IS ALL OF THE PEOPLE DOING STUD -- STUDIES -- OOPS.
ITEM 212 WHERE WE ARE APPROVING IN ADVANCE UP TO $10 MILLION FOR A BIG BATCH OF DIFFERING CONSULTANTS THAT ANYBODY CAN USE AT ANYTIME AND AS LONG AS THE AMOUNT IS UNDER 49,900 THEY DON'T NEED TO COME BACK TO COURT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DID NOT HAVE AN MWBE GOAL ON IT.
[05:30:03]
>> MS. RAMIREZ IS ON THE LINE AND SHE MAY BE ABLE TO ADDRESS
IF THAT'S THE CASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: MS. RAMIREZ?
I WAS UNMEET -- UNMUTING. I KNOW DWIGHT IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. WE DID NOT HAVE GOALS AT THAT TIME. WE DID ASK N -- WE DID ASK FOR ANY W -- MWBE'S AND UTILIZING PART OF THEIR WORK IF THEY GOT PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE. THOSE WERE IDENTIFIED IN SOME OF
THE BID PROPOSALS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU HAVE A SENSE -- FIRST OF ALL, IS THERE A PROBLEM IF THIS IS NOT VOTED
>> FROM MY STANDPOINT, COMMISSIONER, IT DOES NOT.
I DID WANT TO ECHO A LITTLE P-F WHAT MS. RAMIREZ SAID.
THE REASON IT WAS NOT ON THE ORIGINAL BID BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A CLEAR SCOPE OF CATEGORIES TO BREAK IT DOWN.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING IN THE FUTURE.
WITHOUT THE SCOPE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF A GOAL WE CAN PUT.
MY STAFF IS COMING UP WITH A PROCEDURE THAT WOULD HELP IDENTIFY WHAT THE SCOPE IS AND THEN SET IT BACK FOR EACH PROJECT AND BRING IT BACK TO COURT IF NEED BE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS.
IF WE DON'T HAVE A GOAL AND SOMEBODY DOES NOT ASK THE QUESTION SOMETIMES I WONDER IF PEOPLE ARE MAKING UP NUMBERS.
I KNOW YOU ALL AREN'T DOING THAT, BUT WE WILL GET A DISPARITY STUDY FROM HARRIS HEALTH AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE.
WE'LL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, OBVIOUSLY.
WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM THE ATTITUDE -- NOT PEOPLE AT THIS TABLE, BUT THROWING OUTNUMBERS OF CLAIM.
THE COUNTY'S NUMBERS ARE BETTER THAN THE CITY'S NUMBERS AND THEN IN THE NEXT BREATH ADMIT THAT WE DON'T COLLECT THE NUMBERS.
NOT REFERRING TO YOU, DWIGHT, BUT YOU GET MY DRIFT.
I WANT A SENSE IF THIS PASSES TODAY I DON'T WANT TO TO JUST ESCAPE ME. MOST OF THE WORK OF THE MWBE'S IS NOT THE REAL MONEY. IT IS SOMEBODY WITH A PICKUP TRUCK AND A SHOVEL AND BUILDING THEIR HANDS SOMETHING IS THE REAL WORK. NOT NECESSARILY THE ENGINEERS EITHER. I WANT MORE.
MR. BETTERLY, IS THERE -- MR. BERRY, IS THERE A PROBLEM IF I HOLD THIS A WEEK? I DON'T WANT TO CROSS THE LINE ON LEGAL ISSUES. I WANT MORE THAN TRUST ME.
TRUST ME HASN'T GOTTEN ME TOO FAR AROUND HERE.
>> THAT'S WELL UNDERSTOOD. LET ME MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT MAY WORK FOR YOU AND IF NOT WE CAN HOLD IT.
THREE OF THESE 10 FIRMS ARE MWBE'S.
I THINK WE SHOULD CLARIFY AND I BELIEVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS CIRCULATED THE MOTION THAT ANY SIGNIFICANT AWARD WOULD COME BACK TO COURT FROM THIS AND IT IS APPROPRIATE TO SCRUTINIZE IT AT THAT TIME. IN -- IF THAT TKPWEDZ -- IF THAT GETS YOU THERE IT IS GREAT TO PROCEED AND IF NOT WE'LL HAVE A
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION. >> AND WE ARE SETTING GOALS.
THESE FOLKS WILL BE IN A POOL THAT DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY CAN ACCESS AND ASK FOR A COPE OF WORK FOR ANY PARTICULAR WORK THAT THEY NEED. THESE PEOPLE ARE PRE QUALIFIED FOR THE WORK, BUT THE SCOPE OF WORK WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH PURCHASING AND YOU WOULD STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH DEEO.
WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
IF IT IS OVER THE $50,000 FLESH HOLD WE HAVE, THEN AT THAT POINT WHEN WE HAVE A SPECIFIC SCOPE OF WORK, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DETERMINE A GOAL BECAUSE WE WOULD UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WHAT THE INDUSTRY IS AND WHAT THE DOLLARS
ARE GOING TOWARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULD IT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO ASK AND I WANT TO MAKE A POINT, IS THERE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA ABOUT HAVING A GOAL ON FEDERAL MONEY?
>> NO. THERE IS NOT A SPECIFIC ITEM ON
THERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO I HAVE TO
WAIT FOR ONE TO COME? >> I AM WAITING ON ONE OF THESE
[05:35:07]
STUDIES. ONE OF THEM WILL SHOW A NUMBER ZERO FOR PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME AND I AM WAITING ON THAT.I'M GONNA LET IT GO, BUT I HOPE THEY KNOW I WON'T DO THIS -- AND YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, MR. RAMIREZ, BUT I DO HAVE ANY QUALMS ABOUT STOPPING SOMETHING AT THE TABLE.
THE ONLY REASON WE HAVE A PROGRAM IS BECAUSE I HAD THE ABILITY TO IF NOT KILL A BOND ISSUE, BUT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO PASS. AND THEN THE OLD BOYS WERE LISTENING AND OLD RODNEY WAS ARTICULATE AND MAKING HIS POINT.
WHEN I SEE A LITTLE LEVERAGE HERE ON ONE WHERE I ASSUME TWO ARE AGAINST IT I HAVE TO RAISE IT.
