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* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

[00:00:04]

>> >> >> TO THE FROM THE TO THE FROM THE?

>> TO THE FROM THE

>> >> HILDAGO LINA HILDAGO ELLIS RODNEY ELLIS GARCIA ADRIAN GARCIA ADRIAN GARCIA RAMSEY TOM RAMSEY TOM RAMSEY CAGLE BENNET ABENNET OSBOURNE OSBORN OSBORN

OSBORNE OSBORNE OSBORNE >> IF EVERYBODY COULD ANNOUNC THEIR NAME AND TITLE.

AND WE'LL GO IN THE TABLE.

GO AHEAD MS. BENNETT, GOOD MORNING.. >> GOOD MORNING.. >> HARRIS COUNTY.

>> OKAY.

>> HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE.

TENNISHIA, HARRIS COUNTY CLERK.

>> AND THERE YOU GO.

>> >> QUORUM IS THREE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PRESENT IN PERSON.

WE HAVE FOUR MEMBERS IN PERSON AND FOUR VIRTUALLY.

WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE QUORUM.

BEFORE WE BEGIN THE DISCUSSION, ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS.

>> ALLEN DELEON, ITEMS ONE AND TWO.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER.

MY NAME IS ALLEN DELEON.

AND I SHOULD LIKE TO START MY REMARKS BY FIRST EXPRESSING IN A CERTAIN WAY, THIS HEARING IS TAKING PLACE.

IT'S A HYPER PARTISAN ISSUE.

IT'S THE CASE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS PHENOMENON HAS EMERGED, OVER SYSTEMIC, IN OUR COUNTRY, I KNOW EVERYBODY, KNOWS IS NONEXISTENT.

WE SEE A REPLACEMENT FOR ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

WHO WE BELIEVE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY PROFESSIONAL, DESPITE THE PERSON, INSTRUCTED IN OUR OFFICE.

WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, THAT WHAT SHE HAS DONE TO ADVANCE IN THE COUNTY.

AND TO THE STATE CAPACITY, WE SEE THE ELECTION DEPARTMENTS, AND CAPACITIES, LOOK TO OUR OFFICE, TO THE ELECTION FORMS. AND THIS OFFICE HAS MADE, ON ACCOUNT TO THAT, A LASTING IMPACT IN THE STATE.

WE WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THE APPRECIATION, OF THE SERVICE AND THE GREAT WORK HER TEAM IS CONTINUING TO DO.

GIVEN THE TASK BEFORE US BEFORE, WE RECRUIT THE ADMINISTRATOR, SPECIFIC EVALUATE, TO BE CONSIDERED TO CONSIDERATION AND THE CONTINUATION IN THE HIRING PROCESS.

SPECIFICALLY THE NEXT ELECTION, SHOULD BE COMMUNITY ORIENTED AND DRIVEN.

SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO READ THE PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AND UNDERSTAND THE DISPARITIES THAT EXIST, AND ORDER REGISTRATION RATES AND AS IT PERTAINS TO ACCESS TO INFORMATION SPECIFICALLY ALONG RACIAL, ETHNIC AND SOCIAL ECONOMIC LINES.

INITIALLY THE NEXT COMMISSION, WILL BE THE LEADING POLICY EXPERT, AS VOTER REFORMS AND DETAILED UNDERSTANDING OF STATE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN A LEADER OF VOTING RIGHTS, IT HAS EXPANDED ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX.

AND NEXT SET OF ADMINISTRATORS, IN COLABRATION OF VOTER EXPERTS ON THE GROUND WHO COULD BRING AND BARE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE AND DIFFICULTIES IN THE SPACE, IN THE LOCAL VOTING PROCESS.

FINALLY THE ADMINISTRATORS COULD COMMIT TO MANAGEMENT AND OPEN TRANSPARENT ELECTION DEPARTMENT.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE, THEY HAVE FAITH IN THE ELECTIONS AND SAFELY CAST THEIR BALLOTS, THAT THEIR VOTES WILL BE COUNTED.

SIM LARE -- SIMILARLY, WE TRUST THAT THIS COMMISSION WILL BE TO THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS ROBERT CHOE, SPEAKING IN ITEMS ONE AND TWO.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

ROBERT CHOE.

>> DOESN'T LOOK LIKE.

>> NEXT IS KIM MOORE, SPEAKING ON ITEM 2 >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSION MEMBERS.

AND AND BOTH ELECTIONS, IN ELECTION JOBS AND THE BORDER PLACES, BOTH IN HARRIS IN

[00:05:11]

THE COUNTY.

AND THE ELECTION.

>> WHEN I DROPPED THEM OFF, THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN, RECRUITED FROM GOD KNOWS WHERE, AND 18, 19, 20-SOMETHING COLLEGE GIRLS.

THEY ARE CONFIDENT AND BOXES WERE OPEN AND MATERIALS WERE SORTED AND IT WAS PUT IN PLACE WHERE THEY BELONG.

SIGN THIS, SIGN THAT.

HAVE A NICE NIGHT AND MOVE ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

AND IT IS KIND OF A SPACE I HAD, IN THE COUNTY.

