* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning. [00:00:06] WE DO HAVE A QUORUM. LET'S GET STARTED WITH THE SPEAKERS. IT IS 10:04 AND THIS APRIL 19TH, 2022 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS COMMISSION IS NOW IN ORDER. LET'S PLEASE FIRST START BY ANNOUNCING NAME AND TITLE FOR THE RECORD. WE WILL START WITH MS. BENNETT. YOU MAY BE ON MUTE. >> THANK YOU. >> I DON'T THINK SHE HEARD YOU. LEAN LEAN WE -- WE DO NEED TO DO THAT? PLEASE ANNOUNCE YOUR NAME AND YOUR TITLE FOR THE RECORD. LEAN >> THIS IS ANNE BENNETT, HARRIS COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR. >> CINDY SEGAL THE CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY. >> AND HARRIS COUNTY CLERK. >> THE CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY. >> WE'LL TAKE PUBLIC SPEAKERS BEFORE ANYMORE DISCUSSION. >> FIRST IS TAMARA BELL SPEAKING ON ITEM 2. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> TAMARA BELL. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING US TO COME TODAY TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU. I WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE CURRENT ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR. I DO AGREE THAT SHE NEEDS TO RESIGN. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE DELAY IN THE RESIGNATION BECAUSE STATE REPRESENTATIVE 147 IS UNDER MY SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE BEEN LIVING OVER THERE MOST MY LIFE. WITH WHAT I SAW IN THE MARCH ELECTION I AM NOT COMFORTABLE ABOUT THE SPECIAL ELECTION WHICH IS FIRST OR THE RUNOFF FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION IF THERE HAS TO BE ONE. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ALL HAVE MADE YOUR DECISION. I WANTED TO BE A FINAL DECISION. I I DON'T WANT A PROVISO OR A QUID PRO QUO. IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN HER LETTER THAT IN ANYWAY CONVEYS A MESSAGE SHE CAN RETURN TO THIS POSITION, THAT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. THE THING THAT YOU ALL EITHER DON'T CARE OR ARE UNCONCERNED ABOUT IS PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTION PROCESS. I WAS RAISED WITH THAT. YOU DON'T VOTE FOR THE HECK OF VOTING. YOU VOTE BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE IT MATTERS. WHEN YOU FEEL THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER OR THAT CONFIDENCE IS BETRAYED, IT PUTS NEW A VICARIOUS SITUATION. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE DISSEN KPRAPB KHAOEUTSED -- DISENFRANCHISED AND NOT JUST BECAUSE OF COVID AND THINGS GOING ON IN LIFE, BUT THIS IS A PROCESS OUR COUNTRY IS BASED ON. THEY SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED OR MARGINALIZED FROM DEMOCRACY. AND BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PERSON WHO IS IN THAT POSITION RIGHT NOW, MANY PEOPLE ARE VERY, VERY DISHEARTENED AND VERY CONCERNED. SO I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR. YOU ALL NEED TO ACCEPT HER RESIGNATION, BUT AS A FINAL. IT IS NOT A WE'LL CALL YOU BACK LATER ON. IT NEEDS TO BE OVER. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS ALLEN VERA OF THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY SPEAKING ON ITEM 6. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> ALLEN VERA, CHAIRMAN REPUBLICAN PARTY ELECTION COMMITTEE. THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS, END QUOTE. WE HAVE SEEN THIS QUOTE ATTRIBUTED TO MANY FIGURES LIKE BENJAMIN FRANK LYNN, ALBERT EINSTEIN AND MARK TWAIN. WHILE WE ARE NOT SURE WHO FIRST SAID T IT HAS BEEN PROOF TRUE OVER AND OVER -- PROOF TRUE OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN BUSINESS, EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT. AND IT HAS DIRECT RELEVANCE FOR TODAY'S MEETING OF THIS COMMISSION. IN COMPARING THE JOB DESCRIPTION FROM THE 2020 COMMISSION SEARCH TO THE PROPOSED JOB DESCRIPTION BEFORE THIS COMMISSION, THE ONLY TANGIBLE CHANGES IN THE QUALIFICATION SECTION ARE THE NUMBER OF YEARS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. WHILE THAT'S GOOD, MOST OF WHAT HAS BEEN CARRIED OVER FROM THE 2020 DOCUMENT TO THE CURRENT ONE ARE UNEQUAL TPAOEUABLE -- UNQUALIFIABLE BEHAVIOR. SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET ALONG WITH THE CHAIRS OF BOTH PARTIES. IF WE DEFINE THE JOB QUALIFICATIONS IN SUCH INTANGIBLE BEHAVIOR PREFERENCES, WE RUN THE RISK OF ENDING UP WITH THE SAME RESULTS. [00:05:02] WE NEED MORE FOCUS ON THE PRUDENT SKILL SETS NEEDED TO DO THE JOB. I HAVE GIVEN YOU A HAND OUT OF THE POSSIBLE MODIFICATIONS TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND WHILE I AM NOT SUGGESTING YOU ADOPT EVERY WORD IN THE HANDOUT, I AM BELLING -- BEGGING YOU TO BEEF UP THE JOB DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT WITH MORE TANGIBLE PERFORMANCE-BASED FACTORS WHICH CAN BE VERIFIED THROUGH THE RECORDS OF AND REFERENCES FOR THE APPLICANTS. BY STATUTE OUT -- STATUTE THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL POSITION AND NOT A PUBLIC RELATIONS POSITION. IT IS A TECH TPHEUBLG -- TECHNICAL POSITION WITH NEEDED SKILL SETS. ADJUST THE JOB DESCRIPTION ACCORDINGLY. ON MARCH 1ST OF THIS YEAR HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS REPLACED BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA AS THE ELECTION LAUGHING STOCK OF THE COUNTRY. 2.5 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS ARE COUNTING ON THE FIVE OF YOU TO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN. IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS I WILL YIELD A MINUTE OF MY TIME BACK TO TIFFANY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKER THAT'S WERE AVAILABLE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TIFFANY, AND TO THE SPEAKERS. [1. Request for discussion and adoption of rules of procedure for the Election Commission. ] LET'S START WITH ITEM 1. THESE ARE PROPOSED RULES. THEY ARE BASED ON THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RULES AND RULES OF ORDER WHICH IS A SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF ROBERTS RULES. WE WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN DRAFTING THEM AND I BELIEVE THEY WERE DISTRIBUTED YESTERDAY. ANY DISCUSSION OR MOTION FOR ADOPTION? >> MOTION TO ADOPT. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE? >> YES. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. DISCUSSION. >> SO YOUR REFERENCE TO -- YOU SAID IT WAS A SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF ROBERTS RULES? >> I WILL LET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ANSWER THAT. >> JUST THE MOTION OF THE RULES IN THIS SET OF RULES IN FRONT OF YOU COME FROM ROSENBURG'S RULES. IT IS USED IN OTHER STATES FOR THESE KINDS OF MEETINGS AND THEY ARE JUST SORT OF A SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER. THE REST OF THE RULES COME FROM THE EXISTING COMMISSIONER'S COURT RULES. >> SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT AND ADD A SECTION H UNDER PROMOTIONS. BECAUSE I DON'T SEE -- MAYBE YOU CAN CORRECT ME, BUT I SEE NO REFERENCE TO ROSENBURGS OR ROBERTS RULES. >> THESE ARE BESTOWED TO THIS PARTICULAR DOCUMENT. >> SO I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, IF NOT ADDRESS RULES BY CONDUCT OF TEXAS LAW, I -- ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER REVISED 12TH EDITION WILL BE FOLLOWED. IT HAS A SIMPLIFIED VERSION IN IT OF SMALL COMMITTEES. I HAVEN'T SEEN ROSENBURGS OR ROBERTS RULES OR -- I MEAN, I WAS ON THE METRO BOARD FOR EIGHT YEARS AND WE FOLLOWED ROBERTS RULES AND I THINK IT STANDS ON ITS OWN. >> WHAT I KNOW ABOUT ROBERTS RULES IS VERY COMPLICATED. THERE IS A QUOTE, COMPLEX RULES CREATE TWO CLASSES, THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND AND PARTICIPATE AND THOSE WHO DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND AND DO NOT FULLY PARTICIPATE. SO I AM AFRAID IT WOULD BOG US DOWN. I WOULD END UP HAVING TO EVERY MINUTE TURN TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND SAY HOW WOULD THIS WORK UNDER ROBERTS RULES, AND THEN IT WOULD SLOW US DOWN. COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS OPERATED WITH THESE KINDS OF RULES FOR A LONGTIME AND THEY WORK JUST FINE. THEY ARE EASY TO UNDERSTAND. YOU HAVE A MOTION NOW AND WE ADDRESS YOUR MOTION AND AFTER THAT WE ADDRESS THE INITIAL MOTION AND THAT'S HOW -- BASICALLY THAT'S HOW IT WOULD BE CODIFIED IN THESE RULES. IF THERE IS A MOTION CALLED TO QUESTION AND IT PASSES BY MAJORITY, THE QUESTION IS CALLED. MY CONCERN WOULD BE I DON'T KNOD FUNCTIONALLY BE THEN ADOPTING ROBERTS RULES. I KNOW PART OF THE -- PART OF WHAT ROBERTS RULES OPENS THE PROCEEDING UP TO IS THE COME PHREBGDZ TEES OF THE -- THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE RULES THEMSELVES AS OPPOSED TO THE MATTER AT HAND. AND SO IF WE ADD THAT PHRASE MY CONCERN WOULD BE THAT THERE COULD BE SOME SORT OF RUN AROUND , WELL THIS TECHNICALITY IS NOT ADDRESSED BY THESE RULES AND LET'S GO WITH A TANGENT ON PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE BASED ON ROBERTS RULES FRANKLY I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR AND MAYBE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS SOMETHING TO ADD. >> MAY I ASK SOME QUESTIONS? I MEAN YOU CALL IT ROSENBURGS? >> YES. THESE ARE NOT ROSENBURGS RULES, BUT THE MOTION PRACTICE RULES WERE ROUGHLY DERIDE -- DERIVED FROM ROSENBURG RULES. [00:10:02] >> SO YOU WOULD POINT OF ORDER TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT? >> NATURALLY SPEAKING THAT TENDS TO HAPPEN AT THESE MEETINGS. WE COULD CODIFY THAT. >> AND CALLING INTO QUESTION? >> SAME THING. >> AND GENERAL CONSENSUS? >> AGAIN, THESE ARE THINGS YOU CAN ADD. >> SO ALL I -- I AM HAPPY NOT HAVING SEEN -- HAVING NOT SEEN IT I AM HAPPY TO CHANGE IT, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO STATE WHAT THE RULES OF ORDER ARE. IF THEY ARE NOT LAID OUT HERE OR NOT IN THE STEBGZ -- NOT IN THE TEXAS STATUTE WE NEED TO SAY THIS IN FACT -- I CHANGE MY AMENDMENT BY SAYING IF NOT ADDRESSED BY RULES OF CONDUCT OR TEXAS LAW, ROSENBURGS RULES OF ORDER, IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S THE NAME OF IT, YEAH. >> WILL BE FOLLOWED. >> DO YOU KNOW THESE THREE SCENARIOS THAT CHAIR SEGAL RAISED? I KNOW -- THE CALL TO QUESTION IS ADDRESSED IN WRITING. WHAT WERE THE OTHER TWO? >> A POINT OF ORDER WOULD BE IF YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE PROCESS, A CLARIFICATION, IT TAKES PRIORITY AND IT GETS THE QUESTION ANSWERED. GENERAL CONSENSUS, TPH*T -- NOT EVERYBODY USES IT, BUT IT CAN SPEED UP THE PROCEEDING. LIKE MINUTES, FOR EXAMPLE. IF EVERYONE AGREES YOU DON'T NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND AND A VOTE. YOU AS CHAIR WOULD SAY IF THERE IS GENERAL CONSENSUS, THIS WILL BE ADOPTED. IT IS JUST SOME PROCEDURAL THINGS. AND MAYBE IT IS NOT NECESSARY, BUT I DO THINK POINT OF ORDER AND CALLING INTO QUESTION, ET CETERA I AM GOING ON GOOD FAITH THAT THESE ROSENBURG RULES ARE FOLLOWED. >> YOU CAN DO THAT AND MAKE THEM EXPLICIT. COMMISSIONER'S COURT OPERATES EVEN WITHOUT THESE AND OPERATES CLEANLY. THERE ARE RARELY QUESTIONS ON THE PROCEDURE FOR RAISING MOTIONS AND VOTING ON THEM AND POINTS OF ORDER AND CALLS TO QUESTION. WE THINK HAVING THE SIMPLIFIED RULES ALLOWS FOR LESS BACK AND FORTHWITH OUR OFFICE SO THE BODY CAN DELIBERATE SWIFTLY. >> THAT'S MY AMENDMENT. >> SO SETTING THE PRECEDENT OF THE NEW RULES WE WILL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT FIRST. THERE IS A MOTION AND IS THERE A SECOND FOR CHAIR SEGAL'S MOTION TO -- A MOTION TO REPEAT IT HERE IT WAS TO ADD ON H IF NOT ADDRESSED BY THE RULES OF CONDUCT, ROSENBURG -- >> OR TEXAS LAW. >> OR TEXAS LAW ROSENBURGS RULES OF ORDER WILL BE USED. IS THAT RIGHT? >> I SECOND THAT AMENDMENT. >> SO THERE IS A MOTION BY CHAIR SEGAL AND SECOND BY CLERK HUDSBETH. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> I AM FINE WITH THAT. ANY OPPOSED? CHAIR, ARE YOU IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED? >> I AM IN FAVOR. >> THAT MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> AND NOW BACK TO THE INITIAL MOTION WAS MADE AND THE SECOND. THAT WOULD BE TO ADOPT THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION AS AMENDED AT THE TABLE TODAY. ALL IN FAVOR? >> JUDGE, CAN I ASK ONE MORE QUESTION? >> YES. >> I AM ASKING THIS OF THE ATTORNEY. I KNOW THAT IT WAS -- IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS LAID OUT WHEN THIS COMMISSION -- AND MAYBE IT IS STATE LAW. BUT IT WAS LAID OUT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT IT TAKES THREE PEOPLE TO HIRE AND FOUR PEOPLE TO FIRE. DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO CLARIFY IN THESE RULES OR I GUESS MAYBE THE AMENDMENT WHERE WE SAY RULES OF CONDUCT OR TEXAS LAW? IS THAT SET OUT IN A TEXAS STATUTE? >> THE RULES ABOUT HIRING AND FIRING ARE SET OUT IN CHAPTER 31 OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE. IT GOVERNS YOU CAN'T PASS RULES TO GET AROUND -- >> SO WHAT -- THE AMENDMENT WE JUST ADOPTED WOULD APPLY? >> IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION, YES, BUT OF COURSE NOT TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE IS ANY CONFLICT WITH TEXAS LAW. WHAT YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT ARE SUBSTANTIVE MEASURES ON WHO CAN VOTE FOR WHAT. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER SUB STAN -- SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS THAT WE AS A COMMISSION SHOULD BE AWARE OF THAT WOULD CHANGE LIKE A 3 TO 2 VOTE OR WOULD REQUIRE A SUPER MAJORITY VOTE? >> ASIDE FROM WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED? NO. IF YOU LOOK AT THE RULES ON [00:15:02] MOTION -- ON VOTING ON PHOEGTSS -- MOTIONS SUB PAR G SAYS A MAJORITY VOTE IS REQUIRED -- >> YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY. I DON'T EXPECT -- I AM NO EXPERT IN TEXAS LAW. >> THE LAW GOVERNS AND THEN RULES COME SECOND TO THAT. >> THA*SZ ALL. THAT'S ALL. >> DID WE VOTE ON THE MOTION? THE INITIAL MOTION? SO WE ARE DONE WITH ITEM ONE? >> NO. WE HAVEN'T VOTED. >> WE HAD THE MOTION BY THE CHAIR AND SECOND BY CLERK HUDSBETH ON THE ADOPTION PROCEDURE AND HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED AND AMENDED AT THE TABLE. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. [2. Request for acceptance of Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria’s resignation, effective July 1, 2022.] THANK YOU. LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 2. WE NEED A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CURRENT ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR ISABEL LONGORIA'S RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2022. >> I MAKE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR ISABEL LONGORIA'S RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST 2022. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND BY BENNETT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? >> JUDGE, I MOVE THAT WE AMEND HER RESIGNATION AND MAKE IT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. >> IS THAT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE? >> THE MOTION CAN BE MADE. I CAN DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT, THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS. >> IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? >> I'M AFRAID THE MOTION FAILS FOR LACK OF A SECOND. >> I MOVE THAT WE AMEND HER RESIGNATION AND MAKE IT EFFECTIVE JUNE 1ST WITH THIS BODY APPOINTING A TEMPORARY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR UNTIL WE HAVE SOMEONE IN PLACE. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> CAN I SPEAK TO IT? I KNOW THERE IS NOT A SECOND. >> I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE RULE -- >> THE CHAIR CAN CALL FOR DISCUSSION. >> CHAIR SEGAL? >> I THINK WE HAD OUR FIRST SPEAKER TODAY TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. I KNOW AND I AM A PRACTICAL PERSON. I REMEMBERING COG TPHAOEUZ THAT THERE -- I REMEMBERING COG TPHAOEUZ THAT THERE IS -- RECOGNIZE THERE WILL BE A VOID. WE HAVE THE MAY 7TH ELECTION AND MAY 24TH RUNOFF. JUST THIS MORNING I HAD SOME -- I HAD TWO PEOPLE CONTACT ME IN THE PRIMARY OFFICE AND ASKING ABOUT THE MAY 7TH. ONE PERSON WE HAD BEEN TOLD HAD BEEN ON A NO HIRE LIST. THE OTHER PERSON WAS NEVER CONTACTED. THIS WAS FOR THE MAY 7TH. IT IS A TEST OF FAILING OUR LOCATION AND DETERMINING OUR MAY 24TH. AND IT JUST CONCERNS ME THAT WE CONTINUALLY SEEM TO HAVE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE FAIRLY BASIC. THE PROCESS FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, BOTH PARTIES SUBMIT A LIST OF CANDIDATES THAT WERE APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE THE MAY 7TH IS RUN BY THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR. THAT OFFICE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING FROM THE CANDIDATE THAT'S WERE KIND OF PRE-APPROVED TO SEE IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE. AGAIN, IT JUST -- YOU KNOW, MY GOAL AS CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS TO ENSURE OUR ELECTIONS RUN FAIRLY AND EFFECTIVELY AND THAT WE STAFF THEM ACCORDINGLY. AND IT IS JUST -- IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE ALWAYS PROBLEMS. AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE ADDRESSED QUICKLY AND INFRASTRUCTURE REBUILT. I THINK UNDER MS. LONGORIA'S LEADERSHIP THERE SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENTLY PROBLEMS. THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF MY AMENDMENT. >> I WOULD SAY WHILE I REMEMBERING COG TPHAOEUZ THERE HAVE -- I KNOW ABOUT THE CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION, IT IS WHAT WILL ALLOW FOR AN EFFECTIVE TRANSITION. [00:20:05] MY SUSPICION IS IF WE GO THROUGH A NATIONAL SEARCH WE WILL BE THOUGHTFUL IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND POST IT AND FIND AN EXCELLENT CANDIDATE, AND THIS CANDIDATE COMES IN THROUGH A SMOOTH TRANSITION, THAT THAT SETS US YOU -- THAT SETS US UP FOR SUCCESS. I'M AFRAID IF WE HAVE ANOTHER TRANSITION BETWEEN THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PERMANENT DIRECTOR, THAT IT WILL ONLY CAUSE MORE ISSUES IN THE OFFICE. WE WORKED -- AND I WILL TELL YOU FROM COMMISSIONER'S COURT ALL OF US IMPRESSED ON THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR THE NEED TO MAKE SURE THESE ELECTIONS ARE RUN SMOOTHLY. AND WE ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. WE ALREADY AT THE LAST COURT APPROVED AN EFFORT TO ASSESS FOR A THIRD PARTY GROUP TO ASSESS WHAT WENT WRONG WITH THE PRIMARY SO WE CAN EVALUATE IT. BUT MY POSITION IS WE MOVE IN A METHODICAL WAY TO FIND A REPLACEMENT THAT MINIMIZES THE DISRUPTION TO A PROCESS THAT IS ALREADY FACING CHALLENGES. I HEAR WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM, BUT I THINK A SMOOTH PROCESS WITH LESS TURNOVER WILL BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A SWITCH FROM HER TO WHICH EVER GREAT CANDIDATE WE FIND NEXT. >> CAN I RESPOND, JUDGE? >> SURE. >> I HAVE 22 YEARS, 14 WITH THE CITY OF BELAIRE AND 8 ON CITY COUNCIL AND 8 AS MAYOR AND 8 ON THE BOARD OF METRO, ANOTHER LARGE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY AS SECOND VICE-CHAIR. IN BOTH THOSE CASES WE HAD TKA*RB -- ONE WAS A CITY MANAGER AND TWO WAS A CEO OF METRO. THESE THINGS TAKE A LONGTIME AND I KNOW WE NEED TO MOVE EXPEDITIOUSLY, BUT I ALSO DON'T WANT TO MOVE SO QUICKLY THAT WE ARE CAUGHT AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE TIMELINE AND WE ARE NOT PREPARING FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE A GREAT CANDIDATE TO FILL IN. IN A PERFECT WORLD IT LOOKS GREAT WE CAN DO THIS IN TWO MONTHS. BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN MY -- YOU KNOW, 22 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE THAT THAT HAPPENS. I THINK YOU SAID THE LAST TIME WE NEED TO GET THIS RIGHT. WE NEED TO GET THE RIGHT CANDIDATE. REBUILDING THE ORGANIZATION WILL TAKE TIME. AND OTIS, YOU AND I BOTH HAVE CONCERNS TO MAKE SURE THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS ARE RUN FAIRLY AND SECURELY. I WILL STATE IF I WAS QUEEN FOR A DAY, AS A FORMER COUNCILMAN USED TO SAY, I WOULD PUT THIS ROLE BACK WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE COUNTY TREASURER. BUT I KNOW THAT'S NOT ON THE TABLE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT ARTIFICIALLY BOXING OURSELVES INTO A TIMELINE AND NOT JUST TAKING A CANDIDATE TO TAKE A CANDIDATE. PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME WILL TELL YOU I WAS, YOU KNOW -- I ALWAYS HOPE FOR THE BEST AND PLAN FOR THE WORST. I THINK WE NEED A BACK UP PLAN WHERE WE KNOW SOMEONE CAN STEP IN ON A TEMPORARY BASIS. WITH 22 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WE DID THAT WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND WE DID THAT WITH THE CEO AND WE APPOINTED SOMEONE INTERNATIONALLY THAT WOULD TAKE OVER TO GIVE THE BODY A CHANCE TO DO THE SEARCH AND VET THE CANDIDATES AND ENSURE THAT WE DO HAVE THE RIGHT CANDIDATE. AND THAT'S THE REASON I OFFERED THAT AMENDMENT. >> CHAIR, I WILL LET YOU KNOW, WHEN WE DID THE SEARCH A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WITHIN THOSE SIX WEEKS WE HAD SOME FABULOUS CANDIDATES AND YOU WILL GET THE PACKET. YOU WILL SEE THAT WE HAD SOME GREAT CANDIDATES. I WOULD SUSPECT AND HOPE WE FIND GOOD ONES HERE SOON AS WELL. AND OF COURSE THE TIMELINE HAS BEEN SHORTENED A BIT NOW, BUT I THINK WE KEEP AN EYE ON IT AND IF NEED BE WE CAN ALWAYS HAVE THIS DISCUSSION AGAIN. I CALL INTO QUESTION ESPECIALLY -- I AM NOT EVEN SURE WE CAN DO THIS BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE FUNCTIONALLY FIRING HER. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO WEIGH IN. OUR VIEW IS IF WE WERE TO CHANGE THE TERMS OF HER RESIGNATION IT WOULD BE A TERMINATION OF HER POSITION. IT PROBABLY FITS UNDER THE AGENDA ITEM, BUT AS A REMINDER IT NEEDS A 4/5 VOTE OF THE COMMISSION AND APPROVAL OF [00:25:01] COMMISSIONER'S COURT. THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND ON THE SIDE. >> LET ME PROCEED WITH THE VOTE. CHAIR SEGAL? >> IT DIDN'T HAVE A SECOND. >> THERE WAS A MOTION BY CLERK HUDSBETH. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECRETARY BENNETT. >> ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I KNOW I HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR A QUICK 5-MINUTE BREAK SO LET'S JUST TAKE A QUICK BREAK UNTIL 10:35. >> THIS MEETING IS BACK IN SESSION. [3. Request for discussion and approval of a timeline and plan for hiring an Elections Administrator.] WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM 3, APPROVAL OF A TIMELINE AND PLAN FOR HIRING AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR. THE TIMELINE HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED. DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OR ANY DISCUSSION? >> I HAVE A QUESTION IN TERMS OF THE TIMELINE. MAYBE ONE AMENDMENT FOR APRIL 5TH. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE OUTSIDE THAT WINDOW NOW. THE LIMIT WOULD BE FOR TODAY, APRIL 19TH, IS THAT CORRECT, MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY? >> YES. ALL OTHER ITEMS ON THE TIMELINE LOOK FINE FOR ME. >> OKAY. SO THE MOTION WOULD BE TO DELETE THE APRIL 5TH ENTRY? IS THAT WHAT I'M HEARING? >> OR TO AMEND IT TO SAY APRIL 19TH. >> THAT IS NOTING THE FACT THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVE HIRING THE FIRM AND NOT THIS BODY. THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED. YOU ARE COMPLETELY CORRECT IT IS NOT PART OF THE TIMELINE ANYMORE, BUT IT IS NOT AN ACT THAT HAS TO HAPPEN. >> THEN I DON'T HAVE AN AMENDMENT, JUDGE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND BY JUNN COMMISSION NEEDS TO APPOINT AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OR TEMPORARY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IF THERE ISN'T AN APPROPRIATE CANDIDATE AT THE TIME. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR TO AMEND THE JUNE 30TH ENTRY THAT SAYS NEEDS TO APPOINT AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OR A TEMPORARY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IF THERE IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE CANDIDATE AT THAT TIME. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. IT WAS BY CHAIR SEGAL AND SECONDED BY CLERK HUDSBETH. >> MOTION TO ADOPT THE TIMELINE. >> A MOTION TO ADOPT THE TIMELINE AS AMENDED? >> AS AMENDED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I'M IN FAVOR. [4. Request for discussion and approval to use an executive search firm identified and retained by the County Administrator to recruit, screen, and evaluate potential Elections Administrator candidates and help manage and streamline the hiring process on behalf of the Elections Commission. ] WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 4 DISCUSSION APPROVAL TO USE AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM. >> I WANTED TO BRING THE SEARCH FIRM AND I THINK WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOME INFORMATION WITH REGARDS TO THE SEARCH FIRM. I DID HAVE A QUESTION YESTERDAY IN TERMS OF IS THIS THE ONLY SEARCH FIRM WE HAVE CONSIDERED. AND SO I SPOKE WITH MS. DOUGLAS YESTERDAY AND I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, MS. DOUGLAS, IF YOU CAN SHARE EXACTLY WHAT YOU EXPLAINED TO ME YESTERDAY SO WE CAN HAVE FURTHER CLARIFICATION IN REGARDS TO THIS. >> ABSOLUTELY. IN THE FALL WE HELD -- REALLY IT WAS THE FIRST EVER EXECUTIVE SEARCH RFP DUE TO THE TYPES OF NEEDS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THE GOAL WAS TO FIND QUALIFIED SEARCH FIRMS THAT HAD SPECIALIZATIONS WITH THIS SIZE OF COMPLEXITY. SEVEN SIGNED THE CONTRACTS AND THREE OF THE SEVEN FIRMS HAVE PUBLIC SECTOR PRACTICES. AND AT THE TIME ADMINISTRATOR LONG -- LONGORIA RESIGNED THERE WERE SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FIRMS. ONE CANDIDLY WAS OVER CAPACITY AND DECLINED TO SAY THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TAKE ON THE SEARCH. I HAD A PRETTY LENGTHY CONVERSATION WITH THE SECOND. AND IN MY OPINION THEY JUST DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE FOR THIS SEARCH. THEY ARE A NATIONAL FIRM AND THEY ARE NOT VERY INGRAINED IN TEXAS POLITICS AND THE THIRD IS WHAT YOU HAVE THE ADDENDUM ON [00:30:04] WITH PUBLIC SECTOR EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT TEXAS AND CURRENT AND LONG-TIME VENDOR AT THE FEDERAL AND LOCAL LEVELS. AND PRESENTED A VERY HIGH LEVEL APPROACH. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A STRATEGY. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS OPENING? BECAUSE OF THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WE ARE RECOMMENDING RSI TO YOU TODAY. >> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT MY OTHER COLLEAGUES, BUT I DID A DEEP DIVE AND FROM WHAT I CAN SEE RSI IS IMPRESSIVE. AND SO FOR THAT I SUPPORT US BEING ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION FROM THIS BODY. >> I CHECKED THEM OUT TOO AND THEY HAVE GOOD REFERENCES. LET ME CLARIFY SOMETHING AND THIS GETS INTO THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ATTORNEY. THERE IS A STATEMENT IN TERMS OF QUALIFICATIONS. IT WOULD INFLUENCE THIS PROCESS. WHERE IT SAYS TO BE EL -- ELIGIBLE FOR SECTION 31.034 AS A COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR THE PERSON MUST BE A QUALIFIED PERSON OF THE STATE. DOES THAT LIMIT THE SEARCH TO THE STATE OF TEXAS? >> IT DOES NOT. BUT THE PERSON -- ESSENTIALLY THE END POINT IS THE PERSON REGISTERED AS A VOTER IN TEXAS WHICH IS THE LAST ELEMENT OF BEING A QUALIFIED VOTER IN TEXAS. YOU COULD, OF COURSE, RECRUIT SOMEONE FROM OUT OF STATE. THEY HAVE TO MOVE HERE AND ESTABLISH RESIDENCY WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE ANYTHING SPECIFIC AND THEN REGISTER TO VOTE. WHAT WE RECOMMEND IS OBVIOUSLY IF THAT PERSON IS SELECTED YOU MODIFY THE TIMELINE AND IT IS CONTINGENT ON THEM BEING A QUALIFIED VOTER AND MEETING THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS. >> CAN I ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ? JUDGE, YOU MADE A COMMENT ABOUT IT BEING A NATIONAL SEARCH. DOES THIS FIRM HAVE THE CAPACITY BOTH -- YOU SAID PUBLIC SECTOR BOTH IN THE STATE AND NATIONALLY THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THOSE RESOURCES ? >> THEY DO. THAT IS CORRECT. THE EXPECTATION IS THIS WOULD BE A NATIONAL SEARCH. >> AND IT LOOKED LIKE WHEN I WENT ON THEIR WEBSITE THAT THEY DO A LOT OF WHAT I CONSIDER ADMINISTRATIVE AS WELL AS ACCOUNTANTS. DO YOU FEEL THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY -- THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT TERM. THEY HAVE THE EXPERTISE OR BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE NEW WONSES OF -- THE NUANCES OF WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS, YOU KNOW, NOT EVERY ACCOUNTANT CAN DO IT OR ADMINISTRATOR AND THAT IS VOTER REGISTRATION AS WELL AS RUNNING THE ELECTIONS. >> I THINK THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. I WOULD SAY DO YOU HAVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES LINE OF BUSINESS? THAT'S HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE IT AND THEN AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FUNCTION WHICH ARE TWO BIDINGS OF WORK OR LINES OF BUSINESS WITHIN THEIR FIRM. IN TERMS OF THEIR APPROACH TO FILLING IN CAPACITY, A LOT OF THAT CANDIDLY BEYOND THE JOB DESCRIPTION UH WHROT -- A LOT OF WHAT THEY WILL TAILOR THEIR SEARCH STRATEGY TO WILL COME FROM YOU AS A COLLECTIVE BODY IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AND IT IS TO UNDERSTAND THE PROFILE THAT YOU WANT AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOME INPUT AND SOME CONVERSATIONS. IT MAY OR MAY NOT REQUIRE MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE POSITION DESCRIPTION BASED UPON THE PROFILE THAT YOU GUYS DEEM NECESSARY, BUT THEIR JOB OR ANY SEARCH FIRM'S JOB IS TO TAILOR THEIR SEARCH AND IDENTIFY THE CANDIDATES DEEMED BY THE BODY. >> WE HAVE THE MOTION AND THE SECOND. >> SECOND. AND THAT IS ON THE SEARCH FIRM ITEM. EXCUSE ME ITEM 4. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. [5. Request for discussion and potential action regarding directing Harris County Human Resources and Risk Management to distribute the resumes and other relevant materials of applicants for the Elections Administrator position from 2020 to the search firm retained by the County Administrator and to each member of the Election Commissioner for review and consideration.] I'M IN FAVOR. ITEM 5. THIS WOULD BE A MOTION TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT TO DISTRIBUTE THE RESUMES AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS OF APPLICANTS FOR THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR [00:35:03] POSITION FROM 2020 TO THE SEARCH FIRM RETAINED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND TO EACH MEMBER OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION. IS THERE A MOTION OR ANY DISCUSSION? >> MOTION. MOTION TO ACCEPT. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY CHAIR BAGVARA AND AND SECOND BY CHAIR SEGAL. >> MAY I ASK IF THIS POSSIBLES -- PASSES EVERYONE ON THE ELECTION COMMISSION COULD SEE THE RESUMES. >> KREBLT -- CORRECT. ABSOLUTELY. AND I HOPE SOME OF THOSE FOLKS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. WE WILL FIND OUT AFTERNOON. WE WILL FIND OUT SOON. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. EVERYBODY ON THE BOARD WILL RECEIVE THE RESUMES. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR. TAX ASSESSOR BENNETT, WERE YOU IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED? >> IN FAVOR, JUDGE. THANK YOU. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. [6. Request for discussion and approval of the Elections Administrator job description and for Human Resources and Risk Management to post the approved job description online and distribute it broadly.] THANK YOU. MOVING TO ITEM 6 AND THIS IS THE JOB DESCRIPTION. IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT AS IS OR ANY MOTIONS FOR AMENDMENTS? >> WELL, I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT A JOB DESCRIPTION AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT. YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU ALL HAVE COPIES AND YOU ARE JUST SEEING IT FROM HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY BALLOT SECURITY COMMITTEE. YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS SO SPECIALIZED THAT IT WOULD BE -- I THINK IT HELPS US IF WE MORE CLEARLY DEFINE WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT SAYING THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING TO CHECK THE BOX, BUT BECAUSE THIS ROLE IS SUCH A CRITICAL ROLE AND HAS A VERY BROAD RANGE OF RESPONSIBILITIES, I AM OFFERING UP WHAT WAS PASSED TO YOU DURING MR. VERA'S COMMENTS AS AN AMENDMENT. FOR THE AUDIENCE IT FURTHER CLARIFIES MORE SPECIFICS ON WHAT SOMEONE SERVING AS AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR WOULD BE. >> JUST AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THERE IS NO MOTION ON THE FLOOR. >> I MOVED IT AND THEN -- I KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE A SECOND. >> CAN YOU CLARIFY THAT ONE MORE TIME? >> SO I MOVE THAT WE ADOPT A JOB DESCRIPTION. AND THEN ONCE THERE IS A SECOND I WILL MOVE TO AMEND IT TO ADD SO WE CAN DISCUSS THESE ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATIONS. >> WE CAN'T ADOPT THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND THEN AMEND IT, CAN WE? >> IT WOULD BE A MOTION AND SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO MOVE TO AMEND THE MOTION. >> SO I MOVE TO APPROVE THE JUDGE DESCRIPTION. WE NEED A SECOND AND THEN I WILL AMEND -- MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND. >> SOMEONE ELSE CAN MOVE TO -- >> IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE JOB DESCRIPTION AS PRESENTED? >> WE JUST NEED A SECOND. >> THAT'S WHAT SHE IS SAYING. I WILL SECOND TO UH -- TO ADOPT THE JOB DESCRIPTION AS IS. >> AND NOW I MOVE WE AMEND TO ADD FURTHER CLARIFICATION UNDER THE SKILL SETS AND ROLES WHICH WOULD INCLUDE TEAM MANAGER, LOGIC CTICIA IN -- LOGIS TICIAN AND HUMAN RESOURCES. ALL THIS DOES ISLA CRIFY THAT THISER PSON HASVE ORSIGHT OVER A LOTF ODIFFERENT COMPLEX PROCESSES THAT I THINK THEOR ME EXPERIENCE WEAV HE IT WILL BE MOREF OWHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, AUI GDING DOCUMENT FOR OUREC RRUITING FIRM. >> I I GUESS I HAVE ONEUE QSTION INEA RDINGHE T JOB DESCRIPTION. THESETE IM THAT'S ARE BROKEN DOWNER VY CLEAR IS WITHINHE T JOB DESCRIPTION. OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOTTT WRIEN IN THISMA FORT, BUT KNOWING THE JOB AND THE DETAILS ITIN IS CLUDED IN THE JOBES DCRIPTION. >>FO TO LLOW-UP ONT, THA TRACY, I THINK THEEN INTTIONS AREL, WEL I JUST'T DON -- FORTA INSNCE, KNOWLEDGE OF THEAS TEX ELECTION CODE. I DON'T KNOW HOW BIG THE DEPARTMENTIN IS THEA E AERBGS --S EA'OFFICE, BUTY THE HAVE STAFF AND CHIEFST OF AFF, FOLKS U WHONDERSTAND THE QUESTION -- THE EQUIPMENT AND BALLOTGR PROAMMING. I'M SURE THEY NEEDHA TO VE A GENERALSE SENIO OBVUSLY OF WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE, BUT TO HAVE [00:40:04] THAT ASY DEEPLDIVED D IN, ION'T THINK ISES NECSARYIA ESPECLLY BECAUSE IF YOU READOB THE J DESCRIPTION A LOTIS OF TH IS ALREADYER IN THEHE AND TY WILL HAVE STAFFNG HELPI THEM OUT AND PEOPLE TO LEAN ON.>> RESPECTFULLYRE DISAGE.I THINKES IT DON'TNE OUTLI ITAN D THIS IS SOAL SPECIIZED AND WEA HAVE IT RECRUING FIRM WHO HAS ANSE EXPERTI, M BUT THEOREAR CLIFICATION ANDVE DIRECTI IN TERMS OFTH WHAT OSE RESPONSIBILITIES ANDHT OVERSIGUL BE INCLUDE I THINK WOULD THE I HELPFULN DEFINING WHO BESTTE CANDIDA IST AND WHAOURPE EXCTATIONS AREI . THINK WE SAW, MARCH 1 THAT THERE ARET AREAS THAARE MISSINV AND ERSIGHT INT MANAGEMEN WASIN LACKG IN A LOT OF THESE THAT'SNK WHY I THI THIS IS MORE OF AID WAY TO GUE OUR SEARCH. FIRMIT AND HELPS NARROW THE FIELD THAT YOUE DON'T HAVEVERY TOMCK, DI S AND HARRYAYING I WANT TON BE AELECTIONAT ADMINISTROR AND NOT REALLY I KNOW WHATS REQUIREW THAT'SHY I I AM OFFERINGT UP. T >> ONEHING WE COULD DO IS SAYIT ABILYNT -- GOVERNME ADMINISTRATOR AND VOTER --IN INCLUDG THE ABILITY TO -- TO CHAIRT, VARA'S POIN SEE WHAT HE K WROTE, ORIERAOUT O MANAGE.RECRUIT AND SO THE ABILITYLY TO PERSONALL FULFILORIE KRAOUT AND MANAGE MANAGE,CRUIT AND MAYBEKN THEY DON'T OW THELA TEXS W AND CODE, BUT THEY WILL LEARN IT, H BUT THEY WILLIRE SOMEONE A WHO KNOWS IT,ND C IN THATASE WE PUT IT IN THERE.T THE POINIS WE ARE TRYINGND TO FI SOMEBODY WHO -- WEG ARE DOINA NATIONAL SEARCHBO FOR SOMEDY WHO KNOWS THE TEXAS C ELECTIONODE AND CANTL PERMANENY -- PERSONALLYEV CAN DO ERY ONE OF THESE THINGS. THERE IS A TINY BIT THEYFE COULD DER TO SOMEBODY THEYDO HIRE. I N'T WANT TO BOX OURSELVES OUT OF ATE GREAT CANDIDA. IF WE KEEP IT AT THAT THEY COULD FULFILL IT THEMSELVESTH OR DEMONSTRATE ATOI THEY ARE GNG TOCO -- THEY REGNIZE THESE GOING TO AND THEY ARE RECRUIT AND MANAGE SOMEBODY WHOT THAT OTHERSNGS CAN'T DO. I AM FINE WITH THEM.FU THERE ARE NCTIONS THE OFFICE TO CONDUCT. >> SO,AK JUDGE I WOULD ME A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT IFOD I UNDERSTO YOU RIGHT TO DELETEDE INCLUDING MONSTRATELY LET'S SEE.-- AND MAYBE INSERT ANDON EITHER PERSALLY KRAOUTING AND MANAGING THE -- OD RECRUITING A MANAGINGIN THE FOLLOWG ELECTION ROLES. >>E DETAILED KNOWLEDGOFLA REC - REGUTIONS, PRACTICESLS AND PRINCIPA ANDRA VOTER REGISTTION AND -- >> EITHER PERSONALLY FULFILLINGG MANAGING THEAND FOLLOWING.ER AND SAY EITH PERSONALLY FULFILLING AND HAVE --IS HOW ABT TH? HAVE THE ABILITY TO EITHERFI PERSONALLY FULLL OR RECRUITHE AND MANAGE T FOLLOWING ELECTION SKILL SETS. >> I'M FINE WITH THAT. DO YOU WANT ME MORE TIME? IT ONE >> NO.TH I'M FINE WITH AT. THAT AMENDMENT. >>LD FOR THE RECORD, WOUIT YOU REPEATING IN. >> SURE. >>SA OKAY. IT WILL Y DETAILED KNOWLEDGE, ING THIS ISFI BULLET POINT VE, DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OFLS REGULATIONS, PRINCIPA AND PRACTICES GOVERNINGST ELECTIONS ADMINIRATION -- T >> I DON'T THINKHEYOU HAVE THE HANDT. >>L, WE HAVE THE ORIGINAVE BUT E DON'T HA THE HANDOUTOT -- >> HE HAS ANHER ONE COMING. >> IT IS UNDER>> QUALIFICATIONS. I CAN SEE THED BULLETS. >> GOOHE CALL. >> WAIT, WRE IS THIS? >> SO IT IS THE RED PART AFTERGE DETAILED KNOWLED. >>Y YEAH. IT WILL SA AFTER VOTER REGISTRATION ANDY HAVE THE ABILITTO EITHER PERSONALLY FULFILL OR RECRUIT ANDIN MANAGE THE FOLLOWG ELECTION SKILL>> SET/ROLES. AND THENTH LIST. >> AND THEN E LIST. [00:45:05] >> SO THERE IS A MOTION BY CHAIR SEGAL AND SECOND BY CLERK HUDSBETH. >> I. >> I. >> I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTIONY. CARRIES UNANIMOUSL >> JUDGE, TO BEMO CLEAR ON THE W TION PRACTICE RULES, THAT'S A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT? >> NOW WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE INITIAL MOTION TO APPROVE THE RULES AS AMENDED. IS THERE A MOTIONLE TO APPROVE E RUS>> AS AMEND STPHED. MOTION. >> SECOND. >> I SAID RULES AND I MEANT JOB LISTING YES. >> SECONDED BY THE TAXD ASSESS. >> SECONDEBY TAX ASSESSORE BENNETT. >> HAVI A QUICK H QUESTION -- I HAVE IAVEIS A QUICK QUESTION, TH DOES NOT MEAN WE CAN'T AMEND THE LIST STPH-G. >> YOU -- LISTING? >> YOU CAN PUT AN PHEPLT FOR THE NEXT COMMISSION -- PUT ANXT AMENDMENT FOR THE NE W COMMISSION? >>HEN WE VOTE ON THE MOTION TO ADOPT AS AMENDED, WE CAN'T AMEND THE JOB? >> AND I WOULD PUT AND AMENDMENTS. >> I AM IN FAVOR. >> ALL IN I FAVOR? >> I. >>. >> ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR ANDOU MOTION CARRS UNANIMSLY. >> JUDGE, MAY I? ARE YOUDM OFFERING ANOTHER AMENENT? >> I WILL OFFER A COUPLE OF AMENDMENTS. >> THEN LET'S WALK THAT BACK. >> THAT'S WHY I SAID -- >> WE WILL CLEAN UP THE RECORD. MOTION DOESN'T CARRY. THE AMENDMENT FROM MEMBER SEGAL CARRIES AND NOW LET'S HEAR YOUR AMENDMENT. >> IF BOTH AMENDMENTS APPROVE. >> IT WILL BE ON THE SECOND PAGE OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION UNDER ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND IT IS NOT SUB STAN -- WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SUB STAN SEUF. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER. GATHER T AND PROVIDE INFORMATION TOHE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION, HAIRY COUNTYTI COMMISSIONER'S COURT, ELECON JUDGES AND ELECTION WORKERS AND GENERAL PUBLIC REGARDING STATE, FEDERAL LAWS AND PROCEDURES FORAGE SISTERING VOTER -- FOR REGISTERING VOTERS. I THINK THAT'S THE ONLY BULLET POINT WE CAN ADD ANOTHER ONE, BUT HAVE A QUARTERLY CHECK IN WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS COMMISSION WITH THE EA TO KEEP THE BODY INFORMED. WE SHOULD HAVE THAT ONCE A QUARTER. >> COULD I OFFER A SUGGESTION? >> YEAH. I HAD ANOTHER -- OKAY. LET ME DO THIS. I THINK I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE HEADED ON THIS. A QUARTERLY CHECK IN WITH THE EN ELECTIONS COMMISSION, AND TH ALSO IN ADDITION TO THAT QUARTERLY CHECK IN, WE MEET WITH THE EA THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE ELECTION AND THREE WEEKS AFTER THE ELECTION AS WELL AS A HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION. >> I AM FINE WITH IT. >> YEAH. >> I AGREE WITH THAT AMENDMENT. >> I WILL SECOND IT. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS A TWO-PART? >> DO YOU WANT TO MAKE IT ONE AMENDMENT? >> OKAY. SO MY AMENDMENT IS TO ADD UNDER -- >> ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. >> WE ADD A QUARTERLY CHECK IN WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE IN ADDITION TO MEETING WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR THREE WEEKS BEFORE AN ELECTION AND THREE WEEKS AFTER AN ELECTION. >> YOU MEAN THE BODY WOULD HAVE TO MEET, CONVENE, THREE WEEKS BEFORE AN ELECTION AND THREE WEEKS AFTER ANY -- ANY LEGISLATION? >> IN ADDITION WITH MEETING COUNTYLY WITH THE ELECTION COMMISSION. >> I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT AND IF IT IS UNWORKABLE WE CAN CHANGE IT. I WILL SAY WE HAVE THIS -- WE HAVE THESE TWO ELECTIONS. SO THREE WEEKS BEFORE EACH AND THREE WEEKS AFTER AND GETTING OUR SCHEDULES LINED UP IS NOT EASY. I'M AFRAID THIS MIGHT END UP BEING TOO BURDENSOME ON US, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY TRY. >> ALL YOU ARE AMENDING THE JOBD DESCRIPTION. YOU ARE NOT BIING THE COMMISSION TO MEET. >> THERE IS A SET EXPECTATION. >> IT SETS AN EXPECTATION. >> YOU COULD ADD IF POSSIBLE THREE WEEKS BEFORE AND IF POSSIBLE THREE WEEKS AFTER. >> THERE YOU GO. >> I THINK WE ARE -- IF I UNDERSTAND YOU, JUDGE, IF WE ALREADY MET, DO WE NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER MEETING JUST BECAUSE IT IS THE -- >> RIGHT. >> YEAH. I WAS THINKING THAT TOO. WE CAN SAY MEET WITH MEMBERS OF, AND I THINK PART OF YOUR INTENT IF I AM HEARING YOU CORRECTLY IS TO HAVE THE BODY. >> THE BODY. YES. IT IS OPEN MEETINGS. >> IT IS A GOOD STANDARD TO SET. WOULD YOU CLARIFY THAT THE MOTIONS HAVE A QUARTERLY CHECK IN WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS COMMISSION AND MEET IF [00:50:04] POSSIBLE WITH THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION THREE WEEKS BEFORE EACH ELECTION AND THREE WEEKS AFTER EACH ELECTION? >> YES. >> WE WOULD ADD THAT. >> YES. >> THAT IS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS? >> YEAH. WE HAVE THE MEETS REGULARLY WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD. >> YEAH. THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME AS WELL. >> AND THEN ALSO TOO AND THIS MAY NOT BE SO MUCH AS -- MUCH AN AMENDMENT AS A QUESTION. ORIGINALLY WHEN THE ORIGINAL EA WAS HIRED WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT COME IN OR A TRANSITION CONSULTANT TEAM. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU PUT THAT IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION, BUT MAYBE WE CAN TO SET EXPECTATIONS, BUT I WOULD LIKE US TO ADDRESS THAT IN SOME FORM OR MANNER OF BRINGING IN A TRANSITIONAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT TEAM FOR WHOEVER THE NEW EA IS. MAYBE THAT CAN BE ANOTHER AMENDMENT. >> IS THAT A COMMISSIONER'S COURT THING? >> I WAS GOING TO SAY, REALLY IT WOULDN'T BE WITHIN THE ELECTION -- >> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. >> YOU CAN PUT IT IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND SET EXPECTATION AND THAT WOULD BE FINE AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT OBVIOUSLY CAN PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THAT. >> LET'S DO THAT. >> YOU CAN ADOPT SOME KIND OF A MOTION OR RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COMMISSIONERS TAKE ACTION. >> WE ARE GOING TO MEET AHEAD OF A NEW ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR COMING ON BECAUSE WE HAVE TO APPOINT WHOEVER IT IS. I WILL COMMIT TO YOU GUYS TO WORKING TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS ON MY AGENDA. IF MY COLLEAGUES AGREE WE CAN VOTE WHEN WE NEXT MEET. I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO GIVE THEM THAT TOOL IF SOMEONE CAN HELP THEM WITH THE TRANS -- TRANSITION. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD, DAVE? GOOD? >> IT WORKS FOR ME AS WELL, JUDGE. >> ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS ? >> THAT'S IT FOR ME. >> SO NOW WE NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RULE AS AMENDED. >> YES. >> MOTION TO -- >> WE ALREADY HAVE -- >> THE JOB DESCRIPTION. >> WE ALREADY HAVE THE MOTION AND WE HAVE APPROVED THE AMENDMENTS. SO NOW IT IS JUST TAKING A VOTE, RIGHT? >> YEAH. >> DO YOU REMEMBER WHO MADE THE MOTION? >> I WILL MAKE THE SECOND. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> TO SECOND ALL OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION AS AMENDED. OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT SHOULD BE THE LAST ITEM. >> MAY I ASK A QUESTION? WHEN DO YOU THINK WE WILL HAVE THE RESUMES OF THE PRIOR CANDIDATES FROM 2020? >> WE HAVE THEM NOW. I WOULD PROPOSE, HOWEVER, WE ASK FOR AN INITIAL VETTING OF WHO MAY BE INTERESTED. I DON'T WANT TO WASTE YOUR TIME WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED ON. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE WEEKS. >> I THINK IT WILL TAKE A FEW WEEKS. ADDITIONALLY, THAT IS EVERY APPLICANT, RIGHT? SO THERE ARE FOLKS WHO CANDIDLY ARE NOT QUALIFIED IN THAT 153. WE ADVISE OR RECOMMEND THAT YOU ALLOW OUR SIDE TO REVIEW THEM FOR THOSE WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND CONNECT TO SEE IF THEY ARE STILL AVAILABLE AND INTERESTED. AND FOR THOSE -- AND CERTAINLY GIVE YOU THE BEST OF THE BUNCH. THAT WOULD BE THE GOAL. THAT WILL TAKE PROBABLY ABOUT TWO WEEKS REALISTICALLY. >> DID YOU SAY 153? >> THERE WERE 153 APPLICANTS IN THE LAST SEARCH. >> AND IF YOU KNOW THIS, HOW MANY WERE ACTUALLY QUALIFIED? >> I DON'T -- CANDIDLY, I DON'T KNOW AT THIS MOMENT. >> WE ENDED UP RECEIVING SIX OR 8ISH IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. AND I REMEMBER -- FOR ME AT LEAST, I WAS PRETTY TORN BETWEEN TWO OR THREE I WANT TO SAY THERE WERE LIKE THREE ARGUABLY FIVE -- AND I DON'T KNOW IF MS. BENNETT HAS MORE TABS, BUT THEY HAD THE QUALIFICATIONS AND MAYBE A CONCERN HERE OR THERE. THERE IS ONE AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS STILL AVAILABLE, BUT I REMEMBER REALLY BEING TORN AND MY FEAR WOULD BE IF THIS PERSON -- IF WE PUBLICIZE THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING AND MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT THEIR EMPLOYER TO KNOW THEY ARE APPLYING, SO I WOULD JUST MENTION THAT TO THE BOARD. IF WE WANT THESE PEOPLE TO REMAIN AND WE DON'T WANT TO SCARE THEM OFF. >> CAN WE GET THE LIST OF THE SPREAD SHEET OR WHATEVER THOSE [00:55:02] TOP FOLKS THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT SO WE CAN SEE HOW IT WAS NARROWED DOWN? IN THE SENSE OF TIME IT GIVES US MORE GRAVITY TO GET MOVING ON HERE IN TERMS OF WHO IS REPORTED. THERE WAS A SPREAD SHEET OR LIST OF THE SIX OR EIGHT OR THREE OR HOWEVER MANY THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. >> I THINK WE HAVE IT SOMEWHERE. >> I AM JUST INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE OF AN IDEA OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT. ARE WE GOING TO END UP WITH TWO PEOPLE? I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY 153 -- >> IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, THERE WERE FIVE AND THE PROBLEM THAT THE ONES WHO WERE EMPLOYED HAD IS THAT THEY WERE IN THE MIDST OF ELECTIONS. THEY WERE NOT GOING TO WALK AWAY FROM THEIR JOBS TO COME AND HELP HARRIS COUNTY. >> YEAH. AND THEN WE WERE REALLY IN A HURRY -- TO YOUR POINT -- TO GET THAT PERSON STARTED. I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY, BUT THERE WAS A REASON THERE WAS A RUSH. AND SO THERE WAS THE RESIDENCY ISSUES, OH WELL, WE BETTER JUST FIGURE OUT THE FOLKS THAT DON'T NEED TO BE HERE FOR 30 DAYS BEFORE THEY TAKE ON. >> AND, YOU KNOW, JUDGE, THAT MAY BE AN ISSUE AND THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT UP THE IDEA OF A TEMPORARY. I WOULD JUST ASK THAT THE STAFF BE MULLING IT OVER TO FIGURE OUT HOW, WHAT OUR PLAN B IS SO WE ARE NOT COMING UP ON JUNE 30TH AND GOING, OOPS. >> NO. I THINK IT IS FAIR. >> AND I WOULD LIKE TO -- IF YOU CAN GIVE ME A MOMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY HOW I ENVISION OUR ASSIGNMENT INTERACTING WITH THE BODY. THEY ARE WORKING WITH YOU DIRECTLY, RIGHT? WE WOULD ASK THEM TO PRESENT A SHORT LIST OF CANDIDATES BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS AND AVAILABILITY, BUT THEY WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO MEET WITH YOU TO GO THROUGH WHY OTHERS ARE NOT ON THIS SHORT LIST OR DISCUSS OTHER CANDIDATES BECAUSE I WANT THAT TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE. IN THE END, IT IS NOT THEM SELECTING AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR. IT IS THIS BODY. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, SENDING YOU WHETHER IT IS THREE OR FIVE OR 10 RESUMES IS A BETTER USE OF YOUR TIME THAN SENDING YOU 200. >> YEAH. I DON'T REMEMBER. MS. BENNETT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DO. BUT I DON'T REMEMBER GETTING MORE THAN A HANDFUL FROM THEM. IN OTHER WORDS MORE THAN THE NARROW GROUP THAT THEY HAD ALREADY CALLED DOWN. I'M SURE IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE THE BIGGER GROUP, THEN THERE IS NO REASON TO. >> I THINK WE NEED TO GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY. >> THERE WERE FIVE. THERE WERE FIVE. >> YEAH. >> WELL, SO, I DON'T KNOW -- I'M SORRY. >> GO AHEAD. >> I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED A MOTION, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO CONFIRM THAT WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED IS THE WAY Y'ALL WANT TO INTERACT SO THAT WE CAN GIVE DIRECTION. >> WE ARE NOT PRECLUDING THAT WE WOULD ONLY -- I MEAN, WE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY IF WE WANT TO INTERVIEW THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, RIGHT? >> ABSOLUTELY. AND AGAIN, I VIEW OUR ROLE IS TO GENERATE RECOMMENDATIONS. IN THE END THE BODY CAN WHAT IT WANTS. IT IS HELPFUL TO HAVE A SHORT LIST WITH A RATIONAL TO MOVE THE PROCESS ALONG. >> ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? OKAY. THAT IS IT FOR THE AGENDA TODAY. WE HEARD FROM ALL OF THE SPEAKERS. ANYTHING FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OR THE CLERK'S OFFICE? >> EXPECTATION OF NEXT MEETING POTENTIALLY? I MEAN, I KNOW THE PROCESS IS GOING TO BE DRIVEN BY THE RECRUITER, BUT -- >> SO IF WE LOOK HERE AT THE TIMELINE PERHAPS, CERTAINLY IF THEY MANAGE TO FIND A -- SOME WONDERFUL CANDIDATES SOON WE CAN ALWAYS EXPEDITE THE MEETING. IT SEEMS TO ME SOMETIME IN JUNE -- >> THREE WEEKS IS I THINK WHAT YOU MENTIONED? >> YEAH. >> THE WEEK OF APRIL 25TH IS AN ESTABLISHED TIME FRAME TO GET HIRED AND BEGIN WORK AND THEN MAY AND JUNE. >> BETWEEN MAY 7TH AND BEFORE MAY 24TH? ESPECIALLY WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS? >> SO I THINK WHAT I AM HEARING YOU SAY IS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH THE CURRENT ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TO GO OVER THE ELECTIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE? I THINK WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT -- >> OUR NEXT MEETING. >> WE NEED TO MEET FOR THE PURPOSE OF HIRING THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR. >> I MEAN, SUMMER IS COMING AND I'M SURE PEOPLE HAVE THINGS BLOCKED OFF. JUST AN IDEA SO WE KEEP THE BALL ROLLING. >> WE CAN -- YOU KNOW, ONE THING I CAN DO IS WE CAN WORK THROUGH EVERYONE'S SCHEDULE AND TRY TO AIM FOR SOME TIME IN JUNE, PERHAPS MID-JUNE OR SO. AND IF THE FIRM ISN'T COMING UP WITH ANYBODY, WE CAN REVISIT AND MAYBE WE CAN HAVE JUST A CHECK IN MEETING, A HURRY UP AND APPOINT AN INTERIM OR WHATEVER. DOES THAT SOUND OKAY IF WE FIND [01:00:02] TIME MID-JUNEISH? >> THAT MAKES SENSE. AND IT WILL ALLOW US TIME TO TALK TO -- TALK TO ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA AS WELL COMING OFF TWO ELECTIONS, MAY 7TH AND MAY 24TH. >> YES. WE CAN REVIEW ANYTHING -- KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE. ANYTHING ON THOSE MAY ELECTIONS AND HOPEFULLY APPOINT THE PERMANENT ADMINISTRATOR SO WE WILL AIM FOR MID-ISH-JUNE. ALL RIGHT. GREAT. IT IS 11:10 AND THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED. THANK YOU * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.