YOU GOT ME? I WILL TRUST YOU AND LET IT GO.
>> I WOULD SAY YOUR CONCERNS ARE VALID BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT I HAVE LEARNED THROUGH MY MANY YEARS OF CONTRACTING.
PEOPLE ASK YOU ALL KINDS OF QUESTIONS ON THE FRONT END, BUT THEY DON'T ASK YOU ANYTHING ON THE BACKGROUND -- ON THE BACK
END. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AGREE.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I WAS ALWAYS -- I THOUGHT IF I SAID WELL I AM HIRING NATHALIEN KENNEDY AND I WILL PAY HER X NUMBER OF DOLLARS AND THAT'S AN ONLY -- OBLIGATION.
I DON'T THINK EVERYONE RUNNING AROUND HERE HAS THAT SAME COMMITMENT. THEY FEEL GOOD ON THE FRONT END, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD ON THE BACK END.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD TO HAVE YOU AND WE ARE JUST ON THE GENERAL SUBJECT SO NO OPEN MEETINGS PRODUCT, BUT IT IS LIKE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OUT YOUR WAY AND HOPE THEY A -- THEY ADOPT IT AS WELL. I MOVE IT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS 212 --
>> BELIEVING -- I BELIEVE, JAY DID YOU CIRCULATE THIS? THERE IS A MOTION TO CLARIFY THAT EVERYTHING HAS TO COME
>> LINA HIDALGO: WILL YOU READ THE MOTION, JAY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I ADMIT I DON'T READ ALL MY EMAILS.
>> MOVE FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF CONTRACT AWARDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10 MILLION IN TOTAL AND UPON THE DEVELOPMENTS OF SCOPES AND SERVICE WITH THE FOLLOWING VENDORS.
RESEARCH IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AND LLC AND SERVICE ANALYTICS INCORPORATED. GUIDE -- GUIDE HOUSE INCORPORATED AND JANUARY ADVISERS AND KPMG, LLP.
LUMIOCI -- LUMINOCITY, PFM, RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CON TULT TENTS, RITE SOFTWARE AND SERVICES LLC AND RSM US, LLP, WILLIAM MARCH RISE UNIVERSITY AND THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP IN THE AMOUNT OF MAR -- TPHAR -- MARCH 22ND, 2022 TO MARCH 31,
2023 FOR FOUR ONE-YEAR RENEWALS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAKE THAT MOTION, JUDGE IF THERE IS A SECOND?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND --
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I DO WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT SOME OF THEM SAY MWBE'S AND I WILL NEVER GET INTO THE WHO, BUT I WANT TO MAKE THIS POINT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MWBE'S JUST MEAN WBE'S. ALTHOUGH WOMEN HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND AS WELL, BUT THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, HAVE I BEEN ONE OF THOSE -- I HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT THE HARDEST AND MADE THE MOST NOISE ON THESE ISSUES AS WITH THOSE WHO LOOK LIKE ME IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
BY AND LARGE THOSE WOULD LOOK LIKE ME WHO FOUGHT THE HARDEST AND SUFFERED THE MOST TO BRING ABOUT CHANGES, BY AND LARGE HAVE BENEFITED THE LEAST. I WANT TO BE REAL SENSITIVE TO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE HITTING THOSE MINORITIES OF COLOR.
MINORITY WOMEN OF COLOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND THAT, BUT I ALSO FOUGHT HARD TOO.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I GOT YOU. WHEN I SAY THAT, LET'S LOOK AT THE WHOLE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. IN MY CASE I WILL JUMP ON THE TABLE. YOU ARE THE EXCEPTION, BUT MANY OF THEM LOOK LIKE ME AND BEAT THE CALL DOWN AND GO CRAZY.
[05:40:01]
YOU GOT ME? YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING.GENERALLY THAT'S THE GROUP THAT IS BENEFITING FROM THE CHANGES COMING ABOUT. I'M SURE IF WE CAN SEE DR. KING ON THE OTHER SIDE HE WOULD BE GLAD.
BY AND LARGE, IT HADN'T TURNED OUT TO BENEFIT THE ONES HE FOUGHT FOR AS MUCH AS IT BENEFITED OTHERS.
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED.
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR
AND IT PASSES 3-2. >> R. JACK CAGLE: [INAUDIBLE].
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT TO TWEET IT OUT? MAYBE YOU CAN ZOOP IN. ZOOM IN.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I APPRECIATE YOUR SUGGESTIONS.
THANK YOU. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 231, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW WE HAD A GREAT DEAL OF PEOPLE WHO CALLED IN TO SPEAK ON, THIS BUT I MENTIONED SOMEONE ON MY TEAM WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY AND THAT IS THIS INCREDIBLE LEADER THAT IS SITTING BEHIND ME, PER SAY -- MERCEDES AN KHEZ -- SANCHEZ, AND I APPRECIATED HOW THEY WORKED TOGETHER.
I WANT TO THANK OTHER MEMBERS OF MY TEAM INCLUDING NELSON AND RAUL CAMARILLO AND PASTOR JOHNNY AND SALINA VALDEZ AND SANDRA AND ROY FOR THEIR HELP IN DOING THE COUNT.
THEY WERE TRAOUPLTAL AND -- INSTRUMENTAL AND INVOLVED.
THIS IS OUT OF THE SCOPE OF THEIR TYPICAL WORK.
THEY JUMPED IN TO HELP DO THE COUNT AND DO IT WELL.
I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD US ALL. WE WERE TALKING DURING ONE OF THE BREAKS, GOOD -- THE PROJECT AS AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD GOVERE -- GOVERNENC. IMAGINE IF WE HAD NOT FURTHER EMPOWERED THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS.
WOULD WE BE CELEBRATING A 19% -- AND I AM NOT SURE IF ANYBODY ELSE IS IN THE SAME ARENA WITH US.
19% REDUCTION AND OVERALL HOMELESSNESS IN OUR REGION AND A 64% DECREASE SINCE 2011. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT GETS A LOT OF ATTENTION FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS ESPECIALLY IN THE ENCAMPMENT AREA.