AND WE WENT TO A PICKUP PLACE, MATERIALS, WERE READY FOR ME.

AND THEY WERE RIGHT.

WE MOVE TO THE BUILDING, WHERE WE HOLD THE ELECTION.

THE MACHINES WERE THERE.

CLIFRD SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND THEY WERE -- TRAINED, AND THEY ARE TRUSTED, AND WE TURN THEM ON, THEY WORK.

AND CALLED THE COUNTY OFFICE, SOMEBODY ANSWERED THE ASSIGNMENT.

AND THE HELP THEY WERE SEEKING, WE GOT -- THE DAYS, WE GOT, TO RUN, RUN BY PEOPLE WHO KNEW ELECTIONS, WHO KNEW TECHNOLOGY.

AND IN THE HANDS, IN THE OFFICE, WHICH MEANS, SOMEONE WHO IS TRAVELLING THE VOTERS.

I'D LIKE TO SEE US GO BACK TO THAT.

ELECTIONS HERE, IS TRAVELED MORE, AND WE WORK THIS LAST TIME AROUND.

IT WOULD BE, EMBARRASSMENT.

I WILL TRY -- TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, AND PARTS AND THE PROCESS.

AND YOU COULDN'T DO THAT.

YOU HAD TO PRODUCE SOMETHING IN THE WORKS.

AND I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO GIVE THIS JOB BACK, TO RUN TWO MORE ELECTIONS.

ULTIMATELY, I WOULD LIKE US TO SEE RETURN TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, SOMEONE ACCOUNTABLE TO DO THE JOB.

I WOULD ASK, COMMISSION, WITH EXCEPTION.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> NEXT IS CHARLES.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

>> AND MY NAME IS CHARLES CRUZ C.A.W.S.

TODAY, I WANT TO FIRST OFF START OFF BY SAYING, I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT, WE HAVE DONE THE BEST WE CAN AND OVERWHELMINGLY, HORRIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

SHE CAME INTO A BRAND-NEW OFFICE.

SHE CAME INTO A BRAND-NEW BUILDING SYSTEM AND ON TOP OF THAT, HAD TO DEAL WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WHILE MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HISTONNIANS.

AND SHE HAD TO ADDRESS THE EVENTS SIMULTANEOUSLY AND NOT LOSE HER MIND AND HAS MANAGED, HAD A COUPLE OF PROBLEMS, YES .

IT'S NOT THE WORST WE'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

I THINK SHE SHOULD BE COMMENDED IN THE EFFORTS IN THAT REGARD.

YOU DO NOT CHANGE HORSES MID STREAM.

CHANGING HORSE MID STREAM, WILL BRING A BRAND-NEW ADMINISTRATION AND BRAND-NEW ADMINISTRATOR INTO THE ROLE IS DOOMED TO FAILURE.

THERE'S NO WAY, IN THE NEXT THREE OR SIX MONTHS, THAT SOMEONE COULD COME IN AND TAKE HER POSITION WITH THE LACK OF SUPPORT SHE HAS EXPERIENCED.

IF YOU WANT TO REPLACE, I COULD ONLY, BE DONE SUCCESSFULLY, IN OUTSTANDING INCREASE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT.

FROM WHAT I COULD TELL, ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA, HAD VIRTUALLY NO GUIDANCE.

TIMELINES WERE NOT ESTABLISHED.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF MEASURES SHE WAS GIVEN.

[00:10:03]

WHAT KIND OF GOALS TO ACHIEVE.

THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE OUTLINED ABSOLUTELY CLEARLY AND THEY NEED TO BE REPORTED ON CLEARLY TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS IS THE FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMISSION IN OVER A YEAR.

THIS COMMISSION NEEDS TO MEET MORE FREQUENTLY.

WE LAUNCHED ROCKETS TO THE MOON.

WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AN ELECTION.

THE FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY.

THERE'S NO REASON FOR THAT, EXCEPT FOR INADEQUATE SUPPORT.

WE CAN DO THIS.

WE CAN RUN A SMOOTH, SAFE AND TRANSPARENT AND FAIR ELECTION.

PLEASE GIVE, WHICH EVER ADMINISTRATION IT IS THE FUTURE THE SUPPORT AND REGULARLY REQUEST TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION ON ACHIEVEMENT ON GOALS AND TIME LINES.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT,

>> CHAIRMAN HARRIS, BALLOT SECURITY COMMITTEE.

IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, 2020, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, PROBABLY DIDN'T TAKE SERIOUSLY ENOUGH THE CRITERIA AND THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO RUN LARGE ELECTIONS IN THIS SIZE OF A COUNTY.

I'VE GIVEN YOU A COMPRESSIVE LIST OF THE QUALIFICATIONS AND CRITERIA, NEEDED FOR ACTION ADMINISTRATOR TO RUN COMPLEX ELECTIONS IN THE COMPLEX RAN COUNTY.

IF YOU WONDER, AND I WILL TELL YOU, EVERY PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM OF ELECTION, TRACES BACK TO THE ABSENCE OF THE SKILL SETS.

TO ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES.