THE MINUTIA INCLUDES THE FACT THAT MANY PEOPLE SAID -- YOU CAN'T GET PEOPLE TO CHANGE THEIR WAY OF LIFE AND OF LIVING ON THE STREETS INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE THRAU DECISIONAL, BUT IT IS HAPPENING. THE TEAMS ARE WORKING AND THEY ARE GETTING FOLKS INTO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
SO MUCH SO THAT WE RAN OUT OF STOCK.
I HAVE BEEN PUSHING ON DR. HOLLOWAY TO DO ALL SHE CAN TO ACCELERATE HER WORK IN THIS ARENA.
IT IS VERY EXCITING THAT WE ARE CHANGING LIVES.
IT IS SOMETHING THIS BODY VOTED ON.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE REST OF THE COUNTY BENEFIT FROM THAT PARTICULAR INITIATIVE. BUTGA AIN, I JUST WANT TO SAY KUDOS TO ALL OFS UTHAT VOTED ON THISM. ITE ITGR IS EAT TO TALKUT ABO A 19% REDUCTION IN HOMELESSNESSSU VERS EITHERO NNG CHAE OR AN INCREASE WHICHPI IS TYCALLY THECO NVERSATION.I AGAIN WANT TO THANKAM MY TE BECAUSE THIS ISTH ONE OF ESU ISES I WAS VERY PASSIONATEOU ABT AND VERYD INVOLVEIN. I T WANT TOHANKS MERCEDEFOR LEADING THED CHARGE AN THE REST OF THE TEAM FORIN CHIPPING WHERE THEY CANUT TO HELP OED AS NEED.N
MOVE OTHIS ITEM.IN >> LA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER?
RAMSEY >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS ALWAYS GREAATT TO CELEBRE WHAT OUR FOLKS DO.NT BASED ONTO CELEBRATE WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE PHONE
[05:45:05]
CALLSIT. NON-PROFSO AND WHAT THEY DANDES THE CHURCH OUT THEREVE AND WE HA SOME REAL WARRIORS WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS SLIDE AND PEOPLE CAN CHANGE.THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF OUR A NONPROFITS AND LOT OFRE OUR CHURCHES A DOING IN THE P PUBLIC/PRIVATEARTNERSHIPS THAT WE CAN FACILITATE SO THANK YOUNT FOR CALLING ATTEION TO THIS,
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANKDA YOU. >> LINA HILGO: COMMISSIONEROD
ELLIS. >> RNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, MERETH SAY -- MERCEDES, ANK YOU.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE ARE ALSO APPRECIATIVE TO OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS BECAUSE IT IS FEDERAL MONEY WE USED FOR THIS.
AND I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT OUR PARTNERS IN THEON CITY WITH SOME OF THE BD MONEY THEY PUT MONEY IN YEARS GONE PAST, BUT INTO DOING SOMETHING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS.
IT SHOWS 3,233 PEOPLE EXPERIENCF HOMELESSNESS ON THE NIGHT THE 24TH. AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE OTHER COUNTIES AND CITIES TO STEP UP.
THIS IS FEDERAL MONEY WE ARE DOING IT WITH.
IT IS INTERESTING THAT 13% WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE OF COVID AND/OR JOBLESS OR EVICTION.
WHICH WILL GO BACK TO WHAT ARE WE DOING ON THE EVICTION SIDE, PARTICULARLY WITH THE PROPERTY VALUES GOING UP AND PEOPLE DELINQUENT PAYING THEIR TAXES ON THESE HOUSE THAT'S ARE NOT TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE ANYWAY. AND IT IS ALSO INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT 17% OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY WERE HISPANIC, COMMISSIONER. THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK TO DO AND WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE FEDERAL MONEY.
WE HAVE TO START LOOKING AT ON A SUSTAINABLE BASIS HOW WE PAY FOR IT AND MAKE THE FEDS STEP IN AND GIVE US THE MONEY.U
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, THANK YOFOR LEADING ON THIS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, WHAT ACTION IS TAKE
OWN THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS JUST A
DISCUSSION ITEM. >> SO NO ACTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ITEM 245.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS A REQUEST WE DISTRICT THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT TO AMEND THE BAIL DASHBOARD SO IN THE EFFORT OF INCREASED TRANSPARENCY THERE IS THE COURT NUMBER AND THE NAME OF THE PRESIDING JUDGE.
OUR OFFICE DID RECEIVE A PHONE CALL FROM DR. CORREA ON THIS MATTER INDICATING HER OFFICE FELT IT COULD CAUSE SOME CONFUSION THAT IF YOU LIST THE NAME WITH THE COURT NUMBER SOME MAY ASSOCIATE THAT A JUDGE AND A COURT ARE THE SAME AND THAT SOMETIMES THE JUST OF THE 245TH AND I AM USING IT AS AN EXAMPLE AND SOMETIMES SOMEBODY SERVED THE ORDER.
A JUDGE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHO IS THEIR VISITING JUDGE AND WHO GETS THE SUBSEQUENT PAPERWORK. IN THE NAME OF ACCOUNTABILITY MAYBE IF YOU ARE A JUDGE AND HAVING SOMEONE SIGNING THE DOCUMENTS AND YOU DON'T LIKE HOW THEY ARE SIGNING THE DOCUMENTS MAYBE YOU SHOULD BEHELD HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
MAYBE IT HELPS TO KNOW MORE THAN JUST THE NUMBER.
I LIVED IN THAT WORLD. IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHAT NUMBER
GOES WITH THE NAME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I BEG YOUR PARDON. YOU DIDN'T PRESIDE OVER ANY
VIOLENT CASES IN COURT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS WHO THE
JUDGE OF THE COURT IS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TO THAT END I ASK DR. CORREA TO SEE IF THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO HOLD -- I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THIS IN PRINCIPAL.
I WANT TO BE NOT ONLY TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE, BUT ACCURATE. I DOUBT YOU REVERSE ANYBODY'S PREVIOUS ORDER YOU MAY HAVE -- INHERITED.