MARCH 1ST, 2022, HARRIS COUNTY REPLACED BROWARD COUNTY FLORIDA AS THE ELECTION LAUGHING STOCK IN THE COUNTRY.

2.5 MILLION ARE COUNTING ON YOU FIVE TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

I WILL GIVE YOU BACK TWO MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.

>> NEXT, JACOB CARTIG.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO -- >> ELECTIONS ARE THE BEDROCK OF DEMOCRACY.

AND WHEN MENTAL HEALTH, I SOUGHT FREEDOM, WHEN I WAS IN JAIL.

I WANTED TO VOTE.

NOW OUT OF JAIL -- OUT OF JAIL, I CHERISHED TO VOTE AND -- NOW I ASK IS CONSIDER FAIR ELECTIONS.

>> AND HAVE, AND IT'S ABOUT A MILLION VOTERS IN THE 2020 ELECTIONS.

[00:15:29]

HOUSTON IN ACTION AND OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, DEDICATE COUNTLESS HOURS, TO EDUCATING, REGISTERING AND TURNING OUT AND ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS.

ELECTION MATTERS IS THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE FOR OUR ORGANIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY AS THEY IMPACT LOW-INCOME, BLACK, LATINAS, AND RESIDENTS.

AS WE TURN TO THE COUNTIES'S FUTURE OF ELECTION, WE WILL TURN TO YOU WITH NOT ONLY HASTE WITH PRUDENCE.

AND I WILL PROVIDE YOU A LETTER.

WE EMAILED IT TO YOU YESTERDAY.

WE OUTLINED SOME COMMITMENTS FOR TRANSPARENCY, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITITY IN THE HIRING OF THE NEXT ELECTIO ADMINISTRATOR.

THESE ARE THREE PHASE THAT'S CRITICAL FOR THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, BECAUSE IT'S AN APPOINTMENT POSITION AND NOT AN ELECTIVE POSITION.

TRANSPARENCY, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABLEITIES.

TO SHARE THE FRAMEWORK TO THE PUBLIC AND SO THE PUBLIC COULD PROVIDE INPUT AND YOU COULD TAKE IT IN GOOD FAITH.

ESTABLISHING AND MAKING IT AVAILABLE A TIME LINE FOR THE HIRING OF THE NEXT ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

I UNDERSTAND YOU MAY, WE DO PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

PUBLICLY, DEMONSTRATING HOW AND WHERE THE CANDIDATE HAS WORKED, WITH DISENFRANCHISED COMMUNITIES.

FINALLY, INSURING THE FINALISTS IN THE POSITION, WILL ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION.

AND WE WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE CONFIDENCE AND FURTHER THE TRANSPARENCY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

[00:20:01]

THIS CRITICAL WORK OF DEMOCRACY DOESN'T AFFORD SEQUE CHANCES.

WE URGE YOU TO WORK WITH PARTNERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, TO MAKE SURE THE ADMINISTRATOR MEETS THE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY VOTERS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS

>> AND DO YOU THINK, THIS SPEAKS WITH BIPARTISAN CHOICES.

THAT'S GOING TO BE WINNING OUR ELECTIONS.

>> DO YOU THINK WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS FAIR? FOR THE REPUBLICANS, THAT ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS, JUDGE HILDAGO.

WE KNOW HE WAS A DNC CHAIR BEFORE YOU GUYS CHOSE HIM.

WE KNOW A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT WAS GOING ON HERE IN THE COUNTY WHICH IS ILLEGAL.

YOU KNOW, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT MS. LONGORIA HAS GONE THROUGH IS INORDINATE.

SHE ALSO ACCEPTED $3 MILLION FROM CTCL, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A COVID GRANT USED IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

SO HOW IS THAT LEGAL? HOW IS THAT LEGAL? MS. LONGORIA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ANSWER, BECAUSE I ASKED YOU SEVERAL TIMES.

EVERY TIME I ASKED YOU, YOU NEVER RESPOND.

MS. LONGORIA, SHE'S ON TELEVISION OR SHE WAS ON RECORDED ADMITTING TO LYING ABOUT FINISHING THE COUNT TO REFUSE, SO SHE WAS NOT GOING TO BE AUDITED IN THE LAST PRIMARY ELECTION.

SHE SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY OR BE FIRED.

SHE SHOULD PROBABLY BE PUT IN JAIL FOR HER ACTIONS.

YOU KNOW, MS. HEADSBETH, YOU SHOULD BE THE RIGHT PERSON.

WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS CLAIMED WITH JIM CROW, HE TOOK THE RIGHTS OF TWO BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE DEMOCRATS.

I MEAN, THE GULL.

AND THEN HE HANDED IT TO SOMEONE WHO LOOKS WHITE.

THAT'S NOT JIM CROW.

HE KNEW HOW TO RUN OUR ELECTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

.

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

>> THANK YOU, TIFFANY AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPEAKERS.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE AGENDA.

>> THE FIRST ITEM IS A DISCUSSION OF APPROVAL OF TIME LINE AND PLAN FOR HIRING ADMINISTRATOR.

[1. Discussion and approval of a timeline and plan for hiring an Elections Administrator.]

THE TIME LINE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE TIME LINE WE FOLLOWED BACK IN 2020 AFTER THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION WAS ESTABLISHED.

THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THEIR HELP PUTTING IT TOGETHER.

IT'S BEEN SENT AROUND JUST SO YOU KNOW.

AND WE'VE SENT, AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, SOLICITED SOME FEEDBACK BEFORE IT WAS POSTED, SO THEY SHOULD INCLUDE DIFFERENT FOLKS FEEDBACK ON THERE.

IF THERE ARE CHANGES YOU WANT TO MAKE, PERHAPS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL HELP US WALK THROUGH HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK.

>> THE COMMISSION IS NOT ADOPTED SPECIFIC RULES WHAT WE RECOMMEND IS TO PROCEED IN AN ORDERLY FASHION, WHERE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT BE MADE OF ANY MEMBER OF THE BODY.

AND A MEMBER COULD, AND IF APPROVED BY THE BODY.

>> MADAM JUDGE, IF EVERYONE WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT THE JOB DESCRIPTION, THE THIRD PAGE, I BELIEVE.

THE POINT OF QUESTION WOULD BE SECTION 31.038 SECTION B, APPOINTMENT TO FILL AN ANTICIPATED VACANCY ARISING TO THE RESIGNATION, TO TAKE EFFECT AT A FUTURE DATE, WILL BE MADE AT ANYTIME THE RESIGNATION IS ACCEPTED.

WE HAVE RECEIVED AS OF MARCH 25TH, THE RESIGNATION OF OUR CURRENT ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, HOWEVER, I DO NOT SEE IN TODAY'S AGENDA, THE ITEM FOR THE BODY TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION.

FOR THAT REASON, I'M CALLING A POINT OF ORDER AND ASKING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, TO ADDRESS WHY THIS IS NOT ON THE AGENDA.

THE WAY I READ IT, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO ANY BUSINESS, UNTIL WE ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION.

>> MADAM, COUNTY CLERK -- >> THANK YOU.

MS. BENNET, YOU'RE ON MUTE.

>> YOU COULD HEAR ME NOW?

>> YES.

>> I AGREE WITH MADAM COUNTY CLERK.

>> THANK YOU.

[00:25:02]

>> GO AHEAD, COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I BELIEVE WE TOUCHED ON THIS BEFORE THE AGENDA WAS DRAFTED.

>> THE AGENDA TODAY IS NOT TO APPOINT A NEW COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

WE BELIEVE THE BODY COULD CONTINUE THE WORK THAT'S PROPOSING THE AGENDA.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

CLERK HISBID, AT SOME POINT THEY HAVE TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF MS. LONGORIA.

THE PROPOSED WOULD BE JULY 1ST >> AND MY FURTHER QUESTION PERTAINS TO ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION AS IT STANDS.

EXACTLY GOING BACK TO SECTION 36, THIS IS A PROPER AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION.

WE RECEIVED IT BUT WE HAVE NOT ACCEPTED IT.

FOR THAT REASON, I HAVE CONCERNS ON CONTINUING WITH THIS AGENDA.

>> THANK YOU, CLERK.

OUR VIEW, YOU MAY CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA ITEMS. THERE'S NO PROPOSED ITEM TO APPOINT A NEW ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TODAY.

AT A LATER DATE, THE COMMISSION COULD MEET TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF MS. LONGORIA.

>> WE'RE NOT IN POSITION TO HIRE ANYONE IF WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUT THINGS DOWN THE ROAD.

IS THIS SOMETHING, JERRY, WE CAN TAKE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>> I THINK I UNDERSTOOD YOUR QUESTION, MS. BENNET.

WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT EXECUTIVE SESSION, IF NEED BE.

>> YES, I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE.

WHY WASN'T IT PUT ON THE AGENDA? WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF DELAYING OF ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION?

>> MS. EAGLE, THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF DRAFTING THIS MEETING.

THE RESIGNATION, TO THE EXTENT IT WOULD HAPPEN IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN JULY 1ST.

THIS COULD BE NOTED AGAIN IN A PROPER MEETING.

AND THERE'S NOTHING IN THE LAW, THE COMMITTEE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD, TO APPOINT A REPLACEMENT.

>> IF MS. BENNETT WANT TO DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> YES, WE CAN DO THAT.

>> WHY DON'T WE DO THAT.

IT'S 10:38.

THE COMMITTEE WILL BREAK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEGAL MATTERS.

I'M COUNTING ON YOU GUYS TO SET UP THE IVY.

THANK YOU, MS. BENNET.

WE'LL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION ON HOW TO JOIN.

>> >> MS. BENNET, YOU COULD HEAR US ALL RIGHT.

IT'S 10:58 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

>> I PROPOSE WE GO DOWN THE AGENDA.

>> I MOVE THAT WE ADJOURN THE MEETING UNTIL WE CAN REPOST A MEETING THAT WILL INCLUDE THE ACCEPTANCE OF ISABEL LONGORIA'S RESIGNATION.

>> I SECOND THE MOTION.