[05:50:06]
OR ASK DR. CORREA. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT THIS, I SUPPORT THIS. THIS IS A PAPER-DRIVEN PROCESS AND THERE IS WORK INVOLVED THAT WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY ABLE TO EASILY DO AND MAKE THIS ACCURATE AND TRANSPARENT TO THE FACT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE. AM I ACCURATE IN THIS REGARD?>> YES. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
WE DID DISCUSS REGARDING MAKING SURE WHATEVER WE PROVIDED WAS NOT A FALSE REPRESENTATION OVER WHO SET THE BOND.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION THAT THIS COURT GAVE US DID NOT ASK US TO INCLUDE EVEN THE HOME COURT. WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE THAT AND SO BE -- SO WE HAVE.
THE PRIMARY CHALLENGE IS HOW DO WE IDENTIFY WHO THE COURT OR THE JUDGE OR THE MAGISTRATE IS WHEN THE FORMAT -- IT IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT DE MIND. WE WILL WORK WITH THE RELEVANT PARTIES TO KNOW WAYS WE CAN MAKE USE OF WHATEVER FORMS AND THIS IS WAY TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ALL OF YOU HAVE.
I WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE MOTION OR THIS ITEM.
SO WE CAN GET TO THE BOUGHT -- BOTTOM OF HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE THE INFORMATION COLLECTED. I WILL TELL YOU IT HAS BEEN A COMPLETE HIT FROM A PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORT.
PEOPLE GO TO IT AND PEOPLE LOOK AT IT.
IT IS AN EVOLUTION. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. WE WANT TO BE MINDFUL THAT WHATEVER INFORMATION WE DO PROVIDE IS THE ACCURATE INFORMATION. WE ALSO ADDED A CAVEAT TO THE DARK -- TO THE DASHBOARD -- IT IS IN FACT THE CASE WHERE IT IS THE HOME COURT WHERE THE CASES ARE PENDING.
EVEN THOUGH THE ORIGINAL MOTION DID KNOT ASK US TO INCLUDE THE COURT NUMBER, WE DID THAT, BUT A CAVEAT THAT WOULD BE -- IT IS NOT -- IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY DEMONSTRATE THE JUDGE WHO SET THE ORIGINAL BOND. SOMEBODY COULD IN FACT GO AND GOOGLE WHAT IS THE COURT NUMBER AND LOOK UP THE NAME OF THE JUDGE. WE DID NOT WANT TO MISREPRESENT THE WAY A JUDGE SETS BOND IN AN INDIVIDUAL CASE BY CASE.
I HAVE TO REMIND THIS COURT THE PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY PATTERNS AND TRENDS AND NOT A CASE BY CASE.
THAT INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED IN THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE.
IF THIS BODY WOULD LIKE US TO DEVELOP DASHBOARD THAT'S ARE LOOKING AT INDIVIDUAL PIECES, THAT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF REQUEST WE WOULD NEED TO WORK WITH THE DATA OWNERS.
IT WOULD TAKE A LOT MORE WORK, BUT I WANTED TO CLARIFY THE PERSON OF THIS BAIL DARK BORE -- BAIL DASHBOARD IS TO LOOK AT AGGREGATION ON TRENDS AND NOT INDIVIDUAL BY INDIVIDUAL -- YOU KNOW, THE EXPERIENCE THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE THROUGHOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT CAN BE GATHERED ON THE DISTRICT CLERK'S WEBSITE. SKWABG JACK I HAVE SOME
FOLLOW-UP QUESTION -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE SOME FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS. I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS AND THEN THE LAST COMMENT CAUSED FOR A THIRD.
[05:55:04]
WHEN I VOTED FOR THE DASHBOARD I WAS NOT JUST THINKING OF TRENDS.IT WOULD MARRY WHAT THE CLERK'S OFFICE HAS AND YOU CAN FIND THE INFORMATION. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT WHEN I SUPPORTED THIS, IT WAS NOT JUST FOR TRENDS.
I WANTED TO SEE IT BE AS EASY AS POSSIBLE WHICH YOU HAVE THE SKILL SET TO DATA MINE IT. MY TWO ORIGINAL QUESTIONS.
I WAS NOT A CRIMINAL JUDGE, A CIVIL JUDGE AND STILL A LICENSED CIVIL ATTORNEY LYING A COLLEAGUE OF MINE IS.
A JUDGE THAT HAD A ORDER THAT THAT WAS SIGNED BY SOMEONE ELSE ON A TH -- TRO OR A JUDGMENT HAD THE ABILITY TO BRING IT BACK AND MAINTAIN CONTROL. DO THEY NOT HAVE SOME TYPE OF ON GOING CONTROL OVER THE ORDERS THAT EMINATE OUT OF THEIR COURT?
>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I WOULD REFER THAT QUESTION TO PERHAPS ALEX BONIN OR SOMEONE THAT CAN PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT THE JUDGE IS ABLE TO HAVE CONTROL OVER OR NOT.
FOR THIS PARTICULAR DISCUSSION THERE ARE A WIDE RANGE OF REASONS WHY THE ACTUAL CASE -- THE ACTUAL CASE MAY NOT REMAIN WITH THAT PARTICULAR JUDGE. THE REASON WE ADDED THE HOME COURT AND NOT THE NAME OF THE JUDGE IS BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST ACCURATE AND STATIC WAY FOR BOND APPROVALS, RIGHT? SOME OF THE CASES ARE OLD ENOUGH THAT THE APPROVED BOND WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE BY ANOTHER JUDGE THAT IS NO LONGER ON THE BENCH.
IN OTHER CASES YOU CAN HAVE A CASE COMING IN AND THE PRE SAIDING JUDGE WOULD NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CHECK THE CASE OUT.
WE HAVE A 48-HOUR MATURATION PROCESS.
THAT'S WHERE THE LARGEST PERCENTAGES ARE SET.
THOSE ARE POSITIONS BY MAGISTRATES.
THEY ARE NOT COUNTY JUDGES AND THEY ARE NOT THIS RECORD.
I WOULD PREFER SOMEBODY LIKE ALEX TO ANSWER THAT.
THE PRIMARY DILEMMA WE HAVE IS HOW DO WE CAPTURE THAT INFORMATION? THAT IS THE PRIMARY QUESTION.