>> WHAT'S THE REASONING BEHIND THAT, FOLKS?

>> THE REASONING FROM MY STANDPOINT, THIS BODY IS AS LAID OUT IN THE STATUTE.

IT HAS THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF ACCEPTING OR NOT ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION.

I THINK UNTIL WE HAVE HAD THE DISCUSSION AT THIS TABLE, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE MOVING DOWN ON THE OTHER AGENDA ITEMS.

>> WHAT I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS NOT WHAT HAPPENS, IN THE REAL WORLD.

PEOPLE TEND THE RESIGNATION, PEOPLE TEND THE RESIGNATION, UNDERSTANDING, IT'S GOING PUBLIC JUST LIKE ADMINISTRATIVE LONGORIA DID, DOING A JULY 1ST.

COMPANIES ALL THE TIME, LOOK FOR PEOPLE AND HAVE A TIME LINE.

WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT HAPPENS IN THE REAL WORLD.

WE JUST GOT LEGAL ADVICE, SAYING WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE AGENDA AND SET A TIME LINE IN ORDER TO HIRE OR APPOINT A NEW INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR OR FIND SOMEONE WHO IS MORE PERMANENT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE DEVIATING ON SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE REAL WORLD.

WE'RE NOT BREAKING ANY LAWS.

WE WENT THROUGH AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

BY THE WAY, MEMBERS OF THE BODY ASK FOR THE RESIGNATION.

IT'S NOT LIKE, YOU DON'T KNOW IT'S COMING.

YOU KNEW IT WAS COMING.

I THINK IT'S -- INSTEAD OF ENGAGING IN POLITICAL THEATER, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON WITH THE TIME LINE, TO TELL THE PEOPLE, WE'RE ROLLING UP OUR SLEEVES AND GETTING TO WORK.

WE CAN DO THAT.

[00:30:01]

THERE'S NOTHING ILLEGAL.

THE ELECTION CODE DOESN'T SAY, WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION, BEFORE WE MOVE ON WITH THE TIME LINE.

IT'S CLEAR.

>> MR. CHAIR, JUST TO BE CORRECT, I HEARD YOU SAY, THIS BODY ASKED THE RESIGNATION.

>> AND MEMBERS OF THE BODY.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR ON THAT.

JUST TO BE CLEAR, THAT WE ALL ARE HERE TO DO A JOB.

WE'RE HERE TO DO A JOB TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, TO DO IT WITH TRANSPARENCY AND IN THE RIGHT WAY.

MY QUESTION SIMPLY ASK, WE DO THE AGENDA OR THE AGENDA IS PRESENTED AND IN PROPER ORDER.

SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT POLITICAL THEATER.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

ALL I ASK IS THAT WE HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION AS IT STANDS.

WE CONTINUE WITH THE BUSINESS OF THIS.

I HAVE NO INTENT TO DO ANYTHING ELSE, TO MAKE SURE WE DO THE RIGHT THING, TO DO IT FAIR AND IN THE PUBLIC'S EYES, BECAUSE WE'RE DOING IT FOR THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WE DO IT IN THE PROPER WAY AND CONTINUE ON WITH THE PROCESS.

I, TOO, ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE BOARD WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET SOMEONE HIRED, THAT'S COMPETENT, THAT IS -- THAT IS PREPARED AND READY TO TAKE ON THE JOB.

WE TALKED ABOUT TIME LINE.

WE DISCUSSED A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS AND ALL I'M SIMPLY ASKING, WE ADD THIS ITEM TO BE ADJOURNED, ITEM OF THE AGENDA.

IF WE WANT TO DO THE MEETING AS SOON AS FRIDAY AND CONTINUE AS THE BUSINESS STANDS.

I REVIEWED EVERYTHING HERE AND I AM PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> YOU RECEIVED THE AGENDA A WEEK.

>> FRIDAY TO BE EXACT.

>> ANY MEMBER OF THE BODY AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

THERE'S A SITUATION WE'RE NOT READING THE ELECTION CODE.

I HAD TO ADD THE ELECTION CODE TO THE DAY JOB.

YOU COULD ADD TO THE AGENDA.

EVERYBODY HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD TO THE AGENDA.

ADMINISTRATIVE LONGORIA, PUBLICLY RESIGNED.

SHE DIDN'T DO THAT IN SECRET.

THE CHRONICLE COVERED IT JULY 1ST.

WE HAVE AN AGENDA.

WE CAN'T OBVIOUSLY HOLD EACH OTHERS' HANDS, AND HEY, WE WILL ADD SOMETHING TO THE AGENDA.

AND EVERYBODY HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADD TO THE AGENDA.

TO ACT LIKE YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD ADD TO THE AGENDA AND DIDN'T ADD TO THE AGENDA, AND DELAY IT FURTHERMORE, BECAUSE WE STILL WANT TO TALK ABOUT RESIGNATION, THAT WE SEEN PUBLICLY, TO ME, DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

END THE AGENDA, AND THE TIME LINE, WHICH IS WHAT THE PUBLIC IS ASKING US FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> NOW I UNDERSTAND THE PUBLIC RESIGNATION.

THE PROPER IS TO THE BODY, NOT TO THE PUBLIC.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PROPER.

>> ILLEGALLY, WHAT THE CODE.

>> AND WITH THE ADVICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS.

WHY IS IT IMPROPER?

>> IF YOU KNEW IT, WHY DIDN'T YOU PUT THE ITEM IN THE AGENDA.

>> I ASKED FOR IF IT NEEDED TO BE INCLUDED.

COUNTY ATTORNEY, DOES IT NEED TO BE AN ITEM ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION.

THE ANSWER I GOT FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> THE ANSWER IS NO.

>> WHEN IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO ACCEPT THE COUNTY RESIGNATION?

>> THE CODE DOESN'T SPECIFY.

YOU COULD APOINT, IF THE POSITION WAS NOT VACANT.

>> THE CODE DOESN'T SPECIFY.

YOU CAN'T APPOINT SOMEONE IF THE POSITION IS NOT VACANT.

WHENEVER WE BRING THE ITEM TO APOINT SOMEONE ELSE, WE WILL HAVE AN ITEM TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION.

I REACHED OUT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I LISTENED TO THE ATTORNEYS.

YOU COULD HAVE DONE THAT WHOSE ADVICE DO YOU NEED TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO TRUST THE LEGAL.

THEY ARE GIVING US LEGAL ADVICE.

ARE YOU HEARING THE LEGAL ADVICE AND SAY IT'S IMPROPER.

>> I'M NOT SAYING IT'S IMPROPER.

>> I AM SAYING, I WOULD NOT LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD TO THE AGENDA UNTIL WE ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION AS IT STANDS.

>> DO YOU UNDERSTAND, WE'VE ALREADY HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE SCHEDULING THE MEETING AND WE'RE ALREADY, CLOCK IS TICKING TO GET THIS APPOINTMENT MOVING.

YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA TODAY, IS MERELY A TIME LINE FOR HIRING THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.

NUMBER TWO, ENGAGING, AND LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES AND AS MR. VEER MENTIONED, GIVING US INFORMATION, SO WE CAN FIND THE BEST ELECTION FOR THE

[00:35:23]

ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE COUNTY MUCH YOU RECOGNIZE, ITEM THREE, HAS A JOB DESCRIPTION, SO THE JOB COULD BE POSTED.

WE UNDERSTAND, YOU'RE DELAYING ALL THE THREE THINGS.

IT'S TAKING US THREE WEEKS, TO WORK FOR ALL FIVE MEMBERS, SAYING ONE MEMBER NEEDS TO BE VIRTUAL AND ALL FOUR OF US NEED TO BE IN PERSON.

YOU STILL WANT TO DELAY.

WHY DON'T YOU WANT -- >> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARITY.

THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE A DISCUSSION BEFORE THE VOTE.

>> CALL THE QUESTION.

>> WE'RE DISCUSSING.

>> POINT OF ORDER, JUDGE.

WHEN YOU CALL THE QUESTION, THEN IMMEDIATELY, FORCES INTO A VOTE.

>> THE BODY HASN'T ADOPTED OFFICIAL RULES.

I'M THE CHAIR AND I WANT TO MAKE VERY CLEAR, BY DELAYING THE VOTE, WE'RE DELAYING AN APPOINTMENT, TO FINDING THE BEST COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

WE'RE DELAYING THE POSTING OF THE JOB SO WE CAN HURRY UP AND FIND SOMEONE, SO THEY CAN BE READY.

WE ARE DELAYING THE JOB DESCRIPTION, THAT ALL OF US AGREE, NEEDS TO BE THE BEST WE CAN BE.

WE'RE DELAYING THE TIME LINE, SO THE COUNTY COULD BE READY FOR THE NEXT ELECTIONS AND THE REASON IS, NOT CLEAR.

WHAT I HEARD, IS IT IS IMPROPER, HOW IS IT IMPROPER HEARD BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL.

I ASKED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY EXPLAINED THIS IS PERFECTLY LEGAL.

GUYS, WE HAVE TO MOVE PAST THE POLITICS.

I'M SAYING IT RIGHT NOW, WE'RE GOING BACK AND FORTH ON SCHEDULES.

WE'RE HEARING IT FROM MY VOICE.

IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO FIND THE TIME THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

YOU'RE DELAYING THAT BECAUSE OF WHY? YOU HAD A CHANCE TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE OF WHY? I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC NEEDS THE QUESTION.

OR FOR ANOTHER GOD KNOWS HOW LONG.

AND I PROPOSE WE VOTE ON THE TIME LINE.

I PROPOSE WE VOTE ON THE JOB DESCRIPTION.

I PROPOSE WE GET THE JOB POSTING UP, SO WE BEGIN SEARCHING AND WE CAN BEGIN FINDING TIME FOR ALL OF US TO MEET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IT MAY BE A WEEK, GIVEN TWO WEEKS, GIVEN HOW COMPLICATED AND HAVE A MEETING TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION.

IF THAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU MS. HULKSBETH.