HOW DO WE DO THAT WHEN THAT APPROVED -- WHOEVER APPROVED THE BOND WHETHER IT IS THE MAGISTRATE OR THE JUDGE, THEY
APPROVED OF THE BOND -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT FROZE UP ON
US. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR AUDIO IS NOT HAPPY RIGHT NOW. LET ME CALL YOU.
HERS IS THE PHONE NUMBER I -- >> [INAUDIBLE] WITH THE CLERK'S
OFFICE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DOCTOR, ARE
YOU THERE NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: NICE.
WE ARE WORKING ON IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> HELLO? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE YOU ARE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS CALLING YOU ON THE CELL PHONE BECAUSE -- IF I CALL YOU LATER IT IS BECAUSE IT CAME DOWN AGAIN.
>> I UH POLL SKWRAEUZ FOR THAT -- I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: MY SECOND PART OF THAT IS YOU HAVE ALREADY THE LISTING OF THE NUMBER WITH AN ASTERISK FOR LACK OF A BETTER PHRASE. I THINK WE FROZE AGAIN.
DO YOU HEAR ME, DOCTOR? >> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT AGAIN?
[06:00:01]
>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU MUTED. YOU HAVE A COURT NUMBER, BUT A DISCLAIMER THAT THE CASE MAY HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO ENTITY.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS SEE IF YOU CAN DO THE SAME DISCLAIMER, BUT USE WHO IS THE CURRENT PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE COURT. 245TH, CURRENT PRESIDING JUDGE, ORDERS MAY HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY A SUB -- SUBSEQUENT COURT AND AN ASTERISK EXPLAINING THE PROCESS.
LET US KNOW WHO IT IS IT IS ASSOCIATED AND WHAT NAME IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ORIGINATING COURT.
CURRENTLY SERVING. AND IF YOU CAN WORK TO BRING BACK SOMETHING THAT FIXES YOUR CONCERNS AND ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO NOT HAVE TO GO AND DO A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH TO FIND OUT WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL COURT I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER
ON THE TRANSPARENCY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR COMING UP WITH THE IDEA OFAV HING A DASHBOARD.
COMING UP WITH R THEESOLUTION TONE COURAGE THED BONBOARD.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE 10%. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S WHAT MOSTS JUDGEASSUME IT WILL BEWH EN THEY SETD. THE BONLD IT WOU BE LIKE IF I HAVE O A MARK --CK NOW -- OR PARK NOW, DOES THAT MISLEAD? DOES THAT GIVE THE PUBLIC AN IDEA OF IMPRESSION THAT THAT JUDGE.LD AND IT COU BE A VISITING JUDGE THAT DID IT.
I DON'T THINK -- THAT'S FAIR. IRD THINK THE DASHBOA HASDO MADE TREMENUS PROJECT.OG TREMENDOUS PRRESS. I IF YOU CAN PUTNOE THE NAME OF IT, THAT'S ONE THING.CE IT WOULD BE NI IF YOU SHOW WHAT THE PROSECUTION ASKED FOR.I SOMETIMES THE DESION IS MADE BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PROSECUTOR OR THE ASSISTANTA PROSECUTOR IN THE SE. I ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF WE KEEP THROWING THESE THINGS AT YOU, HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE O THIS AND ALL OF THETHER THINGS WE COME UP WITH?
I CAN SEE THE CIRCLE.M >> LINA HIDALGO: I AGOING TO CALL HER. I GOT HER PHONE NUMBER NOW.WA
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST NT TO MAKE SURE --
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THIS SHOULD COME BACK TO US.
I THINK WE ARE IN CIRCLES, YOU GUYS.
I HAVE YOU ON SPEAKER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.
THERE WAS ANOTHER ITEM THAT WASH -- THERE WAS ANOTHER ITEM
AT -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: HANG ON A MINUTE, DOCTOR. I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I ARE NOT THAT FAR APART WITH RECORD WITH WHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE. MAYBE WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS RECESS THIS AND WE HAVE A PLATFORM THAT IS A GOOD WORKING PLATFORM. MAYBE THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND THE TWO TWEAKS THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST SAID, I'M FINE WITH THOSE. MAYBE WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GIVE YOU A CHANCE, DOCTOR, TO TAKE THE DATA AND FIGURE OUT A WAY AND MAYBE WE NEED TO ASK OUR CLERKS OR WHOEVER IT IS TO DO SOMETHING ELSE AND FIND A WAY OF GIVING THE ACCURATE REPORTING THAT'S THERE AND I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER RIGHT NOW.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHATEVER THE DATA COLLECTION COMMITTEE IS THAT WAS CREATED I THINK BY THE PREVIOUS COURT, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE STATUTE OUT ANYWAY. YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T
CROSS ANY LEGAL LINES R. >>. JACK CAGLE: I WILL TAKE THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE REFER IT TO DR. CORREA
FOR RECOMMENDATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SAY TWO WEEKS OR WHEN EVER. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE
[06:05:03]
PRIORITIZE THIS WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE HAVE ASKED JAD TO DO. I SAY THAT FROM THE PERSON THAT CREATED YOU AND WILLING TO FUND AND KEEP YOU THERE.SOME PEOPLE ARE TAKING MONEY AWAY AND PUTTING IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. THEY ARE PUTTING IT IN ROADS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED -- IT IS A TRANSMITTAL -- WE ARE JUST REFERRING FOR HER TO BRING IT BACK.
>> SO JUST REFER TOCO JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: TO ME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION BASED ON THE DISCUSSION. SO WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE A VOTE,
CORRECT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NOT IF WE ARE
REFERRING. >> IF I MAY, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO REACH OUT TO EACH INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBERS FROM YOUR OFFICES.
THE DAY OF THE MOTION ALL OF YOU HAD SOMETHING THAT YOU WANTED TO INCLUDE AND THERE WERE QUITE A FEW -- I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT THE VARIOUS INFORMATION THAT YOU WANTED TO ADD TO THE DASHBOARD SO THAT I CAN COME TO YOU WITH A FULL SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS SO THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO MEET ALL OF YOUR -- ALL OF THE THINGS YOU WANTED.
ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS WANTED CASES FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND NO BOND AND IT WAS GRANTED AND FOR THAT WE WOULD NEED TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT HEARINGS WERE REQUESTED.
THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO COLLECT AND WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND CLARITY SO THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO FULFILL EVERYTHING YOU WANT. I WILL REACH OUT TO YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND INCLUDE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WANTED US TO
INCLUDE IN THE DASHBOARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. CORREA, BEFORE YOU GET OFF THE LINE, I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER AND I KNOW WE SENT A COUPLE OF PROJECTS TO YOU.
ACTUALLY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU GOT ONE TO YOU AS WELL.
WHAT IS THE STATUS? I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER THE
CONTEXT OF YOUR REQUEST. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT WAS SIMILAR.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT IS THE STATUS OF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S
REQUEST? >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTED US TO ADD -- I AM GOING TO READ IT AS PASSED.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY RECOMMEND NODE BOND AND BOND WAS GRANTED, CASES WHICH THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION AND THE PERSON REOFFENDED.
THAT WAS THE INFORMATION HE WANTED US TO INCLUDE IN THIS DASHBOARD. IN ORDER FOR US TO FULFILL THAT PHYSICAL -- THAT PARTICULAR REQUEST WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY HEARINGS FOR NO BOND WERE REQUESTED AND HOW MANY WERE GRANTED OR WAS THE OUTCOME OF THOSE HEARINGS REQUEST AND THAT INFORMATION IS GOING TO NEED TO BE COLLECTED.
THAT'S THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO GET A HANDLE.
HOW IS IT COLLECTED AND HOW CAN WE PUT IT INTO A DASHBOARD
HOW DO YOU DOWNLOAD IT? >> THAT'S WHEN WE WORK WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. THERE ARE A LOT OF FORMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. WE NEED TO GET WHICH ARE MINEABLE AND WHICH IS COLLECTED AND WHICH IS NOT COLLECTED SO THAT WE CAN PROCEED WITH ANSWERING ALL OF THE WIDE RAOEUPBG OF QUESTIONS -- THE WIDE RANGE OF QUESTION THAT'S WE HAVE. WE ARE AS INTERESTED AS YOU ARE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF SOME OF THESE THINGS.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU WANTED TO KNOW THE DESPERATE IMPACT OF SURVIVORS OF CRIME. HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THAT INFORMATION AND HOW DO YOU ANALYZE IT AND INCLUDE IT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE ARE AT A GOOD PLACE AND I REALLY THINK WE HAVE REACHED THE POINT OF NOT A LOT OF -- DIMINISHING RETURNS. WE WILL HEAR BACK FROM YOU, DR. CORREA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NO ACTION ORIE TPER RAL AND EVERYBODY IS EAGER TO -- OR REFERRAL.
EVERYBODY IS EAGER TO HEAR BACK. >> SO NO ACTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 31 AND PAGE 25 -- PAGE 31 AND 257.
>> TOM RAMSEY: EVERYTHING IS ON TRACK, THERE IS A HAD GOOD
[06:10:03]
-PBS -- GOOD CHANCE YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE WILL GO UP.THE MORE WE KPHUPB -- COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE COMMUNITY -- I FEEL OBLIGATED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. I NOTICE THIS AGENDA ITEM IS A TRANSMITTAL, BUT I WANTED TO BE SURE WEE HIGHLIGHT THAT AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO MA AP NEXT COMING ON BOARD.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS A TRANSMITTAL.
>> WE WILL JUST ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL.
THIS IS GENERAL NORREAGA AND ADMINISTRATOR BERRY.
>> THIS IS WHERE ADMINISTRATOR BERRY SAID HE CAN SAY EVERYTHING IN 60 SECONDS AND HE CAN SAY WHAT HE NEEDED TO SAY IN 10
SECONDS. >> TOM RAMSEY: HE IS ON THE
CLOCK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK DAVE CAN DO HIS IN 10, BUT I DON'T THINK THE MAJOR GENERAL CAN DO
IT IN 60. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS GENERAL NORREAGA ON THE LINE? MAYBE DAVE CAN START.
>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CHANGING OUR FISCAL YEAR FOR A DECADE. THE TEAM REALLY PULLED TOGETHER AND GOT IT DONE INCLUDING UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS. I THOUGHT WE SHOULD GIVE THEM SOME CREDIT. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU DID IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT GENERAL NORREAGA COMING ONLINE? MAJOR GENERAL, THANK YOU.
IT DOES PRESIDENT -- IT DOESN'T ROLE OFF THE TONGUE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: UNMUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: NG.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOUR WI-FI IS NOT WORKING THAT'S A REAL
PROBLEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: HE LOOKS LIKE A
GHOST. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM GOING TO
TRY TO -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN COME
BACK TO HIM. >> HE IS IN THE MATRIX.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS GETTING TOO LATE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: Y'ALL WANTED EVERYBODY TO CALL IN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S FUNNY. UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS NOT COMING THROUGH. OH NO.
IT'S TPROESZ -- IT'S FROZEN? >> THAT IS NOT A GOOD SIGN.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ACTUALLY THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT --
>> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, WE WILL COME BACK TO THIS.
ITEM 294. 294 IS COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND RAMSEY. DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL
BUSINESSES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON THIS ITEM,
JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO SAY -- >> COMMISSIONER?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. GOT IT.
I AM PROUD TO SEE THIS ITEM COME BEFORE THE COURT TODAY BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID I LEAD ON THE EFFORT TO STRANGE THEN THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BUT BACK IN 2021, IN DECEMBER I MADE THE MOTION TO HAVE THE VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO HELP SECURE CONTRACTS WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SO IT CAN BE EASIER, NOT HARDER FOR THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY TO DO BUSINESS.
THEY DESERVE THE BEST AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE POLICY TRANSMITTAL WILL BE A GREAT STEP TOWARD ENSURING VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY.
THE FEDERAL VETERAN WERE LAID ASIDE AND AN ADDITIONAL NOTE TO THE CITE CAL NEED TO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS AS MUCH AS I CAN.
I WANT TO COMMEND THE HOUSE FOR PASSING THE COMMITMENT TO VETERAN SUPPORT AND OUT REACH ACT AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THE HONORING OUR PACT ACT EARLIER THIS MONTH.