WE NEED TO GET THE PROCESS STARTED BECAUSE WE NEED TO FIND THE RIGHT CANDIDATE.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, THAT WE SIGN THE PAPERWORK TO BRING THE SEARCH.

THE SEARCH WILL GO AND KNOCK ON EVERY DOOR TO FIND THE RIGHT CANDIDATE.

WE HAVE TIME TO INTERVIEW THE RIGHT CANDIDATE AND WE BE ABLE TO DO THAT BEFORE MSZ LONGORIA LEAVES.

AND SEEING NO ITEM WAS PUT ON THE AGENDA.

FINE, WE WILL PUT AN OVERSIGHT.

I FOLLOWED THE ADVICE OF COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE'LL CALL ANOTHER MEETING JUST FOR THAT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO STOP THE PROCESS OF THE TIME LINE POSTING A JOB DESCRIPTION AND GETTING A SEARCH FIRM.

NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE PROBLEMATIC, QUITE THE CONTRARY.

THAT WOULD BE MY PLEA FOR THE SAKE OF GETTING THE BEST ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR WE CAN.

>> JUDGE, I MEAN, THE REALITY IS, WE SHOULD BE HAVING THE DISCUSSION, IT SHOULD BE AN AGENDA ITEM.

WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD PUT IT ON, FOR WHATEVER REASON DIDN'T.

THE REALITY IS, WE HAVE THE AGENDA BEFORE US AS SET.

TO NOT DISCUSS HER RESIGNATION.

THIS BODY COULD SAY, WE WANT HER TO MOVE UP HER RESIGNATION.

THAT IMMEDIATELY WILL IMPACT THE TIME LINE THAT'S BEING LAID BEFORE US.

THAT'S WHY, I THINK, YOU GOT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE HERE.

WE SHOULD BE DISCUSSING AND IT SHOULD BE AN AGENDA ITEM.

I'M AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT WEEK WHATEVER I THINK IN TERMS OF THIS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR THREE WEEKS, I THINK I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL THE 24TH OR 25TH, I

[00:40:04]

BELIEVE THAT WAS A WEEK AGO.

SO THIS HASN'T BEEN SOMETHING PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SCHEDULE THESE THREE WEEKS.

I WANT US TO ADJOURN AND BRING IT UP IN THE PROPER FORMAT AND THAT WOULD BE TO FIRST CONSIDER HER RESIGNATION.

>> IF THE QUESTION IS THE TIME LINE, COULD WE TWEAK THE TIME LINE? I MEAN, THAT'S THE POINT OF DISCUSSING THE TIME LINE IS TO MAKE MOTIONS.

>> I DON'T THINK IT INVOLVES, IN MY OPINION, THE TIME LINE.

I HAVE NO QUORUMS ABOUT THE TIME LINE AND THE BUSINESS THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

I ASKED TO THE COMMITTEE, TO GET SOMEONE HIRED AND GET THEM HIRED AND FORMED AND FASHIONED.

ALL I'M ASKING, WE ADD THIS TO THE AGENDA AND RESET THE MEETING.

IF WE WANT TO SET NEXT WEDNESDAY, NEXT MONDAY.

I WILL SET WHATEVER DATE AND TIME.

I REALIZE THIS IS MY JOB.

THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.

>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE REASON.

THE REASON IS NOT THE TIME LINE.

THE REASON IS LEGAL SO YOU DISAGREE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE DELAYING THIS.

SHE BELIEVES -- WE OFFERED A TWEAK, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHETHER OR NOT YOUR QUORUMS WHY IT HAS TO BE ON HERE.

I WILL BE ASKED, WHY IS THIS DELAYED.

YOU HAVE TO HURRY UP AND GET THESE PEOPLE HIRED JUST YESTERDAY.

MY COLLEAGUES ON COURT, WE WERE SITTING ON THE HORSESHOE.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

YOU HAVE TO GET THIS DONE.

WHEN THEY ASK, WHY ARE YOU DELAYING? WHAT'S MY ANSWER.

MS. -- >> THE REASON WHY WE ARE HERE, THIS IS NOT DONE PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IF WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND DISCUSS THE MATTER AT HAND.

WE CAN.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S OUR JOB TODAY.

I DON'T BELIEVE WE'VE BEEN TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PUBLIC DOING THE JOB PROPERLY, BEING SURE WE'RE BEING TRANSPARENT.

I'M DOING THAT AND SAYING, I WOULD LIKE AN AGENDA FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD THAT INCLUDES WE ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION AS IT STANDS AND CONTINUES THE BUSINESS OF MAKING SURE WE REPLACE.

>> WHAT DOES ACCEPTING HER RESIGNATION TODAY, HAVE TO DO WITH TRANSPARENCY? SHE HAS ALREADY RESIGNED.

AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS SAYING, WE DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT HER RESIGNATION TODAY, TO GO THROUGH THE AGENDA, WHICH IS TALKING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

I'M LOST HERE.

YOU'RE RESIGNING JULY 1ST.

THIS IS NO SECRET IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE AGENDA IS LEGITIMATELY TALKING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

I KNOW.

JUDGE HILDAGO WILL TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

US ACCEPTING HER RESIGNATION TODAY, IS LITERALLY A FORMALITY, IN MY -- COULD I ASK A COUNTY ATTORNEY A QUESTION.

THAT'S LITERALLY A FORMALITY.

>> YES, AGAIN, THE ELECTION CODE SAYS THE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION IS THE PROPER AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE ENACT RESIGNATION.

IT DOESN'T SPEAK TO ANY OTHER ACTIVITY IN THE COMMISSION.

>> AGAIN, THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN SOMEBODY GIVING A COMPANY TWO WEEK NOTICES AND WE PUT THE JOB DESCRIPTION ON-LINE.

WE'RE LOOKING ON AN ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

BY THE WAY, WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE BY NOVEMBER.

WE'RE TRYING TO PUT TRUST BACK TO THE VOTERS.

WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT ACCEPTING AND FORMALITY OF RESIGNATION FROM, I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS LONGORIA TRYING TO GET HER JOB BACK.

SHE'S GONE.

WE'RE TRYING TO DO THIS ON TRANSPARENCY.

WE'RE NOT ON ANY VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

EVERYBODY SAID, BY THE ELECTION CODE, WHICH BY THE WAY, I'VE READ, IT SAYS, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AGENDA AND THIS TIME LINE.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE TO DELAY ANOTHER DAY OR TWO.

BY THE WAY, EVERY COMMISSIONER SAID IN THE COURT, LET'S GET GOING.

DO NOT DELAY THIS.

AGAIN, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT AN AGENDA, ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

I'M FAMILIAR WITH THIS.

READING THE CODE, READING PUBLIC MEETINGS.

YOU HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY, TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA.

WE HAVE ALL ACCESS TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE JUDGE.

WE TALK TO EACH OTHER FROM TIME TO TIME, LIKE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON WHERE WE HAVE TO CONTINUIALLY DELAY THIS AND FURTHER FIND ANOTHER DAY FOR ALL FIVE OF US TO WORK OUT.

>> COULDN'T WE VOTE ON THE TIME LINE AND STILL FIND ANOTHER DAY TO ACCEPT HER RESIGNATION, IF THAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO SOME MEMBERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY FORGOT TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.

>> OKAY.

LET'S STOP THE POLITICAL THEATER.

YOU ALL BROUGHT UP POLITICAL THEATER.

THE ENTIRE BODY MAY HAVE MISSED A STEP.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE ENTIRE BODY.

>> COUNTY ATTORNEY, DID WE MISS A STEP.

>> NOT LEGALLY.

>> NOT IN THE LEAST.

>> THERE'S NOTHING IN THE CODE THAT REQUIRES THE BODY IN THE RESIGNATION.

>> IS IT MURKY, DID WE MISS A STEP.

>> NO.

>> ANSWER IS NO.

>> I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> JUDGE, COULD VERY VOTE ON IT.

>> AND BEATING UP ON PEOPLE WHEN EVERYBODY HAS STATED THEIR POSITION, COULD WE

[00:45:04]

JUST VOTE ON IT.

>> WAIT A MINUTE.

NOW YOU'RE -- >> AGENDA CAME ON FRIDAY.

>> FIRST OF ALL, NOBODY IS BEATING UP ANYBODY HERE.

WE'RE HAVING A DISCUSSION FOR THE WHOLE PUBLIC TO SEE.

I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THIS.

THERE'S NO NAME CALLING, BEATING UP ON ANYBODY.

AND ALL I'M SAYING, WE HEARD FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THAT WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE AGENDA.

THERE'S NOTHING MURKY GOING ON HERE.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL TAKE A VOTE.

LIKE YOU HAVE MENTIONED, WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS IN FRONT OF PUBLIC.

THIS IS A CONVERSATION WE SHOULD HAVE.

>> SO THE MEDIA COULD SEE US.

IT'S VERY CLEAR, WE ARE DELAYING APPOINTMENT, WE'RE DELAYING OF THE POSTING OF A JOB DESCRIPTION AND WE'RE DELAYING THE DISCUSSION OF A TIME LINE.

HECK, I'M GOING TO VOTE NO, SO THE PUBLIC KNOW WHERE I STAND.

I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE TO DELAY THIS.

EVERYBODY COULD VOTE AS THEY WISH.

THE REASON I'M PARCHING THIS OUT, I WANT THE ENTIRE PUBLIC, THE PRESS, MY CONSTITUENTS TO KNOW, I'M MOVING WITH HASTE AND I'M MOVING WITH THE ADVICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND TO RECORD WHERE EVERYBODY ELSE IS MOVING.

DO WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON THE ITEMS OR DO WE MOVE TO ADJOURN.

>> MOVE TO ADJOURN.

>> WE CAN TAKE A VOTE ON THE MOTION THAT'S ON.

>> MOTION TO ADJOURN.

>> SEGLE, DID YOU MAKE A MOTION.

>> CLERK HUDSPETTH.

>> CLERK SEGLE MADE A MODE.

>> CLERK HUDSPETH SECOND.

>> ANY OPPOSE.

>> I'M OPPOSED AS WELL.

THE VOTE IS 3-2.

THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.