I VOICED MY SUPPORT FOR THIS BIPARTISAN BILL LAST YEAR, BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH. AND NOW I WOULD LIKE TO URGE OUR LOCAL SENATE DELEGATION TO HELP GET THIS THING THROUGH THE SENATE AND TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK.
THIS ACT IS A TOP PRIORITY AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THOSE VETERANS WHO WERE EXPOSED TO TOXINS WHILE DEPLOYED IN SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY. AGAIN WHILE DISCUSSING OUR VETERANS I WANT TO COMMEND THE HOUSE FOR THEIR WORK AT PASSING THIS BILL. AND REALLY HOPE WE CAN COUNT ON SENATORS CORNYN AND CRUZ TO BACK THIS BILL IN THE SENATE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JOSE JIMENEZ.
HE WAS HERE A MINUTE AGO. A PROUD U.S. AIR FORCE VETERAN
[06:15:03]
WHO WORKS WITH THE NACO VETERANS COMMITTEE.AND THEN ALSO MS. KATIE SHORT HAS CONFIRMED THAT THIS POLICY IS NOW UNDER REVIEW WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
SO YOU ARE LEADING ON THIS EFFORT AS WELL AND REVIEWING IT FOR RECOMMENDATION. THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. NOT ONLY HAVE YOU TALKED ABOUT IT EVEN BEFORE YOU GOT HERE, BUTTING WILL -- BUT JOSE JIMENEZ WAS TALKING ABOUT IT TOO. GREAT WORK TO OUR STAFF FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE. I KNOW IN 2020 THE URBAN INSTITUTE FOUND THAT HOUSTON, THE LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE COUNTY IN OUR REGION LEAD MOST CITY WHEN'S IT CAME TO RACIAL, ECONOMIC AND POVERTY DISPARITIES AND THAT IS NOT A DISTINCTION WE WANT. IT IS THE FIRST MIDDLE CLASS CREATED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.
BUT MANY OF THE PROGRAMS OF PRE-EDUCATION AND LOW-INTEREST LOANS LOOKED LIKE YOU OR ME UNLESS THE SCHOOLS WOULD ACCEPT THEM AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS WOULD LET THEM MOVE IN.
EVEN TODAY, THE SINGLE MOST ITEM THEY APPROACH.
I WANT TO ASK THAT A SIMILAR PROGRAM BE DEVELOPED FOR OUR LGBTQ BUSINESS OWNERS AS WELL. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE EXTEND EQUITY TO ALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE REGION THAT MAY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY DISADVANTAGED BECAUSE OF WHOE THEY LOOK LIKE OR WHO THEY LOVE.
I KNOW IT IS NOT BROAD ENOUGH FOR ME TODAY, BUT I AM PUTTING A
MARKER DOWN -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO SECOND IT WHEN YOU GET IT FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I TOO TARGETED THIS ONE AND I THINK I BROUGHT ON MANY OCCASIONS HAVING A -- JUST LIKE WE DO AN MWBE PROGRAM, BUT HAVING A VETERANS PROGRAM. SO WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE DETAILS AND THAT IS JUST AN AFFIRMATION THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE OUR VETERANN SPECIAL CONSIDERATION, IT WOULD
BE THOSE VETERANS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE THE
COLONEL ON THE LINE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, SIR. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
BUDGET CUTS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAJOR GENERAL,ING I THINK YOU ARE OUT RANK -- MAJOR GENERAL, I THINK
YOU ARE OUT RANKING THE COLONEL. >> I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INDULL -- INTUL DASH -- INDULGENCE.
WHEN THEY DECIDED TO HAVE THE FISCAL YEAR CHANGED WE WERE TASKED TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS ALIGNED IN THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR AND WE WANTED TO GIVE THANKS AND A SHOUT OUT TO THE AUDITOR AS OFFICE AND LESLIE WILKES GARCIA AND OTHER FOLKS FROM THE TREASURER'S OFFICE AND HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR FISCAL YEAR THAT OCCURRED TWO WEEKS ENDS AGO. IT WENT WITHOUT A HITCH AND WE WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE ROBBIE WHO IS HERE WITH ME.
HE WAS THE PROJECT MANAGER AND HE IS THE DIRECTOR OF APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND HE WANTS TO SHOUT OUT TO THE PEOPLE SOFT TEAM WITHIN UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR THEIR HARDOR WK AND MAKINGHI TS OCCUR WITHOUT A HITCH.
>> APPRECIATET. I THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THIS WAS A PRETTY COMPLEX PROJECT THAT WAS APPROVED BACK IN NOVEMBER. SO WITHINOU FR MONTHSE WHR HER.
A LOT OFEP DARTMENTS PARTICIPATED AS PART OF THE CHANGE MANAGEMENT. WE ARE SUCCESSFULND AER ZO IMPACT AFTER THE GO LIVE T ANDHE COUNTY HAS MET ITSL GOAOF ALIGNING F THEISCAL YEARIN DURG THE BUDGETE. TIM THANKOU Y FOR EVERYONE'S SUPPORT.
THEJE PROCT MANAGER WASAR SACIA AND THEGR PROAM DIRECTOR AND APPRECIATE OUR CONSULTING COMMITTEE WE APPROVED IN NOVEMBERCH WHI IS THEA PMCAND HYDE STREETK PARCOLLABORATING
AND MAKINGSU IT CCESSFUL. >> THANK E YOUVERYONE ON THE COURT FOR THEIR SUPPORT ANDH WIT SOME OF THELL CHAENGES WE HAD WITHPL PEOE SOFT THISTU IS RNING THE CORNER I ANDT IS REALLY A SUCCESSRY STO FOREA OUR TM AND I JUST WANTED TO T SHAREHAT WITH
[06:20:02]
THE COURT AND E THANKVERYONE FOH EIR SUPPORT.>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. GOOD WORK.SO ITEMS 29394 AND 2CE WE ACPT THEMI TRANSTTAL.29 7SS COMMIIONER RAMSEY.TH EE TRIAGAM PROGR.
.> TOM RAMSEY: I AM GOOD >> LINA HIDALGO: OH,. RIGHT
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A GREATPR OGRAM AND I AM PROUD SUPPORT IT.
I WAS LOOKING ATA. THE DAT I THINKS IT SHOWTHATE OVER TH PAST FEW MONTHS,DE THE MISMEANOR ANDY FELONBACKLOG DECREASED,ST BUT WE ILL HAVE A LONGGO WAY TO .
FEBRUARY OF 2022ER THERE WE 21,8 12AN MISDEMEORS16 AND 18,3 FELONIESCR IN THE IMINAL CASECK BALOG IN NOVEMBER.ER THE WERE 24,00093 -- 24,3SD MIEMEANORS ANDFE 18,921 LONIES T INHE CRIMINAL. BACKLOGE THTRIAGE H PROJECTASEN IDTIFIED 62,101 LOW-LEVELN KNOWVIOLENT R CASES FOREVIEW.HO HAVEEHE, 38% OF T CASES BEEN -- I THINK OF THOSE 23,649, ANTHAT'S 38% HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF.
IT IS IMPORTANTI WORK AND AM PROUD OF THEFI D.A.'S OFCEWH FOR AT THEY AREIT DOING ON .NT I WA TO ASK THE MANAGEMENTAV OFFICE, HE YOUGO AL TTEN ALL OF THE Y DATA THATOU NEEDES SO IT MAK THE CASE?KE MAS THE CASE FOR THE FUNDING?OR I AM F, THE PROGRAM BUT I WANTE TO MAKSURE WE T ARE GETTINGHE DATAT BECAUSE IMAKES THE CASE
FORIN MORE FUNDG. >> THANKSI YOU, COMMISONER.
WE HAVEAB WORKED COLLORATIVELYHE WITH TTO DISTRICT ATRNEY'S OFFICE ON THIS. THERECO ARE A UPLE OF DATAE POINTS WHERWE ARE W COUPLING --HERE WE ARE WORKING TO GET.
WETA FEEL COMFORBLE WITHAT THE STUS OF MOVING THIS AYEON
TESTIMY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: --DZ OKAY RO*
RO*D I MOVE IT.DR >> AIAN GARCIA: SECOND.IN
>> LA HIDALGO: MOTIONEDLI BY ELS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA ON
LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? C MOTIONARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.,
ITEM 305RA COMMISSIONER MSEY. >> 305 OR 306?A
>> LINHIDALGO: 305 IN THEYE BLURRY ESE AND 306 ON TH
ACTUAL PAGE. R >> TOMAMSEY: QUICKLY, WE AREGO GETTING OD INPUT FROM AGENCIESE AND MOOR THEYN ARE PUTTING ILICENSE PLATE READERS.A THIS IS MP REQUEST TO SILYTH WOK WI THE PERSON AGENT AND BE THAT GROUPOR THAT HELPS SUPPT THESE OTHERY AGENCIES AS THEFR D LEARN OMW. WHAT THEY KNO THIS IS AN EFFORT TOOU PUT THAT T THERE AND BE THAT SOURCE OF SAW -- OFR THAT SUPPORT FOTHE AGENCIES G AND MAY WANT TOET INTODI THE LICENSE REANG.
YOU CAN'T MUTT -- YOUTH CAN'T PT EVERYWHERE.
WE NEED TO WORKD THROUGH THAT AN GET THE I COUNTY ENGINEERNVOLVEF IN TERMS OE WHAT PART OF TH RIGHT OF WAY WE. CAN PUT THEM IN THERE ARE DETAILS TO WORKE OUT, BUT THINFORMATION I AM F GETTING BACKROM A LOT OF THESE AGENCIESHA OUT THERE THAT VETH PAPER -- THE PLATE READ EVERIES DARK -- THE PLATE READERS, THEY ARE GETTINGM RESULTS THATATTER.QU THIS IS A REEST SO SIMPLYAN GO THROUGH D IDENTIFY SOME FOLKS
THATH COULD HELP US WITTHIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.
SO PRESUMABLY IT IS ON GOING?, COMMISSIONER
SO? NO ACTION RIGHT NOW >> SO ON 306 NOIN ACTION?
>> LA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?MI THANK YOU, COMSSIONER. IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.
SO THAT IS IT FOR ALL OF OUR I REGULAR AGENDATEMS.
[Executive Session]
WE NEED TO GO TOIO EXECUTIVE SESSN ON TWO ITEMS. U ITEM 292 ON ANPDATE OF THESY PROPOSED TUNNEL STEM AND THENIA ITEM 296 ON SPECLES COUNSEL SERVIC.IT IS 6:00 AND WE WILLE MEET IN EXECUTIVSESSION.
[Departments (Part 6 of 6)]
>>> IT IS 6:28 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. THERE WERE TWO ITEMS. THE FIRST IS 292 AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A
MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. FIRST I WANT TO THANK DR. PETERSON FOR NO PUN INTENDED FOR MAKING A SPLASH ALREADY IN HER EARLY TENURE AS FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR.
THE MOTION RELATED TO 292 IS TO DIRECT THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO COLLABORATIVELY
[06:25:04]
WORK WITH OUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS TO FINALIZE THE LOCALLY-LEAD TUNNELS PHASE 2 STUDY AND CONTINUE THE USC-LEAD BUFFALO BAYOU AND RESILIENCY STUDY SO A COUNTY-WIDE SYSTEM OF TUNNELS REMAINS A POTENTIAL STRATEGY FOR ADVANCING THE COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS FRAMEWORK TO EQUITABLY MITIGATE FLOOD RISK IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH ANY NECESSARY AGREEMENTS OR FUNDING REQUESTS BE BROUGHT BACK TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT AT A FUTURE>> GIVE IT TO HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND THE NEXT ITEM WAS 296 AND THAT ONE NEEDS TO PASS AS WRITTEN, CORRECT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT. >> IS THERE A MOTION?
>> SO MOVED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSE STPHED -- MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WELL, ANYTHING ELSE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: . >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO KROUGERS --
GO COUGARS. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO --
[INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WELCOME TO ALL OF THE NEW FOLKS WHO JOIN US TODAY.
IT IS 6:30
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.